3,536 research outputs found
On the existence and convergence of polyhomogeneous expansions of zero-rest-mass fields
The convergence of polyhomogeneous expansions of zero-rest-mass fields in
asymptotically flat spacetimes is discussed. An existence proof for the
asymptotic characteristic initial value problem for a zero-rest-mass field with
polyhomogeneous initial data is given. It is shown how this non-regular problem
can be properly recast as a set of regular initial value problems for some
auxiliary fields. The standard techniques of symmetric hyperbolic systems can
be applied to these new auxiliary problems, thus yielding a positive answer to
the question of existence in the original problem.Comment: 10 pages, 1 eps figur
Combinatorial optimization model for railway engine assignment problem
This paper presents an experimental study for the Hungarian State Railway Company (M\'AV). The engine assignment problem was solved at M\'AV by their experts without using any explicit operations research tool. Furthermore, the operations research model was not known at the company. The goal of our project was to introduce and solve an operations research model for the engine assignment problem on real data sets. For the engine assignment problem we are using a combinatorial optimization model. At this stage of research the single type train that is pulled by a single type engine is modeled and solved for real data. There are two regions in Hungary where the methodology described in this paper can be used and M\'AV started to use it regularly. There is a need to generalize the model for multiple type trains and multiple type engines
Can one detect a non-smooth null infinity?
It is shown that the precession of a gyroscope can be used to elucidate the
nature of the smoothness of the null infinity of an asymptotically flat
spacetime (describing an isolated body). A model for which the effects of
precession in the non-smooth null infinity case are of order is
proposed. By contrast, in the smooth version the effects are of order .
This difference should provide an effective criterion to decide on the nature
of the smoothness of null infinity.Comment: 6 pages, to appear in Class. Quantum Gra
Polyhomogeneity and zero-rest-mass fields with applications to Newman-Penrose constants
A discussion of polyhomogeneity (asymptotic expansions in terms of and
) for zero-rest-mass fields and gravity and its relation with the
Newman-Penrose (NP) constants is given. It is shown that for spin-
zero-rest-mass fields propagating on Minkowski spacetime, the logarithmic terms
in the asymptotic expansion appear naturally if the field does not obey the
``Peeling theorem''. The terms that give rise to the slower fall-off admit a
natural interpretation in terms of advanced field. The connection between such
fields and the NP constants is also discussed. The case when the background
spacetime is curved and polyhomogeneous (in general) is considered. The free
fields have to be polyhomogeneous, but the logarithmic terms due to the
connection appear at higher powers of . In the case of gravity, it is
shown that it is possible to define a new auxiliary field, regular at null
infinity, and containing some relevant information on the asymptotic behaviour
of the spacetime. This auxiliary zero-rest-mass field ``evaluated at future
infinity ()'' yields the logarithmic NP constants.Comment: 19 page
Context dependent differences in working memory related brain activity in heavy cannabis users
Rationale Compromised cognitive control in cannabis use–tempting situations is thought to play a key role in the development of cannabis use disorders. However, little is known about how exposure to cannabis cues and contexts may influence cognitive control and the underlying neural mechanisms in cannabis users. Objectives Working memory (WM) is an attention reliant executive function central to cognitive control. In this study, we investigated how distracting cannabis words affected WM load–dependent performance and related brain activity in near-daily cannabis users (N = 36) relative to controls (N = 33). Methods Brain activity was recorded during a novel N-back flanker WM task with neutral and cannabis flankers added as task-irrelevant distractors. Results On a behavioural level, WM performance did not differ between groups, and the presence of cannabis flankers did not affect performance. However, in cannabis users compared to controls, the presence of cannabis flankers reduced WM load–related activity in multiple regions, including the insula, thalamus, superior parietal lobe and supramarginal gyrus. Conclusions The group specificity of these effects suggest that cannabis users might differ from controls in the way they process cannabis-related cues and that cannabis cue exposure could interfere with other cognitive processes under cognitively demanding circumstances. Future studies should focus on the role of context in cognitive control–related processes like WM and attention to further elucidate potential cognitive impairments in heavy cannabis users and how these relate to loss of control over drug seeking itself
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