Supersymmetry of Noncompact MQCD-like Membrane Instantons and Heat Kernel Asymptotics

We perform a heat kernel asymptotics analysis of the nonperturbative superpotential obtained from wrapping of an M2-brane around a supersymmetric noncompact three-fold embedded in a (noncompact) G_2-manifold as obtained in [1], the three-fold being the one relevant to domain walls in Witten's MQCD [2], in the limit of small "zeta", a complex constant that appears in the Riemann surfaces relevant to defining the boundary conditions for the domain wall in MQCD. The MQCD-like configuration is interpretable, for small but non-zero zeta as a noncompact/"large" open membrane instanton, and for vanishing zeta, as the type IIA D0-brane (for vanishing M-theory cicle radius). We find that the eta-function Seeley de-Witt coefficients vanish, and we get a perfect match between the zeta-function Seeley de-Witt coefficients (up to terms quadratic in zeta) between the Dirac-type operator and one of the two Laplace-type operators figuring in the superpotential. This is an extremely strong signature of residual supersymmetry for the nonperturbative configurations in M-theory considered in this work.Comment: 21 pages, LaTeX; v3: several clarifying remarks added, to appear in JHE

Cosmology with a Primordial Scaling Field

A weakly coupled scalar field $\Phi$ with a simple exponential potential $V=M_P^4\exp(-\lambda\Phi/M_P)$ where $M_P$ is the reduced Planck mass, and universe in which it mimics the scaling of the dominant component, contributing a fixed fraction $\Omega_\phi$ (determined by $\lambda$) to the energy density. Such fields arise generically in particle physics theories involving compactified dimensions, with values of $\lambda$ which give a cosmologically relevant $\Omega_\phi$. For natural initial conditions on the scalar field in the early universe the attractor solution is established long before the epoch of structure formation, and in contrast to the solutions used in other scalar field cosmologies, it is one which does not involve an energy scale for the scalar field characteristic of late times . We study in some detail the evolution of matter and radiation perturbations in a standard inflation-motivated $\Omega=1$ dark-matter dominated cosmology with this extra field. Using a full Einstein-Boltzmann calculation we compare observable quantities with current data. We find that, for $\Omega_\phi\simeq 0.08-0.12$, these models are consistent with large angle cosmic microwave background anisotropies as detected by COBE, the linear mass variance as compiled from galaxy surveys, big bang nucleosynthesis, the abundance of rich clusters and constraints from the Lyman-$\alpha$ systems at high redshift. Given the simplicity of the model, its theoretical motivation and its success in matching observations, we argue that it should be taken on a par with other currently viable models of structure formation

A New Source for Electroweak Baryogenesis in the MSSM

One of the most experimentally testable explanations for the origin of the baryon asymmetry of the universe is that it was created during the electroweak phase transition, in the minimal supersymmetric standard model. Previous efforts have focused on the current for the difference of the two Higgsino fields, $H_1-H_2$, as the source of biasing sphalerons to create the baryon asymmetry. We point out that the current for the orthogonal linear combination, $H_1+H_2$, is larger by several orders of magnitude. Although this increases the efficiency of electroweak baryogenesis, we nevertheless find that large CP-violating angles $\ge 0.15$ are required to get a large enough baryon asymmetry.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures; numerical error corrected, which implies that large CP violation is needed to get observed baryon asymmetry. We improved solution of diffusion equations, and computed more accurate values for diffusion coefficient and damping rate

Solving YCS : final report 2014/049

Yellow canopy syndrome (YCS) is a sporadic condition presenting as golden-yellowing of the mid canopy in sugarcane during the peak growing period of December to March. The key driver of YCS is growth rate and symptoms usually exhibit after rainfall. YCS can be induced or mitigated by altering sink strength and sugarcane can recover from a YCS event. Abiotic or biotic stress has a serious effect on the photosystems and the physiological fitness of the crop. There is a strong correlation between YCS expression, leaf sucrose and sink strength, independent of crop age. YCS symptomatic leaves always have high leaf sucrose and ?-glucan content. Under experimental conditions the pyrethroid bifenthrin supresses insect stress, promotes increased sink growth and maintains low leaf sucrose and ?-glucan levels. Induced senescence causes YCS plants to have a lower number of attached leaves. Yield loss precedes YCS expression and there is no correlation between YCS severity and cane yield or CCS. Lamina starch staining is a useful tool to assist in YCS identification. There is no strong evidence of genetic predisposition for YCS susceptibility. Industry-wide incidence and severity of YCS is too difficult to accurately assess due to its episodic nature, no single causal agent and the link to climate change and severe weather events. The data does not support the cause of YCS being a pathogen, specific insect or mite, soil borne agent, poor root health, nutrient deficiency, or heavy metal toxicity. YCS is a physiological disorder visualised as the terminal expression of metabolic perturbances caused by growth disruption

A study of logarithmic corrections and universal amplitude ratios in the two-dimensional 4-state Potts model

Monte Carlo (MC) and series expansion (SE) data for the energy, specific heat, magnetization and susceptibility of the two-dimensional 4-state Potts model in the vicinity of the critical point are analysed. The role of logarithmic corrections is discussed and an approach is proposed in order to account numerically for these corrections in the determination of critical amplitudes. Accurate estimates of universal amplitude ratios $A_+/A_-$, $\Gamma_+/\Gamma_-$, $\Gamma_T/\Gamma_-$ and $R_C^\pm$ are given, which arouse new questions with respect to previous works

A statistical mechanical description of metastable states and hysteresis in the 3D soft-spin random-field model at T=0

We present a formalism for computing the complexity of metastable states and the zero-temperature magnetic hysteresis loop in the soft-spin random-field model in finite dimensions. The complexity is obtained as the Legendre transform of the free-energy associated to a certain action in replica space and the hysteresis loop above the critical disorder is defined as the curve in the field-magnetization plane where the complexity vanishes; the nonequilibrium magnetization is therefore obtained without having to follow the dynamical evolution. We use approximations borrowed from condensed-matter theory and based on assumptions on the structure of the direct correlation functions (or proper vertices), such as a local approximation for the self-energies, to calculate the hysteresis loop in three dimensions, the correlation functions along the loop, and the second moment of the avalanche-size distribution.Comment: 28 pages, 12 figure

Optimal interlayer hopping and high temperature Bose–Einstein condensation of local pairs in quasi 2D superconductors

Both FeSe and cuprate superconductors are quasi 2D materials with high transition temperatures and local fermion pairs. Motivated by such systems, we investigate real space pairing of fermions in an anisotropic lattice model with intersite attraction, V, and strong local Coulomb repulsion, U, leading to a determination of the optimal conditions for superconductivity from Bose–Einstein condensation. Our aim is to gain insight as to why high temperature superconductors tend to be quasi 2D. We make both analytically and numerically exact solutions for two body local pairing applicable to intermediate and strong V. We find that the Bose–Einstein condensation temperature of such local pairs pairs is maximal when hopping between layers is intermediate relative to in-plane hopping, indicating that the quasi 2D nature of unconventional superconductors has an important contribution to their high transition temperatures

Supersymmetric Extension of the Quantum Spherical Model

In this work, we present a supersymmetric extension of the quantum spherical model, both in components and also in the superspace formalisms. We find the solution for short/long range interactions through the imaginary time formalism path integral approach. The existence of critical points (classical and quantum) is analyzed and the corresponding critical dimensions are determined.Comment: 21 pages, fixed notation to match published versio

The role of initial conditions in the ageing of the long-range spherical model

The kinetics of the long-range spherical model evolving from various initial states is studied. In particular, the large-time auto-correlation and -response functions are obtained, for classes of long-range correlated initial states, and for magnetized initial states. The ageing exponents can depend on certain qualitative features of initial states. We explicitly find the conditions for the system to cross over from ageing classes that depend on initial conditions to those that do not.Comment: 15 pages; corrected some typo

Orotracheal intubation in infants performed with a stylet versus without a stylet

Background: Neonatal endotracheal intubation is a common and potentially life-saving intervention. It is a mandatory skill for neonatal trainees, but one that is difficult to master and maintain. Intubation opportunities for trainees are decreasing and success rates are subsequently falling. Use of a stylet may aid intubation and improve success. However, the potential for associated harm must be considered. Objectives To compare the benefits and harms of neonatal orotracheal intubation with a stylet versus neonatal orotracheal intubation without a stylet. Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library; MEDLINE; Embase; the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and previous reviews. We also searched cross-references, contacted expert informants, handsearched journals, and looked at conference proceedings. We searched clinical trials registries for current and recently completed trials. We conducted our most recent search in April 2017. Selection criteria All randomised, quasi–randomised, and cluster-randomised controlled trials comparing use versus non-use of a stylet in neonatal orotracheal intubation. Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently assessed results of searches against predetermined criteria for inclusion, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data. We used the standard methods of the Cochrane Collaboration, as documented in the Cochrane Handbook for Systemic Reviews of Interventions, and of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group. Main results: We included a single-centre non-blinded randomised controlled trial that reported a total of 302 intubation attempts in 232 infants. The median gestational age of enrolled infants was 29 weeks. Paediatric residents and fellows performed the intubations. We judged the study to be at low risk of bias overall. Investigators compared success rates of first-attempt intubation with and without use of a stylet and reported success rates as similar between stylet and no-stylet groups (57% and 53%) (P = 0.47). Success rates did not differ between groups in subgroup analyses by provider level of training and infant weight. Results showed no differences in secondary review outcomes, including duration of intubation, number of attempts, participant instability during the procedure, and local airway trauma. Only 25% of all intubations took less than 30 seconds to perform. Study authors did not report neonatal morbidity nor mortality. We considered the quality of evidence as low on GRADE analysis, given that we identified only one unblinded study. Authors' conclusions: Current available evidence suggests that use of a stylet during neonatal orotracheal intubation does not significantly improve the success rate among paediatric trainees. However, only one brand of stylet and one brand of endotracheal tube have been tested, and researchers performed all intubations on infants in a hospital setting. Therefore, our results cannot be generalised beyond these limitations