Search for the magnetic field of the O7.5 III star xi Persei

Cyclical wind variability is an ubiquitous but as yet unexplained feature among OB stars. The O7.5 III(n)((f)) star xi Persei is the brightest representative of this class on the Northern hemisphere. As its prominent cyclical wind properties vary on a rotational time scale (2 or 4 days) the star has been already for a long time a serious magnetic candidate. As the cause of this enigmatic behavior non-radial pulsations and/or a surface magnetic field are suggested. We present a preliminary report on our attempts to detect a magnetic field in this star with high-resolution measurements obtained with the spectropolarimeter Narval at TBL, France during 2 observing runs of 5 nights in 2006 and 5 nights in 2007. Only upper limits could be obtained, even with the longest possible exposure times. If the star hosts a magnetic field, its surface strength should be less than about 300 G. This would still be enough to disturb the stellar wind significantly. From our new data it seems that the amplitude of the known non-radial pulsations has changed within less than a year, which needs further investigation.Comment: 2 pages, 6 figures, contributed poster at IAU Symposium 259 "Cosmic Magnetic Fields: from Planets, to Stars and Galaxies", Tenerife, Spain, November 3-7, 200

A String Theory Which Isn't About Strings

Quantization of closed string proceeds with a suitable choice of worldsheet vacuum. A priori, the vacuum may be chosen independently for left-moving and right-moving sectors. We construct {\sl ab initio} quantized bosonic string theory with left-right asymmetric worldsheet vacuum and explore its consequences and implications. We critically examine the validity of new vacuum and carry out first-quantization using standard operator formalism. Remarkably, the string spectrum consists only of a finite number of degrees of freedom: string gravity (massless spin-two, Kalb-Ramond and dilaton fields) and two massive spin-two Fierz-Pauli fields. The massive spin-two fields have negative norm, opposite mass-squared, and provides a Lee-Wick type extension of string gravity. We compute two physical observables: tree-level scattering amplitudes and one-loop cosmological constant. Scattering amplitude of four dilatons is shown to be a rational function of kinematic invariants, and in $D=26$ factorizes into contributions of massless spin-two and a pair of massive spin-two fields. The string one loop partition function is shown to perfectly agree with one loop Feynman diagram of string gravity and two massive spin-two fields. In particular, it does not exhibit modular invariance. We critically compare our construction with recent studies and contrast differences.Comment: 42 pages, 1 figure, minor corrections, references added; v3: minor corrections, references added, published version in JHE

A Firm-Specific Analysis of the Exchange-Rate Exposure of Dutch Firms

We examine the relationship between exchange-rate changes and stockreturns for a sample of Dutch firms over 1994-1998. We find that over50% of the firms are significantly exposed to exchange-rate risk.Furthermore, all firms with significant exchange-rate exposure benefitfrom a depreciation of the Dutch guilder relative to a trade-weightedcurrency index. This result confirms that firms in open economies,such as the Netherlands, exhibit significant exchange-rate exposure.We collect unique information on the most relevant individualcurrencies for each firm with respect to their influence on firmvalue. Our results indicate that the use of a trade-weighted currencyindex and the use of individual exchange rates are complements. Wealso measure the determinants of exchange-rate exposure. As expected,we find that firm size and the foreign sales ratio are significantlyand positively related to exchange-rate exposure. In contrast with ourhypothesis, off-balance hedging using derivatives has no significanteffects. Finally, in line with theory, we find that exposure issignificantly reduced through on-balance sheet hedging, i.e. throughforeign loans and by producing in factories abroad.risk management;The Netherlands;foreign exchange rates;international finance;exposure measurement