There is a book in the Book of Deacon setting that has been sitting on my hard drive, finished, since shortly after Jade was published. I'm hyper-critical of my own work regardless of what it is, but for some reason this is the book I can't bring myself to release. There are certain parts of it that I just don't like. However, because it has been so long since I released anything for you good folks to read, I decided to use my 30th birthday as an excuse to show off a few thousand words. I hope you enjoy them, and with any luck, this will be the year that this story finally sees the light of day.
Some time ago an associate of mine, a man named Deacon, took on the considerable task of creating a record of his world's greatest struggle. His success was admirable, and his book remains the most faithful and accurate record of the events available. Thus, when beings of such import and events of such consequence came to pass again, it seemed only fitting that these too be immortalized for the benefit of future generations, though perhaps with a different aim. Deacon intended his tome to be a history, but as you shall soon see, histories are dangerous things. Contrary to logic, there are those who feel a history grows more trustworthy with age, rather than less so. As it passes from hand to hand, from mouth to ear, changing ever so slightly with each iteration, a history has a tendency to ascend from reference to guideline to way of life. Philosophies are formed around histories. Wars are fought about histories. People die due to histories. This is not a history. This is merely a recollection. Treat it as you would an anecdote heard from a friend. Enjoy it. Learn from it. Perhaps retell it, but do not take it seriously. It is nothing more than a tale.
The crowd pushed and shoved, eager for the best view. Even in the icy cold of winter the stands surrounding the arena were filled to bursting. From the one edge of the long, wide stretch of raw earth that made up the battleground floor, the nobles of the kingdom watched with the sort of enlightened disinterest available only to the very wealthy. On either side, commoners watched with the rabid enthusiasm reserved for the very poor. Massive doors stood on the remaining edge. The structure was relatively new, built under the reign of the previous king to showcase the fruits of the much heralded Vulcrest military in tournaments and, on this occasion, evaluations.
Today was the Ascension of the Knights, the final examination in a years long training regimen that was known the world over for its difficulty. Seven men had already undergone the trial today. Four had succeeded. Only one knight in training remained. He faced the same test that had faced the would-be knights of Vulcrest for generations. The arena floor had been turned into a gauntlet of targets, hurdles, pitfalls, and practice dummies. There were hoops for hurling javelins through, flags and banners waiting to be snatched from poles, and every other test of dexterity, focus, and skill that the trainers could conceive. Situated before the king was a sand timer, without any sand. Beside it, there was a chalice filled with immaculate white powder. Placed with great care beside it were a second, smaller chalice and an engraved spoon. When the trial began, the sand was added. If the student wished to achieve knighthood, he must complete his tasks before the last grain fell.
With a blare of trumpets, the heavy doors were pulled open to permit the final competitor into the arena. At the first sound of the fanfare, all in attendance were instantly on their feet. The nobles did so out of recognition for the rider, the audience in anticipation of his performance. Notably attentive were a small group of white robed clerics and healers assembled at one edge of the arena floor. Finally, in walked horse and rider, each wearing gleaming armor, and each of the very best breeding. The horse was Sabre, the latest in a long line of chargers, a creature with ancestors on the winning side of every major battle of the last century. Its rider was the one and only child of the King and late Queen of Vulcrest. His features were hidden behind a suit of armor that cost more gold than most of the villagers would ever see. In the prince's hand was the banner of Vulcrest. When he reached the center of the arena, he thrust the banner skyward, and the crowd roared.
With great effort, a herald managed to quiet the maddened crowd.
"Your Royal Highness, Prince Garin of Vulcrest. You stand before your King and your people to prove yourself able to stand beside the finest men of the land in its defense against any and all foes," he proclaimed in a carefully rehearsed manner.
"I do," the prince replied.
A look of profound unease came to the herald's face.
"This, your… seventh attempt to prove your worth, carries with it the weight of all previous failures, do you understand?" asked the herald, his gaze fixed resolutely on a point near the horizon.
"I do," repeated the prince.
A man in a very official uniform approached the table bearing the timer and other apparatus. With great care and precision, he removed six scoops of the white sand from the first chalice, one for each failure, and placed them in the second. When he finished, the first cup was more than half empty. Carefully he raised it over the top bulb of the sand timer.
"Are you prepared?" asked the herald.
"I am!" proclaimed the prince.
The sand was dumped into the timer. Before the first grain managed to slip through, the prince was in motion. Horse and rider moved as one, a silver blur streaking across the arena. Throwing hatchets were buried in targets. Heads were sliced from dummies in a single blow. The crowd moved from roar to awed hush as he blazed his way through the tests like a thing possessed. The steed soared over pitfalls and hurdles. No one had ever gotten so far so quickly. Sand poured down with a vengeance. One by one the obstacles fell behind him. Those nobles near enough to the sand timer strained to see it. As the prince destroyed his final target, there was barely a pinch of sand left, and a single trial remaining.
Purpose in his eyes, the rider drove his horse to where he had planted the banner. To conclude the trial it must be returned to the hand of the herald. The last few grains of sand were orbiting the timer's pinch as the steed thundered down the center of the arena. The crowd held its breath. The only sound was the pounding of the horse's hooves and the hiss of its breath. The wind whistled in the ears of the prince. The blood surged in his veins. A few short strides stood between himself and his long sought knighthood. The culmination of years of training. The rite of passage achieved by his father before him. The title he had been destined for since birth. He could feel his hair stand on end. He could feel his left hand tingle.
Then it happened. For the eager eyes filling the stands, it was over in a moment. For three men, it was an agonizing eternity. Sabre approached a piece of ground identical to any other, save the small cluster of stones hidden just below the surface. The most expertly trained eye would have missed it. Sabre's hoof did not. The King, the prince, and the Herald watched helplessly as the horse lost its footing and tumbled forward. Mount and rider struck the ground in a tumbling heap. The clatter of armor and the thud of flesh filled the air, punctuated by a single stomach turning snap. A cloud of dust rose around the skidding tangle of horse and man as it came to a stop.
The audience attempted to exhale and gasp at the same time. It was a sound of concern rather than shock, as there was not a man, woman, or child who had expected anything different. Each had come to this place knowing that somehow, someway, the prince would fail. It had happened six times previous, each time more spectacularly than the last. His remarkable skill and inevitable defeat had reached near legendary status. Among the more coarse sections of the stands, there was the jingle of coins changing hands and muttered curses as bets were won and lost.
Before the dust had settled, the healers had descended upon the mound that had once been a horse and rider. After a few moments, the steed staggered to its feet and trotted away, miraculously unhurt. One look at the rider made it clear that it was no miracle. The prince had broken the fall, and from the looks of it, the fall had broken the prince. A cart that had quietly been readied as the prince entered the arena was wheeled to the stricken heir. As he was raised onto it his head turned and he muttered a few words that were quite unfit for royalty. At the sight of the prince's movement, there was one last quiet but conspicuous clink of coins.
Deep in the drafty heart of the castle, a young woman sat patiently in a lavish bedroom. Linen bandages were carefully laid out, and bottles containing foul smelling but no doubt potent medicines lined the edge of a table. Her hands were folded on her lap, and a faint look of anxiety showed though on an otherwise carefully composed face. Her name was Cassandra Worth, and she was the product of a very different line of succession within the Castle Verril. Obviously the crown is passed from King and Queen to Prince and Princess. That much is well known. What is less known is the progression of servants, which is, in many cases, just as time honored and a good deal more civilized. Cassandra was the eighth in a long line of royal servants, and now held the coveted position of Chief Servant to the Prince. Traditionally the position was held by an elderly woman, whereas Cassandra, at twenty one years of age, was a few months younger than the prince. When she was appointed by the King, who had just months before lost the queen after a lengthy illness, rumors quickly spread as to why this young woman had been treated so favorably. These rumors were spread chiefly by the women who had been passed over for the position.
At the sound of movement in hall, Cassandra stood, pulling aside the covers on the bed and adjusting her uniform self consciously. She did not concern herself much about her appearance, other than seeing to it that she looked presentable. Casandra was the sort who tended to send those seeking to describe her digging deeper into their vocabularies than most. Some would call her beautiful, though often preceded by a long pause. Lovely was more common. The more blunt tended toward words like "plump," while those with a firmer grasp of the language chose words in the vein of "ample" or "shapely." For those with more vivid imaginations, "voluptuous" came into play. Overall, she had the look of a statue made by a skilled sculptor who, when given a bit more clay than usual, had put it to excellent use.
A trio of men maneuvered carefully through the door, carrying the prince. Most of his armor had been removed, and vast swaths of his body were cocooned in bandages. She motioned to the bed, and upon it the stricken noble was placed.
"Thank you, gentlemen. I shall see to his highness," she assured them as she ushered the men out the door, shutting it behind them.
"Stones, Miss Worth. Blasted STONES! Heartbeats from knighthood and I am felled by, ugh, STONES," he raved, wincing in pain periodically.
"Keep your arm still. My, it is a nasty break this time," the servant said as she dampened a cloth and began to wipe away some dried blood from the bandaged left arm.
"I am not a child, Miss Worth," he replied.
He turned his face to her, grimacing slightly. She wiped another blotch of mud and blood from his lip and cheek. Doing so revealed more than a few thin white scars, the telltale remnants of well treated wounds of years gone by.
"I was at my best. Not just mine. The best. No one has ever succeeded after six failures. And I was so close," he said, more to himself than anyone.
The prince closed his eyes and took in a slow, deep breath. Cassandra watched him anxiously. The pain must be incredible. He had spent much of his life injured in some way or another, and as such had learned to deal with pain. Only after the worst of incidents did she find him deliberately controlling his breathing, and there had been many. It wasn't that he was clumsy. Indeed, often he could not have planned for the things that happened to him to occur. Vicious animals not seen in years would turn up during a hunt. Bridge planks that had held the weight of horses would break beneath him. One would think that the Gods hated him, but for the fact that, whatever the misfortune, the only lasting effect upon him tended to be a slight limp, a new scar, and an iron resolve to redeem himself. Things that would never befall a normal man would befall him, but things that would kill a normal man would spare him. Monstrous beasts would retreat, trees would drop into rushing rivers to keep him afloat. If someone above was toying with him, someone else was watching over him.
"Are you… Are you certain you wish to make another attempt? The healers only just managed to restore your legs after last year, and a seventh trial will mean hardly any sand at all in the timer. Knighthood is not a requirement for becoming King," she offered.
Cassandra put a hand on his forehead.
"You are warm," she remarked.
"Mmm… Something they gave me… It was supposed to help speed the healing…" he said, pausing to regain his composure every few moments.
Cassandra closed her eyes and recalled the prince's last serious ailment.
"Keller's Potion of Restoration?" she asked.
"Then you should get some sleep. Remember the side effects," she said.
Again he nodded. He was quite familiar with the less desirable effects the potions tended to have. The best healers of half of the continent called Vulcrest home. The concoctions they produced turned an injury that should take months to heal into one that lasted perhaps weeks or days, but often the toll they took was a bit too high. Right now he had a severe fever to look forward to, coupled with a few hours of intense nausea and a rather uncivil state of mind. He'd quickly learned that the more of his recuperation he spent asleep, the easier the side effects were to deal with from all perspectives.
There was a time, long ago, when there were spells that could wipe away nearly any malady in moments. A learned wizard needed only read a few passages from a book or, if the legends were to be believed, coax the effects with his mind alone and the wounds would vanish. Those days, if they ever existed to begin with, were certainly gone now. Spell books these days were worth their weight in gold, and those trained in their use were virtually nonexistent. Laws, ratified in response to a mystic cataclysm lost to history, forbade the casting of any spell of unknown effect and without due training under penalty of death. It should come as a surprise to no one that the occupation of spell caster quickly became unpopular to the point of extinction. Now there were only alchemists, following carefully refined recipes that, if not hugely effective, were at least known to be safe.
When Garin's breathing took on the even, steady rhythm of slumber, Cassandra continued her work. With the utmost care she wiped away all of the grime she could see. Her nimble fingers carefully removed as much armor as decency would allow, placing it aside without stirring him. For those unfamiliar with with the task of removing armor, this may seem a simple thing. In fact, it is something akin to removing a large, complex wind chime from someone hopelessly entangled in it without waking him. Nevertheless Cassandra achieved the task with the practiced grace of one who had done it dozens of times, which of course she had. She replaced those bandages that had become most sullied by blood, and loosened those that had been somewhat over-enthusiastically applied. When there was nothing left to do she took a step back, allowing herself a brief smile of pride at not having woken him. Then she pulled the blankets over the prince, brushed a few stray hairs from his face, and began the arduous task of cleaning those armor plates she'd managed to remove.
There were a number of very specialized bits of information that came part and parcel with the position of Chief Servant under Prince Garin. For one, it entailed a good deal more knowledge of medicines and treatments than it had under previous princes. It also necessitated an understanding of much that both a squire and administrative aide might know. In the seven years that he had been attempting to secure knighthood, Garin had dedicated himself almost equally to his dual pursuits of military and diplomatic mastery. The latter led to her drilling him in a number of different languages and more aspects of protocol and tradition than any right minded person could hope to remember. The former had her learning how to properly care for a veritable armory of weapons and armor. She closed the door to an adjoining room, lit a lamp, and opened a window as much as the freezing night would allow. With this ritual complete, she pulled the top from a jar of the most intensely foul smelling paste she'd ever encountered. Leaning close to the window and breathing deep of the fresh air, she applied it to the armor. It was awful stuff, to be sure, but it was the only thing she'd found that brought the gleam back to the royal armor after one of the prince's many mishaps. When the worst of the stench had subsided she closed the window firmly once more, lest the cold wake the prince.
High in the mountains a pair of mismatched eyes watched the distant flicker of the Castle Verril's windows. From this distance it took keen vision and a thorough knowledge of the ancient palace to know that it was the prince's window that briefly opened a moment ago. The observer had both. The gaze swept to the courtyard below. A procession of carriages was being readied, just specks amid the drifting of lanterns. Something was happening. With a slow stride and deliberate silence, the figure moved from the cliff side perch. It may soon be necessary to move swiftly, and he would need to be ready.
Elsewhere in the mountains, in a small, dusty cabin, a man sat in total darkness. Thick shutters and drapes were closed against the biting cold, blocking even the weak rays of the cloud shrouded moon. Were there light enough, an observer would see that the man was seated at a desk, his fingers steepled before a carefully shaved, wizened face. To his left was a perfectly neat stack of blank pages. To his right, a similar stack covered with line after line of meticulous writing. With a smooth and flawless motion his hand navigated the blackness and selected a blank sheet. His other hand found its way first to a quill, then an ink pot, then the page. Before him was only a wall. Beyond that only gray stone and white snow. Nonetheless, he stared intently with unseeing eyes at some point beyond even that. Without shifting his gaze, he began to scrawl fresh words onto the naked page. His fingers moved with mechanical certainty, as though they were doing so of their own accord. The page slowly filled, the scratching pausing only to dip the quill once more. When the final word was put to the page, and the page carefully added to the others, he set the quill down once more. And waited.
I'm glad you liked it. There's a big bit toward the end of the book that this came from that needs work, but if things go according to plan, it might finally see the light of day sometime this year. (But then, so few things go according to plan.) And thanks for the birthday wishes!
O_O Whoa…supremely epic already! Dang it, why is it that everything you write is so amazing? *casts a doleful glance at her own unfinished, not as awesome novel* Unfairness. If and when this comes out, I will buy it, most definitely. Yay!
Thanks! I'm sure your unfinished book will be great when its done.
This is great! I can't wait to read more.
Great to hear! I can't wait to get it finished.
Hello. Thanks for giving my book a try. It feels particularly good to have a fellow writer (and a fan of Tolkien, Jordan, and Brooks) tell me that my story was a great one. Thanks for reading!
I'll be sure to spread the word if and when the rest of this story sees the light of day. Right now I'm a tad backed up, but it seems a shame to leave it on the figurative shelf.
Glad to have you as a fan! I'll be sure to spread the word when the next book is almost ready.
It's a great beginning to a second series to "The Book Of Deacon" series, after all it is my favorite line of books. Though if it had something to do with Epidime at the end of Jade I would buy this book instantly when it comes out!
I'm not going to say that it isn't going to feature Epidime. He's a sneaky one. I guess eventually I'll have to get back to this one, but I keep setting it aside for other things.


Crossborder Capital | What Is Driving Down Bonds?
What Is Driving Down Bonds?
Global bond markets, led by US Treasuries, are finally selling off. The excuses of rising inflation expectations and President-elect Trump are not convincing. Chinese reflation and reversing term premia look to be better answers, but they are more worrying ones since they suggest that government yields could jump by far more. These term premia are determined by liquidity and volatility. Rising Chinese liquidity warns that US Treasury 10-year yields may be still at least 100bp too low.


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text:
Heads of States and Government from African Union Member States Endorse the Cairo Declaration on Viral Hepatitis.
By awa_admin
14 February 2020 – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The Draft Cairo Declaration on Viral Hepatitis has been endorsed for implementation by Heads of State and Government of the African Union Member States gathered at the just concluded 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly held at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Declaration was first endorsed by the Ministers of Health of the African Union Member States meeting at the Third Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Health, Population and Drug Control in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt convened by the African Union Commission in August 2019.
The adoption of the Declaration places the elimination of Viral Hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 at the forefront of political leadership and global development priorities. Progress attained will contribute to fulfillment of the African Union Heads of State and Government decision – Assembly/AU/14(XXIII) – to accelerate effective implementation of the Abuja Commitments on AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Viral Hepatitis and other infectious
diseases. It will, most importantly, ease the disease burden levied on the 71 million people in Africa currently afflicted by Hepatitis.
Hepatitis is preventable, treatable, and in the case of Hepatitis C, curable. However, over 80% of people living with Hepatitis are lacking prevention, testing and treatment services. In addition, only 18 African countries have formulated a National Hepatitis Strategic Plan and of these countries, only 3 country plans are funded. Without targeted strategies to find the undiagnosed and link them to care, millions will continue to suffer, and lives will be lost.
The Declaration calls on governments in Africa to including testing and treatment for Viral Hepatitis to an ambitious Universal Health Coverage package as this will increase resource use by 1%, decrease deaths by 5% and improve healthy life years by 10% leading to direct and indirect economic benefits. The World Health Organisation estimates that an additional funding of US$6 billion per year will be needed in low- and middle-income countries between
2016 and 2030, in order to achieve hepatitis elimination targets. Recognizing this, the Declaration calls for multi-sector partnerships along the demand-supply chain to remove financial barriers and increase access to quality care. It also calls on strong advocacy so that the continent is educated about the Viral Hepatitis prevention and treatment options. The countdown to an Africa that is free of Viral Hepatitis by 2030 continues, leaving no one
behind.
Ms. Whitney Mwangi
AIDS Watch Africa – African Union Commission
E-mail: WhitneyM@africa-union.org
About AIDS Watch Africa
Website: https://au.int/en/sa/awa and www.aidswatchafrica.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidswatchafrica
Twitter: @aidswatchafrica
AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) is a statutory entity of the AU with the specific mandate to lead advocacy, resource
mobilization and accountability efforts to advance a robust African response to end AIDS, TB and malaria by
2030. AWA was created following a special summit of African Heads of State and Government in April 2001 in
Abuja, Nigeria, to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and other related infectious diseases.
The AWA Heads of State and Government Action Committee (AWA Action Committee) serves as the primary
structure of AWA. The AU Chairperson serves as the AWA Chairperson. The Secretariat is located within the
AUC Department of Social Affairs, Division of AIDS, TB, Malaria and Other Infectious Diseases.
The overall objective of the AWA Experts Consultative Meeting is to undertake in-depth discussion around
issues impeding the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as public health threats in Africa. The meeting is
annual and provides a platform to highlight issues that should be tabled to Heads of States and Government in
AU Member States during the successive AU Summit.
Bold, Ambitious Targets Await.
The Catalytic Framework: Africa's Weapon to End Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome by 2030
2021 Achievements: Rising to the Challenges of the COVID 19 Pandemic
Crossing the horizon: a new age of health and prosperity for all.
2021 World Malaria Report Released
Archives Select Month December 2021 October 2021 September 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Jeff & Roberta Jeannette rehabbed this 1959 Classic Mid Century Home designed by William Krisel / built by the Alexander Construction Company. When purchased, the home was in extremely poor condition. The goal was to keep it as original as possible while introducing our modern flare into the character of the home.


text:
Q: print with the highest count in python I want to print only the first 3 of highest count in the dictOfNumberOfDocumentsWithTermInside
I want output to be ('Bahrain', 'museum' , 'royal' )
allvocandcount = []
for index, voc in enumerate(allDocumentsNoDuplicates):
    count = 0
    for x in allDocumentsTokenized:
        if voc in x and voc not in " ":
            count += 1
    allvocandcount = (voc, count)
    print(allvocandcount)

output:
('Bahrain', 5)
('one', 1)
('museum', 5)
('earliest', 1)
('royal', 4)
('areas', 1)
('convert', 1)
('Islam', 1)

A: Assuming d is:
d = {0: ('Bahrain', 5), 1: ('one', 1), 2: ('museum', 5), 3: ('earliest', 1), 4: ('royal', 4), 5: ('areas', 1), 6: ('convert', 1), 7: ('Islam', 1), 8: ('oldest', 2), 9: ('', 0)}

You can use lambda expression as 'key' argument to sorted function:
sorted_d = sorted(d.items(), key=lambda key_d: key_d[1][1], reverse=True)
print([i[1][0] for i in sorted_d[0:3]])

So you output will be as expected.

A: Here you could use the sorted() function which returns a sorted values of the specified iterable object. Here to get the iterable in your case, we could use values() of given dictionary. The get_sortable is a function to execute to decide the member on which ordering might be performed. In other way, what key does is, it provides a way to specify a function that returns what you would like your items sorted by. In your case, we are instructing through the function that we want to sort based on last member of your tuple instance. Lastly, reverse, a bool value to decide the sorting order which is by default ascending (False). In your case, we need to return the highest (descending) number and hence it is True.
def get_sortable(item):
    return item[-1]
x = {   0: ('Bahrain', 5),
        1: ('one', 1), 2: ('museum', 5),
        3: ('earliest', 1),
        4: ('royal', 4),
        5: ('areas', 1),
        6: ('convert', 1),
        7: ('Islam', 1),
        8: ('oldest', 2),
        9: ('', 0)}

x=sorted(x.values() , key = get_sortable, reverse = True)[0:3]

#to print sorted tuple list
print(x)

#to print first values of each tuples (as you requested)
print([t[0] for t in x])

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


What exactly do we mean by "proportional representation", or PR?
PR is a property of electoral systems in which the makeup of the elected body closely matches the makeup of the voters, as expressed through their ballots. PR stands in contrast to majority-take-all systems, in which a majority (often a plurality) of voters controls the makeup of the body.
In PR systems, a majority of voters still elect a (representative) majority of a legislative body, but smaller groups have the power to elect their own representatives as well, directly via the ballot.
There are other meanings of the term "proportional representation". To avoid confusion, we'll mention some of them, noting that this is not what we'll be talking about.
Population proportionality. The 435 seats in the US House of Representatives are allocated (mostly) proportionately by population to the various states. Here the proportionality is a function of state population, not of voters in an election.
Geographic proportionality. Many elected bodies in the US are elected from single-seat districts, in which a degree of geographic proportionality is guaranteed, at the expense of any other basis for proportionality. PR systems permit voters to vote on a geographic basis, but it's seldom their highest priority.
Redistricting. Within a state, congressional districts, as well as state legislative districts, are drawn so that each elected member represents roughly the same number of constituents. This is a kind of proportionality, in that each member represents the same proportion of the statewide electorate, but again it's not what we'll be talking about here.
Other quotas. Some systems allocate some number of seats in advance to some subgroup of candidates. This might be gender (the Democratic and Republican Parties mandate a degree of gender balance in their National Committees) or another criterion, such as a quota of party members on legislative committees.
When we talk about proportional representation, we mean proportionality based on voter preference expressed through an election — not proportionality or quota mandated by some predetermined characteristic, whether geography, gender, party membership, or anything else.
While the principle of proportional representation is our primary concern, implementing PR requires a voting mechanism. In most PR systems, voters express their preferences in one of two ways: single transferable vote (STV PR), or list PR.
Under the single transferable vote (STV), voters rank individual candidates in order of preference, and an STV counting system arrives at proportionality based only on individual voter preferences, without regard to party membership of either voters or candidates (thus STV PR is especially useful for non-partisan elections). STV PR is used in Ireland, for the Australian Senate, and for some local elections in New Zealand and Scotland. In the US, STV PR is used for local elections in Cambridge MA and Minneapolis MN.
In list PR systems, each vote counts toward a list (often a party list) rather than for a candidate, and the winners are taken from a list of candidates prepared in advance, often by each party. A list that wins 30% of the total vote is awarded 30% of the legislative seats. If that happens to be 25 seats, then the top 25 candidates on that list are elected. In open-list systems, the voter expresses a preference for a particular candidate, which affects that candidates position on the list. List PR systems come in many different variations, but the general idea is the same. List PR systems are very widely used, for example in Germany, all of Scandinavia, Switzerland, Brazil (and many other South and Central American countries), Iraq and Israel.


text:
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Audi Rockville of Rockville, MD (19 mi)
2020 Audi Q5 Overview
The 2020 Audi Q5 returns with some minor revisions. Every model now comes standard with new 18-inch wheels, all-season tires, and automatic high beams. The top two trims get updated 19-inch wheels, while package availability and feature content has been updated. Otherwise, it's business as usual for Audi's compact crossover.
A Q5 plug-in hybrid was announced earlier this year. While it's expected to reach the U.S. market, there are no hard details as to when this is happening.
Choosing Your Audi Q5
The Q5 is available in the three usual Audi trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. Pricing starts at $44,295 including destination for the Premium and climbs to $52,445 for the Prestige.
Every Audi Q5 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It generates 248 horsepower and 273-pound feet of torque, and achieves an EPA-estimated 22 miles per gallon city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 combined.
A dual-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission feeds power to Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system. The Q5 can tow up to 4,400 lbs with an available towing bracket.
The Q5 offers seating for five passengers and 25.1 cubic feet of cargo volume. This expands to 53.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.
Every Audi Q5 comes with automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning. The no-cost Convenience Package is a must, as it further adds blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and vehicle exit warning.
The Premium Plus adds front and rear parking sensors and the features from the Convenience Package as standard, while the Prestige is equipped with lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, a head-up display, and an automated parking system.
The base Q5 gets a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Two front USB ports, HD radio, and Bluetooth are included. The Premium Plus and Prestige upgrade to an 8.3-inch display with navigation and satellite radio, while two rear USB ports and wireless charging are also included.
Premium - From $44,295
Buyers of the most affordable Q5 benefit from leather upholstery, heat-insulating glass, three-zone climate control, and walnut wooden inlays. There's also heated and eight-way power front seats, push button start, ambient interior lighting, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Make sure to tick the boxes for the no-cost Convenience and Convenience Plus Packages to get more active safety features, keyless entry, satellite radio, memory for the driver's seat, auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors, and wireless charging. A panoramic sunroof is a $1,450 standalone option.
Premium Plus - From $48,695
The Q5 Premium Plus brings upgrades like a 12.3-inch driver information display, the upgraded infotainment system, and the aforementioned active safety features. Additional standard equipment includes the sunroof, memory for the driver's seat, and power-folding, heated, and auto-dimming side mirrors with memory functionality.
Buyers can bundle a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and all-weather floor mats with the Cold Weather Package ($750). Alternatively, those in warmer areas might opt for the Warm Weather Package ($1,450), which includes ventilated front seats and manual rear window sunshades.
Prestige - From $52,445
The Prestige is the first model to receive a 19-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system as standard, while the steering wheel gains power tilt and telescopic adjustment with memory. Don't forget about the standard head-up display, surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, and automated parking system, either.
Compare Q5 Trims Side-By-Side
Technology fans will undoubtedly be drawn to the 12.3-inch driver information display and larger touchscreen with navigation that come with 2020 Audi Q5 Premium Plus models. Still, the base Premium trim is hardly short on creature comforts, and it's $4,400 cheaper.
2020 Audi Q5 Review
William Kinton
Automotive Editor - February 12, 2020
Top-tier tech
Available plug-in hybrid
Standard AWD
Conservative styling
Not truly luxurious
Pricey top trims
Classic luxury. The 2020 Audi Q5 is exactly what most people think of when they picture a luxury crossover SUV. All models are equipped with real leather, power-adjustable and heated front seats, high-quality materials, and well-positioned wood and metal inlays. Hard plastic surfaces are scarce, and there is plenty of room for four adults (five will fit in a pinch).
Audi clearly thinks that subtly is the name of luxury and that evocative looks are for the plebs. Inside and out, you'll find nothing offensive, but offerings from Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, and Mercedes-Benz tend to stand out a bit more in the Whole Foods parking lot.
Potent powerplants. The Q5 is now offered with three different engine choices, including the powerful SQ5 (covered separately). Base Q5 models get a 248-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that's never wanting for power. Combined with one of the best dual-clutch automatic transmissions available and Audi's signature Quattro all-wheel drive, the Q5 delivers consistent traction, quick acceleration, and a 4,400-pound tow rating.
Audi has also upped the ante for 2020 with a plug-in hybrid variant that adds an additional 141-hp electric motor and 14.1-kWh battery pack to the base model's 2.0-liter turbo-four.
This gives the Q5 an electric-only range of 20 miles, according to the EPA, while boasting a top charging time of 2.5 hours. The party really starts when the gas engine kicks in, as the combined power of both motors can take your breath away.
A technological marvel. The Audi Q5 is equipped with compelling technology at all trim levels that's integrated far more intuitively than we've experienced in competing models.
Basic Q5s receive keyless entry, some active safety features, a large infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. That's quite a lot to start with compared to many luxury crossovers.
As you would expect, it gets better the more you spend. Higher trim levels get Audi's excellent Virtual Cockpit, which replaces the instruments with a brilliant 12.3-inch configurable display with two modes, as well as a larger 8.3-inch infotainment screen that adds voice control and navigation.
Top trim models may be pricey, but buyers are rewarded with an excellent Bang and Olufsen audio system, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display.
Straightforward options. Unlike many German luxury cars where the price starts rising if you even glance at the options sheet, the Q5 is refreshingly easy to spec. Upgrades are generally baked into their respective trim levels, and the actual number of options are scarce. Even the Premium Plus, the most option-heavy trim, only has six boxes to check that inflate the price.
The weirdest thing about the Q5's options is the no-cost options on the base Premium model. The Convenience Package and Convenience Plus package are both considered packages, even if they don't cost anything and are full of desirable features.
While we would expect most dealership models to include these packages in their Premium models, it would be prudent to check the Monroney label to be sure when shopping for a Q5.
Solid marks for safety. The Q5 has done very well in federal and independent crash testing. The IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick, while NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating due to how well it held up in collisions.
Also noteworthy is the active safety technology, which includes standard low-speed automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane change assist, and even a vehicle exit warning that will warn you against opening your doors into oncoming traffic are part of the aforementioned Convenience Package.
Higher trim levels get more advanced features like adaptive cruise control and automatic parking. However, these aren't the best safety features we've seen from Audi, so there's some room for improvement.
Final thoughts. The 2020 Audi Q5 is the most popular vehicle in the brand's lineup, and one of the best-selling luxury crossover SUV models on the market. It isn't difficult to see why either, as it's comfortable, filled with cutting-edge technology, inoffensively designed, and decidedly upscale. It's the benchmark for luxury crossover SUVs that everyone else is trying to improve upon, but few can offer the full package like Audi does.
If speed is in your blood, the SQ5 may be worth the upgrade with it's potent turbocharged V6 and performance tuning. Those looking for something a bit sleeker and more evocative would be served well by the Jaguar F-Pace, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class stands out with its beautiful interior.
Check prices for the 2020 Audi Q5 »
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text:
package printer

import "fmt"

// Listen blocks, repeatedly printing any input data
func Listen(input <-chan interface{}) {
	for e := range input {
		fmt.Printf("received: %v\n", e)
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


This wonderful antique "ID bracelet" (meant to mark a bottle or flask) has the name "Brandy" etched onto a crescent moon-shaped piece, with silver chains attached. The chain and name plate is 7-1/4" long, and the name plate is 2-1/8 x 5/8" and is marked on the back "Sterling" with the R Blackinton Co. mark.
R. Blackinton silver is highly collectible, and they produced silverware, cigarette cases and the like. This item is probably form the late 1800s to early 1900s. I will lightly polish it only on request; otherwise it will be shipped with the age-related patina intact.


text:
Debate Pack
Press freedoms and safety of protestors in India
Published Friday, 05 March, 2021
John Curtis
A Westminster Hall debate on E-petition 563473 relating to press freedoms and safety of protestors in India will be held in Westminster Hall on Monday 8 March 2021 from 4.30pm to 6.00pm. The debate will be led by Martyn Day MP.
Press freedoms and safety of protestors in India (296 KB , PDF)
Download full report Download 'Press freedoms and safety of protestors in India' report (296 KB , PDF)
This e-petition debate follows a petition uploaded to the Petitions website. As this e-petition has attracted over 100,000 signatures, the House of Commons Petitions Committee agreed that a debate will take place.
These sessions are an opportunity for MPs to discuss the important issues raised by an e-petition. However, they cannot directly change the law or result in a vote to implement the request of the petition.
The debate will be held under the motion, "That this House has considered e-petition 563473 relating to press freedoms and safety of protestors in India."
The petition will close on 17 June 2021 and at the time of writing, has attracted 115,678 signatures. It states:
Urge the Indian Government to ensure safety of protestors & press freedom
The Government must make a public statement on the #kissanprotests & press freedoms.
India is the world's largest democracy & democratic engagement and freedom of the press are fundamental rights and a positive step towards creating an India that works for all.
A public statement by the Government will encourage transparency & accountability in the world's Largest Democracy.
The government responded on 15 February 2021:
Media freedom and the right to protest are essential to robust democracies such as the UK and India. Governments have the power to enforce law and order if a protest crosses the line into illegality.
The UK Government is conscious of the level of concern regarding the farmers' protests in India. We appreciate that there are strong feelings in the United Kingdom towards the issue and that many British citizens have family ties to farming communities in India.
Through our High Commission in New Delhi and Deputy High Commissions across India, the Government is following developments closely. We understand that the Government of India has held several rounds of talks with farmers' unions, and that in January the Supreme Court put three farming laws on hold and designated an expert committee to scrutinise the laws.
As would be expected between close partners, we have constructive discussions on a wide range of issues with India. The UK considers farming reform a matter for the Government of India. We consider the right to peaceful protest, freedom of speech, and internet freedom vital in any democracy. We also recognise that governments have the power to enforce law and order if a protest crosses the line into illegality. We look to the Indian government to uphold all freedoms and rights guaranteed in India's strong constitution.
The Foreign Secretary discussed the farmers' protests with his Indian counterpart during his visit to India in December 2020. Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State responsible for South Asia and for Human Rights, speaks regularly to his opposite number in the Ministry of External Affairs and to the Indian High Commissioner in the UK. Human rights issues form part of their dialogue.
An independent media is essential to any robust democracy. The UK is committed to media freedom, and to championing democracy and human rights around the world. In 2018, the UK Government launched the Media Freedom Campaign to shine a global spotlight on media freedom and increase the cost to those abusing media freedom and persecuting journalists.
We regularly engage with India's vibrant media, which promotes lively debate across the political spectrum. The British High Commission has undertaken project work such as the annual South Asia Journalism Fellowship Programme, under our flagship Chevening scholarship programme, which funded 17 fellows, including seven from India in 2019. In 2020, we supported the Thomson Reuters Foundation to run workshops for journalists to report on a range of human rights matters.
The UK Government will continue to follow the farmers' protests closely. We respect that agricultural reforms are a matter for India, and will continue to champion human rights globally.
International Day of Education 2023
A Westminster Hall debate on the International Day of Education is scheduled for Thursday 26 January 2023, from 1.30pm to 3.00pm. The debate will be led by Vicky Ford MP.
Prisoners' voting rights
This House of Commons Briefing Paper analyses the debate over the voting rights of prisoners since May 2015, it also includes a concise summary of the main developments before May 2015.


text:
'Halloween': THR's 1978 Review
9:00 AM PDT 11/1/2014 by Ron Pennington
Jamie Lee Curtis in 1978's 'Halloween'
On Oct. 25, 1978, writer-director John Carpenter unleashed Halloween in theaters, spawning decades of imitations and sequels of the iconic horror title. The Hollywood Reporter's original review is below:
Teenage girls in jeopardy is usually a good ingredient for horror, and director John Carpenter makes the most of the situation in Halloween, a tense and frightening film that is being released by Compass International Pictures. Carpenter obviously knows the genre well and he builds a properly terrifying atmosphere through his well-paced direction. It's an effective entry for its intended market.
The screenplay by Carpenter and producer Debra Hill concerns a boy who kills his babysitter on Halloween night and who, 15 years later, escapes from a mental institution to return to the scene of the crime to seek additional victims. The script offers little in terms of motivation or development, but it works strictly in terms of horror as several teenage babysitters are stalked by the masked psychomaniac.
Carpenter creates excellent tension throughout and he avoids excessive blood and gore in the murder sequences. The violent actions are mostly implied more than graphically depicted, which serves to heighten the effect.
Donald Pleasance stars as the doctor who has tried to keep the maniac locked up and who attempts to warn the town when he escapes. He creates a strong presence, but it's basically a one-dimensional role, designed to provide necessary plot information. Jamie Lee Curtis is excellent as the girl around whom the action revolves and she creates a natural, sympathetic character. Good support is provided by Nancy Loomis and P.J. Soles as her two friends and by Charles Cyphers as the town's sheriff.
The technical credits are all professional and add to the overall effect. Carpenter is also responsible for the mood-setting musical score. — Ron Pennington, originally published on Oct 27, 1978.
Ron Pennington


text:
\section{Introduction}

The linear sigma model,
originally proposed as a  model for
strong nuclear interactions
\cite{gel},
today serves as an effective
model for the low-energy (low-temperature)
phase of quantum chromodynamics.
The model exhibits spontaneous breaking
of chiral symmetry
 and restoration
at finite temperature.
In this paper we discuss the pattern of symmetry breaking
and its restoration at nonzero temperature
and nonzero chemical
potential at one-loop level.
Some aspects of this  have
been extensively studied in the literature
[2-12].
The phenomenological importance
of the chiral transition and
possible experimental signatures
have recently been discussed by Harris and M\"uller
\cite{har}.
In connection with  theoretical predictions of the phase transition
 there still exist a certain misunderstanding and controversy.
In particular, the precise value of the critical
temperature is not generally agreed on
\cite{ram,cle,con,lur,bil}.
As regards the order of the transition,
Pisarski and Wilczek \cite{pis} have shown on  general grounds
that chiral models with 2 massless flavors
undergo a first-order phase transition at finite
temperature.
In actual calculations, the mean field
 predicts a second-order transition \cite{bay,boc}, whereas
some improved mean-field results indicate a weak
first-order transition \cite{lar}.
Numerical simulation \cite{gau} of a three-dimensional
chiral model on the lattice also confirms a
first-order transition for $N_f=2$.
 We believe that in our approach we are able
to clear up some of these points.
In addition, we discuss
the phase diagram and its relation
to  heavy-ion collisions.

We organize the paper as follows.
In Sect. \ref{eff} we describe the thermodynamics
of the model.
In Sect. \ref{pimass}
 we calculate the temperature
dependence of the pion and sigma masses.
In Sect. \ref{chiral} we discuss
the chiral phase transition
and make
comments on and a comparison  with other papers.
 In the concluding section,
Sect. \ref{concl}, we summarize our results.

\section{Effective potential}  \label{eff}

The linear sigma model of Gell-Mann and L\'evy
is an effective model of strong interactions
described by the chirally symmetric Lagrangian (in Euclidean notation)
\begin{eqnarray}
\label{eq1}
{\cal{L}}
         & = &
\bar{\psi} (\gamma_{\mu} \partial_{\mu} +
g (\sigma + i \mbox{\boldmath $\tau \pi$} \gamma_5)) \psi -\mu
\bar{\psi} \gamma_4 \psi
 \nonumber  \\
 &   &
+ {1\over 2} (\partial \sigma)^{2}
+{1\over 2} (\partial
\mbox{\boldmath $\pi$})^{2}
 + {m_0^{2}\over 2} (\sigma^{2} +
\mbox{\boldmath$\pi$}^{2})
+ {\lambda\over 4} (\sigma^{2} +
\mbox{\boldmath$\pi$}^{2})^{2}
\; .
\end{eqnarray}
The right and left fermions
$\psi_R=\frac{1}{2} (1+\gamma_5)\psi$,
$\psi_L=\frac{1}{2} (1-\gamma_5)\psi$,
 are assumed to constitute, respectively, the
$ (\frac{1}{2},0)$ and $(0,\frac{1}{2})$
 representation of the chiral SU(2)$\times$SU(2),
 whereas the mesons ($\sigma$,
{\boldmath$\pi$}) belong to
the $(\frac{1}{2},\frac{1}{2})$ representation.
In the original sigma model \cite{gel} the fermion field
was a nucleon.
We consider
 the  fermions to be
constituent quarks \cite{con,goc} with an
additional degree of freedom,
``color'', from the SU($N_{c}$) local gauge group of
an underlying gauge theory (QCD).

 If $m_0^{2} < 0$, the chiral
symmetry will be spontaneously broken.
At the classical level, the $\sigma$ and $\pi$ fields develop
nonvanishing expectation values such that
\begin{equation}\label{eq2}
\langle \sigma \rangle^{2} + \langle \mbox{\boldmath$\pi$} \rangle^{2}=
- {m_0^{2}\over \lambda} \equiv f_{\pi}^{2} \; .
\end{equation}
It is convenient to choose here
\begin{equation}\label{eq3}
\langle \pi_{i} \rangle = 0, \;\;\;\;\; \; \langle \sigma \rangle =
f_{\pi} \; .
\end{equation}

In order to study the thermodynamics of the model, we define the
thermodynamical potential as a function of the chemical potential $\mu$
associated with baryon number density and inverse
temperature $\beta = 1/T$
\begin{equation}\label{eq7}
\Omega (\beta, \mu) = - {1\over \beta V} \ln \; Z \;,
\end{equation}
where the partition function $Z$ is defined as a path integral
\begin{equation}\label{eq8}
Z = \int \; [d \varphi] \; \; \exp \{-\int_{0}^{\beta} d \tau \int
d^{3}x \; {\cal{L}} (\varphi)\} \; .
\end{equation}
Here [$d \varphi$] is an abbreviation for
 the integral over $\psi$, $\sigma$,
{\boldmath$\pi$}, and ${\cal{L}}$ is given by (\ref{eq1}).
Next we introduce
the saddle-point method of Frei and Patk\'{o}s
 \cite{fre}.
Our approach is similar to that of Meyer-Ortmanns
and Schaefer \cite{mey} who applied the method
to the chiral SU(3)$\times$SU(3.)
 We first redefine the fields
\begin{eqnarray}\label{eq9}
\mbox{\boldmath$\pi$} & \rightarrow &
\mbox{\boldmath$\pi$} + \mbox{\boldmath$\pi$}'(x) \; ,
\nonumber \\
\sigma & \rightarrow & \sigma + \sigma'(x) \; ,
\end{eqnarray}
where {\boldmath$\pi'$} and $\sigma'$
are quantum fluctuations around the
constant values {\boldmath$\pi$} and $\sigma$,
respectively.
Next we use the transformation which
 quadratizes the quartic interaction
\begin{equation}\label{eq100}
 \exp \{-\int d^4x \, \frac{\lambda}{4}
 (\sigma'^2 +
\mbox{\boldmath $\pi$}'^2)^2 \} =
\int_{c-i\infty}^{c+i\infty} [ds] \,
 \exp \{-\int d^4x \,
[ \frac{s}{2}(\sigma'^2 +
\mbox{\boldmath $\pi$}'^2)
 -\frac{s^2}{4\lambda}] \}.
\end{equation}
and redefine the auxiliary field
\begin{equation}\label{eq140}
s(x) \rightarrow s+s'(x) \; ,
\end{equation}
so that the saddle-point value $s$ maximizes
the integrand.
     The thermodynamical
potential $\Omega$ as a function of $\sigma$, {\boldmath$\pi$}
and $s$ is
usually called the {\em effective potential}.
 Thermodynamics requires that, in
thermal equilibrium, $\Omega$ should assume a minimum with respect to
variations of {\boldmath$\pi$} and $\sigma$.
 Owing to the specific
form of the interaction and
because of (\ref{eq2}) and (\ref{eq3}),
 we can keep $\mbox{\boldmath$\pi$} = 0$ and
consider $\Omega$ as a function  of
the two mean fields $\sigma$ and $s$.
 Using (\ref{eq9}), (\ref{eq100}) and (\ref{eq140})
 we find
\begin{equation}\label{eq10}
\Omega(\sigma,s) =
 {\lambda\over 4} \; \sigma^{4} + {m_0^{2}\over
2} \; \sigma^{2}-{s^2 \over 4\lambda}
-{1\over \beta V} \; \ln \; Z'(\sigma,s) \; ,
\end{equation}
where $Z'$ is the partition function for the shifted Lagrangian
 in which
 the quartic interaction is absent and
 chiral symmetry is explicitly broken:
\begin{eqnarray}\label{eq5}
{\cal{L}}' & = &
  \bar{\psi} (\gamma \partial + m_{F} + g
(\sigma' + i \; \mbox{\boldmath$\tau$}
\mbox{\boldmath$\pi$}' \gamma_{5})) \psi
- \mu \bar{\psi} \gamma_4 \psi
+{1\over 2} (\partial
\mbox{\boldmath $\pi$})'^{2}
 + {1\over 2} (\partial \sigma')^{2}
\nonumber  \\
  &  &
+ {m_{\sigma}^{2}\over 2} \sigma'^{2} + {m_{\pi}^{2}\over 2}
\mbox{\boldmath$\pi$}'^{2}
-{1 \over 4\lambda} s'^2
+g' \sigma' (\sigma'^2 +
\mbox{\boldmath $\pi$}'^{2})
 + {s'\over 2}
 (\sigma'^2 +
\mbox{\boldmath $\pi$}'^{2})
 + c  \sigma' -{1 \over 2\lambda}ss' \, .
\end{eqnarray}
 The effective masses,
  the trilinear coupling $g'$ and $c$ are functions
of $\sigma$ and $s$ defined as
\begin{eqnarray}\label{eq11}
m_{\sigma}^{2} & = &
 m_0^{2} + s+3 \lambda \sigma^2  \,  ,  \; \;\;\;
  m_{F} =g \sigma \, ,
  \nonumber \\
m_{\pi}^{2} & = & m_0^{2}+s+\lambda \sigma^{2} \, , \;\;\;\;
g' =  \lambda \sigma  \, ,
  \nonumber \\
c & = & \sigma(m_0^{2} + \lambda \sigma^{2}) \; .
\end{eqnarray}
The condition for an extremum
\begin{equation}\label{eq12}
{\partial \Omega\over \partial \sigma} = 0 \;, \;\;\;
{\partial \Omega\over \partial s} = 0 \; ,
\end{equation}
gives two equations for $\sigma$ and $s$
 with solutions that
will in general depend on temperature and
chemical potential.
A nontrivial solution $\sigma(\beta,\mu)$
 will be referred to as
{\em chiral condensate}.

At the classical level
(neglecting the quantum and thermal fluctuations)
 the potential
takes the  form
\begin{equation}\label{eq13}
\Omega(\sigma,s) = {1\over 4} \lambda  \sigma^{4} +
{m_0^{2}\over 2}  \sigma^{2}
-{s^2\over 4\lambda} \; .
\end{equation}
An extremum (minimum with respect to
$\sigma$, maximum with respect to $s$) occurs at
\begin{equation}\label{eq14}
\sigma^2 = -{m_0^{2}\over \lambda}
 \equiv f_{\pi}^{2} \; , \;\;\; s=0 \; ,
\end{equation}
yielding
\begin{equation}\label{eq15}
m_{\pi} = 0 \; , \; m_{F} = g f_{\pi} \; , \;
m_{\sigma}^2 =
2 \lambda f_{\pi}^2 \; , \; g' = \lambda f_{\pi} \;
, \; c'=0 \; .
\end{equation}
Thus, at the classical level, we
have 3 massless pions, as it should be owing to the Goldstone
theorem.

The thermal and quantum fluctuations
 will change the effective potential into
\begin{equation}\label{eq16}
\Omega (\sigma,s) = {\lambda\over 4} \sigma^{4} +
{m_0^{2}\over 2} \sigma^{2} -{s^2 \over 4\lambda}+
\Omega_{0} (\sigma,s) +
\Omega_{I} (\sigma,s) \; .
\end{equation}
 Here $\Omega_{I}$ contains
loop corrections and
$\Omega_{0}$ is the thermodynamical potential for a noninteracting
gas of  fermions
and bosons:
\begin{equation}\label{eq17}
\Omega_{0}  =  \Omega_{F} + \Omega_{\sigma} + \Omega_{\pi} \; ,
\end{equation}
\begin{eqnarray}\label{eq18}
\Omega_F & = &  -N_c N_f {1 \over \beta} \sum_l \int {d^{3}p \over
(2 \pi)^{3}} \; {\rm Tr} \; \ln
 \left[ \beta (- i {\not\!{p}}+ m_{F}) \right] \; ,
 \nonumber  \\
\Omega_{\sigma} & = & {1\over 2 \beta} \sum_n \int
{d^3 k\over (2 \pi)^3} \; \ln  \left[\beta^2 (k^2 + m_{\sigma}^2)
\right]   \; ,
 \nonumber  \\
\Omega_{\pi} & = & (N_f^2 - 1) \; {1\over 2 \beta} \sum_n \int
{d^{3} k\over (2 \pi)^{3}} \; \ln  \left[\beta^{2} (k^{2} + m_{\pi}^2)
\right] \; ,
\end{eqnarray}
where
\begin{equation}\label{eq19}
p = \left((2 l +1){\pi\over\beta}+i \mu \, ,
 \mbox{\boldmath $p$} \right)\; ,
\end{equation}
\begin{equation}\label{eq20}
k = \left(2 n {\pi\over\beta} \, , \mbox{\boldmath $k$} \right)\; ,
\end{equation}
and the number of flavors is $N_f=2$.
The extremum condition now reads
\begin{eqnarray}
{\partial \Omega\over \partial \sigma}
 & = &
  \lambda \sigma^3 + m_0^2
\sigma
+ {1\over \beta V} \int d^{4}x \: \biggl\{g \langle \bar{\psi}(x)
\psi(x) \rangle + 3 \lambda \sigma \langle \sigma'(x)^2 \rangle \biggr.
\nonumber  \\
&  &
+\lambda \sigma \langle \mbox{\boldmath$\pi$}'(x)^{2} \rangle
+ \lambda \langle \sigma'(x) (\sigma'(x)^{2} +
\mbox{\boldmath$\pi$}'(x)^{2}) \rangle
 + (m_0^{2} + 3 \lambda \sigma^{2}) \biggl. \langle
\sigma'(x) \rangle \biggr\} = 0 \, ,
\label{eq21} \\
{\partial \Omega\over \partial s}
&  = & -{s \over 2\lambda} +
 {1\over \beta V} \int d^{4}x \:
\biggl\{ {1 \over 2}\langle \sigma'(x)^{2} +
\mbox{\boldmath$\pi$}'(x)^{2} \rangle
-{1 \over 2\lambda}\langle s'(x) \rangle  \biggr\} =0 \; .
\label{eq210}
\end{eqnarray}
The terms $\langle \sigma' \rangle $ and
 $\langle s' \rangle $
 vanish  because the quantum fluctuations take place
around the true vacuum.
Equations (\ref{eq21}) and (\ref{eq210}) become
\begin{equation}\label{eq22}
\lambda \sigma^{3} + m_0^{2} \sigma - 2 g N_{c}
 {\cal{G}}_{F} + 3 \lambda \sigma [{\cal{G}}_{\sigma}
+ {\cal{G}}_{\pi}]
+\lambda [\Gamma_{\sigma\sigma\sigma}
+\Gamma_{\sigma\pi\pi}]=0 \, ,
\end{equation}
\begin{equation}\label{eq220}
-{s \over 2\lambda}+
{1 \over 2}{\cal{G}}_{\sigma}
+ {3 \over 2} {\cal{G}}_{\pi} = 0 \; .
\end{equation}
Here ${\cal{G}}$ and $\Gamma$
denote thermal averages (with respect to the {\bf full}
 partition function) over a product of two
 and three fields, respectively.
 For example,
\begin{equation}\label{eq23}
{\cal{G}}_{\sigma} = {1\over \beta V} \; \int \; d^4 x \;\langle
\sigma(x)^{2} \rangle \, .
\end{equation}
This coincides with the full 2-point Green's function at $x = 0$.
${\cal{G}}$ is often referred to as {\em tadpole}.
Equations (\ref{eq22}) and (\ref{eq220}), schematically depicted
in Fig. \ref{fig1},
state the fact that tadpoles cancel \cite{ger} also at
nonzero temperature and chemical potential.

\begin{figure}[p]
\caption{Schematic representation of (23) and (24)}
\label{fig1}
\end{figure}

Solutions to  (\ref{eq22})
and (\ref{eq220}) are implicit functions of $T$ and $\mu$.
The tadpoles
at one-loop order are given by
\begin{eqnarray}\label{eq25}
{\cal{G}}_{F} & = &
  {1 \over \beta} \sum_l \int {d^{3}p \over (2\pi)^3}
 \; {\rm Tr} \;
{1\over - i {\not\!{p}} + m_{F}}   \; ,
\nonumber  \\
{\cal{G}}_{\sigma, \pi} & = &
  {1 \over \beta} \sum_n \int {d^{3}k \over (2\pi)^3 }
{1\over k^{2} + m_{\sigma,\pi}^{2}} \; ,
\end{eqnarray}
whereas the three-point functions
$\Gamma_{\sigma\sigma\sigma}$ and
$\Gamma_{\sigma\pi\pi}$
 contribute at two-loop (and higher) order.
The masses in (\ref{eq25}) depend on
 $\sigma$ and $s$ through  (\ref{eq11}).
Equation (\ref{eq22}) has, apart from $\sigma
= 0$, a nontrivial solution
$\sigma(\beta,\mu)$ that no longer equals $f_{\pi}$.
Dividing  it by $\lambda \sigma$,
this equation at one-loop order may be written as
\begin{eqnarray}\label{eq250}
\sigma^2
&=&
 f_{\pi}^{2} + 4 \: {2 g^2 \over \lambda}
N_{c} \; {1\over \beta}\sum \int {d^{3} p\over (2\pi)^3}
\frac{1}{p^2+m_{F}^{2}}
\nonumber  \\
&  &
-  3 \: {1\over \beta}\sum \int {d^3 k\over (2 \pi)^3}
\; {1\over k^{2} + m_{\sigma}^{2}}
-  3 \: {1\over \beta}\sum \int {d^{3} k\over(2\pi)^3}
\frac{1}{k^{2} + m_{\pi}^{2}} \; ,
\end{eqnarray}
where we have replaced $-m_0^{2}/\lambda = f_{\pi}^{2}$ from
(\ref{eq14})
and used $m_{F} = g \sigma$.
Similarly, (\ref{eq220}) becomes
\begin{equation}\label{eq251}
s =
\lambda \: {1\over \beta}\sum \int {d^3 k\over (2 \pi)^3}
\; {1\over k^{2} + m_{\sigma}^{2}}
+ 3 \lambda \: {1\over \beta}\sum \int {d^{3} k\over(2\pi)^3}
\frac{1}{k^{2} + m_{\pi}^{2}} \; .
\end{equation}

We can separate the finite $T$ and $\mu$ part of ${\cal{G}}$ as usual
 \cite{kap}:
\begin{equation}\label{eq26}
{\cal{G}}_{F}  = 4\int {d^4 q\over (2 \pi)^{4}} \;
{m_F\over q^2 + m_{F}^{2}}
- 4 \int  {d^{3} q\over (2 \pi)^{3}} \; {m_{F}\over 2
\omega_{F}} \; n_{F} (\omega_{F}) \, ,
\end{equation}
and
\begin{equation}\label{eq27}
{\cal{G}}_{\sigma, \pi} = \int  {d^{4} q\over (2 \pi)^{4}} \;
{1\over q^{2} + m_{\sigma, \pi}^{2}} +
\int {d^{3} q\over (2 \pi)^{3}} \; {1\over \omega_{\sigma, \pi}}
\; n_B (\omega_{\sigma , \pi})  \; ,
\end{equation}
where
\begin{equation}\label{eq28}
\omega_{F}^{2} = \mbox{\boldmath $q$}^{2} + m_{F}^{2} \,
, \; \; \;
\omega_{\sigma,\pi}^2=\mbox{\boldmath $q$}^2+m_{\sigma,\pi}^{2} \, ,
\end{equation}
\begin{equation}\label{eq29}
n_{F}(\omega) = {1\over e^{\beta(\omega - \mu)} + 1} +
{1\over e^{\beta(\omega + \mu)} + 1}  \, ,
\end{equation}
\begin{equation}\label{eq30}
n_{B}(\omega) = {1\over e^{\beta \omega} - 1}     \, .
\end{equation}
The infinite part in (\ref{eq26}) and (\ref{eq27}) is the usual
 $T = \mu = 0$  tadpole
that is absorbed in the tadpole cancellation at the tree level.
Therefore, we can write  our equations
by retaining the $T$- and $\mu$-dependent
pieces only.
Equations (\ref{eq250}) and (\ref{eq251}) finally read
\newpage
\begin{eqnarray}\label{eq32}
\sigma^{2} & = &
f_{\pi}^{2} - {8 g^{2}\over \lambda}     N_{c}
\: \int {d^{3} q\over (2 \pi)^{3}}
\: {1\over 2\omega_F} \;  n_F (\omega_F)
 \nonumber  \\
 &   &
- 3 \: \int  {d^{3} q\over (2 \pi)^{3}}
\: {1\over \omega_{\sigma}} \; n_{B} (\omega_{\sigma})
- 3 \: \int {d^{3} q\over (2 \pi)^{3}}
\: {1\over \omega_{\pi}} \; n_{B} (\omega_{\pi}) \, ,
\end{eqnarray}
\begin{equation}\label{eq320}
s=
\lambda \: \int  {d^{3} q\over (2 \pi)^{3}}
\: {1\over \omega_{\sigma}} \; n_{B} (\omega_{\sigma})
+ 3\lambda \: \int {d^{3} q\over (2 \pi)^{3}}
\: {1\over \omega_{\pi}} \; n_{B} (\omega_{\pi}) \, ,
\end{equation}
where the right-hand sides depend on
$\sigma$ and $s$ through the masses.
These equations have been derived from the
effective potential
 (\ref{eq16})
in which the loop corrections
$\Omega_I$
have been neglected.
This approximation corresponds to the
leading order in the
$1/N$ expansion, where $N$ is the
number of scalar fields \cite{mey}.
In our case, $N=4$.

A straightforward approach to solving
 (\ref{eq32}) and
 (\ref{eq320})
leads to problems with a complex effective potential
\cite{mey}.
 It may easily be seen that
a direct use of  (\ref{eq11})
 leads necessarily to complex solutions.
 From  (\ref{eq32}),
 (\ref{eq320}) with
 (\ref{eq11}) one finds
\begin{equation}
m_{\pi}^2=
 - 8 g^{2}  N_{c}
\: \int {d^{3} q\over (2 \pi)^{3}}
\: {1\over 2\omega_F} \;  n_F (\omega_F)
-2 \lambda \: \int  {d^{3} q\over (2 \pi)^{3}}
\: {1\over \omega_{\sigma}} \; n_{B} (\omega_{\sigma}).
\label{eq321}
\end{equation}
This means that $m_{\pi}^2$ is either negative
or complex.
In both cases it implies
a complex $\sigma$.
In the following sections we show
how a consistent inclusion
of one-loop self- energy corrections removes this problem.

\section{Effective meson masses} \label{pimass}

At first sight it seems that the $T, \mu$ dependence of $\sigma$
and $s$ is
not consistent with the Goldstone theorem since
\begin{equation}\label{eq33}
m_0^{2} + s(\beta,\mu) +\lambda \sigma^{2} (\beta, \mu) \neq 0 \; .
\end{equation}
However, the $m_{\pi}^{2}$ must also include the $T$- and $\mu$-
dependent pieces coming from the one-loop (and higher) order
self-energy diagrams (Fig. \ref{fig2}a):
\begin{equation}\label{eq34}
m_{\pi}^{2} = m_0^{2} +
s(\beta,\mu)
 + \lambda \sigma^2(\beta,\mu)
 +\Pi_{\pi}(\beta,\mu) \; ,
\end{equation}
where (at one-loop order)
\begin{eqnarray}\label{eq35}
\Pi_{\pi} & = &
  - 8 N_{c} g^{2} \; {1\over \beta} \sum \int
{d^{3} p\over (2 \pi)^{3}} \; {1\over p^{2} + m_{F}^{2}}
- 4 \: g'^{2} \; {1\over \beta} \sum \int {d^3 k\over (2 \pi)^3}
\; {1\over k^2 + m_{\sigma}^2} \; {1\over k^{2} + m_{\pi}^{2}}
 \nonumber  \\
 &  &
-{1\over \beta} \sum \int {d^3 k\over (2 \pi)^{3}}
\: {1\over k^{2} + m_{\pi}^{2}}(-2\lambda) \; ,
\end{eqnarray}
with $p$ and $k$ defined as in (\ref{eq19}) and (\ref{eq20}),
respectively.
The $s$-field appears in the
Lagrangian
  without a kinetic term and its
 propagator is simply
$1/m_s^2=-2\lambda$.

\begin{figure}[p]
\caption{One-loop self-energy diagrams contributing to
         (a) pion    and (b) sigma masses.}
\label{fig2}
\end{figure}

The combined contribution of the
$\sigma$-tadpoles
 (\ref{eq250}) and the $s$-tadpoles
 (\ref{eq251})
is given by
\begin{eqnarray}\label{eq36}
m_0^{2} + s+\lambda \sigma^2
 & = &
 \underbrace{m_0^{2} + \lambda
f_{\pi}^{2}}_{= 0}
+8\: g^{2} N_{c} \; {1\over \beta} \sum \int
{d^{3} p\over (2\pi)^{3}} \; {1\over p^{2} + m_{F}^{2}}
 \nonumber  \\
&  &
- 2 \: \lambda \; {1\over \beta} \sum \int {d^{3} k\over (2 \pi)^{3}}
\; {1\over k^{2} + m_{\sigma}^{2}} \, .
\end{eqnarray}
Combining (\ref{eq35}) and (\ref{eq36}), we see that
the fermion parts cancel immediately, whereas the boson parts cancel
 provided the relation
\begin{equation}\label{eq37}
m_{\sigma}^2- m_{\pi}^2=2\lambda\sigma^2 \, ,
\end{equation}
which holds trivially at $T = \mu = 0$, also holds
  at
 $T, \mu \leq T_{c}, \mu_{c}$.
Thus, the consistency with the Goldstone theorem requires that
the relation
\begin{equation}\label{eq37a}
  m_{\sigma}^{2} = 2 \lambda \sigma^{2}
\end{equation}
should also hold
at $T, \mu \leq T_{c}, \mu_{c}$.
Indeed, we shall shortly
demonstrate that it works
at one-loop level.

We do not agree here with Larsen \cite{lar} who obtained
$m_{\pi} \neq 0$ even in the symmetry-broken phase,
thus violating the Goldstone theorem.
The reason is that he assumed
$m_{\pi} \neq 0$
in the propagators in the one-loop self-energy diagrams.
If
$m_{\pi} =0$ at the tree level, then
the mass corrections would be of order
$\lambda$ or higher.
This would in turn  yield self-energy corrections
of  order $\lambda^2$, which would then also require
the inclusion of two-loop diagrams.
In other words, it is not consistent with one-loop
calculations to include
corrections to the tree-level masses
in the propagator.

Similarly as for the pion mass, for the sigma mass we have
\begin{equation}\label{eq38}
m_{\sigma}^{2} = m_0^{2} + s(\beta,\mu)
+3 \lambda \sigma^{2}(\beta,\mu) +
\Pi_{\sigma}(\beta,\mu) ,
\end{equation}
where the self-energy of the $\sigma$
 particle (Fig. \ref{fig2}b) is given by
\begin{eqnarray}\label{eq39}
\Pi_\sigma & = &  - 8 g^2 N_c \; {1\over \beta}
\sum \int {d^3p\over (2\pi)^3} \left( {1\over p^2 + m_F^2} -
{2 m_F^2\over (p^{2} + m_{F}^{2})^{2}} \right)
 \nonumber  \\
 &  &
-3\cdot 6 g'^2 \; {1\over \beta} \sum \int {d^3 k\over (2 \pi)^3}
\; {1\over (k^2 + m_{\sigma}^2)^2}
-2 \cdot 3 g'^2 \; {1\over \beta} \sum \int
{d^{3} k\over (2 \pi)^{3}}\; {1\over (k^{2} + m_{\pi}^{2})^2}
 \nonumber  \\
 &  &
- {1\over \beta} \sum \int {d^3 k\over (2 \pi)^3}
\; {1\over k^2 + m_{\sigma}^2} (-2\lambda)
\: .
\end{eqnarray}
This, together with the tadpole part
\begin{eqnarray}\label{eq40}
m_0^{2} + s+3 \lambda \sigma^{2}
 & = &
\underbrace{m_0^{2} + 3 \lambda
f_{\pi}^{2}}_{2\lambda f_{\pi}^2}
+24\: g^{2} N_{c}  \; {1\over \beta} \sum \int
{d^{3} p\over (2\pi)^{3}} \; {1\over p^{2} + m_{F}^{2}}
 \nonumber  \\
 &   &
- 8  \lambda \: {1\over \beta} \sum \int {d^3 k\over (2 \pi)^3}
\: {1\over k^{2} + m_{\sigma}^{2}}
-6 \lambda \: {1\over \beta} \sum \int {d^{3} k\over
(2 \pi)^{3}} \: {1\over k^{2} + m_{\pi}^{2}}  \; ,
\end{eqnarray}
 gives
\begin{eqnarray}\label{eq41}
m_{\sigma}^{2}
  & = &
 2 \lambda f_{\pi}^{2} + 2\cdot 8 \: g^{2}
N_{c}  {1\over \beta}\sum \int \frac{d^3p}{(2\pi)^3}\;{1\over p^2+
m_{F}^{2}}
\nonumber  \\
  &   &
- 2\cdot 3 \: \lambda {1\over \beta}\sum \int {d^3k\over (2\pi)^3}
\; {1\over k^{2} + m_{\sigma}^{2}}
- 2 \cdot 3 \: \lambda {1\over\beta}\sum \int {d^3k\over (2\pi)^3}
\; \frac{1}{(k^2 + m_{\pi}^2)}  + ... \; ,
\end{eqnarray}
where ...
denotes terms of higher order in $\lambda$ and $g^{2}$.
Combining this equation
with (\ref{eq250}), we recover
(\ref{eq37a}).
Thus, the thermal corrections at one-loop level do not
alter the tree-level
equation for the effective sigma mass.

\section{Chiral restoration transition}  \label{chiral}

From
the analysis in the preceding section
we see that the $s$-dependence
of the $m_{\sigma}$ and
$m_{\pi}$ is removed owing to the one-loop
self-energy corrections.
Equations
(\ref{eq32}), (\ref{eq320}) in which we put
\begin{eqnarray}\label{eq43}
m_{\pi} & = & 0 \; ,
\nonumber  \\
m_{\sigma}^2 & = & 2 \lambda \sigma^{2} \; ,
\nonumber  \\
m_{F} & = & g \sigma \; ,
\end{eqnarray}
decouple and
we are able to determine the
 $T$ and $\mu$ dependence of the chiral condensate by solving
 (\ref{eq32}) only.
If one compares our approach with the standard one
where  the quartic interaction is kept,
one may easily check that the self-energy diagrams
with internal $s$-lines
plus the contribution of $s$-tadpoles
precisely equals the contribution
of the loops with the quartic vertex.
In this way, the saddle-point method
\cite{fre,mey}
becomes equivalent to the standard
approach.

\begin{figure}[p]
\caption{Chiral condensate as a function of temperature
at
$\mu =0$.
The dashed line corresponds to a physically unstable solution.
 $T_{c}$ is
the temperature of the first-order phase transition.}
\label{fig3}
\end{figure}

For $\mu=0$, we find the solution numerically as a function of $T$
depicted in Fig. {\ref{fig3}.
As input parameters we choose the constituent quark mass
$m_F=340$ MeV and the sigma mass $m_{\sigma}=1$ GeV.
 The solution indicates a first-order
phase transition.
The point where the curve crosses the $T$ axis
is not the point of the actual phase transition.
We  refer to it  as ``critical" point,
having in mind that it would be a critical
point if the phase transition were second order.
The actual transition takes place at the point
 where the two
minima of the effective potential at $\sigma=0$
and $\sigma (T_c)$ are leveled.
Hence, the transition temperature $T_c$ is determined by requiring
\begin{equation}\label{eq46}
\Omega (\sigma, T_c) = \Omega (0, T_c) \, .
\end{equation}

The solution is particularly simple in the neighborhood of the
``critical" point $T_{c}'$ since in this case we can
expand the integrands around
$\sigma=0$
and perform the
integrals analytically \cite{kap}.
We find
\begin{eqnarray}\label{eq44}
\sigma^{2}& =& f_{\pi}^{2} - \left[ {2 g^{2}\over \lambda} \;
N_{c} \; {T^{2}\over 6} + {T^{2}\over 2}
\right]
+{3\sqrt{2\lambda} \over 4\pi} \sigma T
\nonumber
\\
 & &
+\sigma^2 \left[ \left({\gamma \over 2} -{1 \over 4}\right)
\left({3\lambda \over 2\pi^2} -{2g^4N_c \over \lambda\pi^2}\right)
+{3\lambda \over 4\pi^2} \ln
{\sqrt{2\lambda}\sigma \over 4\pi T}
-{g^4 N_c \over \lambda\pi^2} \ln
{g\sigma \over \pi T} \right]
+{\cal O}(\sigma^3) \, ,
\end{eqnarray}
where $\gamma=0.5772...$ is Euler's constant.
At the ``critical" temperature,  $\sigma (T_c') = 0$ , which
gives
\begin{equation}\label{eq45}
\frac{T_c'^2}{f_{\pi}^2} = \frac{6\lambda}{2g^2
 N_c + 3\lambda}.
\end{equation}
If we had taken the Nambu-Jona-Lasigno relation
$m_{\sigma}=2m_F$ \cite{nam},
which is exact in the  \\
$N_c\rightarrow\infty$
limit \cite{fis},
we would have obtained $T_c'=f_{\pi}$.
We stress again that
$T_c'$  only approximates
the actual transition temperature $T_c$
to be determined from the condition (\ref{eq46}).

If we put $N_c=1$ in
  (\ref{eq45}) our result agrees with that of Anand et al.
\cite{ana}
who considered a similar model for nuclear matter in
 Walecka's mean-field approach.
Our result (\ref{eq45}) also agrees with Bochkarev and Kapusta
\cite{boc} if  we put $N_c=0$.
However,
some of the existing calculations that include fermions
\cite{ram,con,cle,lur}
disagree with our result for the following reasons.
Ram Mohan \cite{ram},
and subsequently
Contreras and Loewe \cite{con}
did not properly account for the contribution
of antifermions.
As a consequence, they obtained fewer
(by a factor of two, apart from color)
fermionic degrees of freedom,
which in turn yielded a larger estimate for the $T_c$
\cite{lur}.
The reason for disagreement with
Cleymans, Koci\'c and Scadron \cite{cle}
is twofold.
First, in their
 calculation of
the sigma mass
they did not include
all the relevant  self-energy diagrams
(Fig. \ref{fig2}).
Second,
the sign of the fermionic contribution to
the sigma mass is wrong.
This led again to a larger $T_c$ in terms of
$f_{\pi}$.
The agreement of their estimate of
the critical temperature
with the estimates based on
a single  meson-loop diagram \cite{bai}
and  on the Nambu-Jona-Lasigno
model \cite{bil} is only accidental.

\begin{figure}[p]
\caption{
Chiral condensate at nonzero baryon density.
$\sigma$, $T$ and $\mu$ are in MeV.}
\label{fig4}
\end{figure}

The calculations at nonzero chemical potential are similar.
We present our results in \\
 Fig. \ref{fig4}.
The chiral condensate
$\sigma$ is plotted as a function of temperature
for fixed
 $\mu$ (160  and
 350 MeV; upper two plots)
 and as a function of chemical potential for fixed
 $T$ (0  and
 50 MeV;
 lower two plots).
 The transition remains first order and
 the critical temperature decreases with $\mu$
 as expected.

 In Fig. \ref{fig5} we plot the phase diagram
 of nuclear matter and compare it with the
 thermal parametrization of recent heavy-ion collision
 data.
 The baryonic chemical potential is related to the
 quark chemical potential as
 $\mu_B=3\mu$.
 The phase boundary
 between the chirally symmetric and broken phases
 (solid line)
 appears to be very close to
 the expected phase boundary
 between hadron resonance gas and quark-gluon plasma
 with a bag constant \cite{har}.
 The diagram indicates that the chiral transition
 might slightly precede the deconfinement.
 The points with error bars show the freeze-out
 values of $T$ and $\mu$ deduced from AGS \cite{bra1,let,raf} and SPS
\cite{bra2} data with flow.

\begin{figure}[p]
\caption{Phase diagram as a plot of
 temperature versus baryon chemical
    potential.
The solid line separates the chirally broken (inside)
    and chirally symmetric (outside) phases.
The
expected hadron gas --
 quark-gluon plasma boundary is located between
the two dashed lines.}
\label{fig5}
\end{figure}

In Fig. \ref{fig6} the phase diagram is represented in terms
of temperature and baryon density.
The solid line separating the chirally symmetric and
broken phases shows how the transition temperature
depends on baryon density.

\begin{figure}[p]
\caption{Phase diagram as a plot of
 temperature versus baryon density.}
\label{fig6}
\end{figure}

Similarly to the chiral condensate, the effective masses will
have a discontinuity at $T_c$.
Above the critical line in Fig. \ref{fig5}
the symmetry is restored and the
$\sigma$-tadpoles  vanish from the theory.
The $T$ and $\mu$ dependence of
the meson mass
$m_M=m_{\pi} = m_{\sigma}$ is determined by the proper self-energy
diagrams and $s$-tadpoles:
\begin{equation}\label{eq47}
m_M^{2} = m_0^{2} +
s(\beta,\mu)
 +\Pi_{\pi}(\beta,\mu) \;.
\end{equation}
Here $s(\beta,\mu)$ and
 $\Pi_{\pi}(\beta,\mu)$
 may  be calculated
  at lowest order in $\lambda$ and $g^2$ using
(\ref{eq251})
and (\ref{eq35}) in which the propagator masses
and $g'$ are set to zero.
In particular, for $\mu=0$ and above $T_c$ we find the
following
 expression  for the meson mass
\begin{equation}\label{eq48}
m_M^{2} = \left(\frac{\lambda}{2}
+\frac{N_c}{3}g^2\right)(T^2-T_c'^2).
\end{equation}

\section{Conclusion} \label{concl}
We have shown that the usual mean-field pattern of symmetry breaking
and restoration gives a consistent picture in the $\sigma$-model at the
one-loop order.
We have shown that the saddle-point method
\cite{fre,mey}
is equivalent to
a standard approach
\cite{ram,ana,boc}
if the self-energy loop corrections are included.
The phase transition is predicted to be
first order, in agreement with the analysis of Pisarski and Wilczek
\cite{pis}.
The chiral phase boundary in a ($T,\mu_B$) plot
(Fig. \ref{fig5})
is close to the phase boundary between
  hadron  gas  and
 quark-gluon plasma.
The thermal parametrization of
 existing experimental data compared with
 the chiral phase diagram indicates that
 the nuclear matter produced in heavy-ion collisions
 is close to or slightly above the chiral-phase-transition
 line.
 It is therefore conceivable that the present and future
 heavy-ion experiments may observe effects of the chiral
 transition.
 A more sophisticated analysis of the data is needed
 in order to observe
 possible signatures
 near the critical density,
 such as
 a rapid change of the meson mass and width
 or abnormal production ratios of charged to neutral
 pions \cite{har}.

\section*{Acknowledgement}

NB would like to thank J. Cleymans,
    D. Luri\'e
and M. Scadron for useful discussions.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


text:
Balança é uma freguesia portuguesa do município de Terras de Bouro, com 4,45 km² de área e 307 habitantes (censo de 2021). A sua densidade populacional é .

Demografia
A população registada nos censos foi:

Património
 Igreja Paroquial de São João da Balança

Freguesias de Terras de Bouro

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
One More Time: The Government of Canada fails to remove all sex discrimination from the Indian Act
The Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA) is dismayed that the Government of Canada has introduced legislation (Bill S 3) to amend the Indian Act, which, one more time, will not remove all the sex discrimination in the status registration provisions.
Since at least 1906, Indian status has been defined on the basis of patrilineal descent, and male Indians and their descendants have been privileged. The almost fifty years of struggle by Mary Two Axe Early, Jeanette Corbière Lavell, Yvonne Bedard, Sandra Lovelace and Sharon McIvor to see the sex discrimination removed has been only partially successful. Canada has repeatedly made piecemeal amendments, which remove some aspects of the discrimination but re enact the bulk of it.
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We find this especially difficult to understand in light of the explicit assurances that Canada and Minister Bennett made last summer, that the Government of Canada intended, not just to cure Deschenaux, but to remove "all known sex discrimination" from the Indian Act, as part of the first stage of reforms.
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Neocolor II water-soluble wax oil pastels highlight the enormous innovative capabilities of the Maison Caran d'Ache. Created in 1972 as the continuation of the famous Neocolor I range, they offer boundless creative possibilities for artists and beginners alike. Basing their work on the existing excellent qualities – exceptional coverage, smoothness and extreme lightfastness –, the craftsmen of the Manufacture added water solubility, a property greatly appreciated by connoisseurs of the Maison from all manner of artistic fields and from school age upwards. Neocolor II can be used for all forms of creativity, ranging from drawings on dry or wet materials, monotypes, impregnation, wet drawing, glazing, rainbow gradation and facepainting. With 84 colours, the entire range offers almost unlimited scope for the imagination, to the point where even experienced artists once more see things through the eyes of a child, thereby liberating the purest of all creative energies: that of the sheer wonderment evoked by colours. Swiss Made. Neocolor II pastels are entirely developed and crafted in the Caran d'Ache workshops, according to the highest quality standards and in compliance with environmental norms and certifications.
We stock the following 84 colours in open stock. Sorted by colour name.
Supracolor Soft Aquarelle pencils offer a huge range of water-soluble colour leads in 120 finely nuanced shades. Designed for every creative profession, the Supracolor Soft range offers a wide variety of applications thanks to intensely luminous colours and excellent covering power. While designed for large, broad works, the soft, large-diameter 3.8 mm leads are nevertheless extremely robust and display exemplary lightfastness, while their colour opacity and pigment quality ensures long-lasting use. Pencil drawings can thus be faded out, blended with fingertips, textured by rubbing the lead on a piece of sandpaper or used as watercolours. The body of the pencils is completely varnished and sheathed in a glossy colour corresponding to the colour of the lead. Swiss Made. Supracolor Soft pencils are designed and manufactured in the Geneva workshops of Caran d'Ache according to the quality standards of the Swiss Made label and in line with eco-friendly standards and certifications.


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We do, for your I do's.
We love weddings - especially designing invitations and paper goods to celebrate your big day. We offer custom designs that fit your style and personality. From save the dates to invitation suites to programs and place settings- we do.


It's been 20 years, but Hall of Famer Jim Kelly still has the hands and arm that made him great.
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Good snap, but bad kick.
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Waiting in the wings was NFL Hall of Famer, former Bills quarterback, and caner survivor Jim Kelly waiting in the wings.
After catching the football, he throws the football into the stands of Ralph Wilson Stadium, delighting some lucky fan that was a honor normally reserved for the likes of Andre Reed, James Lofton, or Don Beebe.
Even at age 55, Kelly showed fans he's still got the "arm" that led the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances in the 1990'a.


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Atlantic Lodge is usually let from Friday to Friday with guests arriving after 4:00pm and leaving by 10:00am. This is more flexible outside school holidays. All bed linen is supplied, with towels, bathmats and tea towels, but please do bring your own beach towels. Heating and electricity is included.
Once you have made an enquiry and would like to make a booking, your reservation will be pencilled in. You will then receive a booking form to complete and return with your deposit. This is normally 25% of the cost of the holiday. The balance payment will then be due a month before your arrival. You can make payments by cheque or by bank transfer. I am afraid that we do not take card payments.
In the event of a cancellation you should not expect to get your deposit back. If, however, it is early enough for another booking to be taken you may well be refunded with the majority of the deposit if your week can be filled.


George Sharpe was Lance Corporal of the 12th Regiment of Foot. He could write his own name and signed the deposition he gave in October 1855.
I was in Company with a Lieutenant of our regiment about the 28th November proceeding through the Ballarat Diggings. We were commanded by Captain Atkinson. I was with the third [illegible] from the rear, when the mob attacked is. with stones, sticks and bottles. I heard some shots fired by the diggers, some shots were fired at us. I am quite certain that none of the soldiers fired a shot.
I never heard any officer ask the road to the Camp, the drivers appeared to know the way.
this 22 day of Oct 1855.
"The onslaught upon the troops appears to have been unprovoked and savage, and it excited general disgust in the minds of the colonists everywhere out of Ballarat." Walter Bramwell Withers in his History of Ballarat was referring to an incident on the 28 November, 1854. The publican of the London Hotel, Benden Sherritt Hassell was shot in the leg. During the same fracas the drummer boy of the 12th Regiment, John Egan, was shot in the thigh and George Young, who owned the waggons, was also injured. Raffaello Carboni described it as a "cowardly attack" by the miners. They had thrown stones and bottles at the troops on their way into Ballarat between nine and ten o'clock on this dark November evening and allegedly had fired shots into the crowd.
One of the main arguments for compensation for Mr Benden Hassell was that the drivers asked him the way to the camp. This subsequently was the reason that he was shot in the leg, because he was in the middle of the road, and in the firing line. It was argued therefore that it was the government who should be responsible for compensating him for his injuries. However the witnesses deposed that the shots were fired by the insurgents and that the military had loaded, but not fired a shot.
Nothing was written about the injury to Benden Sherritt Hassell, although he also was shot during the same incident as the drummer boy and George Young, the carter. Hassell and his partner, Robert Monckton, were co-owners of the London Hotel. Later some of the wounded sheltered at the London Hotel after the Eureka massacre.
Four hundred and eighty-six men signed the petition urging the government to consider compensation for such a worthy case. The Board, however, in determining the judgement, made a suggestion that a "small donation from each of the individuals" who had signed the petition would "demonstrate their sympathy with the petitioner [Hassall] in a much more intelligible form, and more advantageous to his interests".
↑ http://www.ballaratheritage.com.au/pre-eureka-incident.html, accessed 21 September 2016.
This page was last edited on 6 January 2018, at 03:41.