282 research outputs found
Non-Abelian Vortices, Super-Yang-Mills Theory and Spin(7)-Instantons
We consider a complex vector bundle E endowed with a connection A over the
eight-dimensional manifold R^2 x G/H, where G/H = SU(3)/U(1)xU(1) is a
homogeneous space provided with a never integrable almost complex structure and
a family of SU(3)-structures. We establish an equivalence between G-invariant
solutions A of the Spin(7)-instanton equations on R^2 x G/H and general
solutions of non-Abelian coupled vortex equations on R^2. These vortices are
BPS solitons in a d=4 gauge theory obtained from N=1 supersymmetric Yang-Mills
theory in ten dimensions compactified on the coset space G/H with an
SU(3)-structure. The novelty of the obtained vortex equations lies in the fact
that Higgs fields, defining morphisms of vector bundles over R^2, are not
holomorphic in the generic case. Finally, we introduce BPS vortex equations in
N=4 super Yang-Mills theory and show that they have the same feature.Comment: 14 pages; v2: typos fixed, published versio
Observed photodetachment in parallel electric and magnetic fields
We investigate photodetachment from negative ions in a homogeneous 1.0-T
magnetic field and a parallel electric field of approximately 10 V/cm. A
theoretical model for detachment in combined fields is presented. Calculations
show that a field of 10 V/cm or more should considerably diminish the Landau
structure in the detachment cross section. The ions are produced and stored in
a Penning ion trap and illuminated by a single-mode dye laser. We present
preliminary results for detachment from S- showing qualitative agreement with
the model. Future directions of the work are also discussed.Comment: Nine pages, five figures, minor revisions showing final publicatio
Clouds, solar irradiance and mean surface temperature over the last century
The inter-relation of clouds, solar irradiance and surface temperature is
complex and subject to different interpretations. Here, we continue our recent
work, which related mainly to the period from 1960 to the present, back to 1900
with further, but less detailed, analysis of the last 1000 years. The last 20
years is examined especially. Attention is given to the mean surface
temperature, solar irradiance correlation, which appears to be present (with
decadal smoothing) with a 22-year period; it is stronger than the 11-year cycle
correlation with one year resolution. UV in the solar radiation is a likely
cause. Cloud data are taken from synoptic observations back to 1952 and, again,
there appears to be a correlation - with opposite phase for high and low clouds
- at the 20-30y level. Particular attention is devoted to answering the
question, 'what fraction of the observed increase in mean Global temperature
(~0.7^oC) can be attributed to solar, as distinct from man-made, effects?' We
conclude that a best estimate is 'essentially' all from 1900 to 1956 and <14%
from 1956 to the present.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, accepted by Journal of Atmospheric and
Solar-Terrestrial Physic
Філософія популізму як варіант сучасної філософії
We have previously reported on the functional interaction of Lipid II with human alpha-defensins, a class of antimicrobial peptides. Lipid II is an essential precursor for bacterial cell wall biosynthesis and an ideal and validated target for natural antibiotic compounds. Using a combination of structural, functional and in silico analyses, we present here the molecular basis for defensin-Lipid II binding. Based on the complex of Lipid II with Human Neutrophil peptide-1, we could identify and characterize chemically diverse low-molecular weight compounds that mimic the interactions between HNP-1 and Lipid II. Lead compound BAS00127538 was further characterized structurally and functionally; it specifically interacts with the N-acetyl muramic acid moiety and isoprenyl tail of Lipid II, targets cell wall synthesis and was protective in an in vivo model for sepsis. For the first time, we have identified and characterized low molecular weight synthetic compounds that target Lipid II with high specificity and affinity. Optimization of these compounds may allow for their development as novel, next generation therapeutic agents for the treatment of Gram-positive pathogenic infections
Guidelines for the Selection of Physical Literacy Measures in Physical Education in Australia
Assessment of physical literacy poses a dilemma of what instrument to use. There is currently no guide regarding the suitability of common assessment approaches. The purpose of this brief communication is to provide a user's guide for selecting physical literacy assessment instruments appropriate for use in school physical education and sport settings. While recommendations regarding specific instruments are not provided, the guide offers information about key attributes and considerations for the use. A decision flow chart has been developed to assist teachers and affiliated school practitioners to select appropriate methods of assessing physical literacy. School PE and sport scenarios are presented to illustrate this process. It is important that practitioners are empowered to select the most appropriate instrument/s to suit their needs
Deformations of nearly Kähler instantons
We formulate the deformation theory for instantons on nearly Kähler six-manifolds using spinors and Dirac operators. Using this framework we identify the space of deformations of an irreducible instanton with semisimple structure group with the kernel of an elliptic operator, and prove that abelian instantons are rigid. As an application, we show that the canonical connection on three of the four homogeneous nearly Kähler six-manifolds G/H is a rigid instanton with structure group H. In contrast, these connections admit large spaces of deformations when regarded as instantons on the tangent bundle with structure group SU(3)
Defining Physical Literacy for Application in Australia: A Modified Delphi Method
Purpose.
The development of a physical literacy definition and standards framework suitable for implementation in Australia.
Method.
Modified Delphi methodology.
Results
. Consensus was established on four defining statements:
Core – Physical literacy is lifelong holistic learning acquired and applied in movement and physical activity contexts;
Composition – Physical literacy reflects ongoing changes integrating physical, psychological, cognitive and social capabilities;
Importance – Physical literacy is vital in helping us lead healthy and fulfilling lives through movement and physical activity;
Aspiration – A physically literate person is able to draw on their integrated physical, psychological, cognitive, and social capacities to support health promoting and fulfilling movement and physical activity, relative to their situation and context, throughout the lifespan. The standards framework addressed four learning domains (physical, psychological, cognitive, and social), spanning five learning configurations/levels.
Conclusion.
The development of a bespoke program for a new context has important implications for both existing and future program
Mesoscopic scattering in the half-plane: squeezing conductance through a small hole
We model the 2-probe conductance of a quantum point contact (QPC), in linear
response. If the QPC is highly non-adiabatic or near to scatterers in the open
reservoir regions, then the usual distinction between leads and reservoirs
breaks down and a technique based on scattering theory in the full
two-dimensional half-plane is more appropriate. Therefore we relate conductance
to the transmission cross section for incident plane waves. This is equivalent
to the usual Landauer formula using a radial partial-wave basis. We derive the
result that an arbitrarily small (tunneling) QPC can reach a p-wave channel
conductance of 2e^2/h when coupled to a suitable reflector. If two or more
resonances coincide the total conductance can even exceed this. This relates to
recent mesoscopic experiments in open geometries. We also discuss reciprocity
of conductance, and the possibility of its breakdown in a proposed QPC for atom
waves.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, REVTeX. Revised version (shortened), accepted for
publication in PR
Dynamics with Infinitely Many Derivatives: The Initial Value Problem
Differential equations of infinite order are an increasingly important class
of equations in theoretical physics. Such equations are ubiquitous in string
field theory and have recently attracted considerable interest also from
cosmologists. Though these equations have been studied in the classical
mathematical literature, it appears that the physics community is largely
unaware of the relevant formalism. Of particular importance is the fate of the
initial value problem. Under what circumstances do infinite order differential
equations possess a well-defined initial value problem and how many initial
data are required? In this paper we study the initial value problem for
infinite order differential equations in the mathematical framework of the
formal operator calculus, with analytic initial data. This formalism allows us
to handle simultaneously a wide array of different nonlocal equations within a
single framework and also admits a transparent physical interpretation. We show
that differential equations of infinite order do not generically admit
infinitely many initial data. Rather, each pole of the propagator contributes
two initial data to the final solution. Though it is possible to find
differential equations of infinite order which admit well-defined initial value
problem with only two initial data, neither the dynamical equations of p-adic
string theory nor string field theory seem to belong to this class. However,
both theories can be rendered ghost-free by suitable definition of the action
of the formal pseudo-differential operator. This prescription restricts the
theory to frequencies within some contour in the complex plane and hence may be
thought of as a sort of ultra-violet cut-off.Comment: 40 pages, no figures. Added comments concerning fractional operators
and the implications of restricting the contour of integration. Typos
correcte
Multiband tight-binding theory of disordered ABC semiconductor quantum dots: Application to the optical properties of alloyed CdZnSe nanocrystals
Zero-dimensional nanocrystals, as obtained by chemical synthesis, offer a
broad range of applications, as their spectrum and thus their excitation gap
can be tailored by variation of their size. Additionally, nanocrystals of the
type ABC can be realized by alloying of two pure compound semiconductor
materials AC and BC, which allows for a continuous tuning of their absorption
and emission spectrum with the concentration x. We use the single-particle
energies and wave functions calculated from a multiband sp^3 empirical
tight-binding model in combination with the configuration interaction scheme to
calculate the optical properties of CdZnSe nanocrystals with a spherical shape.
In contrast to common mean-field approaches like the virtual crystal
approximation (VCA), we treat the disorder on a microscopic level by taking
into account a finite number of realizations for each size and concentration.
We then compare the results for the optical properties with recent experimental
data and calculate the optical bowing coefficient for further sizes
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