Electrodermal activity and metamemory reports as predictors of memory retrieval

Electrodermal activity (EDA), an indicator of arousal of the sympathetic nervous system, was investigated as a potential correlate of feeling-of-knowing (FOK) and tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) states. In Experiment 1, skin conductance was measured while participants answered general knowledge questions and made binary FOK and TOT judgments. Significant correlations were found between frequency of skin conductance responses (SCRs) and presence of both FOK and TOT states. In Experiment 2, warmth ratings were used and a follow-up clue session was added to offer participants the opportunity to resolve initially unanswered questions. SCR frequency during TOT states was significantly predictive of resolution during the clue period, although not as predictive as participants' warmth ratings. The potential of EDA as an on-line, non-intrusive measure of metamemory and memory retrieval is discussed

NGC 3628: Ejection Activity Associated with Quasars

NGC3628 is a well-studied starburst/low level AGN galaxy in the Leo Triplet noted for its extensive outgassed plumes of neutral hydrogen. QSOs are shown to be concentrated around NGC3628 and aligned with the HI plumes. The closest high redshift quasar has z=2.15 and is at the tip of an X-ray filament emerging along the minor axis HI plume. Location at this point has an accidental probability of ~2x10^-4. In addition a coincident chain of optical objects coming out along the minor axis ends on this quasar. More recent measures on a pair of strong X-ray sources situated at 3.2 and 5.4 arcmin on either side of NGC3628 along its minor axis, reveal that they have nearly identical redshifts of z=0.995 and 0.981. The closer quasar lies directly in the same X-ray filament which extends from the nucleus out 4.1 arcmin to end on the quasar of z=2.15. The chain of objects SW along the minor axis of NGC3628 has been imaged in four colors with the VLT. Images and spectra of individual objects within the filament are reported. It is suggested that material in various physical states and differing intrinsic redshifts is ejected out along the minor axis of this active, disturbed galaxy.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A. Postscript file including full resolution figures at http://www.eso.org/~fpatat/ngc3628/paper_ngc3628.ps.g

Atmospheric monitoring for the Pembina Cardium CO2 Monitoring Project using open path laser technology

AbstractThis study aimed to assess remote sensing methods using open path laser technology as a tool for atmospheric monitoring of CO2 storage sites. CH4 and CO2 open path detection systems were tested at the Penn West Pembina Cardium CO2 enhanced oil recovery monitoring pilot. The tested CH4 detection system was found to be very sensitive and small increases in the gas concentration due to controlled releases were easily distinguishable. The detection capability of the CO2 detection system was impacted by the larger natural background concentration of CO2. Where possible, CH4 should be used as an indicator due to the better detection capabilities and smaller background concentration variations compared to CO2

Nonadiabatic Dynamics of Ultracold Fermions in Optical Superlattices

We study the time-dependent dynamical properties of two-component ultracold fermions in a one-dimensional optical superlattice by applying the adaptive time-dependent density matrix renormalization group to a repulsive Hubbard model with an alternating superlattice potential. We clarify how the time evolution of local quantities occurs when the superlattice potential is suddenly changed to a normal one. For a Mott-type insulating state at quarter filling, the time evolution exhibits a profile similar to that expected for bosonic atoms, where correlation effects are less important. On the other hand, for a band-type insulating state at half filling, the strong repulsive interaction induces an unusual pairing of fermions, resulting in some striking properties in time evolution, such as a paired fermion co-tunneling process and the suppression of local spin moments. We further address the effect of a confining potential, which causes spatial confinement of the paired fermions.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Origin of the Canonical Ensemble: Thermalization with Decoherence

We solve the time-dependent Schrodinger equation for the combination of a spin system interacting with a spin bath environment. In particular, we focus on the time development of the reduced density matrix of the spin system. Under normal circumstances we show that the environment drives the reduced density matrix to a fully decoherent state, and furthermore the diagonal elements of the reduced density matrix approach those expected for the system in the canonical ensemble. We show one exception to the normal case is if the spin system cannot exchange energy with the spin bath. Our demonstration does not rely on time-averaging of observables nor does it assume that the coupling between system and bath is weak. Our findings show that the canonical ensemble is a state that may result from pure quantum dynamics, suggesting that quantum mechanics may be regarded as the foundation of quantum statistical mechanics.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication by J. Phys. Soc. Jp

Kink stability, propagation, and length scale competition in the periodically modulated sine-Gordon equation

We have examined the dynamical behavior of the kink solutions of the one-dimensional sine-Gordon equation in the presence of a spatially periodic parametric perturbation. Our study clarifies and extends the currently available knowledge on this and related nonlinear problems in four directions. First, we present the results of a numerical simulation program which are not compatible with the existence of a radiative threshold, predicted by earlier calculations. Second, we carry out a perturbative calculation which helps interpret those previous predictions, enabling us to understand in depth our numerical results. Third, we apply the collective coordinate formalism to this system and demonstrate numerically that it accurately reproduces the observed kink dynamics. Fourth, we report on a novel occurrence of length scale competition in this system and show how it can be understood by means of linear stability analysis. Finally, we conclude by summarizing the general physical framework that arises from our study.Comment: 19 pages, REVTeX 3.0, 24 figures available from A S o

Некоторые особенности структурной динамики межсекторальных ресурсных потоков в научной системе Украины

Представлен анализ динамики финансирования научно-технической деятельности в аспекте основных источников средств и исполнителей за весь период независимости Украины. Изложен авторский подход к оцениванию роли государства и других экономических субъектов, который адаптирует требования международных учетных стандартов к реалиям отечественной экономики.Представлено аналіз динаміки фінансування науково-технічної діяльності в аспекті головних джерел коштів та виконавців за весь період незалежності України. Викладено авторський підхід до оцінювання ролі держави та інших економічних суб’єктів, що адаптує вимоги міжнародних облікових стандартів до реалій вітчизняної економіки.An analysis of the R&D funding dynamics in terms of main funding sources and performers over the period of the Ukrainian independence is given. The author’s approach to evaluating the role of the government and other economic entities, which adapts the requirements of international accounting standards to the realities of the national economy, is shown