990 research outputs found
Giants and loops in beta-deformed theories
We study extended objects in the gravity dual of the N=1 beta-deformation of
N=4 Super Yang-Mills theory. We identify probe brane configurations
corresponding to giant gravitons and Wilson loops. In particular we identify a
new class of objects, given by D5-branes wrapped on a two-torus with a
world-volume gauge field strength turned on along the torus. These appear when
the deformation parameter assumes a rational value and the gauge theory
spectrum has additional branches of vacua. We give an interpretation of the new
D5-brane dual giant gravitons in terms of rotating vacuum expectation values in
these additional branches.Comment: 26 pages; typos corrected, published versio
Scaffold of Selenium Nanovectors and Honey Phytochemicals for Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum Sensing and Biofilm Formation
Honey is an excellent source of polyphenolic compounds that are effective in attenuating quorum sensing (QS), a chemical process of cell-to-cell communication system used by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa to regulate virulence and biofilm formation. However, lower water solubility and inadequate bioavailability remains major concerns of these therapeutic polyphenols. Its therapeutic index can be improved by using nano-carrier systems to target QS signaling potently. In the present study, we fabricated a unique drug delivery system comprising selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs; non-viral vectors) and polyphenols of honey (HP) for enhancement of anti-QS activity of HP against P. aeruginosa PAO1. The developed selenium nano-scaffold showed superior anti-QS activity, anti-biofilm efficacy, and anti-virulence potential in both in-vitro and in-vivo over its individual components, SeNPs and HP. LasR is inhibited by selenium nano-scaffold in-vitro. Using computational molecular docking studies, we have also demonstrated that the anti-virulence activity of selenium nano-scaffold is reliant on molecular binding that occurs between HP and the QS receptor LasR through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Our preliminary investigations with selenium-based nano-carriers hold significant promise to improve anti-virulence effectiveness of phytochemicals by enhancing effective intracellular delivery
Shell model description of normal parity bands in odd-mass heavy deformed nuclei
The low-energy spectra and B(E2) electromagnetic transition strengths of
159Eu, 159Tb and 159Dy are described using the pseudo SU(3) model. Normal
parity bands are built as linear combinations of SU(3) states, which are the
direct product of SU(3) proton and neutron states with pseudo spin zero (for
even number of nucleons) and pseudo spin 1/2 (for odd number of nucleons). Each
of the many-particle states have a well-defined particle number and total
angular momentum. The Hamiltonian includes spherical Nilsson single-particle
energies, the quadrupole-quadrupole and pairing interactions, as well as three
rotor terms which are diagonal in the SU(3) basis. The pseudo SU(3) model is
shown to be a powerful tool to describe odd-mass heavy deformed nuclei.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, Accepted to be published in Phys. Rev.
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
Core-coupled states and split proton-neutron quasi-particle multiplets in 122-126Ag
Neutron-rich silver isotopes were populated in the fragmentation of a 136Xe
beam and the relativistic fission of 238U. The fragments were mass analyzed
with the GSI Fragment separator and subsequently implanted into a passive
stopper. Isomeric transitions were detected by 105 HPGe detectors. Eight
isomeric states were observed in 122-126Ag nuclei. The level schemes of
122,123,125Ag were revised and extended with isomeric transitions being
observed for the first time. The excited states in the odd-mass silver isotopes
are interpreted as core-coupled states. The isomeric states in the even-mass
silver isotopes are discussed in the framework of the proton-neutron split
multiplets. The results of shell-model calculations, performed for the most
neutron-rich silver nuclei are compared to the experimental data
Evidence for reduced collectivity around the neutron mid-shell in the stable even-mass Sn isotopes from new lifetime measurements
Precise measurements of the lifetimes of the first excited 2+ states in the stable even-A Sn isotopes 112-124Sn have been performed using the Doppler shift attenuation technique. For the isotopes 112Sn, 114Sn and 116Sn the E2 transition strengths deduced from the measured lifetimes are in disagreement with the previously reported values and indicate a shallow minimum at N=66. The observed deviation from a maximum at mid-shell is attributed to the obstructive effect of the s1/2 neutron orbital in generating collectivity when near the Fermi level. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.Financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci on under contracts FPA2007-66069, FPA2009-13377-C02-01 and FPA2009-13377-C02-02, the Spanish Consolider-Ingenio 2010 Programme CPAN (CSD2007-00042) and the Australian Re- search Council Discovery Scheme, grant no. DP0773273Peer Reviewe
Observations of trace gases and aerosols over the Indian Ocean during the monsoon transition period
Characteristics of trace gases (O3, CO, CO2, CH4 and N2O) and aerosols (particle size of 2.5 micron) were studied over the Arabian Sea, equatorial Indian Ocean and southwest part of the Bay of Bengal during the monsoon transition period (October-November, 2004). Flow of pollutants is expected from south and southeast Asia during the monsoonal transition period due to the patterns of wind flow which are different from the monsoon period. This is the first detailed report on aerosols and trace gases during the sampled period as the earlier Bay of Bengal Experiment (BOBMEX), Arabian Sea Monsoon Experiment (ARMEX) and Indian Ocean Experiments (INDOEX) were during monsoon seasons. The significant observations during the transition period include: (i) low ozone concentration of the order of 5 ppbv around the equator, (ii) high concentrations of CO2, CH4 and N2O and (iii) variations in PM2.5 of 5-20μg/m3
Youth Culturally adapted Manual Assisted Problem Solving Training (YCMAP) in Pakistani adolescent with a history of self-harm: protocol for multicentre clinical and cost-effectiveness randomised controlled trial
Introduction: Suicide is a global health concern. Sociocultural factors have an impact on self-harm and suicide rates. In Pakistan, both self-harm and suicide are considered as criminal offenceâs and are condemned on both religious and social grounds. The proposed intervention âYouth Culturally Adapted Manual Assisted Problem Solving Training (YCMAP)â is based on principles of problem-solving and cognitiveâbehavioural therapy. YCMAP is a brief, culturally relevant, scalable intervention that can be implemented in routine clinical practice if found to be effective. Method and analysis: A multicentre rater blind randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of YCMAP including a sample of 652 participants, aged 12â18 years, presenting to general physicians/clinicians, emergency room after self harm or self referrals. We will test the effectiveness of 8â10 individual sessions of YCMAP delivered over 3 months compared with treatment as usual. Primary outcome measure is repetition of self-harm at 12 months. The seconday outcomes include reduction in suicidal ideation, hopelessness and distress and improvement in health related quality of life. Assessments will be completed at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postrandomisation. The nested qualitative component will explore perceptions about management of self-harm and suicide prevention among adolescents and investigate participantsâ experiences with YCMAP. The study will be guided by the theory of change approach to ensure that the whole trial is centred around needs of the end beneficiaries as key stakeholders in the process. Ethics and dissemination: Ethics approval has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of University of Manchester, the National Bioethics Committee in Pakistan. The findings of this study will be disseminated through community workshops, social media, conference presentations and peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration number: NCT04131179
A Multi-Boundary AdS Orbifold and DLCQ Holography: A universal holographic description of extremal black hole horizons
We examine a stationary but non-static asymptotically AdS_3 spacetime with
two causally connected conformal boundaries, each of which is a ``null
cylinder'', namely a cylinder with a null direction identified. This spacetime
arises from three different perspectives: (i) as a non-singular, causally
regular orbifold of global AdS_3 by boosts, (ii) as a Penrose-like limit
focusing on the horizon of extremal BTZ black holes, and (iii) as an S^1
fibration over AdS_2. Each of these perspectives sheds an interesting light on
holography. Examination of the conformal boundary of the spacetime shows that
the dual to the space should involve DLCQ limits of the D1-D5 conformal field
theory. The Penrose-like limit approach leads to a similar conclusion, by
isolating a sector of the complete D1-D5 CFT that describes the physics in the
vicinity of the horizon of an extremal black hole. As such this is a
holographic description of the universal horizon dynamics of the extremal black
holes in AdS_3 and also of the four and five dimensional stringy black holes
whose states were counted in string theory. The AdS_2 perspective draws a
connection to a 0+1d quantum mechanical theory. Various dualities lead to a
Matrix model description of the spacetime. Many interesting issues that are
related to both de Sitter physics and attempts to ``see behind a horizon''
using AdS/CFT arise from (a) the presence of two disconnected components to the
boundary, and (b) the analytic structure of bulk physics in the complex
coordinate plane.Comment: 48 pages. 3 EPS figures. If you use mpage to print multiple
postscript pages on the same sheet of paper you may have difficulties with
the figures. The PDF version will print fine, as will postscript if you stick
to one page per sheet. v3: minor edits and references adde
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