How Do Informal Agreements and Renegotiation Shape Contractual Reference Points?

Previous experimental work provides encouraging support for some of the central assumptions underlying Hart and Moore (2008)’s theory of contractual reference points. However, existing studies ignore realistic aspects of trading relationships such as informal agreements and ex post renegotiation. We investigate the relevance of these features experimentally. Our evidence indicates that the central behavioral mechanism underlying the concept of contractual reference points is robust to the presence of informal agreements and ex post renegotiation. However, our data also reveal new behavioral features that suggest refinements of the theory. In particular, we find that the availability of informal agreements and ex post renegotiation changes how trading parties evaluate ex post outcomes. Interestingly, the availability of these additional options affects ex post evaluations even in situations in which the parties do not use them.

Generation of three-dimensional prototype models based on cone beam computed tomography

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to generate three-dimensional models based on digital volumetric data that can be used in basic and advanced education. Methods: Four sets of digital volumetric data were established by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) (Accuitomo, J. Morita, Kyoto, Japan). Datasets were exported as Dicom formats and imported into Mimics and Magic software programs to separate the different tissues such as nerve, tooth and bone. These data were transferred to a Polyjet 3D Printing machine (Eden 330, Object, Israel) to generate the models. Results: Three-dimensional prototype models of certain limited anatomical structures as acquired volumetrically were fabricated. Conclusions: Generating three-dimensional models based on CBCT datasets is possible. Automated routine fabrication of these models, with the given infrastructure, is too time-consuming and therefore too expensiv

Gamma-Ray Burst Polarization: Limits from RHESSI Measurements

Using the RHESSI satellite as a Compton polarimeter, a recent study claimed that the prompt emission of GRB021206 was almost fully linearly polarized. This was challenged by a subsequent reanalysis. We present an novel approach, applying our method to the same data. We identify Compton scattering candidates by carefully filtering events in energy, time, and scattering geometry. Our polarization search is based on time dependent scattering rates in perpendicular directions, thus optimally excluding systematic errors. We perform simulations to obtain the instrument's polarimetric sensitivity, and these simulations include photon polarization. For GRB021206, we formally find a linear polarization degree of 41% (+57% -44%), concluding that the data quality is insufficient to constrain the polarization degree in this case. We further applied our analysis to GRB030519B and found again a null result.Comment: 39 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication by the Astrophysical Journa

Spectral Analysis of GRBs Measured by RHESSI

The Ge spectrometer of the RHESSI satellite is sensitive to Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) from about 40 keV up to 17 MeV, thus ideally complementing the Swift/BAT instrument whose sensitivity decreases above 150 keV. We present preliminary results of spectral fits of RHESSI GRB data. After describing our method, the RHESSI results are discussed and compared with Swift and Konus.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, conference proceedings, 'Swift and GRBs: Unveiling the Relativistic Universe', San Servolo, Venice, 5-9 June 2006, to appear in Il Nouvo Ciment

Phase detection at the quantum limit with multi-photon Mach-Zehnder interferometry

We study a Mach-Zehnder interferometer fed by a coherent state in one input port and vacuum in the other. We explore a Bayesian phase estimation strategy to demonstrate that it is possible to achieve the standard quantum limit independently from the true value of the phase shift and specific assumptions on the noise of the interferometer. We have been able to implement the protocol using parallel operation of two photon-number-resolving detectors and multiphoton coincidence logic electronics at the output ports of a weakly-illuminated Mach-Zehnder interferometer. This protocol is unbiased and saturates the Cramer-Rao phase uncertainty bound and, therefore, is an optimal phase estimation strategy.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures replaced fig. 1 to correct graphics bu

Motion of vortices implies chaos in Bohmian mechanics

Bohmian mechanics is a causal interpretation of quantum mechanics in which particles describe trajectories guided by the wave function. The dynamics in the vicinity of nodes of the wave function, usually called vortices, is regular if they are at rest. However, vortices generically move during time evolution of the system. We show that this movement is the origin of chaotic behavior of quantum trajectories. As an example, our general result is illustrated numerically in the two-dimensional isotropic harmonic oscillator.Comment: 7 pages 5 figure

Stable manifolds and homoclinic points near resonances in the restricted three-body problem

The restricted three-body problem describes the motion of a massless particle under the influence of two primaries of masses $1-\mu$ and $\mu$ that circle each other with period equal to $2\pi$. For small $\mu$, a resonant periodic motion of the massless particle in the rotating frame can be described by relatively prime integers $p$ and $q$, if its period around the heavier primary is approximately $2\pi p/q$, and by its approximate eccentricity $e$. We give a method for the formal development of the stable and unstable manifolds associated with these resonant motions. We prove the validity of this formal development and the existence of homoclinic points in the resonant region. In the study of the Kirkwood gaps in the asteroid belt, the separatrices of the averaged equations of the restricted three-body problem are commonly used to derive analytical approximations to the boundaries of the resonances. We use the unaveraged equations to find values of asteroid eccentricity below which these approximations will not hold for the Kirkwood gaps with $q/p$ equal to 2/1, 7/3, 5/2, 3/1, and 4/1. Another application is to the existence of asymmetric librations in the exterior resonances. We give values of asteroid eccentricity below which asymmetric librations will not exist for the 1/7, 1/6, 1/5, 1/4, 1/3, and 1/2 resonances for any $\mu$ however small. But if the eccentricity exceeds these thresholds, asymmetric librations will exist for $\mu$ small enough in the unaveraged restricted three-body problem

Measurement of electron screening in muonic lead

Energies of the transitions between high-lying (n≥6) states of muonic lead were accurately determined. The results are interpreted as a ∼2% test of the electron screening. The agreement between experiment and theory is good if it is assumed that the refilling of the electron K shell is fast. The present results furthermore severely restrict possible ionization of the electron L shell

On the Use of Minimum Volume Ellipsoids and Symplectic Capacities for Studying Classical Uncertainties for Joint Position-Momentum Measurements

We study the minimum volume ellipsoid estimator associates to a cloud of points in phase space. Using as a natural measure of uncertainty the symplectic capacity of the covariance ellipsoid we find that classical uncertainties obey relations similar to those found in non-standard quantum mechanics

Aortic calcification and femoral bone density are independently associated with left ventricular mass in patients with chronic kidney disease

Background Vascular calcification and reduced bone density are prevalent in chronic kidney disease and linked to increased cardiovascular risk. The mechanism is unknown. We assessed the relationship between vascular calcification, femoral bone density and left ventricular mass in patients with stage 3 non-diabetic chronic kidney disease in a cross-sectional observational study. Methodology and Principal Findings A total of 120 patients were recruited (54% male, mean age 55±14 years, mean glomerular filtration rate 50±13 ml/min/1.73 m2). Abdominal aortic calcification was assessed using lateral lumbar spine radiography and was present in 48%. Mean femoral Z-score measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry was 0.60±1.06. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine left ventricular mass. One patient had left ventricular hypertrophy. Subjects with aortic calcification had higher left ventricular mass compared to those without (56±16 vs. 48±12 g/m2, P = 0.002), as did patients with femoral Z-scores below zero (56±15 vs. 49±13 g/m2, P = 0.01). In univariate analysis presence of aortic calcification correlated with left ventricular mass (r = 0.32, P = 0.001); mean femoral Z-score inversely correlated with left ventricular mass (r = −0.28, P = 0.004). In a multivariate regression model that included presence of aortic calcification, mean femoral Z-score, gender and 24-hour systolic blood pressure, 46% of the variability in left ventricular mass was explained (P<0.001). Conclusions In patients with stage 3 non-diabetic chronic kidney disease, lower mean femoral Z-score and presence of aortic calcification are independently associated with increased left ventricular mass. Further research exploring the pathophysiology that underlies these relationships is warranted