302 research outputs found
Testing Gravity in the Outer Solar System: Results from Trans-Neptunian Objects
The inverse square law of gravity is poorly probed by experimental tests at
distances of ~ 10 AUs. Recent analysis of the trajectory of the Pioneer 10 and
11 spacecraft have shown an unmodeled acceleration directed toward the Sun
which was not explained by any obvious spacecraft systematics, and occurred
when at distances greater than 20 AUs from the Sun. If this acceleration
represents a departure from Newtonian gravity or is indicative of an additional
mass distribution in the outer solar system, it should be detectable in the
orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs). To place limits on deviations from
Newtonian gravity, we have selected a well observed sample of TNOs found
orbiting between 20 and 100 AU from the Sun. By examining their orbits with
modified orbital fitting software, we place tight limits on the perturbations
of gravity that could exist in this region of the solar system.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables, uses AASTex v5.x macro
How Well Do We Know the Orbits of the Outer Planets?
This paper deals with the problem of astrometric determination of the orbital
elements of the outer planets, in particular by assessing the ability of
astrometric observations to detect perturbations of the sort expected from the
Pioneer effect or other small perturbations to gravity. We also show that while
using simplified models of the dynamics can lead to some insights, one must be
careful to not over-simplify the issues involved lest one be misled by the
analysis onto false paths. Specifically, we show that the current ephemeris of
Pluto does not preclude the existence of the Pioneer effect. We show that the
orbit of Pluto is simply not well enough characterized at present to make such
an assertion. A number of misunderstandings related to these topics have now
propagated through the literature and have been used as a basis for drawing
conclusions about the dynamics of the solar system. Thus, the objective of this
paper is to address these issues. Finally, we offer some comments dealing with
the complex topic of model selection and comparison.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Ap
Black Holes Radiate Mainly on the Brane
We examine the evaporation of a small black hole on a brane in a world with
large extra dimensions. Since the masses of many Kaluza-Klein modes are much
smaller than the Hawking temperature of the black hole, it has been claimed
that most of the energy is radiated into these modes. We show that this is
incorrect. Most of the energy goes into the modes on the brane. This raises the
possibility of observing Hawking radiation in future high energy colliders if
there are large extra dimensions.Comment: 11 page
Can Minor Planets be Used to Assess Gravity in the Outer Solar System?
The twin Pioneer spacecraft have been tracked for over thirty years as they
headed out of the solar system. After passing 20 AU from the Sun, both
exhibited a systematic error in their trajectories that can be interpreted as a
constant acceleration towards the Sun. This Pioneer Effect is most likely
explained by spacecraft systematics, but there have been no convincing
arguments that that is the case. The alternative is that the Pioneer Effect
represents a real phenomenon and perhaps new physics. What is lacking is a
means of measuring the effect, its variation, its potential anisotropies, and
its region of influence. We show that minor planets provide an observational
vehicle for investigating the gravitational field in the outer solar system,
and that a sustained observation campaign against properly chosen minor planets
could confirm or refute the existence of the Pioneer Effect. Additionally, even
if the Pioneer Effect does not represent a new physical phenomenon, minor
planets can be used to probe the gravitational field in the outer Solar System
and since there are very few intermediate range tests of gravity at the
multiple AU distance scale, this is a worthwhile endeavor in its own right.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa
The black hole final state
We propose that in quantum gravity one needs to impose a final state boundary
condition at black hole singularities. This resolves the apparent contradiction
between string theory and semiclassical arguments over whether black hole
evaporation is unitary.Comment: 17 pages, harvmac, 1 figure, v2: comment about interactions and
references adde
The PowerAtlas: a power and sample size atlas for microarray experimental design and research
BACKGROUND: Microarrays permit biologists to simultaneously measure the mRNA abundance of thousands of genes. An important issue facing investigators planning microarray experiments is how to estimate the sample size required for good statistical power. What is the projected sample size or number of replicate chips needed to address the multiple hypotheses with acceptable accuracy? Statistical methods exist for calculating power based upon a single hypothesis, using estimates of the variability in data from pilot studies. There is, however, a need for methods to estimate power and/or required sample sizes in situations where multiple hypotheses are being tested, such as in microarray experiments. In addition, investigators frequently do not have pilot data to estimate the sample sizes required for microarray studies. RESULTS: To address this challenge, we have developed a Microrarray PowerAtlas [1]. The atlas enables estimation of statistical power by allowing investigators to appropriately plan studies by building upon previous studies that have similar experimental characteristics. Currently, there are sample sizes and power estimates based on 632 experiments from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The PowerAtlas also permits investigators to upload their own pilot data and derive power and sample size estimates from these data. This resource will be updated regularly with new datasets from GEO and other databases such as The Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Center (NASC). CONCLUSION: This resource provides a valuable tool for investigators who are planning efficient microarray studies and estimating required sample sizes
Nonlocality vs. complementarity: a conservative approach to the information problem
A proposal for resolution of the information paradox is that "nice slice"
states, which have been viewed as providing a sharp argument for information
loss, do not in fact do so as they do not give a fully accurate description of
the quantum state of a black hole. This however leaves an information
*problem*, which is to provide a consistent description of how information
escapes when a black hole evaporates. While a rather extreme form of
nonlocality has been advocated in the form of complementarity, this paper
argues that is not necessary, and more modest nonlocality could solve the
information problem. One possible distinguishing characteristic of scenarios is
the information retention time. The question of whether such nonlocality
implies acausality, and particularly inconsistency, is briefly addressed. The
need for such nonlocality, and its apparent tension with our empirical
observations of local quantum field theory, may be a critical missing piece in
understanding the principles of quantum gravity.Comment: 11 pages of text and figures, + references. v2 minor text. v3 small
revisions to match final journal versio
The Extreme Kerr Throat Geometry: A Vacuum Analog of AdS_2 x S^2
We study the near horizon limit of a four dimensional extreme rotating black
hole. The limiting metric is a completely nonsingular vacuum solution, with an
enhanced symmetry group SL(2,R) x U(1). We show that many of the properties of
this solution are similar to the AdS_2 x S^2 geometry arising in the near
horizon limit of extreme charged black holes. In particular, the boundary at
infinity is a timelike surface. This suggests the possibility of a dual quantum
mechanical description. A five dimensional generalization is also discussed.Comment: 21 page
Is string theory a theory of quantum gravity?
Some problems in finding a complete quantum theory incorporating gravity are
discussed. One is that of giving a consistent unitary description of
high-energy scattering. Another is that of giving a consistent quantum
description of cosmology, with appropriate observables. While string theory
addresses some problems of quantum gravity, its ability to resolve these
remains unclear. Answers may require new mechanisms and constructs, whether
within string theory, or in another framework.Comment: Invited contribution for "Forty Years of String Theory: Reflecting on
the Foundations," a special issue of Found. Phys., ed. by G 't Hooft, E.
Verlinde, D. Dieks, S. de Haro. 32 pages, 5 figs., harvmac. v2: final version
to appear in journal (small revisions
HDBStat!: A platform-independent software suite for statistical analysis of high dimensional biology data
BACKGROUND: Many efforts in microarray data analysis are focused on providing tools and methods for the qualitative analysis of microarray data. HDBStat! (High-Dimensional Biology-Statistics) is a software package designed for analysis of high dimensional biology data such as microarray data. It was initially developed for the analysis of microarray gene expression data, but it can also be used for some applications in proteomics and other aspects of genomics. HDBStat! provides statisticians and biologists a flexible and easy-to-use interface to analyze complex microarray data using a variety of methods for data preprocessing, quality control analysis and hypothesis testing. RESULTS: Results generated from data preprocessing methods, quality control analysis and hypothesis testing methods are output in the form of Excel CSV tables, graphs and an Html report summarizing data analysis. CONCLUSION: HDBStat! is a platform-independent software that is freely available to academic institutions and non-profit organizations. It can be downloaded from our website
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