cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incremental Sampling-based Algorithms for Optimal Motion Planning.

During the last decade, incremental sampling-based motion planning algorithms, such as the Rapidly-exploring Random Trees (RRTs), have been shown to work well in practice and to possess theoretical guarantees such as probabilistic completeness. However, no theoretical bounds on the quality of the solution obtained by these algorithms, e.g., in terms of a given cost function, have been established so far. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap, by designing efficient incremental samplingbased algorithms with provable optimality properties. The first contribution of this paper is a negative result: it is proven that, under mild technical conditions, the cost of the best path returned by RRT converges almost surely to a non-optimal value, as the number of samples increases. Second, a new algorithm is considered, called the Rapidly-exploring Random Graph (RRG), and it is shown that the cost of the best path returned by RRG converges to the optimum almost surely. Third, a tree version of RRG is introduced, called RRT∗, which preserves the asymptotic optimality of RRG while maintaining a tree structure like RRT. The analysis of the new algorithms hinges on novel connections between sampling-based motion planning algorithms and the theory of random geometric graphs. In terms of computational complexity, it is shown that the number of simple operations required by both the RRG and RRT∗ algorithms is asymptotically within a constant factor of that required by RRT.
Engineering synthetically modified insulin for glucose-responsive diabetes therapy

Though a suite of different insulin variants have been used clinically to provide greater control over pharmacokinetics, no clinically used insulin can tune its potency and/or bioavailability in a glucose-dependent manner. In order to improve therapy for diabetic patients, a vision has been the development of autonomous closed-loop approaches. Toward this goal, insulin has been synthetically modified with glucose-sensing groups or groups that can compete with free glucose for binding to glucose-binding proteins and evaluated in pre-clinical models. Specifically, it was demonstrated that site-specific modification of insulin with phenylboronic acid can result in glucose-responsive activity, leading to faster recovery in diabetic mice following a glucose challenge but with less observed hypoglycemia in healthy mice. This strategy, along with several others being pursued, holds promise to improve the fidelity in glycemic control with routine insulin therapy.
Regional Approaches to Better Standards Systems

Developing countries face an increasing need to upgrade the standards of their domestic markets and of their exports. This paper examines different approaches available to them for upgrading their standards and conformity assessment procedures. It focuses particularly on those followed within the context of regional trade agreements (RTAs), as these are yielding promising results. Based on interviews performed in Latin America and on previous literature, the paper draws common features of a RTA standard and conformity assessment upgrading and harmonization process, identifies some of its main challenges and suggests principles that developing countries could follow in such a process.
Class Actions: The Class as Party and Client

This article, which focuses on plaintiff class actions involving mass torts, posits two models for analyzing and evaluating class actions: (1) an "aggregation" model that recognizes the value of joining forces in a plaintiff class but also attempts to retain as much individual autonomy and control as possible in the prosecution of the action, and (2)an "entity" model, which regards the class itself as the litigant and the client. While recognizing that neither of these models is fully descriptive of actual class actions as they have evolved, the article argues for adoption of the entity model on a number of substantive and procedural grounds. The article then considers a range of practical consequences that would flow from adoption of the entity model. These consequences include the grounds for certifying all or part of a dispute as appropriate for class treatment; the scope of the right to notice and to opt out of the class; questions of the relations among the class, its members, and the attorneys representing the class; the proper role of the judge; and the applicable rules of substantive law. On an institutional level, the article considers the implications of the entity model with respect to the allocation of authority between the federal government and the states, to the choice between adjudication and rulemaking as techniques of law declaration, and to the choice between between courts and legislatures as appropriate rulemakers.
Inference with possibilistic evidence

In this paper, the concept of possibilistic evidence which is a possibility distribution as well as a body of evidence is proposed over an infinite universe of discourse. The inference with possibilistic evidence is investigated based on a unified inference framework maintaining both the compatibility of concepts and the consistency of the probability logic.
Sigma matrix reconstruction in the SLC final focus

The knowledge of the Beam Parameters at the entrance of the SLC final focus is important for modeling the final focus optics and predicting spot sizes and angular divergences at the interaction point. It is also an important diagnostic for measuring possible anomalous emittance growth in the SLC Arcs. Reported is a technique for measuring all the independent beam parameters at the beginning of the final focus. Use is made of the spot size measurements at wire scanners as a function of quadrupole strengths. Results for the SLC 1993 run are presented. >
Familial aggregation of postpartum mood symptoms in bipolar disorder pedigrees

Payne JL, MacKinnon DF, Mondimore FM, McInnis MG, Schweizer B,Zamoiski RB, McMahon FJ, Nurnberger Jr JI, Rice JP, Scheftner W,Coryell W, Berrettini WH, Kelsoe JR, Byerley W, Gershon ES,DePaulo Jr JR, Potash JB. Familial aggregation of postpartum moodsymptoms in bipolar disorder pedigrees.Bipolar Disord 2008: 10: 38–44. a Blackwell Munksgaard, 2008Objectives: We sought to determine if postpartum mood symptomsand depressive episodes exhibit familial aggregation in bipolar Ipedigrees.Methods: A total of 1,130 women were interviewed with the DiagnosticInterview for Genetic Studies as part of the National Institute of MentalHealth (NIMH) Genetics Initiative Bipolar Disorder CollaborativeStudy and were asked whether they had ever experienced moodsymptoms within four weeks postpartum. Women were also askedwhether either of two major depressive episodes described in detailoccurred postpartum. We examined the odds of postpartum moodsymptoms in female siblings, who had previously been pregnant and hada diagnosis of bipolar I, bipolar II, or schizoaﬀective (bipolar type)disorders (n ¼ 303), given one or more relatives with postpartum moodsymptoms.Results: The odds ratio for familial aggregation of postpartum moodsymptoms was 2.31 (p ¼ 0.011) in an Any Mood Symptoms analysis(n ¼ 304) and increased to 2.71 (p ¼ 0.005) when manic symptoms wereexcluded, though this was not signiﬁcantly diﬀerent from the Any MoodSymptoms analysis. We also examined familial aggregation ofpostpartum major depressive episodes; however, the number of subjectswas small.Conclusions: Limitations of the study include the retrospectiveinterview, the fact that the data were collected for other purposes and theinability to control for such factors as medication use. Taken togetherwith previous studies, these data provide support for the hypothesis thatthere may be a genetic basis for the trait of postpartum mood symptomsgenerally and postpartum depressive symptoms in particular in womenwith bipolar disorder. Genetic linkage and association studiesincorporating this trait are warranted.
Preference Externalities in Media Markets

Abstract Media industries typically exhibit two fundamental features, high fixed costs and heterogeneity of consumer preferences. Daily newspaper markets, for example, tend to support a single product. In other examples, such as radio broadcasting, markets often support multiple differentiated offerings. Both contexts can deliver preference externalities, when the options and well-being for consumers depend on the number and mix of consumers according to their content preferences. This chapter presents evidence on these fundamental features of media markets. We then incorporate these features into a suite of theoretical models to obtain both a description of media markets as well as predictions for how they would be expected to function. In Section 1.3, we turn to “results,” i.e., empirical evidence on the questions illuminated by the theoretical models. We then explore the effects of technological change, and we suggest directions for future work.
INTERPRETATION OF GRAM-STAINED SPUTA CONTAINING MORAXELLA (BRANHAMELLA) CATARRHALIS

Sputum specimens culture positive for Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis were Gram stained with three decolorizer solutions (slow, 95% ethyl alcohol; intermediate, 1:1 ratio of 95% ethyl alcohol and acetone; and fast, acetone alone) for 5, 10, 20, and 30 s. Optimal results were obtained with acetone alone after 10 s or with a 1:1 mixture of acetone and ethanol after 20 s. Inadequate decolorization of M. catarrhalis in sputa is likely if the decolorization solution and exposure time are not optimal and may contribute to underreporting of this organism.
View Derivation Graph with Edge Fitting for Adaptive Data Warehousing

In this paper we propose adaptive data warehouse maintenance, based on the optimistic partial replication of base source data that has already been used in deriving view tuples. Our method reduces local computation at the view as well as communication with the outside sources, and lowers the execution load on the base sources, which leads to a more up-to-date state of the data warehouse view.
THEORETICAL AND EMPIRICAL SHORTCOMINGS OF THE KALECKIAN INVESTMENT FUNCTION

The accumulation function is critical for the properties and implications of structuralist and post-Keynesian growth models, but there is considerable disagreement over the specification of this function. A large Kaleckian literature extends the standard short-run ‘Keynesian stability condition’ to the long run by assuming that long-run accumulation is relatively insensitive to variations in the utilization rate of capital. The Kaleckian position has been defended by Dutt and Lavoie, among others. This paper examines the defense and finds it unconvincing: the Kaleckian specification of the accumulation function is behaviorally implausible and lacks empirical support.
A better lower bound for quantum algorithms searching an ordered list

We show that any quantum algorithm searching an ordered list of n elements needs to examine at least (log,n)/12-O(1) of them. Classically, log/sub 2/ n queries are both necessary and sufficient. This shows that quantum algorithms can achieve only a constant speedup for this problem.
Effect of Irradiation on the Elevated Temperature Fracture of Selected Face-Centered Cubic Alloys

Various alloys with face-centered cubic structures were irradiated to fast fluences of 1.5 × 1021 n/cm2 (E > I MeV) and tested in tension at elevated temperatures. The alloys that were investigated...
Probing the high-density behavior of nuclear symmetry energy with high-energy radioactive beams

Abstract Central collisions induced by high energy radioactive beams can be used as a novel means to obtain crucial information about the high density (HD) behaviour of nuclear symmetry energy. This information is critical for understanding several key issues in astrophysics. Within an isospin-dependent hadronic transport model using phenomenological equations of state (EOS) for dense neutron-rich matter, we investigate several experimental probes of the HD behavior of nuclear symmetry energy, such as, the π − to π + ratio, neutron-proton differential flow and its excitation function. Measurements of these observables will provide the first terrestrial data to constrain stringently the HD behaviour of nuclear symmetry energy and thus also the EOS of dense neutron-rich matter.
Matrix model description of baryonic deformations

We investigate supersymmetric QCD with N{sub c} + 1 flavors using an extension of the recently proposed relation between gauge theories and matrix models.The impressive agreement between the two sides provides a beautiful confirmation of the extension of the gauge theory-matrix model relation to this case.
A Comparison of Ultraviolet, Optical, and X-Ray Imagery of Selected Fields in the Cygnus Loop

During the Astro-1 and Astro-2 Space Shuttle missions in 1090 and 199.5, far ultraviolet (FUV) images of five 40' diameter fields around the rim of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant were observed with the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UIT). These fields sampled a broad range of conditions including both radiative and nonradiative shocks in various geometries and physical scales. In these shocks, the UIT B5 band samples predominantly C IV Lambda-1550 and the hydrogen two-photon recombination continuum. Smaller contributions are made by emission lines of He II Lambda-1640 and O III] Lambda-1665. We present these new FUV images and compare them with optical H-alpha and [O III], and ROSAT HRI X-ray images. Comparing the UIT images with those from the other bands provides new insights into the spatial variations and locations of these different types of emission. By comparing against shock model calculations and published FUV spectroscopy at select locations, we surmise that resonance scattering in the strong FUV permitted lines is widespread in the Cygnus Loop. especially in the bright optical filaments typically selected for observation in most previous studies.
Runs, panics and bubbles: Diamond–Dybvig and Morris–Shin reconsidered

The basic two-noncooperative-equilibrium-point model of Diamond and Dybvig is considered along with the work of Morris and Shin utilizing the possibility of outside noise to select a unique equilibrium point. Both of these approaches are essentially nondynamic. We add an explicit replicator dynamic from evolutionary game theory to provide for a sensitivity analysis that encompasses both models and contains the results of both depending on parameter settings.
Scalable PHY-Layer Security for Distributed Detection in Wireless Sensor Networks

The problem of binary hypothesis testing is considered in a bandwidth-constrained densely populated low-power wireless sensor network operating over insecure links. Observations of the sensors are quantized and encrypted before transmission. The encryption method maps the output of the quantizer to one of the possible quantizer output levels randomly according to a probability matrix. The intended (ally) fusion center (AFC) is aware of the encryption keys (probabilities) while the unauthorized (third party) fusion center (TPFC) is not. A constrained optimization problem is formulated from the point of view of AFC in order to design its decision rule along with the encryption probabilities. The objective function to be minimized is the error probability of AFC and the constraint is a lower bound on the error probability of TPFC. In the binary case the optimal solution is found and in the nonbinary case a good suboptimal solution is analytically obtained. Numerical results are presented to show that it is possible to degrade the error probability of TPFC significantly and still achieve very low probability of error for AFC. The proposed method which may be considered a PHY-layer security scheme is highly scalable since it does not increase the packet overhead or transmit power of the sensors and has very low computational complexity. A scheme is described to randomize the keys so as to defeat any key space exploration attack.
Velocity and Temperature Profiles in Turbulent Boundary Layer Flows Experiencing Streamwise Pressure Gradients

The standard turbulent law of the wall, devised for zero pressure gradient flows, has been previously shown to be inadequate for accelerating and decelerating turbulent boundary layers. In this paper, formulations for mean velocity profiles from the literature are applied and formulations for the temperature profiles are developed using a mixing length model. These formulations capture the effects of pressure gradients by including the convective and pressure gradient terms in the momentum and energy equations. The profiles which include these terms deviate considerably from the standard law of the wall; the temperature profiles more so than the velocity profiles. The new profiles agree well with experimental data. By looking at the various terms separately, it is shown why the velocity law of the wall is more robust to streamwise pressure gradients than is the thermal law of the wall. The modification to the velocity profile is useful for evaluation of more accurate skin friction coefficients from experimental data by the near-wall fitting technique. The temperature profile modification improves the accuracy with which one may extract turbulent Prandtl numbers from near-wall mean temperature data when they cannot be determined directly.
An Error Analysis of the Geometric Baade-Wesselink Method

We derive an analytic solution for the minimization problem in the geometric Baade-Wesselink method. This solution allows deriving the distance and mean radius of a pulsating star by fitting its velocity curve and angular diameter measured interferometrically. The method also provides analytic solutions for the confidence levels of the best-fit parameters and accurate error estimates for the Baade-Wesselink solution. Special care is taken in the analysis of the various error sources in the final solution, among which are the uncertainties due to the projection factor, the limb darkening, and the velocity curve. We also discuss the importance of the phase shift between the stellar light curve and the velocity curve as a potential error source in the geometric Baade-Wesselink method. We finally discuss the case of the classical Cepheid ζ Gem, applying our method to the measurements derived with the Palomar Testbed Interferometer. We show how a careful treatment of the measurement errors can be used to discriminate between different models of limb darkening by using interferometric techniques.
Building Problem-Solving Environments with Application Web Service toolkits

Application portals, or Problem-Solving Environments (PSEs), provide user environments that simplify access and integrate various distributed computational services for scientists working on particular classes of problems. Specific application portals are typically built on common sets of core services, so reusability of these services is a key problem in PSE development. In this paper we address the reusability problem by presenting a set of core services built using the Web services model and application metadata services that can be used to build science application front ends out of these core services and the management of multiple versions of services.
Optical, Structural, and Chemical Characteristics of Lead‐Indium Phosphate and Lead‐Scandium Phosphate Glasses

Two new glass systems based on a range of lead-indium phosphate and lead-scandium phosphate compositions have been developed and characterized. These glasses have a relatively high index of refraction (n= 1.75 to 1.83) in the visible region and exhibit moderate dispersion (Abbe number ∼30). The ultraviolet absorption edge occurs near 300 nm and the glasses strongly absorb in the infrared at wavelengths greater than 2800 nm. Both glass types can be prepared at relatively low temperatures (900° to 1000°C) and are easily poured down to ∼800°C because of their low melt viscosities. The glasses exhibit good chemical durability and resistance to both weathering and intense γ-radiation. These materials have a glass transition temperature of about 430°C, a softening point of about 460°C, and thermal expansion coefficients in the range of 10.8 × 10−6 to 12.0 × 10−6/°C. The structure of these phosphate glasses is shown to consist of a distribution of chains of PO4 tetrahedra held together by bonding between the non-bridging oxygens of the tetrahedra and the metal cations. The polyphosphate chain length distribution was determined by a liquid chromatographic technique. Potential aqueous corrosion mechanisms are discussed and some general guidelines for forming a chemically durable phosphate glass are given.
The Luminosity function and color - magnitude diagram of the globular cluster M12

In this paper we present the V and I luminosity functions and color-magnitude diagrams derived from wide-field (23' ? 23') BVI photometry of the intermediate-metallicity ([Fe/H] ~ -1.3) Galactic globular cluster M12. Using observed values (and ranges of values) for the cluster metallicity, reddening, distance modulus, and age, we compare these data with recent ?-enhanced stellar evolution models for low-mass metal-poor stars. We describe several methods of making comparisons between theoretical and observed luminosity functions to isolate the evolutionary timescale information that the luminosity functions contain. We find no significant evidence of excesses of stars on the red giant branch, although the morphology of the subgiant branch in the observed luminosity function does not match theoretical predictions in a satisfactory way. Current uncertainties in Teff-color transformations (and possibly also in other physics inputs to the models) make more detailed conclusions about the subgiant branch morphology impossible. Given the recent constraints on cluster ages from the WMAP experiment, we find that good-fitting models that do not include He diffusion (both color-magnitude diagrams and luminosity functions) are too old (by ~1-2 Gyr) to adequately represent the cluster luminosity function. The inclusion of helium diffusion in the models provides an age reduction (compared with nondiffusive models) that is consistent with the age of the universe being 13.7 ? 0.2 Gyr.
High frequency broadband rotor noise

A method has been developed to find the absolute spectral level of high frequency far field sound of a rotor in terms of random load fluctuations on the rotor blades. The analysis deals with frequencies where the radiated sound spectrum is smooth, i.e., above 300 to 400 Hz for a typical helicopter. This is in constrast to the low frequency regions where the spectrum is continuous but peaked near bladed passing harmonics. We first show that the smooth, broadband part of the spectrum corresponds to load fluctuations which are uncorrelated between blade passages. Then the spectral intensities from the individual blades are additive. A point load approximation with spanwise loading corrections is used and the blade loading spectrum is specifically derived for upwash fluctuations due to inflow turbulence. Analytic approximations are made to simplify the evaluation of certain integrals and series. The method is compared to the more general method of Homicz and George, where practical, and to published experimental data. The agreement between the two theories is excellent. The comparison to the experiments is good although it is not clear how to estimate the increase in intensity of atmospheric turbulence as it is distorted while being drawn into the rotor. The results indicate that atmospheric turbulence is perhaps the major contribution to broadband noise in hover. The approach is also applicable to other load fluctuation mechanisms.
Probing the Dust-to-Gas Ratio of z > 0 Galaxies through Gravitational Lenses

We report the detection of differential gas column densities in three gravitational lenses, MG 0414+0534, HE 1104-1805, and PKS 1830-211. Combined with the previous differential column density and extinction measurements in B1600+434 and Q2237+0305, we probe the dust-to-gas ratio of a small sample of cosmologically distant normal galaxies. We obtain an average dust-to-gas ratio of E(B - V)/NH = (1.4 ± 0.5) × 10-22 mag cm2 atoms-1, with an estimated intrinsic dispersion in the ratio of 40%. This average dust-to-gas ratio is consistent with the average Galactic value of 1.7 × 10-22 mag cm2 atoms-1, and the estimated intrinsic dispersion is also consistent with the 30% observed in the Galaxy.
Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect in 2D Organic Topological Insulators

The quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) is a fundamental transport phenomenon in the field of condensed-matter physics. Without an external magnetic field, spontaneous magnetization combined with spin-orbit coupling gives rise to a quantized Hall conductivity. So far, a number of theoretical proposals have been made to realize the QAHE, but all based on inorganic materials. Here, using first-principles calculations, we predict a family of 2D organic topological insulators for realizing the QAHE. Designed by assembling molecular building blocks of triphenyl-transition-metal compounds into a hexagonal lattice, this new class of organic materials is shown to have a nonzero Chern number and exhibits a gapless chiral edge state within the Dirac gap.
Absorption, fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra of the singlet and triplet states of s-tetrazine in the crystal and in mixed crystals at low temperatures

Abstract The electronic absorption, fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra of s -tetrazine at low temperatures (4.2-1.5 K) are reported and analyzed in the neat crystal and in several mixed crystals. The 3 B 3u - 1 A g (nπ * ) origin is at 18414 ± 5 cm −1 for neat tetrazine. In the mixed crystal several sites identified. The lowest energy origin is at 17453 cm −1 for tetrazine in pyrazine; 17 701 cm −1 in pyrimidine; and 17 676 cm −1 in pyridazine. The e B 3u - 1 A g (nπ * ) origin is at 14 096 ± 2 cm −1 for the neat crystal. The phosphorescence lifetime of neat tetrazine is measured to be 96.8 ± 2.1 μs at 4.2 and 1.8 K. All the spectra are predominately composed of members of progressions in a single totally symmetric mode (ν 6a ) built upon site origins and vibrational fundamentals. The ν 6a interval is: 743 ( 1 A g ), 715 ( 3 B 3u ), and 709 cm −1 ( 1 B 3u ) in the neat tetrazine crystal; 732 ( 1 A g ) and 705 cm −1 ( 1 B 3u in pyrazine host, 737 ( 1 A g ) and 701 cm −1 ( 1 B 3u ) in pyrimidine host, and 732 ( 1 A g ) and 703 cm −1 ( 1 B 3u ) in pyridazine host mixed crystals. All emission spectra may be analyzed by O i → (ν″ 6a ) o n ( i ), i indicating the observed s
Centrifugal Stresses in Rotating Disks

IN recent experiments at this laboratory, the photo-elastic method has been successfully applied to the determination of centrifugal stresses in rotating disks. The new technique depends upon the double structure of Bakelite BT-61-8931. Bakelite consists of two phases, one of which (the A phase) fuses at relatively low temperatures. If a sample is heated, the viscosity of the A phase is rapidly lowered until it becomes virtually negligible at about 115°C., whereas the C phase is little affected. At this temperature the modulus of elasticity is reduced to 1/640 of its value at room temperature and the stress-optical coefficient is increased twenty-five times. If the specimen is subjected to external load at this temperature, and allowed to cool slowly to room temperature while still under load, the deformation and photo-elastic optical effect are ‘frozen in’. This is brought about by the solidification of the liquid A phase within the space lattice formed by the C phase. Subsequent removal of load leaves the deformation and optical pattern virtually unaltered.
Ligand Design for Electrochemically Controlling Stoichiometric and Catalytic Reactivity of Transition Metals.

Changing the oxidation state of redox-active ligands is a powerful method for electrochemically controlling the reactivity and selectivity of bound transition metals (see drawing on the right). In some cases reaction rates can be increased by many orders of magnitude simply by removing an electron from a metal-ligand complex. In the case of polymeric redox-active ligands, a continuous range of properties can be achieved for the transition metal complex.
An elliptical galaxy luminosity function and velocity dispersion sample of relevance for gravitational lensing statistics

Abstract We have selected 42 elliptical galaxies from the literature and estimated their velocity dispersions at the effective radius (σRe) and at 0.54 effective radii (σ0.54Re). We find by a dynamical analysis that the normalized velocity dispersion of the dark halo of an elliptical galaxy σDM is roughly σRe multiplied by a constant, which is almost independent of the core radius or the anisotropy parameter of each galaxy. Our sample analysis suggests that σ DM ∗ lies in the range 178–198 km s−1. The power law relation we find between the luminosity and the dark matter velocity dispersion measured in this way is (L/L∗)=(σ DM /σ DM ∗) γ , where γ is between 2 and 3. These results are of interest for strong gravitational lensing statistics studies. In order to determine the value of σ DM ∗ , we calculate M B T 0 ∗ in the same B T 0 band in which σ DM ∗ has been estimated. We select 131 elliptical galaxies as a complete sample set with apparent magnitudes B T 0 between 9.26 and 12.19. We find that the luminosity function is well fitted to the Schechter form, with parameters M B T 0 ∗ =−19.66+5·log10h±0.30, α=0.15±0.55, and the normalization constant φ∗=(1.34±0.30)×10 −3 h 3 Mpc−3, with the Hubble constant Ho=100 h km s−1 Mpc−1. This normalization implies that morphology type E galaxies make up (10.8 ± 1.2) per cent of all galaxies.
Some Issues Concerning Fluid-Elastic Instability of a Group of Circular Cylinders in Cross-Flow

Since the early 1970s, extensive studies of fluid-elastic instability of circular cylinders in crossflow have been reported. A significant understanding of the phenomena involved now exists. However, some confusion, misunderstanding, and misinterpretation still remain. The objective of this report is to discuss, on the basis of the current state of the art, a series of the most asked questions. Emphasis is placed on the determination of the critical flow velocity, non-dimensional parameters, stability criteria, and instability mechanisms.
Thermospheric response to ion heating in the dayside cusp

Recent observations from the CHAMP satellite indicate that neutral density enhancements are common in the northern dayside cusp. The neutral density in this region can be nearly a factor of 2 larger than in adjacent regions of the thermosphere on the poleward and equatorward sides of the cusp. The presence of density enhancements implies that the neutral atmosphere is being heated in the cusp region causing upwelling. A high-resolution model of the global thermosphere is used to study the thermospheric response to heating in the northern dayside cusp. It is found that heating in the cusp results in the creation of a neutral fountain. Specifically, upward drift of the thermosphere within the cusp region is followed at higher altitudes by poleward and equatorward movement out of the cusp region and the gradual subsidence of the neutral gas. Density enhancements of the magnitude observed by the CHAMP satellite occur in the model results for sufficiently strong heating in the cusp. Neutral temperature enhancements also occur and are strongest near the poleward and equatorward boundaries of the cusp region.
Neural modeling of flow rendering effectiveness

It has been previously proposed that understanding the mechanisms of contour perception can provide a theory for why some flow rendering methods allow for better judgments of advection pathways than others. In this article, we develop this theory through a numerical model of the primary visual cortex of the brain (Visual Area 1) where contour enhancement is understood to occur according to most neurological theories. We apply a two-stage model of contour perception to various visual representations of flow fields evaluated using the advection task of Laidlaw et al. In the first stage, contour enhancement is modeled based on Li's cortical model. In the second stage, a model of streamline tracing is proposed, designed to support the advection task. We examine the predictive power of the model by comparing its performance to that of human subjects on the advection task with four different visualizations. The results show the same overall pattern for humans and the model. In both cases, the best performance was obtained with an aligned streamline based method, which tied with a LIC-based method. Using a regular or jittered grid of arrows produced worse results. The model yields insights into the relative strengths of different flow visualization methods for the task of visualizing advection pathways.
Synthesis and enzymatic cyclization of (3S)11-fluoro-2,3-oxidosqualene

Abstract A convergent asymmetric synthesis provided (3 S )11-fluoro-2,3-oxidosqualene (11-FOS, 14 ), which was cyclized by bacterial squalene:hopane cyclase to a bridged ether. 11-FOS was neither a substrate nor an inhibitor for vertebrate oxidosqualene:lanosterol cyclase.
Infrared signature of structures associated with the H+(H2O)n (n = 6 to 27) clusters.

We report the OH stretching vibrational spectra of size-selected H+(H2O)n clusters through the region of the pronounced “magic number” at n = 21 in the cluster distribution. Sharp features are observed in the spectra and assigned to excitation of the dangling OH groups throughout the size range 6 ≤ n ≤ 27. A multiplet of such bands appears at small cluster sizes. This pattern simplifies to a doublet at n = 11, with the doublet persisting up to n = 20, but then collapsing to a single line in the n = 21 and n = 22 clusters and reemerging at n = 23. This spectral simplification provides direct evidence that, for the magic number cluster, all the dangling OH groups arise from water molecules in similar binding sites.
Life Insurance Purchasing to Maximize Utility of Household Consumption

We determine the optimal amount of life insurance for a household of two wage earners. We consider the simple case of exponential utility, thereby removing wealth as a factor in buying life insurance, while retaining the relationship among life insurance, income, and the probability of dying and thus losing that income. For insurance purchased via a single premium or premium payable continuously, we explicitly determine the optimal death benefit. We show that if the premium is determined to target a specific probability of loss per policy, then the rates of consumption are identical under single premium or continuously payable premium. Thus, not only is equivalence of consumption achieved for the households under the two premium schemes, it is also obtained for the insurance company in the sense of equivalence of loss probabilities.
Minimally disruptive laser-induced breakdown in water.

We produce minimally disruptive breakdown in water by using tightly focused 100-fs laser pulses and demonstrate the potential use of this technique in microsurgery of the eye. Using time-resolved imaging and piezoelectric pressure detection, we measure the magnitude and speed of propagation of the pressure wave produced in the breakdown. Compared with breakdown with longer pulses, here there is a much lower energy threshold for breakdown of 0.2 µJ, a smaller shock zone diameter (11 µm for 1‐µJ pulses), and consistent energy deposition.
The hunting of the MR model

Abstract We consider experimental signatures of the standard model's minimal supersymmetric extension with a continuous U(1) R symmetry (MR model). We focus on the ability of existing and planned electron-positron colliders to probe this model and to distinguish it from both the standard model and the standard model's minimal supersymmetric extension with a discrete R -parity.
The Bright SHARC Survey: The Selection Function and its Impact on the Cluster X-ray Luminosity Function

We present the results of a set of simulations designed to quantify the selection function of the Bright SHARC survey for distant clusters. The statistical significance of the simulations relied on the creation of thousands of artificial clusters with redshifts and luminosities in the range 0.25
Deep electronic gap levels induced by isovalent P and As impurities in GaN

The electronic and atomic structure of isovalent substitutional P and As impurities in GaN is studied theoretically using a self-consistent plane-wave pseudopotential method. In contrast with the conventional isovalent III-V systems, $\mathrm{GaN}\mathrm{}:\mathrm{P}$ and $\mathrm{GaN}\mathrm{}:\mathrm{A}\mathrm{s}$ are shown to exhibit deep gap levels. The calculated donor energies are $\ensuremath{\epsilon}(+/0)={\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{v}+0.22$ and ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{v}+0.41$ eV, respectively, and the double donor energies are $\ensuremath{\epsilon}(++/+)={\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{v}+0.09$ and ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{v}+0.24$ eV, respectively. The $p$-like gap wave function is found to be strongly localized on the impurity site. Outward atomic relaxations of $\ensuremath{\sim}13%$ and $\ensuremath{\sim}15%$ are calculated for the nearest-neighbor Ga atoms surrounding neutral ${\mathrm{GaN}\mathrm{}:\mathrm{P}}^{0}$ and ${\mathrm{GaN}\mathrm{}:\mathrm{A}\mathrm{s}}^{0},$ respectively. The relaxation increases by $\ensuremath{\sim}1%$ for the positively charged impurities. The impurity-bound exciton binding energy is calculated at ${E}_{b}=0.22$ and ${E}_{b}=0.41$ eV for $\mathrm{GaN}:P$ and $\mathrm{GaN}:As.$ The former is in good agreement with the experimental data ${(E}_{b}=0.232$ eV) whereas the latter is offered as a prediction. No clear Jahn-Teller symmetry lowering ${(T}_{d}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{C}_{3v})$ distortion, suggested by the one-electron configuration, is found for $\mathrm{GaN}:{\mathrm{P}}^{+}$ and $\mathrm{GaN}:{\mathrm{As}}^{+}.$
Linguistic methods in picture processing: a survey

By "picture processing" we mean the analysis and generation of pictures by computer, with or without human interaction; this definition includes both computer graphics and digital pattern recognition.
Toward (+)-pancratistatin: Modulation of mechanism in an intramolecular electrophilic aromatic substitution

Abstract Triflation of the allylic alcohol of a piperonylated conduritol (4) induces intramolecular electrophilic alkylation of the piperonyl aromatic ring. The regiochemistry of attack relative to the tethering element (ortho vs. ipso) and therefore the distribution of products are controlled by the identity of an arene substituent (Z in 4). Advanced intermediates for the synthesis of anticancer agent (+)-pancratistatin are obtained.
Antiviral Therapy for Treatment Naïve Patients with Hepatitis C Virus

This article focuses on the most recent therapies for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who are naive to therapy. The primary end point for the treatment of naive HCV patients is viral eradication or a sustained virological response, which is defined as the absence of HCV in the serum, as detected by a sensitive polymerase chain reaction test, 24 weeks after stopping antiviral therapy. Recent data suggest that an SVR can be equated with a biochemical,virological, and histological response that is sustained for up to 5 years and is conceptually a cure of HCV in 90% of patients.
Stability margins of diagonally perturbed multivariable feedback systems

For diagonally perturbed linear time-invariant multivariable feedback systems, the problem of finding an improved characterization of stability margin is examined. Although exact calculation of margins is found to be impractical, a readily computable lower bound for diagonally, perturbed systems is developed using Perron-Frobenius nonnegative matrix results. The present theory improves upon the existing singular-value stability margin theory, providing a simple constructive method for determining previously unspecified norm weighting parameters (i.e., scaling factors) so as to minimize the conservativeness of stability margin bounds.
Synthesis of N-Carbobenzoxy-N,N-acetals

Abstract A series of N-carbobenzoxy-N,N-acetals have been synthesized by the reaction of aromatic aldehydes or certain aliphatic aldehydes with benzyl carbamate and morpholine. The N,N-acetals can be converted into N-carbobenzoxy-N,S-acetals with benzyl thiol.
Ferromagnetism in (In, Mn)As alloy thin films grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy

Abstract Ferromagnetic properties of In1−xMnxAs thin films were investigated. Room temperature ferromagnetic order was observed in nominally single-phase films with x=0.01–0.10. Magnetization measurements indicated that these In1−xMnxAs samples had a Curie temperature of 333 K. The Curie temperature was independent of Mn concentration. The temperature dependent magnetization along with the magnitude of the saturation magnetization and microstructural data indicate that the source of the high-temperature ferromagnetism in single-phase films is not attributable to MnAs nanoprecipitates. The high transition temperature is attributed to the presence of near neighbor Mn pairs.
Distractibility in infancy: the effects of distractor characteristics and type of attention.

Two experiments investigated the role of distractor characteristics and type of object-directed attention on infants' distraction latencies during object exploration. In Experiment 1, 7- and 10-month-old infants' distraction latency was a function of both attention and the characteristics of the distractors. Infants took longer to turn toward distractors during focused object-directed attention than when engaged in more casual attention. In addition, their latencies were longer regardless of attention type when the distractors were unimodal (e.g., consisting of only a visual or an auditory component) than when they were bimodal (e.g., consisting of both auditory and visual components). Experiment 2 demonstrated that infants exhibit shorter distraction latencies toward complex than simple bimodal distractors. These results are discussed in the context of Allport's (1989) model of attention and suggest that infants' allocation of attentional resources, as measured by distraction latencies, is influenced both by the characteristics of the distractor and by the type of infants' object-directed attention.
A highly efficient route to taxotere by the β-Lactam Synthon Method

Abstract Taxotere, a highly promising anticancer drug, is synthesized through an efficient coupling of 7,10-diTroc-10-deacetylbaccatin III with enantiomerically pure (3R,4S)-1-tBOC-3-EEO- 4-phenylazetidin-2-one which is obtained via chiral ester enolate - imine cyclocondensation.
Automated Accident Detection in Intersections via Digital Audio Signal Processing

A system for automated traffic accident detection in intersections was designed. The input to the system is a 3-s segment of audio signal. The system can be operated in two modes: the two-class and multiclass modes. The output of the two-class mode is a label of "crash" or "noncrash." In the multiclass mode of operation, the system identifies crashes as well as several types of noncrash incidents, including normal traffic and construction sounds. The system is composed of three main signal processing stages: feature extraction, feature reduction, and classification. Five methods of feature extraction were investigated and compared; these are based on the discrete wavelet transform, fast Fourier transform, discrete cosine transform, real cepstral transform, and mel frequency cepstral transform. Statistical methods are used for feature optimization and classification. Three types of classifiers are investigated and compared; these are the nearest-mean, maximum-likelihood, and nearest-neighbor methods. The r...
Application of fluid-structure interaction simulation of an ocean wave energy extraction device

Abstract A numerical technique that employs a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code is used to perform coupled fluid–structure interaction simulation of a wave energy device in order to assess power output in a 3D numerical wave flume. The current method determines the motion of the buoy from the dynamic solution of the fluid flow problem and the dynamic buoy motion problem rather than prescribing the motion of the buoy. The power output of the device is calculated for different wave conditions. The technique was expanded for an array of two buoys to determine the interference between them.
The base-data-cluster concept: a cooperative metropolitan approach to computer utilization

Metropolitan areas across the nation are devoting more attention to the general lack of current and detailed information so necessary for increasingly complex regional and local decision-making by public agencies. In the metropolitan Detroit, Michigan, region several groups have been involved in the attempt to develop a coordinated but voluntary approach to computer utilization which could serve as a model for other multi-jurisdiction metropolitan regions. It is known as the Base-Data-Cluster Information System.
High performance quantum cascade laser results at the Centre for Quantum Devices

In this paper, we review some of the history and recent results related to the development of the quantum cascade laser at the Center for Quantum Devices. The fabrication of the quantum cascade laser is described relative to growth, characterization, and processing. State-of-the-art testing results for 5-11 μm lasers will be then be explored, followed by a future outlook for the technology.
A priori estimate for a family of semi-linear elliptic equations with critical nonlinearity

We consider positive solutions of Δu−μu+Kun+2n−2=0 on B1 (n⩾5) where μ and K>0 are smooth functions on B1. If K is very sub-harmonic at each critical point of K in B2/3 and the maximum of u in B¯1/3 is comparable to its maximum over B¯1, then all positive solutions are uniformly bounded on B¯1/3. As an application, a priori estimate for solutions of equations defined on Sn is derived.
SU(3) lattice gauge theory with adjoint action at nonzero temperature

We study the thermal phase diagram of pure SU(3) gauge theory with fundamental and adjoint couplings. We improve previous estimates of the position of the bulk transition line and determine the thermal deconfinement transition lines for N t = 2, 4, 6, and 8. For N t > 4 the deconfinement transition line splits cleanly away from the bulk transition line. With increasing N t the thermal deconfinement transition lines shift to increasingly weaker coupling, joining onto the bulk transition line at increasingly larger β a in a pattern consistent with the usual universality picture of lattice gauge theories.
Morawetz estimates for the wave equation at low frequency

We consider Morawetz estimates for weighted energy decay of solutions to the wave equation on scattering manifolds (i.e., those with large conic ends). We show that a Morawetz estimate persists for solutions that are localized at low frequencies, independent of the geometry of the compact part of the manifold. We further prove a new type of Morawetz estimate in this context, with both hypotheses and conclusion localized inside the forward light cone. This result allows us to gain a \(1/2\) power of \(t\) decay relative to what would be dictated by energy estimates, in a small part of spacetime.