Renormalizability and Quantum Stability of the Phase Transition in Rigid String Coupled to Kalb-Ramond Fields II

Recently we have shown that a phase transition occurs in the leading approximation of the large N limit in rigid strings coupled to long range Kalb-Ramond interactions. The disordered phase is essentially the Nambu-Goto-Polyakov string theory while the ordered phase is a new theory. In this part II letter we study the first sub-leading quantum corrections we started in I. We derive the renormalized mass gap equation and obtain the renormalized critical line of the interacting theory. Our main and final result is that the phase transition does indeed survive quantum fluctuations.Comment: PHYZZX, 11 pages, 2 Postscript figure, to be published in Nucl.Phys.

Quantum Stability of the Phase Transition in Rigid QED

Rigid QED is a renormalizable generalization of Feynman's space-time action characterized by the addition of the curvature of the world line (rigidity). We have recently shown that a phase transition occurs in the leading approximation of the large N limit. The disordered phase essentially coincides with ordinary QED, while the ordered phase is a new theory. We have further shown that both phases of the quantum theory are free of ghosts and tachyons. In this letter, we study the first sub-leading quantum corrections leading to the renormalized mass gap equation. Our main result is that the phase transition does indeed survive these quantum fluctuations.Comment: PHYZZX, 9 pages, 3 Postscript figures, to be published in Nucl. Phys.

Dimensionless Coupling of Superstrings to Supersymmetric Gauge Theories and Scale Invariant Superstring Actions

We construct new superstring actions which are distinguished from standard superstrings by being space-time scale invariant. Like standard superstrings, they are also reparametrization invariant, space-time supersymmetric, and invariant under local scale transformations of the world sheet. We discuss scenarios in which these actions could play a significant role, in particular one which involves their coupling to supersymmetric gauge theories.Comment: 9 pages, LaTe

Consumer purchasing decisions and welfare under country of origin. Labelling regulation

This study develops a theoretical framework of heterogeneous consumer preferences to examine the effect of voluntary and mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) on consumer purchasing decisions and welfare when consumers view COOL information as an attribute that differentiates products vertically and horizontally. Analytical results of both the vertically and horizontally differentiated product models show that the change from a no COOL to a mandatory COOL regime decreases (increases) the welfare of consumers with weak (strong) preference for COOL. A change from a no COOL to a voluntary COOL regime leads to an undisputed increase in consumer welfare which results from an increase in the welfare of consumers with strong preference for COOL, while the welfare of consumers with weak preference for COOL remains unchanged. A change from a voluntary to a mandatory COOL regime leads to a consumer welfare loss in the vertically differentiated product model and in the horizontally differentiated product model when product relocation is prohibitively costly. In both the above models, a switch from voluntary to mandatory COOL decreases the welfare of consumer with weak preference for COOL, while it keeps the welfare of consumers with strong preference for COOL unchanged. A change from a voluntary to a mandatory COOL regime in the horizontally differentiated product market when product relocation is possible leads to a decrease in the welfare of consumer with both weak and strong preference for COOL and to possible welfare gains for those consumers who place greater value in country of origin information under mandatory than under voluntary COOL.country of origin labeling, heterogeneous consumer preferences, vertical and horizontal product differentiation., Consumer/Household Economics,

To Say or not to Say: Dyadic Ambivalence over Emotional Expression and its Associations with Sexual Function, Satisfaction, Depression, Dyadic Adjustment, and Pain in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia and their Partners

Essai doctoral présenté à la Faculté des Arts et des Sciences en vue de l’obtention du grade de Doctorat en Psychologie CliniqueIntroduction. La vestibulodynie provoquée (VP) est un problème de douleur génitale affectant un nombre élevé de femmes dans la communauté. Malgré le cadre intime dans lequel ce type de douleur se présente, et le fait que l’implication de variables affectives, telles que l’anxiété, dans l’expérience de cette douleur ait été démontrée, aucune étude à ce jour n’a exploré la régulation émotionnelle de couples dont la femme souffre de VP. Objectif. L’Ambivalence dans l’Expression des Émotions (AEE) est une variable de régulation émotionnelle qui quantifie le degré d’inconfort qu’une personne peut avoir avec la façon dont elle exprime ses émotions. Nous avons testé l’hypothèse selon laquelle l’AEE dyadique de couples dont la femme souffre de VP serait associée à leur fonctionnement sexuel, psychologique, et relationnel. Méthodologie. Deux cent cinquante quatre (N = 254) couples dont la femme souffre de VP ont complété le Questionnaire d’Ambivalence dans l’Expression des Émotions. Une typologie de couples a été créée : Les couples ‘HH’ dans lesquels les deux partenaires sont considérés hautement ambivalents, les couples ‘LL’ dans lesquels aucun des deux partenaires n’est considéré hautement ambivalent, et les couples intermédiaires. Les mesures dépendantes pour les deux partenaires des couples étaient (i) la mesure globale de l’Échelle de Satisfaction Sexuelle (ii) l’Index de Fonction Sexuelle/le score global du Formulaire d’Histoire Sexuelle, (iii) l’Inventaire de Dépression de Beck-II, et (iv) l’Échelle d’Ajustement Dyadique Révisée. Les femmes ont aussi complété le Questionnaire McGill sur la Douleur. Résultats. Les couples LL avaient les scores les plus élevés en termes de satisfaction (p = .04) et fonction sexuelles (p = .01), les scores les plus bas en termes de symptômes dépressifs (p < .01), et le meilleur ajustement dyadique (p = .02). Aucune différence significative n’a été trouvée entre les couples pour la douleur des femmes. Conclusions. Les résultats suggèrent que, pour les couples dont la femme souffre de VP, une régulation émotionnelle qui est relativement basse en ambivalence pour les deux partenaires est associée à de meilleurs fonctionnements psychologique, sexuel, et relationnel.Introduction. Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a highly prevalent and taxing female genital pain condition. Despite the intimate nature of this pain and the fact that affective factors such as anxiety have been shown to modulate its manifestations, no study has yet explored the emotional regulation of couples in which the woman suffers from PVD. Aim. Ambivalence over Emotional Expression (AEE) is an emotional regulation variable that quantifies the extent to which a person is comfortable with the way s/he expresses emotions. We examined whether the dyadic AEE of couples in which the woman suffers from PVD was differentially associated with their psychological, sexual and relational functioning. Methods. Couples (N = 254) in which the woman suffered from PVD completed the Ambivalence over Emotional Expression Questionnaire. A typology of couples was created: ‘HH’ couples with both partners high on AEE, ‘LL’ couples with both partners low on AEE, and intermediate couples. Dependent measures for both members of the couple were the (i) Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction Scale, the (ii) Female Sexual Function Index/Global Score of Sexual History Form, the (iii) Beck Depression Inventory II, and the (iv) Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Women also completed the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Results. ‘LL’ couples had the highest scores on sexual satisfaction (p = .04) and function (p = .01), the least depressive symptomatology (p < .01), and the best dyadic adjustment (p = .02). No difference in pain intensity was found between couples. Conclusions. Findings suggest that, for couples in which the woman suffers from PVD, an emotional regulation that is low in ambivalence in both partners is associated with better psychological, sexual and relational outcomes

Application of BPOG standardized extractables protocol to container films: The impact of different sample conditions and analytical procedures on E&L profile

The E&L profile of Single-Use-Systems (SUS) include base polymers, additives, processing aids, and degradants that could potentially migrate from the container materials to contact solvents. Different conditions (such as temperature, surface area to volume ratio, dynamic/static incubation, and solvents) could produce different E&L profiles. In order to mitigate this problem, the BPOG Extractables Work Group has recently published a standardized extractables protocol recommendation in the form of a white paper (1) that defines sample conditions and analytical procedures for extractable testing. This presentation will discuss the E&L container film results of an undergoing study preformed following BPOG guidelines compared to the results of previous studies performed under vastly different conditions

Relationships of Minimum Temperature and Growth Rate with Sex Expression of Papaya Plants (Carica papaya L.)

Papaya plants of the Solo variety, derived from seeds whose plants were bearing uniformly few carpellodic flowers and fruits, were planted at three levels of elevations at the Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station farms at Honolulu , Oahu (1OO-foot elevation), at Kainaliu, Hawaii (1,500-foot elevation), and at Makawao, Maui (2,1OO-foot elevation). Significantly greater percentages of carpellodic flowers (types 2 and 3) were produced by plants at either Kainaliu or Makawao over plants at Honolulu. These differences associated with locality must be primarily the result of differences in minimum temperature, since day-lengths are essentially the same at all localities. The data and statistical analyses indicate that the percentage of carpellodic flowers is significantly correlated with minimum temperature and growth rate of the plants