6,384 research outputs found
On characteristic equations, trace identities and Casimir operators of simple Lie algebras
Two approaches are developed to exploit, for simple complex or compact real
Lie algebras g, the information that stems from the characteristic equations of
representation matrices and Casimir operators. These approaches are selected so
as to be viable not only for `small' Lie algebras and suitable for treatment by
computer algebra. A very large body of new results emerges in the forms, a) of
identities of a tensorial nature, involving structure constants etc. of g, b)
of trace identities for powers of matrices of the adjoint and defining
representations of g, c) of expressions of non-primitive Casimir operators of g
in terms of primitive ones. The methods are sufficiently tractable to allow not
only explicit proof by hand of the non-primitive nature of the quartic Casimir
of g2, f4, e6, but also e.g. of that of the tenth order Casimir of f4.Comment: 39 pages, 8 tables, late
Subduction Duration and Slab Dip
The dip angles of slabs are among the clearest characteristics of subduction zones, but the factors that control them remain obscure. Here, slab dip angles and subduction parameters, including subduction duration, the nature of the overriding plate, slab age, and convergence rate, are determined for 153 transects along subduction zones for the present day. We present a comprehensive tabulation of subduction duration based on isotopic ages of arc initiation and stratigraphic, structural, plate tectonic and seismic indicators of subduction initiation. We present two ages for subduction zones, a longâterm age and a reinitiation age. Using cross correlation and multivariate regression, we find that (1) subduction duration is the primary parameter controlling slab dips with slabs tending to have shallower dips at subduction zones that have been in existence longer; (2) the longâterm age of subduction duration better explains variation of shallow dip than reinitiation age; (3) overriding plate nature could influence shallow dip angle, where slabs below continents tend to have shallower dips; (4) slab age contributes to slab dip, with younger slabs having steeper shallow dips; and (5) the relations between slab dip and subduction parameters are depth dependent, where the ability of subduction duration and overriding plate nature to explain observed variation decreases with depth. The analysis emphasizes the importance of subduction history and the longâterm regional state of a subduction zone in determining slab dip and is consistent with mechanical models of subduction
Blood rheology, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease: The West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study
The West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (WOSCOPS) showed that pravastatin reduced the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) events in 6,595 middle-aged hypercholesterolaemic men aged 45-64 years without prior myocardial infarction followed for an average of 4.9 years. We hypothesised prospectively (a) that baseline levels of haemorheological variables were related to baseline and incident CHD and to mortality; and (b) that reduction in lipoproteins by pravastatin would lower plasma and blood viscosity, a potential contributory mechanism to CHD events. We therefore studied plasma and blood viscosity, fibrinogen, haematocrit, and blood cell counts at baseline and 1 year. At baseline, plasma and blood viscosity were related to risk factors, CHD measures, and claudication. On univariate analysis, baseline levels of all rheological variables (except platelet count) were related to incident CHD; CHD mortality; and total mortality. On multivariate analysis including baseline CHD and risk factors, plasma and blood viscosity, haematocrit and white cell count each remained significantly associated with incident CHD; while fibrinogen remained an independent predictor of mortality (all p<0.03). After one year, lipoprotein reduction by pravastatin was associated with significant reductions (about one quarter of a standard deviation) in plasma viscosity (mean difference 0.02 mPa.s, p<0.001) and in blood viscosity (mean difference 0.06 mPa.s, p<0.001), but was not associated with significant changes in other rheological variables. We therefore suggest that pravastatin therapy, which reduces elevated lipoproteins in hypercholesterolaemic men, may lower risks of CHD and mortality partly by lowering plasma and blood viscosity. Further studies are required to test this hypothesis
Photon-added coherent states as nonlinear coherent states
The states , defined as up to a
normalization constant and is a nonnegative integer, are shown to be the
eigenstates of where is a nonlinear
function of the number operator . The explicit form of
is constructed. The eigenstates of this operator for negative values of are
introduced. The properties of these states are discussed and compared with
those of the state .Comment: Rev Tex file with two figures as postscript files attached. Email:
[email protected]
Validity and normative data for thirty-second chair stand test in elderly community-dwelling Hong Kong Chinese
It is important to establish valid field measures of lower body strength in the elderly, and to provide representative normative values that are culturally specific in order to help health professionals in the risk assessment of this group. A sample of 1,038 elderly Hong Kong Chinese undertook a 30-sec chair stand test (30CST), with a subsample of 143 completing isometric measures of maximal hip flexion and knee extension, plus a habitual physical activity questionnaire. The 30CST was significantly, yet only weakly, correlated with the isometric strength measures (r ⌠0.3-0.4), but accurately discriminated between levels of habitual physical activity and across ages in decades. The normative values generated provide useful data for health screening in this elderly Hong Kong population, but do not compare well with their healthier US counterparts. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.postprin
Patterns of physical exercise and contributing factors among Hong Kong older adults
Key Messages
1. Studies suggest that regular physical activity and exercise offer a significant opportunity to enhance
years of active independent life for older individuals. However, the majority of local respondents have a
relatively sedentary lifestyle and were not getting adequate physical activity and exercise, though many
recognised the health benefits of being active.
2. Compared with their relatively active American counterparts, in terms of strength, flexibility
and agility, the respondents of this study fared unfavourably, with mean values in the 20-30
percentile score or lower.
3. More than 80% of elderly adults regularly participated in sports activities, the majority of whom engaged in only a low-to-moderate level of physical exercise mainly due to limited choices and time allocation for such activity. Nearly 17% of the respondents engaged in walking as a leisure activity; a substantial proportion included completion of their household activities (shopping, visiting friends) in what they termed âwalkingâ. As walking confers many health benefits, its promotion in the immediate environments of the elderly is practical and undoubtedly health
enhancing.
4. Findings suggested that cognitive-perceptual factors, ie perceived âprosâ and âconsâ of doing exercise, selfefficacy of exercise, stages of change and perceived barriers to exercise were all influential variables
contributing to engagement in sports activity. Longitudinal studies are needed to understand
the causal and temporal relations between these variables.
5. Health promotion programmes to educate older adults about the benefits of engaging in physical
activity with respect to their self-efficacy are crucial. Education can enhance individualâs knowledge and/or awareness concerning the health benefits of physical activity and exercise. Those who are deprived and less educated should receive more attention from
policymakers and service providers.published_or_final_versio
Interference effects in f-deformed fields
We show how the introduction of an algeabric field deformation affects the
interference phenomena. We also give a physical interpretation of the developed
theory.Comment: 6 pages, Latex file, no figures, accepted by Physica Script
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