Random matrices, Virasoro algebras, and noncommutative KP

What is the connection of random matrices with integrable systems? Is this connection really useful? The answer to these questions leads to a new and unifying approach to the theory of random matrices. Introducing an appropriate time t-dependence in the probability distribution of the matrix ensemble, leads to vertex operator expressions for the n-point correlation functions (probabilities of n eigenvalues in infinitesimal intervals) and the corresponding Fredholm determinants (probabilities of no eigenvalue in a Borel subset E); the latter probability is a ratio of tau-functions for the KP-equation, whose numerator satisfy partial differential equations, which decouple into the sum of two parts: a Virasoro-like part depending on time only and a Vect(S^1)-part depending on the boundary points A_i of E. Upon setting t=0, and using the KP-hierarchy to eliminate t-derivatives, these PDE's lead to a hierarchy of non-linear PDE's, purely in terms of the A_i. These PDE's are nothing else but the KP hierarchy for which the t-partials, viewed as commuting operators, are replaced by non-commuting operators in the endpoints A_i of the E under consideration. When the boundary of E consists of one point and for the known kernels, one recovers the Painleve equations, found in prior work on the subject.Comment: 56 page

Mixed mode pattern in Doublefoot mutant mouse limb - Turing reaction-diffusion model on a growing domain during limb development

It has been suggested that the Turing reaction–diffusion model on a growing domain is applicable during limb development, but experimental evidence for this hypothesis has been lacking. In the present study, we found that in Doublefoot mutant mice, which have supernumerary digits due to overexpansion of the limb bud, thin digits exist in the proximal part of the hand or foot, which sometimes become normal abruptly at the distal part. We found that exactly the same behaviour can be reproduced by numerical simulation of the simplest possible Turing reaction–diffusion model on a growing domain. We analytically showed that this pattern is related to the saturation of activator kinetics in the model. Furthermore, we showed that a number of experimentally observed phenomena in this system can be explained within the context of a Turing reaction–diffusion model. Finally, we make some experimentally testable predictions

Mechanical properties of Pt monatomic chains

The mechanical properties of platinum monatomic chains were investigated by simultaneous measurement of an effective stiffness and the conductance using our newly developed mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ) technique with a tuning fork as a force sensor. When stretching a monatomic contact (two-atom chain), the stiffness and conductance increases at the early stage of stretching and then decreases just before breaking, which is attributed to a transition of the chain configuration and bond weakening. A statistical analysis was made to investigate the mechanical properties of monatomic chains. The average stiffness shows minima at the peak positions of the length-histogram. From this result we conclude that the peaks in the length-histogram are a measure of the number of atoms in the chains, and that the chains break from a strained state. Additionally, we find that the smaller the initial stiffness of the chain is, the longer the chain becomes. This shows that softer chains can be stretched longer.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure