Ground-state energies, densities and momentum distributions in closed-shell nuclei calculated within a cluster expansion approach and realistic interactions

A linked cluster expansion suitable for the treatment of ground-state properties of complex nuclei, as well as of various particle-nucleus scattering processes, has been used to calculate the ground-state energy, density and momentum distribution of 16-O and 40-Ca using realistic interactions. First of all, a benchmark calculation for the ground-state energy has been performed using the truncated V8' potential, and consisting in the comparison of our results with the ones obtained by the Fermi Hypernetted Chain approach, adopting in both cases the same mean field wave functions and the same correlation functions. The results exhibited a nice agreement between the two methods. Therefore, the approach has been applied to the calculation of the ground-state energy, density and momentum distributions of 16-O and 40-Ca using the full V8' potential, finding again a satisfactory agreement with the results based on more advanced approaches where higher order cluster contributions are taken into account. It appears therefore that the cluster expansion approach can provide accurate approximations for various diagonal and non diagonal density matrices, so that it could be used for a reliable evaluation of nuclear effects in various medium and high energy scattering processes off nuclear targets. The developed approach can be readily generalized to the treatment of Glauber type final state interaction effects in inclusive, semi-inclusive and exclusive processes off nuclei at medium and high energies.Comment: 42 pages, 18 figure

The Buckland Park air shower array

The new Buckland Park Air Shower Array has been producing analyzed shower data since July 1984. The array is described and some preliminary performance figures are presented

Data clustering and noise undressing for correlation matrices

We discuss a new approach to data clustering. We find that maximum likelihood leads naturally to an Hamiltonian of Potts variables which depends on the correlation matrix and whose low temperature behavior describes the correlation structure of the data. For random, uncorrelated data sets no correlation structure emerges. On the other hand for data sets with a built-in cluster structure, the method is able to detect and recover efficiently that structure. Finally we apply the method to financial time series, where the low temperature behavior reveals a non trivial clustering.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, completely rewritten and enlarged version of cond-mat/0003241. Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Random Matrix Theory Analysis of Cross Correlations in Financial Markets

We confirm universal behaviors such as eigenvalue distribution and spacings predicted by Random Matrix Theory (RMT) for the cross correlation matrix of the daily stock prices of Tokyo Stock Exchange from 1993 to 2001, which have been reported for New York Stock Exchange in previous studies. It is shown that the random part of the eigenvalue distribution of the cross correlation matrix is stable even when deterministic correlations are present. Some deviations in the small eigenvalue statistics outside the bounds of the universality class of RMT are not completely explained with the deterministic correlations as proposed in previous studies. We study the effect of randomness on deterministic correlations and find that randomness causes a repulsion between deterministic eigenvalues and the random eigenvalues. This is interpreted as a reminiscent of ``level repulsion'' in RMT and explains some deviations from the previous studies observed in the market data. We also study correlated groups of issues in these markets and propose a refined method to identify correlated groups based on RMT. Some characteristic differences between properties of Tokyo Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange are found.Comment: RevTex, 17 pages, 8 figure

Predator water balance alters intraguild predation in a streamsidefood web

Previous work suggests that animal water balance can influence trophic interactions, with predators increasing their consumption of water-laden prey to meet water demands.But it is unclear how the need for water interacts with the need for energy to drive trophic interactions under shifting conditions. Using manipulative field experiments, we show that water balance influences the effects of top predators on prey with contrasting ratios of water and energy, altering the frequency of intraguild predation. Water-stressed top predators (large spiders) negatively affect water-laden basal prey (crickets), especially male prey with higher water content, whereas alleviation of water limitation causes top predators to switch to negatively affecting energy-rich midlevel predators (small spiders). Thus, the relative water and energy content of multiple prey, combined with the water demand of the top predator, influences trophic interactions in ways that can alter the strength of intraguild predation. These findings underscore the need for integration of multi resource approaches for understanding implications of global change for food webs

A Natural Plasmid Uniquely Encodes Two Biosynthetic Pathways Creating a Potent Anti-MRSA Antibiotic

Background Understanding how complex antibiotics are synthesised by their producer bacteria is essential for creation of new families of bioactive compounds. Thiomarinols, produced by marine bacteria belonging to the genus Pseudoalteromonas, are hybrids of two independently active species: the pseudomonic acid mixture, mupirocin, which is used clinically against MRSA, and the pyrrothine core of holomycin. Methodology/Principal Findings High throughput DNA sequencing of the complete genome of the producer bacterium revealed a novel 97 kb plasmid, pTML1, consisting almost entirely of two distinct gene clusters. Targeted gene knockouts confirmed the role of these clusters in biosynthesis of the two separate components, pseudomonic acid and the pyrrothine, and identified a putative amide synthetase that joins them together. Feeding mupirocin to a mutant unable to make the endogenous pseudomonic acid created a novel hybrid with the pyrrothine via “mutasynthesis” that allows inhibition of mupirocin-resistant isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, the mupirocin target. A mutant defective in pyrrothine biosynthesis was also able to incorporate alternative amine substrates. Conclusions/Significance Plasmid pTML1 provides a paradigm for combining independent antibiotic biosynthetic pathways or using mutasynthesis to develop a new family of hybrid derivatives that may extend the effective use of mupirocin against MRSA

Early-time measurements of soft x-ray emission in an omega-upgrade laser-produced plasma. Semi-annual report, October 1, 1996--March 31, 1997

Beginning in January 1997 (following arrival of the FY-97 funding) we have been preparing for our first series of experiments under this grant at the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) on the Omega Upgrade laser facility, now scheduled to commence June 2, 1997. For these experiments we have purchased (just arrived) a four-channel gated-stripline microchannel plate (MCP) detector to be coupled to our soft x-ray flat-field grazing incidence spectrograph used previously at LLE. This will permit time-resolved `snapshots` of the complete spectra with a resolution to times as short as 180 ps per strip. An advantage of this technique over the streak camera used previously is the lack of any carbon absorbers such as in the thin plastic cathode required for the streak camera. This eliminates absorption in the 30-44 {angstrom} spectral region in which we are interested for intermediate-Z target materials such as Mg, Al and Si. An auxiliary turbomolecular-drag pump has also been installed in order to obtain the necessary vacuum for optimum MCP operation

Electric field measurements from satellites-to-forbidden line ratios in an Omega-Upgrade laser-produced plasma. Semi-annual report, February 1--May 31, 1996

Under this FY-96 NLUF program, the authors began their search for satellite lines to forbidden transitions for localized laser-induced electric field measurements by preparing in their laboratory a flat-field grazing incidence spectrograph for use on the OMEGA-Upgrade facility. This involved wavelength calibration using a (small) laser-produced plasma, as well as designing and constructing a mounting table compatible with the large 60-beam target chamber at LLE. Beginning in April 1996 they installed and aligned the spectrograph at LLE. Following final alignment on Monday, April 29, they obtained the following day their first time-integrated spectral data in the 30--250 {angstrom} range. A total of 28 successful shots were obtained. For most shots, two beams of the OMEGA-Upgrade laser were used at nominal uv-pulse widths of 1.1 ns and energies ranging from 76--470 J/beam, with focal spots of 80--450 {micro}m and irradiances covering approximately 10{sup 14}--10{sup 16} Watt/cm{sup 2}. Planar targets used consisted of Mg and NaF, as well as boron mounted on a plastic film, with some of the former two overcoated with 5 {micro}m of CH on each side for containing the plasma, at least during the early portion of the pulse. Preliminary analyses indicate that they do indeed observe the desired Li-like L-shell spectra for oxygen, fluorine, sodium and magnesium, as well as L-shell lines in the corresponding H-(Balmer) and He-like species. Similarly, they recorded K-shell lines from B and C. Sample traces for Mg and Na fluoride from their soft x-ray spectrograph are shown. Both of these shots were obtained at a rather low applied irradiance of 2 X 10{sup 14} W/cm{sup 2}, and were chosen mainly for line identification. The parent Li-like 2s-3p allowed lines corresponding to the forbidden-line satellites sought for E-field determinations are clearly present. The calculated satellite line intensity relative to the intensity from this 2s-3p transition is {approximately} 3%

Spectroscopic diagnostics on high-density, strongly-coupled ICF plasmas. Semi-annual report, February 1, 1995--July 31, 1995

In our research for the period of February 1, 1995 through July 31, 1995, we have upgraded our equipment in anticipation of the restart of the Omega-Upgrade laser at the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics/National Laser User Facility (LLE/NLUF). During this period we also have carried out some exploratory experiments on aluminum targets related to both continuum and line emissions near series limits where lines blend into the continuum. This work was performed using the Trident glass laser at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The layout of this experiment showing the diagnostics deployed is presented in this report. We had almost 60 shots at full power [175 J at 2{omega} in 1 ns pulses focused to a 0.5-mm diameter spot for an irradiance per beam of 8{times}10{sup 13} W/cm{sup 2}]. The targets were mainly 1 mm {times} 1 mm square aluminum foils of thickness varying from 2.5 to 25 {mu}m. Most were coated with 1 {mu}m of CH on both sides as a tamper to increase the compressed plasma density prior to expansion. Also, most targets were illuminated from both sides

Spectroscopic diagnostics on high-density, strongly-coupled ICF plasmas. Final report, February 1, 1995--November 30, 1995

During the period February 1, 1995 to November 30, 1995, the authors have upgraded their equipment in anticipation of the restart of the Omega-Upgrade laser at the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics/National Laser User Facility, and also have completed exploratory experiments on aluminum targets related to both continuum and line emissions near series limits where lines blend into the continuum. Descriptions of results of these experiments are presented in this report, including the description of a particular dielectronic satellite spectral line whose observation relative to other lines offers a convenient localized indicator of high density in aluminum plasma. 3 refs., 8 figs