A class of equations with peakon and pulson solutions (with an Appendix by Harry Braden and John Byatt-Smith)

We consider a family of integro-differential equations depending upon a parameter $b$ as well as a symmetric integral kernel $g(x)$. When $b=2$ and $g$ is the peakon kernel (i.e. $g(x)=\exp(-|x|)$ up to rescaling) the dispersionless Camassa-Holm equation results, while the Degasperis-Procesi equation is obtained from the peakon kernel with $b=3$. Although these two cases are integrable, generically the corresponding integro-PDE is non-integrable. However,for $b=2$ the family restricts to the pulson family of Fringer & Holm, which is Hamiltonian and numerically displays elastic scattering of pulses. On the other hand, for arbitrary $b$ it is still possible to construct a nonlocal Hamiltonian structure provided that $g$ is the peakon kernel or one of its degenerations: we present a proof of this fact using an associated functional equation for the skew-symmetric antiderivative of $g$. The nonlocal bracket reduces to a non-canonical Poisson bracket for the peakon dynamical system, for any value of $b\neq 1$.Comment: Contribution to volume of Journal of Nonlinear Mathematical Physics in honour of Francesco Caloger

The mod 2 cohomology of fixed point sets of anti-symplectic involutions

Let $M$ be a compact, connected symplectic manifold with a Hamiltonian action of a compact $n$-dimensional torus $G=T^n$. Suppose that $\sigma$ is an anti-symplectic involution compatible with the $G$-action. The real locus of $M$ is $X$, the fixed point set of $\sigma$. Duistermaat uses Morse theory to give a description of the ordinary cohomology of $X$ in terms of the cohomology of $M$. There is a residual \G=(\Zt)^n action on $X$, and we can use Duistermaat's result, as well as some general facts about equivariant cohomology, to prove an equivariant analogue to Duistermaat's theorem. In some cases, we can also extend theorems of Goresky-Kottwitz-MacPherson and Goldin-Holm to the real locus.Comment: 21 pages, 1 figur

High precision single-cluster Monte Carlo measurement of the critical exponents of the classical 3D Heisenberg model

We report measurements of the critical exponents of the classical three-dimensional Heisenberg model on simple cubic lattices of size $L^3$ with $L$ = 12, 16, 20, 24, 32, 40, and 48. The data was obtained from a few long single-cluster Monte Carlo simulations near the phase transition. We compute high precision estimates of the critical coupling $K_c$, Binder's parameter $U^* and the critical exponents$\nu,\beta / \nu, \eta$, and$\alpha / \nu$, using extensively histogram reweighting and optimization techniques that allow us to keep control over the statistical errors. Measurements of the autocorrelation time show the expected reduction of critical slowing down at the phase transition as compared to local update algorithms. This allows simulations on significantly larger lattices than in previous studies and consequently a better control over systematic errors in finite-size scaling analyses.Comment: 4 pages, (contribution to the Lattice92 proceedings) 1 postscript file as uufile included. Preprints FUB-HEP 21/92 and HLRZ 89/92. (note: first version arrived incomplete due to mailer problems

The Hamiltonian structure and Euler-Poincar\'{e} formulation of the Vlasov-Maxwell and gyrokinetic systems

We present a new variational principle for the gyrokinetic system, similar to the Maxwell-Vlasov action presented in Ref. 1. The variational principle is in the Eulerian frame and based on constrained variations of the phase space fluid velocity and particle distribution function. Using a Legendre transform, we explicitly derive the field theoretic Hamiltonian structure of the system. This is carried out with a modified Dirac theory of constraints, which is used to construct meaningful brackets from those obtained directly from Euler-Poincar\'{e} theory. Possible applications of these formulations include continuum geometric integration techniques, large-eddy simulation models and Casimir type stability methods. [1] H. Cendra et. al., Journal of Mathematical Physics 39, 3138 (1998)Comment: 36 pages, 1 figur

Aggregation kinetics of stiff polyelectrolytes in the presence of multivalent salt

Using molecular dynamics simulations, the kinetics of bundle formation for stiff polyelectrolytes such as actin is studied in the solution of multivalent salt. The dominant kinetic mode of aggregation is found to be the case of one end of one rod meeting others at right angle due to electrostatic interactions. The kinetic pathway to bundle formation involves a hierarchical structure of small clusters forming initially and then feeding into larger clusters, which is reminiscent of the flocculation dynamics of colloids. For the first few cluster sizes, the Smoluchowski formula for the time evolution of the cluster size gives a reasonable account for the results of our simulation without a single fitting parameter. The description using Smoluchowski formula provides evidence for the aggregation time scale to be controlled by diffusion, with no appreciable energy barrier to overcome.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, Phys. Rev. E (Accepted

Effects of Surface-Active Agents on the Susceptibility of Swiss Mice to Candida Albicans

EFFECTS OF SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENTS ON THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF SWISS MICE TO CANDIDA ALBICANS Harvey W. Holm, Master of Science The thesis here abstracted was written under the direction of Dr. Richard M. Marwln and approved by Dr. Robert G. Fischer and Dr. Jerald L. Connelly as members of the examlng committee of which Or. Marwln was Chairman. White Swiss mice are generally resistant to Candida albicans injected 1ntraper1tonea11y. An effort was made to determine 1f surfactants when combined with Candida albicans would decrease the LD50 of this organism. The surfactants tested were Plurafac B26, Polyethylene Glycol 1*00 Mono Laurate, Mulsor 22k, and Pluronlc L62. Peritoneal leukocyte and differential counts, tissue sections, and blood cultures were done to determine the action of surfactants. The following conclusions were made: (a) Plurafac B26, Polyethylene Glycol 1*00 Mono Laurate, Pluronlc L62, and Mulsor 221* increase mouse susceptibility to Candida albicans, (b) The degree of susceptibility enhancement varies among the surfactants tested. (c) Plurafac B26 Initially destroys leukocytes in the peritoneal cavity. (d) Massive Invasion of the pancreas may be the cause of death of animals given a Candida albicans - surfactant combination 1ntra- perttoneal1y. The results suggest that surfactants may be a diagnostic tool of value 1n enhancing mouse susceptibility to Candida albicans