1,021 research outputs found

    Free products of sofic groups with amalgamation over monotileably amenable groups

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    We show that free products of sofic groups with amalgamation over monotileably amenable subgroups are sofic. Consequently, so are HNN extensions of sofic groups relative to homomorphisms of monotileably amenable subgroups. We also show that families of independent uniformly distributed permutation matrices and certain families of non-random permutation matrices (essentially, those coming from quasi--actions of a sofic group) are asymptotically *-free as the matrix size grows without bound.Comment: 16 pages. Version 2 has a shorter proof of Lemma 2.2, thanks to Ion Nechita. Version 3 corrects a mistake. The previous Lemma 3.1 was incorrect. Version 3 has a new proof of the main result, but it is (apparently) weaker than in Version 2. Note that the paper's title also changed accordingly. Version 4 corrects a minor mistake around equation (4

    Party Groups and Policy Positions in the European Parliament

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    As the legislative body of the European Union, the European Parliament groups 732 elected representatives from over 170 national political parties from 25 member states. At the EP level, these members are affiliated with seven major party groups representing distinct policy positions. In this paper we provide precise estimates of these policy positions based on expert surveys in addition to characterizing the dimensionality of policy competition in the EP. Our results suggest not only that party groups have identifiable and differentiated positions on multiple issues of policy, but also that these positions group broadly into two orthogonal dimensions: one consisting of classic left-right social and economic issues, and the other related to the powers and scope of EU institutions.Party Competition, Policy Positions, European Parliament, Expert Surveys.

    Mapping the Irish Policy Space:Voter and Party Spaces in Preferential

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    In this note we map the Irish policy space, locating both voters and parties on the most salient policy dimensions in Ireland. Estimates of the voter locations are based on the Irish National Election Survey (INES), conducted in 2002. Estimates of the party positions are based on an expert survey of party positions conducted by the authors in late 2002. We show that respondent self-placements on a priori policy scales are highly biased and difficult to interpret, and we rely instead on building scale positions for respondents from their answers to relevant attitude questions in the INES. The results provide a methodological template for locating voters and parties in a common space – a significant problem for any analyst who wants to create an empirical elaboration of a spatial model of party competition.

    On a reduction procedure for Horn inequalities in finite von Neumann algebras

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    We consider the analogues of the Horn inequalities in finite von Neumann algebras, which concern the possible spectral distributions of sums a+ba+b of self--adjoint elements aa and bb in a finite von Neumann algebra. It is an open question whether all of these Horn inequalities must hold in all finite von Neumann algebras, and this is related to Connes' embedding problem. For each choice of integers 1rn1\le r\le n, there is a set TrnT^n_r of Horn triples, and the Horn inequalities are in one-to-one correspondence with 1rnTrn\cup_{1\le r\le n}T^n_r. We consider a property Pn_n, analogous to one introduced by Therianos and Thompson in the case of matrices, amounting to the existence of projections having certain properties relative to arbitrary flags, which guarantees that a given Horn inequality holds in all finite von Neumann algebras. It is an open question whether all Horn triples in TrnT^n_r have property Pn_n. Certain triples in TrnT^n_r can be reduced to triples in Trn1T^{n-1}_r by an operation we call {\em TT--reduction}. We show that property Pn_n holds for the original triple if property Pn1_{n-1} holds for the reduced one. We then characterize the TT--irreducible Horn triples in T3nT^n_3, for arbitrary nn, and for those LR--minimal ones (namely, those having Littlewood--Richardson coefficient equal to 1), we perform a construction of projections with respect to flags in arbitrary von Neumann algebras in order to prove property Pn_n for them. This shows that all LR--minimal triples in n3T3n\cup_{n\ge3}T^n_3 have property Pn_n, and so that the corresponding Horn inequalities hold in all finite von Neumann algebras.Comment: 39 page

    Business Planning for New Ventures

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    Table of contents: Assessing Entrepreneurial Aptitude -- Identifying Sources of Capital -- Selecting a Legal Structure -- Preparing the Business Plan -- Presenting the Plan to Capital Providers -- Glossary

    Custom foot orthoses improve performance, but do not modify the biomechanical manifestation of fatigue, during repeated treadmill sprints

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    From PubMed via Jisc Publications RouterWe determined the effect of custom foot orthotics manufactured from ethyl-vinyl acetate (EVA) and expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) materials, both compared to a control condition (CON; shoes only) during repeated sprints on running mechanical alterations. Eighteen males performed eight, 5-s sprints with 25-s recovery on an instrumented sprint treadmill in three footwear conditions (EVA, TPU and CON). Mechanical data consisted of continuous (step-by-step) measurement of running kinetics and kinematics, which were averaged for each sprint for further analysis. Distance ran in 5 s decreased from first to last sprint (P < 0.001), yet with higher sprints 1-8 values for both EVA (P = 0.004) and TPU (P = 0.018) versus CON. Regardless of footwear condition, mean horizontal forces, step frequency, vertical and leg stiffness decreased from sprint 1 to sprint 8 (all P < 0.001). Duration of the propulsive phase was globally shorter for both EVA (P = 0.002) and TPU (P = 0.021) versus CON, while braking phase duration was similar (P = 0.919). In the horizontal direction, peak propulsive (P < 0.001), but not braking (P = 0.172), forces also decreased from sprint 1 to sprint 8, independently of conditions. Compared to shoe only, wearing EVA or TPU custom foot orthotics improved repeated treadmill sprint ability, yet provided similar fatigue-induced changes in mechanical outcomes.120inpressinpres

    Optometric Care of the Patient with Diabetes

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    The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) is the national voice of&nbsp;optometry and is dedicated to collaboratively advancing the highest standard&nbsp;of primary eye care through the promotion of optimal vision and eye&nbsp;health, in partnership with all Canadians. Optometrists are the front line of eye health and vision care. They are experts&nbsp;in primary eye care and are well-positioned to help combat the vision related&nbsp;complications of diabetes. CAO assembled the Diabetes Guidelines Working Group to create national&nbsp;guidelines on the clinical management of diabetes mellitus in an effort to&nbsp;further educate Canadian optometrists and assist them in the management&nbsp;of this chronic disease. The Working Group consists of optometrists from&nbsp;private practice, research and academia, chosen on the basis of their expertise,&nbsp;experience and representation from across Canada
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