Gauge theory duals of black hole - black string transitions of gravitational theories on a circle

We study the black hole - black string phase transitions of gravitational theories compactified on a circle using the holographic duality conjecture. The gauge theory duals of these theories are maximally supersymmetric and strongly coupled 1 + 1 dimensional SU(N) Yang-Mills theories compactified on a circle, in the large $N$ limit. We perform the strongly coupled finite temperature gauge theory calculations on a lattice, using the recently developed exact lattice supersymmetry methods based on topological twisting and orbifolding. The spatial Polyakov line serves as relevant order parameter of the confinement - deconfinement phase transitions in the gauge theory duals.Comment: v2: 8 pages, 2 figures. References added. Talk given at the 6th International Symposium on Quantum Theory and Symmetries (QTS6), Lexington, Kentucky, 20-25 Jul 200

Development of a Deep Trench RIE Etch for Capacitor and Isolation Technologies

A silicon trench 2um deep was etched in a PlasmaTherm 2406 RIE tool using an SF6/C02 chemistry with an oxide mask. The single crystal silicon etch rate was 1100A/min, with a high selectivity to oxide. A trench slope approximately 50 degrees was obtained, with no undercut of the oxide mask

The Phase Structure of Low Dimensional Large N Gauge Theories on Tori

In this paper we continue our study of the thermodynamics of large N gauge theories on compact spaces. We consider toroidal compactifications of pure SU(N) Yang-Mills theories and of maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories dimensionally reduced to 0+1 or 1+1 dimensions, and generalizations of such theories where the adjoint fields are massive. We describe the phase structure of these theories as a function of the gauge coupling, the geometry of the compact space and the mass parameters. In particular, we study the behavior of order parameters associated with the holonomy of the gauge field around the cycles of the torus. Our methods combine analytic analysis, numerical Monte Carlo simulations, and (in the maximally supersymmetric case) information from the dual gravitational theories.Comment: harvmac, 67 pages, 21 figures. v2: minor corrections and clarification

The Harmonica as a Blues Instrument

The modern harmonica,or harp, has been around since the early 19th century. It is typically used in blues, country, rock and roll and folk music. These musical genres are somewhat similar in structure and form, and often borrow ideas from each other. The harmonica is appropriate as a back up to the main vocal melody and instruments due to its rich harmonic structure and subdued intensity. The ability to apply vibrato and gradual slurs make it a perfect instrument to achieve a ``bluesy sound. Our harp research group has investigated the physical properties of harmonica structure to illustrate how different structures lead to varied sounds, each of which is appropriate to a particular style of music. We present an overview of the use of the harmonica as a blues instrument and describe the details and significance of our research project

Formation of Halogenated Organic Compounds during Wastewater Chlorination: A Field Study

Since the deletion of federally mandated fecal coliform limits from the definition of secondary wastewater treatment in 1976, most states have been reviewing and modifying their requirements concerning wastewater disinfection, particularly with regard to the use of chlorine. One of the issues involved in this review of disinfection policies has been the discharge of potentially carcinogenic halogenated organic compounds formed during chlorination and their effect on aquatic life and downstream water consumers. This research examined the formation of THMs and TOX during wastewater chlorination at three wastewater treatment plants in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. In-stream water samples were taken upstream and downstream from two of the plants to determine the increase and persistence of THMs and TOX below each plant. TOX and THM formation was evaluated in terms of effluent wastewater quality, chlorine contacting system, method of chlorine addition, and chlorine-to-ammonia ratio. The results showed that between approximately 50 and 150 ug/l of TOX was formed as a result of chlorination at the three plants; small to insignificant levels of THMs were detected. A significant amount of the final discharge level of TOX was present in the unchlorinated secondary effluent which indicates that halogenated organics formed during drinking water chlorination may be a major contributor . TOX was shown to be conservative in the respective receiving streams by mass balance calculations and agreement of the two downstream sampling stations.Master of Science in Environmental Engineerin

Stress-Regulated Translational Attenuation Adapts Mitochondrial Protein Import through Tim17A Degradation

SummaryStress-regulated signaling pathways protect mitochondrial proteostasis and function from pathologic insults. Despite the importance of stress-regulated signaling pathways in mitochondrial proteome maintenance, the molecular mechanisms by which these pathways maintain mitochondrial proteostasis remain largely unknown. We identify Tim17A as a stress-regulated subunit of the translocase of the inner membrane 23 (TIM23) mitochondrial protein import complex. We show that Tim17A protein levels are decreased downstream of stress-regulated translational attenuation induced by eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) phosphorylation through a mechanism dependent on the mitochondrial protease YME1L. Furthermore, we demonstrate that decreasing Tim17A attenuates TIM23-dependent protein import, promotes the induction of mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR)-associated proteostasis genes, and confers stress resistance in C. elegans and mammalian cells. Thus, our results indicate that Tim17A degradation is a stress-responsive mechanism by which cells adapt mitochondrial protein import efficiency and promote mitochondrial proteostasis in response to the numerous pathologic insults that induce stress-regulated translation attenuation

Thermal Phases of D1-Branes on a Circle from Lattice Super Yang-Mills

We report on the results of numerical simulations of 1+1 dimensional SU(N) Yang-Mills theory with maximal supersymmetry at finite temperature and compactified on a circle. For large N this system is thought to provide a dual description of the decoupling limit of N coincident D1-branes on a circle. It has been proposed that at large N there is a phase transition at strong coupling related to the Gregory-Laflamme (GL) phase transition in the holographic gravity dual. In a high temperature limit there was argued to be a deconfinement transition associated to the spatial Polyakov loop, and it has been proposed that this is the continuation of the strong coupling GL transition. Investigating the theory on the lattice for SU(3) and SU(4) and studying the time and space Polyakov loops we find evidence supporting this. In particular at strong coupling we see the transition has the parametric dependence on coupling predicted by gravity. We estimate the GL phase transition temperature from the lattice data which, interestingly, is not yet known directly in the gravity dual. Fine tuning in the lattice theory is avoided by the use of a lattice action with exact supersymmetry

Symbiotic modeling: Linguistic Anthropology and the promise of chiasmus

Reflexive observations and observations of reflexivity: such agendas are by now standard practice in anthropology. Dynamic feedback loops between self and other, cause and effect, represented and representamen may no longer seem surprising; but, in spite of our enhanced awareness, little deliberate attention is devoted to modeling or grounding such phenomena. Attending to both linguistic and extra-linguistic modalities of chiasmus (the X figure), a group of anthropologists has recently embraced this challenge. Applied to contemporary problems in linguistic anthropology, chiasmus functions to highlight and enhance relationships of interdependence or symbiosis between contraries, including anthropology’s four fields, the nature of human being and facets of being human