3,112 research outputs found
A unified approach to suboptimum control
Suboptimal control based on linear changes in vicinity of optimum trajector
An Asymptotic Expansion and Recursive Inequalities for the Monomer-Dimer Problem
Let (lambda_d)(p) be the p monomer-dimer entropy on the d-dimensional integer
lattice Z^d, where p in [0,1] is the dimer density. We give upper and lower
bounds for (lambda_d)(p) in terms of expressions involving (lambda_(d-1))(q).
The upper bound is based on a conjecture claiming that the p monomer-dimer
entropy of an infinite subset of Z^d is bounded above by (lambda_d)(p). We
compute the first three terms in the formal asymptotic expansion of
(lambda_d)(p) in powers of 1/d. We prove that the lower asymptotic matching
conjecture is satisfied for (lambda_d)(p).Comment: 15 pages, much more about d=1,2,
Asymptotic Expansions for lambda_d of the Dimer and Monomer-Dimer Problems
In the past few years we have derived asymptotic expansions for lambda_d of
the dimer problem and lambda_d(p) of the monomer-dimer problem. The many
expansions so far computed are collected herein. We shine a light on results in
two dimensions inspired by the work of M. E. Fisher. Much of the work reported
here was joint with Shmuel Friedland.Comment: 4 page
Design of a three-axis attitude control system for a spacecraft acted upon by random perturbations Final report
Three axis attitude control system for spacecraft under random perturbation
Flavor Gauge Models Below the Fermi Scale
The mass and weak interaction eigenstates for the quarks of the third
generation are very well aligned, an empirical fact for which the Standard
Model offers no explanation. We explore the possibility that this alignment is
due to an additional gauge symmetry in the third generation. Specifically, we
construct and analyze an explicit, renormalizable model with a gauge boson,
, corresponding to the symmetry of the third family. Having a
relatively light (in the MeV to multi-GeV range), flavor-nonuniversal gauge
boson results in a variety of constraints from different sources. By
systematically analyzing 20 different constraints, we identify the most
sensitive probes: kaon, , and Upsilon decays, mixing,
atomic parity violation, and neutrino scattering and oscillations. For the new
gauge coupling in the range the model is shown to
be consistent with the data. Possible ways of testing the model in physics,
top and decays, direct collider production and neutrino oscillation
experiments, where one can observe nonstandard matter effects, are outlined.
The choice of leptons to carry the new force is ambiguous, resulting in
additional phenomenological implications, such as non-universality in
semileptonic bottom decays. The proposed framework provides interesting
connections between neutrino oscillations, flavor and collider physics.Comment: 44 pages, 7 figures, 3 tables; B physics constraints and references
added, conclusions unchange
A test of tau neutrino interactions with atmospheric neutrinos and K2K
The presence of a tau component in the flux of atmospheric neutrinos inside
the Earth, due to flavor oscillations, makes these neutrinos a valuable probe
of interactions of the tau neutrino with matter. We study -- analytically and
numerically -- the effects of nonstandard interactions in the nu_e-nu_tau
sector on atmospheric neutrino oscillations, and calculate the bounds on the
exotic couplings that follow from combining the atmospheric neutrino and K2K
data. We find very good agreement between numerical results and analytical
predictions derived from the underlying oscillation physics. While improving on
existing accelerator bounds, our bounds still allow couplings of the size
comparable to the standard weak interaction. The inclusion of new interactions
expands the allowed region of the vacuum oscillation parameters towards smaller
mixing angles, 0.2 ~< sin^2 theta_{23} ~< 0.7, and slightly larger mass squared
splitting, 1.5 * 10^{-3} eV^2 ~< |\Delta m^2_{23}| ~< 4.0 * 10^{-3} eV^2,
compared to the standard case. The impact of the K2K data on all these results
is significant; further important tests of the nu_e-nu_tau exotic couplings
will come from neutrino beams experiments such as MINOS and long baseline
projects.Comment: 8 figures, some typos corrected, minor editing in the reference
Complex regulation of neutrophil-derived MMP-9 secretion in central nervous system tuberculosis.
BACKGROUND: Central nervous system tuberculosis (CNS-TB) may be fatal even with treatment. Neutrophils are the key mediators of TB immunopathology, and raised CSF matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) which correlates to neutrophil count in CNS-TB is associated with neurological deficit and death. The mechanisms by which neutrophils drive TB-associated CNS matrix destruction are not clearly defined. METHODS: Human brain biopsies with histologically proven CNS-TB were stained for neutrophils, neutrophil elastase, and MMP-9. Neutrophil MMP-9 secretion and gene expression were analyzed using Luminex and real-time PCR. Type IV collagen degradation was evaluated using confocal microscopy and quantitative fluorescent assays. Intracellular signaling pathways were investigated by immunoblotting and chemical inhibitors. RESULTS: MMP-9-expressing neutrophils were present in tuberculous granulomas in CNS-TB and neutrophil-derived MMP-9 secretion was upregulated by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). Concurrent direct stimulation by M.tb and activation via monocyte-dependent networks had an additive effect on neutrophil MMP-9 secretion. Destruction of type IV collagen, a key component of the blood-brain barrier, was inhibited by neutralizing neutrophil MMP-9. Monocyte-neutrophil networks driving MMP-9 secretion in TB were regulated by MAP-kinase and Akt-PI3 kinase pathways and the transcription factor NF-kB. TNFα neutralization suppressed MMP-9 secretion to baseline while dexamethasone did not. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple signaling paths regulate neutrophil-derived MMP-9 secretion, which is increased in CNS-TB. These paths may be better targets for host-directed therapies than steroids currently used in CNS-TB
Stability of attitude control systems acted upon by random perturbations
Mathematical models on stability of attitude control systems acted upon by random perturbation processe
Integrating Community-Based Interventions to Reverse the Convergent TB/HIV Epidemics in Rural South Africa.
The WHO recommends integrating interventions to address the devastating TB/HIV co-epidemics in South Africa, yet integration has been poorly implemented and TB/HIV control efforts need strengthening. Identifying infected individuals is particularly difficult in rural settings. We used mathematical modeling to predict the impact of community-based, integrated TB/HIV case finding and additional control strategies on South Africa's TB/HIV epidemics. We developed a model incorporating TB and HIV transmission to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating TB and HIV interventions in rural South Africa over 10 years. We modeled the impact of a novel screening program that integrates case finding for TB and HIV in the community, comparing it to status quo and recommended TB/HIV control strategies, including GeneXpert, MDR-TB treatment decentralization, improved first-line TB treatment cure rate, isoniazid preventive therapy, and expanded ART. Combining recommended interventions averted 27% of expected TB cases (95% CI 18-40%) 18% HIV (95% CI 13-24%), 60% MDR-TB (95% CI 34-83%), 69% XDR-TB (95% CI 34-90%), and 16% TB/HIV deaths (95% CI 12-29). Supplementing these interventions with annual community-based TB/HIV case finding averted a further 17% of TB cases (44% total; 95% CI 31-56%), 5% HIV (23% total; 95% CI 17-29%), 8% MDR-TB (68% total; 95% CI 40-88%), 4% XDR-TB (73% total; 95% CI 38-91%), and 8% TB/HIV deaths (24% total; 95% CI 16-39%). In addition to increasing screening frequency, we found that improving TB symptom questionnaire sensitivity, second-line TB treatment delays, default before initiating TB treatment or ART, and second-line TB drug efficacy were significantly associated with even greater reductions in TB and HIV cases. TB/HIV epidemics in South Africa were most effectively curtailed by simultaneously implementing interventions that integrated community-based TB/HIV control strategies and targeted drug-resistant TB. Strengthening existing TB and HIV treatment programs is needed to further reduce disease incidence
Quantum versus classical phase-locking transition in a driven-chirped oscillator
Classical and quantum-mechanical phase locking transition in a nonlinear
oscillator driven by a chirped frequency perturbation is discussed. Different
limits are analyzed in terms of the dimensionless parameters and
( and being the driving amplitude,
the frequency chirp rate, the nonlinearity parameter and the linear frequency
of the oscillator). It is shown that for , the passage
through the linear resonance for above a threshold yields classical
autoresonance (AR) in the system, even when starting in a quantum ground state.
In contrast, for , the transition involves
quantum-mechanical energy ladder climbing (LC). The threshold for the
phase-locking transition and its width in in both AR and LC limits are
calculated. The theoretical results are tested by solving the Schrodinger
equation in the energy basis and illustrated via the Wigner function in phase
space
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