1,553 research outputs found

    Quantisation of twistor theory by cocycle twist

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    We present the main ingredients of twistor theory leading up to and including the Penrose-Ward transform in a coordinate algebra form which we can then `quantise' by means of a functorial cocycle twist. The quantum algebras for the conformal group, twistor space CP^3, compactified Minkowski space CMh and the twistor correspondence space are obtained along with their canonical quantum differential calculi, both in a local form and in a global *-algebra formulation which even in the classical commutative case provides a useful alternative to the formulation in terms of projective varieties. We outline how the Penrose-Ward transform then quantises. As an example, we show that the pull-back of the tautological bundle on CMh pulls back to the basic instanton on S^4\subset CMh and that this observation quantises to obtain the Connes-Landi instanton on \theta-deformed S^4 as the pull-back of the tautological bundle on our \theta-deformed CMh. We likewise quantise the fibration CP^3--> S^4 and use it to construct the bundle on \theta-deformed CP^3 that maps over under the transform to the \theta-deformed instanton.Comment: 68 pages 0 figures. Significant revision now has detailed formulae for classical and quantum CP^

    On wind-driven electrojets at magnetic cusps in the nightside ionosphere of Mars

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    Mars has a complex magnetic topology where crustal magnetic fields can interact with the solar wind magnetic field to form magnetic cusps. On the nightside, solar wind electron precipitation can produce enhanced ionization at cusps while closed field regions adjacent to cusps can be devoid of significant ionization. Using an electron transport model, we calculate the spatial structure of the nightside ionosphere of Mars using Mars Global Surveyor electron measurements as input. We find that localized regions of enhanced ionospheric density can occur at magnetic cusps adjacent to low density regions. Under this configuration, thermospheric winds can drive ionospheric electrojets. Collisional ions move in the direction of the neutral winds while magnetized electrons move perpendicular to the wind direction. This difference in motion drives currents and can lead to charge accumulation at the edges of regions of enhanced ionization. Polarization fields drive secondary currents which can reinforce the primary currents leading to electrojet formation. We estimate the magnitude of these electrojets and show that their magnetic perturbations can be detectable from both orbiting spacecraft and the surface. The magnitude of the electrojets can vary on diurnal and annual time scales as the strength and direction of the winds vary. These electrojets may lead to localized Joule heating, and closure of these currents may require field-aligned currents which may play a role in high altitude acceleration processes

    Synthesis and characterization of molybdenum nitride hydrodenitrogenation catalysts

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    Details concerning the relationships between the structural, chemical and catalytic properties of Mo nitrides have been elucidated. A series of Mo nitride catalysts were prepared by the temperature programmed reaction of MoO3 with NH3. The structural properties of these nitrides were complex functions of the heating rates and space velocities employed. Two reaction sequences were proposed to account for the synthesis of high, medium and low surface area materials. An interesting conclusion was that the degree of reduction of the molybdate precursor or intermediate governed the structural properties of the product. Some evidence is also presented to suggest that the nucleation and growth rates involved in the transformation of the oxide to the nitride were significantly influenced by the synthesis conditions. The Mo nitrides proved to be exceptional pyridine hydrodenitrogenation catalysts. Their catalytic properties were superior to those of a commercial sulfided Co-Mo hydrotreatment catalyst, having higher activities and better C-N bond hydrogenolysis selectivities. Hydrodenitrogenation over the Mo nitrides appeared to be structure-sensitive. While detailed relationships between the catalytic activity and surface stoichiometry could not be ascertained, there did appear to be a correlation between the activity, and the particle size and grain boundary length. We proposed that at least two types of HDN sites existed on the Mo nitride surfaces; modest activity sites on the particles and high activity sites at grain boundaries. The N/Mo stoichiometry of the highest activity catalyst was near unity suggesting that MoN was present perhaps localized at the grain boundaries. Finally structures near or at the surface were markedly different from those of the bulk. While the predominant bulk phase was [gamma]-Mo2N, the surface appeared to consist of either non-stoichiometric [beta]-Mo16N7 or mixtures of Mo and [beta]-Mo16N7.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/29977/1/0000340.pd

    Does police size matter?:A review of the evidence regarding restructuring police organisations

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    Restructuring and merging public sector organisations is often seen as a way to enhance efficiency and efficacy. There is ongoing debate about the impact of police force sizes, structures and mergers as police organisations attempt to adapt to reductions in their budgets and changes in patterns of criminality. The article reviews the evidence regarding key aspects of police reform: finding mixed evidence regarding the links between size and performance, while noting risks that mergers may impair local policing. The article discusses the impact of mergers on protective services, governance and accountability, while also discussing potential risks and opportunities associated with the merger process itself. The review finds significant gaps in the available evidence, and significant opportunities to expand the evidence base on this topic. Given current gaps in the evidence regarding size, efficacy and efficiency, it is important to give due consideration to symbolic and rhetorical aspects of mergers
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