Quantum Chaos and Statistical Mechanics

We briefly review the well known connection between classical chaos and classical statistical mechanics, and the recently discovered connection between quantum chaos and quantum statistical mechanics.Comment: talk given at the Conference on Fundamental Problems in Quantum Theory, Baltimore, June 18-22; 6 pages in Plain TeX; UCSB-TH-94-1

Has the Office for Budget Responsibility achieved genuine independence from government?

Having been established by the government to take the politics out of fiscal and economic forecasting, the independence of the Office for Budget Responsibility is fundamental to its credibility and legitimacy. The appointment of Robert Chote as Chair in 2010 appears to have enhanced the OBR’s standing in this regard, but has not completely swept away all concerns about the OBR’s relationship to government. On the day the OBR releases its latest analysis of the UK’s public finances, Craig Berry and Richard Berry ask whether the agency has yet been able to break free from the political grasp of the Treasury

Method of radiographic inspection of wooden members

The invention is a method to be used for radiographic inspection of a wooden specimen for internal defects which includes the steps of introducing a radiopaque penetrant into any internal defects in the specimen through surface openings; passing a beam of radiation through a portion of the specimen to be inspected; and making a radiographic film image of the radiation passing through the specimen, with the radiopaque penetrant in the specimen absorbing the radiation passing through it, thereby enhancing the resulting image of the internal defects in the specimen

Polarization singularity anisotropy: determining monstardom

C points, that is isolated points of circular polarization in transverse fields of varying polarization, are classified morphologically into three distinct types, known as lemons, stars and monstars. These morphologies are interpreted here according to two natural parameters associated with the singularity, namely the anisotropy of the C point, and the polarization azimuth on the anisotropy axis. In addition to providing insight into singularity morphology, this observation applies to the densities of the various morphologies in isotropic random polarization speckle fields.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, Optics Letters styl

Who owns the land? Social relations and conflict over resources in Africa

Using case studies drawn from the authors' own and others’ research, this working paper describes and compares some of the ways land conflicts reflected, intensified or reshaped struggles over authority within and between families, local communities, institutions and states in post-colonial Africa. In the past, many Africans gained access to land through membership in a social group, rather than freehold ownership. In recent decades, with rising demand for land, urgent questions arose about land tenure and debates over land transactions often turned on issues of authority. Who was entitled to sell, lease, mortgage or bequeath land or land use rights to others, and who could decide? Coinciding with Africans’ struggles to work out the conditions of their own self-government following the end of colonial rule, rising competition over land intersected with conflicts over authority and obligation at all levels of social interaction. This essay will focus on processes of ‘privatisation from below’, asking how smaller-scale commercial acquisitions figure as sources of wealth and/or threats to livelihood in different economic and political contexts.Das Working Paper beschreibt und vergleicht einige der Formen, wie sich Kämpfe um Autorität in und zwischen Familien, lokalen Gemeinschaften, Institutionen und in Staaten im postkolonialen Afrika in Konflikten um Land widerspiegelten, intensivierten oder veränderten. Dabei bezieht sich die Autorin auf Fallstudien aus ihrer eigenen und anderer Forschung. Früher bekamen viele Afrikaner_innen Zugang zu Land eher über die Mitgliedschaft in einer sozialen Gruppe als über individuelles Eigentum. In den letzten Jahrzehnten, mit der wachsenden Nachfrage nach Land, kamen wichtige Fragen in Hinblick auf Landbesitz auf und Debatten über Landtransaktionen widmeten sich zunehmend dem Thema Autorität. Wer war berechtigt Land oder Landrechte zu verkaufen, zu verpachten, zu verpfänden oder zu vererben und wer konnte das entscheiden? Die gleichzeitige Suche nach den Bedingungen einer eigenen Regierungsweise nach Ende der Kolonialherrschaft führte dazu, dass sich die zunehmende Konkurrenz um Land mit Konflikten um Autorität und Zwang auf allen Ebenen der sozialen Interaktion verband. Dieser Artikel betrachtet Prozesse der ,Privatisierung von unten‘ und fragt danach, wie kleinere kommerzielle Aneignungen als Basis für Wohlstand und/oder Bedrohung der Lebensgrundlage in verschiedenen ökonomischen und politischen Kontexten fungieren

Higher education institutions : subject profile

"This briefing provides an overview of Higher Education Institutions in Scotland. It provides key statistics and information on recent policy developments" -- front cover

The Partnership Bill 2003: unnecessary tinkering or much-needed reform?

Purpose - To examine the nature and merits of the proposed changes to partnership law contained in the draft Partnership Bill published in the Law Commission's Partnership Law Report (2003). Design/methodology/approach - Sets out how the proposed Bill differs from the current law of partnership (contained in the Partnership Act 1890 and the Limited Partnerships Act 1907), looking at the definition of 'partnership', the introduction of separate legal personality, the provisions governing partners' duties, partnership finances, liability, the departure of partners, termination of the partnership and limited partnerships, and the introduction of new 'special limited partnerships' (which have no separate legal personality). Findings - Concludes that although there are weaknesses in the proposed Bill, with a few minor amendments 'it could provide the statutory basis for partnership law for at least another century'. Originality/value - Offers an overview of the changes that will be made to partnership law if the draft Partnership Bill is adopted in its current form