A phase transition due to thick vortices in SU(2) lattice gauge theory

SU(2) lattice gauge theory is studied after eliminating thin monopoles and the smallest thick monopoles. Kinematically this constraint allows thick vortex loops which produce long range Z(2) fluctuations. The thick vortex loops are identified in a three dimensional simulation. A condensate of thick vortices persists even after the thin vortices have all disappeared. They decouple at a slightly lower temperature (higher $\beta$) than the thin vortices and drive a Z(2) like phase transition.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures (ps), Lattice 2002(Topology

Gauge theory of things alive and universal dynamics

Positing complex adaptive systems made of agents with relations between them that can be composed, it follows that they can be described by gauge theories similar to elementary particle theory and general relativity. By definition, a universal dynamics is able to determine the time development of any such system without need for further specification. The possibilities are limited, but one of them - reproduction fork dynamics - describes DNA replication and is the basis of biological life on earth. It is a universal copy machine and a renormalization group fixed point. A universal equation of motion in continuous time is also presented.Comment: 13 pages, latex, uses fleqn.sty (can be removed without harm

Redefining the Competitive Dance Indsutry: A Plan for the Dance Competitions of Tomorrow

There is an absence of direct focus in the development of a dancer’s education within today’s competitive dance world, as current dance competitions have many holes in providing the proper training and education a young dancer needs. It is clear that dance competitions are for-profit businesses with a focus on making money, but it is time to turn these businesses into opportunities for growth, success, and a place where pure talent can be discovered and then launched into the next generation of professional dancers. I am a strong believer in education. Therefore, I believe competitive dance should be another form of education. Unfortunately, in today’s society, the focus has shifted from education to gratification, which is why I believe the time is now to address this issue. I conducted a series of surveys to send out to competition directors, studio owners, convention teachers, professional dancers, parents of competitive dancers, and current dance majors in college pursuing a professional dance career. The survey asked various background questions about their involvement in competitive dance to where they would like to see the dance industry move in the future. The surveys help in the fact that now I do know it is not the industry as a whole that needs a major uplift, but the small details that all affect and go into a dance competition. There are many things that could easily change to help protect and promote the dance industry, and after many hours spent going over responses and rereading what all the dance articles say, I will now present my ideas for a new type of dance competition. As you can see, the undertaking of a new type of competition is large, but the benefits are crucial. Reshaping the competitive dance industry will take time, but it starts with a brave individual to stand up and be the change for what the dancers of tomorrow need. Overall, the main purpose of my findings and ideas is to preserve the integrity and artistry of the competitive dance culture

Quasiconvex Subgroups and Nets in Hyperbolic Groups

Consider a hyperbolic group G and a quasiconvex subgroup H of infinite index. We construct a set-theoretic section s of the quotient map (of sets) from G to G/H such that s(G/H) is a net in G; that is, any element of G is a bounded distance from s(G/H). This section arises naturally as a set of points minimizing word-length in each fixed coset gH. The left action of G on G/H induces an action on s(G/H), which we use to prove that H contains no infinite subgroups normal in G.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figure; v3: Replaced another typo; v2: Replaced minor typo in abstrac

Temporary Sculpture: Activating the Ordinary

Invite students to use everyday objects as art making materials. Through this lesson students will be challenged to consider how everyday objects can be re- imagined as art making materials. In this lesson students will research and discuss every day materials from the art room as materials for sculptures. Students will also consider how the ordinary spaces around them could be activated by the addition of a sculpture.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cstae_resource_early/1000/thumbnail.jp

Protein Aggregates and Polyglutamine Tracts In Neurodegenerative Disease

The incidence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer\u27s Disease, Parkinson\u27s Disease, Huntington\u27s Disease and other Polyglutamine Diseases is projected to dramatically increase throughout the developed world, and yet the pathology of these diseases remains poorly understood. One pathway that these neurodegenerative diseases share is the accumulation of pathologic proteins which are not only harmful in their soluble form but may go on to form toxic aggregates. In many cases, a consensus has yet to be reached concerning the mechanism for protein aggregation. Therefore, the exploration of the roles of these proteins and their possible mechanisms, along with potential techniques for treatment, are more important than ever

Person to Person in Costa Rica

While still in the midst of their study abroad experiences, students at Linfield College write reflective essays. Their essays address issues of cultural similarity and difference, compare lifestyles, mores, norms, and habits between their host countries and home, and examine changes in perceptions about their host countries and the United States. In this essay, David Mack describes his observations during his study abroad program at Centro Cultural e Histórico José Figueres Ferrer, in San Ramón, Costa Rica

Specimen Holder Design Improves Accuracy of X-Ray Powder Analysis

Specimen holder for X ray diffraction analysis presents the specimen to the incident X rays in a curvature. This permits the use of an X ray beam having a larger divergence angle, the beam intensity is increased, and the statistical accuracy of analysis is improved

Red, White and Bicycle: RVA, France and the Bike Race, Blog 2

Student blog posts from the Great VCU Bike Race Book