We consider new parameterizations of NP-optimization problems that have nontrivial lower and/or upper bounds on their optimum solution size. The natural parameter, we argue, is the quantity above the lower bound or below the upper bound. We show that for every problem in MAX SNP, the optimum value is bounded below by an unbounded function of the input-size, and that the above-guarantee paramete...

We show that two nonets and a glueball provide a consistent description of data on scalar mesons below 1.7 GeV. Above 1 GeV the states form a conventional qq̄ nonet mixed with the glueball of lattice QCD. Below 1 GeV the states also form a nonet, as implied by the attractive forces of QCD, but of more complicated nature. Near the center they are (qq)3̄(q̄q̄)3 in S-wave, with some qq̄ in P-wave, but ...