Functional renormalisation group in a finite volume

We study a $\phi^4$-theory at finite temperature in a finite volume. Quantum, thermal and volume fluctuations are treated with the functional renormalisation group. Specifically, we focus on the interplay of temperature and length scales driving the system. We find that thermodynamical observables at finite volume such as the pressure approach the infinite volume limit similarly to that of the vanishing temperature limit. We also advance the functional renormalisation group method at finite volume. In particular, we identify requirements for suitable regulators that admit the exponential thermal and finite volume decay properties.Comment: 20 pages, 20 figure

Photoswitchable catalysis by a nanozyme mediated by a lightsensitive cofactor

The activity of a gold nanoparticle-based catalyst can be reversibly up- and down-regulated by light. Light is used to switch a small molecule between cis- and trans-isomers, which inhibits the catalytic activity of the nanoparticles to different extent. The system is functional in aqueous buffer, which paves the way for integrating the system in biological networks

Marketing a memory of the world: Magna Carta and the student as producer perspective

From Runnymede in 1215, to parliamentary struggles, across the seas to a fledgling America, then onwards in time to many parts of the globe where it encourages human rights and shapes legal systems, the Magna Carta has been enormously influential. As a consequence, the document has been placed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World register, a process designed to preserve highly significant documentary archive collections. Of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta, one is owned by Lincoln Cathedral of the UK and is on display to the general visitor in Lincoln Castle. This case study provides a critical account of the marketing of this document, arguing that the experiential dimensions of the Magna Carta exhibition are poorly executed. Additionally, as presently constituted, it is postulated that the existing marketing strategy will fail to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta’s signing in 2015 and the planned national celebrations. Evidence for these claims have been drawn mainly from an inquiry led research project conducted by a group of undergraduate marketers and two tutors at Lincoln University, demonstrating the clear value of the “student as producer” approach to learning and research in marketing

Marketing a memory of the world: Magna Carta and the experiential servicescape

Purpose The aim of this paper is to analyse visitor perceptions of the Lincoln Magna Carta exhibition in the context of an experiential servicescape perspective. Design/methodology/approach Data comes from a questionnaire carried out with visitors to the Magna Carta exhibition in Lincoln Castle, UK. The approach was framed by the student as producer perspective, that is about re-engineering the relationship between academics and undergraduate students. Findings Three main problems exist in terms of the servicescape. These are guidance signage, the small, dark inauspicious surroundings of the exhibition itself and the level of visitor interactivity present. Research limitations/implications This is only a small scale project of one Magna Carta exhibition. Research with more visitors would help to further validate the findings and conclusions of this paper and also assist in other representations of the document in other sites. Practical implications Suggestions are made for improvement to a number of experiential servicescape elements. These improved representations also need to be planned for adequately in the new staging of the document, when Lincoln Castle receives planned additional funds from the Heritage Lottery. Social implications This paper draws our attention to the fact that The Magna Carta is a shared part of a global cultural identity, where the marketing of the document represents a great privilege. Originality/value The experiential servicescape framework is used in an original way to critique aspects of the current exhibition and to propose new ideas for representing the Magna Carta. This paper is based on original data that makes a novel contribution to the debate regarding research and learning in higher education

Free trade agreements and the consolidation of democracy

We study the relationship between participation in free trade agreements (FTAs) and the sustainability of democracy. Our model shows that FTAs can critically reduce the incentive of authoritarian groups to seek power by destroying protectionist rents, thus making democracies last longer. This gives governments in unstable democracies an extra motive to form FTAs. Hence, greater democratic instability induces governments to boost their FTA commitments. In a dataset with 116 countries over 1960-2007, we find robust support for these predictions. They help to rationalize the rapid simultaneous growth of regionalism and of worldwide democratization since the late 1980s

Studies on the Potato Sprout Suppressant/Fungicide Tecnazene

This thesis describes work relating to the use of potato sprout suppressant chemicals - compounds which are used to control the sprouting of potatoes during extended storage. In particular, several implications of the use, in commercial situations, of one of these compounds, tecnazene, were assessed. This included a study on the effects on subsequent field growth of a range of tecnazene residues in seed potatoes at planting - this chemical having previously been cited as a cause of delayed emergence and reduced yield. A storage experiment and field trial are described from which it was concluded that a specific effect on emergence and yield cannot be attributed to a given residue at planting, although this can be a useful guide in broader terms. It was considered that a residue at planting of less than 1-1.5 mg/kg on a whole tuber basis would have little effect on emergence and yield. It was also noted that tecnazene treatment resulted in an increased number of stems from each tuber, and in turn to a higher proportion of smaller tubers. This effect was noted for even the lowest application rate indicating that tecnazene treatment could perhaps be used to manipulate tuber size distribution while having little or no effect on emergence and total yield. The method of residue analysis employed in the above work is described in a separate section, along with an assessment of tecnazene toxicology. Two other commercial problems linked to the use of sprout suppressants were investigated, both of which are related to the use of tecnazene in large scale commercial potato stores: The effect of vapour phase application of tecnazene on the healing of tuber wounds is discussed, based on results obtained using a rapid method for assessment of the degree of suberisation and periderm development. Tecnazene treatment appeared to have no detrimental effect on wound healing in contrast to the other major sprout suppressant chemical, chlorpropham, which clearly inhibited the process. This is an important point as incomplete healing of tuber wounds results in water loss and facilitates infection by fungal or bacterial pathogens. The effect of tecnazene, either alone or in combination with chlorpropham, on the incidence of internal sprouting in treated tubers was also studied. This phenomenon occurs when sprouts grow into a tuber rather than out and away from tuber, and renders such tubers useless for processing into crisps. The results indicated that while internal sprouting can occur in the absence of tecnazene, the pattern of sprouting induced by tecnazene treatment would appear to increase the incidence of this disorder. The remaining section of work in this thesis was based on a subject of less practical significance, but of much interest - the mode of action of tecnazene. It was considered that tecnazene might act by inhibiting gibberellin biosynthesis or action and for this reason bean seedling bioassays were conducted in which very dilute aqueous solutions of tecnazene were fed to the plants. This did result in some growth inhibition when compared to controls although it was not nearly as marked as that effected by a known gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor which was included in these assays, a fact which could possibly be partly explained by the very limited aqueous solubility of tecnazene. Any growth inhibition induced by tecnazene could be overcome by application of exogenous GA3, although, again partly for reaons of solubility, this need not necessarily implicate gibberellin biosynthesis inhibition or site blocking. Further work, probably at the cell constituent level, is required

The specificity of opsonins for shigella flexneri; types 1a, 1b, and 3.

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston Universit