612 research outputs found
Inflammatory monocytes damage the hippocampus during acute picornavirus infection of the brain
Unitary and Complex Matrix Models as 1-d Type 0 Strings
We propose that the double scaling behavior of the unitary matrix models, and
that of the complex matrix models, is related to type 0B and 0A fermionic
string theories. The particular backgrounds involved correspond to
matter coupled to super-Liouville theory. We examine in detail the
or pure supergravity case, which is related to the double scaling limit around
the Gross-Witten transition, and find that reversing the sign of the Liouville
superpotential interchanges the 0A and 0B theories. We also find smooth
transitions between weakly coupled string backgrounds with D-branes, and
backgrounds with Ramond-Ramond fluxes only. Finally, we discuss matrix models
with multicritical potentials that are conjectured to correspond to 0A/0B
string theories based on super-minimal models.Comment: 63 page
The Generalized Second Law implies a Quantum Singularity Theorem
The generalized second law can be used to prove a singularity theorem, by
generalizing the notion of a trapped surface to quantum situations. Like
Penrose's original singularity theorem, it implies that spacetime is null
geodesically incomplete inside black holes, and to the past of spatially
infinite Friedmann--Robertson--Walker cosmologies. If space is finite instead,
the generalized second law requires that there only be a finite amount of
entropy producing processes in the past, unless there is a reversal of the
arrow of time. In asymptotically flat spacetime, the generalized second law
also rules out traversable wormholes, negative masses, and other forms of
faster-than-light travel between asymptotic regions, as well as closed timelike
curves. Furthermore it is impossible to form baby universes which eventually
become independent of the mother universe, or to restart inflation. Since the
semiclassical approximation is used only in regions with low curvature, it is
argued that the results may hold in full quantum gravity. An introductory
section describes the second law and its time-reverse, in ordinary and
generalized thermodynamics, using either the fine-grained or the coarse-grained
entropy. (The fine-grained version is used in all results except those relating
to the arrow of time.) A proof of the coarse-grained ordinary second law is
given.Comment: 46 pages, 8 figures. v2: discussion of global hyperbolicity revised
(4.1, 5.2), more comments on AdS. v3: major revisions including change of
title. v4: similar to published version, but with corrections to plan of
paper (1) and definition of global hyperbolicity (3.2). v5: fixed proof of
Thm. 1, changed wording of Thm. 3 & proof of Thm. 4, revised Sec. 5.2, new
footnote
Self-dual gravity and self-dual Yang-Mills in the context of Macdowell-Mansouri formalism
In this work we propose an action which unifies self-dual gravity and
self-dual Yang-Mills in the context of the Macdowell-Mansouri formalism. We
claim that such an action may be used to find the S-dual action for both
self-dual gravity and self-dual Yang-Mills.Comment: 8 pages, Revtex, no figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Research applications of primary biodiversity databases in the digital age
Our world is in the midst of unprecedented change-climate shifts and sustained, widespread habitat degradation have led to dramatic declines in biodiversity rivaling historical extinction events. At the same time, new approaches to publishing and integrating previously disconnected data resources promise to help provide the evidence needed for more efficient and effective conservation and management. Stakeholders have invested considerable resources to contribute to online databases of species occurrences. However, estimates suggest that only 10% of biocollections are available in digital form. The biocollections community must therefore continue to promote digitization efforts, which in part requires demonstrating compelling applications of the data. Our overarching goal is therefore to determine trends in use of mobilized species occurrence data since 2010, as online systems have grown and now provide over one billion records. To do this, we characterized 501 papers that use openly accessible biodiversity databases. Our standardized tagging protocol was based on key topics of interest, including: database(s) used, taxa addressed, general uses of data, other data types linked to species occurrence data, and data quality issues addressed
Born-Infeld Theory and Stringy Causality
Fluctuations around a non-trivial solution of Born-Infeld theory have a
limiting speed given not by the Einstein metric but the Boillat metric. The
Boillat metric is S-duality invariant and conformal to the open string metric.
It also governs the propagation of scalars and spinors in Born-Infeld theory.
We discuss the potential clash between causality determined by the closed
string and open string light cones and find that the latter never lie outside
the former. Both cones touch along the principal null directions of the
background Born-Infeld field. We consider black hole solutions in situations in
which the distinction between bulk and brane is not sharp such as space filling
branes and find that the location of the event horizon and the thermodynamic
properties do not depend on whether one uses the closed or open string metric.
Analogous statements hold in the more general context of non-linear
electrodynamics or effective quantum-corrected metrics. We show how Born-Infeld
action to second order might be obtained from higher-curvature gravity in
Kaluza-Klein theory. Finally we point out some intriguing analogies with
Einstein-Schr\"odinger theory.Comment: 31 pages, 4 figures, LaTex; Some comments and references adde
Heterogeneity in the longitudinal courses of global functioning in children at familial risk of major psychiatric disorders: Association with trauma and familial characteristics
Abstract
Objectives
The extent to which heterogeneity in childhood risk trajectories may underlie later heterogeneity in schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar disorder (BP), and major depressive disorder (MDD) remains a chief question. Answers may optimally be found by studying the longitudinal trajectories of children born to an affected parent. We aimed to differentiate trajectories of global functioning and their sensitive periods from the age of 6 to 17 years in children at familial risk (FHRs).
Methods
First, a latent class mixed model analysis (LCMM) was applied to yearly ratings of the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) from the age of 6 to 17 years in 170 FHRs born to a parent affected by DSM-IV SZ (N = 37), BP (N = 82) or MDD (N = 51). Then, we compared the obtained Classes or trajectories of FHRs in terms of sex, parental diagnosis, IQ, child clinical status, childhood trauma, polygenic risk score (PRS), and outcome in transition to illness.
Results
The LCMM on yearly CGAS trajectories identified a 4-class solution showing markedly different childhood and adolescence dynamic courses and temporal vulnerability windows marked by a functioning decline and a degree of specificity in parental diagnosis. Moreover, IQ, trauma exposure, PRS level, and timing of later transition to illness differentiated the trajectories. Almost half (46%) of the FHRs exhibited a good and stable global functioning trajectory.
Conclusions
FHRs of major psychiatric disorders show heterogeneous functional decline during development associated with parental diagnosis, polygenic risk loading, and childhood trauma
Gender and the Communication of Emotion Via Touch
We reanalyzed a data set consisting of a U.S. undergraduate sample (N = 212) from a previous study (Hertenstein et al. 2006a) that showed that touch communicates distinct emotions between humans. In the current reanalysis, we found that anger was communicated at greater-than-chance levels only when a male comprised at least one member of a communicating dyad. Sympathy was communicated at greater-than-chance levels only when a female comprised at least one member of the dyad. Finally, happiness was communicated only if females comprised the entire dyad. The current analysis demonstrates gender asymmetries in the accuracy of communicating distinct emotions via touch between humans
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