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The PLATES 2020 Atlas of Plate Reconstructions (500 Ma to Present Day), PLATES Progress Report No. 396-1220
This atlas presents plate reconstructions from 500 Ma to the present-day derived by the PLATES Project, Institute for Geophysics, The University of Texas at Austin. The atlas was made possible through the scientific contributions of many researchers, from UTIG and from other institutions. Their efforts are highly appreciated by the members of the PLATES research team. The atlas was created using the PaleoGIS (paleogis.com) for ArcGIS plate reconstruction software by The Rothwell Group, L.P., and the GPlates (http://www.gplates.org/) plate reconstruction software. For more information, contact [email protected] Project, Institute for Geophysics, The University of Texas at AustinInstitute for Geophysic
Fermionic Zero Modes of Supergravity Cosmic Strings
Recent developments in string theory suggest that cosmic strings could be
formed at the end of brane inflation. Supergravity provides a realistic model
to study the properties of strings arising in brane inflation. Whilst the
properties of cosmic strings in flat space-time have been extensively studied
there are significant complications in the presence of gravity. We study the
effects of gravitation on cosmic strings arising in supergravity. Fermion zero
modes are a common feature of cosmic strings, and generically occur in
supersymmetric models. The corresponding massless currents can give rise to
stable string loops (vortons). The vorton density in our universe is strongly
constrained, allowing many theories with cosmic strings to be ruled out. We
investigate the existence of fermion zero modes on cosmic strings in
supergravity theories. A general index theorem for the number of zero modes is
derived. We show that by including the gravitino, some (but not all) zero modes
disappear. This weakens the constraints on cosmic string models. In particular,
winding number one cosmic D-strings in models of brane inflation are not
subject to vorton constraints. We also discuss the effects of supersymmetry
breaking on cosmic D-strings.Comment: 33 page
The Specific Heat of a Trapped Fermi Gas: an Analytical Approach
We find an analytical expression for the specific heat of a Fermi gas in a
harmonic trap using a semi-classical approximation. Our approximation is valid
for kT>hw and in this range it is shown to be highly accurate. We comment on
the semi-classical approximation, presenting an explanation for this high
accuracy.Comment: To be published in Physics Letters A. 7 pages (RevTex) and 2 figures
(postscript
Gravitational Radiation by Cosmic Strings in a Junction
The formalism for computing the gravitational power radiation from
excitations on cosmic strings forming a junction is presented and applied to
the simple case of co-planar strings at a junction when the excitations are
generated along one string leg. The effects of polarization of the excitations
and of the back-reaction of the gravitational radiation on the small scale
structure of the strings are studied.Comment: minor changes added, the published version in JCA
A Coloring Algorithm for Disambiguating Graph and Map Drawings
Drawings of non-planar graphs always result in edge crossings. When there are
many edges crossing at small angles, it is often difficult to follow these
edges, because of the multiple visual paths resulted from the crossings that
slow down eye movements. In this paper we propose an algorithm that
disambiguates the edges with automatic selection of distinctive colors. Our
proposed algorithm computes a near optimal color assignment of a dual collision
graph, using a novel branch-and-bound procedure applied to a space
decomposition of the color gamut. We give examples demonstrating the
effectiveness of this approach in clarifying drawings of real world graphs and
maps
Oscillation damping of chiral string loops
Chiral cosmic string loop tends to the stationary (vorton) configuration due
to the energy loss into the gravitational and electromagnetic radiation. We
describe the asymptotic behaviour of near stationary chiral loops and their
fading to vortons. General limits on the gravitational and electromagnetic
energy losses by near stationary chiral loops are found. For these loops we
estimate the oscillation damping time. We present solvable examples of
gravitational radiation energy loss by some chiral loop configurations. The
analytical dependence of string energy with time is found in the case of the
chiral ring with small amplitude radial oscillations.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures. Accepted for publication in Physical Review
Magnetic monopoles from gauge theory phase transitions
Thermal fluctuations of the gauge field lead to monopole formation at the
grand unified phase transition in the early Universe, even if the transition is
merely a smooth crossover. The dependence of the produced monopole density on
various parameters is qualitatively different from theories with global
symmetries, and the monopoles have a positive correlation at short distances.
The number density of monopoles may be suppressed if the grand unified symmetry
is only restored for a short time by, for instance, nonthermal symmetry
restoration after preheating.Comment: 5 pages, updated to match the version published in PRD
(http://link.aps.org/abstract/PRD/v68/e021301) on 11 July 200
Etherscapes: Massless, Elastic, Technology and Control
This thesis is an exploration into the ether of the digital aesthetic. It attempts to capture a segment of the continually morphing space then deconstruct and analyse it through electronic and new media art. Herein you will find a questioning of technology and control within electronic and new media art as an investigation into better understanding the current media image and visual culture that so powerfully influences the modern social construct. By nature this argument has existed for some years but only now with advancements in technology and more affordable realisation of ideas by media artists, the topic of the digital aesethetic, technology and control has become relevant for popular debate. As war lingers in our minds, terrorism hits headlines, and experiements in cloning human DNA take place, the technology that society demands can only necessarily be seen as a major contributing factor to today's strange times. However, strange or not, the questions I wish to discuss; Does technology determine contemporary society or do we determine technology? Where does the control exist
Microphysics of SO(10) Cosmic Strings
We uncover a rich microphysical structure for SO(10) cosmic strings. For the
abelian string the electroweak symmetry is restored around it in a region
depending on the electroweak scale. A rich structure of nonabelian strings is
found. Some of these also restore the electroweak symmetry. We investigate the
zero mode structure of our strings. Whilst there are right handed neutrino zero
modes for the abelian string, they do not survive the electroweak phase
transition. In general the nonabelian strings do not have fermion zero modes.
We consider the generalisation of our results to other theories and consider
cosmological consequences of them.Comment: 34 pages, LATEX. Replaced version is restructured, and has small
correction to fermion zero mode analysis. To be published in Physical Review
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