Differential equations for the cuspoid canonical integrals

Differential equations satisfied by the cuspoid canonical integrals I_n(a) are obtained for arbitrary values of n≥2, where n−1 is the codimension of the singularity and a=(ɑ_1,ɑ_2,...,ɑ_(n−1)). A set of linear coupled ordinary differential equations is derived for each step in the sequence I_n(0,0,...,0,0) →I_n(0,0,...,0,ɑ_(n−1)) →I_n(0,0,...,ɑ_(n−2),ɑ_(n−1)) →...→I_n(0,ɑ_2,...,ɑ_(n−2),ɑ_(n−1)) →I_n(ɑ_1,ɑ_2,...,ɑ_n−2,ɑ_(n−1)). The initial conditions for a given step are obtained from the solutions of the previous step. As examples of the formalism, the differential equations for n=2 (fold), n=3 (cusp), n=4 (swallowtail), and n=5 (butterfly) are given explicitly. In addition, iterative and algebraic methods are described for determining the parameters a that are required in the uniform asymptotic cuspoid approximation for oscillating integrals with many coalescing saddle points. The results in this paper unify and generalize previous researches on the properties of the cuspoid canonical integrals and their partial derivatives

Compression of Atomic Phase Space Using an Asymmetric One-Way Barrier

We show how to construct asymmetric optical barriers for atoms. These barriers can be used to compress phase space of a sample by creating a confined region in space where atoms can accumulate with heating at the single photon recoil level. We illustrate our method with a simple two-level model and then show how it can be applied to more realistic multi-level atoms

Resolving the Surfaces of Extrasolar Planets With Secondary Eclipse Light Curves

We present a method that employs the secondary eclipse light curves of transiting extrasolar planets to probe the spatial variation of their thermal emission. This technique permits an observer to resolve the surface of the planet without the need to spatially resolve its central star. We evaluate the feasibility of this technique for the HD 209458 system [..]. We consider two representations of the planetary thermal emission; a simple model parameterized by a sinusoidal dependence on longitude and latitude, as well as the results of a three-dimensional dynamical simulation of the planetary atmosphere previously published by Cooper & Showman. We find that observations of the secondary eclipse light curve are most sensitive to a longitudinal offset in the geometric and photometric centroids of the hemisphere of the planet visible near opposition. To quantify this signal, we define a new parameter, the ``uniform time offset,'' which measures the time lag between the observed secondary eclipse and that predicted by a planet with a uniform surface flux distribution. We compare the predicted amplitude of this parameter for HD 209458 with the precision with which it could be measured with IRAC. We find that IRAC observations at 3.6um a single secondary eclipse should permit sufficient precision to confirm or reject the Cooper & Showman model of the surface flux distribution for this planet. We quantify the signal-to-noise ratio for this offset in the remaining IRAC bands (4.5um, 5.8um, and 8.0um), and find that a modest improvement in photometric precision (as might be realized through observations of several eclipse events) should permit a similarly robust detection.Comment: AASTeX 5.2, 24 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ; v2: clarifications, updated to version accepted by ApJ; v3: try to reduce spacin

Optimizing safe, comfortable ICU care through multi-professional quality improvement: just DO it

Translating research to the bedside can present significant challenges in the complex ICU environment. In this issue of Critical Care, de Jong and colleagues report on a quality improvement project (NURSE-DO) that led to a decrease in severe pain and serious adverse events during nursing care procedures in their ICU. In this commentary we describe three aspects of this quality improvement study that we think contributed to the overall success of the NURSE-DO project: the hospital environment and culture; multi-professional partnerships; and an evidence-based structured approach

China as a “National Strategic Buyer”: Towards a Multilateral Regime for Cross-Border M&A

Unlike the case of cross-border trade, there is no explicit international governance regime for cross-border M&A; rather, there is a shared understanding that publicly traded companies are generally for purchase by any bidder—domestic or foreign—willing to offer a sufficiently large premium over a target’s stock market price. The unspoken premise that undergirds the system is that the prospective buyer is motivated by private economic gain-seeking. The entry of China into the global M&A market threatens the fundamental assumptions of the current permissive international regime. China has become a significant player in the cross-border M&A market, particularly as an acquirer. The central claim of the article is that the cross-border M&A regime will require a new rules-of-the-game structure to take account of China’s ascension. This is because cross-border M&A with China introduces a new dimension: what we call the “national strategic buyer” (“NSB”), whose objective is to further the interests of a nation-state in the pursuit of industrial policy or out of national security concerns. Thus, China presents a problem of asymmetric motives in the global M&A market: sellers to Chinese firms have private motives for pursuing transactions, while at least some Chinese acquirers have non-economic motivations. Yet distinguishing commercial and financial motives from national strategic motives in Chinese firms is difficult. To date, the only mechanisms for addressing the NSB problem are national security review mechanisms such as the CFIUS process in the United States, as recently expanded through legislative amendment. The EU is moving forward on a screening regulation with a similar objective that contemplates activity both by the European Commission and the Member States. Whether suitably tailored or not, these approaches fail to take on the long-term concern of fully assimilating China as a normal actor in the global economic system. To address the NSB problem, we propose the adoption of a multilateral regime under which firms subject to potential government influence in their corporate decision-making must demonstrate their “eligibility” to engage in outbound M&A. For covered firms, the regime would require a commitment to exclusively commercial/financial motives in cross-border acquisitions, made credible through a corporate governance set-up featuring independent directors (selected by foreign investors) who publicly verify adherence and disclose the source of acquisition financing. Enforcement would consist of a secretariat that can evaluate eligibility and monitor post-acquisition conduct, and national legislation that would permit rejection of an acquisition of a local target by an acquirer that does not meet the eligibility criteria

Error analysis for Mariner Venus/Mercury 1973 conducted at the JPL Mesa west antenna range

Theoretical analysis and experimental data are combined to yield the errors to be used with antenna gain, antenna patterns, and RF cable insertion loss measurements for the Mariner Venus-Mercury 1973 Flight Project. These errors apply to measurements conducted at the JPL Mesa, West Antenna Range, on the high gain antenna, low gain antenna, and RF coaxial cables

Particle size segregation in granular flow in silos

Segregation and layering of alumina in storage silos are investigated, with a view to predicting output quality versus time, given known variations in input quality on emplacement. A variety of experiments were conducted, existing relevant publications were reviewed, and the basis for an algorithm for predicting the effect of withdrawing from a central flowing region, in combination with variations in quality due to geometric, layering and segregation effects, is described in this report