90 research outputs found
From E_8 to F via T
We argue that T-duality and F-theory appear automatically in the E_8 gauge
bundle perspective of M-theory. The 11-dimensional supergravity four-form
determines an E_8 bundle. If we compactify on a two-torus, this data specifies
an LLE_8 bundle where LG is a centrally-extended loopgroup of G. If one of the
circles of the torus is smaller than sqrt(alpha') then it is also smaller than
a nontrivial circle S in the LLE_8 fiber and so a dimensional reduction on the
total space of the bundle is not valid. We conjecture that S is the circle on
which the T-dual type IIB theory is compactified, with the aforementioned torus
playing the role of the F-theory torus. As tests we reproduce the T-dualities
between NS5-branes and KK-monopoles, as well as D6 and D7-branes where we find
the desired F-theory monodromy. Using Hull's proposal for massive IIA, this
realization of T-duality allows us to confirm that the Romans mass is the
central extension of our LE_8. In addition this construction immediately
reproduces the conjectured formula for global topology change from T-duality
with H-flux.Comment: 25 pages, 4 eps figure
A handlebody calculus for topology change
We consider certain interesting processes in quantum gravity which involve a
change of spatial topology. We use Morse theory and the machinery of
handlebodies to characterise topology changes as suggested by Sorkin. Our
results support the view that that the pair production of Kaluza-Klein
monopoles and the nucleation of various higher dimensional objects are allowed
transitions with non-zero amplitude.Comment: Latex, 32 pages, 7 figure
K-Theory and S-Duality: Starting Over from Square 3
Recently Maldacena, Moore, and Seiberg (MMS) have proposed a physical
interpretation of the Atiyah-Hirzebruch spectral sequence, which roughly
computes the K-homology groups that classify D-branes. We note that in IIB
string theory, this approach can be generalized to include NS charged objects
and conjecture an S-duality covariant, nonlinear extension of the spectral
sequence. We then compute the contribution of the MMS double-instanton
configuration to the derivation d_5. We conclude with an M-theoretic
generalization reminiscent of 11-dimensional E_8 gauge theory.Comment: 27 pages, 3 figure
On Flux Quantization in F-Theory
We study the problem of four-form flux quantization in F-theory
compactifications. We prove that for smooth, elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau
fourfolds with a Weierstrass representation, the flux is always integrally
quantized. This implies that any possible half-integral quantization effects
must come from 7-branes, i.e. from singularities of the fourfold. We
subsequently analyze the quantization rule on explicit fourfolds with Sp(N)
singularities, and connect our findings via Sen's limit to IIB string theory.
Via direct computations we find that the four-form is half-integrally quantized
whenever the corresponding 7-brane stacks wrap non-spin complex surfaces, in
accordance with the perturbative Freed-Witten anomaly. Our calculations on the
fourfolds are done via toric techniques, whereas in IIB we rely on Sen's
tachyon condensation picture to treat bound states of branes. Finally, we give
general formulae for the curvature- and flux-induced D3 tadpoles for general
fourfolds with Sp(N) singularities.Comment: 46 page
Regge calculus from a new angle
In Regge calculus space time is usually approximated by a triangulation with
flat simplices. We present a formulation using simplices with constant
sectional curvature adjusted to the presence of a cosmological constant. As we
will show such a formulation allows to replace the length variables by 3d or 4d
dihedral angles as basic variables. Moreover we will introduce a first order
formulation, which in contrast to using flat simplices, does not require any
constraints. These considerations could be useful for the construction of
quantum gravity models with a cosmological constant.Comment: 8 page
Hadronic production and the Gottfried Sum Rule
The difference in production rate between and at hadron colliders
is very sensitive to the the difference between up- and down-quark
distributions in the proton. This sensitivity allows for a variety of useful
measurements. We consider the difference in the sea
distributions and the difference in the
polarized parton distribution functions. In both cases we construct an
asymmetry to reduce systematic uncertainties. Although we discuss measurements
at the Tevatron and future hadron colliders, we find that the Brookhaven
Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) is the most appropriate hadron collider
for these measurements.Comment: 19 pages (20 figures available from the authors), MAD/PH/74
Mapping H4K20me3 onto the chromatin landscape of senescent cells indicates a function in control of cell senescence and tumor suppression through preservation of genetic and epigenetic stability
Background:
Histone modification H4K20me3 and its methyltransferase SUV420H2 have been implicated in suppression of tumorigenesis. The underlying mechanism is unclear, although H4K20me3 abundance increases during cellular senescence, a stable proliferation arrest and tumor suppressor process, triggered by diverse molecular cues, including activated oncogenes. Here, we investigate the function of H4K20me3 in senescence and tumor suppression.
Results:
Using immunofluorescence and ChIP-seq we determine the distribution of H4K20me3 in proliferating and senescent human cells. Altered H4K20me3 in senescence is coupled to H4K16ac and DNA methylation changes in senescence. In senescent cells, H4K20me3 is especially enriched at DNA sequences contained within specialized domains of senescence-associated heterochromatin foci (SAHF), as well as specific families of non-genic and genic repeats. Altered H4K20me3 does not correlate strongly with changes in gene expression between proliferating and senescent cells; however, in senescent cells, but not proliferating cells, H4K20me3 enrichment at gene bodies correlates inversely with gene expression, reflecting de novo accumulation of H4K20me3 at repressed genes in senescent cells, including at genes also repressed in proliferating cells. Although elevated SUV420H2 upregulates H4K20me3, this does not accelerate senescence of primary human cells. However, elevated SUV420H2/H4K20me3 reinforces oncogene-induced senescence-associated proliferation arrest and slows tumorigenesis in vivo.
Conclusions:
These results corroborate a role for chromatin in underpinning the senescence phenotype but do not support a major role for H4K20me3 in initiation of senescence. Rather, we speculate that H4K20me3 plays a role in heterochromatinization and stabilization of the epigenome and genome of pre-malignant, oncogene-expressing senescent cells, thereby suppressing epigenetic and genetic instability and contributing to long-term senescence-mediated tumor suppression
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