Microscopic description of octupole shape-phase transitions in light actinides and rare-earth nuclei

A systematic analysis of low-lying quadrupole and octupole collective states is presented, based on the microscopic energy density functional framework. By mapping the deformation constrained self-consistent axially symmetric mean-field energy surfaces onto the equivalent Hamiltonian of the $sdf$ interacting boson model (IBM), that is, onto the energy expectation value in the boson condensate state, the Hamiltonian parameters are determined. The study is based on the global relativistic energy density functional DD-PC1. The resulting IBM Hamiltonian is used to calculate excitation spectra and transition rates for the positive- and negative-parity collective states in four isotopic chains characteristic for two regions of octupole deformation and collectivity: Th, Ra, Sm and Ba. Consistent with the empirical trend, the microscopic calculation based on the systematics of $\beta_{2}$-$\beta_{3}$ energy maps, the resulting low-lying negative-parity bands and transition rates show evidence of a shape transition between stable octupole deformation and octupole vibrations characteristic for $\beta_{3}$-soft potentials.Comment: 18 pages, 18 figures, 1 tabl

United We Ride National Dialogue

The Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) asked the National Academy of Public Administration and Easter Seals Project ACTION to develop and host the first United We Ride (UWR) National Dialogue. The goal of the Dialogue was to help shape future policy direction and provide input to the next CCAM strategic plan. The National Academy also assembled a small work group with representatives of the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility, Easter Seals Project ACTION, and the National Resource Center on Human Service Transportation to help guide the process of design and implementation.The CCAM includes 11 federal departments, nine of which are responsible for providing transportation for people with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited incomes. CCAM officially launched United We Ride in 2004 to (1) provide more rides for target populations while using the same or fewer assets, (2) simplify access, and (3) increase customer satisfaction.Key FindingsThe process used to create coordinated transportation plans needs improvement. Significant federal policy barriers still exist to strategies that would facilitate access to transportation services. Mobility management strategies are underutilized in communities across the country, and missed opportunities to bridge gaps between transportation and other community services still need to be addressed

Relative information entropy of an inhomogeneous universe

In the context of averaging an inhomogeneous cosmological model, we propose a natural measure identical to the Kullback-Leibler relative information entropy, which expresses the distinguishability of the local inhomogeneous density field from its spatial average on arbitrary compact domains. This measure is expected to be an increasing function in time and thus to play a significant role in studying gravitational entropy. To verify this conjecture, we explore the time evolution of the measure using the linear perturbation theory of a spatially flat FLRW model and a spherically symmetric nonlinear solution. We discuss the generality and conditions for the time-increasing nature of the measure, and also the connection to the backreaction effect caused by inhomogeneities.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, LaTeX 2e using aipproc.cls, published in AIP Conf. Proc., minor corrections mad

The cytoplasmic adaptor protein Caskin mediates Lar signal transduction during Drosophila motor axon guidance

The multiprotein complexes that receive and transmit axon pathfinding cues during development are essential to circuit generation. Here, we identify and characterize the Drosophila sterile α-motif (SAM) domain-containing protein Caskin, which shares homology with vertebrate Caskin, a CASK [calcium/calmodulin-(CaM)-activated serine-threonine kinase]-interacting protein. Drosophila caskin (ckn) is necessary for embryonic motor axon pathfinding and interacts genetically and physically with the leukocyte common antigen-related (Lar) receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase. In vivo and in vitro analyses of a panel of ckn loss-of-function alleles indicate that the N-terminal SAM domain of Ckn mediates its interaction with Lar. Like Caskin, Liprin-α is a neuronal adaptor protein that interacts with Lar via a SAM domain-mediated interaction. We present evidence that Lar does not bind Caskin and Liprin-α concurrently, suggesting they may assemble functionally distinct signaling complexes on Lar. Furthermore, a vertebrate Caskin homolog interacts with LAR family members, arguing that the role of ckn in Lar signal transduction is evolutionarily conserved. Last, we characterize several ckn mutants that retain Lar binding yet display guidance defects, implying the existence of additional Ckn binding partners. Indeed, we identify the SH2/SH3 adaptor protein Dock as a second Caskin-binding protein and find that Caskin binds Lar and Dock through distinct domains. Furthermore, whereas ckn has a nonredundant function in Lar-dependent signaling during motor axon targeting, ckn and dock have overlapping roles in axon outgrowth in the CNS. Together, these studies identify caskin as a neuronal adaptor protein required for axon growth and guidance

Mechanical properties of connected carbon nanorings via molecular dynamics simulation

Stable, carbon nanotori can be constructed from nanotubes. In theory, such rings could be used to fabricate networks that are extremely flexible and offer a high strength-to-density ratio. As a first step towards realizing such nanochains and nanomaile, the mechanical properties of connected carbon nanorings were investigated via molecular dynamics simulation. The Young's modulus, extensibility and tensile stength of nanorings were estimated under conditions that idealize the constraints of nanochains and nanomaile. The results indicate nanorings are stable under large tensile deformation. The calculated Young's modulus of nanorings was found increase with deformation from 19.43 GPa to 121.94 GPa (without any side constraints) and from 124.98 GPa to 1.56 TPa (with side constraints). The tensile strength of unconstrained and constrained nanorings is estimated to be 5.72 and 8.522 GPa, respectively. The maximum strain is approximately 39% (nanochains) and 25.2% (nanomaile), and these deformations are completely reversible

Cross-Correlation analysis of WMAP and EGRET in Wavelet Space

We cross correlate the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) first year data and the diffuse gamma-ray intensity maps from the Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) using spherical wavelet approaches. Correlations at 99.7% significance level have been detected, at scales around $15^{\circ}$ in the WMAP foreground cleaned W-band and Q-band maps, based on data from regions that are outside the most conservative WMAP foreground mask; no significant correlation is found with the Tegmark cleaned map. The detected correlation is most likely of Galactic origin, and thus can help us probing the origins of possible Galactic foreground residuals and ultimately removing them from measured microwave sky maps.Comment: 4 pages, 7 figures; accepted for publication in ApJ

Thermal Bremsstrahlung Radiation in a Two-Temperature Plasma

In the normal one-temperature plasma the motion of ions is usually neglected when calculating the Bremsstrahlung radiation of the plasma. Here we calculate the Bremsstrahlung radiation of a two-temperature plasma by taking into account of the motion of ions. Our results show that the total radiation power is always lower if the motion of ions is considered. We also apply the two-temperature Bremsstrahlung radiation mechanism for an analytical Advection-Dominated Accretion Flow (ADAF) model; we find the two-temperature correction to the total Bremsstrahlung radiation for ADAF is negligible.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in CHJAA. Some discussions and references adde