Quantising Higher-spin String Theories

In this paper, we examine the conditions under which a higher-spin string theory can be quantised. The quantisability is crucially dependent on the way in which the matter currents are realised at the classical level. In particular, we construct classical realisations for the $W_{2,s}$ algebra, which is generated by a primary spin-$s$ current in addition to the energy-momentum tensor, and discuss the quantisation for $s\le8$. From these examples we see that quantum BRST operators can exist even when there is no quantum generalisation of the classical $W_{2,s}$ algebra. Moreover, we find that there can be several inequivalent ways of quantising a given classical theory, leading to different BRST operators with inequivalent cohomologies. We discuss their relation to certain minimal models. We also consider the hierarchical embeddings of string theories proposed recently by Berkovits and Vafa, and show how the already-known $W$ strings provide examples of this phenomenon. Attempts to find higher-spin fermionic generalisations lead us to examine the whether classical BRST operators for $W_{2,{n\over 2}}$ ($n$ odd) algebras can exist. We find that even though such fermionic algebras close up to null fields, one cannot build nilpotent BRST operators, at least of the standard form.Comment: CTP TAMU-24/94, KUL-TF-94/11, SISSA-135/94/E

Integer quantum Hall effect and topological phase transitions in silicene

We numerically investigate the effects of disorder on the quantum Hall effect (QHE) and the quantum phase transitions in silicene based on a lattice model. It is shown that for a clean sample, silicene exhibits an unconventional QHE near the band center, with plateaus developing at $\nu=0,\pm2,\pm6,\ldots,$ and a conventional QHE near the band edges. In the presence of disorder, the Hall plateaus can be destroyed through the float-up of extended levels toward the band center, in which higher plateaus disappear first. However, the center $\nu=0$ Hall plateau is more sensitive to disorder and disappears at a relatively weak disorder strength. Moreover, the combination of an electric field and the intrinsic spin-orbit interaction (SOI) can lead to quantum phase transitions from a topological insulator to a band insulator at the charge neutrality point (CNP), accompanied by additional quantum Hall conductivity plateaus.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Comprehensive Characterization of the Transmitted/Founder env Genes From a Single MSM Cohort in China

Background: The men having sex with men (MSM) population has become one of the major risk groups for HIV-1 infection in China. However, the epidemiological patterns, function of the env genes, and autologous and heterologous neutralization activity in the same MSM population have not been systematically characterized. Methods: The env gene sequences were obtained by the single genome amplification. The time to the most recent common ancestor was estimated for each genotype using the Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach. Coreceptor usage was determined in NP-2 cells. Neutralization was analyzed using Env pseudoviruses in TZM-bl cells. Results: We have obtained 547 full-length env gene sequences by single genome amplification from 30 acute/early HIV-1–infected individuals in the Beijing MSM cohort. Three genotypes (subtype B, CRF01_AE, and CRF07_BC) were identified and 20% of the individuals were infected with multiple transmitted/founder (T/F) viruses. The tight clusters of the MSM sequences regardless of geographic origins indicated nearly exclusive transmission within the MSM population and limited number of introductions. The time to the most recent common ancestor for each genotype was 10–15 years after each was first introduced in China. Disparate preferences for coreceptor usages among 3 genotypes might lead to the changes in percentage of different genotypes in the MSM population over time. The genotype-matched and genotype-mismatched neutralization activity varied among the 3 genotypes. Conclusions: The identification of unique characteristics for transmission, coreceptor usage, neutralization profile, and epidemic patterns of HIV-1 is critical for the better understanding of transmission mechanisms, development of preventive strategies, and evaluation of vaccine efficacy in the MSM population in China

In-plane thermal conductivity of large single crystals of Sm-substituted (Y1−x_{1-x}Smx_{x})Ba2_{2}Cu3_{3}O7−δ_{7-\delta}

We have investigated the in-plane thermal conductivity $\kappa_{ab}(T,H)$ of large single crystals of optimally oxygen-doped (Y$_{1-x}$,Sm$_{x}$)Ba$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{7-\delta}$ ($x$=0, 0.1, 0.2 and 1.0) and YBa$_{2}$(Cu$_{1-y}$Zn$_{y}$)$_{3}$O$_{7-\delta}$($y$=0.0071) as functions of temperature and magnetic field (along the c axis). For comparison, the temperature dependence of $\kappa_{ab}$ for as-grown crystals with the corresponding compositions are presented. The nonlinear field dependence of $\kappa_{ab}$ for all crystals was observed at relatively low fields near a half of $T_{c}$. We make fits of the $\kappa(H)$ data to an electron contribution model, providing both the mean free path of quasiparticles $\ell_{0}$ and the electronic thermal conductivity $\kappa_{e}$, in the absence of field. The local lattice distortion due to the Sm substitution for Y suppresses both the phonon and electron contributions. On the other hand, the light Zn doping into the CuO $_{2}$ planes affects solely the electron component below $T_{c}$, resulting in a substantial decrease in $\ell_{0}$ .Comment: 7 pages,4 figures,1 tabl