3,771 research outputs found
Spin foam models with finite groups
Spin foam models, loop quantum gravity and group field theory are discussed
as quantum gravity candidate theories and usually involve a continuous Lie
group. We advocate here to consider quantum gravity inspired models with finite
groups, firstly as a test bed for the full theory and secondly as a class of
new lattice theories possibly featuring an analogue diffeomorphism symmetry. To
make these notes accessible to readers outside the quantum gravity community we
provide an introduction to some essential concepts in the loop quantum gravity,
spin foam and group field theory approach and point out the many connections to
lattice field theory and condensed matter systems.Comment: 47 pages, 6 figure
Visual observation to identify sexes in subspecies of adult Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger)
Identifying sexes in birds from visual observations could be a useful and inexpensive method. While sexual dichromatism and ornaments are readily used by observers, sexual size dimorphism can also be used to identify sexes in some bird species. This study assessed the applicability of visual observation of size differences to identify sexes in adult Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger). Black Skimmers do not have sexual dichromatism; however, Black Skimmer males are skeletally larger (6.7–31.7% depending on trait) and 33.3–37.5% heavier than females. The study focused on two subspecies: Amazonian (R. n. cinerascens) and South American (R. n. intercedens) Black Skimmers. Sex identified by visually observing size differences was consistent with the sex identified at specimen preparation from examining gonads (RGLMM = 0.996 ± 0.004). The identification of sexes from photographs using visual observation of size had a very high within- (RGLMM = 0.995 ± 0.001) and between- (RGLMM = 0.984 ± 0.002) observer repeatability. Non-invasive methods for identifying sex by visual observation may allow enhanced use of data from photographic datasets, citizen science projects, and surveys using direct observation or images
Using field photography to study avian moult
Methods to obtain moult data from wild birds have not changed much over the last century and most studies still depend on checking museum specimens or capturing birds. Here we assess the applicability of systematic field photography for detecting and scoring moult in adult Black Skimmers Rynchops niger from southern Brazil. Moult data extracted from photographs have a high within- (RGLMM = 0.98) and between-observer repeatability (RGLMM = 0.97) and show very good fit to current Underhill–Zucchini moult models (R2 = 0.75). Photography offers the advantages of being less invasive, requiring less equipment and human effort, being feasible in areas where captures may not be possible, and causing less disturbance, so enhancing the number of sampled individuals
Phase transformations induced by spherical indentation in ion-implanted amorphous silicon
The deformation behavior of ion-implanted (unrelaxed) and annealed ion-implanted (relaxed) amorphous silicon(a-Si) under spherical indentation at room temperature has been investigated. It has been found that the mode of deformation depends critically on both the preparation of the amorphous film and the scale of the mechanical deformation.Ex situmeasurements, such as Raman microspectroscopy and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, as well as in situ electrical measurements reveal the occurrence of phase transformations in all relaxed a-Si films. The preferred deformation mode of unrelaxed a-Si is plastic flow, only under certain high load conditions can this state of a-Si be forced to transform. In situ electrical measurements have revealed more detail of the transformation process during both loading and unloading. We have used ELASTICA simulations to obtain estimates of the depth of the metallic phase as a function of load, and good agreement is found with the experiment. On unloading, a clear change in electrical conductivity is observed to correlate with a “pop-out” event on load versus penetration curves
Simplicity in simplicial phase space
A key point in the spin foam approach to quantum gravity is the
implementation of simplicity constraints in the partition functions of the
models. Here, we discuss the imposition of these constraints in a phase space
setting corresponding to simplicial geometries. On the one hand, this could
serve as a starting point for a derivation of spin foam models by canonical
quantisation. On the other, it elucidates the interpretation of the boundary
Hilbert space that arises in spin foam models.
More precisely, we discuss different versions of the simplicity constraints,
namely gauge-variant and gauge-invariant versions. In the gauge-variant
version, the primary and secondary simplicity constraints take a similar form
to the reality conditions known already in the context of (complex) Ashtekar
variables. Subsequently, we describe the effect of these primary and secondary
simplicity constraints on gauge-invariant variables. This allows us to
illustrate their equivalence to the so-called diagonal, cross and edge
simplicity constraints, which are the gauge-invariant versions of the
simplicity constraints. In particular, we clarify how the so-called gluing
conditions arise from the secondary simplicity constraints. Finally, we discuss
the significance of degenerate configurations, and the ramifications of our
work in a broader setting.Comment: Typos and references correcte
Computer Assembly of Cluster-Forming Amphiphilic Dendrimers
Recent theoretical studies have predicted a new clustering mechanism for soft
matter particles that interact via a certain kind of purely repulsive, bounded
potentials. At sufficiently high densities, clusters of overlapping particles
are formed in the fluid, which upon further compression crystallize into cubic
lattices with density-independent lattice constants. In this work we show that
amphiphilic dendrimers are suitable colloids for the experimental realization
of this phenomenon. Thereby, we pave the way for the synthesis of such
macromolecules, which form the basis for a novel class of materials with
unusual properties.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl
A finite element based tool to support the understanding of electromagnetism concepts
A significant pedagogical innovation in teaching
and learning Electromagnetics in undergraduate engineering
programmes is the resource to simulations, preferably
interactive. A classical approach would require a vector calculus
background and three-dimensional geometrical
resourcefulness, typically not maturated by undergraduate
students. On the other hand, interactive simulations are able to
support a meaningful visual insight into the fundamental laws
and concepts of electromagnetic theory. This work describes an
educational tool which relies in an open source graphical user
interface to finite element software, able to provide interaction,
accuracy and visual interpretations of the Electromagnetics
fundamental laws and classical problems, able to hasten the
students’ understanding, by lessening the abstract nature of
vector fields, level curves and gradient fields. This tool is to be
further developed to gather a set of vast examples and typical
problems, able to support a web-based training platform.This work has been supported by FCT - Fundação para a
Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope:
UIDB/05757/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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