New supersymmetric higher-derivative couplings: Full N=2 superspace does not count!

An extended class of N=2 locally supersymmetric invariants with higher-derivative couplings based on full superspace integrals, is constructed. These invariants may depend on unrestricted chiral supermultiplets, on vector supermultiplets and on the Weyl supermultiplet. Supersymmetry is realized off-shell. A non-renormalization theorem is proven according to which none of these invariants can contribute to the entropy and electric charges of BPS black holes. Some of these invariants may be relevant for topological string deformations.Comment: 24 pages, v2: version published in JHEP, one reference added and typos corrected, v3: reference adde

A fixed point formula for the index of multi-centered N=2 black holes

We propose a formula for computing the (moduli-dependent) contribution of multi-centered solutions to the total BPS index in terms of the (moduli-independent) indices associated to single-centered solutions. The main tool in our analysis is the computation of the refined index Tr(-y)^{2J_3} of configurational degrees of freedom of multi-centered BPS black hole solutions in N=2 supergravity by localization methods. When the charges carried by the centers do not allow for scaling solutions (i.e. solutions where a subset of the centers can come arbitrarily close to each other), the phase space of classical BPS solutions is compact and the refined index localizes to a finite set of isolated fixed points under rotations, corresponding to collinear solutions. When the charges allow for scaling solutions, the phase space is non-compact but appears to admit a compactification with finite volume and additional non-isolated fixed points. We give a prescription for determining the contributions of these fixed submanifolds by means of a `minimal modification hypothesis', which we prove in the special case of dipole halo configurations.Comment: 61 pages, 3 figure

On The Phase Structure and Thermodynamic Geometry of R-Charged Black Holes

We study the phase structure and equilibrium state space geometry of R-charged black holes in $D = 5$, 4 and 7 and the corresponding rotating $D3$, $M2$ and $M5$ branes. For various charge configurations of the compact black holes in the canonical ensemble we demonstrate new liquid-gas like phase coexistence behaviour culminating in second order critical points. The critical exponents turn out to be the same as that of four dimensional asymptotically AdS black holes in Einstein Maxwell theory. We further establish that the regions of stability for R-charged black holes are, in some cases, more constrained than is currently believed, due to properties of some of the response coefficients. The equilibrium state space scalar curvature is calculated for various charge configurations, both for the case of compact as well as flat horizons and its asymptotic behaviour with temperature is established.Comment: 1 + 33 pages, LaTeX, 25 figures. References adde

On the Thermodynamic Geometry and Critical Phenomena of AdS Black Holes

In this paper, we study various aspects of the equilibrium thermodynamic state space geometry of AdS black holes. We first examine the Reissner-Nordstrom-AdS (RN-AdS) and the Kerr-AdS black holes. In this context, the state space scalar curvature of these black holes is analysed in various regions of their thermodynamic parameter space. This provides important new insights into the structure and significance of the scalar curvature. We further investigate critical phenomena, and the behaviour of the scalar curvature near criticality, for KN-AdS black holes in two mixed ensembles, introduced and elucidated in our earlier work arXiv:1002.2538 [hep-th]. The critical exponents are identical to those in the RN-AdS and Kerr-AdS cases in the canonical ensemble. This suggests an universality in the scaling behaviour near critical points of AdS black holes. Our results further highlight qualitative differences in the thermodynamic state space geometry for electric charge and angular momentum fluctuations of these.Comment: 1 + 37 Pages, LaTeX, includes 31 figures. A figure and a clarification added

Thermodynamic Geometry and Phase Transitions in Kerr-Newman-AdS Black Holes

We investigate phase transitions and critical phenomena in Kerr-Newman-Anti de Sitter black holes in the framework of the geometry of their equilibrium thermodynamic state space. The scalar curvature of these state space Riemannian geometries is computed in various ensembles. The scalar curvature diverges at the critical point of second order phase transitions for these systems. Remarkably, however, we show that the state space scalar curvature also carries information about the liquid-gas like first order phase transitions and the consequent instabilities and phase coexistence for these black holes. This is encoded in the turning point behavior and the multi-valued branched structure of the scalar curvature in the neighborhood of these first order phase transitions. We re-examine this first for the conventional Van der Waals system, as a preliminary exercise. Subsequently, we study the Kerr-Newman-AdS black holes for a grand canonical and two "mixed" ensembles and establish novel phase structures. The state space scalar curvature bears out our assertion for the first order phase transitions for both the known and the new phase structures, and closely resembles the Van der Waals system.Comment: 1 + 41 pages, LaTeX, 46 figures. Discussions, clarifications and references adde

Kerr-Newman Black Hole Thermodynamical State Space: Blockwise Coordinates

A coordinate system that blockwise-simplifies the Kerr-Newman black hole's thermodynamical state space Ruppeiner metric geometry is constructed, with discussion of the limiting cases corresponding to simpler black holes. It is deduced that one of the three conformal Killing vectors of the Reissner-Nordstrom and Kerr cases (whose thermodynamical state space metrics are 2 by 2 and conformally flat) survives generalization to the Kerr-Newman case's 3 by 3 thermodynamical state space metric.Comment: 4 pages incl 2 figs. Accepted by Gen. Rel. Grav. Replaced with Accepted version (minor corrections

Long-term remission of myopic choroidal neovascular membrane after treatment with ranibizumab: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Myopia has become a big public health problem in certain parts of the world. Sight-threatening complications like choroidal neovascularisation membranes occur in up to 10% of pathological myopia, and natural history studies show a trend towards progressive visual loss. There are long-term financial and quality-of-life implications in this group of patients, and treatment strategies should aim for long-term preservation of vision.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 56-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a best-corrected visual acuity of 6/6-1 in her right eye and 6/24 in her left. Fundal examination revealed pathological myopia in both eyes and an elevated lesion associated with pre-retinal haemorrhage in the left macula. Ocular coherence tomography and fundus fluorescein angiogram confirmed a subfoveal classic choroidal neovascularisation membrane. The patient decided to proceed with intravitreal ranibizumab (0.5 mg) therapy. One month after treatment, best-corrected visual acuity improved to 6/12 in her left eye, with complete resolution subretinal fluid on ocular coherence tomography. After three months, best-corrected visual acuity further improved to 6/9, which was maintained up to 16 months post-treatment.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We suggest intravitreal ranibizumab as an alternative treatment for long-term remission of myopic choroidal neovascular membrane. It also suggests that myopic choroidal neovascularisation membranes may require fewer treatments to achieve sustained remission. Furthermore, this could serve as a feasible long-term management option if used in conjunction with ocular coherence tomography.</p

BPS black holes, the Hesse potential, and the topological string

The Hesse potential is constructed for a class of four-dimensional N=2 supersymmetric effective actions with S- and T-duality by performing the relevant Legendre transform by iteration. It is a function of fields that transform under duality according to an arithmetic subgroup of the classical dualities reflecting the monodromies of the underlying string compactification. These transformations are not subject to corrections, unlike the transformations of the fields that appear in the effective action which are affected by the presence of higher-derivative couplings. The class of actions that are considered includes those of the FHSV and the STU model. We also consider heterotic N=4 supersymmetric compactifications. The Hesse potential, which is equal to the free energy function for BPS black holes, is manifestly duality invariant. Generically it can be expanded in terms of powers of the modulus that represents the inverse topological string coupling constant, $g_s$, and its complex conjugate. The terms depending holomorphically on $g_s$ are expected to correspond to the topological string partition function and this expectation is explicitly verified in two cases. Terms proportional to mixed powers of $g_s$ and $\bar g_s$ are in principle present.Comment: 28 pages, LaTeX, added comment

Recombinant renewable polyclonal antibodies

Only a small fraction of the antibodies in a traditional polyclonal antibody mixture recognize the target of interest, frequently resulting in undesirable polyreactivity. Here, we show that high-quality recombinant polyclonals, in which hundreds of different antibodies are all directed toward a target of interest, can be easily generated in vitro by combining phage and yeast display. We show that, unlike traditional polyclonals, which are limited resources, recombinant polyclonal antibodies can be amplified over one hundred million-fold without losing representation or functionality. Our protocol was tested on 9 different targets to demonstrate how the strategy allows the selective amplification of antibodies directed toward desirable target specific epitopes, such as those found in one protein but not a closely related one, and the elimination of antibodies recognizing common epitopes, without significant loss of diversity. These recombinant renewable polyclonal antibodies are usable in different assays, and can be generated in high throughput. This approach could potentially be used to develop highly specific recombinant renewable antibodies against all human gene products