Systematic approach to cyclic orbifolds

We introduce an orbifold induction procedure which provides a systematic construction of cyclic orbifolds, including their twisted sectors. The procedure gives counterparts in the orbifold theory of all the current-algebraic constructions of conformal field theory and enables us to find the orbifold characters and their modular transformation properties.Comment: 39 pages, LaTeX. v2,3: references added. v4: typos correcte

Non-Abelian Wilson Surfaces

A definition of non-abelian genus zero open Wilson surfaces is proposed. The ambiguity in surface-ordering is compensated by the gauge transformations.Comment: JHEP Latex, 10 pages, 6 figures; v2, refs and comments added in sec.

Probabilistic Algorithmic Knowledge

The framework of algorithmic knowledge assumes that agents use deterministic knowledge algorithms to compute the facts they explicitly know. We extend the framework to allow for randomized knowledge algorithms. We then characterize the information provided by a randomized knowledge algorithm when its answers have some probability of being incorrect. We formalize this information in terms of evidence; a randomized knowledge algorithm returning ``Yes'' to a query about a fact \phi provides evidence for \phi being true. Finally, we discuss the extent to which this evidence can be used as a basis for decisions.Comment: 26 pages. A preliminary version appeared in Proc. 9th Conference on Theoretical Aspects of Rationality and Knowledge (TARK'03

Canonical Transformations in a Higher-Derivative Field Theory

It has been suggested that the chiral symmetry can be implemented only in classical Lagrangians containing higher covariant derivatives of odd order. Contrary to this belief, it is shown that one can construct an exactly soluble two-dimensional higher-derivative fermionic quantum field theory containing only derivatives of even order whose classical Lagrangian exhibits chiral-gauge invariance. The original field solution is expressed in terms of usual Dirac spinors through a canonical transformation, whose generating function allows the determination of the new Hamiltonian. It is emphasized that the original and transformed Hamiltonians are different because the mapping from the old to the new canonical variables depends explicitly on time. The violation of cluster decomposition is discussed and the general Wightman functions satisfying the positive-definiteness condition are obtained.Comment: 12 pages, LaTe

Gauge Theories in AdS5AdS_5 and Fine-Lattice Deconstruction

The logarithmic energy dependence of gauge couplings in AdS_5 emerges almost automatically when the theory is deconstructed on a coarse lattice. Here we study the theory away from the coarse-lattice limit. While we cannot analytically calculate individual KK masses for a fine lattice, we can calculate the product of all non-zero masses. This allows us to write down the gauge coupling at low energies for any lattice-spacing and curvature. As expected, the leading log behaviour is corrected by power-law contributions, suppressed by the curvature. We then turn to intermediate energies, and discuss the gauge coupling and the gauge boson profile in perturbation theory around the coarse-lattice limit.Comment: 17 pages, 1 figure, typos in listing version of abstract correcte

Exact Solutions of Five Dimensional Anisotropic Cosmologies

We solve the five dimensional vacuum Einstein equations for several kinds of anisotropic geometries. We consider metrics in which the spatial slices are characterized as Bianchi types-II and V, and the scale factors are dependent both on time and a non-compact fifth coordinate. We examine the behavior of the solutions we find, noting for which parameters they exhibit contraction over time of the fifth scale factor, leading naturally to dimensional reduction. We explore these within the context of the induced matter model: a Kaluza-Klein approach that associates the extra geometric terms due to the fifth coordinate with contributions to the four dimensional stress-energy tensor.Comment: 11 page

Higher-Derivative Two-Dimensional Massive Fermion Theories

We consider the canonical quantization of a generalized two-dimensional massive fermion theory containing higher odd-order derivatives. The requirements of Lorentz invariance, hermiticity of the Hamiltonian and absence of tachyon excitations suffice to fix the mass term, which contains a derivative coupling. We show that the basic quantum excitations of a higher-derivative theory of order 2N+1 consist of a physical usual massive fermion, quantized with positive metric, plus 2N unphysical massless fermions, quantized with opposite metrics. The positive metric Hilbert subspace, which is isomorphic to the space of states of a massive free fermion theory, is selected by a subsidiary-like condition. Employing the standard bosonization scheme, the equivalent boson theory is derived. The results obtained are used as a guideline to discuss the solution of a theory including a current-current interaction.Comment: 23 pages, Late

Bose-Einstein condensation in the presence of a uniform field and a point-like impurity

The behavior of an ideal $D$-dimensional boson gas in the presence of a uniform gravitational field is analyzed. It is explicitly shown that, contrarily to an old standing folklore, the three-dimensional gas does not undergo Bose-Einstein condensation at finite temperature. On the other hand, Bose-Einstein condensation occurs at $T\neq 0$ for $D=1,2,3$ if there is a point-like impurity at the bottom of the vessel containing the gas.Comment: 14 pages, REVTEX. Revised version, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Solid-Organ Transplantation in HIV-Infected Patients

Before the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy in the mid-1990s, transplantation centers were understandably reluctant to provide scarce solid organs for patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, because treated patients can now expect to live substantially longer than before, many will have end-stage organ disease long before they have life-threatening conditions related to HIV infection. It is therefore time for the transplantation community to readdress the safety, efficacy, and propriety of transplanting scarce organs in HIV-positive patients who need them. In this article, we provide ethical arguments for viewing transplantation in patients with HIV infection as analogous to transplantation in patients with other chronic illnesses. Accordingly, transplantation in HIV-positive patients should be initiated at major centers and should not be considered experimental. In addition, reimbursement for such procedures should be similar to that for transplantation in other patients, unless evidence accumulates that HIV-infected transplant recipients fare poorly