cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CSR and the Corporate Cyborg: Ethical Corporate Information Security Practices.

Relying heavily on Thomas Dunfee’s work, this article conducts an in-depth analysis of the relationship between law and business ethics in the context of corporate information security. It debunks the two dominant arguments against corporate investment in information security and explains why socially responsible corporate conduct necessitates strong information security practices. This article argues that companies have ethical obligations to improve information security arising out of a duty to avoid knowingly causing harm to others and, potentially, a duty to exercise unique capabilities for the greater social good and to buttress stable functioning of social institutions.
An analysis of the role of firm reputation in the market's reaction to corporate dividends

Abstract This paper analyzes the dynamic behavior of stock prices in response to dividend changes. Firms are hypothesized to develop “reputations” based on the effectiveness with which they signal future earnings through dividend changes. Corporate reputation for reliable signalling is found to be an important determinant of the market's response to a dividend increase, even after controlling for the size of the increase, payout ratio, and earnings predictability. Moreover, results indicate that the strength of the stock price response to dividends is related to the firms's dividend payout ratio.
Bootstrap confidence bands for spectra and cross-spectra

A nonparametric method for setting confidence intervals and confidence bands for spectra and cross-spectra of stationary weakly dependent time series is presented. The proposed methodology involves using a bootstrap resampling scheme that was recently developed for use in time series problems. A computing algorithm is provided, along with guidelines on its practical application. Finally, results of simulations with artificially generated data are shown as an illustration of the method's potential. >
Immunoaffinity adsorption: process-scale isolation of therapeutic-grade biochemicals

This review describes immunoaffinity purification as a tool for the process-scale isolation of high-value, therapeutic-grade biochemicals from complex media. To this end, practicalities of activation, antigen coupling and operation in anti-human IgG monoclonal antibody recovery have been studied using cyanogen-bromide activated Sepharose CL-4B and composite Macrosorb K4AX immobilised with polyclonal human IgG as a model for general immunoaffinity systems. The characteristics required of solid phases are discussed in the context of the efficient application of bioselective processes early in the purification sequences. The importance of the technique for isolating biologically active biomolecules for in-vivo administration has been discussed in the light of current, stringent regulatory requirements. Finally, the prospect of scale-up and automation of the technique has been evaluated.
How descriptive food names bias sensory perceptions in restaurants

Abstract Can a dietitian, restaurateur, marketer, or parent change the perceived taste of a food simply by changing its name? In a six-week cafeteria experiment involving 140 customers, those who ate foods with evocative, descriptive menu names (such as “Succulent Italian Seafood Filet”) generated a larger number of positive comments about the food and rated it as more appealing, tasty, and caloric than those eating regularly-named counterparts (e.g., “Seafood Filet”). The open-ended comments indicated that their evaluations were assimilated with prior taste expectations in a manner that is more deliberate and less automatic than most research typically claims. For practioners, the use of descriptive names may help improve perceptions of foods in institutional settings, and it may help facilitate the introduction of unfamiliar foods.
Rethink the sync

We introduce external synchrony, a new model for local file I/O that provides the reliability and simplicity of synchronous I/O, yet also closely approximates the performance of asynchronous I/O. An external observer cannot distinguish the output of a computer with an externally synchronous file system from the output of a computer with a synchronous file system. No application modification is required to use an externally synchronous file system. In fact, application developers can program to the simpler synchronous I/O abstraction and still receive excellent performance. We have implemented an externally synchronous file system for Linux, called xsyncfs. Xsyncfs provides the same durability and ordering-guarantees as those provided by a synchronously mounted ext3 file system. Yet even for I/O-intensive benchmarks, xsyncfs performance is within 7p of ext3 mounted asynchronously. Compared to ext3 mounted synchronously, xsyncfs is up to two orders of magnitude faster.
Deformation analysis of matrix models

Abstract In this paper we show that the non-linear equations that play a role in Tracy and Widom's analysis of scaling limits for Hermitian Matrix Models are special cases of the monodromy preserving deformation equations first discussed by Sato, Miwa, and Jimbo in the early 1980's.
How Deceptive are Deceptive Visualizations?: An Empirical Analysis of Common Distortion Techniques

In this paper, we present an empirical analysis of deceptive visualizations. We start with an in-depth analysis of what deception means in the context of data visualization, and categorize deceptive visualizations based on the type of deception they lead to. We identify popular distortion techniques and the type of visualizations those distortions can be applied to, and formalize why deception occurs with those distortions. We create four deceptive visualizations using the selected distortion techniques, and run a crowdsourced user study to identify the deceptiveness of those visualizations. We then present the findings of our study and show how deceptive each of these visual distortion techniques are, and for what kind of questions the misinterpretation occurs. We also analyze individual differences among participants and present the effect of some of those variables on participants' responses. This paper presents a first step in empirically studying deceptive visualizations, and will pave the way for more research in this direction.
Time-Distance Imaging of Solar Far-Side Active Regions

It is of great importance to monitor large solar active regions on the far side of the Sun for space weather forecasting, in particular, to predict their appearance before they rotate into our view from the solar east limb. Local helioseismology techniques, including helioseismic holography and time distance, have successfully imaged solar far-side active regions. In this Letter, we further explore the possibility of imaging and improving the image quality of solar far-side active regions by use of time-distance helioseismology. In addition to the previously used scheme with four acoustic signal skips, a five-skip scheme is also included in this newly developed technique. The combination of both four- and five-skip far-side images significantly enhances the signal-to-noise ratio in the far-side images and reduces spurious signals. The accuracy of the far-side active region imaging is also assessed using one whole year's solar observation.
Integer parameter estimation in linear models with applications to GPS

We consider parameter estimation in linear models when some of the parameters are known to be integers. Such problems arise, for example, in positioning using carrier phase measurements in the global positioning system (GPS), where the unknown integers enter the equations as the number of carrier signal cycles between the receiver and the satellites when the carrier signal is initially phase locked. Given a linear model, we address two problems: (1) the problem of estimating the parameters and (2) the problem of verifying the parameter estimates. We show that with additive Gaussian measurement noise the maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters are given by solving an integer least-squares problem. Theoretically, this problem is very difficult computationally (NP-hard); verifying the parameter estimates (computing the probability of estimating the integer parameters correctly) requires computing the integral of a Gaussian probability density function over the Voronoi cell of a lattice. This problem is also very difficult computationally. However, by using a polynomial-time algorithm due to Lenstra, Lenstra, and Lovasz (1982), the LLL algorithm, the integer least-squares problem associated with estimating the parameters can be solved efficiently in practice; sharp upper and lower bounds can be found on the probability of correct integer parameter estimation. We conclude the paper with simulation results that are based on a synthetic GPS setup.
Index Coding Capacity: How Far Can One Go With Only Shannon Inequalities?

An interference alignment perspective is used to identify the simplest instances (minimum possible number of edges in the alignment graph, not more than 2 interfering messages at any destination) of index coding problems where non-Shannon information inequalities are necessary for capacity characterization. In particular, this includes the first known example of a multiple unicast (one destination per message) index coding problem where non-Shannon information inequalities are shown to be necessary. The simplest multiple unicast example has 7 edges in the alignment graph and 11 messages. The simplest multiple groupcast (multiple destinations per message) example has 6 edges in the alignment graph, 6 messages, and 10 receivers. For both the simplest multiple unicast and multiple groupcast instances, the best outer bound based on only Shannon inequalities is 2/5, which is tightened to 11/28 by the use of the Zhang–Yeung non-Shannon type information inequality, and the linear capacity is shown to be 5/13 using the Ingleton inequality. Conversely, identifying the minimal challenging aspects of the index coding problem allows an expansion of the class of solved index coding problems up to (but not including) these instances.
Synthesis of distributed control and communication schemes from global LTL specifications

We introduce a technique for synthesis of control and communication strategies for a team of agents from a global task specification given as a Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) formula over a set of properties that can be satisfied by the agents. We consider a purely discrete scenario, in which the dynamics of each agent is modeled as a finite transition system. The proposed computational framework consists of two main steps. First, we extend results from concurrency theory to check whether the specification is distributable among the agents. Second, we generate individual control and communication strategies by using ideas from LTL model checking. We apply the method to automatically deploy a team of miniature cars in our Robotic Urban-Like Environment.
A platform pathway for production of 3-hydroxyacids provides a biosynthetic route to 3-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone

The replacement of petroleum feedstocks with biomass to produce platform chemicals requires the development of appropriate conversion technologies. 3-Hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone has been identified as one such chemical; however, there are no naturally occurring biosynthetic pathways for this molecule or its hydrolyzed form, 3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid. Here we design a novel pathway to produce various chiral 3-hydroxyacids, including 3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid, consisting of enzymes that condense two acyl-CoAs, stereospecifically reduce the resulting β-ketone and hydrolyze the CoA thioester to release the free acid. Acetyl-CoA serves as one substrate for the condensation reaction, whereas the second is produced intracellularly by a pathway enzyme that converts exogenously supplied organic acids. Feeding of butyrate, isobutyrate and glycolate results in the production of 3-hydroxyhexanoate, 3-hydroxy-4-methylvalerate and 3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid+3-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone, respectively, molecules with potential uses in applications from materials to medicines. We also unexpectedly observe the condensation reaction resulting in the production of the 2,3-dihydroxybutyric acid isomer, a potential value-added monomer.
Triplet pairing in neutron matter

Abstract The separation method developed earlier by us [Nucl. Phys. A 598 390 (1996)] to calculate and analyze solutions of the BCS gap equation for 1 S 0 pairing is extended and applied to 3 P 2 – 3 F 2 pairing in pure neutron matter. The pairing matrix elements are written as a separable part plus a remainder that vanishes when either momentum variable is on the Fermi surface. This decomposition effects a separation of (i) the problem of determining the dependence of the gap components in a spin-angle representation on the magnitude of the momentum (described by a set of functions independent of magnetic quantum number) from (ii) the problem of determining the dependence of the gap on angle or magnetic projection. The former problem is solved through a set of nonsingular, quasilinear integral equations, providing inputs for solution of the latter problem through a coupled system of algebraic equations for a set of numerical coefficients. An incisive criterion is given for finding the upper critical density for closure of the triplet gap. The separation method and its development for triplet pairing exploit the existence of a small parameter, given by a gap-amplitude measure divided by the Fermi energy. The revised BCS equations admit analysis revealing universal properties of the full set of solutions for 3 P 2 pairing in the absence of tensor coupling, referring especially to the energy degeneracy and energetic order of these solutions. The angle-average approximation introduced by Baldo et al. is illuminated in terms of the separation-transformed BCS problem and the small parameter expansion. Numerical calculations of 3 P 2 pairing parameters and gap functions, with and without coupling to the 3 F 2 state, are carried out for pairing matrix elements supplied by (vacuum) two-neutron interactions that fit nucleon–nucleon scattering data. It is emphasized that ab initio evaluation of the in-medium particle–particle interaction and associated single-particle energies will be required if a reliable quantitative description of nucleonic superfluids is to be achieved.
Conformal Properties of Pseudoparticle Configurations

The known Euclidean Yang-Mills pseudoparticle solutions with Pontryagin index $n$ are parametrized by $5n$ constants describing the size and location of each pseudoparticle. By insisting on conformal covariance of the solutions, we show that more general solutions exist---they are parametrized by $5n+4$ constants. We further demonstrate that the additional degrees of freedom are not gauge artifacts and correspond to a new degeneracy of pseudoparticle configurations.
Field demonstrations of active laser ranging with sub-mm precision

Precision ranging between planets will provide valuable information for scientific studies of the solar system and fundamental physics. Current passive ranging techniques using retro-reflectors are limited to the Earth-Moon distance due to 1/R 4 losses. We report on a laboratory realization and field implementation of active laser ranging in real-time with two terminals, emulating interplanetary distances. Sub-millimeter accuracy is demonstrated.
Evidence-based medicine

Evidence-based medicine aims to identify, critically appraise and apply the best available evidence in making decisions about the care of patients. These aims are similar to those which conscientious clinicians have always tried to achieve. An evidence-based approach applies a systematic and rigorous methodology to this process to ensure that the evidence which is applied is relevant and of high quality. The use of this methodology limits bias (systematic errors) and reduces random errors (simple mistakes), thus providing reliable results on which to draw conclusions and make decisions. Meta-analysis, when used appropriately, can provide more precise estimates of the effects of healthcare than those derived from the individual studies included in a review. Systematic reviews also provide summaries of the results of evidence-based healthcare. These are available to all interested individuals, including clinicians, healthcare administrators and patients.
Elastic properties of fiber-reinforced shells.

The applicability of classical laminated thin-shell theory to the calculation of elastic coefficients of fiber-reinforced shells is demonstrated. It is assumed that currently available techniques can be used to calculate the elastic coefficients of a unidirectional layer in terms of fiber and matrix elastic constants and volume percent of fiber content. The unidirectional system is then treated as being homogeneous and anisotropic. Considering a multidirectional composite as being constructed of unidirectional layers having specified directions of fiber orientation allows laminated thin-shell theory to be applied to the determination of gross elastic properties of the material. The results of this approach often differ drastically from results obtained by treating reinforced shells as simply being homogeneous and anisotropic. This difference is emphasized through use of numerical examples and experimental data. In particular, it is shown that the modulus of elasticity in bending and the modulus of elasticity under plane deformations can be quite different. The magnitude of this difference is shown to be a function of unidirectional properties, order of stacking of the individual layers, and number of layers.
On detecting diffuse ultraviolet radiation of cosmological origin

The intensity of diffuse extragalactic background radiation is determined by the integrated emission of all sources along a given line of sight through the Universe and by absorption due to intervening cool gas and dust. Due to red-shift and lookback-time effects, more distant objects contribute at a given wave-length today with light emitted at earlier epochs at shorter wave-lengths. Possible sources of ultraviolet (100÷3000) A emission include, but may not be restricted to, galaxies and quasars, a lukewarm or photoionized dense intergalactic medium and a cosmological sea of decaying massive neutrinos and photinos formed in the hot big bang. The resultant complex spatial intensity pattern and spectral distribution will appear superimposed on an intense galactic emission source whose main characteristics have yet to be clearly and satisfactorily established. Although substantial progress has been made recently in understanding galactic emission mechanisms, the remaining uncertainties substantially limit the accuracy with which a cosmologically significant signal may be disentangled from the diffuse galactic background «noise».
A matrix model for AdS2

A matrix quantum mechanics with potential V = q2/r2 and an SL(2,) conformal symmetry is conjectured to be dual to two-dimensional type 0A string theory on AdS2 with q units of RR flux.
Conformational flexibility of ribosomal decoding-site RNA monitored by fluorescent pteridine base analogues

Abstract Conformational transitions in ribosomal decoding-site RNA have previously been monitored by replacement of flexible adenine bases with fluorescent 2-aminopurine (2AP). Here, we have studied pteridine base analogues 3-methylisoxanthopterin (3MI) and 6-methylisoxanthopterin (6MI) as fluorescent labels for the investigation of conformational changes in the decoding site that are triggered by ligand binding. The higher quantum yield of 3MI and 6MI along with their relatively red-shifted excitation and emission wavelengths renders the pteridines interesting alternatives to 2AP for the establishment of ligand-binding assays for RNA based on fluorescence labelling.
Manifolds with 1/4-pinched curvature are space forms

Let (M,g_0) be a compact Riemannian manifold with pointwise 1/4-pinched sectional curvatures. We show that the Ricci flow deforms g_0 to a constant curvature metric. The proof uses the fact, also established in this paper, that positive isotropic curvature is preserved by the Ricci flow in all dimensions. We also rely on earlier work of Hamilton and of Bohm and Wilking.
EXAMPLES OF NON-TRIVIAL ROOTS OF UNITY AT IDEAL POINTS OF HYPERBOLIC 3-MANIFOLDS

Abstract This paper gives examples of hyperbolic 3-manifolds whose SL(2, C ) character varieties have ideal points for which the associated roots of unity are not ±1. This answers a question of Cooper, Culler, Gillet, Long, and Shalen as to whether roots of unity other than ±1 occur.
Crystal growth of Ln3GaO6 (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd): Structural and optical properties

Abstract Single crystals of Ln 3 GaO 6 (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd) were grown out of a reactive high temperature hydroxide melt. The structures were solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These gallium oxides crystallize in the polar space group Cmc 2 1 where the orientation of the GaO 4 tetrahedra determines the polarity of the structure. The atomic positions along with the determination of the absolute structure are reported. The lanthanide atoms are located in a seven-fold coordination environment forming edge-sharing zigzag-chains. The photoluminescence was investigated and the europium and gadolinium members of this series exhibit intense luminescence in the visible portion of the spectrum.
On attaining reliable software for a secure operating system

This paper presents a general methodology for the design, implementation, and proof of large software systems, each described as a hierarchy of abstract machines. The design and implementation occur in five stages as described in this paper. Formal proof may take place at each stage. We expect the methodology to simplify the proof effort in such a way as to make proof a feasible tool in the development of reliable software. In addition to the anticipated advantages in proof, we feel that the methodology improves a designer's ability to formulate and organize the issues involved in the design of large systems, with additional benefits in system reliability. These advantages remain even if proof is not attempted.We are currently applying this methodology to the design and proof of a secure operating system. Each level in the system acts as a manager of all objects of a particular type (e .g ., directories, segments, linkage sections), and enforces all of the protection rules involved in the manipulation of these objects. In this paper we illustrate the methodology by examining three of the system levels, including specifications, for a simplified version of these levels. We also demonstrate some proofs of security-related properties and of correctness of implementation.
Explaining Intermetropolitan Variation in Housing Prices, Rents and Land Prices

In attempting to explain why housing prices, rents and urban land prices vary so dramatically between U.S. metropolitan areas, a simple model of a metropolitan housing market is presented identifying three interrelated submarkets. Estimating equations for rent, housing prices and urban land prices are identified and estimated using two-stage least squares. The empirical results provide strong support for the theoretical model concerning how these three submarkets interact. The results also suggest that household income and construction costs are the most important factors causing housing prices, rents and land prices to vary between metropolitan areas.
A system for automatic acquisition of three-dimensional data

This paper presents the design of a three-dimensional data acquisition system based on multiple, single-dimensional optical sensors. The system can operate in any of three modes:(1) the tracking of multiple, independent, point light sources(2) the automatic digitization of opaque surfaces(3) the real-time tracking of an unmarked moving object (e.g., tip of user's hand).The design offers such advantages as a lensless sensing system, a minimum reliance on analog measurements, an ease of upgrading to higher precision measurements, an ease of portability, an adjustable field of view, and the ability to operate under normal ambient light conditions. A network of microprocessors is incorporated to minimize processing delays and thus increase data acquisition rates. In its initial application the system will digitize the cranio-facial surfaces of candidates for reconstructive surgery.
Towards the development of non-enediyne approaches for mimicking enediyne chemistry: Design, synthesis and activity of a 1,4-bisdiazonium compound

Abstract 1,4-bisdiazonium compounds, which may be precursors of aryl 1,4-diradicals, have the potential to mimic the DNA cleaving activity of the enediyne antibiotics. To this end, the ability to generate and activate 1,4-bisdiazonium compounds in good yield (e.g., 3 to 4 , 72%) and to use them (e.g., 2 ) for DNA cleavage are demonstrated.
The Universe and the Quantum Computer

It is first pointed out that there is a common mathematical model for the universe and the quantum computer. The former is called the histories approach to quantum mechanics and the latter is called measurement-based quantum computation. Although a rigorous concrete model for the universe has not been completed, a quantum measure and integration theory has been developed which may be useful for future progress. In this work we show that the quantum integral is the unique functional satisfying certain basic physical and mathematical principles. Since the set of paths (or trajectories) for a quantum computer is finite, this theory is easier to treat and more developed. We observe that the sum of the quantum measures of the paths is unity and the total interference vanishes. Thus, constructive interference is always balanced by an equal amount of destructive interference. As an example we consider a simplified two-slit experiment.
Autoionizing States in the Alkalis

Atoms and ions are frequently excited to states which in turn de-excite spontaneously by electron rather than photon emission. This radiationless process, known as autoionization, is energetically possible when an excited state is degenerate in energy with a state in some ionization continuum. The simultaneous excitation of two or more loosely bound electrons (multiple-excitation) or the excitation of a single more tightly bound inner shell electron (core-excitation) are two processes which give rise to discrete or quasi-discrete states that are embedded in a continuum. The rate of autoionization is determined by the magnitude of the matrix element connecting the discrete state with states of the continuum of equal energy. It can be shown that for such matrix elements to be non-zero, the states being mixed must be of the same parity and total angular momentum and moreover, for allowed autoionizing transitions (i.e., transitions induced by the inter-electronic electrostatic or Coulomb interaction) in the L-S coupling approximation, L and S must also be conserved. Forbidden autoionization, which is induced by the magnetic (relativistic) interactions, allows greater freedom on L and S but the rates for such processes (in near neutral systems) are smaller by ~ α4 than those for the allowed process.
Programmed Synthesis of a Contiguous Stereotriad Motif by Triple Stereospecific Reagent-Controlled Homologation

All distinct diastereoisomers of a contiguous stereotriad motif were separately targeted by a triple chain extension of B-phenethyl boronic esters using four unique presentation sequences of enantiomorphs of 1-[2H]-1-chloro-2-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)ethyllithium. The (R)- or (S)-configured chloroalkyllithium reagents were generated by sulfoxide–lithium exchange from the appropriate scalemic p-tolyl chloroalkyl sulfoxides using phenyllithium (THF, −78 °C). Stereotriad synthesis was accomplished in a single reaction vessel [7–19% yield, typical dr ≥ 74 (target):26 (∑ all other isomers)] and implemented by a simple algorithm consisting of reagent charging and temperature cycling events.
On the Emergence of Cities

This paper contains a description of a general class of city formation models. Individual economic agents have preferences for locations that depend upon the population distribution. A location's attractiveness depends upon some combination of its population and its average distance to other agents. Economic variables enter indirectly. Taking this broad perspective leads to a deeper understanding of how cities form as well as of the sensitivity to initial conditions of their locations and sizes. In addition, this class of models supports scenarios where cities emerge: without any assumptions that agents wish to live near or with one another, agents cluster into cities.
Laboratory Evaluation of PDC Drill Bits Under High-Speed and High-Wear Conditions

Recently, five experimental polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit designs were tested in the laboratory at 100 and 500 rpm in three different types of rock: Nugget sandstone, Crab Orchard sandstone, and Sierra White granite. This study describes the testing procedures, summarizes bit performance and wear characteristics, and correlates these experimental results with specific design options such as rake angle, bit profile, and material selection. 4 refs.
Tracking Vector Magnetograms with the Magnetic Induction Equation

The differential affine velocity estimator (DAVE) that we developed in 2006 for estimating velocities from line-of-sight magnetograms is modified to directly incorporate horizontal magnetic fields to produce a differential affine velocity estimator for vector magnetograms (DAVE4VM). The DAVE4VM's performance is demonstrated on the synthetic data from the anelastic pseudospectral ANMHD simulations that were used in the recent comparison of velocity inversion techniques by Welsch and coworkers. The DAVE4VM predicts roughly 95% of the helicity rate and 75% of the power transmitted through the simulation slice. Intercomparison between DAVE4VM and DAVE and further analysis of the DAVE method demonstrates that line-of-sight tracking methods capture the shearing motion of magnetic footpoints but are insensitive to flux emergence - the velocities determined from line-of-sight methods are more consistent with horizontal plasma velocities than with flux transport velocities. These results suggest that previous studies that rely on velocities determined from line-of-sight methods such as the DAVE or local correlation tracking may substantially misrepresent the total helicity rates and power through the photosphere.
An efficient numerical integral in three-dimensional electromagnetic field computations

An improved algorithm for efficiently computing a sinusoid and an exponential integral commonly encountered in method-of-moments solutions is presented. The new algorithm has been tested for accuracy and computer execution time against both numerical integration and other existing numerical algorithms, and has outperformed them. Typical execution time comparisons on several computers are given. >
General virasoro construction on orbifold affine algebra

We obtain the orbifold Virasoro master equation (OVME) at integer order λ, which summarizes the general Virasoro construction on orbifold affine algebra. The OVME includes the Virasoro master equation when λ=1 and contains large classes of stress tensors of twisted sectors of conventional orbifolds at higher λ. The generic construction is like a twisted sector of an orbifold (with nonzero ground state conformal weight) but new constructions are obtained for which we have so far found no conventional orbifold interpretation.
On the complexity of unique solutions

On montre que le probleme de savoir si un cas du probleme du commis voyageur a une solution uniquement optimale est complet pour Δ 2 p
Application of strainrange partitioning to the prediction of creep-fatigue lives of AISI types 304 and 316 stainless steel

As a demonstration of the predictive capabilities of the method of Strainrange Partitioning, published high-temperature, low cycle, creep-fatigue test results on AISI Types 304 and 316 stainless steel were analyzed and calculated cyclic lives compared with observed lives. Predicted lives agreed with observed lives within factors of two for 76 percent, factors of three for 93 percent, and factors of four for 98 percent of the laboratory tests analyzed. Agreement between observed and predicted lives is judged satisfactory considering that the data are associated with a number of variables (two alloys, several heats and heat treatments, a range of temperatures, different testing techniques, etc.) that are not directly accounted for in the calculations.
Fuzzy model-reference adaptive control

This paper proposes a fuzzy model-reference adaptive control (fuzzy-MRAC) to deal with controlling a plant with unknown parameters which are dependent on known variables. The proposed method uses the fuzzy basis function expansion (FBFE) to represent the unknown parameters and change the identification problem from identifying the original unknown parameters to identifying the coefficients of the FBFE. This data representation is substantiated by the Stone Weierstrass theorem which indicates that any continuous function can be represented by the FBFE. With the aid of the FBFE, the unknown parameters can be estimated more precisely and better performance can be expected from the fuzzy-MRAC than the traditional MRAC. Furthermore, the adaptation scheme of the proposed fuzzy-MRAC is based on both the tracking error and the prediction error. Combining these two sources of error information, the proposed fuzzy-MRAC provide more adaptation power than a traditional adaptive control and its stability and convergence properties are preserved. Computer simulations were conducted to show the validity and the performance of the proposed fuzzy-MRAC and its improvements over the traditional MRAC.
Thio-mediated two-component coupling reaction of carboxylic acids and isonitriles under mild conditions

The coupling reaction between carboxylic acids and isonitriles in the presence of thio phenol as activator under mild conditions is described.
Local trade networks and spatially persistent unemployment

Abstract This paper studies the effects of local trade networks on the spatial distribution of employment in a model that allows for effective demand externalities as well as home bias. It is shown that, if labor can be hired in continuous quantities, then the long run spatial distribution of employment is uniform, and independent of any trade network topology. When labor has binary support, however, local trade networks are found to generate spatial unemployment clusters which can persist indefinitely.
Three-dimensional model of a selective theophylline-binding RNA molecule

We propose a three-dimensional (3D) model for an RNA molecule that selectively binds theophylline but not caffeine. This RNA, which was found using SELEX [Jenison, R.D., et al., Science (1994) 263:1425] is 10,000 times more specific for theophylline (Kd=320 nM) than for caffeine (Kd=3.5 mM), although the two ligands are identical except for a methyl group substituted at N7 (present only in caffeine). The binding affinity for ten xanthine-based ligands was used to derive a Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) model (R{sup 2} = 0.93 for 3 components, with cross-validated R{sup 2} of 0.73), using the SYBYL and GOLPE programs. A pharmacophoric map was generated to locate steric and electrostatic interactions between theophylline and the RNA binding site. This information was used to identify putative functional groups of the binding pocket and to generate distance constraints. Based on a model for the secondary structure (Jenison et al., idem), the 3D structure of this RNA was then generated using the following method: each helical region of the RNA molecule was treated as a rigid body; single-stranded loops with specific end-to-end distances were generated. The structures of RNA-xanthine complexes were studied using a modified Monte Carlo algorithm. The detailed structure of an more » RNA-ligand complex model, as well as possible explanations for the theophylline selectivity will be discussed. « less
A quantum mechanical study of the mechanism of the enol-ketone tautomerism

Quantum mechanical calculations have shown the barrier to intramolecular rearrangement in the keto-enol tautomerism to be prohibitively high. Instead, the 1-3 proton shift is seen to proceed much more economically via intermolecular pathways, notably via acid and base catalysis. The reaction profiles for these mechanisms have been calculated. It is generally found that the introduction of only one water molecule into the calculations is not sufficient to model the actual effect of solvent on the enolization equilibria in the catalyzed pathways. The possibility of protomeric isomerization catalyzed by protic solvents like water was also examined in competition with the formation of the acetal. Interference between the two paths, however, prevented a definitive answer to the question to be found.
Moisture transport in silica gel packed beds—II. Experimental study

Abstract Experiments have been performed to obtain the transient response of a thin adiabatic packed bed of silica gel after a step change in inlet air conditions. Comparisons are made with predictions using a solid-side resistance model and a pseudo-gas-side controlled model and better agreement obtained with the former model. An apparent dynamic hysteresis for adsorption/desorption with microporous silica gel is clearly in evidence, which could be due to a solid-side effective diffusion coefficient which decreases with increasing moisture content, or to a lesser extent to a hysteresis in the adsorption isotherm itself.
Clarifying the fundamentals of HTTP

The simplicity of HTTP was a major factor in the success of the Web. However, as both the protocol and its uses have evolved, HTTP has grown complex. This complexity results in numerous problems, including confused implementors, interoperability failures, difficulty in extending the protocol, and a long specification without much documented rationale.Many of the problems with HTTP can be traced to unfortunate choices about fundamental definitions and models. This paper analyzes the current (HTTP/1.1) protocol design, showing how it fails in certain cases, and how to improve these fundamentals. Some problems with HTTP can be fixed simply by adopting new models and terminology, allowing us to think more clearly about implementations and extensions. Other problems require explicit (but compatible) protocol changes.This paper explains that HTTP needs a clean and consistent data-type model, and in particular needs an explicit 'instance' data type; that HTTP needs a clear data access model, and that resources and instances should carry explicit access-model labels; and that HTTP needs a simple name space for implementations to declare sets of supported extensions.
El componente 'tesis' en los textos argumentativos escolares

El proposito de este articulo es examinar cualitativamente los problemas que enfrenta un grupo de estudiantes al momento de formular sus tesis argumentativas. La muestra esta conformada por 60 textos escritos por alumnos pertenecientes a tres niveles escolares de colegios municipalizados y subvencionados de las ciudades de Valparaiso y Vina del Mar. El analisis de dichas tesis se ha realizado segun un listado denominado "tesis anomalas" que sirve de parametro de evaluacion para los errores mas frecuentes cometidos en las composiciones de los alumnos estudiados. Los resultados indican que los escolares elaboran tesis fallidas o contrapuestas debido a que sus opiniones no siempre coinciden con las exigencias que el contexto retorico escolar les impone. Una distincion importante entre opinion (de origen cognitivo) y tesis (de naturaleza textual) surge del estudio, lo que permite determinar si las tesis analizadas constituyen realmente tesis argumentativas
The free entropy dimension of hyperfinite von Neumann algebras

Suppose M is a hyperfinite von Neumann algebra with a normal, tracial state φ and {α 1 ,...,α n } is a set of selfadjoint generators for M. We calculate δ 0 (α 1 ,...,α n ), the modified free entropy dimension of {α 1 ,...,α n }. Moreover, we show that δ 0 (α 1 ,...,α n ) depends only on M and Φ. Consequently, δ 0 (α 1 ,...,α n ) is independent of the choice of generators for M. In the course of the argument we show that if {b 1 ,...,b n } is a set of selfadjoint generators for a von Neumann algebra R with a normal, tracial state and {b 1 ,...,b n } has finite-dimensional approximants, then δ 0 (N) < δ 0 (b 1 ,...,b n ) for any hyperfinite von Neumann subalgebra N of R. Combined with a result by Voiculescu, this implies that if R has a regular diffuse hyperfinite von Neumann subalgebra, then δ 0 (b 1 ,....,b n ) = 1.
Palladium-catalyzed allylic cross-coupling reactions of primary and secondary homoallylic electrophiles.

The Pd(0)-catalyzed allylic cross-coupling of homoallylic tosylate substrates using boronic acids and pinacol esters is reported. The reaction uses 2-(4,5-dihydro-2-oxazolyl)quinoline (quinox) as a ligand and is performed at ambient temperature. The scope of the reaction is broad in terms of both the boronate transmetalating reagent and the substrate and includes secondary tosylates. Mechanistic studies support an alkene-mediated SN2-type stereoinvertive oxidative addition of unactivated primary and secondary alkyl tosylates.
The Remarkable Starburst-driven Outflow in NGC 2782

We show that the starburst-driven outflow in the peculiar galaxy NGC 2782 forms a well-defined collimated bubble that has an extent of ~1 kpc and a closed shell at its edge, as seen in Hα, [O III], and the 5 GHz radio continuum. The shell coincides with the maximum in intensity and line widths of [O III] lines in a blueshifted emission nebula that was previously detected via optical spectroscopy by Boer et al. in 1992. Such a remarkable outflow morphology has not been observed to date in any other starburst galaxy of comparable luminosity. The radio continuum map reveals a second bubble of similar size on the opposite side of the nucleus, forming a striking double-bubble outflow morphology. We argue from the morphology and short timescale (~4×106 yr) of the outflow that it is dynamically younger than freely expanding outflows seen in other galaxies that harbor circumnuclear starbursts of comparable luminosity, e.g., M82. We suggest that the outflow in NGC 2782 is in the early stage where thermal instabilities have not yet completely ruptured the outflow bubble. We present evidence that the outflow is driving warm and hot ionized gas, and possibly cold molecular gas, out of the central kiloparsec of the galaxy. We estimate the contribution of the hot, warm, and cold phases of the interstellar medium to the energetics of the outflow. This study is based on our optical BVR, Hα, and [O III] observations from the Wisconsin-Indiana-Yale-NRAO telescope and Owens Valley Radio Observatory CO interferometric data, along with available 5 GHz radio continuum and ROSAT X-ray maps.
Molecular Mechanism of Calcium Channel Regulation in the Fight-Or-Flight Response

During the fight-or-flight response, the sympathetic nervous system stimulates L-type calcium currents in the heart conducted by Cav1.2 channels through activation of β-adrenergic receptors, adenylyl cyclase, and phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), thereby increasing cardiac contractility and beat rate. The channel α1 subunit C-terminus contains binding sites for multiple regulatory proteins including the PKA/A kinase anchoring protein 15 (AKAP15) complex. The C-terminus is proteolytically cleaved but remains associated non-covalently with the truncated channel and acts as a potent autoinhibitor of channel activity. Relief of this autoinhibition provides an attractive mechanism for cellular regulatory signals to produce the large increases in calcium current observed physiologically. We reconstituted regulation of Cav1.2 channels in non-muscle tsA-201 cells by forming an autoregulatory signaling complex composed of the Cav1.2Δ1800 channel, the noncovalently-associated distal C-terminal domain, the auxiliary α2δ1 and β2b subunits, and AKAP15. During whole-cell recordings of channel activity we observed a 3.6-fold range of Cav1.2 activity from a minimum in the presence of protein kinase inhibitors to a maximum with activation of adenylyl cyclase with forskolin. Equivalent modulation was not observed for the full-length (untruncated) channel or the truncated channel without the distal C-terminus. Basal channel activity in unstimulated cells was regulated by phosphorylation of two novel sites at Ser1700 in a PKA consensus sequence and Thr1704 in a casein kinase 2 consensus sequence, both strategically located at the interface between the distal and proximal C-terminal regulatory domains. Further stimulation of channel activity via PKA signaling required only phosphorylation of Ser1700. Phosphorylation at Ser1928 did not significantly alter channel activity. These results define the signaling complex required for Cav1.2 channel regulation and elucidate the sites of phosphorylation that regulate channel activity.Supported by NIH grants R01 HL085372, T32 HL007312-31 and AHA fellowship 09POST2080270
Climate change advocacy online: theories of change, target audiences, and online strategy

Widespread adoption of the Internet has transformed how most US political advocacy organizations operate, but perhaps more important has been the formation of new types of advocacy organizations. These ‘Internet-mediated advocacy organizations’ tend to have smaller, geographically dispersed and networked staffs, behave as hybrids of traditional political organizations, and emphasize the use of online tools for offline action. The climate change debate has spurred formation of many such organizations – including 350.org – that now advocate for climate action alongside legacy/environmental organizations. How do these organizations differ from their legacy/environmental counterparts? What does their rise mean for climate change political advocacy? I explore these and other questions through in-depth interviews with top online strategists and other staffers at Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Greenpeace USA, Energy Action Coalition, 1Sky, and 350.org. Interviews reve...
Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 2-indolyldimethylsilanols with substituted aryl halides.

A mild and general cross-coupling reaction of 2-indolylsilanols has been developed. The experimental variables that lead to successful coupling are (1) the use of sodium tert-butoxide as the activator, (2) the use of copper(I) iodide in stoichiometric quantities, and (3) the use of Pd2(dba)3·CHCl3 as the catalyst. Under these conditions N-(Boc)-2-indolyldimethylsilanol reacts with a variety of aromatic iodides to afford the coupling products in good yield (70−84%).