cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of neural responses in the canine pyloric sphincter by opioids.

1. Regulation of excitatory and inhibitory junction potentials (e.j.ps and i.j.ps) by opioid peptides was studied in isolated muscle strips from the pyloric sphincter of the dog. 2. Methionine enkephalin (MetEnk; 10(-10) to 10(-6) M) and [D-Ala2, D-Leu5] enkephalin (DADLE; 10(-11) to 10(-7) M), a delta-specific opioid agonist, inhibited i.j.ps and e.j.ps recorded from cells in the myenteric and submucosal regions of the circular muscle layer. These compounds had no effect on resting potential or slow wave activity suggesting that the effects on junction potentials were not due to direct effects on smooth muscle cells. 3. MetEnk and DADLE caused similar effects on junction potentials in preparations in which the myenteric plexus was removed, suggesting that opioids inhibit pre-junctional effects on nerve fibres within the muscularis externa. 4. Inhibition of junction potentials by MetEnk and DADLE was blocked by approximately the same extent by naloxone (10(-6) M) and ICI 174,864 (10(-6) M), a delta-specific antagonist. 5. MetEnk and DADLE blocked a portion of the i.j.p. that was sensitive to arginine analogues; after treatment with N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10(-4) M), MetEnk and DADLE had no further effect on i.j.ps. These data suggest that opioids regulate nitric oxide-dependent neurotransmission. 6. Naloxone (10(-6) M) alone had no effect on i.j.ps elicited by short trains of electrical field stimuli. 7. I.j.p. amplitude was reduced after a period of conditioning stimulation (2 min, 30 Hz, 30 V). Naloxone blocked the post-stimulation inhibition. Repetitive stimulation at high frequencies (30 Hz) resulted in sustained hyperpolarization. Naloxone increased the amplitude of the hyperpolarization responses elicited by high frequency stimulation.8. These results show that e.j.ps and i.j.ps in the canine pylorus are inhibited by opioids. A portion of the inhibitory effects appears to be mediated via delta receptors.9. Although pyloric muscles are richly innervated by nerves containing opioid peptides, brief trains of stimuli do not appear to release concentrations of opioids that are effective in regulating junction potentials. Higher frequency stimulation (or longer durations of stimulation) appear to be necessary to release concentrations of opioids that are effective in modulating the amplitude of junction potentials.
Extensions of algebraic image operators: an approach to model-based vision

Abstract We extend our previous research on a highly structured and compact algebraic representation of grey-level images which can be viewed as fuzzy sets. Addition and multiplication are defined for the set of all grey-level images, which can then be described as polynomials of two variables. Utilizing this new algebraic structure, we have devised an innovative, efficient edge detection scheme. An accurate method for deriving gradient component information from this edge detector is presented. A continuous single-pixel-wide edge as well as inherently parallel global operations are some of the advantages that this edge detector possesses over classical convolution-type edge detectors. Based upon this new edge detection system we have developed a robust method for linear feature extraction by combining the techniques of a Hough transform and a line follower. The major advantage of this feature extractor is its general, object-independent nature. Target attributes, such as line segment lengths, intersections, angles of intersection and endpoints are derived by the feature extraction algorithm and employed during model matching. The algebraic operators are global operations which are easily reconfigured to operate on any size or shape region. This provides a natural platform from which to pursue dynamic scene analysis. We discuss a method for optimizing the linear feature extractor for a general-purpose processor which capitalizes on the spatially reconfigurable nature of the edge detector/gradient component operator.
Obtaining multi-loop pursuit-control pilot models from computer simulation

AbstractA method for generating simplified pursuit-control pilot models for computer simulation of multi-axis flight control tasks has been developed. The method involves a sequential loop closure ...
The M31 Velocity Vector. I. Hubble Space Telescope Proper-motion Measurements

We present the first proper-motion (PM) measurements for the galaxy M31. We obtained new V-band imaging data with the Hubble Space Telescope ACS/WFC and the WFC3/UVIS instruments of three fields: a spheroid field near the minor axis, an outer disk field along the major axis, and a field on the Giant Southern Stream. The data provide five to seven year time baselines with respect to pre-existing deep first-epoch observations of the same fields. We measure the positions of thousands of M31 stars and hundreds of compact background galaxies in each field. High accuracy and robustness is achieved by building and fitting a unique template for each individual object. The average PM for each field is obtained from the average motion of the M31 stars between the epochs with respect to the background galaxies. For the three fields, the observed PMs (? W , ? N ) are, in units of mas yr?1, (? 0.0458, ?0.0376) ? (0.0165, 0.0154), (? 0.0533, ?0.0104) ? (0.0246, 0.0244), and (? 0.0179, ?0.0357) ? (0.0278, 0.0272), respectively. The ability to average over large numbers of objects and over the three fields yields a final displacement accuracy of a few thousandths of a pixel, corresponding to only 12 ?as yr?1. This is comparable to what has been achieved for other Local Group galaxies using Very Long Baseline Array observations of water masers. Potential systematic errors are controlled by an analysis strategy that corrects for detector charge transfer inefficiency, spatially and time-dependent geometric distortion, and point-spread function variations. The robustness of the PM measurements and uncertainties are supported by the fact that data from different instruments, taken at different times and with different telescope orientations, as well as measurements of different fields, all yield statistically consistent results. Papers II and III of this series explore the implications of the new measurements for our understanding of the history, future, and mass of the Local Group.
Effect of External Components on V-22 Aircraft Forward-Flight Aerodynamics

The effects of protuberances, forward-looking infrared, AAR47 sensor fairing, and refueling boom on V-22 forward e ight aerodynamics using computational e uid dynamics are investigated. The multizone Navier ‐Stokes method isapplied to thee ow over a complete V-22 wing ‐fuselage‐nacellecone guration, with and without external components. The angle of attack varies from 0 to 16 deg in forward e ight. A slight increase in drag is found at 0-deg angle of attack for an aircraft cone gured with the external units; this effect decreases as the angle of attack increases from zero to moderate values. However, at high angles of attack, the added e ow disturbances due to attachments seems to worsen tail buffeting and lift-to-drag ratio. The numerical results are in general agreement with recent e ight test data.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Bladder-Sparing Surgery for Invasive Bladder Cancer: Ten-Year Outcome

PURPOSETo evaluate the 10-year outcome of patients with invasive (T2-3N0M0, staged according to the tumor, node, metastasis system) bladder cancer who responded completely to a combination of methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, and cisplatin (MVAC) chemotherapy followed by bladder-sparing surgery.PATIENTS AND METHODSOf 111 surgical candidates who received neoadjuvant MVAC, 60 (54%) achieved a complete clinical response (T0) on transurethral resection (TUR) of the primary tumor site. Of these, 28 requested follow-up with TUR alone, 15 had a partial cystectomy, and 17 elected a radical cystectomy. The patients were followed up for a median of 10 years (range, 8 to 13 years).RESULTSOf 43 patients who had bladder-sparing surgery, 32 (74%) are alive, which includes 25 (58%) with an intact functioning bladder. Twenty-four patients (56%) developed bladder tumor recurrences from 5 to 96 months, which were invasive in 13 (30%) and superficial in 11 (26%). Thirteen patients required a salvage cystectomy, of whom...
Local imaging of high mobility two-dimensional electron systems with virtual scanning tunneling microscopy

Correlated electron states in high mobility two-dimensional electron systems (2DESs), including charge density waves and microemulsion phases intermediate between a Fermi liquid and Wigner crystal, are predicted to exhibit complex local charge order. Existing experimental studies, however, have mainly probed these systems at micron to millimeter scales rather than directly mapping spatial organization. Scanning probes should be well-suited to study the spatial structure of these states, but high mobility 2DESs are found at buried semiconductor interfaces, beyond the reach of conventional scanning tunneling microscopy. Scanning techniques based on electrostatic coupling to the 2DES deliver important insights, but generally with resolution limited by the depth of the 2DES. In this letter, we present our progress in developing a technique called “virtual scanning tunneling microscopy” that allows local tunneling into a high mobility 2DES. Using a specially designed bilayer GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure where the tunnel coupling between two separate 2DESs is tunable via electrostatic gating, combined with a scanning gate, we show that the local tunneling can be controlled with sub-250 nm resolution.
Motion analysis of a homogeneously deformable object using subset correspondences

Abstract Analysis of generalized motion parameters involves the estimation of translation, rotation and the deformation parameters for a non-rigid object. Most motion analysis methods require a preprocessing step of establishing the feature point correspondence between subsequent time frames. Such a preprocessing of data is computationally demanding, and very often leads to erroneous results. We explore the possibility of relaxing the above requirements for a homogeneously deformable object. A computationally efficient method is proposed here that needs only subset correspondences between 3D feature points on the object at two different time instants, instead of having explicit point correspondence. The deformation parameters are obtained utilizing the changes in the Euclidean distance for individual feature points belonging to different subsets. Under the proposed model, the object may now be transformed into a rigid one utilizing the estimated deformation parameters. The rotation parameters are estimated by considering the invariance properties of the principal moments. Simulation experiments are carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. The applicability of the method is also tested on a real data set.
Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase

Publisher Summary The activity of the Dopamine-β-hdyroxylase (DBH) can be influenced by the activity of the citric acid cycle as well as by the activity of enzymes that either syphon off or feed in cycle intermediates. The alpha-ketoglutarate transaminases and the concentration of their amino acid substrates, for example, alanine and aspartate, and the enzymes involved in the conversion of alpha-ketoglutarate to GABA might be of importance in determining tissue levels of the dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activator, alpha-ketoglutarate. As the permeability of nerve cells to chloride and sodium ions increases during activity, it is possible that DBH would be activated during the process. An added factor in determining and perhaps modifying ion effects on the enzyme is the relationship between pH and activation. Depending on the initial pH and dopamine concentration, a slight shift in pH could either enhance or diminish the activation of the enzyme by salts or fumarate.
Efficient Preparation of Glycoclusters from Silsesquioxanes

A new type of glycocluster based on polyhedral oligosilsesquioxanes (POSS) has been efficiently prepared from unprotected mannoside and lactoside employing a convergent approach of thiol-radical addition reaction. The versatility of this approach was demonstrated by functionalization of mannosides and lactosides of different-length spacers.
The Effects of the Real Estate Crisis on Institutional Stock Prices

This article investigates the contagious movement of financial institutions' common stock prices in response to real estate news. The basic hypothesis is that because real estate assets are traded infrequently, the market has incomplete information about their true value. The stock price reaction by banks, thrifts and insurance companies to announcements of poorly performing real estate portfolios is studied. Consistent with the hypothesis, significantly negative reactions obtain, both within and across industries, to these announcements. Reflecting the differential regulatory environment and disclosure policies, insurance companies, in general, react more strongly to adverse real estate news. Also, the price reaction of an individual firm is significantly associated with the level of its real estate exposure.
Lonnie Athens revisited: The social construction of violence

Researchers are continually looking for the definitive answer to the question of what causes violence; whether it is a product of biology or socialization or, perhaps, a bit of both. Lonnie Athens, a criminologist, is known primarily for his theory about the unique transforming process gone through by individuals to become dangerous, violent offenders. Athens, himself, said that discourse about the etiologies of violent behavior cannot be broken down into a dichotomous model; either bio-physiological or socialization, but rather should be conceptualized more holistically. This paper analyzes Athens's theory within a greater context of leading theories about violence.
Conformal mechanics and the Virasoro algebra

We demonstrate that any scale-invariant mechanics of one variable exhibits not only 0+1 conformal symmetry, but also the symmetries of a full Virasoro algebra. We discuss the implications for the adS/CFT correspondence.
The Inclusive-Exclusive Connection and the Neutron Negative Central Charge Density

We find an interpretation of the recent finding that the central charge density of the neutron is negative by using models of generalized parton distributions at zero skewness to relate the behavior of deep inelastic scattering quark distributions, evaluated at high x, to the transverse charge density evaluated at small distances. The key physical input of these models is the Drell–Yan–West relation We find that the d quarks dominate the neutron structure function for large values of Bjorken x, where the large longitudinal momentum of the struck quark has a significant impact on determining the center-of-momentum of the system, and thus the "center" of the nucleon in the transverse position plane.
Spectroscopy in a new light

Scientific spectroscopy really began in Uppsala, Sweden, where Anders Angstrom in 1853 showed that some of the lines in the spectrum of an electric spark come from the metal electrodes and others from the gas between them. Even earlier, Joseph Fraunhofer had charted the dark lines in the spectrum of the sun, and had measured their wavelengths. But it was Angstrom who first identified some of these lines as corresponding to bright lines emitted by particular substances in the spark. Most importantly, he showed the red line of hydrogen, now known as H\a. In subsequent years, Angstrom found several more visible lines from hydrogen, and measured their wavelengths accurately. When W. Huggins and H. W. Vogel succeeded in photographing the spectra of stars in 1880, they found that these visible lines were part of a longer series extending into the ultraviolet. J. J. Balmer 5 in 1885 was able to reproduce the wavelengths of these lines by a formula, which we might write as
Solar geoengineering to limit the rate of temperature change.

Solar geoengineering has been suggested as a tool that might reduce damage from anthropogenic climate change. Analysis often assumes that geoengineering would be used to maintain a constant global mean temperature. Under this scenario, geoengineering would be required either indefinitely (on societal time scales) or until atmospheric CO2 concentrations were sufficiently reduced. Impacts of climate change, however, are related to the rate of change as well as its magnitude. We thus describe an alternative scenario in which solar geoengineering is used only to constrain the rate of change of global mean temperature; this leads to a finite deployment period for any emissions pathway that stabilizes global mean temperature. The length of deployment and amount of geoengineering required depends on the emissions pathway and allowable rate of change, e.g. in our simulations, reducing the maximum approximately 0.3°C per decade rate of change in an RCP 4.5 pathway to 0.1°C per decade would require geoengineering for 160 years; under RCP 6.0, the required time nearly doubles. We demonstrate that feedback control can limit rates of change in a climate model. Finally, we note that a decision to terminate use of solar geoengineering does not automatically imply rapid temperature increases: feedback could be used to limit rates of change in a gradual phase-out.
A one-pot selective synthesis of N-Boc protected secondary amines: tandem direct reductive amination/N-Boc protection

Abstract A one-pot tandem direct reductive amination of aldehydes with primary amines resulting in N -Boc secondary amines using a (Boc) 2 O/sodium triacetoxyborohydride (STAB) system is reported. The tandem procedure is efficient, selective, and versatile, giving excellent yields of N -Boc protected secondary amines even in those cases where the products are prone to intramolecular lactamization.
ESTIMATING REDSHIFTS FOR LONG GAMMA-RAY BURSTS

The measurement of redshifts for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) is an important issue for the study of the high redshift universe and cosmology. We are constructing a program to estimate the redshifts for GRBs from the original Swift light curves and spectra, aiming to get redshifts for the Swift bursts without spectroscopic or photometric redshifts. We derive the luminosity indicators from the light curves and spectra of each burst, including the lag time between low and high photon energy light curves, the variability of the light curve, the peak energy of the spectrum, the number of peaks in the light curve, and the minimum rise time of the peaks. These luminosity indicators can each be related directly to the luminosity, and we combine their independent luminosities into one weighted average. Then with our combined luminosity value, the observed burst peak brightness, and the concordance redshift-distance relation, we can derive the redshift for each burst. In this paper, we test the accuracy of our method on 107 bursts with known spectroscopic redshift. The reduced χ2 of our best redshifts (z best) compared with known spectroscopic redshifts (z spec) is 0.86, and the average value of log10(z best/z spec) is 0.01, with this indicating that our error bars are good and our estimates are not biased. The rms scatter of log10(z best/z spec) is 0.26, with a comparison of 0.30 for rms of log10(z spec). We made a selection on bursts with relatively accurate redshift estimation. The rms of log(z best/z spec) decreases to 0.19, and the rms scatter of log10(z spec)for this subsample is 0.28. For Swift bursts measured over a relatively narrow energy band, the uncertainty in determining the peak energy is one of the main restrictions on our accuracy. Although the accuracy of our z best values are not as good as that of spectroscopic redshifts, it is very useful for demographic studies, as our sample is nearly complete and the redshifts do not have the severe selection effects associated with optical spectroscopy.
On the Calculation of Diffusion Coefficients in Confined Fluids and Interfaces with an Application to the Liquid-Vapor Interface of Water †

We propose a general methodology for calculating the self-diffusion tensor from molecular dynamics (MD) for a liquid with a liquid−gas or liquid−solid interface. The standard method used in bulk fluids, based on computing the mean square displacement as a function of time and extracting the asymptotic linear time dependence from this, is not valid for systems with interfaces or for confined fluids. The method proposed here is based on imposing virtual boundary conditions on the molecular system and computing survival probabilities and specified time correlation functions in different layers of the fluid up to and including the interfacial layer. By running dual simulations, one based on MD and the other based on Langevin dynamics, using the same boundary conditions, one can fit the Langevin survival probability at long time to the MD computed survival probability, thereby determining the diffusion coefficient as a function of distance of the layers from the interface. We compute the elements of the diffus...
Synthesis and optical properties of oligo- and poly(2,5-dialkoxy-1,4-para-phenylenevinylene)s

Abstract Model compounds based on 1,4-distyrylbenzene and its 2,5-dialkoxy derivatives were synthesized by the Wittig and Wittig-Horner methods. Corresponding poly(2,5-dialkoxy-1,4- para -phenylenevinylene)s (DAPPVs) were obtained from their 2,5-bis (chloromethyl)benzene monomers. The photophysical behavior of the model compounds and DAPPVs was investigated through absorbance, excitation and fluorescence spectroscopy. The absorbance and fluorescence spectra of DAPPVs are red shifted in comparison to the corresponding three- and five-ring model compounds by 4600 and 7000 cm −1 , respectively. We also report the fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of the model compounds deposited as solid films on quartz and as solid solutions in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The photophysical properties of these materials are interpreted from their capacity to form excimer-like molecular dimers. The fluorescence excitation spectra of DAPPV solutions are concentration dependent. We show evidence for the existence of fluorescent aggregates in the solid state.
Scope Consistency: A Bridge between Release Consistency and Entry Consistency

Systems that maintain coherence at large granularity, such as shared virtual memory systems, suffer from false sharing and extra communication. Relaxed memory consistency models have been used to alleviate these problems, but at a cost in programming complexity. Release Consistency (RC) and Lazy Release Consistency (LRC) are accepted to offer a reasonable tradeoff between performance and programming complexity. Entry Consistency (EC) offers a more relaxed consistency model, but it requires explicit association of shared data objects with synchronization variables. The programming burden of providing such associations can be substantial. This paper proposes a new consistency model for such systems, called Scope Consistency (ScC), which offers most of the performance advantages of the EC model without requiring explicit bindings between data and synchronization variables. Instead, ScC dynamically detects the associations implied by the programmer, using a programming interface similar to that of RC or LRC. We propose two ScC protocols: one that uses hardware support for fine-grained remote writes (automatic updates or AU) and the other, an all-software protocol. We compare the AU-based ScC protocol with Automatic Update Release Consistency (AURC), a modified LRC protocol that also takes advantage of automatic update support. AURC already improves performance substantially over an all-software LRC protocol. For three of the five applications we used, ScC further improves the speedups achieved by AURC by about 10%.
Fractals and Chaos in Geology and Geophysics

This book introduces the fundamental concepts of fractal geometry and chaotic dynamics. These concepts are then related to a variety of geological and geophysical problems, illustrating just what chaos theory and fractals really tell us and how they can be applied to the earth sciences. Petroleum and mineral reserves, earthquakes, mantle convection and magnetic field generation are among the earth's properties that come under scrutiny. This is the first book that covers these topics at an accessible level; the concepts are introduced at the lowest possible level of mathematics and are consistently understandable, so that the reader requires only a background in basic physics and mathematics. Problems are also included for the reader to solve.
Proof of the Double Bubble Conjecture in R n

The least-area hypersurface enclosing and separating two given volumes in Rn is the standard double bubble.
An explicit formula and an optimal weight for the 2-block structured singular value interaction measure

Abstract An explicit formula for the 2-block structured singular value interaction measure is derived. This formula is utilized to establish the existence of optimal weights for this measure, and an explicit formula for an optimal weight is given. A general, sequential algorithm for the design of stabilizing decentralized controllers is developed as an application of these results, illustrating the general utility of these results for the 2-block structured singular value interaction measure in applications involving m-block decentralized control structures.
The assessment of emotional intelligence among candidates interviewing for general surgery residency.

Background There is an increasing demand for physicians to possess strong personal and social qualities embodied in the concept of emotional intelligence (EI). However, the residency selection process emphasizes mainly academic accomplishments. In this system, the faculty interview is the primary means of evaluating the nontangible, nonacademic attributes of a candidate. Objective To determine whether the impressions derived from faculty interviews correlate with an applicant's actual EI as measured by a validated objective instrument. Study Design Participating applicants interviewing for a surgical residency position at Stanford completed an EI inventory Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue). Faculty estimated the EI of the applicants they interviewed using a corresponding 360° evaluation form. Multivariate linear regression was performed to identify demographic and academic factors predictive of EI. Applicant TEIQue scores and faculty 360° impressions were correlated using Pearson coefficients. Results Mean EI of the cohort was higher than that of the average population (5.43 vs 4.89, p B = 0.07, p=0.005). Among the academic factors considered, United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 score was a slight negative predictor of EI ( B =−0.007, p=0.04). Applicant global EI scores did not correlate with faculty impressions of overall EI ( r = 0.27, p=0.06). Of the 4 domains that comprise global EI, sociability and emotionality demonstrated a moderate correlation between applicant and faculty scores ( r = 0.31, p=0.03 and r = 0.27, p=0.05, respectively). None of the fifteen individual facets of EI demonstrated any correlation between applicant and faculty ratings ( r =−0.12 to 0.26, p=0.06-0.91). No association was found between applicant TEIQue and traditional faculty interview evaluations ( r = 0.18, p=0.19). Conclusions Applicant EI correlated poorly with academic parameters and was not accurately assessed by faculty interviews. Methods that better capture this dimension should be incorporated into the residency selection process.
The loop Murnaghan---Nakayama rule

We give a combinatorial proof of a natural generalization of the Murnaghan---Nakayama rule to loop Schur functions. We also introduce shifted loop Schur functions and prove that they satisfy a similar relation.
BROWNIAN MOTION IN PLANETARY MIGRATION

A residual planetesimal disk of mass 10-100 M⊕ remained in the outer solar system following the birth of the giant planets, as implied by the existence of the Oort cloud, coagulation requirements for Pluto, and inefficiencies in planet formation. Upon gravitationally scattering planetesimal debris, planets migrate. Orbital migration can lead to resonance capture, as evidenced here in the Kuiper and asteroid belts, and abroad in extrasolar systems. Finite sizes of planetesimals render migration stochastic (noisy). At fixed disk mass, larger (fewer) planetesimals generate more noise. Extreme noise defeats resonance capture. We employ order-of-magnitude physics to construct an analytic theory for how a planet's orbital semimajor axis fluctuates in response to random planetesimal scatterings. The degree of stochasticity depends not only on the sizes of planetesimals, but also on their orbital elements. We identify the conditions under which the planet's migration is maximally noisy. To retain a body in resonance, the planet's semimajor axis must not random walk a distance greater than the resonant libration width. We translate this criterion into an analytic formula for the retention efficiency of the resonance as a function of system parameters, including planetesimal size. We verify our results with tailored numerical simulations. Application of our theory reveals that capture of resonant Kuiper Belt objects by a migrating Neptune remains effective if the bulk of the primordial disk was locked in bodies having sizes (100) km and if the fraction of disk mass in objects with sizes 1000 km was less than a few percent. Coagulation simulations produce a size distribution of primordial planetesimals, which easily satisfies these constraints. We conclude that stochasticity did not interfere with nor modify in any substantive way Neptune's ability to capture and retain resonant Kuiper Belt objects during its migration.
Disoriented chiral condensate in (1+1) Lorentz invariant geometry

We consider isospin correlations of pions produced in a relativistic nuclear collision, using an effective theory of the chiral order parameter. Our theory has (1+1) Lorentz invariance as appropriate for the central rapidity region. We argue that in certain regions of space correlations of the chiral order parameter are described by the fixed point of the (1+1) WZNW model. The corresponding anomalous dimension determines scaling of the probability to observe a correlated cluster of pions with the size of this cluster in rapidity. Though the maximal size of clusters for which this scaling is applicable is cutoff by pion mass, such clusters can still include sufficiently many particles to make the scaling observable.
Targeting maps: An asset-based approach to geographic targeting

Summary Proper targeting of policy interventions requires reasonable estimates of the benefits of the alternative options. To inform such decisions, we develop an integrated approach stemming from the small-area estimation literature that estimates the marginal returns to a range of assets across geographically defined subpopulations. We create a series of maps that can be overlaid with traditional poverty maps to identify strong candidate areas for intervention, though an efficiency/equity tradeoff sometimes exists. We apply our method using recent Ugandan data. Results are consistent with independent empirical findings and suggest asset specific transfer schemes would improve with a spatially targeted strategy.
Effect of Product Structure on Manual Assembly Performance

The effect of product structure and availability of assembly instructions were investigated in an experiment. Two products that differed in the order of assembly were used. Both structures had 64 identical parts. One was a vertical assembly built bottom-up, and the other was a hierarchical assembly, which consisted of several subassemblies. Predetermined Motion Time (PMT) analysis showed that the assembly time for both products was identical. Twenty-four test subjects participated in a 2 × 2 factorial between-subject experiment, in which they assembled either of the two products with or without instructions. Because learning and performance are potentially influenced by subject aptitude, cognitive test scores on visual memory, visualization, and spatial orientation were also investigated as influences on manual assembly performance in this task. The hierarchical product took significantly longer time to assemble compared to the vertical. Actual assembly times were also much higher than those predicted using PMT analysis, suggesting that PMT analysis is insufficient to differentiate between designs that differ in complexity. There were no differences between the instructional conditions and individual differences on test scores. @ 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Viscous irrotational analysis of the deformation and break-up time of a bubble or drop in uniaxial straining flow

The nonlinear deformation and break-up of a bubble or drop immersed in a uniaxial extensional flow of an incompressible viscous fluid is analysed by means of viscous potential flow. In this approximation, the flow field is irrotational and viscosity enters through the balance of normal stresses at the interface. The governing equations are solved numerically to track the motion of the interface by coupling a boundary-element method with a time-integration routine. When break-up occurs, the break-up time computed here is compared with results obtained elsewhere from numerical simulations of the Navier–Stokes equations (Revuelta, Rodriguez-Rodriguez & Martinez-Bazan J. Fluid Mech., vol. 551, 2006, p. 175), which thus keeps vorticity in the analysis, for several combinations of the relevant dimensionless parameters of the problem. For the bubble, for Weber numbers , predictions from viscous potential flow shows good agreement with the results from the Navier–Stokes equations for the bubble break-up time, whereas for larger , the former underpredicts the results given by the latter. When viscosity is included, larger break-up times are predicted with respect to the inviscid case for the same . For the drop, and considering moderate Reynolds numbers, , increasing the viscous effects of the irrotational motion produces large, elongated drops that take longer to break up in comparison with results for inviscid fluids. For larger , it comes as a surprise that break-up times smaller than the inviscid limit are obtained. Unfortunately, results from numerical analyses of the incompressible, unsteady Navier–Stokes equations for the case of a drop have not been presented in the literature, to the best of the authors’ knowledge; hence, comparison with the viscous irrotational analysis is not possible.
Particle Correlations at RHIC - Scrutiny of a Puzzle

Abstract We present calculations of two-pion and two-kaon correlation functions in relativistic heavy ion collisions from a relativistic transport model that includes explicitly a first-order phase transition from a thermalized quark-gluon plasma to a hadron gas. We compare the obtained correlation radii with recent data from RHIC. The predicted R side radii agree with data while the R out and R long radii are overestimated. We also address the impact of in-medium modifications, for example, a broadening of the ϱ-meson, on the correlation radii. In particular, the longitudinal correlation radius R long is reduced, improving the comparison to data.
The Phenomenon of Privatization: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract This paper investigates the effect of privatization on a world-wide basis. Our analysis presents empirical findings, both favourable and unfavourable, of studies examining privatization. The exposition emphasizes the political and economic significance of the privatization process and the set of decisions that privatizing governments face. In addition, three pairs of empirical studies are analyzed in detail. These studies are comparable in terms of the period covered, the type of countries analyzed, and the issues investigated; however, they still yield divergent results regarding the impact of privatization. The current paper draws attention to the fact that caution needs to be used when defining variables and experimental settings.
Capital Mobility in Developing Countries: Some Measurement Issues and Empirical Estimates

An economy's financial integration with the outside world (the extent of capital mobility across its borders) is a key determinant of some of its most important macroeconomic properties. Yet little is known about this characteristic of many developing economies. An important stumbling block in the empirical assessment of financial integration (openness) is the many approaches to measuring it. The author describes and evaluates different tests of capital mobility, surveys existing evidence, and applies four tests of capital mobility - to assess the degree to which the many developing countries tested have achieved integration with the world financial markets. The four tests are the: (1) magnitude of gross capital flows; (2) uncovered interest rate parity; (3) strength of saving-investment correlations; and (4) behavior of domestic consumption over time. The evidence suggests that most developing countries can be considered to be financially open - in only 18 of the 57 developing countries classified did the data fail to show financial openness - and that many countries may be experiencing an increased degree of integration with world financial markets.
Shape and View Independent Reflectance Map from Multiple Views

We consider the problem of estimating the 3D shape and reflectance properties of an object made of a single material from a set of calibrated views. To model the reflectance, we propose to use the View Independent Reflectance Map (VIRM), which is a representation of the joint effect of the diffuse+specular Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and the environment illumination. The object shape is parameterized using a triangular mesh. We pose the estimation problem as minimizing the cost of matching input images, and the images synthesized using the shape and VIRM estimates. We show that by enforcing a constant value of VIRM as a global constraint, we can minimize the cost function by iterating between the VIRM and shape estimation. Experimental results on both synthetic and real objects show that our algorithm can recover both the 3D shape and the diffuse/specular reflectance information. Our algorithm does not require the light sources to be known or calibrated. The estimated VIRM can be used to predict the appearances of objects with the same material from novel viewpoints and under transformed illumination.
THE EVOLUTION—OR END—OF MARRIAGE?: REFLECTIONS ON THE IMPASSE OVER SAME‐SEX MARRIAGE

The debate over legalizing same-sex marriage implicates the question of whether doing so would signal the end—or destruction—of the institution of marriage. The appeal to preserving a millennia-old tradition of marriage against change fails to reckon with the evolution that has already occurred. Invocations of gender complementarity between parents as essential to child well-being also conflict with growing recognition in family law that children's best interests can be served by gay and lesbian parents. Canada's path toward same-sex marriage suggests that impasse need not be inevitable. In the United States, this impasse stems in part from the problem that same-sex marriage serves as an emblem of everything that threatens marriage.
The multi-player version of minimax displays game-tree pathology

Abstract It is widely believed that by searching deeper in the game tree, the decision-maker is more likely to make a better decision. Dana Nau and others have discovered pathology theorems that show the opposite: searching deeper in the game tree causes the quality of the ultimate decision to become worse, not better. The models for these theorems assume that the search procedure is minimax and the games are two-player zero-sum. This report extends Nau's pathology theorem to multi-player game trees searched with maxn , the multi-player version of minimax. Thus two-player zero-sum game trees and multi-player game trees are shown to have an important feature in common.
Translation of output constraint into event constraint in the control of discrete event systems

When the desired behaviour of a controlled discrete event system (Ramadge and Wonham 1987) is specified by the sequence of the states or the sequence of a subset of the states, in order to formulate the specification given by natural language it is much more convenient to use the output constraint than the event constraint. However, the event constraint is easier to handle when constructing the controller. In this paper, a translator that translates output constraints into event constraints is defined and constructed, allowing us to formulate the desired behaviour of a discrete event system with output constraints.
Building trust in online auction markets through an economic incentive mechanism

Millions of dollars change hands daily through online auction markets. However, fraud has been on the rise in these markets. Using a game theoretic approach, we propose a design of an economic incentive mechanism, the trusted third party (TTP), to serve the online auction communities. The proposed model addresses both the economic and technological aspects of online auction transactions by assigning a digital certificate to each participant. Thus, each participant's identity as well as his or her reputation can be established by other market participants. The analytical results demonstrate that when online transactions take place with the assistance of digital certificates issued by a TTP, the most utilitarian course of action for a market participant is to behave honestly.
New Limits on an Intermediate Mass Black Hole in Omega Centauri: I. Hubble Space Telescope Photometry and Proper Motions

We analyze data from the Hubble Space Telescope's (HST) Advanced Camera for Surveys of the globular cluster (GC) Omega Cen. We construct a photometric catalog of 1.2 × 106 stars over a 10' × 10' central field down to below B F435W = 25 (M ~ 0.35 M ☉). The 2.5 to 4 year baseline between observations yields a catalog of some 105 proper motions over a smaller area, with 53,382 high-quality measurements in a central R 2' field. Artificial-star tests characterize the photometric incompleteness. We determine the cluster center to ~1'' accuracy from star counts using two different methods, one based on isodensity contours and the other on pie slices. We independently confirm the result by determining also the kinematical center of the HST proper motions, as well as the center of unresolved light seen in Two Micron All Sky Survey data. All results agree to within their 1''-2'' levels of uncertainty. The proper-motion dispersion of the cluster increases gradually inward, but there is no variation in kinematics with position within the central ~15'': there is no dispersion cusp and no stars with unusually high velocities. We measure for the first time in any GC the variation in internal kinematics along the main sequence. The variation of proper-motion dispersion with mass shows that the cluster is not yet in equipartition. There are no differences in proper-motion kinematics between the different stellar populations of Omega Cen. Our results do not confirm the arguments put forward by Noyola, Gebhardt, and Bergmann to suspect an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) in Omega Cen. They determined line-of-sight velocity dispersions in two 5'' × 5'' fields, and reported higher motions in their central field. We find the proper-motion kinematics to be the same in both fields. Also, we find that they (as well as other previous studies) did not accurately identify the cluster center, so that both of their fields are in fact 12'' from the true center. We also do not confirm the central density cusp they reported (in part due to the different center, and in part due to biases induced by their use of unresolved light). The surface number-density distribution near the center does not differ strongly from a single-mass King model, although a shallow cusp may not be ruled out. In the companion paper, which is Paper II in this series, we present new dynamical models for the high-quality data presented here, with the aim of putting quantitative constraints on the mass of any possible IMBH.
The complexity of random ordered structures

Abstract We show that for random bit strings, U p ( n ) , with probability, p = 1 2 , the first order quantifier depth D ( U p ( n ) ) needed to distinguish non-isomorphic structures is Θ ( lg lg n ) , with high probability. Further, we show that, with high probability, for random ordered graphs, G ≤ , p ( n ) with edge probability p = 1 2 , D ( G ≤ , p ( n ) ) = Θ ( log ∗ n ) , contrasting with the results for random (non-ordered) graphs, G p ( n ) , given by Kim et al. [J.H. Kim, O. Pikhurko, J. Spencer, O. Verbitsky, How complex are random graphs in first order logic? Random Structures and Algorithms 26 (2005) 119–145] of D ( G p ( n ) ) = log 1 / p n + O ( lg lg n ) .
Approximate nearest neighbor queries revisited

This paper proposes new methods to answer approximate nearest neighbor queries on a set of n points in d -dimensional Euclidean space. For any fixed constant d , a data structure with O( $\varepsilon$ (1-d)/2 n log n) preprocessing time and O( $\varepsilon$ (1-d)/2 log n) query time achieves an approximation factor 1+ $\varepsilon$ for any given 0 < $\varepsilon$ < 1; a variant reduces the $\varepsilon$ -dependence by a factor of $\varepsilon$ -1/2 . For any arbitrary d , a data structure with O(d 2 n log n) preprocessing time and O(d 2 log n) query time achieves an approximation factor O(d 3/2 ) . Applications to various proximity problems are discussed.
A Space-Time Characterization of the Kerr-Newman Metric

In the present paper, the characterization of the Kerr metric found by Marc Mars is extended to the Kerr–Newman family. A simultaneous alignment of the Maxwell field, the Ernst two-form of the pseudo-stationary Killing vector field, and the Weyl curvature of the metric is shown to imply that the space-time is locally isometric to domains in the Kerr–Newman metric. The paper also presents an extension of Ionescu and Klainerman’s null tetrad formalism to explicitly include Ricci curvature terms.
Enantioselective Pictet-Spengler Reactions of Isatins for the Synthesis of Spiroindolones.

The condensation cyclization between isatins and 5-methoxy tryptamine catalyzed by chiral phosphoric acids provides spirooxindole tetrahydro-β-carboline products in excellent yields (up to 99%) and enantioselectivity (up to 98:2 er). A comparison of catalysts provides insight for the substrate scope and factors responsible for efficient catalytic activity and selectivity in the spirocyclization. Chiral phosphoric acids with different 3,3′-substitution on the binaphthyl system and opposite axial chirality afford the spiroindolone product with the same absolute configuration.
Effect of dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylformamide on the stability of 4-halo-8-quinolinols

Polyhalo-8-quinolinols with chlorine or bromine in position 4 were not stable in DMSO or DMF. The degradation product from 4,5-dichloro-8-quinolinol was 5-chloro-4,8-quinolindiol and the major product from 4,5-dibromo-8-quinolinol was 3,5-dibromo-4,8-quinolindiol. 4,5,7-Trichloro- and 4,5,7-tribromo-8-quinolinols yielded similar hydrolytic products, and for the bromo compound, a rebrominated product in DMSO. In DMF rebromination did not occur. In pyridine-d5 these reactions did not take place, indicating a special ability of DMSO and DMF to cause such hydrolysis at position 4 of 4-halo-8-quinolinols.
Considerations on manufacturing principles of a synthetic burn dressing: A review

This review presents various considerations on the construction of a synthetic burn dressing, based mainly on collagen protein. Membranous wound covers are compared with sponge-felt types, monocomponental with composite. The importance of collagen crosslinking agent and the nonextractibility of any component from the dressing material are discussed. According to the type of the burn the dressing should be used dry or wet, plain or medicated, and changed often to reduce substantially the presence of necrotic tissue, inflammatory cell of the granulation tissue, and bacterial contamination.