Semi-exclusive DVCS

We consider Semi-Exclusive Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering, gamma* p \to gamma Y (SECS), where Y is an inclusive state of intermediate mass, \Lambda_QCD << m_Y << Q. When the photon is produced with a large transverse momentum k_T \sim m_Y the subprocess is hard and the struck quark fragments independently of the target spectators. Using completeness this allows to express the SECS cross section in terms of ordinary parton distributions. Apart from direct comparisons with data (yet to come) new information on Bloom-Gilman duality may be obtained through comparisons of resonance production via DVCS (gamma* p \to gamma N*) with the SECS scaling distribution in m_Y.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure

Microflaring of a solar Bright point

A solar X-ray Bright point (BP) was observed with the SUMER-spectrograph of the SOHO-observatory. The data consist of four far-UV spectral lines formed between 2 10^4 - 6 10^5 K, with 2 arcsec spatial, 2.8 min temporal and 4 km/s spectral resolution. A striking feature is the strong microflaring and appearance of several short lived transients. Using simultaneous magnetic field measurements the region observed seemed to lie above a cancelling flux region. With respect to the filling factor and emission measure this particular BP was similar to the average surface of a moderately active solar type star.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, in press Astronomy and Astrophysics; for Fig.3 it is recommended to download separately the colour version h3653f3.pd

Huge thermoelectric effects in ferromagnet-superconductor junctions in the presence of a spin-splitting field

We show that a huge thermoelectric effect can be observed by contacting a superconductor whose density of states is spin-split by a Zeeman field with a ferromagnet with a non-zero polarization. The resulting thermopower exceeds $k_B/e$ by a large factor, and the thermoelectric figure of merit $ZT$ can far exceed unity, leading to heat engine efficiencies close to the Carnot limit. We also show that spin-polarized currents can be generated in the superconductor by applying a temperature bias.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Majorana bound states in hybrid 2D Josephson junctions with ferromagnetic insulators

We consider a Josephson junction consisting of superconductor/ferromagnetic insulator (S/FI) bilayers as electrodes which proximizes a nearby 2D electron gas. By starting from a generic Josephson hybrid planar setup we present an exhaustive analysis of the the interplay between the superconducting and magnetic proximity effects and the conditions under which the structure undergoes transitions to a non-trivial topological phase. We address the 2D bound state problem using a general transfer matrix approach that reduces the problem to an effective 1D Hamiltonian. This allows for straightforward study of topological properties in different symmetry classes. As an example we consider a narrow channel coupled with multiple ferromagnetic superconducting fingers, and discuss how the Majorana bound states can be spatially controlled by tuning the superconducting phases. Following our approach we also show the energy spectrum, the free energy and finally the multiterminal Josephson current of the setup.Comment: 8 pages; 5 figure

Financial stability and monetary policy — is there a connection?

Abstract. Price stability has been central banks’ primary objective for decades. Before the global financial crisis, price stability was thought to be enough to safeguard both economic growth and financial stability. However, the global financial crisis showed that disruptions in the financial system could cause significant issues to the real economy and that price stability might not be enough. This thesis studies whether central banks react to financial stability measures like asset prices or credit when setting monetary policy. An econometric study is performed on the Bank of England, Norges Bank, and Sveriges Riksbank to determine whether their monetary policy includes financial stability considerations. Additionally, a literature review is provided on the relationship between monetary policy and financial stability to lay the foundations for the estimations. Financial stability, defined as the smooth functioning of the financial system, is an alternative goal for central banks, usually maintained with macroprudential policies. Central banks’ primary goal is price stability, maintained with monetary policy. The monetary policy toolkit consists of conventional policies, such as the policy rate and open market operations, and unconventional policies, such as quantitative easing and forward guidance. The prevalent view is that monetary policy should focus on price stability and macroprudential policies on financial stability, but competing views, such as the leaning-against-the-wind policy, have been introduced. In theoretical literature, expansionary monetary policy causes asset prices to increase, sometimes over fundamentals. Additionally, the expansionary monetary policy increases lending and leverage, enabling the buildup of financial imbalances. Relaxed monetary policy can also increase the risk-taking of both investors and banks. The empirical literature has no consensus on the relationship between monetary policy and financial stability. Expansionary monetary policy surprises are found to increase asset prices, but the effect is minor and depends on the initial price level for property prices. Additionally, expansionary monetary policy is found to increase risk-taking. We use the autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) to study an augmented Taylor rule. The monetary policy indicator is a dependent variable, with inflation, output gap, stock prices, real residential housing prices, and total credit to the non-financial private sector being explanatory variables. We find that central banks do not significantly react to financial stability measures

Climate change and macrolepidopteran biodiversity in Finland

http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/620386/description#descriptionThe northern limit of macrolepidopteran distributions in Finland is usually determined by climatic factors. Food plants probably determine distributions in less than 3% of species. The species richness decreases by 65 species for each degree of latitude northward, i.e. 93 species (12.0% of total) per degree celsius in mean summer temperature. As lepidopteran species are usually good dispersers, any climate warming will promote increases in species richness as southern species shift their ranges northwards. Conversely, the distribution of northern species, comprising 11% of Finnish species, may shrink due to habitat loss from warming climate. Species overwintering as eggs or adults would be expected to bene®t from a rise in winter temperatures. Species overwintering as pupae are most likely to increase the number of generations per year