Stably free modules over virtually free groups

Let $F_m$ be the free group on $m$ generators and let $G$ be a finite nilpotent group of non square-free order; we show that for each $m\ge 2$ the integral group ring ${\bf Z}[G\times F_m]$ has infinitely many stably free modules of rank 1.Comment: 9 pages. The final publication is available at http://www.springerlink.com doi:10.1007/s00013-012-0432-

Several new catalysts for reduction of oxygen in fuel cells

Test results prove nickel carbide or nitride, nickel-cobalt carbide, titanium carbide or nitride, and intermetallic compounds of the transition or noble metals to be efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction in alkaline electrolytes in low temperature fuel cells

Local Statistics of Realizable Vertex Models

We study planar "vertex" models, which are probability measures on edge subsets of a planar graph, satisfying certain constraints at each vertex, examples including dimer model, and 1-2 model, which we will define. We express the local statistics of a large class of vertex models on a finite hexagonal lattice as a linear combination of the local statistics of dimers on the corresponding Fisher graph, with the help of a generalized holographic algorithm. Using an $n\times n$ torus to approximate the periodic infinite graph, we give an explicit integral formula for the free energy and local statistics for configurations of the vertex model on an infinite bi-periodic graph. As an example, we simulate the 1-2 model by the technique of Glauber dynamics

The Sitting Ducks of Securities Class Action Litigation: Bio-Pharmas and the Need for Improved Evaluation of Scientific Data

Rule 10b-5, a powerful weapon against any publicly-listed company whose share price drops on adverse news, is particularly skewed against pharmaceutical and other bio-technology companies (bio-pharmas). It is not a coincidence that there is a disproportionate number of class actions filed against bio-pharmas. The volume and complexity of data underlying most bio-pharma cases create enormous outcome uncertainties, settlement pressures, and potentially huge contingent liabilities over substantial periods of time. The vulnerability and risks that bio-pharmas face in Rule 10b-5 class actions are unique among all publicly-traded industries, yet many cases proceed along traditional grounds without courts employing either their statutory or inherent powers to obtain objective expert assessment of the data underlying plaintiffs\u27 claims. Most judges have neither the training nor the capacity to differentiate between the positions of opposing experts or to reach their own independent assessment of the research data. The unstated premise of the Supreme Court\u27s Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals opinion is that courts have an obligation to fully understand the evidence prior to any decision-making, and that the use of court-appointed experts will allow judges to decide motions to dismiss with greater confidence and accuracy. The early appointment of such experts may also have the salutary effect of causing plaintiffs to pause and consider whether the claims are sufficient to warrant the up-front imposition of court-appointed expert costs. If courts begin to recognize in greater numbers the importance of obtaining objective expert testimony, we believe that a more level playing field will evolve to reduce the disproportionate vulnerability of bio-pharmas to securities law class actions

Submillimeter satellite radiometer first semiannual engineering progress report

Development of 560 GHz fourth harmonic mixer and 140 GHz third harmonic generator for use in radiomete

Local Thermal Equilibrium in Quantum Field Theory on Flat and Curved Spacetimes

The existence of local thermal equilibrium (LTE) states for quantum field theory in the sense of Buchholz, Ojima and Roos is discussed in a model-independent setting. It is shown that for spaces of finitely many independent thermal observables there always exist states which are in LTE in any compact region of Minkowski spacetime. Furthermore, LTE states in curved spacetime are discussed and it is observed that the original definition of LTE on curved backgrounds given by Buchholz and Schlemmer needs to be modified. Under an assumption related to certain unboundedness properties of the pointlike thermal observables, existence of states which are in LTE at a given point in curved spacetime is established. The assumption is discussed for the sets of thermal observables for the free scalar field considered by Schlemmer and Verch.Comment: 16 pages, some minor changes and clarifications; section 4 has been shortened as some unnecessary constructions have been remove

Heat Conduction and Magnetic Phase Behavior in Electron-Doped Ca_{1-x} La_x MnO_3(0 <= x <= 0.2)

Measurements of thermal conductivity (kappa) vs temperature are reported for a series of Ca_{1-x} La_x MnO_3(0 <= x <= 0.2) specimens. For the undoped (x=0), G-type antiferromagnetic compound a large enhancement of kappa below the Neel temperature (T_N ~ 125 K) indicates a strong coupling of heat-carrying phonons to the spin system. This enhancement exhibits a nonmonotonic behavior with increasing x and correlates remarkably well with the small ferromagnetic component of the magnetization reported previously [Neumeier and Cohn, Phys. Rev. B 61 14319 (2000).] Magnetoelastic polaron formation appears to underly the behavior of kappa and the magnetization at x <= 0.02.Comment: submitted to PRB; 4 pp., 4 Fig.'s, RevTex

Submillimeter satellite radiometer Final engineering report

All solid-state superheterodyne Dicke radiometer for submillimeter wavelength