cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recursively Partitioned Static IP Router Tables

We propose a method-recursive partitioning-to partition a static IP router table so that when each partition is represented using a base structure, such as a multibit trie or a hybrid shape shifting trie, there is a reduction in both the total memory required for the router table as well as in the total number of memory accesses needed to search the table. The efficacy of recursive partitioning is compared to that of the popular front-end table method to partition IP router tables. Our proposed recursive partitioning method outperformed the front-end method of all our test sets.
Hierarchical level-clustering in two-dimensional harmonic oscillators

We present numerical results for the statistical distribution of energy level spacings in two-dimensional harmonic oscillators with the irrational frequency ratio R\ensuremath{\equiv}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{1}$/${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{2}$. Unlike scaled level spacings, the distribution of the true energy level spacings is well behaved, and directly reflects the corresponding classical quasiperiodic motion. The histogram of the energy level spacings shows sharp peaks at discontinuous values which form a hierarchical rational approximations to R. The peak heights follow a characteristic inverse-square-law increase as the level spacing \ensuremath{\Delta}E decreases, indicating a form of level clustering rather than level repulsion as previously believed. We believe the failure of convergence in the scaled level spacing distribution is due to the lack of proper energy scales in the system, since the average (true) level spacing vanishes in the semiclassical limit.
Novel 6-position modified 1-thioalkyl-lincosamines

A general method for the synthesis of 6-position modified lincosamines via stereospecific nucleophilic addition to readily available galactose 6-nitrone has been developed. A new route for the stereospecific installation of thioalkyl groups at the 1-position was also developed. These methods allow access to a variety of new derivatives of antibacterial lincosamides.
Warming early Mars with CO2 and H2

Ancient valleys suggest a warm early Mars where liquid water flowed, but a greenhouse effect strong enough to offset a dim early Sun has been difficult to explain. Climate simulations suggest that sufficient concentrations of the greenhouse gases CO2 and H2 — outgassed during volcanic eruptions — could have warmed Mars above water’s freezing point.
A hybrid approach to reasoning under uncertainty

Abstract A complete approach to reasoning under uncertainty requires support for both identification of the appropriate hypothesis space and ranking hypotheses based on available evidence. We present a hybrid reasoning scheme that combines symbolic and numerical methods for uncertainty management to provide efficient and effective support for both of these tasks. The hybrid is based on symbolic techniques adapted from assumption-based truth maintenance systems (ATMS), combined with numerical methods adapted from the Dempster/Shafer theory of evidence, as extended in Baldwin's Support Logic Programming system. The hybridization is achieved by viewing an ATMS as a symbolic algebra system for uncertainty calculations. This technique has several major advantages over conventional methods for performing inference with numerical certainty estimates in addition to the ability to dynamically determine hypothesis spaces, including improved management of dependent and partially independent evidence, faster run-time evaluation of propositional certainties, and the ability to query the certainty value of a proposition from multiple perspectives.
On Market Equilibrium Analysis

In this paper we develop the implications of competitive market equilibrium for production and household behavior when some prices are endogenously determined. The properties of market equilibrium functions are explored, including the effects of pricing policy. A Slutsky-type equation relating compensated and uncompensated market equilibrium functions is derived. Implications for multimarket welfare analysis are presented, focusing on the effects of pricing policy and technical change.
A parallel block cyclic reduction algorithm for the fast solution of elliptic equations

Abstract This paper presents an adaptation of the Block Cyclic Reduction (BCR) algorithm for a multi-vector processor. The main bottleneck of BCR lies in the solution of linear systems whose coefficient matrix is the product of tridiagonal matrices. This bottleneck is handled by expressing the rational function corresponding to the inverse of this product as a sum of elementary fractions. As a result the solution of this system leads to parallel solutions of tridiagonal systems. Numerical experiments performed on an Alliant FX/8 are reported.
Toward an understanding of youth in community governance: Policy priorities and research directions

For more than a decade, many researchers and practitioners have endorsed a “positive youth development” approach, which views adolescents as active contributors to their own development and as assets to their communities. As part of this shift, youth are increasingly being invited to engage in community governance. In youth organizations, schools, community organizations, and public policy arenas, youth are making strong contributions to advisory boards and planning councils, and are integrally involved in key day-to-day functions such as program design, budgeting, outreach, public relations, training, and evaluation. State and local policy-makers are also beginning to endorse the engagement of youth in community governance. This policy endorsement, however, has largely occurred independent of scholarship on adolescent development. In this Social Policy Report , our aim is to help bridge this gap. We discuss the cultural context for youth engagement, theoretical rationales and innovative models, empirical evidence, and priorities for policy and research. Why involve youth in community governance? Three main theoretical rationales have been established: Ensuring social justice and youth representation, building civil society, and promoting youth development. Moreover, across the country, innovative models demonstrate that the theory can be effectively translated into policy. Finally, a strong research base supports the practice. When youth are engaged in meaningful decision-making – in families, schools, and youth organizations – research finds clear and consistent developmental benefits for the young people. An emerging body of research shows that organizations and communities also derive benefits when youth are engaged in governance. Several directions need to be pursued for youth engagement to exert a maximum positive impact on young people and their communities. We recommend three areas for policy development. First, public awareness of the practice needs to be better established. Societal expectations for youth remain low and negative stereotypes remain entrenched in the mass media. Second, more stable funding is needed for youth engagement. It will be especially critical to support community-based youth organizations because these places are likely to remain the primary catalysts for youth engagement in the civic life of communities. Third, it is necessary to build local capacity by supporting outreach and training through cross-sector community coalitions and independent, nonprofit intermediary organizations. These entities are best positioned to convince stakeholder groups to chart, implement, and sustain youth engagement. It is equally important to broaden the scientific context for youth engagement in community governance. Priorities for scholars are to focus research on understanding: the organizational and community outcomes that emanate from engaging youth in governance; the competencies that youth bring to governance; and how the practice of youth engagement can be sustained by communities.
Closing the gap to the capacity of APSK: Constellation shaping and degree distributions

Constellation shaping is an energy-efficient strategy involving the transmission of lower-energy signals more frequently than higher-energy signals. Previous work has shown that shaping is particularly effective when used with coded amplitude phase-shift keying (APSK), a modulation that has been popularized recently due to its inclusion in the DVB-S2 standard. While shaped APSK can provide significant gains when used with standard off-the-shelf LDPC codes, such as the codes in the DVB-S2 standard, additional non-negligible gains can be achieved by optimizing the LDPC code with respect to the shaped APSK modulation. In this paper, we optimize the degree distributions of the LDPC code used in conjunction with shaped APSK. The optimization process is an extension of the EXIT-chart technique of ten Brink, et al., which has been adapted to account for the shaped APSK modulation. We begin by constraining the code to have the same number of distinct variable-node degrees as the codes in the DVB-S2 standard, and show that the optimization provides 32-APSK systems with an additional coding gain of 0.34 dB at a system rate of R = 3 bits per symbol, compared to shaped systems that use the long LDPC code from the DVB-S2 standard. We then increase the number of allowed variable node degrees by one, and find that an additional 0.1 dB gain is achievable.
Detecting global predicates in distributed systems with clocks

This paper proposes a framework for detecting global state predicates in systems of processes with approximately-synchronized real-time clocks. Timestamps from these clocks are used to define two orderings on events: "definitely occurred before" and "possibly occurred before". These orderings lead naturally to definitions of 3 distinct detection modalities, i.e., 3 meanings of "predicate Φ held during a computation", namely: Poss →db Φ ("Φ possibly held"), Def →db Φ ("Φ definitely held"), and Inst Φ ("Φ definitely held in a specific global state"). This paper defines these modalities and gives efficient algorithms for detecting them. The algorithms are based on algorithms of Garg and Waldecker, Alagar and Venkatesan, Cooper and Marzullo, and Fromentin and Raynal. Complexity analysis shows that under reasonable assumptions, these real-time-clock-based detection algorithms are less expensive than detection algorithms based on Lamport's happened-before ordering. Sample applications are given to illustrate the benefits of this approach.
Asset values and the sustainability of peace prospects

Abstract Continuous violent conflict is a central cause of economic stagnation in many of the world's poorest countries. Given that attempts to achieve peace in these countries often remain elusive, it is important to identify mechanisms which reveal the sustainability of peace over time. We argue that long-term financial asset values reflect the sustainability of peace prospects because the expectation of continued peace will result in higher long-term asset prices. Equity index prices from Sri Lanka are used to test this theory. Also considered are the accuracy of equity prices versus other predictors of sustainable peace, including exchange rates and survey responses. The main conclusion is that long-term financial asset prices indicate the likelihood of conflict or peace and can inform policies as they relate to conflict-torn areas.
Theory of electronically inelastic scattering of electrons by molecules

We discuss a multichannel formulation of the Schwinger and a related variational principle (of one order higher than the Schwinger principle) in a form suitable for application to the scattering of low-energy electrons by both linear and nonlinear molecules. The theory includes the effects of polarization straightforwardly and should be particularly useful for obtaining electronically inelastic cross sections. An expansion of the trial scattering wave function in a discrete basis is possible. With certain choices for these basis functions this feature can be particularly advantageous.
Judging Factor Abundance

Recent theory casts doubt on the frequently used interindustry regression method of inferring a country's abundant factors. This paper examines the empirical importance of these theoretical qualifications by comparing regression-derived estimates of factor abundance with both revealed and actual factor abundances for 35 countries and 12 resources. We demonstrate the theoretical importance of trade imbalances for the reliability of the regression estimates and therefore propose and implement a theoretically consistent trade imbalance correction. The results indicate that, despite valid theoretical concerns, the regression estimates are generally reliable indicators of revealed factor abundance. Therefore, the innumerable regression studies conducted over the past 30 years can be considered to provide reliable evidence concerning the validity of the factor abundance theory.
Land cover conversion and degradation analyses through coupled soil-plant biophysical parameters derived from hyperspectral EO-1 Hyperion

Land degradation in semiarid areas results from various factors, including climate variations and human activity, and can lead to desertification. The process of degradation results in simultaneous and complex variations of many interrelated soil and vegetation biophysical parameters, rendering it difficult to develop simple and robust remote sensing mapping and monitoring approaches. In this study, we tested the use of Earth Observing 1 (EO-1) Hyperion hyperspectral data to analyze land degradation patterns within the protected Nacunan Biosphere Reserve and surrounding areas in the Monte Desert region of Argentina. The floristically diverse vegetation communities included mesquite forest (algarrobal), creosotebush (jarillal), sand-dune (medanal), and severely degraded (peladal) sites. Various optical measures of land degradation were employed, including vegetation indexes, spectral derivatives, albedo, and spectral mixture analysis. Spectral mixture analysis provided the best characterization of the unstable and spatially variable landscape encountered at the Nacunan Biosphere Reserve. Spectral unmixing provided simultaneous measures of green vegetation, nonphotosynthetic vegetation, and soil, all of which were deemed essential in characterizing land degradation. In conjunction with multitemporal data from the more commonly employed broadband sensors, hyperspectral data can provide a powerful methodology toward understanding environmental degradation.
ON LABOR'S RIGHT TO STRIKE

This paper first shows that, under certain conditions, strikes benefit capital at the expense of union labor in the aggregate. It is then argued that observed variations in strikes and labor's right to strike are largely explainable by variations in the profitability of strikes to capital and not explainable by popular alternative hypotheses purporting to explain the existence of strikes. Finally, an explanation is offered for the persistence of labor's right to strike over time and across various political systems.
The Tip of the Red Giant Branch Distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud

We present the I-band luminosity function of the red giant branch stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) using the data from the Magellanic Clouds Photometric Survey (MCPS). By selecting stars in uncrowded, low-extinction regions, we observe a discontinuity in the luminosity function at I0 = 14.54 mag. Identifying this feature with the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) and adopting an absolute TRGB magnitude of -4.05 ± 0.04 based on the calibration of Lee, Freedman, & Madore, we obtain a distance modulus of 18.59 ± 0.09 (random) ± 0.16 (systematic) mag. If the theoretical TRGB calibration provided by Cassisi & Salaris is adopted instead, the derived distance would be 4% greater. The LMC distance modulus reported here, 18.59 ± 0.09, is larger by 0.09 mag (1 σ) than the value that is most commonly used in the extragalactic distance scale calibrated by the period-luminosity relation of the Cepheid variable stars. Our TRGB distance modulus agrees with several RR Lyrae distances to the LMC based on Hipparcos parallaxes. Finally, we note that, by using the same MCPS data, we obtain a distance modulus of 18.29 ± 0.03 mag using the red clump method, which yields a distance shorter by 0.3 mag compared with the TRGB estimate.
Age differences in the association of obstructive sleep apnea risk with cognition and quality of life.

Using a sample of 2925 stroke-free participants drawn from a national population-based study, we examined cross-sectional associations of obstructive sleep apnea risk (OSA) with cognition and quality of life and whether these vary with age, while controlling for demographics and co-morbidities. Included participants from the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke Study were aged 47-93. OSA risk was categorized as high or low based on responses to the Berlin Sleep Questionnaire. Cognitive function was assessed with standardized fluency and recall measures. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the four-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12 (SF-12). MANCOVA statistics were applied separately to the cognitive and quality of life dependent variables while accounting for potential confounders (demographics, co-morbidities). In fully adjusted models, those at high risk for OSA had significantly lower cognitive scores (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.996, F(3, 2786) = 3.31, p < .05) and lower quality of life (depressive symptoms and HRQoL) (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.989, F(3, 2786) = 10.02, p < .0001). However, some of the associations were age-dependent. Differences in cognition and quality of life between those at high and low obstructive sleep apnea risk were most pronounced during middle age, with attenuated effects after age 70.
Scientific reticence and sea level rise

I suggest that a 'scientific reticence' is inhibiting the communication of a threat of a potentially large sea level rise. Delay is dangerous because of system inertias that could create a situation with future sea level changes out of our control. I argue for calling together a panel of scientific leaders to hear evidence and issue a prompt plain-written report on current understanding of the sea level change issue.
Malignant hyperthermia and the clean machine.

Following use with halothane, ten anaesthestic machines were sampled using infrared analysis for halothane contamination. Baseline measurements of halothane were made in the room and at the machine’s common gas outlet. Five per cent halothane with four litres per minute oxygen flow was delivered for ten minutes into a scavenged breathing circuit. Halothane was then discontinued, an oxygen flow rate of 12 litres per minute was begun, and continuous measurements were made until the halothane concentration became undetectable. Baseline measurements of the rooms and anaesthestic machines ranged from 0 to 0.8 parts per million. Following the oxygen flow, the halothane concentration decreased to undetectable levels within six minutes in all ten machines.
An alternative definition of coarse structures

Abstract Roe [J. Roe, Lectures on Coarse Geometry, University Lecture Series, vol. 31, Amer. Math. Soc., Providence, RI, 2003] introduced coarse structures for arbitrary sets X by considering subsets of X × X . In this paper we introduce large scale structures on X via the notion of uniformly bounded families and we show their equivalence to coarse structures on X. That way all basic concepts of large scale geometry (asymptotic dimension, slowly oscillating functions, Higson compactification) have natural definitions and basic results from metric geometry carry over to coarse geometry.
On Atkin and Swinnerton-Dyer congruence relations (2)

In this paper we give an example of a noncongruence subgroup whose three-dimensional space of cusp forms of weight 3 has the following properties. For each of the four residue classes of odd primes modulo 8 there is a basis whose Fourier coefficients at infinity satisfy a three-term Atkin and Swinnerton-Dyer congruence relation, which is the p-adic analogue of the three-term recursion satisfied by the coefficients of classical Hecke eigenforms. We also show that there is an automorphic L-function over \({\mathbb{Q}}\) whose local factors agree with those of the l-adic Scholl representations attached to the space of noncongruence cusp forms.
A Rate–Distortion Approach to Index Coding

We approach index coding as a special case of rate–distortion with multiple receivers, each with some side information about the source. Specifically, using techniques developed for the rate–distortion problem, we provide two upper bounds and one lower bound on the optimal index coding rate. The upper bounds involve specific choices of the auxiliary random variables in the best existing scheme for the rate–distortion problem. The lower bound is based on a new lower bound for the general rate–distortion problem. The bounds are shown to coincide for a number of (groupcast) index coding instances, including all instances for which the number of decoders does not exceed three.
ASTROMETRIC REDSHIFTS FOR QUASARS

The wavelength dependence of atmospheric refraction causes differential chromatic refraction (DCR), whereby objects imaged at different optical/ultraviolet wavelengths are observed at slightly different positions in the plane of the detector. Strong spectral features induce changes in the effective wavelengths of broad-band filters that are capable of producing significant positional offsets with respect to standard DCR corrections. We examine such offsets for broad-emission-line (type 1) quasars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) spanning 0 < z < 5 and an airmass range of 1.0-1.8. These offsets are in good agreement with those predicted by convolving a composite quasar spectrum with the SDSS bandpasses as a function of redshift and airmass. This astrometric information can be used to break degeneracies in photometric redshifts of quasars (or other emission-line sources) and, for extreme cases, may be suitable for determining astrometric redshifts. On the SDSS's southern equatorial stripe, where it is possible to average many multi-epoch measurements, more than 60% of the quasars have emission-line-induced astrometric offsets larger than the SDSS's relative astrometric errors of 25-35 mas. Folding these astrometric offsets into photometric redshift estimates yields an improvement of 9% within Δz ± 0.1. Future multi-epoch synoptic surveys such as LSST and Pan-STARRS could benefit from intentionally making ~10 observations at relatively high airmass (AM ~ 1.4) in order to improve their photometric redshifts for quasars.
Drag Prediction Using Adaptive Discontinuous Finite Elements

This paper presents the results obtained with an adaptive finite-element solver for the Fifth Drag Prediction Workshop. The discontinuous Galerkin finite-element method is used for the spatial discretization of the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations with a modified version of the Spalart–Allmaras turbulence model. Drag convergence is sought via mesh adaptation driven by an adjoint-weighted residual method. Results are presented for the drag polar of the NACA 0012 airfoil under subsonic flow conditions and for the Common Research Model wing–body geometry under transonic flow conditions and fixed lift. The angle of attack that yields the desired lift is obtained via a Newton solve using the lift adjoint.
Cosmology with a Shock-Wave

We construct the simplest solution of the Einstein equations that incorporates a shock-wave into a standard Friedmann-Robertson-Walker metric whose equation of state accounts for the Hubble constant and the microwave background radiation temper- ature. This produces a new solution of the Einstein equations from which we are able to show that the distance from the shock-wave to the center of the explosion at present time is comparable to the Hubble distance. We are motivated by the idea that the expansion of the universe as measured by the Hubble constant might be accounted for by an event more similar to a classical explosion than by the well-accepted scenario of the Big Bang.
Insulation Aging in Pure Oxygen and in a Vacuum

OXIDATION AND EVAPORATION are two of the mechanisms by which insulation deterioration have been described. The present tests were made with the idea of showing their relative effects and to study the possibility of acceleration of these effects to give more rapid evaluation of various materials. The materials investigated are black varnished cloth, phenolic impregnated kraft paper, and silicone rubber on glass cloth. These are aged in some or all of the mediums of oxygen, nitrogen, air, and a vacuum. These data are compared with previous data on these and similar materials aged in air and nitrogen.
Synthesis and Characterization of Barium Lanthanum Titanates

Ternary compounds in the system BaO—TiO2—La2O3 were prepared by the solid-state reaction technique at temperatures between 1300° and 1400°C using precursor oxides as the starting materials. In an alternative processing technique, BaTiO3 was reacted with appropriate proportions of prefabricated lanthanum titanates at 1350°C to obtain the compounds. Two compounds were identified in the TiO2-rich region of the system. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern of a compound with a chemical composition BaLa2Ti3O10 (BaO·La2O3·3TiO2) is indexed on the basis of an orthorhombic unit cell with a= 7.665 × 10−1 nm, b= 28.524 × 10−1 nm, and c= 3.876 × 10−1 nm. The other compound, which has a chemical composition Ba4La8Ti17O50 (BaO·La2O3·4.25TiO2) occurs in a narrow homogeneity range within the system. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern of the compound is indexed on the basis of an orthorhombic unit cell with a= 12.317 × 10−1 nm, b= 22.394 × 10−1 nm, and c= 3.881 × 10−1 nm. Both the compounds are compatible with BaTiO3 and form pseudobinary joins with BaTiO3 in the system BaO—TiO2—La2O3.
A new active catalyst species for enantioselective alkylation by phase-transfer catalysis

Abstract This paper briefly reviews the use of Schiff base substrates in amino acid synthesis. Recent studies lead to the proposal of a new active catalyst species (12) for the asymmetric PTC alkylation of active methylene compounds (2). Mechanistic implications are detailed.
Femtosecond Conical Intersection Dynamics of Tryptophan in Proteins and Validation of Slowdown of Hydration Layer Dynamics

Water motion probed by intrinsic tryptophan shows the significant slowdown around protein surfaces, but it is unknown how the ultrafast internal conversion of two nearly degenerate states of Trp (1La and 1Lb) affects the initial hydration in proteins. Here, we used a mini-protein with 10 different tryptophan locations one at a time through site-directed mutagenesis and extensively characterized the conversion dynamics of the two states. We observed all the conversion time scales in 40–80 fs by measurement of their anisotropy dynamics. This result is significant and shows no noticeable effect on the initial observed hydration dynamics and unambiguously validates the slowdown of hydration layer dynamics as shown here again in two mutant proteins.
The American Diabetes Association Diabetes Research Perspective

The burden of diabetes is enormous and escalating at an alarming rate (1–3). Nearly 26 million Americans have the disease, including over 10% of the total adult population and over 25% of the population aged 65 years and older. While most of those individuals have type 2 diabetes, nearly 1 million Americans have type 1 diabetes. An additional 79 million American adults have prediabetes, which, when added to those with diabetes, suggests that nearly half of the adult population currently has impaired glucose metabolism (1). If present trends continue, as many as one in three American adults will be diagnosed with diabetes by 2050; the majority of cases will include older adults and racial and ethnic minorities (4). The high prevalence of diabetes, especially among the aging population, comes at a considerable economic cost. In 2007, diabetes and prediabetes accounted for approximately $218 billion in direct medical costs and lost productivity in the U.S. (5). Health care expenditures for individuals with diabetes are 2.3 times greater than expenditures for those without diabetes, and diabetes complications account for a significant proportion of those costs (5). Diabetes significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular events and death, and is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease, blindness, and nontraumatic lower-limb amputations in the U.S. (1). Despite medical advances significantly decreasing the risk of complications and associated mortality, the trajectory of these declines has been blunted by the overall increase in the number of people afflicted with diabetes. Decades of intensive research have resulted in vastly improved understanding of the pathophysiology and impact of diabetes, as well as a host of new and improved therapies. The translation of this research into practice has led to reductions in chronic complications and mortality in people with diabetes (6). Yet, as the incidence and …
Design of optimized airfoils in subcritical flow

An airfoil design method based on optimization procedures in computational aerodynamics is presented. This article extends the method to include subcritical compressible flow and a modified Stratford recovery distribution to alleviate the hard stall that is typical of Stratford-typ e airfoils. A procedure for optimizing the drag is also presented based on the Squire-Young drag formula. The performance characteristics of this airfoil are then tested with a compressible panel method and boundary-layer solver. The procedures for both incompressible and compressible flow have generated airfoils which generate more lift and less drag than other comparable airfoils. High-lift airfoils which display a smooth stall region have also been developed which hold promise for general aviation use. In addition, these airfoils offer the potential of improved performance in applications such as high-endurance aircraft, propellers, fans, and windmill blades where high lift-to-drag ratios are desired. A specific example of an airfoil designed for a wind turbine is presented and compared to an existing airfoil.
A comparison of RED's byte and packet modes

Routers making use of random early detection (RED) queueing take action to notify sources of growing congestion levels in the network before their resources are exhausted. The RED system hinges on two calculations: tracking the average queue size and the probability that an incoming packet is marked for congestion. These two calculations can be done in terms of the number of packets arriving at the router or in terms of the size of those packets (in bytes). Intuitively, these calculation methods offer different costs and benefits to traffic. This paper quantitatively assesses the impact of using the different queueing and marking methods on the performance of traffic traversing a RED gateway. We show that in some cases the calculation method makes a difference in the performance of the system, while in other cases the choice has little impact. We also provide a framework for rating the RED variants in particular situations in an attempt to aid in the choice of variant to use in a specific situations.
The Linear Fokker-Planck Equation for the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck Process as an (Almost) Nonlinear Kinetic Equation for an Isolated N-Particle System

It is long known that the Fokker-Planck equation with prescribed constant coefficients of diffusion and linear friction describes the ensemble average of the stochastic evolutions in velocity space of a Brownian test particle immersed in a heat bath of fixed temperature. Apparently, it is not so well known that the same partial differential equation, but now with constant coefficients which are functionals of the solution itself rather than being prescribed, describes the kinetic evolution (in the N→∞ limit) of an isolatedN-particle system with certain stochastic interactions. Here we discuss in detail this recently discovered interpretation.
Phase-locking in weakly heterogeneous neuronal networks

Abstract We examine analytically the existence and stability of phase-locked states in a weakly heterogeneous neuronal network. We consider a model of N neurons with all-to-all synaptic coupling where the heterogeneity is in the intrinsic firing frequency of the individual neurons. We consider both inhibitory and excitatory coupling. We derive the conditions under which stable phase-locking is possible. In homogeneous networks, many different periodic phase-locked states are possible. Their stability depends on the dynamics of the neuron and the coupling. For weak heterogeneity, the phase-locked states are perturbed from the homogeneous states and can remain stable if their homogeneous counterparts are stable. For enough heterogeneity, phase-locked solutions either lose stability or are destroyed completely. We analyze the possible states the network can take when phase-locking is broken.
Hybrid pattern recognition system capable of self-modification

Systems capable of recognizing and learning two-dimensional patterns can be used in imaging systems and robotic perception systems. The symbolic and neuromorphic methods for pattern processing problems of this type are complementary in character. We present a hybrid system that utilizes components of symbolic and neuromorphic type; we employ two hybrid components that simultaneously operate up on the same data to produce hypotheses about the data. To resolve the potential conflicts in these hypotheses, we propose a method that learns a combination rule based on a set of examples. We employ the method of empirical risk minimization that does not require knowledge about the error probability distributions of the modules. We are building a prototype system to recognize control panels using a vision system.
Do investors learn about analyst accuracy? A study of the oil futures market

We study the impact of analyst forecasts on prices to determine whether investors learn about analyst accuracy. The straight-forward relationship between supply and price, the economic importance of the market, the predictable timing of forecast error realizations, and the high frequency of the data make the crude oil market an interesting and advantageous setting. We find that prices rise (fall) when analysts forecast a decrease (increase) in supplies. During the 15 minutes following supply announcements, prices rise (fall) when forecasts have been too high (low). Importantly, both relationships are stronger for more accurate analysts, implying that investors learn about analyst accuracy. © 2009 Wiley Peridocals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 29:414–429, 2009
Modulation of fibroblast inflammatory response by surface modification of a perfluorinated ionomer

An ideal surface for implantable glucose sensors would be able to evade the events leading to chronic inflammation and fibrosis, thereby extending its utility in an in vivo environment. Nafion™, a perfluorinated ionomer, is the membrane material preferred for in situ glucose sensors. Unfortunately, the surface properties of Nafion™ promote random protein adsorption and eventual foreign body encapsulation, thus leading to loss of glucose signal over time. Details of the techniques to render Nafion™ nonprotein fouling are given in a previous article [T. I. Valdes et al., Biomaterials 29, 1356 (2008)]. Once random protein adsorption is prevented, a biologically active peptide can be covalently bonded to the treated Nafion™ to induce cellular adhesion. Cellular responses to these novel decorated Nafion™ surfaces are detailed here, including cell viability, cell spreading, and type I collagen synthesis. Normal human dermal fibroblasts NHDFs) were cultured on control and modified Nafion™ surfaces. Findings indicate that Nafion™ modified with 10% 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 90% tetraglyme created a nonfouling surface that was subsequently decorated with the YRGDS peptide. NHDFs were shown to have exhibited decreased type I collagen production in comparison to NHDF cells on unmodified Nafion™ surfaces. Here, the authors report evidence that proves that optimizing conditions to prevent protein adsorption and enhance cellular adhesion may eliminate fibrous encapsulation of an implant.
Enhancement of the upper critical field by nonmagnetic impurities in dirty two-gap superconductors

Quasiclassic Usadel equations for two-band superconductors in the dirty limit are derived with the account of both intraband and interband scattering by nonmagnetic impurities. From these equations, the Ginzburg-Landau equations, and the equations for the critical temperature ${T}_{c}$ and the upper critical field ${H}_{c2}$ are obtained. The equation for ${H}_{c2}$ determines both the temperature dependence of ${H}_{c2}(T)$ and the orientational dependence of ${H}_{c2}(\ensuremath{\theta})$ as a function of the angle $\ensuremath{\theta}$ between $\mathbf{H}$ and the c axis. It is shown that the shape of the ${H}_{c2}(T)$ curve essentially depends on the ratio of the intraband electron diffusivities ${D}_{1}$ and ${D}_{2},$ and can be very different from the one-gap dirty-limit theory. In particular, value ${H}_{c2}(0)$ can considerably exceed ${0.7T}_{c}{\mathrm{dH}}_{c2}{/dT}_{c},$ which can have important consequences for applications of ${\mathrm{MgB}}_{2}.$ Based on a general equation for ${H}_{c2}(T,\ensuremath{\theta}),$ a scaling relation, which enables one to get the angular dependence of ${H}_{c2}(\ensuremath{\theta})$ from the equation for ${H}_{c2}$ at $\mathbf{H}\ensuremath{\Vert}c,$ is proposed. The behavior of ${H}_{c2}(\ensuremath{\theta})$ and ${H}_{c1}(\ensuremath{\theta})$ can deviate markedly from the results of the anisotropic Ginzburg-Landau theory, and the ratio of the upper critical field ${H}_{c2}^{\ensuremath{\Vert}}{/H}_{c2}^{\ensuremath{\perp}}$ for $\mathbf{H}\ensuremath{\Vert}\mathrm{ab}$ and $\mathbf{H}\ensuremath{\perp}\mathrm{ab}$ can both increase and decrease with temperature, depending on the relation between ${D}_{1}$ and ${D}_{2}.$ Implications of the obtained results for ${\mathrm{MgB}}_{2}$ are discussed.
Melting aspects of filled compounds in a modular co- rotating twin screw extruder

In the polymer industry, precompounded materials are widely used. Carefully designed melting experiments were carried out to investigate melting mechanisms in master batched polymer compounds, using an intermeshing co-rotating twin screw extruder. Calcium carbonate or aluminum powder was master batched with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). The calcium carbonates, which were used in the compounds, have differences in weight fraction and particle size. The compounds containing filler have higher thermal conductivities and viscosities than neat polyethylene. We observed melting initiation and propagation mechanisms of LLDPE compounds by removal and characterization of polymer compound carcasses in the melting region. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 1990–2012, 2006
Gauging Newton's Law

We derive both Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics as gauge theories of Newtonian mechanics. Systematic development of the distinct symmetries of dynamics and measurement suggest that gauge theory may be motivated as a reconciliation of dynamics with measurement. Applying this principle to Newton’s law with the simplest measurement theory leads to Lagrangian mechanics, while use of conformal measurement theory leads to Hamilton’s equations.
Modern synthetic efforts toward biologically active terpenes

Terpenes represent one of the largest and most diverse classes of secondary metabolites, with over 55,000 members isolated to date. The terpene cyclase enzymes used in nature convert simple, linear hydrocarbon phosphates into an exotic array of chiral, carbocyclic skeletons. Further oxidation and rearrangement results in an almost endless number of conceivable structures. The enormous structural diversity presented by this class of natural products ensures a broad range of biological properties-ranging from anti-cancer and anti-malarial activities to tumor promotion and ion-channel binding. The marked structural differences of terpenes also largely thwart the development of any truly general strategies for their synthetic construction. This review focuses on synthetic strategies directed toward some of the most complex, biologically relevant terpenes prepared by total synthesis within the past decade. Of crucial importance are both the obstacles that modern synthetic chemists must confront when trying to construct such natural products and the key chemical transformations and strategies that have been developed to meet these challenges.
The latency information theory revolution, part I: its control roots

The control roots of latency information theory (LIT) are reviewed in this first paper of a three papers series. LIT is the universal guidance theory for efficient system designs that has inherently surfaced from the confluence of five ideas. They are: 1) The source entropy and channel capacity performance bounds of Shannon's mathematical theory of communication; 2) The latency time (LT) certainty of Einstein's relativity theory; 3) The information space (IS) uncertainty of Heisenberg's quantum physics; 4) The black hole Hawking radiation and its Boltzmann thermodynamics entropy S in SI J/K; and 5) The author's 1978 conjecture of a structural-physical LT-certainty/IS-uncertainty duality for stochastic control. LIT is characterized by a four quadrants revolution with two mathematical-intelligence quadrants and two physical-life ones. Each quadrant of LIT is assumed to be physically independent of the others and guides its designs with an entropy if it is IS-uncertain and an ectropy if it is LT-certain. While LIT's physical-life quadrants I and III address the efficient use of life time by physical signal movers and of life space by physical signal retainers, respectively, its mathematical-intelligence quadrants II and IV address the efficient use of intelligence space by mathematical signal sources and of processing time by mathematical signal processors, respectively. The theoretical and practical relevance of LIT has already been demonstrated using real-world adaptive radar, physics and biochemistry applications. It is the objective of this paper to demonstrate that the structural dualities that are exhibited by the four quadrants of LIT are similar to those that were earlier identified by the author for the practical solution of stochastic control problems. More specifically, his 1978 conjecture of a structural-physical LT-certainty/IS-uncertainty duality between bit detection communication and deterministic quantized control problem solutions that led him to the discovery of a Matched Processors practical alternative to Bellman's Dynamic Programming.
Optical, analog and digital domain architectural considerations for visual communications

The end of the performance entitlement historically achieved by classic scaling of CMOS devices is within sight, driven ultimately by fundamental limits. Performance entitlements predicted by classic CMOS scaling have progressively failed to be realized in recent process generations due to excessive leakage, increasing interconnect delays and scaling of gate dielectrics. Prior to reaching fundamental limits, trends in technology, architecture and economics will pressure the industry to adopt new paradigms. A likely response is to repartition system functions away from digital implementations and into new architectures. Future architectures for visual communications will require extending the implementation into the optical and analog processing domains. The fundamental properties of these domains will in turn give rise to new architectural concepts. The limits of CMOS scaling and impact on architectures will be briefly reviewed. Alternative approaches in the optical, electronic and analog domains will then be examined for advantages, architectural impact and drawbacks.
The effectiveness of early intervention: examining risk factors and pathways to enhanced development.

In this paper we examine the effectiveness of early intervention, especially vis-a-vis (a) child and family risk factors and (b) the pathways to enhanced child and family development. To address these issues we draw on findings from the Infant Health and Development Program (IHDP) for low-birth-weight premature infants. The data we present reveal the considerable effectiveness of the IHDP intervention in enhancing several aspects of early and later child and family development. The findings also illustrate the importance of looking beyond intervention group differences to examine the extent to which early intervention effects are more pronounced for some children and families than others and to examine the processes underlying intervention effects (e.g., exactly how do early interventions change children and families?). For example, both initial and longer-term IHDP intervention effects varied by both characteristics of the children and characteristics of their families. Our data also provide some insight into the processes by which intervention effects may have occurred. We conclude our consideration of these many complexities with suggestions for practice, social policy, and future research.
Designer nets from local strategies

We propose a local strategy for constructing scale-free networks of arbitrary degree distributions, based on the redirection method of Krapivsky and Redner [Phys. Rev. E 63, 066123 (2001)]. Our method includes a set of external parameters that can be tuned at will to match detailed behavior at small degree k, in addition to the scale-free power-law tail signature at large k. Once achieved, the target distribution is maintained throughout the growth of the net. The method is local in that addition of a new node requires knowledge of only the immediate environs of the (randomly selected) node to which it is attached. (Global strategies require information on finite fractions of the growing net.)
Ligand-Free Deltahedral Clusters of Silicon in Solution: Synthesis, Structure, and Electrochemistry of Si92-

Deltahedral nine-atom clusters of silicon, Si92-, were synthesized by mild oxidation of a liquid ammonia solution of K12Si17 with Ph3GeCl in the presence of 18-crown-6 (1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane) or 2,2,2-crypt (4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane). The clusters were structurally characterized in [K(18-crown-6)]2Si9·C5H5N (yellow; orthorhombic, Pnma; a = 14.013(1), b = 18.108 (1), c = 18.320 (1) A; Z = 4) crystallized from a pyridine solution of the product of the aforementioned reaction in liquid ammonia. Si92- is the first unequivocally characterized nine-atom cluster of group 14 with a charge of 2−. In addition to pyridine, the product from the reaction in liquid ammonia is also soluble in DMF, and the Si92- clusters were characterized by mass spectrometry in such a solution. The more reduced clusters Si93- have also been crystallized from pyridine solution. Cyclic voltammetry in both pyridine and DMF solutions clearly shows the Si92-/Si93- redox couple as one-electro...