cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development-Related Biases in Factor Productivities and the HOV Model of Trade

Past empirical failures of the basic Heckscher-Ohlin-Vanek (HOV) model related to the inability of data to meet its restrictive assumptions. Trefler (1993) tried to resuscitate HOV by introducing a simple Hicks-neutral (HN) factor-productivity adjustment. In this paper, we re-examine this question by estimating factor-specific productivities from the individual technology data of multiple developed and developing countries. We find evidence of factor-augmenting technological differences. Further, the ratios of factor productivities are strongly correlated with corresponding factor endowments. This systematic bias implies that the ability of HOV to explain North-South factor trade depends on both relative factor abundance and factor-augmenting productivity gaps. Le manque a donner un support empirique au modele Hecksher-Ohlin-Vanek vient souvent du fait que les donnees ne s'arriment pas aux postulats restrictifs du modele. Trefler (1993) a tente de ressusciter le modele HOV en introduisant un simple ajustement de la productivite des facteurs (neutre au sens de Hicks). Dans ce texte, on reexamine la question en calibrant les productivites specifiques des facteurs a partir des donnees individuelles de technologies de plusieurs pays developpes ou en voie de developpement. On decouvre des differences technologiques qui tendent a augmenter l'usage de facteurs. De plus les ratios de productivites des facteurs sont fortement co-relies aux dotations de facteurs. Ce biais systematique implique que la capacite du modele HOV a expliquer le commerce Nord-Sud des facteurs depend a la fois de l'abondance relative des facteurs et des differentiels de productivites qui tendent a augmenter l'usage des facteurs.
Synthesis of novel β-amino acid precursors: β-amino-hydrocoumarins as unusual aspartic acid mimetics used in fibrinogen receptor antagonists

Abstract An efficient synthesis of new β-amino-hydrocoumarins is presented. The key reaction is a Michael addition between commercially available coumarins and lithium-bis(trimethylsilyl)amide at low temperature. The trimethylsilyl groups are removed using dry HCl/dioxane to give the β-amino-hydrocoumarins as their hydrochloride salts. These conditions allow multigram scale preparations of unique β-amino lactones.
Viable control of hybrid systems

We study hybrid systems with nondeterministic discrete and continuous behaviors. We use nondeterministic finite automata to model the discrete behavior and state dependent differential inclusions to model the continuous behavior. By viability we mean the system's ability to take an infinite number of discrete transitions. Viability can be used to express safety and fairness properties over the system's state trajectories. To ensure viability, the system's evolution must be restricted so that discrete transitions occur within specific subsets of their enabling conditions which we call the system's viability kernel. We give results pertaining to continuity properties of the viability kernel, we give conditions under which the viability kernel can be computed in a finite number of steps, and we synthesize a hybrid controller that yields all viable trajectories.
Feedback interference alignment: Exact alignment for three users in two time slots

We study the three-user interference channel where each transmitter has local feedback of the signal from its targeted receiver. We show that in the important case where the channel coefficients are static, exact alignment can be achieved over two time slots using linear schemes. This is in contrast with the interference channel where no feedback is utilized, where it seems that either an infinite number of channel extensions or infinite precision is required for exact alignment. We also demonstrate, via simulations, that our scheme outperforms time-sharing even at finite SNR.
From Microbiology to Microcontrollers: Robot Search Patterns Inspired by T Cell Movement

In order to trigger an adaptive immune response, T cells move through lymph nodes searching for dendritic cells that carry antigens indicative of infection. We observe T cell movement in lymph nodes and implement those movement patterns as a search strategy in a team of simulated robots. We find that the distribution of step-sizes taken by T cells are best described
Evolutionary perspectives on protein structure, stability, and functionality

Proteins are the result of a long process of evolution. It is due to this process that they have developed properties rather different from those of random strings of amino acids. If we wish to understand the properties of proteins, we need to understand the underlying process of Darwinian evolution, and how its stochastic nature interacts with the underlying fitness landscape. In this review, I describe some of the underlying theory of evolution. I then discuss how these theories can help us understand the structure, thermodynamics, and functioning of naturally-occurring proteins.
Total synthesis of vinblastine, related natural products, and key analogues and development of inspired methodology suitable for the systematic study of their structure-function properties.

ConspectusBiologically active natural products composed of fascinatingly complex structures are often regarded as not amenable to traditional systematic structure–function studies enlisted in medicinal chemistry for the optimization of their properties beyond what might be accomplished by semisynthetic modification. Herein, we summarize our recent studies on the Vinca alkaloids vinblastine and vincristine, often considered as prototypical members of such natural products, that not only inspired the development of powerful new synthetic methodology designed to expedite their total synthesis but have subsequently led to the discovery of several distinct classes of new, more potent, and previously inaccessible analogues.With use of the newly developed methodology and in addition to ongoing efforts to systematically define the importance of each embedded structural feature of vinblastine, two classes of analogues already have been discovered that enhance the potency of the natural products >10-fold. In one in...
Turbulent Boundary-Layer Shock Interaction with and without Injection

Abstract : Experimental results of turbulent boundary layer-shock interaction at Mach 6 using a 10 deg axisymmetric wedge around an axisymmetric centerbody are presented and an effort is made to obtain a simple numerical solution of this problem by the time dependent unsteady method. Static pressure, pitot pressure and total temperature profiles, wall static pressure, heat transfer measurements and optical data were obtained. Air and hydrogen are injected to study their effects on the interaction region. Wall heat transfer and pressure distributions for different injection rates of both air and hydrogen are presented. Detailed mappings of Mach number, pressure distributions and shock wave locations are derived for the air injection as well as the no injection case. Experimental results show a natural boundary layer thickness of about .85 inches, a separated flow region about two inches long and a pressure plateau characteristic of turbulent flow. (Author)
ASSESSING THE EFFICIENCY OF EXCHANGE RATE-LINKED SUBSIDIES FOR NON-PRICE EXPORT PROMOTION: THE CASE OF COTTON

Notwithstanding substantial federal financial support for the export promotion of agricultural products, ways to enhance the effectiveness of federal funding have not been discussed in empirical research. In this study, an equilibrium displacement framework was developed to evaluate whether the efficacy of export promotion expenditures could be increased by linking them with changes in the exchange rate. In our analysis, the gross gain to domestic cotton producers from the exchange rate linked subsidy scheme was positive. Findings support exchange rate linked subsidies for export promotion of agricultural products. [EconLit citations: Q110, Q130.] © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 20: 481–493, 2004.
The gender wage gap in Bulgaria: a semiparametric estimation of discrimination.

Bulgaria's transition to a market economy has coincided with a large increase in wage inequality. Given the emphasis on wage leveling in pre-transition Bulgaria, the rise in wage inequality may be due to managers rewarding more productive workers; or it may be the result of rewarding non-economic characteristics such as gender. Using data from the 1995, nationally representative Bulgaria Integrated Household Survey, I examine whether gender discrimination is an important factor determining the gap in wages between men and women and the extent to which gender discrimination affects wage inequality. I model wage determination with a correction for sample selection as a Type III Tobit and estimate this model with the Honore et al. (1997) semiparametric estimator. Unlike the classic Heckman correction for sample selection, this estimator is consistent in the presence of heteroscedasticity. I bootstrap to estimate standard errors. Using separate wage regression estimates for men and women, an Oaxaca decomposition indicates that women's wages are 25 percent lower than men's wages and 85 percent of this differential is due to discrimination, or more precisely, due to differences in how men and women are rewarded for the same characteristics.
Rethinking Global Climate Change Governance

This paper explains why the approach taken so far to mitigate global climate change has failed. The central reason is an inability to enforce targets and timetables. Current proposals recommending even stricter emission limits will not help unless they are able to address the enforcement deficit. Trade restrictions are one means for doing so, but trade restrictions pose new problems, particularly if they are applied to enforce economy-wide emission limitation agreements. This paper sketches a different approach that unpacks the climate problem, addressing different gases and sectors using different instruments. It also explains how a failure to address the climate problem fundamentally will only create incentives for different kinds of responses, posing different challenges for climate change governance. Paper submitted to the special issue “Global Governance – Challenges and Proposals for Reform” (http://www.economics-ejournal.org/special-areas/special-issues)
Rotational Invariance and the Spin-Statistics Theorem

In this article, the rotational invariance of entangled quantum states is investigated as a possible cause of the Pauli exclusion principle. First, it is shown that a certain class of rotationally invariant states can only occur in pairs. This is referred to as the coupling principle. This in turn suggests a natural classification of quantum systems into those containing coupled states and those that do not. Surprisingly, it would seem that Fermi–Dirac statistics follows as a consequence of this coupling while the Bose–Einstein follows by breaking it. In Sec. 5, the above approach is related to Pauli's original spin-statistics theorem and finally in the last two sections, a theoretical justification, based on Clebsch–Gordan coefficients and the experimental evidence respectively, is presented.
R&D SPILLOVERS TO AGRICULTURE: MEASUREMENT AND APPLICATION

This paper documents research and development (R7amp;D) spillovers between nations and between industries, discussing some theoretical and measurement issues. A new technique makes patent data more practical for economic uses, allowing analysis of the industries of manufacture and sectors of use for inventions. New technology introduced for use in the agricultural and food processing sectors in 14 less developed and newly industrialized nations is traced, comparing the regional and industrial sources of these inventions across time. An application shows that both international and interindustrial spillovers add to agricultural total factor productivity, and distinguishes between the direct and indirect effects of spillovers from public and private, domestic and foreign sources. (JEL C67, 031, 047, Q16)
Pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism

Hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands and increased concentrations of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone are among the earlier alterations of mineral metabolism in patients with chronic renal failure. In the past five years several investigators have demonstrated that phosphorus retention plays a key role in the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism and chief cell hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands. Since phosphorus regulates the production of 1,25D3 by altering the enzyme 1-alpha-hydroxylase it is possible that the effect of phosphorus retention is mediated by a decrease in the synthesis of 1,25D3. This has been shown in patients with early renal insufficiency. However, in patients with advanced renal failure the reduced renal mass may limit the production of 1,25D3. It is clear now that phosphorus per se independent of the levels of ionized calcium and 1,25D3 can increase the synthesis and secretion of PTH in vivo and in vitro. The abnormalities in vitamin D metabolism are not only characterized by low levels 1,25D3 but by low number of vitamin D receptors. Thus, the parathyroid glands are resistant to the action of 1,25D3 and high pharmacological concentrations of 1,25D3 in blood are necessary to suppress the levels of parathyroid hormone in advanced renal failure. The development of monoclonal changes in glands obtained from patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism further complicates the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients maintained on haemodialysis. Thus, correction of serum phosphorus is imperative for the success of 1,25D3 to control the levels of parathyroid hormone. Currently several laboratories are studying at the molecular level the mechanisms by which dietary phosphorus induces chief cell hyperplasia.
LANSCE-linac beam-centroid jitter in transverse phase space

In order to characterize the beam-centroid jitter in transverse phase space, sets of position data of the 100-MeV H+ beam and 800-MeV H beam were taken in the transport lines of the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) accelerator complex. Subsequent data evaluation produced initially puzzling inconsistencies in the phase-space plots from different pairs of beam-position monitors (BPMs). It is shown that very small random measurement errors will produce systematic differences between plots that should nominally be identical. The actual beam-centroid jitter and rms BPM measurement errors can be deduced from the data, and simulations can validate the deductions. The phase-space plots can also reveal the presence of problem beamline components. Examples will be shown.
Leasing to support small businesses and microenterprises

In most developing countries, capital markets are relatively undeveloped and banks are often unable or unwilling to undertake term lending. And banks prefer to lend to larger, established business with well-developed balance sheets and credit histories. Operations in microenterprises and small businesses are cash-flow-oriented but rarely have organized historical financial records or the assets needed for collateral for conventional bank financing. The author explores the potential of leasing as an option to expand small businesses' access to medium-term financing for capital equipment and new technology. In a lease-financing contract, the lessor-financier retains ownership of the asset, lease payments can be tailored to fit the cash-flow generation patterns of the lessee-borrower's business, and the security deposit is smaller than the equity stake required in conventional bank financing. Different types of small businesses require different financial services. It would be worthwhile to encourage development of a range of institutions using special methods to service particular market niches. Most small businesses that generate extra income for a household or employ nonfamily members need simple access to financing to augment their working capital needs. Microfinance appropriate to their needs will feature short cycles of repayment and borrowing. Other small businesses require medium-term financing to acquire the tools and equipment needed to support production growth and expansion. For these businesses, leasing is an attractive new financing option. The author examines and compares the Bank's experience: 1) Lease financing was used to promote the development of small businesses in Pakistan, as part of a microenterprise development loan project. 2) For a Bank-supported alternative-energy project in Indonesia, a variant of lease financing -- the hire-purchase contract -- is being used in marketing and distribution by private distributors of photovoltaic solar home systems. 3) Lease financing was used by Grameen Trust in Bangladesh to finance the purchase of small tools and equipment and in other countries to promote the growth of alternative energy systems.
Temporal associations between coughing or wheezing and acid reflux in asthmatics

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The pulmonary symptoms of patients with lung disease may be ascribed to gastro-oesophageal reflux although a causal relationship between acid reflux and coughing or wheezing has not been proved. Does cough cause reflux or does reflux cause cough? The aim of this study was to evaluate 24 hour oesophageal pH tracings of asthmatics with gastro-oesophageal reflux to determine the temporal association between acid reflux and coughing or wheezing. METHODS The oesophageal tracings of 128 asthmatics from the outpatient clinics who underwent oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, oesophageal manometry, and 24 hour oesophageal pH monitoring were analysed. Three possible temporal relationships between the occurrence of acid reflux and the occurrence of coughs or wheezes were evaluated: (1) pulmonary symptoms preceding reflux; (2) reflux preceding pulmonary symptoms; and (3) unrelated occurrence of both events. RESULTS Of 128 asthmatics, 53 recorded five or more coughs and 19 recorded three or more wheezes during the 24 hour recording period. Mean acid contact time was similar in asthmatics with and without pulmonary symptoms (12.2 (1.2)% v 10.4 (0.6)%). Of all coughs and wheezes, 46% and 48%, respectively, were associated with acid reflux. For the individual asthmatic, the likelihood of reflux induced coughing increased as the number of coughs increased. CONCLUSIONS Half of all coughs and wheezes in asthmatics are associated with acid reflux into the oesophagus. While an occasional coughing episode can lead to reflux, it is rather the reflux episode in the vast majority of instances that leads to cough.
Collinear Three-Craft Coulomb Formation Stability Analysis and Control

Coulomb forces associated with charged close-flying satellites can efficiently enable static formation equilibria, in which separation distances remain constant. However, limited Coulomb force controllability presents many challenges in maintaining and maneuvering these inherently unstable formations. This paper studies three-craft collinear equilibria, admitted in the presence of a central body gravity field. Necessary existence conditions for this class of Coulomb formation are given in previous research, and this paper extends these to be sufficient, while using a more accurate Coulomb force model. Stability properties of the resulting configuration cases are analyzed for the first time, and it is shown that each can exhibit marginal stability normal to the orbit plane. Also, it is demonstrated that in-plane perturbations can be asymptotically stabilized, using only craft charging, for the radially aligned configurations. A charge feedback law is derived for this case, and numerical results are provide...
Product Positioning Under Price Competition

This paper presents a consumer-based methodology for new product pricing and positioning in the face of price competition. The price competition is modelled as a Nash equilibrium for which two complementary approaches are employed: an analytical approach of duopoly provides qualitative insights into the competitive behavior, and a numerical approach of general oligopoly provides quantitative solutions under a wide variety of market scenarios. The optimal product positioning is formulated as a Stackelberg-Nash leader-followers equilibrium which can be solved numerically using recent advances in the field of variational inequalities. A small example concerning analgesics is used to illustrate this methodology.
Deoxygenation of N,N-disubstituted hydroxylamines by carbon disulfide

Abstract Hindered N,N-dialkylhydroxylamines react rapidly with CS 2 to give the corresponding 2°-amines.
Degenerate affine Hecke–Clifford algebras and type Q Lie superalgebras

We construct the finite dimensional simple integral modules for the (degenerate) affine Hecke–Clifford algebra (AHCA), \({\mathcal{H}_{\mathcal{C}\ell}^{{\rm aff}}(d)}\). Our construction includes an analogue of Zelevinsky’s segment representations, a complete combinatorial description of the simple calibrated \({\mathcal{H}_{\mathcal{C}\ell}^{{\rm aff}}(d)}\)-modules, and a classification of the simple integral \({\mathcal{H}_{\mathcal{C}\ell}^{{\rm aff}}(d)}\)-modules. Our main tool is an analogue of the Arakawa–Suzuki functor for the Lie superalgebra \({\mathfrak{q}(n)}\).
The Effect of Decimalization on Trade Size and Adverse Selection Costs

: We examine adverse selection costs around NYSE decimalization. Further, we analyze the relation between adverse selection costs and trade size. We find a significant increase in the percentage adverse selection cost and a reduction in dollar adverse selection cost (percentage adverse selection multiplied by the spread) following complete decimalization on the NYSE. On estimating the adverse selection components by trade size classes, we find a decline in dollar adverse selection costs in trades of all sizes, with the strongest evidence coming from medium size trades, followed by small and large size trades. One implication of our findings is that there appears to be less stealth trading following complete decimalization and less institutional trading overall.
Development of fine scale PZT ceramic fiber/polymer shell composite transducers

The relic processing technique was used to fabricate fine-scale piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic fiber/polymer shell composites. In this technique sacrificial activated carbon fabrics were soaked in a PZT precursor solution, dried, and heat treated to form piezoceramic relics. Relics were embedded with polymer, which was allowed to cure, and the resulting composites were polished, electroded, and poled. Different facets of the composite-forming process were examined: structural modifications, soaking, firing, and polymer impregnation. The physical and electromechanical properties of the unique resulting composite were evaluated. Optimized PZT shell composites with 39 vol% ceramic exhibited the following property values: K{approximately}200, tan {delta} {approximately} 5.5%, d{sub 33} {approximately} 290 pC/N, d{sub h} {approximately} 100 pC/N, d{sub h}g{sub h} {approximately} 6000 {times} 10 {sup {minus}15} m{sup 2}/N, k{sub p} {approximately} 0.19, and k{sub t} {approximately} 0.28.
Why Metadata? Why Me? Why Now?

SUMMARY Provides an introductory overview to the subject of metadata, which considers why metadata issues are central to discussions about the evolution of library services-particularly digital library services-and why the cataloging community is, and should be, front and center in those discussions.
Elafint: a Mixed Eulerian-Lagrangian Method for Fluid Flows with Complex and Moving Boundaries

In this work a mixed Eulerian–Lagrangian technique is devised, hereinafter abbreviated as ELAFINT (Eulerian–Lagrangian Algorithm For INterface Tracking). The method is capable of handling fluid flows in the presence of both irregularly shaped solid boundaries and moving/free phase boundaries. The position and shape of the boundary are tracked explicitly by the Lagrangian translation of marker particles. The field equations are solved on an underlying fixed grid as in Eulerian methods. The interface passes through the grid lay-out and details regarding the treatment of the cut cells so formed are provided. The issues involved in treating the internal boundaries are dealt with, with particular attention to conservation and consistency in the vicinity of the interface. The method is tested by comparing with solutions from well-tested body-fitted co-ordinate methods. Test cases pertaining to forced and natural convection in irregular geometries and moving phase boundaries with melt convection are presented. The capability developed here can be beneficial in solving difficult flow problems involving moving and geometrically complex boundaries.
One dimensional capacitive loading in a frequency selective surface for low profile antenna applications

In this paper, the impact of adding discrete capacitive loading along one dimension of a frequency selective surface for low profile antenna applications is presented for the first time. The measured data demonstrates comparable performance between a non-loaded and a capacitively-loaded FSS with a significant reduction in the number of cells and/or cell geometry size. Additionally, the provision of discrete capacitive loads reduces the FSS susceptibility to fabrication tolerances based on placement of a fixed grid capacitance. The bandwidth increased from 1.8% to 7.3% for a total antenna thickness of ∼λ/22, and from 1.5% to 9.2% for a thickness of ∼λ/40. The total antenna area for each case was reduced by 55% and 12%, respectively.
Logical form in natural language

In this book, a well-known and highly respected philosopher details the complicated anatomy of linguistic meaning, showing how its elements fit together; he explores the interface between "languages" considered as formal systems and the linguistic activities of human beings in speech situations; and he defends the autonomy of linguistic semantics as a branch of scientific psychology.The book's first Part sets out and defends the truth-theoretic method in semantics, arguing that the notion of a sentence's truth-condition lies at the core of meaning.Part Two considers a number of apparent differences between formal and natural languages, having chiefly to do with the context-bound features of natural-language semantics, and attempts to reconcile them. It provides a definite focus to the semantics/pragmatics distinction, and argues that few if any of the pragmatic phenomena investigated by linguists will need to be represented in semantic theory. The author offers plausible and in some cases novel solutions to the technical problems that have plagued the semantics/pragmatics border.Part Three portrays the role of semantics in psychology and the relation of semantics to human speakers' internal functional organization. Further, the author shows how a sentence's truth-condition meshes with each of the other aspects of its meaning, and argues that traditional theories of meaning which have focused on some of these other aspects should be regarded as mutually complementary components of linguistic theory rather than being treated as rival accounts of a common subject-matter."A Bradford Book."
Voluntary Disclosure and Equity Offerings: Reducing Information Asymmetry or Hyping the Stock?*

We examine corporate disclosure activity around seasoned equity offerings and its relationship to stock prices. Beginning six months before the offering, our sample issuing firms dramatically increase their disclosure activity, particularly for the categories of disclosure over which firms have the most discretion. The increase is significant after controlling for the firm's current and future earnings performance and tends to be largest for firms with selling shareholders participating in the offering. However, there is no change in the frequency of forward-looking statements prior to the equity offering, something that is expressly discouraged by the securities law. Firms that maintain a consistent level of disclosure experience price increases prior to the offering, and only minor price declines at the offering announcement relative to the control firms, suggesting that disclosure may have reduced the information asymmetry inherent in the offering. Firms that substantially increase their disclosure activity in the six months before the offering also experience price increases prior to the offering relative to the control firms, but suffer much larger price declines at the announcement of their intent to issue equity, suggesting that the disclosure increase may have been used to “hype the stock” and the market may have partially corrected for the earlier price increase. Firms that maintain a consistent disclosure level have no unusual return behavior relative to the control firms subsequent to the announcement, while the firms that “hyped” their stock continue to suffer negative returns, providing further evidence that the increased disclosure activity may have been hype, and suggesting that the hype may have been successful in lowering the firms' cost of equity capital.
Cryptographic techniques for computers

The use of systems of secret communications as an economical method to increase the security of confidential computerized files has stimulated much interest. Just recently during Congressman Gallagher's Congressional hearings on privacy, it was repeatedly suggested that cryptographic-type protection should be used for data communication lines and storage of confidential information in order to make eavesdropping an extremely difficult task. Today, one finds the very nature of computerized information systems actually facilitates its unlawful reproduction and transmission to anyone with the tools and know-how. Unlike information which is stored with scrambling techniques, information stored in clear form requires no sophisticated technology, nor complex deciphering systems for either decoding or dissemination. More importantly, there is good reason to assume that organized crime and industrial spies have, or will have, the knowledge and the financial resources necessary to acquire and misuse the information in most systems now being considered, including the tapping of communication lines. Finally, once a piece of information is lost, its original confidentiality can never be regained. Since information which has previously been scattered among several rather protected and widespread sources is being collected into one place, wholesale theft of information is very likely to become a continuing fact of life for the American public.
A Spatial Economic Analysis of Urban Land Use and Obesity

ABSTRACT. We analyze an urban spatial model to examine the possible link betweenurban land use and obesity. Households maximize utility defined over housing, weight,and food subject to a fixed time budget allocated to commuting, calorie expenditure, andwork. Our model explains the observed correspondence between high obesity rates andlow development densities, but implies that these are determined endogenously in aspatial market equilibrium. We study the sorting of residents by attributes such asincome, initial weight, and weight preferences, and examine the impacts on weightand density of urban design modifications that lower the costs of calorie expenditure. 1. INTRODUCTIONThis paper examines two remarkable trends occurring in the UnitedStates during the post-war era: the increase in obesity rates and the rise of‘‘sprawl’’ patterns of land development. Obesity is a major public health con-cern. It is associated with heart disease, many types of cancer, type 2 diabetes,and a number of other health problems. According to the Surgeon General,obesity results in 300,000 deaths each year in the United States and is secondonly to tobacco use as a cause of premature preventable death. The annualeconomic cost of obesity, measured as medical care expenditures and lostproductivity, has been estimated at $99.2 billion (Wolf and Colditz, 1998).Sprawl is a major concern of the American public. In a 2000 poll of urbanresidents by the Pew Center for Civic Journalism (http://www.pewcenter.org/research), sprawl was rated, along with crime and violence, as the mostimportant local issue. In another poll by Smart Growth America in 2000(http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/poll.pdf), 78 percent of Americans
Decomposition of A-Type Sandwiches. Synthesis and Characterization of New Polyoxometalates Incorporating Multiple d-Electron-Centered Units

The controlled decomposition of the sandwich-type polyoxometalates K(12)[(M(OH(2))(2))(3)(A-alpha-PW(9)O(34))(2)] (where M = Mn(II) or Co(II)) in 0.5 M NaCl yields a new family of transition metal substituted POMs of the general formula [((MOH(2))M(2)PW(9)O(34))(2)(PW(6)O(26))](17)(-) (where M = Mn(II) (1Mn) or Co(II) (1Co)). The structure of 1Mn, determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (a = 17.4682(10) A, b = 22.3071(12) A, c = 35.1195(18) A, beta = 95.898(1) degrees, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, Z = 4, R(1) = 6.19%, based on 50264 independent reflections), consists of two B-alpha-(Mn(II)OH(2))Mn(II)(2)PW(9)O(34)(3)(-) units joined by a B-type hexavacant PW(6)O(26)(11)(-) fragment to form a C-shaped polyoxometalate. A low resolution X-ray structure of the Co(II) analogue, 1Co, was also obtained. The UV-visible spectrum of 1Co shows the characteristic charge-transfer bands of polyoxometalates as well as a new Co-centered peak (560 nm, epsilon = 416 M(-)(1) cm(-)(1)) which appears at a higher wavelength relative to that exhibited by the parent A-type sandwich, K(12)[(Co(OH(2))(2))(3)(A-alpha-PW(9)O(34))(2)]. The methyltricaprylammonium salt of 1Mn is an effective catalyst for the H(2)O(2)-based epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene, cyclohexene, and 1-hexene.
The First International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry

This is a call for the international community of qualitative researchers to address the implications of the attempt by federal governments to regulate scientific inquiry by defining what is good s...
Some Productivity-Increasing and Quality-Changing Technology for the Soybean Complex: Market and Welfare Effects

Simulations suggest that soybeans with less protein and more oil would alter quality and change quantities on the market. Substitution toward other protein feeds, like fishmeal, would mitigate the benefits from restricted soymeal supply. Thus, there would not be a net welfare gain for the United States, only a redistribution of benefits. But a joint yield increase and composition change would benefit the United States, mainly because livestock producers would pay lower feed prices. Also, industrial processing of soybean oil would become competitive. Hence, soybean research should pursue yield increases by allowing protein reductions.
Post-macroeconomics -- reflections on the crisis and strategic directions ahead

For decades, many researchers argued that economics had nothing to fear from enriching itself with lessons and advances from other disciplines. Unfortunately, these suggestions were either neglected or dismissed upfront in what was then arbitrarily considered mainstream economics. The global crisis has led even Nobel Prize winners to acknowledge that the problem facing economists and policy makers today is mostly intellectual - it is the need to confront the systematic failure of thinking, especially on the part of macroeconomists. Despite its unprecedented magnitude and heavy financial, human, and intellectual cost, the crisis certainly does not invalidate everything that has been learned about macroeconomics. However, the costs highlight some of mistakes of the dominant intellectual macroeconomic framework. Post-macroeconomics should not be understood as another metanarrative of the end of metanarratives. The use of the prefix post here suggests and emphasizes much more than temporal posterity. Post-macroeconomics should follow from macroeconomics more than it follows after macroeconomics. The theorizing of post-macroeconomics is therefore neither systematically oppositional nor hegemonic. It does not advocate a - dialectic opposition - between macroeconomics and post-macroeconomics. Rather, it suggests that the latter builds on the former and goes beyond it.
One-pot synthesis of MWW zeolite nanosheets using a rationally designed organic structure-directing agent

A new material MIT-1 comprised of delaminated MWW zeolite nanosheets is synthesized in one-pot using a rationally designed organic structure-directing agent (OSDA). The OSDA is comprised of a hydrophilic head segment that resembles the OSDA used to synthesize the zeolite precursor MCM22(P), a hydrophobic tail segment that resembles the swelling agent used to swell MCM22(P), and a di-quaternary ammonium linker that connects both segments. MIT-1 features high crystallinity and surface areas exceeding 500 m2g-1, and can be synthesized over a wide synthesis window that includes Si/Al ratios ranging from 13 to 67. Characterization data reveal high mesoporosity and acid strength with no detectable amorphous silica phases. Compared to MCM-22 and MCM-56, MIT-1 shows a three-fold increase in catalytic activity for the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of benzene with benzyl alcohol.
Stability and harmonics in thyristor controlled reactors

Harmonics that arise from the interaction of thyristor controlled reactors (TCRs) and power systems can sometimes cause stability problems. The classical method for calculating harmonics is to calculate the harmonic current assuming an infinite bus at the high side of the TCR transformer. This current is then used as a harmonic current source on the AC system. The basic problem with this method is that many of the interactions between the AC system and the TCR are neglected. Two methods for studying the neglected interactions are described. The first uses state variables to analyze the circuit containing the TCR. The resulting equations are linear differential equations with periodic coefficients. This formulation allows the study of stability, periodic operation, and resonance, which cannot be achieved by other methods. The second method uses a Fourier matrix description of the TCR. In this model the coupling between the different harmonics due to the switching is clearly shown. >
Cooperative robot control and synchronization of Lagrangian systems

This article presents a simple synchronization framework that can be directly applied to cooperative control of multi-agent systems and oscillation synchronization in robotic manipulation and teleoperation. A dynamical network of multiple Lagrangian systems is constructed by adding diffusive couplings to otherwise freely moving or flying robots. The proposed decentralized tracking control law synchronizes an arbitrary number of robots into a common trajectory with global exponential convergence. The proposed strategy is much simpler than earlier work in terms of both the computational load and the required signals. Furthermore, in contrast with prior work which used simple double integrator models, the proposed method permits highly nonlinear systems and is further extended to time-delayed communications, adaptive control, partial-joint coupling, and leader-follower networks.
Writing fluency and quality in kindergarten and first grade: The role of attention, reading, transcription, and oral language.

In the present study, we examined the influence of kindergarten component skills on writing outcomes, both concurrently and longitudinally to first grade. Using data from 265 students, we investigated a model of writing development including attention regulation along with students’ reading, spelling, handwriting fluency, and oral language component skills. Results from structural equation modeling demonstrated that a model including attention was better fitting than a model with only language and literacy factors. Attention, a higher-order literacy factor related to reading and spelling proficiency, and automaticity in letter-writing were uniquely and positively related to compositional fluency in kindergarten. Attention and higher-order literacy factor were predictive of both composition quality and fluency in first grade, while oral language showed unique relations with first grade writing quality. Implications for writing development and instruction are discussed.
Enumerating (Multiplex) Juggling Sequences

We consider the problem of enumerating periodic σ-juggling sequences of length n for multiplex juggling, where σ is the initial state (or landing schedule) of the balls. We first show that this problem is equivalent to choosing 1’s in a specified matrix to guarantee certain column and row sums, and then using this matrix, derive a recursion. This work is a generalization of earlier work of Chung and Graham.
Revisiting non-relativistic limits

We show that the full spurionic symmetry of Galilean-invariant field theories can be deduced when those theories are the limits of relativistic parents. Under the limit, the non-relativistic daughter couples to Newton-Cartan geometry together with all of the symmetries advocated in previous work, including the recently revived Milne boosts. Our limit is a covariant version of the usual one, where we start with a gapped relativistic theory with a conserved charge, turn on a chemical potential equal to the rest mass of the lightest charged state, and then zoom in to the low energy sector. This procedure gives a simple physical interpretation for the Milne boosts. Our methods even apply when there is a magnetic moment, which is known to modify the non-relativistic symmetry transformations. We focus on two examples. Free scalars are used to demonstrate the basic procedure, whereas hydrodynamics is used in order to exhibit the power of this approach in a fully dynamical setting, correcting several inaccuracies in the existing literature.
Correlation of Thermal Conduction Properties With Mechanical Deformation Characteristics of a Set of SiC–Si3N4 Nanocomposites

New developments in high temperature ceramic materials technology have focused on obtaining nanocomposite materials with nanoscale features for an optimal control of thermal and mechanical properties. One example is the silicon carbide (SiC)-silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) nanocomposites with nanosized SiC particles placed either in microsized Si 3 N 4 grains or along Si 3 N 4 grain boundaries (GBs). This work focuses on analyzing the influence of GBs, interfaces, and impurities on thermal and mechanical properties of a set of SiC-Si 3 N 4 nanocomposites at three different temperatures (300 K, 900 K, and 1500 K). Nanocomposite thermal conductivity values predicted in this study are smaller in comparison to the bulk Si 3 N 4 values (~30 W/m K). Even with the volume fraction of SiC phase being limited to maximum 40%, it is shown that the thermal conductivity values could be reduced to less than those of the bulk SiC phase (~3 W/m K) by microstructural feature arrangement. Nanocomposite phonon spectral density values show a short rage structural order indicating a high degree of diffused phonon reflection. Visual analyses of the atomistic arrangements did not reveal any loss of crystallinity in the nanocomposites at high temperatures. This indicates that structural arrangement, not the phase change, is a factor controlling thermal conduction as a function of temperature. The nanocomposite deformation mechanism is a trade-off between the stress concentration caused by SiC particles and Si 3 N 4 -Si 3 N 4 GB sliding. The temperature increase tends to work in favor of GB sliding leading to softening of structures. However, microstructural strength increases with increase in temperature when GBs are absent. GBs also contribute to reduction in thermal conductivity as well as increase in fracture strength. Replacement of sharp GBs by diffused GBs having C/N impurities, lowered thermal conductivity, and increased fracture strength. Decrease in SiC-Si 3 N 4 interfaces by removal of SiC particles tends to favor an increase in thermal conductivity as well as fracture resistance. Overall, it is shown that for high temperature mechanical strength improvement, judicious placement of SiC particles and optimal control of GB atomic volume fraction are the main controlling factors.
Simple one-pot conversion of aldehydes and ketones to enals.

A simple and efficient method to convert aldehydes into α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with a two-carbon homologation is presented. Hydroboration of ethoxy acetylene with BH3·SMe2 generates tris(ethoxyvinyl) borane. Transmetalation with diethylzinc, addition to aldehydes or ketones, and acidic workup affords enals. When the addition is quenched with anilinium hydrochloride, 1,2-dithioglycol, or acetic anhydride, the unsaturated imine, dithiolane, or 1,1-diacetate is isolated in high yield. These transformations can be performed in a one-pot procedure.
CVD of SiO2 and related materials: An overview

An overview is presented of the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of SiO2 and related materials, together with a description of their application in metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices, including device isolation, gate insulation passivation and planarisation. A comparison of CVD methods and precursors is presented for SiO2 as well as doped glasses, e.g. borosilicate glasses (BSG), phosphosilicate glasses (PSG), borophosphosilicate glasses (BPSG), and arsenosilicates glasses (AsSG).
Relativistic electrons and whistlers in Jupiter's magnetosphere

The paper examines some of the consequences of relativistic electrons in stably trapped equilibrium with parallel propagating whistlers in the inner magnetosphere of Jupiter. Approximate scaling laws for the stably trapped electron flux and equilibrium wave intensity are derived, and the equatorial growth rate for whistlers is determined. It is shown that fluxes are near the stably trapped limit, which suggests that whistler intensities may be high enough to cause significant diffusion of electrons, accounting for the observed reduction of phase space densities.
Duality of chordal SLE

We derive some geometric properties of chordal SLE(κ;\(\vec{\rho}\)) processes. Using these results and the method of coupling two SLE processes, we prove that the outer boundary of the final hull of a chordal SLE(κ;\(\vec{\rho}\)) process has the same distribution as the image of a chordal SLE(κ’;\(\vec{\rho}\)’) trace, where κ>4, κ’=16/κ, and the forces \(\vec{\rho}\) and \(\vec{\rho}\)’ are suitably chosen. We find that for κ≥8, the boundary of a standard chordal SLE(κ) hull stopped on swallowing a fixed \(x\in\mathbb{R}\setminus\{0\}\) is the image of some SLE(16/κ;\(\vec{\rho}\)) trace started from x. Then we obtain a new proof of the fact that chordal SLE(κ) trace is not reversible for κ>8. We also prove that the reversal of SLE(4;\(\vec{\rho}\)) trace has the same distribution as the time-change of some SLE(4;\(\vec{\rho}\)’) trace for certain values of \(\vec{\rho}\) and \(\vec{\rho}\)’.