cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new structure-from-motion ambiguity

Demonstrates the existence of an approximate, intrinsic ambiguity in Euclidean structure from motion (SFM) which occurs as generically as the bas-relief ambiguity but, unlike it, strengthens for scenes with more depth variation. The ambiguity does not occur in projective SFM, but the reasons for this make projective reconstructions more likely to have large errors. Our analysis gives a semiquantitative characterization of the least-squares error surface over a domain complementary to that analyzed by Jepson, Heeger, and Maybank. As part of our analysis, we show that the least-squares error for infinitesimal motion-the optical-flow error-gives a good approximation to the least-squares error for moderate finite motions. We propose that many high-error local minima occur for epipoles in or near the image. We also establish the existence of a new local minimum in minimizing over the rotation, given the translation direction.
Public sector earnings and the extent of unionization

Many studies have examined the influence of union density (union members as a percentage of all workers) on earnings in the private sector, but few such studies have looked at the public sector. Using data from the 1991 Current Population Survey, this study estimates the determinants of earnings for state and local government employees in both the union and nonunion sectors. The extent of public sector unionization appears to be positively correlated with earnings for both state and local government workers and for those covered and not covered by collective agreements. Although the effect for non-covered employees is smaller than that for covered employees, both effects are larger than those typically found in similar estimates for the private sector. The authors also find that bargaining structure has some influence on earnings, with the most consistent effect being a positive influence of arbitration on the earnings of local government workers.
Defining and Describing Benefit Appropriately in Clinical Trials

Institutional review boards (IRBs) and investigators are used to talking about risks of harm. Both low risks of great harm and high risks of small harm must be disclosed to prospective subjects and should be explained and categorized in ways that help potential subjects to understand and weigh them appropriately. Everyone on an IRB has probably spent time at meetings arguing over whether a three-page bulleted list of risk description is helpful or overkill for prospective subjects. Yet only a small fraction of all the time and attention lavished on risk disclosure has been devoted to discussing whether and when potential benefit to subjects can reasonably be claimed and, if so, how it should be described in the consent form and process. Traditionally, IRBs and regulators have worked to ensure that clear lines can be drawn between research that, by definition, carries no potential for direct benefit — because it uses healthy volunteers or because it is not foreseeably focused on the development of treatments — and research that does have the development of effective treatments as its goal.
Adverse Selection In Credit Markets and Regressive Profit Taxation

In many countries, taxes on businesses are less progressive than labor income taxes. This paper provides a justification for this pattern based on adverse selection that entrepreneurs face in credit markets. Individuals choose between becoming entrepreneurs or workers and differ in their skill in both of these occupations. I find that endogenous cross-subsidization in the credit market equilibrium results in excessive (insufficient) entry of low-skilled (high-skilled) agents into entrepreneurship. This gives rise to a corrective role for differential taxation of entrepreneurial profits and labor income. In particular, a profit tax that is regressive relative to taxes on labor income restores the efficient occupational choice.
On the Size, Shape, and Density of Dwarf Planet Makemake

A recent stellar occultation by the dwarf planet Makemake provided an excellent opportunity to measure the size and shape of one of the largest objects in the Kuiper belt. The analysis of these results provided what were reported to be precise measurements of the lengths of the projected axes, the albedo, and even the density of Makemake, but these results were, in part, derived from qualitative arguments. We reanalyzed the occultation timing data using a quantitative statistical description, and, in general, found the previously reported results on the shape of Makemake to be unjustified. In our solution, in which we use our inference from photometric data that Makemake is being viewed nearly pole-on, we find a 1σ upper limit to the projected elongation of Makemake of 1.02, with measured equatorial diameter of 1434 ± 14 km and a projected polar diameter of 1422 ± 14 km, yielding an albedo of 0.81^(+0.01)_(−0.02). If we remove the external constraint on the pole position of Makemake, we find instead a 1σ upper limit to the elongation of 1.06, with a measured equatorial diameter of 1434^(+48)_(−18) km and a projected polar diameter of 1420^(+18)_(−24) km, yielding an albedo of 0.81^(+0.03)_(−0.05). Critically, we find that the reported measurement of the density of Makemake was based on the misapplication of the volatile retention models. A corrected analysis shows that the occultation measurements provide no meaningful constraint on the density of Makemake.
On the characters of unipotent representations of a semisimple p-adic group

Let G be a semisimple almost simple algebraic group defined and split over a nonarchimedean local field K and let V be a unipotent representation of G(K) (for example, an Iwahori-spherical representation). We calculate the character of V at compact very regular elements of G(K) at compact very regular elements of G(K).
Optimization of energy dissipation characteristics of active constrained layer damping

The energy dissipation characteristics of active constrained layer damping (ACLD) treatments, consisting of visco-elastic cores constrained by active piezo-electric layers, are optimized using rational design procedures. The optimal lengths and control gains of these ACLD treatments are determined when a globally stable boundary control strategy is utilized to control the longitudinal strain of the active piezo-electric layers in response to the structural vibrations. The optimal parameters are obtained such that the sum of the passive and active loss coefficients of the ACLD treatments is maximized. The effect of the visco-elastic loss factor on the performance and the optimal parameters of the ACLD treatments is determined. Comparisons with optimal passive constrained layer damping (PCLD) indicate that the optimal ACLD is more effective in dissipating vibrational energy, particularly for visco-elastic cores with low-loss factors.
CORRELATED RADIAL VELOCITY AND X-RAY VARIATIONS IN HD 154791/4U 1700+24

We present evidence for approximately 400 day variations in the radial velocity of HD 154791 (V934 Her), the suggested optical counterpart of 4U 1700+24. The variations are correlated with the previously reported ≈400 day variations in the X-ray flux of 4U 1700+24, which supports the association of these two objects, as well as the identification of this system as the second known X-ray binary in which a neutron star accretes from the wind of a red giant. The HD 154791 radial velocity variations can be fitted with an eccentric orbit with period 404 ± 3 days, amplitude K = 0.75 ± 0.12 km s-1, and eccentricity e = 0.26 ± 0.15. There are also indications of variations on longer timescales 2000 days. We have reexamined all available All-Sky Monitor (ASM) data following an unusually large X-ray outburst in 1997-1998 and confirm that the 1 day averaged 2-10 keV X-ray flux from 4U 1700+24 is modulated with a period of 400 ± 20 days. The mean profile of the persistent X-ray variations was approximately sinusoidal, with an amplitude of 0.108 ± 0.012 ASM counts s-1 (corresponding to 31% rms). The epoch of X-ray maximum was approximately 40 days after the time of periastron, according to the eccentric orbital fit. If the 400 day oscillations from HD 154791/4U 1700+24 are due to orbital motion, then the system parameters are probably close to those of the only other neutron star symbiotic-like binary, GX 1+4. We discuss the similarities and differences between these two systems.
Observational Constraints on Trojans of Transiting Extrasolar Planets

Theoretical studies predict that Trojans are likely a frequent by-product of planet formation and evolution. We present a novel method of detecting Trojan companions to transiting extrasolar planets that involves comparing the midtime of eclipse with the time of the stellar reflex velocity null. We demonstrate that this method offers the potential to detect terrestrial-mass Trojans using existing ground-based observatories. This method rules out Trojan companions to HD 209458b and HD 149026b more massive than13 and 25 at a 99.9% confidence M level. Such a Trojan would be dynamically stable, would not yet have been detected by photometric or spectroscopic monitoring, and would be unrecognizable from radial velocity observations alone. We outline the future prospects for this method and show that the detection of a “Hot Trojan” of any mass would place a significant constraint on theories of orbital migration. Subject headings: celestial mechanics — planetary systems: formation — techniques: photometric — techniques: radial velocities
Analysis of the convergence behavior of adaptive distributed-arithmetic echo cancellers

Adaptive distributed-arithmetic echo cancellers are well suited for full-duplex high-speed data transmission. They allow a simpler implementation than adaptive linear transversal filters, since multiplications are replaced by table look-up and shift-and-add operations. Various tradeoffs between the number of operations and the number of memory locations of the look-up tables can be achieved by segmenting the echo canceller delay line into sections of shorter length. Adaptivity is achieved by a decision-directed stochastic gradient algorithm to adjust the contents of the look-up tables. The author adopts the mean-square error criterion to investigate the convergence behavior of adaptive distributed-arithmetic echo cancellers. Under the assumption that the look-up values are statistically independent of the symbols stored in the echo canceller delay line, he obtains an analytical expression for the mean-square error as a function of time. The maximum speed of convergence and the corresponding optimum adaptation gain are also determined. Simulation results for a full-duplex quaternary partial response class-IV system are presented and compared with theoretical results. >
Catalyst Deactivation and Regeneration

This article focuses on the causes, mechanisms, prevention, modeling, and treatment (experimental and theoretical) of deactivation. The causes of deactivation are basically of three kinds: chemical, mechanical, and thermal. The five intrinsic mechanisms of catalyst decay, (1) poisoning, (2) fouling, (3) thermal degradation, (4) chemical degradation, and (5) mechanical failure, vary in their reversibility and rates of occurrence. Poisoning and thermal degradation are generally slow, irreversible processes while fouling with coke and carbon is generally rapid and reversible by regeneration with O2 or H2. Catalyst deactivation is more easily prevented than cured. Poisoning by impurities can be prevented through careful purification of reactants. Carbon deposition and coking can be prevented by minimizing the formation of carbon or coke precursors through gasification, by careful design of catalysts and process conditions and by controlling reaction conditions to minimize effects of carbon and coke formation on activity. Sintering is best avoided by minimizing and controlling the temperature of reaction. Regeneration of deactivated catalysts is possible for many catalytic processes and is widely practiced. The purpose of this article is to provide the reader with a comprehensive overview of the scientific and practical aspects of catalyst deactivation, including mechanisms of catalyst decay, prevention of deactivation, regeneration of catalysts, methods for study and treatment of catalyst decay, and deactivation kinetics. The greatest emphasis is on deactivation and regeneration of heterogeneous catalysts, although decay mechanisms of homogeneous catalysts and enzymes as well as methods of stabilizing these catalyst types are briefly addressed. Keywords: catalyst coking; catalyst poisoning; catalyst sintering; catalyst regeneration; catalyst reactivation; catalyst rejuvenation; catalyst redispersion; catalyst deactivation; catalyst degradation; catalyst decay; catalyst inactivation
Assessing the Effects of Recent Immigration on Serious Property Crime in Austin, Texas

In this article the authors examine the impact of recent immigration on rates of serious property crime across communities in Austin, Texas. The greater Austin foreign-born population has increased by more than 580 percent since 1980, and Austin is considered a preemerging immigrant gateway city to the United States. The changing population dynamics in Austin provide an excellent opportunity to study the effect of recent immigration on crime in a target destination for recent immigrants. Although interest in the relationship between violent crime and immigration to new locales is evidenced by recent studies that show less favorable outcomes for Latinos in new destinations, little attention has been directed to the relationship of recent immigration with serious property crime in new destinations. Negative binomial regression models with corrections for spatial autocorrelation indicate that recent immigration is not associated with an increased rate of burglary, larceny, or motor vehicle theft once important structural predictors of crime are controlled for. © 2013 by Pacific Sociological Association. All rights reserved.
The Mastermind Attack on Genomic Data

In this paper, we study the degree to which a genomic string, $Q$,leaks details about itself any time it engages in comparison protocolswith a genomic querier, Bob, even if those protocols arecryptographically guaranteed to produce no additional information otherthan the scores that assess the degree to which $Q$ matches stringsoffered by Bob. We show that such scenarios allow Bob to play variantsof the game of Mastermind with $Q$ so as to learn the complete identityof $Q$. We show that there are a number of efficient implementationsfor Bob to employ in these Mastermind attacks, depending on knowledgehe has about the structure of $Q$, which show how quickly he candetermine $Q$. Indeed, we show that Bob can discover $Q$ using anumber of rounds of test comparisons that is much smaller than thelength of $Q$, under various assumptions regarding the types of scoresthat are returned by the cryptographic protocols and whether he can useknowledge about the distribution that $Q$ comes from, e.g., usingpublic knowledge about the properties of human DNA. We also providethe results of an experimental study we performed on a database ofmitochondrial DNA, showing the vulnerability of existing real-world DNAdata to the Mastermind attack.
Stumping e-rater:challenging the validity of automated essay scoring

Abstract For this study, various parties were invited to “challenge” e-rater—an automated essay scorer that relies on natural language processing techniques—by composing essays in response to Graduate Record Examinations (GRE®) Writing Assessment prompts with the intention of undermining its scoring capability. Specifically, using detailed information about e-rater's approach to essay scoring, writers tried to “trick” the computer-based system into assigning scores that were higher or lower than deserved. E-rater's automated scores on these “problem essays” were compared with scores given by two trained, human readers, and the difference between the scores constituted the standard for judging the extent to which e-rater was fooled. Challengers were differentially successful in writing problematic essays. As a whole, they were more successful in tricking e-rater into assigning scores that were too high than in duping e-rater into awarding scores that were too low. The study provides information on ways in which e-rater, and perhaps other automated essay scoring systems, may fail to provide accurate evaluations, if used as the sole method of scoring in high-stakes assessments. The results suggest possible avenues for improving automated scoring methods.
Computing Optimal Descriptions for Optimality Theory Grammars with Context-Free Position Structures

This paper describes an algorithm for computing optimal structural descriptions for Optimality Theory grammars with context-free position structures. This algorithm extends Tesar's dynamic programming approach (Tesar, 1994) (Tesar, 1995a) to computing optimal structural descriptions from regular to context-free structures. The generalization to context-free structures creates several complications, all of which are overcome without compromising the core dynamic programming approach. The resulting algorithm has a time complexity cubic in the length of the input, and is applicable to grammars with universal constraints that exhibit context-free locality.
Hyperbolicity and stable polynomials in combinatorics and probability

These lectures survey the theory of hyperbolic and stable polynomials, from their origins in the theory of linear PDE’s to their present uses in combinatorics and probability theory.
ELECTROWEAK EFFECTIVE LAGRANGIANS

In this paper I review several aspects of the use of effective Lagrangians in (mainly) electroweak physics. The conditions under which this approach is reliable and useful, as well as the limitations of the formalism, are detailed. Various applications are also presented.
Automating the simulation of complex discrete-time control systems: a mathematical framework, algorithms, and a software package

With the rapid proliferation of complex control systems, such as adaptive control systems, a need has arisen to automate as much as possible of the time-consuming preparatory work needed to simulate such systems. This burden currently falls on the user. The smaller the user time required and the more effortless the process, the greater, the authors believe, will be the eventual widespread acceptability of these control systems. This paper is aimed at bridging this gap between the theoretical specification of a complex discrete-time control system as described in a typical research paper and the obtaining of a first simulation. It provides a graph theoretical formulation of the issues involved, discrete algorithms to execute these tasks, and finally describes ISIM, an interpretive simulator which incorporates these features. These algorithms automate the simulation process, as seen by the user. The net result is a package which essentially requires only that the user type in a control system more or less verbatim from a technical paper to obtain a simulation output. >
On the cyclic Deligne conjecture

Abstract Let A be a finite dimensional, unital, and associative algebra which is endowed with a non-degenerate and invariant inner product. We give an explicit description of an action of cyclic Sullivan chord diagrams on the normalized Hochschild cochain complex of A . As a corollary, the Hochschild cohomology of A becomes a Frobenius algebra which is endowed with a compatible BV operator. If A is also commutative, then the discussion extends to an action of general Sullivan chord diagrams. Some implications of this are discussed.
Direct Detection Signatures of Self-Interacting Dark Matter with a Light Mediator

Self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) is a simple and well-motivated scenario that could explain long-standing puzzles in structure formation on small scales. If the required self-interaction arises through a light mediator (with mass 10 MeV) in the dark sector, this new particle must be unstable to avoid overclosing the universe. The decay of the light mediator could happen due to a weak coupling of the hidden and visible sectors, providing new signatures for direct detection experiments. The SIDM nuclear recoil spectrum is more peaked towards low energies compared to the usual case of contact interactions, because the mediator mass is comparable to the momentum transfer of nuclear recoils. We show that the SIDM signal could be distinguished from that of DM particles with contact interactions by considering the time-average energy spectrum in experiments employing dierent target
Selective Schools and Academic Achievement

In this paper I consider the impact of attending a selective high school in the UK. Students are assigned to these schools on the basis of a test taken in primary school and, using data on these assignment test scores for a particular district, I exploit this rule to estimate the causal effects of selective schools on test scores, high school course taking and university enrollment. Despite the huge peer advantage enjoyed by selective school students, I show that four years of selective school attendance generates at best small effects on test scores. Selective schools do however have positive effects on course-taking and, more suggestively, university enrollment, evidence suggesting they may have important longer run impacts.
MicroRNAs in adipogenesis and as therapeutic targets for obesity.

Introduction: Obesity and obesity-related disease have reached pandemic proportions and are prevalent even in developing countries. Adipose tissue is increasingly being recognized as a key regulator of whole-body energy homeostasis and consequently as a prime therapeutic target for metabolic syndrome. This review discusses the roles of miRNAs, small endogenously expressed RNAs that regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level, in the development and function of adipose tissue and other relevant metabolic tissues impacted by obesity. Several high-throughput studies have identified hundreds of miRNAs that are differentially expressed during the development of metabolic tissues or as an indication of pathophysiology. Further investigation has functionalized the regulatory capacity of individual miRNAs and revealed putative targets for these miRNAs. Therefore, as with several other pathologies, miRNAs are emerging as feasible therapeutic targets for metabolic syndrome. Areas covered: This review p...
Money, Intermediaries and Cash-in-Advance Constraints

I study a search economy in which intermediaries are the driving force co-ordinating the economy on the use of a unique, common medium of exchange for transactions. If search frictions delay trade, intermediaries offering immediate exchange opportunities can make arbitrage gains from a price spread. As these intermediaries take over transactions, they are confronted to the double coincidence problem of the search market. In the model presented here, intermediaries solve this problem best by imposing a common medium of exchange to other agents, such that a Cash-in-Advance constraint holds: Agents trade twice in order to consume, once to exchange their production against the medium of exchange, and once to receive their consumption good. To select between multiple equilibria, I introduce a criterion of minimal coalition proofness, whereby arbitrarily small coalitions may induce a change from an equilibrium. I show that any minimally coalition-proof equilibrium is Pareto-efficient, and characterize the full set of minimally coalition-proof equilibria of this economy.
Leiomyomas in adolescents.

Objective To describe a rare finding of a large leiomyoma and recurrence in an adolescent. Design Case report. Setting Major academic medical center. Patient(s) A 14-year-old gravida 0 presented with a 16-cm pelvic mass that was found to be an anterior uterine leiomyoma. Intervention(s) Exploratory laparotomy with resection of leiomyoma followed by robotic myomectomy when the mass recurred. Main Outcome Measure(s) The incidence, pathogenesis, fertility implications, and treatment options for leiomyomas in adolescents. Result(s) Leiomyomas are rare in adolescents. The mass was resected and recurred within 1 year. There are no prior cases of recurrence in an adolescent. Conclusion(s) Benign leiomyomas should be considered in adolescents presenting with uterine masses, as malignancies are even less common. Myomectomy is the procedure of choice to preserve fertility in this population.
Why Trade Facilitation Matters to Africa

This paper reviews data and research on trade costs for Sub-Saharan African countries. It focuses on: border-related costs, transport costs, costs related to behind-the border issues, and the costs of compliance with rules of origin specific to preferential trade agreements. Trade costs are, on average, higher for African countries than for other developing countries. Using gravity-model estimates, the authors compute ad-valorem equivalents of improvements in trade indicators for a sample of African countries. The evidence suggests that the gains for African exporters from improving the trade logistics half-way to the level in South Africa is more important than a substantive cut in tariff barriers. As an example, improving logistics in Ethiopia half-way to the level in South Africa would be roughly equivalent to a 7.5 percent cut in tariffs faced by Ethiopian exporters.
Accurate length measurement of multiple cotton fibers

We present the design and realization of an imaging system intended for use as a reference method for the accurate measurement of cotton fiber length. The prototype system is composed of an off-the-shelf scanner that generates a grayscale image of multiple individualized fibers, followed by customized image processing algorithms that compute the length of each fiber in the image. Although the system requires some degree of separation between the individual fibers at scan time, it is shown to produce highly accurate length measurements that are invariant to fiber orientation, shape, interfiber intersections, and intrafiber crimps and crossovers. Hence, in its present state, the proposed system serves as an excellent reference method for assessing the efficacy of commercially available length measurement systems.
Superacid-catalyzed reactions of pyridinecarboxaldehydes

Abstract A variety of pyridinecarboxaldehydes are shown to give condensation products in high yields (80–99%, 10 examples) by reacting with benzene and CF 3 SO 3 H (triflic acid). In the superacidic solution, pyridinecarboxaldehydes can react with deactivated arenes ( o -dichlorobenzene and nitrobenzene) and with saturated hydrocarbons (methylcyclohexane and adamantane). Dicationic intermediates from pyridinecarboxaldehydes in superacid (FSO 3 H–SbF 5 ) have been directly observed using low temperature 13 C NMR spectroscopy. Diprotonated pyridinecarboxaldehydes have also been studies using ab initio computational methods.
On the Capacity of the Interference Channel With a Cognitive Relay

The interference channel with a cognitive relay (IFC-CR) consists of the classical IFC with two independent source-destination pairs whose communication are aided by an additional node, referred to as the CR, that has a priori knowledge of both sources' messages. This a priori message knowledge is termed cognition and idealizes the relay learning the messages of the two sources from their transmissions over a wireless channel. This paper presents improved outer and inner bounds on the capacity region of the general memoryless IFC-CR that are shown to be tight for certain classes of channels. The new outer bound follows from arguments originally devised for broadcast channels, among which Sato's observation that the capacity region of channels with noncooperative receivers only depends on conditional marginal distributions of the channel output, not on their conditional joint distribution. A simplified expression for the inner bound is derived, which contains all previously proposed coding schemes. The new inner and outer bounds coincide for a class of channels satisfying some strong interference condition, i.e., for these channels there is no loss in optimality if both destinations decode both messages. This result parallels analogous results for the classical interference channel and for the cognitive interference channel and is the first known capacity result for the general IFC-CR. Numerical evaluations of the proposed inner and outer bounds are presented for the additive white Gaussian noise case.
iCAM for high-dynamic-range image rendering

Traditional color appearance models, such as CIECAM02, are intended for prediction of stimulus' color appearance in somewhat simplified viewing conditions. It is normally assumed that a uniformed color patched is viewed on a uniformed background with different color. However, images are more complex than that. Image appearance model (iCAM) [Fairchild and Johnson 2004] has been proposed to extend the traditional approaches to predict more complex stimulus in a wider array of viewing environments that are varied spatially and temporally, and has shown great potential in a variety of applications. In this poster, a new iCAM framework was presented for the application of rendering high-dynamic-range (HDR) images or scenes into limited dynamic-range displays. Furthermore, this model is designed to predict how real-scenes perceptually appear by incorporating the prediction of color appearance effects such as the Hunt effect, the Steven effect and the surround effect.
Spectral variational integrators

In this paper, we present a new variational integrator for problems in Lagrangian mechanics. Using techniques from Galerkin variational integrators, we construct a scheme for numerical integration that converges geometrically, and is symplectic and momentum preserving. Furthermore, we prove that under appropriate assumptions, variational integrators constructed using Galerkin techniques will yield numerical methods that are arbitrarily high-order. In particular, if the quadrature formula used is sufficiently accurate, then the resulting Galerkin variational integrator has a rate of convergence at the discrete time-steps that is bounded below by the approximation order of the finite-dimensional function space. In addition, we show that the continuous approximating curve that arises from the Galerkin construction converges on the interior of the time-step at half the convergence rate of the solution at the discrete time-steps. We further prove that certain geometric invariants also converge with high-order, and that the error associated with these geometric invariants is independent of the number of steps taken. We close with several numerical examples that demonstrate the predicted rates of convergence.
Model selection: Two fundamental measures of coherence and their algorithmic significance

The problem of model selection arises in a number of contexts, such as compressed sensing, subset selection in linear regression, estimation of structures in graphical models, and signal denoising. This paper generalizes the notion of incoherence in the existing literature on model selection and introduces two fundamental measures of coherence—termed as the worst-case coherence and the average coherence—among the columns of a design matrix. In particular, it utilizes these two measures of coherence to provide an in-depth analysis of a simple one-step thresholding (OST) algorithm for model selection. One of the key insights offered by the ensuing analysis is that OST is feasible for model selection as long as the design matrix obeys an easily verifiable property. In addition, the paper also characterizes the model-selection performance of OST in terms of the worstcase coherence, μ, and establishes that OST performs nearoptimally in the low signal-to-noise ratio regime for N × C design matrices with μ ≈ O(N−1/2). Finally, in contrast to some of the existing literature on model selection, the analysis in the paper is nonasymptotic in nature, it does not require knowledge of the true model order, it is applicable to generic (random or deterministic) design matrices, and it neither requires submatrices of the design matrix to have full rank, nor does it assume a statistical prior on the values of the nonzero entries of the data vector.
Current applications using the UCSB free electron laser

Abstract Using the far-infrared radiation produced by the UCSB FEL, various biological science and solid physics experiments have been performed. As a particular example, magneto-absorption measurements on the shallow donor system in n-GaS are presented.
A separation principle for the stabilization of a class of nonlinear systems

It is shown that the performance of a globally bounded partial state feedback control of a certain class of nonlinear systems can be recovered by a sufficiently fast high-gain observer. The performance recovery includes recovery of asymptotic stability of the origin, the region of attraction, and trajectories.
Spatial Struggles: Postcolonial Complex, State Disenchantment, and Popular Reappropriation of Space in Rural Southeast China

Spatial Struggles: Postcolonial Complex, State Disenchantment, and Popular Reappropriation of Space in Rural Southeast China MAYFAIR MEI-HUI Y A N G Tin sun- is consolidating go to the National Science Foundation Presidential Yi*ing Investigator award, the I'( Santa llartura Inst utile ol Social. Behavioral, and Economic Research, and UC Santa Barbara's Inrrrdist iphnarv Humanities Center for funding feldwnrk aixl research. I received useful comments •in audi- etKes at (Ik lollowuig: the Conlrrencc on Diaspora ol Mind: New Directions in Contcmp ' , no, 3 (August 20O4>:719-7*V O 2004 by the Association for Asun Studies. Inc. t
R&D, innovation, and technological progress: a test of the Schumpeterian framework without scale effects

I use U.S. manufacturing industry data to estimate a system of three equations implied by a model of R&D-induced growth in steady state. These three equations relate R&D intensity to patenting, patenting to technological progress, and technological progress to economic growth. In each case, I find evidence of positive impact. Thus, I reject the null hypothesis that growth is not induced by R&D in favor of the Schumpeterian endogenous growth framework without scale effects. I also find strong support for technological spillovers from aggregate research intensity to industry-level innovation success.
Degrees of Belief

This article surveys various accounts of degrees of belief and the relation between degrees of belief and full belief or absolute certainty. Corresponding to each notion of degree of belief is a conception of evidential support. Three different kinds of degrees of belief and the corresponding notions of evidential support are considered: probability, evidential support in the maximizing sense and in the satisficing sense. It is argued that probability cannot be the degree of belief or evidential support in either the maximizing or satisficing sense. Reconstructions of maximizing and satisficing degree of belief are proposed, which show that they are ways of evaluating potential answers to questions that demand the inductive expansion of a state K of full belief. These reconstructions are based on an account of inductive expansion briefly summarized in the text that understands inductive expansion to be the choice of a potential answer that maximizes a weighted average of the risk of error and the value of the information acquired. Thus, maximizing this weighted average is an index of degree of evidential support in the maximizing sense. It is explained how an index of evidential support in the satisficing sense can be constructed that achieves the same result. Finally, it is argued that several so called ‘qualitative’ notions of belief other than full belief are deprived of useful application in deliberation and inquiry because they lack the relevance to inductive expansion that maximizing and satisficing evidential support (or degree of belief) has. The discussion should be of interest to students of measures of uncertainty, inductive or non-monotonic reasoning and decision making.
Ganglioside Storage Diseases

For almost 100 years Tay-Sachs disease was the only ganglioside storage disease known. A second inborn error of ganglioside metabolism, generalized gangliosidosis, was discovered in 1965.13,35 Three additional ganglioside storage diseases have recently been uncovered,4,3,52,66,74 bringing the total to five.36 Of these, three involve storage of ganglioside GM2, and two involve storage of ganglioside GM1. Another disorder, possibly a GM3 gangliosidosis, has been reported in a single patient,46 but owing to limited information, it will not be considered here.
Synthesis of lactams and other nitrogen heterocycles by intramolecular cyclizations of carbamates and acyl derivatives of aminosulfones

Abstract The α sulfonyl carbanions obtained by the treatment of the carbamate derivatives of aminosulfones (type I ) with LHMDS in THF at −78°C, underwent cyclization to give five-, six-, and seven-membered cyclic lactams in excellent yields. Cyclization of the N -acyl derivatives of the type II led to the formation of substituted dihydropyrrolidines in good yields. The scope and limitations of this cyclization strategy to access functionalized nitrogen containing ring systems have been examined.
Luminescent sensor molecules based on coordinated metals: A review of recent developments

Abstract Recent developments (1994 to early 1999) in coordination chemistry as they relate to luminescence-based chemical sensing are reviewed. Included are developments involving assemblies for luminescence-based sensing of metal cations, organic and inorganic anions, small neutral molecules in solution, and various volatile organic chemicals. Emphasized in the review are: (a) the chemical features that permit the sensors to function selectively, and (b) the mechanistic schemes that permit analyte recognition and binding events to be converted to luminescence responses.
Impedance calculations for the improved SLC damping rings

A longitudinal, single bunch instability is observed in the damping rings of the Stanford Linear Collider (SLC). Beyond a threshold bunch population of 3/spl times/10/sup 10/ particles the bunch energy spread increases and a "saw-tooth" variation in bunch length and synchronous phase as functions of time is observed. Although the relative amplitude of the saw-tooth variation is small-only on the order of 10% the resulting unpredictability of the beam properties in the rest of the SLC accelerator makes it difficult, if not impossible, to operate the machine above the threshold current. An additional problem at higher currents is that the bunch length is greatly increased: according to earlier measurements the RMS length is increased by 60% at 3/spl times/10/sup 10/. When the bunch is very long in the ring it becomes difficult or impossible to properly compress it after extraction. The authors aim to solve both of these problems so that the SLC can run at higher currents to increase the luminosity. In order to solve these problems the vacuum chambers of both damping rings are being rebuilt with the aim of reducing their impedance. >
Quantum information in communication and imaging

A brief introduction to quantum information theory in the context of quantum optics is presented. After presenting the fundamental theoretical basis of the subject, experimental evaluation of entanglement measures are discussed, followed by applications to communication and imaging.
Ratification, reporting, and rights: Quality of participation in the convention against torture

The core international human rights treaty bodies play an important role in monitoring implementation of human rights standards through consideration of states parties’ reports. Yet very little research explores how seriously governments take their reporting obligations. This article examines the reporting record of parties to the Convention against Torture, finding that report submission is heavily conditioned by the practices of neighboring countries and by a government’s human rights commitment and institutional capacity. This article also introduces original data on the quality and responsiveness of reports, finding that more democratic—and particularly newly democratic—governments tend to render higher quality reports.
Percolation–like scaling exponents for minimal paths and trees in the stochastic mean field model

Author(s): Aldous, DJ | Abstract: In the mean field (or random link) model there are n points and inter-point distances are independent random variables. For 0 l l l ∞ and in the n → ∞ limit, let δ(l) = 1/n times the maximum number of steps in a path whose average step-length is ≤ l. The function δ(l) is analogous to the percolation function in percolation theory: there is a critical value l* = e-1 at which δ(·) becomes non-zero, and (presumably) a scaling exponent β in the sense δ(l) equivalent to sign (l - l*) β. Recently developed probabilistic methodology (in some sense a rephrasing of the cavity method developed in the 1980s by Mezard and Parisi) provides a simple, albeit non-rigorous, way of writing down such functions in terms of solutions of fixed-point equations for probability distributions. Solving numerically gives convincing evidence that β = 3. A parallel study with trees and connected edge-sets in place of paths gives scaling exponent 2, while the analogue for classical percolation has scaling exponent 1. The new exponents coincide with those recently found in a different context (comparing optimal and near-optimal solutions of the mean-field travelling salesman problem (TSP) and the minimum spanning tree (MST) problem), and reinforce the suggestion that scaling exponents determine universality classes for optimization problems on random points. © 2005 The Royal Society.
Alternating-offer bargaining games over the Gaussian interference channel

This paper tackles the problem of how two selfish users jointly determine the operating point in the achievable rate region of a two-user Gaussian interference channel through bargaining. In previous work, incentive conditions for two users to cooperate using a simple version of Han-Kobayashi scheme was studied and the Nash bargaining solution (NBS) was used to obtain a fair operating point. Here a noncooperative bargaining game of alternating offers is adopted to model the bargaining process and rates resulting from the equilibrium outcome are analyzed. In particular, it is shown that the operating point resulting from the formulated bargaining game depends on the cost of delay in bargaining and how bargaining proceeds. If the associated bargaining problem is regular, a unique perfect equilibrium exists and lies on the individual rational efficient frontier of the achievable rate region. Besides, the equilibrium outcome approaches the NBS if the bargaining costs of both users are negligible.
Product Market Competition, Managerial Compensation, and Firm Size in Market Equilibrium

We develop a tractable equilibrium model of competing firms in an industry to show how the distribution of firm qualities, moral hazard, and product market characteristics interact to affect firm size, managerial compensation, and market structure. Different determinants of product market competition have contrasting effects on firm size and managerial compensation. Although both firm size and managerial compensation increase with the entry cost, they increase with the elasticity of substitution if and only if firm size exceeds a high threshold but decrease if it is below a low threshold. Aggregate shocks to the firm productivity distribution affect incentives in our equilibrium framework. We show statistically and economically significant empirical support for several hypotheses derived from the theory that relates product market characteristics to managerial compensation, firm size, and the number of firms in the industry. Different determinants of competition indeed have contrasting effects, as predict...
Ring Expansion of Cyclic 1,2-Diols to form Medium Sized Rings via Ruthenium Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenative [4+2] Cycloaddition

A new method for the ring expansion of cyclic diols is described. Using improved conditions for the ruthenium(0) catalyzed cycloaddition of cyclic 1,2-diols with 1,3-dienes, fused [n.4.0] bicycles 3a–3r (n = 3–6) are formed, which upon exposure to iodosobenzene diacetate engage in oxidative cleavage to form the 9–12 membered rings 4a–4r.
Real-time response in AdS/CFT with application to spinors†

We discuss a simple derivation of the real-time AdS/CFT prescription as an analytic continuation of the corresponding problem in Euclidean signature. We then extend the formalism to spinor operators and apply it to the examples of real-time fermionic correlators in CFTs dual to pure AdS and the BTZ black hole.
AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF LIVE HOG DEMAND

An inverse live-hog demand model was estimated to analyze whether there has been a recent increase in the magnitude of live-hog, own-quantity demand flexibility. Estimating the impact of processing capacity-utilization rate changes on live-hog prices was a second objective of this research. Results indicate that live hog prices have become more responsive to changes in hog slaughter, slaughter weight, cold storage stocks, and changes in the processing capacity-utilization rate. Finally, model results indicate that the sharp increase in processing capacity-utilization rates, the increase in average dressed weight, and the increase in hog slaughter all had a negative effect on the live-hog prices.
Characterization of Detector Scintillator Effect on Interventional Device Visualization in X-ray Fluoroscopy

Flat panel detectors have a large number of parameters that affect fluoroscopy image quality. Scintillator thickness is very important and can be readily changed in fabrication. With increasing thickness, there is a degradation of MTF with spatial blurring but improved conversion efficiency. This design trade-off should be optimized for visualization. Using quantitative experimental and techniques, we simulated three detector models, including a direct detector and two indirect detectors with different scintillator thickness and investigated their effects on visualization of stent and guidewire. Detection performance was improved with the increasing scintillator thickness, especially at low exposure. With an idealized MTF, a direct detector performed fared better for stent detection as compared to guide wire detection
A Formalization of Continuous Commitments among Multiple Agents

Continuous commitments are those that persist and cannot be discharged. An agent that has adopted a continuous commitment must strive to meet its requirements at all possible times. In this paper we define continuous commitments, formalize them using the branching-time logic CTL*, and relate them to an agent's beliefs, desires, and intentions. How the agents interact with each other, how they make decisions, what decision paths they traverse, and what motivates them to prefer one decision path over another are some of the questions that can be answered by a comprehensive decision theory based on multiagent commitments, and such a decision theory should cover all types of commitments. Our formalization addresses what it means for a participating agent to promise or to fulfill a continuous commitment.