Phase space polarization and the topological string: a case study

We review and elaborate on our discussion in hep-th/0606112 on the interplay between the target space and the worldsheet description of the open topological string partition function, for the example of the conifold. We discuss the appropriate phase space and canonical form for the system. We find a map between choices of polarization and the worldsheet description, based on which we study the behavior of the partition function under canonical transformations.Comment: 18 pages, invited review for MPL

Assessment of potential future hydrogen markets in the U.S.

Potential future hydrogen markets in the United States are assessed. Future hydrogen markets for various use sectors are projected, the probable range of hydrogen production costs from various alternatives is estimated, stimuli and barriers to the development of hydrogen markets are discussed, an overview of the status of technologies for the production and utilization of hydrogen is presented, and, finally, societal aspects of hydrogen production and utilization are discussed

Potential for cogeneration of heat and electricity in California industry, phase 2

The nontechnical issues of industrial cogeneration for 12 California firms were analyzed under three categories of institutional settings: (1) industrial ownership without firm sales of power; (2) industrial ownership with firm sales of power; and (3) utility or third party ownership. Institutional issues were analyzed from the independent viewpoints of the primary parties of interest: the industrial firms, the electric utilities and the California Public utilities Commission. Air quality regulations and the agencies responsible for their promulgation were examined, and a life cycle costing model was used to evaluate the economic merits of representative conceptual cogeneration systems at these sites. Specific recommendations were made for mitigating measures and regulatory action relevant to industrial cogeneration in California

The Effect Of Cellulase Supplementation And Various Wheat Bran Levels In Broiler Diets

It is a widely known fact that fibrous material is generally not well assimilated by a growing chick. Furthermore, the effect on the growth of a chick sometimes may be quite derogatory, depending on the quantity of the fibrous material used in the diet. This effect is generally considered to be attributable to a reduction in the energy intake and might be caused by a specific effect of the cellulose itself or by some cellulose composition products

Bundles over Nearly-Kahler Homogeneous Spaces in Heterotic String Theory

We construct heterotic vacua based on six-dimensional nearly-Kahler homogeneous manifolds and non-trivial vector bundles thereon. Our examples are based on three specific group coset spaces. It is shown how to construct line bundles over these spaces, compute their properties and build up vector bundles consistent with supersymmetry and anomaly cancelation. It turns out that the most interesting coset is $SU(3)/U(1)^2$. This space supports a large number of vector bundles which lead to consistent heterotic vacua, some of them with three chiral families.Comment: 32 pages, reference adde

Open string wavefunctions in flux compactifications

We consider compactifications of type I supergravity on manifolds with SU(3) structure, in the presence of RR fluxes and magnetized D9-branes, and analyze the generalized Dirac and Laplace-Beltrami operators associated to the D9-brane worldvolume fields. These compactifications are T-dual to standard type IIB toroidal orientifolds with NSNS and RR 3-form fluxes and D3/D7 branes. By using techniques of representation theory and harmonic analysis, the spectrum of open string wavefunctions can be computed for Lie groups and their quotients, as we illustrate with explicit twisted tori examples. We find a correspondence between irreducible unitary representations of the Kaloper-Myers algebra and families of Kaluza-Klein excitations. We perform the computation of 2- and 3-point couplings for matter fields in the above flux compactifications, and compare our results with those of 4d effective supergravity.Comment: 89 pages, 4 figures. v3: more typos corrected, version published in JHE

Surface Operator, Bubbling Calabi-Yau and AGT Relation

Surface operators in N=2 four-dimensional gauge theories are interesting half-BPS objects. These operators inherit the connection of gauge theory with the Liouville conformal field theory, which was discovered by Alday, Gaiotto and Tachikawa. Moreover it has been proposed that toric branes in the A-model topological strings lead to surface operators via the geometric engineering. We analyze the surface operators by making good use of topological string theory. Starting from this point of view, we propose that the wave-function behavior of the topological open string amplitudes geometrically engineers the surface operator partition functions and the Gaiotto curves of corresponding gauge theories. We then study a peculiar feature that the surface operator corresponds to the insertion of the degenerate fields in the conformal field theory side. We show that this aspect can be realized as the geometric transition in topological string theory, and the insertion of a surface operator leads to the bubbling of the toric Calabi-Yau geometry.Comment: 36 pages, 14 figures. v2: minor changes and typos correcte

Non-compact Topological Branes on Conifold

We consider non-compact branes in topological string theories on a class of Calabi-Yau spaces including the resolved conifold and its mirror. We compute the amplitudes of the insertion of non-compact Lagrangian branes in the A-model on the resolved conifold in the context of the topological vertex as well as the melting crystal picture. They all agree with each other and also agree with the results from Chern-Simons theory, supporting the large N duality. We find that they obey the Schr\"odinger equation confirming the wavefunction behavior of the amplitudes. We also compute the amplitudes of the non-compact B-branes in the DV matrix model which arises as a B-model open string field theory on the mirror manifold of the deformed conifold. We take the large N duality to consider the B-model on the mirror of the resolved conifold and confirm the wave function behavior of this amplitude. We find appropriate descriptions of non-compact branes in each model, which give complete agreements among those amplitudes and clarify the salient features including the role of symmetries toward these agreements.Comment: 32 pages, 9 figures, a reference added, typos fixe

Systemic tuberculosis presenting with acute transient myopia: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Transient myopia has been reported to occur in a number of conditions, either ocular in origin or associated with an underlying systemic cause. We present a rare case of this abnormality occurring in the setting of systemic tuberculosis.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 29-year-old Indian woman presented with sudden onset blurred distance vision and fever. Examination revealed visual acuity of counting fingers in both eyes improving to 6/9 with pinhole with N5 reading acuity. Anterior segment examination revealed narrow angles on gonioscopy. Posterior segments were normal. Systemic examination revealed a fluctuant mass in her left loin, aspiration of which yielded pus which was culture-positive for <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</it>. The Mantoux test elicited a strongly positive reaction. Chest X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain were unremarkable. Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging of the spine and abdomen revealed a large psoas abscess communicating with the loin mass. Two vertebrae were involved but not the spinal cord or canal.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Transient myopia is a rare presenting feature of systemic tuberculosis. A postulated mechanism in this patient is that development of a uveal effusion related to systemic tuberculosis caused anterior rotation of the iris-lens diaphragm, thereby inducing narrowing of the angle and acute myopia.</p