Classical integrability and quantum aspects of the AdS(3) x S(3) x S(3) x S(1) superstring

In this paper we continue the investigation of aspects of integrability of the type IIA AdS(3) x S(3) x S(3) x S(1) and AdS(3) x S(3) x T(4) superstrings. By constructing a one parameter family of flat connections we prove that the Green-Schwarz string is classically integrable, at least to quadratic order in fermions, without fixing the kappa-symmetry. We then compare the quantum dispersion relation, fixed by integrability up to an unknown interpolating function h(lambda), to explicit one-loop calculations on the string worldsheet. For AdS(3) x S(3) x S(3) x S(1) the spectrum contains heavy, as well as light and massless modes, and we find that the one-loop contribution differs depending on how we treat these modes showing that similar regularization ambiguities as appeared in AdS(4)/CFT(3) occur also here.Comment: 29 pages; v2: updated references and acknowledgmen

The complete AdS3 ×S3 × T4 worldsheet S matrix

We derive the non-perturbative worldsheet S matrix for fundamental excitations of Type IIB superstring theory on AdS3 ×S3 × T4 with Ramond-Ramond flux. To this end, we study the off-shell symmetry algebra of the theory and its representations. We use these to determine the S matrix up to scalar factors and we derive the crossing equations that these scalar factors satisfy. Our treatment automatically includes fundamental massless excitations, removing a long-standing obstacle in using integrability to study the AdS3/CFT2 correspondence

A Resource for Discovering Specific and Universal Biomarkers for Distributed Stem Cells

Specific and universal biomarkers for distributed stem cells (DSCs) have been elusive. A major barrier to discovery of such ideal DSC biomarkers is difficulty in obtaining DSCs in sufficient quantity and purity. To solve this problem, we used cell lines genetically engineered for conditional asymmetric self-renewal, the defining DSC property. In gene microarray analyses, we identified 85 genes whose expression is tightly asymmetric self-renewal associated (ASRA). The ASRA gene signature prescribed DSCs to undergo asymmetric self-renewal to a greater extent than committed progenitor cells, embryonic stem cells, or induced pluripotent stem cells. This delineation has several significant implications. These include: 1) providing experimental evidence that DSCs in vivo undergo asymmetric self-renewal as individual cells; 2) providing an explanation why earlier attempts to define a common gene expression signature for DSCs were unsuccessful; and 3) predicting that some ASRA proteins may be ideal biomarkers for DSCs. Indeed, two ASRA proteins, CXCR6 and BTG2, and two other related self-renewal pattern associated (SRPA) proteins identified in this gene resource, LGR5 and H2A.Z, display unique asymmetric patterns of expression that have a high potential for universal and specific DSC identification

Learning environments research in English classrooms

Although learning environments research has thrived for decades in many countries and school subjects, English classroom environment research is still in its infancy. This article paves the way for expanding research on English classroom environments by (1) reviewing the limited past research in English classrooms and (2) reporting the first study of English learning environments in Singaporean primary schools. For a sample of 441 grade 6 students, past research in other subjects was replicated in that a modified version of the What Is Happening In this Class? questionnaire was cross-validated, classroom environment was found to vary with the determinants of student sex and ethnicity, and associations emerged between students’ attitudes and the nature of the classroom environment

Near BMN dynamics of the AdS(3) x S(3) x S(3) x S(1) superstring

We investigate the type IIA AdS(3) x S(3) x M(4) superstring with M(4)=S(3) x S(1) or M(4)=T(4). String theory in this background is interesting because of AdS3/CFT2 and its newly discovered integrable structures. We derive the kappa symmetry gauge-fixed Green-Schwarz string action to quadratic order in fermions and quartic order in fields utilizing a near BMN expansion. As a first consistency check of our results we show that the two point functions are one-loop finite in dimensional regularization. We then perform a Hamiltonian analysis where we compare the energy of string states with the predictions of a set of conjectured Bethe equations. While we find perfect agreement for single rank one sectors, we find that the product SU(2) x SU(2) sector does not match unless the Bethe equations decouple completely. We then calculate 2 to 2 bosonic tree-level scattering processes on the string worldsheet and show that the two-dimensional S-matrix is reflectionless. This might be important due to the presence of massless worldsheet excitations which are generally not described by the Bethe equations.Comment: 28 pages; v2: Fixed signs and eq. (B.1), results unchanged, one reference added; v3: Matches published versio

Integrability, spin-chains and the AdS3/CFT2 correspondence

Building on arXiv:0912.1723, in this paper we investigate the AdS3/CFT2 correspondence using integrability techniques. We present an all-loop Bethe Ansatz (BA) for strings on AdS_3 x S^3 x S^3 x S^1, with symmetry D(2,1;alpha)^2, valid for all values of alpha. This construction relies on a novel, alpha-dependent generalisation of the Zhukovsky map. We investigate the weakly-coupled limit of this BA and of the all-loop BA for strings on AdS_3 x S^3 x T^4. We construct integrable short-range spin-chains and Hamiltonians that correspond to these weakly-coupled BAs. The spin-chains are alternating and homogenous, respectively. The alternating spin-chain can be regarded as giving some of the first hints about the unknown CFT2 dual to string theory on AdS_3 x S^3 x S^3 x S^1. We show that, in the alpha to 1 limit, the integrable structure of the D(2,1;alpha) model is non-singular and keeps track of not just massive but also massless modes. This provides a way of incorporating massless modes into the integrability machinery of the AdS3/CFT2 correspondence.Comment: LaTeX, 38 pages. v2: Corrected misprints in section 6.

Rumination in bipolar disorder: evidence for an unquiet mind

Depression in bipolar disorder has long been thought to be a state characterized by mental inactivity. However, recent research demonstrates that patients with bipolar disorder engage in rumination, a form of self-focused repetitive cognitive activity, in depressed as well as in manic states. While rumination has long been associated with depressed states in major depressive disorder, the finding that patients with bipolar disorder ruminate in manic states is unique to bipolar disorder and challenges explanations put forward for why people ruminate. We review the research on rumination in bipolar disorder and propose that rumination in bipolar disorder, in both manic and depressed states, reflects executive dysfunction. We also review the neurobiology of bipolar disorder and recent neuroimaging studies of rumination, which is consistent with our hypothesis that the tendency to ruminate reflects executive dysfunction in bipolar disorder. Finally, we relate the neurobiology of rumination to the neurobiology of emotion regulation, which is disrupted in bipolar disorder

Biomedical informatics and translational medicine

Biomedical informatics involves a core set of methodologies that can provide a foundation for crossing the "translational barriers" associated with translational medicine. To this end, the fundamental aspects of biomedical informatics (e.g., bioinformatics, imaging informatics, clinical informatics, and public health informatics) may be essential in helping improve the ability to bring basic research findings to the bedside, evaluate the efficacy of interventions across communities, and enable the assessment of the eventual impact of translational medicine innovations on health policies. Here, a brief description is provided for a selection of key biomedical informatics topics (Decision Support, Natural Language Processing, Standards, Information Retrieval, and Electronic Health Records) and their relevance to translational medicine. Based on contributions and advancements in each of these topic areas, the article proposes that biomedical informatics practitioners ("biomedical informaticians") can be essential members of translational medicine teams

Guidelines and Safety Practices for Improving Patient Safety

AbstractThis chapter explains why clinical practice guidelines are needed to improve patient safety and how further research into safety practices can successfully influence the guideline development process. There is a description of the structured process by which guidelines that aim to increase the likelihood of a higher score are created. Proposals are made relating to (a) the live updating of individual guideline recommendations and (b) tackling challenges related to the improvement of guidelines