cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The history of subliminal channels

In 1978 the United States was considering adopting a national security protocol designed to enable the USSR to verify how many Minuteman missiles the United States had emplaced in a field of 1000 silos without revealing which silos actually contained missiles. For this protocol to have been acceptable to the USSR, the messages would have had to be digitally signed with signatures which the USSR could verify were authentic, but which the United States could not forge. Subliminal channels were the discovery that these digital signatures could host undetectable covert channels. In general, any time redundant information is introduced into a communication to provide an overt function such as digital signatures, error detection and/or correction, authentication, etc. it may be possible to subvert the purported function to create a covert (subliminal) communications channel. This paper recounts the development of subliminal channels from their origins when only a couple of bits could be communicated covertly to today when potentially a couple of hundred bits can be concealed in signatures generated using the most popular digital signature schemes.
Halpern-Huang Directions in Effective Scalar Field Theory

Halpern and Huang recently showed that there are relevant directions in the space of interactions at the Gaussian fixed point. We show that their result can be derived from Polchinski’s form of the Wilson renormalization group. The derivation shows that the existence of these directions is independent of the cutoff function used.
Integration of the FDTD method into the iterative multi-region technique for scattering from multiple three dimensional objects

The integration of the finite-difference time-domain method (FDTD) into the iterative multi region (IMR) technique, an iterative approach used to solve large-scale electromagnetic problems, is presented in this contribution.
New Conjectural Lower Bounds on the Optimal Density of Sphere Packings

Sphere packings in high dimensions interest mathematicians and physicists and have direct applications in communications theory. Remarkably, no one has been able to provide exponential improvement on a hundred-year-old lower bound on the maximal packing density due to Minkowski in d-dimensional Euclidean space ℝ d . The asymptotic behavior of this bound is controlled by 2-d in high dimensions. Using an optimization procedure that we introduced earlier [Torquato and Stillinger 02] and a conjecture concerning the existence of disordered sphere packings in ℝd, we obtain a conjectural lower bound on the density whose asymptotic behavior is controlled by 2-0.77865... d , thus providing the putative exponential improvement of Minkowski's bound. The conjecture states that a hard-core nonnegative tempered distribution is a pair correlation function of a translationally invariant disordered sphere packing in ℝ d for asymptotically large d if and only if the Fourier transform of the autocovariance function is nonne...
Nucleon Decay in Supergravity Unified Theories

A general analysis of nucleon decay in supergravity unified models is given including the full set of W-gaugino, gluino, and Z-gaugino dressing diagrams (with gauge as well as Yukawa interactions at vertices) of LLLL and RRRR dimension-five operators generated by Higgs-triplet exchange. The analysis is carried out within the framework of a model-independent formalism of SU(2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1) breaking in supergravity models. Full symmetry-breaking effects on the vertices as well as all the allowed mass splittings of the supersymmetric particles that enter the dressing diagrams (i.e., W gauginos, Z gauginos, scalar quarks, and scalar leptons) are included. L-R mixing effects on scalar-quark--scalar-lepton masses, which are quite significant for the third generation for a heavy top quark, are also taken into account. Applications of the general analysis are made and it is shown that modification of supersymmetry predictions of nucleon decay can arise due to the inclusion of the new effects. It is shown specifically that \ensuremath{\nu}\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}\ensuremath{\pi} modes dominate nucleon decay in certain domains of the parameter space rather than \ensuremath{\nu}\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}K modes as is conventionally the case.
Stuck in the middle ? human capital development and economic growth in Malaysia and Thailand

The challenge of sustaining economic growth over the long term is one that only a few countries have been able to surmount. Slowing momentum in countries like Malaysia and Thailand has led analysts and policy makers to consider what it would take to lift them out of middle-income status, where other countries have arguably become stuck. The paper examines the role of human capital formation in the quest to sustain economic growth in these two countries. It argues that a good education system is fundamental to equip workers with marketable skills. Malaysia and Thailand have successfully expanded access to schooling, but the quality of education remains an issue. Modern education systems should aim to provide universally-available quality education using the following policies: prioritize budgets to deliver quality and universally-available basic education before expanding higher levels of schooling; provide appropriate incentives and rewards to teachers; permit school autonomy and ensure accountability for results; invest in early childhood development; and consider implementing income-contingent loan financing schemes to expand higher education.
A state observer for the permanent-magnet synchronous motor

An identity state observer for the permanent-magnet synchronous motor is derived which reconstructs the electrical and mechanical states of the motor from current and voltage measurements. The observer operates in the rotor frame and estimates direct and quadrature stator currents, rotor velocity, and rotor position. Since the rotor position is estimated, the rotor reference frame is approximated using the latest rotor position estimate. The motor dynamics and the transformation into the estimated rotor frame are nonlinear, and thus the observer and observer error dynamics are nonlinear. Therefore, stability is analyzed using a linearized error model. Simulations including realistic measurement disturbances are used to investigate the global stability and accuracy of the observer. >
Cramer-Rao bounds for M-PSK packets with random phase

We derive new Cramer-Rao bounds (CRBs) for the estimation of phase from a block of random M-PSK (M=8) symbols for the case where the phase to be estimated is a random variable (r.v.). Existing bounds for 2 and 4-PSK which model the phase as non-random are extended to obtain a new 8-PSK CRB. The new bound which models the phase as a r.v. is compared to the new and PSK bound which models the phase as non-random. With 8-PSK we see clearly that use of the random phase CRB more accurately models the behavior if the phase, as normally happens, is suppose to be constrained to the interval [-/spl pi//M, /spl pi//M).
The Influence of Bite Size on Quantity of Food Consumed: A Field Study

While research has extensively investigated how portion sizes can influence the quantity of food consumed, relatively little work has been done to explore how bite size influences overall consumption. This research seeks to address this concern. In a field study, we collected data in a restaurant and manipulated bite size by providing diners with small or large forks. We found that diners consumed more from smaller rather than larger forks. Utilizing motivation literature, which ties into the unique factors present in a restaurant consumption setting (e.g., diners have a well-defined goal of hunger satiation because they invest effort by visiting a specific restaurant, choose from a menu, and pay money for the meal), we present our rationale for the pattern of results. Moreover, in a controlled lab study we demonstrate that when these factors are absent, the pattern of results is reversed.
Puppeteer: Component-based adaptation for mobile computing

Puppeteer is a system for adapting component-based applications in mobile environments. Puppeteer takes advantage of the exported interfaces of these applications and the structured nature of the documents they manipulate to perform adaptation without modifying the applications. The system is structured in a modular fashion, allowing easy addition of new applications and adaptation policies. Our initial prototype focuses on adaptation to limited bandwidth. It runs on Windows NT, and includes support for a variety of adaptation policies for Microsoft PowerPoint and Internet Explorer 5. We demonstrate that Puppeteer can support complex policies without any modification to the application and with little overhead. To the best of our knowledge, previous implementations of adaptations of this nature have relied on modifying the application.
Synthesis of α-fluoro-β, γ-alkenylphosphonates and conjugated fluoroenynes from a common intermediate (α-fluoropropargyl) phosphonate

Abstract The efficient preparation of α-fluoro-β, γ-alkenylphosphonate3, via catalytic hydrogenation of (α-fluoropropargyl)phosphonate ester1, is described. Conjugated fluoroenynes4 have been synthesized using a modified Horner Wadsworth Emmons (HWE) olefination of aldehydes or ketones and1 in relatively good yields. Yields were lowered because of the formation of α-fluoro-γ-hydroxyallenylphosphonate5 during the reaction. The nature of the counterion was very important in the outcome of the HWE reaction; better yields of fluoroenynes were obtained when a potassium base was used instead of a lithium base. The building block properties of (α-fluoropropargyl) phosphonate ester1 are exemplified with the synthesis of of cis-(α-fluoroallyl) phosphonates3 and conjugated (vinylfluoro)enynes4. Download : Download full-size image
Halogen Exchange (Halex) Reaction of 5‐Iodo‐1,2,3‐triazoles: Synthesis and Applications of 5‐Fluorotriazoles

Fluorinated molecules are omnipresent in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, materials, and as imaging agents for positron emission tomography (PET) scanning. PET imaging has become a widely used technique in medical diagnostics in recent years. This method requires the use of a fluorinecontaining agent enriched with the F nucleus. This fluorine isotope has a notoriously short half-life of 109 minutes, thus imposing strict requirements for the speed and operational simplicity of reactions used for its introduction into imaging probes. Considerations of cost and practicality demand that the fluorine is derived from simple fluoride salts (such as KF and NaF). While methods for the late-stage introduction of fluorine into complex molecules have been reported, a new robust process would be a useful addition to the developing field of medical imaging, especially in light of the growing use of the CuAAC (see below). The copper(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC; Scheme 1a) has emerged as a powerful method for the creation of covalent links between diverse
Generation interval contraction and epidemic data analysis

The generation interval is the time between the infection time of an infected person and the infection time of his or her infector. Probability density functions for generation intervals have been an important input for epidemic models and epidemic data analysis. In this paper, we specify a general stochastic SIR epidemic model and prove that the mean generation interval decreases when susceptible persons are at risk of infectious contact from multiple sources. The intuition behind this is that when a susceptible person has multiple potential infectors, there is a "race" to infect him or her in which only the first infectious contact leads to infection. In an epidemic, the mean generation interval contracts as the prevalence of infection increases. We call this global competition among potential infectors. When there is rapid transmission within clusters of contacts, generation interval contraction can be caused by a high local prevalence of infection even when the global prevalence is low. We call this local competition among potential infectors. Using simulations, we illustrate both types of competition. Finally, we show that hazards of infectious contact can be used instead of generation intervals to estimate the time course of the effective reproductive number in an epidemic. This approach leads naturally to partial likelihoods for epidemic data that are very similar to those that arise in survival analysis, opening a promising avenue of methodological research in infectious disease epidemiology.
Formation of methane on Mars by fluid-rock interaction in the crust

[1] Recent spectroscopic detections of CH4 in the atmosphere of Mars are the first definitive observations of an organic compound on that planet. The relatively short photochemical lifetime of CH4 (∼300 years) argues for a geologically young source. We demonstrate here that low-temperature alteration of basaltic crust by carbon-bearing hydrothermal fluid can produce the required CH4 flux of 1 × 107 moles year−1, assuming conservative values for crustal permeability and oxygen fugacity as implied by Martian basaltic meteorites. The crustal thermal disturbance due to a single dike ∼1 × 1 × 10 km intruded during the past 104 years is capable of driving the alteration, if all carbon is supplied by magmatic degassing from a dike with only 50 ppm C. Atmospheric methane strongly suggests ongoing magmatism and hydrothermal alteration on Mars.
Land in Transition: Reform and Poverty in Rural Vietnam

The policy reforms called for in the transition from a socialist command economy to a developing market economy bring both opportunities and risks to a country's citizens. In poor economies, the initial focus of reform efforts is naturally the rural sector, which is where one finds the bulk of the population and almost all the poor. Economic development will typically entail moving many rural households out of farming into more remunerative (urban and rural) non-farm activities. Reforms that shift the rural economy from the relatively rigid, control-based farming institutions found under socialist agriculture to a more flexible, market-based model in which production incentives are strong can thus play an important role in the process of economic growth. However, such reforms present a major challenge to policy makers, who are concerned that they will generate socially unacceptable inequalities in land and other dimensions relevant to people's living standards. This book studies how the changes in land institutions and land allocation required for Vietnam's agrarian transition affected people's living standards-notably that of the country's rural poor. Living standards means household command over commodities, as measured by consumption
The Gravitational Wave Background from Cosmological Compact Binaries

We use a population synthesis approach to characterize, as a function of cosmic time, the extragalactic close binary population descended from stars of low to intermediate initial mass. The unresolved gravitational wave (GW) background due to these systems is calculated for the 0.1‐10 mHz frequency band of the planned Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). This background is found to be dominated by emission from close white dwarf‐white dwarf (WD‐ WD) pairs. The spectral shape can be understood in terms of some simple analytic arguments. To quantify the astrophysical uncertainties, we construct a range of evolutionary models which produce populations consistent with Galactic observations of close WD‐WD binaries. The models differ in binary evolution prescriptions as well as initial parameter distributions and cosmic star formation histories. We compare the resulting background spectra, the shapes of which are found to be insensitive to the model chosen, and different to those found recently by Schneider et al. From this set of models, we constrain the amplitude of the extragalactic
Assessment of Working Memory Capacity in Preschool Children Using the Missing Scan Task

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility andvalidity of a modiﬁed version of Buschke’s missing scan metho-dology, the Missing Scan Task (MST), to assess working memorycapacity (WMC) and cognitive control processes in preschool chil-dren 3–6years in age. Forty typically developing monolingualEnglish-speaking children between 36 and 84months in age partici-pated in the study. The children were tested on measures of WMC(MST), verbal and nonverbal memory (NEPSY Narrative Memoryand Memory for Designs subtests), and language skills (PeabodyPicture Vocabulary Test, fourth edition). Children showed increasedworking memory capacity scores with age, as measured by theMST, with signiﬁcant differences between 3- and 5-year-olds and3- and 6-year-olds. Signi ﬁcant correlations were also found betweenthe MST and language and verbal and nonverbal memory scores.MSTscoresstillremainedsigniﬁcantlycorrelatedwiththeothermea-sures of memory even after age and global language were accountedfor in a regression analysis, demonstrating that the MST capturesunique variance related speciﬁcally to WMC and cognitive controlprocessesusedtoretrieveandscan informationinshort-termmemory(STM). The results of this study demonstrate that the MSTis a feasi-ble and valid methodology for assessing WMC in preschool childrenas young 3years of age. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key words: missingscan;memoryscanning;workingmemorycapacityWorking memory (WM) is a construct that refers to the ability to retain andmanipulate information during a short period of time (Klingberg, Forssberg, &
Mechanisms of electric propulsion

Summary form only given, as follows.The technology of electric propulsion evolved to overcome the high propellant weight associated with propulsion by chemical means. As opposed to ejecting propellant at velocities of kilometers per second, exhaust velocities of plasma at tens of kilometers per second and more could be accomplished through electrical means. Although higher exhaust velocities require higher on-board power, the reduced propellant requirements facilitate a large variety of space transportation missions, such as orbitraising, station-keeping, or other propulsion missions requiring the conservation of propellant mass such as interplanetary flight. To produce thrust by the application of electric forces, plasma can be accelerated directly, or ions can be accelerated and then neutralized to form flowing neutral plasma. The different mechanisms of acceleration are embodied in such thrust devices as ion thrusters, Hall thrusters, magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters, or arcjets. In each method of electric propulsion, different technological limitations arise from basic plasma properties. This talk reviews the basic acceleration mechanisms at play in contemporary means of electric propulsion within the broader context of accelerating plasma by any means.
OPTIMAL CONTRACTS WHEN ENFORCEMENT IS A DECISION VARIABLE

This paper analyzes choice-theoretic costly enforcement in an intertemporal contracting model with a differentially informed investor and entrepreneur. An intertemporal contract is modeled as a mechanism in which there is limited commitment to payment and enforcement decisions. The goal of the analysis is to characterize the effect of choice-theoretic costly enforcement on the structure of optimal contracts. The paper shows that simple debt is the optimal contract when commitment is limited and costly enforcement is a decision variable (Theorem 1). In contrast, stochastic contracts are optimal when agents can commit to the ex-ante optimal decisions (Theorem 2). The paper also shows that the costly state verification model can be viewed as a reduced form of an enforcement model in which agents choose payments and strategies as part of a perfect Bayesian Nash equilibrium.
Transparency and Manipulation of Public Accounts

We study the policy choices of an incumbent politician when voters imperfectly observe aggregate spending and the incumbent’s ability. We show that total spending is decreasing in the transparency of spending, but increasing in the transparency of the incumbent’s ability. The model further provides a possible explanation of the choice of inefficient tools of redistribution, and investigates the incentives for politicians to manipulate public accounts. We show that politicians may choose inefficient and manipulable tools, but that this choice has positive welfare consequences because it leads to a reduction in spending.
Agricultural biotechnology and the privatization of genetic information: implications for innovation and equity.

Changes in intellectual property rights systems have lead to the privatization of genetic resources and subsequently to the proliferation of new agricultural biotechnology products. Since these innovations have the potential to increase agricultural production while limiting environmental degradation, the benefits from these technologies could be far-reaching. However, while intellectual property rights are intended to encourage innovation in the private sector, private sector domination of the development of new products may skew the distribution of benefits away from marginally productive agricultural areas where poorer communities live. The primary purpose of this paper is to explore the tension between the public goals of encouraging innovative use of genetic resources and supporting the equitable access to genetic resources. The paper also discusses overlapping systems of intellectual property rights on genetic resources, and how this complex system of rights for genetic resources influences the relationship of users and producers of genetic knowledge. The paper will include a discussion of private and public good aspects of genetic resources and how various intellectual property systems affect genetic resource use. The paper will also examine the challenge of creating public policies and legal systems that encourage innovation and ensure the equitable distribution of benefits from genetic resources.
An Improved Procedure for the Cyanation of Aryl Triflates: A Convenient Synthesis of 6-Cyano-1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline

Abstract A short synthesis of 6-cyano-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline is presented. The key step is an improved method of aryl triflate cyanation employing zinc(II)cyanide as the cyanide source.
Deviations from the Local Hubble Flow. I. The Tip of the Red Giant Branch as a Distance Indicator

The properties of the velocity field in the local volume (cz < 550 km s-1) have been difficult to constrain because of a lack of a consistent set of galaxy distances. The sparse observations available to date suggest a remarkably quiet flow, with little deviation from a pure Hubble law. However, velocity field models based on the distribution of galaxies in the 1.2 Jy IRAS redshift survey predict a quadrupolar flow pattern locally with strong infall at the poles of the local supergalactic plane. We probe this velocity field and begin to establish a consistent set of galactic distances. We have obtained images of nearby galaxies in the I and V bands from the W. M. Keck Observatory and in F814W and F555W filters from the Hubble Space Telescope. Where these galaxies are well resolved into stars, we can use the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) as a distance indicator. Using a maximum likelihood analysis to quantitatively measure the I magnitude of the TRGB, we determine precise distances to seven nearby galaxies: Leo I, Sextans B, NGC 1313, NGC 3109, UGC 3755, UGC 6456, and UGC 7577.
The Dynamics of Learning: An Economic Model of Student Motivation and Achievement

This research presents the results of a mathematical model of learning, to identify the major determinants of a productive and successful learning environment for college-level students. The driving force of the research is the relationship between: (1) student capacity for learning (ability), and (2) the opportunity to learn provided by the instructor (challenge). The dynamic relationship between ability and challenge leads to the most effective steady state rate of knowledge acquisition (learning). Implications for both students and teachers are derived and explored, including the proposition that a stable and sustainable rate of learning occurs when ability and challenge are congruent.
Thermochemistry of ionic liquid heat-transfer fluids

Large-scale solar energy collectors intended for electric power generation require a heat-transfer fluid with a set of properties not fully met by currently available commercial materials. Ionic liquids have thermophysical and chemical properties that may be suitable for heat transfer and short heat term storage in power plants using parabolic trough solar collectors. Ionic liquids are salts that are liquid at or near room temperature. Thermal properties important for heat transfer applications are melting point, boiling point, liquidus range, heat capacity, heat of fusion, vapor pressure, and thermal conductivity. Other properties needed to evaluate the usefulness of ionic liquids are density, viscosity and chemical compatibility with certain metals. Three ionic liquids were chosen for study based on their range of solvent properties. The solvent properties correlate with solubility of water in the ionic liquids. The thermal and chemical properties listed above were measured or compiled from the literature. Contamination of the ionic liquids by impurities such as water, halides, and metal ions often affect physical properties. The ionic liquids were analyzed for those impurities, and the impact of the contamination was evaluated by standard addition. The conclusion is that the ionic liquids have some very favorable thermal properties compared to targets established by the Department of Energy for solar collector applications.
A Comparative Efficiency Analysis of Wheat Farms using Parametric and Nonparametric Methods

This study examined whether the efficiency measures were invariant to choice of parametric and nonparametric methods for a sample of 183 wheat farms. The efficiency measures from the deterministic parametric method were smaller than those from the deterministic method. There was a trade-off between scale efficiency and economic efficiency. In the deterministic nonparametric method, the economic efficiency, scale efficiency and overall efficiency results were invariant to the number of inputs or the dimensionality. Only allocative and pure technical efficiency measures depended on the dimensionality. This work illustrated the importance of holding curvature for the cost function in stochastic frontier results.
The application of novel methodology for the synthesis of o-, m-, and p-(SF5-perfluoroethyl) benzene derivatives

Abstract The reaction of o -, m -, and p -F 2 CCFC 6 H 4 X with SF 5 Br produces an intermediate adduct, F 5 SCF 2 CFBrC 6 H 4 X, which, on treatment with AgBF 4 , affords the first useful, high yield preparation of o -, m -, and p -F 5 SCF 2 CF 2 C 6 H 4 X.
Reacceleration experiment to demonstrate the concept of efficiency enhancement in a relativistic klystron two-beam accelerator

High conversion efficiency of electron beam energy to rf energy can be achieved in two-beam accelerators using reacceleration of the bunched drive beam. To study issues with these designs we are planning a demonstration in which a modulated beam's energy is boosted as it passes through induction accelerator cells. For this experiment we will use the front end of the Choppertron to modulate a 5 MeV electron beam at 11.4 GHz. We have now tested the 5-MeV Choppertron and are reporting on the results. For the reacceleration experiment we plan to use three stages of rf power extraction interspersed with two stages of reacceleration. >
On the Evaluation of Economic Mobility

This paper presents a framework for the evaluation and measurement of reversal and origin independence as separate aspects of economic mobility. We show how that evaluation depends on aversion to multi-period inequality, aversion to inter-temporal fluctuations, and aversion to future risk. We construct extended Atkinson indices that allow us to quantify the relative impact of reversal and origin independence on welfare. We apply our approach to the comparison of income mobility in Germany and in the United States. When aversion to inequality is the only consideration, the US gains more from mobility than Germany. This reflects similar gains from reversal in the two countries but greater gains in the US from origin independence. The introduction of aversion to intertemporal fluctuations and aversion to future risk makes the impact of mobility in the two countries more similar.
Reduction of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with sodium borohydride in the diethyl ether/methanol/pentafluorophenol solvent system. Use of N, N, N', N'-tetramethylethylenediamine and 1-hexene as borane scavengers

Abstract Pentafluorophenol acts as an efficient proton source for sodium borohydride reductions in diethyl ether containing methanol. This system allows for the regioselective reduction of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds to the corresponding allylic alcohols in high yield. Use of either 1-hexene or N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine as borane scavengers moderately improved the regioselectivity of this reaction. Fortunately, sodium trispentafluorophenoxyborohydride, generated in situ, gave regiospecific 1,2-reduction of α,β,-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.
Comparison of pleural fluid N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic-32 peptide levels.

Background Current evidence indicates that measurement of pleural fluid N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels can aid in distinguishing pleural effusions of cardiac origin from those of noncardiac origin. To date, only one study, to our knowledge, has described simultaneous measurement of pleural fluid brain natriuretic-32 peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP. The purpose of the present study was to determine pleural fluid BNP and NT-proBNP levels and analyze the relationship between these two measurements. We hypothesized that there would be a positive correlation between pleural fluid NT-proBNP and BNP, whereas NT-proBNP levels would be higher than BNP levels. Methods Levels of pleural fluid NT-proBNP and BNP were measured by enzyme immunoassay in a total of 80 patients: 20 with congestive heart failure, 20 status post-coronary artery bypass graft, 20 with carcinoma, and 20 with pneumonia. Results Comparison of NT-proBNP and BNP concentrations using the Spearman method of statistical analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.572, P Conclusions Although levels of pleural fluid BNP have a statistically significant correlation with those of NT-proBNP, this relationship only explains 32% of the variance in NT-proBNP levels. Furthermore, when compared with BNP, NT-proBNP is a more accurate diagnostic aid in the evaluation of pleural effusions of cardiac origin.
Elevated protein kinase C alpha expression may be predictive of tamoxifen treatment failure.

We previously reported that stable transfection of protein kinase C alpha (PKCα) into T47D human breast cancer cells results in tamoxifen (TAM)-resistant tumour growth. Relevance of PKCα expression in clinical specimens was determined by comparing PKCα expression in tumours from patients exhibiting disease recurrence with patients remaining disease-free following TAM treatment. Our results suggest that PKCα expression may predict TAM treatment failure.
Ring-closing alkyne metathesis with simple catalyst systems: an access to molecular triangles and rhomboids

Treatment of the siloxane monomer 2 with a mixture of molybdenum hexacarbonyl and 4-chlorophenol at 140 °C furnished the corresponding cyclotrimer 3 and the cyclotetramer 4.
Mechanism Design for Base Station Association and Resource Allocation in Downlink OFDMA Network

We consider a resource management problem in a multi-cell downlink OFDMA network whereby the goal is to find the optimal combination of (i) assignment of users to base stations and (ii) resource allocation strategies at each base station. Efficient resource management protocols must rely on users truthfully reporting privately held information such as downlink channel states. However, individual users can manipulate the resulting resource allocation (by misreporting their private information) if by doing so they can improve their payoff. Therefore, it is of interest to design efficient resource management protocols that are strategy-proof, i.e. it is in the users' best interests to truthfully report their private information. Unfortunately, we show that the implementation of any protocol that is efficient and strategy-proof is NP-hard. Thus, we propose a computationally tractable strategy-proof mechanism that is approximately efficient, i.e. the solution obtained yields at least 1/2 of the optimal throughput. Simulations are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed mechanism.
The Evolution of Life on the Earth

The history of life is not necessarily progressive; it is certainly not predictable. The earth's creatures have evolved through a series of contingent and fortuitous events.
Graphene oxide and its reduction: modeling and experimental progress

Graphene oxide (GO) has attracted intense interest for its use as a precursor material for the mass production of graphene-based materials, which hold great potential in various applications. Insights into the structure of GO and reduced GO (RGO) are of significant interest, as their properties are dependent on the type and distribution of functional groups, defects, and holes from missing carbons in the GO carbon lattice. Modeling the structural motifs of GO can predict the structural evolution in its reduction and presents promising directions to tailor the properties of RGO. Two general reduction approaches, chemical and thermal, are proposed to achieve highly reduced GO materials. This review introduces typical chemical oxidation methods to produce GO from pure graphite, then summarizes the modeling progress on the GO structure and its oxidation and reduction dynamics, and lastly, presents the recent progress of RGO preparation through chemical and thermal reduction approaches. By summarizing recent studies on GO structural modeling and its reduction, this review leads to a deeper understanding of GO morphology and reduction path, and suggests future directions for the scalable production of graphene-based materials through atomic engineering.
Iron-Catalyzed 1,4-Addition of α-Olefins to Dienes

A new intermolecular, stereo- and regioselective iron-catalyzed 1,4-addition of α-olefins to 1,3-dienes using as low as 1 mol % of an iminopyridine−ferrous chloride complex was developed. Importantly, both double bonds of the linear 1,4-diene addition products are obtained with absolute stereocontrol.
An efficient catalytic asymmetric addition of trimethylsilyl cyanide to aldehydes at room temperature

Abstract The BINOL–salen compound ( S )- 5c in combination with Ti(O i Pr) 4 is found to catalyze the addition of TMSCN to aldehydes to form chiral cyanohydrins with very good enantioselectivity (75–85% ee). The reactions are carried out in one-pot at room temperature without the need to isolate the chiral Lewis acid catalyst.
New synthesis and evaluation of enantiomers of 7-methyl-2-exo-(3'-iodo-5'-pyridinyl)-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane as stereoselective ligands for PET imaging of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Abstract A simple and efficient synthesis of nAChR antagonist (±)-7-methyl-2- exo -(3′-iodo-5′-pyridinyl)-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]-heptane ((±)-NMI-EPB) has been developed. Both enantiomers of (±)-NMI-EPB were separated by semi-preparative chiral HPLC. The enantiomers manifested a substantial difference in their inhibition binding affinities ((+)-NMI-EPB, K i = 2310, 1680 pM; (−)-NMI-EPB, K i = 55, 68 pM). The enantiomers were stereoselectively radiolabeled with 11 C. In the distribution studies in the rodent brain [ 11 C](−)-NMI-EPB specifically labeled nAChR whereas [ 11 C](+)-NMI-EPB exhibited little specific binding. In the baboon PET study [ 11 C](−)-NMI-EPB did not reach steady-state within 90 min post-injection suggesting that the radioligand may have some limitations for quantitative imaging.
Improving Fairness, Efficiency, and Stability in HTTP-Based Adaptive Video Streaming With Festive

Modern video players today rely on bit-rate adaptation in order to respond to changing network conditions. Past measurement studies have identified issues with today's commercial players when multiple bit-rate-adaptive players share a bottleneck link with respect to three metrics: fairness, efficiency, and stability. Unfortunately, our current understanding of why these effects occur and how they can be mitigated is quite limited. In this paper, we present a principled understanding of bit-rate adaptation and analyze several commercial players through the lens of an abstract player model consisting of three main components: bandwidth estimation, bit-rate selection, and chunk scheduling. Using framework, we identify the root causes of several undesirable interactions that arise as a consequence of overlaying the video bit-rate adaptation over HTTP. Building on these insights, we develop a suite of techniques that can systematically guide the tradeoffs between stability, fairness, and efficiency and thus lead to a general framework for robust video adaptation. We pick one concrete instance from this design space and show that it significantly outperforms today's commercial players on all three key metrics across a range of experimental scenarios.
Novel Cinchona alkaloid derived ammonium salts as catalysts for the asymmetric synthesis of β-hydroxy α-amino acids via aldol reactions

Abstract Using the cinchonidine-derived phase-transfer catalyst developed by Park and Jew as a lead structure, we have prepared novel chiral ammonium salts and investigated their efficacy for the preparation of β-hydroxy α-amino acids via asymmetric aldol reactions. The modifications were performed at C3 of the cinchonidine nucleus and include dimers as well as catalysts possessing electron-deficient alkyne and alkene moieties. Some of the new catalysts yielded improvements relative to the Park–Jew catalyst in the aldol reaction.
Energy-storage pulsed-power capacitor technology

Fundamentals of dielectric capacitor technology and multifactor stress aging of all classes of insulating media that form elements of this technology are addressed. The goal is the delineation of failure processes in highly stressed compact capacitors. Factors affecting the complex aging processes such as thermal, electromechanical, and partial discharges are discussed. Diagnostic measurement techniques available and those being developed to determine material degradation affecting available life and failure probability of capacitors are presented. >
An Integrated Approach to the Procedural Modeling of Ancient Cities and Buildings

This article presents the ‘Roman City Ruleset’, a suite of procedural rules for creating 3D models of Roman and Hellenistic architecture and urban environments. Unlike traditional 3D modeling software, in which the user directly manipulates polygons to simulate form, procedural modeling entails the use of computer programming languages to write a semantic description of a building that then generates a polygonal model. Procedural modeling has the potential to address a number of issues related to 3D archaeological reconstructions which are of concern to digital humanists. Of particular interest for archaeologists and architectural historians is the ability to test hypothetical reconstructions of ancient architecture in a fully realized urban context. The procedural rules link each iteration of a model to its source material, allowing the degree of certainty present in each model to be accurately defined through the documentation of each step in the process of interpreting a given data set. Procedural modeling enhances the scholarly value of architectural reconstructions by providing a platform for the comparison and refutation of 3D visualizations, and advances the methodology of 3D modeling toward becoming an essential part of the digital humanist’s toolkit.
One-pot synthesis of triazole-linked glycoconjugates

Highly efficient one-pot synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole-linked glycoconjugates was presented involving a Cu(I) catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition as the key step. It offers a convenient route to prepare neoglycoconjugates derived from unprotected saccharides or peracetylated saccharides.
Whistle Blowing: A Message to Leaders and Managers; Comment on “Cultures of Silence and Cultures of Voice: The Role of Whistleblowing in Healthcare Organizations”

This comment argues that instead of worrying about the pros and cons of whistleblowing one should focus on the more general problem of the failure of upward communication around safety and quality problems and consider what leaders and managers must do to stimulate subordinates to communicate and reward such communication. The article analyzes why safety failures occur and introduces the concept of practical drift and adaptive moves as necessary for systemic safety to be understood and better handled. It emphasizes the key role of senior leadership in creating a climate in which critical upward communication will become more likely.
Quantifying uncertainty in random forests via confidence intervals and hypothesis tests

This work develops formal statistical inference procedures for predictions generated by supervised learning ensembles. Ensemble methods based on bootstrapping, such as bagging and random forests, have improved the predictive accuracy of individual trees, but fail to provide a framework in which distributional results can be easily determined. Instead of aggregating full bootstrap samples, we consider predicting by averaging over trees built on subsamples of the training set and demonstrate that the resulting estimator takes the form of a U-statistic. As such, predictions for individual feature vectors are asymptotically normal, allowing for confidence intervals to accompany predictions. In practice, a subset of subsamples is used for computational speed; here our estimators take the form of incomplete U-statistics and equivalent results are derived. We further demonstrate that this setup provides a framework for testing the significance of features. Moreover, the internal estimation method we develop allows us to estimate the variance parameters and perform these inference procedures at no additional computational cost. Simulations and illustrations on a real data set are provided.
Freenet: Spectrum and energy harvesting wireless networks

The dramatic growth in mobile data traffic is resulting in spectrum crunch, and is also leading to exorbitant energy consumption. Thus, it is desirable to liberate mobile and wireless networks from the constraint of spectrum scarcity and to rein in growing energy consumption. This article introduces FreeNet, figuratively synonymous with “Free Network,” which engineers spectrum and energy harvesting techniques to alleviate spectrum and energy constraints by sensing and harvesting spare spectrum for data communications and utilizing renewable energy as power supplies, respectively. Hence, FreeNet increases the spectrum and energy efficiency of wireless networks and enhances network availability. As a result, FreeNet can be deployed to alleviate network congestion in urban areas, provision broadband services in rural areas, and upgrade emergency communication capacity. This article provides a brief analysis of the design of FreeNet that accommodates the dynamics of the spare spectrum and employs renewable energy.
Designing Checks and Balances

Essential to the Madisonian conception of checks and balances is the division of policy-making authority among multiple actors such that each can veto proposed changes in policy. We use a mechanism design approach to analyze checks and balances institutions. We show that checks and balances institutions in which the most preferred policy of the more moderate player is the unique equilibrium outcome are the only checks and balances institutions that are strategy-proof, efficient, and responsive. Our analysis facilitates a comprehensive evaluation of checks and balances institutions, and our results can serve as a normative benchmark to assess any such institution, regardless of its specific design. We illustrate the applicability of our normative benchmark within the context of constitutional review, a crucial pillar of established democracies, and, increasingly, of developing democracies.
Antisite defects at oxide interfaces

We use ab initio calculations to estimate the formation energies of cation (transition-metal) antisite defects at oxide interfaces and to understand the basic physical effects that drive or suppress the formation of these defects. Antisite defects are found to be favored in systems with substantial charge transfer across the interface, while Jahn-Teller distortions and itinerant ferromagnetism can prevent antisite defects and help stabilize atomically sharp interfaces. Our results enable identification of classes of systems that may be more and less susceptible to the formation of antisite defects, and they motivate experimental studies and further theoretical calculations to elucidate the local structure and stability of oxide interface systems.
Event-Triggered Stabilization of Linear Systems Under Bounded Bit Rates

This paper addresses the problem of exponential practical stabilization of linear time-invariant systems with disturbances using event-triggered control and bounded communication bit rate. We consider both the case of instantaneous communication with finite precision data at each transmission and the case of non-instantaneous communication with bounded communication rate. Given a prescribed rate of convergence, the proposed event-triggered control implementations opportunistically determine the transmission instants and the finite precision data to be transmitted on each transmission. We show that our design exponentially practically stabilizes the origin while guaranteeing a uniform positive lower bound on the inter-transmission and inter-reception times, ensuring that the number of bits transmitted on each transmission is upper bounded uniformly in time, and allowing for the possibility of transmitting fewer bits at any given time if more bits than prescribed were transmitted earlier. We also characterize the necessary and sufficient average data rate for exponential practical stabilization. Several simulations illustrate the results.
IGNORED NO MORE: WITHIN‐PERSON VARIABILITY ENABLES BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF TRAINING TRANSFER

The current study advances research on transfer of training by investigating within-person variability in mastery goal orientation and transfer behavior. Longitudinal surveys of trainees voluntarily attending statistical workshops revealed that trainees varied significantly in two characteristics of transfer trajectory: (a) initial attempt to transfer and (b) subsequent rate of change in transfer. Motivation to transfer assessed at the end of training predicted both initial attempt to transfer and subsequent rate of change in transfer. Level and variability of trainees’ mastery orientation interacted to influence transfer trajectories through the mediating mechanism of motivation to transfer. Specifically, level had a positive main effect on motivation and transfer trajectories, but the effect was stronger for trainees whose mastery orientation was less variable. These findings highlight the importance of attending to within-person variability in the study of training transfer by considering training tran...