A Hierarchical Bayesian Model of Pitch Framing

Since the advent of high-resolution pitch tracking data (PITCHf/x), many in the sabermetrics community have attempted to quantify a Major League Baseball catcher's ability to "frame" a pitch (i.e. increase the chance that a pitch is called as a strike). Especially in the last three years, there has been an explosion of interest in the "art of pitch framing" in the popular press as well as signs that teams are considering framing when making roster decisions. We introduce a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate each umpire's probability of calling a strike, adjusting for pitch participants, pitch location, and contextual information like the count. Using our model, we can estimate each catcher's effect on an umpire's chance of calling a strike.We are then able to translate these estimated effects into average runs saved across a season. We also introduce a new metric, analogous to Jensen, Shirley, and Wyner's Spatially Aggregate Fielding Evaluation metric, which provides a more honest assessment of the impact of framing

Effective Operator Treatment of the Lipkin Model

We analyze the Lipkin Model using effective operator techniques. We present both analytical and numerical results for effective Hamiltonians. The accuracy of the cluster approximation is investigated.Comment: To appear in Phys.Rev.

Searching for an anomalous tˉqγ\bar t q \gamma coupling via single top quark production at a γγ\gamma\gamma collider

We investigate the potential of a high-energy $\gamma\gamma$ collider to detect an anomalous $\bar t q \gamma$ coupling from observation of the reaction $\gamma \gamma \to t\bar q$, $\bar t q$, where $q=c$ or $u$. We find that with $b$-tagging and suitable kinematic cuts this process should be observable if the anomalous coupling $\kappa/\Lambda$ is no less than about 0.05/TeV, where $\Lambda$ is the scale of new physics associated with the anomalous interaction. This improves upon the bound possible from observation of top decays at the Tevatron.Comment: 13 pages, RevTeX, 1 PS figur

The Pierre Auger Observatory: Results on Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays

The focus of this article is on recent results on ultra-high energy cosmic rays obtained with the Pierre Auger Observatory. The world's largest instrument of this type and its performance are described. The observations presented here include the energy spectrum, the primary particle composition, limits on the fluxes of photons and neutrinos and a discussion of the anisotropic distribution of the arrival directions of the most energetic particles. Finally, plans for the construction of a Northern Auger Observatory in Colorado, USA, are discussed.Comment: Proceedings of the International Workshop on Advances in Cosmic Ray Science, Waseda University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, March 2008; to be published in the Journal of the Physical Society of Japan (JPSJ) supplemen

Temperature- and Bias-dependence of magnetoresistance in doped manganite thin film trilayer junctions

Thin film trilayer junction of La$$Sr$_{0.33}$MnO$_3$ - SrTiO$_3$ - La$_{0.67}$Sr$_{0.33}$MnO$_3$ shows a factor of 9.7 change in resistance, in a magnetic field around 100 Oe at 14K. The junction magnetoresistance is bias and temperature dependent. The energy scales associated with bias and temperature dependence are an order of magnitude apart. The same set of energies also determine the bias and temperature dependence of the differential conductance of the junction. We discuss these results in terms of metallic cluster inclusions at the junction-barrier interface.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figure

Information technology and productivity : evidence from India's manufacturing sector

While India's remarkable performance in IT software and service exports may be inspirational for other Indian industries and more so for other countries in the south, the moot question is how has India fared in terms of harnessing this technology for enhancing manufacturing productivity. This paper is an attempt at addressing this issue by analyzing an unpublished data set on the investment in computers and software at the industry level made available by the CSO. The study finds that low level of IT investment intensity in the manufacturing sector notwithstanding, IT investment does have a positive and significant impact on both partial and total factor productivity. The findings of the paper suggest that in a context wherein the policy makers are concerned with low levels of growth in manufacturing output and productivity, policy measures and institutional interventions towards promoting IT diffusion in the manufacturing sector is likely to give rich dividends. Key words: India, Information Technology, Productivity, Manufacturing Sector. JEL Classification No: L6, D24, O1

Moderate temperature rechargeable sodium batteries

Cells utilizing the organic electrolyte, NaI in triglyme, operated at approx. 130 C with Na(+) - intercalating cathodes. However, their rate and stability were inadequate. NaAlCl4 was found to be a highly useful electrolyte for cell operation at 165-190 C. Na(+) intercalating chalcogenides reacted with NaAlCl4 during cycling to form stable phases. Thus, VS2 became essentially VS2Cl, with reversible capacity of approx 2.8 e(-)/V, and a mid-discharge voltage of approx 2.5V and 100 deep discharge cycles were readily achieved. A positive electrode consisting of VCl3 and S plus NaAlCl4 was subjected to deep-discharge cycles 300 times and it demonstrated identity with the in-situ-formed BSxCly cathode. NiS2 and NiS which are not Na(+)-intercalating structures formed highly reversible electrodes in NaAlCl4. The indicated discharge mechanism implies a theoretical capacity 4e(-)/Ni for NiS2 and 2e(-)/Ni for NiS. The mid-discharge potentials are, respectively, 2.4V and 2.1V. A Na/NiS2 cell cycling at a C/5 rate has exceeded 500 deep discharge cycles with 2.5e(-)/Ni average utilization. A 4 A-hr nominal capacity prototype Na/NiS2 cell was tested at 190 C. It was voluntarily terminated after 80 cycles. Further development, particularly of cathode structure and hardware should produce a battery capable of at least 50-W-hr/lb and more than 1000 cycles

Taxonomy of the fishes of the family Leiognathidae (Pisces, Teleostei) from the West coast of India

Taxonomy of the fishes of the family Leiognathidae (Pisces, Teleostei) from the West coast of Indi