Controlling an oscillating Jackson-type network having state-dependent service rates

We consider a Jackson-type network comprised of two queues having state-dependent service rates, in which the queue lengths evolve periodically, exhibiting noisy cycles. To reduce this noise a certain heuristic, utilizing regions in the phase space in which the system behaves almost deterministically, is applied. Using this heuristic, we show that in order to decrease the probability of a customers overflow in one of the queues in the network, the server in that same queue – contrary to intuition – should be shut down for a short period of time. Further noise reduction is obtained if the server in the second queue is briefly shut down as well, when certain conditions hold.     

Property (<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>) and rigidity for actions on Banach spaces

We study property (T) and the fixed-point property for actions on L ^p and other Banach spaces. We show that property (T) holds when L ² is replaced by L ^p (and even a subspace/quotient of L ^p ), and that in fact it is independent of 1≤p<∞. We show that the fixed-point property for L ^p follows from property (T) when 1<p< 2+ε. For simple Lie groups and their lattices, we prove that the fixed-point property for L ^p holds for any 1< p<∞ if and only if the rank is at least two. Finally, we obtain a superrigidity result for actions of irreducible lattices in products of general groups on superreflexive spaces. Bader partially supported by ISF grant 100146; Furman partially supported by NSF grants DMS-0094245 and DMS-0604611; Gelander partially supported by NSF grant DMS-0404557 and BSF grant 2004010; Monod partially supported by FNS (CH) and NSF (US).     

The synthesis of malonimide derivatives as potential penicillin analogs

Malonimidoacetic acid derivatives (VIII, XIII) were synthesized as a potential penicillin analogs, hut they failed to inhibit the growth of bacteria when tested in vitro against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms.     

Finding the αn-th largest element

We describe an algorithm for selecting the n-th largest element (where 0<<1), from a totally ordered set ofn elements, using at most (1+(1+o(1))H())·n comparisons whereH() is the binary entropy function and theo(1) stands for a function that tends to 0 as tends to 0. For small values of this is almost the best possible as there is a lower bound of about (1+H())·n comparisons. The algorithm obtained beats the global 3n upper bound of Schönhage, Paterson and Pippenger for <1/3.     

Voltammetric determination of iron(II) and iron(III) in standard rocks and other materials

Voltammetry at a rotating platinum electrode in concentrated electrolyte solutions containing HCl and LiCl is described for simultaneous determinations of iron(II) and iron(III) in a variety of materials. Applications of the method to some U.S. Geological Survey standard rocks, a Georgian clay, and an iron-containing multiple vitamin tablet are described. For materials which can be dissolved without altering the original iron(II)/ iron(III) ratio, this method enables the two valence states to be determined rapidly and simultaneously. The technique is precise (r.s.d. ≈ 2%) and relatively free from interference, and requires only a recording d.c. polarograph.     

An empirical re-examination of natural resource scarcity and economic growth

This paper is concerned with the effect of natural resource scarcity on economic growth in the United States. After defining the notion of scarcity and introducing two measures of scarcity—unit costs and relative resource price—changes in resource scarcity trends for lead, zinc, nickel, aluminium, silver, iron and copper over the most recent three decades are investigated. Only for silver and iron is there any indication that such a change has occurred. For silver, the change is transitory. To the extent that change takes place, it has implications for future economic growth, i.e. natural resource scarcity and economic growth are interrelated. To see whether this is a relevant concern, subsequent to the examination of changing resource scarcity trends an objective effort is made to identify a long-run equilibrium relationship between natural resource scarcity and economic growth. Relying on cointegration techniques, only for the unit cost measure for lead and copper for one of the measures of cointegration is there a suggestion that natural resource scarcity has affected economic growth in the United States over the period 1889–1992.     

Dielectric properties of thin-film ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> up to 50 GHz for RF MEMS switches

The dielectric properties of zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) ceramic thin films were characterized up to 50 GHz using coplanar waveguides (CPWs) and metal–insulator–metal (MIM) capacitors with top circular electrodes. The ZrO₂ films were deposited using a chemical solution onto high-resistivity Si wafers and metal layers. The real part of the dielectric constant of approximately 22 and 26 was extracted at 50 GHz for CPW and MIM structures, respectively, and the loss tangent was approximately 0.09 at 50 GHz. C–V and I–V measurements were carried out to determine low-frequency and DC dielectric properties. The measurement results indicate that ZrO₂ is a promising material to be used as a dielectric layer for radio-frequency (RF) microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) capacitive switches.     

BRDF reference standards for the infrared

A comparison between various recommended reference standards of diffuse reflectance in the IR is presented. It is shown that at a wavelength of 10.6 μm sulfur is the most Lambertian of the tested samples, although its powdery consistence makes it less suitable for use as a standard. Flame sprayed aluminum, with or without gold coating, also approaches a Lambertian surface and is suitable for use as a standard for BRDF measurements at 10.6 μm. Results for the BRDF of sulfur, gold-coated sandpaper, a commercial diffuse gold surface (by Labsphere) and flame sprayed aluminum are presented.