Accurate exchange-correlation energies for the warm dense electron gas

Density matrix quantum Monte Carlo (DMQMC) is used to sample exact-on-average $N$-body density matrices for uniform electron gas systems of up to 10$^{124}$ matrix elements via a stochastic solution of the Bloch equation. The results of these calculations resolve a current debate over the accuracy of the data used to parametrize finite-temperature density functionals. Exchange-correlation energies calculated using the real-space restricted path-integral formalism and the $k$-space configuration path-integral formalism disagree by up to $\sim$$10$\% at certain reduced temperatures $T/T_F \le 0.5$ and densities $r_s \le 1$. Our calculations confirm the accuracy of the configuration path-integral Monte Carlo results available at high density and bridge the gap to lower densities, providing trustworthy data in the regime typical of planetary interiors and solids subject to laser irradiation. We demonstrate that DMQMC can calculate free energies directly and present exact free energies for $T/T_F \ge 1$ and $r_s \le 2$.Comment: Accepted version: added free energy data and restructured text. Now includes supplementary materia

Unequal relationships in high and low power distance societies: a comparative study of tutor - student role relations in Britain and China

This study investigated people's conceptions of an unequal role relationship in two different types of society: a high power distance society and a low power distance society. The study focuses on the role relationship of tutor and student. British and Chinese tutors and postgraduate students completed a questionnaire that probed their conceptions of degrees of power differential and social distance/closeness in this role relationship. ANOVA results yielded a significant nationality effect for both aspects. Chinese respondents judged the relationship to be closer and to have a greater power differential than did British respondents. Written comments on the questionnaire and interviews with 9 Chinese academics who had experienced both British and Chinese academic environments supported the statistical findings and indicated that there are fundamental ideological differences associated with the differing conceptions. The results are discussed in relation to Western and Asian concepts of leadership and differing perspectives on the compatibility/incompatibility of power and distance/closeness

Structure of the Herpes Simplex Virus Capsid: Peptide A862-H880 of the Major Capsid Protein Is Displayed on the Rim of the Capsomer Protrusions

AbstractThe herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) capsid shell has 162 capsomers arranged on aT= 16 icosahedral lattice. The major capsid protein, VP5 (MW = 149,075) is the structural component of the capsomers. VP5 is an unusually large viral capsid protein and has been shown to consist of multiple domains. To study the conformation of VP5 as it is folded into capsid protomers, we identified the sequence recognized by a VP5-specific monoclonal antibody and localized the epitope on the capsid surface by cryoelectron microscopy and image reconstruction. The epitope of mAb 6F10 was mapped to residues 862–880 by immunoblotting experiments performed with (1) proteolytic fragments of VP5, (2) GST-fusion proteins containing VP5 domains, and (3) synthetic VP5 peptides. As visualized in a three-dimensional density map of 6F10-precipitated capsids, the antibody was found to bind at sites on the outer surface of the capsid just inside the openings of thetrans-capsomeric channels. We conclude that these sites are occupied by peptide 862–880 in the mature HSV-1 capsid

Football in the community schemes: Exploring the effectiveness of an intervention in promoting healthful behaviour change

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a Premier League football club’s Football in the Community (FitC) schemes intervention in promoting positive healthful behaviour change in children. Specifically, exploring the effectiveness of this intervention from the perspectives of the participants involved (i.e. the researcher, teachers, children and coaches). A range of data collection techniques were utilized including the principles of ethnography (i.e. immersion, engagement and observations), alongside conducting focus groups with the children. The results allude to the intervention merely ‘keeping active children active’ via (mostly) fun, football sessions. Results highlight the important contribution the ‘coach’ plays in the effectiveness of the intervention. Results relating to working practice (i.e. coaching practice and coach recruitment) are discussed and highlighted as areas to be addressed. FitC schemes appear to require a process of positive organizational change to increase their effectiveness in strategically attending to the health agenda

Establishing Professional Intercultural Relations: Chinese Perceptions of Behavioural Success in a Sino-American Exchange Visit

This article examines the ways in which professionals from different countries handle first encounters when they wish to initiate and establish business/professional relations. The majority of research on business relations in intercultural contexts has so far focused on misunderstandings, face threats, and conflict. There has been comparatively little research into the initiation and establishment of relations from a positive perspective. This article addresses this lacuna by analysing how Chinese delegates built positive relations with American counterparts on a visit to the USA. Drawing on insights from the analysis, it proposes a conceptual framework for future research in this area

A transient relativistic radio jet from Cygnus X-1

We report the first observation of a transient relativistic jet from the canonical black hole candidate, Cygnus X-1, obtained with the Multi-Element Radio-Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN). The jet was observed in only one of six epochs of MERLIN imaging of the source during a phase of repeated X-ray spectral transitions in 2004 Jan--Feb, and this epoch corresponded to the softest 1.5-12 keV X-ray spectrum. With only a single epoch revealing the jet, we cannot formally constrain its velocity. Nevertheless, several lines of reasoning suggest that the jet was probably launched 0.5-4.0 days before this brightening, corresponding to projected velocities of 0.2c < v_app < 1.6c, and an intrinsic velocity of > 0.3c. We also report the occurrence of a major radio flare from Cyg X-1, reaching a flux density of ~120 mJy at 15 GHz, and yet not associated with any resolvable radio emission, despite a concerted effort with MERLIN. We discuss the resolved jet in terms of the recently proposed 'unified model' for the disc-jet coupling in black hole X-ray binaries, and tentatively identify the 'jet line' for Cyg X-1. The source is consistent with the model in the sense that a steady jet appears to persist initially when the X-ray spectrum starts softening, and that once the spectral softening is complete the core radio emission is suppressed and transient ejecta / shock observed. However, there are some anomalies, and Cyg X-1 clearly does not behave like a normal black hole transient in progressing to the canonical soft / thermal state once the ejection event has happened.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA