8,087 research outputs found
On the concepts of radial and angular kinetic energies
We consider a general central-field system in D dimensions and show that the
division of the kinetic energy into radial and angular parts proceeds
differently in the wavefunction picture and the Weyl-Wigner phase-space
picture. Thus, the radial and angular kinetic energies are different quantities
in the two pictures, containing different physical information, but the
relation between them is well defined. We discuss this relation and illustrate
its nature by examples referring to a free particle and to a ground-state
hydrogen atom.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, accepted by Phys. Rev.
Extreme points of the set of density matrices with positive partial transpose
We present a necessary and sufficient condition for a finite dimensional
density matrix to be an extreme point of the convex set of density matrices
with positive partial transpose with respect to a subsystem. We also give an
algorithm for finding such extreme points and illustrate this by some examples.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure
Hydrogen atom in phase space. The Kirkwood-Rihaczek representation
We present a phase-space representation of the hydrogen atom using the
Kirkwood-Rikaczek distribution function. This distribution allows us to obtain
analytical results, which is quite unique because an exact analytical form of
the Wigner functions corresponding to the atom states is not known. We show how
the Kirkwood-Rihaczek distribution reflects properties of the hydrogen atom
wave functions in position and momentum representations.Comment: 5 pages (and 5 figures
Segregation, precipitation, and \alpha-\alpha' phase separation in Fe-Cr alloys: a multi-scale modelling approach
Segregation, precipitation, and phase separation in Fe-Cr systems is
investigated. Monte Carlo simulations using semiempirical interatomic
potential, first-principles total energy calculations, and experimental
spectroscopy are used. In order to obtain a general picture of the relation of
the atomic interactions and properties of Fe-Cr alloys in bulk, surface, and
interface regions several complementary methods has to be used. Using Exact
Muffin-Tin Orbitals method the effective chemical potential as a function of Cr
content (0-15 at.% Cr) is calculated for a surface, second atomic layer and
bulk. At ~10 at.% Cr in the alloy the reversal of the driving force of a Cr
atom to occupy either bulk or surface sites is obtained. The Cr containing
surfaces are expected when the Cr content exceeds ~10 at.%. The second atomic
layer forms about 0.3 eV barrier for the migration of Cr atoms between bulk and
surface atomic layer. To get information on Fe-Cr in larger scales we use
semiempirical methods. Using combined Monte Carlo molecular dynamics
simulations, based on semiempirical potential, the precipitation of Cr into
isolated pockets in bulk Fe-Cr and the upper limit of the solubility of Cr into
Fe layers in Fe/Cr layer system is studied. The theoretical predictions are
tested using spectroscopic measurements. Hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
and Auger electron spectroscopy investigations were carried out to explore Cr
segregation and precipitation in Fe/Cr double layer and Fe_0.95Cr_0.05 and
Fe_0.85Cr_0.15 alloys. Initial oxidation of Fe-Cr was investigated
experimentally at 10^-8 Torr pressure of the spectrometers showing intense
Cr_2O_3 signal. Cr segregation and the formation of Cr rich precipitates were
traced by analysing the experimental spectral intensities with respect to
annealing time, Cr content, and kinetic energy of the exited electron.Comment: 16 pages, 14 figures, 52 reference
Differential gaze behavior towards sexually preferred and non-preferred human figures
The gaze pattern associated with image exploration is a sensitive index of our attention, motivation and preference. To examine whether an individual’s gaze behavior
can reflect his/her sexual interest, we compared gaze patterns of young heterosexual men and women (M = 19.94 years, SD = 1.05) while viewing photos of plain-clothed male and female figures aged from birth to sixty years old. Our analysis revealed a clear gender difference in viewing sexually preferred figure images. Men displayed a distinctive gaze pattern only when viewing twenty-year-old female images, with more fixations and longer viewing time dedicated to the upper body and waist-hip region. Women also
directed more attention at the upper body on female images in comparison to male images, but this difference was not age-specific. Analysis of local image salience revealed that observers’ eye-scanning strategies could not be accounted for by low-level processes, such as analyzing local image contrast and structure, but were associated with
attractiveness judgments. The results suggest that the difference in cognitive processing of sexually preferred and non-preferred figures can be manifested in gaze patterns
associated with figure viewing. Thus, eye-tracking holds promise as a potential sensitive measure for sexual preference, particularly in men
Measuring responses of harbour seals to potential aversive acoustic mitigation signals using controlled exposure behavioural response studies
This work was funded by Scottish Government's Marine Mammal Scientific Support Research Programme MMSS/001/11 and UK's Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (NE/J004251/1) and NERC (National Capability SMRU1001).1. Some anthropogenic activities pose acute risks for marine species. For example, pile driving could damage the hearing of marine mammals while underwater explosions can also result in physical damage or death. Effective mitigation is required to reduce these risks, but the exclusion zones specified in regulations can extend over hundreds or thousands of metres and seals pose particular problems because they are difficult to detect at sea. 2. Aversive sound mitigation aims to exclude animals from high‐risk areas before dangerous activities take place by broadcasting specific acoustic signals. Field research is needed to identify signals that might be effective in eliciting short‐term avoidance by marine species such as harbour seals (Phoca vitulina). A series of controlled‐exposure experiments (CEEs) were undertaken to measure seal movements in response to acoustic deterrent devices (ADD) and predator calls, and to assess the effectiveness of candidate signals for aversive sound mitigation. 3. Seals were fitted with UHF/GPS transmitters providing continuous high‐resolution tracks and real‐time transmissions of their locations. A tracking/playback vessel located seals at sea and transmitted either ADD signals or orca (Orcinus orca) calls over a range of distances while seals were foraging or moving between sites. Behaviour before, during and after exposure was analysed to assess responses. 4. One‐hundred and ten CEEs were assessed as being of at least ‘adequate’ quality. Of the 71 adequate trials with the Lofitech ADD, all 38 at ranges of <1 km (predicted received level 134.6 dB RMS re 1 μPa) elicited a response. The maximum response range was 3123 m (predicted RL: 111 dB RMS re 1 μPa). However, the responses observed did not always result in substantial movements away from the source, especially for seals that were travelling at the time of the exposures. More work is needed to better understand how exposure risks would be reduced in different scenarios. 5. The mean net speed of horizontal movements for seals responding to aversive sounds (1.15 m s−1) was only 7% higher than their mean travel speed. 6. Responses to broadcasts of orca calls were highly variable. 7. The results suggest that signals similar to those generated by a Lofitech ADD could be used to reduce risks to harbour seals from pile driving and underwater explosions in coastal waters. More work will be needed to develop systems that match the requirements of industry and regulators and to explore whether these results can be generalized to offshore waters and to other phocids.PostprintPeer reviewe
Pricing and Hedging Asian Basket Options with Quasi-Monte Carlo Simulations
In this article we consider the problem of pricing and hedging
high-dimensional Asian basket options by Quasi-Monte Carlo simulation. We
assume a Black-Scholes market with time-dependent volatilities and show how to
compute the deltas by the aid of the Malliavin Calculus, extending the
procedure employed by Montero and Kohatsu-Higa (2003). Efficient
path-generation algorithms, such as Linear Transformation and Principal
Component Analysis, exhibit a high computational cost in a market with
time-dependent volatilities. We present a new and fast Cholesky algorithm for
block matrices that makes the Linear Transformation even more convenient.
Moreover, we propose a new-path generation technique based on a Kronecker
Product Approximation. This construction returns the same accuracy of the
Linear Transformation used for the computation of the deltas and the prices in
the case of correlated asset returns while requiring a lower computational
time. All these techniques can be easily employed for stochastic volatility
models based on the mixture of multi-dimensional dynamics introduced by Brigo
et al. (2004).Comment: 16 page
A New Non-Perturbative Approach to Quantum Theory in Curved Spacetime Using the Wigner Function
A new non-perturbative approach to quantum theory in curved spacetime and to
quantum gravity, based on a generalisation of the Wigner equation, is proposed.
Our definition for a Wigner equation differs from what have otherwise been
proposed, and does not imply any approximations. It is a completely exact
equation, fully equivalent to the Heisenberg equations of motion. The approach
makes different approximation schemes possible, e.g. it is possible to perform
a systematic calculation of the quantum effects order by order. An iterative
scheme for this is also proposed. The method is illustrated with some simple
examples and applications. A calculation of the trace of the renormalised
energy-momentum tensor is done, and the conformal anomaly is thereby related to
non-conservation of a current in d=2 dimensions and a relationship between a
vector and an axial-vector current in d=4 dimensions.
The corresponding ``hydrodynamic equations'' governing the evolution of
macroscopic quantities are derived by taking appropriate moments. The emphasis
is put on the spin-1/2 case, but it is shown how to extend to arbitrary spins.
Gravity is treated first in the Palatini formalism, which is not very
tractable, and then more successfully in the Ashtekar formalism, where the
constraints lead to infinite order differential equations for the Wigner
functions.Comment: LaTeX2e (uses amssymb), 36 page
Politicizing vulnerability and adaptation: on the need to democratize local responses to climate impacts in developing countries
Measurement of Spin Correlation Parameters A, A, and A_ at 2.1 GeV in Proton-Proton Elastic Scattering
At the Cooler Synchrotron COSY/J\"ulich spin correlation parameters in
elastic proton-proton (pp) scattering have been measured with a 2.11 GeV
polarized proton beam and a polarized hydrogen atomic beam target. We report
results for A, A, and A_ for c.m. scattering angles between
30 and 90. Our data on A -- the first measurement of this
observable above 800 MeV -- clearly disagrees with predictions of available of
pp scattering phase shift solutions while A and A_ are reproduced
reasonably well. We show that in the direct reconstruction of the scattering
amplitudes from the body of available pp elastic scattering data at 2.1 GeV the
number of possible solutions is considerably reduced.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
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