cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Low Quiescent X-Ray Luminosity of the Transient X-Ray Burster EXO 1747–214

We report on X-ray and optical observations of the X-ray burster EXO 1747-214. This source is an X-ray transient, and its only known outburst was observed in 1984-1985 by the EXOSAT satellite. We reanalyzed the EXOSAT data to derive the source position, column density, and a distance upper limit using its peak X-ray burst flux. We observed the EXO 1747-214 field in 2003 July with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory to search for the quiescent counterpart. We found one possible candidate just outside the EXOSAT error circle, but we cannot rule out the possibility that the source is unrelated to EXO 1747-214. Our conclusion is that the upper limit on the unabsorbed 0.3-8 keV luminosity is L 1300 yr unless some form of enhanced cooling occurs within the neutron star. The position of the possible X-ray counterpart is consistent with three blended optical/IR sources with R magnitudes between 19.4 and 19.8 and J magnitudes between 17.2 and 17.6. One of these sources could be the quiescent optical/IR counterpart of EXO 1747-214.
Efficient electron beam pattern data format for the production of binary computer generated holograms.

Current pattern data formats for electron beam lithography are specifically designed to meet the needs of the VLSI industry. As a result, pattern data file size is often the limiting factor in the production of a binary computer generated hologram and not the spatial bandwidth product. This paper explores one alternate pattern data format that facilitates the full utilization of the e-beam machine’s spatial bandwidth product without introducing prohibitive amounts of pattern data. The pattern data format uses two well-established data compression techniques specifically tailored to remove the redundancies present in holographic fringe patterns.
Synthesis and characterization of potassium polytellurides in liquid ammonia solution

Abstract Elemental potassium and tellurium have been combined in liquid ammonia to form materials with elemental analyses consistent with potassium polytellurides. Solutions of these materials in liquid ammonia have been studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results of this investigation indicate that K2Te2 and K2Te3 are distinctive, spectroscopically identifiable species. During the reaction sequence, a yellow solution color is observed prior to the formation of K2Te. This transient species has a broad absorption band with a maximum at 367 nm, a shoulder at 390 nm, a small shoulder at 425 nm, and is postulated to be the intermediate KTe. K2Te is a yellowish-white solid for which no absorption is noted in the spectral region 220-700 nm. The spectra of the polytellurides consisted of several overlapping bands that were submitted to curve resolution procedures. Results were as follows: K2Te2, blue solution (282.8, 306.8, 329.4, 358.0 and 562.1 nm) and K2Te3, red solution (285.7, 324.8, 370.4 and 516.0 nm). No evidence for the formation of a polytelluride greater than the tri-species was observed under the conditions of this investigation.
Numerical Investigation of Bluff-Body Stabilized Microwave Plasmas

Microwave heating of gases for space propulsion applications is addressed analytically by means of coupled solutions of the Navier-Stokes and Maxwell equations. The model is validated using experimental measurements of bluff-body stabilized microwave plasmas sustained in a resonant cavity. The size, shape, and location of the plasma are reasonably well-predicted, as are its overall thermal efficiency, coupling efficiency, and peak temperature. Parametric trends such as the effect of power and mass flow variations on thruster performance verify that the model incorporates the dominant physical processes of the plasma-fluid-dynamic interaction. In addition, the predictions indicate that the size of the plasma strongly influences the plasma temperature and its absorption characteristics. Proper design of the flow tube/bluff-body configuration enables the control of the plasma size and, hence, the plasma characteristics. This enables high-coupling efficiencies to be obtained at high power levels and, along with control of the mass flow to minimize wall heat, high thruster performance may be realized. Preliminary efforts to maximize performance resulted in specific impulse predictions of 600 s. Additional work is needed to identify methods for increasing the peak powers and to study size scale-up issues.
International Pricing in a Generalized Model of Ideal Variety

We examine international markups and pricing in a generalized version of Lancaster's 'ideal variety' model. In this model, entry causes crowding in variety space, so that the marginal utility of new varieties falls as market size grows. Crowding is partially offset by income effects, as richer consumers will pay more for varieties closer matched to their ideal types. We show theoretically and confirm empirically that declining marginal utility of new varieties results in: a higher own-price elasticity of demand (and lower prices) in large countries and a lower own-price elasticity of demand (and higher prices) in rich countries. The model is also useful for generating facts from the literature regarding cross-country differences in the rate of variety expansion.
X-ray near-field speckle: implementation and critical analysis

The newly introduced coherence-based technique of X-ray near-field speckle (XNFS) has been implemented at 8-ID-I at the Advanced Photon Source. In the near-field regime of high-brilliance synchrotron X-rays scattered from a sample of interest, it turns out that, when the scattered radiation and the main beam both impinge upon an X-ray area detector, the measured intensity shows low-contrast speckles, resulting from interference between the incident and scattered beams. A micrometer-resolution XNFS detector with a high numerical aperture microscope objective has been built and its capability for studying static structures and dynamics at longer length scales than traditional far-field X-ray scattering techniques is demonstrated. Specifically, the dynamics of dilute silica and polystyrene colloidal samples are characterized. This study reveals certain limitations of the XNFS technique, especially in the characterization of static structures, which is discussed.
Flexible shaft versus rigid shaft electric machines for petroleum and chemical plants

It is pointed out that most small electric machines are designed to rigid shaft criteria without any concern for possible effects on operating performance. However, an increasing number of large high-speed motors that operate at constant speed are designed to be flexible shaft machines. For those machines that operate at constant speed, flexible shaft design may be a good approach. However, flexible shaft motors may not be well suited to adjustable-speed operation because excessive vibration may occur at some operating speeds. The drive may have certain ranges of operation speed that cannot run continuously because of the high vibration. Rigid shaft motors have the advantage of being less prone to excessive vibration when operated over a wide speed range. With proper coordination and system design, rigid shaft motors operating on resilient mountings can be made insensitive to vibration. Hydrodynamic bearings can provide the required resilience if the rotor system is properly designed. Experience with such drives has not shown a need to forbid continuous operation for certain speed ranges. >
INSECT STING ANAPHYLAXIS

Anaphylaxis to insect stings has occurred in 3% of adults and can be fatal even on the first reaction. Large local reactions are more frequent but rarely dangerous. The chance of a systemic reaction to a sting is low (5% to 10%) in large local reactors and in children with mild (cutaneous) systemic reactions, and varies between 25% and 70% in adults depending on the severity of previous sting reactions. Venom skin tests are most accurate for diagnosis, but the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) is an important complementary test. The degree of sensitivity on skin test or RAST does not predict the severity of a sting reaction reliably. Venom sensitization can be detected in 25% of adults, so the history is most important. Venom immunotherapy is 75% to 98% effective in preventing sting anaphylaxis. Most patients can discontinue treatment after 5 years, with very low residual risk of a severe sting reaction.
On the Complexity of Mumford–Shah-Type Regularization, Viewed as a Relaxed Sparsity Constraint

We show that inverse problems with a truncated quadratic regularization are NP-hard in general to solve or even approximate up to an additive error. This stands in contrast to the case corresponding to a finite-dimensional approximation to the Mumford-Shah functional, where the operator involved is the identity and for which polynomial-time solutions are known. Consequently, we confirm the infeasibility of any natural extension of the Mumford-Shah functional to general inverse problems. A connection between truncated quadratic minimization and sparsity-constrained minimization is also discussed.
Mediating incentive use: A time-series assessment of economic development deals in North Carolina

State incentive granting for the purpose of firm retention or recruitment remains highly controversial and is often portrayed as antithetical to long-range economic development planning. This artic...
Cultural Persistence as Behavior Towards Risk: Evidence from the North Carolina Cherokees, 1850-1880

Can economic theory help explain the persistence of a cultural enclave among the Cherokee Indians living in North Carolina during the nineteenth century? To date, Fogelson and Kutsche (1961) and Finger (1984) have identified the continuation of a communal, labor-sharing, agricultural institution called the gadugi as an example of Cherokee agency during a period of substantial upheaval. I contribute to the historiography on ancestral labor traditions by adopting Kimball’s (1988) framework on the function of farming cooperatives to test whether this arrangement sprung up as a form of insurance against the idiosyncratic risk inherent in southern agriculture. Data collected from the 1850-1880 manuscript census returns on North Carolina Cherokee farms are used to compute the variance of household self-sufficiency, which appears substantial enough to warrant a non-market mechanism to pool risk.
Mesh stability of look-ahead interconnected systems

We define a notion of mesh stability for a class of interconnected nonlinear systems. Intuitively, mesh stability is the property of damping disturbance propagation. We derive a set of sufficient conditions to assure mesh stability of "look-ahead" interconnected systems. Mesh stability is shown to be robust with respect to structural and singular perturbations. The theory is applied to an example of formation flying.
Efficient computation of resonance varieties via Grassmannians

Abstract Associated to the cohomology ring A of the complement X ( A ) of a hyperplane arrangement A in C l are the resonance varieties R k ( A ) . The most studied of these is R 1 ( A ) , which is the union of the tangent cones at 1 to the characteristic varieties of π 1 ( X ( A ) ) . R 1 ( A ) may be described in terms of Fitting ideals, or as the locus where a certain E x t module is supported. Both these descriptions give obvious algorithms for computation. In this note, we show that interpreting R 1 ( A ) as the locus of decomposable two-tensors in the Orlik–Solomon ideal of A leads to a description of R 1 ( A ) as the intersection of a Grassmannian with a linear space, determined by the quadratic generators of the Orlik–Solomon ideal. This method is much faster than previous alternatives.
Frequency of Laboratory Test Utilization in the Intensive Care Unit and Its Implications for Large-Scale Data Collection Efforts

Objective: Mapping local use names to standardized nomenclatures such as LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes) is a time-consuming task when done retrospectively or during the configuration of new information systems. The author sought to identify a subset of intensive care unit (ICU) laboratory tests, which, because of their frequency of use, should be the focus of efforts to standardize test names in ICU information systems. Design: The author reviewed the ordering practices in medical, surgical, and pediatric ICUs within a large university teaching hospital to identify the subset of laboratory tests that represented the majority of tests performed in these settings. The author compared the results of his findings with the laboratory tests required to complete several of the most frequently used ICU acuity scoring systems. Results: It was found that between 104 and 202 tests and profiles represented 99% of all testing in the three ICUs. All the laboratory studies needed for six commonly used ICU scoring systems fell into the top 21 laboratory studies and profiles performed in each ICU. Conclusion: The author identified a small subset of the LOINC database that should be the focus of efforts to standardize test names in ICU information systems. Mapping this subset of laboratory tests and profiles to LOINC vocabulary will simplify the process of collecting data for large-scale databases such as ICU scoring systems and the configuration of new ICU information systems. j J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2005;12:229-233. DOI 10.1197/jamia.M1604.
Keeping control: the paradox of scholarly community-based research in community development

Community-based research within American colleges and universities has been widely adopted as a vehicle for addressing local public policy challenges. In practice, this research approach is rife with problems that stem largely from the problem of the researcher’s inability to maintain control. In this paper, the author reports on one such community-based research project, illustrating how lack of control is manifested through changing research questions and methods, as well as changing political conditions. The findings provide direction for improved researcher-practitioner involvement in local policy analysis by improved communication and articulation of project goals.
Sequences of reflection functors and the preprojective component of a valued quiver

Abstract This paper concerns preprojective representations of a finite connected valued quiver without oriented cycles. For each such representation, an explicit formula in terms of the geometry of the quiver gives a unique, up to a certain equivalence, shortest (+)-admissible sequence such that the corresponding composition of reflection functors annihilates the representation. The set of equivalence classes of the above sequences is a partially ordered set that contains a great deal of information about the preprojective component of the Auslander–Reiten quiver. The results apply to the study of reduced words in the Weyl group associated with an indecomposable symmetrizable generalized Cartan matrix.
Integral moments of automorphic L-functions

This paper exposes the underlying mechanism for obtaining second integral moments of GL2 automorphic L–functions over an arbitrary number field. Here, moments for GL2 are presented in a form enabling application of the structure of adele groups and their representation theory. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first formulation of integral moments in adele-group-theoretic terms, distinguishing global and local issues, and allowing uniform application to number fields. When specialized to the field of rational numbers Q, we recover the classical results. §
Dollar Funding and the Lending Behavior of Global Banks

A large share of dollar-denominated lending is done by non-U.S. banks, particularly European banks. We present a model in which such banks cut dollar lending more than euro lending in response to a shock to their credit quality. Because these banks rely on wholesale dollar funding, while raising more of their euro funding through insured retail deposits, the shock leads to a greater withdrawal of dollar funding. Banks can borrow in euros and swap into dollars to make up for the dollar shortfall, but this may lead to violations of covered interest parity (CIP) when there is limited capital to take the other side of the swap trade. In this case, synthetic dollar borrowing becomes expensive, which causes cuts in dollar lending. We test the model in the context of the Eurozone sovereign crisis, which escalated in the second half of 2011 and resulted in U.S. money-market funds sharply reducing the funding provided to European banks. Coincident with the contraction in dollar funding, there were significant violations of euro-dollar CIP. Moreover, dollar lending by Eurozone banks fell relative to their euro lending in both the U.S. and Europe; this was not the case for U.S. global banks. Finally, European banks that were more reliant on money funds experienced bigger declines in dollar lending.
Difficulties with access in percutaneous renal surgery

Percutaneous renal surgery provides a minimally invasive approach to the kidney for stone extraction in a number of different clinical scenarios. Certain clinical cases present inherent challenges to percutaneous access to the kidney. Herein, we present scenarios in which obtaining and/or maintaining percutaneous access is difficult along with techniques to overcome the challenges commonly encountered. Also, complications associated with these challenging percutaneous renal surgeries are discussed.
Transient-fault recovery for chip multiprocessors

To address the increasing susceptibility of commodity chip multiprocessors (CMPs) to transient faults, we propose Chiplevel Redundantly Threaded multiprocessor with Recovery (CRTR). CRTR extends the previously-proposed CRT for transient-fault detection in CMPs, and the previously-proposed SRTR for transient-fault recovery in SMT. All these schemes achieve fault tolerance by executing and comparing two copies, called leading and trailing threads, of a given application. Previous recovery schemes for SMT do not perform well on CMPs. In a CMP, the leading and trailing threads execute on different processors to achieve load balancing and reduce the probability of a fault corrupting both threads; whereas in an SMT, both threads execute on the same processor. The inter-processor communication required to compare the threads introduces latency and bandwidth problems not present in an SMT.To hide inter-processor latency, CRTR executes the leading thread ahead of the trailing thread by maintaining a long slack, enabled by asymmetric commit. CRTR commits the leading thread before checking and the trailing thread after checking, so that the trailing thread state may be used for recovery. Previous recovery schemes commit both threads after checking, making a long slack suboptimal. To tackle inter-processor bandwidth, CRTR not only increases the bandwidth supply by pipelining the communication paths, but also reduces the bandwidth demand. By reasoning that faults propagate through dependences, previously-proposed Dependence-Based Checking Elision (DBCE) exploits (true) register dependence chains so that only the value of the last instruction in a chain is checked. However, instructions that mask operand bits may mask faults and limit the use of dependence chains. We propose Death- and Dependence-Based Checking Elision (DDBCE), which chains a masking instruction only if the source operand of the instruction dies after the instruction. Register deaths ensure that masked faults do not corrupt later computation. Using SPEC2000, we show that CRTR incurs negligible performance loss compared to CRT for inter-processor (one-way) latency as high as 30 cycles, and that the bandwidth requirements of CRT and CRTR with DDBCE are 5.2 and 7.1 bytes/cycle, respectively.
AIDS and economic growth in South Africa

Morbidity and mortality effects are introduced into a three sector, Ramsey-type model of economic growth. The model is calibrated to South African national accounts data and used to examine the potential impact of HIV/AIDS on economic growth. Simulation results suggest a 10 per cent decrease in the size of the effective labour force would lead to a 10 per cent decrease in long-run (steady state) GDP levels. Similarly, a 10 per cent decrease in the number of labourers would lead to an 11 per cent drop in long-run GDP.
Intercultural communication competence: Identifying key components from multicultural perspectives

Abstract Intercultural communication competence (ICC) is an area of study that is becoming more relevant in the increasingly multicultural communities that we live in. Though much progress has been made in this area of research since Hall [(1959). The silent language . New York: Anchor Books], a satisfactory model of ICC and a scale that translates well into different cultures is yet to be developed. This paper presents a review of past research in ICC and describes a unique approach to identifying variables that contribute toward perceived ICC. Specifically, this study triangulates and updates past research on ICC by integrating the theoretical backgrounds of social psychology, interpersonal communication, and anthropology to construct a multidimensional understanding of ICC. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews with participants representing 15 different countries and responses were analyzed using semantic network analysis. A definition of intercultural communication was derived from the responses, and knowledge and motivation were identified as important components of ICC. Additions to a multidimensional definition of ICC include listening skills, prior cross-cultural experiences, having a global outlook as opposed to an ethnocentric one, and an other-centered style of communication. Limitations of the study and implications for future research are discussed.
Remote physical device fingerprinting

We introduce the area of remote physical device fingerprinting, or fingerprinting a physical device, as opposed to an operating system or class of devices, remotely, and without the fingerprinted device's known cooperation. We accomplish this goal by exploiting small, microscopic deviations in device hardware: clock skews. Our techniques do not require any modification to the fingerprinted devices. Our techniques report consistent measurements when the measurer is thousands of miles, multiple hops, and tens of milliseconds away from the fingerprinted device and when the fingerprinted device is connected to the Internet from different locations and via different access technologies. Further, one can apply our passive and semipassive techniques when the fingerprinted device is behind a NAT or firewall, and. also when the device's system time is maintained via NTP or SNTP. One can use our techniques to obtain information about whether two devices on the Internet, possibly shifted in time or IP addresses, are actually the same physical device. Example applications include: computer forensics; tracking, with some probability, a physical device as it connects to the Internet from different public access points; counting the number of devices behind a NAT even when the devices use constant or random IP IDs; remotely probing a block of addresses to determine if the addresses correspond to virtual hosts, e.g., as part of a virtual honeynet; and unanonymizing anonymized network traces.
Design and synthesis of a versatile precursor to neutral technetium and rhenium complexes

Abstract The design and synthesis of a novel bifunctional chelating agent (BCA) is described which allows convenient one-step preparation of organic ligands for subsequent formation of neutral complexes with group VIIB metals of biomedical interest, such as technetium and rhenium.
Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of anti-1,3-diaryl-3-chloro-2-(o-nitrophenylsulfonylamino)-3-propan-1-ones through catalytic aminohalogenation reaction of α,β-unsaturated ketones

The synthesis of anti-1,3-diaryl-3-chloro-2-(2-nitrophenylsulfonylamino)-3-propan-1-ones has been achieved. The aminohalogenation of α,β-unsaturated ketones resulted in the vicinal haloamine products in high regio- and stereoselectivity and modest to good chemical yields. The reaction can be conducted under convenient conditions by using the combination of 2-NsNCl2/2-NsNHNa (2-Ns = 2-nosyl = 2-nitrophenylsulfonyl) as the nitrogen/chlorine source and by using copper(I) triflate as the catalyst. An N-(2-nosyl)-N-H-aziridinium intermediate was proposed to exist in the aminohalogenation process. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Design of a Real Time FPGA-Based Three Dimensional Positioning Algorithm

We report on the implementation and hardware platform of a real time Statistics-Based Positioning (SBP) method with depth of interaction processing for a positron emission tomography detector. The processing method works in conjunction with continuous miniature crystal element (cMiCE) detectors using a sensor on the entrance surface design. Our group previously reported on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) SBP implementation that provided a two dimensional (2D) detector positioning solution . This new implementation extends that work to take advantage of three dimensional (3D) look up tables to provide a 3D positioning solution that improves intrinsic spatial resolution. Resolution is most improved along the edges of the crystal, an area where the 2D algorithm's performance suffers. The algorithm allows an intrinsic spatial resolution of ~ 0.90 mm FWHM in X and Y and a resolution of ~ 1.90 mm FWHM in Z (i.e., the depth of the crystal) based upon DETECT2000 simulation results that include the effects of Compton scatter in the crystal. A pipelined FPGA implementation is able to process events in excess of 220 K events per second, which is greater than the maximum expected coincidence rate for an individual detector. In contrast to all detectors being processed at a centralized host (as in the current system) a separate FPGA is available at each detector, thus dividing the computational load. A prototype design has been implemented and tested on an Altera Stratix II FPGA using a reduced word size due to memory limitations of our commercial prototyping board.
Very‐low‐pressure pyrolysis of nitroso‐ and pentafluoronitrosobenzene C ? NO bond dissociation energies

The high-pressure absolute rate constants for the decomposition of nitrosobenzene and pentafluoronitrosobenzene were determined using the very-low-pressure pyrolysis (VLPP) technique. Bond dissociation energies of DH0(C6H5NO) = 51.5 ± 1 kcal/mole and DH0 (C6F5NO) = 50.5 ± 1 kcal/mole could be deduced if the radical combination rate constant is set at log kr(M−1·sec−1) = 10.0 ± 0.5 for both systems and the activation energy for combination is taken as 0 kcal/mole at 298°K. δHf0(C6H5NO), δHf0(C6F5NO), and δHf0(C6F5) could be estimated from our kinetic data and group additivity. The values are 48.1 ± 1, –160 ± 2, and – 130.9 ± 2 kcal/mole, respectively. C–X bond dissociation energies of several perfluorinated phenyl compounds, DH0(C6F5–X), were obtained from the reported values of δHf0(C6F5X) and our estimated δHf0(C6F5) [X = H, CH3, NO, Cl, F, CF3, I, and OH].
The Emergence, Content, and Institutionalization of Hate Crime Law: How a Diverse Policy Community Produced a Modern Legal Fact

This review provides an overview of the emergence, content, and institutionalization of hate crime law as a unique form of criminal and civil rights law originating in the United States and increasingly finding a home in other countries. From the introduction and politicization of the term hate crime in the late 1970s to the increased enforcement of hate crime law at the beginning of the twenty-first century, social movements have constructed the problem of hate-motivated violence; politicians at the federal and state levels have passed legislation defining the parameters of hate crime; appellate court judges have decided the constitutionality of hate crime law; and law enforcement officials have classified, reported, investigated, and prosecuted incidents as hate crime. At the same time, media attention to hate crime has increased, defining the concept for the masses while leading to and reflecting growing acceptance of the idea that criminal conduct is different when it involves an act motivated by (som...
Subharmonic frequencies produced in non-linear systems

IN BRIDGE measurements, harmonics, due to a nonlinear load being measured or due to the power supply may fail to be balanced at the same time the fundamental is balanced. This impresses on the detecting system a wave containing a large proportion of harmonics, or, at true fundamental balance, harmonics without fundamental component. The detecting system contains magnetic materials and may include a vacuum tube amplifier. Different observers have found errors which they traced to the apparent conversion of part of the harmonics into a fundamental component.
How Voters Become Misinformed: An Investigation of the Emergence and Consequences of False Factual Beliefs*

Objectives Voters develop not only different opinions about politics but also different sets of empirical beliefs. It is less clear how falsifiable beliefs take hold. In particular, it remains unclear as to whether news and campaign messages, moderated by political knowledge, drive the process, or whether deep-seated values principally sway voters' acceptance of factual claims. These contrasting views point to a set of testable hypotheses that we use to refine a model of ideologically-biased empirical belief generation, which we call “knowledge distortion.” Methods We conduct an analysis of survey data on three ballot measures in Washington State, testing hypothesized relationships between voters' empirical beliefs about political issues, news and campaign messages, political knowledge, political values, and partisanship, as well as vote choices on the ballot measures. Results Our analysis reveals that voters' values and partisanship had the strongest associations with distorted beliefs, which then influenced voting choices. Self-reported levels of exposure to media and campaign messages played a surprisingly limited role. Conclusion Our findings provide further evidence of politically motivated factual misperceptions on political issues, which have an independent effect on voters' ballot decisions. These misperceptions do not seem to be driven by news media and campaign messages, suggesting that citizens may be generating relevant empirical beliefs based on their underlying political values and ideology.
An Easier Way to Calibrate

Abstract Forecasts are said to be calibrated if the frequency predictions are approximately correct. This is a refinement of an idea first introduced by David Blackwell in 1955. We show that “ K -initialized myopic strategies” are approximately calibrated when K is large. These strategies first “initialize” by making each forecast exactly K times, and thereafter play, in each period t , the minmax strategy in a static game. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C72, C73, C63, D83.
Time-Dependent Behaviour of an Alternating Service Queue

We consider a model describing the waiting time of a server alternating between two service points. This model is described by a Lindley-type equation. We are interested in the time-dependent behaviour of this system and derive explicit expressions for its time-dependent waiting-time distribution, the correlation between waiting times, and the distribution of the cycle length. As our model is closely related to Lindley's recursion, we compare our results to those derived for Lindley's recursion.
Detection of Water Vapor in the Photosphere of Arcturus

We report detections of pure rotation lines of OH and H2O in the K1.5 III red-giant star Arcturus (α Bootis) using high-resolution, infrared spectra covering the regions 806 −822cm −1 (12.2 −12.4 µm) and 884 −923cm −1 (10.8 −11.3 µm). Arcturus is the hottest star yet to show water-vapor features in its disk-averaged spectrum. We argue that the water vapor lines originate from the photosphere, albeit in the outer layers. We are able to predict the observed strengths of OH and H2O lines satisfactorily after lowering the temperature structure of the very outer parts of the photosphere (log τ500 = −3.8 and beyond) compared to a flux- constant, hydrostatic, standard marcs model photosphere. Our new model is consistently calculated including chemical equilibrium and radiative transfer from the given temperature structure. Possible reasons for a temperature decrease in the outer-most parts of the photosphere and the assumed break-down of the assumptions made in classical model-atmosphere codes are discussed.
Improving the statistical performance of tracking studies based on repeated cross-sections with primary dynamic factor analysis

Tracking studies are prevalent in marketing research and virtually all the other social sciences. These studies are predominantly implemented via repeated independent, non-overlapping samples, which are much less costly than recruiting and maintaining a longitudinal panel that track the same sample over time. In the existing literature, data from repeated cross-sectional samples are analyzed either independently for each time period, or longitudinally by focusing on the dynamics of the aggregate measures (e.g., sample averages). In this study, we propose a multivariate state-space model that can be applied directly to the individual-level data from each of the independent samples, simultaneously taking advantage of three patterns embedded in the data: a) inter-temporal dependence within the population means of each variable, b) temporal co-movements across the population means of different variables and c) cross-sectional co-variation across individual responses within each sample. We illustrate our proposed model with two applications, demonstrating the benefits of making full use of all the available data. In the first illustration, we have access to all the individual-level purchase data from one large population of grocery shoppers over a span of 36 months. This provides us a testing ground for benchmarking our proposed model against existing approaches in a Monte Carlo experiment, where we show that our model outperforms all the alternatives in inferring population dynamics using data sampled through repeated cross-sections. We find that, as compared with using simple sample averages, our proposed model can improve the accuracy of repeated cross-sectional tracking studies by double digits, without incurring any additional data-gathering costs (or equivalently, reducing the data-gathering costs by double digits while maintaining the desired accuracy level). In the second illustration, we apply the proposed model to repeated cross-sectional surveys that track customer perceptions and satisfaction for an automotive dealer, a situation often encountered by marketing researchers.
Corruption across countries and regions: Some consequences of local osmosis☆

Abstract Large and persistent differences in corruption across comparable countries is a challenging research issue. Even more intriguing are such differences across regions within the same country, because the typically considered socioeconomic and governance characteristics are generally more similar across such regions than across different countries. This paper's principal theme is that individuals’ perceptions of their environments are influenced by the realities that they have faced in the past; these perceptions affect their current and future actions; which in turn influence the current and future realities. An articulation and analysis of these dynamics yields significant observations concerning individuals’ behavior and societal outcomes.
Trust and decision-making: An empirical platform (CCP 204)

The trust literature emphasizes trust in automation, thus neglecting the interpersonal aspects of how distributed personnel develop trust. Interpersonal trust represents the willingness of individuals to accept vulnerabilities from the actions of others. Vulnerability is a critical aspect of trust research, yet few studies have manipulated vulnerability. Non-verbal cues may have an influence on the trust process, suggesting that features of collaborative tools may influence how individuals build trust. The present study will implement a 3 times 4 mixed design. Participants will select a convoy route based on: middot (1) graphical displays of enemy zones and historical improvised explosive device (lED) occurrences; middot (2) route parameters (e.g., fuel required); and middot (3) information from a local expert. Vulnerability will be manipulated by altering the frequency of IEDs and the location of "red forces" to create low, moderate, and high vulnerability conditions (within subjects factor). Information from local experts will be presented via one of four conditions: middot (1) audio/video with low emotion; middot (2) audio/video with high emotion; middot (3) audio only; and middot (4) chat (between subjects factor). Findings from this research will support the development of new collaborative tools for the Command and Control (C2) domain.
Smart antennas and their impact on network and communication systems performance

This paper focuses on the interaction and integration of several critical components of a MANET using smart antenna systems. A MANET is a wireless network where the communicating nodes are mobile, and the network topology is continuously changing. One of the central motivations for this work comes from the observed dependence of the overall network throughput on the design of adaptive antenna systems and their underlying signal processing algorithms. In fact, a major objective of this work is to study and document the overall efficiency of networks in terms of antenna radiation characteristics and the length of the training sequence used by the beamforming algorithms. Furthermore, the paper presents algorithms to combat the effects of fading channels on the overall system performance.
Two-phase emission detector for measuring coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering

Coherent scattering is a flavor-blind, high-rate, as yet undetected neutrino interaction predicted by the Standard Model. We propose to use a compact (kg-scale), two-phase (liquid-gas) argon ionization detector to measure coherent neutrino scattering off nuclei. In our approach, neutrino-induced nuclear recoils in the liquid produce a weak ionization signal, which is transported into a gas under the influence of an electric field, amplified via electroluminescence, and detected by phototubes or avalanche diodes. This paper describes the features of the detector, and estimates signal and background rates for a reactor neutrino source. Relatively compact detectors of this type, capable of detecting coherent scattering, offer a new approach to flavor-blind detection of man-made and astronomical neutrinos, and may allow development of compact neutrino detectors capable of nonintrusive real-time monitoring of fissile material in reactors.
Lengths of simple loops on surfaces with hyperbolic metrics

Given a compact orientable surface of negative Euler characteristic, there ex- ists a natural pairing between the Teichmuller space of the surface and the set of homotopy classes of simple loops and arcs. The length pairing sends a hyperbolic metric and a homotopy class of a simple loop or arc to the length of geodesic in its homotopy class. We study this pairing function using the Fenchel{Nielsen coordinates on Teichmuller space and the Dehn{Thurston co- ordinates on the space of homotopy classes of curve systems. Our main result establishes Lipschitz type estimates for the length pairing expressed in terms of these coordinates. As a consequence, we reestablish a result of Thurston{ Bonahon that the length pairing extends to a continuous map from the product of the Teichmuller space and the space of measured laminations.
Fine-grained-rim mineralogy of the Cold Bokkeveld CM chondrite

Abstract A chrysotile-like phase, cronstedtite, polygonal serpentine, pentlandite, and finely intergrown tochilinite comprise the fine-grained rim (FGR) mineralogy of the Cold Bokkeveld CM chondrite. Transmission electron microscope images combined with compositional data indicate reaction among cronstedtite, the chrysotile-like phase, and polygonal serpentine. The Mg/(Mg+Fe) ratios of the cronstedtite are higher than those reported for the less altered Murchison CM chondrite. Cronstedtite grains exhibit layer separations, particularly at their boundaries. The FGRs surround different chondrule types but have similar bulk compositions and mineralogy. Ca is depleted in the FGRs relative to the bulk CM chondrite. The FGRs display non-uniform thicknesses, especially where they coat embayed chondrule areas, and they exhibit grain-size coarsening outward from the chondrules they enclose. FGR formation in Cold Bokkeveld is most plausibly explained by multiple accretionary episodes during which progressively coarser dust was deposited onto chondrules, presumably in the solar nebula. The compositional and mineralogic data are consistent with aqueous alteration on the parent body.
Scanning tunneling microscopy applications in electrochemistry — beyond imaging

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has gradually matured into a powerful tool for imaging electrode surfaces in the electrochemical environment with atomic resolution. It has been used to elucidate numerous old puzzling structural issues and to reveal many new interesting phenomena. As an imaging tool, it will continue to contribute to the understanding of various electrochemical processes on electrode surfaces. STM is more than an imaging tool for structural characterizations, other important electrochemical applications, such as probing electron transfer processes, fabricating nanostructures and studying fast electrochemical kinetics, have also been actively pursued. These later unconventional applications are the focus of this discussion.
Four-Dimensional Entropy from Three-Dimensional Gravity

At the horizon of a black hole, the action of (3+1)-dimensional loop quantum gravity acquires a boundary term that is formally identical to an action for three-dimensional gravity. I show how to use this correspondence to obtain the entropy of the (3+1)-dimensional black hole from well-understood conformal field theory computations of the entropy in (2+1)-dimensional de Sitter space.
Is there an anti-adenoviral drug on the horizon?

Adenovirus ocular infections are the most common ocular viral infections worldwide. To date, there is no US FDA- or EMA-approved antiviral for the treatment of these infections. However, several agents are currently in industry, academic and investigator sponsored clinical trials. The antiviral agents under evaluation are: NVC-422 (0.33%, NovaBay); ganciclovir (0.15%, Bausch + Lomb; 0.15 and 0.3% Adapt Produtos Oftalmologicos Ltda.; 0.15% Laboratoires Thea); povidone-iodine (2%, Mahidol University; 5%, Betadine for EKC Internet Study) and a combination of 0.4% povidone-iodine and 0.1% dexamethasone (FST-100, Foresight Biotherapeutics; University of Campinas, Brazil). This article will examine the characteristics of these agents and rate their chances for FDA or EMA approval for this indication.
β,β′-Fused metallocenoporphyrins

The syntheses of a β,β′-fused ruthenocenoporphyrin (9) and a ferrocenoporphyrin dimer (11) are described.
Who Affects Whom in Daily Newspaper Markets

When consumers share similar preferences, additional consumers will bring forth products that confer positive “preference externalities” on others. However, if distinct groups of consumers have substantially different preferences, the groups bring forth products with more appeal to themselves and less appeal to others. We document that in their capacity as daily newspaper consumers, blacks and whites are more likely to buy daily newspapers in markets with larger black and white populations, respectively. Similar results hold for Hispanics and non‐Hispanics, but not by education, income, or age. We provide evidence that product positioning underlies our results.
Construction of previously inaccessible 2-amino-4-benzyl substituted oxazoles

A process for the synthesis of 2-amino-4-benzyl-oxazoles is reported. 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Methodological Memes and Mores: Toward a Sociology of Social Research

A plethora of scholarly research has been conducted on social science: on its organizational and communicative patterns, on the historical development of research standards, and on the diversity of local research practices. But this body of work on the sociology of social research does not hang together in ways that it could, and should, if knowledge is to accumulate. Contributors hail from various fields, subfields, theoretical perspectives, and methodological bents, and there is no extant subfield to join, legitimate, and reinforce their mutual interests. Thus, the aim of this review is not only to summarize themes, identify gaps, and suggest fruitful avenues for future research, but also to serve as a unifying force for scholars interested in studying social science from a sociological perspective. The sociology of social research, far from being a trite exercise in navel-gazing, is critical for the future viability of sociology, for the discipline's legitimacy and autonomy, and for improving social re...
Effect of Patient Position on Sonographically Measured Renal Length in Neonates, Infants and Children

Renal length as measured on sonography is fundamental in the evaluation of renal disease in children. Understanding the effect of patient position and imaging plane on measured renal length is important for the appropriate use of the standards for interpretation. The goal of this study was to determine how measurement of renal length on sonograms is affected by changes in patient position and imaging plane.One hundred seventy-six neonates, infants, and children who were 2 days to 17 years old underwent sonography froin October 1995 through June 1996. The largest long-axis renal dimension in sagittal, coronal, and prone planes was obtained for each kidney. Data were analyzed separately for each kidney to determine the individual variation of renal length.The correlation between maximum renal length on coronal, sagittal, and prone sonograms was greater than .95 for both right and left kidneys. The coronal plane yielded the largest measured renal length and the prone view, the smallest. The median of the abs...