897 research outputs found
New Operators for Spin Net Gravity: Definitions and Consequences
Two operators for quantum gravity, angle and quasilocal energy, are briefly
reviewed. The requirements to model semi-classical angles are discussed. To
model semi-classical angles it is shown that the internal spins of the vertex
must be very large, ~10^20.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, a talk at the MG9 Meeting, Rome, July 2-8, 200
Quantum Geometry Phenomenology: Angle and Semiclassical States
The phenomenology for the deep spatial geometry of loop quantum gravity is
discussed. In the context of a simple model of an atom of space, it is shown
how purely combinatorial structures can affect observations. The angle operator
is used to develop a model of angular corrections to local, continuum
flat-space 3-geometries. The physical effects involve neither breaking of local
Lorentz invariance nor Planck scale suppression, but rather reply on only the
combinatorics of SU(2) recouping theory. Bhabha scattering is discussed as an
example of how the effects might be observationally accessible.Comment: 5 pages, slightly extended version of the contribution to the
Loops'11 conference proceeding
On Modified Dispersion Relations and the Chandrasekhar Mass Limit
Modified dispersion relations from effective field theory are shown to alter
the Chandrasekhar mass limit. At exceptionally high densities, the
modifications affect the pressure of a degenerate electron gas and can increase
or decrease the mass limit, depending on the sign of the modifications. These
changes to the mass limit are unlikely to be relevant for the astrophysics of
white dwarf or neutron stars due to well-known dynamical instabilities that
occur at lower densities. Generalizations to frameworks other than effective
field theory are discussed.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figures; v2: version accepted for publication, minor
changes; v3: note added correcting comments on the applicability of the
calculation to the DSR context, references added, results unchange
On the Universality of the Entropy-Area Relation
We present an argument that, for a large class of possible dynamics, a
canonical quantization of gravity will satisfy the Bekenstein-Hawking
entropy-area relation. This result holds for temperatures low compared to the
Planck temperature and for boundaries with areas large compared to Planck area.
We also relate our description, in terms of a grand canonical ensemble, to
previous geometric entropy calculations using area ensembles.Comment: 6 page
Towards Loop Quantization of Plane Gravitational Waves
The polarized Gowdy model in terms of Ashtekar-Barbero variables is further
reduced by including the Killing equations for plane-fronted parallel
gravitational waves with parallel rays. The resulting constraint algebra,
including one constraint derived from the Killing equations in addition to the
standard ones of General Relativity, are shown to form a set of first-class
constraints. Using earlier work by Banerjee and Date the constraints are
expressed in terms of classical quantities that have an operator equivalent in
Loop Quantum Gravity, making space-times with pp-waves accessible to loop
quantization techniques.Comment: 14 page
Shape in an Atom of Space: Exploring quantum geometry phenomenology
A phenomenology for the deep spatial geometry of loop quantum gravity is
introduced. In the context of a simple model, an atom of space, it is shown how
purely combinatorial structures can affect observations. The angle operator is
used to develop a model of angular corrections to local, continuum flat-space
3-geometries. The physical effects involve neither breaking of local Lorentz
invariance nor Planck scale suppression, but rather reply on only the
combinatorics of SU(2) recoupling. Bhabha scattering is discussed as an example
of how the effects might be observationally accessible.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures; v2 references adde
Spatial Hypersurfaces in Causal Set Cosmology
Within the causal set approach to quantum gravity, a discrete analog of a
spacelike region is a set of unrelated elements, or an antichain. In the
continuum approximation of the theory, a moment-of-time hypersurface is well
represented by an inextendible antichain. We construct a richer structure
corresponding to a thickening of this antichain containing non-trivial
geometric and topological information. We find that covariant observables can
be associated with such thickened antichains and transitions between them, in
classical stochastic growth models of causal sets. This construction highlights
the difference between the covariant measure on causal set cosmology and the
standard sum-over-histories approach: the measure is assigned to completed
histories rather than to histories on a restricted spacetime region. The
resulting re-phrasing of the sum-over-histories may be fruitful in other
approaches to quantum gravity.Comment: Revtex, 12 pages, 2 figure
Embedded graph invariants in Chern-Simons theory
Chern-Simons gauge theory, since its inception as a topological quantum field
theory, has proved to be a rich source of understanding for knot invariants. In
this work the theory is used to explore the definition of the expectation value
of a network of Wilson lines - an embedded graph invariant. Using a slight
generalization of the variational method, lowest-order results for invariants
for arbitrary valence graphs are derived; gauge invariant operators are
introduced; and some higher order results are found. The method used here
provides a Vassiliev-type definition of graph invariants which depend on both
the embedding of the graph and the group structure of the gauge theory. It is
found that one need not frame individual vertices. Though, without a global
projection of the graph, there is an ambiguity in the relation of the
decomposition of distinct vertices. It is suggested that framing may be seen as
arising from this ambiguity - as a way of relating frames at distinct vertices.Comment: 20 pages; RevTex; with approx 50 ps figures; References added,
introduction rewritten, version to be published in Nuc. Phys.
Cosmological Histories for the New Variables
Histories and measures for quantum cosmology are investigated through a
quantization of the Bianchi IX cosmology using path integral techniques. The
result, derived in the context of Ashtekar variables, is compared with earlier
work. A non-trivial correction to the measure is found, which may dominate the
classical potential for universes on the Planck scale.Comment: 14, CGPG-94/2-
Ccdc94 Protects Cells from Ionizing Radiation by Inhibiting the Expression of p53
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) represent one of the most deleterious forms of DNA damage to a cell. In cancer therapy, induction of cell death by DNA DSBs by ionizing radiation (IR) and certain chemotherapies is thought to mediate the successful elimination of cancer cells. However, cancer cells often evolve to evade the cytotoxicity induced by DNA DSBs, thereby forming the basis for treatment resistance. As such, a better understanding of the DSB DNA damage response (DSB–DDR) pathway will facilitate the design of more effective strategies to overcome chemo- and radioresistance. To identify novel mechanisms that protect cells from the cytotoxic effects of DNA DSBs, we performed a forward genetic screen in zebrafish for recessive mutations that enhance the IR–induced apoptotic response. Here, we describe radiosensitizing mutation 7 (rs7), which causes a severe sensitivity of zebrafish embryonic neurons to IR–induced apoptosis and is required for the proper development of the central nervous system. The rs7 mutation disrupts the coding sequence of ccdc94, a highly conserved gene that has no previous links to the DSB–DDR pathway. We demonstrate that Ccdc94 is a functional member of the Prp19 complex and that genetic knockdown of core members of this complex causes increased sensitivity to IR–induced apoptosis. We further show that Ccdc94 and the Prp19 complex protect cells from IR–induced apoptosis by repressing the expression of p53 mRNA. In summary, we have identified a new gene regulating a dosage-sensitive response to DNA DSBs during embryonic development. Future studies in human cancer cells will determine whether pharmacological inactivation of CCDC94 reduces the threshold of the cancer cell apoptotic response
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