cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contrasting post-traumatic serial changes for D-dimer and PAI-1 in critically injured patients

We measured D-dimer and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity in 45 trauma patients to assess their efficacy in predicting the post-traumatic hemostatic perturbations. We found the correlation between D-dimer measured by Simpli Red test and ELISA to be highly significant (p=0.0001). The D-dimer ELISA indicated that the serial changes of D-dimer after trauma were variable. However, the increases of D-dimer were associated with clinical conditions of the patient, such as trauma surgery, infections, or thrombotic complications. A significant correlation was found for D-dimer levels measured by ELISA versus the injury severity score (ISS) in all the trauma patients on day 1 (p=0.0153) and on day 2 (p=0.0495). The PAI-1 activity was increased at admission and showed a progessive decline from day 2 onward, and the correlation for the daily decline of PAI-1 was highly significant (p=0.0001). The PAI-1 activity and plasminogen activator activity showed a significant negative correlation on days 1, 2, and 3. PAI-1 activity correlated moderately with D-dimer level only on day 1 (p=0.0569). Three out of forty-five patients developed thrombotic complications: one patient who died from pulmonary embolism and two patients who developed adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In summary: 1) PAI-1 activity and D-dimer exhibited contrasting serial changes after trauma. 2) There was also a negative correlation between PAI-1 activity and PA activity. 3) A significant correlation of D-dimer with ISS confirms, as might be anticipated, that there is increased activation of the coagulation mechanism in severe injury, and suggests that D-dimer levels may prove useful to screen for patients at strong risks of thrombotic complications.
Particle track record in Apollo 15 deep core from 54 to 80 cm depths

Particle track measurements have been made in nearly 500 individual grains from 13 levels in the 54-80 cm depth range of the Apollo 15 deep core. They reveal a wide range of track densities at all depths and some systematic variations within layers, indicating that both predepositional mixing and subsequent layering are present and that separate sublayers exist within larger regions where no sublayers are visible. Minimum track densities are inferred to be useful measures of maximum residence times for undisturbed layers. Using the observed minimum track densities, we conclude that the average deposition rate in this section of soil column was greater than 0.4 cm/million years.
Model-based on-board fault detection and diagnosis for automotive engines

Abstract This paper desribes an algorithm developed for the online detection and diagnosis of faults in automobile engine sensors and actuators, using the on-board microcomputer. The algorithm is based on the structured parity equation methodology. The parity equations are derived from an engine model having linear dynamics and static nonlinearities, obtained by identification from simualtion experiments.
Holomorphic disks and three-manifold invariants: Properties and applications

In [27], we introduced Floer homology theories HF − (Y,s), HF ∞ (Y,s), HF + (Y,t), � HF(Y,s),and HFred(Y,s) associated to closed, oriented three-manifolds Y equipped with a Spin c structures s ∈ Spin c (Y ). In the present paper, we give calculations and study the properties of these invariants. The calculations suggest a conjectured relationship with Seiberg-Witten theory. The properties include a relationship between the Euler characteristics of HF ± and Turaev’s torsion, a relationship with the minimal genus problem (Thurston norm), and surgery exact sequences. We also include some applications of these techniques to three-manifold topology.
Multiple Hierarchical Image Transmission over Wireless Channels

Abstract In this paper, we present a multiple hierarchical image coding and transmission scheme in which both the fragile structure of the set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT) source coding and unequal bit error sensitivity in the coded bitstreams have been taken into account. Multiple subsampling is applied to split the wavelet coefficients of the source image into multiple subsources so that each subsource is a crude representation of the original image. Therefore, the sequential dependence in the coded bitstream is broken and the error propagation is limited to a single subsource. Each subsource is coded using the SPIHT algorithm to achieve the high source coding performance. Cyclic redundancy code and rate compatible punctured convolutional (RCPC) code have been employed as the channel coding method to offer unequal error protection to the source coded bits. In each substream, all the bits in the same bit-layer are protected with the same channel coding rate. The higher the bit-layer, the more the channel coding protection is provided. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme has an excellent error resilient performance for image transmission over wireless channels with time varying and bursty error characteristics. In particular, the basic image structure is preserved even in highly noisy channels.
Land use change in a biofuels hotspot: The case of Iowa, USA

This study looks at the land use impact of the biofuels expansion on both the intensive and extensive margin, and its environmental consequences. We link economic, geographical and environmental models by using spatially explicit common units of analysis and use remote sensing crop cover maps and digitized soils data as inputs. Land use changes are predicted via economic analysis of crop rotation choice and tillage under alternative crop prices, and the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model is used to predict corresponding environmental impacts. The study focuses on Iowa, which is the leading biofuels hotspot in the U.S. due to intensive corn production and the high concentration of ethanol plants that comprise 28% of total U.S. production. We consider the impact of the biofuels industry both on current cropland and on land in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), a land set-aside program. We find that substantial shifts in rotations favoring continuous corn rotations are likely if high corn prices are sustained. This is consistent with larger scale analyses which show a shift of the current soybean production out of the Corn Belt. We find that sediment losses increase substantially on the intensive margin, while nitrogen losses increase less. Returning CRP land into production has a vastly disproportionate environmental impact, as non-cropped land shows much higher negative marginal environmental effects when brought back to row crop production. This illustrates the importance of differentiating between the intensive and extensive margin when assessing the expansion of biofuel production.
Radar System Design for Spacecraft Terminal Control

This paper discusses several radar design considerations for use in the terminal control of manned and unmanned space vehicles of the maneuverable type. The main body of the paper deals with specific areas of radar development resulting from recent work in developing a terminal control system. The radar system discussed uses a transponder on board the vehicle. The transponder receives and transmits PCM commands and flight data in addition to reference pulses for angle and range tracking. The technical areas discussed are reliability of self-acquisition, pulse code modulated (PCM) data transmission, semidigital ranging, and the accuracy of computed radar data.
A fully collusion resistant broadcast, trace, and revoke system

We introduce a simple primitive called Augmented Broadcast Encryption (ABE) that is sufficient for constructing broadcast encryption, traitor-tracing, and trace-and-revoke systems. These ABE-based constructions are resistant to an arbitrary number of colluders and are secure against adaptive adversaries. Furthermore, traitor tracing requires no secrets and can be done by anyone. These broadcast systems are designed for broadcasting to arbitrary sets of users. We then construct a secure ABE system for which the resulting concrete trace-and-revoke system has ciphertexts and private keys of size √N where N is the total number of users in the system. In particular, this is the first example of a fully collusion resistant broadcast system with sub-linear size ciphertexts and private keys that is secure against adaptive adversaries. The system is publicly traceable.
Improving the impact of sexual and reproductive health development assistance from the like-minded European donors

Abstract Aid from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and UK provides essential support for sexual and reproductive health and rights. Recent research, however, has revealed conflicting values in how their aid is programmed, resulting in a reduction in both quantity and quality of support provided. The strong commitment of these donors to country ownership has, in practice, invested decision-making primarily with developing country governments, with civil society playing a much weaker role. In most countries, strong civil society organizations are needed for effective advocacy of sexual and reproductive health and rights and health service delivery, and the restricted role of this sector has slowed progress towards universal access to reproductive health. The research documented also that these donors' respect for the autonomy of multilateral health agencies has resulted in some reluctance to encourage more attention to SRHR. In addition, their commitment to “impact” has not translated into the incorporation of relevant and practical outcome measures by which to assess the results of their investments. Almost 80% of the money they earmark for sexual and reproductive health and rights goes to UNFPA, underscoring its critical role. This article recommends donor support for a stronger civil society role in the design, implementation and evaluation of SRHR funding; strengthening civil society so that it can successfully undertake this role; use of better outcome measures to assess impact; and active support for UNFPA to implement the recommendations of recent external reviews.
Correlated algebraic-geometric codes: Improved list decoding over bounded alphabets

We define a new family of error-correcting codes based on algebraic curves over finite fields, and develop efficient list decoding algorithms for them. Our codes extend the class of algebraic-geometric (AG) codes via a (nonobvious) generalization of the approach in the recent breakthrough work of Parvaresh and Vardy (2005). Our work shows that the PV framework applies to fairly general settings by elucidating the key algebraic concepts underlying it. Also, more importantly, AG codes of arbitrary block length exist over fixed alphabets Σ, thus enabling us to establish new trade-offs between the list decoding radius and rate over a bounded alphabet size. The work of Parvaresh and Vardy (2005) was extended in Guruswami and Rudra (2006) to give explicit codes that achieve the list decoding capacity (optimal trade-off between rate and fraction of errors corrected) over large alphabets. A similar extension of this work along the lines of Guruswami and Rudra could have substantial impact. Indeed, it could give better trade-offs than currently known over a fixed alphabet (say, GF(2 12 )), which in turn, upon concatenation with a fixed, well-understood binary code, could take us closer to the list decoding capacity for binary codes. This may also be a promising way to address the significant complexity drawback of the result of Guruswami and Rudra, and to enable approaching capacity with bounded list size independent of the block length (the list size and decoding complexity in their work are both nΩ(1/e ) where e is the distance to capacity). Similar to algorithms for AG codes from Guruswami and Sudan (1999) and (2001), our encoding/decoding algorithms run in polynomial time assuming a natural polynomial-size representation of the code. For codes based on a specific "optimal" algebraic curve, we also present an expected polynomial time algorithm to construct the requisite representation. This in turn fills an important void in the literature by presenting an efficient construction of the representation often assumed in the list decoding algorithms for AG codes.
The effectiveness of endoscopy in the management of dyspepsia: a qualitative systematic review.

Abstract PURPOSE: Dyspepsia is a common primary care condition, yet its optimal management is poorly defined. We reviewed the literature to answer the following questions about patients with dyspepsia: 1) Does endoscopy result in improved patient outcomes? 2) Does endoscopy result in a reduction in the use of subsequent medical resources? 3) Does endoscopy result in improved medical decision making? 4) Is endoscopy cost effective? METHODS: We performed a systematic review of English-language articles in the MEDLINE, HEALTHSTAR, and EMBASE computerized bibliographic databases from January 1985 to July 1998. We included all studies, including decision analyses, with information about the effectiveness of endoscopy, as measured by its impact on patient outcomes, resource utilization, clinical decision making, or cost effectiveness. Two independent reviewers abstracted data from each study, and assessed its methodologic quality. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. For 3 of the 4 clinical questions, the weight of evidence does not support the effectiveness of endoscopy. The largest randomized clinical trial comparing endoscopy with empiric therapy demonstrates equivalent symptoms and quality of life at 1 year, with increased patient satisfaction and lower costs for initial endoscopy. Suboptimal study design, including lack of appropriate comparison groups, limit studies measuring the impact of endoscopy on resource utilization and decision-making. Decision analyses indicate that noninvasive H pylori testing followed by anti- H pylori therapy or empiric antisecretory therapy is more cost effective than initial endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: With the exception of one randomized clinical trial, the preponderance of available data does not support the effectiveness of endoscopy in the management of dyspepsia. Prospective clinical trials that evaluate patient outcomes and resource utilization, and take H pylori status into account, are needed to determine the effectiveness of endoscopy in the management of dyspepsia.
An Anatomy of Autonomy: Managing Professionals

The most vexing problem in the management of salaried professionals is how to provide them with their espoused right of autonomy while ensuring adequate control of the organization. In this article, Joseph Raelin explains how a standard approach of granting professionals operational autonomy (autonomy over the means or procedures to be used) while according management administrative and strategic autonomy (autonomy over the activities of the organizational unit or over the missions of the entire enterprise) is a convenient norm for executives to adopt in most situations. However, he goes on to illustrate how to manage the critical exceptions: those conditions when professionals out to be granted administrative and strategic autonomy as well as those conditions when management may actually invade the operational autonomy of the professional.
More about exactly massless quarks on the lattice

Abstract In a previous publication [Phys. Lett. B 417 (1998) 141, hep-lat/9707022] I showed that the fermion determinant for strictly massless quarks can be written on the lattice as det D , where D is a certain finite square matrix explicitly constructed from the lattice gauge fields. Here I show that D obeys the Ginsparg-Wilson relation Dγ 5 D = Dγ 5 + γ 5 D .
The influence of a juvenile's abuse history on support for sex offender registration

We investigated whether and how a juvenile’s history of experiencing sexual abuse affects public perceptions of juvenile sex offenders in a series of 5 studies. When asked about juvenile sex offenders in an abstract manner (Studies 1 and 2), the more participants (community members and undergraduates) believed that a history of being sexually abused as a child causes later sexually abusive behavior, the less likely they were to support sex offender registration for juveniles. Yet when participants considered specific sexual offenses, a juvenile’s history of sexual abuse was not considered to be a mitigating factor. This was true when participants considered a severe sexual offense (forced rape; Study 3 and Study 4) and a case involving less severe sexual offenses (i.e., statutory rape), when a juvenile’s history of sexual abuse backfired and was used as an aggravating factor, increasing support for registering the offender (Study 3 and Study 5). Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.
A water-cooled X-ray monochromator for using off-axis undulator beam

Abstract Undulator beamlines at third-generation synchrotron X-ray sources are designed to use the high-brilliance radiation that is contained in the central cone of the generated X-ray beams. The rest of the X-ray beam is often unused. Moreover, in some cases, such as in the zone-plate-based microfocusing beamlines, only a small part of the central radiation cone around the optical axis is used. In this paper, a side-station branch line at the Advanced Photon Source that takes advantage of some of the unused off-axis photons in a microfocusing X-ray beamline is described. Detailed information on the design and analysis of a high-heat-load water-cooled monochromator developed for this beamline is provided.
Strong coprimality and strong irreducibility of Alexander polynomials

Abstract A polynomial f ( t ) with rational coefficients is strongly irreducible if f ( t k ) is irreducible for all positive integers k . Likewise, two polynomials f and g are strongly coprime if f ( t k ) and g ( t l ) are relatively prime for all positive integers k and l . We provide some sufficient conditions for strong irreducibility and prove that the Alexander polynomials of twist knots are pairwise strongly coprime and that most of them are strongly irreducible. We apply these results to describe the structure of the subgroup of the rational knot concordance group generated by the twist knots and to provide an explicit set of knots which represent linearly independent elements deep in the solvable filtration of the knot concordance group.
Size discrimination and chemical composition of ambient airborne sulfate particles by diffusion sampling

A sampling method is described by which aerosol particles with diameters below the optical scattering region (<0.3μm) are separated into size-related fractions in a battery of diffusion cells of exceptional length. The separated particles are then efficiently collected on chemically inert, acid treated quartz filters and the chemical composition of the collected sulfate-containing particles determined by state-of-art analytical techniques. Concurrently, the particle size distributions (by number) are determined by monitoring the airborne particle content after increasing numbers of diffusion cells with a condensation nuclei counter (CNC). This diffusion sampling method for chemical speciation of sulfate on filter samples and simultaneous particle size determination from CNC data was successfully evaluated during an 8-day period at rural Glasgow, IL, in July, 1975. We conclude from the data that: (a) one episode of high sulfate concentrations also exhibited high acid levels and showed complementary diurnal variation of acid and ammonium levels, whereas sulfate in two other episodes was much less acidic and no diurnal pattern was discernible; (b) aerosol volumes in untreated and diffusion-processed particle samples are correlated with sulfate and with the sum of acid and ammonium concentrations; (c) roughly 50 per cent of sulfate mass in airborne particles was found in the size range less than about 0.3 μm dia, during this sampling period; and (d) sulfate as a fraction of aerosol mass was higher in suboptical aerosol particles than in the total aerosol mass.
Nutrient chemotaxis suppression of a diffusive instability in bacterial colony dynamics.

Bacteria grown on a semisolid agar surface have been observed to form branching patterns as the colony envelope propagates outward. The fundamental cause of this instability relates to the need for limited nutrient to diffuse towards the colony. Here, we investigate the effect on this instability of allowing the bacteria to move chemotactically in response to the nutrient gradient. Our results show that this additional effect has a tendency to suppress the instability. Our calculations are done within the context of a simple ``cutoff'' model of colony dynamics, but presumably remain valid for more complex and hence more realistic approaches.
Dark matter subhalos in the Fermi first source catalog

The Milky Way's dark matter halo is thought to contain large numbers of smaller subhalos. These objects can contain very high densities of dark matter and produce potentially observable fluxes of gamma rays. In this article, we study the gamma ray sources in the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope's recently published First Source Catalog and attempt to determine whether this catalog might contain a population of dark matter subhalos. We find that, while as many as approximately 20-60 of the catalog's unidentified sources could plausibly be dark matter subhalos, such a population cannot be clearly identified as such at this time. From the properties of the sources in the First Source Catalog, we derive limits on the dark matter's annihilation cross section that are comparably stringent to those derived from recent observations of dwarf spheroidal galaxies.
Why representatives are ideologists though voters are not

Though few voters appear to hold consistent ideological views, the roll call votes of congressmen and senators can be well predicted by ideological terms. An explanation for this puzzle is that ideology allows candidates to succinctly explain their views. Because it is difficult to explain detailed positions to voters, a candidate who presents his position in ideological terms may be able to defeat a candidate who supports a set of issue positions that would, in toto, be preferred by a majority of well-informed voters were the voters aware of all the views of that candidate. This effect can be a powerful one. Moreover, ideology may be a source of electoral stability, and a means of providing regularity and structure to elite political debate.
Magnetic tape recording materials

The design criteria for magnetic recording tapes are considered with respect to the desirable physical and magnetic characteristics for high-resolution recording systems; in particular, the magnetic properties of the universally used iron-oxide powders are compared with possible competitive permanent magnet materials. The properties of oxide and metal powders and of metallic thin films are compared, and the possibility of their future use in high-output high-resolution tapes is also assessed in this paper.
On the gauge invariance of the Chern-Simons action for N D-branes

In this short note we provide a proof that the Chern-Simons part of the action for N D-branes is invariant under gauge transformations of the RR fields of the type C-p --> C-p + d Lambda (p-1), and rewrite the action in a form that makes this symmetry manifest.
Monitoring of multivariable dynamic processes and sensor auditing

Industrial continuous processes are usually operated under closed-loop control, yielding process measurements that are autocorrelated, cross correlated, and collinear. A statistical process monitoring (SPM) method based on state variables is introduced to monitor such processes. The statistical model that describes the in-control variability is based on a canonical variate (CV) state space model. The CV state variables are linear combinations of the past process measurements which explain the variability of the future measurements the most, and they are regarded as the principal dynamic dimensions. A T2 statistic based on the CV state variables is utilized for developing the SPM procedure. The CV state variables are also used for monitoring sensor reliability. An experimental application to a high temperature short time (HTST) pasteurization process illustrates the proposed methodology.
Photoelectric studies of gallium monosulfide single crystals

Abstract Photoconductivity (PC) studies were carried out on GaS single crystals prepared from melt by directional solidification. We studied the effect of light intensity, applied voltage on both the PC and the lifetime of carriers. The V – I characteristics and the absorption spectra were checked for different sample thickness. The present investigation was extended to study the spectral distribution of the photocurrent for GaS. It was found that the photocurrent curves are practically independent of the bias voltage. The energy gap for GaS was found to be 2.5 eV.
Safe protocol for controlling power consumption by a heterogeneous population of loads

Recent studies on control of aggregate power of an ensemble of thermostatically-controlled-loads (TCLs) have been concentrated on shifting the temperature set points of each TCL in the population. A sudden shift in the set point, however, is known to be associated with undesirable power oscillations which require closed-loop control strategies to regulate the aggregate power consumption of the population. In this article, we propose a new approach which we term as a “safe protocol” to implement the shift in temperature set point. It is shown analytically and verified numerically that by shifting the set point “safely” the aggregate power consumption can be changed to a different value within a time frame of the order of a TCL's cycle duration and avoid the undesired oscillations seen otherwise in a “sudden” shift. We discuss how the excess aggregate energy transferred under a safe shift in the set point could potentially mitigate the burden due to abnormal energy generation within a short time span.
LATENT DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE ESTIMATION IN HARD-TO-REACH GROUPS

The sampling frame in most social science surveys excludes members of certain groups, known as hard-to-reach groups. These groups, or sub-populations, may be difficult to access (the homeless, e.g.), camouflaged by stigma (individuals with HIV/AIDS), or both (commercial sex workers). Even basic demographic information about these groups is typically unknown, especially in many developing nations. We present statistical models which leverage social network structure to estimate demographic characteristics of these subpopulations using Aggregated relational data (ARD), or questions of the form "How many X's do you know?" Unlike other network-based techniques for reaching these groups, ARD require no special sampling strategy and are easily incorporated into standard surveys. ARD also do not require respondents to reveal their own group membership. We propose a Bayesian hierarchical model for estimating the demographic characteristics of hard-to-reach groups, or latent demographic profiles, using ARD. We propose two estimation techniques. First, we propose a Markov-chain Monte Carlo algorithm for existing data or cases where the full posterior distribution is of interest. For cases when new data can be collected, we propose guidelines and, based on these guidelines, propose a simple estimate motivated by a missing data approach. Using data from McCarty et al. [Human Organization60 (2001) 28-39], we estimate the age and gender profiles of six hard-to-reach groups, such as individuals who have HIV, women who were raped, and homeless persons. We also evaluate our simple estimates using simulation studies.
The development of novel eyes-free exercise technologies using participatory design

People who are blind or low-vision may have a harder time participating in exercise classes due to inaccessibility, travel difficulties, or lack of experience. My dissertation research will attempt to lower the barrier between people who are blind or low-vision and exercising independently. Two new fitness technologies will be developed: Eyes-Free Yoga and Eyes-Free 7 Minute Workout. Eyes-Free Yoga will be examined in further detail with a longitudinal study. In addition, I will collaborate with the visually impaired and those who are involved in their fitness. This will materialize into a focus group and a list of priorities for Eyes-Free Exercise Technology. So far, I completed the development and pilot evaluation of Eyes-Free Yoga and have begun formative work toward the longitudinal study of Eyes-Free Yoga and development on Eyes-Free 7 Minute Workout. With participatory design, my contributions are the design, development, and evaluation of technologies that will be beneficial for blind and low-vision wellness.
Surface Roughness Effects on a Mach 6 Turbulent Boundary Layer

N EW data on the effect of surface roughness on the velocity defect and skin friction coefficient for a Mach 6 turbulent boundary layer are presented. All of the available compressible and incompressible data collapse when viewed as functions of the nondimensional equivalent sand-grain roughness height, but the correlation normally used to determine the equivalent sand-grain roughness is shown to be inappropriate for the current work.
Tin-free enantioselective radical reactions using silanes.

Readily available hexyl silane is an excellent choice as a H-atom donor and a chain carrier in Lewis acid mediated enantioselective radical reactions. Conjugate radical additions to α,β-unsaturated imides at room temperature proceed in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities.
Constraints on hidden sector gaugino condensation

Abstract We study the phenomenology of a class of models describing modular invariant gaugino condensation in the hidden sector of a low-energy effective theory derived from the heterotic string. Placing simple demands on the resulting observable sector, such as a supersymmetry-breaking scale of approximately 1 TeV, a vacuum with properly broken electroweak symmetry, superpartner masses above current direct search limits, etc., results in significant restrictions on the possible configurations of the hidden sector.
Sealing Metal and Ceramic Parts by Forming Reactive Alloys

Metal and ceramic parts are sealed by introducing a molten solder or by inserting a thin sheet of metal that will form a reactive alloy. A wide choice of materials can be used, including many that seal at high temperatures with little metallic evaporation. Materials can be used that can be predegassed at temperatures considerably above those used for final sealing. The seals can be made in vacuum or in an inert gas. The parts can be stacked one on the other so that a multiplicity of seals can be made at the same time. By using a metal such as titanium, and ceramic parts having an expansion characteristic similar to that of titanium, seals can be made that are strong and can operate for many hours at temperatures as high as 800°C.
Almost sure multifractal spectrum for the tip of an SLE curve

The tip multifractal spectrum of a 2-dimensional curve is one way to describe the behavior of the uniformizing conformal map of the complement near the tip. We give the tip multifractal spectrum for a Schramm–Loewner evolution (SLE) curve, we prove that the spectrum is valid with probability 1, and we give applications to the scaling of harmonic measure at the tip.
A Quality Metric for Defect Inspection Recipes

This paper describes a metric that measures the quality of defect inspection recipes. It takes into account several factors including nonvisual rate, defect of interest rate, defect count per wafer, and inspection time. The calculation runs automatically, and only minimal user input is necessary. Different weighting models allow giving each factor more or less importance, thus making the metric flexible for different applications in development and manufacturing. The result is a final score for each recipe. A list of inspection recipes can be sorted by scores to show that recipe needs optimization. Several examples show the use of the quality metric in IBM's East Fishkill development facility.
Local electronic structure and high temperature superconductivity

It is argued that a new mechanism and many-body theory of superconductivity are required for doped correlated insulators. Here they review the essential features of and the experimental support for such a theory, in which the physics is driven by the kinetic energy.
Enterovirus infections: diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract Enteroviruses cause infections that present in diverse ways and affect people of all ages. Infections peak during summer and fall epidemics and cause 10 to 15 million symptomatic infections annually in the United States. The 70 enteroviral serotypes cause illness that ranges from nonspecific fevers and rashes to life-threatening myocarditis or central nervous system disease. These common infections create a significant burden on our society and healthcare system. New developments in rapid diagnosis of enterovirus infections using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positively affect patient management and have the potential to reduce the healthcare impact of enterovirus infection. The future holds promise for effective antiviral durgs that can treat enterovirus infections and decrease their significant morbidity and mortality. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Asteroid surface materials - Mineralogical characterizations from reflectance spectra

Mineral assemblages analogous to most meteorite types, with the exception of ordinary chondritic assemblages, have been found as surface materials of Main Belt asteroids. C1- and C2-like assemblages (unleached, oxidized meteoritic clay minerals plus opaques such as carbon) dominate the population throughout the Belt, especially in the outer Belt. A smaller population of asteroids exhibit surface materials similar to C3 (CO, CV) meteoritic assemblages (olivine plus opaque, probably carbon) and are also distributed throughout the Belt. The majority of remaining studied asteroids (20) of 65 asteroids exhibit spectral reflectance curves dominated by the presence of metallic nickel-iron in their surface materials. The C2-like materials which dominate the main asteroid belt population appear to be relatively rare on earth-approaching asteroids.
How Random are Online Social Interactions

The massive amounts of data that social media generates has facilitated the study of online human behavior on a scale unimaginable a few years ago. At the same time, the much discussed apparent randomness with which people interact online makes it appear as if these studies cannot reveal predictive social behaviors that could be used for developing better platforms and services. We use two large social databases to measure the mutual information entropy that both individual and group actions generate as they evolve over time. We show that user's interaction sequences have strong deterministic components, in contrast with existing assumptions and models. In addition, we show that individual interactions are more predictable when users act on their own rather than when attending group activities.
Market structure and the enforcement of emissions taxes

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the nature of an optimal emissions tax when firms’ emissions are not perfectly observable, specifically in two types of market structure: perfect competition and Cournot competition with and without free market entry. The purpose is to examine how the optimal tax is affected by enforcement costs and the market structure. We find that market imperfections and enforcement costs push the optimal tax lower than the marginal damage to society when the number of firms in the market is exogenous. However, when the number of firms is determined endogenously, enforcement costs generate two countervailing effects on the optimal tax. The direct effect is that higher marginal enforcement costs push the optimal tax lower. The indirect effect of enforcement costs results from the role of the tax as a deterrent to entry. Limiting entry and hence the resources expended on enforcement improves social welfare. Thus, the overall effect of enforcement costs on the optimal tax depends on the strength of direct relative to indirect effects of these costs when there is free entry and exit.
Information and environmental policy: A tale of two agencies

In recent years, scholars and practitioners have focused increasing attention on the role of information in achieving environmental policy goals. This article develops a framework for understanding how information is used in making environmental policy, and compares the kinds of information development and communication efforts undertaken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Environment Agency (EEA). The analysis suggests that institutional factors such as organizational structure and the mix of policy instruments used by the agency affect the kinds of information efforts undertaken. It also suggests possible areas of focus for environmental information efforts within the EPA and the EEA. These suggestions and the framework provided may also be of use to other environmental agencies.
On the sensitivity of ocean circulation to arctic freshwater input during the Paleocene/Eocene Thermal Maximum

Abstract The Paleocene/Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) ~ 55 Ma ago, corresponds to a time characterized by extreme global warming caused by a massive carbon input into the ocean and atmosphere. Climate proxies from sedimentary records suggest that fresh water flow from an ice-free Arctic into the remainder of the global ocean increased due to tectonic changes, enhanced runoff, and thermal expansion. In this study we use the Community Climate System Model version 3 (CCSM-3), including a carbon cycle model, to examine the sensitivity of the ocean circulation to freshwater outflow from the Arctic Ocean during the PETM, and whether these changes may have contributed to an additional warming during the PETM. Two experiments, the first with freshwater exchange between the Arctic and Pacific Oceans and the second between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, are compared with a reference experiment with exchange between the Arctic and Indian Oceans and with independent stratigraphic and geochemical records from the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP). As freshwater is transported from the Arctic into the North Pacific Ocean, stratification is enhanced in the North Pacific due to a significant reduction in surface salinity. As a consequence, intermediate to deep-water sources shift from both hemispheres in the Pacific Ocean to a dominant source in the South Pacific Ocean and an additional source in the northern Tethys Ocean. This simulated shift of deep-water sources during the PETM is in agreement with recent Nd isotope measurements. The circulation patterns in the Pacific are similar to those inferred from stable isotope reconstructions, but contradicting a strong North Atlantic deep-water source during the PETM. Freshwater input into the Pacific Ocean results in a warming of intermediate water masses of > 2 °C in the North Pacific. When freshwater flow is routed from the Arctic into the Atlantic Ocean, surface density changes are too small to change vertical stratification substantially, contrary to a previous study. In summary, based upon circulation patterns and temperature increases due to freshwater flux through the Bering Strait, Arctic freshwater input into the North Pacific may have contributed to methane hydrate destabilization, an event suggested to have accelerated warming during the PETM.
On codes for optimal rebuilding access

MDS (maximum distance separable) array codes are widely used in storage systems due to their computationally efficient encoding and decoding procedures. An MDS code with r redundancy nodes can correct any r erasures by accessing (reading) all the remaining information in both the systematic nodes and the parity (redundancy) nodes. However, in practice, a single erasure is the most likely failure event; hence, a natural question is how much information do we need to access in order to rebuild a single storage node? We define the rebuilding ratio as the fraction of remaining information accessed during the rebuilding of a single erasure. In our previous work we constructed array codes that achieve the optimal rebuilding ratio of 1/r for the rebuilding of any systematic node, however, all the information needs to be accessed for the rebuilding of the parity nodes. Namely, constructing array codes with a rebuilding ratio of 1/r for an arbitrary erasure was left as an open problem. In this paper, we solve this open problem and present array codes that achieve the lower bound of 1/r for rebuilding any single systematic or parity node.
Rectified catadioptric stereo sensors

It has been shown elsewhere how mirrors can be used to capture stereo images with a single camera, an approach termed catadioptric stereo. We present novel catadioptric sensors that use mirrors to produce rectified stereo images. The scanline correspondence of these images benefits real-time stereo by avoiding the computational cost and image degradation due to resampling when rectification is performed after image capture. First, we develop a theory which determines the number of mirrors that must be used and the constraints on those mirrors that must be satisfied to obtain rectified stereo images with a single camera. Then, we discuss in detail the use of both one and three mirrors. In addition, we show how the mirrors should be placed in order to minimize sensor size for a given baseline, an important design consideration. In order to understand the feasibility of building these sensors, we analyze rectification errors due to misplacement of the camera with respect to the mirrors.
Neurocontrol and fuzzy logic: connections and designs

Abstract Artificial neural networks (ANNs) and fuzzy logic are complementary technologies. ANNs extract information from systems to be learned or controlled, while fuzzy techniques most often use verbal information from experts. Ideally, the two sources of information should be combined. For example, one can learn rules in a hybrid fashion and then calibrate them for better whole-system performance. ANNs offer universal approximation theorems, pedagogical advantages, very high throughput hardware, and links to neurophysiology. Neurocontrol — the use of ANNs to directly control motors, actuators, etc. — uses five generalized designs, related to control theory, that can work on fuzzy logic systems as well as ANNs. These designs can copy what experts do instead of what they say, learn to track trajectories, generalize adaptive control, and maximize performance or minimize cost over time, even in noisy environments. Design trade-offs and future directions are discussed throughout. The final section mentions a few new ideas regarding reasoning, planning, and chunking, with biological parallels.
Lens and mirror design via the principal surface.

For many laser applications, it is desired to focus a collimated beam with a specified transformation of the intensity distribution. The transformation properties of a lens or mirror system can be specified in terms of the principal surface r(α), which maps the height of the incident ray parallel to the optic axis onto a given angle at the focus. The intensity distribution at the focus is then given by the relation I(α) = I(r)r(dr/dα)/sinα. One aspheric surface in an optical system is sufficient to yield diffraction limited focusing. By means of two aspheric surfaces, diffraction limited performance with a specified principal surface can be achieved. The problem of optical design is stated as follows: Given a principal surface r(α) and a maximum focal angle αm, find the pair of optical surfaces for which diffraction limited focusing is achieved. It is shown that specification of r(α) and αm uniquely determines the lens design to within a scale factor, given the refractive index of the lens. It is further shown that one straightforward Runge-Kutta integration routine generates both surfaces for either a lens or a pair of mirror surfaces. The complete family of aplanatic lenses will be described. Deviation from sphericity will be discussed, as will the possibility of realizing the specified lens designs. The family of lenses that map uniform incident intensity into uniform illumination about the focus will also be described. Extension of the method to off-axis aberrations will be considered.
Inelastic collisions of ultracold polar molecules

The collisional stability of ultracold polar molecules in electrostatic traps is considered. Rate constants for collisions that drive molecules from weak-electric-field-seeking to strong-field-seeking states are estimated using a simple model that emphasizes long-range dipolar forces. The rate constants for collisional losses are found to vary substantially as a function of molecular parameters used in the model, such as dipole moment, mass, and the splitting of the molecular $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ doublet. Varying these parameters over physically reasonable ranges yields rate constants as low as ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}20} {\mathrm{cm}}^{3}/\mathrm{sec}$ and as high as ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}10} {\mathrm{cm}}^{3}/\mathrm{sec}.$ Nevertheless, the loss rates rise dramatically in the presence of the externally applied trapping electric field. For this reason it is argued that electrostatic traps are likely to be less stable against collisional losses than their magnetic counterparts.
Some restrictions on W-grammars

The effect of some restrictions on W-grammars (the formalization of the syntax of ALGOL 68) are explored. Two incomparable families examined at length are WRB (languages generated by normal regular-based W-grammars) and WS (languages generated by simple W-grammars). Both properly contain the context-free languages and are properly contained in the family of quasirealtime languages. In addition, WRB is closed under nested iterated substitution (but is not an AFL) and is properly contained in the family of indexed languages.
Rational plunging and the option value of sequential investment: The case of petroleum exploration

Abstract The potential to invest sequentially in related assets creates a tradeoff between diversification and concentration. Loading a portfolio with correlated assets has the potential to inflate variance, but also creates information spillovers and real options that may augment total return and mitigate variance. We examine this tradeoff in the context of petroleum exploration. Using a simple model of geological dependence, we show that the value of learning options creates incentives for investors to plunge into dependence; i.e., to assemble portfolios of highly correlated exploration prospects. Risk-neutral and risk-averse investors are distinguished not by the plunging phenomenon, but by the threshold level of dependence that triggers such behavior. Aversion to risk does not imply aversion to dependence. Indeed the potential to plunge should be larger for risk-averse investors than for risk-neutral investors. We test the empirical validity of our theory by examining bidding activity in petroleum lease sales. We find significant plunging behavior across a broad sample of oil companies. We also find that privately-held firms pursue even more concentrated (less diversified) prospect portfolios than publicly-held firms—which we attribute to risk aversion rather than size.