1,746 research outputs found
SU(3) centre vortices underpin confinement and dynamical chiral symmetry breaking
The mass function of the nonperturbative quark propagator in SU(3) gauge
theory shows only a weak dependence on the vortex content of the gauge
configurations. Of particular note is the survival of dynamical mass generation
on vortex-free configurations having a vanishing string tension. This admits
the possibility that mass generation associated with dynamical chiral symmetry
breaking persists without confinement. In this presentation, we examine the
low-lying ground-state hadron spectrum of the pi, rho, N and Delta and discover
that while dynamical mass generation persists in the vortex-free theory, it is
not connected to dynamical chiral symmetry breaking. In this way, centre
vortices in SU(3) gauge theory are intimately linked to both confinement and
dynamical chiral symmetry breaking. We conclude that centre vortices are the
essential underlying feature of the QCD vacuum.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figues. Manuscript accepted for Publication in Phys. Rev.
Fisher Waves and Front Roughening in a Two-Species Invasion Model with Preemptive Competition
We study front propagation when an invading species competes with a resident;
we assume nearest-neighbor preemptive competition for resources in an
individual-based, two-dimensional lattice model. The asymptotic front velocity
exhibits power-law dependence on the difference between the two species' clonal
propagation rates (key ecological parameters). The mean-field approximation
behaves similarly, but the power law's exponent slightly differs from the
individual-based model's result. We also study roughening of the front, using
the framework of non-equilibrium interface growth. Our analysis indicates that
initially flat, linear invading fronts exhibit Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ)
roughening in one transverse dimension. Further, this finding implies, and is
also confirmed by simulations, that the temporal correction to the asymptotic
front velocity is of .Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures; Papers on related work can be found at
http://www.rpi.edu/~korniss/Researc
Reproductive success through high pollinator visitation rates despite self incompatibility in an endangered wallflower
PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Self incompatibility (SI) in rare plants presents a unique challenge—SI protects plants from inbreeding depression, but requires a sufficient number of mates and xenogamous pollination. Does SI persist in an endangered polyploid? Is pollinator visitation sufficient to ensure reproductive success? Is there evidence of inbreeding/outbreeding depression? We characterized the mating system, primary pollinators, pollen limitation, and inbreeding/outbreeding depression in Erysimum teretifolium to guide conservation efforts. METHODS: We compared seed production following self pollination and within- and between-population crosses. Pollen tubes were visualized after self pollinations and between-population pollinations. Pollen limitation was tested in the field. Pollinator observations were quantified using digital video. Inbreeding/outbreeding depression was assessed in progeny from self and outcross pollinations at early and later developmental stages. KEY RESULTS: Self-pollination reduced seed set by 6.5× and quadrupled reproductive failure compared with outcross pollination. Pollen tubes of some self pollinations were arrested at the stigmatic surface. Seed-set data indicated strong SI, and fruit-set data suggested partial SI. Pollinator diversity and visitation rates were high, and there was no evidence of pollen limitation. Inbreeding depression (δ) was weak for early developmental stages and strong for later developmental stages, with no evidence of outbreeding depression. CONCLUSIONS: The rare hexaploid E. teretifolium is largely self incompatible and suffers from late-acting inbreeding depression. Reproductive success in natural populations was accomplished through high pollinator visitation rates consistent with a lack of pollen limitation. Future reproductive health for this species will require large population sizes with sufficient mates and a robust pollinator community
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Factors associated with geographic variation in cost per episode of care for three medical conditions
Objective: To identify associations between market factors, especially relative reimbursement rates, and the probability of surgery and cost per episode for three medical conditions (cataract, benign prostatic neoplasm, and knee degeneration) with multiple treatment options. Methods: We use 2004–2006 Medicare claims data for elderly beneficiaries from sixty nationally representative communities to estimate multivariate models for the probability of surgery and cost per episode of care as a function local market factors, including Medicare physician reimbursement for surgical versus non-surgical treatment and the availability of primary care and specialty physicians. We used Symmetry’s Episode Treatment Groups (ETG) software to group claims into episodes for the three conditions (n = 540,874 episodes). Results: Higher Medicare reimbursement for surgical episodes and greater availability of the relevant specialists are significantly associated with more surgery and higher cost per episode for all three conditions, while greater availability of primary care physicians is significantly associated with less frequent surgery and lower cost per episode. Conclusion: Relative Medicare reimbursement rates for surgical vs. non-surgical treatments and the availability of both primary care physicians and relevant specialists are associated with the likelihood of surgery and cost per episode
Epitaxial checkerboard arrangement of nanorods in ZnMnGaO4 films studied by x-ray diffraction
The intriguing nano-structural properties of a ZnMnGaO4 film epitaxially
grown on MgO (001) substrate have been investigated using synchrotron
radiation-based x-ray diffraction. The ZnMnGaO4 film consisted of a
self-assembled checkerboard (CB) structure with perfectly aligned and regularly
spaced vertical nanorods. The lattice parameters of the orthorhombic and
rotated tetragonal phases of the CB structure were analyzed using H-K, H-L, and
K-L cross sections of the reciprocal space maps measured around various
symmetric and asymmetric reflections of the spinel structure. We demonstrate
that the symmetry of atomic displacements at the phases boundaries provides the
means for coherent coexistence of two domains types within the volume of the
film
Lights, Camera, Action! Exploring Effects of Visual Distractions on Completion of Security Tasks
Human errors in performing security-critical tasks are typically blamed on
the complexity of those tasks. However, such errors can also occur because of
(possibly unexpected) sensory distractions. A sensory distraction that produces
negative effects can be abused by the adversary that controls the environment.
Meanwhile, a distraction with positive effects can be artificially introduced
to improve user performance.
The goal of this work is to explore the effects of visual stimuli on the
performance of security-critical tasks. To this end, we experimented with a
large number of subjects who were exposed to a range of unexpected visual
stimuli while attempting to perform Bluetooth Pairing. Our results clearly
demonstrate substantially increased task completion times and markedly lower
task success rates. These negative effects are noteworthy, especially, when
contrasted with prior results on audio distractions which had positive effects
on performance of similar tasks. Experiments were conducted in a novel (fully
automated and completely unattended) experimental environment. This yielded
more uniform experiments, better scalability and significantly lower financial
and logistical burdens. We discuss this experience, including benefits and
limitations of the unattended automated experiment paradigm
Unbound states of 32Cl and the 31S(p,\gamma)32Cl reaction rate
The 31S(p,\gamma)32Cl reaction is expected to provide the dominant break-out
path from the SiP cycle in novae and is important for understanding enrichments
of sulfur observed in some nova ejecta. We studied the 32S(3He,t)32Cl
charge-exchange reaction to determine properties of proton-unbound levels in
32Cl that have previously contributed significant uncertainties to the
31S(p,\gamma)32Cl reaction rate. Measured triton magnetic rigidities were used
to determine excitation energies in 32Cl. Proton-branching ratios were obtained
by detecting decay protons from unbound 32Cl states in coincidence with
tritons. An improved 31S(p,\gamma)32Cl reaction rate was calculated including
robust statistical and systematic uncertainties
Demographic subgroup trends among adolescents in the use of various licit and illicit drugs, 1975-2014
https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137897/1/mtf-occ83.pd
Demographic subgroup trends among young adults in the use of various licit and illicit drugs, 1989-2014
https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137875/1/mtf-occ85.pd
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