Higgs Boson Interference in γγ→W+W−\gamma \gamma \rightarrow W^+W^-

We study interference effects between resonant and nonresonant amplitudes for the $\gamma \gamma \rightarrow W^+ W^-$ process at a backscattered photon-photon collider. We show that a Higgs boson with $M_H$ > 200 GeV is manifest as a resonant dip in the $W^+W^-$ invariant mass spectrum and we investigate its statistical significance.Comment: 8 pages (LaTeX) + 5 PostScript figures in accompanying file (uuencoded), figures also available by fax upon request to [email protected], UCLA/TEP/93/3

Multiple imputation of multiple multi-item scales when a full imputation model is infeasible.

BACKGROUND: Missing data in a large scale survey presents major challenges. We focus on performing multiple imputation by chained equations when data contain multiple incomplete multi-item scales. Recent authors have proposed imputing such data at the level of the individual item, but this can lead to infeasibly large imputation models. METHODS: We use data gathered from a large multinational survey, where analysis uses separate logistic regression models in each of nine country-specific data sets. In these data, applying multiple imputation by chained equations to the individual scale items is computationally infeasible. We propose an adaptation of multiple imputation by chained equations which imputes the individual scale items but reduces the number of variables in the imputation models by replacing most scale items with scale summary scores. We evaluate the feasibility of the proposed approach and compare it with a complete case analysis. We perform a simulation study to compare the proposed method with alternative approaches: we do this in a simplified setting to allow comparison with the full imputation model. RESULTS: For the case study, the proposed approach reduces the size of the prediction models from 134 predictors to a maximum of 72 and makes multiple imputation by chained equations computationally feasible. Distributions of imputed data are seen to be consistent with observed data. Results from the regression analysis with multiple imputation are similar to, but more precise than, results for complete case analysis; for the same regression models a 39% reduction in the standard error is observed. The simulation shows that our proposed method can perform comparably against the alternatives. CONCLUSIONS: By substantially reducing imputation model sizes, our adaptation makes multiple imputation feasible for large scale survey data with multiple multi-item scales. For the data considered, analysis of the multiply imputed data shows greater power and efficiency than complete case analysis. The adaptation of multiple imputation makes better use of available data and can yield substantively different results from simpler techniques

Ising (anti-)ferromagnet on dynamical triangulations and quadrangulations

We write down matrix models for Ising spins with zero external field on the vertices of dynamical triangulated random surfaces (DTRS) and dynamically quadrangulated random surfaces (DQRS) and compare these with the standard matrix model approach which places the spins on the dual $\phi^3$ and $\phi^4$ graphs. We show that the critical temperatures calculated in the DTRS and DQRS models agree with those deduced from duality arguments in the standard approach. Using the DQRS model we observe that the Ising antiferromagnet still undergoes a phase transition to a Neel (checkerboard) ordered ground state which is absent because of frustration in the other cases.Comment: 5 pages, late

Virtual Coronary Intervention: A Treatment Planning Tool Based Upon the Angiogram

Objectives: This study sought to assess the ability of a novel virtual coronary intervention (VCI) tool based on invasive angiography to predict the patient's physiological response to stenting. Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with improved clinical and economic outcomes compared with angiographic guidance alone. Virtual (v)FFR can be calculated based upon a 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the coronary anatomy from the angiogram, using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. This technology can be used to perform virtual stenting, with a predicted post-PCI FFR, and the prospect of optimized treatment planning. Methods: Patients undergoing elective PCI had pressure-wire-based FFR measurements pre- and post-PCI. A 3D reconstruction of the diseased artery was generated from the angiogram and imported into the VIRTUheart workflow, without the need for any invasive physiological measurements. VCI was performed using a radius correction tool replicating the dimensions of the stent deployed during PCI. Virtual FFR (vFFR) was calculated pre- and post-VCI, using CFD analysis. vFFR pre- and post-VCI were compared with measured (m)FFR pre- and post-PCI, respectively. Results: Fifty-four patients and 59 vessels underwent PCI. The mFFR and vFFR pre-PCI were 0.66 ± 0.14 and 0.68 ± 0.13, respectively. Pre-PCI vFFR deviated from mFFR by ±0.05 (mean Δ = -0.02; SD = 0.07). The mean mFFR and vFFR post-PCI/VCI were 0.90 ± 0.05 and 0.92 ± 0.05, respectively. Post-VCI vFFR deviated from post-PCI mFFR by ±0.02 (mean Δ = -0.01; SD = 0.03). Mean CFD processing time was 95 s per case. Conclusions: The authors have developed a novel VCI tool, based upon the angiogram, that predicts the physiological response to stenting with a high degree of accuracy

LplA1-dependent utilization of host lipoyl peptides enables Listeria cytosolic growth and virulence

The bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes replicates within the cytosol of mammalian cells. Mechanisms by which the bacterium exploits the host cytosolic environment for essential nutrients are poorly defined. L. monocytogenes is a lipoate auxotroph and must scavenge this critical cofactor, using lipoate ligases to facilitate attachment of the lipoyl moiety to metabolic enzyme complexes. Although the L. monocytogenes genome encodes two putative lipoate ligases, LplA1 and LplA2, intracellular replication and virulence require only LplA1. Here we show that LplA1 enables utilization of host-derived lipoyl peptides by L. monocytogenes . LplA1 is dispensable for growth in the presence of free lipoate, but necessary for growth on low concentrations of mammalian lipoyl peptides. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the intracellular growth defect of the δ lplA1 mutant is rescued by addition of exogenous lipoic acid to host cells, suggesting that L. monocytogenes dependence on LplA1 is dictated by limiting concentrations of available host lipoyl substrates. Thus, the ability of L. monocytogenes and other intracellular pathogens to efficiently use host lipoyl peptides as a source of lipoate may be a requisite adaptation for life within the mammalian cell.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72528/1/MMI+5956+Supp.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72528/2/j.1365-2958.2007.05956.x.pd

Square Gravity

We simulate the Ising model on dynamical quadrangulations using a generalization of the flip move for triangulations with two aims: firstly, as a confirmation of the universality of the KPZ/DDK exponents of the Ising phase transition, worthwhile in view of some recent surprises with other sorts of dynamical lattices; secondly, to investigate the transition of the Ising antiferromagnet on a dynamical loosely packed (bipartite) lattice. In the latter case we show that it is still possible to define a staggered magnetization and observe the antiferromagnetic analogue of the transition.Comment: LaTeX file and 7 postscript figures bundled together with uufile

Cold Feedback in Cooling-Flow Galaxy Clusters

We put forward an alternative view to the Bondi-driven feedback between heating and cooling of the intra-cluster medium (ICM) in cooling flow galaxies and clusters. We adopt the popular view that the heating is due to an active galactic nucleus (AGN), i.e. a central black hole accreting mass and launching jets and/or winds. We propose that the feedback occurs with the entire cool inner region (5-30 kpc). A moderate cooling flow does exist here, and non-linear over-dense blobs of gas cool fast and are removed from the ICM before experiencing the next major AGN heating event. Some of these blobs may not accrete on the central black hole, but may form stars and cold molecular clouds. We discuss the conditions under which the dense blobs may cool to low temperatures and feed the black hole.Comment: 6 pages, no figures, to appear in the Proceedings of "Heating vs. Cooling in Galaxies and Clusters of Galaxies", August 2006, Garching (Germany

Mean flow and spiral defect chaos in Rayleigh-Benard convection

We describe a numerical procedure to construct a modified velocity field that does not have any mean flow. Using this procedure, we present two results. Firstly, we show that, in the absence of mean flow, spiral defect chaos collapses to a stationary pattern comprising textures of stripes with angular bends. The quenched patterns are characterized by mean wavenumbers that approach those uniquely selected by focus-type singularities, which, in the absence of mean flow, lie at the zig-zag instability boundary. The quenched patterns also have larger correlation lengths and are comprised of rolls with less curvature. Secondly, we describe how mean flow can contribute to the commonly observed phenomenon of rolls terminating perpendicularly into lateral walls. We show that, in the absence of mean flow, rolls begin to terminate into lateral walls at an oblique angle. This obliqueness increases with Rayleigh number.Comment: 14 pages, 19 figure

Vertex Models on Feynman Diagrams

The statistical mechanics of spin models, such as the Ising or Potts models, on generic random graphs can be formulated economically by considering the N --> 1 limit of Hermitian matrix models. In this paper we consider the N --> 1 limit in complex matrix models, which describes vertex models of different sorts living on random graphs. From the graph theoretic perspective one is using matrix model and field theory inspired methods to count various classes of directed graphs. We also make some remarks on vertex models on planar random graphs (the N --> infinity limit) where the resulting matrix models are not generally soluble using currently known methods. Nonetheless, some particular cases may be mapped onto known models and hence solved.Comment: 10 Pages text (LaTeX), 4 eps figure

Theorising Disability: Beyond Common Sense

This article seeks to introduce the topic of disability to political theory via a discussion of some of the literature produced by disability theorists. The author argues that these more radical approaches conceptualise disability in ways that conflict with ‘common-sense’ notions of disability that tend to underpin political theoretical considerations of the topic. Furthermore, the author suggests that these more radical conceptualisations have profound implications for current debates on social justice, equality and citizenship that highlight the extent to which these notions are also currently underpinned by ‘common-sense’ notions of ‘normality’