Applications of Partial Supersymmetry

I examine quantum mechanical Hamiltonians with partial supersymmetry, and explore two main applications. First, I analyze a theory with a logarithmic spectrum, and show how to use partial supersymmetry to reveal the underlying structure of this theory. This method reveals an intriguing equivalence between two formulations of this theory, one of which is one-dimensional, and the other of which is infinite-dimensional. Second, I demonstrate the use of partial supersymmetry as a tool to obtain the asymptotic energy levels in non-relativistic quantum mechanics in an exceptionally easy way. In the end, I discuss possible extensions of this work, including the possible connections between partial supersymmetry and renormalization group arguments.Comment: 11 pages, harvmac, no figures; typo corrected in identifying info on title pag

The dynamics of chromosome organization and gene regulation

With the sequence of the human genome now complete, studies must focus on how the genome is functionally organized within the confines of the cell nucleus and the dynamic interplay between the genome and its regulatory factors to effectively control gene expression and silencing. In this review I describe our current state of knowledge with regard to the organization of chromosomes within the nucleus and the positioning of active versus inactive genes. In addition, I discuss studies on the dynamics of chromosomes and specific genetic loci within living cells and its relationship to gene activity and the cell cycle. Furthermore, our current understanding of the distribution and dynamics of RNA polymerase II transcription factors is discussed in relation to chromosomal loci and other nuclear domains

Awarding Attorney\u27s Fees to Pro Se Litigants Under Rule 11

Among the myriad rules and statutes designed to curb litigation abuse, Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure ( FRCP ) is the most widely used and most controversial of the sanctions rules. The increased use of Rule ll during the last fifteen years and the recent proliferation of fee-shifting provisions in federal statutes4 have led to an onslaught of motions for attorney\u27s fees in the federal district courts. Simultaneously, these courts are seeing an increasing number of pro se litigants appear before them. The confluence of these two trends has produced the seemingly paradoxical result of pro se parties seeking attorney\u27s fees awards. Over the past twenty years, pro se litigants have attempted to avail themselves of the attorney\u27s fees provisions contained in such statutes as the Equal Access to Justice Act ( EAJA ), the Freedom of Information Act ( FOIA ), and the Civil Rights Attorney\u27s Fees Awards Act( § 1988 ). They have met with limited success. Very few pro se parties, however, have sought similar awards under FRCP 11. For this reason, the question of whether a court can award fees to a pro se party under Rule 11 has had little opportunity to percolate in judicial opinions and academic literature. In the three cases in which courts have examined this issue, the decisions are split as to whether or not to award the fees. As with the statutory fee-shifting provisions, the debate in the Rule 11 context pits arguments based on policy against arguments based on language. Those who support the award contend that granting attorney\u27s fees furthers Congress\u27s intent of deterring conduct that violates Rule 11; those who disfavor the award assert that the words attorney\u27s fees necessarily contemplate the existence of an attorneyclient relationship. Therefore, they conclude, by definition a pro se litigant is not entitled to the fees award

Characterization of optical systems for the ALPS II experiment

ALPS II is a light shining through a wall style experiment that will use the principle of resonant enhancement to boost the conversion and reconversion probabilities of photons to relativistic WISPs. This will require the use of long baseline low-loss optical cavities. Very high power build up factors in the cavities must be achieved in order to reach the design sensitivity of ALPS II. This necessitates a number of different sophisticated optical and control systems to maintain the resonance and ensure maximal coupling between the laser and the cavity. In this paper we report on the results of the characterization of these optical systems with a 20 m cavity and discuss the results in the context of ALPS II