Toric Duality Is Seiberg Duality

We study four N=1 SU(N)^6 gauge theories, with bi-fundamental chiral matter and a superpotential. In the infrared, these gauge theories all realize the low-energy world-volume description of N coincident D3-branes transverse to the complex cone over a del Pezzo surface dP_3 which is the blowup of P^2 at three generic points. Therefore, the four gauge theories are expected to fall into the same universality class--an example of a phenomenon that has been termed "toric duality." However, little independent evidence has been given that such theories are infrared-equivalent. In fact, we show that the four gauge theories are related by the N=1 duality of Seiberg, vindicating this expectation. We also study holographic aspects of these gauge theories. In particular we relate the spectrum of chiral operators in the gauge theories to wrapped D3-brane states in the AdS dual description. We finally demonstrate that the other known examples of toric duality are related by N=1 duality, a fact which we conjecture holds generally.Comment: 46 pages, 2 figures, harvma

Some Experimental Signatures to look for Time-reversal Violating superconductors

We discuss some experimental signatures associated with the topological structures of unconventional superconductor order parameters of form $d_{x^2-y^2}+ix$, where $x=s,p_x \pm p_y$, or $d_{xy}$. Specifically, we study the topological surface states on the $(110)$ and equivalent surfaces of such superconductors which are observable in Andreev tunneling experiments, as well as evaluate the magnetic flux trapped in superconducting rings of such superconductors with multiple grain-boundary Josephson junctions. Previous experiments are examined and several new experiments suggested.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

On F-theory Quiver Models and Kac-Moody Algebras

We discuss quiver gauge models with bi-fundamental and fundamental matter obtained from F-theory compactified on ALE spaces over a four dimensional base space. We focus on the base geometry which consists of intersecting F0=CP1xCP1 Hirzebruch complex surfaces arranged as Dynkin graphs classified by three kinds of Kac-Moody (KM) algebras: ordinary, i.e finite dimensional, affine and indefinite, in particular hyperbolic. We interpret the equations defining these three classes of generalized Lie algebras as the anomaly cancelation condition of the corresponding N =1 F-theory quivers in four dimensions. We analyze in some detail hyperbolic geometries obtained from the affine A base geometry by adding a node, and we find that it can be used to incorporate fundamental fields to a product of SU-type gauge groups and fields.Comment: 13 pages; new equations added in section 3, one reference added and typos correcte

A study of the possible preventive effects of muscular exercises and intermittent venous occlusion on the cardiovascular deconditioning observed after 10 days bed recumbency - Experimental design

Experiment designed to study preventive effects of muscular exercises on intermittent venous occlusion on cardiovascular deconditioning observed after 10 days bed recumbenc

Experiences of a Curriculum Development Specialist with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction

The purpose of this project is to report the planned activities of experience pertinent to the position of a Curriculum Development Specialist with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). The official work assignment of the Curriculum Development Specialist was with the Southern Illinois Regional Office of the Office of the Superintendent located at Mt. Vernon. This regional office is composed of approximately twenty-six professional personnel and operates under the direct leadership of Assistant Superintendent Richard Haney. The report was intended to follow a Curriculum Development Specialist for a fixed period of time beginning March 8, 1973 and ending June 21, 1974. Chapter II of this report contains a comprehensive weekly log of activities presenting detailed information relative to the specialist\u27s activities during the stated time frame

Serum iron uptake and virulence in Staphylococcus aureus

The high affinity iron scavenging glycoprotein transferrin sequesters trace amounts of serum Fe3+ to concentrations below what is required to sustain microbial life. Iron may be liberated from this important innate immune factor after interaction with molecules that chelate or reduce Fe3+. Organisms with cognate transport systems for these iron coordinating molecules can survive in the bloodstream using transferrin iron. Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen. S. aureus executes numerous strategies for overcoming the innate immune barrier of iron deprivation in the bloodstream. In addition to specialized mechanisms for hemoglobin iron extraction, S. aureus can proliferate on serum iron, but factors enabling this growth are not described. Production of at least two siderophores (microbial iron chelators) has been documented on numerous occasions, and their contribution to growth on transferrin is documented here. Genomic inactivation of genes involved in production of molecules subsequently termed staphyloferrin A (SA; the sfa locus) and staphyloferrin B (SB; the sbn operon) resulted in a mutant severely incapacitated for growth in serum as well as on rarefied human transferrin as sole iron sources. Transport of staphyloferrins was correlated to adjacently encoded cognate ABC type transporter operons, hts (SA) and sir (SB), using previously constructed transport mutant strains. Mass spectrometry confirmed the molecular structure of SB as being the same as the previously described S. aureus metabolite, staphylobactin. Alternate siderophores were not detectable for the double biosynthetic mutant. Growth in the presence of transferrin could be rescued by addition of saturating concentrations of iron, and restored by molecules that bind Fe3+ through catechol-iron coordination, including mammalian catecholamine stress hormones. In silico analysis and mutational inactivation confirmed this transport function to be encoded by the sst operon. Biochemical assays revealed that the Sst transporter lipoprotein has a high affinity for ferrated catecholate iron ligands. Siderophore biosynthesis and transport mutants displayed reduced virulence during systemic mouse infection. Decreased bacterial loads were documented in mouse hearts, an important finding as S. aureus is a leading cause of endocarditis. The data collected in this study show that acquisition of serum iron is an important part of staphylococcal pathogenesis, and suggest that therapeutics targeting the numerous facets of this process may be effective in combating invasive infection

History, Management, and Future of Invasive Wild Pigs

Wild pigs are among the most widespread invasive vertebrate species, having been introduced across the globe as a source of food and for sport hunting. Over the last few decades, the growing ecological and economic impacts of wild pigs have precipitated a shift in the perception and management of this species from a desired game animal to a destructive invasive species, resulting in substantial investments in wild pig management. Most notably, in 2014 the National Feral Swine Damage Management Program was established by the U.S. Congress, representing one of the most extensive management programs for a single invasive species in North America to date. This infusion of interest in wild pig control and resources to carry out these programs has spurred technological innovation, resulting in new and enhanced tools for locating, capturing, and removing wild pigs, as well as a surge in research on this species across its range. These investments have resulted in the elimination or presumed elimination of wild pigs from 12 U.S. States in the last decade. However, several significant hurdles remain that must be addressed to achieve long term success in the management of invasive wild pigs. The lack of unified management goals both within and between many agencies is probably the most important factor limiting widespread control efforts, as there is still no standardized legalized classification of this species in the U.S., and some states continue to actively manage wild pigs as a game species. The lack of concordance in management goals underscores the need for better educational programs targeting the public, legislators, and even wildlife professionals. Further, illegal movement of pigs remains a major contributor to the continued establishment of wild pig populations in new areas. As control efforts shift into states with abundant wild pig populations and an entrenched culture of wild pig hunting, new approaches to management, expanded educational campaigns, more unified management goals, and additional investments in control efforts will be needed. While complete elimination of wild pigs from their invasive range is unlikely, adoption of these strategies should facilitate further contraction of their range, benefiting native wildlife, ecosystems, and humans