Discrete Torsion, AdS/CFT and duality

We analyse D-branes on orbifolds with discrete torsion, extending earlier results. We analyze certain Abelian orbifolds of the type C^3/ \Gamma, where \Gamma is given by Z_m x Z_n, for the most general choice of discrete torsion parameter. By comparing with the AdS/CFT correspondence, we can consider different geometries which give rise to the same physics. This identifies new mirror pairs and suggests new dualities at large N. As a by-product we also get a more geometric picture of discrete torsion.Comment: JHEP format, 6 figure

Resolution of Stringy Singularities by Non-commutative Algebras

In this paper we propose a unified approach to (topological) string theory on certain singular spaces in their large volume limit. The approach exploits the non-commutative structure of D-branes, so the space is described by an algebraic geometry of non-commutative rings. The paper is devoted to the study of examples of these algebras. In our study there is an auxiliary commutative algebraic geometry of the center of the (local) algebras which plays an important role as the target space geometry where closed strings propagate. The singularities that are resolved will be the singularities of this auxiliary geometry. The singularities are resolved by the non-commutative algebra if the local non-commutative rings are regular. This definition guarantees that D-branes have a well defined K-theory class. Homological functors also play an important role. They describe the intersection theory of D-branes and lead to a formal definition of local quivers at singularities, which can be computed explicitly for many types of singularities. These results can be interpreted in terms of the derived category of coherent sheaves over the non-commutative rings, giving a non-commutative version of recent work by M. Douglas. We also describe global features like the Betti numbers of compact singular Calabi-Yau threefolds via global holomorphic sections of cyclic homology classes.Comment: 36 pages, Latex, 5 figures. v2:Reference adde

Justice at the crossroads in Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste needs a radical overhaul of its judicial system, and there may be an opening now to push forward with reform. Introduction Judicial reform in Timor-Leste is at a crossroads, and the path taken will determine whether one of the world’s youngest countries can develop an independent, accountable and competent judiciary. The choices it now faces were highlighted by the government’s sudden expulsion of international judges in October 2014 that some saw as political intervention and others as a necessary measure to deepen reforms that have been quietly taking place since at least 2013. Judicial reform is part of a larger process of transition from an older generation of leaders steeped in the experience of exile and resistance to a younger generation shaped more by the Indonesian occupation and the first decade of independence. The question now is whether both have the will to undertake the sweeping overhaul of the legal system needed. The detailed recommendations at the end of this report suggest a possible way forward. The judiciary’s problems are rooted in the violent upheaval that took place in 1999 in what was then the Indonesian province of East Timor, after a United Nations-supervised referendum produced an overwhelming vote to separate from Indonesia. The UN assumed temporary responsibility for the country’s administration, placing many of the most essential judicial functions in the hands of international judicial officers and advisors. Fifteen years later, the judiciary of independent Timor-Leste was still heavily dependent on Portuguese-speaking international personnel. Then, in October 2014, almost all of the internationals still employed as judges, prosecutors, public defenders and investigators were ordered to leave the country within 48 hours. Trials in which international judges were participating were stopped. The country’s national judicial training facility for judges, prosecutors, and public defenders ceased to function. The fate of pending cases of serious crimes against humanity from 1999 was thrown into question. The mechanism for promoting judges, required for key positions in the judiciary including the eventual Supreme Court, ceased to exist. There were two major interpretations of the expulsions. The first view, widely heard at the time, was that they were politically motivated to increase the government’s control over judicial functions and the legal profession. The second view, gradually gaining ground, is that the systemic problems were so severe and the dependence on internationals of dubious competence so great that political intervention was a prerequisite of real reform. However one interprets the expulsions, there is a broad consensus across the government and political elite that major change is required and that the era of international dominance is over, leaving the Timorese to finally take full responsibility for their judicial institutions. The crucial question now is whether the current government’s planned reforms—in legal education, professional training and access to justice—will succeed in providing a judiciary that meets its citizens’ needs. The alternative will be “Timorisation” without meaningful reform. This report is based on three months of primary and secondary source research, including a field visit and court monitoring in Dili, Timor-Leste during February 2015 by the authors, David Cohen and Leigh-Ashley Lipscomb. The authors conducted 39 interviews with representatives of the justice sector, civil society organisations, service providers, government officials, the United Nations and the international donor community. The Court of Appeal and the Judicial System Monitoring Programme (JSMP), an NGO, provided the majority of statistical data analysed in this report

Management of mental illness by the British Army

Background: The Ministry of Defence has its own hospital for soldiers requiring admission for mental health problems. Aims: To assess the efficiency of the army psychiatric hospital at restoring patients to full active duty. To assess whether a new military training and rehabilitation unit (MTRU) that emphasises military-skills training, improves outcome. Method: A 2-year, inception-cohort outcome study of hospital in-patients. A 12-month, case-matched, ‘before and after’ outcome study compared MTRU patients with hospital in-patients. Results: I (hospital in-patients, n=309): at 2-year follow-up 67 (22%) were fully fit for active duty. Military psychiatrists' success rate at predicting recovery to active duty was 27%. 2: the odds of a soldier in the MTRU cohort (n=35) returning to active duty were 14 times greater than for the hospital cohort (n=35). The odds of remaining in the army while unfit for active duty were 20 times less for the MTRU than for the hospital cohort. Conclusions: The army hospital is inefficient at rehabilitation to active duty. The MTRU significantly increased the odds of returning to active duty and reduced the odds of remaining in the army while still unfit. These findings may be applicable to the emergency services

In-line metrology of functional surfaces with a focus on defect assessment on large area Roll to Roll substrates

This paper reports on the recent work carried out as part of the initial stages of the EU funded NanoMend project. The project seeks to develop integrated process inspection, cleaning, repair for nano-scale thin films on large area substrates. Flexible photovoltaic (PV) films based on CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide CuInxGa(1-x)Se2) have been reported to have light energy conversion efficiencies as high as 19%. CIGS based multi-layer flexible devices are fabricated on polymer film by the repeated deposition, and patterning, of thin layer materials using roll-to-roll processes (R2R), where the whole film is approximately 3μm thick prior to final encapsulation. The resultant films are lightweight and easily adaptable to building integration. Current wide scale implementation however is hampered by long term degradation of efficiency due to water ingress to the CIGS modules causing electrical shorts and efficiency drops. The present work reports on the use of areal surface metrology to correlate defect morphology with water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) through the protective barrier coatings

A Comparison of Polyamide 11 Mechanical Properties Between Laser Sintering and Traditional Molding

Tensile properties of laser sintering grade Polyamide-11 are processed using laser sintering, compression molding, and injection molding and the resultant mechanical properties are reported. The primary contributor to the enhanced mechanical properties of injection molded specimens is a fully healed polymer melt with preferred polymer chain orientation. It can be shown that laser sintering and compression molding specimens have comparable to compression molding specimens Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) and Elongation at Break (EOB).Mechanical Engineerin

Strength degradation of carbon-carbon composites for aircraft brakes

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