Black holes and non-relativistic quantum systems

We describe black holes in d+3 dimensions, whose thermodynamic properties correspond to those of a scale invariant non-relativistic d+1 dimensional quantum system with dynamical exponent z=2. The gravitational model involves a massive abelian vector field and a scalar field, in addition to the metric. The energy per particle in the dual theory is $|\mu| d/(d+2)$, exactly as in a non-interacting Fermi gas, while the ratio of shear viscosity to entropy density is $\hbar/4\pi$.Comment: 8 pages; v2: discussion modifie

About a possible 3rd order phase transition at T=0 in 4D gluodynamics

We revisit the question of the convergence of lattice perturbation theory for a pure SU(3) lattice gauge theory in 4 dimensions. Using a series for the average plaquette up to order 10 in the weak coupling parameter beta^{-1}, we show that the analysis of the extrapolated ratio and the extrapolated slope suggests the possibility of a non-analytical power behavior of the form (1/\beta -1/5.7(1))^{1.0(1)}, in agreement with another analysis based on the same asumption. This would imply that the third derivative of the free energy density diverges near beta =5.7. We show that the peak in the third derivative of the free energy present on 4^4 lattices disappears if the size of the lattice is increased isotropically up to a 10^4 lattice. On the other hand, on 4 x L^3 lattices, a jump in the third derivative persists when L increases. Its location coincides with the onset of a non-zero average for the Polyakov loop. We show that the apparent contradiction at zero temperature can be resolved by moving the singularity in the complex 1/\beta plane. If the imaginary part of the location of the singularity Gamma is within the range 0.001< Gamma < 0.01, it is possible to limit the second derivative of P within an acceptable range without affecting drastically the behavior of the perturbative coefficients. We discuss the possibility of checking the existence of these complex singularities by using the strong coupling expansion or calculating the zeroes of the partition function.Comment: 7 pages, 9 figures, contains a resolution of the main paradox and a discussion of possible check

Living scores: a portfolio of orally-transmitted experimental music compositions

This commentary reflects on a portfolio containing five of my recent orally-transmitted experimental music compositions created between fall 2013 and fall 2016. These living scores investigate transmission, community, orality and forgetting, which are the major themes of my original work. This commentary relates particularly to two main research questions: 1) what happens to the traditional practices and relationships surrounding composers and performers if the material aspect of the musical score is removed; and 2) what musical materials and processes are particularly suited to an orally-transmitted compositional method? After a brief introduction in Chapter 1, Chapter 2 provides context to the portfolio, exploring the terms experimental music and living scores. The term living scores has been used by a variety of artists in contexts ranging from dance collaborations to digital media. A new definition of living scores is proposed based on a synthesis of these existing uses to mean contexts in which all compositional instructions are transmitted, rather than fixed. Living scores are essentially participatory -- they foreground collaboration and encourage the formation of micro-communities. Because they eschew written notation, living scores allow the act of forgetting to become a vital part of the creative process. Composers such as Eliane Radigue, Meredith Monk, and Yoko Ono are discussed in this new context. Chapters 3 and 4 discuss my work within the paradigm of living scores. In Chapter 3, after a typical transmission of my work is outlined, aspects of oral and digital transmission are detailed, including the media, length, density and frequency of transmissions. Many of these aspects are discussed in relation to the act of forgetting, which through this creative work can be seen as a productive feature of artistic creation. In Chapter 4, the musical material of the portfolio is discussed, with an emphasis on the use and transformation of borrowed musical source material. A solution for the integration of the collaborative process into performances of these works is proposed: partial transmissions overlapping with the performances. A brief conclusion outlines the possibility for future research that explores other modes of transmission, further musical explorations and repeated use of this compositional method

Implementation of Peer Mentoring in Grief Recovery Group

Keystone Hospice offers a grief recovery group to survivors of their patients. Meetings are held once a week for six weeks and are one hour in length. To provide additional support to those who are recovering from grief, the use of peer mentors was introduced into the group

Growing Literacy Skills with Visual Thinking Strategies on Virtual Art Museum Tours

Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is an art curriculum and facilitation method developed by cognitive psychologist Abigail Housen and museum educator Philip Yenawine (Yenawine, 2013). Art museum educators employ VTS to support aesthetic appreciation through close looking and judgment-free discussions centered on works of art. In this article, I describe a virtual tour for K-5 students at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida that employs Visual Thinking Strategies and intentional language while paraphrasing student comments. Students on virtual tours build visual and reading literacy skills through facilitated engagement with art

Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) software analysis

The Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) System, an extension of the Space Transportation System (STS) operating regime to include higher orbits, orbital plane changes, geosynchronous orbits, and interplanetary trajectories is presented. The IUS software design, the IUS software interfaces with other systems, and the cost effectiveness in software verification are described. Tasks of the IUS discussed include: (1) design analysis; (2) validation requirements analysis; (3) interface analysis; and (4) requirements analysis

On the non-abelian Brumer-Stark conjecture and the equivariant Iwasawa main conjecture

We show that for an odd prime p, the p-primary parts of refinements of the (imprimitive) non-abelian Brumer and Brumer-Stark conjectures are implied by the equivariant Iwasawa main conjecture (EIMC) for totally real fields. Crucially, this result does not depend on the vanishing of the relevant Iwasawa mu-invariant. In combination with the authors' previous work on the EIMC, this leads to unconditional proofs of the non-abelian Brumer and Brumer-Stark conjectures in many new cases.Comment: 33 pages; to appear in Mathematische Zeitschrift; v3 many minor updates including new title; v2 some cohomological arguments simplified; v1 is a revised version of the second half of arXiv:1408.4934v

Surveying User Activity as a Tool for Space Planning in an Academic Library

University libraries, and specifically the University of South Florida (USF) Library, are used for many different purposes that go beyond traditional library services. Activities users engage in while in the library should factor into decisions regarding the allocation of library space or expenditure of resources. The results of this survey illustrate how patrons are using the USF Library building on a daily basis. The anonymous, self-administered exit survey was administered for one week during two separate semesters. Users exiting the library building were given the opportunity to fill out a survey form. Data collected through this questionnaire, along with daily library gate counts, were analyzed to determine overall use patterns of the library facility and use patterns by specific groups of patrons (faculty, students, staff, and non-USF users). A copy of the questionnaire is appended