89 research outputs found
The Quantum Geometry of N=(2,2) Non-Linear Sigma-Models
We consider a general N=(2,2) non-linear sigma-model in (2,2) superspace.
Depending on the details of the complex structures involved, an off-shell
description can be given in terms of chiral, twisted chiral and semi-chiral
superfields. Using superspace techniques, we derive the conditions the
potential has to satisfy in order to be ultra-violet finite at one loop. We pay
particular attention to the effects due to the presence of semi-chiral
superfields. A complete description of N=(2,2) strings follows from this.Comment: 9 pages, Late
Nonholomorphic Corrections to the One-Loop N=2 Super Yang-Mills Action
In addition to the familiar contribution from a holomorphic function \FF,
the K\"ahler potential of the scalars in the nonabelian vector multiplet
receives contributions from a real function \HH. We determine the latter at
the one-loop level, taking into account both supersymmetric matter and gauge
loops. The function \HH characterizes the four-point coupling of the
vector-multiplet vectors for constant values of their scalar superpartners. We
discuss the consequences of our results.Comment: 11 pages, Latex, one Postscript figure. Corrections to equation (24):
1 missing term added and one pair of indices interchange
Holonomy groups and W-symmetries
Irreducible sigma models, i.e. those for which the partition function does
not factorise, are defined on Riemannian spaces with irreducible holonomy
groups. These special geometries are characterised by the existence of
covariantly constant forms which in turn give rise to symmetries of the
supersymmetric sigma model actions. The Poisson bracket algebra of the
corresponding currents is a W-algebra. Extended supersymmetries arise as
special cases.Comment: pages 2
The WZNW Model at Two Loops
We study perturbatively the (conformal) WZNW model. At one loop we compute
one-particle irreducible two- and three-point current correlation functions,
both in the conventional version and in the classically equivalent, chiral,
nonlocal, induced version of the model. At two loops we compute the two-point
function and find that it vanishes (modulo infrared-induced logarithms). We use
dimensional regularization and the operation for removing infrared
divergences. The outcome of the calculations is insensitive to the treatment of
the \varepsilon^{\m\n} tensor as a two-dimensional or -dimensional object.
Our results indicate that the one-particle irreducible current correlation
functions constitute an effective action equal to the original WZNW action with
the familiar level shift, .Comment: 40 pages, Latex, (4 postscript figures at end of file, to be split
off into files called diag1.ps,...,diag4.ps),THU-93/1
Families of N=2 Strings
In a given 4d spacetime bakcground, one can often construct not one but a
family of distinct N=2 string theories. This is due to the multiple ways N=2
superconformal algebra can be embedded in a given worldsheet theory. We
formulate the principle of obtaining different physical theories by gauging
different embeddings of the same symmetry algebra in the same ``pre-theory.''
We then apply it to N=2 strings and formulate the recipe for finding the
associated parameter spaces of gauging. Flat and curved target spaces of both
(4,0) and (2,2) signatures are considered. We broadly divide the gauging
choices into two classes, denoted by alpha and beta, and show them to be
related by T-duality. The distinction between them is formulated topologically
and hinges on some unique properties of 4d manifolds. We determine what their
parameter spaces of gauging are under certain simplicity ansatz for generic
flat spaces (R^4 and its toroidal compactifications) as well as some curved
spaces. We briefly discuss the spectra of D-branes for both alpha and beta
families.Comment: 66+1 pages, 2 tables, latex 2e, hyperref. ver2: typos corrected,
reference adde
The dS/CFT Correspondence and the Big Smash
Recent observations suggest that the cosmological equation-of-state parameter
w is close to -1. To say this is to imply that w could be slightly less than
-1, which leads to R.Caldwell's "Phantom cosmologies". These often have the
property that they end in a "Big Smash", a final singularity in which the
Universe is destroyed in a finite proper time by excessive *expansion*. We show
that, classically, this fate is not inevitable: there exist Smash-free Phantom
cosmologies, obtained by a suitable perturbation of the deSitter equation of
state, in which the spacetime is in fact asymptotically deSitter. [Contrary to
popular belief, such cosmologies, which violate the Dominant Energy Condition,
do not necessarily violate causality.] We also argue, however, that the
physical interpretation of these classically acceptable spacetimes is radically
altered by ``holography'', as manifested in the dS/CFT correspondence. It is
shown that, if the boundary CFTs have conventional properties, then recent
ideas on "time as an inverse renormalization group flow" can be used to rule
out these cosmologies. Very recently, however, it has been argued that the CFTs
in dS/CFT are of a radically unconventional form, and this opens up the
possibility that Smash-free Phantom spacetimes offer a simple model of a
"bouncing" cosmology in which the quantum-mechanical entanglement of the field
theories in the infinite past and future plays an essential role.Comment: 22 pages, clarification of triple analytic continuation, additional
Comments added in the light of hep-th/020724
Non-commutative Branes from M-theory
The analysis of the worldvolume effective actions of the M-theory
Kaluza-Klein monopole and 9-brane suggests that it should be possible to
describe non-abelian configurations of M2-branes or M5-branes if the M2-branes
are transverse to the eleventh direction and the M5-branes are wrapped on it.
This is determined by the fact that the Kaluza-Klein monopole and the M9-brane
are constrained to move in particular isometric spacetimes. We show that the
same kind of situation is implied by the analysis of the brane descent
relations in M-theory. We compute some of the non-commutative couplings of the
worldvolume effective actions of these non-abelian systems of M2 and M5 branes
and show that they indicate the existence of configurations corresponding to N
branes expanding into a higher dimensional M-brane. The reduction to Type II
brings up new descriptions of coincident D-branes at strong coupling. We show
that these systems have the right non-commutative charges to describe certain
expanded configurations playing a role in the framework of the AdS/CFT
correspondence. Finally, we discuss the realization of non-commutative brane
configurations as topological solitons in non-abelian brane-antibrane systems.Comment: 31 pages, latex file, references adde
Mouse Chromosome 11
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46996/1/335_2004_Article_BF00648429.pd
Whole-genome sequencing reveals host factors underlying critical COVID-19
Critical COVID-19 is caused by immune-mediated inflammatory lung injury. Host genetic variation influences the development of illness requiring critical care1 or hospitalization2,3,4 after infection with SARS-CoV-2. The GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care) study enables the comparison of genomes from individuals who are critically ill with those of population controls to find underlying disease mechanisms. Here we use whole-genome sequencing in 7,491 critically ill individuals compared with 48,400 controls to discover and replicate 23 independent variants that significantly predispose to critical COVID-19. We identify 16 new independent associations, including variants within genes that are involved in interferon signalling (IL10RB and PLSCR1), leucocyte differentiation (BCL11A) and blood-type antigen secretor status (FUT2). Using transcriptome-wide association and colocalization to infer the effect of gene expression on disease severity, we find evidence that implicates multiple genesâincluding reduced expression of a membrane flippase (ATP11A), and increased expression of a mucin (MUC1)âin critical disease. Mendelian randomization provides evidence in support of causal roles for myeloid cell adhesion molecules (SELE, ICAM5 and CD209) and the coagulation factor F8, all of which are potentially druggable targets. Our results are broadly consistent with a multi-component model of COVID-19 pathophysiology, in which at least two distinct mechanisms can predispose to life-threatening disease: failure to control viral replication; or an enhanced tendency towards pulmonary inflammation and intravascular coagulation. We show that comparison between cases of critical illness and population controls is highly efficient for the detection of therapeutically relevant mechanisms of disease
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