cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do Asset Market Prices Reflect Traders' Judgment Biases?

The existence of base rate fallacy (BRF) bias is explored employing: (i) a context treatment with a narrative story applied to asset markets and (ii) an isomorphic abstract setting using balls-and-bingo cages. Probability estimates reflect a BRF bias in both treatments, but is stronger with context. Prices track highest expected dividend values (HEDVs) with context, resulting in strongly biased prices relative to the Bayesian norm when biased traders have HEDVs. In the abstract treatment prices do not track HEDVs nearly as closely, resulting in prices closer to the BRF bias only when most traders hold biased beliefs.
Law as a Social Fact: A Reply to Professor Martinez

Philosophy's struggle with the concept of truth has been both protracted and vigorous. Since Plato, one picture of truth-perhaps the dominant view-has been that truth is a matter of verisimilitude or convergence of one thing and another. In modernity, truth has attained its most capacious development in the context of scientific inquiry. Before Fleck, Kuhn, and Feyerabend, no philosopher had mounted a serious attack on the idea that scientific truth is a matter of convergence between a proposition and some state of affairs in virtue of which the asserted proposition is made true-Realism. Since the early days of scientific empiricism, the humanistic disciplines have struggled in the shadow of the natural sciences. One need only recall the protracted efforts of Freudian psychoanalysts to claim scientific status for their speculations in order to appreciate the pervasive hold of the scientific aspiration.
Automated book reader for persons with blindness

This research introduces a new automatic book reader for persons with blindness. The objective is to design a fully integrated system that is relatively fast and yet inexpensive and effective with a high reading accuracy. Through the use of two inexpensive light weight cameras, a book holder and using regular lighting of an office or a lab environment, this integrated system addresses through software development (a) the mathematical foundation of perspective distortion introduced by page curvature of an open book, and of barrel correction introduced by the inherent nature of image capture of the camera; (b) image preprocessing for finding lines and characters in a given image; and (c) the implementation of a fast neural network that takes as input the findings of step (b) and provides an audible read out through a speech synthesis engine
Phonons and elasticity in critically coordinated lattices

Much of our understanding of vibrational excitations and elasticity is based upon analysis of frames consisting of sites connected by bonds occupied by central-force springs, the stability of which depends on the average number of neighbors per site z. When z < zc ≈ 2d, where d is the spatial dimension, frames are unstable with respect to internal deformations. This pedagogical review focuses on the properties of frames with z at or near zc, which model systems like randomly packed spheres near jamming and network glasses. Using an index theorem, N0 -NS = dN -NB relating the number of sites, N, and number of bonds, NB, to the number, N0, of modes of zero energy and the number, NS, of states of self stress, in which springs can be under positive or negative tension while forces on sites remain zero, it explores the properties of periodic square, kagome, and related lattices for which z = zc and the relation between states of self stress and zero modes in periodic lattices to the surface zero modes of finite free lattices (with free boundary conditions). It shows how modifications to the periodic kagome lattice can eliminate all but trivial translational zero modes and create topologically distinct classes, analogous to those of topological insulators, with protected zero modes at free boundaries and at interfaces between different topological classes.
Open Charm Production in Deep Inelastic Scattering at Next-to-Leading Order at HERA

An introduction and overview of charm production in deep inelastic scattering at HERA is given. The existing next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations are then reviewed, and key results are summarized. Finally, comparisons are made with the most recent HERA data, and unresolved issues are highlighted.
Concurrent error detection in array dividers by alternating input data

Concurrent error detection (CED) schemes utilizing time redundancy can keep chip area and interconnect to a minimum. An efficient time redundancy scheme, RESO, for array dividers has been reported. Under the same cell fault model, an alternated time redundancy CED scheme using an alternating logic (AL) approach is proposed. The key to the detection of faults using the AL approach is determining that at least one input combination exists for which the error does not result in alternating outputs. Results of this study show that the proposed design achieves the same CED capability as RESO implementation yet with a lower area overhead. Due to the simplicity and low area overhead the proposed AL approach will be very attractive for the design of fault-tolerant VLSI-based systems. >
Augmented system approach to measurement-based robust tracking

This paper considers the robust tracking problem using an augmented system approach. Our results extend previous full-state results to observer-based feedback. The system matrix is assumed to contain time-invariant uncertainty. Two cases are considered. In the first, the tracked output is available for feedback. The resulting control law call be applied to polynomial reference signals of known order and results in zero steady-state error. In the second case, where the tracked output is not available for feedback, our approach is restricted to step references, and the steady-state error is non-zero, although bounded by a prescribed value.
Earnings Benefits of Tulsa's Pre-K Program for Different Income Groups

Abstract This paper estimates future adult earnings effects associated with a universal pre-K program in Tulsa, Oklahoma. These projections help to compensate for the lack of long-term data on universal pre-K programs, while using metrics that relate test scores to social benefits. Combining test-score data from the fall of 2006 and recent findings by Chetty et al. (2011) on the relationship between kindergarten test scores and adult earnings, we generate projections of adult earnings effects and a partial cost–benefit analysis of the Tulsa pre-K program. For both half-day and full-day programs, benefits are similar across program participants of different income, with benefit-to-cost ratios of 3- or 4-to-1. Because we only consider adult earnings benefits, actual benefit–cost ratios are likely higher, especially for disadvantaged children.
Predicting House Prices Using Multiple Listings Data

It is often necessary to accurately predict the price of a house between sales. One method of predicting house values is to use data on the characteristics of the area's housing stock to estimate a hedonic regression, using ordinary least squares (OLS) as the statistical technique. The coefficients of this regression are then used to produce the predicted house prices. However, this procedure ignores a potentially large source of information regarding house prices—the correlations existing between the prices of neighboring houses. The purpose of this article is to show how these correlations can be incorporated when estimating regression coefficients and when predicting house prices. The practical difficulties inherent in using a technique called kriging to predict house prices are discussed. The article concludes with an example of the procedure using multiple listings data from Baltimore.
DAMLJessKB: a tool for reasoning with the semantic web

We describe DAMLJessKB, a tool for reasoning with the DARPA Agent Markup Language (DAML) and performing inference on the Semantic Web. DAMLJessKB maps DAML's semantics into facts and rules for use in a production system, such as the Java Expert System Shell (Jess). This article presents our underlying methodology and provides a detailed example of how DAMLJessKB can be used to make decisions about DAML-encoded engineering design knowledge. We believe that tools like DAMLJessKB are needed to help realize the full potential of the Semantic Web and DAML.
G3 Exchange Rate Relationships: A Recap of the Record and a Review of Proposals for Change

This paper is a recap of G3 exchange rate relationships since the collapse of Bretton Woods and an analysis of recent proposals for changing the way the G3 countries currently conduct exchange rate policy. We seek to understand these proposals in the context of the status quo monetary policies and intervention arrangements that are likely to be pursued by the G3 central banks in the absence of any formal arrangements among their governments to limit exchange rate volatility. The advocates of the proposals for change have made their assessment of the global costs of exchange rate volatility and (their estimates) of exchange rate misalignments, especially as these apply to the emerging economies through their linkages to the global capital markets. In their view, the status quo is unacceptable, and a sustained effort to limit G3 exchange rate fluctuations would deliver benefits to the world economy that would outweigh the value that they place on any loss of monetary autonomy in the G3 that would be required to maintain such a system. The skeptics make a positive, not a normative, judgment that the sorts of proposals that are on the table will not, in practice, get around the impossible trinity' of international finance.
Sparse sum-of-squares certificates on finite abelian groups

Sums-of-squares techniques have played an important role in optimization and control. One question that has attracted a lot of attention is to exploit sparsity in order to reduce the size of sum-of-squares programs. In this paper we consider the problem of finding sparse sum-of-squares certificates for functions defined on a finite abelian group G. In this setting the natural basis over which to measure sparsity is the Fourier basis of G (also called the basis of characters of G). We establish combinatorial conditions on subsets S and τ of Fourier basis elements under which nonnegative functions with Fourier support S are sums of squares of functions with Fourier support τ. Our combinatorial condition involves constructing a chordal cover of a graph related to G and S with maximal cliques related to τ. These techniques allow us to show that any nonnegative quadratic function in binary variables is a sum of squares of functions of degree at most ⌈n/2⌉, resolving a conjecture of Laurent [11]. They also allow us to show that any nonnegative function of degree d on G = ℤN has a sum-of-squares certificate supported on at most 3d log(N/d) Fourier basis elements. By duality this construction yields the first explicit family of polytopes in increasing dimensions that have a semidefinite programming description that is vanishingly smaller than any linear programming description.
Replacement Gene Therapy With a Human RPGRIP1 Sequence Slows Photoreceptor Degeneration in a Murine Model of Leber Congenital Amaurosis

RPGR-interacting protein-1 (RPGRIP1) is localized in the photoreceptor-connecting cilium, where it anchors the RPGR (retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator) protein, and its function is essential for photoreceptor maintenance. Genetic defect in RPGRIP1 is a known cause of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a severe, early-onset form of retinal degeneration. We evaluated the efficacy of replacement gene therapy in a murine model of LCA carrying a targeted disruption of RPGRIP1. The replacement construct, packaged in an adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8) vector, used a rhodopsin kinase gene promoter to drive RPGRIP1 expression. Both promoter and transgene were of human origin. After subretinal delivery of the replacement gene in the mutant mice, human RPGRIP1 was expressed specifically in photoreceptors, localized correctly in the connecting cilia, and restored the normal localization of RPGR. Electroretinogram and histological examinations showed better preservation of rod and cone photoreceptor function and improved photoreceptor survival in the treated eyes. This study demonstrates the efficacy of human gene replacement therapy and validates a gene therapy design for future clinical trials in patients afflicted with this condition. Our results also have therapeutic implications for other forms of retinal degenerations attributable to a ciliary defect.
Vague Spatial Data Types, Set Operations, and Predicates

Many geographical applications deal with spatial objects that cannot be adequately described by determinate, crisp concepts because of their intrinsically indeterminate and vague nature. Current geographical information systems and spatial database systems are unable to cope with this kind of data. To support such data and applications, we introduce vague spatial data types for vague points, vague lines, and vague regions. These data types cover and extend previous approaches and are part of a data model called VASA (Vague Spatial Algebra). Their formal framework is based on already existing, general exact models of crisp spatial data types, which simplifies the definition of the vague spatial model. In addition, we obtain executable specifications for the operations which can be immediately used as implementations. This paper gives a formal definition of the three vague spatial data types as well as some basic operations and predicates. A few example queries illustrate the embedding and expressiveness of these new data types in query languages.
FormPad: a camera-assisted digital notepad

A camera-assisted digital writing tablet was invented recently. It preserves the familiar experience of filling out a paper form while allowing automatic conversion of relevant handwritten field entries into electronic form, without explicit form scanning. In this paper, we focus on two key computer vision problems associated with the invention of this device, namely, form indexing and field projection. These are needed for accurate association of tablet writing with corresponding entries in the electronic form. Form indexing is modeled as the problem of shape-based content retrieval using the perspectively-distorted form appearances seen from the tablet camera. Fast form indexing is achieved using geometric hashing based on projective invariants. The invariants derived from curve and line features reduce the basis search space considerably while still providing for robust localization. We derive field projection as a sequence of projective transformations between the tablet, the camera and the original electronic form coordinates. Results of extensive testing on a medical form database are reported.
Selecting Degenerate Multiplex PCR Primers

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Genotyping is an important molecular genetics technique in the early stages of producing results that will be useful in the medical field. One of the proposed methods for performing SNP Genotyping requires amplifying regions of DNA surrounding a large number of SNP loci. In order to automate a portion of this method and make the use of SNP Genotyping more widespread, it is important to select a set of primers for the experiment. Selecting these primers can be formulated as the Multiple Degenerate Primer Design (MDPD) problem. An iterative beam-search algorithm, Multiple, Iterative Primer Selector (MIPS), is presented for MDPD. Theoretical and experimental analyses show that this algorithm performs well compared to the limits of degenerate primer design and the number of spurious amplifications should be small. Furthermore, MIPS outperforms an existing algorithm which was designed for a related degenerate primer selection problem.
The Market Impacts of Pharmaceutical Product Patents in Developing Countries: Evidence from India

In 2005, as the result of a World Trade Organization mandate, India implemented a patent reform for pharmaceuticals that was intended to comply with the 1995 Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Exploiting variation in the timing of patent decisions,we estimate that a molecule receiving a patent experienced an average price increase of just 3–6 percent, with larger increases for more recently developed molecules and for those produced by justone firm when the patent system began. Our results also show little impact on quantities sold or on the number of pharmaceutical firms operating in the market.
Career Dynamics Under Uncertainty: Estimating the Value of Firm Experimentation

This paper develops and structurally estimates a learning model in which firms acquire information about workers' ability by observing their performance over time. A firm consists of a collection of jobs which differ in the informational content of performance, as measured by the dispersion in posterior beliefs after output is observed. Ability is general across jobs and firms. Because of the trade--off between learning and short--run profit maximization, a firm's optimal job assignment policy is solution to an experimentation problem---a multi--armed Bandit problem with dependent arms. In presence of firm competition, the job--dependent quality of performance signals can cause distortions in information acquisition within firms, inducing (ex ante) inefficient job assignment and turnover. The model is estimated using longitudinal data from a single U.S. firm on the cohorts of managers entering the firm at the lowest managerial level between 1970 and 1979 (the same dataset used by Baker, Gibbs and Holmstrom [1994a, 1994b]). Estimation results confirm that a theoretically restricted learning model can succeed in fitting the dynamic pattern of separations, promotions and demotions, and individual wage profiles. The estimated model is then used to assess the impact on mobility, between jobs and firms, and on wages of alleviating ex ante (at the beginning of an employment relationship) and interim (during employment) uncertainty, respectively through improved screening and monitoring. Given the estimated divergence between private and social returns to information, alternative policies (e.g., mandatory probationary employment contracts) are evaluated to quantify the potential welfare gains associated with increased experimentation in firms.
SPOP Promotes Ubiquitination and Degradation of the ERG Oncoprotein to Suppress Prostate Cancer Progression

The ERG gene is fused to TMPRSS2 in approximately 50% of prostate cancers (PrCa), resulting in its overexpression. However, whether this is the sole mechanism underlying ERG elevation in PrCa is currently unclear. Here we report that ERG ubiquitination and degradation are governed by the Cullin 3-based ubiquitin ligase SPOP and that deficiency in this pathway leads to aberrant elevation of the ERG oncoprotein. Specifically, we find that truncated ERG (ΔERG), encoded by the ERG fusion gene, is stabilized by evading SPOP-mediated destruction, whereas prostate cancer-associated SPOP mutants are also deficient in promoting ERG ubiquitination. Furthermore, we show that the SPOP/ERG interaction is modulated by CKI-mediated phosphorylation. Importantly, we demonstrate that DNA damage drugs, topoisomerase inhibitors, can trigger CKI activation to restore the SPOP/ΔERG interaction and its consequent degradation. Therefore, SPOP functions as a tumor suppressor to negatively regulate the stability of the ERG oncoprotein in prostate cancer.
Photonic bandgap based designs for nano-photonic integrated circuits

Photonic crystals are artificial crystal structures that are intended for electromagnetic waves as that of a semiconductor crystal that interact with electron waves. Photonic crystals usually have an electromagnetic bandgap, a band of frequencies in which electromagnetic waves are forbidden. They have been conceived for various applications including high capacity optical fibers, color pigments, and especially nano-photonic integrated circuits that might become part of standard microchips.
Who are the net food importing countries

The purpose of this paper is to update the information on net food importing countries, using different definitions of food, separating countries by their level of income, whether they are in conflict and whether they are significant oil exporters. The study also estimates the changes in net food importing status of these countries over the last two and a half decades, and, most important, the study measures the relative importance of these net food imports in the import basket of the countries. Our results show that while many low-income countries are net food importers, the importance and potential impact of the net food importing status has been highly exaggerated. Many low-income countries that have larger food deficits are either oil exporters or countries in conflict. Food deficits of most low-income countries are not that significant as a percentage of their imports. Our results also show that only 6 low-income countries have food deficits that are more than 10 percent of their imports. Last two decades have seen a significant improvement in the food trade balances of low-income developing countries. SSA low-income countries are an exception to this trend. On the other hand, there are a group of countries which are experiencing civil conflicts which are large importers of food, and these countries can not meet their basic needs. They also need special assistance in the distribution of food within their boundaries. Therefore, one should modify the WTO Ministerial Declaration, and focus on these conflict countries rather than the broad net food importers.
Recursive Linear Models of Dynamic Economies

This paper describes a class of dynamic stochastic linear quadratic equilibrium models. A model is specified by naming lists of matrices that determine preferences, technology, and the information structure. Aggregate equilibrium allocations and prices are computed by solving a social planning problem in the form of an optimal linear regulator. Heterogeneity among agents is permitted. Several examples are computed.
New Multiple Insertion/Deletion Correcting Codes for Non-Binary Alphabets

We generalize Helberg’s number-theoretic construction of binary multiple insertion/deletion correcting codes to non-binary alphabets and describe a linear decoding algorithm for correcting multiple deletions.
Entropy and belief networks

The product expansion of conditional probabilities for belief nets is not maximum entropy. This appears to deny a desirable kind of assurance for the model. However, a kind of guarantee that is almost as strong as maximum entropy can be derived. Surprisingly, a variant model also exhibits the guarantee, and for many cases obtains a higher performance score than the product expansion.
Monotone periodic orbits for torus homeomorphisms

Let f be a homeomorphism of the torus isotopic to the identity and suppose that there exists a periodic orbit with a non-zero rotation vector ( p , r ), then f has a topologically monotone periodic orbit with the same rotation vector.
Probabilistic Bisimulation and Equivalence for Security Analysis of Network Protocols

Using a probabilistic polynomial-time process calculus designed for specifying security properties as observational equivalences, we develop a form of bisimulation that justifies an equational proof system. This proof system is sufficiently powerful to derive the semantic security of El Gamal encryption from the Decision Diffie-Hellman (DDH) assumption. The proof system can also derive the converse: if El Gamal is secure, then DDH holds. While these are not new cryptographic results, these example proofs show the power of probabilistic bisimulation and equational reasoning for protocol security.
On a New Non-Geometric Element in Gravity

In this essay a generalized notion of flavor-oscillation clocks is introduced. The generalization contains the element that various superimposed mass eigenstates may have different relative orientation of the component of their spin with respect to the rotational axis of the gravitational source. It is found that these quantum mechanical clocks do not always redshift identically when moved from the gravitational environment of a non-rotating source to the field of a rotating source. The non-geometric contributions to the redshifts may be interpreted as quantum mechanically induced fluctuations over a geometric structure of space-time.
Designer friction laws for bimodal slow slip propagation speeds

A striking observation from both Cascadia and Japan is that the tremor associated with slow slip often migrates along strike at speeds close to 10 km/d but updip and downdip at speeds approaching 100 km/h. In this paper I adopt the view that the friction law appropriate for these regions is unknown, and I ask what constraints the observed behavior places on the friction law that must be operating. A simple relation, relying only on kinematics and elasticity, states that for a moving front the ratio of propagation speed to slip speed equals the ratio of the elastic shear modulus to the peak-to-residual stress drop at the front. Thus, larger propagation speeds require some combination of larger slip speeds and smaller peak-to-residual stress drops. As a proof of concept I design a two-state-variable friction law in which the strength drop associated with the main laterally propagating front, moving into a region that has not slipped since the last slow event, is much larger than that at the secondary fronts developing on the active slip surface. Preliminary numerical simulations demonstrate that this law can generate secondary fronts that propagate updip and downdip more than 2 orders of magnitude faster than, and even at some distance from, the main lateral front, as has been observed in Cascadia and Japan.
The 192 solutions of the Heun equation

A machine-generated list of 192 local solutions of the Heun equation is given. They are analogous to Kummer's 24 solutions of the Gauss hypergeometric equation, since the two equations are canonical Fuchsian differential equations on the Riemann sphere with four and three singular points, respectively. Tabulation is facilitated by the identification of the automorphism group of the equation with n singular points as the Coxeter group D n . Each of the 192 expressions is labeled by an element of D 4 . Of the 192, 24 are equivalent expressions for the local Heun function Hl, and it is shown that the resulting order-24 group of transformations of Hl is isomorphic to the symmetric group S 4 . The isomorphism encodes each transformation as a permutation of an abstract four-element set, not identical to the set of singular points.
Achievable Rates for Two-Way Wire-Tap Channels

We consider two-way wire-tap channels, where two users are communicating with each other in the presence of an eavesdropper, who has access to the communications through a multiple-access channel. We find achievable rates for two different scenarios, the Gaussian two-way wire-tap channel, (GTW-WT), and the binary additive two-way wire-tap channel, (BATW- WT). It is shown that the two-way channels inherently provide a unique advantage for wire-tapped scenarios, as the users know their own transmitted signals and in effect help encrypt the other user's messages, similar to a one-time pad. We compare the achievable rates to that of the Gaussian multiple-access wiretap channel (GMAC-WT) to illustrate this advantage.
Angle-Resolved Photoemission Study of AuGa2 and AuIn2 Intermetallic Compounds.

The (001) surfaces of ${\mathrm{AuGa}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{AuIn}}_{2}$ intermetallic compounds were studied with use of synchrotron-radiation-excited angle-resolved photoemission. Spectra collected for photoelectron emission normal to the sample surfaces were used to map the E versus k\ensuremath{\rightarrow} dispersion relation of both compounds along the \ensuremath{\Delta} symmetry line of the bulk Brillouin zone. The results show that the Au 5d bands of each compound are relatively flat, but the splittings of the bands at point \ensuremath{\Gamma} are nearly the same as for elemental Au. A surface state was also observed on each surface in a band-gap region about 6 eV below the Fermi levels of the two compounds.
A Compactification of the Space of Parametrized Rational Curves in Grassmannians

We construct an explicit compactification for the space of parametrized rational curves in a Grassmanian by a nonsingular projective variety such that the boundary is a divisor with simple normal crossings. This compactification is obtained by blowing up a Quot scheme successively along appropriate subschemes.
"Abortion myths and realities": who is misleading whom?

Abstract Some critics have stated that liberal abortion laws in the United States have had no measurable beneficial effect on the health of women and that “natural pregnancy” is safer than legally induced abortion. However, their conclusions are erroneous because their analysis contained distinct conceptual and methodologic flaws. The data clearly indicate that legalization of abortion has had a definite impact on the health of American women faced with unwanted pregnancies by providing them with a safer option than the alternative of either illegal abortion or continuing the pregnancy to term.
Perception of Motion and Architectural Form: Computational Relationships between Optical Flow and Perspective

Perceptual geometry refers to the interdisciplinary research whose objectives focuses on study of geometry from the perspective of visual perception, and in turn, applies such geometric findings to the ecological study of vision. Perceptual geometry attempts to answer fundamental questions in perception of form and representation of space through synthesis of cognitive and biological theories of visual perception with geometric theories of the physical world. Perception of form, space and motion are among fundamental problems in vision science. In cognitive and computational models of human perception, the theories for modeling motion are treated separately from models for perception of form.
Global Health as a Field of Power Relations: A Response to Recent Commentaries.

Actors working in global health often portray it as an enterprise grounded in principled concerns, advanced by individuals and organizations who draw on scientific evidence to pursue health equity. This portrait is incomplete. It is also a field of power relations—a social arena in which actors claim and draw on expertise and moral authority to gain influence and pursue career, organizational and national interests. A clear understanding of how power operates in this field is necessary to ensure that it is used productively to serve the aims of health equity and improved population health. Responding to commentaries on an editorial published in this journal, I offer 3 ideas toward this end: (1) be skeptical of the global health rationality project—the effort to rescue the field from the alleged indignities of politics through the application of scientific methods; (2) analyze global health as a field of power relations, a concept developed by sociologist Pierre Bourdieu; and (3) elevate the place of input legitimacy—inclusive deliberation, fair process and transparency—to address legitimacy and knowledge deficits in this field.
Formation of Organic Molecular Nanocrystals under Soft Confinement.

Methods to produce nano-sized organic molecular crystals in thin films are of great interest in the pharmaceutical industry due to the potential benefit of increased solubility of poorly soluble drugs and the advantages of film-based dosage forms over traditional tablet/capsule-based dosage forms. One method to directly form organic nanocrystals is by crystallization in confined environments where the overall crystallization volume is constrained. We report the use of a novel solution impregnation method to form nanocrystals in polymer matrices with various microstructures in order to study the structure of the confined nanocrystals and the role of soft confinement and polymer chemistry on the nucleation process of nano-sized crystals. The particle diameter correlates with the microstructure of the polymer matrices and the nucleation kinetics. In addition, by carefully choosing the experimental conditions and the polymer matrix, polymorph control of nanocrystals can be achieved. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) was used to examine the local structure of nanocrystals inside the polymer matrices and crystal polymer interactions. This method may serve as a novel formulation method to obtain nanocrystals of poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for pharmaceutical industry.
Efficient approximations for the marginal likelihood of incomplete data given a Bayesian network

We examine asymptotic approximations for the marginal likelihood of incomplete data given a Bayesian network. We consider the Laplace approximation and the less accurate but more efficient BIC/MDL approximation. We also consider approximations proposed by Draper (1993) and Cheeseman and Stutz (1995). These approximations are as efficient as BIC/MDL, but their accuracy has not been studied in any depth. We compare the accuracy of these approximations under the assumption that the Laplace approximation is the most accurate. In experiments using synthetic data generated from discrete naive-Bayes models having a hidden root node, we find that (1) the BIC/MDL measure is the least accurate, having a bias in favor of simple models, and (2) the Draper and CS measures are the most accurate, having a bias in favor of simple and complex models, respectively.
Optical realizations of neural network models

The optical implementation of computing systems whose structure and function are motivated by natural in-telligence systems is a subject that involves optical computing and neural network models for computation. These are two areas that have individually received attention in yecent years and they share the common property that they promise to provide solutions for fundamental problems in computation. In the case of optical computers the limitation that is being addressed is communication. With optics it is possible to have large arrays of processing elements communicating with each other without connecting a wire between each pair. The need to provide wires for communication in an electronic circuit is perceived as a major technological limitation of VLSI [1]. The primary justification for optical computing is therefore to extend the communication capability in computers [2,3]. It is not clear however precisely how this global communication capability can be put to good use. Through free space inter-connects and volume holograms we can have thousands of computing elements all talking to each other at the same time. Is it possible to do useful computation in such a system? We look at neural network models for an answer to this question.
Counting Prime Juggling Patterns

Juggling patterns can be described by a closed walk in a (directed) state graph, where each vertex (or state) is a landing pattern for the balls and directed edges connect states that can occur consecutively. The number of such patterns of length n is well known, but a long-standing problem is to count the number of prime juggling patterns (those juggling patterns corresponding to cycles in the state graph). For the case of $$b=2$$b=2 balls we give an expression for the number of prime juggling patterns of length n by establishing a connection with partitions of n into distinct parts. From this we show the number of two-ball prime juggling patterns of length n is $$(\gamma -o(1))2^n$$(ź-o(1))2n where $$\gamma =1.32963879259\ldots $$ź=1.32963879259ź. For larger b we show there are at least $$b^{n-1}$$bn-1 prime cycles of length n.
Transform coding of monochrome and color images using trellis coded quantization

Trellis coded quantization (TCQ) is incorporated into a transform coding structure for encoding monochrome and color images at 1 bit/pixel. Both fixed-rate and entropy-constrained designs are considered. 256-pixel*256-pixel, 8-bit gray-level images and 24-bit color images were encoded using both TCQ-based and scalar-quantizer-based schemes to provide comparisons on the basis of peak-signal-to-noise ratio and subjective image quality. Comparisons are also provided for several image coding schemes in the literature. The subjective quality of the images produced by the TCQ-based systems was significantly better than that of the scalar quantizer-based systems. The high frequency background noise, fuzziness, and block artifacts produced by the scalar-quantizer-based systems are virtually eliminated by the TCQ-based systems. >
Lyman break galaxy close and interacting pairs at z∼ 3

Investigations of interacting and merging galaxies at high redshift are vital to our understanding of their formation and evolution. To date, the identification of interactions at z ∼ 3 and above has relied on rest-frame ultraviolet morphological parameters. Here, we present five serendipitous spectroscopic z ∼ 3 Lyman break galaxy (LBG) pairs with projected proper separations < 15 h ―1 kpc in our survey of nine separate deep Keck fields. The data consist of 140 of our highest signal-to-noise ratio LBG spectra and ∼500 of our most confident colour-selected LBGs. We show that the pairs are composed of two distinct close and/or interacting LBGs from a detailed analysis of the rest-frame ultraviolet 1 D and 2D spectra and the deep broad-band images. In addition, we show that the number and separation distribution of the pairs is expected from (1) the two-point angular correlation function when applied to the LBG pair separation distribution in our survey and ∼2500 colour-selected LBGs from the literature and (2) an analysis of a carefully matched high-resolution hybrid numerical and analytical cosmological simulation. Because the spectroscopic slitlets have random orientations with respect to the close pairs on the sky, the serendipitous pairs provide an unbiased sampling of the underlying close pair fraction. Finally, we discover two Lyα emitters (LAEs) in our slitlets and find that they reside within 50 projected h ―1 kpc of the spectroscopic LBGs. In this work, we uncover a strong relationship between Lyα emission and pair separation. All confirmed and all candidate LBG pairs with separations of ≤15 projected h ―1 kpc exhibit Lyα in emission and we find an indication of an overabundance of Lyα emission in pairs with ≤50 projected h ―1 kpc separations. This relationship suggests a picture in which a measurable fraction of the Lyα emission of LBGs, and potentially LAEs, is generated via interaction mechanisms such as triggered star formation and the dispersal of obscuring gas and dust. As a result, serendipitous spectroscopic close pairs provide a unique means to help identify and study high-redshift galaxy interactions using ground-based optical data.
Precision diboson observables for the LHC

Motivated by the restoration of SU(2) × U(1) at high energy, we suggest that certain ratios of diboson differential cross sections can be used as high-precision observables at the LHC. We rewrite leading-order diboson partonic cross sections in a form that makes their SU(2) × U(1) and custodial SU(2) structure more explicit than in previous literature, and identify important aspects of this structure that survive even in hadronic cross sections. We then focus on higher-order corrections to ratios of γγ, Zγ and ZZ processes, including full next-to-leading-order corrections and gg initial-state contributions, and argue that these ratios can likely be predicted to better than 5%, which should make them useful in searches for new phenomena. The ratio of Zγ to γγ is especially promising in the near term, due to large rates and to exceptional cancellations of QCD-related uncertainties. We argue that electroweak corrections are moderate in size, have small uncertainties, and can potentially be observed in these ratios in the long run.
Evolving WAAS to Serve L1/L5 Users

GPS has launched its first L5 capable satellites and plans to achieve L5 Full Operational Capability (FOC) in the 2019 time frame. L5 is of great interest to the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and the aviation community, as it will allow aircraft to measure and remove the ionospheric delay affecting each ranging observation. Currently, this error source is the most significant cause of unavailability for WAAS users. Its elimination will result in greater performance and a larger service area under WAAS. However, in order to take advantage of L5, both the aircraft and WAAS will need to be updated. We have previously recommended changes to the airborne protection level calculations to exploit these new signals. In this paper we describe changes that should then be made to WAAS to support the new protection level equations and provide dual-frequency service. Copyright © 2012 Institute of Navigation
Dipoles in the sky

We perform observational tests of statistical isotropy using data from large-scale-structure surveys spanning a wide range of wavelengths. Using data from Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), 2MASS Redshift Survey (2MRS), NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) galaxies, and Burst And Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) gamma-ray bursts, we constrain the amplitude and direction of dipolar modulations in the number count of sources projected along the line of sight. We pay particular attention to the treatment of systematic errors and selection effects, and carefully distinguish between different sources of dipole signal previously considered in the literature. Dipole signals detected in these surveys are consistent with the standard, statistically isotropic expectation, except for the NVSS result, which is likely biased by remaining systematics in the data. We place constraints on the amplitude of any intrinsic dipole driven by novel physics in the early universe.
RAX2: a genome-wide detection method of condition-associated transcription variation

Most mammalian genes have mRNA variants due to alternative promoter usage, alternative splicing, and alternative cleavage and polyadenylation. Expression of alternative RNA isoforms has been found to be associated with tumorigenesis, proliferation and differentiation. Detection of condition-associated transcription variation requires association methods. Traditional association methods such as Pearson chi-square test and Fisher Exact test are single test methods and do not work on count data with replicates. Although the Cochran Mantel Haenszel (CMH) approach can handle replicated count data, our simulations showed that multiple CMH tests still had very low power. To identify condition-associated variation of transcription, we here proposed a ranking analysis of chi-squares (RAX2) for large-scale association analysis. RAX2 is a nonparametric method and has accurate and conservative estimation of FDR profile. Simulations demonstrated that RAX2 performs well in finding condition-associated transcription variants. We applied RAX2 to primary T-cell transcriptomic data and identified 1610 (16.3%) tags associated in transcription with immune stimulation at FDR < 0.05. Most of these tags also had differential expression. Analysis of two and three tags within genes revealed that under immune stimulation short RNA isoforms were preferably used.
How ambient intelligence will improve habitability and energy efficiency in buildings

Ambient intelligence has the potential to profoundly affect future building operations. Recent breakthroughs in wireless sensor network technology will permit, (1) highly flexible location of sensors and actuators, (2) increased numbers and types of sensors informing more highly distributed control systems, (3) occupants’ involvement in control loops, (4) demand responsive electricity management, (5) integration among now-separate building systems, and (6) the adoption of mixed-mode and other new types of air conditioning systems that require more sensor information to operate efficiently. This chapter describes the issues with current building automation technology, assesses how some applications of wireless sensor technology can increase the quality of control and improve energy efficiency, and suggests opportunities for future development.
On the Sequencing of Privatization in Transition Economies

This paper presents an empirical criterion for establishing privatization priorities for state owned enterprises. The approach uses firm performance as the basis for deciding the sequence in which firms are privatized. Sequencing is relevant because the order in which a group of state enterprises are taken up for privatization has efficiency implications, and an appropriate sequence based on efficiency considerations can be beneficial. Privatizing inefficient enterprises before efficient ones is a superior sequence as compared to one which reverses this order, and the size of the firms to be privatized is an important contingency. An improvement index is constructed for individual firms, and the index makes possible a comparison of multiple firms, thus, facilitating the construction of a priority schedule. This approach is demonstrated using a sample of Indian service sector firms, and the approach can aid policy-makers in transition economies as they undertake the privatization of state-owned enterprises.(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
Journals for Computer-Mediated Learning: Publications of Value for the Online Educator

In contrast with traditional academic disciplines, online educators do not have a generally accepted list of scholarly journals, which is in part a result of the multidisciplinary nature of the field, the relative infancy of online learning, and the view of online pedagogy as an instructional modality rather than a discrete academic discipline. The purpose of this study is to determine a comprehensive listing and relative value ranking of scholarly journals whose content informs online educators and motivates scholarship. After defining the scope of investigation to target peer-reviewed, scholarly journals with an explicit focus on computer-mediated learning (e.g., virtual, electronic, distance, distributive, mobile, and blended learning), 46 scholarly journals were identified as advancing the knowledge base in computer-mediated learning. Popularity, importance, prestige, and overall rankings for each journal are presented. The results inform online educators about the range of scholarly journals available and provide insight into the relative value of journals devoted to computer-mediated learning.
Loss-Avoidance and Forward Induction in Experimental Coordination Games

We report experiments on how players select among multiple Pareto-ranked equilibria in a coordination game. Subjects initially choose inefficient equilibria. Charging a fee to play (which makes initial equilibria money-losing) creates coordination on better equilibria. When fees are optional, improved coordination is consistent with forward induction. But coordination improves even when subjects must pay the fee (forward induction does not apply). Subjects appear to use a "loss-avoidance" selection principle: they expect others to avoid strategies that always result in losses. Loss-avoidance implies that "mental accounting" of outcomes can affect choices in games.