cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring Cosmological Parameters from the Evolution of Cluster X-Ray Temperatures

We have determined the cluster X-ray temperature function from two flux- and redshift-limited samples of clusters. The first sample is comprised of 25 clusters with average redshift 0.05. The local temperature function derived from it supersedes the one we published previously. Fourteen clusters with average redshift 0.38 comprise the second sample. We perform maximum likelihood fits of cluster evolution models to these data in order to constrain cosmological parameters. For an open model with zero cosmological constant we find that the density parameter is Ω0 = 0.49 ± 0.12, the rms mass density fluctuation averaged over 8 h-1 Mpc spheres is σ8 = 0.72 ± 0.10, and the effective index of the mass density fluctuation spectrum on cluster scales is n = -(1.72 ± 0.34), where all errors are symmetrized at 68% confidence. The corresponding results for the case where a cosmological constant produces a flat universe are 0.44 ± 0.12, 0.77 ± 0.15, and -(1.68 ± 0.38). These results agree with those determined from a variety of different independent methods, including supernovae, galaxy-galaxy correlations, fluctuations in the microwave background, gravitational lens statistics, and cluster peculiar velocities.
Hexacarbonyldicobalt-alkyne complexes as convenient Co2(CO)8 surrogates in the catalytic Pauson-Khand reaction

Abstract Selected hexacarbonyldicobalt-alkyne complexes have been found to serve as convenient substitutes for the labile Co2(CO)8 in thermal, catalytic Pauson-Khand reactions.
Bordism invariants of the mapping class group

Abstract We define new bordism and spin bordism invariants of certain subgroups of the mapping class group of a surface. In particular, they are invariants of the Johnson filtration of the mapping class group. The second and third terms of this filtration are the well-known Torelli group and Johnson subgroup, respectively. We introduce a new representation in terms of spin bordism, and we prove that this single representation contains all of the information given by the Johnson homomorphism, the Birman–Craggs homomorphism, and the Morita homomorphism.
Selection, growth, and characterization of materials for MBE-produced x-ray optics

Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) is capable of producing a variety of high purity, epitaxial multilayer films with well controlled interfaces. However, the conditions necessary for MBE growth somewhat restricts the choice of useful materials. We discuss our material selection procedure for MBE-deposited x-ray optical multilayer materials. This procedure takes into account factors such as chemical reactivity, thermal stability, and lattice match,. as well as the maximum theoretical reflectivity obtainable with a given material pair. The present work consists of a comprehensive study of elemental films, and a more detailed consideration of a few select compound systems. Both the precise deposition contrOl possible with MBE, as well as the many in situ characterization methods, combine to allow a high degree of control over the formation of interfaces. Our principle MBE system for x-ray optics contains in situ Reflection High Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED), Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Ion Scattering Spectroscopy (ISS). An overview of the techniques used to analyze our films be given, including data from our growth of epitaxial CoSi2 absorbing layers on Si (111) using a solid state reaction technique.
Effect of pH on Ion Dynamics in Composite PPy/Heparin Films

Novel composite polypyrrole/heparin films with cation-exchange properties were synthesized by the electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of heparin acting as a dopant anion at neutral pH. Heparin was found to be permanently entrapped in the polypyrrole membrane which resulted, as expected, in the mass transport facilitated by mobile cationic counterions. In acidic solutions, polypyrrole/heparin films function as an anion-exchange membrane. Reversible changes from anion dynamics to cation dynamics have been observed upon changes in the solution pH. Information on the polymerization process and characterization of charge transport and mass transport properties in these films were obtained by using the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance technique (EQCM).
Economics at the fringe: Non-market valuation studies and their role in land use plans in the United States

Over the past fifty years, economists have developed methods for estimating the public benefits of green spaces, allowing such information to be incorporated into land use planning. But the extent to which it is ever used is unclear. This paper reviews the literature on public values for lands on urban outskirts, not just to survey their methods or empirical findings, but to evaluate the role they have played - or have the potential to play - in actual US land use plans. Based on interviews with authors and representatives of land trusts and governments, it appears that academic work has had a mixed reception in the policy world. Reasons include a lack of interest in making academic work accessible to policy makers, emphasizing revealed preference methods which ignore important non-use values, and emphasizing average values over distributions of values. Nevertheless, some success stories illustrate how such information can play a role in the design of conservation policies.
Computational studies of the role of glycopyranosyl oxacarbenium ions in glycobiology and glycochemistry.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the computational studies about the role of glycopyranosyl oxacarbenium ions in glycobiology and glycochemistry. An understanding of the formation and breaking of glycosidic linkages is at the core of both glycobiology and glycochemistry. With only a few exceptions, both the formation and breaking of glycosidic linkages involve processes that proceed through species having a high degree of oxacarbenium ion character. Two current reports have studied model systems for glycopyranosides— namely, 2-methoxytetrahydropyran and 2-ethoxytetrahydropyran, with special emphasis on determining precisely the anomeric effect. To achieve these goals, a so-called complete basis set (CBS) calculation was performed in the gas phase at 0 K. To reach agreement with the experiment, the standard corrections of including the zero point energy, a temperature correction to room temperature, and estimating the entropy were added. One of the many factors that affect the reactivity and stability of the glycopyranosyl oxacarbenium ion is the orientation and the conformation of the side chains attached to C-2, C-3, C-4, and C-5. In this study the implications for reactivity of the different stereochemistry, and hence orientations at C- 4 of galacto-versus gluco-configured ions are one of the main considerations. The C-5–C -6 conformation has also been extensively studied in neutral oligosaccharides.
Ecological Validity Revisited: A 10-Year Comparison of Two Journals

The effect of pleas for ecologically valid research in the 1970s was examined. The research in two periodicals, the American Journal on Mental Retardation (AJMR), and the Journal of The Association...
Ocular hypotensive efficacy of bimatoprost 0.03% and travoprost 0.004% in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension ☆

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the IOP-lowering efficacy of bimatoprost and travoprost for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Methods Randomized, investigator-masked, parallel-group clinical trial. After completing a washout from all glaucoma medications, patients (n=26) were randomized to bimatoprost or travoprost for 6 months. Visits were at baseline, week 1, and months 1, 3, and 6. IOP was measured at 9 am at each visit and also at 1 and 4 pm at baseline and months 3 and 6. Results At the baseline visit, there were no significant between-group differences in IOP at 9 am, 1 pm, or 4 pm ( P ≥.776). After 6 months of therapy, both medications provided significant mean reductions from baseline IOP at every time point ( P ≤.007). Mean IOP reductions ranged from 7.4 mm Hg to 8.8 mm Hg (34% to 36%) with bimatoprost and from 4.6 mm Hg to 7.2 mm Hg (19% to 29%) with travoprost ( P ≥.057) after 6 months of medication. At the final study visit, more patients achieved low target pressures with bimatoprost than with travoprost at each time point. Both study medications were well tolerated and ocular redness was the most commonly reported adverse event in both treatment groups. Conclusion Although both bimatoprost and travoprost effectively lowered IOP in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension, bimatoprost provided larger mean IOP reductions than travoprost. More patients achieved low target pressures with bimatoprost than with travoprost. The between-group differences were not statistically significant due to the small sample size. These findings are being further evaluated in an ongoing multicenter clinical trial.
A Profit-Based Approach for Gas Turbine Power Plant Outage Planning

Traditionally, for complicated systems, such as a gas turbine power plant, maintenance cost and online availability are two of the most important concerns to the equipment owner. However, in the deregulated electric power market, cost and reliability are not the only concerns. The ultimate goal is to maximize plant profitability, and this requires the evaluation of many different factors, including system performance, the aging and reliability of equipment, maintenance practices, and market dynamics accounting for the price and availability of fuel as well as the generation of revenues in competing markets. Thus, gas turbine power plant planning optimization is a complex problem, and comprehensive operational modeling and optimization methods are required. In this paper, a profit-based power plant outage planning approach is presented that reflects the new challenges posed by deregulation. Specifically, particular attention is paid to modeling power plant aging, performance degradation, reliability deterioration, and, importantly, the energy market dynamics. A multiple time-scale method is developed for coupled short-term, long-term generation scheduling and outage planning for this profit-based outage planning approach. The procedure is implemented for a base load combined cycle power plant with a single gas turbine, with the results demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed approach.
On the complexity of asynchronous agreement against powerful adversaries

We introduce new techniques for proving lower bounds on the running time of randomized algorithms for asynchronous agreement against powerful adversaries. In particular, we define a strongly adaptive adversary that is computationally unbounded and has a limited ability to corrupt a dynamic subset of processors by erasing their memories. We demonstrate that the randomized agreement algorithms designed by Ben-Or and Bracha to tolerate crash or Byzantine failures in the asynchronous setting extend to defeat a strongly adaptive adversary. These algorithms have essentially perfect correctness and termination, but at the expense of exponential running time. In the case of the strongly adaptive adversary, we show that this dismally slow running time is inherent: we prove that any algorithm with essentially perfect correctness and termination against the strongly adaptive adversary must have exponential running time. We additionally interpret this result as yielding an enhanced understanding of the tools needed to simultaneously achieving perfect correctness and termination as well as fast running time for randomized algorithms tolerating crash or Byzantine failures.
A mechanism for implementing preemptive priorities in DQDB subnetworks

The authors propose a mechanism for implementing priorities in an IEEE 802.6 (DQDB) subnetwork of a metropolitan area network. The mechanism allows the priorities to be preemptively multiplexed among each other, thus, always guaranteeing maximum bandwidth to the highest priority traffic whenever it is requested. The proposed mechanism responds fast in the presence of high priority traffic and it takes full effect within at most one round trip propagation delay. >
MERGERS AND OBLIQUITIES IN STELLAR TRIPLES

Many close stellar binaries are accompanied by a faraway star. The “eccentric Kozai-Lidov” (EKL) mechanism can cause dramatic inclination and eccentricity fluctuations, resulting in tidal tightening of inner binaries of triple stars. We run a large set of Monte Carlo simulations, including the secular evolution of the orbits, general relativistic precession, and tides, and we determine the semimajor axis, eccentricity, inclination, and spin-orbit angle distributions of the final configurations. We find that the efficiency of forming tight binaries (! 16 days) when taking the EKL mechanism into account is ∼21%, and about 4% of all simulated systems ended up in a merger event. These merger events can lead to the formation of blue stragglers. Furthermore, we find that the spin-orbit angle distribution of the inner binaries carries a signature of the initial setup of the system; thus, observations can be used to disentangle close binaries’ birth configuration. The resulting inner and outerfinal orbits’ period distributions and their estimated fraction suggest that secular dynamics may be a significant channel for the formation of close binaries in triples and even blue stragglers.
THE 2001-2003 LOW STATE OF NOVA LACERTAE 1950 (DK LAC)

We report on extensive photometry of DK Lac obtained during the interval 1990–2009, which includes a 2 mag low state during 2001–2003. Much of the photometry consists of exposures obtained with a typical spacing of several days, but also includes 26 sequences of continuous photometry each lasting 2–7 hr. We find no evidence for periodicities in our data. We do find that the random variations in the low state are approximately twice those in the high state, when expressed in magnitudes. The lack of orbital-timescale variations is attributed to the nearly face-on presentation of the disk. There is a 0.2 mag decline in the high-state brightness of the system over 19 years, which is consistent with the behavior of other old novae in the decades following outburst. High-state spectra are also presented and discussed. We find that the equivalent width of Hα falls by about double from 1991 to 2008. The photometric properties are discussed in the context of the hibernation scenario for the behavior of novae between outbursts, in which we conclude that low states in old novae are probably unrelated to their possible entrance into hibernation.
Phosphorothioic acids and related compounds as surrogates for H2S--synthesis of chiral tetrahydrothiophenes.

The convenient preparation of chiral tetrahydrothiophenes (THTs) in high enantiopurity via phosphorothioic acids and related compounds is reported. We consider these to be safer alternatives to the use of H2S which is a highly toxic gas. Each of the THTs is derived from a common intermediate, thereby greatly enhancing the flexibility of the synthesis. The key transformation is a base-promoted, intramolecular, carbon–sulfur bond-forming event. These reactions are highly stereospecific as they operate through a double SN2 displacement mechanism. The methodology is amenable to a broad array of functional groups and heterocycles. The tetrahydrothiophene motif is important because it is present in a number of bioactive natural products. They have also been utilized to promote various asymmetric transformations including hydrogenation, epoxidation, cyclopropanation, and aziridination reactions.
SPYTHIA, a supersymmetric extension of PYTHIA 5.7

SPYTHIA is an event level Monte Carlo program which simulates particle production and decay at lepton and hadron colliders in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). It is an extension of PYTHIA 5.7, with all of its previous capabilities. This paper is meant to supplement the PYTHIA/JETSET user manual, providing a description of the new particle spectrum, hard scattering processes, and decay modes. Several examples of using the program are provided.
PROGRESS IN DEVELOPMENT OF ROOM TEMPERATURE CW GASB BASED DIODE LASERS FOR 2-3.5 μM SPECTRAL REGION

Recent progress and state of GaSb based type-I lasers emitting in spectral range from 2 to 3.5 μm is reviewed. For lasers emitting near 2 μm an optimization of waveguide core width and asymmetry allowed reduction of far field divergence angle down to 40-50 degrees which is important for improving coupling efficiency to optical fiber. As emission wavelength increases laser characteristics degrade due to insufficient hole confinement, increased Auger recombination and deteriorated transport through the waveguide layer. While Auger recombination is thought to be an ultimate limiting factor to the performance of these narrow bandgap interband lasers we demonstrate that continuous improvements in laser characteristics are still possible by increasing hole confinement and optimizing transport properties of the waveguide layer. We achieved 190, 170 and 50 mW of maximum CW power at 3.1, 3.2 and 3.32 μm wavelengths respectively. These are the highest CW powers reported to date in this spectral range and constitute...
Estimation of race-neutral goals in public procurement and contracting

Federal guidelines require that public entities receiving federal transit authority (FTA) funds take affirmative steps to allocate funds to disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs). Business firms owned and operated by women and/or racial minority group members are presumptively classified as disadvantaged. To assure that the affirmative efforts to allocate contract dollars to DBEs don't discriminate against nonDBEs and white male-owned firms, the guidelines require that maximum use of race-neutral means be adopted to assure the inclusion of women and minority-owned firms in public contracting. The guidelines do not provide specific guidance on how to determine the size of the race-neutral portion of contracts awarded to DBEs. This article provides an empirically valid and easy to implement method for achieving race-neutral goals when a public agency or authority collects information on contracts with and without targeted goals.
Uneven Growth: A Framework for Research in Development Economics

The textbook paradigm of economy-wide development rests on the premise of "balanced growth"; that is, on the presumption that all sectors will grow in unison over time as a country gets richer. This view has served us reasonably well in some circumstances, but is not particularly useful for accounts of modern (under)development. In many developing countries, economic growth has been fundamentally uneven: software development, the outsourcing of services, sectoral technological change, quick compositional shifts between agriculture and other sectors, the rise of particular exports, "special" economic zones, and so on. This paper will discuss both the sources of uneven growth, and its implications, with greater emphasis on the latter. The paper will argue that much of the distributional issues, or the reactions to globalization that we see in modern developing societies can be viewed as reactions to a growth process that is fundamentally uneven and is indeed perceived as such.
Pluto integrated camera spectrometer (PICS) instrument

Abstract We describe an integrated instrument that will perform the functions of three optical instruments required by a Pluto Fast Flyby mission: a near-IR spectrometer (256 spectral channels, 1300–2600 nm), a two-channel imaging camera (300–500 nm, 500–1000 nm), and a UV spectrometer (80 spectral channels, 70–150 nm). A separate port, aligned in a direction compatible with radio occultation experiments, is provided for measurement of a UV solar occultation and for spectral radiance calibration of the IR and visible subsystems. Our integrated approach minimizes mass and power use, and promotes the adoption of integrated observational sequences and power management to ensure compatible duty cycles for data acquisition, compression, and storage. From flight mission experience, we believe the integrated approach will yield substantial cost savings in design, integration, and sequence planning. The integrated payload inherently provides a cohesive mission data set, optimized for correlative analysis. A breadboard version of the instrument is currently being built and is expected to be fully functional by late summer.
Aerodynamically blunt and sharp bodies

Computational fluid dynamics studies at supersonic and hypersonic speeds have resulted in an improved understanding of the meaning of aerodynamically, as opposed to geometrically, sharp and blunt shapes. An analytic investigation using Newtonian theory was conducted to support the computational results. Based on this work, a new criterion for the definition of an aerodynamically sharp shape is proposed. Defining the power-law shape to be the relevant gauge function, one can classify bodies with it > 2/3 as aerodynamical ly sharp, even though the initial body slope dr/djc is 90 deg. The paper describes the analysis that resulted in the new sharp and blunt shape criteria for aerodynamics. Nomenclature A = constant in power-law body equation defining fineness ratio Cp = pressure coefficient / = fineness ratio for the Sears-Haack body, Eq. (9) / = length of the body in definition of von Karman ogive and Sears-Haack body n = exponent in power-law body definition, Eq. (1) R = longitudinal radius of curvature, Eq. (2) R (0) = longitudinal curvature at x = 0, the leading-edge radius RK_O = longitudinal radius of curvature for a von Karman ogive RS-H = longitudinal radius of curvature for a Sears-Haack body r =body radius at a given x location TK-O =body radius for a von Karman ogive rs-H =body radius for the Sears-Haack body S = cross-sectional area SK-O =cross-sectional area of the von Karman ogive s =arc length along the surface from the leading edge, x = 0 V - volume of Sears-Haack body x = axial distance from leading edge £ ^transformed independent variable for the Sears-Haack body, Eq. (7) 0 =body slope angle, tan"1 (dr/dx)
Sales Promotion and Cooperative Retail Pricing Strategies

Supermarket retailers make strategic pricing decisions in a high-frequency, repeated game environment both in buying and selling fresh produce. In this context, there is some question as to whether a non-cooperative equilibrium can emerge that produces margins above the competitive level. Supermarket pricing results from tacitly collusive equilibria supported by trigger price strategies played in upstream markets. Upstream activities are, in turn, driven by periodic retail price promotions. This hypothesis is tested using a sample of fresh produce pricing data from 20 US supermarket chains. The results support the existence of tacitly collusive non-cooperative equilibria in upstream and downstream markets.
A new gridding method for zonal travel activity and emissions using bicubic spline interpolation

For air quality dispersion models, mobile source emissions, including both link- and traffic zone-level emissions, must be disaggregated into grid cells. Current gridding methods assign all traffic analysis zone level emissions to the single grid cell containing the TAZ centroid. In this study, we propose a new approach for disaggregating traffic analysis zone-level emissions using a bicubic spline interpolation function and activity and roadway densities. The new approach, which better replicates the heterogeneity associated with travel activities, distributes zone-level emissions into the grid cells contained within the zone boundary. When results are compared to the current methods, we find that fewer grid cell misallocations occur and that emissions from TAZs overlapping multiple grid cells are apportioned correctly. The gridded emissions inventory developed using the new approach will result in better data inputs for air quality modeling, and in particular can significantly improve the sensitivity of transportation conformity analysis.
$D$-module structure of local cohomology modules of toric algebras

Let S be a toric algebra over a field K of characteristic 0 and let I be a monomial ideal of S. We show that the local cohomology modules H i I (S) are of finite length over the ring of differential operators D(S;K), generalizing the classical case of a polynomial algebra S. As an application, we compute the characteristic cycles of some local cohomology modules.
Fourier functional analysis for unsteady aerodynamic modeling

A method based on Fourier analysis is developed to analyze the force and moment data obtained in large amplitude forced oscillation tests at high angles of attack. The aerodynamic models for normal force, lift, drag, and pitching moment coefficients are built up from a set of aerodynamic responses to harmonic motions at different frequencies. Based on the aerodynamic models of harmonic data, the indicial responses are formed. The final expressions for the models involve time integrals of the indicial type advocated by Tobak and Schiff. Results from linear two- and three-dimensional unsteady aerodynamic theories as well as test data for a 70-degree delta wing are used to verify the models. It is shown that the present modeling method is accurate in producing the aerodynamic responses to harmonic motions and the ramp type motions. The model also produces correct trend for a 70-degree delta wing in harmonic motion with different mean angles-of-attack. However, the current model cannot be used to extrapolate data to higher angles-of-attack than that of the harmonic motions which form the aerodynamic model. For linear ramp motions, a special method is used to calculate the corresponding frequency and phase angle at a given time. The calculated results from modeling show a higher lift peak for linear ramp motion than for harmonic ramp motion. The current model also shows reasonably good results for the lift responses at different angles of attack.
PULSAR STATE SWITCHING FROM MARKOV TRANSITIONS AND STOCHASTIC RESONANCE

Markov processes are shown to be consistent with metastable states seen in pulsar phenomena, including intensity nulling, pulse-shape mode changes, subpulse drift rates, spin-down rates, and X-ray emission, based on the typically broad and monotonic distributions of state lifetimes. Markovianity implies a nonlinear magnetospheric system in which state changes occur stochastically, corresponding to transitions between local minima in an effective potential. State durations (though not transition times) are thus largely decoupled from the characteristic timescales of various magnetospheric processes. Dyadic states are common but some objects show at least four states with some transitions forbidden. Another case is the long-term intermittent pulsar B1931+24 that has binary radio-emission and torque states with wide, but non-monotonic duration distributions. It also shows a quasi-period of 38 ± 5 days in a 13 yr time sequence, suggesting stochastic resonance in a Markov system with a forcing function that could be strictly periodic or quasi-periodic. Nonlinear phenomena are associated with time-dependent activity in the acceleration region near each magnetic polar cap. The polar-cap diode is altered by feedback from the outer magnetosphere and by return currents from the equatorial region outside the light cylinder that may also cause the neutron star to episodically charge and discharge. Orbital perturbations of a disk or current sheet provide a natural periodicity for the forcing function in the stochastic-resonance interpretation of B1931+24. Disk dynamics may introduce additional timescales in observed phenomena. Future work can test the Markov interpretation, identify which pulsar types have a propensity for state changes, and clarify the role of selection effects.
Barnacle: an assembly algorithm for clone-based sequences of whole genomes

Abstract We propose an assembly algorithm Barnacle for sequences generated by the clone-based approach. We illustrate our approach by assembling the human genome. Our novel method abandons the original physical-mapping-first framework. As we show, Barnacle more effectively resolves conflicts due to repeated sequences which is the main difficulty of the sequence assembly problem. In addition, we are able to detect inconsistencies in the underlying data. We present and compare our results on the December 2001 freeze of the public working draft of the human genome with NCBI's assembly (Build 28). The assembly of December 2001 freeze of the public working draft generated by Barnacle and the source code of Barnacle are available at ( http://www.cs.rutgers.edu/~vchoi ).
A productivity growth accounting approach to the ranking of developing and developed nations

Abstract Productivity growth accounting studies generally focus on productivity growth or decline in more developed countries such as the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) members. In this paper, we develop a generalized efficiency index for a much larger set of 57 national governments (NGs), both developing and developed, by employing four components of gross national product and five resource-availability indicators. Using a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) linear-programming approach, we maximize the components of Gross National Product (GNP), subject to minimizing specific resource-input measures. If used with appropriate precautions, the DEA-based comparative production-efficiency measures developed here can be used by individual NGs and international organizations like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to make equitable and sustainable lending-allocation decisions in the public and private sectors of the increasingly interdependent global economy.
Clustering consumption in queues: A scalable model for electric vehicle scheduling

In this paper, we introduce a scalable model for the aggregate electricity demand of a fleet of electric vehicles, which can provide the right balance between model simplicity and accuracy. The model is based on classification of tasks with similar energy consumption characteristics into a finite number of clusters. The aggregator responsible for scheduling the charge of the vehicles has two goals: 1) to provide a hard QoS guarantee to the vehicles at the lowest possible cost; 2) to offer load or generation following services to the wholesale market. In order to achieve these goals, we combine the scalable demand model we propose with two scheduling mechanisms, a near-optimal and a heuristic technique. The performance of the two mechanisms is compared under a realistic setting in our numerical experiments.
17O NMR spectroscopy: intramolecular hydrogen bonding in 7-hydroxyindanones

Abstract Natural abundance 17O NMR chemical shift data for seven substituted indanones including four hydroxyindanones, three fluorenones including two hydroxyfluorenones, and seven 2-methyleneindanones including four hydroxymethyleneindanones, at 75°C in acetonitrile are reported. The hydroxyindanones, the one hydroxyfluorenone and the hydroxymethyleneindanones capable of intramolecular hydrogen bonding exhibit carbonyl 17O NMR signals which are shielded relative to those incapable of intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The intramolecular hydrogen bonding component (ΔδHB) of the carbonyl 17O NMR chemical shift was determined to be 9.8 ± 1.2 and 10.9 ± 1.4 ppm for the hydroxyindanones and the hydroxymethyleneindanones, respectively. The small ΔδHB values for these hydroxyindanones relative to other ketone systems (about 50 ppm) are discussed in terms of molecular mechanics calculated hydrogen bond geometry.
A Micromechanics Based Constitutive Model for Brittle Failure at High Strain Rates

The micromechanical damage mechanics formulated by Ashby and Sammis, 1990, “The Damage Mechanics of Brittle Solids in Compression,” Pure Appl. Geophys., 133(3), pp. 489–521, and generalized by Deshpande and Evans 2008, “Inelastic Deformation and Energy Dissipation in Ceramics: A Mechanism-Based Constitutive Model,” J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 56(10), pp. 3077–3100. has been extended to allow for a more generalized stress state and to incorporate an experimentally motivated new crack growth (damage evolution) law that is valid over a wide range of loading rates. This law is sensitive to both the crack tip stress field and its time derivative. Incorporating this feature produces additional strain-rate sensitivity in the constitutive response. The model is also experimentally verified by predicting the failure strength of Dionysus-Pentelicon marble over strain rates ranging from ~10^(−6) to 10^3s^(−1). Model parameters determined from quasi-static experiments were used to predict the failure strength at higher loading rates. Agreement with experimental results was excellent.
14CO2 incorporation into the nucleic acids of synchronously growing chlorella cells

Abstract A study of the incorporation of 14 CO 2 into cell components of synchronously growing Chlorella pyrenoidosa has shown that DNA is synthesized primarily during the latter stages of the cell cycle prior to cell division. RNA was synthesized at an approximately equal rate during each of the three phases of the cell growth studied. No major differences were noted in the incorporation of 14 CO 2 into the soluble cell components in these long-term incorporation studies.
Optically thick X-ray transfer - The shell game

This paper investigates the radiative transfer of X-rays through a shell that is optically thick to Compton scattering, surrounding a point source of continuum X-rays. The emission and absorption of X-rays due to K-shell transitions of iron are included. The calculations are done in two entirely independent ways: by Monte Carlo simulation and by solving a Fokker-Planck diffusion equation. The emergent spectra agree very well for Thomson depths of at least about 2. The validity is confirmed of the modification to the Fokker-Planck equation of Kompaneets (1957) that is required when the photon energy is large compared with the average thermal energy of the electrons. A procedure is also developed for treating models of compact X-ray sources consisting of incomplete shells.
Tunneling through a coherent quantum antidot molecule

Abstract We report experiments on resonant tunneling through a quantum antidot in fractional quantum Hall regime. The envelope of the conductance peaks indicates tunneling via two resonant states, one of them bound on the lithographic antidot, the other on a hill of disorder potential. Moreover, our analysis indicates large coherent coupling between the two states, thus giving evidence for an ‘antidot molecule’.
The Skyrme Model

We review the recent developments on the Skyrme model in the context of QCD, and analyze their relevance to low-energy phenomenology. The fundamentals of chiral symmetry and PCAC are presented, and their importance in effective chiral models of the Skyrme type discussed. The nature and properties of skyrmions are thoroughly investigated, with particular stress on the basic role of the Wess-Zumino term. The conventional Skyrme model is extended to the low-lying vector meson resonances, and the rudiments of vector meson dominance are elucidated. A detailed account of the static and dynamical properties of nucleons and δ-isobars is presented. The relevance of the Skyrme model to the nuclear many-body problem is outlined and its importance for boson exchange models stressed.
Baryon Washout, Electroweak Phase Transition, and Perturbation Theory

We analyze the conventional perturbative treatment of sphaleron-induced baryon number washout relevant for electroweak baryogenesis and show that it is not gauge independent due to the failure of consistently implementing the Nielsen identities order-by order in perturbation theory. We provide a gauge-independent criterion for baryon number preservation in place of the conventional (gauge-dependent) criterion needed for successful electroweak baryogenesis. We also review the arguments leading to the preservation criterion and analyze several sources of theoretical uncertainties in obtaining a numerical bound. In various beyond the standard model scenarios, a realistic perturbative treatment will likely require knowledge of the complete two-loop finite temperature effective potential and the one-loop sphaleron rate.
Biological hydrogels as selective diffusion barriers

The controlled exchange of molecules between organelles, cells, or organisms and their environment is crucial for life. Biological gels such as mucus, the extracellular matrix (ECM), and the biopolymer barrier within the nuclear pore are well suited to achieve such a selective exchange, allowing passage of particular molecules while rejecting many others. Although hydrogel-based filters are integral parts of biology, clear concepts of how their barrier function is controlled at a microscopic level are still missing. We summarize here our current understanding of how selective filtering is established by different biopolymer-based hydrogels. We ask if the modulation of microscopic particle transport in biological hydrogels is based on a generic filtering principle which employs biochemical/biophysical interactions with the filtered molecules rather than size-exclusion effects.
The Role of Geology in Reservoir Simulation Studies

Reservoir simulation models are becoming more and more sophisticated as a result of improved technology and in response to the need to reduce costs and improve hydrocarbon recovery. The improved technology has resulted in part from the development of capabilities for more precise reservoir description, including both the geological and engineering aspects of description. Increased precision in the geological contribution results from (1) improved knowledge of the geologic controls on reservoir rock properties, (2) better methods for synthesizing and quantifying geologic data, and (3) the experience gained from joint engineering-geologic projects. (11 refs.)
Use of echocardiographic variables in addition to E/e' to improve prediction of elevated left ventricular filling pressures.

Introduction: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) has become an increasingly prevalent condition in recent years. Because this condition is so common and carries a mortality risk similar to that of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction [1], accurate noninvasive evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function is an important everyday task in the echocardiography laboratory. Diastolic function is often challenging to assess, requiring the reader to understand the patient’s comorbid cardiac conditions, then quantify and reconcile multiple parameters. Among patients with normal ejection fractions, the ratio of mitral inflow to mitral annular velocity (E/e’) is the recommended initial screen for the evaluation of elevated left ventricular filling pressures [2]. However, E/e’ is an imperfect index, leaving many patients in an indeterminate range. Additional methods are required to fill in such gaps.
The modified complex Busemann-Petty problem on sections of convex bodies

The complex Busemann-Petty problem asks whether origin symmetric convex bodies in \(\mathbb{C}^n\) with smaller central hyperplane sections necessarily have smaller volume. The answer is affirmative if n ≤ 3 and negative if n ≥ 4. Since the answer is negative in most dimensions, it is natural to ask what conditions on the (n − 1)-dimensional volumes of the central sections of complex convex bodies with complex hyperplanes allow to compare the n-dimensional volumes. In this article we give necessary conditions on the section function in order to obtain an affirmative answer in all dimensions. The result is the complex analogue of [16].
The wavelet-based multi-resolution motion estimation using temporal aliasing detection

In this paper, we propose a new algorithm for wavelet-based multi-resolution motion estimation (MRME) using temporal aliasing detection (TAD). In wavelet transformed image/video signals, temporal aliasing will be severe as the motion of object increases, causing the performance of the conventional MRME algorithms to drop. To overcome this problem, we perform the temporal aliasing detection and MRME simultaneously instead of using a temporal anti-aliasing filter which changes the original signal. We show that this technique gives competitive or better performance in terms of rate-distortion (RD) for slow-varying or simple-moving video signals compared to conventional MRME employing increased search area (SA).
Environmentally Driven Evolution of Simulated Cluster Galaxies

Galaxies in clusters are gas deficient, and a number of possible explanations for this observation have been advanced, including galaxy-cluster tidal interactions, galaxy harassment, and ISM-ICM gas stripping. In this paper, we use a cosmological simulation of cluster formation and evolution in order to examine this issue from a theoretical standpoint. We follow a large number of galaxies over time and track each galaxy's gas and stellar mass changes to discover what mechanism(s) dominate the evolution of the cluster galaxies. We find that while gas is lost due to a wide variety of mechanisms, the most common way is via a gas-only stripping event, and the amount of gas lost correlates with the ram pressure the galaxy is experiencing. Although this gas stripping occurs primarily in the central region ( -->r r > 2.4 Mpc) often accrete cool gas; the accretion stops between 1 and 2.4 Mpc, possibly indicating the onset of galaxy starvation.
Discount rate changes and the foreign exchange market

Abstract Changes in the discount rate can have associated announcement effects on the foreign exchange value of the dollar only if these changes are not anticipated by the market. This paper provides evidence to support this contention. Specifically, discount rate changes made for reasons other than technical adjustments have not been anticipated fully and, consequently, their announcements have had a significant impact on the dollar's exchange rate. Furthermore, results are obtained that support the hypothesis that unanticipated discount rate changes alter inflationary expectations.
On the Equivalence of Noise Trader and Hedger Models in Market Microstructure

Abstract It is shown that the models of Spiegel and Subrahmanyam (1992, Rev. Finan. Stud.5(2), 307–329) and Kyle (1985, Econometrica53, 1315–1335) are equivalent in the following sense: the equilibrium values of market depth, the expected total trading volume and the expected price level are the same in the two models. Equivalence exists whenever the uniformed traders hedge all of their endowments of risky shares. This occurs under two sets of parameter configurations. In both cases, the linear equilibrium in the hedger model always exists. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers; G12, G14, D82.
Linear Perturbations in Brane Gas Cosmology

We consider the effect of string inhomogeneities on the time dependent background of Brane Gas Cosmology. We derive the equations governing the linear perturbations of the dilaton-gravity background in the presence of string matter sources. We focus on long wavelength fluctuations and find that there are no instabilities. Thus, the predictions of Brane Gas Cosmology are robust against the introduction of linear perturbations. In particular, we find that the stabilization of the extra dimensions (moduli) remains valid in the presence of dilaton and string perturbations.
Methodological Pluralism and the Possibilities and Limits of Interviewing

Against the background of recent methodological debates pitting ethnography against interviewing, this paper offers a defense of the latter and argues for methodological pluralism and pragmatism and against methodological tribalism. Drawing on our own work and on other sources, we discuss some of the strengths and weaknesses of interviewing. We argue that concern over whether attitudes correspond to behavior is an overly narrow and misguided question. Instead we offer that we should instead consider what interviewing and other data gathering techniques are best suited for. In our own work, we suggest, we have used somewhat unusual interviewing techniques to reveal how institutional systems and the construction of social categories, boundaries, and status hierarchies organize social experience. We also point to new methodological challenges, particularly concerning the incorporation of historical and institutional dimensions into interview-based studies. We finally describe fruitful directions for future research, which may result in methodological advances while bringing together the strengths of various data collection techniques.
Scaling of Conditional Lagrangian Time Correlation Functions of Velocity and Pressure Gradient Magnitudes in Isotropic Turbulence

We study Lagrangian statistics of the magnitudes of velocity and pressure gradients in isotropic turbulence by quantifying their correlation functions and their characteristic time scales. In a recent work (Yu and Meneveau, Phys Rev Lett 104:084502, 2010), it has been found that the Lagrangian time-correlations of the velocity and pressure gradient tensor and vector elements scale with the locally-defined Kolmogorov time scale, evaluated from the locally-averaged dissipation-rate (ϵr) and viscosity (ν) according to \(\tau_{K,r}=\sqrt{\nu/\epsilon_r}\). In this work, we study the Lagrangian time-correlations of the absolute values of velocity and pressure gradients. It has long been known that such correlations display longer memories into the inertial-range as well as possible intermittency effects. We explore the appropriate temporal scales with the aim to achieve collapse of the correlation functions. The data used in this study are sampled from the web-services accessible public turbulence database (http://turbulence.pha.jhu.edu). The database archives a 10244 (space+time) pseudo-spectral direct numerical simulation of forced isotropic turbulence with Taylor-scale Reynolds number Reλ = 433, and supports spatial differentiation and spatial/temporal interpolation inside the database. The analysis shows that the temporal auto-correlations of the absolute values extend deep into the inertial range where they are determined not by the local Kolmogorov time-scale but by the local eddy-turnover time scale defined as \(\tau_{e,r}= r^{2/3}\epsilon_r^{-1/3}\). However, considerable scatter remains and appears to be reduced only after a further (intermittency) correction factor of the form of (r/L)χ is introduced, where L is the turbulence integral scale. The exponent χ varies for different variables. The collapse of the correlation functions for absolute values is, however, less satisfactory than the collapse observed for the more rapidly decaying strain-rate tensor element correlation functions in the viscous range.
Chemical and Catalytic Properties of Ozone

Ozone is a unique species whose chemistry has a profound impact in many areas of our society. It is well known as a beneficial constituent of the upper atmosphere which shields living organisms fro...
Nanoporous elements in microfluidics for multiscale manipulation of bioparticles.

Solid materials, such as silicon, glass, and polymers, dominate as structural elements in microsystems including microfluidics. Porous elements have been limited to membranes sandwiched between microchannel layers or polymer monoliths. This paper reports the use of micropatterned carbon-nanotube forests confined inside microfluidic channels for mechanically and/or chemically capturing particles ranging over three orders of magnitude in size. Nanoparticles below the internanotube spacing (80 nm) of the forest can penetrate inside the forest and interact with the large surface area created by individual nanotubes. For larger particles (>80 nm), the ultrahigh porosity of the nanotube elements reduces the fluid boundary layer and enhances particle–structure interactions on the outer surface of the patterned nanoporous elements. Specific biomolecular recognition is demonstrated using cells (≈10 µm), bacteria (≈1 µm), and viral-sized particles (≈40 nm) using both effects. This technology can provide unprecedented control of bioseparation processes to access bioparticles of interest, opening new pathways for both research and point-of-care diagnostics.