cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plk1 Self-Organization and Priming Phosphorylation of HsCYK-4 at the Spindle Midzone Regulate the Onset of Division in Human Cells

Animal cells initiate cytokinesis in parallel with anaphase onset, when an actomyosin ring assembles and constricts through localized activation of the small GTPase RhoA, giving rise to a cleavage furrow. Furrow formation relies on positional cues provided by anaphase spindle microtubules (MTs), but how such cues are generated remains unclear. Using chemical genetics to achieve both temporal and spatial control, we show that the self-organized delivery of Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) to the midzone and its local phosphorylation of a MT-bound substrate are critical for generating this furrow-inducing signal. When Plk1 was active but unable to target itself to this equatorial landmark, both cortical RhoA recruitment and furrow induction failed to occur, thus recapitulating the effects of anaphase-specific Plk1 inhibition. Using tandem mass spectrometry and phosphospecific antibodies, we found that Plk1 binds and directly phosphorylates the HsCYK-4 subunit of centralspindlin (also known as MgcRacGAP) at the midzone. At serine 157, this modification creates a major docking site for the tandem BRCT repeats of the Rho GTP exchange factor Ect2. Cells expressing only a nonphosphorylatable form of HsCYK-4 failed to localize Ect2 at the midzone and were severely impaired in cleavage furrow formation, implying that HsCYK-4 is Plk1's rate-limiting target upstream of RhoA. Conversely, tethering an inhibitor-resistant allele of Plk1 to HsCYK-4 allowed furrows to form despite global inhibition of all other Plk1 molecules in the cell. Our findings illuminate two key mechanisms governing the initiation of cytokinesis in human cells and illustrate the power of chemical genetics to probe such regulation both in time and space.
The two-dimensional behavior of film cooling jets on concave surfaces

Comportement bidimensionnel d'un jet sur une surface concave dans le cas du refroidissement par film d'une aube de turbine
Processing and visualizing the data in tweets

Microblogs such as Twitter provide a valuable stream of diverse user-generated data. While the data extracted from Twitter is generally timely and accurate, the process by which developers extract structured data from the tweet stream is ad-hoc and requires reimplementation of common data manipulation primitives. In this paper, we present two systems for querying and extracting structure from Twitter-embedded data. The first, TweeQL, provides a streaming SQL-like interface to the Twitter API, making common tweet processing tasks simpler. The second, TwitInfo, shows how end-users can interact with and understand aggregated data from the tweet stream, in addition to showcasing the power of the TweeQL language. Together these systems show the richness of content that can be extracted from Twitter.
The SNS insulating vacuum design for the superconducting linac

The superconducting linac of the spallation neutron source (SNS) has 23 cryomodules each of which incorporate either 3 or 4 niobium cavities. These cavities are submerged in a bath of liquid helium and maintained at an operating temperature of ~ 2 K. This bath is surrounded by heat shields and a multilayer blanket within the cryomodule shell. The pressure in this area needs to be maintained at <5e-5 torr to limit heat leak due to gas convection. Some cryomodules have developed helium leaks into this vacuum cavity and now need to be actively pumped. This paper provides an overview of the insulating vacuum system (IVS) that has been installed for this purpose.
Solar Models: Current Epoch and Time Dependences, Neutrinos, and Helioseismological Properties

We calculate accurate solar models and report the detailed time dependences of important solar quantities. We use helioseismology to constrain the luminosity evolution of the Sun and report the discovery of semiconvection in evolved solar models that include diffusion. In addition, we compare the computed sound speeds with the results of p-mode observations by BiSON, GOLF, GONG, LOWL, and MDI instruments. We contrast the neutrino predictions from a set of eight standard-like solar models and four deviant (or deficient) solar models with the results of solar neutrino experiments. For solar neutrino and helioseismological applications, we present present-epoch numerical tabulations of characteristics of the standard solar model as a function of solar radius, including the principal physical and composition variables, sound speeds, neutrino fluxes, and functions needed for calculating solar neutrino oscillations.
Born in an Infinite Universe: A Cosmological Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

We study the quantum measurement problem in the context of an infinite, statistically uniform space, as could be generated by eternal inflation. It has recently been argued that when identical copies of a quantum measurement system exist, the standard projection operators and Born rule method for calculating probabilities must be supplemented by estimates of relative frequencies of observers. We argue that an infinite space actually renders the Born rule redundant, by physically realizing all outcomes of a quantum measurement in different regions, with relative frequencies given by the square of the wave-function amplitudes. Our formal argument hinges on properties of what we term the quantum confusion operator, which projects onto the Hilbert subspace where the Born rule fails, and we comment on its relation to the oft-discussed quantum frequency operator. This analysis unifies the classical and quantum levels of parallel universes that have been discussed in the literature, and has implications for several issues in quantum measurement theory. Replacing the standard hypothetical ensemble of measurements repeated ad infinitum by a concrete decohered spatial collection of experiments carried out in different distant regions of space provides a natural context for a statistical interpretation of quantum mechanics. It also shows how, even for a single measurement, probabilities may be interpreted as relative frequencies in unitary (Everettian) quantum mechanics. We also argue that after discarding a zero-norm part of the wave function, the remainder consists of a superposition of indistinguishable terms, so that arguably ``collapse'' of the wave function is irrelevant, and the ``many worlds'' of Everett's interpretation are unified into one. Finally, the analysis suggests a ``cosmological interpretation'' of quantum theory in which the wave function describes the actual spatial collection of identical quantum systems, and quantum uncertainty is attributable to the observer's inability to self-locate in this collection.
Exact convergence of a parallel textured algorithm for constrained economic dispatch control problems

The constrained real power economic dispatch control problem is solved in parallel by a textured decomposition based algorithm. Sufficient conditions and rigorous proofs for the proposed algorithm to converge to the global minimum solution are described. It is first shown that, for a textured decomposition, the algorithm always converges to a stationary point, which may not be a global minimum. Then, it is proved that, if the conditions of the exact convergence theorem are satisfied, the textured algorithm will converge to a global minimum. >
Ejection of Supernova-enriched Gas from Dwarf Disk Galaxies

We examine the efficiency with which supernova-enriched gas may be ejected from dwarf disk galaxies, using a methodology previously employed to study the self-enrichment efficiency of dwarf spheroidal systems. Unlike previous studies that focused on highly concentrated starbursts, in the current work we consider discrete supernova events spread throughout various fractions of the disk. We model disk systems having gas masses of 108 and 109 M☉ with supernova rates of 30, 300, and 3000 Myr-1. The supernova events are confined to the midplane of the disk but distributed over radii of 0%, 30%, and 80% of the disk radius, consistent with expectations for Type II supernovae. In agreement with earlier studies, we find that the enriched material from supernovae is largely lost when the supernovae are concentrated near the nucleus, as expected for a starburst event. In contrast, however, we find the loss of enriched material to be much less efficient when the supernovae occur over even a relatively small fraction of the disk. The difference is due to the ability of the system to relax following supernova events that occur over more extended regions. Larger physical separations also reduce the likelihood of supernovae going off within low-density "chimneys" swept out by previous supernovae. We also find that for the most distributed systems, significant metal loss is more likely to be accompanied by significant mass loss. A comparison with theoretical predictions indicates that when undergoing self-regulated star formation, galaxies in the mass range considered will efficiently retain the products of Type II supernovae.
Estimates of asymptotic trajectory bounds in digital implementations of linear feedback control systems

Estimates are established for trajectory bounds which are easy to calculate, applicable to general controller topologies, and dependent on parameters (i.e. eigenvalues and eigenvectors) of the idealized linear system (i.e. the control system model neglecting quantizers). The approach utilizes the comparison principle in the Lyapunov theory and the properties of minimal matrix norms. The applicability of the results are demonstrated by means of a specific example. >
Tetronamides as Latent Acyclic Vinylogous Amides in Formal Aza-[3 + 3] Cycloaddition Reactions with α,β-Unsaturated Iminium Salts. An Unexpected Rearrangement and an Approach to Synthesis of Substituted Piperidines

A detailed account regarding formal aza-[3 + 3] cycloaddition reactions of tetronamides with α,β-unsaturated iminium salts is described here. This investigation uncovers regioisomeric cycloadducts that were not found in previous studies involving this formal cycloaddition and an unexpected rearrangement that led to pyridines and dihydropyridines. Both stereochemical and regiochemical issues raised in this study provide further mechanistic insights into this cycloaddition. With careful control of reaction temperatures, the desired formal cycloadducts are obtained. Ensuing transformation of these cycloadducts into functionalized piperidines establishes the concept of employing tetronamides as latent acyclic vinylogous amides for the formal aza-[3 + 3] cycloaddition.
Nature's way of optimizing

We propose a general-purpose method for finding high-quality solutions to hard optimization problems, inspired by self-organizing processes often found in nature. The method, called Extremal Optimization, successively eliminates extremely undesirable components of sub-optimal solutions. Drawing upon models used to simulate far-from-equilibrium dynamics, it complements approximation methods inspired by equilibrium statistical physics, such as Simulated Annealing. With only one adjustable parameter, its performance proves competitive with, and often superior to, more elaborate stochastic optimization procedures. We demonstrate it here on two classic hard optimization problems: graph partitioning and the traveling salesman problem. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Multiplexed noise shaping structures for delta-sigma modulators

Two novel multiplexed delta-sigma modulator ( Delta Sigma M) structures are described which achieve higher performance by increasing the oversampling frequency. For a fixed amount of hardware, instead of increasing the oversampling ratio, it is preferable to use the multiplexing techniques to improve the obtainable signal-to-noise (SNR) performance of a delta-sigma modulator. Some of the resulting structures also offer the advantage of guaranteed stability for the same SNR performance which can also be provided by increasing the order of the modulator. This study illustrates an effective way of exchanging speed for higher conversion accuracy. >
Why Doesn't Capitalism Flow to Poor Countries?

We show that governments that are elected in poor countries are more on the left of the political spectrum than those elected in OECD countries. This is perhaps surprising as one could think that, at least sometimes, a reasonable development strategy is to mimic what rich countries do. We focus on the role of corruption. A possible explanation is that corruption, which is more widespread in poor countries, reduces the appeal of capitalism. Alternatively, the negative effect of a given amount of corruption on the appeal of capitalism is larger in poor countries. Two channels for these effects are discussed. If corruption reduces the legitimacy of capitalism by offending people's sense of fairness, they are more likely to vote for higher taxes to restore the "social contract". Interestingly, even with standard preferences, corruption may move the electorate to the left as voters are less worried about "killing the geese with golden eggs". The existence of corrupt entrepreneurs hurts good entrepreneurs by reducing the appeal of capitalism. We provide evidence on the corruption/left-wing connection by reinterpreting the evidence on the regulation of entry across countries, as well as by providing new evidence showing that corruption is positively correlated with left wing governments within countries. The final piece of evidence concerns beliefs within countries: people who perceive corruption to be high are also more likely to lean ideologically to the left and to declare to support more intrusive government in economic matters.
Characterization of a Peroxodiiron(III) Intermediate in the T201S Variant of Toluene/o-Xylene Monooxygenase Hydroxylase from Pseudomonas sp. OX1

We report the observation of a novel intermediate in the reaction of a reduced toluene/o-xylene monooxygenase hydroxylase (ToMOHred) T201S variant, in the presence of a regulatory protein (ToMOD), with dioxygen. This species is the first oxygenated intermediate with an optical band in any toluene monooxygenase. The UV-Vis and Mossbauer spectroscopic properties of the intermediate allowing us to assign it as a peroxodiiron(III) species, T201Speroxo, similar to Hperoxo in methane monooxygenase. Although T201S generates T201Speroxo in addition to optically transparent ToMOHperoxo, previously observed in wild type ToMOH, this conservative variant is catalytically active in steady state catalysis and single turnover experiments, and displays the same regiospecificity for toluene and slightly different regiospecificity for o-xylene oxidation.
Refined discretized Lyapunov functional method for systems with multiple delays

The previously proposed discretized Lyapunov functional method for systems with multiple delay is refined using variable elimination and Jensen inequality. The resulting new stability criterion is simpler. Numerical examples indicate that the new method is much less conservative for a given discretization mesh. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct formation of tetrahydropyranols via catalysis in ionic liquid

Utilizing a simple homoallyl alcohol and an aldehyde in the presence of a catalytic amount of cerium triflate, the direct stereoselective formation of tetrahydropyranol derivatives in ionic liquid is reported.
Racial Differences in Awareness of the Affordable Care Act and Application Assistance Among Low-Income Adults in Three Southern States.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded Medicaid eligibility to adults with incomes under 138% of the federal poverty level, leading to substantial reductions in uninsured rates among low-income adu...
Synchronous drive performance of brushless doubly-fed motors

Recent studies of the steady-state performance of the brushless doubly fed machine for adjustable speed drive applications are presented. The equivalent circuit and basic performance equations are presented, followed by a proven technique for the solution of the least restrained form of the equations. Model predictions and experimental results are given. It is shown that the machine acts like both a synchronous motor, with power factor adjustable by control winding excitation, and a slip-ring induction machine with slip power recovery and a low power converter rating. The model is suitable for development of control schemes and performance index optimization. >
Variable Geometry Pipe Diffusers

Theoretical analyses and experimental results are reported for two unique variable geometry techniques used with pipe diffusers to enhance off-design performance. One technique mechanically closes the diffuser throat in an unusual manner. The other allows flow recirculation to close the throat artificially while attempting to improve diffuser inlet flow characteristics. Results clearly show that surge margin may be significantly improved by either method and that flow recirculation may offer improved efficiency.
Outer Surface Protein OspC Is an Antiphagocytic Factor That Protects Borrelia burgdorferi from Phagocytosis by Macrophages

Outer surface protein C (OspC) is one of the major lipoproteins expressed on the surface of Borrelia burgdorferi during tick feeding and the early phase of mammalian infection. OspC is required for B. burgdorferi to establish infection in both immunocompetent and SCID mice and has been proposed to facilitate evasion of innate immune defenses. However, the exact biological function of OspC remains elusive. In this study, we showed that the ospC-deficient spirochete could not establish infection in NOD-scid IL2rγ(null) mice that lack B cells, T cells, NK cells, and lytic complement. The ospC mutant also could not establish infection in anti-Ly6G-treated SCID and C3H/HeN mice (depletion of neutrophils). However, depletion of mononuclear phagocytes at the skin site of inoculation in SCID and C3H/HeN mice allowed the ospC mutant to establish infection in vivo. In phagocyte-depleted mice, the ospC mutant was able to colonize the joints and triggered neutrophilia during dissemination. Furthermore, we found that phagocytosis of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing ospC mutant spirochetes by murine peritoneal macrophages and human THP-1 macrophage-like cells, but not in PMN-HL60, was significantly higher than parental wild-type B. burgdorferi strains, suggesting that OspC has an antiphagocytic property. In addition, overproduction of OspC in spirochetes also decreased the uptake of spirochetes by murine peritoneal macrophages. Together, our findings provide evidence that mononuclear phagocytes play a key role in clearance of the ospC mutant and that OspC promotes spirochetes' evasion of macrophages during early Lyme borreliosis.
Language and Speech in Autism

Autism is a developmental disability characterized by atypical social interaction, interests or body movements, and communication. Our review examines the empirical status of three communication phenomena believed to be unique to autism: pronoun reversal (using the pronoun you when the pronoun I is intended, and vice versa), echolalia (repeating what someone has said), and a reduced or even reversed production-comprehension lag (a reduction or reversal of the well-established finding that speakers produce less sophisticated language than they can comprehend). Each of these three phenomena has been claimed to be unique to autism; therefore, each has been proposed to be diagnostic of autism, and each has been interpreted in autism-centric ways (psychoanalytic interpretations of pronoun reversal, behaviorist interpretations of echolalia, and clinical lore about the production-comprehension lag). However, as our review demonstrates, none of these three phenomena is in fact unique to autism; none can or should serve as diagnostic of autism, and all call into question unwarranted assumptions about autistic persons and their language development and use.
A center-median filtering method for detection of temporal variation in coronal images

Events in the solar corona are often widely separated in their timescales, which can allow them to be identified when they would otherwise be confused with emission from other sources in the corona. Methods for cleanly separating such events based on their timescales are thus desirable for research in the field. This paper develops a technique for identifying time-varying signals in solar coronal image sequences which is based on a per-pixel running median filter and an understanding of photon-counting statistics. Example applications to “EIT waves” (named after EIT, the EUV Imaging Telescope on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) and small-scale dynamics are shown, both using 193 A data from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The technique is found to discriminate EIT waves more cleanly than the running and base difference techniques most commonly used. It is also demonstrated that there is more signal in the data than is commonly appreciated, finding that the waves can be traced to the edge of the AIA field of view when the data are rebinned to increase the signal-to-noise ratio.
Neuraxial vs general anaesthesia for total hip and total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review of comparative-effectiveness research.

Abstract Background This systematic review evaluated the evidence comparing patient-important outcomes in spinal or epidural vs general anaesthesia for total hip and total knee arthroplasty. Methods MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, EBSCO CINAHL, Thomson Reuters Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception until March 2015 were searched. Eligible randomized controlled trials or prospective comparative studies investigating mortality, major morbidity, and patient-experience outcomes directly comparing neuraxial (spinal or epidural) with general anaesthesia for total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, or both were included. Independent reviewers working in duplicate extracted study characteristics, validity, and outcomes data. Meta-analysis was conducted using the random-effects model. Results We included 29 studies involving 10 488 patients. Compared with general anaesthesia, neuraxial anaesthesia significantly reduced length of stay (weighted mean difference −0.40 days; 95% confidence interval −0.76 to −0.03; P+0.03; I2 73%; 12 studies). No statistically significant differences were found between neuraxial and general anaesthesia for mortality, surgical duration, surgical site or chest infections, nerve palsies, postoperative nausea and vomiting, or thromboembolic disease when antithrombotic prophylaxis was used. Subgroup analyses failed to find statistically significant interactions (P>0.05) based on risk of bias, type of surgery, or type of neuraxial anaesthesia. Conclusion Neuraxial anaesthesia for total hip or total knee arthroplasty, or both appears equally effective without increased morbidity when compared with general anaesthesia. There is limited quantitative evidence to suggest that neuraxial anaesthesia is associated with improved perioperative outcomes. Future investigations should compare intermediate and long-term outcome differences to better inform anaesthesiologists, surgeons, and patients on importance of anaesthetic selection.
Rhombohedrally Distorted γ-Brasses Cr1−xFexGa

A series of rhombohedrally distorted γ-brass structures containing a mixture of magnetically active 3d elements, Cr and Fe, Cr(1-x)Fe(x)Ga, is investigated crystallographically. These structures consist of chains of trans-face-sharing Ga-centered transition metal icosahedra. Neutron powder diffraction specifically on Cr(0.5)Fe(0.5)Ga, which could be prepared as a single phase material, gave lattice constants (11 K) a = 12.5172(2) A and c = 7.8325(2) A and a refined composition of Cr(0.502(6))Fe(0.498)Ga = Cr(6.523)Fe(6.477)Ga(13) and revealed partial ordering of Cr and Fe atoms among three crystallographic sites. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization studies of Cr(0.5)Fe(0.5)Ga showed the onset of magnetic ordering at ca. 25 K. Theoretical calculations suggested both site-energy and bond-energy factors influencing the Cr/Fe distribution. Heteroatomic interactions significantly affect exchange interactions and create low local magnetic moments. Models created to mimic Cr(0.5)Fe(0.5)Ga showed ferromagnetic Fe-Fe and antiferromagnetic Cr-Fe interactions, with an overall ferrimagnetic ordering.
Dimensionality in Compensatory MIRT When Complex Structure Exists: Evaluation of DETECT and NOHARM

This study investigated the effect of complex structure on dimensionality assessment in compensatory multidimensional item response models using DETECT- and NOHARM-based methods. The performance was evaluated via the accuracy of identifying the correct number of dimensions and the ability to accurately recover item groupings using a simple matching similarity (SM) coefficient. The DETECT-based methods yielded higher proportion correct than the NOHARM-based methods in two- and three-dimensional conditions, especially when correlations were ≤.60, data exhibited ≤30% complexity, and sample size was 1,000. As the complexity increased and the sample size decreased, the performance of the methods typically diminished. The NOHARM-based methods were either equally successful or better in recovering item groupings than the DETECT-based methods and were mostly affected by complexity levels. The DETECT-based methods were affected largely by the test length, such that with the increase of the number of items, SM coef...
Learning a Person-Independent Representation for Precise 3D Pose Estimation

Precise 3D pose estimation plays a significant role in developing human-computer interfaces and practical face recognition systems. This task is challenging due to the personality in pose variation for a certain subject. In this work, the pose data space is considered as a union of the submanifolds which characterize different subjects, instead of a single continuous manifold as conventionally regarded. A novel manifold embedding algorithm dually supervised by subjects and poses, called Synchronized Submanifold Embedding(SSE), is proposed for person-independentprecise pose estimation. First, the submanifold of a certain subject is approximated as a set of simplexes constructed using neighboring samples. Then, these simplexized submanifolds from different subjects are embedded by synchronizing the locally propagated poses within the simplexes and at the same time maximizing the intra-submanifold variances. Finally, the pose of a new datum is estimated as the median of the poses for the nearest neighbors in the dimensionality reduced feature space. The experiments on the 3D pose estimation database, CHIL data for CLEAR07 evaluation demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm.
Ironing in the Dark

This paper presents the first polynomial-time algorithm for position and matroid auction environments that learns, from samples from an unknown distribution, an auction with expected revenue arbitrarily close to the maximum possible. In contrast to most previous work, our results do not assume that the unknown distribution is regular, and require only that the distribution does not have an extremely heavy tail (a necessary assumption for any non-trivial results). Our performance guarantee is with respect to the strongest possible benchmark, the Myerson-optimal auction. Learning a near-optimal auction for an irregular distribution is technically challenging because it requires learning the appropriate "ironed intervals", a delicate global property of the distribution.
The Economic Ascent of China and the Potential for Restructuring the Capitalist World-Economy

The economic ascent of China in the past two decades is the most dramatic change in the capitalist world-economy of this period. Analyses focus on changes in government control of the economy, the availability of low cost workers for export production, the historical characteristics of Chinese economy and society, and the role of the Chinese government as a developmental state. All highlight key parts of Chinas economic ascent, but none addresses what we argue will be the critical component of future sustained economic ascent, if it is to take place in China: the role of raw materials and transport industries as generative sectors. These generative sectors in the most successful historical cases articulate domestic economic development with the creation ofnew systems of international economic and political relations, ultimately restructuring the capitalist world-economy in support of a nations ascent to core status and its ability to challenge the existing hegemon and other ascendant economies for hegemony. China is following the Japanese model of coastal greenfield heavy industrialization as state policies focus on deepening industrialization in steel, shipbuilding, and other heavy industries. However, following the models of earlier ascendant economies does not guarantee success. In this paper, we analyze the efforts underway in China to use steel, coal and other linked industries as driving forces for sustained economic ascent, and the potential consequences of these efforts for China and for the world economy.
A Light Stop with a Heavy Gluino: Enlarging the Stop Gap

It is widely thought that increasing bounds on the gluino mass, which feeds down to the stop mass through renormalization group running, are making a light stop increasingly unlikely. Here we present a counter-example. We examine the case of the Minimal Composite Supersymmetric Standard Model which has a light composite stop. The large anomalous dimension of the stop from strong dynamics pushes the stop mass toward a quasi-fixed point in the infrared, which is smaller than standard estimates by a factor of a large logarithm. The gluino can be about three times heavier than the stop, which is comparable to hierarchy achieved with supersoft Dirac gluino masses. Thus, in this class of models, a heavy gluino is not necessarily indicative of a heavy stop.
Graph balancing for distributed subgradient methods over directed graphs

We consider a multi agent optimization problem where a set of agents collectively solves a global optimization problem with the objective function given by the sum of locally known convex functions. We focus on the case when information exchange among agents takes place over a directed network and propose a distributed subgradient algorithm in which each agent performs local processing based on information obtained from his incoming neighbors. Our algorithm uses weight balancing to overcome the asymmetries caused by the directed communication network, i.e., agents scale their outgoing information with dynamically updated weights that converge to balancing weights of the graph. We show that both the objective function values and the consensus violation, at the ergodic average of the estimates generated by the algorithm, converge with rate equation, where T is the number of iterations. A special case of our algorithm provides a new distributed method to compute average consensus over directed graphs.
Multi-sensor authentication to improve smartphone security

The widespread use of smartphones gives rise to new security and privacy concerns. Smartphone thefts account for the largest percentage of thefts in recent crime statistics. Using a victim's smartphone, the attacker can launch impersonation attacks, which threaten the security of the victim and other users in the network. Our threat model includes the attacker taking over the phone after the user has logged on with his password or pin. Our goal is to design a mechanism for smartphones to better authenticate the current user, continuously and implicitly, and raise alerts when necessary. In this paper, we propose a multi-sensors-based system to achieve continuous and implicit authentication for smartphone users. The system continuously learns the owner's behavior patterns and environment characteristics, and then authenticates the current user without interrupting user-smartphone interactions. Our method can adaptively update a user's model considering the temporal change of user's patterns. Experimental results show that our method is efficient, requiring less than 10 seconds to train the model and 20 seconds to detect the abnormal user, while achieving high accuracy (more than 90%). Also the combination of more sensors provide better accuracy. Furthermore, our method enables adjusting the security level by changing the sampling rate.
Vernacular epistemologies of risk: The crisis in Fukushima

On 11 March 2011, an earthquake of a 9.0 magnitude and the consequent tsunami destroyed Japan’s Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant. Known as 3/11 in Japan, the effects of this triple disaster will continue for decades. How did the media covering the catastrophe articulate issues of risk to the general public? This article is a textual analysis of accounts about the Fukushima disaster published between 11 March 2011 and 11 March 2013 in four of the most prominent media outlets in the United States. In particular, the analysis explores the practices through which these US media constructed the presence and meaning of public health risks resulting from the nuclear meltdown. The article illustrates how systematic media practices minimized the presence of health risks, contributed to misinformation, and exacerbated uncertainties. In the process, the study demonstrates how the media created vernacular epistemologies for understanding and evaluating the health risks posed by nuclear radiation. The article concludes ...
A Surface Ice Module for Wind Turbine Dynamic Response Simulation Using FAST

It is a fact that developing offshore wind energy has become more and more serious worldwide in recent years. Many of the promising offshore wind farm locations are in cold regions that may have ice cover during wintertime. The challenge of possible ice loads on offshore wind turbines raises the demand of modeling capacity of dynamic wind turbine response under the joint action of ice, wind, wave, and current. The simulation software FAST is an open source computer-aided engineering (CAE) package maintained by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. In this paper, a new module of FAST for assessing the dynamic response of offshore wind turbines subjected to ice forcing is presented. In the ice module, several models are presented which involve both prescribed forcing and coupled response. For conditions in which the ice forcing is essentially decoupled from the structural response, ice forces are established from existing models for brittle and ductile ice failure. For conditions in which the ice failure and the structural response are coupled, such as lock-in conditions, a rate-dependent ice model is described, which is developed in conjunction with a new modularization framework for FAST. In this paper, analytical ice mechanics models are presented that incorporatemore » ice floe forcing, deformation, and failure. For lower speeds, forces slowly build until the ice strength is reached and ice fails resulting in a quasi-static condition. For intermediate speeds, the ice failure can be coupled with the structural response and resulting in coinciding periods of the ice failure and the structural response. A third regime occurs at high speeds of encounter in which brittle fracturing of the ice feature occurs in a random pattern, which results in a random vibration excitation of the structure. An example wind turbine response is simulated under ice loading of each of the presented models. This module adds to FAST the capabilities for analyzing the response of wind turbines subjected to forces resulting from ice impact on the turbine support structure. The conditions considered in this module are specifically addressed in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 19906:2010 for arctic offshore structures design consideration. Special consideration of lock-in vibrations is required due to the detrimental effects of such response with regard to fatigue and foundation/soil response. Finally, the use of FAST for transient, time domain simulation with the new ice module is well suited for such analyses.« less
Algorithms for Multilayer Conformal Additive Manufacturing

Despite the rapid advance of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies in recent years, methods to fully encase objects with multilayer, thick features are still undeveloped. This issue can be overcome by printing layers conformally about an object's natural boundary, as opposed to current methods that utilize planar layering. With this mindset, two methods are derived to generate layers between the boundaries of initial and desired geometric objects in both two and three dimensions. The first method is based on variable offset curves (VOCs) and is applicable to pairs of initial and desired geometric objects that satisfy mild compatibility conditions. In this method, layers are generated by uniformly partitioning each of the normal line segments emanating from the initial object boundary and intersecting the desired object. The second method is based on manipulated solutions to Laplace's equation and is applicable to all geometric objects. Using each method, we present examples of layer generation for several objects of varying convexities. Results are compared, and the respective advantages and limitations of each method are discussed.
Nitration of Silyl Allenes To Form Functionalized Nitroalkenes

An efficient nitration of silyl allenes with nitrogen dioxide radical, generated from NaNO2 and AcOH, to form α-nitro-α,β-unsaturated silyl oximes has been developed. A similar nitration could be achieved by using Fe(NO3)3·9H2O and FeCl3·6H2O, but different from the regioselective oxime formation, two regioisomeric chloride-trapped products were isolated with varying ratios depending on the steric bulk of the silyl group. A novel ring-closure reaction of α-nitro-α,β-unsaturated silyl oximes upon treating with TBAF to form isooxazolidinone derivatives was also developed.
Divergent Route to Access Structurally Diverse 4-Quinolones via Mono or Sequential Cross-Couplings

A divergent route was developed to access 3-iodo- and 6-chloro-3-iodo-4(1H)-quinolones for further elaboration via mono and/or sequential Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling to generate novel and medicinally important 4(1H)-quinolones. Copper- and palladium-catalyzed cyanations were used to functionalize the 4-quinolone core further.
Why prices need algorithms

Understanding when equilibria are guaranteed to exist is a central theme in economic theory, seemingly unrelated to computation. In this note we survey our main result from [Roughgarden and Talgam-Cohen 2015], which shows that the existence of pricing equilibria is inextricably connected to the computational complexity of related optimization problems: demand oracles, revenue-maximization and welfare-maximization. We demonstrate how this relationship implies, under suitable complexity assumptions, a host of impossibility results. We also suggest a complexity-theoretic explanation for the lack of useful extensions of the Walrasian equilibrium concept: such extensions seem to require the invention of novel polynomial-time algorithms for welfare-maximization.
Pyrazolyl-functionalized 2-methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids and their palladium(II) complexes as recyclable catalysts

A series of pyrazolyl- and 3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl-functionalized 2-methylimidazolium-based salts have been prepared through neat reactions of 1-pyrazolylmethylene-2-methylimidazole and 1-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolylmethylene)-2-methylimidazole with alkyl or polyfluoroalkyl iodides or 1-bromohexane, followed by anion exchange with LiN(SO2CF3)2 or KPF6. Their thermal properties were determined by DSC and TGA. Most of the bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide salts are room temperature ionic liquids. The influence of anions and of the structural variation in the 2-methylimidazolium-based cations on the physicochemical properties is discussed. These salts reacted easily with palladium(II) chloride to generate mononuclear palladium ionic liquid complexes. The catalytic activity and recyclability of the palladium complexes in the corresponding ionic liquids were preliminarily examined using Heck, Suzuki and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions in the absence of phosphine ligands.
Salad = success and fries = failure? Conceptualizing and assessing self‐control outcome measures in food decision‐making research

Researchers studying decisions about food utilize a wide variety of measures to assess self-control outcomes in experimental studies. However, it is often unclear whether or not the chosen dependent variables truly implicate self-regulatory mechanisms in decision making. In the present research, we provide a conceptual framework for evaluating self-control outcome measures, concentrating specifically on the domain of food and eating self-control decisions. We propose and empirically examine the essential characteristics [i.e., (i) recognized as self-control relevant by study population, (ii) related to individual differences in self-control, and (iii) recognized as self-control relevant by individual] of good self-control outcome measures and provide specific methodological recommendations (including the “rank-then-choose” method) for capturing exhibited self-control in the domain of food decision making. Our conceptual developments and recommendations seek to enhance the consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness of food-related decision research. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ADMET: The Future Revealed

Olefin metathesis has been embraced by polymer chemists as a method for creating well-defined polymers. In particular, ADMET and ROMP have emerged as the primary modes of metathesis polymerization. ADMET reactions are now common, found in textbooks, and easy to perform if the proper techniques are chosen. Much remains to be done, however, with work now focusing on silicon chemistry, direct control of tacticity in precision polymers, biological applications, modeling crystal lattices in common polyolefins, exploring solid-state metathesis reactions, and creating water-soluble ADMET polymers.
Rubber Heat Engines, Analyses and Theory

Abstract It has long been known that elastomeric solids could be used as the working “fluid” in engines designed to convert heat into mechanical work. In the past rubber heat engine cycles were not given serious consideration since energy alternatives were not in demand and the majority of the scientific community is unaware of their gas-like thermodynamic behavior. Consequently, past work has dealt with the subject primarily as a novelty or as a demonstrative proof of thermodynamic behavior. This paper provides an idealized mechanical and thermodynamic analysis of the rubber cycle and compares it to an equivalent cycle wherein a gas is the working fluid. Experimental data on a small rubber fiber engine are included which confirms the high power potential of these engines when they are designed using modern elastomeric fibers. These materials have remarkable properties and can respond rapidly to cyclic thermal disturbances. Power densities of roughly one watt/g of rubber have been attained using only a 30...
Permeability Changes in Crystalline Rocks Due to Temperature: Effects of Mineral Assemblage

The change in permeability with time of granite, quartzite, anorthosite and gabbro was measured while these rocks were subjected to a temperature gradient. The highest temperature (at the heat source) was fixed at 250°C, while low temperatures ranged from 60 to 111°C, depending on rock type. Permeability reductions of up to two orders of magnitude were observed, with the greatest reactions occurring in the quartzite. These changes are thought to be caused by dissolution of minerals at high temperatures, and redeposition of the dissolved material at lower temperatures. Quartz appears to be an important mineral in this self-sealing process. If very low permeability is desired around a nuclear waste repository in crystalline rocks, then a quartz-rich rock may be the most appropriate host.
The long-term inflow and structural test program

The Long-term Inflow and Structural Test (LIST) program is collecting long-term, continuous inflow and structural response data to characterize the extreme loads on wind turbines. A heavily instrumented Micon 65/13M turbine with SERI 8-m blades is being used as the first test turbine for this test program. This turbine and its two sister turbines are located in Bushland, TX a test site that exposes the turbines to a wind regime that is representative of a Great Plains commercial site. The turbines and their inflow are being characterized with 60 measurements: 34 to characterize the inflow, 19 to characterize structural response, and 7 to characterize the time-varying state of the turbine. The primary characterization of the inflow into the LIST turbine relies upon an array of five sonic anemometers. These three-axis anemometers are placed approximately 2-diameters upstream of the turbine in a pattern designed to describe the inflow. Primary characterization of the structural response of the turbine uses several sets of strain gauges to measure bending loads on the blades and the tower and two accelerometers to measure the motion of the nacelle. Data from the various instruments are sampled at a rate of 30 Hz using a newly developed data acquisition system that features a time-synchronized continuous data stream that is telemetered from the turbine rotor. The data, taken continuously, are automatically divided into 10-minute segments and archived for analysis. Preliminary data are presented to illustrate the operation of the turbine and the data acquisition and analysis system.
Institutional Differences and International Private Debt Markets: A Test Using Mandatory IFRS Adoption

Institutional differences between countries result in additional information risks between borrowers and lenders in cross-border private loans. This study examines the effect of these information risks on the structure of optimal debt contracts in international (cross-border) versus domestic private debt markets. Using mandatory IFRS adoption as an indicator for institutional changes that reduced differences between countries, I compare attributes of international versus domestic loans before and after IFRS adoption. I find that, in the pre-IFRS period, international loans are associated with a higher credit spread, a weaker relationship between the bank and the borrower, a more diffuse loan syndicate, and less reliance on accounting-based covenants than domestic loans. These results are consistent with incremental information risks in international debt markets that make it more costly for lenders to screen and monitor borrower credit quality, resulting in a more arm's-length relationship between borrowers and lenders. Many of these associations attenuate after IFRS adoption, suggesting that the pre-IFRS differences in contract terms are driven by incremental information risks related to institutional differences between countries. My findings imply that incremental information risks result in a different optimal contract in international debt contracts compared to domestic debt contracts.