Finite size scaling analysis of compact QED

We describe results of a high-statistics finite size scaling analysis of 4d compact U(1) lattice gauge theory with Wilson action at the phase transition point. Using a multicanonical hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm we generate data samples with more than 150 tunneling events between the metastable states of the system, on lattice sizes up to 18^4. We performed a first analysis within the Borgs-Kotecky finite size scaling scheme. As a result, we report evidence for a first-order phase transition with a plaquette energy gap, G=0.02667(20), at a transition coupling, beta_T=1.011128(11).Comment: Lattice 2000 (Topics in Gauge Theories),6 pages, 6 figures, LaTe

Ca2+-Mediated Interaction between Dextran Sulfate and Dimyristoyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphocholine Surfaces Studied by 2H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

AbstractThe binding of dextran sulfates (DSs) with varying chain lengths to phosphatidylcholine multilamellar vesicles was investigated as a function of polyelectrolyte, NaCl, and Ca2+ concentration. Attractive forces between negatively charged polyelectrolytes and zwitterionic phospholipids arise from the assembly of calcium bridges. The formation of calcium bridges between the sulfate groups on the dextran sulfate and the phosphate group of the lipid results in increased calcium binding in mixtures of DS and 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC). At high NaCl concentration, the plateau adsorption of DS 500 is increased. The strength of dextran sulfate binding to DMPC is reflected in the changes of the 2H NMR quadrupolar splittings of the headgroup methylenes. Association forces increase with the number of calcium bridges formed. Low-molecular-weight DS does not bind to DMPC surfaces whereas longer-chain DSs strongly influence headgroup structure as a result of strong association. DS binding increases with increasing concentration; however, further association of the polyelectrolyte can be promoted only if negative charges are sufficiently screened. DS binding to lipid bilayers is a complicated balance of calcium bridging and charge screening. From our data we postulate that the structure of the adsorbed layer resembles a lattice of DS strands sandwiched between the bilayer lamellae

Mining HCI Data for Theory of Mind Induction

Human-computer interaction (HCI) results in enormous amounts of data-bearing potentials for understanding a human user’s intentions, goals, and desires. Knowing what users want and need is a key to intelligent system assistance. The theory of mind concept known from studies in animal behavior is adopted and adapted for expressive user modeling. Theories of mind are hypothetical user models representing, to some extent, a human user’s thoughts. A theory of mind may even reveal tacit knowledge. In this way, user modeling becomes knowledge discovery going beyond the human’s knowledge and covering domain-specific insights. Theories of mind are induced by mining HCI data. Data mining turns out to be inductive modeling. Intelligent assistant systems inductively modeling a human user’s intentions, goals, and the like, as well as domain knowledge are, by nature, learning systems. To cope with the risk of getting it wrong, learning systems are equipped with the skill of reflection

Acoustic tomography as a method to characterize measuring sites

The method of acoustic tomography, based on external sonic energy, is applied inside the atmospheric surface layer to observe near-surface temperature fields. Important advantages of this technique as compared to other measurement methods are their remote-sensing capacity and the possibility to directly derivate area-averaged meteorological quantities. The needed input data for the tomographically inverse algorithm are provided by the interaction of sound waves with the scanned atmospheric layer. The resulting horizontal slices lead to statements on the inhomogeneity of the underlying surface which may result in noticeable difficulties during the analysis of measuring campaigns with conventional methods.Die auf der Aussendung von Schallenergie basierende Methode der akustischen Tomographie wird in der atmosphärischen Bodenschicht angewendet, um bodennahe Temperaturfelder zu beobachten. Bedeutende Vorteile dieses Verfahrens im Vergleich zu anderen Meßmethoden sind die Fernerkundungskapazität und die Möglichkeit, flächengemittelte Werte meteorologischer Größen direkt abzuleiten. Die für den tomographischen Invertierungsalgorithmus benötigten Eingangsdaten werden durch die Wechselwirkung von Schallwellen mit der durchstrahlten Luftschicht bereitgestellt. Die resultierenden horizontalen Schnittbilder führen zu Darstellungen der Inhomogenität der Oberfläche. Letztere können beachtliche Schwierigkeiten während der Analyse von Messkampagnen mit konventionellen Methoden hervorrufen

Acoustic tomography in the atmospheric surface layer

Die vorgestellte Methode der akustischen Tomographie (Simultane Iterative Rekonstruktionstechnik) und ein spezieller Auswertungsalgorithmus können flächengemittelte Werte meteorologischer Größen direkt bereitstellen. Somit werden zur Validierung numerischer mikroskaliger Atmosphärenmodelle weitgehend konsistente Daten geliefert. Das Verfahren verwendet die horizontale Ausbreitung von Schallstrahlen in der atmosphärischen Bodenschicht. Um einen allgemeinen Überblick zur Schallausbreitung unter verschiedenen atmosphärischen Bedingungen zu erhalten, wird ein zweidimensionales Schallausbreitungsmodell genutzt. Von Messungen der akustischen Laufzeit zwischen Sendern und Empfängern an verschiedenen Punkten in einem Meßfeld kann der Zustand der durchquerten Atmosphäre abgeschätzt werden. Die Ableitung flächengemittelter Werte für die Schallgeschwindigkeit und der daraus deduzierten Lufttemperatur resultiert aus der Inversion der Laufzeitwerte für alle möglichen Schallwege. Das angewandte zweidimensionale Tomographiemodell mit geradliniger Schallstrahlapproximation stellt dabei geringe Computeranforderungen und ist auch während des online-Betriebes einfach zu handhaben.The presented method of acoustic tomography (Simultaneous Iterative Reconstruction Technique) and a special algorithm of analysis can directly provide area averaged values of meteorological quantities. As a result rather consistent data will be delivered for validation of numerical atmospheric rnicro-scale models. The procedure uses the horizontal propagation of sound waves in the atmospheric surface layer. To obtain a general overview of the sound propagation under various atmospheric conditions a two-dimensional ray-tracing model is used. The state of the crossed atmosphere can be estimated from measurements of acoustic travel time between sources and receivers on different points in an tomographic array. Derivation of area averaged values of the sound speed and furthermore of air temperature results from the inversion of travel time values for all possible acoustic paths. Thereby, the applied straight-ray two-dimensional tomographic model is characterised as a method with small computational requirements and simple handling, especially, during online working