Gravitational Lensing as a Probe of Quintessence

A large number of cosmological studies now suggest that roughly two-thirds of the critical energy density of the Universe exists in a component with negative pressure. If the equation of state of such an energy component varies with time, it should in principle be possible to identify such a variation using cosmological probes over a wide range in redshift. Proper detection of any time variation, however, requires cosmological probes beyond the currently studied range in redshift of $\sim$ 0.1 to 1. We extend our analysis to gravitational lensing statistics at high redshift and suggest that a reliable sample of lensed sources, out to a redshift of $\sim$ 5, can be used to constrain the variation of the equation of state, provided that both the redshift distribution of lensed sources and the selection function involved with the lensed source discovery process are known. An exciting opportunity to catalog an adequate sample of lensed sources (quasars) to probe quintessence is now available with the ongoing Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Writing $w(z)\approx w_0 + z (dw/dz)_0$, we study the expected accuracy to which the equation of state today $w_0$ and its rate of change $(dw/dz)_0$ can simultaneously be constrained. Such a determination can rule out some missing-energy candidates, such as classes of quintessence models or a cosmological constant.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters (4 pages, including 4 figures

Localised projective measurement of a relativistic quantum field in non-inertial frames

We propose a scheme to study the effect of motion on measurements of a quantum field carried out by a finite-size detector. We introduce a model of projective detection of a localised field mode in an arbitrary reference frame. We apply it to extract vacuum entanglement by a pair of counter-accelerating detectors and to estimate the Unruh temperature of a single accelerated detector. The introduced method allows us to directly relate the observed effects with the instantaneous proper acceleration of the detector.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures. v2 Significant increase in the detail level regarding the motivation of the detector mode

Circadian control of interferon-sensitive gene expression in murine skin.

The circadian clock coordinates a variety of immune responses with signals from the external environment to promote survival. We investigated the potential reciprocal relationship between the circadian clock and skin inflammation. We treated mice topically with the Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist imiquimod (IMQ) to activate IFN-sensitive gene (ISG) pathways and induce psoriasiform inflammation. IMQ transiently altered core clock gene expression, an effect mirrored in human patient psoriatic lesions. In mouse skin 1 d after IMQ treatment, ISGs, including the key ISG transcription factor IFN regulatory factor 7 (Irf7), were more highly induced after treatment during the day than the night. Nuclear localization of phosphorylated-IRF7 was most prominently time-of-day dependent in epidermal leukocytes, suggesting that these cell types play an important role in the diurnal ISG response to IMQ. Mice lacking Bmal1 systemically had exacerbated and arrhythmic ISG/Irf7 expression after IMQ. Furthermore, daytime-restricted feeding, which affects the phase of the skin circadian clock, reverses the diurnal rhythm of IMQ-induced ISG expression in the skin. These results suggest a role for the circadian clock, driven by BMAL1, as a negative regulator of the ISG response, and highlight the finding that feeding time can modulate the skin immune response. Since the IFN response is essential for the antiviral and antitumor effects of TLR activation, these findings are consistent with the time-of-day-dependent variability in the ability to fight microbial pathogens and tumor initiation and offer support for the use of chronotherapy for their treatment

Berry Phase Quantum Thermometer

We show how Berry phase can be used to construct an ultra-high precision quantum thermometer. An important advantage of our scheme is that there is no need for the thermometer to acquire thermal equilibrium with the sample. This reduces measurement times and avoids precision limitations.Comment: Updated to published version. I. Fuentes previously published as I. Fuentes-Guridi and I. Fuentes-Schulle

A web-based platform for water efficient households

16th Water Distribution System Analysis Conference, WDSA2014 — Urban Water Hydroinformatics and Strategic PlanningThe advent of ICT services on water sector offers new perspective towards sustainable water management. This paper presents an innovative web-based platform, targeting primarily the household end-users. The platform enables consumers to monitor and control, on real-time basis, the water and energy consumption of their household providing valuable information and feedback. At the same time, the platform further supports end-users to modify and improve their consumption profile via an interactive educational process that comprises a variety of on-line tools and applications. This paper discusses the rationale, structure and technologies upon which the platform has been developed and presents an early prototype of the various tools, applications and facilities.European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013), through the iWIDGET Project (2012-2015

Differential activation of anti-erythrocyte and anti-DNA autoreactive B lymphocytes by the Yaa mutation

An as-yet-unidentified mutation, Y-linked autoimmune acceleration (Yaa), is responsible for the accelerated development of lupus-like autoimmune syndrome in mice. In view of a possible role for Yaa as a positive regulator of BCR signaling, we have explored whether the expression of the Yaa mutation affects the development and activation of transgenic autoreactive B cells expressing either 4C8 IgM anti-RBC or Sp6 IgM anti-DNA. In this study, we show that the expression of the Yaa mutation induced a lethal form of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in 4C8 transgenic C57BL/6 mice, likely as a result of activation of 4C8 anti-RBC autoreactive B cells early in life. This was further supported, although indirectly, by increased T cell-independent IgM production in spleens of nontransgenic C57BL/6 mice bearing the Yaa mutation. In contrast, Yaa failed to induce activation of Sp6 anti-DNA autoreactive B cells, consistent with a lack of increased IgM anti-DNA production in nontransgenic C57BL/6 Yaa mice. Our results suggest that Yaa can activate autoreactive B cells in a BCR-dependent manner, related to differences in the form and nature of autoantigens

Scale-Dependent Non-Gaussianity as a Generalization of the Local Model

We generalize the local model of primordial non-Gaussianity by promoting the parameter fNL to a general scale-dependent function fNL(k). We calculate the resulting bispectrum and the effect on the bias of dark matter halos, and thus the extent to which fNL(k) can be measured from the large-scale structure observations. By calculating the principal components of fNL(k), we identify scales where this form of non-Gaussianity is best constrained and estimate the overlap with previously studied local and equilateral non-Gaussian models.Comment: Accepted to JCAP. 22 pages, 4 figure

Constraining Scale-Dependent Non-Gaussianity with Future Large-Scale Structure and the CMB

We forecast combined future constraints from the cosmic microwave background and large-scale structure on the models of primordial non-Gaussianity. We study the generalized local model of non-Gaussianity, where the parameter f_NL is promoted to a function of scale, and present the principal component analysis applicable to an arbitrary form of f_NL(k). We emphasize the complementarity between the CMB and LSS by using Planck, DES and BigBOSS surveys as examples, forecast constraints on the power-law f_NL(k) model, and introduce the figure of merit for measurements of scale-dependent non-Gaussianity.Comment: 28 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables; v2: references update

Quantum nonlocality and applications in quantum-information processing of hybrid entangled states

The hybrid entangled states generated, e.g., in a trapped-ion or atom-cavity system, have exactly one ebit of entanglement, but are not maximally entangled. We demonstrate this by showing that they violate, but in general do not maximally violate, Bell's inequality due to Clauser, Horne, Shimony and Holt. These states are interesting in that they exhibit the entanglement between two distinct degrees of freedom (one is discrete and another is continuous). We then demonstrate these entangled states as a valuable resource in quantum information processing including quantum teleportation, entanglement swapping and quantum computation with "parity qubits". Our work establishes an interesting link between quantum information protocols of discrete and continuous variables.Comment: 5 pages, no figur

Critical exponents at the ferromagnetic transition in tetrakis(diethylamino)ethylene-C60_{60} (TDAE-C60_{60})

Critical exponents at the ferromagnetic transition were measured for the first time in an organic ferromagnetic material tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene fullerene[60] (TDAE-C$_{60}$). From a complete magnetization-temperature-field data set near $T_{c}=16.1\pm 0.05,$ we determine the susceptibility and magnetization critical exponents $\gamma =1.22\pm 0.02$ and $\beta =0.75 \pm 0.03$ respectively, and the field vs. magnetization exponent at $T_{c}$ of $\delta =2.28\pm 0.14$. Hyperscaling is found to be violated by $\Omega \equiv d^{\prime}-d \approx -1/4$, suggesting that the onset of ferromagnetism can be related to percolation of a particular contact configuration of C$_{60}$ molecular orientations.Comment: 5 pages, including 3 figures; to appear in Phys. Rev. Let