381 research outputs found
Chern-Simons-Higgs Theory with Visible and Hidden Sectors and its SUSY Extension
We study vortex solutions in Abelian Chern-Simons-Higgs theories with visible
and hidden sectors. We first consider the case in which the two sectors are
connected through a BF-like gauge mixing term with no explicit interaction
between the the two scalars. Since first order Bogomolny equations do not exist
in this case, we derive the second order field equations. We then proceed to an
supersymmetric extension including a Higgs portal mixing among the
visible and hidden charged scalars. As expected, Bogomolnyi equations do exist
in this case and we study their string-like solutions numerically.Comment: 10 pages, 12 figures. Several typos fixed and the Gauss law is
explicitly written, figures correctly shown. Accepted in PL
A simple, efficient, mass-conservative approach to solving Richards' equation (openRE, v1.0)
A simple numerical solution procedure â namely the method of lines combined with an off-the-shelf ordinary differential equation (ODE) solver â was shown in previous work to provide efficient, mass-conservative solutions to the pressure-head form of Richards' equation. We implement such a solution in our model openRE. We developed a novel method to quantify the boundary fluxes that reduce water balance errors without negative impacts on model runtimes â the solver flux output method (SFOM). We compare this solution with alternatives, including the classic modified Picard iteration method and the Hydrus 1D model. We reproduce a set of benchmark solutions with all models. We find that Celia's solution has the best water balance, but it can incur significant truncation errors in the simulated boundary fluxes, depending on the time steps used. Our solution has comparable runtimes to Hydrus and better water balance performance (though both models have excellent water balance closure for all the problems we considered). Our solution can be implemented in an interpreted language, such as MATLAB or Python, making use of off-the-shelf ODE solvers. We evaluated alternative SciPy ODE solvers that are available in Python and make practical recommendations about the best way to implement them for Richards' equation. There are two advantages of our approach: (i) the code is concise, making it ideal for teaching purposes; and (ii) the method can be easily extended to represent alternative properties (e.g., novel ways to parameterize the K(Ï) relationship) and processes (e.g., it is straightforward to couple heat or solute transport), making it ideal for testing alternative hypotheses
Learning personalization based on learning style instruments
Adaptive education systems (AES) are considered one of the most interesting research topics in technology-based learning strategies. Since students have different abilities, needs and learning styles, we should fit the curriculum and teaching activities to these different learning styles. This study investigates the impact of using LAES (Libyan Adaptive Education System) on the performance of students. An ALSI (Arabic Learning Style Instrument) was integrated into the LAES system to investigate learning preferences of students. The student models are constructed according to the results obtained using this instrument (ALSI). Three experimental studies were then conducted to investigate the impact of the LAES system on the performance of students. The results reveal the students who have learnt using the LAES system were more successful than others who learnt without, in terms of the knowledge gained
Using the Sound Card as a Timer
Experiments in mechanics can often be timed by the sounds they produce. In
such cases, digital audio recordings provide a simple way of measuring time
intervals with an accuracy comparable to that of photogate timers. We
illustrate this with an experiment in the physics of sports: to measure the
speed of a hard-kicked soccer ball.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figures, Late
North-central Nigerian womenâs experiences of obstetric fistula risk factors and their perceived treatment services: An interpretive description
Background An obstetric fistula also known as vesico vaginal fistula (VVF), or recto-vaginal fistula (RVF) is an abnormal opening between the urogenital tract and intestinal tract caused by prolonged obstructed labour; when the head of the baby presses on the soft tissues in the pelvis leading to loss of blood flow to the womenâs bladder, vagina, and rectum. This can cause necrosis of the soft tissues resulting in debilitating fistula formations.
Aim This study aimed to uncover North-central Nigerian womenâs experiences of obstetric fistula and their perceived treatment services.
Design Qualitative, interpretive descriptive methodology underpinned by symbolic interactionism involving face-to-face semi-structured interviews was used to explore North-central Nigerian womenâs experiences of obstetric fistula and their perceived treatment services.
Sample A purposive sample of 15 women who had experienced obstetric fistula at a repair Centre in North-central Nigeria were eligible.
Results Four themes emerged from North-central Nigerian womenâs experiences of obstetric fistula and their perceived treatment services i) I was left alone in the room ii) Waiting for the one vehicle in the village iii) I never knew about labour until that very day iv) and We kept following the native doctors and sorcerers.
Conclusion The findings from this study highlighted the depth of womenâs experiences from the devastating complication of childbirth injury in North-central Nigeria. Analysis of insights from womenâs voices directly affected by obstetric fistula demonstrated that in their views and experiences the themes identified were majorly responsible for their fistula status. Thus women need to raise their collective voices to resist oppressive harmful traditions and demand empowerment opportunities that will improve their social status. Government should improve primary healthcare facilities, train more midwives and subsidise maternal care for antenatal education and birth services spending for childbirth women may result in improved childbirth experiences for women in rural and urban communities.
Tweetable Abstract Reproductive women call for increased accessibility to healthcare services and the provision of more midwives to mitigate obstetric fistula in North-central Nigerian communities
Realism and the wave-function
Realism -- the idea that the concepts in physical theories refer to 'things'
existing in the real world -- is introduced as a tool to analyze the status of
the wave-function. Although the physical entities are recognized by the
existence of invariant quantities, examples from classical and quantum physics
suggest that not all the theoretical terms refer to the entities: some terms
refer to properties of the entities, and some terms have only an epistemic
function. In particular, it is argued that the wave-function may be written in
terms of classical non-referring and epistemic terms. The implications for
realist interpretations of quantum mechanics and on the teaching of quantum
physics are examined.Comment: No figure
Secondary school pupils' preferences for different types of structured grouping practices
The aim of this paper is to explore pupilsâ preferences for particular types of grouping practices an area neglected in earlier research focusing on the personal and social outcomes of ability grouping. The sample comprised over 5,000 year 9 pupils (aged 13-14 years) in 45 mixed secondary comprehensive schools in England. The schools represented three levels of ability grouping in the lower school (years 7 to 9). Pupils responded to a questionnaire which explored the types of grouping that they preferred and the reasons for their choices. The majority of pupils preferred setting, although this was mediated by their set placement, type of school, socio-economic status and gender. The key reason given for this preference was that it enabled work to be matched to learning needs. The paper considers whether there are other ways of achieving this avoiding the negative social and personal outcomes of setting for some pupils
Exploring invisibility and epistemic injustice in Long Covid - a citizen science qualitative analysis of patient stories from an online Covid community
Background
In 2020, the long-lasting effects of the Covid-19 virus were not included in public messages of risks to public health. Long Covid emerged as a novel and enigmatic illness with a serious and life-changing impact. Long Covid is poorly explained by objective medical tests, leading to widespread disbelief and stigma associated with the condition. The aim of this organic research is to explore the physical and epistemic challenges of living with Long Covid.
Methods
Unlike any previous pandemic in history, online Covid communities and âcitizen scienceâ have played a leading role in advancing our understanding of Long Covid. As patient-led research of this grassroots Covid community, a team approach to thematic analysis was undertaken of 66 patient stories submitted online to covid19-recovery.org at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic between April and September 2020.
Results
The overriding theme of the analysis highlights the complexities and challenges of living with Long Covid. Our distinct themes were identified: the life-changing impact of the condition, the importance of validation and how, for many, seeking alternatives was felt to be their only option.
Conclusions
Long Covid does not easily fit into the dominant evidence-based practice and the biomedical model of health, which rely on objective indicators of the disease process. Patient testimonies are vital to understanding and treating Long Covid, yet patients are frequently disbelieved, and their testimonies are not taken seriously leading to stigma and epistemic injustice, which introduces a lack of trust into the therapeutic relationship.
Patient Contribution
The research was undertaken in partnership with our consumer representative(s) and all findings and subsequent recommendations have been coproduced
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