1,665 research outputs found
Elliptic Genera and 3d Gravity
We describe general constraints on the elliptic genus of a 2d supersymmetric
conformal field theory which has a gravity dual with large radius in Planck
units. We give examples of theories which do and do not satisfy the bounds we
derive, by describing the elliptic genera of symmetric product orbifolds of
, product manifolds, certain simple families of Calabi-Yau hypersurfaces,
and symmetric products of the "Monster CFT." We discuss the distinction between
theories with supergravity duals and those whose duals have strings at the
scale set by the AdS curvature. Under natural assumptions we attempt to
quantify the fraction of (2,2) supersymmetric conformal theories which admit a
weakly curved gravity description, at large central charge.Comment: 50 pages, 9 figures, v2: minor corrections to section
A Quantitative, Time-Dependent Model of Oxygen Isotopes in the Solar Nebula: Step one
The remarkable discovery that oxygen isotopes in primitive meteorites were fractionated along a line of slope I rather than along the typical slope 0,52 terrestrial fractionation line occurred almost 40 years ago, However, a satisfactory, quantitative explanation for this observation has yet to be found, though many different explanations have been proposed, The first of these explanations proposed that the observed line represented the final product produced by mixing molecular cloud dust with a nucleosynthetic component, rich in O-16, possibly resulting from a nearby supernova explosion, Donald Clayton suggested that Galactic Chemical Evolution would gradually change the oxygen isotopic composition of the interstellar grain population by steadily producing O-16 in supernovae, then producing the heavier isotopes as secondary products in lower mass stars, Thiemens and collaborators proposed a chemical mechanism that relied on the availability of additional active rotational and vibrational states in otherwise-symmetric molecules, such as CO2, O3 or SiO2, containing two different oxygen isotopes and a second, photochemical process that suggested that differential photochemical dissociation processes could fractionate oxygen , This second line of research has been pursued by several groups, though none of the current models is quantitative
Sexual abuse of intellectually disabled youth : a review
Intellectual disability (ID) is a condition characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, which affects various everyday social and practical skills. This disability manifests itself before the age of 18 (American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities [AAIDD], 2010). While the global prevalence of ID is only 1% (Maulik, Mascarenhas, Mathers, Dua & Saxena, 2011), research shows that the risk of being sexually abused is 2 to 6 times greater among intellectually disabled youth than among typically developing youth (Dion, Bouchard, Gaudreault & Mercier, 2012). It is also argued that the prevalence of sexual abuse may be underestimated among intellectually disabled youth, as disclosure may be more difficult for them because of their limited vocabulary and communicative abilities (Murphy, 2007). Despite this higher risk, professionals who work with this population have little information on the issue. Myths and prejudices which devalue intellectually disabled people in our society, such as the notions that they are asexual or that they do not suffer, may increase their vulnerability to sexual abuse (Mansell & Sobsey, 2001). Expanding our knowledge in the field of ID and sexual abuse may help dispel these myths and break down these prejudices. This article presents a literature review that aims to 1) provide an overview of sexual abuse of intellectually disabled youth, and 2) discuss the implications for prevention and intervention for these vulnerable youth
Reduced avian body condition due to global warming has little reproductive or population consequences
Climate change has strong effects on traits such as phenology and physiology. Studies typically assume that climate-induced trait changes will have consequences for population dynamics, but explicit tests are rare. Body condition reflects energy storage and may directly affect how much can be invested in reproduction and survival. However, the causal pathway by which decreased body condition impacts population dynamics has never been quantified across multiple populations and species. Therefore, we lack a general understanding of the consequences of changes in condition for variables more relevant for conservation, such as population size. Using structural equation modeling, we investigate how temperature-induced changes in body condition affect reproduction, and the subsequent impact on population growth rates of 19 bird species across 80 Dutch sites over a 21-year period. Warmer temperatures were associated with decreased body condition, which led to both decreased and increased reproduction at different sites, cancelling out any overall effect. The indirect effect of temperature on population growth (via body condition and reproduction) only explained within-species variation in the total effects of temperature on population growth. Instead, the direct effect of temperature on population growth (unrelated to condition and reproduction) was the most important pathway underlying the total effects of temperature on population growth, suggesting that unknown variables are mediating this effect. About half of the species are expected to increase under global warming, but this variation was not associated with any species characteristic. Overall, body condition responses to global warming are common, but their consequences on reproduction and subsequently population growth contribute relatively little to the total temperature impacts on population dynamics. Given that warming temperatures have strong effects on population dynamics, understanding the pathways via which temperature impacts population dynamics will be crucial for our ability to predict climate change effects in the future and improve conservation efforts
The Renormalization Group and Singular Perturbations: Multiple-Scales, Boundary Layers and Reductive Perturbation Theory
Perturbative renormalization group theory is developed as a unified tool for
global asymptotic analysis. With numerous examples, we illustrate its
application to ordinary differential equation problems involving multiple
scales, boundary layers with technically difficult asymptotic matching, and WKB
analysis. In contrast to conventional methods, the renormalization group
approach requires neither {\it ad hoc\/} assumptions about the structure of
perturbation series nor the use of asymptotic matching. Our renormalization
group approach provides approximate solutions which are practically superior to
those obtained conventionally, although the latter can be reproduced, if
desired, by appropriate expansion of the renormalization group approximant. We
show that the renormalization group equation may be interpreted as an amplitude
equation, and from this point of view develop reductive perturbation theory for
partial differential equations describing spatially-extended systems near
bifurcation points, deriving both amplitude equations and the center manifold.Comment: 44 pages, 2 Postscript figures, macro \uiucmac.tex available at macro
archives or at ftp://gijoe.mrl.uiuc.edu/pu
Renormalization Group Theory for Global Asymptotic Analysis
We show with several examples that renormalization group (RG) theory can be
used to understand singular and reductive perturbation methods in a unified
fashion. Amplitude equations describing slow motion dynamics in nonequilibrium
phenomena are RG equations. The renormalized perturbation approach may be
simpler to use than other approaches, because it does not require the use of
asymptotic matching, and yields practically superior approximations.Comment: 13 pages, plain tex + uiucmac.tex (available from babbage.sissa.it),
one PostScript figure appended at end. Or (easier) get compressed postscript
file by anon ftp from gijoe.mrl.uiuc.edu (128.174.119.153), file
/pub/rg_sing_prl.ps.
TRIAD zoning in Quebec: Experiences and results after 5 years
The TRIAD approach to forest management involves dividing the forest into 3 zones, each with its own management\ud
objectives, but with the overall goal of increasing the ecological and economic sustainability of the forest. For the past 5 years, we have been experimenting with TRIAD zoning in central Quebec, incorporating social interests into the original concept of TRIAD management. Results generally indicate that this approach is economically viable, socially acceptable, and preferable ecologically in this area. Although much remains to be done, thus far the consensus among the\ud
various project participants is that this approach may be a good fit for the public forest of Canada
Structural Stability and Renormalization Group for Propagating Fronts
A solution to a given equation is structurally stable if it suffers only an
infinitesimal change when the equation (not the solution) is perturbed
infinitesimally. We have found that structural stability can be used as a
velocity selection principle for propagating fronts. We give examples, using
numerical and renormalization group methods.Comment: 14 pages, uiucmac.tex, no figure
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