Twist Gap and Global Symmetry in Two Dimensions

We show that every compact, unitary two-dimensional conformal field theory with an Abelian conserved current has vanishing twist gap for charged primary fields with respect to the u(1)×Virasoro algebra. This means that either the chiral algebra is enhanced by a charged primary field with zero twist or there is an infinite family of charged primary fields that accumulate to zero twist

Twist Gap and Global Symmetry in Two Dimensions

We show that every compact, unitary two-dimensional conformal field theory with an Abelian conserved current has vanishing twist gap for charged primary fields with respect to the u(1)×Virasoro algebra. This means that either the chiral algebra is enhanced by a charged primary field with zero twist or there is an infinite family of charged primary fields that accumulate to zero twist

Smart routing: towards proactive fault handling of software-defined networks

In recent years, the emerging paradigm of software-defined networking has become a hot and thriving topic in both the industrial and academic sectors. Software-defined networking offers numerous benefits against legacy networking systems by simplifying the process of network management through reducing the cost of network configurations. Currently, data plane fault management is limited to two mechanisms: proactive and reactive. These fault management and recovery techniques are activated only after a failure occurrence and hence packet loss is highly likely to occur. This is due to convergence time where new network paths will need to be allocated in order to forward the affected traffic rather than drop it. Such convergence leads to temporary service disruption and unavailability. Practically, not only the speed of recovery mechanisms affects the convergence, but also the delay caused by the process of failure detection. In this paper, we define a new approach for data plane fault management in software-defined networks where the goal is to eliminate the convergence process altogether rather than accelerate the failure detection and recovery. We propose a new framework, called Smart Routing, which allows the network controller to receive forewarning signs on failures and hence avoid risky paths before the failure incidents occur. The proposed approach aims to decrease service disruption, which in turn increases network service availability. We validate our framework through a set of experiments that demonstrate how the underlying model runs and its impact on improving service availability. We take as example of the applicability of the new framework three types of topologies covering real and simulated networks

Impacts of anthropogenic heat on summertime rainfall in Beijing

Anthropogenic heat is an important component of the urban energy budgets that can affect land surface and atmospheric boundary layer processes. Representation of anthropogenic heat in numerical climate modeling systems is therefore important when simulating urban meteorology and climate and has the potential to improve weather forecasts, climate process studies, and energy demand analysis. Here, spatiotemporally dynamic anthropogenic heat data estimated by the Building Effects Parameterization and Building Energy Model (BEP-BEM) are incorporated into the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model system to investigate its impact on simulation of summertime rainfall in Beijing, China. Simulations of four local rainfall events with and without anthropogenic heat indicate that anthropogenic heat leads to increased rainfall over the urban area. For all four events, anthropogenic heat emission increases sensible heat flux, enhances mixing and turbulent energy transport, lifts PBL height, increases dry static energy, and destabilizes the atmosphere in urban areas through thermal perturbation and strong upward motion during the prestorm period, resulting in enhanced convergence during the major rainfall period. Intensified rainfall leads to greater atmospheric dry-down during the storm and a higher poststorm LCL

ADVANCED GESTURE RECOGNIZING SURVEILANCE SYSTEMS USING MICROSOFT KINECTS

poster abstractThis research explores the possibility of implementing an advanced ges-ture recognizing surveillance system (A.G.R.S.S.) with the capability of mon-itoring and targeting a person who performs a threatening gesture within a designated area. By networking multiple Microsoft Kinects (gesture based video game controllers) together, we hypothesize that people can be moni-tored, tracked, and targeted based on the gestures they perform. The suc-cessful development of an A.G.R.S.S. can provide significant support in spot-ting individuals who pose a threat which can have civilian and military im-plementations. Since each Kinect can provide a spatial representation for twenty joints on a person, we developed code that links the aforementioned information from each Kinect into a single program. With two Kinects run-ning, we did trials of our program to simulate a trade-off of information be-tween the two Kinects. We also used these trials to analyze the effectiveness of the gesture recognition software. We found that multiple Kinects can be linked together to monitor and target a person based on the gestures they perform. The outcome of the project is a program that uses two Kinects to observe (live video stream), target, follow, and capture a picture of a person who has simulated firing a hand gun. These results unequivocally answer the question that we set out to investigate. Therefore, we can conclude that an A.G.R.S.S. can be developed using multiple Microsoft Kinects. This research paves the way for a future A.G.R.S.S. that monitors larger areas, looks for more gestures, and implements biometrics to identify individuals of interest

Papaverine, a phosphodiesterase 10A inhibitor, ameliorates quinolinic acid-induced synaptotoxicity in human cortical neurons

Phosphodiesterase-10A (PDE10A) hydrolyse the secondary messengers cGMP and cAMP, two molecules playing important roles in neurodevelopment and brain functions. PDE10A is associated to progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's diseases, and a critical role in cognitive functions. The present study was undertaken to determine the possible neuroprotective effects and the associated mechanism of papaverine (PAP), a PDE10A isoenzyme inhibitor, against quinolinic acid (QUIN)-induced excitotoxicity using human primary cortical neurons. Cytotoxicity potential of PAP was analysed using MTS assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by DCF-DA and JC10 staining, respectively. Caspase 3/7 and cAMP levels were measured using ELISA kits. Effect of PAP on the CREB, BNDF and synaptic proteins such as SAP-97, synaptophysin, synapsin-I, and PSD-95 expression was analysed by Western blot. Pre-treatment with PAP increased intracellular cAMP and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) levels, restored mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta psi m), and decreased ROS and caspase 3/7 content in QUIN exposed neurons. PAP up-regulated CREB and BDNF, and synaptic protein expression. In summary, these data indicate that PDE10A is involved in QUIN-mediated synaptotoxicity and its inhibition elicit neuroprotection by reducing the oxidative stress and protecting synaptic proteins via up-regulation of cAMP signalling cascade

Impact of Interactions Between First Responders and Opioid Drug Users

INTRODUCTION In 2017, First Responders (EMS, Police, and Fire Department) in Vermont administered 848 doses of naloxone (Narcan®), an opioid antagonist that can block the effects of opioids in overdose. However, the rate of opioid-related fatalities has continued to rise from 74 in 2015 to 101 in 2017. Vermont CARES, a nonprofit organization, helps address this issue by working “for and with Vermonters affected by HIV/AIDS to promote well-being through a continuum of prevention, support, and advocacy services.” Their syringe service programs throughout the state provide access to clean needles, overdose prevention education, and naloxone. AIMS 1. To better understand the perceived experience of opioid drug users (Vermont CARES clients) when interacting with First Responders following an overdose. 2. To explore how such interactions of a Vermont CARES client – essentially as positive or negative – affects the likelihood to request such help in the futurehttps://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1279/thumbnail.jp