Bicritical and tetracritical phenomena and scaling properties of the SO(5) theory

By large scale Monte Carlo simulations it is shown that the stable fixed point of the SO(5) theory is either bicritical or tetracritical depending on the effective interaction between the antiferromagnetism and superconductivity orders. There are no fluctuation-induced first-order transitions suggested by epsilon expansions. Bicritical and tetracritical scaling functions are derived for the first time and critical exponents are evaluated with high accuracy. Suggestions on experiments are given.Comment: 11 pages, 8 postscript figures, Revtex, revised versio

Semantic modelling of learning objects and instruction

We introduce an ontology-based semantic modelling framework that addresses subject domain modelling, instruction modelling, and interoperability aspects in the development of complex reusable learning objects. Ontologies are knowledge representation frameworks, ideally suited to support knowledge-based modelling of these learning objects. We illustrate the benefits of semantic modelling for learning object assemblies within the context of standards such as SCORM Sequencing and Navigation and Learning Object Metadata

Fluctuations of the vacuum energy density of quantum fields in curved spacetime via generalized zeta functions

For quantum fields on a curved spacetime with an Euclidean section, we derive a general expression for the stress energy tensor two-point function in terms of the effective action. The renormalized two-point function is given in terms of the second variation of the Mellin transform of the trace of the heat kernel for the quantum fields. For systems for which a spectral decomposition of the wave opearator is possible, we give an exact expression for this two-point function. Explicit examples of the variance to the mean ratio $\Delta' = (-^2)/(^2)$ of the vacuum energy density $\rho$ of a massless scalar field are computed for the spatial topologies of $R^d\times S^1$ and $S^3$, with results of $\Delta'(R^d\times S^1) =(d+1)(d+2)/2$, and $\Delta'(S^3) = 111$ respectively. The large variance signifies the importance of quantum fluctuations and has important implications for the validity of semiclassical gravity theories at sub-Planckian scales. The method presented here can facilitate the calculation of stress-energy fluctuations for quantum fields useful for the analysis of fluctuation effects and critical phenomena in problems ranging from atom optics and mesoscopic physics to early universe and black hole physics.Comment: Uses revte

Stochastic Theory of Accelerated Detectors in a Quantum Field

We analyze the statistical mechanical properties of n-detectors in arbitrary states of motion interacting with each other via a quantum field. We use the open system concept and the influence functional method to calculate the influence of quantum fields on detectors in motion, and the mutual influence of detectors via fields. We discuss the difference between self and mutual impedance and advanced and retarded noise. The mutual effects of detectors on each other can be studied from the Langevin equations derived from the influence functional, as it contains the backreaction of the field on the system self-consistently. We show the existence of general fluctuation- dissipation relations, and for trajectories without event horizons, correlation-propagation relations, which succinctly encapsulate these quantum statistical phenomena. These findings serve to clarify some existing confusions in the accelerated detector problem. The general methodology presented here could also serve as a platform to explore the quantum statistical properties of particles and fields, with practical applications in atomic and optical physics problems.Comment: 32 pages, Late

A general comparison theorem for 1-dimensional anticipated BSDEs

Anticipated backward stochastic differential equation (ABSDE) studied the first time in 2007 is a new type of stochastic differential equations. In this paper, we establish a general comparison theorem for 1-dimensional ABSDEs with the generators depending on the anticipated term of $Z$.Comment: 8 page

A proposed generalized constitutive equation for nonlinear para-isotropic materials

Finite element models of varying complexities were used to solve problems in solid mechanics. Particular emphasis was given to concrete which is nonisotropic at any level of deformation and is also nonlinear in terms of stress-strain relationships