Locally Stable Marriage with Strict Preferences

We study stable matching problems with locality of information and control. In our model, each agent is a node in a fixed network and strives to be matched to another agent. An agent has a complete preference list over all other agents it can be matched with. Agents can match arbitrarily, and they learn about possible partners dynamically based on their current neighborhood. We consider convergence of dynamics to locally stable matchings -- states that are stable with respect to their imposed information structure in the network. In the two-sided case of stable marriage in which existence is guaranteed, we show that the existence of a path to stability becomes NP-hard to decide. This holds even when the network exists only among one partition of agents. In contrast, if one partition has no network and agents remember a previous match every round, a path to stability is guaranteed and random dynamics converge with probability 1. We characterize this positive result in various ways. For instance, it holds for random memory and for cache memory with the most recent partner, but not for cache memory with the best partner. Also, it is crucial which partition of the agents has memory. Finally, we present results for centralized computation of locally stable matchings, i.e., computing maximum locally stable matchings in the two-sided case and deciding existence in the roommates case.Comment: Conference version in ICALP 2013; to appear in SIAM J. Disc Mat

Rulemaking in the Shade: An Empirical Study of EPA’s Air Toxic Emissions

In this article, the authors trace the engagement and the influence of interest groups over the entire life cycle of a complete set of complex EPA rules that set emissions standards for the industrial release of air toxins. In particular they focus on three of the most worrisome phases of the administrative process where imbalances in interest group engagement and influence may be occurring. The thesis of this study is that imbalances in interest group engagement are occurring at critical albeit somewhat obscure stages of the rulemaking life cycle and that these imbalances are impacting the substance of the rulemaking project. This article proceeds in five parts. Part I explores three stages in the rulemaking life cycle that may be afflicted with imbalanced interest group engagement that in turn might distort the outcome of the rulemaking project. Part II describes the methods of the article, which examine the nature of interest group engagement and activity at these problem stages in a complete set of rules promulgated by the EPA governing the industrial emissions of air toxics. Part III describes the findings and Part IV collects information from disparate sources in detective like fashion to explain some of the surprises and new questions that emerge from this research. In the conclusion, the authors retell the store that emerges from their data and consider whether it suggests more pervasive problems in administrative law that will benefit from further study.The Kay Bailey Hutchison Center for Energy, Law, and Busines

Poems

Poems include: Chocolate Eyes, by Dianne Sherman and Untitled, by Lisa Wagne

Spouses' division of labor and marital stability: Applying the multiple-equilibrium theory to cohort trends of divorce in East and West Germany

Objective: In comparing East and West Germany, we investigate task specialization and its association with marital stability twofold: (1) Has the association between women’s employment and divorce risk changed across marriage cohorts? (2) Are men’s levels of engagement in domestic tasks associated with divorce risk? Background: While older theories assumed that women’s employment destabilized marriages, newer theories suggest that men can re-stabilize marriages by changing their behavior and engaging in housework. Method: We analyze data from the SOEP using discrete-time event history models in a historical and a dyadic perspective. Results: Our results show that the associations between women's employment and the risk of divorce have been changing across marriage cohorts, and that this trend began earlier in East Germany. Husbands' relative contribution to division of housework is not found to stabilize marriages in East and West Germany, but we find differences between marriage cohorts in West Germany. Conclusion: Our findings confirm that the traditional male breadwinner model is no longer associated with a stable equilibrium in marriage in Germany. It appears that either the German society is still in the transitional stage, as men’s contributions to housework are shown to be irrelevant for marital stability; or that gender equality is not associated with the new stable equilibrium in marriages

Positive feelings at school: on the relationships between students’ character strengths, school-related affect, and school functioning

The present study was designed to examine the relationships between students’ character strengths, school-related affect, positive school functioning (i.e., motivation to learn, interest, and engagement at class), and school achievement following the “engine model of well-being” that is focusing on inputs (e.g., personality traits), processes (e.g., moods, emotions), and outcomes (e.g., engagement, accomplishments) within the context of well-being research. A sample of 196 children completed the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Youth, which assesses 24 character strengths, and the PANAS-C that assesses school-related positive and negative affect. Additionally, homeroom teachers rated students’ positive school functioning (i.e., motivation, engagement, and interest at school) and their overall school achievement. The character strengths of zest, love of learning, perseverance, and social intelligence showed the strongest positive correlations with school-related positive affect. Teamwork, hope, self-regulation, and love were substantially negatively correlated with school-related negative affect. Certain character strengths showed positive relationships with positive school functioning and overall school achievement. A path model, testing the “engine model of well-being”, found—additionally to direct effects—indirect relationships between character strengths and positive school functioning (through school-related positive affect), which in turn leads to higher school achievement. The presented findings show character strengths as meaningful resources in the schooling context. Character strengths emerge to be crucial for students to experience school-related positive affect, which in turn supports students’ positive school functioning and their overall school achievement. The results demonstrate the complex interplay between students’ personality traits, affect, school functioning, and achievement at school

Unlocking Opportunities: Leveraging Generative AI in University-Sponsored Programs Operations

Explore the transformative potential of generative AI in university-research administration. As universities strive to enhance research capabilities and support a culture of innovation, the need for efficient and effective management of sponsored programs has become paramount. This presentation will share lessons from deploying a sponsored programs’ Large Language Model Chatbot and how it optimizes research administration operations and unlocks opportunities. By harnessing the power of GenAI, a university office of sponsored programs chatbot can develop training materials, policies and SOPs. It can offer immediate support and guidance by analyzing queries and providing real-time responses, empowering staff members to overcome challenges and reducing time on tasks. It can enhance productivity and job satisfaction. An OSP Chat will allow research administrators to focus on higher-value activities, such as strategic planning, relationship building and facilitating research collaboration resulting in improved operational effectiveness and increased capacity to support research excellence. This improves the quality of research administration services. This presentation will highlight the collaboration of AI experts, research administrators and stakeholders to tailor LLM to the research administration\u27s needs, maximizing staff benefits and optimizing research support

Perceptions of social decisions made by individuals of different ages

This study examines the perceptions that individuals have about the social decisions of others and the role that age plays in these perceptions. In this study, older and young adults read a vignette in which Clare (either 80 or 20-years-old) chose a social partner (either close friend or new acquaintance). Older adults rated Older Clare more favorably when she chose a close relationship and they rated Younger Clare more favorably when she chose the new experience. Young adults showed more mixed results. Unlike older adults, young adults rated Older Clare more favorably when she chose the new experience rather than the close relationship, but found Younger Clare to be more likable but less appropriate when she chose the new experience. Differing preferences may lead to intergenerational misunderstandings where both generations prefer that the other generation seek new experiences, but prefer their own generation remain with close friends. Results are discussed in light of socioemotional selectivity and social identity theories

Functionalized C3-Symmetric Building Blocks—The Chemistry of Triaminotrimesic Acid

A series of C3-symmetric fully substituted benzenes were prepared based on alkyl triamino-benzene-tricarboxylates. Starting with a one step-synthesis, the alkyl triamino-benzene-tricarboxylates were synthesized using the corresponding cyanoacetates. The reactivity of these electronically sophisticated compounds was investigated by the formation of azides, the click reaction of the azides and a Sandmeyer-like reaction. Caused by the low stability of triaminobenzenes, direct N-alkylation was rarely reported. The use of the stable alkyl triamino-benzene-tricarboxylates allowed us total N-alkylation under standard alkylation conditions. The molecular structures of the C3-symmetric structures have been corroborated by an X-ray analysis

Functionalized C3-Symmetric Building Blocks—The Chemistry of Triaminotrimesic Acid

A series of C3-symmetric fully substituted benzenes were prepared based on alkyl triamino-benzene-tricarboxylates. Starting with a one step-synthesis, the alkyl triamino-benzene-tricarboxylates were synthesized using the corresponding cyanoacetates. The reactivity of these electronically sophisticated compounds was investigated by the formation of azides, the click reaction of the azides and a Sandmeyer-like reaction. Caused by the low stability of triaminobenzenes, direct N-alkylation was rarely reported. The use of the stable alkyl triamino-benzene-tricarboxylates allowed us total N-alkylation under standard alkylation conditions. The molecular structures of the C3-symmetric structures have been corroborated by an X-ray analysis