Block diagonalization for algebra's associated with block codes

For a matrix *-algebra B, consider the matrix *-algebra A consisting of the symmetric tensors in the n-fold tensor product of B. Examples of such algebras in coding theory include the Bose-Mesner algebra and Terwilliger algebra of the (non)binary Hamming cube, and algebras arising in SDP-hierarchies for coding bounds using moment matrices. We give a computationally efficient block diagonalization of A in terms of a given block diagonalization of B, and work out some examples, including the Terwilliger algebra of the binary- and nonbinary Hamming cube. As a tool we use some basic facts about representations of the symmetric group.Comment: 16 page

Francesco Azopardi : a Maltese musician and theorist : new evidence about his career and didactic writings

Francesco Azopardi (1748-1809) lived in Malta during the second half of the eighteenth century. He was professionally trained in Naples for four years and remained in this city working as a composer, teacher and conductor until 1774. The Cathedral authorities subsequently employed Azopardi in Malta as an organist. His duties included composition, playing the organ and teaching singers. Azopardi's workload increased significantly following the retirement of his predecessor Benigno Zerafa. Azopardi was a prolific composer and he composed new music regularly for the liturgical services of the Cathedral Church. In addition, he taught many students including Nicolo lsouard and produced two important composition treatises for his students.peer-reviewe

Trade, growth and geography: A synthetic

Economic integration affects economic development through two main channels: growth and localization of the economic activities. The theories of endogenous growth and economic geography enable us to understand these mechanisms. We study in this paper their similarities and specificities before suggesting their useful combination within a single model. Indeed, both theories are based on the same Spence-Dixit-Stiglitz monopolistic competition framework. However, they suggest two different approaches to deal with the impact of economic integration. We consider that a third path, by proposing a synthetic approach, better answers the issues raised in terms of economic convergence and divergence by these two sets of models

Regional integration and economic development: An empirical approach

This paper contributes to the empirical literature by providing a quantitative measurement of the influence of regional trade integration on productivity. For this purpose we address the link between trade and productivity thanks to knowledge spillovers in a multi-country model. The interdependence that connects countries in an international web promotes exchanges of goods, services, people, capital and hence ideas, knowledge, innovation, and technology. Economic integration encourages thus both new ideas and their diffusion. We observe that a country’s productivity depends on its own R&D efforts as well as the R&D efforts of its trading partners. These R&D spillovers can then spread across countries and sectors. Thanks to the transfer of technology allowed by bilateral trade and investment, regional trade integration has a positive impact on long-term growth

Regional integration and economic development: A theoretical approach

We use a model of combined endogenous growth and economic geography to study the impact of regional economic integration on the member and non-member countries of a regional union. Regional integration affects growth through interregional technology diffusion symbolized by knowledge spillovers generated at home and spreading to the partner countries. Spillovers flow from the leader to the follower. Following integration, the lagging country has access to a bigger stock of knowledge that fosters an increase in its rate of growth and extends the diversity of its products. Trade in goods - or in FDI - and flows of ideas are two faces of the same coin. We show that the progressive decrease in transaction costs through the phasing out of barriers to trade together with product imitation can foster growth and convergence in the member countries. However, in order to avoid eventual trade and investment diversions, the non-member should envisage to join the integrated zone

The history of ancient Palestine from the palaeolithic period to Alexander\u27s conquest

Reviewed Book: Ahlström, Gösta Werner. The history of ancient Palestine from the palaeolithic period to Alexander\u27s conquest. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress; Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1993

Study of leptoquark pair production at the LHC with the CMS detector

We study the discovery potential of the CMS detector for the scalar leptoquark pair production at the LHC. Present and future exclusion limits are considered. We find that the maximal leptoquark mass reach is about 1.47 TeV for the branching ratio of Br(LQ_l -> l q)=100 %, while for Br(LQ_l -> l q)=50 % the upper limit is 1.2 TeV for an integrated luminosity of 100 fb-1. We obtain comparable results for electron and muon-type leptoquarks. The pileup effect at high luminosity is discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, 4 tables, UNIX LaTe

Product Development 2.0

Web 2.0 principles will not only revolutionize the web experience, the design pattern and the business models of software companies. They can indeed be applied to a lot of industries for new approaches to product development. The web can be used to put users in control and co-create better and richer products in a reduced timeframe.web 2.0; user generated; product development and web as a platform