Generalized Gaugino Condensation in Super Yang-Mills Theories: Discrete R-Symmetries and Vacua

One can define generalized models of gaugino condensation as theories which dynamically break a discrete R-symmetry, but do not break supersymmetry. We consider general examples consisting of gauge and matter fields, and the minimal number of gauge singlet fields to avoid flat directions in the potential. We explore which R-symmetries can arise, and their spontaneous breaking. In general, we find that the discrete symmetry is $\mathbb{Z}_{2b_0R}$ and the number of supersymmetric vacua is $b_0$, where $b_0$ is the coefficient of the one-loop beta function. Results are presented for various groups, including $SU(N_c), SO(N_c), Sp(2N_c)$, and $G_2$, for various numbers of flavors, $N_f$, by several methods. This analysis can also apply to the other exceptional groups, and thus all simple Lie groups. We also comment on model building applications where a discrete R-symmetry, broken by the singlet vevs, can account for $\mu$-type terms and allow a realistic Higgs spectrum naturally.Comment: 16 page

Finite Conductivity Minimum in Bilayer Graphene without Charge Inhomogeneities

Boltzmann transport theory fails near the linear band-crossing of single-layer graphene and near the quadratic band-crossing of bilayer graphene. We report on a numerical study which assesses the role of inter-band coherence in transport when the Fermi level lies near the band-crossing energy of bilayer graphene. We find that interband coherence enhances conduction, and that it plays an essential role in graphene's minimum conductivity phenomena. This behavior is qualitatively captured by an approximate theory which treats inter-band coherence in a relaxation-time approximation. On the basis of this short-range-disorder model study, we conclude that electron-hole puddle formation is not a necessary condition for finite conductivity in graphene at zero average carrier density.Comment: revised version as published in Phys. Rev.

Investigation of Spatio-Temporal Effects of fMRI Visual Field Mapping Techniques on V1

Blood oxygenation level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging has been used extensively for mapping the representation of the visual field within the human brain. Visual field mapping using fMRI has been used clinically to assess patients with cortical pathology and to plan surgical treatment impacting the visual system. The accuracy of fMRI-based visual field mapping methods needs to be better understood for clinical use. This accuracy can be important for presurgical mapping of brain function near a tumor resection site since inaccurate rendition of the underlying neural function could lead to inappropriate resection of viable brain tissue. The most widely used method for visual field mapping is temporal phase mapping. This dissertation investigates the accuracy of temporal phase mapping, specifically focused on the detection of polar angle visual field locations in primary visual cortex. Early studies show that polar angle positions are not uniformly distributed as suggested by animal studies. These non-uniformities are seen as relatively under-represented areas in the visual field maps used to display the fMRI data. This dissertation shows that temporal phase mapping is susceptible to hemodynamic distortions that lead to missassignment of visual field locations. Further analysis of the non-uniformity in the frequency distribution of voxels representing different angular position within the visual field shows an under-representation of locations near the vertical meridia in V1. These results led to the development of a new retinotopic mapping technique, code-based mapping. The main reason for developing a new retinotopic mapping technique was to reduce the under-representations of vertical meridia posed by using temporal phase mapping when assigning a stimulus location to a voxel. This dissertation shows that code-based mapping is a viable method for mapping visual field locations and produces a uniform distribution of voxels representing different angular positions within the visual field. Furthermore, the code-based mapping method is less susceptible to the hemodynamic biases than temporal phase mapping. With respect to clinical utility of fMRI mapping techniques, the code-based mapping shows a greater potential to accurately map a patient\u27s visual field in the presence of a tumor or other malformations that can induce large noise effects in the fMRI voxel responses

Akt1 and -2 inhibition diminishes terminal differentiation and enhances central memory CD8(+) T-cell proliferation and survival

The authors thank Dr Esteban Celis and Dr Rhea-Beth Markowitz for reviewing the manuscript and for their valuable suggestions and also thank Dr Lei Huang for his suggestions.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The Role of nannoplankton in the phytoplankton dynamics of four Colorado River reservoirs (Lakes Powell, Mead, Mohave, and Havasu)

Phytoplankton species composition and community size structure were studied in four warm-monomictic Colorado River reservoirs; lakes Powell, Mead, Mohave, and Havasu from March 1981 to February 1982. Sampling was done at approximately monthly intervals from several stations in each reservoir. The Utermohl technique was used to enumerate phytoplankton. The phytoplankton assemblage was divided into the following six size classes using microscopic techniques; netplankton (\u3e64 um), and nannoplankton (\u3e5, 5-11, 12-21, 22-44, and 45-64 um). Total phytoplankton biomass and community size structure were different among these four reservoirs with considerable spatial and temporal variation present. Average reservoir-wide areal weighted biomass was similar in lakes Powell, Mohave, and Havasu (0.8-0.9 g/m3) while biomass in Lake Mead was lower (0.3 g/m3). Based on maximum and mean annual phytoplankton biomass, all four reservoirs are classified as oligotrophic. Highest station biomass was measured near the inflows; the Colorado River at Hite (Lake Powell), Eldorado Canyon (Lake Mohave), and upper Lake Havasu; the San Juan River at Zahn Bay (Lake Powell); and Las Vegas Wash at Middle Las Vegas Bay (Lake Mead). Phytoplankton size structure was similar in lakes Powell and Mead where netplankton (\u3e64 um) was the main component, contributing 37 and 42 percent of the total annual biomass, respectively. The most common species in this size class were, Synedra ulna (Nitz.) Ehr., Fragilaria crotonensis (Edw.) Kitton, and Ceratium hirundinella (Mueller) Schrank. Nannoplankton were more common in lakes Mohave and Havasu where the 22-44 um size component made up 45 and 37 percent of total biomass, respectively. The most important species in this size class were Cryptomonas erosa Ehr., Peri dim\u27urn spp., and Anomoeoneis vitrea. Biomass of cells \u3c21 um were also important in lakes Mohave and\u3eHavasu, contributing one third of total annual biomass. Several small flagellates were numerous in all four reservoirs. Rhodomonas minuta var. nannoplanctica Skuja, Katablepharis ovalis Skuja, and Chrysochromulina parva Lackey were observed in nearly every sample. Nutrient levels were generally highest near the inflows, however, total phosphorus concentrations were low in all four reservoirs. Average values were 0.009 mg/1 in Lake Powell, 0.011 mg/1 in Lake Mead, and 0.012 mg/1 in lakes Mohave and Havasu. Ortho-phosphorus (P04-P) was extremely low at all locations. Average concentrations ranged from 0.003 to 0.004 mg/1 in each reservoir. Average total nitrogen concentrations were 0.429 mg/1 in Lake Powell, 0.364 mg/1 in Lake Mead, 0.346 mg/1 in Lake Mohave, and 0.337 mg/1 in Lake Havasu. Physical characteristics are different among these reservoirs but most similar in Powell-Mead and Mohave-Havasu. The former two reservoirs are characterized by greater mean and maximum d depth, surface area, volume, and longer hydraulic rentention time. Nutrients, inflow-outflow and physical characteristics appear to be most important in regulating the phytoplankton biomass size structure and species composition in these reservoirs

Old-School Chemotherapy in Immunotherapeutic Combination in Cancer, A Low-cost Drug Repurposed

©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.Peer reviewedPostprin

Use of ETC-1002 to treat hypercholesterolemia in patients with statin intolerance

BackgroundOnce-daily, oral ETC-1002 reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and has beneficial effects on other cardiometabolic risk factors but has not been examined in statin intolerant patients.ObjectivesTo study the efficacy and safety of ETC-1002 (a novel LDL-C–lowering agent) in patients with hypercholesterolemia and a history of statin intolerance.MethodsPatients intolerant to at least 1 statin were entered into this multicenter, double-blind, 8-week trial. Participants were required to have a history of muscle complaints that developed during statin treatment and resolved within 4 weeks of statin discontinuation. Patients (n = 56) were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to ETC-1002 60 mg daily or placebo. The ETC-1002 dose was increased at 2-week intervals to 120 mg, 180 mg, and 240 mg. The primary end point was the percentage change from baseline to week 8 in calculated LDL-C.ResultsETC-1002 reduced LDL-C 28.7% more than placebo (95% confidence interval, −35.4 to −22.1; P < .0001). ETC-1002 significantly reduced non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not change with ETC-1002 treatment. Sixty-two percent of patients receiving ETC-1002 and none in the placebo group achieved the 2004 National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III LDL-C goal (P < .0001). Muscle-related adverse events occurred with similar frequency in the placebo and ETC-1002 treatment groups, causing no discontinuations in ETC-1002–treated patients.ConclusionsETC-1002 appears to be effective at reducing LDL-C and was well tolerated in patients with statin-associated muscle complaints. Longer and larger studies are required to confirm the absence of muscle side effects

Burgers' equation in 2D SU(N) YM

It is shown that the logarithmic derivative of the characteristic polynomial of a Wilson loop in two dimensional pure Yang Mills theory with gauge group SU(N) exactly satisfies Burgers' equation, with viscosity given by 1/(2N). The Wilson loop does not intersect itself and Euclidean space-time is assumed flat and infinite. This result provides a precise framework in 2D YM for recent observations of Blaizot and Nowak and was inspired by their work.Comment: Final version -- accepted for publication in PLB - fixed abstract listin

Anti-HTLV antibody profiling reveals an antibody signature for HTLV-I-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>HTLV-I is the causal agent of adult T cell leukemia (ATLL) and HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Biomarkers are needed to diagnose and/or predict patients who are at risk for HAM/TSP or ATLL. Therefore, we investigated using luciferase immunoprecipitation technology (LIPS) antibody responses to seven HTLV-I proteins in non-infected controls, asymptomatic HTLV-I-carriers, ATLL and HAM/TSP sera samples. Antibody profiles were correlated with viral load and examined in longitudinal samples.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Anti-GAG antibody titers detected by LIPS differentiated HTLV-infected subjects from uninfected controls with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity, but did not differ between HTLV-I infected subgroups. However, anti-Env antibody titers were over 4-fold higher in HAM/TSP compared to both asymptomatic HTLV-I (<it>P </it>< 0.0001) and ATLL patients (<it>P </it>< 0.0005). Anti-Env antibody titers above 100,000 LU had 75% positive predictive value and 79% negative predictive value for identifying the HAM/TSP sub-type. Anti-Tax antibody titers were also higher (<it>P </it>< 0.0005) in the HAM/TSP compared to the asymptomatic HTLV-I carriers. Proviral load correlated with anti-Env antibodies in asymptomatic carriers (<it>R </it>= 0.76), but not in HAM/TSP.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These studies indicate that anti-HTLV-I antibody responses detected by LIPS are useful for diagnosis and suggest that elevated anti-Env antibodies are a common feature found in HAM/TSP patients.</p