II in generalized supergravity

We showed in previous work that for homogeneous Yang-Baxter (YB) deformations of AdS$_5\times$S$^5$, the open string metric and coupling, and as a result the closed string density $e^{-2 \Phi} \sqrt{g}$, remain undeformed. In this work, in addition to extending these results to the deformation associated with the modified CYBE, or $\eta$-deformation, we identify the Page forms as the open string counterpart for RR fields and demonstrate case by case that the non-zero Page forms remain invariant under YB deformations. We give a physical meaning to the Killing vector $I$ of generalized supergravity and show for all YB deformations: 1) $I$ appears as a current for center of mass motion on the worldvolume of a D-branes probing the background, 2) $I$ is equal to the divergence of the noncommutativity parameter, 3) $I$ exhibits "holographic" behavior, where the radial component of $I$ vanishes at the AdS boundary, and 4) in pure spinor formalism $I$ is related to a certain state in the BRST cohomology.Comment: 11 pages, 2 column; v2 references updated; v3 to appear in EPJ

Can the string scale be related to the cosmic baryon asymmetry?

In a previous work, a mechanism was presented by which baryon asymmetry can be generated during inflation from elliptically polarized gravitons. Nonetheless, the mechanism only generated a realistic baryon asymmetry under special circumstances which requires an enhancement of the lepton number from an unspecified GUT. In this note we provide a stringy embedding of this mechanism through the Green-Schwarz mechanism, demonstrating that if the model-independent axion is the source of the gravitational waves responsible for the lepton asymmetry, one can observationally constrain the string scale and coupling.Comment: 12 Pages, typo corrected in the tex

'Help for hay fever', a goal-focused intervention for people with intermittent allergic rhinitis, delivered in Scottish community pharmacies: study protocol for a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial

<b>Background</b> Despite the availability of evidence-based guidelines for managing allergic rhinitis in primary care, management of the condition in the United Kingdom (UK) remains sub-optimal. Its high prevalence and negative effects on quality of life, school performance, productivity and co-morbid respiratory conditions (in particular, asthma), and high health and societal costs, make this a priority for developing novel models of care. Recent Australian research demonstrated the potential of a community pharmacy-based ‘goal-focused’ intervention to help people with intermittent allergic rhinitis to self-manage their condition better, reduce symptom severity and improve quality of life. In this pilot study we will assess the transferability of the goal-focused intervention to a UK context, the suitability of the intervention materials, procedures and outcome measures and collect data to inform a future definitive UK randomized controlled trial (RCT). <p></p> <b>Methods/design</b> A pilot cluster RCT with associated preliminary economic analysis and embedded qualitative evaluation. The pilot trial will take place in two Scottish Health Board areas: Grampian and Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Twelve community pharmacies will be randomly assigned to intervention or usual care group. Each will recruit 12 customers seeking advice or treatment for intermittent allergic rhinitis. Pharmacy staff in intervention pharmacies will support recruited customers in developing strategies for setting and achieving goals that aim to avoid/minimize triggers for, and eliminate/minimize symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Customers recruited in non-intervention pharmacies will receive usual care. The co-primary outcome measures, selected to inform a sample size calculation for a future RCT, are: community pharmacy and customer recruitment and completion rates; and effect size of change in the validated mini-Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire between baseline, one-week and six-weeks post-intervention. Secondary outcome measures relate to changes in symptom severity, productivity, medication adherence and self-efficacy. Quantitative data about accrual, retention and economic measures, and qualitative data about participants’ experiences during the trial will be collected to inform the future RCT.<P></P> <b>Discussion</b> This work will lay the foundations for a definitive RCT of a community pharmacy-based ‘goal-focused’ self-management intervention for people with intermittent allergic rhinitis. Results of the pilot trial are expected to be available in April 2013

Estimation of near-surface attenuation in bedrock for analysis of intraplate seismic hazard

The significance of near-surface attenuation in bedrock, as distinct from attenuation in unconsolidated soft soil sediments, has been identified. The k parameter, which characterizes the extent of this attenuation mechanism, is generally difficult to measure, particularly in regions of low and moderate seismicity. Empirical correlation of k with the near-surface shear wave velocity parameter in rock has been developed using global information obtained from limited independent studies. The influence of shaking intensity on the value of k has been found to be negligible in conditions that are consistent with the average seismicity of Australia (as also for other intraplate regions). Thus, adjustment in the value of k to account for variations in earthquake magnitude, or the intensity of ground shaking, has not been recommended for intraplate conditions. In parallel with the empirical correlations, values of k have also been obtained from calibration analyses employing stochastic simulations of the seismological model, along with onedimensional non-linear shear wave analyses of the rock layers. Good agreement in the values of k obtained from the different approaches has been demonstrated. The correlation of k with the near-surface shear wave velocity of rock, as recommended in this paper, has thereby been reaffirmed

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary stenting

Objective: Bilary stenting with endoprosthesis is a palliative procedure to relieve malignant biliary obstruction. Percutaneous transhepatic technique has been employed whenever endoscopic technique was not possible or had failed.SETTING: Angiography/intervention suite, department of radiology, Aga Khan University hospital, Karachi.Methods: We present retrospective analysis of 17 patients with malignant jaundice who were treated with percutaneous techniques after the endoscopic route had failed.Results: The success rate was 94% with placement of single plastic stent in 14 patients, double stents in 3 patients and self-expandable stent in one patient. The overall complication rate was 41% including sepsis, liver abscess, biloma formation, biliary leakage and stent occlusion. There was one procedure related death due to severe sepsis.CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transhepatic biliary stenting is an alternative procedure to relieve malignant biliary obstruction with high complication rate and should be reserved for selected patients in whom endoscopic route has failed

Islam, Alcohol, and Identity: Towards a Critical Muslim Studies Approach

Framed in a critical Muslim studies approach, this article offers a new understanding of the Ḥanafī position on alcohol, following major public debates on the question of alcohol sparked by prominent members of Al-Azhar University (Egypt) in 2012. Close textual analysis of a range of primary sources in Arabic and Urdu are foundational to the article, as are the categorisation and contextualisation of Ḥanafī discourse. This is all but a starting point, however, for an argument that constitutes a radical break from conventional Islamic studies, seen as "normal science," in its critique of hegemonic discourses which have essentialised Islam on the basis of specific ontic manifestations, such as the prohibition of alcohol

Second Backbend in the Mass A ~ 180 Region

Within the framework of selfconsistent cranked Hartree-Fock- Bogoliubov theory(one-dimensional) we predict second backbend in the yrast line of Os-182 at $I \approx 40$, which is even sharper than the first one observed experimentally at $I \approx 14$. Around such a high spin the structure becomes multi-quasiparticle type, but the main source of this strong discontinuity is a sudden large alignment of i_13/2 proton orbitals along the rotation axis followed soon by the alignment of j_15/2 neutron orbitals. This leads to drastic structural changes at such high spins. When experimentally confirmed, this will be observed for the first time in this mass region, and will be at the highest spin so far.Comment: 13 pages, 4 ps figure