A detail study of defect models for cosmic structure formation

We calculate predictions from wide class of `active' models of cosmic structure formation which allows us to scan the space of possible defect models. We calculate the linear cold dark matter power spectrum and Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) anisotropies over all observable scales using a full linear Einstein-Boltzmann code. Our main result, which has already been reported, points to a serious problem reconciling the observed amplitude of the large-scale galaxy distribution with the COBE normalization. Here, we describe our methods and results in detail. The problem is present for a wide range of defect parameters, which can be used to represent potential differences among defect models, as well as possible systematic numerical errors. We explicitly examine the impact of varying the defect model parameters and we show how the results substantiate these conclusions. The standard scaling defect models are in serious conflict with the current data, and we show how attempts to resolve the problem by considering non-scaling defects or modified stress-energy components would require radical departures from what has become the standard picture.Comment: 37 Pages; References updated and minor typos correcte

Structure formation by cosmic strings with a cosmological constant

Final published version.Comment: 4 Page

A master relation defines the nonlinear viscoelasticity of single fibroblasts

Cell mechanical functions like locomotion, contraction and division are controlled by the cytoskeleton, a dynamic biopolymer network whose mechanical properties remain poorly understood. We perform single-cell uniaxial stretching experiments on 3T3 fibroblasts. By superimposing small amplitude oscillations on a mechanically prestressed cell, we find a transition from linear viscoelastic behavior to power-law stress stiffening. Data from different cells over several stress decades can be uniquely scaled to obtain a master-relation between the viscoelastic moduli and the average force. Remarkably, this relation holds independently of deformation history, adhesion biochemistry, and intensity of active contraction. In particular, it is irrelevant whether force is actively generated by the cell or externally imposed by stretching. We propose that the master-relation reflects the mechanical behavior of the force bearing actin cytoskeleton, in agreement with stress stiffening known from semiflexible filament networks.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figures. Accepted for publication in Biophysical Journal, scheduled to appear in May 200

On invariant graph subspaces

In this paper we discuss the problem of decomposition for unbounded $2\times 2$ operator matrices by a pair of complementary invariant graph subspaces. Under mild additional assumptions, we show that such a pair of subspaces decomposes the operator matrix if and only if its domain is invariant for the angular operators associated with the graphs. As a byproduct of our considerations, we suggest a new block diagonalization procedure that resolves related domain issues. In the case when only a single invariant graph subspace is available, we obtain block triangular representations for the operator matrices.Comment: 21 pages. This paper provides a complete overhaul and extension to the authors previous work arXiv:1307.6439 and includes an exampl

Some Remarks on Quantum Coherence

There are many striking phenomena which are attributed to ``quantum coherence''. It is natural to wonder if there are new quantum coherence effects waiting to be discovered which could lead to interesting results and perhaps even practical applications. A useful starting point for such discussions is a definition of ``quantum coherence''. In this article I give a definition of quantum coherence and use a number of illustrations to explore the implications of this definition. I point to topics of current interest in the fields of cosmology and quantum computation where questions of quantum coherence arise, and I emphasize the impact that interactions with the environment can have on quantum coherence.Comment: 25 pages plain LaTeX, no figures. More references have been added and typos have been corrected. Journal of Modern Optics, in press. Imperial/TP/93-94/1

Large-scale variability in marine stratocumulus clouds defined from simultaneous aircraft and satellite measurements

Satellite images often show significant variations in the structure of marine stratocumulus clouds on scales ranging from 10 to 1000 km. This is illustrated where a GOES West satellite image shows a well-defined variation in cloud structure near 32 N, 122 W on 30 June 1987. Aircraft measurements were made with the UK C-130 and the NCAR Electra on this day as part of the FIRE Marine Stratocumulus Intensive Field Observations (IFO). The mean, turbulent, and the microphysical structure of the clouds sampled in these two areas are compared an an attempt is made to explain the differences in cloud structure. In an attempt to identify any systematic differences between the measurements made with the two aircraft, data were analyzed that were collected on 14 July 1987 with the C-130 and the Electra flying in close formation at an altitude of 250 m. The microphysical and turbulence data are being compared in an attempt to explain the differences in the cloud liquid water content obtained with the two aircraft and the differences in cloud structure shown by the GOES image. In addition, data are being analyzed for three other days during the experiment when coordinated downstream flights were made with the Electra and the C-130