Scaling and universality in coupled driven diffusive models

Inspired by the physics of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) a simplified coupled Burgers-like model in one dimension (1d), a generalization of the Burgers model to coupled degrees of freedom, is proposed to describe 1dMHD. In addition to MHD, this model serves as a 1d reduced model for driven binary fluid mixtures. Here we have performed a comprehensive study of the universal properties of the generalized d-dimensional version of the reduced model. We employ both analytical and numerical approaches. In particular, we determine the scaling exponents and the amplitude-ratios of the relevant two-point time-dependent correlation functions in the model. We demonstrate that these quantities vary continuously with the amplitude of the noise cross-correlation. Further our numerical studies corroborate the continuous dependence of long wavelength and long time-scale physics of the model on the amplitude of the noise cross-correlations, as found in our analytical studies. We construct and simulate lattice-gas models of coupled degrees of freedom in 1d, belonging to the universality class of our coupled Burgers-like model, which display similar behavior. We use a variety of numerical (Monte-Carlo and Pseudospectral methods) and analytical (Dynamic Renormalization Group, Self-Consistent Mode-Coupling Theory and Functional Renormalization Group) approaches for our work. The results from our different approaches complement one another. Possible realizations of our results in various nonequilibrium models are discussed.Comment: To appear in JSTAT (2009); 52 pages in JSTAT format. Some figure files have been replace

Novel universality classes of coupled driven diffusive systems

Motivated by the phenomenologies of dynamic roughening of strings in random media and magnetohydrodynamics, we examine the universal properties of driven diffusive system with coupled fields. We demonstrate that cross-correlations between the fields lead to amplitude-ratios and scaling exponents varying continuosly with the strength of these cross-correlations. The implications of these results for experimentally relevant systems are discussed.Comment: To appear in Phys. Rev. E (Rapid Comm.) (2003

New Examples of Flux Vacua

Type IIB toroidal orientifolds are among the earliest examples of flux vacua. By applying T-duality, we construct the first examples of massive IIA flux vacua with Minkowski space-times, along with new examples of type IIA flux vacua. The backgrounds are surprisingly simple with no four-form flux at all. They serve as illustrations of the ingredients needed to build type IIA and massive IIA solutions with scale separation. To check that these backgrounds are actually solutions, we formulate the complete set of type II supergravity equations of motion in a very useful form that treats the R-R fields democratically.Comment: 38 pages, LaTeX; references updated; additional minor comments added; published versio

Vacuum Stability in Heterotic M-Theory

The problem of the stabilization of moduli is discussed within the context of compactified strongly coupled heterotic string theory. It is shown that all geometric, vector bundle and five-brane moduli are completely fixed, within a phenomenologically acceptable range, by non-perturbative physics. This result requires, in addition to the full space of moduli, non-vanishing Neveu-Schwarz flux, gaugino condensation with threshold corrections and the explicit form of the Pfaffians in string instanton superpotentials. The stable vacuum presented here has a negative cosmological constant. The possibility of ``lifting'' this to a metastable vacuum with positive cosmological constant is briefly discussed.Comment: 39 pages, minor correction

Statistical Theory for the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang Equation in 1+1 Dimension

The Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) equation in 1+1 dimension dynamically develops sharply connected valley structures within which the height derivative {\it is not} continuous. There are two different regimes before and after creation of the sharp valleys. We develop a statistical theory for the KPZ equation in 1+1 dimension driven with a random forcing which is white in time and Gaussian correlated in space. A master equation is derived for the joint probability density function of height difference and height gradient $P(h-\bar h,\partial_{x}h,t)$ when the forcing correlation length is much smaller than the system size and much bigger than the typical sharp valley width. In the time scales before the creation of the sharp valleys we find the exact generating function of $h-\bar h$ and $\partial_x h$. Then we express the time scale when the sharp valleys develop, in terms of the forcing characteristics. In the stationary state, when the sharp valleys are fully developed, finite size corrections to the scaling laws of the structure functions $<(h-\bar h)^n (\partial_x h)^m>$ are also obtained.Comment: 50 Pages, 5 figure

A Weak Neutralizing Antibody Response to Hepatitis C Virus Envelope Glycoprotein Enhances Virus Infection

We have completed a phase 1 safety and immunogenicity trial with hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoproteins, E1 and E2, with MF59 adjuvant as a candidate vaccine. Neutralizing activity to HCV genotype 1a was detected in approximately 25% of the vaccinee sera. In this study, we evaluated vaccinee sera from poor responders as a potential source of antibody dependent enhancement (ADE) of HCV infection. Sera with poor neutralizing activity enhanced cell culture grown HCV genotype 1a or 2a, and surrogate VSV/HCV pseudotype infection titer, in a dilution dependent manner. Surrogate pseudotypes generated from individual HCV glycoproteins suggested that antibody to the E2 glycoprotein; but not the E1 glycoprotein, was the principle target for enhancing infection. Antibody specific to FcRII expressed on the hepatic cell surface or to the Fc portion of Ig blocked enhancement of HCV infection by vaccinee sera. Together, the results from in vitro studies suggested that enhancement of viral infectivity may occur in the absence of a strong antibody response to HCV envelope glycoproteins

Heterotic Moduli Stabilization with Fractional Chern-Simons Invariants

We show that fractional flux from Wilson lines can stabilize the moduli of heterotic string compactifications on Calabi-Yau threefolds. We observe that the Wilson lines used in GUT symmetry breaking naturally induce a fractional flux. When combined with a hidden-sector gaugino condensate, this generates a potential for the complex structure moduli, Kahler moduli, and dilaton. This potential has a supersymmetric AdS minimum at moderately weak coupling and large volume. Notably, the necessary ingredients for this construction are often present in realistic models. We explore the type IIA dual phenomenon, which involves Wilson lines in D6-branes wrapping a three-cycle in a Calabi-Yau, and comment on the nature of the fractional instantons which change the Chern-Simons invariant.Comment: 43 pages. v2: references adde

Soluble CD36 Ectodomain Binds Negatively Charged Diacylglycerol Ligands and Acts as a Co-Receptor for TLR2

BACKGROUND:Cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) is a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in many biological processes, such as platelet biology, angiogenesis and in the aetiopathology of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are one of the most important receptors of the innate immune system. Their main function is the recognition of conserved structure of microorganisms. This recognition triggers signaling pathways that activate transcription of cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules which participate in the generation of an immune response against microbes. In particular, TLR2 has been shown to recognize a broad range of ligands. Recently, we showed that CD36 serves as a co-receptor for TLR2 and enhances recognition of specific diacylglycerides derived from bacteria. METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Here, we investigate the mechanism by which CD36 contributes to ligand recognition and activation of TLR2 signaling pathway. We show that the ectodomain of murine CD36 (mCD36ED) directly interacts with negatively charged diacylglycerol ligands, which explains the specificity and selectivity of CD36 as a TLR2 co-receptor. We also show that mCD36ED amplifies the pro-inflammatory response to lipoteichoic acid in macrophages of wild-type mice and restores the pro-inflammatory response of macrophages from mice deficient in CD36 (oblivious), but not from mice deficient in cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) (heedless). CONCLUSION/ SIGNIFICANCE: These data indicate that the CD36 ectodomain is the only relevant domain for activation of TLR2 signaling pathway and that CD36 and CD14 have a non-redundant role for loading ligands onto TLR2 in the plasma-membrane. The pro-inflammatory role of soluble CD36 can be relevant in the activation of the immune response against pathogens, as well as in the progression of chronic diseases. Therefore, an increased level of soluble forms of CD36, which has been reported to be increased in type II diabetic patients, could accelerate atherosclerosis by increasing the pro-inflammatory response to diacylglycerol ligands

Non-equilibrium statistical mechanics: From a paradigmatic model to biological transport

Unlike equilibrium statistical mechanics, with its well-established foundations, a similar widely-accepted framework for non-equilibrium statistical mechanics (NESM) remains elusive. Here, we review some of the many recent activities on NESM, focusing on some of the fundamental issues and general aspects. Using the language of stochastic Markov processes, we emphasize general properties of the evolution of configurational probabilities, as described by master equations. Of particular interest are systems in which the dynamics violate detailed balance, since such systems serve to model a wide variety of phenomena in nature. We next review two distinct approaches for investigating such problems. One approach focuses on models sufficiently simple to allow us to find exact, analytic, non-trivial results. We provide detailed mathematical analyses of a one-dimensional continuous-time lattice gas, the totally asymmetric exclusion process (TASEP). It is regarded as a paradigmatic model for NESM, much like the role the Ising model played for equilibrium statistical mechanics. It is also the starting point for the second approach, which attempts to include more realistic ingredients in order to be more applicable to systems in nature. Restricting ourselves to the area of biophysics and cellular biology, we review a number of models that are relevant for transport phenomena. Successes and limitations of these simple models are also highlighted.Comment: 72 pages, 18 figures, Accepted to: Reports on Progress in Physic