Solitons and Quasielectrons in the Quantum Hall Matrix Model

We show how to incorporate fractionally charged quasielectrons in the finite quantum Hall matrix model.The quasielectrons emerge as combinations of BPS solitons and quasiholes in a finite matrix version of the noncommutative $\phi^4$ theory coupled to a noncommutative Chern-Simons gauge field. We also discuss how to properly define the charge density in the classical matrix model, and calculate density profiles for droplets, quasiholes and quasielectrons.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figure

Generalized Kahler manifolds and off-shell supersymmetry

We solve the long standing problem of finding an off-shell supersymmetric formulation for a general N = (2, 2) nonlinear two dimensional sigma model. Geometrically the problem is equivalent to proving the existence of special coordinates; these correspond to particular superfields that allow for a superspace description. We construct and explain the geometric significance of the generalized Kahler potential for any generalized Kahler manifold; this potential is the superspace Lagrangian.Comment: 21 pages; references clarified and added; theorem generalized; typos correcte

String cosmology from Poisson-Lie T-dual sigma models on supermanifolds

We generalize the formulation of Poisson-Lie T-dual sigma models on manifolds to supermanifolds. In this respect, we formulate 1+1 dimensional string cosmological models on the Lie supergroup C^3 and its dual (A_1,1 + 2A)^0_(1,0,0), which are coupled to two fermionic fields. Then, we solve the equations of motion of the models and show that there is a essential singularity for the metric of the original model and its dual.Comment: 17 pages, Appendix and three references have adde

Predictors of linkage to care following community-based HIV counseling and testing in rural Kenya

Despite innovations in HIV counseling and testing (HCT), important gaps remain in understanding linkage to care. We followed a cohort diagnosed with HIV through a community-based HCT campaign that trained persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) as navigators. Individual, interpersonal, and institutional predictors of linkage were assessed using survival analysis of self-reported time to enrollment. Of 483 persons consenting to follow-up, 305 (63.2%) enrolled in HIV care within 3 months. Proportions linking to care were similar across sexes, barring a sub-sample of men aged 18–25 years who were highly unlikely to enroll. Men were more likely to enroll if they had disclosed to their spouse, and women if they had disclosed to family. Women who anticipated violence or relationship breakup were less likely to link to care. Enrolment rates were significantly higher among participants receiving a PLHA visit, suggesting that a navigator approach may improve linkage from community-based HCT campaigns.Vestergaard Frandse

T-Duality and Penrose limits of spatially homogeneous and inhomogeneous cosmologies

Penrose limits of inhomogeneous cosmologies admitting two abelian Killing vectors and their abelian T-duals are found in general. The wave profiles of the resulting plane waves are given for particular solutions. Abelian and non-abelian T-duality are used as solution generating techniques. Furthermore, it is found that unlike in the case of abelian T-duality, non-abelian T-duality and taking the Penrose limit are not commutative procedures.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures. Discussion on non-abelian T-duality expande

Orbifolds, Penrose Limits and Supersymmetry Enhancement

We consider supersymmetric PP-wave limits for different N=1 orbifold geometries of the five sphere S^5 and the five dimensional Einstein manifold T^{1,1}. As there are several interesting ways to take the Penrose limits, the PP-wave geometry can be either maximal supersymmetric N=4 or half-maximal supersymmetric N=2. We discuss in detail the cases AdS_5 x S^5/Z_3, AdS_5 x S^5/(Z_m x Z_n) and AdS_5 x T^{1,1}/(\Z_m \times \Z_n) and we identify the gauge invariant operators which correspond to stringy excitations for the different limits.Comment: 22 pages, Latex,v2:additional comments in section 2,references update

Evolving uses of oral reverse transcriptase inhibitors in the HIV-1 epidemic: From treatment to prevention

The HIV epidemic continues unabated, with no highly effective vaccine and no cure. Each new infection has significant economic, social and human costs and prevention efforts are now as great a priority as global antiretroviral therapy (ART) scale up. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors, the first licensed class of ART, have been at the forefront of treatment and prevention of mother to child transmission over the past two decades. Now, their use in adult prevention is being

Virus Capsid Dissolution Studied by Microsecond Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Dissolution of many plant viruses is thought to start with swelling of the capsid caused by calcium removal following infection, but no high-resolution structures of swollen capsids exist. Here we have used microsecond all-atom molecular simulations to describe the dynamics of the capsid of satellite tobacco necrosis virus with and without the 92 structural calcium ions. The capsid expanded 2.5% upon removal of the calcium, in good agreement with experimental estimates. The water permeability of the native capsid was similar to that of a phospholipid membrane, but the permeability increased 10-fold after removing the calcium, predominantly between the 2-fold and 3-fold related subunits. The two calcium binding sites close to the icosahedral 3-fold symmetry axis were pivotal in the expansion and capsid-opening process, while the binding site on the 5-fold axis changed little structurally. These findings suggest that the dissociation of the capsid is initiated at the 3-fold axis

4-Pyridone-3-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribonucleoside Triphosphate (4PyTP), a Novel NAD+ Metabolite Accumulating in Erythrocytes of Uremic Children: A Biomarker for a Toxic NAD+ Analogue in Other Tissues?

We have identified a novel nucleotide, 4-pyridone 3/5-carboxamide ribonucleoside triphosphate (4PyTP), which accumulates in human erythrocytes during renal failure. Using plasma and erythrocyte extracts obtained from children with chronic renal failure we show that the concentration of 4PyTP is increased, as well as other soluble NAD+ metabolites (nicotinamide, N1-methylnicotinamide and 4Py-riboside) and the major nicotinamide metabolite N1-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide (2PY), with increasing degrees of renal failure. We noted that 2PY concentration was highest in the plasma of haemodialysis patients, while 4PyTP was highest in erythrocytes of children undergoing peritoneal dialysis: its concentration correlated closely with 4Py-riboside, an authentic precursor of 4PyTP, in the plasma. In the dialysis patients, GTP concentration was elevated: similar accumulation was noted previously, as a paradoxical effect in erythrocytes during treatment with immunosuppressants such as ribavirin and mycophenolate mofetil, which deplete GTP through inhibition of IMP dehydrogenase in nucleated cells such as lymphocytes. We predict that 4Py-riboside and 4Py-nucleotides bind to this enzyme and alter its activity. The enzymes that regenerate NAD+ from nicotinamide riboside also convert the drugs tiazofurin and benzamide riboside into NAD+ analogues that inhibit IMP dehydrogenase more effectively than the related ribosides: we therefore propose that the accumulation of 4PyTP in erythrocytes during renal failure is a marker for the accumulation of a related toxic NAD+ analogue that inhibits IMP dehydrogenase in other cells