cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In medio stat virtus: An alternative view of usury in Adam Smith's thinking

How can Adam Smith, lover of markets, be in favor of usury laws? The answer is in The Theory of Moral Sentiments. Smith's view of the world is consistent: extremes are dangerous because they are too far away to be seen and known; a middle position is preferred to an extreme. Moreover, Smith's working hypothesis is systematic biased information, which leads to systematic errors. By using the preference toward the median position and systematic bias, it is possible to make sense of Smith's position on usury and the market: they both are ways to follow the general rule 'in medio stat virtus', and to maintain an orderly good society.
Theory, history, and the great recession

This paper honors Don Lavoie’s work on the relationship between theory and history in Austrian economics by using the current recession as an example of many of the ideas found in his paper on the “Interpretive Dimension of Economics.” More specifically, I start from the premise that all history comes from theory because it is theory that guides what we count as “facts” or “data.” From Menger onward, a core element of the Austrian approach has been to see the purpose of theory as rendering human action and its unintended consequences intelligible. We do that by telling historical narratives where theory is the logical glue that holds the story together. I look at the Austrian story of the Great Recession in light of these ideas. What the Great Recession demonstrates is that the core theoretical elements of Austrian business cycle theory are narrower than we might think, but that consciously recognizing the contingent elements gives the theory additional flexibility to explain more of various real-world crises when augmented by additional ideal typifications properly used.
Dose delivery error detection by a computer-controlled linear accelerator

A commercial dual photon energy, computer-controlled linear accelerator has a complex collimation and beam delivery system. For accurate dose delivery, six separate motorized elements must be properly positioned for a given beam selection. Experimentally instituted misalignments of the primary electron scattering foils, the primary collimator, the flattening filter, the scattering foil carousel, and the backscatter shield or shutter produced significant dose delivery errors. The ability of the Mylar window monitor chamber to detect these errors was examined for x-ray beams. The fault detection system failed to interrupt dose delivery in a number of situations where the error in dose per monitor unit delivered ranged from -6% to +270% of the calibrated value.
IMEX evolution of scalar fields on curved backgrounds

Inspiral of binary black holes occurs over a time-scale of many orbits, far longer than the dynamical time-scale of the individual black holes. Explicit evolutions of a binary system therefore require excessively many time-steps to capture interesting dynamics. We present a strategy to overcome the Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy condition in such evolutions, one relying on modern implicit-explicit ODE solvers and multidomain spectral methods for elliptic equations. Our analysis considers the model problem of a forced scalar field propagating on a generic curved background. Nevertheless, we encounter and address a number of issues pertinent to the binary black hole problem in full general relativity. Specializing to the Schwarzschild geometry in Kerr-Schild coordinates, we document the results of several numerical experiments testing our strategy.
The Changing Nature of Currency Crises

Abstract. Currency crises that have been observed in recent years are not a new phenomenon, but the main features of the crises in Latin America in the 1970s and early 1980s are quite different from the crisis in Europe in 1992. Theoretical literature has evolved over time to account for the changing nature of these crises. While many theoretical and empirical papers have been written about various episodes of these crises, the change in their mechanism over time has not been demonstrated well. This paper fills the gap in the literature by graphically depicting the main features of these crises. Such a visual analysis should allow the reader to better understand and follow the changes in the mechanisms over time.
The Kosterlitz-Thouless phenomenon on a fluid random surface

Abstract The problem of a periodic scalar field in a two-dimensional dynamical random lattice is studied with the inclusion of vortices in the action. Using a random matrix formulation, in the continuum limit for genus zero surfaces the partition function is found exactly, as a function of the chemical potential for vortices of unit winding number, at a specific radius in the plasma phase. This solution is used to describe the Kosterlitz-Thouless phenomenon in the presence of 2D quantum gravity as one passes from the ultra-violet to the infra-red.
Numerical computation of heteroclinic orbits

We give a numerical method for the computation of heteroclinic orbits connecting two saddle points in ℝ2. These can be computed to very high period due to an integral phase condition and an adaptive discretization. We can also compute entire branches (one-dimensional continua) of such orbits. The method can be extended to compute an invariant manifold that connects two fixed points in ℝ n . As an example we compute branches of traveling wave front solutions to the Huxley equation. Using weighted Sobolev spaces and the general theory of approximation of nonlinear problems we show that the errors in the approximate wave speed and in the approximate wave front decay exponentially with the period.
Fast Burning Rates in Thin Film Propellants

Fast burning rates in thin film solid composite propellants composed of McCormick-Selph 510, 164 monopropellant, oxidizer and polyvinyl chloride binder
Water gravity waves generated by a moving low pressure area

Hurricanes (typhoons) have an intense low pressure area which often moves rapidly over the surface of the ocean. The coupled water gravity waves generated by such a moving low pressure area have been studied in a towing tank. It was found that the waves generated in this manner had a phase velocity identical to the velocity of the moving low-pressure area. When the low-pressure area was moving at velocities less than the shallow-water wave velocity , the waves were of nearly constant period. The period was that which when considered with the water depth would provide a wave phase velocity identical to velocity of the moving low-pressure area. As the group velocity of water gravity waves is less than the phase velocity the wave groups were formed behind the moving disturbance. If the low-pressure area is considered to be a gust it provides a mechanism for generating ‘wind waves’ of the period observed in the ocean if the forward speed of the gust is taken as the mean speed of the wind. When the velocity of the moving low-pressure area approached the characteristics of the waves changed (at phase and group velocities become identical in the linear theory). The wave disturbance consisted of a large wave followed by a few smaller waves. After the pressure area movement was stopped, the first wave would move ahead of the tail of the disturbance, the distance between the two phenomena increasing with increasing distance traveled by the waves. For certain combinations of initial conditions several waves were formed with this characteristic. These waves had the appearance of the records on the tide gages at certain locations of the East Coast of the United States during Hurricane Carol (and other hurricanes). A study of Hurricane Carol with respect to its speed of forward movement and the water depth over which it moved showed that it should have generated waves of the type obtained in the laboratory and which were actually recorded.
Regioselective Lewis Acid-Mediated [1,3] Rearrangement of Allylvinyl Ethers

Aluminum and copper Lewis acids were implemented to effect a regioselective [1,3] rearrangement of allylvinyl ethers in moderate to good yields. The use of trisubstituted alkenes leads to depressed levels of Claisen products.
Disruption of Barrier Function in Neonatal Skin Associated With Adhesive Removal

Objective Patients in the neonatal intensive care unit require life support and monitoringequipment that must be securely attached to the skin; removal or replacement often causes skin trauma. In this study, we compared the effects of application and removal of three different adhesives on the skin barrier function of premature neonates. The effects were measured by transepidermal water loss (TEWL), colorimetric measurements, and visual inspection. Design Thirty neonates, between 26 and 40 weeks of gestational age and with birth weights ranging from 690 to 3000 gm, were enrolled in the study during the first week of life. Pieces of plastic tape (1 cm 2 ), pectin barrier, and hydrophilic gel were applied to previously undisturbed sites on the back. A fourth site was used as a control. We measured TEWL, colorimetric readings, and visual inspection scores of skin irritation and stripping at each of the four sites serially: before adhesive application, 30 minutes after adhesive removal, and 24 hours later. Results Thirty minutes after adhesive removal, TEWL, colorimetric measurements, and visual inspection scores were all significantly higher at the sites of plastic tape and pectin barrier removal than at the control and gel adhesive sites (p
Low-Mass WIMP Sensitivity and Statistical Discrimination of Electron and Nuclear Recoils by Varying Luke-Neganov Phonon Gain in Semiconductor Detectors

Amplifying the phonon signal in a semiconductor dark matter detector can be accomplished by operating at high voltage bias and converting the electrostatic potential energy into Luke-Neganov phonons. This amplification method has been validated at up to |E|=40 V/cm without producing leakage in CDMS II Ge detectors, allowing sensitivity to a benchmark WIMP with mass Mχ=8 GeV/c2 and σ=1.8×10−42 cm2 (with significant sensitivity for Mχ>2 GeV/c2) assuming flat electronic recoil backgrounds near threshold. Furthermore, for the first time we show that differences in Luke-Neganov gain for nuclear and electronic recoils can be used to discriminate statistically between low-energy background and a hypothetical WIMP signal by operating at two distinct voltage biases. Specifically, 99% of events have p-value <10−8 for a simulated 20 kg-day experiment with a benchmark WIMP signal with Mχ=8 GeV/c2 and σ=3.3×10−41 cm2.
The Evolution of Relativistic Binary Progenitor Systems

Relativistic binary pulsars, such as B1534+12 and B1913+16, are characterized by having close orbits with a binary separation of ~3 R☉. The progenitor of such a system is a neutron star, helium star binary. The helium star, with a strong stellar wind, is able to spin up its compact companion via accretion. The neutron star's magnetic field is then lowered to observed values of about ~1010 G. Since the pulsar lifetime is inversely proportional to its magnetic field, the possibility of observing such a system is thus enhanced by this type of evolution. We will show that a nascent (Crab-like) pulsar in such a system can, through accretion-braking torques (i.e., the "propeller effect") and wind-induced spin-up rates, reach periods that are close to observed values. Such processes occur within the relatively short helium star lifetimes. Additionally, we find that the final outcome of such evolutionary scenarios depends strongly on initial parameters, particularly the initial binary separation and helium star mass. Indeed, the majority of such systems end up in the pulsar "graveyard," and only a small fraction are strongly recycled. This fact might help to reconcile theoretically expected birth rates with limited observations of relativistic binary pulsars.
Tandem Diels−Alder/Ene Reactions

The reactions of unsaturated aldehydes and triene 3 afford adducts via a tandem Diels−Alder/ene reaction.
Entry, Exit, Market Makers, and the Bid-Ask Spread

The probability of entry and exit of dealers on the NASDAQ National Market (NNM) is significantly affected by trading intensity, volatility and the quoted bid-ask spread. Entry and exit of market makers is a pervasive phenomenon. Large-scale entry (exit) is associated with substantial declines (increases) in quoted end-of-day inside spreads, even after controlling for the effects of changes in volume and volatility. The spread changes are larger in magnitude for issues with few market makers; however, even for issues with a large number of market makers, substantial changes in quoted spreads take place. The results are consistent with the competitive model of dealer pricing. Article published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Financial Studies in its journal, The Review of Financial Studies.
A weak correspondence principle for models with complementarities

I prove that, in models with complementarities, some non-monotone comparative statics must select unstable equilibria; and, under additional regularity conditions, that monotone comparative statics selects stable equilibria.
Anomalous hydrolysis of 1,3-dithianes with ceric ammonium nitrate

Abstract Several 1,3-dithiane derivatives of sterically-crowded hydrindanones react with ceric ammonium nitrate to produce α,β-unsaturated ketones.
A cost-benefit framework for evaluating conditional cash-transfer programs

Following the prototype of Mexico’s Progresa program, a number of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have initiated conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs. More recently, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have followed suit. However, no comprehensive framework to carry out a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) exists. This paper presents such a CBA framework for CCTs which enables design features such as targeting and conditionality to be separately evaluated. The framework is applied to an evaluation of a CCT program for orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya. The role of conditionality in SSA and the need for distribution weights is discussed.
Scheduling in networks with time-varying channels and reconfiguration delay

We consider the optimal control problem for networks subjected to time-varying channels, reconfiguration delays, and interference constraints. We show that the simultaneous presence of time-varying channels and reconfiguration delays significantly reduces the system stability region and changes the structure of optimal policies. We first consider memoryless channel processes and characterize the stability region in closed form. We prove that a frame-based Max-Weight scheduling algorithm that sets frame durations dynamically, as a function of the current queue lengths and average channel gains, is throughput-optimal. Next, we consider arbitrary Markov-modulated channel processes and show that memory in the channel processes can be exploited to improve the stability region. We develop a novel approach to characterizing the stability region of such systems using state-action frequencies, which are stationary solutions to a Markov Decision Process (MDP) formulation. Moreover, we develop a dynamic control policy using the state-action frequencies and variable frames whose lengths are functions of queue sizes and show that it is throughput-optimal. The frame-based dynamic control (FBDC) policy is applicable to a broad class of network control systems, with or without reconfiguration delays, and provides a new framework for developing throughput-optimal network control policies using state-action frequencies. Finally, we propose Myopic policies that are easy to implement and have better delay properties as compared to the FBDC policy.
The behavioral life-cycle theory of consumer behavior: survey evidence

We find that survey evidence on faculty pay-cycle choice strongly contradicts the neoclassical theory of consumer behavior. It is more favorable to the behavioral life-cycle theory of [Economic Inquiry 26 (1988) 609].
Multigrid Solution of the Discrete Adjoint for Optimization Problems on Unstructured Meshes

Techniques for the efficient formulation and solution of the discrete adjoint problem for the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and for the mesh deformation equations are developed for use on unstructured grids in two dimensions. An explicit two-pass approach is used to construct the second-order-accurate flow adjoint equations, and a defect-correction scheme is used to solve the flow adjoint equations, employing a line-implicit agglomeration multigrid strategy to drive the defect-correction scheme. A similar line-implicit multigrid approach is used to solve the mesh deformation equations, as well as the adjoint system of these equations. For the flow sensitivity and mesh motion equations, the multigrid solver is constructed to be duality preserving, delivering similar convergence rates for the primal and dual (adjoint) problems in both cases. These techniques are demonstrated for a viscous turbulent airfoil shape optimization problem.
Surface Analysis of Corrosion Pits Initiated at MnS Inclusions in 304 Stainless Steel

This paper reports on the formation of pits near MnS inclusions on 304 stainless steel in NaCl (0.1 and 0.3M) and Na{sub 2}S{sub 2}O{sub 3} (0 and 2 mM) solutions that was investigated by a combination of surface analyses (Auger electron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray analyses) and electrochemical methods. Microlithography techniques were developed to monitor a single corrosion pit initiated at a single preselected inclusion. Pits were observed to form primarily at MnS inclusions. It was found that chemical dissolution of MnS occurred at the rest potential. Sulfur species were found to spread onto the adjacent passive surface over an area having a diameter about four times the size of the inclusion. Subsequent dissolution of metal was observed to occur only at MnS inclusions larger than about 1 {mu}m. The surface of the microcavity adjacent to the inclusion was found to be enriched in S and, in later stages of dissolution, by Cr. These observations indicated that S-species play a key role in the processes that lead to pit initiation in this system.
The Black Hole-Bulge Relationship for QSOs at High Redshift

We examine the black hole mass-galaxy bulge relationship in high-redshift QSOs. Black hole masses are derived from broad emission lines, and the host galaxy stellar velocity dispersion σ* is estimated from the widths of the radio CO emission lines. At redshifts z > 3, the CO line widths are narrower than expected for the black hole mass, indicating that these giant black holes reside in undersized bulges by an order of magnitude or more. The largest black holes (MBH > 109 M☉) evidently grow rapidly in the early universe without commensurate growth of their host galaxies. CO line widths offer a unique opportunity to study AGN host galaxy dynamics at high redshift.
Syntheses and photophysical properties of some 4‐arylpyridinium salts

A number of 4-arylpyridines, many methoxy substituted, were prepared by an efficient two-step method involving aryl Grignard addition to 1-methyl-4-piperidone and direct aromatization of the resulting 4-aryl-4-piperidinols. The pyridines were N-alkylated to give sulfonate salts desired for their fluorescent properties. Study of selected compounds as laser dyes revealed several structures to be efficient dyes lasing in the 530-550 nm range. Two new diazaquaterphenyls were prepared and were quaternized. These salts exhibited intense fluorescence in the 420-450 nm range, but would not lase. A phenolic azaterphenyl suitably substituted for excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) did not fluoresce at all.
Multiple Bids, Management Opposition, and the Market for Corporate Control

We use regression analysis to disentangle the wealth effect for acquired firm shareholders of management opposition and multiple bids (e.g., multiple bidders and bid revisions). Although multiple bidders and bid revisions occur more frequently for opposed acquisitions, opposition is not associated with incremental acquisition returns for acquisitions with multiple bidders. We also find that management opposition has no significant incremental effect on single bidder acquisitions unless the acquiring firm revises its initial bid. These findings indicate that rather than amplifying acqiuisition returns directly, management opposition instead serves as a negotiating tool to solicit additional bids.
IPIP: A new approach to inverse planning for HDR brachytherapy by directly optimizing dosimetric indices.

Purpose: Many planning methods for high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy require an iterative approach. A set of computational parameters are hypothesized that will give a dose plan that meets dosimetric criteria. A dose plan is computed using these parameters, and if any dosimetric criteria are not met, the process is iterated until a suitable dose plan is found. In this way, the dose distribution is controlled by abstract parameters. The purpose of this study is to develop a new approach for HDR brachytherapy by directly optimizing the dose distribution based on dosimetric criteria. Methods: The authors developed inverse planning by integer program (IPIP), an optimization model for computing HDR brachytherapy dose plans and a fast heuristic for it. They used their heuristic to compute dose plans for 20 anonymized prostate cancer image data sets from patients previously treated at their clinic database. Dosimetry was evaluated and compared to dosimetric criteria. Results: Dose plans computed from IPIP satisfied all given dosimetric criteria for the target and healthy tissue after a single iteration. The average target coverage was 95%. The average computation time for IPIP was 30.1 s on an Intel(R) Core{sup TM}2 Duo CPU 1.67 GHz processor with 3 Gib RAM.more » Conclusions: IPIP is an HDR brachytherapy planning system that directly incorporates dosimetric criteria. The authors have demonstrated that IPIP has clinically acceptable performance for the prostate cases and dosimetric criteria used in this study, in both dosimetry and runtime. Further study is required to determine if IPIP performs well for a more general group of patients and dosimetric criteria, including other cancer sites such as GYN.« less
Organocatalytic Highly Enantioselective Nitroaldol Reaction of α-Ketophosphonates and Nitromethane†

The first organocatalytic highly enantioselective nitroaldol reaction of α-ketophosphonates and nitromethane has been realized by using cupreine (2) or 9-O-benzylcupreine (3) as the catalyst. Both catalysts are highly reactive and highly enantioselective. α-Hydroxy-β-nitrophosphonates have been synthesized in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities (≥90% ee) at a low catalyst loading (5 mol %). These nitroaldol products may be reduced to the biologically significant β-amino-α-hydroxyphosphonates with complete retention of the stereochemistry.
Quantification of cellular NEMO content and its impact on NF-κB activation by genotoxic stress.

NF-κB essential modulator, NEMO, plays a key role in canonical NF-κB signaling induced by a variety of stimuli, including cytokines and genotoxic agents. To dissect the different biochemical and functional roles of NEMO in NF-κB signaling, various mutant forms of NEMO have been previously analyzed. However, transient or stable overexpression of wild-type NEMO can significantly inhibit NF-κB activation, thereby confounding the analysis of NEMO mutant phenotypes. What levels of NEMO overexpression lead to such an artifact and what levels are tolerated with no significant impact on NEMO function in NF-κB activation are currently unknown. Here we purified full-length recombinant human NEMO protein and used it as a standard to quantify the average number of NEMO molecules per cell in a 1.3E2 NEMO-deficient murine pre-B cell clone stably reconstituted with full-length human NEMO (C5). We determined that the C5 cell clone has an average of 4 x 105 molecules of NEMO per cell. Stable reconstitution of 1.3E2 cells with different numbers of NEMO molecules per cell has demonstrated that a 10-fold range of NEMO expression (0.6–6x105 molecules per cell) yields statistically equivalent NF-κB activation in response to the DNA damaging agent etoposide. Using the C5 cell line, we also quantified the number of NEMO molecules per cell in several commonly employed human cell lines. These results establish baseline numbers of endogenous NEMO per cell and highlight surprisingly normal functionality of NEMO in the DNA damage pathway over a wide range of expression levels that can provide a guideline for future NEMO reconstitution studies.
A Phase space for gravitational radiation

We give a new definition, based on considerations of well-posedness for a certain asymptotic initial value problem, of the phase space for the radiative degrees of freedom of the gravitational field in exact General Relativity. This space fibres over the space of final states, with the fibres being the purely radiative degrees of freedom. The symplectic form is rigorously identified. The infrared sectors are shown to be the level surfaces of a moment map of an action of the quotient group Supertranslations/Translations. A similar result holds for Electromagnetism in Minkowski space.
The effects of Ti, C, and TiC on the crystallization of amorphous Nd2Fe14B

Abstract The effects of Ti, C, and TiC on the crystallization of amorphous Nd 2 Fe 14 B have been investigated. Through the selection of appropriate alloying additions the as-crystallized energy product can be significantly increased. Two factors are attributed to this increase. First, by dissolution of the additions into the glass the intrinsic properties of the glass are altered, resulting in an increase in the crystallization temperature of some alloys. Since the nucleation rate has an Arrehnius temperature dependence more nuclei per unit time should result in a finer and more uniform grain size. Secondly, stable carbide and boride phases may serve as inoculation sites promoting uniform nucleation. In order to obtain high as-crystallized energy products, the alloying additions should have very low equilibrium solubilities in the 2-14-1 phase and must not cause an overall reduction in the amount of hard magnetic phase or cause the formation of other soft magnetic phases.
The Dwarf Novae during Quiescence

We present a synthetic spectral analysis of nearly the entire far-ultraviolet (FUV) IUE archive of spectra of dwarf novae (DNe) in or near their quiescence. We have examined all of the systems for which the signal-to-noise ratio permitted an analysis. The study includes 53 systems of all DN subtypes both above and below the period gap. The spectra were uniformly analyzed using synthetic spectral codes for optically thick accretion disks and stellar photospheres, along with the best-available distance measurements or estimates. We present newly determined approximate white dwarf (WD) temperatures or upper limits and estimated accretion rates. The implications of our study for disk accretion physics and CV evolution are discussed. The average temperature of WDs in DNe below the period gap is ~18,000 K. For WDs in DNe above the period gap, the average WD temperature is ~26,000 K. There is a flux component, in addition to a WD photosphere, which contributes >60% of the flux in the FUV in 53% of the quiescent DNe in this study. We find that for 41% of the DNe in our sample, a WD photosphere provides >60% of the FUV flux. Accretion rates estimated from the FUV alone for the sample of DNe during quiescence ranged from 10-12 to 10-10 M☉ yr-1. The additional flux component is almost certainly not an optically thick accretion disk, since, according to the disk instability model, the disk should be optically thin and too cool during DN quiescence to be a significant FUV continuum emitter. Among the candidates for the second component of FUV light are the quiescent inner disk, a hot accretion belt at low WD latitudes centered on the equator, and hot rotating ring where the outer part of the boundary layer (the UV boundary layer) meets the inner disk and possibly heats it. The implications of our findings are discussed.
Progressive image transmission with RCPT protection

In this paper, a joint source-channel coding scheme is proposed for progressive image transmission over channels with both random bit errors and packet loss by using rate-compatible punctured Turbo codes (RCPT) protection only. Two technical components which are different from existing methods are presented. First, a data frame is divided into multiple CRC blocks before being coded by a turbo code. This is to secure a high turbo coding gain which is proportional to the data frame size. In the mean time, the beginning blocks in a frame may still be usable although the decoding of the entire frame fails. Second, instead of employing product codes, we only use RCPT, along with an interleaver, to protect images over channels with combined distortion including random errors and packet loss. With this setting, the effect of packet loss is equivalent to randomly puncturing turbo codes. As a result, the optimal allocation of channel code rates is required for the random errors only, which largely reduces the complexity of the optimization process. The effectiveness of the proposed schemes is demonstrated with extensive simulation results.
Stealth communication : Zero-power classical communication, zero-quantum quantum communication and environmental-noise communication

An alternative physical way of communication, communication by the inherent background noise, is proposed which does not need net energy transfer in the information channel. The communicator devices do dissipate energy; however, they do not emit net energy into the channel, instead of that, they modulate the parameters of inherent spontaneous fluctuations in the channel. The method can use two different mechanisms, thermal noise (Johnson–Nyquist noise) for classical communication, and vacuum fluctuations/zero-point energy (quantum uncertainty noise) for quantum communication. The strongest advantage of the method is that it is apparently the most hidden (stealth) way of communication, because it is using the inherent background noise for communication. Therefore, it is extremely difficult or impossible to discover its presence. With proper wave-based arrangements and specific conditions, the sender and the receiver can easily detect eavesdropper activities, so that the eavesdropper is detected as soon as she extracts a single bit of information, thus the security of the method is comparable to the security of quantum communication/quantum key distribution schemes. Finally, concerning practical applications, environmental noise, out of the fundamental/inherent fluctuations, can also be used for this kind of communication provided that is sufficiently stationary.
Skew prime polynomial matrices

A pair of polynomial matrices, P(s) and Q(s) , is defined to be "externally skew prime" if and only if a solution, M(s), N(s) , to the polynomial matrix equation P(s)M(s)+N(s)Q(s)=I exists. It is shown that P(s) and Q(s) are externally skew prime if and only if Q(s)P(s)= \bar{P}(s)R(s) with Q(s) and \bar{P}(s) relatively left prime and P(s) and R(s) relatively right prime. This observation implies a new constructive procedure for determining M(s) and N(s) where P(s) and Q(s) are found to be externally skew prime and P(s) is nonsingular. A new procedure for obtaining solutions to the more general polynomial matrix equation, P(s)M(s)+N(s)Q(s)= V(s) , based on the notion of skew-prime polynomial matrices is also presented. A characterization of all solutions when V(s)= I is also given, under appropriate assumptions, and then employed to determine a unique solution to this polynomial matrix equation.
Toxicologic studies of alkylphenol polyoxyethylene surfactants

Abstract In order to determine the suitability of a large group of commercial surfactants for applications where small amounts may enter food, the toxicity of 22 products was studied. Ethylene oxide chain lengths ranged from 4 to 40, and alkylphenols included di(secondary butyl), octyl, nonyl, and dodecyl. Three products were administered to rats and dogs in the diet for 2 years, 13 to rats for 90 days, and 8 to dogs for 90 days. Absorption and elimination of 2 products was studied in rats. No effect was found as a result of 90-day feeding of: nonyl 4—rats and dogs 0.04 g/kg/day; nonyl 6—rats No effect was found in 2 years from nonylphenol ethylene oxide 9 on rats at 0.14 or dogs at 0.03 g/kg/day in the diet; from nonylphenol ethylene oxide 4 at 0.2 and 0.04, respectively; or from octylphenol ethylene 40 on rats at 0.7 g/kg/day. No carcinogenic effect was found in any feeding test. In dogs but not in rats there was nonprogressive myocardial toxicity from oral doses, apparently a direct pharmacodynamic effect on the heart muscle, proportional to the content of ethers with ethylene oxide chains 20 units in length. This was marked in products with an average chain length of 20, but not detected with averages of 12 or 25.
Studies directed towards the synthesis of taxol: Preparation of C-13 oxygenated taxane congeners

Abstract The application of the intramolecular dioxenone photocycloaddition to the synthesis of C-13 oxygenated taxol analogs is described.
Optical Absorption of Insulators and the Electron-Hole Interaction: An Ab Initio Calculation

We present a computationally efficient scheme to calculate the optical absorption of insulators from first principles, including the electron-hole interaction. Excited states of the solid are chosen to consist of single electron-hole pairs. The electron-hole interaction is statically screened using a model dielectric function. Only two pieces of input are required, the crystal structure of the material and the macroscopic dielectric constant. We apply this scheme to two wide-gap insulators, LiF and MgO, and obtain excellent agreement with experimental measurements of their UV reflectance spectra.
The critical behaviour of the Potts model in a penalizing external field

Abstract We performed a high statistics numerical simulation of the three state Potts model in presence of an external field, Nucl. Phys. B one of the possible states [M. Bernaschi, The critical behaviour of the Potts model in a penalizing external field, Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Suppl.) 20 (1991) 674]. The value of the thermal critical exponent, that we have evaluated by means of the finite size real space renormalization group (FSRSRG) technique, indicates that such a model has a non-trivial critical behaviour. For validation purposes results concerning both (standard) Potts and Ising models are also presented.
Ligand free open air copper(II) mediated aryl formamidation and amination of aryl halides

A simple synthetic procedure for direct formamidation and amination of aryl halides mediated by copper(II) salts was developed in open air, without an external ligand in formamide with potassium carbonate as a base. This approach is particularly efficient when electron active aryl halides are used as substrates. In these cases almost quantitative formamidation was observed.
Spin Relaxation of Optically Pumped Cesium

Spin relaxation of optically pumped cesium vapor has been measured as a function of buffer gas pressure for various inert gases. Disorientation cross sections have been found to be 5.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}24}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ for neon, 8.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}23}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ for argon, 2.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}21}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ for krypton, and 4.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}20}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ for xenon. The diffusion coefficients of cesium in neon and argon were found to be 0.40 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/sec and 0.23 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/sec, respectively. Disorientation cross sections and diffusion coefficients for molecular ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}$ and ${\mathrm{N}}^{15}$ have also been measured.
STATE RATE REVIEW AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND OPERATING COSTS

It is commonly assumed that an increase in capital expenditures leads to increased operating costs and a subsequent increase in rates, and thus that state rate review systems must incorporate certificate-of-need type controls over capital expenditures. The results of this study indicate that in those states with comprehensive rate review systems, increased capital expenditures may not lead to higher operating costs and rates; rather, increased wage rates are reflected in higher operating costs and rates. This pass-through of wages, and not capital costs, may have important policy implications.
One-dimensional diffusion in an asymmetric random environment

Abstract According to a theorem of S. Schumacher, for a diffusion X in an environment determined by a stable process that belongs to an appropriate class and has index a, it holds that X t / ( log t ) a converges in distribution as t → ∞ to a random variable having an explicit description in terms of the environment. We compute the density of this random variable in the case the stable process is spectrally one-sided. This computation extends a result of H. Kesten and quantifies the bias that the asymmetry of the environment causes to the behavior of the diffusion.
Binding of natural and synthetic glucocorticoids in rat brain.

Abstract The protein(s) from rat brain cytosol which bind corticosterone are selective, stereospecific and have a high affinity ( K dissoc . = 3.8 × 10 −9 M) and low capacity ( n = 4.7 × 10 −13 mol/mg protein) for [1,2- 3 H]-corticosterone. These or similar molecules also bind [1,2,4- 3 H]-dexamethasone but have a lower capacity ( n = 2.4 × 10 −13 mol/mg protein), lower affinity ( K dissoc = 2.5 × 10 −9 M) and were less selective for this synthetic glucocorticoid than for corticosterone. The amount of [1,2- 3 H]-corticosterone bound by brain receptor proteins has a diurnal pattern which is the mirror image of the circulating levels of endogenous corticosterone in blood plasma. This cyclic variation in binding was abolished by adrenalectomy. Thus, as the plasma concentration of endogenous corticosterone increases, the number of specific receptor sites in the cytosol of whole brains filled by endogenous corticosterone also is increased quantitatively. Following the bilateral removal of the adrenal glands, the amount of [1,2- 3 H]-corticosterone bound/ mg protein to brain cytosol protein rapidly increases during the first 24 h after adrenalectomy and approaches values seen at 3 days. During the same period the plasma corticosterone concentration is rapidly decreasing. By 30 days after adrenalectomy the amount of [1,2- 3 H]-corticosterone bound per mg of protein has increased over those values measured at 1 day after removal of the adrenals. At 60 and 120 days post-adrenalectomy, the amount of [1,2- 3 H]-corticosterone bound is near control values (3 day) but decreases below this value by 180 days after removal of the adrenals. In newborn rats (up to 50 g), the amount of [1,2- 3 H]-corticosterone bound/mg receptor protein increases with increasing weight. However, from 195 g to 450 g the amount of [1,2- 3 H]-corticosterone bound/mg protein decreases with increasing weight. The increase in binding of corticosterone to brain protein of new born rats has been correlated with other maturational events.
Parton distribution functions suitable for Monte-Carlo event generators

In the usual factorization theorems, which give predictions only for inclusive cross sections, there is considerable freedom in the choice of the scheme to define the parton distribution functions. These theorems do not directly apply to Monte-Carlo event generators, and more general factorization theorems which give predictions for fully exclusive cross sections are needed. It has been shown that appropriate parton distribution functions are uniquely defined by the showering algorithm. In this paper, we present results of calculations of the Monte-Carlo parton distribution functions in terms of the commonly used parton distribution functions. At small x the differences are large, which demonstrates the importance of using the correct parton distribution functions in an event generator rather than parton distribution functions. We present some simple approximations that enable an understanding of the sizes of the results to be obtained.
Synthesis and properties of butyl-capped dehydrothieno[14]annulenes and their conversion into terthiophenes

A series of butyl end-capped dehydrothieno[14]annulenes (DTAs) has been prepared. These compounds were further transformed into electron-rich terthiophenes (3TPs) by reaction with sodium sulfide. The DTA and 3TP macrocycles were compared qualitatively using UV-vis spectroscopy, and the latter were found to have lower energy absorptions. The conformations of these molecules were also examined by DFT-YFLP computations.
Crime, Deterrence, and Right-to-Carry Concealed Handguns

Abstract Using cross‐sectional time‐series data for U.S. counties from 1977 to 1992, we find that allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons deters violent crimes, without increasing accidental deaths. If those states without right‐to‐carry concealed gun provisions had adopted them in 1992, county‐ and state‐level data indicate that approximately 1,500 murders would have been avoided yearly. Similarly, we predict that rapes would have declined by over 4,000, robbery by over 11,000, and aggravated assaults by over 60,000. We also find criminals substituting into property crimes involving stealth, where the probability of contact between the criminal and the victim is minimal. Further, higher arrest and conviction rates consistently reduce crime. The estimated annual gain from all remaining states adopting these laws was at least $5.74 billion in 1992. The annual social benefit from an additional concealed handgun permit is as high as $5,000.
Positive Mathematical Programming

A method for calibrating models of agricultural production and resource use using nonlinear yield or cost functions is developed. The nonlinear parameters are shown to be implicit in the observed land allocation decisions at a regional or farm level. The method is implemented in three stages and initiated by a constrained linear program. The procedure automatically calibrates the model in terms of output, input use, objective function values and dual values on model constraints. The resulting nonlinear models show smooth responses to parameterization and satisfy the Hicksian conditions for competitive firms.
Character sheaves on unipotent groups in positive characteristic: foundations

In this article we formulate and prove the main theorems of the theory of character sheaves on unipotent groups over an algebraically closed field of characteristic $$p>0$$ . In particular, we show that every admissible pair for such a group $$G$$ gives rise to an $$\mathbb{L }$$ -packet of character sheaves on $$G$$ and that conversely, every $$\mathbb{L }$$ -packet of character sheaves on $$G$$ arises from a (nonunique) admissible pair. In the Appendices we discuss two abstract category theory patterns related to the study of character sheaves. The first Appendix sketches a theory of duality for monoidal categories, which generalizes the notion of a rigid monoidal category and is close in spirit to the Grothendieck–Verdier duality theory. In the second one we use a topological field theory approach to define the canonical braided monoidal structure and twist on the equivariant derived category of constructible sheaves on an algebraic group; moreover, we show that this category carries an action of the surface operad. The third Appendix proves that the “naive” definition of the equivariant $$\ell $$ -adic derived category with respect to a unipotent algebraic group is equivalent to the “correct” one.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening: How Many Life Years Lost from Underuse of the Medicare Screening Benefit?

BACKGROUND Since 2007, Medicare has provided one-time abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening for men with smoking history, and men and women with a family history of AAA as part of its Welcome to Medicare visit.
Soft superweak CP violation and the strong CP puzzle

Abstract We discuss a class of models in which CP is violated softly in a heavy sector adjoined to the standard model. Heavy-sector loops produce the observed CP violation in kaon physics, yielding a tiny and probably undetectable value for ϵ′. All other CP-violating parameters in the effective low-energy standard model, including the area of the unitarity triangle and θ , are finite, calculable and can be made very small. The leading contribution to θ comes from a four-loop graph. These models offer a natural realization of superweak CP violation and can resolve the strong CP puzzle. In one realization of this idea, CP is violated in the mass matrix of heavy majorana neutrinos.
A New Measure of Fit for Equations With Dichotomous Dependent Variables

The econometrics literature contains many alternative measures of goodness of fit, roughly analogous to R 2, for use with equations with dichotomous dependent variables. There is, however, no consensus as to the measures' relative merits or about which ones should be reported in empirical work. This article proposes a new measure that possesses several useful properties that the other measures lack. The new measure may be interpreted intuitively in a similar way to R 2 in the linear regression context.
Redox activation of metal-based prodrugs as a strategy for drug delivery☆

This review provides an overview of metal-based anticancer drugs and drug candidates. In particular, we focus on metal complexes that can be activated in the reducing environment of cancer cells, thus serving as prodrugs. There are many reports of Pt and Ru complexes as redox-activatable drug candidates, but other d-block elements with variable oxidation states have a similar potential to serve as prodrugs in this manner. In this context are compounds based on Fe, Co, or Cu chemistry, which are also covered. A trend in the field of medicinal inorganic chemistry has been toward molecularly targeted, metal-based drugs obtained by functionalizing complexes with biologically active ligands. Another recent activity is the use of nanomaterials for drug delivery, exploiting passive targeting of tumors with nano-sized constructs made from Au, Fe, carbon, or organic polymers. Although complexes of all of the above mentioned metals will be described, this review focuses primarily on Pt compounds, including constructs containing nanomaterials.
Metal-Carborane Multidecker Sandwiches as Building Blocks for Metallopolymers and Nanostructured Materials

The ability of cyclic planar [RR'C2B3H2X]4− carborane ligands (R, R′ = alkyl, aryl, SiMe3, H; X = alkyl, Cl, Br, I, H) to bind tightly to transition and main-group metals on both sides of the C2B3 ...
GaAs random laser

We demonstrate two-threshold random laser emission in the mixtures of GaAs powder with Al2O3 powder. The dilution of GaAs powder with Al2O3 powder helps to maximize the output efficiency of the stimulated emission.
Introduction to Gauge/Gravity Duality

These lectures are an introduction to gauge/gravity duality, presented at TASI 2010. The first three sections present the basics, focusing on $AdS_5 \times S^5$. The last section surveys a variety of ways to generate duals of reduced symmetry.