Semi-infinite optimization: Structure and stability of the feasible set

The problem of the minimization of a functionf: ℝn→ℝ under finitely many equality constraints and perhaps infinitely many inequality constraints gives rise to a structural analysis of the feasible setM[H, G]={x∈ℝn¦H(x)=0,G(x, y)≥0,y∈Y} with compactY⊂ℝr. An extension of the well-known Mangasarian-Fromovitz constraint qualification (EMFCQ) is introduced. The main result for compactM[H, G] is the equivalence of the topological stability of the feasible setM[H, G] and the validity of EMFCQ. As a byproduct, we obtain under EMFCQ that the feasible set admits local linearizations and also thatM[H, G] depends continuously on the pair (H, G). Moreover, EMFCQ is shown to be satisfied generically

On the Relation between Solar Activity and Clear-Sky Terrestrial Irradiance

The Mauna Loa Observatory record of direct-beam solar irradiance measurements for the years 1958-2010 is analysed to investigate the variation of clear-sky terrestrial insolation with solar activity over more than four solar cycles. The raw irradiance data exhibit a marked seasonal cycle, extended periods of lower irradiance due to emissions of volcanic aerosols, and a long-term decrease in atmospheric transmission independent of solar activity. After correcting for these effects, it is found that clear-sky terrestrial irradiance typically varies by about 0.2 +/- 0.1% over the course of the solar cycle, a change of the same order of magnitude as the variations of the total solar irradiance above the atmosphere. An investigation of changes in the clear-sky atmospheric transmission fails to find a significant trend with sunspot number. Hence there is no evidence for a yet unknown effect amplifying variations of clear-sky irradiance with solar activity.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures, in press at Solar Physics; minor changes to the text to match final published versio

Self-consistent parametrization of the two-flavor isotropic color-superconducting ground state

Lack of Lorentz invariance of QCD at finite quark chemical potential in general implies the need of Lorentz non-invariant condensates for the self-consistent description of the color-superconducting ground state. Moreover, the spontaneous breakdown of color SU(3) in this state naturally leads to the existence of SU(3) non-invariant non-superconducting expectation values. We illustrate these observations by analyzing the properties of an effective 2-flavor Nambu-Jona-Lasinio type Lagrangian and discuss the possibility of color-superconducting states with effectively gapless fermionic excitations. It turns out that the effect of condensates so far neglected can yield new interesting phenomena.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figure

Defect-induced activation of symmetry forbidden infrared resonances in individual metallic nanorods

International audienceWe report on the observation of second-order infrared (IR) plasmon resonances in lithographically prepared gold nanorods investigated by means of far-field microscopic IR spectroscopy. In addition to the fundamental antennalike mode, even and odd higher order resonances are observed under normal incidence of light. The activation of even-order modes under normal incidence is surprising since even orders are dipole-forbidden because of their centrosymmetric charge density oscillation. Performing atomic force microscopy and calculations with the boundary element method, we determine that excitation of even modes is enabled by symmetry breaking by structural deviations of the rods from an ideal, straight shape. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3437093

Prolapse severity, symptoms and impact on quality of life among women planning sacrocolpopexy

Objectives: To explore the relationship between severity of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), symptoms of pelvic dysfunction and quality of life using validated measures. Method: Baseline data from 314 participants in the Colpopexy And Urinary Reduction Efforts (CARE) trial were analyzed. Pelvic symptoms and impact were assessed using the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ). PFDI and PFIQ scores were compared by prolapse stage and history of incontinence or POP surgery. Regression analyses were performed to identify other predictors of symptoms and impact. Results: Women were predominantly (90%) Caucasian and had mean age of 61 years. Women with stage II POP, especially those with prior surgery, reported more symptoms and impact than women with more advanced POP. There were no other significant predictors of symptoms or life impact. Conclusions: Women planning sacrocolpopexy with stage II prolapse and prior pelvic surgery reported more symptoms and quality of life impact than those with more advanced prolapse.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135603/1/ijgo24.pd

Electromagnetic effects in the surface enhanced Raman scattering from a molecule at a liquid Hg surface

In a previous publication the image enhancement effect and the enhanced radiation due to near field excitation of surface roughness were calculated for a finite-size molecule above a metal described by a nonlocal dielectric relation [Phys. Rev. Letters 44 (1980) 1774]. When applied to a roughened Ag surface these calculations led to a predicted Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) gain of [approximate]103 due to each effect, yielding an overall gain [approximate]106, in agreement with experiment. Here these calculations are extended to the case of a liquid Hg surface, the roughness corresponding to thermally excited ripplons. The SERS gain due to image enhancement is reduced to [approximate]10, due primarily to the [approximate]24 times greater electron scattering rate in Hg over that in Ag. The roughness gain is reduced to [approximate]2 at room temperature, due to the difference between the ripplon spectrum and that of the boss-like surface structures assumed for the solid surface. The predicted overall SERS gain for Hg is [approximate]20, far less than reported in recent observations [R. Naanan et al., J. Phys. Chem. 84 (1980) 2692]. The discrepancy raises serious questions about the electromagnetic explanations of SERS.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24261/1/0000524.pd

The detection of Gravitational Waves

This chapter is concerned with the question: how do gravitational waves (GWs) interact with their detectors? It is intended to be a theory review of the fundamental concepts involved in interferometric and acoustic (Weber bar) GW antennas. In particular, the type of signal the GW deposits in the detector in each case will be assessed, as well as its intensity and deconvolution. Brief reference will also be made to detector sensitivity characterisation, including very summary data on current state of the art GW detectors.Comment: 33 pages, 12 figures, LaTeX2e, Springer style files --included. For Proceedings of the ERE-2001 Conference (Madrid, September 2001

Gutzwiller-Correlated Wave Functions: Application to Ferromagnetic Nickel

Ferromagnetic Nickel is the most celebrated iron group metal with pronounced discrepancies between the experimental electronic properties and predictions of density functional theories. In this work, we show in detail that the recently developed multi-band Gutzwiller theory provides a very good description of the quasi-particle band structure of nickel. We obtain the correct exchange splittings and we reproduce the experimental Fermi-surface topology. The correct (111)-direction of the magnetic easy axis and the right order of magnitude of the magnetic anisotropy are found. Our theory also reproduces the experimentally observed change of the Fermi-surface topology when the magnetic moment is oriented along the (001)-axis. In addition to the numerical study, we give an analytical derivation for a much larger class of variational wave-functions than in previous investigations. In particular, we cover cases of superconductivity in multi-band lattice systems.Comment: 35 pages, 3 figure

The spiritual organization: critical reflections on the instrumentality of workplace spirituality

Authors' draft of article. Final version published by Routledge in Journal of Management, Spirituality and Religion available online at: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/14766086.aspThis paper offers a theoretical contribution to the current debate on workplace spirituality by: (a) providing a selective critical review of scholarship, research and corporate practices which treat workplace spirituality in performative terms, that is, as a resource or means to be manipulated instrumentally and appropriated for economic ends; (b) extending Ezioni’s analysis of complex organizations and proposing a new category, the ‘spiritual organization’, and; (c) positing three alternative positions with respect to workplace spirituality that follow from the preceding critique. The spiritual organization can be taken to represent the development of a trajectory of social technologies that have sought, incrementally, to control the bodies, minds, emotions and souls of employees. Alternatively, it might be employed to conceptualize the way in which employees use the workplace as a site for pursuing their own spiritualities (a reverse instrumentalism). Finally, we consider the possible incommensurability of ‘work organization’ and ‘spirituality’ discourses