3,201 research outputs found
Non-Supersymmetric F-Theory Compactifications on Spin(7) Manifolds
We propose a novel approach to obtain non-supersymmetric four-dimensional
effective actions by considering F-theory on manifolds with special holonomy
Spin(7). To perform such studies we suggest that a duality relating M-theory on
a certain class of Spin(7) manifolds with F-theory on the same manifolds times
an interval exists. The Spin(7) geometries under consideration are constructed
as quotients of elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau fourfolds by an
anti-holomorphic and isometric involution. The three-dimensional minimally
supersymmetric effective action of M-theory on a general Spin(7) manifold with
fluxes is determined and specialized to the aforementioned geometries. This
effective theory is compared with an interval Kaluza-Klein reduction of a
non-supersymmetric four-dimensional theory with definite boundary conditions
for all fields. Using this strategy a minimal set of couplings of the
four-dimensional low-energy effective actions is obtained in terms of the
Spin(7) geometric data. We also discuss briefly the string interpretation in
the Type IIB weak coupling limit.Comment: 39 pages, 4 figures, v2: improvements and clarifications on the 4d
interpretation and weak coupling limit; typos correcte
F-Theory on Spin(7) Manifolds: Weak-Coupling Limit
F-theory on appropriately fibered Spin(7) holonomy manifolds is defined to
arise as the dual of M-theory on the same space in the limit of a shrinking
fiber. A class of Spin(7) orbifolds can be constructed as quotients of
elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau fourfolds by an anti-holomorphic involution.
The F-theory dual then exhibits one macroscopic dimension that has the topology
of an interval. In this work we study the weak-coupling limit of a subclass of
such constructions and identify the objects that arise in this limit. On the
Type IIB side we find space-time filling O7-planes as well as O5-planes and
orbifold five-planes with a (-1)^{F_L} factor localised on the interval
boundaries. These orbifold planes are referred to as X5-planes and are S-dual
to a D5-O5 system. For other involutions exotic O3-planes and X3-planes on top
of a six-dimensional orbifold singularity can appear. We show that the objects
present preserve a mutual supersymmetry of four supercharges in the bulk of the
interval and two supercharges on the boundary. It follows that in the
infinite-interval and weak-coupling limit full four-dimensional N=1
supersymmetry is restored, which on the Type IIA side corresponds to an
enhancement of supersymmetry by winding modes in the vanishing interval limit.Comment: 23 page
Spontaneous heavy cluster emission rates using microscopic potentials
The nuclear cluster radioactivities have been studied theoretically in the
framework of a microscopic superasymmetric fission model (MSAFM). The nuclear
interaction potentials required for binary cold fission processes are
calculated by folding in the density distribution functions of the two
fragments with a realistic effective interaction. The microscopic nuclear
potential thus obtained has been used to calculate the action integral within
the WKB approximation. The calculated half lives of the present MSAFM
calculations are found to be in good agreement over a wide range of observed
experimental data.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Non-linear frequency and amplitude modulation of a nano-contact spin torque oscillator
We study the current controlled modulation of a nano-contact spin torque
oscillator. Three principally different cases of frequency non-linearity
( being zero, positive, and negative) are investigated.
Standard non-linear frequency modulation theory is able to accurately describe
the frequency shifts during modulation. However, the power of the modulated
sidebands only agrees with calculations based on a recent theory of combined
non-linear frequency and amplitude modulation.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Intergroup alliance orientation among intermediate-status group members: The role of stability of social stratification
Three studies have tested the hypothesis that intermediate-status groups are more oriented to ally with outgroups when their social position is under threat. In study 1, participants believed that their ingroup was intermediate in status and social stratification was manipulated as either stable or status-detrimental unstable. Results indicated that participants were more likely to seek alliances a) with a high-status group and b) when social stratification was status-detrimental unstable. Study 2 showed that participants were more likely to seek alliances with a lower status group when social stratification was status-detrimental unstable rather than stable, while they were supportive of policies helping disadvantaged groups regardless of the stability of social stratification. Study 3 showed that when social stratification was status-detrimental unstable, intermediate-status group members were more oriented to ally with a low-status group, equally supportive of policies helping disadvantaged groups, but less oriented to supplying direct help to a low-status group
Thermoelectric energy recovery at ionic-liquid/electrode interface
A Thermally Chargeable Capacitor containing a binary solution of
1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-imide (EMIMTFSI) in
acetonitrile is electrically charged by applying a tempera- ture gradient to
two ideally polarisable electrodes. The corresponding thermoelectric
coefficient is -1.7 mV/K for platinum foil electrodes and -0.3 mV/K for
nanoporous carbon electrodes. Stored electrical energy is extracted by
discharging the capacitor through a resistor. The measured capacitance of the
electrode/ionic- liquid interface is 5 micro F for each platinum electrode
while it becomes four orders of magnitude larger mF for a single
nanoporous carbon electrode. Reproducibility of the effect through repeated
charging-discharging cycles under a steady-state temperature gradient
demonstrates the robustness of the electrical charging pro- cess at the
liquid/electrode interface. The acceleration of the charging by convective
flows is also observed. This offers the possibility to convert waste-heat into
electric energy without exchanging electrons between ions and electrodes, in
contrast to what occurs in most thermogalvanic cells.Comment: 8 pages, 11 figure
Neutron star binary orbits in their host potential: Effect on early R-process enrichment
Coalescing neutron star binary (NSB) systems are primary candidates for r-process enrichment of galaxies. The recent detection of r-process elements in ultrafaint dwarf (UFD) galaxies and the abundances measured in classical dwarfs challenges the NSB merger scenario both in terms of coalescence time-scales and merger locations. In this paper, we focus on the dynamics of NSBs in the gravitational potentials of different types of host galaxies and on its impact on the subsequent galactic enrichment. We find that, for a ∼t−1 delay time distribution, even when receiving a low kick (∼10 km s−1) from the second supernova explosion, in shallow dwarf galaxy potentials NSBs tend to merge with a large off-set from the host galaxy. This results in a significant geometrical dilution of the amount of produced r-process elements that fall back and pollute the host galaxy gas reservoir. The combination of dilution and small number statistics produces a large scatter in the expected r-process enrichment within a single UFD or classical dwarf galaxy. Comparison between our results and observed europium abundances reveals a tension that even a systematic choice of optimistic parameters in our models cannot release. Such a discrepancy could point to the need of additional r-process production sites that suffer less severe dilution or to a population of extremely fast merging binaries
Putting cells in motion: Advantages of endogenous boosting of BDNF production
Motor exercise, such as sport or musical activities, helps with a plethora of diseases by modulating brain functions in neocortical and subcortical regions, resulting in behavioural changes related to mood regulation, well-being, memory, and even cognitive preservation in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Although evidence is accumulating on the systemic neural mechanisms mediating these brain effects, the specific mechanisms by which exercise acts upon the cellular level are still under investigation. This is particularly the case for music training, a much less studied instance of motor exercise than sport. With regards to sport, consistent neurobiological research has focused on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an essential player in the central nervous system. BDNF stimulates the growth and differentiation of neurons and synapses. It thrives in the hippocampus, the cortex, and the basal forebrain, which are the areas vital for memory, learning, and higher cognitive functions. Animal models and neurocognitive experiments on human athletes converge in demonstrating that physical exercise reliably boosts BDNF levels. In this review, we highlight comparable early findings obtained with animal models and elderly humans exposed to musical stimulation, showing how perceptual exposure to music might affect BDNF release, similar to what has been observed for sport. We subsequently propose a novel hypothesis that relates the neuroplastic changes in the human brains after musical training to genetically-and exercise-driven BDNF levels
Global convergence of COVID-19 basic reproduction number and estimation from early-time SIR dynamics
The SIR ('susceptible-infectious-recovered') formulation is used to uncover the generic spread mechanisms observed by COVID-19 dynamics globally, especially in the early phases of infectious spread. During this early period, potential controls were not effectively put in place or enforced in many countries. Hence, the early phases of COVID-19 spread in countries where controls were weak offer a unique perspective on the ensemble-behavior of COVID-19 basic reproduction number Ro inferred from SIR formulation. The work here shows that there is global convergence (i.e., across many nations) to an uncontrolled Ro = 4.5 that describes the early time spread of COVID-19. This value is in agreement with independent estimates from other sources reviewed here and adds to the growing consensus that the early estimate of Ro = 2.2 adopted by the World Health Organization is low. A reconciliation between power-law and exponential growth predictions is also featured within the confines of the SIR formulation. The effects of testing ramp-up and the role of 'super-spreaders' on the inference of Ro are analyzed using idealized scenarios. Implications for evaluating potential control strategies from this uncontrolled Ro are briefly discussed in the context of the maximum possible infected fraction of the population (needed to assess health care capacity) and mortality (especially in the USA given diverging projections). Model results indicate that if intervention measures still result in Ro > 2.7 within 44 days after first infection, intervention is unlikely to be effective in general for COVID-19
The Ocular Albinism type 1 (OA1) G-Protein Coupled Receptor functions with MART-1 at early stages of melanogenesis to control melanosome identity and composition
OA1 (GPR143; GPCR, G-protein-coupled receptor), the protein product of the ocular albinism type 1 gene, encodes a pigment-cell-specific GPCR that localizes intracellularly to melanosomes. OA1 mutations result in ocular albinism due to alterations in melanosome formation, suggesting that OA1 is a key player in the biogenesis of melanosomes. To address the function of OA1 in melanosome biogenesis, we have used siRNA inactivation and combined morphological and biochemical methods to investigate melanosome ultrastructure, melanosomal protein localization and expression in human pigmented melanocytic cells. OA1 loss of function leads to decreased pigmentation and causes formation of enlarged aberrant premelanosomes harboring disorganized fibrillar structures and displaying proteins of mature melanosomes and lysosomes at their membrane. Moreover, we show that OA1 interacts biochemically with the premelanosomal protein MART-1. Inactivation of MART-1 by siRNA leads to a decreased stability of OA1 and is accompanied by similar defects in premelanosome biogenesis and composition. These data show for the first time that melanosome composition and identity are regulated at early stages by OA1 and that MART-1 likely acts as an escort protein for this GPCR
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