Asymptotic robustness of standard errors in multilevel structural equation models

Data in social and behavioral sciences are often hierarchically organized. Multilevel statistical methodology was developed to analyze such data. Most of the procedures for analyzing multilevel data are derived from maximum likelihood based on the normal distribution assumption. Standard errors for parameter estimates in these procedures are obtained from the corresponding information matrix. Because practical data typically contain heterogeneous marginal skewnesses and kurtoses, this paper studies how nonnormally distributed data affect the standard errors of parameter estimates in a two-level structural equation model. Specifically, we study how skewness and kurtosis in one level affect standard errors of parameter estimates within its level and outside its level. We also show that, parallel to asymptotic robustness theory in conventional factor analysis, conditions exist for asymptotic robustness of standard errors in a multilevel factor analysis model.     

Non-Achievability of Metal-Insulator Transition in Two-Dimensional Systems

We present a simple demonstration of the nonfeasibility of metal-insulator transition in an exactly two-dimensional （2D） system. The Hartree-Fock potential in the 3D system is suitably modified and presented for the 2D case. The many body effects are included in the screening function, and binding energies of a donor are obtained as a function of impurity concentration so as to find out the possible way leading metal-insulator transition in the 2D system. While solving for the binding energy for a shallow donor in an isolated well of a GaAs/Ga1-x Als As superlattice system within the effective mass approximation, it leads to unphysical results for higher concentrations. It shows that the phase transition, the bound electron entering into the conduction band whereby （H）min=0, is not possible beyond this concentration. The results suggest thai a phase transition is impossible in 213 systems, supporting the scaling theory of localization. The results are compared with the existing data available and discussed in the light of existing literature.     

An unusual transformation of perfluorinated 1- and 3-phenylpropenes to polyfluorochloroindanes by the action of AlCl3

The reaction of perfluorinated 1- and 3-phenylpropenes with AlCl₃ gives polyfluorochloroindanes as the result of an intramolecular cyclization, apparently, by an electrophilic pathway.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2854–2857, December, 1989.     

Evidence for complex magnetic order in U2Zn17: A μ+ SR studySR study

μ⁺ SR-measurements in transversally applied magnetic fields of 2000 G and 4000 G on heavy-electron single crystal U₂Zn₁₇ are presented. They reveal that at least two types of interstitial sites are occupied by the positive muons. One of these sites (1/3, 2/3, 5/6) could be identified via induced local dipolar fields which aboveT _N=9.7 K can exactly be derived from the magnetic susceptibility. The corresponding component of the μ⁺-signal exhibits a steplike decrease by about 40% atT _N which is caused by the onset of a very broad distribution of static internal magnetic fields (ΔB≈1000 G) with zero average. Such a field distribution is in distinct contrast to dipolar-field calculations performed for the simple antiferromagnetic structure deduced from neutron diffraction. The remaining 60% of the muons contributing to this component belowT _N are subject to a narrow static field distribution (ΔB≈1 G). The induced dipolar fields at the site (1/3, 2/3, 5/6) are temperature-independent belowT _N. A weak dipolar coupling to the U-moments renders similar observations for muons occupying the second type of interstitial impossible.     

Evaluating Zn2SiO4:Mn phosphor for use in medical imaging radiation detectors

2 SiO₄:Mn phosphor was evaluated for use in radiation detectors of medical imaging systems. Zn₂SiO₄:Mn was used in the form of laboratory-prepared fluorescent layers (screens) with coating weights from 18 to 150 mg/cm². The phosphor was excited to luminescence by low-energy X-raysusing X-raytube voltages ranging from 15 to 50 kVp. The number of emitted optical photons per incident X-rayquantum was thus determined for various X-rayenergies and phosphor coating weights. The optical emission spectrum was also measured and it was used to evaluate the spectral compatibility of Zn₂SiO₄:Mn with radiographic films, photocathodes and the Si photodiode. Finally, phosphor optical properties were estimated by fitting a theoretical model to experimental data. Results showed that Zn₂SiO₄:Mn is more efficient for low-energy X-rays. Its intrinsic conversion efficiency was found equal to 0.08, which is comparable to that of actually used phosphors. Zn₂SiO₄:Mn was also adequately compatible with orthochromatic films and the ES-20 photocathode, thus being appropriate for low-voltage radiography and fluoroscopy. Received: 31 July 1998/Accepted: 3 August 1998     

Radiation-induced fermion resonance

The Dirac equation is solved for two novel terms which describe the interaction energy between the half-integral spin of a fermion and the classical, circularly polarized, electromagnetic field. A simple experiment is suggested to test the new terms and the existence of radiation-induced fermion resonance.     

Principle of event symmetry

To accommodate topology change, the symmetry of space-time must be extended from the diffeomorphism group of a manifold to the symmetric group acting on the discrete set of space-time events. This is the principle ofevent-symmetric space-time. I investigate a number of physical toy models with this symmetry to gain some insight into the likely nature of event-symmetric space-time. In the more advanced models the symmetric group is embedded into larger structures such as matrix groups which provide scope to unify space-time symmetry with the internal gauge symmetries of particle physics. I also suggest that the symmetric group of space-time could be related to the symmetric group acting to exchange identical particles, implying a unification of space-time and matter. I end with a definition of a new type of loop symmetry which is important in event-symmetric superstring theory.     

Nonlinear analysis of relativistic harmonic generation by intenselasers in plasmas

A linearly polarized, ultraintense laser field induces transverse plasma currents which are highly relativistic and nonlinear, resulting in the generation of coherent harmonic radiation in the forward direction (i.e., copropagating with the incident laser field). A nonlinear cold fluid model, valid for ultrahigh intensities, is formulated and used to analyze relativistic harmonic generation. The plasma density response is included self-consistently and is shown to significantly reduce the current driving the harmonic radiation. Phase detuning severely limits the growth of the harmonic radiation. The effects of diffraction are considered in the mildly relativistic limit. No third-harmonic signal emerges from a uniform plasma of near-infinite extent. A finite third-harmonic signal requires the use of a semi-infinite or finite slab plasma. For an initially uniform plasma, no second-harmonic radiation is generated. Generation of even harmonics requires transverse gradients in the initial plasma density profile