Star Formation Rates from [C II] 158 μm and Mid-infrared Emission Lines for Starbursts and Active Galactic Nuclei

A summary is presented for 130 galaxies observed with the Herschel Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer instrument to measure fluxes for the [C II] 158 μm emission line. Sources cover a wide range of active galactic nucleus to starburst classifications, as derived from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon strength measured with the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph. Redshifts from [C II] and line to continuum strengths (equivalent width (EW) of [C II]) are given for the full sample, which includes 18 new [C II] flux measures. Calibration of L([C II)]) as a star formation rate (SFR) indicator is determined by comparing [C II] luminosities with mid-infrared [Ne II] and [Ne III] emission line luminosities; this gives the same result as determining SFR using bolometric luminosities of reradiating dust from starbursts: log SFR = log L([C II)]) - 7.0, for SFR in M ⊙ yr-1 and L([C II]) in L ⊙. We conclude that L([C II]) can be used to measure SFR in any source to a precision of ~50%, even if total source luminosities are dominated by an active galactic nucleus (AGN) component. The line to continuum ratio at 158 μm, EW([C II]), is not significantly greater for starbursts (median EW([C II]) = 1.0 μm) compared to composites and AGNs (median EW([C II]) = 0.7 μm), showing that the far-infrared continuum at 158 μm scales with [C II] regardless of classification. This indicates that the continuum at 158 μm also arises primarily from the starburst component within any source, giving log SFR = log νL ν(158 μm) - 42.8 for SFR in M ⊙ yr-1 and νL ν(158 μm) in erg s-1

Instantons and the 5D U(1) gauge theory with extra adjoint

In this paper we compute the partition function of 5D supersymmetric U(1) gauge theory with extra adjoint matter in general $\Omega$-background. It is well known that such partition functions encode very rich topological information. We show in particular that unlike the case with no extra matter, the partition function with extra adjoint at some special values of the parameters directly reproduces the generating function for the Poincare polynomial of the moduli space of instantons. Comparing our results with those recently obtained by Iqbal et. al., who used the refined topological vertex method, we present our comments on apparent discrepancies.Comment: 9 page

[CII] 158 micron Luminosities and Star Formation Rate in Dusty Starbursts and AGN

Results are presented for [CII] 158 micron line fluxes observed with the Herschel PACS instrument in 112 sources with both starburst and AGN classifications, of which 102 sources have confident detections. Results are compared with mid-infrared spectra from the Spitzer Infrared Spectrometer and with L(IR) from IRAS fluxes; AGN/starburst classifications are determined from equivalent width of the 6.2 micron PAH feature. It is found that the [CII] line flux correlates closely with the flux of the 11.3 micron PAH feature independent of AGN/starburst classification, log [f([CII] 158 micron)/f(11.3 micron PAH)] = -0.22 +- 0.25. It is concluded that [CII] line flux measures the photodissociation region associated with starbursts in the same fashion as the PAH feature. A calibration of star formation rate for the starburst component in any source having [CII] is derived comparing [CII] luminosity L([CII]) to L(IR) with the result that log SFR = log L([CII)]) - 7.08 +- 0.3, for SFR in solar masses per year and L([CII]) in solar luminosities. The decreasing ratio of L([CII]) to L(IR) in more luminous sources (the "[CII] deficit") is shown to be a consequence of the dominant contribution to L(IR) arising from a luminous AGN component because the sources with largest L(IR) and smallest L([CII])/L(IR) are AGN.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Precision Spectroscopy and Higher Spin symmetry in the ABJM model

We revisit Kaluza-Klein compactification of 11-d supergravity on S^7/Z_k using group theory techniques that may find application in other flux vacua with internal coset spaces. Among the SO(2) neutral states, we identify marginal deformations and fields that couple to the recently discussed world-sheet instanton of Type IIA on CP^3. We also discuss charged states, dual to monopole operators, and the Z_k projection of the Osp(4|8) singleton and its tensor products. In particular, we show that the doubleton spectrum may account for N=6 higher spin symmetry enhancement in the limit of vanishing 't Hooft coupling in the boundary Chern-Simons theory.Comment: 44 page

Notes on unoriented D-brane instantons

In the first lecture, we discuss basic aspects of worldsheet and penta-brane instantons as well as (unoriented) D-brane instantons, which is our main focus here, and threshold corrections to BPS-saturated couplings. The second lecture is devoted to non-perturbative superpotentials generated by `gauge' and `exotic' instantons living on D3-branes at orientifold singularities. In the third lecture we discuss the interplay between worldsheet and D-string instantons on $T^4/Z_2$. We focus on a 4-fermi amplitude, give Heterotic and perturbative Type I descriptions, and offer a multi D-string instanton interpretation. We conclude with possible interesting developments.Comment: 31 pages. Based on lectures delivered by M. Bianchi at the Fourth Young Researchers Workshop of the European Superstring Theory Network in Kounnas Bay, Cyprus, September 200

A SHORT COURSE OF TRIPLE TELAPREVIR-BASED ANTIVIRAL THERAPY: THE PRINCIPLES OF PATIENTS SELECTION

Background: The beginning of a new era of direct acting antivirals sets up its own rules, that is, to achieve the highest efficacy with the shortest duration of treatment. It is assumed that the use of the first generation of direct acting antivirals, similarly to interferon-free regimens, would allow for personalization of approaches to their prescriptions.Aim: To identify the most important parameters that can predict the greatest efficacy of triple antiviral therapy of 12 week duration in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1.Materials and methods: The study included 204 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 at an early stage of liver disease (METAVIR score F0-F2), who were either treatment-naive or had a history of relapse after standard of care antiviral therapy. In addition to routine work-up, all patients were screened for IL28B polymorphism; in the course of the treatment viral kinetics was assessed by an ultrasensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (with lower limit of quantification of 12 IU/ml). Duration of the triple therapy (pegylated interferon-α2a, ribavirin and telaprevir) was reduced to 12 weeks if a rapid virological response was achieved; otherwise the patients continued their treatment in according with guidelines. Results: A complete rapid virological response was achieved in 174 patients (81.6%), in whom the duration of triple therapy was 12 weeks. According to the protocol, 25 patients with a partial rapid virological response continued their standard antiviral therapy for 12 weeks more. In those who achieved a rapid virological response, there was an association between IL28B-CC genotype at rs12979860 and maintenance of zero viremia at 12 weeks after termination of antiviral therapy (r = 0.38, p < 0.001). In all such patients there was a stable virological response at 12 weeks of the follow-up. Monitoring of viral load after 14 days of antiviral treatment was not predictive of its success. The preliminary results of a shortened (12 week) course of triple telaprevir-based viral therapy allowed to identify the most significant parameters of 100% efficacy, i.e., absence of the virus in blood at 12 weeks after termination of antiviral therapy. Conclusion: A 12 week course of triple telaprevir-based combination therapy is an optimal regimen for achievement of a stable virological response after 12 weeks of the follow-up in treatment-naïve patients with HCV genotype 1 or with a relapse after previous conventional antiviral treatment, who have IL28B – CC polymorphism, are at an early stage of liver disease and who achieve a rapid complete virological response confirmed by a highly sensitive PCR