114 research outputs found
Heterotic-Type II duality in the hypermultiplet sector
We revisit the duality between heterotic string theory compactified on K3 x
T^2 and type IIA compactified on a Calabi-Yau threefold X in the hypermultiplet
sector. We derive an explicit map between the field variables of the respective
moduli spaces at the level of the classical effective actions. We determine the
parametrization of the K3 moduli space consistent with the Ferrara-Sabharwal
form. From the expression of the holomorphic prepotential we are led to
conjecture that both X and its mirror must be K3 fibrations in order for the
type IIA theory to have an heterotic dual. We then focus on the region of the
moduli space where the metric is expressed in terms of a prepotential on both
sides of the duality. Applying the duality we derive the heterotic
hypermultiplet metric for a gauge bundle which is reduced to 24 point-like
instantons. This result is confirmed by using the duality between the heterotic
theory on T^3 and M-theory on K3. We finally study the hyper-Kaehler metric on
the moduli space of an SU(2) bundle on K3.Comment: 27 pages; references added, typos correcte
6D supergravity without tensor multiplets
We systematically investigate the finite set of possible gauge groups and
matter content for N = 1 supergravity theories in six dimensions with no tensor
multiplets, focusing on nonabelian gauge groups which are a product of SU(N)
factors. We identify a number of models which obey all known low-energy
consistency conditions, but which have no known string theory realization. Many
of these models contain novel matter representations, suggesting possible new
string theory constructions. Many of the most exotic matter structures arise in
models which precisely saturate the gravitational anomaly bound on the number
of hypermultiplets. Such models have a rigid symmetry structure, in the sense
that there are no moduli which leave the full gauge group unbroken.Comment: 31 pages, latex; v2, v3: minor corrections, references adde
Anomaly Equations and Intersection Theory
Six-dimensional supergravity theories with N=(1,0) supersymmetry must satisfy
anomaly equations. These equations come from demanding the cancellation of
gravitational, gauge and mixed anomalies. The anomaly equations have
implications for the geometrical data of Calabi-Yau threefolds, since F-theory
compactified on an elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau threefold with a section
generates a consistent six-dimensional N=(1,0) supergravity theory. In this
paper, we show that the anomaly equations can be summarized by three
intersection theory identities. In the process we also identify the geometric
counterpart of the anomaly coefficients---in particular, those of the abelian
gauge groups---that govern the low-energy dynamics of the theory. We discuss
the results in the context of investigating string universality in six
dimensions.Comment: 29 pages + appendices, 8 figures; v2: minor corrections, references
added; v3: minor corrections, reference adde
F-Theory and the Mordell-Weil Group of Elliptically-Fibered Calabi-Yau Threefolds
The Mordell-Weil group of an elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau threefold X
contains information about the abelian sector of the six-dimensional theory
obtained by compactifying F-theory on X. After examining features of the
abelian anomaly coefficient matrix and U(1) charge quantization conditions of
general F-theory vacua, we study Calabi-Yau threefolds with Mordell-Weil
rank-one as a first step towards understanding the features of the Mordell-Weil
group of threefolds in more detail. In particular, we generate an interesting
class of F-theory models with U(1) gauge symmetry that have matter with both
charges 1 and 2. The anomaly equations --- which relate the Neron-Tate height
of a section to intersection numbers between the section and fibral rational
curves of the manifold --- serve as an important tool in our analysis.Comment: 29 pages + appendices, 5 figures; v2: minor correction
Matrix Norms, BPS Bounds and Marginal Stability in N=8 Supergravity
We study the conditions of marginal stability for two-center extremal black
holes in N-extended supergravity in four dimensions, with particular emphasis
on the N=8 case. This is achieved by exploiting triangle inequalities satisfied
by matrix norms. Using different norms and relative bounds among them, we
establish the existence of marginal stability and split attractor flows both
for BPS and some non-BPS solutions. Our results are in agreement with previous
analysis based on explicit construction of multi-center solutions.Comment: 1+15 pages; v2: some new formulas added and misprints corrected; v3:
typos fixed, various refinements, Sec. 2.4 rewritten; to appear on JHE
Logarithmic Corrections to Extremal Black Hole Entropy from Quantum Entropy Function
We evaluate the one loop determinant of matter multiplet fields of N=4
supergravity in the near horizon geometry of quarter BPS black holes, and use
it to calculate logarithmic corrections to the entropy of these black holes
using the quantum entropy function formalism. We show that even though
individual fields give non-vanishing logarithmic contribution to the entropy,
the net contribution from all the fields in the matter multiplet vanishes. Thus
logarithmic corrections to the entropy of quarter BPS black holes, if present,
must be independent of the number of matter multiplet fields in the theory.
This is consistent with the microscopic results. During our analysis we also
determine the complete spectrum of small fluctuations of matter multiplet
fields in the near horizon geometry.Comment: LaTeX file, 52 pages; v2: minor corrections, references adde
The Noether-Lefschetz problem and gauge-group-resolved landscapes: F-theory on K3 × K3 as a test case
Constraints on 6D Supergravity Theories with Abelian Gauge Symmetry
We study six-dimensional N=(1,0) supergravity theories with abelian, as well
as non-abelian, gauge group factors. We show that for theories with fewer than
nine tensor multiplets, the number of possible combinations of gauge groups -
including abelian factors - and non-abelian matter representations is finite.
We also identify infinite families of theories with distinct U(1) charges that
cannot be ruled out using known quantum consistency conditions, though only a
finite subset of these can arise from known string constructions.Comment: 49 pages, latex; v2: minor corrections, references added; v3: minor
correction
Sources of avoidance motivation: Valence effects from physical effort and mental rotation
When reaching goals, organisms must simultaneously meet the overarching goal of conserving energy. According to the law of least effort, organisms will select the means associated with the least effort. The mechanisms underlying this bias remain unknown. One hypothesis is that organisms come to avoid situations associated with unnecessary effort by generating a negative valence toward the stimuli associated with such situations. Accordingly, merely using a dysfunctional, ‘slow’ computer mouse causes participants to dislike ambient neutral images (Study 1). In Study 2, nonsense shapes were liked less when associated with effortful processing (135° of mental rotation) versus easier processing (45° of rotation). Complementing ‘fluency’ effects found in perceptuo-semantic research, valence emerged from action-related processing in a principled fashion. The findings imply that negative valence associations may underlie avoidance motivations, and have practical implications for educational/workplace contexts in which effort and positive affect are conducive to success
Standard versus prosocial online support groups for distressed breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Internet can increase access to psychosocial care for breast cancer survivors through online support groups. This study will test a novel prosocial online group that emphasizes both opportunities for getting and giving help. Based on the helper therapy principle, it is hypothesized that the addition of structured helping opportunities and coaching on how to help others online will increase the psychological benefits of a standard online group.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>A two-armed randomized controlled trial with pretest and posttest. Non-metastatic breast cancer survivors with elevated psychological distress will be randomized to either a standard facilitated online group or to a prosocial facilitated online group, which combines online exchanges of support with structured helping opportunities (blogging, breast cancer outreach) and coaching on how best to give support to others. Validated and reliable measures will be administered to women approximately one month before and after the interventions. Self-esteem, positive affect, and sense of belonging will be tested as potential mediators of the primary outcomes of depressive/anxious symptoms and sense of purpose in life.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This study will test an innovative approach to maximizing the psychological benefits of cancer online support groups. The theory-based prosocial online support group intervention model is sustainable, because it can be implemented by private non-profit or other organizations, such as cancer centers, which mostly offer face-to-face support groups with limited patient reach.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01396174">NCT01396174</a></p
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