Renormalized Path Integral in Quantum Mechanics

We obtain direct, finite, descriptions of a renormalized quantum mechanical system with no reference to ultraviolet cutoffs and running coupling constants, in both the Hamiltonian and path integral pictures. The path integral description requires a modification to the Wiener measure on continuous paths that describes an unusual diffusion process wherein colliding particles occasionally stick together for a random interval of time before going their separate ways.Comment: 13 pgs, plain TEX fil

Solitons in a Bilocal Field Theory

We obtain a bilocal classical field theory as the large $N$ limit of the chiral Gross--Neveu (or non--abelian Thirring) model. Exact classical solutions that describe topological solitons are obtained. It is shown that their mass spectrum agrees with the large $N$ limit of the spectrum of the chiral Gross--Neveu model.Comment: Tex, 18 pages, no figure

Renormalized Contact Potential in Two Dimensions

We obtain for the attractive Dirac delta-function potential in two-dimensional quantum mechanics a renormalized formulation that avoids reference to a cutoff and running coupling constant. Dimensional transmutation is carried out before attempting to solve the system, and leads to an interesting eigenvalue problem in N-2 degrees of freedom (in the center of momentum frame) when there are N particles. The effective Hamiltonian for N-2 particles has a nonlocal attractive interaction, and the Schrodinger equation becomes an eigenvalue problem for the logarithm of this Hamiltonian. The 3-body case is examined in detail, and in this case a variational estimate of the ground-state energy is given.Comment: Plain Te

Design of a piezoelectric shaker for centrifuge testing

The design of a prototype piezoelectric shaker and its development to date is described. Although certain design problems remain to be solved, the piezoelectric system shows promise for adaptation to a larger payload system, such as the proposed geotechnical centrifuge at the Ames Research Center

Impaired ATP synthase assembly associated with a mutation in the human ATP synthase subunit 6 gene

Mutations in human mitochondrial DNA are a well recognized cause of disease. A mutation at nucleotide position 8993 of human mitochondrial DNA, located within the gene for ATP synthase subunit 6, is associated with the neurological muscle weakness, ataxia, and retinitis pigmentosa (NARP) syndrome. To enable analysis of this mutation in control nuclear backgrounds, two different cell lines were transformed with mitochondria carrying NARP mutant mitochondrial DNA. Transformant cell lines had decreased ATP synthesis capacity, and many also had abnormally high levels of two ATP synthase sub-complexes, one of which was F1-ATPase. A combination of metabolic labeling and immunoblotting experiments indicated that assembly of ATP synthase was slowed and that the assembled holoenzyme was unstable in cells carrying NARP mutant mitochondrial DNA compared with control cells. These findings indicate that altered assembly and stability of ATP synthase are underlying molecular defects associated with the NARP mutation in subunit 6 of ATP synthase, yet intrinsic enzyme activity is also compromised

Religiosity and music copyright theft among Canadian Baptist youth

This study examines the views of 706 Canadian Baptist youth (between the ages of 14 and 18 years) on the moral issue of music copyright theft, and explores the influence on these views of age, sex, Sunday church attendance, personal prayer, personal Bible reading, and conservative Bible believing. The participants were attending Springforth 2005 (a major Canadian Baptist Youth Conference). The data demonstrate a high level of acceptance of music copyright theft, with only 26% of the participants agreeing that downloading copyright music from the Internet without paying is always wrong. Employing multiple regression modelling, the data demonstrated that, as Canadian Baptist youth mature (grew older), as they became more familiar with Bible teaching (through frequent reading of the scriptures), and as they became more integrated within the community of faith (through frequent Sunday church attendance), so they take a tougher line against music copyright theft

Fabrication of Nano-Gapped Single-Electron Transistors for Transport Studies of Individual Single-Molecule Magnets

Three terminal single-electron transistor devices utilizing Al/Al2O3 gate electrodes were developed for the study of electron transport through individual single-molecule magnets. The devices were patterned via multiple layers of optical and electron beam lithography. Electromigration induced breaking of the nanowires reliably produces 1-3 nm gaps between which the SMM can be situated. Conductance through a single Mn12(3-thiophenecarboxylate) displays the coulomb blockade effect with several excitations within +/- 40 meV.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

Determination of scattering functions and their effects on remote sensing of turbidity in natural waters

The development of quantitative analytical procedures for relating scattered signals, measured by a remote sensor, was considered. The applications of a Monte Carlo simulation model for radiative transfer in turbid water are discussed. The model is designed to calculate the characteristics of the backscattered signal from an illuminated body of water as a function of the turbidity level, and the spectral properties of the suspended particulates. The optical properties of the environmental waters, necessary for model applications, were derived from available experimental data and/or calculated from Mie formalism. Results of applications of the model are presented