Diffeomorphism Invariant Integrable Field Theories and Hypersurface Motions in Riemannian Manifolds

We discuss hypersurface motions in Riemannian manifolds whose normal velocity is a function of the induced hypersurface volume element and derive a second order partial differential equation for the corresponding time function $\tau(x)$ at which the hypersurface passes the point $x$. Equivalently, these motions may be described in a Hamiltonian formulation as the singlet sector of certain diffeomorphism invariant field theories. At least in some (infinite class of) cases, which could be viewed as a large-volume limit of Euclidean $M$-branesmoving in an arbitrary $M+1$-dimensional Riemannian manifold, the models are integrable: In the time-function formulation the equation becomes linear (with $\tau(x)$ a harmonic function on the embedding Riemannian manifold). We explicitly compute solutions to the large volume limit of Euclidean membrane dynamics in \Real^3 by methods used in electrostatics and point out an additional gradient flow structure in \Real^n. In the Hamiltonian formulation we discover infinitely many hierarchies of integrable, multidimensional, $N$-component theories possessing infinitely many diffeomorphism invariant, Poisson commuting, conserved charges.Comment: 15 pages, LATE

The Status and Job Satisfaction of Computer Operators

Le but de la présente recherche visait à vérifier, parmi un groupe d'opérateurs d'ordinateurs, comment l'image qu'ils se faisaient de leur propre statut professionnel réagissait sur le degré de leur propre satisfaction au travail. On a choisi cette entité professionnelle spécifique à cause du prestige dont est entourée l'utilisation de machines à calculer électroniques et de l'échelon relativement bas où se trouvent placés les préposés aux ordinateurs dans la hiérarchie des fonctions à l'intérieur d'un service d'ordinateurs.Il devenait, en conséquence, possible d'analyser les contradictions attachées à ce statut précis, ce qui a permis la vérification des hypothèses suivantes :1. Les personnes étrangères au service des ordinateurs se font de l'opérateur une image plus reluisante que ceux qui travaillent dans ce domaine.2. L'interaction entre ces deux groupes porte celui-ci à situer son propre statut professionnel à un niveau plus élevé que celui que lui accorde le personnel du service, mais sous le niveau qui lui est donné par les gens de l'extérieur.3. La contradiction créée par les opinions divergentes des deux groupes (les gens de l'intérieur et les étrangers) a pour conséquence que les opérateurs ne se font pas tous la même idée de la valeur de leur statut professionnel. En conséquence, on peut s'attendre à une corrélation affirmative (fonction de cette contradiction) entre la façon dont l'opérateur perçoit son statut professionnel et son degré de satisfaction au travail.Les constatations de cette enquête permettent de conclure que le préposé aux ordinateurs occupe une position ambiguë dans la hiérarchie des fonctions en tant que son statut professionnel est concerné. Les gens de l'intérieur considèrent que cette fonction occupe un rang plutôt inférieur dans la hiérarchie des emplois, tandis que, pour les étrangers, la fascination d'avoir à travailler avec ces machines à calculer place un halo autour du statut professionnel de l'opérateur.Il semble qu'il y ait un certain rapport, du moins lorsque le statut professionnel est bas, entre ce statut et la satisfaction au travail. Il faut cependant en interpréter le résultat avec circonspection, étant donné qu'aucune tentative n'a été faite pour contrôler l'un quelconque des antécédents se rapportant au statut professionnel, à l'exception du niveau de l'emploi dans la hiérarchie des fonctions. Aussi, la corrélation que l'on a trouvée dans l'une des deux entreprises où les recherches se sont faites peut bien n'être que l'influence d'autres facteurs comme le salaire, les conditions de travail ou l'ancienneté qui peuvent influer tant sur le statut professionnel que la satisfaction au travail.The results of this exploratory study suggest that computer operators experience a high level of inconsistency in their occupational status. Such inconsistency produces a differential impact upon the satisfaction of computer operators. When operators resolve the inconsistency by seeing their own status as low, they tend to be dissatisfied ; when they see their own status as high, they tend to be satisfied

Ten-dimensional super-Yang-Mills with nine off-shell supersymmetries

After adding 7 auxiliary scalars to the d=10 super-Yang-Mills action, 9 of the 16 supersymmetries close off-shell. In this paper, these 9 supersymmetry generators are related by dimensional reduction to scalar and vector topological symmetry in $\N$=2 d=8 twisted super-Yang-Mills. Furthermore, a gauge-invariant superspace action is constructed for d=10 super-Yang-Mills where the superfields depend on 9 anticommuting theta variables.Comment: 15 page

The effect of SU-8 patterned surfaces on the response of the quartz crystal microbalance

In this work we present data showing the effect of patterning layers of SU-8 photoresist on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and subsequent chemical treatment to increase their hydrophobicity. Patterns with 5 mu m diameter pillars spaced every 10 mu m have been fabricated with heights of 3, 5 and 10 mu m in addition to equivalent thickness flat layers. Contact angle measurements have been made before and after the hydrophobic chemical treatment. The change in resonant frequency of the QCM has been investigated as the surfaces were submerged in solutions of water/PEG with changing viscosity-density product

Perceptual decisions regarding object manipulation are selectively impaired in apraxia or when tDCS is applied over the left IPL

This study evaluated whether apraxia can be understood as due to impaired motor representations or motor imagery necessary for appropriate object-use, imitation, and pantomime. The causal role of the left inferior parietal lobe (IPL), which is heavily implicated in apraxia, is also evaluated. These processes are appraised in light of the proposed ventro-dorsal sub-stream of the classic two visual pathway model, where perceptual information from the ventral stream and the dorsal action stream are integrated and essential for object manipulation. Using a task assessing object-use perception, stroke patients with apraxia demonstrated a selective deficit during perceptual decisions reliant on the integration of visible and known object properties to select the appropriate grasp for object-use. This deficit increased with apraxia severity. A dissociation was evident in these patients showing intact non-motoric perceptual decisions regarding the functional semantic relationship between two objects in the absence of the actor (e.g. how a hammer hits a nail). Converging evidence was found using a modified version of the same task in a neuromodulation study that directly targeted the left IPL in healthy participants using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Application of inhibitory stimulation over the left IPL reduced performance during perceptual decisions regarding object manipulation whilst performance was unaffected during functional semantic decisions. Excitatory stimulation of the left IPL did not affect performance in either task. Combined, these results suggest that the left inferior parietal lobe is critical for motor imagery, and that apraxia may be caused by an inability to use internal motor representations of object manipulation. These results are discussed in terms of motoric and non-motoric perceptual processes and the proposal of an additional ventro-dorsal sub-stream within the dorsal and ventral visual pathways model

Fracture toughness of the cancellous bone of FNF femoral heads in relation to its microarchitecture

This study considers the relationship between microarchitecture and mechanical properties for cancellous bone specimens collected from a cohort of patients who had suffered fractured necks of femur. OP is an acute skeletal condition with huge socioeconomic impact [1] and it is associated with changes in both bone quantity and quality [2], which affect greatly the strength and toughness of the tissue [3].Support was provided by the EPSRC (EP/K020196: Point-ofCare High Accuracy Fracture Risk Prediction), the UK Department of Transport under the BOSCOS (Bone Scanning for Occupant Safety) project, and approved by Gloucester and Cheltenham NHS Trust hospitals under ethical consent (BOSCOS – Mr. Curwen CI REC ref 01/179G)

Investigating the medium range order in amorphous Ta₂O₅ coatings

Ion-beam sputtered amorphous heavy metal oxides, such as Ta2O5, are widely used as the high refractive index layer of highly reflective dielectric coatings. Such coatings are used in the ground based Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), in which mechanical loss, directly related to Brownian thermal noise, from the coatings forms an important limit to the sensitivity of the LIGO detector. It has previously been shown that heat-treatment and TiO2 doping of amorphous Ta2O5 coatings causes significant changes to the levels of mechanical loss measured and is thought to result from changes in the atomic structure. This work aims to find ways to reduce the levels of mechanical loss in the coatings by understanding the atomic structure properties that are responsible for it, and thus helping to increase the LIGO detector sensitivity. Using a combination of Reduced Density Functions (RDFs) from electron diffraction and Fluctuation Electron Microscopy (FEM), we probe the medium range order (in the 2-3 nm range) of these amorphous coatings

Metformin-mediated increase in DICER1 regulates microRNA expression and cellular senescence

Metformin, an oral hypoglycemic agent, has been used for decades to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recent studies indicate that mice treated with metformin live longer and have fewer manifestations of age-related chronic disease. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenotype are unknown. Here, we show that metformin treatment increases the levels of the microRNA-processing protein DICER1 in mice and in humans with diabetes mellitus. Our results indicate that metformin upregulates DICER1 through a post-transcriptional mechanism involving the RNA-binding protein AUF1. Treatment with metformin altered the subcellular localization of AUF1, disrupting its interaction with DICER1 mRNA and rendering DICER1 mRNA stable, allowing DICER1 to accumulate. Consistent with the role of DICER1 in the biogenesis of microRNAs, we found differential patterns of microRNA expression in mice treated with metformin or caloric restriction, two proven life-extending interventions. Interestingly, several microRNAs previously associated with senescence and aging, including miR-20a, miR-34a, miR-130a, miR-106b, miR-125, and let-7c, were found elevated. In agreement with these findings, treatment with metformin decreased cellular senescence in several senescence models in a DICER1- dependent manner. Metformin lowered p16 and p21 protein levels and the abundance of inflammatory cytokines and oncogenes that are hallmarks of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). These data lead us to hypothesize that changes in DICER1 levels may be important for organismal aging and to propose that interventions that upregulate DICER1 expression (e.g., metformin) may offer new pharmacotherapeutic approaches for age-related disease