On the preservation of unitarity during black hole evolution and information extraction from its interior

For more than 30 years the discovery that black holes radiate like black bodies of specific temperature has triggered a multitude of puzzling questions concerning their nature and the fate of information that goes down the black hole during its lifetime. The most tricky issue in what is known as information loss paradox is the apparent violation of unitarity during the formation/evaporation process of black holes. A new idea is proposed based on the combination of our knowledge on Hawking radiation as well as the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen phenomenon, that could resolve the paradox and spare physicists from the unpalatable idea that unitarity can ultimately be violated even under special conditions.Comment: 8 pages, no figure

Matching of analytical and numerical solutions for neutron stars of arbitrary rotation

We demonstrate the results of an attempt to match the two-soliton analytical solution with the numerically produced solutions of the Einstein field equations, that describe the spacetime exterior of rotating neutron stars, for arbitrary rotation. The matching procedure is performed by equating the first four multipole moments of the analytical solution to the multipole moments of the numerical one. We then argue that in order to check the effectiveness of the matching of the analytical with the numerical solution we should compare the metric components, the radius of the innermost stable circular orbit ($R_{ISCO}$), the rotation frequency $\Omega\equiv\frac{d\phi}{dt}$ and the epicyclic frequencies $\Omega_{\rho},\;\Omega_z$. Finally we present some results of the comparison.Comment: Contribution at the 13th Conference on Recent Developments in Gravity (NEB XIII), corrected typo in $M_4$ of eq. 5 of the published versio

Dynamic load management and optimum sizing of stand-alone hybrid PV/Wind system.

Simulation algorithms for the sizing of stand-alone hybrid PV/Wind systems are a powerful tool in evaluating the optimum configuration that would cover the energy demand with a predefined reliability level at the lowest cost. Several parameters such as the interval of the simulation (day, day-night, hourly) and the consumption profile may significantly affect the optimum configuration. This paper examines the effect of these parameters within an optimum sizing simulation algorithm developed. The effect of these parameters was particularly evident at low battery capacities, which involve optimum configurations resulting in minimum cost. Furthermore, shift-able loads in the hourly-based weekly profile assumed in this study were identified, and a dynamic load management functionality was developed. In this approach, loads that could be shifted through time were dynamically allocated during periods of excess energy production by the hybrid PV/Wind system. The results showed an increase in system reliability from 95% to 97% when load shifting was introduced. Finally, sizing the system for only the static (non-shift-able loads) proved to withstand the addition of the extra shift-able loads while retaining the 95% reliability level when the load management functionality was introduced. Thus, a smaller installation with lower cost is achieved

A deliberação é um objetivo louvável quando a política é um acordo já feito? A esfera pública habermasiana e a legitimidade em uma era de mercado da formulação de políticas educacionais

The state mandated public hearings concerning school closing proposals in New York City provide a window into a diverse set of policy actors and their deliberations. Opposition to school closures is often cast as entrenched interests, emotional attachment, support for the status quo or at worst negligence. However, content analysis reveals that testimony offered by parent, community, and educator leaders contained a range of substantial critiques of school closing proposals, their motivations, justifications, and expected results. I argue that the hearings did not fully constitute a public sphere by Habermasian criteria, nor a counterpublic by Fraser and Dawson criteria. In fact, the hearings had contradictory effects; one school successfully fought closure by both resisting and reifying neoliberal logic in education policymaking. Some data demonstrates that this school’s market-based argument resonated with state authorities, while other data indicates that this market-based argument coincided with the state’s own interest to defend its legitimacy in policymaking.En cuanto a las auditorías del Estado sobre las propuestas de fechamiento de las escuelas en la ciudad de Nueva York, hay una ventana para un conjunto diverso de atores políticos y sus deliberaciones. Argumento que como audiencias no constituyen totalmente una esfera pública por criterios de Habermasian, ni un "contrapúblico" por los criterios de Fraser y Dawson. De facto, como audífonos tienen los efectos contradictorios; Una escuela con un éxito no fechado de un año para resistir y reificar una lógica neoliberal en la formulación de políticas educativas. Algunos datos demuestran que el argumento se basa en las autoridades estatales, en tanto que otros datos indican que este argumento se basa en la formulación de políticas.As audiências públicas do Estado sobre as propostas de fechamento de escolas na cidade de Nova York fornecem uma janela para um conjunto diverso de atores políticos e suas deliberações. Argumento que as audiências não constituíram totalmente uma esfera pública pelos critérios de Habermasian, nem um “contra-público” pelos critérios de Fraser e Dawson. De fato, as audiências tiveram efeitos contraditórios; uma escola lutou com êxito no fechamento daquele ano por resistir e reificar a lógica neoliberal na formulação de políticas educacionais. Alguns dados demonstram que o argumento baseado em mercado desta escola ressoou com as autoridades estatais, enquanto outros dados indicam que esse argumento baseado no mercado coincidiu com o próprio interesse do Estado em defender sua legitimidade na formulação de políticas

ADHD Rating Scale-IV: Checklists, Norms, and Clinical Interpretation

The ADHD Rating Scale-IV attempts to measure behaviors associated with ADHD and its DSM-IV subtypes. The scale was developed to closely approximate the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for ADHD primarily inattentive subtype, ADHD primarily hyperactive-impulsivity subtype, and ADHD combined subtype. This is an 18-item scale to be completed by the parent and/or guardian or teacher of a 4- to 20-year-old student. There are two separate versions of this scale: the home (also available in Spanish) and the school version. The administration of both versions is preferable, particularly for subtype specification. The ADHD Rating Scale-IV has adequate reliability and validity, although some of the technical aspects suggest caution when using this scale. The standardization sample closely matches the 1990 census data on ethnic group and region. However, limited and generalized information is provided on the socioeconomic status of the participants. No information is provided on the urban/rural residence status and the parent education levels of the norm population. Limited information is provided on the education classroom for the normative participants (i.e., special education vs. general education). The only information provided is for the school version normative group (91% general education and 8% special education), and then there is no discussion of how this breakdown compares to the school district or the population in general. The limited cell size for ethnic groups restricts interpretation of the ADHD Rating Scale-IV with minority populations. Data were not provided separately for different ethnic groups. The authors caution a possible overidentification of African Americans. When sample participants were grouped by ADHD subtype, no individuals qualified for the ADHD primarily hyperactive-impulsive subtype. This limits the use of the ADHD Rating Scale-IV as a measure of this subtype. Considering the low specificity ratings for the ADHD primarily inattentive and ADHD combined subtypes, this scale should be used with caution and in conjunction with other measures for subtype specific diagnoses. The ADHD Rating Scale-IV has other limitations as well. As mentioned, the ADHD Rating Scale-IV results are limited for use with ethnic minority groups, particularly African Americans. In general, more research is needed to determine the best use of the ADHD Rating Scale-IV as it differs by setting, version (home or school), referral source, and subtype functioning. Nonetheless, many clinicians will find the ADHD Rating Scale-IV a useful screening tool. It is user friendly and time efficient for the parent, teacher, and clinician. It can also be a valuable tool as a treatment outcome measure when employing the RCI formula, assuming a pretreatment rating is obtained. The ADHD Rating Scale-IV is a good tool for gathering essential information in an initial ADHD referral despite its limitations

No One is Above the Law: Public Perception of Prosecutorial Misconduct\u27s Influence on Wrongful Convictions

Wrongful convictions pose a large threat to the integrity of the United States criminal justice system. While there are many known causes of wrongful convictions, such as eyewitness misidentification, ineffective counsel, and false confessions, the most egregious cause is prosecutorial misconduct. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, prosecutorial misconduct has been found in roughly half of the exonerations listed in the registry. Prosecutors have a tremendous amount of power in the criminal justice system through determining plea deals, obtainment of evidence, disclosure of evidence to the defense, and many more. Studies have been conducted that reveal the occurrence of prosecutorial misconduct, yet very little has been done to correct such misconduct. This study addressed the prevalence of this topic and basic knowledge of United States citizens, specifically legal professionals on prosecutorial misconduct. This study found that perceptions of criminal justice system fairness had the most significance when determining prosecutorial liability, accountability, preventative efforts, regulation and support for overall reform