Warm p-soup and near extremal black holes

We consider a model of D-dimensional supergravity coupled to elementary p-branes. We use gravitational arguments to deduce the low energy effective theory of N nearly parallel branes. This is a (p+1)-dimensional scalar field theory, where the scalars represent the positions of the branes in their transverse space. We propose that the same theory in a certain temperature regime describes a `soup' of strongly interacting branes, giving a microscopic description of near extremal black p-branes. We use natural approximations to estimate the energy density of this soup as a function of the physical parameters; N, temperature, brane tension and gravitational coupling. We also characterise the horizon radius, measured in the metric natural to the branes, with the thermal vev of the scalars. For both quantities we find agreement with the corresponding supergravity black brane results. Surprisingly, beyond the physical parameters, we are naturally able to reproduce certain irrational factors such as pi's. We comment on how these ideas may explain why black hole thermodynamics arises in gauge theories with holographic duals at finite temperature.Comment: 32 pages, no figure

Holographic renormalization for coincident Dp-branes

We consider holographic renormalization for the decoupling limit of coincident Dp-branes. We truncate the theory to the supergravity sector which is homogeneous on the (8-p)-sphere and carries only RR electric (p+2)-flux, leaving a graviton and two scalar degrees of freedom associated to the dilaton and the sphere radius. We non-linearly construct the asymptotic graviton and dilaton deformations - the analog of the Graham-Fefferman expansion for AdS/CFT - and compute counterterms to give a finite renormalized bulk action and dual one point functions. Restricting to linear deformations we find additional counterterms to include the remaining sphere deformations which strongly deform the asymptotic behaviour.Comment: 17 pages, no figure

Applied statistical modelling to guide the control of introduced mammalian predators in the Murchison Mountains (Fiordland, New Zealand)

Since the rediscovery of Porphyrio hochstetteri (takahē), in the Murchison Mountains (Fiordland, New Zealand) in 1949, there have been continued efforts to protect the species. Takahē numbers have been increasing from a minimum of 120 individuals in 1981, peaking in 2006 when 297 takahē were recorded (168 in the Murchison Mountains). Between 2002 and 2008, an experimental trapping programme was implemented within the Murchison Mountains targeting Mustela erminea (Linnaeus, 1758) (stoats) and Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) (ship/black rats). Approximately 40% of the Murchison Mountains was assigned for intensified predator trapping while the remaining area was left as a control. However, during the period of intensified trapping a stoat plague of unexpected magnitude occurred within the Special Takahē Area (STA); nearly half of the remaining takahē in the Murchison Mountains were killed. Thus, after introducing predator control in the area, the highest levels of observed predation occurred. In the previous decades of takahē monitoring and management with no stoat control, such high predation (40%) was never recorded. My MSc research primarily aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the 2007-2008 stoat plague and develop improved methods and tools for conservation managers. To facilitate the practical application of predictive models for management purposes, I devolop two fully featured software packages with a graphic user interfaces (GUIs) enabling quick, customisable approach to 1) generating artificial neural networks, and 2) a GIS platform to apply neural networks to an area. The predictive models I generate, combined with the software and improved CPUE metrics, can be used to optimise predator management in the Murchison Mountains

Effectiveness of Provider and Community Interventions to Improve Treatment of Uncomplicated Malaria in Nigeria: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

The World Health Organization recommends that malaria be confirmed by parasitological diagnosis before treatment using Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT). Despite this, many health workers in malaria endemic countries continue to diagnose malaria based on symptoms alone. This study evaluates interventions to help bridge this gap between guidelines and provider practice. A stratified cluster-randomized trial in 42 communities in Enugu state compared 3 scenarios: Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) with basic instruction (control); RDTs with provider training (provider arm); and RDTs with provider training plus a school-based community intervention (provider-school arm). The primary outcome was the proportion of patients treated according to guidelines, a composite indicator requiring patients to be tested for malaria and given treatment consistent with the test result. The primary outcome was evaluated among 4946 (93%) of the 5311 patients invited to participate. A total of 40 communities (12 in control, 14 per intervention arm) were included in the analysis. There was no evidence of differences between the three arms in terms of our composite indicator (p = 0.36): stratified risk difference was 14% (95% CI -8.3%, 35.8%; p = 0.26) in the provider arm and 1% (95% CI -21.1%, 22.9%; p = 0.19) in the provider-school arm, compared with control. The level of testing was low across all arms (34% in control; 48% provider arm; 37% provider-school arm; p = 0.47). Presumptive treatment of uncomplicated malaria remains an ingrained behaviour that is difficult to change. With or without extensive supporting interventions, levels of testing in this study remained critically low. Governments and researchers must continue to explore alternative ways of encouraging providers to deliver appropriate treatment and avoid the misuse of valuable medicines

Ma'afala Breadfruit Maturity Indicators and the Influence of Harvest Maturity and 1-Methylcyclopropene on Its Postharvest Quality

M.S

Inhomogeneous post-inflationary Lambda-CDM cosmology as a moduli space expansion

We model the large scale late time universe as a Lambda-CDM cosmology driven by cosmological constant and perfect dust fluid. Our aim is to find new solutions in the matter and Lambda epoch consistent with inflationary initial conditions, namely that to the far past in the matter era the cosmology tends to a flat FLRW solution. We identify the moduli degrees of freedom that parametrize the flat Lambda-dust FLRW solution and then promote these moduli to slowly varying functions of the spatial coordinates and show how to solve the Einstein equations in a comoving gradient expansion, controlled by the cosmological constant length scale. Our initial conditions ensure that the approximation remains under control to the far past of the matter era, and to the far future of Lambda domination. The solution is fully non-perturbative in the amplitude of the metric deformation, and we explicitly construct it to fourth order in derivatives. A general Lambda-dust universe dominated by Lambda in the future is characterized by a 3-metric and a stress tensor (with positive trace) defined on the future conformal boundary. The new cosmologies with inflationary initial conditions are characterized only by the boundary 3-metric, the stress tensor being locally determined entirely in terms of that metric.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figur

Australia's coastal waters are rich in Indigenous cultural heritage, but it remains hidden and under threat

[Extract] In two new studies published in Australian Archaeology, we outline approaches to help us better understand and manage Indigenous underwater cultural heritage. Through a two-pronged approach at both the local and regional level, we review big data to predict the location of sites. We also put boots on the ground and divers in the water to find and record them

A systematic review of the effect of therapists’ internalised models of relationships on the quality of the therapeutic relationship

The quality of the therapeutic relationship has been identified as a key factor in predicting client outcomes, accounting for around 8% of variation (Horvath, Del Re, Flückiger, & Symonds, 2011; Martin, Garske, & Davis, 2000; Wampold, 2001). Although therapist factors have been seen as less relevant to therapeutic relationship quality than client factors, focus on therapist factors has steadily increased in line with the view that the therapist responds differently to different clients, due to their own personal characteristics and unconscious processes. Relational theory suggests that the therapist’s particular qualities combine with the client’s particular qualities to form a unique interpersonal context (e.g. Wachtel, 2008). Safran and Muran (2000) suggest that the interpersonal context is heavily influenced by client and therapist internalised patterns of relating formed in early childhood. Evidence shows that certain therapist factors do affect therapeutic relationship quality; the qualities of dependability, warmth and responsiveness in therapists have all been found to create stronger alliances (Ackerman & Hilsenroth, 2003). The importance of these mostly interpersonal characteristics imply that the internalised relational models of therapists may also be important in determining the type of relationship that is built and the therapeutic processes occurring within

A cost-effectiveness analysis of provider and community interventions to improve the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Nigeria: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is mounting evidence of poor adherence by health service personnel to clinical guidelines for malaria following a symptomatic diagnosis. In response to this, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that in all settings clinical suspicion of malaria should be confirmed by parasitological diagnosis using microscopy or Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT). The Government of Nigeria plans to introduce RDTs in public health facilities over the coming year. In this context, we will evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of two interventions designed to support the roll-out of RDTs and improve the rational use of ACTs. It is feared that without supporting interventions, non-adherence will remain a serious impediment to implementing malaria treatment guidelines. METHODS/DESIGN: A three-arm stratified cluster randomized trial is used to compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of: (1) provider malaria training intervention versus expected standard practice in malaria diagnosis and treatment; (2) provider malaria training intervention plus school-based intervention versus expected standard practice; and (3) the combined provider plus school-based intervention versus provider intervention alone. RDTs will be introduced in all arms of the trial. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients attending facilities that report a fever or suspected malaria and receive treatment according to malaria guidelines. This will be measured by surveying patients (or caregivers) as they exit primary health centers, pharmacies, and patent medicine dealers. Cost-effectiveness will be presented in terms of the primary outcome and a range of secondary outcomes, including changes in provider and community knowledge. Costs will be estimated from both a societal and provider perspective using standard economic evaluation methodologies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01350752