cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal Allocation of Replicas to Processors in Parallel Tempering Simulations

The optimal allocation of replicas to a homogeneous or heterogeneous set of processors is derived for parallel tempering simulations on multiprocessor machines. In the general case, it is possible without substantially increasing wall clock time to achieve nearly perfect utilization of CPU time. Random fluctuations in the execution time of each replica do not significantly degrade the performance of the scheduler.
Calculation of the electron two-slit experiment using a quantum mechanical variational principle

A nonlocal relativistic variational principle (VP) has recently been proposed as an alternative to the Dirac wave equation of standard quantum mechanics. We apply that principle to the electron two-slit experiment. The detection system is modeled as a screen made of atoms, any one of which can be excited by the incident electron, but we avoid restricting the detection mechanism further. The VP is shown to predict that, at the time the electron reaches the screen, its wavefunction will be localized to the neighborhood of a single atom, resulting in a position-type measurement. In an ensemble of such experiments (?identically prepared? except that the initial phase of the wavefunction?the hidden variable in the VP formulation?is sampled over the expected uniform distribution), the distribution of measured positions will reproduce the interference pattern predicted by the Dirac equation. We also demonstrate that with a detection system designed fundamentally to detect the electron's transverse wavelength rather than its position, the VP predicts that one such mode will be detected, that is, a wavelength measurement will result. Finally, it is shown that these results are unchanged in the ?delayed choice? variant of the experiment.
Earth based observations of the STS-11 space shuttle mission on orbit and during reentry

Abstract While much of what is known about the performance of spacecraft in flight is learned by monitoring telemetry data streams, this paper describes some unique observations made with ground-based astronomical equipment, done in conjunction with the tenth flight of the U.S. Space Shuttle. The study had two main objectives: to test the ability of low-cost, low-light-level television equipment to monitor satellites in orbit, and to attempt visual and photographic observation of the reentry characteristics of a Space Shuttle Orbiter. Both efforts met with considerable success and are described herein.
A CHIRAL SUPERSYMMETRIC STANDARD MODEL

Abstract We propose a supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model with an extra U (1) gauge symmetry, so that all supersymmetric mass terms, including the μ -term, are forbidden by the gauge symmetries. Supersymmetry is broken dynamically which results in U (1) breaking and generation of realistic μ term and soft breaking masses. The additional fields required to cancel the U (1) anomalies are identified with the messengers of supersymmetry breaking. The gaugino masses arise as in the usual gauge mediated scenario, while squarks and sleptons receive their masses from both the U (1) D -term and the two-loop gauge mediation contributions. The scale of supersymmetry breaking in this model can be below 10 6 GeV, yielding collider signatures with decays to goldstinos inside the detector.
Tight approximability results for test set problems in bioinformatics

In this paper, we investigate the test set problem and its variations that appear in a variety of applications. In general, we are given a universe of objects to be ''distinguished'' by a family of ''tests'', and we want to find the smallest sufficient collection of tests. In the simplest version, a test is a subset of the universe and two objects are distinguished by our collection if one test contains exactly one of them. Variations allow tests to be multi-valued functions or unions of ''basic'' tests, and different notions of the term distinguished. An important version of this problem that has applications in DNA sequence analysis has the universe consisting of strings over a small alphabet and tests that are detecting presence (or absence) of a substring. For most versions of the problem, including the latter, we establish matching lower and upper bounds on approximation ratio. When tests can be formed as unions of basic tests, we show that the problem is as hard as the graph coloring problem. We conclude by reporting preliminary computational results on the implementations of our algorithmic approaches for the minimum cost probe set problems on a data set used by Borneman et al.
Knowledge Life Cycle, Knowledge Inventory, and Knowledge Acquisition Strategies*

For a knowledge- and skill-centric organization, the process of knowledge management encompasses three important and closely related elements: (i) task assignments, (ii) knowledge acquisition through training, and (iii) maintaining a proper level of knowledge inventory among the existing workforce. Trade-off on choices between profit maximization in the short run and agility and flexibility in the long term is a vexing problem in knowledge management. In this study, we examine the effects of different training strategies on short-term operational efficiency and long-term workforce flexibility. We address our research objective by developing a computational model for task and training assignment in a dynamic knowledge environment consisting of multiple distinct knowledge dimensions. Overall, we find that organizational slack is an important variable in determining the effectiveness of training strategies. Training strategies focused on the most recent skills are found to be the preferred option in most of the considered scenarios. Interestingly, increased efficiencies in training can actually create preference conflict between employees and the firm. Our findings indicate that firms facing longer knowledge life cycles, higher slack in workforce capacity, and better training efficiencies actually face more difficult challenges in knowledge management.
Laser Spectroscopy of GdO: Ligand Field Assignments of 4f7(8S)6p ← 4f7(8S)6s Transitions

Abstract Wavelength-resolved fluorescence excitation techniques have been used to record three electronic transitions of GdO at a resolution of 0.03 cm −1 . Previous analyses of two bands (Yu.N. Dmitriev et al. , Acta Phys. Hung. 55 , 467-479 (1984) and P. Carette et al. , J. Mol. Spectrosc. 124 , 243-271 (1987)) have been extended with some corrections to the assignments of low- J lines. Improved molecular constants were obtained for the X 9 Σ − and a 7 Σ − states that correlate with Gd 2+ (4 f 7 ( 8 S )6 s )O 2− . A large difference between the spin-orbit coupling constants for X 9 Σ − (λ = −0.10353 cm −1 ) and a 7 Σ − (λ = −0.64712 cm −1 ) was noted. This difference was ascribed to the fact that the X state is almost pure f 7 ( 8 S ), whereas the a state has partial f 7 ( 6 P ) character. Analysis of the a state required off-diagonal matrix elements of the spin-orbit interaction, evaluated using sixth-order degenerate perturbation theory, for treatment of nonrotating molecular spin-orbit intervals. In principle, these elements are needed to describe Σ states of septet and higher multiplicity. Energy intervals reflecting the structure Gd 2+ (4 f 7 ( 8 S )6 p )O 2− were recognized among the excited states of GdO. Overall, the results were consistent with ligand field theory models for the excited states of lanthanide oxide ( Ln O) molecules.
Integration of bottom-up and top-down contextual knowledge in text error correction

This paper presents an efficient method for the integration of two forms of contextual knowledge into the correction of character substitution errors in words of text: bottom-up knowledge in the form of character transitional probabilities and top-down knowledge in the form of a dictionary. The method is a modification of the Viterbi algorithm---which maximizes string a posteriori probability by using character confusion and transitional probabilities---so that only legal strings are output. The algorithm achieves its efficiency by using a trie structure representation of a dictionary in the search process. An analysis of the computational complexity and the results of experimentation with the approach are presented.
Confirmation of hot jupiter Kepler-41B via phase curve analysis

We present high precision photometry of Kepler-41, a giant planet in a 1.86 day orbit around a G6V star that was recently confirmed through radial velocity measurements. We have developed a new method to confirm giant planets solely from the photometric light curve, and we apply this method herein to Kepler-41 to establish the validity of this technique. We generate a full phase photometric model by including the primary and secondary transits, ellipsoidal variations, Doppler beaming, and reflected/emitted light from the planet. Third light contamination scenarios that can mimic a planetary transit signal are simulated by injecting a full range of dilution values into the model, and we re-fit each diluted light curve model to the light curve. The resulting constraints on the maximum occultation depth and stellar density combined with stellar evolution models rules out stellar blends and provides a measurement of the planet's mass, size, and temperature. We expect about two dozen Kepler giant planets can be confirmed via this method.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: PERFORMANCE, LIFE-CYCLE COSTS, EMISSIONS, AND RECHARGING REQUIREMENTS

Electric vehicles (EV) are periodically promoted as quiet, pollution-free alternatives gasoline vehicles. They have failed each time because of inferior performance and high costs. In this paper, we conduct an updated and detailed evaluation of the performance, costs, environmental impacts, and recharging requirements of electric vehicles. We find that considerable progress has been made in EV battery and powertrain technology since the last surge of interest in EVs in the 1970s. If the development of high-performance batteries continues as expected, advanced electric vehicles could have an urban range of over 150 miles and acceleration comparable to that provided by internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). And if optimistic battery cost, life, and performance goals are achieved, massproduced EVs will have lower life-cycle costs than comparable conventional gasoline vehicles. EVs will reduce emissions per mile of HC, CO. and NO,, compared to stringently controlled ICEVs. By the turn of the century, electric passenger vehicles could be viable as second cars in multicar households and in other limited markets. If an economical form of fast recharging is developed, the potential role of EVs will be much larger. No longer does successful commercialization depend on technical breakthroughs
Topographic comparisons of uplift features on Venus and Earth: Implications for Venus tectonics

Abstract Venus and Earth display different hypsography. We use topographic profiles to search for well-understood terrestrial analogs to venusian features. Specifically, by using cross-correlation, we correlate average profiles for terrestrial rifts (slow and fast, “ultra-slow,” incipient and inactive) and also hotspots (oceanic and continental) with those for venusian chasmata and regiones, to draw inferences as to the processes responsible for shaping Venus’ surface. Correlations tend to improve with faster spreading rates; Venus’ correlations rank considerably lower than terrestrial ones, suggesting that if chasmata are analogous to terrestrial spreading centers, then spreading on Venus barely attains ultra-slow rates. Individual features’ normalized average profiles are correlated with profiles of other such features to establish the degree of similarity, which in turn allows for the construction of a covariance matrix. Principal component analysis of this covariance matrix shows that Yellowstone more strongly resembles Atla, Beta and W. Eistla regiones than it does the terrestrial oceanic hotspots, and that venusian chasmata, especially Ganis, most closely resemble the ultra-slow spreading Arctic ridge.
Device application of diamonds

Diamond is a high band gap (5.5 eV) semiconductor that has superior properties to many of the commonly used semiconductors. The high breakdown voltage (ten times that of Si), exceptionally high thermal conductivity (five times that of copper), and hole and electron mobilities near 2000 cm2 V−1 s−1 result in projections of higher operating frequencies and significantly higher output powers than those obtainable with devices made of Si or GaAs.
Responsive magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents as chemical sensors for metals in biology and medicine

This tutorial review highlights progress in the development of responsive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents for detecting and sensing biologically relevant metal ions. Molecular imaging with bioactivatable MRI indicators offers a potentially powerful methodology for studying the physiology and pathology of metals by capturing dynamic three-dimensional images of living systems for research and clinical applications. This emerging area at the interface of inorganic chemistry and the life sciences offers a broad palette of opportunities for researchers with interests ranging from coordination chemistry and spectroscopy to supramolecular chemistry and molecular recognition to metals in biology and medicine.
Conceptualizing couples' decision making in PGD: emerging cognitive, emotional, and moral dimensions.

Abstract Objective To illuminate and synthesize what is known about the underlying decision making processes surrounding couples’ preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) use or disuse and to formulate an initial conceptual framework that can guide future research and practice. Methods This systematic review targeted empirical studies published in English from 1990 to 2008 that examined the decision making process of couples or individual partners that had used, were eligible for, or had contemplated PGD. Sixteen studies met the eligibility requirements. To provide a more comprehensive review, empirical studies that examined healthcare professionals’ perceptions of couples’ decision making surrounding PGD use and key publications from a variety of disciplines supplemented the analysis. Results The conceptual framework formulated from the review demonstrates that couples’ PGD decision making is composed of three iterative and dynamic dimensions: cognitive appraisals, emotional responses, and moral judgments. Conclusion Couples think critically about uncertain and probabilistic information, grapple with conflicting emotions, and incorporate moral perspectives into their decision making about whether or not to use PGD. Practice implications The quality of care and decisional support for couples who are contemplating PGD use can be improved by incorporating focused questions and discussion from each of the dimensions into counseling sessions.
Development of electrochemical copper deposition screening methodologies for next generation additive selection

To reduce time-to-knowledge and costs associated with 300mm wafer processing a laboratory-scale copper electrochemical deposition (ECD) system was developed for screening new organic additives which promote bottom up fill in interconnect trenches and vias. This new setup enables working process conditions and functionality trends to be identified for experimental suppressors and levelers at leading edge feature sizes (sub 50nm). These results can then be transferred to the in-line copper plating tool for full wafer plating and further analytical testing. This paper presents results of a case study using both open source and proprietary chemistry, focusing on gap fill, throwing power, and mounding as performance metrics. Preliminary data on the transferability of process conditions to the full wafer tool are also presented.
A comment on brane bending and ghosts in theories with infinite extra dimensions

Abstract Theories with infinite volume extra dimensions open exciting opportunities for particle physics. We argued recently that along with attractive features there are phenomenological difficulties in this class of models. In fact, there is no graviton zero-mode in this case and 4D gravity is obtained by means of continuum bulk modes. These modes have additional degrees of freedom which do not decouple at low energies and lead to inconsistent predictions for light bending and the precession of Mercury's perihelion. In recent papers, [hep-th/0003020] and [hep-th/0003045], the authors made use of brane bending in order to cancel the unwanted physical polarization of gravitons. In this note we point out that this mechanism does not solve the problem since it uses a ghost which cancels the extra degrees of freedom. In order to have a consistent model the ghost should be eliminated. As soon as this is done, 4D gravity becomes unconventional and contradicts General Relativity. New mechanisms are needed to cure these models. We also comment on the possible decoupling of the ghost at large distances due to an apparent flat-5D nature of space-time and on the link between the presence of ghosts and the violation of positive-energy conditions.
A connectedness property of algebraic moment maps

Let K be a connected compact Lie group and M a Hamiltonian K-manifold, i.e., a symplectic K-manifold equipped with a moment map μ : M → k := (LieK). A theorem of Kirwan (implicitly in [Ki]) asserts: if M is connected and compact then the level sets of μ are connected. The purpose of this note is to prove such a statement in the category of algebraic varieties. First, we reformulate Kirwan’s theorem: consider the map ψ : M → k/K which is the composition of μ with the quotient map. For a point x ∈ k let H = Kx be its isotropy group and y = Kx ∈ k/K its orbit. Then the fiber ψ(y) is isomorphic to the fiber product K × μ(x). Thus, since both K/H and H are connected, the connectedness of the fibers of μ is equivalent to the connectedness of the fibers of ψ. This formulation is more suitable for the algebraic category. Let G be a connected reductive group (everything over C) and Z a Hamiltonian Gvariety with moment map μ : Z → g = (LieG). Let g//G := SpecC[g] be the categorical quotient and let ψ : Z → g//G be the composition of μ with the quotient map. Since the latter is not an orbit map the connection between fibers of μ and ψ is much more loose than in the differential category and we concentrate on ψ from now on. The morphism ψ is still not the right map, since sometimes not even its generic fibers are connected. An example is the action of G = SL2(C) on Z = C 2 ×(C) (this is the cotangent bundle of C). Then g//G = A and ψ(u, α) = α(u). In particular, the generic fiber of ψ has two connected components. This is remedied by looking at the map ψ(u, α) := α(u) instead. Then ψ is the composition of ψ with the finite map A → A : z 7→ z, the latter being responsible for the disconnected fibers. This construction can be generalized as follows: the morphism ψ induces an homomorphism of algebras
Lifted generalized permutahedra and composition polynomials

Generalized permutahedra are the polytopes obtained from the permutahedron by changing the edge lengths while preserving the edge directions, possibly identifying vertices along the way. We introduce a ''lifting'' construction for these polytopes, which turns an n-dimensional generalized permutahedron into an (n+1)-dimensional one. We prove that this construction gives rise to [email protected][email protected]?s multiplihedron from homotopy theory, and to the more general ''nestomultiplihedra'', answering two questions of Devadoss and Forcey. We construct a subdivision of any lifted generalized permutahedron whose pieces are indexed by compositions. The volume of each piece is given by a polynomial whose combinatorial properties we investigate. We show how this ''composition polynomial'' arises naturally in the polynomial interpolation of an exponential function. We prove that its coefficients are positive integers, and present evidence suggesting that they may also be unimodal.
A study of stereocontrol in spiroketalizations. The role of hydroxy-assisted chelation.

Abstract Conditions for kinetic and thermodynamic control in the formation of a series of diastereomeric 1,6-dioxaspiro[5.4]decanes are described. An adjacent hydroxyl substituent directs stereocontrol at the site of spiroketal formation via magnesium cation chelation.
The allocation of nutrient load reduction across a watershed: assessing delivery coefficients as an implementation tool.

Delivery coefficients have long been used in economic analysis of policies that seek to address environmental problems like water pollution. However, the derivation and validity of delivery coefficients have not been examined carefully by empirical analyses. We derived estimates of delivery coefficients and then evaluated them as a bridge between complex simulation models and economic policies like water quality trading. We found that the allocations achieved outcomes that differed from intended water quality targets by less than 10% in most cases. For the least-cost allocation with heterogeneous costs, cost savings significantly outweighed deviations from water quality targets.
SiO2-supported RuCl3/3-(dichloroiodo)benzoic acid: green catalytic system for the oxidation of alcohols and sulfides in water

A green, recyclable and efficient catalytic oxidative system based on SiO2-supported RuCl3 and 3-(dichloroiodo)benzoic acid for the oxidation of alcohols and sulfides in water is developed. This catalytic oxidative system effects clean and efficient oxidation of a wide range of alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones, or sulfides to sulfoxides in high conversions with excellent chemoselectivity, under mild conditions and with an easy-work-up procedure. Furthermore, the SiO2–RuCl3 catalyst can be recovered by simple filtration and recycled in up to six consecutive runs without significant loss of activity. The reduced form of 3-(dichloroiodo)benzoic acid, 3-iodobenzoic acid, can be easily separated from reaction mixtures and converted back to 3-(dichloroiodo)benzoic acid by treatment with bleach and aqueous HCl in about 90% overall yield.
Directional causality in the demand for electrical energy in the United States

Abstract The majority of the studies on the demand for electrical energy have been done with single-equation models. In this paper it is demonstrated that not only is the quantity of electrical energy demanded a function of price, but price is related causally to quantity in the residential sector. The significance of this is that it is not sufficient to estimate single-equation models. Since bidirectional causality cannot be statistically rejected, any estimation of the demand for electrical energy must be done in a system of simultaneous equations to avoid specification errors and the associated problems.
Using Transit Timing Observations to Search for Trojans of Transiting Extrasolar Planets

Theoretical studies predict that Trojans are likely a frequent by-product of planet formation and evolution. We examine the sensitivity of transit timing observations for detecting Trojan companions to transiting extrasolar planets. We demonstrate that this method offers the potential to detect terrestrial-mass Trojans using existing ground-based observatories. We compare the transit timing variation (TTV) method with other techniques for detecting extrasolar Trojans and outline the future prospects for this method.
Enhanced geometrical control in a Ru-catalyzed three component coupling

Exclusive Z-selectivity in the Ru-catalyzed bromoalkylation of alkynes with vinyl ketones is observed with aryl and other tertiary substituted acetylenic substrates, a feature that has led to an efficient synthesis of a COX-2 inhibitor. © 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. In previous papers, we reported the ruthenium-catalyzed haloalkylation of acetylenes could occur with either a cis 1 or trans 2 geometry to form Z-1 or E-1, respectively, as outlined in Scheme 1. 3 The competition of the conversion of 2 to 3 compared to the conversion of 4 to 5 determines the geometric selectivity. Our interest in employing the Z-bromoalkenes (Z-1, XBr) in a cyclopentenone synthesis 4 stimulated the need to enhance the Z-selectivity of the bromoalkylation process. Examination of 3 and 5 suggests that the steric interactions between
Wavelength dependence of IRAS asteroid diameters and albedos

The 1986 IRAS Asteroid and Comet Survey 'Final Data Product' compilation of albedos and diameters contains a systematic model diameter variation with wavelength for even the brightest asteroids; when averaged over the three bandpasses, this variation can lead to an overestimation of diameters of the order of 5-10 percent. No satisfactory determination has yet been made of the cause of wavelength dependence in the IRAS asteroid data; the present discussion aims only to call attention to this problem, so that data base users will take its limitations into account.
A Tool for Prioritizing DAGMan Jobs and its Evaluation

It is often difficult to perform efficiently a collection of jobs with complex job dependencies due to temporal unpredictability of the Grid. One way to mitigate the unpredictability is to schedule job execution in a manner that constantly maximizes the number of jobs that can be sent to workers. A recently developed scheduling theory provides a basis to meet that optimization goal. Intuitively, when the number of such jobs is always large, high parallelism can be maintained, even if the number of workers changes over time in an unpredictable manner. In this paper we present the design, implementation, and evaluation of a practical scheduling tool inspired by the theory. Given a DAGMan input file with interdependent jobs, the tool prioritizes the jobs. The resulting schedule significantly outperforms currently used schedules under a wide range of system parameters, as shown by simulation studies. For example, a scientific data analysis application, AIRSN, was executed at least 13% faster with 95% confidence. An implementation of the tool was integrated with the Condor high-throughput computing system.
Image statistics and surface perception

Images have characteristic statistics that can be characterized in terms of the responses of wavelet or Gabor-like filters. There has been a great deal of interest in the fact that images have sparse (kurtotic) statistics in the wavelet domain, with implications for efficient image encoding in biological and artificial systems. If we set aside the issue of efficiency, we are still left with the problem of seeing. We have been studying the ways in which filter statistics can reveal useful information about surfaces, including albedo, shading, and gloss. We find that odd order statistics such as skewness are quite useful in extracting information about reflectance and gloss, and we also find evidence that humans make use of this information. It is straightforward to compute skewness with physiological mechanisms.
Graph Matching with Anchor Nodes: A Learning Approach

In this paper, we consider the weighted graph matching problem with partially disclosed correspondences between a number of anchor nodes. Our construction exploits recently introduced node signatures based on graph Laplacians, namely the Laplacian family signature (LFS) on the nodes, and the pair wise heat kernel map on the edges. In this paper, without assuming an explicit form of parametric dependence nor a distance metric between node signatures, we formulate an optimization problem which incorporates the knowledge of anchor nodes. Solving this problem gives us an optimized proximity measure specific to the graphs under consideration. Using this as a first order compatibility term, we then set up an integer quadratic program (IQP) to solve for a near optimal graph matching. Our experiments demonstrate the superior performance of our approach on randomly generated graphs and on two widely-used image sequences, when compared with other existing signature and adjacency matrix based graph matching methods.
Adjustment Process of the Price to Book Ratio for Regulated Utilities

This study tests whether shifts in the price to book ratio (PB) of electric utilities follow a partial adjustment rather than the pure adjustment process implied by the cost-plus pricing policy of regulation. The results for utilities are compared to benchmark results for manufacturing firms to highlight the similarity/dissimilarity in the time-series behavior of PB for regulated and non-regulated firms. It is shown that shifts in PB follow a partial adjustment process. The adjustment period is longer for utilities than for manufacturing firms and extends well beyond the average regulatory lag. Moreover, shifts in PB are associated with changes in future profits and investments.
Arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with quadriceps tendon-patellar bone autograft

Surgical reconstruction of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is indicated in the PCL-deficient knee with symptomatic instability and multiple ligamentous injury. However, the choice of graft tissues continues to be controversial. We describe an arthroscopic PCL reconstruction technique using the quadriceps tendon-patellar bone autograft. From March through September 1996, this autograft was used in 12 patients with PCL injuries. After 1-1.5 years' follow-up, the clinical outcome has been encouraging. In addition, the quadriceps tendon-patellar autograft has the advantage of being self-available. Furthermore, the technique is easy to perform and has comparable anatomic and biomechanical qualities to other available techniques. Quadriceps tendon-patellar autograft is a reasonable alternative choice for PCL reconstruction.
Temperature dependence of diffuse field phase

Abstract Diffuse fields, which have scattered from microstructure or reflected from walls so much as to prohibit conventional analyses, are usually examined by means of the time evolution of their ultrasonic spectral energy density. The phase information is usually discarded as resisting analysis. The phase, while unpredictable is, however, robust; according to theory it remains constant if source and receiver are not disturbed. Nevertheless, in practice we do observe slow drifts of phase over time scales of minutes. Here we examine the hypothesis that the phase drifts are due to temperature fluctuations. Temperature changes on cooling from 40°C to room temperature were monitored and compared with changes in diffuse field phase. It was found that the reverberant ultrasonic field in a 7 cm aluminum block evolves with temperature in a manner that is in accord with published data on the temperature dependence of the ultrasonic velocities. Our 1 MHz transient source gives rise to a complex waveform that is observed to undergo an almost pure dilation. The precision with which this shift can be measured approaches 20 ns. This is remarkable when compared with the 100 ms travel time of the signal. Thus the temperature dependence of elastic wave speed is measured with a precision limited by the precision of one's thermometer. The signal is also found to suffer some distortion which, it is suggested, is related to the different rates of change of longitudinal and shear speeds. The corresponding prediction for the degree of distortion is found to be in accord with measurements.
Test ideals via a single alteration and discreteness and rationality of $F$-jumping numbers

Suppose (X,�) is a log-Q-Gorenstein pair. Recent work of M. Blickle and the first two authors gives a uniform description of the multiplier ideal J(X;�) (in characteristic zero) and the test ideal �(X;�) (in characteristic p > 0) via regular alterations. While in general the alteration required depends heavily on �, for a fixed Cartier divisor D on X it is straightforward to find a single alteration (e.g. a log resolution) computing J(X;� + �D) for all � � 0. In this paper, we show the analogous statement in positive characteristic: there exists a single regular alteration computing �(X;� + �D) for all � � 0. Along the way, we also prove the discreteness and rationality for the F-jumping numbers of �(X;� + �D) for � � 0 where the index of KX + � is arbitrary (and may be divisible by the characteristic).
News—Good or Bad—and Its Impact on Volatility Predictions over Multiple Horizons

We examine whether the sign and magnitude of intra-daily returns have impact on expected volatility the next day or over longer future horizons. We first let the ’data speak’, namely with minimal interference we capture the mapping between intra-daily returns and future volatility. We revisit the concept of news impact curves introduced by Engle and Ng (1993). Overall, we find that moderately good (intra-daily) news reduces volatility (the next day), while both very good news (unusual high intra-daily positive returns) and bad news (negative returns) increase volatility, with the latter having a more severe impact. The asymmetries disappear over longer horizons. We also introduce a new class of parametric models which feature asymmetries and with close ties to ARCH-type models, albeit applicable to a mixture of high and low frequency data. Models featuring asymmetries dominate, especially during the 2007-2008 financial crisis.
An adaptive least-squares method for the compressible Euler equations

An adaptive least-squares finite element method is used to solve the compressible Euler equations in two dimensions. Since the method is naturally diffusive, no explicit artificial viscosity is added to the formulation. The inherent artificial viscosity, however, is usually large and hence does not allow sharp resolution of discontinuities unless extremely fine grids are used. To remedy this, while retaining the advantages of the least-squares method, a moving-node grid adaptation technique is used. The outstanding feature of the adaptive method is its sensitivity to directional features like shock waves, leading to the automatic construction of adapted grids where the element edge(s) are strongly aligned with such flow phenomena. Using well-known transonic and supersonic test cases, it has been demonstrated that by coupling the least-squares method with a robust adaptive method shocks can be captured with high resolution despite using relatively coarse grids. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behavioral Theories of the Business Cycle

We explore the business cycle implications of expectation shocks and of two well-known psychological biases, optimism and overconfidence. The expectations of optimistic agents are biased toward good outcomes, whereas overconfident agents overestimate the precision of the signals that they receive. Both expectation shocks and overconfidence can increase business-cycle volatility, while preserving the model's properties in terms of comovement and relative volatilities. In contrast, optimism is not a useful source of volatility in our model. (JEL: E3)
Simulating Poynting Flux Acceleration in the Laboratory with Colliding Laser Pulses

We review recent PIC simulation results which show that double-sided irradiation of a thin over-dense plasma slab with ultra-intense laser pulses from both sides can lead to sustained comoving Poynting flux acceleration of electrons to energies much higher than the conventional ponderomotive limit. The result is a robust power-law electron momentum spectrum similar to astrophysical sources. We discuss future ultra-intense laser experiments that may be used to simulate astrophysical particle acceleration.
Virtual Knot Diagrams and the Witten-Reshetikhin-Turaev Invariant

The Witten–Reshetikhin–Turaev invariant of classical link diagrams is generalized to virtual link diagrams. This invariant is unchanged by the framed Reidemeister moves and the Kirby calculus. As a result, it is also an invariant of the 3-manifolds represented by the classical link diagrams. This generalization is used to demonstrate that there are virtual knot diagrams with a non-trivial Witten–Reshetikhin–Turaev invariant and trivial 3-manifold fundamental group.
Constructing subdivision rules from alternating links

The study of geometric group theory has suggested several theorems related to subdivision tilings that have a natural hyperbolic structure. However, few examples exist. We construct subdivision tilings for the complement of every nonsingular, prime alternating link. These tilings define a combinatorial space at infinity, similar to the space at infinity for word hyperbolic groups.
The Costs and Returns of Agricultural Credit Delivery

Borrower-level data from 963 agricultural lending relationships are used to examine how several factors influence the costs and returns of extending agricultural credit. The results provide estimates of the costs and returns of agricultural lending and the extent to which these costs and returns are influenced by factors such as loan volume, lender/borrower relationship factors, and contract terms. The findings indicate that economies of size exist in agricultural credit delivery and that lenders pass most of these benefits on to borrowers through lower interest rates. In addition, the impacts of lender/borrower relationship factors were relatively small.
Nickel/Bis(oxazoline)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Negishi Arylations of Racemic Secondary Benzylic Electrophiles to Generate Enantioenriched 1,1-Diarylalkanes

A tertiary stereogenic center that bears two different aryl substituents is found in a variety of bioactive compounds, including medicines such as Zoloft and Detrol. We have developed an efficient method for the synthesis of enantioenriched 1,1-diarylalkanes from readily available racemic benzylic alcohols. Formation of a benzylic mesylate (which is not isolated), followed by treatment with an arylzinc reagent, LiI, and a chiral nickel/bis(oxazoline) catalyst, furnishes the Negishi cross-coupling product in high ee and good yield. A wide array of functional groups (e.g., an aryl iodide, a thiophene, and an N-Boc-indole) are compatible with the mild reaction conditions. This method has been applied to a gram-scale synthesis of a precursor to Zoloft.
Eyewitness identification: expert witnesses are not the only solution

As Professor Stein correctly notes, mistaken identifications have played a significant role in producing a number of wrongful convictions.1 The DNA exoneration cases have provided some vivid recent examples.2 These cases have called public attention to the problem and have led to proposals for systematic improvements, such as changes in lineup procedures. Professor Stein properly adds a caveat, that the pool from which the DNA exoneration cases are drawn are likely to have a higher proportion of false identification cases than criminal cases generally. I would like to expand briefly on that caution against too much reliance on the DNA exoneration cases. The scientific advance represented by DNA testing was an advance in identifying suspects. Many of the cases of DNA exoneration, for example, have been sexual assault cases in which the victim was assaulted by a stranger.3
Towards an Evaluation of Regional Integration in Latin America in the 1990s

The decade of the 1990s has witnessed a wave of regional integration initiatives in Latin America: more than 14 agreements -free trade areas or customs unions- since 1990 with a handful more in varying degrees of negotiation (see Table 1). However, this was not just a Latin American phenomenon, as regionalism has more than ever become a global trend (Mistry [1996]). Indeed, now Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong are the only World Trade Organization (WTO) members which are not signatories to at least one preferential trade agreement (WTO [1995]). Regional integration is not new to Latin America. Economic integration played an important role in the region?s early Post-War economic history. The 1960s and 1970s saw a number of very ambitious initiatives inspired by the successful Western European experience (Ffrench-Davis, Munoz and Palma [1994]). Indeed, at its peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the topic of integration was hard to avoid in the discussion of Latin American development. However, disillusionment with integration processes had clearly set in by the late 1970s and the discussion of regional integration was all but silenced by the external crisis of the early 1980s. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
Adoption of innovations in higher education

Abstract An original survey of 238 colleges and universities in the United States identifies the date of adoption of 30 innovations in curriculum, classrooms, student life, libraries, computing, and finances. On average, about 26 years elapse from adoption by the first percentile institution to adoption by the median institution. Library and computing innovations are adopted twice as fast as curriculum and classroom innovations. Financial innovations are adopted most slowly. Hazard models for the timing of adoption of the innovations identify attributes of institutions that tend to adopt particular innovations earlier.
Local Discontinuous Galerkin Methods for One-Dimensional Second Order Fully Nonlinear Elliptic and Parabolic Equations

This paper is concerned with developing accurate and efficient nonstandard discontinuous Galerkin methods for fully nonlinear second order elliptic and parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) in the case of one spatial dimension. The primary goal of the paper to develop a general framework for constructing high order local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) methods for approximating viscosity solutions of these fully nonlinear PDEs which are merely continuous functions by definition. In order to capture discontinuities of the first order derivative $$u_x$$ u x of the solution $$u$$ u , two independent functions $$q^-$$ q - and $$q^+$$ q + are introduced to approximate one-sided derivatives of $$u$$ u . Similarly, to capture the discontinuities of the second order derivative $$u_{xx}$$ u x x , four independent functions $$p^{- -}, p^{- +}, p^{+ -}$$ p - - , p - + , p + - , and $$p^{+ +}$$ p + + are used to approximate one-sided derivatives of $$q^-$$ q - and $$q^+$$ q + . The proposed LDG framework, which is based on a nonstandard mixed formulation of the underlying PDE, embeds a given fully nonlinear problem into a mostly linear system of equations where the given nonlinear differential operator must be replaced by a numerical operator which allows multiple value inputs of the first and second order derivatives $$u_x$$ u x and $$u_{xx}$$ u x x . An easy to verify set of criteria for constructing "good" numerical operators is also proposed. It consists of consistency and generalized monotonicity. To ensure such a generalized monotonicity property, the crux of the construction is to introduce the numerical moment in the numerical operator, which plays a critical role in the proposed LDG framework. The generalized monotonicity gives the LDG methods the ability to select the viscosity solution among all possible solutions. The proposed framework extends a companion finite difference framework developed by Feng and Lewis (J Comp Appl Math 254:81---98, 2013) and allows for the approximation of fully nonlinear PDEs using high order polynomials and non-uniform meshes. Numerical experiments are also presented to demonstrate the accuracy, efficiency and utility of the proposed LDG methods.
CuxUTe3: Stabilization of UTe3 in the ZrSe3 Structure Type via Copper Insertion. The Artifact of Te−Te Chains and Evidence for Distortions Due to Long Range Modulations

The ternary phase, CuxUTe3 (x = 0.25 and 0.33), was synthesized from a 3/1/4 mixture of Cu/U/Te that was heated to 800 °C for 6 days and cooled at a rate of −4 °C h-1. It adopts the monoclinic space group P21/m with a = 6.0838(12) A, b = 4.2140(8) A, c = 10.361(2) A, β = 98.83(3)°, and V = 262.47(9) A3 (for x ∼ 0.25). The structure is built from UTe3 layers of ZrSe3-type that are connected in the [001] direction by Cu atoms. The Cu atoms stabilize α-UTe3 by inserting between the layers. CuxUTe3 can be prepared rationally via a soft chemistry route by reaction of Cu with α-UTe3. The structural analysis suggests the presence of straight chains of Te atoms (∼3.0 A apart) along the a-axis but this is an artifact as shown by electron diffraction studies of CuxUTe3 that indicate the existence of a supercell along the a-axis. Pair distribution function analysis (PDF) was used to show that the Te−Te chains contain Te−Te dimers at 2.74 A. Charge transport measurements suggest a narrow gap semiconductor but they al...
MAXIMUM INDEPENDENT SET OF A PERMUTATION GRAPH IN K TRACKS

A maximum weighted independent set of a permutation graph is a maximum subset of noncrossing chords in a matching diagram (i.e., a set Φ of chords with end-points on two horizontal lines). The problem of finding, among all noncrossing subsets of Φ with density at most k, one with maximum size is considered, where the density of a subset is the maximum number of chords crossing a vertical line and k is a given parameter. A Θ(n log n) time and Θ(n) space algorithm, for solving the problem with n chords, is proposed. As an application, we solve the problem of finding, among all proper subsets with density at most k of an interval graph, one with maximum number of intervals.
Assessing the Impact of the Exchange Rate and Its Volatility on Canadian Pork and Live Swine Exports to the United States and Japan

A model of a representative Canadian pork exporter is developed to examine the impacts of the exchange rate and its volatility on pork and live swine exports. The pork export supply equation is expressed as a function of the expected level of real exchange rate and a time-varying variance of real exchange rate. An AR(p) model is used to represent the expected real exchange rate, and a GARCH(p, q) model is used to generate the time-varying variance. The same model is used to examine the sensitivity of pork exports to Japan from Canada, the United States, and Denmark. The parameters of all pork and live swine export equations have theoretically consistent signs and many are significant. That is, the domestic price in the exporting country has a negative effect on exports because it is a major input price in the exporter's cost function while the price in the market of destination has a positive effect. The level of the exchange rate has a positive impact on pork exports while the volatility of the exchange rate has a negative impact. Most of the volatility parameters are not significant.
Tax Consequences of the Migration of Companies: A Practitioner’s Perspective

The consequences of recent decisions of the European Court of Justice are that the Member States may not impose instant taxation on companies based only on their migration, but the Member States still do so. Secondary EU law provides tax neutrality only for a migrating SE. The prerequisites under which this tax neutrality is granted are so restrictive that their conformity with freedom of establishment is doubtful. As the European Court of Justice does not deny the right of Member States to tax increases in value at the time of realisation, a tax deferral concept might be a future solution.
Black holes in magnetic monopoles

We study magnetically charged classical solutions of a spontaneously broken gauge theory interacting with gravity. We show that nonsingular monopole solutions exist only if the Higgs field vacuum expectation value v is less than or equal to a critical value v sub cr, which is of the order of the Planck mass. In the limiting case, the monopole becomes a black hole, with the region outside the horizon described by the critical Reissner-Nordstrom solution. For v less than v sub cr, we find additional solutions which are singular at f = 0, but which have this singularity hidden within a horizon. These have nontrivial matter fields outside the horizon, and may be interpreted as small black holes lying within a magnetic monopole. The nature of these solutions as a function of v and of the total mass M and their relation to the Reissner-Nordstrom solutions is discussed.