1,103 research outputs found
Atiyah-Hitchin M-Branes
We present new M2 and M5 brane solutions in M-theory based on transverse
Atiyah-Hitchin space and other self-dual geometries. One novel feature of these
solutions is that they have bolt-like fixed points yet still preserve 1/4 of
the supersymmetry. All the solutions can be reduced down to ten dimensional
intersecting brane configurations.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figures, one paragraph added in the conclusions, typos
correcte
N-Cadherin cleavage during activated hepatic stellate cell apoptosis is inhibited by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1. [In supplement: 11th International Symposium on the Cells of the Hepatic Sinusoid and their Relation to Other Cells]
Apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) has previously been shown to occur during spontaneous resolution of experimental liver fibrosis. TIMP-1 has also been shown to have a key role because of its ability to inhibit apoptosis of HSC via matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition. This has led to further study of novel substrates for MMPs that might impact on HSC survival. N-Cadherin is known to mediate cell-cell contacts in fibroblasts. In this study we demonstrate that N-Cadherin is expressed by activated rat HSC. Furthermore, during apoptosis of HSC, the N-Cadherin is cleaved into smaller fragments. Apoptosis of HSC may be inhibited by TIMP-1. This is associated with reduced fragmentation of N-Cadherin. N-Cadherin may have an important role in supporting HSC survival while N-Cadherin cleavage may play a part in promoting HSC apoptosis in recovery from liver fibrosis
Some Remarks on Quantum Coherence
There are many striking phenomena which are attributed to
``quantum coherence''. It is natural to wonder if there are new quantum
coherence effects waiting to be discovered which could lead to interesting
results and perhaps even practical applications. A useful starting point for
such discussions is a definition of ``quantum coherence''. In this article I
give a definition of quantum coherence and use a number of illustrations to
explore the implications of this definition. I point to topics of current
interest in the fields of cosmology and quantum computation where questions of
quantum coherence arise, and I emphasize the impact that interactions with the
environment can have on quantum coherence.Comment: 25 pages plain LaTeX, no figures. More references have been added and
typos have been corrected. Journal of Modern Optics, in press.
Imperial/TP/93-94/1
New Reducible Five-brane Solutions in M-theory
We construct new M-theory solutions of M5 branes that are a realization of
the fully localized ten dimensional NS5/D6 and NS5/D5 brane intersections.
These solutions are obtained by embedding self-dual geometries lifted to
M-theory. We reduce these solutions down to ten dimensions, obtaining new
D-brane systems in type IIA/IIB supergravity. The worldvolume theories of the
NS5-branes are new non-local, non-gravitational, six dimensional, T-dual little
string theories with eight supersymmetries.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures, two paragraphs added in conclusions, typos
correcte
Following a "Collapsing" Wavefunction
I study the quantum mechanics of a spin interacting with an ``apparatus''.
Although the evolution of the whole system is unitary, the spin evolution is
not. The system is chosen so that the spin exhibits loss of quantum coherence,
or ``wavefunction collapse'', of the sort usually associated with a quantum
measurement. The system is analyzed from the point of view of the spin density
matrix (or ``Schmidt paths''), and also using the consistent histories
approach. These two points of view are contrasted with each other. Connections
between the results and the form of the Hamiltonian are discussed in detail.Comment: 30 pages, plain LaTex, 3 figures in a separate uuencoded fil
Tendency to Maximum Complexity in a Non-Equilibrium Isolated System
The time evolution equations of a simplified isolated ideal gas, the
"tetrahe- dral" gas, are derived. The dynamical behavior of the LMC complexity
[R. Lopez-Ruiz, H. L. Mancini, and X. Calbet, Phys. Lett. A 209, 321 (1995)] is
studied in this system. In general, it is shown that the complexity remains
within the bounds of minimum and maximum complexity. We find that there are
certain restrictions when the isolated "tetrahedral" gas evolves towards
equilibrium. In addition to the well-known increase in entropy, the quantity
called disequilibrium decreases monotonically with time. Furthermore, the
trajectories of the system in phase space approach the maximum complexity.Comment: 22 pages, 0 figures. Published in Phys. Rev. E 63, 066116(9) (2001
Solitons in Five Dimensional Minimal Supergravity: Local Charge, Exotic Ergoregions, and Violations of the BPS Bound
We describe a number of striking features of a class of smooth solitons in
gauged and ungauged minimal supergravity in five dimensions. The solitons are
globally asymptotically flat or asymptotically AdS without any Kaluza-Klein
directions but contain a minimal sphere formed when a cycle pinches off in the
interior of the spacetime. The solutions carry a local magnetic charge and many
have rather unusual ergosurfaces. Perhaps most strikingly, many of the solitons
have more electric charge or, in the asymptotically AdS case, more electric
charge and angular momentum than is allowed by the usual BPS bound. We comment
on, but do not resolve, the new puzzle this raises for AdS/CFT.Comment: 60 pages, 12 figures, 3 table
Nonlinear evolution of the momentum dependent condensates in strong interaction: the ``pseudoscalar laser''
We discuss the relaxation of the scalar and pseudoscalar condensates after a
rapid quench from an initial state with fluctuations. If we include not only
the zero-mode but also higher modes of the condensates in the classical
evolution, we observe parametric amplification of those ``hard'' modes. Thus,
they couple nonlinearly to the ``soft'' modes. As a consequence, domains of
coherent pi-field emerge long after the initial spinodal decomposition. The
momentum-space distribution of pions emerging from the decay of that
momentum-dependent condensate is discussed.Comment: 6 Pages, REVTEX, 8 Figures; one reference and one figure adde
From black strings to black holes: nuttier and squashed AdS solutions
We construct new solutions of the Einstein equations with negative
cosmological constant in five spacetime dimensions. They smoothly emerge as
deformations of the known AdS black strings. The first type of
configurations can be viewed as the Taub-NUT-AdS solutions uplifted to
five dimensions, in the presence of a negative cosmological constant. We argue
that these solutions provide the gravity dual for a
super-Yang-Mills theory formulated in a homogeneous G\"odel-type
spacetime background. A different deformation of the AdS black strings
leads to squashed AdS black holes and their topological generalizations. In
this case, the conformal infinity is the product of time and a circle-fibration
over a base space that is a two-dimensional Einstein space.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figure
Electromagnetic Polarization Effects due to Axion Photon Mixing
We investigate the effect of axions on the polarization of electromagnetic
waves as they propagate through astronomical distances. We analyze the change
in the dispersion of the electromagnetic wave due to its mixing with axions. We
find that this leads to a shift in polarization and turns out to be the
dominant effect for a wide range of frequencies. We analyze whether this effect
or the decay of photons into axions can explain the large scale anisotropies
which have been observed in the polarizations of quasars and radio galaxies. We
also comment on the possibility that the axion-photon mixing can explain the
dimming of distant supernovae.Comment: 18 pages, 1 figur
- …