A five-dimensional perspective on the Klein-Gordon equation

We discuss the Klein-Gordon (KG) equation using a 5D space-time approach. We explicitly show that the KG equation in flat space-time admits a consistent probabilistic interpretation with positively defined probability density. However, the probabilistic interpretation is not covariant. In the non-relativistic limit, the formalism reduces naturally to that of the Schr\"odinger equation. We further discuss other interpretations of the KG equation (and their non-relativistic limits) resulting from the 5D space-time picture. Finally, we apply our results to the problem of hydrogenic spectra and calculate the canonical sum of the hydrogenic atom.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figur

On spinless null propagation in five dimensional space-times with approximate space-like Killing symmetry

Five-dimensional (5D) space-time symmetry greatly facilitates how a 4D observer perceives the propagation of a single spinless particle in a 5D space-time. In particular, if the 5D geometry is independent of the fifth coordinate then the 5D physics may be interpreted as 4D quantum mechanics. In this work we address the case where symmetry is approximate, focusing on the case where the 5D geometry depends weakly on the fifth coordinate. We show that concepts developed for the case of exact symmetry approximately hold when other concepts such as decaying quantum states, resonant quantum scattering and Stokes drag are adopted, as well. We briefly comment on the optical model of the nuclear interactions and Millikan's oil drop experiment.Comment: 6 pages, Typos correcte

The diffusion dynamics of choice: From durable goods markets to fashion first names

Goods, styles, ideologies are adopted by society through various mechanisms. In particular, adoption driven by innovation is extensively studied by marketing economics. Mathematical models are currently used to forecast the sales of innovative goods. Inspired by the theory of diffusion processes developed for marketing economics, we propose, for the first time, a predictive framework for the mechanism of fashion, which we apply to first names. Analyses of French, Dutch and US national databases validate our modelling approach for thousands of first names, covering, on average, more than 50% of the yearly incidence in each database. In these cases, it is thus possible to forecast how popular the first names will become and when they will run out of fashion. Furthermore, we uncover a clear distinction between popularity and fashion: less popular names, typically not included in studies of fashion, may be driven by fashion, as well.Comment: 11 pages, 1 table, 2 figures, 4 pages of supporting informatio

Role of word-of-mouth for programs of voluntary vaccination: A game-theoretic approach

We propose a model describing the synergetic feedback between word-of-mouth (WoM) and epidemic dynamics controlled by voluntary vaccination. We combine a game-theoretic model for the spread of WoM and a compartmental model describing $SIR$ disease dynamics in the presence of a program of voluntary vaccination. We evaluate and compare two scenarios, depending on what WoM disseminates: (1) vaccine advertising, which may occur whether or not an epidemic is ongoing and (2) epidemic status, notably disease prevalence. Understanding the synergy between the two strategies could be particularly important for organizing voluntary vaccination campaigns. We find that, in the initial phase of an epidemic, vaccination uptake is determined more by vaccine advertising than the epidemic status. As the epidemic progresses, epidemic status become increasingly important for vaccination uptake, considerably accelerating vaccination uptake toward a stable vaccination coverage.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure