Harish-Chandra integrals as nilpotent integrals

Recently the correlation functions of the so-called Itzykson-Zuber/Harish-Chandra integrals were computed (by one of the authors and collaborators) for all classical groups using an integration formula that relates integrals over compact groups with respect to the Haar measure and Gaussian integrals over a maximal nilpotent Lie subalgebra of their complexification. Since the integration formula a posteriori had the same form for the classical series, a conjecture was formulated that such a formula should hold for arbitrary semisimple Lie groups. We prove this conjecture using an abstract Lie-theoretic approach.Comment: 10 page

Non-equilibrium transport response from equilibrium transport theory

We propose a simple scheme that describes accurately essential non-equilibrium effects in nanoscale electronics devices using equilibrium transport theory. The scheme, which is based on the alignment and dealignment of the junction molecular orbitals with the shifted Fermi levels of the electrodes, simplifies drastically the calculation of current-voltage characteristics compared to typical non-equilibrium algorithms. We probe that the scheme captures a number of non-trivial transport phenomena such as the negative differential resistance and rectification effects. It applies to those atomic-scale junctions whose relevant states for transport are spatially placed on the contact atoms or near the electrodes.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. Accepted in Physical Review

Compact coalgebras, compact quantum groups and the positive antipode

In this article -that has also the intention to survey some known results in the theory of compact quantum groups using methods different from the standard and with a strong algebraic flavor- we consider compact o-coalgebras and Hopf algebras. In the case of a o-Hopf algebra we present a proof of the characterization of the compactness in terms of the existence of a positive definite integral, and use our methods to give an elementary proof of the uniqueness - up to conjugation by an automorphism of Hopf algebras- of the compact involution appearing in [4]. We study the basic properties of the positive square root of the antipode square that is a Hopf algebra automorphism that we call the positive antipode. We use it -as well as the unitary antipode and the Nakayama automorphism- in order to enhance our understanding of the antipode itself

Dark matter in natural supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model

We explore the dark matter sector in extensions of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) that can provide a good fit to the PAMELA cosmic ray positron excess, while at the same time addressing the little hierarchy problem of the MSSM. Adding a singlet Higgs superfield, S, can account for the observed positron excess, as recently discussed in the literature, but we point out that it requires a fine-tuned choice for the parameters of the model. We find that including an additional singlet allows both a reduction of the weak-scale fine-tuning, and an interpretation of the cosmic ray observations in terms of dark matter annihilations in the galactic halo. Our setup contains a light axion, but does not require light CP-even scalars in the spectrum.Comment: 26 pages, 8 figures, references adde

The Returns to Flexible Postsecondary Education: The Effect of Delaying School

We investigate the returns to postsecondary education relaxing the standard assumption that it proceeds in a continuous manner. Using a unique survey that collects information on a representative cohort of graduates, we are able to estimate the effects of delaying school among successful graduates abstracting from specific macroeconomic conditions at the time of graduation. Our results show that graduates that delayed their education receive a premium relative to graduates that did not, even after considering other factors such as experience or labour market connections. These estimates are robust to the possibility of selection in the decision to return to school.Human Capital, Postsecondary Education, Flexible School Choice, School Delay

Dark matter distributions around massive black holes: A general relativistic analysis

The cold dark matter at the center of a galaxy will be redistributed by the presence of a massive black hole. The redistribution may be determined using an approach pioneered by Gondolo and Silk: begin with a model distribution function for the dark matter, and ``grow'' the black hole adiabatically, holding the adiabatic invariants of the motion constant. Unlike the approach of Gondolo and Silk, which adopted Newtonian theory together with ad hoc correction factors to mimic general relativistic effects, we carry out the calculation fully relativistically, using the exact Schwarzschild geometry of the black hole. We find that the density of dark matter generically vanishes at r=2R_S, not 4R_S as found by Gondolo and Silk, where R_S is the Schwarzschild radius, and that the spike very close to the black hole reaches significantly higher densities. We apply the relativistic adiabatic growth framework to obtain the final dark matter density for both cored and cusped initial distributions. Besides the implications of these results for indirect detection estimates, we show that the gravitational effects of such a dark matter spike are significantly smaller than the relativistic effects of the black hole, including frame dragging and quadrupolar effects, for stars orbiting close to the black hole that might be candidates for testing the black hole no-hair theorems.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia and PaO2/FIO2 Diagnostic Accuracy: Changing the Paradigm?

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is associated to longer stay and poor outcomes. Lacking definitive diagnostic criteria, worsening gas exchange assessed by PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 240 in mmHg has been proposed as one of the diagnostic criteria for VAP. We aim to assess the adequacy of PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 240 to diagnose VAP. METHODS: Prospective observational study in 255 consecutive patients with suspected VAP, clustered according to PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 240 vs. > 240 at pneumonia onset. The primary analysis was the association between PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 240 and quantitative microbiologic confirmation of pneumonia, the most reliable diagnostic gold-standard. RESULTS: Mean PaO2/FIO2 at VAP onset was 195 ± 82; 171 (67%) cases had PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 240. Patients with PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 240 had a lower APACHE-II score at ICU admission; however, at pneumonia onset they had higher CPIS, SOFA score, acute respiratory distress syndrome criteria and incidence of shock, and less microbiological confirmation of pneumonia (117, 69% vs. 71, 85%, p = 0.008), compared to patients with PaO2/FIO2 > 240. In multivariate logistic regression, PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 240 was independently associated with less microbiological confirmation (adjusted odds-ratio 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.15-0.89, p = 0.027). The association between PaO2/FIO2 and microbiological confirmation of VAP was poor, with an area under the ROC curve 0.645. Initial non-response to treatment and length of stay were similar between both groups, while hospital mortality was higher in patients with PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 240. CONCLUSION: Adding PaO2/FIO2 ratio ≤ 240 to the clinical and radiographic criteria does not help in the diagnosis of VAP. PaO2/FIO2 ratio > 240 does not exclude this infection. Using this threshold may underestimate the incidence of VAP.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Layout level design for testability strategy applied to a CMOS cell library

The layout level design for testability (LLDFT) rules used here allow to avoid some hard to detect faults or even undetectable faults on a cell library by modifying the cell layout without changing their behavior and achieving a good level of reliability. These rules avoid some open faults or reduce their appearance probability. The main purpose has been to apply that set of LLDFT rules on the cells of the library designed at the Centre Nacional de Microelectronica (CNM) in order to obtain a highly testable cell library. The authors summarize the main results (area overhead and performance degradation) of the application of the LLDFT rules on the cell

Unemployment insurance savings accounts in Latin America : overview and assessment

The unemployment protection systems that exist in most Latin American economies are generally considered inadequate in terms of providing insurance to workers and are prone to generate stratified labor markets. Recently, research effort and policy interest has turned to Unemployment Insurance Savings Accounts (UISAs) as an alternative to traditional systems of unemployment insurance. UISAs are schemes of individual mandatory savings that smooth income over an individual's life cycle time rather than pooling unemployment risk over the total working population at a point in time. Although this form of unemployment insurance diminishes the moral hazard problems associated with traditional insurance methods, it presents problems of its own. First, it is questionable that these systems provide adequate protectionagainst unemployment risk. Additionally, their effects on the promotion of informal labor markets and their administrative costs are yet to be determined. Finally, the effectiveness as a form of unemployment insurance depends critically upon the performance and credibility of the financial institutions managing the funds. This paper examines the experience of Latin American countries that use UISAs, with the hope of highlighting the problems of the system and identifying areas for future theoretical and empirical work. In conclusion, the overall effect of UISAs depends on a vast array of specific country characteristics and program parameters. The way the system is implemented, existing labor regulation, the extent of the informal economy and the scope for collusive behavior greatly influence the success of these programs. This calls for a more extensive research effort in the area.Labor Markets,,Labor Policies,Access to Finance,Banks&Banking Reform