cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of hydrogen on the dislocation structure of deformed nickel

The present note reports a part of the continuing study of the effects of H on the dislocation and fracture behavior of Ni. The dislocation structures produced in Ni by deforming in H/sub 2/ and He gas environments and 0.20 m/m were compared using transmission electron microscopy. The specimens were those which exhibited H solution softening at low strain rates when tested in an H/sub 2/ atmosphere. The question addressed is whether specimens tested at the same strain rates and to similar total strains in different atmospheres exhibit different dislocation structures.
Stereocontrolled functionalization of cyclooctadiene using organoiron chemistry

Abstract Methods are described for controlling the reactivity of cyclooctadienyliron cations so as to give good yields during the stereocontrolled addition of carbon nucleophiles, thereby leading to efficient functionalization of eight membered carbocycles.
Aislamiento de Sporothrix pallida complex en muestras clínicas y ambientales de Chile

The isolation of S. pallida complex from medical samples and home garden soil of a patient in Chile is here in reported. Fungi of the Sporothrix schenckii complex can cause various infections. In Chile, the medical and environmental isolates of these this complex are rare. The aim of this study was to identify an unusual agent in a case of onychomycosis and to detect its presence in the patient's home garden. For this purpose, clinical samples were obtained by scraping the patient's subungueal first right toe nail as well as by taking soil samples from different areas of her home garden. Species identification was performed by morphophysiology and one of the strains isolated from the patient's toe nail was sent to CBS for molecular confirmation (14.062). S. pallida complex was identified both from the patient's toe nail and samples taken from her home garden.
The breakdown of topology at small scales

We discuss how a topology (the Zariski topology) on a space can appear to break down at small distances due to D-brane decay. The mechanism proposed coincides perfectly with the phase picture of Calabi-Yau moduli spaces. The topology breaks down as one approaches non-geometric phases. This picture is not without its limitations, which are also discussed.
Intramolecular chromium(0) promoted higher-order cycloaddition reactions

Abstract Photochemically and thermally initiated intramolecular metal-promoted [6+4] and [6+2] cycloaddition reactions are described.
Evaluating testing effectiveness during software evolution: a time-series cross-section approach

SUMMARY As software evolution organizations (SEOs) formalize their activities into standard repeatable processes, capability maturity models suggest that they gather and analyze data to quantitatively manage their activities. This study examines the use of a time-series cross-section (TSCS) modeling approach to inform the quantitative management of the testing activities within a mature SEO. This paper describes the TSCS modeling approach and provides an exemplar case study that details its use. Data for the case study come from readily available, commonly gathered production and testing defect reports in the quantitative measurement efforts of ait CMMI-DEV Level 3 assessed software development and evolution organization. Covering six independent projects for 43 months, the case study defines quality in terms of reported defects in the production code base. The predictors are the six projects and defect data identified in the unit, system, and regression testing activities logs. The case study also details how results from the TSCS analysis triggered causal analysis to improve the testing activities. The study provides evidence that TSCS models can be used as a quantitative problem identification tool for the mature (SMmm Level 3 or higher) SEO's testing activities. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Professional forecasts of interest rates and exchange rates: Evidence from the Wall Street Journal’s panel of economists

Abstract We analyze economists’ forecasts of interest rates and exchange rates from the Wall Street Journal . We find that a majority of economists produced unbiased forecasts but that none predicted directions of changes more accurately than chance. Most economists’ forecast accuracy is statistically indistinguishable from a random walk model in forecasting the Treasury bill rate, but many are significantly worse in forecasting the Treasury bond rate and the exchange rate. We also find systematic forecast heterogeneity, support for strategic models predicting the industry employing the economist matters, and evidence that economists deviate less from the consensus as they age.
25th Anniversary Article: A Decade of Organic/Polymeric Photovoltaic Research

Organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology has been developed and improved from a fancy concept with less than 1% power conversion efficiency (PCE) to over 10% PCE, particularly through the efforts in the last decade. The significant progress is the result of multidisciplinary research ranging from chemistry, material science, physics, and engineering. These efforts include the design and synthesis of novel compounds, understanding and controlling the film morphology, elucidating the device mechanisms, developing new device architectures, and improving large-scale manufacture. All of these achievements catalyzed the rapid growth of the OPV technology. This review article takes a retrospective look at the research and development of OPV, and focuses on recent advances of solution-processed materials and devices during the last decade, particular the polymer version of the materials and devices. The work in this field is exciting and OPV technology is a promising candidate for future thin film solar cells.
Synergistic drug-cytokine induction of hepatocellular death as an in vitro approach for the study of inflammation-associated idiosyncratic drug hepatotoxicity.

article i nfo Idiosyncratic drug hepatotoxicity represents a major problem in drug development due to inadequacy of current preclinical screening assays, but recently established rodent models utilizing bacterial LPS co- administration to induce an inflammatory background have successfully reproduced idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity signatures for certain drugs. However, the low-throughput nature of these models renders them problematic for employment as preclinical screening assays. Here, we present an analogous, but high- throughput, in vitro approach in which drugs are administered to a variety of cell types (primary human and rat hepatocytes and the human HepG2 cell line) across a landscape of inflammatory contexts containing LPS and cytokines TNF, IFNγ, IL-1α, and IL-6. Using this assay, we observed drug-cytokine hepatotoxicity synergies for multiple idiosyncratic hepatotoxicants (ranitidine, trovafloxacin, nefazodone, nimesulide, clarithromycin, and telithromycin) but not for their corresponding non-toxic control compounds (famotidine, levofloxacin, buspirone, and aspirin). A larger compendium of drug-cytokine mix hepatotoxicity data demonstrated that hepatotoxicity synergies were largely potentiated by TNF, IL-1α, and LPS within the context of multi-cytokine mixes. Then, we screened 90 drugs for cytokine synergy in human hepatocytes and found that a significantly larger fraction of the idiosyncratic hepatotoxicants (19%) synergized with a single cytokine mix than did the non-hepatotoxic drugs (3%). Finally, we used an information theoretic approach to ascertain especially informative subsets of cytokine treatments for most highly effective construction of regression models for drug- and cytokine mix-induced hepatotoxicities across these cell systems. Our results suggest that this drug-cytokine co-treatment approach could provide a useful preclinical tool for investigating inflammation-associated idiosyncratic drug hepatotoxicity.
Temperature and field dependence of MgB2 energy gaps from tunneling spectra

Abstract We have synthesized MgB 2 /Pb planar junctions to study the temperature and field dependence of the superconducting energy gap of MgB 2 . The major peak occurs at Δ of about 2 meV, and this corresponds to a 2 Δ / k B T c value of 1.18. While this is significantly smaller than the BCS weak coupling value, there are features in the tunneling spectra indicating the possibility of another larger gap. By fitting the d I /d V curves with a simple model, the larger gap is estimated to be about 4.5 times the smaller gap. The temperature dependence of both gaps is BCS-like, and start to open up at temperatures just below T c (39.5 K). This confirms that these gaps are indeed bulk properties of MgB 2 . The junction is stable only up to a field of 3.2 T then “collapsed” into Josephson tunneling for higher fields.
Subjective expected utility theory without states of the world

Abstract This paper develops an axiomatic theory of decision-making under uncertainty that dispenses with the state-space. The results are subjective expected utility models with unique, action-dependent, subjective probabilities, and a utility function defined over wealth-effect pairs that is unique up to a positive linear transformation.
The Mediterranean Fruit Fly and the United States: Is the Probit 9 Level of Quarantine Security Efficient?

Cold treatment periods, and associated levels of quarantine security, that maximize net US welfare under USDA's current medfly detection and control program are examined using a deterministic bioeconomic optimization model. As anticipated, the efficient level of quarantine security is shown to increase with indices of medfly pressure (initial infestation rates) in areas in which the medfly is known to exist (the QCs). Efficient cold treatment periods and weighted mean medfly survival rates are 8, 11, and 12 days and 5.0 × 10–2, 1.7 × 10–3, and 5.2 × 10–4 under low, moderate, and high initial infestation rates, respectively. When model output is averaged across initial infestation rates, an 11-day cold treatment period, resulting in a weighted mean medfly survival rate of 1.6 × 10–3, maximizes US welfare. These findings suggest that the current minimum cold treatment period of 14 days and the current objective of US cold treatment policy—the probit 9 level of quarantine security—are economically inefficient. Adopting the 11-day cold treatment period is shown to increase US social surplus by an annual $24.9 million, of which $21.5 and $3.4 million would accrue to US consumers and producers, respectively, and QC producer surplus by an annual $24.8 million. Nous avons examine, a l’aide d’un modele deterministe d’optimisation bioeconomique, les periodes de traitement par le froid et les niveaux de quarantaine de securite connexes qui maximisent le bien-etre net des Etats-Unis d’apres le programme actuel de detection et de lutte contre la ceratite, instaure par le USDA. Comme prevu, le degre de quarantaine de securite efficace augmente en fonction des indices de pression des ravageurs (indices d’infestation initiale) dans les pays ou la ceratite est presente (pays dont les produits sont soumis a une quarantaine). Selon qu’il s’agit d’un indice d’infestation initiale faible, moyen et eleve, les periodes de traitement par le froid efficaces sont de 8, 11 et 12 jours respectivement et les taux de survie moyens ponderes de la ceratite de 5,0 × 10–2, 1,7 × 10–3, et 5,2 × 10–4 respectivement. Lorsque l’on etablit la moyenne ponderee de la sortie du modele par taux de survie, une periode de traitement de 11 jours et un taux de survie moyen pondere de 1,6 × 10–3 maximisent le bien-etre des Etats-Unis. Ces resultats donnent a penser que la periode minimale actuelle de traitement par le froid de 14 jours et la politique actuelle concernant le traitement par le froid (la norme probit 9) sont economiquement inefficaces. L’adoption d’une periode de traitement par le froid de 11 jours augmenterait le surplus collectif des Etats-Unis de 24,9 millions (M$) par annee, dont 21,5 M$ et 3,4 M$ reviendraient aux consommateurs et aux producteurs des Etats-Unis respectivement, et un surplus de 24,8 M$ par annee aux producteurs des pays dont les produits sont soumis a une quarantaine.
Flying dreams and lucidity: An empirical study of their relationship.

Flying dreams have anecdotally been suggested to be related to lucid dreams, either by general proximity of occurrence or by flying directly triggering lucidity. The present study of 1910 dreams from 191 subjects found flying dreams were likelier to be reported by subjects reporting lucid dreams or any of three related categories: "pre-lucid" dreams, dreams of sleep, or "false awakenings." When flying and lucidity occurred in the same dream, lucidity preceded flight rather than being triggered by it. Possible bases for this relationship of lucid and flying dreams are discussed in terms of their psychological and physiological commonalities.
An interface tracking method applied to morphological evolution during phase change

The focus of this work is the numerical simulation of interface motion during solidification of pure materials. First, the applicability of the oft-used quasi-stationary approximation for interface motion is assessed. It is seen that such an approximation results in poor accuracy for nontrivial Stefan numbers. Solution of the full set of equations including grid movement terms yields close agreement with analytical results. Next, a generic interface tracking procedure is designed, which overcomes restrictions of single-valuedness of the interface imposed by commonly used mapping methods. This method incorporates with ease interface phenomena involving curvature, which assume importance at the smaller scales of a deformed interface. The method is then applied to study the development of a morphologically unstable phase interface. The issue of appropriate scaling has been addressed. The Gibbs-Thomson effect for curved interfaces has been included. The evolution of the interface, with the competing mechanisms of undercooling and surface tension is found to culminate in tip-splitting, cusp formation and persistent cellular development.
Diameter dependent thermoelectric properties of individual SnTe nanowires.

The lead-free compound tin telluride (SnTe) has recently been suggested to be a promising thermoelectric material. In this work, we report on the first thermoelectric study of individual single-crystalline SnTe nanowires with different diameters ranging from ∼218 to ∼913 nm. Measurements of thermopower S, electrical conductivity σ and thermal conductivity κ were carried out on the same nanowires over a temperature range of 25–300 K. While the electrical conductivity does not show a strong diameter dependence, the thermopower increases by a factor of two when the nanowire diameter is decreased from ∼913 nm to ∼218 nm. The thermal conductivity of the measured NWs is lower than that of the bulk SnTe, which may arise from the enhanced phonon – surface boundary scattering and phonon-defect scattering. Temperature dependent figure of merit ZT was determined for individual nanowires and the achieved maximum value at room temperature is about three times higher than that in bulk samples of comparable carrier density.
Essays on International Non-Market Strategy and the Political Economy of Environmental Regulation:

This article contains an abstract of Dr. Sanjay Patnaik’s dissertation as well as a commentary essay on the research process in the appendix. In his dissertation, Dr. Patnaik examines the importanc...
Magnetic relaxation in highly anisotropic systems

Abstract Using the Mori formalism a general theory is developed for the calculation of paramagnetic relaxation effects in a general crystal field doublet. For systems with extreme magnetic anisotropy, the relaxation rates show a strong angular dependence, being severely peaked in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic easy axis. Application to the RRh 4 B 4 (R = rare-earth) compounds is discussed.
KINEMATIC DENSITY WAVES IN ACCRETION DISKS

When thin accretion disks around black holes are perturbed, the main restoring force is gravity. If gas pressure, magnetic stresses, and radiation pressure are neglected, the disk remains thin as long as orbits do not intersect. Intersections would result in pressure forces which limit the growth of perturbations. We find that a discrete set of perturbations is possible for which orbits remain nonintersecting for arbitrarily long times. These modes define a discrete set of frequencies. We classify all long-lived perturbations for arbitrary potentials and show how their mode frequencies are related to pattern speeds computed from the azimuthal and epicyclic frequencies. We show that modes are concentrated near radii where the pattern speed has vanishing radial derivative. We explore these modes around Kerr black holes as a possible explanation for the high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations of black hole binaries such as GRO J1655–40. The long-lived modes are shown to coincide with diskoseismic waves in the limit of small sound speed. While the waves have long lifetimes, they have the wrong frequencies to explain the pairs of high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations observed in black hole binaries.
Statistical tools and status symbols

This paper sets the stage for a series of edited papers which follow. It is argued that obvious statistical blunders (mortal sins) have not disappeared entirely from the aging literature, but that the most frequent error now is that of choosing a less powerful analytic solution when a more powerful (and equally applicable) one is at hand (a venial sin). Clearly, it is argued, power must be considered in relationship to the theoretical model, the condition of the data set, and the research question. Editors and reviewers, it is argued, must cut through the "glitter" of new fads and the security of tradition in order to objectively consider the merits of new statistical applications. More importantly, without knowledge of the issues, limitations, and advantages of contemporary and emerging analytic techniques, authors cannot make good analytic choices and defend them effectively. The time between presentation of innovative approaches in the quantitative journals and application in the aging literature contributes to traditionalism in data analysis. Overzealousness by advocates of new approaches often contributes to premature embracing of them. Thus the papers that follow were designed to bring new methods to the "working-researcher" with a frank appraisal of assumptions, proper and improper applications, and limitations. Authors of these papers were challenged to communicate in plain and understandable terms and to provide practical examples.
Impact of correlated neural activity on decision-making performance

Stimulus from the environment that guides behavior and informs decisions is encoded in the firing rates of neural populations. Neurons in the populations, however, do not spike independently: spike events are correlated from cell to cell. To what degree does this apparent redundancy have an impact on the accuracy with which decisions can be made and the computations required to optimally decide? We explore these questions for two illustrative models of correlation among cells. Each model is statistically identical at the level of pairwise correlations but differs in higher-order statistics that describe the simultaneous activity of larger cell groups. We find that the presence of correlations can diminish the performance attained by an ideal decision maker to either a small or large extent, depending on the nature of the higher-order correlations. Moreover, although this optimal performance can in some cases be obtained using the standard integration-to-bound operation, in others it requires a nonlinear computation on incoming spikes. Overall, we conclude that a given level of pairwise correlations, even when restricted to identical neural populations, may not always indicate redundancies that diminish decision-making performance.
Corporate MIS/DP and end user computing: the emergence of a new partnership

A survey of MIS professionals and end users in corporations is used to develop an understanding of the impact of End User Computing on the corporate information processing environment. Traditional corporate MIS department's role and degree of involvement in the initiation and development of End User Computing in the corporation is investigated. The study chronicles the evolution of EUC activities in the respondents' organizations and identifies the emergence of a new partnership between the MIS department and end users based on a set of redefined roles, responsibilities and relationships. These changing roles and responsibilities are described and discussed.
Estimation of ocean wave wavenumber and propagation direction from limited synthetic aperture radar data

A method for estimating wavenumber and propagation direction for the dominant wave component in an ocean wave field from a few scans of synthetic aperture radar data is described and analyzed. The use of just a few radar scans rather than a complete image reduces data storage requirements significantly. The analysis shown uses actual synthetic aperture radar data and provides parameter tradeoffs and statistical performance results. While reasonable estimates of wavenumber and propagation direction are achieved in some cases, the estimates are not sufficiently consistent to be satisfactory over a wide range of cases. The primary problem is one of low signal-to-noise ratio of the radar scan data.
CP violation, an experimental perspective

I present a review of current and near-future experimental investigations of CP violation. In this review, I cover limits on particle electric dipole moments (EDMs) and CP violation studies in the K and B systems. The wealth of results from the new B factories provide impressive constraints on the CKM quark mixing matrix elements. Current and future measurements are focusing on processes dominated by loop diagrams, which probe physics at high mass scales in low-energy experiments.
Useful new annulation reactions of vicinal dicarboxylic esters

Abstract A new annulation process has been developed for the efficient synthesis of the bicyclic keto esters 1 and 6 , desired intermediates for the total synthesis of bilobalide ( 2 ). A number of other annulations are described which allow the generation from 3 of a variety of functionalized products ( 7–11 ).
Air-stable iron catalyst for the Oppenauer-type oxidation of alcohols

Abstract An alcohol oxidation process using an air-stable iron tricarbonyl compound structurally similar to Shvo’s diruthenium bridging hydride was developed. Secondary benzylic and allylic alcohols are oxidized in high yields, and evidence for an Oppenauer-type mechanism is presented.
TORSION IN THE COHOMOLOGY OF CONGRUENCE SUBGROUPS OF SL(4, Z) AND GALOIS REPRESENTATIONS

Abstract We report on the computation of torsion in certain homology theories of congruence subgroups of SL ( 4 , Z ) . Among these are the usual group cohomology, the Tate–Farrell cohomology, and the homology of the sharbly complex. All of these theories yield Hecke modules. We conjecture that the Hecke eigenclasses in these theories have attached Galois representations. The interpretation of our computations at the torsion primes 2, 3, 5 is explained. We provide evidence for our conjecture in the 15 cases of odd torsion that we found in levels ⩽31.
Impurity diffusion in transition-metal oxides

Intrinsic tracer impurity diffusion measurements in ceramic oxides have been primarily confined to CoO, NiO, and Fe/sub 3/O/sub 4/. Tracer impurity diffusion in these materials and TiO/sub 2/, together with measurements of the effect of impurities on tracer diffusion (Co in NiO and Cr in CoO), are reviewed and discussed in terms of impurity-defect interactions and mechanisms of diffusion. Divalent impurities in divalent solvents seem to have a weak interaction with vacancies whereas trivalent impurities in divalent solvents strongly influence the vacancy concentrations and significantly reduce solvent jump frequencies near a trivalent impurity. Impurities with small ionic radii diffuse more slowly with a larger activation energy than impurities with larger ionic radii for all systems considered in this review. Cobalt ions (a moderate size impurity) diffuse rapidly along the open channels parallel to the c-axis in TiO/sub 2/ whereas chromium ions (a smaller-sized impurity) do not. 60 references, 11 figures.
Linear Covariance Techniques for Orbital Rendezvous Analysis and Autonomous Onboard Mission Planning

A novel trajectory control and navigation analysis software approach is developed. The program quickly determines trajectory dispersions, navigation errors, and required maneuver Δv at selected key points along a nominal trajectory. It can be used for mission design and planning activities or in autonomous flight systems to help determine the best trajectories, the best maneuver locations, and the best navigation update times to ensure mission success. These features are illustrated with two simple examples. The software works by applying linear covariance analysis techniques to a closed-loop guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) system. The nonlinear dynamics and flight software models of a closed-loop six-degree-of-freedom Monte Carlo simulation are linearized. Then, linear covariance techniques are used to produce a program that will accurately predict 3-σ trajectory dispersions, navigation errors, and Av variations. Although the application presented is orbital rendezvous, the tools, techniques, and mathematical formulations are applicable to a variety of other space missions and GN&C problems including atmospheric entry, low-thrust electric propulsion missions, translunar injection and lunar orbit insertion, lunar ascent/descent, and formation-flying missions.
Tracking Streamer Blobs Into the Heliosphere

In this paper, we use coronal and heliospheric images from the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) spacecraft to track streamer blobs into the heliosphere and to observe them being swept up and compressed by the fast wind from low-latitude coronal holes. From an analysis of their elongation/time tracks, we discover a "locus of enhanced visibility" where neighboring blobs pass each other along the line of sight and their corotating spiral is seen edge-on. The detailed shape of this locus accounts for a variety of east-west asymmetries and allows us to recognize the spiral of blobs by its signatures in the STEREO images: in the eastern view from STEREO-A, the leading edge of the spiral is visible as a moving wavefront where foreground ejections overtake background ejections against the sky and then fade. In the western view from STEREO-B, the leading edge is only visible close to the Sun-spacecraft line where the radial path of ejections nearly coincides with the line of sight. In this case, we can track large-scale waves continuously back to the lower corona and see that they originate as face-on blobs.
The unreasonable effectiveness of neural network approximation

Results concerning the approximation rates of neural networks are of particular interest to engineers. The results reported in the literature have "slow approximation rates" O(1//spl radic/m), where m is the number of parameters in the neural network. However, many empirical studies report that neural network approximation is quite effective in practice. We give an explanation of this unreasonable effectiveness by proving the existence of approximation schemes that converge at a rate of the order of 1/m/sup 2/ by using methods from number theory.
Maximum-likelihood estimation optimizer for constrained, time-optimal satellite reorientation

Abstract The Covariance Matrix Adaptation-Evolutionary Strategy (CMA-ES) method provides a high-quality estimate of the control solution for an unconstrained satellite reorientation problem, and rapid, useful guesses needed for high-fidelity methods that can solve time-optimal reorientation problems with multiple path constraints. The CMA-ES algorithm offers two significant advantages over heuristic methods such as Particle Swarm or Bacteria Foraging Optimisation: it builds an approximation to the covariance matrix for the cost function, and uses that to determine a direction of maximum likelihood for the search, reducing the chance of stagnation; and it achieves second-order, quasi-Newton convergence behaviour.
Neutralino dark matter in focus point supersymmetry

In recent work, it has been argued that multi-TeV masses for scalar superpartners are not unnatural. Indeed, they appear to have significant phenomenological virtues. Here we explore the implications of such `focus point' supersymmetry for the dark matter problem. We find that constraints on relic densities do not place upper bounds on neutralino or scalar masses. We demonstrate that, in the specific context of minimal supergravity, a cosmologically stable mixed gaugino-Higgsino state emerges as an excellent, robust dark matter candidate. We estimate that, over a wide range of the unknown parameters, the spin-independent proton-neutralino cross sections fall in the range accessible to planned search experiments.
Proximity fingerprint of s±-superconductivity

We suggest a straightforward and unambiguous test to identify possible opposite signs of the superconducting order parameter in different bands proposed for iron-based superconductors (s±-state). We consider the proximity effect in a weakly coupled sandwich composed of a s±-superconductor and a thin layer of the s-wave superconductor. In such system the s-wave order parameter is coupled differently with different s±-gaps and it typically aligns with one of these gaps. This forces the other s±-gap to be anti-aligned with the s-wave gap. In such situation the aligned band induces a peak in the s-wave density of states (DoS), while the anti-aligned band induces a dip. Observation of such contact-induced negative feature in the s-wave DoS would provide a definite proof for s±-superconductivity.
Spectroscopic evidence for aqueous alteration products on the surfaces of low-albedo asteroids

The spectral reflectances of primary components of the carbonaceous chondrite matrix materials (CCMM) and their secondary alteration products are compared with new observations of low-albedo asteroids. It is shown that the spectral differences between C-type asteroids and carbonaceous chondrites are consistent with differing degrees of aqueous alteration of CCMM.
Molecular Characterization Of Structure And Bonding In Thin Film Materials

The application of Raman spectroscopy to the analysis of dielectric films with respect to phase composition and homogeneity has been reported during the past several years. Interfacial strain at the film-substrate interface, which influences chemical bonding, also perturbs the vibrational spectrum and can be quantified from measured frequency shifts. Recent work has shown that this inelastic light scattering technique can be used as an in situ probe of chemical bonding during film deposition and under conditions where the film undergoes catastrophic degradation caused by high energy particle or high pulse energy laser irradiation. Examples will be presented in this review which demonstrate the utility of this technique for understanding molecular structural changes which result during sol-gel or plasma processing of films. Real-time measurements of thin films subjected to high temperature and pressure environments will also be emphasized.
You can't get there from here: sensor scheduling with refocusing delays

We study a problem in which a single sensor is scheduled to observe sites periodically, motivated by applications in which the goal is to maintain up-to-date readings for all the observed sites. In the existing literature, it is typically assumed that the time for a sensor switching from one site to another is negligible. This may not be the case in applications such as camera surveillance of a border, however, in which the camera takes time to pan and tilt to refocus itself to a new geographical location. We formulate a problem with constraints modeling refocusing delays. We prove the problem to be NP-hard and then study a special case in which refocusing is proportional to some Euclidian metric. We give a lower bound on the optimal cost for the scheduling problem, and we derive exact solutions for some special cases of the problem. Finally, we provide and experimentally evaluate several heuristic algorithms, some of which are based on the computed lower bound, for the setting of one sensor and many sites.
Estimating the cost for doing a cost estimate

This article provides a model for estimating the cost required to do a cost estimate...Our earlier work provided data for high technology projects. This article adds data from the construction industry which validates the model over a wider range of technology.
Mass-Extinction: Evolution and the Effects of External Influences on Unfit Species

We present a new model for extinction in which species evolve in bursts or ''avalanches,'' during which they become on average more susceptible to environmental stresses such as harsh climates and so are more easily rendered extinct. Results of simulations and analytic calculations using our model show a power-law distribution of extinction sizes which is in reasonable agreement with fossil data. We also see a number of features qualitatively similar to those seen in the fossil record. For example, we see frequent smaller extinctions in the wake of a large mass extinction, which arise because there is reduced competition for resources in the aftermath of a large extinction event, so that species which would not normally be able to compete can get a foothold, but only until the next cold winter or bad attack of the flu comes along to wipe them out.
Exhaust Gas Driven Generator With Altitude Compensation for Battery Dominant Hybrid Electric Vehicles

HEVs historically have had reduced performance at elevations higher than sea level. The effects of this loss of performance can be mediated with the use of a standard turbocharger; however, approximately 80–90% of the vehicle’s operation is at altitudes where full boost from the turbocharger is not needed to maintain performance characteristics comparable to conventional vehicles of the same size. If the turbocharger is used to drive an electric generator, the power produced by the turbine section that is not needed to maintain the intake pressure at the set point, determined as the pressure at which the best ICE efficiency occurs, can be used to charge the traction battery of HEVs. The Exhaust Gas Driven Generator converts the thermal energy, normally wasted through the exhaust of the ICE, to electrical energy stored in the traction battery of the HEV. By recovering a portion of the heat energy of the exhausted combustion gases, the Exhaust Gas Driven Generator can improve the volumetric efficiency and effective thermal efficiency of the propulsion system of the HEV, thus reducing the fuel consumption of the typical HEV even further.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Uniform non-amenability of free Burnside groups

The aim of this paper is to show that free Burnside groups of sufficiently large odd exponent are non-amenable in a certain strong sense. More precisely their left regular representations are isolated from the trivial representation uniformly on finite generating sets. It follows that free Burnside groups are of uniform exponential growth. This answers a question of de la Harpe.
CONCEPT SIMILARITY IN FUZZY FORMAL CONCEPT ANALYSIS FOR SEMANTIC WEB

This paper presents a method for evaluating concept similarity within Fuzzy Formal Concept Analysis. In the perspective of developing the Semantic Web, such a method can be helpful when the digital resources found on the Internet cannot be treated equally and the integration of fuzzy data becomes fundamental for the search and discovery of information in the Web.
Progress and prospects at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS)

Abstract This report discusses the NSLS project from inception until the present. The commencement and motivation for the program are considered from the viewpoint of the needs of various experiments and the concept of the “basic source” is introduced. The basic source has high brightness and tunability within the ranges 0–0.3 keV and 3–20 keV. The inclusion of tunability implies the use of monochromators and the role of these is discussed. The basic source is important because it satisfies a very large proportion of users. The strategy of NSLS in providing a good basic source and special devices (monochromators and wigglers) to allow coverage of the energy ranges outside those of the basic source is described. The response of NSLS to various other general and special needs of experimental users is described. Turning to the free electron laser project, a brief description of that device is given followed by a progress report of the overall NSLS construction program. The broad conclusion is that the NSLS facility will be completed within 2–3 months of its scheduled timescale and within its budget. This is considered to be a highly successful conclusion to the construction program.
Arcuate nucleus destruction does not block food deprivation-induced increases in food foraging and hoarding

The mechanisms underlying the control of food intake are considerably better understood than those underlying the appetitive ingestive behaviors of foraging and hoarding of food, despite the prevalence of the latter across species including humans. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Agouti-related protein (AgRP), two orexigenic neuropeptides known to stimulate food intake in a variety of species, applied centrally to Siberian hamsters increases foraging and especially hoarding with lesser increases in food intake. Both are expressed in the arcuate nucleus (Arc) and their synthesis increases with food deprivation, a naturally-occurring stimulus that markedly increases foraging and hoarding in Siberian hamsters. Therefore, we tested whether destruction of Arc neurons blocks these ingestive behaviors. This was accomplished either by microinjecting NPY conjugated to saporin (NPY-SAP) bilaterally into the Arc to kill NPY receptor-bearing neurons or via neonatal monosodium glutamate (MSG) treatment. For both methods, Arc cresyl violet staining (cell density) and NPY and Y1 receptor-immunoreactivity (ir) were significantly decreased. Although baseline foraging and food hoarding were not affected, food deprivation-induced increased food hoarding was surprisingly exaggerated approximately 100% with both types of Arc destruction. We found a substantial amount of remaining NPY-ir fibers, likely emanating from the brainstem, and a significant up-regulation of Y1 receptors in Arc NPY projections areas (hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and perifornical area) after Arc denervation and their activation may have accounted for the exaggerated increases. The converging evidence from both Arc destruction methods suggests an intact Arc is not necessary for food deprivation-induced increases in food foraging and hoarding.
Galois action on class groups

Abstract It is well known that the Galois group of an extension L/F puts constraints on the structure of the relative ideal class group Cl(L/F). Explicit results, however, hardly ever go beyond the semisimple abelian case, where L/F is abelian (in general cyclic) and where (L:F) and #Cl(L/F) are coprime. Using only basic parts of the theory of group representations, we give a unified approach to these as well as more general results.
A compactification of open varieties

In this paper we prove a general method to compactify certain open varieties by adding normal crossing divisors. This is done by showing that blowing up along an arrangement of subvarieties can be carried out. Important examples such as Ulyanov's configuration spaces and complements of arrangements of linear subspaces in projective spaces, etc., are covered. Intersection ring and (nonrecursive) Hodge polynomials are computed. Furthermore, some general structures arising from the blowup process are also described and studied.
Evolution equations in Riemannian geometry

A fundamental question in Riemannian geometry is to find canonical metrics on a given smooth manifold. In the 1980s, R.S. Hamilton proposed an approach to this question based on parabolic partial differential equations. The goal is to start from a given initial metric and deform it to a canonical metric by means of an evolution equation. There are various natural evolution equations for Riemannian metrics, including the Ricci flow and the conformal Yamabe flow. In this survey, we discuss the global behavior of the solutions to these equations. In particular, we describe how these techniques can be used to prove the Differentiable Sphere Theorem.
Consumers’ Trust in Feelings as Information

The diagnosticity of feelings in judgment depends not only on their representativeness and relevance, but also on people’s trust in their feelings in general. Trust in feelings is the degree to which individuals believe that their feelings generally point toward the “right” direction in judgments and decisions. Six studies show that a higher trust in feelings (a) increases the reliance on feelings as a judgment criterion, (b) amplifies the influence of ad-induced feelings in persuasion, (c) magnifies the ratio bias in risky choice, and (d) increases the rejection of unfair offers in the ultimatum game. Further, (e) when feelings are highly relevant, they are relied upon regardless of the level of trust, whereas when feelings have low relevance, they are relied upon only if people trust them. Finally, (f) assessments of trust in feelings require significant processing resources. A refined model of feelings as information is advanced based on these findings.
Chiral symmetry on the lattice

I review some of the difficulties associated with chiral symmetry in the context of a lattice regulator. I discuss the structure of Wilson Fermions when the hopping parameter is in the vicinity of its critical value. Here one flavor contrasts sharply with the case of more, where a residual chiral symmetry survives anomalies. I briefly discuss the surface mode approach, the use of mirror Fermions to cancel anomalies, and finally speculate on the problems with lattice versions of the standard model.
SYNCHRONIZING TO PERIODICITY: THE TRANSIENT INFORMATION AND SYNCHRONIZATION TIME OF PERIODIC SEQUENCES

We analyze how difficult it is to synchronize to a periodic sequence whose structure is known, when an observer is initially unaware of the sequence's phase. We examine the transient information T, a recently introduced information-theoretic quantity that measures the uncertainty an observer experiences while synchronizing to a sequence. We also consider the synchronization time τ, which is the average number of measurements required to infer the phase of a periodic signal. We calculate T and τ for all periodic sequences up to and including period 23. We show which sequences of a given period have the maximum and minimum possible T and τ values, develop analytic expressions for the extreme values, and show that in these cases the transient information is the product of the total phase information and the synchronization time. Despite the latter result, our analyses demonstrate that the transient information and synchronization time capture different and complementary structural properties of individual periodic sequences — properties, moreover, that are distinct from source entropy rate and mutual information measures, such as the excess entropy.
Matrix-valued polynomials generated by the scalar-type Rodrigues' formulas

The properties of matrix-valued polynomials generated by the scalar-type Rodrigues' formulas are analyzed. A general representation of these polynomials is found in terms of products of simple differential operators. The recurrence relations, leading coefficients, completeness are established, as well as, in the commutative case, the second order equations for which these polynomials are eigenfunctions and the corresponding eigenvalues, and ladder operators. A new, direct proof is given to the conjecture of Duran and Grunbaum that if the weights are self-adjoint and positive semidefinite then they are necessarily of scalar type. Commutative classes of orthogonal polynomials (corresponding to weights that are self-adjoint but not positive semidefinite) are found, which satisfy all the properties usually associated to orthogonal polynomials, and are not of scalar type.
A centered projective algorithm for linear programming

We describe a projective algorithm for linear programming that shares features with Karmarkar's projective algorithm and its variants and with the path-following methods of Gonzaga, Kojima-Mizuno-Yoshise, Monteiro-Adler, Renegar, Vaidya and Ye. It operates in a primal-dual setting, stays close to the central trajectories, and converges in Oân L iterations like the latter methods. Here n is the number of variables and L the input size of the problem. However, it is motivated by seeking reductions in a suitable potential function as in projective algorithms, and the approximate centering is an automatic byproduct of our choice of potential function.
Epinephrine is not a useful addition to intrathecal fentanyl or fentanyl-bupivacaine for labor analgesia

Abstract Background and Objectives: Intrathecal fentanyl provides effective labor analgesia for a limited time with frequent side effects. We evaluated the effects of adding epinephrine to intrathecal fentanyl with and without bupivacaine. Methods: Eighty healthy, term, nulliparous parturients with cervical dilation of 5 cm or less received combined spinal-epidural (CSE) analgesia. Subjects were randomized in a double-blind fashion to 1 of 4 intrathecal solutions containing fentanyl 35 μg with either saline (F); bupivacaine 2.5 mg + saline (FB); bupivacaine 2.5 mg + epinephrine 100 μg (FBE); or epinephrine 100 μg + saline (FE). Patients were evaluated for visual analog pain score, duration of spinal analgesia (time until patient request for additional analgesia), nausea/vomiting, pruritus, sensory and motor block, maternal blood pressure, and fetal heart rate (FHR). Results: Intrathecal bupivacaine significantly prolonged fentanyl analgesia with or without epinephrine ( P = .018), but epinephrine did not significantly prolong the duration of fentanyl alone or with bupivacaine (F, 92 ± 39 minutes; FB, 125 ± 31 minutes; FBE, 134 ± 42 minutes; and FE, 117 ± 48 minutes). Intrathecal epinephrine was associated with a higher incidence of severe nausea ( P = .001), and the FBE group had more lower extremity weakness ( P = .047). There was no difference in the incidence of severe pruritus, FHR deceleration, or delivery outcome between the groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that intrathecal epinephrine does not prolong the duration of fentanyl or fentanyl with bupivacaine for labor analgesia in nulliparous parturients. Additionally, intrathecal epinephrine did not decrease the incidence of side effects and therefore cannot be recommended. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2002;27:374-379.
A new waveform consistency test for gravitational wave inspiral searches

Searches for binary inspiral signals in data collected by interferometric gravitational wave detectors utilize matched filtering techniques. Although matched filtering is optimal in the case of stationary Gaussian noise, data from real detectors often contain 'glitches' and episodes of excess noise which cause filter outputs to ring strongly. We review the standard χ2 statistic which is used to test whether the filter output has appropriate contributions from several different frequency bands. We then propose a new type of waveform consistency test which is based on the time history of the filter output. We apply one such test to the data from the first LIGO science run and show that it cleanly distinguishes between true inspiral waveforms and large-amplitude false signals which managed to pass the standard χ2 test. Future searches may benefit significantly from applying this new type of waveform consistency test in addition to the standard χ2 test.