Soliton solutions in an effective action for SU(2) Yang-Mills theory: including effects of higher-derivative term

The Skyrme-Faddeev-Niemi (SFN) model which is an O(3) $\sigma$ model in three dimensional space upto fourth-order in the first derivative is regarded as a low-energy effective theory of SU(2) Yang-Mills theory. One can show from the Wilsonian renormalization group argument that the effective action of Yang-Mills theory recovers the SFN in the infrared region. However, the thoery contains an additional fourth-order term which destabilizes the soliton solution. In this paper, we derive the second derivative term perturbatively and show that the SFN model with the second derivative term possesses soliton solutions.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

The Semi-Classical Relativistic Darwin Potential for Spinning Particles in the Rest-Frame Instant Form: 2-Body Bound States with Spin 1/2 Constituents

In the semiclassical approximation of Grassmann-valued electric charges for regularizing Coulomb self-energies, we extract the unique acceleration-independent interaction hidden in any Lienard-Wiechert solution for the system of N positive-energy spinning particles plus the electromagnetic field in the radiation gauge of the rest-frame instant form. With the help of a semiclassical Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation, this allows us to find the relativistic semiclassical Darwin potential. In the 2-body case the quantization of the lowest order reproduces exactly the results from the reduction of the Bethe-Salpeter equation.Comment: 102 pages, revtex fil

Miscibility studies of two twist-bend nematic liquid crystal dimers with different average molecular curvatures. A comparison between experimental data and predictions of a Landau mean-field theory for the NTB-N phase transition

We report a calorimetric study of a series of mixtures of two twist-bend liquid crystal dimers, the 1'',7''-bis(4-cyanobiphenyl)-4'-yl heptane (CB7CB) and 1''-(2',4-difluorobiphenyl-4'-yloxy)-9''-(4-cyanobiphenyl-4'-yloxy) nonane (FFO9OCB), the molecules of which have different effective molecular curvatures. High-resolution heat capacity measurements in the vicinity of the NTB-N phase transition for a selected number of binary mixtures clearly indicate a first order NTB-N phase transition for all the investigated mixtures, the strength of which decreases when the nematic range increases. Published theories predict a second order NTB-N phase transition, but we have developed a self-consistent mean field Landau model using two key order parameters: A symmetric and traceless tensor for the orientational order and a short-range vector field which is orthogonal to the helix axis and rotates around of the heliconical structure with an extremely short periodicity. The theory, in its simplified form, depends on two effective elastic constants and explains satisfactorily our heat capacity measurements and also predicts a first-order NTB-N phase transition. In addition, as a complementary source of experimental measurements, the splay (K1) and bend (K3) elastic constants in the conventional nematic phase for the pure compounds and some selected mixtures have been determined.Postprint (author's final draft

R+R2R + R^2 Gravity as R+R + Backreaction

Quadratic theory of gravity is a complicated constraint system. We investigate some consequences of treating quadratic terms perturbatively (higher derivative version of backreaction effects). This approach is shown to overcome some well known problems associated with higher derivative theories, i.e., the physical gravitational degree of freedom remains unchanged from those of Einstein gravity. Using such an interpretation of $R + \beta R^2$ gravity, we investigate a classical and Wheeler DeWitt evolution of $R + \beta R^2$ gravity for a particular sign of $\beta$, corresponding to non- tachyon case. Matter is described by a phenomenological $\rho \propto a(t)^{-n}$. It is concluded that both the Friedmann potential $U(a)$ (${\dot a}^2 + 2U(a) = 0$) and the Wheeler DeWitt potential $W(a)$ ($\left[-{\partial^2\over \partial a^2} + 2W(a)\right]\psi (a) =0$) develop repulsive barriers near $a\approx 0$ for $n>4$ (i.e., $p > {1\over 3}\rho$). The interpretations is clear. Repulsive barrier in $U(a)$ implies that a contracting FRW universe ($k>0, k=0, k<0$) will bounce to an expansion phase without a total gravitational collapse. Repulsive barrier in $W(a)$ means that $a \approx 0$ is a classically forbidden region. Therefore, probability of finding a universe with the big bang singularity ($a=0$ ) is exponentially suppressed.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phy. Rev. D.,18 pages, 6 figures, Latex fil

Hamiltonian formulation for the classical EM radiation-reaction problem: application to the kinetic theory for relativistic collisionless plasmas

A notorious difficulty in the covariant dynamics of classical charged particles subject to non-local electromagnetic (EM) interactions arising in the EM radiation-reaction (RR) phenomena is due to the definition of the related non-local Lagrangian and Hamiltonian systems. The lack of a standard Lagrangian/Hamiltonian formulation in the customary asymptotic approximation for the RR equation may inhibit the construction of consistent kinetic and fluid theories. In this paper the issue is investigated in the framework of Special Relativity. It is shown that, for finite-size spherically-symmetric classical charged particles, non-perturbative Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations in standard form can be obtained, which describe particle dynamics in the presence of the exact EM RR self-force. As a remarkable consequence, based on axiomatic formulation of classical statistical mechanics, the covariant kinetic theory for systems of charged particles subject to the EM RR self-force is formulated in Hamiltonian form. A fundamental feature is that the non-local effects enter the kinetic equation only through the retarded particle 4-position, which permits the construction of the related non-local fluid equations. In particular, the moment equations obtained in this way do not contain higher-order moments, allowing as a consequence the adoption of standard closure conditions. A remarkable aspect of the theory concerns the short delay-time asymptotic expansions. Here it is shown that two possible expansions are permitted. Both can be implemented for the single-particle dynamics as well as for the corresponding kinetic and fluid treatments. In the last case, they are performed a posteriori on the relevant moment equations obtained after integration of the kinetic equation over the velocity space. Comparisons with literature are pointed out

On the energy of charged black holes in generalized dilaton-axion gravity

In this paper we calculate the energy distribution of some charged black holes in generalized dilaton-axion gravity. The solutions correspond to charged black holes arising in a Kalb-Ramond-dilaton background and some existing non-rotating black hole solutions are recovered in special cases. We focus our study to asymptotically flat and asymptotically non-flat types of solutions and resort for this purpose to the M{\o}ller prescription. Various aspects of energy are also analyzed.Comment: LaTe

Vegetative Ecological Characteristics of Restored Reed (Phragmites australis) Wetlands in the Yellow River Delta, China

In this study, we compared ecological characteristics of wetland vegetation in a series of restoration projects that were carried out in the wetlands of Yellow River Delta. The investigated characteristics include plant composition structure, species diversity and community similarity in three kinds of Phragmites australis wetlands, i.e. restored P. australis wetlands (R1, R2, R3 and R4: restored in 2002, 2005, 2007 and 2009, respectively), natural P. australis wetland (N) and degraded P. australis wetland (D) to assess the process of wetlands restoration. The coverage of the R1 was 99%, which was similar to natural wetland. Among all studied wetlands, the highest and lowest stem density was observed in R1 and R2, respectively, Plant height and stem diameter show the same trend as N > R2 > R1 > R3 > D > R4. Species diversity of restored P. australis wetlands became closed to natural wetland. Both species richness and Shannon–Wiener index had similar tendency: increased first and then decreased with restored time. The highest species richness and species diversity were observed in R2, while the lowest values of those parameters were found in natural P. australis wetland. Similarity indexes between restored wetlands and natural wetland increased with the restoration time, but they were still less than 50%. The results indicate that the vegetation of P. australis wetlands has experienced a great improvement after several years’ restoration, and it is feasible to restored degraded P. australis wetlands by pouring fresh water into those wetlands in the Yellow River Delta. However, it is notable that costal degraded P. australis wetland in this region may take years to decades to reach the status of natural wetland

Gender and respiratory findings in workers occupationally exposed to organic aerosols: A meta analysis of 12 cross-sectional studies

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gender related differences in respiratory disease have been documented. The aim of this study was to investigate gender related differences in respiratory findings by occupation. We analyzed data from 12 of our previously published studies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Three thousand and eleven (3011) workers employed in "organic dust" industries (1379 female and 1632 male) were studied. A control group of 806 workers not exposed to any kind of dust were also investigated (male = 419, female = 387). Acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function were measured. The weighted average method and the Mantel-Haentszel method were used to calculate the odds ratios of symptoms. Hedge's unbiased estimations were used to measure lung function differences between men and women.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were high prevalences of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms in all the "dusty" studied groups compared to controls. Significantly less chronic cough, chronic phlegm as well as chronic bronchitis were found among women than among men after the adjustments for smoking, age and duration of employment. Upper respiratory tract symptoms by contrast were more frequent in women than in men in these groups. Significant gender related lung function differences occurred in the textile industry but not in the food processing industry or among farmers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of this study suggest that in industries processing organic compounds there are gender differences in respiratory symptoms and lung function in exposed workers. Whether these findings represent true physiologic gender differences, gender specific workplace exposures or other undefined gender variables not defined in this study cannot be determined. These data do not suggest that special limitations for women are warranted for respiratory health reasons in these industries, but the issue of upper respiratory irritation and disease warrants further study.</p