N=2 Gauge Theories from Wrapped Five-branes

We present string duals of four dimensional N=2 pure SU(N) SYM theory. The theory is obtained as the low energy limit of D5-branes wrapped on non-trivial two-cycles. Using seven dimensional gauged supergravity and uplifting the result to ten dimensions, we obtain solutions corresponding to various points of the N=2 moduli space. The more symmetric solution may correspond to a point with rotationally invariant classical vevs. By turning on seven dimensional scalar fields, we find a solution corresponding to a linear distribution of vevs. Both solutions are conveniently studied with a D5-probe, which also confirms many of the standard expectations for N=2 solutions.Comment: 11 pages, LateX. Revised versio

Non chiral dynamical flavors and screening on the conifold

We present a new class of string theory solutions which are conjectured to be dual to the N=1 conifold theory by Klebanov and Witten coupled to non chiral massive dynamical flavors. These are introduced, in the Veneziano limit, by means of suitably embedded and smeared D7-branes whose full backreaction on the background is taken into account. The string solutions are used to study chromoelectric charge screening effects due to the dynamical flavors in the non perturbative regime of the dual gauge theories.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure, previously unpublished results presented. Contribution to the proceedings of the RTN workshop "Constituents, Fundamental Forces and Symmetries of the Universe", Varna, Bulgaria, September 11-17, 200

Klebanov-Witten theory with massive dynamical flavors

We consider the addition of a large number of massive dynamical flavors to the Klebanov-Witten theory, the quiver gauge theory describing the low energy dynamics of Nc D3-branes at the conifold singularity. Massive flavors are introduced by means of Nf D7-branes which are holomorphically embedded and smeared along the transverse directions. After some general comments on the validity of the smearing procedure, we find the full backreacted supergravity solution corresponding to a particular class of massive embeddings. The solution depends on a running effective number of flavors, whose functional form follows from the smeared embedding. The running reflects the integrating in/out of massive degrees of freedom in the dual field theory as the energy scale is changed. We study how the dynamics of the theory depends on the flavor parameters, mainly focusing on the static quark-antiquark potential. As expected, we find that the dynamical flavors tend to screen the static color charges.Comment: 31 pages, 8 figures; v2: few comments and a reference added, minor change

The United States and the Madrid Protocol: A Time to Decline, A Time to Accede

The Madrid Agreement enables trademark owners in signatory countries to secure international trademark registration by filing one application instead of filing separate applications in each foreign country\u27s trademark office. The United States has never acceded to the Agreement because critics have held that the Agreement favors registration-based trademark systems rather than the use-based system found in the United States. Accordingly, the Madrid Protocol was drafted to address the United States\u27 objections to the Agreement and to provide an international registration vehicle for countries that declined to participate Agreement. In this article, the author examines the Madrid Agreement, compares the Agreement to the Protocol, and determines that the Protocol is a more viable option for United States trademark applicants. However, the author explains that the likely benefits of the yet to be enacted Madrid Protocol have been exaggerated by its proponents. The author also discusses fundamental flaws in the Protocol and proposes an alternative international registration scheme to overcome these defects. Ultimately, the author concludes that the United States should accede to the Protocol because, despite the flaws, enactment of the protocol would aid in the creation and implementation of an improved international trademark registration system

This is Me: Anxiety and Depression Awareness Event

College and life are stressful, but they don\u27t have to be. We\u27ve all been in that place where it feels like life is caving in and there\u27s nowhere else to turn, but it does get better. This event brings awareness to mental illnesses common on college campuses and in the community. There will be engaging and interactive activities to learn about anxiety & depression, and healthy ways to cope through music, art, theatre, amusement parks, learning, reading, and more. Performances by the Humanities Troupe and testimonies by current students who have had experience dealing with mental illness before or who have seen a friend go through it throughout the event as well. The following orgs will be there to gain insight on mental illnesses and where to go to get help: NAMI, testimonies, BG Counseling Center, BG Health & Wellness, Falcon Health Center, Zepf Center, student research, Humanities Troupe, BGSU Honors College, Harbor Wood County & BG Dining Services

Splitting of macroscopic fundamental strings in flat space and holographic hadron decays

In this review article we present the calculation of the splitting rate in flat space of a macroscopic fundamental string either intersecting at a generic angle a Dp-brane or lying on it. The result is then applied, in the context of the string/gauge theory correspondence, to the study of exclusive decay rates of large spin mesons into mesons. As examples, we discuss the cases of N=4 SYM with a small number of flavors, and of QCD-like theories in the quenched approximation. In the latter context, explicit analytic formulas are given for decay rates of mesons formed either by heavy quarks or by massless quarks.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figures. Invited review for Modern Physics Letters

Identifying common traits of successful casino executives: Toward succession planning

The current study is an attempt to identify traits and skills that determine success in casino executives. Upon identification, a succession plan can be put into place to develop future leaders. In order to determine success factors, three instruments were administered; a measure of personality, the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire, and two leadership/managerial styles questionnaires, the Competing Values Framework and the Leadership Orientation Survey. This study involved two participant samples. Forty-one executives from three Las Vegas hotel/casino properties completed the three questionnaires and 275 peers and/or subordinates completed the two leadership/managerial styles questionnaires on their behalf. Results of the 16 PF were inconclusive; however results of the styles questionnaires suggest some trends in effectiveness. Executives who are more balanced, those who practice situational leadership, tend to be seen as more effective

Supersymmetry breaking at the end of a cascade of Seiberg dualities

We study the IR dynamics of the cascading non-conformal quiver theory on N regular and M fractional D3 branes at the tip of the complex cone over the first del Pezzo surface. The horizon of this cone is the irregular Sasaki-Einstein manifold Y^{2,1}. Our analysis shows that at the end of the cascade supersymmetry is dynamically broken.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, minor changes, typos correcte