Constraints on a new alternative model to dark energy

The recent type Ia supernova data suggest that the universe is accelerating now and decelerated in recent past. This may provide the evidence that the standard Friedmann equation needs to be modified. We analyze in detail a new model in the context of modified Friedmann equation using the supernova data published by the High-$z$ Supernova Search Team and the Supernova Cosmology Project. The new model explains recent acceleration and past deceleration. Furthermore, the new model also gives a decelerated universe in the future.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, use ws-ijmpd, minor changes made. In the new version, a detailed derivation of the model is give

Setting Children Free: Children’s Independent Movement in the Local Environment

Parental concerns about children’s safety and security are restricting children’s independent exploration of the local environment. Children are being denied important opportunities to exercise, to acquire decision-making skills, such as crossing the road safely, and to develop social skills through interaction with their peers. This paper presents findings from the project CAPABLE (Children’s Activities, Perceptions And Behaviour in the Local Environment) being carried out at University College London. Based on findings from fieldwork carried out with children aged 8-11 in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, the paper shows the effect of factors such as the number of adults at home, having an older sibling, having a car or garden at home and living near to a park on the propensity to be allowed out alone. Then it considers how being allowed out alone affects the amount of time children spend outdoors, playing with friends and watching television. The paper then uses data from children who have been fitted with physical activity monitors and GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) monitors and asked to keep diaries, to show how children’s travel behaviour differs when they are with adults from when they are not

Chaplygin Gravitodynamics

We consider a new approach for gravity theory coupled to Chaplygin matter in which the {\it{relativistic}} formulation of the latter is of crucial importance. We obtain a novel form of matter with dust like density $(\sim (volume)^{-1})$ and negative pressure. We explicitly show that our results are compatible with a relativistic generalization of the energy conservation principle, derived here.Comment: Title changed, Revised version,N o change in conclusions, Journal ref.: MPL A21 (2006)1511-151

QCD corrections to polarization of J/\psi and \Upsilon at Fermilab Tevatron and CERN LHC

In this work, we present more detail of the calculation on the NLO QCD corrections to polarization of direct J/psi production via color singlet at Tevatron and LHC, as well as the results for Upsilon for the first time. Our results show that the J/psi polarization status drastically changes from transverse polarization dominant at LO into longitudinal polarization dominant in the whole range of the transverse momentum $p_t$ of J/psi when the NLO corrections are counted. For Upsilon production, the p_t distribution of the polarization status behaves almost the same as that for J/psi except that the NLO result is transverse polarization at small p_t range. Although the theoretical evaluation predicts a larger longitudinal polarization than the measured value at Tevatron, it may provide a solution towards the previous large discrepancy for J/psi and Upsilon polarization between theoretical predication and experimental measurement, and suggests that the next important step is to calculate the NLO corrections to hadronproduction of color octet state J/psi^(8) and Upsilon^(8). Our calculations are performed in two ways, namely we do and do not analytically sum over the polarizations, and then check them with each other.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures, two columns, use revtex4; to appear in PR

The Sorting Index and Permutation Codes

In the combinatorial study of the coefficients of a bivariate polynomial that generalizes both the length and the reflection length generating functions for finite Coxeter groups, Petersen introduced a new Mahonian statistic $sor$, called the sorting index. Petersen proved that the pairs of statistics $(sor,cyc)$ and $(inv,rl\textrm{-}min)$ have the same joint distribution over the symmetric group, and asked for a combinatorial proof of this fact. In answer to the question of Petersen, we observe a connection between the sorting index and the B-code of a permutation defined by Foata and Han, and we show that the bijection of Foata and Han serves the purpose of mapping $(inv,rl\textrm{-}min)$ to $(sor,cyc)$. We also give a type $B$ analogue of the Foata-Han bijection, and we derive the quidistribution of $(inv_B,{\rm Lmap_B},{\rm Rmil_B})$ and $(sor_B,{\rm Lmap_B},{\rm Cyc_B})$ over signed permutations. So we get a combinatorial interpretation of Petersen's equidistribution of $(inv_B,nmin_B)$ and $(sor_B,l_B')$. Moreover, we show that the six pairs of set-valued statistics $\rm (Cyc_B,Rmil_B)$, $\rm(Cyc_B,Lmap_B)$, $\rm(Rmil_B,Lmap_B)$, $\rm(Lmap_B,Rmil_B)$, $\rm(Lmap_B,Cyc_B)$ and $\rm(Rmil_B,Cyc_B)$ are equidistributed over signed permutations. For Coxeter groups of type $D$, Petersen showed that the two statistics $inv_D$ and $sor_D$ are equidistributed. We introduce two statistics $nmin_D$ and $\tilde{l}_D'$ for elements of $D_n$ and we prove that the two pairs of statistics $(inv_D,nmin_D)$ and $(sor_D,\tilde{l}_D')$ are equidistributed.Comment: 25 page

Energy Spectra of Anti-nucleons in Finite Nuclei

The quantum vacuum in a many-body system of finite nuclei has been investigated within the relativistic Hartree approach which describes the bound states of nucleons and anti-nucleons consistently. The contributions of the Dirac sea to the source terms of the meson-field equations are taken into account up to the one-nucleon loop and one-meson loop. The tensor couplings for the $\omega$- and $\rho$-meson are included in the model. The overall nucleon spectra of shell-model states are in agreement with the data. The calculated anti-nucleon spectra in the vacuum differ about 20 -- 30 MeV with and without the tensor-coupling effects.Comment: 4 pages, to appear in the Proceedings of MENU 2004 (Beijing, Aug. 29 -- Sept. 4, 2004

Ideal switching effect in periodic spin-orbit coupling structures

An ideal switching effect is discovered in a semiconductor nanowire with a spatially-periodic Rashba structure. Bistable `ON' and `OFF' states can be realized by tuning the gate voltage applied on the Rashba regions. The energy range and position of `OFF' states can be manipulated effectively by varying the strength of the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and the unit length of the periodic structure, respectively. The switching effect of the nanowire is found to be tolerant of small random fluctuations of SOC strength in the periodic structure. This ideal switching effect might be applicable in future spintronic devices.Comment: 4 pages and 4 figure

Cosmological Dynamics of a Dirac-Born-Infeld field

We analyze the dynamics of a Dirac-Born-Infeld (DBI) field in a cosmological set-up which includes a perfect fluid. Introducing convenient dynamical variables, we show the evolution equations form an autonomous system when the potential and the brane tension of the DBI field are arbitrary power-law or exponential functions of the DBI field. In particular we find scaling solutions can exist when powers of the field in the potential and warp-factor satisfy specific relations. A new class of fixed-point solutions are obtained corresponding to points which initially appear singular in the evolution equations, but on closer inspection are actually well defined. In all cases, we perform a phase-space analysis and obtain the late-time attractor structure of the system. Of particular note when considering cosmological perturbations in DBI inflation is a fixed-point solution where the Lorentz factor is a finite large constant and the equation of state parameter of the DBI field is $w=-1$. Since in this case the speed of sound $c_s$ becomes constant, the solution can be thought to serve as a good background to perturb about.Comment: 24 pages, 7 figures, minor corrections, references adde