Theory of Materials and Finishes 1

Exam paper for second semester: Theory of Materials and Finishes

Integrable Spin Chains with U(1)^3 symmetry and generalized Lunin-Maldacena backgrounds

We consider the most general three-state spin chain with U(1)^3 symmetry and nearest neighbour interaction. Our model contains as a special case the spin chain describing the holomorphic three scalar sector of the three parameter complex deformation of N=4 SYM, dual to type IIB string theory in the generalized Lunin-Maldacena backgrounds discovered by Frolov. We formulate the coordinate space Bethe ansatz, calculate the S-matrix and determine for which choices of parameters the S-matrix fulfills the Yang-Baxter equations. For these choices of parameters we furthermore write down the R-matrix. We find in total four classes of integrable models. In particular, each already known model of the above type is nothing but one in a family of such models.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figures, references correcte

A note on the universality of the Hagedorn behavior of pp-wave strings

Following on from recent studies of string theory on a one-parameter family of integrable deformations of $AdS_{5}\times S^{5}$ proposed by Lunin and Maldacena, we carry out a systematic analysis of the high temperature properties of type IIB strings on the associated pp-wave geometries. In particular, through the computation of the thermal partition function and free energy we find that not only does the theory exhibit a Hagedorn transition in both the $(J,0,0)$ and $(J,J,J)$ class of pp-waves, but that the Hagedorn temperature is insensitive to the deformation suggesting an interesting universality in the high temperature behaviour of the pp-wave string theory. We comment also on the implications of this universality on the confinement/deconfinement transition in the dual $\mathcal{N}=1$ Leigh-Strassler deformation of ${\cal N}=4$ Yang-Mills theory.Comment: 25 pages; fixed minor typo; added reference

Commercially Important Medicinal Plants of South Africa: A Review

There is a growing interest in natural plant-based remedies as a source for commercial products. Around 80% of the South African population use traditional medicines to meet their primary health care needs; however, only a few South African medicinal plants have been exploited to their full potential in terms of commercialization. The opportunity for bioprospecting of plant compounds for novel pharmaceuticals remains largely untapped. Certain renowned medicinal plants of international acclaim including buchu and rooibos are currently contributing to local enterprise; however, other exciting opportunities exist for commonly used plants which have not yet reached the international arena. This paper focuses on the key research and development contributions of 10 commercially important medicinal plants of South Africa. Traditional uses, scientific validation, commercialisation developments, as well as both potential opportunities and setbacks are discussed

ABJM Dibaryon Spectroscopy

We extend the proposal for a detailed map between wrapped D-branes in Anti-de Sitter space and baryon-like operators in the associated dual conformal field theory provided in hep-th/0202150 to the recently formulated AdS_4 \times CP^3/ABJM correspondence. In this example, the role of the dibaryon operator of the 3-dimensional CFT is played by a D4-brane wrapping a CP^2 \subset CP^3. This topologically stable D-brane in the AdS_4 \times CP^3 is nothing but one-half of the maximal giant graviton on CP^3.Comment: 26 page

Is pregnancy termination being used as a family planning method in the Free State?

Background: This study determined the profile of women seeking termination of pregnancy (TOP) in the Free State and whether TOP was used as a family planning method. Methods: Seven hundred and fifty women (15-47 years old) seeking TOP at the Reproductive Health Unit of the National Hospital in Bloemfontein were included in this cross-sectional study. The women who gave verbal consent completed a questionnaire during counselling. Results: The median age of the participants was 24 years and 77.3% were single. Most participants (73.3%) were not using any family planning method at the time of the study. One-fifth (19.1%) had previously had at least one TOP, while for 80.9% of the participants it was their first visit. Some participants (16.6%) considered TOP a family planning method, 39.7% were unsure and 43.7% indicated that TOP is not a family planning method. Thirty-nine women failed to answer this question. When asked the reason for TOP, 3.5% chose the option “contraceptive method”. Conclusions: The relatively high percentage of participants who consider TOP a contraceptive method or are unsure, associated with the fact that most were young, single, not using contraception and had applied for induced abortion just because the conception represented an unwanted pregnancy, implies that some of our population is not aware that termination of pregnancy is not a family planning method. Keywords: termination of pregnancy, family planning methodSouth African Family Practice Vol. 47(5) 2005: 52-5

Knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS symptoms of women receiving termination of pregnancy, Bloemfontein

In 2002, we conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the profile of women seeking termination of pregnancy (TOP) in the Free State and to find out whether TOP was being used as a family planning method. The participants' contraceptive use and termination of pregnancy profile have been described elsewhere.1 This letter describes the knowledge of STD and HIV/AIDS symptoms of women seeking TOP. Seven hundred and fifty consecutive women between 15 and 47 years of age who visited the Reproductive Health Unit at National Hospital (Bloemfontein) for the purpose of termination of pregnancy (TOP) from April to November 2002 were included in this study. A nurse opened a file for each woman arriving at the Reproductive Health Unit before the doctor's examination during which the gestational age was determined.For full text, click here:SA Fam Pract 2006;48(3):17-1

The AdS 3 × S 3 × S 3 × S 1 worldsheet S matrix

We investigate type IIB strings on AdS 3 × S 3 × S 3 × S 1 with mixed Ramond–Ramond and Neveu–Schwarz–Neveu–Schwarz flux. By suitably gauge-fixing the closed string Green–Schwarz action of this theory, we derive the off-shell symmetry algebra and its representations. We use these to determine the non-perturbative worldsheet S matrix of fundamental excitations in the theory. The analysis involves both massive and massless modes in complete generality. The S matrix we find involves a number of phase factors, which in turn satisfy crossing equations that we also determine. We comment on the nature of the heaviest modes of the theory, but leave their identification either as composites or bound-states to a future investigation

Use of traditional medicine versus use of the community-based primary health care clinic by the San community at Platfontein

Introduction: Working amongst a San community led to the observation that, despite the availability of modern healthcare, high mortality and morbidity associated with disease, such as dehydration, malnutrition and tuberculosis, still prevailed.This study aimed to determine how traditional beliefs and customs influenced the utilisation of Western medicine. Methods: An observational-descriptive study was conducted. Consenting patients, facilitated by interpreters, completed questionnaires during consultations conducted by nurses and the principal investigator at the Platfontein primary healthcare (PHC) clinic. Results: Of the 113 participants, two-thirds were female. The median age was 40 years; 56.7% lacked formal education; 42.5% conversed only in their native tongue. The initial use of the PHC facility was high (71.4%), even though 37% of the participants visited a traditional healer in the preceding year. Circumcision was the condition for which traditional healers were consulted most commonly (28.8%). Conditions preferably requiring clinic visitation were coughing (51.4%), pain (35.1%) and diarrhoea (34.2%). Of the participants leading mostly a traditional lifestyle (n = 48), 30.6 % indicated that they did not use traditional medicine or healers; 72.9% indicated that illness could be caused by a spell. Of the participantsnot leading a traditional lifestyle (n = 41), 85.4% indicated that they did not use traditional medicine; 41.4% indicated that illness could be caused by a spell.Conclusion: The assumption that the mortality and morbidity observed for certain conditions were due to the preference for traditional medicine in this community could not be confirmed. Doctors working amongst isolated communities or in multicultural environments, however, should recognise that traditional medicine still plays a role in the health care of their patients.Keywords: assumptions; perceptions; modern medicine; Western medicine; traditional healers; San community; Khoisa

Customer Service Expectations from South African Alcoholic Beverage Suppliers

To be successful in the current highly competitive market a South African alcoholic beverage supplying company (SAABSC) must guarantee customer service and service quality. As a means of differentiation companies have to focus their efforts on quality customer service. The purpose of the study is to measure the service delivery expectations and realisations of customers that receive delivery from SAABSC based on their geographical location. It required the implementation of a descriptive research method. The target population comprised customers of SAABSC situated in the Gauteng, Western Cape and North West Provinces of South Africa. The results from the study indicate that customers expect the SAABSC to deliver on all five service quality dimensions but fail to do so to their satisfaction. Recommendations on how to improve on these dimensions are given in the form of CRM strategies that SAABSC can implement. Ensuring that these recommendations are implemented will ensure a higher level of service quality and customer satisfaction. This should lead to increased customer retention, sales and profit growth, increased loyalty, the addition of new customers and overall better customer relationship