On the impact of communication complexity in the design of parallel numerical algorithms

This paper describes two models of the cost of data movement in parallel numerical algorithms. One model is a generalization of an approach due to Hockney, and is suitable for shared memory multiprocessors where each processor has vector capabilities. The other model is applicable to highly parallel nonshared memory MIMD systems. In the second model, algorithm performance is characterized in terms of the communication network design. Techniques used in VLSI complexity theory are also brought in, and algorithm independent upper bounds on system performance are derived for several problems that are important to scientific computation

The W_N minimal model classification

We first rigourously establish, for any N, that the toroidal modular invariant partition functions for the (not necessarily unitary) W_N(p,q) minimal models biject onto a well-defined subset of those of the SU(N)xSU(N) Wess-Zumino-Witten theories at level (p-N,q-N). This permits considerable simplifications to the proof of the Cappelli-Itzykson-Zuber classification of Virasoro minimal models. More important, we obtain from this the complete classification of all modular invariants for the W_3(p,q) minimal models. All should be realised by rational conformal field theories. Previously, only those for the unitary models, i.e. W_3(p,p+1), were classified. For all N our correspondence yields for free an extensive list of W_N(p,q) modular invariants. The W_3 modular invariants, like the Virasoro minimal models, all factorise into SU(3) modular invariants, but this fails in general for larger N. We also classify the SU(3)xSU(3) modular invariants, and find there a new infinite series of exceptionals.Comment: 25 page

Political risk in light rail transit PPP projects

Since 2003 public-private partnerships (PPPs) have represented between 10 and 13.5% of the total investment in public services in the UK. The macro-economic and political benefits of PPPs were among the key drivers for central government's decision to promote this form of procurement to improve UK public services. Political support for a PPP project is critical and is frequently cited as the most important critical success factor. This paper investigates the significance of political support and reviews the treatment of political risk in a business case by the public sector project sponsor for major UK-based light rail transit PPP projects during their development stage. The investigation demonstrates that in the early project stages it is not traditional quantitative Monte Carlo risk analysis that is important; rather it is the identification and representation of political support within a business case together with an understanding of how this information is then used to inform critical project decisions

Symmetries of the Kac-Peterson Modular Matrices of Affine Algebras

The characters $\chi_\mu$ of nontwisted affine algebras at fixed level define in a natural way a representation $R$ of the modular group $SL_2(Z)$. The matrices in the image $R(SL_2(Z))$ are called the Kac-Peterson modular matrices, and describe the modular behaviour of the characters. In this paper we consider all levels of $(A_{r_1}\oplus\cdots\oplus A_{r_s})^{(1)}$, and for each of these find all permutations of the highest weights which commute with the corresponding Kac-Peterson matrices. This problem is equivalent to the classification of automorphism invariants of conformal field theories, and its solution, especially considering its simplicity, is a major step toward the classification of all Wess-Zumino-Witten conformal field theories.Comment: 16 pp, plain te

On the Classification of Diagonal Coset Modular Invariants

We relate in a novel way the modular matrices of GKO diagonal cosets without fixed points to those of WZNW tensor products. Using this we classify all modular invariant partition functions of $su(3)_k\oplus su(3)_1/su(3)_{k+1}$ for all positive integer level $k$, and $su(2)_k\oplus su(2)_\ell/su(2)_{k+\ell}$ for all $k$ and infinitely many $\ell$ (in fact, for each $k$ a positive density of $\ell$). Of all these classifications, only that for $su(2)_k\oplus su(2)_1/su(2)_{k+1}$ had been known. Our lists include many new invariants.Comment: 24 pp (plain tex

Can a Lattice String Have a Vanishing Cosmological Constant?

We prove that a class of one-loop partition functions found by Dienes, giving rise to a vanishing cosmological constant to one-loop, cannot be realized by a consistent lattice string. The construction of non-supersymmetric string with a vanishing cosmological constant therefore remains as elusive as ever. We also discuss a new test that any one-loop partition function for a lattice string must satisfy.Comment: 14 page

Challenges faced by mental health interpreters in East London: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Background/Aims/Objectives - The role of an interpreter is instrumental for people not fluent in the new language of their host community or country where they are living. This subject is an important one and not enough is known, especially about the challenges faced by mental health interpreters. Methodology/Methods - The study examined how interpreters drew on direct translation, cultural meanings and non-verbal information while interpreting and how they convey these to both service users and providers. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was adopted to analyse three semi-structured interviews with female mental health interpreters that lasted approximately 60 minutes each. All participants were self-identified as fluent in at least two languages and had attended a minimum of six months training on mental health interpreting. Results/Finding - The challenges of mental health interpreting were revealed in three overarching themes: (i) Sensitive nature of interpreting and challenges associated with ensuring accuracy. (ii) Multitasking to convey literal words, feelings and cultural meanings. (iii) Exposure to the risk of vicarious trauma and insufficient organisational support. Discussion/Conclusion - The study concluded that mental health interpreters should have more access to training and development, organisational support, professional recognition and adequate acknowledgement of their essential role in service provision to people not fluent with the new language of their present community or country

Automorphism Modular Invariants of Current Algebras

We consider those two-dimensional rational conformal field theories (RCFTs) whose chiral algebras, when maximally extended, are isomorphic to the current algebra formed from some affine non-twisted Kac--Moody algebra at fixed level. In this case the partition function is specified by an automorphism of the fusion ring and corresponding symmetry of the Kac--Peterson modular matrices. We classify all such partition functions when the underlying finite-dimensional Lie algebra is simple. This gives all possible spectra for this class of RCFTs. While accomplishing this, we also find the primary fields with second smallest quantum dimension.Comment: 32 pages, plain Te