Golden Ratio Controlled Chaos in Supersymmetric Dynamics

We construct supersymmetric Lagrangians for the recently constructed off-shell worldline N=3 supermultiplet $Y_I/(i D_I X)$ for I=1,2,3, where $Y_I$ and $X$ are standard, Salam-Strathdee superfields: $Y_I$ fermionic and $X$ bosonic. Already the Lagrangian bilinear in component fields exhibits a total of thirteen free parameters, seven of which specify Zeeman-like coupling to external (magnetic) fluxes. All but special subsets of this parameter space describe aperiodic oscillatory response, some of which are controlled by the "golden ratio," $\varphi\approx1.61803$. We also show that all of these Lagrangians admit an $N=3\to 4$ supersymmetry extension, while a subset admits two inequivalent such extensions

Quantum spinning strings in AdS_4 x CP^3: testing the Bethe Ansatz proposal

Recently, an asymptotic Bethe Ansatz that is claimed to describe anomalous dimensions of "long" operators in the planar N=6 supersymmetric three-dimensional Chern-Simons-matter theory dual to quantum superstrings in AdS_4 x CP^3 was proposed. It initially passed a few consistency checks but subsequent direct comparison to one-loop string-theory computations created some controversy. Here we suggest a resolution by pointing out that, contrary to the initial assumption based on the algebraic curve considerations, the central interpolating function h(\lambda) entering the BMN or magnon dispersion relation receives a non-zero one-loop correction in the natural string-theory computational scheme. We consider a basic example which has already played a key role in the AdS_5 x S^5 case: a rigid circular string stretched in both AdS_4 and along an S^1 of CP^3 and carrying two spins. Computing the leading one-loop quantum correction to its energy allows us to fix the constant one-loop term in h(\lambda) and also to suggest how one may establish a correspondence with the Bethe Ansatz proposal, including the non-trivial one-loop phase factor. We discuss some problems which remain in trying to match a part of world-sheet contributions (sensitive to compactness of the string direction) and their Bethe Ansatz counterparts.Comment: 37 pages; v2: references added and typos fixe

Deciphering Inflation with Gravitational Waves: Cosmic Microwave Background Polarization vs. Direct Detection with Laser Interferometers

A detection of the primordial gravitational wave background is considered to be the ``smoking-gun '' evidence for inflation. While super-horizon waves are probed with cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization, the relic background will be studied with laser interferometers. The long lever arm spanned by the two techniques improves constraints on the inflationary potential and validation of consistency relations expected under inflation. If gravitational waves with a tensor-to-scalar amplitude ratio greater than 0.01 are detected by the CMB, then a direct detection experiment with a sensitivity consistent with current concept studies should be pursued vigorously. If no primordial tensors are detected by the CMB, a direct detection experiment to understand the simplest form of inflation must have a sensitivity improved by two to three orders of magnitude over current plans.Comment: 6 pages, 2 color figures. replaced with published version. Full resolution figures are available at http://cfcp.uchicago.edu/~hiranya/CMB_BBO

A new cosmic microwave background constraint to primordial gravitational waves

Primordial gravitational waves (GWs) with frequencies > 10^{-15} Hz contribute to the radiation density of the Universe at the time of decoupling of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). The effects of this GW background on the CMB and matter power spectra are identical to those due to massless neutrinos, unless the initial density-perturbation amplitude for the gravitational-wave gas is non-adiabatic, as may occur if such GWs are produced during inflation or some post-inflation phase transition. In either case, current observations provide a constraint to the GW amplitude that competes with that from big-bang nucleosynthesis (BBN), although it extends to much lower frequencies (~10^{-15} Hz rather than the ~10^{-10} Hz lower limit from BBN): at 95% confidence-level, Omega_gw h^2 < 6.9 x 10^{-6} for homogeneous (i.e., non-adiabatic) initial conditions. Future CMB experiments, like Planck and CMBPol, should allow sensitivities to Omega_gw h^2 < 1.4 x 10^{-6} and Omega_gw h^2 < 5 x 10^{-7}, respectively.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Decentralization, Local Government Fiscal Independence, and Poverty: Evidence from Philippine Provinces

Decentralization has become a popular development program among middle- and low-income economies worldwide. The rationale behind decentralization is the local government’s proximity to consumers gives it an information advantage over the central government on needs and preferences. However, the central government has economies of scale and has access to more resources. Using data from Philippine provinces, this paper studies the relationship between decentralization – as represented by local government fiscal independence and as measured by locally sourced revenues expressed as share of total revenue – and poverty incidence. It finds evidence that fiscal independence is associated with lower poverty, but the relationship is not linear. There is an optimal level of decentralization, beyond which, its relationship with poverty becomes positive. Moreover, the decentralization-poverty relationship is stronger in provinces with good governance, and weaker in provinces with lower income

Comparative Storage and Utilization Analysis of Insulin Across Inpatient Hospital Settings

Insulin is the primary medication used by health systems across the nation to provide glucose control to those patients who need it. As this medication is generally available in a multi-dose vial, proper administration techniques should be used to minimize waste and optimize the cost effectiveness of the drug. Even though dosing guidelines for hospital use of insulin exist each institution has the opportunity to choose their administration technique. In this paper I will to identify administration characteristics utilized by four different hospitals in the central Kentucky area, compare and contrast those techniques through data collection, and analyze the findings to determine the process that reduces the most waste and allows for the most cost effective use of the drug. This study focuses on insulin use processes at the following hospitals: Good Samaritan Hospital (Good Sam), the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center (UKCMC), Baptist Health-Richmond (BH), and the Lexington Veteran’s Affairs Hospital (VA). The purpose of the study is to gain an understanding of the use of insulin at Good Sam by collecting data over a two-week period and comparing that data to each of the other three hospitals. The data for these three hospitals was collected and studied throughout the completion of rotations at each institution. This comparison will allow for the identify of areas for improvement within Good Sam’s current insulin management process. Data collection measures included their insulin storage on the inpatient floors, insulin administration process, insulin purchasing process, and insulin waste process. Data collected at Good Sam was used to determine the amount of insulin waste (in milliliters) being collected each day over the two-week period. An average of that value was obtained and extrapolated to determine an approximate waste per six months. Using the current purchasing data for insulin, I determined the approximate cost of the insulin waste produced at Good Sam. Utilizing the knowledge of the insulin management process at Good Sam I was able to spend the next 18 weeks analyzing three other hospital’s insulin management process to determine ways to better utilize the insulin at Good Sam and to develop strategies to reduce insulin waste. This study serves as the basis for several recommendations to modify the insulin management process used at Good Sam. System wide nursing education on the proper technique to prepare insulin doses will be the foundation of these modifications. This education will include the preparation of the doses to occur at the Pyxis machines (automated dispensing cabinets) rather than the bedside. This minimizes the opportunity for distraction and increases the likelihood that vials will be replaced to their appropriate location to reduce waste. An additional recommendation includes storing vials of the of the insulin types that are used less frequently unopened in the fridge until needed. This will minimize the loss of product due to product expiration

Improved limits on short-wavelength gravitational waves from the cosmic microwave background

The cosmic microwave background (CMB) is affected by the total radiation density around the time of decoupling. At that epoch, neutrinos comprised a significant fraction of the radiative energy, but there could also be a contribution from primordial gravitational waves with frequencies greater than ~ 10^-15 Hz. If this cosmological gravitational wave background (CGWB) were produced under adiabatic initial conditions, its effects on the CMB and matter power spectrum would mimic massless non-interacting neutrinos. However, with homogenous initial conditions, as one might expect from certain models of inflation, pre big-bang models, phase transitions and other scenarios, the effect on the CMB would be distinct. We present updated observational bounds for both initial conditions using the latest CMB data at small scales from the South Pole Telescope (SPT) in combination with Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), current measurements of the baryon acoustic oscillations, and the Hubble parameter. With the inclusion of the data from SPT the adiabatic bound on the CGWB density is improved by a factor of 1.7 to 10^6 Omega_gw < 8.7 at the 95% confidence level (C.L.), with weak evidence in favor of an additional radiation component consistent with previous analyses. The constraint can be converted into an upper limit on the tension of horizon-sized cosmic strings that could generate this gravitational wave component, with Gmu < 2 10^-7 at 95% C.L., for string tension Gmu. The homogeneous bound improves by a factor of 3.5 to 10^6 Omega_gw < 1.0 at 95% C.L., with no evidence for such a component from current data.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure