On the smoothness of the multi-BMPV black hole spacetime

We demonstrate that, in a multi-BMPV black hole spacetime, the event horizon is not smooth. We explicitly show that for a simpler configuration comprising a line of static extremal black holes and a single BMPV black hole, the metric at the horizon of the BMPV black hole is once, but not twice, continuously differentiable. We argue that this result is also valid when all the black holes are rotating. The Maxwell field strength is shown to be continuous, but not differentiable at the horizon. We also briefly demonstrate that previous work done to show lack of smoothness of static multi-centre solutions in five dimensions is not significantly modified by the inclusion of a higher derivative term in the action for five dimensional supergravity.Comment: 17 pages; reference adde

On the smoothness of static multi-black hole solutions of higher-dimensional Einstein-Maxwell theory

Previous work has shown that static multi-black hole solutions of higher-dimensional Einstein-Maxwell theory do not possess smooth horizons. We show that the lack of smoothness is worse than previously demonstrated. We consider solutions describing multiple black holes on a common axis. In five dimensions, the metric is generically twice, but not three times, continuously differentiable at the horizon. The Maxwell field is generically continuous, but not differentiable, at the horizon. In more than five dimensions, the metric is once, but not twice, continuously differentiable, and there is a parallely-propagated curvature singularity at the horizon. The Maxwell field strength is again continuous, but not differentiable, at the horizon.Comment: 19 pages; minor correction

Obstetrical analgesia: with special reference to the ether-oil-quinine method of rectal instillation

A series of twenty five maternity cases treated with rectal -ether -oil -quinine in labour is reviewed and discussed in tib light of modern practice.Great relief was experienced in 76% of all cases and moderate relief in 20% with one failure.No maternal deaths occurred in spite of the large percentage of abnormal cases and no foetal deaths could be attributed to its use.Its suitability to dystocia, tuberculosis, toxaemia and induction is proved.Labour is not unduly prolonged; it may be hastened but with careful technique rarely ceases.Certain minor objections can be obviated by improved technique and wider experience; they are not in themselves, sufficiently serious to disqualify the method.It is best used in hospital where skilled supervision and attention are available, but, in a modified form can be adapted to Nursing Homes.The physical and mental condition of the patient is improved by the knowledge of ease during delivery, thus ensuring a better convalescence.The admitted enthusiasm of the patient is the best criterion of the success of this method

From bodies to bases : human biology and the laws of property

From Bodies to Bases: Human Biology and the Laws of Property takes the reader through the reactions of legal systems to the creeping commodification of all components of the human body. In a hierarchical approach starting with the whole body, through the organs, tissues, cells, and finally individual molecules such as DNA, the author shows how legislation and judicial decisions attempt to protect human dignity against those who would manufacture human clones, traffic in organs, market blood, eggs and sperm, patent genes, and exploit the genomes of the innocent

Hawking spleens, selling genes: the human body and the laws of property with special reference to South East Asia

Hawking spleens, selling genes: the human body and the laws of property is devoted to a discussion of the human body as a hierarchy of commoditiable components. It traces the progressive entry into the marketplace of whole persons, theor organs, tissues, cells and finally, their DNA and their proteins. The complex interaction between the science, the ethics and the legal issues is teased out with reference to the controversies abroad today. Special attention is given to South East Asia, an area which is showing an exponential growth in biotechnology, and is also a prime target for biopiracy and bioprospecting

On the smoothness of multi-M2 brane horizons

We calculate the degree of horizon smoothness of multi- $M2$-brane solution with branes along a common axis. We find that the metric is generically only thrice continuously differentiable at any of the horizons. The four-form field strength is found to be only twice continuously differentiable. We work with Gaussian null-like co-ordinates which are obtained by solving geodesic equations for multi-$M2$ brane geometry. We also find different, exact co-ordinate transformations which take the metric from isotropic co-ordinates to co-ordinates in which metric is thrice differentiable at the horizon. Both methods give the same result that the multi-$M2$ brane metric is only thrice continuously differentiable at the horizon.Comment: 24 pages, reference added, modified equation for non-singularity of metri

The Discourse of the Scalpel and the Limbo of Non-identity: Doing Justice to Herculine Barbin

In this essay I will make a comparative analysis of Butlers reading of Herculin Barbin in Gender Trouble and David Reimer in Undoing Gender. My reading of Undoing Gender will illustrate reflective moments in which Butler herself describes spaces outside of intelligibility. First, my analysis will consist of in reading Butlers earlier work against her more recent writings on gender. Utilizing the same critical lens that Butler incorporated to compare Foucault’s later work against his earlier writing will bring to the fore important tensions in Bulter’s gender theory and her relationship with Foucault. Second, I will describe the discourse of the scalpel that is found in the narratives of both Barbin and David. I find that Barbin’s framework foreshadows the discourse of the scalpel that Judith Bulter identifies within the life story of David Reimer. Then I will give an account of the discourse of the scalpel as a form of biopower. I will supplement my analysis of Bulter with Jemima Repo’s essay, Herculine Barbin and the Omission of Biopolitics from Judith Butler’s Gender Genealogy. Taken together my analysis will elucidate a lineage between Herculine Barbin and David Reimer that calls for a reexamination of Butler’s relationship with Foucault

Weighing the galactic disc using the Jeans equation: lessons from simulations

Using three-dimensional stellar kinematic data from simulated galaxies, we examine the efficacy of a Jeans equation analysis in reconstructing the total disk surface density, including the dark matter, at the ‘Solar’ radius. Our simulation data set includes galaxies formed in a cosmological context using state-of-the-art high-resolution cosmological zoom simulations, and other idealized models. The cosmologically formed galaxies have been demonstrated to lie on many of the observed scaling relations for late-type spirals, and thus offer an interesting surrogate for real galaxies with the obvious advantage that all the kinematical data are known perfectly. We show that the vertical velocity dispersion is typically the dominant kinematic quantity in the analysis, and that the traditional method of using only the vertical force is reasonably effective at low heights above the disk plane. At higher heights the inclusion of the radial force becomes increasingly important. We also show that the method is sensitive to uncertainties in the measured disk parameters, particularly the scalelengths of the assumed double exponential density distribution, and the scalelength of the radial velocity dispersion. In addition, we show that disk structure and low number statistics can lead to significant errors in the calculated surface densities. Finally, we examine the implications of our results for previous studies of this sort, suggesting that more accurate measurements of the scalelengths may help reconcile conflicting estimates of the local dark matter density in the literature