Commuting charges and symmetric spaces

Every classical sigma-model with target space a compact symmetric space $G/H$ (with $G$ classical) is shown to possess infinitely many local, commuting, conserved charges which can be written in closed form. The spins of these charges run over a characteristic set of values, playing the role of exponents of $G/H$, and repeating modulo an integer $h$ which plays the role of a Coxeter number.Comment: LaTeX, 16 pages; v2: footnote adde

Two monopoles of one type and one of another

The metric on the moduli space of charge (2,1) SU(3) Bogomolny-Prasad-Sommerfield monopoles is calculated and investigated. The hyperKahler quotient construction is used to provide an alternative derivation of the metric. Various properties of the metric are derived using the hyperKahler quotient construction and the correspondence between BPS monopoles and rational maps. Several interesting limits of the metric are also considered.Comment: 48 pages, LaTeX, 2 figures. Typos corrected. Version in JHE

Conserved Charges and Supersymmetry in Principal Chiral Models

We report on investigations of local (and non-local) charges in bosonic and supersymmetric principal chiral models in 1+1 dimensions. In the bosonic PCM there is a classically conserved local charge for each symmetric invariant tensor of the underlying group. These all commute with the non-local Yangian charges. The algebra of the local charges amongst themselves is rather more subtle. We give a universal formula for infinite sets of mutually commuting local charges with spins equal to the exponents of the underlying classical algebra modulo its Coxeter number. Many of these results extend to the supersymmetric PCM, but with local conserved charges associated with antisymmetric invariants in the Lie algebra. We comment briefly on the quantum conservation of local charges in both the bosonic and super PCMs.Comment: 18 pages, LaTeX. Revised and up-dated version based on conference talks by JME and NJ

Visualization of uncertainty and analysis of geographical data

A team of five worked on this challenge to identify a possible criminal strucutre within the Flitter social network. Initially we worked on the problem individually, deliberately not sharing any data, results or conclusions. This maximised the chances of spotting any blunders, unjustified assumptions or inferences and allowed us to triangulate any common conclusions. After an agreed period we shared our results demonstrating the visualization applications we had built and the reasoning behind our conclusions. This sharing of assumptions encouraged us to incorporate uncertainty in our visualization approaches as it became clear that there was a number of possible interpretations of the rules and assumptions governing the challenge. This summary of the work emphasises one of those applications detailing the geographic analysis and uncertainty handling of the network data. ©2009 IEEE

Unexpected Effect of Internal Degrees of Freedom on Transverse Phonons in Supercooled Liquids

We show experimentally that in a supercooled liquid composed of molecules with internal degrees of freedom the internal modes contribute to the frequency dependent shear viscosity and damping of transverse phonons, which results in an additional broadening of the transverse Brillouin lines. Earlier, only the effect of internal modes on the frequency dependent bulk viscosity and damping of longitudinal phonons was observed and explained theoretically in the limit of weak coupling of internal degrees of freedom to translational motion. A new theory is needed to describe this new effect. We also demonstrate, that the contributions of structural relaxation and internal processes to the width of the Brillouin lines can be separated by measurements under high pressure

The Cleo III Ring Imaging Cherenkov Detector

The CLEO detector has been upgraded to include a state of the art particle identification system, based on the Ring Imaging Cherenkov Detector (RICH) technology, in order to take data at the upgraded CESR electron positron collider. The expected performance is reviewed, as well as the preliminary results from an engineering run during the first few months of operation of the CLEO III detector.Comment: 5 pages, 2 Figures Talk given by M. Artuso at 8th Pisa Meeting on Advanced Detectors, May 200

Preventative tele-health supported services for early stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial pilot

Background Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a prevalent debilitating long term condition. It is the second most common cause of emergency admission to hospital in the UK and remains one of the most costly conditions to treat through acute care. Tele-health monitoring offers potential to reduce the rates of re-hospitalisation and emergency department visits and improve quality of life for people with COPD. However, the current evidence base to support technology adoption and implementation is limited and the resource implications for implementing tele-health in practice can be very high. This trial will employ tele-health monitoring in a preventative capacity for patients diagnosed with early stage COPD following discharge from hospital to determine whether it reduces their need for additional health service support or hospital admission and improves their quality of life. Methods/Design We describe a pilot study for a two arm, one site randomized controlled trial (RCT) to determine the effect of tele-health monitoring on self-management, quality of life and patient satisfaction. Sixty patients who have been discharged from one acute trust with a primary diagnosis of COPD and who have agreed to receive community clinical support following discharge from acute care will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (a) Tele-health supported Community COPD Service; or (b) Usual Care. The tele-health supported service involves the patient receiving two home visits with a specialist COPD clinician (nurse or physiotherapist) then participating in daily tele-monitoring over an eight week period. Usual care consists of six home visits to the patient by specialist COPD clinicians again over eight successive weeks. Health status and quality of life data for all participants will be measured at baseline, on discharge from the service and at six months post discharge from the service. Discussion The tele-health service under study is a complex service delivered through a collaboration between local authority and health care partners. The implementation of this service demanded significant changes to established working patterns and has been a challenging process requiring considerable planning - a challenge that many providers are likely to face in the future. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN6885601

Genome-wide analysis points to roles for extracellular matrix remodeling, the visual cycle, and neuronal development in myopia

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common eye disorder, resulting primarily from excess elongation of the eye. The etiology of myopia, although known to be complex, is poorly understood. Here we report the largest ever genome-wide association study (43,360 participants) on myopia in Europeans. We performed a survival analysis on age of myopia onset and identified 19 significant associations (p < 5e-8), two of which are replications of earlier associations with refractive error. These 19 associations in total explain 2.7% of the variance in myopia age of onset, and point towards a number of different mechanisms behind the development of myopia. One association is in the gene PRSS56, which has previously been linked to abnormally small eyes; one is in a gene that forms part of the extracellular matrix (LAMA2); two are in or near genes involved in the regeneration of 11-cis-retinal (RGR and RDH5); two are near genes known to be involved in the growth and guidance of retinal ganglion cells (ZIC2, SFRP1); and five are in or near genes involved in neuronal signaling or development. These novel findings point towards multiple genetic factors involved in the development of myopia and suggest that complex interactions between extracellular matrix remodeling, neuronal development, and visual signals from the retina may underlie the development of myopia in humans

High resolution sub-millimetre mapping of starburst galaxies: Comparison with CO emission

Researchers present first results from a program of submillimeter continuum mapping of starburst galaxies, and comparison of their dust and CO emission. This project was prompted by surprising results from the first target, the nearby starburst M82, which shows in the dust continuum a morphology quite unlike that of its CO emission, in contrast to what might be expected if both CO and dust are accurately tracing the molecular hydrogen. Possible explanations for this striking difference are discussed. In the light of these results, the program has been extended to include sub-mm mapping of the nearby, vigorously star forming spirals, M83 and Maffei 2. The latter were also observed extensively in CO, in order to study excitation conditions in its central regions. The James Clerk Maxwell Telescope was used in these studies