Spinor model of a perfect fluid

Different characteristic of matter influencing the evolution of the Universe has been simulated by means of a nonlinear spinor field. We have considered two cases where the spinor field nonlinearity occurs either as a result of self-action or due to the interaction with a scalar field.Comment: 5 pages, some misprints are corrected, some new expressions are adde

Epigenetic Effects of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on Human Health.

Disruption of epigenetic regulation by environmental toxins is an emerging area of focus for understanding the latter's impact on human health. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), one such group of toxins, are an environmentally pervasive class of brominated flame retardants that have been extensively used as coatings on a wide range of consumer products. Their environmental stability, propensity for bioaccumulation, and known links to adverse health effects have evoked extensive research to characterize underlying biological mechanisms of toxicity. Of particular concern is the growing body of evidence correlating human exposure levels to behavioral deficits related to neurodevelopmental disorders. The developing nervous system is particularly sensitive to influence by environmental signals, including dysregulation by toxins. Several major modes of actions have been identified, but a clear understanding of how observed effects relate to negative impacts on human health has not been established. Here, we review the current body of evidence for PBDE-induced epigenetic disruptions, including DNA methylation, chromatin dynamics, and non-coding RNA expression while discussing the potential relationship between PBDEs and neurodevelopmental disorders

Hedge Funds: Risk and Return

Constructing a data base that is relatively free of bias, this paper provides measures of the returns of hedge fund s as well as the distinctly non-normal characteristics of the data. We provide risk-adjusted measures of performance as well as tests of the degree to which hedge funds live up to their claim of market neutrality. We also examine the substantial attrition of hedge funds and analyze the determinants of hedge fund survival as well as perform tests of return persistence. Finally, we examine the claims of the managers of “funds of funds” that they can form portfolios of “the best” hedge funds and that such funds provide useful instruments for individual investors. We conclude that hedge funds are far riskier and provide much lower returns than is commonly supposed.

Recoil Ranges of Products from Reactions of Cu65 with 11-33 Mev He3 Ions

Recoil ranges of products from reactions copper 65 with 11-35 MeV helium 3 ion

Study of Phase Stability in NiPt Systems

We have studied the problem of phase stability in NiPt alloy system. We have used the augmented space recursion based on the TB-LMTO as the method for studying the electronic structure of the alloys. In particular, we have used the relativistic generalization of our earlier technique. We note that, in order to predict the proper ground state structures and energetics, in addition to relativistic effects, we have to take into account charge transfer effects with precision.Comment: 22 pages, 7 figures. Accepted for publication in JPC