5,372 research outputs found
An Infinite Dimensional Symmetry Algebra in String Theory
Symmetry transformations of the space-time fields of string theory are
generated by certain similarity transformations of the stress-tensor of the
associated conformal field theories. This observation is complicated by the
fact that, as we explain, many of the operators we habitually use in string
theory (such as vertices and currents) have ill-defined commutators. However,
we identify an infinite-dimensional subalgebra whose commutators are not
singular, and explicitly calculate its structure constants. This constitutes a
subalgebra of the gauge symmetry of string theory, although it may act on
auxiliary as well as propagating fields. We term this object a {\it weighted
tensor algebra}, and, while it appears to be a distant cousin of the
-algebras, it has not, to our knowledge, appeared in the literature before.Comment: 14 pages, Plain TeX, report RU93-8, CTP-TAMU-2/94, CERN-TH.7022/9
As time goes by
A rather simple and non-technical exposition of our new approach to {\em
Time, Quantum Physics, Black-Hole dynamics}, and {\em Cosmology}, based on
non-critical string theory, is provided. A new fundamental principle, the {\em
Procrustean Principle}, that catches the essence of our approach is postulated:
the low-energy world is {\em unavoidably} an ``open" system due to the
spontaneous truncation of the {\em delocalized, topological} string modes in
continuous interaction with the low-lying-{\em localized} string modes. The
origin of space-time, the expansion of the Universe, the entropy increase and
accompanied irreversibility of time, as well as the collapse of the
wavefunction are all very neatly tied together. Possible observable
consequences include: quantum relaxation with time of the Universal,
fundamental constants, like the velocity of light and the Planck constant
decreasing towards their asymptotic values, and the cosmological
constant diminishing towards zero; possible violation of {\em CPT}
invariance in the system, possible apparent non-conservation of
angular momentum, and possible loss of quantum coherence in SQUID-type
experiments.Comment: CERN-TH.7260/94, 84 pages Latex (no figures
Anomalous damping dependence of the switching time in Fe/FePt bilayer recording media
Gilbert damping plays a significant role in magnetic reversal processes, and it determines the timescale of the switching. Here we investigate the properties of exchange-coupled composite media and the dependence of the switching time on the damping constant of the soft layer using atomistic spin dynamics. For a bilayer Fe/FePt medium, we find an anomalous increase of the switching time with increasing soft layer damping constant. The reversal occurs via a high-temperature exchange spring, and we show that the increase in the switching time is related to a corresponding increase in the time to establish the exchange spring. This phenomenon is delicately balanced in that the switching time increase occurs only in fields close to the coercivity
Direct Search for Dark Matter - Striking the Balance - and the Future
Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) are among the main candidates
for the relic dark matter (DM). The idea of the direct DM detection relies on
elastic spin-dependent (SD) and spin-independent (SI) interaction of WIMPs with
target nuclei. In this review paper the relevant formulae for WIMP event rate
calculations are collected. For estimations of the WIMP-proton and WIMP-neutron
SD and SI cross sections the effective low-energy minimal supersymmetric
standard model is used. The traditional one-coupling-dominance approach for
evaluation of the exclusion curves is described. Further, the mixed spin-scalar
coupling approach is discussed. It is demonstrated, taking the high-spin Ge-73
dark matter experiment HDMS as an example, how one can drastically improve the
sensitivity of the exclusion curves within the mixed spin-scalar coupling
approach, as well as due to a new procedure of background subtraction from the
measured spectrum. A general discussion on the information obtained from
exclusion curves is given. The necessity of clear WIMP direct detection
signatures for a solution of the dark matter problem, is pointed out.Comment: LaTeX, 49 pages, 14 figures, 185 reference
Manifestation of higher-order inter-granular exchange in magnetic recording media
Exchange coupling between magnetic grains is essential for maintaining the stability of stored information in magnetic recording media. Using an atomistic spin model, we have investigated the coupling between neighbouring magnetic grains where magnetic impurity atoms have migrated into the non-magnetic grain boundary. We find that when the impurity density is low, a biquadratic term in addition to the bilinear term is found to better describe the inter-granular exchange coupling. The temperature dependence of both terms is found to follow a power law behaviour with the biquadratic exchange constant decaying faster than the bilinear. For the increasing grain boundary thickness, the inter-granular exchange reduces and also decays more quickly with temperature. Further simulations of a grain at a bit boundary show an unexpected energy minimum for in-plane magnetisation. This feature is reproduced if the biquadratic exchange term is included
Entropic Fluctuations in Statistical Mechanics I. Classical Dynamical Systems
Within the abstract framework of dynamical system theory we describe a
general approach to the Transient (or Evans-Searles) and Steady State (or
Gallavotti-Cohen) Fluctuation Theorems of non-equilibrium statistical
mechanics. Our main objective is to display the minimal, model independent
mathematical structure at work behind fluctuation theorems. Besides its
conceptual simplicity, another advantage of our approach is its natural
extension to quantum statistical mechanics which will be presented in a
companion paper. We shall discuss several examples including thermostated
systems, open Hamiltonian systems, chaotic homeomorphisms of compact metric
spaces and Anosov diffeomorphisms.Comment: 72 pages, revised version 12/10/2010, to be published in Nonlinearit
One needs positive signatures for detection of Dark Matter
One believes there is huge amount of Dark Matter particles in our Galaxy
which manifest themselves only gravitationally. There is a big challenge to
prove their existence in a laboratory experiment. To this end it is not
sufficient to fight only for the best exclusion curve, one has to see an annual
recoil spectrum modulation --- the only available positive direct dark matter
detection signature. A necessity to measure the recoil spectra is stressed.Comment: 16 pages, 1 figure. arXiv admin note: substantial Appendix text
overlap with arXiv:0806.3917; missed acknowledge is added onl
Wideband tuning of four-wave mixing in solid-core liquid-filled photonic crystal fibers
We present an experimental study of parametric four-wave mixing generation in photonic crystal fibers that have been infiltrated with ethanol. A silica photonic crystal fiber was designed to have the proper dispersion properties after ethanol infiltration for the generation of widely spaced four-wave mixing (FWM) bands under 1064 nm pumping. We demonstrate that the FWM bands can be tuned in a wide wavelength range through the thermo-optic effect. Band shifts of 175 and over 500 nm for the signal and idler bands, respectively, are reported. The reported results can be of interest in many applications, such as CARS microscopy
Non equilibrium steady states: fluctuations and large deviations of the density and of the current
These lecture notes give a short review of methods such as the matrix ansatz,
the additivity principle or the macroscopic fluctuation theory, developed
recently in the theory of non-equilibrium phenomena. They show how these
methods allow to calculate the fluctuations and large deviations of the density
and of the current in non-equilibrium steady states of systems like exclusion
processes. The properties of these fluctuations and large deviation functions
in non-equilibrium steady states (for example non-Gaussian fluctuations of
density or non-convexity of the large deviation function which generalizes the
notion of free energy) are compared with those of systems at equilibrium.Comment: 35 pages, 9 figure
A prospective cohort study assessing clinical referral management & workforce allocation within a UK regional medical genetics service
Abstract
Ensuring patient access to genomic information in the face of increasing demand requires clinicians to develop innovative ways of working. This paper presents the first empirical prospective observational cohort study of UK multi-disciplinary genetic service delivery. It describes and explores collaborative working practices including the utilisation and role of clinical geneticists and non-medical genetic counsellors. Six hundred and fifty new patients referred to a regional genetics service were tracked through 850 clinical contacts until discharge. Referral decisions regarding allocation of lead health professional assigned to the case were monitored, including the use of initial clinical contact guidelines. Significant differences were found in the cases led by genetic counsellors and those led by clinical geneticists. Around a sixth, 16.8% (109/650) of referrals were dealt with by a letter back to the referrer or re-directed to another service provider and 14.8% (80/541) of the remaining patients chose not to schedule an appointment. Of the remaining 461 patients, genetic counsellors were allocated as lead health professional for 46.2% (213/461). A further 61 patients did not attend. Of those who did, 86% (345/400) were discharged after one or two appointments. Genetic counsellors contributed to 95% (784/825) of total patient contacts. They provided 93.7% (395/432) of initial contacts and 26.8% (106/395) of patients were discharged at that point. The information from this study informed a planned service re-design. More research is needed to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of different models of collaborative multi-disciplinary working within genetics services. Keywords (MeSH terms)
Genetic Services, Genetic Counseling, Interdisciplinary Communication, Cohort Studies, Delivery of Healthcare, Referral and Consultation
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