Supersymmetric AdS Backgrounds in String and M-theory

We first present a short review of general supersymmetric compactifications in string and M-theory using the language of G-structures and intrinsic torsion. We then summarize recent work on the generic conditions for supersymmetric AdS_5 backgrounds in M-theory and the construction of classes of new solutions. Turning to AdS_5 compactifications in type IIB, we summarize the construction of an infinite class of new Sasaki-Einstein manifolds in dimension 2k+3 given a positive curvature Kahler-Einstein base manifold in dimension 2k. For k=1 these describe new supergravity duals for N=1 superconformal field theories with both rational and irrational R-charges and central charge. We also present a generalization of this construction, that has not appeared elsewhere in the literature, to the case where the base is a product of Kahler-Einstein manifolds.Comment: LaTeX, 35 pages, to appear in the proceedings of the 73rd Meeting between Physicists and Mathematicians "(A)dS/CFT correspondence", Strasbourg, September 11-13, 200

The affective quality of human-natural environment relationships

Using a psychometric methodology the present study explored the associations between natural environments and experiential feeling states. The effects of the frequency of participants‟ (N = 90) experience of the natural environment and of the location of their childhood upbringing were also investigated. Ten natural environments mapped on to an orthogonal two-component experiential structure labeled Eudemonia (ostensibly positive feelings) and Apprehension (ostensibly negative feelings). Generally, the more natural environments tended to be associated with higher eudemonia and higher apprehension, the less natural environments with both lower eudemonia and lower apprehension. In line with expectations, participants from rural childhood locations, compared with urban participants, reported less Apprehension and participants with greater experience of the natural environment, compared with participants with less experience, reported greater Eudemonia and less Apprehension. Results are discussed in relation to environmental experiences and affective psychological wellbeing

Sasaki-Einstein Metrics on S^2 x S^3

We present a countably infinite number of new explicit co-homogeneity one Sasaki-Einstein metrics on S^2 x S^3, in both the quasi-regular and irregular classes. These give rise to new solutions of type IIB supergravity which are expected to be dual to N=1 superconformal field theories in four-dimensions with compact or non-compact R-symmetry and rational or irrational central charges, respectively.Comment: 20 pages. v2: references added, typos corrected. v3: minor typos correcte

A New Infinite Class of Sasaki-Einstein Manifolds

We show that for every positive curvature Kahler-Einstein manifold in dimension 2n there is a countably infinite class of associated Sasaki-Einstein manifolds X_{2n+3} in dimension 2n+3. When n=1 we recover a recently discovered family of supersymmetric AdS_5 x X_5 solutions of type IIB string theory, while when n=2 we obtain new supersymmetric AdS_4 x X_7 solutions of D=11 supergravity. Both are expected to provide new supergravity duals of superconformal field theories.Comment: 12 pages. v2: minor typos corrected, comment on generalisation to product base manifold

From the Desert to the Courtroom: The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act

American servicemembers are returning from the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq to find that the jobs they left behind no longer exist. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) is supposed to guarantee that members of the armed services will not suffer adverse employment repercussions on the basis of their military service. Despite USERRA\u27s substantial protections, servicemembers continue to fear that they will lose their jobs upon deployment or face significant reductions in pay and benefits upon returning to work. To qualify for the benefits of the statute, a servicemember must reapply for his old position. The Supreme Court has directed lower courts to give the statute a liberal construction for the benefit of those who have served their country. Lower courts have generally followed the Supreme Court\u27s guidance by giving USERRA\u27s application requirement liberal construction. However, some courts have employed overly technical interpretations of the application requirement of the Act, depriving individuals of valuable rights. This Note analyzes the relevant legislative history and case law of USERRA and its predecessor statutes, and concludes that a minority of courts have given insufficient effect to the remedial intent of the Act. This Note suggests either a judicial or legislative solution to remedy potentially harsh results for servicemembers. This Note argues in favor of the Second Circuit\u27s interpretation of the application requirement, which provides that technical failures in the form of the application should not prevent USERRA\u27s rehiring mandate from obligating the employer to reinstate the servicemember. An adjustment to the application requirement will provide clarity for employers and aid servicemembers in securing their rights under USERRA

AdS_5 Solutions of Type IIB Supergravity and Generalized Complex Geometry

We use the formalism of generalized geometry to study the generic supersymmetric AdS_5 solutions of type IIB supergravity that are dual to N=1 superconformal field theories (SCFTs) in d=4. Such solutions have an associated six-dimensional generalized complex cone geometry that is an extension of Calabi-Yau cone geometry. We identify generalized vector fields dual to the dilatation and R-symmetry of the dual SCFT and show that they are generalized holomorphic on the cone. We carry out a generalized reduction of the cone to a transverse four-dimensional space and show that this is also a generalized complex geometry, which is an extension of Kahler-Einstein geometry. Remarkably, provided the five-form flux is non-vanishing, the cone is symplectic. The symplectic structure can be used to obtain Duistermaat-Heckman type integrals for the central charge of the dual SCFT and the conformal dimensions of operators dual to BPS wrapped D3-branes. We illustrate these results using the Pilch-Warner solution.Comment: 56 pages; v2: minor changes, version to be published in Commun. Math. Phy

CSI Flight Computer System and experimental test results

This paper describes the CSI Computer System (CCS) and the experimental tests performed to validate its functionality. This system is comprised of two major components: the space flight qualified Excitation and Damping Subsystem (EDS) which performs controls calculations; and the Remote Interface Unit (RIU) which is used for data acquisition, transmission, and filtering. The flight-like RIU is the interface between the EDS and the sensors and actuators positioned on the particular structure under control. The EDS and RIU communicate over the MIL-STD-1553B, a space flight qualified bus. To test the CCS under realistic conditions, it was connected to the Phase-0 CSI Evolutionary Model (CEM) at NASA Langley Research Center. The following schematic shows how the CCS is connected to the CEM. Various tests were performed which validated the ability of the system to perform control/structures experiments

Climate variability, climate change and water resource strategies for small municipalities

In many parts of the world, variability in climatic conditions is already resulting in wide ranging impacts, especially on water resources and agriculture. Climate variability is already being observed to be increasing, although there remain uncertainties about the link to climate change. However, the link to water management problems is obvious. Water is a limiting resource for development in South Africa and a change in water supply could have major implications in most sectors of the economy, especially in the agriculture sector. Factors that contribute to vulnerability in water systems in southern Africa include seasonal and inter-annual variations in rainfall, which are amplified by high run-off production and evaporation rates. Current modelling scenarios suggest that there will be significant climate change1 impacts in South Africa (Hewitson et al. 2005). Climate change is expected to alter the present hydrological resources in southern Africa and add pressure on the adaptability of future water resources (Schulze & Perks 2000). During the past 20 years, most of Africa has experienced extensive droughts, the last three being 1986-88, 1991-92 and 1997-98 (after Chenje & Johnson 1996). If the occurrence of drought became more frequent, the impact on water resources and consequently agriculture would be significant

A Demographic Analysis of Metro/Nonmetro Differences in Adult Normal Weight, Overweight, and Obesity

Overweight and obesity prevalence is increasing throughout the United States, and these two health conditions seem to disproportionately affect certain segments of the adult population. To date little research has examined adult differences in normal weight, overweight, and obesity by metropolitan or nonmetropolitan residential status while controlling for important demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and health status characteristics. This research helps to fill this gap. We used data from the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to empirically assess predictors of overweight and obesity risk for all adults and then by residential location. Multinomial logistic regression techniques were used to estimate relative risk ratios for an adult being overweight or obese compared with normal weight for all adults and stratified by residential location. Among all adults, a nonmetro weight disadvantage was noted, with nonmetro adults having increased odds of being overweight or obese compared with normal weight. Interestingly, the residence stratified model indicates that race/ethnicity was not as important of a predictor of overweight or obesity for nonmetro residents as it was for metro residents, and far fewer behavioral and health status characteristics determined overweight status for nonmetro adults compared with metro adults; similar associations were noted between these characteristics for obesity status in both metro and nonmetro areas. This research highlights the need for health policies and programs to consider residential location when implementing strategies for weight management and loss for adults in the United States