477 research outputs found
Clash of the Paladins: India's Hindu-nationalism in decline?
Hindu-nationalism is generally portrayed by most observers as the largest threat to India's democracy
Survival in equilibrium step fluctuations
We report the results of analytic and numerical investigations of the time
scale of survival or non-zero-crossing probability in equilibrium step
fluctuations described by Langevin equations appropriate for
attachment/detachment and edge-diffusion limited kinetics. An exact relation
between long-time behaviors of the survival probability and the autocorrelation
function is established and numerically verified. is shown to exhibit
simple scaling behavior as a function of system size and sampling time. Our
theoretical results are in agreement with those obtained from an analysis of
experimental dynamical STM data on step fluctuations on Al/Si(111) and Ag(111)
surfaces.Comment: RevTeX, 4 pages, 3 figure
Large-Deviation Functions for Nonlinear Functionals of a Gaussian Stationary Markov Process
We introduce a general method, based on a mapping onto quantum mechanics, for
investigating the large-T limit of the distribution P(r,T) of the nonlinear
functional r[V] = (1/T)\int_0^T dT' V[X(T')], where V(X) is an arbitrary
function of the stationary Gaussian Markov process X(T). For T tending to
infinity at fixed r we find that P(r,T) behaves as exp[-theta(r) T], where
theta(r) is a large deviation function. We present explicit results for a
number of special cases, including the case V(X) = X \theta(X) which is related
to the cooling and the heating degree days relevant to weather derivatives.Comment: 8 page
A convenient band-gap interpolation technique and an improved band line-up model for InGaAlAs on InP
The band-gap energy and the band line-up of InGaAlAs quaternary compound material on InP are essential information for the theoretical study of physical properties and the design of optoelectronics devices operating in the long-wavelength communication window. The band-gap interpolation of In1-x-y Ga (x) Al (y) As on InP is known to be a challenging task due to the observed discrepancy of experimental results arising from the bowing effect. Besides, the band line-up results of In1-x-y Ga (x) Al (y) As on InP based on previously reported models have limited success by far. In this work, we propose an interpolation solution using the single-variable surface bowing estimation interpolation method for the fitting of experimentally measured In1-x-y Ga (x) Al (y) As band-gap data with various degree of bowing using the same set of input parameters. The suggested solution provides an easier and more physically interpretable way to determine not only lattice matched, but also strained band-gap energy of In1-x-y Ga (x) Al (y) As on InP based on the experimental results. Interpolated results from this convenient method show a more favourable match to multiple independent experiment data sets measured under different temperature conditions as compared to those obtained from the commonly used weighted-sum approach. On top of that, extended framework of the model-solid theory for the band line-up of In1-x-y Ga (x) Al (y) As/InP heterostructure is proposed. Our model-solid theory band line-up result using the proposed extended framework has shown an improved accuracy over those without the extension. In contrast to some previously reported works, it is worth noting that the band line-up result based on our proposed extended model-solid theory has also shown to be more accurate than those given by Harrison's mode
Persistence of a Continuous Stochastic Process with Discrete-Time Sampling: Non-Markov Processes
We consider the problem of `discrete-time persistence', which deals with the
zero-crossings of a continuous stochastic process, X(T), measured at discrete
times, T = n(\Delta T). For a Gaussian Stationary Process the persistence (no
crossing) probability decays as exp(-\theta_D T) = [\rho(a)]^n for large n,
where a = \exp[-(\Delta T)/2], and the discrete persistence exponent, \theta_D,
is given by \theta_D = \ln(\rho)/2\ln(a). Using the `Independent Interval
Approximation', we show how \theta_D varies with (\Delta T) for small (\Delta
T) and conclude that experimental measurements of persistence for smooth
processes, such as diffusion, are less sensitive to the effects of discrete
sampling than measurements of a randomly accelerated particle or random walker.
We extend the matrix method developed by us previously [Phys. Rev. E 64,
015151(R) (2001)] to determine \rho(a) for a two-dimensional random walk and
the one-dimensional random acceleration problem. We also consider `alternating
persistence', which corresponds to a < 0, and calculate \rho(a) for this case.Comment: 14 pages plus 8 figure
Persistence in a Stationary Time-series
We study the persistence in a class of continuous stochastic processes that
are stationary only under integer shifts of time. We show that under certain
conditions, the persistence of such a continuous process reduces to the
persistence of a corresponding discrete sequence obtained from the measurement
of the process only at integer times. We then construct a specific sequence for
which the persistence can be computed even though the sequence is
non-Markovian. We show that this may be considered as a limiting case of
persistence in the diffusion process on a hierarchical lattice.Comment: 8 pages revte
Fraction of uninfected walkers in the one-dimensional Potts model
The dynamics of the one-dimensional q-state Potts model, in the zero
temperature limit, can be formulated through the motion of random walkers which
either annihilate (A + A -> 0) or coalesce (A + A -> A) with a q-dependent
probability. We consider all of the walkers in this model to be mutually
infectious. Whenever two walkers meet, they experience mutual contamination.
Walkers which avoid an encounter with another random walker up to time t remain
uninfected. The fraction of uninfected walkers is investigated numerically and
found to decay algebraically, U(t) \sim t^{-\phi(q)}, with a nontrivial
exponent \phi(q). Our study is extended to include the coupled
diffusion-limited reaction A+A -> B, B+B -> A in one dimension with equal
initial densities of A and B particles. We find that the density of walkers
decays in this model as \rho(t) \sim t^{-1/2}. The fraction of sites unvisited
by either an A or a B particle is found to obey a power law, P(t) \sim
t^{-\theta} with \theta \simeq 1.33. We discuss these exponents within the
context of the q-state Potts model and present numerical evidence that the
fraction of walkers which remain uninfected decays as U(t) \sim t^{-\phi},
where \phi \simeq 1.13 when infection occurs between like particles only, and
\phi \simeq 1.93 when we also include cross-species contamination.Comment: Expanded introduction with more discussion of related wor
Primordial Nucleosynthesis Constraints on Z' Properties
In models involving new TeV-scale Z' gauge bosons, the new U(1)' symmetry
often prevents the generation of Majorana masses needed for a conventional
neutrino seesaw, leading to three superweakly interacting ``right-handed''
neutrinos nu_R, the Dirac partners of the ordinary neutrinos. These can be
produced prior to big bang nucleosynthesis by the Z' interactions, leading to a
faster expansion rate and too much ^4He. We quantify the constraints on the Z'
properties from nucleosynthesis for Z' couplings motivated by a class of E_6
models parametrized by an angle theta_E6. The rate for the annihilation of
three approximately massless right-handed neutrinos into other particle pairs
through the Z' channel is calculated. The decoupling temperature, which is
higher than that of ordinary left-handed neutrinos due to the large Z' mass, is
evaluated, and the equivalent number of new doublet neutrinos Delta N_nu is
obtained numerically as a function of the Z' mass and couplings for a variety
of assumptions concerning the Z-Z' mixing angle and the quark-hadron transition
temperature T_c. Except near the values of theta_E6 for which the Z' decouples
from the right-handed neutrinos, the Z' mass and mixing constraints from
nucleosynthesis are much more stringent than the existing laboratory limits
from searches for direct production or from precision electroweak data, and are
comparable to the ranges that may ultimately be probed at proposed colliders.
For the case T_c = 150 MeV with the theoretically favored range of Z-Z'
mixings, Delta N_nu 4.3 TeV for any value of theta_E6. Larger
mixing or larger T_c often lead to unacceptably large Delta N_nu except near
the nu_R decoupling limit.Comment: 22 pages, 5 figures; two additional references adde
High-p_T pion and kaon production in relativistic nuclear collisions
High-p_T pion and kaon production is studied in relativistic proton-proton,
proton-nucleus, and nucleus-nucleus collisions in a wide energy range. Cross
sections are calculated based on perturbative QCD, augmented by a
phenomenological transverse momentum distribution of partons (``intrinsic
k_T''). An energy dependent width of the transverse momentum distribution is
extracted from pion and charged hadron production data in
proton-proton/proton-antiproton collisions. Effects of multiscattering and
shadowing in the strongly interacting medium are taken into account.
Enhancement of the transverse momentum width is introduced and parameterized to
explain the Cronin effect. In collisions between heavy nuclei, the model
over-predicts central pion production cross sections (more significantly at
higher energies), hinting at the presence of jet quenching. Predictions are
made for proton-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions at RHIC energies.Comment: 26 pages in Latex, 19 EPS figure
Circulating syndecan-1 is reduced in pregnancies with poor fetal growth and its secretion regulated by matrix metalloproteinases and the mitochondria
Fetal growth restriction is a leading cause of stillbirth that often remains undetected during pregnancy. Identifying novel biomarkers may improve detection of pregnancies at risk. This study aimed to assess syndecan-1 as a biomarker for small for gestational age (SGA) or fetal growth restricted (FGR) pregnancies and determine its molecular regulation. Circulating maternal syndecan-1 was measured in several cohorts; a large prospective cohort collected around 36 weeks' gestation (n = 1206), a case control study from the Manchester Antenatal Vascular service (285 women sampled at 24-34 weeks' gestation); two prospective cohorts collected on the day of delivery (36 + 3-41 + 3 weeks' gestation, n = 562 and n = 405 respectively) and a cohort who delivered for preterm FGR (< 34 weeks). Circulating syndecan-1 was consistently reduced in women destined to deliver growth restricted infants and those delivering for preterm disease. Syndecan-1 secretion was reduced by hypoxia, and its loss impaired proliferation. Matrix metalloproteinases and mitochondrial electron transport chain inhibitors significantly reduced syndecan-1 secretion, an effect that was rescued by coadministration of succinate, a mitochondrial electron transport chain activator. In conclusion, circulating syndecan-1 is reduced among cases of term and preterm growth restriction and has potential for inclusion in multi-marker algorithms to improve detection of poorly grown fetuses
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