cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FERMIONS FROM PHOTONS: BOSONIZATION OF QED IN 2+1 DIMENSIONS

We perform the complete bosonization of (2+1)-dimensional QED with one fermionic flavor in the Hamiltonian formalism. The Fermi operators are explicitly constructed in terms of the vector potential and the electric field. We carefully specify the regularization procedure involved in the definition of these operators, and calculate the fermionic bilinears and the energy-momentum tensor. The algebra of bilinears exhibits the Schwinger terms which also appear in perturbation theory. The bosonic Hamiltonian is a local, polynomial functional of Ai and Ei, and we check explicitly the Lorentz invariance of the resulting bosonic theory. Our construction is conceptually very similar to Mandelstam’s construction in 1+1 dimensions, and is dissimilar from the recent bosonization attempts in 2+1 dimensions, which hinge crucially on the presence of a Chern-Simons term.
The cosmological constant is back

A diverse set of observations now compellingly suggest that the universe possesses a nonzero cosmological constant. In the context of quantum-field theory a cosmological constant corresponds to the energy density of the vacuum, and the favored value for the cosmological constant corresponds to a very tiny vacuum energy density. We discuss future observational tests for a cosmological constant as well as the fundamental theoretical challenges — and opportunities — that this poses for particle physics and for extending our understanding of the evolution of the universe back to the earliest moments.
Exposure to secondhand smoke in Finnish workplaces and compliance with national smoke-free workplace legislation.

Aims: The present study examined time trends and associations in exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) at work in Finland in 1985—2008 and compliance with national smoke-free workplace legislation that has been enforced since 1995. Methods: The study population comprised respondents of nationally representative annual postal surveys from 1985 to 2008. The differences in the prevalence of SHS-exposed respondents were measured with particular reference to workplace size and workplace smoking arrangements. Results: From 1985 to 2008 daily exposure to SHS at work decreased in all workplaces. The annual decrease was largest in 1994—95 when the smoke-free workplace legislation was enacted. The proportion of exposed employees in workplaces with designated smoking rooms was two-fold compared to employees in workplaces where no one smoked, and this ratio remained unchanged between 1995 and 2008. Employees in small workplaces were exposed most and exposure to SHS was lowest in the largest workplaces. Conclusions: Tota...
Holographic spectral image discrimination and segmentation

Holographic spectroscopy has been a subject of continuing interest for several decades. Recently, the use of optical filters to allow fast discrimination and segmentation of images has been shown to be very powerful. Conventional filters are restricted to being nonnegative, but that restriction does not apply to holographic filters. So more useful filters can be designed and used holographically to produce a pixel-by-pixel spectral image analyzer.
Uranium-series chronology of Gorda Ridge volcanism: new evidence from the 1996 eruption

Abstract We present new uranium-series plagioclase and glass data for the 1996 eruption of the North Gorda Ridge. The glass data provide a more accurate estimate of ‘zero-age’ disequilibria for use in external isochron dating than was previously available. Furthermore, plagioclase–glass 226Ra–230Th disequilibria delimit the degree of initial fractionation of radium from barium during crystal growth, with effective DRa/DBa ∼0.25–0.5. These data are inconsistent with the common assumption that DRa=DBa but are qualitatively consistent with theoretical model predictions that radium and barium should be fractionated during crystallization, with DRa/DBa∼0.2. In more detail, differences between model predictions and data could be explained by an extreme combination of model and data uncertainties, but more likely suggest suppression of efficient fractionation during rapid crystallization. We also assess the extent to which use of barium as an analog for radium would result in underestimating 226Ra–230Th disequilibria produced during melting. Effects of a lower value of DRa on most melting models are small, with a slight increase in the porosity or melt fraction for a given value of 226Ra/230Th. The new plagioclase data also indicate that plagioclase accumulation and assimilation in the crustal reservoir would have only a negligible effect on mantle-derived 226Ra–230Th disequilibria. External isochron ages from U–Th, U–Pa, and Th–Ra data calculated using initial disequilibria from the 1996 sample are concordant, with one exception. Anomalously young ages for off-axis samples most likely reflect volcanism up to 1 km off-axis. Radium ages for near-axis dredge samples for other areas of the North Gorda Ridge generally range from 2000 to 4000 yr, similar to calculated steady-state eruptive periodicity of 3000 yr for this ridge segment. However, comparison of radium excesses for the 1996 eruption and a nearby older lava suggests that recent volcanism at this site occurs with relatively short-lived (
The hollowness of anti-corruption discourse

ABSTRACT As part of an overall focus on governance in international political economy, the corruption issue has catapulted from the margins of academic and policy discourse on international affairs to a position as one of the central problems facing transition economies and the developing world today. But the irreducibly normative character of anti-corruption discourse is in tension with the predominantly rationalist, technical and instrumental justifications for open markets which have long dominated the academic and institutional discourse on international political economy. A survey of the anti-corruption consensus reveals omissions and oversights which cause analysts to evade and obscure, rather than directly engage, core problems of politics and ethics; this may have practical consequences for anti-corruption efforts. Republican political thought, though not without its own risks and flaws, may balance and correct some of the omissions and oversights of liberal and rationalist discourse on corruption.
Optimal allocation for partially replicated database systems on tree-based networks

Abstract We consider a partially replicated distributed database located on a tree network each of whose links may fail with probability p . For small p , we derive necessary conditions for optimal placement of replicated data in order to maximize the probabilities of successful read-only and write-only transactions. Using these conditions, we derive properties of optimal placements.
Maternal age and labor complications in healthy primigravidas at term.

The objective of this study was to describe the association between maternal age and selected risk indicators (both recognized and potential) to determine whether any were predictive of labor complications in women having a first child. Low-risk primigravidas (n = 1,792) were selected from a large national probability sample of births for 1988 (the National Maternal and Infant Health Survey). Recognized and potential risk indicators were described according to categories of maternal age and the occurrence of labor problems. Stratified analysis and logistic regression were used to assess the association of various risk factors with labor complications adjusted for maternal age. Only cesarean delivery varied significantly across maternal age groups, the rate being 11.6% for those < 20, 15.9% for those age 20–29, and 28.3% for those ⩾ 30. Cesarean delivery was associated with several characteristics of social advantage. Independent risk factors for cesarean delivery were maternal age (particularly ⩾ 30), epidural anesthesia, and receipt of adequate prenatal care. We conclude that older primigravidas have significantly more cesarean deliveries, and this is partially explained by characteristics of social advantage. To address the high cesarean rate, care providers need a better understanding of the relationship between social circumstances and cesarean delivery.
A Convenient and Efficient Synthesis of 1-Aminocyclopropanecarboxylic Acid (ACC)

Abstract A straightforward synthesis of 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid (ACC) has been developed. The key step in the synthesis is the thermal conversion of 1-t-butoxycarbonylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid to ACC.
Bank Privatization in Post-Communist Russia: The Case of Zhilsotsbank☆

We chronicle the disbanding of Zhilsotsbank and the subsequent creation and performance of its private successor, Mosbusinessbank. The decentralized privatization of Zhilsotsbank left incumbent managers with control rights over new private banks, a fact that has had a continuing impact on bank strategy, operations, governance, and performance. The rapid removal of government from direct ownership of many banks, in combination with liberal licensing policies, has created a Russian banking sector that is more than 75% private. The banking environment that has evolved has fostered innovation and increased efficiency, along with significant instability in the system.J. Comp. Econom.,August 1997,25(1), pp. 62–96. University of Michigan Business School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 and The William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan Business School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109; and The William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan Business School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109.
Identification and detection of oil and oil-derived substances at the surface and subsurface levels via hyperspectral imaging

Detection and estimation of oil and oil-derived substances from an oil spill is a challenging issue. Over the last few years, several algorithms have been proposed for the detection of oil on the ocean surface. These techniques do not address the issue of detection of subsurface oil and estimate the depth of the location of oil at the subsurface level. In this paper, algorithms are developed to detect the presence of surface oil in ocean water using hyperspectral imagery. A support vector machine classifier was trained using region-of-interests (ROIs) to classify the oil/oil-derived substances under the water surface in the Gulf of Mexico. Using the pixel intensity of the identified oil based image, Beer-Lambert's law is used to calculate the depth at which the oil and/or oil-derived substance are present in the scene of investigation.
Angular Diameter Distance Measurement with Galaxy Clustering in the Multipole Space

The shape of the angular power spectrum of galaxies in the linear regime is defined by the horizon size at the matter-radiation equality. When calibrated by cosmic microwave background measurements, this shape can be used as a standard ruler to estimate angular diameter distances out to the redshift at which clustering is measured. We apply this cosmological test to a recent set of angular clustering spectra from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We measure comoving angular diameter distances with a fractional accuracy of around 15%-20% out to eight redshift bins between redshifts of 0.2 and 0.6 after marginalizing over the bias factors and cosmological parameters that define the primordial matter power spectrum. Using clustering measurements out to a multipole of 150 in each of the bins and using a nonlinear correction to the power spectrum, the derived Hubble constant is 69 km s-1 Mpc-1 at the 68% confidence level. A 3% lower Hubble constant is recovered if measurements are restricted only to the linear region with k < 0.1 h Mpc-1. We comment on the expected improvements with future surveys.
Experimental tobacco carcinogenesis.

The epidemiologic evidence contributing to the conclusions of various review committees in regard to the association of cigarette smoking with cancer of the lung oral cavity larynx esophagus and bladder has been supported by extensive experimental data but such data fail to establish incontrovertibly a causal relationship between smoking and cancer in humans. The final proof can only be obtained from epidemiologic findings. The objective of the laboratory studies reviewed here is to contribute to an understanding of the factors and mechanisms leading to the disease and thereby to eliminate decisive factors. Attention is focused on some characteristics of tobacco smoke respiratory and skin carcinogenesis bladder carcinogenesis chemical data suspected bladder carcinogens chemical indicators for carcinogenicity reduction of tumorigenicity and problems of experimental tobacco carcinogenesis. Finally the laboratory experience needs to be evaluated in terms of human data. The epidemiologist needs to investigate the cancer risk among groups smoking different types of cigarettes and different blends of tobaccos. In instances where the epidemiologic experience is supported by the laboratory data both data and experience assume greater significance. In this respect the question may be asked to what extent alteration of tobacco smoke to reduce its tumorigenic potential as expressed by chemical indicators and reflected in bioassays can be of importance to humans. It is reasoned from dose-response studies on humans and on the experimental animal that a reduction in exposure to total smoke will be associated with a reduction in the risk of contracting those diseases associated with cigarette smoking. It may be assumed that a reduction in specific toxic and tumorigenic agents which causes a reduction of toxicity and tumorigenicity in assays with animals will similarly affect humans.
Rapid parapatric speciation on holey adaptive landscapes.

A classical view of speciation is that reproductive isolation arises as a byproduct of genetic divergence. Here, individualbased simulations are used to evaluate whether the mechanisms implied by t...
Informed Trading around Merger Announcements: An Empirical Test Using Transaction Volume and Open Interest in Options Market

This paper provides empirical evidence on the level of trading activity in the stock options market prior to the announcement of a merger or an acquisition. Our analysis shows that there is a significant increase in the trading activity of call and put options for companies involved in a takeover prior to the rumor of an acquisition or merger. This result is robust to both the volume of option contracts traded and the open interest. The increased trading suggests that there is a significant level of informed trading in the options market prior to the announcement of a corporate event. In addition, abnormal trading activity in the options market appears to lead abnormal trading volume in the equity market. This finding supports the hypothesis that the options market plays an important role in price discovery.
Vibrational spectra and structure of crystalline oxalyl hydrazide and semioxamazide

Abstract Laser Raman and infrared spectra of crystalline oxalyl hydrazide and semioxamazide have been obtained in the region 4000—40 cm −1 and interpreted on the basis of a modified oriented gas model. Evidence for centrosymmetric, hydrogen-bonded structures in the crystalline state has been obtained for both materials. Tentative vibrational assignments for the observed spectra are proposed.
FUEL EFFICIENT GALAXIES: SUSTAINING STAR FORMATION WITH STELLAR MASS LOSS

We examine the importance of secular stellar mass loss for fueling ongoing star formation in disk galaxies during the late stages of their evolution. For a galaxy of a given stellar mass, we calculate the total mass loss rate of its entire stellar population using star formation histories derived from the observed evolution of the M *-star formation rate (SFR) relation, along with the predictions of standard stellar evolution models for stellar mass loss for a variety of initial stellar mass functions. Our model shows that recycled gas from stellar mass loss can provide most or all of the fuel required to sustain the current level of star formation in late-type galaxies. Stellar mass loss can therefore remove the tension between the low gas infall rates that are derived from observations and the relatively rapid star formation occurring in disk galaxies. For galaxies where cold gas infall rates have been estimated, we demonstrate explicitly that stellar mass loss can account for most of the deficit between their SFR and infall rate.
Radar sensor model for three-dimensional map building

Radar offers advantages as a robotic perception modality because it is not as vulnerable to the vacuum, dust, fog, rain, snow and light conditions found in construction, mining, agricultural and planetary-exploration environments. However radar has shortcomings such as a large footprint, sidelobes, specularity effects and limited range resolution—all of which result in poor environment maps. Evidence grids are a flexible and powerful probabilistic method for fusing multiple sensor observations. Sensor models exist for interpreting the range readings of sonar, laser and stereo. However, these existing sensor models do not work with radar because it provides amplitude values for many points downrange. In addition, radar has significant echo signal-to-noise variations between observations as well as limited downrange resolution. This paper presents the development of a radar sensor model, which can fuse amplitude-vector sensor data into an evidence grid. A study of radar phenomena and of frequency-modulated continuous-wave signal processing suggests rules for signal interpretation. The sensor model uses these interpretation rules and captures the volumetric beam geometry. The results include a three-dimensional map of an outdoor scene. This work is a step towards building high fidelity maps to be used in mobile robot navigation, obstacle avoidance and tool deployment under all visibility conditions.
Automated bus generation for multiprocessor SoC design

The performance of a multiprocessor system heavily depends upon the efficiency of its bus architecture. This paper presents a methodology to generate a custom bus system for a multiprocessor system-on-a-chip (SoC). Our bus-synthesis tool, which we call BusSynth, uses this methodology to generate five different bus systems as examples: 1) bidirectional first-in first-out bus architecture; 2) global bus architecture (GBA) version I; 3) GBA version III; 4) hybrid bus architecture (Hybrid); and 5) split bus architecture. We verify and evaluate the performance of each bus system in the context of three applications: an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing wireless transmitter, an MPEG2 decoder, and a database example. Our methodology gives the designer a great benefit in the fast-design space exploration of bus architectures across a variety of performance impacting factors such as bus types, processor types, and software programming style. In this paper, we show that BusSynth can generate buses that, when compared to a typical general GBA, achieve superior performance (e.g., 41% reduction in execution time in the case of a database example). In addition, the bus architecture generated by BusSynth is designed in a matter of seconds instead of weeks for the hand design of a custom bus system.
It's about dam time: Improving microhydro electrification in Tanzania

Tanzania currently suffers from a severe shortage of electricity with only 14% of the total population connected to the national grid, and access in rural areas below 2%. This article therefore analyzes an internationally sponsored energy development program for microhydro electrification in Tanzania to provide recommendations for how the country's rural energy sector can be improved. More specifically, it investigates the Mini-Grids Based on Small Hydropower Sources to Augment Rural Electrification program (MBSH for short), a $13.4 million effort backed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Global Environment Facility, and national actors to build 3.2 megawatts (MW) of microhydro capacity from 2011 to 2014. After introducing readers to the study's research methods, primarily semi-structured interviews, and to Tanzania's energy background, the article details the design, stakeholders, and targets of the MBSH. It then presents four major challenges the MBSH must overcome to be successful: seasonal changes in hydroelectricity output, financial problems at the national electric utility TANESCO, historically low electricity tariffs, and high rates of poverty and electricity theft. The article concludes by calling on five sets of national reforms including the scaling up of pilot projects and increasing investment in microhydro projects.
A new reference-based measure for objective edge map evaluation

Edge detection is an important preprocessing task which has been used extensively in image processing. As many applications heavily rely on edge detection, effective and objective edge detection evaluation is crucial. Objective edge map evaluation measures are an important means of assessing the performance of edge detectors under various circumstances and in determining the most suitable edge detector or edge detector parameters. Quantifiable criteria for objective edge map evaluation are established relative to a ground truth, and the weaknesses and limitations in the Pratt's Figure of Merit (FOM), the objective reference-based edge map evaluation standard, are discussed. Based on the established criteria, a new reference-based measure for objective edge map evaluation is presented. Experimental results using synthetic images and their ground truths show that the new measure for objective edge map evaluation outperforms Pratt's FOM visually as it takes into account more features in its evaluation.
Perturbative search for fixed lines in large-N gauge theories

The logarithmic running of marginal double-trace operators is a general feature of 4-d field theories containing scalar fields in the adjoint or bifundamental representation. Such operators provide leading contributions in the large-N limit; therefore, the leading terms in their beta functions must vanish for a theory to be large-N conformal. We calculate the one-loop beta functions in orbifolds of the = 4 SYM theory by a discrete subgroup ? of the SU(4) R-symmetry, which are dual to string theory on AdS5 ? S5/?. We present a general strategy for determining whether there is a fixed line passing through the origin of the coupling constant space. Then we study in detail some classes of non-supersymmetric orbifold theories. Among our examples, which include orbifolds acting freely on the S5, we do not find any large-N non-supersymmetric theories with fixed lines passing through the origin. Connection of these results with closed string tachyon condensation in AdS5 ? S5/? is discussed.
Studies of interface states of silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor devices by dynamic conductance and noise measurements and effects of bias-temperature stresses☆

Abstract Dynamic conductance measurements in metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors and the effects of bias-temperature stresses are considered together with noise measurements to determine the origin of 1/ƒ noise in an MOS field effect transistor (MOSFET) operated either under subthreshold or above threshold conditions. The 1/ƒ noise in a subthreshold MOSFET is shown to be due to the dispersion of dielectric loss of the interfacial oxide. The source of 1/ƒ noise in the inversion regime is less certain. Both the number fluctuation model and the mobility fluctuation model are consistent with the data of the bias-temperature treatment effect on 1/ƒ noise reported by Vandamme and Dik provided that the data are interpreted in the reconstructing interface states model. Further inference from conductance data tends to favor the mobility fluctuation model. It is also pointed out that there is only one microscopic model that provides a unified mechanism which gives not only the dispersive dielectric loss and the 1/ƒ noise at subthreshold but also the mobility fluctuations at inversion.
Dynamic Functional Evolution of an Odorant Receptor for Sex-steroid Derived Odors in Primates

Odorant receptors are among the fastest evolving genes in animals. However, little is known about the functional changes of individual odorant receptors during evolution. We have recently demonstrated a link between the in vitro function of a human odorant receptor, OR7D4, and in vivo olfactory perception of 2 steroidal ligands--androstenone and androstadienone--chemicals that are shown to affect physiological responses in humans. In this study, we analyzed the in vitro function of OR7D4 in primate evolution. Orthologs of OR7D4 were cloned from different primate species. Ancestral reconstruction allowed us to reconstitute additional putative OR7D4 orthologs in hypothetical ancestral species. Functional analysis of these orthologs showed an extremely diverse range of OR7D4 responses to the ligands in various primate species. Functional analysis of the nonsynonymous changes in the Old World Monkey and Great Ape lineages revealed a number of sites causing increases or decreases in sensitivity. We found that the majority of the functionally important residues in OR7D4 were not predicted by the maximum likelihood analysis detecting positive Darwinian selection.
Comparison of large-scale structures and velocities in the local universe

Comparison of the large-scale density and velocity fields in the local universe shows detailed agreement, strengthening the standard paradigm of the gravitational origin of these structures. Quantitative analysis can determine the cosmological density param-eter, Ω, and biasing factor, b; there is virtually no sensitivity in any local analyses to the cosmological constant, λ. Comparison of the dipole anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background with the acceleration due to the IRAS galaxies puts the linear growth factor in the range \(\beta \approx {{\Omega }^{{0.6}}}/b = 0.6\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} { + 0.7} \\ { - 0.3} \\ \end{array} \) (95% confidence). A direct comparison of the density and velocity fields of nearby galaxies gives \(\beta = 1.3\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} { + 0.7} \\ { - 0.6} \\ \end{array} \), and from nonlinear analysis the weaker limit Ω > 0.45 for b > 0.5 (again 95% confidence). A tighter limit, Ω > 0.3 (4–6σ), is obtained by a reconstruction of the probability distribution function of the initial fluctuations from which the structures observed today arose. The last two methods depend critically on the smooth velocity field determined from the observed velocities of nearby galaxies by the POTENT method. A new analysis of these velocities, with more than three times the data used to obtain the above quoted results, is now underway and promises to tighten the uncertainties considerably, as well as reduce systematic bias.
The Caltech Submillimeter Observatory

A brief description of the history and technology of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) is presented. The design of the 10.4 m Leighton telescope is discussed and also the methods used for fine adjustments of the surface. The dome design is explained, plus a short description is given of the technology of the detectors.
Preproenkephalin DNA-binding proteins in the rat: 5' flanking region.

Various extracellular signals (i.e. transmitters, hormones, growth factors, etc.), together with their respective second-messenger pathways, regulate transmitter biosynthesis and neuronal function by altering gene expression. In this study we validated a protocol for isolating rat striatum and adrenal medullary nuclei for the purpose of extracting, identifying, and characterizing, nuclear regulatory factors which may serve a functional role in signal-transduction processes. Through gel retardation studies using a 299 base pair (bp) XmnI-SacI 32P-labeled probe (derived from the 5′ untranslated region of the rat preproenkephalin gene), we show that different patterns of retained bands result from nuclear extracts derived from rat adrenal medulla and striatum (as well as from other tissue). These tissue differences may have biological significance since rat adrenal medullae have low basal enkephalin levels while the striatum has high levels of this peptide and its respective mRNA. Additionally, certain retained bands were common to both cytosolic and nuclear compartments, suggesting binding factors may be located in either cell space. An initial biochemical characterization of these factors was also undertaken. Generally, salt levels of 100 mM or more reduced factor binding while 10–50 mM sodium ion levels showed preferentially enhanced bands. Binding activity appeared optimal at pH 6.8. As all retained bands were abrogated by proteinase K treatment, these factors appear to have a significant protein component. Finally, of particular interest is that this 299 bp region contains many sequences showing over 80% sequence identity with several previously characterized transcriptional control elements (i.e. cAMP and phorbol ester inducible enhancers, GCN4, AP1, Sp1, CCAAT binding factor, ATF, and AP2). If binding is confirmed (footprint analysis) and function validated (transfection studies), the evolutionary significance of the apparent presence of gene regulatory sequences and functional element divergence of the DNA region between different species can be evaluated.
Growth Kinetics for Copper Deposition on Si(100) from Pyrophosphate Solution

Pyrophosphate solutions are commonly used in the electronics industry for copper deposition on printed circuit boards. This paper reports on the growth kinetics for copper deposition on silicon from pyrophosphate solution. It is shown that complexation shifts the energetic position of the copper ions in solution with respect to the bandedges for silicon such that deposition occurs via the conduction band. It is shown that the growth kinetics for low Cu(II) concentrations are consistent with progressive nucleation of hemispherical clusters followed by diffusion-limited growth.
Pressure induced loss of ferromagnetism in UPt

Abstract The weak ferromagnetic saturation moment of the intermetallic compound UPt is reduced with respect to the atmospheric pressure value by more than 90% at 20 kbar. The 30K Curie temperature is pressure independent. The paramagnetic susceptibility shows a maximum at 17 K at all pressures. Plot of x −1 vs. T above 30 K are nonlinear.
Stochastic Loewner evolution in doubly connected domains

This paper introduces the annulus SLEκ processes in doubly connected domains. Annulus SLE6 has the same law as stopped radial SLE6, up to a time-change. For κ ≠ 6, some weak equivalence relation exists between annulus SLEκ and radial SLEκ. Annulus SLE2 is the scaling limit of the corresponding loop-erased conditional random walk, which implies that a certain form of SLE2 satisfies the reversibility property. We also consider the disc SLEκ process defined as a limiting case of the annulus SLE’s. Disc SLE6 has the same law as stopped full plane SLE6, up to a time-change. Disc SLE2 is the scaling limit of loop-erased random walk, and is the reversal of radial SLE2.
Management of sore throats in children: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Objective To perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of treatment management strategies for children older than 3 years who present with signs or symptoms of pharyngitis. Design Decision model with 7 strategies, including neither testing for streptococcus nor treating with antibiotics; treating empirically with penicillin V; basing treatment on results of a throat culture (Culture); and basing treatment on results of enzyme immunoassay or optical immunoassay rapid tests, performed alone or in combination with throat cultures. In these 7 strategies, all tests are performed in a local reference laboratory. In a sensitivity analysis, we examined the cost-effectiveness of 4 strategies involving office-based testing. We obtained data on event probabilities and test characteristics from our hospital's clinical laboratory and the literature; costs for the analysis were based on resource use. Results At a baseline prevalence of 20.8% for streptococcal pharyngitis, the Culture strategy was the least expensive and most effective, with an average cost of $6.85 per patient. The outcome was sensitive to the prevalence of streptococcal pharyngitis, the rheumatic fever attack rate, the cost of the enzyme immunoassay test, and the cost of culturing and reporting culture results. The Culture strategy was also preferred if amoxicillin was substituted for oral penicillin. For office-based testing, Culture was the least costly strategy, but treatment based on results of the optical immunoassay test alone had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $1.6 million per additional life saved. Conclusion In a setting with adherent patients, children with sore throats should generally get throat cultures in lieu of rapid streptococcus antigen tests.
Tensor product varieties, perverse sheaves, and stability conditions

The space spanned by the class of simple perverse sheaves in Zheng (2008) without localization is isomorphic to the tensor product of a Verma module with a tensor product of irreducible integrable highest weight modules of the quantum enveloping algebra associated with a graph. Under the isomorphism, the simple perverse sheaves get identified with the canonical basis elements of the tensor product module. The two stability conditions coincide with the localization process in Zheng (2008), by using supports and singular supports of complexes of sheaves, respectively.
On the Transient Interaction of Centrifugal Compressors and Their Piping Systems

The problems of surge and other low frequency pulsation phenomena in centrifugal compressor are described in terms of both machine (head curve) characteristics and the flow impedance characteristics of its attached piping. Flow stability criteria are presented in terms of net modal damping, as the combination of piping acoustic damping and equivalent negative damping of the compressor in the surge region of its performance curve. Surge and instability frequencies are related to acoustic reactance of the piping system. Finally, theoretical concepts are verified both by electrical analog models and by field and laboratory data on real compressors.This paper provides some new and significant findings on the dynamic interaction of centrifugal compressors with piping systems, and describes the basic phenomena underlying these interactions. Good agreement is shown between predicted and measured surge frequencies, and for those termed “piping resonance surge” produced by high flow offsets or flat spots in the head curve.Copyright © 1983 by ASME
An asymptotic-preserving scheme for the semiconductor Boltzmann equation toward the energy-transport limit

We design an asymptotic-preserving scheme for the semiconductor Boltzmann equation which leads to an energy-transport system for electron mass and energy as mean free path goes to zero. As opposed to the classical drift-diffusion limit where the stiff collisions are all in one scale, new difficulties arise in the two-scale stiff collision terms because the simple BGK penalization 15 fails to drive the solution to the correct limit. We propose to set up a spatially dependent threshold on the penalization of the stiffer collision operator such that the evolution of the solution resembles a Hilbert expansion at the continuous level. Formal asymptotic analysis and numerical results confirm the efficiency and accuracy of our scheme.
On diffusivity of a tagged particle in asymmetric zero-range dynamics

Abstract Consider a distinguished, or tagged particle in zero-range dynamics on Z d with rate g whose finite-range jump probabilities p possess a drift ∑ j p ( j ) ≠ 0 . We show, in equilibrium, that the variance of the tagged particle position at time t is at least order t in all d ⩾ 1 , and at most order t in d = 1 and d ⩾ 3 for a wide class of rates g. Also, in d = 1 , when the jump distribution p is totally asymmetric and nearest-neighbor, and the rate g ( k ) increases, and g ( k ) / k either decreases or increases with k, we show the diffusively scaled centered tagged particle position converges to a Brownian motion with a homogenized diffusion coefficient in the sense of finite-dimensional distributions. Some characterizations of the tagged particle variance are also given.
Neurotransmitters and vulnerability of the developing brain

The immature human brain undergoes remarkable organizational changes during intrauterine and postnatal life. These changes create potential temporal 'windows' of selective vulnerability to damage. For example, the temporary germinal matrix is vulnerable to hemorrhage in the third trimester fetus and premature infant. The immature oligodendroglia present in developing white matter of the fetus are also vulnerable to injury producing periventricular leukomalacia. Similar changes take place in the synapses that make up the infant's neuronal circuitry. In human cerebral cortex, synapses are produced in greater than adult numbers by postnatal age 2 years and then reduced over the next decade. Over the same period receptors for glutamate, the most important excitatory neurotransmitter, change their characteristics to allow them to participate in activity dependent synaptic plasticity. For example, the immature N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type glutamate receptor/channel complex, which plays important roles in long term potentiation (LTP), neuronal migration and synaptic pruning, contains subunits that allow the channel to be opened more easily for a longer period than adult channels. These developmental changes make the immature brain selectively vulnerable to NMDA receptor overstimulation that can occur during hypoxia-ischemia and other insults. Several types of neuropathology in the developing brain can be understood on the basis of these organizational principles.
g -Elements, finite buildings and higher Cohen-Macaulay connectivity

Chari proved that if Δ is a (d - 1)-dimensional simplicial complex with a convex ear decomposition, then h0 ≤ ... ≤ h⌊d/2⌋ [M.K. Chari, Two decompositions in topological combinatorics with applications to matroid complexes, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 349 (1997) 3925-3943]. Nyman and Swartz raised the problem of whether or not the corresponding g-vector is an M-vector [K. Nyman, E. Swartz, Inequalities for h- and flag h-vectors of geometric lattices, Discrete Comput. Geom. 32 (2004) 533-548]. This is proved to be true by showing that the set of pairs (ω, Θ), where Θ is a l.s.o.p. for k[Δ], the face ring of Δ, and ω is a g-element for k[Δ]/Θ, is nonempty whenever the characteristic of k is zero.Finite buildings have a convex ear decomposition. These decompositions point to inequalities on the flag h-vector of such spaces similar in spirit to those examined in [K. Nyman, E. Swartz, Inequalities for h- and flag h-vectors of geometric lattices, Discrete Comput. Geom. 32 (2004) 533-548] for order complexes of geometric lattices. This also leads to connections between higher Cohen-Macaulay connectivity and conditions which insure that h0 < ... < hi for a predetermined i.
A global stability analysis of clusters of galaxies with conduction and AGN feedback heating

We investigate a series of steady state models of galaxy clusters, in which the hot intracluster gas is efficiently heated by active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback and thermal conduction, and in which the mass accretion rates are highly reduced compared to those predicted by the standard cooling flow models. We perform a global Lagrangian stability analysis. We show for the first time that the global radial instability in cool core clusters can be suppressed by the AGN feedback mechanism, provided that the feedback efficiency exceeds a critical lower limit. Furthermore, our analysis naturally shows that the clusters can exist in two distinct forms. Globally stable clusters are expected to have either (1) cool cores stabilized by both AGN feedback and conduction or (2) noncool cores stabilized primarily by conduction. Intermediate central temperatures typically lead to globally unstable solutions. This bimodality is consistent with the recent observation by Dunn & Fabian of anticorrelation between the flatness of the temperature profiles and the AGN activity and the observation by Rafferty et al. that the shorter central cooling times tend to correspond to significantly younger AGN X-ray cavities.
Conductance of a mott quantum wire

We consider transport through a one-dimensional conductor subjected to an external periodic potential and connected to noninteracting leads (a ``Mott quantum wire''). In the case of a strong periodic potential, the conductance is shown to jump from zero, for the chemical potential lying within the Mott-Hubbard gap, to the noninteracting value of ${2e}^{2}/h$, as soon as the chemical potential crosses the gap edge. This behavior is strikingly different from that of optical conductivity, which varies continuously with the carrier concentration. In the case of a weak potential, the perturbative correction to the conductance due to umklapp scattering is absent away from half filling.
Short-term market efficiency in the futures markets: TOPIX futures and 10-year JGB futures

Abstract This paper examines the effect of the past price information on the two major futures contracts traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange: the TOPIX futures and the 10-year JGB futures. The unique 90-min lunch break on the exchange creates two mini-sessions in each calendar-trading day. This paper compares these contracts between the morning and afternoon sessions. In addition, percentage-returns and tick-size-returns are used to measure the intraday price movements following past price performance. These futures contracts present evidence of short-term market inefficiency over the period 1994 to 2003.
Existence of perfect equilibria: a direct proof

We provide a direct proof of the existence of perfect equilibria in finite normal form games and extensive games with perfect recall. It is done by constructing a correspondence whose fixed points are precisely the perfect equilibria of a given finite game. Existence of a fixed point is secured by a generalization of Kakutani theorem, which is proved in this paper. This work offers a new approach to perfect equilibria, which would hopefully facilitate further study on this topic. We also hope our direct proof would be the first step toward building an algorithm to find the set of all perfect equilibria of a strategic game.
Polarized photomodulated reflectivity and photoluminescence studies of ordered InGaP2 under pressure

Abstract Spontaneous ordering of ternary alloys grown on misoriented substrates has been of recent interest. Ordering induced band gap reduction, and valence band splittings exhibiting novel polarization properties have been investigated by theory and experiment. In this paper, we discuss polarized photomodulated reflectivity (PR) and photoluminescence studies of MOCVD grown InGaP 2 epilayers lattice-matched to a GaAs substrate. These structures were grown on a (001) face with a misorientation of two degrees along 〈110〉. The high degree of ordering has enabled us to measure accurately the crystal field splitting and additional structure not reported in the PR spectra. For the electric field E parallel to [110] two features in the PR spectra are seen; for E ∥ [110], however, additional features are observed. A comparison with the spectra of disordered samples of the same alloy composition has enabled a determination of the band gap reduction due to ordering. The linewidths of the PR peaks are approximately 5–10 meV which has enabled us to study them in detail as a function of hydrostatic pressure at cryogenic temperatures. The pressure dependence is slightly sublinear with the first order term of 8–9 meV/kbar for pressures well below the Γ-X crossover. Also observed is the indirect level crossing which occurs under pressure at about 40 kbar. A comparison of PR lineshapes at 1 bar is also presented at several commonly used experimental temperatures. The data indicate a substantial change in PR lineshapes, showing that interpretation of reflectivity data for these samples must be carried out carefully.
Representations of logmodular algebras

We study the question of whether or not contractive representations of logmodular algebras are completely contractive. We prove that a 2-contractive representation of a logmodular algebra extends to a positive map on the enveloping C*-algebra, which we show generalizes a result of Foias and Suciu on uniform logmodular algebras. Our proof uses non-commutative operator space generalizations of classical results on 2-summing maps and semispectral measures. We establish some matrix factorization results for uniform logmodular algebras
Solar particle propagation from 1 to 5 AU

A statistical analysis of solar particle events, observed by the GSFC-UNH charged particle detector on board Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 from March 1972 to December 1974 (from 1 to 5 AU for each spacecraft), is carried out with the goal of experimentally determining the statistical average interplanetary propagation conditions from 3 to 30 MeV. A numerical propagation model is developed that includes diffusion with a diffusion coefficient of the form k r =k o r β , convection, adiabatic deceleration, and a variable coronal injection profile. The statistical analysis is carried out by individually analyzing each of five parameters (t max, ξ(tmax), Δt 5, τ) that are uniquely defined in a solar particle event. Each of the five parameter data sets were analyzed in terms of both a spacecraft-solar flare connection longitude ≤50°, and a numerical model that employed a variable exponential decaying coronal injection profile. The five individual parameter analyses are combined with the results that the statistical average radial interplanetary diffusion coefficient from 1 to 5 AU is given by 〈k r〉 = (1.2 ± 0.4) × 1021 cm2 s-1 with 〈β〉 = 0.0± 0.3 for 3.4 to 5.2 MeV protons and 〈k r〉 = (2.6 ± 0.6) × 1021 cm2 s-1 with (β) = 0.0± 0.3 for 24 to 30 MeV protons. Using the classical relationship for the radial scattering mean free path λr, i.e. k r = υλr/3, we obtain 〈λr〉 = 0.09 ± 0.03 AU and 0.075 ± 0.020 AU for the low and high energy data, respectively. These results show, from 1 to 5 AU and from 3 to 30 MeV, that 〈λr〉 is both independent of radial distance and approximately independent of rigidity (for 〈λr〉~P α, where P = rigidity, α = -0.15 ± 0.20). The above diffusion coefficients are inconsistent With both the predictions of the diffusion coefficient from present theoretical transport models and with the diffusion coefficient used in modulation studies at low energies.
Phase-shifting speckle interferometry

Speckle patterns have high frequency phase data, which make it difficult to find the absolute phase of a single speckle pattern; however, the phase of the difference between two correlated speckle patterns can be determined. This is done by applying phase-shifting techniques to speckle interferometry, which will quantitatively determine the phase of double-exposure speckle measurements. The technique uses computer control to take data and calculate phase without an intermediate recording step. The randomness of the speckle causes noisy data points which are removed by data processing routines. One application of this technique is finding the phase of deformations, where up to ten waves of wavefront deformation can easily be measured. Results of deformations caused by tilt of a metal plate and a disbond in a honeycomb structure brazed to an aluminum plate are shown.