On Effective Constraints for the Riemann-Lanczos System of Equations

There have been conflicting points of view concerning the Riemann--Lanczos problem in 3 and 4 dimensions. Using direct differentiation on the defining partial differential equations, Massa and Pagani (in 4 dimensions) and Edgar (in dimensions n > 2) have argued that there are effective constraints so that not all Riemann tensors can have Lanczos potentials; using Cartan's criteria of integrability of ideals of differential forms Bampi and Caviglia have argued that there are no such constraints in dimensions n < 5, and that, in these dimensions, all Riemann tensors can have Lanczos potentials. In this paper we give a simple direct derivation of a constraint equation, confirm explicitly that known exact solutions of the Riemann-Lanczos problem satisfy it, and argue that the Bampi and Caviglia conclusion must therefore be flawed. In support of this, we refer to the recent work of Dolan and Gerber on the three dimensional problem; by a method closely related to that of Bampi and Caviglia, they have found an 'internal identity' which we demonstrate is precisely the three dimensional version of the effective constraint originally found by Massa and Pagani, and Edgar.Comment: 9pages, Te

Canonical Filtrations of Gorenstein Injective Modules

The principle "Every result in classical homological algebra should have a counterpart in Gorenstein homological algebra" is given in [3]. There is a remarkable body of evidence supporting this claim (cf. [2] and [3]). Perhaps one of the most glaring exceptions is provided by the fact that tensor products of Gorenstein projective modules need not be Gorenstein projective, even over Gorenstein rings. So perhaps it is surprising that tensor products of Gorenstein injective modules over Gorenstein rings of finite Krull dimension are Gorenstein injective. Our main result is in support of the principle. Over commutative, noetherian rings injective modules have direct sum decompositions into indecomposable modules. We will show that Gorenstein injective modules over Gorenstein rings of finite Krull dimension have filtrations analogous to those provided by these decompositions. This result will then provide us with the tools to prove that all tensor products of Gorenstein injective modules over these rings are Gorenstein injective.Comment: 9 pages; It has been accepted for publication in Proceedings of the American Mathematical Societ

Density Functional Theory of a Curved Liquid-Vapour Interface: Evaluation of the rigidity constants

It is argued that to arrive at a quantitative description of the surface tension of a liquid drop as a function of its inverse radius, it is necessary to include the bending rigidity k and Gaussian rigidity k_bar in its description. New formulas for k and k_bar in the context of density functional theory with a non-local, integral expression for the interaction between molecules are presented. These expressions are used to investigate the influence of the choice of Gibbs dividing surface and it is shown that for a one-component system, the equimolar surface has a special status in the sense that both k and k_bar are then the least sensitive to a change in the location of the dividing surface. Furthermore, the equimolar value for k corresponds to its maximum value and the equimolar value for k_bar corresponds to its minimum value. An explicit evaluation using a short-ranged interaction potential between molecules, shows that k is negative with a value around minus 0.5-1.0 kT and that k_bar is positive with a value which is a bit more than half the magnitude of k. Finally, for dispersion forces between molecules, we show that a term proportional to log(R)/R^2 replaces the rigidity constants and we determine the (universal) proportionality constants.Comment: 28 pages; 5 figures; accepted for publication in J. Phys.: Condens. Matter (2013

Gobierno Corporativo en Costa Rica

(Disponible en idioma inglés únicamente) En este trabajo se analizan las prácticas de conducción empresarial en Costa Rica. En primer lugar, se calculan las medidas de conducción empresarial constitutivas empleando datos específicos de 87 compañías costarricenses, y se analizan sus efectos en su desempeño; aquí, la media de la conducción empresarial constitutiva de compañías cotizadas en bolsa es igual a 56. 14. En segundo lugar, se presentan nuevos elementos de juicio sobre las medidas constitutivas de la conducción empresarial de jure y de facto al nivel de compañía y sobre sus repercusiones en el desempeño de las mismas. Los resultados indican que la conducción empresarial de facto es mejor que la conducción empresarial de jure. Estos resultados sugieren que las compañías deben aplicar un conjunto de medidas adicionales para compensar la debilidad del entorno jurídico. Además, se presentan indicios de que una mejor gestión de conducción empresarial y medidas constitutivas se vinculan con un desempeño superior de la empresa. En tercer lugar, en este trabajo se analizan los factores que controlan en última instancia a las empresas cotizadas y no cotizadas en bolsa, y se establecen vínculos entre ellas y sus políticas de dividendos. Las empresas familiares son corrientes en Costa Rica y no necesariamente se vinculan con un mejor desempeño empresarial. En cuarto lugar, se estudia la evolución de la propiedad de compañías en Costa Rica. Por último se analizan cambios del Código de Comercio desde el punto de vista de la buena conducción empresarial.

Two-photon imaging through a multimode fiber

In this work we demonstrate 3D imaging using two-photon excitation through a 20 cm long multimode optical fiber (MMF) of 350 micrometers diameter. The imaging principle is similar to single photon fluorescence through a MMF, except that a focused femtosecond pulse is delivered and scanned over the sample. In our approach, focusing and scanning through the fiber is accomplished by digital phase conjugation using mode selection by time gating with an ultra-fast reference pulse. The excited two-photon emission is collected through the same fiber. We demonstrate depth sectioning by scanning the focused pulse in a 3D volume over a sample consisting of fluorescent beads suspended in a polymer. The achieved resolution is 1 micrometer laterally and 15 micrometers axially. Scanning is performed over an 80x80 micrometers field of view. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of high-resolution three-dimensional imaging using two-photon fluorescence through a multimode fiber

The Elasticity of Substitution in Demand for Non-Tradable Goods in Costa Rica

Using quarterly (annual) information on consumption and prices of non-tradable goods for the period 1980-2002 (1981-2001), this paper estimates the elasticity of substitution in demand for non-tradable goods in Costa Rica. The unit root and cointegration properties of the time series are tested, and then controlling for exogenous variables, the elasticity of substitution belonging to the interval [1. 46, 2. 14] ([ 0. 22, 0. 28]) is estimated. These results are statistically robust.

De novo Development and Characterization of Tetranucleotide Microsatellite Loci Markers from a Southeastern Population of the House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)

Microsatellites are short tandem repeats (e.g. TAGATAGA) of base pairs in a species’ genome. High mutation rates in these regions produce variation in the number of repeats across individuals that can be utilized to study patterns of population- and landscape-level genetics and to determine parentage genetically. In this project our objective was to develop microsatellite markers for the House Finch, Haemorhous mexicanus. This species has become one of the most well-studied species of songbirds due to its unique geographical, evolutionary, and epidemiological history. Using mist-nets we captured birds on the Arkansas Tech University campus and collected blood samples to obtain genomic DNA. Samples were processed in The Field Museum’s Pritzker Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and Evolution, where we fragmented genomic DNA and isolated fragments that contained potential microsatellites using specially designed biotin labelled probes. These DNA fragments were transformed into competent E. coli cells which were then PCR-amplified and Sanger sequenced. After sequencing DNA fragments from approximately 500 E. coli colonies, we designed and characterized a set of 13 tetranucleotide microsatellite loci. The average number of alleles and heterozygosity found in 12 individuals from Arkansas was 8.69 and 0.80, respectively. This finalized set of microsatellites can be utilized by researchers to determine parentage and characterize genetic differences across House Finch populations

Examining affective structure in chickens: valence, intensity, persistence and generalization measured using a conditioned place preference test

When measuring animals’ valenced behavioural responses to stimuli, the Conditioned Place Preference (CPP) test goes a step further than many approach-based and avoidance-based tests by establishing whether a learned preference for, or aversion to, the location in which the stimulus was encountered can be generated. We designed a novel, four-chambered CPP test to extend the capability of the usual CPP paradigm to provide information on four key features of animals’ affective responses: valence, scale, persistence and generalization. Using this test, we investigated the affective responses of domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) to four potentially aversive stimuli: 1. Puffs of air; 2. Sight of (robotic) snake; 3. Sprays of water; 4. Sound of conspecific alarm calls. We found conditioned avoidance of locations associated with the air puffs and water sprays (Friedman’s χ2(3) = 13.323 p > .005; χ2(3) = 14.235 p > .005), but not with the snake and alarm calls. The scale of the learned avoidance was similar for the air puff and water spray stimuli, but persistence and generalization differed. We conclude that the four chambered CPP test can have a valuable role to play in making multi-feature measurements of stimulus-generated affective responses, and we highlight the value of such measurements for improving our understanding of the structure of affect in chickens and other animals

Are Groups more Rational than Individuals? A Review of Interactive Decision Making in Groups

Many decisions are interactive; the outcome of one party depends not only on its decisions or on acts of nature but also on the decisions of others. In the present article, we review the literature on decision making made by groups of the past 25 years. Researchers have compared the strategic behavior of groups and individuals in many games: prisoner’s dilemma, dictator, ultimatum, trust, centipede and principal-agent games, among others. Our review suggests that results are quite consistent in revealing that groups behave closer to the game-theoretical assumption of rationality and selfishness than individuals. We conclude by discussing future research avenues in this area.group decision making, interactive decision making, rationality, discontinuity effect