2,124 research outputs found
Comments on the Holographic Picture of the Randall-Sundrum Model
We discuss some issues about the holographic interpretation of the compact
Randall-Sundrum model, which is conjectured to be dual to a 4d field theory
with non-linearly realized conformal symmetry. We make several checks of this
conjecture. In particular, we show that the radion couples conformally to a
background 4d metric. We also discuss the interpretation of the Goldberger-Wise
mechanism for stabilizing the radion. We consider situations where the
electroweak breaking stabilizes the radion and we discuss the issue of natural
conservation of flavor quantum numbers.Comment: misprints corrected, references adde
The Fate of the Radion in Models with Metastable Graviton
We clarify some general issues in models where gravity is localized at
intermediate distances. We introduce the radion mode, which is usually
neglected, and we point out that its role in the model is crucial. We show that
the brane bending effects discussed in the literature can be obtained in a
formalism where the physical origin is manifest. The model violates positivity
of energy due to a negative tension brane, which induces a negative kinetic
term for the radion. The very same effect that violates positivity is
responsible for the recovery of conventional Einstein gravity at intermediate
distances.Comment: Latex file, 13 page
Time series aggregation, disaggregation and long memory
We study the aggregation/disaggregation problem of random parameter AR(1)
processes and its relation to the long memory phenomenon. We give a
characterization of a subclass of aggregated processes which can be obtained
from simpler, "elementary", cases. In particular cases of the mixture
densities, the structure (moving average representation) of the aggregated
process is investigated
Mastering the Master Space
Supersymmetric gauge theories have an important but perhaps under-appreciated
notion of a master space, which controls the full moduli space. For
world-volume theories of D-branes probing a Calabi-Yau singularity X the
situation is particularly illustrative. In the case of one physical brane, the
master space F is the space of F-terms and a particular quotient thereof is X
itself. We study various properties of F which encode such physical quantities
as Higgsing, BPS spectra, hidden global symmetries, etc. Using the plethystic
program we also discuss what happens at higher number N of branes. This letter
is a summary and some extensions of the key points of a longer companion paper
arXiv:0801.1585.Comment: 10 pages, 1 Figur
Switching from Aromatase Inhibitors to Dual Targeting Flavonoid-Based Compounds for Breast Cancer Treatment
Despite the significant outcomes attained by scientific research, breast cancer (BC) still represents the second leading cause of death in women. Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) BC accounts for the majority of diagnosed BCs, highlighting the disruption of estrogenic signalling as target for first-line treatment. This goal is presently pursued by inhibiting aromatase (AR) enzyme or by modulating Estrogen Receptor (ER) α. An appealing strategy for fighting BC and reducing side effects and resistance issues may lie in the design of multifunctional compounds able to simultaneously target AR and ER. In this paper, previously reported flavonoid-related potent AR inhibitors were suitably modified with the aim of also targeting ERα. As a result, homoisoflavone derivatives 3b and 4a emerged as well-balanced submicromolar dual acting compounds. An extensive computational study was then performed to gain insights into the interactions the best compounds established with the two targets. This study highlighted the feasibility of switching from single-target compounds to balanced dual-acting agents, confirming that a multi-target approach may represent a valid therapeutic option to counteract ER+ BC. The homoisoflavone core emerged as a valuable natural-inspired scaffold for the design of multifunctional compounds
Vibrational mating disruption against insect pests: five years of experimentation in the vineyard
The use of vibrational signals in agriculture is becoming an important research topic as a new method of behavioural manipulation of insect pests. Semiophysicals include mechanical signals that have the potential to become environmentally friendly alternatives to pesticides. Like pheromones, vibrations endowed with specific spectral and temporal characteristics, can interfere with the mating behaviour of pests, thus preventing population outbreaks and crop damage. This approach is called "vibrational mating disruption" (VMD) and can be applied to control leafhoppers, insects that rely almost exclusively on vibrational signals for mating. Laboratory and semi-field tests have demonstrated that a species-specific mechanical stimulus transmitted to a plant (i.e., grapevine) by means of mini-shakers, can cause the total interruption of mating. In the present contribution, we report the results of a long-term research conducted on two target species, the leafhoppers Scaphoideus titanus and Hebata vitis. Since 2017 a field-scale experiment has been launched by setting up the first world 'vibrational vineyard' in the Trentino region (Italy) to evaluate the VMD efficacy. Every summer, the population density of the two insects has been measured by visual counting of the nymphs on leaves and yellow sticky traps for the adults. The efficiency of the actuator prototypes was monitored using highly sensitive equipment (laser Doppler vibrometer and accelerometers) and the transmission of vibrations in the trellis system was evaluated with a numerical model of the vineyard. Overall, the vibrational mating disruption technique proved to be effective in reducing the population density of both S. titanus and H. vitis as long as the disruptive signal was transmitted on the leaves above an active threshold of ca. 15 ÎĽm/s of amplitude. The use of vibrations to control pests in vineyards seems to be a promising innovation. Next step will be the application of the method on large vine surface
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