cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can the immunobead assay for detecting sperm antibodies in fresh samples be reproduced in cryopreserved/thawed human spermatozoa?

PROBLEM: To evaluate the reproducibility of the Immunobead Assay (IBA) on sperm samples before and after cryopreservation. METHOD: Sperm samples (fresh and post-thaw) from known antibody negative donors (N=20) were evaluated for percent immunobead binding by IBA following incubation with known antibody-positive serum. RESULTS: In both fresh and thawed negative samples, the mean sperm head binding was 0.5% ± 0.5, the mean sperm tail binding was 2.0% ± 2.0 and the mean sperm head-tail binding was 3.0% ± 2.0 for IgG, IgA and IgM type antibodies, respectively. The same samples exposed to positive sera showed 40.0% ± 10.0 mean head binding, 7.0% ± 8.0 mean tail binding and 47.0% ± 11.0 mean head-tail binding. CONCLUSIONS: IBA is highly reproducible for detecting sperm antibodies in both fresh and cryopreserved/thawed samples of human spermatozoa.
The empirics of economic geography: how to draw policy implications?

Using both reduced-form and structural approaches, the spectrum of policy recommendations that can be drawn from empirical economic geography is pretty large. Reduced-form approaches allow the researchers to consider many variables that impact on regional disparities, as long as they are careful about interpretation and endogeneity issues. Structural approaches have the opposite advantages. Less issues can be simultaneously addressed, but one can be more precise in terms of which intuitions are considered and the underlying mechanisms and effects at work. Many regional policy issues remain unanswered, opening some interesting future lines of research.
The Blue Straggler Population of the Globular Cluster M5: Comparison with M3

We have surveyed the blue straggler star population of the Galactic globular cluster M5 using high-resolution images of the core along with wide-field ground-based images reaching to more than 19 core radii. To gauge M5's relative efficiency of producing stragglers, we compared our sample to five studies of other globular clusters. Using a "bright" sample selected in the same way as that of Ferraro and coworkers, we found a bimodal radial distribution similar to those found in three other luminous clusters. When the radial distributions for different clusters are scaled using the core radius, there is good cluster-to-cluster agreement in the size of the core straggler sample and the center of the "zone of avoidance." However, M5 has the smallest fraction of stragglers in the zone of avoidance of any of the clusters measured to date, and its zone of avoidance appears to be wider (in r/rc) than that of M3, which has a very similar surface brightness profile. Both of these facts indicate that M5's straggler population has dynamically evolved to a larger extent than M3's. Using an ultraviolet sample from Hubble Space Telescope selected in the same way as that of Ferraro and coworkers, we find that the frequency of blue stragglers in M5 is lower than in all but two of the clusters examined. We also identified seven bright blue stragglers that were previously misidentified as HB stars by Sandquist & Bolte. These bright stragglers are most likely the result of stellar collisions involving binary stars.
Quantum plasmonics and plexcitonics

Plasmons in strongly coupled nanostructures can induce strong electric fields and enhance electron transfer processes. A quantum mechanical description of this process reveals several novel effects that would be absent in classical modeling.
Multimodal eye recognition

Multimodal biometrics use more than one means of biometric identification to achieve higher recognition accuracy, since sometimes a unimodal biometric is not good enough used to do identification and classification. In this paper, we proposed a multimodal eye recognition system, which can obtain both iris and sclera patterns from one color eye image. Gabor filter and 1-D Log-Gabor filter algorithms have been applied as the iris recognition algorithms. In sclera recognition, we introduced automatic sclera segmentation, sclera pattern enhancement, sclera pattern template generation, and sclera pattern matching. We applied kernelbased matching score fusion to improve the performance of the eye recognition system. The experimental results show that the proposed eye recognition method can achieve better performance compared to unimodal biometric identification, and the accuracy of our proposed kernel-based matching score fusion method is higher than two classic linear matching score fusion methods: Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA).
On the Birth Masses of the Ancient Globular Clusters

All globular clusters (GCs) studied to date show evidence for internal (star-to-star) variation in their light-element abundances (including Li, C, N, O, F, Na, Mg, Al, and probably He). These variations have been interpreted as evidence for multiple star formation episodes within GCs, with secondary episodes fueled, at least in part, by the ejecta of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars from a first generation of stars. A major puzzle emerging from this otherwise plausible scenario is that the fraction of stars associated with the second episode of star formation is observed to be much larger than expected for a standard initial mass function. The present work investigates this tension by modeling the observed anti-correlation between [Na/Fe] and [O/Fe] for 20 Galactic GCs. If the abundance pattern of the retained AGB ejecta does not depend on GC mass at fixed [Fe/H], then a strong correlation is found between the fraction of current GC stellar mass composed of pure AGB ejecta, fp , and GC mass. This fraction varies from 0.20 at low masses (104.5 M ☉) to 0.45 at high masses (106.5 M ☉). The fraction of mass associated with pure AGB ejecta is directly related to the total mass of the cluster at birth; the ratio between the initial and present mass in stars can therefore be derived. Assuming a star formation efficiency of 50%, the observed Na-O anti-correlations imply that GCs were at least 10-20 times more massive at birth, a conclusion that is in qualitative agreement with previous work. These factors are lower limits because any mass-loss mechanism that removes first- and second-generation stars equally will leave fp unchanged. The mass dependence of fp probably arises because lower mass GCs are unable to retain all of the AGB ejecta from the first stellar generation. Recent observations of elemental abundances in intermediate-age Large Magellanic Cloud clusters are re-interpreted and shown to be consistent with this basic scenario. The small scatter in fp at fixed GC mass argues strongly that the process responsible for the large mass loss is internal to GCs. A satisfactory explanation of these trends is currently lacking.
Binomial-coefficient multiples of irrationals

Denote byx a random infinite path in the graph of Pascal's triangle (left and right turns are selected independently with fixed probabilities) and byd n (x) the binomial coefficient at then'th level along the pathx. Then for a denseGδ set of θ in the unit interval, {d n (x)θ} is almost surely dense but not uniformly distributed modulo 1.
Highlights from CMS

Abstract The CMS collaboration has used a data set of 1 billion PbPb collisions at the LHC to study the behavior of strongly interacting matter at high temperature. In this Paper, we present selected recent highlights from this effort, with a particular emphasis on results related to the hydrodynamic expansion of the produced matter, the energy loss of partons and the dissociation of quarkonia.
Temperature-dependent Absolute Refractive Index Measurements of Synthetic Fused Silica

Using the Cryogenic, High-Accuracy Refraction Measuring System (CHARMS) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, we have measured the absolute refractive index of five specimens taken from a very large boule of Corning 7980 fused silica from temperatures ranging from 30 to 310 K at wavelengths from 0.4 to 2.6 microns with an absolute uncertainty of plus or minus 1 x 10 (exp -5). Statistical variations in derived values of the thermo-optic coefficient (dn/dT) are at the plus or minus 2 x 10 (exp -8)/K level. Graphical and tabulated data for absolute refractive index, dispersion, and thermo-optic coefficient are presented for selected wavelengths and temperatures along with estimates of uncertainty in index. Coefficients for temperature-dependent Sellmeier fits of measured refractive index are also presented to allow accurate interpolation of index to other wavelengths and temperatures. We compare our results to those from an independent investigation (which used an interferometric technique for measuring index changes as a function of temperature) whose samples were prepared from the same slugs of material from which our prisms were prepared in support of the Kepler mission. We also compare our results with sparse cryogenic index data from measurements of this material from the literature.
Power-handling capability of antennas at high altitude

Abstract The factors influencing the power-handling capability of antennas at high altitude are considered in this paper. The physical mechanism involved, including the roles of attachment, free diffusion, ambipolar diffusion and non-uniform field distribution in the breakdown process, is qualitatively described. These factors are illustrated by breakdown curves for various antenna configurations under both CW and pulse conditions. Normalized data, which are useful for estimating breakdown fields when the conditions for scaling are fulfilled, are presented. The effect of missile environment on breakdown characteristics is discussed and an experiment that involves artificially introducing ionization near the surface of the antenna is described. Methods are then considered for increasing the power-handling capability and typical results are given showing the increase in power that can be achieved.
Randomization and the limit points of monopolistic competition

Abstract For a general equilibrium model of monopolistic competition, the set of competitive equilibria and the set of limits of Nash-Cournot equilibria for a sequence of replica economies coincide generically. The key feature which makes every limit of monopolistic competition perfectly competitive is that random rather than deterministic selections from the equilibrium price correspondence are considered in the definition of firms' reaction functions when there are multiple Walrasian equilibria. An existence result for mixed strategy Nash-Cournot equilibria in finite economies is also given.
Acid Durability of Sodium and Potassium Galliosilicate Glasses

The relative chemical durability in nitric acid of three series of glasses in the (Na,K)2O-Ga2O3-SiO2 system have been studied. In these compositions, gallium is proposed to behave as either a network modifier or former depending on the gallium to alkali ion ratio of the glass. The mechanisms of acid attack as found in the present work are postulated to be a combination of ion exchange and network dissolution dependent upon the glass composition/structure. This results in complex trends in the acid dissolution of these glasses as functions of the gallium to alkali ion ratio, and silica content.
Bosonic Construction of Vertex Operator Para-Algebras from Symplectic Affine Kac-Moody Algebras

Introduction Bosonic construction of symplectic affine Kac-Moody algebras Bosonic construction of symplectic vertex operator algebras and modules Bosonic construction of vertex operator para-algebras Appendix Bibliography.
Metal dusting resistant alumina forming coatings for syngas production

Abstract Metal dusting corrosion of NiCrAl(Y)-based alumina forming coatings has been simulated in carbon-supersaturated environments (CO–H 2 ) at 650 °C. Atmospheric plasma spray (APS) and powder plasma welding (PPW) methods have been employed to deposit alumina forming coatings on Inconel 601 substrate alloy surfaces. Since most currently available high temperature alloys are prone to metal dusting, understanding and thereby controlling metal dusting corrosion is key to many operations and developments related to syngas production. The focus of this research is to evaluate the performance of alumina forming coatings under laboratory conditions. In addition to the effect of coating chemistry and microstructure (based on method of application) on the corrosion process, the mechanistic aspects of metal dusting are discussed with particular attention to the stages of microstructure evolution as degradation proceeds.
Compactness for conformal metrics with constant Q curvature on locally conformally flat manifolds

In this note we study the conformal metrics of constant Q curvature on closed locally conformally flat manifolds. We prove that for a closed locally conformally flat manifold of dimension n ≥ 5 and with Poincare exponent less than \(\frac {n-4}2\), the set of conformal metrics of positive constant Q and positive scalar curvature is compact in the C∞ topology.
The Effects of Geographic Distance on the Foreign Acquisition Activity of U.S. Firms

This paper examines cross-border mergers and acquisitions undertaken by U.S. companies to determine whether geographic distance directly affects these firms’ governance decisions. We find that U.S. firms tend to acquire higher stakes in geographically proximate targets than in remote ones. The paper also investigates the moderating effect of geographic distance on cultural distance and political risk. We find that as these two hazards increase, acquirers prefer shared ownership for proximate deals, and full ownership for acquisitions of geographically distant targets. These findings indicate that the previously-reported effects of cultural distance and political risk on FDI are not absolute, but they are moderated by geographic distance.
Core Compactness and Diagonality in Spaces of Open Sets

We investigate when the space OX of open subsets of a topological space X endowed with the Scott topology is core compact. Such conditions turn out to be related to infraconsonance of X, which in turn is characterized in terms of coincidence of the Scott topology of OX × OX with the product of the Scott topologies of OX at (X,X). On the other hand, we characterize diagonality of OX endowed with the Scott convergence and show that this space can be diagonal without being pretopological. New examples are provided to clarify the relationship between pretopologicity, topologicity and diagonality of this important convergence space.
Kinetics of the gas phase reaction of OH radicals with pyrrole and thiophene

Absolute rate constants for the gas phase reaction of OH radicals with pyrrole (k1) and thiophene (k2) have been measured over the temperature ranges 298–440 and 274–382 K, respectively, using the flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence technique. The rate constants obtained were independent of the total pressure of argon diluent over the range 25–100 torr andwere fit by the Arrhenius expressions and with rate constants at 298 ± 2 K of k1 = (1.03 ± 0.06) × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 and k2 = (8.9 ± 0.7) × 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. [These errors represent two standard deviations (systematic errors could constitute an additional ca. 10% uncertainty)]. These results are discussed with respect to the previous literature data and the atmospheric lifetimes of pyrrole and thiophene.
Low fetal loss rates after ultrasound-proved viability in early pregnancy

Once pregnancy is recognized clinically, it is accepted that 12% to 15% undergo spontaneous abortion. However, the actual time of fetal demise has not yet been determined. To address this question, the outcomes of pregnancies identified before 21 days of conception by serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin assays were studied. All subjects underwent ultrasound examinations at eight and 12 weeks' gestation. Among 220 women who had a viable pregnancy at eight weeks, only seven (3.2%) experienced a fetal loss thereafter. The results of this study suggest that most clinically recognized spontaneous abortions manifested after eight weeks actually represent pregnancies in which fetal demise occurred before eight weeks. These findings have important implications with respect to the safety of chorionic villi sampling and to the identification of exogenous agents that cause fetal wastage. ( JAMA 1987;258:2555-2557)
Spin dependent transport in a two-dimensional electron gas

Abstract Neutral impurity scattering in semiconductors has been directly observed for the first time via measurements of spin dependent transport (SDT) in a two-dimensional electron gas. SDT was observed by monitoring the conductivity of a specially designed Si field-effect transistor operating at 4K, while modulating the electron spin populations. A signal from 108 spins was easily detected. We discuss exploiting the enhanced sensitivity of SDT over conventional electron spin resonance methods to probe two or lower dimensional spin systems.
Enantioselective Michael Additions to α,β-Unsaturated Imides Catalyzed by a Salen−Al Complex

(Salen)aluminum complex 1b is an efficient catalyst for the conjugate addition of di- and trisubstituted nitriles to a wide range of acyclic alkyl- and aryl-substituted α,β-unsaturated imides. This new methodology provides access to multifunctional compounds that previously have not been readily accessible in enantioenriched form. Synthetic applications of these products include the preparation of enantiomerically enriched piperidines, as exemplified by an expedient asymmetric catalytic synthesis of (−)-paroxetine.
Nonlinear Dynamic Characterization of Oil-Free Wire Mesh Dampers

The present work focuses on the dynamic characterization of oil-free wire mesh dampers. The research was focused on determining nonlinear stiffness and damping coefficients while varying the excitation amplitude, excitation frequency, and static eccentricity. Force coefficients were extracted using a forced response method (FRM) and also a transient vibration method. Due to the nonlinearity of the dampers, controlled amplitude tests were required for the forced excitation method, whereas the transient response was analyzed using a Hilbert Transform procedure. The testing using both methods showed that eccentricity has minimal influence on force coefficients, whereas increasing excitation amplitude and frequency yield decreasing stiffness and damping trends. In addition to the parameter identification tests, a rotating test was performed demonstrating high-speed damping capability of the oil-free wire mesh dampers to 40,000 rpm, which was also simulated using an nonlinear rotordynamic response to imbalance analysis.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Examining the effects of site selection criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of traffic safety countermeasures

The primary objective of this paper is to describe how site selection effects can influence the safety effectiveness of treatments. More specifically, the goal is to quantify the bias for the safety effectiveness of a treatment as a function of different entry criteria as well as other factors associated with crash data, and propose a new method to minimize this bias when a control group is not available. The study objective was accomplished using simulated data. The proposed method documented in this paper was compared to the four most common types of before-after studies: the Naive, using a control group (CG), the empirical Bayes (EB) method based on the method of moment (EB(MM)), and the EB method based on a control group (EB(CG)). Five scenarios were examined: a direct comparison of the methods, different dispersion parameter values of the Negative Binomial model, different sample sizes, different values of the index of safety effectiveness (θ), and different levels of uncertainty associated with the index. Based on the simulated scenarios (also supported theoretically), the study results showed that higher entry criteria, larger values of the safety effectiveness, and smaller dispersion parameter values will cause a larger selection bias. Furthermore, among all methods evaluated, the Naive and the EB(MM) methods are both significantly affected by the selection bias. Using a control group, or the EB(CG), can mutually eliminate the site selection bias, as long as the characteristics of the control group (truncated data for the CG method or the non-truncated sample population for the EB(CG) method) are exactly the same as for the treatment group. In practice, finding datasets for the control group with the exact same characteristics as for the treatment group may not always be feasible. To overcome this problem, the method proposed in this study can be used to adjust the Naive estimator of the index of safety effectiveness, even when the mean and dispersion parameter are not properly estimated. Language: en
Design and organization of a translator for a partial differential equation language

In recent years a variety of techniques for the design and implementation of translators for problem-oriented programming languages has been developed. A number of these employ a high-level programming language such as FORTRAN as the target language, rather than translating directly into assembly language or machine code. The purpose of the present paper is to demonstrate the unique advantages which can be realized by making PL/1 the target language and by utilizing the so-called preprocessor (or compile-time) facilities of PL/1. This approach has been successfully used in the design of a translator for PDEL, a special-purpose language for the solution of the partial differential equations of classical physics. Details regarding the language and its application have been presented in an earlier paper and are, therefore, only briefly summarized in the next section. The overall structure and philosophy of the translator are described in the third section, while more detailed aspects of syntax analysis and code generation are described in the fourth section. In the final section a quantitative evaluation of the translator is presented.
Holographic RG flow of the shear viscosity to entropy density ratio in strongly coupled anisotropic plasma

We study holographic RG flow of the shear viscosity tensor of anisotropic, strongly coupled $ \mathcal{N}=4 $ super-Yang-Mills plasma by using its type IIB supergravity dual in anisotropic bulk spacetime. We find that the shear viscosity tensor has three independent components in the anisotropic bulk spacetime away from the boundary, and one of the components has a non-trivial RG flow while the other two have a trivial one. For the component of the shear viscosity tensor with non-trivial RG flow, we derive its RG flow equation, and solve the equation analytically to second order in the anisotropy parameter a. We derive the RG equation using the equation of motion, holographic Wilsonian RG method, and Kubo’s formula. All methods give the same result. Solving the equation, we find that the ratio of the component of the shear viscosity tensor to entropy density $ \frac{\eta }{s} $ flows from above $ \frac{1}{{4\pi }} $ the horizon (IR) to below $ \frac{1}{{4\pi }} $ the boundary (UV) where it violates the holographic shear viscosity (Kovtun-Son-Starinets) bound and where it agrees with the other longitudinal component.
Characteristic 2 approach to bivariate interpolation problems

We investigate bivariate Hermite interpolation problems in characteris- tic 2. Given a nonnegative integer t, we describe all the sub-linear systems generated by monomials, in which there is no curve passing through a general point with mul- tiplicity at least 2 t . As an application, we show that a certain linear system of plane
Flutter of swept fan blades

The effect of sweep on fan blade flutter is studied by applying the analytical methods developed for aeroelastic analysis of advance turboprops. Two methods are used. The first method utilizes an approximate structural model in which the blade is represented by a swept, nonuniform beam. The second method utilizes a finite element technique to conduct modal flutter analysis. For both methods the unsteady aerodynamic loads are calculated using two dimensional cascade theories which are modified to account for sweep. An advanced fan stage is analyzed with 0, 15 and 30 degrees of sweep. It is shown that sweep has a beneficial effect on predominantly torsional flutter and a detrimental effect on predominantly bending flutter. This detrimental effect is shown to be significantly destabilizing for 30 degrees of sweep.
Effect of prostaglandins on steroid biosynthesis.

Abstract The role of prostaglandins (PGs) as agents interfering in steroidogenesis is contradictory in vivo and in vitro. PGs may affect steroid production by (1) altered utilization of cholesterol via changes in esterase or synthetase enzyme levels, (2) by affecting levels of adenyl cyclase enzyme system and cAMP, (3) by increasing 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase levels. PGs may also indirectly influence steroid synthesis by modulating the secretion of gonadotropins. The more completely investigated action of PGs has been that of induced luteolysis on the corpus luteum of the luteal phase and of pregnancy. The in vivo luteolytic properties of PGF2x have been, on occasion, contradicted by in vitro studies in which progesterone synthesis has been stimulated. The mechanism of action of PGs in luteolysis seems to be that of increasing production of inactive progestins. Other roles of PGs, such as stimulation of cAMP, estrogen production and testosterone secretion, are still a matter of continuous investigation. In bovines, PGF2x increases release of this C19 steroid, while in the mouse, the peripheral testosterone levels are reduced, probably by inhibition of cholesterol esterase.
The synthesis and structural characterization of the new ternary nitrides: Ca4TiN4 and Ca5NbN5

Abstract The ternary nitrides, Ca4TiN4 and Ca5NbN5, were synthesized in sealed niobium tubes using lithium nitride as a flux at 900 and 1050 °C, respectively. The structures of both compounds were solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Ca4TiN4 is the first example of a calcium group IV nitride; it crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1 ¯ (No. 2) with cell parameters a=5.9757(5) A, b=6.0129(5) A, c=6.0116(12) A, α=71.565(4)°, β=79.471(4)°, γ=68.258(4)° and Z = 2 . Ca4TiN4 is isostructural with Na4TiO4 and contains tetrahedral TiN4 units connected through edges and corners to CaN4 tetrahedra and CaN5 square pyramids. Ca5NbN5 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m (No. 12) with cell parameters a=11.922(7) A, b=6.878(5) A, c=8.936(7) A, β=101.22(3)° and Z=4. Ca5NbN5 is isostructural with Ba5NbN5; the structure contains NbN4 tetrahedra that share vertices with CaN5 trigonal bipyramids.
Study of Boundary-Layer Development in a Two-Stage Low-Pressure Turbine

Experimental data from jet-engine tests have indicated that unsteady blade row (wake) interactions and separation can have a significant impact on the efficiency of turbine stages. The effects of these interactions can be intensified in low-pressure turbine stages because of the low Reynolds number operating environment. Measured turbine efficiencies at takeoff can be as much as two points higher than those at cruise conditions. Thus, during the last decade a significant amount of effort has been put into determining the effects of transition and turbulence on the performance of low pressure turbine stages. Experimental investigations have been performed, for example, by Hodson et al. and Halstead et al. These investigations have helped identify/clarify the roles that factors such as the Reynolds number, free stream turbulence intensity, pressure gradient and curvature have in the generation of losses. In parallel to the experimental investigations, there have been significant analytical efforts to improve the modeling of transition. Examples of such efforts include the works of Mayle and Gostelow et al. These newer models show promise of providing accurate transition predictions over a wide range of flow conditions, although they have yet to be implemented into the numerical flow analyses used by the turbine design community. Some recent computational investigations of interest include the works of Chernobrovkin and Lakshminarayana and Eulitz and Engel. The focus of the current effort has been to -use a viscous, unsteady quasi-three-dimensional Navier-Stokes analysis to study boundary layer development in a two-stage low-pressure turbine. A two-layer algebraic turbulence model, along with a natural transition model and a bubble transition model, have been used, The geometry used in the simulations has been the subject of extensive experiments. The predicted results have been compared with experimental data, including airfoil loadings and time-averaged/unsteady integral boundary layer quantities.
Endogenous differentiation of information goods under uncertainty

Information goods can be reconfigured at low cost. Therefore, firms can choose how to differentiate their products at a frequency comparable to price changes. However, doing so effectively is complicated by uncertainty about customer preferences, compounded by the fact that the search for a good product niche is carried out in competition with other searching firms.We study two firms that differentiate their information goods.The firms simultaneously compete in product configuration and price. We assume a non-uniform distribution of consumers: the largest number prefer a product located at a "sweet spot," but the rate at which the customer density falls off away from this product configuration is unknown. Our characterization reflects the standard tradeoff between exploitation (current profit) and exploration (learning to enhance future profit). In our model firms balance current profits from competing for a mass and a niche market, while learning about the profitability of these alternative strategies.We show that the amount of learning that firms will undertake depends on the convexity or concavity of the profit function in the rate of demand fall-off. In our model firms have an incentive to learn, and can use both price and product configuration in order to explore. We show that the ability to explore in product characteristic space leads to a previously unidentified consequence of learning: attenuation of competition. The incentive to learn induces firms to differentiate their products more than they would if the value of learning were ignored. This leads to decreased direct competition with rivals, and thus higher prices and profits than if the firms were acting myopically. Thus, we might expect that when firms are not well informed about consumer preferences for information goods --- as might be especially true in new markets for innovative products --- product diversity will be higher and direct competition will be smaller than might otherwise be expected.
The dynamics of charge-density waves

In many materials with a highly anisotropic band structure, electron-phonon interactions lead to a novel type of ground state called the charge-density wave. The condensate is pinned to the underlying lattice by impurities and by boundary effects, but can, even for small electric fields, carry current in a fashion originally envisioned by Fr\"ohlich. This review discusses some of the underlying theories and the main experimental observations on this new collective transport phenomenon. The frequency- and electric-field-dependent conductivity, current oscillations, electric-field-dependent transport coefficients and elastic properties, together with nuclear-magnetic-resonance experiments, provide clear evidence for a translational motion of the condensate. Various theories, involving classical and quantum-mechanical concepts, are able to account for a broad variety of experimental findings, which were also made in the presence of combined dc and ac fields.
Thermodynamics of hidden sector gaugino condensation in the expanding universe

Abstract This work examines the confining-deconfining phase transition in a hidden Yang Mills sector with scale Λ ∼ 10 14 GeV appropriate to dilaton stabilization and SUSY-breaking via formation of a gaugino condensate. If the transition is assumed to take place through homogeneous nucleation, then under reasonable assumptions it is found that a critical bubble, formed at a temperature which provides enough supercooling, is not large enough to accomodate an adequate number (≳ 100) of quanta of the confined phase (“hidden hadrons”) to allow a consistent thermodynamic description. Thus, a first order transition in the hidden sector may not be possible in the expanding universe.
A geometric criterion for generating the Fukaya category

Given a collection of exact Lagrangians in a Liouville manifold, we construct a map from the Hochschild homology of the Fukaya category that they generate to symplectic cohomology. Whenever the identity in symplectic cohomology lies in the image of this map, we conclude that every Lagrangian lies in the idempotent closure of the chosen collection. The main new ingredients are (1) the construction of operations on the Fukaya category controlled by discs with two outputs, and (2) the Cardy relation.
Living with Risk

Living with risk can lead to anticipatory feelings such as anxiety or hopefulness. Such feelings can affect the choice between lotteries that will be played out in the future—choice may be motivated not only by the (static) risks involved but also by the desire to reduce anxiety or to promote savouring. This paper provides a model of preference in a three-period setting that is axiomatic and includes a role for anticipatory feelings. It is shown that the model of preference can accommodate intuitive patterns of demand for information such as information seeking when a favourable outcome is very likely and information aversion when it is more likely that the outcome will be unfavourable. Behavioural meaning is given to statements such as "individual 1 is anxious" and "2 is more anxious than 1". Finally, the model is differentiated sharply from the classic model due to Kreps and Porteus. Copyright 2008, Wiley-Blackwell.
Managing the volatility risk of portfolios of derivative securities: the Lagrangian uncertain volatility model

We present an algorithm for hedging option portfolios and custom-tailored derivative securities, which uses options to manage volatility risk. The algorithm uses a volatility band to model heteroskedasticity and a non- linear partial differential equation to evaluate worst-case volatility scenarios for any given forward liability structure. This equation gives sub-additive portfolio prices and hence provides a natural ordering of prefer- ences in terms of hedging with options. The second element of the algorithm consists of a portfolio optim- ization taking into account the prices of options available in the market. Several examples are discussed, including possible applications to market-making in equity and foreign-exchange derivatives.
Localized measurement of turbulent fluctuations in tokamaks with coherent scattering of electromagnetic waves

Localized measurements of short-scale turbulent fluctuations in tokamaks are still an outstanding problem. In this paper, the method of coherent scattering of electromagnetic waves for the detection of density fluctuations is revisited. Results indicate that the proper choice of frequency, size and launching of the probing wave can transform this method into an excellent technique for high-resolution measurements of those fluctuations that plasma theory indicates as the potential cause of anomalous transport in tokamaks. The best spatial resolution can be achieved when the range of scattering angles corresponding to the spectrum of fluctuations under investigation is small. This favors the use of high frequency probing waves, such as those of far infrared lasers. The application to existing large tokamaks is discussed.
Treatment of the Class III Malocclusion with Maxillary Expansion and Protraction

Although some early orthodontic procedures have come under scrutiny in recent years, the need for early identification and treatment of the skeletal Class Ill malocclusion has become even more universally accepted. Most Class Ill patients display a retruded maxilla with a normal to deep overbite and are ideally suited for treatment with maxillary expansion and protraction. In addition to maxillary advancement, facemask therapy rotates the maxilla in a counterclockwise direction, and the mandible in a clockwise direction, which results in an increase in lower face height and a profile that is more convex. Early intervention is associated with better patient compliance and possibly a better orthopedic response; however, treatment in the mixed or permanent dentition can produce favorable results. Overcorrection is recommended because treated patients grow similarly to untreated Class Ill patients after treatment. Treatment in the short term (2-3 years) shows good stability with a minority of patients requiring later facemask therapy.
Continuity and stability of families of figure eight orbits with finite angular momentum

Numerical solutions are presented for a family of three dimensional periodic orbits with three equal masses which connects the classical circular orbit of Lagrange with the figure eight orbit discovered by C. Moore [Moore, C.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 70, 3675–3679 (1993); Chenciner, A., Montgomery, R.: Ann. Math. 152, 881–901 (2000)]. Each member of this family is an orbit with finite angular momentum that is periodic in a frame which rotates with frequency Ω around the horizontal symmetry axis of the figure eight orbit. Numerical solutions for figure eight shaped orbits with finite angular momentum were first reported in [Nauenberg, M.: Phys. Lett. 292, 93–99 (2001)], and mathematical proofs for the existence of such orbits were given in [Marchal, C.: Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astron. 78, 279–298 (2001)], and more recently in [Chenciner, A. et al.: Nonlinearity 18, 1407–1424 (2005)] where also some numerical solutions have been presented. Numerical evidence is given here that the family of such orbits is a continuous function of the rotation frequency Ω which varies between Ω = 0, for the planar figure eight orbit with intrinsic frequency ω, and Ω = ω for the circular Lagrange orbit. Similar numerical solutions are also found for n > 3 equal masses, where n is an odd integer, and an illustration is given for n = 21. Finite angular momentum orbits were also obtained numerically for rotations along the two other symmetry axis of the figure eight orbit [Nauenberg, M.: Phys. Lett. 292, 93–99 (2001)], and some new results are given here. A preliminary non-linear stability analysis of these orbits is given numerically, and some examples are given of nearby stable orbits which bifurcate from these families.
Current-induced switching of magnetic domains to a perpendicular configuration

In a ferromagnet{endash}normal-metal{endash}ferromagnet trilayer, a current flowing perpendicularly to the layers creates a torque on the magnetic moments of the ferromagnets. When one of the contacts is superconducting, the torque not only favors parallel or antiparallel alignment of the magnetic moments, as is the case for two normal contacts, but can also favor a configuration where the two moments are perpendicular. In addition, whereas the conductance for parallel and antiparallel magnetic moments is the same, signalling the absence of giant magnetoresistance in the usual sense, the conductance is greater in the perpendicular configuration. Thus, a negative magnetoconductance is predicted, in contrast with the usual giant magnetoresistance.
High-Order Simulations of Low Reynolds Number Membrane Airfoils under Prescribed Motion

The aerodynamics and aeroelastic response of a membrane wing under prescribed motion are investigated using a high-order, two-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver coupled to a geometrically-nonlinear membrane model. The impact of increasing Reynolds number on the vortex dynamics and unsteady aerodynamic loads is examined for moderate-amplitude plunge and combined pitch-plunge motions at low frequency. Simulation results are compared with classical thin airfoil theory and highlight the differences between rigid and flexible membrane airfoils undergoing small and moderate amplitude motions. Most notably, the present study demonstrates the ability of lifting membrane surface flexibility to enhance thrust production, which may inform the design of flapping wing membrane fliers.
Matrix solid-phase dispersion

Matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) is a patented process, first reported in 1989, for conducting simultaneous disruption and extraction of solid and semi-solid samples. MSPD permits complete fractionation of the sample matrix components as well as the ability to selectively elute a single compound or several classes of compounds from the same sample. The method has been applied to the isolation of drugs in food animal tissues but has also found wide application in the analysis of herbicides, pesticides and pollutants from animal tissues, fruits, vegetables and other matrices. The present article provides a review of MSPD applications in these and related fields and discusses the factors known to affect MSPD methods. Both the practical and theoretical aspects of MSPD are also presented.
The Limits of Interdisciplinarity and the Practice of Environmental Law Scholarship

This article utilises the concept of interdisciplinarity as a background against which to reflect on the nature of environmental law scholarship. The article argues that, while interdisciplinary scholarship has some tangible benefits in terms of expanding the perimeters of a discipline, the effects of interdisciplinary work are often exaggerated. In fact, interdisciplinary scholarship may have the unintended consequence of entrenching academic disciplines even further. In light of this, it is argued that environmental law scholarship is best perceived and defined as a deliberative practice which takes place within and speaks to a specific community of scholars – an interpretive community. In order to secure a vibrant discipline, the article argues that the community ought to maintain a flexible, open-ended and broadly defined approach to environmental law scholarship.
Bi-invariant metrics on the group of symplectomorphisms

This paper studies the extension of the Hofer metric and general Finsler metrics on the Hamiltonian symplectomorphism group Ham(M,ω) to the identity component Symp 0 (M,ω) of the symplectomorphism group. In particular, we prove that the Hofer metric on Ham(M,ω) does not extend to a bi-invariant metric on Symp 0 (M,ω) for many symplectic manifolds. We also show that for the torus T 2n with the standard symplectic form ω, no Finsler metric on Ham(T 2n ,ω) that satisfies a strong form of the invariance condition can extend to a bi-invariant metric on Symp 0 (T 2 n,ω). Another interesting result is that there exists no C 1 -continuous bi-invariant metric on Symp 0 (T 2n ,ω).
Superconductivity of F-substituted LnOBiS2 (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Yb) compounds

Polycrystalline samples of F-substituted LnOBiS2 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Yb) compounds were synthesized by solid-state reaction. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction measurements and found to have the ZrCuSiAs crystal structure. Electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed on all of the samples and specific heat measurements were made on those with Ln = La, Ce, and Yb. All of these compounds exhibit superconductivity in the range 1.9 K–5.4 K, which has not previously been reported for the compounds based on Ce, Pr, and Yb. The YbO0.5F0.5BiS2 compound was also found to exhibit magnetic order at ∼2.7 K that apparently coexists with superconductivity below 5.4 K.
Unconditionally stable high-order time integration for moving mesh finite difference solution of linear convection–diffusion equations

This paper is concerned with moving mesh finite difference solution of partial differential equations. It is known that mesh movement introduces an extra convection term and its numerical treatment has a significant impact on the stability of numerical schemes. Moreover, many implicit second and higher order schemes, such as the Crank–Nicolson scheme, will lose their unconditional stability. A strategy is presented for developing temporally high-order, unconditionally stable finite difference schemes for solving linear convection–diffusion equations using moving meshes. Numerical results are given to demonstrate the theoretical findings.
Control in a Teamwork Environment—The Impact of Social Ties on the Effectiveness of Mutual Monitoring Contracts

This study examines control in a teamwork setting, experimentally investigating two financial incentive systems that have been proposed in the agency‐theory‐based analytic literature. Both systems rely on mutual monitoring—the ability of team members to observe each other's actions. However, the systems differ on whether team members report observations of their peers' efforts to management (vertical incentive system) or directly control the actions of each other (horizontal incentive system). Findings suggest that the effectiveness of these systems depends on the level of team identity. Specifically, a strong team identity leads to greater coordination. The result is that the effectiveness of a vertical incentive system is degraded by a strong team identity. On the other hand, a horizontal incentive system becomes more effective in the presence of a strong team identity. The results of this study suggest that when the team has achieved a high level of identity, the most effective way to use this informat...
The Cosmic Near-Infrared Background: Remnant Light from Early Stars

The redshifted ultraviolet light from early stars at z 10 contributes to the cosmic near infrared background (NIRB). We present detailed calculations of its spectrum with various assumptions about metallicity and mass spectrum of the early stars. We show that if the NIRB has a stellar origin, metal-free stars are not the only explanation of the excess NIRB; stars with significant metals (e.g., Z=1/50 Z ) can produce the same amount of background intensity as metal-free stars. This is because the average intensity at 1-2 microns is determined by the efficiency of nuclear burning in stars, which is not very sensitive to metallicity. We predict n In/˙ r 4 8nWm 2 sr 1 , where ˙ r is the mean star formation rate at z=7-15 (solar masses per year per cubic megaparsec) for stars more massive than 5 solar masses. On the other hand, since we have very little knowledge about the form of the mass spectrum of early stars, the uncertainty in the average intensity due to the mass spectrum could be large. An accurate determination of the near-infrared background allows us to probe the formation history of early stars, which is difficult to constrain by other means. While the star formation rate at z=7-15 inferred from the current data is significantly higher than the local rate at z<5, it does not rule out the stellar origin of the cosmic near-infrared background. In addition, we show that a reasonable initial mass function, coupled with this star formation rate, does not overproduce metals in the universe in most cases and may produce as little as less than 1% of the metals observed in the universe today.
The relationship between wage growth and wage levels

We estimate the covariance between the permanent component of wages and a random coefficient on experience in models both with potential experience and with actual experience. Actual experience is allowed to be arbitrarily correlated with both the permanent component of wages and the random component on experience. We find no evidence that workers of higher ability experience faster wage growth. Our point estimates suggest that a worker with a one standard deviation higher level of permanent ability would have a return to annual potential experience that is 0.61 of a percentage point lower. The analogous point estimate for actual experience is 0.87 of a point lower. Contrary to the popular perception, wage growth among low-skill workers appears to be at least as high as that for a medium-skilled worker. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.