Equivalent birational embeddings

Let $X$ be a projective variety of dimension $r$ over an algebraically closed field. It is proven that two birational embeddings of $X$ in $\P^n$, with $n\geq r+2$ are equivalent up to Cremona transformations of $\P^n$

CMB low multipole alignments in the Λ\mathbf{\Lambda}CDM and Dipolar models

The dipolar model \cite{Gordon:2005ai} has attracted much interest because it may phenomenologically explain the CMB hemispherical power asymmetry found in the WMAP and Planck data. Since such a model explicitly breaks isotropy at large angular scales it is natural to wonder whether it can also explain other CMB directional anomalies. Focusing on the low $\ell$ alignments and assuming $\Lambda$CDM, we confirm that the quadrupole/octupole and the dipole/quadrupole/octupole alignments are anomalous with a significance up to $99.9\%$ C.L., for both WMAP and Planck data. Moreover, we show for the first time that such features are anomalous also in the dipolar model, roughly at the same level as in $\Lambda$CDM. We conclude that the dipolar model does not provide a better fit to the data than the $\Lambda$CDM.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figures and 4 table

Capital inflow reversals, banking stability, and prudential regulation in Central and Eastern Europe

The authors show that capital inflows into the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)--inflows that are mainly private, debt-driven, and increasingly supplied by banks on a shortening maturity--are especially vulnerable to reversals. They show that the region's banking systems are disproportionately exposed to those reversals, and absorb the lion's share of bank-supplied inflows. They analyze the main links through which external finance turbulence is transmitted to the domestic banking industry, especially during the transition. Mechanisms for prudential regulation are in place in the region--and largely mimic the standards directed by the European Union--but the authors argue that these standards are insufficient for CEE countries. They base their arguments not on actual enforcement (a genuine concern) but on the fact that EU banking directives were designed for more stable economies and for banking systems less vulnerable to reversals in capital inflows. A strong case can be made, for CEE countries to overshoot those directives, at least until the transition is complete.Banks&Banking Reform,Payment Systems&Infrastructure,Financial Intermediation,International Terrorism&Counterterrorism,Financial Crisis Management&Restructuring,Banks&Banking Reform,Financial Intermediation,Economic Theory&Research,Settlement of Investment Disputes,Financial Crisis Management&Restructuring

Capital flows to Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union

The capital flows to Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union (CEE/FSU) represent a relatively small, albeit growing share of capital flows to developing countries. Taking all flows together, the total net flows to these 25 countries (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan) were about $44 billion in 1996 or about 1/8 of aggregate net flows to all developing countries. These countries accounted, however, for about 20 and 22 percent respectively of all developing countries Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and exports in 1996. As a fraction of their GDP, total inflows were consequently smaller than for many other developing countries, and averaged about 5.4 percent over the 1990-96 periods. In more recent years, there has been a more rapid inflow of private capital, as reform efforts have consolidated and economic prospects improved and, for some countries, as European Union (EU) integration became a possibility for the near future. For some countries, short-term capital has recently become an important source of external financing. Since most countries have been late comers to the phenomenon of large private capital inflows, they have not experienced much of the overheating phenomena which have affected other developing countries in the past (Latin America) and recently (East Asia). The paper is organized as follows. Section IIbriefly describes the facts on capital flows to these countries. Section III discusses important links and relationships between macroeconomic variables and the capital flows, including some of the basic motivations, and causes for capital flows. Section IV describes and analyzes the policy framework and policy responses in those countries that received the bulk of capital flows. Econometric tests are presented in section V, while section VI discusses the issues which may be arising with capital flows in these countries in the future and provides some conclusions.Capital Markets and Capital Flows,Banks&Banking Reform,International Terrorism&Counterterrorism,Fiscal&Monetary Policy,Economic Theory&Research,Capital Flows,Banks&Banking Reform,Macroeconomic Management,Economic Theory&Research,Settlement of Investment Disputes

Numerical modelling of steel-to-timber joints and connectors for CLT structures

The mechanical behaviour of steel-to-timber joints with annular-ringed shank nails is investigated using numerical modelling and a component approach. These joints are used in Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) buildings to anchor metal connectors such as hold-downs and angle brackets to the timber panels. At first, a general hysteresis model is introduced, where a single fastener joint is schematized as an elasto-plastic beam embedded in a non-linear medium with a compression-only behaviour. A second hysteresis model is then presented, where the mechanical behaviour of the joint is simulated by a non-linear spring with three degrees of freedom. Both models are calibrated on the design rules prescribed by the reference standards. Moreover, average strength capacities are determined from the corresponding characteristic values assuming a standard normal distribution and suitable coefficients of variation. As first applicative examples of the proposed models, shear tests are simulated on single steel-to-timber joints with annular-ringed shank nails and on a connection made of an angle bracket and sixty nails. The scatter of mechanical properties in steel-to-timber joints is also taken into account in the simulations and a stochastic approach is proposed, demonstrating acceptable accuracy

The notion of "project", in accordance with the theory of social representations, young people consulting a vocational guidance program have

En este trabajo presentamos un estudio sobre la representación social del término proyecto que tienen los jóvenes. El interés de estudiar las representaciones sociales responde a que éstas son conocimientos de sentido común que suelen funcionar como guías de las futuras acciones. Con el objetivo de describir la estructura de la representación social del término proyecto, se administró un Cuestionario de Palabras Asociadas a 100 jóvenes que consultaron en un servicio de orientación de la Universidad de Buenos Aires. Se realizó un análisis estructural (Abric, 1994) de la representación considerando dos indicadores: frecuencias y rangos medios del orden de evocación de cada palabra. Los datos obtenidos indican que el núcleo central de la representación social de proyecto de estos jóvenes incluye acciones tales como "planificar" e "informarse" en miras de un "futuro/porvenir", es decir, el proyecto se destaca como una anticipación operatoria del futuro.In this paper we studied the social representation young people have constructed of the word project. Our rationale was, given the fact that social representations are common sense concepts, they often serve as guides to future actions. In order to describe the structure of the term project, a Questionnaire of Associated Words was administered to 100 young people who had made use of the University of Buenos Aires guidance service. The representations were then structurally analyzed (Abric, 1994) employing two indicators: frequency and average range of the evocation order of each word. The data collected indicates that the central nucleus of the social representation of project these young people have includes actions such as "plan" and "obtain information" with an eye towards "a future time or the future", in other words, a project that distinguishes itself as an operatory anticipation of the future.Fil: Aisenson, Diana Beatriz. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicologia. Secretaria de Investigaciones; ArgentinaFil: Virgili, Natalia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicologia; ArgentinaFil: Polastri, Graciela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicologia; ArgentinaFil: Azzollini, Susana Celeste. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicologia. Instituto de Investigaciones; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Le besoin de la sexualité dans la prise en soins infirmiers des résidents souffrant de la maladie d'Alzheimer: travail de Bachelor

Lors de la rédaction de ce projet, les problématiques rencontrées par les professionnels de la santé face aux besoins sexuels des résidents présentant la maladie d’Alzheimer ont été exposées. Ce travail de bachelor a été réalisé selon la modalité « revue de la littérature ». La question de la sexualité des ainées atteintes de démence demeure délicate et par conséquent difficile à traiter. Ceci est dû aux stéréotypes qui émergent de la perception qu’a la société à ce sujet. Plusieurs thèmes ont été abordés dans ce travail, tels que le lien entre les connaissances des soignants sur la maladie d’Alzheimer, ainsi que sur la sexualité des personnes âgées et leur prise en soins. Grâce à cette thématique, les besoins et l’utilité de la formation dans le milieu institutionnel ont été abordés. De plus, dans le but de comprendre le malaise qui entoure la sexualité des personnes âgées, il a été considéré dans ce travail dans quelle mesure le propre vécu de la sexualité du soignant peut conditionner leurs prises en soins. En outre, l’expression sexuelle peut avoir différentes origines et interprétations, c’est pour cela que le thème de différents types de comportements sexuels a été approché. Afin d’analyser cette problématique dans sa globalité, les aspects juridiques, éthiques et déontologiques ont été développés. Ces thématiques ont été élaborées de façon nuancée, impartiale et sans jugements

Equivalent birational embeddings II: divisors

Two divisors in $\P^n$ are said to be Cremona equivalent if there is a Cremona modification sending one to the other. We produce infinitely many non equivalent divisorial embeddings of any variety of dimension at most 14. Then we study the special case of plane curves and rational hypersurfaces. For the latter we characterise surfaces Cremona equivalent to a plane.Comment: v2 Exposition improved, thanks to referee, unconditional characterization of surfaces Cremona equivalent to a plan

A study of the impact of globalization on Indiana's manufacturing industry

Globalization has often been perceived as the culprit in the decline of employment in several manufacturing industries in the U.S. The purpose of this research was to investigate how globalization affected the gas engine manufacturing and parts industry in Indiana during the period 1998-2008. Despite its relevance, this industry has experienced a tremendous decline in employment numbers and almost lost its presence in Indiana. For this study an anonymous online survey was conducted targeting individuals associated with this industry and holding positions in the areas of engineering and/or management. The survey addressed the areas of technology, education, globalization/competition and employment. However, only the area of education is presented in this article. The results found in this study contradict the common perception that offshoring is the main factor for the dislocation of workers in the manufacturing sector