Mass dependence of the hairpin vertex in quenched QCD

The pseudoscalar ``hairpin'' vertex (i.e. quark-disconnected vertex) plays a key role in quenched chiral perturbation theory. Direct calculations using lattice simulations find that it has a significant dependence on quark mass. I show that this mass dependence can be used to determine the quenched Gasser-Leutwyler constant L5. This complements the calculation of L5 using the mass dependence of the axial decay constant of the pion. In an appendix, I discuss power counting for quenched chiral perturbation theory and describe the particular scheme used in this paper.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures. Version to appear in Phys. Rev. D. Central result unchanged, but explanation of calculation improved and minor errors corrected. New appendix discusses power counting schemes in quenched chiral perturbation theor

The role of the real-time simulation facility, SIMFAC, in the design, development and performance verification of the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS) with man-in-the-loop

The SIMFAC has played a vital role in the design, development, and performance verification of the shuttle remote manipulator system (SRMS) to be installed in the space shuttle orbiter. The facility provides for realistic man-in-the-loop operation of the SRMS by an operator in the operator complex, a flightlike crew station patterned after the orbiter aft flight deck with all necessary man machine interface elements, including SRMS displays and controls and simulated out-of-the-window and CCTV scenes. The characteristics of the manipulator system, including arm and joint servo dynamics and control algorithms, are simulated by a comprehensive mathematical model within the simulation subsystem of the facility. Major studies carried out using SIMFAC include: SRMS parameter sensitivity evaluations; the development, evaluation, and verification of operating procedures; and malfunction simulation and analysis of malfunction performance. Among the most important and comprehensive man-in-the-loop simulations carried out to date on SIMFAC are those which support SRMS performance verification and certification when the SRMS is part of the integrated orbiter-manipulator system

Chiral corrections to the axial charges of the octet baryons from quenched QCD

We calculate one-loop correction to the axial charges of the octet baryons using quenched chiral perturbation theory, in order to understand chiral behavior of the axial charges in quenched approximation to quantum chromodynamics (QCD). In contrast to regular behavior of the full QCD chiral perturbation theory result, $c_0+c_{l2}m_\pi^2\,\ln{m_\pi^2}+\cdots$, we find that the quenched chiral perturbation theory result, $c_0^Q+(c_{l0}^Q+c_{l2}^Qm_\pi^2)\ln{m_\pi^2}+c_2^Q m_\pi^2+\cdots$, is singular in the chiral limit.Comment: standard LaTeX, 16 pages, 4 epsf figure

Partially quenched chiral perturbation theory without Φ0\Phi_0

This paper completes the argument that lattice simulations of partially quenched QCD can provide quantitative information about QCD itself, with the aid of partially quenched chiral perturbation theory. A barrier to doing this has been the inclusion of $\Phi_0$, the partially quenched generalization of the $\eta'$, in previous calculations in the partially quenched effective theory. This invalidates the low energy perturbative expansion, gives rise to many new unknown parameters, and makes it impossible to reliably calculate the relation between the partially quenched theory and low energy QCD. We show that it is straightforward and natural to formulate partially quenched chiral perturbation theory without $\Phi_0$, and that the resulting theory contains the effective theory for QCD without the $\eta'$. We also show that previous results, obtained including $\Phi_0$, can be reinterpreted as applying to the theory without $\Phi_0$. We contrast the situation with that in the quenched effective theory, where we explain why it is necessary to include $\Phi_0$. We also compare the derivation of chiral perturbation theory in partially quenched QCD with the standard derivation in unquenched QCD. We find that the former cannot be justified as rigorously as the latter, because of the absence of a physical Hilbert space. Finally, we present an encouraging result: unphysical double poles in certain correlation functions in partially quenched chiral perturbation theory can be shown to be a property of the underlying theory, given only the symmetries and some plausible assumptions.Comment: 45 pages, no figure

Heavy-Meson Observables at One-Loop in Partially Quenched Chiral Perturbation Theory

I present one-loop level calculations of the Isgur-Wise functions for B -> D^{(*)} + e + nu, of the matrix elements of isovector twist-2 operators in B and D mesons, and the matrix elements for the radiative decays D^* -> D + gamma in partially quenched heavy quark chiral perturbation theory. Such expressions are required in order to extrapolate from the light quark masses used in lattice simulations of the foreseeable future to those of nature.Comment: 13 pages, 3 fig

Taste symmetry breaking with HYP-smeared staggered fermions

We study the impact of hypercubic (HYP) smearing on the size of taste breaking for staggered fermions, comparing to unimproved and to asqtad-improved staggered fermions. As in previous studies, we find a substantial reduction in taste-breaking compared to unimproved staggered fermions (by a factor of 4-7 on lattices with spacing $a\approx 0.1$fm). In addition, we observe that discretization effects of next-to-leading order in the chiral expansion (${\cal O}(a^2 p^2)$) are markedly reduced by HYP smearing. Compared to asqtad valence fermions, we find that taste-breaking in the pion spectrum is reduced by a factor of 2.5-3, down to a level comparable to the expected size of generic ${\cal O}(a^2)$ effects. Our results suggest that, once one reaches a lattice spacing of $a\approx 0.09$fm, taste-breaking will be small enough after HYP smearing that one can use a modified power counting in which ${\cal O}(a^2) \ll {\cal O}(p^2)$, simplify fitting to phenomenologically interesting quantities.Comment: 14 pages, 13 figures, references updated, minor change

Renormalization-group analysis of the validity of staggered-fermion QCD with the fourth-root recipe

I develop a renormalization-group blocking framework for lattice QCD with staggered fermions. Under plausible, and testable, assumptions, I then argue that the fourth-root recipe used in numerical simulations is valid in the continuum limit. The taste-symmetry violating terms, which give rise to non-local effects in the fourth-root theory when the lattice spacing is non-zero, vanish in the continuum limit. A key role is played by reweighted theories that are local and renormalizable on the one hand, and that approximate the fourth-root theory better and better as the continuum limit is approached on the other hand.Comment: Minor corrections. Revtex, 58 page

Non-birational twisted derived equivalences in abelian GLSMs

In this paper we discuss some examples of abelian gauged linear sigma models realizing twisted derived equivalences between non-birational spaces, and realizing geometries in novel fashions. Examples of gauged linear sigma models with non-birational Kahler phases are a relatively new phenomenon. Most of our examples involve gauged linear sigma models for complete intersections of quadric hypersurfaces, though we also discuss some more general cases and their interpretation. We also propose a more general understanding of the relationship between Kahler phases of gauged linear sigma models, namely that they are related by (and realize) Kuznetsov's `homological projective duality.' Along the way, we shall see how `noncommutative spaces' (in Kontsevich's sense) are realized physically in gauged linear sigma models, providing examples of new types of conformal field theories. Throughout, the physical realization of stacks plays a key role in interpreting physical structures appearing in GLSMs, and we find that stacks are implicitly much more common in GLSMs than previously realized.Comment: 54 pages, LaTeX; v2: typo fixe

Recent Developments in the Nuclear Many-Body Problem

The study of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) over the past quarter century has had relatively little impact on the traditional approach to the low-energy nuclear many-body problem. Recent developments are changing this situation. New experimental capabilities and theoretical approaches are opening windows into the richness of many-body phenomena in QCD. A common theme is the use of effective field theory (EFT) methods, which exploit the separation of scales in physical systems. At low energies, effective field theory can explain how existing phenomenology emerges from QCD and how to refine it systematically. More generally, the application of EFT methods to many-body problems promises insight into the analytic structure of observables, the identification of new expansion parameters, and a consistent organization of many-body corrections, with reliable error estimates.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures, plenary talk at the 11th Conference on Recent Progress in Many-Body Theories (MB 11), Manchester, England, 9-13 Jul 200

Symptomatic treatment of children with anti-NMDAR encephalitis.

Abstract AIM: We performed the first study on the perceived benefit and adverse effects of symptomatic management in children with anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis. METHOD: A retrospective chart review was undertaken at two tertiary paediatric hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. We included 27 children (12 males, 15 females; mean age at admission 7y 1mo) with anti-NMDAR antibodies in serum or cerebrospinal fluid with a typical clinical syndrome. RESULTS: Only two out of 27 patients were white, whereas 16 out of 27 patients were from the Pacific Islands/New Zealand Maori. The mean duration of admission was 69 days (10-224d) and 48% of patients (13/27) needed treatment in an intensive care setting. A mean of eight medications per patient was used for symptomatic management. Symptoms treated were agitation (n=25), seizures (n=24), movement disorders (n=23), sleep disruption (n=17), psychiatric symptoms (n=10), and dysautonomia (n=four). The medications used included five different benzodiazepines (n=25), seven anticonvulsants (n=25), eight sedatives and sleep medications (n=23), five antipsychotics (n=12), and five medications for movement disorders (n=10). Sedative and sleep medications other than benzodiazepines were the most effective, with a mean benefit of 67.4% per medication and a mean adverse effect-benefit ratio of 0.04 per medication. Antipsychotic drugs were used for a short duration (median 9d), and had the poorest mean benefit per medication of 35.4% and an adverse effect-benefit ratio of 2.0 per medication. INTERPRETATION: Long-acting benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, and clonidine can treat multiple symptoms. Patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis appear vulnerable to antipsychotic-related adverse effects. Pacific Islanders appear to have a vulnerability to anti-NMDAR encephalitis in our region