Fragmentation Function in Non-Equilibrium QCD Using Closed-Time Path Integral Formalism

In this paper we implement Schwinger-Keldysh closed-time path integral formalism in non-equilibrium QCD to the definition of Collins-Soper fragmentation function. We consider a high p_T parton in QCD medium at initial time t_0 with arbitrary non-equilibrium (non-isotropic) distribution function f(\vec{p}) fragmenting to hadron. We formulate parton to hadron fragmentation function in non-equilibrium QCD in the light-cone quantization formalism. It may be possible to include final state interactions with the medium via modification of the Wilson lines in this definition of the non-equilibrium fragmentation function. This may be relevant to study hadron production from quark-gluon plasma at RHIC and LHC.Comment: 15 pages latex, Accepted for Publication in European Physical Journal

Occupational identity and culture: the case of Michelin-starred chefs.

Purpose – This study seeks to conceptualise how the occupational identity and culture of chefs is constructed and maintained through both work and social interaction. Design/methodology/approach – The research follows a qualitative interpretivist approach; in total 54 unstructured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with Michelin- starred chefs in Great Britain and Ireland. Findings – Drawing upon the fieldwork, fresh insights into the social structures and processes which underpin the creation and maintenance of the occupational identity and culture of chefs are revealed in the chefs’ own words. Theoretical implications – This study generates empirical data that informs contemporary debates about the role of work in identity formation with particular emphasis on the induction – socialisation process. In addition, the findings of this study suggest that identity and culture are interrelated in the sense that the cultural components of an occupational culture operate to reinforce a sense of identity among its occupational members. Practical implications – The findings suggest that Michelin-starred chefs have a strong occupational identity and culture. Strict rules and discipline are often used in kitchen brigades as a means of monitoring quality and maintaining the high standards of performance. The occupational socialisation of new members is a long and painful process, that very often exceeds the limits of banter and it is analogous to the military induction. The phenomenon of bullying and violence in commercial kitchens is identified as an unacceptable behaviour that needs to be eliminated. This can be achieved with changes in the education and training of the young chefs and the strict enforcement of the anti-bullying policies. Originality/value – The understanding of chefs occupational identity and culture is critical for successful hospitality operations; nevertheless this is an under researched area. This study is unique in terms of scale and depth; it is expected to provide useful insights in both theoretical and practical perspective, regarding the formation of chefs’ identity and culture in organisational settings

‘Banter, Bollockings & Beatings’: The occupational socialisation process in Michelin-starred kitchen brigades in Great Britain and Ireland

Purpose This study seeks to conceptualise how the occupational socialisation of young chefs is conducted in Michelin-starred restaurants in Great Britain and Ireland; the key role of banter and bullying in this process is explored and critically discussed. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative research critically discusses the data from 54 in-depth, face-to-face interviews with male and female Michelin-starred chefs in Great Britain and Ireland. A flexible interview guide was used in order to ensure all key areas and topics discussed earlier in the literature review were covered. The rich data from the interviews were categorised in four different themes. Findings Drawing upon the fieldwork, fresh insights into the social structures, processes and group dynamics which underpin the socialisation process of young chefs are revealed in the participants’ own words. Four areas emerged from the employment of thematic analysis: occupational status; discipline and hierarchy in kitchen brigades; gender segregation in kitchen brigades; and the role of banter and bullying in occupational socialisation. Research limitations/implications This study generates empirical data that informs contemporary debates about the role of banter and bullying in the occupational socialisation process of new members in Michelin-starred restaurants. A conceptual framework on the process of occupational socialisation in Michelin-starred kitchen brigades in Great Britain and Ireland is also provided. Practical implications The findings of this study suggest that banter and bullying are deeply embedded in chefs’ occupational culture; they also play a key role in the process of induction and occupational socialisation of the new recruits. In addition, gender segregation was found to be a persistent problem in commercial kitchens – young female chefs have to endure the same harsh conditions during the induction and occupational socialisation process. A recommended course of action in order to eradicate this phenomenon involves HR professionals, hospitality managers and the Michelin Guide. Originality/value The understanding of chefs’ induction and occupational socialisation is deemed crucial for successful hospitality operations; nevertheless this still remains an under researched area. This study is unique in terms of scale and depth; it is expected to provide useful insights in both theoretical and practical perspective, regarding the induction, socialisation and eventually retention of young chefs in Michelin-starred restaurants

A leucine-supplemented diet improved protein content of skeletal muscle in young tumor-bearing rats

Cancer cachexia induces host protein wastage but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Branched-chain amino acids play a regulatory role in the modulation of both protein synthesis and degradation in host tissues. Leucine, an important amino acid in skeletal muscle, is higher oxidized in tumor-bearing animals. A leucine-supplemented diet was used to analyze the effects of Walker 256 tumor growth on body composition in young weanling Wistar rats divided into two main dietary groups: normal diet (N, 18% protein) and leucine-rich diet (L, 15% protein plus 3% leucine), which were further subdivided into control (N or L) or tumor-bearing (W or LW) subgroups. After 12 days, the animals were sacrificed and their carcass analyzed. The tumor-bearing groups showed a decrease in body weight and fat content. Lean carcass mass was lower in the W and LW groups (W = 19.9 ± 0.6, LW = 23.1 ± 1.0 g vs N = 29.4 ± 1.3, L = 28.1 ± 1.9 g, P < 0.05). Tumor weight was similar in both tumor-bearing groups fed either diet. Western blot analysis showed that myosin protein content in gastrocnemius muscle was reduced in tumor-bearing animals (W = 0.234 ± 0.033 vs LW = 0.598 ± 0.036, N = 0.623 ± 0.062, L = 0.697 ± 0.065 arbitrary intensity, P < 0.05). Despite accelerated tumor growth, LW animals exhibited a smaller reduction in lean carcass mass and muscle myosin maintenance, suggesting that excess leucine in the diet could counteract, at least in part, the high host protein wasting in weanling tumor-bearing rats.1589159

Unconventional spin density wave in (TMTSF)2PF6 below T* ~ 4K

The presence of subphases in spin-density wave (SDW) phase of (TMTSF)2PF6 below T* ~ 4K has been suggested by several experiments but the nature of the new phase is still controversial. We have investigated the temperature dependence of the angular dependence of the magnetoresistance in the SDW phase which shows different features for temperatures above and below T*. For T > 4K the magnetoresistance can be understood in terms of the Landau quantization of the quasiparticle spectrum in a magnetic field, where the imperfect nesting plays the crucial role. We propose that below T* ~ 4K the new unconventional SDW (USDW) appears modifying dramatically the quasiparticle spectrum. Unlike conventional SDW the order parameter of USDW depends on the quasiparticle momentum. The present model describes many features of the angular dependence of magnetoresistance reasonably well. Therefore, we may conclude that the subphase in (TMTSF)2PF6 below T* ~ 4K is described as SDW plus USDW.Comment: 7 pages, 9 figures, RevTeX4; misprint corrected, references updated, a few sentences adde

A self-consistent treatment of non-equilibrium spin torques in magnetic multilayers

It is known that the transfer of spin angular momenta between current carriers and local moments occurs near the interface of magnetic layers when their moments are non-collinear. However, to determine the magnitude of the transfer, one should calculate the spin transport properties far beyond the interface regions. Based on the spin diffusion equation, we present a self-consistent approach to evaluate the spin torque for a number of layered structures. One of the salient features is that the longitudinal and transverse components of spin accumulations are inter-twined from one layer to the next, and thus, the spin torque could be significantly amplified with respect to treatments which concentrate solely on the transport at the interface due to the presence of the much longer longitudinal spin diffusion length. We conclude that bare spin currents do not properly estimate the spin angular momentum transferred between to the magnetic background; the spin transfer that occurs at interfaces should be self-consistently determined by embedding it in our globally diffuse transport calculations.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figure

A log analysis study of 10 years of ebook consumption in academic library collections

Even though libraries have been offering eBooks for more than a decade, very little is known about eBook access and consumption in academic library collections. This paper addresses this gap with a log analysis study of eBook access at the library of the University of Waikato. This in-depth analysis covers a period spanning 10 years of eBook use at this university. We draw conclusions about the use of eBooks at this institution and compare the results with other published studies of eBook usage at tertiary institutes

Transmission of Human and Macaque Plasmodium spp. to Ex-Captive Orangutans in Kalimantan, Indonesia

We identified 4 discrete Plasmodium spp. sequences from the blood of orangutans, including 1 of P. vivax, which has implications for human residents and orangutan rehabilitation programs

Nucleation versus Spinodal decomposition in a first order quark hadron phase transition

We investigate the scenario of homogeneous nucleation for a first order quark-hadron phase transition in a rapidly expanding background of quark gluon plasma. Using an improved preexponential factor for homogeneous nucleation rate, we solve a set of coupled equations to study the hadronization and the hydrodynamical evolution of the matter. It is found that significant supercooling is possible before hadronization begins. This study also suggests that spinodal decomposition competes with nucleation and may provide an alternative mechanism for phase conversion particularly if the transition is strong enough and the medium is nonviscous. For weak enough transition, the phase conversion may still proceed via homogeneous nucleation.Comment: LaTeX, 10 pages with 7 Postscript figures, more discussions and referencese added, typos correcte