Higher Order Graviton Scattering in M(atrix) Theory

In matrix theory the effective action for graviton-graviton scattering is a double expansion in the relative velocity and inverse separation. We discuss the systematics of this expansion and subject matrix theory to a new test. Low energy supergravity predicts the coefficient of the $v^6/r^{14}$ term, a two-loop effect, in agreement with explicit matrix model calculation.Comment: 15 pages, 1 epsf figure, LaTeX. Minor change

The Deep Lens Survey Transient Search I : Short Timescale and Astrometric Variability

We report on the methodology and first results from the Deep Lens Survey transient search. We utilize image subtraction on survey data to yield all sources of optical variability down to 24th magnitude. Images are analyzed immediately after acquisition, at the telescope and in near-real time, to allow for followup in the case of time-critical events. All classes of transients are posted to the web upon detection. Our observing strategy allows sensitivity to variability over several decades in timescale. The DLS is the first survey to classify and report all types of photometric and astrometric variability detected, including solar system objects, variable stars, supernovae, and short timescale phenomena. Three unusual optical transient events were detected, flaring on thousand-second timescales. All three events were seen in the B passband, suggesting blue color indices for the phenomena. One event (OT 20020115) is determined to be from a flaring Galactic dwarf star of spectral type dM4. From the remaining two events, we find an overall rate of \eta = 1.4 events deg-2 day-1 on thousand-second timescales, with a 95% confidence limit of \eta < 4.3. One of these events (OT 20010326) originated from a compact precursor in the field of galaxy cluster Abell 1836, and its nature is uncertain. For the second (OT 20030305) we find strong evidence for an extended extragalactic host. A dearth of such events in the R passband yields an upper 95% confidence limit on short timescale astronomical variability between 19.5 < R < 23.4 of \eta_R < 5.2. We report also on our ensemble of astrometrically variable objects, as well as an example of photometric variability with an undetected precursor.Comment: 24 pages, 12 figures, 3 tables. Accepted for publication in ApJ. Variability data available at http://dls.bell-labs.com/transients.htm

Coherent Control of Vibrational State Population in a Nonpolar Molecule

A coherent control scheme for the population distribution in the vibrational states of nonpolar molecules is proposed. Our theoretical analysis and results of numerical simulations for the interaction of the hydrogen molecular ion in its electronic ground state with an infrared laser pulse reveal a selective two-photon transition between the vibrational states via a coupling with the first excited dissociative state. We demonstrate that for a given temporal intensity profile the population transfer between vibrational states, or a superposition of vibrational states, can be made complete for a single chirped pulse or a train of chirped pulses, which accounts for the accumulated phase difference due to the AC Stark effect. Effects of a spatial intensity (or, focal) averaging are discussed

Medi-Cal Versus Employer-Based Coverage: Comparing Access to Care

This report takes a close look at access to care under Medi-Cal for nonelderly adults and children on the eve of Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation. Using data from the 2012 and 2013 California Health Interview Surveys (CHIS), the research examines a total of 49 measures (45 on realized and potential access and 4 on health status and health behaviors) for nonelderly adults and 31 measures (28 on realized and potential access and 3 on health status and behaviors) for children.For adults, access under Medi-Cal is compared to access under employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) overall; among Medi-Cal enrollees, access is compared across subgroups defined by region, race/ethnicity, language, and other dimensions. For children, access under Medi-Cal and Healthy Families together (referred hereafter simply as "Medi-Cal") is compared against access under ESI. To account for differences in health status and socioeconomic status between those with Medi-Cal and those with ESI, for each measure, three sets of analyses are presented: unadjusted percentages, predicted percentages adjusted for health care need, and predicted percentages adjusted for both health care need and socioeconomic status. The same approach is used in the analysis of regional and subgroup differences within the Medi-Cal population