Semiclassical Strings in AdS_5 x S^5 and Automorphic Functions

Using AdS/CFT we derive from the folded spinning string ordinary differential equations for the anomalous dimension of the dual N=4 SYM twist-two operators at strong coupling. We show that for large spin the asymptotic solutions have the Gribov-Lipatov recirocity property. To obtain this result we use a hidden modular invariance of the energy-spin relation of the folded spinning string. Further we identify the Moch-Vermaseren-Vogt (MVV) relations, which were first recognized in plain QCD calculations, as the recurrence relations of the asymptotic series ansatz.Comment: 4 page

Derivative pricing under the possibility of long memory in the supOU stochastic volatility model

We consider the supOU stochastic volatility model which is able to exhibit long-range dependence. For this model we give conditions for the discounted stock price to be a martingale, calculate the characteristic function, give a strip where it is analytic and discuss the use of Fourier pricing techniques. Finally, we present a concrete specification with polynomially decaying autocorrelations and calibrate it to observed market prices of plain vanilla options

Numerical benchmark campaign of cost action tu1404 – microstructural modelling

This paper presents the results of the numerical benchmark campaign on modelling of hydration and microstructure development of cementitious materials. This numerical benchmark was performed in the scope of COST Action TU1404 “Towards the next generation of standards for service life of cement-based materials and structures”. Seven modelling groups took part in the campaign applying different models for prediction of mechanical properties (elastic moduli or compressive strength) in cement pastes and mortars. The simulations were based on published experimental data. The experimental data (both input and results used for validation) were open to the participants. The purpose of the benchmark campaign was to identify the needs of different models in terms of input experimental data, verify predictive potential of the models and finally to provide reference cases for new models in the future. The results of the benchmark show that a relatively high scatter in the predictions can arise between different models, in particular at early ages (e.g. elastic Young’s modulus predicted at 1 d in the range 6-20 GPa), while it reduces at later age, providing relatively good agreement with experimental data. Even though the input data was based on a single experimental dataset, the large differences between the results of the different models were found to be caused by distinct assumed properties for the individual phases at the microstructural level, mainly because of the scatter in the nanoindentation-derived properties of the C-S-H phase.</jats:p

Biologically induced mineralization of dypingite by cyanobacteria from an alkaline wetland near Atlin, British Columbia, Canada

Background: This study provides experimental evidence for biologically induced precipitation of magnesium carbonates, specifically dypingite (Mg(CO)(OH) ·5HO), by cyanobacteria from an alkaline wetland near Atlin, British Columbia. This wetland is part of a larger hydromagnesite (Mg(CO)(OH) ·4HO) playa. Abiotic and biotic processes for magnesium carbonate precipitation in this environment are compared. Results: Field observations show that evaporation of wetland water produces carbonate films of nesquehonite (MgCO ·3HO) on the water surface and crusts on exposed surfaces. In contrast, benthic microbial mats possessing filamentous cyanobacteria (Lyngbya sp.) contain platy dypingite (Mg (CO)4(OH)·5HO) and aragonite. Bulk carbonates in the benthic mats (δC avg. = 6.7%, δO avg. = 17.2%) were isotopically distinguishable from abiotically formed nesquehonite (δC avg. = 9.3%, δO avg. = 24.9%). Field and laboratory experiments, which emulated natural conditions, were conducted to provide insight into the processes for magnesium carbonate precipitation in this environment. Field microcosm experiments included an abiotic control and two microbial systems, one containing ambient wetland water and one amended with nutrients to simulate eutrophic conditions. The abiotic control developed an extensive crust of nesquehonite on its bottom surface during which [Mg] decreased by 16.7% relative to the starting concentration. In the microbial systems, precipitation occurred within the mats and was not simply due to the capturing of mineral grains settling out of the water column. Magnesium concentrations decreased by 22.2% and 38.7% in the microbial systems, respectively. Laboratory experiments using natural waters from the Atlin site produced rosettes and flakey globular aggregates of dypingite precipitated in association with filamentous cyanobacteria dominated biofilms cultured from the site, whereas the abiotic control again precipitated nesquehonite. Conclusion: Microbial mats in the Atlin wetland create ideal conditions for biologically induced precipitation of dypingite and have presumably played a significant role in the development of this natural Mg-carbonate playa. This biogeochemical process represents an important link between the biosphere and the inorganic carbon pool

HPK1 Associates with SKAP-HOM to Negatively Regulate Rap1-Mediated B-Lymphocyte Adhesion

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1) is a Ste20-related serine/threonine kinase activated by a range of environmental stimuli including genotoxic stress, growth factors, inflammatory cytokines and antigen receptor triggering. Being inducibly recruited to membrane-proximal signalling scaffolds to regulate NFAT, AP-1 and NFkappaB-mediated gene transcription in T-cells, the function of HPK1 in B-cells to date remains rather ill-defined. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: By using two loss of function models, we show that HPK1 displays a novel function in regulating B-cell integrin activity. Wehi 231 lymphoma cells lacking HPK1 after shRNA mediated knockdown exhibit increased basic activation levels of Ras-related protein 1 (Rap1), accompanied by a severe lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) dependent homotypic aggregation and increased adhesion to intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). The observed phenotype of enhanced integrin activity is caused downstream of Src, by a signalling module independent of PI3K and PLC, involving HPK1, SKAP55 homologue (SKAP-HOM) and Rap1-GTP-interacting adaptor molecule (RIAM). This alters actin dynamics and renders focal adhesion kinase (FAK) constitutively phosphorylated. Bone marrow and splenic B-cell development of HPK1(-/-) mice are largely unaffected, except age-related tendencies for increased splenic cellularity and BCR downregulation. In addition, naïve splenic knockout B-cells appear hyperresponsive to a range of stimuli applied ex vivo as recently demonstrated by others for T-cells. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We therefore conclude that HPK1 exhibits a dual function in B-cells by negatively regulating integrin activity and controlling cellular activation, which makes it an interesting candidate to study in pathological settings like autoimmunity and cancer

IUPAC-NIST Solubility Data Series. 95. Alkaline earth carbonates in aqueous systems. Part 1. Introduction, Be and Mg

The alkaline earth carbonates are an important class of minerals. This volume compiles and critically evaluates solubility data of the alkaline earth carbonates in water and in simple aqueous electrolyte solutions. Part 1, the present paper, outlines the procedure adopted in this volume in detail, and presents the beryllium and magnesium carbonates. For the minerals magnesite (MgCO 3), nesquehonite (MgCO 3.3H 2O), and lansfordite (MgCO 3.5H 2O), a critical evaluation is presented based on curve fits to empirical and=or thermodynamic models. Useful side products of the compilation and evaluation of the data outlined in the introduction are new relationships for the Henry constant of CO 2 with Sechenov parameters, and for various equilibria in the aqueous phase including the dissociation constants of CO 2(aq) and the stability constant of the ion pair MCO 3 0(M=alkaline earth metal). Thermodynamic data of the alkaline earth carbonates consistent with two thermodynamic model variants are proposed. The model variant that describes the Mg 2+-HCO 3 - ion interaction with Pitzer parameters was more consistent with the solubility data an d with other thermodynamic data than the model variant that described the interaction with a stability constant

Solubility of CuO(s) in highly alkaline solutions

The solubility of tenorite, CuO(s), has been measured at 25 °C and 60 °C as a function of total hydroxide concentration, [OH−]T, at constant ionic strength (I = 5 or 6 mol kg− 1) in Li(OH,ClO4)(aq) and Na(OH,ClO4)(aq) media. Additional measurements were also made in highly concentrated (≥ 6 mol kg− 1) NaOH(aq) and KOH(aq). The solubility (S) of CuO(s), measured as the total concentration of dissolved Cu(II) by atomic absorption spectroscopy, decreased at approximately constant [OH−]T in the order LiOH ≫ NaOH > KOH and increased with temperature and [OH−]T in all media. Plots of log S against log [OH−]T were linear with a slope of ~ 2.0, indicating, consistent with UV–Vis spectra, that the only significant Cu(II) species in solution was Cu(OH)42 −(aq) under all conditions studied. Detailed analysis indicates that previous studies overestimated S because of the presence of fine particles of CuO(s). Using equilibrium constants and SIT parameter values derived from the present experimental data, the solubility of CuO(s) could be described with good precision up to the highest hydroxide concentrations investigated in all media