Gap generation for Dirac fermions on Lobachevsky plane in a magnetic field

We study symmetry breaking and gap generation for fermions in the 2D space of constant negative curvature (the Lobachevsky plane) in an external covariantly constant magnetic field in a four-fermion model. It is shown that due to the magnetic and negative curvature catalysis phenomena the critical coupling constant is zero and there is a symmetry breaking condensate in the chiral limit even in free theory. We analyze solutions of the gap equation in the cases of zero, weak, and strong magnetic fields. As a byproduct we calculate the density of states and the Hall conductivity for noninteracting fermions that may be relevant for studies of graphene.Comment: 12 pages, no figure

In vitro amplification of H-type atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy by protein misfolding cyclic amplification

The in vitro amplification of prions by serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification has been shown to detect PrPSc to levels at least as sensitive as rodent bioassay but in a fraction of the time. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy is a zoonotic prion disease in cattle and has been shown to occur in three distinct forms, classical BSE (C-BSE) and two atypical BSE forms (L-BSE and H-BSE). Atypical forms are usually detectedin asymptomatic, older cattle and are suggested to be spontaneous forms of the disease. Here, we show the development of a serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification method for the detection of H-BSE. The assay could detect PrPSc from 3 distinct experimental isolates of H-BSE, could detect PrPSc in as little as 1 x 10-12 g of brain material and was highly specific. Additionally, the product of serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification at all dilutions of seed analysed could be readily distinguished from L-BSE, which did not amplify, and C-BSE, which had PrPSc with distinct protease K-resistance and protease K-resistant PrPSc molecular weights

Sources of Student Errors and Misconceptions in Algebra and Effectiveness of Classroom Practice Remediation in Machakos County- Kenya

This paper is based on a study which sought to examine the various errors and misconceptions committed by students in algebra with the view to exposing the nature and origin of the errors and misconceptions in secondary schools in Machakos district. Teachers’ knowledge on students’ errors was investigated together with strategies for remedial teaching. Descriptive survey design was adopted on four hundred and thirty form two students and fifteen mathematics teachers. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings indicate that students make errors and that they have misconceptions in algebra. In this paper some students’ misconceived notions and the root causes of these misconceptions are shared. Opportunities afforded by these feedbacks for instruction of mathematics are also shared. The study posits that teachers’ use of student’s mathematical ideas when purposely engaged can support teacher student interaction in mathematics classrooms. However, most of the teachers hardly made use of the students’ mathematical ideas and this lead to instructional strategies that did not address students’ difficulties. So to enhance teachers’ use of student’s experiences, teacher education will need to focus on encouraging a variety of ways of teacher-student interaction during which students’ mathematical ideas should be considered exhaustively

Product Portfolio Management: An Analysis of a Large Medical Device Company

Part 2: PLM for Sustainability, Traceability and PerformanceInternational audienceThis paper focuses on product portfolio management in a large multinational medical device organization. The contribution of this research is to provide insights into the nature, composition and decision making processes of product portfolios in a real world setting. The research is important because portfolio management decisions have a significant impact and influence the performance at each stage in the product life cycle. Results of the study indicate that portfolio management is a complex process in general but particularly challenging when dealing with technology development projects or innovative new products as unchartered waters are difficult to assess. We found that there are challenges with transparency and that stakeholders need fact based and information driven decisions. There is a need for better up front planning and systems to guide the process. Consistent criteria should be used to select and prioritize projects to facilitate better comparative ranking and allow for balanced portfolios, as well better resource distribution. However we also found that these criteria may change depending on the stage in the lifecycle

EURAMET’s European Metrology Network for Advanced Manufacturing

Advanced manufacturing has been identified by the European Commission as one of the key enabling technologies (KET). These KETs are predicted to increase industrial innovation by addressing societal challenges and creating innovative and sustainable economies. Developments in the field of advanced manufacturing are progressing rapidly, particularly accelerated by digitalisation technologies, demanding appropriate evaluation methods, measuring devices, guidelines and standards for quality control of manufacturing processes and products in multiple industries. The metrology needs of these industry sectors are regularly surveyed on workshops by the European Metrology Network (EMN) and prioritised according to the advice of the EMN’s Stakeholder Council, which is currently consisting of 13 industry representatives. These metrology needs are published in the Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) and are regularly revised to address the most recent metrology requirements in the field of advanced manufacturing. The SRA serves as a guide for decision-makers from industry and politics, and scientists who apply for funding of their research. This article introduces the purpose of the SRA and a new approach for a planned ongoing survey of stakeholder needs on the EMN website

Evaluation of a decision aid for women with breech presentation at term: a randomised controlled trial [ISRCTN14570598]

The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.comObjectives To evaluate the effectiveness of a decision aid for women with a breech presentation compared with usual care. Design Randomised controlled trial. Setting Tertiary obstetric hospitals offering external cephalic version (ECV). Population Women with a singleton pregnancy were diagnosed antenatally with a breech presentation at term, and were clinically eligible for ECV. Methods Women were randomised to either receive a decision aid about the management options for breech presentation in addition to usual care or to receive usual care only with standard counselling from their usual pregnancy care provider. The decision aid comprised a 24-page booklet supplemented by a 30-minute audio-CD and worksheet that was designed for women to take home and review with a partner. Main outcome measures Decisional conflict (uncertainty), knowledge, anxiety and satisfaction with decision making, and were assessed using self-administered questionnaires. Results Compared with usual care, women reviewing the decision aid experienced significantly lower decisional conflict (mean difference −8.92; 95% CI −13.18, −4.66) and increased knowledge (mean difference 8.40; 95% CI 3.10, 13.71), were more likely to feel that they had enough information to make a decision (RR 1.30; 95% CI 1.14, 1.47), had no increase in anxiety and reported greater satisfaction with decision making and overall experience of pregnancy and childbirth. In contrast, 19% of women in the usual care group reported they would have made a different decision about their care. Conclusions A decision aid is an effective and acceptable tool for pregnant women that provides an important adjunct to standard counselling for the management of breech presentation.N Nassar, CL Roberts, CH Raynes-Greenow, A Barratt, B Pea

Advancing the human right to housing in post-Katrina New Orleans: discursive opportunity structures in housing and community development

In post-Katrina New Orleans, housing and community development (HCD) advocates clashed over the future of public housing. This case study examines the evolution of and limits to a human right to housing frame introduced by one nongovernmental organization (NGO). Ferree’s concept of the discursive opportunity structure and Bourdieu’s social field ground this NGO’s failure to advance a radical economic human rights frame, given its choice of a political inside strategy that opened up for HCD NGOs after Hurricane Katrina. Strategic and ideological differences within the field limited the efficacy of this rights-based frame, which was seen as politically radical and risky compared with more resonant frames for seeking affordable housing resources and development opportunities. These divides flowed from the position of the movement-born HCD field within a neoliberal political economy, especially its current institutionalization in the finance and real estate sector, and its dependence on the state for funding and political legitimacy