cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AWESOME: A general multiagent learning algorithm that converges in self-play and learns a best response against stationary opponents

Two minimal requirements for a satisfactory multiagent learning algorithm are that it 1. learns to play optimally against stationary opponents and 2. converges to a Nash equilibrium in self-play. The previous algorithm that has come closest, WoLF-IGA, has been proven to have these two properties in 2-player 2-action (repeated) games--assuming that the opponent's mixed strategy is observable. Another algorithm, ReDVaLeR (which was introduced after the algorithm described in this paper), achieves the two properties in games with arbitrary numbers of actions and players, but still requires that the opponents' mixed strategies are observable. In this paper we present AWESOME, the first algorithm that is guaranteed to have the two properties in games with arbitrary numbers of actions and players. It is still the only algorithm that does so while only relying on observing the other players' actual actions (not their mixed strategies). It also learns to play optimally against opponents that eventually become stationary. The basic idea behind AWESOME (Adapt When Everybody is Stationary, Otherwise Move to Equilibrium) is to try to adapt to the others' strategies when they appear stationary, but otherwise to retreat to a precomputed equilibrium strategy. We provide experimental results that suggest that AWESOME converges fast in practice. The techniques used to prove the properties of AWESOME are fundamentally different from those used for previous algorithms, and may help in analyzing future multiagent learning algorithms as well.
Intravascular ultrasound detection and delivery of molecularly targeted microbubbles for gene delivery

We are investigating the combination of microbubble-based targeted drug delivery and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging as a potential therapy to reduce incidence of restenosis following stent placement in atherosclerotic coronary arteries. The goal of these studies was to determine whether IVUS could be used to detect targeted microbubbles and enhance drug/gene delivery through targeting. Quiescent vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were stimulated with cytokine IL-1β to induce the inflammatory cell surface marker vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1). Molecular-targeted (VCAM-1 Ab or IgG control Ab), fluorescent-labeled microbubbles were conjugated with plasmid DNA expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP, pMax-GFP) and exposed to the inflamed SMCs under flow to measure adhesion compared with control microbubbles. Gene delivery was performed using a modified IVUS catheter to generate 1.5-MHz ultrasound at 200 kPa. Detection of adherent microbubbles to inflamed SMCs in culture and flow chambers was measured using an IVUS catheter and scanner. VCAM-1-targeted microbubbles enhanced adhesion to inflamed SMCs 100-fold over nontargeted microbubbles. Compared with noninflamed SMCs, VCAM-1-targeted microbubbles exhibited a 7.9-fold increase in adhesion to IL-1β-treated cells. Targeted microbubbles resulted in a 5.5-fold increase in plasmid DNA transfection over nontargeted microbubbles in conjunction with a focused 2.54-cm (1-in) diameter 1-MHz transducer and also enhanced transfection by the modified IVUS transducer at 1.5 MHz. Targeted microbubbles (at a density of 3 × 104 microbubbles/mm2) increased IVUS image intensity 13.2 dB over non-microbubble-coated surfaces. Rupture of microbubbles from the modified IVUS transducer resulted in a 53% reduction in image intensity. Taken together, these results indicate that IVUS may be used to detect targeted microbubbles to inflamed vasculature and subsequently deliver a gene/drug locally.
Numerical Simulation of the Generation of Axisymmetric Mode Jet Screech Tones

An imperfectly expanded supersonic jet invariably radiates both broadband noise and discrete frequency sound called screech tones. Screech tonesareknown to begenerated by a feedback loop driven by the large-scaleinstabilitywavesofthejete ow. Insidethejet plumeisa quasiperiodicshockcellstructure.Theinteractionoftheinstability waves and the shock cell structure, as the former propagates through the latter, is responsible for the generation of the tones. Currently, there are formulas that can predict the tone frequency fairly accurately. However, there is no known way to predict the screech tone intensity. In this work, the screech phenomenon of an axisymmetric jet at low supersonic Mach number is reproduced by numerical simulation. The computed mean velocity proe les and the shock cell pressure distribution of the jet are found to be in good agreement with experimental measurements. The same is true with the simulated screech frequency. Calculated screech tone intensity and directivity at selected jet Mach number are reported. The present results demonstrate that numerical simulation using computational aeroacoustic methods offers not only a reliable way to determine the screech tone intensity and directivity but also an opportunity to study the physics and detailed mechanisms of the phenomenon by an entirely new approach.
λ-Size silicon modulator

We report an experimental demonstration of a 3X-size, silicon waveguide-integrated electro-optic modulator with a record high extinction ratio exceeding 1dB/μm, extremely low insertion loss (−1dB) in the ON-state, and an ultra-broadband (>0.5μm) bandwidth based on free-carrier switching in ITO.
An informatics approach to medication adherence assessment and improvement using clinical, billing, and patient-entered data

The aim of this study was to describe an integrated informatics approach to aggregating and displaying clinically relevant data that can identify problems with medication adherence and facilitate patient–provider communication about strategies to improve medication use. We developed a clinical dashboard within an electronic health record (EHR) system that uses data from three sources: the medical record, pharmacy claims, and a personal health record. The data are integrated to inform clinician–patient discussions about medication adherence. Whereas prior research on assessing patterns of medication adherence focused on a single approach using the EHR, pharmacy data, or patient-entered data, we present an approach that integrates multiple electronic data sources increasingly found in practice. Medication adherence is a complex challenge that requires patient and provider team input, necessitating an integrated approach using advanced EHR, clinical decision support, and patient-controlled technologies. Future research should focus on integrated strategies to provide patients and providers with the right combination of informatics tools to help them adequately address the challenge of adherence to complex medication therapies.
A Reconstruction of Quantum Mechanics

We show that exactly the same intuitively plausible definitions of state, observable, symmetry, dynamics, and compound systems of the classical Boolean structure of intrinsic properties of systems lead, when applied to the structure of extrinsic, relational quantum properties, to the standard quantum formalism, including the Schrodinger equation and the von Neumann–Luders Projection Rule. This approach is then applied to resolving the paradoxes and difficulties of the orthodox interpretation.
Homeomorphisms which are Dehn twists on the boundary

A homeomorphism of a 3–manifold M is said to be Dehn twists on the boundary when its restriction to ∂M is isotopic to the identity on the complement of a collection of disjoint simple closed curves in ∂M. In this paper, we give various results about such collections of curves and the associated homeomorphisms. In particular, if M is compact, orientable, irreducible and ∂M is a single torus, and M admits a homeomorphism which is a nontrivial Dehn twist on ∂M, then M must be a solid torus.
Novel computational methods for high‐dimensional stochastic sensitivity analysis

SUMMARY This paper presents three new computational methods for calculating design sensitivities of statistical moments and reliability of high-dimensional complex systems subject to random input. The first method represents a novel integration of the polynomial dimensional decomposition (PDD) of a multivariate stochastic response function and score functions. Applied to the statistical moments, the method provides mean-square convergent analytical expressions of design sensitivities of the first two moments of a stochastic response. The second and third methods, relevant to probability distribution or reliability analysis, exploit two distinct combinations built on PDD: the PDD-saddlepoint approximation (SPA) or PDD-SPA method, entailing SPA and score functions; and the PDD-Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) or PDD-MCS method, utilizing the embedded MCS of the PDD approximation and score functions. For all three methods developed, the statistical moments or failure probabilities and their design sensitivities are both determined concurrently from a single stochastic analysis or simulation. Numerical examples, including a 100-dimensional mathematical problem, indicate that the new methods developed provide not only theoretically convergent or accurate design sensitivities, but also computationally efficient solutions. A practical example involving robust design optimization of a three-hole bracket illustrates the usefulness of the proposed methods. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Empirical policy functions as benchmarks for evaluation of dynamic capital structure models

This paper presents a set of benchmark moments for evaluation or estimation of quantitative capital structure models. The moments are directly related to the models being studied: the main features of each models’ empirical policy functions. The paper shows how to calculate these benchmarks and shows that they capture a substantial part of the actual variation in rms actions in the data. Two versions of these benchmarks are presented: one dimensional ones and two dimensional ones. In both cases we express these as the total change in the control variable and the change relative to the change in the state variable. The empirical policy functions turn out to be smooth and mostly monotonous. Three key numbers that we suggest quantitative dynamic models have match closely are that within rms, for every 10% increase in debt relative to assets investment relative to assets declines 3.7%, debt issuance relative to market value decreases 1.1% and equity issuance relative to market value increases 0.5%.
A gaussian kinematic formula

Our aim in this chapter is to show you how to prove the Gaussian kinematic formula, (1.3.3). That is, that for \( f:M\rightarrow\mathbb{R}^d, \)with component random fields \(f_1,\ldots,f_d\) which are smooth, zero mean, unit variance, and Gaussian, and where M and \(D\subset\mathbb{R}^d\) are nice enough, $$\mathbb{E}\{{\mathcal{L}_i}(A(f,M,D))\}=\sum\limits_{j=0}^{{\rm dim}M-i }\left[\begin{array}{ll}i+j\cr j\end{array}\right](2\pi)^{-j/2}\mathcal{L}_{i+j}(M)\mathcal{M}_j^i(D).$$ (4.0.1)
Image Steganography and Steganalysis: Concepts and Practice

In the last few years, we have seen many new and powerful steganography and steganalysis techniques reported in the literature. In the following paper we go over some general concepts and ideas that apply to steganography and steganalysis. Specifically we establish a framework and define notion of security for a steganographic system. We show how conventional definitions do not really adequately cover image steganography and an provide alternate definition. We also review some of the more recent image steganography and steganalysis techniques.
Issues in Overturning a Medical Model of Social Work Practice

EMERGENCE OF a healthoriented paradigm of human behavior is particularly felicitous for the social work profession. In its implicit emphasis on growth-enhancing possibilities for human beings, a healthoriented model strikes an affinity with the value base of the profession and stimulates reaffirmation of principles of practice that have always been present. Recent works by Germain and Gitterman. Pincus and Minahan. Meyer, and others have begun to translate the principles of a health model into practice.' The promise of this new view still outstrips its application, in particular, awareness of conceptual traps, which can mute the full force of the new view, is necessary. In any process of change, the weight of old assumptions tends to color the radical possibilities in the new paradigms, leading to a diminished understanding and application of the new principles. While working toward conceptualizations of behavior that center on health, those In the profession must be equally attentive to sabotage
New phases of finite temperature gauge theory from an extended action

We study the behavior of the order parameter, the phase diagram, and the thermodynamics of exotic phases of finite temperature gauge theory. Lattice si mulations were performed in SU(3) and SU(4) with an adjoint Polyakov loop term added to the standard Wilson action. In SU(3), the pattern of Z(3) symmetry breaking in the new phase is distinct from the pattern observed in the deconfined phase. In SU(4), the Z(4) symmetry is spontaneously broken down to Z(2), representing a partially-confined phase. The existence of t he new phases is confirmed in analytical calculations of the free energy based on high-temperature perturbation theory.
Evaluation of prompt fission gamma rays for use in simulating nuclear safeguard measurements

Abstract Nondestructive assay methods that rely on measurement of correlated gamma rays from fission have been proposed as a means to determine the mass of fissile materials. Sensitivity studies for such measurements will require knowledge of the multiplicity of prompt gamma rays from fission; however, a very limited number of multiplicity distributions have been measured. A method is proposed to estimate the average number of gamma rays from any fission process by using the correlation of neutron and gamma emission in fission. Using this method, models for the total prompt gamma ray energy from fission adequately reproduce the measured value for thermal neutron induced fission of 233 U. Likewise, the average energy of prompt gamma rays from fission has been adequately estimated using a simple linear model. Additionally, a method to estimate the multiplicity distribution of prompt gamma rays from fission is proposed based on a measured distribution for 252 Cf. These methods are only approximate at best and should only be used for sensitivity studies. Measurements of the multiplicity distribution of prompt gamma rays from fission should be performed to determine the adequacy of the models proposed in this article.
Making real-time reactive systems reliable

A reactive system is characterized by a control program that interacts with an environment (or controlled program). The control program monitors the environment and reacts to significant events by sending commands to the environment. This structure is quite general. Not only are most embedded real time systems reactive systems, but so are monitoring and debugging systems and distributed application management systems. Since reactive systems are usually long running and may control physical equipment, fault tolerance is vital. The research tries to understand the principal issues of fault tolerance in real time reactive systems and to build tools that allow a programmer to design reliable, real time reactive systems. In order to make real time reactive systems reliable, several issues must be addressed: (1) How can a control program be built to tolerate failures of sensors and actuators. To achieve this, a methodology was developed for transforming a control program that references physical value into one that tolerates sensors that can fail and can return inaccurate values; (2) How can the real time reactive system be built to tolerate failures of the control program. Towards this goal, whether the techniques presented can be extended to real time reactive systems is investigated; and (3) How can the environment be specified in a way that is useful for writing a control program. Towards this goal, whether a system with real time constraints can be expressed as an equivalent system without such constraints is also investigated.
Determining Rotation Rates from Light Curves: RW Mon and RW Tau

We present light curve solutions for the non-synchronously rotating Algols RW Mon and RW Tau, and we illustrate how rotation rates are determined from light curves. We find RW Mon’s primary component to spin at about 5 times the synchronous rate, which confirms the indication of fast rotation from reported emission line activity. RW Tau turns out to be only a mildly rapidly rotating Algol system, and our light curve solutions do not yield any firm value for the rotation rate of the primary component. It is suggested that continued efforts should be made to do good quality line broadening studies in order to find rotation rates for systems with only modest degrees of rapid rotation, and in order to further test photometric rotation rates against those of line broadening studies.
Preparation and characterization of electrostrictive polyurethane films with conductive polymer electrodes

All-polymer electrostrictive soft films were developed for the first time by depositing conductive polymer (polypyrrole) directly on both sides of solution-cast electrostrictive polyurethane elastomer films. The final composite films are flexible with strong adhesion between the polyurethane film and the conductive polymer electrode. The conductivity (sheet resistivity ∼1000 Ω/□), of the polymer electrode is appropriate for its intended use. The compatible interface between the polypyrrole electrode polymer and the electrostrictive polyurethane significantly improves the acoustic and optical transparency of these composite films, compared with using a metal electrode film. The all-polymer films also exhibit comparable dielectric properties to gold-electroded polyurethane films in the temperature range from −40°C to +80°C. The temperature range covers the soft segment glass transition temperature of the polyurethane elastomers, which is about −20°C. The films also show large electric field induced strain responses which are dependent on film thickness and measurement frequency. The electrostrictive characteristics in the all-polymer films show similarities to those of the films with gold electrodes under identical measurement conditions. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent Developments in Solid-Propellant Binders

Abstract The complex and important role of the propellant binder in solid-propellant rockets is described. The severe weight problems of space exploratrion cause high propellant performance to be of major concern in a highly competitive field. Binders contribute to performance, not only in terms of fuel value, but by being compatible with energetic components and by providing good mechanical properties. Both sterilization required for planetary landings and compatibility problems of new energetic oxidizers generate new requirements too stringent for existing binders; only binders composed essentially of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon are predicted to be suitable. Several saturated-binder developments are in progress. The achievements of one of these programs, based on free-radical synthesis, are evaluated against the goals of the new binder.
γ-Hydroxy Unsaturated Nitriles: Chelation-Controlled Conjugate Additions

Chelation between γ-hydroxy unsaturated nitriles and Grignard reagents promotes an otherwise difficult anionic conjugate addition reaction. The intermediate chelate is readily generated by deprotonation with t-BuMgCl followed by the addition of a second Grignard reagent that triggers an intramolecular conjugate addition. Structurally diverse Grignard reagents add with equal efficiency, providing an intermediate anion that stereoselectively alkylates BnBr in an overall addition−alkylation reaction.
Computing Automorphic Forms on Shimura Curves over Fields with Arbitrary Class Number

We extend methods of Greenberg and the author to compute in the cohomology of a Shimura curve defined over a totally real field with arbitrary class number. Via the Jacquet-Langlands correspondence, we thereby compute systems of Hecke eigenvalues associated to Hilbert modular forms of arbitrary level over a totally real field of odd degree. We conclude with two examples which illustrate the effectiveness of our algorithms.
Conversion of the Barotropic Tide

Using linear wave theory, the rate at which energy is converted into internal gravity waves by the interaction of the barotropic tide with topography in an ocean is calculated. Bell’s formula for the conversion rate is extended to the case of an ocean of finite depth H with weak two-dimensional topography h(x, y) and arbitrary buoyancy frequency N(z). Approximate solutions are computed using the WKB method, which reduce to the previous result for an ocean of infinite depth with constant stratification. The conversion rate for a finite-depth ocean can be substantially smaller than the infinite-ocean prediction when the length scale of the topography is of the same order as the horizontal wavelength of the internal tide. The conversion rate for two-dimensional Gaussian seamounts is calculated. Using observed statistics for the distribution of seamounts, the authors estimate 1/4 GW of conversion for a square of ocean floor of side 1000 km.
Credit Policy in times of Financial Distress

This essay evaluates two central bank policy tools, capital requirements and lending of last resort, designed to avert financial panics in the context of endowment economies with complete markets and limited borrower commitment. Credit panics are self-fulfilling shocks to expected credit conditions which cause transitions from an optimal but fragile steady state to a suboptimal state with zero unsecured credit. The main findings are: (i) Countercyclical reserve policies protect the optimal equilibrium against modest shocks but are powerless against large shocks. (ii) If we ignore private information and central bank inefficiencies, this class of models bears out Bagehot’s 1873 claim in Lombard Street: panics are averted if central banks stand ready to lend at a rate somewhat above the one associated with the optimal state.
A 500 kpc HI Tail of the Virgo Pair NGC4532/DDO137 Detected by ALFALFA

HI observations of the Virgo Cluster pair NGC 4532/DDO 137, conducted as part of the Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA Survey, reveal an HI feature extending ~500kpc to the southwest. The structure has a total mass of up to 7 x 108M⊙, equivalent to 10% of the pair HI mass. Optical R imaging reveals no counterparts to a level of 26.5 mag arcsec−2. The structure is likely the result of galaxy harassment.
Does quantum mechanics clash with the equivalence principle—and does it matter?

With an eye on developing a quantum theory of gravity, many physicists have recently searched for quantum challenges to the equivalence principle of general relativity. However, as historians and philosophers of science are well aware, the principle of equivalence is not so clear. When clarified, we think quantum tests of the equivalence principle won’t yield much. The problem is that the clash/not-clash is either already evident or guaranteed not to exist. Nonetheless, this work does help teach us what it means for a theory to be geometric.
A Bulk Flow Model for Off-Centered Honeycomb Gas Seals

A computational analysis for prediction of the static and dynamic forced performance of gas honeycomb seals at off-centered rotor conditions follows. The bulk-flow analysis, similar to the two-control volume flow model of Kleynhans and Childs (1997, "The Acoustic influence of Cell Depth on the Rotordynamic Characteristics of Smooth-Rotor/ Honeycomb-Stator Annular Gas Seals," ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power, 119, pp. 949-957), is brought without loss of generality into a single-control volume model, thus simplifying the computational process. The formulation accommodates the honeycomb effective cell depth, and existing software for annular pressure seals and is easily upgraded for damper seal analysis. An analytical perturbation method for derivation of zeroth- and first-order flow fields renders the seal equilibrium response and frequency-dependent dynamic force impedances, respectively. Numerical predictions for a centered straight-bore honeycomb gas seal shows good agreement with experimentally identified impedances, hence validating the model and confirming the paramount influence of excitation frequency on the rotordynamic force coefficients of honeycomb seals. The effect of rotor eccentricity on the static and dynamic forced response of a smooth annular seal and a honeycomb seal is evaluated for characteristic pressure differentials and rotor speeds. Leakage for the two seal types increases slightly as the rotor eccentricity increases. Rotor off-centering has a pronounced nonlinear effect on the predicted (and experimentally verified) dynamic force coefficients for smooth seals. However, in honeycomb gas seals, even large rotor center excursions do not sensibly affect the effective local film thickness, maintaining the flow azimuthal symmetry. The current model and predictions thus increase confidence in honeycomb seal design, operating performance, and reliability in actual applications.
Probing F-theory with branes

Abstract Last week, A. Sen found an explicit type I string compactification dual to the eight-dimensional F -theory construction with SO (8) 4 nonabelian gauge symmetry. He found that the perturbations around the enhanced symmetry point were described by the mathematics of the solution of N = 2, d = 4 SU (2) gauge theory with four flavors, and argued more generally that global symmetry enhancement in N = 2, d = 4 gauge theories corresponded to gauge symmetry enhancement in F -theory. We show that these N = 2, d = 4 gauge theories have a physical interpretation in the theory. They are the world-volume theories of 3-branes parallel to the 7-branes. They can be used to probe the structure of the exact quantum F -theory solutions. On the Higgs branch of the moduli space, the objects are equivalent to finite size instantons in the 7-brane gauge theory.
From outsourcing to Cloud computing: evolution of IT services

Purpose – Many organizations are outsourcing their information technology (IT) related services to a third party vendor for quite some time. However, the IT services industry including outsourcing is going through rapid changes with the increasing adoption of Cloud computing. The purpose of this paper is to compare global IT outsourcing with Cloud computing along with the evolution of traditional IT services.Design/methodology/approach – Cloud computing is a model for provisioning and consuming IT capabilities on a need and pay by use basis. This helps in shifting the cost structure from capital expenditure to operating expenditure and also helps the IT systems to be more agile. This innovative model of acquiring IT related services has made organizations revisit their infrastructure and platform services strategy and optimize their IT spending while improving overall agility. This paper compares global IT outsourcing with Cloud computing along with the evolution of traditional IT services.Findings – The ...
Palladium-catalyzed intramolecular C-H difluoroalkylation: synthesis of substituted 3,3-difluoro-2-oxindoles.

The synthesis of 3,3-difluoro-2-oxindoles through a robust and efficient palladium-catalyzed C–H difluoroalkylation is described. This process generates a broad range of difluorooxindoles from readily prepared starting materials. The use of BrettPhos as the ligand was crucial for high efficiency. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that oxidative addition is the rate-determining step for this process.
Synthesis and Characterization of K38Nb7As24 and Cs9Nb2As6: The First Mixed-Valence Transition-Metal Zintl Phases

The two title compounds were prepared by direct reactions of the corresponding elements at high temperature, and their structures were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The structure of K38Nb7As24 (orthorhombic; Cmcm; Z = 4; a = 10.4974(6), b = 23.915(2), c = 36.046(2) A) comprises isolated tetrahedra of NbAs4 and two types of dimers of edge-sharing tetrahedra: dimers containing only NbV, [NbV2As6]8-, and mixed-valence dimers with both NbIV and NbV, [NbIVNbVAs6]9-. The structure of Cs9Nb2As6 (orthorhombic; Pbca; Z = 8; a = 17.5848(7), b = 16.940(2), c = 18.183(4) A) contains only the latter dimers. Magnetic measurements showed Curie−Weiss paramagnetic behavior for both compounds consistent with one unpaired electron/mixed-valence dimer. Cs9Nb2As6 exhibits also an antiferromagnetic transition at about 36 K. The two compounds are the first mixed-valence (of class III) transition-metal Zintl phases.
Automatic metadata generation using associative networks

In spite of its tremendous value, metadata is generally sparse and incomplete, thereby hampering the effectiveness of digital information services. Many of the existing mechanisms for the automated creation of metadata rely primarily on content analysis which can be costly and inefficient. The automatic metadata generation system proposed in this article leverages resource relationships generated from existing metadata as a medium for propagation from metadata-rich to metadata-poor resources. Because of its independence from content analysis, it can be applied to a wide variety of resource media types and is shown to be computationally inexpensive. The proposed method operates through two distinct phases. Occurrence and cooccurrence algorithms first generate an associative network of repository resources leveraging existing repository metadata. Second, using the associative network as a substrate, metadata associated with metadata-rich resources is propagated to metadata-poor resources by means of a discrete-form spreading activation algorithm. This article discusses the general framework for building associative networks, an algorithm for disseminating metadata through such networks, and the results of an experiment and validation of the proposed method using a standard bibliographic dataset.
The short-run and long-run effects of behavioral interventions: Experimental evidence from energy conservation

We document three remarkable features of the Opower program, in which social comparison-based home energy reports are repeatedly mailed to more than six million households nationwide. First, initial reports cause high-frequency “action and backsliding,” but these cycles attenuate over time. Second, if reports are discontinued after two years, effects are relatively persistent, decaying at 10–20 percent per year. Third, consumers are slow to habituate: they continue to respond to repeated treatment even after two years. We show that the previous conservative assumptions about post-intervention persistence had dramatically understated cost effectiveness and illustrate how empirical estimates can optimize program design.(JEL D12, D83, L94, Q41)
Lead-free solder joint reliability : State of the art and perspectives

There is an increasing demand in replacing tin-lead (Sn/Pb) solders with lead-free solders in the electronics industry due to health and environmental concern. The European Union recently passed a law to ban the use of lead in electronic products. The ban will go into effect in July of 2006. The Japanese electronics industry has worked to eliminate lead from consumer electronic products for several years. Although currently there are no specific regulations banning lead in electronics devices in the United States, many companies and consortiums are working on lead-free solder initiatives including Intel, Motorola, Agilent Technologies, General Electric, Boeing, NEMI and many others to avoid a commercial disadvantage. The solder joints reliability not only depends on the solder joint alloys, but also on the component metallization and PCB metallization. Reflow profile has significant impact on lead-free solder joint performance also because it influences wetting and microstructure of the solder joint. Majority researchers use temperature cycling for accelerated reliability testing since the solder joint failure mainly comes from thermal stress due to CTE mismatch. A solder joint failure could be caused by crack initiation and growth or by macroscopic solder facture. There are conflicting views of the reliability comparison between lead-free solders and tin-lead solders. This paper first reviews lead-free solder alloys, lead-free component finishes, and lead-free PCB surface finishes. Tin whisker issue is also discussed. Then the lead-free solder joint testing methods are presented; finite element modeling of lead-free solder joint reliability is reviewed; and experimental data comparing lead-free and tin-lead solder joint reliability are summarized. Finally the paper gives perspectives of transitions to a totally leadfree manufacturing.
A new approach to motor condition monitoring in induction motor drives

An approach for condition monitoring of an electrical machine is proposed. The method uses the power leads of the machine itself as the communication link between the sending station located within the machine and the receiving station located remotely outside the machine. The required communication circuit for realizing data transmission for both the ordinary 60-Hz power line and the special PWM (pulse-width-modulated) inverter-fed power line is constructed. The communication circuit uses an asynchronous serial communication protocol and FSK (frequency shift keying) modulation for realizing frequency multiplexing in the power line. An online winding temperature monitoring system for an inverter-fed induction machine is constructed using this power line communication link. Experimental results demonstrate satisfactory operation of the system. >
Oligonucleotides with strongly fluorescent groups π-Conjugated to a nucleobase: syntheses, melting temperatures, and conformation

Phosphoramidite 1 was prepared, incorporated into oligonucleotides, and these were studied via thermal denaturation and circular dichroism.
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with stable coronary heart disease--is it time to shift our goals?

The evidence of the effectiveness of statins in the treatment of stable coronary heart disease (CHD) continues to grow. Large-scale, randomized, secondary-prevention trials involving patients with ...
Numerical simulations of inviscid capillary pinchoff

Inviscid capillary pinchoff is studied numerically, for an axisymmetric model problem in which a bubble pinches at two points on the symmetry plane, breaking into two symmetric end-bubbles and a satellite bubble in between. Results are presented for a range of density jumps across the bubble. The numerical method uses a formulation in terms of arclength and tangent angle, and incorporates a new procedure to redistribute the computational points dynamically, in order to maintain resolution in regions of high curvature. The results are compared with alternative computations by Lepinnen and Lister [Phys. Fluids 15 (2003) 568], where available. New results include details about the cone-crater structure near pinchoff, and the dependence of satellite bubble volume and pinchoff time on the density ratio.
High Production Rate Synthesis of CdS Nanoparticles Using a Reverse Oscillatory Flow Method

A reverse oscillatory flow (ROF) mixing system is discussed having a reaction channel 460 μm high by 152 mm wide for high flow rate processing of nanoparticle chemistries. The ROF system is demonstrated to produce CdS nanoparticles at a production rate of 115.7 g/hour with a coefficient of variation for particle size down to 19%. These production rates are substantially higher than those achieved using other microchannel mixers while maintaining comparable size distributions. Advantages of the ROF approach include the use of larger microchannels which make the reactor easier to fabricate and less vulnerable to clogging.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Total synthesis of bryostatins: the development of methodology for the atom-economic and stereoselective synthesis of the ring C subunit.

Bryostatins, a family of structurally complicated macrolides, exhibit an exceptional range of biological activities. The limited availability and structural complexity of these molecules makes development of an efficient total synthesis particularly important. This article describes our initial efforts towards the total synthesis of bryostatins, in which chemoselective and atom-economical methods for stereoselective assembly of the C-ring subunit were developed. A Pd-catalyzed tandem alkyne-alkyne coupling/6-endo-dig cyclization sequence was explored and successfully pursued in the synthesis of a dihydropyran ring system. Elaboration of this methodology ultimately led to a concise synthesis of the C-ring subunit of bryostatins.
Tracing the dark matter sheet in phase space

The primordial velocity dispersion of dark matter is small compared to the velocities attained during structure formation. The initial density distribution is close to uniform and it occupies an initial sheet in phase-space that is single valued in velocity space. Because of gravitational forces, this three dimensional manifold evolves in phase-space without ever tearing, conserving phase-space volume and preserving the connectivity of nearby points. N{body simulations already follow the motion of this sheet in phase-space. This fact can be used to extract full ne-grained phase-space structure information from existing cosmological N{body simulations. Particles are considered as the vertices of an unstructured three dimensional mesh moving in six dimensional phase-space. On this mesh, mass density and momentum are uniquely dened. We show how to obtain the space density of the uid, detect caustics, and count the number of streams as well as their individual contributions to any point in conguration-spac e. We calculate the bulk velocity, local velocity dispersions, and densities from the sheet { all without averaging over control volumes. This gives a wealth of new information about dark matter uid ow which had previously been thought of as inaccessible to N{body simulations. We outline how this mapping may be used to create new accurate collisionless uid simulation codes that may be able to overcome the sparse sampling and unphysical two-body eects that
A decomposable transshipment algorithm for a multiperiod transportation problem

A dynamic version of the transportation (Hitchcock) problem occurs when there are demands at each of n sinks for T periods which can be fulfilled by shipments from m sources. A requirement in period t2 can be satisfied by a shipment in the same period (a linear shipping cost is incurred) or by a shipment in period t1 < t2 (in addition to the linear shipping cost a linear inventory cost is incurred for every period in which the commodity is stored). A well known method for solving this problem is to transform it into an equivalent single period transportation problem with mT sources and nT sinks. Our approach treats the model as a transshipment problem consisting of T, m source — n sink transportation problems linked together by inventory variables. Storage requirements are proportional to T2 for the single period equivalent transportation algorithm, proportional to T, for our algorithm without decomposition, and independent of T for our algorithm with decomposition. This storage saving feature enables much larger problems to be solved than were previously possible. Futhermore, we can easily incorporate upper bounds on inventories. This is not possible in the single period transportation equivalent.
Criteria for Balance in Abelian Gain Graphs, with Applications to Piecewise-Linear Geometry

Consider a gain graph with abelian gain group having no odd torsion. If there is a basis of the graph’s binary cycle space, each of whose members can be lifted to a closed walk whose gain is the identity, then the gain graph is balanced, provided that the graph is finite or the group has no non-trivial infinitely 2-divisible elements. We apply this theorem to deduce a result on the projective geometry of piecewise-linear realizations of cell-decompositions of manifolds.
Peso problem explanations for term structure anomalies

Abstract We investigate whether term structure anomalies in U.S. data may be due to a generalized peso problem, in which a high-interest-rate regime occurred less frequently in the U.S. sample than was rationally anticipated. We formalize this idea by estimating a regime-switching model of short-term interest rates with data from seven countries. Under the small-sample distributions generated by the model, the expectations hypothesis is rejected. When we allow moderate time variation in term premiums, the term-premium dynamics interact with peso-problem effects to generate small-sample distributions more consistent with the data. Nonetheless, our model cannot fully account for U.S. term structure anomalies.
Drop pinch-off and filament dynamics of wormlike micellar fluids

Observations are presented of several novel phenomena involved in the dynamics of a pendant drop of viscoelastic micellar fluid falling through air. Generally, when a drop falls a filament forms connecting it to the orifice; the filament eventually breaks due to an instability. The filament dynamics and instabilities reported here are very different from the standard Newtonian and non-Newtonian cases. At low surfactant concentration, the cylindrical filament necks down and pinches off rapidly (∼10 ms) at one location along the filament. After pinch-off, the free filament ends retract and no satellite drops are produced. At higher concentrations, the pinch-off also occurs along the filament, but in a more gradual process (∼1 s). Furthermore, the free filament ends do not fully retract, instead retaining some of their deformation. The falling drop is also observed to slow or even stop (stall) before pinch-off, indicating that sufficient elastic stress has built up to balance its weight. We investigate this stall by generalizing Keiller’s simple model for filament motion [J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. 42 (1992) 37], using instead the FENE-CR constitutive equation. Numerical simulations of this model indicate that stall occurs in the range of low solvent viscosity, high elasticity, and high molecular weight. At the highest concentrations, we observe a surface “blistering” instability along the filament long before pinch-off occurs. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Continuous-time system identification on compact parameter sets

The problem of consistent estimation of the unknown parameters of linear time-invariant continuous-time systems is considered. The unknown parameter set is assumed to be compact, and only noisy observations of the system output are available. Sufficient conditions are derived for global strong consistency of the maximum-likelihood parameter estimates. The consistency proof exploits a recent result due to Delchamps concerning smoothness of the algebraic Riccati equation in the system parameters. This smoothness result has been tacitly assumed in the literature on local consistency of the parameter estimates. The previous global consistency results have been obtained under the restrictive assumption of finite parameter sets.
Beating Simplex for Fractional Packing and Covering Linear Programs

We give an approximation algorithm for packing and covering linear programs (linear programs with non-negative coefficients). Given a constraint matrix with n non-zeros, r rows, and c columns, the algorithm (with high probability) computes feasible primal and dual solutions whose costs are within a factor of I +epsiv of OPT l+ epsiv of OPT (the optimal cost) in time O(n + (r +c) log(n) / epsiv2). For dense problems (with r,c = O(-radicn)) the time is Omega (n log(n) / epsiv2)-linear even as epsiv rarr 0. In comparison, previous Lagrangian-relaxation algorithms generally take at least Omega(n log(n)/epsiv2) time, while (for small epsiv) the Simplex algorithm typically takes at least Omega(n min(r, c)) time.
String Theory: Progress and Problems

String theory builds on the great legacy of Yukawa and Tomonaga: New degrees of freedom and control of the UV are two important themes. This talk will give an overview of some of the progress and some of the unsolved problems that characterize string theory today. It is divided into two parts: Connecting String Theory to the Real World; Gauge Theory/String Theory Duality. Two other major subjects, which I will omit, are Black Holes in String Theory and The Impact of String Theory on Mathematics.
SURVEYING MIGRANT HOUSEHOLDS: A COMPARISON OF CENSUS-BASED, SNOWBALL, AND INTERCEPT POINT SURVEYS #

Few representative surveys of households of migrants exist, limiting the analysis of the effects of international migration on sending families. This paper reports the results of an experiment designed to compare the performance of three alternative survey methods in collecting data from Japanese-Brazilian families, many of whom send migrants to Japan. The three surveys conducted were 1) Households selected randomly from a door-to-door listing using the Brazilian Census to select census blocks; 2) A snowball survey using Nikkei community groups to select the seeds; and 3) An intercept point survey collected at Nikkei community gatherings, ethnic grocery stores, sports clubs, and other locations where family members of migrants are likely to congregate. The authors analyze how closely well-designed snowball and intercept point surveys can approach the much more expensive census-based method in terms of giving information on the characteristics of migrants, the level of remittances received, and the incidence and determinants of return migration.
Hydrogen from catalytic reforming of biomass-derived hydrocarbons in liquid water

Concerns about the depletion of fossil fuel reserves and the pollution caused by continuously increasing energy demands make hydrogen an attractive alternative energy source. Hydrogen is currently derived from nonrenewable natural gas and petroleum, but could in principle be generated from renewable resources such as biomass or water. However, efficient hydrogen production from water remains difficult and technologies for generating hydrogen from biomass, such as enzymatic decomposition of sugars, steam-reforming of bio-oils and gasification, suffer from low hydrogen production rates and/or complex processing requirements. Here we demonstrate that hydrogen can be produced from sugars and alcohols at temperatures near 500 K in a single-reactor aqueous-phase reforming process using a platinum-based catalyst. We are able to convert glucose -- which makes up the major energy reserves in plants and animals -- to hydrogen and gaseous alkanes, with hydrogen constituting 50% of the products. We find that the selectivity for hydrogen production increases when we use molecules that are more reduced than sugars, with ethylene glycol and methanol being almost completely converted into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. These findings suggest that catalytic aqueous-phase reforming might prove useful for the generation of hydrogen-rich fuel gas from carbohydrates extracted from renewable biomass and biomass waste streams.
Chandra observations of the nucleus of M33

The nearby galaxy M33 hosts the most luminous steady X-ray source in the Local Group. The high spatial resolution of Chandra allows us to confirm that this ultra-luminous X-ray source is within the nucleus and rule out at the 4.6σ level a previously proposed possible counterpart located 1 arcsec away. The X-ray spectrum is well fitted by a disc blackbody with kTin = 1.18 ± 0.02 keV and Rin(cos θ ) 0.5 = 57 ± 3 km, consistent with earlier results from ASCA and BeppoSAX. The source flux is steady between 1 and 10 4 s( <3 per cent rms variability, 0.5‐10 keV) with a 0.5‐10 keV luminosity of 1.5 × 10 39 erg s −1 . The X-ray properties and an association with a radio source are reminiscent of the galactic microquasar GRS 1915+105.