On finite-size effects in computer simulations using the Ewald potential

We discuss the origin and relevance for computer simulations of a strong finite-size effect that appears when using the Ewald summation formula. It can be understood as arising from a volume-dependent shift of the potential in a finite, periodic box relative to the infinite volume limit. This shift is due to the fact that the ``zero of energy'' for a periodic system cannot be defined by letting the interacting particles be separated by an infinite distance; the correct definition corresponds to setting its \bbox k=\bbox 0 Fourier mode to zero. The implications of this effect for computer simulations are discussed.Comment: Submitted to Journal of Chemical Physic

Can VMD improve the estimate of the muon g-2 ?

We show that a VMD based theoretical input allows for a significantly improved accuracy for the hadronic vacuum polarization of the photon which contributes to the theoretical estimate of the muon g-2. We also show that the only experimental piece of information in the $\tau$ decay which cannot be accounted for is the accepted value for {\rm Br}(\tau \ra \pi \pi \nu_\tau), while the spectum lineshape is in agreement with expectations from $e^+ e^-$ annihilations.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure Proceedings of the PhiPsi09, Oct. 13-16, 2009, Beijing, Chin

Evaluating the Effects of Nature in the City on 5th grade Students’ Environmental Literacy in the Syracuse City School District

Baltimore Woods Nature Center’s Nature in the City school programs provides K-6 students in the Syracuse City School District with hands-on learning experiences that connect them with their environment. To improve the quality of Baltimore Woods Nature Center’s Nature in the City (NITC) program, as well as assess changes in 5th grade students’ environmental literacy, assessments were conducted in all participating schools. Assessments were given before and after NITC programs in each 5th grade classroom. Pre- and post-assessments scores were calculated for each student, and these scores were used to compute statistics for individual schools and the overall district. Paired t-tests were run at a 95% level of confidence (α = 0.05). Following data analysis it was found that the overall participating students showed a significant increase from pre- to post-scores (percent change of 46.3%). Ten out the 12 schools in this report showed an individual significant increase. Results from Delaware and Porter suggest there is room for improvement in the program. When asked, “will you change your habits to save energy in your daily life,” and “do you your actions impact the environment,” the initial response was positive with \u3e40% answering “yes,” or “I already do.” This positive response increased by a small margin of 1 and 3% from pre- to post-scores. The overall findings of this report show that the Nature in the City program is effective at increasing participants’ environmental literacy. This positive change in opinions about the environment, and the significant increase of scientific knowledge, will equip students who participated in the NITC program with the tools they will need to make environmentally conscious decisions and act in its favor. This not only benefits the global environment, but also helps Baltimore Woods Nature Center meet their goal of increasing students’ knowledge and engaging them in hands-on activities

Experimental pre-assessing entanglement in Gaussian states mixing

We suggest and demonstrate a method to assess entanglement generation schemes based on mixing of Gaussian states at a beam splitter (BS). Our method is based on the fidelity criterion and represents a tool to analyze the effect of losses and noise before the BS in both symmetric and asymmetric channels with and without thermal effects. More generally, our scheme allows one to pre-assess entanglement resources and to optimize the design of BS-based schemes for the generation of continuous variable entanglement.Comment: 10 pages, 15 figure

On the zero set of G-equivariant maps

Let $G$ be a finite group acting on vector spaces $V$ and $W$ and consider a smooth $G$-equivariant mapping $f:V\to W$. This paper addresses the question of the zero set near a zero $x$ of $f$ with isotropy subgroup $G$. It is known from results of Bierstone and Field on $G$-transversality theory that the zero set in a neighborhood of $x$ is a stratified set. The purpose of this paper is to partially determine the structure of the stratified set near $x$ using only information from the representations $V$ and $W$. We define an index $s(\Sigma)$ for isotropy subgroups $\Sigma$ of $G$ which is the difference of the dimension of the fixed point subspace of $\Sigma$ in $V$ and $W$. Our main result states that if $V$ contains a subspace $G$-isomorphic to $W$, then for every maximal isotropy subgroup $\Sigma$ satisfying $s(\Sigma)>s(G)$, the zero set of $f$ near $x$ contains a smooth manifold of zeros with isotropy subgroup $\Sigma$ of dimension $s(\Sigma)$. We also present a systematic method to study the zero sets for group representations $V$ and $W$ which do not satisfy the conditions of our main theorem. The paper contains many examples and raises several questions concerning the computation of zero sets of equivariant maps. These results have application to the bifurcation theory of $G$-reversible equivariant vector fields

Microwave satellite remote sensing for a sustainable sea

The oceans cover roughly 2/3 of the Earth’s surface and are a fundamental ecosystem regulating climate, weather and representing a huge reservoir of biodiversity and natural resources. The preservation of the oceans is therefore not only relevant on an environmental perspective but also on an economical one. A sustainable approach is requested that cannot be simply achieved by improving technologies but calls for a shared new vision of common goods.Within such a complex and holistic problem, the role of satellite microwave remote sensing to observe marine ecosystem and to assist a sustainable development of human activities must be considered. In such a view the paper is meant. Accordingly, the key microwave sensor technologies are reviewed paying particular emphasis on those applications that can provide effective support to pursue some of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Three meaningful sectors are showcased:oil and gas, where microwave sensors can provide continuous fine-resolution monitoring of critical infrastructures; renewable energy, where microwave satellite remote sensing allows supporting the management of offshore wind farms during both feasibility and operational stages; plastic pollution, where microwave technologies that exploit signals of opportunity offer large-scale monitoring capability to provide marine litter maps of the oceans

Poor Outcome in a Mitochondrial Neurogastrointestinal Encephalomyopathy Patient with a Novel TYMP Mutation: The Need for Early Diagnosis.

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is a devastating autosomal recessive disorder due to mutations in TYMP, which cause loss of function of thymidine phosphorylase (TP), nucleoside accumulation in plasma and tissues and mitochondrial dysfunction. The clinical picture includes progressive gastrointestinal dysmotility, cachexia, ptosis and ophthalmoparesis, peripheral neuropathy and diffuse leukoencephalopathy, which usually lead to death in early adulthood. Therapeutic options are currently available in clinical practice (allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and carrier erythrocyte entrapped TP therapy) and newer, promising therapies are expected in the near future. However, successful treatment is strictly related to early diagnosis. We report on an incomplete MNGIE phenotype in a young man harboring the novel heterozygote c.199 C>T (Q67X) mutation in exon 2, and the previously reported c.866 A>C (E289A) mutation in exon 7 in TYMP. The correct diagnosis was achieved many years after the onset of symptoms and unfortunately, the patient died soon after diagnosis because of multiorgan failure due to severe malnutrition and cachexia before any therapeutic option could be tried. To date, early diagnosis is essential to ensure that patients have the opportunity to be treated. MNGIE should be suspected in all patients who present with both gastrointestinal and nervous system involvement, even if the classical complete phenotype is lacking

Using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to Limit Potential Copyright Liability Online

Any online service provider ( OSP ), including a website operator, that accepts user postings or includes content from other parties on its website or online service is at risk that it will be held liable if such third-party content infringes the copyright of another party. Liability for copyright infringement is an expensive proposition and can run into the millions of dollars. Thus, an OSP must be vigilant in limiting its potential liability in connection with such third-party content