cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A SEMI-RIGOROUS SENSOR MODEL FOR PRECISION GEOMETRIC PROCESSING OF MINI-RF BISTATIC RADAR IMAGES OF THE MOON

Abstract. The spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instruments known as Mini-RF were designed to image shadowed areas of the lunar poles and assay the presence of ice deposits by quantitative polarimetry. We have developed radargrammetric processing techniques to enhance the value of these observations by removing spacecraft ephemeris errors and distortions caused by topographic parallax so the polarimetry can be compared with other data sets. Here we report on the extension of this capability from monostatic imaging (signal transmitted and received on the same spacecraft) to bistatic (transmission from Earth and reception on the spacecraft) which provides a unique opportunity to measure radar scattering at nonzero phase angles. In either case our radargrammetric sensor models first reconstruct the observed range and Doppler frequency from recorded image coordinates, then determine the ground location with a corrected trajectory on a more detailed topographic surface. The essential difference for bistatic radar is that range and Doppler shift depend on the transmitter as well as receiver trajectory. Incidental differences include the preparation of the images in a different (map projected) coordinate system and use of “squint” (i.e., imaging at nonzero rather than zero Doppler shift) to achieve the desired phase angle. Our approach to the problem is to reconstruct the time-of-observation, range, and Doppler shift of the image pixel by pixel in terms of rigorous geometric optics, then fit these functions with low-order polynomials accurate to a small fraction of a pixel. Range and Doppler estimated by using these polynomials can then be georeferenced rigorously on a new surface with an updated trajectory. This “semi-rigorous” approach (based on rigorous physics but involving fitting functions) speeds the calculation and avoids the need to manage both the original and adjusted trajectory data. We demonstrate the improvement in registration of the bistatic images for Cabeus crater, where the LCROSS spacecraft impacted in 2009, and describe plans to precision-register the entire Mini-RF bistatic data collection.
Urinary tract infections and antimicrobial use among Finnish home care clients, April-September 2014

The 30-day prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) among Finnish home care clients (N = 6,887) estimated by the Resident Assessment Instrument was 4.5%, and 5.9% of the clients received antimicrobial agents, most commonly for UTI prophylaxis. Urinary catheter and female gender were the strongest factors independently associated with antimicrobial use and UTI. The Resident Assessment Instrument provides data that could be used when training home care providers and primary health care workers in the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents and UTI prevention.
Practical, Predictable Lattice Basis Reduction

Lattice reduction algorithms are notoriously hard to predict, both in terms of running time and output quality, which poses a major problem for cryptanalysis. While easy to analyze algorithms with good worst-case behavior exist, previous experimental evidence suggests that they are outperformed in practice by algorithms whose behavior is still not well understood, despite more than 30i¾?years of intensive research. This has lead to a situation where a rather complex simulation procedure seems to be the most common way to predict the result of their application to an instance. In this work we present new algorithmic ideas towards bridging this gap between theory and practice. We report on an extensive experimental study of several lattice reduction algorithms, both novel and from the literature, that shows that theoretical algorithms are in fact surprisingly practical and competitive. In light of our results we come to the conclusion that in order to predict lattice reduction, simulation is superfluous and can be replaced by a closed formula using weaker assumptions. One key technique to achieving this goal is a novel algorithm to solve the Shortest Vector Problem SVP in the dual without computing the dual basis. Our algorithm enjoys the same practical efficiency as the corresponding primal algorithm and can be easily added to an existing implementation of it.
Synthesis of Highly Substituted Quinolines via a Tandem Ynamide Benzannulation/Iodocyclization Strategy.

A two-stage “tandem strategy” for the regiocontrolled synthesis of very highly substituted quinolines is described. Benzannulation based on the reaction of cyclobutenones or diazo ketones with N-propargyl-substituted ynamides proceeds via a cascade of several pericyclic reactions to generate multiply substituted aniline derivatives. In the second stage of the tandem strategy, triflate derivatives of the phenolic benzannulation products undergo Larock cyclization upon exposure to iodine to form products that are further elaborated by methods such as palladium-catalyzed coupling to generate quinolines that can be substituted at every position of the bicyclic system.
Street Tree Resource Evaluation and Education Trust (STREET).

An educational and applied research project, Street Tree Resource Evaluation and Education Trust (STREET), was conducted to train Master Gardener volunteers to identify and inventory Bucyrus street trees, to educate city government and citizens on street tree benefits, to secure funding and city approval for new street tree planting, and to compare citizen and landscape contractor tree planting by tree planting depth. Outcomes of STREET included: identification and inventory of 1,797 street trees, grant funding of $5000, 194 new trees planted, and citizen tree planting depth higher than tree professionals.
A prototype-centered approach to adding deduction capability to search engines-the concept of protoform

Existing search engines have many remarkable capabilities. But what is not among them is deduction capability-the capability to answer a query by drawing on information which resides in various parts of the knowledge base or is augmented by the user. The problem-which is not widely recognized-is that much of the information in the knowledge base of a search engine is perception-based. Methods based on bivalent logic and standard probability theory lack capability to operate on perception-based information. A search engine with deduction capability is, in effect, a question-answering system. Limited progress toward a realization of deduction capability is achievable through application of methods based on bivalent logic and standard probability theory. But to move beyond the reach of standard methods it is necessary to change direction. In the approach which is outlined, a concept which plays a pivotal role is that of a prototype-a concept which has a position of centrality in human reasoning, recognition, search and decision processes.
THE SUCCESS OF SINGLE DEBRIDEMENT AND PRIMARY CLOSURE OF ACUTE POSTOPERATIVE INFECTIONS FOLLOWING OPEN REDUCTION AND INTERNAL FIXATION

Objective The development of surgical site infection in the early weeks following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a challenging problem. There are no evidence-based guidelines to direct the number of surgical debridements prior to definitive wound closure. The purpose of this study was to assess the success of infection resolution, and to identify risk factors for failure, in post-operative infections treated with a single debridement and primary wound closure. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 61 postoperative infections (60 patients) that developed following fracture ORIF that were treated with a single debridement and primary closure. Data was collected from a review of the patients’ medical record. Variables were compared between the two groups using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Twenty nine cases (48%) in 28 patients achieved successful outcome following a single debridement and primary closure without hardware removal. Risk factors for treatment failure, identified by multivariate analysis, were AO/OTA classification B and C type fractures (odds ratio = 2.539; 95% confidence interval = 1.110, 5.807; p = 0.027) and elevated C-reactive protein at admission (odds ratio = 1.017; 95% confidence interval = 1.002, 1.032; p = 0.026). Conclusions Acute postoperative infection following ORIF treated by a single debridement and primary closure with hardware retention is successful in only half of the cases.
Sex, Smoking, and Risk for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose— Women are at higher risk for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) than men for unknown reasons. Also cumulative effects of smoking have been neglected among prospective studies. We studied associations between smoking habits and SAH and interactions between known SAH risk factors in a prospective population-based study. Methods— The population-based FINRISK study cohort of 65 521 individuals was followed up for 1.38 million person-years. We used the Cox proportional hazards model to calculate hazard ratios and evaluated additive and multiplicative interactions between study variables, with all analyses adjusted for known SAH risk factors. Results— During follow-up, we identified 492 SAHs (266 women). Smoking had a linear dose-dependent and cumulative association with risk for SAH in both sexes. Women smoking >20 cigarettes per day had a hazard ratio of 8.35 (95% confidence interval, 3.86–18.06) compared with a hazard ratio of 2.76 (95% confidence interval, 1.68–4.52) in men in the same cigarettes per day group. Hazard ratios differed by sex in all cigarettes per day and pack-year categories; this association was stronger in women in all categories ( P =0.01). When an adjusted model included interaction terms between sex and cigarettes per day or pack-years, female sex was no longer an independent SAH risk factor. Former smokers had a markedly decreased risk for SAH in both sexes when compared with current smokers. Conclusions— Smoking has a dose-dependent and cumulative association with SAH risk, and this risk is highest in female heavy smokers. Vulnerability to smoking seems to explain in part the increased SAH risk in women.
Chinese law and governance: moving beyond responsive authoritarianism and the rule of law

AbstractIn his essay, Francis Fukuyama offers a vision of Chinese governance that I contend is flawed in at least three important respects: the basic framework of his three pillars (and in particular, his conception of the rule of law), his characterization of the Chinese legal system, and his assumption of the strength (and even agility and responsiveness) of China’s bureaucratic state structure. After examining his arguments, I outline a different framework, drawn from my current research, which I call legal regimes and explain how it can be applied to understand the contemporary realities of China’s legal system. I also draw on my recent findings to challenge any assumptions of state strength or resilience, before examining the implications for current Chinese politics and possible future trajectories.
Matrix quantum mechanics from qubits

We introduce a transverse field Ising model with order N 2 spins interacting via a nonlocal quartic interaction. The model has an O(N, ℤ), hyperoctahedral, symmetry. We show that the large N partition function admits a saddle point in which the symmetry is enhanced to O(N). We further demonstrate that this ‘matrix saddle’ correctly computes large N observables at weak and strong coupling. The matrix saddle undergoes a continuous quantum phase transition at intermediate couplings. At the transition the matrix eigenvalue distribution becomes disconnected. The critical excitations are described by large N matrix quantum mechanics. At the critical point, the low energy excitations are waves propagating in an emergent 1 + 1 dimensional spacetime.
Simultaneous intermittent communication control and path optimization in networks of mobile robots

In this paper, we propose an intermittent communication framework for mobile robot networks. Specifically, we consider robots that move along the edges of a connected mobility graph and communicate only when they meet at the nodes of that graph giving rise to a dynamic communication network. Our proposed distributed controllers ensure intermittent connectivity of the network and path optimization, simultaneously. We show that the intermittent connectivity requirement can be encapsulated by a global Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) formula. Then we approximately decompose it into local LTL expressions which are then assigned to the robots. To avoid conflicting robot behaviors that can occur due to this approximate decomposition, we develop a distributed conflict resolution scheme that generates non-conflicting discrete motion plans for every robot, based on the assigned local LTL expressions, whose composition satisfies the global LTL formula. By appropriately introducing delays in the execution of the generated motion plans we also show that the proposed controllers can be executed asynchronously.
From Lesson Learned to the Refactoring of the DRIHM Science Gateway for Hydro-meteorological Research

A full hydro-meteorological (HM) simulation, from rainfall to impact on urban areas, is a multidisciplinary activity which consists in the execution of a workflow composed by complex and heterogeneous model engines. Moreover an extensive set of configuration parameters have to be selected consistently among the models, otherwise the simulation can fail or produce unreliable results. The DRIHM portal is a Web-based science gateway aiming to support HM researchers in designing, executing and managing HM simulations. The first version of the portal was developed during the DRIHM project using the gUSE science gateway toolkit. The lesson we learned is guiding a refactoring process that, together with a review of the most relevant technologies for the development of a science gateway, represent the focus of this paper. Beside the technological aspects, the need of a strong interplay between ICT and other domain-specific communities clearly emerged, together with coherent policies in the management of data, computational resources and software components that represent the ecosystem of a science gateways.
Direct shear of olivine single crystals

Abstract Knowledge of the strengths of the individual dislocation slip systems in olivine is fundamental to understanding the flow behavior and the development of lattice-preferred orientation in olivine-rich rocks. The most direct measurements of the strengths of individual slip systems are from triaxial compression experiments on olivine single crystals. However, such experiments only allow for determination of flow laws for two of the four dominant slip systems in olivine. In order to measure the strengths of the (001)[100] and (100)[001] slip systems independently, we performed deformation experiments on single crystals of San Carlos olivine in a direct shear geometry. Experiments were carried out at temperatures of 1000 ° to 1300 °C, a confining pressure of 300 MPa, shear stresses of 60 to 334 MPa, and resultant shear strain rates of 7.4 × 10 −6 to 2.1 × 10 −3 s −1 . At high-temperature (≥1200 °C) and low-stress (≤200 MPa) conditions, the strain rate of crystals oriented for direct shear on either the (001)[100] or the (100)[001] slip system follows a power law relationship with stress, whereas at lower temperatures and higher stresses, strain rate depends exponentially on stress. The flow laws derived from the mechanical data in this study are consistent with a transition from the operation of a climb-controlled dislocation mechanism during power-law creep to the operation of a glide-controlled dislocation mechanism during exponential creep. In the climb-controlled regime, crystals oriented for shear on the (001)[100] slip system are weaker than crystals orientated for shear on the (100)[001] slip system. In contrast, in the glide-controlled regime the opposite is observed. Extrapolation of flow laws determined for crystals sheared in orientations favorable for slip on these two slip systems to upper mantle conditions reveals that the (001)[100] slip system is weaker at temperatures and stresses that are typical of the asthenospheric mantle, whereas the (100)[001] slip system is weaker at conditions typical of the lithospheric mantle. These observations demonstrate that the relative strength of the dislocation slip systems in olivine and, thus, the development of lattice-preferred orientation and anisotropic viscosity in olivine-rich rocks are strongly dependent upon temperature and stress.
METAPHYSEAL CONES FOR SEVERE BONE LOSS: WHEN ONLY METAL WILL DO

Metaphyseal bone loss is common with revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The causes of bone loss include: osteolysis, loosening, infection, iatrogenic or a combination. Small defects can be treated with screws and cement, bone graft, and non-porous metal wedges or blocks. Large defects can be treated with bulk structural allograft, impaction grafting, or highly porous metal cones or augments. The AORI classification of bone loss in revision TKA is very helpful with preoperative planning. Type 1 defects do not require augments or graft—use revision components with stems. Type 2 defects should be treated with non-porous metal augments—wedges or blocks. Type 3 defects require a bulk structural allograft or large highly porous metal cone. Trabecular metal (TM) metaphyseal cones are a unique solution for large bone defects. There are both femoral (full or partial) and tibial (full or stepped) TM cones available. These cones substitute for bone loss, improve metaphyseal fixation, help correct malalignment, restore joint line, and perhaps, permit use of a shorter stem. The technique for these cones involve sculpturing of the remaining bone with a high speed burr and rasp, followed by press-fit of the cone into the remaining metaphyseal bone. The interface is sealed with bone graft and putty. The fixation and osteoconductive properties of the outer surface allow ingrowth and hopefully long term biologic fixation. The revision knee component is then cemented into the porous cone inner surface, which provides superior fixation compared to deficient metaphyseal bone. The advantages of the TM cone compared to allograft include: technically easier; biologic fixation; no resorption; and (?) lower risk of infection. The disadvantages include: difficult extraction and relatively short-term follow-up. The author has reported the results of 33 TM cones (9 femoral, 24 tibial) implanted in 27 revision cases at 2–5.7 years follow-up. One knee (2 cones) was removed for infection. All but one cone showed osseointegration. TM cones are a promising method for the reconstruction of large bone defects in revision TKA.
Transport, geometrical, and topological properties of stealthy disordered hyperuniform two-phase systems.

Disordered hyperuniform many-particle systems have attracted considerable recent attention, since they behave like crystals in the manner in which they suppress large-scale density fluctuations, and yet also resemble statistically isotropic liquids and glasses with no Bragg peaks. One important class of such systems is the classical ground states of “stealthy potentials.” The degree of order of such ground states depends on a tuning parameter χ. Previous studies have shown that these ground-state point configurations can be counterintuitively disordered, infinitely degenerate, and endowed with novel physical properties (e.g., negative thermal expansion behavior). In this paper, we focus on the disordered regime (0 < χ < 1/2) in which there is no long-range order and control the degree of short-range order. We map these stealthy disordered hyperuniform point configurations to two-phase media by circumscribing each point with a possibly overlapping sphere of a common radius a: the “particle” and “void” phas...
Shape Effect Analysis of Aluminum Projectile Impact on Whipple Shields

Abstract This report presents a numerical analysis study on the shape effects of prolate and oblate ellipsoid projectiles on the performance of spacecraft shields conducted in support of the Orbital Debris Program Office at the NASA Johnson Space Center with the Hypervelocity Impact Technology (HVIT) group [1]. The study served as an independent analysis of the experimental results obtained by the Ernst-Mach Institute, who conducted hypervelocity impact (HVI) tests using shaped-projectiles against a dual-wall Whipple shield to develop ballistic limit equations (BLE) with shape effects. The HVI have been simulated via the three-dimensional, nonlinear-structural-dynamics, simulation tool, CTH, which has been developed by Sandia National Laboratories to treat shock-wave propagation and large-deformation phenomena. The results from the numerical simulations for the sphere and prolate ellipsoid projectiles indicate numerical simulations are a viable tool for conducting HVI analyses, however, significant differences between the CTH models and published EMI test data for the oblate projectiles point to issues in modeling the impact physics of oblate ellipsoid geometries [2]. Consequently, further analysis should be performed to solve the problem in modeling these oblate projectile impacts. The unmodified BLE for spheres and modified BLE for prolate ellipsoids reasonably predict failure of a Whipple shield at low impact velocities, but based on the obtained data may need to be adjusted for velocities between 4 and 8 km/s.
Accurate frequency referencing for fieldable dual-comb spectroscopy

We describe a dual-comb spectrometer that can operate independently of laboratory-based rf and optical frequency references but is nevertheless capable of ultra-high spectral resolution, high SNR, and frequency-accurate spectral measurements. The instrument is based on a "bootstrapped" frequency referencing scheme in which short-term optical phase coherence between combs is attained by referencing each to a free-running diode laser, whilst high frequency resolution and long-term accuracy is derived from a stable quartz oscillator. The sensitivity, stability and accuracy of this spectrometer were characterized using a multipass cell. We demonstrate comb-resolved spectra spanning from 140 THz (2.14 µm, 4670 cm-1) to 184 THz (1.63 µm, 6140 cm-1) in the near infrared with a frequency sampling of 200 MHz (0.0067 cm-1) and ~1 MHz frequency accuracy. High resolution spectra of water and carbon dioxide transitions at 1.77 µm, 1.96 µm and 2.06 µm show that the molecular transmission acquired with this system operating in the field-mode did not deviate from those measured when it was referenced to a maser and cavity-stabilized laser to within 5.6 × 10-4. When optimized for carbon dioxide quantification at 1.60 µm, a sensitivity of 2.8 ppm-km at 1 s integration time, improving to 0.10 ppm-km at 13 minutes of integration time was achieved.
Effects of telecommunication media upon information sharing and team performance: some theoretical and empirical observations

Theoretical concepts related to decision-making, group dynamics, and communication processes are reviewed. A psychological distancing model of electronic media is described. Issues related to the role of electronic media in networking decision-makers are highlighted. Several laboratory studies that show some of the effects video, audio, and computer teleconferencing can have upon group interaction patterns and productivity are described. It is found that increasing communication richness does not guarantee improved group performance. Task demands as well as individual difference factors can affect the way groups use available media. It is concluded that existing theory is not yet sophisticated enough to account for all of the results observed. A more comprehensive theory of communication processes is needed that specifically addresses group-to-group interaction processes. >
Turbulent Magnetic Relaxation in Pulsar Wind Nebulae

We present a model for magnetic energy dissipation in a pulsar wind nebula. Better understanding of this process is required to assess the likelihood that certain astrophysical transients may be powered by the spin-down of a "millisecond magnetar." Examples include superluminous supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, and anticipated electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational wave detections of binary neutron star coalescence. Our model leverages recent progress in the theory of turbulent magnetic relaxation to specify a dissipative closure of the stationary magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) wind equations, yielding predictions of the magnetic energy dissipation rate throughout the nebula. Synchrotron losses are treated self-consistently. To demonstrate the model's efficacy, we show that it can reproduce many features of the Crab Nebula, including its expansion speed, radiative efficiency, peak photon energy, and mean magnetic field strength. Unlike ideal MHD models of the Crab (which lead to the so-called sigma problem) our model accounts for the transition from ultra to weakly magnetized plasma flow, and for the associated heating of relativistic electrons. We discuss how the predicted heating rates may be utilized to improve upon models of particle transport and acceleration in pulsar wind nebulae. We also discuss implications for the Crab Nebula's gamma-ray flares, and point out potential modifications to models of astrophysical transients invoking the spin-down of a millisecond magnetar.
Scattering and absorption control in biocompatible fibers towards equalized photobiomodulation

Transparent tissue scaffolds enable illumination of growing tissue to accelerate cell proliferation and improve other cell functions through photobiomodulation. The biphasic dose response of cells exposed to photobiomodulating light dictates that the illumination be evenly distributed across the scaffold such that the cells are neither under nor over exposed to light. However, equalized illumination has not been sufficiently addressed. Here we analyze and experimentally demonstrate spatially equalizing illumination by three methods, namely: engineered surface scattering, reflection by a gold mirror, and traveling-waves in a ring mesh. Our results show that nearly equalized illumination is achievable by controlling the light scattering-to-loss ratio. This demonstration furthers opportunities for dose-optimized photobiomodulation in tissue regeneration.
Photorefractive incoherent-to-coherent optical converter

Reference EPFL-ARTICLE-158578doi:10.1364/AO.22.003665View record in Web of Science Record created on 2010-11-25, modified on 2017-07-31
Beauty contests under private information and diverse beliefs: how different?

Abstract: The paper contrasts theories that explain diverse belief by asymmetric private information (in short PI) with theories which postulate agents use subjective heterogenous beliefs (in short HB). We focus on problems where agents forecast aggregates such as profit rate of the S&P500 and our model is similar to the one used in the literature on asset pricing (e.g. Brown and Jennings (1989), Grundy and McNichols (1989), Allen, Morris and Shin (2003)). We first argue there is no a-priori conceptual basis to assuming PI about economic aggregates. Since PI is not observed, models with PI offer no testable hypotheses, making it possible to prove anything with PI. In contrast, agents with HB reveal their forecasts hence data on market belief is used to test hypotheses of HB. We show the common knowledge assumptions of the PI theory are implausible. The theories differ on four main analytical issues. (1) The pricing theory under PI implies prices have infinite memory and at each t depend upon unobservable variables. In contrast, under HB prices have finite memory and depend only upon observable variables. (2) The “Beauty Contest” implications of the two are different. Under PI today’s price depends upon today’s market belief about tomorrow’s mean belief about “fundamental” variables. Under HB it depends upon today’s market belief about tomorrow’s market beliefs. Tomorrow’s beliefs are, in part, beliefs about future beliefs and are often mistaken. Market forecast mistakes are key to Beauty Contests, and are a central cause of market uncertainty called “endogenous uncertainty.” (3) Contrary to PI, theories with HB have wide empirical implications which are testable with available data. (4) PI theories assume unobserved data and hence do not restrict behavior, while rationality conditions impose restrictions on any HB theory. We explain the tight restrictions on the model’s parameters imposed by the theory of Rational Beliefs.
Random graphs and the parity quantifier

The classical zero-one law for first-order logic on random graphs says that for every first-order property φ in the theory of graphs and every p ∈ (0,1), the probability that the random graph G(n, p) satisfies φ approaches either 0 or 1 as n approaches infinity. It is well known that this law fails to hold for any formalism that can express the parity quantifier: for certain properties, the probability that G(n,p) satisfies the property need not converge, and for others the limit may be strictly between 0 and 1.In this work, we capture the limiting behavior of properties definable in first order logic augmented with the parity quantifier, FOltr, over G(n,p), thus eluding the above hurdles. Specifically, we establish the following “modular convergence law”.For every FOltr sentence φ, there are two explicitly computable rational numbers a0, a1, such that for i ∈ l0,1r, as n approaches infinity, the probability that the random graph G(2npi, p) satisfies φ approaches ai.Our results also extend appropriately to FO equipped with Modq quantifiers for prime q.In the process of deriving this theorem, we explore a new question that may be of interest in its own right. Specifically, we study the joint distribution of the subgraph statistics modulo 2 of G(n,p): namely, the number of copies, mod 2, of a fixed number of graphs F1, …, Fe of bounded size in G(n,p). We first show that every FOltr property φ is almost surely determined by subgraph statistics modulo 2 of the above type. Next, we show that the limiting joint distribution of the subgraph statistics modulo 2 depends only on n mod 2, and we determine this limiting distribution completely. Interestingly, both these steps are based on a common technique using multivariate polynomials over finite fields and, in particular, on a new generalization of the Gowers norm.The first step is analogous to the Razborov-Smolensky method for lower bounds for AC0 with parity gates, yet stronger in certain ways. For instance, it allows us to obtain examples of simple graph properties that are exponentially uncorrelated with every FOltr sentence, which is something that is not known for AC0ltr.
Smooth analysis of the condition number and the least singular value

Let x be a complex random variable with mean zero and bounded variance. Let N n be the random matrix of size n whose entries are iid copies of x and let M be a fixed matrix of the same size. The goal of this paper is to give a general estimate for the condition number and least singular value of the matrix M + N n , generalizing an earlier result of Spielman and Teng for the case when x is gaussian. Our investigation reveals an interesting fact that the "core" matrix M does play a role on tail bounds for the least singular value of M + N n . This does not occur in Spielman-Teng studies when x is gaussian. Consequently, our general estimate involves the norm ∥M∥. In the special case when ∥M∥ is relatively small, this estimate is nearly optimal and extends or refines existing results.
Trends in silicon device technology

The present status of silicon device technology is reviewed in order to point out its limitations. The combination of melt-doping, epitaxial growth, and oxide-masked diffusion allows, at least in principle, the construction of about any desired impurity configuration within the silicon crystal. Our present understanding of the silicon-silicon oxide surface allows the design and control of the important surface properties and makes available such important devices as MOS transistors. The limitations of most concern in these areas of wafer fabrication technology are those associated with improving process control and minimizing defects. Effort in this area takes the form of relating cause to effect followed by appropriate detailed process changes. It represents a direction of extreme importance in maximizing the impact of silicon devices through greatly reduced cost.
Incentive compatible allocation and exchange of discrete resources

The allocation and exchange of discrete resources, such as transplant organs, public housing, dormitory rooms, and many other resources for which agents have single-unit demand, is often conducted via direct mechanisms without monetary transfers. Incentive compatibility and efficiency are primary concerns when designing such mechanisms. We construct the full class of group strategy-proof and Pareto-efficient mechanisms and show that each of them can be implemented by endowing agents with control rights over resources. This new class, which we call trading cycles, contains new mechanisms as well as known mechanisms such as top trading cycles, serial dictatorships, and hierarchical exchange. We illustrate how one can use our construction to show what can and what cannot be achieved in a variety of allocation and exchange problems, and we provide an example in which the new trading-cycles mechanisms are more Lorenz equitable than all previously known mechanisms.
Corporate social responsibility and political settlements in the mining sector in Ghana, Zambia and Peru

This paper explores and compares the political effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the mining sector in Zambia, Ghana and Peru. The paper adopts a political settlements approach to answer the question: How do the CSR practices of mining companies affect local and national political settlements? After setting out the main tenets of the political settlements approach, this is articulated with literature on the politics of natural resource extraction and CSR. The paper then sets the wider context of the international drivers of increased attention to CSR in the extractive sector, before exploring the impact of the CSR practices of mining companies on the political settlement in Ghana, Peru and Zambia at the national and local levels. The final sections offer a comparative discussion of what the findings mean for understanding CSR’s role in inclusive development and natural resource governance. The paper argues that recent increased CSR expenditure does not necessarily translate into development for those living near mining companies, particularly in contexts of exclusionary political settlements, of which all case studies exhibited characteristics. There are a great many institutional and contextual limitations placed on the ability of CSR to deliver development for affected communities. Across the case studies, the opportunities that CSR programmes afford tended to aimed at those with the greatest capacity to disrupt operations, rather than those with the greatest need. In concluding, I argue that, despite some obvious limitations, the political settlements approach can generate new insights through its focus on the politics of development, and, in particular, the politics of stability.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations Indicate that Deoxyhemoglobin, Oxyhemoglobin, Carboxyhemoglobin, and Glycated Hemoglobin under Compression and Shear Exhibit an Anisotropic Mechanical Behavior

We developed a new mechanical model for determining the compression and shear mechanical behavior of four different hemoglobin structures. Previous studies on hemoglobin structures have focused primarily on overall mechanical behavior; however, this study investigates the mechanical behavior of hemoglobin, a major constituent of red blood cells, using steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations to obtain anisotropic mechanical behavior under compression and shear loading conditions. Four different configurations of hemoglobin molecules were considered: deoxyhemoglobin (deoxyHb), oxyhemoglobin (HbO2), carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C). The SMD simulations were performed on the hemoglobin variants to estimate their unidirectional stiffness and shear stiffness. Although hemoglobin is structurally denoted as a globular protein due to its spherical shape and secondary structure, our simulation results show a significant variation in the mechanical strength in different directions (anis...
Neighborhood Reconstruction and Cancellation of Graphs

We connect two seemingly unrelated problems in graph theory. Any graph $G$ has a neighborhood multiset $\mathscr{N}(G)= \{N(x) \mid x\in V(G)\}$ whose elements are precisely the open vertex-neighborhoods of $G$. In general there exist non-isomorphic graphs $G$ and $H$ for which $\mathscr{N}(G)=\mathscr{N}(H)$. The neighborhood reconstruction problem asks the conditions under which $G$ is uniquely reconstructible from its neighborhood multiset, that is, the conditions under which $\mathscr{N}(G)=\mathscr{N}(H)$ implies $G\cong H$. Such a graph is said to be neighborhood-reconstructible . The cancellation problem for the direct product of graphs seeks the conditions under which $G\times K\cong H\times K$ implies $G\cong H$. Lov a sz proved that this is indeed the case if $K$ is not bipartite. A second instance of the cancellation problem asks for conditions on $G$ that assure $G\times K\cong H\times K$ implies $G\cong H$ for any bipartite~$K$ with $E(K)\neq \emptyset$. A graph $G$ for which this is true is called a cancellation graph . We prove that the neighborhood-reconstructible graphs are precisely the cancellation graphs. We also present some new results on cancellation graphs, which have corresponding implications for neighborhood reconstruction. We are particularly interested in the (yet-unsolved) problem of finding a simple structural characterization of cancellation graphs (equivalently, neighborhood-reconstructible graphs).
Min–max formulas and other properties of certain classes of nonconvex effective Hamiltonians

This paper is the first attempt to systematically study properties of the effective Hamiltonian $$\overline{H}$$ arising in the periodic homogenization of some coercive but nonconvex Hamilton–Jacobi equations. Firstly, we introduce a new and robust decomposition method to obtain min–max formulas for a class of nonconvex $$\overline{H}$$ . Secondly, we analytically and numerically investigate other related interesting phenomena, such as “quasi-convexification” and breakdown of symmetry, of $$\overline{H}$$ from other typical nonconvex Hamiltonians. Finally, in the appendix, we show that our new method and those a priori formulas from the periodic setting can be used to obtain stochastic homogenization for the same class of nonconvex Hamilton–Jacobi equations. Some conjectures and problems are also proposed.
Fasting-Mimicking Diet Promotes Ngn3-Driven β-Cell Regeneration to Reverse Diabetes

Summary Stem-cell-based therapies can potentially reverse organ dysfunction and diseases, but the removal of impaired tissue and activation of a program leading to organ regeneration pose major challenges. In mice, a 4-day fasting mimicking diet (FMD) induces a stepwise expression of Sox17 and Pdx-1, followed by Ngn3-driven generation of insulin-producing β cells, resembling that observed during pancreatic development. FMD cycles restore insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis in both type 2 and type 1 diabetes mouse models. In human type 1 diabetes pancreatic islets, fasting conditions reduce PKA and mTOR activity and induce Sox2 and Ngn3 expression and insulin production. The effects of the FMD are reversed by IGF-1 treatment and recapitulated by PKA and mTOR inhibition. These results indicate that a FMD promotes the reprogramming of pancreatic cells to restore insulin generation in islets from T1D patients and reverse both T1D and T2D phenotypes in mouse models. PaperClip
Compression Bases in Unital Groups

We introduce and launch a study of compression bases in unital groups. The family of all compressions on a compressible group and the family of all direct compressions on a unital group are examples of compression bases. In this article we show that the properties of the compatibility relation in a compressible group generalize to unital groups with compression bases.
Consistent testing for recurrent genomic aberrations

We consider the detection and identification of recurrent departures from stationary behaviour in genomic or similarly arranged data containing measurements at an ordered set of variables. Our primary focus is on departures that occur only at a single variable, or within a small window of contiguous variables, but involve more than one sample. This encompasses the identification of aberrant markers in genome-wide measurements of DNA copy number and DNA methylation, as well as meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies. We propose and analyse a cyclic shift-based procedure for testing recurrent departures from stationarity. Our analysis establishes the consistency of cyclic shift [Formula: see text]-values for datasets with a fixed set of samples as the number of observed variables tends to infinity, under the assumption that each sample is an independent realization of a stationary Markov chain. Our results apply to any test statistic satisfying a simple invariance condition.
Geometry of Batalin-Vilkovisky quantization

The geometry ofP-manifolds (odd symplectic manifolds) andSP-manifolds (P-manifolds provided with a volume element) is studied. A complete classification of these manifolds is given. This classification is used to prove some results about Batalin-Vilkovisky procedure of quantization, in particular to obtain a very general result about gauge independence of this procedure.
Pivot to Internet Plus: Molding China's Digital Economy for Economic Restructuring?

Under the Internet Plus policy, China’s Internet and digital economy become unprecedentedly important during the post-2008 economic restructuring. Using the Internet as a metaphor to represent the broader Web-oriented communications commodity chains that encompass access devices, networks, and services and applications, and by examining three state–corporate disputes involving Foxconn, Qualcomm, and Alibaba, this article historicizes the political economy of China’s digital economy, especially the liberalized and quasiliberalized sections, and then characterizes the nature of the state’s interventions under the auspices of economic restructuring. It argues that the state’s ability to make effective policy for change in this critical field is incoherent. The combination of state-power decentralization and the externally oriented commodity chain for the Web economy is likely to turn Internet Plus into a risky strategy, but the cyber business section of China’s digital capitalism is most likely to benefit.
A Convex Cycle-based Degradation Model for Battery Energy Storage Planning and Operation

A vital aspect in energy storage planning and operation is to accurately model its operational cost, which mainly comes from the battery cell degradation. Battery degradation can be viewed as a complex material fatigue process that is based on stress cycles. Rainflow algorithm is a popular way for cycle identification in material fatigue process, and has been extensively used in battery degradation assessment. However, the rainflow algorithm does not have a closed form, which is the major difficulty to include it in optimization. In this paper, we prove the rainflow cycle-based cost is convex. Convexity enables the proposed degradation model to be incorporated in different battery optimization problems with a guarantee of the solution quality. We provide a subgradient algorithm to solve the problem. A case study on PJM regulation market demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed degradation model in maximizing the battery operating profits as well as extending its lifetime.
Entropy-based consensus clustering for patient stratification.

Motivation Patient stratification or disease subtyping is crucial for precision medicine and personalized treatment of complex diseases. The increasing availability of high-throughput molecular data provides a great opportunity for patient stratification. Many clustering methods have been employed to tackle this problem in a purely data-driven manner. Yet, existing methods leveraging high-throughput molecular data often suffers from various limitations, e.g. noise, data heterogeneity, high dimensionality or poor interpretability. Results Here we introduced an Entropy-based Consensus Clustering (ECC) method that overcomes those limitations all together. Our ECC method employs an entropy-based utility function to fuse many basic partitions to a consensus one that agrees with the basic ones as much as possible. Maximizing the utility function in ECC has a much more meaningful interpretation than any other consensus clustering methods. Moreover, we exactly map the complex utility maximization problem to the classic K -means clustering problem, which can then be efficiently solved with linear time and space complexity. Our ECC method can also naturally integrate multiple molecular data types measured from the same set of subjects, and easily handle missing values without any imputation. We applied ECC to 110 synthetic and 48 real datasets, including 35 cancer gene expression benchmark datasets and 13 cancer types with four molecular data types from The Cancer Genome Atlas. We found that ECC shows superior performance against existing clustering methods. Our results clearly demonstrate the power of ECC in clinically relevant patient stratification. Availability and implementation The Matlab package is available at http://scholar.harvard.edu/yyl/ecc . Contact yunfu@ece.neu.edu or yyl@channing.harvard.edu. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Holographic coherent states from random tensor networks

Random tensor networks provide useful models that incorporate various important features of holographic duality. A tensor network is usually defined for a fixed graph geometry specified by the connection of tensors. In this paper, we generalize the random tensor network approach to allow quantum superposition of different spatial geometries. We setup a framework in which all possible bulk spatial geometries, characterized by weighted adjacient matrices of all possible graphs, are mapped to the boundary Hilbert space and form an overcomplete basis of the boundary. We name such an overcomplete basis as holographic coherent states. A generic boundary state can be expanded in this basis, which describes the state as a superposition of different spatial geometries in the bulk. We discuss how to define distinct classical geometries and small fluctuations around them. We show that small fluctuations around classical geometries define “code subspaces” which are mapped to the boundary Hilbert space isometrically with quantum error correction properties. In addition, we also show that the overlap between different geometries is suppressed exponentially as a function of the geometrical difference between the two geometries. The geometrical difference is measured in an area law fashion, which is a manifestation of the holographic nature of the states considered.
Accessibility, transportation cost, and regional growth: a case study for Egypt

This paper focuses on a proposed development corridor in Egypt, a main component of which is a desert-based expansion of the current highway network. The main beneficial features of this proposed t...