Embedding the Reissner-Nordstrom spacetime in Euclidean and Minkowski spaces

We examine embedding diagrams of hypersurfaces in the Reissner-Nordstrom black hole spacetime. These embedding diagrams serve as useful tools to visualize the geometry of the hypersurfaces and of the whole spacetime in general.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figure

X-ray diffraction imaging (topography) of electroopticcrystals by synchrotron radiation

Information of special interest to crystal growers and device physicists now available from monochromatic synchrotron diffraction imaging (topography) is reviewed. Illustrations are taken from a variety of electro-optic crystals. Aspects of the detailed understanding of crystal growth processes obtainable from carefully selected samples are described. Finally, new experimental opportunities now available for exploitation are indicated

Centre-of-mass and internal symmetries in classical relativistic systems

The internal symmetry of composite relativistic systems is discussed. It is demonstrated that Lorentz-Poincar\'e symmetry implies the existence of internal moments associated with the Lorentz boost, which are Laplace-Runge-Lenz (LRL) vectors. The LRL symmetry is thus found to be the internal symmetry universally associated with the global Lorentz transformations, in much the same way as internal spatial rotations are associated with global spatial rotations. Two applications are included, for an interacting 2-body system and for an interaction-free many-body system of particles. The issue of localizability of the relativistic CM coordinate is also discussed

Streaking images that appear only in the plane of diffraction in undoped GaAs single crystals: Diffraction imaging (topography) by monochromatic synchrotron radiation

Streaking images restricted to the direction of the diffraction (scattering) vector have been observed on transmission through undoped GaAs. These disruption images (caused by the reduction of diffraction in the direction of observation) appear both in the forward and in Bragg diffracted directions in monochromatic synchrontron radiation diffraction imaging. This previously unobserved phenomenon can be explained in terms of planar defects (interfaces) or platelets which affects the absorption coefficient in anomalous transmission. Such regions of the crystal look perfect despite the presence of imperfections when the scattering vector is not perpendicular to the normal of the platelets. The observed crystallographic orientation of these interfaces strongly indicates that they are antiphase boundaries

Paper Session I-A - Learning about Life on Space Station

The International Space Station as humanity’s outpost in low Earth orbit, is an ideal platform for studying how to live in space, as well as to conduct research to learn more about life. A long-duration microgravity platform such as ISS allows the study of biological and physiological processes free of the one constant force to which they have been subjected since the origin of life on Earth: gravity. Although construction of ISS is still under way, the US Laboratory Module Destiny has been outfitted with its full complement of 10 research facilities, two of them dedicated to life sciences research. In the coming years, Destiny will be joined by the European Space Agency’s Columbus and by Japan’s Kibo research modules with additional facilities, and then by the Centrifuge Accommodation Module containing a centrifuge for variable gravity research. Research has been ongoing for only 2 of its planned 15 years of orbital life, so we have clearly just opened the door to learning about life on Space Station

The Evolutionary Origin of the Runx/CBFbeta Transcription Factors – Studies of the Most Basal Metazoans

BACKGROUND. Members of the Runx family of transcriptional regulators, which bind DNA as heterodimers with CBFβ, are known to play critical roles in embryonic development in many triploblastic animals such as mammals and insects. They are known to regulate basic developmental processes such as cell fate determination and cellular potency in multiple stem-cell types, including the sensory nerve cell progenitors of ganglia in mammals. RESULTS. In this study, we detect and characterize the hitherto unexplored Runx/CBFβ genes of cnidarians and sponges, two basal animal lineages that are well known for their extensive regenerative capacity. Comparative structural modeling indicates that the Runx-CBFβ-DNA complex from most cnidarians and sponges is highly similar to that found in humans, with changes in the residues involved in Runx-CBFβ dimerization in either of the proteins mirrored by compensatory changes in the binding partner. In situ hybridization studies reveal that Nematostella Runx and CBFβ are expressed predominantly in small isolated foci at the base of the ectoderm of the tentacles in adult animals, possibly representing neurons or their progenitors. CONCLUSION. These results reveal that Runx and CBFβ likely functioned together to regulate transcription in the common ancestor of all metazoans, and the structure of the Runx-CBFβ-DNA complex has remained extremely conserved since the human-sponge divergence. The expression data suggest a hypothesis that these genes may have played a role in nerve cell differentiation or maintenance in the common ancestor of cnidarians and bilaterians.National Science Foundation (IBN-0212773, FP-91656101-0); Boston University SPRInG (20-202-8103-9); Israel Science Foundation (825/07

Diffraction imaging (topography) with monochromatic synchrotron radiation

Structural information of special interest to crystal growers and device physicists is now available from high resolution monochromatic synchrotron diffraction imaging (topography). In the review, the importance of superior resolution in momentum transfer and in space is described, and illustrations are taken from a variety of crystals: gallium arsenide, cadmium telluride, mercuric iodide, bismuth silicon oxide, and lithium niobate. The identification and understanding of local variations in crystal growth processes are shown. Finally, new experimental opportunities now available for exploitation are indicated

The environmental footprint of Holocene societies: a multi-temporal study of trails in the Judean Desert, Israel

The global distribution of footpaths and their inferred antiquity implies that they are widespread spatial and temporal anthropogenic landscape units. Arid environments are of special interest for investigating historically used footpaths, as older routes may preserve better due to minimal modern impact and slower pedogenic processes. Here we examine footpaths in the Judean Desert of the southern Levant, a human hotspot throughout the Holocene. We studied one modern and two archaeological footpaths (one attributed to the Early Bronze Age and one to the Roman period) using micromorphology, bulk samples laboratory analysis, and remote sensing. Field observations and color analysis indicate that footpaths in the studied arid limestone environment can result in brighter surface color than their non-path surroundings. Similar color changes are reflected using both laboratory analysis and high-resolution remote sensing, where the difference is also significant. Microscopically, the footpaths studied tend to be less porous and with fewer biogenic activities when compared to their non-path controls. However, the two ancient footpaths studied do exhibit minimal indicators of biogenic activities that are not detectable in the modern footpath sample. Our study shows that high-resolution remote sensing coupled with micromorphology, while using appropriate local modern analogies, can help to locate and assess both the environmental effect and the antiquity of footpaths

Is interviewer support associated with the reduced reluctance and enhanced informativeness of alleged child abuse victims?

Child maltreatment victims are often reluctant to report abuse when formally interviewed. Evidence-based guidelines like the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Standard Investigative Interview Protocol do not adequately address such reluctance because they are focused on cognitive rather than socio-emotional strategies. The present study was designed to determine whether the Revised NICHD Protocol, which emphasizes supportive interviewing more than the Standard Protocol does, might predict increases in the overall informativeness and reductions in the reluctance of alleged victims. A total of 254 interviews, 166 using the Revised Protocol and 88 using the Standard Protocol, were conducted with 4.06- to 13.98-year-old children (M = 9.20, SD = 2.49) who disclosed multiple incidents of physical abuse by their parents and were thus expected to be more reluctant than victims of extrafamilial abuse. We coded indices of interviewer support and question types, children’s reluctance, and informativeness in each utterance during the substantive phases of the interviews. The Revised Protocol was associated with better interviewer support and questioning as well as reduced reluctance and increased informativeness on the part of the children. These findings document the value of training interviewers to attend to the socio-emotional needs of suspected abuse victims during investigative interviews.Nuffield and Jacobs Foundations, Haruv Institut