A manifestly N=2 supersymmetric Born-Infeld action

A manifestly N=2 supersymmetric completion of the four-dimensional Nambu-Goto-Born-Infeld action, which is self-dual with respect to electric-magnetic duality, is constructed in terms of the abelian N=2 superfield strength W in the conventional N=2 superspace. A relation to the known N=1 supersymmetric Born-Infeld action in N=1 superspace is established. The action found can be considered either as the Goldstone action associated with partial breaking of N=4 supersymmetry down to N=2, with the N=2 vector superfield being a Goldstone field, or, equivalently, as the gauge-fixed superfield action of a D-3-brane in flat six-dimensional ambient spacetime.Comment: 11 pages, LaTeX, eq.(42) is correcte

Non-Abelian Tensors with Consistent Interactions

We present a systematic method for constructing consistent interactions for a tensor field of an arbitrary rank in the adjoint representation of an arbitrary gauge group in any space-time dimensions. This method is inspired by the dimensional reduction of Scherk-Schwarz, modifying field strengths with certain Chern-Simons forms, together with modified tensorial gauge transformations. In order to define a consistent field strength of a r-rank tensor B_{\mu_1...\mu_r}^I in the adjoint representation, we need the multiplet (B_{\mu_1...\mu_r}^I, B_{\mu_1...\mu_{r-1}}^{I J}, ..., B_\mu^{I_1...I_r}, B^{I_1... I_{r+1}}). The usual problem of consistency of the tensor field equations is circumvented in this formulation.Comment: 15 pages, no figure

Higher-derivative gauge interactions of Bagger-Lambert-Gustavsson theory in N=1 superspace

We study the structure of the gauge sector of the Bagger-Lambert-Gustavsson (BLG) theory in the form proposed by van Raamsdonk, adapted to 3D, N=1 superspace. By using the novel Higgs mechanism proposed by Mukhi and Papageorgakis, we derive the manifestly N=1 supersymmetric higher-order terms (beyond the supersymmetric Yang-Mills action) that follow from the BLG theory in its expansion with respect to the inverse gauge coupling constant squared. We find that all those terms have at least one anti-commutator of the super-YM field strength superfields as a factor, and thus are reducible to the SYM terms with the higher (spacetime) derivatives.Comment: 13 pages, LaTeX2e, no figures (title changed, few comments and references added

Feasibility test for a V-slit star mapper for pioneer spacecraft terminal navigation

A laboratory demonstration of the feasibility of using a V-slit star mapper to meet the sensitivity and accuracy of on-board navigational requirements for future Pioneer Missions to the outer planets was conducted by the Control and Sensors Laboratory of TRW. The breadboard was extremely simple in configuration, consisting of an end-on photomultiplier tube and a V-slit reticle located at the focal plane of the objective lens. In addition, a plano-convex lens was used between the reticle and the PMT in a Fabry-Perot configuration. The analytical effort indicated that the sensor should easily meet the requirements. The Pioneer SRA test set was examined to determine its basic accuracy and modify it where necessary to bring its accuracy into the 1-3 arc second range. The test results show that it is feasible to use this type of star mapper in the 10 arc second accuracy range. The test equipment accuracy (approximately 5 arc Sec) was sufficient to bound the sensor errors at less than 10 arc seconds

Marriage, Registration and Dissolution by Same-Sex Couples in the U.S.

This study analyzes data from states that have extended legal recognition to same-sex couples. Analyses show that same-sex couples want and use these new legal statuses. Furthermore, they react more enthusiastically when marriage is possible. More than 40% of same-sex couples have formed legal unions in states where such recognition is available. Same-sex couples prefer marriage over civil unions or domestic partnerships. In the first year that marriage was offered in Massachusetts, 37% of same-sex couples there married. In states that offered civil unions, only 12% of same-sex couples took advantage of this status in the first year and only 10% did so in states with domestic partnership registrie

Seeking the Loop Quantum Gravity Barbero-Immirzi Parameter and Field in 4D, N\cal N = 1 Supergravity

We embed the Loop Quantum Gravity Barbero-Immirzi parameter and field within an action describing 4D, $\cal N$ = 1 supergravity and thus within a Low Energy Effective Action of Superstring/M-Theory. We use the fully gauge-covariant description of supergravity in (curved) superspace. The gravitational constant is replaced with the vacuum expectation value of a scalar field, which in local supersymmetry is promoted to a complex, covariantly chiral scalar superfield. The imaginary part of this superfield couples to a supersymmetric Holst term. The Holst term also serves as a starting point in the Loop Quantum Gravity action. This suggest the possibility of a relation between Loop Quantum Gravity and supersymmetric string theory, where the Barbero-Immirzi parameter and field of the former play the role of the supersymmetric axion in the latter. Adding matter fermions in Loop Quantum Gravity may require the extension of the Holst action through the Nieh-Yan topological invariant, while in pure, matter-free supergravity their supersymmetric extensions are the same. We show that, when the Barbero-Immirzi parameter is promoted to a field in the context of 4D supergravity, it is equivalent to adding a dynamical complex chiral (dilaton-axion) superfield with a non-trivial kinetic term (or K\"ahler potential), coupled to supergravity.Comment: 20 pages, 1 figure. Replaced with accepted version in Phys. Rev.

Census Snapshot: Indiana

Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this report provides demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Indiana. We compare same-sex "unmarried partners," which the Census Bureau defines as an unmarried couple who "shares living quarters and has a close personal relationship," to different-sex married couples in Indiana

Poverty in the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Community

This report undertakes the first analysis of the poor and low-income lesbian, gay, and bisexual population. We find clear evidence that poverty is at least as common in the LGB population as among heterosexual people and their families

Adoption and Foster Care by Gay and Lesbian Parents in the United States

Discussion and debate about adoption and foster care by gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) parents occurs frequently among child welfare policymakers, social service agencies, and social workers. They all need better information about GLB adoptive and foster parents and their children as they make individual and policy-level decisions about placement of children with GLB parents. This report provides new information on GLB adoption and foster care from the U.S. Census 2000, the National Survey of Family Growth (2002), and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (2004)