Power law decay for systems of randomly coupled differential equations

We consider large random matrices $X$ with centered, independent entries but possibly different variances. We compute the normalized trace of $f(X) g(X^*)$ for $f,g$ functions analytic on the spectrum of $X$. We use these results to compute the long time asymptotics for systems of coupled differential equations with random coefficients. We show that when the coupling is critical the norm squared of the solution decays like $t^{-1/2}$.Comment: 20 pages, Corrected a typo in Assumption (1) [after final publication] and made other irrelevant revision

From the Scylla of Restriction to the Charybdis of License? Exploring the Scope of the ʻSpecial Purposesʼ Freedom of Expression Shield in European Data Protection

European data protection sits in a relationship of profound tension with public freedom of expression. Although, Directive 95/46 include a special purposes provision for processing ‘carried out solely for journalistic purposes or the purposes of artistic or literary expression’, its limited scope fails to provide for a general reconciliation of values in this area. As vividly highlighted by the recent Google Spain decision, these problems were only partially resolved in the Satamedia judgment. Proposed amendments to require Member States to effect a reconciliation between data protection and freedom of expression itself run the theoretical risk of expanding the scope of this highly discretionary clause into one of universal application. However, as this would clearly conflict with the core harmonizing aim of reform, it would almost certainly be interpreted much more restrictively, thereby fuelling existing confusions. A two-pronged, layered approach may be preferable. Firstly, the special purposes provision would be expanded to clearly protect all activities orientated towards disclosing information, opinion or ideas for the benefit of the public collectively. Secondly, Member States would be obliged to effect a broader but more stringent reconciliation of data protection with the right to public freedom of expression under the law’s general derogation provisions.I would like to thank the Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) and the many individuals who have assisted the research presented here, as well both the British Academy and the Leverhulme Trust who provided much needed financial support for it.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Kluwer via http://www.kluwerlawonline.com/document.php?id=COLA201500

EUROPEAN UNION DATA PROTECTION LAW AND MEDIA EXPRESSION: FUNDAMENTALLY OFF BALANCE

AbstractThe European Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC requires all European Economic Area (EEA) jurisdictions to provide an equivalent regime protecting the privacy and other fundamental rights and freedoms of natural persons in relation to personal data processing, whilst also shielding media expression from the default substantive requirements as necessary to ensure a balance between fundamental rights. Through a comprehensive coding of the derogations set out in each jurisdiction's data protection laws, this article provides the first systematic analysis of whether this has in fact been achieved. It is demonstrated that there is a total lack of even minimal harmonization in this area, with many laws providing for patently unbalanced results especially as regards the publication of sensitive information, which includes criminal convictions and political opinion, and the collection of information without notice direct from the data subject. This reality radically undermines European data protection's twin purposes of ensuring the free flow of personal data and protecting fundamental rights, an outcome which remains largely unaddressed by the proposed new Data Protection Regulation. Practical suggestions are put forward to ameliorate these troubling inconsistencies within the current process of reform.The author acknowledges funding support from the Leverhulme Trust.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Cambridge University Press via http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S002058931500051

European Regulatory Interpretation of the Interface between Data Protection and Journalistic Freedom: An Incomplete and Imperfect Balancing Act?

Directive 95/46 required European Economic Area Member States to ensure a careful balancing between the inherently conflicting values of data protection and journalistic freedom of expression. Unfortunately, however, this was often not achieved during the transposition of the Directive into local law. At the same time, both Directive 95/46 and the Art. 7 of the EU Charter mandated Member States to set up supervisory Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) which in practice dominate the data protection landscape. In light of this, EEA DPAs were surveyed on their understanding of the right to subject access and the practice of undercover political journalism, with the responses then compared to provisions in local data protection law. The results demonstrated that DPAs do seek a balance in this area even against contrary statute. Nevertheless, the balancing achieved often remains incomplete, normatively contestable, opaque and precarious. It is argued that, during the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation, these challenges must be tackled through a combination of both legislative and regulatory action.British Academ

DATA PROTECTION AND THE RIGHT TO REPUTATION: FILLING THE “GAPS” AFTER THE DEFAMATION ACT 2013

AbstractDefamation law has historically occupied a position of overwhelming dominance in the vindication of the traditional right to reputation. Nevertheless, liberalisation of this legal framework including through the Defamation Act 2013 has led to a concern that, when analysed from a fundamental rights perspective, “gaps” in the protection provided for natural persons may have emerged. In this new context, there has been a renewed focus on whether data protection may fill the potential lacunae. Data protection law contains a number of important limitations and exceptions and its jurisprudence has been both limited and sometimes confused. Nevertheless, this article argues that its broad purpose and complex structure ensure it will play a significantly augmented role in the future, especially in actions against website operators facilitating the dissemination of information posted by a third party, the publication of opinion, or where either injunctive relief or the correction of inaccurate information is sought (in particular in cases of continuing online disclosure).This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final version is available from CUP in the Cambridge Law Journal at http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=9447640&fulltextType=RA&fileId=S0008197314000877

UAV Autopilot Integration and Testing

The development of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platform and the integration of avionics for a search and rescue UAV is examined. The project follows the guidelines for the UAV Challenge - Outback Rescue which is an international aerospace competition. The selection process for a commercial autopilot and avionics package is described. The selected system is integrated into a standard hobby remote control aircraft and configured for autonomous flight and navigation. The autopilot system must be tuned to the aircraft platform and flight characteristics. Flight tests are described for a GPS-based grid search pattern

The Geometric Phase and Gravitational Precession of D-Branes

We study Berry's phase in the D0-D4-brane system. When a D0-brane moves in the background of D4-branes, the first excited states undergo a holonomy described by a non-Abelian Berry connection. At weak coupling this is an SU(2) connection over R^5, known as the Yang monopole. At strong coupling, the holonomy is recast as the classical gravitational precession of a spinning particle. The Berry connection is the spin connection of the near-horizon limit of the D4-branes, which is a continuous deformation of the Yang and anti-Yang monopole.Comment: 23 pages; v3: typos correcte