The Quantasyn, an improved quantum detector

Quantasyn provides absolute measurement of radiation flux in the range 1000 A to 4500 A and into the vacuum ultraviolet. This radiation detector cimbines the high quantum efficiency and inherent linearity of the silicon solar cell with the constant quantum response of the fluorescent organic compound liumogen

Progress in Lunar Laser Ranging Tests of Relativistic Gravity

Analyses of laser ranges to the Moon provide increasingly stringent limits on any violation of the Equivalence Principle (EP); they also enable several very accurate tests of relativistic gravity. We report the results of our recent analysis of Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) data giving an EP test of \Delta (M_G/M_I)_{EP} =(-1.0 +/- 1.4) x 10^{-13}. This result yields a Strong Equivalence Principle (SEP) test of \Delta (M_G/M_I)_{SEP} =(-2.0 +/- 2.0) x 10^{-13}. Also, the corresponding SEP violation parameter \eta is (4.4 +/- 4.5) x 10^{-4}, where \eta=4\beta-\gamma-3 and both \beta and \gamma are parametrized post-Newtonian (PPN) parameters. Using the recent Cassini result for the parameter \gamma, PPN parameter \beta is determined to be \beta-1=(1.2 +/- 1.1) x 10^{-4}. The geodetic precession test, expressed as a relative deviation from general relativity, is K_{gp}=-0.0019 +/- 0.0064. The search for a time variation in the gravitational constant results in \dot G/G=(4 +/- 9) x 10^{-13} yr^{-1}, consequently there is no evidence for local (~1AU) scale expansion of the solar system.Comment: 4 pages, revtex4, minor changes made for publicatio

Nodal Domain Statistics for Quantum Maps, Percolation and SLE

We develop a percolation model for nodal domains in the eigenvectors of quantum chaotic torus maps. Our model follows directly from the assumption that the quantum maps are described by random matrix theory. Its accuracy in predicting statistical properties of the nodal domains is demonstrated by numerical computations for perturbed cat maps and supports the use of percolation theory to describe the wave functions of general hamiltonian systems, where the validity of the underlying assumptions is much less clear. We also demonstrate that the nodal domains of the perturbed cat maps obey the Cardy crossing formula and find evidence that the boundaries of the nodal domains are described by SLE with $\kappa$ close to the expected value of 6, suggesting that quantum chaotic wave functions may exhibit conformal invariance in the semiclassical limit.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Beware the Non-uniqueness of Einstein Rings

We explain how an approximation to the rings formed by the host galaxies in lensed QSOs can be inferred from the QSO data alone. A simple ring image can be made from any lens model by a simple piece of computer graphics: just plot a contour map of the arrival-time surface with closely-spaced contours. We go on to explain that rings should be (a) sensitive to time-delay ratios between different pairs of images, but (b) very insensitive to H_0. We illustrate this for the well-known quads 1115+080 and 1608+656.Comment: To appear in AJ (circa Aug 2001

Logistic Knowledge Tracing: A Constrained Framework for Learner Modeling

Adaptive learning technology solutions often use a learner model to trace learning and make pedagogical decisions. The present research introduces a formalized methodology for specifying learner models, Logistic Knowledge Tracing (LKT), that consolidates many extant learner modeling methods. The strength of LKT is the specification of a symbolic notation system for alternative logistic regression models that is powerful enough to specify many extant models in the literature and many new models. To demonstrate the generality of LKT, we fit 12 models, some variants of well-known models and some newly devised, to 6 learning technology datasets. The results indicated that no single learner model was best in all cases, further justifying a broad approach that considers multiple learner model features and the learning context. The models presented here avoid student-level fixed parameters to increase generalizability. We also introduce features to stand in for these intercepts. We argue that to be maximally applicable, a learner model needs to adapt to student differences, rather than needing to be pre-parameterized with the level of each student's ability

Stretching single polysaccharide molecules using AFM: A potential method for the investigation of the intermolecular uronate distribution of alginate?

Illustrative examples of the way in which the molecular force-extension behaviour of polysaccharides is governed by the nature of the linkage between their constituent pyranose rings are presented for a series of standard homopolymers. These results agree with previously proposed general hypotheses regarding the possibility of generating force-induced conformational transitions, and with the predictions of a model in which the inter-conversion of pyranose conformers is assumed to be an equilibrium process on the timescale of the molecular stretching. Subsequently, we investigate the potential of the technique in the characterisation of co-polymeric polysaccharides in which the nature of the glycan linkages is different between the two distinct residue types. Specifically, we explore the possibility that the ratio of mannuronic acid (M) to guluronic acid (G) in alginate chains will be reflected in their single molecule stretching behaviour, owing to their contrasting equatorial and axial linkages. Furthermore, as the technique described interrogates the sample one polymer at a time we outline the promise of, and the obstacles to, obtaining a new level of characterisation using this methodology where differences observed in the single molecule stretching curves obtained from single alginate samples reflectsomething of the real intermolecular distribution of the M / G ratio