cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Macroeconomic Management of Increased Aid: Policy Lessons from Recent Experience

The authors investigate the macroeconomic challenges created by a surge in aid inflows. They develop an analytical framework for examining possible policy responses to increased aid, in terms of absorption and spending of aid—where the central bank controls absorption, through monetary policy and the sale of foreign exchange, and where the fiscal authority controls spending. Different combinations of absorption and spending lead to different macroeconomic consequences. Evidence from five countries that recently experienced an aid surge (Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Uganda) shows no support for aid-related real exchange rate appreciation in these countries, but it does indicate that the fear of Dutch disease played an important part in the policy reaction to aid surges. Fiscal and monetary authorities should coordinate their responses to an aid surge, because an uncoordinated response—typically when the fiscal authority wants to spend aid while the central bank wants to avoid exchange rate appreciation—can have serious negative macroeconomic consequences.
Impact of changes to the American Joint Committee on Cancer T classification on outcome prediction in patients with oropharyngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND The efficacy of the current 6th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor staging criteria in improving outcome prediction for patients with oropharyngeal cancer was analyzed. METHODS From the database of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center the authors identified 875 patients irradiated at the study institution for oropharyngeal cancer between January 1975 and December 1998. The tumors were restaged based on the 6th edition of AJCC tumor staging criteria to reassess the original outcome predictions, specifically overall survival (OS) and local control (LC). RESULTS Applying the new 6th edition staging system resulted in the following T classification distributions: T2, 301 tumors (34%); T3, 248 tumors (28%); T4a, 224 tumors (26%), and T4b, 102 tumors (12%). The 5-year and 10-year OS rates based on the new system were: T2, 65% and 45%; T3, 44% and 28%; T4a, 30% and 23%; and T4b, 26% and 12%, respectively. The 5-year and 10-year actuarial local LC rates based on the new system were: T2, 85% and 83%; T3, 73% and 71%; T4a, 61% and 58%; and T4b, 42% and 42%, respectively. Differences in OS and LC rates stratified by stage were found to be statistically significant both for the overall distribution of survival and pairwise comparisons of the 4 tumor stage groups. CONCLUSIONS The modifications established in the 6th edition of the AJCC tumor staging system for oropharyngeal tumors appear to be useful to distinguish prognostic groups for both LC and OS based on tumor stage. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Word-level language identification in The Chymistry of Isaac Newton

In this article, we introduce the task of word-based language identification in multilingual texts, in which every word needs to be classified with regard to its language. This task is necessary for multilingual texts in which language switches can occur within sentences, often more than once, as is the case in the texts in The Chymistry of Isaac Newton collection. We present a novel method based on character n-grams in combination with a weighting scheme that allows us to model the probability of language switches at different points in sentences. This method reaches the highest accuracy of 89.94% when 5-grams are used.
Distributed systems support for networked games

Network-based multi-user interaction systems such as network games typically include a database shared among the players that are physically distributed and interact with one another over the network. Currently network game developers have to implement the shared database and the inter-player communications from scratch. This paper presents the architecture of a distributed system, Artery, which is specifically designed to support network game applications by providing a high-level application program interface and by taking advantage of application semantics to optimize the network performance. Artery features such network bandwidth reduction techniques as dead reckoning and message aggregation, a novel virtual world database consistency maintenance scheme based on the dynamic group consistency model, and the support for distributed dynamic environment servers. The integration of Artery's features with existing IP multicasting mechanisms is also discussed.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Levels of bacteria, fungi and endotoxin in stored timber

Abstract Four series of wood samples were taken from the heartwood, sapwood and bark of six species of timber logs (American basswood, black cherry, black locust, red oak, soft maple and white poplar) in the summer, fall, winter and spring. The samples were examined by dilution plating for total aerobic bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The chromogenic modification of the Limulus amebocyte lysate test was also used for bacterial endotoxin. The numbers of the micro-organisms and endotoxin in the wood were significantly higher during warm periods (spring and summer) than during cold periods (fall and winter). They were highest in the wood of American basswood and black locust, exceeding the levels of 107 cfu g−1 and 105 endotoxin units g−1, respectively. Gram-negative bacteria and Corynbacterium spp. prevailed among aerobic bacteria recovered from heartwood and sapwood, while Bacilli spp. were the most common in the bark. Enterobacter agglomerans (synonym: Erwinia herbicola). Agrobacterium radiobacter, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas maltophilia & Acinetobacter calcoaceticus were most common among gram-negative bacteria. Yeasts dominated the fungal flora of heartwood and sapwood, whereas filamentous fungi constituted a prevailing fraction in the bark. The results indicate that the microflora of the timber that apparently was undecayed may reach high levels and may contain allergenic and/or toxic species which pose a potential risk for sawmill workers.
An Experimental Evaluation of Four Elementary School Math Curricula

Abstract This article examines the effectiveness of four elementary school math curricula: (a) Investigations in Number, Data, and Space; (b) Math Expressions; (c) Saxon Math; and (d) Scott Foresman–Addison Wesley Mathematics (SFAW). These curricula are distinct from one another and represent many of the diverse approaches used to teach elementary school math in the United States. The results are based on 39 schools that were randomly assigned to use the various curricula at the first-grade level. The results show that average spring first-grade math achievement of Math Expressions and Saxon students was 0.30 SD higher than Investigations students and 0.24 SD higher than SFAW students. These effect sizes mean that an average-performing student's percentile rank in math would be 9 to 12 points higher if the school used Math Expressions or Saxon, instead of Investigations or SFAW. We also conducted correlational analyses that examine whether curriculum-group differences in math instructional time and conten...
Dynamo-free plasma in the reversed field pinch

Transient application of a poloidal electric field to reversed field pinch (RFP) plasmas has led to a period in which dynamo activity (inherent in standard RFP plasmas) nearly vanishes. Measurements of the plasma resistivity, current density and electric field profiles show the edge-applied electric field accommodates Ohm’s law balance without a dynamo term over the entire cross section. Neoclassical theory accurately predicts the resistivity in the RFP, as the predicted resistivity profile (based on measurements of electron temperature, effective ionic charge, and two-dimensional equilibrium effects) is in agreement with the ratio of the parallel electric field and current density profiles.
Limiting performance of ground transportation vehicles subject to transient loading

A computational approach to determining the limiting performance of vehicles subject to transient disturbances based on response variable criteria is set forth. For the purposes of a limiting performance study, the transportation system dynamics are described using second- or first-order equations in which the sought for quantity is a vector of time-varying functions called control or isolator forces that have replaced portions of the physical system. Computations are performed as a linear programming problem. As an example of the limiting performance of vehicles in protecting passengers or cargo under crash conditions, the problem of lading damage of a rail vehicle that is struck by another vehicle is considered.
Finite-amplitude dynamics of coupled cylindrical menisci

Abstract The cylindrical meniscus is a liquid/gas interface of circular-cap cross-section constrained along its axis and bounded by end-planes. The inviscid motions of coupled cylindrical menisci are studied here. Motions result from the competition between inertia and surface tension forces. Restriction to shapes that are of circular-cap cross-section leads to an ordinary differential equation (ode) model, with the advantage that finite-amplitude stability can be examined. The second-order nonlinear ode model has a Hamiltonian structure, showing dynamical behavior like the Duffing-oscillator. The energy landscape has either a single- or double-welled potential depending on the extent of volume overfill. Total liquid volume is a bifurcation parameter, as in the corresponding problem for coupled spherical-cap droplets [1] . Unlike the spherical-cap problem, however, axial disturbances can also destabilize, depending on overfill. For large volumes, previously known axial stability results are applied to find the limit at which axial symmetry is lost and comparison is made to the Plateau–Rayleigh limit.
Disk cache—miss ratio analysis and design considerations

The current trend of computer system technology is toward CPUs with rapidly increasing processing power and toward disk drives of rapidly increasing density, but with disk performance increasing very slowly if at all. The implication of these trends is that at some point the processing power of computer systems will be limited by the throughput of the input/output (I/O) system.A solution to this problem, which is described and evaluated in this paper, is disk cache. The idea is to buffer recently used portions of the disk address space in electronic storage. Empirically, it is shown that a large (e.g., 80-90 percent) fraction of all I/O requests are captured by a cache of an 8-Mbyte order-of-magnitude size for our workload sample. This paper considers a number of design parameters for such a cache (called cache disk or disk cache), including those that can be examined experimentally (cache location, cache size, migration algorithms, block sizes, etc.) and others (access time, bandwidth, multipathing, technology, consistency, error recovery, etc.) for which we have no relevant data or experiments. Consideration is given to both caches located in the I/O system, as with the storage controller, and those located in the CPU main memory. Experimental results are based on extensive trace-driven simulations using traces taken from three large IBM or IBM-compatible mainframe data processing installations. We find that disk cache is a powerful means of extending the performance limits of high-end computer systems.
Pharmacology of Commonly Used Analgesics and Sedatives in the ICU: Benzodiazepines, Propofol, and Opioids

The ideal sedative or analgesic agent should have a rapid onset of activity, a rapid recovery after drug discontinuation, a predictable dose response, a lack of drug accumulation,and no toxicity. Unfortunately, none of the earlier analgesics, the benzodiazepines,or propofol share all of these characteristics. Patients who are critically ill experience numerous physiologic derangements and commonly require high doses and long durations of analgesic and sedative therapy. There is a paucity of well designed clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of earlier sedative and analgesic agents in the ICU. In addition, the ever-changing dynamics of patients who are critically ill makes the use of sedation a continual challenge during the course of each patient’s admission. To optimize care, clinicians should be familiar with the many pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacogenetic variables that can affect the safety and efficacy of sedatives and analgesics.
Advanced Technology for Reducing Aircraft Engine Pollution

The proposed EPA regulations covering emissions of gas turbine engines will require extensive combustor development. The NASA is working to develop technology to meet these goals through a wide variety of combustor research programs conducted in-house, by contract, and by university grant. In-house efforts using the swirl-can modular combustor have demonstrated sizable reduction in NO emission levels. Testing to reduce idle pollutants has included the modification of duplex fuel nozzles to air-assisted nozzles and an exploration of the potential improvements possible with combustors using fuel staging and variable geometry. The Experimental Clean Combustor Program, a large contracted effort, is devoted to the testing and development of combustor concepts designed to achieve a large reduction in the levels of all emissions. This effort is planned to be conducted in three phases with the final phase to be an engine demonstration of the best reduced emission concepts.
Combined atomic force and scanning reflection interference contrast microscopy

Abstract : A sphere attached to a cantilever is used simultaneously as an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip and as a curved reflective surface for producing scanning reflection interference contrast microscope (RICM) images of fluorescent beads dried onto a glass slide. The AFM and RICM images are acquired in direct registration which enables the identification of individually excited beads in the AFM images. The addition of a sharp, electron beam-deposited tip to the sphere gives nanometer resolution AFM images without loss of optical contrast. Method of combining an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) with a Reflection, Interference Contrast Microscope (RICM).
3-Fluoro-3-trifluoromethyldiazirine

Abstract Treatment of 3-bromo-3-trifluoromethyldiazirine with fluoride ion produces 3-fluoro-3-trifluoromethyldiazirine in 60% yield. Tetrafluoroethylidene can be trapped upon thermolysis of the diazirine.
A class of matrix-valued polynomials generalizing Jacobi polynomials

A hierarchy of matrix-valued polynomials which generalize the Jacobi polynomials is found. Defined by a Rodrigues formula, they are also products of a sequence of differential operators. Each class of polynomials is complete, satisfies a three term recurrence relation, integral inter-relations, and weak orthogonality relations.
Crack propagation in bone on the scale of mineralized collagen fibrils: role of polymers with sacrificial bonds and hidden length

Sacrificial bonds and hidden length (SBHL) in structural molecules provide a mechanism for energy dissipation at the nanoscale. It is hypothesized that their presence leads to greater fracture toughness than what is observed in materials without such features. Here, we investigate this hypothesis using a simplified model of a mineralized collagen fibril sliding on a polymeric interface with SBHL systems. A 1D coarse-grained nonlinear spring-mass system is used to model the fibril. Rate-and-displacement constitutive equations are used to describe the mechanical properties of the polymeric system. The model quantifies how the interface toughness increases as a function of polymer density and number of sacrificial bonds. Other characteristics of the SBHL system, such as the length of hidden loops and the strength of the bonds, are found to influence the results. The model also gives insight into the variations in the mechanical behavior in response to physiological changes, such as the degree of mineralization of the collagen fibril and polymer density in the interfibrillar matrix. The model results provide constraints relevant for bio-mimetic material design and multiscale modeling of fracture in human bone.
Increasing synthetic efficiency via direct C–H functionalization: formal synthesis of an inhibitor of botulinum neurotoxin

A new and efficient scheme for the synthesis of one of the best known inhibitors of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNTA) is reported herein. The synthetic route involves two palladium-catalyzed C–H functionalization reactions, formally activating three C–H bonds.
Nickel catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl C-O based electrophiles with aryl neopentylglycolboronates.

The efficiency of mesylates, sulfamates, esters, carbonates, carbamates, and methyl ethers as C–O-based electrophiles attached to the 1- or 2-position of naphthalene and to activated and nonactivated phenyl substrates was compared for the first time in Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling with phenyl neopentylglycolboronates containing electron-rich and electron-deficient substituents in their para-position. These experiments were performed in the presence of four different Ni(II)- and Ni(0)-based catalysts. Ni(II)-based catalysts mediate the cross-coupling of most 2-naphthyl C–O electrophiles with both arylboronic acids and with neopentylglycolboronates when K3PO4 is used as base. The same catalysts are not efficient when CsF is used as base. However, Ni(0)-based catalysts exhibit selective efficiency, and when reactive, their efficiency is higher than that of Ni(II)-based catalysts in the presence of both K3PO4 and CsF. These results provide both reaction conditions for the cross-coupling, and for the elaboratio...
Machine recognition and representation of neonatal facial displays of acute pain

Objective: It has been reported in medical literature that health care professionals have difficulty distinguishing a newborn's facial expressions of pain from facial reactions to other stimuli. Although a number of pain instruments have been developed to assist health professionals, studies demonstrate that health professionals are not entirely impartial in their assessment of pain and fail to capitalize on all the information exhibited in a newborn's facial displays. This study tackles these problems by applying three different state-of-the-art face classification techniques to the task of distinguishing a newborn's facial expressions of pain. Methods: The facial expressions of 26 neonates between the ages of 18h and 3 days old were photographed experiencing the pain of a heel lance and a variety of stressors, including transport from one crib to another (a disturbance that can provoke crying that is not in response to pain), an air stimulus on the nose, and friction on the external lateral surface of the heel. Three face classification techniques, principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and support vector machine (SVM), were used to classify the faces. Results: In our experiments, the best recognition rates of pain versus nonpain (88.00%), pain versus rest (94.62%), pain versus cry (80.00%), pain versus air puff (83.33%), and pain versus friction (93.00%) were obtained from an SVM with a polynomial kernel of degree 3. The SVM outperformed two commonly used methods in face classification: PCA and LDA, each using the L"1 distance metric. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the application of face classification techniques in pain assessment and management is a promising area of investigation. on.
Hadron correlations from recombination and fragmentation

We review the formalism of quark recombination applied to the hadronization of a quark–gluon plasma. Evidence in favour of the quark recombination model is outlined. Recent work on parton correlations, leading to detectable correlations between hadrons, is discussed. Hot spots from completely quenched jets are a likely source of such correlations which appear to be jet like. It will be discussed how such a picture compares with measurement of associated hadron yields at RHIC. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version) In the first part of this paper, we revisit some basic arguments leading to the formulation of recombination. Applications to RHIC are highlighted, in particular the discovery of the quark counting rule for elliptic flow. Towards the end of the first part, we discuss some topics fundamental to recombination that have been disputed recently. We refer to [1] and the original papers therein for a more thorough review. In the second part, we introduce a recent extension of the recombination formalism that permits correlations between partons [2]. These naturally lead to correlations between hadrons. We argue how jet-like correlations at intermediate PT can be understood as signals of quenched jets.
Implicit Renewal Theorem for Trees with General Weights

Abstract Consider distributional fixed point equations of the form R = D f ( Q , C i , R i , 1 ≤ i ≤ N ) , where f ( ⋅ ) is a possibly random real-valued function, N ∈ { 0 , 1 , 2 , 3 , … } ∪ { ∞ } , { C i } i ∈ N are real-valued random weights and { R i } i ∈ N are iid copies of R , independent of ( Q , N , C 1 , C 2 , … ) ; = D represents equality in distribution. Fixed point equations of this type are important for solving many applied probability problems, ranging from the average case analysis of algorithms to statistical physics. We develop an Implicit Renewal Theorem that enables the characterization of the power tail behavior of the solutions R to many equations of multiplicative nature that fall into this category. This result extends the prior work in Jelenkovic and Olvera-Cravioto (2012) [16] , which assumed nonnegative weights { C i } , to general real-valued weights. We illustrate the developed theorem by deriving the power tail asymptotics of the solution R to the linear equation R = D ∑ i = 1 N C i R i + Q .
Fitting circles to scattered data: parameter estimates have no moments

We study a nonlinear regression problem of fitting a circle (or a circular arc) to scattered data. We prove that under any standard assumptions on the statistical distribution of errors that are commonly adopted in the literature, the orthogonal regression estimators of the circle center and radius have infinite (absolute) moments. We also discuss methodological implications of this fact.
On the conformal field theories for bosonic strings in PP-waves

Recently Kazama and Yokoi (arXiv:0801.1561 [hep-th]) have used a phase-space method to study the Virasoro algebra of type IIB superstring theory in the maximally supersymmetric R-R plane wave background in a semi-light-cone gauge. Two types of normal ordering have been considered, namely ``phase space normal ordering" (PNO) and ``massless normal ordering" (MNO). The second one, which is the right one to choose in flat background, has been discarded with the argument that the Virasoro algebra closes only in the first case. To understand this issue better with a completely covariant treatment we consider the easiest case of bosonic strings propagating in an arbitrary pp-wave of the simplest kind. Using the phase-space method we show that MNO is the right one to choose, at least in this case, because of the following reason. For both types of normal ordering the energy-momentum tensor satisfies the desired Virasoro algebra up to anomalous terms proportional to the space-time equation of motion of the background. However, it is MNO which gives rise to the correct spectrum - we compute the quadratic space-time action by restricting the string field inside a transverse Hilbert space. This turns out to be non-diagonal. Diagonalizing this action reproduces the spectrum directly obtained in light-cone quantization. The same method with PNO gives rise to a spectrum with negative dimensions.
Shifting the Blame: Federalism, Media, and Public Assignment of Blame Following Hurricane Katrina

Federalism sprang to the forefront in public debates about the response to Hurricane Katrina as officials from the national, state, and local government sought to shift blame to other levels of government. Our analysis shows that attempts by national political actors to frame the response as the fault of state government actions were successful, but the size of the effect was conditional on predispositions. Those who were more attentive to coverage were more likely to believe that state failure to call for help had a great effect on the length of time it took for national government to provide aid to New Orleans.The effect was strongest for Republicans, however, suggesting that predispositions mediate acceptance of elite frames that transfer blame. Assigning responsibility for political outcomes is complex in a federalist system because power is apportioned across multiple levels of government and often shared among actors at different levels. Federalism is designed to enhance representation by allowing citizens a voice through their local, state, and federal ballot boxes. However, federalism also creates potentially confusing layers of bureaucracy and redundancies in services that make it difficult for citizens to identify and hold accountable the responsible government actors (Arceneaux 2005, 2006; Atkeson and Partin 2001). Moreover, in systems where policy in the same area is carried out by multiple levels of government, political actors have incentives to shift blame to actors at other levels, further complicating the public’s task in assigning blame to the appropriate targets. How do citizens form opinions about cause and effect in such a complex system? We address this question by exploring citizens’ perceptions of various reasons given by media and political elite to explain the length of time it took for the national government to provide aid to those in New Orleans. Attributions—beliefs
Internal Energy Contribution to the Elasticity of Natural Rubber

Abstract It has recently been noted by a number of workers that the relative energy contribution, fe/f, to the elastic stress of rubberlike materials appears to depend on the extension ratio at which thermoelastic measurements were carried out. This apparent strain dependence is in contradiction to the free energy additivity principle of the statistical theory of rubber elasticity. In this paper we resolve this problem by determining fe/f from the temperature coefficient of shear moduli. The shear moduli were not directly determined from measurements of shear, but calculated from tensile elongation data. This method circumvents the difficulty encountered in directly obtaining the relative energy contribution from stress—temperature data. Both constant length and constant stress thermoelastic measurements were used to obtain fe/f. A series of natural rubber samples, crosslinked in the presence of various amounts of n-hexadecane, were investigated. It is found that the relative energy contribution to the el...
Compression Buckling Tests of Laminated Graphite-Epoxy Curved Panels

Ten different orientation arrangements (in various panel thicknesses) were used in fabricating 72 panels. Eighty-four tests were performed, and the range of R/t studied was 100 to 400. All specimens had a 12-in. outside radius and were 13-in. long by 9-in. wide. The results included development of the moire grid-shadow technique and the South well plot method for nondestructive testing as well as observations of the effects of orientation and R/t on the buckling behavior and imperfection sensitivity of such shells. Satisfactory correlation was obtained with a laminated anisotropic curved panel analysis using the Rayleigh-Ritz energy method, which included a crude assumption that the thickness variations in the panels could be used to measure imperfection amplitude.
Electrochemical Deposition of Bi on GaAs(100)

The electrochemical deposition of bismuth on n-GaAs(100), n + -GaAs(100), and p-GaAs(100) from Bi(NO 3 ) 3 solution is characterized by cyclic voltammetry and impedance measurements. Electron capture at the conduction band forms the rate-determining step in the reduction of Bi 3+ at n-type GaAs. The morphology of the bismuth films is related to the deposition kinetics. The rectifying n-GaAs/Bi Schottky barrier formed on low-doped substrates prevents oxidation of bismuth, whereas tunneling through the space-charge layer allows anodic stripping of Bi on highly doped substrates. Under illumination, electroless deposition of Bi is observed on n-GaAs. Surface-state mediated hole injection is responsible for the slow deposition of Bi on p-GaAs in the dark. Photoassisted nucleation and subsequent growth in the dark results in the formation of continuous thin Bi films on p-GaAs.
Re-examining the role of chondrules in producing the elemental fractionations in chondrites

The matrices of all primitive chondrites contain presolar materials (circumstellar grains and interstellar organics) in roughly CI abundances, suggesting that all chondrites accreted matrix that is dominated by a CI-like component. The matrix-normalized abundances of the more volatile elements (condensation temperatures <750800 K) in carbonaceous and ordinary chondrites are also at or slightly above CI levels. The modest excesses may be due to low levels of these elements in chondrules and associated metal. Subtraction of a CI-like matrix component from a bulk ordinary chondrite composition closely matches the average composition of chondrules determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) if some Fe-metal is added to the chondrule composition. Measured matrix compositions are not CI-like. Sampling bias and secondary redistribution of elements may have played a role, but the best explanation is that ?1030% of refractory-rich, volatile depleted material was added to matrix. If most of the more volatile elements are in a CI-dominated matrix, the major and volatile element fractionations must be largely carried by chondrules. There is both direct and indirect evidence for evaporation during chondrule formation. Type IIA and type B chondrules could have formed from a mixture of CI material and material evaporated from type IA chondrules. The Mg-Si- Fe fractionations in the ordinary chondrites can be reproduced with the loss of type IA chondrule material and associated metal. The loss of evaporated material from the chondrules could explain the volatile element fractionations. Mechanisms for how these fractionations occurred are necessarily speculative, but two possibilities are briefly explored.
Proof of the Satisfiability Conjecture for Large k

We establish the satisfiability threshold for random k-SAT for all k ≥ k0. That is, there exists a limiting density αs(k) such that a random k-SAT formula of clause density α is with high probability satisfiable for α αs. The satisfiability threshold αs is given explicitly by the one-step replica symmetry breaking (1SRB) prediction from statistical physics. We believe that our methods may apply to a range of random constraint satisfaction problems in the 1RSB class.
Characterization of a branch of the phylogenetic tree

We use a combination of analytic models and computer simulations to gain insight into the dynamics of evolution. Our results suggest that certain interesting phenomena should eventually emerge from the fossil record. For example, there should be a "tortoise and hare effect": those genera with the smallest species death rate are likely to survive much longer than genera with large species birth and death rates. A complete characterization of the behavior of a branch of the phylogenetic tree corresponding to a genus and accurate mathematical representations of the various stages are obtained. We apply our results to address certain controversial issues that have arisen in paleontology such as the importance of punctuated equilibrium and whether unique Cambrian phyla have survived to the present.
Dynamics of water in biological recognition.

Almost all biological macromoleculess proteins (enzymes) and DNAs are inactive in the absence of water. Hydration of a protein/enzyme is particularly important for the stability of the structure and for the function, especially the recognition at a specific site. This role of hydration in enzyme catalysis is well known and has recently been reviewed in a number of publications. In one of these studies it was shown that the dehydration of a protein, which makes it more rigid and increases its denaturation temperature, is correlated with the loss of its physiological function.
Refined restricted involutions

Define Ink(α) to be the set of involutions of {1,2,...,n} with exactly k fixed points which avoid the pattern α ∈ Si, for some i ≥ 2, and define Ink(0; α) to be the set of involutions of {1,2,...,n} with exactly k fixed points which contain the pattern α ∈ Si, for some i ≥ 2, exactly once. Let ink(α) be the number of elements in Ink(α) and let ink(0; α) be the number of elements in Ink(0; α). We investigate Ink(α) and Ink(0; α) for all α ∈ S3. In particular, we show that ink(132) = ink(213) = ink(321), ink(231) = ink(312), ink(0; 132) = ink(0; 213), and ink(0; 231) = ink(0; 312) for all 0 ≤ k ≤ n.
Effect of Airfoil Geometry on Performance with Simulated Intercycle Ice Accretions

This paper presents the results of an experimental study designed to evaluate the performance effects of intercycle ice accretions on airfoils with different geometries. The intercycle ice accretions were simulated using combinations of various size grit roughness. These simulations were tested on three airfoils: NACA 23012, NACA 3415, and NLF 0414 at a Reynolds number of 1.8 × × 10 6 and a Mach number of 0.18. Results from the NACA 23012 airfoil tests closely matched those from a previous study, validating the ice-shape simulation method. This also showed that a simple geometric (chord-based) scaling of the ice was appropriate. The simulated ice effect, in terms of maximum lift performance, was most severe for the NACA 23012 airfoil. The maximum lift coefficients were in the range of 0.65 to 0.80 for the iced configuration compared to a clean value of 1.47 for the NACA 23012 airfoil at this Reynolds number. In contrast, the maximum lift coefficients for the NLF 0414 airfoil with the same ice simulations were in the range of 0.90 to 1.05, compared to a clean value of 1.34. The results for the NACA 3415 with the simulated intercycle ice shapes were between the other two airfoils.
A Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Spiral Galaxy Luminosities. I. Data and Results

We have performed a multiparametric analysis of luminosity data for a sample of 234 normal spiral and irregular galaxies observed in X-rays with the Einstein Observatory. This sample is representative of S and Irr galaxies, with a good coverage of morphological types and absolute magnitudes. In addition to X-ray and optical data, we have compiled H-band magnitudes, IRAS near- and far-infrared, and 6 cm radio continuum observations for the sample from the literature. We have also performed a careful compilation of distance estimates. We have explored the effect of morphology by dividing the sample into early- (S0/a-Sab), intermediate- (Sb-Sbc), and late-type (Sc-Irr) subsamples. The data were analyzed with bivariate and multivariate survival analysis techniques that make full use of all the information available in both detections and limits. We find that most pairs of luminosities are correlated when considered individually, and this is not due to a distance bias. Different luminosity-luminosity correlations follow different power-law relations. Contrary to previous reports, the LX-LB correlation follows a power law with exponent larger than 1. Both the significances of some correlations and their power-law relations are morphology dependent. Our analysis confirms the representative nature of our sample, by returning well-known results derived from previous analyses of independent samples of galaxies (e.g., the LB-LH, L12-LFIR, and LFIR-L6 cm correlations). Our multivariate analysis suggests that there are two fundamentally strong correlations, regardless of galaxy morphology, when all the wave bands are analyzed together with conditional probability methods. These are the LB-LH and the L12-LFIR correlations. As it is well known, the former links stellar emission processes and points to a basic connection between the initial mass function of low-mass and intermediate- to high-mass stars. The latter may be related to the heating of small and larger size dust grains by the same UV photon field. Other highly significant fundamental correlations exist but are morphology dependent. In particular, in the late sample (Sc-Irr) we see an overall connection of mid-IR, far-IR, and radio continuum emission, which could be related to the presence of star-forming activity in these galaxies, while in early-type spirals (S0/a-Sab), we find no strong direct link of FIR and radio continuum. This paper gives a compilation of both input data and results of our systematic statistical analysis, as well as a discussion of potential biases. Results relevant to both X-ray and multiwavelength emission properties are analyzed further and discussed in Paper II.
Valuing New Varieties: Trade-Offs between Growers and End-Users in Wheat

Variety release decisions usually involve trade-offs between growers and end-users as well as substantial uncertainties about agronomic, quality, and economic variables. In this paper, methodologies were developed to value grower and end-user characteristics for individual wheat varieties and to evaluate trade-offs. The models capture effects of variability in agronomic, quality, and economic variables and were applied to experimental and hypothetical varieties. Results indicate two experimental varieties provide improvements in grower and end-use value over most of the incumbents. Though applied to a specific grain and region, the approach is applicable to other grains and oilseeds that have multiple agronomic and quality attributes. Fundamental trade-offs in breeding decisions typically involve yields, disease resistance, and quality. Gains in one area often involve losses in another. Growers want greater yields and disease resistance, without foregoing returns due to quality shortfalls. End-users desire higher quality for functional characteristics; however, varieties with these characteristics may or may not be agronomically competitive. Ultimately, decision-makers confront these trade-offs in making breeding and variety release decisions. Breeders also confront numerous sources of uncertainty. These include uncertainty in variety performance for agronomic and quality attributes, as well as prices including premiums and discounts for measurable characteristics that will be prevalent after varieties are released. Agronomic variables include yields
A Normalized View of Venus

A few Mariner 10 images of Venus have been 'normalized' to a standard scattering geometry using the exact solution by Chandrasekhar (1950) involving his H functions. The most striking feature of the normalized images is the bright polar ring or cap beyond about 50 deg latitude circle and a narrower brightness frequency distribution. The brightness variation along a meridian shows substantial axial symmetry on a large scale, and small-scale brightness variations over the planet are no more than about 10%. Inferences regarding the polar cloud tops in light of available evidence are discussed. The variation of mean brightness and of the ratio of mean square deviation of brightness to average brightness is comparable to the performance limits of the vidicon camera for the image sequence lasting about a day, so that the variation in distribution of dark and bright features over the planet and the UV albedo of the planet over about a day is small.
THE NOVA SHELL AND EVOLUTION OF THE RECURRENT NOVA T PYXIDIS

T Pyxidis (T Pyx) is the prototypical recurrent nova (RN), with five eruptions from 1890 to 1967 and a mysterious nova shell. We report new observations of the nova shell with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in the year 2007, which provides a long time baseline to compare with HST images from 1994 and 1995. We find that the knots in the nova shell are expanding with velocities ranging from roughly 500 km s–1 to 715 km s–1, assuming a distance of 3500 pc. The fractional expansion of the knots is constant, which implies no significant deceleration of the knots, which must have been ejected by an eruption close to the year 1866. We see knots that have turned on after 1995; this shows that the knots are powered by shocks from the collision of the 1866 ejecta with fast ejecta from later RN eruptions. We derive that the 1866 ejecta has a total mass of ~10–4.5 M ☉, which with the low ejection velocity shows that the 1866 event was an ordinary nova eruption, not an RN eruption. This also implies that the accretion rate before the ordinary nova event must have been low (around the 4 × 10–11 M ☉ yr–1 expected for gravitational radiation alone), and that the matter accumulated on the surface of the white dwarf for ~750,000 years. The current accretion rate (>10–8 M ☉ yr–1) is ~1000× higher than expected for a system below the period gap, with the plausible reason being that the 1866 event started a continuing supersoft source that drives the accretion. The accretion rate has been declining since before the 1890 eruption, with the current rate being only 3% of its earlier value. The decline in the observed accretion rate shows that the supersoft source is not self-sustaining; we calculate that the accretion in T Pyx will effectively stop in upcoming decades. With this, T Pyx will enter a state of hibernation lasting for an estimated 2,600,000 years before gravitational radiation brings the system into contact again. Thus, T Pyx has an evolutionary cycle going from an ordinary CV state (lasting 750,000 years), to its current RN state (lasting little longer than a century), to a future hibernation state (lasting 2,600,000 years), and then repeating this cycle.
The dynamic annihilation of a rational competitive fringe by a low-cost dominant firm

Abstract A low-cost dominant firm will drive all competitive fringe firms out of the market if all firms have rational expectations; however, the dominant firm will not predate (price below marginal cost). Since a dominant firm will not drive out fringe firms if they have myopic expectations, it may be in the dominant firm's best interests to inform the fringe. The effects of governmental intervention on the optimal path and welfare are presented.
Carbon Combustion Synthesis of Ceramic Oxide Nanopowders

The rapidly growing market demand for nanoparticles calls for cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies for their large-scale production. We developed a new, simple, economical and energy efficient synthesis of nanostructured complex oxides from inexpensive reactant mixtures, referred to as Carbon Combustion Synthesis of Oxides (CCSO). In CCSO the exothermic oxidation of carbon nanoparticles generates a steep thermal reaction wave that propagates through the solid reactant mixture converting it to the desired complex oxide product. CCSO is a modified form of SHS that maintains the advantages of SHS and circumvents some of its disadvantages. Specifically, it enables a more economical synthesis of complex oxides. The carbon used in CCSO is not incorporated in the product and is emitted from the sample as a CO2. A large gas emission provides a convective cooling mechanism trough the sample that significant reduces local temperature and prevents product partial melting and particles growth. CCSO does not require use of expensive fuel reactants and complex equipment and can be scaled up for continuous mass production. This paper reviewed the recent progress in the synthesis of advanced complex oxides nanoparticles by using carbon combustion process.
Zintl phase as dopant source in the flux synthesis of Ba1−xKxFe2As2 type superconductors

Use of the Zintl phase KSn as a source of potassium dopant in tin flux syntheses of Ba1−xKxFe2As2 allows for incorporation of large amounts of potassium with much less attack on reaction vessels compared to the use of elemental potassium as a reactant; it also enables further study of tin incorporation into the products.
Inner-shell photodetachment dynamics

Abstract Recent theoretical and experimental work on the photodetachment of C−, B−, and Li− is reviewed, with emphasis on the dominant shape resonance behavior above the K-shell thresholds. Of particular importance, the interaction between low-energy photoelectrons and Auger electrons is found to deplete the measured yield of positive ions near threshold for Li− (although not for C− and B−). A fully quantum mechanical modification of the R-matrix method is introduced to include the recapture of slow photoelectrons following Auger decay of an inner-shell vacancy state and is applied to the photodetachment of Li− above the 1s−1 threshold. The result show excellent agreement with experiment and resolve a large discrepancy in the cross section near the 1s threshold between theory and experiment.
Use of quadratic differentials for description of defects and textures in liquid crystals and 2 + 1 gravity

Abstract The theory of measured foliations which is discussed in Part I in connection with the train tracks and meanders is shown to be related to the theory of Jenkins-Strebel quadratic differentials by Hubbard and Masur (Acta Math. 142 (1979) 221). In this work it is demonstrated that this formalism not only provides the adequate description of defects and textures in liquid crystals but also is idealy suited for study of 2 + 1 classical gravity which was initiated in the seminal paper by Deser et al. (Ann. Phys. 152 (1984) 220). Not only their results are reproduced but, in addition, many new results are obtained. In particular, using the results of Rivin (Ann. Math. 139 (1994) 553) the restriction on the total mass of the 2 + 1 Universe is removed. It is shown, that the masses can have only discrete values and, moreover, the theoretically obtained sum rules forbid the existence of some of these values. The dynamics of 2 + 1 gravity which is associated with the dynamics of train tracks (Part I), is reinterpreted in terms of the emerging hyperbolic 3-manifolds. The paper provides a concise introduction to this topic. The discussion of some connections of the obtained results with related physical problems is also provided. These include (but not limited to): string theory, classical and quantum billiards, dynamics of fracture, statics and dynamics of dislocations and disclinations in solids, etc.
Matrix problems, triangulated categories and stable homotopy types

We show how the matrix problems can be used in studying triangulated categories. Then we apply the general technique to the classi cation of stable homotopy types of polyhedra, and out the \representation types" of such problems and give a description of stable homotopy types in nite and tame cases.
Comparing future options for human space flight

Abstract The paper analyzes the “value proposition” for government-funded human space flight, a vexing question that persistently dogs efforts to justify its $10 10 /year expense in the US. The original Mercury/Gemini/Apollo value proposition is not valid today. Neither was it the value proposition actually promoted by von Braun, which the post-Apollo 80% of human space flight history has persistently attempted to fulfill. Divergent potential objectives for human space flight are captured in four strategic options— Explore Mars ; accelerate Space Passenger Travel ; enable Space Power for Earth ; and Settle the Moon —which are then analyzed for their purpose, societal myth, legacy benefits, core needs, and result as measured by the number and type of humans they would fly in space. This simple framework is proposed as a way to support productive dialog with public and other stakeholders, to determine a sustainable value proposition for human space flight.