Coherent Manipulation of Quantum Delta-kicked Dynamics: Faster-than-classical Anomalous Diffusion

Large transporting regular islands are found in the classical phase space of a modified kicked rotor system in which the kicking potential is reversed after every two kicks. The corresponding quantum system, for a variety of system parameters and over long time scales, is shown to display energy absorption that is significantly faster than that associated with the underlying classical anomalous diffusion. The results are of interest to both areas of quantum chaos and quantum control.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Physical Review

The HII Region KR 140: Spontaneous Formation of a High Mass Star

We have used a multiwavelength data set from the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey (CGPS) to study the Galactic HII region KR 140, both on the scale of the nebula itself and in the context of the star forming activity in the nearby W3/W4/W5 complex of molecular clouds and HII regions. From both radio and infrared data we have found a covering factor of about 0.5 for KR 140 and we interpret the nebula as a bowl-shaped region viewed close to face on. Extinction measurements place the region on the near side of its parent molecular cloud. The nebula is kept ionized by one O8.5 V(e) star, VES 735, which is less than a few million years old. CO data show that VES 735 has disrupted much of the original molecular cloud for which the estimated mass and density are about 5000 $M_{\odot}$ and 100 cm$^{-3}$, respectively. KR 140 is isolated from the nearest star forming activity, in W3. Our data suggest that KR 140 is an example of spontaneous (i.e., non-triggered) formation of, unusually, a high mass star.Comment: 46 pages; includes 15 figures; accepted by the Ap

Recommendations for a core outcome set for measuring standing balance in adult populations: a consensus-based approach

Standing balance is imperative for mobility and avoiding falls. Use of an excessive number of standing balance measures has limited the synthesis of balance intervention data and hampered consistent clinical practice.To develop recommendations for a core outcome set (COS) of standing balance measures for research and practice among adults.A combination of scoping reviews, literature appraisal, anonymous voting and face-to-face meetings with fourteen invited experts from a range of disciplines with international recognition in balance measurement and falls prevention. Consensus was sought over three rounds using pre-established criteria.The scoping review identified 56 existing standing balance measures validated in adult populations with evidence of use in the past five years, and these were considered for inclusion in the COS.Fifteen measures were excluded after the first round of scoring and a further 36 after round two. Five measures were considered in round three. Two measures reached consensus for recommendation, and the expert panel recommended that at a minimum, either the Berg Balance Scale or Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test be used when measuring standing balance in adult populations.Inclusion of two measures in the COS may increase the feasibility of potential uptake, but poses challenges for data synthesis. Adoption of the standing balance COS does not constitute a comprehensive balance assessment for any population, and users should include additional validated measures as appropriate.The absence of a gold standard for measuring standing balance has contributed to the proliferation of outcome measures. These recommendations represent an important first step towards greater standardization in the assessment and measurement of this critical skill and will inform clinical research and practice internationally

The demographics of global corporate champions

This Working Paper presents a novel dataset documenting the demographics of the worldâ??s 500 largest companies by market capitalisation.The data illustrate a stark contrast between the main global economic regions. In Europe and Japan, large companies tend to be fairly old. In the United States, older champions coexist with a significant number of new ones. In emerging economies, most champions were born in the second half of the 20th century and reflect a rapid catch-up growth process.

Analysis of margin classification systems for assessing the risk of local recurrence after soft tissue sarcoma resection

Purpose: To compare the ability of margin classification systems to determine local recurrence (LR) risk after soft tissue sarcoma (STS) resection. Methods: Two thousand two hundred seventeen patients with nonmetastatic extremity and truncal STS treated with surgical resection and multidisciplinary consideration of perioperative radiotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. Margins were coded by residual tumor (R) classification (in which microscopic tumor at inked margin defines R1), the R+1mm classification (in which microscopic tumor within 1 mm of ink defines R1), and the Toronto Margin Context Classification (TMCC; in which positive margins are separated into planned close but positive at critical structures, positive after whoops re-excision, and inadvertent positive margins). Multivariate competing risk regression models were created. Results: By R classification, LR rates at 10-year follow-up were 8%, 21%, and 44% in R0, R1, and R2, respectively. R+1mm classification resulted in increased R1 margins (726 v 278, P < .001), but led to decreased LR for R1 margins without changing R0 LR; for R0, the 10-year LR rate was 8% (range, 7% to 10%); for R1, the 10-year LR rate was 12% (10% to 15%) . The TMCC also showed various LR rates among its tiers (P < .001). LR rates for positive margins on critical structures were not different from R0 at 10 years (11% v 8%, P = .18), whereas inadvertent positive margins had high LR (5-year, 28% [95% CI, 19% to 37%]; 10-year, 35% [95% CI, 25% to 46%]; P < .001). Conclusion: The R classification identified three distinct risk levels for LR in STS. An R+1mm classification reduced LR differences between R1 and R0, suggesting that a negative but < 1-mm margin may be adequate with multidisciplinary treatment. The TMCC provides additional stratification of positive margins that may aid in surgical planning and patient education

Computationally efficient recursions for top-order invariant polynomials with applications

The top-order zonal polynomials Ck(A),and top-order invariant polynomials Ck1,...,kr(A1,...,Ar)in which each of the partitions of ki,i = 1,..., r,has only one part, occur frequently in multivariate distribution theory, and econometrics - see, for example Phillips (1980, 1984, 1985, 1986), Hillier (1985, 2001), Hillier and Satchell (1986), and Smith (1989, 1993). However, even with the recursive algorithms of Ruben (1962) and Chikuse (1987), numerical evaluation of these invariant polynomials is extremely time consuming. As a result, the value of invariant polynomials has been largely confined to analytic work on distribution theory. In this paper we present new, very much more efficient, algorithms for computing both the top-order zonal and invariant polynomials. These results should make the theoretical results involving these functions much more valuable for direct practical study. We demonstrate the value of our results by providing fast and accurate algorithms for computing the moments of a ratio of quadratic forms in normal random variables.

Free L\'evy Processes on Dual Groups

We give a short introduction to the theory of L\'evy processes on dual groups. As examples we consider L\'evy processes with additive increments and L\'evy processes on the dual affine group.Comment: 12 pages, Extended abstract to be published in Mini-proceedings: Second MaPhySto Conference on ``L\'evy Processes - Theory and Applications,'' January 2002, Aarhus, Denmar

The Odonata of Isle Royale, Michigan

This paper presents a list of the Odonata recorded from Isle Royale National Park, located in northwestern Lake Superior. Collections from Isle Royale include 38 species of Anisoptera and 12 species of Zygoptera. The list is typical of the boreal regions of North America, and includes nine new records for Isle Royale and one new record for the state of Michigan

Health Benefits of Urban Agriculture

Health professionals increasingly recognize the value of farm-and garden-scale urban agriculture. Growing food and non-food crops in and near cities contributes to healthy communities by engaging residents in work and recreation that improves individual and public well-being. This article outlines the benefits of urban agriculture with regard to nutrition, food security, exercise, mental health, and social and physical urban environments. Potential risks are reviewed. Practical recommendations for health professionals to increase the positive benefits of urban agriculture are provided