21 research outputs found
Loop and surface operators in N=2 gauge theory and Liouville modular geometry
Recently, a duality between Liouville theory and four dimensional N=2 gauge
theory has been uncovered by some of the authors. We consider the role of
extended objects in gauge theory, surface operators and line operators, under
this correspondence. We map such objects to specific operators in Liouville
theory. We employ this connection to compute the expectation value of general
supersymmetric 't Hooft-Wilson line operators in a variety of N=2 gauge
theories.Comment: 60 pages, 11 figures; v3: further minor corrections, published
versio
Geometry of open strings ending on backreacting D3-branes
We investigate open string theory on backreacting D3-branes using a spacetime
approach. We study in detail the half-BPS supergravity solutions describing
open strings ending on D3-branes, in the near horizon of the D3-branes. We
recover quantitatively several non-trivial features of open string physics
including the appearance of D3-brane spikes, the polarization of fundamental
strings into D5-branes, and the Hanany-Witten effect. Finally we detail the
computation of the gravitational potential between two open strings, and
contrast it with the holographic computation of Wilson lines. We argue that the
D-brane backreaction has a large influence on the low-energy gravity, which may
lead to experimental tests for string theory brane-world scenarios.Comment: 64 pages, 20 figure
SL(2,R) Chern-Simons, Liouville, and Gauge Theory on Duality Walls
We propose an equivalence of the partition functions of two different 3d
gauge theories. On one side of the correspondence we consider the partition
function of 3d SL(2,R) Chern-Simons theory on a 3-manifold, obtained as a
punctured Riemann surface times an interval. On the other side we have a
partition function of a 3d N=2 superconformal field theory on S^3, which is
realized as a duality domain wall in a 4d gauge theory on S^4. We sketch the
proof of this conjecture using connections with quantum Liouville theory and
quantum Teichmuller theory, and study in detail the example of the
once-punctured torus. Motivated by these results we advocate a direct
Chern-Simons interpretation of the ingredients of (a generalization of) the
Alday-Gaiotto-Tachikawa relation. We also comment on M5-brane realizations as
well as on possible generalizations of our proposals.Comment: 53+1 pages, 14 figures; v2: typos corrected, references adde
A real-life observational study of the effectiveness of FACT in a Dutch mental health region
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>ACT is an effective community treatment but causes discontinuity of care between acutely ill and currently stable patient groups. The Dutch variant of ACT, FACT, combines both intensive ACT treatment and care for patients requiring less intensive care at one time point yet likely to need ACT in the future. It may be hypothesised that this case mix is not beneficial for patients requiring intensive care, as other patient groups may "dilute" care provision. The effectiveness of FACT was compared with standard care, with a particular focus on possible moderating effects of patient characteristics within the case mix in FACT.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In 2002, three FACT teams were implemented in a Dutch region in which a cumulative routine outcome measurement system was in place. Patients receiving FACT were compared with patients receiving standard treatment, matched on "baseline" symptom severity and age, using propensity score matching. Outcome was the probability of being in symptomatic remission of psychotic symptoms.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The probability of symptomatic remission was higher for SMI patients receiving FACT than for controls receiving standard treatment, but only when there was an unmet need for care with respect to psychotic symptoms (OR = 6.70, p = 0.002; 95% CI = 1.97 – 22.7).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Compared to standard care, FACT was more rather than less effective, but only when a need for care with respect to psychotic symptoms is present. This suggests that there is no adverse effect of using broader patient mixes in providing continuity of care for all patients with severe mental illness in a defined geographical area.</p
Personalized early detection and prevention of breast cancer: ENVISION consensus statement
Abstract: The European Collaborative on Personalized Early Detection and Prevention of Breast Cancer (ENVISION) brings together several international research consortia working on different aspects of the personalized early detection and prevention of breast cancer. In a consensus conference held in 2019, the members of this network identified research areas requiring development to enable evidence-based personalized interventions that might improve the benefits and reduce the harms of existing breast cancer screening and prevention programmes. The priority areas identified were: 1) breast cancer subtype-specific risk assessment tools applicable to women of all ancestries; 2) intermediate surrogate markers of response to preventive measures; 3) novel non-surgical preventive measures to reduce the incidence of breast cancer of poor prognosis; and 4) hybrid effectiveness–implementation research combined with modelling studies to evaluate the long-term population outcomes of risk-based early detection strategies. The implementation of such programmes would require health-care systems to be open to learning and adapting, the engagement of a diverse range of stakeholders and tailoring to societal norms and values, while also addressing the ethical and legal issues. In this Consensus Statement, we discuss the current state of breast cancer risk prediction, risk-stratified prevention and early detection strategies, and their implementation. Throughout, we highlight priorities for advancing each of these areas
Gauge Theory Loop Operators and Liouville Theory
We propose a correspondence between loop operators in a family of four
dimensional N=2 gauge theories on S^4 -- including Wilson, 't Hooft and dyonic
operators -- and Liouville theory loop operators on a Riemann surface. This
extends the beautiful relation between the partition function of these N=2
gauge theories and Liouville correlators found by Alday, Gaiotto and Tachikawa.
We show that the computation of these Liouville correlators with the insertion
of a Liouville loop operator reproduces Pestun's formula capturing the
expectation value of a Wilson loop operator in the corresponding gauge theory.
We prove that our definition of Liouville loop operators is invariant under
modular transformations, which given our correspondence, implies the
conjectured action of S-duality on the gauge theory loop operators. Our
computations in Liouville theory make an explicit prediction for the exact
expectation value of 't Hooft and dyonic loop operators in these N=2 gauge
theories. The Liouville loop operators are also found to admit a simple
geometric interpretation within quantum Teichmuller theory as the quantum
operators representing the length of geodesics. We study the algebra of
Liouville loop operators and show that it gives evidence for our proposal as
well as providing definite predictions for the operator product expansion of
loop operators in gauge theory.Comment: 67 pages; v.3 made minor corrections and added comment