N=1 supersymmetric path-integral Poisson-Lie duality

We extend the path-integral formulation of Poisson-Lie duality found by Tyurin and von Unge to N=1 supersymmetric sigma-models. Using an explicit representation of the generators of the Drinfel'd double corresponding to GxU(1)^dimG we discuss an application to non-abelian duality. The paper also contains the relevant background and some comments on Poisson-Lie duality.Comment: 23 pages,latex2e,no figures;v2:minor corrections;v3:misprints corrected,final versio

GC-Recomposition-Olfactometry (GC-R) and multivariate study of three terpenoid compounds in the aroma profile of Angostura bitters.

Foods and beverage aroma results from multicomponent mixtures of volatile compounds present in the food that interact with olfactory receptors and produce a perceptual response in the brain. However, the perceptual interactions that occur when complex odor mixtures are combined are not well understood. Here we used Gas chromatography-Recomposition-Olfactometry (GC-R) to better understand the role that individual compounds have on the perceived sensory aroma of bitters. Bitters are the concentrated alcoholic extract of flavorful plant materials with a wide range of complex sensory and chemical aroma profiles that have not been extensively studied. Previously, we demonstrated that Angostura bitters are characterized by complex aroma attributes described as cola, ginger, orange peel, and black pepper and that the volatile composition of Angostura bitters is predominantly composed of terpenoids. Using GC-R to create in-instrument mixtures of the Angostura headspace extracts, the sensory attributes of Angostura extracts with linalool, α-terpinyl-acetate and caryophyllene omitted were evaluated. The omission experiments demonstrated direct and indirect effects of the individual compounds on the aroma attributes of Angostura bitters, through masking, additive, and synergistic interactions. Caryophyllene in particular, which was present in the headspace extracts at concentration only slightly above sensory threshold levels, had a large and unexpected impact on the sensory properties of the mixtures and may be most responsible for the aromas associated with the whole sample. The GC-R and statistical approaches used here provided valuable tools to reveal relationships among individual compounds and aroma attributes of foods that have not been currently theorized using existing analytical approaches

Suicidal behaviour across the African continent:a review of the literature

Background: Suicide is a major cause of premature mortality worldwide, but data on its epidemiology in Africa, the world’s second most populous continent, are limited. Methods: We systematically reviewed published literature on suicidal behaviour in African countries. We searched PubMed, Web of Knowledge, PsycINFO, African Index Medicus, Eastern Mediterranean Index Medicus and African Journals OnLine and carried out citation searches of key articles. We crudely estimated the incidence of suicide and suicide attempts in Africa based on country-specific data and compared these with published estimates. We also describe common features of suicide and suicide attempts across the studies, including information related to age, sex, methods used and risk factors. Results: Regional or national suicide incidence data were available for less than one third (16/53) of African countries containing approximately 60% of Africa’s population; suicide attempt data were available for <20% of countries (7/53). Crude estimates suggest there are over 34,000 (inter-quartile range 13,141 to 63,757) suicides per year in Africa, with an overall incidence rate of 3.2 per 100,000 population. The recent Global Burden of Disease (GBD) estimate of 49,558 deaths is somewhat higher, but falls within the inter-quartile range of our estimate. Suicide rates in men are typically at least three times higher than in women. The most frequently used methods of suicide are hanging and pesticide poisoning. Reported risk factors are similar for suicide and suicide attempts and include interpersonal difficulties, mental and physical health problems, socioeconomic problems and drug and alcohol use/ abuse. Qualitative studies are needed to identify additional culturally relevant risk factors and to understand how risk factors may be connected to suicidal behaviour in different socio-cultural contexts. Conclusions: Our estimate is somewhat lower than GBD, but still clearly indicates suicidal behaviour is an important public health problem in Africa. More regional studies, in both urban and rural areas, are needed to more accurately estimate the burden of suicidal behaviour across the continent. Qualitative studies are required in addition to quantitative studies

On the relation between the propagators of dual theories

In this paper, we show that the propagator of the dual of a general Proca-like theory, derived from the gauging iterative Noether Dualization Method, can be written by means of a simple relation between known propagators. This result is also a demonstration that the Lagrangian obtained by dualization describes the same physical particles as the ones present in the original theory at the expense of introducing new non-physical (ghosts) excitations.Comment: latex, 4 page

Kundelønnsomhet i bank : en casestudie av Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane

Hovedtemaet i denne masterutredningen er hvordan man kan tilnærme seg fenomenet kundelønnsomhet i bank. Vi har ved hjelp av to forskningsspørsmål forsøkt å besvare vår hovedproblemstilling: Hvordan kan vi ved hjelp av dagens registreringssystem og tilgjengelige data i Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane utarbeide en kundelønnsomhetsmodell? Som problemstillingen indikerer, har vi tatt utgangspunkt i én casebank: Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane. Da banken selv ikke benytter seg av modeller for beregning av kundelønnsomhet, valgte vi å gå inn og gjøre en kostnadsanalyse. Hensikten var å identifisere mest mulig kundedrevne kostnader, for senere å inkludere kostnadene i kundelønnsomhetsmodeller. I tillegg til å finne kostnadsdrivere som kunne fordeles på den enkelte kunde, var det viktig for oss at kostnadene var beslutningsrelevante og at det ga styringsmessig meningsfullhet å inkludere dem i modellene. Som et ledd i vår utredning, har det vært viktig å vurdere de faktiske observasjoner opp mot teori. Derfor bygger utredningens teorigrunnlag i stor grad på kostnadsbegreper, analyse av disse, og senere anvendelse i forskjellige kalkulasjonsmetoder. Et funn vi tidlig gjorde, var at bankens kostnadsstruktur er svært kompleks, og dermed en stor utfordring i vår sammenheng. Videre var det krevende å identifisere gode kostnadsdrivere, da en svært liten andel av kostnadene fordeles og registreres på kundenivå. Gjennom utredningen vil det komme frem at fordeling av alle kunderelaterte kostnader er nært umulig. Det lar seg likevel gjøre å lage modeller som fordeler noen av de kostnadene som utgjør den største delen av kundelønnsomhetselementet. Følgelig er det mulig å gjøre beregningen som til en viss grad besvarer spørsmålet mang en bedriftsleder sitter med: Hvor lønnsom er egentlig kunden min