Three-dimensional N=8 conformal supergravity and its coupling to BLG M2-branes

This paper is concerned with the problem of coupling the N=8 superconformal Bagger-Lambert-Gustavsson (BLG) theory to N=8 conformal supergravity in three dimensions. We start by constructing the on-shell N=8 conformal supergravity in three dimensions consisting of a Chern-Simons type term for each of the gauge fields: the spin connection, the SO(8) R-symmetry gauge field and the spin 3/2 Rarita-Schwinger (gravitino) field. We then proceed to couple this theory to the BLG theory. The final theory should have the same physical content, i.e., degrees of freedom, as the ordinary BLG theory. We discuss briefly the properties of this "topologically gauged" BLG theory and why this theory may be useful.Comment: 20 pages, v2: references and comments added, presentation in section 3.2 extended. v3: misprints and a sign error corrected, version published in JHE

Membranes, Strings and Integrability

In the first half of this note, after briefly motivating and reviewing membrane field theories, we consider their BPS funnel solutions. We discuss some aspects of embedding M-theory fuzzy funnels in these theories. In the second half, we focus on ABJM theory and explain a test of AdS4/CFT3 based on integrability. We discuss a numerical mismatch at one loop in worldsheet perturbation theory and its possible resolutions.Comment: 6 pages, contribution to the proceedings of the 4th RTN meeting, Varna, Bulgaria, to be published in Fortschritte der Physik; v2,3: references adde

Counter-Gradient Variation in Respiratory Performance of Coral Reef Fishes at Elevated Temperatures

The response of species to global warming depends on how different populations are affected by increasing temperature throughout the species' geographic range. Local adaptation to thermal gradients could cause populations in different parts of the range to respond differently. In aquatic systems, keeping pace with increased oxygen demand is the key parameter affecting species' response to higher temperatures. Therefore, respiratory performance is expected to vary between populations at different latitudes because they experience different thermal environments. We tested for geographical variation in respiratory performance of tropical marine fishes by comparing thermal effects on resting and maximum rates of oxygen uptake for six species of coral reef fish at two locations on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. The two locations, Heron Island and Lizard Island, are separated by approximately 1200 km along a latitudinal gradient. We found strong counter-gradient variation in aerobic scope between locations in four species from two families (Pomacentridae and Apogonidae). High-latitude populations (Heron Island, southern GBR) performed significantly better than low-latitude populations (Lizard Island, northern GBR) at temperatures up to 5°C above average summer surface-water temperature. The other two species showed no difference in aerobic scope between locations. Latitudinal variation in aerobic scope was primarily driven by up to 80% higher maximum rates of oxygen uptake in the higher latitude populations. Our findings suggest that compensatory mechanisms in high-latitude populations enhance their performance at extreme temperatures, and consequently, that high-latitude populations of reef fishes will be less impacted by ocean warming than will low-latitude populations

Mechanism of how augmin directly targets the γ-tubulin ring complex to microtubules

Microtubules (MTs) must be generated from precise locations to form the structural frameworks required for cell shape and function. MTs are nucleated by the γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC), but it remains unclear how γ-TuRC gets to the right location. Augmin has been suggested to be a γ-TuRC targeting factor and is required for MT nucleation from preexisting MTs. To determine augmin's architecture and function, we purified Xenopus laevis augmin from insect cells. We demonstrate that augmin is sufficient to target γ-TuRC to MTs by in vitro reconstitution. Augmin is composed of two functional parts. One module (tetramer-II) is necessary for MT binding, whereas the other (tetramer-III) interacts with γ-TuRC. Negative-stain electron microscopy reveals that both tetramers fit into the Y-shape of augmin, and MT branching assays reveal that both are necessary for MT nucleation. The finding that augmin can directly bridge MTs with γ-TuRC via these two tetramers adds to our mechanistic understanding of how MTs can be nucleated from preexisting MTs

Design Principle of Conjugated Polyelectrolytes to Make Them Water‐Soluble and Highly Emissive

The correlation between the molecular design of a conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) and its aggregated structure and the emissive properties in water is systematically investigated by means of UV–vis spectrometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, and scanning/transmission electron microscopy. Five different and rationally designed CPEs having carboxylic acid side chains are synthesized. All five conjugated polyelectrolytes are seemingly completely soluble in water in visual observation. However, their quantum yields are dramatically different, changing from 0.45 to 51.4%. Morphological analysis by electron microscopy combined with fluorescence spectrophotometry reveals that the CPEs form self‐assembled aggregates at the nanoscale depending on the nature of their side chains. The feature of the self‐assembled aggregates directly determines the emissive property of the CPEs. The nature and the length of the spacer between the carboxylic acid group and the CPE backbone have a strong influence on the quantum yield of the CPEs. Our study demonstrates that bulky and hydrophilic side chains and spacers are required to achieve complete water‐solubility and high quantum yield of CPEs in water, providing an important molecular design principle to develop functional CPEs. The correlation between the molecular design of conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) and their solubility and emissive properties in water is systematically investigated by means of UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Bulky and hydrophilic side chains and spacers are required to achieve complete water solubility and high quantum yield of CPEs in water, providing an important molecular design principle to develop functional CPEs.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90088/1/1076_ftp.pd

A search of CO emission lines in blazars: the low molecular gas content of BL Lac objects compared to quasars

BL Lacertae (Lac) objects that are detected at very-high energies (VHE) are of fundamental importance to study multiple astrophysical processes, including the physics of jets, the properties of the extragalactic background light and the strength of the intergalactic magnetic field. Unfortunately, since most blazars have featureless optical spectra that preclude a redshift determination, a substantial fraction of these VHE extragalactic sources cannot be used for cosmological studies. To assess whether molecular lines are a viable way to establish distances, we have undertaken a pilot program at the IRAM 30m telescope to search for CO lines in three BL Lac objects with known redshifts. We report a positive detection of M_H2 ~ 3x10^8 Msun toward 1ES 1959+650, but due to the poor quality of the baseline, this value is affected by a large systematic uncertainty. For the remaining two sources, W Comae and RGB J0710+591, we derive 3sigma upper limits at, respectively, M_H2 < 8.0x10^8 Msun and M_H2 < 1.6x10^9 Msun, assuming a line width of 150 km/s and a standard conversion factor alpha=4 M_sun/(K km/s pc^2). If these low molecular gas masses are typical for blazars, blind redshift searches in molecular lines are currently unfeasible. However, deep observations are still a promising way to obtain precise redshifts for sources whose approximate distances are known via indirect methods. Our observations further reveal a deficiency of molecular gas in BL Lac objects compared to quasars, suggesting that the host galaxies of these two types of active galactic nuclei (AGN) are not drawn from the same parent population. Future observations are needed to assess whether this discrepancy is statistically significant, but our pilot program shows how studies of the interstellar medium in AGN can provide key information to explore the connection between the active nuclei and the host galaxies.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures. MNRAS accepte