Topological Quantum Field Theory and Seiberg-Witten Monopoles

A topological quantum field theory is introduced which reproduces the Seiberg-Witten invariants of four-manifolds. Dimensional reduction of this topological field theory leads to a new one in three dimensions. Its partition function yields a three-manifold invariant, which can be regarded as the Seiberg-Witten version of Casson's invariant. A Geometrical interpretation of the three dimensional quantum field theory is also given.Comment: 15 pages, Latex file, no figure

Bioprocesses

The application of remote sensing techniques to the study of eutrophication in natural waters and the location and characterization of fronts is considered. The specific problem to be studied is examined along with the feasibility and capabability of remote sensing techniques for each application

RF free ultrasonic positioning

All wearable centric location sensing technologies must address the issue of clock synchronisation between signal transmitting systems and signal receiving systems. GPS receivers, for example, compensate for synchronisation errors by incorporating a model of the receiver clock offset in the navigation solution. Drift between satellite clocks is also monitored to keep signal data in synch with GPS time. Most ultrasonic positioning systems solve the synchronisation problem by using a second medium for communication between transmitter and receiver devices. The transmitters in these systems emit RF signals (pings) to indicate the transmission of subsequent ultrasound signals (chirps). By subtracting the arrival time of the ping from that of the chirps, the receiver is able to compute the distance to each transmitter. In this paper, we describe an ultrasonic positioning system that does not use RF signals to achieve synchronisation. Instead, it exploits a periodic chirp transmission pattern to model the receiver’s position using chirp reception times exclusively. Not only does the system improve on the accuracy of previous technologies but it also eliminates bulky RF circuitry – a definite advantage for wearable applications where component size and weight are critical for usability.

Sports medicine in Hawaii: care of the high school athlete in Oahu's public schools.

A recent study by the National Athletic Trainers Association indicated that injuries occur more often during practice than during games in high school athletics. Results of the 3-year study indicated that 60% of basketball injuries occurred in boys and young men during practice and 59% occurred in women. About 2/3 of the estimated 120,000 injuries suffered by prep wrestlers each year happen during practice. The study found that an average of 331,865 high school football players (1/3 of the million who play football each year) were sidelined by an injury at least once. With these statistics in mind, our study looks at the approach to the management of injury in the public schools that make up the Oahu Inter-scholastic Association (OIA) in the state of Hawaii. The estimated number of student athletes that participate in organized athletics in the OIA is 7,960 and the number of coaches is 1,189

Does woman + a network = career progression?

Question: I am an ambitious and talented junior manager who has recently been hired by FAB plc, a large multinational company. I am also a woman and, as part of my induction pack, have received an invitation to join FABFemmes - the in-company women's network. I don't think my gender has been an obstacle to my success thus far and so I don't really feel the need to join. But on the other hand I don't want to turn my back on something that might offer me a useful source of contacts to help me advance up the career ladder. What would be the best thing to do? - Ms Ambitious, UK

Interdisciplinary research on the application of ERTS-1 data to the regional land use planning process

The author has identified the following significant results. Although the degree to which ERTS-1 imagery can satisfy regional land use planning data needs is not yet known, it appears to offer means by which the data acquisition process can be immeasurably improved. The initial experiences of an interdisciplinary group attempting to formulate ways of analyzing the effectiveness of ERTS-1 imagery as a base for environmental monitoring and the resolution of regional land allocation problems are documented. Application of imagery to the regional planning process consists of utilizing representative geographical regions within the state of Wisconsin. Because of the need to describe and depict regional resource complexity in an interrelatable state, certain resources within the geographical regions have been inventoried and stored in a two-dimensional computer-based map form. Computer oriented processes were developed to provide for the economical storage, analysis, and spatial display of natural and cultural data for regional land use planning purposes. The authors are optimistic that the imagery will provide revelant data for land use decision making at regional levels

The use of ERTS-1 data for the inventory of critical land resources for regional land use planning

Computer-generated spatial and statistical comparisons of critical land resource data derived from conventional sources, RB-57 photographs, and ERTS images, for an eastern Wisconsin test site, suggest that certain critical land resource data can be mapped from ERTS images on a statewide basis. This paper presents one of the biotic resources, wetlands, as an example of the use of ERTS imagery to inventory land resources

Effects of a Vitamin and Mineral Bolus on Beef Heifer Feedlot Performance, Feeding Behavior, Carcass Characteristics, and Liver Mineral Concentrations

Crossbred beef heifers (n = 23; initial body weight [BW] = 370 ± 12 kg) housed at the North Dakota State University Beef Cattle Research Complex in Fargo, North Dakota, were used to evaluate the effects of a 250-d slow-release vitamin and mineral bolus on feedlot performance, feeding behavior, carcass characteristics, and liver mineral concentrations. Heifers were assigned to one of two treatments: 1) received no supplemental mineral or vitamin (CON, n = 12 or 2) received two boluses on day 0 (minimum of 3,740 mg Ca, 16,456 mg Mg, 112 mg Na, 11,220 mg Cu, 2,995 mg I, 2,805 mg Mn, 505 mg Se, 48,620 mg Zn, 468 mg Co, 824,296 IU vitamin A, 173,102 IU vitamin D3, and 4,121 IU vitamin E bases on company analysis; Reloader 250 Mineral Bolus, Cargill Inc., Minneapolis, MN; MIN, n = 11). Heifers were fed a total mixed ration containing corn silage, grass hay, dried distillers grains with solubles, and dry-rolled corn (16.05% crude protein, 1.44 Mcal/kg NEg) with no added vitamin or mineral supplement. Feed intake and number and time of visits were recorded for each heifer using the Insentec feeding system (Hokofarm Group B.V., the Netherlands) during the feeding period. Liver biopsies were collected from heifers on days 0, 69, and 134 of the feeding period for analysis of mineral concentrations and analyzed as repeated measures. Heifers were slaughtered after 150 or 169 d on feed, and carcass characteristics were determined. Final BW, average daily gain, dry matter index, gain:feed, and carcass characteristics were not influenced (P \u3e 0.19) by treatment. Control heifers visited feeders more but spent less time per visit and ate less per visit compared with MIN heifers (P \u3c 0.03). No differences (P \u3e 0.06) in liver mineral concentrations were observed between treatments, and concentrations of Se, Cu, Mo, Mn, and Co decreased (P \u3c 0.05) over the feeding period. In this experiment, the slow-release vitamin and mineral bolus evaluated failed to increase liver mineral concentrations during the finishing period or influence heifer performance and carcass characteristics

The experience of enchantment in human-computer interaction

Improving user experience is becoming something of a rallying call in human–computer interaction but experience is not a unitary thing. There are varieties of experiences, good and bad, and we need to characterise these varieties if we are to improve user experience. In this paper we argue that enchantment is a useful concept to facilitate closer relationships between people and technology. But enchantment is a complex concept in need of some clarification. So we explore how enchantment has been used in the discussions of technology and examine experiences of film and cell phones to see how enchantment with technology is possible. Based on these cases, we identify the sensibilities that help designers design for enchantment, including the specific sensuousness of a thing, senses of play, paradox and openness, and the potential for transformation. We use these to analyse digital jewellery in order to suggest how it can be made more enchanting. We conclude by relating enchantment to varieties of experience.</p