4,183 research outputs found
Some symmetry classifications of hyperbolic vector evolution equations
Motivated by recent work on integrable flows of curves and 1+1 dimensional
sigma models, several O(N)-invariant classes of hyperbolic equations for an -component vector are considered. In each
class we find all scaling-homogeneous equations admitting a higher symmetry of
least possible scaling weight. Sigma model interpretations of these equations
are presented.Comment: Revision of published version, incorporating errata on geometric
aspects of the sigma model interpretations in the case of homogeneous space
Non-birational twisted derived equivalences in abelian GLSMs
In this paper we discuss some examples of abelian gauged linear sigma models
realizing twisted derived equivalences between non-birational spaces, and
realizing geometries in novel fashions. Examples of gauged linear sigma models
with non-birational Kahler phases are a relatively new phenomenon. Most of our
examples involve gauged linear sigma models for complete intersections of
quadric hypersurfaces, though we also discuss some more general cases and their
interpretation. We also propose a more general understanding of the
relationship between Kahler phases of gauged linear sigma models, namely that
they are related by (and realize) Kuznetsov's `homological projective duality.'
Along the way, we shall see how `noncommutative spaces' (in Kontsevich's sense)
are realized physically in gauged linear sigma models, providing examples of
new types of conformal field theories. Throughout, the physical realization of
stacks plays a key role in interpreting physical structures appearing in GLSMs,
and we find that stacks are implicitly much more common in GLSMs than
previously realized.Comment: 54 pages, LaTeX; v2: typo fixe
Parallel transport on non-Abelian flux tubes
I propose a way of unambiguously parallel transporting fields on non-Abelian
flux tubes, or strings, by means of two gauge fields. One gauge field
transports along the tube, while the other transports normal to the tube.
Ambiguity is removed by imposing an integrability condition on the pair of
fields. The construction leads to a gauge theory of mathematical objects known
as Lie 2-groups, which are known to result also from the parallel transport of
the flux tubes themselves. The integrability condition is also shown to be
equivalent to the assumption that parallel transport along nearby string
configurations are equal up to arbitrary gauge transformations. Attempts to
implement this condition in a field theory leads to effective actions for
two-form fields.Comment: significant portions of text rewritten, references adde
Lattice Spacing Dependence of the First Order Phase Transition for Dynamical Twisted Mass Fermions
Lattice QCD with Wilson fermions generically shows the phenomenon of a first
order phase transition. We study the phase structure of lattice QCD using
Wilson twisted mass fermions and the Wilson plaquette gauge action are used in
a range of beta values where such a first order phase transition is observed.
In particular, we investigate the dependence of the first order phase
transition on the value of the lattice spacing. Using only data in one phase
and neglecting possible problems arising from the phase transition we are able
to perform a first scaling test for physical quantities using this action.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, typo corrected, web-list of authors correcte
Design of Autonomous Medical Response Agent (AMRA) Aggregate Information Dashboard (AID)
Future astronauts in deep space missions will rely on tools and technologies empowering them to self-diagnose and self-treat medical conditions. Given communications delays and limited bandwidth in future long-duration exploration missions (LDEMs), medical decision support technologies must empower the crew to manage routine medical activities, acute medical incidents, as well as emergency medical scenarios independently from ground support.The Autonomous Medical Response Agent (AMRA) is envisioned as a digital tool enabling crew to issue medical complaints and interact with a medical decision support algorithm which develops a differential diagnosis and recommends a treatment protocol for the condition. AMRA will draw from individual crew medical history in addition to crew symptoms to more efficiently identify high-risk medical conditions. A new symptom could be indicative of a chronic condition or a normal adaptation to long-duration spaceflight, but could just as easily be indicative of an adverse vehicle condition affecting the entire crew.While real-time communication with a flight surgeon may not possible, the crew will nonetheless require a means to communicate and document both routine and emergency medical incidents to ground support. Conversely, flight surgeons and medical specialists on the ground will need to understand information such as crew vitals or responses to medical check-ups and examinations within the larger context of crew schedule, mission activities, and vehicle performance. A user interface which establishes communication protocols between an individual crew member and AMRA, as well as ground support to the crew is a significant area of research demanding input and consideration.The design of AMRA AID is intended to: a) represent routine medical activities as well as new (unplanned) medical incidents within the larger context of crew schedule and mission activities, and b) increase confidence between ground support and crew members over the course of LDEMs. Maintaining situation awareness of unplanned medical incidents between ground and crew will be a critical element within LDEMs. Two medical incidents headache and difficulty breathing are being explored within a user interface prototype which captures communications protocols between crew members and mission control, human health monitoring, vehicle or environmental monitoring, as well as crew schedule and mission activities holistically
Quark mass dependence of masses and decay constants of the pseudo-Goldstone bosons in QCD
The dependence of the pseudoscalar meson masses and decay constants on sea
and valence quark masses is compared to next-to-leading order (NLO) Chiral
Perturbation Theory (ChPT). The numerical simulations with two light dynamical
quark flavors are performed with the Wilson-quark lattice action at gauge
coupling beta=5.1 and hopping parameters kappa=0.176, 0.1765, 0.177 on a 16^4
lattice. O(a) lattice artifacts are taken into account by applying chiral
perturbation theory for the Wilson lattice action. The values of the relevant
combinations of Gasser-Leutwyler constants L_4, L_5, L_6 and L_8 are estimated.Comment: 21 pages, 4 figures; discussion of the sea quark mass dependence
changed, references adde
Bacterial community dynamics during the early stages of biofilm formation in a chlorinated experimental drinking water distribution system: implications for drinking water discolouration
Aims :
To characterize bacterial communities during the early stages of biofilm formation and their role in water discolouration in a fully representative, chlorinated, experimental drinking water distribution systems (DWDS).
Methods and Results :
Biofilm development was monitored in an experimental DWDS over 28 days; subsequently the system was disturbed by raising hydraulic conditions to simulate pipe burst, cleaning or other system conditions. Biofilm cell cover was monitored by fluorescent microscopy and a fingerprinting technique used to assess changes in bacterial community. Selected samples were analysed by cloning and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Fingerprinting analysis revealed significant changes in the bacterial community structure over time (P < 0·05). Cell coverage increased over time accompanied by an increase in bacterial richness and diversity.
Conclusions :
Shifts in the bacterial community structure were observed along with an increase in cell coverage, bacterial richness and diversity. Species related to Pseudomonas spp. and Janthinobacterium spp. dominated the process of initial attachment. Based on fingerprinting results, the hydraulic regimes did not affect the bacteriological composition of biofilms, but they did influence their mechanical stability.
Significance and Importance of the Study :
This study gives a better insight into the early stages of biofilm formation in DWDS and will contribute to the improvement of management strategies to control the formation of biofilms and the risk of discolouration
Influence of hydraulic regimes on bacterial community structure and composition in an experimental drinking water distribution system
Microbial biofilms formed on the inner-pipe surfaces of drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) can alter drinking water quality, particularly if they are mechanically detached from the pipe wall to the bulk water, such as due to changes in hydraulic conditions. Results are presented here from applying 454 pyrosequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene to investigate the influence of different hydrological regimes on bacterial community structure and to study the potential mobilisation of material from the pipe walls to the network using a full scale, temperature-controlled experimental pipeline facility accurately representative of live DWDS.
Analysis of pyrosequencing and water physico-chemical data showed that habitat type (water vs. biofilm) and hydraulic conditions influenced bacterial community structure and composition in our experimental DWDS. Bacterial community composition clearly differed between biofilms and bulk water samples. Gammaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria were the most abundant phyla in biofilms while Alphaproteobacteria was predominant in bulk water samples. This suggests that bacteria inhabiting biofilms, predominantly species belonging to genera Pseudomonas, Zooglea and Janthinobacterium, have an enhanced ability to express extracellular polymeric substances to adhere to surfaces and to favour co-aggregation between cells than those found in the bulk water. Highest species richness and diversity were detected in 28 days old biofilms with this being accentuated at highly varied flow conditions. Flushing altered the pipe-wall bacterial community structure but did not completely remove bacteria from the pipe walls, particularly under highly varied flow conditions, suggesting that under these conditions more compact biofilms were generated.
This research brings new knowledge regarding the influence of different hydraulic regimes on the composition and structure of bacterial communities within DWDS and the implication that this might have on drinking water quality
Partially quenched chiral perturbation theory and numerical simulations
The dependence of the pseudoscalar meson mass and decay constant is compared
to one-loop Partially Quenched Chiral Perturbation Theory (PQChPT) in a
numerical simulation with two light dynamical quarks. The characteristic
behaviour with chiral logarithms is observed. The values of the fitted
PQChPT-parameters are in a range close to the expectation in continuum in spite
of the fact that the lattice spacing is still large, namely a=0.28 fm.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures; discussion of the results in section 3 extende
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