Massive quiver matrix models for massive charged particles in AdS

We present a new class of ${\cal N}=4$ supersymmetric quiver matrix models and argue that it describes the stringy low-energy dynamics of internally wrapped D-branes in four-dimensional anti-de Sitter (AdS) flux compactifications. The Lagrangians of these models differ from previously studied quiver matrix models by the presence of mass terms, associated with the AdS gravitational potential, as well as additional terms dictated by supersymmetry. These give rise to dynamical phenomena typically associated with the presence of fluxes, such as fuzzy membranes, internal cyclotron motion and the appearance of confining strings. We also show how these models can be obtained by dimensional reduction of four-dimensional supersymmetric quiver gauge theories on a three-sphere.Comment: 43 pages + appendices, 4 figure

Parenting and child competence: A longitudinal investigation of the moderating influences of ethnicity, family socioeconomic status, and neighborhood quality

Although there is considerable evidence that parenting influences the behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and social development of children, the effects of some parenting behaviors may not be universal. In the present study, child ethnicity, family socioeconomic status, neighborhood quality (i.e., crime and median income), and cumulative risk (i.e., composite of family socioeconomic status and neighborhood quality) were modeled as potential moderators of associations between parenting (i.e., maternal sensitivity and traditional values) and four child outcomes (i.e., behavior problems, depression, loneliness, and school performance). Pathways of mediation for these parenting measures were also explored. In addition, age trends in neighborhood effects were examined. Neighborhood quality moderated the effects of traditional parenting values and cumulative risk moderated the effects of maternal sensitivity. More specifically, high levels of traditional parenting values were associated with positive outcomes for children who lived in poor quality neighborhoods and negative outcomes for children who lived in high quality neighborhoods. Further, high levels of maternal sensitivity were associated with positive outcomes for children who lived in high-risk contexts, but were either not associated with or were negatively associated with positive outcomes for children who lived in low-risk contexts. However, maternal perceptions of the environments in which their families lived did not mediate associations between context and parenting. In addition, there was little evidence of age trends in the strength of neighborhood effects. The developmental science and clinical relevance of these findings is discussed

A PI3K-mediated negative feedback regulates Drosophila motor neuron excitability

Negative feedback can act as a homeostatic mechanism to maintain neuronal activity at a particular specified value. At the Drosophila neuromuscular junction, a mutation in the type II metabotropic glutamate receptor gene (mGluRA) increased motor neuron excitability by disrupting an autocrine, glutamate-mediated negative feedback. We show that mGluRA mutations increase neuronal excitability by preventing PI3 kinase (PI3K) activation and consequently hyperactivating the transcription factor Foxo. Furthermore, glutamate application increases levels of phospho-Akt, a product of PI3K signaling, within motor nerve terminals in an mGluRA-dependent manner. In humans, PI3K and type II mGluRs are implicated in epilepsy, neurofibromatosis, autism, schizophrenia and other neurological disorders; however, neither the link between type II mGluRs and PI3K, nor the role of Foxo in the control of neuronal excitability, had been previously reported. Our work suggests that some of the deficits in these neurological disorders might result from disruption of glutamate-mediated homeostasis of neuronal excitability

Nanoscale molecular arrayer

The present invention is a dedicated apparatus for the formation of array that includes one or more deposition domains comprised of one or more deposition materials. The present invention may include an X, Y controller, an X, Y translation stage, a loading substrate, a deposition substrate, a Z controller, and a deposition probe. A computer controls all of the relative positions of each of the components. Furthermore, the present invention utilizes a humidity control system to create a capillary bridge between the probe and the substrate for transferring the deposition material between the loading substrate, the deposition probe, and the deposition substrate

Evaluating binding affinities by force stratification and force panning

The present invention is a method for selectively removing objects from a surface utilizing a probe. The probe is scanned over the surface utilizing a greater and greater relative amount of force so that a certain number of the objects are removed from the surface. The force required to remove the objects from the surface can be calculated utilizing Hook\u27s law and the spring constant of the probe. After removal of the objects that have a relatively weaker binding affinity with the surface, the remaining objects can be harvested, characterized, and subjected to further study

Device and method of use for detection and characterization of pathogens and biological materials

The present invention includes a method and apparatus for the detection of a target material. The method and apparatus includes providing a substrate with a surface and forming a domains of deposited materials thereon. The deposited material can be placed on the surface and bound directly and non-specifically to the surface, or it may be specifically or non-specifically bound to the surface. The deposited material has an affinity for a specific target material. The domains thus created are termed affinity domains or deposition domains. Multiple affinity domains of deposited materials can be deposited on a single surface, creating a plurality of specific binding affinity domains for a plurality of target materials. Target materials may include, for example, pathogens or pathogenic markers such as viruses, bacteria, bacterial spores, parasites, prions, fungi, mold or pollen spores. The device thus created is incubated with a test solution, gas or other supporting environment suspected of containing one or more of the target materials. Specific binding interactions between the target materials and a particular affinity domain occurs and is detected by various methods

Will artificial trees be the next power plants?

Wind power is an important source of renewable energy, but some people are concerned that conventional wind turbines are too loud and too hazardous for birds and bats. We wanted to create a new kind of wind energy harvesting machine based on the jiggling motion of cottonwood tree leaves in the wind, which would be quieter and safer for wildlife. After building and testing artificial cottonwood leaves that moved and created electricity in the wind, we found that they didn’t produce enough energy to feasibly use for electricity production. We also tried building a cattail-like device to generate electricity when it swayed in the wind, but it also didn’t produce enough energy to make it reasonable to use. Though our research showed that artificial plants’ jiggling or swaying isn’t likely to be a cost-effective way to produce electricity, we think it could be fruitful to look into other plant-inspired designs for harvesting wind energy. We also are testing a previously unexploited biological material known to convert mechanical to electrical energy far more effectively than the ones used today