Quaternionic and Octonionic Spinors. A Classification

Quaternionic and octonionic realizations of Clifford algebras and spinors are classified and explicitly constructed in terms of recursive formulas. The most general free dynamics in arbitrary signature space-times for both quaternionic and octonionic spinors is presented. In the octonionic case we further provide a systematic list of results and tables expressing, e.g., the relations of the octonionic Clifford algebras with the $G_2$ cosets over the Lorentz algebras, the identities satisfied by the higher-rank antisymmetric octonionic tensors and so on. Applications of these results range from the classification of octonionic generalized supersymmetries, the construction of octonionic superstrings, as well as the investigations concerning the recently discovered octonionic $M$-superalgebra and its superconformal extension.Comment: 24 pages, LaTe

Cross-sectional associations between serum PFASs and inflammatory biomarkers in a population exposed to AFFF-contaminated drinking water

Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widespread and persistent environmental contaminants. Exposure to several PFASs has been associated with altered immune function in humans, including autoimmune disease and impaired response to vaccination. However, changes to the profile of inflammatory biomarkers in adults exposed to PFASs has not been extensively described. Objective: To estimate cross-sectional associations between serum PFASs and markers of inflammation among adults in a population exposed to aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)-contaminated drinking water. Methods: We quantified concentrations of 48 PFASs in non-fasting serum samples from 212 non-smoking adults. In the same serum samples, we measured concentrations of ten pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. We restricted analysis to seven PFASs detected in >85% of participants and the following four cytokines detected in ≥30% of participants: interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α. We fit multiple linear regression or logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, to estimate associations between concentrations of each PFAS and either continuous or categorical (above vs below limit of detection) concentrations of each cytokine. We additionally applied Bayesian kernel machine regression to describe the combined effect of the PFAS mixture on each cytokine outcome. Results: Certain PFAS concentrations in this sample were elevated compared to a US nationally representative sample; median levels of PFHxS, ΣPFOS and ΣPFOA in this sample were 13.8, 2.1 and 1.7 times higher, respectively, than medians observed in the U.S. sample. Higher concentrations of multiple PFASs were significantly associated with lower odds of detectable IL-1β. Weaker associations were observed with other cytokines. In general, perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids had inverse associations with TNF-α, whereas the perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids showed positive associations. Conclusions: We observed preliminary evidence of altered inflammatory profiles among adults with elevated serum concentrations of PFASs due to contaminated drinking water. Modifications to inflammatory pathways may be one mechanism by which PFAS exposures produce adverse health effects in humans, but this finding requires verification in longitudinal studies as well as phenotypic anchoring to immune function outcomes

Parity nonconserving cold neutron-parahydrogen interactions

Three pion dominated observables of the parity nonconserving interactions between the cold neutrons and parahydrogen are calculated. The transversely polarized neutron spin rotation, unpolarized neutron longitudinal polarization, and photon-asymmetry of the radiative polarized neutron capture are considered. For the numerical evaluation of the observables, the strong interactions are taken into account by the Reid93 potential and the parity nonconserving interactions by the DDH model along with the two-pion exchange.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figure

Life path analysis: scaling indicates priming effects of social and habitat factors on dispersal distances

1. Movements of many animals along a life-path can be separated into repetitive ones within home ranges and transitions between home ranges. We sought relationships of social and environmental factors with initiation and distance of transition movements in 114 buzzards Buteo buteo that were marked as nestlings with long-life radio tags. 2. Ex-natal dispersal movements of 51 buzzards in autumn were longer than for 30 later in their first year and than 35 extra-natal movements between home ranges after leaving nest areas. In the second and third springs, distances moved from winter focal points by birds that paired were the same or less than for unpaired birds. No post-nuptial movement exceeded 2 km. 3. Initiation of early ex-natal dispersal was enhanced by presence of many sibs, but also by lack of worm-rich loam soils. Distances travelled were greatest for birds from small broods and with relatively little short grass-feeding habitat near the nest. Later movements were generally enhanced by the absence of loam soils and short grassland, especially with abundance of other buzzards and probable poor feeding habitats (heathland, long grass). 4. Buzzards tended to persist in their first autumn where arable land was abundant, but subsequently showed a strong tendency to move from this habitat. 5. Factors that acted most strongly in ½-km buffers round nests, or round subsequent focal points, usually promoted movement compared with factors acting at a larger scale. Strong relationships between movement distances and environmental characteristics in ½-km buffers, especially during early ex-natal dispersal, suggested that buzzards became primed by these factors to travel far. 6. Movements were also farthest for buzzards that had already moved far from their natal nests, perhaps reflecting genetic predisposition, long-term priming or poor habitat beyond the study area

Requirements for big data analytics supporting decision making: A sensemaking perspective

Big data analytics requires technologies to efficiently process large quantities of data. Moreover, especially in decision making, it not only requires individual intellectual capabilities in the analytical activities but also collective knowledge. Very often, people with diverse expert knowledge need to work together towards a meaningful interpretation of the associated results for new insight. Thus, a big data analysis infrastructure must both support technical innovation and effectively accommodate input from multiple human experts. In this chapter, we aim to advance our understanding on the synergy between human and machine intelligence in tackling big data analysis. Sensemaking models for big data analysis were explored and used to inform the development of a generic conceptual architecture as a means to frame the requirements of such an analysis and to position the role of both technology and human in this synergetic relationship. Two contrasting real-world use case studies were undertaken to test the applicability of the proposed architecture for the development of a supporting platform for big data analysis. Reflection on this outcome has further advanced our understanding on the complexity and the potential of individual and collaborative sensemaking models for big data analytics

Detector Description and Performance for the First Coincidence Observations between LIGO and GEO

For 17 days in August and September 2002, the LIGO and GEO interferometer gravitational wave detectors were operated in coincidence to produce their first data for scientific analysis. Although the detectors were still far from their design sensitivity levels, the data can be used to place better upper limits on the flux of gravitational waves incident on the earth than previous direct measurements. This paper describes the instruments and the data in some detail, as a companion to analysis papers based on the first data.Comment: 41 pages, 9 figures 17 Sept 03: author list amended, minor editorial change

Search for Gravitational Waves from Primordial Black Hole Binary Coalescences in the Galactic Halo

We use data from the second science run of the LIGO gravitational-wave detectors to search for the gravitational waves from primordial black hole (PBH) binary coalescence with component masses in the range 0.2--$1.0 M_\odot$. The analysis requires a signal to be found in the data from both LIGO observatories, according to a set of coincidence criteria. No inspiral signals were found. Assuming a spherical halo with core radius 5 kpc extending to 50 kpc containing non-spinning black holes with masses in the range 0.2--$1.0 M_\odot$, we place an observational upper limit on the rate of PBH coalescence of 63 per year per Milky Way halo (MWH) with 90% confidence.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, to be submitted to Phys. Rev.

Probing exotic phenomena at the interface of nuclear and particle physics with the electric dipole moments of diamagnetic atoms: A unique window to hadronic and semi-leptonic CP violation

The current status of electric dipole moments of diamagnetic atoms which involves the synergy between atomic experiments and three different theoretical areas -- particle, nuclear and atomic is reviewed. Various models of particle physics that predict CP violation, which is necessary for the existence of such electric dipole moments, are presented. These include the standard model of particle physics and various extensions of it. Effective hadron level combined charge conjugation (C) and parity (P) symmetry violating interactions are derived taking into consideration different ways in which a nucleon interacts with other nucleons as well as with electrons. Nuclear structure calculations of the CP-odd nuclear Schiff moment are discussed using the shell model and other theoretical approaches. Results of the calculations of atomic electric dipole moments due to the interaction of the nuclear Schiff moment with the electrons and the P and time-reversal (T) symmetry violating tensor-pseudotensor electron-nucleus are elucidated using different relativistic many-body theories. The principles of the measurement of the electric dipole moments of diamagnetic atoms are outlined. Upper limits for the nuclear Schiff moment and tensor-pseudotensor coupling constant are obtained combining the results of atomic experiments and relativistic many-body theories. The coefficients for the different sources of CP violation have been estimated at the elementary particle level for all the diamagnetic atoms of current experimental interest and their implications for physics beyond the standard model is discussed. Possible improvements of the current results of the measurements as well as quantum chromodynamics, nuclear and atomic calculations are suggested.Comment: 46 pages, 19 tables and 16 figures. A review article accepted for EPJ

Search for direct production of charginos and neutralinos in events with three leptons and missing transverse momentum in √s = 7 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for the direct production of charginos and neutralinos in final states with three electrons or muons and missing transverse momentum is presented. The analysis is based on 4.7 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data delivered by the Large Hadron Collider and recorded with the ATLAS detector. Observations are consistent with Standard Model expectations in three signal regions that are either depleted or enriched in Z-boson decays. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set in R-parity conserving phenomenological minimal supersymmetric models and in simplified models, significantly extending previous results