1,682 research outputs found
Six-dimensional (1,0) effective action of F-theory via M-theory on Calabi-Yau threefolds
The six-dimensional effective action of F-theory compactified on a singular
elliptically fibred Calabi-Yau threefold is determined by using an M-theory
lift. The low-energy data are derived by comparing a circle reduction of a
general six-dimensional (1,0) gauged supergravity theory with the effective
action of M-theory on the resolved Calabi-Yau threefold. The derivation
includes six-dimensional tensor multiplets for which the (anti-) self-duality
constraints are imposed on the level of the five-dimensional action. The vector
sector of the reduced theory is encoded by a non-standard potential due to the
Green-Schwarz term in six dimensions. This Green-Schwarz term also contains
higher curvature couplings which are considered to establish the full map
between anomaly coefficients and geometry. F-/M-theory duality is exploited by
moving to the five-dimensional Coulomb branch after circle reduction and
integrating out massive vector multiplets and matter hypermultiplets. The
associated fermions then generate additional Chern-Simons couplings at
one-loop. Further couplings involving the graviphoton are induced by quantum
corrections due to excited Kaluza-Klein modes. On the M-theory side integrating
out massive fields corresponds to resolving the singularities of the Calabi-Yau
threefold, and yields intriguing relations between six-dimensional anomalies
and classical topology.Comment: 55 pages, v2: typos corrected, discussion of loop corrections
improve
F-Theory GUT Vacua on Compact Calabi-Yau Fourfolds
We present compact three-generation F-theory GUT models meeting in particular
the constraints of D3-tadpole cancellation and D-term supersymmetry. To this
end we explicitly construct elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau fourfolds as
complete intersections in a toric ambient space. Toric methods enable us to
control the singular geometry of the SU(5) GUT model. The GUT brane wraps a
non-generic del Pezzo surface admitting GUT symmetry breaking via hypercharge
flux. It is contractible to a curve and we demonstrate the existence of a
consistent decoupling limit. We compute the Euler characteristic of the
singular Calabi-Yau fourfold to show that our three-generation flux solutions
obtained via the spectral cover construction are consistent with D3-tadpole
cancellation.Comment: 22+12 pages; v2: minor clarifications on decoupling limi
Kahler Moduli Inflation Revisited
We perform a detailed numerical analysis of inflationary solutions in Kahler
moduli of type IIB flux compactifications. We show that there are inflationary
solutions even when all the fields play an important role in the overall shape
of the scalar potential. Moreover, there exists a direction of attraction for
the inflationary trajectories that correspond to the constant volume direction.
This basin of attraction enables the system to have an island of stability in
the set of initial conditions. We provide explicit examples of these
trajectories, compute the corresponding tilt of the density perturbations power
spectrum and show that they provide a robust prediction of n_s approximately
0.96 for 60 e-folds of inflation.Comment: 27 pages, 9 figure
Coordination and transfer
We study the ability of subjects to transfer principles between related coordination games. Subjects play a class of order statistic coordination games closely related to the well-known minimum (or weak-link) and median games (Van Huyck et al. in Am Econ Rev 80:234–248, 1990, Q J Econ 106(3):885–910, 1991). When subjects play a random sequence of games with differing order statistics, play is less sensitive to the order statistic than when a fixed order statistic is used throughout. This is consistent with the prediction of a simple learning model with transfer. If subjects play a series of similar stag hunt games, play converges to the payoff dominant equilibrium when a convention emerges, replicating the main result of Rankin et al. (Games Econ Behav 32:315–337, 2000). When these subjects subsequently play a random sequence of order statistic games, play is shifted towards the payoff dominant equilibrium relative to subjects without previous experience. The data is consistent with subjects absorbing a general principle, play of the payoff dominant equilibrium, and applying it in a new related setting
Breaking Functional Connectivity into Components: A Novel Approach Using an Individual-Based Model, and First Outcomes
Landscape connectivity is a key factor determining the viability of populations in fragmented landscapes. Predicting ‘functional connectivity’, namely whether a patch or a landscape functions as connected from the perspective of a focal species, poses various challenges. First, empirical data on the movement behaviour of species is often scarce. Second, animal-landscape interactions are bound to yield complex patterns. Lastly, functional connectivity involves various components that are rarely assessed separately. We introduce the spatially explicit, individual-based model FunCon as means to distinguish between components of functional connectivity and to assess how each of them affects the sensitivity of species and communities to landscape structures. We then present the results of exploratory simulations over six landscapes of different fragmentation levels and across a range of hypothetical bird species that differ in their response to habitat edges. i) Our results demonstrate that estimations of functional connectivity depend not only on the response of species to edges (avoidance versus penetration into the matrix), the movement mode investigated (home range movements versus dispersal), and the way in which the matrix is being crossed (random walk versus gap crossing), but also on the choice of connectivity measure (in this case, the model output examined). ii) We further show a strong effect of the mortality scenario applied, indicating that movement decisions that do not fully match the mortality risks are likely to reduce connectivity and enhance sensitivity to fragmentation. iii) Despite these complexities, some consistent patterns emerged. For instance, the ranking order of landscapes in terms of functional connectivity was mostly consistent across the entire range of hypothetical species, indicating that simple landscape indices can potentially serve as valuable surrogates for functional connectivity. Yet such simplifications must be carefully evaluated in terms of the components of functional connectivity they actually predict
Movement and habitat use of the snapping turtle in an urban landscape
In order to effectively manage urban habitats, it is important to incorporate the spatial ecology and habitat use of the species utilizing them. Our previous studies have shown that the distribution of upland habitats surrounding a highly urbanized wetland habitat, the Central Canal (Indianapolis, IN, USA) influences the distribution of map turtles (Graptemys geographica) and red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta) during both the active season and hibernation. In this study we detail the movements and habitat use of another prominent member of the Central Canal turtle assemblage, the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina. We find the same major upland habitat associations for C. serpentina as for G. geographica and T. scripta, despite major differences in their activity (e.g., C. serpentina do not regularly engage in aerial basking). These results reinforce the importance of recognizing the connection between aquatic and surrounding terrestrial habitats, especially in urban ecosystems
Computing Brane and Flux Superpotentials in F-theory Compactifications
In four-dimensional F-theory compactifications with N=1 supersymmetry the
fields describing the dynamics of space-time filling 7-branes are part of the
complex structure moduli space of the internal Calabi-Yau fourfold. We
explicitly compute the flux superpotential in F-theory depending on all complex
structure moduli, including the 7-brane deformations and the field
corresponding to the dilaton-axion. Since fluxes on the 7-branes induce 5-brane
charge, a local limit allows to effectively match the F-theory results to a
D5-brane in a non-compact Calabi-Yau threefold with threeform fluxes. We
analyze the classical and instanton contributions to the F-theory
superpotential using mirror symmetry for Calabi-Yau fourfolds. The F-theory
compactifications under consideration also admit heterotic dual descriptions
and we discuss the identification of the moduli in this non-perturbative
duality.Comment: 75 pages, 1 figure; typos corrected, references adde
Search for Charged Higgs Bosons in e+e- Collisions at \sqrt{s} = 189 GeV
A search for pair-produced charged Higgs bosons is performed with the L3
detector at LEP using data collected at a centre-of-mass energy of 188.6 GeV,
corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 176.4 pb^-1. Higgs decays into a
charm and a strange quark or into a tau lepton and its associated neutrino are
considered. The observed events are consistent with the expectations from
Standard Model background processes. A lower limit of 65.5 GeV on the charged
Higgs mass is derived at 95 % confidence level, independent of the decay
branching ratio Br(H^{+/-} -> tau nu)
In Vivo Analysis of the Notch Receptor S1 Cleavage
A ligand-independent cleavage (S1) in the extracellular domain of the mammalian Notch receptor results in what is considered to be the canonical heterodimeric form of Notch on the cell surface. The in vivo consequences and significance of this cleavage on Drosophila Notch signaling remain unclear and contradictory. We determined the cleavage site in Drosophila and examined its in vivo function by a transgenic analysis of receptors that cannot be cleaved. Our results demonstrate a correlation between loss of cleavage and loss of in vivo function of the Notch receptor, supporting the notion that S1 cleavage is an in vivo mechanism of Notch signal control
Outer Surface Protein C Is a Dissemination-Facilitating Factor of Borrelia burgdorferi during Mammalian Infection
The Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi dramatically upregulates outer surface protein C (OspC) in response to fresh bloodmeal during transmission from the tick vector to a mammal, and abundantly produces the antigen during early infection. As OspC is an effective immune target, to evade the immune system B. burgdorferi downregulates the antigen once the anti-OspC humoral response has developed, suggesting an important role for OspC during early infection.In this study, a borrelial mutant producing an OspC antigen with a 5-amino-acid deletion was generated. The deletion didn't significantly increase the 50% infectious dose or reduce the tissue bacterial burden during infection of the murine host, indicating that the truncated OspC can effectively protect B. burgdorferi against innate elimination. However, the deletion greatly impaired the ability of B. burgdorferi to disseminate to remote tissues after inoculation into mice.The study indicates that OspC plays an important role in dissemination of B. burgdorferi during mammalian infection
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