The Bargmann representation for the quantum mechanics on a sphere

The Bargmann representation is constructed corresponding to the coherent states for a particle on a sphere introduced in: K. Kowalski and J. Rembielinski, J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 33, 6035 (2000). The connection is discussed between the introduced formalism and the standard approach based on the Hilbert space of square integrable functions on a sphere S^2.Comment: LaTe

On the uncertainty relations and squeezed states for the quantum mechanics on a circle

The uncertainty relations for the position and momentum of a quantum particle on a circle are identified minimized by the corresponding coherent states. The sqeezed states in the case of the circular motion are introduced and discussed in the context of the uncertainty relations.Comment: 4 figure

Near-UV absorption in very cool DA white dwarfs

The atmospheres of very cool, hydrogen-rich white dwarfs (Teff <6000 K) are challenging to models because of the increased complexity of the equation of state, chemical equilibrium, and opacity sources in a low-temperature, weakly ionized dense gas. In particular, many models that assume relatively simple models for the broadening of atomic levels and mostly ideal gas physics overestimate the flux in the blue part of their spectra. A solution to this problem that has met with some success is that additional opacity at short wavelengths comes for the extreme broadening of the Lyman alpha line of atomic H by collisions primarily with H2. For the purpose of validating this model more rigorously, we acquired Hubble Space Telescope STIS spectra of 8 very cool white dwarfs (5 DA and 3 DC stars). Combined with their known parallaxes, BVRIJHK and Spitzer IRAC photometry, we analyze their entire spectral energy distribution (from 0.24 to 9.3 micron) with a large grid of model atmospheres and synthetic spectra. We find that the red wing of the Lyman alpha line reproduces the rapidly decreasing near-UV flux of these very cool stars very well. We determine better constrained values of Teff and gravity as well as upper limits to the helium abundance in their atmospheres.Comment: 41 pages, 9 figures. Accepted for publication in the Ap

Breaking and restoring of diffeomorphism symmetry in discrete gravity

We discuss the fate of diffeomorphism symmetry in discrete gravity. Diffeomorphism symmetry is typically broken by the discretization. This has repercussions for the observable content and the canonical formulation of the theory. It might however be possible to construct discrete actions, so--called perfect actions, with exact symmetries and we will review first steps towards this end.Comment: to appear in the Proceedings of the XXV Max Born Symposium "The Planck Scale", Wroclaw, 29 June - 3 July, 200

Bagchi's Theorem for families of automorphic forms

We prove a version of Bagchi's Theorem and of Voronin's Universality Theorem for family of primitive cusp forms of weight $2$ and prime level, and discuss under which conditions the argument will apply to general reasonable family of automorphic $L$-functions.Comment: 15 page

A novel comparison of Møller and Compton electron-beam polarimeters

We have performed a novel comparison between electron-beam polarimeters based on Møller and Compton scattering. A sequence of electron-beam polarization measurements were performed at low beam currents (< 5μA) during the Q[subscript weak] experiment in Hall-C at Jefferson Lab. These low current measurements were bracketed by the regular high current (180 μA) operation of the Compton polarimeter. All measurements were found to be consistent within experimental uncertainties of 1% or less, demonstrating that electron polarization does not depend significantly on the beam current. This result lends confidence to the common practice of applying Møller measurements made at low beam currents to physics experiments performed at higher beam currents. The agreement between two polarimetry techniques based on independent physical processes sets an important benchmark for future precision asymmetry measurements that require sub-1% precision in polarimetry. Keywords: Electron polarimetry, Compton polarimeter, Møller polarimeter, Jefferson LabUnited States. Department of Energy (Contract AC05-06OR23177)Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canad

Bubble statistics and positioning in superhelically stressed DNA

We present a general framework to study the thermodynamic denaturation of double-stranded DNA under superhelical stress. We report calculations of position- and size-dependent opening probabilities for bubbles along the sequence. Our results are obtained from transfer-matrix solutions of the Zimm-Bragg model for unconstrained DNA and of a self-consistent linearization of the Benham model for superhelical DNA. The numerical efficiency of our method allows for the analysis of entire genomes and of random sequences of corresponding length ($10^6-10^9$ base pairs). We show that, at physiological conditions, opening in superhelical DNA is strongly cooperative with average bubble sizes of $10^2-10^3$ base pairs (bp), and orders of magnitude higher than in unconstrained DNA. In heterogeneous sequences, the average degree of base-pair opening is self-averaging, while bubble localization and statistics are dominated by sequence disorder. Compared to random sequences with identical GC-content, genomic DNA has a significantly increased probability to open large bubbles under superhelical stress. These bubbles are frequently located directly upstream of transcription start sites.Comment: to be appeared in Physical Review

Health Reform, Health Insurance, and Selection: Estimating Selection into Health Insurance Using the Massachusetts Health Reform

We implement an empirical test for selection into health insurance using changes in coverage induced by the introduction of mandated health insurance in Massachusetts. Our test examines changes in the cost of the newly insured relative to those who were insured prior to the reform. We find that counties with larger increases in insurance coverage over the reform period face the smallest increase in average hospital costs for the insured population, consistent with adverse selection into insurance before the reform. Additional results, incorporating cross-state variation and data on health measures, provide further evidence for adverse selection.