Introduction

The goal of the Bahamas Advanced Study Institute & Conferences (BASIC) is to create a stimulating center in a tropical environment where scientists and their students can gather, think in depth, and exchange ideas about important scienti…c problems, especially in physics and related …elds.For students BASIC strives to provide additional learning opportunities where they may enhance their studies and begin to engage in active research programs.For researchers, the seclusion of the center provides ideal working conditions for theoretical investigations of fundamental problems as well as studies of important real-world issues expected to impact society in the future.