Separation of variables in quasi-potential systems of bi-cofactor form

We perform variable separation in the quasi-potential systems of equations of the form $\ddot{q}=-A^{-1}\nabla k=-\tilde{A}^{-1}\nabla\tilde{k}${}, where $A$ and $\tilde{A}$ are Killing tensors, by embedding these systems into a bi-Hamiltonian chain and by calculating the corresponding Darboux-Nijenhuis coordinates on the symplectic leaves of one of the Hamiltonian structures of the system. We also present examples of the corresponding separation coordinates in two and three dimensions.Comment: LaTex, 30 pages, to appear in J. Phys. A: Math. Ge

The inverse spectral problem for the discrete cubic string

Given a measure $m$ on the real line or a finite interval, the "cubic string" is the third order ODE $-\phi'''=zm\phi$ where $z$ is a spectral parameter. If equipped with Dirichlet-like boundary conditions this is a nonselfadjoint boundary value problem which has recently been shown to have a connection to the Degasperis-Procesi nonlinear water wave equation. In this paper we study the spectral and inverse spectral problem for the case of Neumann-like boundary conditions which appear in a high-frequency limit of the Degasperis--Procesi equation. We solve the spectral and inverse spectral problem for the case of $m$ being a finite positive discrete measure. In particular, explicit determinantal formulas for the measure $m$ are given. These formulas generalize Stieltjes' formulas used by Krein in his study of the corresponding second order ODE $-\phi''=zm\phi$.Comment: 24 pages. LaTeX + iopart, xypic, amsthm. To appear in Inverse Problems (http://www.iop.org/EJ/journal/IP

The Cauchy two-matrix model

We introduce a new class of two(multi)-matrix models of positive Hermitean matrices coupled in a chain; the coupling is related to the Cauchy kernel and differs from the exponential coupling more commonly used in similar models. The correlation functions are expressed entirely in terms of certain biorthogonal polynomials and solutions of appropriate Riemann-Hilbert problems, thus paving the way to a steepest descent analysis and universality results. The interpretation of the formal expansion of the partition function in terms of multicolored ribbon-graphs is provided and a connection to the O(1) model. A steepest descent analysis of the partition function reveals that the model is related to a trigonal curve (three-sheeted covering of the plane) much in the same way as the Hermitean matrix model is related to a hyperelliptic curve.Comment: 34 pages, 2 figures. V2: changes only to metadat

Cauchy Biorthogonal Polynomials

The paper investigates the properties of certain biorthogonal polynomials appearing in a specific simultaneous Hermite-Pade' approximation scheme. Associated to any totally positive kernel and a pair of positive measures on the positive axis we define biorthogonal polynomials and prove that their zeroes are simple and positive. We then specialize the kernel to the Cauchy kernel 1/{x+y} and show that the ensuing biorthogonal polynomials solve a four-term recurrence relation, have relevant Christoffel-Darboux generalized formulae, and their zeroes are interlaced. In addition, these polynomial solve a combination of Hermite-Pade' approximation problems to a Nikishin system of order 2. The motivation arises from two distant areas; on one side, in the study of the inverse spectral problem for the peakon solution of the Degasperis-Procesi equation; on the other side, from a random matrix model involving two positive definite random Hermitian matrices. Finally, we show how to characterize these polynomials in term of a Riemann-Hilbert problem.Comment: 38 pages, partially replaces arXiv:0711.408

Low temperature maximizes growth of Crocus vernus (L.) Hill via changes in carbon partitioning and corm development

In Crocus vernus, a spring bulbous species, prolonged growth at low temperatures results in the development of larger perennial organs and delayed foliar senescence. Because corm growth is known to stop before the first visual sign of leaf senescence, it is clear that factors other than leaf duration alone determine final corm size. The aim of this study was to determine whether reduced growth at higher temperatures was due to decreased carbon import to the corm or to changes in the partitioning of this carbon once it had reached the corm. Plants were grown under two temperature regimes and the amount of carbon fixed, transported, and converted into a storable form in the corm, as well as the partitioning into soluble carbohydrates, starch, and the cell wall, were monitored during the growth cycle. The reduced growth at higher temperature could not be explained by a restriction in carbon supply or by a reduced ability to convert the carbon into starch. However, under the higher temperature regime, the plant allocated more carbon to cell wall material, and the amount of glucose within the corm declined earlier in the season. Hexose to sucrose ratios might control the duration of corm growth in C. vernus by influencing the timing of the cell division, elongation, and maturation phases. It is suggested that it is this shift in carbon partitioning, not limited carbon supply or leaf duration, which is responsible for the smaller final biomass of the corm at higher temperatures

Inverse problems associated with integrable equations of Camassa-Holm type; explicit formulas on the real axis, I

The inverse problem which arises in the Camassa--Holm equation is revisited for the class of discrete densities. The method of solution relies on the use of orthogonal polynomials. The explicit formulas are obtained directly from the analysis on the real axis without any additional transformation to a "string" type boundary value problem known from prior works

Testing the Hubble Law with the IRAS 1.2 Jy Redshift Survey

We test and reject the claim of Segal et al. (1993) that the correlation of redshifts and flux densities in a complete sample of IRAS galaxies favors a quadratic redshift-distance relation over the linear Hubble law. This is done, in effect, by treating the entire galaxy luminosity function as derived from the 60 micron 1.2 Jy IRAS redshift survey of Fisher et al. (1995) as a distance indicator; equivalently, we compare the flux density distribution of galaxies as a function of redshift with predictions under different redshift-distance cosmologies, under the assumption of a universal luminosity function. This method does not assume a uniform distribution of galaxies in space. We find that this test has rather weak discriminatory power, as argued by Petrosian (1993), and the differences between models are not as stark as one might expect a priori. Even so, we find that the Hubble law is indeed more strongly supported by the analysis than is the quadratic redshift-distance relation. We identify a bias in the the Segal et al. determination of the luminosity function, which could lead one to mistakenly favor the quadratic redshift-distance law. We also present several complementary analyses of the density field of the sample; the galaxy density field is found to be close to homogeneous on large scales if the Hubble law is assumed, while this is not the case with the quadratic redshift-distance relation.Comment: 27 pages Latex (w/figures), ApJ, in press. Uses AAS macros, postscript also available at http://www.astro.princeton.edu/~library/preprints/pop682.ps.g

Multi loop soliton solutions and their interactions in the Degasperis-Procesi equation

In this article, we construct loop soliton solutions and mixed soliton - loop soliton solution for the Degasperis-Procesi equation. To explore these solutions we adopt the procedure given by Matsuno. By appropriately modifying the $\tau$-function given in the above paper we derive these solutions. We present the explicit form of one and two loop soliton solutions and mixed soliton - loop soliton solutions and investigate the interaction between (i) two loop soliton solutions in different parametric regimes and (ii) a loop soliton with a conventional soliton in detail.Comment: Published in Physica Scripta (2012

A class of Poisson-Nijenhuis structures on a tangent bundle

Equipping the tangent bundle TQ of a manifold with a symplectic form coming from a regular Lagrangian L, we explore how to obtain a Poisson-Nijenhuis structure from a given type (1,1) tensor field J on Q. It is argued that the complete lift of J is not the natural candidate for a Nijenhuis tensor on TQ, but plays a crucial role in the construction of a different tensor R, which appears to be the pullback under the Legendre transform of the lift of J to co-tangent manifold of Q. We show how this tangent bundle view brings new insights and is capable also of producing all important results which are known from previous studies on the cotangent bundle, in the case that Q is equipped with a Riemannian metric. The present approach further paves the way for future generalizations.Comment: 22 page

Type Ia Supernova Explosion Models

Because calibrated light curves of Type Ia supernovae have become a major tool to determine the local expansion rate of the Universe and also its geometrical structure, considerable attention has been given to models of these events over the past couple of years. There are good reasons to believe that perhaps most Type Ia supernovae are the explosions of white dwarfs that have approached the Chandrasekhar mass, M_ch ~ 1.39 M_sun, and are disrupted by thermonuclear fusion of carbon and oxygen. However, the mechanism whereby such accreting carbon-oxygen white dwarfs explode continues to be uncertain. Recent progress in modeling Type Ia supernovae as well as several of the still open questions are addressed in this review. Although the main emphasis will be on studies of the explosion mechanism itself and on the related physical processes, including the physics of turbulent nuclear combustion in degenerate stars, we also discuss observational constraints.Comment: 38 pages, 4 figures, Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics, in pres