cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-assembly of the Discrete Sierpinski Carpet and Related Fractals

It is well known that the discrete Sierpinski triangle can be defined as the nonzero residues modulo 2 of Pascal's triangle, and that from this definition one can construct a tileset with which the discrete Sierpinski triangle self-assembles in Winfree's tile assembly model. In this paper we introduce an infinite class of discrete self-similar fractals (a class that includes both the Sierpinski triangle and the Sierpinski carpet) that are defined by the residues modulo a prime p of the entries in a two-dimensional matrix obtained from a simple recursive equation. We prove that every fractal in this class self-assembles and that there is a uniform procedure that generates the corresponding tilesets. As a special case we show that the discrete Sierpinski carpet self-assembles using a set of 30 tiles.
Minimizing Maximum Response Time and Delay Factor in Broadcast Scheduling

We consider online algorithms for pull-based broadcast scheduling. In this setting there are n pages of information at a server and requests for pages arrive online. When the server serves (broadcasts) a page p, all outstanding requests for that page are satisfied. We study two related metrics, namely maximum response time (waiting time) and maximum delay-factor and their weighted versions. We obtain the following results in the worst-case online competitive model. We show that FIFO (first-in first-out) is 2-competitive even when the page sizes are different. Previously this was known only for unit-sized pages [10] via a delicate argument. Our proof differs from [10] and is perhaps more intuitive. We give an online algorithm for maximum delay-factor that is O(1/e 2)-competitive with (1 + e)-speed for unit-sized pages and with (2 + e)-speed for different sized pages. This improves on the algorithm in [13] which required (2 + e)-speed and (4 + e)-speed respectively. In addition we show that the algorithm and analysis can be extended to obtain the same results for maximum weighted response time and delay factor. We show that a natural greedy algorithm modeled after LWF (Longest-Wait-First) is not O(1)-competitive for maximum delay factor with any constant speed even in the setting of standard scheduling with unit-sized jobs. This complements our upper bound and demonstrates the importance of the tradeoff made in our algorithm.
Sets of Salem type and sharpness of the $L^2$-Fourier restriction theorem

We construct Salem sets on the real line with endpoint Fourier decay and near-endpoint regularity properties. This complements a result of \L aba and Pramanik, who obtained near-endpoint Fourier decay and endpoint regularity properties. We then modify the construction to extend a theorem of Hambrook and \L aba to show sharpness of the $L^2$-Fourier restriction estimate by Mockenhaupt and Bak-Seeger, including the case where the Hausdorff and Fourier dimension do not coincide.
Distribution and Content of Dust in Overlapping Galaxy Systems

We present a progress report on our program to determine the opacity of spiral disks directly, rather than statistically, by imaging foreground spirals partially projected against background galaxies. The non-overlapping regions of partially overlapping galaxies can be used to reconstruct, using purely differential photometry, how much light from the background galaxy is lost in passing through the foreground galaxy in the overlap region.
CT-NOR: representing and reasoning about events in continuous time

We present a generative model for representing and reasoning about the relationships among events in continuous time. We apply the model to the domain of networked and distributed computing environments where we fit the parameters of the model from timestamp observations, and then use hypothesis testing to discover dependencies between the events and changes in behavior for monitoring and diagnosis. After introducing the model, we present an EM algorithm for fitting the parameters and then present the hypothesis testing approach for both dependence discovery and change-point detection. We validate the approach for both tasks using real data from a trace of network events at Microsoft Research Cambridge. Finally, we formalize the relationship between the proposed model and the noisy-or gate for cases when time can be discretized.
A NOTE ON AN L p -BRUNN-MINKOWSKI INEQUALITY FOR CONVEX MEASURES IN THE UNCONDITIONAL CASE

We consider a different $L^p$-Minkowski combination of compact sets in $\mathbb{R}^n$ than the one introduced by Firey and we prove an $L^p$-Brunn-Minkowski inequality, $p \in [0,1]$, for a general class of measures called convex measures that includes log-concave measures, under unconditional assumptions. As a consequence, we derive concavity properties of the function $t \mapsto \mu(t^{\frac{1}{p}} A)$, $p \in (0,1]$, for unconditional convex measures $\mu$ and unconditional convex body $A$ in $\mathbb{R}^n$. We also prove that the (B)-conjecture for all uniform measures is equivalent to the (B)-conjecture for all log-concave measures, completing recent works by Saroglou.
Analyzing Random Network Coding With Differential Equations and Differential Inclusions

We develop a framework based on differential equations (DE) and differential inclusions (DI) for analyzing Random Network Coding (RNC) in an arbitrary wireless network. The DEDI framework serves as a powerful numerical and analytical tool to study RNC. For demonstration, we first build a system of DE's with this framework, under the fluid approximation, to model the means of the rank evolution processes. By converting this system to DI's and explicitly solving them, we show that the average multicast throughput is equal to the min-cut bound. We then turn to the precise system of DE's regarding the means and variances of the rank evolution processes. By analyzing this system, we show that the rank evolution processes asymptotically concentrate to the solution of the DI's obtained previously. From this result, it immediately follows that the min-cut bound can be achieved as the number of source packets becomes large. We demonstrate the numerical accuracy and flexibility in performance analysis enabled by the DEDI framework via illustrative examples of networks with multiple multicast sessions, complex topology and correlated reception. We also briefly discuss its application in MAC and PHY adaptation and the extension to Random Coupon Selection.
Correlation Functions, Cluster Functions, and Spacing Distributions for Random Matrices

The usual formulas for the correlation functions in orthogonal and symplectic matrix models express them as quaternion determinants. From this representation one can deduce formulas for spacing probabilities in terms of Fredholm determinants of matrix-valued kernels. The derivations of the various formulas are somewhat involved. In this article we present a direct approach which leads immediately to scalar kernels for the unitary ensembles and matrix kernels for the orthogonal and symplectic ensembles, and the representations of the correlation functions, cluster functions, and spacing distributions in terms of them.
Beryllium Oxide (BeO)

Publisher Summary The optical properties of crystalline synthetic beryllium oxide, BeO, are reported for a very limited number of samples. The main reasons for this lack of data are the toxic properties of the material and the difficulty of growing large optical-quality crystals. BeO is considered a useful new optical material for the vacuum ultraviolet because of its high transmittance down to about 9.4 eV and its apparent resistance to UV radiation damage.Calculations by White, Edwards, and Rathkopf predict that overlayers of BeO on metallic reflectors can significantly enhance their hardness to X-ray radiation. Natural bromellite (BeO) and synthetically grown BeO crystals are uniaxially positive. Newkirk et al. using the angle-of-minimum deviation technique, measured the ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices and their dependence on temperature from 0.430 μm to0.690 μm. Loh evaluated the ordinary and extraordinary infrared refractive indices and extinction coefficients for BeO from their polarized reflectance spectra. The refractive index n and extinction coefficient k values are derived from parameters used to fit the classical oscillator dispersion formula to the reflectance spectra.
Are changes to the common rule necessary to address evolving areas of research? A case study focusing on the human microbiome project

This article examines ways in which research conducted under the Human Microbiome Project, an effort to establish a "reference catalogue" of the micro-organisms present in the human body and determine how changes in those micro-organisms affect health and disease, raise challenging issues for regulation of human subject research. The article focuses on issues related to subject selection and recruitment, group stigma, and informational risks, and explores whether: (1) the Common Rule or proposed changes to the Rule adequately address these issues and (2) the Common Rule is the most appropriate vehicle to provide regulatory oversight and guidance on these topics.
MTX/ELF II microwave power measurements and calibration for the 2 GW, 140 GHz, ELF II free-electron laser

Techniques for measuring the power and frequency of the Electron Laser Facility (ELF)-II free-electron laser (FEL) used for plasma heating experiments on the Microwave Tokamak Experiment (MTX) have been developed. A multichannel 140-GHz receiver capable of measuring FEL power levels from 10 mW to 0.1 mu W within an accuracy of +or-1 dB and with a 50-dB dynamic range and a 2-ns response time has been designed. By using calibrated attenuators, it is possible to measure power levels from 10 GW to 0.1 mu W. The microwave output of the FEL in a microwave load tank is sampled by using WR-8 or WR-28 stub waveguide antennas. Microwave turning mirrors are used to guide the microwave beam down an evacuated beam tube to the MTX. Stub, WR-8, fundamental-mode waveguide antennas are used for beam detection on the microwave turning mirrors. >
Transfer of spatial reference frame using singlet states and classical communication

A simple protocol is described for transferring spatial orientation from Alice to Bob (two spatially separated observers). The two observers are assumed to share quantum singlet states and classical communication. The protocol assumes that Alice and Bob have complete free will (measurement independence) and is based on maximizing the Shannon mutual information between Alice and Bob's measurement outcomes. Repeated use of this protocol for each spatial axis of Alice allows transfer of a complete three-dimensional reference frame, up to inversion of each of the axes. The technological complexity of this protocol is similar to that needed for BB84 quantum key distribution and hence is much simpler to implement than recently proposed schemes for transmission of reference frames. A second protocol based on a Bayesian formalism is also discussed.
Colorectal cancer models for novel drug discovery.

Introduction: Despite increased screening rates and advances in targeted therapy, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality. CRC models that recapitulate key features of human disease are essential to the development of novel and effective therapeutics. Classic methods of modeling CRC such as human cell lines and xenograft mice, while useful for many applications, carry significant limitations. Recently developed in vitro and in vivo models overcome some of these deficiencies and thus can be utilized to better model CRC for mechanistic and translational research.Areas covered: The authors review established models of in vitro cell culture and describe advances in organoid culture for studying normal and malignant intestine. They also discuss key features of classic xenograft models and describe other approaches for in vivo CRC research, including patient-derived xenograft, carcinogen-induced, orthotopic transplantation and transgenic mouse models. We also describe...
The Mildly Metal-Poor Globular Cluster M4: Star-to-Star Abundance Variations in 20 Giants

Many low-metallicity globular clusters exhibit large star-to-star variations of C., N, O, Na, Mg, & Al abundances. In higher-metallicity clusters, the abundance swings are muted. Evidence of anticorrelations of O versus Na and Mg versus Al exists in classical northern-hemisphere clusters spanning a range of metallicities, −0.8 < [Fe/H] < −2.2. These and other anticorrelations, observed to be a function of giant branch position, are consistent with material having undergone proton-capture nucleosynthesis, presumably taking place in regions where the CNO-cycle is in operation, and brought to the surface by a deep-mixing mechanism. Distinctly bimodal distributions of cyanogen strengths at nearly all giant branch positions are observed in some clusters, including M4 (Norris, 1981). The metallicity of M4 ([Fe/H] ~ − 1) places it among clusters in which the O versus Na and Mg versus Al anticorrelations are expected to be suppressed. Indeed, not much abundance variation has been observed in small samples of M4 giant stars (see e.g. Brown and Wallerstein, 1992). This puzzle led us to consider an abundance study of a large sample of bright giants in the mildly metal-poor globular cluster M4, the nearest, brightest, and one of the most accessible targets in which to study the CN-bimodal phenomenon.
Blue Supergiants as a Tool for Extragalactic Distances — Theoretical Concepts

Because of their enormous intrinsic brightness blue supergiants are ideal stellar objects to be studied spectroscopically as individuals in galaxies far beyond the Local Group. Quantitative spectroscopy by means of efficient multi-object spectrographs attached to 8m-class telescopes and modern NLTE model atmosphere techniques allow us to determine not only intrinsic stellar parameters such as effective temperature, surface gravity, chemical composition and absolute magnitude but also very accurately interstellar reddening and extinction. This is a significant advantage compared to classical distance indicators like Cepheids and RR Lyrae. We describe the spectroscopic diagnostics of blue supergiants and introduce two concepts to determine absolute magnitudes. The first one (Wind Momentum — Luminosity Relationship) uses the correlation between observed stellar wind momentum and luminosity, whereas the second one (Flux-weighted Gravity—Luminosity Relationship) relies only on the determination of effective temperature and surface gravity to yield an accurate estimate of absolute magnitude. We discuss the potential of these two methods.
An error bound for instantaneous coverage

An error bound is derived for a reliability model approximation method. The approximation method is appropriate for the semi-Markov models of reconfigurable systems that are designed to achieve extremely high reliability. The reliability model approximation method consists of replacing a detailed description of a reconfiguration process with the probabilities of the possible outcomes of the reconfiguration process. These probabilities are included in the model as instantaneous jumps from the fault-occurrence state. Since little time is spent in the reconfiguration states, instantaneous jumps are a close approximation to the original model. This approximation procedure is shown to produce an overestimation for the probability of system failure, and an error bound is derived for this overestimation. >
The modulated-input modulated-output model

In this paper we discuss why message acknowledgements are an appropriate engineering approach to meet system functionality. The data replication problem in database systems is our motivation. We introduce a new queueing theoretic model, the MIMO model, that incorporates burstiness in the sending side and busy periods in the receiving side. Based on simulation results derived from this model, we show that the buffer requirements from M/M/1/N queues are too optimistic.
Femtosecond X-ray pulses from a synchrotron

Summary form only given, as follows. Ultrashort optical pulses have been a remarkable tool for the investigation of dynamic processes in physics, chemistry and biology. X-ray measurement techniques using synchrotrons have revolutionized the determination of static molecular structures. In this talk I describe recent advances which permit the generation of X-ray pulses having a duration in the femtosecond time regime, directly from a synchrotron. Such pulses will enable dynamic structural determinations. I discuss experimental results in X-ray pulse generation at the Advanced Light Source using a novel pulse slicing technique.
Valence of complex-valued planar harmonic functions

The valence of a function f at a point w is the number of distinct, finite solutions to f(z) = w. Let f be a complex-valued harmonic function in an open set R C C. Let S denote the critical set of f and C(f) the global cluster set of f. We show that f(S) U C(f) partitions the complex plane into regions of constant valence. We give some conditions such that f(S)UC(f) has empty interior. We also show that a component An C R\f -1 (f(S) U C(f)) is an no-fold covering of some component Ω 0 C C\(f(S) ∪C(f)). If Ω 0 is simply connected, then f is univalent. on R 0 . We explore conditions for combining adjacent components to form a larger region of univalence. Those results which hold for C 1 functions on open sets in R 2 are first stated in that form and then applied to the case of planar harmonic functions. If f is a light, harmonic function in the complex plane, we apply a structure theorem of Lyzzaik to gain information about the difference in valence between components of C\(f(S) U C(f)) sharing a common boundary arc in f(S)\C(f).
Who makes the rules of globalization

In this paper I argue that profit maximizing firms, even though they contribute to social welfare when they compete in the market, may not do so when they influence the political process. In particular, I suggest, through several examples from both the real world and from economic theory, that corporations have played a significant role in the formulation of the rules of the international trading system. They did this in the formation of the WTO, where they were responsible for the expansion to cover both intellectual property and services. And they do this in preferential trading arrangements such as the NAFTA, where they inserted the notorious Chapter 11 and specified rules of origin for automotive products. All of this is quite consistent with economic theory, including the literature on the political economy of trade policy. I also use a simple duopoly model to illustrate a domestic firm’s interest in setting rules of origin. The corporate influence on rules need not be bad, but there is no reason why it should be good either, as these examples illustrate.
Optimal Timing of Sequential Distribution: The Impact of Congestion Externalities and Day-and-Date Strategies

The window between a film's theatrical and video releases has been steadily declining with some studios now testing day-and-date strategies i.e., when a film is released across multiple channels at once. We present a model of consumer choice that examines trade-offs between substitutable products theatrical and video forms, the possibility of purchasing both alternatives, a congestion externality affecting consumption at theaters with heterogeneous consumer groups, and a decay in the quality of the content over time. Our model permits a normative study of the impact of shorter release windows zero-three months for which there is a scarcity of relevant data. We characterize the market conditions under which a studio makes video release time and price selections indicative of direct-to-video, day-and-date, and delayed video release tactics. During seasons of peak congestion, we establish that day-and-date strategies are optimal for high-quality films with high content durability i.e., films whose content tends to lead consumers to purchase both alternatives whereas prices are set to perfectly segment the consumer market for films with low content durability. We find that lower congestion effects provide studios with incentives to delay release and price the video to induce multiple purchasing behavior for films with higher content durability. However, an increase in congestion effects can, in certain cases, actually lead to higher studio profitability. We also show that, at the lower range of quality, an increase in movie quality should often be accompanied by a later video release time. Surprisingly, however, we observe the opposite result at the upper range of movie quality: an increase in quality can justify an earlier release of the video.
Poset homology of Rees products, and q-Eulerian polynomials

The notion of Rees product of posets was introduced by Bjorner and Welker in [8], where they study connections between poset topology and commutative algebra. Bjorner and Welker conjectured and Jonsson [25] proved that the dimension of the top homology of the Rees product of the truncated Boolean algebra $B_n \setminus \{0\}$ and the $n$-chain $C_n$ is equal to the number of derangements in the symmetric group $\mathfrak{ S}$$_n$. Here we prove a refinement of this result, which involves the Eulerian numbers, and a $q$-analog of both the refinement and the original conjecture, which comes from replacing the Boolean algebra by the lattice of subspaces of the $n$-dimensional vector space over the $q$ element field, and involves the (maj,exc)-$q$-Eulerian polynomials studied in previous papers of the authors [32,33]. Equivariant versions of the refinement and the original conjecture are also proved, as are type BC versions (in the sense of Coxeter groups) of the original conjecture and its $q$-analog.
On the Anomalous Stock Price Response to Management Earnings Forecasts

: This paper examines stock price formation subsequent to management forecasts of quarterly earnings. In the post-announcement period, we find a significant upward price drift for both good news forecasts and bad news forecasts. Combined with the asymmetry in the initial market response, the upward post-guidance drift in stock prices is consistent with a reversal of an initial overreaction to managers’ bad news forecasts and a continuation of an initial underreaction to managers’ good news forecasts. This interpretation is supported by a negative (positive) relationship between the initial market response and the post-guidance drift in the bad news (good news) group. The drift pattern is robust to issues arising from measurement. Trading strategies exploiting the post-announcement drift suggest the existence of economically significant trading profits, net of estimated trading costs.
Eyewitness Memory for People and Events

Although the criminal justice system relies heavily on accounts that people give from their memories, it has no articulated theory of memory. This chapter is a broad review of the science of eyewitness memory that covers not only eyewitness identification of criminal suspects but also memories for events. Misinformation effects, characteristics of true versus false memories, and the role of imagination in developing false memories are discussed. Furthermore, the problem of mistaken identification is discussed as evidenced both in the lab and in actual criminal cases. A system is described for classifying variables affecting eyewitness identification that involves three categorization factors, namely the chronology of the variable (e.g., event characteristics, post-event characteristics, lineup characteristics), the variable's system versus estimator status (controllable or not by the criminal justice system), and the variable's status as a general impairment versus suspect-bias variable. An actual case of mistaken identification is used to illustrate many points. Keywords: eyewitness testimony; eyewitness identification; lineups; wrongful convictions; false memory
A zinc–iron redox-flow battery under $100 per kW h of system capital cost

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are one of the most promising scalable electricity-storage systems to address the intermittency issues of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. The prerequisite for RFBs to be economically viable and widely employed is their low cost. Here we present a new zinc–iron (Zn–Fe) RFB based on double-membrane triple-electrolyte design that is estimated to have under $100 per kW h system capital cost. Such a low cost is achieved by a combination of inexpensive redox materials (i.e., zinc and iron) and high cell performance (e.g., 676 mW cm−2 power density). Engineering of the cell structure is found to be critical to enable the high power density. Our cost model shows that a Zn–Fe RFB demonstrates the lowest cost among some notable RFBs and could reach the 2023 cost target set by the U.S. Department of Energy ($150 per kW h).
Stability testing of matrix polytopes

Motivated by questions in robust control and switched linear dynamical systems, we consider the problem checking whether every element of a polytope of n×n matrices A is stable. We show that this can be done in polynomial-time in n when the number of extreme points of A is constant, but becomes NP-Hard when the number of extreme points grows as Θ(n). This result has two useful corollaries: (i) for the case when A is a line, we give a stability-testing algorithm considerably faster than the best currently known algorithms (ii) we show that verifying the absolute asymptotic stability of a continuous-time switched linear system with n − 1 n × n matrices A i satisfying 0 ≽ A i + A i T is NP-hard.
Matrix completion and tensor rank

We show that the low rank matrix completion problem can be reduced to the problem of finding the rank of a certain tensor.
Learning Object Arrangements in 3D Scenes using Human Context

We consider the problem of learning object arrangements in a 3D scene. The key idea here is to learn how objects relate to human poses based on their affordances, ease of use and reachability. In contrast to modeling object-object relationships, modeling human-object relationships scales linearly in the number of objects. We design appropriate density functions based on 3D spatial features to capture this. We learn the distribution of human poses in a scene using a variant of the Dirichlet process mixture model that allows sharing of the density function parameters across the same object types. Then we can reason about arrangements of the objects in the room based on these meaningful human poses. In our extensive experiments on 20 different rooms with a total of 47 objects, our algorithm predicted correct placements with an average error of 1:6 meters from ground truth. In arranging five real scenes, it received a score of 4.3/5 compared to 3.7 for the best baseline method.
Where next for ICTs and international development

There are problems with the coherence of Information and Communication for Development (ICT4D) policies today. This chapter identifies some of those problems and proposes, if not solutions, at least a shape or framework for moving forward. It then charts the logic and chronology of applying ICTs to developing countries.
The Importance of Trade for Developing Countries

This paper indicates the benefits developing countries may derive through international trade. It reviews recent trends in world trade in major product groups; analyzes the economic performance of developing countries applying outward-oriented and inward-oriented policies; and examines the relationship between exports and economic growth. It is further shown that external constraints do not stand in the way of an increasing number of developing countries adopting outward-oriented policies. Recommendations are made for the adoption of such policies and for developing country participation in multilateral trade negotiations.
Exploring the structure and function of temporal networks with dynamic graphlets

Motivation: With increasing availability of temporal real-world networks, how to efficiently study these data? One can model a temporal network as a single aggregate static network, or as a series of time-specific snapshots, each being an aggregate static network over the corresponding time window. Then, one can use established methods for static analysis on the resulting aggregate network(s), but losing in the process valuable temporal information either completely, or at the interface between different snapshots, respectively. Here, we develop a novel approach for studying a temporal network more explicitly, by capturing inter-snapshot relationships. Results: We base our methodology on well-established graphlets (subgraphs), which have been proven in numerous contexts in static network research. We develop new theory to allow for graphlet-based analyses of temporal networks. Our new notion of dynamic graphlets is different from existing dynamic network approaches that are based on temporal motifs (statistically significant subgraphs). The latter have limitations: their results depend on the choice of a null network model that is required to evaluate the significance of a subgraph, and choosing a good null model is non-trivial. Our dynamic graphlets overcome the limitations of the temporal motifs. Also, when we aim to characterize the structure and function of an entire temporal network or of individual nodes, our dynamic graphlets outperform the static graphlets. Clearly, accounting for temporal information helps. We apply dynamic graphlets to temporal age-specific molecular network data to deepen our limited knowledge about human aging. Availability and implementation: http://www.nd.edu/∼cone/DG. Contact: ude.dn@oknelimt Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Candidate perennial bioenergy grasses have a higher albedo than annual row crops

Abstract The production of perennial cellulosic feedstocks for bioenergy presents the potential to diversify regional economies and the national energy supply, while also serving as climate ‘regulators’ due to a number of biogeochemical and biogeophysical differences relative to row crops. Numerous observational and model based approaches have investigated biogeochemical tradeoffs, such as increased carbon sequestration and increased water use, associated with growing cellulosic feedstocks. A less understood aspect is the biogeophysical changes associated with the difference in albedo (α), which could alter the local energy balance and cause local to regional cooling several times larger than that associated with offsetting carbon. Here, we established paired fields of Miscanthus × giganteus (miscanthus) and Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), two of the leading perennial cellulosic feedstock candidates, and traditional annual row crops in the highly productive “Corn-belt”. Our results show that miscanthus did and switchgrass did not have an overall higher α than current row crops but a strong seasonal pattern existed. Both perennials had consistently higher growing season α than row crops and winter α did not differ. The lack of observed differences in winter α, however, masked an interaction between snow cover and species differences, with the perennial species, compared with the row crops, having a higher α when snow was absent and a much lower α when snow was present. Overall, these changes resulted in an average net reduction in annual absorbed energy of about 5 W/m
Was the Human Genome Project Worth the Effort

The Human Genome Project is much more than the genetic map of our species. It is also a powerful set of integrated tools for solving problems in medicine and biology. Application of these tools to a common cause of human blindness, age-related macular degeneration, implicates a common variant in the gene encoding complement factor H as a major contributor to the risk of developing this disease ( Klein et al., Haines et al., Edwards et al.). The new findings raise hopes for better diagnosis and treatment of macular degeneration and further validate the importance of the Human Genome Project
Constraint satisfaction as a basis for designing nonmasking fault-tolerance

We present a method for the design of nonmasking fault-tolerant programs. In our method, a set of constraints is associated with each program. Each of these constraints is continually satisfied under the execution of program actions, as long as faults do not occur. Whenever some of the constraints are violated, due to certain faults, all constraints are eventually reestablished by subsequent execution of the program actions. To design programs thus, two types of program actions are distinguished: "closure" actions and "convergence" actions. Closure actions are the actions that perform the intended computation of the program when all of the constraints are satisfied. Convergence actions are the actions that reestablish the constraints when they have been violated. Sufficient conditions for the validation of closure and convergence actions are formalized in terms of a "constraint graph". These conditions are illustrated by designing nonmasking fault-tolerant programs for diffusing computations, atomic actions, and token rings. >
Phototoxic dermatoses in pediatric BMT patients receiving voriconazole

We investigated the incidence of phototoxic skin reactions in pediatric BMT recipients treated with voriconazole. Nine out of 40 patients (22.5%), all Caucasian, developed skin lesions in sun-exposed distributions. Dermatologic findings included sunburn-like erythema, pseudo-porphyria, linear papulovesicular lesions, severe erosive cheilitis, dermatoheliosis and lentigines. Patients were treated with sun avoidance, high-potency sunscreens, and topical steroids with significant improvement in all cases. Prolonged voriconazole use requires close monitoring for chronic skin toxicities. Long-term risks including the risk of skin cancer need to be investigated. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1325–1328. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
How to cover a point set with a V-shape of minimum width

A balanced V-shape is a polygonal region in the plane contained in the union of two crossing equal-width strips. It is delimited by two pairs of parallel rays that emanate from two points x, y, are contained in the strip boundaries, and are mirror-symmetric with respect to the line xy. The width of a balanced V-shape is the width of the strips. We first present an O(n^2logn) time algorithm to compute, given a set of n points P, a minimum-width balanced V-shape covering P. We then describe a PTAS for computing a (1+@e)-approximation of this V-shape in time O((n/@e)logn+(n/@e^3^/^2)log^2(1/@e)). A much simpler constant-factor approximation algorithm is also described.
Diastereoselective 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Nitrones to Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropanes Catalyzed by a Calcium(II) Complex

Calcium triflate has been identified as an efficient catalyst for the cycloaddition of nitrones to donor–acceptor cyclopropanes. The reaction proceeds with good to excellent yields of the corresponding tetrahydro-1,2-oxazines with high levels of diastereoselectivity. The generality of the reaction allowed for the synthesis of tetrahydro-1,2-oxazines bearing alkyl, aryl, and heteroaromatic substitution.
Strategies for Sustainable Financing of Secondary Education in Sub-Saharan Africa

Investment in secondary schooling in Sub-Saharan Africa has been neglected since the World Conference on Education for All at Jomtien. The World Education Forum in Dakar began to recognize the growing importance of post-primary schooling for development. Only 25 percent of school-age children attend secondary school in the region—and fewer complete successfully, having consequences for gender equity, poverty reduction, and economic growth. As universal primary schooling becomes a reality, demand for secondary schools is increasing rapidly. Gaps between the educational levels of the labor force in Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions remain large. Girls are more often excluded from secondary schools than boys. Secondary schooling costs are high to both governments and households. This book explores how access to secondary education can be increased. Radical reforms are needed in low-enrollment countries to make secondary schooling more affordable and to provide more access to the majority currently excluded. The report identifies the rationale for increasing access, reviews the status of secondary education in Sub-Saharan Africa, charts the growth needed in different countries to reach different levels of participation, identifies the financial constraints on growth, and discusses the reforms needed to make improved access affordable. The book concludes with a road map of ways forward that increase the probability that more of Africa’s children will experience secondary schooling.
Identification, discrimination, and selective adaptation of simultaneous musical intervals

Four experiments investigated perception of major and minor thirds whose component tones were sounded simultaneously. Effects akin to categorical perception of speech sounds were found. In the first experiment, musicians demonstrated relatively sharp category boundaries in identification and peaks near the boundary in discrimination tasks of an interval continuum where the bottom note was always an F and the top note varied from A to A flat in seven equal logarithmic steps. Nonmusicians showed these effects only to a small extent. The musicians showed higher than predicted discrimination performance overall, and reaction time increases at category boundaries. In the second experiment, musicians failed to consistently identify or discriminate thirds which varied in absolute pitch, but retained the proper interval ratio. In the last two experiments, using selective adaptation, consistent shifts were found in both identification and discrimination, similar to those found in speech experiments. Manipulations of adapting and test showed that the mechanism underlying the effect appears to be centrally mediated and confined to a frequency-specific level. A multistage model of interval perception, where the first stages deal only with specific pitches may account for the results.
Sensor/actuator failure detection in the Vista F-16 by multiple model adaptive estimation

Multiple model adaptive estimation (MMAE) is applied to the Variable-In-flight Stability Test Aircraft (VISTA) F-16 flight control system at a low dynamic pressure flight condition (0.4 M at 20000 ft). Single actuator and sensor failures are addressed first, followed by dual actuator and sensor failures. The system is evaluated for complete or "hard" failures, partial or, "soft" failures, and combinations of hard and soft actuator and sensor failures. Residual monitoring is discussed for single and dual failure scenarios. Performance is enhanced by the application of a modified Bayesian form of MMAE, scalar residual monitoring to reduce ambiguities, automatic dithering where advantageous, and purposeful commands. >
Einstein Equations and Hilbert Action: What is missing on page 8 of the proofs for Hilbert's First Communication on the Foundations of Physics?

The history of the publication of the gravitational field equations of general relativity in November 1915 by Einstein and Hilbert is briefly reviewed. An analysis of the internal structure and logic of Hilbert's theory as expounded in extant proofs and in the published version of his relevant paper is given with respect to the specific question what information would have been found on a missing piece of Hilbert's proofs. The existing texts suggest that the missing piece contained the explicit form of the Riemann curvature scalar in terms of the Ricci tensor as a specification of the axiomatically underdetermined Lagrangian in Hilbert's action integral. An alternative reading that the missing piece of the proofs already may have contained the Einstein tensor, i.e. an explicit calculation of the gravitational part of Hilbert's Lagrangian is argued to be highly implausible.
How Do Board Size and Occupational Background of Directors Influence Social Performance in For-profit and Non-profit Organizations? Evidence from California Hospitals

This study investigates how board size and occupational background of directors differentially influence social performance in for-profit and non-profit organizations. Using data from California hospitals, we develop a quantitative measure of social performance and provide the following empirical evidence. First, board size is negatively (positively) associated with social performance in for-profit (non-profit) hospitals. Second, the presence of government officials on the board is negatively (positively) related to social performance in for-profit (non-profit) hospitals. Third, representation of physicians on the board is positively associated with social performance in for-profit hospitals, whereas their presence is not significantly related to social performance in non-profit hospitals. Our findings highlight the different effects of governance mechanisms on social performance in for-profit and non-profit organizations.
Local Energy Decay for Maxwell Fields Part I: Spherically Symmetric Black-Hole Backgrounds

© The Author(s) 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. We prove integrated local energy decay for solutions to the inhomogeneous Maxwell system on a general class of spherical black hole backgrounds.
New methods for the preparation of hydrophenanthrenes

Abstract Functionalized hydrophenanthrenes can be prepared using a cyclialkylation-based strategy. These annulations are highly dependent on the directing effects of the arene substitutents and on conformational considerations. General routes were devised for the facile preparation of the requisite cyclization precursors.
Determinants of Entry in an Emerging Economy: A Multilevel Approach

The dynamics of the world economy and global competition patterns are encouraging multinational enterprises (MNEs) to expand into emerging economies. This study validates the proposition that entry mode selection in an emerging economy is influenced by situational contingencies at four levels: nation, industry, firm, and project. Analysis of data collected from China suggests that the joint venture is preferred when perceived governmental intervention or environmental uncertainty is high or host country experience is low. The wholly-owned entry mode is preferred when intellectual property rights are not well protected, the number of firms in the industry is growing fast, the need for global integration is high, or the project is located in an open economic region. The importance of these multilevel determinants requires simultaneous and inseparable considerations of the risk, return, control, and resource effects of the entry mode decision. This necessitates a theoretical integration of multiple perspectives such as transaction cost, the eclectic paradigm, bargaining power, and organizational capability.
ROBUST EIGENSYSTEM ASSIGNMENT FOR STATE ESTIMATORS USING SECOND-ORDER MODELS

A novel design of a state estimator is presented using second-order dynamic equations of mechanical systems. The eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the state estimator are assigned by solving the second-order eigenvalue problem of the structural system. Three design methods for the state estimator are given in this paper. The first design method uses collocated sensors to measure the desired signals and their derivatives. The second design method uses prefilters to shift signal phases to obtain estimates of the signal derivatives. These two methods are used to build a second-order state estimator model. The third design method is the conventional one that converts a typical second-order dynamic model to a first-order model and then builds a state estimator based on the first-order model. It is shown that all three design methods for state estimation are similar. A numerical example representing a large space structure is given for illustration of the design methods presented in this paper.
Magnetic vibrational circular dichroism of benzene and 1,3,5-substituted derivatives

Spectre d'absorption et de dichroisme circulaire vibrationnel de benzenes et de 4 de ses derives substitues-1,3,5: mesitylene, trichloro-, trifluoro-, et tribromobenzene et S-triazine
Energy dispersion and relaxation in propynal using laser ir/visible double resonance

Abstract The dynamics of energy dispersion in propynal has been studied over the pressure range of 5 to 500 m Torr following excitation by a TEA CO 2 laser below the dissociation threshold. Wavelength resolved spectra, using the dye laser-induced fluorescence technique, are used to characterize the vibrational levels that are involved in the various energy transfer processes, while time-resolved spectra are used to determine the corresponding rates. The rate constants are extrapolated to zero pressure to obtain the regime of collisionless intramolecular relaxation times. Mechanisms of energy dispersion are suggested for each of the probed vibrational levels (υ = 0), ν 6 (υ = 1) and ν 4 (υ = 1).
Single-Molecule Magnets: Preparation and Properties of Mixed-Carboxylate Complexes [Mn12O12(O2CR)8(O2CR‘)8(H2O)4]

Methods are reported for the preparation of mixed-carboxylate versions of the [Mn12O12(O2CR)16(H2O)4] family of single-molecule magnets (SMMs). [Mn12O12(O2CCHCl2)8(O2CCH2But)8(H2O)3] (5) and [Mn12O12(O2CHCl2)8(O2CEt)8(H2O)3] (6) have been obtained from the 1:1 reaction of the corresponding homocarboxylate species. Complex 5·CH2Cl2·H2O crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with, at −165 °C, a = 15.762(1), b = 16.246(1), c = 23.822(1) A, α = 103.92(1), β = 104.50(1), γ = 94.23(1)°, Z = 2, and V = 5674(2) A3. Complex 6·CH2Cl2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with, at −158 °C, a = 13.4635(3), b = 13.5162(3), c = 23.2609(5) A, α = 84.9796(6), β = 89.0063(8), γ = 86.2375(6)°, Z = 2, and V = 4207.3(3) A3. Complexes 5 and 6 both contain a [Mn12O12] core with the CHCl2CO2- ligands ordered in the axial positions and the RCO2- ligands (R = CH2But (5) or Et (6)) in equatorial positions. There is, thus, a preference for the CHCl2CO2- to occupy the sites lying on the MnIII Jahn−Teller axes, and thi...
Topological Interference Management Through Index Coding

This paper studies linear interference networks, both wired and wireless, with no channel state information at the transmitters except a coarse knowledge of the end-to-end one-hop topology of the network that only allows a distinction between weak (zero) and significant (nonzero) channels and no further knowledge of the channel coefficients' realizations. The network capacity (wired) and degrees of freedom (DoF) (wireless) are found to be bounded above by the capacity of an index coding problem for which the antidote graph is the complement of the given interference graph. The problems are shown to be equivalent under linear solutions. An interference alignment perspective is then used to translate the existing index coding solutions into the wired network capacity and wireless network DoF solutions, as well as to find new and unified solutions to different classes of all three problems.
Asymmetric conjugate additions of TMSI promoted monoorganocuprate reagents, Li[RCuI], to various N-enoyl oxazolidinones☆

Abstract Diastereoselective conjugate additions to different α,β-unsaturated N -acyl oxazolidinones using various monoorganocuprate reagents, Li[RCuI], are described. The TMSI activated conjugate addition reactions provided high yields (80–98%) and reversed major diastereomers (70–96% de) compared to the conventional copper(I)-promoted additions of Grignard reagents or the addition of Li[RCuI] to precomplexed MgBr 2 /imides.