Thermodynamics and collapse of self-gravitating Brownian particles in D dimensions

We address the thermodynamics (equilibrium density profiles, phase diagram, instability analysis...) and the collapse of a self-gravitating gas of Brownian particles in D dimensions, in both canonical and microcanonical ensembles. In the canonical ensemble, we derive the analytic form of the density scaling profile which decays as f(x)=x^{-\alpha}, with alpha=2. In the microcanonical ensemble, we show that f decays as f(x)=x^{-\alpha_{max}}, where \alpha_{max} is a non-trivial exponent. We derive exact expansions for alpha_{max} and f in the limit of large D. Finally, we solve the problem in D=2, which displays rather rich and peculiar features

Bifurcations in a convection problem with temperature-dependent viscosity

A convection problem with temperature-dependent viscosity in an infinite layer is presented. As described, this problem has important applications in mantle convection. The existence of a stationary bifurcation is proved together with a condition to obtain the critical parameters at which the bifurcation takes place. For a general dependence of viscosity with temperature a numerical strategy for the calculation of the critical bifurcation curves and the most unstable modes has been developed. For a exponential dependence of viscosity on temperature the numerical calculations have been done. Comparisons with the classical Rayleigh-B\'enard problem with constant viscosity indicate that the critical threshold decreases as the exponential rate parameter increases.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure

Challenges of open innovation: the paradox of firm investment in open-source software

Open innovation is a powerful framework encompassing the generation, capture, and employment of intellectual property at the firm level. We identify three fundamental challenges for firms in applying the concept of open innovation: finding creative ways to exploit internal innovation, incorporating external innovation into internal development, and motivating outsiders to supply an ongoing stream of external innovations. This latter challenge involves a paradox, why would firms spend money on R&D efforts if the results of these efforts are available to rival firms? To explore these challenges, we examine the activity of firms in opensource software to support their innovation strategies. Firms involved in open-source software often make investments that will be shared with real and potential rivals. We identify four strategies firms employ – pooled R&D/product development, spinouts, selling complements and attracting donated complements – and discuss how they address the three key challenges of open innovation. We conclude with suggestions for how similar strategies may apply in other industries and offer some possible avenues for future research on open innovation

Duality cascades and duality walls

We recast the phenomenon of duality cascades in terms of the Cartan matrix associated to the quiver gauge theories appearing in the cascade. In this language, Seiberg dualities for the different gauge factors correspond to Weyl reflections. We argue that the UV behavior of different duality cascades depends markedly on whether the Cartan matrix is affine ADE or not. In particular, we find examples of duality cascades that can't be continued after a finite energy scale, reaching a "duality wall", in terminology due to M. Strassler. For these duality cascades, we suggest the existence of a UV completion in terms of a little string theory.Comment: harvmac, 24 pages, 4 figures. v2: references added. v3: reference adde

Effect of halo modelling on WIMP exclusion limits

WIMP direct detection experiments are just reaching the sensitivity required to detect galactic dark matter in the form of neutralinos. Data from these experiments are usually analysed under the simplifying assumption that the Milky Way halo is an isothermal sphere with maxwellian velocity distribution. Observations and numerical simulations indicate that galaxy halos are in fact triaxial and anisotropic. Furthermore, in the cold dark matter paradigm galactic halos form via the merger of smaller subhalos, and at least some residual substructure survives. We examine the effect of halo modelling on WIMP exclusion limits, taking into account the detector response. Triaxial and anisotropic halo models, with parameters motivated by observations and numerical simulations, lead to significant changes which are different for different experiments, while if the local WIMP distribution is dominated by small scale clumps then the exclusion limits are changed dramatically.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures, version to appear in Phys. Rev. D, minor change

Mirror Symmetry and Other Miracles in Superstring Theory

The dominance of string theory in the research landscape of quantum gravity physics (despite any direct experimental evidence) can, I think, be justified in a variety of ways. Here I focus on an argument from mathematical fertility, broadly similar to Hilary Putnam's 'no miracles argument' that, I argue, many string theorists in fact espouse. String theory leads to many surprising, useful, and well-confirmed mathematical 'predictions' - here I focus on mirror symmetry. These predictions are made on the basis of general physical principles entering into string theory. The success of the mathematical predictions are then seen as evidence for framework that generated them. I attempt to defend this argument, but there are nonetheless some serious objections to be faced. These objections can only be evaded at a high (philosophical) price.Comment: For submission to a Foundations of Physics special issue on "Forty Years Of String Theory: Reflecting On the Foundations" (edited by G. `t Hooft, E. Verlinde, D. Dieks and S. de Haro)

Zero-range process with open boundaries

We calculate the exact stationary distribution of the one-dimensional zero-range process with open boundaries for arbitrary bulk and boundary hopping rates. When such a distribution exists, the steady state has no correlations between sites and is uniquely characterized by a space-dependent fugacity which is a function of the boundary rates and the hopping asymmetry. For strong boundary drive the system has no stationary distribution. In systems which on a ring geometry allow for a condensation transition, a condensate develops at one or both boundary sites. On all other sites the particle distribution approaches a product measure with the finite critical density \rho_c. In systems which do not support condensation on a ring, strong boundary drive leads to a condensate at the boundary. However, in this case the local particle density in the interior exhibits a complex algebraic growth in time. We calculate the bulk and boundary growth exponents as a function of the system parameters

Adding flavor to AdS/CFT

Coupling fundamental quarks to QCD in the dual string representation corresponds to adding the open string sector. Flavors therefore should be represented by space-time filling D-branes in the dual 5d closed string background. This requires several interesting properties of D-branes in AdS. D-branes have to be able to end in thin air in order to account for massive quarks, which only live in the UV region. They must come in distinct sets, representing the chiral global symmetry, with a bifundamental field playing the role of the chiral condensate. We show that these expectations are born out in several supersymmetric examples. To analyze most of these properties it is not necessary to go beyond the probe limit in which one neglects the backreaction of the flavor D-branes.Comment: 14 pages, LaTeX; references adde