cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High‐sensitivity silicide films for optical recording

The laser writing power for near‐noble metal silicide films has been reduced significantly by several techniques including amorphization of the thin metal films and fabrication of trilayers. Rh films alloyed with B by thermal evaporation from an alloy slug (containing 10 wt. % B) show no crystalline structure. In bilayer structures consisting of RhB (250 A) and Si, the characteristic reflection minimum is found to decrease in magnitude and to shift toward longer wavelength: 20% at 6000 A for 150‐A‐thick Si to 8% at 10 000 A for 400‐A‐thick Si. Static laser writing power on samples deposited on polymethyl methacrylate substrates for half‐saturation of contrast with 50 ns pulse width at 6417 A is 18 mW. Further reduction in writing power was achieved by fabrication of a trilayer structure consisting of Al(300 A)‐SiO2(900 A)‐Au(60 A)‐Si(60 A). Typical writing power is below 10 mW for spot size slightly smaller than 1 micron.
The politics, mathematics and morality of economics: a review essay on Robert Nelson's Economics as Religion

Is economics a science or a theology? Nelson sensibly argues that economists are a priestly class; they issue authoritative (scientific) blessings upon the marketplace. The bishops of this class are the mathematicians, who convert ideology into “science”. This essay, in contrast, argues that mathematics has more to do with internal competition between economists than with politics or religion. Indeed, in the early years, mathematical economics was dominated by socialist advocates of central planning. Over time, the mathematical school evolved towards a milder critique, emphasizing the weakness of “free market” assumptions. With an ironic twist, mathematical economics ultimately came to be interpreted as a defense of laissez faire. In short, mathematics traversed the whole political spectrum from socialism, to social democracy, to capitalism. While modern-day economists do often seem like free market evangelists, the role of mathematics in this is poorly understood.
Modular synthesis of formamidines and their formation of stable organogels.

An improvement in the practical aspects of formamidine synthesis has resulted in the discovery of a class of compounds which produce organogels in protic solvents, presumably through intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking interactions.
On state equation descriptions of linear differential systems

A completely general algebraic method for converting a set of linear differential equations that describe a multivariable system to the standard state equation model is considered. The entire procedure is developed in a straight forward manner so that each aspect of the algorithm is simplistic in nature as well as efficient when implemented on a digital computer. An example is presented to illustrate all phases of the method. A PL/I program has been developed by the authors for use on the IBM 360 computer.
Amberlyst-15 as a Convenient Catalyst for Chemoselective Thioacetalization

Abstract A new, mild and chemoselective protection of aldehydes as 1,3-dithiolanes is described. High yields are obtained at room temperature even in the presence of ketones. Ketones may also be protected at elevated temperatures.
On Calabi-Yau threefolds with large nonabelian fundamental groups

In this short note we construct Calabi-Yau threefolds with nonabelian fundamental groups of order 64 as quotients of the small resolutions of certain complete intersections of quadrics in P 7 that were first considered by M. Gross and S. Popescu.
ACCELERATION OF CONVERGENCE

Acceleration of the convergence of approximate operator iteration schemes is discussed. Algorithms based on both residual minimization and use of conjugate vector spaces are presented. It is shown that both give dramatic improvement, at very low computational cost, in the iterative solution of radiative transfer problems in the presence of scattering.
Is the Real Estate Sector More Responsive to Economy-Wide or Housing Market Conditions? An Exploratory Analysis

This paper examines if the real estate economy, measured in various ways, is more responsive to conditions in the macroeconomy or the housing market at the state level. Total gross state product (GSP) and housing value serve as indicators of the conditions in the overall economy and housing market, respectively. The empirical findings, resulting from a panel data set of U.S. states over the period from 1997 to 2010, yield a number of interesting insights. First, descriptive statistics show that the real estate economy comprises over 10 % of the typical state economy. Thus, a strong and healthy real estate economy is vital for a state macroeconomy to prosper. Second, and not surprisingly, descriptive statistics also reveal that real estate GSP, employment, and wages fluctuated wildly over the 13 years period largely due to the Great Recession. Third, vector error correction modeling finds that a strong causal relationship exists between the macroeconomy and real estate economy in the long run. In addition, the results indicate that the effects of the state macroeconomy on the real estate economy are less cyclical and more immediate in the short run than those from the housing market. Thus, we interpret the findings as suggesting that conditions in the macroeconomy are more important for the real estate economy at the margin. However, we conclude that any real-estate public policy initiatives should be cautiously applied given the complex relationships that are observed between the state macroeconomy, real estate economy, and housing market.
Misfolded proteins in Alzheimer's disease and type II diabetes

This tutorial review presents descriptions of two amyloidogenic proteins, amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides and islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), whose misfolding propensities are implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type II diabetes, respectively. Protein misfolding diseases share similarities, as well as some unique protein-specific traits, that could contribute to the initiation and/or development of their associated conditions. Aβ and IAPP are representative amyloidoses and are used to highlight some of the primary considerations for studying misfolded proteins associated with human diseases in this review. Among these factors, their physiological formation, aggregation, interactions with metal ions and other protein partners, and toxicity are presented. Small molecules that target and modulate the metal–Aβ interaction and neurotoxicity are included to illustrate one of the current approaches for uncovering the complexities of protein misfolding at the molecular level.
How offshoring affects IT workers

IT jobs requiring interpersonal interaction or physical presence in fixed locations are less likely to be sent out of the country.
A Radio Flare from GRB 020405: Evidence for a Uniform Medium around a Massive Stellar Progenitor

We present radio observations of GRB 020405 starting 1.2 days after the burst that reveal a rapidly fading "radio flare." Based on its temporal and spectral properties, we interpret the radio flare as emission from the reverse shock. This scenario rules out a circumburst medium with a radial density profile ρ ∝ r-2 expected around a mass-losing massive star since in that case, the reverse-shock emission decays on the timescale of the burst duration t ~ 102 s. Using published optical and X-ray data, along with the radio data presented here, we further show that a self-consistent model requires collimated ejecta with an opening angle, θj ~ 6° (tj ≈ 0.95 days). As a consequence of the early jet break, the late-time (t > 10 days) emission measured with the Hubble Space Telescope significantly deviates from an extrapolation of the early, ground-based data. This, along with an unusually red spectrum, Fν ∝ ν-3.9, strengthens the case for a supernova that exploded at about the same time as GRB 020405, thus pointing to a massive stellar progenitor for this burst. This is the first clear association of a massive progenitor with a uniform medium, indicating that a ρ ∝ r-2 profile is not a required signature and, in fact, may not be present on the length scales probed by the afterglow in the majority of bursts.
PPI Interference Prediction

The interference prediction model is a major tool in the effort to obtain electromagnetic compatibility in the crowded radio frequency spectrum. Work has progressed in the prediction modeling of the transmitter, antenna, propagation, and receiver, but additional expressions for the degrading effect of interference upon information output to the operator are required to complete the analysis. The paper introduces an analytical approach to obtaining a quantitative prediction of the interference degradation to a radar PPI display. Determining the signal output from the receiving system due to environment has been accomplished by various approaches and is reported on elsewhere. For the purposes of this investigation, a description of the receiver output in terms of the pulse density distribution by received power level is assumed. The task remaining and the subject of the study performed, is the relationship between the pulse signal distribution input to the display and the resulting interference to the PPI.
An Infrared Search for Star-forming Galaxies at z > 2

We report the cumulative results of an ongoing near-infrared search for redshifted Hα emission from normal galaxies at z > 2. An infrared search reduces the bias due to reddening. Using narrowband imaging with the Near Infrared Camera on the Keck I 10 m telescope, a survey area of almost 12 arcmin2 has been covered. Target regions were selected by matching the redshifts of QSO emission and metal-line absorptions to our available filters. The survey depth is 7 × 10-17 ergs cm-2 s-1 (3 σ) in Hα and K' 22. Eleven Hα emitters plus two Seyfert I objects have been discovered. The high density of galaxy detections, corresponding to a comoving volume density of 0.0135± -->0.00550.0035 Mpc-3, makes it unlikely that all of the Hα flux in these objects is the result of active nuclei. There is a strong suggestion of clustering in the environments of metal-line absorbers. Each candidate galaxy lies typically within a projected distance of 250 kpc of the QSO line of sight and is resolved but compact. The average star formation rate inferred for the galaxies from the Hα flux is 50 M☉ yr-1, significantly higher than present-day star-forming galaxies but consistent with other estimates for galaxies at high redshift.
Tracheobronchomalacia and Excessive Dynamic Airway Collapse

Tracheobronchomalacia and excessive dynamic airway collapse are morphologic types of expiratory central airway collapse with specific pathophysiology, cause, and structural changes in airway wall. Physicians caring for symptomatic patients with expiratory central airway collapse must localize the flow-limiting airway segments amenable to bronchoscopic or surgical interventions. Functional bronchoscopy and dynamic radiologic studies are performed for the initial evaluation and to design follow-up strategies. Research is needed to determine noninvasive and reliable physiologic methods for localizing the flow-limiting segments that might guide patient selection for treatment and predict response to interventions.
The Dynamics and Light Curves of Beamed Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglows

The energy requirements of gamma-ray bursts have in past been poorly constrained because of three major uncertainties: the distances to bursts, the degree of burst beaming, and the efficiency of gamma-ray production. The first of these has been resolved, with both indirect evidence (the distribution of bursts in flux and position) and direct evidence (redshifted absorption features in the afterglow spectrum of GRB 970508) pointing to cosmological distances. We now wish to address the second uncertainty. Afterglows allow a statistical test of beaming, described in an earlier paper. In this paper, we modify a standard fireball afterglow model to explore the effects of beaming on burst remnant dynamics and afterglow emission. If the burst ejecta are beamed into angle ζm, the burst remnant's evolution changes qualitatively once its bulk Lorentz factor Γ 1/ζm: before this, Γ declines as a power law of radius, while afterward, it declines exponentially. This change results in a broken power-law light curve whose late-time decay is faster than expected for a purely spherical geometry. These predictions disagree with afterglow observations of GRB 970508. We explored several variations on our model, but none seems to be able to change this result. We therefore suggest that this burst is unlikely to have been highly beamed and that its energy requirements were near those of isotropic models. More recent afterglows may offer the first practical applications for our beamed models.
Resonant Scattering of Monochromatic Light in Gases

The resonant scattering of monochromatic light in gases is analyzed. Explicit expressions for the differential cross section are obtained in the limits (Doppler width) \ensuremath{\gg} (natural width) \ensuremath{\gg} (collision width) and (collision width) \ensuremath{\gg} (natural width) \ensuremath{\gg} (Doppler width). In the former limit, the frequency distribution of scattered light is narrowed in the forward and backward directions, and has the full absorption width for right-angle scattering. In the collision-dominated limit, the cross section separates into a coherent and a fluorescent component. The motion of the atoms broadens the $\ensuremath{\delta}$ function distribution characterizing coherent scattering from a stationary target. The interference between light scattered by different atoms is assessed.
Performance of distributed ns-3 network simulator

This paper presents the results of parallel simulations of mixed networks using the ns-3 simulator. The simulated networks consist of equal number of simple (leaf) nodes and router nodes, which form a small-world network. The active channels in the simulations link pairs of nodes with symmetric source and sink applications. All network traffic is restricted to a single-hop communications. The network partitioning among MPI ranks is accomplished using METIS library.The performance and scalability of the ns-3 network simulator is examined using a variety of metrics, e.g. memory footprint, packet transmission rate, and runtime statistics. Empirical relations are derived for the memory scaling. Further avenues are identified for improvement of the parallel ns-3 simulator.
Evolution of planetesimal velocities

The velocity evolution of a general planetesimal population is treated by means of a self-consistent set of equations whose form is tailored to those early planetary accumulation stages in which the planetesimal swarm's modeling calls for gas dynamic methods. Dynamical friction is noted to be essential to the transfer of kinetic energy from larger to smaller planetesimals, thereby furnishing an energy source comparable to those furnished by viscous stirring.
ENANTIOSELECTIVE SYNTHESES OF 5'-HOMO-CARBOCYCLIC NUCLEOSIDES

Abstract Efficient enantioselective syntheses of 5′- homo -carbocyclic nucleosides ( 3 and 4 ) starting from (−)-4- endo -hydroxy-2-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-7-en-3-one ( 5 ) are presented.
Cosmic structure formation

This article reviews the prevailing paradigm for how galaxies and larger structures formed in the universe: gravitational instability. Basic observational facts are summarized to motivate the standard cosmological framework underlying most detailed investigations of structure formation. The observed univers approaches spatial uniformity on scales larger than about 10(exp 26) cm. On these scales gravitational dynamics is almost linear and therefore relatively easy to relate to observations of large-scale structure. On smaller scales cosmic structure is complicated not only by nonlinear gravitational clustering but also by nonlinear nongravitational gas dynamical processes. The complexity of these phenomena makes galaxy formation one of the grand challenge problems of the physical sciences. No fully satisfactory theory can presently account in detail for the observed cosmic structure. However, as this article summarizes, significant progress has been made during the last few years.
Highly Practical Methodology for the Synthesis of d- and l-α-Amino Acids, N-Protected α-Amino Acids, and N-Methyl-α-amino Acids

Full details are provided for an exceedingly practical method to synthesize d- and l-α-amino acids, N-protected α-amino acids, and N-methyl-α-amino acids, employing as a key step the asymmetric alkylation of pseudoephedrine glycinamide (1) or pseudoephedrine sarcosinamide (2). Practical procedures for the synthesis of 1 and 2 from pseudoephedrine and glycine methyl ester or sarcosine methyl ester, respectively, are presented. Optimum protocols for the enolization and subsequent alkylation of 1 and 2 are described. Alkylation reactions of 1 and 2 are found to be quite efficient with a wide range of alkyl halide substrates, and the products are formed with high diastereoselectivity. The products of these alkylation reactions are hydrolyzed efficiently and with little to no racemization simply by heating in water or water−dioxane mixtures. This protocol provides an exceedingly practical method for the preparation of salt-free α-amino acids of high enantiomeric purity. Alternatively, the alkylation products m...
Characterizing the source/sink behavior of double-layer building materials

A model is developed to predict the rate of mass transfer between a double-layer material and indoor air. The model allows non-uniform initial material-phase concentrations in each of the two layers and a transient influent gas-phase concentration to be considered. This model builds on a recently validated single-layer model and should prove useful in predicting the behavior of double-layer material assemblies. Many indoor furnishings and building structures are comprised of layers of different material. The approach taken here represents a first step in the development of a more generally applicable multi-layer model. An analytical solution to the double-layer model is obtained and a parametric analysis is performed illustrating the behavior of the model as a function of the primary model parameters. The paper concludes by examining the potential use of thin diffusion barriers to reduce material emission rates and a hypothetical example of emissions from an adhesive that is part of an adhesive/material assembly.
Dipolar cycloaddition of rhodium carbenoids with vinyl esters : total synthesis of pongamol and lanceolatin B

A new method for dipolar cycloaddition of diazocyclohexane-1,3-diones, leading to benzofuran derivatives, has been applied to the total synthesis of natural products from Tephrosia and Pongamia.
Discovery and social learning in non-priced environments: An Austrian view of social network theory

Our purpose here is to engage in a cross-disciplinary discussion between Austrian economics and social network theory. In particular, we ask what role social networks play in the extended order in regard to both individual discovery and whether social networks can be the source of widespread unintended cooperation among individuals unknown to one another. Although Austrians have examined the function that market prices play in generating social cooperation, such discussions tend to steer clear of non-priced environments, such as interaction within social networks. We seek to explore this gap. While we acknowledge that non-price information feedback mechanisms such as status and reputation lack the calculability so crucial to market coordination, we argue that they can nonetheless mimic other important qualities of market prices and generate widespread unintended social cooperation among people unknown to one another. After a general discussion, we apply these ideas to online philanthropic communities.
The silicon-modified metal ammonia reduction of aromatic compounds

Abstract A trimethylsilyl substituent is used to control regiochemistry in the metal-ammonia reduction of several naphthalenes, and is subsequently removed resulting in a “Misoriented Birch Reduction.”
A decomposition of the bifractional Brownian motion and some applications

Abstract In this paper we have shown a decomposition of the bifractional Brownian motion with parameters H , K into the sum of a fractional Brownian motion with Hurst parameter H K plus a stochastic process with absolutely continuous trajectories. Some applications of this decomposition are discussed.
The Socratic and Platonic Basis of Cognitivism

Artificial Intelligence, and the cognitivist view of mind on which it is based, represent the last stage of the rationalist tradition in philosophy. This tradition begins when Socrates assumes that intelligence is based on principles and when Plato adds the requirement that these principles must be strict rules, not based on taken-for-granted background understanding. This philosophical position, refined by Hobbes, Descartes and Leibniz, is finally converted into a research program by Herbert Simon and Allen Newell. That research program is now in trouble, so we must return to its source and question Socrates' assumption that intelligence consists in solving problems by following rules, and that one acquires the necessary rules by abstracting them from specific cases. A phenomenological description of skill acquisition suggests that the acquisition of expertise moves in just the opposite direction: from abstract rules to particular cases. This description of expertise accounts for the difficulties that have confronted AI for the last decade.
The case for animal research in psychology.

The debate over animal research in psychology has centered on charges of abuse in the laboratory, made by animal rights activists who seek to abolish all laboratory research on animals. Concerned members of the public, most of whom support animal research, have asked scientists for assurance that animals are being treated humanely. There is an elaborate regulatory system to safeguard animal welfare, including federal regulations, Public Health Service guidelines, and state and local laws. The benefits of behavioral research with animals are substantial, with every expectation that these benefits will continue. I argue that animals do not have the same moral rights as humans, but people do have responsibilities to ensure the humane treatment of animals under their care.
Viscoplastic Lubrication of Asperities

Theoretical analyses for the lubrication of rigid wedge-shaped asperities by a viscoplastic fluid are developed for geometries in which either wedge or squeeze action are dominant. The load support in the wedge action geometry is severly limited by lubricant shear, although the squeeze geometry maintains high load support at small film thicknesses. Results suggest that in cases where macroscopic hydrodynamic lubrication is inadequate, lubricant film breakdown will be promoted by low lubricant shear strength, high sliding speed, low surface roughness, and high surface slope. In addition, results are compared with previous investigations of the factors influencing susceptibility to lubrication failure.
Retail Strategies on the Web: Price and Non–price Competition in the Online Book Industry

Two conflicting predictions have emerged regarding the effect of low–cost information on price. The first states that all Internet retailers will charge the same low price for mass produced goods. The second states that Internet retailers will differentiate to avoid intense price competition. Using data collected in April 1999 on the prices of 107 books in thirteen online and two physical bookstores, we find similar average prices online and in physical stores and substantial price dispersion online. Analysis of product differentiation yields no clear results. The substantial premium charged by Amazon provides indirect evidence of product differentiation.
On the variety of rational space curves

We consider the locus of smooth rational curves of given degree in a given projective space, which are incident to a generic collection of linear spaces. When this locus is finite (resp. 1-dimensional) we give a recursive procedure to compute its degree (resp. geometric genus). The method is based on the elementary geometry of ruled surfaces.
On the Correlated X-Ray and Optical Evolution of SS Cygni

We have analyzed the variability and spectral evolution of the prototype dwarf nova system SS Cygni using RXTE data and AAVSO observations. A series of pointed RXTE/PCA observations allow us to trace the evolution of the X-ray spectrum of SS Cygni in unprecedented detail, while 6 years of optical AAVSO and RXTE/ASM light curves show long-term patterns. Employing a technique in which we stack the X-ray flux over multiple outbursts, phased according to the optical light curve, we investigate the outburst morphology. We find that the 3-12 keV X-ray flux is suppressed during optical outbursts, a behavior seen previously but only in a handful of cycles. The several outbursts of SS Cygni observed with the more sensitive RXTE/PCA also show a depression of the X-rays during optical outburst. We quantify the time lags between the optical and X-ray outbursts and the timescales of the X-ray recovery from outburst. The optical light curve of SS Cygni exhibits brief anomalous outbursts. During these events the hard X-rays and optical flux increase together. The long-term data suggest that the X-rays decline between outbursts. Our results are in general agreement with modified disk instability models, which invoke a two-component accretion flow consisting of a cool optically thick accretion disk truncated at an inner radius, and a quasi-spherical hot corona-like flow extending to the surface of the white dwarf. We discuss our results in the framework of one such model, involving the evaporation of the inner part of the optically thick accretion disk, proposed by Meyer & Meyer-Hofmeister.
Development of the cone calorimeter—A bench-scale heat release rate apparatus based on oxygen consumption†

A new bench-scale rate of heat release calorimeter utilizing the oxygen consumption principle has been developed for use in fire testing and research. Specimens may be of uniform or composite construction and may be tested in a horizontal, face-up orientation, or, for those which do not melt, in a vertical orientation. An external irradiance of zero to over 100 kW m−2 may be imposed by means of a temperature-controlled radiant heater. The rate of heat release is determined by measuring combustion product gas flow and oxygen depletion, while the mass loss is also recorded simultaneously. The instrument has been designed to be capable of higher accuracy than existing instruments and yet to be simple to operate and moderate in construction cost. The instrument is thermed a ‘cone calorimeter’ because of the geometric arrangement of the electric heater.
Effects of the hollow cathode discharge on throttled ion thruster performance.

An experimental study performed on a 20 cm electron bombardment thruster shows substantial improvements in throttled performance can be achieved if cathode discharge region diameter and length, cathode flow rate and baffle aperture area are reduced simultaneously. This improvement is related to a thruster operating mode in which arc current does not vary significantly with arc voltage. In this mode it is possible to operate the thruster at a high arc voltage and a correspondingly high primary electron energy without the penalty of a prohibitively high arc power. Langmuir probe data indicate the arc current is limited by the cathode region plasma potential and electron density which are both nearly invariant with arc voltage.
Path-Based Buffer Insertion

Along with the progress of very-large-scale-integration technology, buffer insertion plays an increasingly critical role on affecting circuit design and performance. Traditional buffer insertion algorithms are mostly net based and therefore often result in suboptimal delay or unnecessary buffer expense due to the lack of global view. In this paper, we propose a novel path-based-buffer-insertion (PBBI) scheme which can overcome the weakness of the net-based approaches. We also discuss some potential difficulties of the PBBI approach and propose solutions to them. A fast estimation on buffered delay is employed to improve the solution quality. Gate sizing is also considered at the same time. Experimental results show that our method can efficiently reduce buffer/gate cost significantly (by 71% on average) when compared to traditional net-based approaches. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work on path based buffer insertion and simultaneous gate sizing.
Weak long-ranged Casimir attraction in colloidal crystals

We investigate the influence of geometric confinement on the free energy of an idealized model for charge-stabilized colloidal suspensions. The mean-field Poisson-Boltzmann formulation for this system predicts pure repulsion among macroionic colloidal spheres. Fluctuations in the simple ions' distribution provide a mechanism for the macroions to attract each other at large separations. Although this Casimir interaction is long-ranged, it is too weak to influence colloidal crystals' properties.
Waste of Effort? International Environmental Agreements

AbstractMost evidence suggests that the 1,000 or so different International Environmental Agreements (IEAs) operating today are ineffectual, merely ratifying business-as-usual outcomes. But much of that empirical analysis faces two obstacles: (1) limited data from before the IEAs were enacted and thus an inability to make before-and-after comparisons and (2) difficulty estimating the counterfactual outcomes—what would have happened absent the agreements. We study one particular IEA—the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal. In this special case we do have data prior to the agreement, enabling us to identify the treaty’s effects using annual bilateral waste shipments among countries before and after one of the trading partners ratifies the agreement. Despite the strengths of this approach, we find almost no evidence that the Convention has resulted in less waste being shipped among countries.
Nicotinic receptor modulation to treat alcohol and drug dependence

Alcohol and drug dependence are serious public health problems worldwide. The prevalence of alcohol and drug dependence in the United States and other parts of the world is significant. Given the limitations in the efficacy of current pharmacotherapies to treat these disorders, research in developing alternative pharmacotherapies continues. Preclinical and clinical evidence thus far has indicated that brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are important pharmacological targets for the development of medications to treat alcohol and drug dependence. The nAChRs are a super family of ligand gated ion channels, and are expressed throughout the brain with twelve neuronal nAChR subunits (a2–a10 and b2–b4) identified. Here, we review preclinical and clinical evidence involving a number of nAChR ligands that target different nAChR subtypes in alcohol and nicotine addiction. The important ligands include cytisine, lobeline, mecamylamine, varenicline, sazetidine A and others that target a4b2* nAChR subtypes as small molecule modulators of the brain nicotinic cholinergic system are also discussed. Taken together, both preclinical and clinical data exist that support nAChR–based ligands as promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of alcohol and drug dependence.
Subsystems, time scales and multimodeling

Through a couple of naive examples the control theorists are invited to re-examine the role of modeling in the study of large scale dynamic systems. Instead of assuming the existence of 'N diagonally dominant blocks', it is possible to justify one strongly coupled slow core and N weakly coupled fast subsystems. This structure is exhibited with a physically meaningful choice of state variables. The controls are introduced following the recent concept of multimodeling.
An algorithm for low dimensional group homology

Given a finitely presented group $G$, Hopf's formula expresses the second integral homology of $G$ in terms of generators and relators. We give an algorithm that exploits Hopf's formula to estimate $H_2(G;k)$, with coefficients in a finite field k, and give examples using $G=SL_2$ over specific rings of integers. These examples are related to a conjecture of Quillen.
Reduced Rank MVDR Shallow Water Matched Field Processing for Passive Vertical Sonar Array Source Localization

The paper describes application of reduced rank MVDR shallow water matched field processing for vertical sonar array narrow band acoustic source localization. Source localization experimental results are presented with passive sonar array data sets from October 1993 Mediterranean Sea SACLANTC experiment.
Oral Human Papillomavirus Is Common in Individuals with Fanconi Anemia

Background: Fanconi anemia is a rare genetic disorder resulting in a loss of function of the Fanconi anemia–related DNA repair pathway. Individuals with Fanconi anemia are predisposed to some cancers, including oropharyngeal and gynecologic cancers, with known associations with human papillomavirus (HPV) in the general population. As individuals with Fanconi anemia respond poorly to chemotherapy and radiation, prevention of cancer is critical. Methods: To determine whether individuals with Fanconi anemia are particularly susceptible to oral HPV infection, we analyzed survey-based risk factor data and tested DNA isolated from oral rinses from 126 individuals with Fanconi anemia and 162 unaffected first-degree family members for 37 HPV types. Results: Fourteen individuals (11.1%) with Fanconi anemia tested positive, significantly more ( P = 0.003) than family members (2.5%). While HPV prevalence was even higher for sexually active individuals with Fanconi anemia (17.7% vs. 2.4% in family; P = 0.003), HPV positivity also tended to be higher in the sexually inactive (8.7% in Fanconi anemia vs. 2.9% in siblings). Indeed, having Fanconi anemia increased HPV positivity 4.9-fold (95% CI, 1.6–15.4) considering age and sexual experience, but did not differ by other potential risk factors. Conclusion: Our studies suggest that oral HPV is more common in individuals with Fanconi anemia. It will be essential to continue to explore associations between risk factors and immune dysfunction on HPV incidence and persistence over time. Impact: HPV vaccination should be emphasized in those with Fanconi anemia as a first step to prevent oropharyngeal cancers, although additional studies are needed to determine whether the level of protection it offers in this population is adequate. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(5); 1–9. ©2015 AACR.
Impact of the 1998 World Health Organization/International Society of Urological Pathology Classification System for Urothelial Neoplasms of the Kidney

The classification of urothelial neoplasms of the kidney traditionally has been similar to that of urinary bladder tumors. Several years ago, the classification of papillary urothelial neoplasms was revised. The current study focuses on the application of the 1998 World Health Organization (WHO)/International Society of Urological Pathology classification system to 102 renal pelvic urothelial neoplasms and compares it to the 1973 WHO classification scheme. In this study, all tumors were classified as urothelial carcinomas, and the majority (85%) were papillary. Most patients with papillary tumors presented with 'superficial' disease (< or = pT1). With the 1998 system, most papillary carcinomas were high grade, and were more often invasive as compared to low-grade tumors. Only 34% were low-grade papillary tumors and, of these, most (93%) were noninvasive. With the 1973 system, most papillary tumors were grade 2 or 3, with invasion more common in grade 3 tumors. By 1973 criteria, grade 2 tumors were a heterogeneous group; with 1998 criteria, nearly one-half were high grade and the other half low grade. The grade of papillary urothelial carcinomas with both the 1973 and 1998 grading methods was associated with stage (P=0.001). Our study reveals that papillomas and papillary urothelial neoplasms of low malignant potential are uncommon tumors in the kidney. Renal pelvic papillary urothelial neoplasms are most often carcinomas and are more commonly high grade than low grade. Although both the 1973 and 1998 systems showed a significant association with tumor stage, grade 2 papillary carcinomas are a heterogeneous group by 1973 criteria. The 1998 system provides useful information in that it more clearly defines a papillary tumor's grade and selects for a group of tumors, namely low-grade papillary urothelial carcinomas, for which a low likelihood of invasion can be predicted.
Thermodynamic Measurements in a Strongly Interacting Fermi Gas

Strongly interacting Fermi gases provide a clean and controllable laboratory system for modeling strong interparticle interactions between fermions in nature, from high temperature superconductors to neutron matter and quark-gluon plasmas. Model-independent thermodynamic measurements, which do not require theoretical models for calibrations, are very important for exploring this important system experimentally, as they enable direct tests of predictions based on the best current non-perturbative many-body theories. At Duke University, we use all-optical methods to produce a strongly interacting Fermi gas of spin-1/2-up and spin-1/2-down 6Li atoms that is magnetically tuned near a collisional (Feshbach) resonance. We conduct a series of measurements on the thermodynamic properties of this unique quantum gas, including the energy E, entropy S, and sound velocity c. Our model-independent measurements of E and S enable a precision study of the finite temperature thermodynamics. The E(S) data are directly compared to several recent predictions. The temperature in both the superfluid and normal fluid regime is obtained from the fundamental thermodynamic relation T=∂ E/∂ S by parameterizing the E(S) data using two different power laws that are joined with continuous E and T at a certain entropy S c, where the fit is optimized. We observe a significant change in the scaling of E with S above and below S c. Taking the fitted value of S c as an estimate of the critical entropy for a superfluid-normal fluid phase transition in the strongly interacting Fermi gas, we estimate the critical parameters. Our E(S) data are also used to experimentally calibrate the endpoint temperatures obtained for adiabatic sweeps of the magnetic field between the ideal and strongly interacting regimes. This enables the first experimental calibration of the temperature scale used in experiments on fermionic pair condensation, where the ideal Fermi gas temperature is measured before sweeping the magnetic field to the strongly interacting regime. Our calibration shows that the ideal gas temperature measured for the onset of pair condensation corresponds closely to the critical temperature T c estimated in the strongly interacting regime from the fits to our E(S) data. We also calibrate the empirical temperature employed in studies of the heat capacity and obtain nearly the same T c. We determine the ground state energy by three different methods, using sound velocity measurements, by extrapolating E(S) to S=0 and by measuring the ratio of the cloud sizes in the strongly and weakly interacting regimes. The results are in very good agreement with recent predictions. Finally, using universal thermodynamic relations, we estimate the chemical potential and heat capacity of the trapped gas from the E(S) data.
FERROMAGNETISM IN DOPED SEMICONDUCTORS WITHOUT MAGNETIC IONS

While ferromagnetism has been obtained above 100 K in doped semiconductors with magnetic ions such as Ga1−xMnxAs, bulk doped semiconductors in the absence of magnetic ions have shown no tendency towards ferromagnetism. We re-examine the nonmagnetic doped semiconductor system at low carrier densities in terms of a generalized Hubbard model. Using exact diagonalization of the many-body Hamiltonian for finite clusters, we find that the system exhibits significant ferromagnetic tendencies at nanoscales, in a region of parameter space not accessible to bulk systems, but achievable in quantum dots and heterostructures. Implications for studying these effects in experimentally realizable systems, as well as the possibility of true (macroscopic) ferromagnetism in these systems is discussed.
Observational Evidence for Oceanic Controls on Hurricane Intensity

Abstract The influence of oceanic changes on tropical cyclone activity is investigated using observational estimates of sea surface temperature (SST), air–sea fluxes, and ocean subsurface thermal structure during the period 1998–2007. SST conditions are examined before, during, and after the passage of tropical cyclones, through Lagrangian composites along cyclone tracks across all ocean basins, with particular focus on the North Atlantic. The influence of translation speed is explored by separating tropical cyclones according to the translation speed divided by the Coriolis parameter. On average for tropical cyclones up to category 2, SST cooling becomes larger as cyclone intensity increases, peaking at 1.8 K in the North Atlantic. Beyond category 2 hurricanes, however, the cooling no longer follows an increasing monotonic relationship with intensity. In the North Atlantic, the cooling for stronger hurricanes decreases, while in other ocean basins the cyclone-induced cooling does not significantly differ...
Variation in the effects of vegetation and litter on recruitment across productivity gradients

1 We tested predictions about how the effect of vegetation and litter on seedling establishment varies among sites and herbaceous community types (sand barrens, prairies, fens). For both vegetation and litter, we also separated direct interactions from indirect interactions and interaction modifications along the gradient. 2 Although the intensity of the effects varied across sites, the direct effects of vegetation or litter alone were consistently facilitative along the productivity gradient. Predominance of facilitative effects may be due to the focus on the seedling establishment phase. 3 However, inclusion of indirect interactions and interaction modifications caused the net effects of both vegetation and litter to become largely negative. While one layer of biomass may be advantageous to ameliorate some moisture stress, the addition of another layer may be disadvantageous if this layer limits light proportionally more than it relieves moisture stress. 4 One exception to this pattern occurred at high productivity when the net effect of vegetation, even in the presence of litter, remained facilitative. The net effect of vegetation was competitive at low productivity and grew increasingly facilitative with productivity. Thus, indirect effects of litter may alter interaction patterns across this gradient.
Tradeoff between source and channel coding for erasure channels

In this paper, we investigate the optimal tradeoff between source and channel coding for channels with bit or packet erasure. Upper and lower bounds on the optimal channel coding rate are computed to achieve minimal end-to-end distortion. The bounds are calculated based on a combination of sphere packing, straight line and expurgated error exponents and also high rate vector quantization theory. By modeling a packet erasure channel in terms of an equivalent bit erasure channel, we obtain bounds on the packet size for a specified limit on the distortion
Charm meson production from meson-nucleon scattering

Using an effective hadronic Lagrangian with physical hadron masses and coupling constants determined either empirically or from SU(4) flavor symmetry, we study the production cross sections of charm mesons from pion and rho meson interactions with nucleons. With a cutoff parameter of 1 GeV at interaction vertices as usually used in studying the cross sections for J/ψ absorption and charm meson scattering by hadrons, we find that the cross sections for charm meson production have values of a few tenth of mb and are dominated by the s channel nucleon pole diagram. Relevance of these reactions to charm meson production in relativistic heavy ion collisions is discussed.
Effect of Reputation Mechanisms and Ratings Biases on Traders’ Behavior in Online Marketplaces

Rating mechanisms are becoming an essential tool for online shoppers. There have been many reputation mechanisms proposed in the literature that try to mitigate the sometimes adverse effects of strategic behavior of the traders to alter their true reputation scores. At the same time, several studies have shown the presence of bias (often unintentional) in product ratings and their harmful effect on buyers and product sales. To date, there has not been any work done that studies the effect of reputation mechanisms and ratings biases on the behavior of buyers and sellers in an online marketplace. In this article, we use the concept of replicator dynamics to study the evolution of different types of sellers and buyers who use three different reputation mechanisms. We also study the evolution of different types of sellers in the presence of four types of ratings biases. Our results indicate that, over time, buyers gravitate toward using the adaptive model and, in most scenarios, strategic and dishonest seller...
Coordinated Energy Management of Networked Microgrids in Distribution Systems

This paper proposes a novel control strategy for coordinated operation of networked microgrids (MGs) in a distribution system. The distribution network operator (DNO) and each MG are considered as distinct entities with individual objectives to minimize the operation costs. It is assumed that both the dispatchable and nondispatchable distributed generators (DGs) exist in the networked MGs. In order to achieve the equilibrium among all entities and take into account the uncertainties of DG outputs, we formulate the problem as a stochastic bi-level problem with the DNO in the upper level and MGs in the lower level. Each level consists of two stages. The first stage is to determine base generation setpoints based on the load and nondispatchable DG output forecasts and the second stage is to adjust the generation outputs based on the realized scenarios. A scenario reduction method is applied to enhance a tradeoff between the accuracy of the solution and the computational burden. Case studies of a distribution system with multiple MGs of different types demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. The centralized control, deterministic formulation, and stochastic formulation are also compared.
The kinetics of an atom diffusing in one dimension: Hydrogen in quartz

Abstract The time dependence of frequency recovery at 306 K of pulse-irradiated quartz is analyzed and shown to be inconsistent with the diffusion of a specie in three dimensions, but follows well diffusion in one dimension. The main feature which distinguishes these cases is a t −1/2 time dependence of the recovery. No extended region for a t −1/2 dependence is possible in three-dimensional diffusion. An extensive t −1/2 dependence is predicted in one-dimensional diffusion, paralleling the observation that this holds for some three decades in time and over 80% of the recovery. Having established one-dimensional diffusion in frequency recovery, it is shown that acoustic relaxation found at 115 K and a long time component of conductivity recovery found near 300 K, as well as the frequency recovery, all appear to originate in a common mechanism—the diffusion of H+ in one dimension with an activation of approximately ¼ electron volt.