Contact non-squeezing at large scale via generating functions

Using SFT techniques, Eliashberg, Kim and Polterovich (2006) proved that if $\pi R_2^2 \leq K \leq \pi R_1^2$ for some integer $K$ then there is no contact squeezing in $\mathbb{R}^{2n} \times S^1$ of the prequantization of the ball of radius $R_1$ into the prequantization of the ball of radius $R_2$. This result was extended to the case of balls of radius $R_1$ and $R_2$ with $1 \leq \pi R_2^2 \leq \pi R_1^2$ by Chiu (2017) and the first author (2016), using respectively microlocal sheaves and SFT. In the present article we recover this general contact non-squeezing theorem using generating functions, a classical method based on finite dimensional Morse theory. More precisely, we develop an equivariant version, with respect to a certain action of a finite cyclic group, of the generating function homology for domains of $\mathbb{R}^{2n} \times S^1$ defined by the second author (2011). A key role in the construction is played by translated chains of contactomorphisms, a generalization of translated points.Comment: 32 page

Our Conversations - Where Are We Now In Our Lives?

This article is about a series of conversations between three colleagues, previously significantly involved in community education practice and is the influences of their experiences, values and beliefs when encountering leaving full-time employment.  The paper, which has been developed from transcripts of these dialogue sessions, contains some extracts and views from each of the participants about life and work, and suggests a re-visioning of retirement

Impact of opioid substitution therapy for Scotland's prisoners on drugs-related deaths soon after prisoner-release

AIM: To assess whether the introduction of a prison‐based opioid substitution therapy (OST) policy was associated with a reduction in drug‐related deaths (DRD) within 14 days after prison release. DESIGN: Linkage of Scotland's prisoner database with death registrations to compare periods before (1996–2002) and after (2003–07) prison‐based OST was introduced. SETTING: All Scottish prisons. PARTICIPANTS: People released from prison between 1 January 1996 and 8 October 2007 following an imprisonment of at least 14 days and at least 14 weeks after the preceding qualifying release. MEASUREMENTS: Risk of DRD in the 12 weeks following release; percentage of these DRDs which occurred during the first 14 days. FINDINGS: Before prison‐based OST (1996–2002), 305 DRDs occurred in the 12 weeks after 80 200 qualifying releases, 3.8 per 1000 releases [95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.4–4.2]; of these, 175 (57%) occurred in the first 14 days. After the introduction of prison‐based OST (2003–07), 154 DRDs occurred in the 12 weeks after 70 317 qualifying releases, a significantly reduced rate of 2.2 per 1000 releases (95% CI = 1.8–2.5). However, there was no change in the proportion which occurred in the first 14 days, either for all DRDs (87: 56%) or for opioid‐related DRDs. CONCLUSIONS: Following the introduction of a prison‐based opioid substitution therapy (OST) policy in Scotland, the rate of drug‐related deaths in the 12 weeks following release fell by two‐fifths. However, the proportion of deaths that occurred in the first 14 days did not change appreciably, suggesting that in‐prison OST does not reduce early deaths after release

Gender and class in Britain and France

This article examines the treatment of women's oppression in feminist theory, focusing on the engagement of second wave feminists with the concept of class and its relation to gender. This examination is carried out with reference to British and French feminisms, identifying the main trends and shifts that have developed over the last 35 years and noting that while these are undoubtedly influenced by a particular national context they are also shaped by increasing European integration and social, political and cultural exchanges at a global level. The authors find evidence of a number of similarities in the questions that feminist theorists have asked in Britain and France but also demonstrate that there are significant differences. They conclude that areas of convergent theoretical interests will extend along with cross-border flows of peoples and information

Thermal noise in interferometric gravitational wave detectors due to dielectric optical coatings

We report on thermal noise from the internal friction of dielectric coatings made from alternating layers of Ta2O5 and SiO2 deposited on fused silica substrates. We present calculations of the thermal noise in gravitational wave interferometers due to optical coatings, when the material properties of the coating are different from those of the substrate and the mechanical loss angle in the coating is anisotropic. The loss angle in the coatings for strains parallel to the substrate surface was determined from ringdown experiments. We measured the mechanical quality factor of three fused silica samples with coatings deposited on them. The loss angle of the coating material for strains parallel to the coated surface was found to be (4.2 +- 0.3)*10^(-4) for coatings deposited on commercially polished slides and (1.0 +- 0.3)*10^{-4} for a coating deposited on a superpolished disk. Using these numbers, we estimate the effect of coatings on thermal noise in the initial LIGO and advanced LIGO interferometers. We also find that the corresponding prediction for thermal noise in the 40 m LIGO prototype at Caltech is consistent with the noise data. These results are complemented by results for a different type of coating, presented in a companion paper.Comment: Submitted to LSC (internal) review Sept. 20, 2001. To be submitted to Phys. Lett.

Design and feasibility testing of a novel group intervention for young women who binge drink in groups

BackgroundYoung women frequently drink alcohol in groups and binge drinking within these natural drinking groups is common. This study describes the design of a theoretically and empirically based group intervention to reduce binge drinking among young women. It also evaluates their engagement with the intervention and the acceptability of the study methods.MethodsFriendship groups of women aged 18–35 years, who had two or more episodes of binge drinking (>6 UK units on one occasion; 48g of alcohol) in the previous 30 days, were recruited from the community. A face-to-face group intervention, based on the Health Action Process Approach, was delivered over three sessions. Components of the intervention were woven around fun activities, such as making alcohol free cocktails. Women were followed up four months after the intervention was delivered. Results The target of 24 groups (comprising 97 women) was recruited. The common pattern of drinking was infrequent, heavy drinking (mean consumption on the heaviest drinking day was UK 18.1 units). Process evaluation revealed that the intervention was delivered with high fidelity and acceptability of the study methods was high. The women engaged positively with intervention components and made group decisions about cutting down. Twenty two groups set goals to reduce their drinking, and these were translated into action plans. Retention of individuals at follow up was 87%.ConclusionsThis study successfully recruited groups of young women whose patterns of drinking place them at high risk of acute harm. This novel approach to delivering an alcohol intervention has potential to reduce binge drinking among young women. The high levels of engagement with key steps in the behavior change process suggests that the group intervention should be tested in a full randomised controlled trial

Association between dietary patterns and renal function in a cross-sectional study using baseline data from the ELSA-Brasil cohort

Previous analyses of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) identified four main dietary patterns (DP). The aim of this study was to explore the association between the previously defined DP and renal function (RF). A crosssectional study using the ELSA-Brasil baseline data was carried out. DP (‘‘traditional’’, ‘‘fruits and vegetables’’, ‘‘bakery’’, and ‘‘low sugar/low fat), metabolic syndrome (MS) using the Joint Interim Statement criteria, microalbuminuria (MA), and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) through the CKD-EPI equation were evaluated. Abnormal RF was defined as eGFRo60 mL min–1 (1.73 m2 ) –1 and MAX3.0 mg/dL. Factors associated with RF were determined and mediation analysis was performed to investigate the association between DP, MS, and RF. A total of 15,105 participants were recruited, with a mean age of 52±9 years; 8,134 participants (54%) were females. The mediation analysis identified indirect associations between ‘‘bakery’’ and ‘‘fruits and vegetables’’, and both were associated with decreased eGFR and albuminuria in both genders, compared with ‘‘traditional’’ and ‘‘low sugar/low fat’’ patterns in the general population. There was a direct association of the ‘‘bakery’’ pattern with MA in men (OR: 1.17, 95%CI: 1.92–1.48). The ‘‘fruits and vegetables’’ pattern also showed a direct association with reduced eGFR in women (OR: 1.65, 95%CI: 1.28–2.12), although there was no significance after adjustment. The ‘‘fruits and vegetables’’ and ‘‘bakery’’ DPs were associated with renal dysfunction. The only independent, direct association was between ‘‘bakery’’ DP and MA in men, raising concerns about DP and renal damage in men