207 research outputs found
On the stability and spectrum of non-supersymmetric AdS(5) solutions of M-theory compactified on Kahler-Einstein spaces
Eleven-dimensional supergravity admits non-supersymmetric solutions of the
form AdS(5)xM(6) where M(6) is a positive Kahler-Einstein space. We show that
the necessary and sufficient condition for such solutions to be stable against
linearized bosonic supergravity perturbations can be expressed as a condition
on the spectrum of the Laplacian acting on (1,1)-forms on M(6). For M(6)=CP(3),
this condition is satisfied, although there are scalars saturating the
Breitenlohner-Freedman bound. If M(6) is a product S(2)xM(4) (where M(4) is
Kahler-Einstein) then there is an instability if M(4) has a continuous
isometry. We show that a potential non-perturbative instability due to 5-brane
nucleation does not occur. The bosonic Kaluza-Klein spectrum is determined in
terms of eigenvalues of operators on M(6).Comment: 21 pages. v2: Includes SU(4) quantum numbers for CP3 case, typos
fixed, refs adde
Brane-induced supersymmetry breaking
We study spontaneous supersymmetry breaking induced by brane-localized
dynamics in five-dimensional supergravity compactified on S^1/Z_2. We consider
a model with gravity in the bulk and matter localized on tensionless branes at
the orbifold fixed points. We assume that the brane dynamics give rise to
effective brane superpotentials that trigger the supersymmetry breaking. We
analyze in detail the super-Higgs effect. We compute the full spectrum and show
that the symmetry breaking is spontaneous but nonlocal in the fifth dimension.
We demonstrate that the model can be interpreted as a new, non-trivial
implementation of a coordinate-dependent Scherk-Schwarz compactification.Comment: 15 pages. v2: improved treatment of brane actions, relation with
conventional Scherk-Schwarz mechanism clarified, version to be published in
JHE
Aminooxy-BCN glycoconjugates
NMR spectroscopy data for aminooxybicyclononyne derivatives and glycan conjugates and protein mass spectrometry data for protein ligation reaction
Research Update on Extreme-Mass-Ratio Inspirals
The inspirals of stellar-mass mass compact objects into massive black holes
in the centres of galaxies are one of the most important sources of
gravitational radiation for space-based detectors like LISA or eLISA. These
extreme-mass-ratio inspirals (EMRIs) will enable an ambitious research program
with implications for astrophysics, cosmology, and fundamental physics. This
article is a summary of the talks delivered at the plenary session on EMRIs at
the 10th International LISA Symposium. It contains research updates on the
following topics: astrophysics of EMRIs; EMRI science potential; and EMRI
modeling.Comment: 17 pages, no figures. Proceedings of the LISA Symposium X, to be
published at the Journal of Physic
Evidence for F(uzz) Theory
We show that in the decoupling limit of an F-theory compactification, the
internal directions of the seven-branes must wrap a non-commutative four-cycle
S. We introduce a general method for obtaining fuzzy geometric spaces via toric
geometry, and develop tools for engineering four-dimensional GUT models from
this non-commutative setup. We obtain the chiral matter content and Yukawa
couplings, and show that the theory has a finite Kaluza-Klein spectrum. The
value of 1/alpha_(GUT) is predicted to be equal to the number of fuzzy points
on the internal four-cycle S. This relation puts a non-trivial restriction on
the space of gauge theories that can arise as a limit of F-theory. By viewing
the seven-brane as tiled by D3-branes sitting at the N fuzzy points of the
geometry, we argue that this theory admits a holographic dual description in
the large N limit. We also entertain the possibility of constructing string
models with large fuzzy extra dimensions, but with a high scale for quantum
gravity.Comment: v2: 66 pages, 3 figures, references and clarifications adde
Identifying the science and technology dimensions of emerging public policy issues through horizon scanning
Public policy requires public support, which in turn implies a need to enable the public not just to understand policy but also to be engaged in its development. Where complex science and technology issues are involved in policy making, this takes time, so it is important to identify emerging issues of this type and prepare engagement plans. In our horizon scanning exercise, we used a modified Delphi technique [1]. A wide group of people with interests in the science and policy interface (drawn from policy makers, policy adviser, practitioners, the private sector and academics) elicited a long list of emergent policy issues in which science and technology would feature strongly and which would also necessitate public engagement as policies are developed. This was then refined to a short list of top priorities for policy makers. Thirty issues were identified within broad areas of business and technology; energy and environment; government, politics and education; health, healthcare, population and aging; information, communication, infrastructure and transport; and public safety and national security.Public policy requires public support, which in turn implies a need to enable the public not just to understand policy but also to be engaged in its development. Where complex science and technology issues are involved in policy making, this takes time, so it is important to identify emerging issues of this type and prepare engagement plans. In our horizon scanning exercise, we used a modified Delphi technique [1]. A wide group of people with interests in the science and policy interface (drawn from policy makers, policy adviser, practitioners, the private sector and academics) elicited a long list of emergent policy issues in which science and technology would feature strongly and which would also necessitate public engagement as policies are developed. This was then refined to a short list of top priorities for policy makers. Thirty issues were identified within broad areas of business and technology; energy and environment; government, politics and education; health, healthcare, population and aging; information, communication, infrastructure and transport; and public safety and national security
Cost effectiveness of epidural steroid injections to manage chronic lower back pain
Background
The efficacy of epidural steroid injections in the management of chronic low back pain is disputed, yet the technique remains popular amongst physicians and patients alike. This study assesses the cost effectiveness of injections administered in a routine outpatient setting in England.
Methods
Patients attending the Nottingham University Hospitals’ Pain Clinic received two injections of methylprednisolone plus levobupivacaine at different dosages, separated by at least 12 weeks. Prior to each injection, and every week thereafter for 12 weeks, participants completed the EQ-5D health-related quality of life instrument. For each patient for each injection, total health state utility gain relative to baseline was calculated. The cost of the procedure was modelled from observed clinical practice. Cost effectiveness was calculated as procedure cost relative to utility gain.
Results
39 patients provided records. Over a 13-week period commencing with injection, mean quality adjusted life year (QALY) gains per patient for the two dosages were 0.028 (SD 0.063) and 0.021 (SD 0.057). The difference in QALYs gained by dosage was insignificant (paired t-test, CIs -0.019 – 0.033). Based on modelled resource use and data from other studies, the mean cost of an injection was estimated at £219 (SD 83). The cost utility ratio of the two injections amounted to £8,975 per QALY gained (CIs 5,480 – 22,915). However, at costs equivalent to the tariff price typically paid to providers by health care purchasers, the ratio increased to £27,459 (CIs 16,779 – 70,091).
Conclusions
When provided in an outpatient setting, epidural steroid injections are a short term, but nevertheless cost effective, means of managing chronic low back pain. However, designation of the procedure as a day case requires the National Health Service to reimburse providers at a price which pushes the procedure to the margin of cost effectiveness
Developing a utility index for the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC-C) for fragile X syndrome
Purpose This study aimed to develop a utility index (the
ABC-UI) from the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community
(ABC-C), for use in quantifying the benefit of
emerging treatments for fragile X syndrome (FXS).
Methods The ABC-C is a proxy-completed assessment of
behaviour and is a widely used measure in FXS. A subset
of ABC-C items across seven dimensions was identified to
include in health state descriptions. This item reduction
process was based on item performance, factor analysis and
Rasch analysis performed on an observational study dataset,
and consultation with five clinical experts and a
methodological expert. Dimensions were combined into
health states using an orthogonal design and valued using
time trade-off (TTO), with lead-time TTO methods used
where TTO indicated a state valued as worse than dead.
Preference weights were estimated using mean, individual
level, ordinary least squares and random-effects maximum
likelihood estimation [RE (MLE)] regression models.
Results A representative sample of the UK general public
(n = 349; mean age 35.8 years, 58.2 % female) each valued
12 health states. Mean observed values ranged from
0.92 to 0.16 for best to worst health states. The RE (MLE)
model performed best based on number of significant
coefficients and mean absolute error of 0.018. Mean utilities
predicted by the model covered a similar range to that
observed.
Conclusions The ABC-UI estimates a wide range of
utilities from patient-level FXS ABC-C data, allowing
estimation of FXS health-related quality of life impact for
economic evaluation from an established FXS clinical trial
instrument
Vaccination of healthcare workers to protect patients at increased risk of acute respiratory disease: summary of a systematic review
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of exposure to
respiratory pathogens and may transmit infection to vulnerable
patients. This study summarises a recent systematic review, which
aimed to assess evidence that influenza or pneumococcal
vaccination of HCWs provides indirect protection for those patients
most at risk of severe or complicated acute respiratory infection. A
number of healthcare databases and sources of grey literature were
searched using a predefined strategy, and citations screened for
eligibility in accordance with specified inclusion criteria. Risk of bias
was assessed using validated tools and results summarised
qualitatively. Twenty papers were included in the final review, all of
which considered influenza vaccination of HCW. As such, planned
subanalysis of pneumococcal vaccination was discarded. The
majority of primary research studies included (11/14) were
conducted in long-term care facilities, but there was marked
heterogeneity in terms of the population, intervention/exposure and
outcomes considered. Consistency in the direction of effect was
observed across several different outcome measures, suggesting that
influenza vaccination of HCWs is likely to offer some protection.
Further evidence is, however, required from acute care settings
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