26 research outputs found
Implications of an arithmetical symmetry of the commutant for modular invariants
We point out the existence of an arithmetical symmetry for the commutant of
the modular matrices S and T. This symmetry holds for all affine simple Lie
algebras at all levels and implies the equality of certain coefficients in any
modular invariant. Particularizing to SU(3)_k, we classify the modular
invariant partition functions when k+3 is an integer coprime with 6 and when it
is a power of either 2 or 3. Our results imply that no detailed knowledge of
the commutant is needed to undertake a classification of all modular
invariants.Comment: 17 pages, plain TeX, DIAS-STP-92-2
Low-Temperature Expansions and Correlation Functions of the Z_3-Chiral Potts Model
Using perturbative methods we derive new results for the spectrum and
correlation functions of the general Z_3-chiral Potts quantum chain in the
massive low-temperature phase. Explicit calculations of the ground state energy
and the first excitations in the zero momentum sector give excellent
approximations and confirm the general statement that the spectrum in the
low-temperature phase of general Z_n-spin quantum chains is identical to one in
the high-temperature phase where the role of charge and boundary conditions are
interchanged. Using a perturbative expansion of the ground state for the Z_3
model we are able to gain some insight in correlation functions. We argue that
they might be oscillating and give estimates for the oscillation length as well
as the correlation length.Comment: 17 pages (Plain TeX), BONN-HE-93-1
On the Classification of Diagonal Coset Modular Invariants
We relate in a novel way the modular matrices of GKO diagonal cosets without
fixed points to those of WZNW tensor products. Using this we classify all
modular invariant partition functions of
for all positive integer level , and for all and infinitely many (in fact, for
each a positive density of ). Of all these classifications, only that
for had been known. Our lists include many
new invariants.Comment: 24 pp (plain tex
Symmetries of Large N Matrix Models for Closed Strings
We obtain the symmetry algebra of multi-matrix models in the planar large N
limit. We use this algebra to associate these matrix models with quantum spin
chains. In particular, certain multi-matrix models are exactly solved by using
known results of solvable spin chain systems.Comment: 12 pages, 1 eps figure, RevTex, some minor typos in the publised
version are correcte
Alternative description of the 2D Blume-Capel model using Grassmann algebra
We use Grassmann algebra to study the phase transition in the two-dimensional
ferromagnetic Blume-Capel model from a fermionic point of view. This model
presents a phase diagram with a second order critical line which becomes first
order through a tricritical point, and was used to model the phase transition
in specific magnetic materials and liquid mixtures of He-He. In
particular, we are able to map the spin-1 system of the BC model onto an
effective fermionic action from which we obtain the exact mass of the theory,
the condition of vanishing mass defines the critical line. This effective
action is actually an extension of the free fermion Ising action with an
additional quartic interaction term. The effect of this term is merely to
render the excitation spectrum of the fermions unstable at the tricritical
point. The results are compared with recent numerical Monte-Carlo simulations.Comment: 32 pages, 2 figures
Evidence for the ‘Good Genes’ Model: Association of MHC Class II DRB Alleles with Ectoparasitism and Reproductive State in the Neotropical Lesser Bulldog Bat, Noctilio albiventris
The adaptive immune system has a major impact on parasite resistance and life history strategies. Immunological defence is costly both in terms of immediate activation and long-term maintenance. The ‘good genes’ model predicts that males with genotypes that promote a good disease resistance have the ability to allocate more resources to reproductive effort which favours the transmission of good alleles into future generations. Our study shows a correlation between immune gene constitution (Major Histocompatibility Complex, MHC class II DRB), ectoparasite loads (ticks and bat flies) and the reproductive state in a neotropical bat, Noctilio albiventris. Infestation rates with ectoparasites were linked to specific Noal-DRB alleles, differed among roosts, increased with body size and co-varied with reproductive state particularly in males. Non-reproductive adult males were more infested with ectoparasites than reproductively active males, and they had more often an allele (Noal-DRB*02) associated with a higher tick infestation than reproductively active males or subadults. We conclude that the individual immune gene constitution affects ectoparasite susceptibility, and contributes to fitness relevant trade-offs in male N. albiventris as suggested by the ‘good genes’ model
Immunological Sex Differences in Socially Promiscuous African Ground Squirrels
Differences in how males and females respond to foreign antigens are common across taxa. Such sexual differences in the immune system are predicted to be greater in species with high promiscuity and sociality as these factors increase the likelihood of disease transmission. Intense sperm competition is thought to further this sexual dichotomy as increased investment in spermatogenesis likely incurs additional immunological costs. Xerus inauris, a ground squirrel found throughout southern Africa, is extremely social and promiscuous with one of the highest male reproductive investments among rodents. These life-history attributes suggest males and females should demonstrate a large dichotomy in immunity. Contrary to our prediction, we found no difference in spleen mass between the sexes. However, we did find significant biases in leukocyte types and red blood cell counts, possibly reflecting responses to parasite types. Among males, we predicted greater investments in spermatogenesis would result in reduced immunological investments. We found a negative association between testes and spleen size and a positive relationship between testes and number of lice suggesting trade-offs in reproductive investment possibly due to the costs associated with spermatogenesis and immunity. We suggest when measuring sexual differences in immunity it is important to consider the effects of reproductive pressures, parasite types, and life history costs
The value of postmortem computed tomography as an alternative for autopsy in trauma victims: a systematic review
The aim of this study was to assess the role of postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) as an alternative for autopsy in determining the cause of death and the identification of specific injuries in trauma victims. A systematic review was performed by searching the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases. Articles were eligible if they reported both PMCT as well as autopsy findings and included more than one trauma victim. Two reviewers independently assessed the eligibility and quality of the articles. The outcomes were described in terms of the percentage agreement on causes of death and amount of injuries detected. The data extraction and analysis were performed together. Fifteen studies were included describing 244 victims. The median sample size was 13 (range 5–52). The percentage agreement on the cause of death between PMCT and autopsy varied between 46 and 100%. The overall amount of injuries detected on CT ranged from 53 to 100% compared with autopsy. Several studies suggested that PMCT was capable of identifying injuries not detected during normal autopsy. This systematic review provides inconsistent evidence as to whether PMCT is a reliable alternative for autopsy in trauma victims. PMCT has promising features in postmortem examination suggesting PMCT is a good alternative for a refused autopsy or a good adjunct to autopsy because it detects extra injuries overseen during autopsies. To examine the value of PMCT in trauma victims there is a need for well-designed and larger prospective studies
Impacts of Parasites in Early Life: Contrasting Effects on Juvenile Growth for Different Family Members
Parasitism experienced early in ontogeny can have a major impact on host growth, development and future fitness, but whether siblings are affected equally by parasitism is poorly understood. In birds, hatching asynchrony induced by hormonal or behavioural mechanisms largely under parental control might predispose young to respond to infection in different ways. Here we show that parasites can have different consequences for offspring depending on their position in the family hierarchy. We experimentally treated European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristoteli) nestlings with the broad-spectrum anti-parasite drug ivermectin and compared their growth rates with nestlings from control broods. Average growth rates measured over the period of linear growth (10 days to 30 days of age) and survival did not differ for nestlings from treated and control broods. However, when considering individuals within broods, parasite treatment reversed the patterns of growth for individual family members: last-hatched nestlings grew significantly slower than their siblings in control nests but grew faster in treated nests. This was at the expense of their earlier-hatched brood-mates, who showed an overall growth rate reduction relative to last-hatched nestlings in treated nests. These results highlight the importance of exploring individual variation in the costs of infection and suggest that parasites could be a key factor modulating within-family dynamics, sibling competition and developmental trajectories from an early age
Senescence in cell oxidative status in two bird species with contrasting life expectancy.
Oxidative stress occurs when the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by an organism exceeds its capacity to mitigate the damaging effects of the ROS. Consequently, oxidative stress hypotheses of ageing argue that a decline in fecundity and an increase in the likelihood of death with advancing age reported at the organism level are driven by gradual disruption of the oxidative balance at the cellular level. Here, we measured erythrocyte resistance to oxidative stress in the same individuals over several years in two free-living bird species with contrasting life expectancy, the great tit (known maximum life expectancy is 15.4 years) and the Alpine swift (26 years). In both species, we found evidence for senescence in cell resistance to oxidative stress, with patterns of senescence becoming apparent as subjects get older. In the Alpine swift, there was also evidence for positive selection on cell resistance to oxidative stress, the more resistant subjects being longer lived. The present findings of inter-individual selection and intra-individual deterioration in cell oxidative status at old age in free-living animals support a role for oxidative stress in the ageing of wild animals