Particle Physics Probes Of Extra Spacetime Dimensions

The possibility that spacetime is extended beyond the familiar 3+1-dimensions has intrigued physicists for a century. Indeed, the consequences of a dimensionally richer spacetime would be profound. Recently, new theories with higher dimensional spacetimes have been developed to resolve the hierarchy problem in particle physics. These scenarios make distinct predictions which allow for experiment to probe the existence of extra dimensions in new ways. We review the conceptual framework of these scenarios, their implications in collider and short-range gravity experiments, their astrophysical and cosmological effects, as well as the constraints placed on these models from present data.Comment: Submitted to Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science, 29 page

Trapping colloids near chemical stripes via critical Casimir forces

We study theoretically and experimentally the solvent-mediated critical Casimir force acting on colloidal particles immersed in a binary liquid mixture of water and 2,6-lutidine and close to substrates which are chemically patterned with periodically alternating stripes of antagonistic adsorption preferences. These patterns are experimentally realized via microcontact printing. Upon approaching the critical demixing point of the solvent, normal and lateral critical Casimir forces generate laterally confining effective potentials for the colloids. We analyze in detail the rich behavior of the spherical colloids close to such substrates. For all patterned substrates we investigated, our measurements of these effective potentials agree with the corresponding theoretical predictions. Since both the directions and the strengths of the critical Casimir forces can be tuned by minute temperature changes, this provides a new mechanism for controlling colloids as model systems, opening encouraging perspectives for applications.Comment: Invited contribution to Molecular Physics Special Issue on Bob Evans' 65th birthda

Translating digital healthcare to enhance clinical management: a protocol for an observational study using a digital health technology system to monitor medication adherence and its effect on mobility in people with Parkinson's

Introduction In people with Parkinson's (PwP) impaired mobility is associated with an increased falls risk. To improve mobility, dopaminergic medication is typically prescribed, but complex medication regimens result in suboptimal adherence. Exploring medication adherence and its impact on mobility in PwP will provide essential insights to optimise medication regimens and improve mobility. However, this is typically assessed in controlled environments, during one-off clinical assessments. Digital health technology (DHT) presents a means to overcome this, by continuously and remotely monitoring mobility and medication adherence. This study aims to use a novel DHT system (DHTS) (comprising of a smartphone, smartwatch and inertial measurement unit (IMU)) to assess self-reported medication adherence, and its impact on digital mobility outcomes (DMOs) in PwP. Methods and analysis This single-centre, UK-based study, will recruit 55 participants with Parkinson's. Participants will complete a range of clinical, and physical assessments. Participants will interact with a DHTS over 7 days, to assess self-reported medication adherence, and monitor mobility and contextual factors in the real world. Participants will complete a motor complications diary (ON-OFF-Dyskinesia) throughout the monitoring period and, at the end, a questionnaire and series of open-text questions to evaluate DHTS usability. Feasibility of the DHTS and the motor complications diary will be assessed. Validated algorithms will quantify DMOs from IMU walking activity. Time series modelling and deep learning techniques will model and predict DMO response to medication and effects of contextual factors. This study will provide essential insights into medication adherence and its effect on real-world mobility in PwP, providing insights to optimise medication regimens. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was granted by London - 142 Westminster Research Ethics Committee (REC: 21/PR/0469), protocol V.2.4. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. All participants will provide written, informed consent. Trial registration number ISRCTN13156149

Towards a realistic interpretation of quantum mechanics providing a model of the physical world

It is argued that a realistic interpretation of quantum mechanics is possible and useful. Current interpretations, from Copenhagen to many worlds are critically revisited. The difficulties for intuitive models of quantum physics are pointed out and possible solutions proposed. In particular the existence of discrete states, the quantum jumps, the alleged lack of objective properties, measurement theory, the probabilistic character of quantum physics, the wave-particle du- ality and the Bell inequalities are analyzed. The sketch of a realistic picture of the quantum world is presented. It rests upon the assump- tion that quantum mechanics is a stochastic theory whose randomness derives from the existence of vacuum fields. They correspond to the vacuum fluctuations of quantum field theory, but taken as real rather than virtual.Comment: 43 pages, paper throughout revised and somewhat enlarged, sections on the Bell inequalities and on the sketch of a picture of the quantum world rewritten, new references adde

Feasibility and usability of a digital health technology system to monitor mobility and assess medication adherence in mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder which requires complex medication regimens to mitigate motor symptoms. The use of digital health technology systems (DHTSs) to collect mobility and medication data provides an opportunity to objectively quantify the effect of medication on motor performance during day-to-day activities. This insight could inform clinical decision-making, personalise care, and aid self-management. This study investigates the feasibility and usability of a multi-component DHTS to remotely assess self-reported medication adherence and monitor mobility in people with Parkinson's (PwP). Methods: Thirty participants with PD [Hoehn and Yahr stage I (n = 1) and II (n = 29)] were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Participants were required to wear, and where appropriate, interact with a DHTS (smartwatch, inertial measurement unit, and smartphone) for seven consecutive days to assess medication adherence and monitor digital mobility outcomes and contextual factors. Participants reported their daily motor complications [motor fluctuations and dyskinesias (i.e., involuntary movements)] in a diary. Following the monitoring period, participants completed a questionnaire to gauge the usability of the DHTS. Feasibility was assessed through the percentage of data collected, and usability through analysis of qualitative questionnaire feedback. Results: Adherence to each device exceeded 70% and ranged from 73 to 97%. Overall, the DHTS was well tolerated with 17/30 participants giving a score > 75% [average score for these participants = 89%, from 0 (worst) to 100 (best)] for its usability. Usability of the DHTS was significantly associated with age (ρ = −0.560, BCa 95% CI [−0.791, −0.207]). This study identified means to improve usability of the DHTS by addressing technical and design issues of the smartwatch. Feasibility, usability and acceptability were identified as key themes from PwP qualitative feedback on the DHTS. Conclusion: This study highlighted the feasibility and usability of our integrated DHTS to remotely assess medication adherence and monitor mobility in people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease. Further work is necessary to determine whether this DHTS can be implemented for clinical decision-making to optimise management of PwP

Identity of place : an examination on capturing the identity of place and responding to it through architecture

The place is what makes the human habitation meaningful. One's attachment to a place will provide the basis for identification to an existential foot hold in the community. The space is a prime considerater of architecture that gives the existential roots for people. There are different aspects and functions of spaces that can be categorised as unselfconscious and pragmatic space of the primitives, the self consciously experienced perceptual space of individual, the built space of architecture, and the abstract space of geometry. The concept of "existential" or "lived space" is particularly important in this sense, for it seems specially relevant to phenomenological understanding of place. The place is created in concretising the existential space. This holds a strong relationship betweenthe place and the space. "in general it seems that space provides the context for places but derives its meaning fromparticular places" ( Relph,e, E. 1976, p.2) "A place is a space which has distinct character" (Norberg-Schulz, C, 1980, p.5) The place is understood based on many concepts that involves place; sense of place, spirit of place, character of place and identity of place where each of these concept is different yet are interrelated to each other. The identity of place pour out the essence of understanding the place in order to respond to place through architecture. It is the identity of place that helps to distinguish a place as a unique entity with it own inherent attributes. Identity of place constitute of the static physical setting, observable activities and the meaning depicting the interrelation of the above two. It is the meaning that holds in minds of the people within the field of their position of inside or outside that help in understanding the identity of place. the image of the place, whether consensus, mass, individual or community will cast different identities that exists within a place. any architectural intervention in a place can be executed to reduce, change or to respond to the existing identity of place. If one were to respond to the identity of place first the identity of place must be captured. Capturing the identity of place can be done in an analytical way' concluded in several steps starting from recording and analysing the existing situation, verbalising the identity and then abstracting it. The recording and analysing the existing place can be set down as a series -of steps with an intellectual backing whereas the verbalising and the abstracting is determined by the ability and biases of the designer. The captured identity is reflected through the built form in means of its expressions using appropriate scales, proportions, colours, textures, lighting conditions and maintaining the correct inside outside relationship. Architecture that respond to the identity of place is perceived as part of the place that does not destruct its inherent uniquenessbut rather enhancing and giving sense of continuation