cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ram Pressure Stripping in the Low-Luminosity Virgo Cluster Elliptical Galaxy NGC 4476

We present a deep VLA search for H I emission from the low-luminosity Virgo Cluster elliptical galaxy NGC 4476, which contains 1.1 × 108 M⊙ of molecular gas in an undisturbed disk in regular rotation. No H I was detected. The rms noise in the final image corresponds to a 3 σ column density sensitivity of 1.2 × 1020 cm-2 at the position of NGC 4476, averaged over the 4 kpc beam. The total H I mass is less than 1.5 × 107 M⊙. If we compare our H I upper limit with the H2 content, we find that NGC 4476 is extremely deficient in H I compared with other galaxies detected in these two species. The H2/H mass ratio for NGC 4476 is greater than 7, whereas typical H2/H ratios for elliptical galaxies detected in both H I and H2 are less than 2. On the basis of this extreme H I deficiency and the intracluster medium density at the projected distance from M87, we argue that either NGC 4476 has undergone ram pressure stripping while traveling through the Virgo Cluster core or its average molecular gas density is larger and its interstellar UV field is smaller than in typical spiral galaxies. NGC 4476 is located 12' in projection from M87, which causes extreme continuum confusion problems. We also discuss in detail the techniques used for continuum subtraction. The spectral dynamic range of our final image is 50,000 to 1.
Mechanical vibration in neonatal transport: a randomized study of different mattresses.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that a gel mattress is most effective in attenuating mechanical vibration in neonatal transport, we performed a randomized block study of four mattress combinations (none, foam, gel, gel on foam) using mannequins and an ambulance traveling on fixed routes (city, highway). STUDY DESIGN: Mechanical vibration was assessed by measuring vertical accelerations at two locations: the forehead of a 2000-gm mannequin and the transport incubator base. From time histories of these accelerations, root mean square (RMS) values and power spectral density functions were calculated. The effect of the mattress on the transmission of vibration was determined from ratios of the RMS values at the two locations. An RMS ratio of 1.0 indicates accentuation of vibration. From the power spectral density functions, the natural frequency of the system was determined for each mattress combination in relation to the natural frequencies of the ambulance. To determine the effect of the weight of the mannequin on vibration, additional measurements were performed using a 300-gm mannequin. RESULTS: All the observed RMS ratios were >1. The highest ratios were observed on the city route in the absence of the gel mattress. The gel mattress, used alone or with the foam mattress, in contrast to foam or no mattress, shifted the natural frequency of the system away from the natural frequencies of the ambulance, avoiding a large amplification of vibration. A decrease in the weight of the mannequin caused the gel mattress to be less effective in attenuating vibration. CONCLUSION: A gel mattress, used alone or with a foam mattress, results in the least accentuation of vibration, but vibration in ambulance transport is not attenuated by any of the mattress combinations. The hazard of vibration may be particularly relevant when transporting extremely low birth weight neonates. These findings indicate a need for study and design of more effective devices that can reduce the vibratory stress.
Multi-parameter mechanism design and sequential posted pricing

We consider the classical mathematical economics problem of Bayesian optimal mechanism design where a principal aims to optimize expected revenue when allocating resources to self-interested agents with preferences drawn from a known distribution. In single-parameter settings (i.e., where each agent's preference is given by a single private value for being served and zero for not being served) this problem is solved. Unfortunately, these single parameter optimal mechanisms are impractical and rarely employed, and furthermore the underlying economic theory fails to generalize to the important, relevant, and unsolved multi-dimensional setting (i.e., where each agent's preference is given by multiple values for each of the multiple services available). In contrast to the theory of optimal mechanisms we develop a theory of sequential posted price mechanisms, where agents in sequence are offered take-it-or-leave-it prices. We prove that these mechanisms are approximately optimal in single-dimensional settings. These posted-price mechanisms avoid many of the properties of optimal mechanisms that make the latter impractical. Furthermore, these mechanisms generalize naturally to multidimensional settings where they give the first known approximations to the elusive optimal multi-dimensional mechanism design problem.
Native Chemical Ligation Combined with Desulfurization and Deselenization: A General Strategy for Chemical Protein Synthesis

Of the many approaches proposed to generalize the native chemical ligation approach for protein synthesis, the simple procedure of global desulfurization of peptide thiols has become the most widely adopted. In this review, the development of the native ligation–desulfurization strategy is described, focusing on the conversion of Cys to Ala following ligation at N-terminal Cys residues. Subsequent variations on this theme have broadened the scope to other natural amino acids including Phe, Leu, Val, and Lys, and even non-native peptide linkages such as isopeptide bonds on lysine side chains. Using insights from both selenocysteine–peptide side reactions and radical initiated desulfurization procedures, a new method for the selective deselenization of peptides containing both selenocysteine and cysteine residues has been developed. Together, these approaches represent a robust and flexible methodology for the synthesis of complex polypeptides without the use of protecting groups.
Summary and analysis of feasibility-study designs of V/STOL transport aircraft

V/stol concepts for short haul commercial aircraft compared for gross weight, operating cost, gust sensitivity and noise levels
Synthesis of Amidines Using N-Allyl Ynamides. A Palladium-Catalyzed Allyl Transfer Through an Ynamido-π-Allyl Complex

A de novo transformation of N-allyl-N-sulfonyl ynamides to amidines is described featuring a palladium-catalyzed N-to-C allyl transfer via ynamido-palladium-π-allyl complexes.
Robust and well‐conditioned eigenstructure assignment via sylvester's equation

An algorithmic solution is given for the problem of calculating a pole assignment matrix F that makes the eigenvector matrix of A + BF well-conditioned with respect to inversion, or equivalently, maximally orthonormal. This causes A + BF to have low eigenvalue sensitivity. The algorithm relies on a solution of Sylvester's equation and does not involve co-ordinate transformations or canonical forms. These results are steps in the direction of transforming pole assignment theory into an effective design tool for control systems.
An inverse Satake isomorphism in characteristic p

Let $$\mathfrak {F}$$ be a local field with finite residue field of characteristic $$p$$ and $$k$$ an algebraic closure of the residue field. Let $$ { \mathrm G}$$ be the group of $$\mathfrak {F}$$ -points of a $$\mathfrak {F}$$ -split connected reductive group. In the apartment corresponding to a maximal split torus $$\mathrm{T}$$ , we choose a hyperspecial vertex and denote by $$\mathrm{K}$$ the corresponding maximal compact subgroup of $$ { \mathrm G}$$ . Given an irreducible smooth $$k$$ -representation $$\rho $$ of $$\mathrm{K}$$ , we construct an isomorphism from the affine semigroup $$k$$ -algebra $$k[\mathrm{X}_{*}^{+}(\mathrm{T})]$$ of the dominant cocharacters of $$\mathrm{T}$$ onto the spherical $$k$$ -algebra $$\mathcal{{H}}( { \mathrm G}, \rho )$$ . In the case when the derived subgroup of $$ { \mathrm G}$$ is simply connected, we prove furthermore that our isomorphism is the inverse to the mod $$p$$ Satake isomorphism constructed by Herzig (Compos Math 147(1):263–283, 2011).
The zero-sum game of pathway optimization: Emerging paradigms for tuning gene expression

With increasing price volatility and growing awareness of the lack of sustainability of traditional chemical synthesis, microbial chemical production has been tapped as a promising renewable alternative for the generation of diverse, stereospecific compounds. Nonetheless, many attempts to generate them are not yet economically viable. Due to the zero-sum nature of microbial resources, traditional strategies of pathway optimization are attaining minimal returns. This result is in part a consequence of the gross changes in host physiology resulting from such efforts and underscores the need for more precise and subtle forms of gene modulation. In this review, we describe alternative strategies and emerging paradigms to address this problem and highlight potential solutions from the emerging field of synthetic biology.
Impossibility of Collusion under Imperfect Monitoring with Flexible Production

We show that it is impossible to achieve collusion in a duopoly when (1) goods are homogenous and firms compete in quantities, (2) new, imperfect information arrives continuously, without sudden events and (3) firms are able to respond to this new information quickly. The result holds even if we allow for asymmetric equilibria or monetary transfers. The intuition is that the flexibility to respond to new information quickly unravels any collusive scheme and that signals about the aggregate behavior only cannot be used effectively to provide individual incentives via transfers. Our result applies both to a simple stationary model and a more complicated one with prices following a mean-reverting Markov process.
Perspective on “The transition state method”

A perspective is provided on Wigner’s classic paper on transition-state theory (TST). After providing a brief review of the historical context of this work, we review its key contributions including Wigner’s dynamical perspective on TST, the fundamental assumption of TST, and the upper-bound property of classical TST. A discussion is also presented of subsequent progress in the field, which was stimulated by this work. This progress includes the following: 1. Demonstrations of the validity of the fundamental assumption for classical systems. 2. Further investigations into the classical foundations of TST that helped elucidate relationships between classical trajectories and TST. 3. The development of a variational form of the theory. 4. The development of variational TST into a quantitative tool for predicting rate constants. 5. The search for an “exact” quantum mechanical version of TST. 6. The development of TST-like expressions for the exact quantum mechanical rate constant. 7. The extension of TST to reactions in condensed phases.
Winds from nuclear Starbursts: Old truths and recent progress on superwinds

I will discuss a few select aspects of the most common and best understood galactic-scale outflow – starburst-driven superwinds, focusing on winds from nuclear starburst galaxies. I will show that modern observations, in particular in the soft and hard X-ray bands, complement and reinforce the existing paradigm of superwinds as flows collectively driven by multiple SNe. The properties of the diffuse X-ray emission from dwarf starburst galaxies, LBOL∼L[sstarf ] starburst in spiral galaxies, and ULIRGS, are all consistent with superwind activity. Where appropriate, I contrast the physics of starburst-driven winds with poorly collimated winds from AGN, and discuss what we know of the role of LLAGN and Seyfert nuclei in starburst superwind galaxies.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html
Feasible estimation of firm-specific allocative inefficiency through Bayesian numerical methods

Both the theoretical and empirical literature on the estimation of allocative and technical inefficiency has grown enormously. To minimize aggregation bias, ideally one should estimate firm and input-specific parameters describing allocative inefficiency. However, identifying these parameters has often proven difficult. For a panel of Chilean hydroelectric power plants, we obtain a full set of such parameters using Gibbs sampling, which draws sequentially from conditional generalized method of moments (GMM) estimates obtained via instrumental variables estimation. We find an economically significant range of firm-specific efficiency estimates with differing degrees of precision. The standard GMM approach estimates virtually no allocative inefficiency for industry-wide parameters. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimation for Almost Periodic Processes

Processes with almost periodic covariance functions have spectral mass on lines parallel to the diagonal in the two-dimensional spectral plane. Methods have been given for estimation of spectral mass on the lines of spectral concentration if the locations of the lines are known. Here methods for estimating the intercepts of the lines of spectral concentration in the Gaussian case are given under appropriate conditions. The methods determine rates of convergence sufficiently fast as the sample size n→∞ so that the spectral estimation on the estimated lines can then proceed effectively. This task involves bounding the maximum of an interesting class of non-Gaussian possibly nonstationary processes.
Prognostic factors for recurrence and survival in head and neck soft tissue sarcomas

Background. Soft tissue sarcomas of the head and neck represent uncommon malignant neoplasms. With the exception of orbital and parameningeal sites, the treatment of sarcomas in the head and neck has not been standardized. The authors used a prospectively collected database of adult soft tissue sarcomas to identify prognostic factors for local control and survival. Methods. A prospectively collected database of adult soft tissue sarcoma from 1982 to 1989 was analyzed for the impact of prognostic factors on local control and survival. Factors examined included histologic type, tumor grade, size, and resection margins. Results. The overall and disease free survival at 5 years was 71 and 60%, respectively. Local control was 70% at 5 years. On univariate analysis, grade and margin status were predictors for local control. Analysis based on the Cox proportional hazard model revealed that margin status was the only significant factor in predicting local control. Grade and margin status were significant prognostic indicators for survival both on univariate analysis and in the Cox proportional hazard model. Conclusion. Patients with head and neck sarcomas should undergo wide excision with the removal of all gross disease and the acquisition of negative, microscopic surgical margins. Patients with positive margins should receive adjuvant radiotherapy for local control. High grade lesions place patients at risk for local recurrence and distant dissemination. Investigational regimens designed to prevent metastatic disease should be performed. Cancer 1994; 74: 697-702.
CONFORMATIONS AND RELATIVE STABILITIES OF THE CIS AND TRANS ISOMERS IN A SERIES OF ISOLATED N-PHENYLAMIDES

The gas-phase conformations of a series of isolated N-phenylamides have been determined from vibrationally resolved electronic spectra obtained by resonant two-photon ionization in a supersonic jet expansion. Both the cis and trans isomers of formanilide were identified, with the cis isomer in 6.5% abundance. The spectral features displayed by this isomer are consistent with a nonplanar geometry which undergoes a large change in the phenyl torsional angle following electronic excitation. The more abundant trans isomer of formanilide adopts a planar structure and is stabilized by 2.5 kcal/mol with respect to the cis isomer. In the excited electronic state the relative stabilities of the two isomers are reversed. Acetanilide, in contrast, is found exclusively as the trans isomer, also having a planar structure. N-Methyl substitution causes a reversal of the relative isomer stabilities found in formanilide and leads to an isomer distribution consisting of approximately 90% E and 10% Z in N-methylformanilide....
Childhood Pyelonephritis: Comparison of Gadolinium-Enhanced MR Imaging and Renal Cortical Scintigraphy for Diagnosis

PURPOSE: To compare gadolinium-enhanced inversion-recovery magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with renal cortical scintigraphy in the diagnosis of childhood pyelonephritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with fever-producing urinary tract infection underwent gadolinium-enhanced inversion-recovery MR imaging and technetium-99m renal cortical scintigraphy. Each study was read in double-blind fashion by two radiologists. The kidney was divided into three zones, and each was graded as positive, equivocal, or negative for pyelonephritis. RESULTS: Seventy kidneys (210 zones) were imaged. Twenty-six kidneys (54 zones) had evidence of pyelonephritis at both MR imaging and scintigraphy. Twenty-four kidneys (100 zones) were negative on both studies. Twelve kidneys (42 zones) were positive at MR imaging but negative at scintigraphy, and four kidneys (seven zones) were negative at MR imaging but positive at scintigraphy. The results of MR imaging for pyelonephritis were not equivalent to the results of sci...
Crystal growth and structure of Mn2.47V0.94Mo1.06O8

Abstract Single crystals of Mn2.47V0.94Mo1.06O8 were grown in a MnO/V2O5/MoO3 melt under a nitrogen atmosphere (orthorhombic, space group Pnma (No. 62), a=5.167(2) A, b=10.580(3) A, c=17.868(4) A, and Z=6). The crystallization, composition, and quality of the crystals were largely influenced by the composition of the melt, temperature and the oxygen partial pressure.
1 /∞(ZrPSe6 - ): A Soluble Photoluminescent Inorganic Polymer and Strong Second Harmonic Generation Response of Its Alkali Salts

Zirconium selenophosphate compounds with a unique polar structure show strong second harmonic generation and they dissolve in polar solvent to produce photoluminescent solutions.
Real-time tracking of activity scheduling/schedule execution within a unified data collection framework

One of the major foci in transport research is the identification of the temporal–spatial decision making structure embedded in activity scheduling and its linkage to actual activity execution. The latter part of the research in question has not been explored explicitly in real life situations due to the lack of effective data collection means. This paper presents a real-time activity scheduling, activity/travel survey system that incorporates the extraction of activity scheduling and the execution information within one unified data collection framework. These “revealed” data can be used for explicitly defining the mechanism of how people’s activity schedules dynamically adapt to social-demographic and temporal–spatial constraints and finally lead to the observed activity-travel patterns.
Analytic regularity of a free boundary problem

In this paper, we consider a free boundary problem with volume constraint. We show that positive minimizer is locally Lipschitz and the free boundary is analytic away from a singular set with Hausdorff dimension at most n − 8.
Microlensing of Globular Clusters as a Probe of Galactic Structure

The spatial distribution of compact dark matter in the Galaxy can be determined in a few years by monitoring Galactic globular clusters for microlensing. Globular clusters are the only dense fields of stars distributed throughout the three-dimensional halo, and hence, they are uniquely suited to probe its structure. The microlensing optical depths toward different clusters have varying contributions from the thin disk, thick disk, bulge, and halo of the Galaxy. Although measuring individual optical depths to all the clusters is a daunting task, we show that interesting Galactic structure information can be extracted with as few as 40-120 events in total for the entire globular cluster system (observable with 2-5 yr of monitoring). This experiment is particularly sensitive to the core radius of the halo mass distribution and to the parameters of the thin disk.
Large Late-Time Asphericities in Three Type IIP Supernovae

Type II-plateau supernovae (SNe IIP) are the results of the explosions of red supergiants and are the most common subclass of core-collapse supernovae. Past observations have shown that the outer layers of the ejecta of SNe IIP are largely spherical, but the degree of asphericity increases toward the core. We present evidence for high degrees of asphericity in the inner cores of three recent SNe IIP (SNe 2006my, 2006ov, and 2007aa), as revealed by late-time optical spectropolarimetry. The three objects were all selected to have very low interstellar polarization (ISP), which minimizes the uncertainties in ISP removal and allows us to use the continuum polarization as a tracer of asphericity. The three objects have intrinsic continuum polarizations in the range of 0.83%-1.56% in observations taken after the end of the photometric plateau, with the polarization dropping to almost zero at the wavelengths of strong emission lines. Our observations of SN 2007aa at earlier times, taken on the photometric plateau, show contrastingly smaller continuum polarizations (~0.1%). The late-time Hα and [O I] line profiles of SN 2006ov provide further evidence for asphericities in the inner ejecta. Such high core polarizations in very ordinary core-collapse supernovae provide further evidence that essentially all core-collapse supernova explosions are highly aspherical, even if the outer parts of the ejecta show only small deviations from spherical symmetry.
Racetrack wagering and the “uninformed” bettor: A study of market efficiency

Abstract The analysis examines the wagering behavior of the “uninformed” bettor. Using data from a second tier racetrack, the high correlation between subjective and objective probabilities suggests an efficient win pool. However, the results fail to demonstrate the public 's tendency to underbet favorites and overbet longshots. Employing computer intensive statistical methods, a second part of the analysis suggests that mispricing does exist in the place and show pooh, although the size of these inefficiencies may be of small economic consequence. Taken as a whole, the results of a small, start-up track mirror those found in earlier studies of major racetracks and support an earlier conjecture that the fast, repetitive feedback in horserace wagering facilitates learning.
Student Perceptions of Online Homework in Introductory Finance Courses.

The author examined student perceptions concerning online homework assignments in an introductory finance class. In general, students felt that online homework was preferable to traditional homework assignments that are turned in to the instructor. In addition, students reported that the homework assignments increased their understanding of the material and the time they spent in preparing for the class. Overall, graduate students reported a higher level of satisfaction than did undergraduates.
Resolution of quantum and classical ghost imaging

The quantum ghost imaging phenomena, experimentally demonstrated a decade ago, exploited the apparent spooky action at a distance of entangled photon pairs and offered a novel approach toward imaging. Can ghost imaging effects be produced by ``classical'' light sources, such as separable systems of photon pairs or thermal light? If so, can these sources achieve the same accuracy achieved by entangled states? In order to answer these questions, we formulate the different physics behind entangled and separable systems in terms of a set of inequalities derived from the historical argument of Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen. We show that the ghost images produced by separable sources are subject to the standard statistical limitations. However, entangled states offer the possibility of overcoming such limitations. Imaging can, therefore, achieve its fundamental limit through the high spatial resolution and nonlocal behavior of entangled systems.
For Better or For Worse? State-Level Marital Formation and Risk Sharing

Why do some U.S. states have higher levels of marital formation than others? This paper introduces an economic model wherein a state’s representative individual may choose to marry in order to diversify his or her idiosyncratic income risk. The paper demonstrates that such a diversification motive is enhanced for some utility functions when a state’s level of undiversifiable risk becomes larger, and when a state’s initial income is lower. A test of the model’s predictions, using cross-sectional data for the 50 U.S. states, provides some suggestive evidence for a risk sharing motive in marriage formation and joint spouse labor participation.
Semantics-directed generation of a Prolog compiler

Abstract In a recent paper [27], the denotational semantics for the language Prolog was presented. The aim was to define precisely the language. This paper goes further in this direction by describing how the denotational semantics of Prolog can be used to interpret and to compile Prolog programs, as well as to automatically generate a compiler for the language. Our approach is based on partial evaluation. Compilation is achieved by specializing the Prolog definition. The compiler is obtained by self-application of the partial evaluator. It is well-structured and the speed of the compiled code has been found to be about six times faster than interpretation. Our approach improves on previous work [14,22,32] in that: (i) it enables compiler generation and consequently speeds up the compilation process, and (ii) it goes beyond the usual mapping from syntax to denotations by processing the static semantics of the language definition.
Epidemiological Findings Associated with Beryllium Extraction

(1959). Epidemiological Findings Associated with Beryllium Extraction. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal: Vol. 20, No. 6, pp. 494-499.
A critical review of the heavy elastica

Abstract The heavy elastica models thin or slender elements with non-negligible density. The non-linear governing equation depends on a non-dimensional parameter representing the relative importance of density and length to rigidity. Buckling, post-buckling and large deformation cases are discussed. Almost all relevant literature are included.
Small-bowel masses found and missed on capsule endoscopy for obscure bleeding

Objective. Data on the nature of small-bowel tumors found or missed by capsule endoscopy (CE) are limited. The aim of this study was to review the CE findings in patients with small-bowel tumors presenting as obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Material and methods. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the first 300 patients who underwent CE for obscure bleeding (non-diagnostic EGD and colonoscopy) at our institution. Results. Ten (3%) confirmed small-bowel masses were found in 9 patients. CE findings included distinct mass (n=4), focal irregular (ulcerated or nodular) mucosa (n=2), focal blood without clear lesion (n=1), proximal angiodysplasia with obscuring distal melena (n=1), incomplete distal examination with normal proximal images (n=1), and normal findings (n=1). Most (80%) of the lesions were potentially malignant: adenocarcinoma (n=4), neuroendocrine carcinoma (n=1), leiomyosarcoma (n=1), and GI stroma cell tumors (GISTs) (n=2). Benign lesions included inflammatory fibroid poly...
Three jet cross sections in photoproduction at HERA

We calculate three jet cross sections in photoproduction using exact matrix elements for the direct and resolved contributions. Numerical distributions are presented in a generic, irreducible set of variables that allows to disentangle the dynamics of partonic QCD subprocesses from each other and from pure phase space distributions. The results are compared to preliminary data from the ZEUS collaboration at HERA. It is found that the largest contribution comes from photon-gluon fusion in the mass range 36 GeV \(< M_{\rm 3-jet} <\) 80 GeV. The measured leading jet scattering angle distribution is consistent with the \(t\)-channel exchange of a massless fermion in \(2\rightarrow 2\) scattering, where the third parton is assumed to arise from soft bremsstrahlung. The data are inconsistent with pure phase space and Rutherford scattering distributions.
Spectral estimation on a sphere in geophysics and cosmology

We address the problem of estimating the spherical-harmonic power spectrum Sl of a statistically isotropic scalar signal s(r) from noise-contaminated data d(r) = s(r) + n(r) on a region R of the unit sphere. Three different methods of spectral estimation are considered: (i) the spherical analogue of the 1-D periodogram, (ii) the maximum likelihood method, and (iii) a spherical analogue of the 1-D multitaper method. The periodogram exhibits strong spectral leakage, especially for small regions of area A << 4π, and is generally unsuitable for spherical spectral analysis applications, just as it is in 1-D. The maximum likelihood method is particularly useful in the case of nearly whole-sphere coverage, A=4π, and has been widely used in cosmology to estimate the spectrum of the cosmic microwave background radiation from spacecraft observations. The spherical multitaper method affords easy control over the fundamental tradeoff between spectral resolution and variance, and is easily implemented, requiring neither non-linear iteration nor large-scale matrix inversion. As a result, the method is ideally suited for routine applications in geophysics, geodesy or planetary science, where the objective is to obtain a spatially localized estimate of the spectrum of a signal s(r) from data d(r) = s(r)+n(r) within a pre-selected and typically small region R.
Linear Speed Large Deviations for Percolation Clusters

Let $C_n$ be the origin-containing cluster in subcritical percolation on the lattice $\frac{1}{n} \mathbb Z^d$, viewed as a random variable in the space $\Omega$ of compact, connected, origin-containing subsets of $\mathbb R^d$, endowed with the Hausdorff metric $\delta$. When $d \geq 2$, and $\Gamma$ is any open subset of $\Omega$, we prove that $$\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty}\frac{1}{n} \log P(C_n \in \Gamma) = -\inf_{S \in \Gamma} \lambda(S)$$ where $\lambda(S)$ is the one-dimensional Hausdorff measure of $S$ defined using the correlation norm : $$||u|| := \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} - \frac{1}{n} \log P (u_n \in C_n )$$ where $u_n$ is $u$ rounded to the nearest element of $\frac{1}{n}\mathbb Z^d$. Given points $a^1, \ldots, a^k \in \mathbb R^d$, there are finitely many correlation-norm Steiner trees spanning these points and the origin. We show that if the $C_n$ are each conditioned to contain the points $a^1_n, \ldots, a^k_n$, then the probability that $C_n$ fails to approximate one of these trees tends to zero exponentially in $n$.
Creating a Safe, High-Quality Healthcare System for All: Meeting the Needs of Limited English Proficient Populations; Comment on “Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality: The Case for Language Access”

The article by Cheri Wilson, “Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality: The Case for Language Access”, highlights the challenges of providing Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) to patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). As the US pursues high-value, high-performance healthcare, our ability to meet the needs of our most vulnerable will determine whether we succeed or fail in the long run. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), this is more important than ever before, as it is estimated that the newly insured are more likely to be minority and less likely to speak English than their currently insured counterparts. As such, we must create a safe, high-quality healthcare system for all, especially in this time of incredible healthcare transformation and unprecedented diversity. Improving Patient Safety Systems for Patients With Limited English Proficiency: A Guide for Hospitals provides a blueprint for achieving this goal, and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) is taking action.
On integrable c < 1 open-closed string theory

The integrable structure of open-closed string theories in the (p, q) conformal minimal model backgrounds is presented. The relation between the τ-function of the closed string theory and that of the open-closed string theory is uncovered. The resulting description of the open-closed string theory is shown to fit very naturally into the framework of the sl(q, C) KdV hierarchies. In particular, the twisted bosons which underlie and organise the structure of the closed string theory play a similar role here and may be employed to derive loop equations and correlation function recursion relations for the open-closed strings in a simple way.
Arctic Sea Ice Reemergence: The Role of Large-Scale Oceanic and Atmospheric Variability*

AbstractArctic sea ice reemergence is a phenomenon in which spring sea ice anomalies are positively correlated with fall anomalies, despite a loss of correlation over the intervening summer months. This work employs a novel data analysis algorithm for high-dimensional multivariate datasets, coupled nonlinear Laplacian spectral analysis (NLSA), to investigate the regional and temporal aspects of this reemergence phenomenon. Coupled NLSA modes of variability of sea ice concentration (SIC), sea surface temperature (SST), and sea level pressure (SLP) are studied in the Arctic sector of a comprehensive climate model and in observations. It is found that low-dimensional families of NLSA modes are able to efficiently reproduce the prominent lagged correlation features of the raw sea ice data. In both the model and observations, these families provide an SST–sea ice reemergence mechanism, in which melt season (spring) sea ice anomalies are imprinted as SST anomalies and stored over the summer months, allowing for...
Modes of elliptical waveguides: a correction

It is shown that the fields associated with the TM/sub 01/ (transverse magnetic) mode of an elliptical waveguide are qualitatively different from those which have appeared in the standard literature for the past 50 years, and that the original fields as plotted were also in qualitative disagreement with the analytic expressions which accompanied them. Nonetheless, the cutoff frequencies given for that mode as well as for five other modes are exceedingly accurate (within roughly 1%) for elliptical eccentricities as large as 0.75; for eccentricities in excess of 0.9, the inaccuracy increases from 5% to nearly 50%, depending on the mode in question. >
The Universality of the Efimov Three-body Parameter

In this paper we discuss the recent discovery of the universality of the three-body parameter (3BP) from Efimov physics. This new result was identified by recent experimental observations in ultracold quantum gases where the value of the s-wave scattering length, a = a −, at which the first Efimov resonance is created was found to be nearly the same for a range of atomic species — if scaled as a −/r vdW, where r vdW is the van der Waals length. Here, we discuss some of the physical principles related to these observations that emerge from solving the three-body problem with van der Waals interactions in the hyperspherical formalism. We also demonstrate the strong three-body multichannel nature of the problem and the importance of properly accounting for nonadiabatic effects.
Truss Topology Optimization with Simultaneous Analysis and Design

Strategies for topology optimization of trusses for minimum weight subject to stress and displacement constraints by simultaneous analysis and design (SAND) are considered. The ground structure approach is used. A penalty function formulation of SAND is compared with an augmented Lagrangian formulation. The efficiency of SAND in handling combinations of general constraints is tested. A strategy for obtaining an optimal topology by minimizing the compliance of the truss is compared with a direct weight minimization solution to satisfy stress and displacement constraints. It is shown that for some problems, starting from the ground structure and using SAND is better than starting from a minimum compliance topology design and optimizing only the cross sections for minimum weight under stress and displacement constraints. A member elimination strategy to save CPU time is discussed.
Highly ionized atoms in cooling gas

The ionization of low density gas cooling from a high temperature was calculated. The evolution during the cooling is assumed to be isochoric, isobaric, or a combination of these cases. The calculations are used to predict the column densities and ultraviolet line luminosities of highly ionized atoms in cooling gas. In a model for cooling of a hot galactic corona, it is shown that the observed value of N(N V) can be produced in the cooling gas, while the predicted value of N(Si IV) falls short of the observed value by a factor of about 5. The same model predicts fluxes of ultraviolet emission lines that are a factor of 10 lower than the claimed detections of Feldman, Brune, and Henry. Predictions are made for ultraviolet lines in cooling flows in early-type galaxies and clusters of galaxies. It is shown that the column densities of interest vary over a fairly narrow range, while the emission line luminosities are simply proportional to the mass inflow rate.
The Effects of Severity of Failure and Customer Loyalty on Service Recovery Strategies

Service failures do not need to result in permanent negative consequences as long as effective recovery activities are undertaken. Unfortunately, existing research has been limited in providing information to support prescriptive approaches for applying specific service recovery techniques. By using data from a large sample (n = 861) of service failure incidents and employing the use of hierarchical and non-hierarchical cluster analysis, this exploratory study creates and analyzes empirical types of service failures. The derived failure types, or common situations faced by service providers, focus on customer loyalty and the severity of the failure, and may be visualized in a two-by-two matrix. Regression analysis is then used to demonstrate how effective recovery strategies and supporting activities should vary, based on the location of the failure within the matrix. The approach and results offer important implications for strategy and service support activities as well as a foundation for systematizing service recovery efforts.
A formal proof of Pick's Theorem

Pick's Theorem relates the area of a simple polygon with vertices at integer lattice points to the number of lattice points in its inside and boundary. We describe a formal proof of this theorem using the HOL Light theorem prover. As sometimes happens for highly geometrical proofs, the formalisation turned out to be more work than initially expected. The difficulties arose mostly from formalising the triangulation process for an arbitrary polygon.
Defuzzification of fuzzy intervals

Abstract This paper deals with defuzzification of fuzzy intervals classified as regular or irregular. Based on the defuzzification method used, a fuzzy interval is regular if its membership function is maximized at its defuzzified value. Otherwise the fuzzy interval is irregular. Three methods for defuzzification are presented in this paper: (1) mean-of-maxima (MOM) method; (2) center-of-area (COA) method; and (3) fuzzy mean (FM) method. Fuzzy intervals with symmetrical membership function are regular, and all three defuzzification methods give the same results. For any regular fuzzy interval based on the COA method its defuzzified value is equal to the middle point of the corresponding ‘mean value’ interval. For irregular fuzzy intervals, two approaches are proposed. One is to apply the defuzzification method but relax the reasonable but not necessary (RNN) requirement. Another is to apply the RNN requirement but relax the defuzzification method. This paper shows that the regularity of a fuzzy interval is preserved after applying an arithmetic operation with a nonzero real number. The formulas for calculating the defuzzified value of the arithmetic operations between a regular fuzzy interval and a real number are derived. This paper also shows that the regularity of two fuzzy intervals based on the COA method is preserved after applying addition or subtraction operation between them. The formulas for calculating the defuzzified value of the sum and the difference of regular fuzzy intervals are derived. The properties of fuzzy intervals discussed in this paper can be taken into consideration before or when a defuzzification method is selected.
Lasing in random media

Abstract A random laser is a non-conventional laser whose feedback mechanism is based on disorder-induced light scattering. Depending on whether the feedback supplied by scattering is intensity feedback or amplitude feedback, random lasers are classified into two categories: random lasers with incoherent feedback and random lasers with coherent feedback. A brief survey of random lasers with incoherent feedback is presented. It is followed by a review of our recent experimental work on random lasers with coherent feedback, including measurement of the lasing threshold, lasing spectra, emission pattern, dynamical response, photon statistics, speckle pattern and the investigation of relevant length scales. Large disorder leads to spatial confinement of the lasing modes, that is the foundation for the micro random laser. Some theoretical models of random lasers with coherent feedback are briefly introduced. The study of random lasers improves our understanding of the interplay between light localization and c...
Arecibo 430 MHz pulsar polarimetry: Faraday rotation measures and morphological classifications

We have measured Faraday rotation measures (RMs) at Arecibo Observatory for 36 pulsars, 17 of them new. We combine these and earlier measurements to study the Galactic magnetic field and its possible temporal variations. Many RM values have changed significantly on several-year timescales, but these variations probably do not reflect interstellar magnetic field changes. By studying the distribution of pulsar RMs near the plane in conjunction with the new NE2001 electron density model, we note the following structures in the first Galactic longitude quadrant: (1) the local field reversal can be traced as a null in RM in a 0.5 kpc wide strip interior to the Solar circle, extending ~7 kpc around the Galaxy. (2) Steadily increasing RMs in a 1 kpc wide strip interior to the local field reversal, and also in the wedge bounded by 42° < l < 52°, indicate that the large-scale field is approximately steady from the local reversal in to the Sagittarius arm. (3) The RMs in the 1 kpc wide strip interior to the Sagittarius arm indicate another field reversal in this strip. (4) The RMs in a final 1 kpc wide interior strip, straddling the Scutum arm, also support a second field reversal interior to the Sun, between the Sagittarius and Scutum arms. (5) Exterior to the nearby reversal, RMs from 60° < l < 78° show evidence for two reversals, on the near and far side of the Perseus arm. (6) In general, the maxima in the large-scale fields tend to lie along the spiral arms, while the field minima tend to be found between them. We have also determined polarized profiles of 48 pulsars at 430 MHz. We present morphological pulse profile classifications (Rankin 1983) of the pulsars, based on our new measurements and previously published data.
A Precise Estimate of the Radius of the Exoplanet HD 149026b from Spitzer Photometry

We present Spitzer 8 μm transit observations of the extrasolar planet HD 149026b. At this wavelength, transit light curves are weakly affected by stellar limb darkening, allowing for a simpler and more accurate determination of planetary parameters. We measure a planet–star radius ratio of R_p/R_★ = 0.05158 ± 0.00077, and in combination with ground-based data and independent constraints on the stellar mass and radius, we derive an orbital inclination of i = 85.◦4^(+0.◦9)_(−0.◦8) and a planet radius of R_p = 0.755 ± 0.040 R_J. These measurements further support models in which the planet is greatly enriched in heavy elements.
Contribution of Bright Extragalactic Radio Sources to Microwave Anisotropy

We estimate the contribution of extragalactic radio sources to fluctuations in sky temperature over the range of frequencies (10-300 GHz) used for cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy measurements. CMB anisotropy observations at high resolution and low frequencies are especially sensitive to this foreground. Our catalog of 2207 bright radio sources includes 758 sources with flux measurements at 90 GHz. We develop a method to extrapolate the source spectra and predict skymaps of extragalactic radio sources at instrument resolutions of 10'-10° FWHM. Our results indicate that the brightest radio sources will dominate microwave anisotropy for a wide range of resolutions and frequencies. We predict the location and flux of the brightest radio sources at each frequency, making it straightforward to develop a template for masking the pixels containing them. This masking should be sufficient to protect most CMB anisotropy observations from unacceptable radio source confusion.
Myosin and actin expression and oxidation in aging muscle

While the age-related loss in muscle mass partially explains the decline in strength, other yet undefined mechanisms contribute. This study investigates whether changes in myosin-actin stoichiometry and oxidative modification could help explain the decrement in muscle strength with aging. Protein expression and oxidation were evaluated in myosin and actin isolated from the soleus and semimembranosus muscles from young adult, old, and very old Fischer 344 rats. In the soleus muscle, actin and myosin content did not change with aging. In the semimembranosus, actin content was stable, but myosin exhibited decreased content in muscles from very old rats, resulting in a decrease in the myosin-to-actin ratio. 3-Nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal were used as markers of protein oxidative damage. Although myosin and actin are modified with 3-nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, the extent of chemical modification does not increase with age. The results suggest that the decline in force production with age is not due to the accumulation of these two specific markers of protein oxidation on the myofibrillar proteins. Additionally, age-dependent changes in myofibrillar stoichiometry do not contribute to the decline in force production in the soleus, but may play a role in the semimembranosus with advanced age.
Mechanical-Morphology Relationship of PS Foams

The relationship between the morphology and the mechanical behavior of commercial PS foams has been investigated. The foams studied had a closed cell morphology with densities between 25 and74 kg/m3 and number-average cell sizes between 75 and 230 mm, and a normal cell size distribution (dv/dn 1.20). Mechanical results showed that the compressive strength and modulus could be expressed as a function of the foam morphology, using a unique morphological parameter taking into account the cell size and foam density. Flat sheet impact tests showed that three stages, i.e. damage initiation, damage propagation and damage coalescence leading to foam collapse, could be identified in the impact behavior of the foams. The maximum stress and the energy absorbed during impact could also be related to the morphological parameter proposed. A transition from a brittle to a ductile behavior could be rationalized using the proposed parameter.