cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AVMON: Optimal and Scalable Discovery of Consistent Availability Monitoring Overlays for Distributed Systems

This paper proposes to build overlays that help in monitoring of long-term availability histories of hosts, with a focus on large-scale distributed settings where hosts may be selfish or colluding. Concretely, we target the important problems of selection and discovery of an availability monitoring overlay. We motivate six significant goals - firstly, consistency, verifiability, and randomness, in selecting availability monitors of nodes, so as to be probabilistically resilient to selfish and colluding nodes. The next three goals are discoverability, load-balancing, and scalability in finding these monitors. We present AVMON, the first availability monitoring overlay to satisfy these six requirements. Our core algorithmic contribution is a range of protocols for discovering the availability monitoring overlay scalably and efficiently, given any arbitrary monitor selection scheme that is consistent and verifiable. We mathematically analyze the performance of AVMON's discovery protocols w.r.t. scalability and discovery time of monitors. Most interestingly, we are able to derive optimal (and practical) variants of AVMON, that minimize different combinations of memory, bandwidth, computation, and monitor discovery time. Finally, our extensive experimental evaluations using three types of availability traces - synthetic, from PlanetLab, and from the Overnet p2p system - demonstrate AVMON's practicality in a variety of distributed systems.
Regression Approaches for Microarray Data Analysis

A variety of new procedures have been devised to handle the two-sample comparison (e.g., tumor versus normal tissue) of gene expression values as measured with microarrays. Such new methods are required in part because of some defining characteristics of microarray-based studies: (i) the very large number of genes contributing expression measures which far exceeds the number of samples (observations) available and (ii) the fact that by virtue of pathway/network relationships, the gene expression measures tend to be highly correlated. These concerns are exacerbated in the regression setting, where the objective is to relate gene expression, simultaneously for multiple genes, to some external outcome or phenotype. Correspondingly, several methods have been recently proposed for addressing these issues. We briefly critique some of these methods prior to a detailed evaluation of gene harvesting. This reveals that gene harvesting, without additional constraints, can yield artifactual solutions. Results obtaine...
The Effect of Differential Limb Magnification on Abundance Analysis of Microlensed Dwarf Stars

Finite source effects can be important in observations of gravitational microlensing of stars. Near caustic crossings, for example, some parts of the source star will be more highly magnified than other parts. The spectrum of the star is then no longer the same as when it is unmagnified, and measurements of the atmospheric parameters and abundances will be affected. The accuracy of abundances measured from spectra taken during microlensing events has become important recently because of the use of highly magnified dwarf stars to probe abundance ratios and the abundance distribution in the Galactic bulge. In this paper, we investigate the importance of finite source effects on spectra by using magnification profiles motivated by two events to synthesize spectra for dwarfs between 5000 K and 6200 K at solar metallicity. We adopt the usual techniques for analyzing the microlensed dwarfs, namely, spectroscopic determination of temperature, gravity, and microturbulent velocity, relying on equivalent widths. We find that ignoring the finite source effects for the more extreme case results in errors in T eff <45 K, in log g of <0.1 dex, and in ξ of <0.1 km s–1. In total, changes in equivalent widths lead to small changes in atmospheric parameters and changes in abundances of <0.06 dex, with changes in [Fe I/H] of <0.03 dex. For the case with a larger source-lens separation, the error in [Fe I/H] is <0.01 dex. This latter case represents the maximum effect seen in events whose light curves are consistent with a point-source lens, which includes the majority of microlensed bulge dwarfs published so far.
Poisson Statistics for the Largest Eigenvalues of Wigner Random Matrices with Heavy Tails

We study large Wigner random matrices in the case when the marginal distributions of matrix entries have heavy tails. We prove that the largest eigenvalues of such matrices have Poisson
Improved Carrier Mobility in Few-Layer MoS2 Field-Effect Transistors with Ionic-Liquid Gating

We report the fabrication of ionic liquid (IL)-gated field-effect transistors (FETs) consisting of bilayer and few-layer MoS2. Our transport measurements indicate that the electron mobility μ ≈ 60 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) at 250 K in IL-gated devices exceeds significantly that of comparable back-gated devices. IL-FETs display a mobility increase from ≈ 100 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) at 180 K to ≈ 220 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) at 77 K in good agreement with the true channel mobility determined from four-terminal measurements, ambipolar behavior with a high ON/OFF ratio >10(7) (10(4)) for electrons (holes), and a near ideal subthreshold swing of ≈ 50 mV/dec at 250 K. We attribute the observed performance enhancement, specifically the increased carrier mobility that is limited by phonons, to the reduction of the Schottky barrier at the source and drain electrode by band bending caused by the ultrathin IL dielectric layer.
Verification and validation of simulation models

Verification and validation of simulation models are discussed in this paper. Three approaches to deciding model validity are described, two paradigms that relate verification and validation to the...
On Good Scholarship, Goal Setting, and Scholars Gone Wild

Executive Overview In this article, we define good scholarship, highlight our points of disagreement with Locke and Latham (2009), and call for further academic research to examine the full range of goal setting's effects. We reiterate our original claim that goal setting, like a potent medication, can produce both beneficial effects and systematic, negative outcomes (Ordonez, Schweitzer, Galinsky,& Bazerman, 2009), and as a result, it should be carefully prescribed and closely monitored.
Rhodium catalyzed allene amidation: a facile entry into 2-amidoallylcations for unusual [3 + 3] annulation reactions

The interaction of a sulfamate ester derived metallonitrene with an allene generates a versatile intermediate with 2-amidoallylcation like reactivity. In this article we outline reactivity patterns for this novel dipolar species, demonstrating both [3 + 2] reactions with benzaldehyde, and unusual [3 + 3] annulation reactions with a variety of nitrones.
Engendering Protection: an Analysis of the 2009 Kampala Convention and its Provisions for Internally Displaced Women

On 23 October 2009, the African Union officially adopted the Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention). The product of over two years of deliberation and consultation with AU member states and partners, the Kampala Convention represents an important step in the development of legally binding instruments of protection for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Such an accomplishment, while commendable, comes at a time of increasing insecurity and violence for IDPs, especially internally displaced women, who are disproportionately represented within this population. This article considers the legal protections encompassed within the Kampala Convention from a gendered perspective, analyzing the extent to which the Convention adequately acknowledges and addresses the unique vulnerabilities of internally displaced women. Specifically, the article considers the ways in which the Kampala Convention includes women in the drafting process, expands conceptions of gender-based violence, encourages protections of economic, social, and cultural rights, and extends obligations to non-state actors. In sum, the article argues that, while the progressive legal developments of the African Union deserve much praise, there remain continued limitations in conferring adequate protection to the most prevalent victims of internal conflict: internally displaced women. 1. Introduction: the reality for internally displaced women On 23 October 2009, the African Union (AU) officially adopted the Convention for the Prevention and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention). The product of over two years of deliberation and consultation with AU member states and partners, the Kampala Convention represents the first significant effort to transform * Third-year J.D. Candidate, University of California-Berkeley, School of Law. The author would like to thank Kate Jastram for her invaluable guidance and support throughout the writing process. Law as of 1 Sept. 2010. International Journal of Refugee Law Advance Access published March 21, 2011
EMERGENT CHIRAL SYMMETRY: PARITY AND TIME REVERSAL DOUBLES

There are numerous examples of approximately degenerate states of opposite parity in molecular physics. Theory indicates that these doubles can occur in molecules that are reflection-asymmetric. Such parity doubles occur in nuclear physics as well, among nuclei with odd A ~ 219–229. We have also suggested elsewhere that such doubles occur in particle physics for baryons made up of cbu and cbd quarks. In this article, we discuss the theoretical foundations of these doubles in detail, demonstrating their emergence as a surprisingly subtle consequence of the Born–Oppenheimer approximation, and emphasizing their bundle-theoretic and topological underpinnings. Starting with certain "low energy" effective theories in which classical symmetries like parity and time reversal are anomalously broken on quantization, we show how these symmetries can be restored by judicious inclusion of "high-energy" degrees of freedom. This mechanism of restoring the symmetry naturally leads to the aforementioned doublet structure. A novel byproduct of this mechanism is the emergence of an approximate symmetry (corresponding to the approximate degeneracy of the doubles) at low energies which is not evident in the full Hamiltonian. We also discuss the implications of this mechanism for Skyrmion physics, monopoles, anomalies and quantum gravity.
The shifting functional balance of patents and drug regulation.

Patents are often portrayed as the necessary reward to compensate pharmaceutical firms for the huge costs and risks associated with Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–mandated clinical trials of ne...
State Feedback Impulse Elimination for Singular Systems over a Hermite Domain

We reduce the problem of impulse elimination via state feedback in singular differential equations to algebra. Our results are developed for systems over an arbitrary Hermite domain. We show that the established theories for the time-invariant and the real analytic time-varying settings can be unified in this way. Besides the constant and real analytic functions, several other function rings are considered. Our algebraic theory is applied to these cases, providing solutions to the impulse elimination problem for classes of systems not previously studied. In particular, our work allows the restriction of the feedback matrix to certain function rings.
Testing for a unique equilibrium in applied general equilibrium models

Abstract This paper introduces a new and computationally inexpensive method to test for uniqueness of equilibrium in exchange economies.
Exploring the feasibility of proactive reputations

Reputation mechanisms help peers in a peer-to-peer system avoid unreliable or malicious peers. In application-level networks, however, short peer lifetimes mean reputations are often generated from a small number of past transactions. These reputation values are less ‘reliable’, and more vulnerable to bad-mouthing or collusion attacks. We address this issue by introducing proactive reputations, a first-hand history of transactions initiated to augment incomplete or short-term reputation values. We present several mechanisms to generate proactive reputations, along with a statistical similarity metric to measure their effectiveness. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neutrino factory designs and R&D

The development of a very intense muon source capable of producing a millimole of muons per year would enable a Neutrino Factory [1], and perhaps eventually a Muon Collider [2], to be built. In the last two years Neutrino Factory physics studies [3] have mapped out an exciting Neutrino Factory physics program. In addition, Neutrino Factory feasibility studies [4-6] have yielded designs that appear to be ''realistic'' provided the performance parameters for the critical components can be achieved. Some of the key components will need a vigorous R&D program to meet the requirements. Neutrino Factory R&D activities in Europe [7], Japan [6,8], and the US [9] have resulted in three promising variants of the basic Neutrino Factory design. In the following the various Neutrino Factory schemes are briefly described. The main R&D issues and the ongoing R&D programs are summarized.
sh-Lie algebras induced by gauge transformations

Traditionally symmetries of field theories are encoded via Lie group actions, or more generally, as Lie algebra actions. A significant generalization is required when “gauge parameters” act in a field dependent way. Such symmetries appear in several field theories, most notably in a “Poisson induced” class due to Schaller and Strobl [SS94] and to Ikeda [Ike94], and employed by Cattaneo and Felder [CF99] to implement Kontsevich's deformation quantization [Kon97]. Consideration of “particles of spin > 2” led Berends, Burgers and van Dam [Bur85,BBvD84,BBvD85] to study “field dependent parameters” in a setting permitting an analysis in terms of smooth functions. Having recognized the resulting structure as that of an sh-Lie algebra (L∞-algebra), we have now formulated such structures entirely algebraically and applied it to a more general class of theories with field dependent symmetries.
Automatic identification of time series features for rule-based forecasting

Rule-based forecasting (RBF) is an expert system that uses features of time series to select and weight extrapolation techniques. Thus, it is dependent upon the identification of features of the time series. Judgmental coding of these features is expensive and the reliability of the ratings is modest. We developed and automated heuristics to detect six features that had previously been judgmentally identified in RBF: outliers, level shifts, change in basic trend, unstable recent trend, unusual last observation, and functional form. These heuristics rely on simple statistics such as first differences and regression estimates. In general, there was agreement between automated and judgmental codings for all features other than functional form. Heuristic coding was more sensitive than judgment and consequently, identified more series with a certain feature than judgmental coding. We compared forecast accuracy using automated codings with that using judgmental codings across 122 series. Forecasts were produced for six horizons, resulting in a total of 732 forecasts. Accuracy for 30% of the 122 annual time series was similar to that reported for RBF. For the remaining series, there were as many that did better with automated feature detection as there were that did worse. In other words, the use of automated feature detection heuristics reduced the costs of using RBF without negatively affecting forecast accuracy.
Selective oxidation of alcohols and aldehydes over supported metal nanoparticles

Oxidation is a key reaction in organic synthesis and will likely play a significant role in the development of value-added chemicals from biomass. The application of heterogeneous catalysis and molecular oxygen to oxidation reactions offers a green alternative to traditional, toxic chemical oxidants. However, making comparisons of catalyst performance (reaction rate, product selectivity) between reports in the literature is difficult because of inconsistencies in the ways results are reported. Herein, we examine the literature on supported metal catalysts for the oxidation of molecules of interest in biomass conversion (primary alcohols, polyols, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and various sugars). Reaction rates are calculated and compared in a consistent manner and recommendations for avoiding common pitfalls in kinetic investigations are made.
Can Diagnostic Examinations Be Effectively Modeled

There is a mystique associated with diagnostic radiology that discourages the use of analysis as a means of understanding and improving radiological examinations. While it is true that intuitive manipulation of the generators and detectors that are available can lead to restricted optimizations, it might also be true that the equipment that is available may not have the correct characteristics. Better optimums may be possible with equipment of different, but state-of-the-art, capabilities or characteristics. This paper presents two cases of modelings for mammography that are examples of this situation. It remains to be established whether or not the modeling has diagnostic significance. However, since the conclusions appear to be significant it seems important to pursue such projects. To accomplish this, it is necessary to generate information and data that can be useful to the modelings. The extensive imaging research that has recently occupied many diagnostic radiological physicists is only part of the necessary information. More emphasis needs to be given to research that is useful in helping to describe the details of the x-ray photon image. One of the examples of modeling that is discussed is related to signal-to-noise ratios for the detection of calcifications in mammography. The other is a study of contrast in magnification mammography.
Learning unions of ω(1)-dimensional rectangles

We consider the problem of learning unions of rectangles over the domain [b]n, in the uniform distribution membership query learning setting, where both b and n are “large”. We obtain poly(n, logb)-time algorithms for the following classes: – poly (n logb)-Majority of $O(\frac{\log(n \log b)} {\log \log(n \log b)})$-dimensional rectangles. –Unions of poly(log(n logb)) many rectangles with dimension $O(\frac{\log^2 (n \log b)} {(\log \log(n \log b) \log \log \log (n \log b))^2})$. – poly (n logb)-Majority of poly (n logb)-Or of disjoint rectangles with dimension $O(\frac{\log(n \log b)} {\log \log(n \log b)})$ Our main algorithmic tool is an extension of Jackson's boosting- and Fourier-based Harmonic Sieve algorithm [13] to the domain [b]n, building on work of Akavia et al. [1]. Other ingredients used to obtain the results stated above are techniques from exact learning [4] and ideas from recent work on learning augmented AC0 circuits [14] and on representing Boolean functions as thresholds of parities [16].
Fair resource allocation in wireless networks using queue-length-based scheduling and congestion control

We consider the problem of allocating resources (time slots, frequency, power, etc.) at a base station to many competing flows, where each flow is intended for a different receiver. The channel conditions may be time-varying and different for different receivers. It is well-known that appropriately chosen queue-length based policies are throughput-optimal while other policies based on the estimation of channel statistics can be used to allocate resources fairly (such as proportional fairness) among competing users. In this paper, we show that a combination of queue-length-based scheduling at the base station and congestion control implemented either at the base station or at the end users can lead to fair resource allocation and queue-length stability.
Toward a Mathematical Foundation for Information Flow Security

We describe a general purpose, probabilistic system model that can be used to model a large class of probabilistic (as well as deterministic) computer systems. We develop the necessary probability theory to rigorously state and reason about properties of probabilistic systems. Then we give two definitions of information flow security that make use of this formalism. Intuitively, information flow security is the aspect of computer security concerned with how information is permitted to flow through a computer system. The first definition is based on Goguen and Meseguer's Noninterference; the second is based on McLean's FM. We prove that the second definition is strictly stronger than the first. We give a verification condition for information flow security and prove that it implies both of our definitions. Finally, we show some relationships between our definitions and other definitions in the literature, including definitions from classical information theory.
Inhibitors of anthrax lethal factor.

Abstract An inhibitor of anthrax lethal toxin mediated cell death ( 1 ) was identified by a medium throughput cell-based screen. This compound was determined to specifically inhibit anthrax lethal factor (LF), and subsequent SAR studies produced an even more potent inhibitor ( 4 ). Mechanistic studies identified these agents as uncompetitive inhibitors of LF with K i values of 3.0 and 1.7 μM, respectively, with good cell potency and low cytotoxicity.
Ultrafast high-pressure AC electro-osmotic pumps for portable biomedical microfluidics

This paper details the development of an integrated AC electro-osmotic (ACEO) microfluidic pump for dilute electrolytes consisting of a long serpentine microchannel lined with three dimensional (3D) stepped electrode arrays. Using low AC voltage (1 V rms, 1 kHz), power (5 mW) and current (4.5 mA) in water, the pump is capable of generating a 1.3 kPa head pressure, a 100-fold increase over prior ACEO pumps, and a 1.3 mm/s effective slip velocity over the electrodes without flow reversal. The integrated ACEO pump can utilize low ionic strength solutions such as distilled water as the working solution to pump physiological strength (100 mM) biological solutions in separate microfluidic devices, with potential applications in portable or implantable biomedical microfluidic devices. As a proof-of-concept experiment, the use of the ACEO pumps for DNA hybridization in a microfluidic microarray is demonstrated.
Risk factors for anthracycline-associated cardiotoxicity

Carbonyl reductase (CBR) catalyzes anthracycline metabolism, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CBR impact metabolic efficiency. In pediatric patients, homozygosity for the major allele (G) in the CBR3 gene was associated with increased risk of anthracycline cardiotoxicity. We hypothesized that CBR SNPs contribute to cardiotoxicity in adults. We retrospectively identified female breast cancer patients in the Columbus Breast Tissue Bank Registry treated with adriamycin and cytoxan (AC) from 2003 to 2012. We selected patients who developed cardiomyopathy, defined as a drop in ejection fraction to 15 % decrease from pre-therapy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify cardiotoxicity risk factors. SNPs were genotyped, and frequency of the major allele (G)/minor allele (A) of the CBR3 and CBR1 genes was calculated. We identified 52 cases of cardiotoxicity after AC and 110 controls. Multivariate analysis showed that trastuzumab (p = 0.009), diabetes (p = 0.05), and consumption of >8 alcoholic drinks/week (p = 0.024) were associated with higher cardiotoxicity risk. Moderate alcohol consumption (<8 drinks/week) was associated with lower risk (p = 0.009). No association was identified between CBR SNPs and cardiotoxicity (CBR1 p = 0.261; CBR3 p = 0.556). This is the first study to evaluate SNPs in the CBR pathway as predictors of AC cardiotoxicity in adults. We did not observe any significant correlation between cardiotoxicity and SNPs within the CBR pathway. Further investigation into CBR SNPs in a larger adult sample is needed. Additional exploration into genomic predictors of anthracycline cardiotoxicity may allow for the development of preventative and therapeutic strategies for those at risk.
Linear and Nonlinear Transmission of Surface Plasmon Polaritons in an Optical Nanowire

Polymer-metal composites offer the possibility of strongly enhanced nonlinear optical properties, which can be used for ultrasmall photonic devices. In this paper, we investigate numerically, by means of the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, the propagation characteristics of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) modes excited in an optical nanowire consisting of a chain of either metallic cylinders or metallic spheres embedded in dielectric shells made of polymers (or other material) with optical Kerr nonlinearity. Our FDTD calculations incorporate both the nonlinear optical response of the dielectrics as well as the frequency dispersion of the metals, which is considered to obey a Drude-like model. It is demonstrated that, in the linear limit, the nanowire supports two SPP modes, a transverse and a longitudinal one, separated by Δλ = 20 nm. Furthermore, the dependence of the transmission of these SPP modes, on both the pulse peak power and Kerr coefficient of the dielectric shell, is investigated. Nonlinear optical phenomena, such as power-dependent mode frequency, switching, or optical limiting, are observed.
Palladium-Catalyzed Conjugate Addition of Organosiloxanes to α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds and Nitroalkenes

The addition of aryltrialkoxysilanes to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds (ketones, aldehydes) and nitroalkenes in the presence of SbCl3, TBAF, AcOH, and a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)2, in CH3CN at 60 °C, provides the corresponding conjugate addition products in moderate to good yields. The addition of equimolar amounts of SbCl3 and TBAF is necessary for this reaction to proceed smoothly. The arylpalladium complex, which is generated by the transmetalation from a putative hypercoordinate silicon compound, is considered to be the catalytically active species.
Nonlinear eigenvalue approximation for compact operators

In the work of Osborn [Math. Comput. 29, 712–725 (1975)], a general spectral approximation theory was developed for compact operators on a Banach space which does not require that the operators be self-adjoint and also provides a first order correction term. Here, we extend some of the results of that paper to nonlinear eigenvalue problems. We present examples of its application that arise in electromagnetics and numerical analysis.
Universal service from the bottom up: a study of telephone penetration in Camden, New Jersey

Ethnographic methods and geographic information systems were used to investigate the extent, causes and consequences of telephone disconnection in Camden, NJ. The results have significant implications for public policies intended to promote universal telephone penetration. Universal service is usually perceived as an issue for rural areas and the elderly, but the most extensive pockets of low telephone penetration are found in inner cities, where the problem is associated with the young, the transient, and ethnic minorities. The basic monthly rate paid by subscribers is usually thought to be the most important factor affecting affordability, but the data suggest that most marginal users are driven off the network by usage-related costs, and more generally by the problem of credit-worthiness. Given prevailing consumption patterns in low-income urban areas, ''electronic redlining'' seems less of a threat than that poor Americans will, upon exposure to the advanced features of the national information infras...
A general method for the formation of diaryl selenides using copper(I) catalysts

Abstract We report a mild, palladium-free synthetic protocol for the cross coupling reaction of aryl iodides and phenyl selenol using 10 mol% CuI/neocuproine, NaO t -Bu or K 2 CO 3 as base, in toluene, at 110°C. Using this protocol, we show that a variety of diaryl selenides can be synthesized in good yields from commercially available aryl iodides.
Tensor networks from kinematic space

We point out that the MERA network for the ground state of a 1+1-dimensional conformal field theory has the same structural features as kinematic space — the geometry of CFT intervals. In holographic theories kinematic space becomes identified with the space of bulk geodesics studied in integral geometry. We argue that in these settings MERA is best viewed as a discretization of the space of bulk geodesics rather than of the bulk geometry itself. As a test of this kinematic proposal, we compare the MERA representation of the thermofield-double state with the space of geodesics in the two-sided BTZ geometry, obtaining a detailed agreement which includes the entwinement sector. We discuss how the kinematic proposal can be extended to excited states by generalizing MERA to a broader class of compression networks.
Edge-Guided Single Depth Image Super Resolution

Recently, consumer depth cameras have gained significant popularity due to their affordable cost. However, the limited resolution and the quality of the depth map generated by these cameras are still problematic for several applications. In this paper, a novel framework for the single depth image superresolution is proposed. In our framework, the upscaling of a single depth image is guided by a high-resolution edge map, which is constructed from the edges of the low-resolution depth image through a Markov random field optimization in a patch synthesis based manner. We also explore the self-similarity of patches during the edge construction stage, when limited training data are available. With the guidance of the high-resolution edge map, we propose upsampling the high-resolution depth image through a modified joint bilateral filter. The edge-based guidance not only helps avoiding artifacts introduced by direct texture prediction, but also reduces jagged artifacts and preserves the sharp edges. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our method both qualitatively and quantitatively compared with the state-of-the-art methods.
Truthful Mechanisms with Implicit Payment Computation

It is widely believed that computing payments needed to induce truthful bidding is somehow harder than simply computing the allocation. We show that the opposite is true: creating a randomized truthful mechanism is essentially as easy as a single call to a monotone allocation rule. Our main result is a general procedure to take a monotone allocation rule for a single-parameter domain and transform it (via a black-box reduction) into a randomized mechanism that is truthful in expectation and individually rational for every realization. The mechanism implements the same outcome as the original allocation rule with probability arbitrarily close to 1, and requires evaluating that allocation rule only once. We also provide an extension of this result to multiparameter domains and cycle-monotone allocation rules, under mild star-convexity and nonnegativity hypotheses on the type space and allocation rule, respectively. Because our reduction is simple, versatile, and general, it has many applications to mechanism design problems in which re-evaluating the allocation rule is either burdensome or informationally impossible. Applying our result to the multiarmed bandit problem, we obtain truthful randomized mechanisms whose regret matches the information-theoretic lower bound up to logarithmic factors, even though prior work showed this is impossible for truthful deterministic mechanisms. We also present applications to offline mechanism design, showing that randomization can circumvent a communication complexity lower bound for deterministic payments computation, and that it can also be used to create truthful shortest path auctions that approximate the welfare of the VCG allocation arbitrarily well, while having the same running time complexity as Dijkstra's algorithm.
Streaming algorithms for submodular function maximization

We consider the problem of maximizing a nonnegative submodular set function \(f:2^{\mathcal {N}} \rightarrow \mathbb {R}^+\) subject to a p-matchoid constraint in the single-pass streaming setting. Previous work in this context has considered streaming algorithms for modular functions and monotone submodular functions. The main result is for submodular functions that are non-monotone. We describe deterministic and randomized algorithms that obtain a \(\varOmega (\frac{1}{p})\)-approximation using \(O(k \log k)\)-space, where k is an upper bound on the cardinality of the desired set. The model assumes value oracle access to f and membership oracles for the matroids defining the p-matchoid constraint.
A note on the values of independence polynomials at - 1

The independence polynomial I ( G ; x ) of a graph G is I ( G ; x ) = ź k = 0 α ( G ) s k x k , where s k is the number of independent sets in G of size k . The decycling number of a graph G , denoted ź ( G ) , is the minimum size of a set S ź V ( G ) such that G - S is acyclic. Engstrom proved that the independence polynomial satisfies | I ( G ; - 1 ) | ź 2 ź ( G ) for any graph G , and this bound is best possible. Levit and Mandrescu provided an elementary proof of the bound, and in addition conjectured that for every positive integer k and integer q with | q | ź 2 k , there is a connected graph G with ź ( G ) = k and I ( G ; - 1 ) = q . In this note, we prove this conjecture.
GAUGE/STRING-GRAVITY DUALITY AND FROISSART BOUND

The gauge/string-gravity duality correspondence opened renewed hope and possibility to address some of the fundamental and non-perturbative QCD problems of in particle physics, such as hadron spectrum and Regge behavior of the scattering amplitude at high energies. One of the most fundamental and long-standing problems is the high energy behavior of the total cross-sections. According to a series of exhaustive tests by the COMPETE group, (1) total cross sections have a universal Heisenberg behavior in energy corresponding to the maximal energy behavior allowed by the Froissart bound, i.e., A+B ln2(s/s0) with B~0.32 mb and s0~34.41 GeV2 for all reactions, and (2). The factorization relation among σpp,even, σγp and σγγ is well satisfied by experiments. I discuss the recent interesting application of the gauge/string-gravity duality of AdS/CFT correspondence with a deformed background metric so as to break the conformal symmetry that lead to the Heisenberg behavior of rising total cross sections, and present some preliminary results on the high energy QCD from Planckian scattering in AdS and black-hole production.
N$^3$LO calculations for top-quark differential cross sections near partonic threshold

I present calculations of approximate corrections from NNLL soft-gluon resummation for total and differential cross sections in top-antitop pair production and single-top production in hadronic collisions. I show that soft-gluon corrections from partonic threshold are the dominant contribution to top-quark production and closely approximate exact results. I present aN$^3$LO results for the total $t{\bar t}$ cross section, the top-quark $p_T$ and rapidity distributions, and the top-quark forward-backward asymmetry. I also provide updates for single-top production in the $t$, $s$, and $tW$ channels. Finally, I discuss top-quark production via anomalous gluon couplings.
Myoglobin-Catalyzed Olefination of Aldehydes

The olefination of aldehydes constitutes a most valuable and widely adopted strategy for constructing carbon-carbon double bonds in organic chemistry. While various synthetic methods have been made available for this purpose, no biocatalysts are known to mediate this transformation. Reported herein is that engineered myoglobin variants can catalyze the olefination of aldehydes in the presence of α-diazoesters with high catalytic efficiency (up to 4,900 turnovers) and excellent E diastereoselectivity (92-99.9 % de). This transformation could be applied to the olefination of a variety of substituted benzaldehydes and heteroaromatic aldehydes, also in combination with different alkyl α-diazoacetate reagents. This work provides a first example of biocatalytic aldehyde olefination and extends the spectrum of synthetically valuable chemical transformations accessible using metalloprotein-based catalysts.
Folded Supersymmetry with a Twist

Folded supersymmetry (f-SUSY) stabilizes the weak scale against radiative corrections from the top sector via scalar partners whose gauge quantum numbers differ from their Standard Model counterparts. This non-trivial pairing of states can be realized in extra-dimensional theories with appropriate supersymmetry-breaking boundary conditions. We present a class of calculable f-SUSY models that are parametrized by a non-trivial twist in 5D boundary conditions and can accommodate the observed Higgs mass and couplings. Although the distinctive phenomenology associated with the novel folded states should provide strong evidence for this mechanism, the most stringent constraints are currently placed by conventional supersymmetry searches. These models remain minimally fine-tuned in light of LHC8 data and provide a range of both standard and exotic signatures accessible at LHC13.
Standing Wave Plasmon Modes Interact in an Antenna-Coupled Nanowire

In a standing wave optical cavity, the coupling of cavity modes, for example, through a nonlinear medium, results in a rich variety of nonlinear dynamical phenomena, such as frequency pushing and pulling, mode-locking and pulsing, modal instabilities, even complex chaotic behavior. Metallic nanowires of finite length support a hierarchy of longitudinal surface plasmon modes with standing wave properties: the plasmonic analog of a Fabry-Perot cavity. Here we show that positioning the nanowire within the gap of a plasmonic nanoantenna introduces a passive, hybridization-based coupling of the standing-wave nanowire plasmon modes with the antenna structure, mediating an interaction between the nanowire plasmon modes themselves. Frequency pushing and pulling, and the enhancement and suppression of specific plasmon modes, can be controlled and manipulated by nanoantenna position and shape.
Who’s Been Sleeping in Your Bed? An Analysis of the Government’s Approach to the Sexual Orientation of its Employees

The United States Supreme Court recently granted certiorari in Doe v. Casey to consider whether the decision by the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to discharge an employee based solely on sexual orientation is judicially reviewable. The discharged employee petitioned to have the court determine whether the employee was entitled to a statement of reasons for the CIA's determination, but certiorari was not granted on that issue. Both questions, however, arise out of a broader and more difficult issue: when may the government legally discharge an employee because he or she is a homosexual? This Note reviews the judicial decisions regarding employment terminations of homosexual persons in both private and governmental contexts. It then examines rulings of the lower courts in Doe v. Casey, a recent case concerning an employee of a government agency dealing with sensitive national security information. Finally, it evaluates the existing policy framework that the Supreme Court may use in its upcoming decision.
Prenuptial Contracts, Labor Supply and Household Investments

This paper examines prenuptial contracts that allow couples in Italy to choose, at virtually no cost, how their assets will be divided in case of divorce. Unique administrative data on marriages and divorces from 1995 to 2011 indicate that the majority of newlyweds (67% in 2011) choose to forgo the default community property regime and to maintain separate property, which in other countries would require signing a costly prenuptial contract. In addition, the data suggest that couples choose community property to provide insurance to wives who forgo labor market opportunities and undertake household-specific investments. We estimate a dynamic model of marriage, female labor supply, savings and divorce to match the patterns of regime choice and outcomes observed in the administrative data. The estimates suggest that, as the rate of female labor participation increases and the gender wage gap decreases, there are increasing gains from separate property. Hence, lower costs of prenuptial contracting, as occurs in Italy and other civil law countries, might lead to substantial welfare gains for both husbands and wives, greater rates of female labor participation, lower probability of divorce and higher rates of household savings.
Impact of pension system structure on international financial capital allocation

Abstract Recent findings indicate that pension system structure affects private savings and through them the aggregate foreign asset position of a country. We present a two-country overlapping-generations model that explores the relationship between the magnitude of pension guarantees and the resulting portfolio choices of workers. The existence of a pay-as-you-go pension system lowers the wealth of the young workers, who consequently borrow from abroad to supplement their current consumption, and lowers the overall riskiness of their lifetime wealth, prompting them to invest in risky equity financed by the selling of safe bonds. In particular, we are able to replicate and explain the ”venture capitalist” (positive net equity accompanied by negative net debt) portfolio profile of the United States. More broadly, we find empirical support for our results in a cross-country analysis using data from 110 economies: greater amounts of pension spending are associated with international indebtedness, long equity positions, and short debt positions.
A Parcellation Based Nonparametric Algorithm for Independent Component Analysis with Application to fMRI Data

Independent Component analysis (ICA) is a widely used technique for separating signals that have been mixed together. In this manuscript, we propose a novel ICA algorithm using density estimation and maximum likelihood, where the densities of the signals are estimated via p-spline based histogram smoothing and the mixing matrix is simultaneously estimated using an optimization algorithm. The algorithm is exceedingly simple, easy to implement and blind to the underlying distributions of the source signals. To relax the identically distributed assumption in the density function, a modified algorithm is proposed to allow for different density functions on different regions. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated in different simulation settings. For illustration, the algorithm is applied to a research investigation with a large collection of resting state fMRI datasets. The results show that the algorithm successfully recovers the established brain networks.
An unexpected Lewis acid catalyzed Diels-Alder cycloaddition of aryl allenes and acrylates

An unexpected [4+2] cycloaddition of aryl allenes and simple acrylate derivatives is reported. This process functions well with a variety of allenes and acrylates to generate bi- and tricyclic dihydronaphthalene derivatives through a nonconventional bond disconnection.
Applying Bag of System Calls for Anomalous Behavior Detection of Applications in Linux Containers

In this paper, we present the results of using bags of system calls for learning the behavior of Linux containers for use in anomaly-detection based intrusion detection system. By using system calls of the containers monitored from the host kernel for anomaly detection, the system does not require any prior knowledge of the container nature, neither does it require altering the container or the host kernel.
Design of an Organic Simplified Nuclear Reactor

Numerous advanced reactor concepts have been proposed to replace light water reactors ever since their establishment as the dominant technology for nuclear energy production. While most designs seek to improve cost competitiveness and safety, the implausibility of doing so with affordable materials or existing nuclear fuel infrastructure reduces the possibility of near-term deployment, especially in developing countries. The organic nuclear concept, first explored in the 1950s, offers an attractive alternative to advanced reactor designs being considered. The advent of high temperature fluids, along with advances in hydrocracking and reforming technologies driven by the oil and gas industries, make the organic concept even more viable today. We present a simple, cost-effective, and safe small modular nuclear reactor for offshore underwater deployment. The core is moderated by graphite, zirconium hydride, and organic fluid while cooled by the organic fluid. The organic coolant enables operation near atmospheric pressure and use of plain carbon steel for the reactor tank and primary coolant piping system. The core is designed to mitigate the coolant degradation seen in early organic reactors. Overall, the design provides a power density of 40 kW/L, while reducing the reactor hull size by 40% compared with a pressurized water reactor while significantly reducing capital plant costs.
The effect of the APPRISE mandate on use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and transfusion rates in patients with ovarian cancer receiving chemotherapy.

Objective Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) support chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). In response to research demonstrating that ESAs increase tumor growth and shorten survival, the Food and Drug Administration mandated the new APPRISE (Assisting Providers and Cancer Patients with Risk Information for the Safe use of ESAs) guidelines for consenting patients before ESAs administration. We sought to quantify the change in ESA and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion use after the APPRISE mandate was instituted. Methods/Materials After institutional review board approval, a retrospective chart review compared patients with EOC undergoing chemotherapy before and after the APPRISE mandate. Abstracted data included patient demographics, chemotherapy treatment status and regimen, and number of patients requiring ESAs or RBCs. A cost savings analysis was also performed. Results Eighty-four patients who underwent 367 cycles of chemotherapy after the APPRISE guidelines were compared with a matched set of 88 patients receiving 613 cycles of chemotherapy before the APPRISE guidelines. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Most patients had advanced stage disease and received primary taxane-/platinum-based chemotherapy. Of 88 patients, 45 (51%) in the pre-APPRISE group received a total of 196 ESA injections compared with 0 patients in the post-APPRISE group. Red blood cell transfusion in the post-APPRISE group was similar to that in the pre-APPRISE group (8.3% vs 14.8%, P = 0.28). Omission of ESAs in the post-APPRISE group resulted in a roughly $700,000 savings in billable charges. Conclusions In our institution, the APPRISE guidelines have resulted in complete cessation of the use of ESAs in patients with primary or recurrent EOC, resulting in considerable cost savings. Importantly, RBC transfusion rates did not significantly increase after the guidelines were imposed.
On the field of definition of a cubic rational function and its critical points

Abstract Using essentially only algebra, we give a proof that a cubic rational function over C with real critical points is equivalent to a real rational function. We also show that the natural generalization to Q p fails unless p = 3 .