Rigid body trajectories in different 6D spaces

The objective of this paper is to show that the group SE(3) with an imposed Lie-Poisson structure can be used to determine the trajectory in a spatial frame of a rigid body in Euclidean space. Identical results for the trajectory are obtained in spherical and hyperbolic space by scaling the linear displacements appropriately, since the influence of the moments of inertia on the trajectories tend to zero as the scaling factor increases. The semi-direct product of the linear and rotational motions gives the trajectory from a body frame perspective. It is shown that this cannot be used to determine the trajectory in the spatial frame. The body frame trajectory is thus independent of the velocity coupling. In addition, it is shown that the analysis can be greatly simplified by aligning the axes of the spatial frame with the axis of symmetry which is unchanging for a natural system with no forces and rotation about an axis of symmetry

Closed form solution for p-curves in SO(4)

This paper describes the solution for p-curves in SO(4) and gives its closed form. The rotational symmetry was exploited in order to simplify the algebra. The relationship between the Casimir invariant functions and Lax operator is provided, along with its use as part of a Lax pair. The double cover by SU(2) SU(2) enables two simpler problems to be found and integrated using Philip Hall coordinates and the solutions are then projected onto SO (4). The methodology is generic and can be applied to other problems

Tuning into the Future: Informal Learning and Music Education

When adolescents are engaged in learning, research has shown a decrease in alcohol and drug use, higher retention rates and fewer failures throughout high school, lower rates of depression as well as lower rates of anti-social and criminal behaviours. Attention to student engagement with a priority on 21st century learning skills requires the examination of various pedagogies, including using informal learning practices as the foundation for instruction with adolescents in schools. This pilot project targets Grade 7 to 10 students in two school settings where adolescent engagement is a priority; it examines the viability of implementing informal learning practices within the Canadian context

Short-term prospective memory deficits in chronic back pain patients

Objective: Chronic pain, particularly low back pain, is widespread. Although a great deal is known about the impact that this has on quality of life and physical activity, relatively little has been established regarding the more cognitive effects of pain. This study aims to find out whether individuals with chronic pain experience memory deficits in prospective memory (PM), the process of remembering to do things at some future point in time. Examples of PM include remembering to keep an appointment, such as a visit to a clinic, or to perform a particular task, such as paying a bill on time. Methods: The PM of 50 participants with chronic pain was compared with 50 pain-free participants. Each participant completed the Prospective Memory Questionnaire, which assesses three aspects of prospective memory (short-term habitual, long-term episodic, and internally cued), and records the use of strategies to aid remembering. Results: In comparison to those not in pain, participants with chronic pain had significantly impaired short-term prospective memory, an effect which was evident even after co-varying use of analgesics and other drugs. Conclusions: These findings provide new insights into prospective memory dysfunction in people with chronic pain. Possible mechanisms for this dysfunction are discussed and suggestions for future research given

Staying at work with back pain: patients' experiences of work-related help received from GPs and other clinicians. A qualitative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Low back pain commonly affects work ability, but little is known about the work-related help and advice that patients receive from GPs and other clinicians. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of employed people with back pain and their perceptions of how GPs and other clinicians have addressed their work difficulties.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A qualitative approach with thematic analysis was used. Individual interviews were carried out with twenty-five employed patients who had been referred for back pain rehabilitation. All had expressed concern about their ability to work due to low back pain.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The perception of the participants was that GPs and other clinicians had provided little or no work-focused guidance and support and rarely communicated with employers. Sickness certification was the main method that GPs used to manage participants' work problems. Few had received assistance with temporary modifications and many participants had remained in work despite the advice they had received. There was little expectation of what GPs and other clinicians could offer to address work issues.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These findings question the ability of GPs and other clinicians to provide work-focused support and advice to patients with low back pain. Future research is recommended to explore how the workplace problems of patients can be best addressed by health professionals.</p

Big Society? Disabled people with the label of learning disabilities and the queer(y)ing of civil society

This paper explores the shifting landscape of civil society alongside the emergence of ‘Big Society’ in the UK. We do so as we begin a research project Big Society? Disabled people with learning disabilities and Civil Society [Economic and Social Research Council (ES/K004883/1)]; we consider what ‘Big Society’ might mean for the lives of disabled people labelled with learning disabilities (LDs). In the paper, we explore the ways in which the disabled body/mind might be thought of as a locus of contradictions as it makes problematic Big Society notions of: active citizenship and social capital. Our aim is to queer(y), or to trouble, these Big Society ideas, and to suggest that disability offers new ways of thinking through civil society. This leads us to three new theoretical takes upon civil society: (1) queer(y)ing active citizenship, (2) queer(y)ing social capital and (3) shaping, resisting and queer(y)ing Big Society. We conclude by suggesting that now is the time for disabled people with LDs to re-enter the fray in a new epoch of crip civil society

Examining the Musical Identity of Pre-service Generalist Teachers: Origins and Implications

In this presentation, an attempt is made to investigate the ways of thinking and knowing about the ‘practice’ of music by generalist teachers using the parameters described by Jorgensen (2008) such as; tradition, values, dispositions and attitudes. This presentation is a report on the results of a study of generalist music preservice teachers conducted at The University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Education. The unveiling of the ‘practice’ of music in this population as their identities are in flux may reveal ways of knowing and understanding ourselves in society. The field of music education may gain a Meta perspective (Johansen, 2010) of itself through a sociological lens, in essence, making the familiar become strange (Wright, 2010). While contemporary literature and resources available support the preservice music specialist, there is very little focus from the field of music education towards the preservice generalist music teacher. Advocacy for specialist teachers is quite successful in many school systems; however, there are many more schools without adequate funding for specialist teachers. In 2005, indications show that there are instances in Ontario where 70% of the elementary school children are receiving music instruction from a non-specialist (Montgomery & Griffin, 2005). This leaves the generalist teacher to design and implement their own music program, or omit it from the curriculum entirely. In this study we wish to illuminate issues of identity and attitudes towards music teaching from non-specialists, and to address the origins of their beliefs and attitudes

Casimirs and Lax operators from the structure of Lie algebras

This paper uses the structure of the Lie algebras to identify the Casimir invariant functions and Lax operators for matrix Lie groups. A novel mapping is found from the cotangent space to the dual Lie algebra which enables Lax operators to be found. The coordinate equations of motion are given in terms of the structure constants and the Hamiltonian

Tuning into the Future: Sharing Initial Insights about the 2012 Musical Futures Pilot Project in Ontario

This article reports on a pilot research project introducing informal music pedagogy developed by Professor Lucy Green to two Ontario schools. Developed from the observed learning practices of popular musicians, the pedagogy locates production and development of musical knowledge firmly with the students. The research team\u27s initial training visit to the UK is reported upon. The research questions and methodology for the project are presented and some initial observations from the early stages of the Canadian implementation project are discussed