Thermodynamics of Higher Spin Black Holes in AdS3_3

We discuss the thermodynamics of recently constructed three-dimensional higher spin black holes in SL(N,R)\times SL(N,R) Chern-Simons theory with generalized asymptotically-anti-de Sitter boundary conditions. From a holographic perspective, these bulk theories are dual to two-dimensional CFTs with W_N symmetry algebras, and the black hole solutions are dual to thermal states with higher spin chemical potentials and charges turned on. Because the notion of horizon area is not gauge-invariant in the higher spin theory, the traditional approaches to the computation of black hole entropy must be reconsidered. One possibility, explored in the recent literature, involves demanding the existence of a partition function in the CFT, and consistency with the first law of thermodynamics. This approach is not free from ambiguities, however, and in particular different definitions of energy result in different expressions for the entropy. In the present work we show that there are natural definitions of the thermodynamically conjugate variables that follow from careful examination of the variational principle, and moreover agree with those obtained via canonical methods. Building on this intuition, we derive general expressions for the higher spin black hole entropy and free energy which are written entirely in terms of the Chern-Simons connections, and are valid for both static and rotating solutions. We compare our results to other proposals in the literature, and provide a new and efficient way to determine the generalization of the Cardy formula to a situation with higher spin charges.Comment: 30 pages, PDFLaTeX; v2: typos corrected, explicit expressions for the free energy adde

Ages and Metallicities of Star Clusters and Surrounding Fields in the Outer Disk of the Large Magellanic Cloud

We present Washington system C,T_1 CMDs of 13 star clusters and their surrounding fields which lie in the outer parts of the LMC disk. Ages are determined by means of the magnitude difference between the giant branch clump and the turnoff, while metallicities are derived from the location of the giant and subgiant branches as compared to fiducial star clusters. We find that in most cases the stellar population of each star cluster is quite similar to that of the field where it is embedded. Three particular fields present remarkable properties: (i) The so far unique cluster ESO121-SC03 at ~9 Gyr has a surrounding field which shares the same properties. (ii) The field surrounding the far eastern intermediate age cluster OHSC37 is noteworthy in the sense that we do not detect any evidence of LMC stars. (iii) The fields of SL388 and SL509 present CMDs with a secondary clump ~0.45 mag fainter than the dominant intermediate age clump, suggesting a stellar population component located behind the LMC disk at a distance comparable to that of the SMC. The mean metallicity derived for the intermediate age outer disk clusters is =-0.7 and for their surrounding fields =-0.6. These values are significantly lower than found by Olszewski et al. (1991, AJ, 101, 515) for a sample of clusters of similar age, but are in good agreement with several recent studies. A few clusters stand out in the age--metallicity relation in the sense that they are intermediate age clusters at relatively low metallicity ([Fe/H]~-1).Comment: LaTeX, to be published in July, 1998 Astronomical Journa

The cusp anomalous dimension at three loops and beyond

We derive an analytic formula at three loops for the cusp anomalous dimension Gamma_cusp(phi) in N=4 super Yang-Mills. This is done by exploiting the relation of the latter to the Regge limit of massive amplitudes. We comment on the corresponding three loops quark anti-quark potential. Our result also determines a considerable part of the three-loop cusp anomalous dimension in QCD. Finally, we consider a limit in which only ladder diagrams contribute to physical observables. In that limit, a precise agreement with strong coupling is observed.Comment: 34 pages, 6 figures. v2: references added, typos correcte

A high-resolution infrared spectroscopic investigation of the halogen atom-HCN entrance channel complexes solvated in superfluid helium droplets

Rotationally resolved infrared spectra are reported for the X-HCN (X = Cl, Br, I) binary complexes solvated in helium nanodroplets. These results are directly compared with that obtained previously for the corresponding X-HF complexes [J. M. Merritt, J. K\"upper, and R. E. Miller, PCCP, 7, 67 (2005)]. For bromine and iodine atoms complexed with HCN, two linear structures are observed and assigned to the $^{2}\Sigma_{1/2}$ and $^{2}\Pi_{3/2}$ ground electronic states of the nitrogen and hydrogen bound geometries, respectively. Experiments for HCN + chlorine atoms give rise to only a single band which is attributed to the nitrogen bound isomer. That the hydrogen bound isomer is not stabilized is rationalized in terms of a lowering of the isomerization barrier by spin-orbit coupling. Theoretical calculations with and without spin-orbit coupling have also been performed and are compared with our experimental results. The possibility of stabilizing high-energy structures containing multiple radicals is discussed, motivated by preliminary spectroscopic evidence for the di-radical Br-HCCCN-Br complex. Spectra for the corresponding molecular halogen HCN-X$_{2}$ complexes are also presented.Comment: 20 pages, 15 figures, 6 tables, RevTe

CNVassoc: Association analysis of CNV data using R

Background: Copy number variants (CNV) are a potentially important component of the genetic contribution to risk of common complex diseases. Analysis of the association between CNVs and disease requires that uncertainty in CNV copy-number calls, which can be substantial, be taken into account; failure to consider this uncertainty can lead to biased results. Therefore, there is a need to develop and use appropriate statistical tools. To address this issue, we have developed CNVassoc, an R package for carrying out association analysis of common copy number variants in population-based studies. This package includes functions for testing for association with different classes of response variables (e.g. class status, censored data, counts) under a series of study designs (case-control, cohort, etc) and inheritance models, adjusting for covariates. The package includes functions for inferring copy number (CNV genotype calling), but can also accept copy number data generated by other algorithms (e.g. CANARY, CGHcall, IMPUTE). Results: Here we present a new R package, CNVassoc, that can deal with different types of CNV arising from different platforms such as MLPA o aCGH. Through a real data example we illustrate that our method is able to incorporate uncertainty in the association process. We also show how our package can also be useful when analyzing imputed data when analyzing imputed SNPs. Through a simulation study we show that CNVassoc outperforms CNVtools in terms of computing time as well as in convergence failure rate. Conclusions: We provide a package that outperforms the existing ones in terms of modelling flexibility, power, convergence rate, ease of covariate adjustment, and requirements for sample size and signal quality. Therefore, we offer CNVassoc as a method for routine use in CNV association studiesThis work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MTM2008-02457 to JRG, BIO2009-12458 to RD-U and statistical genetics network MTM2010-09526-E (subprograma MTM) to JRG, IS, GL and RD-U). GL is supported by the Juan de la Cierva Program of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation

Influence of Vancomycin Minimum Inhibitory Concentration on the Outcome of Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Left-Sided Infective Endocarditis Treated with Anti-staphylococcal Beta-Lactam Antibiotics; a Prospective Cohort Study by the International Collaboration on Endocarditis

Objectives: Left-sided methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) endocarditis treated with cloxacillin has a poorer prognosis when the vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is ≥1.5 mg/L. We aimed to validate this using the International Collaboration on Endocarditis cohort and to analyse whether specific genetic characteristics were associated with a high vancomycin MIC (≥1.5 mg/L) phenotype. Methods: All patients with left-sided MSSA infective endocarditis treated with antistaphylococcal β-lactam antibiotics between 2000 and 2006 with available isolates were included. Vancomycin MIC was determined by Etest as either high (≥1.5 mg/L) or low (<1.5 mg/L). Isolates underwent spa typing to infer clonal complexes and multiplex PCR for identifying virulence genes. Univariate analysis was performed to evaluate the association between in-hospital and 1-year mortality, and vancomycin MIC phenotype. Results: Sixty-two cases met the inclusion criteria. Vancomycin MIC was low in 28 cases (45%) and high in 34 cases (55%). No significant differences in patient demographic data or characteristics of infection were observed between patients with infective endocarditis due to high and low vancomycin MIC isolates. Isolates with high and low vancomycin MIC had similar distributions of virulence genes and clonal lineages. In-hospital and 1-year mortality did not differ significantly between the two groups (32% (9/28) vs. 27% (9/34), p 0.780; and 43% (12/28) vs. 29% (10/34), p 0.298, for low and high vancomycin MIC respectively). Conclusions: In this international cohort of patients with left-sided MSSA endocarditis treated with antistaphylococcal β-lactams, vancomycin MIC phenotype was not associated with patient demographics, clinical outcome or virulence gene repertoire

Comparison of silicon oil removal with various viscosities after complex retinal detachment surgery

BACKGROUND: Despite the progress in vitreoretinal surgery and the importance of silicone oil as an adjunct for the treatment of complex forms of retinal detachment, controversy still surrounds the issue of selecting the proper oil viscosity for clinical use. Herein, we evaluate the outcomes of retinal detachment (RD) surgery after removing silicone oils of different viscosities. METHODS: In this retropsective cohort study, eighty-two eyes with surgically re-attached retinas, of which 53 were filled with 5000cs silicone oil and 29 with 1000cs silicone oil were enrolled. We evaluated the outcomes and complications following silicone oil removal. Final anatomic success (stable re-attachment), final visual acuity (VA) and intraocular pressure (IOP)were recorded and analysed. RESULTS: Of 82 eyes, 41 had proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), 24 were associated with intraocular foreign bodies, 10 had endophthalmitis and 7 had proliferative diabetic retinopathy with tractional retinal detachment. Prior to silicone oil removal, the retina was attached in all eyes, 29% had VA ≥ 6/120 and 52% had IOP ≥ 21 mmHg. After silicone oil removal, the retina remained attached in 59(72%) of the eyes, 34% had VA ≥ 6/120 and 9% had IOP ≥ 21 mmHg. Comparing 1000cs and 5000cs silicone oil filled eyes, redetachment occurred more frequently in the latter group especially in cases with associated PVR. Final VA worse than 6/120 was associated with initial VA < 6/120 (OR = 32.2 95%CI 7.4–140.2) and use of 5000cs silicone oil (OR = 7.9 95%CI 1.9–32.2). No factor was significantly associated with final IOP ≥ 21 mmHg. CONCLUSION: In complicated retinal detachment surgery, use of 5000cs silicone oil may be associated with a poorer anatomic and visual outcome compared with 1000cs silicone oil. However there was no difference between the two viscosities in IOP elevation. A randomized controlled study is necessary to further evaluate such a possibility