An Experimental Investigation of Colonel Blotto Games

"This article examines behavior in the two-player, constant-sum Colonel Blotto game with asymmetric resources in which players maximize the expected number of battlefields won. The experimental results support all major theoretical predictions. In the auction treatment, where winning a battlefield is deterministic, disadvantaged players use a 'guerilla warfare' strategy which stochastically allocates zero resources to a subset of battlefields. Advantaged players employ a 'stochastic complete coverage' strategy, allocating random, but positive, resource levels across the battlefields. In the lottery treatment, where winning a battlefield is probabilistic, both players divide their resources equally across all battlefields." (author's abstract)"Dieser Artikel untersucht das Verhalten von Individuen in einem 'constant-sum Colonel Blotto'-Spiel zwischen zwei Spielern, bei dem die Spieler mit unterschiedlichen Ressourcen ausgestattet sind und die erwartete Anzahl gewonnener Schlachtfelder maximieren. Die experimentellen Ergebnisse bestätigen alle wichtigen theoretischen Vorhersagen. Im Durchgang, in dem wie in einer Auktion der Sieg in einem Schlachtfeld deterministisch ist, wenden die Spieler, die sich im Nachteil befinden, eine 'Guerillataktik' an, und verteilen ihre Ressourcen stochastisch auf eine Teilmenge der Schlachtfelder. Spieler mit einem Vorteil verwenden eine Strategie der 'stochastischen vollständigen Abdeckung', indem sie zufällig eine positive Ressourcenmenge auf allen Schlachtfeldern positionieren. Im Durchgang, in dem sich der Gewinn eines Schlachtfeldes probabilistisch wie in einer Lotterie bestimmt, teilen beide Spieler ihre Ressourcen gleichmäßig auf alle Schlachtfelder auf." (Autorenreferat

Single-particle and collective excitations in Zn 66

Single-particle and collective excitations in Zn66 have been investigated via the multinucleon transfer reaction, Mg26(Ca48, α4nγ) using the Gammasphere multidetector array and the Fragment Mass Analyzer. In addition to confirming and complementing the previously known low-spin structure, a new quasirotational band comprising several stretched E2 transitions has been established to high spins. However, due to fragmentary nature of its decay, it was not possible to link this sequence to the low-lying states and, thus, determine the absolute excitation energies, spins, and parities unambiguously. Large-scale shell-model calculations employing the JUN45 and jj44b effective interactions are able to successfully describe the low-spin structure and herewith confirm that it is dominated by single-particle excitations. The newly established rotational cascade is compared with known superdeformed bands in the A≈60-70 mass region, and with results of calculations performed within the frameworks of the cranked shell model and the adiabatic and configuration-fixed constrained covariant density functional theory and the quantum particle-rotor model

Single-particle and dipole excitations in Co 62

An extensive study of the level structure of Co62 has been performed following a complex multinucleon transfer reaction, Mg26(Ca48, 2α3npγ)Co62, at beam energies of 275, 290, and 320 MeV. The combination of the Gammasphere array, the fragment mass analyzer, and a focal-plane ionization chamber was used to identify and delineate excited levels in Co62. A considerable extension to the Co62 level scheme is proposed with firm spin-parity values assigned on the basis of angular distribution and correlation analyses. Various level sequences built upon states of single-particle character have been observed, and an interpretation of these structures in the framework of the spherical shell model is presented. At moderate spins, two dipole bands have been observed and, based on their phenomenological study, a possible magnetic rotation character is suggested. However, theoretical calculations performed using the particle rotor model support magnetic rotation for only one of these dipole bands

Evidence for octupole vibration in the triaxial superdeformed well of Lu164

High-spin states in Lu164 were populated in the Sb121(Ca48,5n) reaction at 215 MeV and γ-ray coincidences were measured with the Gammasphere spectrometer. Through this experiment the eight known triaxial superdeformed bands in Lu164 could be confirmed. Some of these bands were extended to higher as well as to lower spins. Evidence is reported for the first time for weak ΔI=1,E1 transitions linking TSD3 and TSD1. This observation may imply coupling to octupole vibrational degrees of freedom. The decay mechanism is different from the one observed in the neighboring even-N isotopes, which exhibit wobbling excitations built on the πi13/2 structure with E2(M1),ΔI=1 interband decay. An additional sequence decaying at high spin into TSD1 was observed up to Iπ=(50-). This band has a constant dynamic moment of inertia of ∼70 2MeV-1 and an alignment that is ∼2 larger than that found for TSD1. A revision of the assumed spin-parity-assignment of TSD2 is based on the observed decay-out to normal-deformed structures. The parity and signature quantum numbers of TSD2 are now firmly assigned as (π,α)=(+,0), in disagreement with the former assignment of (π,α)=(-,1), which was based on the assumption that TSD2 is the signature partner of TSD1. TSD1 and TSD2 show an alignment gain at ω∼0.67 and 0.60 MeV, respectively. In TSD1 the involvement of the j15/2 neutron orbital is suggested to be responsible for the high-frequency crossing

Effectiveness of single-dose rifampicin after BCG vaccination to prevent leprosy in close contacts of patients with newly diagnosed leprosy: A cluster randomized controlled trial

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of single-dose rifampicin (SDR) after bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination in preventing leprosy in contacts. Methods: This was a single-centre, cluster-randomized controlled trial at a leprosy control programme in northwest Bangladesh. Participants were the 14 988 contacts of 1552 new leprosy patients who were randomized into the SDR − arm (n = 7379) and the SDR + arm (n = 7609). In the intervention group, BCG vaccination was followed by SDR 8–12 weeks later. In the control group, BCG vaccination only was given. Follow-up was performed at 1 year and 2 years after intake. The main outcome measure was the occurrence of leprosy. Results: The incidence rate per 10 000 person-years at risk was 44 in the SDR − arm and 31 in the SDR + arm at 1 year; the incidence rate was 34 in the SDR − arm and 41 in the SDR + arm at 2 years. There was a statistically non-significant (p = 0.148; 42%) reduction for paucibacillary (PB) leprosy in the SDR+ arm at 1 year. Of all new cases, 33.6% appeared within 8–12 weeks after BCG vaccination. Conclusions: In the first year, SDR after BCG vaccination reduced the incidence of PB leprosy among contacts by 42%. This was a statistically non-significant reduction due to the limited number of cases after SDR was administered. To what extent SDR suppresses excess leprosy cases after BCG vaccination is difficult to establish because many cases appeared before the SDR intervention. Trial registration: Netherlands Trial Register: NTR3087

Exploring the stability of super heavy elements: First measurement of the fission barrier of 254No

The gamma-ray multiplicity and total energy emitted by the heavy nucleus 254No have been measured at 2 different beam energies. From these measurements, the initial distributions of spin I and excitation energy E * of 254No were constructed. The distributions display a saturation in excitation energy, which allows a direct determination of the fission barrier. 254No is the heaviest shell-stabilized nucleus with a measured fission barrier. © Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2014

High-spin spectroscopy in Xe125

Levels excited up to 39.8 MeV and 119/2 units of angular momentum have been populated in Xe125 by the 82Se(Ca48,5n)Xe125 reaction. High-fold γ-ray coincidence events were measured using the Gammasphere Ge detector array. Nine regular rotational bands extending from levels identified previously up to almost 60ℏ have been identified, and three of these have been connected to low-lying levels having well-established spins and parities. Configurations have been assigned to six of the bands based on alignment properties, band crossings, and comparison with theoretical cranked shell model calculations (CSM). Transition quadrupole moments have been measured for these bands in the spin range 31-55ℏ and were found to be in agreement with the CSM calculations. The corresponding quadrupole deformation ε2 ranges from 0.28 to 0.34 at a γ deformation of 0° and from 0.29 to 0.36 at a γ value of 5°

Role of the νg9/2 orbital in the development of collectivity in the A≈60 region: The case of Co 61

An extensive study of the level structure of Co61 has been performed following the complex Mg26(Ca48,2α4npγ)Co61 reaction at beam energies of 275, 290, and 320 MeV using Gammasphere and the Fragment Mass Analyzer (FMA). The low-spin structure is discussed within the framework of shell-model calculations using the GXPF1A effective interaction. Two quasirotational bands consisting of stretched-E2 transitions have been established up to spins I=41/2 and (43/2), and excitation energies of ∼17 and ∼20 MeV, respectively. These are interpreted as signature partners built on a neutron ν(g9/2)2 configuration coupled to a proton πp3/2 state, based on cranked shell model (CSM) calculations and comparisons with observations in neighboring nuclei. In addition, four ΔI=1 bands were populated to high spin, with the yrast dipole band interpreted as a possible candidate for the shears mechanism, a process seldom observed thus far in this mass region

Single-particle and collective excitations in Ni 62

Background: Level sequences of rotational character have been observed in several nuclei in the A=60 mass region. The importance of the deformation-driving πf7/2 and νg9/2 orbitals on the onset of nuclear deformation is stressed. Purpose: A measurement was performed in order to identify collective rotational structures in the relatively neutron-rich Ni62 isotope. Method: The Mg26(Ca48,2α4nγ)Ni62 complex reaction at beam energies between 275 and 320 MeV was utilized. Reaction products were identified in mass (A) and charge (Z) with the fragment mass analyzer (FMA) and γ rays were detected with the Gammasphere array. Results: Two collective bands, built upon states of single-particle character, were identified and sizable deformation was assigned to both sequences based on the measured transitional quadrupole moments, herewith quantifying the deformation at high spin. Conclusions: Based on cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations and comparisons with deformed bands in the A=60 mass region, the two rotational bands are understood as being associated with configurations involving multiple f7/2 protons and g9/2 neutrons, driving the nucleus to sizable prolate deformation