Yangians, Grassmannians and T-duality

We investigate the Yangian symmetry of scattering amplitudes in N=4 super Yang-Mills theory and show that its formulations in twistor and momentum twistor space can be interchanged. In particular we show that the full symmetry can be thought of as the Yangian of the dual superconformal algebra, annihilating the amplitude with the MHV part factored out. The equivalence of this picture with the one where the ordinary superconformal symmetry is thought of as fundamental is an algebraic expression of T-duality. Motivated by this, we analyse some recently proposed formulas, which reproduce different contributions to amplitudes through a Grassmannian integral. We prove their Yangian invariance by directly applying the generators.Comment: 28 pages, 1 figure; v2: minor correction

Fifteen new species of Sonoma Casey from the eastern United States and a description of the male of Sonoma tolulae (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae)

Fifteen new species of faronine pselaphines in the genus Sonoma Casey are described: S. baylessae; S. brasstownensis; S. chouljenkoi; S. cygnus; S. gilae; S. gimmeli; S. holmesi; S. mayori; S. nicholsae; S. parkorum; S. nhunguyeni; S. sokolovi; S. streptophorophallus; S. tishechkini; S. tridens. Male specimens of Sonoma tolulae (LeConte) were collected from the type locality and this species is redescribed. These species bring the total diversity of the genus to 43 species. The genus is divided into four species groups based on characters of the male genitalia. Sonoma corticina Casey was not included in the genus when it was described, thus it cannot be the type species of the genus. We here designate Sonoma tolulae (LeConte) as the type species of the genus Sonoma. A key is provided that will allow discrimination of all eastern species. Life history, habitat, and collection techniques are discussed

Fourteen new species of \u3ci\u3eSonoma\u3c/i\u3e Casey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) with a key to species from western North America

Fourteen new species of faronine pselaphines in the genus Sonoma Casey are described: S. agitator (California); S. cardiac (Oregon); S. carltoni (Oregon); S. cataloochee (North Carolina); S. caterinoi (California); S. chandleri (California); S. cobra (California); S. colberti (California); S. maryae (Oregon); S. quellazaire (Oregon); S. rossellinae (California); S. stewarti (California); S. twaini (California); and S. virgo (California, Oregon). Thirteen are from western North America and one from the eastern U.S. These species bring the total diversity of the genus to 57 species—40 from western North America and 17 from the eastern U.S. A key to, and updated distributions for, all western species are provided

Music and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Possible Effects on the Autistic Mind

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a known neurological disorder that directly affects an individual\u27s ability to communicate and interact with others; ASD is diagnosed within the first three years of life. One of the most common forms of therapy or interventions used is music. Music incorporation can change in a format such as learning a specific instrument, singing, or simply dancing to promote physical activity to help brain stimulation and process the overall musical experience. Music has been a commonly used therapy or intervention for children diagnosed with ASD dating back to the mid-1940s. Those diagnosed with ASD have difficulty with social interactions, communication, and emotional expression, all of which occur naturally in the music learning and music-making process. One of the more popular music therapy forms is improvisational music therapy, specifically relating to ASD. By allowing those with ASD a more flexible approach to music learning, the students can exercise social, communicative, and problem-solving skills at a pace set by the instructor or therapist for the students\u27 benefit. Utilizing elements of Orff and Kodály methods of music learning will allow students with ASD an opportunity to flourish

Measuring and Understanding Distal and Proximal Determinants of Mentoring Relationship Quality in Big Brothers Big Sisters Community-based Programs

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) community-based mentoring programs have been shown to positively impact children’s health and well-being. A fundamental component of these successful mentoring outcomes is mentoring relationship quality (MRQ). While some research has examined the association between MRQ and child outcomes, little research has examined antecedents of MRQ. The mentoring literature suggests that mentor self-efficacy (MSE) may act to mediate the relationship between environmental supports, specifically, parent support of the mentoring relationship and mentor training satisfaction, and MRQ. However, these relationships have not been simultaneously tested in a single model. Furthermore, a necessary prerequisite to examining these relationships involves the evaluation of the measurement properties of measures designed to capture MSE and MRQ. The primary objectives of this thesis research were to: 1) examine the measurement properties of the scales used to measure global and engagement MRQ; 2) examine the measurement properties of the scale used to capture MSE; and, 3) examine the extent to which MSE mediates the relationship between environmental supports, specifically, parent support of the mentoring relationship and mentor training satisfaction, and MRQ including global and engagement outcomes. Data were drawn from a prospective cohort investigation of 997 families and 477 mentors from 20 BBBS programs across Canada conducted by Dr. David DeWit and colleagues. A total of 272 mentors, 491 children, and 554 parents participated in this research and data were drawn from the 12- and 18-month follow-ups. Principal component analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, correlations, and multiple and logistic regression were used to evaluate the measurement properties of the scales. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the extent to which MSE mediates the relationship between environmental supports and MRQ. Results yielded good measurement properties for the MSE, global MRQ, and engagement MRQ scales including dimensionality, reliability, convergent validity, predictive validity (MRQ scales), and external validity across child gender and age sub-groups (global MRQ scale). MSE was found to partially mediate the association between parent support of the mentoring relationship and mentor reported global and engagement MRQ outcomes. Potential implications of the results are discussed along with opportunities for future research investigating these associations

New state records for Coniopterygidae (Neuroptera) with an updated list of species in North America north of Mexico

Coniopterygidae are the smallest members of the order Neuroptera and are often overlooked by collectors. Consequently, distribution of many species within North America north of Mexico is poorly known, even at the state level. Currently 57 species (five adventive) are recognized from North America. Of those, 30 are reported from a single state or province. Conversely, 12 states and provinces have no published records of Coniopterygidae. More than 600 specimens of adult coniopterygids were identified and numerous new state records were determined. An updated list of species state-level distribution is provided. Los Coniopterygidae son los miembros más pequeños del orden Neuroptera y con frecuencia son ignorados por los recolectores. Por tanto, la distribución de muchas especies en Norteamérica al norte de México es escasamente conocida, aún al nivel estatal. Actualmente 57 especies (cinco adventicias) se reconocen de Norteamérica. De estas, 30 se reportan de un solo estado o provincia. A la inversa, 12 estados y provincias no tienen registros publicados de Coniopterygidae. Más de 600 ejemplares de coniopterígidos adultos fueron identificados y numerosos nuevos registros de estado fueron determinados. Una lista actualizada de especies con distribución por estado es proporcionada

Chemical weathering of the volcanic soils of Isla Santa Cruz (Galápagos Islands, Ecuador)

We present a study on weathering of volcanic soils using 43 profiles (131 horizons) sampled in Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos Islands). Several weathering indices, based on chemical composition, are used. Since the geological material is highly homogeneous the intensity of weathering is mostly related to climatic conditions controlled by topography. There is a gradient of increasing weathering from the arid conditions predominant in the coast to elevations of 400-500 m a.s.l. where much more humid conditions prevail