Magnetized black holes and black rings in the higher dimensional dilaton gravity

In this paper we consider magnetized black holes and black rings in the higher dimensional dilaton gravity. Our study is based on exact solutions generated by applying a Harrison transformation to known asymptotically flat black hole and black ring solutions in higher dimensional spacetimes. The explicit solutions include the magnetized version of the higher dimensional Schwarzschild-Tangherlini black holes, Myers-Perry black holes and five dimensional (dipole) black rings. The basic physical quantities of the magnetized objects are calculated. We also discuss some properties of the solutions and their thermodynamics. The ultrarelativistic limits of the magnetized solutions are briefly discussed and an explicit example is given for the $D$-dimensional magnetized Schwarzschild-Tangherlini black holes.Comment: LaTeX, 23 pages; v2 references and comments added, some typos corrected;v3 minor change

SENTENCING RAPE – A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

This thesis presents a comparative study of how the courts in various common law jurisdictions sentence the crime of rape. The thesis begins by considering the seriousness of the offence through a review of the medical literature on the physical and psychological effects of rape. The legal and philosophical literature on the wrongness of rape is then considered, along with the victim’s role in sentencing. The discussion then turns towards sentencing practice in four jurisdictions: Scotland, England and Wales, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland. By employing a legal comparativist approach, the thesis compares rape sentencing across these jurisdictions in order to suggest possible reform of how the offence is sentenced in Scotland. The study thus presents a historical, philosophical and juridical analysis of rape sentencing. In particular, reliance is placed on analysis of reported case law, appellate sentencing guidance, appellate sentencing guidelines and, where applicable, formal guidelines issued by statutory bodies along with associated academic commentary. Having considered the sentencing methodology of the courts in each of the four jurisdictions and having proceeded to consider the nature of any general sentencing guidance or particular sentencing guidelines, the thesis argues that reform of Scottish sentencing practice for rape is required. In particular, it is argued that sentencing guidelines are required in Scotland to guide judicial sentencing discretion. It is also argued that such sentencing guidance as does exist in Scotland – especially regarding the sentencing of relationship rape – neither adequately reflects the seriousness of the offence nor reflects modern societal attitudes towards rape. Drawing on the experiences of the courts in the three other jurisdictions examined in the thesis, the study concludes by making suggestions for the reform of Scottish sentencing practice

Small Groups and the Sabbath School

Problem: The Seventh-day Adventist Church is experiencing world-wide growth. At the same time the Church is North America and Australia is faced with a decline in the percentage of members who are attending Sabbath School. This decline over the past decade and more has occurred in Sabbath School, which normally offers members small study classes. Yet the use of small groups is recognised by church growth leaders as an important factor in helping churches grow. The purpose of this research is to enquire whether the dynamics of small groups will enhance the effectiveness of Sabbath School classes to attract and retain members. Method: A Biblical understanding of the nature of the church and her relationship with Christ was sought, in order to draw insights and emphases from the New Testament about small groups. This laid the foundation for enquiring about the role of small groups in church growth today, and the dynamics that social scientists believe operate within small groups. This study has enabled the development of a small group experiment as a dynamic learning experience to observe group growth and the impact of group experience on a Sabbath School class. Procedure: Members of the church became the personnel of both a newly formed small group and a Sabbath School class. This ministry project applied the principles of effective group development - both spiritual and social - to a series of Tuesday evening meetings over five months. Essentially the same group of people met in a small Sabbath School class for four and one-half months. Assessing instruments were given to the group members and also a control Sabbath School class. Results: There were positive indications of a growing fellowship within the small group which increased acceptance and trust as members became more willing to reveal their formerly little known selves. Participation became more balanced at group meetings, and the social interaction presented greater opportunity for members to help one another in mutual ministry. There is reason to believe that this has considerable bearing upon an increased attitude of satisfaction with Sabbath School and class interaction in particular. Members of the group have made a decided choice to continue their developing group experience and Sabbath School class beyond the term of experimentation and without the presence of the researcher. This indicates the sense of identity and belonging which has grown and can now be channelled into the task of group evangelism. Conclusion: Considerable encouragement is derived from this study which suggests that the effectiveness of Sabbath School classes can be increased by the association of class members in close proximity as a small group meeting for spiritual and social interaction. The enrichment derived from implementing small group dynamics may indicate a growing significance for the establishment of small groups within the church structure of celebration, congregation, and cell, for individual development, church maintenance, and evangelistic task

A high-throughput screening method for determining the substrate scope of nitrilases

Nitrile compounds are intermediates in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals such as atorvastatin. We have developed a chromogenic reagent to screen for nitrilase activity as an alternative to Nessler's reagent. It produces a semi-quantifiable blue colour and hydrolysis of 38 nitrile substrates by 23 nitrilases as cell-free extracts has been shown

Anisotropic focusing characteristics of micro-domain structures within crystalline Sr_0.61Ba_0.39Nb₂O₆ : the crystal ball

We report the anisotropic focusing characteristics of a spherically configured region of micro-domains that have been induced within a cubic shaped crystal of Ce:doped Sr0.61Ba0.39Nb2O6. The internal spherical structure focuses extraordinary polarised light, but not ordinary polarised. The spherical region, which is easily observed via scattering, is formed as the crystal cools down, after a repoling cycle through the Curie temperature, with an applied field. Analytic modelling of the thermal gradients that exist within the crystal during cooling reveals a small (< 1°) temperature difference between the central and outside regions. The similarity in shape between these temperature profiles and the observed scattering region suggests a possible mechanism for the growth of this spherical micro-domained structure

The expression and prognostic significance of retinoic acid metabolising enzymes in colorectal cancer

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Formal network behaviour analysis using model checking

In this research we modelled computer network devices to ensure their communication behaviours meet various network standards. By modelling devices as finite-state machines and examining their properties in a range of configurations, we discovered a flaw in a common network protocol and produced a technique to improve organisations' network security against data theft

Candida albicans colonization and dissemination from the murine gastrointestinal tract : the influence of morphology and Th17 immunity

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This work was supported by the Wellcome Trust (086558, 080088, 102705), a Wellcome Trust Strategic Award (097377) and a studentship from the University of Aberdeen. D.K. was supported by grant 5R01AI083344 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and by a Voelcker Young Investigator Award from the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

NGX-4010, a capsaicin 8% patch, for the treatment of painful HIV-associated distal sensory polyneuropathy: integrated analysis of two phase III, randomized, controlled trials

BACKGROUND HIV-associated distal sensory polyneuropathy (HIV-DSP) is the most frequently reported neurologic complication associated with HIV infection. NGX-4010 is a capsaicin 8% dermal patch with demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of HIV-DSP. Data from two phase III, double-blind studies were integrated to further analyze the efficacy and safety of NGX-4010 and explore the effect of demographic and baseline factors on NGX-4010 treatment in HIV-DSP. METHODS Data from two similarly designed studies in which patients with HIV-DSP received NGX-4010 or a low-concentration control patch (capsaicin 0.04% w/w) for 30 or 60 minutes were integrated. Efficacy assessments included the mean percent change from baseline in Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores to Weeks 2-12. Safety and tolerability assessments included adverse events (AEs) and pain during and after treatment. RESULTS Patients (n = 239) treated with NGX-4010 for 30 minutes demonstrated significantly (p = 0.0026) greater pain relief compared with controls (n = 100); the mean percent change in NPRS scores from baseline to Weeks 2-12 was -27.0% versus -15.7%, respectively. Patients who received a 60-minute application of NGX-4010 (n = 243) showed comparable pain reductions (-27.5%) to patients treated for 30 minutes, but this was not statistically superior to controls (n = 115). NGX-4010 was effective regardless of gender, baseline pain score, duration of HIV-DSP, or use of concomitant neuropathic pain medication, although NGX-4010 efficacy was greater in patients not receiving concomitant neuropathic pain medications. NGX-4010 was well tolerated; the most common AEs were application-site pain and erythema, and most AEs were mild to moderate. The transient increase in pain associated with NGX-4010 treatment decreased the day after treatment and returned to baseline by Day 2. CONCLUSIONS A single 30-minute application of NGX-4010 provides significant pain relief for at least 12 weeks in patients with HIV-DSP and is well tolerated. TRIAL REGISTRATION C107 = NCT00064623; C119 = NCT00321672