Kasha’s Rule and Koopmans’ Correlations for Electron Tunnelling through Repulsive Coulomb Barriers in a Polyanion

The long-range electronic structure of polyanions is defined by the repulsive Coulomb barrier (RCB). Excited states can decay by resonant electron tunnelling through RCBs, but such decay has not been observed for electronically excited states other than the first excited state, suggesting a Kasha-type rule for resonant electron tunnelling. Using action spectroscopy, photoelectron imaging, and computational chemistry, we show that the fluorescein dianion, Fl2–, partially decays through electron tunnelling from the S2 excited state, thus demonstrating anti-Kasha behavior, and that resonant electron tunnelling adheres to Koopmans’ correlations, thus disentangling different channels

A new 1.6-micron map of Titan’s surface

We present a new map of Titan's surface obtained in the spectral 'window' at ∼1.6 μm between strong methane absorption. This pre-Cassini view of Titan's surface was created from images obtained using adaptive optics on the W.M. Keck II telescope and is the highest resolution map yet made of Titan's surface. Numerous surface features down to the limits of the spatial resolution (∼200–300 km) are apparent. No features are easily identifiable in terms of their geologic origin, although several are likely craters

Sequential Extensions of Causal and Evidential Decision Theory

Moving beyond the dualistic view in AI where agent and environment are separated incurs new challenges for decision making, as calculation of expected utility is no longer straightforward. The non-dualistic decision theory literature is split between causal decision theory and evidential decision theory. We extend these decision algorithms to the sequential setting where the agent alternates between taking actions and observing their consequences. We find that evidential decision theory has two natural extensions while causal decision theory only has one.Comment: ADT 201

Association of prenatal alcohol exposure and offspring depression:A negative control analysis of maternal and partner consumption

Background: Previous research has suggested that intrauterine alcohol exposure is associated with a variety of adverse outcomes in offspring. However, few studies have investigated its association with offspring internalizing disorders in late adolescence. Methods: Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), we investigated the associations of maternal drinking in pregnancy with offspring depression at age 18 and 24 (n=13,480). We also examined partner drinking as a negative control for intrauterine exposure for comparison. Results: Offspring of mothers that consumed any alcohol at 18weeks gestation were at increased risk of having a diagnosis of depression (fully adjusted model: OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.34), but there was no clear evidence of association between partners’ alcohol consumption at 18weeks gestation during pregnancy and increased risk of offspring depression (fully adjusted model: OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.01). Postestimation tests found a positive difference between the association of maternal and partner alcohol use on offspring depression, showing a stronger association for maternal compared with partner alcohol use (OR 1.41, CI 1.07 to 1.84). Conclusions: Maternal drinking in pregnancy was associated with increased risk of offspring depression at age 18. Residual confounding may explain this association, but the negative control comparison of paternal drinking provides some evidence that it may be causal, and this warrants further investigation

Why the Realist-Instrumentalist Debate about Rational Choice Rests on a Mistake

Within the social sciences, much controversy exists about which status should be ascribed to the rationality assumption that forms the core of rational choice theories. Whilst realists argue that the rationality assumption is an empirical claim which describes real processes that cause individual action, instrumentalists maintain that it amounts to nothing more than an analytically set axiom or ‘as if’ hypothesis which helps in the generation of accurate predictions. In this paper, I argue that this realist-instrumentalist debate about rational choice theory can be overcome once it is realised that the rationality assumption is neither an empirical description nor an ‘as if’ hypothesis, but a normative claim

Complexity of Manipulative Actions When Voting with Ties

Most of the computational study of election problems has assumed that each voter's preferences are, or should be extended to, a total order. However in practice voters may have preferences with ties. We study the complexity of manipulative actions on elections where voters can have ties, extending the definitions of the election systems (when necessary) to handle voters with ties. We show that for natural election systems allowing ties can both increase and decrease the complexity of manipulation and bribery, and we state a general result on the effect of voters with ties on the complexity of control.Comment: A version of this paper will appear in ADT-201

Inclusion of higher order terms for small-signal (modal) analysis: Committee report - task force on assessing the need to include higher order terms for small-signal (modal) analysis

© 2005 IEEE.This paper summarizes the work done by the Task Force on Assessing the Need to Include Higher Order Terms for Small-Signal (Modal) Analysis. This Task Force was created by the Power System Dynamic Performance Committee to investigate the need to include higher order terms for small signal (modal) analysis. The focus of the work reported here is on establishing and documenting the practical significance of these terms in stability analysis using the method of Normal Forms. Special emphasis was placed on determining and describing conditions when higher order terms need to be included to accurately describe modal interactions. Test cases were developed on a standard test system to demonstrate the application of appropriate indices to detect the occurrence of nonlinear interaction and hence the need for higher order terms in stability analyzes. The use of the higher order terms in the site selection for a damping controller is also documented.Sanchez-Gasca, Juan J.,Vittal, Vijay; Gibbard, Michael J.; Messina, Arturo Roman; Vowles, David J.; Liu, Shu; Annakkage, Udaya D

White matter microstructure correlates with autism trait severity in a combined clinical–control sample of high-functioning adults

AbstractDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have demonstrated white matter (WM) abnormalities in tracts involved in emotion processing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but little is known regarding the nature and distribution of WM anomalies in relation to ASD trait severity in adults. Increasing evidence suggests that ASD occurs at the extreme of a distribution of social abilities. We aimed to examine WM microstructure as a potential marker for ASD symptom severity in a combined clinical–neurotypical population. SIENAX was used to estimate whole brain volume. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) was used to provide a voxel-wise comparison of WM microstructure in 50 high-functioning young adults: 25 ASD and 25 neurotypical. The severity of ASD traits was measured by autism quotient (AQ); we examined regressions between DTI markers of WM microstructure and ASD trait severity. Cognitive abilities, measured by intelligence quotient, were well-matched between the groups and were controlled in all analyses. There were no significant group differences in whole brain volume. TBSS showed widespread regions of significantly reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased mean diffusivity (MD) and radial diffusivity (RD) in ASD compared with controls. Linear regression analyses in the combined sample showed that average whole WM skeleton FA was negatively influenced by AQ (p=0.004), whilst MD and RD were positively related to AQ (p=0.002; p=0.001). Regression slopes were similar within both groups and strongest for AQ social, communication and attention switching scores. In conclusion, similar regression characteristics were found between WM microstructure and ASD trait severity in a combined sample of ASD and neurotypical adults. WM anomalies were relatively more severe in the clinically diagnosed sample. Both findings suggest that there is a dimensional relationship between WM microstructure and severity of ASD traits from neurotypical subjects through to clinical ASD, with reduced coherence of WM associated with greater ASD symptoms. General cognitive abilities were independent of the relationship between WM indices and ASD traits