cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of confidence bounds for the graphical estimation of particle size distribution parameters from optical backscatter and extinction measurements

The use of multi-wavelength lidar measurements can in principle be used to estimate aerosol extinction and backscatter profiles. From the resultant multi-wavelength profiles, an estimate of particle size distribution parameters can be inferred. At present the standard approach is to assess error by adding noise with given covariance properties and inverting the ensemble of signals. Unfortunately, the inversion is often affected by algorithm convergance issues and poor a-priori guesses. On the other hand, graphical estimation of confidence bounds does not require inversion of the optical data and therefore is more robust and with pre-constructed databases isvery efficient. However, determination of appropriate confidence bounds can be quite difficult since correlated optical data ratios are used and simple Gaussian statistics no longer applies. In this paper, several confidence bound estimates are explored and compared to the results from direct inversion of the signal ensemble. Using the appropriate confidendence bounds, we then apply the graphical technique to multiwavelength elastic and raman lidar. In particular, the improvement of the retrieval from additional extinction data obtained from a Raman Lidar system in comparison with a prototypical three wavelength backscatter lidar is examined
On the uniqueness of the coincidence index on orientable differentiable manifolds

The fixed point index of topological fixed point theory is a well studied integer-valued algebraic invariant of a mapping which can be characterized by a small set of axioms. The coincidence index is an extension of the concept to topological (Nielsen) coincidence theory. We demonstrate that three natural axioms are sufficient to characterize the coincidence index in the setting of continuous mappings on oriented differentiable manifolds, the most common setting for Nielsen coincidence theory.
Strings on orbifold lines

The orbifold lines IIA/Script I8 and IIB/Script I8(-1)FL possess BPS discrete torsion variants which carry fundamental string (NSNS) charge. We show that these variants are actually classified by an integral electric field F from the twisted RR sector, and compute their tension and NSNS charge as a function of F. The analysis employs equivariant K-theory and the string creation phenomenon. The K-theory results demonstrate the corrections to cohomology in the case of torsion; it is found that 8 units of F are invisible at transverse infinity for IIA, and correspondingly 16 units for IIB.
Hemispheric differences for verbal and nonverbal stimuli in Japanese- and English-speaking subjects assessed by Tsunoda's method☆

Abstract This investigation compared the performance of Japanese- and English-speaking subjects on T. Tsunoda's DAF key-tapping task, which he purports assesses cerebral dominance for language (1975, Brain and Language, 2, 152–170). Twenty-three native speakers of Japanese and 23 English-speaking subjects were employed in this study. Each subject was administered the DAF key-tapping task utilizing the vowel /a/ and a 1000-Hz pure tone. The results revealed an effect of intensity, whereby an increase in DAF SAF ratios resulted in an increase in performance disruption. No differences were observed between the two language groups, ears, or between the 1000-Hz pure tone and the vowel /a/. Only 15.5% of the subjects showed the hypothesized right ear advantage for the tone when subjected to an analysis similar to Tsunoda's. All other subjects revealed variable degrees of advantage to either ear, to the same ear, or to to neither ear. It was concluded that no significant functional auditory asymmetry was observed for either group, suggesting that the DAF key-tapping task may not be a sensitive procedure to determine cerebral dominance for language among normals.
Phylogenetic invariants for stationary base composition

Changing base composition during the evolution of biological sequences can mislead some of the phylogenetic inference techniques in current use. However, detecting whether such a process has occurred may be difficult, since convergent evolution may lead to similar base frequencies emerging from different lineages. To study this situation, algebraic models of biological sequence evolution are introduced in which the base composition is fixed throughout evolution. Basic properties of the associated algebraic varieties are investigated, including the construction of some phylogenetic invariants.
Business Intelligence: An Analysis of the Literature

This research collects, synthesizes, and analyzes 167 articles on a variety of topics closely related to business intelligence (BI) published from 1997 to 2006 in ten leading Information Systems (IS) journals. We found a generally increasing level of activity during the 10-year period and a focus on exploratory research methodologies. We noted that several methodologies were either underrepresented or absent from the pool of BI research. We also identified several subject areas that need further exploration.
A Flow Visualization Study of Flow- Acoustic Coupling at the Mouth of a Resonant Side-Branch

Abstract The coupling of a shear layer with the sound field of a resonant side-branch has been investigated by means of an extensive flow visualization study under controlled excitation level and frequency. The interaction mechanism is visualized at several Strouhal numbers corresponding to: (a) before the onset resonance; (b) within the lock-in range; (c) in the hysteresis region and (d) after the subsidence of resonance. It is shown that the instantaneous position and phase speed of the shear-layer vortices are strongly dependent on the Strouhal number and the amplitude of the acoustic particle velocity. Moreover, the phase speed has been found to be not constant over the oscillation cycle. These findings have important implications when modelling flow-acoustic interaction at large amplitude acoustic pulsations. The study has shed more light also on the phenomenon of hysteresis as well as on the mechanism of "vortex damping" which limits the amplitude of pulsation when the system losses become negligibly small. The flow visualization results give support to the argument made by other researchers that the mechanism of acoustic resonance is different from that which causes the non-resonant oscillations of impinging shear flows.
MINIMIZING THE EFFECT OF SINUSOIDAL TRENDS IN DETRENDED FLUCTUATION ANALYSIS

The detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) [Peng et al., 1994] and its extensions (MF-DFA) [Kantelhardt et al., 2002] have been used extensively to determine possible long-range correlations in self-affine signals. While the DFA has been claimed to be a superior technique, recent reports have indicated its susceptibility to trends in the data. In this report, a smoothing filter is proposed to minimize the effect of sinusoidal trends and distortion in the log–log plots obtained by DFA and MF-DFA techniques.
Silylene transfer to carbonyl compounds and subsequent Ireland-Claisen rearrangements to control formation of quaternary carbon stereocenters.

In this communication, we demonstrate that silylene transfer to carbonyl compounds provides a new method for regio- and stereoselective enolate formation. Silylene transfer to a range of α,β-unsaturated esters under silver-catalyzed conditions proved to be a general method for the formation of oxasilacyclopentenes containing a cyclic silyl ketene acetal functionality. These oxasilacyclopentenes are useful synthetic intermediates that can undergo facile and selective Ireland−Claisen rearrangements and aldol addition reactions to provide products with multiple contiguous stereocenters and quaternary carbon centers.
The spectrochemical analysis of bismuth using a photoelectric spectrometer

The Liquid Metal Fuel Reactor Program requires rapid, accurate analyses of large numbers of bismuth metal samples. A spectrochemical solution procedure using a rotating disc technique with a Baird-Atomic Research Direct Reading Spectrograph is described. Yttrium is added as an internal standard. Magnesium and zirconium are determined with a precision of 2% of the amount present; the precision for iron, chromium, manganese, nickel and molybdenum is within 4-12%.
Propagation of short electron pulses in underdense plasmas

Dense relativistic electron beams traversing a plasma, in what is known as the underdense, or ion focusing, regime experience a strong, linear transverse restoring force. This force arises from the nearly immobile ions which form a channel of uncompensated positive charge when the plasma electrons are ejected in response to the introduction of the beam charge. This phenomenon can be used for focusing the electron beam to very high densities over long propagation distances. Several schemes have been proposed, including the nonlinear plasma wake-field accelerator, the adiabatic plasma lens, and the ion-channel laser, whose viability is based on this focusing effect for very short pulse, high current electron beams propagating in plasma. In this paper we examine, analytically and numerically, the self-consistent requirements on plasma density, beam current, length, and transverse emittance which must be satisfied in order for ion-channel formation and near equilibrium beam propagation to exist over the majority of the length of the electron beam. The dynamics of the beam-plasma system are modeled by a simultaneous solution of the plasma electron cold-fluid equations, and the Maxwell-Vlasov equation governing the beam's thermal equilibrium. The effects of introducing a strong axial magnetic field on the plasma response and beam equilibria are examined. In addition to developing criteria for self-consistent equilibrium focusing, a time-dependent analysis where the beam particles are treated as mobile particles in cells is developed in order to study the dynamical approach of this equilibrium. Inherently time-dependent phenomena, such as matching of the beam into the plasma and adiabatic lenses, are then examined with this method.
Reliable bursty convergecast in wireless sensor networks

We address the challenges of bursty convergecast in multi-hop wireless sensor networks, where a large burst of packets from different locations needs to be transported reliably and in real-time to a base station. Via experiments on a 49 MICA2 mote sensor network using a realistic traffic trace, we determine the primary issues in bursty convergecast, and accordingly design a protocol, RBC (for Reliable Bursty Convergecast), to address these issues: To improve channel utilization and to reduce ack-loss, we design a window-less block acknowledgment scheme that guarantees continuous packet forwarding and replicates the acknowledgment for a packet; to alleviate retransmission-incurred channel contention, we introduce differentiated contention control. Moreover, we design mechanisms to handle varying ack-delay and to reduce delay in timer-based retransmissions. We evaluate RBC, again via experiments, and show that compared to a commonly used implicit-ack scheme, RBC doubles packet delivery ratio and reduces end-to-end delay by an order of magnitude, as a result of which RBC achieves a close-to-optimal goodput.
Stagflation in Latvia: how long, how far, how deep?

AbstractThis policy paper assesses Latvian inflation performance in an EU and Baltic states context and speculates on the overall prospects for the Latvian economy in the light of the emerging slowdown both in Latvia and elsewhere. On inflation it is likely that, in the absence of new major price shocks, the May 2008 figure represents the peak of the current inflation episode – the slowdown of the economy and thus the unwinding of the overheated labour market should ensure this. On the pace of disinflation, evidence from a simple Phillips curve analysis, together with the flexibility of the Latvian labour market, points in the direction of a fast disinflation, while evidence from other countries emphasises the persistence of inflation. However, the Phillips curve analysis also predicts that lower inflation will come at the cost of higher unemployment. Using two alternative decompositions of inflation the paper examines the balance between a common inflation component and country specific inflation for Lat...
Rainbow hamilton cycles in random graphs

One of the most famous results in the theory of random graphs establishes that the threshold for Hamiltonicity in the Erdi¾?s-Renyi random graph Gn,p is around p~logn+loglognn. Much research has been done to extend this to increasingly challenging random structures. In particular, a recent result by Frieze determined the asymptotic threshold for a loose Hamilton cycle in the random 3-uniform hypergraph by connecting 3-uniform hypergraphs to edge-colored graphs.
Heat flow and flexure at subduction zones

[1] It is often suggested that heat flow in the incoming plate at subduction zones is lower than expected for crust of that age due to increased hydrothermal circulation from flexure (extending about 300 km seaward of the trench) and faulting (observed starting about 50–75 seaward of the trench). Testing this suggestion using global heat flow data shows no significant difference between heat flow near the trench and the global means for the same age crust. However, on average, heat flow in the overriding plate is about 60% of that in the incoming plate.
Effect of sulfate on calcium and magnesium homeostasis following urinary diversion

Effect of sulfate on calcium and magnesium homeostasis following urinary diversion. The present investigation was undertaken to elucidate the mechanisms of renal calcium and magnesium wastage in patients with urinary diversion through intestinal segments. Patients with urinary intestinal diversions demonstrated a hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, increased serum sulfate and phosphate, and increased urinary excretion of calcium, phosphate, sulfate, and magnesium. A study was conducted in rats utilizing oral or intravenous loads of various solutes to investigate the possible mechanisms of these findings in patients. Ammonium enhances renal sulfate excretion and intestinal sulfate absorption. Increased filtered loads of sulfate inhibit renal tubule sodium and calcium reabsorption. Dietary ammonium and sulfate result in increased serum phosphorous concentrations. Ammonium appears to directly inhibit renal magnesium reabsorption. Renal tubule dysfunction resulting from relieved obstruction appears to enhance the inhibitory effect of sulfate on renal sodium and calcium reabsorption but does not alter the effect of ammonium on renal magnesium excretion. Taken together, these findings suggest that patients with hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis from the chronic reabsorption of ammonium chloride by intestinal urinary diversions may also reabsorb urinary sulfate. This load of ammonium and sulfate inhibits renal calcium and magnesium reabsorption.
Dynamics and control of a Shuttle-attached antenna experiment

Study results obtained to date identify the requirements for a large space system flight experiment. This paper considers the dynamics and control of an offset feed wrap-rib antenna attached to the Shuttle for such an experiment. Results reported in this paper are primarily based on the analysis and simulation of the combined Shuttle and antenna flexible dynamics model, and the Shuttle Vernier Reaction Control Subsystem. These results establish the technical feasibility of the Shuttle attached antenna flight experiment. Static and dynamic disturbances examined do not cause significant dynamic interactions to the experiment. Shuttle Vernier jets can be used for control purpose or as controlled excitation sources for experiment. Interface between the Shuttle and the antenna can be rigid or actively decoupled depending on the experiment objective. Key large space systems control technologies such as distributed sensing and actuation, system identification, figure estimation and control, and control for slew or reconfiguration can be validated with the experiment configuration described in this paper.
Multiple location profiling for users and relationships from social network and content

Users' locations are important for many applications such as personalized search and localized content delivery. In this paper, we study the problem of profiling Twitter users' locations with their following network and tweets. We propose a multiple location profiling model (MLP), which has three key features: 1) it formally models how likely a user follows another user given their locations and how likely a user tweets a venue given his location, 2) it fundamentally captures that a user has multiple locations and his following relationships and tweeted venues can be related to any of his locations, and some of them are even noisy, and 3) it novelly utilizes the home locations of some users as partial supervision. As a result, MLP not only discovers users' locations accurately and completely, but also "explains" each following relationship by revealing users' true locations in the relationship. Experiments on a large-scale data set demonstrate those advantages. Particularly, 1) for predicting users' home locations, MLP successfully places 62% users and out-performs two state-of-the-art methods by 10% in accuracy, 2) for discovering users' multiple locations, MLP improves the baseline methods by 14% in recall, and 3) for explaining following relationships, MLP achieves 57% accuracy.
HIGH FREQUENCY, HIGH TEMPERATURE FIELD-EFFECT TRANSISTORS FABRICATED FROM WIDE BAND GAP SEMICONDUCTORS

Electronic and optical devices fabricated from wide band gap semiconductors have many properties ideal for high temperature, high frequency, high power, and radiation hard applications. Progress in wide band gap semiconductor materials growth has been impressive and high quality epitaxial layers are becoming available. Useful devices, particularly those fabricated from SiC, are rapidly approaching the commercialization stage. In particular, MESFETs (MEtal Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors) fabricated from wide band gap semiconductors have the potential to be useful in microwave power amplifier and oscillator applications. In this work the microwave performance of MESFETs fabricated from SiC, GaN and semiconducting diamond is investigated with a theoretical simulator and the results compared to experimental measurements. Excellent agreement between the simulated and measured data is obtained. It is demonstrated that microwave power amplifiers fabricated from these semiconductors offer superior performance, particularly at elevated temperatures compared to similar components fabricated from the commonly employed GaAs MESFETs.
Persistent current of a Hubbard ring threaded with a magnetic flux

The persistent current in microscopic and mesoscopic Hubbard rings threaded with magnetic flux is studied as a function of the flux and the Coulomb repulsion parameter U. For microscopic rings having very large U, we find that as the flux is increased by one quantum, a magnon hole traverses the magnon sea, generating a periodicity of 1/${\mathit{N}}_{\mathit{c}}$ in the persistent current, but with no changes in the overall spin magnetization, in contrast to the earlier suggestion of Kusmartsev. For non-half-filled mesoscopic rings, we use methods developed by Woynarovich for the zero-flux case to build a rather complete picture of the variation of persistent current with magnetic flux. We find the periodicity to be a half flux quantum or a whole one, and show how the critical flux values at which the current reverses vary with system parameters. We show how the behavior characteristic of microscopic rings goes over to that of mesoscopic rings as ${\mathit{N}}_{\mathit{c}}$/U increases.
Triggered fronts in the complex ginzburg landau equation

We study patterns that arise in the wake of an externally triggered, spatially propagating instability in the complex Ginzburg–Landau equation. We model the trigger by a spatial inhomogeneity moving with constant speed. In the comoving frame, the trivial state is unstable to the left of the trigger and stable to the right. At the trigger location, spatio-temporally periodic wave trains nucleate. Our results show existence of coherent, “heteroclinic” profiles when the speed of the trigger is slightly below the speed of a free front in the unstable medium. Our results also give expansions for the wavenumber of wave trains selected by these coherent fronts. A numerical comparison yields very good agreement with observations, even for moderate trigger speeds. Technically, our results provide a heteroclinic bifurcation study involving an equilibrium with an algebraically double pair of complex eigenvalues. We use geometric desingularization and invariant foliations to describe the unfolding. Leading-order terms are determined by a condition of oscillations in a projectivized flow, which can be found by intersecting absolute spectra with the imaginary axis.
Direct manipulation of perceived angular declination affects perceived size and distance: a replication and extension of Wallach and O’Leary (1982)

In two experiments involving a total of 83 participants, the effect of vertical angular optical compression on the perceived distance and size of a target on the ground was investigated. Replicating an earlier report (Wallach & O’Leary, 1982), reducing the apparent angular declination below the horizon produced apparent object width increases (by 33 %), consistent with the perception of a greater ground distance to the object. A throwing task confirmed that perceived distance was indeed altered by about 33 %. The results are discussed in relation to cue recruitment and to recent evidence of systematic bias in the perception of angular declination.
Semilocal generic formal fibers

Abstract Let T be a complete local ring and C a finite set of incomparable prime ideals of T . We find necessary and sufficient conditions for T to be the completion of an integral domain whose generic formal fiber is semilocal with maximal ideals the elements of C . In addition, if the characteristic of T is zero, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for T to be the completion of an excellent integral domain whose generic formal fiber is semilocal with maximal ideals the elements of C .
Partial hydatidiform mole with diploid karyotype: Report of three cases

Recent studies suggest that a partial mole with a triploid karyotype has little tendency to invade and metastasize and usually requires no therapy other than evacuation. This report describes three patients with a mole of normal diploid karyotype coexisting with a living fetus. Each patient had persistent elevation of human chorionic gonadotropin. Two patients required chemotherapy; one of these had invasive mole. The partial mole with normal diploid karyotype is a distinct clinical entity with the potential for malignant sequelae. The possibility of twin gestation cannot be excluded.
Ladder Polyether Synthesis via Epoxide-Opening Cascades Directed by a Disappearing Trimethylsilyl Group

Epoxide-opening cascades offer the potential to construct complex polyether natural products expeditiously and in a manner that emulates the biogenesis proposed for these compounds. Herein we provide a full account of our development of a strategy that addresses several important challenges of such cascades. The centerpiece of the method is a trimethylsilyl (SiMe3) group that serves several purposes and leaves no trace of itself by the time the cascade has come to an end. The main function of the SiMe3 group is to dictate the regioselectivity of epoxide opening. This strategy is the only general method of effecting endo-selective cascades under basic conditions.
Predictions from quantum cosmology.

If the cosmological evolution is followed back in time, we come to the initial singularity where the classical equations of general relativity break down. This led many people to believe that in order to understand what actually happened at the origin of the universe, we should treat the universe quantum-mechanically and describe it by a wave function rather than by a classical spacetime. This quantum approach to cosmology was initiated by DeWitt [1] and Misner [2], and after a somewhat slow start has become very popular in the last decade or so. The picture that has emerged from this line of development [3, 4, 6, 5, 7, 8, 9] is that a small closed universe can spontaneously nucleate out of nothing, where by ‘nothing’ I mean a state with no classical space and time. The cosmological wave function can be used to calculate the probability distribution for the initial configurations of the nucleating universes. Once the universe nucleated, it is expected to go through a period of inflation, which is a rapid (quasi-exponential) expansion driven by the energy of a false vacuum. The vacuum energy is eventually thermalized, inflation ends, and from then on the universe follows the standard hot cosmological scenario. Inflation is a necessary ingredient in this kind of scheme, since it gives the only way to get from the tiny nucleated universe to the large universe we live in today.
Simple Authentication for the Web

Automated email-based password reestablishment (EBPR) is an efficient, cost-effective means to deal with forgotten passwords. In this technique, email providers authenticate users on behalf of web sites. This method works because web sites trust email providers to deliver messages to their intended recipients. Simple Authentication for the Web (SAW) improves upon this basic approach to user authentication to create an alternative to password-based logins. SAW: 1) Removes the setup and management costs of passwords at EBPR-enabled sites; 2) Provides single sign-on without a specialized identity provider; 3) Thwarts passive attacks and raises the bar for active attacks; 4) Enables easy, secure sharing and collaboration without passwords; 5) Provides intuitive delegation and revocation of authority; and 6) Facilitates client-side auditing.
Meta halogenation of 1,3-disubstituted arenes via iridium-catalyzed arene borylation.

We report the meta halogenation of 1,3-disubstituted arenes to form 3,5-disubstituted aryl bromides and chlorides by using iridium-catalyzed arene borylation chemistry. Iridium-catalyzed borylation of arenes with B2pin2, followed by reaction of the boronic ester with copper(II) bromide or chloride converts arylboronic esters to the corresponding aryl halides. A variety of arenes containing alkoxy, alkyl, halogen, nitrile, ester, amide, and pivaloyl and TIPS-protected alcohols were converted to the corresponding 3,5-disubstituted aryl bromides and chlorides in yields ranging from 46% to 85%. In addition, 2,6-disubstituted and 3-substituted pyridines were converted to the 4-halo and 5-halopyridines, respectively. The utility of this methodology was demonstrated by the formal conversion of nicotine to Altinicline in three steps with an overall yield of 61% using meta bromination of nicotine as the first step.
Oxidative addition of azide anion to triisopropylsilyl enol ethers: Synthesis of α-azido ketones and 2-amino(methoxycarbonyl)alk-2-en-1-ones

Abstract Treatment of triisopropylsilyl enol ethers with eerie ammonium nitrate/sodium azide at −20°C in acetonitrile gives α-azido ketones in average to good yields (50–80%). Subsequent conversion of the α-azido ketones into 2-amino(methoxycarbonyl)cycloalk-2-en-1-ones is described.
Enantioselective [3 + 2]-Cycloadditions Catalyzed by a Protected, Multifunctional Phosphine-Containing α-Amino Acid

Catalytic asymmetric [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reactions between α-allenic esters and enones are presented. We have found that a simple phosphine-containing protected α-amino acid derivative is capable of promoting such cycloadditions in high yields with significant levels of regioselectivity and enantioselectivity. Furthermore, employing chiral racemic γ-substituted allenoates in the cycloaddition with chalcone substrates results in a “deracemization” reaction furnishing cyclopentenes in high yields with up to 93% ee.
Application of the massively parallel processor to database management systems

The Goodyear massively parallel processor (MPP) represents a new architecture with the potential for providing improved solutions to applications benefiting from highly parallel operation. In this paper, application of the MPP to database management systems is examined. Specifically, the relational database model is considered. Database management has been selected as a candidate application of the MPP because of the positive results achieved in previous work related to parallel architectures and database systems. The relational model has been selected for its applicability to parallel processing, its mathematical foundation, and its general recognition as a model that is superior in many respects to the hierarchical and network models. The paper concentrates on a comparative evaluation of the MPP and an abstract conventional computer by examining specific database management functions rather than an entire database management system.
Identification of salt-alloy combinations for thermal energy storage applications in advanced solar dynamic power systems

Thermodynamic calculations based on the available data for flouride salt systems reveal that a number of congruently melting compositions and eutectics exist which have the potential to meet the lightweight, high energy storage requirements imposed for advanced solar dynamic systems operating between ∼1000 and 1400 K. Compatibility studies to determine suitable containment alloys to be used with NaF-22CaF2-13MgF2, NaF-32CaF2, and NaF-23MgF2 have been conducted at the eutectic temperature + 25 K for each system. For these three NaF-based eutectics, none of the common, commercially available high temperature alloys appear to offer adequate corrosion resistance for a long lifetime; however mild steel, pure nickel and Nb-1Zr could prove useful. These latter materials suggest the possibility that a strong, corrosion resistant, nonrefractory, elevated temperature alloy based on the Ni—Ni3Nb system could be developed.
An Analysis of Analyte-Receptor Binding Kinetics for Biosensor Applications: Influence of the Fractal Dimension on the Binding Rate Coefficient

Abstract The diffusion-limited kinetics of binding of an analyte in solution to a receptor immobilized on a biosensor surface is analyzed within a fractal framework. Antigen–antibody, analyte–receptor, and analyte–receptorless systems are analyzed. Most of the data presented are adequately described by a single-fractal analysis. This was indicated by the regression analysis provided by Sigmaplot (Jandel Scientific, San Rafael, CA, 1993). It is of interest to note that the binding rate coefficient, k , and the fractal dimension, D f , both exhibit changes in the same direction for the antigen–antibody and analyte–receptor systems analyzed. The binding rate coefficient, k , expressed as a function of the fractal dimension, D f , developed for the three types of binding systems indicates the sensitivity of k to D f . For example, for the antigen–antibody binding of mAb 447/D-II to rgp 120(MN) immobilized on a biosensor surface and for mAb 9205 to rgp (IIIB) (37), the order of dependence on D f was 10.221 and 9.668, respectively. The fractional order of dependence of k on D f further reinforces the fractal nature of the system. For the single example of an analyte–receptorless system (LDL protein adsorption) presented, a more organized biosensor surface (lower D f value) leads to an increased value of k . Expressions of k as a function of the fractal dimension, D f , are of particular value since they provide a means to better control biosensor performance by linking it to the heterogeneity on the surface and further emphasize in a quantitative sense the importance of the nature of the surface in biosensor performance.
Palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative allylation and benzylation of N-alloc and N-Cbz indoles.

A set of general methods for the palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative C3-allylation and C3-benzylation of indoles, starting from the corresponding N-alloc and N-Cbz indoles, respectively, is reported. This chemistry provides ready access to a wide range of functionalized indolenines in good to excellent yields. A tandem process, wherein the palladium catalyzed allylation chemistry is coupled with a Mizoroki–Heck reaction, offers a simple route to cinnamylated products.
Degrees of Freedom for the Constant MIMO Interference Channel With CoMP Transmission

The multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) interference channel (IC) is considered with constant channel coefficients, N transmit and receive antennas at each user, and coordinated multipoint (CoMP) transmission, in which each message is jointly transmitted by Mt successive transmitters. It is shown that the degrees of freedom with CoMP transmission using a two-stage scheme involving both zero forcing and interference alignment can be significantly greater than without CoMP transmission. In particular, all K users can achieve d degrees of freedom almost surely if d ≤ ⌊(2N)/(K - M t + 1)⌋ and M t ≤ K - 2. Additionally, the first M t - 1 users can achieve d 1 degrees of freedom, and the last K - M t + 1 users can achieve d 2 degrees of freedom almost surely if d 2 ≤ ⌊(2N)/(K -M t +1)⌋, M t ≤ K - 2, and d 1 + (K - M t + 1) d 2 ≤ 2N. Next, the analysis of the constant MIMO IC with CoMP transmission is applied to the development of iterative algorithms to design transmit and receive vectors analogous to those without CoMP transmission. The degrees of freedom analysis is shown through simulations to provide a good guideline for choosing how many beams each user should send for the iterative algorithms. Furthermore, it is seen in the numerical results that CoMP transmission can result in greatly improved convergence speed for the iterative interference alignment algorithms.
Benford's law, values of L-functions and the 3x+1 problem

Below are slides for talks at Boston College (10/19/04), the University of Michigan (11/15/04) and the University of Arizona (1/11/06). Many systems exhibit a digit bias. For example, the first digit (base 10) of the Fibonacci numbers or 2n equals 1 about 30% of the time. This phenomena was first noticed by observing which pages of log tables were most worn with age – it’s a good thing there were no calculators 100 years ago! We show that the first digit of values of L-functions near the critical line also exhibit this bias. A similar bias exists (in a certain sense) for the first digit of terms in the 3x + 1 problem, provided the base is not a power of two. For L-functions the main tool is the Log-Normal law; for 3x + 1 it is the rate of equidistribution of n logB 2 mod 1 and understanding the irrationality measure of logB 2. This work is joint with Alex Kontorovich. Date: January 12, 2006. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification. (primary), (secondary).
A method for non-overlapping identification of human myeloid derived suppressor cells

The function of human myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) cannot be precisely measured without the proper identification of homogeneous populations. Indeed, many published accounts of human MDSCs are really describing multiple distinct populations confused either by sample processing, poor gating strategies, and/or lack of appropriate cell surface markers. To improve the standardization of the identification of human myeloid derived suppressor cells and other myeloid phenotypes, we developed a method for the identification and analysis of human myeloid populations by the use of several 10-color flow cytometric protocols in combination with novel software analyses. This method utilizes the direct staining of peripheral blood that allows for the quantitation of myeloid cells and the delineation of non-overlapping immunophenotypes. The 10-color protocols, tested in both healthy volunteer controls and cancer patients, allow us to define diverse phenotypes that include mature monocytes, granulocytes, circulating dendritic cells, immature myeloid cells, in addition to MDSCs. We demonstrate that human MDSC subsets fall into three distinct populations: CD14+HLA-DRlo/neg monocytes, LIN-CD33+HLA-DR- cells, and CD15+ granulocytes. We additionally identify CD123 as a marker uniquely expressed on LIN-CD33+HLA-DR- MDSCs. Our method permits us to measure myeloid and MDSC phenotypes in relation to total mononuclear cells, total myeloid cells, total leukocytes and as cell counts. The data generated from our method will allow for more uniform reporting of myeloid and MDSC phenotypes for biomarker development.
An Intrinsic Metric for Power Spectral Density Functions

We present an intrinsic metric that quantifies distances between power spectral density functions. The metric was derived by Georgiou as the geodesic distance between spectral density functions with respect to a particular pseudo-Riemannian metric motivated by a quadratic prediction problem. We provide an independent verification of the metric inequality and discuss certain key properties of the induced topology.
A multi-level file structure for information processing

The main objectives of this paper are to present a multi-level file structure for natural or textual language, and a computer algorithm which logically associates elements of the presented file structure. These objectives are met by showing how the formalized data is mapped into a vocabulary that is amenable to automatic computation. This vocabulary consists of a set of indices which retain the syntactual association of the inputs. These sets of indices constitute a file organization which employs an associative list-type structure of the type utilized by Newell, Simon and Shaw in their Information Processing Language.The problems of natural language input and how they are surmounted are described. The detailed multi-level file structure can be used with systems whose input includes textual language that may be structured or formalized into an "attribute-attribute value" format, whose accuracy and/or reliability is questionable, and which is received in disjointed elements that have to be synthesized into meaningful associations.
Rhodium carbenoid-initiated Claisen rearrangement: scope and mechanistic observations.

It has been shown that α-diazoketones react with allylic alcohols in the presence of Rh(II) catalysts to furnish intermediate enols which subsequently undergo Claisen rearrangement to α-hydroxyketones. Herein we report (1) studies into the mechanism of this transformation which establish that Claisen rearrangement is neither rhodium- nor acid-catalyzed but a reaction intrinsic to the intermediate enols that proceeds at a rate governed by enol substituents (R3, R4, R5) and (2) the reaction of α-diazoketones with propargylic alcohols and preliminary investigations into its scope and mechanism.
CMB with Quintessence: Analytic Approach and CMBFAST

A particular kind of quintessence is considered, with equation of motion pQ/ρQ=-1, corresponding to a cosmological term with time-dependence Λ(t)=Λ(t0)(R(t0)/R(t))P which we examine initially for 0≤P<3. Energy conservation is imposed, as is consistency with big-bang nucleosynthesis, and the range of allowed P is thereby much restricted to 0≤P<0.2. The position of the first Doppler peak is computed analytically and the result combined with analysis of high-Z supernovae to find how values of Ωm and ΩΛ depend on P. Some comparison is made to the CMBFAST public code.
Multiple camera, laser rangefinder, and encoder data fusion for navigation of a differentially steered three-wheeled autonomous vehicle

Virginia Tech is currently developing a new autonomous vehicle as a research platform. This vehicle is being used to investigate techniques in autonomous landmine/UXO detection. In addition, it was entered in the 2000 Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition. This vehicle senses its surroundings using two (non-stereo) color CCD cameras, a SICK laser range finder, and wheel encoders. The cameras give a color representation of the area in front of the vehicle; while the laser range finder provides range data for obstacles in a 180-degree arc in front of the vehicle. Encoder feedback is used to determine position and velocity of the vehicle. This paper presents the techniques used to fuse this diverse and asynchronous data into a useful representation. The software architecture, which allows the various sensor fusion methods to be tested in a modular fashion, is also presented, along with the results from field-testing.
Near-infrared photoluminescence from a plutonyl ion.

We report the first example of photoluminescence from electronically excited states of the plutonyl ion. Discrete emission transitions were measured between 6000 and 10 200 cm -1 from crystalline Cs 2 U(Pu)O 2 Cl 4 cooled to 75 K following pulsed laser excitation at 628 nm. An excitation spectrum in the region of 15 000-16 500 cm -1 is compared with 4.2 K plane-polarized absorption spectra reported by Gorshkov and Mashirov. Analysis of excited-state lifetime data suggests multiple relaxation pathways in the electronic structure of PuO 2 Cl 4 2- .
LARGE-ANGLE COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND ANISOTROPIES IN AN OPEN UNIVERSE

If the universe is open, scales larger than the curvature scale may be probed by observation of large-angle fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background (CMB). We consider primordial adiabatic perturbations and discuss power spectra that are power laws in volume, wavelength, and eigenvalue of the Laplace operator. Such spectra may have arisen if, for example, the universe underwent a period of `frustated' inflation. The resulting large-angle anisotropies of the CMB are computed. The amplitude generally increases as Omega is decreased but decreases as h is increased. Interestingly enough, for all three Ansaetze, anisotropies on angular scales larger than the curvature scale are suppressed relative to the anisotropies on scales smaller than the curvature scale, but cosmic variance makes discrimination between various models difficult. Models with 0.2 approximately less than Omega h approximately less than 0.3 appear compatible with CMB fluctuations detected by Cosmic Background Explorer Satellite (COBE) and the Tenerife experiment and with the amplitude and spectrum of fluctuations of galaxy counts in the APM, CfA, and 1.2 Jy IRAS surveys. COBE normalization for these models yields sigma(sub 8) approximately = 0.5 - 0.7. Models with smaller values of Omega h when normalized to COBE require bias factors in excess of 2 to be compatible with the observed galaxy counts on the 8/h Mpc scale. Requiring that the age of the universe exceed 10 Gyr implies that Omega approximately greater than 0.25, while requiring that from the last-scattering term in the Sachs-Wolfe formula, large-angle anisotropies come primarily from the decay of potential fluctuations at z approximately less than 1/Omega. Thus, if the universe is open, COBE has been detecting temperature fluctuations produced at moderate redshift rather than at z approximately 1300.
Distillation of local purity from quantum states

Recently Horodecki et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 100402 (2003)] introduced an important quantum information processing paradigm, in which two parties sharing many copies of the same bipartite quantum state distill local pure states by means of local unitary operations assisted by a one-way (two-way) completely dephasing channel. Local pure states are a valuable resource from a thermodynamical point of view, since they allow thermal energy to be converted into work by local quantum heat engines. We give a simple information-theoretical characterization of the one-way distillable local purity, which turns out to be closely related to a previously known operational measure of classical correlations, the one-way distillable common randomness.
Coupling of isoprenoid triflates with organoboron nucleophiles: Synthesis of all-trans-geranylgeraniol

Abstract The Suzuki coupling reaction has been used to introduce a methyl group derived from commercially available methaneboronic acid into a vinyl triflate. This has led to a concise synthesis of all- trans -geranylgeraniol, with the key step being the Pd-catalyzed, silver-mediated methylation of 9 to give ethyl geranylgeranoate 10 . This coupling protocol has also been used to produce the novel GGPP analog 3-phenyl-3-desmethylgeranylgeranyl diphosphate ( 12 ).
Distribution of wealth in a network model of the economy

Abstract We show, analytically and numerically, that wealth distribution in the Bouchaud–Mezard network model of the economy is described by a three-parameter generalized inverse gamma distribution. In the mean-field limit of a network with any two agents linked, it reduces to the inverse gamma distribution.
Effect of Tip Vortex on Wing Aerodynamics of Micro Air Vehicles

Tip vortex induces downwash movement, which reduces the effective angle of attack of a wing. For a low-aspect. ratio, low-Reynolds-number wing, such as that employed by the micro air vehicle (MAV), the induced drag by the tip vortex substantially affects its aerodynamic performance. In this paper we use the endplate concept to help probe the tip-vortex effects on the MAV aeredynamic characteristics. The investigation is facilitated by solving the Navier-Stokes equations around a rigid wing with a root-chord Reynolds number of 9 x 10 4
Structured Data in Structural Analysis Software

This paper discusses the use of computer data structures in finite-element structural analysis programs. A number of data structure types that have been shown to be useful in such programs are introduced and described. A simple finite-element model is used to demonstrate how the given set of data structure types naturally lend themselves to developing software for the model. Different methods of implementing data structures in the context of a program are discussed.
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done : Southern religious history in retrospect and prospect

One of the most distinguishing marks of the American South is that religion is more important for the people who live there than for their fellow citizens in the restof the country. When this trait began to identify the region is surprisingly unclear, but it has begun to attract attention from scholars of religion and society who have hitherto been esteemed as students primarily of areas outside the South. The study of religion in Dixie cannot but benefit from this change. After centuries of obsession with thickly settled, college-proud, and printexpressive New England—an area not noted for excessive modesty in thinking about its place in the New World—students of American religion are turning to a region whose history has sustained a selfconsciousness that makes its place in American religious history unique. For studying the American South begins with a dilemma born of ambiguity: whether to treat it as a place or an idea. Sometimes, to be sure, the South appears to be both; but sometimes it is “place” presented as an idea; and sometimes it is a place whose historical experience should have, according to reflective writers, taught Americans historical and moral lessons they have failed to learn. Confusion results in part from the South's contested history not only between the region and the rest of the United States but also among various competing groups within its permeable and frequently indistinct borders. Differences between region and nation will, however, continue to dominate conversation even though the myth of southern distinctiveness may mislead students as much as the myth of its evangelical homogeneity. If inquiry about religion in the South should be sensitive to the many faith communities there, the history of the South will still by contrast provide insight into the broader “American” society.