Scattering theory with matter fields of classical gravitons in the null surface formulation

Using a set of field equations in the null surface formulation we obtain the linearized coupling between the gravitational and matter fields. We first derive a formula for the metric of the space time and then we use this formula to study the scattering of incoming gravitational waves when matter is present, obtaining explicit formulae relating the radiation modes at past and future null infinity for a general asymptotically flat spacetime. An example application is made at the end of this work when the matter field is a massless real scalar field. The relevance of this result for a perturbation procedure is discussed.Comment: 13 Page

Final velocity and radiated energy in numerical simulations of binary black holes

The evolution of global binary black holes variables such as energy or linear momentum are mainly obtained by applying numerical methods near coalescence, post-Newtonian (PN) expansions, or a combination of both. In this paper, we use a fully relativistic formalism presented several years ago that only uses global variables defined at null infinity together with the gravitational radiation emitted by the source to obtain the time evolution of such variables for binary black holes (BBH) systems. For that, we use the Rochester catalog composed of 776 BBHs simulations. We compute the final velocity, radiated energy, and intrinsic angular momentum predicted by the dynamical equations in this formalism for nonspinning, aligned and antialigned spins, and several different precessing configurations. We compare obtained values with reported values in numerical simulations. As BBHs parameter space is still not completely covered by numerical simulations, we fit phenomenological formulas for practical applications to the radiated energy and final velocities obtained. Also, we compare the fits with reported values. In conclusion, we see that our formulae and correlations for the variables described in this work are consistent with those found in the general literature.Comment: 12 pages, 16 figure

TELLUS: A combined surface temperature, soil moisture and evaporation mapping approach

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Relaxation bottleneck and its suppression in semiconductor microcavities

A polariton relaxation bottleneck is observed in angle-resolved measurements of photoluminescence emission from a semiconductor microcavity. For low power laser excitation, low k polariton states are found to have a very small population relative to those at high k. The bottleneck is found to be strongly suppressed at higher powers in the regime of superlinear emission of the lower polariton states. Evidence for the important role of carrier-carrier scattering in suppression of the bottleneck is presented

Dogmatism and Religion: When the Need to Be Right Impedes Helping

In two correlational studies, I examine the relationship between religious dogmatism and helping behaviors. I hypothesize that there is a negative relationship between people’s level of dogmatism and their likelihood of exhibiting helping behaviors toward other religious organizations and secular organizations. I also hypothesize that this negative relationship exists between nonreligious people’s level of dogmatism and their likelihood of exhibiting helping behaviors toward religious organizations. In Study 1 (N=190), I found a negative correlation between religious people’s level of dogmatism and their likelihood of donating to a secular organization. In Study 2 (N=300), I found a similar pattern of results among nonreligious dogmatists: atheist and agnostic participants’ level of dogmatism was negatively correlated with their likelihood of donating to a religious organization. The results indicate that religious dogmatism may impact helping behaviors in ways that previous social identity research has not explored. Individual tendencies toward social comparison, preferences for like-minded others, and/or past exposure to diverse worldviews could be explanations for these results, among other explanations. After presenting the following research, I discuss the implications and limitations of the findings and give ideas for future research.Honors (Bachelor's)Organizational StudiesUniversity of Michiganhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142388/1/Tassone_OSHonorsThesis17_FINAL.pdfDescription of Tassone_OSHonorsThesis17_FINAL.pdf : Honors Thesi

Evolución del sector septentrional del margen continental catalán durante el Cenozoico

Preliminary integrative analysis of the geological record in the onshore and offshore areas of the Northern Catalan continental margin, enable one to trace as far as the shelf edge, the main Eastem Pyrenean Paleogene contractive structures (axial zone antiformal stack, Figueres-Montgrí thrust-sheet, Vallfogona thrust) and their coeval foreland basin. These structures are cut by two major, NE-SW to NNE-SSW and NW-SE oriented, extensional fault systems. The activity of the NE-SW to NNE-SSW fault system (mainly Late Oligocene-earliest Miocene in age) would have resulted in most of the crustal extension and thinning recorded in this extensional margin of the Valencia Trough. On the other side the NW-SE faults were at least partially active as strike-slip faults during the Paleogene, with displacements which are difficult to be precised. Nevertheless these faults were mainly normal faults during Middle Miocene to Quatemary. Although the faults display minor slips than those of NE-SW orientation, they are closely related to a noticeable alkaline volcanic activity which denote they reach the lower litosphere. The Cenozoic stratigraphy in the Northern Catalan continental margin records and was influenced succesively by: 1) the Paleogene (Paleocene-Early Oligocene) upbuilding of the Pyrenean orogen and the evolution of its foreland basin; 2: the activity of the Late Oligocene-Early Miocene NE-SW to NNE-SSW faults and coeval lithospheric uplifting, both related to the the NW Mediterranean rifting; and 3: the later thermal subsidence of the continental margin developed during the Middle Miocene-Quaternary and which was opposite to the isostatic rebound of the Pyrenees and its southern foreland. Middle Miocene to Quaternary sedimentation related to the resulting total subsidence of the continental margin was modified by the generation of local depocenters. These depocenters resulted from the excavation of topographical depressions and the more or less simultaneous activity of the NW-SE faults. Some of these low lying zones were superimposed and accentuated pre-existing contractive Paleogene depressions. In some cases this fact controlled the develoment of significative Late Neogene depocenters and the location in the continental margin of some conspicuous Neogene and recent submanne canyons

Myeloid derived suppressor cells in multiple myeloma: Preclinical research and translational opportunities

Immunosuppressive cells have been reported to play an important role in tumor progression mainly because of their capability to promote immuneescape, angiogenesis and metastasis. Among them, myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been recently identified as immature myeloid cells, induced by tumor-associated inflammation, able to impair both innate and adaptive immunity. While murine MDSCs are usually identified by the expression of CD11b and Gr-1, human MDSCs represent a more heterogeneous population characterized by the expression of CD33 and CD11b, low or no HLA-DR and variable CD14 and CD15. In particular, the last two may alternatively identify monocyte-like or granulocyte-like MDSC subsets with different immunosuppressive properties. Recently, a substantial increase of MDSCs has been found in peripheral blood and bone marrow (BM) of multiple myeloma (MM) patients with a role in disease progression and/or drug resistance. Preclinical models recapitulating the complexity of the MM-related BM microenvironment (BMM) are major tools for the study of the interactions between MM cells and cells of the BMM (including MDSCs) and for the development of new agents targeting MM-associated immune suppressive cells. This review will focus on current strategies for human MDSCs generation and investigation of their immunosuppressive function in vitro and in vivo, taking into account the relevant relationship occurring within the MM-BMM. We will then provide trends in MDSC-associated research and suggest potential application for the treatment of MM

The velo-uvulo-pharyngeal lift or "roman blinds" technique for treatment of snoring: a preliminary report

Snoring is caused by vibrating anatomical structures in the upper aerodigestive tract. It can be treated surgically and non-surgically, although resective procedures are associated with high postoperative morbidity and failure rate. We describe a new non-resective surgical procedure called the velo-uvulo-pharyngeal lift in which the soft palate is lifted, shortened, advanced and stiffened by means of permanent threads anchored to fibro-osseous attachments at the level of the posterior nasal spine and both pterygoid hamuli. Four adult patients (median age 44.5 years; range 42-65) affected by snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (apneoa-hypopnoea index, AHI < 20) requiring septal surgery under general anesthesia also underwent velo-uvulo-pharyngeal lift. There were no significant intra- or post-operative complications, and all of the patients reported immediate snoring relief. The main complaints were slight pain and a sensation of local fullness, both of which spontaneously disappeared within two days. The subjective clinical improvement in snoring was confirmed during post-operative follow-up (median 15.5 months; range 6-25), as was the stable reshaping of the soft velo-uvulo-pharyngeal tissues and enlargement of the mesopharyngeal space. There was also a decrease in daytime sleepiness. Our preliminary results suggest that velo-uvulo-pharyngeal lift is a simple, cost-effective and minimally invasive means of widening the mesopharyngeal space in snoring patients with or without mild sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome. The widening of the mesopharyngeal space prevents contact-induced wall vibrations and its inspiratory obstruction causing hypopnoea and apnoea. It can also be combined with other procedures if indicated