cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer vision algorithms for intersection monitoring

The goal of this project is to monitor activities at traffic intersections for detecting/predicting situations that may lead to accidents. Some of the key elements for robust intersection monitoring are camera calibration, motion tracking, incident detection, etc. In this paper, we consider the motion-tracking problem. A multilevel tracking approach using Kalman filter is presented for tracking vehicles and pedestrians at intersections. The approach combines low-level image-based blob tracking with high-level Kalman filtering for position and shape estimation. An intermediate occlusion-reasoning module serves the purpose of detecting occlusions and filtering relevant measurements. Motion segmentation is performed by using a mixture of Gaussian models which helps us achieve fairly reliable tracking in a variety of complex outdoor scenes. A visualization module is also presented. This module is very useful for visualizing the results of the tracker and serves as a platform for the incident detection module.
What can we learn about shale gas development from land values? Opportunities, challenges, and evidence from Texas and Pennsylvania

We study farm real estate values in the Barnett Shale (Texas) and the northeastern part of the Marcellus Shale (Pennsylvania and New York). Shale gas development caused appreciation in both areas but the effect was much larger in the Marcellus, suggesting broader ownership of oil and gas rights by surface owners. In both regions, most appreciation occurred when land was leased for drilling, not when drilling and production boomed. We find evidence that effects vary by farm type, which may reflect a correlation between farm type and the presence of oil and gas rights.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Young People

To the Editor.— The excellent article by Chung et al1 concluded that 61% of the young people who responded to their Web-based survey experienced tinnitus or hearing loss as a result of attending loud music concerts. Also, 43% of the respondents experienced these auditory symptoms after exposure to loud music in clubs. However, only 14% of the respondents ever wore ear plugs at a venue in which loud music was played. Fortunately, a majority of the respondents (66%) could be motivated to try hearing …
Black holes as Gravitational Atoms

Recently, it was argued [A. Almheiri et al., arXiv: 1207.3123, A. Almheiri et al., arXiv: 1304.6483], via a delicate thought experiment, that it is not consistent to simultaneously require that (a) Hawking radiation is pure, (b) effective field theory is valid outside a stretched horizon and (c) infalling observers encounter nothing unusual as they cross the horizon. These are the three fundamental assumptions underlying Black Hole Complementarity and the authors proposed that the most conservative resolution of the paradox is that (c) is false and the infalling observer burns up at the horizon (the horizon acts as a "firewall"). However, the firewall violates the equivalence principle and breaks the CPT invariance of quantum gravity. This led Hawking to propose recently that gravitational collapse may not end up producing event horizons, although he did not give a mechanism for how this may happen. Here we will support Hawking's conclusion in a quantum gravitational model of dust collapse. We will show that continued collapse to a singularity can only be achieved by combining two independent and entire solutions of the Wheeler–DeWitt equation. We interpret the paradox as simply forbidding such a combination. This leads naturally to a picture in which matter condenses on the apparent horizon during quantum collapse.
The good soldier: who is s(he)?

This paper examines how perceptions of Organizational Citizenship Behaviors (OCBs) are affected by socially constructed gender roles. We argue that gender roles are important for the perception, categorization, and consequences of OCBs. We suggest that the dimensions of OCBs (altruism, courtesy, sportsmanship, and civic virtue) are related to gender stereotypes. Combining social identity theory with gender role theory suggests that the ‘gender’ of these behaviors, the job, the job incumbent, and the gender identity of the observer interact, potentially broaden the breadth of requisite job behaviors defined as either in- or extra-role. Implications are discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
$B$ lifetimes, mixing and CP violation at CDF

We review the status of bottom quark physics at the CDF experiment. The measurements reported are based on about 110 pb-1 of data collected at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider operating at . In particular, we review results on B hadron lifetimes, measurements of the time dependence of oscillations, and a search for CP violation in decays. Prospects for future B physics at CDF in the next run of the Tevatron Collider, starting in the year 2000, are also presented.
Two-Sample Instrumental Variables Estimators

Abstract Following an influential article by Angrist and Krueger (1992) on two-sample instrumental variables (TSIV) estimation, numerous empirical researchers have applied a computationally convenient two-sample two-stage least squares (TS2SLS) variant of Angrist and Krueger's estimator. In the two-sample context, unlike the single-sample situation, the IV and 2SLS estimators are numerically distinct. We derive and compare the asymptotic distributions of the two estimators and find that the commonly used TS2SLS estimator is more asymptotically efficient than the TSIV estimator. We also resolve some confusion in the literature about how to estimate standard errors for the TS2SLS estimator.
Synthetic studies toward diazonamide A. Preparation of the benzofuranone-indolyloxazole fragment

The benzofuranone-indolyloxazole fragment of the polycyclic marine natural product diazonamide A was prepared from tryptamine. The oxazole ring was synthesized from an α keto-indole via cyclodehydration with Ph3PCl3CCCl3, and after selective Stille biaryl coupling with 2-iodo-6-stannylphenol, the benzofuranone ring was constructed by an intramolecular Heck annulation of an α,β-unsaturated aryl ester.
A Practical Synthesis of 2′-Deoxyuridine from Uridine

Abstract An efficient and improved synthetic method for 2′-deoxyuridine from uridine has been developed.
Finance and Economic Development: Policy Choices for Developing Countries

The empirical literature on finance and development suggests that countries with better developed financial systems experience faster economic growth. Financial development-as captured by size, depth, efficiency, and reach of financial systems-varies sharply around the world, with large differences among countries at similar levels of income. This paper argues that governments play an important role in building effective financial systems and discusses different policy options to make finance work for development.
Sea surface velocity vector retrieval using dual-beam interferometry: first demonstration

The dual-beam interferometer consists of two interferometric synthetic aperture radars (InSARs), one squinted at 20/spl deg/ forward of broadside, and the other 20/spl deg/ aft, to allow measurement of vector surface velocity with only a single aircraft pass. Estimates of surface velocity vectors in the coastal region during high tidal flow are presented. The data were gathered over the barrier islands west of Fort Myers, Florida, as part of a March 2004 deployment. Whereas no detailed bathymetry data were available, high-quality aerial photography appears to be a useful tool in inferring bottom topography and possible current obstructions. The retrieved velocity field clearly follows the expected outflow pattern. While comparisons with tidal current magnitudes predicted by the U.S. National Ocean Service do reveal discrepancies of up to 0.5 m/s, these differences are most likely due to the contribution of ocean surface waves to the overall InSAR velocity measurement. Velocity retrievals for the same area based on the data from different tracks show good consistency. The results constitute the first demonstration of vector retrieval of the surface velocity field with a single-pass InSAR system and confirm the robustness of the dual-beam interferometry principle.
Kinematic couplings: A review of design principles and applications

From the humble three legged milking stool to a SEMI standard for wafer pod location to numerous sub micron fixturing applications in instruments and machines, exactly constrained mechanisms provide precision, robustness, and certainty of location and design. Kinematic couplings exactly constrain six degrees of freedom between two parts and hence closed-form equations can be written to describe the structural performance of the coupling. Hertz contact theory can also be used to design the contact interface so very high stiffness and load capacity can also be achieved. Potential applications such as mechanical/electrical couplings for batteries could enable electric vehicles to rapidly exchange battery packs.
A SIMPLE ALGORITHM FOR HOMEOMORPHIC SURFACE RECONSTRUCTION

The problem of computing a piecewise linear approximation to a surface from a set of sample points is important in solid modeling, computer graphics and computer vision. A recent algorithm1 using the Voronoi diagram of the sample points gave a guarantee on the distance of the output surface from the original sampled surface assuming that the sample was sufficiently dense. We give a similar algorithm, simplifying the computation and the proof of the geometric guarantee. In addition, we guarantee that our output surface is homeomorphic to the original surface; to our knowledge this is the first such topological guarantee for this problem.
Unsure what the future will bring? You may overindulge: Uncertainty increases the appeal of wants over shoulds

This paper examines the effect of uncertainty about the future on whether individuals select want options (e.g., junk foods, lowbrow films) or instead exert self-control and select should options (e.g., healthy foods, highbrow films). Consistent with the ego-depletion literature, which suggests that self-control resembles an exhaustible muscle, coping with uncertainty about what the future may bring reduces self-control resources and increases individuals’ tendency to favor want options over should options. These results persist when real uncertainty is induced, when the salience of naturally-arising uncertainty is heightened and when individuals are able to make choices contingent upon the outcomes of uncertain events. Overall, this work suggests that reducing uncertainty in a decision maker’s environment may have important spillover effects, leading to less impulsive choices.
Stereospecific synthesis of ether phospholipids. Preparation of 1-octadecyl-2-alkylaminodeoxyglycerophosphocholines

Abstract A novel stereospecific synthesis of 2-substituted alkylaminodeoxy-PAF analogues is reported.
Generalized translation operator and approximation in several variables

Generalized translation operators for orthogonal expansions with respect to families of weight functions on the unit ball and on the standard simplex are studied. They are used to define convolution structures and modulus of smoothness for these regions, which are in turn used to characterize the best approximation by polynomials in the weighted L^p spaces. In one variable, this becomes the generalized translation operator for the Gegenbauer polynomial expansions.
Evidence for C-theorems in 6D SCFTs

Using the recently established classication of 6D SCFTs we present evidence for the existence of families of weak C-functions, that is, quantities which decrease in a
Cyclic covers of rings with rational singularities

We examine some recent work of Phillip Griffith on etale covers and fibered products from the point of view of tight closure theory. While it is known that cyclic covers of Gorenstein rings with rational singularities are Cohen-Macaulay, we show this is not true in general in the absence of the Gorenstein hypothesis. Specifically, we show that the canonical cover of a Q-Gorenstein ring with rational singularities need not be Cohen-Macaulay.
Strategic delegation and voting rules

Abstract The selection of political representatives depends on the political system. Principals, such as voters or districts, may benefit by strategically electing representatives different from themselves. While a status-quo biased delegate may be a better negotiator, an enthusiastic representative has a better chance of being included in the majority coalition. A larger majority requirement leads to “conservative” delegation and hence a status quo bias; a poor minority protection does the opposite. Through strategic delegation, the political system also determines whether centralization or decentralization is beneficial.
Medical Hope, Legal Pitfalls: Potential Legal Issues in the Emerging Field of Oncofertility

The United States annually spends over $200 billion on cancer treatment and research [1]. Over the past several decades, tremendous progress has been made in combating this disease. The 5-year survival rate for cancer has increased from 35% in 1950–1954 to 67% in 1996–2004. Moreover, over the last 40 years, survival rates for childhood cancer have risen from 20 to 81% [2]. However, the very success of new and improved therapies has created a host of problems that were not previously considered. One of the results of the increased rate of post-cancer survival is the commensurate desire of former cancer patients to return to healthy lives, which for many includes having children. Unfortunately, for many this desire is difficult to fulfill, because the medication that succeeded in battling cancer is also quite often toxic to the reproductive organs. Thus, many people are able to live longer lives, yet they feel that their lives are incomplete because they became infertile. Whereas in the past fertility was not even part of the discussion when deciding on the proper cancer treatment, now it is a top concern of many newly diagnosed cancer patients [3]. In response to this concern, medical researchers are investigating several approaches (many of which are described in this book) to preserve cancer patients’ reproductive options.
Reinforcement learning: a survey

This paper surveys the field of reinforcement learning from a computer-science perspective. It is written to be accessible to researchers familiar with machine learning. Both the historical basis of the field and a broad selection of current work are summarized. Reinforcement learning is the problem faced by an agent that learns behavior through trial-and-error interactions with a dynamic environment. The work described here has a resemblance to work in psychology, but differs considerably in the details and in the use of the word "reinforcement." The paper discusses central issues of reinforcement learning, including trading off exploration and exploitation, establishing the foundations of the field via Markov decision theory, learning from delayed reinforcement, constructing empirical models to accelerate learning, making use of generalization and hierarchy, and coping with hidden state. It concludes with a survey of some implemented systems and an assessment of the practical utility of current methods for reinforcement learning.
In Wino Veritas? Indirect Searches Shed Light on Neutralino Dark Matter

Indirect detection constraints on gamma rays (both continuum and lines) have set strong constraints on wino dark matter. By combining results from Fermi-LAT and HESS, we show that: dark matter made entirely of light nonthermal winos is strongly excluded; dark matter consisting entirely of thermal winos is allowed only if the Milky Way dark matter distribution has a significant (≳ 0.4 kpc) core; and for plausible NFW and Einasto distributions the possibility that winos are all the dark matter can be excluded over the entire range of wino masses from 100 GeV up to 3 TeV. The case of light, nonthermal wino dark matter is particularly interesting in scenarios with decaying moduli that reheat the universe to a low temperature. Typically such models have been discussed for low reheating temperatures, not far above the BBN bound of a few MeV. We show that constraints on the allowed wino relic density push such models to higher reheating temperatures and hence heavier moduli. Even for a flattened halo model consisting of an NFW profile with constant-density core inside 1 kpc and a density near the sun of 0.3 GeV/cm3, for 150 GeV winos current data constrains the reheat temperature to be above 1.4 GeV. As a result, for models in which the wino mass is a loop factor below m 3/2, the data favor moduli that are more than an order of magnitude heavier than m 3/2. We discuss some of the sobering implications of this result for the status of supersymmetry. We also comment on other neutralino dark matter scenarios, in particular the case of mixed bino/higgsino dark matter. We show that in this case, direct and indirect searches are complementary to each other and could potentially cover most of the parameter space.
High-Throughput SNP Genotyping by SBE/SBH

Despite much progress over the past decade, current single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping technologies still offer an insufficient degree of multiplexing when required to handle user selected sets of SNPs. In this paper we propose a new genotyping assay architecture combining multiplexed solution-phase single-base extension (SBE) reactions with sequencing by hybridization (SBH) using universal DNA arrays such as all k-mer arrays. Simulation results on datasets both randomly generated and extracted from the NCBI dbSNP database suggest that the SBE/SBH architecture provides a flexible and cost-effective alternative to genotyping assays currently used in the industry, enabling genotyping of up to hundreds of thousands of SNPs per assay
Lower bounds for testing bipartiteness in dense graphs

We consider the problem of testing bipartiteness in the adjacency matrix model. The best known algorithm, due to Alon and Krivelevich, distinguishes between bipartite graphs and graphs that are /spl epsi/-far from bipartite using 0(1//spl epsi//sup 2/) queries. We show that this is optimal for non-adaptive algorithms, up to polylogarithmic factors. We also show a lower bound of /spl Omega/(1//spl epsi//sup 3/2/) for adaptive algorithms.
An Array-Based Test Circuit for Fully Automated Gate Dielectric Breakdown Characterization

We propose an array-based test circuit for efficiently characterizing gate dielectric breakdown. Such a design is highly beneficial when studying this statistical process, where up to thousands of samples are needed to create an accurate time to breakdown Weibull distribution. The proposed circuit also facilitates investigations of any spatial correlation of dielectric failures, and can monitor a progressive decrease in gate resistance. Measurement results are presented from a 32 × 32 test array implemented in a 130-nm bulk CMOS process. Results show that this system is capable of taking accurate measurements across a range of voltages and temperatures, which is critical for extrapolating accelerated stress experiment results to expected device lifetimes under realistic operating conditions.
Spectrum of a meteor

THE photographs of the spectra of the stars taken at the Harvard College Observatory as part of the Henry Draper Memorial differ in two respects from those ordinarily taken elsewhere. Instead of using a spectroscope with a slit, in which but one star is photographed at a time, a large prism is placed over the object–glass of the telescope, and thus spectra of all the bright stars in the field of view are obtained. The number of stars photographed simultaneously is still further increased by substituting for the object-glass a portrait lens like that used by photographers, only larger. The field of view is in this way increased from two degrees square to ten degrees square, and a photograph is obtained of the spectra of all the brighter stars in this large region. Many thousand plates, covering the entire sky, have been taken in this way at the Cambridge and Arequipa Stations of this Observatory.
Strategies for Determining the Nature of Dark Matter

In this review, we discuss the role of the various experimental programs taking part in the effort to identify the particle nature of dark matter. In particular, we focus on electroweak-scale dark matter particles and discuss a wide range of search strategies that are being developed and utilized to detect them. These efforts include direct detection experiments, which attempt to observe the elastic scattering of dark matter particles with nuclei; indirect detection experiments, which search for photons, antimatter, and neutrinos produced as a result of dark matter annihilations; and collider searches for new teraelectronvolt-scale physics. Each of these techniques could potentially provide a unique and complementary set of information related to the mass, interactions, and distribution of dark matter. Ideally, these many different tools will be used together to conclusively identify the particle or particles that constitute the dark matter of the universe.
The Quark-Mass Dependence of Two-Nucleon Systems

Abstract We explore the quark-mass dependence of two-nucleon systems. Allowed regions for the scattering lengths in the 1S0 and 3S1 channels as functions of the light-quark masses are determined from the current uncertainty in strong-interaction parameters that appear at next-to-leading order in the effective field theory. Where experimental constraints are absent, as is the case for the quark-mass dependent four-nucleon operators, we use naive dimensional analysis. We find it likely that there is no bound state in the 1S0 channel in the chiral limit. However, given the present uncertainties in strong-interaction parameters it is unclear whether the deuteron is bound or unbound in the chiral limit.
Highly enantioselective and diastereoselective synthesis of β-amino acid esters and β-lactams from achiral esters and imines

Abstract The reaction of S-tert-butyl thiopropionate with a number of N-benzyl or N-allyl aldimines ( 4 ) as promoted by the chiral diazaborolidine 1 and triethylamine afforded the β-amino acid esters 5 with high diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity, providing a simple route to chiral β-lactams 6 .
Average power reduction techniques for multiple-subcarrier intensity-modulated optical signals

We describe two classes of simple, effective techniques for reducing the average optical power requirement in intensity-modulated optical systems using multiple BPSK or QPSK subcarriers. The first class of techniques involves block coding between the information bits to be transmitted and the symbol amplitudes modulated onto the subcarriers in order to increase the minimum value of the multiple-subcarrier electrical waveform. The second class of techniques involves replacing the fixed DC bias by a bias signal that varies on a symbol-by-symbol basis. These two classes of techniques can be applied separately or in tandem. The reduction in power requirement increases with the number of subcarriers and, with eight subcarriers, can be as high as about 3.6 dB and 3.2 dB with BPSK and QPSK, respectively. The techniques described are applicable as long as all subcarriers originate from a single transmitter and are symbol-synchronized.
Springtime warming and reduced snow cover from carbonaceous particles

Abstract. Boreal spring climate is uniquely susceptible to solar warming mechanisms because it has expansive snow cover and receives relatively strong insolation. Carbonaceous particles can influence snow coverage by warming the atmosphere, reducing surface-incident solar energy (dimming), and reducing snow reflectance after deposition (darkening). We apply a range of models and observations to explore impacts of these processes on springtime climate, drawing several conclusions: 1) Nearly all atmospheric particles (those with visible-band single-scatter albedo less than 0.999), including all mixtures of black carbon (BC) and organic matter (OM), increase net solar heating of the atmosphere-snow column. 2) Darkening caused by small concentrations of particles within snow exceeds the loss of absorbed energy from concurrent dimming, thus increasing solar heating of snowpack as well (positive net surface forcing). Over global snow, we estimate 6-fold greater surface forcing from darkening than dimming, caused by BC+OM. 3) Equilibrium climate experiments suggest that fossil fuel and biofuel emissions of BC+OM induce 95% as much springtime snow cover loss over Eurasia as anthropogenic carbon dioxide, a consequence of strong snow-albedo feedback and large BC+OM emissions from Asia. 4) Of 22 climate models contributing to the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, 21 underpredict the rapid warming (0.64°C decade−1) observed over springtime Eurasia since 1979. Darkening from natural and anthropogenic sources of BC and mineral dust exerts 3-fold greater forcing on springtime snow over Eurasia (3.9 W m−2) than North America (1.2 W m−2). Inclusion of this forcing significantly improves simulated continental warming trends, but does not reconcile the low bias in rate of Eurasian spring snow cover decline exhibited by all models, likely because BC deposition trends are negative or near-neutral over much of Eurasia. Improved Eurasian warming may therefore relate more to darkening-induced reduction in mean snow cover.
A jump diffusion model for option pricing with three properties: leptokurtic feature, volatility smile, and analytical tractability

Brownian motion and normal distribution have been widely used to study option pricing and the return of assets. Despite the successes of the Black-Scholes-Merton model based on Brownian motion and normal distribution, two puzzles which emerged from many empirical investigations, have had much attention recently: 1) the leptokurtic and asymmetric features; 2) the volatility smile. Much research has been conducted on modifying the Black-Scholes models to explain the two puzzles. To incorporate the leptokurtic and asymmetric features, a variety of models have been proposed. The article proposes a novel model which has three properties: 1) it has leptokurtic and asymmetric features, under which the return distribution of the assets has a higher peak and two heavier tails than the normal distribution, especially the left tail; 2) it leads to analytical solutions to many option pricing problems, including: call and put options, and options on futures; interest rate derivatives such as caplets, caps, and bond options; exotic options, such as perpetual American options, barrier and lookback options; 3) it can reproduce the "volatility smile".
Search for a Solution of the Pioneer Anomaly

In 1972 and 1973 the Pioneer 10 and 11 missions were launched. They were the first to explore the outer solar system and achieved stunning breakthroughs in deep-space exploration. But beginning in about 1980 an unmodelled force of ∼8×10−8 cm s−2, directed approximately towards the Sun, appeared in the tracking signal. It later was unambiguously verified as being in the data and not an artefact. The cause remains unknown (although radiant heat remains a likely origin). With time more and more effort has gone into understanding this anomaly (and also possibly related effects). We review the situation and describe ongoing programmes to resolve the issue.
Political economy aspects of fuel subsidies : a conceptual framework

While notoriously inefficient, fuel subsidies are widespread, and in many cases politically stable. This paper discusses and models various political economy aspects of fuel subsidies, focusing on gasoline and kerosene. Both economic and political are considered to explain differences in subsidies, with particular focus on democratic and autocratic governments. A political process is modeled whereby a promise of low fuel prices is used in democracies to attract voters, and in autocracies to mobilize support among key groups. Subsidies to fuels are viewed as either easier to observe, easier to commit to, easier to deliver, or better targeted at core groups, than other public goods or favors offered by rulers. Easier commitment and delivery than for regular public goods can explain the high prevalence of such policies in autocracies, and also in young democracies where the capacity to commit to or deliver complex public goods is not yet fully developed. The analysis provides a framework for empirical testing and verification.
Knowledge-fused differential dependency network models for detecting significant rewiring in biological networks

Background: Modeling biological networks serves as both a major goal and an effective tool of systems biology in studying mechanisms that orchestrate the activities of gene products in cells. Biological networks are context-specific and dynamic in nature. To systematically characterize the selectively activated regulatory components and mechanisms, modeling tools must be able to effectively distinguish significant rewiring from random background fluctuations. While differential networks cannot be constructed by existing knowledge alone, novel incorporation of prior knowledge into data-driven approaches can improve the robustness and biological relevance of network inference. However, the major unresolved roadblocks include: big solution space but a small sample size; highly complex networks; imperfect prior knowledge; missing significance assessment; and heuristic structural parameter learning. Results: To address these challenges, we formulated the inference of differential dependency networks that incorporate both conditional data and prior knowledge as a convex optimization problem, and developed an efficient learning algorithm to jointly infer the conserved biological network and the significant rewiring across different conditions. We used a novel sampling s cheme to estimate the expected error rate due to“random” knowledge. Based on that scheme, we developed a strategy that fully exploits the benefit of this data-knowledge integrated approach. We demonstrated and validated the principle and performance of our method using synthetic datasets. We then applied our method to yeast cell line and breast cancer microarray data and obtained biologically plausible results. The open-source R software package and the experimental data are freely available at http://www.cbil.ece.vt.edu/software.htm. Conclusions: Experiments on both synthetic and real data demonstrate the effectiveness of the knowledge-fused differential dependency network in revealing the statistically significant rewiring in biological networks. The method efficiently leverages data-driven evidence and existing biological knowledge while remaining robust to the false positive edges in the prior knowledge. The identified network rewiring events are supported by previous studies in the literature and also provide new mechanistic insight into the biological systems. We expect the knowledge-fused differential dependency network analysis, together with the open-source R package, to be an important and useful bioinformatics tool in biological network analyses.
The Missing “Missing Middle”

The notion that the distribution of firm size in poor countries is characterized by a bimodal distribution with a “missing middle” is a widely accepted fact in development economics (for example, see Krueger 2013). The idea of the missing middle is that there are a large number of small firms, some large firms, but very few medium-sized firms. The purported fact about the missing middle is cited as evidence for two broad stories of why many countries are poor. Perhaps surprisingly, these models look for the cause of the missing middle in two fundamentally different places. One approach suggests that small firms are disfavored in low-income countries— for example, by a lack of access to financial capital—and thus face difficulties in growing to become middle-sized firms. The other approach posits a “dual economy” of large high-productivity firms and small low-productivity firms, and then suggests that larger firms are disfavored in low-income countries—for example, by having to bear large fixed costs of regulation—which make it difficult for middle-sized firms to become established. We begin by reviewing these theories of development based on the purported fact of a “missing middle.” We then explore the evidence on distribution of firm sizes in more detail and challenge the presumption that a “missing middle” occurs at all. We present three main facts. First, there is in fact no evidence of a missing middle in detailed and comprehensive data on the size of manufacturing firms in India, Indonesia, or Mexico, regardless of how we slice the data. To be sure, there
The Impact of Methodological Approach on Cost Findings in Comparison of Epoetin Alfa with Darbepoetin Alfa

Background:Two erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa, are approved for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with cancer. Randomized controlled trials indicate that the drugs are similarly efficacious, but that the duration of clinical benefit (DCB) ranges from 2 to 7 days for epoetin alfa and from 7 to 21 days for darbepoetin alfa, depending on dose. Given equivalent efficacy, payers are increasingly interested in understanding the cost differences for these 2 drugs.Objective:To examine the impact of different methodological approaches on the cost comparison between epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa users, with cancer from a payer perspective.Methods:Episodes of care (episode) were constructed for cancer patients treated with ESAs, using MarketScan claims data. Episodes started with the first ESA claim and ended on the last ESA claim or the claim before a 42-day or longer gap in ESA therapy. Each episode was augmented with an estimated DCB based on...
Discretionary disclosure and stock-based incentives

We examine the relation between managers’ disclosure activities and their stock price-based incentives. Managers are privy to information that investors demand and are reluctant to publicly disseminate it unless provided appropriate incentives. We argue that stock price-based incentives in the form of stock-based compensation and share ownership mitigate this disclosure agency problem. Consistent with this prediction, we find that firms’ disclosures, measured both by management earnings forecast frequency and analysts’ subjective ratings of disclosure practice, are positively related to the proportion of CEO compensation affected by stock price and the value of shares held by the CEO. r 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Early Blood Biomarkers Predict Organ Injury and Resource Utilization Following Complex Cardiac Surgery

Background Patients undergoing complex cardiac surgery (thoracic aorta and valve) are at risk for organ failure and increased resource utilization. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been found to be an early biomarker for renal injury. Multiplex cytokine immunoassays allow the evaluation of the early inflammatory response. We examined the relationship between early biomarker appearance (NGAL and multiplex cytokines) and organ injury and resource utilization. Materials and Methods NGAL and multiplex cytokine immunoassays were performed at baseline, 1, 6, and 24h following surgery on 38 patients undergoing thoracic aorta and valve operations. The mean age was 65 y with 26 males and 12 females. Acute kidney injury (AKIN definition), pulmonary failure (>24h ventilation), and intensive care unit and hospital stays were examined. Results One hour following complex cardiac surgery, the quartile of patients with the greatest IL-6 response had higher serum NGAL levels compared with the lowest quartile (347 versus 145 ng/mL, P = 0.002), and 70% of these patients progressed to clinical kidney injury. Six hours following surgery, the quartile of patients with the greatest IL-10 response had higher serum NGAL compared with the lowest quartile (271 versus 160, P = 0.04), more pulmonary failure (60% versus 10%, P = 0.01), and longer ICU and hospital stays ( P = 0.001). Conclusions Patients with early elevated biomarkers of inflammation exhibited higher NGAL, more pulmonary failure, and greater resource utilization. Earlier identification of patients at risk for organ injury may allow for earlier intervention and reduce resource utilization.
Further Results on the Observability of Quantum Systems Under General Measurement

In this paper, we present a collection of results on the observability of quantum mechanical systems, in the case the output is the result of a discrete nonselective measurement. By defining an effective observable, we extend previous results, on the Lie algebraic characterization of observable systems, to general measurements. Further results include the characterization of a `best probe' (i.e. a minimally disturbing probe) in indirect measurement and a study of the relation between disturbance and observability in this case. We also discuss how the observability properties of a quantum system relate to the problem of state reconstruction. Extensions of the formalism to the case of selective measurements are also given.
Detecting tsunami genesis and scales directly from coastal GPS stations

[1] Different from the conventional approach to tsunami warnings that rely on earthquake magnitude estimates, we have found that coastal GPS stations are able to detect continental slope displacements of faulting due to big earthquakes, and that the detected seafloor displacements are able to determine tsunami source energy and scales instantaneously. This method has successfully replicated three historical tsunamis caused by the 2004 Sumatra earthquake, the 2005 Nias earthquake, and the 1964 Alaska earthquake, respectively, and has been compared favorably with the conventional seismic solutions that usually take hours or days to get through inverting seismographs. Because many coastal GPS stations are already in operation for measuring ground motions in real time as often as once every few seconds, this study suggests a practical way of identifying tsunamigenic earthquakes for early warnings and reducing false alarms.
Preparation of N-Aryl Azacrown Ether Derivatives, Using Arene−Iron Chemistry

m- or p-phenylenediamine and m- or p-chlorophenyl-substituted azacrown ether derivatives were synthesized through sequential nucleophilic substitution of [(η5-cyclopentadienyl)(η6-(m- or p-dichlorobenzene))]iron hexafluorophosphate by azacrown ethers and cyclohexaamines. Monoarylation is the main reaction for diazacrown ethers. The overall yield from the starting complex is 50−96% for multiple steps.
New FTS measurements, optimized energy levels and refined VUV standards in the Ne III spectrum

All observed spectral lines of Ne III in the range 204 A to 36 μm (277 cm-1 to 490000 cm-1) have been compiled and critically evaluated. 57 visible and ultraviolet lines of Ne III have been precisely measured using Fourier transform spectroscopy. An optimized level scheme has been derived from the total list of observed lines. Relative positions of about 180 out of a total of 226 previously known energy levels of Ne III have been determined with improved accuracy compared to previous studies. Excitation energies of almost all excited levels have been revised by (1.5–2.0) cm-1. 127 precise wavelength standards in the region 210 A to 2900 A have been derived. Concepts of error current and covariance matrix have been implemented in a computational algorithm that permits one to derive the uncertainties of Ritz wavelength standards obtained from a set of least-squares-optimized energy levels. Nine new energy levels have been found, and 16 new transitions have been identified in the extreme ultraviolet region. The ionization potential has been increased by 4.5 cm-1. The new value is ( $\rm 511543.5\pm 2.7)~cm^{-1}$ ( $\rm 63.4233~eV \pm 0.0003~eV$ ).
Does Organic Command a Premium When the Food is Already Local

The emergence of community supported agriculture (CSA) farms has been recognized as a new way for small farms to remain competitive while engaging in their local community through direct marketing. In this study, we report on first revealed preference valuation of CSA attributes using data on share prices and CSA characteristics for the summer 2012 growing season. Using data covering 453 CSA farms in Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, we develop a hedonic model based on firm‐level prices to reveal consumer valuations of CSA attributes, including various types of organic certification. We also test for competition in the CSA market using a model of firm entry to evaluate whether firms appear perfectly competitive, which is a requirement when using firm‐level prices in our hedonic analysis. Our results reveal a price premium of approximately 7% for USDA organic certification, although this value is heterogeneous across states. We find no premium associated with competing certified naturally grown programs. Finally, we find that CSA farms exhibit little market power and appear to act competitively even with few market entrants.
Parallel and Streaming Generation of Ghost Data for Structured Grids

A hybrid parallel and out-of-core algorithm pads blocks from a structured grid with layers of ghost data from adjacent blocks. This enables end-to-end streaming computations on very large data sets that gracefully adapt to available computing resources, from a single-processor machine to parallel visualization clusters.
Semi-supervised Learning using Sparse Eigenfunction Bases

We present a new framework for semi-supervised learning with sparse eigenfunction bases of kernel matrices. It turns out that when the data has clustered, that is, when the high density regions are sufficiently separated by low density valleys, each high density area corresponds to a unique representative eigenvector. Linear combination of such eigenvectors (or, more precisely, of their Nystrom extensions) provide good candidates for good classification functions when the cluster assumption holds. By first choosing an appropriate basis of these eigenvectors from unlabeled data and then using labeled data with Lasso to select a classifier in the span of these eigenvectors, we obtain a classifier, which has a very sparse representation in this basis. Importantly, the sparsity corresponds naturally to the cluster assumption. Experimental results on a number of real-world data-sets show that our method is competitive with the state of the art semi-supervised learning algorithms and outperforms the natural base-line algorithm (Lasso in the Kernel PCA basis).
A low-complexity congestion control and scheduling algorithm for multihop wireless networks with order-optimal per-flow delay

Quantifying the end-to-end delay performance in multihop wireless networks is a well-known challenging problem. In this paper, we propose a new joint congestion control and scheduling algorithm for multihop wireless networks with fixed-route flows operated under a general interference model with interference degree K. Our proposed algorithm not only achieves a provable throughput guarantee (which is close to at least 1/K of the system capacity region), but also leads to explicit upper bounds on the end-to-end delay of every flow. Our end-to-end delay and throughput bounds are in simple and closed forms, and they explicitly quantify the tradeoff between throughput and delay of every flow. Furthermore, the per-flow end-to-end delay bound increases linearly with the number of hops that the flow passes through, which is order-optimal with respect to the number of hops. Unlike traditional solutions based on the back-pressure algorithm, our proposed algorithm combines window-based flow control with a new rate-based distributed scheduling algorithm. A key contribution of our work is to use a novel stochastic dominance approach to bound the corresponding per-flow throughput and delay, which otherwise are often intractable in these types of systems. Our proposed algorithm is fully distributed and requires a low per-node complexity that does not increase with the network size. Hence, it can be easily implemented in practice.
Characterization and equalization of the AC responses of the corrector magnets for the APS local orbit feedback system

Local feedback for the APS storage ring uses local bumps to control the position and angle of the positron beam through each X-ray source point. Induced eddy currents in the aluminum vacuum chamber dominate the AC characteristics of the corrector magnetic fields. Small differences in the geometries at each magnet location change the eddy current effects and result in bump closure errors which must be reduced in order to minimize the coupling between each of the many local loops and the global control loop. By a combination of flux-damping coils, flux-shielding copper sheets, and a set of steel laminations for end-flux clamping, the differences of the eddy current effects between two corrector magnets were reduced from 0.18 Gm/A to 0.035 Gm/A in the frequency span of 0.1-100 Hz.
Practice as Research: Foundations for a Community of Knowledge

This paper seeks to theorize embodied knowledge. If knowledge is power, then questions of “embodied knowledge” should be central to this conference. How and when is knowledge embodied? Under what conditions can embodied practice constitute knowledge? And what kind of practice-based “research” expands this kind of knowledge? Today, as references to embodied knowledge continue to multiply, it is essential that scholars arrive at a useful and rigorously theorized understanding of this concept that can satisfy both the demands of practice and the requirements of scholarship. This presentation intervenes in the ongoing debate on practice as research, with reference to the conversations of the ASTR working group on Performance as Research (of which I am part) and to two recent books published by Palgrave-Macmillan.
Reduction pathways of cyclooctatetraene iron tricarbonyl as examined using infrared spectroelectrochemistry

Abstract : The nature of the redox-induced structural changes of cyclooctatetraene iron tricarbonyl are explored using fourier transform infrared spectroelectrochemistry. The results provide a simple demonstration of the detailed mechanistic information that can be obtained by employing FTIR instrumentation along with a thin-layer electrochemical arrangement. Keywords: Infrared spectroelectrochemistry, Redox kinetics.
Twelf and Delphin: Logic and Functional Programming in a Meta-logical Framework

Logical framework research studies the design of meta-languages that support efficient encodings of object-languages and deductions prevalent in the areas of programming languages, mobile code and logics design. A meta-logical framework is a logical framework that, in addition, supports reasoning about these encodings. Over the previous decades various meta-logical frameworks have been developed and employed among them Nuprl, Isabelle, Coq, Lego, Maude, Elan and, of course, the meta-logical framework Twelf [PS99] that is being discussed here. [Pfe99] provides an excellent overview and a historical perspective of the field of logical frameworks. The fields of programming language design, safe and secure mobile code, verification of authorization and other security protocols and lately even experiment design in biology drive the development of the aforementioned frameworks and greatly benefit from their progress.
Timing Analysis with Compact Variation-Aware Standard Cell Models

A compact variation-aware timing model for standard cells is developed. It incorporates variations in the input waveform and loading, process parameters, and the environment into the cell timing model. PCA is used to form a compact model of a set of waveforms impacted by these sources of variation. Cell characterization involves describing how waveforms are transformed by a cell as a function of these variations. Different versions of factorial designs and Latin Hypercube sampling have been explored to model cells, and their complexity and accuracy is compared. The models have been evaluated by calculating the delay of paths. The results demonstrate improved memory in comparison with table-based static timing analysis at comparable computational cost.