A and B branes from N=2 superspace

We present a manifestly supersymmetric description of A and B branes on Kaehler manifolds using a completely local N=2 superspace formulation of the world-sheet nonlinear sigma-model in the presence of a boundary. In particular, we show that an N=2 superspace description of type A boundaries is possible. This leads to a concrete realization of the still poorly understood coisotropic A branes. We also discuss briefly how the superspace description of a B brane provides an efficient way to compute higher loop beta-functions. In particular, we sketch how one obtains the fourth order derivative correction to the Born-Infeld action by using a beta-function method.Comment: 8 pages, contribution to the proceedings of the Third Workshop of the RTN project 'Constituents, Fundamental Forces and Symmetries of the Universe', Valencia, October 1 - 5, 200

Extended supersymmetry of semichiral sigma model in 4D

Briefly: Using a novel $(1,1)$ superspace formulation of semichiral sigma models with $4D$ target space, we investigate if an extended supersymmetry in terms of semichirals is compatible with having a $4D$ target space with torsion. In more detail: Semichiral sigma models have $(2,2)$ supersymmetry and Generalized K\"ahler target space geometry by construction. They can also support $(4,4)$ supersymmetry and Generalized Hyperk\"ahler geometry, but when the target space is four dimensional indications are that the geometry is restricted to Hyperk\"ahler. To investigate this further, we reduce the model to $(1,1)$ superspace and construct the extra (on-shell) supersymmetries there. We then find the conditions for a lift to $(2,2)$ super space and semichiral fields to exist. Those conditions are shown to hold for Hyperk\"ahler geometries. The $SU(2)\otimes U(1)$ WZW model, which has $(4,4)$ supersymmetry and a semichiral description, is also investigated. The additional supersymmetries are found in $(1,1)$ superspace but shown {\em not} to be liftable to a $(2,2)$ semichiral formulation.Comment: 23 pages. Resubmitted after compilation problem

Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA): Technique of choice for nondestructive bulk analysis of returned comet samples

Prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) is a well-developed analytical technique. The technique involves irradiation of samples in an external neutron beam from a nuclear reactor, with simultaneous counting of gamma rays produced in the sample by neutron capture. Capture of neutrons leads to excited nuclei which decay immediately with the emission of energetic gamma rays to the ground state. PGAA has several advantages over other techniques for the analysis of cometary materials: (1) It is nondestructive; (2) It can be used to determine abundances of a wide variety of elements, including most major and minor elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni), volatiles (H, C, N, F, Cl, S), and some trace elements (those with high neutron capture cross sections, including B, Cd, Nd, Sm, and Gd); and (3) It is a true bulk analysis technique. Recent developments should improve the technique's sensitivity and accuracy considerably

A Comparison of Fick and Maxwell-Stefan Diffusion Formulations in PEMFC Cathode Gas Diffusion Layers

This paper explores the mathematical formulations of Fick and Maxwell-Stefan diffusion in the context of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell cathode gas diffusion layers. Formulations of diffusion combined with mass-averaged Darcy flow are considered for three component gases. Fick formulations can be considered as approximations of Maxwell-Stefan in a certain sense. For this application, the formulations can be compared computationally in a simple, one dimensional setting. We observe that the predictions of the formulations are very similar, despite their seemingly different structure. Analytic insight is given to the result. In addition, it is seen that for both formulations, diffusion laws are small perturbations from bulk flow. The work is also intended as a reference to multi-component gas diffusion formulations in the fuel cell setting.Comment: 12 pages, submitted to the Journal of Power Source

The Campus Credit Card Trap: A Survey of College Students and Credit Card Marketing

Based on in-person surveys at forty colleges and universities, analyzes how students pay for their education, how many use credit cards and in what way, and what their attitudes are toward on-campus credit card marketing and toward efforts to limit it

Study of the dependence of 198Au half-life on source geometry

We report the results of an experiment to determine whether the half-life of \Au{198} depends on the shape of the source. This study was motivated by recent suggestions that nuclear decay rates may be affected by solar activity, perhaps arising from solar neutrinos. If this were the case then the $\beta$-decay rates, or half-lives, of a thin foil sample and a spherical sample of gold of the same mass and activity could be different. We find for \Au{198}, $(T_{1/2})_{\rm foil}/(T_{1/2})_{\rm sphere} = 0.999 \pm 0.002$, where $T_{1/2}$ is the mean half-life. The maximum neutrino flux at the sample in our experiments was several times greater than the flux of solar neutrinos at the surface of the Earth. We show that this increase in flux leads to a significant improvement in the limits that can be inferred on a possible solar contribution to nuclear decays.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figur