20 research outputs found
Orthogonal Bases of Invariants in Tensor Models
Representation theory provides a suitable framework to count and classify
invariants in tensor models. We show that there are two natural ways of
counting invariants, one for arbitrary rank of the gauge group and a second,
which is only valid for large N. We construct bases of invariant operators
based on the counting, and compute correlators of their elements. The basis
associated with finite N diagonalizes the two-point function of the theory and
it is analogous to the restricted Schur basis used in matrix models. We comment
on future lines of investigation.Comment: Two overlapping but independent results are merged to a joint work.
16 pages, 1 tabl
The study on the outsourcing of Taiwan's hospitals: a questionnaire survey research
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to assess the outsourcing situation in Taiwanese hospitals and compares the differences in hospital ownership and in accreditation levels.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This research combined two kinds of methods: a questionnaire survey and the in-depth interview to two CEOs of the sample hospitals. One hospital is not-for-profit, while the other is a public hospital and the research samples are from the hospital data from Taiwan's 2005 to 2007 Department of Health qualifying lists of hospital accreditation. The returned questionnaires were analyzed with STATISTICA<sup>® </sup>7.1 version software.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results for non-medical items showed medical waste and common trash both have the highest rate (94.6 percent) of being outsourced. The gift store (75 percent) and linen (73 percent) follow close behind, while the lowest rate of outsourcing is in utility maintenance (13.5 percent). For medical items, the highest rate of outsourcing is in the ambulance units (51.4 percent), while the hemodialysis center follows close behind with a rate of 50 percent. For departments of nutrition, pharmacy, and nursing however, the outsourcing rate is lower than 3 percent. This shows that Taiwan's hospitals are still conservative in their willingness to outsource for medical items. The results of the satisfaction paired t-test show that the non-medical items have a higher score than the medical items. The factor analysis showed the three significant factors in of non medical items' outsourcing are "performance", "finance", and "human resource". For medical items, the two factors are "operation" and satisfaction". To further exam the factor validity and reliability of the satisfaction model, a confirmative factor analysis (CFA) was conducted using structure equation modeling (SEM) method and found the model fitting well.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Hospitals, especially for public hospitals, can get benefits from outsourcing to revive the full-time-equivalent and human resource limitation.</p
Tensor and Matrix models: a one-night stand or a lifetime romance?
The spectra of energy eigenstates of free tensor and matrix models are
organized by Kronecker coefficients and Littlewood-Richardson numbers,
respectively. Exploiting recent results in combinatorics for Kronecker
coefficients, we derive a formula that relates Kronecker coefficients with a
hook shape with Littlewood-Richardson numbers. This formula has a natural
translation into physics: the eigenstates of the hook sector of tensor models
are in one-to-one correspondence with fluctuations of 1/2-BPS states in
multi-matrix models. We then conjecture the duality between both sectors.
Finally, we study the Hagedorn behaviour of tensor models with finite rank of
the symmetry group and, using similar arguments, suggest that the second (high
energy) phase could be entirely described by multi-matrix models.Comment: 20 pages, 1 figure. References adde
Hung Out to Dry: Choice of Priority Ecoregions for Conserving Threatened Neotropical Anurans Depends on Life-History Traits
Background: In the Neotropics, nearly 35 % of amphibian species are threatened by habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, and habitat split; anuran species with different developmental modes respond to habitat disturbance in different ways. This entails broad-scale strategies for conserving biodiversity and advocates for the identification of high conservation-value regions that are significant in a global or continental context and that could underpin more detailed conservation assessments towards such areas. Methodology/Principal Findings: We identified key ecoregion sets for anuran conservation using an algorithm that favors complementarity (beta-diversity) among ecoregions. Using the WWF’s Wildfinder database, which encompasses 700 threatened anuran species in 119 Neotropical ecoregions, we separated species into those with aquatic larvae (AL) or terrestrial development (TD), as this life-history trait affects their response to habitat disturbance. The conservation target of 100 % of species representation was attained with a set of 66 ecoregions. Among these, 30 were classified as priority both for species with AL and TD, 26 were priority exclusively for species with AL, and 10 for species with TD only. Priority ecoregions for both developmental modes are concentrated in the Andes and in Mesoamerica. Ecoregions important for conserving species with AL are widely distributed across the Neotropics. When anuran life histories were ignored, species with AL were always underrepresented in priority sets
Trans men's sexual narrative-practices: Introducing STS to trans and sexuality studies
<p> Clinical expectations that trans people will be so filled with self-loathing that sexual interactions will be limited if possible at all fail to take into account the heterogeneous ways trans people experience their own bodies and sexualities. In this essay, I extend recent work in science and technology studies (STS) that attends to material practices by examining the work of narrative and argue for a new paradigm in situating trans sexualities. I analyse trans men's autobiographical stories to show some of the many ways that trans men make sense of themselves (and enact maleness) as sexual subjects. By focusing on how sex-gender is enacted and hangs together in narrative-practices, we can more fully understand and appreciate the realities of trans lives and the inadequacies of clinical diagnosis. </p>