The clash of symmetries in a Randall-Sundrum-like spacetime

We present a toy model that exhibits clash-of-symmetries style Higgs field kink configurations in a Randall-Sundrum-like spacetime. The model has two complex scalar fields Phi_{1,2}, with a sextic potential obeying global U(1)xU(1) and discrete Phi_1 Phi_2 interchange symmetries. The scalar fields are coupled to 4+1 dimensional gravity endowed with a bulk cosmological constant. We show that the coupled Einstein-Higgs field equations have an interesting analytic solution provided the sextic potential adopts a particular form. The 4+1 metric is shown to be that of a smoothed-out Randall-Sundrum type of spacetime. The thin-brane Randall-Sundrum limit, whereby the Higgs field kinks become step functions, is carefully defined in terms of the fundamental parameters in the action. The ``clash of symmetries'' feature, defined in previous papers, is manifested here through the fact that both of the U(1) symmetries are spontaneously broken at all non-asymptotic points in the extra dimension $w$. One of the U(1)'s is asymptotically restored as w --> -infinity, with the other U(1) restored as w --> +infinity. The spontaneously broken discrete symmetry ensures topological stability. In the gauged version of this model we find new flat-space solutions, but in the warped metric case we have been unable to find any solutions with nonzero gauge fields.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures; minor changes including added references and an updated figure; to appear in Phys Rev

Light-Heavy Symmetry: Geometric Mass Hierarchy for Three Families

The Universal Seesaw pattern coupled with a Light$\leftrightarrow$Heavy symmetry principle leads to the Diophantine equation $\displaystyle N = \sum_{i=1}^Nn_i$, where $n_i\geq 0$ and distinct. Its unique non-trivial solution $(3=0+1+2)$ gives rise to the geometric mass hierarchy $m_W$, $m_W\epsilon$, $m_W\epsilon^2$ for $N=3$ fermion families. This is realized in a model where the hybrid (yet Up$\leftrightarrow$Down symmetric) quark mass relations $m_d m_t \approx m_c^2\leftrightarrow m_u m_b \approx m_s^2$ play a crucial role in expressing the CKM mixings in terms of simple mass ratios, notably $\sin\theta_C \approx {m_c\over m_b}$.Comment: 12 pages, no figures, Revtex fil

SU(5) grand unification on a domain-wall brane from an E_6-invariant action

An SU(5) grand unification scheme for effective 3+1-dimensional fields dynamically localised on a domain-wall brane is constructed. This is achieved through the confluence of the clash-of-symmetries mechanism for symmetry breaking through domain-wall formation, and the Dvali-Shifman gauge-boson localisation idea. It requires an E_6 gauge-invariant action, yielding a domain-wall solution that has E_6 broken to differently embedded SO(10) x U(1) subgroups in the two bulk regions on opposite sides of the wall. On the wall itself, the unbroken symmetry is the intersection of the two bulk subgroups, and contains SU(5). A 4+1-dimensional fermion family in the 27 of E_6 gives rise to localised left-handed zero-modes in the 5^* + 10 + 1 + 1 representation of SU(5). The remaining ten fermion components of the 27 are delocalised exotic states, not appearing in the effective 3+1-dimensional theory on the domain-wall brane. The scheme is compatible with the type-2 Randall-Sundrum mechanism for graviton localisation; the single extra dimension is infinite.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures. Minor changes to text and references. To appear in Phys. Rev.

Heating up the cold bounce

Self-dual string cosmological models provide an effective example of bouncing solutions where a phase of accelerated contraction smoothly evolves into an epoch of decelerated Friedmann--Robertson--Walker expansion dominated by the dilaton. While the transition to the expanding regime occurs at sub-Planckian curvature scales, the Universe emerging after the bounce is cold, with sharply growing gauge coupling. However, since massless gauge bosons (as well as other massless fields) are super-adiabatically amplified, the energy density of the maximally amplified modes re-entering the horizon after the bounce can efficiently heat the Universe. As a consequence the gauge coupling reaches a constant value, which can still be perturbative.Comment: 28 pages, 13 figure

Non-Abelian Monopole and Dyon Solutions in a Modified Einstein-Yang-Mills-Higgs System

We have studied a modified Yang-Mills-Higgs system coupled to Einstein gravity. The modification of the Einstein-Hilbert action involves a direct coupling of the Higgs field to the scalar curvature. In this modified system we are able to write a Bogomol'nyi type condition in curved space and demonstrate that the positive static energy functional is bounded from below. We then investigate non-Abelian sperically symmetric static solutions in a similar fashion to the `t Hooft-Polyakov monopole. After reviewing previously studied monopole solutions of this type, we extend the formalism to included electric charge and we present dyon solutions.Comment: 18 pages LaTeX, 7 eps-figure

Einstein's quantum theory of the monatomic ideal gas: non-statistical arguments for a new statistics

In this article, we analyze the third of three papers, in which Einstein presented his quantum theory of the ideal gas of 1924-1925. Although it failed to attract the attention of Einstein's contemporaries and although also today very few commentators refer to it, we argue for its significance in the context of Einstein's quantum researches. It contains an attempt to extend and exhaust the characterization of the monatomic ideal gas without appealing to combinatorics. Its ambiguities illustrate Einstein's confusion with his initial success in extending Bose's results and in realizing the consequences of what later became to be called Bose-Einstein statistics. We discuss Einstein's motivation for writing a non-combinatorial paper, partly in response to criticism by his friend Ehrenfest, and we paraphrase its content. Its arguments are based on Einstein's belief in the complete analogy between the thermodynamics of light quanta and of material particles and invoke considerations of adiabatic transformations as well as of dimensional analysis. These techniques were well-known to Einstein from earlier work on Wien's displacement law, Planck's radiation theory, and the specific heat of solids. We also investigate the possible role of Ehrenfest in the gestation of the theory.Comment: 57 pp

Patient preferences for topical treatment of actinic keratoses:a discrete-choice experiment

Funding: This study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research for Patient Benefit programme (PB-PG-0110-21244), Department of Health, UK. The funder was not involved in the study design. Acknowledgments: The authors gratefully acknowledge support from the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, the UK Dermatology Clinical Trials Network, the NIHR Clinical Studies Group, and support for investigators from the British Skin Foundation and Cancer Research UK. We would also like to thank Martin Jones, Daniel Rigby and Ariel Bergmann for constructive comments on the design of the DCE.Peer reviewedPostprin

A high-resolution mRNA expression time course of embryonic development in zebrafish.

We have produced an mRNA expression time course of zebrafish development across 18 time points from 1 cell to 5 days post-fertilisation sampling individual and pools of embryos. Using poly(A) pulldown stranded RNA-seq and a 3' end transcript counting method we characterise temporal expression profiles of 23,642 genes. We identify temporal and functional transcript co-variance that associates 5024 unnamed genes with distinct developmental time points. Specifically, a class of over 100 previously uncharacterised zinc finger domain containing genes, located on the long arm of chromosome 4, is expressed in a sharp peak during zygotic genome activation. In addition, the data reveal new genes and transcripts, differential use of exons and previously unidentified 3' ends across development, new primary microRNAs and temporal divergence of gene paralogues generated in the teleost genome duplication. To make this dataset a useful baseline reference, the data can be browsed and downloaded at Expression Atlas and Ensembl

E-Learning in India: Experiences, Issues & Challenges

There is massive potential in the higher education space spread across the Asian continent especially in countries like India and China. Global players operating in this space are eyeing these markets. This throws opportunities as well as challenges. There are many players, local as well as global, who have experimented or are experimenting online (pure play) or blended models in education. There have been failures and mistakes, which have thrown lot of learning. As a result players have improvised their offers. Online education is now working. Though the progression is slow, it is expected to grow exponential in the coming years. E-learning is network enabled learning. There is a race to get into e-learning space in India given the scope and size of this market in India. But many organizations and academic institutions trying to foray into E-learning are getting imbalanced due to the lack of proper understanding of the market place and internal/external requirements. IT assimilation throws unimaginable challenges. What should be the operating strategy, deliverable value, approach, processes and technology assimilation strategies so that the entire organization moves towards successful implementation of the E-learning project without compromising on its existing competencies is a serious matter for researchers to ponder. This paper tries to answer some of the above issues with the help of the experiences gained form one of the largest online education project launched and running quite successfully in India. The suggested framework evolves around discovery of a collaboration model with software and connectivity service providers and criteria of collaboration to be drawn from the learner needs and requirement. The collaboration should balance to achieve necessary value proposition for the intended learner segment by careful crafting of the Learner Centric Value Chain

EFFECT OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON QUALITY AND SHELF LIFE OF GUAVA (PSIDIUM GUAJAVA L.) CV. SARDAR

The two year data indicates that 25% of N tree-1 through FYM + 75% of N tree-1 through inorganic fertilizer (T10) was found to be best as compared to other treatments which significantly increased the physico-chemical attributes of guava in both the years where highest fruit length (8.35 & 8.42  cm), breadth (7.92 & 7.95 cm) and fruit weight (240.85 & 247.62 g) were recorded respectively in trees receiving 25% of N tree-1 through FYM + 75% of N tree-1 through inorganic fertilizer whereas, the chemical attributes viz. TSS (12.92 & 12.97 0B), total sugars (8.56 & 8.65 per cent) and the minimum physiological loss in weight (14.29 per cent) after 10 days under ambient conditions during both the years were found to be maximum with the application of Azotobactor + 50% of N tree-1 through FYM + 50% of N tree-1 through inorganic fertilizer (T9) which were at par with the treatment comprising 25% of N tree-1 through FYM + 75% of N tree-1 through inorganic fertilizers