cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Science, technology, language, and information: Implications for language and language-in-education planning

Abstract There is an important relationship between scientific information and language. Scientific information is cumulative, storable and retrievable. In the past 40 years, English has become the dominant language of science information because the USA was the only major industrialized nation to come out of World War II with its industrial and educational infrastructures intact, because a great deal of scientific research was undertaken in the English-speaking world, because undertaking research requires access to information, and because all of these phenomena coincide with the historical point at which computer use became established in information storage. It is observable that the greatest users of information are also the greatest contributors to the pool of information and that those who most frequently use the information pool come to control the information systems. International accords have established the concept that information in the global networks must be written in or abstracted in English, French, German or Russian; it is clear that the dominant language is English. Access to information is central to national development and modernization; consequently, the science information/language relationship has important implications for Human Resource Development Planning and modernization. The actions of the Japanese government in the period since the end of World War II are examined as a case study. The situation in the People's Republic of China is also examined in order to suggest what China must do to achieve modernization with respect to information development, information storage, and information management.
Cyclopropanation of unsaturated sugars with ethyl Diazoacetate

The cyclopropanation of unsaturated sugars with ethyl diazoacetate and a metal catalyst provides ester-substituted 1,2-C-methylene carbohydrates in good to excellent yields. Ring opening of the cyclopropane has also been achieved providing C-2 branched glycosyl bromides.
Skew loops and quadric surfaces

A skew loop is a closed curve without parallel tangent lines. We prove: The only complete surfaces in R 3 with a point of positive curvature and no skew loops are the quadrics. In particular: Ellipsoids are the only closed surfaces without skew loops. Our efforts also yield results about skew loops on cylinders and positively curved surfaces.
The trivial connection contribution to Witten’s invariant and finite type invariants of rational homology spheres

We derive an analog of the Melvin-Morton bound on the power series expansion of the colored Jones polynomial of algebraically split links and boundary links. This allows us to produce a simple formula for the trivial connection contribution to Witten’s invariant of rational homology spheres. We show that thenth term in the 1/K expansion of the logarithm of this contribution is a finite type invariant of Ohtsuki order 3n and of at most Garoufalidis ordern.
Vanadium alloys for structural applications in fusion systems: A review of vanadium alloy mechanical and physical properties

Vanadium-base alloys are potential candidates for the structural material in fusion systems. This paper reviews the current knowledge of (a) the effects of neutron irradiation on tensile strength and ductility, ductile-brittle transition temperature, creep, fatigue, and swelling of vanadium-base alloys, (b) the compatibility of vanadium-base alloys with liquid lithium, water, and helium environments, and (c) the effects of hydrogen and helium on the physical and mechanical properties of candidate vanadium-base alloys. We also identify additional physical and mechanical properties issues that require further investigation.
Anthropic predictions for vacuum energy and neutrino masses

It is argued that the observed vacuum energy density and the small values of the neutrino masses could be due to anthropic selection effects. Until now, these two quantities have been treated separately from each other and, in particular, anthropic predictions for the vacuum energy were made under the assumption of zero neutrino masses. Here we consider two cases. In the first, we calculate predictions for the vacuum energy for a fixed (generally nonzero) value of the neutrino mass. In the second we allow both quantities to vary from one part of the Universe to another. We find that the anthropic predictions for the vacuum energy density are in a better agreement with observations when one allows for nonzero neutrino masses. We also find that the individual distributions for vacuum energy and the neutrino masses are reasonably robust and do not change drastically when one adds the other variable.
A meta-analysis of parton distribution functions

A “meta-analysis” is a method for comparison and combination of nonperturbative parton distribution functions (PDFs) in a nucleon obtained with heterogeneous procedures and assumptions. Each input parton distribution set is converted into a “meta-parametrization” based on a common functional form. By analyzing parameters of the meta-parametrizations from all input PDF ensembles, a combined PDF ensemble can be produced that has a smaller total number of PDF member sets than the original ensembles. The meta-parametrizations simplify the computation of the PDF uncertainty in theoretical predictions and provide an alternative to the 2010 PDF4LHC convention for combination of PDF uncertainties. As a practical example, we construct a META ensemble for computation of QCD observables at the Large Hadron Collider using the next-to-next-to-leading order PDF sets from CTEQ, MSTW, and NNPDF groups as the input. The META ensemble includes a central set that reproduces the average of LHC predictions based on the three input PDF ensembles and Hessian eigenvector sets for computing the combined PDF+α s uncertainty at a common QCD coupling strength of 0.118.
Landau level splitting in rotationally faulted multilayer graphene

We show that valley degeneracy in rotationally faulted multilayer graphene may be broken in the presence of a magnetic field and interlayer commensurations. This happens due to a simultaneous breaking of both time-reversal and inversion symmetries leading to a splitting of Landau levels linear in the field. Our theoretical work is motivated by an experiment [Y. J. Song et al., Nature (London) 467, 185 (2010)] on epitaxially grown multilayer graphene where such linear splitting of Landau levels was observed at moderate fields. We consider both bilayer and trilayer configurations and, although a linear splitting occurs in both cases, we show that the latter produces a splitting that is in quantitative agreement with the experiment.
Markov random field texture models for classification

Two novel approaches to texture classification based upon stochastic modeling using Markov Random Fields are presented and contrasted. The first approach uses a clique-based probabilistic neighborhood structure and Gibbs distribution to derive the quasi likelihood estimates of the model coefficients. Likelihood ratio tests formed by the quasi-likelihood functions of pairs of textures are evaluated in the decision strategy to classify texture samples. The second approach uses a least squares prediction error model and error signature analysis to model and classify textures. The distribution of the errors is the information used in the decision algorithm which employs K-nearest neighbors techniques. A new statistic and complexity measure are introduced called the Knearest neighbor statistic (KNS) and complexity (KNC) which measure the overlap in K-nearest neighbor conditional distributions. Parameter vectors for each model, neighborhood size and structure, performance of the maximum likelihood and K-nearest neighbor decision strategies are presented and interesting results discussed. Results from classifying real video pictures of six cloth textures are presented and analyzed.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A psychological study of query by example

Many different query systems have been proposed. One way to partition extant and hypothetical query systems is on the basis of how English-like they are. One approach for an easy-to-use query system is to allow the user to state a question in natural English. The system may then disambiguate the possible interpretations of this question on the basis of context or on the basis of feedback questions to the user. A second approach is to require the user to state his question in a formal language system, but one that uses an English-like grammar and vocabulary. IBM's Interactive Query Facility (IQF) and SEQUEL exemplify this type of approach. A third approach is to require the user to state his question in a formal language system that does not attempt to appear "English-like." Zloof's Query By Example language is best described by this third approach. In this paper we demonstrate experimentally the ease and accuracy with which nonprogrammers learned and used this powerful Query By Example language.
A large landslide on Mars

A large landslide deposit on the south wall of Gangis Chasma contains at least 100 billion m 3 of material that moved 60 km across the trough floor at a speed of more than 100 km/hr. The deposit consists of slump blocks at the head, hummocky material farther out, and a vast apron of longitudinally ridged material extending to the toe. The landslide deposit resembles many terrestrial ones but is much larger, and differs from most in having longitudinal rather than transverse ridges on its surface. However, some terrestrial landslides also have longitudinal ridges, particularly those in Alaska that traveled long distances over glacial ice and thus were highly efficient. In order to explain this high efficiency, two possible mechanisms of emplacement are singled out. The first involves a sliding motion on a cushion of air; on Mars, this implies a once much denser atmosphere, or the release of a gas, possibly steam. The second mechanism involves a flow motion of debris that is lubricated by some water; on Mars, the water may have come from ice in the source rock. An analysis of the possible causes for the Martian slide shows that the Martian trough walls are highly susceptible to sliding, and that the landslide may have been triggered by a Mars quake.
Lens-Aided Multi-Angle Spectroscopy (LAMAS) Reveals Small-Scale Outflow Structure in Quasars

Spectral differences between lensed quasar image components are common. Since lensing is intrinsically achromatic, these differences are typically explained as the effect of either microlensing, or as light path time delays sampling intrinsic quasar spectral variability. Here we advance a novel third hypothesis: some spectral differences are due to small line-of-sight differences through quasar disk wind outflows. In particular, we propose that variable spectral differences seen only in component A of the widest separation lens SDSS J1004+4112 are due to differential absorption along the sight lines. The absorber properties required by this hypothesis are akin to known broad absorption line (BAL) outflows but must have a broader, smoother velocity profile. We interpret the observed C IV emission-line variability as further evidence for spatial fine structure transverse to the line of sight. Since outflows are likely to be rotating, such absorber fine structure can consistently explain some of the UV and X-ray variability seen in AGNs. The implications are many: (1) Spectroscopic differences in other lensed objects may be due to this "lens-aided multi-angle spectroscopy" (LAMAS). (2) Outflows have fine structure on size scales of arcseconds, as seen from the nucleus. (3) Assuming either broad absorption line region sizes proposed in recent wind models, or typically assumed continuum emission region sizes, LAMAS and/or variability provide broadly consistent absorber size scale estimates of ~1015 cm. (4) Very broad smooth absorption may be ubiquitous in quasar spectra, even when no obvious troughs are seen.
The diabetic foot

Diabetic foot problems are common and result in multiple and prolonged hospitalizations, which often lead to amputation. While peripheral vascular dis ease and neuropathy are not totally preventable with current forms of therapy, many of the foot lesions resulting from these complications can be prevented by patient education and prophylactic foot care. This educational program should be a major endeavor of any physician caring for the diabetic.
Communication requirements for generating correlated random variables

Two familiar notions of correlation are re-discovered as extreme operating points for simulating a discrete memoryless channel, in which a channel output is generated based only on a description of the channel input. Wynerpsilas ldquocommon informationrdquo coincides with the minimum description rate needed. However, when common randomness independent of the input is available, the necessary description rate reduces to Shannonpsilas mutual information. This work characterizes the optimal tradeoff between the amount of common randomness used and the required rate of description.
Development of new DNA-binding and cleaving molecules: Design, synthesis and activity of a bisdiazonium salt

Abstract The bisdiazonium compound 1 has been shown to cleave DNA at concentrations as low as 0.1 μM. Evidence is presented to indicate that 1 is binding to the minor groove of DNA, and that binding may be responsible for its effectiveness as a DNA cleaving reagent.
New Strong Base Synthesis of Symmetrical 1,5-Diaryl-1,3,5-pentanetriones from Acetone and Benzoate Esters

Lithium hexamethyldisilazide (LiHMDS) was used to condense substituted benzoate esters with acetone to afford symmetrical 1,5-diaryl-1,3,5-pentanetriones that were isolated, characterized (including a representative X-ray crystallographic analysis), and acid cyclized to the respective 2,6-diaryl-4H-pyran-4-ones.
Synthesis and Chemical Properties of Tetrazole Peptide Analogues

Les analogues de dipeptides prepares ont un cycle tetrazole a la place de la liaison peptidique (α-alkyl amino-1' alkyl-5 tetrazoleacetates-1): ils sont prepares par action de PCl 5 /HN 3 sur des dipeptides N-proteges. Racemisation, mecanisme de la reaction
Use of a mathematical model for prediction of optimum feeding strategies for in situ bioremediation

Liquid wastes containing radioactive, hazardous, and regulated chemicals have been generated throughout the 40 + years of operations at the US Department of Energy (DOE) Hanford site. Some of these wastes were discharged to the soil column, and many of the waste components, including nitrate, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and several radionuclides, have been detected in the Hanford ground water. Current DOE policy prohibits the disposal of the contaminated liquids directly to the environment, and remediation of the existing contaminated ground waters may be required.In situ bioremediation is one technology currently being developed at the Hanford to meet the need for cost-effective technologies to clean ground water contaminated with CCl4, nitrate, and other organic and inorganic contaminants. This article focuses on the latest results of an ongoing effort to develop effectivein situ remediation strategies through the use of predictive simulations. In particular, strategies for nutrient injection are developed that minimize biomass accumulation within the flow field and thus extend the life of injection wells.
A numerical solution of unsteady flow in a two-dimensional square cavity

Two dimensional unsteady fluid flow in square cavity numerically analyzed from continuity and Navier-Stokes equations and recorded as computer-generated motion picture
Multiple Scattering in Random Mechanical Systems and Diffusion Approximation

This paper is concerned with stochastic processes that model multiple (or iterated) scattering in classical mechanical systems of billiard type, defined below. From a given (deterministic) system of billiard type, a random process with transition probabilities operator P is introduced by assuming that some of the dynamical variables are random with prescribed probability distributions. Of particular interest are systems with weak scattering, which are associated to parametric families of operators Ph, depending on a geometric or mechanical parameter h, that approaches the identity as h goes to 0. It is shown that (Ph − I)/h converges for small h to a second order elliptic differential operator \({\mathcal{L}}\) on compactly supported functions and that the Markov chain process associated to Ph converges to a diffusion with infinitesimal generator \({\mathcal{L}}\). Both Ph and \({\mathcal{L}}\) are self-adjoint (densely) defined on the space \({L^2(\mathbb{H},\eta)}\) of square-integrable functions over the (lower) half-space \({\mathbb{H}}\) in \({\mathbb{R}^m}\), where η is a stationary measure. This measure’s density is either (post-collision) Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution or Knudsen cosine law, and the random processes with infinitesimal generator \({\mathcal{L}}\) respectively correspond to what we call MB diffusion and (generalized) Legendre diffusion. Concrete examples of simple mechanical systems are given and illustrated by numerically simulating the random processes.
‘There Is Graite Odds between A Mans being At Home And A Broad’: Deborah Read Franklin and the Eighteenth-Century Home

From 1764 to her death in 1774, Deborah Franklin lived in ‘their’ new house without husband Benjamin. The correspondence between them reveals several ambiguously gendered constructions of that house – ideologically, materially, and architecturally. Deborah was ‘homeless’ legally and conceptually. Her household variously consisted of her mother, her adopted son, her daughter, relatives, guests, boarders and servants – she permanently assumed the role of head of the household. His household consisted of his landlady, Widow Margaret Stevenson, and her daughter Polly – he could not assume his role as head of household. Moreover, as Deborah wrote to her husband about turning the house into a fortress during a raid on it during Stamp Act crisis, he wrote to her about the household goods; as she talked about politics, he discussed familial matters. Their permeable, even ambiguous, masculine and feminine roles reconstructed the meaning – and thereby symbolised the gendered complexity – of the early American white middling and elite eighteenth-century home.
CLEO Dalitz plot results

Present and future contributions of the CLEO experiment to the study of D Dalitz plots are presented. Such Dalitz plots can be of help in determining weak phases from B → DK decays.
Finite Volume Effects in Self-Coupled Geometries

Abstract By integrating the pressure equation at the surface of a self-coupled curvilinear boundary, one may obtain asymptotic estimates of energy shifts, which is especially useful in lattice QCD studies of nonrelativistic bound states. Energy shift expressions are found for periodic (antiperiodic) boundary conditions on antipodal points, which require Neumann (Dirichlet) boundary conditions for even parity states and Dirichlet (Neumann) boundary conditions for odd parity states. It is found that averaging over periodic and antiperiodic boundary conditions is an effective way of removing the asymptotic energy shifts from the boundary. Asymptotic energy shifts from boxes with self-coupled walls are also considered and shown to be effectively antipodal. The energy shift equations are illustrated by the solution of the bounded harmonic oscillator and hydrogen atoms.
Numerical relativity using a generalized harmonic decomposition

A new numerical scheme to solve the Einstein field equations based upon the generalized harmonic decomposition of the Ricci tensor is introduced. The source functions driving the wave equations that define generalized harmonic coordinates are treated as independent functions, and encode the coordinate freedom of solutions. Techniques are discussed to impose particular gauge conditions through a specification of the source functions. A 3D, free evolution, finite difference code implementing this system of equations with a scalar field matter source is described. The second-order-in-space-and-time partial differential equations are discretized directly without the use of first-order auxiliary terms, limiting the number of independent functions to 15—ten metric quantities, four source functions and the scalar field. This also limits the number of constraint equations, which can only be enforced to within truncation error in a numerical free evolution, to four. The coordinate system is compactified to spatial infinity in order to impose physically motivated, constraint-preserving outer boundary conditions. A variant of the cartoon method for efficiently simulating axisymmetric spacetimes with a Cartesian code is described that does not use interpolation, and is easier to incorporate into existing adaptive mesh refinement packages. Preliminary test simulations of vacuum black-hole evolution and black-hole formation via scalar field collapse are described, suggesting that this method may be useful for studying many spacetimes of interest.
The long time behavior of fourth order curvature flows

We show precompactness results for solutions to parabolic fourth order geometric evolution equations. As part of the proof we obtain smoothing estimates for these flows in the presence of a curvature bound, an improvement on prior results which also require a Sobolev constant bound. As consequences of these results we show that for any solution with a finite time singularity, the L∞ norm of the curvature must go to infinity. Furthermore, we characterize the behavior at infinity of solutions with bounded curvature.
New tools for fermion masses from extra dimensions

We present models in which the observed fermion masses and mixings are generated by dynamically localizing the three generations of matter in a flat compact extra dimension. We first construct models assuming the hierarchy problem is addressed by the existence of large extra dimensions, i.e. the fundamental scale is not far above a TeV and supersymmetry is not imposed. These models are compactified, chiral, and don't require fine-tuning to generate the top mass. Limits on the compactification scale based on flavor-changing neutral currents are relaxed compared to those on existing models. We then supersymmetrize some of these models. Using = 1 superspace language in extra dimensions, we find space-dependent flat directions which can be used to localize fields. Finally, we discuss methods of breaking supersymmetry and the impact of these models on the superpartner spectrum.
Closed String Tachyon Condensation at c=1

The c = 1 matrix model, with or without a type 0 hat, has an exact quantum solution corresponding to closed string tachyon condensation along a null surface. The condensation occurs, and spacetime dissolves, at a finite retarded time on +. The outgoing quantum state of tachyon fluctuations in this time-dependent background is computed using both the collective field and exact fermion pictures. Perturbative particle production induced by the moving tachyon wall is shown to be similar to that induced by a soft moving mirror. Hence, despite the fact that + for the tachyon is geodesicaly incomplete, quantum correlations in the incoming state are unitarily transmitted to the outgoing state in perturbation theory. It is also shown that, non-perturbatively, information can leak across the tachyon wall, and tachyon scattering is not unitary. Exact unitarity remains intact only in the free fermion picture.
Wind-Tunnel Balance Characterization for Hypersonic Research Applications

Wind-tunnel research was recently conducted at the NASA Langley Research Center s 31-Inch Mach 10 Hypersonic Facility in support of the Mars Science Laboratory s aerodynamic program. Researchers were interested in understanding the interaction between the freestream flow and the reaction control system onboard the entry vehicle. A five-component balance, designed for hypersonic testing with pressurized flow-through capability, was used. In addition to the aerodynamic forces, the balance was exposed to both thermal gradients and varying internal cavity pressures. Historically, the effect of these environmental conditions on the response of the balance have not been fully characterized due to the limitations in the calibration facilities. Through statistical design of experiments, thermal and pressure effects were strategically and efficiently integrated into the calibration of the balance. As a result of this new approach, researchers were able to use the balance continuously throughout the wide range of temperatures and pressures and obtain real-time results. Although this work focused on a specific application, the methodology shown can be applied more generally to any force measurement system calibration.
Mean Drop Sizes From Fan Spray Atomizers

The drop size distributions produced by two geometrically similar fan spray nozzles were measured over an injection pressure range from 1.38 to 10.34 MPa (200 to 1500 psi). The fluids employed were water, water/glycerine mixtures, silicone oils, paint, and paint solvent. A nonintrusive Malvern 2600 particle sizer, based on the forward scattering of a 5 mW He-Ne laser beam, was used to yield line-of-sight and cross-sectional drop size distributions. The atomizer was traversed across the laser beam and drop size profiles as a function of distance from the centerline were developed
Rapid preparation method for technetium-99m bicisate

The method currently recommended for the preparation of technetium-99m bicisate (99mTc-bicisate) requires a lenglhy 30-min incubation at room temperature. The purpose of thls study was to evaluate an alternative method to shorten the preparation time.99mTc-bi-cisate was prepared with 3.7 GBq (100 mCi)99mTc according to the manufacturer's instructions, except for the final incubation step, which was replaced with the microwave heating procedure. A standard thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method (i.e., Baker-Flex silica gel IB-F TLC plate with ethyl acetate as mobile phase) was used for the determination of the radiochemical purity (RCP) of99mTc-bicisate. Our evaluation with different microwave heating processes (300 W with different heating times) demonstrated that as the microwave heating temperature was increased (i.e., 44°-71° C), an increased percentage of samples reached 95% within 5 min post preparation (n=58). The highest RCP value (i.e., 97.4%±0.5%,n=10) could be obtained immediately after an 8-s microwave heating time at 300 W (microwave temperature at 69° C), and an average RCP value of 96.4%±1.3% (n=90) was maintained throughout the 24-h evaluation period. However, the trend seemed to reverse at higher microwave temperatures (i.e., 76°-90° C), which reconfirmed our initial findings that overheating had no benefit for the preparation of99mTc-bicisate. To ensure that temperature was the only determining factor, a hot water incubator sel at 69°C was used (n=6). Similar RCP results were achieved. In conclusion, the use of a microwave oven at a low heat cycle provides a rapid and efficient way to prepare99mTc-bicisate.
Random Sampling of Euler Tours

We define a Markov chain on the set of Euler tours of a given Eulerian graph based on transformations first defined by Kotzig in 1966. We prove that the chain is rapidly mixing if the maximum degree in the given graph is 6, thus obtaining an efficient algorithm for sampling and counting the set of Euler tours for such an Eulerian graph.
A Randomized Time-Work Optimal Parallel Algorithm for Finding a Minimum Spanning Forest

We present a randomized algorithm to find a minimum spanning forest (MSF) in an undirected graph. With high probability, the algorithm runs in logarithmic time and linear work on an exclusive read exclusive write (EREW) PRAM. This result is optimal w.r. t. both work and parallel time, and is the first provably optimal parallel algorithm for this problem under both measures. We also give a simple, general processor allocation scheme for tree-like computations.
Physical Morphology of Galaxies Using Asymmetry

We demonstrate in this paper the use of asymmetry in conjunction with the integrated (BV) color of galaxies for physical morphological purposes. We show how color-asymmetry diagrams can be used to distinguish between various types of galaxies, including ellipticals, late and early type disks, irregulars and interacting/merging galaxies. We also show how asymmetry can be used to help decipher the morphology of nearby starbursts, and galaxies in the Hubble Deep Field.
Back-in-time dynamics of the cluster IE 0657-56 (the Bullet system)

We present a simplified dynamical model of the 'Bullet' system of two colliding clusters. The model constrains the masses of the system by requiring that the orbits of the main and the subcomponents satisfy the cosmological initial conditions of vanishing physical separation a Hubble time ago. This is also known as the timing argument. The model considers a system embedded in an overdense region. We argue that a relative speed of 4500 km s -1 between the two components is consistent with cosmological conditions if the system is of a total mass of 2.8 x 10 15 h -1 M ⊙ and is embedded in a region of a (mild) overdensity of 10 times the cosmological background density. Combining this with the lensing measurements of the projected mass, the model yields a ratio of 3:1 for the mass of the main relative to that of the subcomponent. The effect of the background weakens as the relative speed between the two components is decreased. For relative speeds lower than ∼3700 km s -1 , the timing argument yields masses which are too low to be consistent with lensing.
Waiting to Default: The Value of Delay

This paper analyzes the opportunity for early termination of a mortgage contract. We consider the possibility of defaulting on the property and explore the rules that are used by a value-maximizing borrower in exercising this option to default. The discussion centers on the value of waiting to make such a decision and the consequences of this rational inertia. We show that the observed delay in default usually attributed to transaction costs can instead be explained as entirely rational choice in a dynamic environment.
Insurance, credit, and technology adoption : field experimental evidence from Malawi.

This brief summarizes the insurance, credit, and technology adoption: field experimental evidence from Malawi. The farmers were offered loans for the November 2006 planting season. Does production risk suppress the demand for credit? The author implemented a randomized field experiment to ask whether provision of insurance against a major source of production risk induces farmers to take out loans to adopt a new crop technology. The study sample was composed of roughly 800 maize and groundnut farmers in Malawi, where by far the dominant source of production risk is the level of rainfall. The author randomly selected half of the farmers to be offered credit to purchase high-yielding hybrid maize and groundnut seeds for planting in the November 2006 crop season. The other half of farmers were offered a similar credit package, but were also required to purchase (at actuarially fair rates) a weather insurance policy that partially or fully forgave the loan in the event of poor rainfall. Surprisingly, take-up was lower by 13 percentage points among farmers offered insurance with the loan. Take-up was 33.0 percent for farmers who were offered the uninsured loan. There is suggestive evidence that reduced take-up of the insured loan was due to farmers already having implicit insurance from the limited liability clause in the loan contract: insured loan take-up was positively correlated with farmer education, income, and wealth, which may proxy for the individual's default costs. By contrast, take-up of the uninsured loan was uncorrelated with these farmer characteristics.
Motives of the Human Animal: Comprehending, Managing, and Sharing Inner States

We propose that four fundamental developments of the human animal together produce distinct human motives: (a) social consciousness or awareness that the outcomes or significance of a person's action (self or other) depend upon how another person (self or other) reacts to it; (b) recognizing that people's inner states can mediate their outward behaviors; (c) relating the present to both the past and the future (mental time travel); and (d) sharing reality with other people. We review a typology of four categories of concern for these motivational developments: thoughts, feelings/attitudes, competencies, and reference values (goals and standards). We then review the recent research on three specific areas related to these motivational concerns: imagining future-self inner states, managing how others comprehend us, and sharing knowledge about the world.
Streaming compression of triangle meshes

Current mesh compression schemes encode triangles and vertices in an order derived from systematically traversing the connectivity graph. These schemes struggle with gigabyte-sized mesh input where the construction and the usage of the data structures that support topological traversal queries become I/O-inefficient and require large amounts of temporary disk space. Furthermore they expect the entire mesh as input. Since meshes cannot be compressed until their generation is complete, they have to be stored at least once in uncompressed form. We radically depart from the traditional approach to mesh compression and propose a scheme that incrementally encodes a mesh in the order it is given to the compressor using only minimal memory resources. This makes the compression process essentially transparent to the user and practically independent of the mesh size. This is especially beneficial for compressing large meshes, where previous approaches spend significant memory, disk, and I/O resources on pre-processing, whereas our scheme starts compressing after receiving the first few triangles.
Signal Sets with Optimal Correlation Properties

Rowe has developed an upper bound on the number of vectors possible in a d-dimensional space, given that the vectors of the set are divided into orthogonal alphabets and subject to an appropriately defined root-mean-square correlation constraint, C rms . Here, signal set design procedures are presented that are near optimal with respect to Rowe's upper bound. The specific parameters of these signal set construction techniques are significant as they illustrate the tightness of the upper bound for situations that have not been previously addressed. Finally, a signal set design procedure is presented that serves as an improvement to a lower bound originally reported by Rowe.
Viscous Marangoni migration of a drop in a Poiseuille flow at low surface Péclet numbers

The motion of a spherical drop with a bulk-insoluble surfactant immersed in a background flow in the limits of low surface Peclet number and low Reynolds number is investigated. We develop a reciprocal theorem that applies to any prescribed background flow and provide a specific example of an unbounded Poiseuille flow. Analytical formulas for the migration velocity of the drop are obtained perturbatively in powers of the surface Peclet number. We show that the redistribution of surfactant due to the background flow acts to retard the motion of the drop, with the magnitude of this slip velocity being independent of the drop’s position in the Poiseuille flow. Moreover, a surfactant-induced cross-streamline migration of the drop occurs towards the centre of the Poiseuille flow, with its magnitude depending linearly on the distance of the drop from the centre of the Poiseuille flow.
X-ray emission from Centaurus A

Observations of 3–12 keV X-ray emission from NGC 5128 (Cen A) were made by Vela spacecraft over the period 1969–1979. These data are in good agreement with previously reported data, but are much more complete. Numerous peaks of X-ray intensity occurred during the period 1973–1975, characterized by rapid increases and equally rapid decreases (in less than 10 days). Thus it seems probable that most of the X-ray flux from the nucleus of Cen A came from a single source of small size.
Instrument Choice Is Instrument Design

This paper analyzes the choice between taxes and cap and trade systems (also referred to here as a permit system or a quantity restriction) as methods of controlling greenhouse gas emissions. It argues that in the domestic context, with proper design, the two instruments are essentially the same. Commonly discussed differences in the two instruments are due to unjustified assumptions about design. In the climate change context and within a single country there is sufficient design flexibility that these differences can be substantially eliminated. To the extent that there are remaining differences, there should be a modest preference for taxes, but the benefits of taxes are swamped by the benefits of good design; even though the very best tax might be better than the very best quantity restriction, the first order of business is getting the design right. In the international context, however, taxes dominate more strongly. The design flexibility available within a single country is reduced in the international context because of the problems of coordinating systems across countries and minimizing holdouts. Moreover, the incentives to cheat and the effects of cheating are not equivalent for the two instruments in the international setting. Because climate change will require a global system for emissions, these considerations mean we should favor taxes for controlling greenhouse gas emissions. David Weisbach The University of Chicago Law School d-weisbach@uchicago.edu Instrument Choice is Instrument Design David Weisbach
Image shrinking and expanding on a pyramid

Develops two algorithms to perform the q step shrinking and expanding of an N*N binary image on a pyramid computer with an N*N base. The time complexity of both algorithms is O( square root q). However, one uses O( square root q) space per processor, while the per-processor space requirement of the other is O(1). >
A separation principle for hybrid control system design

Presented here is a method, based on automatic control system design practice, for the synthesis of hybrid control systems, controllers that contain both real-time feedback loops and logical decision-making components. In the proposed framework, the overall design task is separated into three component parts: (1) design of the real-time control loops, (2) synthesis of the decision-making logic, and (3) construction of appropriate Boolean/real-time translation routines. This is an effective partitioning of the control system design task, as shown through two examples: (1) control of a highly flexible structure and (2) a robotic manipulator control task. This framework was found to be compatible with expert system-based intelligent control systems and can employ expert system techniques when necessary or effective. >
Metadata for building the multimedia patch quilt

Huge amounts of data available in a variety of digital forms has been collected and stored in thousands of repositories. However, the information relevant to a user or application need may be stored in multiple forms in different repositories. Answering a user query may require correlation of information at a semantic level across multiple forms and representations. We present a three-level architecture comprising of the ontology, metadata and data levels for enabling this correlation. Components of this architecture are explained by using an example from a GIS application.
Price prediction in a trading agent competition

The 2002 Trading Agent Competition (TAC) presented a challenging market game in the domain of travel shopping. One of the pivotal issues in this domain is uncertainty about hotel prices, which have a significant influence on the relative cost of alternative trip schedules. Thus, virtually all participants employ some method for predicting hotel prices. We survey approaches employed in the tournament, finding that agents apply an interesting diversity of techniques, taking into account differing sources of evidence bearing on prices. Based on data provided by entrants on their agents' actual predictions in the TAC-02 finals and semifinals, we analyze the relative efficacy of these approaches. The results show that taking into account game-specific information about flight prices is a major distinguishing factor. Machine learning methods effectively induce the relationship between flight and hotel prices from game data, and a purely analytical approach based on competitive equilibrium analysis achieves equal accuracy with no historical data. Employing a new measure of prediction quality, we relate absolute accuracy to bottom-line performance in the game.
Soil nitrogen mineralization and enzymatic activities in fire and fire surrogate treatments in California

Miesel, J. R., Boerner, R. E. J. and Skinner, C. N. 2011. Soil nitrogen mineralization and enzymatic activities in fire and fire surrogate treatments in California. Can. J. Soil Sci. 91: 935–946. Forest thinning and prescribed fire are management strategies used to reduce hazardous fuel loads and catastrophic wildfires in western mixed-conifer forests. We evaluated effects of thinning (Thin) and prescribed fire (Burn), alone and in combination (Thin+Burn), on N transformations and microbial enzyme activities relative to an untreated control (Control) at 1 and 3 yr following treatment in northern California. N mineralization and net nitrification were reduced by Thin and by Burn in year 1, and N mineralization was increased by Thin+Burn in year 3, relative to the Control. In general, all experimental treatments reduced soil enzyme activity. To identify overall treatment effects on the below-ground ecosystem, we combined these data with soil physicochemical data from this site to perform non-metric multidim...
Maximum-likelihood decoding of Reed-Solomon codes is NP-hard

Maximum-likelihood decoding is one of the central algorithmic problems in coding theory. It has been known for over 25 years that maximum-likelihood decoding of general linear codes is NP-hard. Nevertheless, it was so far unknown whether maximum-likelihood decoding remains hard for any specific family of codes with nontrivial algebraic structure. In this paper, we prove that maximum-likelihood decoding is NP-hard for the family of Reed-Solomon codes. We moreover show that maximum-likelihood decoding of Reed-Solomon codes remains hard even with unlimited preprocessing, thereby strengthening a result of Bruck and Naor.
An inferential processor for interacting with biomedical data using restricted natural language

This paper describes the design and implementation of a natural language system (hereafter referred to as ENGOLISH) which was developed to support and enrich the utilization of computer models of physiological systems. In addition to providing capabilities for interrogating data bases using a subset of English, ENGOLISH also provides capabilities for defining and structuring data bases using this subset of English. In particular, this facility has been used to encode relevant information from documents concerning these models to enrich their utility. ENGOLISH is structured around GOL (Goal Oriented Language) which is a programming language developed by H. Pople to provide a means in which to express algorithms involving heuristic search and problem solving. GOL provides not only the basis for organizing and searching ENGOLISH data structures but also provides the basis for ENGOLISH's heuristic parsing algorithms. For a description of GOL, see Pople.
Load sharing in hypercube multicomputers in the presence of node failures

Two important issues associated with load sharing (LS) in hypercube multicomputers are discussed and analysed: (i) ordering fault-free nodes as preferred receivers of overflow tasks and (ii) developing an LS mechanism to handle node failures. The authors previously (1989) proposed to order the nodes in each node's proximity into its preferred list of receivers for the purpose of LS in distributed real-time systems. However, the occurrence of node failures will destroy the original structure of a preferred list if the failed nodes are simply dropped from the list. Three algorithms are proposed to modify the preferred list to retain its original features. Based on the modified preferred lists, node failures can be tolerated by equipping each node with a backup queue which stores and updates the arriving/completing tasks at its most preferred node. Simulation results show that this approach, despite its simplicity, can greatly reduce the number of task losses compared to approaches that do not use backup queues. >
Photometric Periodicities of Be/X-Ray Pulsars in the Small Magellanic Cloud

Analysis of the long-term photometric variability of seven Be/X-ray pulsar systems in the Small Magellanic Cloud has been carried out. We find that a variety of types of variability are present, including long-term irregular changes, periodic orbital outbursts due to interaction between the stars (weeks to months), low-amplitude quasi-periodic variations of the equatorial disk (days), and nonradial pulsations of the Be primary star (hours).
Topological insulators on the decorated honeycomb lattice

We show that the decorated honeycomb (star) lattice supports a number of topological insulating phases with a nontrivial ${Z}_{2}$ invariant and time-reversal symmetry protected gapless edge modes. We investigate the stability of these phases with respect to various symmetry-breaking perturbations and demonstrate the connection to the recent discovery of an exactly solvable $S=1/2$ chiral spin-liquid model [Yao and Kivelson, Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 247203 (2007)] with non-Abelian and Abelian excitations on the same lattice at strong interaction strength. Our work highlights the relationship between noninteracting topological band insulators and strongly interacting topologically ordered spin systems, and points to promising avenues for enlarging the number of known examples of both.
Beyond intelligent interfaces: exploring, analyzing, and creating success models of cooperative problem solving

Cooperative problem-solving systems are computer-based systems that augment a person's ability to create, reflect, design, decide, and reason. Our work focuses on supporting cooperative problem solving in the context of high-functionality computer systems. We show how the conceptual framework behind a given system determines crucial aspects of the system's behavior. Several systems are described that attempted to address specific shortcomings of prevailing assumptions, resulting in a new conceptual framework. To further test this resulting framework, we conducted an empirical study of a success model of cooperative problem solving between people in a large hardware store. The conceptual framework is instantiated in a number of new system-building efforts, which are described and discussed.
Indium-mediated facile synthesis of 3-unsubstituted β-lactams

A simple synthesis of 3-unsubstituted β-lactams was achieved through indium-mediated reaction of imines with ethyl bromoacetate.
Asymmetric Synthesis of α,α-Dibranched Propargylamines by Acetylide Additions to N-tert-Butanesulfinyl Ketimines

Addition of lithium acetylides prepared from 1-pentyne, phenylacetylene, and trimethylsilylacetylene to diverse N-tert-butanesulfinyl ketimines affords a range of α,α-dibranched propargyl sulfinamides in generally good yields (up to 87%) and with high diastereoselectivities (up to >99:1). Acidic cleavage of the tert-butanesulfinyl group provides the free α,α-dibranched propargylamines.