All Superparticles are BPS

The generic action for an N-extended superparticle in D-dimensional Minkowski spacetime is shown to have "hidden" supersymmetries (related by "dualities" to the manifest supersymmetries) such that the full supersymmetry algebra is BPS-saturated; the exceptions (which include, trivially, the massless case) are those for which the manifest supersymmetry algebra is already BPS-saturated. Moreover, it is shown that any "non-BPS" superparticle action is a gauge-fixed version of the "BPS" superparticle action for which all supersymmetries are manifest. An example is the N=1 massive D=10 superparticle, which actually has N=2 supersymmetry and is equivalent to the action for a D0-brane of IIA superstring theory.Comment: 13 pages. Minor improvements plus new reference in v

Equivalence of 3D Spinning String and Superstring

We perform a light-cone gauge quantization of the Ramond closed spinning string in three spacetime dimensions (3D). The spectrum is Lorentz invariant and identical to that of the 3D Green-Schwarz closed superstring with ${\cal N}=2$ space-time supersymmetry, quantized in light-cone gauge.Comment: 15 pages. Revised to include discussion of modular invarianc

Routh's procedure for non-Abelian symmetry groups

We extend Routh's reduction procedure to an arbitrary Lagrangian system (that is, one whose Lagrangian is not necessarily the difference of kinetic and potential energies) with a symmetry group which is not necessarily Abelian. To do so we analyse the restriction of the Euler-Lagrange field to a level set of momentum in velocity phase space. We present a new method of analysis based on the use of quasi-velocities. We discuss the reconstruction of solutions of the full Euler-Lagrange equations from those of the reduced equations.Comment: 30 pages, to appear in J Math Phy

Inversion for Non-Smooth Models with Physical Bounds

Geological processes produce structures at multiple scales. A discontinuity in the subsurface can occur due to layering, tectonic activities such as faulting, folding and fractures. Traditional approaches to invert geophysical data employ smoothness constraints. Such methods produce smooth models and thefore sharp contrasts in the medium such as lithological boundaries are not easily discernible. The methods that are able to produce non-smooth models, can help interpret the geological discontinuity. In this paper we examine various approaches to obtain non-smooth models from a finite set of noisy data. Broadly they can be categorized into approaches: (1) imposing non-smooth regularization in the inverse problem and (2) solve the inverse problem in a domain that provides multi-scale resolution, such as wavelet domain. In addition to applying non-smooth constraints, we further constrain the inverse problem to obtain models within prescribed physical bounds. The optimization with non-smooth regularization and physical bounds is solved using an interior point method. We demonstrate the applicability and usefulness of these methods with realistic synthetic examples and provide a field example from crosswell radar data

Neoplasia in Three Aye-Ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis)

Tumours diagnosed in three aged captive aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis), held in two different institutions, are described. A cerebral glioblastoma was diagnosed based on histological and immunohistochemical findings in one of the animals following initial presentation with bilateral mydriasis, absent pupillary reflex, head tilt and ataxia. A second animal was humanely destroyed due to impaired locomotion associated with spondylosis and a post-mortem diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma was made based on histology with further confirmation with immunohistochemical labelling for cytokeratin 7. A third aye-aye suffering from dental disease was diagnosed with an oral squamous cell carcinoma following an excisional biopsy from a non-healing wound in the lip. Due to progression of the neoplasia the animal was humanely destroyed and post-mortem examination revealed the presence on an additional unilateral phaeochromocytoma

Prucalopride for the treatment of women with chronic constipation in whom standard laxative regimens have failed to provide adequate relief

© Queen’s Printer and Controller of HMSO 2011This paper presents a summary of the evidence review group (ERG) report into the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of prucalopride for the treatment of women with chronic constipation in whom standard laxative regimens have failed to provide adequate relief. The ERG report is based on the manufacturer's submission (MS) to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence as part of the single technology appraisal process. In the submission, quality-of-life data [Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) and Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC-SYM) questionnaires] from trials of prucalopride were extrapolated to EQ-5D (European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions) data and used to inform effectiveness in an economic model. Response rates to prucalopride were derived from observed response rates in trials, defined as the proportion of patients achieving an average of three or more spontaneous complete bowel movements over the 4- or 12-week trial periods. Adult (18-64 years) and elderly (≥ 65 years) patients were considered separately in the model. Cost-effectiveness was determined from estimated improvements in EQ-5D and anticipated response rates, adjusted for baseline severity of chronic constipation. The ERG considered that the patients participating in these trials were not representative of those in the licensed indication. They were not all refractory to laxatives, and baseline EQ-5D scores showed a large spread in quality of life, with many patients experiencing little baseline dissatisfaction. The mapping of quality-of-life data from trials (PAC-QOL and PAC-SYM data) to EQ-5D was unclear and invalidated. The assumption of the long-term effectiveness and safety of prucalopride to 1 year was considered unjustified. There was no justification or sources given for coefficients used to predict effectiveness in the economic model, and no costs other than the cost of prucalopride were incorporated into the model. Owing to the many areas of uncertainty, particularly the effectiveness of prucalopride in the licensed patient group and its long-term effectiveness and safety, it was considered that the MS provided no evidence for whether prucalopride is effective or not in women with laxative-refractory chronic constipation. Further subgroup analysis of the actual patient group of interest may have better guided decision-making. However, long-term efficacy data, with validated estimates of quality of life incorporated in a well-founded model, would be important for an evidence-based judgement to be made

Reconstruction of the Late Holocene climate and environmental history from North Bolgoda Lake, Sri Lanka, using lipid biomarkers and pollen records

The catastrophic impact and unpredictability of the Indian Ocean Monsoon (IOM) over South Asia are evident from devastating floods, mudslides and droughts in one of the most densely populated regions of the globe. However, our understanding as to how the IOM has varied in the past, as well as its impact on local environments, remains limited. This is particularly the case for Sri Lanka, where erosional landscapes have limited the availability of well-stratified, high-resolution terrestrial archives. Here, we present novel data from an undisturbed sediment core retrieved from the coastal Bolgoda Lake. This includes the presentation of a revised Late Holocene age model as well as an innovative combination of pollen, source-specific biomarkers, and compound-specific stable carbon isotopes of n-alkanes to reconstruct the shifts in precipitation, salinity and vegetation cover. Our record documents variable climate between 3000 years and the present, with arid conditions c. 2334 and 2067 cal a bp. This extreme dry period was preceded and followed by more wet conditions. The high-resolution palaeoenvironmental reconstruction fills a major gap in our knowledge on the ramifications of IOM shifts across South Asia and provides insights during a time of major redistribution of dense human settlements across Sri Lanka.Introduction Background, materials and methods - Study area and site - Sampling - Age–depth model - Biomarker analysis - Compound‐specific carbon isotope analysis - Pollen analysis Results - Chronology and climate zones - Biomarker trends and ratios of n‐alkanes - Triterpenols - δ13C isotopes in n‐alkanes - Pollen Discussion - Palaeoenvironmental implications - Mangrove vegetation, palaeosalinity changes and droughts - Palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction - Zone 1 (2960 to 2390 cal a bp; 385–252 cm) - Zone 2 (2390 to 1800 cal a bp; 252–140 cm) - Zone 3 (1800 to 1318 cal a bp; 140–60 cm) - Zone 4 (1318 cal a bp to present; 60–0 cm) - South Asian comparisons and potential human implications Conclusion