cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modified Kubelka-Munk equations for localized waves inside a layered medium

We present a pair of coupled partial differential equations to describe the evolution of the average total intensity and intensity flux of a wave field inside a randomly layered medium. These equations represent a modification of the Kubelka-Munk equations, or radiative transfer. Our modification accounts for wave interference (e.g., localization), which is neglected in radiative transfer. We numerically solve the modified Kubelka-Munk equations and compare the results to radiative transfer as well as to simulations of the wave equation with randomly located thin layers.
Electrophoretic Studies of Wool

A new investigation of the electrophoretic properties of wool shows that phthalate ion, used in buffers in earlier work, exhibits a specific ion effect, and shifts the isolectric point to lower pH values. In acetate buffers, the isoelectric point of wool scales and cortical cells was found to be at pH 4.5. Samples of ground or powdered wool show an isoelectric point at pH 4.2. Much of the confusion which exists concerning the location of the isoelectric point has arisen from the assumption that the isoionic and isoclectric points are identical. The significance of both of these points in wool processing is discussed.
Back-directional Gated Spectroscopic Imaging for Nanoscale Deformation Analysis in Bone

Although crack mechanisms in bone have been intensively studied to have a better understanding of bone fracture, exact prefailure damage mechanisms about how cracks or deformations at nanoscales occur still remain unexplored due to technical limitations. In this pilot study, we apply back-directional gated spectroscopic imaging (BGSI) to examine the exact spatial extent of such damage in in-situ mechanical testing of bovine cortical bone. Our imaging approach provides a relatively large field of view, while the wavelength dependence of light elastically backscattered from bone at each pixel can capture structural alterations in a few tens of nanometers. Thus, our imaging method can simultaneously examine various length scales. Using a notched bovine cortical bone wafer, we report that an altered field of a couple of square millimeters forms at the tip of the notch during tensile loading in the transverse orientation, and this field disappears upon unloading. We conducted simple pilot simulations of optical waves in one-dimensional layered media to gain an understanding of the potential mechanisms about the spectral dependence on nanostructure alterations. Our results imply that the bone nanostructure may allow the formation of nanoscale deformation over a relatively large area to prevent microcrack formation or fracture as an energy dissipating mechanism. We further envision that BGSI may facilitate understanding how the nanostructure of bone controls bone characteristics and properties.
Inequality and Segregation

Despite declining group inequality and the rapid expansion of the black middle class in the United States, major urban centers with significant black populations continue to exhibit extreme racial separation. Using a theoretical framework in which individuals care about both the affluence and the racial composition of neighborhoods, we show that lower inequality is consistent with extreme and even rising levels of segregation in cities in which the minority population is large. Our results can help explain why segregation continues to characterize the urban landscape even though survey evidence suggests that individuals favor more integration than they did in the past.
Addressing environment, health, and safety in semiconductor process development

Motorola has traditionally focused on cost, yield, performance, and logistics as primary drivers for decision-making. In the semiconductor industry, environment, health, and safety (EHS) issues have resulted in major modifications of tools and process steps, as well as the addition of environmental controls to the facility, because they are not routinely considered when making process design and manufacturing choices, nor is their impact on cost, yield, and cycle time. Certain business driving forces, such as cost, sustainability of processes/tools, time to market, market access, and market share, are leading Motorola to a cultural change in which EHS impacts must be considered during product and process design; however, design and process engineers have not been able to adequately address these impacts. Motorola's Advanced Process Research and Development Laboratory (APRDL) in the Semiconductor Product Sector (SPS) has recognized this and has established its own environmental group (separate from the site EHS compliance group) to implement a design for EHS (DFEHS) strategy. The APRDL environmental group works with several project teams to address EHS issues in process development. These teams have been investigating copper metallization, wet cleans processes and tools, and other areas to ensure that the long-term EHS implications are identified and addressed before a process is transferred or a tool set recommended to a manufacturing fab. To empower engineers to consider, on their own, the EHS impacts of their materials and processes at the earliest possible stage, the APRDL environmental group has developed a DFEHS training course. This self-instructed, web-based course targets semiconductor design and process engineers and is available through Motorola University, the corporate training institution. The group has also established a procedure for approving new materials for the development lab in which EHS criteria are included.
The Impact of Business Cycle Fluctuations on Graduate School Enrollment.

This paper adds to the understanding of student decisions about graduate school attendance by studying the magnitude of the effect of business cycle fluctuations on enrollment. I use data on graduate school enrollment from the Current Population Survey and statewide variation in unemployment rates across time to proxy for changes in business cycle conditions. I find that overall graduate school enrollment is countercyclical for females and acyclical for males. I show that changes in the unemployment rate have non-linear impacts on female enrollment and that poor labor market conditions lead to a substitution from full-time enrollment to part-time enrollment for both genders.
Gravity-Driven Convection Studies in Compound Semiconductor Crystal Growth by Physical Vapor Transport

Experimental results are summarized, and it is pointed out that gravity-driven convection can alter the diffusive-advective mass transport behavior in the growth of crystals by physical vapor transport. Specially designed and constructed transparent furnaces are described which are being used to study the effects of gravity in the crystal growth of the compound semiconductors PbTe and CdTe. The theory underlying vapor transport behavior is reviewed, with attention given to the vapor-solid behavior of compound materials, to one-dimensional mass transport, and to gravity-induced (natural) convection. In the transparent furnaces, the quartz capillary tube mounted along the axis of the main quartz ampoule is used to measure the temperature at the growth surface (vapor-solid crystal interface) and the source, as well as the complete temperature profile along the axis of the tube. The light-pipe works to remove heat from the growth end of the ampoule by radiative heat transfer. The ampoules are sealed after being evacuated to the low 10 to the -8th torr range with a cryogenic vacuum pump.
Determining Aerodynamic Loads Based on Optical Deformation Measurements

A preliminary study is described for determining aerodynamic loads based on optical elastic deformation measurementsusing a videogrammetricsystem. Data reduction methods are developed and used to extract the normal force and pitching moment from beam deformation data. The axial force is obtained by measuring the axial translational motion of a movable shaft in a spring/bearing device. Proof-of-concept calibration experiments are conducted to assess the feasibility of the optical technique for measuring aerodynamic loads. The uncertainties in optical force and moment measurements are discussed. I. Introduction I NTERNAL strain gauge balances have been used for years as a standard technique for measuring the integrated aerodynamic forces and moments on models in wind tunnels. A variety of internal strain gauge balances have been developed, and the technical aspects of various balances have been studied in detail. 1 Generally speaking, the structure of an internal strain gauge balance is complicated, and the cost of fabrication is high. This paper presents an exploratory study for remotely measuring aerodynamic loads using a videogrammetic system. Unlike strain gauges, this method optically measures beam deformation to determine the normal force and pitching moment. The axial force is obtained by measuring the translational motion of a movable shaft in a spring/bearing device. Mathematical models for data reduction are developed to extract the aerodynamic forces and moments from the deformation data. Uncertainty analysis is given to evaluate the contributions from the elemental error sources and correlation terms. At this stage, the normal force, pitching moment, and axial force are the primary quantities to be determined. In principle, the side force, rolling moment, and yawing moment can be determined in a similar manner. Proof-of-concept laboratory experiments have been conducted to validate the proposed methodology for measuring the aerodynamic loads. Potentially, this optical method can be used as an alternative to strain gauge balances. In addition, the technique described in this paper can be integrated with optical model attitude and deformation measurement techniques. 2;3
A PROGRESS REPORT ON MARXIAN ECONOMIC THEORY: ON THE CONTROVERSIES IN EXPLOITATION THEORY SINCE OKISHIO (1963)

This report explores the development of exploitation theory in mathematical Marxian economics by reviewing the main controversies surrounding the proper definition of exploitation since the contribution of Okishio. The report first examines the debates on the Fundamental Marxian Theorem and Class-Exploitation Correspondence Principle, developed mainly in the 1970s and 1980s, followed by the property relation theory of exploitation by Roemer. Then, the more recent exploitation theory proposed by Vrousalis and Wright is introduced. Finally, the report introduces and comments on recent axiomatic studies of exploitation by focusing on the work of Veneziani and Yoshihara.
Formal and informal context factors as contributors to student engagement in a guided discovery-based program of game design learning

This paper explored informal (after-school) and formal (elective course in-school) learning contexts as contributors to middle-school student attitudinal changes in a guided discovery-based and blended e-learning program in which students designed web games and used social media and information resources for a full school year. Formality of the program context did not substantially influence attitude changes but did appear to influence learning outcomes. While intrinsic motivation did not change in the aggregate from pre- to post-program among students, positive changes in intrinsic motivation were found to be associated with engagement in almost all areas of student engagement in Globaloria, with several at-home engagement changes measured. This finding challenges critiques of discovery-based learning as being de-motivating. Lower parent education among students was associated with positive changes in self-efficacy for online research indicating that disadvantaged students may stand to benefit from progr...
A mechanism for preseismic steady rupture fronts observed in laboratory experiments

It has been shown that the onset of frictional instability is characterized by a transition from stable, quasi-static rupture growth to unstable, inertially-controlled high-speed rupture. In particular, slow rupture fronts propagating at a steady speed V_(slow) of the order of 5% of the S-wave speed have been observed prior to the onset of dynamic rupture in recent fault-friction laboratory experiments. However, the precise mechanism governing this V_(slow) stage is unknown. Here we reproduce this phenomenon in numerical simulations of earthquake sequences that incorporate laboratory-derived rate-and-state friction laws. Our simulations show that the V_(slow) stage originates from a stress concentration inherited from the coalescence of interseismic slow creep fronts. Its occurrence is limited to a narrow range of the parameter space but is found in simulations with two commonly-used state-variable evolution laws in the rate-and-state formulation. The sensitivity of the speed V_(slow) to the model parameters suggests that the propagation speed V_(slow) reported in laboratory experiments may also be sensitive to parameters of friction and stress conditions. Our results imply that time and space dimensions associated with the propagation of V_(slow) on natural faults can be as much as a few seconds and several hundred meters, respectively. Hence the detection of such preseismic signals may be possible with near-field high-resolution observations.
Routability-Driven Placement and White Space Allocation

We present a two-stage congestion-driven placement flow. First, during each refinement stage of our multilevel global placement framework, we replace cells based on the wirelength weighted by congestion level to reduce the routing demands of congested regions. Second, after the global placement stage, we allocate appropriate amounts of white space into different regions of the chip according to a congestion map by shifting cut lines in a top-down fashion and apply a detailed placer to legalize the placement and further reduce the half-perimeter wirelength while preserving the distribution of white space. Experimental results show that our placement flow can achieve the best routability with the shortest routed wirelength among publicly available placement tools on IBM v2 benchmarks. Our placer obtains 100% successful routings on 16 IBM v2 benchmarks with shorter routed wirelengths by 3.1% to 24.5% compared to other placement tools. Moreover, our white space allocation approach can significantly improve the routability of placements generated by other placement tools
The variation of magnesium depletion with line-of-sight conditions

In this paper we report on the gas-phase abundance of singly ionized magnesium (Mg II) in 44 lines of sight, using data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We measure Mg II column densities by analyzing medium- and high-resolution archival Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) spectra of the 1240 A doublet of Mg II. We find that Mg II depletion is correlated with many line-of-sight parameters [e.g., f(H2), EB-V, EB-V/r, AV, and AV/r] in addition to the well-known correlation with nH. These parameters should be more directly related to dust content and thus have more physical significance with regard to the depletion of elements such as magnesium. We examine the significance of these additional correlations as compared to the known correlation between Mg II depletion and nH. While none of the correlations are better predictors of Mg II depletion than nH, some are statistically significant even assuming fixed nH. We discuss the ranges over which these correlations are valid, their strength at fixed nH, and physical interpretations.
Review on powder-based electron beam additive manufacturing technology

This paper presents a thorough literature review of the powder-based electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) technology. EBAM, a relatively new additive manufacturing (AM) process, can produce full-density metallic parts directly from the electronic data of the designed part geometry. EBAM has gained broad attentions from different industries such as aerospace and biomedical, with great potential in a variety of applications. The paper first introduces the general aspects of EBAM. The unique characteristics, advantages and challenges of EBAM are then presented. Moreover, the hub of this paper includes extensive discussions of microstructures, mechanical properties, geometric attributes, which impact the application ranges of EBAM parts, with focus on commonly used titanium alloys (in particular, Ti-6Al-4V). In the end, modeling efforts and process metrology of the EBAM process are discussed as well.
Theory and Applications of Infinitesimal Dipole Models for Computational Electromagnetics

The recently introduced quantum particle swarm optimization (QPSO) algorithm is employed to find infinitesimal dipole models (IDM) for antennas with known near-fields (measured or computed). The IDM can predict accurately both the near-fields and the far-fields of the antenna. A theory is developed to explain the mechanism behind the IDM using the multipole expansion method. The IDM obtained from single frequency solutions is extrapolated over a frequency range around the design frequency. The method is demonstrated by analyzing conducting- and dielectric-type antennas. A calibration procedure is proposed to systematically implement infinitesimal dipoles within existing method of moment (MoM) codes. The interaction of the IDM with passive and active objects is studied through several examples. The IDM proved to predict the interaction efficiently. A closed-form expression for the mutual admittance between similar or dissimilar antennas, with arbitrary orientations and/or locations, is derived using the reaction theorem
High resolution difference schemes for compressible gas dynamics

The advantages and disadvantages of four new high-resolution difference schemes, namely the von Neumann-Richtmyer, Godunovs, MUSCL and Glimms, for mathematically representing physical conditions in compressible gas flows are compared. (LCL)
In-Store Media and Distribution Channel Coordination

We study the effects of retailer in-store media on distribution channel relationships. Retailers open in-store media (ISM) and allow manufacturers to advertise to shoppers. Our results suggest that ISM has an important role in coordinating a distribution channel on advertising volume and product sales, and on mitigating supplier competition. Improved channel coordination is achieved through the internalization of advertising decisions from commercial forms of media (e.g., radio, TV, newspaper). A retailer may strategically subsidize manufacturers for their advertising on ISM. This subsidy is optimal even if ISM is more effective than commercial media. With manufacturer competition, a retailer can strategically use a “competitive premium” to ration excessive advertising between competing suppliers in a category. When manufacturers are asymmetric with preadvertising brand awareness, a retailer has an incentive to price discriminate by charging lower prices to manufacturers whose brand awareness is higher.
Sequential Linearization as an Approach to Real-Time Marine Gas Turbine Simulation

This paper presents an approach to real-time turbine simulation, using a method of sequential state space linearizations. The linearizations are shown to be simple enough to be computed in real time. Comparisons between simulations and experiments are presented and discussed. The approach is shown to have very good accuracy for both transient and steady-state predictions
Pion, muon decays and weak interaction symmetries

Abstract We review the recent measurements of the rare pion decays: π + → π 0 e + ν (beta, π e 3 , or π β decay), radiative decay π + → e + ν γ ( π e 2 γ or RPD), and π + → e + ν ( π e 2 ), as well as the radiative muon decay, μ → e ν ν ¯ γ , their theoretical implications, and prospects for further improvement.
The Dynamics of Stellar Coronae Harboring Hot-jupiters II. A Space Weather Event on A Hot-jupiter

We carry out a numerical simulation depicting the effects of a coronal mass ejection (CME) event on a close-in giant planet in an extrasolar system. We drive the CME in a similar manner as in simulations of space weather events on Earth. The simulation includes the planetary orbital motion, which leads to the forming of a comet-like planetary magnetotail which is oriented almost perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the CME. The combination of this feature and the fact that the CME does not expand much by the time it reaches the planet leads to a unique CME-magnetosphere interaction, where the CME itself is highly affected by the presence of the planetary magnetosphere. This change in the CME properties throughout the event cannot be estimated by simple, analytic calculations. We find that the planet is well-shielded from CME penetration, even for a relatively weak intrinsic magnetic field. The planetary angular momentum loss associated with such an event is negligible compared to the total planetary angular momentum. We also find that the energy which is deposited in the magnetosphere is much higher than in the case of the Earth, and our simulation suggests there is a large-scale change in the orientation of the magnetosphere-ionosphere current system during the CME event.
SEPARABILITY AND STABILITY OF SOLUTIONS OF THE 1-DIMENSIONAL NLSE WITH RESPECT TO EXTENSION INTO 2 AND 3 DIMENSIONS, AND TO INITIAL PERTURBATION BY WHITE NOISE

Stationary states of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation (NLSE) found analytically in previous work are extended into 2 and 3 dimensions by the simplest possible ansatz: namely, it is assumed that the direct product of one dimensional solutions for each dimension will yield a stationary state. The solutions considered mimic the dynamics of a repulsive Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) in a trap of high aspect ratio. This assumption of separability, as established by direct numerical integration of the NLSE via variable step 4th order Runge-Kutta using a pseudo spectral basis, is found to work well for both ground and excited states for box transverse confinement, and for either box or periodic boundary conditions along the longest trap axis. Addition of white noise at t = 0, followed by similar numerical propagation in either 2 or 3 dimensions, is found to lead to instability once the transverse confining dimension are greater than approximately 6 healing lengths. Such instabilites eventually manifest themselves as vortices fathered by the well known snake instability of the NLSE solitons in dimensionalities higher than 1. The dynamics of interacting solitons may become chaotic as the solitons themselves become unstable in the presence of noise.
Regularity Results for Nonlocal Equations by Approximation

We obtain C 1,α regularity estimates for nonlocal elliptic equations that are not necessarily translation-invariant using compactness and perturbative methods and our previous regularity results for the translation-invariant case.
Flexible electronic assemblies for space applications

This describes the development and evaluation of advanced technologies for the integration of electronic devices within membrane polymers. Specifically, investigators thinned silicon die, electrically connecting them with circuits on flexible (liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and polyimide (PI)) circuits, using gold thermo-compression flip chip bonding, and embedding them within the material. The influence of temperature and flexure on the electrical behavior of active embedded assemblies was evaluated. In addition, the long-term thermal cycle resistance of the passive daisy chain assemblies was determined within the Mil-Std (-55° to +125°C), extreme low #1 (-125° to +85°C), and extreme low #2 (-125° to +125°C) temperature ranges. The results of these evaluations will be discussed, along with the application of this technology for future NASA missions.
Dynamic histogram warping of image pairs for constant image brightness

The constant image brightness (CIB) assumption assumes that the intensities of corresponding points in two images are equal. This assumption is central to much of computer vision. However, surprisingly little work has been performed to support this assumption, despite the fact the many of algorithms are very sensitive to deviations from CIB. An examination of the images contained in the SRI JISCT stereo database revealed that the constant image brightness assumption is indeed often false. Moreover, the simple additive/multiplicative models of the form I/sub L/=/spl beta/I/sub R/+/spl alpha/ do not adequately represent the observed deviations. A comprehensive physical model of the observed deviations is difficult to develop. However, many potential sources of deviations can be represented by a nonlinear monotonically increasing relationship between intensities. Under these conditions, we believe that an expansion/contraction matching of the intensity histograms represents the best method to both measure the degree of validity of the CIB assumption and correct for it. Dynamic histogram warping (DHW) is closely related to histogram specification. It is shown that histogram specification introduces artifacts that do not occur with dynamic histogram warping. Experimental results show that image histograms are closely matched after DHW, especially when both histograms are modified simultaneously. DHW is also capable of removing simple constant additive and multiplicative biases without derivative operations, thereby avoiding amplification of high frequency noise. DHW can improve the estimates from stereo and optical flow estimators.
Decoherence and recoherence of beam in phase space

Using the particle distribution in phase space, we introduce a new approach to study the decoherence and recoherence of a kicked beam when betatron tunes are far from any resonance. With this method, the decoherence and the recoherence of a beam can be analyzed easily in both 2-dimensional and 4-dimensional cases with any form of the tune spread. We have also studied the decoherence of a beam initially trapped in a resonance island. Due to the tune modulation, the separatrix of island develops a chaotic layer and particles within the island can drift out of the island along the layer. Consequently, the beam decoheres gradually. The rate of decoherence is shown to be proportional to the modulation amplitude. As a function of the modulation frequency, it reaches a peak near the tune of trapped particles before decreasing to zero. >
Capacitance Simulations and Measurements of 3D Pixel Sensors Under 55 MeV Proton Exposure

3D pixel sensors are a novel type of silicon detector designed for high energy physics and other applications. Their features include high spatial resolution and radiation tolerance. The design consists of alternating rows of n- and p-type columns in a p-type substrate. Capacitance data are presented for 3D pixel devices characterized after exposure to various fluences of 55 MeV protons. Simulations and two methods for the measurement of the inter-electrode capacitance as a function of input signal frequency are shown.
Quarantines and Distributive Justice

Medical quarantines often threaten the civil rights of the persons whom they confine. This might happen in two ways. First, quarantines might inflict harsh conditions on their occupants; and, second, quarantines might be imposed in an arbitrary or indeed discriminatory manner. These concerns, moreover, are anything but fantastic. Infectious diseases, particularly in epidemic forms, commonly trigger retributive and discriminatory instincts, so that actual quarantines often impose inhumane, stigmatizing, or even penal treatment upon persons who are confined based on caprice or even prejudice. But quarantines that impose no gratuitous hardships and that are applied pursuant to orderly and non-discriminatory procedures are theoretically possible and also practically available. And such well-run quarantines, especially when they are employed to combat epidemic diseases, cannot plausibly be said to violate the civil rights of the quarantined. Even the staunchest civil libertarian must accept that one person's liberty may be restricted when this is necessary for preventing harm to another.
Crystalluria and Urinary Tract Abnormalities Associated With Indinavir

Background: Indinavir, a protease inhibitor widely used to treat patients with HIV infection, has been associated with nephrolithiasis. Distinctive urinary crystals and a spectrum of urologic disor...
A challenge for green chemistry: designing molecules that readily dissolve in carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is a green yet feeble solvent whose full potential won't be realized until we develop a more thorough understanding of its solvent behavior at the molecular level. Fortunately, advances in molecular modeling coupled with experiments are rapidly improving our understanding of CO2's behavior, permitting design of new, more sustainable “CO2-philes”.
Implementation of a unified robot kinematics and inverse dynamics algorithm on a DSP chip

The feasibility and performance of implementing kinematics and inverse dynamics algorithms on a DSP chip for real-time robot arm control is investigated. The algorithms include the following modules: forward and inverse kinematics; Jacobian, inverse Jacobian, and Jacobian derivative term; and Newton-Euler inverse dynamics. These modules are unified under a common coordinate system, and then computationally optimized by eliminating the redundancies among the modules. Further optimization is indicated for the PUMA-like arms. The algorithms are implemented on a TI TMS320C30 DSP chip. It is found that the execution time for the entire set of algorithms is about 0.78 ms for a six-degree-of-freedom robot with a spherical wrist, and is about 0.63 ms for a PUMA-specific arm. The communication time between the host PC and the DSP chip is about 0.376 ms. Thus, it is possible to implement a complete Cartesian controller at a 1000 Hz sampling rate. The algorithms have been successfully tested on a PUMA arm with a PC-based advanced controller. >
Sufficient sequences and state-space models for random processes

Let ( U_{1}, U_{2} , ...) be a sequence of observed random variables whose probability distributions are described by a parameterized family of density functions \{p_{k}(u_{1}, ..., u_{k}; \theta)\} . If there exists a sequence of sufficient statistics for \theta(T_{1}(U_{1}) , T_{2}(U_{1}, U_{2}) , ...), and if a realizability assumption holds, then there is a finite-dimensional state-space model whose output process agrees with ( U_{1}, U_{2} , ...) in distribution.
Analysis of the smoothed residual-driven algorithm for speech coders

The smoothed residual-driven (SRD) algorithm was devised recently to adapt the short-term predictor coefficients in low-delay speech coders. This algorithm uses a smoothed version of the prediction residual for coefficient adaptation to provide good-quality speech while maintaining robustness to channel errors. The SRD algorithm is further investigated here to understand the effect of the smoothing approximation on the algorithm tracking capability for tone, AR, and speech inputs in the presence of channel errors. The transversal structure SRD algorithm is studied here. The relationship between the minimum MSE values with the SRD and signal-driven (SD) algorithms is derived as a function of the predictor coefficients. Tracking analysis shows that the SRD algorithm can track the input if the step size /spl mu/ is sufficiently small. The LMS-SRD algorithm is stable and succeeds in tracking all inputs. The LMS-SRD algorithm is compared with other existing algorithms such as the SD, residual-driven (RD), and LMS-CCITT algorithms. >
Novel approach for characterization of unbound materials

The current inclination toward establishing a mechanistic pavement analysis scheme to support rehabilitation design will require adopting mechanical materials properties. Mechanistic properties are needed for establishing the material-mechanics link, which represents the most effective approach for accurately predicting the response of road structures and their performance. Physical characteristics served early design practices with a common understanding among users that a more robust approach is needed to address rehabilitation design requirements effectively. Current attempts to improve material characterization based on the outcome of mechanical tests focusing on unbound materials are discussed. It is concluded that simplifying assumptions built in the proposed testing schemes and the manner in which these properties are determined overlooked other critical behavior indicators. Results of field and laboratory investigations highlight the need for capturing permanent deformation, and a more effective c...
How real are real numbers

We discuss mathematical and physical arguments against continuity and in favor of discreteness, with particular emphasis on the ideas of Emile Borel (1871-1956).
iCFP: Tolerating All-Level Cache Misses in In-Order Processors

In-order continual flow pipeline (iCFP) is an in-order pipeline that allows execution to flow around data cache misses. When a cache miss occurs, iCFP executes and speculatively retires miss-independent instructions. It saves miss-dependent instructions in a slice buffer. When the miss returns, iCFP reexecutes the contents of the slice buffer and merges the results into working state. iCFP exploits existing support for multithreading and several novel components.
A Good Enough Reason: Addiction, Agency and Criminal Responsibility

ABSTRACT The article begins by contrasting medical and moral views of addiction and how such views influence responsibility and policy analysis. It suggests that since addiction always involves action and action can always be morally evaluated, we must independently decide whether addicts do not meet responsibility criteria rather than begging the question and deciding by the label of ‘disease’ or ‘moral weakness’. It then turns to the criteria for criminal responsibility and shows that the criteria for criminal responsibility, like the criteria for addiction, are all folk psychological. Therefore, any scientific information about addiction must be ‘translated’ into the law's folk psychological criteria. Distractions about responsibility are then quickly canvassed. Then it addresses the direct relation between addiction and criminal responsibility. It argues that most addicts retain sufficient rational and control capacities at the relevant times to be held responsible, especially for crimes that are not ...
Randomized control of open quantum systems

The problem of open-loop dynamical control of generic open quantum systems is addressed. In particular, I focus on the task of effectively switching off environmntal couplings responsible for unwanted decoherence and dissipation effects. After revisiting the standard framework for dynamical decoupling via deterministic controls, I describe a different approach whereby the controller intentionally acquires a random component. An explicit error bound on worst-case performance of stochastic decoupling is presented.
Query expansion using web access log files

Query Expansion has long been recognized as one of the effective methods in solving short queries and improving ranking accuracy in traditional IR research. Many variations of this method have been introduced throughout the past decades; however, few of them have incorporated web log information into the query expansion process. In this paper, we propose an expansion technique that expands document content at the initial index stage using queries extracted from the web log files. Our experimental results show that even with a minimal amount of real world log information available and a professionally cataloged knowledge structure to aid the search, there is still a significant improvement in using our query expansion method compared to the conventional query expansion ones.
The isotopic mixture of barium in the metal‐poor subgiant HD 140283

Analyses of the abundances of neutron-capture elements have led to the belief that these elements in metal-poor stars are r-process products with relative abundances closely resembling those found in the Solar system. This picture was challenged by Magain, who found that a pure r-process mix of the barium isotopes was inconsistent with the mix of odd to even barium isotopes derived from analysis of the Ba II line at 4554 ˚ A in the spectrum of the metal-poor subgiant HD 140283. In this paper, we address Magain’s challenge using new high-resolution high signal-to-noise spectra of HD 140283, and find, in contrast to his result, that a solar-like r-process isotopic mixture provides a fair fit to the observed 4554- ˚ A profile.
Vectorized image segmentation via trixel agglomeration

We present a broad algorithmic framework for transforming an image comprised of pixels into a vectorized image segmented into polygons that can be subsequently used in image analysis, understanding, and high-level representation. We introduce a new entity-the trixel-that is an adaptive, local, triangular unit of region-contour picture description. Adjacent trixels are merged based on certain elementary heuristic criteria of perceptual organization, modeled as geometric filters on trixel edges. The connected components of a trixel grouping graph, with vertices representing trixels and edges between vertices corresponding to merged adjacent trixels, yield polygons that segment the image.
Conceptual Knowledge Markup Language: An introduction

Conceptual Knowledge Markup Language (CKML) is an application of XML. Earlier versions of CKML followed rather exclusively the philosophy of Conceptual Knowledge Processing (CKP), a principled approach to knowledge representation and data analysis that “advocates methods and instruments of conceptual knowledge processing which support people in their rational thinking, judgment and acting and promote critical discussion”. The new version of CKML continues to follow this approach, but also incorporates various principles, insights and techniques from Information Flow (IF), the logical design of distributed systems. Among other things, this allows diverse communities of discourse to compare their own information structures, as coded in logical theories, with that of other communities that share a common generic ontology. CKML incorporates the CKP ideas of concept lattice and formal context, along with the IF ideas of classification (= formal context), infomorphism, theory, interpretation and local logic. Ontology Markup Language (OML), a subset of CKML that is a self-sufficient markup language in its own right, follows the principles and ideas of Conceptual Graphs (CG). OML is used for structuring the specifications and axiomatics of metadata into ontologies. OML incorporates the CG ideas of concept, conceptual relation, conceptual graph, conceptual context, participants and ontology. The link from OML to CKML is the process of conceptual scaling, which is the interpretive transformation of ontologically structured knowledge to conceptual structured knowledge.
PRODUCTIVITY AND THE DENSITY OF HUMAN CAPITAL

ABSTRACT We estimate a model of urban productivity in which the agglomeration effect of density is enhanced by a metropolitan area's stock of human capital. Estimation accounts for potential biases due to the endogeneity of density and industrial composition effects. Using new information on output per worker for U.S. metropolitan areas along with a measure of density that accounts for the spatial distribution of population, we find that a doubling of density increases productivity by 2–4 percent. Consistent with theories of learning and knowledge spillovers in cities, we demonstrate that the elasticity of average labor productivity with respect to density increases with human capital. Metropolitan areas with a human capital stock one standard deviation below the mean realize no productivity gain, while doubling density in metropolitan areas with a human capital stock one standard deviation above the mean yields productivity benefits that are about twice the average. These patterns are particularly pronounced in industries where the exchange of information and sharing of ideas are important parts of the production process.
Health Psychology: Psychological Adjustment to Chronic Disease

Chronic diseases carry important psychological and social consequences that demand significant psychological adjustment. The literature is providing increasingly nuanced conceptualizations of adjustment, demonstrating that the experience of chronic disease necessitates adaptation in multiple life domains. Heterogeneity in adjustment is apparent between individuals and across the course of the disease trajectory. Focusing on cancer, cardiovascular disease, and rheumatic diseases, we review longitudinal investigations of distal (socioeconomic variables, culture/ethnicity, and gender-related processes) and proximal (interpersonal relationships, personality attributes, cognitive appraisals, and coping processes) risk and protective factors for adjustment across time. We observe that the past decade has seen a surge in research that is longitudinal in design, involves adequately characterized samples of sufficient size, and includes statistical control for initial values on dependent variables. A progressively convincing characterization of risk and protective factors for favorable adjustment to chronic illness has emerged. We identify critical issues for future research.
A parallel implementation of a multisensor feature-based range-estimation method

There are many proposed vision based methods to perform obstacle detection and avoidance for autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles. A system capable of supporting autonomous helicopter navigation will need to extract obstacle information from imagery at rates varying from ten images per second to thirty or more images per second depending on the vehicle speed. This paper describes an efficient and flexible parallel implementation of a multisensor feature-based range-estimation algorithm, targeted for automated helicopter flight. The algorithm can track hundreds of features in multiple image sensors using an extended Kalman filter to estimate the feature's location in a master sensor coordinate frame. The feature-tracking algorithm has reached relative maturity in the laboratory and is now being ported to several real-time architectures to support autonomous helicopter navigation research, The focus of this paper is not the core theory of the vision algorithm itself, but those aspects of it that affect the method of parallelization. The performance of the parallel algorithm is analyzed, with respect to three load balancing schemes, on both a distributed-memory and shared-memory parallel computer. >
Uncertainty and Stabilization Policies for a Nonlinear Macroeconomic Model

I. Introduction, 94.— II. The formal model, 95.— III. Optimal policies for a simulated recession, 100. — IV. Concluding remarks, 108. — Appendix, 109.
Link homology theories from symplectic geometry

For each positive integer n, Khovanov and Rozansky constructed an invariant of links in the form of a doubly-graded cohomology theory whose Euler characteristic is the link polynomial. We use Lagrangian Floer cohomology on some suitable affine varieties to build a similar series of link invariants, and we conjecture them to be equal to those of Khovanov and Rozansky after a collapse of the bigrading. Our work is a generalization of that of Seidel and Smith, who treated the case n=2
Apse Alignment of the Uranian Rings

An explanation of the dynamical mechanism for apse-alignment of the eccentric Uranian rings is necessary before observations can be used to determine properties such as ring masses, particle sizes, and elasticities. The leading model relies on the ring self-gravity to accomplish this task, yet it yields equilibrium masses which are not in accord with Voyager radio measurements. We explore possible solutions such that the self-gravity and the collisional terms are both involved in the process of apse-alignment. We consider limits that correspond to a hot and a cold ring, and show that pressure terms may play a significant role in the equilibrium conditions for the narrow Uranian rings. In the cold ring case, where the scale height of the ring near periapse is comparable to the ring particle size, we introduce a new pressure correction pertaining to a region of the ring where the particles are locked in their relative positions and jammed against their neighbors, and the velocity dispersion is so low that the collisions are nearly elastic. In this case, we find a solution such that the ring self-gravity maintains apse-alignment against both differential precession (m = 1 mode) and the fluid pressure. We apply this model to the Uranian alpha ring, and show that, compared to the previous self-gravity model, the mass estimate for this ring increases by an order of magnitude. In the case of a hot ring, where the scale height can reach a value as much as fifty times larger than a particle size, we find velocity dispersion profiles that result in pressure forces which act in such a way as to alter the ring equilibrium conditions, again leading to a ring mass increase of an order of magnitude; however, such a velocity dispersion profile would require a different mechanism than is currently envisioned for establishing heating/cooling balance in a finite-sized, inelastic particle ring. Finally, we introduce an important correction to the model of Chiang and Goldreich.
Sonochemical synthesis of nanomaterials

High intensity ultrasound can be used for the production of novel materials and provides an unusual route to known materials without bulk high temperatures, high pressures, or long reaction times. Several phenomena are responsible for sonochemistry and specifically the production or modification of nanomaterials during ultrasonic irradiation. The most notable effects are consequences of acoustic cavitation (the formation, growth, and implosive collapse of bubbles), and can be categorized as primary sonochemistry (gas-phase chemistry occurring inside collapsing bubbles), secondary sonochemistry (solution-phase chemistry occurring outside the bubbles), and physical modifications (caused by high-speed jets or shock waves derived from bubble collapse). This tutorial review provides examples of how the chemical and physical effects of high intensity ultrasound can be exploited for the preparation or modification of a wide range of nanostructured materials.
Photochemistry in Terrestrial Exoplanet Atmospheres. III. Photochemistry and Thermochemistry in Thick Atmospheres on Super Earths and Mini Neptunes

Some super Earths and mini Neptunes will likely have thick atmospheres that are not H_2-dominated. We have developed a photochemistry-thermochemistry kinetic-transport model for exploring the compositions of thick atmospheres on super Earths and mini Neptunes, applicable for both H_2-dominated atmospheres and non-H_2-dominated atmospheres. Using this model to study thick atmospheres for wide ranges of temperatures and elemental abundances, we classify them into hydrogen-rich atmospheres, water-rich atmospheres, oxygen-rich atmospheres, and hydrocarbon-rich atmospheres. We find that carbon has to be in the form of CO_2 rather than CH_4 or CO in a H_2-depleted water-dominated thick atmosphere and that the preferred loss of light elements from an oxygen-poor carbon-rich atmosphere leads to the formation of unsaturated hydrocarbons (C_2H_2 and C_2H_4). We apply our self-consistent atmosphere models to compute spectra and diagnostic features for known transiting low-mass exoplanets GJ 1214 b, HD 97658 b, and 55 Cnc e. For GJ 1214 b, we find that (1) C_2H_2 features at 1.0 and 1.5 μm in transmission and C_2H_2 and C_2H_4 features at 9-14 μm in thermal emission are diagnostic for hydrocarbon-rich atmospheres; (2) a detection of water-vapor features and a confirmation of the nonexistence of methane features would provide sufficient evidence for a water-dominated atmosphere. In general, our simulations show that chemical stability has to be taken into account when interpreting the spectrum of a super Earth/mini Neptune. Water-dominated atmospheres only exist for carbon to oxygen ratios much lower than the solar ratio, suggesting that this kind of atmospheres could be rare.