Restricted random walk model as a new testing ground for the applicability of q-statistics

We present exact results obtained from Master Equations for the probability function P(y,T) of sums $y=\sum_{t=1}^T x_t$ of the positions x_t of a discrete random walker restricted to the set of integers between -L and L. We study the asymptotic properties for large values of L and T. For a set of position dependent transition probabilities the functional form of P(y,T) is with very high precision represented by q-Gaussians when T assumes a certain value $T^*\propto L^2$. The domain of y values for which the q-Gaussian apply diverges with L. The fit to a q-Gaussian remains of very high quality even when the exponent $a$ of the transition probability g(x)=|x/L|^a+p with 0<p<<1 is different from 1, all though weak, but essential, deviation from the q-Gaussian does occur for $a\neq1$. To assess the role of correlations we compare the T dependence of P(y,T) for the restricted random walker case with the equivalent dependence for a sum y of uncorrelated variables x each distributed according to 1/g(x).Comment: 5 pages, 7 figs, EPL (2011), in pres

Scientific discovery and its role in sports science

Scientific discovery is about a search for the Truth, for the consistent and predictable in how the universe works. Using a particular method of inquiry, the scientific method, and with acknowledgement of the inherently self-correcting nature of science, scientific inquiry moves forward incrementally to ever closer approximations of the Truth. This paper reviews the history of scientific inquiry, the methodology of the scientific method, including the necessity for hypothesis testing and development of the probability that a particular answer is a closer approximation of the Truth than previous answers have been. It also discusses some of the pitfalls of scientific inquiry, and areas in which the search for Truth may be corrupted

PGB pair production at LHC and ILC as a probe of the topcolor-assisted technicolor models

The topcolor-assisted technicolor (TC2) model predicts some light pseudo goldstone bosons (PGBs), which may be accessible at the LHC or ILC. In this work we study the pair productions of the charged or neutral PGBs at the LHC and ILC. For the productions at the LHC we consider the processes proceeding through gluon-gluon fusion and quark-antiquark annihilation, while for the productions at the ILC we consider both the electron-positron collision and the photon-photon collision. We find that in a large part of parameter space the production cross sections at both colliders can be quite large compared with the low standard model backgrounds. Therefore, in future experiments these productions may be detectable and allow for probing TC2 model.Comment: 26 pages, 16 figures. slight changes in the text; notations for curves changed; references adde

The AGNIFS survey: spatially resolved observations of hot molecular and ionised outflows in nearby active galaxies

We present the hot molecular and warm ionised gas kinematics for 33 nearby ($0.001\lesssim z\lesssim0.056$) X-ray selected active galaxies using the H$_2 2.1218 \mu$m and Br$\gamma$ emission lines observed in the K-band with the Gemini Near-Infrared Field Spectrograph (NIFS). The observations cover the inner 0.04$-$2 kpc of each AGN at spatial resolutions of 4$-$250 pc with a velocity resolution of $\sigma_{\rm inst}\approx$20 ${\rm km s^{-1}}$. We find that 31 objects (94 per cent) present a kinematically disturbed region (KDR) seen in ionised gas, while such regions are observed in hot molecular gas for 25 galaxies (76 per cent). We interpret the KDR as being due to outflows with masses of 10$^2-$10$^7$ M$_\odot$ and 10$^0-$10$^4$ M$_\odot$ for the ionised and hot molecular gas, respectively. The ranges of mass-outflow rates ($\dot{M}_{\rm out}$) and kinetic power ($\dot{E}_{\rm K}$) of the outflows are 10$^{-3}-$10$^{1}$ M$_\odot$yr$^{-1}$ and $\sim$10$^{37}$$-$10$^{43}$ erg s$^{-1}$ for the ionised gas outflows, and 10$^{-5}$$-$10$^{-2}$ M$_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$ and 10$^{35}$$-$10$^{39}$ erg s$^{-1}$ for the hot molecular gas outflows. The median coupling efficiency in our sample is $\dot{E}_{K}/L_{\rm bol}\approx1.8\times10^{-3}$ and the estimated momentum fluxes of the outflows suggest they are produced by radiation-pressure in low-density environment, with possible contribution from shocks.Comment: 37 pages, published in MNRAS - A few typos in the text and in the label of Fg 1 were corrected in this versio

The AGNIFS survey : distribution and excitation of the hot molecular and ionized gas in the inner kpc of nearby AGN hosts

We use the Gemini NIFS instrument to map the H22.1218μm and Brγ flux distributions in the inner 0.04–2 kpc of a sample of 36 nearby active galaxies (0.001 ≲ z ≲ 0.056) at spatial resolutions from 4 to 250 pc. We find extended emission in 34 galaxies. In ∼55 per cent of them, the emission in both lines is most extended along the galaxy major axis, while in the other 45 per cent the extent follows a distinct orientation. The emission of H2 is less concentrated than that of Brγ, presenting a radius that contains half of the flux 60 per cent greater, on average. The H2 emission is driven by thermal processes – X-ray heating and shocks – at most locations for all galaxies, where 0.4 6 (seen in 40 per cent of the galaxies), shocks are the main H2 excitation mechanism, while in regions with H2/Brγ < 0.4 (25 per cent of the sample) the H2 emission is produced by fluorescence. The only difference we found between type 1 and type 2 active galactic nucleus (AGN) was in the nuclear emission-line equivalent widths that are smaller in type 1 than in type 2 due to a larger contribution to the continuum from the hot dusty torus in the former. The gas masses in the inner 125 pc radius are in the range 101−104 M⊙ for the hot H2 and 103−106 M⊙ for the ionized gas and would be enough to power the AGN in our sample for 105−108 yr at their current accretion rates

Prospective of the Application of Ultrasounds in Archaeology

[EN] This paper presents a prospective analysis of non destructive testing (NDT) based on ultrasounds in the field of archaeology applications. Classical applications of ultrasounds techniques are reviewed, including ocean exploration to detect wrecks, imaging of archaeological sites, and cleaning archaeological objects. The potential of prospective applications is discussed from the perspective of signal processing, with emphasis on the area of linear time variant models. Thus, the use of ultrasound NDT is proposed for new ceramic cataloguing and restoration methods.This work has been supported by the Generalitat Valenciana under grant PROMETEO/2010/040, and the Spanish Administration and the FEDER Programme of the European Union under grant TEC2011-23403 01/01/2012.Salazar Afanador, A.; Rodriguez Martinez, A.; Safont Armero, G.; Vergara Domínguez, L. (2012). Prospective of the Application of Ultrasounds in Archaeology. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. 42:1-5. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/42/1/012010S154

Investigating the peculiar emission from the new VHE gamma-ray source H1722+119

The MAGIC (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov) telescopes observed the BL Lac object H1722+119 (redshift unknown) for six consecutive nights between 2013 May 17 and 22, for a total of 12.5 h. The observations were triggered by high activity in the optical band measured by the KVA (Kungliga Vetenskapsakademien) telescope. The source was for the first time detected in the very high energy (VHE, $E > 100$ GeV) $\gamma$-ray band with a statistical significance of 5.9 $\sigma$. The integral flux above 150 GeV is estimated to be $(2.0\pm 0.5)$ per cent of the Crab Nebula flux. We used contemporaneous high energy (HE, 100 MeV $< E < 100$ GeV) $\gamma$-ray observations from Fermi-LAT (Large Area Telescope) to estimate the redshift of the source. Within the framework of the current extragalactic background light models, we estimate the redshift to be $z = 0.34 \pm 0.15$. Additionally, we used contemporaneous X-ray to radio data collected by the instruments on board the Swift satellite, the KVA, and the OVRO (Owens Valley Radio Observatory) telescope to study multifrequency characteristics of the source. We found no significant temporal variability of the flux in the HE and VHE bands. The flux in the optical and radio wavebands, on the other hand, did vary with different patterns. The spectral energy distribution (SED) of H1722+119 shows surprising behaviour in the $\sim 3\times10^{14} - 10^{18}$ Hz frequency range. It can be modelled using an inhomogeneous helical jet synchrotron self-Compton model.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, 2 table

Seeking legitimacy through CSR: Institutional Pressures and Corporate Responses of Multinationals in Sri Lanka

Arguably, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices of multinational enterprises (MNEs) are influenced by a wide range of both internal and external factors. Perhaps most critical among the exogenous forces operating on MNEs are those exerted by state and other key institutional actors in host countries. Crucially, academic research conducted to date offers little data about how MNEs use their CSR activities to strategically manage their relationship with those actors in order to gain legitimisation advantages in host countries. This paper addresses that gap by exploring interactions between external institutional pressures and firm-level CSR activities, which take the form of community initiatives, to examine how MNEs develop their legitimacy-seeking policies and practices. In focusing on a developing country, Sri Lanka, this paper provides valuable insights into how MNEs instrumentally utilise community initiatives in a country where relationship-building with governmental and other powerful non-governmental actors can be vitally important for the long-term viability of the business. Drawing on neo-institutional theory and CSR literature, this paper examines and contributes to the embryonic but emerging debate about the instrumental and political implications of CSR. The evidence presented and discussed here reveals the extent to which, and the reasons why, MNEs engage in complex legitimacy-seeking relationships with Sri Lankan institutions