Triple unification of inflation, dark matter, and dark energy using a single field

We construct an explicit scenario whereby the same material driving inflation in the early Universe can comprise dark matter in the present Universe, using a simple quadratic potential. Following inflation and preheating, the density of inflaton/dark matter particles is reduced to the observed level by a period of thermal inflation, of a duration already invoked in the literature for other reasons. Within the context of the string landscape, one can further argue for a non-zero vacuum energy of this field, thus unifying inflation, dark matter and dark energy into a single fundamental field.Comment: 5 pages RevTeX with 3 figures incorporate

Intermediate inflation in light of the three-year WMAP observations

The three-year observations from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe have been hailed as giving the first clear indication of a spectral index n_s<1. We point out that the data are equally well explained by retaining the assumption n_s=1 and allowing the tensor-to-scalar ratio r to be non-zero. The combination n_s=1 and r>0 is given (within the slow-roll approximation) by a version of the intermediate inflation model with expansion rate H(t) \propto t^{-1/3}. We assess the status of this model in light of the WMAP3 data.Comment: 4 pages RevTeX4 with one figure. Minor changes to match PRD accepted versio

Quintessence, inflation and baryogenesis from a single pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson

We exhibit a model in which a single pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson explains dark energy, inflation and baryogenesis. The model predicts correlated signals in future collider experiments, WIMP searches, proton decay experiments, dark energy probes, and the PLANCK satellite CMB measurements.Comment: 16 pages, 3 color figure

Adenovirus-Mediated Gene Transfer of Viral Interleukin-10 Inhibits the Immune Response to Both Alloantigen and Adenoviral Antigen

Overview summary Adenoviral vectors are efficient for in vivo delivery of genes to a wide variety of tissue types, whereas the duration of expression is limited by the potent adenovirus-specific immune response directed to the infected cell. In this study, we demonstrate that adenovirus-mediated gene transfer and expression of viral interleukin-10 (vIL-10) not only prolongs murine cardiac allograft survival, but also inhibits the immune response toward adenoviral antigens, and thereby improves the persistence of the vector and extends transgene expression. These findings could be used to design a new generation of adenoviral vector that expresses both an immunosuppressive cytokine gene and another gene of interest. This strategy should have general application in many gene therapy settings other than transplantation. Nonetheless, although the efficacy of adenoviral vectors can be improved by incorporating immunosuppressive genes into the vector, there are also nonimmune mechanisms serving to limit vector gene expression.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63260/1/hum.1997.8.11-1365.pd

Breaking the Screen: Interaction Across Touchscreen Boundaries in Virtual Reality for Mobile Knowledge Workers.

Virtual Reality (VR) has the potential to transform knowledge work. One advantage of VR knowledge work is that it allows extending 2D displays into the third dimension, enabling new operations, such as selecting overlapping objects or displaying additional layers of information. On the other hand, mobile knowledge workers often work on established mobile devices, such as tablets, limiting interaction with those devices to a small input space. This challenge of a constrained input space is intensified in situations when VR knowledge work is situated in cramped environments, such as airplanes and touchdown spaces. In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of interacting jointly between an immersive VR head-mounted display and a tablet within the context of knowledge work. Specifically, we 1) design, implement and study how to interact with information that reaches beyond a single physical touchscreen in VR; 2) design and evaluate a set of interaction concepts; and 3) build example applications and gather user feedback on those applications.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, ISMAR 202

Model selection forecasts for the spectral index from the Planck satellite

The recent WMAP3 results have placed measurements of the spectral index n_S in an interesting position. While parameter estimation techniques indicate that the Harrison-Zel'dovich spectrum n_S=1 is strongly excluded (in the absence of tensor perturbations), Bayesian model selection techniques reveal that the case against n_S=1 is not yet conclusive. In this paper, we forecast the ability of the Planck satellite mission to use Bayesian model selection to convincingly exclude (or favour) the Harrison-Zel'dovich model.Comment: 4 pages RevTeX with one figure included. Updated to match PRD accepted version. Improved likelihood function implementation; no qualitative change to results but some tiny numerical shift

Bayesian analysis of Friedmannless cosmologies

Assuming only a homogeneous and isotropic universe and using both the 'Gold' Supernova Type Ia sample of Riess et al. and the results from the Supernova Legacy Survey, we calculate the Bayesian evidence of a range of different parameterizations of the deceleration parameter. We consider both spatially flat and curved models. Our results show that although there is strong evidence in the data for an accelerating universe, there is little evidence that the deceleration parameter varies with redshift.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

G-Value Indoor characterization of semi-transparent photovoltaic elements for building integration: New equipment and methodology

Whereas the modern architecture trends to an extensive use of glazing elements, buildings are increasingly required to minimize the external energy demand, cutting down the energy needed and covering the residual demand using local energy generation solutions. In this context, the integration of optimized Semi- Transparent Photovoltaic (STPV) elements seems to present a promising energy saving potential, leading to significant reductions of the heating, cooling and lighting loads while the on-site electricity generation is supplied. In mild climate areas, building glazings are required to perform as solar control systems with a low solar factor in order to avoid overheating. However, g-value is frequently unavailable in the data sheet of the STPV elements, making it difficult to design the optimal building solution. In the present work, an indoor testing facility to analyze the solar factor of STPV elements has been further developed and validated. The operating principles of the calorimetric system as well as the experimental data obtained in the validation stage are presented. Results show that the system accuracy and sensitivity are fully adequate to perform detailed analyses of the solar factor of STPV glazings. Furthermore, g-value variations with the transparency degree have been analyzed over different electrical operating points

A Bayesian model selection analysis of WMAP3

We present a Bayesian model selection analysis of WMAP3 data using our code CosmoNest. We focus on the density perturbation spectral index $n_S$ and the tensor-to-scalar ratio $r$, which define the plane of slow-roll inflationary models. We find that while the Bayesian evidence supports the conclusion that $n_S \neq 1$, the data are not yet powerful enough to do so at a strong or decisive level. If tensors are assumed absent, the current odds are approximately 8 to 1 in favour of $n_S \neq 1$ under our assumptions, when WMAP3 data is used together with external data sets. WMAP3 data on its own is unable to distinguish between the two models. Further, inclusion of $r$ as a parameter weakens the conclusion against the Harrison-Zel'dovich case (n_S = 1, r=0), albeit in a prior-dependent way. In appendices we describe the CosmoNest code in detail, noting its ability to supply posterior samples as well as to accurately compute the Bayesian evidence. We make a first public release of CosmoNest, now available at http://www.cosmonest.org.Comment: 7 pages RevTex with 4 figures included. Updated to match PRD accepted version. Main results unchanged. CosmoNest code now version 1.0 and includes calculation of the Information. Code available at http://www.cosmonest.or

ReconViguRation: Reconfiguring Physical Keyboards in Virtual Reality.

Physical keyboards are common peripherals for personal computers and are efficient standard text entry devices. Recent research has investigated how physical keyboards can be used in immersive head-mounted display-based Virtual Reality (VR). So far, the physical layout of keyboards has typically been transplanted into VR for replicating typing experiences in a standard desktop environment. In this paper, we explore how to fully leverage the immersiveness of VR to change the input and output characteristics of physical keyboard interaction within a VR environment. This allows individual physical keys to be reconfigured to the same or different actions and visual output to be distributed in various ways across the VR representation of the keyboard. We explore a set of input and output mappings for reconfiguring the virtual presentation of physical keyboards and probe the resulting design space by specifically designing, implementing and evaluating nine VR-relevant applications: emojis, languages and special characters, application shortcuts, virtual text processing macros, a window manager, a photo browser, a whack-a-mole game, secure password entry and a virtual touch bar. We investigate the feasibility of the applications in a user study with 20 participants and find that, among other things, they are usable in VR. We discuss the limitations and possibilities of remapping the input and output characteristics of physical keyboards in VR based on empirical findings and analysis and suggest future research directions in this area