Constructing free actions of p-groups on products of spheres

We prove that, for p an odd prime, every finite p-group of rank 3 acts freely on a finite complex X homotopy equivalent to a product of three spheres

CFD analysis for high speed inlets

The increased national interest in high speed flight has increased research for high speed propulsion components. The highly 3-D flows present in supersonic/hypersonic inlets are currently being studied at NASA-Lewis both experimentally and computationally using a family of steady Parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) and Navier-Stokes (NS) solvers and unsteady NS solvers. Some of the results of these efforts are presented with an emphasis on the comparison of the computational and experimental results. The flow in high speed inlets typically involves the interaction of compression shock waves and boundary layers on the internal surfaces. The fundamentals of these interactions have been studied experimentally for many years, while more recently, computations have been used to study these complex 3-D flow fields. Attempts to control the flow through boundary layer bleed are being investigated computationally prior to wind tunnel experiments. The ultimate goal is the higher performing inlets required for high speed flight

The essential ideal in group cohomology does not square to zero

Let G be the Sylow 2-subgroup of the unitary group $SU_3(4)$. We find two essential classes in the mod-2 cohomology ring of G whose product is nonzero. In fact, the product is the ``last survivor'' of Benson-Carlson duality. Recent work of Pakianathan and Yalcin then implies a result about connected graphs with an action of G. Also, there exist essential classes which cannot be written as sums of transfers from proper subgroups. This phenomenon was first observed on the computer. The argument given here uses the elegant calculation by J. Clark, with minor corrections.Comment: 9 pages; three typos corrected, one was particularly confusin

Wall Street, a missing girl, and outsourced furniture

We asked Tom Coker \u2787 and Barrie Benson \u2792 what works are currently inspiring them

Topologically Alice Strings and Monopoles

Symmetry breaking can produce ``Alice'' strings, which alter scattered charges and carry monopole number and charge when twisted into loops. Alice behavior arises algebraically, when strings obstruct unbroken symmetries -- a fragile criterion. We give a topological criterion, compelling Alice behavior or deforming it away. Our criterion, that \pi_o(H) acts nontrivially on \pi_1(H), links topologically Alice strings to topological monopoles. We twist topologically Alice loops to form monopoles. We show that Alice strings of condensed matter systems (nematic liquid crystals, helium 3A, and related non-chiral Bose condensates and amorphous chiral superconductors) are topologically Alice, and support fundamental monopole charge when twisted into loops. Thus they might be observed indirectly, not as strings, but as loop-like point defects. We describe other models, showing Alice strings failing our topological criterion; and twisted Alice loops supporting deposited, but not fundamental, monopole number.Comment: 2 figures; this paper consolidates preprints hep-th/0304161 and hep-th/0304162, to appear in Phys. Rev.

An Assessment of Collaborative Development Based Approach on Poverty Reduction in Kenya: Case of Kenya Government and Civil Society Organizations

The government of Kenya has initiated several national development plans and policies to generate wealth and ensure fast economic growth so as to reduce high poverty rates in the country. To achieve this, the government is working closely with several stakeholders, especially the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in order to attain a broad based, sustainable development for the welfare of her population. It is strongly believed that poverty alleviation needs concerted efforts so that the escalating poverty rates can be tackled effectively. The state and non state actors have vital roles to play in confronting the challenges posed by escalating poverty levels in the country. The war against poverty, diseases and ignorance has not been won fifty years since independence. The government has put in place several measures on poverty reduction without much success. The civil society has also instituted poverty reduction strategies with minimal gains. It is crystal clear that about half of the total population in Kenya is poor. Efforts geared towards poverty reduction in the country have not been fruitful because of the rising poverty and inequality rates in parts of the country. In response the government has initiated new strategies of collaborating with non state stakeholders through broad based consultations and participation. It is therefore important to investigate and critically assess Kenya’s claims of stakeholders’ collaboration, inclusion and quality participation. To this end , it is important to know who participated, in what way did they participate, in whose term did they participate, at what levels did they participate and what has been the strategic results of these in poverty reduction process. The purpose of this paper therefore is to assess the performance of stakeholders’ collaboration and participation in alleviating poverty in Kenya. The study seeks to provide an overview of the stakeholders’ participation in poverty eradication programs and identify the achievements and challenges facing the partnership approach to poverty reduction process in Kenya. Keywords: Poverty Reduction Strategy, Kenya Government &Civil Societ

Spreading Disinformation on Facebook:Do Trust in Message Source, Risk Propensity, or Personality Affect the Organic Reach of “Fake News”?

There is considerable concern about the propagation of disinformation through social media, particularly for political purposes. “Organic reach” has been found to be important in the propagation of disinformation on social networks. This is the phenomenon whereby social media users extend the audience for a piece of information: interacting with it, or sharing it with their wider networks, greatly increases the number of people the information reaches. This project evaluated the extent to which characteristics of the message source (how trustworthy they were) and the recipient (risk propensity and personality) influenced the organic reach of a potentially false message. In an online study, 357 Facebook users completed personality and risk propensity scales and rated their likelihood of interacting in various ways with a message posted by either a trustworthy or untrustworthy source. Message source impacted on overall organic reach, with messages from trusted sources being more likely to be propagated. Risk propensity did not influence reach. However, low scores on trait agreeableness predicted greater likelihood of interacting with a message. The findings provide preliminary evidence that both message source and recipient characteristics can potentially influence the spread of disinformation

The effectiveness of Poverty Reduction efforts in Kenya: An evaluation of Kenyan Government’s policy initiatives on poverty alleviation

The Government of Kenya has since independence directed its efforts to fight diseases, ignorance and poverty as part of its development agenda. According to the Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965, the government recognized poverty, disease and illiteracy as the major constraints to human development. To date, various development plans, Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, Participatory Poverty Assessment Reports, National Poverty Eradication Plan, Economic Recovery Strategy and Vision 2030 policies, have spelt out the strategies to fight poverty. Despite these efforts, poverty levels continue to escalate. The government has since established the causes, constraints and the processes that engender and entrench poverty. In spite of these positive developments, poverty alleviation has remained elusive. Poor economic performance has led to increase in absolute poverty as most Kenyans go without adequate food and nutrition, and face inadequate access to basic services that include education, health facilities, safe water and decent housing. The poverty reduction efforts have been unsuccessful due to weak mapping and coordination of the lead institutions, duplication of efforts, inadequate coverage by region and even gender, competition among and between players, and lack of clear policy direction. It is against this background that this paper seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of government policies in poverty reduction programs in Kenya. The purpose of this study therefore is to analyze the capacity of development policies and institutions in addressing the poverty status, in participatory planning, budgeting and implementation of development programs. The study identifies and analyzes the policies and institutions involved in poverty eradication; and seek to determine how best institutions can network to address poverty issues. The paper further examines existing policies in poverty eradication and attempts to establish a framework that will ensure effective implementation of anti-poverty programs that are targeted, coordinated and executable. The study critically analyzes the bottlenecks to effective implementation of government policies on poverty alleviation in Kenya. Key words: poverty Reduction, Policies, Kenyan Governmen