791 research outputs found
OPTIS - a satellite-based test of Special and General Relativity
A new satellite based test of Special and General Relativity is proposed. For
the Michelson-Morley experiment we expect an improvement of at least three
orders of magnitude, and for the Kennedy-Thorndike experiment an improvement of
more than one order of magnitude. Furthermore, an improvement by two orders of
the test of the universality of the gravitational red shift by comparison of an
atomic clock with an optical clock is projected.
The tests are based on ultrastable optical cavities, an atomic clock and a
comb generator.Comment: To appear in Class. Quantum Gra
Finite-size and correlation-induced effects in Mean-field Dynamics
The brain's activity is characterized by the interaction of a very large
number of neurons that are strongly affected by noise. However, signals often
arise at macroscopic scales integrating the effect of many neurons into a
reliable pattern of activity. In order to study such large neuronal assemblies,
one is often led to derive mean-field limits summarizing the effect of the
interaction of a large number of neurons into an effective signal. Classical
mean-field approaches consider the evolution of a deterministic variable, the
mean activity, thus neglecting the stochastic nature of neural behavior. In
this article, we build upon two recent approaches that include correlations and
higher order moments in mean-field equations, and study how these stochastic
effects influence the solutions of the mean-field equations, both in the limit
of an infinite number of neurons and for large yet finite networks. We
introduce a new model, the infinite model, which arises from both equations by
a rescaling of the variables and, which is invertible for finite-size networks,
and hence, provides equivalent equations to those previously derived models.
The study of this model allows us to understand qualitative behavior of such
large-scale networks. We show that, though the solutions of the deterministic
mean-field equation constitute uncorrelated solutions of the new mean-field
equations, the stability properties of limit cycles are modified by the
presence of correlations, and additional non-trivial behaviors including
periodic orbits appear when there were none in the mean field. The origin of
all these behaviors is then explored in finite-size networks where interesting
mesoscopic scale effects appear. This study leads us to show that the
infinite-size system appears as a singular limit of the network equations, and
for any finite network, the system will differ from the infinite system
Runaway dilaton and equivalence principle violations
In a recently proposed scenario, where the dilaton decouples while
cosmologically attracted towards infinite bare string coupling, its residual
interactions can be related to the amplitude of density fluctuations generated
during inflation, and are large enough to be detectable through a modest
improvement on present tests of free-fall universality. Provided it has
significant couplings to either dark matter or dark energy, a runaway dilaton
can also induce time-variations of the natural "constants" within the reach of
near-future experiments.Comment: 4 pages, minor change
New Nd-142 Evidence for a Non-Chondritic Composition of the Moon
The coupled Sm-147,146-Nd-143,142 systematics of lunar samples has been extensively studied for estimating the timescale of lunar differentiation. The published datasets yield consistent ages for Nd isotopic closure within the lunar mantle of approx.200 Myr after CAI formation. Although this time constraint is consistent with estimates derived from Hf-W chronometry of the Moon (>60 Myr after CAI formation), there is debate as to whether this age has chronological significance. Furthermore, there are discrepancies regarding the Nd isotope composition of the bulk Moon. Rankenburg et al. obtained a epsilon Nd-142 vs. Sm-147/Nd-144 correlation for lunar samples passing though the chondritic reference value (Sm-147/Nd-144 = 0.1967, epsilon Nd-142 = -0.21), suggesting that the Moon has a chondritic bulk composition. In contrast, the other datasets define a correlation line that passes approx.10-20 ppm above, suggesting that the Moon has a superchondritic Sm-147/Nd-144 (approx.0.206), close to that of the early depleted Earth (EDM). We present new Sm-Nd data for a high-Ti mare basalt (70135), two low-Ti mare basalt (LAP 02205 and MIL 05035) and a KREEPy low-Ti mare basalt (NWA 2977). These data are used to evaluate the significance of the Sm-Nd systematics for constraining the timescale of lunar differentiation and the bulk Nd isotope composition of the Moon
A Markovian event-based framework for stochastic spiking neural networks
In spiking neural networks, the information is conveyed by the spike times,
that depend on the intrinsic dynamics of each neuron, the input they receive
and on the connections between neurons. In this article we study the Markovian
nature of the sequence of spike times in stochastic neural networks, and in
particular the ability to deduce from a spike train the next spike time, and
therefore produce a description of the network activity only based on the spike
times regardless of the membrane potential process.
To study this question in a rigorous manner, we introduce and study an
event-based description of networks of noisy integrate-and-fire neurons, i.e.
that is based on the computation of the spike times. We show that the firing
times of the neurons in the networks constitute a Markov chain, whose
transition probability is related to the probability distribution of the
interspike interval of the neurons in the network. In the cases where the
Markovian model can be developed, the transition probability is explicitly
derived in such classical cases of neural networks as the linear
integrate-and-fire neuron models with excitatory and inhibitory interactions,
for different types of synapses, possibly featuring noisy synaptic integration,
transmission delays and absolute and relative refractory period. This covers
most of the cases that have been investigated in the event-based description of
spiking deterministic neural networks
Testing the equivalence principle: why and how?
Part of the theoretical motivation for improving the present level of testing
of the equivalence principle is reviewed. The general rationale for optimizing
the choice of pairs of materials to be tested is presented. One introduces a
simplified rationale based on a trichotomy of competing classes of theoretical
models.Comment: 11 pages, Latex, uses ioplppt.sty, submitted to Class. Quantum Gra
Quantum fluctuations for drag free geodesic motion
The drag free technique is used to force a proof mass to follow a geodesic
motion. The mass is protected from perturbations by a cage, and the motion of
the latter is actively controlled to follow the motion of the proof mass. We
present a theoretical analysis of the effects of quantum fluctuations for this
technique. We show that a perfect drag free operation is in principle possible
at the quantum level, in spite of the back action exerted on the mass by the
position sensor.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, RevTeX, minor change
One-Year Risk of Stroke after Transient Ischemic Attack or Minor Stroke
BACKGROUND Previous studies conducted between 1997 and 2003 estimated that the risk of stroke or an acute coronary syndrome was 12 to 20% during the first 3 months after a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke. The TIAregistry.org project was designed to describe the contemporary profile, etiologic factors, and outcomes in patients with a TIA or minor ischemic stroke who receive care in health systems that now offer urgent evaluation by stroke specialists.
METHODS We recruited patients who had had a TIA or minor stroke within the previous 7 days. Sites were selected if they had systems dedicated to urgent evaluation of patients with TIA. We estimated the 1-year risk of stroke and of the composite outcome of stroke, an acute coronary syndrome, or death from cardiovascular causes. We also examined the association of the ABCD2 score for the risk of stroke (range, 0 [lowest risk] to 7 [highest risk]), findings on brain imaging, and cause of TIA or minor stroke with the risk of recurrent stroke over a period of 1 year.
RESULTS From 2009 through 2011, we enrolled 4789 patients at 61 sites in 21 countries. A total of 78.4% of the patients were evaluated by stroke specialists within 24 hours after symptom onset. A total of 33.4% of the patients had an acute brain infarction, 23.2% had at least one extracranial or intracranial stenosis of 50% or more, and 10.4% had atrial fibrillation. The Kaplan–Meier estimate of the 1-year event rate of the composite cardiovascular outcome was 6.2% (95% confidence interval, 5.5 to 7.0). Kaplan–Meier estimates of the stroke rate at days 2, 7, 30, 90, and 365 were 1.5%, 2.1%, 2.8%, 3.7%, and 5.1%, respectively. In multivariable analyses, multiple infarctions on brain imaging, large-artery atherosclerosis, and an ABCD2 score of 6 or 7 were each associated with more than a doubling of the risk of stroke.
CONCLUSIONS We observed a lower risk of cardiovascular events after TIA than previously reported. The ABCD2 score, findings on brain imaging, and status with respect to large-artery atherosclerosis helped stratify the risk of recurrent stroke within 1 year after a TIA or minor stroke. (Funded by Sanofi and Bristol-Myers Squibb.)Supported by an unrestricted grant from Sanofi and Bristol-Myers Squibb
Acceleration disturbances and requirements for ASTROD I
ASTRODynamical Space Test of Relativity using Optical Devices I (ASTROD I)
mainly aims at testing relativistic gravity and measuring the solar-system
parameters with high precision, by carrying out laser ranging between a
spacecraft in a solar orbit and ground stations. In order to achieve these
goals, the magnitude of the total acceleration disturbance of the proof mass
has to be less than 10−13 m s−2 Hz−1/2 at 0.1 m Hz. In this
paper, we give a preliminary overview of the sources and magnitude of
acceleration disturbances that could arise in the ASTROD I proof mass. Based on
the estimates of the acceleration disturbances and by assuming a simple
controlloop model, we infer requirements for ASTROD I. Our estimates show that
most of the requirements for ASTROD I can be relaxed in comparison with Laser
Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA).Comment: 19 pages, two figures, accepted for publication by Class. Quantum
Grav. (at press
Time Variation of the Fine Structure Constant Driven by Quintessence
There are indications from the study of quasar absorption spectra that the
fine structure constant may have been measurably smaller for redshifts
Analyses of other data (Sm fission rate for the Oklo natural
reactor, variation of Re -decay rate in meteorite studies,
atomic clock measurements) which probe variations of in the more
recent past imply much smaller deviations from its present value. In this work
we tie the variation of to the evolution of the quintessence field
proposed by Albrecht and Skordis, and show that agreement with all these data,
as well as consistency with WMAP observations, can be achieved for a range of
parameters. Some definite predictions follow for upcoming space missions
searching for violations of the equivalence principle.Comment: Final version, to be published in Phys Rev
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