2,452 research outputs found
Exploring General Gauge Mediation
We explore various aspects of General Gauge Mediation(GGM). We present a
reformulation of the correlation functions used in GGM, and further elucidate
their IR and UV properties. Additionally we clarify the issue of UV sensitivity
in the calculation of the soft masses in the MSSM, highlighting the role of the
supertrace over the messenger spectrum. Finally, we present weakly coupled
messenger models which fully cover the parameter space of GGM. These examples
demonstrate that the full parameter space of GGM is physical and realizable.
Thus it should be considered a valid basis for future phenomenological
explorations of gauge mediation.Comment: 27 pages, minor changes, typos fixed in appendix
Continuous-distribution puddle model for conduction in trilayer graphene
An insulator-to-metal transition is observed in trilayer graphene based on
the temperature dependence of the resistance under different applied gate
voltages. At small gate voltages the resistance decreases with increasing
temperature due to the increase in carrier concentration resulting from thermal
excitation of electron-hole pairs. At large gate voltages excitation of
electron-hole pairs is suppressed, and the resistance increases with increasing
temperature because of the enhanced electron-phonon scattering. We find that
the simple model with overlapping conduction and valence bands, each with
quadratic dispersion relations, is unsatisfactory. Instead, we conclude that
impurities in the substrate that create local puddles of higher electron or
hole densities are responsible for the residual conductivity at low
temperatures. The best fit is obtained using a continuous distribution of
puddles. From the fit the average of the electron and hole effective masses can
be determined.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figure
Thermal shape fluctuation effects in the description of hot nuclei
The behavior of several nuclear properties with temperature is analyzed
within the framework of the Finite Temperature Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (FTHFB)
theory with the Gogny force and large configuration spaces. Thermal shape
fluctuations in the quadrupole degree of freedom, around the mean field
solution, are taken into account with the Landau prescription. As
representative examples the nuclei Er, Dy and Hg are
studied. Numerical results for the superfluid to normal and deformed to
spherical shape transitions are presented. We found a substantial effect of the
fluctuations on the average value of several observables. In particular, we get
a decrease in the critical temperature () for the shape transition as
compared with the plain FTHFB prediction as well as a washing out of the shape
transition signatures. The new values of are closer to the ones found in
Strutinsky calculations and with the Pairing Plus Quadrupole model Hamiltonian.Comment: 17 pages, 8 Figure
DEVELOPMENT OF A SCADA SYSTEM FOR ACCESS, PROCESSING AND SUPERVISION OF DATA COMING FROM A WIRELESS SENSORS NETWORK IN AGRO-ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS
Wireless sensors networks appeared in the 1970’s for military and
industrial use. They have since undergone a major evolution, particularly since the 90’s,
thanks to the improvements in wireless communications. These changes have allowed
them to participate in a wide variety of applications in different sectors such as
agriculture and environment. This paper shows the development of a SCADA application
programmed with LabVIEW® 8.6 (National Instruments), which allows management of
data received by wireless sensors networks through a friendly interface for users. For the
application shown in this paper we have worked with a MEP 510 sensors network
(Crossbow). The functionalities implemented are the following: Network configuration;
Data storage into database; Statistical processing of historical data with polynomial
adjustment and spline interpolation; Visualization by data graphics in real time and
historical data; Visualization of 2D intensity diagrams from the spatial distribution of
sensors; and Creation of a users registry system that allows, depending on the category
assigned, receiving or not access privileges in the application. As a complement we have
developed the possibility of remote access. Sensors network implemented and the
applications developed have been checked by operational tests for each functionality, as
well as sensors joining and leaving the network situations, range of variables and working
modes. The results obtained show the robustness of the SCADA application and the
limitations of wireless sensors networks operating on field conditions
Double percolation effects and fractal behavior in magnetic/superconducting hybrids
Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy ferromagnetic/superconducting (FM/SC) bilayers with a labyrinth domain structure are used to study nucleation of superconductivity on a fractal network, tunable through magnetic history. As clusters of reversed domains appear in the FM layer, the SC film shows a percolative behavior that depends on two independent processes: the arrangement of initial reversed domains and the fractal geometry of expanding clusters. For a full labyrinth structure, the behavior of the upper critical field is typical of confined superconductivity on a fractal network
Genetic susceptibility loci for cardiovascular disease and their impact on atherosclerotic plaques
Background:
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease in part caused by lipid uptake in the vascular wall, but the exact underlying mechanisms leading to acute myocardial infarction and stroke remain poorly understood. Large consortia identified genetic susceptibility loci that associate with large artery ischemic stroke and coronary artery disease. However, deciphering their underlying mechanisms are challenging. Histological studies identified destabilizing characteristics in human atherosclerotic plaques that associate with clinical outcome. To what extent established susceptibility loci for large artery ischemic stroke and coronary artery disease relate to plaque characteristics is thus far unknown but may point to novel mechanisms.
Methods:
We studied the associations of 61 established cardiovascular risk loci with 7 histological plaque characteristics assessed in 1443 carotid plaque specimens from the Athero-Express Biobank Study. We also assessed if the genotyped cardiovascular risk loci impact the tissue-specific gene expression in 2 independent biobanks, Biobank of Karolinska Endarterectomy and Stockholm Atherosclerosis Gene Expression.
Results:
A total of 21 established risk variants (out of 61) nominally associated to a plaque characteristic. One variant (rs12539895, risk allele A) at 7q22 associated to a reduction of intraplaque fat, P=5.09×10−6 after correction for multiple testing. We further characterized this 7q22 Locus and show tissue-specific effects of rs12539895 on HBP1 expression in plaques and COG5 expression in whole blood and provide data from public resources showing an association with decreased LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and increase HDL (high-density lipoprotein) in the blood.
Conclusions:
Our study supports the view that cardiovascular susceptibility loci may exert their effect by influencing the atherosclerotic plaque characteristics
Leading strategies in competitive on-line prediction
We start from a simple asymptotic result for the problem of on-line
regression with the quadratic loss function: the class of continuous
limited-memory prediction strategies admits a "leading prediction strategy",
which not only asymptotically performs at least as well as any continuous
limited-memory strategy but also satisfies the property that the excess loss of
any continuous limited-memory strategy is determined by how closely it imitates
the leading strategy. More specifically, for any class of prediction strategies
constituting a reproducing kernel Hilbert space we construct a leading
strategy, in the sense that the loss of any prediction strategy whose norm is
not too large is determined by how closely it imitates the leading strategy.
This result is extended to the loss functions given by Bregman divergences and
by strictly proper scoring rules.Comment: 20 pages; a conference version is to appear in the ALT'2006
proceeding
Organic residue analysis of Egyptian votive mummies and their research potential
YesVast numbers of votive mummies were produced in Egypt during the Late Pharaonic, Ptolemaic, and Roman
periods. Although millions remain in situ, many were removed and have ultimately entered museum
collections around the world. There they have often languished as uncomfortable reminders of antiquarian
practices with little information available to enhance their value as artefacts worthy of conservation or
display. A multi-disciplinary research project, based at the University of Manchester, is currently
redressing these issues. One recent aspect of this work has been the characterization of natural products
employed in the mummification of votive bundles. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and the
well-established biomarker approach, analysis of 24 samples from 17 mummy bundles has demonstrated
the presence of oils/fats, natural waxes, petroleum products, resinous exudates, and essential oils. These
results confirm the range of organic materials employed in embalming and augment our understanding of
the treatment of votives. In this first systematic initiative of its kind, initial findings point to possible trends in
body treatment practices in relation to chronology, geography, and changes in ideology which will be
investigated as the study progresses. Detailed knowledge of the substances used on individual bundles
has also served to enhance their value as display items and aid in their conservation.RCB is supported by a PhD studentship from the Art and Humanities Research Council (43019R00209). L.M. and S.A.W. are supported by a Leverhulme Trust Research Project Award (RPG-2013-143)
- …