The Lipman-Zariski conjecture in genus one higher

We prove the Lipman-Zariski conjecture for complex surface singularities with $p_g - g - b \le 2$. Here $p_g$ is the geometric genus, $g$ is the sum of the genera of the exceptional curves and $b$ is the first Betti number of the dual graph. This improves on a previous result of the second author. As an application, we show that a compact complex surface with locally free tangent sheaf is smooth as soon as it admits two generically linearly independent twisted vector fields and its canonical sheaf has at most two global sections.Comment: Reformulated main result in a more concise (and more general) manner. Final version, to appear in Forum of Mathematics, Sigm

Fragile detection of solar g modes by Fossat et al

The internal gravity modes of the Sun are notoriously difficult to detect, and the claimed detection of gravity modes presented in Fossat et al. 2017 is thus very exciting. Given the importance of these modes for understanding solar structure and dynamics, the results must be robust. While Fossat et al. 2017 described their method and parameter choices in detail, the sensitivity of their results to several parameters were not presented. Therefore, we test the sensitivity to a selection of them. The most concerning result is that the detection vanishes when we adjust the start time of the 16.5 year velocity time series by a few hours. We conclude that this reported detection of gravity modes is extremely fragile and should be treated with utmost caution.Comment: 15 pages, 11 Figure

Spontaneous lucid dreaming frequency and waking insight

Spontaneous lucid dreaming is characterized by the realization that the currently perceived reality is in fact a dream. As this ability differs between individuals, specific cognitive abilities have been sought that might explain this variability. Here, “insight,” a key feature of spontaneous lucid dreaming, is investigated. Frequent, occasional, and nonlucid dreamers were compared on their successful performance of a compound remote associate problem-solving task, designed to measure insight. Results show that frequent lucid dreamers solve significantly more insight problems overall than nonlucid dreamers. This suggests that the insight experienced during the dream state may relate to the same underlying cognition needed for insight in the waking state. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved

Acroneuria lycorias (Boreal Stonefly, Plecoptera: Perlidae) Emergence Behaviors Discovered in Pinus strobus Canopy

Species of Plecoptera, or stoneflies, are known to use vertical emergence supports, and researchers believe many species of Plecoptera exploit arboreal habitats during emergence. However, the exact nature of these arboreal behaviors has largely remained a mystery. While exploring the habitat potential of Pinus strobus (L.) (Eastern White Pine) canopies in northern Wisconsin we observed Acroneuria lycorias (Newman) (Boreal Stonefly, Plecoptera: Perlidae) exuviae at heights as high as 12m (observations at 6.6, 9, 9.5, and 12m). Most A. lycorias exuviae appeared to have a strong preference for emergence sites at the underside or base of branches similar to some Odonate species. We also observed A. lycorias, adults climbing upwards along the main stem, post-emergence, to heights up to 22m. To our knowledge, these heights represent the greatest heights ever documented for A. lycorias adults and exuviae, or any Plecopteran species. While other researchers have speculated that A. lycorias uses arboreal habitats during emergence, these behaviors were considered almost impossible to describe. Our observations provide us with new insights into Plecopteran emergence behaviors, especially for this species. We propose three alternative hypotheses that may explain these unique emergence behaviors

Koch Industries, Inc. Strategie Corporate Research Report

[Excerpt] With its 2005 purchase of paper giant Georgia-Pacific, Koch Industries became the largest privately-held corporation in North America. Originally started as an oil production and refining firm in the first half of the twentieth century, Koch now has major operations in petroleum, chemicals, energy, fibers and polymers, minerals, fertilizers, chemical technology equipment, forest and consumer products, ranching, trading, and securities and finance. The company, based in Wichita, Kansas, employs 80,000 people in sixty countries worldwide. Koch’s oil operations are run primarily through the Flint Hills Resources family of subsidiaries, which has a production capacity of about 800,000 barrels of crude oil daily. Another one of Koch’s major ventures, synthetic textiles, operates through the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, INVISTA, which produces both consumer and commodity textiles. Koch’s newest project, forest and consumer products, operates through Georgia-Pacific, which remains an independent but wholly-owned subsidiary of Koch Industries

A pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial of an oral health intervention for people with serious mental illness (three shires early intervention dental trial).

People with mental illness have poor oral health compared to those without due to medication side effects, issues with self-care, barriers to treatment and poor recognition of dental problems. Guidelines recommend giving oral health advice and monitoring oral health for people with mental illness, but this is not reflected in current practice and Cochrane reviews found no existing randomised trials of these interventions

The Influence of Institutional Trust on the Academic Decisions of Medical Students

Introduction: Research in regard to medical students’ trust in their institution and willingness to follow the presented curriculum is currently lacking, yet the student-school trust dynamic may offer potential insight into the academic performance, study methods, and clinical confidence of future physicians. We are conducting a series of surveys and interviews to gather information from pre-clerkship students concerning trust in their medical institution, and how trust shapes their interaction with the curriculum. Methods: The initial phase of this research included a survey designed to gauge their trust in the curriculum and institution related to board exam preparation. Analysis of the survey responses prompted an exploration into the following themes: trust in institution vs. third-party resources, resolving discrepancies between these resources, and approaches to teaching that lend to students’ confidence in curriculum. Our research is still on-going and consists of a focus group design to discuss these themes. Results: The initial survey had 80 responses, and 60% of respondents indicated that they were Neutral or Disagreed that the school was “adequately preparing [students] for STEP 1”. The focus group indicated emphasis on institutional resources for academic success, supported by third party sources, and exposed themes of ‘consistency’ and ‘acknowledgement of STEP’ as supporting a comfortable and trustworthy learning environment. Discussion: It can be surmised that students perceived there to be a lack of harmony between the curriculum, as presented, and future board exams based on available data. This research could provide invaluable information to medical educators concerning students’ perception of best practices when creating and presenting material to optimize student reception and engagement with the curriculum. While this research is still in the early stages, our intent is to perform more focus group sessions to reach thematic saturation

Cycling in the era of Covid-19: The effects of the pandemic and pop-up bike lanes on cycling practices

This paper addresses the effects of the pandemic and of Covid pop-up cycle lanes on cycling. A questionnaire survey was carried out in Geneva and Lausanne, Switzerland. The pandemic has strengthened the attractiveness of cycling both as a mode of transport and as a recreational activity, showing its resilience in a time of crisis. Covid cycle lanes implemented after the first lockdown have improved traffic conditions for cycling in terms of safety, directness and the overall experience. Beyond the recruitment of new cyclists, an effect of consolidating existing practices is observed through, for example, their extension to additional routes and motives. These pop-up cycle lanes have, however, been politically contested, and their reception varies in the population, depending mainly on mobility habits and political position. As both cities aim to increase their modal share of cycling, the challenge is to capitalize on the recent development of cycling, to provide suitable infrastructures, but also to find ways to deal with the controversies and to legitimate cycling as a fully-fledged means of transport