Quantum Dynamics on the Worldvolume from Classical su(n) Cohomology

A key symmetry of classical $p$-branes is invariance under worldvolume diffeomorphisms. Under the assumption that the worldvolume, at fixed values of the time, is a compact, quantisable K\"ahler manifold, we prove that the Lie algebra of volume-preserving diffeomorphisms of the worldvolume can be approximated by $su(n)$, for $n\to\infty$. We also prove, under the same assumptions regarding the worldvolume at fixed time, that classical Nambu brackets on the worldvolume are quantised by the multibrackets corresponding to cocycles in the cohomology of the Lie algebra $su(n)$.Comment: This is a contribution to the Special Issue on Deformation Quantization, published in SIGMA (Symmetry, Integrability and Geometry: Methods and Applications) at http://www.emis.de/journals/SIGMA

Addressing organisational and societal concerns : an application of critical systems thinking to information systems planning in Colombia

Most current information system s (IS) planning methodologies are focused on achieving ‘successful’ plans, i.e. plans that provide competitive advantage, can be implemented in a given period of time, and that solve the problems of information needs by taking advantage of the latest technologies available. Concerns are technology and business driven, and focus on how to get the maximum profit for organisations from investing in information systems. However, this relatively narrow focus can be problematic, especially in developing countries where the social contexts of IS implementation may require a different primary focus. This chapter presents a methodology for IS planning based on critical systems thinking – an approach that encourages the critical analysis of stake holder understandings of social contexts prior to the selection and/ or design of planning methods. The methodology presented in this chapter uses a combination of the systems theories of autopoiesis and boundary critiques, which deepen our understanding of what it means to reflect on participation, values and social concerns during IS planning. In the course of applying the methodology in a project in Colombia, an issue arose of the ethics of the practitioner. To address this issue, following completion of the project, we sought to enhance critical systems thinking with Foucault ’s notions of power and ethics, which offer interesting alternatives for practitioner self-reflection. Implications for IS planning are derived from this perspective on ethics and power

Fiscal harmonization in the presence of public inputs

Fiscal harmonization for the European Union member states is a goal that encounters major difficulties for its implementation. Each country faces a particular trade-off between fiscal revenues generated by taxation and the productive efficiency loss induced by their respective tax code. Countries for which a particular harmonized tax code requires more taxation will have to face an increased efficiency loss, whereas those required to decrease their taxes will have to face a loss in fiscal revenue. This paper provides a quantitative measure of these trade-offs, for a number of taxes and for the European Union member states, using a DGE model with public inputs. Calibration of the model for the EU-15 member states gives us the following results: i) The maximum tax revenue level is not far away from the current tax levels for most countries, ii) The cases of Sweden, Denmark and Finland are anomalous, as productive efficiency can be gained by lowering tax rates without affecting fiscal revenues, iii) In general, countries would obtain efficiency gains without changing fiscal revenues by reducing the capital tax and increasing the labor tax and iv) Capital tax harmonization to the average capital tax rate can be done with quite small changes in both fiscal revenues and output for the majority of countries.Fiscal harmonization, applied general equilibrium

New perspectives about Iron Age and the oasis culture in the Oman Peninsula: two conclusive seasons at la Madam (Sharjah, UAE)

In the course of the last two seasons of work (2010-2011 and 2011-12) at al Madam Site (AM 1 and AM2) the Spanish archaeological team working in Sharjah since 1994, has got unexpected results concerning to the economy and culture of the Iron Age villages, that we just knew. For example, we can study the use of the environment in order to collect building materials or the nature of farmlands. Before the provisional closure of our work in al Madam, we find some news aspects about Iron Age communities in the Oman Peninsula.En el curso de las dos últimas campañas (2010-11 y 2011-12) en al Madam (AM 1 y 2) se han obtenidos inesperados resultados en dos áreas de la economía y la cultura de los poblados apenas conocidas hasta hoy. El uso del entorno para reunir material de construcción y la naturaleza de las explotaciones agrarias. Al cierre provisional del yacimiento encontramos aspectos novedosos sobre la Edad del Hierro en la Península de Omán

Modelo político y principio de subsidiariedad en la Unión Europea

Ponencia recogida en las actas de los Cursos de Derecho Internacional y Relaciones Internacionales de Vitoria-Gasteiz organizados por la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad del País VascoOrigen y evolución del principio de subsidiariedad, y reflexiones en torno al art. 3B del Tratado de la Unión Europea. Realizaciones políticas y jurídicas del proyecto europeístaOrigin and evolution of the principle of subsidiarity, and reflections on art. 3B of the Treaty on European Union. Political and legal achievements of the European projec

La revolución silenciosa del turismo

El aparentemente tranquilo sector turístico está siendo testigo de una revolución silenciosa que obligará a Pymes y destinos turísticos a adaptarse a una nueva realidad si quieren sobrevivir y aprovechar las nuevas oportunidades que están surgiendo. Los mercados emisores clásicos siguen creciendo, pero a una tasa muy inferior a la de los nuevos mercados emergentes como China, Brasil o Rusia, lo cual tendrá efectos difíciles de prever sobre los flujos internacionales de turistas y las motivaciones de viaje. Al mismo tiempo Internet, que ya representa una cuota de mercado muy importante en USA y Europa, va a convertirse también en un canal fundamental en losnuevos mercados en desarrollo. Los agentes han cambiado, pero la intensidad competitiva del mercado no se ha reducido, las principales agencias deviajes online compiten de forma intensiva por los usuarios que tratan de reservar un viaje a través de Internet, al mismo tiempo que ha aparecido un nuevo tipo de consumidor mucho más acostumbrado a viajar, diverso y complejo, todo ello obligará a desplegar nuevas estrategias de marketing. Pero sin duda, el cambio más importante se encuentra en la aparición de nuevos actores y modelos de negocio disruptivos gracias a la tecnología y a la disponibilidad de ingentes cantidades de información, que permiten proporcionar información local, contextualizada y en tiempo real al turista, al mismo tiempo que dirigir las acciones de marketing de forma mucho más precisaThe apparently calmness of the travel industry is witnessing a profound and silent revolution that will require a tourism SME ́s and destinations transformation in order to survive and take advantage of the new opportunities that are emerging. The traditional outbound markets are still growing, but at lower rates than the emerging ones (China, Brazil or Russia), that trend will affect to the future of the international tourism flows and motivations, with consequences difficult to predict. The travel tourism actors have changed, although the competition intensity has not been reduced, Online Travel Agencies compete between them to attract new customers, and at the same time there is a new consumer more expert, diverse and complex, that will require new marketing strategies. The most important change is related to the new actors and business models that are emerging supported on the increase of contextual and local information availability, and the possibility of provide customized and real time services