cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Capital Income Taxation in Burundi

This paper analyzes the taxation of capital income in Burundi by performing calculations of the marginal effective tax rates (METRs) on a wide variety of alternative investments under the current tax system. The calculations identify the individual and cumulative effects of (i) the business and individual income taxes, (ii) property taxes, (iii) transactions taxes, (iv) customs duties, (v) tax holidays, (vi) preferential business income tax rates, and (vii) the special treatment of partnership income. METRs are also calculated in the presence of income tax evasion. The analysis provides an indication of the extent to which the tax system in Burundi distorts investment allocation decisions across assets (and thus across business sectors) and among alternative methods of finance. It also provides estimates of the overall level of taxation of various forms of capital income, and demonstrates how the effects of the tax system on investment incentives vary with changes in the expected rate of inflation. In addition, the paper briefly describes the advantages and disadvantages of the METR approach; it argues that METR analysis provides a convenient and intuitively appealing way of summarizing the net effects on investment incentives of complicated tax systems, and thus can serve as a useful input in discussions of potential tax reforms.
Ultimate state of two-dimensional Rayleigh-Bénard convection between free-slip fixed-temperature boundaries.

Rigorous upper limits on the vertical heat transport in two-dimensional Rayleigh-B\'enard convection between stress-free isothermal boundaries are derived from the Boussinesq approximation of the Navier-Stokes equations. The Nusselt number Nu is bounded in terms of the Rayleigh number Ra according to $\mathrm{Nu}\ensuremath{\le}0.2891{\mathrm{Ra}}^{5/12}$ uniformly in the Prandtl number Pr. This scaling challenges some theoretical arguments regarding asymptotic high Rayleigh number heat transport by turbulent convection.
Transfer matrix of a spherical scatterer.

We derive the off-shell scattering matrix for a spherical scatterer. The result obtained generalizes the off-on-shell matrix commonly used in the theory of scalar waves propagation in random media. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Recent Progress in Perturbative Quantum Field Theory

Abstract In this talk, the recent breakthrough in two-loop perturbative calculations is reviewed, with emphasis on the applications to phenomenological studies. The recent precesion measurement of the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon by the Brookhaven g − 2 collaboration is also used as an illustrative example of the importance of Standard Model precision perturbative calculations to further our understanding of Nature.
Do Supply Curves Slope Up

This paper examines the short-run responses of price and quantity to exogenous demand shocks for disaggregated U. S. manufacturing industries, using prior information on input-output linkages to identify industries whose fluctuations are likely to function as approximately exogenous demand shocks for other industries. I find that demand shocks induce positive covariation between price and quantity for 16 out of 26 sample industries, controlling for observable cost shift variables. When sample industries are pooled, I estimate that a demand shock which initially raises industry output by 1 percent generates a price increase of 0.182 percent within one year. I find that input-output instruments detect upward sloping supply curves more readily than least squares or other commonly used demand-shift instruments.
A Chemical and Theoretical Way to Look at Bonding on Surfaces.

An account is given of a theoretical approach to surface structure and reactivity that is within the framework of solid-state theory, yet strives for chemical ways of interpretation. One begins from highly delocalized band structures, but introduces interpretational tools (density-of-states decompositions, crystal orbital overlap populations) that allow a tracing of local, chemical acts. It is quite feasible to construct interaction diagrams for surfaces, and to make frontier orbital arguments, just as for molecules. There are some interesting ways in which the surface-adsorbate interaction differs from simple molecular binding---in particular, in the way that two-orbital four-electron and zero-electron interactions can turn into bonding. The surface and bulk acting as a reservoir of electrons or holes at the Fermi level are important in this context. Chemisorption emerges as a compromise in a continuum of bonding whose extremes are dissociative adsorption and surface reconstruction.
Selective CT for PET/CT: dose reduction in Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Background In Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), FDG PET demonstrates active disease in bone. Other imaging modalities show the effects of bone destruction by LCH.
Structural Detail and Thermal Bond Relocation of a Sterically Strained Cyclononatetraene Preliminary Communication

The X-ray crystallographic molecular dimensions and thermal response of the 5, 13-diphenyl-cyclonoa [b]naphthalene 1a, are described.
An optimal minimum spanning tree algorithm

We establish that the algorithmic complexity of the minimum spanning tree problem is equal to its decision-tree complexity. Specifically, we present a deterministic algorithm to find a minimum spanning tree of a graph with n vertices and m edges that runs in time O(T*(m,n)) where T* is the minimum number of edge-weight comparisons needed to determine the solution. The algorithm is quite simple and can be implemented on a pointer machine.Although our time bound is optimal, the exact function describing it is not known at present. The current best bounds known for T* are T*(m,n) = Ω(m) and T*(m,n) = O(m ∙ α(m,n)), where α is a certain natural inverse of Ackermann's function.Even under the assumption that T* is superlinear, we show that if the input graph is selected from Gn,m, our algorithm runs in linear time with high probability, regardless of n, m, or the permutation of edge weights. The analysis uses a new martingale for Gn,m similar to the edge-exposure martingale for Gn,p.
Pharmacogenomics in pulmonary arterial hypertension: Toward a mechanistic, target-based approach to therapy

AbstractPharmacogenomics is the study of how genetic variations influence the response to drugs, by correlating gene expression with the drug’s efficacy and toxicity. This concept has recently been successfully applied in oncology. To test its applicability to PAH, we examined two experimental models of the disease: mice with deletion of the Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide gene (VIP-/-); and rats injected with monocrotaline (MCT). Since the two models express comparable phenotypic features, we analyzed their particular gene alterations, with special reference to genes related to pulmonary vasoconstriction, vascular remodeling, and inflammation. We then compared the phenotypic and genotypic responses in each model to treatment with the same drug, VIP. In untreated VIP-/- mice there was over-expression of almost all genes promoting vasoconstriction/proliferation, as well as inflammation, and under-expression of all vasodilator/anti-proliferative genes. As expected, treatment with VIP fully corrected both the ...
Spatial Working Memory in Children With High-Functioning Autism: Intact Configural Processing But Impaired Capacity

Visual attention and visual working memory exert severe capacity limitations on cognitive processing. Impairments in both functions may exacerbate the social and communication deficits seen in children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study characterizes spatial working memory and visual attention in school-aged children with high-functioning autism. Children with ASD, and age, gender, and IQmatched typically developing (TD) children performed two tasks: a spatial working memory task and an attentive tracking task. Compared with TD children, children with ASD showed a more pronounced deficit in the spatial working memory task than the attentive tracking task, even though the latter placed significant demands on sustained attention, location updating, and distractor inhibition. Because both groups of children were sensitive to configuration mismatches between the sample and test arrays, the spatial working memory deficit was not due to atypical organization of spatial working memory. These findings show that attention and working memory are dissociable, and that children with ASD show a specific deficit in buffering visual information across temporal discontinuity.
Commercializing light-duty plug-in/plug-out hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicles: “Mobile Electricity” technologies and opportunities

Starting from the premise that new consumer value must drive hydrogen-fuel-cell-vehicle (H2FCV) commercialization, a group of opportunities collectively called “Mobile Electricity” is characterized. Mobile Electricity (Me-) redefines H2FCVs as innovative products able to import and export electricity across the traditional vehicle boundary. Such vehicles could provide home recharging and mobile power, for example for tools, mobile activities, emergencies, and electric-grid-support services. This study integrates and extends previous analyses of H2FCVs, plug-in hybrids, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) power. Further, it uses a new electric-drive-vehicle and vehicular-distributed-generation model to estimate zero-emissionpower versus zero-emission-driving tradeoffs, costs, and grid-support revenues for various electric-drive vehicle types and levels of infrastructure service. By framing market development in terms of new consumer value flowing from Me-, this study suggests a way to move beyond the battery versus fuel-cell zero-sum game and towards the development of integrated plug-in/plug-out hybrid platforms. As one possible extension of this Me- product platform, H2FCVs might supply clean, high-power, and profitable Me- services as the technologies and markets mature. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Is US Bank Lending Sensitive to Exchange Rates? A Panel Data Investigation

The goal of this paper is to examine the sensitivity of US bank lending to movements in the exchange rate. Using a panel of quarterly bank-level balance sheet observations, I show that there exists significant and meaningful exchange rate sensitivity of cross-border lending activity and total domestic loans. This relationship operates through traditional net export channels, as well as mechanisms specific to banks engaged in international lending. Further, I show that exchange rate innovations represent a source of long run lending volatility equivalent to monetary policy shocks for small banks. Lastly, exchange rate movements are shown to be associated with a four-fold increase in growth of non-performing loans for small banks, providing direct evidence of transfer risk for cross-border banks.
Wolfgang: “Emotions” plus goals enable learning

In this extended abstract, I reflect on the design motivations for a system called WOLFGANG that composes tonal monodies. The investigated problem concerns the definition of the evaluation criteria guiding Wolfgang’s compositional processing and learning. The thesis of this work is derived from the hypothesis that a system’s innate sense of (musical) sound strongly influences the development of its perception, as well as composing habits. As the system develops its musical skills, it also develops a subjective use of a musical language biased by its sense of musical sounds, and its adaptation to the cultural musical grammar of its environment.
Stereocontrolled synthesis of tetrahydropyrans via reductive manipulation of 4,10-dioxo-3,5,9,11-tetramethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecanes

Abstract Stereocontrol in the carbonyl reductions of the titled leads compounds leads to a variety of hydroxylated spiroketals. Reductive cleavage leads to tetrahydropyrans with complete stereocontrol over 7 stereogenic centers.
Mechanisms of catalyst deactivation

The literature treating mechanisms of catalyst deactivation is reviewed. Intrinsic mechanisms of catalyst deactivation are many; nevertheless, they can be classified into six distinct types: (i) poisoning, (ii) fouling, (iii) thermal degradation, (iv) vapor compound formation accompanied by transport, (v) vapor-solid and/or solid-solid reactions, and (vi) attrition/crushing. As (i), (iv), and (v) are chemical in nature and (ii) and (v) are mechanical, the causes of deactivation are basically three-fold: chemical, mechanical and thermal. Each of these six mechanisms is defined and its features are illustrated by data and examples from the literature. The status of knowledge and needs for further work are also summarized for each type of deactivation mechanism. The development during the past two decades of more sophisticated surface spectroscopies and powerful computer technologies provides opportunities for obtaining substantially better understanding of deactivation mechanisms and building this understanding into comprehensive mathematical models that will enable more effective design and optimization of processes involving deactivating catalysts. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The Mass of the MACHO-LMC-5 Lens Star

We combine the available astrometric and photometric data for the 1993 microlensing event MACHO-LMC-5 to measure the mass of the lens, M ¼ 0:097 � 0:016 M� . This is the most precise direct mass measurement of a single star other than the Sun. In principle, the measurement error could be reduced as low as 10% by improving the trigonometric parallax measurement using, for example, the Space Interferometry Mission. Further improvements might be possible by rereducing the original photometric light curve using image subtraction or by obtaining new, higher precision baseline photometry of the source. We show that the current data strongly limit scenarios in which the lens is a dark (i.e., brown dwarf ) companion to the observed M dwarf rather than being the M dwarf itself. These results set the stage for a confrontation between mass estimates of the M dwarf obtained from spectroscopic and photometric measurements and a mass measurement derived directly from the star’s gravitational influence. This would be the first such confrontation for any isolated star other than the Sun. Subject headings: gravitational lensing — stars: fundamental parameters — stars: low-mass, brown dwarfs
Index selection in a self-adaptive data base management system

We address the problem of automatically adjusting the physical organization of a data base to optimize its performance as its access requirements change. We describe the principles of the automatic index selection facility of a prototype self-adaptive data base management system that is currently under development. The importance of accurate usage model acquisition and data characteristics estimation is stressed. The statistics gathering mechanisms that are being incorporated into our prototype system are discussed. Exponential smoothing techniques are used for averaging statistics observed over different periods of time in order to predict future characteristics. An heuristic algorithm for selecting indices to match projected access requirements is presented. The cost model on which the decision procedure is based is flexible enough to incorporate the overhead costs of index creation, index storage and application program recompilation.
First total synthesis of the brominated polyacetylenes (+)-diplyne A and D: proof of absolute configuration

Abstract The first total syntheses of the enantiomers of two novel brominated polyacetylenic natural products, diplynes A and D, are reported. The syntheses are based on Pd and Cu(I)-catalyzed coupling reactions. The stereocenter was derived from D -mannitol. The stereocenter in the naturally occurring (−)-diplyne A was established to have an ( R )-configuration.
Through-the-Wall SAR Attributed Scattering Center Feature Estimation

We consider characterization of building interior structure from two-pass interferometric circular synthetic aperture radar data. We model returns from complex building structures as the sum of the responses from scattering primitives-plates, dihedrals, and trihedrals-observed through transfer functions that characterize both the transmission through and reflection from dielectric surfaces. Maximum-likelihood estimates for the location of primitive features and wall propagation/reflection parameters are obtained through a two-stage detection-and-estimation algorithm. We employ a sparse reconstruction algorithm to detect primitive signatures in the presence of wall effects and refine our estimates using a nonlinear minimization of local cost functions. We show that using simplified wall and primitive models, we can extract geometrically relevant features which can be combined to reveal 3-D floorplan estimates of buildings. Examples illustrate the effectiveness of the feature extraction approach.
Rubiasins A–C, new anthracene derivatives from the roots and stems of Rubia cordifolia

Three new anthracene derivatives, rubiasins A–C (1–3), were isolated from the combined roots and stems of Rubia cordifolia, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Their absolute configurations were determined by Mosher ester methodology. A known compound, mollugin (4), was obtained as an active antiproliferative principle by bioassay-monitored fractionation using a human colon cancer (Col2) cell line.
Generation of stable low-jitter kilovolt amplitude picosecond pulses

(GaAs) chip. The chip was integrated into a charge line with a dc supply oflOOv through a charging resistor of 2 kilo ohm. To the other end of the chipwas connected a 50 ohm load as shown in Figure 4. The contacts of the GaAschip to the microstrip line were made by silver paint. When the laser pulsestrikes the chip, the chip conducts and the charged line immediately sendsout two current waves, one in the direction of the load and the other in thedirection of the source. The travelling wave along the direction of source
Radiatively induced Lorentz and gauge symmetry violation in electrodynamics with varying α

A time-varying fine structure constant {alpha}(t) could give rise to Lorentz- and CPT-violating changes to the vacuum polarization, which would affect photon propagation. Such changes to the effective action can violate gauge invariance, but they are otherwise permitted. However, in the minimal theory of varying {alpha}, no such terms are generated at lowest order. At second order, vacuum polarization can generate an instability--a Lorentz-violating analogue of a negative photon mass squared -m{sub {gamma}}{sup 2}{proportional_to}{alpha}(({alpha}/2{alpha})){sup 2}log({lambda}{sup 2}), where {lambda} is the cutoff for the low-energy effective theory.
A storage cell reduction technique for ROS design

A Read Only Store (ROS) of n inputs (n-bit address) and m outputs (m-bit words) stores 2nXm bits of information, and is abbreviated as (2nXm)-bit ROS. The use of monolithic arrays as a ROS depends upon an effective store (write once) procedure (or personalization of the ROS). Two procedures are currently being considered: the personalization by final metallization pattern (masking), and the personalization by postmetallization connection elimination technique (etching or zapping). This study describes a method of designing a monolithic ROS which will reduce the number of storage cells required in the former method of personalization.
Neutrino cross sections at HERA and beyond

The ultrahigh energy neutrino cross section is reviewed. Experimental results from HERA ep and e ¯ p scattering have yielded new information about the small x behavior of the parton distribution functions. We compare pre-HERA era neutrino-nucleon cross sections with more recent evaluations.
Earth Radioactivity Measurements with a Deep Ocean Anti-neutrino Observatory

We consider the detector size, location, depth, background, and radio-purity required of a mid-Pacific deep-ocean instrument to accomplish the twin goals of making a definitive measurement of the electron anti-neutrino flux due to uranium and thorium decays from Earth’s mantle and core, and of testing the hypothesis for a natural nuclear reactor at the core of Earth. We take the experience with the KamLAND detector in Japan as our baseline for sensitivity and background estimates. We conclude that an instrument adequate to accomplish these tasks should have an exposure of at least 10 kilotonne-years (kT-y), should be placed at least at 4 km depth, may be located close to the Hawaiian Islands (no significant background from them), and should aim for KamLAND radio-purity levels, except for radon where it should be improved by a factor of at least 100. With an exposure of 10 kT-y we should achieve a 25% measurement of the flux of U/Th neutrinos from the mantle plus core. Exposure at multiple ocean locations for testing lateral heterogeneity is possible.
The time development of a blast wave with shock-heated electrons

Accurate approximations are presented for the time development of both edge conditions and internal structures of a blast wave with shock heated electrons, and equal ion and electron temperatures at the shock. The cases considered evolve in cavities with power law ambient densities (including the uniform ambient density case) and have negligible external pressure. Account is taken of possible saturation of the thermal conduction flux. The structures evolve smoothly to the adiabatic structures.
Geographic after-tax real income differentials and population growth rates.

The purpose of this [one-page] note is to empirically investigate the impact of geographic after-tax real income differentials on geographic population growth rate differentials. The focus is on population growth rates in Floridas 67 counties over the period 1980-88. The authors conclude that "even after allowing for a variety of other location-influencing factors including coastal access after-tax real income differentials exercise a positive and significant impact on population growth rate differentials among Floridas counties." (EXCERPT)
Extremal Transitions from Nested Reflexive Polytopes

In this paper we look at the question of when an inclusion of reflexive polytopes determines a torically-defined extremal transition between smooth Calabi–Yau hypersurface families. We show this is always possible in dimensions two and three. However, in dimensions four and higher, obstructions can occur. This leads to a smooth projective family of Calabi–Yau threefolds that is birational to one of Batyrev’s hypersurface families, but topologically distinct from all such families.
Diffusion and mixing in gravity-driven dense granular flows

We study the transport properties of particles draining from a silo using imaging and direct particle tracking. The particle displacements show a universal transition from super-diffusion to normal diffusion, as a function of the distance fallen, independent of the flow speed. In the superdiffusive (but sub-ballistic) regime, which occurs before a particle falls through its diameter, the displacements have fat-tailed and anisotropic distributions. In the diffusive regime, we observe very )
On land use, minerals development, and institutional design in the American west

Abstract Minerals development on public lands and the design of regulatory institutions for the formulation of mining policy have been contentious issues in the American west at least since the enactment of the 1872 Mining Law. In this paper, we first review the relevant literature on these two issues. We then propose and describe a research agenda regarding the future study of (i) land use in the context of minerals development, and (ii) the design of institutions for the regulation of mining. With respect to land use, our agenda focuses on two interrelated questions. First, when should an appropriate authority make preserved public land available for mining? Second, on what fraction of all public lands should this authority permit mining operations to take place? As far as the design of regulatory institutions is concerned, our agenda once again addresses two interrelated questions. First, what are the pros and cons of hierarchical and parallel regulatory structures? Second, how should the regulatory function be structured when a regulated party has to interact with multiple regulatory agencies? We believe that the pursuit of this research agenda will yield interesting and useful policy insights into the above described issues.
Anomalies, gauge field topology, and the lattice

Abstract Motivated by the connection between gauge field topology and the axial anomaly in fermion currents, I suggest that the fourth power of the naive Dirac operator can provide a natural method to define a local lattice measure of topological charge. For smooth gauge fields this reduces to the usual topological density. For typical gauge field configurations in a numerical simulation, however, quantum fluctuations dominate, and the sum of this density over the system does not generally give an integer winding. On cooling with respect to the Wilson gauge action, instanton like structures do emerge. As cooling proceeds, these objects tend shrink and finally “fall through the lattice.” Modifying the action can block the shrinking at the expense of a loss of reflection positivity. The cooling procedure is highly sensitive to the details of the initial steps, suggesting that quantum fluctuations induce a small but fundamental ambiguity in the definition of topological susceptibility.
Two-dimensional ARMA modeling for breast cancer detection and classification

Computer aided diagnosis (CAD) paradigms have gained currency for discriminating malignant from benign lesions in ultrasound breast images. But even the most sophisticated investigators often rely on one-dimensional representations of the image in terms of its scanlines. Such vector representations are convenient because of the mathematical tractability of one-dimensional time-series. However, they fail to take into account the spatial correlations between the pixels, which is crucial in tumor detection and classification in breast images. In this paper, we propose a CAD system for tumor detection and classification (cancerous v.s. benign) in ultrasound breast images based on a two-dimensional Auto-Regressive-Moving-Average (ARMA) model of the breast image. First, we show, using the Wold decomposition theorem, that ultrasound breast images can be accurately modeled by two-dimensional ARMA random fields. As in the 1D case, the 2D ARMA parameter estimation problem is much more difficult than its 2D AR counterpart, due to the non-linearity in estimating the 2D moving average (MA) parameters. We propose to estimate the 2D ARMA parameters using a two-stage Yule-Walker Least-Squares algorithm. The estimated parameters are then used as the basis for statistical inference and biophysical interpretation of the breast image. We evaluate the performance of the 2D ARMA vector features in real ultrasound images using a k-means classifier. Our results suggest that the proposed CAD system based on a two-dimensional ARMA model leads to parameters that can accurately segment the ultrasound breast image into three regions: healthy tissue, benign tumor, and cancerous tumor. Moreover, the specificity and sensitivity of the proposed two-dimensional CAD system is superior to its one-dimensional homologue.
Morphologic observations of neosheath development of undifferentiated connective tissue development around artificial tendons

The management of severe flexor tendon injuries of the hand has been dramatically improved by tendon sheath reconstruction with an artificial tendon, followed by conventional tendon grafting. The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of neosheath formation. In 25 chickens, the flexor tendons and sheaths in a toe were excised and replaced with a United States Army artificial tendon. An artificial tendon was also placed in the back, and four weeks later, tendons and surrounding tissue as well as normal tendon sheaths were excised and submitted for light, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In all instances, neosheaths formed around the silastic coated artificial tendon. The neosheaths formed in the foot and back were similar to normal sheath, having the same cellular and fibrous composition. Reconstruction of the normal anatomy with an artificial tendon explains why this surgical technique gives superior results to other less physiologic procedures in patients with severe hand injuries.
Laser cooling with a modified optical shaker

Some practical improvements are proposed for the ``optical-shaker'' laser-cooling technique [I. S. Averbukh and Y. Prior, Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 153002 (2005)]. The improved technique results in an increased cooling rate and decreases the minimum cooling temperature achievable with the optical shaker. The modified shaker requires only one measurement of the force on the atoms before each cooling step, resulting in a simplification of the feedback electronics. The force is inferred from the power variations of the transmitted laser beams and is used to determine the best moment at which the cooling steps are applied. The temperature of the atomic system is automatically monitored, which allows maintaining an optimum cooling rate as the temperature decreases. The improved shaker is simple to build, provides a faster rate of cooling, and can work in the microkelvin regime. Numerical modeling shows a reduction by a factor of 3 in the required number of phase jumps and a lower temperature limit reduced by an order of magnitude compared to the initially proposed shaker. The technique is also extendable to cooling in three dimensions.
4-(Dimethylamino)pyridine as a catalyst for the lactonization of 4-hydroxy-2-methylenebutanoate esters

Abstract The catalytic action of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) in lactonizing 4-hydroxy-2-methylenebutanoate esters to 2-methylene-γ-butyrolactones is described. The use of DMAP, which functions as an excellent complement to the more traditional acid-catalyzed lactonization protocol, allows for the synthesis of 2-methylene-γ-butyrolactones containing acid-sensitive groups under essentially neutral conditions.
Of hype and hyperbolas : introducing the new economic geography

Reviewing The Spatial Economy by Fujita, Krugman, and Venables, this paper argues that the key contribution of the new economic geography is a framework in which standard building blocks of mainstream economics (especially rational decision making and simple general equilibrium models) are used to model the trade-off between dispersal and agglomeration. The approach thus gives a choice-theoretic basis for a "propensity to agglomerate."
Implications of Neutron Decoupling in Short Gamma-Ray Bursts

Roughly half of the observed gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) may arise from the shocking of an ultrarelativistic shell of protons with the interstellar medium (ISM). Any neutrons originally present in the GRB fireball may, depending on the characteristics of the central engine, dynamically decouple as the fireball accelerates. This leads to outflow consisting of separate fast-proton and slow-neutron components. We derive detailed implications of neutron decoupling for the observed light curves of short bursts. In particular, we show that the collision of a neutron-decayed shell with a decelerating outer shell is expected to result in an observable second peak in the GRB light curve. There may also be substantial optical emission associated with such an event. Two peaked bursts arising from neutron decoupling will generally have an interpeak duration equal to the duration of the second peak. We also discuss interesting inferences about central-engine characteristics allowed by existing BATSE data and a consideration of neutron decoupling.
Particle-particle correlations and the space-time structure of heavy ion collisions

Abstract The present status of the use of two-particle intensity interferometry as a diagnostic tool to study the space-time dynamics of intermediate energy heavy ion collisions is examined. Calculations for the two-proton and two-pion correlation functions are presented and compared to experiment. The calculations are based on the nuclear Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck transport theory.
When ignorance is not bliss: Pest control decisions involving beneficial insects

Recent survey data revealed that many California citrus growers did not know whether or not important beneficial insects were found on their fields while other growers were relying heavily or even entirely on these insects for pest control. Some pesticides are toxic both to the targeted pest and the predaceous or parasitic insect that could provide pest control. Alternative pesticides with fewer or no negative effects on the beneficial insect often exist but can be more expensive. Additionally, some beneficial insects are commercially available and can be purchased and released in the field. This paper models the pest control decisions of a grower who utilizes a pesticide and a predaceous insect to control the crop pest and compares these decisions to that of a grower who does not know that the predaceous insect exists. The results show that the latter grower will drive the predator population to zero and will overutilize chemical control. When the predator is known and utilized, the optimal decisions involve entirely mitigating the negative effects of the pesticide as well as releasing additional predators.
Synthesis of a tripeptide derivative containing the gln-arg hydroxyethylene dipeptide isostere.

The protected hydroxyethylene dipeptide isostere of Phe-Arg and the tripeptide derivative 1 were synthesized as components of potential peptidase inhibitors. Key to the success of these syntheses is selective rhodium-catalyzed hydroboration in the presence of a readily reduced lactone. A convenient one-pot conversion of azides to diprotected guanidines was developed on the basis of the Staudinger reaction.
ON THE INTEGRABILITY OF THE BUKHVOSTOV–LIPATOV MODEL

The integrability of the Bukhvostov–Lipatov four-fermion model is investigated. It is shown that the classical model possesses a current of Lorentz spin-3, conserved both in the bulk and on the half-line for specific types of boundary actions. It is then established that the conservation law is spoiled at the quantum level — a fact that might indicate that the quantum Bukhvostov–Lipatov model is not integrable, contrary to what was previously believed.
Implementing high-speed string matching hardware for network intrusion detection systems

This paper presents a string matching hardware on FPGA for network intrusion detection systems. The proposed architecture, consisting of packet classifiers and strings matching verifiers, achieves superb throughput by using several mechanisms. First, based on incoming packet contents, the packet classifiers can dramatically reduce the number of strings to be matched for each packet and, accordingly, feed the packet to a proper verifier to conduct matching. Second, a novel multi-threading finite state machine (FSM) is proposed, which improves FSM clock frequency and allows multiple packets to be examined by a single FSM simultaneously. Design techniques for high-speed interconnect and interface circuits are also presented. Experimental results are presented to explore the trade-offs between system performance, strings partition granularity and hardware resource cost
A chiral formamide: Design and application to catalytic asymmetric synthesis

Abstract ( S , S )- N , N -Bis(-α-methylbenzyl)formamide is the first example of chiral formamides that function as Lewis base catalysis to effectively serve catalytic asymmetric synthesis. The chiral formamide in combination with an additive, HMPA, catalyzes allylations of aliphatic aldehydes with allyl- and crotyltrichlorosilanes with high enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee). In the crotylations with ( E )-crotyltrichlorosilane, cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde and hydrocinnamaldehyde gave the corresponding anti homoallylic alcohols exclusively with 98 and 94% ee's, respectively.
Evolution of nitrogen and other species during controlled pyrolysis of coal

An experimental and theoretical investigation of coal pyrolysis focused on determination of species evolved from single coal particles and on the rates of mass evolution as functions of temperature, heating rate and coal composition. Species measured were CH 4 , CO, CO 2 , C 2 H 2 , C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 6 , HCN and NH 3 . Total mass evolved was compared to total nitrogen evolved for various pyrolysis temperatures. The former was strongly coal composition dependent, while the latter was not. About half of the total volatiles and 85% of the nitrogeneous species do not evolve as the light gases listed above. A new non-gravimetric method for determination of time resolved volatilization rates produced data that compared well to a mechanistic volatilization model in which physical processes inside the particle were described. Fluid flow within a coal particle was found to be important in determining overall gas evolution rates. The results support the hypothesis that, during combustion, nitrogeneous species are evolved late in the volatilization sequence, with a low escape velocity at the particle surface.
Electron factors in the occurrence of sigma and structurally related transition metal alloy phases

Two electron factors are employed in considering trends concerning binary transition metal alloys which form in the sigma or in a structurally related phase. One factor chosen is closely related to the e/a ratio, namely the d-band vacancy count or the number of holes per atom in the alloy d-bands. The second parameter is the electronegativity difference ..delta.. phi.
Asymmetric synthesis of erythro- and threo-2-(1-hydroxyalkyl)piperidines via iodocyclocarbamation of 1-acyl-2-alkenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines

Abstract An iodocyclocarbamation procedure has been developed for the stereoselective preparation of erythro - and threo -2-(1-hydroxyalkyl)piperidines. This methodology was utilized in the asymmetric synthesis of two piperidine alkaloids, (+)-α-conhydrine and (+)-β-conhydrine.
Quantum multiple scattering: Eigenmode expansion and its applications to proximity resonance

We show that for a general system of N s-wave point scatterers, there are always N eigenmodes. These eigenmodes or eigenchannels play the same role as spherical harmonics for a spherically symmetric target---they give a phase shift only. In other words, the T matrix of the system is of rank N, and the eigenmodes are eigenvectors corresponding to nonzero eigenvalues of the T matrix. The eigenmode expansion approach can give insight to the total scattering cross section; the position, width, and superradiant or subradiant nature of resonance peaks; the unsymmetric Fano line shape of sharp proximity resonance peaks based on the high-energy tail of a broadband; and other properties. Off-resonant eigenmodes for identical proximate scatterers are approximately angular-momentum eigenstates.
Harmonia axyridis ladybug hypersensitivity in clinical allergy practice.

The imported Harmonia axyridis ladybug infests homes in northern West Virginia from fall through spring, causing allergic disease. Retrospective single-practice chart reviews were performed: (1) all skin prick tests (1400 included ladybug) in a community allergy practice over 4 years and (2) clinical analysis of 400 randomly chosen patients. The usual adult aeroallergen skin test panel included ladybug and 57 other allergens. Statistics used were contingency table analyses and the -statistic for concordance. Home infestation with ladybugs was most common in rural areas but did not predict ladybug sensitization ( 0.02). Ladybug sensitization and allergy occurred at all ages. Ladybug sensitization occurred with 21% frequency compared with cat at 24% frequency, cockroach at 27% frequency, and dust mites at 40% frequency. Only ladybug showed a significant (p 0.0001) skin test sensitization decreasing from rural (30%), mixed (21%), to urban (16%) home demographics. Isolated single-positive skin tests constituted 10% of dust mites, 6% of cockroach, 6% of ladybug, and 4% of cat-positive skin tests. Skin test concordance was strongest between the pairs: ladybug–cockroach ( 0.36), cockroach–dust mite ( 0.29), and dust mite–cat ( 0.25). Ladybug is a major allergen in endemic areas, causing rhinoconjunctivitis (8% prevalence), asthma (2% prevalence), and urticaria (1% prevalence). Ladybug skin test sensitization is more common in rural areas and is comparable in frequency and age distribution with cat and cockroach. Cockroach and ladybug have a high degree of skin test concordance. A quality commercial ladybug allergen extract and increased ladybug allergen research are needed. (Allergy Asthma Proc 28:50–57, 2007; doi: 10.2500/aap.2007.28.2956)
Electronic Integration and Strategic Advantage: A Quasi-Experimental Study in the Insurance Industry

Strategic advantage through information technology is a popular and an important theme, but the extent of research support is minimal, anecdotal, and sporadic. This paper reports the results of a quasi-experimental study on the impact of dedicated electronic integration [between a focal insurance carrier and its independent agents in the property and casualty (P&C) market] for the focal carrier. The results indicate that the agents that are electronically interfaced with the carrier report improvements in a set of four performance factors in the expected direction (six months after system installation), but statistically different from a matched set of non-interfaced agents (based on size, state, and location category) only in terms of increases in new business policies, but not in terms of effectiveness—namely, neither increases in premiums and commissions nor operating efficiency. Some explanations, extensions and research implications are outlined.
What Persuades Voters? A Field Experiment on Political Campaigning

Candidates spend considerable resources campaigning. Prior research indicates campaigning affects voting decisions but, as with advertising generally, what element of campaigning persuades – the content or its delivery method – is not fully understood. Using a field experiment in a 2010 general election for local office, we identify the mechanism behind one campaign method: candidate door-to-door canvassing. We vary both the method of contact and the information conveyed by campaign materials. We find that voters are persuaded by personal contact with the candidate and that personal contact apparently works by providing a costly signal of quality rather than through social pressure.
DC-bus voltage control technique for parallel-integrated permanent magnet wind generation systems

Summary form only given. This paper presents a dc-bus voltage control technique for a new power conversion topology feasible for parallel-integrated permanent magnet wind generation systems. This technique is based on a master-slave hysteresis control scheme in order to solve discrepancy problems that could happen between the controllers. A three-phase semi-controlled rectifier topology is proposed here as an effective interface circuit between each wind generator and the dc-bus. The proposed system provides interconnection extension ability of multi wind converter units sharing the same dc-bus and more economic utilization of the wind generator; by insuring unity power factor operation. More advantages include voltage disturbance compensation capability, robustness; since a short circuit through a leg is not possible and high efficiency; due to the reduced number of switching elements. The rectifier topology concept, the principle of operation, the control scheme and test results are presented. The developed technique is also implemented on a 12 kW parallel-connected permanent magnet laboratory setup in order to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed system.
HEAT TRANSFER IN TWO-PHASE SOLID-ROCKET PLUMES

Results of a direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) and free molecule (FM) analysis of convective heat transfer to AfeOa particles in solid-rocket plume environments are presented. The particle diameters are assumed to be 4^m, and the plume gases are COi, HiO, CO, and NI. The plume gas temperature is 2000 K. Particle temperatures of 1500,2000, and 2500 K are investigated for Knudsen numbers from \ to 1000 (from slip flow to FM flow). The Nusselt number is presented in terms of Knudsen number and Reynolds number (or relative velocity). Both the Kavanau and the Kashmarov and Svirshevskii correlations generally agree with the DSMC and FM predictions of the particle Nusselt numbers. Vibrational excitation of the gas molecules is an important effect in the prediction of the particle adiabatic wall temperature. To the authors' knowledge, this paper presents the first correlations of Nusselt number and adiabatic wall temperature for high-temperature plume gases.
MadEvent: Automatic event generation with MadGraph

We present a new multi-channel integration method and its implementation in the multi-purpose event generator MadEvent, which is based on MadGraph. Given a process, MadGraph automatically identifies all the relevant subprocesses, generates both the amplitudes and the mappings needed for an efficient integration over the phase space, and passes them to MadEvent. As a result, a process-specific, stand-alone code is produced that allows the user to calculate cross sections and produce unweighted events in a standard output format. Several examples are given for processes that are relevant for physics studies at present and forthcoming colliders.
The obesity of middle age: a common variety of Cushing's syndrome due to a chronic increase in adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) and beta-endorphin activity

The common obesity of middle age presents a set of features that strongly resembles the cardinal symptoms of Cushing's syndrome: obesity of the face (moon face), upper back (buffalo hump) and trunk (pot belly) accompanied by signs of protein-wasting. In non-obese individuals who remain at a constant weight throughout life, the proportion of adipose tissue increases with age at the expense of lean tissue loss. Thus, a mild version of Cushing's syndrome may be part of the normal aging process. A more intense version of this process may occur in overweight adults. Excess and chronic activity of two pituitary hormones may contribute to this adiposity. Both hormones are produced in the same pituitary cell by cleavage from a common large precursor known as pro-opiocortin. One hormone is adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH), which stimulates the release of the glucocorticoid hormones. These hormones promote the conversion of bodily proteins to glucose (gluconeogenesis). The other pituitary hormone is beta-endorphin, a stimulant of appetite that causes the release of insulin. This pancreatic hormone promotes the conversion of glucose and fatty acids to triglycerides (lipogenesis). Three different etiologies are suggested for the excessive and chronic action of these two pituitary hormones: tumors that increase the number of cells that synthesize pro-opiocortin; mutant strains that produce excessive amounts of ACTH and beta-endorphin such as the genetically obese mouse (ob/ob) and rat (fa/fa); and an age-determined shift in the type of cleavage enzymes present in the pro-opiocortin cell that favors ACTH and beta-endorphin production.
Transport and land use: key issues in metropolitan planning and smart growth

Author(s): Cervero, Robert | Abstract: At the risk of appearing fashionable, I decided to stick “smart growth” in the title of my talk. I confess this is because I find smart growth to be a nice shorthand for “transport and land-use integration”. Stripped to its essentials, smart growth is mainly about better coordinating and integrating transportation and land development. “Smart growth” is a compressed (two-syllable) way of saying this.In the United States, “smart growth” has gained a momentum of its own, fueled by progressive legislation in states like Maryland and Florida which ties infrastructure dollars to land-use management. No longer just a local issue, smart-growth rhetoric is today even heard on the national campaign trail.