647 research outputs found
Stability of Negative Image Equilibria in Spike-Timing Dependent Plasticity
We investigate the stability of negative image equilibria in mean synaptic
weight dynamics governed by spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP). The
neural architecture of the model is based on the electrosensory lateral line
lobe (ELL) of mormyrid electric fish, which forms a negative image of the
reafferent signal from the fish's own electric discharge to optimize detection
of external electric fields. We derive a necessary and sufficient condition for
stability, for arbitrary postsynaptic potential functions and arbitrary
learning rules. We then apply the general result to several examples of
biological interest.Comment: 13 pages, revtex4; uses packages: graphicx, subfigure; 9 figures, 16
subfigure
Cold Plasma Wave Analysis in Magneto-Rotational Fluids
This paper is devoted to investigate the cold plasma wave properties. The
analysis has been restricted to the neighborhood of the pair production region
of the Kerr magnetosphere. The Fourier analyzed general relativistic
magnetohydrodynamical equations are dealt under special circumstances and
dispersion relations are obtained. We find the -component of the complex
wave vector numerically. The corresponding components of the propagation
vector, attenuation vector, phase and group velocities are shown in graphs. The
direction and dispersion of waves are investigated.Comment: 22 pages, 18 figures, accepted for publication in Astrophys. Space
Sc
Type IIB Colliding Plane Waves
Four-dimensional colliding plane wave (CPW) solutions have played an
important role in understanding the classical non-linearities of Einstein's
equations. In this note, we investigate CPW solutions in --dimensional
Einstein gravity with a -form flux. By using an isomorphism with the
four-dimensional problem, we construct exact solutions analogous to the
Szekeres vacuum solution in four dimensions. The higher-dimensional versions of
the Khan-Penrose and Bell-Szekeres CPW solutions are studied perturbatively in
the vicinity of the light-cone. We find that under small perturbations, a
curvature singularity is generically produced, leading to both space-like and
time-like singularities. For , our results pertain to the collision of two
ten-dimensional type IIB Blau - Figueroa o'Farrill - Hull - Papadopoulos plane
waves.Comment: 20+10 pages, 2 figures, uses JHEP3.cls; v2: refs [3,10,22] corrected,
remark added below (3.9) on inexistence of conformally flat CPW in our
ansatz, final version to appear in JHE
Resonance Fluorescence Spectrum of a Trapped Ion Undergoing Quantum Jumps
We experimentally investigate the resonance fluorescence spectrum of single
171Yb and 172Yb ions which are laser cooled to the Lamb-Dicke regime in a
radiofrequency trap. While the fluorescence scattering of 172Yb is continuous,
the 171Yb fluorescence is interrupted by quantum jumps because a nonvanishing
rate of spontaneous transitions leads to electron shelving in the metastable
hyperfine sublevel 2D3/2(F=2). The average duration of the resulting dark
periods can be varied by changing the intensity of a repumping laser field.
Optical heterodyne detection is employed to analyze the fluorescence spectrum
near the Rayleigh elastic scattering peak. It is found that the stochastic
modulation of the fluorescence emission by quantum jumps gives rise to a
Lorentzian component in the fluorescence spectrum, and that the linewidth of
this component varies according to the average duration of the dark
fluorescence periods. The experimental observations are in quantitative
agreement with theoretical predictions.Comment: 14 pages including 4 figures, pdf file, fig.1 replace
Understanding Galaxy Formation and Evolution
The old dream of integrating into one the study of micro and macrocosmos is
now a reality. Cosmology, astrophysics, and particle physics intersect in a
scenario (but still not a theory) of cosmic structure formation and evolution
called Lambda Cold Dark Matter (LCDM) model. This scenario emerged mainly to
explain the origin of galaxies. In these lecture notes, I first present a
review of the main galaxy properties, highlighting the questions that any
theory of galaxy formation should explain. Then, the cosmological framework and
the main aspects of primordial perturbation generation and evolution are
pedagogically detached. Next, I focus on the ``dark side'' of galaxy formation,
presenting a review on LCDM halo assembling and properties, and on the main
candidates for non-baryonic dark matter. It is shown how the nature of
elemental particles can influence on the features of galaxies and their
systems. Finally, the complex processes of baryon dissipation inside the
non-linearly evolving CDM halos, formation of disks and spheroids, and
transformation of gas into stars are briefly described, remarking on the
possibility of a few driving factors and parameters able to explain the main
body of galaxy properties. A summary and a discussion of some of the issues and
open problems of the LCDM paradigm are given in the final part of these notes.Comment: 50 pages, 10 low-resolution figures (for normal-resolution, DOWNLOAD
THE PAPER (PDF, 1.9 Mb) FROM http://www.astroscu.unam.mx/~avila/avila.pdf).
Lectures given at the IV Mexican School of Astrophysics, July 18-25, 2005
(submitted to the Editors on March 15, 2006
N-body simulations of gravitational dynamics
We describe the astrophysical and numerical basis of N-body simulations, both
of collisional stellar systems (dense star clusters and galactic centres) and
collisionless stellar dynamics (galaxies and large-scale structure). We explain
and discuss the state-of-the-art algorithms used for these quite different
regimes, attempt to give a fair critique, and point out possible directions of
future improvement and development. We briefly touch upon the history of N-body
simulations and their most important results.Comment: invited review (28 pages), to appear in European Physics Journal Plu
The Impact of Perceived Expectations and Uncertainty on Firm Investment
This paper analyses the (differential) impact of perceived expectations and uncertainty on investment spending in small and large firms. We analyse two types of investment, viz. aggregate investment and investment in energy-saving technologies, using Dutch firm level data. The results show that expectations and uncertainty about input- and output prices and domestic demand have substantial but different effects on investment spending in firms of different sizes. Furthermore, we find evidence, at least for small firms, that there are important differences between the effects of uncertainty about input and output variable
Null-Result Detection and Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) Correlations
It follows from Bell's theorem and quantum mechanics that the detection of a
particle of an entangled pair can (somehow) "force" the other distant particle
of the pair into a well-defined state (which is equivalente to a reduction of
the state vector): no property previously shared by the particles can explain
the predicted correlations. This result has been corroborated by experiment.
However, it has not been experimantally proved-and it is far from obvious-that
the absence of detection, as in null-result (NR) experiments could have the
very same effect. In this paper a way to try to bridge this gap is suggested.
As already shown for the case of EPR correlations, if NR detections cannot
induce a reduction of the state vector, then faster-than-light (FTL)
communication becomes possible, at least in pr\'inciple. But it will be
demonstrated that-as entertained by Bohm-this does not necessarily lead to a
causal paradox, or to the rejection of the Lorentz transformations.Comment: 16 pages, 1 figure. Similar to the version published in Foundations
of Physics with an appendix on superluminal signalling without causal paradox
include
Magnetic Field Amplification in Galaxy Clusters and its Simulation
We review the present theoretical and numerical understanding of magnetic
field amplification in cosmic large-scale structure, on length scales of galaxy
clusters and beyond. Structure formation drives compression and turbulence,
which amplify tiny magnetic seed fields to the microGauss values that are
observed in the intracluster medium. This process is intimately connected to
the properties of turbulence and the microphysics of the intra-cluster medium.
Additional roles are played by merger induced shocks that sweep through the
intra-cluster medium and motions induced by sloshing cool cores. The accurate
simulation of magnetic field amplification in clusters still poses a serious
challenge for simulations of cosmological structure formation. We review the
current literature on cosmological simulations that include magnetic fields and
outline theoretical as well as numerical challenges.Comment: 60 pages, 19 Figure
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