cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Completely Stale Transmitter Channel State Information is Still Very Useful

Transmitter channel state information (CSIT) is crucial for the multiplexing gains offered by advanced interference management techniques such as multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and interference alignment. Such CSIT is usually obtained by feedback from the receivers, but the feedback is subject to delays. The usual approach is to use the fed back information to predict the current channel state and then apply a scheme designed assuming perfect CSIT. When the feedback delay is large compared to the channel coherence time, such a prediction approach completely fails to achieve any multiplexing gain. In this paper, we show that even in this case, the completely stale CSI is still very useful. More concretely, we show that in an MIMO broadcast channel with transmit antennas and receivers each with 1 receive antenna, K/1+1/2+···+1/K (>;1) degrees of freedom is achievable even when the fed back channel state is completely independent of the current channel state. Moreover, we establish that if all receivers have independent and identically distributed channels, then this is the optimal number of degrees of freedom achievable. In the optimal scheme, the transmitter uses the fed back CSI to learn the side information that the receivers receive from previous transmissions rather than to predict the current channel state. Our result can be viewed as the first example of feedback providing a degree-of-freedom gain in memoryless channels.
Parameter estimation in Cox models with missing failure indicators and the OPPERA study

In a prospective cohort study, examining all participants for incidence of the condition of interest may be prohibitively expensive. For example, the "gold standard" for diagnosing temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a physical examination by a trained clinician. In large studies, examining all participants in this manner is infeasible. Instead, it is common to use questionnaires to screen for incidence of TMD and perform the "gold standard" examination only on participants who screen positively. Unfortunately, some participants may leave the study before receiving the "gold standard" examination. Within the framework of survival analysis, this results in missing failure indicators. Motivated by the Orofacial Pain: Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment (OPPERA) study, a large cohort study of TMD, we propose a method for parameter estimation in survival models with missing failure indicators. We estimate the probability of being an incident case for those lacking a "gold standard" examination using logistic regression. These estimated probabilities are used to generate multiple imputations of case status for each missing examination that are combined with observed data in appropriate regression models. The variance introduced by the procedure is estimated using multiple imputation. The method can be used to estimate both regression coefficients in Cox proportional hazard models as well as incidence rates using Poisson regression. We simulate data with missing failure indicators and show that our method performs as well as or better than competing methods. Finally, we apply the proposed method to data from the OPPERA study.
Complex systems modeling via fuzzy logic

This paper presents a fuzzy logic approach to complex systems modeling that is based on fuzzy discretization technique. As compared with other modeling methods (both statistical and fuzzy), the proposed approach has the advantages of simplicity, flexibility, and high accuracy. Further, it is easy to use and may be handled by an automatic procedure. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the performance of the proposed approach.
Formation of a terraced fan deposit in Coprates Catena, Mars

Abstract We have studied a terraced fan deposit with unique characteristics located within a trough of Coprates Catena. The fan has an average length of 6.8 km, and is approximately 44 km2 in area and 18 km3 in volume. The fan's broad contributing valley is approximately 35 km long and it noticeably increases in depth about 12.8 km before it intersects the trough, where a rounded knickpoint marks the transition between flat-floored upstream and V-shaped downstream cross-sections. A 14-km-long channel with no apparent source enters the contributing valley from the south. A much smaller sinuous channel has incised along a smaller V-shaped valley in the uppermost eastern portion of the fan deposit. We explored several possible origins for the terraced fan, including mass wasting, volcanic flow, alluvial fan, and delta. We propose that water sourced from volcanic melting of ice eroded and transported material along the contributing valley. This material was then deposited as a delta in a lake within the trough. The concentric terraces are most likely the result of shoreline or ice cover erosion during drops in lake level. A light-toned layered deposit to the east of the fan deposit along the floor of the trough may represent a sedimentary unit formed during the terminal stages of the lake. Although other terraced fans have been identified on Mars, the Coprates Catena fan is unique because it has many more terraces and its surface was incised by a channel and associated valley. The identification of several other valleys to the east suggests that volcanic melting of volatiles during the Hesperian Period created favorable conditions for water flow along the plains in this region.
FH/MFSK Performance in Multitone Jamming

The performance of frequency-hopped (FH) M -ary frequency-shift keyed (MFSK) signals in partial-band noise has been extensively analyzed in the open literature. This paper extends the previous research to the usually more effective class of multitone jamming. Specifically, this paper will 1) categorize several different multitone jamming strategies; 2) analyze the performance of FH/MFSK signaling, both uncoded and with diversity, assuming a noncoherent energy-detection metric with linear combining and perfect jamming-state side information, in the presence of worst-case interference for each of these multitone categories; 3) compare the effectiveness of the various multitone jamming techniques, and contrast the results with the partial-band noise jamming case.
A truthful randomized mechanism for combinatorial public projects via convex optimization

In Combinatorial Public Projects, there is a set of projects that may be undertaken, and a set of self-interested players with a stake in the set of projects chosen. A public planner must choose a subset of these projects, subject to a resource constraint, with the goal of maximizing social welfare. Combinatorial Public Projects has emerged as one of the paradigmatic problems in Algorithmic Mechanism Design, a field concerned with solving fundamental resource allocation problems in the presence of both selfish behavior and the computational constraint of polynomial time. We design a polynomial-time, truthful-in-expectation, (1-1/e)-approximation mechanism for welfare maximization in a fundamental variant of combinatorial public projects. Our results apply to combinatorial public projects when players have valuations that are matroid rank sums (MRS), which encompass most concrete examples of submodular functions studied in this context, including coverage functions and matroid weighted-rank functions. Our approximation factor is the best possible, assuming P ≠ NP. Ours is the first mechanism that achieves a constant factor approximation for a natural NP-hard variant of combinatorial public projects.
Strategies for engaging foster care youth in permanency planning family team conferences

Abstract The present study examines strategies conference facilitators used to engage foster care youth in decision-making in the context of permanency planning family team conferences. Data collection included observations of permanency planning family team conferences, followed by interviews with foster care youth and conference facilitators. Data analysis focused on gaining a deeper understanding of how facilitators incorporate youth into decision-making, with a specific focus on the strategies they employed. Four strategies were identified in the analysis: creating a safe space, encouraging the youth voice, re-balancing power, and establishing a personal connection. The study's policy and practice implications, limitations and areas of further research are presented.
Battery explantation after sacral neuromodulation in the medicare population

Aims To determine sacral neuromodulation battery life and the patient and provider risk factors for early explantation in a population-based sample. Methods A 5% sample of Medicare beneficiaries from 1997 to 2007 served as the data source. All patients who had a sacral neuromodulation device implanted in that time period were included. Variables included in a multivariate analysis of risk factors for removal included gender, age, race, diagnosis, type of test phase, provider specialty, and volume. The number of device reprogramming events was also recorded in this time period. Results Mean follow-up was 60.5 months. Patients on average had 2.15 reprogramming episodes in their first year, with that number decreasing over subsequent years. Out of the 558 batteries implanted 63 (11.3%) were explanted. Of the 19 implanted individuals who carried the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis (IC), 11 (57.9%) had the battery removed. This was the only variable that predicted early removal, with an odds ratio of explantation of 10.5 (95% CI: 3.9–28.4). Conclusion Very few sacral neuromodulation batteries, once implanted, are removed prematurely. Patients with IC, however, are at very high risk of requiring premature battery removal. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 238–241, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Use of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane and N,O-bis-(trimethylsilyl)acetamide in aromatic Claisen rearrangement: An efficient method for preventing abnormal Claisen rearrangement

Abstract Both 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane and N,O-bis-(trimethylsilyl)acetamide have been shown to suppress the formation of abnormal aromatic Claisen rearrangement products by efficiently trapping the incipient normal products as their silyl ethers under mild conditions.
Regulating Eternal Inflation II: The Great Divide

In a previous paper, two of the authors presented a regulated picture of eternal inflation. This picture both suggested and drew support from a conjectured discontinuity in the amplitude for tunneling from positive to negative vacuum energy, as the positive vacuum energy was sent to zero; analytic and numerical arguments supporting this conjecture were given. Here we show that this conjecture is false, but in an interesting way. There are no cases where tunneling amplitudes are discontinuous at vanishing cosmological constant; rather, the space of potentials separates into two regions. In one region decay is strongly suppressed, and the proposed picture of eternal inflation remains viable; sending the (false) vacuum energy to zero in this region results in an absolutely stable asymptotically flat space. In the other region, we argue that the space-time at vanishing cosmological constant is unstable, but not asymptotically Minkowski. The consequences of our results for theories of supersymmetry breaking are unchanged.
Stability and power optimality in time-periodic flapping wing structures

Abstract This paper investigates the nonlinear dynamics of a vehicle with two flexible flapping wings. The body dynamics and the wings’ deformation are monolithically grouped into a single system of equations, with aerodynamics accounted for by a quasi-steady blade element method. A periodic shooting method is then used to locate closed orbits of this non-autonomous system, and Floquet multipliers assess the linearized stability about the nonlinear orbit. This framework is then exposed to a gradient based optimizer, in order to quantify the role of wing planform variables, wing structure variables, and kinematic actuation variables in obtaining vehicles with superior open-loop stability characteristics, and/or low-power requirements.
Does commuting distance matter? Commuting tolerance and residential change

This research uses a longitudinal data set of commuting behavior to test the nature and strength of the association between residential change and employment location. Do households minimize commuting distances when they change residences and what are the differences for one-worker and two-worker households? The analysis utilizes descriptive measures of distance and time to work for pre- and post-residential relocations and develops estimates from a probability model of work-place attraction. We extend earlier research on commuting distances by using a multinodal rather than a monocentric city, by specifically considering the commuting responses of two-worker households and by formally estimating a model of the response to commuting distances. The findings indicate that both one- and two-worker households with greater separation between workplace and residence make decreases in distance and time. Overall, as other studies have shown, women commute shorter distances and are more likely to minimize commuting after a move than are men. The probability model fits the likelihood of decreasing distance with greater separation and provides a more exact specification of the connection between residence and workplace than previous analyses of this relationship.  2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Cost Aspects of Radical Nephrectomy for the Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma in Korea: Open, Laparoscopic, Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic, and Video-Assisted Minilaparotomy Surgeries

Purpose: This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the cost-effectiveness of four different types of radical nephrectomy (RN) techniques: open, laparoscopic, robot-assisted laparoscopic, and video-assisted minilaparotomy surgery (VAMS). Materials and Methods: Among patients who were diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma and underwent RN, 20 patients were selected who received open, laparoscopic, robot-assisted laparoscopic, or VAMS RN between January 2008 and December 2010. Their medical fees were divided into four categories: procedure and operation, anesthesia, laboratory test, and medical supply fees. The medical costs of the patients were also divided into insured and uninsured costs. Results: The total direct cost of VAMS, open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted laparoscopic RN were 2,023,791±240,757, 2,024,246±674,859 (p=0.998), 3,603,557±870,333 (p＜0.01), and 8,021,902±330,157 (p＜0.01) Korean Won (KRW, the currency of South Koea), respectively. The total insured cost of VAMS, open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted laparoscopic RN was 1,904,627±231,957, 1,798,127±645,602 (p=0.634), 3,039,769 ±711,792 (p＜0.01), and 899,668±323,508 (p＜0.01) KRW, respectively. The total uninsured cost of VAMS, open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted laparoscopic RN was 119,163±24,581, 226,119±215,009, 563,788±487,798 (p＜0.01), and 7,122,234±56,117 (p ＜0.01) KRW, respectively. Medical supply fees accounted for the largest portion of the costs and amounted to 33.43% of the VAMS cost. Conclusions: VAMS RN is as cost-effective as open surgery. Furthermore, it is comparatively more cost-effective than laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic RN.
Label-Setting Methods for Multimode Stochastic Shortest Path Problems on Graphs

Stochastic shortest path (SSP) problems arise in a variety of discrete stochastic control contexts. An optimal solution to such a problem is typically computed using the value function, which can be found by solving the corresponding dynamic programming equations. In the deterministic case, these equations can be often solved by highly efficient label-setting methods (such as Dijkstra's and Dial's algorithms). In this paper we define and study a class of multimode stochastic shortest path (MSSP) problems and develop sufficient conditions for the applicability of label-setting methods. We illustrate our approach in a number of discrete stochastic control examples. We also discuss the relationship of SSPs with discretizations of static Hamilton-Jacobi equations and provide an alternative derivation for several fast (noniterative) numerical methods for these partial differential equations (PDEs).
Almost-balanced structural dynamics

Abstract Analytical models and experimentally derived models are often represented in the modal co-ordinates. The modal models include natural modes and their displacements. The scaling of the modes is arbitrary, and thus the scaling factor can be freely chosen. By the proper choice of the scaling factor one obtains controllability and observability grammians of a structure that are almost equal, and the system model is almost balanced. This new model is given either in the form of a second order differential equation or in state space representation. The properties of the almost-balanced modes and structures are derived, including its H2, H∞and Hankel norms. The norms of the modes and of the system are expressed in terms of the modal parameters, such as natural frequencies, modal damping, and input and output gains. The properties of the almost balanced structure are used to reduce the model. In particular, the H2, H∞and Hankel system norms are used to evaluate and to minimize the reduction error. Next, the method of placement of actuators or sensors in the almost-balanced co-ordinates is presented. The norm of the almost-balanced mode with a set of actuators (or sensors) is the root-mean-square sum of the norms of this mode for each single actuator (or sensor). Using this property one finds a specified number of actuator or sensor locations such that the system performance evaluated at these locations is close to that of the system with a larger set of candidate locations.
Mentor modeling: the internalization of modeled professional thinking in an epistemic game

Players of epistemic games – computer games that simulate professional practica – have been shown to develop epistemic frames: a profession's particular way of seeing and solving problems. This study examined the interactions between players and mentors in one epistemic game, Urban Science. Using a new method called epistemic network analysis, we explored how players develop epistemic frames through playing the game. Our results show that players imitate and internalize the professional way of thinking that the mentors model, suggesting that mentors can effectively model epistemic frames, and that epistemic network analysis is a useful way to chart the development of learning through mentoring relationships.
Neutron-capture cross sections from indirect measurements

Cross sections for compound-nuclear reactions reactions play an important role in models of astrophysical environments and simulations of the nuclear fuel cycle. Providing reliable cross section data remains a formidable task, and direct measurements have to be complemented by theoretical predictions and indirect methods. The surrogate nuclear reactions method provides an indirect approach for determining cross sections for reactions on unstable isotopes, which are di cult or impossible to measure otherwise. Current implementations of the method provide useful cross sections for (n,f) reactions, but need to be improved upon for applications to capture reactions.
t-Butyl Hypochlorite: A Powerful Electrophilic Aromatic Ring Chlorinating Agent

Abstract t-Butyl hypochlorite is an excellent aromatic ring chlorinating agent, under mild conditions, without any catalyst, of acetanilide. High regioselectivity is observed, the product being, nearly exclusively, para-chloroacetanilide.
Uncertainty analysis on thin-oil-film skin friction measurements in compressible flow

A theoretical uncertainty analysis was performed on two thin-oil-film deformation techniques for determining shear stresses on aerodynamic surfaces. One technique acquires data with a dual-laser-beam (DLB) configuration while the other gathers information with an expanded-laser-beam (ELB) configuration. The major objective was to compare the uncertainties that arise in the DLB and ELB techniques when used in zero-pressure-gradient, constant shear stress, compressible flows of short duration. The results show that when only the minimal data are available, large uncertainties can arise in the DLB measurements of shear stress compared to smaller uncertainties in the ELB measurement. The larger uncertainties in the DLB technique originate from its inability to measure the oil film slope directly. In both techniques, accurate oil viscosity determinations and optimum laser beam alignment are recommended to reduce uncertainties in shear stress measurements. >
Stability of pressure-driven creeping flows in channels lined with a nonlinear elastic solid

The effect of pressure gradients on the stability of creeping flows of Newtonian fluids in channels lined with an incompressible and impermeable neo-Hookean material is examined in this work. Three different configurations are considered: (i) pressure-driven flow between a rigid wall and a wall lined with a neo-Hookean material; (ii) pressure-driven flow between neo-Hookean-lined walls; and (iii) combined Couette–Poiseuille flow between a rigid wall and a neo-Hookean-lined wall. In each case, a first normal stress difference whose magnitude depends on depth arises in the base state for the solid, and linear stability analysis reveals that this leads to a short-wave instability which is removed by the presence of interfacial tension. For sufficiently thick solids, low-wavenumber modes become unstable first as the applied strain increases above a critical value, whereas for sufficiently thin solids, high-wavenumber modes becomes unstable first. Comparison of the dimensionless critical strains shows that configurations (i) and (ii) are more difficult to destabilize than Couette flow past a neo-Hookean solid. For configuration (iii), the nonlinear elasticity of the solid leads to two physically distinct critical conditions, in contrast to what happens when a linear elastic material is used. The mechanisms underlying the behaviour of the critical strains are explained through an analysis of the interfacial boundary conditions.
Compositions of HIMU, EM1, and EM2 from global trends between radiogenic isotopes and major elements in ocean island basalts

Abstract Sr and Pb isotopes exhibit global trends with the concentrations of major elements (SiO 2 , TiO 2 , FeO, Al 2 O 3 and K 2 O) and major elements ratios (CaO/Al 2 O 3 and K 2 O/TiO 2 ) in the shield-stage lavas from 18 oceanic hotspots (including Hawaii, Iceland, Galapagos, Cook-Australs, St. Helena, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Canary, Madeira, Comoros, Azores, Samoa, Society, Marquesas, Mascarene, Kerguelen, Pitcairn, and Selvagen). Based on the relationships between major elements and isotopes in ocean island basalts (OIBs), we find that the lavas derived from the mantle end members, HIMU (or high ‘μ’ = 238 U/ 204 Pb), EM1 (enriched mantle 1), EM2 (enriched mantle 2), and DMM (depleted MORB [mid-ocean ridge basalt] mantle) exhibit distinct major element characteristics: When compared to oceanic hotspots globally, the hotspots with a HIMU (radiogenic Pb-isotopes and low 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) component, such as St. Helena and Cook-Australs, exhibit high CaO/Al 2 O 3 , FeO T , and TiO 2 and low SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 . EM1 (enriched mantle 1; intermediate 87 Sr/ 86 Sr and low 206 Pb/ 204 Pb; sampled by hotspots like Pitcairn and Kerguelen) and EM2 (enriched mantle 2; high 87 Sr/ 86 Sr and intermediate 206 Pb/ 204 Pb; sampled by hotspots like Samoa and Societies) exhibit higher K 2 O concentrations and K 2 O/TiO 2 weight ratios than HIMU lavas. EM1 lavas exhibit the lowest CaO/Al 2 O 3 in the OIB dataset, and this sets EM1 apart from EM2. A plot of CaO/Al 2 O 3 vs K 2 O/TiO 2 perfectly resolves the four mantle end member lavas. Melting processes (pressure, temperature and degree of melting) fail to provide an explanation for the full spectrum of major element concentrations in OIBs. Such processes also fail to explain the correlations between major elements and radiogenic isotopes. Instead, a long, time integrated history of various parent–daughter elements appears to be coupled to major element and/or volatile heterogeneity in the mantle source. End member lava compositions are compared with experimental partial melt compositions to place constraints on the lithological characteristics of the mantle end members.
Reflections on organizational conflict

Pondy reflects on the accuracy of his classic ASQ 1967 article on conflict. He challenges the basic premise that conflict represents a deviation from the status quo, and suggests that conflict, not co‐operation, represents the normal state of functioning.
OBSERVATION OF FETAL HEART RATE DURING CESAREAN SECTION.

Abstract We have reported observations of FHR during 20 cesarean sections. Prior to the sections, no fetus showed any sign of fetal distress and all were vertex presentations. Spinal anesthesia with atropine sulphate premedication was used in all cases. All newborns were apparently healthy. Seven of the 20 FHRs (35 per cent) showed no variations throughout the cesarean sections. In all of the remaining 13 cases (65 per cent) fetal bradycardia occurred during at least one part of the procedure. During the cesarean sections the fetal bradycardia was observed (1) in association with maternal hypotension, (2) occurring at or during skin incision or elsewhere during the surgical procedure, and (3) at delivery of the fetal head. From these observations, it appears that fetal bradycardia may occur during cesarean sections under spinal anesthesia with the delivery of an apparently healthy newborn. Explanations for these observations were offered.
Virtual full-duplex wireless communication via rapid on-off-division duplex

This paper introduces a novel paradigm for designing the physical and medium access control (MAC) layers of mobile ad hoc or peer-to-peer networks formed by half-duplex radios. A node equipped with such a radio cannot simultaneously transmit and receive useful signals at the same frequency. Unlike in conventional designs, where a node's transmission frames are scheduled away from its reception, each node transmits its signal through a randomly generated on-off duplex mask (or signature) over every frame interval, and receive a signal through each of its own off-slots. This is called rapid on-off-division duplex (RODD). Over the period of a single frame, every node can transmit a message to some or all of its peers, and may simultaneously receive a message from each peer. Thus RODD achieves virtual full-duplex communication using half-duplex radios and can simplify the design of higher layers of a network protocol stack significantly. The throughput of RODD is evaluated under some general settings, which is significantly larger than that of ALOHA. RODD is especially efficient in case the dominant traffic is simultaneous broadcast from nodes to their one-hop peers, such as in spontaneous wireless social networks, emergency situations or on battlefield. Important design issues of peer discovery, distribution of on-off signatures, synchronization and error-control coding are also addressed.
Interpolation-based index maintenance

A new interpolation-based order preserving hashing algorithm suitable for on-line maintenance of large dynamic external files under sequences of four kinds of operationsinsertion, update, deletion, andorthogonal range query is proposed. The scheme, an adaptation of linear hashing, requires no index or address directory structure and utilizesO(n) space for files containingn records; all of the benefits of linear hashing are inherited by this new scheme. File implementations yielding average successful search lengths much less than 2 and average unsuccessful search lengths much less than 4 for individual records are obtainable; the actual storage required is controllable by the implementor.
4D space---time Delaunay meshing for medical images

In this paper, we present a Delaunay refinement algorithm for 4-dimensional ($$\hbox {3D}+t$$3D+t) segmented images. The output mesh is proved to consist of sliver-free simplices. Assuming that the hyper-surface is a closed smooth manifold, we also guarantee faithful geometric and topological approximation. We implement and demonstrate the effectiveness of our method on publicly available segmented cardiac images. Finally, we devise a tightly coupled parallelization technique to boost the performance of our 4-dimensional mesher, thereby taking advantage of the multi-core and many-core platforms already available in the market.
Algorithmic model of microfacet BRDF for Monte Carlo calculation of optical radiation transfer

An algorithmic model of bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) based on the ray optics approximation and microfacet model of randomly rough surface is proposed. Its central idea is that for every incident ray, the normal vector to the surface undergoes a random perturbation, and the direction of specular reflection is calculated using this perturbed normal. Such behavior of the normal can be treated within the framework of a microfacet model of randomly rough surfaces. The algorithm allows one to model reflection from both isotropic and anisotropic surfaces, with two-dimensional Gaussian and other probability density functions for the normal vector perturbations, and various geometrical attenuation functions. The proposed "perturbed normal microfacet (PNMF) model" exhibits experimentally observed effects such as increased reflectance near grazing incidence and off-specular peaks, and allows fast importance sampling. A weighted sum of Lambertian and PNMF BRDFs can be fitted to experimental data by varying the appropriate parameters. Adherence to the reciprocity principle and energy conservation law is demonstrated via results of forward and backward ray tracing. The PNMF model can be used in Monte Carlo calculations of radiative heat exchange among rough surfaces, in realistic image synthesis, lighting engineering, for modeling of such radiometric devices as blackbody radiation sources, integrating spheres in the infrared spectral range, cavity detectors of radiation, diffusely reflected panels, etc.
Integrating Men’s Health and Masculinity Theories to Explain Colorectal Cancer Screening Behavior:

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States. Although CRC screening has been found to reduce CRC incidence and mortality, current screening rates among men are suboptimal due to various practical and psychosocial barriers. One potential barrier to CRC screening identified in qualitative studies with men is the threat to masculinity that endoscopic screening methods pose. Indeed, beliefs about masculinity have been predictive of other preventive health behaviors among men. In this review article, we propose a novel conceptual framework to explain men’s CRC screening behavior that integrates masculinity norms, gender role conflict, men’s health care experiences, behaviors, and beliefs, and social and background variables. This framework has the potential to guide future research on men’s CRC screening behaviors and other health behaviors and may inform gender-sensitive interventions that target masculinity beliefs to increase preventive health behav...
Variability Improvement by Interface Passivation and EOT Scaling of InGaAs Nanowire MOSFETs

High-performance InGaAs gate-all-around (GAA) nanowire MOSFETs with channel length $(L_{\rm ch})$ down to 20 nm are fabricated by integrating a higher $k~{\rm LaAlO}_{3}$ -based gate-stack with an equivalent oxide thickness of 1.2 nm. It is found that inserting an ultrathin (0.5 nm) ${\rm Al}_{2}$ ${\rm O}_{3}$ interfacial layer between the higher $k~{\rm LaAlO}_{3}$ and InGaAs can significantly improve the interface quality and reduce device variation. As a result, a record low subthreshold swing of 63 mV/dec is demonstrated at sub-80-nm $L_{\rm ch}$ for the first time, making InGaAs GAA nanowire devices a strong candidate for future low-power transistors.
Compensation of state-dependent state delay for nonlinear systems

We extend the technique for compensating state-dependent delays from systems with delayed inputs to systems with delayed states. We focus on predictor-feedback design for nonlinear systems in the strict-feedback form, having a state-dependent state delay on the virtual input. The two key challenges are the definition of the predictor state and the fact that the predictor design does not follow immediately from the delay-free design. We resolve these challenges and we establish asymptotic stability of the resulting infinite-dimensional nonlinear system for general nonnegative-valued delay functions of the state. Due to an inherent limitation on the delay rate, and since the delay rate depends on the state, we obtain only regional stability results. However, for forward-complete systems, we provide an estimate of the region of attraction in the state space of the infinite-dimensional system. We provide two examples, including an example of stabilization of a cooling system.
A Highly Linear SAW-Less CMOS Receiver Using a Mixer With Embedded Tx Filtering for CDMA

An embedded filtering passive (EFP) mixer is used to overcome transmitter power leakage in a receiver without the use of a SAW filter. The receiver IC exhibits more than + 60 dBm of Rx IIP2 , 2.4 dB Rx noise figure, and +77 dB of Triple Beat (TB) with 45 MHz offset transmit leakage at 900 MHz Rx frequency while consuming only 18 mA from a 2.1 V supply. Thanks to the embedded filtering passive mixer, the proposed receiver IC shows an additional 15 dB Tx rejection compared to a conventional receiver. The additional Tx rejection improved the IIP 2 by 10 dB and TB by 30 dB. The complete receiver consists of a differential LNA employing an active post-distortion (APD), I/Q embedded filtering passive mixer, two TIAs for I/Q outputs. The fabricated receiver IC occupies 2.25 mm2 including bonding pads, ESD devices, local oscillator (LO) input buffer, frequency divider, and mixer drivers. The receiver is fabricated using a 0.18 mum CMOS process with 5 metal and 1 poly (5M1P) layer.
Natural and Forced North Atlantic Hurricane Potential Intensity Change in CMIP5 Models

AbstractPossible future changes of North Atlantic hurricane intensity and the attribution of past hurricane intensity changes in the historical period are investigated using phase 5 of the Climate Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5), multimodel, multiensemble simulations. For this purpose, the potential intensity (PI), the theoretical upper limit of the tropical cyclone intensity given the large-scale environment, is used.The CMIP5 models indicate that the PI change as a function of sea surface temperature (SST) variations associated with the Atlantic multidecadal variability (AMV) is more effective than that associated with climate change. Thus, relatively small changes in SST due to natural multidecadal variability can lead to large changes in PI, and the model-simulated multidecadal PI change during the historical period has been largely dominated by AMV. That said, the multimodel mean PI for the Atlantic main development region shows a significant increase toward the end of the twenty-first century ...
PROPERTIES OF THE YOUNGEST PROTOSTARS IN PERSEUS,SERPENS,AND OPHIUCHUS

We present an unbiased census of deeply embedded protostars in Perseus, Serpens, and Ophiuchus, assembled by combining large-scale 1.1 mm Bolocam continuum and Spitzer Legacy surveys. We identify protostellar candidates based on their mid-infrared (mid-IR) properties, correlate their positions with 1.1 mm core positions from Enoch et al. in 2006 and 2007, and Young et al. in 2006, and construct well-sampled spectral energy distributions using our extensive wavelength coverage (λ = 1.25-1100 μm). Source classification based on the bolometric temperature yields a total of 39 Class 0 and 89 Class I sources in the three-cloud sample. We compare to protostellar evolutionary models using the bolometric temperature-luminosity diagram, finding a population of low-luminosity Class I sources that are inconsistent with constant or monotonically decreasing mass accretion rates. This result argues strongly for episodic accretion during the Class I phase, with more than 50% of sources in a "sub-Shu" (dM/dt < 10^(–6) M_☉ yr^(–1)) accretion state. Average spectra are compared to protostellar radiative transfer models, which match the observed spectra fairly well in Stage 0, but predict too much near-IR and too little mid-IR flux in Stage I. Finally, the relative number of Class 0 and Class I sources is used to estimate the lifetime of the Class 0 phase; the three-cloud average yields a Class 0 lifetime of 1.7 ± 0.3 × 10^5 yr, ruling out an extremely rapid early accretion phase. Correcting photometry for extinction results in a somewhat shorter lifetime (1.1 × 10^5 yr). In Ophiuchus, however, we find very few Class 0 sources (N_Class 0/N_Class I ~ 0.1-0.2), similar to previous studies of that cloud. The observations suggest a consistent picture of nearly constant average accretion rate through the entire embedded phase, with accretion becoming episodic by at least the Class I stage, and possibly earlier.
The arithmetic of trees

The arithmetic of the natural numbers ℕ can be extended to arithmetic operations on planar binary trees. This gives rise to a noncommutative arithmetic theory. In this exposition, we describe this arithmetree, first defined by Loday, and investigate prime trees.
Caps on bidding in all-pay auctions: Comments on the experiments of A. Rapoport and W. Amaldoss

Abstract In an article published in this journal, Rapoport and Amaldoss [Rapoport, A., Amaldoss, W., 2000. Mixed strategies and iterative elimination of strongly dominated strategies: an experimental investigation of states of knowledge. Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization 42, 483–521] analyze symmetric and asymmetric investment games similar to two-player all-pay auctions with bid caps. In this note, we correct an error in their characterization of the set of Nash equilibria of their symmetric investment game. We discuss the implications for the analysis of data from Rapoport and Amaldoss's experiments.
The science, technology and mission design for the laser astrometric test of relativity

The laser astrometric test of relativity (LATOR) is a Michelson-Morley-type experiment designed to test the Einstein's general theory of relativity in the most intense gravitational environment available in the solar system - the close proximity to the Sun. By using independent time-series of highly accurate measurements of the Shapiro time-delay (laser ranging accurate to 1 cm) and interferometric astrometry (accurate to 0.1 picoradian), LATOR will measure gravitational deflection of light by the solar gravity with accuracy of 1 part in a billion, a factor /spl sim/30,000 better than currently available. LATOR will perform series of highly-accurate tests of gravitation and cosmology in its search for cosmological remnants of scalar field in the solar system. We present science, technology and mission design for the LATOR mission.
Nanostructured silicon sol-gel surface treatments for Al 2024-T3 protection

Current coatings for aircraft corrosion protection are based on chromate surface treatments, primers, and topcoats. One approach to developing a chromate-free surface treatment is through the use of sol-gel materials that interact strongly with both the substrate and the subsequent polymer layers. Results are reported here on a new sol-gel technique using a pre-formed, self-assembled, nano-phase particle (SNAP) sol-gel system. SNAP films have been investigated by infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and electrochemical methods. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrated that the SNAP system generates high quality, defect-free, durable films. Formulation parameters, including crosslink density and coupling agent application, were optimized based on experimental results.
Unified analysis of a class of blind feedforward symbol timing estimators employing second-order statistics

In this letter, all the previously proposed digital blind feedforward symbol timing estimators employing second-order statistics are casted into a unified framework. The finite sample mean-square error (MSE) expression for this class of estimators is established. Simulation results are also presented to corroborate the analytical results. It is found that the feedforward conditional maximum likelihood (CML) estimator and the square law nonlinearity (SLN) estimator with a properly designed prefilter perform the best and their performances coincide with the asymptotic conditional Cramer-Rao bound (CCRB), which is the performance lower bound for the class of estimators under consideration.
Complementary Set Matrices Satisfying a Column Correlation Constraint

Motivated by the problem of reducing the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of transmitted signals, we consider a design of complementary set matrices whose column sequences satisfy a correlation constraint. The design algorithm recursively builds a collection of 2t+1 mutually orthogonal (MO) complementary set matrices starting from a companion pair of sequences. We relate correlation properties of column sequences to that of the companion pair and illustrate how to select an appropriate companion pair to ensure that a given column correlation constraint is satisfied. For t = 0, companion pair properties directly determine matrix column correlation properties. The proposed companion pair-based design can construct binary complementary sets with either a minimum out-of-phase autocorrelation magnitude or a minimum sum-of-out-of-phase autocorrelation magnitude for column sequences of length at least up to 28. For t ges 1, reducing correlation merits of the companion pair may lead to improved column correlation properties. Exhaustive search for companion pairs satisfying a column correlation constraint is infeasible for medium length and long sequences. We instead search for two shorter length sequences by minimizing a cost function in terms of their autocorrelation and cross-correlation merits. In addition, by exploiting the well-known Welch bound, sufficient conditions for the existence of companion pairs which satisfy a set of column correlation constraints are given.
On the connection between random waves and quantum fields: duality between nodal lines statistic and the Casimir energy

Using the statistical description common to random waves and quantum fields we show how the probability of having a nodal line close to a (translationally symmetric) reference curve γ is related to the Casimir energy of an appropriate configuration of conductors.
Semiconductor Crystal Growth and Segregation Problems on Earth And in Space

Crystals grown from the melt exhibit compositional and structural defects which limit the exploitation qf their full potential in solid state electronics. The origin of these defects is related primarily to gravity-induced convective currents in the melt. In semiconductor compounds additional problems are introduced from variations in stoichiometry. Progress has been made recently in relating qualitatively, and in some instances quantitatively, the growth parameters to the materials properties of the crystals, and in turn to their electronic properties. Overcoming the presence of gravitational forces in space eliminates or minimizes convective interference and, thus, the quantitative assessment of the key growth parameters controlling the chemical and structural perfection of single crystals becomes possible. Results (obtained on earth) will be presented on the growth-property relationships of elemental and compound semiconductors. The advantages, as well as the limitations, that zero gravity conditions present for crystal growth will be discussed.
Mixing in Supersonic Turbulence

In many astrophysical environments, mixing of heavy elements occurs in the presence of a supersonic turbulent velocity field. Here, we carry out the first systematic numerical study of such passive scalar mixing in isothermal supersonic turbulence. Our simulations show that the ratio of the scalar mixing timescale, ?c, to the flow dynamical time, ?dyn (defined as the flow driving scale divided by the rms velocity), increases with the Mach number, M, for M 3, and becomes essentially constant for M 3. This trend suggests that compressible modes are less efficient in enhancing mixing than solenoidal modes. However, since the majority of kinetic energy is contained in solenoidal modes at all Mach numbers, the overall change in ?c/?dyn is less than 20% over the range 1 M 6. At all Mach numbers, if pollutants are injected at around the flow driving scale, ?c is close to ?dyn. This suggests that scalar mixing is driven by a cascade process similar to that of the velocity field. The dependence of ?c on the length scale at which pollutants are injected into flow is also consistent with this cascade picture. Similar behavior is found for the variance decay timescales for scalars without continuing sources. Extension of the scalar cascade picture to the supersonic regime predicts a relation between the scaling exponents of the velocity and the scalar structure functions, with the scalar structure function becoming flatter as the velocity scaling steepens with Mach number. Our measurements of the volume-weighted velocity and scalar structure functions confirm this relation for M 2, but show discrepancies at M 3, which arise probably because strong expansions and compressions tend to make scalar structure functions steeper.
A Generic Path Algorithm for Regularized Statistical Estimation

Regularization is widely used in statistics and machine learning to prevent overfitting and gear solution toward prior information. In general, a regularized estimation problem minimizes the sum of a loss function and a penalty term. The penalty term is usually weighted by a tuning parameter and encourages certain constraints on the parameters to be estimated. Particular choices of constraints lead to the popular lasso, fused-lasso, and other generalized l1 penalized regression methods. In this article we follow a recent idea by Wu and propose an exact path solver based on ordinary differential equations (EPSODE) that works for any convex loss function and can deal with generalized l1 penalties as well as more complicated regularization such as inequality constraints encountered in shape-restricted regressions and nonparametric density estimation. Nonasymptotic error bounds for the equality regularized estimates are derived. In practice, the EPSODE can be coupled with AIC, BIC, Cp or cross-validation to s...
Tradable Set-Aside Requirements (TSARs): Conserving Spatially Dependent Environmental Amenities

Land conversion patterns can conflict with endangered species protection by fragmenting the landscape. Incentive mechanisms can help mitigate the threat of habitat fragmentation by aggregating landowner conservation decisions across the landscape. The optimal conservation strategy for endangered species can target the most connected habitat cluster as an initial starting point, and then expand the conservation patch to maximize connectivity. Herein we present an incentive mechanism, the tradable set-aside requirements (TSARs), designed to target the low cost contiguous conservation landscape and share the burden of conservation among landowners. In the lab, we examine the performance of two land use conservation policies: TSARs, and the TSARs combined with an agglomeration bonus. Evaluated by economic and biological measures of efficiency, we find that TSARs, relative to a command and control policy, increases patch size and habitat connectivity within the landscape. Additionally, combining TSARS with the agglomeration bonus increases biological efficiency (habitat connectivity and patch size within the landscape) but at a price—higher opportunity cost. TSARs with the agglomeration bonus can be more cost-effective than a TSARs only policy for species sensitive to large core habitat requirements and landscape connectivity.