Minimal Models of CFT on Z_N-Surfaces

The conformal field theory on a Z_N-surface is studied by mapping it on the branched sphere. Using a coulomb gas formalism we construct the minimal models of the theory.Comment: 16 pages, latex, no figures; two important early references on the coset construction have been included; to appear in Mod. Phys. Let

Applications of Partial Supersymmetry

I examine quantum mechanical Hamiltonians with partial supersymmetry, and explore two main applications. First, I analyze a theory with a logarithmic spectrum, and show how to use partial supersymmetry to reveal the underlying structure of this theory. This method reveals an intriguing equivalence between two formulations of this theory, one of which is one-dimensional, and the other of which is infinite-dimensional. Second, I demonstrate the use of partial supersymmetry as a tool to obtain the asymptotic energy levels in non-relativistic quantum mechanics in an exceptionally easy way. In the end, I discuss possible extensions of this work, including the possible connections between partial supersymmetry and renormalization group arguments.Comment: 11 pages, harvmac, no figures; typo corrected in identifying info on title pag

Greybody factors in a rotating black-hole background-II : fermions and gauge bosons

We study the emission of fermion and gauge boson degrees of freedom on the brane by a rotating higher-dimensional black hole. Using matching techniques, for the near-horizon and far-field regime solutions, we solve analytically the corresponding field equations of motion. From this, we derive analytical results for the absorption probabilities and Hawking radiation emission rates, in the low-energy and low-rotation case, for both species of fields. We produce plots of these, comparing them to existing exact numerical results with very good agreement. We also study the total absorption cross-section and demonstrate that, as in the non-rotating case, it has a different behaviour for fermions and gauge bosons in the low-energy limit, while it follows a universal behaviour -- reaching a constant, spin-independent, asymptotic value -- in the high-energy regime.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figures, added reference

Greybody Factors for Brane Scalar Fields in a Rotating Black-Hole Background

We study the evaporation of (4+n)-dimensional rotating black holes into scalar degrees of freedom on the brane. We calculate the corresponding absorption probabilities and cross-sections obtaining analytic solutions in the low-energy regime, and compare the derived analytic expressions to numerical results, with very good agreement. We then consider the high-energy regime, construct an analytic high-energy solution to the scalar-field equation by employing a new method, and calculate the absorption probability and cross-section for this energy regime, finding again a very good agreement with the exact numerical results. We also determine the high-energy asymptotic value of the total cross-section, and compare it to the analytic results derived from the application of the geometrical optics limit.Comment: Latex file, 30 pages, 5 figures, typos corrected, version published in Phys. Rev.

A non-standard matter distribution in the RS1 model and the coupling constant of the radion

In the zero mode approximation we solve exactly the equations of motion for linearized gravity in the Randall-Sundrum model with a non-standard distribution of matter in the neighbourhood of the negative tension brane. It is shown that the form of this distribution can strongly affect the coupling of the radion to matter. We believe that such a situation can arise in models with a realistic mechanisms of matter localization.Comment: 12 pages, LaTe

Implementing Elements of The Physics Suite at a Large Metropolitan Research University

A key question in physics education is the effectiveness of the teaching methods. A curriculum that has been investigated at the University of Central Florida (UCF) over a period of two years is the use of particular elements of The Physics Suite. Select sections of the introductory physics classes at UCF have made use of Interactive Lecture Demonstrations as part of the lecture component of the class. The lab component of the class has implemented the RealTime Physics curriculum, again in select sections. The remaining sections have continued with the teaching methods traditionally used. Using pre- and post-semester concept inventory tests, a student survey, student interviews, and a standard for successful completion of the course, the data indicates improved student learning

SOIL EROSION ESTIMATION USING THE EPM MODEL

Στην παρούσα εργασία γίνεται προσπάθεια εκτίμησης της εδαφικής διάβρωσης σε ορεινές υδρολογικές λεκάνες Μεσογειακού τύπου, με τη χρήση του ομοιώματος EPM (Erosion Potential Model). Η περιοχή μελέτης περιλαμβάνει τις λεκάνες των ποταμών Βενέτικου, Καλαμά, Άνω Ρου Αχελώου και Αράχθου (8 υπολεκάνες συνολικά). Το ομοίωμα εφαρμόζεται τόσο σε ετήσιο όσο και σε υπέρ-ετήσιο χρονικό βήμα, σε περιβάλλον GIS, λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τη χωρική κατανομή των επιμέρους παραγόντων του καθώς και την εξέλιξη του φαινομένου εντός της λεκάνης. Τα αριθμητικά αποτελέσματα αξιολογούνται αρχικά ως προς τις παρατηρημένες τιμές στερεοαπορροής (προκύπτουν από τις μετρήσεις στερεοπαροχής της ΔΕΗ στην έξοδο κάθε λεκάνης). Το ομοίωμα υποεκτιμά σημαντικά τις παρατηρημένες τιμές και στις δυο χρονικές κλίμακες. Η αμφιλεγόμενη αξιοπιστία των παρατηρημένων τιμών οδήγησε στην αντικατάσταση τους από προσομοιωμένες (μεθοδολογία καμπυλών παροχής στερεοπαροχής). Ως προς αυτές, το ομοίωμα συμπεριφέρεται καλύτερα, εξακολουθώντας όμως να υποεκτιμά τα αποτελέσματα. Εν τούτοις, η χωρική αποτύπωση του φαινομένου κρίνεται αξιόπιστη. Η φτωχή επίδοση του ομοιώματος αποδίδεται στα ιδιαίτερα χαρακτηριστικά του καθώς επίσης στις συνθήκες και το ιδιαίτερο καθεστώς στερεοπαροχής της περιοχής μελέτης.The study aims to evaluate soil erosion and investigate its spatial distribution by applying the empirical EPM (i.e. Erosion Potential Model) at mountainous Mediterranean type catchments. Study area includes the catchments of Venetikos; Kalamas; Upper Acheloos and Arachthos Rivers (eight subcatchments in total), very important aquatic systems of NW Greece. The model was implemented both annually and inter-annually. A GIS-based approach was adopted, considering the spatial variation of its factors, as well as the erosion processes occurring in a catchment. The results were initially validated by being compared to the observed sediment yield values (based on the sediment discharge measurements conducted by the PPC). The model’s performance was poor, significantly underestimating the results at both time scales. The ambiguous reliability of the PPC measurements led to their replacement by simulated ones, estimated using the sediment discharge rating curves methodology. Regarding the latter, the model performed better, attributing more accurate results, yet anew underestimated. However, it managed to identify the most susceptible to erosion areas. The poor performance is mainly attributed to its inherent shortcomings along with the specific characteristics and sedimentary regime of the study area

SOIL EROSION ESTIMATION USING THE EPM MODEL

Στην παρούσα εργασία γίνεται προσπάθεια εκτίμησης της εδαφικής διάβρωσης σε ορεινές υδρολογικές λεκάνες Μεσογειακού τύπου, με τη χρήση του ομοιώματος EPM (Erosion Potential Model). Η περιοχή μελέτης περιλαμβάνει τις λεκάνες των ποταμών Βενέτικου, Καλαμά, Άνω Ρου Αχελώου και Αράχθου (8 υπολεκάνες συνολικά). Το ομοίωμα εφαρμόζεται τόσο σε ετήσιο όσο και σε υπέρ-ετήσιο χρονικό βήμα, σε περιβάλλον GIS, λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τη χωρική κατανομή των επιμέρους παραγόντων του καθώς και την εξέλιξη του φαινομένου εντός της λεκάνης. Τα αριθμητικά αποτελέσματα αξιολογούνται αρχικά ως προς τις παρατηρημένες τιμές στερεοαπορροής (προκύπτουν από τις μετρήσεις στερεοπαροχής της ΔΕΗ στην έξοδο κάθε λεκάνης). Το ομοίωμα υποεκτιμά σημαντικά τις παρατηρημένες τιμές και στις δυο χρονικές κλίμακες. Η αμφιλεγόμενη αξιοπιστία των παρατηρημένων τιμών οδήγησε στην αντικατάσταση τους από προσομοιωμένες (μεθοδολογία καμπυλών παροχής στερεοπαροχής). Ως προς αυτές, το ομοίωμα συμπεριφέρεται καλύτερα, εξακολουθώντας όμως να υποεκτιμά τα αποτελέσματα. Εν τούτοις, η χωρική αποτύπωση του φαινομένου κρίνεται αξιόπιστη. Η φτωχή επίδοση του ομοιώματος αποδίδεται στα ιδιαίτερα χαρακτηριστικά του καθώς επίσης στις συνθήκες και το ιδιαίτερο καθεστώς στερεοπαροχής της περιοχής μελέτης.The study aims to evaluate soil erosion and investigate its spatial distribution by applying the empirical EPM (i.e. Erosion Potential Model) at mountainous Mediterranean type catchments. Study area includes the catchments of Venetikos; Kalamas; Upper Acheloos and Arachthos Rivers (eight subcatchments in total), very important aquatic systems of NW Greece. The model was implemented both annually and inter-annually. A GIS-based approach was adopted, considering the spatial variation of its factors, as well as the erosion processes occurring in a catchment. The results were initially validated by being compared to the observed sediment yield values (based on the sediment discharge measurements conducted by the PPC). The model’s performance was poor, significantly underestimating the results at both time scales. The ambiguous reliability of the PPC measurements led to their replacement by simulated ones, estimated using the sediment discharge rating curves methodology. Regarding the latter, the model performed better, attributing more accurate results, yet anew underestimated. However, it managed to identify the most susceptible to erosion areas. The poor performance is mainly attributed to its inherent shortcomings along with the specific characteristics and sedimentary regime of the study area

Integration of a Spanish-to-LSE machine translation system into an e-learning platform

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-21657-2_61This paper presents the first results of the integration of a Spanish-to-LSE Machine Translation (MT) system into an e-learning platform. Most e-learning platforms provide speech-based contents, which makes them inaccessible to the Deaf. To solve this issue, we have developed a MT system that translates Spanish speech-based contents into LSE. To test our MT system, we have integrated it into an e-learning tool. The e-learning tool sends the audio to our platform. The platform sends back the subtitles and a video stream with the signed translation to the e-learning tool. Preliminary results, evaluating the sign language synthesis module, show an isolated sign recognition accuracy of 97%. The sentence recognition accuracy was of 93%.Authors would like to acknowledge the FPU-UAM grant program for its financial support. Authors are grateful to the FCNSE linguistic department for sharing their knowledge in LSE and performing the evaluations. Many thanks go to María Chulvi and Benjamín Nogal for providing help during the imple-mentation of this system. This work was partially supported by the Telefónica Móviles España S.A. project number 10-047158-TE-Ed-01-1

Comparison of serious inhaler technique errors made by device-naïve patients using three different dry powder inhalers: a randomised, crossover, open-label study

Background: Serious inhaler technique errors can impair drug delivery to the lungs. This randomised, crossover, open-label study evaluated the proportion of patients making predefined serious errors with Pulmojet compared with Diskus and Turbohaler dry powder inhalers. Methods: Patients ≥18 years old with asthma and/or COPD who were current users of an inhaler but naïve to the study devices were assigned to inhaler technique assessment on Pulmojet and either Diskus or Turbohaler in a randomised order. Patients inhaled through empty devices after reading the patient information leaflet. If serious errors potentially affecting dose delivery were recorded, they repeated the inhalations after watching a training video. Inhaler technique was assessed by a trained nurse observer and an electronic inhalation profile recorder. Results: Baseline patient characteristics were similar between randomisation arms for the Pulmojet-Diskus (n = 277) and Pulmojet-Turbohaler (n = 144) comparisons. Non-inferiority in the proportions of patients recording no nurse-observed serious errors was demonstrated for both Pulmojet versus Diskus, and Pulmojet versus Turbohaler; therefore, superiority was tested. Patients were significantly less likely to make ≥1 nurse-observed serious errors using Pulmojet compared with Diskus (odds ratio, 0.31; 95 % CI, 0.19–0.51) or Pulmojet compared with Turbohaler (0.23; 0.12–0.44) after reading the patient information leaflet with additional video instruction, if required. Conclusions These results suggest Pulmojet is easier to learn to use correctly than the Turbohaler or Diskus for current inhaler users switching to a new dry powder inhaler