cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Medication-Related Problems among Medicaid Patients Participating in a Pharmacist-Provided Telephonic Medication Therapy Management Program

Study Objective To identify predictors of medication-related problems (MRPs) among Medicaid patients participating in a telephonic medication therapy management (MTM) program. Design Retrospective analysis of data from patients enrolled in a previously published study. Data Sources Two Medicaid administrative claims file databases (for health care utilization and prescription dispensing information) and one pharmacy organization file for MTM program information. Patients Seven hundred twelve adult Medicaid patients who participated in a statewide pharmacist-provided telephone-based MTM program and who received an initial medication therapy review. Measurements and Main Results The primary dependent variable was the number of MRPs detected during the initial medication therapy review. Secondary dependent variables were the detection of one or more MRPs related to indication, effectiveness, safety, and adherence. Predictor variables were selected a priori that, from the literature and our own practice experiences, were hypothesized as being potentially associated with MRPs: demographics, comorbidities, medication use, and health care utilization. Bivariate analyses were performed, and multivariable models were constructed. All predictor variables with significant associations (defined a priori as p<0.1) with the median number of MRPs detected were then entered into a three-block multiple linear regression model. The overall model was significant (p<0.001, R2 = 0.064). Significant predictors of any MRPs (p<0.05) were total number of medications, obesity, dyslipidemia, and one or more emergency department visits in the past 3 months. For indication-related MRPs, the model was significant (p<0.001, R2 = 0.049), and predictors included female sex, obesity, dyslipidemia, and total number of medications (p<0.05). For effectiveness-related MRPs, the model was significant (p<0.001, R2 = 0.054), and predictors included bone disease and dyslipidemia (p<0.05). For safety-related MRPs, the model was significant (p<0.001, R2 = 0.046), and dyslipidemia was a predictor (p<0.05). No significant predictors of adherence-related MRPs were identified. Conclusion This analysis supports the relative importance of number of medications as a predictor of MRPs in the Medicaid population and identifies other predictors. However, given the models' low R2 values, these findings indicate that other unknown factors are clearly important and that criteria commonly used for determining MTM eligibility may be inadequate in identifying appropriate patients for MTM in a Medicaid population.
Synthesis of highly substituted cyclopentenones via the [4 + 1] cycloaddition of nucleophilic carbenes and vinyl ketenes.

Vinyl ketenes have been shown to undergo [4 + 1] cycloaddition with a variety of nucleophilic carbenes to deliver highly substituted cyclopentenones as products.
Syn- and Anti-Selective Prins Cyclizations of δ,ε-Unsaturated Ketones to 1,3-Halohydrins with Lewis Acids

Ten acyclic and monocyclic δ,e-unsaturated ketones, with and without methyl substituents on the double bond, underwent halide-terminated Prins (halo-Prins) cyclizations under anhydrous conditions in the presence of Lewis acids. TiCl4, TiBr4, BCl3, and BBr3 promoted syn-selective cyclizations to sterically congested chloro- and bromohydrins, while SnCl4, SnBr4, InCl3, ZrCl4, and several other Lewis acids effected highly anti-selective reactions to furnish the corresponding trans halohydrins. The stronger Lewis acids (TiX4 and BX3) favor the syn process that involves axial delivery of a halide ligand. Competition experiments showed that substitution at the δ carbon (methallyl enones) led to increased rates (40−50-fold), while substitution at the e position (cis and trans crotyl enones) retarded the rate and eroded the selectivity of the cyclizations. The trends in syn vs anti selectivity, reactivity, and effects of different Lewis acidic metal halides are rationalized by competitive reaction pathways procee...
A Combination Theorem for Relatively Hyperbolic Groups

In this paper we give new requirements that a tree of $\delta$-hyperbolic spaces has to satisfy in order to be $\delta$-hyperbolic itself. As an application, we give a simple proof that limit groups are relatively hyperbolic.
ZAKAT AND INEQUALITY: SOME EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTAN

Zakat is an important form of religiously-mandated charity under Islam. This paper examines its impact on income inequality in Pakistan. Data from 1987-88 are used to construct two income distributions-one that would have obtained if zakat had not been given, and one that did obtain when such giving took place. Atkinson-Kolm-Sen relative indices of income inequality are computed which show that zakat does reduce measured income inequality in Pakistan. Both intra-province and inter-province components of over-all inequality decline, though the amount of change is small. So give to the kinsman Rb due, and to the needy, and to the wayfarer. That b best for those who seek Allah's countenance. The Koran Islam is the world's second largest religion, with nearly a billion followers worldwide. Under Islam, individuals have five fundamental duties, called Pillars of the Faith. One of these is a special duty-falling on those most able to bear it-to share Allah's bounty with those less fortunate. In early Muslim society, institutions emerged to implement these Koranic injunctions. Most important of these was zakat-an annual tax levied on wealth above some threshold, the proceeds of which were distributed to the needy. Zakat and related forms of religiously-mandated charity survive today, in one form or another, as central elements of economic life in Muslim societies.' To virtually all interpreters zakat is understood to include a levy on "idle" wealth, and 2.5 percent per year is considered something of a benchmark. The traditions of Islam, the Sunnah, call for payment of zakat on some forms of "productive wealth," as well. However, there are obvious problems of definition in notions of "idle" and "productive" wealth, and neither the Koran itself nor the Sunnah provide unambiguous guidance to modern Muslims on precisely how their obligation should be reckoned. Nonetheless, all Muslims are aware that they have some such obligation, whether broadly or narrowly conceived, and all recognize that the object of that obligation is to reduce economic inequality and alleviate misery within their community. This paper presents empirical evidence on the degree to which zakat- and related forms of religiously-mandated charitable giving-achieve their intended objectives in Pakistan, one of the most populous Islamic republics in the world. 'pryor (1985) has described the outlines of an Islamic economic system in the non-Islamic literature. As-Sadr (1982) provides more detail and compares the Islamic system to alternatives from an Islamic point of view. Kuran (1986) presents a cogent survey and critical analysis of recent literature on Islamic economics.
A Short Proof that Phylogenetic Tree Reconstruction by Maximum Likelihood Is Hard

Maximum likelihood is one of the most widely used techniques to infer evolutionary histories. Although it is thought to be intractable, a proof of its hardness has been lacking. Here, we give a short proof that computing the maximum likelihood tree is NP-hard by exploiting a connection between likelihood and parsimony observed by Tuffley and Steel.
Directing convection to pattern thin polymer films

Convection can be harnessed in elegant ways to pattern surfaces, often using uncomplicated equipment and materials, providing an interesting platform for future technological developments in thin film topographic assemblies. This manuscript contains a brief review of thin polymer film patterning methods that rely on directing convection, such as “coffee ring” patterning, lithographically induced self-assembly, and electrohydrodynamic patterning. These techniques are described in the context of a recent approach explored in our group for generating topographic patterns by photochemically directing Marangoni flow in thin polymer films with subtle gradients in surface energy. Aspects unique to this process are highlighted so that they may facilitate new developments in manufacturing technologically impactful patterned surfaces. For example, the features produced by photochemically directed Marangoni-driven flow are preprogrammed in the solid state, thermally developed and can be formed in multilayer films. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013
Fast adaptive algorithms in the non-standard form for multidimensional problems ✩

We present a fast, adaptive multiresolution algorithm for applying integral operators with a wide class of radially symmetric kernels in dimensions one, two and three. This algorithm is made efficient by the use of separated representations of the kernel. We discuss operators of the class (−Δ + μ 2 I) −α ,w hereμ 0a nd 0 <α <3/2, and illustrate the algorithm for the Poisson and Schrodinger equations in dimension three. The same algorithm may be used for all operators with radially symmetric kernels approximated as a weighted sum of Gaussians, making it applicable across multiple fields by reusing a single implementation. This fast algorithm provides controllable accuracy at a reasonable cost, comparable to that of the Fast Multipole Method (FMM). It differs from the FMM by the type of approximation used to represent kernels and has the advantage of being easily extendable to higher dimensions.
Task Interaction Graphs For Concurrency Analysis

A representation for concurrent programs, called task inter- action graphs, is presented. Task interaction graphs divide a program into maximal sequential regions connected by edges representing task interactions. This representation is illustrated and it is shown how it can be used to create concurrency graph representations that are much smaller than those created from control flow graph representations. Both task interaction graphs and their corresponding concurrency graphs facilitate analysis of concurrent programs. Some analyses and optimizations on these representations are also described.
Electronic Liquid Crystal Phases in Strongly Correlated Systems

I discuss the electronic liquid crystal (ELC) phases in correlated electronic systems, what these phases are and in what context they arise. I will go over the strongest experimental evidence for these phases in a variety of systems: the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in magnetic fields, the bilayer material \(\hbox{Sr}_{3}\hbox{Ru}_{2}\hbox{O}_{7}\) (also in magnetic fields), and a set of phenomena in the cuprate superconductors (and more recently in the pnictide materials) that can be most simply understood in terms of ELC phases. Finally we will go over the theory of these phases, focusing on effective field theory descriptions and some of the known mechanisms that may give rise to these phases in specific models.
Decacyanooctatetraene dianion: A model system for cyanocarbon-based conjugated polymers

Abstract Decacyanooctatetraene (DCOT) has been prepared as its dianion and studied as a model compound for the prototypical n-dopable polymer poly(dicyanoacetylene) (PDCA).
Quasar-galaxy and galaxy-galaxy cross-correlations: model predictions with realistic galaxies

Several measurements of quasi-stellar object (QSO)-galaxy correlations have reported signals much larger than predictions of magnification by large-scale structure. We find that the expected signal depends strongly on theproperties of the foreground galaxy population. On arcmin scales, it can be either larger or smaller by a factor of 2 for different galaxy types in comparison with a linearly biased version of the mass distribution. Thus the resolution of some of the excess measurements may lie in examining the halo occupation properties of the galaxy population sampled by a given survey; this is also the primary information such measurements will provide. We use the halo model of clustering and simulations to predict the magnification-induced cross-correlations and errors for forthcoming surveys. With the full Sloan Digital Sky Survey, the statistical errors will be below 1 per cent for the galaxy-galaxy correlations and significantly larger for QSO-galaxy correlations. Thus accurate constraints on parameters of the galaxy halo occupation distribution can be obtained from small-scale measurements and on the bias parameter from large scales. Since the lensing-induced cross-correlation measures the first moment of the halo occupation number of galaxies, these measurements can provide the basis for interpreting galaxy clustering measurements that measure the second- and higher-order moments.
Reliable motion detection of small targets in video with low signal-to-clutter ratios

Studies show that vigilance decreases rapidly after several minutes when human operators are required to search live video for infrequent intrusion detections. Therefore, there is a need for systems which can automatically detect targets in live video and reserve the operator's attention for assessment only. Thus far, automated systems have not simultaneously provided adequate detection sensitivity, false alarm suppression, and ease of setup when used in external, unconstrained environments. This unsatisfactory performance can be exacerbated by poor video imagery with low contrast, high noise, dynamic clutter, image misregistration, and/or the presence of small, slow, or erratically moving targets. The paper describes a highly adaptive video motion detection and tracking algorithm which has been developed as part of Sandia's Advanced Exterior Sensor (AES) program. The AES is a wide-area detection and assessment system for use in unconstrained exterior security applications. The AES detection and tracking algorithm provides good performance under stressing data and environmental conditions. Features of the algorithm include: reliable detection with negligible false alarm rate of variable velocity targets having low signal-to-clutter ratios; reliable tracking of targets that exhibit motion that is non-inertial, i.e., varies in direction and velocity; automatic adaptation to both infrared and visible imagery with variable quality; and suppression of false alarms caused by sensor flaws and/or cutouts.
Polyester: simulating RNA-seq datasets with differential transcript expression

Motivation: Statistical methods development for differential expression analysis of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) requires software tools to assess accuracy and error rate control. Since true differential expression status is often unknown in experimental datasets, artificially constructed datasets must be utilized, either by generating costly spike-in experiments or by simulating RNA-seq data. Results: Polyester is an R package designed to simulate RNA-seq data, beginning with an experimental design and ending with collections of RNA-seq reads. Its main advantage is the ability to simulate reads indicating isoform-level differential expression across biological replicates for a variety of experimental designs. Data generated by Polyester is a reasonable approximation to real RNA-seq data and standard differential expression workflows can recover differential expression set in the simulation by the user. Availability and implementation: Polyester is freely available from Bioconductor (http://bioconductor.org/). Contact: moc.liamg@keeltj Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Cell-Cycle Dependence of Transcription Dominates Noise in Gene Expression

The large variability in mRNA and protein levels found from both static and dynamic measurements in single cells has been largely attributed to random periods of transcription, often occurring in bursts. The cell cycle has a pronounced global role in affecting transcriptional and translational output, but how this influences transcriptional statistics from noisy promoters is unknown and generally ignored by current stochastic models. Here we show that variable transcription from the synthetic tetO promoter in S. cerevisiae is dominated by its dependence on the cell cycle. Real-time measurements of fluorescent protein at high expression levels indicate tetO promoters increase transcription rate ∼2-fold in S/G2/M similar to constitutive genes. At low expression levels, where tetO promoters are thought to generate infrequent bursts of transcription, we observe random pulses of expression restricted to S/G2/M, which are correlated between homologous promoters present in the same cell. The analysis of static, single-cell mRNA measurements at different points along the cell cycle corroborates these findings. Our results demonstrate that highly variable mRNA distributions in yeast are not solely the result of randomly switching between periods of active and inactive gene expression, but instead largely driven by differences in transcriptional activity between G1 and S/G2/M.
Using the physical layer for wireless authentication in time-variant channels

The wireless medium contains domain-specific information that can be used to complement and enhance traditional security mechanisms. In this paper we propose ways to exploit the spatial variability of the radio channel response in a rich scattering environment, as is typical of indoor environments. Specifically, we describe a physical-layer authentication algorithm that utilizes channel probing and hypothesis testing to determine whether current and prior communication attempts are made by the same transmit terminal. In this way, legitimate users can be reliably authenticated and false users can be reliably detected. We analyze the ability of a receiver to discriminate between transmitters (users) according to their channel frequency responses. This work is based on a generalized channel response with both spatial and temporal variability, and considers correlations among the time, frequency and spatial domains. Simulation results, using the ray-tracing tool WiSE to generate the time-averaged response, verify the efficacy of the approach under realistic channel conditions, as well as its capability to work under unknown channel variations.
Attitudes Toward Epistemic Risk and the Value of Experiments

Several different Bayesian models of epistemic utilities (see, e.g., [37], [24], [40], [46]) have been used to explain why it is rational for scientists to perform experiments. In this paper, I argue that a model–suggested independently by Patrick Maher [40] and Graham Oddie [46]–that assigns epistemic utility to degrees of belief in hypotheses provides the most comprehensive explanation. This is because this proper scoring rule (PSR) model captures a wider range of scientifically acceptable attitudes toward epistemic risk than the other Bayesian models that have been proposed. I also argue, however, that even the PSR model places unreasonably tight restrictions on a scientist’s attitude toward epistemic risk. As a result, such Bayesian models of epistemic utilities fail as normative accounts–not just as descriptive accounts (see, e.g., [31], [14])–of scientific inquiry.
Tools for chemical synthesis in microsystems

Chemical synthesis in microsystems has evolved from simple proof-of-principle examples to become a general technique in academia and industry. Numerous such “flow chemistry” applications are now found in pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis. Much of the development has been based on systems employing macroscopic flow components and tubes, rather than the integrated chip technology envisioned by the lab-on-a-chip community. We review the major developments in systems for flow chemistry and discuss limitations underlying the development of chip-scale integrated systems.
Surface reconstruction using deformable models with interior and boundary constraints

The authors introduce a technique for 3D surface reconstruction using elastic deformable-models. The model used is an imaginary elastic grid, which is made of membranous, thin-plate-type material. The elastic grid can bent, twisted, compressed, and stretched into any desired 3D shape, which is specified by the shape constraints derived automatically from images of a real 3D object. Shape reconstruction is guided by a set of imaginary springs that enforce the consistency in the position, orientation, and/or curvature measurements of the elastic grid and the desired shape. The dynamics of a surface reconstruction process is regulated by Hamilton's principle or the principle of the least action. Furthermore, a 1D deformable template that borders the elastic grid may be used. This companion boundary template is attracted/repelled by image forces to conform with the silhouette of the imaged object. Implementation results using simple analytic shapes and images of real objects are presented. >
Accumulation of neural activity in the posterior insula encodes the passage of time

A number of studies have examined the perception of time with durations ranging from milliseconds to a few seconds, however the neural basis of these processes are still poorly understood and the neural substrates underlying the perception of multiple-second intervals are unknown. Here we present evidence of neural systems activity in circumscribed areas of the human brain involved in the encoding of intervals with durations of 9 and 18 s in a temporal reproduction task using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). During the encoding there was greater activation in more posterior parts of the medial frontal and insular cortex whereas the reproduction phase involved more anterior parts of these brain structures. Intriguingly, activation curves over time show an accumulating pattern of neural activity, which peaks at the end of the interval within bilateral posterior insula and superior temporal cortex when individuals are presented with 9- and 18-s tone intervals. This is consistent with an accumulator-type activity, which encodes duration in the multiple seconds range. Given the close connection between the dorsal posterior insula and ascending internal body signals, we suggest that the accumulation of physiological changes in body states constitutes our experience of time. This is the first time that an accumulation function in the posterior insula is detected that might be correlated with the encoding of time intervals.
Realists as optimists: Cooperation as self‐help

(1996). Realists as optimists: Cooperation as self‐help. Security Studies: Vol. 5, Realism: Restatements and Renewal, pp. 122-163.
Self-Control and Incentives: An Analysis of Multiperiod Quota Plans

It is well known that individuals often fail to exert proper self-control. In organizational settings, this can lead to reduced productivity and profits. We use the literature on present-biased preferences to model employees' self-control problems and examine how firms can design compensation plans to reduce the negative consequences of their employees' self-control problems. Our results suggest that firms can mitigate self-control problems by delaying payment to the employees. This can be achieved by using multiperiod quotas (such as annual quotas) to compensate employees for their cumulative performance. Although such plans are prevalent in the market, there is little theoretical research that shows when multiperiod quota plans can be optimal. The paper provides one potential explanation for the widespread use of such quota plans. Interestingly, we find that such plans may be optimal despite the fact that they encourage more procrastination. We also find that such plans lead to higher effort by the employees and can sometimes improve the welfare of not only the firm but also the employees.
Active position control of a shape memory alloy wire actuated composite beam

This paper presents the design and the experimental result of the active position control of a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire actuated composite beam. The composite beam has a honeycomb structure with SMA wires embedded in one of its face sheets for the active actuation. The potential applications of this experiment include thermo-distortion compensation for precision space structure, stern shape control for submarines, and flap shape control for aeronautical applications. SMA wires are chosen as the actuating elements due to their high recovery stress ({>}500 MPa) and tolerance to high strain (up to 6%). However, SMA wires are inherently nonlinear and pose a challenge for control design. A robust controller is designed and implemented to actively control the tip position of the composite beam. The experiment set-up consists of the composite beam with embedded SMA wires, a programmable current/voltage amplifier to actuate the SMA wires, an infrared laser range sensor to detect the beam tip displacement, and a real-time data acquisition and control system. The experimental result demonstrates the effectiveness of the robust control.
Best Strip-Beam Properties Derivable from Classical Lamination Theory

This paper presents a simple method to extract classical beam properties for composite strips with general anisotropy from an asymptotically correct classical lamination theory derived using the variational-asymptotic method. None of the ad hoc approximations common in the literature of beam theory are used. Rather, this approach discovers the necessary and su‐cient engineering assumptions for obtaining the correct cross-sectional constants and stress recovery relations for a strip. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate that the resulting theory. Resulting elastic constants agree well with those from well-established methods of calculating cross-sectional constants, and the accuracy deteriorates as the strip thickness to width ratio increases.
The Interaction Between Mistuning and Friction in the Forced Response of Bladed Disk Assemblies

Resultats de l'etude de l'impact d'une mauvaise concordance sur le comportement et la conception d'amortisseurs de frottement entre aubes du type utilise pour controler la reponse de resonance des aubes de turbines dans les moteurs a turbine a gaz. Discussion sur l'importance des variations de la force de frottement lors de glissements, sur la reponse dynamique des roues a aubes a bandage
Serendipitous XMM-Newton Detection of X-ray Emission from the Bipolar Planetary Nebula Hb 5

We report the serendipitous detection by the XMM-Newton X-ray Observatory of an X-ray source at the position of the Type I (He- and N-rich) bipolar planetary nebula (PN) Hb 5. The Hb 5 X-ray source appears marginally resolved. While the small number of total counts (~170) and significant off-axis angle of the X-ray source (~78) precludes a definitive spatial analysis, the morphology of the X-ray emission appears to trace the brightest features seen in optical images of Hb 5. The X-ray spectrum is indicative of a thermal plasma at a temperature between 2.4 and 3.7 MK and appears to display strong Neon emission. The inferred X-ray luminosity is LX = 1.5 × 1032ergs–1. These results suggest that the detected X-ray emission is dominated by shock-heated gas in the bipolar nebula, although we cannot rule out the presence of a pointlike component at the position of the central star. The implications for and correspondence with current models of shock-heated gas in PNe is discussed.
Analytic projections, Corona problem and geometry of holomorphic vector bundles

9, d d and d-operators, d := '{± z^), d := '{± + i A); A "normalized" Laplacian, A := dd = '(-§^ + ^); || • ||, | • | norm; since we are dealing with matrixand op er at orvalued functions we will use the symbol || • || (usually with a subscript) for the norm in a functions space, while | • | is used for the norm in the underlying vector (operator) space. Thus for a vectorvalued function / the symbol ||/||2 denotes its L2-norm, but the symbol |/| stands for
Contingent Labor Contracting Under Demand and Supply Uncertainty

Firms increasingly use contingent labor to flexibly respond to demand in many environments. Labor supply agencies are growing to fill this need. As a result, firms and agencies are engaging in long-term contracts for labor supply. We develop mathematical models of the interaction between firms and labor supply agencies when demand and supply are uncertain. We consider two models of labor supply uncertainty, termed productivity and availability uncertainty, and study how each affects the nature of the contracts formed. These models reflect two major roles played by the labor supply agency. In the case of productivity uncertainty we find that it is possible to construct a contract that coordinates the firm and agency hiring in an optimal way. In contrast, we show that in environments characterized by availability uncertainty, optimal contracts are not possible. However, there is a large range of contract parameters for which both parties would benefit from a contract. We analyze these and discuss the trade-offs that should be considered in contract negotiation.
Thin-beam ultrasound overestimation of blood flow: how wide is your beam?

It has been predicted that the development of thin-beam ultrasound could lead to an overestimation of mean blood velocity by up to 33% as beam width approaches 0% of vessel diameter. If both beam a...
Development of scaling rules for Rutherford type superconducting cables

Scaling rules that provide guidelines for choosing the parameters for a wide range of superconducting cables are given. These parameters include strand size, strand number, keystone angle, percentage of compaction, cable pitch, and compacted cable dimensions. In addition, the tolerance ranges for the key cable manufacturing parameters such as mandrel size and shape, strand tension, and Turkshead temperature control are defined. Results on cables ranging from 8 strands to 36 strands of 0.65-mm wire and from 8 strands to 30 strands of 0.8-mm wire are presented. These results are used to demonstrate the application of the scaling rules for Rutherford-type cable.
Unions, taxes and the structure of multinational enterprises

Abstract This note analyzes how a firm's relationship with unions or tax authorities influences its basic structure. In particular, it is shown that the prospect of capture by unions or tax authorities of part of the rents associated with the firm's investments leads it to open more plants than is technologically efficient. Thus unions and taxes are an independent reason for a firm's expansion nationally and for foreign direct investment.
Stability analysis of differential inclusions in Banach space with applications to nonlinear systems with time delays

We present new stability results for dynamical systems determined by a class of differential inclusions on Banach space. One of the results shows that under reasonable conditions, the same Lyapunov function can be used in analyzing the stability properties of a given differential inclusion and the stability properties of its convexification. We also establish a result for differential inclusions which is analogous to invariance theory type results for differential equations. To demonstrate applicability, we use the above results in the analysis of the absolute stability problem of regulator systems with multinonlinearities and time delays. Also, we apply the above results in the stability analysis of operating points (equilibria) of a class of integrated circuits with time delays, with an emphasis on a class of artificial neural networks for associative memories. In the applications, we reduce the stability problem of some given nonlinear systems with time delays to the stability problem of a finite number of linear systems with time delays.
Software Engineering with Transactional Memory Versus Locks in Practice

Transactional Memory (TM) promises to simplify parallel programming by replacing locks with atomic transactions. Despite much recent progress in TM research, there is very little experience using TM to develop realistic parallel programs from scratch. In this article, we present the results of a detailed case study comparing teams of programmers developing a parallel program from scratch using transactional memory and locks. We analyze and quantify in a realistic environment the development time, programming progress, code metrics, programming patterns, and ease of code understanding for six teams who each wrote a parallel desktop search engine over a fifteen week period. Three randomly chosen teams used Intel's Software Transactional Memory compiler and Pthreads, while the other teams used just Pthreads. Our analysis is exploratory: Given the same requirements, how far did each team get? The TM teams were among the first to have a prototype parallel search engine. Compared to the locks teams, the TM teams spent less than half the time debugging segmentation faults, but had more problems tuning performance and implementing queries. Code inspections with industry experts revealed that TM code was easier to understand than locks code, because the locks teams used many locks (up to thousands) to improve performance. Learning from each team's individual success and failure story, this article provides valuable lessons for improving TM.
State-dependent photochemistry of highly fluorinated bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-dienes

Abstract A series of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexafluorobicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-dienes was subjected to direct irradiation with ultraviolet light and to triplet sensitization. While all of the dienes cyclized smoothly upon direct irradiation to tricyclo[4.2.0.0 2,5 ]oct-3-enes, their behavior when triplet sensitized was strongly dependent upon the substituents in the 7- and 8-positions. Responses included no reaction, cyclization to tricyclooctene, and fragmentation to hexafluorobenzene plus olefin. Fragmentation occurred only when geminal chlorines were present at the 7-position. This observation is consistent with the view that the four-membered ring opens homolytically at the C 6 C 7 bond, and only if sufficient stabilization is available for a radical center at the 7-position.
Mixed Equilibria are Unstable in Games of Strategic Complements

In games with strict strategic complementarities, properly mixed Nash equilibria—equilibria that are not in pure strategies—are unstable for a broad class of learning dynamics.
Homogenous and Heterogenous Contestants in Piece Rate Tournaments: Theory and Empirical Analysis

In this article we show that sorting different ability contestants in piece rate tournaments into more homogenous groups alters agents’ incentives to exert effort. We propose a method for structurally estimating the piece rate tournament game with heterogenous players and apply it to the payroll data from a broiler production contract. Our counterfactual analysis shows that under reasonable assumptions, both the principal and the growers can gain when the tournament groups are heterogenized. This business strategy could be difficult to implement in real-life settings, however. This article has supplementary material online.
The Computational Complexity of Nash Equilibria in Concisely Represented Games

Games may be represented in many different ways, and different representations of games affect the complexity of problems associated with games, such as finding a Nash equilibrium. The traditional method of representing a game is to explicitly list all the payoffs, but this incurs an exponential blowup as the number of agents grows. We study two models of concisely represented games: circuit games, where the payoffs are computed by a given boolean circuit, and graph games, where each agent’s payoff is a function of only the strategies played by its neighbors in a given graph. For these two models, we study the complexity of four questions: determining if a given strategy is a Nash equilibrium, finding a Nash equilibrium, determining if there exists a pure Nash equilibrium, and determining if there exists a Nash equilibrium in which the payoffs to a player meet some given guarantees. In many cases, we obtain tight results, showing that the problems are complete for various complexity classes.
Synthesis of highly functionalized polycyclic quinoxaline derivatives using visible-light photoredox catalysis

A mild and facile method for preparing highly functionalized pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines and other nitrogen-rich heterocycles, each containing a quinoxaline core or an analogue thereof, has been developed. The novel method features a visible-light-induced decarboxylative radical coupling of ortho-substituted arylisocyanides and radicals generated from phenyliodine(III) dicarboxylate reagents and exhibits excellent functional group compatibility. A wide range of quinoxaline heterocycles have been prepared. Finally, a telescoped preparation of these polycyclic compounds by integration of the in-line isocyanide formation and photochemical cyclization has been established in a three-step continuous-flow system.
Quantum transport through mesoscopic disordered interfaces, junctions, and multilayers

This study explores perpendicular transport through macroscopically inhomogeneous three-dimensional disordered conductors using mesoscopic methods (the real-space Green function technique in a two-probe measuring geometry). The nanoscale samples (containing ~ 1000 atoms) are modelled by a tight-binding Hamiltonian on a simple cubic lattice where disorder is introduced in the on-site potential energy. I compute the transport properties of: disordered metallic junctions formed by concatenating two homogeneous samples with different kinds of microscopic disorder, a single strongly disordered interface, and multilayers composed of such interfaces and homogeneous layers characterized by different strengths of the same type of microscopic disorder. This allows us to: contrast the resistor model (semiclassical) approach with a fully quantum description of dirty mesoscopic multilayers; study the transmission properties of dirty interfaces (where the Schep–Bauer distribution of transmission eigenvalues is confirmed for a single interface, as well as for a stack of such interfaces that is thinner than the localization length); and elucidate the effect of coupling to ideal leads ('measuring apparatus') on the conductance of both bulk conductors and dirty interfaces. When a multilayer contains a ballistic layer in between two interfaces, its disorder-averaged conductance oscillates as a function of the Fermi energy. I also address some fundamental issues in quantum transport theory—the relationship between the Kubo formula in the exact state representation and the 'mesoscopic Kubo formula' (which gives the exact zero-temperature conductance of a finite-size sample attached to two semi-infinite ideal leads) is thoroughly re-examined by comparing their outcomes for both the junctions and homogeneous samples.
Convenient oxidation of benzylic and allylic halides to aldehydes and ketones

Benzylic and allylic halides were conveniently oxidized to aldehydes and ketones by pyridine N-oxide in the presence of silver oxide under mild conditions.
Solid phase peptide synthesis after 25 years: The design and synthesis of antagonists of glucagon

Cet article de synthese etudie la synthese en phase solide du glucagon et ses activites biologiques
Auction Protocols for Decentralized Scheduling

Decentralized scheduling is the problem of allocating resources to alternative possible uses over time, where competing uses are represented by autonomous agents. Market mechanisms use prices derived through distributing bidding protocols to determine schedules. We investigate the existence of equilibrium prices for some general classes of scheduling problems, the quality of equilibrium solutions, and the behavior of an ascending auction mechanism and bidding protocol. To remedy the potential nonexistence of price equilibria due to complementarities in preference, we introduce additional markets in combinations of basic goods. Finally, we consider direct revelation mechanisms and compare to the market-based approach. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C62, C70, D44.
Making a fast curry: push/enter vs. eval/apply for higher-order languages

Higher-order languages that encourage currying are typically implemented using one of two basic evaluation models: push/enter or eval/apply. Implementors use their intuition and qualitative judgements to choose one model or the other. Our goal in this paper is to provide, for the first time, a more substantial basis for this choice, based on our qualitative and quantitative experience of implementing both models in a state-of-the-art compiler for Haskell. Our conclusion is simple, and contradicts our initial intuition: compiled implementations should use eval/apply.
Foreign Aid as Prize: Incentives for a Pro-Poor Policy

We develop a theoretical model of foreign aid to analyze a method of disbursement of aid which induces the recipient government to follow a more pro-poor policy than it otherwise would do. In our two-period model, aid is given in the second period and the volume of it depends on the level of wellbeing of the target group in the first period. We find that this way of designing aid does increase the welfare of the poor. We also consider the situations where the donor and the recipient governments act simultaneously as well as sequentially, and find that by moving first in a sequential game, the donor country can, under certain conditions, increase the welfare of the poor and its own compared to the case of simultaneous moves.
Exact and Stable Covariance Estimation From Quadratic Sampling via Convex Programming

Statistical inference and information processing of high-dimensional data often require an efficient and accurate estimation of their second-order statistics. With rapidly changing data, limited processing power and storage at the acquisition devices, it is desirable to extract the covariance structure from a single pass over the data and a small number of stored measurements. In this paper, we explore a quadratic (or rank-one) measurement model which imposes minimal memory requirements and low computational complexity during the sampling process, and is shown to be optimal in preserving various low-dimensional covariance structures. Specifically, four popular structural assumptions of covariance matrices, namely, low rank, Toeplitz low rank, sparsity, jointly rank-one and sparse structure, are investigated, while recovery is achieved via convex relaxation paradigms for the respective structure. The proposed quadratic sampling framework has a variety of potential applications, including streaming data processing, high-frequency wireless communication, phase space tomography and phase retrieval in optics, and noncoherent subspace detection. Our method admits universally accurate covariance estimation in the absence of noise, as soon as the number of measurements exceeds the information theoretic limits. We also demonstrate the robustness of this approach against noise and imperfect structural assumptions. Our analysis is established upon a novel notion called the mixed-norm restricted isometry property (RIP- $\ell _{2}/\ell _{1}$ ), as well as the conventional RIP- $\ell _{2}/\ell _{2}$ for near-isotropic and bounded measurements. In addition, our results improve upon the best-known phase retrieval (including both dense and sparse signals) guarantees using PhaseLift with a significantly simpler approach.
Labor market dynamics under long-term wage contracting ☆

Abstract Recent research seeking to explain the strong cyclicality of US unemployment emphasizes the role of wage rigidity. This paper proposes a micro-founded model of wage rigidity—an equilibrium business cycle model of job search, where risk neutral firms post optimal long-term contracts to attract risk averse workers. Equilibrium contracts feature wage smoothing, limited by the inability of parties to commit to contracts. The model is consistent with aggregate wage data if neither worker nor firm can commit, producing too rigid wages otherwise. Wage rigidity does not lead to a substantial increase in the cyclical volatility of unemployment.
A High resolution adaptive moving mesh hydrodynamic algorithm

An algorithm for simulating self-gravitating cosmological astrophysical fluids is presented. The advantages include a large dynamic range, parallelizability, high resolution per grid element, and fast execution speed. The code is based on a finite volume flux-conservative total variation diminishing (TVD) scheme for the shock-capturing hydro and an iterative multigrid solver for the gravity. The grid is a time-dependent field, whose motion is described by a generalized potential flow. Approximately constant mass per cell can be obtained, which provides all the advantages of a Lagrangian scheme. The grid deformation combined with appropriate limiting and smoothing schemes guarantees a regular and well-behaved grid geometry, in which nearest neighbor relationships remain constant. The full hydrodynamic fluid equations are implemented in the curvilinear moving grid, which allows for arbitrary fluid flow relative to the grid geometry. This combination retains all the advantages of the grid-based schemes including high speed per fluid element and a rapid gravity solver. The current implementation is described, and empirical simulation results are presented. Accurate execution speed calculations are given in terms of floating point operations per time step per grid cell. This code is freely available to the community.
Reactive power measurement using the wavelet transform

This paper provides the theoretical basis for the measurement of reactive and distortion powers from the wavelet transforms. The measurement of reactive power relies on the use of broad-band phase-shift networks to create concurrent in-phase currents and quadrature voltages. The wavelet real power computation resulting from these 90/spl deg/ phase-shift networks yields the reactive power associated with each wavelet frequency level or subband. The distortion power at each wavelet subband is then derived from the real, reactive and apparent powers of the subband, where the apparent power is the product of the v, i element pair's subband rms voltage and current. The advantage of viewing the real and reactive powers. In the wavelet domain is that the domain preserves both the frequency and time relationship of these powers. In addition, the reactive power associated with each wavelet subband is a signed quantity and thus has a direction associated with it. This permits tracking the reactive power flow in each subband through the power system.
Happiness and International Migration

In this paper, we consider the extent to which the aggregate happiness of a country affects the flow of people across its borders. We merge data from the World Values Survey, which produces happiness indices for 84 countries between 1981 and 2004, with three different migration datasets. We find that happiness has a U-shaped relationship with emigration rates: emigration rates fall in happiness for relatively unhappy countries, but rise for relatively happy countries. The U-shaped relationship also holds for migrant flows into the U.S. When analyzing net migration rates, we find that the reverse relationship exists. Net migration is associated with an increase in happiness for relatively unhappy countries, but after a threshold level of happiness, net migration is associated with a decrease in happiness. Our findings are robust to various empirical specifications and datasets.
Synthesis of isocoumarins via Pd/C-mediated reactions of o-iodobenzoic acid with terminal alkynes.

The coupling reaction of o-iodobenzoic acid with terminal alkynes by using a catalyst system of 10% Pd/C−Et3N−CuI−PPh3 has been studied in a variety of solvents. 3-Substituted isocoumarins were formed in good yields and with good regioselectivity when the reaction was performed in EtOH.