cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assumptions of Operational Logic

Summary The working logician begins with whatever operations are necessary to make computation possible. He does not inquire into the foundations which the carrying out of his operations assumes; no axioms, no assumptions, just the computations themselves. Yet in logic of all places the starting-point should be defensible. After examining the logical assumptions, the constructions of proofs, individuals and classes, and the metaphysical assumptions, the conclusion is reached that the net effect of operational logic is to assimilate logic to mathematics rather than to consider mathematics an extension of logic. The price to be paid for this preference is to leave them both unexplained. It would mean that the metaphysics of mathematics would have to proceed without logic. Resume Le logicien courant commence par les operations necessaires au calcul. Il ne se preoccupe pas des fondements que presupposent les operations qu'il fait; il ne pose ni axiome, ni postulat — il se borne a calculer. Cependant, au moins en logique, le point de depart devrait ětre justifiable. Apres avoir examine les presupposes logiques, la construction des preuves, des individus et des classes, ainsi que l'arriere-plan metaphysique, on arrive a la conclusion que la logique operationelle a pour resultat d'assimiler la logique a la mathematique plutot que de considerer la mathematique comme une extension de la logique. Le prix a payer pour cette position, c'est que toutes deux restent inexpliquees, et que la metaphysique de la mathematique n'a pas le droit de se servir de la logique. Zusammenfassung Der praktisch operierende Logiker beginnt mit den Operationen, die fur die Durchfuhrung seines Kalkuls erforderlich sind. Er untersucht nicht die Grundlagen, die die Ausfuhrung dieser Operationen erst moglich machen. Der Ausgangspunkt musste jedoch selbst gerechtfertigt werden. Nachdem die logischen Voraussetzungen, die Beweisverfahren, Individuen und Klassen sowie die metaphysischen Annahmen gepruft worden sind, gelangt der Verfasser zum Schluss, dass das Endergebnis der operationalen Logik darauf eher hinauslauft, die Logik mit Mathematik gleichzusetzen, als die Mathematik als eine Extension der Logik zu betrachten. Der Preis, den man dafur bezahlt, ist, dass beide unerklart bleiben. Dies wurde bedeuten, dass die Metaphysik der Mathematik nicht auf Logik rekurrieren sollte.
International Variation in Accounting Measurement Rules and Analysts Earnings Forecast Errors

We theorize that accounting systems affect analysts’ forecast accuracy through changes in earnings variability. We argue that the matching and historical cost principles reduce earnings variability, and hence, reduce analysts’ earnings forecast errors. We also argue that restricting the choice of accounting methods can result in larger forecast errors. We argue that more informative disclosure environments should reduce forecast errors. We test whether variation in these factors across countries explain variation in analysts’ earnings forecast bias and accuracy. Our results indicate that these characteristics of financial accounting systems are complements, and that they affect financial analysts’ earnings forecast errors.
A Regional Seismic Array of Three-Component Stations in Central Saudi Arabia

Seismic arrays are used to enhance signals and suppress noise as well as to estimate the slowness and azimuth of signals. Seismic monitoring traditionally has relied upon seismic arrays to reduce detection (magnitude) thresholds by increasing signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and to contribute to event formation by improving phase identification and association. A seismic array differs from a local network of seismic stations mainly by the techniques used for data analysis. In principle, a network of seismic stations can be used as an array, and data from an array can be analyzed the same as from a network. However, most array processing techniques require high signal coherency across the array, and this puts important constraints on the array geometry, spatial extent, and data quality. Furthermore, proper analysis of array data is dependent on a stable, highly precise relative timing of all array elements. This is required because the measurement of (usually very small) time differences in the arrival of seismic signals between the different sensors plays an important role in all array processing techniques. The Department of Geology of King Saud University (KSU) has established a small-aperture (∼3.5 km) three-component seismic array in central Saudi Arabia at a hard rock site on the Arabian shield (Figure 1A). The facility consists of well-constructed vaults in hard rock outcrops in a region that has very low background noise. The deployed equipment consists of a broadband three-component sensor (STS-2) at the center element and eight short-period three-component sensors at the outlying elements (Figure 1B). The objectives of this deployment are to provide data for research into three-component seismic array processing and structural studies and are not related to any real-time monitoring efforts ( e.g. , the International Monitoring System). Specifically, the array project is intended to improve constraints on the structure and physical state of …
Nanocrystalline Metal Oxides as Unique Chemical Reagents/Sorbents

A new family of porous inorganic solids based on nanocrystalline metal oxides is discussed. These materials, made up of 4–7 nm MgO, CaO, Al2O3, ZnO, and others, exhibit unparalleled destructive adsorption properties for acid gases, polar organics, and even chemical/biological warfare agents. These unique sorption properties are due to nanocrystal shape, polar surfaces, and high surface areas. Free-flowing powders or consolidated pellets are effective, and pore structure can be controlled by consolidation pressures. Chemical properties can be adjusted by choice of metal oxide as well as by incorporating other oxides as monolayer films.
Capital Taxation under Political Constraints

This paper studies optimal dynamic tax policy under the threat of political reform. A policy will be reformed ex post if a large enough coalition of citizens supports reform; thus, sustainable policies are those that will continue to attract enough political support in the future. We find that optimal marginal capital taxes are either progressive or U-shaped, so that savings are subsidized for the poor and/or the middle class but are taxed for the rich. U-shaped capital taxes always emerge when individuals' political behavior is purely determined by economic motives.
Sea ice detection with space-based LIDAR

Abstract. Monitoring long-term climate change in the Polar Regions relies on accurate, detailed and repeatable measurements of geophysical processes and states. These regions are among the Earth's most vulnerable ecosystems, and measurements there have shown rapid changes in the seasonality and the extent of snow and sea ice coverage. The authors have recently developed a promising new technique that uses lidar surface measurements from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) mission to infer ocean surface ice-water phase. CALIPSO's 532 nm depolarization ratio measurements of the ocean surface are uniquely capable of providing information about the ever-changing sea surface state within the Polar Regions. With the finer resolution of the CALIPSO footprint (90 m diameter, spaced 335 m apart) and its ability to acquire measurements during both daytime and nighttime orbit segments and in the presence of clouds, the CALIPSO sea ice product provides fine-scale information on mixed phase scenes and can be used to assess/validate the estimates of sea-ice concentration currently provided by passive sensors. This paper describes the fundamentals of the CALIPSO sea-ice detection and classification technique. We present retrieval results from a six-year study, which are compared to existing data sets obtained by satellite-based passive remote sensors.
Two-Photon Physics in Hadronic Processes

Two-photon exchange contributions to elastic electron-scattering are reviewed. The apparent discrepancy in the extraction of elastic nucleon form factors between unpolarized Rosenbluth and polarization transfer experiments is discussed, as well as the understanding of this puzzle in terms of two-photon exchange corrections. Calculations of such corrections both within partonic and hadronic frameworks are reviewed. In view of recent spin-dependent electron scattering data, the relation of the two-photon exchange process to the hyperfine splitting in hydrogen is critically examined. The imaginary part of the two-photon exchange amplitude as can be accessed from the beam normal spin asymmetry in elastic electron-nucleon scattering is reviewed. Further extensions and open issues in this field are outlined.
Building brains for bodies

We describe a project to capitalize on newly available levels of computational resources in order to understand human cognition. We will build an integrated physical system including vision, sound input and output, and dextrous manipulation, all controlled by a continuously operating large scale parallel MIMD computer. The resulting system will learn to ``think'''' by building on its bodily experiences to accomplish progressively more abstract tasks. Past experience suggests that in attempting to build such an integrated system we will have to fundamentally change the way artificial intelligence, cognitive science, linguistics, and philosophy think about the organization of intelligence. We expect to be able to better reconcile the theories that will be developed with current work in neuroscience.
Numerical Approaches to Spacetime Singularities

This review updates a previous review article [22]. Numerical exploration of the properties of singularities could, in principle, yield detailed understanding of their nature in physically realistic cases. Examples of numerical investigations into the formation of naked singularities, critical behavior in collapse, passage through the Cauchy horizon, chaos of the Mixmaster singularity, and singularities in spatially inhomogeneous cosmologies are discussed.
Spherical accretion with anisotropic thermal conduction

We study the effects of anisotropic thermal conduction on magnetized spherical accretion flows using global axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations. In low-collisionality plasmas, the Bondi spherical accretion solution is unstable to the magnetothermal instability (MTI). The MTI grows rapidly at large radii where the inflow is subsonic. For a weak initial field, the MTI saturates by creating a primarily radial magnetic field, i.e. by aligning the field lines with the background temperature gradient. The saturation is quasi-linear in the sense that the magnetic field is amplified by a factor of ∼ 10-30 independent of the initial field strength (for weak fields). In the saturated state, the conductive heat flux is much larger than the convective heat flux, and is comparable to the field-free (Spitzer) value (since the field lines are largely radial). The MTI by itself does not appreciably change the accretion rate M relative to the Bondi rate M B . However, the radial field lines created by the MTI are amplified by flux freezing as the plasma flows in to small radii. Oppositely directed field lines are brought together by the converging inflow, leading to significant resistive heating. When the magnetic energy density is comparable to the gravitational potential energy density, the plasma is heated to roughly the virial temperature; the mean inflow is highly subsonic; most of the energy released by accretion is transported to large radii by thermal conduction and the accretion rate M « M B . The predominantly radial magnetic field created by the MTI at large radii in spherical accretion flows may account for the stable Faraday rotation measure towards Sgr A* in the Galactic Centre.
Inversion of 2D planogram data for finite-length detectors

In this paper we investigate the problem of inverting data acquired from finite-length linear detectors in the 2D case. In our previous modeling of the forward problem we dealt with explicit formulas for the elements of system and Gram matrices involved in 2D and 3D algebraic reconstruction from planograms. In this paper we continue our efforts to model flat panel detectors, from the discrete algebraic approach with huge Gram matrices arising in practical 3D PET situations to more compact and fast representation in terms of integral operators. Integral equations for a single pair and for two pairs of linear detectors taking into account the finite length of the detectors are derived. As first applications of our theoretical results, fast filtered backprojection-like algorithms based on the Hilbert and Fourier transforms are proposed. Test numerical experiments are presented.
Planar velocity measurements in compressible mixing layers

In the present study, we use particle image velocimetry (PIV) to obtain planar, two-component velocity fields in two-dimensional, turbulent mixing layers at convective Mach numbers Mc of 0.25, 0.63, and 0.76. The experiments are performed in a large-scale blowdown wind tunnel, with high-speed free-stream Mach numbers up to 2.25 and shear-layer Reynolds numbers up to 106. Specific issues relating to the application of PIV to supersonic flows are addressed. The instantaneous data are analysed to produce maps of derived quantities such as vorticity, and ensemble averaged to provide turbulence statistics. The results show that compressibility introduces marked changes in the disposition of instantaneous velocity gradients within the layer, and hence in the vorticity field. In particular, peak transverse vorticity values are seen to be confined to thin streamwise sheets under compressible conditions, with little transverse communication. The location of these sheets near the lab-frame sonic velocity suggests a sensitivity of the compressible layer to stationary disturbances. Turbulence statistics derived from the planar velocity measurements confirm previous observations of strong suppression of transverse velocity fluctuations and primary Reynolds stress as Mc increases between 0.25 and 0.76.
Racial and gender differences in susceptibility to tobacco smoke among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Summary Background Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been considered a disease of Caucasian men, recent data show mortality rising faster among women and African-Americans. Some have suggested these groups are more susceptible to tobacco smoke. We examined this issue in our own population of COPD patients. Methods Beginning in March 2003 we prospectively developed a COPD research database to facilitate recruitment for clinical trials. Enrollees are recruited from clinics and paid advertising and their demographics, medical/smoking histories, and spirometric data are recorded. We examined the smoking histories and pulmonary function of enrollees over 45, with ⩾20 pack-years of smoking, FEV 1 /FVC (forced expiratory volume forced vital capacity) 1 1 −100)/pack-years. Results A total of 585 patients enrolled during the study period and 330 met our inclusion criteria. Caucasians were older than African-Americans (63 vs. 58, P = 0.0003 ) and had more pack-years of smoking (57 vs. 43, P = 0.0003 ). There were no differences in lung function or bronchodilator reversibility among the racial or gender subgroups. Caucasians had less loss of lung function per pack-year smoked than African-Americans ( SI = - 1.02 % vs. −1.34%, P = 0.007 ) and men less than women ( SI = - 0.98 % vs. −1.21%, P = 0.001 ). Caucasian males appeared relatively protected from tobacco smoke ( SI = - 0.93 % ), while African-American women appeared most susceptible ( SI = - 1.42 % ). Conclusions There are important differences in racial and gender susceptibility to tobacco smoke among patients with COPD. African-American females appear to be at highest risk and may benefit most from smoking cessation.
Surgical Approaches to the Treatment of Obesity: Bariatric Surgery

As bariatric surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity enters its sixth decade, much has been and continues to be learned from the results of several key bariatric operations, particularly the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Because of the obesity epidemic and development of the laparoscopic approach, bariatric procedures have increased exponentially in the past decade and are now among the more commonly performed gastrointestinal operations. Emerging data support the role of bariatric surgery as an effective treatment for improvement or remission of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and multiple other comorbid conditions that accompany obesity. The mechanisms involved in the remission of these conditions, however, remain poorly understood and constitute an exciting area of research. This article delineates the current types of bariatric surgery, their respective outcomes, and their impact on obesity-related medical comorbidities.
Two-point Green's function in PT-symmetric theories

Abstract The Hamiltonian H= 1 2 p 2 + 1 2 m 2 x 2 +gx 2 (ix) δ with δ,g⩾0 is non-Hermitian, but the energy levels are real and positive as a consequence of PT symmetry. The quantum mechanical theory described by H is treated as a one-dimensional Euclidean quantum field theory. The two-point Green's function for this theory is investigated using perturbative and numerical techniques. The Kallen–Lehmann representation for the Green's function is constructed, and it is shown that by virtue of PT symmetry the Green's function is entirely real. While the wave-function renormalization constant Z cannot be interpreted as a conventional probability, it still obeys a normalization determined by the commutation relations of the field. This provides strong evidence that the eigenfunctions of the Hamiltonian are complete.
An evaluation of code and data optimizations in the context of disk power reduction

Disk power management is becoming increasingly important in high-end server and cluster type of environments that execute data-intensive applications. While hardware-only approaches (e.g., low-power modes supported by current disks) are successful to a certain extent, one also needs to consider the software side to achieve further energy savings. This paper first demonstrates that conventional data locality oriented code transformations are not sufficient for minimizing disk power consumption. The reason is that these optimizations do not take into account how disk-resident array data are laid out on the disk system, and consequently, fail to increase idle periods of disks, which is the primary metric using which disk power can be reduced. Instead, we propose a disk layout aware application optimization strategy that uses both code restructuring and data layout optimization. Our experimental evaluation with several benchmark codes reveal that the proposed strategy is very successful in reducing disk energy consumption without performing much worse than a pure data locality oriented scheme, as far as execution cycles are concerned. The experiments also show that the benefits coming from our approach increase with the increased number of disks; i.e., it scales very well.
Catalytic C−H Arylation of SEM-Protected Azoles with Palladium Complexes of NHCs and Phosphines

[reaction: see text] The synthesis and catalytic evaluation of palladium complexes containing imidazolyl carbene ligand of varying steric and electronic properties is reported. These complexes catalyze the efficient C-H arylation of SEM-protected azole heteroarenes and thus provide a good method for preparation of a wide range of arylated free (NH)-azoles including pyrroles, indoles, imidazoles, and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines. The reaction is operationally simple; the complexes are insensitive to moisture.
Glenn Theodore Seaborg: Contributions to Nuclear Science

The major contributions of G. T. Seaborg to nuclear science, including co-discovery of many isotopes with practical applications in medicine and industry, co-discovery of plutonium and nine more transuranium elements, the actinide hypothesis, and searches for superheavy elements are briefly summarized. His enduring interest in science education, the history of science, and public affairs are also noted.
Contention-free 2D-mesh cluster allocation in hypercubes

Traditionally, each job in a hypercube multiprocessor is allocated with a subcube so that communication interference among jobs may be avoided. Although the hypercube is a powerful processor topology, the 2D mesh is a more popular application topology. This paper presents a 2D-mesh cluster allocation strategy for hypercubes. The proposed auxiliary free list processor allocation strategy can efficiently allocate 2D-mesh dusters without size constraints, can reduce average job turnaround time compared with that based on subcube allocation strategies, and can guarantee no communication interference among allocated clusters when the underlying hypercube implements deadlock-free E-cube routing. The proposed auxiliary free list strategy can be easily implemented on hypercube multicomputers to increase processor utilization. >
Towards the recapitulation of ancient history in the laboratory: Combining synthetic biology with experimental evolution

One way to understand the role history plays on evolutionary trajectories is by giving ancient life a second opportunity to evolve. Our ability to empirically perform such an experiment, however, is limited by current experimental designs. Combining ancestral sequence reconstruction with synthetic biology allows us to resurrect the past within a modern context and has expanded our understanding of protein functionality within a historical context. Experimental evolution, on the other hand, provides us with the ability to study evolution in action, under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Here we describe a novel experimental setup that integrates two disparate fields - ancestral sequence reconstruction and experimental evolution. This allows us to rewind and replay the evolutionary history of ancient biomolecules in the laboratory. We anticipate that our combination will provide a deeper understanding of the underlying roles that contingency and determinism play in shaping evolutionary processes.
Added-Mass Effect in Modeling of Cilia-Based Devices for Microfluidic Systems

This article shows that the added mass due to fluid-structure interaction significantly affects the vibrational dynamics of cilia-based (vibrating cantilever-type) devices for handling microscale fluid flows. Commonly, the hydrodynamic interaction between the cilia-based actuators and fluid is modeled as a drag force that results in damping of the cilia motion. Our main contribution is to show that such damping effects cannot explain the substantial reduction in the resonant-vibrational frequency of the cilia actuator operating in liquid when compared with the natural frequency of the cilia in air. It is shown that an added-mass approach (that accounts for the inertial loading of the fluid) can explain this reduction in the resonant-vibrational frequency when operating cantilever-type devices in liquids. Additionally it is shown that the added-mass effect can explain why the cilia-vibration amplitude is not substantially reduced in a liquid by the hydrodynamic drag force. Thus, this article shows the need to model the added-mass effect, both theoretically and by using experimental results.
Long-lived planetesimal discs

We investigate the survival of planetesimal discs over Gyr time-scales, using a unified approach that is applicable to all Keplerian discs of solid bodies – dust grains, asteroids, planets, etc. Planetesimal discs can be characterized locally by four parameters: surface density, semimajor axis, planetesimal size and planetesimal radial velocity dispersion. Any planetesimal disc must have survived all dynamical processes, including gravitational instability, dynamical chaos, gravitational scattering, physical collisions, and radiation forces, that would lead to significant evolution over its lifetime. These processes lead to a rich set of constraints that strongly restrict the possible properties of long-lived discs. Within this framework, we also discuss the detection of planetesimal discs using radial velocity measurements, transits, microlensing and the infrared emission from the planetesimals themselves or from dust generated by planetesimal collisions.
High-Strength and High-Fracture-Toughness Ceramics in the Al2O3/LaAl11O18 Systems

Control of microstructure in the Al2O3/LaAl11O18 system was performed. Elongated alumina grains were formed by doping with small addition of silica, and 20 vol% lanthana- luminate was formed in situ by the reaction of LaAlO3- A12O3 in an alumina matrix. Strengths of over 600 MPa and a high fracture toughness (6 MPa.m1/2) were achieved in the material with both elongated A12O3 grains and LaAl11O18 platelets. Generally antagonistic properties such as strength and fracture toughness have been made compatible in the same ceramic system.
Geometry of injection regions of power networks

We investigate the constraints on power flow in networks and its implications to the optimal power flow problem. The constraints are described by the injection region of a network; this is the set of all vectors of power injections, one at each bus, that can be achieved while satisfying the network and operation constraints. If there are no operation constraints, we show the injection region of a network is the set of all injections satisfying the conservation of energy. If the network has a tree topology, e.g., a distribution network, we show that under voltage magnitude, line loss constraints, line flow constraints and certain bus real and reactive power constraints, the injection region and its convex hull have the same Pareto-front. The Pareto-front is of interest since these are the optimal solutions to the minimization of increasing functions over the injection region. For non-tree networks, we obtain a weaker result by characterizing the convex hull of the voltage constraint injection region for lossless cycles and certain combinations of cycles and trees.
Option value of electricity demand response

Abstract As electricity markets deregulate and energy tariffs increasingly expose customers to commodity price volatility, it is difficult for energy consumers to assess the economic value of investments in technologies that manage electricity demand in response to changing energy prices. The key uncertainties in evaluating the economics of demand–response technologies are the level and volatility of future wholesale energy prices. In this paper, we demonstrate that financial engineering methodologies originally developed for pricing equity and commodity derivatives (e.g., futures, swaps, options) can be used to estimate the value of demand-response technologies. We adapt models used to value energy options and assets to value three common demand–response strategies: load curtailment, load shifting or displacement, and short-term fuel substitution—specifically, distributed generation. These option models represent an improvement to traditional discounted cash flow methods for assessing the relative merits of demand-side technology investments in restructured electricity markets.
Why the Referential Treatment? Evidence from Field Experiments on Referrals

This paper presents the results of three …eld experiments in an online labor market designed to determine whether referred workers perform better than non-referred workers and, if so, why. We hired workers and asked them to refer others; we then hired all referred and non-referred applicants. Referred workers performed better and had less turnover than non-referred workers. We …nd that this is partially due to selection: referrals outperformed non-referred workers even without any on-the-job interactions with their referrers. We …nd also that team production is important: referrals performed particularly well when working with their referrers.
Tunable compensation of the dispersion slope mismatch in dispersion-managed systems using a sampled nonlinearly-chirped FBG

We demonstrate tunable dispersion slope compensation for three 10 Gbit/s WDM channels using a sampled nonlinearly-chirped FBG. The replicated sampled-FBG wavelength bands have a different separation than the WDM channels, causing each channel to experience a different dispersion compensation that can be tuned upon stretching of the FBG. We achieve significant power penalty reduction using our tunable dispersion-slope-compensation method over 900 and 1200 km fiber links.
Effect of conformational rigidity on the stereoselectivity of nucleophilic additions to five-membered ring bicyclic oxocarbenium ion intermediates

Nucleophilic substitution reactions of five-membered ring acetals bearing fused rings reveal that subtle changes in the structure of the fused ring can exert dramatic influences on selectivity. If the fused ring did not constrain the five-membered ring undergoing substitution, selectivity was comparable to what was observed for an unconstrained system (≥92% diastereoselectivity, favoring the product of inside attack on the oxocarbenium ion). If the ring were more constrained by including at least one oxygen atom in the ring, selectivity dropped considerably (to 60% diastereoselectivity in one case). Transition states of the nucleophilic addition of allyltrimethylsilane to selected oxocarbenium ions were calculated using DFT methods. These computational models reproduced the correlation between additional conformational rigidity and selectivity.
Stereoselective Nickel-Catalyzed [2+2] Cycloadditions of Ene-Allenes†

A stereoselective nickel-catalyzed [2+2] cycloaddition of ene-allenes is reported. This transformation encompasses a broad range of ene-allene substrates, thus providing efficient access to fused cyclobutanes from easily accessed π-components. A simple and inexpensive first-row catalytic system comprised of [Ni(cod)2 ] and dppf was used in this process, thus constituting an attractive approach to synthetically challenging cyclobutane frameworks under mild reaction conditions.
The sclerophytin A adventure.

The structural designation A originally made by Sharma and Alam to sclerophytin A was considered to be ambiguous and so notably strained relative to B that the latter was targeted for de novo synthesis (Scheme 1). Our two successful routes began with (5S)-(d-menthyloxy)-2(5H)-furanone and involved the application of cycloaddition, Claisen ring expansion, transannular oxymercuration, and 1,2-carbonyl transposition tactics to arrive at B. It was immediately apparent from polarity considerations and spectroscopic data that the antileukemic marine metabolite in question was in need of more deep-seated structural revision. Following close re-examination of an acquired authentic sample by advanced NMR techniques, the strong inference was made that sclerophytin A actually lacked a second oxygen bridge and was in reality the triol C. This conclusion was unequivocally confirmed by diverting an advanced intermediate generated earlier into a short sequence beginning with regiocontrolled dihydroxylation and terminating with configurational inversion at the secondary carbinol center. The status of other members of this series is also presented. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and The Japan Chemical Journal Forum Chem Rec 1:311–320, 2001. 1
Tequila tourism as a factor of development: a strategic vision in Mexico.

Purpose – The main objective of the paper is to establish that Tequila Tourism can be a tool in the economic development of the Jalisco region, linking the product, tequila, the agave landscape, and the fact that the tourist route can be a sign of identity for this tourist market. Design – The need to achieve sustainable rural development, taking into account respect for the environment, along with the creation of wealth and jobs, is would involve both public administrations and companies through the promotion of complementary activities in this rural region; thus, this paper advocates the consolidation of the Tequila Route. Methodology – The proposed methodology develops a theoretical contextualization of the subject of this study –Tequila Tourism – using a Delphi approach with a panel of experts, leading to a SWOT analysis. Approach – This study has been developed using the interpretative approach Expert opinion has shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of the Tequila Route as endogenous factors for progress in these rural areas. Finding – This research has established that the enhancement of tequila as a product shows great potential for the development of new tourism practices such as gastronomic tourism. Originality of research – The originality is found in the analysis of the economic potential of introducing Tequila tourism routes in the region of Jalisco, Mexico and providing guidance and ideas for further improvements and research into this important sector of tourism.
Vacancies, vetting, and votes: A unified dynamic model of the appointments process

Pundits, politicians, and political scientists alike often bemoan the long delays in filling both executive and judicial vacancies. However, most political science scholarship has ignored why executives delay nomination, instead focusing on why legislatures delay confirmation. In this article, I develop a formal model that seeks to explain the causes and consequences of both types of delay. By incorporating the effects of time, nominee competence, and nonpolicy incentives, the model provides a number of important findings: (1) the passage of time exacerbates the executive’s first-mover advantage and may result in less-competent nominees; (2) confirmation delay results when the executive’s costs of searching for new nominees are sufficiently high and/or the pool of potential candidates for nomination is sufficiently incompetent; and (3) nomination delay results when the executive’s internal vetting process indicates a candidate for nomination is sufficiently incompetent relative to the pool of potential no...
Wormhole Hamiltonian Monte Carlo

In machine learning and statistics, probabilistic inference involving multimodal distributions is quite difficult. This is especially true in high dimensional problems, where most existing algorithms cannot easily move from one mode to another. To address this issue, we propose a novel Bayesian inference approach based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo. Our method can effectively sample from multimodal distributions, especially when the dimension is high and the modes are isolated. To this end, it exploits and modifies the Riemannian geometric properties of the target distribution to create wormholes connecting modes in order to facilitate moving between them. Further, our proposed method uses the regeneration technique in order to adapt the algorithm by identifying new modes and updating the network of wormholes without affecting the stationary distribution. To find new modes, as opposed to rediscovering those previously identified, we employ a novel mode searching algorithm that explores a residual energy function obtained by subtracting an approximate Gaussian mixture density (based on previously discovered modes) from the target density function.
Conditioning of finite element equations with arbitrary anisotropic meshes

This is the published version, also available here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1090/S0025-5718-2014-02822-6. First published in Math. Comput. in 2014, published by the American Mathematical Society
The Anthropology of Money

This review surveys anthropological and other social research on money and finance. It emphasizes money’s social roles and meanings as well as its pragmatics in different modalities of exchange and circulation. It reviews scholarly emphasis on modern money’s distinctive qualities of commensuration, abstraction, quantification, and reification. It also addresses recent work that seeks to understand the social, semiotic, and performative dimensions of finance. Although anthropology has contributed finely grained, historicized accounts of the impact of modern money, it too often repeats the same story of the “great transformation” from socially embedded to disembedded and abstracted economic forms. This review speculates about why money’s fictions continue to surprise.
Simulation studies of ionization cooling

Abstract A μ+−μ− collider relies on ionization cooling to compress the beam phase-space volume for maximal luminosity. In this paper we present simulations of ionization cooling which explore the various conditions needed for compression to collider conditions. These simulations are based on a maximally complete model of muon-atom interactions, including accurate distributions of multiple scattering and energy straggling effects. Particular cases such as cooling in low-Z absorbers, in active lenses, within solenoids, as well as the use of wedge absorbers for phase space exchange and the energy dependence of the cooling process, are explored. Constraints and guidelines for the development of complete cooling scenarios are discussed.
Internationalization and Stock Market Liquidity

What is the impact of internationalization (firms raising capital and trading in international markets) on the liquidity of the remaining firms in domestic markets? To address this question, we assemble a panel database of nearly 2,900 firms from 45 emerging economies over the period 1989- 2000, constructed from annual and daily data. First, we find evidence of migration. The domestic trading of firms that cross-list or issue depositary receipts in foreign public exchanges tends to de- crease, while a significant proportion of their trading activity concentrates in international markets. Second, this migration is negatively related to the liquidity of the remaining firms in their home market through two separate channels. There are liquidity spillovers within markets: Aggregate domestic trading activity is positively associated with the liquidity of individual firms in the same market. Moreover, the proportion of trading abroad is negatively related to the liquidity of firms in the domestic market.
Beam-beam modulational diffusion in 2 1/2 dimensions

Qualitative theoretical predictions for single particle modulational diffusion in 2 1/2 dimensions are compared with simulation results. Typical Fermilab Tevatron parameters are used for two beam-beam interactions under the influence of tune modulation created by synchrotron oscillations. When sideband overlap occurs on a pure one-dimensional resonance, diffusive growth is predicted and observed in the other transverse dimension. However exponential amplitude growth is observed in simulation instead of classically predicted root-time diffusive growth. Exponential growth rates are measured in particle tracking and possible impact on Tevatron luminosity upgrades is mentioned. >
Foundation of a Communicator Style Construct.

The foundation of a communicator style construct is presented in this paper. The construct is stipulated to include communication variables which reflect the “way one verbally and paraverbally interacts to signal how literal meaning should be taken, interpreted, filtered, or understood.” Nine independent variables (dominant, dramatic, animated, open, contentious, relaxed, friendly, attentive, and impression leaving) and one dependent variable (communicator image) operationally define the construct. Two independent samples, the first with 80 subjects and 102 items and the second with 1,086 subjects and 51 items, are analyzed in terms of (1) how the variables cluster, (2) what dimensionality is embedded in the structure of intercorrelations, and (3) which variables best predict communicator image. Potentially, the construct provides a context for other communication variables, relates to perceptual processes, and explains interpersonal consequents.
THE LAYERED NET SURFACE PROBLEMS IN DISCRETE GEOMETRY AND MEDICAL IMAGE SEGMENTATION.

Efficient detection of multiple inter-related surfaces representing the boundaries of objects of interest in d-D images (d ≥ 3) is important and remains challenging in many medical image analysis applications. In this paper, we study several layered net surface (LNS) problems captured by an interesting type of geometric graphs called ordered multi-column graphs in the d-D discrete space (d ≥ 3 is any constant integer). The LNS problems model the simultaneous detection of multiple mutually related surfaces in three or higher dimensional medical images. Although we prove that the d-D LNS problem (d ≥ 3) on a general ordered multi-column graph is NP-hard, the (special) ordered multi-column graphs that model medical image segmentation have the self-closure structures and thus admit polynomial time exact algorithms for solving the LNS problems. Our techniques also solve the related net surface volume (NSV) problems of computing well-shaped geometric regions of an optimal total volume in a d-D weighted voxel grid. The NSV problems find applications in medical image segmentation and data mining. Our techniques yield the first polynomial time exact algorithms for several high dimensional medical image segmentation problems. Experiments and comparisons based on real medical data showed that our LNS algorithms and software are computationally efficient and produce highly accurate and consistent segmentation results.
Health Status and Health Dynamics in an Empirical Model of Expected Longevity

Expected longevity is an important factor influencing older individuals' decisions such as consumption, savings, purchase of life insurance and annuities, claiming of Social Security benefits, and labor supply. It has also been shown to be a good predictor of actual longevity, which in turn is highly correlated with health status. A relatively new literature on health investments under uncertainty, which builds upon the seminal work by Grossman [Grossman, M., 1972. On the concept of health capital and demand for health. Journal of Political Economy 80, 223-255] has directly linked longevity with characteristics, behaviors, and decisions by utility maximizing agents. Our empirical model can be understood within that theoretical framework as estimating a production function of longevity. Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study, we directly incorporate health dynamics in explaining the variation in expected longevities, and compare two alternative measures of health dynamics: the self-reported health change, and the computed health change based on self-reports of health status. In 38% of the reports in our sample, computed health changes are inconsistent with the direct report on health changes over time. And another 15% of the sample can suffer from information losses if computed changes are used to assess changes in actual health. These potentially serious problems raise doubts regarding the use and interpretation of the computed health changes and even the lagged measures of self-reported health as controls for health dynamics in a variety of empirical settings. Our empirical results, controlling for both subjective and objective measures of health status and unobserved heterogeneity in reporting, suggest that self-reported health changes are a preferred measure of health dynamics.
Vector Gaussian Multiple Description With Individual and Central Receivers

T multiple descriptions of a vector Gaussian source for individual and central receivers are investigated. The sum rate of the descriptions with covariance distortion measure constraints, in a positive semidefinite ordering, is exactly characterized. For two descriptions, the entire rate region is characterized. The key component of the solution is a novel information-theoretic inequality that is used to lower-bound the achievable multiple description rates. Jointly Gaussian descriptions are optimal in achieving the limiting rates. We also show the robustness of this description scheme: the distortions achieved are no larger when used to describe any non-Gaussian source with the same covariance matrix.
Ring current proton decay by charge exchange

Explorer 45 measurements during the recovery phase of a moderate magnetic storm have confirmed that the charge exchange decay mechanism can account for the decay of the storm-time proton ring current. Data from the moderate magnetic storm of 24 February 1972 was selected for study since a symmetrical ring current had developed and effects due to asymmetric ring current losses could be eliminated. It was found that after the initial rapid decay of the proton flux, the equatorially mirroring protons in the energy range 5 to 30 keV decayed throughout the L-value range of 3.5 to 5.0 at the charge exchange decay rate calculated by Liemohn. After several days of decay, the proton fluxes reached a lower limit where an apparent equilibrium was maintained, between weak particle source mechanisms and the loss mechanisms, until fresh protons were injected into the ring current region during substorms. While other proton loss mechanisms may also be operating, the results indicate that charge exchange can entirely account for the storm-time proton ring current decay, and that this mechanism must be considered in all studies involving the loss of proton ring current particles.
Effect of Vessel Compliance on the In-Vitro Performance of a Pulsating Respiratory Support Catheter

Intravena caval respiratory support (or membrane oxygenation) is a potential therapy for patients with acute respiratory insufficiency. A respiratory support catheter is being developed that consists of a bundle of hollow fiber membranes with a centrally positioned pulsating balloon to enhance gas exchange. This study examined the influence of vessel compliance on the gas exchange performance of the pulsating respirator, support catheter. Polyurethane elastic tubes were fabricated with compliance comparable to that measured in bovine vena cava specimens. The gas exchange performance of the respiratory catheter was studied in an in-vitro flow loop using either the model compliant tube or a rigid tube as a "mock" vena cava. Balloon pulsation enhanced gas exchange comparably in both rigid and model compliant vessels up to 120 bpm pulsation frequency. Above 120 bpm gas exchange increased with further pulsation in the rigid tube, but no additional increase in gas exchange was seen in the compliant tube. The differences above 120 bpm may reflect differences in the compliance of the elastic tube versus the natural vena cava.
Social welfare in one-sided matching markets without money

We study social welfare in one-sided matching markets where the goal is to efficiently allocate n items to n agents that each have a complete, private preference list and a unit demand over the items. Our focus is on allocation mechanisms that do not involve any monetary payments. We consider two natural measures of social welfare: the ordinal welfare factor which measures the number of agents that are at least as happy as in some unknown, arbitrary benchmark allocation, and the linear welfare factor which assumes an agent's utility linearly decreases down his preference lists, and measures the total utility to that achieved by an optimal allocation. We analyze two matching mechanisms which have been extensively studied by economists. The first mechanism is the random serial dictatorship (RSD) where agents are ordered in accordance with a randomly chosen permutation, and are successively allocated their best choice among the unallocated items. The second mechanism is the probabilistic serial (PS) mechanism of Bogomolnaia and Moulin [8], which computes a fractional allocation that can be expressed as a convex combination of integral allocations. The welfare factor of a mechanism is the infimum over all instances. For RSD, we show that the ordinal welfare factor is asymptotically 1/2, while the linear welfare factor lies in the interval [.526, 2/3]. For PS, we show that the ordinal welfare factor is also 1/2 while the linear welfare factor is roughly 2/3. To our knowledge, these results are the first non-trivial performance guarantees for these natural mechanisms.