Comparison of perceptual reversals with rotating and static versions of the Necker cube

Apparent changes in direction-of-rotation of a Necker cube (NC) signify perceptual reversals (PRs) equivalent to perspective reversals experienced when viewing a static NC. Rotations of 20 turns min-1 generate the same number of PRs as the static NC (Gorea and Agonie, 1997 Vision Research 37 2195 - 2206). We wanted to know if the pattern of reversals during an observation interval would also be the same. For the static form the rate of PRs increases during a fast phase and then becomes constant after 2 - 3 min during a slow phase (Borsellino et al, 1972 Kybernetik 10 139 - 144)

Force Dynamics in Weakly Vibrated Granular Packings

The oscillatory force F_b^ac on the bottom of a rigid, vertically vibrated, grain filled column, reveals rich granular dynamics, even when the peak acceleration of the vibrations is signicantly less than the gravitational acceleration at the earth's surface. For loose packings or high frequencies, F_b^ac 's dynamics are dominated by grain motion. For moderate driving conditions in more compact samples, grain motion is virtually absent, but F_b^ac nevertheless exhibits strongly nonlinear and hysteretic behavior, evidencing a granular regime dominated by nontrivial force-network dynamics.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

An analytically solvable model of the effect of magnetic breakdown on angle-dependent magnetoresistance in a quasi-two-dimensional metal

We have developed an analytical model of angle-dependent magnetoresistance oscillations (AMROs) in a quasi-two-dimensional metal in which magnetic breakdown occurs. The model takes account of all the contributions from quasiparticles undergoing both magnetic breakdown and Bragg reflection at each junction and allows extremely efficient simulation of data which can be compared with recent experimental results on the organic metal kappa-ET2Cu(NCS)2. AMROs resulting from both closed and open orbits emerge naturally at low field, and the model enables the transition to breakdown-AMROs with increasing field to be described in detail.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Comparison of the normal state properties of κ\kappa-(BEDT-TTF)2_2Cu(NCS)2_2 and its deuterated analogue in high magnetic fields and under high hydrostatic pressures

Details of the Fermi-surface topology of deuterated $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu(NCS)$_2$ ~have been measured as a function of pressure, and compared with equivalent measurements of the undeuterated salt. We find that the superconducting transition temperature is much more dramatically suppressed by increasing pressure in the deuterated salt. It is suggested that this is linked to pressure-induced changes in the Fermi-surface topology, which occur more rapidly in the deuterated salt than in the undeuterated salt as the pressure is raised. Our data suggest that the negative isotope effect observed on deuteration is due to small differences in Fermi-surface topology caused by the isotopic substitution.Comment: 10 pages 3 figure

Fauna of Testate Amoebae from the Rhytidome of Juglans Nigra

Samples of bark without visible lichen or moss cover were taken from a Juglans nigra located in a city lot in Des Moines, Iowa, remote from water. Euglypha ciliata, E. cuspidata, Microchlamys patella, Centropyxis aerophilus, and two unidentified species of Difflugia were found, ranging from ground level to heights of 35 feet. An estimate of population density, based on a modification of the most probable number count, showed evidence of zonation on the tree surface, with C. aerophilus restricted to near ground level, M. patella occurring approximately evenly up to 35 feet, and E. cuspidata most abundant at moderate heights. Some of the factors related to distribution on the tree surface are discussed

Knowledge, Capabilities and Human Capital Formation in Economic Growth

This monograph, which has been prepared as a Research Report to the New Zealand (New Zealand) Treasury, undertakes three main tasks: (1) describing the various forms of tangible and intangible human capital, their relationship to "capabilities" affecting human well-being, and the channels through which they may contribute to economic growth; (2) reviewing the major theoretical and empirical findings on the microeconomic determinants, and macroeconomic growth effects of investment in human capital; (3) reviewing salient general implications for policies affecting human capital, and indicating measures specifically germane to the situation of the New Zealand economy. For these purposes, the concept of human capital is defined comprehensively, so that it embraces capacities for interpreting flows of sensory data and structured information required for goal-directed individual actions and inter-personal transactions, and for providing various physical labour service- inputs in ordinary production processes. More conventionally, it subsumes the creative faculties for generating new scientific and technological knowledge, the cognitive basis of entrepreneurship, and the competences for managing market and non-market production as well as household consumption activities. The report is organised in three main Parts that address the three major objectives, taking each in its turn. A detailed Table of Contents and an Executive Summary precede the text, which is followed by extensive bibliographic references. A unifying conceptual framework is developed to (a) identify the micro-level processes involved in human capital formation; (b) implicitly aggregate the resulting qualities and capabilities of individuals belonging to successive population cohorts; (c) trace the interrelated influences that the forms of human capital have upon macroeconomic performance. The review of empirical evidence at the macroeconomic level features a discussion of the deficiencies of data and methods in many of the international cross-section studies, and contrasts recent econometric findings on the role of education in economic growth among the developed economies with the conclusions derived through more detailed analyses of their historical experiences. Significant policy implications do emerge from the modern macroeconomic growth literature, but these are very broad in nature and not particularly germane to the situation of small, open economies that may lack a substantial industrial base or the extensive human and institutional infrastructure required to generate the knowledge-base needed for their peoples' well-being and their firms' competitive success in international markets. Nor does the received literature adequately treat the implications of such economies' potential to rapidly alter their respective human resource endowments through differential population migration. Consideration of human capital policies geared more closely to the specific challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand's economy leads to the formulation of a number of novel proposals. These would reform tax treatment of education and training investments by residents and immigrants alike; subsidise new voluntary institutions developing on-the-job training programs under industry sponsorship; undertake public information infrastructure investments in order to reduce the costs of effective access to global knowledge bases in science and technology. Proposals also are considered for integrated government programmes to accelerate the closing of persistent socio-economic disparities within New Zealand society, such as those between Maori and non-Maori.human capital; capabilities; knowledge; education; on-the-job training; R&D; productivity; macroeconomic growth theory; investment taxation and subsidies

Solving 3+1 QCD on the Transverse Lattice Using 1+1 Conformal Field Theory

A new transverse lattice model of $3+1$ Yang-Mills theory is constructed by introducing Wess-Zumino terms into the 2-D unitary non-linear sigma model action for link fields on a 2-D lattice. The Wess-Zumino terms permit one to solve the basic non-linear sigma model dynamics of each link, for discrete values of the bare QCD coupling constant, by applying the representation theory of non-Abelian current (Kac-Moody) algebras. This construction eliminates the need to approximate the non-linear sigma model dynamics of each link with a linear sigma model theory, as in previous transverse lattice formulations. The non-perturbative behavior of the non-linear sigma model is preserved by this construction. While the new model is in principle solvable by a combination of conformal field theory, discrete light-cone, and lattice gauge theory techniques, it is more realistically suited for study with a Tamm-Dancoff truncation of excited states. In this context, it may serve as a useful framework for the study of non-perturbative phenomena in QCD via analytic techniques.Comment: 25 page

Note and Comment

Declaratory Judgments - The widespread interest in this ntw form of remedial instrument, which was. somewhat dashed by the recent decision of the Michigan Supreme. Court \u27n Amwmy v. Grand Ropds.Ry. Co. (r920), 211 Mich. 59, holding declaritoty relief to b! non-judicial and -outside the constitutional power of \u27courts (9ig MicH. LAw Rzv. 86), has been revived by the action of\u27the legislature of. Kansas in enacting a derlaratory judgment statute almost identical with the .Michigan act.. This was done with full knowledge of the decision in the .4mmy case, and inasmuch -as it is well known that some of the judges oti\u27the Supreme Court of Kansas have taken an active interest in advocating this reform, it is fair to assume that the act is likely tQ escape the constitutionalguillotine The English judges. have for two geneiations or m9re been the.chief proponents of English procedural. reform, and nothing *ould be more universally welcomed in this country than the generous participation and leadership of our high. judges in the efforts of\u27the public to. make\u27the administration of justice .more respoksive to social needs

SquidLab—A user-friendly program for background subtraction and fitting of magnetization data

We present an open-source program free to download for academic use with a full user-friendly graphical interface for performing flexible and robust background subtraction and dipole fitting on magnetization data. For magnetic samples with small moment sizes or sample environments with large or asymmetric magnetic backgrounds, it can become necessary to separate background and sample contributions to each measured raw voltage measurement before fitting the dipole signal to extract magnetic moments. Originally designed for use with pressure cells on a Quantum Design MPMS3 SQUID magnetometer, SquidLab is a modular object-oriented platform implemented in Matlab with a range of importers for different widely available magnetometer systems (including MPMS, MPMS-XL, MPMS-IQuantum, MPMS3, and S700X models) and has been tested with a broad variety of background and signal types. The software allows background subtraction of baseline signals, signal preprocessing, and performing fits to dipole data using Levenberg–Marquardt non-linear least squares or a singular value decomposition linear algebra algorithm that excels at picking out noisy or weak dipole signals. A plugin system allows users to easily extend the built-in functionality with their own importers, processes, or fitting algorithms. SquidLab can be downloaded, under Academic License, from the University of Warwick depository (wrap.warwick.ac.uk/129665)

Resource Assessment of the In-Place and Potentially Recoverable Deep Natural Gas Resource of the Onshore Interior Salt Basins, North Central and Northeastern Gulf of Mexico Progress Report

The principal research effort for the first half of Year 3 of the project has been resource assessment. Emphasis has been on estimating the total volume of hydrocarbons generated and the potential amount of this resource that is classified as deep (>15,000 ft) gas in the North Louisiana Salt Basin, the Mississippi Interior Salt Basin, the Manila Subbasin and the Conecuh Subbasin. The amount of this resource that has been expelled, migrated and entrapped is also the focus of the first half of Year 3 of this study