6,994 research outputs found
The Heat Kernel on
We explicitly evaluate the heat kernel for the Laplacian of arbitrary spin
tensor fields on the thermal quotient of (Euclidean) for
using the group theoretic techniques employed for in arXiv:0911.5085.
Our approach is general and can be used, in principle, for other quotients as
well as other symmetric spaces.Comment: Added references, added appendix on heat kernel in even dimensio
The Feynman propagator for spin foam quantum gravity
We link the notion causality with the orientation of the 2-complex on which
spin foam models are based. We show that all current spin foam models are
orientation-independent, pointing out the mathematical structure behind this
independence. Using the technology of evolution kernels for quantum
fields/particles on Lie groups/homogeneous spaces, we construct a generalised
version of spin foam models, introducing an extra proper time variable and
prove that different ranges of integration for this variable lead to different
classes of spin foam models: the usual ones, interpreted as the quantum gravity
analogue of the Hadamard function of QFT or as a covariant definition of the
inner product between quantum gravity states; and a new class of causal models,
corresponding to the quantum gravity analogue of the Feynman propagator in QFT,
non-trivial function of the orientation data, and implying a notion of
''timeless ordering''.Comment: RevTex, 5 pages, no figures; v2-3:minor typos correcte
3D printing and immersive visualization for improved perception of ancient artifacts
This article investigates the use of 3D immersive virtual environments and 3D prints for interaction with past material culture over traditional observation without manipulation. Our work is motivated by studies in heritage, museum, and cognitive sciences indicating the importance of object manipulation for understanding present and ancient artifacts. While virtual immersive environments and 3D prints have started to be incorporated in heritage research and museum displays as a way to provide improved manipulation experiences, little is known about how these new technologies affect the perception of our past. This article provides first results obtained with three experiments designed to investigate the benefits and tradeoffs in using these technologies. Our results indicate that traditional museum displays limit the experience with past material culture, and reveal how our sample of participants favor tactile and immersive 3D virtual experiences with artifacts over visual non-manipulative experiences with authentic objects. This paper is part of a larger study on how people perceive ancient artifacts, which was partially funded by the University of California Humanities Network and the Center for the Humanities at the University of California, Merced.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from MIT Press via http://dx.doi.org/10.1162/PRES_a_0022
Vacuum Polarization in an Anti-de Sitter Space as an Origin for a Cosmological Constant in a Brane World
In this Letter we show that the vacuum polarization of quantum fields in an
anti-de Sitter space naturally gives rise to a small but nonzero cosmological
constant in a brane world living in it. To explain the extremely small ratio of
mass density in the cosmological constant to the Planck mass density in our
universe (\approx 10^{-123}) as suggested by cosmological observations, all we
need is a four-dimensional brane world (our universe) living in a
five-dimensional anti-de Sitter space with a curvature radius r_0 \sim
10^{-3}cm and a fundamental Planck energy M_P \sim 10^9 GeV, and a scalar field
with a mass m \sim r_0^{-1}\sim 10^{-2}eV. Probing gravity down to a scale \sim
10^{-3}cm, which is attainable in the near future, will provide a test of the
model.Comment: 10 pages, including 1 figur
An electromagnetic shashlik calorimeter with longitudinal segmentation
A novel technique for longitudinal segmentation of shashlik calorimeters has
been tested in the CERN West Area beam facility. A 25 tower very fine samplings
e.m. calorimeter has been built with vacuum photodiodes inserted in the first 8
radiation lengths to sample the initial development of the shower. Results
concerning energy resolution, impact point reconstruction and electron/pion
separation are reported.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figure
Fermions on adS
We construct the Feynman propagator for Dirac fermions on anti-de Sitter space-time and present an analytic expression for the bi-spinor of parallel transport. We then renormalise the vacuum expectation value of the stress-energy tensor and end by analysing its renormalised expectation value at finite temperatures
Postpubertal effects of the rapid maxillary expansion and facial mask versus the removable mandibular retractor for the early treatment of class iii malocclusion: A study on lateral cephalograms
The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of early treatment of Class III malocclusions with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and facial mask (FM) versus the removable mandibular retractor (RMR) re-evaluated at a postpubertal observation on lateral cephalograms. All prepubertal patients with Class III malocclusion treated consecutively from 1986 to 2013 by means of RME/FM or RMR were analyzed. Twenty-nine patients treated with RME/FM therapy and 23 patients treated with RMR were selected. Lateral cephalograms were available at 3 time points, before treatment (T1), at the end of active treatment (T2), and at a postpubertal observation (T3). Statistical comparisons were performed with independent sample t tests or MannâWhitney tests. During the T1âT3 interval, a significantly greater maxillary protraction (SNA +1.5 mm, p = 0.031) and significantly greater improvements in ANB and Wits appraisal (+1.9 degrees, p = 0.002, and +2.2 mm, p = 0.012, respectively) were recorded in the RME/FM group. No statistically significant changes could be found in vertical skeletal measurements. In the dentoalveolar region, the RME/FM group showed a significantly greater correction of the molar relationship (â1.5 mm, p = 0.021). Early treatment of Class III malocclusion with RME/FM protocol in comparison with RMR protocol showed a greater maxillary advancement and greater improvements in sagittal skeletal Class III relationships
Localization of supersymmetric field theories on non-compact hyperbolic three-manifolds
We study supersymmetric gauge theories with an R-symmetry, defined on
non-compact, hyperbolic, Riemannian three-manifolds, focusing on the case of a
supersymmetry-preserving quotient of Euclidean AdS. We compute the exact
partition function in these theories, using the method of localization, thus
reducing the problem to the computation of one-loop determinants around a
supersymmetric locus. We evaluate the one-loop determinants employing three
different techniques: an index theorem, the method of pairing of eigenvalues,
and the heat kernel method. Along the way, we discuss aspects of supersymmetry
in manifolds with a conformal boundary, including supersymmetric actions and
boundary conditions.Comment: v3:79p, minor clarifications and references adde
Quantification of the trans-synaptic partners neurexin-neuroligin in CSF of neurodegenerative diseases by parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometry
BACKGROUND: Synaptic proteins are increasingly studied as biomarkers for synaptic dysfunction and loss, which are early and central events in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and strongly correlate with the degree of cognitive decline. In this study, we specifically investigated the synaptic binding partners neurexin (NRXN) and neuroligin (Nlgn) proteins, to assess their biomarker's potential. METHODS: we developed a parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous quantification of NRXNs and Nlgns in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on AD. Specifically, NRXN-1α, NRXN-1ÎČ, NRXN-2α, NRXN-3α and Nlgn1, Nlgn2, Nlgn3 and Nlgn4 proteins were targeted. FINDINGS: The proteins were investigated in a clinical cohort including CSF from controls (n=22), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD (n=44), MCI due to other conditions (n=46), AD (n=77) and a group of non-AD dementia (n=28). No difference in levels of NRXNs and Nlgns was found between AD (both at dementia and MCI stages) or controls or the non-AD dementia group for any of the targeted proteins. NRXN and Nlgn proteins correlated strongly with each other, but only a weak correlation with the AD core biomarkers and the synaptic biomarkers neurogranin and growth-associated protein 43, was found, possibly reflecting different pathogenic processing at the synapse. INTERPRETATION: we conclude that NRXN and Nlgn proteins do not represent suitable biomarkers for synaptic pathology in AD. The panel developed here could aid in future investigations of the potential involvement of NRXNs and Nlgns in synaptic dysfunction in other disorders of the central nervous system. FUNDING: a full list of funding can be found under the acknowledgments section
Relative entropy for compact Riemann surfaces
The relative entropy of the massive free bosonic field theory is studied on
various compact Riemann surfaces as a universal quantity with physical
significance, in particular, for gravitational phenomena. The exact expression
for the sphere is obtained, as well as its asymptotic series for large mass and
its Taylor series for small mass. One can also derive exact expressions for the
torus but not for higher genus. However, the asymptotic behaviour for large
mass can always be established-up to a constant-with heat-kernel methods. It
consists of an asymptotic series determined only by the curvature, hence common
for homogeneous surfaces of genus higher than one, and exponentially vanishing
corrections whose form is determined by the concrete topology. The coefficient
of the logarithmic term in this series gives the conformal anomaly.Comment: 20 pages, LaTeX 2e, 2 PS figures; to appear in Phys. Rev.
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