2,669 research outputs found
Some remarks on the spectral functions of the Abelian Higgs Model
We consider the unitary Abelian Higgs model and investigate its spectral
functions at one-loop order. This analysis allows to disentangle what is
physical and what is not at the level of the elementary particle propagators,
in conjunction with the Nielsen identities. We highlight the role of the
tadpole graphs and the gauge choices to get sensible results. We also introduce
an Abelian Curci-Ferrari action coupled to a scalar field to model a massive
photon which, like the non-Abelian Curci-Ferarri model, is left invariant by a
modified non-nilpotent BRST symmetry. We clearly illustrate its non-unitary
nature directly from the spectral function viewpoint. This provides a
functional analogue of the Ojima observation in the canonical formalism: there
are ghost states with nonzero norm in the BRST-invariant states of the
Curci-Ferrari model.Comment: 32 pages, 12 figure
A Virtual Conversational Agent for Teens with Autism: Experimental Results and Design Lessons
We present the design of an online social skills development interface for
teenagers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The interface is intended to
enable private conversation practice anywhere, anytime using a web-browser.
Users converse informally with a virtual agent, receiving feedback on nonverbal
cues in real-time, and summary feedback. The prototype was developed in
consultation with an expert UX designer, two psychologists, and a pediatrician.
Using the data from 47 individuals, feedback and dialogue generation were
automated using a hidden Markov model and a schema-driven dialogue manager
capable of handling multi-topic conversations. We conducted a study with nine
high-functioning ASD teenagers. Through a thematic analysis of post-experiment
interviews, identified several key design considerations, notably: 1) Users
should be fully briefed at the outset about the purpose and limitations of the
system, to avoid unrealistic expectations. 2) An interface should incorporate
positive acknowledgment of behavior change. 3) Realistic appearance of a
virtual agent and responsiveness are important in engaging users. 4)
Conversation personalization, for instance in prompting laconic users for more
input and reciprocal questions, would help the teenagers engage for longer
terms and increase the system's utility
An exact nilpotent non-perturbative BRST symmetry for the Gribov-Zwanziger action in the linear covariant gauge
We point out the existence of a non-perturbative exact nilpotent BRST
symmetry for the Gribov-Zwanziger action in the Landau gauge. We then put
forward a manifestly BRST invariant resolution of the Gribov gauge fixing
ambiguity in the linear covariant gauge.Comment: 8 pages. v2: version accepted for publication in PhysRev
Particle Creation by a Moving Boundary with Robin Boundary Condition
We consider a massless scalar field in 1+1 dimensions satisfying a Robin
boundary condition (BC) at a non-relativistic moving boundary. We derive a
Bogoliubov transformation between input and output bosonic field operators,
which allows us to calculate the spectral distribution of created particles.
The cases of Dirichlet and Neumann BC may be obtained from our result as
limiting cases. These two limits yield the same spectrum, which turns out to be
an upper bound for the spectra derived for Robin BC. We show that the particle
emission effect can be considerably reduced (with respect to the
Dirichlet/Neumann case) by selecting a particular value for the oscillation
frequency of the boundary position
Double-beta decay Q values of 130Te, 128Te, and 120Te
The double-beta decay Q values of 130Te, 128Te, and 120Te have been
determined from parent-daughter mass differences measured with the Canadian
Penning Trap mass spectrometer. The 132Xe-129Xe mass difference, which is
precisely known, was also determined to confirm the accuracy of these results.
The 130Te Q value was found to be 2527.01(32) keV which is 3.3 keV lower than
the 2003 Atomic Mass Evaluation recommended value, but in agreement with the
most precise previous measurement. The uncertainty has been reduced by a factor
of 6 and is now significantly smaller than the resolution achieved or foreseen
in experimental searches for neutrinoless double-beta decay. The 128Te and
120Te Q values were found to be 865.87(131) keV and 1714.81(125) keV,
respectively. For 120Te, this reduction in uncertainty of nearly a factor of 8
opens up the possibility of using this isotope for sensitive searches for
neutrinoless double-electron capture and electron capture with positron
emission.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letter
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