cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends in hospitalization with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-United States, 1990-2005.

ABSTRACTChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and a major cause of morbidity and disability. To update national estimates and examine trends for hospitalization with COPD between 1990 and 2005, we analyzed data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS). The results indicated that an estimated 715,000 hospitalizations with COPD, or 23.6 per 10,000 population, occurred during 2005, an increase in the number and the rate of COPD hospitalizations since 1990 (370,000 hospitalizations; rate == 15.9 per 10,000 population). To reverse increases in the number of COPD hospitalizations and decrease the burden of COPD, public health programs should continue focused efforts to reduce total personal exposure to tobacco smoke, including passive smoke exposure; to occupational dusts and chemicals; and to other indoor and outdoor air pollutants linked to COPD.
Discovering frequent geometric subgraphs

Data mining-based analysis methods are increasingly being applied to data sets derived from science and engineering domains that model various physical phenomena and objects. In many of these data sets, a key requirement for their effective analysis is the ability to capture the relational and geometric characteristics of the underlying entities and objects. Geometric graphs, by modeling the various physical entities and their relationships with vertices and edges, provide a natural method to represent such data sets. In this paper we present gFSG, a computationally efficient algorithm for finding frequent patterns corresponding to geometric subgraphs in a large collection of geometric graphs. gFSG is able to discover geometric subgraphs that can be rotation, scaling, and translation invariant, and it can accommodate inherent errors on the coordinates of the vertices. We evaluated its performance using a large database of over 20,000 chemical structures, and our results show that it requires relatively little time, can accommodate low support values, and scales linearly with the number of transactions.
Alternative monetary policies and fiscal regime in new EU members

Abstract I investigate the relevance of a fiscal regime for disinflation in new EU member states (NMS). I generalize the framework of [Obstfeld, M., Rogoff, K., 1995. Exchange rate dynamics redux. Journal of Political Economy 103, 624–660] to incorporate the non-Ricardian fiscal regime and two monetary feedback rules: inflation targeting and depreciation targeting. Euro accession requires disinflation and stabilization of the exchange rate and thus restrictive monetary policy. The model illustrates that a sustainable and prudent fiscal policy is a necessary condition for successful stabilization of inflation. Thus, the lack of prudent fiscal policy, through its effects on inflation, may undermine the EMU accession of large NMS even when their fiscal outcomes fall within the Maastricht range.
A concise one-pot synthesis of trifluoromethyl-containing 2,6-disubstituted 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolines and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthyridines.

5,6,7,8-Tetrahydroquinolines and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthyridines with appended trifluoromethyl groups are valuable chemotypes in medicinal chemistry due to the presence of a partially-saturated bicyclic ring and metabolically-stable CF3 group. 1H NMR studies were used to optimize the preparation of such compounds, using a three-step/one-pot procedure, to provide novel 2,6-disubstitued derivatives with a tertiary-substituent. Racemic 2,6-disubstituted tetrahydroquinolines were separated by chiral HPLC to provide single enantiomers.
Implementing Gauss's law in Yang-Mills theory and QCD

Abstract We construct a transformation that transforms perturbative states into states that implement Gauss's law for ‘pure gluonic’ Yang-Mills theory and QCD. The fact that this transformation is not and cannot be unitary has special significance. Previous work has shown that only states that are unitarily equivalent to perturbative states necessarily give the same S-matrix elements as are obtained with Feynman rules.
Homological actions on sutured Floer homology

We define the action of the homology group H_1(M,∂M) on the sutured Floer homology SFH(M,γ). It turns out that the contact invariant EH(M,γ,ξ) is usually sent to zero by this action. This fact allows us to refine an earlier result proved by Ghiggini and the author. As a corollary, we classify knots in #^n(S^1×S^2) which have simple knot Floer homology groups: They are essentially the Borromean knots. This answers a question of Ozsvath. In a different direction, we show that the only links in S^3 with simple knot Floer homology groups are the unlinks.
Sudden Grain Nucleation and Growth in Supernova and Nova Ejecta

The thermal conditions leading to the rapid nucleation and growth of dust in astronomical explosions are examined. The contribution to nucleation physics lies only in the clarification of the ambient conditions where it apparently occurs. In both nova and interior shells of supernovae, dust precipitates in gas densities of the order of 10 to the -14th g/cu cm a few months after the explosion. The ambient conditions differ widely, however. Supernova condensation occurs in a thermal equilibrium, with photons, ions, electrons, and grains having equal temperatures. In novae huge disequilibria exist, with photon and electron temperatures near 50,000 K, photon energy density near 750 K, and forming refractory grains near 1800 K. In neither type of explosion can the condensed matter easily maintain chemical equilibrium with the total system. Interesting isotopic anomalies are trapped in both types of refractory condensate in the interstellar medium. The nova provides the best astronomical laboratory for observing the condensation.
An experiment on protecting intellectual property

We conduct a laboratory experiment to explore whether the protection of intellectual property (IP) incentivizes people to create non-rivalrous knowledge goods, foregoing the production of other rivalrous goods. In the contrasting treatment with no IP protection, participants are free to resell and remake non-rivalrous knowledge goods originally created by others. We find that creators reap substantial profits when IP is protected and that rampant pirating is common when there is no IP protection, but IP protection in and of itself is neither necessary nor sufficient for generating wealth from the discovery of knowledge goods. Rather, individual entrepreneurship is the key.
MEASURING STELLAR RADIAL VELOCITIES WITH A DISPERSED FIXED-DELAY INTERFEROMETER

We demonstrate the ability to measure precise stellar barycentric radial velocities with the dispersed fixed-delay interferometer technique using the Exoplanet Tracker (ET), an instrument primarily designed for precision differential Doppler velocity measurements using this technique. Our barycentric radial velocities, derived from observations taken at the KPNO 2.1 m telescope, differ from those of Nidever et al. by 0.047 km s−1 (rms) when simultaneous iodine calibration is used, and by 0.120 km s−1 (rms) without simultaneous iodine calibration. Our results effectively show that a Michelson interferometer coupled to a spectrograph allows precise measurements of barycentric radial velocities even at a modest spectral resolution of R ~ 5100. A multiobject version of the ET instrument capable of observing ~500 stars per night is being used at the Sloan 2.5 m telescope at Apache Point Observatory for the Multiobject APO Radial Velocity Exoplanet Large-area Survey (MARVELS), a wide-field radial velocity survey for extrasolar planets around TYCHO-2 stars in the magnitude range 7.6 < V < 12. In addition to precise differential velocities, this survey will also yield precise barycentric radial velocities for many thousands of stars using the data analysis techniques reported here. Such a large kinematic survey at high velocity precision will be useful in identifying the signature of accretion events in the Milky Way and understanding local stellar kinematics, in addition to discovering exoplanets, brown dwarfs, and spectroscopic binaries.
Structure of the thermosphere

Abstract The vertical distribution of the density in the thermosphere, deduced from satellite observations, must be explained by an increase of the scale height with altitude. A varying gradient of the scale height cannot be interpreted by assuming an increase of the temperature gradient with altitude. An examination of the interrelationships between the absolute values of density in a dark atmosphere and diurnal conditions of heat conduction reveals that the varying gradient of the scale height above 200 km is essentially due to the decrease of the molecular weight, mg, of the atmospheric constituents subject to diffusion. In the night atmosphere the isothermy above a certain altitude (>200 km) is the critical factor characterizing the vertical distribution of density. The temperature of the isothermal region, resulting from conduction, is related to the ultra-violet heating which was available during the day. The effect of diffusion has been clearly shown by establishing a thermo-isobaric relation connecting the temperature of the isothermal region with an isobaric level where atomic oxygen has a specific concentration. From observational data on the variation of the night-time density at high levels, it is possible to deduce the variation of the temperature of the isothermal region. The gradient of temperature in a sunlit atmosphere is related to the fraction of the ultra-violet Solar energy absorbed, which determines the magnitude of the variation of the scale height with altitude. Since heat transport is a function of the atomic or molecular concentrations and the square of the distance, it is shown that anomalies in the temperature gradient cannot be permanent.
Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockade does not alter sensory evoked potentials

Objective. The objective of this study was to determine whether changes in nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockade (NMB) alter the latency or amplitude of visual, brain stem auditory, or median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials.Methods. Ten adult cynomologousMacaca fascicularis monkeys were studied during continuous ketamine anesthesia infusion. The NMB was incrementally adjusted between no block and complete block using infusions of vecuronium or atracurium. The NMB was measured by observing the mechanical response of the hand muscles to train-of-four stimulation of the median nerve and by quantification of the peak-to-peak electromyographic activity of the thenar muscles to supramaximal median nerve stimulation. The following variables were measured: the latencies of the three major peaks of the brain stem auditory evoked potential, the latency and amplitude of the cortical visual evoked potential, the latency of the spinal cord response, and the latency and amplitude of the cortical median nerve somatosensory evoked response.Results. No statistically significant changes were observed for any evoked response variable measured at any degree of NMB when compared with values obtained in the unblocked control state.Conclusions. The results suggest that fluctuating degrees of NMB may contribute little to changes in these evoked potentials during intraoperative monitoring, given the testing parameters used.
Magnetic microactuation of polysilicon flexure structures

A microactuator technology that combines magnetic thin films with polysilicon flexural structures is described. Devices are constructed in a batch-fabrication process that combines electroplating with conventional lithography, materials, and equipment. A microactuator consisting of a 400/spl times/(47-40)/spl times/7 /spl mu/m/sup 3/ rectangular plate of NiFe attached to a 400/spl times/(0.9-1.4)/spl times/2.25 /spl mu/m/sup 3/ polysilicon cantilever beam has been displaced over 1.2 mm, rotated over 180/spl deg/, and actuated with over 0.185 nNm of torque. The microactuator is capable of motion both in and out of the wafer plane and has been operated in a conductive fluid environment. Theoretical expressions for the displacement and torque are developed and compared to experimental results.
Homotopy Sphere Representations for Matroids

For any rank r oriented matroid M, a construction is given of a “topological representation” of M by an arrangement of homotopy spheres in a simplicial complex which is homotopy equivalent to S r–1 . The construction is completely explicit and depends only on a choice of maximal flag in M. If M is orientable, then all Folkman-Lawrence representations of all orientations of M embed in this representation in a homotopically nice way.
Synthesis of novel 3′-isomeric dideoxynucleosides

Abstract Approaches to representative examples of 3′-isomeric dideoxynucleosides with 2′(S),3′(R) and 2′(R),3′(S) absolute streochemistry have been developed. These are among the first cases of isomeric dideoxynucleosides with the base moiety at the 3′-position. The chemistry developed has generality and can be applied to the synthesis of other related isomeric nucleosides.
Performance of 75-Millimeter Bore Arched Outer-Race Ball Bearings

An investigation was performed to determine the operating characteristics of 75-mm bore, arched outer-race bearings, and to compare the data with those for a similar, but conventional, deep groove ball bearing. Further, results of an analytical study, made using a computer program developed previously, were compared with the experimental data. Bearings were tested up to 28,000 rpm shaft speed with a load of 2,200 N (500 lb). The amount of arching was 0.13, 0.25, and 0.51 mm (0.005, 0.010, and 0.020 in). All bearings operated satisfactorily. The outer-race temperatures and the torques, however, were consistently higher for the arched bearings than for the conventional bearings
Synthesis and Crystallography of Sodium Titanium Bronze

An alternative reaction for the preparation of sodium titanium bronze (STB) based on the use of TiN as a reductant has been tested. Crystallographic data for STB available from the literature and from new preparations have been compiled and discussed.
High detectivity short-wavelength II-VI quantum cascade detector

We report on the experimental demonstration of a ZnCdSe/ZnCdMgSe-based short-wavelength photovoltaic Quantum Cascade Detector (QCD). The QCD operates in two spectral bands centered around 2.6 μm and 3.6 μm. Calibrated blackbody measurements yield a peak responsivity of 0.1 mA/W or 2400 V/W at 80 K, and a corresponding 300 K background radiation limited infrared performance detectivity (BLIP) of ∼2.5 × 1010 cm √Hz/W. Comparison of background illuminated and dark current-voltage measurements demonstrates a BLIP temperature of 200 K. The device differential resistance-area product, decreases from about 106 Ω cm2 at 80 K to about 8000 Ω cm2 at 300 K, indicative of the ultra-low Johnson noise in the detectors.
LONGITUDINAL CONTROL FOR AUTOMATED HIGHWAY VEHICLES

The problem of designing longitudinal control systems for automated highway vehicles powered by internal combustion engines is examined. Careful controller design is required so that the movement of freight and people may be achieved in the same roadway while maintaining stringent safety and operational standards. Individual vehicle control is achieved utilizing a modified proportional-error controller with switching boundaries. Longitudinal control of vehicle strings is based upon the model reference control concept. Analytical and computer simulation results indicate it is feasible to operate mixed vehicle strings.
Detection bank: an object detection based video representation for multimedia event recognition

While low-level image features have proven to be effective representations for visual recognition tasks such as object recognition and scene classification, they are inadequate to capture complex semantic meaning required to solve high-level visual tasks such as multimedia event detection and recognition. Recognition or retrieval of events and activities can be improved if specific discriminative objects are detected in a video sequence. In this paper, we propose an image representation, called Detection Bank, based on the detection images from a large number of windowed object detectors where an image is represented by different statistics derived from these detections. This representation is extended to video by aggregating the key frame level image representations through mean and max pooling. We empirically show that it captures complementary information to state-of-the-art representations such as Spatial Pyramid Matching and Object Bank. These descriptors combined with our Detection Bank representation significantly outperforms any of the representations alone on TRECVID MED 2011 data.
Reversal of an immunity associated plant cell death program by the growth regulator auxin

Background One form of plant immunity against pathogens involves a rapid host programmed cell death at the site of infection accompanied by the activation of local and systemic resistance to pathogens, termed the hypersensitive response (HR). In this work it was tested (i) if the plant growth regulator auxin can inhibit the cell death elicited by a purified proteinaceous HR elicitor, (ii) how far down the process this inhibition can be achieved, and (iii) if the inhibition affects reporters of immune response. The effect of constitutive modulation of endogenous auxin levels in transgenic plants on this cell death program was also evaluated.
Cores of cooperative games in information theory

Cores of cooperative games are ubiquitous in information theory and arise most frequently in the characterization of fundamental limits in various scenarios involving multiple users. Examples include classical settings in network information theory such as Slepian-Wolf source coding and multiple access channels, classical settings in statistics such as robust hypothesis testing, and new settings at the intersection of networking and statistics such as distributed estimation problems for sensor networks. Cooperative game theory allows one to understand aspects of all these problems from a fresh and unifying perspective that treats users as players in a game, sometimes leading to new insights. At the heart of these analyses are fundamental dualities that have been long studied in the context of cooperative games; for information theoretic purposes, these are dualities between information inequalities on the one hand and properties of rate, capacity, or other resource allocation regions on the other.
Rapid and exothermic solid-state synthesis of metal oxyhalides and their solid solutions via energetic metathesis reactions

Rapid solid-state metathesis reaction chemistry has been extended to the production of layered metal oxyhalide systems. This article describes the successful synthesis of crystalline BiOX (X=Cl, I), and lanthanide oxychlorides (LnOCl, Ln=La, Sm, Gd) from metal trihalides and Na{sub 2}O{sub 2} in seconds. These known materials contain halide double layers separating M-O layers. Powder X-ray diffraction results on the metathesis metal oxyhalide products agree with prior literature reports. The morphological and compositional properties of the metal oxyhalide products are described. The rapid production of well-mixed paramagnetic Gd{sub x}Sm{sub 1-x}OCl solid-solution materials was achieved using physical mixtures of SmCl{sub 3} and GdCl{sub 3} precursors reacted with Na{sub 2}O{sub 2}. The room-temperature magnetic properties of these materials with varying compositions are also described. As expected, magnetism, unit cell parameters, and M-O vibrational bands are all dependent on metal composition in the solid-solution products and vary in an approximately linear Vegard's law fashion. - Graphical abstract: Very rapid, filament-initiated metathesis reactions between two solids, metal trihalides and Na{sub 2}O{sub 2}, lead to crystalline metal oxyhalides in seconds. All products crystallize in the PbFCl structure (BiOCl shown). In addition to single metal MOCl (Bi, La, Sm, Gd) and BiOI systems, solid-solution Gd{sub x}Sm{sub 1-x}OClmore » materials are also rapidly accessible using this reactive precursor strategy.« less
Physiological interactions between the herbicide pretilachlor and the safener fenclorim on rice

Abstract The individual and combined effects of the chloroacetanilide herbicide pretilachlor and of the safener fenclorim on the growth and selected physiological processes of rice ( Oryza sativa L., var. “Lemont”) were evaluated. Fenclorim applied at rates ranging from 50 to 300 g a.i./ha antagonized the injurious effects caused by 150 to 900 g a.i./ha of pretilachlor on wet-sown rice grown under greenhouse conditions at the three-leaf stage. When used at rates of 150 g/ha or higher, fenclorim completely reversed the effects of all doses of pretilachlor on rice. When the two compounds were given simultaneously, fenclorim enhanced the uptake of [ 14 C]pretilachlor into rice leaf mesophyll protoplasts measured for 1 hr, indicating that competition for uptake at the protoplast level is not involved in the protective action of this safener. Following 4 hr of incubation, individual treatments with 100 μ M of pretilachlor inhibited the in vitro incorporation of radiolabeled precursors into proteins and DNA of rice leaf mesophyll protoplasts. The incorporation of radiolabeled valine into proteins of rice protoplasts was inhibited also by 10 μ M of pretilachlor. Individual treatments with 10 or 100 μ M of the safener fenclorim inhibited the incorporation of radiolabeled precursors into proteins and DNA of rice protoplasts. The combined effects of pretilachlor and fenclorim on the incorporation of radiolabeled thymidine into DNA of isolated rice mesophyll protoplasts appeared to be additive. Fenclorim at 1 μ M antagonized the inhibition caused by 10 μ M of pretilachlor on the incorporation of radiolabeled valine into proteins. At all other concentrations, the combined effects of fenclorim and pretilachlor on protein synthesis of rice leaf mesophyll protoplasts appeared to be additive or slightly synergistic. Pretilachlor at 100 μ M inhibited the incorporation of [1,2- 14 C]acetate into total lipids, triglycerides and steryl esters of isolated leaf mesophyll protoplasts of rice. Fenclorim at 1 μ M enhanced the incorporation of acetate into total and polar lipids and steryl esters. The effects of combined treatments of pretilachlor and fenclorim on the incorporation of acetate into total or specific lipids of rice protoplasts appeared to be antagonistic or additive. Overall, the results of the present study indicate that individual and combined treatments with pretilachlor and fenclorim may influence physiological processes such as protein synthesis and cause a redistribution of carbon into selected fractions of lipids. These effects may be involved in the herbicidal action of pretilachlor and in the protective action of the safener fenclorim.
Preparation and X-ray crystal structure of 2-iodyl-N,N-dialkylaniline oxides: first entry into the heterocyclic system of benziodoxazole

The oxidation of 2-iodo-N,N-dialkylanilines with an excess of dimethyldioxirane in acetone affords 2-iodyl-N,N-dialkylaniline oxides, structural features of which are in agreement with the new heterocyclic system of benziodoxazole.
Estimating hydraulic properties of coastal aquifers using wave setup

Summary Wave setup is the elevated mean water-table at the coast associated with the momentum transfer of wave breaking, which occurs generally over several days. Groundwater responses to wave setup were observed as far as 5 km inland in central Maui, Hawaii. The analysis showed that at times of energetic swell events wave-driven water-table overheights dominate low-frequency groundwater fluctuations associated with barometric pressure effects. Matching peak frequencies at 1.7 × 10−6 Hz and 3.7 × 10−6 Hz were identified in setup and observed head using spectral decomposition. Similar to tides, the setup propagation through the aquifer shows exponentially decreasing amplitudes and linearly increasing time lags. Due to the longer periods of setup oscillations, the signal propagates deeper into the aquifer (∼10 km in central Maui) than diurnal tides (5 km) and can therefore provide information on greater length scales. Hydraulic diffusivity was estimated based on the setup propagation. An effective diffusivity of 2.3 × 107 m2/d is consistent with aquifer parameters based on aquifer tests and tides. A one-dimensional numerical model supports the results of the analytical solution and strengthens the suitability to estimate hydraulic parameters from setup propagation. The methodology is expected to be beneficial to high-permeability coastal environments, such as on volcanic islands and atolls.
On the Vertical Structure of Radiation-Supported Accretion Disks

The vertical structure of a black hole accretion disk in which radiation dominates the total pressure is investigated using a three-dimensional radiation-MHD calculation, in the Stratified shearing-box approximation. Magneto-rotational instability [Balbus, S. A. and Hawley J. F., Astrophys. J. 376 (1991), 214] converts differential rotation to turbulent magnetic and kinetic energy. The gas is cooled by diffusion and advection of radiation through the vertical boundaries. Density is greatest near the midplane, while accretion stresses are greatest in optically-thick surface layers. The thermal time, and the ratio of radiation to gas pressure, are an order of magnitude smaller than in the corresponding Shakura-Sunyaev model [Shakura, N. I. and Sunyaev R. A., Astron. Astrophys. 24 (1973), 337] because dissipation occurs at low column density.
A Census of Intrinsic Narrow Absorption Lines in the Spectra of Quasars at z = 2-4*

We use Keck HIRES spectra of 37 optically bright quasars at z = 2-4 to study narrow absorption lines that are intrinsic to the quasars (intrinsic NALs, produced in gas that is physically associated with the quasar central engine). We identify 150 NAL systems, which contain 124 C IV, 12 N V, and 50 Si IV doublets, of which 18 are associated systems (within 5000 km s-1 of the quasar redshift). We use partial coverage analysis to separate intrinsic NALs from NALs produced in cosmologically intervening structures. We find 39 candidate intrinsic systems (28 reliable determinations and 11 that are possibly intrinsic). We estimate that 10%-17% of C IV systems at blueshifts of 5000-70,000 km s-1 relative to quasars are intrinsic. At least 32% of quasars contain one or more intrinsic C IV NALs. Considering N V and Si IV doublets showing partial coverage as well, at least 50% of quasars host intrinsic NALs. This result constrains the solid angle subtended by the absorbers to the background source(s). We identify two families of intrinsic NAL systems, those with strong N V absorption and those with negligible absorption in N V but with partial coverage in the C IV doublet. We discuss the idea that these two families represent different regions or conditions in accretion disk winds. Of the 26 intrinsic C IV NAL systems, 13 have detectable low-ionization absorption lines at similar velocities, suggesting that these are two-phase structures in the wind rather than absorbers in the host galaxy. We also compare possible models for quasar outflows, including radiatively accelerated disk-driven winds, magnetocentrifugally accelerated winds, and pressure-driven winds, and we discuss ways of distinguishing between these models observationally.
A new constraint on Saturn's zonal gravity harmonics from Voyager observations of an eccentric ringlet

The results obtained by Porco et al. (1984) from an analysis of the kinematics of an eccentric ringlet in Saturn's inner ring are used to add an additional constraint to the gravity solution of Null et al. (1981) and thus to derive the first experimental estimate of the Saturn's J6 gravitational field. On the assumption that the eccentricity of this ringlet is forced by the satellite Titan, the location of the Titan apsidal resonance is determined to an accuracy of + or - 13 km, which in turn provides a strong constraint on Saturn's zonal gravity harmonics. Combining this constraint with the results of Null et all. and adopting a priori values for J8, J10, and J12 based on interior models, new estimates are obtained for the first three zonal gravity coefficients J2, J4, and J6.
Permanent homelessness in America

This paper seeks to determine the approximate number of homeless persons in the U.S., the rate of change in the number, and whether or not the problem is likely to be permanent or transitory. It makes particular use of a new 1985 survey of over 500 homeless people in New York City. It finds that: (1) the much-maligned 1984 study by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs was roughly correct in its estimate of 250,000–350,000 homeless persons for 1983; (2) the number of homeless has grown since 1983, despite economic recovery, with the number of homeless families growing especially rapidly; (3) homelessness is a relatively long-term state for many homeless individuals, with an average incomplete duration, corrected for growth of the homeless population, of six years and an estimated completed duration twice as long; (4) much of the homeless problem can be attributed to increases in the number of the poor in the 1980s and declines or rough constancy in the number of low-rent rental units; (5) relatively few homeless individuals receive welfare or general assistance money; a large proportion have spent time in jail.
Optimization of an Advanced Design Three-Element Airfoil at High Reynolds Numbers

New high-lift components have been designed for a three-element advanced high-lift research airfoil using a state-of-the-art computational method. The new components were designed with the aim to provide high maximum-lift values while maintaining attached flow on the single-segment flap at approach conditions. This three-element airfoil has been tested in the NASA Langley Low-Turbulence Pressure Tunnel at chord Reynolds number up to 16 million. The performance of the NASA research airfoil is compared to a reference advanced high-lift research airfoil. Effects of Reynolds number on slat and flap rigging have been studied experimentally. The performance trend of this new high-lift design is comparable to that predicted by the computational method over much of the angle of attack range. Nevertheless, the method did not accurately predict the airfoil performance or the configuration-based trends near maximum lift.
Adaptive Real-Time Imaging Synthesis Telescopes

The digital revolution is transforming astronomy from a data-starved to a data-submerged science. Instruments such as the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will measure their accumulated data in petabytes. The capacity to produce enormous volumes of data must be matched with the computing power to process that data and produce meaningful results. In addition to handling huge data rates, we need adaptive calibration and beamforming to handle atmospheric fluctuations and radio frequency interference, and to provide a user environment which makes the full power of large telescope arrays accessible to both expert and non-expert users. Delayed calibration and analysis limit the science which can be done. To make the best use of both telescope and human resources we must reduce the burden of data reduction. We propose to build a heterogeneous computing platform for real-time processing of radio telescope array data. Our instrumentation comprises a flexible correlator, beam former, and imager that is based on state-of-the-art digital signal processing closely coupled with a computing cluster. This instrumentation will be highly accessible to scientists, engineers, and students for research and development of real-time processing algorithms, and will tap into the pool of talented and innovative students and visiting scientists from engineering, computing, and astronomy backgrounds. The instrument can be deployed on several telescopes to get feedback from dealing with real sky data on working telescopes. Adaptive real-time imaging will transform radio astronomy by providing real-time feedback to observers. Calibration of the data is made in close to real time using a model of the sky brightness distribution. The derived calibration parameters are fed back into the imagers and beam formers. The regions imaged are used to update and improve the a priori model, which becomes the final calibrated image by the time the observations are complete.
Airtight metallic sealing at room temperature under small mechanical pressure

Metallic seals can be resistant to air leakage, resistant to degradation under heat, and capable of carrying mechanical loads. Various technologies – such as organic solar cells and organic light emitting diodes – need, at least benefit from, such metallic seals. However, these technologies involve polymeric materials and can tolerate neither the high-temperature nor the high-pressure processes of conventional metallic sealing. Recent progress in nanorod growth opens the door to metallic sealing for these technologies. Here, we report a process of metallic sealing using small well-separated Ag nanorods; the process is at room temperature, under a small mechanical pressure of 9.0 MPa, and also in ambient. The metallic seals have an air leak rate of 1.1 × 10−3 cm3atm/m2/day, and a mechanical shear strength higher than 8.9 MPa. This leak rate meets the requirements of organic solar cells and organic light emitting diodes.
On the Reddening in X-Ray-absorbed Seyfert 1 Galaxies

There are several Seyfert galaxies for which there is a discrepancy between the small column of neutral hydrogen deduced from X-ray observations and the much greater column derived from the reddening of the optical/UV emission lines and continuum. The standard paradigm has the dust within the highly ionized gas that produces O VII and O VIII absorption edges (i.e., a "dusty warm absorber"). We present an alternative model in which the dust exists in a component of gas in which hydrogen has been stripped, but which is at too low an ionization state to possess significant columns of O VII and O VIII (i.e., a "lukewarm absorber"). The lukewarm absorber is at sufficient radial distance to encompass much of the narrow emission line region and thus accounts for the narrow-line reddening, unlike the dusty warm absorber. We test the model by using a combination of photoionization models and absorption edge fits to analyze the combined ROSAT/ASCA dataset for the Seyfert 1.5 galaxy, NGC 3227. We show that the data are well fitted by a combination of the lukewarm absorber and a more highly ionized component similar to that suggested in earlier studies. We predict that the lukewarm absorber will produce strong UV absorption lines of N V, C IV, Si IV, and Mg II. Finally, these results illustrate that singly ionized helium is an important, and often overlooked, source of opacity in the soft X-ray band (100-500 eV).
Piece-wise linear dynamic analysis of serpentine belt drives with a one-way clutch

A prototypical three-pulley serpentine belt drive with belt bending stiffness is extended to include a one-way clutch in order to understand the non-linear dynamics of the system with the one-way c...
Country Size and Economic Fluctuations

This paper investigates the character of business cycles across large and small economies. Empirically, G-7 countries have less volatile investment, consumption, and trade balance ratios, higher correlations between domestic sacing and investment rates, and about the same correlation of the trade-balance ratio and investment ratio as 68 smaller countries. These observations are consistent with a standard one-sector two-country general equilibrium model in which the only source of heterogeneity is country size. Since many developing countries are small, these findings suggest that even absent differences in markets and instutitions, economic fluctuations would be more severe in developing countries.
Modeling human mental processes

There now exist at least a half dozen computer programs that simulate some of the information processes that humans use to perform problem solving, learning, perceiving, and thinking tasks. These programs constitute theoretical explanations of the corresponding human behavior, and can be tested by comparing the computer traces they produce with the verbal behavior of subjects in the psychological laboratory. This paper surveys this new kind of theory building and theory testing in psychology, and relates it to other uses of simulation as a tool of psychological research.
On the genesis of symbolic dynamics as we know it

WE trace the beginning of symbolic dynamics--the study of the shift dynamical system--as it arose from the use of coding to study recurrence and transitivity properties of geodesics. The normal citations for the first appearance of symbolic dynamics, Hadamard's 1898 paper and the 1938 and 1940 papers of Morse and Hedlund, don't truly represent the abstract point of view associated with the subject today. Based in part on the evidence of a 1941 letter from Hedlund to Morse, we place the beginning of symbolic dynamics in a 1944 paper by Hedlund.
Applying Propositional Logic to Workflow Verification

The increasing complexity of business processes in the era of e-business has heightened the need for workflow verification tools. However, workflow verification remains an open and challenging research area. As an indication, most of commercial workflow management systems do not yet provide workflow designers with formal workflow verification tools. We propose a logic-based verification method that is based on a well-known formalism, i.e., propositional logic. Our logic-based workflow verification approach has distinct advantages such as its rigorous yet simplistic logical formalism and its ability to handle generic activity-based process models. In this paper, we present the theoretical framework for applying propositional logic to workflow verification and demonstrate that logic-based workflow verification is capable of detecting process anomalies in workflow models.
Quantum theory of self-induced transparency

Abstract It is known that classical electromagnetic radiation at a frequency in resonance with energy splittings of atoms in a dielectric medium can be described using the classical sine-Gordon theory. In this paper we quantize the electromagnetic field and compute some quantum effects by using known results from the sine-Gordon quantum field theory. In particular, we compute the intensity of spontaneously emitted radiation using the thermodynamic Bethe ansatz with boundary interactions.
Hermitian analogues of Hilbert's 17-th problem

Abstract We pose and discuss several Hermitian analogues of Hilbert's 17-th problem. We survey what is known, offer many explicit examples and some proofs, and give applications to CR geometry. We prove one new algebraic theorem: a non-negative Hermitian symmetric polynomial divides a non-zero squared norm if and only if it is a quotient of squared norms. We also discuss a new example of Putinar–Scheiderer.
Gastric lipolysis of milk lipids in suckling rats

Abstract Fatty acid composition of the major lipid classes in stomach contents of suckling rats at 1, 5, 10, 17 and 20 days of lactation was compared to that of milk lipids. In milk, 98% of fatty acids were in triacylglycerols at all lactation times. Medium-chain fatty acid concentrations increased from 8% in colostrum to 26% at day 5. Fatty acid composition of stomach acylglycerols at all lactation times was different from that of milk triacylglycerols, containing less medium-chain fatty acids, 8:0 and 10:0. This preferential hydrolysis was also shown by higher concentrations of medium-chain fatty acids in the free fatty acid fraction. The lipolysis of medium-chain fatty acids from triacylglycerols resulted in the appearance of di- and monoacylglycerols with 50–100% higher amounts of 14:0 and 16:0. The similar fatty acid composition of products suggests that considerable lipolysis occurred in stomachs of suckling rats even at 1 day of age. Although there was a 10-fold increase in milk consumption, the extent of lipolysis was similar throughout the suckling period because of a parallel rise in lingual lipase levels.
Sex Steroids Mediate HOXA11 Expression in the Human Peri-Implantation Endometrium

Under the influence of sex steroids, human endometrium undergoes sequential development in preparation for implantation. Hoxa11 is essential for implantation in the mouse. Here we describe a potential role for HOXA11 in human endometrial development and implantation. Northern analysis demonstrates that HOXA11 is expressed in a menstrual cycle phase-dependent fashion in adult human endometrium. HOXA11 messenger RNA levels dramatically increase at the time of implantation and remain increased in pregnancy. In vitro, HOXA11 expression is increased in response to estrogen or progesterone. There is a dose-responsive increase over the physiologic range of progesterone concentration. Pretreatment with Cyclohexamide does not decrease the response to estrogen. Steroids are novel regulators HOX gene expression. The spatial and temporal pattern of HOXA11 expression in the human endometrium suggests a role in endometrial development, implantation, and maintenance of pregnancy.
Administrative law and the public's health.

The author investigates the actual and potential contribution of administrative law in public health both historically and today, describing the evolution of public health regulation in the United States; exploring the major administrative law issues in public health regulation; and addressing how administrative law principles can be used to improve the policy and decision-making processes and to set priorities with respect to politically charged and scientifically based issues.
Oscillations of Rotating Neutron Stars

A perturbation technique is used to compute the rotational corrections to the nonradial oscillation spectrum of a realistic neutron star model. The l = l(0) oscillations are coupled to l = l(0) + or - 1 oscillations by the Coriolis force. To calculate the rotational corrections to the quadrupole, l(0) = 2, oscillation modes, previous calculations of the nonradial oscillation spectrum of this neutron star model are extended to include l(0) = 1 and l(0) = 3 modes, as well as many higher overtones at each value of l(o). As an example of this technique, the rotational corrections to two quadrupole toroidal modes are computed. For these modes the coupling to the spheroidal class of oscillations produced by the Coriolis force introduces a nonzero radial component to the velocity field, as well as a nonvanishing Lagrangian density perturbation. This result is used to compute the neutrino damping rates for these toroidal modes of a rotating neutron star. The neutrino damping time can approach the gravitational radiation damping time in rotating neutron stars if the central temperature is high enough. The rotationally induced coupling of spheroidal oscillations to toroidal modes can also produce significant displacements at the stellar surface in some of the toroidal modes. The damping rates due to this process for the rotationally corrected toroidal modes are estimated. The coupling of surface motions to the toroidal modes also have interesting implications for channeling energy, e.g., that associated with a glitch in the crust, to the surface of the star. Perhaps this might produce observable effects in the pulsar emission process or a gamma-ray burst event.
On the distribution of city sizes

Abstract The city size distribution in many countries is remarkably well described by a Pareto distribution. We derive conditions that standard urban models must satisfy in order to explain this regularity. We show that under general conditions urban models must have (i) a balanced growth path and (ii) a Pareto distribution for the underlying source of randomness. In particular, one of the following combinations can induce a Pareto distribution of city sizes: (i) preferences for different goods follow reflected random walks, and the elasticity of substitution between goods is 1; or (ii) total factor productivities of different goods follow reflected random walks, and increasing returns are equal across goods.
A New Definition for the Ca4227 Feature: Is Calcium Really Underabundant in Early-Type Galaxies?

We have investigated the abundance of calcium in early-type galaxies by measuring the strength of the Ca I λ4227 absorption line in their integrated spectra. The database used is the large sample of early-type galaxy integrated spectra in Caldwell and coworkers. We have measured Ca abundances from the Ca I λ4227 feature both by using the Lick Ca4227 index and by defining a new index, Ca4227r, that avoids the CN4216 molecular band in the continuum on the blueward side of the line. With the new index definition we measure Ca abundances that are systematically ~0.3 dex higher than with the Lick Ca4227 index. The result is that with the new index definition we obtain higher [Ca/Fe] abundances in early-type galaxies, which are more consistent with their well-known [Mg/Fe] overabundances. Hence, we suggest that Ca might be slightly enhanced, relative to Fe, in early-type galaxies.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF THERMAL PRESSURES IN THE DIFFUSE, COLD NEUTRAL MEDIUM OF OUR GALAXY. II. AN EXPANDED SURVEY OF INTERSTELLAR C I FINE-STRUCTURE EXCITATIONS

We analyzed absorption features arising from interstellar neutral carbon that appeared in the UV spectra of 89 stars recorded in the highest resolution echelle modes of the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph on board the Hubble Space Telescope so that we could determine the relative populations of collisionally excited fine-structure levels in the atom's electronic ground state. From this information, in combination with molecular hydrogen rotation temperatures, we derive the distribution of thermal pressures in the diffuse, cold neutral medium (CNM). We find a lognormal pressure distribution (weighted by mass) with a mean in log (p/k) equal to 3.58 and an rms dispersion of at least 0.175 dex that plausibly arises from turbulence with a characteristic Mach number in the range 1 5.5, and this condition is more prevalent at high velocities or for regions with enhanced starlight densities. This survey suggests that the dispersion of thermal pressures in the CNM is predominantly governed by microscopic turbulence driven by star-forming regions, with some additional effects from macroscopic events (e.g., supernova explosions), and these measurements provide constraints for future studies of the broader impact of turbulence on the ISM and star formation.
A measure of perceived auditor ERP systems expertise: Development, assessment, and uses

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to develop, assess, and provide uses for a measure of perceived enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems expertise for financial statement auditors. ERP systems are the dominant system used by the public company clients of audit firms. In such settings, the Theory of Planned Behavior suggests that auditor perceptions of their own ERP systems expertise should influence their perceived behavioral control and, in turn, explain auditor behavior.Design/methodology/approach – A five‐item measure of perceived ERP systems expertise is developed from a review of audit expertise studies and the Theory of Planned Behavior.Findings – An assessment of the measure shows that it possesses a high level of reliability and construct validity (i.e. convergent and discriminant validity). Factor analysis results indicate that all five items satisfactorily load on one factor. The results also suggest that auditors' perceptions of ERP systems expertise are not simply a by‐product of gene...