cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recent advances in excimer laser technology at Los Alamos

Current research in excimer laser technology at Los Alamos progresses in two major areas: 1) In the Bright Source program, the development of ultra-high brightness (sub-picosecond) laser systems, based on discharge-pumped excimer laser amplifiers, continues. Recently we have completed rigorous measurements of the saturation parameter for ultra-short pulses. 2) In the laser fusion program, implementation of the large KrF laser fusion amplifiers have been accompanied by numerous studies of the laser physics and kinetics of large e-beam pumped devices.
Methods for obtaining robust tracking control laws

Abstract This paper treats the problem of determining a tracking control law for linear systems with uncertain parameters. The tracking control is robust in the sense that it achieves asymptotic tracking of the command reference input for all admissible parameter values. Based on the available theoretical results for determining tracking controllers, numerical methods for obtaining the feedback gains for a robust control law are presented. The efficacy of these methods is demonstrated by applying them to two aircraft examples.
Female sexual function after pure transvaginal appendectomy: a cohort study.

Background The impact of transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) on female sexual function is unknown. We therefore performed a prospective cohort study of women undergoing pure transvaginal appendectomies (TVA) versus traditional laparoscopic appendectomies (LA). Using a validated, 19-point, female sexual function index questionnaire (FSFI) assessing six domains of sexual function (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain with intercourse), pre- and postoperative sexual function was compared.
Surface Direct Current Discharge for Hypersonic Flow Control

A hypersonic flow control mechanism has been found by using a near-surface gas discharge as a small flow perturbation and amplifying it by viscous–inviscid interaction. Substantiated evidence was collected from a plasma channel that operated at a hypersonicMach number of 5.15. This flow controlmechanism is simulated by integrating a drift-diffusion weakly ionized air model with compressible Navier–Stokes equations. The side-by-side investigations were performed for flows over surface plasma generated by a pair of embedded electrodes on a sharp leading wedge and on the entrance surface of rectangular and cylindrical constant cross section inlet models. The present effort demonstrates that the effect of a direct current discharge, when amplified by the viscous–inviscid interaction, can become a mechanism for hypersonic flow control. The research results from computational simulations, after being verified with experimental observations, are summarized for a virtual hypersonic leadingedge strake and virtual variable-area hypersonic inlet cowl.
Visual browsing of remote and distributed data

Data repositories around the world hold many thousands of datasets. A problem for remote dataset users is to browse the repositories and efficiently locate relevant datasets. In this note, we introduce the Iconic Remote Visual Data Exploration tool (IRVDX), which provides visual browsing for exploring the features of remote and distributed data without the necessity of downloading the entire dataset. IRVDX employs three kinds of visualizations: one provides a reduced representation of the datasets, which we call Dataset Icons. These icons show the important statistical characteristics of datasets and help to identify relevant datasets from distributed repositories. Another one is called the Remote Dataset Visual Browser that provides visualizations to browse remote data without downloading the complete dataset to identify its content. The final one provides visualizations to show the degree of similarity between two datasets and to visually determine whether a join of two remote datasets will be meaningful. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of IRVDX in detail. We assess the benefits of our Dataset Icons against the traditional text-based interfaces and show the usefulness of IRVDX by conducting experiments with datasets from the UCI KDD Archive.
Weak limits of Riemannian metrics in surfaces with integral curvature bound

In this paper, we study the weak compactness of the set of conformal metrics in any Riemann surface without boundary whose Calabi energy and area are uniformly bounded. We prove that for any sequence of such metrics, there alwasy exists a subsequence which converges in H\sp{2,2}_\sb{loc} everywhere except a finite number of bubble points. Blowup analysis near bubble shows that the bubble on bubble phenomenon occurs. The limit metric gives rise to a tree structure decomposition, where each node in the tree represents a limit metric of a subsequence at that stage while the edge of the tree structure represents the neck on the process of blowing up. We also show that the number of the nodes which have more than three edges attached is finite.
On the welfare significance of national product under interest-rate uncertainty

Abstract This paper examines the effects of uncertainty on the relationship between comprehensive NNP and sustainable-equivalent consumption. It is shown that the classical identity continues to hold, in expectations, when the discount factor is a stochastic diffusion process taking the form of geometric Brownian motion with drift. Such a result may be useful as a point of departure for classifying the effects that various forms of uncertainty have on the welfare significance of national product.
CHARACTER VARIETIES OF ONCE-PUNCTURED TORUS BUNDLES WITH TUNNEL NUMBER ONE

We determine the PSL2(ℂ) and SL2(ℂ) character varieties of the once-punctured torus bundles with tunnel number one, i.e. the once-punctured torus bundles that arise from filling one boundary component of the Whitehead link exterior. In particular, we determine "natural" models for these algebraic sets, identify them up to birational equivalence with smooth models, and compute the genera of the canonical components. This enables us to compare dilatations of the monodromies of these bundles with these genera. We also determine the minimal polynomials for the trace fields of these manifolds. Additionally, we study the action of the symmetries of these manifolds upon their character varieties, identify the characters of their lens space fillings, and compute the twisted Alexander polynomials for their representations to SL2(ℂ).
A framework for simulating and estimating the state and functional topology of complex dynamic geometric networks

We introduce a framework for simulating signal propagation in geometric networks (networks that can be mapped to geometric graphs in some space) and developing algorithms that estimate (i.e., map) the state and functional topology of complex dynamic geometric networks. Within the framework, we define the key features typically present in such networks and of particular relevance to biological cellular neural networks: dynamics, signaling, observation, and control. The framework is particularly well suited for estimating functional connectivity in cellular neural networks from experimentally observable data and has been implemented using graphics processing unit high-performance computing. Computationally, the framework can simulate cellular network signaling close to or faster than real time. We further propose a standard test set of networks to measure performance and compare different mapping algorithms.
Observational evidence for massive black holes in the centers of active galaxies

Naturally occurring water vapor maser emission at 1.35 cm wavelength provides an accurate probe for the study of accretion disks around highly compact objects, thought to be black holes, in the centers of active galaxies. Because of the exceptionally fine angular resolution, 200 microarcseconds, obtainable with very long baseline interferometry, accompanied by high spectral resolution, <0.1 km s-1, the dynamics and structures of these disks can be probed with exceptional clarity. The data on the galaxy NGC 4258 are discussed here in detail. The mass of the black hole binding the accretion disk is 3·9 × 107 M⊙. Although the accretion disk has a rotational period of about 800 years, the physical motions of the masers have been directly measured with VLBI over a period of a few years. These measurements also allow the distance from the earth to the black hole to be estimated to an accuracy of 4 per cent. The status of the search for other maser/black hole candidates is also discussed.
Geodesic deviation at higher orders via covariant bitensors

We review a simple but instructive application of the formalism of covariant bitensors, to use a deviation vector field along a fiducial geodesic to describe a neighboring worldline, in an exact and manifestly covariant manner, via the exponential map. Requiring the neighboring worldline to be a geodesic leads to the usual linear geodesic deviation equation for the deviation vector, plus corrections at higher order in the deviation and relative velocity. We show how these corrections can be efficiently computed to arbitrary orders via covariant bitensor expansions, deriving a form of the geodesic deviation equation valid to all orders, and producing its explicit expanded form through fourth order. We also discuss the generalized Jacobi equation, action principles for the higher-order geodesic deviation equations, results useful for describing accelerated neighboring worldlines, and the formal general solution to the geodesic deviation equation through second order.
Waveform segmentation and description using edge preserving smoothing

Abstract A simple waveform smoothing and segmentation algorithm is presented based on elimination of “edges” of progressively larger prominence. The algorithm performs well and may be useful in the interpretation and matching of many different types of one-dimensional signals.
Relative ease of transient acyl imine formation via selenoxide, sulfoxide, and sulfone β N-H elimination. A feasibility study on the preparation of novel peptide analogues

Etude de la chimie des N-benzeneseleninylmethyl-, N-benzenesulfinylmethyl- et N-benzenesulfonylmethyl benzamides
Flattery may get you somewhere: The strategic implications of providing positive vs. negative feedback about ability vs. ethicality in negotiation.

Abstract Two studies were conducted to examine the strategic implications of providing positive vs. negative feedback about ability vs. ethicality to one’s negotiating partner. Results indicate that negotiators were least competitive and achieved the worst individual performance when they received negative-ability feedback, were most honest when they received negative-ethicality feedback, and were most cooperative when they received positive-ethicality feedback. Causal modeling revealed that the effects of feedback on recipients’ cooperativeness and individual performance were mediated by recipients’ self-perceptions.
Dynamics of a Crash Victim-A Finite Segment Model

A vehicle-occupa nt, crash-simulation model is developed. The model consists of a finite-segment representation of the human body, together with a vehicle cockpit that includes a seat and crash intrusion surfaces (windshield, doors, etc.). The human body model is constrained to the cockpit by seat and shoulder belts. The equations of motion are developed for the model by using Lagrange's form of d'Alembert's principle. These equations then are coded into a computer program and solved numerically using a fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. Sample motions for several crash situations are presented and discussed. Nomenclature ak = acceleration of Gk inR Bk = bodies of the human model (& = 2,..., 12) Fk = external force applied to Bk Fp = generalized active force Fp = generalized inertia force Gk = mass center of Bk Ik = inertia dyadic of Bk relative to G^ mk ^massofB^
Forest Health Status in Hungary

Abstract Because Hungary has about 18% forest area, it is not as densely forested as most of the countries in Europe. Forests are dominated by native species such as oaks, beech, hornbeam, and other broadleaves. As a result of an intensive afforestation in the last 50 years, introduced species, such as black locust, Scots pine, and improved poplars were widely planted and forest area increased by 50%—to 18 000 km 2 . Several observations in Hungary from the early eighties detected an unusual amount and type of forest damage affecting native and introduced species. A shocking observation was the oak decline sweeping through the country with a dieback rate of 10 to 70% of the stems in the affected compartments within a decade. New methods had to be developed to detect and explain changes of forest health status and forest ecosystems. In close cooperation with the International Cooperative Program on the Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests), a national multi-level monitoring and research program was launched in 1986. The first level of the program—large scale monitoring—accepted defoliation and discoloration as key parameters, but a detailed survey of each sample tree was added. On the basis of the annual survey of about 22 000 trees, a significant increase of defoliation was observed. Although 79% of the trees were not defoliated in 1988, only 44% were fully foliated in 1995. Proportion of damaged trees (defoliation greater than 25%) seems to have stabilized at about 20% in the last 4 years, little lower than the average of the European survey results ranging from 7 to 59%. Oaks, black locust, and Scots pine were particularly heavily defoliated, while beech and hornbeam were only lightly affected. The disturbed balance of forest ecosystems is closely related to the lack of water—a result of river regulation since the 18th century and especially the 12-year period of dry and hot weather in the Carpathian Basin. Although SO 2 emission has been reduced by 50% since 1980 and NOx by 30% since 1987, and direct damages have not been largely observed, air pollution can be a predisposing factor of forest damages. Additional intensive research is necessary to clarify the role of climatic factors and air pollution effects on forest ecosystems, including direct effects, carbon and nutrient cycling at different sites, and damaging biotic factors.
Absorption of angular momentum by black holes and D-branes

Abstract We consider the absorption of higher angular momentum modes of scalars into black holes, at low energies, and ask if the resulting cross sections are reproduced by a D-brane model. To get the correct dependence on the volume of the compactified dimensions, we must let the absorbing element in the brane model have a tension that is the geometric mean of the tensions of the D-string and an effective stringlike tension obtained from the D5-brane; this choice is also motivated by T-duality. In a dual model we note that the correct dependence on the volume of the compact dimensions and the coupling arise if the absorbing string is allowed to split into many strings in the process of absorbing a higher angular momentum wave. We obtain the required energy dependence of the cross section by carrying out the integrals resulting from partitioning the energy of the incoming quantum into vibrations of the string.
Probabilistically checkable proofs

Can a proof be checked without reading it? That certainly seems impossible, no matter how much reviewers of mathematical papers may wish for this. But theoretical computer science has shown that we can get very close to this objective! Namely random consistency checks could reveal errors in proofs, provided one is careful in choosing the format in which proofs should be written. In this article we explain this notion, constructions of such probabilistically checkable proofs, and why this is important to all of combinatorial optimization.
A Disk/Jet System toward the High-Mass Young Star in AFGL 5142

We present observational studies of a high-mass star-forming region AFGL 5142 in the NH3 (J,K) = (1,1), (2,2), (3,3), and (4,4) inversion transitions. We discover a compact structure of 1'' (or 1800 AU) in NH3 emission toward the position of a high-mass young star. The star, with a spectral type of B2 if it is at the zero-age main sequence, excites a weak centimeter continuum source and drives a well-collimated SiO jet. The compact NH3 structure, with a temperature of 70 K, gives rise to a broad NH3 line emission of 6.4 km s-1 (FWHM). The small size of the NH3 feature, broad line emission, and the association with a SiO jet indicate that the object is most likely an unresolved rotating disk. The compact disk is embedded in a flattened core of gas temperatures of about 20 K. The extended core delineates an X shape with the SiO jet located in the void of the dense and cold NH3 gas. A faint component of NH3 emission can be identified, especially in the highly excited NH3 (3,3) and (4,4) lines, tracing the SiO jet. This component, arising from hot gas of about 170 K, is likely heated by shocks in the outflow. The coincidence of a disk and a jet with the radio continuum source toward AFGL 5142 indicates that this high-mass star may have formed via a disk-mediated accretion process.
A Century of Purchasing Power Parity Confirmed: The Role of Nonlinearity

Abstract Taylor (2002) claims that Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) has held over the 20th century based on strong evidence of stationary for century-long real exchange rates for 20 countries. Lopez et al. (2005) , however, found much weaker evidence of PPP with alternative lag selection methods. We reevaluate Taylor’s claim by implementing a recently developed nonlinear unit root test by Park and Shintani (2005) . We find strong evidence of nonlinear mean-reversion in real exchange rates that confirms Taylor’s claim. We also find a possible misspecification problem in using the ESTAR model that may not be detected with Taylor-approximation based tests.
Modeling and analyzing timing faults in transaction level SystemC programs

Since SoC (System on Chip) and NoC (Network on Chip) systems are getting more complex everyday, they are subject to different types of faults including timing faults. Timing has a significant importance in NoC systems. However, their fault-affected models are not studied extensively. In this paper, we present a method for modeling and analyzing timing faults in SystemC Transaction Level Modeling (TLM) programs. The proposed method includes three steps, namely timed model extraction, fault modeling and timed model checking. We use UPPAAL timed automata to formally model the SystemC TLM programs and monitor how the models behave in the presence of timing faults. We analyze our method using a case study. This case study utilizes loosely-timed coding style, which has a loose dependency between timing and data.
Genes and ligands for odorant, vomeronasal and taste receptors

The chemical senses (smell and taste) have evolved complex repertoires of chemosensory receptors — G-protein coupled receptors with a seven-transmembrane domain structure. In the mouse, ∼1,000 odorant receptors are dedicated to the conventional sense of smell, ∼300 vomeronasal receptors mediate the detection of chemical stimuli (such as pheromones) by the vomeronasal organ, and ∼40 taste receptors are implicated in bitter, sweet and umami taste. Nearly all receptor genes have now been identified as the result of genome sequencing, but few receptor–ligand interactions have been characterized. Targeted expression of the green fluorescent protein in chemosensory cells is a promising approach to achieve this objective.
Should African-American men be tested for prostate carcinoma at an earlier age than white men?

BACKGROUND There have recently been challenges to testing high risk populations, i.e., African-American men younger than 50 years, for prostate carcinoma (PCa). The mortality rate of patients with PCa between ages 40 and 60 years is nearly 3 times greater among African-American men (AAM) compared with white men (WM). The literature in support of testing AAM at an earlier age than WM is sparse. Therefore, the authors present clinical and histologic data that support the testing of AAM at a younger age, utilizing data on patients with clinically localized PCa. METHODS Examination of consecutive radical prostatectomy specimens from AAM and WM was performed from January 1991 to June 1996 among AAM and WM at Wayne State University, Harper Hospital, Detroit, Michigan. International, salvage prostatectomy, and neoadjuvant hormonal therapy patients were excluded, as were patients with lymph node metastasis. The authors examined biochemical recurrences of PCa in this cohort of men treated from January 1991 through December 1995. Univariate analysis of contingency tables was performed, using chi-squared-tests to assess the correlation between stage and race after stratification of patients by age group. Biochemical recurrence was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and the log rank test. RESULTS The authors examined radical prostatectomy specimens from 759 patients and biochemical recurrence outcome of 655 patients. AAM patients ages 50–69 years had higher prostate specific antigen levels, worse Gleason scores, more advanced stages of disease, and a higher recurrence rate. However, among men ages70–79 years, there was no difference in these parameters between AAM and WM. Among men ages 40–49 years, a larger sample size is necessary to make meaningful comparisons. CONCLUSIONS Data on the outcomes of men treated for clinically localized PCa demonstrated more advanced disease and more frequent recurrence among young AAM than among WM, young and of advanced age. These differences in disease severity and recurrence, in addition to the disproportionate mortality among young AAM, are strong evidence that AAM should be tested for PCa at an earlier age than WM. Cancer 1999;85:472–7. © 1999 American Cancer Society.
Well-Defined, Air-Stable (NHC)Pd(Allyl)Cl (NHC = N-Heterocyclic Carbene) Catalysts for the Arylation of Ketones

A number of palladium-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes were found to be active catalysts for the arylation of ketones. A large number of substrates, both aryl halides and ketones, are compatible with the reaction conditions. The ketone arylation reactions are achieved with low catalyst loading in short reaction times using aryl chlorides and triflates as reactive partners. [reaction: see text]
Galaxy-Quasar Correlations between APM Galaxies and Hamburg-ESO QSOs

We detect angular galaxy-quasi-stellar object (QSO) cross-correlations between the APM Catalogue galaxies and a preliminary release (consisting of roughly half of the anticipated final catalog) of the Hamburg-ESO Survey for bright QSOs as a function of source QSO redshift using multiple cross-correlation estimators. Each of the estimators yields very similar results, implying that the APM Catalogue and the Hamburg-ESO Survey are both fair samples of the respective true galaxy and QSO populations. Although the signal matches the expectations of gravitational lensing qualitatively, the strength of the measured cross-correlation signal is significantly greater than the cold dark matter (CDM) models of lensing by large-scale structure would suggest. This same disagreement between models and observation has been found in several earlier studies. We estimate our confidence in the correlation detections versus redshift by generating 1000 random realizations of the Hamburg-ESO QSO survey. We detect physical associations between galaxies and low-redshift QSOs at 99% confidence and detect lensing associations at roughly 95% confidence for QSOs with redshifts between 0.6 and 1. Control cross-correlations between Galactic stars and QSOs show no signal. Finally, the overdensities (underdensities) of galaxies near QSO positions relative to those lying roughly 135'-150' away are uncorrelated with differences in Galactic extinction between the two regions, implying that Galactic dust is not significantly affecting the QSO sample.
Oxygen reduction and transportation mechanisms in solid oxide fuel cell cathodes

In recent years, various models have been developed for describing the reaction mechanisms in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) especially for the cathode electrode. However, many fundamental issues regarding the transport of oxygen and electrode kinetics have not been fully understood. This review tried to summarize the present status of the SOFC cathode modeling efforts, and associated experimental approaches on this topic. In addition, unsolved problems and possible future research directions for SOFC cathode kinetics had been discussed.
Analysis of Enthalpy Approximation for Compressed Liquid Water

It is custom to approximate solid and liquid thermodynamic properties as being a function of temperature only, since they are virtually incompressible, and Pdv boundary work may be neglected. Furthermore, in classical literature, for isothermal compression processes, a general “improvement” and correction for liquid enthalpy approximation is given by adding the “pressure correction,” vdP, to the corresponding saturation value. It is shown that such correction given for isothermal processes is generally valid for isentropic processes only. Analysis of water real properties, over the saturation temperature range and a wide pressure range up to 100 MPa, shows that the recommended corrections are only beneficial for higher pressures at smaller temperatures (below 200°C), insignificant for smaller pressures at most of the temperatures, about the same but opposite sign (thus unnecessary) for intermediate temperatures and pressures, and more erroneous (thus counterproductive and misleading) for higher temperatures and pressures, than the corresponding saturation values without any correction. The misconception in the literature is a result of the erroneous assumption, that due to incompressibility for liquids in general, the internal energy is less dependent on pressure than enthalpy. DOI: 10.1115/1.2175090
Facile synthesis of trifluoromethyl carbinols and trifluoromethyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones from the new CF3CHO synthetic equivalent, 1,1-bis(dimethylamino)-2,2,2-trifluoroethane

Abstract 1,1-Bis(dimethylamino)-2,2,2-trifluoroethane is an excellent synthetic building-block replacement for trifluoroacetaldehyde in condensation reactions with ketones using 36% aqueous HCl catalysis. Moderate to good yields (43–68%) of trifluoromethyl carbinols are obtained with symmetric and unsymmetric methyl ketones, with the latter undergoing reaction mainly at the methyl group. Its reactions with silyl enol ethers under anhydrous conditions, catalyzed by ZnI 2 , lead directly to trifluoromethyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones.
Iron(II)-Catalyzed Intramolecular Olefin Aminofluorination

An iron(II)-catalyzed diastereoselective olefin aminofluorination is reported (dr up to >20:1). This new transformation applies a functionalized hydroxylamine and Et3N·3HF as the nitrogen and fluorine source, which facilitates the efficient synthesis of β-fluoro primary amines and amino acids from allylic alcohol derivatives. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that an iron-nitrenoid is a possible intermediate and that its reactivity and enantioselectivity can be efficiently modulated by ligands.
Quasi-Periodic Variability and the Inner Radii of Thin Accretion Disks in Galactic Black Hole Systems.

We calculate upper bounds on the inner radii of geometrically thin accretion disks in galactic black hole systems by relating their rapid variability properties to those of neutron stars. We infer that the inner disk radii do not exhibit large excursions between different spectral states, in contrast with the concept that the disk retreats significantly during the soft-to-hard-state transition. We find that, in the hard state, the accretion disks extend down to radii 6-25 GM/c2 and discuss the implications of our results for models of black hole X-ray spectra.
Progress and prospects in neutrino astrophysics

Four separate experiments to detect neutrinos from the Sun have now confirmed a deficit in the flux relative to the predictions of standard theories of nuclear physics. Future experiments with new neutrino detectors promise to reveal the explanation for this shortfall. The planned detectors may also engender a new field of astronomy, based on the observation of neutrino emission from distant, energetic astrophysical sources.
A renormalization group approach to Hamiltonian light-front field theory

Abstract A perturbative renormalization group is formulated for the study of Hamiltonian light-front field theory near a critical Gaussian fixed point. The only light-front renormalization group transformations found here that can be approximated by dropping irrelevant operators and using perturbation theory near Gaussian fixed volumes, employ invariant-mass cutoffs. These cutoffs violate covariance and cluster decomposition and allow functions of longitudinal momenta to appear in all relevant, marginal, and irrelevant operators. These functions can be determined by insisting that the Hamiltonian display a coupling constant coherence, with the number of couplings that explicitly run with the cutoff scale being limited and all other couplings depending on this scale only through their dependence on the running couplings. Examples are given that show how coupling coherence restores Lorentz covariance and cluster decomposition, as recently speculated by Wilson and the author. The ultimate goal of this work is a practical Lorentz metric version of the renormalization group and practical renormalization techniques for light-front quantum chromodynamics.
Advection-Dominated Accretion and the Black Hole Event Horizon

Abstract As the luminosity of an accreting black hole drops to a few percent of Eddington, the spectrum switches from the familiar soft state to a hard state that is well-described by a distended and tenuous advection-dominated accretion flow (ADAF). An ADAF is a poor radiator, and the ion temperature can approach 10 12 K near the center, although the electrons are cooler, with their temperature typically capped at ∼ 10 9 - 11 K. The foundational papers predicted that the large thermal energy in an ADAF would drive strong winds and jets, as later observed and also confirmed in computer simulations. Of chief interest, however, is the accreting gas that races inward. It carries the bulk of the accretion energy as stored thermal energy, which vanishes without a trace as the gas passes through the hole’s event horizon. One thus expects black holes in the ADAF regime to be unusually faint. Indeed, this is confirmed by a comparison of accreting stellar-mass black holes and neutron stars, which reside in very similar transient X-ray binary systems. The black holes are on average observed to be fainter by a factor of ∼100–1000. The natural explanation is that a neutron star must radiate the advected thermal energy from its surface, whereas a black hole can hide the energy behind its event horizon. The case for an event horizon in Sagittarius A∗, which is immune to caveats on jet outflows and is furthermore independent of the ADAF model, is especially compelling. These two lines of evidence for event horizons are impervious to counterarguments that invoke strong gravity or exotic stars.
Constant round non-malleable protocols using one way functions

We provide the first constant round constructions of non-malleable commitment and zero-knowledge protocols based only on one-way functions. This improves upon several previous (incomparable) works which required either: (a) super-constant number of rounds, or, (b) non-standard or sub-exponential hardness assumptions, or, (c) non-black-box simulation and collision resistant hash functions. These constructions also allow us to obtain the first constant round multi-party computation protocol relying only on the existence of constant round oblivious transfer protocols. Our primary technique can be seen as a means of implementing the previous "two-slot simulation" idea in the area of non-malleability with only black-box simulation.A simple modification of our commitment scheme gives a construction which makes use of the underlying one-way function in a black-box way. The modified construction satisfies the notion of what we call non-malleability w.r.t. replacement. Non-malleability w.r.t. replacement is a slightly weaker yet natural notion of non-malleability which we believe suffices for many application of non-malleable commitments. We show that a commitment scheme which is non-malleable only w.r.t. replacement is sufficient to obtain a (fully) black-box multi-party computation protocol. This allows us to obtain a constant round multi-party computation protocol making only a black-box use of the standard cryptographic primitives with polynomial-time hardness thus directly improving upon the recent work of Wee (FOCS'10).
Angular momentum generation from holographic Chern-Simons models

We study parity-violating effects, particularly the generation of angular momentum density and its relation to the parity-odd and dissipationless transport coefficient Hall viscosity, in strongly-coupled quantum fluid systems in 2+1 dimensions using holographic method. We employ a class of 3+1-dimensional holographic models of Einstein-Maxwell system with gauge and gravitational Chern-Simons terms coupled to a dynamical scalar field. The scalar can condensate and break the parity spontaneously. We find that when the scalar condensates, a non-vanishing angular momentum density and an associated edge current are generated, and they receive contributions from both gauge and gravitational Chern-Simons terms. The angular momentum density does not satisfy a membrane paradigm form because the vector mode fluctuations from which it is calculated are effectively massive. On the other hand, the emergence of Hall viscosity is a consequence of the gravitational Chern-Simons term alone and it has membrane paradigm form. We present both general analytic results and numeric results which take back-reactions into account. The ratio between Hall viscosity and angular momentum density resulting from the gravitational Chern-Simons term has in general a deviation from the universal 1/2 value obtained from field theory and condensed matter physics.
SCALING RELATIONS OF DWARF GALAXIES WITHOUT SUPERNOVA-DRIVEN WINDS

Nearby dwarf galaxies exhibit tight correlations between their global stellar and dynamical properties, such as circular velocity, mass-to-light ratio, stellar mass, surface brightness, and metallicity. Such correlations have often been attributed to gas or metal-rich outflows driven by supernova energy feedback to the interstellar medium. We use high-resolution cosmological simulations of high-redshift galaxies with and without energy feedback, as well as analytic modeling, to investigate whether the observed correlations can arise without supernova-driven outflows. We find that the simulated dwarf galaxies exhibit correlations similar to those observed as early as -->z ≈ 10, regardless of whether supernova feedback is included. We also show that the correlations can be well reproduced by our analytic model that accounts for realistic gas inflow but assumes no outflows, and a star formation rate obeying the Kennicutt-Schmidt law with a critical density threshold. We argue that correlations in simulated galaxies arise due to the increasingly inefficient conversion of gas into stars in low-mass dwarf galaxies, rather than supernova-driven outflows. We also show that the decrease of the observed effective yield in low-mass objects, often used as an indicator of gas and metal outflows, can be reasonably reproduced in our simulations without outflows. We show that this trend can arise if a significant fraction of metals in small galaxies is spread to the outer regions of the halo outside the stellar extent via mixing. In this case the effective yield can be significantly underestimated if only metals within the stellar radius are taken into account. Measurements of gas metallicity in the outskirts of gaseous disks of dwarfs would thus provide a key test of such an explanation.
Galicia Bank ocean–continent transition zone: New seismic reflection constraints

Abstract The West Iberia continental margin is a type locale for magma-poor rifting, and studies there have been instrumental in changing the classical view of the ocean–continent transition (OCT) from a discrete boundary juxtaposing continental and oceanic crust, into a more complicated zone of varying width that can include exhumed mantle. This study examines two new seismic lines in the Galicia Bank area extending west of the Peridotite Ridge, showing high resolution images of five new ridges. These ridges could be hyperextended continental crust, exhumed continental mantle, or rough ultra-slow spreading oceanic crust. There are no tilted fault blocks with pre-syn rift stratigraphy that would indicate continental crust. There are also no faults indicating mid-ocean spreading with seismic layer stratigraphy indicating normal oceanic crust. The ridges have no coherent internal seismic structure, and some resemble the topographic profile of the Peridotite Ridge. Therefore, it is likely the western ridges are also mainly composed of serpentinized mantle. These western ridges are also similar to small oceanic core complexes observed along the active part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which also contain exhumed serpentinized mantle. This implies that there is a gradual transition within our study area from continental extension to seafloor spreading. Exhumation of continental mantle results in the formation of peridotite ridges, then transitions to episodic volcanism, which produces local thin basaltic crust, and exhumation of oceanic core complexes. Asymmetric processes during initial rifting and spreading result in contrasting structures on the two resulting margins.
Trade benefits under the EEC generalized system of preferences

The purpose of the paper is to test for the existence of a statistically significant effect of the EEC Generalized System of Preferences on actual trade flows between developing countries and the EEC. Using a gravity-type model we estimate the gross trade creation effect of the EEC Generalized System of Preferences on the EEC imports from 10 major developing countries. Estimation on a yearly basis for the period 1967–1978 indicates the presence of a statistically significant effect. It would appear that gross trade creation amounted to about S2 billion for these 10 countries in 1978. In addition to these calculations, the paper reviews the EEC Generalized System of Preferences in detail and offers comments on its future impact on exports from developing countries.
Fundamental Statistical Descriptions of Plasma Turbulence in Magnetic Fields

Abstract A pedagogical review of the historical development and current status (as of early 2000) of systematic statistical theories of plasma turbulence is undertaken. Emphasis is on conceptual foundations and methodology, not practical applications. Particular attention is paid to equations and formalism appropriate to strongly magnetized, fully ionized plasmas. Extensive reference to the literature on neutral-fluid turbulence is made, but the unique properties and problems of plasmas are emphasized throughout. Discussions are given of quasilinear theory, weak-turbulence theory, resonance-broadening theory, and the clump algorithm. The direct-interaction approximation (DIA) is developed as a central focus of the article, and its relationship to the earlier plasma theories is explained. Various methods of renormalized perturbation theory are described, then unified with the aid of the generating-functional formalism of Martin, Siggia, and Rose. A general expression for the renormalized dielectric function is deduced and discussed in detail. Modern approaches such as decimation and PDF methods are described. Derivations of DIA-based Markovian closures are discussed. The eddy-damped quasinormal Markovian (EDQNM) closure is shown to be nonrealizable in the presence of waves, and a new realizable Markovian closure is presented. The test-field model and a realizable modification thereof are also summarized. Numerical solutions of various closures for some plasma-physics paradigms are reviewed. The variational approach to bounds on transport is developed. Miscellaneous topics include Onsager symmetries for turbulence, the interpretation of entropy balances for both kinetic and fluid descriptions, self-organized criticality, statistical interactions between disparate scales, and the roles of both mean and random shear. Appendices are provided on Fourier transform conventions, dimensional and scaling analysis, the derivations of nonlinear gyrokinetic and gyrofluid equations, stochasticity criteria for quasilinear theory, formal aspects of resonance-broadening theory, Novikov's theorem, the treatment of weak inhomogeneity, the derivation of the Vlasov and gyrokinetic weak-turbulence wave kinetic equation from a fully renormalized description, some features of a code for solving the DIA and related Markovian closures, the details of the solution of the EDQNM closure for a solvable three-wave model, and the notation used in the article.
The Colonial Difference between Law and Fact: Notes on the Criminal Jury in India

This article tracks the rise and fall of criminal jury in colonial India through official and non-official debates, discussions and interventions. The discussion on criminal juries in the Anglo-Ame...
Facile access to aryltellurium compounds from arylboronic acids

Abstract Arylboronic acids were treated with tellurium tetrachloride to generate substituted aryltellurium trichlorides, which were reduced to the corresponding diaryl ditellurides in good to excellent overall yields. Representative products include diphenyl ditelluride, bis(2-nitrophenyl) ditelluride, bis(3-nitrophenyl) ditelluride, bis(4-methylphenyl) ditelluride and bis(2-chlorphenyl) ditelluride. 3,5-Dimethylphenyl 2′-nitrophenyl telluride and 3,5-dimethylphenyl 3′-nitrophenyl telluride were prepared in analogous fashion, in modest yields, from 3,5-dimethylphenyltellurium tribromide and the corresponding nitrophenylboronic acids.
Optimal Properties Of Photorefractive Materials For Optical Data Processing

Optimal properties of photorefractive materials for optical data processingGeorge C. Valley and Marvin B. KleinHughes Research Laboratories, 3011 Malibu Canyon Road, Malibu, CA 90265AbstractThe charge transport model of photorefractivity is used to evaluate four figures of meritthat can be used to characterize the performance of photorefractive materials. The figuresof merit are the steady -state index change, the response time, the energy per area to writea grating with one percent diffraction efficiency, and the index change per absorbed energyper unit volume (photorefractive sensitivity). These indices are evaluated as a function ofgrating period and applied external electric field for Bi12SiO20, a fast material with arelatively small electro -optic coefficient and BaTiO3, a slower material with a much largerelectro -optic coefficient. Methods for optimizing the materials are discussed.IntroductionPhotorefractive materials such as lithium niobate (LiNbO3), potassium niobate (KNbO3),'barium titanate (BaTiO3), strontium barium niobate (SBN) and bismuth silicon oxide(Bi12SiO20) are attractive new candidates for real -time optical data processing, (ODP);
Optical imaging of phantoms from real data by an approximately globally convergent inverse algorithm

A numerical method for an inverse problem for an elliptic equation with the running source at multiple positions is presented. This algorithm does not rely on a good first guess for the solution. The so-called ‘approximate global convergence’ property of this method is shown here. The performance of the algorithm is verified on real data for Diffusion Optical Tomography. Direct applications are in near-infrared laser imaging technology for stroke detection in brains of small animals.
Hyperspectral Scattering for assessing Peach Fruit Firmness

Light scattering is related to the structural characteristics of fruit and hence is potentially useful for estimating fruit firmness. This research investigated hyperspectral scattering as a means for measuring peach fruit firmness. A hyperspectral imaging system was used to simultaneously acquire 153 spectral scattering profiles, generated by a broadband light beam, from ‘Red Haven’ and ‘Coral Star’ peaches between 500 and 1000 nm. The spectral scattering profiles at individual wavelengths were fitted accurately by a two-parameter Lorentzian distribution function with the average value for the coefficient of determination r2 greater than 0·990. Firmness prediction models were developed, using multi-linear regression coupled with cross validation, on relating individual Lorentzian parameters and their combinations at different wavelengths to peach fruit firmness. The wavelength of 677 nm, corresponding to chlorophyll absorption, had the highest correlation with fruit firmness among all single wavelengths. However, a combination of 10 or 11 wavelengths was needed in order to obtain best predictions of fruit firmness. Best firmness predictions were obtained with values for r2 of 0·77 and 0·58 for ‘Red Haven’ and ‘Coral Star’ peaches when Lorentzian parameters a and b were used as independent variables where a and b are the peak scattering value and the full width of the scattering profile at one half of the peak value, respectively. Hyperspectral scattering is potentially useful for rapid, non-destructive estimation of peach fruit firmness.
Spokes in ring galaxies.

We examine the response of self-gravitating primary galaxies consisting of dark matter halos and disks containing both stars and gas to collisions with less massive companions. The primaries were constructed using a technique which makes it possible to realize multi-component systems that are stable and virtually in precise equilibrium. A total of 65,536 particles were employed to represent the primary and 4096 to represent the companion. Half the particles in the primary comprise its halo and the other half its disk. Gas makes up 10 percent of the disk mass and is represented by 8192 of the disk particles. A system of units is used where the gravitational constant, total disk mass, and disk exponential scale length are unity. The primary motivation of the present study is to determine whether effects associated with dissipation and self-gravity can account for the unusual morphology of the Cartwheel galaxy.
Plain film evaluation of degenerative disk disease at the lumbosacral junction

Objective Diagnosing degenerative disk disease (DDD) at the lumbosacral junction (LSJ) on plain films is often difficult, compared with other disk levels. The purpose of this study was to determine whether criteria for diagnosis of DDD at the LSJ can be established for plain films.