5,235 research outputs found
Glueball matrix elements on anisotropic lattices
We describe a lattice calculation of the matrix elements relevant for
glueball production in radiative decays. The techniques for such a
calculation on anisotropic lattices with an improved action are outlined. We
present preliminary results showing the efficacy of the computational method.Comment: 3 pages (LaTeX), 3 figures (PostScript), Presented at Lattice '9
Multiple hybridization events, polyploidy and low postmating isolation entangle the evolution of neotropical species of Epidendrum (Orchidaceae)
Background: Hybridization and polyploidy are central processes in evolution and speciation. These mechanisms often lead to complex patterns of genetic variation and the creation of novel genotypes, which may establish if they become isolated from gene flow. However, in the absence of reproductive isolation, species boundaries might easily be disrupted. Here, we used a combination of AFLPs, chloroplast DNA markers and flow cytometry to investigate the evolutionary outcomes of hybridization between two endemic Ecuadorian species of Epidendrum (E. madsenii and E. rhopalostele) in three hybrid zones. Postmating isolation was also quantified to determine the role of this barrier in restraining gene flow between hybrids and the parental species. In addition, future ecological niche models were constructed to predict the outcomes of hybridization between these species.
Results: Our results confirmed the presence of hybrids in all hybrid zones, but revealed that a third parental species (E. falcisepalum) has contributed to one of the hybrid zones studied. Backcross genotypes were frequent in all hybrid zones, which was in accordance with the absence of strong reproductive barriers. The process of hybridization was highly asymmetric and followed in some cases by polyploidy. The projection of future niche models predicted a severe reduction in the area suitable for the occurrence of these species, although favorable conditions will still occur for the existence of the current hybrid zones.
Conclusions: The recurrent process of hybridization has compromised the genetic integrity of the parental species. Most individuals of the parental species can no longer be considered as pure-bred individuals because most were classified as backcrossed hybrids. Novel genetic lineages occur in all hybrid zones implying that hybrids are fertile and can compete with the parental species. These results, together with the prediction of suitable conditions for the future occurrence of these hybrid zones, highlight the importance of conserving these geographic areas as sources of novel taxonomic entities
Using Rheo-Small-Angle Neutron Scattering to Understand How Functionalised Dipeptides Form Gels
We explore the use of rheo-small-angle neutron scattering as a method to collect structural information from neutron scattering simultaneously with rheology to understand how low-molecular-weight hydrogels form and behave under shear. We examine three different gelling hydrogel systems to assess what structures are formed and how these influence the rheology. Furthermore, we probe what is happening to the network during syneresis and why the gels do not recover after an applied strain. All this information is vital when considering gels for applications such as 3D-printing and injection
Decuplet Baryon Structure from Lattice QCD
The electromagnetic properties of the SU(3)-flavor baryon decuplet are
examined within a lattice simulation of quenched QCD. Electric charge radii,
magnetic moments, and magnetic radii are extracted from the E0 and M1 form
factors. Preliminary results for the E2 and M3 moments are presented giving the
first model independent insight to the shape of the quark distribution in the
baryon ground state. As in our octet baryon analysis, the lattice results give
evidence of spin-dependent forces and mass effects in the electromagnetic
properties. The quark charge distribution radii indicate these effects act in
opposing directions. Some baryon dependence of the effective quark magnetic
moments is seen. However, this dependence in decuplet baryons is more subtle
than that for octet baryons. Of particular interest are the lattice predictions
for the magnetic moments of and for which new recent
experimental measurements are available. The lattice prediction of the
ratio appears larger than the experimental ratio, while the
lattice prediction for the magnetic moment ratio is in good
agreement with the experimental ratio.Comment: RevTeX manuscript, 34 pages plus 21 figures (available upon request
Financial rogue waves
The financial rogue waves are reported analytically in the nonlinear option
pricing model due to Ivancevic, which is nonlinear wave alternative of the
Black-Scholes model. These solutions may be used to describe the possible
physical mechanisms for rogue wave phenomenon in financial markets and related
fields.Comment: 4 papges, 2 figures, Final version accepted in Commun. Theor. Phys.,
201
On the Effect of Quantum Interaction Distance on Quantum Addition Circuits
We investigate the theoretical limits of the effect of the quantum
interaction distance on the speed of exact quantum addition circuits. For this
study, we exploit graph embedding for quantum circuit analysis. We study a
logical mapping of qubits and gates of any -depth quantum adder
circuit for two -qubit registers onto a practical architecture, which limits
interaction distance to the nearest neighbors only and supports only one- and
two-qubit logical gates. Unfortunately, on the chosen -dimensional practical
architecture, we prove that the depth lower bound of any exact quantum addition
circuits is no longer , but . This
result, the first application of graph embedding to quantum circuits and
devices, provides a new tool for compiler development, emphasizes the impact of
quantum computer architecture on performance, and acts as a cautionary note
when evaluating the time performance of quantum algorithms.Comment: accepted for ACM Journal on Emerging Technologies in Computing
System
Evaluation of a school-based nutrition and physical activity programme for Grade 4 learners in the Western Cape province
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Making the Difference programme (MTDP), an education-and activity-based intervention for Grade 4 learners at primary schools in the Western Cape. Design: This was a cross-sectional, post-intervention survey of an existing programme, using control schools as a comparator. Setting and subjects: The study involved Western Cape primary schools in the 2009 school year. Schools were randomly sampled from two regions. Four intervention (active in the MTDP) and five control (non-participating) schools (n = 325 learners) were selected. Outcome measures: The following outcome measures were assessed using an administered questionnaire to learners: learners' knowledge of, attitudes towards, and behaviour in relation to nutrition and physical activity. Results: A small but significant improvement (eating vegetables and taking lunch boxes to school) was demonstrated with regard to self-reported behaviour in relation to nutrition in the intervention group. However, this behaviour was not explained by differences in barriers to healthy eating, self-efficacy or knowledge, which were not different between the groups, or by perceived social support, which was actually significantly increased in the control group. Groups displayed no differences in physical activity or sedentary behaviour. However, the results showed a significant difference between the groups in terms of a reduction in perceived barriers to physical activity and increased physical activity self-efficacy in the active group. Conclusion: While the MTDP only had a modest effect on the self-reported nutrition and physical activity behaviour of the learners, results regarding lower perceived barriers to physical activity and increased physical activity self-efficacy were promising
Nucleon Axial Form Factor from Lattice QCD
Results for the isovector axial form factors of the proton from a lattice QCD
calculation are presented for both point-split and local currents. They are
obtained on a quenched lattice at with Wilson
fermions for a range of quark masses from strange to charm. We determine the
finite lattice renormalization for both the local and point-split currents of
heavy quarks. Results extrapolated to the chiral limit show that the
dependence of the axial form factor agrees reasonably well with experiment. The
axial coupling constant calculated for the local and the point-split
currents is about 6\% and 12\% smaller than the experimental value
respectively.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures (included in part 2), UK/93-0
XMM Follow-Up Observations of Three Swift BAT-Selected Active Galactic Nuclei
We present XMM-Newton observations of three AGN taken as part of a hunt to
find very heavily obscured Compton-thick AGN. For obscuring columns greater
than 10^25 cm^-2, AGN are only visible at energies below 10 keV via
reflected/scattered radiation, characterized by a flat power-law. We therefore
selected three objects (ESO 417-G006, IRAS 05218-1212, and MCG -01-05-047) from
the Swift BAT hard X-ray survey catalog with Swift X-ray Telescope XRT 0.5-10
keV spectra with flat power-law indices as candidate Compton-thick sources for
follow-up observations with the more sensitive instruments on XMM-Newton. The
XMM spectra, however, rule out reflection-dominated models based on the
weakness of the observed Fe K-alpha lines. Instead, the spectra are well-fit by
a model of a power-law continuum obscured by a Compton-thin absorber, plus a
soft excess. This result is consistent with previous follow-up observations of
two other flat-spectrum BAT-detected AGN. Thus, out of the six AGN in the
22-month BAT catalog with apparently flat Swift XRT spectra, all five that have
had follow-up observations are not likely Compton-thick. We also present new
optical spectra of two of these objects, IRAS 05218-1212 and MCG -01-05-047.
Interestingly, though both these AGN have similar X-ray spectra, their optical
spectra are completely different, adding evidence against the simplest form of
the geometric unified model of AGN. IRAS 05218-1212 appears in the optical as a
Seyfert 1, despite the ~8.5x10^22 cm^-2 line-of-sight absorbing column
indicated by its X-ray spectrum. MCG -01-05-047's optical spectrum shows no
sign of AGN activity; it appears as a normal galaxy.Comment: 18 pages including 4 figures, accepted by Ap
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