Altering the Symmetry of Wavefunctions in Quantum Algebras and Supersymmetry

The statistics-altering operators present in the limit $q=-1$ of multiparticle SU_q(2)-invariant subspaces parallel the action of such operators which naturally occur in supersymmetric theories. We illustrate this heuristically by comparison to a toy $N=2$ superymmetry algebra, and ask whether there is a supersymmetry structure underlying SU(2)_q at that limit. We remark on the relevance of such alternating-symmetry multiplets to the construction of invariant hamiltonians.Comment: 6 page

Thermodynamic q-Distributions That Aren't

Bosonic q-oscillators commute with themselves and so their free distribution is Planckian. In a cavity, their emission and absorption rates may grow or shrink---and even diverge---but they nevertheless balance to yield the Planck distribution via Einstein's equilibrium method, (a careless application of which might produce spurious q-dependent distribution functions). This drives home the point that the black-body energy distribution is not a handle for distinguishing q-excitations from plain oscillators. A maximum cavity size is suggested by the inverse critical frequency of such emission/absorption rates at a given temperature, or a maximum temperature at a given frequency. To remedy fragmentation of opinion on the subject, we provide some discussion, context, and references.Comment: 7 pages, UW/PT-93-05, ANL-HEP-CP-93-39, Latex-Revtex [ Augmented list of references, sound and not.

Branes, Strings, and Odd Quantum Nambu Brackets

The dynamics of topological open branes is controlled by Nambu Brackets. Thus, they might be quantized through the consistent quantization of the underlying Nambu brackets, including odd ones: these are reachable systematically from even brackets, whose more tractable properties have been detailed before.Comment: 12 pp, 1 fig, LateX2e/WS-procs9x6 macros. Contribution to the proceedings of QTS3, 10-14 Sep 2003, Cincinnati, World Scientific (SPIRES conf C03/09/10

A Classical Bound on Quantum Entropy

A classical upper bound for quantum entropy is identified and illustrated, $0\leq S_q \leq \ln (e \sigma^2 / 2\hbar)$, involving the variance $\sigma^2$ in phase space of the classical limit distribution of a given system. A fortiori, this further bounds the corresponding information-theoretical generalizations of the quantum entropy proposed by Renyi.Comment: Latex2e, 7 pages, publication versio

A gauge theory of quantum mechanics

An Abelian gerbe is constructed over classical phase space. The 2-cocycles defining the gerbe are given by Feynman path integrals whose integrands contain the exponential of the Poincare-Cartan form. The U(1) gauge group on the gerbe has a natural interpretation as the invariance group of the Schroedinger equation on phase space.Comment:

The Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary marine extinction and global primary productivity collapse

The extinction of marine phyto-and zoo-plankton across the K-T boundary has been well documented. Such an event may have resulted in decreased photosynthetic fixation of carbon in surface waters and a collapse of the food chain in the marine biosphere. Because the vertical and horizontal distribution of the carbon isotopic composition of total dissolved carton (TDC) in the modern ocean is controlled by the transfer of organic carbon from the surface to deep reservoirs, it follows that a major disruption of the marine biosphere would have had a major effect on the distribution of carbon isotopes in the ocean. Negative carbon isotope excursions have been identified at many marine K-T boundary sequences worldwide and are interpreted as a signal of decreased oceanic primary productivity. However, the magnitude, duration and consequences of this productivity crisis have been poorly constrained. On the basis of planktonic and benthic calcareous microfossil carbon isotope and other geochemical data from DSDP Site 577 located on the Shatsky Rise in the north-central Pacific, as well as other sites, researchers have been able to provide a reasonable estimate of the duration and magnitude of this event

Canonical nonabelian dual transformations in supersymmetric field theories

A generating functional F is found for a canonical nonabelian dual transformation which maps the supersymmetric chiral O(4) \sigma-model to an equivalent supersymmetric extension of the dual \sigma-model. This F produces a mapping between the classical phase spaces of the two theories in which the bosonic (coordinate) fields transform nonlocally, the fermions undergo a local tangent space chiral rotation and all currents (fermionic and bosonic) mix locally. Purely bosonic curvature-free currents of the chiral model become a {\em symphysis} of purely bosonic and fermion bilinear currents of the dual theory. The corresponding transformation functional T which relates wavefunctions in the two quantum theories is argued to be {\em exactly} given by T=\exp(iF)

Evoking Emotion through Stories in Creative Dementia Care

This paper reports research to refine the design of a mobile creativity support app to improve person-centred care for older people with dementia. One barrier to previous app use during creative thinking appeared to be the negative activation emotions associated with problem avoidance and prevention exhibited by care staff when resolving challenging behaviours. Therefore we investigated the redesign of the app’s content so that care staff were more likely to positive activation associated with creative thinking through storytelling through a first formative evaluation