Theoretical and Observational Viability of Modified Gravity

The origin of the late-time cosmic acceleration is one of the most intriguing problems of modern physics; the standard theoretical explanation requires extreme fine-tuning to match observations. Resolution of this puzzle may require modifications to either the assumption that all matter has positive pressure or to the theory of gravity itself on cosmological distance scales. In this dissertation we explore the viability of several promising modifications to gravity unified by the presence of a Vainshtein-type screening mechanism suppressing the modifications within the solar system. In order to remain theoretically and observationally viable, a theory of modified gravity must: 1. be free of unphysical degrees of freedom that lead to instabilities, 2. produce a stable phase of cosmic acceleration, 3. allow stable field configurations around astrophysical objects, and 4. be consistent with measured limits on the strength of fifth forces in various environments. We study three models: that of a scalar called the galileon that mediates a gravitational-strength fifth force, a braneworld-inspired theory of multiple galileons, and the theory of a massive graviton coupled to a galileon. We show that the massive graviton -- galileon theory satisfies the first condition for viability but fails the second and that the multi-galileon theory fails the third condition. The theory of a single galileon satisfies the first three conditions; the last is known to be satisfied in the case of an isolated object. We develop a formalism to make more precise predictions regarding the galileon forces in multi-body systems. Finally, we consider the topological defect solutions of more general scalar theories with noncanonical kinetic terms and show that domain walls can mimic the field profile and energy density of a canonical domain wall, though the two are distinguishable by their fluctuation spectra

Advocating for Gender Equality in a Conservative Christian Nation: An Exploration of the Bahama\u27s 2016 Referendum

Gender expectation plays a significant role in a variety of human interactions, but this is perhaps seen best in the interactions between men and women. This study seeks to understand the way that the effect of gender expectation plays out in the youth of The Bahamas, particularly in the way these expectations affect teenagers understanding of their roles within a sexual or romantic relationship. One way this study seeks to explore this topic is through the examination of the broader religious and cultural history of The Bahamas providing context for its current understanding of gender roles

Instabilities of Spherical Solutions with Multiple Galileons and SO(N) Symmetry

The 4-dimensional effective theory arising from an induced gravity action for a co-dimension greater than one brane consists of multiple galileon fields pi^I, I=1...N, invariant under separate Galilean transformations for each scalar, and under an internal SO(N) symmetry. We study the viability of such models by examining spherically symmetric solutions. We find that for general, non-derivative couplings to matter invariant under the internal symmetry, such solutions exist and exhibit a Vainshtein screening effect. By studying perturbations about such solutions, we find both an inevitable gradient instability and fluctuations propagating at superluminal speeds. These findings suggest that more general, derivative couplings to matter are required for the viability of SO(N) galileon theories.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, comments and references added, version appearing in PR

Doppelganger defects

We study k-defects - topological defects in theories with more than two derivatives and second-order equations of motion - and describe some striking ways in which these defects both resemble and differ from their analogues in canonical scalar field theories. We show that, for some models, the homotopy structure of the vacuum manifold is insufficient to establish the existence of k-defects, in contrast to the canonical case. These results also constrain certain families of DBI instanton solutions in the 4-dimensional effective theory. We then describe a class of k-defect solutions, which we dub doppelgangers, that precisely match the field profile and energy density of their canonical scalar field theory counterparts. We give a complete characterization of Lagrangians which admit doppelganger domain walls. By numerically computing the fluctuation eigenmodes about domain wall solutions, we find different spectra for doppelgangers and canonical walls, allowing us to distinguish between k-defects and the canonical walls they mimic. We search for doppelgangers for cosmic strings by numerically constructing solutions of DBI and canonical scalar field theories. Despite investigating several examples, we are unable to find doppelganger cosmic strings, hence the existence of doppelgangers for defects with codimension >1 remains an open question.Comment: 27 pages, 4 figure

Instabilities of spherical solutions with multiple Galileons and \u3cem\u3eSO\u3c/em\u3e(\u3cem\u3eN\u3c/em\u3e) symmetry

The 4-dimensional effective theory arising from an induced gravity action for a codimension greater than one brane consists of multiple Galileon fields π1, I = 1,...,N, invariant under separate Galilean transformations for each scalar, and under an internal SO(N) symmetry. We study the viability of such models by examining spherically symmetric solutions.We find that for general, nonderivative couplings to matter invariant under the internal symmetry, such solutions exist and exhibit a Vainshtein screening effect. By studying perturbations about such solutions, we find both an inevitable gradient instability and fluctuations propagating at superluminal speeds. These findings suggest that more general, derivative couplings to matter are required for the viability of SOðNÞ Galileon theories

Distinguishing \u3cem\u3ek\u3c/em\u3e-defects from their Canonical Twins

We study k-defects—topological defects in theories with more than two derivatives and second-order equations of motion—and describe some striking ways in which these defects both resemble and differ from their analogues in canonical scalar field theories. We show that, for some models, the homotopy structure of the vacuum manifold is insufficient to establish the existence of k-defects, in contrast to the canonical case. These results also constrain certain families of Dirac-Born-Infeld instanton solutions in the 4-dimensional effective theory. We then describe a class of k-defect solutions, which we dub ‘‘doppelgängers,’’ that precisely match the field profile and energy density of their canonical scalar field theory counterparts. We give a complete characterization of Lagrangians which admit doppelgänger domain walls. By numerically computing the fluctuation eigenmodes about domain wall solutions, we find different spectra for doppelgängers and canonical walls, allowing us to distinguish between k-defects and the canonical walls they mimic. We search for doppelgängers for cosmic strings by numerically constructing solutions of Dirac-Born-Infeld and canonical scalar field theories. Despite investigating several examples, we are unable to find doppelgänger cosmic strings, hence the existence of doppelgängers for defects with codimension \u3e1 remains an open question

Efficacy of a Weight Loss Intervention for African American Breast Cancer Survivors

African American women with breast cancer have higher cancer-specific and overall mortality rates. Obesity is common among African American women and contributes to breast cancer progression and numerous chronic conditions. Weight loss interventions among breast cancer survivors positively affect weight, behavior, biomarkers, and psychosocial outcomes, yet few target African Americans. This article examines the effects of Moving Forward, a weight loss intervention for African American breast cancer survivors (AABCS) on weight, body composition, and behavior