1,121 research outputs found
Analytic result for the two-loop six-point NMHV amplitude in N=4 super Yang-Mills theory
We provide a simple analytic formula for the two-loop six-point ratio
function of planar N = 4 super Yang-Mills theory. This result extends the
analytic knowledge of multi-loop six-point amplitudes beyond those with maximal
helicity violation. We make a natural ansatz for the symbols of the relevant
functions appearing in the two-loop amplitude, and impose various consistency
conditions, including symmetry, the absence of spurious poles, the correct
collinear behaviour, and agreement with the operator product expansion for
light-like (super) Wilson loops. This information reduces the ansatz to a small
number of relatively simple functions. In order to fix these parameters
uniquely, we utilize an explicit representation of the amplitude in terms of
loop integrals that can be evaluated analytically in various kinematic limits.
The final compact analytic result is expressed in terms of classical
polylogarithms, whose arguments are rational functions of the dual conformal
cross-ratios, plus precisely two functions that are not of this type. One of
the functions, the loop integral \Omega^{(2)}, also plays a key role in a new
representation of the remainder function R_6^{(2)} in the maximally helicity
violating sector. Another interesting feature at two loops is the appearance of
a new (parity odd) \times (parity odd) sector of the amplitude, which is absent
at one loop, and which is uniquely determined in a natural way in terms of the
more familiar (parity even) \times (parity even) part. The second
non-polylogarithmic function, the loop integral \tilde{\Omega}^{(2)},
characterizes this sector. Both \Omega^{(2)} and tilde{\Omega}^{(2)} can be
expressed as one-dimensional integrals over classical polylogarithms with
rational arguments.Comment: 51 pages, 4 figures, one auxiliary file with symbols; v2 minor typo
correction
Time to incorporate time in cost-effectiveness analysis
Cost-effectiveness analysis as a means to evaluate medical innovations has become well accepted in the UK and several other Western countries. An important assumption underlying this method is that costs and effects are constant over time. In reality, however, and especially in the short run, variations in costs and effects are likely to occur. These variations can lead to considerable deviations from the outcome of a conventional economic evaluation, which in turn may lead to serious implementation problems at a local level. Taking time into account explicitly in economic evaluations in health care may enhance their utility for both societal and local decision making, and may ultimately smooth the adoption of new and basically cost-effective health care technologies
Dual conformal constraints and infrared equations from global residue theorems in N=4 SYM theory
Infrared equations and dual conformal constraints arise as consistency
conditions on loop amplitudes in N=4 super Yang-Mills theory. These conditions
are linear relations between leading singularities, which can be computed in
the Grassmannian formulation of N=4 super Yang-Mills theory proposed recently.
Examples for infrared equations have been shown to be implied by global residue
theorems in the Grassmannian picture. Both dual conformal constraints and
infrared equations are mapped explicitly to global residue theorems for
one-loop next-to-maximally-helicity-violating amplitudes. In addition, the
identity relating the BCFW and its parity-conjugated form of tree-level
amplitudes, is shown to emerge from a particular combination of global residue
theorems.Comment: 21 page
The S-Matrix in Twistor Space
The simplicity and hidden symmetries of (Super) Yang-Mills and (Super)Gravity
scattering amplitudes suggest the existence of a "weak-weak" dual formulation
in which these structures are made manifest at the expense of manifest
locality. We suggest that this dual description lives in (2,2) signature and is
naturally formulated in twistor space. We recast the BCFW recursion relations
in an on-shell form that begs to be transformed into twistor space. Our twistor
transformation is inspired by Witten's, but differs in treating twistor and
dual twistor variables more equally. In these variables the three and
four-point amplitudes are amazingly simple; the BCFW relations are represented
by diagrammatic rules that precisely define the "twistor diagrams" of Andrew
Hodges. The "Hodges diagrams" for Yang-Mills theory are disks and not trees;
they reveal striking connections between amplitudes and suggest a new form for
them in momentum space. We also obtain a twistorial formulation of gravity. All
tree amplitudes can be combined into an "S-Matrix" functional which is the
natural holographic observable in asymptotically flat space; the BCFW formula
turns into a quadratic equation for this "S-Matrix", providing a holographic
description of N=4 SYM and N=8 Supergravity at tree level. We explore loop
amplitudes in (2,2) signature and twistor space, beginning with a discussion of
IR behavior. We find that the natural pole prescription renders the amplitudes
well-defined and free of IR divergences. Loop amplitudes vanish for generic
momenta, and in twistor space are even simpler than their tree-level
counterparts! This further supports the idea that there exists a sharply
defined object corresponding to the S-Matrix in (2,2) signature, computed by a
dual theory naturally living in twistor space.Comment: V1: 46 pages + 23 figures. Less telegraphic abstract in the body of
the paper. V2: 49 pages + 24 figures. Largely expanded set of references
included. Some diagrammatic clarifications added, minor typo fixe
A manifestly MHV Lagrangian for N=4 Yang-Mills
We derive a manifestly MHV Lagrangian for the N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills
theory in light-cone superspace. This is achieved by constructing a canonical
redefinition which maps the N=4 superfield and its conjugate to a new pair of
superfields. In terms of these new superfields the N=4 Lagrangian takes a
(non-polynomial) manifestly MHV form, containing vertices involving two
superfields of negative helicity and an arbitrary number of superfields of
positive helicity. We also discuss constraints satisfied by the new
superfields, which ensure that they describe the correct degrees of freedom in
the N=4 supermultiplet. We test our derivation by showing that an expansion of
our superspace Lagrangian in component fields reproduces the correct gluon MHV
vertices.Comment: 37 pages, 1 figure. v2: minor changes, references adde
Complete Equivalence Between Gluon Tree Amplitudes in Twistor String Theory and in Gauge Theory
The gluon tree amplitudes of open twistor string theory, defined as contour
integrals over the ACCK link variables, are shown to satisfy the BCFW
relations, thus confirming that they coincide with the corresponding amplitudes
in gauge field theory. In this approach, the integration contours are specified
as encircling the zeros of certain constraint functions that force the
appropriate relation between the link variables and the twistor string
world-sheet variables. To do this, methods for calculating the tree amplitudes
using link variables are developed further including diagrammatic methods for
organizing and performing the calculations.Comment: 38 page
FRACTURES OF THE NECK OF THE TALUS: EVALUATION OF REPRODUCIBILITY OF HAWKINS' CLASSIFICATION
Objective: To evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of Hawkins' classification for fractures of the neck of the talus. Methods: 20 random cases of fracture of the talus were selected, to be defined according to the classification of types by eight orthopedic surgeons, 13 orthopedic residents and 15 radiology residents. Results: Using the statistical test of Landis and Koch, measurements of 0.627 and 0.668 were obtained in the first and second evaluations, respectively. These values define a satisfactory agreement for Hawkins' classification. Conclusion: We conclude that this classification is reproducible between observers, with better values for the more experienced observers. Level of Evidence I, Study Diagnostic - Investigating a diagnostic test.20317017
R^4 counterterm and E7(7) symmetry in maximal supergravity
The coefficient of a potential R^4 counterterm in N=8 supergravity has been
shown previously to vanish in an explicit three-loop calculation. The R^4 term
respects N=8 supersymmetry; hence this result poses the question of whether
another symmetry could be responsible for the cancellation of the three-loop
divergence. In this article we investigate possible restrictions from the coset
symmetry E7(7)/SU(8), exploring the limits as a single scalar becomes soft, as
well as a double-soft scalar limit relation derived recently by Arkani-Hamed et
al. We implement these relations for the matrix elements of the R^4 term that
occurs in the low-energy expansion of closed-string tree-level amplitudes. We
find that the matrix elements of R^4 that we investigated all obey the
double-soft scalar limit relation, including certain
non-maximally-helicity-violating six-point amplitudes. However, the single-soft
limit does not vanish for this latter set of amplitudes, which suggests that
the E7(7) symmetry is broken by the R^4 term.Comment: 33 pages, typos corrected, published versio
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