74 research outputs found
Decoupling of Degenerate Positive-norm States in Witten's String Field Theory
We show that the degenerate positive-norm physical propagating fields of the
open bosonic string can be gauged to the higher rank fields at the same mass
level. As a result, their scattering amplitudes can be determined from those of
the higher spin fields. This phenomenon arises from the existence of two types
of zero-norm states with the same Young representations as those of the
degenerate positive-norm states in the old covariant first quantized (OCFQ)
spectrum. This is demonstrated by using the lowest order gauge transformation
of Witten's string field theory (WSFT) up to the fourth massive level
(spin-five), and is found to be consistent with conformal field theory
calculation based on the first quantized generalized sigma-model approach. In
particular, on-shell conditions of zero-norm states in OCFQ stringy gauge
transformation are found to correspond, in a one-to-one manner, to the
background ghost fields in off-shell gauge transformation of WSFT. The
implication of decoupling of scalar modes on Sen's conjectures was also briefly
discussed.Comment: 18 pages, use Latex with revtex
Gravitational collapse of a Hagedorn fluid in Vaidya geometry
The gravitational collapse of a high-density null charged matter fluid,
satisfying the Hagedorn equation of state, is considered in the framework of
the Vaidya geometry. The general solution of the gravitational field equations
can be obtained in an exact parametric form. The conditions for the formation
of a naked singularity, as a result of the collapse of the compact object, are
also investigated. For an appropriate choice of the arbitrary integration
functions the null radial outgoing geodesic, originating from the shell
focussing central singularity, admits one or more positive roots. Hence a
collapsing Hagedorn fluid could end either as a black hole, or as a naked
singularity. A possible astrophysical application of the model, to describe the
energy source of gamma-ray bursts, is also considered.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.
Closed-String Tachyons and the Hagedorn Transition in AdS Space
We discuss some aspects of the behaviour of a string gas at the Hagedorn
temperature from a Euclidean point of view. Using AdS space as an infrared
regulator, the Hagedorn tachyon can be effectively quasi-localized and its
dynamics controled by a finite energetic balance. We propose that the off-shell
RG flow matches to an Euclidean AdS black hole geometry in a generalization of
the string/black-hole correspondence principle. The final stage of the RG flow
can be interpreted semiclassically as the growth of a cool black hole in a
hotter radiation bath. The end-point of the condensation is the large Euclidean
AdS black hole, and the part of spacetime behind the horizon has been removed.
In the flat-space limit, holography is manifest by the system creating its own
transverse screen at infinity. This leads to an argument, based on the
energetics of the system, explaining why the non-supersymmetric type 0A string
theory decays into the supersymmetric type IIB vacuum. We also suggest a notion
of `boundary entropy', the value of which decreases along the line of flow.Comment: 24 pages, Harvmac. 2 Figures. Typos corrected and reference adde
Thermal Partition Functions for S-branes
We calculate the thermal partition functions of open strings on the S-brane
backgrounds (the bouncing or rolling tachyon backgrounds) both in the bosonic
and superstring cases. According to hep-th/0302146, we consider the discretized
temperatures compatible with the pure imaginary periodicity of tachyon
profiles. The ``effective Hagedorn divergence'' is shown to appear no matter
how low temperature is chosen (including zero-temperature). This feature is
likely to be consistent with the large rate of open string pair production
discussed in hep-th/0209090 and also emission of closed string massive modes
hep-th/0303139. We also discuss the possibility to remove the divergence by
considering the space-like linear dilaton backgrounds as in hep-th/0306132.Comment: 33 pages, no figure; v2 typos corrected, a reference adde
Experimental and Theoretical Challenges in the Search for the Quark Gluon Plasma: The STAR Collaboration's Critical Assessment of the Evidence from RHIC Collisions
We review the most important experimental results from the first three years
of nucleus-nucleus collision studies at RHIC, with emphasis on results from the
STAR experiment, and we assess their interpretation and comparison to theory.
The theory-experiment comparison suggests that central Au+Au collisions at RHIC
produce dense, rapidly thermalizing matter characterized by: (1) initial energy
densities above the critical values predicted by lattice QCD for establishment
of a Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP); (2) nearly ideal fluid flow, marked by
constituent interactions of very short mean free path, established most
probably at a stage preceding hadron formation; and (3) opacity to jets. Many
of the observations are consistent with models incorporating QGP formation in
the early collision stages, and have not found ready explanation in a hadronic
framework. However, the measurements themselves do not yet establish
unequivocal evidence for a transition to this new form of matter. The
theoretical treatment of the collision evolution, despite impressive successes,
invokes a suite of distinct models, degrees of freedom and assumptions of as
yet unknown quantitative consequence. We pose a set of important open
questions, and suggest additional measurements, at least some of which should
be addressed in order to establish a compelling basis to conclude definitively
that thermalized, deconfined quark-gluon matter has been produced at RHIC.Comment: 101 pages, 37 figures; revised version to Nucl. Phys.
An Integrated TCGA Pan-Cancer Clinical Data Resource to Drive High-Quality Survival Outcome Analytics
For a decade, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) program collected clinicopathologic annotation data along with multi-platform molecular profiles of more than 11,000 human tumors across 33 different cancer types. TCGA clinical data contain key features representing the democratized nature of the data collection process. To ensure proper use of this large clinical dataset associated with genomic features, we developed a standardized dataset named the TCGA Pan-Cancer Clinical Data Resource (TCGA-CDR), which includes four major clinical outcome endpoints. In addition to detailing major challenges and statistical limitations encountered during the effort of integrating the acquired clinical data, we present a summary that includes endpoint usage recommendations for each cancer type. These TCGA-CDR findings appear to be consistent with cancer genomics studies independent of the TCGA effort and provide opportunities for investigating cancer biology using clinical correlates at an unprecedented scale. Analysis of clinicopathologic annotations for over 11,000 cancer patients in the TCGA program leads to the generation of TCGA Clinical Data Resource, which provides recommendations of clinical outcome endpoint usage for 33 cancer types
Search for black holes and other new phenomena in high-multiplicity final states in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV
Peer reviewe
Driver Fusions and Their Implications in the Development and Treatment of Human Cancers.
Gene fusions represent an important class of somatic alterations in cancer. We systematically investigated fusions in 9,624 tumors across 33 cancer types using multiple fusion calling tools. We identified a total of 25,664 fusions, with a 63% validation rate. Integration of gene expression, copy number, and fusion annotation data revealed that fusions involving oncogenes tend to exhibit increased expression, whereas fusions involving tumor suppressors have the opposite effect. For fusions involving kinases, we found 1,275 with an intact kinase domain, the proportion of which varied significantly across cancer types. Our study suggests that fusions drive the development of 16.5% of cancer cases and function as the sole driver in more than 1% of them. Finally, we identified druggable fusions involving genes such as TMPRSS2, RET, FGFR3, ALK, and ESR1 in 6.0% of cases, and we predicted immunogenic peptides, suggesting that fusions may provide leads for targeted drug and immune therapy
The Cancer Genome Atlas Comprehensive Molecular Characterization of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma(RCC) is not a single disease, but several histologically defined cancers with different genetic drivers, clinical courses, and therapeutic responses. The current study evaluated 843 RCC from the three major histologic subtypes, including 488 clear cell RCC, 274 papillary RCC, and 81 chromophobe RCC. Comprehensive genomic and phenotypic analysis of the RCC subtypes reveals distinctive features of each subtype that provide the foundation for the development of subtype-specific therapeutic and management strategies for patients affected with these cancers. Somatic alteration of BAP1, PBRM1, and PTEN and altered metabolic pathways correlated with subtype-specific decreased survival, while CDKN2A alteration, increased DNA hypermethylation, and increases in the immune-related Th2 gene expression signature correlated with decreased survival within all major histologic subtypes. CIMP-RCC demonstrated an increased immune signature, and a uniform and distinct metabolic expression pattern identified a subset of metabolically divergent (MD) ChRCC that associated with extremely poor survival
Somatic Mutational Landscape of Splicing Factor Genes and Their Functional Consequences across 33 Cancer Types
Hotspot mutations in splicing factor genes have been recently reported at high frequency in hematological malignancies, suggesting the importance of RNA splicing in cancer. We analyzed whole-exome sequencing data across 33 tumor types in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and we identified 119 splicing factor genes with significant non-silent mutation patterns, including mutation over-representation, recurrent loss of function (tumor suppressor-like), or hotspot mutation profile (oncogene-like). Furthermore, RNA sequencing analysis revealed altered splicing events associated with selected splicing factor mutations. In addition, we were able to identify common gene pathway profiles associated with the presence of these mutations. Our analysis suggests that somatic alteration of genes involved in the RNA-splicing process is common in cancer and may represent an underappreciated hallmark of tumorigenesis
- …