Quantum Chaos and Statistical Mechanics

We briefly review the well known connection between classical chaos and classical statistical mechanics, and the recently discovered connection between quantum chaos and quantum statistical mechanics.Comment: talk given at the Conference on Fundamental Problems in Quantum Theory, Baltimore, June 18-22; 6 pages in Plain TeX; UCSB-TH-94-1

Has the Office for Budget Responsibility achieved genuine independence from government?

Having been established by the government to take the politics out of fiscal and economic forecasting, the independence of the Office for Budget Responsibility is fundamental to its credibility and legitimacy. The appointment of Robert Chote as Chair in 2010 appears to have enhanced the OBR’s standing in this regard, but has not completely swept away all concerns about the OBR’s relationship to government. On the day the OBR releases its latest analysis of the UK’s public finances, Craig Berry and Richard Berry ask whether the agency has yet been able to break free from the political grasp of the Treasury

Method of radiographic inspection of wooden members

The invention is a method to be used for radiographic inspection of a wooden specimen for internal defects which includes the steps of introducing a radiopaque penetrant into any internal defects in the specimen through surface openings; passing a beam of radiation through a portion of the specimen to be inspected; and making a radiographic film image of the radiation passing through the specimen, with the radiopaque penetrant in the specimen absorbing the radiation passing through it, thereby enhancing the resulting image of the internal defects in the specimen

Polarization singularity anisotropy: determining monstardom

C points, that is isolated points of circular polarization in transverse fields of varying polarization, are classified morphologically into three distinct types, known as lemons, stars and monstars. These morphologies are interpreted here according to two natural parameters associated with the singularity, namely the anisotropy of the C point, and the polarization azimuth on the anisotropy axis. In addition to providing insight into singularity morphology, this observation applies to the densities of the various morphologies in isotropic random polarization speckle fields.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, Optics Letters styl

The Partnership Bill 2003: unnecessary tinkering or much-needed reform?

Purpose - To examine the nature and merits of the proposed changes to partnership law contained in the draft Partnership Bill published in the Law Commission's Partnership Law Report (2003). Design/methodology/approach - Sets out how the proposed Bill differs from the current law of partnership (contained in the Partnership Act 1890 and the Limited Partnerships Act 1907), looking at the definition of 'partnership', the introduction of separate legal personality, the provisions governing partners' duties, partnership finances, liability, the departure of partners, termination of the partnership and limited partnerships, and the introduction of new 'special limited partnerships' (which have no separate legal personality). Findings - Concludes that although there are weaknesses in the proposed Bill, with a few minor amendments 'it could provide the statutory basis for partnership law for at least another century'. Originality/value - Offers an overview of the changes that will be made to partnership law if the draft Partnership Bill is adopted in its current form

Higher education institutions : subject profile

"This briefing provides an overview of Higher Education Institutions in Scotland. It provides key statistics and information on recent policy developments" -- front cover