Explicit 2-Factorisations of the Odd Graph

In this note we show how 1-factors in the middle two layers of the discrete cube can be used to construct 2-factors in the Odd graph (the Kneser graph of (k − 1)-sets from a (2k − 1)-set). In particular, we use the lexical matchings of Kierstead and Trotter, and the modular matchings of Duffus, Kierstead and Snevily, to give explicit constructions of two different 2-factorisations of the Odd graph. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Metric Embeddings—Beyond One-Dimensional Distortion

The extensive study of metric spaces and their embeddings has so far focused on embeddings that preserve pairwise distances. A very intriguing concept introduced by Feige allows us to quantify the extent to which larger structures are preserved by a given embedding. We investigate this concept, focusing on several major graph families such as paths, trees, cubes, and expanders. We find some similarities to the regular (pairwise) distortion, as well as some striking differences.     

Upon the removal of the edges of a 1-factor from an even circuit in a 2-connected graph

Let G be a 2-connected graph with minimum degree at least 3. We prove that there exists an even circuit C in G with factorization F={F₁,F₂} such that G−E(F₁) is 2-connected.     

Space time-index plots for probing dynamical nonstationarity

We propose a simple method to efficiently probe dynamical nonstationarity in observed time series. In a space time-index plot, the density distributions as a function of normalized time-index are V-shaped due to nonstationarity. We show that this method is workable for short data sets and typical examples are illustrated.     

The Jacobian and the Ginzburg-Landau energy

We study the Ginzburg-Landau functional for , where U is a bounded, open subset of . We show that if a sequence of functions satisfies , then their Jacobians are precompact in the dual of for every . Moreover, any limiting measure is a sum of point masses. We also characterize the -limit of the functionals , in terms of the function space B2V introduced by the authors in [16,17]: we show that I(u) is finite if and only if , and for is equal to the total variation of the Jacobian measure Ju. When the domain U has dimension greater than two, we prove if then the Jacobians are again precompact in for all , and moreover we show that any limiting measure must be integer multiplicity rectifiable. We also show that the total variation of the Jacobian measure is a lower bound for the limit of the Ginzburg-Landau functional. Received: 15 December 2000 / Accepted: 23 January 2001 / Published online: 25 June 2001     

A Pilot Survey of Vocal Health in Young Singers

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of vocal problems in young choir singers and to correlate vocal problems with demographic and behavioral information. A questionnaire addressing vocal habits and hygiene was offered to 571 young choir singers, up to 25 years of age, who sing at least weekly; 129 (22.6%) responded. More than one-half of the respondents had experienced vocal difficulty, particularly older adolescents. Detrimental behaviors and circumstances surveyed were not reflective of the incidence of vocal difficulty, except for morning hoarseness, chronic fatigue, insomnia, and female gender after puberty. Voice care professionals should be aware that self-reported voice difficulties are common among young choral singers, especially postpubescent girls, and children with symptoms consistent with reflux (morning hoarseness) and emotional stress (insomnia). Laryngologists should communicate with choral conductors and singing teachers to enhance early identification and treatment of children with voice complaints, and to develop choral educational strategies that help decrease their incidence.     

Directed metalation/ligand coupling approach to the enantioselective synthesis of 1,1′-binaphthyls

Introduction of a 2-isopropoxycarbonyl or 2-NN-dimethylcarbamoyl group into homochiral 1-p-tolyl- or 1-t-butyl-sulfinylnaphthalenes, via directed metalation reaction, followed by ligand coupling reaction with 1-naphthylmagnesium bromide, furnished atropisomeric 1,1′-binaphthyls in 82–95% enantiomeric excess (e.e.).