Topological string entanglement

We investigate how topological entanglement of Chern-Simons theory is captured in a string theoretic realization. Our explorations are motivated by a desire to understand how quantum entanglement of low energy open string degrees of freedom is encoded in string theory (beyond the oft discussed classical gravity limit). Concretely, we realize the Chern-Simons theory as the worldvolume dynamics of topological D-branes in the topological A-model string theory on a Calabi-Yau target. Via the open/closed topological string duality one can map this theory onto a pure closed topological A-model string on a different target space, one which is related to the original Calabi-Yau geometry by a geometric/conifold transition. We demonstrate how to uplift the replica construction of Chern-Simons theory directly onto the closed string and show that it provides a meaningful definition of reduced density matrices in topological string theory. Furthermore, we argue that the replica construction commutes with the geometric transition, thereby providing an explicit closed string dual for computing reduced states, and Renyi and von Neumann entropies thereof. While most of our analysis is carried out for Chern-Simons on S^3, the emergent picture is rather general. Specifically, we argue that quantum entanglement on the open string side is mapped onto quantum entanglement on the closed string side and briefly comment on the implications of our result for physical holographic theories where entanglement has been argued to be crucial ingredient for the emergence of classical geometry.Comment: 48 pages + appendices, many tikz fgures. v2: added clarification

TwistBytes - identification of Cuneiform languages and German dialects at VarDial 2019

We describe our approaches for the German Dialect Identification (GDI) and the Cuneiform Language Identification (CLI) tasks at the VarDial Evaluation Campaign 2019. The goal was to identify dialects of Swiss German in GDI and Sumerian and Akkadian in CLI. In GDI, the system should distinguish four dialects from the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Our system for GDI achieved third place out of 6 teams, with a macro averaged F-1 of 74.6%. In CLI, the system should distinguish seven languages written in cuneiform script. Our system achieved third place out of 8 teams, with a macro averaged F-1 of 74.7%

Badoo cult violence in Ikorodu, Lagos state from 2015-2018: Costs and Response Assessment

This study assessed the social and economic costs of the activities of the “Badoo Cult” which constantly tormented parts of Ikorodu local government area of Lagos state, between 2015 and 2018, and appraised the responses of the Police and community members to the group. The study was guided by the broken window and frustration aggression theories. It utilized both quantitative and qualitative data respectively collected from 250 and 10 residents aged 18 years and above from five sampled communities. The study found that residents lived in fear and suffered social and economic loses because of the activities of the Badoo cult group. The paper underscores the importance of timely stakeholder intervention and collaboration in responding to future security challenges in the state and country. Keywords: Badoo cult, violence, insecurity, Lagos state, Nigeri

The Swiss and Dutch Health Insurance Systems: Universal Coverage and Regulated Competitive Insurance Markets

Compares systems of universal insurance coverage based on individual mandates, consumer choice of health plans, and regulated insurance market competition in Switzerland and the Netherlands. Discusses insights and implications for U.S. reform efforts

Participative Decision Mechanisms for Sustainable Development in Co-Operative Livestock Systems in Europe

Alpine pastures have been used for centuries and have a specific economic, ecological and cultural history that gives local identity. Alpine pastures, used only in summer, are endangered due to modern farming methods and economic conditions. The consequences include loss of biodiversity, traditionally used landscapes and socio-cultural identity in marginal regions (Riseth et al., 2003). As the Entlebuch UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was established by its inhabitants in a participative process, sustainable development in alpine pastures is also implemented by stakeholder participation. The methodology of participative decision mechanisms were used in two EU-projects: LACOPE: Landscape development, Biodiversity and Co-operative Livestock Systems in Europe, developing references for sustainable development in marginal regions and VisuLANDS: Visualisations Tools for Public Participation in the Management of Landscape Change. The main objective was to improve participative decision mechanisms using visualisation tools

An Assessment of the Effectiveness of Open Market Operations Instrument of Monetary Policy Management in Nigeria

This study empirically examined the effectiveness of Open Market Operations (OMO) instrument of monetary policy management in Nigeria. In doing this, the study adopted the monetarist theory as the basis for measuring the effectiveness of OMO instrument of monetary policy management in Nigeria. The investigation was carried out using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method of estimation. Unit Root and Co-integration tests were performed on all the variables and the results revealed that the variables have long run relationship and are suitable for OLS estimation. The empirical results indicated a significant relationship between monetary policy instruments such as open market operations, required reserve and monetary policy rate with broad money supply which is the proximate target for monetary policy management. This implies that Open Market Operations has been an effective instrument of monetary policy management in Nigeria. The study further showed that monetary policy rate could serve as a veritable instrument for the control of money supply and effective monetary policy management in the economy. It is recommended, among others, that the CBN should review periodically the performance of monetary policy with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of monetary policy instruments in order to achieve macroeconomic stability. Keywords: OMO, Monetary policy effectiveness, Macroeconomic stability, Nigeria

Climate change policy inventory and analysis for Tanzania

This report is an output of the Global Framework for Climate Services Adaptation Programme in Africa. The goal of the report is to: 1) assess the extent to which climate change concerns have been integrated or mainstreamed into national policy documents in mainland Tanzania, 2) to consider the role of climate services in achieving national sectorial policy goals, and 3) identify entry points for the further development of climate services within the current policy frameworks. Fifteen key policy documents relevant to economic development, climate change and environment, agriculture and food security, disaster management and risk reduction, and health planning were analysed. Three major findings emerged from this analysis. First, while climate change is addressed in a number of the policy documents, the concept of climate services was not. Second, policy documents across all sectors identified improved early warning systems as a specific objective. This represents a common entry point for development and delivery of climate services, as well as an opportunity to increase cross-sectorial adaptation coordination and planning. Third, the analysis highlighted that efforts to manage short- and long-term climate risks are not well integrated under current policies and legislation in Tanzania. Additionally, we found that the National Environmental Policy and National Environmental Management Act are the primary policy documents that oversee climate change-related issues. It will be important to link the development and delivery of climate services with the established institutional structures for climate change adaptation under these current policies and legislation, to avoid creating isolated or duplicative institutional arrangements. Based on these findings, several recommendations are made that can inform climate services development and delivery in Tanzania

Effects of Air-borne Hazards on the Physical and Psychological Health of Nigerian Poultry Workers

Industrialized agriculture has resulted in a public health crisis for farmers, farm workers and their families. This study, which involved measurement of the concentrations of air-borne dust and ammonia in poultry buildings using active samplers and assessing the physical and psychological health status of poultry workers via questionnaire, was conducted in some poultry farms in Lagos and Ogun States of Nigeria. Ammonia concentrations in poultry houses, 52.53 + 23.56 parts per million (ppm), were found to be much higher than allowable value of 25ppm. Poultry working environment was found to be dustier than human indoors. Poultry workers experienced significantly higher frequency of symptoms of physical ill-health than the control populace (P < 0.001). Depression indices were low in all the two groups studied without significant difference in the frequency of occurrence of depression symptoms. Poultry workers with anxiety index of 0.23 were found to be moderately anxious while control populace showed no anxiety. The symptoms of anxiety were significantly higher among poultry workers than control (P < 0.001).  Female poultry workers experienced significantly higher symptoms of physical ill health, anxiety and depression than their male counterparts (P < 0.001, in all cases). The results indicated that the poultry air has high load of respirable dust, noxious gases and other agents that may be acting in synergy to produce deleterious effects on both the physical and psychological health of poultry workers. Key words: Ammonia, anxiety, depression, poultry dust, poultry workers, physical ill health