cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Fast Approximation of the Bilateral Filter Using a Signal Processing Approach

The bilateral filter is a nonlinear filter that smoothes a signal while preserving strong edges. It has demonstrated great effectiveness for a variety of problems in computer vision and computer graphics, and fast versions have been proposed. Unfortunately, little is known about the accuracy of such accelerations. In this paper, we propose a new signal-processing analysis of the bilateral filter which complements the recent studies that analyzed it as a PDE or as a robust statistical estimator. The key to our analysis is to express the filter in a higher-dimensional space where the signal intensity is added to the original domain dimensions. Importantly, this signal-processing perspective allows us to develop a novel bilateral filtering acceleration using downsampling in space and intensity. This affords a principled expression of accuracy in terms of bandwidth and sampling. The bilateral filter can be expressed as linear convolutions in this augmented space followed by two simple nonlinearities. This allows us to derive criteria for downsampling the key operations and achieving important acceleration of the bilateral filter. We show that, for the same running time, our method is more accurate than previous acceleration techniques. Typically, we are able to process a 2 megapixel image using our acceleration technique in less than a second, and have the result be visually similar to the exact computation that takes several tens of minutes. The acceleration is most effective with large spatial kernels. Furthermore, this approach extends naturally to color images and cross bilateral filtering.
A SIMULATED ANNEALING METHODOLOGY FOR CLUSTERWISE LINEAR REGRESSION

In many regression applications, users are often faced with difficulties due to nonlinear relationships, heterogeneous subjects, or time series which are best represented by splines. In such applications, two or more regression functions are often necessary to best summarize the underlying structure of the data. Unfortunately, in most cases, it is not known a priori which subset of observations should be approximated with which specific regression function. This paper presents a methodology which simultaneously clusters observations into a preset number of groups and estimates the corresponding regression functions' coefficients, all to optimize a common objective function. We describe the problem and discuss related procedures. A new simulated annealing-based methodology is described as well as program options to accommodate overlapping or nonoverlapping clustering, replications per subject, univariate or multivariate dependent variables, and constraints imposed on cluster membership. Extensive Monte Carlo analyses are reported which investigate the overall performance of the methodology. A consumer psychology application is provided concerning a conjoint analysis investigation of consumer satisfaction determinants. Finally, other applications and extensions of the methodology are discussed.
Editorial peer reviewers' recommendations at a general medical journal: are they reliable and do editors care?

Background Editorial peer review is universally used but little studied. We examined the relationship between external reviewers' recommendations and the editorial outcome of manuscripts undergoing external peer-review at the Journal of General Internal Medicine (JGIM). Methodology/Principal Findings We examined reviewer recommendations and editors' decisions at JGIM between 2004 and 2008. For manuscripts undergoing peer review, we calculated chance-corrected agreement among reviewers on recommendations to reject versus accept or revise. Using mixed effects logistic regression models, we estimated intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) at the reviewer and manuscript level. Finally, we examined the probability of rejection in relation to reviewer agreement and disagreement. The 2264 manuscripts sent for external review during the study period received 5881 reviews provided by 2916 reviewers; 28% of reviews recommended rejection. Chance corrected agreement (kappa statistic) on rejection among reviewers was 0.11 (p<.01). In mixed effects models adjusting for study year and manuscript type, the reviewer-level ICC was 0.23 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19–0.29) and the manuscript-level ICC was 0.17 (95% CI, 0.12–0.22). The editors' overall rejection rate was 48%: 88% when all reviewers for a manuscript agreed on rejection (7% of manuscripts) and 20% when all reviewers agreed that the manuscript should not be rejected (48% of manuscripts) (p<0.01). Conclusions/Significance Reviewers at JGIM agreed on recommendations to reject vs. accept/revise at levels barely beyond chance, yet editors placed considerable weight on reviewers' recommendations. Efforts are needed to improve the reliability of the peer-review process while helping editors understand the limitations of reviewers' recommendations.
Quasi-Peak-to-RMS Voltage Conversion

A technique is presented by which the conversion between quasi-peak and rms voltage levels may be made for any noise process for which the relative amplitude probability distribution is known. The technique is not exact, since it requires that the time waveform of the quasi-peak voltage be constant. However, the resulting error seems to be smail for many cases. Several results obtained using the techniques are given and compared with measurements. An analysis is also presented of the effect of the constant quasi-peak voltage requirement on the error.
Feasibility of a storage ring for polar molecules in strong-field-seeking states

We show, through modeling and simulation, that it is feasible to construct a storage ring that will store dense bunches of strong-field-seeking polar molecules at 30 m/s (kinetic energy of 2 K) and hold them, for several minutes, against losses due to defocusing, oscillations, and diffusion. The ring, 3 m in diameter, has straight sections that afford access to the stored molecules and a lattice structure that may be adapted for evaporative cooling. Simulation is done using a newly-developed code that tracks the particles, in time, through 400 turns; it accounts for longitudinal velocity changes as a function of external electric field, focusing and deflection nonlinearities, and the effects of gravity. An injector, decelerator, and source are included and intensities are calculated.
Limits of Performance for Alternate Fuel Energy to Mechanical Work Conversion Systems

The major alternatives for producing work from the chemical energy of fuels include combustion systems and fuel cells. Combustion systems are subject to several performance limiting constraints. Key amongst these is the fact that combustion is an uncontrolled chemical reaction and is typically highly irreversible. The requirement to operate below the metallurgical limit adds to the irreversibility or exergy consumption in practical combustion systems. Furthermore, the use of heat exchangers, which must have finite temperature differences between fluid streams, compounds the exergy consumption. The fuel cell conversion system is a major alternative to combustion systems. It operates as a direct conversion device and is often cited as having a potential for 100% second-law efficiency. Realistically, however, the chemical reactions involved are not reversible. More importantly, the available fuel resources must be reformed to make the chemical energy of the fuel convertible to work; such processes require significant exergy input that must be factored into the determination of the overall exergy conversion efficiency attainable. This paper gives a first- and second-law analysis of the alternate systems for conversion of fuel exergy to mechanical work thus providing a more realistic comparison of the potential of both systems.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
A sublinear parallel algorithm for stable matching

Abstract A parallel algorithm for the stable matching problem is presented. The algorithm is based on the primal-dual interior path-following method for linear programming. The main result is that a stable matching can be found in O ∗ ( m ) time by a polynomial number of processors, where m is the total length of preference lists of individuals.
Pushing Squares Around

We study dynamic self-reconfiguration of modular metamorphic systems. We guarantee the feasibility of motion planning in a rectangular model consisting of square modules that are allowed to slide along or rotate about one another. That is, we show that any two connected configurations of the same number of modules can be transformed into each other by a sequence of moves so that all intermediate configurations are connected. This settles a conjecture formulated in [6].
CosmoMHD: A Cosmological Magnetohydrodynamics Code

In this era of precision cosmology, a detailed physical understanding on the evolution of cosmic baryons is required. Cosmic magnetic fields, though still poorly understood, may represent an important component in the global cosmic energy flow that affects the baryon dynamics. We have developed an Eulerianbased cosmological magnetohydrodynamics code (CosmoMHD) with modern shock capturing schemes to study the formation and evolution of cosmic structures in the presence of magnetic fields. The code solves the ideal MHD equations as well as the non-equilibrium rate equations for multiple species, the Vlasov equation for dynamics of collisionless particles, the Poisson’s equation for the gravitational potential field and the equation for the evolution of the intergalactic ionizing radiation field. In addition, a detailed star formation prescription and feedback processes are implemented. Several methods for solving the MHD by high-resolution schemes with finite-volume and finite-difference methods are implemented. The divergence-free condition of the magnetic fields is preserved at a level of computer roundoff error via the constraint transport method. We have also implemented a high-resolution method via dual-equation formulations to track the thermal energy accurately in very high Mach number or high AlfvenMach number regions. Several numerical tests have demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed schemes. Subject headings: cosmology: theory — magnetohydrodynamics — methods: numerical — shock waves
Battery lifetime prediction by pattern recognition. Application to lead-acid battery life-cycling test data

Abstract A novel approach to battery lifetime prediction has been evaluated by application to life-cycling data collected for 108 ESB EV-106 6-V. golf cart batteries (tests conducted by TRW for NASA-Lewis). This approach utilized computerized pattern recognition methods to examine initial cycling measurements and classify each battery into one of two classes: “long-lived” or “short-lived”. The classifier program was based on either a linear discriminant or nearest neighbor analysis of a training set consisting of: each member of the EV battery set which had failed; the relative lifetime of each member — normalized with respect to test conditions; and a set of “features” based on measurements of the initial behavior. The raw data set included capacity trends over the first 8 or 9 cycles and records of specific gravity and water-added for each cell after initial cycling. Features defined from these raw data included the individual data items as well as transformations and combinations of these data. All features were represented as standardized variables. It was shown that lifetime prediction of batteries within the two categories defined could be made with about 87% accuracy. It is concluded that for a similarly-manufactured battery set, relative lifetime prediction could be based on initial measurements of the same type examined here.
The economics of simulation

This paper presents a framework for decision making about simulations before committing resources. The viewpoint is that of a manager who must decide whether to solve a problem by simulation or by some other means. A decision-analysis type model is introduced to allow the manager to determine the minimum cost method of simulation within the operating and policy constraints of his organization. Two case examples using the metholology are presented.
Disc gel electrophoresis of histones and protamines

A biochemistry laboratory experiment is described for the purification of chromatin followed by isolation of protamines from salmon and histones from starfish. The experiment illustrates the commonly used technique of disc gel electrophoresis for the characterization of proteins and shows the effect of changing sulfur chemistry on the migration of histone f3.
The Chemistry of Biotic Interactions in Perspective: Small Molecules Take Center Stage

The important discoveries made during the last two centuries which are largely responsible for our current understanding of organic chemistry in general, and of natural products chemistry and chemical ecology in particular, are reviewed. A brief personal history follows, including an account of a few examples from our own work which illustrate the importance of interdisciplinary, collaborative research in gaining insights that are not likely to have been achieved by either a chemist or a biologist working alone. Some possible future developments in natural products chemistry and chemical ecology, assuming that we can mobilize appropriate support and enthusiasm for these disciplines, are imagined. Finally, friends, teachers, colleagues, and students who have contributed most importantly to the author’s scientific development or who have served as sources of inspiration are gratefully acknowledged.
Catalytic Nanomotors: Autonomous Movement of Striped Nanorods

Rod-shaped particles, 370 nm in diameter and consisting of 1 μm long Pt and Au segments, move autonomously in aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions by catalyzing the formation of oxygen at the Pt end. In 2−3% hydrogen peroxide solution, these rods move predominantly along their axis in the direction of the Pt end at speeds of up to 10 body lengths per second. The dimensions of the rods and their speeds are similar to those of multiflagellar bacteria. The force along the rod axis, which is on the order of 10-14 N, is generated by the oxygen concentration gradient, which in turn produces an interfacial tension force that balances the drag force at steady state. By solving the convection-diffusion equation in the frame of the moving rod, it was found that the interfacial tension force scales approximately as SR2γ/μDL, where S is the area-normalized oxygen evolution rate, γ is the liquid−vapor interfacial tension, R is the rod radius, μ is the viscosity, D is the diffusion coefficient of oxygen, and L is the le...
Returns to investment in education: A global update

The author updates compilations of rate of return estimates to investment in education published since 1985 - and discusses methodological issues surrounding those estimates. Some key patterns: among the three main levels of education, primary education continues to exhibit the highest social profitability in all world regions - private returns are considerably higher than social returns because of the public subsidization of education; the degree of public subsidy increases with the level of education, which is regressive; social and private returns at all levels generally decline by the level of a country's per capita income; overall, the returns to female education are higher than those to male education, but at individual levels of education the pattern is more mixed; the returns to the academic secondary school track are higher than the vocational track - since unit cost of vocational education is much higher; and the returns for those who work in the private (competitive) sector of the economy are higher than in the public (noncompetitive) sector. And the returns in the self-employment (unregulated) sector of the economy are higher than in the dependent employment sector. Controversies in the literature are discussed in the light of the new evidence. The undisputable and universal positive correlation between education and earnings can be interpreted in many ways. The causation issue on whether education really affects earnings can be answered only with experimental data generated by randomly exposing different people to various amounts of education. Given the fact that moral and pragmatic considerations prevent the generation of such pure data, researchers have to make do with indirect inferences or natural experiments. Some have been attempted. The author looks at the research on overeducation or surplus schooling. The conclusions reinforce earlier patterns. They confirm that primary education continues to be the number one investment priority in developing countries. They also show that educating females is marginally more profitable than educating males, that the academic secondary school curriculum is a better investment than the technical/vocational tract, and that the returns to education obey the same rules as investment in conventional capital - that is, they decline as investment is expanded.
Chern-Simons from Dirichlet 2-brane Instantons

In the vicinity of points in Calabi-Yau moduli space where there are degenerating three-cycles the low energy effective action of type IIA string theory will contain significant contributions arising from membrane instantons that wrap around these three-cycles. We show that the world-volume description of these instantons is Chern-Simons theory.
On the search for experimentally observed grain boundary phase transitions

The phase space for a heterogeneous system containing a grain boundary involves a relatively large number of variables (i.e., at least six plus the number of components), and it is therefore conceptually possible to induce a large variety of grain boundary phase transitions by selectively varying these parameters. Despite this, a review of the literature reveals that there have been virtually no clear-cut experimental observations of transitions reported in which the boundary structure has been observed as a function of time under well defined conditions. In current work, we are searching for roughening/faceting transitions and melting transitions for boundaries in Al by hot stage transmission electron microscopy. A clear example of a reversible roughening/faceting transition has been found. No evidence for melting has been found for temperatures as high as 0.96 T/sub m/ (by monitoring GBD core delocalization in several special boundaries with ..sigma.. less than or equal to 13) or 0.999 T/sub m/ (by observing the local diffraction contrast at general boundaries in polycrystalline specimens).
THE CHEMISTRY OF PENTAVALENT ORGANOBISMUTH REAGENTS. NEW PREPARATIVE METHODS FOR ARYL BISMUTH (V) CARBOXYLATES AND SULFONATES

Abstract Two new methods for the preparation of aryl bismuth (V) carboxylates and sulfonates are reported. The first strategy involves an acid catalysed ligand exchange from triphenyl bismuth diacetate, while the second utilizes an oxidative addition of dibenzoyl peroxide catalyzed by BF3.OEt2.
Crystal Melting and Black Holes

It has recently been shown that the statistical mechanics of crystal melting maps to A-model topological string amplitudes on non-compact Calabi-Yau spaces. In this note we establish a one to one correspondence between two and three dimensional crystal melting configurations and certain BPS black holes given by branes wrapping collapsed cycles on the orbifolds 2/n and 3/n × n in the large n limit. The ranks of gauge groups in the associated gauged quiver quantum mechanics determine the profiles of crystal melting configurations and the process of melting maps to flop transitions which leave the background Calabi-Yau invariant. We explain the connection between these two realizations of crystal melting and speculate on the underlying physical meaning.
An efficient route to 3-chlorojuglones

Abstract The novel 4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde 1 has been prepared and converted in only three steps to 5-acetoxy-7-carboethoxy-3-chloro-1,4-naphthaquinone 4 . Subsequent Diels-Alder reaction affords a tetracyclic enol ether 9 in a regiospecific manner.
Acceleration of generalized hypergeometric functions through precise remainder asymptotics

We express the asymptotics of the remainders of the partial sums {s n } of the generalized hypergeometric function ${\ensuremath{{}_{q+1}F_q\!\left(\left.\begin{smallmatrix}\alpha_1,\ldots,\alpha_{q+1}\\ \beta_1,\ldots,\beta_q\end{smallmatrix}\right|z\right)}}$ through an inverse power series $z^n n^{\lambda} \sum \frac{c_k}{n^k}$ , where the exponent ? and the asymptotic coefficients {c k } may be recursively computed to any desired order from the hypergeometric parameters and argument. From this we derive a new series acceleration technique that can be applied to any such function, even with complex parameters and at the branch point z?=?1. For moderate parameters (up to approximately ten) a C implementation at fixed precision is very effective at computing these functions; for larger parameters an implementation in higher than machine precision would be needed. Even for larger parameters, however, our C implementation is able to correctly determine whether or not it has converged; and when it converges, its estimate of its error is accurate.
Risk of local recurrence after deltoid-sparing resection for osteosarcoma of the proximal humerus

BACKGROUND: The anatomy of the shoulder poses special challenges with regard to limb-sparing surgery. Resection of the deltoid muscle is considered by some surgeons to be necessary to achieve adequate margins for osteosarcoma of the proximal humerus. However, this can compromise the functional results after reconstruction of the shoulder. The goal of the current study was to determine whether deltoid-sparing resection can be safely performed for osteosarcoma of the proximal humerus. METHODS: Between 1978 and 2005, 23 consecutive patients with high-grade nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the proximal humerus underwent limb-sparing surgery with preservation of the deltoid muscle. All patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery and postoperative chemotherapy. The mean follow-up was 90 months (range, 7 months-279 months). RESULTS: The overall survival at 5 years was 77%. At the time of last follow-up, 14 (61%) of 23 of patients were alive without evidence of disease. Three (13%) patients developed local recurrence. Two of these patients had poor responses to chemotherapy, with tumor necrosis of 50% and 70%. The third patient had a pathologic fracture of the humerus. Positive surgical margins were associated with local recurrence, and 2 of 4 patients with a positive surgical margin developed local recurrence (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of the deltoid muscle can be performed for carefully selected patients with osteosarcoma of the proximal humerus. Routine use of the procedure is not justified, because it may be associated with an elevated risk of recurrence. The risk of local recurrence appears to be related to positive surgical margins and possibly the percentage of tumor necrosis. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Semi-stable reduction implies minimality of the resultant

Abstract For a dynamical system on P n over a number field or a function field, we show that semi-stable reduction implies the minimality of the resultant. We use this to show that every such dynamical system over a number field admits a globally minimal presentation.
The shapes of Dirichlet defects

If the vacuum manifold of a field theory has the appropriate topological structure, the theory admits topological structures analogous to the D-branes of string theory, in which defects of one dimension terminate on other defects of higher dimension. The shapes of such defects are analyzed numerically, with special attention paid to the intersection regions. Walls (co-dimension 1 branes) terminating on other walls, global strings (co-dimension 2 branes) and local strings (including gauge fields) terminating on walls are all considered. Connections to supersymmetric field theories, string theory and condensed matter systems are pointed out.
Automorphisms of normal partial transformation semigroups

We let X be an arbitrary infinite set. A semigroup S of total or partial transformations of X is called -normal if hSh-1 = S, for all h in , the symmetric group on X. For example, the full transformation semigroup , the semigroup of all partial transformations , the semigroup of all 1–1 partial transformations and all ideals of and are -normal.
Reps and Warrants: Lessons from the GSEs Experience

Obtaining a loan guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is more difficult today than it was in 2001. While many factors have caused this change, the system of representations and warranties (reps and warrants), under which lenders can be forced to repurchase loans long after they are sold to the GSEs, is a hidden contributor. Recent efforts by Fannie and Freddie and their regulator to fix the problem should help, but there is room to give lenders greater assurance without harming Fannie and Freddie. And that assurance should translate into greater lender willingness to increase lending by expanding the “credit box.”
An anti-windup design for polytopic systems by a parameter-dependent Lyapunov function approach

This paper presents an anti-windup compensation design for polytopic systems. A parameter-dependent Lyapunov function approach is first proposed to reduce the conservatism in estimating the performance of the closed-loop system under a given anti-windup design. An iterative algorithm is then proposed to design the anti-windup compensation gain. Numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design approach.
Early Stage Morphology of Quench Condensed Ag, Pb and Pb/Ag Hybrid Films

In situ Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) has been used to study the morphology of Ag, Pb and Pb/Ag bilayer films fabricated by quench condensation of the elements onto cold (T = 77 K) inert and atomically flat Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite (HOPG) substrates. All films are thinner than 10 nm and show a granular structure that is consistent with earlier studies of Quench condensed (QC) films. The average lateral diameter, & of the Ag grains, however, depends on whether the Ag is deposited directly on HOPG (&=13 nm) or on a Pb film consisting of a single layer of Pb grains (&=26.8 nm). In addition, the critical thickness for electrical conduction (d G ) of Pb/Ag films on inert glass substrates is substantially larger than for pure Ag films. These results are evidence that the structure of the underlying substrate exerts an influence on the size of the grains in QC films. We propose a qualitative explanation for this phenomenon.
Time-Series Implications of Aggregate Dividend Behavior

This article investigates the hypothesis that dividend changes are determined by changes in some measure of permanent earnings. The analysis employs two measures of permanent earnings and takes into account the nonstationarity of dividend and earnings series. This study finds that dynamic dividend behavior is accounted for primarily by changes in permanent earnings. Dividends respond strongly to permanent changes earnings without any significant overreaction, whereas they respond little, if at all, to transitory changes in earnings. The findings also suggest that the partial adjustment hypothesis, which assumes managers partially adjust dividends to a target dividend, performs better when the target dividend level is proportional to permanent earnings than when it is proportional to current earnings. Article published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Financial Studies in its journal, The Review of Financial Studies.
Influence of nocturnal vertical stability on daytime chemistry: A one-dimensional model study

Abstract Nocturnal chemistry can play an important role in determining the initial morning conditions for daytime chemistry in urban areas. However, the impact on daytime O3 levels is difficult to assess as the suppression of vertical trace gas transport leads to highly altitude dependent nocturnal chemistry, in particular with respect to the removal and conversion of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). One-dimensional (1-D) chemical transport model calculations for different nighttime vertical stabilities and different ozone formation regimes (i.e. NOx- vs. VOC-sensitive) were performed assuming a 1000 m high daytime boundary layer and a growing nocturnal boundary layer reaching 200 m height at the end of the night. Exclusion of NO3 chemistry from the model leads to daytime O3 concentration changes from −4% to +16% for different O3 sensitivities. In all cases strong nocturnal vertical concentration profiles of NOx, O3, NO3 and N2O5 and a dependence of these profiles on vertical stability were found at night. The nocturnal NOx loss averaged over the lowest 1000 m changes by 9–24% for different vertical stabilities and ozone sensitivities. The impact of nocturnal vertical stability leads to 7–12% difference in O3 concentration in the morning and ∼0–2.5% in the afternoon.
Contraction semigroups of elliptic quadratic differential operators

We study the contraction semigroups of elliptic quadratic differential operators. Elliptic quadratic differential operators are the non-selfadjoint operators defined in the Weyl quantization by complex-valued elliptic quadratic symbols. We establish in this paper that under the assumption of ellipticity, as soon as the real part of their Weyl symbols is a non-zero non-positive quadratic form, the norm of contraction semigroups generated by these operators decays exponentially in time.
Cigarette advertising and U.S. cigarette demand: A policy assessment

Abstract The effect of advertising on cigarette demand has been widely studied. Yet the demand-advertising nexus is not completely understood and there is little consensus in the literature. This paper sheds new light on the issue by examining the relationship using state-level data for the United States over three decades. Additional contributions include examining the effects of the Master Settlement Agreement, and studying the dynamic effects of advertising and smoking. Findings show that U.S. cigarette demand is inelastic, the income effects are mixed, advertising elasticities are relatively small, post-MSA advertising seems smoking-reducing and that the full effects of the MSA are probably still unfolding. Smoking habits tend to linger, while the effects of antismoking messages accompanying cigarette advertisements take time to be effective. Policy implications are discussed.
Autonomous control technique for high-performance switches

A method for creating high-performance switch modules from power transistors and simple control circuits is presented. The method is based on switching function principles by which any type of switch can be represented by an ideal switch in combination with basic logic elements. These high-performance modules can be configured to emulate diodes, thyristors, special resonant devices, or nearly any other switch type. The control is autonomous-it depends on the terminal behavior and external gate signals and requires no additional information from the application circuit. Experimental examples of several switch modules in low-voltage power converters are given. The experimental modules use power MOSFETs and give performance similar to that of synchronous rectifiers but with much greater flexibility. An example is noted in which a module configured to emulate a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) shows voltage drops below 0.25 V at several amperes of forward current. >
Pseudo-admittance Bilateral Telemanipulation with Guidance Virtual Fixtures

Pseudo-admittance is introduced as a novel bilateral telemanipulation system that is designed to mimic proportional-velocity admittance control on systems where the master is an impedance-type robot. The controller generalizes to systems with slave robots of the impedance or admittance type. Pseudo-admittance uses a proxy with admittance dynamics combined with direct force feedback from the slave, resulting in unique properties that mimic admittance control and exhibit tremor attenuation and quasi-static transparency. Pseudo-admittance control has potential benefits for tasks that require better-than-human levels of precision, as well as with systems that are typically run under rate control. The controller can also be modified to include virtual fixtures that provide guidance during task execution, while leaving ultimate control of the system with the operator. Guidance virtual fixtures could be used as macros that increase both speed and precision on structured tasks that require direct human control. The properties of the system are verified through simulations and experiments.
MPICH-G2: a Grid-enabled implementation of the Message Passing Interface

Application development for distributed-computing "Grids" can benefit from tools that variously hide or enable application-level management of critical aspects of the heterogeneous environment. As part of an investigation of these issues, we have developed MPICH-G2, a Grid-enabled implementation of the Message Passing Interface (MPI) that allows a user to run MPI programs across multiple computers, at the same or different sites, using the same commands that would be used on a parallel computer. This library extends the Argonne MPICH implementation of MPI to use services provided by the Globus Toolkit for authentication, authorization, resource allocation, executable staging, and I/O, as well as for process creation, monitoring, and control. Various performance-critical operations, including startup and collective operations, are configured to exploit network topology information. The library also exploits MPI constructs for performance management; for example, the MPI communicator construct is used for application-level discovery of, and adaptation to, both network topology and network quality-of-service mechanisms. We describe the MPICH-G2 design and implementation, present performance results, and review application experiences, including record-setting distributed simulations.
Distribution issues in the design and implementation of a virtual market place

Abstract This paper describes an investigation into the distribution issues surrounding the design and implementation of virtual market places (ViMPs). The paper starts by describing the requirements customers and service providers have from a ViMP. It is then shown how the requirements deemed most important can be addressed by exploiting the inherent distribution of certain aspects, and by distributing other aspects of such market places. In particular, the paper concentrates on the structuring of the information space describing the services and products, and its distribution between the providers and the market place mediator. Primarily, this supports the implementation of phased dialogues between the customer and the providers, while at the same time addressing the providers’ desire to protect business sensitive processes and information. Distributing the dialogue in time allows customers and providers to interact more flexibly and to gradually build understanding and trust between them, before divulging any business or personally sensitive information to each other. The distributed approach supports a scalable market place and also points towards a way of addressing providers’ legacy problems. It is also shown how the apparent contradiction of a distributed market place and the need to monitor and control it for regulation purposes can be addressed, without compromising the ability of the system to scale. Finally, the design and implementation of a virtual insurance market place using Java on a CORBA compliant platform are presented.
A general procedure for the derivation of principal domains of higher-order spectra

A general procedure to determine the principal domain (i.e., nonredundant region of computation) of any higher-order spectrum is presented, using the bispectrum as an example. The procedure is then applied to derive the principal domain of the trispectrum of a real-valued, stationary time series. These results are easily extended to compute the principal domains of other higher-order spectra. >
Infrared Spectroscopic Imaging for Label-free and Automated Histopathology

Infrared spectroscopic imaging is used to classify tissue into cell types and diseases without stains or human supervision. Human-competitive performance in cancer detection is achieved by combining infrared imaging, chemometrics, image analysis and optical theory.
A Simple Synthetic Route to Enantiopure α-Hydroxy Ketone Derivatives by Asymmetric Hydrogenation

High enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) I have been observed for the catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of the α-ketone enol acetates. Duan-Phos has been proved to be the most effective ligand for this reaction. The high yield and enantioselectivity of the asymmetric hydrogenation of the α-ketone enol acetates represents a feasible synthetic route to important pharmaceutical building blocks: α-hydroxy ketones.
The First General Enantioselective Catalytic Diels−Alder Reaction with Simple α,β-Unsaturated Ketones

The first general approach to enantioselective catalysis of the Diels−Alder reaction with simple ketone dienophiles has been accomplished. The use of iminium catalysis has enabled enantioselective access to a fundamental Diels−Alder reaction variant that has previously been unavailable using chiral Lewis acid catalysis. A new chiral amine catalyst has been developed that allows a variety of monodentate cyclic and acyclic ketones to successfully participate in enantioselective [4 + 2] cycloadditions. A wide spectrum of cyclic and acyclic diene substrates can also be accommodated in this new organocatalytic transformation. A computational model is provided that is in accord with the sense of enantioinduction observed for all reactions conducted during the course of this study.
Research ethics, informed consent, and participant recruitment.

Purpose/objectives This analysis explores ethical issues and challenges in participant recruitment. Background/rationale The clinical nurse specialist (CNS) as researcher faces many issues and challenges, including ethical issues of informed consent. Balancing participant expectations of care with the research purpose is often challenging. DESCRIPTION OF THE ANALYSIS: This analysis synthesizes literature in key areas related to participant recruitment. Medline, CINAHL, and hand search techniques were used to collect relevant materials for this analysis. Outcomes Key issues related to ethics and informed consent included readability of consent documents, education level, relationships between participants and health care providers, therapeutic misconception, and illness severity. Related issues include compensation of participants, recruitment of special populations, and the role of clinical research associate. Interpretation/conclusions The CNS faces considerable ethical and logistical challenges in any research study. Strategies to support the CNS as researcher are available. Implications for nursing practice Increased awareness of ethical issues and challenges in recruitment is important for the CNS to creatively design strategies to enhance recruitment and retention in research studies.
A Facile Synthesis of 3-Pyrrolines

Abstract N-substituted 3-pyrrolines were conveniently synthesized in high yield by the treatment of primary amines with cis-2-butene-l,4-diol dimesylate, which was generated from cis-1, 4-butenediol.
Type-preserving compilation of Featherweight Java

We present an efficient encoding of core Java constructs in a simple, implementable typed intermediate language. The encoding, after type erasure, has the same operational behavior as a standard implementation using vtables and self-application for method invocation. Classes inherit super-class methods with no overhead. We support mutually recursive classes while preserving separate compilation. Our strategy extends naturally to a significant subset of Java, including interfaces and privacy. The formal translation using Featherweight Java allows comprehensible type-preservation proofs and serves as a starting point for extending the translation to new features. Our work provides a foundation for supporting certifying compilation of Java-like class-based languages in a type-theoretic framework.
Effect of subgrid models on the computed interscale energy transfer in isotropic turbulence

Direct and large eddy simulations of forced and decaying isotropic turbulence have been performed to investigate the behavior of subgrid models. Various subgrid models have been analyzed (i.e. Smagorinsky's eddy viscosity model, dynamic eddy viscosity model, dynamic one-equation model for the subgrid kinetic energy and scale-similarity model). A priori analysis showed that the subgrid stress and the subgrid energy flux predicted by the scale similarity model, and subgrid kinetic energy model (with fixed coefficients) correlate reasonably well with exact data, while the Smagorinsky's eddy viscosity model showed relatively poor agreement. However, the correlation for the scale similarity model decreased much more rapidly with decrease in grid resolution when compared to the subgrid kinetic energy model. The subgrid models were then used to carry out large-eddy simulations for a range of Reynolds number. When dynamic evaluation was incorporated, the correlation improved significantly. The dynamic subgrid kinetic energy model showed, consistently, a higher correlation for a range of Reynolds number when compared to the dynamic eddy viscosity model. These results demonstrate the capabilities of the dynamic one-equation model.
Kaon B-parameter using overlap fermions

Abstract I present first results from an in-progress calculation of B K in quenched approximation using overlap fermions. My particular implementation of the overlap uses a kernel with nearest and next-nearest neighbor interactions and HYP-blocked gauge connections. Matching to the continuum NDR regularization is done perturbatively. I present preliminary results at β = 5.9 and 6.1 (lattice spacings 0.125 and 0.09 fm) for quark masses, pseudoscalar decay constants, and B-parameter− B K (NDR) (μ = 2GeV) ⋍ 0.66(3 − 4).
On controlling robots with redundancy

Abstract Recently there has been considerable interest in increasing the applicability and utility of robots by developing manipulators which possess kinematic and/or actuator redundancy. This paper presents a unified approach to controlling these redundant robots. The proposed control system consists of two subsystems: an adaptive position controller which generates the Cartesian-space control force F ϵR m required to track the desired end-effector position trajectory, and an algorithm that maps this control input to a robot joint torque vector T ϵR n . The F → T map is constructed so that the robot redundancy (kinematic and/or actuator) is utilized to improve the performance of the robot. The control scheme does not require knowledge of the complex robot dynamic model or parameter values for the robot or the payload. As a result, the controller is very general and is computationally efficient for on-line implementation. Computer simulation results are given for a kinematically redundant robot, for a robot with actuator redundancy, and for a robot which possesses both kinematic and actuator redundancy. In each case the results demonstrate that accurate end-effector trajectory tracking and effective redundancy utilization can be achieved simultaneously with the proposed scheme.
DUOPOLY WITH PRICE AND QUANTITY AS STRATEGIC VARIABLES

In this paper we provide an explicit mixed strategy equilibrium solution for an oligopoly game. In the specification of the model, we assume that each firm has to make a decision on the production level while it names its prices, and we introduce a fixed unit cost for unsold inventory. Hence, both price and quantity appear as strategic variables.
The effect of HF/NH4F etching on the morphology of surface fractures on fused silica

Abstract The effects of HF/NH4F, wet chemical etching on the morphology of individual surface fractures (indentations, scratches) and of an ensemble of surface fractures (ground surfaces) on fused silica glass has been characterized. For the individual surface fractures, a series of static or dynamic (sliding) Vickers and Brinnell indenters were used to create radial, lateral, Hertzian cone and trailing indentation fractures on a set of polished fused silica substrates which were subsequently etched. After short etch times, the visibility of both surface and subsurface cracks is significantly enhanced when observed by optical microscopy. This is attributed to the increased width of the cracks following etching, allowing for greater optical scatter at the fracture interface. The removal of material during etching was found to be isotropic except in areas where the etchant has difficulty penetrating or in areas that exhibit significant plastic deformation/densification. Isolated fractures continue to etch, but will never be completely removed since the bottom and top of the crack both etch at the same rate. The etching behavior of ensembles of closely spaced cracks, such as those produced during grinding, has also been characterized. This was done using a second set of fused silica samples that were ground using either fixed or loose abrasives. The resulting samples were etched and both the etch rate and the morphology of the surfaces were monitored as a function of time. Etching results in the formation of a series of open cracks or cusps, each corresponding to the individual fractures originally on the surface of the substrate. During extended etching, the individual cusps coalesce with one another, providing a means of reducing the depth of subsurface damage and the peak-to-valley roughness. In addition, the material removal rate of the ground surfaces was found to scale with the surface area of the cracks as a function of etch time. The initial removal rate for the ground surface was typically 3.5× the bulk etch rate. The evolving morphology of ground surfaces during etching was simulated using an isotropic finite difference model. This model illustrates the importance that the initial distributions of fracture sizes and spatial locations have on the evolution of roughness and the rate at which material is removed during the etching process. The etching of ground surfaces can be used during optical fabrication to convert subsurface damage into surface roughness thereby reducing the time required to produce polished surfaces that are free of subsurface damage.
Nickel and vanadium on equilibrium cracking catalysts by imaging secondary ion mass spectrometry

The distribution of nickel and vanadium has been determined on refinery samples of several types of fluidized catalytic cracking catalyst. Data from imaging secondary ion mass spectrometry show that metals in catalytic cracking feedstocks initially deposit near the external surface of catalyst particles. Nickel remains in the area where it was deposited, while vanadium shows both intraparticle and interparticle mobility. Vanadium accumulates throughout catalyst particles, but shows a preference for both rare earth exchanged Y-zeolite and alumina phases in composite catalyst. By contrast, nickel shows no preference for catalyst phases and accumulates monotonically with time. The lack of mobility in deposited nickel makes it a good measure to determine the age of individual particles.