7,494 research outputs found
Allelomimesis as universal clustering mechanism for complex adaptive systems
Animal and human clusters are complex adaptive systems and many are organized
in cluster sizes that obey the frequency-distribution . Exponent describes the relative abundance of the cluster
sizes in a given system. Data analyses have revealed that real-world clusters
exhibit a broad spectrum of -values, . We show that allelomimesis is a
fundamental mechanism for adaptation that accurately explains why a broad
spectrum of -values is observed in animate, human and inanimate cluster
systems. Previous mathematical models could not account for the phenomenon.
They are hampered by details and apply only to specific systems such as cities,
business firms or gene family sizes. Allelomimesis is the tendency of an
individual to imitate the actions of its neighbors and two cluster systems
yield different values if their component agents display different
allelomimetic tendencies. We demonstrate that allelomimetic adaptation are of
three general types: blind copying, information-use copying, and non-copying.
Allelomimetic adaptation also points to the existence of a stable cluster size
consisting of three interacting individuals.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, 2 table
Representations of the Canonical group, (the semi-direct product of the Unitary and Weyl-Heisenberg groups), acting as a dynamical group on noncommuting extended phase space
The unitary irreducible representations of the covering group of the Poincare
group P define the framework for much of particle physics on the physical
Minkowski space P/L, where L is the Lorentz group. While extraordinarily
successful, it does not provide a large enough group of symmetries to encompass
observed particles with a SU(3) classification. Born proposed the reciprocity
principle that states physics must be invariant under the reciprocity transform
that is heuristically {t,e,q,p}->{t,e,p,-q} where {t,e,q,p} are the time,
energy, position, and momentum degrees of freedom. This implies that there is
reciprocally conjugate relativity principle such that the rates of change of
momentum must be bounded by b, where b is a universal constant. The appropriate
group of dynamical symmetries that embodies this is the Canonical group C(1,3)
= U(1,3) *s H(1,3) and in this theory the non-commuting space Q= C(1,3)/
SU(1,3) is the physical quantum space endowed with a metric that is the second
Casimir invariant of the Canonical group, T^2 + E^2 - Q^2/c^2-P^2/b^2 +(2h
I/bc)(Y/bc -2) where {T,E,Q,P,I,Y} are the generators of the algebra of
Os(1,3). The idea is to study the representations of the Canonical dynamical
group using Mackey's theory to determine whether the representations can
encompass the spectrum of particle states. The unitary irreducible
representations of the Canonical group contain a direct product term that is a
representation of U(1,3) that Kalman has studied as a dynamical group for
hadrons. The U(1,3) representations contain discrete series that may be
decomposed into infinite ladders where the rungs are representations of U(3)
(finite dimensional) or C(2) (with degenerate U(1)* SU(2) finite dimensional
representations) corresponding to the rest or null frames.Comment: 25 pages; V2.3, PDF (Mathematica 4.1 source removed due to technical
problems); Submitted to J.Phys.
The Role of the IMF in Future Sovereign Debt Restructurings: Report of the Annenberg House Expert Group
A meeting of international finance and insolvency experts was held on November 2, 2013 at the Annenberg House in Santa Monica, California. The meeting was co-hosted by the USC Law School and the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands. The goal was to solicit the views of experts on the implications of the IMFâs April 26, 2013 paper captioned âSovereign Debt Restructuring -- Recent Developments and Implications for the Fundâs Legal and Policy Frameworkâ. The April 26 paper may signal a shift in IMF policies in the area of sovereign debt workouts. Although the Expert Group discussed a number of the ideas contained in the April 26 paper, attention focused on paragraph 32 of that paper. That paragraph states in relevant part: âThere may be a case for exploring additional ways to limit the risk that Fund resources will simply be used to bail out private creditors. For example, a presumption could be established that some form of a creditor bail-in measure would be implemented as a condition for Fund lending in cases where, although no clear-cut determination has been made that the debt is unsustainable, the member has lost market access and prospects for regaining market access are uncertain.â
This Report summarizes the consensus views of the Expert Group on the practical implications of the suggestions contained in paragraph 32 of the April 26 paper
How to get started with a systematic review in epidemiology: an introductory guide for early career researchers
Background: systematic review is a powerful research tool which aims to identify and synthesize all evidence relevant to a research question. The approach taken is much like that used in a scientific experiment, with high priority given to the transparency and reproducibility of the methods used and to handling all evidence in a consistent manner.Early career researchers may find themselves in a position where they decide to undertake a systematic review, for example it may form part or all of a PhD thesis. Those with no prior experience of systematic review may need considerable support and direction getting started with such a project. Here we set out in simple terms how to get started with a systematic review.Discussion: advice is given on matters such as developing a review protocol, searching using databases and other methods, data extraction, risk of bias assessment and data synthesis including meta-analysis. Signposts to further information and useful resources are also given.Conclusion: a well-conducted systematic review benefits the scientific field by providing a summary of existing evidence and highlighting unanswered questions. For the individual, undertaking a systematic review is also a great opportunity to improve skills in critical appraisal and in synthesising evidence
Predictors of short-term readmission after beyond total mesorectal excision for primary locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer
Unplanned readmissions heavily affect the cost of health care and are used as an indicator of performance. No clear data are available regarding beyond-total mesorectal excision (bTME) procedure. Aim of the study is to identify patient-related and surgery-related factors influencing the 30-day readmissions after bTME. Retrospective data were collected from 220 patients who underwent bTME procedures at single centre between 2006 and 2016. Patient-related and operative factors were assessed, including body mass index (BMI), age, gender, American Society of Anaesthesiologistsâ (ASA) score, preoperative stage, neo-adjuvant therapy, primary tumour vs recurrence, the extent of surgery. The readmission rate was 8.18%. No statistically significant association was found with BMI, ASA score, length of stay and stay in the intensive care unit, primary vs recurrent tumour or blood transfusions. Not quite statistically significant was the association with pelvic side wall dissection (OR 3.32, p = 0.054). Statistically significant factors included preoperative stage > IIIb (OR: 4.77, p = 0.002), neo-adjuvant therapy (OR: 0.13, p = 0.0006), age over 65 years (OR: 5.96, p = 0.0005), any re-intervention during the first admission (OR: 7.4, p = 0.0001), and any post-operative complication (OR: 9.01, p = 0.004). The readmission rate after beyond-TME procedure is influenced by patient-related factors as well as post-operative morbidity
An Absolute Flux Density Measurement of the Supernova Remnant Casseopia A at 32 GHz
We report 32 GHz absolute flux density measurements of the supernova remnant
Cas A, with an accuracy of 2.5%. The measurements were made with the 1.5-meter
telescope at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory. The antenna gain had been
measured by NIST in May 1990 to be .
Our observations of Cas A in May 1998 yield . We also report absolute flux density measurements of 3C48, 3C147, 3C286,
Jupiter, Saturn and Mars.Comment: 30 pages, 4 figures; accepted for publication by AJ. Revised
systematic error budget, corrected typos, and added reference
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