cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ROBUSTNESS OF ADAPTATION IN CONTROLLED SELF-ADJUSTING CHAOTIC SYSTEMS

It was recently shown that self-adjusting systems adapt to the edge of chaos. We study the robustness of that adaptation with respect to a controlling force. We first use numerical simulations in a modified logistic map. With these, we find that, if the controlling force has a target value of the parameter that leads to periodic dynamics, the control is successful, even for very small controlling forces. We also find, however, that if the target value for the parameter leads to chaotic dynamics, the parameter resists the control and adaptation to the edge of chaos is still observed. When the controlling force is very strong, adaptation to the edge of chaos is weaker, but still present in the system. We also perform experiments with a self-adjusting Chua circuit and find the same behavior. We quantify these results with a measurement of the robustness of the adaptation as a function of the strength of the controlling force. The control used can be expressed either as a parametric control or as an additive, closed-loop control.
RESONANCE DECAYS INVOLVING VECTOR MESONS.

A picture of resonance decays using only very general features of the quark model is applied to the case of ${\mathrm{\textonehalf{}}}^{+}$${1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ final states. Recent experiments on $\ensuremath{\pi}N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}N\ensuremath{\rho}$ provide a crucial test of the model, which predicts correctly the dominant spin of the $N\ensuremath{\rho}$ system in several cases.
A Rapid X-ray Flare from Markarian 501

We present X-ray observations of the BL Lacertae object Mrk 501 that were taken with the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer in 1998 May as part of a multiwavelength campaign. The X-ray light curve shows a very rapid flare in which the 2-10 keV flux increased by approximately 60% in less than 200 s. This rapid rise is followed by a drop-off in the 2-10 keV flux of approximately 40% in less than 600 s. The 10-15 keV variation in this flare is roughly a factor of 2 on similar timescales. During the rise of the flare, the 3-15 keV spectral index hardened from 2.02+/-0.03 to 1.87+/-0.04, where it remained during the decay of the flare. This is the fastest variation ever seen in X-rays from Mrk 501 and among the fastest seen at any wavelength for this object. The shift in the energy at which the spectral power peaks (from less, similar3 keV before the flare to greater, similar30 keV during the flare) is also among the most rapid shifts seen from this object. This flare occurs during an emission state (2-10 keV flux approximately 1.2x10-10 ergs cm-2 s-1) that is approximately 25% of the peak flux observed in 1997 April from this object but that is still high compared to its historical average X-ray flux. The variations in the hardness ratio are consistent with the low-energy variations leading those at high energies during the development and decay of the flare. This pattern is rare among high-frequency peaked BL Lac objects like Mrk 501, but has been seen recently in two other TeV-emitting BL Lac objects, Mrk 421 and PKS 2155-304. The hard lag is consistent with a flare dominated by the acceleration timescale for a simple relativistic shock model of flaring.
The Moduli Space of Cubic Threefolds As a Ball Quotient

The moduli space of cubic threefolds in $\mathbb{C}P^4$, with some minor birational modifications, is the Baily-Borel compactification of the quotient of the complex 10-ball by a discrete group. The authors describe both the birational modifications and the discrete group explicitly.|The moduli space of cubic threefolds in $\mathbb{C}P^4$, with some minor birational modifications, is the Baily-Borel compactification of the quotient of the complex 10-ball by a discrete group. The authors describe both the birational modifications and the discrete group explicitly.
The conformal points of the generalized Thirring model II

Abstract In the large-N limit, conditions for the conformal invariance of the generalized Thirring model are derived, using two different approaches: the background field method and the hamiltonian method based on an operator algebra, and the agreement between them is established. A free field representation of the relevant algebra is presented, and the structure of the stress tensor in terms of free fields (and free currents) is studied in detail.
Promotional phrases as questions versus statements: An influence of phrase style on product evaluation

Abstract This research investigates consumer responses to simple promotional phrases styled (i.e., framed) as questions versus statements and the moderating role of arousal. Study results indicate that under low arousal, questions have a more favorable influence on product evaluation than statements do; this influence is mediated by the perceived interestingness of the phrase. Under high arousal, the influence is reversed, and it is mediated by perceived clarity. The differential influence of phrase style (framing as question vs. statement) also extends to purchase behavior among consumers in a supermarket.
Resolution of stringy singularities by non-commutative algebras

In this paper we propose a unified approach to (topological) string theory on certain singular spaces in their large volume limit. The approach exploits the non-commutative structure of D-branes, so the space is described by an algebraic geometry of non-commutative rings. The paper is devoted to the study of examples of these algebras. In our study there is an auxiliary commutative algebraic geometry of the center of the (local) algebras which plays an important role as the target space geometry where closed strings propagate. The singularities that are resolved will be the singularities of this auxiliary geometry. The singularities are resolved by the non-commutative algebra if the local non-commutative rings are regular. This definition guarantees that D-branes have a well defined K-theory class. Homological functors also play an important role. They describe the intersection theory of D-branes and lead to a formal definition of local quivers at singularities, which can be computed explicitly for many types of singularities. These results can be interpreted in terms of the derived category of coherent sheaves over the non-commutative rings, giving a non-commutative version of recent work by M. Douglas. We also describe global features like the Betti numbers of compact singular Calabi-Yau threefolds via global holomorphic sections of cyclic homology classes.
Scaling properties of hadron production in the Ising model for quark-hadron phase transition

Earlier study of quark-hadron phase transition in the Ginzberg-Landau theory is reexamined in the Ising model, so that spatial fluctuations during the transition can be taken into account. Although the dimension of the physical system is 2, as will be argued, bothd=2 andd=4 Ising systems are studied, the latter being theoretically closer to the Ginzberg-Landau theory. The normalized factorial momentsF q are used to quantify multiplicity fluctuations, and the scaling exponentν is used to characterize the scaling properties. It is found by simulation on the Ising lattice thatν becomes a function of the temperatureT nearT c . The average value ofν over a range ofT<T c agrees with the value of 1.3 derived analytically from the Ginzberg-Landau theory. Thus the implications of the mean-field theory are not invalidated by either the introduction of spatial fluctuations or the restriction to a 2D system.
“Piggyback” lawsuits and deterrence: Can frivolous litigation improve welfare?

Abstract Previous literature on frivolous lawsuits has focused on litigation costs and the optimal settlement-trial decision of defendants, but has not examined how they affect deterrence. This paper considers whether there are circumstances under which frivolous suits might actually increase deterrence, and thereby possibly improve welfare. The reason this is possible is that in a costly legal system, injurers will generally be underdeterred because they will ignore the litigation costs of plaintiffs. The fact that some uninjured plaintiffs will succeed in obtaining settlements may therefore affect the care and activity choices of injurers in a socially valuable way.
The Effect of Liquidity Constraints on Consumption: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

This paper examines the effect of liquidity constraints on consumption expenditures using a single-year cross-section data set. A reduced-form equation for consumption is estimated on high-saving households by the Tobit procedure to account for the selectivity bias. Since high-saving households are not likely to be liquidity constrained, the estimated equation is an appropriate description of how desired consumption that would be forthcoming without liquidity constraints is related to the variables available in the cross-section data. When the reduced-form equation is used to predict desired consumption, the gap between desired consumption and measured consumption is most evident for young households.
K-Witt bordism in characteristic 2

This note provides a computation of the bordism groups of K-Witt spaces for fields K with characteristic 2. We provide a complete computation for the unoriented bordism groups. For the oriented bordism groups, a nearly complete computation is provided as well as a discussion of the difficulty of resolving a remaining ambiguity in dimensions equivalent to 2 mod 4. This corrects an error in the char(K) = 2 case of the author’s prior computation of the bordism groups of K-Witt spaces for an arbitrary field K.
Facile Oxidation of Primary Amines to Nitriles Using an Oxoammonium Salt

The oxidation of primary amines using a stoichiometric quantity of 4-acetamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxoammonium tetrafluoroborate (1) in CH2Cl2-pyridine solvent at room temperature or at gentle reflux affords nitriles in good yield under mild conditions. The mechanism of the oxidation, which has been investigated computationally, involves a hydride transfer from the amine to the oxygen atom of 1 as the rate-limiting step.
Turbulence control simulation using the variational multiscale method

The capabilities of the variational multiscale (VMS) method are explored in the context of turbulence control by applying VMS to the simulation of a simple opposition-control strategy for turbulent channel flow with the results compared to prior direct numerical simulations and large-eddy simulations based on the dynamic subgrid-scale model. In all cases, the VMS method is found to be more efficient and more accurate than the dynamic model, and the simplicity, accuracy, and generality of VMS makes it particularly attractive for turbulence control investigations
ASCA observations of supernova remnants

The combined spectral and imaging capabilities of the Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA) provides new possibilities for studying supernova remnants. The most powerful of these are spatially resolved, moderate resolution spectroscopy and narrowband spectral imaging. The use of these techniques yielded a number of results that challenge the currently held views on X-ray emission processes in supernova remnants. Evidence was found for the plasmas in which a different ionization timescale must be used to characterize each metal. Some recent findings from supernova remnant surveys conducted using ASCA are presented.
Revenue Maximization and Ex-Post Budget Constraints

We consider the problem of a revenue-maximizing seller with $m$ items for sale to $n$ additive bidders with hard budget constraints, assuming that the seller has some prior distribution over bidder values and budgets. The prior may be correlated across items and budgets of the same bidder, but is assumed independent across bidders. We target mechanisms that are Bayesian Incentive Compatible, but that are ex-post Individually Rational and ex-post budget respecting. Virtually no such mechanisms are known that satisfy all these conditions and guarantee any revenue approximation, even with just a single item. We provide a computationally efficient mechanism that is a 3-approximation with respect to all BIC, ex-post IR, and ex-post budget respecting mechanisms. Note that the problem is NP-hard to approximate better than a factor of 16/15, even in the case where the prior is a point mass [Chakrabarty and Goel 2010]. We further characterize the optimal mechanism in this setting, showing that it can be interpreted as a distribution over virtual welfare maximizers. We prove our results by making use of a black-box reduction from mechanism to algorithm design developed by [Cai et al. 2013]. Our main technical contribution is a computationally efficient 3-approximation algorithm for the algorithmic problem that results by an application of their framework to this problem. The algorithmic problem has a mixed-sign objective and is NP-hard to optimize exactly, so it is surprising that a computationally efficient approximation is possible at all. In the case of a single item (m=1), the algorithmic problem can be solved exactly via exhaustive search, leading to a computationally efficient exact algorithm and a stronger characterization of the optimal mechanism as a distribution over virtual value maximizers.
Progressive epidermotropic CD8+/CD4− primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorder in a patient with sarcoidosis

Abstract We describe a patient with a CD8 + /CD4 − primary cutaneous CD30 + lymphoproliferative disorder with striking epidermotropic histology and coincident cutaneous and systemic sarcoidosis. This patient illustrates the spectrum of clinical and histologic features of CD30 + lymphoproliferative disorders and the need for adequate staging in such cases. This patient's CD30/CD8 coexpression is rare and has clinical and prognostic implications, including mucosally and acrally accentuated lesions and a potentially more aggressive course. Primary cutaneous CD30 + lymphoproliferative disorders have an excellent prognosis; therefore multiagent chemotherapy modalities are generally not indicated. The combination of T-cell lymphoma and sarcoidosis is also rare and may limit treatment options.
From superstrings to M theory

In this talk I will survey some of the basic facts about superstring theories in 10 dimensions and the dualities that relate them to M theory in 11 dimensions. Then I will mention some important unresolved issues.
Electromagnetic fields of a massless particle and the eikonal

Abstract Electromagnetic fields of a massless charged particle are described by a gauge potential that is almost everywhere a pure gauge. Solution of quantum mechanical wave equations in the presence of such fields is therefore immediate and leads to a new derivation of the quantum electrodynamical eikonal approximation. The electromagnetic action in the eikonal limit is localized on a contour in a two-dimensional Minkowski subspace of four-dimensional space-time. The exact S-matrix of this reduced theory reproduces the eikonal approximation. In this way, we apply the recent gravitational consideration of't Hooft as well and Verlinde and Verlinde to electromagnetism.
Hydrophilic oxygen complexes on activated graphon

Abstract Graphon samples have been reacted in air at 500°C to different carbon burn-offs up to 70% in order to produce samples of varying active surface areas. The extent of active surface area developed was measured by oxygen chemisorption at 350°C. It increased from 0.2 to a maximum of 5.2 m 2 /gm with increasing carbon burn-off up to 70%. In all cases the active area was less than 4% of the BET area, measured by N 2 at 78°K. Adsorption of water on the activated samples, having their active sites partially or completely covered by oxygen complex, was studied between −3.3° and 20°C. The amount of water adsorbed was shown to be proportional to the area covered by oxygen. Adsorption was reversible at relative pressures below 0.4. The heat of adsorption of water over essentially all the monolayer region closely approached its heat of liquefaction; in this case completion of monolayer coverage with water occurs at p / p 0 = 0.5. With the area of the water molecule taken to the 10.6 A 2 , which is the value calculated for hexagonal close packing, excellent agreement was found between the water adsorption area and the area covered by oxygen chemisorption.
PDM-OFDM-32QAM WDM signals transmission over 4,200 km with nonlinear compensation and EDFA only amplification

Employing multi-band digital backpropagation for nonlinearity compensation, we experimentally demonstrated eight 100-Gbit/s PDM-OFDM-32QAM DWDM transmission over 4,242 km in a 12.5 GHz frequency grid. It achieves the longest transmission distance using EDFA only amplification to date.
Why are marine magnetic anomalies suppressed over sedimented spreading centers

The absence of lineated marine magnetic anomalies over sedimented, recent spreading centers has been observed in several areas. We propose that magnetic anomalies can be suppressed as a result of pervasive hydrothermal reactions underneath thick blankets of sediment. The relatively impermeable sediment cover produces comparatively closed hydrothermal systems, which increase the residence time of the hot fluids in basaltic layer 2, causing more thorough leaching of the remanence-carrying iron-titanium oxides and diminishing the marine magnetic anomalies. This contrasts with lesser alteration at sparsely or unsedimented zones of extension with more open circulation. Conversely, spreading ridges and oceanic crust characterized by absent or subdued lineated anomalies may signal sites of extensive hydrothermal mineralization. This process might also provide an explanation for some magnetic “quiet zones,” such as in the Gulf of California, the Gulf of Aden, and the northern Red Sea.
Failure detectors encapsulate fairness

Failure detectors have long been viewed as abstractions for the synchronism present in distributed system models. However, investigations into the exact amount of synchronism encapsulated by a given failure detector have met with limited success. The reason for this is that traditionally, models of partial synchrony are specified with respect to real time, but failure detectors do not encapsulate real time. Instead, we argue that failure detectors encapsulate the fairness in computation and communication. Fairness is a measure of the number of steps executed by one process relative either to the number of steps taken by another process or relative to the duration for which a message is in transit. We argue that failure detectors are substitutable for the fairness properties (rather than real-time properties) of partially synchronous systems. We propose four fairness-based models of partial synchrony and demonstrate that they are, in fact, the ‘weakest system models’ to implement the canonical failure detectors from the Chandra-Toueg hierarchy. We also propose a set of fairness-based models which encapsulate the $${\mathcal{G}_c}$$ parametric failure detectors which eventually and permanently suspect crashed processes, and eventually and permanently trust some fixed set of c correct processes.
Isomerization of binuclear amidate-bridged platinum(II) amine complexes: A 195Pt NMR investigation

{sup 195}Pt NMR spectroscopy has been used to identify and follow the reversible stereochemical rearrangement of the head-to-head (HH) Isomer of (Pt{sub 2}(en){sub 2}(C{sub 5}H{sub 4}NO){sub 2})(NO{sub 3}){sub 2}, where en = ethylenediamine and C{sub 5}H{sub 4}NO{sup {minus}} is the {alpha}-pyridonate anion, to form the head-to-tail (HT) isomer in aqueous solution. Kinetic studies of the reaction established the rate law to be -d(HH)/dt = d(HT)/dt = k{sub f}(HH) - k{sub r}(HT), an approach-to-equilibrium expression for which K{sub eq} = k{sub f}/k{sub r} and k{sub obs} = k{sub f} + k{sub r}. For a typical run at 39{degree}C and pH 6.5 in 0.04 M phosphate buffer, k{sub f} = 7.4 (2) {times} 10{sup {minus}5} s{sup {minus}1}, k{sub r} = 13.9 (2) {times} 10{sup {minus}5} s{sup {minus}1}, and K{sub eq} = 0.53. Temperature-dependent rate measurements revealed {Delta}H{sup {double dagger}} and {Delta}S{sup {double dagger}} to be 114 (5) kJ mol{sup {minus}1} and 40 (10) J mol{sup {minus}1} K{sup {minus}1}, respectively, values characteristic of a dissociative rate-determining step in the reaction mechanism. The suggestion that the isomerization is dissociatively activated is supported by the failure of DMSO to accelerate the rate, as would be expected for an associative mechanism, and the fact that themore » cis-diammineplatinum(II) analogue isomerizes at least 70 times slower than the sterically hindered ethylenediamine complex. The latter result is ascribed to steric strain in the (Pt{sub 2}(en){sub 2}(C{sub 5}H{sub 4}NO){sub 2}){sup 2+} complex, a consequence of nonbonded interactions between the hydrocarbon chains of the ethylenediamine ligands in two adjacent coordination planes. The isomerization reaction was shown to be intramolecular by the failure of added 6-methyl-{alpha}-pyridone or (Pt(en)(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}){sup 2+} to affect the rate of product distribution. 29 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.« less
Design analysis of composite angle clips

Abstract An analysis procedure is presented for determining the maximum allowable beam pressure for a composite angle clip in a beam-clip structural configuration. A quasi-isotropic laminate was used in this type. Three layups, (45 10 , 0 10 , −45 10 , 90 10 ) s , (45, 0, −45, 90) 10s and (45 10 , 90 10 , −45 10 , 0 10 ) s were used to study the effect of delamination and first ply failure strength. It is found that without any ply failure the (45, 0, −45, 90) 10s clip can sustain the highest beam pressure and the (45 10 , 90 10 , −45 10 , 0 10 ) s has the lowest allowable pressure among the three laminates. A critical location is identified in the composited angle clip. A modified Pagano-Pipes approximation method is used to evaluate the interlaminar normal stress at the critical location through the laminate thickness for all the three layups. It is found that the (45, 0, −45, 90) 10s is the least susceptible to delamination.
Durability of Complete Responses in Patients With Metastatic Cancer Treated With High-Dose Interleukin-2. Identification of the Antigens Mediating Response

To determine the durability of complete responses in patients with metastatic melanoma or renal cancer treated with highdose bolus interleukin-2 (IL-2) as well as the factors associated with the development of a complete response and the antigens mediating clinical responses. A consecutive series of 409 patients with either metastatic melanoma or renal cancer who were treated with high-dose bolus IL-2 in the Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, between September 1985 and November 1996 have been analyzed with a median potential follow-up of 7.1 years. All patients were treated with 720,000 IU/kg administered by 15-minute intravenous infusions every 8 hours for up to 5 days as clinically tolerated per cycle. Two cycles constituted a treatment course. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from melanoma patients were used to clone the genes encoding the tumor antigens responsible for clinical responsiveness. Thirty-three of 409 (8.1%) patients treated with high-dose bolus IL-2 achieved a complete response and 37 (9%) achieved a partial response. Complete regression was seen in 6.6% and 9.3% of patients with metastatic melanoma and renal cancer, respectively. Twenty-seven of these 33 completely responding patients (82%) remain in ongoing continuous complete response from 39 to more than 148 months from the onset of treatment. Tumor regressions were seen at virtually all organ sites. The absence of prior treatment with immunotherapy, the total dose of IL-2 administered, and the maximal rebound lymphocytosis after cessation of IL-2 correlated with achieving a complete response. Expression cloning techniques have identified a series of tumor antigens that are recognized by TIL grown from resected melanomas. These antigens are mainly melanoma/melanocyte differentiation antigens, although mutated intracellular proteins can also serve as antigens. Treatment with high-dose bolus IL-2 mediates complete cancer regression in approximately 8% of patients with metastatic renal cancer and melanoma. The great majority of these patients will enter durable complete regressions and appear to be cured of their metastatic cancer. Thus, immunotherapy with high-dose bolus IL-2 should be considered as initial therapy for appropriately selected patients with metastatic melanoma and renal cell cancer. Identification of the tumor antigens mediating clinical response is opening new therapeutic possibilities for cancer treatment.
Ligand stereochemistry in the multiple substitution of bicapped tetracobalt clusters

Abstract The tetracobalt cluster Co4(CO)10(μ4-PPh)2 undergoes multiple ligand substitution of up to four carbonyl ligands. The regio- and stereochemistry of CO replacement with the phosphorus(III) nucleophile P(OMe)3 is established by the single crystal X-ray crystallography of the tris derivative. Co4t- (CO)7(PPh)2[P(OMe)3]3 is successfully crystallized in the orthorhombic space group Pna21 with a = 51.064, b = 13.000 and c = 12.407 AZ and p = 1.65 g cm−3 for Z = 8. The 1,2,3-substitution pattern of the tetracobalt cluster with syn/anti/syn stereochemistry affords in the unit cell two independent atropisomers as a result of restricted rotation about the phenyl-phosphinidene bond. The nature of the observed phosphite dispositions and the resulting structural perturbations of the tetracobalt cluster are discussed.
Origami-Inspired Printed Robots

Robot manufacturing is currently highly specialized, time consuming, and expensive, limiting accessibility and customization. Existing rapid prototyping techniques (e.g., 3-D printing) can achieve complex geometries and are becoming increasingly accessible; however, they are limited to one or two materials and cannot seamlessly integrate active components. We propose an alternative approach called printable robots that takes advantage of available planar fabrication methods to create integrated electromechanical laminates that are subsequently folded into functional 3-D machines employing origami-inspired techniques. We designed, fabricated, and tested prototype origami robots to address the canonical robotics challenges of mobility and manipulation, and subsequently combined these designs to generate a new, multifunctional machine. The speed of the design and manufacturing process as well as the ease of composing designs create a new paradigm in robotic development, which has the promise to democratize access to customized robots for industrial, home, and educational use.
Shock-induced effects in calcite from Cactus Crater

Shock metamorphism of calcite from coralline limestone samples retrieved from a borehole drilled into the rocks beneath Cactus Crater, a nuclear explosion crater at Eniwetok Atoll, has been detected and quantified using electron spin resonance (ESR). ESR spectra of Mn^(2+), present as a trace constituent in the coral samples, show a consistent decrease in hyperfine peak splitting with decreasing depth of sample. A similar variation was observed in coral samples experimentally shocked to progressively higher pressures. It is speculated that the decrease in hyperfine peak splitting reflects a decrease in crystal field splitting and hence, small (< 0.01 A) increases in cation-anion distances produced by mechanical energy input during the shock process. Two alternative crater models are suggested by the ESR results. One depicts a steady decay of the shock wave, from a maximum stress level of 4.5 GPa, at a rate, calculated in terms of post-flow co-ordinates, of d^(−5.7); this high attenuation rate may be due to the rocks underlying Cactus Crater having been displaced downward 5–6 m. The second delineates a breccia lens, possibly stratified, with a breccia-bedrock interface at 20 ± 5 m.
Estimating turning points using large data sets

Abstract Dating business cycles entails ascertaining economy-wide turning points. Broadly speaking, there are two approaches in the literature. The first approach, which dates to Burns and Mitchell (1946) , is to identify turning points individually in a large number of series, then to look for a common date that could be called an aggregate turning point. The second approach, which has been the focus of more recent academic and applied work, is to look for turning points in a few, or just one, aggregate. This paper examines these two approaches to the identification of turning points. We provide a nonparametric definition of a turning point (an estimand) based on a population of time series. This leads to estimators of turning points, sampling distributions, and standard errors for turning points based on a sample of series. We consider both simple random sampling and stratified sampling. The empirical part of the analysis is based on a data set of 270 disaggregated monthly real economic time series for the US, 1959–2010.
Planetary Systems in Binaries. I. Dynamical Classification

Many recent observational studies have concluded that planetary systems commonly exist in multiple-star systems. At least ~20% of the known extrasolar planetary systems are associated with one or more stellar companions. The orbits of stellar binaries hosting planetary systems are typically wider than 100 AU and are often highly inclined with respect to the planetary orbits. The effect of secular perturbations from such an inclined binary orbit on a coupled system of planets, however, is little understood theoretically. In this paper we investigate various dynamical classes of double-planet systems in binaries through numerical integrations and provide an analytic framework based on secular perturbation theories. Differential nodal precession of the planets is the key property that separates two distinct dynamical classes of multiple planets in binaries: (1) dynamically rigid systems, in which the orbital planes of planets precess in concert as if they were embedded in a rigid disk, and (2) weakly coupled systems, in which the mutual inclination angle between initially coplanar planets grows to large values on secular timescales. In the latter case, the quadrupole perturbation from the outer planet induces additional Kozai cycles and causes the orbital eccentricity of the inner planet to oscillate with large amplitudes. The cyclic angular momentum transfer from a stellar companion propagating inward through planets can significantly alter the orbital properties of the inner planet on shorter timescales. This perturbation propagation mechanism may offer important constraints on the presence of additional planets in known single-planet systems in binaries.
Raman scattering near the tricritical point in SbSI

Abstract Measurements of the temperature and pressure dependences of the Raman spectra of the semiconducting ferroelectric SbSI indicate that the transition, which is first order at atmospheric pressure, becomes second order for p ≥ 1.4 kbar. Raman scattering near this tricritical point are discussed in terms of a Landau series expansion of the free energy.
Residual finiteness growths of virtually special groups

Let \(G\) be a virtually special group. Then the residual finiteness growth of \(G\) is at most linear. This result cannot be found by embedding \(G\) into a special linear group. Indeed, the special linear group \({{\mathrm{SL}}}_k(\mathbb {Z})\), for \(k > 2\), has residual finiteness growth \(n^{k-1}\).
Simulated avalanches in the draining of superfluid helium from Nuclepore

Abstract Superfluid 4 He exhibits hysteretic behavior in the percolated material Nuclepore during filling and draining of the pores due to capillary condensation, and one observes avalanches in the pore draining within a narrow range of chemical potential. We have previously demonstrated that the avalanches involve pores distributed across the entire sample, and that the avalanches are enabled by the superfluid film. We have simulated avalanches in Nuclepore, and the statistics of our simulated avalanches show similarities to the observed statistics of avalanches in Nuclepore when fluid flow off of the substrate is unimpeded.
Analysis and Simplified Representation of a Current Source Inverter Induction Motor Drive

A simplified analytical model for a rectifier/current source inverter (CSI) induction motor drive is developed and verified by comparing computer results with those obtained for the same system represented in detail. The simplified model, which represents system behavior in the synchronous reference frame, neglects converter harmonics but includes an approximation of the voltage spikes produced during inverter commutation. Computer simulation results demonstrate the usefulness of the simplified model for the study of control dynamics.
On multi-stream multi-source multicast routing

Multicasting has been used to conserve bandwidth and reduce network traffic for delivering a single data stream to a set of destinations. The problem of conserving bandwidth is a challenging one when one considers multiple data streams with multiple sources for each and a set of destinations that subscribe to one or more of these streams. The Multi-stream Multi-source Multicast Routing Problem (MMMRP) is to determine multiple multicasting trees on a given network, rooted at sources (nodes in the network) that are responsible for delivering one or more data streams to a set of destinations. Since several multicast trees co-exist on the same network, our goal is to construct these trees in such a way that the minimum residual bandwidth on the links that are shared among the trees is maximized. We prove that MMMRP is NP -hard and apart from providing an IP formulation, we have also provided a heuristic algorithm MMForests, which runs in polynomial-time. We compared and contrasted MMMRP with known algorithms for the multicast tree packing problem and our exhaustive empirical evaluations show that our heuristic has a very low execution-time while achieving near-optimal residual bandwidth. In addition, our heuristic is very scalable as it is able to produce results for networks with thousands of nodes, unlike the other ones that are based on Steiner tree heuristics.
A Kurosh-type theorem for type III factors

We prove a generalization of N. Ozawa's Kurosh-type theorem to the setting of free products of semiexact II 1 factors with respect to arbitrary (non-tracial) faithful normal states. We are thus able to distinguish certain resulting type III factors. For example, if M = LF n ✇ LF m and {ϕ i } is any sequence of faithful normal states on M, then the l-various (M, ϕ 1 ) *... * (M, ϕ 1 ) are all mutually non-isomorphic.
Jet substructure without trees

We present an alternative approach to identifying and characterizing jet substructure. An angular correlation function is introduced that can be used to extract angular and mass scales within a jet without reference to a clustering algorithm. This procedure gives rise to a number of useful jet observables. As an application, we construct a top quark tagging algorithm that is competitive with existing methods.
Facile and efficient Lewis acid catalyzed synthesis of an asymmetric tetrazine useful for bio-orthogonal click chemistry applications

Abstract Bio-orthogonal tetrazine click reactions have recently attracted significant interest for applications spanning biological imaging, cancer targeting, and biomaterials science. Here, we report a simple and efficient two-step scheme for the synthesis of an asymmetric tetrazine molecule containing a carboxylic acid handle for subsequent macromolecular conjugation. Yields as high as 75% were achieved using as little as 0.005 equiv of nickel triflate catalyst, which is a significant improvement over previous methodologies.
Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Early Data Release

We present a sample of 150 narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1's) found within the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Early Data Release (EDR), only two of which were previously identified as such. This substantially increases the known number of NLS1's and provides a basic method by which to identify many more with subsequent releases of SDSS data. With its large size and homogeneous, well-defined selection criteria, this sample will help alleviate two major problems that have plagued NLS1 research in the past; namely, their relative rarity and significant differences in selection algorithms between the known samples. Forty-five of these SDSS-selected NLS1's are detected at energies of 0.1–2 keV in the ROSAT All-Sky Survey (RASS) and are found to have ultrasoft X-ray spectra with photon indices of Γ 2, in agreement with previous results for NLS1's. However, about 10–20 of those NLS1's that were not detected by ROSAT have optical properties very similar to the detected objects and so should also have been detected by the RASS. This may be due to either significant intrinsic absorption in many NLS1's, or a significant subclass of NLS1's that have uncharacteristic, intrinsically flatter (hence harder) X-ray spectral energy distributions.
Foreign bank entry and firms’ access to bank credit: Evidence from China

Abstract This paper studies the impact of foreign bank entry on domestic firms’ access to bank credit using a within-country staggered geographic variation in the policy of foreign bank lending in China. The paper finds that after foreign bank entry profitable firms use more long-term bank loans; whereas firms with higher value of potential collateral do not. It also finds that non-state-owned firms become able to substitute some trade credit with long-term bank loans. The findings suggest that less opaque firms and non-state-owned firms benefit more from foreign bank entry and that collateral may only play a limited role in mitigating the problem of information asymmetry when creditors’ rights are not well protected in a host country.
The X-Ray Properties of Low-Frequency Quasi-periodic Oscillations from GRS 1915+105 Up to 120 keV

We present a study of the properties of strong 0.8-3.0 Hz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) that occurred during 1997 Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) observations of the microquasar GRS 1915+105 in the low-hard state. The high count rates allow us to track individual QPO peaks, and we exploit this to develop a QPO folding technique. In contrast to previous QPO studies with RXTE, we emphasize the high-energy QPO properties and report the detection of a QPO in the 60-124 keV energy band. Our technique allows us, for the first time, to measure the phase of the QPO harmonics relative to the fundamental. Variation in this phase difference leads to changes in the shape of the QPO profile with energy and over time. The strength of the QPO fundamental increases up to 19 keV, but the data do not suggest that the strength continues to increase above this energy. In some cases, the QPO amplitudes in the 30-60 and 60-124 keV energy bands are significantly less than in the 13-19 and 19-29 keV energy bands. We also use our technique to measure the phase lag of the QPO fundamental and harmonics. In the case where negative phase lags are detected for the fundamental, positive phase lags are detected for the second harmonic.
A Flexible Platform for Biofeedback-Driven Control and Personalization of Electrical Nerve Stimulation Therapy

Electrical vagus nerve stimulation is a treatment alternative for many epileptic and depressed patients whose symptoms are not well managed with pharmaceutical therapy. However, the fixed stimulus, open loop dosing mechanism limits its efficacy and precludes major advances in the quality of therapy. A real-time, responsive form of vagus nerve stimulation is needed to control nerve activation according to therapeutic need. This personalized approach to therapy will improve efficacy and reduce the number and severity of side effects. We present autonomous neural control, a responsive, biofeedback-driven approach that uses the degree of measured nerve activation to control stimulus delivery. We demonstrate autonomous neural control in rats, showing that it rapidly learns how to most efficiently activate any desired proportion of vagal A, B, and/or C fibers over time. This system will maximize efficacy by minimizing patient response variability and by minimizing therapeutic failures resulting from longitudinal decreases in nerve activation with increasing durations of treatment. The value of autonomous neural control equally applies to other applications of electrical nerve stimulation.
Cataclysmic and Close Binaries in Star Clusters. V. Erupting Dwarf Novae, Faint Blue Stars, X-Ray Sources, and the Classical Nova in the Core of M80*

Large populations of cataclysmic variables (CVs) in globular clusters have long been predicted, but the number of absolutely certain cluster CVs known in globular clusters is still less than 10. HST and Chandra observers have recently found dozens of CV candidates in several populous globular clusters. Confirmation and characterization of these candidates are extremely difficult; thus, identification of unambiguous CVs remains important. We have searched all archival HST images of the dense globular cluster M80 for erupting dwarf novae (DNe) and to check the outburst behaviors of two very blue objects first identified a decade ago. Two new erupting DNe were found in eight searched epochs, making M80 a record holder for erupting DNe. The quiescent classical nova in M80 varies by no more than a few tenths of a magnitude on timescales of minutes to years, and a similar faint, blue object varies by a similar amount. Simulations and completeness tests indicate that there are at most three erupting DNe like SS Cyg and at most nine U Gem-like DNe in M80. Either this very dense cluster contains about an order of magnitude fewer CVs than theory predicts, or most M80 CVs are extremely faint and/or erupt very infrequently like WZ Sge. We have detected a sequence of 54 objects running parallel to the main sequence and several tenths of a magnitude blueward of it. These blue objects are significantly more centrally concentrated than the main-sequence stars, but not as centrally concentrated as the blue stragglers. We suggest that these objects are white dwarf-red dwarf binaries and that some are the faint CV population of M80.
Constraints on Gamma-Ray Emission from the Galactic Plane at 300 TeV

We describe a new search for diffuse ultra-high-energy gamma-ray emission associated with molecular clouds in the Galactic disk. The Chicago Air Shower Array (CASA), operating in coincidence with the Michigan muon array (MIA), has recorded over 2.2 × 109 air showers from 1990 April 4 to 1995 October 7. We search for gamma rays based upon the muon content of air showers arriving from the direction of the Galactic plane. We find no significant evidence for diffuse gamma-ray emission, and we set an upper limit on the ratio of gamma rays to normal hadronic cosmic rays at less than 2.4 × 10-5 at 310 TeV (90% confidence limit) from the Galactic plane region: (50° < l < 200°; -5° < b < 5°). This limit places a strong constraint on models for emission from molecular clouds in the Galaxy. We rule out significant spectral hardening in the outer Galaxy, and conclude that emission from the plane at these energies is likely to be dominated by the decay of neutral pions resulting from cosmic-ray interactions with passive target gas molecules.
A Method for Assessing Required Course-Related Skills and Prerequisite Structure.

Engineering curricula should be dynamic with a goal of constant improvement and refinement. Unfortunately, this is often not the case; courses are developed, altered, and expanded in a piecemeal manner. Namely, as time progresses many programmes end up with courses that are developed and not a developed curriculum. To remedy this shortcoming product, development tools are proposed for the refinement and assessment of an existing curriculum; how these methods could be used for the development of a curriculum is also highlighted. The voice of the customer (VOC) process is used to identify and prioritise desired student skills. The design structure matrix (DSM) is used to assess course prerequisite structure. There is broad agreement between faculty and industry related to which professional skills are the most important. The DSM is shown to be a useful tool in ordering courses and assessing prerequisite structures. The DSM is also shown to be useful in identifying which courses in a curriculum are critical ...
Lattice Effects in the Colossal-Magnetoresistance Manganites

We study the combined influence of spin double exchange and Jahn-Teller lattice coupling to holes in the ${\mathrm{La}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{A}_{x}{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3}$ perovskites ( $A\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{a},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{r},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{B}\mathrm{a}$). Using a mean-field approximation for the double exchange and a variational Lang-Firsov approximation for the lattice degrees of freedom, we show that the lattice effects decrease the magnetic transition temperature, and also cause the maximal value of the transition temperature as a function of dopant concentration $x$ to depend on the Jahn-Teller coupling strength. We find a continuous rapid crossover from a large polaronic state to a quasi-self-trapped small polaron state accompanying the magnetic transition.
Bounds on the number and sizes of conjugacy classes in finite Chevalley groups with applications to derangements

We present explicit upper bounds for the number and size of conjugacy classes in finite Chevalley groups and their variations. These results have been used by many authors to study zeta functions associated to representations of finite simple groups, random walks on Chevalley groups, the final solution to the Ore conjecture about commutators in finite simple groups and other similar problems. In this paper, we solve a strong version of the Boston-Shalev conjecture on derangements in simple groups for most of the families of primitive permutation group representations of finite simple groups (the remaining cases are settled in two other papers of the authors and applications are given in a third).
Electrochemical Synthesis of Zn−Al Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) Films

A new electrodeposition condition to produce Zn-Al LDH films was developed using nitrate solutions containing Zn (2+) and Al (3+) ions. Deposition was achieved by reducing nitrate ions to generate hydroxide ions on the working electrode. This elevates the local pH on the working electrode, resulting in precipitation of Zn-Al LDH films. The effect of deposition potential, pH of the plating solution, and the Zn (2+) to Al (3+) ratio in the plating solution on the purity and crystallinity of the LDH films deposited was systematically studied using X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The optimum deposition potential to deposit pure and well-ordered Zn-Al LDH films was E = -1.65V versus a Ag/AgCl in 4 M KCl reference electrode at room temperature using a solution containing 12.5 mM Zn(NO 3) 2.6H 2O and 7.5 mM Al(NO 3) 3.9H 2O with pH adjusted to 3.8. The resulting film contained 39 atomic %Al (3+) ions replacing Zn (2+) ions, leading to a composition of Zn 0.61Al 0.39(OH) 2(NO 3) 0.39. xH 2O. Increasing or decreasing the aluminum concentration in the plating solution resulted in the formation of aluminum- or zinc-containing impurities, respectively, instead of varying aluminum content incorporated into the LDH phase. Choosing an optimum deposition potential was important to obtain LDH as a pure phase in the film. When the potential more negative than the optimum potential is used, zinc metal or zinc hydroxide was deposited as a side product, whereas making the potential less negative than the optimum potential resulted in the formation of zinc oxide as the major phase. The pH condition of the plating solution was also critical, as increasing pH destabilizes the formation of the LDH phase while decreasing pH promoted deposition of other impurities.