Correlation Functions in Two-Dimensional Dilaton Gravity

The Liouville approach is applied to the quantum treatment of the dilaton gravity in two dimensions. The physical states are obtained from the BRST cohomology and correlation functions are computed up to three-point functions. For the $N=0$ case (i.e., without matter), the cosmological term operator is found to have the discrete momentum that plays a special role in the $c=1$ Liouville gravity. The correlation functions for arbitrary numbers of operators are found in the $N=0$ case, and are nonvanishing only for specific ``chirality'' configurations.Comment: 14 pages, TIT/HEP-204, STUPP-92-13

Spaces of rational curves in complete intersections

We prove that the space of smooth rational curves of degree $e$ in a general complete intersection of multidegree $(d_1, ..., d_m)$ in \PP^n is irreducible of the expected dimension if $\sum_{i=1}^m d_i <\frac{2n}{3}$ and $n$ is large enough. This generalizes the results of Harris, Roth and Starr \cite{hrs}, and is achieved by proving that the space of conics passing through any point of a general complete intersection has constant dimension if $\sum_{i=1}^m d_i$ is small compared to $n$

Orbital Ordering in ferromagnetic Lu2V2O7

We have observed the orbital ordering in the ferromagnetic Mott-insulator Lu2V2O7 by the polarized neutron diffraction technique. The orbital ordering pattern determined from the observed magnetic form factors can be explained in terms of a linear combination of wave functions |yz>, |zx> and |xy>; |0> = (1/3)^(1/2) |xy> + (1/3)^(1/2)|yz> + (1/3)^(1/2) |zx> which is proportional to |(x + y + z)^2 - r^2>; where each orbital is extended toward the center-of-mass of the V tetrahedron. We discuss the stability of the ferromagnetic Lu2V2O7, using a Hubbard Hamiltonian with these three orbitals.Comment: 17pages. to be published in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 74 (2005

Spectral stability of noncharacteristic isentropic Navier-Stokes boundary layers

Building on work of Barker, Humpherys, Lafitte, Rudd, and Zumbrun in the shock wave case, we study stability of compressive, or "shock-like", boundary layers of the isentropic compressible Navier-Stokes equations with gamma-law pressure by a combination of asymptotic ODE estimates and numerical Evans function computations. Our results indicate stability for gamma in the interval [1, 3] for all compressive boundary-layers, independent of amplitude, save for inflow layers in the characteristic limit (not treated). Expansive inflow boundary-layers have been shown to be stable for all amplitudes by Matsumura and Nishihara using energy estimates. Besides the parameter of amplitude appearing in the shock case, the boundary-layer case features an additional parameter measuring displacement of the background profile, which greatly complicates the resulting case structure. Moreover, inflow boundary layers turn out to have quite delicate stability in both large-displacement and large-amplitude limits, necessitating the additional use of a mod-two stability index studied earlier by Serre and Zumbrun in order to decide stability

Platelet-activating factor is crucial in psoralen and ultraviolet A-induced immune suppression, inflammation, and apoptosis.

Psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) is used as a very effective treatment modality for various diseases, including psoriasis and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. PUVA-induced immune suppression and/or apoptosis are thought to be responsible for the therapeutic action. However, the molecular mechanisms by which PUVA acts are not well understood. We have previously identified platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potent phospholipid mediator, as a crucial substance triggering ultraviolet B radiation-induced immune suppression. In this study, we used PAF receptor knockout mice, a selective PAF receptor antagonist, a COX-2 inhibitor (presumably blocking downstream effects of PAF), and PAF-like molecules to test the role of PAF receptor binding in PUVA treatment. We found that activation of the PAF pathway is crucial for PUVA-induced immune suppression (as measured by suppression of delayed type hypersensitivity to Candida albicans) and that it plays a role in skin inflammation and apoptosis. Downstream of PAF, interleukin-10 was involved in PUVA-induced immune suppression but not inflammation. Better understanding of PUVA\u27s mechanisms may offer the opportunity to dissect the therapeutic from the detrimental (ie, carcinogenic) effects and/or to develop new drugs (eg, using the PAF pathway) that act like PUVA but have fewer side effects