19,674 research outputs found
The changing patterns of group politics in Britain
Two interpretations of ways in which group politics in Britain have presented challenges to democracy are reviewed: neo-corporatism or pluralistic stagnation and the rise of single issue interest groups. The disappearance of the first paradigm created a political space for the second to emerge. A three-phase model of group activity is developed: a phase centred around production interests, followed by the development of broadly based 'other regarding' groups, succeeded by fragmented, inner directed groups focusing on particular interests. Explanations of the decay of corporatism are reviewed. Single issue group activity has increased as party membership has declined and is facilitated by changes in traditional media and the development of the internet. Such groups can overload the policy-making process and frustrate depoliticisation. Debates about the constitution and governance have largely ignored these issues and there is need for a debate
High-pressure spin shifts in the pseudogap regime of superconducting YBa2Cu4O8 as revealed by 17O NMR
A new NMR anvil cell design is used for measuring the influence of high
pressure on the electronic properties of the high-temperature superconductor
YBaCuO above the superconducting transition temperature . It is found that pressure increases the spin shift at all temperatures in
such a way that the pseudo-gap feature has almost disappeared at 63 kbar. This
change of the temperature dependent spin susceptibility can be explained by a
pressure induced proportional decrease (factor of two) of a temperature
dependent component, and an increase (factor of 9) of a temperature independent
component, contrary to the effects of increasing doping. The results
demonstrate that one can use anvil cell NMR to investigate the tuning of the
electronic properties of correlated electronic materials with pressure.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Chaos and localization in the wavefunctions of complex atoms NdI, PmI and SmI
Wavefunctions of complex lanthanide atoms NdI, PmI and SmI, obtained via
multi-configuration Dirac-Fock method, are analyzed for density of states in
terms of partial densities, strength functions (), number of principal
components () and occupancies (\lan n_\alpha \ran^E) of single
particle orbits using embedded Gaussian orthogonal ensemble of one plus
two-body random matrix ensembles [EGOE(1+2)]. It is seen that density of states
are in general multi-modal, 's exhibit variations as function of the
basis states energy and 's show structures arising from localized
states. The sources of these departures from EGOE(1+2) are investigated by
examining the partial densities, correlations between , and
\lan n_\alpha \ran^E and also by studying the structure of the Hamiltonian
matrices. These studies point out the operation of EGOE(1+2) but at the same
time suggest that weak admixing between well separated configurations should be
incorporated into EGOE(1+2) for more quantitative description of chaos and
localization in NdI, PmI and SmI.Comment: There are 9 figure
Spacings of Quarkonium Levels with the Same Principal Quantum Number
The spacings between bound-state levels of the Schr\"odinger equation with
the same principal quantum number but orbital angular momenta
differing by unity are found to be nearly equal for a wide range of power
potentials , with . Semiclassical approximations are in accord with this behavior. The
result is applied to estimates of masses for quarkonium levels which have not
yet been observed, including the 2P states and the 1D
states.Comment: 20 pages, latex, 3 uuencoded figures submitted separately (process
using psfig.sty
Calculation of the two-photon decay rates of hydrogen-like ions by using B-polynomials
A new approach is laid out to investigate the two photon atomic transitions.
It is based on application of the finite basis solutions constructed from the
Bernstein Polynomial (B-Polynomial) sets. We show that such an approach
provides a very promising route for the relativistic second- (and even
higher-order) calculations since it allows for analytical evaluation of the
involved matrices elements. In order to illustrate possible applications of the
method and to verify its accuracy, detailed calculations are performed for the
2s_{1/2}-1s_{1/2} transition in neutral hydrogen and hydrogen-like ions, and
are compared with the theoretical predictions based on the well-established
B-spline-basis-set approach
Possible Jurassic age for part of Rakaia Terrane: implications for tectonic development of the Torlesse accretionary prism
Greywacke sandstone and argillite beds comprising Rakaia Terrane (Torlesse Complex) in mid Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand, are widely regarded as Late Triassic (Norian) in age based on the occurrence of Torlessia trace fossils, Monotis, and other taxa. This paleontological age assignment is tested using published 40Ar/39Ar mica and U-Pb zircon ages for these rocks and published and new zircon fission track (FT) ages. The youngest U-Pb zircon ages in the Rakaia Terrane rocks in mid Canterbury are Norian, whereas 10-20% of the 40Ar/39Ar muscovite ages are younger than Norian. Numerical modelling of these mica ages shows that they cannot have originated from partial thermal overprinting in the Torlesse prism if the thermal maximum was short-lived and early in the prism history (210-190 Ma), as commonly inferred for these rocks. The young component of mica ages could, however, be explained by extended residence (200-100 Ma) at 265-290deg.C in the prism. Early Jurassic (c. 189 Ma) zircon FT ages for sandstone beds from Arthur's Pass, the Rakaia valley, and the Hermitage (Mt Cook) are interpreted not to have experienced maximum temperatures above 210deg.C, and therefore cannot have been reduced as a result of partial annealing in the Torlesse prism. This is based on identification of a fossil Cretaceous, zircon FT, partial annealing zone in low-grade schists to the west, and the characteristics of the age data. The Early Jurassic zircon FT ages and the young component of 40Ar/39Ar mica ages are regarded therefore as detrital ages reflecting cooling in the source area, and constrain the maximum depositional age of parts of the Rakaia Terrane in mid Canterbury. The zircon FT data also show the initiation (c. 100 Ma) of marked and widespread Late Cretaceous cooling of Rakaia Terrane throughout Canterbury, which is attributed to uplift and erosion of inboard parts of the Torlesse prism due to continuing subduction accretion at its toe.
The critical wedge concept is proposed as a new framework for investigating the development of the Torlesse Complex. The Rakaia Terrane may have formed the core of an accretionary wedge imbricated against the New Zealand margin during the Middle or Late Jurassic. Late Jurassic nonmarine sediments (e.g., Clent Hills Formation) accumulated upon the inner parts of the prism as it enlarged, emerged, and continued to be imbricated. Exhumation of Otago Schist from c. 135 Ma may mark the development of a balance (steady state) between sediments entering the prism at the toe and material exiting at the inboard margin. The enlargement of the area of exhumation to all of Canterbury from c. 100 Ma may reflect a dynamic response to widening of the prism through the accretion of Cretaceous sediments. The model of a dynamic critical wedge may help to explain the various expressions of the Rangitata Orogeny
Entrepreneurial capital, social values and Islamic traditions: exploring the growth of women-owned enterprises in Pakistan
Main ArticleThis study seeks to explore the variables contributing to the growth of women-owned enterprises in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Based on a previously established multivariate model, it uses two econometric approaches: first classifying variables into predetermined blocks; and second, using the general to specific approach. Statistical analyses and in-depth interviews confirm that women entrepreneursâ personal resources and social capital have a significant role in their business growth. Further, it reveals that the moral support of immediate family, independent mobility and being allowed to meet with men play a decisive role in the sales and employment growth of women-owned enterprises in an Islamic country such as Pakistan
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