329 research outputs found
On the absence of BPS preonic solutions in IIA and IIB supergravities
We consider the present absence of 31 out of 32 supersymmetric solutions in
supergravity i.e., of solutions describing BPS preons. A recent result
indicates that (bosonic) BPS preonic solutions do not exist in type IIB
supergravity. We reconsider this analysis by using the G-frame method, extend
it to the IIA supergravity case, and show that there are no (bosonic) preonic
solutions for type IIA either. For the classical D=11 supergravity no
conclusion can be drawn yet, although the negative IIA results permit
establishing the conditions that preonic solutions would have to satisfy. For
supergravities with `stringy' corrections, the existence of BPS preonic
solutions remains fully open.Comment: plain latex, 12 pages Minor misprints corrected. Published in JHEP 09
(2006) 00
An action for supergravity interacting with super-p-brane sources
We describe the coupled system of supergravity and a superbrane source by the
sum of the group manifold action for D--dimensional supergravity and the action
for a super----brane. We derive the generalized Einstein equation with the
source and discuss the local fermionic symmetries of the coupled action. Our
scheme could be especially relevant in , in which the superfield
actions for supergravity are not known.Comment: One short clarifying comment added. To appear in PRD (Rapid Commun.
On the maximal superalgebras of supersymmetric backgrounds
In this note we give a precise definition of the notion of a maximal
superalgebra of certain types of supersymmetric supergravity backgrounds,
including the Freund-Rubin backgrounds, and propose a geometric construction
extending the well-known construction of its Killing superalgebra. We determine
the structure of maximal Lie superalgebras and show that there is a finite
number of isomorphism classes, all related via contractions from an
orthosymplectic Lie superalgebra. We use the structure theory to show that
maximally supersymmetric waves do not possess such a maximal superalgebra, but
that the maximally supersymmetric Freund-Rubin backgrounds do. We perform the
explicit geometric construction of the maximal superalgebra of AdS_4 x S^7 and
find that is isomorphic to osp(1|32). We propose an algebraic construction of
the maximal superalgebra of any background asymptotic to AdS_4 x S^7 and we
test this proposal by computing the maximal superalgebra of the M2-brane in its
two maximally supersymmetric limits, finding agreement.Comment: 17 page
On BPS preons, generalized holonomies and D=11 supergravities
We develop the BPS preon conjecture to analyze the supersymmetric solutions
of D=11 supergravity. By relating the notions of Killing spinors and BPS
preons, we develop a moving G-frame method (G=GL(32,R), SL(32,R) or Sp(32,R))
to analyze their associated generalized holonomies. As a first application we
derive here the equations determining the generalized holonomies of k/32
supersymmetric solutions and, in particular, those solving the necessary
conditions for the existence of BPS preonic (31/32) solutions of the standard
D=11 supergravity. We also show that there exist elementary preonic solutions,
i.e. solutions preserving 31 out of 32 supersymmetries in a Chern--Simons type
supergravity. We present as well a family of worldvolume actions describing the
motion of pointlike and extended BPS preons in the background of a D'Auria-Fre
type OSp(1|32)-related supergravity model. We discuss the possible implications
for M-theory.Comment: 11 pages, RevTeX Typos corrected, a short note and references adde
Supersymmetric Branes on AdS_5 x Y^{p,q} and their Field Theory Duals
We systematically study supersymmetric embeddings of D-brane probes of
different dimensionality in the AdS_5xY^{p,q} background of type IIB string
theory. The main technique employed is the kappa symmetry of the probe's
worldvolume theory. In the case of D3-branes, we recover the known three-cycles
dual to the dibaryonic operators of the gauge theory and we also find a new
family of supersymmetric embeddings. The BPS fluctuations of dibaryons are
analyzed and shown to match the gauge theory results. Supersymmetric
configurations of D5-branes, representing domain walls, and of spacetime
filling D7-branes (which can be used to add flavor) are also found. We also
study the baryon vertex and some other embeddings which break supersymmetry but
are nevertheless stable.Comment: LaTeX, 2 figures, 54 pages; v2: discussions sharpened at several
points, new subsection and references adde
SOX4 can redirect TGF-β-mediated SMAD3-transcriptional output in a context-dependent manner to promote tumorigenesis.
Expression of the transcription factor SOX4 is often elevated in human cancers, where it generally correlates with tumor-progression and poor-disease outcome. Reduction of SOX4 expression results in both diminished tumor-incidence and metastasis. In breast cancer, TGF-β-mediated induction of SOX4 has been shown to contribute to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which controls pro-metastatic events. Here, we identify SMAD3 as a novel, functionally relevant SOX4 interaction partner. Genome-wide analysis showed that SOX4 and SMAD3 co-occupy a large number of genomic loci in a cell-type specific manner. Moreover, SOX4 expression was required for TGF-β-mediated induction of a subset of SMAD3/SOX4-co-bound genes regulating migration and extracellular matrix-associated processes, and correlating with poor-prognosis. These findings identify SOX4 as an important SMAD3 co-factor controlling transcription of pro-metastatic genes and context-dependent shaping of the cellular response to TGF-β. Targeted disruption of the interaction between these factors may have the potential to disrupt pro-oncogenic TGF-β signaling, thereby impairing tumorigenesis
Spinors: a Mathematica package for doing spinor calculus in General Relativity
The "Spinors" software is a "Mathematica" package which implements
2-component spinor calculus as devised by Penrose for General Relativity in
dimension 3+1. The "Spinors" software is part of the "xAct" system, which is a
collection of "Mathematica" packages to do tensor analysis by computer. In this
paper we give a thorough description of "Spinors" and present practical
examples of use.Comment: 12 pages, one figure. Typos corrected and references added. To appear
in Computer Physics Communication
Informal caregivers of persons with dementia, their use of and needs for specific professional support: a survey of the national dementia programme
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This paper describes both the use of and needs for informal caregivers of people with dementia, based on a questionnaire survey organized within the National Dementia Programme in the Netherlands. The National Dementia Programme is a quality collaborative of the Dutch Alzheimer's Association, the Institute of Quality of Healthcare (CBO) and the Knowledge Centre on Ageing (Vilans), instigated by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, to improve integrated care for people with dementia and their informal caregivers. The support needs of informal caregivers are important to improve caregiver well-being and delaying institutionalization of the person with dementia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In the period April 2006 - January 2007, the National Dementia Programme questionnaire was completed by 984 informal caregivers. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the use of and needs for additional professional support by informal caregivers. Chi-square tests were used to assess the relationships between characteristics of the caregivers (spouses, sons/daughters, sons/daughters in-law) and support needs on one hand and to assess the relationship between the living situation of the person with dementia (living at home or living in a nursing home or home for the elderly) and support needs on the other hand.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Almost all informal caregivers (92.6%) received some professional support. However, two thirds (67.4%) indicated they had one or more needs for additional professional support. Informal caregivers often need additional professional advice about what to do when their relative is frightened, angry of confused. Spouses reported different needs than sons or daughters (in-law): spouses relatively often need emotional support and sons or daughters (in-law) more often need information and coordination of dementia care.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Most of the informal caregivers report that they need additional information and advice, e.g. about how to cope with behavioral problems of their relative, about the progression of the illness trajectory, emotional support and coordination of dementia care. Future support programmes, e.g. in the field of case management, should address the specific needs of informal caregivers.</p
Group motivational intervention in overweight/obese patients in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in the primary healthcare area
Background The global mortality caused by cardiovascular disease increases with weight. The Framingham study showed that obesity is a cardiovascular risk factor independent of other risks such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and smoking. Moreover, the main problem in the management of weight-loss is its maintenance, if it is achieved. We have designed a study to determine whether a group motivational intervention, together with current clinical practice, is more efficient than the latter alone in the treatment of overweight and obesity, for initial weight loss and essentially to achieve maintenance of the weight achieved; and, secondly, to know if this intervention is more effective for reducing cardiovascular risk factors associated with overweight and obesity. Methods This 26-month follow up multi-centre trial, will include 1200 overweight/obese patients. Random assignment of the intervention by Basic Health Areas (BHA): two geographically separate groups have been created, one of which receives group motivational intervention (group intervention), delivered by a nurse trained by an expert phsychologist, in 32 group sessions, 1 to 12 fortnightly, and 13 to 32, monthly, on top of their standard program of diet, exercise, and the other (control group), receiving the usual follow up, with regular visits every 3 months. Discussion By addressing currently unanswered questions regarding the maintenance in weight loss in obesity/overweight, upon the expected completion of participant follow-up in 2012, the IMOAP trial should document, for the first time, the benefits of a motivational intervention as a treatment tool of weight loss in a primary care setting
- …