Open-closed field algebras

We introduce the notions of open-closed field algebra and open-closed field algebra over a vertex operator algebra V. In the case that V satisfies certain finiteness and reductivity conditions, we show that an open-closed field algebra over V canonically gives an algebra over a \C-extension of the Swiss-cheese partial operad. We also give a tensor categorical formulation and categorical constructions of open-closed field algebras over V.Comment: 55 pages, largely revised, an old subsection is deleted, a few references are adde

Operator Ordering in Quantum Radiative Processes

In this work we reexamine quantum electrodynamics of atomic eletrons in the Coulomb gauge in the dipole approximation and calculate the shift of atomic energy levels in the context of Dalibard, Dupont-Roc and Cohen-Tannoudji (DDC) formalism by considering the variation rates of physical observables. We then analyze the physical interpretation of the ordering of operators in the dipole approximation interaction Hamiltonian in terms of field fluctuations and self-reaction of atomic eletrons, discussing the arbitrariness in the statistical functions in second order bound-state perturbation theory.Comment: Latex file, 12 pages, no figures, includes PACS numbers and minor changes in the text with the addition of a new sectio

Quark Effects in the Gluon Condensate Contribution to the Scalar Glueball Correlation Function

One-loop quark contributions to the dimension-four gluon condensate term in the operator product expansion (OPE) of the scalar glueball correlation function are calculated in the MS-bar scheme in the chiral limit of $n_f$ quark flavours. The presence of quark effects is shown not to alter the cancellation of infrared (IR) singularities in the gluon condensate OPE coefficients. The dimension-four gluonic condensate term represents the leading power corrections to the scalar glueball correlator and, therein, the one-loop logarithmic contributions provide the most important condensate contribution to those QCD sum-rules independent of the low-energy theorem (the subtracted sum-rules).Comment: latex2e, 6 pages, 7 figures embedded in latex fil

Minimal immersions of closed surfaces in hyperbolic three-manifolds

We study minimal immersions of closed surfaces (of genus $g \ge 2$) in hyperbolic 3-manifolds, with prescribed data $(\sigma, t\alpha)$, where $\sigma$ is a conformal structure on a topological surface $S$, and $\alpha dz^2$ is a holomorphic quadratic differential on the surface $(S,\sigma)$. We show that, for each $t \in (0,\tau_0)$ for some $\tau_0 > 0$, depending only on $(\sigma, \alpha)$, there are at least two minimal immersions of closed surface of prescribed second fundamental form $Re(t\alpha)$ in the conformal structure $\sigma$. Moreover, for $t$ sufficiently large, there exists no such minimal immersion. Asymptotically, as $t \to 0$, the principal curvatures of one minimal immersion tend to zero, while the intrinsic curvatures of the other blow up in magnitude.Comment: 16 page

Consumption strategies and motivations of Chinese consumers: The case of UK sustainable luxury fashion

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore Chinese consumers’ motivations to purchase luxury fashion products in the UK and how far sustainability plays a role in the decision-making process, by extending the consumer typology of translators, exceptors, selectors. The authors further add an additional dimension to defining “luxury”. Design/methodology/approach: An exploratory design utilising multiple qualitative research tools (semi-structured interviews, focus groups) provides the basis for this research. A grounded analysis was applied. Findings: Findings map motivational drivers to purchasing luxury products and establish a fourth consumer type “indulgers”. Well-being further emerged as a key characteristic that defines “luxury”. Research limitations/implications: The sample size is limited to Chinese consumers purchasing luxury fashion in the UK, and thus may not be generalised. Practical implications: This research helps managers to understand the consumer types and underlying motivations of Chinese consumers purchasing luxury fashion in the UK. As one of the largest target groups, this research informs managers on how to further capitalise on this market. Originality/value: This paper creates a new consumer typology that not only categorises consumers according to their consumption aspects, but further identifies their underlying motivations to do so

Risk factors for recurrent C lostridium difficile infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

Background Recurrent C lostridium difficile infection ( CDI ) represents a significant burden on the healthcare system and is associated with poor outcomes in hematopoietic stem cell transplant ( HSCT ) patients. Data are limited evaluating recurrence rates and risk factors for recurrence in HSCT patients. Methods HSCT patients who developed CDI between January 2010 and December 2012 were divided into 2 groups: non‐recurrent CDI (nr CDI ) and recurrent CDI ( rCDI ). Risk factors for rCDI were compared between groups. Rate of recurrence in HSCT patients was compared to that in other hospitalized patients. Results CDI was diagnosed in 95 of 711 HSCT patients (22 rCDI and 73 nr CDI ). Recurrence rates were similar in HSCT patients compared with other hospitalized patients (23.2% vs. 22.9%, P  > 0.99). Patients in the rCDI group developed the index case of CDI significantly earlier than the nr CDI group (3.5 days vs. 7.0 days after transplant, P  = 0.05). On univariate analysis, patients with rCDI were more likely to have prior history of CDI and neutropenia at the time of the index CDI case. Neutropenia at the time of the index CDI case was the only independent predictor of rCDI (78.8 vs. 34.8%, P  = 0.006) on multivariate analysis. Conclusions The rate of rCDI was similar between HSCT and other hospitalized patients, and the majority of patients developed the index case of CDI within a week of transplantation. Neutropenia at the index CDI case may be associated with increased rates of rCDI .Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109272/1/tid12267.pd

Wealth redistribution with finite resources

We present a simplified model for the exploitation of finite resources by interacting agents, where each agent receives a random fraction of the available resources. An extremal dynamics ensures that the poorest agent has a chance to change its economic welfare. After a long transient, the system self-organizes into a critical state that maximizes the average performance of each participant. Our model exhibits a new kind of wealth condensation, where very few extremely rich agents are stable in time and the rest stays in the middle class.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, RevTeX 4 styl

Effect of selective post-aging treatment on subsurface damage of quasicrystal reinforced Al composite manufactured by selective laser melting

In this work, Al-Fe-Cr quasicrystal reinforced Al matrix composite was in-situ prepared by using selective laser melting from powder mixture of Al-Cu-Fe-Cr quasicrystal and pure Al. The effect of selective post-aging treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties were determined with focus on the metastable phases. The microstructural analysis, which was determined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, indicates that the Al-based intermetallic is precipitated from supersaturated α-Al after the aging process. Moreover, the compression tests were performed on the samples in form of dense and lattice structures (50% porosity). The elastic modules of dense and lattice structural samples reduce from 21.3 GPa and 4.4–14.6 GPa and 3.6 GPa by using a low cooling-rated aging process. After aging process, the compressive deformation behavior of dense part changes from elastic-plastic-fracture mode to elastic-plastic-densification mode. On the other hand, the failure mechanism of lattice structural sample changes from rapid-single-stage to slow-double-stage with an improvement of the strain at failure

Prokaryotic expression, purification and immunogenicity analysis of CpsD protein from Streptococcus iniae

Streptococcus iniae is a major cause of serious bacterial infections in both fish and human beings. Capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of S. iniae is vital to evade phagocytic clearance of the host and serves as an important protective antigen of S. iniae infection in aquatic animals. The CpsD gene was determined to be highly conservative in capsule polysaccharide operon. Prokaryotic expression of the CpsD gene of a clinical isolate of S. iniae from channel catfish and immunogenic examination of the recombinant protein were first described in this essay. The recombinant protein was expressed in the form of inclusion bodies (IBs). Induction conditions in Escherichia coli were optimized with 0.6mM Isopropyl β-D-1-Thiogalactopyranoside at 37°C for 5h after the culture mid-log phase in Luria Bertani (LB) medium. The recombinant protein CpsD was thus expressed and purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC), yielding approximate 582.47 mg the protein per liter culture. Western blot analysis showed that the purified CpsD had reactogenicity. It will possibly reveal more details of capsule synthesis and capsule regulation during various stages of the S. iniae infectious process

Running of the Spectral Index and Violation of the Consistency Relation Between Tensor and Scalar Spectra from trans-Planckian Physics

One of the firm predictions of inflationary cosmology is the consistency relation between scalar and tensor spectra. It has been argued that such a relation -if experimentally confirmed- would offer strong support for the idea of inflation. We examine the possibility that trans-Planckian physics violates the consistency relation in the framework of inflation with a cut-off proposed in astro-ph/0009209. We find that despite the ambiguity that exists in choosing the action, Planck scale physics modifies the consistency relation considerably. It also leads to the running of the spectral index. For modes that are larger than our current horizon, the tensor spectral index is positive. For a window of k values with amplitudes of the same order of the modes which are the precursor to structure formation, the behavior of tensor spectral index is oscillatory about the standard Quantum Field theory result, taking both positive and negative values. There is a hope that in the light of future experiments, one can verify this scenario of short distance physics.Comment: v1: 18 pages, 8 figures; v4: matched with the NPB versio