Advanced Computation Research

Contains reports on one research project.Computation Center, M.I.T

Investigation of a lattice Boltzmann model with a variable speed of sound

A lattice Boltzmann model is considered in which the speed of sound can be varied independently of the other parameters. The range over which the speed of sound can be varied is investigated and good agreement is found between simulations and theory. The onset of nonlinear effects due to variations in the speed of sound is also investigated and good agreement is again found with theory. It is also shown that the fluid viscosity is not altered by changing the speed of sound

The ethical challenge of Touraine's 'living together'

In Can We Live Together? Alain Touraine combines a consummate analysis of crucial social tensions in contemporary societies with a strong normative appeal for a new emancipatory 'Subject' capable of overcoming the twin threats of atomisation or authoritarianism. He calls for a move from 'politics to ethics' and then from ethics back to politics to enable the new Subject to make a reality out of the goals of democracy and solidarity. However, he has little to say about the nature of such an ethics. This article argues that this lacuna could usefully be filled by adopting a form of radical humanism found in the work of Erich Fromm. It defies convention in the social sciences by operating from an explicit view of the 'is' and the 'ought' of common human nature, specifying reason, love and productive work as the qualities to be realised if we are to move closer to human solidarity. Although there remain significant philosophical and political differences between the two positions, particularly on the role to be played by 'the nation', their juxtaposition opens new lines of inquiry in the field of cosmopolitan ethics

Neurology

Contains research objectives and reports on six research projects.National Science Foundation (Grant G-16526)National Institutes of Health (Grant MH-04737-03)U.S. Public Health Service (B-3055-3)U.S. Public Health Service (B-3090-3)U.S. Public Health Service (MH-06175-01A1)Office of Naval Research (Nonr-1841(70))Air Force (AFOSR 155-63)Army Chemical Corps (DA- 18-108-405-CML-942

Equilibrium basal-plane magnetization of superconductive YNi(2)B(2)C - the influence of non-local electrodynamics

For a single crystal of YNi(2)B(2)C superconductor, the equilibrium magnetization M in the square basal plane has been studied experimentally as a function of temperature and magnetic field. While the magnetization M(H) deviates from conventional London predictions, a recent extension of London theory (to include effects of non-local electrodynamics) describes the experiments accurately. The resulting superconductive parameters are well behaved. These results are compared with corresponding findings for the case with M perpendicular to the basal plane.Comment: 7 pages, 5 Postscript Figures, 2 table

Measures of satisfaction with care during labour and birth: a comparative review

Background Satisfaction is the one of the most frequently reported outcome measures for quality of care. Assessment of satisfaction with maternity services is crucial, and psychometrically sound measures are needed if this is to inform health practices. This paper comparatively reviews current measures of satisfaction with care during labour and birth. Methods A review of the literature was conducted. Studies were located through computerised databases and hand searching references of identified articles and reviews. Inclusion criteria were that the questionnaire was a multi-item scale of satisfaction with care during labour and birth, and some form of psychometric information (either information about questionnaire construction, or reliability, or validity) had to be reported. Results Nine questionnaires of satisfaction with care during labour and birth were identified. Instruments varied in psychometric properties and dimensions. Most described questionnaire construction and tested some form of reliability and validity. Measures were generally not based on the main theoretical models of satisfaction and varied in scope and application to different types of samples (e.g. satisfaction following caesarean section). For an in-depth measure of satisfaction with intrapartum care, the Intrapartal-Specific Quality from the Patient’s Perspective questionnaire (QPP-I) is recommended. Brief measures with good reliability and validity are provided by the Six Simple Questions (SSQ) or Perceptions of Care Adjective Checklist (PCACL-R). Conclusions Despite the interest in measures of satisfaction there are only a small number of validated measures of satisfaction with care during labour and birth. It is important that brief, reliable and valid measures are available for use in general and specific populations in order to assist research and inform practice

Binding of the RNA chaperone Hfq to the type IV pilus base is crucial for its function in Synechocystis sp PCC 6803

This work was supported by the DFG priority program SPP1258 Sensory and Regulatory RNAs in Prokaryotes (Wi-2014/3-1, 3-2) to A.W. D.J.N. was supported by a Queen Mary college studentship

The concept of solidarity: emerging from the theoretical shadows?

The concept of solidarity has been relatively neglected by social scientists since Durkheim's pioneering work in the late 19th century. The discipline of politics has been guilty of overlooking this 'subjective' element of community life, but recent works by Stjernø and Brunkhorst reflect a growing awareness of the theoretical significance of the concept. Whereas early liberal attempts to theorise solidarity took the nation state to be the appropriate community for its realisation, the emergence of globalisation raises the possibility of human solidarity developing in the global community. Traditional forms of solidarity have been dissipated by the social changes accompanying globalisation, but they were often locked into the defence of particular interests. New forms may be emerging to rekindle the broader vision of human solidarity. Recent work by writers such as Habermas, Honneth, Rorty and Touraine focuses on widening and deepening democratic participation and/or the articulation of our ethical obligations in various ways. It is argued here that these perspectives need to be supplemented by a radical humanist approach grounded in a normative theory of human self-realisation

Effects of gap anisotropy upon the electronic structure around a superconducting vortex

An isolated single vortex is considered within the framework of the quasiclassical theory. The local density of states around a vortex is calculated in a clean type II superconductor with an anisotropy. The anisotropy of a superconducting energy gap is crucial for bound states around a vortex. A characteristic structure of the local density of states, observed in the layered hexagonal superconductor 2H-NbSe2 by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), is well reproduced if one assumes an anisotropic s-wave gap in the hexagonal plane. The local density of states (or the bound states) around the vortex is interpreted in terms of quasiparticle trajectories to facilitate an understanding of the rich electronic structure observed in STM experiments. It is pointed out that further fine structures and extra peaks in the local density of states should be observed by STM.Comment: 11 pages, REVTeX; 20 PostScript figures; An Animated GIFS file for the star-shaped vortex bound states is available at http://mp.okayama-u.ac.jp/~hayashi/vortex.htm