Twists and Wilson Loops in the String Theory of Two Dimensional QCD

Many Texo's have been corrected and a reference added.Comment: 57 pages, CERN-TH. 6827/93, PUPT-1382,LBL-33458, UCB-PTH-93/0

Branes, Fluxes and Duality in M(atrix)-Theory

We use the T-duality transformation which relates M-theory on T^3 to M-theory on a second T^3 with inverse volume to test the Banks-Fischler-Shenker-Susskind suggestion for the matrix model description of M-theory. We find evidence that T-duality is realized as S-duality for $U(\infty)$ N=4 Super-Yang-Mills in 3+1D. We argue that Kaluza Klein states of gravitons correspond to electric fluxes, wrapped membranes become magnetic fluxes and instantonic membranes are related to Yang-Mills instantons. The T-duality transformation of gravitons into wrapped membranes is interpreted as the duality between electric and magnetic fluxes. The identification of M-theory T-duality as SYM S-duality provides a natural framework for studying the M-theory 5-brane as the S-dual object to the unwrapped membrane. Using the equivalence between compactified M(atrix) theory and SYM, we find a natural candidate for a description of the light-cone 5-brane of M-theory directly in terms of matrix variables, analogous to the known description of the M(atrix) theory membrane.Comment: 14pp TeX, A suggestion for a matrix description of the 5-brane is added, and minor corrections are mad

On the relationships between self-reported bicycling injuries and perceived risk among cyclists in Queensland, Australia

The focus of governments on increasing active travel has motivated renewed interest in cycling safety. Bicyclists are up to 20 times more likely to be involved in serious injury crashes than drivers so understanding the relationship among factors in bicyclist crash risk is critically important for identifying effective policy tools, for informing bicycle infrastructure investments, and for identifying high risk bicycling contexts. This study aims to better understand the complex relationships between bicyclist self reported injuries resulting from crashes (e.g. hitting a car) and non-crashes (e.g. spraining an ankle) and perceived risk of cycling as a function of cyclist exposure, rider conspicuity, riding environment, rider risk aversion, and rider ability. Self reported data from 2,500 Queensland cyclists are used to estimate a series of seemingly unrelated regressions to examine the relationships among factors. The major findings suggest that perceived risk does not appear to influence injury rates, nor do injury rates influence perceived risks of cycling. Riders who perceive cycling as risky tend not to be commuters, do not engage in group riding, tend to always wear mandatory helmets and front lights, and lower their perception of risk by increasing days per week of riding and by increasing riding proportion on bicycle paths. Riders who always wear helmets have lower crash injury risk. Increasing the number of days per week riding tends to decrease both crash injury and non crash injury risk (e.g. a sprain). Further work is needed to replicate some of the findings in this study

String universality in ten dimensions

We show that the ${\cal N}=1$ supergravity theories in ten dimensions with gauge groups $U(1)^{496}$ and $E_8 \times U(1)^{248}$ are not consistent quantum theories. Cancellation of anomalies cannot be made compatible with supersymmetry and abelian gauge invariance. Thus, in ten dimensions all supersymmetric theories of gravity without known inconsistencies are realized in string theory.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, LaTeX. v2: typos corrected on version appearing in PR

Does Less Income Mean Less Representation?

We assemble a novel dataset of matched legislative and constituent votes and demonstrate that less income does not mean less representation. We show 1) The opinions of high and low income voters are highly correlated; the legislator’s vote often reflects the desire of both. 2) What differences in representation by income exist, vary by legislator party. Republicans more often vote the will of their higher income over their lower income constituents; Democratic legislators do the reverse. 3) Differences in representation by income are largely explained by the correlation between constituent income and party affiliation.

Compression garments do not influence static and dynamic balance performance

Balance is the ability to maintain equilibrium during static and dynamic contexts. This quality assists an individual to optimise their body positioning (posture) to effectively perform daily tasks, improve exercise and sport performance as well as reduce the risk of injury. While several interventions and devices are used to improve balance, a particular device that is gaining interest in various exercise/sport domains, is the use of compression garments (CGs). Researchers have suggested that the textile properties of CGs increase the stimulation of skin mechanoreceptors and proprioceptive feedback, thus enhancing movement patterns. Although CGs can provide physiological, mechanical and psychological benefits to sport and exercise performance and recovery, there is conflicting evidence regarding their influence on balance. The limitations may be attributed to research design, testing in non-ecological settings and varied pressure measurement. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore CGs further with specific reference to the effect of wearing lower body CGs on performance in a range of balance protocols. A within-subject repeated measures design was applied to fourteen healthy males (age: 27 ± 3 years; body weight: 81± 8.5 kg; and height: 175.3 ± 3.6 cm) who completed a battery of common balance tests that assessed both static and dynamic balance. These tests included a single leg static balance test (eyes open and eyes closed), two jump landing tasks, a balance stabilometer task and a Y- Balance test. A survey was completed to assess participant perceived benefit immediately following the performance of all tests for each condition. Survey questions pertained to comfort, enjoyment, support, stability and perceived performance effect. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare each derived variable between the three garment conditions. Significance was accepted at p <0.05. A Greenhouse Geisser correction was applied if sphericity was violated. No significant performance differences were found across conditions for all balance tests. There were little to no differences in subjective measures. No evidence of any impact of wearing CGs in maintaining balance was found. It is postulated that the proprioceptive input may not have been adequate enough to impact performance. Further, this may be due to the balance tests not challenging the participants neuromuscular system to a degree where the garments could aid in performance. Future research should investigate whether CGs may aid populations with compromised balance capacity such as those that are fatigued, injured or elderly

An Examination of Factors Which Contribute to Errors and Omissions in the Polling Place on Election Day

The purpose of this study was to investigate and assess factors which appeared to contribute to errors and omissions made by the citizens who worked as election officers in the polling places in Norfolk, Virginia on election day. The study was conducted in two phases during and immediately following the November general elections in 1986 and 1987. In the first phase, a comparison was made of two different approaches to formatting election-day procedural materials--subject-formatting and time-formatting--in an effort to determine which approach appeared to have a greater influence on reducing the number of errors and omissions occurring in the polling places on election day. In the second phase, certain demographics were examined as factors which appeared to contribute to the number of errors and omissions. These included socioeconomic status of the election officers and the voters; age, experience, and education of the election officers; and voter turnout in the precinct. Finally, an investigation was conducted of overall management of the polling place by the election officers from the perspective of the electoral board, the voters, and the election officers themselves. Five instruments were designed and developed to conduct the research for the two phases. Twelve hypotheses were tested; quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Quantitative data were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric statistics. The major findings of this study support the use of subject-formatted procedural materials in reducing the number of errors and omissions in the polling place. Socioeconomic status and experience of the election officers, and voter turnout in the precinct, were found to be significant factors which affected the number of errors and omissions which occurred in the polling places. of errors and omissions was not found to be affected by the format of election-day materials or the socioeconomic status of the election officers. Appendices include the five instruments used to collect the data for this study and qualitative data from the electoral board, the voters, and the election officers

Employee Age as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Ambition and Work Role Affect

Past research has demonstrated a negative relationship between ambition, or the desire to get ahead, and job satisfaction. In the present paper, age was hypothesized to moderate the relationship between ambition and job satisfaction such that the relationship between ambition and satisfaction is more negative for older employees than for younger employees. Three studies, with three criterion variables (promotion satisfaction, extrinsic job satisfaction, overall job satisfaction), were used to test the hypothesis. Results indicated support for the hypothesized interaction. The discussion focuses on the implications of the results for organizational and individual career management strategies

Poverty, Demographics, and Hepatitis C Infection in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Hepatitis (HCV) is a communicable disease that impacts many Americans. The scholarly literature lacked the knowledge pertaining to the relationships between poverty and HCV diagnosis and prescription for HCV medication. The purpose of the study was to measure the magnitude and statistical significance of these relationships, as modeled by the health belief model and public health surveillance and action framework. Specifically, the study was designed to determine whether there is a statistically significant relationship between living below the poverty line and being diagnosed with HCV, as well as living being below the poverty line and being prescribed HCV medication. A total of 78 records of HCV-positive individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dataset were evaluated by applying the statistical procedure of odds ratio (OR) analysis. The results of the analysis revealed that (a) there was not a statistically significant relationship between being below the poverty line and being diagnosed with HCV, OR = 0.99 (SE = 0.38, z = -0.03, p = .974); and (b) there was not a statistically significant relationship between being below the poverty line and being prescribed HCV medications, OR = 0.32 (SE = 0.55, z = -0.66, p = .507). Numerous recommendations for improving measurements of the relationship between poverty and HCV are provided. This study may promote positive social change by indicating the importance of poverty as an agenda item for public health policy and practice