cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cluster expansion and optimization of thermal conductivity in SiGe nanowires

We investigate the parametrization and optimization of thermal conductivity in silicon-germanium alloy nanowires by the cluster-expansion technique. ${\text{Si}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\text{Ge}}_{x}$ nanowires are of interest for thermoelectric applications and the reduction in lattice thermal conductivity $({\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{L})$ is desired for enhancing the thermoelectric figure of merit. We seek the minimization of ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{L}$ with respect to arrangements of Si and Ge atoms in 1.5 nm diameter [111] ${\text{Si}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\text{Ge}}_{x}$ nanowires, by obtaining ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{L}$ from equilibrium classical molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations via the Green-Kubo formalism, and parametrizing the results with a coarse-grained cluster expansion. Using genetic algorithm optimization with the coarse-grained cluster expansion, we are able to predict configurations that significantly decrease ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{L}$ as verified by subsequent MD simulations. Our results indicate that superlatticelike configurations with planes of Ge show drastically lowered ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{L}$.
The effect of formation redshifts on the cluster mass–temperature relation

I employ an ensemble of hydrodynamical simulations and the XSPEC MEKAL emission model to reproduce observable spectral and flux-weighted temperatures for 24 clusters. Each cluster is imaged at 16 points in its history, which allows the investigation of evolutionary effects on the mass-temperature relation. In the zero redshift scaling relations, I find no evidence for a relationship between cluster temperature and formation epoch for those clusters which acquired 75% of their final mass since a redshift of 0.6. This result holds for both observable and intrinsic intracluster medium temperatures, and implies that halo formation epochs are not an important variable in analysis of observable cluster temperature functions.
Probing the Electronic and Structural Properties of the Niobium Trimer Cluster and Its Mono-and Dioxides : Nb3On-and Nb3On (n = 0-2)

We report a photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) study on the electronic and structural properties of Nb3-, Nb3O-, Nb3O2-, and the corresponding neutrals. Well-resolved photoelectron spectra are obtained for the anion clusters at different photon energies and are compared with DFT calculations to elucidate their structures and chemical bonding. We find that Nb3 - possesses a C2V (3A2) structure, and Nb3 is a scalene Cs (2A'') triangle. Both Nb3O- and Nb3O are found to have C2V structures, in which the O atom bridges two Nb atoms in a Nb3 triangle. The ground-state of Nb3O2 - is found surprisingly to be a low symmetry C1 (1A) structure, which contains a bridging and a terminal O atom. Molecular orbital analyses are carried out to understand the structures and bonding of the three clusters and provide insights into the sequential oxidation from Nb3- to Nb3O2-. The terminal NbdO unit is common in niobia catalysts, and the Nb3O2- cluster with a NbdO unit may be viewed as a molecular model for the catalytic sites or the initial oxidation of a Nb surface.
The effects of patent regime changes: A case study of the European patent office

Abstract Patent system in Europe has undergone significant changes during the 1970s around the establishment of the European Patent Office (EPO), and this paper tries to quantify the influences of such policy changes on the private value of European patents. Based on the patent renewal records, I estimate the private value of patents in Germany, France, and the UK obtained through the EPO patenting route during the early 1980s, and compare the estimated value with the patent value in the same three countries before the establishment of the EPO, as estimated by Pakes [Pakes, Ariel, 1986. Patents as options: some estimates of the value of holding European Patent stocks. Econometrics, 54 (4), 755–784]. The average quality and the private value of the EPO patents are substantially higher than those obtained through the national route. The uniform examination and granting procedure at the EPO has effectively eliminated the inter-country differences in the patentability standards and the scope of patents and significantly decreased the differences in the patent value across these countries. I also find that the extension of the statutory limit to the maximal length of patent life and changes in the renewal fee schedule only had modest effects on the patent value, and that the learning process of the EPO patents are much longer than that of the national patents.
Generation of scalar-tensor gravity effects in equilibrium state boson stars

Boson stars in zero-, one- and two-node equilibrium states are modelled numerically within the framework of scalar-tensor gravity. The complex scalar field is taken to be both massive and self-interacting. Configurations are formed in the case of a linear gravitational scalar coupling (the Brans-Dicke case) and a quadratic coupling which has been used previously in a cosmological context. The coupling parameters and asymptotic value for the gravitational scalar field are chosen so that the known observational constraints on scalar-tensor gravity are satisfied. It is found that the constraints are so restrictive that the field equations of general relativity and scalar-tensor gravity yield virtually identical solutions. We then use catastrophe theory to determine the dynamically stable configurations. It is found that the maximum mass allowed for a stable state in scalar-tensor gravity in the present cosmological era is essentially unchanged from that of general relativity. We also construct boson star configurations appropriate to earlier cosmological eras and find that the maximum mass for stable states is smaller than that predicted by general relativity, and the more so for earlier eras. However, our results also show that if the cosmological era is early enough then only states with positive binding energy can be constructed.
State Item‐Veto Legal Issues in the 1990s

During the 1990s, legal issues arising from governors exercising their item-veto powers were prevalent. These issues arose despite the fact that in most instances, state constitutions grant these powers to governors. Also, legal issues were prevalent, even though these powers had been exercised for decades; one might have expected that most legal issues would have been resolved long before the 1990s. Topics in court included standing, advisory opinions, definitions of ’appropriation‘ and ’item,‘ reasons used by governors in exercising the veto power, post-adjournment vetoes, and labor relations in conjunction with item-vetoes that affect personnel. The item-veto cases need to be considered in the broader context of state government, which encompasses such topics as initiatives and referenda, biennial budgeting, school desegregation mandates by courts, and balanced budget requirements. No single topic dominated litigation in the 1990s, but instead a breadth of topics was evident.
Ion Accelerator Systems for High-Power 30-cm Thruster Operation

Two and three-grid accelerator systems for high power ion thruster operation were investigated. Two-grid translation tests show that over compensation of the 30 cm thruster SHAG grid set spacing the 30 cm thruster radial plasma density variation and by incorporating grid compensation only sufficient to maintain grid hole axial alignment, it is shown that beam current gains as large as 50% can be realized. Three-grid translation tests performed with a simulated 30 cm thruster discharge chamber show that substantial beamlet steering can be reliably affected by decelerator grid translation only, at net-to-total voltage ratios as low as 0.05.
A preliminary analysis of seismological techniques to study Eros and other asteroids

Abstract The NEAR Shoemaker mission to near-Earth asteroid 433 Eros provided a great deal of information about the asteroid. Still to be learned are the interior structure and material properties: the local density, strength, and cohesiveness within Eros. Seismology is a way to determine such information. This paper numerically explores performing a seismological experiment on Eros, using an explosive as a seismic source. Computations with the explosive source were performed in an Eulerian hydrocode (CTH) and then results of those computations were transferred to a Lagrangian wavecode (LS-DYNA) to calculate the subsequent seismic wave propagation in the body. To verify the technique, computations were first carried out for two cases where analytical results are known: a uniaxial-strain bar and a sphere. Computations were then performed for a three-dimensional solid model of Eros with surface shape based on NEAR data. Initial computations assumed Eros was isotropic and homogeneous in its material properties. Modal frequency computations for the isotropic, homogeneous Eros were then compared with a model of Eros that included an interior fracture plane. Differences in seismic traces and in modal frequencies show that seismology can differentiate the interior of Eros in particular and other asteroids in general.
Cool horizons lead to information loss

There are two evidences for information loss during black hole evaporation: (i) a pure state evolves to a mixed state and (ii) the map from the initial state to nal state is non-invertible. Any proposed resolution of the information paradox must address both these issues. The rewall argument focuses only on the rst and this leads to order one deviations from the Unruh vacuum for maximally entangled black holes. The nature of the argument does not extend to black holes in pure states. It was shown by Avery, Puhm and the author that requiring the initial state to nal state map to be invertible mandates structure at the horizon even for pure states. The proof works if black holes can be formed in generic states and in this paper we show that this is indeed the case. We also demonstrate how models proposed by Susskind, Papadodimas et al. and Maldacena et al. end up making the initial to nal state map non-invertible and thus make the horizon \cool" at the cost of unitarity.
Neutrino oscillations from discrete non-Abelian family symmetries.

The author discusses a SUSY-GUT model with a non-Abelian discrete family symmetry that explains the observed hierarchical pattern of quark and lepton masses. This SO(10) {times} {Delta}(75) model predicts modified quadratic seesaw neutrino masses and mixing angles which are interesting for three reasons: (1) they offer a solution to the solar neutrino problem, (2) the tau neutrino has the right mass for a cosmologically interesting hot dark matter candidate, and (3) they suggest a positive result for the {nu}{sub {mu}} {yields} {nu}{sub {tau}} oscillation searches by the CHORUS and NOMAD collaborations. However, the model shares some problems with many other predictive GUT models of quark and lepton masses. Well-known and once successful mass and angle relations, such as the SU(5) relation {lambda}{sub b}{sup GUT} = {lambda}{sub t}{sup GUT}, are found to be in conflict with the current experimental status. Attempts to correct these relations seem to lead to rather contrived models.
Studies of Pt-Sn/Al2O3 catalysts prepared by Pt and Sn coevaporation (solvated metal atom dispersion)

Metal atoms of Pt and Sn have been solvated at low temperatures, and these solvated metal atoms have been used for depositing Pt-Sn bimetallic particles on Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (full SMAD methods). Spectroscopic investigations with XPS, XRD, EXAFS, and Moessbauer have confirmed the presence of very small and/or amorphous Pt-Sn particles. Catalytic performance tests show that these particles are active for dehydrocyclization reactions, but depress unwanted hydrogenolysis reactions. These results, compared with results for conventionally prepared and half-SMAD methods (Sn{sup 0} on performed Pt particles), show that Sn{sup 0} within and on Pt particles has a significant effect on catalyst performance, and suggest that such performance can be predictably modified by using the correct preparation procedure (SMAD or conventional). The effect of tin is also perhaps now better understood due to these results.
The chemistry of the carbon-transition metal double and triple bond: annual survey covering the year 1997

Abstract This survey is intended to be a comprehensive coverage of articles which report on the synthesis, reactivity, or properties of compounds which feature a multiple bond between carbon and a transition metal. Reactions which employ metal carbene complexes as transient intermediates generated through well-established routes are not covered unless there is some effort to characterize the carbene complex intermediate. Only compounds which feature a multiple bond between one carbon atom and one transition metal are discussed in this survey, thus bridging carbene and carbyne complexes are not covered unless there is a multiple bond to one transition metal. The complexes of stable carbenes with transition metals have not been included; since the π -donation component of these complexes is minimal, there is no formal carbon–metal multiple bond (J.C. Green, R.G.; Scurr, P.R. Arnold, F.G.N., Cloke, J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. (1997) 1963; A.A. Danopoulos, D.M. Hankin, G. Wilkinson, S.M. Cafferkey, T.K.N. Sweet, M.B., Hursthouse, Polyhedron 16 (1997) 3879). This survey has been divided into two sections, metal carbene (or alkylidene) complexes and metal carbyne (or alkylidyne) complexes; the carbene complex section represents the vast majority of this article. The metal carbene section has been organized according to metal, starting from the left side of the Periodic Table. A special section focusing on alkene metathesis has been included prior to the discussion of carbene complexes of individual metals. The metal carbyne section has been organized according to reaction type.
Indium surfactant assisted growth of AlN/GaN heterostructures by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition

AlN/GaN single and multi-layer structures were grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. Step flow growth of AIN was achieved by addition of trimethylindium to the growth ambient, which enhanced the surface mobility of adsorbed Al-species. For AlN/GaN multi-layer structures, electron mobilities of 9900 cm 2 /Vs at a sheet carrier density of 1.2 x 10 13 cm -2 were measured at 77 K, which is significantly higher than the values observed for AlGaN/GaN heterostructures at comparable sheet carrier densities.
Microwave spectrum of the cis conformer of cyclopropanecarboxylic acid chloride

Abstract The microwave spectrum of cyclopropanecarboxylic acid chloride has been analyzed and the transitions arising from the cis conformer with a bisected conformation have been assigned. Both 35 Cl and 37 Cl species have been identified. From the planar moment a shortening of the ring C-C bond opposite the point of substitution has been observed.
Does context promote higher-level thinking in the beauty contest?

Some problems are more easily solved if context is provided. A stylized result from beauty contest experiments is that most choices are consistent with level-1 or level-2 thinking rather than the Nash equilibrium. The beauty contest experiment reported in this paper includes treatments in which context is added. In these treatments, participants are told choices represent the high temperature on a future date, and the winner is the participant whose choice is closest to 2/3 of the average of all choices. The context provided in this experiment hinders, rather than enhances, higher-level thinking.
Characterization of amorphous surface layers in Fe implanted with Ti and C

Abstract The amorphous layers produced when Ti alone or Ti and C are implanted into high purity Fe have been characterized by ion beam analyses and TEM. Ion channeling measurements on an Fe single crystal were used to monitor the amorphous layer thickness, while TEM was used to characterize the implanted alloy's microstructure. The C and Ti profiles were directly measured by 6 MeV He backscattering. The C profile analysis took advantage of a highly non-Rutherford (α, α) scattering cross-section at high energy. For implanted concentrations ≲ 20 at.% Ti, both Ti and C are required to produce the amorphous phase. Lower limits on the Ti and C concentrations needed for amorphization have been determined; e.g. with 20 at.% Ti, 4 ± 2 at.% C is required. Ion-implanted C was found to be as effective as C which is incorporated into the sample during Ti implantation in forming the amorphous phase. This result shows how C implantation can be used to form a thicker amorphous layer on Ti-implanted steels in order to extend reductions in friction and wear to more severe wear regimes.
Schools, Skills, and Synapses.

American society is polarizing. Proportionately more American youth are graduating from college than ever before. At the same time, American-born youth are graduating from high school at lower rates than 40 years ago. This paper reviews and interprets these trends. The origins of inequality are examined and policies to alleviate it are analyzed. Families play a powerful role in shaping adult outcomes. The accident of birth is a major source of inequality. Recent research by Cunha and Heckman (2007a, 2008b) shows that about half of the inequality in the present value of lifetime earnings is due to factors determined by age 18. Compared to 50 years ago, relatively more American children are being born into disadvantaged families where investments in children are smaller than in advantaged families. Policies that supplement the child rearing resources available to disadvantaged families reduce inequality and raise productivity.
Optics In Medical Ultrasonics

Optics has had a significant impact in the development and implementation of medical acoustical imaging. Principles of optical systems theory and optic instrumentation have played an important role in the conception, design, and development in new ultrasonics research tools for diagnostic imaging and tissue characterization; this is ex-emplified in the paper with a few acoustic imaging systems. A potential imaging system whose success relies on the interface between the optical subsystem and the acoustic subsystem is described. This system would have the advantage of operational flexibility and electronic simplicity. The present obstacles and possible solutions are discussed.
Phase transitions with semi-diffuse interfaces

In this paper we examine new ''phase-field'' models with semi-diffuse interfaces. These models have the property that the -1/+1 planar phase transitions take place over a finite interval. The models also support multiple interface solutions with interfaces centered at arbitrary points L{sub 1} < L{sub 2} < ... < L{sub N}. These solutions correspond to local minima of an entropy functional rather than saddle points and are dynamically stable. The classical models have no such exact solutions but they do support solutions with N equally spaced transition points where the order parameter transitions between valves p{sub min}(N) and p{sub max}(N) satisfying -1 < p{sub min}(N) < 0 < p{sub max} (N) < 1. These solutions of the classical model are saddle points of the entropy functional associated with those models and are not dynamically stable.
Masses, Radii, and Cloud Properties of the HR 8799 Planets

The near-infrared colors of the planets directly imaged around the A star HR 8799 are much redder than most field brown dwarfs of the same effective temperature. Previous theoretical studies of these objects have compared the photometric and limited spectral data of the planets to the predictions of various atmosphere and evolution models and concluded that the atmospheres of planets b, c, and d are unusually cloudy or have unusual cloud properties. Most studies have also found that the inferred radii of some or all of the planets disagree with expectations of standard giant planet evolution models. Here we compare the available data to the predictions of our own set of atmospheric and evolution models that have been extensively tested against field L and T dwarfs, including the reddest L dwarfs. Unlike almost all previous studies we specify mutually self-consistent choices for effective temperature, gravity, cloud properties, and planetary radius. This procedure yields plausible and self-consistent values for the masses, effective temperatures, and cloud properties of all three planets. We find that the cloud properties of the HR 8799 planets are in fact not unusual but rather follow previously recognized trends including a gravity dependence on the temperature of the L to T spectral transition, some reasons for which we discuss. We find that the inferred mass of planet b is highly sensitive to the H and K band spectrum. Solutions for planets c and particularly d are less certain but are consistent with the generally accepted constraints on the age of the primary star and orbital dynamics. We also confirm that as for L and T dwarfs and solar system giant planets, non-equilibrium chemistry driven by atmospheric mixing is also important for these objects. Given the preponderance of data suggesting that the L to T spectral type transition is gravity dependent, we present a new evolution calculation that predicts cooling tracks on the near-infrared color-magnitude diagram. Finally we argue that the range of uncertainty conventionally quoted for the bolometric luminosity of all three planets is too small.
Syntax-Directed Transduction

A transduction is a mapping from one set of sequences to another. A syntax-directed transduction is a particular type of transduction which is defined on the grammar of a context-free language and which is meant to be a model of part of the translation process used in many compilers. The transduction is considered from an automata theory viewpoint as specifying the input-output relation of a machine. Special consideration is given to machines called translators which both transduce and recognize. In particular, some special conditions are investigated under which syntax-directed translations can be performed on (deterministic) pushdown machines. In addition, some time bounds for translations on Turing machines are derived.
COMPLEX MONGE-AMPÈRE OF A MAXIMUM

We derive a formula for (dd c u) n where u = max j uj is a finite maximum. As an application, we compute the complex equilibrium measures of some generalized polyhedra.
On the connected components of a random permutation graph with a given number of edges

A permutation @s of [n] induces a graph G"@s on [n] - its edges are inversion pairs in @s. The graph G"@s is connected if and only if @s is indecomposable. Let @s(n,m) denote a permutation chosen uniformly at random among all permutations of [n] with m inversions. Let p(n,m) be the common value for the probabilities P(@s(n,m) is indecomposable) and P(G"@s"("n","m") is connected). We prove that p(n,m) is non-decreasing with m by constructing a Markov process {@s(n,m)} in which @s(n,m+1) is obtained by increasing one of the components of the inversion sequence of @s(n,m) by one. We show that, with probability approaching 1, G"@s"("n","m") becomes connected for m asymptotic to m"n=(6/@p^2)nlogn. We also find the asymptotic sizes of the largest and smallest components when the number of edges is moderately below the threshold m"n.
Near-Infrared Spectral Classification of Late M and L Dwarfs

We present near-infrared (1–2.5 μm), low-resolution spectroscopy of 11 ultracool dwarfs, with spectral types ranging from M7 to L8. Combining our observations with data published by Leggett et al. in 2001, we have measured equivalent widths for the strongest atomic features and constructed narrowband indices to gauge the strength of the strongest molecular features. Those measurements show that the behavior at near-infrared wavelengths is well correlated with spectral type, where the latter is defined from observations between 6300 and 10000 A. In particular, four indices designed to measure absorption in the wings of the 1.4 and 1.85 μm steam bands exhibit a linear, monotonic correlation with spectral type on the Kirkpatrick et al. system (published in 1999), allowing consistent calibration from both optical and near-infrared spectroscopy.
Off-Design Performance of Various Gas-Turbine Cycle and Shaft Configurations

The design-point performance of various gas turbine cycles such as simple, regenerative and intercooled-regenerative, is well understood. It is also understood that more elaborate shaft arrangements such as one, two, or three concentric or nonconcentric shafts, and a separate power turbine shaft, provide better starting and operational flexibility, and wider plateaus of high off-design performance. However, the types of different off-design performance one can obtain with these different shaft arrangements has not been previously reported. In this paper the authors use a computer program to investigate the design-point and off-design-point performance of engines with the following: one single shaft joining the compressor, turbine and load; one shaft joining compressor and turbine, and one shaft for the power turbine; two shafts for compressor and turbine, and one shaft for the power turbine; and three shafts joining the compressor and turbine, and one shaft for the power turbine. This is done by specifying typical compressor and turbine maps, and computing various aspects of off-design performance. The advantages and disadvantages of the various arrangements are investigated and discussed.
Kinetics of the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with 2-(dimethylamino) ethanol from 234-364 K

The temperature dependence of the rate of the reaction of OH with 2-(dimethylamino)-ethanol, (CH3)2NCH2CH2OH (DMAE) was investigated over the temperature range, 234 to 364 K. The reaction was studied using the flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence technique. The room temperature rate constant determined for this reaction was (10.3 ± 2.0) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, with essentially no temperature dependence evident within the uncertainty in the experiments. A value of (9.0 ± 2.0) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 is believed to best describe the reaction over the entire temperature range. The room temperature rate constant is about twice the value reported previously for this reaction. The overall reaction of OH with DMAE was apportioned to the reactivity of OH for abstracting individual H- atoms from different types of CH bonds and the OH bond within the molecule. This technique predicts the overall rate constant for the OH-DMAE reaction to within about 15% of the experimental value and makes it possible to estimate the yields of the initial radical products of the OH attack on DMAE. A mechanism is proposed for the subsequent atmospheric reactions that would occur in the photooxidation of DMAE.
Calcium antagonizes 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibition of breast cancer cell proliferation.

The hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] inhibited proliferation of two breast cancer cell lines (HT-39 and MCF-7) in a dose-dependent manner. We showed that 10 nM 1,25-(OH)2D3 inhibited HT-39 cell growth by 26.3 +/- 3.2% and MCF-7 proliferation by 19.5 +/- 8.6% (mean +/- SE). When both cell lines were cultured in the presence of medium containing varying concentrations of calcium, analysis of cell growth revealed that lowering the medium Ca2+ concentration from 1.3 to 0.1 mM inhibited cell proliferation of HT-39 cells by 20.0 +/- 2.3% and that of MCF-7 cells by 13.4 +/- 3.4% (mean +/- SE). Raising medium Ca2+ from 1.3 to 2.6 mM stimulated cell proliferation of HT-39 cultures by 51.8 +/- 2.3% and that of MCF-7 cells by 13.3 +/- 3.3% (mean +/- SE). When HT-39 cells were grown in medium containing different calcium levels and dosed with 10 nM 1,25-(OH)2D3, we found that the inhibitory action of 1,25-(OH)2D3 was modified. HT-39 cells in medium containing 0.1 mM calcium were more potently inhibited by 10 nM 1,25-(OH)2D3 (increased by 74% relative to that in cells in 1.3 mM calcium). Moreover, the inhibitory action of 1,25-(OH)2D3 (10 nM) on HT-39 cells grown in 2.6 mM calcium media was decreased by 68% relative to that in cells in 1.3 mM extracellular calcium. The phorbol ester 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) stimulated HT-39 proliferation by 30.1 +/- 4.1%. Cells treated with PDB showed increased cell mitotic index, but unlike extracellular calcium, PDB had no effect on the dose response of 1,25-(OH)2D3 to inhibit HT-39 cell growth. We show that 1,25-(OH)2D3 action on malignant cell proliferation is dependent on the extracellular calcium concentration. The data suggest that the effect of calcium to antagonize 1,25-(OH)2D3 on HT-39 cells is not shared by all agents (e.g. PDB) that increase HT-39 cell proliferation.
Self-consistent gravitational chaos

: The motion of stars in the gravitational potential of a triaxial galaxy is generically chaotic. However, the timescale over which the chaos manifests itself in the orbital motion is a strong function of the degree of central concentration of the galaxy. Here, chaotic diffusion rates are presented for orbits in triaxial models with a range of central density slopes and nuclear black-hole masses. Typical diffusion times are found to be less than a galaxy lifetime in triaxial models where the density increases more rapidly than ∼r−1 at the center, or which contain black holes with masses that exceed ∼0.1% of the galaxy mass. When the mass of a central black hole exceeds roughly 0.02 Mgal, there is a transition to global stochasticity and the galaxy evolves to an axisymmetric shape in little more than a crossing time. This rapid evolution may provide a negative feedback mechanism that limits the mass of nuclear black holes to a few percent of the stellar mass of a galaxy.
Compositions of Consistent Systems of Rank One Discrete Valuation Rings

Let V be a rank one discrete valuation ring (DVR) on a field F, and let L/F be a finite separable algebraic field extension with [L: F] = m. The integral closure of V in L is a Dedekind domain that encodes the following invariants: (i) the number s of extensions of V to a valuation ring W i on L, (ii) the residue degree f i of W i over V, and (iii) the ramification degree e i of W i over V. These invariants are related by the classical formula . Given a finite set V of DVRs on the field F, an m-consistent system for V is a family of sets enumerating what is theoretically possible for the above invariants of each V ∈ V. The m-consistent system is said to be realizable for V if there exists a finite separable extension field L/F that gives for each V ∈ V the listed invariants. We investigate the realizability of m-consistent systems for V for various positive integers m. Our general technique is to “compose” several realizable consistent systems to obtain new consistent systems that are realizable for V. We...
Inhibition of LFA-1/ICAM-1 and VLA-4/VCAM-1 as a therapeutic approach to inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

This review focuses on providing insights into the structural basis and clinical relevance of LFA-1 and VLA-4 inhibition by peptides and small molecules as adhesion-based therapeutic strategies for inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Interactions of cell adhesion molecules (CAM) play central roles in mediating immune and inflammatory responses. Leukocyte function-associated antigen (LFA-1, alpha(L)beta(2), and CD11a/CD18) and very late antigen (VLA-4, alpha(4)beta(1), and CD49d/CD29) are members of integrin-type CAM that are predominantly involved in leukocyte trafficking and extravasation. LFA-1 is exclusively expressed on leukocytes and interacts with its ligands ICAM-1, -2, and -3 to promote a variety of homotypic and heterotypic cell adhesion events required for normal and pathologic functions of the immune systems. VLA-4 is expressed mainly on lymphocyte, monocytes, and eosinophils, but is not found on neutrophils. VLA-4 interacts with its ligands VCAM-1 and fibronectin (FN) CS1 during chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, psoriasis, transplant-rejection, and allergy. Blockade of LFA-1 and VLA-4 interactions with their ligands is a potential target for immunosuppression. LFA-1 and VLA-4 antagonists (antibodies, peptides, and small molecules) are being developed for controlling inflammation and autoimmune diseases. The therapeutic intervention of mostly mAb-based has been extensively studied. However, due to the challenging relative efficacy/safety ratio of mAb-based therapy application, especially in terms of systemic administration and immunogenic potential, strategic alternatives in the forms of peptide, peptide mimetic inhibitors, and small molecule non-peptide antagonists are being sought. Linear and cyclic peptides derived from the sequences of LFA-1, ICAM-1, ICAM-2, VCAM-1, and FN C1 have been shown to have inhibitory effects in vitro and in vivo. Finally, understanding the mechanism of LFA-1 and VLA-4 binding to their ligands has become a fundamental basis in developing therapeutic agents for inflammation and autoimmune diseases.
Exploiting the Pd- and Ru-Catalyzed Cycloisomerizations: Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (+)-Allocyathin B2

Pd- and Ru-catalyzed cycloisomerizations of 1,6-enynes are compared and contrasted. Such considerations led to the enantioselective synthesis of a cyathin terpenoid, (+)-allocyathin B2 (1). The synthesis features a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA) to install the initial quaternary center, a Ru-catalyzed diastereoselective cycloisomerization to construct the six-membered ring, and a diastereoselective hydroxylative Knoevenagel reaction to introduce the final hydroxyl group. We demonstrate for the first time a mechanism-based stereochemical divergence in Pd- and Ru-catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions as well as in creation of alkene geometry with alkynes bearing a carboalkoxy group. Mechanistic rationalization is proposed for these observations.
The Santa Fe Light Cone Simulation Project. II. The Prospects for Direct Detection of the Whim with SZE Surveys

Detection of the Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium (WHIM) using Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect (SZE) surveys is an intriguing possibility, and one that may allow observers to quantify the amount of “missing baryons” in the WHIM phase. We estimate the necessary sensitivity for detecting low density WHIM gas with the South Pole Telescope (SPT) and Planck Surveyor for a synthetic 100 square degree sky survey. This survey is generated from a very large, high dynamic range adaptive mesh refinement cosmological simulation performed with the Enzo code. We find that for a modest increase in the SPT survey sensitivity (a factor of 2-4), the WHIM gas makes a detectable contribution to the integrated sky signal. For a Planck-like satellite, similar detections are possible with a more significant increase in sensitivity (a factor of 8-10). We point out that for the WHIM gas, the kinematic SZE signal can sometimes dominate the thermal SZE where the thermal SZE decrement is maximal (150 GHz), and that using the combination of the two increases the chance of WHIM detection using SZE surveys. However, we find no evidence of unique features in the thermal SZE angular power spectrum that may aid in its detection. Interestingly, there are differences in the power spectrum of the kinematic SZE, which may not allow us to detect the WHIM directly, but could be an important contaminant in cosmological analyses of the kSZE-derived velocity field. Corrections derived from numerical simulations may be necessary to account for this contamination. Subject headings: cosmology: theory–galaxies:clusters:general–cosmology:observations– hydrodynamics–methods:numerical–cosmology:cosmic microwave background
Minimum-time turns using vectored thrust

Abstract : The objective of this thesis is to determine the optimal controls and trajectories which minimize the time to turn for a high performance aircraft with thrust vectoring capability. All determinations are subject to practical physical constraints. The determined controls and trajectories are then compared against other methods of turning in minimum time to conclude the effects and advantages of thrust vectoring. The results indicate that the use of vectored thrust can substantially reduce turning times and increase in-flight maneuverability. The greater the velocity at which the turn is initiated, the more the range of thrust vectoring capability is used and the greater the reduction in turning time. Originator-supplied keywords include: Optimization; Thrust vectoring; Vectored thrust; Minimum time turns; Steepest-ascent method; and Optimal controls.
Preparation and Reactions of Functionalized Benzylic Organometallics of Zinc And Copper

The reaction of zinc dust with primary or secondary benzylic halides 1 bearing various functional groups such as an ester, halide, cyano, or even a ketone group, in THF or, in the case of benzylic chlorides, in THF:DMSO (4:1), furnishes the corresponding zinc organometallics 2 in high yields. The reaction is accompanied by less than 10% of Wurtz coupling products. The benzylic copper organometallics 3, obtained after a transmetalation of 2 with the THF-soluble copper salt CuCN•2LiCl at −20 o C, react in excellent yields (70-95%) with various electrophiles such as acid chlorides, enones, aldehydes, allylic bromides, ethyl propiolate, and tributyltin chloride
Import Competition and Quality Upgrading

Abstract The production of high-quality goods is often viewed as a precondition for export success and economic development. We provide the first evidence that countries' import tariffs affect the rate at which they upgrade product quality. Our analysis uses highly disaggregated data covering exports from 56 countries across 10,000 products to the United States using a novel approach to measure quality. As predicted by distance-to-the-frontier models, we find that lower tariffs are associated with quality upgrading for products close to the world quality frontier, whereas lower tariffs discourage quality upgrading for products distant from the frontier.
Semi-matchings for bipartite graphs and load balancing

We consider the problem of fairly matching the left-hand vertices of a bipartite graph to the right-hand vertices. We refer to this problem as the optimal semi-matching problem; it is a relaxation of the known bipartite matching problem. We present a way to evaluate the quality of a given semi-matching and show that, under this measure, an optimal semi-matching balances the load on the right-hand vertices with respect to any Lp-norm. In particular, when modeling a job assignment system, an optimal semi-matching achieves the minimal makespan and the minimal flow time for the system.The problem of finding optimal semi-matchings is a special case of certain scheduling problems for which known solutions exist. However, these known solutions are based on general network optimization algorithms, and are not the most efficient way to solve the optimal semi-matching problem. To compute optimal semi-matchings efficiently, we present and analyze two new algorithms. The first algorithm generalizes the Hungarian method for computing maximum bipartite matchings, while the second, more efficient algorithm is based on a new notion of cost-reducing paths. Our experimental results demonstrate that the second algorithm is vastly superior to using known network optimization algorithms to solve the optimal semi-matching problem. Furthermore, this same algorithm can also be used to find maximum bipartite matchings and is shown to be roughly as efficient as the best known algorithms for this goal.
Energy of Force-free Magnetic Fields in Relation to Coronal Mass Ejections

In typical observations of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), a magnetic structure of a helmet-shaped closed configuration bulges out and eventually opens up. However, a spontaneous transition between these field configurations has been regarded to be energetically impossible in force-free fields according to the Aly-Sturrock theorem. The theorem states that the maximum energy state of force-free fields with a given boundary normal field distribution is the open field. The theorem implicitly assumes the existence of the maximum energy state, which may not be taken for granted. In this study, we have constructed force-free fields containing tangential discontinuities in multiple flux systems. These force-free fields can be generated from a potential field by footpoint motions that do not conserve the boundary normal field distribution. Some of these force-free fields are found to have more magnetic energy than the corresponding open fields. The constructed force-free configurations are compared with observational features of CME-bearing active regions. Possible mechanisms of CMEs are also discussed.
Solitons on intersecting 3-branes

We consider a system consisting of a pair of D3 branes intersecting each other along a line such that half of the 16 supersymmetries are preserved. We then study the existence of magnetic monopole solutions corresponding to a D1-brane suspended between these D3 branes. We consider this problem in the zero slope limit where the tilt of the D3-branes is encoded in the uniform gradient of the adjoint scalar field. Such a system is closely related to the non-abelian flux background considered originally by van Baal. We provide three arguments supporting the existence of a single magnetic monopole solution. We also comment on the relation between our construction and a recent work by Mintun, Polchinski, and Sun.
A pilot study of eptifibatide for treatment of acute pain episodes in sickle cell disease

Abstract Introduction The contribution of platelet activation to the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease (SCD) remains uncertain. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of eptifibatide, a synthetic peptide inhibitor of the αIIbβ3 receptor, in SCD patients during acute painful episodes. Materials and Methods In this single site, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, eligible patients with SCD admitted for acute painful episodes were randomized to receive eptifibatide or placebo at a ratio of 2:1. Results Thirteen patients (SS - 10, Sβ0 - 2, SC - 1) were randomized to receive either eptifibatide (N = 9; 6 females; median age - 25 years) or placebo (N = 4; 3 females; median age - 31 years). In the intent-to-treat analysis, there were no major bleeding episodes in either the eptifibatide or placebo arms (point estimate of difference: 0.00, 95% CI; -0.604, 0.372). There was one minor bleeding episode in the eptifibatide arm (point estimate of difference for any bleeding: 0.11, 95% CI: -0.502, 0.494). There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients with thrombocytopenia between the treatment groups (point estimate of difference: 0.11, 95% CI: -0.587, 0.495). There were no differences in the median times to discharge, median times to crisis resolution or the median total opioid use. Conclusions In this small study, eptifibatide appeared to be safe, but did not improve the times to crisis resolution or hospital discharge. Adequately powered studies are required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of eptifibatide in SCD. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00834899.
White-light Fourier holography

Abstract This paper describes a technique for generating broad spectral band Fourier holograms with an encoded white light source. Since this technique utilizes primary white-light construction and reconstruction process, it is quite suitable for color Fourier hologram image reconstruction. Experimental results are also given.
Cytotoxicity of tantalum(V) and niobium(V) small carborane complexes and mode of action in P388 lymphocytic leukemia cells

The metallacarboranes (Et 2 C 2 B 4 H 4 )-TaCl 2 (C 5 H 5 ) (1), (Et 2 C 2 B 4 H 4 )NbCl 2 (C 5 H 5 ) (2), (Et 2 C 2 B 4 H 4 )TaCl 2 (C 5 Me 5 ) (3), [(Me 3 Si) 2 C 2 B 4 H 4 ]TaCl 2 (C 5 H 5 ) (4) and (Me 2 C 2 B 4 H 4 )-TaCl 2 (C 5 H 5 ) (5) are potent cytotoxic agents against suspended tumors, producing cell death in several tissue culture lines; for example, all were effective against murine L1210 lymphoid leukemia, and all except 5 against murine P388 lymphocytic growth. Human leukemic growth is also retarded since 1-4 were effective against Tmolt 3 cell leukemia, all except 4 against Tmolt 4 leukemia, and 1, 2, and 5 against HI-60 leukemia. Cytotoxicity was found towards HuT-8 lymphoma, THP-1 acute monocytic leukemia and suspended HeLa-S 3 uterine carcinoma. Some but not all of the complexes were active against Sk-2 melanoma and Mcf-7 breast effusion growth. Mode-of-action studies in P388 lymphocytic leukemia cells showed that de novo purine synthesis was inhibited; this inhibition reduces DNA and RNA syntheses. Purine synthesis was reduced by compounds 3 and 4 at the regulatory enzymes, i.e. phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP) amidotransferase and dihydrofolate reductase. The agents lowered d[ATP] and d[CTP] pools, further reducing DNA synthesis. The complexes afforded DNA fragmentation leading to apoptosis, but this was not by a mechanism of nucleoside alkylation, intercalation between base-pairs or cross-linking of the DNA strands.
Coaching for the SAT: A Summary of the Summaries and an Update

Why is it important to investigate the effectiveness of coaching for a test such as the SAT? How can you evaluate the effectiveness of coaching? What are some common misconceptions? What do we know and what is still unclear about the effects of coaching? What can we tell students and their families about the results of coaching studies ?
Determination of storage required to meet reliability guarantees on island-capable microgrids with intermittent sources

It is well known that the presence of energy storage ameliorates the reliability challenges posed by intermittent sources. However, a quantitative assessment of the exact amount of storage required to meet a reliability target or guarantee in the presence of intermittent sources is not trivial. This paper describes a practical approach to achieving this. First, an analytical approach is developed for determining the amount of storage required to meet a reliability target at a specific load point. Then the method is extended to a more complex island-capable microgrid system where initial reliability assessment and final verification of reliability guarantee are performed using sequential Monte Carlo simulation. The necessary component and system models are developed and described, and a mock military base is used to demonstrate the method. The work reported was performed under a contract from Sandia National Laboratory to determine storage need in order to provide reliability guarantee on an island-capable military microgrid, but the approach applies as well to civilian systems, both islanded and grid-connected. A method for determining an optimal storage mix is also developed.
Tannakian Approach to Linear Differential Algebraic Groups

Tannaka’s theorem states that a linear algebraic group G is determined by the category of finite-dimensional G-modules and the forgetful functor. We extend this result to linear differential algebraic groups by introducing a category corresponding to their representations and show how this category determines such a group.