Searching by approximate personal-name matching

We discuss the design, building and evaluation of a method to access theinformation of a person, using his name as a search key, even if it has deformations. We present a similarity function, the DEA function, based on the probabilities of the edit operations accordingly to the involved letters and their position, and using a variable threshold. The efficacy of DEA is quantitatively evaluated, without human relevance judgments, very superior to the efficacy of known methods. A very efficient approximate search technique for the DEA function is also presented based on a compacted trie-tree structure.Postprint (published version

Local inverse scattering at fixed energy in spherically symmetric asymptotically hyperbolic manifolds

In this paper, we adapt the well-known \emph{local} uniqueness results of Borg-Marchenko type in the inverse problems for one dimensional Schr{\"o}dinger equation to prove \emph{local} uniqueness results in the setting of inverse \emph{metric} problems. More specifically, we consider a class of spherically symmetric manifolds having two asymptotically hyperbolic ends and study the scattering properties of massless Dirac waves evolving on such manifolds. Using the spherical symmetry of the model, the stationary scattering is encoded by a countable family of one-dimensional Dirac equations. This allows us to define the corresponding transmission coefficients $T(\lambda,n)$ and reflection coefficients $L(\lambda,n)$ and $R(\lambda,n)$ of a Dirac wave having a fixed energy $\lambda$ and angular momentum $n$. For instance, the reflection coefficients $L(\lambda,n)$ correspond to the scattering experiment in which a wave is sent from the \emph{left} end in the remote past and measured in the same left end in the future. The main result of this paper is an inverse uniqueness result local in nature. Namely, we prove that for a fixed $\lambda \not=0$, the knowledge of the reflection coefficients $L(\lambda,n)$ (resp. $R(\lambda,n)$) - up to a precise error term of the form $O(e^{-2nB})$ with B\textgreater{}0 - determines the manifold in a neighbourhood of the left (resp. right) end, the size of this neighbourhood depending on the magnitude $B$ of the error term. The crucial ingredients in the proof of this result are the Complex Angular Momentum method as well as some useful uniqueness results for Laplace transforms.Comment: 24 page

Experiments on applying relaxation labeling to map multilingual hierarchies

This paper explores the automatic construction of a multilingual Lexical Knowledge Base from preexisting lexical resources. This paper presents a new approach for linking already existing hierarchies. The Relaxation labeling algorithm is used to select --among all the candidate connections proposed by a bilingual dictionary-- the right conection for each node in the taxonomy.Postprint (published version

Regional Integration and the Location of FDI

This paper studies the impact of regional integration agreements (RIAs) on the location of foreign direct investment (FDI), using data on bilateral outward FDI stocks from the OECD International Direct Investment Statistics. The dataset covers FDI from 20 source countries, all of them from the OECD, to 60 host countries, from 1982 through 1999. Using panel data analysis with country-pair fixed effects, we find that common membership in an RIA with a source country increases FDI from that source by around 27 percent. Countries that are more open, and whose factor proportions differ more from those in the source country are likely to benefit more, as they tend to receive FDI of the vertical variety, which responds more favorably to integration. We also find that the increase in the size of the market associated with regional integration initiatives contributes to attract more FDI to the RIA as a whole. However, only the countries in the RIA that offer a more attractive overall environment for FDI are likely to be winners in this game. Finally, we also find evidence of a small FDI diversion effect. Our results suggest that regional integration, on average, contributes to attracting FDI, but the benefits are unlikely to be distributed evenly.

The FTAA And The Location Of FDI

The role of regional integration agreements as a determinant of the location of FDI has become an increasingly relevant issue for emerging economies. In Latin America, the largest effects are likely to be associated with the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). In this regard, there are a number of highly relevant questions: For instance, what effect will the FTAA have on FDI from the US and Canada to Latin American countries? How will it affect FDI from the rest of the world? What are the implications for a country such as Mexico, whose preferential access to the US may be diluted? Should we expect to see winners and losers, and if so, what determines whether a particular country wins or loses? To address these questions, in this paper we look at the impact of regional integration on FDI, and attempt to derive conclusions regarding the likely impact of the FTAA on countries in Latin America

Emerging Market Business Cycles Revisited: Learning about the Trend

We build an equilibrium business cycle model in which agents cannot perfectly distinguish between the permanent and transitory components of TFP shocks and learn about those components using the Kalman filter. Calibrated to Mexico, the model predicts a higher variability of consumption relative to output and a strongly negative correlation between the trade balance and output for a wide range of variability and persistence of permanent shocks vis-a-vis the transitory shocks. Moreover, our estimation for Mexico and Canada suggests more severe informational frictions in emerging markets than in developed economies.emerging markets, business cycles, learning, Kalman filter

A review of cases of motor neurone disease seen at Groote Schuur Hospital from 2005 to 2010

Includes bibliographical references.Motor neurone disease (MND) is a rare progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which selective degeneration of the motor neurones of the brain and spinal cord occurs. Progressive weakness of limb, bulbar and respiratory muscles eventually results in death. Most descriptive and epidemiological studies of MND have been performed in the industrialized countries of Europe and North America. We know very little about the incidence or prevalence of MND in Africa in general and South Africa in particular. However, anecdotal evidence based on observations by clinicians in the neurology and geriatric medical clinics at Groote Schuur Hospital suggest that the condition is not uncommonly seen, even in younger patients. Furthermore, many cases appear to originate from the West Coast area of the Western Cape. The proposed study aimed at describing the demographic and clinical characteristics of MND seen at Groote Schuur Hospital between 2005 and 2010. I hypothesized that disease duration, measured from age of onset of first symptoms to death, would be shorter in patients with bulbar-onset disease, in younger-onset disease, and in patients with higher CSF protein and blood creatine kinase levels at baseline. Furthermore, age of onset of the disease would be younger in familial compared with sporadic MND. I also hypothesized that smoking and certain occupational exposures might be risk factors for MND, that there would be a male preponderance of the disease, and that a disproportionate number of cases would come from the West Coast region. This was a retrospective study. I reviewed the clinical notes of cases of motor neurone disease and collected data relevant to the aims and hypotheses described above. I applied the El Escorial diagnostic criteria for MND to check the validity of the diagnoses. Mortality data were obtained through the Burden of Diseases Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council. Forty eight patients were identified who met El Escorial criteria for the diagnosis of probable or definite MND. The median age of onset of the disease was 54 (IQR 47-63) and the mean duration of the disease from earliest symptoms to death was 2 years (IQR 1-3). These did not differ significantly between bulbar and limb-onset disease sub-types. There was a male preponderance of the disease (60%) and the majority of patients (60%) were smokers. African patients tended to have a younger age of onset. Occupations involving potential exposure to chemicals were disproportionately represented in the MND patients compared with the general population of the Western Cape. People from the West Coast region were not disproportionately represented in the patient population. Baseline CSF protein and serum creatine kinase levels were not associated with disease duration. The characteristics of MND cases seen at Groote Schuur Hospital between 2005 and 2010 are similar to those described in the world literature. Smoking and chemical exposure may be risk factors for the disease. There was no evidence of clustering of cases. This study will serve as the basis for future larger prospective studies on MND prevalence and aetiology in South Africa