Multifractal analysis of electronic states on random Voronoi-Delaunay lattices

We consider the transport of non-interacting electrons on two- and three-dimensional random Voronoi-Delaunay lattices. It was recently shown that these topologically disordered lattices feature strong disorder anticorrelations between the coordination numbers that qualitatively change the properties of continuous and first-order phase transitions. To determine whether or not these unusual features also influence Anderson localization, we study the electronic wave functions by multifractal analysis and finite-size scaling. We observe only localized states for all energies in the two-dimensional system. In three dimensions, we find two Anderson transitions between localized and extended states very close to the band edges. The critical exponent of the localization length is about 1.6. All these results agree with the usual orthogonal universality class. Additional generic energetic randomness introduced via random potentials does not lead to qualitative changes but allows us to obtain a phase diagram by varying the strength of these potentials

Recruitment and Retention of Community Sector Lawyers: Regional Differences within New South Wales

The Aboriginal Legal Service, Community Legal Centres, Legal Aid NSW and private solicitors undertaking legal aid work all have a role in meeting the legal needs of disadvantaged communities in rural, regional and remote (RRR) parts of NSW. Yet there are reports that staff shortages are affecting the capacity of these services to perform this work — in some areas more than others. In order to gain a ‘snapshot’ of solicitor availability in RRR areas and to assess any regional differences in their availability to undertake community sector legal work in NSW, the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW has undertaken a census of all public legal assistance positions in NSW. The study examined whether the positions were filled or vacant, how they were filled, and the length of time that they were filled (or vacant). The research also drew upon data from the NSW Law Society and the three main public legal services in NSW to map solicitor availability across NSW against a range of indicators, including socio-economic disadvantage. In addition, interviews were conducted with solicitors working in (and who had left) ‘hard to staff’ areas with a view to better understanding differences in the recruitment and retention of solicitors across RRR areas of NSW. The major findings of the Foundation’s full research report are discussed in this paper

Walt Whitman in Lancashire, 1886-2008

Offers a history of annual Whitman celebrations in Bolton, England, where early socialist disciples of Whitman began honoring the poet in the 1880s, a tradition that, on and off, has continued to the present day; describes in detail the 2008 celebration

"No pensábamos que fuera a tener buena acogida": la victoria legal de la Alianza Gay de Estudiantes sobre la Virginia Commonwealth University, 1974-1976

In 1974, a group of college students attempted to undertake the simple act of registering an official student organization at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). In contrast to every other student group that had sought such status, the group, the Gay Alliance of Students (GAS), was denied registration. They were denied because the group was composed of LGBTQI+ students who wanted to promote the well-being and understanding of themselves and other LGBTQI+ individuals on campus. This article examines the founding, experience, and legal battles of GAS, an important organization in both the history of LGBTQI+ students and the history of LGBTQI+ rights more broadly. In response to its denial, GAS sued VCU in US federal district court, claiming violations of its fundamental rights under the US Constitution. After a split decision in its initial case, GAS appealed and won a resounding victory over VCU administrators and their attempts to deny LGBTQI+ students their rights. That victory was the first ever for an LGBTQI+ student organization at the federal appellate level and set a precedent for other LGBTQI+ students in five states. This article uses historical methods to situate these efforts in their institutional and local context, contribute to the nascent literature on LGBTQI+ student legal cases, and consider this key case that had implications beyond VCU and, indeed, beyond higher education.En 1974, un grupo de estudiantes universitarios intentó llevar a cabo el sencillo acto de registrar una organización estudiantil oficial en la Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). A diferencia de todos los demás grupos de estudiantes que habían solicitado dicho estatus, al grupo, la Alianza Gay de Estudiantes (GAS), se le denegó el registro. Se les denegó porque el grupo estaba compuesto por estudiantes LGBTQI+ que querían promover el bienestar y la comprensión de sí mismos y de otras personas LGBTQI+ en el campus. Este artículo examina la fundación, la experiencia y las batallas legales de GAS, una organización importante tanto en la historia de los estudiantes LGBTQI+ como en la historia de los derechos LGBTQI+ en general. En respuesta a su denegación, GAS demandó a VCU ante un tribunal federal de distrito de EE.UU., alegando violaciones de sus derechos fundamentales en virtud de la Constitución de EEUU.. Tras una decisión dividida en su caso inicial, GAS apeló y obtuvo una rotunda victoria sobre los administradores de VCU y sus intentos de negar a los estudiantes LGBTQI+ sus derechos. Esa victoria fue la primera de una organización estudiantil LGBTQI+ a nivel de apelación federal y sentó un precedente para otros estudiantes LGBTQI+ en cinco estados. Este artículo utiliza métodos históricos para situar estos esfuerzos en su contexto institucional y local, contribuir a la incipiente literatura sobre casos legales de estudiantes LGBTQI+ y considerar este caso clave que tuvo implicaciones más allá de VCU y, de hecho, más allá de la educación superior

The Effects of Combined Movement and Storytelling Intervention on Motor Skills in South Asian and White Children Aged 5–6 Years Living in the United Kingdom

Early motor development has an important role in promoting physical activity (PA) during childhood and across the lifespan. Children from South Asian backgrounds are less active and have poorer motor skills, thus identifying the need for early motor skill instruction. This study examines the effect of a movement and storytelling intervention on South Asian children’s motor skills. Following ethics approval and consent, 39 children (46% South Asian) participated in a 12-week movement and storytelling intervention. Pre and post, seven motor skills (run, jump, throw, catch, stationary dribble, roll, and kick) were assessed using Children’s Activity and Movement in Preschool Study protocol. At baseline, South Asian children had poorer performance of motor skills. Following the intervention, all children improved their motor skills, with a bigger improvement observed for South Asian children. Early intervention provided remedial benefits to delays in motor skills and narrowed the motor skills gap in ethnic groups

Library of Microcrystalline Tests for Novel Psychoactive Substances

A microcrystalline test is a precipitation reaction between a drug and a reagent, forming an insoluble drug-reagent complex that is unique to that specific test. These tests are quick, requiring minimal sample preparation and can be non-destructive. Therefore, they can be used as preliminary and confirmatory tests with expertise. Microcrystalline tests are one of the oldest analytical chemistry practices and their use for classic drugs such as cocaine, heroin and amphetamines is well-documented. However, there is very limited research on microcrystalline tests for the novel compounds encountered by law enforcement today. This research is an effort to increase understanding and promote use of microcrystalline tests for novel psychoactive substances

Integer Quantum Hall Transition on a Tight-Binding Lattice

Even though the integer quantum Hall transition has been investigated for nearly four decades its critical behavior remains a puzzle. The best theoretical and experimental results for the localization length exponent ν differ significantly from each other, casting doubt on our fundamental understanding. While this discrepancy is often attributed to long-range Coulomb interactions, Gruzberg et al. [Phys. Rev. B 95, 125414 (2017)10.1103/PhysRevB.95.125414] recently suggested that the semiclassical Chalker-Coddington model, widely employed in numerical simulations, is incomplete, questioning the established central theoretical results. To shed light on the controversy, we perform a high-accuracy study of the integer quantum Hall transition for a microscopic model of disordered electrons. We find a localization length exponent ν=2.58(3) validating the result of the Chalker-Coddington network