187 research outputs found
Graded Majorana spinors
In many mathematical and physical contexts spinors are treated as Grassmann
odd valued fields. We show that it is possible to extend the classification of
reality conditions on such spinors by a new type of Majorana condition. In
order to define this graded Majorana condition we make use of
pseudo-conjugation, a rather unfamiliar extension of complex conjugation to
supernumbers. Like the symplectic Majorana condition, the graded Majorana
condition may be imposed, for example, in spacetimes in which the standard
Majorana condition is inconsistent. However, in contrast to the symplectic
condition, which requires duplicating the number of spinor fields, the graded
condition can be imposed on a single Dirac spinor. We illustrate how graded
Majorana spinors can be applied to supersymmetry by constructing a globally
supersymmetric field theory in three-dimensional Euclidean space, an example of
a spacetime where standard Majorana spinors do not exist.Comment: 16 pages, version to appear in J. Phys. A; AFK previously published
under the name A. F. Schunc
Schur Q-functions and degeneracy locus formulas for morphisms with symmetries
We give closed-form formulas for the fundamental classes of degeneracy loci
associated with vector bundle maps given locally by (not necessary square)
matrices which are symmetric (resp. skew-symmetric) w.r.t. the main diagonal.
Our description uses essentially Schur Q-polynomials of a bundle, and is based
on a certain push-forward formula for these polynomials in a Grassmann bundle.Comment: 22 pages, AMSTEX, misprints corrected, exposition improved. to appear
in the Proceedings of Intersection Theory Conference in Bologna, "Progress in
Mathematics", Birkhause
Regularization as quantization in reducible representations of CCR
A covariant quantization scheme employing reducible representations of
canonical commutation relations with positive-definite metric and Hermitian
four-potentials is tested on the example of quantum electrodynamic fields
produced by a classical current. The scheme implies a modified but very
physically looking Hamiltonian. We solve Heisenberg equations of motion and
compute photon statistics. Poisson statistics naturally occurs and no infrared
divergence is found even for pointlike sources. Classical fields produced by
classical sources can be obtained if one computes coherent-state averages of
Heisenberg-picture operators. It is shown that the new form of representation
automatically smears out pointlike currents. We discuss in detail Poincar\'e
covariance of the theory and the role of Bogoliubov transformations for the
issue of gauge invariance. The representation we employ is parametrized by a
number that is related to R\'enyi's . It is shown that the ``Shannon
limit" plays here a role of correspondence principle with the
standard regularized formalism.Comment: minor extensions, version submitted for publicatio
Continuous non-perturbative regularization of QED
We regularize in a continuous manner the path integral of QED by construction
of a non-local version of its action by means of a regularized form of Dirac's
functions. Since the action and the measure are both invariant under
the gauge group, this regularization scheme is intrinsically non-perturbative.
Despite the fact that the non-local action converges formally to the local one
as the cutoff goes to infinity, the regularized theory keeps trace of the
non-locality through the appearance of a quadratic divergence in the transverse
part of the polarization operator. This term which is uniquely defined by the
choice of the cutoff functions can be removed by a redefinition of the
regularized action. We notice that as for chiral fermions on the lattice, there
is an obstruction to construct a continuous and non ambiguous regularization in
four dimensions. With the help of the regularized equations of motion, we
calculate the one particle irreducible functions which are known to be
divergent by naive power counting at the one loop order.Comment: 23 pages, LaTeX, 5 Encapsulated Postscript figures. Improved and
revised version, to appear in Phys. Rev.
A generative-oriented model-driven design environment for customizable video surveillance systems
To tackle the growing complexity and huge demand for tailored domestic video surveillance systems along with a high demanding time-to-market expectation, engineers at IVV Automação, LDAa are exploiting video surveillance domain as families of systems that can be developed following a pay-as-you-go fashion rather than developing an ex-nihilo new product. Several and different new functionalities are required for each new product’s hardware platforms (e.g., ranging from mobile phone, PDA to desktop PC) and operating systems (e.g., flavors of Linux, Windows and MAC OS X). Some of these functionalities have special economical constraints of development time and memory footprint. To better accommodate all the above listing requirements, a model-driven generative software development paradigm supported by mainstream tools is proposed to offer a significant leverage in hiding commonalities and configuring variabilities across families of video surveillance products while maintaining the new product quality.This work was funded through the Competitive Factors Operational Program COMPETE and through national funds though the Science and Technology Foundation - FCT, within the project: FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-022674. This work was developed in cooperation with IVV Automation; all support and means provided by the company is acknowledged
Matrilineal diversity and population history of Norwegians
Background
While well known for its Viking past, Norway's population history and the influences that have shaped its genetic diversity are less well understood. This is particularly true with respect to its demography, migration patterns, and dialectal regions, despite there being curated historical records for the past several centuries. In this study, we undertook an analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity within the country to elaborate this history from a matrilineal genetic perspective.
Methods
We aggregated 1174 partial modern Norwegian mtDNA sequences from the published literature and subjected them to detailed statistical and phylogenetic analysis by dialectal regions and localities. We further contextualized the matrilineal ancestry of modern Norwegians with data from Mesolithic, Iron Age, and historic period populations.
Results
Modern Norwegian mtDNAs fell into eight West Eurasian (N, HV, JT, I, U, K, X, W), five East Eurasian (A, F, G, N11, Z), and one African (L2) haplogroups. Pairwise analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) estimates for all Norwegians indicated they were differentiated from each other at 1.68% (p < 0.001). Norwegians within the same dialectal region also showed genetic similarities to each other, although differences between subpopulations within dialectal regions were also observed. In addition, certain mtDNA lineages in modern Norwegians were also found among prehistoric and historic period populations, suggesting some level of genetic continuity over hundreds to many thousands of years.
Conclusions
This analysis of mtDNA diversity provides a detailed picture of the genetic variation within Norway in light of its topography, settlement history, and historical migrations over the past several centuries.publishedVersio
A Functional Integral Equation for the Complete Effective Action in Quantum Field Theory
Based on a methodological analysis of the effective action approach certain
conceptual foundations of quantum field theory are reconsidered to establish a
quest for an equation for the effective action. Relying on the functional
integral formulation of Lagrangian quantum field theory a functional integral
equation for the complete effective action is proposed which can be understood
as a certain fixed point condition. This is motivated by a critical attitude
towards the distinction artificial from an experimental point of view between
classical and effective action. While for free field theories nothing new is
accomplished, for interacting theories the concept differs from the established
paradigm. The analysis of this new concept is concentrated on gauge field
theories treating QED as the prototype model. An approximative approach to the
functional integral equation for the complete effective action of QED is
exploited to obtain certain nonperturbative information about the quadratic
kernels of the action. As particular application the approximative calculation
of the QED coupling constant is explicitly studied. It is understood
as one of the characteristics of a fixed point given as a solution of the
functional integral equation proposed. Finally, within the present approach the
vacuum energy problem is considered and possible implications on the induced
gravity concept are contemplated.Comment: 88 pages, LATEX, 9 figures (not included, available from the author
upon request via conventional mail), University of Leipzig preprint NTZ
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Cytogenetic and Molecular Predictors of Outcome in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia: Recent Developments
During the last decade a tremendous technologic progress based on genome-wide profiling of genetic aberrations, structural DNA alterations, and sequence variations has allowed a better understanding of the molecular basis of pediatric and adult B/T- acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), contributing to a better recognition of the biological heterogeneity of ALL and to a more precise definition of risk factors. Importantly, these advances identified novel potential targets for therapeutic intervention. This review will be focused on the cytogenetic/molecular advances in pediatric and adult ALL based on recently published articles
Transient Responses to NOTCH and TLX1/HOX11 Inhibition in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma
To improve the treatment strategies of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL), further efforts are needed to identify therapeutic targets. Dysregulated expression of HOX-type transcription factors occurs in 30–40% of cases of T-ALL. TLX1/HOX11 is the prototypical HOX-type transcription factor. TLX1 may be an attractive therapeutic target because mice that are deficient in TLX1 are healthy. To test this possibility, we developed a conditional doxycycline-regulated mouse model of TLX1-initiated T-ALL. TLX1 induced T-ALL after ∼5–7 months with penetrance of 15–60%. Similar to human TLX1-type T-ALLs, the TLX1-induced tumors were arrested at the cortical stage of T-cell development and acquired activating NOTCH1 mutations. Inhibition of NOTCH signaling abrogated growth of cell lines derived from the TLX1-induced tumors. NOTCH inhibition also transiently delayed leukemia progression in vivo. Suppression of TLX1 expression slowed the growth of TLX1 tumor cell lines. Suppression of TLX1 in vivo also transiently delayed leukemia progression. We have shown that TLX1 functions as a T-cell oncogene that is active during both the induction and the maintenance phases of leukemia. However, the effect of suppressing NOTCH or TLX1 was transient. The tumors eventually “escaped” from inhibition. These data imply that the biological pathways and gene sets impacted by TLX1 and NOTCH have largely lost their importance in the fully established tumor. They have been supplanted by stronger oncogenic pathways. Although TLX1 or NOTCH inhibitors may not be effective as single agents, they may still contribute to combination therapy for TLX1-driven acute leukemia
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