256 research outputs found
Generalized geometry, calibrations and supersymmetry in diverse dimensions
We consider type II backgrounds of the form R^{1,d-1} x M^{10-d} for even d,
preserving 2^{d/2} real supercharges; for d = 4, 6, 8 this is minimal
supersymmetry in d dimensions, while for d = 2 it is N = (2,0) supersymmetry in
two dimensions. For d = 6 we prove, by explicitly solving the Killing-spinor
equations, that there is a one-to-one correspondence between background
supersymmetry equations in pure-spinor form and D-brane generalized
calibrations; this correspondence had been known to hold in the d = 4 case.
Assuming the correspondence to hold for all d, we list the calibration forms
for all admissible D-branes, as well as the background supersymmetry equations
in pure-spinor form. We find a number of general features, including the
following: The pattern of codimensions at which each calibration form appears
exhibits a (mod 4) periodicity. In all cases one of the pure-spinor equations
implies that the internal manifold is generalized Calabi-Yau. Our results are
manifestly invariant under generalized mirror symmetry.Comment: 28 pages, 1 tabl
On the Effective Description of Large Volume Compactifications
We study the reliability of the Two-Step moduli stabilization in the type-IIB
Large Volume Scenarios with matter and gauge interactions. The general analysis
is based on a family of N=1 Supergravity models with a factorizable Kaehler
invariant function, where the decoupling between two sets of fields without a
mass hierarchy is easily understood. For the Large Volume Scenario particular
analyses are performed for explicit models, one of such developed for the first
time here, finding that the simplified version, where the Dilaton and Complex
structure moduli are regarded as frozen by a previous stabilization, is a
reliable supersymmetric description whenever the neglected fields stand at
their leading F-flatness conditions and be neutral. The terms missed by the
simplified approach are either suppressed by powers of the Calabi-Yau volume,
or are higher order operators in the matter fields, and then irrelevant for the
moduli stabilization rocedure. Although the power of the volume suppressing
such corrections depends on the particular model, up to the mass level it is
independent of the modular weight for the matter fields. This at least for the
models studied here but we give arguments to expect the same in general. These
claims are checked through numerical examples. We discuss how the factorizable
models present a context where despite the lack of a hierarchy with the
supersymmetry breaking scale, the effective theory still has a supersymmetric
description. This can be understood from the fact that it is possible to find
vanishing solution for the auxiliary components of the fields being integrated
out, independently of the remaining dynamics. Our results settle down the
question on the reliability of the way the Dilaton and Complex structure are
treated in type-IIB compactifications with large compact manifold volumina.Comment: 23 pages + 2 appendices (38 pages total). v2: minor improvements,
typos fixed. Version published in JHE
Nernst branes in gauged supergravity
We study static black brane solutions in the context of N = 2 U(1) gauged
supergravity in four dimensions. Using the formalism of first-order flow
equations, we construct novel extremal black brane solutions including examples
of Nernst branes, i.e. extremal black brane solutions with vanishing entropy
density. We also discuss a class of non-extremal generalizations which is
captured by the first-order formalism.Comment: 44 pages, 3 figures, v2: added appendix B and references, minor
typographic changes, v3: added some clarifying remarks, version published in
JHE
Type IIA orientifold compactification on SU(2)-structure manifolds
We investigate the effective theory of type IIA string theory on
six-dimensional orientifold backgrounds with SU(2)-structure. We focus on the
case of orientifolds with O6-planes, for which we compute the bosonic effective
action in the supergravity approximation. For a generic SU(2)-structure
background, we find that the low-energy effective theory is a gauged N=2
supergravity where moduli in both vector and hypermultiplets are charged. Since
all these supergravities descend from a corresponding N=4 background, their
scalar target space is always a quotient of a SU(1,1)/U(1) x
SO(6,n)/SO(6)xSO(n) coset, and is therefore also very constrained.Comment: 31 pages; v2: local report number adde
Holomorphic variables in magnetized brane models with continuous Wilson lines
We analyze the action of the target-space modular group in toroidal type IIB
orientifold compactifications with magnetized D-branes and continuous Wilson
lines. The transformation of matter fields agree with that of twisted fields in
heterotic compactifications, constituting a check of type I/heterotic duality.
We identify the holomorphic N = 1 variables for these compactifications. Matter
fields and closed string moduli are both redefined by open string moduli. The
redefinition of matter fields can be read directly from the perturbative Yukawa
couplings, whereas closed string moduli redefinitions are obtained from D-brane
instanton superpotential couplings. The resulting expressions reproduce and
generalize, in the presence of internal magnetic fields, previous results in
the literature.Comment: 9 pages, no figures; v2: conventions for Wilson lines changed, major
simplifications in expressions, discussions extended, typos corrected, some
references adde
Massive Abelian Gauge Symmetries and Fluxes in F-theory
F-theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau fourfold naturally describes
non-Abelian gauge symmetries through the singularity structure of the elliptic
fibration. In contrast Abelian symmetries are more difficult to study because
of their inherently global nature. We argue that in general F-theory
compactifications there are massive Abelian symmetries, such as the uplift of
the Abelian part of the U(N) gauge group on D7-branes, that arise from
non-Kahler resolutions of the dual M-theory setup. The four-dimensional
F-theory vacuum with vanishing expectation values for the gauge fields
corresponds to the Calabi-Yau limit. We propose that fluxes that are turned on
along these U(1)s are uplifted to non-harmonic four-form fluxes. We derive the
effective four-dimensional gauged supergravity resulting from F-theory
compactifications in the presence of the Abelian gauge factors including the
effects of possible fluxes on the gauging, tadpoles and matter spectrum.Comment: 49 page
Heterotic domain wall solutions and SU(3) structure manifolds
We examine compactifications of heterotic string theory on manifolds with
SU(3) structure. In particular, we study N = 1/2 domain wall solutions which
correspond to the perturbative vacua of the 4D, N =1 supersymmetric theories
associated to these compactifications. We extend work which has appeared
previously in the literature in two important regards. Firstly, we include two
additional fluxes which have been, heretofore, omitted in the general analysis
of this situation. This allows for solutions with more general torsion classes
than have previously been found. Secondly, we provide explicit solutions for
the fluxes as a function of the torsion classes. These solutions are
particularly useful in deciding whether equations such as the Bianchi
identities can be solved, in addition to the Killing spinor equations
themselves. Our work can be used to straightforwardly decide whether any given
SU(3) structure on a six-dimensional manifold is associated with a solution to
heterotic string theory. To illustrate how to use these results, we discuss a
number of examples taken from the literature.Comment: 34 pages, minor corrections in second versio
Electrified branes
A geometrical form of the supersymmetry conditions for D-branes on arbitrary
type II supersymmetric backgrounds is derived, as well as the associated BPS
bounds. The treatment is general and allows to consider, for instance,
non-static configurations or D-branes supporting a non-vanishing electric flux,
hence completing previous partial results. In particular, our discussion
clarifies how the notion of calibration can be extended in order to be
applicable to the most general supersymmetric configurations. As an
exemplifying preliminary step, the procedure followed is first applied to
fundamental strings.Comment: 36 page
Temporal Dissociation between Myeloperoxidase (MPO)-Modified LDL and MPO Elevations during Chronic Sleep Restriction and Recovery in Healthy Young Men
OBJECTIVES: Many studies have evaluated the ways in which sleep disturbances may influence inflammation and the possible links of this effect to cardiovascular risk. Our objective was to investigate the effects of chronic sleep restriction and recovery on several blood cardiovascular biomarkers. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nine healthy male non-smokers, aged 22-29 years, were admitted to the Sleep Laboratory for 11 days and nights under continuous electroencephalogram polysomnography. The study consisted of three baseline nights of 8 hours sleep (from 11 pm to 7 am), five sleep-restricted nights, during which sleep was allowed only between 1 am and 6 am, and three recovery nights of 8 hours sleep (11 pm to 7 am). Myeloperoxidase-modified low-density lipoprotein levels increased during the sleep-restricted period indicating an oxidative stress. A significant increase in the quantity of slow-wave sleep was measured during the first recovery night. After this first recovery night, insulin-like growth factor-1 levels increased and myeloperoxidase concentration peaked. CONCLUSIONS: We observed for the first time that sleep restriction and the recovery process are associated with differential changes in blood biomarkers of cardiovascular disease
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