Undead Pedagogy: How a Zombie Simulation Can Contribute to Teaching International Relations

A global zombie outbreak constitutes a hypothetical event in world politics that could likely lead to the collapse of civilization. At the same time, the very threat of such a global catastrophe offers a unique experimental terrain on which to investigate various possible changes and developments in human interaction in social, economic, and political processes. In this article, we discuss our experience with using a global zombie outbreak-based simulation in International Relations teaching and our attempt at measuring the learning outcomes, taking our point of departure in the existing literature on active learning. Following an outline of the objectives, setup, and parameters of the simulation, we evaluate the results of the survey we conducted of the student participants and discuss the learning outcomes discerned

Squeezing as an irreducible resource

We show that squeezing is an irreducible resource which remains invariant under transformations by linear optical elements. In particular, we give a decomposition of any optical circuit with linear input-output relations into a linear multiport interferometer followed by a unique set of single mode squeezers and then another multiport interferometer. Using this decomposition we derive a no-go theorem for superpositions of macroscopically distinct states from single-photon detection. Further, we demonstrate the equivalence between several schemes for randomly creating polarization-entangled states. Finally, we derive minimal quantum optical circuits for ideal quantum non-demolition coupling of quadrature-phase amplitudes.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, new title, removed the fat

THERMTRAJ: A FORTRAN program to compute the trajectory and gas film temperatures of zero pressure balloons

A FORTRAN computer program called THERMTRAJ is presented which can be used to compute the trajectory of high altitude scientific zero pressure balloons from launch through all subsequent phases of the balloon flight. In addition, balloon gas and film temperatures can be computed at every point of the flight. The program has the ability to account for ballasting, changes in cloud cover, variable atmospheric temperature profiles, and both unconditional valving and scheduled valving of the balloon gas. The program was verified for an extensive range of balloon sizes (from 0.5 to 41.47 million cubic feet). Instructions on program usage, listing of the program source deck, input data and printed and plotted output for a verification case are included

A unified thermal and vertical trajectory model for the prediction of high altitude balloon performance

A computer model for the prediction of the trajectory and thermal behavior of zero-pressure high altitude balloon was developed. In accord with flight data, the model permits radiative emission and absorption of the lifting gas and daytime gas temperatures above that of the balloon film. It also includes ballasting, venting, and valving. Predictions obtained with the model are compared with flight data from several flights and newly discovered features are discussed

Cabling, contact structures and mapping class monoids

In this paper we discuss the change in contact structures as their supporting open book decompositions have their binding components cabled. To facilitate this and applications we define the notion of a rational open book decomposition that generalizes the standard notion of open book decomposition and allows one to more easily study surgeries on transverse knots. As a corollary to our investigation we are able to show there are Stein fillable contact structures supported by open books whose monodromies cannot be written as a product of positive Dehn twists. We also exhibit several monoids in the mapping class group of a surface that have contact geometric significance.Comment: 62 pages, 32 figures. Significant expansion of exposition and more details on some argument

Superfluid to normal phase transition in strongly correlated bosons in two and three dimensions

Using quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we investigate the finite-temperature phase diagram of hard-core bosons (XY model) in two- and three-dimensional lattices. To determine the phase boundaries, we perform a finite-size-scaling analysis of the condensate fraction and/or the superfluid stiffness. We then discuss how these phase diagrams can be measured in experiments with trapped ultracold gases, where the systems are inhomogeneous. For that, we introduce a method based on the measurement of the zero-momentum occupation, which is adequate for experiments dealing with both homogeneous and trapped systems, and compare it with previously proposed approaches.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures. http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevA.86.04362

A new functional for charge and mass identification in Delta E-E telescopes

We propose a new functional for the charge and mass identification in Delta E-E telescopes. This functional is based on Bethe's formula, allowing safe interpolation or extrapolation in regions with low statistics. When applied to telescopes involving detectors delivering a linear response, as silicon detectors or ionization chambers, a good mass and charge identification is achieved. For other detectors, as caesium-iodide used as a final member of a telescope, a good accuracy is also obtained except in the low residual energy region. A good identification is however recovered if a non-linear energy dependence of the light output is included.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, LaTeX2e + EPS figures reduced in size Submitted to Elsevie

Promoting responsible research conduct in a developing world academic context

As reports of research misconduct seem to increase, research integrity and the promotion of responsible research conduct are important for academic institutions. This paper considers what research integrity means for individual researchers and institutions, and explores trends for promoting responsible research conduct. An Aristotelian concept of ‘the good’ is used to consider the difference between ‘good’ and ‘successful’ researchers. I argue that a balance is required between advancing an ethics of individual responsibility on the one hand, and a compliance-focused approach on the other. I discuss institutional strategies for promoting responsible research conduct, including training and mentorship, developing an appropriate institutional culture that emphasises individual responsibility and accountability, and ensuring that institutions have clear, easily accessible policies available for all aspects of research