An evaluation of the graviton propagator in de sitter space

The graviton propagator in four-dimensional de Sitter space is found in closed form. The vacuum state is taken to be the de Sitter-invariant “euclidean” or “Gibbons-Hawking” vacuum. The gauge-fixing term used is the standard choice introduced by Christensen and Duff. The propagator is given explicity in this gauge, and is found to be finite for points that are not null-related. The method used is new: mode-sums on the four-sphere are expressed as maximally symmetric bitensors. The result is then given in a completely geometric and coördinate-free form. This same method can easily be used for maximally symmetric spaces of general dimension, including anti-de Sitter space with supersymmetric boundary conditions, and for different choices of gauge

A Walsh-Fourier approach to the circulant Hadamard conjecture

We describe an approach to the circulant Hadamard conjecture based on Walsh-Fourier analysis. We show that the existence of a circulant Hadamard matrix of order $n$ is equivalent to the existence of a non-trivial solution of a certain homogenous linear system of equations. Based on this system, a possible way of proving the conjecture is proposed.Comment: 8 page

Maximally Symmetric Spin-Two Bitensors on S3S^3 and H3H^3

The transverse traceless spin-two tensor harmonics on $S^3$ and $H^3$ may be denoted by $T^{(kl)}{}_{ab}$. The index $k$ labels the (degenerate) eigenvalues of the Laplacian $\square$ and $l$ the other indices. We compute the bitensor $\sum_l T^{(kl)}{}_{ab}(x) T^{(kl)}{}_{a'b'}(x')^*$ where $x,x'$ are distinct points on a sphere or hyperboloid of unit radius. These quantities may be used to find the correlation function of a stochastic background of gravitational waves in spatially open or closed Friedman-Robertson-Walker cosmologies.Comment: 12 pages, RevTeX, uuencoded compressed .tex file, minor typos correcte

On the ground states of the Bernasconi model

The ground states of the Bernasconi model are binary +1/-1 sequences of length N with low autocorrelations. We introduce the notion of perfect sequences, binary sequences with one-valued off-peak correlations of minimum amount. If they exist, they are ground states. Using results from the mathematical theory of cyclic difference sets, we specify all values of N for which perfect sequences do exist and how to construct them. For other values of N, we investigate almost perfect sequences, i.e. sequences with two-valued off-peak correlations of minimum amount. Numerical and analytical results support the conjecture that almost perfect sequences do exist for all values of N, but that they are not always ground states. We present a construction for low-energy configurations that works if N is the product of two odd primes.Comment: 12 pages, LaTeX2e; extended content, added references; submitted to J.Phys.

On Infrared Effects in de~Sitter Background

We have estimated higher order quantum gravity corrections to de~Sitter spacetime. Our results suggest that, while the classical spacetime metric may be distorted by the graviton self-interactions, the corrections are relatively weaker than previously thought, possibly growing like a power rather than exponentially in time.Comment: 17, UM-TH-94-11, (1 postscript fig. at end

Ghost-free braneworld bigravity

We consider a generalisation of the DGP model, by adding a second brane with localised curvature, and allowing for a bulk cosmological constant and brane tensions. We study radion and graviton fluctuations in detail, enabling us to check for ghosts and tachyons. By tuning our parameters accordingly, we find bigravity models that are free from ghosts and tachyons. These models will lead to large distance modifications of gravity that could be observable in the near future.Comment: Dedicated to the memory of Ian Kogan. Version to appear in Classical and Quantum Gravit

Complementarity of the Maldacena and Karch-Randall Pictures

We perform a one-loop test of the holographic interpretation of the Karch-Randall model, whereby a massive graviton appears on an AdS_4 brane in an AdS_5 bulk. Within the AdS/CFT framework, we examine the quantum corrections to the graviton propagator on the brane, and demonstrate that they induce a graviton mass in exact agreement with the Karch-Randall result. Interestingly enough, at one loop order, the spin 0, spin 1/2 and spin 1 loops contribute to the dynamically generated (mass)^2 in the same 1: 3: 12 ratio as enters the Weyl anomaly and the 1/r^3 corrections to the Newtonian gravitational potential.Comment: 20 pages, Revtex 3, Discussion on the absence of a scalar ghost clarified; Additional details on the computation give

Upregulation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis in the heart and the kidney of growth hormone receptor knock-out mice

Objective: Growth hormone (GH) resistance leads to enhanced insulin sensitivity, decreased systolic blood pressure and increased lifespan. The aim of this study was to determine if there is a shift in the balance of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) towards the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis in the heart and the kidney of a model of GH resistance and retarded aging, the GH receptor knockout (GHR. -/-) mouse. Design: RAS components were evaluated in the heart and the kidney of GHR -/- and control mice by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting (n = 12 for both groups). Results: The immunostaining of Ang-(1-7) was increased in both the heart and the kidney of GHR. -/- mice. These changes were concomitant with an increased immunostaining of the Mas receptor and ACE2 in both tissues. The immunostaining of AT1 receptor was reduced in heart and kidney of GHR -/- mice while that of AT2 receptor was increased in the heart and unaltered in the kidney. Ang II, ACE and angiotensinogen levels remained unaltered in the heart and the kidney of GH resistant mice. These results were confirmed by Western blotting and correlated with a significant increase in the abundance of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase in both tissues. Conclusions: The shift within the RAS towards an exacerbation of the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis observed in GHR. -/- mice could be related to a protective role in cardiac and renal function; and thus, possibly contribute to the decreased incidence of cardiovascular diseases displayed by this animal model of longevity.Fil: Giani, Jorge Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Miquet, Johanna Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Muñoz, Marina Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Burghi, Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Toblli, Jorge Eduardo. Hospital Aleman. Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Masternak, Michal M.. University of Central Florida; Estados Unidos. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Kopchick, John J.. Ohio University; Estados UnidosFil: Bartke, Andrzej. Southern Illinois University; Estados UnidosFil: Turyn, Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Dominici, Fernando Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentin