88 research outputs found

    Nonlocal regularisation of noncommutative field theories

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    We study noncommutative field theories, which are inherently nonlocal, using a Poincar\'e-invariant regularisation scheme which yields an effective, nonlocal theory for energies below a cut-off scale. After discussing the general features and the peculiar advantages of this regularisation scheme for theories defined in noncommutative spaces, we focus our attention onto the particular case when the noncommutativity parameter is inversely proportional to the square of the cut-off, via a dimensionless parameter η\eta. We work out the perturbative corrections at one-loop order for a scalar theory with quartic interactions, where the signature of noncommutativity appears in η\eta-dependent terms. The implications of this approach, which avoids the problems related to UV-IR mixing, are discussed from the perspective of the Wilson renormalisation program. Finally, we remark about the generality of the method, arguing that it may lead to phenomenologically relevant predictions, when applied to realistic field theories.Comment: 1+11 pages, 6 figures; v2: references added, typos corrected, conclusions unchange

    Understanding fatal landslides at global scales:a summary of topographic, climatic, and anthropogenic perspectives

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    Landslides are a common global geohazard that lead to substantial loss of life and socio-economic damage. Landslides are becoming more common due to extreme weather events and the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance, and thus, they are threatening sustainable development in many vulnerable areas. Previous studies on fatal landslides have focused on inventory development; spatial and temporal distributions; the role of precipitation or seismic forcing; and human impacts. However, climatologic, topographic, and anthropogenic variables featuring fatal landslides at a global scale have been mostly neglected. Here, using the global fatal landslide database, we evaluate the characteristics of landslides induced by natural and anthropogenic factors with respect to topographic, climatic, and anthropogenic factors, drawing attention to their persistent spatial patterns. The majority of natural (69.3%) and anthropogenic (44.1%) landslides occur in mountainous areas in tropical and temperate regions, which are also characterized by the highest casualty rates per group, 66.7% and 43.0%, respectively. However, they significantly differ in terms of their morphometric footprint. Fatal landslides triggered by natural variables occur mostly in the highest portions of the topographic profile, where human disturbance is minimal. As for their anthropogenic counterpart, these failures cluster at much lower altitudes, where slopes are gentler, but human intervention is higher due to a higher population density. This observation points towards land cover changes being a critical factor in landscape dynamics, stressing the human pressure as a discriminant cause/effect term for natural vs. human-induced landslide fatalities.</p

    Edge Currents in Non-commutative Chern-Simons Theory from a New Matrix Model

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    This paper discusses the formulation of the non-commutative Chern-Simons (CS) theory where the spatial slice, an infinite strip, is a manifold with boundaries. As standard star products are not correct for such manifolds, the standard non-commutative CS theory is not also appropriate here. Instead we formulate a new finite-dimensional matrix CS model as an approximation to the CS theory on the strip. A work which has points of contact with ours is due to Lizzi, Vitale and Zampini where the authors obtain a description for the fuzzy disc. The gauge fields in our approach are operators supported on a subspace of finite dimension N+\eta of the Hilbert space of eigenstates of a simple harmonic oscillator with N, \eta \in Z^+ and N \neq 0. This oscillator is associated with the underlying Moyal plane. The resultant matrix CS theory has a fuzzy edge. It becomes the required sharp edge when N and \eta goes to infinity in a suitable sense. The non-commutative CS theory on the strip is defined by this limiting procedure. After performing the canonical constraint analysis of the matrix theory, we find that there are edge observables in the theory generating a Lie algebra with properties similar to that of a non-abelian Kac-Moody algebra. Our study shows that there are (\eta+1)^2 abelian charges (observables) given by the matrix elements (\cal A_i)_{N-1 N-1} and (\cal A_i)_{nm} (where n or m \geq N) of the gauge fields, that obey certain standard canonical commutation relations. In addition, the theory contains three unique non-abelian charges, localized near the N^th level. We show that all non-abelian edge observables except these three can be constructed from the abelian charges above. Using the results of this analysis we discuss the large N and \eta limit.Comment: LaTeX, 16 pages and 2 figures. Comments added in sections 4 and 5. A minor error corrected in section 4. Figures replaced for clarity. Typos correcte

    The effectiveness of a multidisciplinary intervention strategy for the treatment of symptomatic joint hypermobility in childhood:A randomised, single Centre parallel group trial (The Bendy Study)

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    Introduction: Joint hypermobility is common in childhood and can be associated with musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. Current management is delivered by a multidisciplinary team, but evidence of effectiveness is limited. This clinical trial aimed to determine whether a structured multidisciplinary, multisite intervention resulted in improved clinical outcomes compared with standard care. Method: A prospective randomised, single centre parallel group trial comparing an 8-week individualised multidisciplinary intervention programme (bespoke physiotherapy and occupational therapy in the clinical, home and school environment) with current standard management (advice, information and therapy referral if deemed necessary). The primary endpoint of the study was between group difference in child reported pain from baseline to 12 months as assessed using the Wong Baker faces pain scale. Secondary endpoints were parent reported pain (100 mm visual analogue scale), parent reported function (child health assessment questionnaire), child reported quality of life (child health utility 9-dimensional assessment), coordination (movement assessment battery for children version 2) and grip strength (handheld dynamometer). Results: 119 children aged 5 to 16 years, with symptomatic hypermobility were randomised to receive an individualised multidisciplinary intervention (I) (n = 59) or standard management (S) (n = 60). Of these, 105 completed follow up at 12 months. No additional significant benefit could be shown from the intervention compared to standard management. However, there was a statistically significant improvement in child and parent reported pain, coordination and grip strength in both groups. The response was independent of the degree of hypermobility. Conclusion: This is the first randomised controlled trial to compare a structured multidisciplinary, multisite intervention with standard care in symptomatic childhood hypermobility. For the majority, the provision of education and positive interventions aimed at promoting healthy exercise and self-management was associated with significant benefit without the need for more complex interventions. Trial registration: The trial was registered prospectively with the national database at the Clinical Research Network (UKCRN Portfolio 9366). The trial was registered retrospectively with ISRCTN (ISRCTN86573140)

    Cumulative incidence and risk factors for cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma metastases in organ transplant recipients: the SCOPE-ITSCC metastases study, a prospective multi-center study.

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    Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) are believed to have an increased risk of metastatic cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma (cSCC), but reliable data are lacking regarding the precise incidence and associated risk factors. In a prospective cohort study, including 19 specialist dermatology outpatient clinics in 15 countries, patient and tumor characteristics were collected using standardized questionnaires when SOTRs presented with a new cSCC. After a minimum of 2 years of follow-up, relevant data for all SOTRs were collected. Cumulative incidence of metastases was calculated by the Aalen-Johansen estimator. Fine and Gray models were used to assess multiple risk factors for metastases. Of 514 SOTRs who presented with 623 primary cSCCs, 37 developed metastases with a 2-year patient-based cumulative incidence of 6.2%. Risk factors for metastases included location in the head and neck area, local recurrence, size >2cm, clinical ulceration, poor differentiation grade, perineural invasion and deep invasion. A high-stage tumor that is also ulcerated showed the highest risk of metastasis, with a 2-year cumulative incidence of 46.2% (31.9% - 68.4%). SOTRs have a high risk of cSCC metastases and well-established clinical and histological risk factors have been confirmed. High-stage, ulcerated cSCCs have the highest risk of metastasis. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.

    An experimental investigation of kinetic energy and momentum correction coefficients in compound channels [Bileşik Kesitlerde Enerji ve Momentum Düzeltme Katsayilarinin Deneysel İrdelenmesi]

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    In this study, vertical and lateral velocity distribution in a compound channel cross section was measured to investigate kinetic energy and momentum correction coefficients for eight different test discharges. Experiments were carried out for supercritical flow conditions. Froude number (Fr) was varied between 1.04 and 1.1, as depth ratio (Dr) changed 0.16 and 0.48. Kinetic energy and momentum correction coefficients, ? and ß, were computed for each experimental condition. Results were compared with findings taken from the experimental works carried out in different cross-sectional shaped flumes. As a result, for 48 different experimental test case, kinetic energy and momentum correction coefficients, ? and ß, were computed as 1.15 and 1.08, respectively

    Regional frequency analysis of annual peak rainfall of adana and the vicinity [Adana ve çevre illerde gözlenen yillik maksimum yagişlarin bölgesel frekans analizi]

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    The design and the project of hydraulic structures, during economic life of the structure, a reliable estimate of the magnitude and the frequency of the maximum flood will occur is of great importance. Regional frequency analysis, being a statistical method, is used for this purpose. Regional flood frequency analysis provides a solution not only in estimating the design event magnitudes but also at sites having too short records and at sites where no hydrologic information is available. In this study, regional flood frequency analysis using L-moments method for estimating the probability distribution parameters were applied to minimum 18 years of recorded series of annual maximum precipitation peaks of 53 precipitation stations which operated by Turkish State of Meteorological Service and Public Waterworks Administration. The index flood method based on L-moments method was used for identification of homogenous region. Generalized Normal, Generalized Extreme Value, Generalized Logistic, Generalized Pareto, Pearson Type 3 and Wakeby distributions were applied to homogenous regions to obtain the reoccurence values. Median, Hosking, Cunnane, Gringorten, Hazen formulas frequently used in literature were used as plotting position formula. Results of the 3 parameters were used for the comparison measurement error. These three parameters are respectively normalized absolute error (NAE), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean square error (RMSE). According to the measurement error value, Generalized Logistic distribution is found to give most accurate results
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