Uncountable families of prime z-ideals in C_0(R)

Denote by \continuum=2^{\aleph_0} the cardinal of continuum. We construct an intriguing family (P_\alpha: \alpha\in\continuum) of prime $z$-ideals in \C_0(\reals) with the following properties: If $f\in P_{i_0}$ for some i_0\in\continuum, then $f\in P_i$ for all but finitely many i\in \continuum; \bigcap_{i\neq i_0} P_i \nsubset P_{i_0} for each \i_0\in \continuum. We also construct a well-ordered increasing chain, as well as a well-ordered decreasing chain, of order type $\kappa$ of prime $z$-ideals in \C_0(\reals) for any ordinal $\kappa$ of cardinality \continuum.Comment: 12 page

Isometries between quantum convolution algebras

Given locally compact quantum groups \G_1 and \G_2, we show that if the convolution algebras L^1(\G_1) and L^1(\G_2) are isometrically isomorphic as algebras, then \G_1 is isomorphic either to \G_2 or the commutant \G_2'. Furthermore, given an isometric algebra isomorphism \theta:L^1(\G_2) \rightarrow L^1(\G_1), the adjoint is a *-isomorphism between L^\infty(\G_1) and either L^\infty(\G_2) or its commutant, composed with a twist given by a member of the intrinsic group of L^\infty(\G_2). This extends known results for Kac algebras (although our proofs are somewhat different) which in turn generalised classical results of Wendel and Walter. We show that the same result holds for isometric algebra homomorphisms between quantum measure algebras (either reduced or universal). We make some remarks about the intrinsic groups of the enveloping von Neumann algebras of C$^*$-algebraic quantum groups.Comment: 23 pages, typos corrected, references adde

Preduals of semigroup algebras

For a locally compact group $G$, the measure convolution algebra $M(G)$ carries a natural coproduct. In previous work, we showed that the canonical predual $C_0(G)$ of $M(G)$ is the unique predual which makes both the product and the coproduct on $M(G)$ weak$^*$-continuous. Given a discrete semigroup $S$, the convolution algebra $\ell^1(S)$ also carries a coproduct. In this paper we examine preduals for $\ell^1(S)$ making both the product and the coproduct weak$^*$-continuous. Under certain conditions on $S$, we show that $\ell^1(S)$ has a unique such predual. Such $S$ include the free semigroup on finitely many generators. In general, however, this need not be the case even for quite simple semigroups and we construct uncountably many such preduals on $\ell^1(S)$ when $S$ is either $\mathbb Z_+\times\mathbb Z$ or $(\mathbb N,\cdot)$.Comment: 17 pages, LaTe

Design of a Configurable 4-Channel Analog Front-End for EEG Signal Acquisition on 180nm CMOS Process

In this work, a 4-channel Analog Front-End (AFE) circuit has been proposed for EEG signal recording. For EEG recording systems, the AFE may handle a wide range of sensor inputs with high input impedance, adjustable gain, low noise, and wide bandwidth. The buffer or current-to-voltage converter block (BCV), which can be set to operate as a buffer or a current-to-voltage converter circuit, is positioned between the electrode and the main amplifier stages of the AFE to achieve high input impedance and work with sensor signal types. A chopper capacitively-coupled instrumentation amplifier (CCIA) is positioned after the BCV as the main amplifier stage of the AFE to reduce input-referred noise and balance the impedance of the overall AFE system. A programmable gain amplifier (PGA) is the third stage of the AFE that allows the overall gain of the AFE to be adjusted. The suggested AFE operates in a wide frequency range of 0.5 Hz to 2 kHz with a high input impedance bigger than 2TΩ, and it is constructed and simulated using a 180nm CMOS process. With the lowest 100-dB CMRR and low input-referred noise of 1.8 µVrms, the AFE can achieve low noise efficiency. EEG signals can be acquired with this AFE system, which is very useful for detecting epilepsy and seizures

Is Nonfarm Diversification a Way Out of Poverty for Rural Households? Evidence from Vietnam in 1993-2006

school. Using the four high quality household living standards surveys available to date this paper reveals that Vietnam’s rural labour force has been markedly diversifying toward nonfarm activities in the doi moi (renovation) reform period. The employment share of the rural nonfarm sector has increased from 23 percent to 58 percent between the years 1993 and 2006. At the individual level, the results indicate that participation in the rural nonfarm sector is determined by a set of individual-, household-, and community-level characteristics. Gender, ethnicity, and education are reported as main individual-level drivers of nonfarm diversification. Lands as most important physical assets of rural households are found to be negative to nonfarm employment. It is also evident that both physical and institutional infrastructure exert important influences on individual participation in the nonfarm sector. At the household level, a combination of parametric and semi-parametric analysis is adopted to examine whether nonfarm diversification is a poverty exit path for rural households. This paper demonstrates a positive effect of nonfarm diversification on household welfare and this effect is robust to different estimation techniques, measures of nonfarm diversification, and the usage of equivalent scales. However, the poor is reported to benefit less than the non-poor from nonfarm activities. Though promoting a buoyant nonfarm sector is crucial for rural development and poverty reduction, it needs to be associated with enhancing access to nonfarm opportunities for the poor.Rural nonfarm sector, nonfarm diversification, household welfare, Vietnam