Eta-mesic nuclei in relativistic mean-field theory

With the eta-nucleon (eta N) interaction Lagrangian deduced from chiral perturbation theory, we study the possible eta-mesic nuclei in the framework of relativistic mean-field theory. The eta single-particle energies are sensitive to the eta N scattering length, and increase monotonically with the nucleon number A. If the scattering length is in the range of a^{eta N}=0.75-1.05 fm and the imaginary potential V_{0}-15 MeV, some discrete states of C, O and Ne eta bound states should be identified in experiments. However, when the scattering length a^{eta N} 30 MeV, no discrete eta meson bound states could be observed in experiments.Comment: 6 page

Regularization of point vortices for the Euler equation in dimension two

In this paper, we construct stationary classical solutions of the incompressible Euler equation approximating singular stationary solutions of this equation. This procedure is carried out by constructing solutions to the following elliptic problem [ -\ep^2 \Delta u=(u-q-\frac{\kappa}{2\pi}\ln\frac{1}{\ep})_+^p, \quad & x\in\Omega, u=0, \quad & x\in\partial\Omega, ] where $p>1$, $\Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^2$ is a bounded domain, $q$ is a harmonic function. We showed that if $\Omega$ is simply-connected smooth domain, then for any given non-degenerate critical point of Kirchhoff-Routh function $\mathcal{W}(x_1,...,x_m)$ with the same strength $\kappa>0$, there is a stationary classical solution approximating stationary $m$ points vortex solution of incompressible Euler equations with vorticity $m\kappa$. Existence and asymptotic behavior of single point non-vanishing vortex solutions were studied by D. Smets and J. Van Schaftingen (2010).Comment: 32page

Not the Destination: A Closer Look at the Process of Spatial Arrangement in Measuring Subjective Similarity

Studying similarity can provide insight into numerous cognitive processes, including decision making, learning, memory, and behavior in day-to-day life. Because of its wide applicability, it is important that we have good ways to measure similarity. Past research has developed methods to measure the way a person perceives the similarity between items through a multiple-trial test using a computer. In spatial arrangement methods, participants communicate perceived similarity by arranging items on a screen, with the distance between item pairs proportional to their similarity where the closer a pair of items are at the end of the trial, the more similar they are perceived to be. Existing spatial methods have considered only final arrangements of items for estimating similarity and determining the quality of those estimates. In the current archival study, I am analyzing relations between process variables–how participants moved the items to reach those final arrangements–and the quality of similarity estimates as represented by on-screen distances in final arrangements. Process variables I expect to be predictive of estimate quality for any given pair include the time spent adjusting the pair, the order in which the pair was first adjusted, and the number of times the pair was adjusted

Simulations of galactic dynamos

We review our current understanding of galactic dynamo theory, paying particular attention to numerical simulations both of the mean-field equations and the original three-dimensional equations relevant to describing the magnetic field evolution for a turbulent flow. We emphasize the theoretical difficulties in explaining non-axisymmetric magnetic fields in galaxies and discuss the observational basis for such results in terms of rotation measure analysis. Next, we discuss nonlinear theory, the role of magnetic helicity conservation and magnetic helicity fluxes. This leads to the possibility that galactic magnetic fields may be bi-helical, with opposite signs of helicity and large and small length scales. We discuss their observational signatures and close by discussing the possibilities of explaining the origin of primordial magnetic fields.Comment: 28 pages, 15 figure, to appear in Lecture Notes in Physics "Magnetic fields in diffuse media", Eds. E. de Gouveia Dal Pino and A. Lazaria

Theory and Applications of Non-Relativistic and Relativistic Turbulent Reconnection

Realistic astrophysical environments are turbulent due to the extremely high Reynolds numbers. Therefore, the theories of reconnection intended for describing astrophysical reconnection should not ignore the effects of turbulence on magnetic reconnection. Turbulence is known to change the nature of many physical processes dramatically and in this review we claim that magnetic reconnection is not an exception. We stress that not only astrophysical turbulence is ubiquitous, but also magnetic reconnection itself induces turbulence. Thus turbulence must be accounted for in any realistic astrophysical reconnection setup. We argue that due to the similarities of MHD turbulence in relativistic and non-relativistic cases the theory of magnetic reconnection developed for the non-relativistic case can be extended to the relativistic case and we provide numerical simulations that support this conjecture. We also provide quantitative comparisons of the theoretical predictions and results of numerical experiments, including the situations when turbulent reconnection is self-driven, i.e. the turbulence in the system is generated by the reconnection process itself. We show how turbulent reconnection entails the violation of magnetic flux freezing, the conclusion that has really far reaching consequences for many realistically turbulent astrophysical environments. In addition, we consider observational testing of turbulent reconnection as well as numerous implications of the theory. The former includes the Sun and solar wind reconnection, while the latter include the process of reconnection diffusion induced by turbulent reconnection, the acceleration of energetic particles, bursts of turbulent reconnection related to black hole sources as well as gamma ray bursts. Finally, we explain why turbulent reconnection cannot be explained by turbulent resistivity or derived through the mean field approach.Comment: 66 pages, 24 figures, a chapter of the book "Magnetic Reconnection - Concepts and Applications", editors W. Gonzalez, E. N. Parke

Direct Interrogation of Viral Peptides Presented by the Class I HLA of HIV-Infected T Cells

Identification of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes has traditionally relied upon testing of overlapping peptide libraries for their reactivity with T cells in vitro. Here, we pursued deep ligand sequencing (DLS) as an alternative method of directly identifying those ligands that are epitopes presented to CTLs by the class I human leukocyte antigens (HLA) of infected cells. Soluble class I HLA-A*11:01 (sHLA) was gathered from HIV-1 NL4-3-infected human CD4+ SUP-T1 cells. HLA-A*11:01 harvested from infected cells was immunoaffinity purified and acid boiled to release heavy and light chains from peptide ligands that were then recovered by size-exclusion filtration. The ligands were first fractionated by high-pH high-pressure liquid chromatography and then subjected to separation by nano-liquid chromatography (nano-LC)–mass spectrometry (MS) at low pH. Approximately 10 million ions were selected for sequencing by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). HLA-A*11:01 ligand sequences were determined with PEAKS software and confirmed by comparison to spectra generated from synthetic peptides. DLS identified 42 viral ligands presented by HLA-A*11:01, and 37 of these were previously undetected. These data demonstrate that (i) HIV-1 Gag and Nef are extensively sampled, (ii) ligand length variants are prevalent, particularly within Gag and Nef hot spots where ligand sequences overlap, (iii) noncanonical ligands are T cell reactive, and (iv) HIV-1 ligands are derived from de novo synthesis rather than endocytic sampling. Next-generation immunotherapies must factor these nascent HIV-1 ligand length variants and the finding that CTL-reactive epitopes may be absent during infection of CD4+ T cells into strategies designed to enhance T cell immunity

Evolution and environment of the eastern linear pottery culture: A case study in the site of Polgár-Piócási-Dűlő

A salvage excavation preceding a major investment project was conducted in 2006–2007, during which associated settlement features of a Middle Neolithic, Eastern Linear Pottery Culture (Alföld Linearbandkeramik – ALBK) were uncovered in an area called Piócási-dűlő on the eastern outskirts of Polgár. The features of the ALBK settlement date from two periods. The cluster of multi-functional pits yielding a rich assortment of finds, the handful of post-holes and an unusual ritual well found in the southern part of the investigated area formed one unit from the earliest phase of the Middle Neolithic (ALBK I). The settlement’s other occupation can be assigned to the late phase of the Middle Neolithic (ALBK IV). Five houseplans representing the remains of timber-framed buildings outlined a distinct area with three multi-functional pits. Associated with the above features were 8 burials. The preliminary archaeobotanical results from Polgár–Piócási-dűlő are based on the plant material found within the sediments of 11 archaeological structures, which mainly represent pits and a welI. It can be stated that the natural environment offered habitats in which oak trees dominated in the local vegetation, forming floodplain forests and wooded steppes. They also provided food in the form of fruits and formed an optimal habitat for domestic animals. Arable fields were probably also established in the vicinity of the settlements, suggested by findings of macroscopic plant remains that represented cultivated species. In both settlement phases lithic production activities are manifested both by the local on-site lithic production and – most importantly – by the presence of imported, mainly mesolocal, raw materials that point to contacts with deposit areas, or off-site preliminary working of obsidian and limnoquartzites. The kit of harvesting tools and a large number of grinding stones – especially in the younger phase – for the preparation of plant food suggest a major role of plant cultivation

The importance of the nucleon-nucleon correlations for the eta alpha S-wave scattering length, and the pi-eta mixing angle in the low-energy eta alpha scattering length model

Using the new set of dd --> eta alpha near threshold experimental data, the estimate of the importance of the nucleon-nucleon correlations for the eta alpha S-wave scattering length in the multiple scattering theory is obtained using the low-energy scattering length model. The contribution turns out to be much bigger then previously believed. The pi-eta mixing angle is extracted using the experimental data on the dd --> eta alpha and dd --> pi alpha processes. The model is dominated by the subthreshold extrapolation recipe for the eta alpha scattering amplitudes. When the recipe is chosen the model is completely insensitive to the eta alpha parameters for the subthreshold value of the eta cm momentum of p_{eta}^2 = -(0.46)^2 fm^{-2}. Provided that the subthreshold extrapolation recipe is correct, a good estimate of the pi-eta mixing angle is obtained, if the experimental cross sections for the dd --> pi alpha reaction at the corresponding deuteron input energy are taken from the literature.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

Distributed physical sensors network for the protection of critical infrastractures against physical attacks

The SCOUT project is based on the use of multiple innovative and low impact technologies for the protection of space control ground stations and the satellite links against physical and cyber-attacks, and for intelligent reconfiguration of the ground station network (including the ground node of the satellite link) in the case that one or more nodes fail. The SCOUT sub-system devoted to physical attacks protection, SENSNET, is presented. It is designed as a network of sensor networks that combines DAB and DVB-T based passive radar, noise radar, Ku-band radar, infrared cameras, and RFID technologies. The problem of data link architecture is addressed and the proposed solution described

CD8 Lymphocyte Depletion Enhances the Latency Reversal Activity of the SMAC Mimetic AZD5582 in ART-Suppressed Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rhesus Macaques

Inducing latency reversal to reveal infected cells to the host immune system represents a potential strategy to cure HIV infection. In separate studies, we have previously shown that CD8+ T cells may contribute to the maintenance of viral latency and identified a novel SMAC mimetic/IAP inhibitor (AZD5582) capable of reversing HIV/SIV latency in vivo by activating the non-canonical (nc) NF-κB pathway. Here, we use AZD5582 in combination with antibody-mediated depletion of CD8α+ cells to further evaluate the role of CD8+ T cells in viral latency maintenance. Six rhesus macaques (RM) were infected with SIVmac239 and treated with ART starting at week 8 post-infection. After 84-85 weeks of ART, all animals received a single dose of the anti-CD8α depleting antibody (Ab), MT807R1 (50mg/kg, s.c.), followed by 5 weekly doses of AZD5582 (0.1 mg/kg, i.v.). Following CD8α depletion + AZD5582 combined treatment, 100% of RMs experienced on-ART viremia above 60 copies per ml of plasma. In comparator groups of ART-suppressed SIV-infected RMs treated with AZD5582 only or CD8α depletion only, on-ART viremia was experienced by 56% and 57% of the animals respectively. Furthermore, the frequency of increased viremic episodes during the treatment period was greater in the CD8α depletion + AZD5582 group as compared to other groups. Mathematical modeling of virus reactivation suggested that, in addition to viral dynamics during acute infection, CD8α depletion influenced the response to AZD5582. This work suggests that the latency reversal induced by activation of the ncNF-κB signaling pathway with AZD5582 can be enhanced by CD8α+ cell depletion