A Note on the Importance of Weak Convergence Rates for SPDE Approximations in Multilevel Monte Carlo Schemes

It is a well-known rule of thumb that approximations of stochastic partial differential equations have essentially twice the order of weak convergence compared to the corresponding order of strong convergence. This is already known for many approximations of stochastic (ordinary) differential equations while it is recent research for stochastic partial differential equations. In this note it is shown how the availability of weak convergence results influences the number of samples in multilevel Monte Carlo schemes and therefore reduces the computational complexity of these schemes for a given accuracy of the approximations.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figures, updated to version published in the Proceedings of MCQMC1

A digitalized solar ultraviolet spectrum

Digitalized solar ultraviolet spectrum obtained in rocket experiments for use in analysis of upper atmosphere experiment

Hitchhiking transport in quasi-one-dimensional systems

In the conventional theory of hopping transport the positions of localized electronic states are assumed to be fixed, and thermal fluctuations of atoms enter the theory only through the notion of phonons. On the other hand, in 1D and 2D lattices, where fluctuations prevent formation of long-range order, the motion of atoms has the character of the large scale diffusion. In this case the picture of static localized sites may be inadequate. We argue that for a certain range of parameters, hopping of charge carriers among localization sites in a network of 1D chains is a much slower process than diffusion of the sites themselves. Then the carriers move through the network transported along the chains by mobile localization sites jumping occasionally between the chains. This mechanism may result in temperature independent mobility and frequency dependence similar to that for conventional hopping.Comment: a few typos correcte

Lower dimensional volumes and the Kastler-Kalau-Walze type theorem for Manifolds with Boundary

In this paper, we define lower dimensional volumes of spin manifolds with boundary. We compute the lower dimensional volume ${\rm Vol}^{(2,2)}$ for 5-dimensional and 6-dimensional spin manifolds with boundary and we also get the Kastler-Kalau-Walze type theorem in this case

High-resolution observation of the Venus dayglow spectrum 1250-1430 angstroms

The spectrum of the dayglow of Venus between 1250 and 1430 A was measured in high resolution with the International Ultraviolet Explorer. Seven exposures which were made with the short wavelength camera in the high dispersion mode using the large aperture were combined to give a total exposure time of 309 min. The atomic oxygen lines at 1302.2, 1304.9, 1306.0, and 1355.6 A are present. In addition, the (14,3) and (14,4) bands of the carbon monoxide fourth positive system at 1317 and 1354 A respectively are identified. These bands are compared with synthetic spectra, showing the excitation mechanism to be fluorescent scattering of solar Lyman alpha radiation

Seasonal observation of Mars

The International Ultraviolet Explorer detected the Hartley bands of ozone in the spectrum of Mars. Seasonal observations show a variation in the north consistent with the measurement of Mariner 9. Observations during Martian late fall in the south were also made

Pentaquark searches at FOCUS

We find no evidence for high-energy photoproduction of pentaquarks at 1540 MeV/$c^2$, 1862 MeV/$c^2$, or 3099 MeV/$c^2$ using decay modes $pK_S^0$, $\Xi^-\pi^-$, and $D^{(*)-}p$, respectively.Comment: Proceedings from talk at 2004 DPF Meeting at University of California, Riversid

Naturalistic study on the effectiveness of psycho-oncological interventions in cancer patients and their partners

Background: There is evidence for the efficacy of psycho-oncological interventions (POI) in randomized controlled trials for cancer patients. Our objective was to explore, under naturalistic conditions (using propensity score matching), whether POI are effective to decrease anxiety, depression, distress and overall psychopathological symptoms within cancer patients and their partners. Methods: This study was conducted in the Oncology and Hematology Center of a University clinic in Switzerland with a group of 186 patients and 117 partners. Outcome measures of mental health were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Symptom Checklist (SCL-9-K). Repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to analyze change over time and group effects between individuals with POI vs. without POI. Results: Highly distressed patients and their partners participating in POI reported better mental health over time. Among moderately distressed patients, a decrease over time emerged in depression and distress independent of POI. No effectiveness of POI could be demonstrated in moderately distressed patients and partners. Conclusion: Most of the highly distressed patients receive additional POI and therefore conclusions about the efficacy of POI are difficult. For moderately distressed individuals, POI as implemented in Switzerland does not improve mental health in such patients and their partners, which may be caused by very time limited POI treatments. Studies with more intense POI treatments are neede