On adaptive inference and confidence bands

The problem of existence of adaptive confidence bands for an unknown density $f$ that belongs to a nested scale of H\"{o}lder classes over $\mathbb{R}$ or $[0,1]$ is considered. Whereas honest adaptive inference in this problem is impossible already for a pair of H\"{o}lder balls $\Sigma(r),\Sigma(s),r\ne s$, of fixed radius, a nonparametric distinguishability condition is introduced under which adaptive confidence bands can be shown to exist. It is further shown that this condition is necessary and sufficient for the existence of honest asymptotic confidence bands, and that it is strictly weaker than similar analytic conditions recently employed in Gin\'{e} and Nickl [Ann. Statist. 38 (2010) 1122--1170]. The exceptional sets for which honest inference is not possible have vanishingly small probability under natural priors on H\"{o}lder balls $\Sigma(s)$. If no upper bound for the radius of the H\"{o}lder balls is known, a price for adaptation has to be paid, and near-optimal adaptation is possible for standard procedures. The implications of these findings for a general theory of adaptive inference are discussed.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/11-AOS903 the Annals of Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aos/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Two-Electron Photon Emission From Metallic Quantum Wells

Unusual emission of visible light is observed in scanning tunneling microscopy of the quantum well system Na on Cu(111). Photons are emitted at energies exceeding the energy of the tunneling electrons. Model calculations of two-electron processes which lead to quantum well transitions reproduce the experimental fluorescence spectra, the quantum yield, and the power-law variation of the intensity with the excitation current.Comment: revised version, as published; 4 pages, 3 figure

The US Chapter 9 procedure: a plea for a useful model for solving excessive indebtedness of municipalities

Includes bibliographical referencesThis work is dedicated in the first instance to the necessity of insolvency proceedings for municipalities as territorial entities. Therefore, the current debate on insolvency proceedings for states is presented briefly in an introductory overview to introduce the debate that insolvency proceedings for territorial entities has reached all levels of government worldwide. This is followed by examples of historical experience with insolvency scenarios of states and local authorities to show that insolvency scenarios at all levels of government are part of reality, and that a procedural handling is possible, but also necessary. Based on this, the US-Chapter 9 procedure, perhaps the most well-known legal remedy for insolvent cities, and the most globally developed proceeding for municipal insolvencies, is taken closer into view. In the first step, the principles and mechanisms are pointed out. This is followed by a semantic preamble regarding the development of insolvency law and its public perception, a short discussion of the experience with the Chapter 9 process and last, but not least, a presentation of the key advantages of Chapter 9 proceedings. The goal is to convey that the Chapter 9 proceeding may serve as a useful tool and model for other countries to solve excessive indebtness of municipalities. As a result, in particular, the abstract possibilities and objectives of the procedure are considered

Instrument to collect fogwater for chemical analysis

An instrument is presented which collects large samples of ambient fogwater by impaction of droplets on a screen. The collection efficiency of the instrument is determined as a function of droplet size, and it is shown that fog droplets in the range 3–100-µm diameter are efficiently collected. No significant evaporation or condensation occurs at any stage of the collection process. Field testing indicates that samples collected are representative of the ambient fogwater. The instrument may easily be automated, and is suitable for use in routine air quality monitoring programs

Guarantees used in refundable financing of innovation in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises The regional bank for the development of the extreme South Inova program

Abstract Purpose – Despite the increasing availability of financing programs for innovation, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) often find it difficult to access credit for their projects. Among the reasons, the lack of the types of guarantees required by financial institutions stands out. Focused on this problem, in 2013, the Regional Bank for the Development of the Extreme South (BRDE) created a policy to stimulate innovation, making the required guarantees for financing operations of innovative companies more flexible: the BRDE Inova Program. This paper aims to analyze the guarantees used in the bank operations since the beginning of the program. Design/methodology/approach – In the first stage of the research, the authors identified the guarantees used in each of the signed contracts, through a documentary survey. Next, semi-structured interviews showed the perceptions of the players involved in the innovation ecosystem of the state of Santa Catarina, regarding aspects related to the guarantees. Specifically, the authors investigated the following elements: strengths and limitations of the programs regarding access to credit for innovation; adequacy of existing guarantee mechanisms. To strengthen the conclusions, they used triangulated data collection in different stages. Findings – The results showed that, on the one hand, the initiative helped BRDE to consolidate itself as the main financing agent of innovation in MSMEs; on the other hand, the need for traditional guarantees still plays a significant role for innovative MSMEs to access credit. Originality/value – In addition to practical implications for the bank and other financing agents’ policies, this paper contributes to fill a gap in the literature on guarantee systems applied to the specificities of knowledge-intensive MSMEs