438 research outputs found
On symmetries of Chern-Simons and BF topological theories
We describe constructing solutions of the field equations of Chern-Simons and
topological BF theories in terms of deformation theory of locally constant
(flat) bundles. Maps of flat connections into one another (dressing
transformations) are considered. A method of calculating (nonlocal) dressing
symmetries in Chern-Simons and topological BF theories is formulated
State Sum Models and Simplicial Cohomology
We study a class of subdivision invariant lattice models based on the gauge
group , with particular emphasis on the four dimensional example. This
model is based upon the assignment of field variables to both the - and
-dimensional simplices of the simplicial complex. The property of
subdivision invariance is achieved when the coupling parameter is quantized and
the field configurations are restricted to satisfy a type of mod- flatness
condition. By explicit computation of the partition function for the manifold
, we establish that the theory has a quantum Hilbert space
which differs from the classical one.Comment: 28 pages, Latex, ITFA-94-13, (Expanded version with two new sections
Mirror Symmetry and Other Miracles in Superstring Theory
The dominance of string theory in the research landscape of quantum gravity
physics (despite any direct experimental evidence) can, I think, be justified
in a variety of ways. Here I focus on an argument from mathematical fertility,
broadly similar to Hilary Putnam's 'no miracles argument' that, I argue, many
string theorists in fact espouse. String theory leads to many surprising,
useful, and well-confirmed mathematical 'predictions' - here I focus on mirror
symmetry. These predictions are made on the basis of general physical
principles entering into string theory. The success of the mathematical
predictions are then seen as evidence for framework that generated them. I
attempt to defend this argument, but there are nonetheless some serious
objections to be faced. These objections can only be evaded at a high
(philosophical) price.Comment: For submission to a Foundations of Physics special issue on "Forty
Years Of String Theory: Reflecting On the Foundations" (edited by G. `t
Hooft, E. Verlinde, D. Dieks and S. de Haro)
Gauge Theory on Noncommutative Supersphere from Supermatrix Model
We construct a supermatrix model which has a classical solution representing
the noncommutative (fuzzy) two-supersphere. Expanding supermatrices around the
classical background, we obtain a gauge theory on a noncommutative superspace
on sphere. This theory has supersymmetry and gauge
symmetry. We also discuss a commutative limit of the model keeping radius of
the supersphere fixed.Comment: 16 pages, Latex, typos corrected, references adde
Propagators in Noncommutative Instantons
We explicitly construct Green functions for a field in an arbitrary
representation of gauge group propagating in noncommutative instanton
backgrounds based on the ADHM construction. The propagators for spinor and
vector fields can be constructed in terms of those for the scalar field in
noncommutative instanton background. We show that the propagators in the
adjoint representation are deformed by noncommutativity while those in the
fundamental representation have exactly the same form as the commutative case.Comment: 28 pages, Latex, v2: A few typos correcte
Evidence for substrate assisted catalysis in <i>N</i>-acetylphosphoglucosamine mutase
11 pags, 4 figs, 2 tabs . -- Supplementary data is available at the Publisher's web pageN-acetylphosphoglucosamine mutase (AGM1) is a key component of the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway that produces UDP-GlcNAc, an essential precursor for a wide range of glycans in eukaryotes. AGM belongs to the α-D-phosphohexomutase metalloenzyme superfamily and catalyzes the interconversion of N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcNAc-6P) to N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate (GlcNAc-1P) through N-acetylglucosa-mine-1,6-bisphosphate (GlcNAc-1,6-bisP) as the catalytic intermediate. Although there is an understanding of the phosphoserine-dependent catalytic mechanism at enzymatic and structural level, the identity of the requisite catalytic base in AGM1/phosphoglucomu-tases is as yet unknown. Here, we present crystal structures of a Michaelis complex of AGM1 with GlcNAc-6P and Mg, and a complex of the inactive Ser69Ala mutant together with glucose-1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-bisP) that represents key snapshots along the reaction co-ordinate. Together with mutagenesis, these structures reveal that the phosphate group of the hexose-1,6-bisP intermediate may act as the catalytic base.This work was funded by the MRC Programme Grant M004139
Yield scaling, size hierarchy and fluctuations of observables in fragmentation of excited heavy nuclei
Multifragmentation properties measured with INDRA are studied for single
sources produced in Xe+Sn reactions in the incident energy range 32-50 A MeV
and quasiprojectiles from Au+Au collisions at 80 A MeV. A comparison for both
types of sources is presented concerning Fisher scaling, Zipf law, fragment
size and fluctuation observables. A Fisher scaling is observed for all the
data. The pseudo-critical energies extracted from the Fisher scaling are
consistent between Xe+Sn central collisions and Au quasi-projectiles. In the
latter case it also corresponds to the energy region at which fluctuations are
maximal. The critical energies deduced from the Zipf analysis are higher than
those from the Fisher analysis.Comment: 30 pages, accepted for publication in Nuclear Physics A, references
correcte
Zero Modes and the Atiyah-Singer Index in Noncommutative Instantons
We study the bosonic and fermionic zero modes in noncommutative instanton
backgrounds based on the ADHM construction. In k instanton background in U(N)
gauge theory, we show how to explicitly construct 4Nk (2Nk) bosonic (fermionic)
zero modes in the adjoint representation and 2k (k) bosonic (fermionic) zero
modes in the fundamental representation from the ADHM construction. The number
of fermionic zero modes is also shown to be exactly equal to the Atiyah-Singer
index of the Dirac operator in the noncommutative instanton background. We
point out that (super)conformal zero modes in non-BPS instantons are affected
by the noncommutativity. The role of Lorentz symmetry breaking by the
noncommutativity is also briefly discussed to figure out the structure of U(1)
instantons.Comment: v3: 24 pages, Latex, corrected typos, references added, to appear in
Phys. Rev.
Variation and genetic structure of Melipona quadrifasciata Lepeletier (Hymenoptera, Apidae) populations based on ISSR pattern
For a study of diversity and genetic structuring in Melipona quadrifasciata, 61 colonies were collected in eight locations in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. By means of PCR analysis, 119 ISSR bands were obtained, 80 (68%) being polymorphic. He and H B were 0.20 and 0.16, respectively. Two large groups were obtained by the UPGMA method, one formed by individuals from Januåria, Urucuia, Rio Vermelho and Caeté and the other by individuals from São João Del Rei, Barbacena, Ressaquinha and Cristiano Otoni. The Ίst and ΞB values were 0.65 and 0.58, respectively, thereby indicating high population structuring. UPGMA grouping did not reveal genetic structuring of M. quadrifasciata in function of the tergite stripe pattern. The significant correlation between dissimilarity values and geographic distances (r = 0.3998; p < 0.05) implies possible geographic isolation. The genetic differentiation in population grouping was probably the result of an interruption in gene flow, brought about by geographic barriers between mutually close geographical locations. Our results also demonstrate the potential of ISSR markers in the study of Melipona quadrifasciata population structuring, possibly applicable to the studies of other bee species
Carbon uptake by mature Amazon forests has mitigated Amazon nations' carbon emissions
Background: Several independent lines of evidence suggest that Amazon forests have provided a significant carbon
sink service, and also that the Amazon carbon sink in intact, mature forests may now be threatened as a result of
different processes. There has however been no work done to quantify non-land-use-change forest carbon fluxes on
a national basis within Amazonia, or to place these national fluxes and their possible changes in the context of the
major anthropogenic carbon fluxes in the region. Here we present a first attempt to interpret results from groundbased
monitoring of mature forest carbon fluxes in a biogeographically, politically, and temporally differentiated way.
Specifically, using results from a large long-term network of forest plots, we estimate the Amazon biomass carbon balance
over the last three decades for the different regions and nine nations of Amazonia, and evaluate the magnitude
and trajectory of these differentiated balances in relation to major national anthropogenic carbon emissions.
Results: The sink of carbon into mature forests has been remarkably geographically ubiquitous across Amazonia,
being substantial and persistent in each of the five biogeographic regions within Amazonia. Between 1980 and 2010,
it has more than mitigated the fossil fuel emissions of every single national economy, except that of Venezuela. For
most nations (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname) the sink has probably additionally
mitigated all anthropogenic carbon emissions due to Amazon deforestation and other land use change. While the
sink has weakened in some regions since 2000, our analysis suggests that Amazon nations which are able to conserve
large areas of natural and semi-natural landscape still contribute globally-significant carbon sequestration.
Conclusions: Mature forests across all of Amazonia have contributed significantly to mitigating climate change for
decades. Yet Amazon nations have not directly benefited from providing this global scale ecosystem service. We suggest
that better monitoring and reporting of the carbon fluxes within mature forests, and understanding the drivers
of changes in their balance, must become national, as well as international, priorities
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