The Monotonicity Puzzle. An Experimental Investigation of Incentives Structures

Non–monotone incentive structures, which — according to theory — are able to induce optimal behavior, are often regarded as empirically less relevant for labor relationships. Scientific attention is (therefore) confined to monotone if not linear contracts. This paper reports on experimental tests comparing non–monotone vs. monotone contracts in a simple dynamic agency model. The results demonstrate that selecting the non–monotone contract over of the monotone one is not only optimal from a theoretical point of view, but also remains preferable given the agents’ observed behavior. However, roughly 50 per cent of the principals prefer the monotone contract.experimental agency, non–monotone contracts

Deep Structured Features for Semantic Segmentation

We propose a highly structured neural network architecture for semantic segmentation with an extremely small model size, suitable for low-power embedded and mobile platforms. Specifically, our architecture combines i) a Haar wavelet-based tree-like convolutional neural network (CNN), ii) a random layer realizing a radial basis function kernel approximation, and iii) a linear classifier. While stages i) and ii) are completely pre-specified, only the linear classifier is learned from data. We apply the proposed architecture to outdoor scene and aerial image semantic segmentation and show that the accuracy of our architecture is competitive with conventional pixel classification CNNs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the proposed architecture is data efficient in the sense of matching the accuracy of pixel classification CNNs when trained on a much smaller data set.Comment: EUSIPCO 2017, 5 pages, 2 figure

Three neutrons from Lattice QCD

We present a study on ab-initio calculations of three-neutron correlators from Lattice QCD. We extend the method of baryon blocks to systems of three spacially displaced baryons. This allows the measurement of three-neutron $p$-wave correlators with total spin $S=1/2$ and $3/2$. In addition, we use automatic code generation that has high flexibility and allows for easy inclusion of additional channels in the future while optimizing the evaluation of contractions. Our measurements were performed on a newly generated $96\times 48^3$ Clover-Wilson gauge field ensemble with $m_{\pi} \approx 370\,\text{MeV}$. We present preliminary results of our calculations of one pion and nucleon as well as two nucleon ($2N$) and three neutron ($3n$) correlators.Comment: Proceedings from Lattice2018, 7 pages, 4 figure

Carbon nanotube chirality determines properties of encapsulated linear carbon chain

Long linear carbon chains encapsulated inside carbon nanotubes are a very close realization of carbyne, the truly one-dimensional allotrope of carbon. Here we study individual pairs of double-walled carbon nanotubes and encapsulated linear carbon chains by tip-enhanced Raman scattering. We observe that the radial breathing mode of the inner nanotube correlates with the frequency of the carbon chain's Raman mode, revealing that the nanotube chirality determines the vibronic and electronic properties of the encapsulated carbon chain. We provide the missing link that connects the properties of the encapsulated long linear carbon chain with the structure of the host nanotube.Comment: keywords: linear carbon chains; carbyne; carbon nanotubes; tip-enhanced Raman scattering; TERS; Significant changes compared to first version of the manuscript. Current version includes Supporting Informatio