cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Effective Modeling in the Development of Self-Efficacy: The Case of the Transparent Engine*

Computing technology augments learning in education in a number of ways. One particular method uses interactive programs to demonstrate complex concepts. The purpose of this article is to examine one type of interactive learning technology, the transparent engine. The transparent engine allows instructors and students to view and directly interact with educational concepts such as Web-enabled software development. The article first presents a framework describing transparent engines. The framework details four types of transparent engines: (1) enactive mastery/manipulatable, (2) enactive mastery/nonmanipulatable, (3) vicarious experience/manipulatable, and (4) vicarious experience/nonmanipulatable. Following this, we present the results of an experiment designed to examine this framework by testing its predictions for one quadrant, vicarious experience/nonmanipulatable. The results support the framework in that students taught concepts with the aid of the vicarious experience/nonmanipulatable transparent engine had significantly higher domain-specific self-efficacy compared to those taught the same concepts without this tool.
An information base for procedure independent design of information systems

An information system contains a vast number of logical statements in addition to data. These logical statements are used to control the retrieval and use of data for applications. Systems Design is the process of translating the information requirements of an organization to a set of logical statements which operate on the observed data to generate new data. The 'derived data' generated in this fashion could actually be used for decision support or stored back in the data base for future use; however, the storage is rare since it can always be regenerated using the logical statements. The logical statements are often expressed using a procedural programming language mostly aided by Data Base Management Systems which accomplish to decouple the physical data structure and the application system designer's logical view of it. This feature, called 'data independence,' has a number of advantages such as:a. simpler interface with the applications programmerb. machine optimized physical designc. modifications in the physical structure without changing the application programsd. high portability to different computer systems.
Using a multimode fiber as a high-resolution, low-loss spectrometer

The development of optical fibers has revolutionized telecommunications by enabling long-distance broad-band transmission with minimal loss. In turn, the ubiquity of high-quality low-cost fibers enabled a number of additional applications, including fiber sensors, fiber lasers, and imaging fiber bundles. In this work, we show that a multimode optical fiber can also function as a spectrometer by measuring the wavelength-dependent speckle pattern formed by interference between the guided modes. In practice, the wavelength-dependent speckle patterns are recorded in a transmission matrix. After calibration an arbitrary input spectra can be reconstructed based on the speckle pattern it produces. The spectral resolution is dictated by the change in wavelength required to produce an uncorrelated speckle pattern, which scales inversely with the length of the fiber. Using a 100 meter long multimode fiber, we were able to resolve two lines separated by merely 1 pm at a wavelength of 1500 nm. Broad-band operation is also possible by using a shorter fiber with lower resolution. We showed that a 4 cm fiber can provide 350 nm of bandwidth across the visible spectrum with 1 nm resolution. The fiber spectrometer consists only of a multimode fiber and a monochrome camera used to record the speckle patterns. Since the fiber can be coiled into a small volume, the entire spectrometer can be compact, lightweight, and low cost while providing ultrahigh resolution, broad bandwidth, and low loss.
Palladium-catalyzed carbonylation reactions of aryl bromides at atmospheric pressure: a general system based on Xantphos.

A method for the Pd-catalyzed carbonylation of aryl bromides has been developed using Xantphos as the ligand. This method is effective for the direct synthesis of Weinreb amides, 1° and 2° benzamides, and methyl esters from the corresponding aryl bromides at atmospheric pressure. In addition, a putative catalytic intermediate, (Xanphos)Pd(Br)benzoyl, was prepared and an X-ray crystal structure was obtained revealing an unusual cis-coordination mode of Xantphos in this palladium−acyl complex.
Dynamic Forces From Single Gland Labyrinth Seals: Part I—Ideal and Viscous Decomposition

A theoretical and experimental investigation on the aerodynamic forces generated by a single gland labyrinth seal executing a spinning/whirling motion has been conducted. A lumped parameter model, which includes the kinetic energy carryover effect, is presented along with a linear perturbation solution technique. The resulting system is nondimensionalized and the physical significance of the reduced parameters is discussed. Closed-form algebraic formulas are given for some simple limiting cases. It is shown that the total cross force predicted by this model can be represented as the sum of an ideal component due to an inviscid flow with entry swirl and a viscous part due to the change in swirl created by friction inside the gland
Nanocrystal and Nanowire Synthesis and Dispersibility in Supercritical Fluids

Here we review major breakthroughs in the rapidly developing research area of nanomaterial synthesis in supercritical fluids focusing on both the fundamental science and processing advantages in the application areas of separations, assembly and scale-up of synthesis. Density-tunable control of the solvation strength, along with favorable interfacial tensions, wetting, and transport properties make supercritical fluids (SCFs) unique and potentially superior solvent media for the synthesis and processing of nanoscale metals and semiconductors. The steric repulsion between particle cores may be tuned by adjusting the solvent density to control the nanocrystal size and polydispersity during single-phase synthesis, and to achieve size-selective nanocrystal precipitation. Compressed solvents at the vapor pressure can also be used to deposit nanocrystal monolayers at controlled evaporation rates without dewetting at higher rates than conventional solvents. The high synthetic temperatures accessible in SCFs can ...
The Impact of Base Rate Utilization and Clinical Experience on the Accuracy of Judgments Made with the HCR-20

It was hypothesized that clinical judges would make ineffective use of base rate information and that their level of experience in the forensic psychology field or with risk assessment would have no bearing on their ability to make accurate clinical judgments. A convenience sample of 43 members of two professional psychological organizations was used to determine the effects of base rates and experience on predictions made from a “blind” analysis of the Historical, Clinical, Risk-20 (HCR-20). Consistent with the hypotheses, base rate neglect was prevalent in the current study and prior experience had no effect on predictive accuracy.
Crowd, mob, and nation in Boris Godunov: What did musorgsky think, and does it matter?

When Musorgsky revised his opera Boris Godunov in 1871–1872 as a condition for its eventual performance in 1874, he made many changes that went far beyond what the Imperial Theaters demanded of him. Among these changes was the composition of a crowd scene outside Moscow, in which the rebellious populace hails the Pretender, to replace a crowd scene at Red Square in which a submissive, hungry crowd beg Boris for bread. The original scene came, like the rest of the libretto, directly from Pushkin’s eponymous play. The new scene reflected a new view of the historical events, and Musorgsky wrote his own text for it. The two scenes are ideologically at odds, particularly as regards their view of the Russian nation in relation to the Russian people. Moreover, the two scenes share the episode of the Holy Fool and the thieving boys, which Musorgsky transferred from the one score to the other. Obviously, Musorgsky regarded them as incompatible within a single production and thought he had made conflating them impo...
DISTRIBUTED ORDER FRACTIONAL SUB-DIFFUSION

A distributed order fractional diffusion equation is considered. Distributed order derivatives are fractional derivatives that have been integrated over the order of the derivative within a given range. In this paper, sub-diffusive cases are considered. That is, the order of the time derivative ranges from zero to one. The equation is solved for Dirichlet, Neumann and Cauchy boundary conditions. The time dependence for each of the three cases is found to be a functional of the diffusion parameter. This functional is shown to have decay properties. Upper and lower bounds are computed for the functional. Examples are also worked out for comparative decay rates.
Beauty quark fragmentation into strange B mesons

Abstract Using the recent measurement of the total production rate for Bs and B ∗ s mesons in electron-position annihilation to determine the strange quark mass parameter in the b →B s , B ∗ s fragmentation functions we calculate the momentum distributions of the Bs and B ∗ s mesons.
Simulating the Formation of Molecular Clouds. I. Slow Formation by Gravitational Collapse from Static Initial Conditions

We study the formation of H2 in the ISM, using a modified version of the astrophysical magnetohydrodynamical code ZEUS-MP that includes a nonequilibrium treatment of the formation and destruction of H2. We examine two different approximations to treat the shielding of H2 against photodissociation: a local approximation, which gives us a solid lower bound on the amount of shielding, and a method based on ray-tracing that is considerably more accurate in some circumstances but that produces results that are harder to clearly interpret. In both cases, the computational cost of determining H2 photodissociation rates is reduced by enough to make three-dimensional high-resolution simulations of cloud formation feasible with modest computational resources. Our modification to ZEUS-MP also includes a detailed treatment of the thermal behavior of the gas. In this paper, we focus on the problem of molecular cloud formation in gravitationally unstable, initially static gas. (In a subsequent paper, we consider turbulent flow.) We show that in these conditions, and for initial densities consistent with those observed in the cold, neutral atomic phase of the interstellar medium, H2 formation occurs on a timescale t ≥ 10 Myr, comparable to or longer than the gravitational free-fall timescale of the cloud. We also show that the collapsing gas very quickly reaches thermal equilibrium and that the equation of state of the thermal equilibrium gas is generally softer than isothermal. Finally, we demonstrate that although these results show little sensitivity to variations in most of our simulation parameters, they are highly sensitive to the assumed initial density ni. Reducing ni significantly increases the cloud formation timescale and decreases the amount of hydrogen ultimately converted to H2.
Fertigation versus conventional fertilization of flatwoods grapefruit

A four-year field experiment was conducted to compare conventional fertilization by broadcasting granular material with a combination broadcast/fertigation program. The experiment was conducted on mature ’Ruby Red’ grapefruit trees in a south Florida Flatwoods grove. The conventional fertilization (CONV) consisted of broadcast applications 3 times per year (Feb/Mar, May/Jun, Oct/Nov). The combination treatment (COMB) had a broadcast application of 33% of the annual N and K20 in Feb/Mar followed by the remainder applied as fertigation at 2-week intervals beginning in April. The CONV plots received 33% of the annual N and K20 (plus minor elements) during an application in late winter plus additional applications, each with a third of the annual N and K20 in the May/June and Oct/Nov time periods. During the four-year period, the COMB trees out-produced the CONV trees in 3 of the 4 years. The 4-year cumulative fresh fruit yield advantage of the COMB trees averaged 4150 kg ha−1 (108 boxes ha−1) per year advantage over the CONV program. The cumulative total soluble solids (TSS) produced over four years with the COMB trees averaged 10.9 Mg ha−1 versus 10.1 Mg ha−1 for the CONV treatment. The production increases by the COMB treatment over the CONV program represent 8% and 9% advantages for the TSS and fruit yield, respectively. The combination dry + fertigation treatment provided a higher fertilizer use efficiency (greater production for similar application rates) than the conventional dry broadcast applications alone.
STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF 1,2,4,5-TETRAPHENYLCYCLO-3,6-DICARBA-1,2,4,5-TETRAPHOSPHINE: A HIGHLY FOLDED CHAIR CONFORMATION

Abstract The title compound crystallized in the monoclinic space group P21/c, with the following unit cell parameters: a = 11.235(8), b = 8.473(2), c = 26.136(10) A, β = 102.07(5)°, V = 2432(3) A3, Z = 4.1657 unique data (Fo 2 > 3o(Fo 2)) were used to solve (direct methods) and refine the structure to give R = 0.126 and Rw = 0.118. The six-membered ring system is in a highly folded chair conformation with the phenyl group substituents on the phosphorus atoms oriented in the equatorial positions. The dihedral angles of the P-CH2-P plane with the P4 basal plane is a remarkable 101.8° (average). This dihedral angle is the closest to perpendicular ever observed for a monocyclic ring system.
Asymmetric Catalytic N-Phosphonyl Imine Chemistry: The Use of Primary Free Amino Acids and Et2AlCN for Asymmetric Catalytic Strecker Reaction

The new asymmetric catalytic Strecker reaction of achiral N-phosphonyl imines has been established. Excellent enantioselectivity (95.2−99.7% ee) and yields (89−97%) have been achieved by using primary free natural amino acids as catalysts and Et2AlCN as nucleophile. This work also presents the novel use of nonvolatile and inexpensive Et2AlCN in asymmetric catalysis. The N-phosphonyl protecting group enabled simple product purification to be achieved simply by washing the crude products with hexane, which is defined as the GAP chemistry (GAP: Group-Assistant-Purification).(17) It can also be readily cleaved and recycled under mild condition to give a quantitative recovery of N,N′-bis(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine. A new mechanism was proposed for this reaction and was supported by experimental observations.
Adaptive wavelet thresholding for multichannel signal estimation

In this paper, we illustrate how a recently proposed wavelet-based estimation scheme for 2-D multichannel signals can utilize an overcomplete wavelet expansion or the BayesShrink adaptive wavelet-domain threshold to improve estimation results. The existing technique approximates the optimal estimator using a DFT and an orthonormal 2-D DWT to efficiently decorrelate the signal in both channel and space, and a wavelet-domain threshold to suppress the noise. Although this technique typically yields signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gains of over 12 dB, results can be improved 1 to 1.5 dB by replacing the critically-sampled wavelet expansion with an overcomplete wavelet expansion. In addition, provided that the detail subbands of the original signal channels each obey a generalized Gaussian distribution, average channel SNR gains can be improved 3 dB or more using the BayesShrink adaptive wavelet-domain threshold.
A meta-analysis of shared leadership and team effectiveness

A growing number of studies have examined the "sharedness" of leadership processes in teams (i.e., shared leadership, collective leadership, and distributed leadership). We meta-analytically cumulated 42 independent samples of shared leadership and examined its relationship to team effectiveness. Our findings reveal an overall positive relationship (ρ = .34). But perhaps more important, what is actually shared among members appears to matter with regard to team effectiveness. That is, shared traditional forms of leadership (e.g., initiating structure and consideration) show a lower relationship (ρ = .18) than either shared new-genre leadership (e.g., charismatic and transformational leadership; ρ = .34) or cumulative, overall shared leadership (ρ = .35). In addition, shared leadership tends to be more strongly related to team attitudinal outcomes and behavioral processes and emergent team states, compared with team performance. Moreover, the effects of shared leadership are stronger when the work of team members is more complex. Our findings further suggest that the referent used in measuring shared leadership does not influence its relationship with team effectiveness and that compared with vertical leadership, shared leadership shows unique effects in relation to team performance. In total, our study not only cumulates extant research on shared leadership but also provides directions for future research to move forward in the study of plural forms of leadership.
Topological fluid mechanics of point vortex motions

Abstract Topological techniques are used to study the motions of systems of point vortices in the infinite plane, in singly periodic arrays, and in doubly periodic lattices. Restricting to three vortices with zero net circulation, the symmetries are used to reduce each system to a 1 degree-of-freedom Hamiltonian. The phase portrait of the reduced system is subdivided into regimes using the separatrix motions, and a braid representing the topology of all vortex motions in each regime is computed. This braid also describes the isotopy class of the advection homeomorphism induced by the vortex motion. The Thurston–Nielsen theory is then used to analyze these isotopy classes, and in certain cases strong implications about the chaotic dynamics of the advection can be drawn. This points to an important mechanism by which the topological kinematics of large scale, two-dimensional fluid motions generate chaotic advection.
Light front quantization—A technique for relativistic and realistic nuclear physics

Abstract Applications of relativistic light front dynamics to computing the nucleonic and mesonic components of nuclear wave functions are reviewed. In this approach the fields are quantized at equal values of τ = x 0 + x 3 . Our method is to use a Lagrangian, and its associated energy-momentum tensor T + μ to define the total momentum operators μ with P + as the plus-momentum and P − the τ-development operator. The motivation for unusual treatment of nuclear physics is the desire to use wave functions, expressed in terms of plus-momentum variables, which are used to analyze high energy experiments such as deep inelastic scattering, Drell-Yan production, (e,e′) and (p,p′) reactions. This motivation is discussed, and a simple overview of light front dynamics is presented. Some examples of ordinary quantum mechanics are solved to show that the formalism is tractable. The necessary quantization is reviewed and applied to a series of problems: infinite nuclear matter within the mean field approximation; a simple static source theory; finite nuclei using the mean field approximation; low-energy pion-nucleon scattering using a chiral Lagrangian; nucleon-nucleon scattering, within the one boson exchange approximation; and, infinite nuclear matter including the effects of two-nucleon correlations. Standard good results for nuclear saturation properties are obtained, with a possible improvement in the lowered value, 180 MeV, of the computed nuclear compressibility. A complicating feature of our light front dynamics is that manifest rotational invariance is not used as an aid in doing calculations. But for each of the examples reviewed here, manifest rotational invariance emerges in the results of the calculations. Thus nuclear physics can be done in a manner in which modern nuclear dynamics is respected, boost invariance in the z -direction is preserved, and in which the rotational invariance so necessary to understanding the basic features of nuclei is maintained. A salient feature is that ω, σ and π mesons are important constituents of nuclei. It seems possible to find Lagrangians that yield reasonable descriptions of nuclear deep inelastic scattering and Drell-Yan reactions. Furthermore, the presence of the σ and ω mesons could provide a nuclear enhancement of the ratio of the cross sections for longitudinally and transversely polarized virtual photons in accord with recent measurements by the HERMES collaboration.
Asymptotic expansions for functions of the increments of certain Gaussian processes

Let G={G(x),x≥0}G={G(x),x≥0} be a mean zero Gaussian process with stationary increments and set σ2(|x−y|)=E(G(x)−G(y))2σ2(|x−y|)=E(G(x)−G(y))2. Let ff be a function with Ef2(η)<∞Ef2(η)<∞, where η=N(0,1)η=N(0,1). When σ2σ2 is regularly varying at zero and limh→0h2σ2(h)=0andlimh→0σ2(h)h=0but (d2ds2σ2(s))j0 is locally integrable for some integer j0≥1j0≥1, and satisfies some additional regularity conditions, ∫abf(G(x+h)−G(x)σ(h))dx=∑j=0j0(h/σ(h))jE(Hj(η)f(η))j!:(G′)j:(I[a,b])+o(hσ(h))j0 in L2L2. Here HjHj is the jjth Hermite polynomial. Also :(G′)j:(I[a,b]):(G′)j:(I[a,b]) is a jjth order Wick power Gaussian chaos constructed from the Gaussian field G′(g)G′(g), with covariance E(G′(g)G′(g˜))=∬ρ(x−y)g(x)g˜(y)dxdy, where ρ(s)=12d2ds2σ2(s).
A cooperative analysis of covert collusion in oligopolistic industries

This paper provides existence results for a large class of covertly collusive outcomes in oligopoly markets. In particular, the paper shows that the Alpha-core is non-empty in linear industries with any asymmetric costs and any asymmetric capacity bounds (JEL C62, C71, D43, L13).
Analysis of a Model Arising from Invasion by Precursor and Differentiated Cells

We study the wave solutions for a degenerated reaction diffusion system arising from the invasion of cells. We show that there exists a family of waves for the wave speed larger than or equal a certain number and below which there are no monotonic wave solutions. We also investigate the monotonicity, uniqueness, and asymptotics of the waves.
Flexibility-based structural damage identification using Gauss–Newton method

Structural damage will change the dynamic characteristics, including natural frequencies, modal shapes, damping ratios and modal flexibility matrix of the structure. Modal flexibility matrix is a function of natural frequencies and mode shapes and can be used for structural damage detection and health monitoring. In this paper, experimental modal flexibility matrix is obtained from the first few lower measured natural frequencies and incomplete modal shapes. The optimization problem is then constructed by minimizing Frobenius norm of the change of flexibility matrix. Gauss–Newton method is used to solve the optimization problem, where the sensitivity of flexibility matrix with respect to structural parameters is calculated iteratively by only using the first few lower modes. The optimal solution corresponds to structural parameters which can be used to identify damage sites and extent. Numerical results show that flexibility-based method can be successfully applied to identify the damage elements and is robust to measurement noise.
Pancreatitis as a risk for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most recalcitrant of all cancers. As current treatment regimens for pancreatic cancer are inadequate, a major focus of research is to understand the pathways important for pancreatic cancer development, and to identify factors that can be modified to retard the development of pancreatic cancer. Smoking is the strongest risk factor amenable to modification. Other major risk factors include chronic pancreatitis and germ line genetic mutations. Epidemiologic studies of patients with chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, tropical pancreatitis, and hereditary pancreatitis prove that all forms of pancreatitis increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. Recent studies also demonstrate gene-gene and gene-environmental interactions that increase the risk of pancreatic cancer in the setting of chronic pancreatitis. Finally, the article outlines new guidelines that address the problem of whether or not patients with chronic pancreatitis should be screened for pancreatic cancer.
Thermal Shadows and Compositional Structure in Comet Nuclei

We use a fully three-dimensional thermal evolution model to examine the effects of a non-uniform surface albedo on the subsurface thermal structure of comets. Surface albedo markings cast "thermal shadows" with strong lateral thermal gradients. Corresponding compositional gradients can be strong, especially if the crystallization of amorphous water ice is triggered in the hottest regions. We show that the spatial extent of the structure depends mainly on the obliquity, thermal conductivity, and heliocentric distance. In some circumstances, subsurface structure caused by the thermal shadows of surface features can be maintained for more than 10 Myr, the median transport time from the Kuiper Belt to the inner solar system. Non-uniform compositional structure can be an evolutionary product and does not necessarily imply that comets consist of building blocks accumulated in different regions of the protoplanetary disk.
Coupling of isoprenoid triflates with organoboron nucleophiles: synthesis and biological evaluation of geranylgeranyl diphosphate analogues.

Abstract The Suzuki coupling reaction has been used to introduce a methyl group derived from commercially available methylboronic acid into a vinyl triflate. This has led to a concise synthesis of all- trans -geranylgeraniol ( 10 ), with the key step being the palladium-catalyzed, silver-mediated methylation of triflate 8 to give ethyl geranylgeranoate 9 . This coupling protocol has also been used to produce the novel geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) analogue 3-phenyl-3-desmethylgeranylgeranyl diphosphate (3-PhGGPP, 2d ). Our previously developed organocuprate coupling protocol has been used to introduce the cyclopropyl and tert -butyl moieties into the 3-position of vinyl triflate 8 . The four GGPP analogues 3-vinyl-3-desmethylgeranylgeranyl diphosphate (3-vGGPP, 2a ), 3-cyclopropyl-3-desmethylgeranylgeranyl diphosphate (3-cpGGPP, 2b ), 3- tert -butyl-3-desmethyl-geranylgeranyl diphosphate (3-tbGGPP, 2c ), and 2d were then evaluated as potential inhibitors of recombinant yeast protein-geranylgeranyl transferase I (PGGTase I). The potential mechanism-based inhibitors 3-vGGPP and 3-cpGGPP did not exhibit time-dependent inactivation of PGGTase I. Instead, both analogues were alternative substrates, in accord with the interaction of the corresponding farnesyl analogues 3-vFPP and 3-cpFPP with PFTase. The tert -butyl and phenyl analogues were not substrates, but were instead competitive inhibitors of PGGTase I. Note that all four of the GGPP analogues were bound less tightly by the enzyme than the natural substrate, in contrast to the behavior of the 3-substituted FPP analogues.
XAFS OF DINUCLEAR METAL SITES IN PROTEINS AND MODEL COMPOUNDS

Abstract Extensive use has been made of X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy for investigating the local structural environment of metal ions in metalloproteins. Although it is widely accepted that XAFS provides accurate structural information for the nearest neighbors to the metal (i.e., the ligands), the use of XAFS for determining metal-metal distances in multi-nuclear proteins is more problematic. We review the origin of the information in XAFS spectra and discuss some of the limitations that apply in extracting structural data from XAFS spectra. Recent advances in the theory and application of XAFS for determining metal-metal distances are reviewed, with particular emphasis on dinuclear iron and manganese proteins and models. For distances less than 3 A, it is straightforward to determine accurate metal-metal separations using XAFS. For distances > 3 A, the unique assignment of an XAFS feature to a metal-metal interaction continues to be difficult, despite recent advances in XAFS theory and analysis. However, when additional information is available to constrain the possible metal site structures, XAFS can provide very accurate metal-metal distances. Future developments that may improve this situation are discussed.
Activation of the inferior frontal cortex in musical priming.

Behavioral studies have provided evidence that the processing of a musical target is faster and more accurate when it is harmonically related to the preceding prime context. We investigated the neural correlates of processing related and unrelated musical targets that were presented at the end of musical sequences. Participants were scanned with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing speeded intonation judgments (consonant versus dissonant) on the target chords. Behavioral results acquired in the scanner replicated the facilitation effect of related over unrelated consonant targets. The overall activation pattern associated with target processing showed commonalities with networks previously described for target detection and novelty processing. The blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal linked to target processing revealed activation of bilateral inferior frontal regions (i.e. inferior frontal gyrus, frontal operculum, insula) that was stronger for unrelated than for related targets. We discuss our results with regard to the role of these areas in the processing and integration of temporal information.
Heavy atom–surface scattering at hyperthermal energies

Abstract We have measured energy- and angle-resolved scattered spectra for 10–250 eV Rb+ ions incident on a Cu(0 0 1) surface at angles of 45° and 65° with respect to the surface normal. These spectra indicate that the scattering for this heavy atom–surface system involves multiple collisions with surface atoms that are binary in nature. Using a classical trajectory simulation, the trajectories that lead to scattering are analyzed and are shown to be similar to results obtained in light atom–surface systems. Based on the simulation results, a new trajectory type is proposed that involves the rehitting of a scattered Rb+ ion by a recoiling surface atom.
Aggregation of Nonparametric Estimators for Volatility Matrix

An aggregated method of nonparametric estimators based on time-domain and state-domain estimators is proposed and studied. To attenuate the curse of dimensionality, we propose a factor modeling strategy. We first investigate the asymptotic behavior of nonparametric estimators of the volatility matrix in the time domain and in the state domain. Asymptotic normality is separately established for nonparametric estimators in the time domain and state domain. These two estimators are asymptotically independent. Hence, they can be combined, through a dynamic weighting scheme, to improve the efficiency of volatility matrix estimation. The optimal dynamic weights are derived, and it is shown that the aggregated estimator uniformly dominates volatility matrix estimators using time-domain or state-domain smoothing alone. A simulation study, based on an essentially affine model for the term structure, is conducted, and it demonstrates convincingly that the newly proposed procedure outperforms both time- and state-domain estimators. Empirical studies further endorse the advantages of our aggregated method.
Factors and methodology in achieving ideal delivery temperatures for intravenous and lavage fluid in hypothermia

A study was undertaken to determine the relationship between temperature and delivery rate of warmed intravenous fluid using standard intravenous infusion equipment and tubing. One-liter bags of 0.9% NaCl were warmed to 60 degrees C and run through standard microdrip tubing for 1 hour at rates of 1,000, 800, 600, and 400 mL/h. Thermistor probes were placed into the bag and into the tubing at 0, 100, 180, 230, and 280 cm from the intravenous bag. Separate fluid bags were also warmed to 39.3 degrees and 75 degrees C, and the fluid was run through the same apparatus at 1,000 mL/h and 200 mL/h, respectively. Temperatures were recorded at each site at the start of the infusion and every 10 minutes thereafter for 1 hour, Subsequently, 60-mL syringes of fluid warmed to 39.5 degrees C were eluted through 50 cm tubing over 10 minutes at 300 mL/h and 360 mL/h. Mean delivery temperature over each 10-minute infusion was determined. Fluid preheated to 39.3 degrees C approached room temperature at delivery even at a flow rate of 1,000 mL/h and tubing lengths as short as 100 cm. Fluid preheated to 60 degrees C was delivered at near 37 degrees C using tubing lengths as long as 280 cm when eluted at 1,000 mL/h. Fluid preheated to 39 degrees C in 60-mL syringes and eluted through 50 cm of tubing over a period of 10 minutes at 300 mL/h or 360 mL/h was delivered near a mean temperature of 37 degrees C. These results show that warmed fluid can be delivered through standard intravenous tubing at or near 37 degrees C if the fluid is preheated to 60 degrees C and eluted through long tubing (280 cm) at high flow rates (1,000 mL/h). Alternatively, fluid warmed to 37 degrees C to 42 degrees C can be delivered at or near 37 degrees C via intermittent bolus through short tubing (50 cm) either by hand or syringe pump. The latter approach would be particularly beneficial in the pediatric population, in whom it is not advisable to administer fluid at flow rates as high as 1,000 mL/h.
Power flow analysis of beam members with multiple wave types

A power flow finite element method (PFFEM) is developed by Nefske and Sung (ASME J. Vib. Stress Reliability Des. 111, 1989) for the steady state high frequency vibration analysis of beams in which there is propagation of one wave type (bending). A finite element thermal analog presented herein for power flow analysis of beam members in which both bending and longitudinal waves are present is a further development of the PFFEM. Conducting bar elements model mechanical power flow in the beam and also power transmission, reflection and conversion at structural joints. Convection elements model internal power dissipation. Properties of joint elements are in general non-linear and depend upon the power level at the joint as well as transmission and reflection coefficients. The thermal analog is verified for particular linear cases wherein properties of the joint elements are dependent only upon the transmission and reflection coefficients.
A PHYSICAL SPACE APPROACH TO WAVE EQUATION BILINEAR ESTIMATES

Bilinear estimates for the wave equation in Minkowski space are normally proven using the Fourier transform and Plancherel’s theorem. However, such methods are difficult to carry over to non-flat situations (such as wave equations with rough metrics or connections with non-zero curvature). In this note, we describe an alternative physical space approach which relies on vector fields, energy estimates as well as tube localization, splitting into coarse and fine scales, and induction on scales (in the spirit of Wolff [29], [30]).
Two-step solution-phase synthesis of novel benzimidazoles utilizing a UDC (Ugi/de-Boc/cyclize) strategy

Abstract The novel solution-phase synthesis of an array of biologically relevant benzimidazoles in a simple two-step procedure is revealed. Transformations are carried out in excellent yield by condensation of mono-Boc protected ortho-phenylene diamine and supporting Ugi reagents. Subsequent acid treatment and evaporation affords benzimidazoles in good to excellent yield. The described protocol represents a highly attractive solution-phase procedure for the rapid generation of benzimidazole libraries.
ETC with a GIM mechanism

Abstract We construct an extended rechnicolor model of quarks and leptons which preserves a GIM mechanism. Furthermore, there is only a minimal technicolor sector, in accordance with recent precision measurements of electroweak parameters. We also show how to incorporate custodial SU(2) and massless neutrinos into such a model.
Non-aqueous titration of hydroxamic acids

Abstract Benzohydroxamic acid is titrated with 0.1 M tetrabutylanunonium hydroxide in nine non-aqueous solvents with three different indicating electrodes. The best results are obtained using dimethylformamide as solvent and platinum-platinum electrodes. Four monoprotic and three diprotic hydroxamie acids and iron(III) benzohydroxamate have been successfully titrated with this system. The effect of quantitative additions of carbon dioxide to the titrant on its apparent molarity are found to be dependent on the amount added, the strength and sample size of acid titrated and the solvent used.
Improving the Properties of Organic Dyes by Molecular Encapsulation

There is a demand for new methods of protecting organic dyes from aggregation effects and photochemical degradation. The purpose of this microreview is to summarize the recent attempts to improve the properties of dyes by molecular encapsulation. Organic dyes have been encapsulated inside inorganic matrices such as molecular sieves, and molecular containers such as cyclodextrins, cucurbiturils, dendrimers, and self-assembled gels. Another strategy is permanent protection of the dye as the thread component in a rotaxane. Molecular encapsulation is an attractive supramolecular strategy because it is inherently flexible and does not necessarily require time-consuming synthetic processes. Indeed, molecular encapsulation is an effective way to recycle familiar dyes that are already well-characterized. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
MASS SPECTRUM OF A MESON NONET IS LINEAR

It is argued that the mass spectrum of a meson nonet is linear, consistent with the standard Gell-Mann-Okubo mass formula and leading to an extra Gell-Mann-Okubo mass relation for the masses of the isoscalar states. This relation is shown to hold with an accuracy of up to ∼ 3% for all well-established nonets. It also suggests a new q\(\bar q\) assignment for the scalar meson nonet.
Calabi-Yau moduli space, mirror manifolds and spacetime topology change in string theory

Abstract We analyze the moduli spaces of Calabi-Yau three-folds and their associated conformally invariant nonlinear σ-models and show that they are described by an unexpectedly rich geometrical structure. Specifically, the Kahler sector of the moduli space of such Calabi-Yau conformal theories admits a decomposition into adjacent domains some of which correspond to the (complexified) Kahler cones of topologically distinct manifolds. These domains are separated by walls corresponding to singular Calabi-Yau spaces in which the spacetime metric has degenerated in certain regions. We show that the union of these domains is isomorphic to the complex structure moduli space of a single topological Calabi-Yau space—the mirror. In this way we resolve a puzzle for mirror symmetry raised by the apparent asymmetry between the Kahler and complex structure moduli spaces of a Calabi-Yau manifold. Furthermore, using mirror symmetry, we show that we can interpolate in a physically smooth manner between any two theories represented by distinct points in the Kahler moduli space, even if such points correspond to topologically distinct spaces. Spacetime topology change in string theory, therefore, is realized by the most basic operation of deformation by a truly marginal operator. Finally, this work also yields some important insights on the nature of orbifolds in string theory.
A Transition to the Soft State in GRS 1758–258

Near the end of 2001 February, the black hole candidate (BHC) GRS 1758-258 made an abrupt transition from a standard hard (low) state to a soft state. Unlike Cygnus X-1 and other BHCs, whose luminosity increases during this transition, GRS 1758-258 was dimmer after the transition. We present observations with the Proportional Counter Array on the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer and interpret the phenomenon in the context of a "dynamical" soft-state model. Using this model, we predicted that mass transfer from the companion had ceased and that the luminosity should decay on a timescale of a few weeks. The most recent data support this prediction, being consistent with a decay time of 28 days. The current state is consistent with the "off" state of GRS 1758-258 reported by SIGMA/Granat in 1991-1992.
Feature indexing in a database of digitized x rays

We have the goal of developing computer algorithms for indexing a collection of digitized x-ray images for biomedical features important to researchers in the fields of osteoarthritis and vertebral morphometry. This indexing requires the segmentation of the image contents, identification of relevant anatomy in the segmented images, and classification of the identified anatomy into categories by which the image contents may be indexed. An example of the indexing detail that we have as a goal is, 'disc space narrowing at vertebra location C5-6'. This is a work in progress, with much current activity still in the segmentation step. We approach this segmentation as a hierarchical procedure with the distinctive regions of the image, including the general spine region, first being segmented at a gross level of detail, followed by a finer level segmentation of the spine region into individual vertebrae. In this paper we report on work done toward the gross level segmentation and also describe the image-level characteristics of one of the features targeted for the final indexing step.
Tests of Financial Intermediation and Banking Reform in China

We develop tests of financial intermediation by national banking systems that exploit regional financial and economic data. Derived from a model of bank profit maximization, the tests are based on the expectation that in efficient systems, financial intermediation should not be overly influenced by policy variables; should be greater where projects are more profitable and require greater financing—typically in faster growing, richer, industrial areas; and should direct funds to the best projects regardless of where deposits originate. We apply these tests to Chinese provincial data from 1991-97 for all state banks, the Agricultural Bank of China, rural credit cooperatives, and other financial institutions. China implemented a series of widely publicized financial reforms in the mid-1990s designed to improve bank performance. However, descriptive and estimation results suggest that the importance of state bank policy lending (to support SOEs and finance agricultural procurement) has increased, not fallen, during the recent period, and lending does not respond to economic fundamentals. Only the group of smaller, less-regulated financial institutions appear commercially oriented. Despite reforms, significant barriers to efficient inter-regional financial intermediation remain.
Unstructured human activity detection from RGBD images

Being able to detect and recognize human activities is essential for several applications, including personal assistive robotics. In this paper, we perform detection and recognition of unstructured human activity in unstructured environments. We use a RGBD sensor (Microsoft Kinect) as the input sensor, and compute a set of features based on human pose and motion, as well as based on image and point-cloud information. Our algorithm is based on a hierarchical maximum entropy Markov model (MEMM), which considers a person's activity as composed of a set of sub-activities. We infer the two-layered graph structure using a dynamic programming approach. We test our algorithm on detecting and recognizing twelve different activities performed by four people in different environments, such as a kitchen, a living room, an office, etc., and achieve good performance even when the person was not seen before in the training set.1
Task-specific organization of activity in human jaw muscles.

Coordination of jaw muscle activity for speech production sometimes has been modeled using nonspeech behaviors. This orientation has been especially true in representations of mandibular movement i...
Perspective on gravitational self-force analyses

A point particle of mass μ moving on a geodesic creates a perturbation hab, of the spacetime metric gab, that diverges at the particle. Simple expressions are given for the singular μ/r part of hab and its tidal distortion caused by the spacetime. This singular part hSab is described in different coordinate systems and in different gauges. Subtracting hSab from hab leaves a regular remainder hRab. The self-force on the particle from its own gravitational field adjusts the worldline at O(μ) to be a geodesic of gab + hRab; this adjustment includes all of the effects of radiation reaction. For the case that the particle is a small non-rotating black hole, we give a uniformly valid approximation to a solution of the Einstein equations, with a remainder of O(μ2) as μ → 0. An example presents the actual steps involved in a self-force calculation. Gauge freedom introduces ambiguity in perturbation analysis. However, physically interesting problems avoid this ambiguity.
The isovector quadrupole-quadrupole interaction used in shell model calculations

Abstract The interaction −χQ · Q(1 + Bτ(1) · τ(2)) is used in a shell model calculation for 10Be. Whereas for B = 0 the 21+ state is two-fold degenerate, introducing a negative B causes an “isovector” 2+ state to come down to zero energy at B = −0.67 and an S = 1, L = 1 triplet (J = 0+, 1+, 2+) to come down to zero energy at B = −0.73. These are undesirable properties, but a large negative B is apparently needed to fit the energy of the isovector giant quadrupole resonance.
Slow emergence of cooperation for win-stay lose-shift on trees

We consider a group of agents on a graph who repeatedly play the prisoner's dilemma game against their neighbors. The players adapt their actions to the past behavior of their opponents by applying the win-stay lose-shift strategy. On a finite connected graph, it is easy to see that the system learns to cooperate by converging to the all-cooperate state in a finite time. We analyze the rate of convergence in terms of the size and structure of the graph. Dyer et al. (2002) showed that the system converges rapidly on the cycle, but that it takes a time exponential in the size of the graph to converge to cooperation on the complete graph. We show that the emergence of cooperation is exponentially slow in some expander graphs. More surprisingly, we show that it is also exponentially slow in bounded-degree trees, where many other dynamics are known to converge rapidly.
A generalized hybrid transfinite element computational approach for nonlinear/linear unified thermal-structural analysis

The present paper describes the development of a new hybrid computational approach for applicability for nonlinear/linear thermal structural analysis. The proposed transfinite element approach is a hybrid scheme as it combines the modeling versatility of contemporary finite elements in conjunction with transform methods and the classical Bubnov-Galerkin schemes. Applicability of the proposed formulations for nonlinear analysis is also developed. Several test cases are presented to include nonlinear/linear unified thermal-stress and thermal-stress wave propagations. Comparative results validate the fundamental capablities of the proposed hybrid transfinite element methodology.