Size-Change Abstraction and Max-Plus Automata

Max-plus automata (over ℕ ∪ − ∞) are finite devices that map input words to non-negative integers or − ∞. In this paper we present (a) an algorithm allowing to compute the asymptotic behaviour of max-plus automata, and (b) an application of this technique to the evaluation of the computational time complexity of programs

Going higher in the First-order Quantifier Alternation Hierarchy on Words

We investigate the quantifier alternation hierarchy in first-order logic on finite words. Levels in this hierarchy are defined by counting the number of quantifier alternations in formulas. We prove that one can decide membership of a regular language to the levels $\mathcal{B}\Sigma_2$ (boolean combination of formulas having only 1 alternation) and $\Sigma_3$ (formulas having only 2 alternations beginning with an existential block). Our proof works by considering a deeper problem, called separation, which, once solved for lower levels, allows us to solve membership for higher levels

The Onset of Anisotropic Transport of Two-Dimensional Electrons in High Landau Levels: An Isotropic-to-Nematic Liquid Crystal Phase Transition?

The recently discovered anisotropy of the longitudinal resistance of two-dimensional electrons near half filling of high Landau levels is found to persist to much higher temperatures T when a large in-plane magnetic field B|| is applied. Under these conditions we find that the longitudinal resistivity scales quasi-linearly with B||/T. These observations support the notion that the onset of anisotropy at B||=0 does not reflect the spontaneous development of charge density modulations but may instead signal an isotropic-to-nematic liquid crystal phase transition.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

The Release Kinetics of Eosinophil Peroxidase and Mitochondrial DNA Is Different in Association with Eosinophil Extracellular Trap Formation.

Eosinophils are a subset of granulocytes characterized by a high abundance of specific granules in their cytoplasm. To act as effector cells, eosinophils degranulate and form eosinophil extracellular traps (EETs), which contain double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) co-localized with granule proteins. The exact molecular mechanism of EET formation remains unknown. Although the term "EET release" has been used in scientific reports, it is unclear whether EETs are pre-formed in eosinophils and subsequently released. Moreover, although eosinophil degranulation has been extensively studied, a precise time-course of granule protein release has not been reported until now. In this study, we investigated the time-dependent release of eosinophil peroxidase (EPX) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) following activation of both human and mouse eosinophils. Unexpectedly, maximal degranulation was already observed within 1 min with no further change upon complement factor 5 (C5a) stimulation of interleukin-5 (IL-5) or granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-primed eosinophils. In contrast, bulk mtDNA release in the same eosinophil populations occurred much slower and reached maximal levels between 30 and 60 min. Although no single-cell analyses have been performed, these data suggest that the molecular pathways leading to degranulation and mtDNA release are at least partially different. Moreover, based on these data, it is likely that the association between the mtDNA scaffold and granule proteins in the process of EET formation occurs in the extracellular space

Intrinsic Moment of Inertia of Membranes as bounds for the mass gap of Yang-Mills Theories

We obtain the precise condition on the potentials of Yang-Mills theories in 0+1 dimensions and D0 brane quantum mechanics ensuring the discretness of the spectrum. It is given in terms of a moment of inertia of the membrane. From it we obtain a bound for the mass gap of any D+1 Yang-Mills theory in the slow-mode regime. In particular we analyze the physical case D=3. The quantum mechanical behavior of the theories, concerning its spectrum, is determined by harmonic oscillators with frequencies given by the inertial tensor of the membrane. We find a class of quantum mechanic potential polynomials of any degree, with classical instabilities that at quantum level have purely discrete spectrum.Comment: 12pages, Latex, minor changes, more explanatory comment

Discreteness of the spectrum of the compactified D=11 supermembrane with non-trivial winding

We analyze the Hamiltonian of the compactified D=11 supermembrane with non-trivial central charge in terms of the matrix model constructed recently by some of the authors. Our main result provides a rigorous proof that the quantum Hamiltonian of the supersymmetric model has compact resolvent and thus its spectrum consists of a discrete set of eigenvalues with finite multiplicity.Comment: 16 pages, final versio

An Alternative Method to Deduce Bubble Dynamics in Single Bubble Sonoluminescence Experiments

In this paper we present an experimental approach that allows to deduce the important dynamical parameters of single sonoluminescing bubbles (pressure amplitude, ambient radius, radius-time curve) The technique is based on a few previously confirmed theoretical assumptions and requires the knowledge of quantities such as the amplitude of the electric excitation and the phase of the flashes in the acoustic period. These quantities are easily measurable by a digital oscilloscope, avoiding the cost of expensive lasers, or ultrafast cameras of previous methods. We show the technique on a particular example and compare the results with conventional Mie scattering. We find that within the experimental uncertainties these two techniques provide similar results.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Do quasi-regular structures really exist in the solar photosphere? I. Observational evidence

Two series of solar-granulation images -- the La Palma series of 5 June 1993 and the SOHO MDI series of 17--18 January 1997 -- are analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. New evidence is presented for the existence of long-lived, quasi-regular structures (first reported by Getling and Brandt (2002)), which no longer appear unusual in images averaged over 1--2-h time intervals. Such structures appear as families of light and dark concentric rings or families of light and dark parallel strips (``ridges'' and ``trenches'' in the brightness distributions). In some cases, rings are combined with radial ``spokes'' and can thus form ``web'' patterns. The characteristic width of a ridge or trench is somewhat larger than the typical size of granules. Running-average movies constructed from the series of images are used to seek such structures. An algorithm is developed to obtain, for automatically selected centres, the radial distributions of the azimuthally averaged intensity, which highlight the concentric-ring patterns. We also present a time-averaged granulation image processed with a software package intended for the detection of geological structures in aerospace images. A technique of running-average-based correlations between the brightness variations at various points of the granular field is developed and indications are found for a dynamical link between the emergence and sinking of hot and cool parcels of the solar plasma. In particular, such a correlation analysis confirms our suggestion that granules -- overheated blobs -- may repeatedly emerge on the solar surface. Based on our study, the critical remarks by Rast (2002) on the original paper by Getling and Brandt (2002) can be dismissed.Comment: 21 page, 8 figures; accepted by "Solar Physics

Landmark-based morphometric and meristic variations of endangered mrigal carp, Cirrhinus cirrhosus (Bloch 1795), from wild and hatchery stocks

Wild stocks of endangered mrigal carp, Cirrhinus cirrhosus (Bloch 1795), continues to decline rapidly in the Indo-Ganges river basin. With an objective to evaluate its population status, landmark-based morphometric and meristic variations among three different stocks viz., hatchery (Jessore), baor (Gopalganj) and river (Faridpur) in Bangladesh were studied. Significant differences were observed in 10 of the 15 morphometric measurements viz., head length, standard length, fork length, length of base of spinous, pre-orbital length, eye length, post-orbital length, length of upper jaw, height of pelvic fin and barbel length, two of the 8 meristic counts viz., scales above the lateral line and pectoral fin rays and 10 of the 22 truss network measurements viz., 1 to 10, 2 to 3, 2 to 8, 2 to 9, 2 to 10, 3 to 4, 3 to 8, 4 to 5, 4 to 7 and 9 to 10 among the stocks. For morphometric and landmark measurements, the 1st discriminant function (DF) accounted for 58.1% and the 2nd DF accounted for 41.9% of the among-group variability. In discriminant space, the river stock was isolated from the other two stocks. On the other hand, baor and hatchery stocks formed a very compact cluster. A dendrogram based on the hierarchical cluster analysis using morphometric and truss distance data placed the hatchery and baor in one cluster and the river in another cluster and the distance between the river and hatchery populations was the highest. Morphological differences among stocks are expected, because of their geographical isolation and their origin from different ancestors. The baseline information derived from the present study would be useful for genetic studies and in the assessment of environmental impacts on C. cirrhosus populations in Bangladesh

From algebra to logic: there and back again -- the story of a hierarchy

This is an extended survey of the results concerning a hierarchy of languages that is tightly connected with the quantifier alternation hierarchy within the two-variable fragment of first order logic of the linear order.Comment: Developments in Language Theory 2014, Ekaterinburg : Russian Federation (2014