On the Supergravity Evaluation of Wilson Loop Correlators in Confining Theories

We explicitly show the area law behavior of a circular Wilson loop in confining theories from supergravity. We calculate the correlator of two Wilson loops from supergravity in confining backgrounds. We find that it is dominated by an exchange of a ``scalarball'' that is lighter than the glueballs. We interpret these results in terms of the meson-meson potential in such theories.Comment: Latex, 13 pages, 2 figure

Formulation of a dynamic analysis method for a generic family of hoop-mast antenna systems

Analytical studies of mast-cable-hoop-membrane type antennas were conducted using a transfer matrix numerical analysis approach. This method, by virtue of its specialization and the inherently easy compartmentalization of the formulation and numerical procedures, can be significantly more efficient in computer time required and in the time needed to review and interpret the results

Influence of the Oral Microbiome on General Health

The prevalence of edentulism is common worldwide. While improvements in access to healthcare and dental care are reducing the prevalence rate of edentulism, the rapidly growing number of elderly as a percent of the global population will sustain a need for denture therapy for the foreseeable future. While denture use has positive impacts on the quality of life, their use is associated with some problems and risks. Denture stomatitis, a chronic infection-related inflammatory disorder of the oral mucosa, is extremely common and has been reported to occur in up to two-thirds of denture wearers. Importantly, epidemiology studies have shown edentulism and denture wearing, while not proven as causative factors, to be associated with significant increases in risk for serious systemic diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and arthritic disorders. A common linkage across these diseases is an association between increased risk for the disease and chronic inflammation. The nature of surface properties and porosity of denture materials contributes to the attachment of microorganisms and the establishment and growth of the adherent biofilm. Hence, proper denture cleansing is critical in maintaining oral hygiene and general health and perhaps to reduce the risk factors for systemic disease

Restrictive Covenants in Maryland Employment Agreements: A Guide for Drafting

This article pro vides the Maryland lawyer with a practical guide for drafting restrictive covenants in employment agreements. The authors begin with a thorough analysis of the Maryland case law addressing this subject area. They recommend the types of provisions which will provide an employer with maximum protection against future competition by departing employees. The writers conclude with a section on suggested drafting techniques, keeping in mind that such provisions may have to withstand judicial scrutiny should litigation occur

Constructive factorization of LPDO in two variables

We study conditions under which a partial differential operator of arbitrary order $n$ in two variables or ordinary linear differential operator admits a factorization with a first-order factor on the left. The factorization process consists of solving, recursively, systems of linear equations, subject to certain differential compatibility conditions. In the generic case of partial differential operators one does not have to solve a differential equation. In special degenerate cases, such as ordinary differential, the problem is finally reduced to the solution of some Riccati equation(s). The conditions of factorization are given explicitly for second- and, and an outline is given for the higher-order case.Comment: 16 pages, to be published in Journal "Theor. Math. Phys." (2005

Deforming baryons into confining strings

We find explicit probe D3-brane solutions in the infrared of the Maldacena-Nunez background. The solutions describe deformed baryon vertices: q external quarks are separated in spacetime from the remaining N-q. As the separation is taken to infinity we recover known solutions describing infinite confining strings in ${\mathcal{N}}=1$ gauge theory. We present results for the mass of finite confining strings as a function of length. We also find probe D2-brane solutions in a confining type IIA geometry, the reduction of a G_2 holonomy M theory background. The relation between these deformed baryons and confining strings is not as straightforward.Comment: 1+13 pages. LaTeX. 3 Figures. Factor of 2N fixed to N for the IIA background. Minor changes to tex

Supersymmetric defects in the Maldacena-Nunez background

We find supersymmmetric configurations of a D5-brane probe in the Maldacena-Nunez background which are extended along one or two of the spatial directions of the gauge theory. These embeddings are worldvolume solitons which behave as codimension two or one defects in the gauge theory and preserve two of the four supersymmetries of the background.Comment: 37 pages, 2 figures, LaTeX; v2: references adde