On the correlation functions of the domain wall six vertex model

We propose an (essentially combinatorial) approach to the correlation functions of the domain wall six vertex model. We reproduce the boundary 1-point function determinant expression of Bogoliubov, Pronko and Zvonarev, then use that as a building block to obtain analogous expressions for boundary 2-point functions. The latter can be used, at least in principle, to express more general boundary (and bulk) correlation functions as sums over (products of) determinants.Comment: LaTeX2e, requires eepic, 25 pages, including 29 figure

Analysis of Dislocation Mechanism for Melting of Elements: Pressure Dependence

In the framework of melting as a dislocation-mediated phase transition we derive an equation for the pressure dependence of the melting temperatures of the elements valid up to pressures of order their ambient bulk moduli. Melting curves are calculated for Al, Mg, Ni, Pb, the iron group (Fe, Ru, Os), the chromium group (Cr, Mo, W), the copper group (Cu, Ag, Au), noble gases (Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, Rn), and six actinides (Am, Cm, Np, Pa, Th, U). These calculated melting curves are in good agreement with existing data. We also discuss the apparent equivalence of our melting relation and the Lindemann criterion, and the lack of the rigorous proof of their equivalence. We show that the would-be mathematical equivalence of both formulas must manifest itself in a new relation between the Gr\"{u}neisen constant, bulk and shear moduli, and the pressure derivative of the shear modulus.Comment: 19 pages, LaTeX, 9 eps figure

Vlasov scaling for the Glauber dynamics in continuum

We consider Vlasov-type scaling for the Glauber dynamics in continuum with a positive integrable potential, and construct rescaled and limiting evolutions of correlation functions. Convergence to the limiting evolution for the positive density system in infinite volume is shown. Chaos preservation property of this evolution gives a possibility to derive a non-linear Vlasov-type equation for the particle density of the limiting system.Comment: 32 page

Spots structure and stratification of helium and silicon in the atmosphere of He-weak star HD 21699

The magnetic star HD 21699 possesses a unique magnetic field structure where the magnetic dipole is displaced from the centre by 0.4 +/- 0.1 of the stellar radius (perpendicularly to the magnetic axis), as a result, the magnetic poles are situated close to one another on the stellar surface with an angular separation of 55$^o$ and not 180$^o$ as seen in the case of a centred dipole. Respectively, the two magnetic poles form a large "magnetic spot". High-resolution spectra were obtained allowing He I and Si II abundance variations to be studied as a function of rotational phase. The results show that the helium abundance is concentrated in one hemisphere of the star, near the magnetic poles and it is comparatively weaker in another hemisphere, where magnetic field lines are horizontal with respect to the stellar surface. At the same time, the silicon abundance is greatest between longitudes of 180 - 320$^o$, the same place where the helium abundance is the weakest. These abundance variations (with rotational phase) support predictions made by the theory of atomic diffusion in the presence of a magnetic field. Simultaneously, these result support the possibility of the formation of unusual structures in stellar magnetic fields. Analysis of vertical stratification of the silicon and helium abundances shows that the boundaries of an abundance jump (in the two step model) are similar for each element; $\tau_{5000}$ = 0.8-1.2 for helium and 0.5-1.3 for silicon. The elemental abundances in the layers of effective formation of selected absorption lines for various phases are also correlated with the excitation energies of low transition levels: abundances are enhanced for higher excitation energy and higher optical depth within the applied model atmosphere.Comment: accepted by MN, 7 pagers, 10 figs, 3 table

Conditional Intensity and Gibbsianness of Determinantal Point Processes

The Papangelou intensities of determinantal (or fermion) point processes are investigated. These exhibit a monotonicity property expressing the repulsive nature of the interaction, and satisfy a bound implying stochastic domination by a Poisson point process. We also show that determinantal point processes satisfy the so-called condition $(\Sigma_{\lambda})$ which is a general form of Gibbsianness. Under a continuity assumption, the Gibbsian conditional probabilities can be identified explicitly.Comment: revised and extende

The in vitro effects of artificial and natural sweeteners on the immune system using whole blood culture assays

This article investigates the effects of commercially available artificial (aspartame, saccharin, sucralose) and natural sweeteners (brown sugar, white sugar, molasses) on the immune system. Human whole blood cultures were incubated with various sweeteners and stimulated in vitro with either phytohemagglutinin or endotoxin. Harvested supernatants were screened for cytotoxicity and cytokine release. Results showed that none of the artificial or natural sweeteners proved to be cytotoxic, indicating that no cell death was induced in vitro. The natural sweetener, sugar cane molasses (10 ug=mL), enhanced levels of the inflammatory biomarker IL-6 while all artificial sweeteners (10 ug=mL) revealed a suppressive effect on IL-6 secretion (P<0.001). Exposure of blood cells to sucralose-containing sweeteners under stimulatory conditions reduced levels of the biomarker of humoral immunity, Interleukin-10 (P<0.001). The cumulative suppression of Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-10 levels induced by sucralose may contribute to the inability in mounting an effective humoral response when posed with an exogenous threat.Web of Scienc

Nonsingular potentials from excited state factorization of a quantum system with position dependent mass

The modified factorization technique of a quantum system characterized by position-dependent mass Hamiltonian is presented. It has been shown that the singular superpotential defined in terms of a mass function and a excited state wave function of a given position-dependent mass Hamiltonian can be used to construct non-singular isospectral Hamiltonians. The method has been illustrated with the help of a few examples.Comment: Improved version accepted in J. Phys.

Inter-observer agreement of canine and feline paroxysmal event semiology and classification by veterinary neurology specialists and non-specialists

Background: Advances in mobile technology mean vets are now commonly presented with videos of paroxysmal events by clients, but the consistency of the interpretation of these videos has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to investigate the level of agreement between vets (both neurology specialists and non-specialists) on the description and classification of videos depicting paroxysmal events, without knowing any results of diagnostic workup. An online questionnaire study was conducted, where participants watched 100 videos of dogs and cats exhibiting paroxysmal events and answered questions regarding: epileptic seizure presence (yes/ no), seizure type, consciousness status, and the presence of motor, autonomic and neurobehavioural signs. Agreement statistics (percentage agreement and kappa) calculated for each variable, with prevalence indices calculated to aid their interpretation. Results: Only a fair level of agreement (kappa = 0.40) was found for epileptic seizure presence. Overall agreement of seizure type was moderate (kappa = 0.44), with primary generalised seizures showing the highest level of agreement (kappa = 0.60), and focal the lowest (kappa = 0.31). Fair agreement was found for consciousness status and the presence of autonomic signs (kappa = 0.21-0.40), but poor agreement for neurobehavioral signs (kappa = 0.16). Agreement for motor signs ranged from poor (kappa = <= 0.20) to moderate (kappa = 0.41-0.60). Differences between specialists and non-specialists were identified. Conclusions: The relatively low levels of agreement described here highlight the need for further discussions between neurology experts regarding classifying and describing epileptic seizures, and additional training of non-specialists to facilitate accurate diagnosis. There is a need for diagnostic tools (e.g. electroencephalogram) able to differentiate between epileptic and non-epileptic paroxysms

Implications of Preliminary VEGA Balloon Results for the Venus Atmosphere Dynamics

The typical 1-2 m/sec vertical winds encountered by the Vega balloons probably result from thermal convection. The consistent 6.5-kelvin differential between the Vega 1 and Vega 2 temperatures is attributable to disturbances of synoptic or planetary scale. According to the Doppler tracking the winds were stronger than on earlier missions, perhaps because of solar thermal tides. The motions of Vega 2 may have been affected by waves from mountainous terrain