249 research outputs found
Infrared problem for the Nelson model on static space-times
We consider the Nelson model with variable coefficients and investigate the
problem of existence of a ground state and the removal of the ultraviolet
cutoff. Nelson models with variable coefficients arise when one replaces in the
usual Nelson model the flat Minkowski metric by a static metric, allowing also
the boson mass to depend on position. A physical example is obtained by
quantizing the Klein-Gordon equation on a static space-time coupled with a
non-relativistic particle. We investigate the existence of a ground state of
the Hamiltonian in the presence of the infrared problem, i.e. assuming that the
boson mass tends to 0 at infinity
Towards a construction of inclusive collision cross-sections in the massless Nelson model
The conventional approach to the infrared problem in perturbative quantum
electrodynamics relies on the concept of inclusive collision cross-sections. A
non-perturbative variant of this notion was introduced in algebraic quantum
field theory. Relying on these insights, we take first steps towards a
non-perturbative construction of inclusive collision cross-sections in the
massless Nelson model. We show that our proposal is consistent with the
standard scattering theory in the absence of the infrared problem and discuss
its status in the infrared-singular case.Comment: 23 pages, LaTeX. As appeared in Ann. Henri Poincar\'
Approach to ground state and time-independent photon bound for massless spin-boson models
It is widely believed that an atom interacting with the electromagnetic field
(with total initial energy well-below the ionization threshold) relaxes to its
ground state while its excess energy is emitted as radiation. Hence, for large
times, the state of the atom+field system should consist of the atom in its
ground state, and a few free photons that travel off to spatial infinity.
Mathematically, this picture is captured by the notion of asymptotic
completeness. Despite some recent progress on the spectral theory of such
systems, a proof of relaxation to the ground state and asymptotic completeness
was/is still missing, except in some special cases (massive photons, small
perturbations of harmonic potentials). In this paper, we partially fill this
gap by proving relaxation to an invariant state in the case where the atom is
modelled by a finite-level system. If the coupling to the field is sufficiently
infrared-regular so that the coupled system admits a ground state, then this
invariant state necessarily corresponds to the ground state. Assuming slightly
more infrared regularity, we show that the number of emitted photons remains
bounded in time. We hope that these results bring a proof of asymptotic
completeness within reach.Comment: 45 pages, published in Annales Henri Poincare. This archived version
differs from the journal version because we corrected an inconsequential
mistake in Section 3.5.1: to do this, a new paragraph was added after Lemma
3.
Developmental Symbiosis Facilitates The Multiple Origins Of Herbivory
Developmental bias toward particular evolutionary trajectories can be facilitated through symbiosis. Organisms are holobionts, consisting of zygote‐derived cells and a consortia of microbes, and the development, physiology, and immunity of animals are properties of complex interactions between the zygote‐derived cells and microbial symbionts. Such symbionts can be agents of developmental plasticity, allowing an organism to develop in particular directions. This plasticity can lead to genetic assimilation either through the incorporation of microbial genes into host genomes or through the direct maternal transmission of the microbes. Such plasticity can lead to niche construction, enabling the microbes to remodel host anatomy and/or physiology. In this article, I will focus on the ability of symbionts to bias development toward the evolution of herbivory. I will posit that the behavioral and morphological manifestations of herbivorous phenotypes must be preceded by the successful establishment of a community of symbiotic microbes that can digest cell walls and detoxify plant poisons. The ability of holobionts to digest plant materials can range from being a plastic trait, dependent on the transient incorporation of environmental microbes, to becoming a heritable trait of the holobiont organism, transmitted through the maternal propagation of symbionts or their genes
Spin - or, actually: Spin and Quantum Statistics
The history of the discovery of electron spin and the Pauli principle and the
mathematics of spin and quantum statistics are reviewed. Pauli's theory of the
spinning electron and some of its many applications in mathematics and physics
are considered in more detail. The role of the fact that the tree-level
gyromagnetic factor of the electron has the value g = 2 in an analysis of
stability (and instability) of matter in arbitrary external magnetic fields is
highlighted. Radiative corrections and precision measurements of g are
reviewed. The general connection between spin and statistics, the CPT theorem
and the theory of braid statistics are described.Comment: 50 pages, no figures, seminar on "spin
Developing a Primary Care–Focused Intervention to Engage Patients With Osteoarthritis in Physical Activity: A Stakeholder Engagement Qualitative Study
Physical activity (PA) is important for managing osteoarthritis (OA), but many patients are inactive. Research is needed on strategies to leverage clinical encounters to engage patients in PA. Guided by the socioecological model of health behavior, this study aimed to engage stakeholders in the process of refining an Osteoarthritis Physical Activity Care Pathway (OA-PCP). Six focus groups and seven individual interviews were conducted with key stakeholders. Focus groups were specific to stakeholder roles and included patients with OA, support partners, and clinic personnel (n = 6 focus groups). Interview participants were local and national PA program representatives (n = 7 interviews). Data were analyzed by thematic analysis. Themes identified in the data included ways the OA-PCP can help patients with OA address challenges to PA engagement, strategies for connecting patients with PA resources, methods for implementing OA-PCP into clinical settings and potential use of PA trackers in the OA-PCP program. Stakeholders’ comments were summarized into key recommendations for OA-PCP. Some recommendations reinforced and led to refinements in planned aspects of OA-PCP, including tailoring to individual patients, involvement of a support partner, and addressing pain with PA. Other recommendations resulted in larger changes for OA-PCP, including the addition of three email- or mail-based contacts and not requiring use of a PA tracker. The refined OA-PCP program is being evaluated in an exploratory trial, with the ultimate goal of establishing a PA program for OA that can be successfully implemented in clinical settings
Hierarchy Theory of Evolution and the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis: Some Epistemic Bridges, Some Conceptual Rifts
Contemporary evolutionary biology comprises a plural landscape of multiple co-existent conceptual frameworks and strenuous voices that disagree on the nature and scope of evolutionary theory. Since the mid-eighties, some of these conceptual frameworks have denounced the ontologies of the Modern Synthesis and of the updated Standard Theory of Evolution as unfinished or even flawed. In this paper, we analyze and compare two of those conceptual frameworks, namely Niles Eldredge’s Hierarchy Theory of Evolution (with its extended ontology of evolutionary entities) and the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (with its proposal of an extended ontology of evolutionary processes), in an attempt to map some epistemic bridges (e.g. compatible views of causation; niche construction) and some conceptual rifts (e.g. extra-genetic inheritance; different perspectives on macroevolution; contrasting standpoints held in the “externalism–internalism” debate) that exist between them. This paper seeks to encourage theoretical, philosophical and historiographical discussions about pluralism or the possible unification of contemporary evolutionary biology
A New Replicator: A theoretical framework for analysing replication
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Replicators are the crucial entities in evolution. The notion of a replicator, however, is far less exact than the weight of its importance. Without identifying and classifying multiplying entities exactly, their dynamics cannot be determined appropriately. Therefore, it is importance to decide the nature and characteristics of any multiplying entity, in a detailed and formal way.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Replication is basically an autocatalytic process which enables us to rest on the notions of formal chemistry. This statement has major implications. Simple autocatalytic cycle intermediates are considered as non-informational replicators. A consequence of which is that any autocatalytically multiplying entity is a replicator, be it simple or overly complex (even nests). A stricter definition refers to entities which can inherit acquired changes (informational replicators). Simple autocatalytic molecules (and nests) are excluded from this group. However, in turn, any entity possessing copiable information is to be named a replicator, even multicellular organisms. In order to deal with the situation, an abstract, formal framework is presented, which allows the proper identification of various types of replicators. This sheds light on the old problem of the units and levels of selection and evolution. A hierarchical classification for the partition of the replicator-continuum is provided where specific replicators are nested within more general ones. The classification should be able to be successfully applied to known replicators and also to future candidates.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This paper redefines the concept of the replicator from a bottom-up theoretical approach. The formal definition and the abstract models presented can distinguish between among all possible replicator types, based on their quantity of variable and heritable information. This allows for the exact identification of various replicator types and their underlying dynamics. The most important claim is that replication, in general, is basically autocatalysis, with a specific defined environment and selective force. A replicator is not valid unless its working environment, and the selective force to which it is subject, is specified.</p
Natural history of Christianson syndrome
Christianson syndrome is an X-linked mental retardation syndrome characterized by microcephaly, impaired ocular movement, severe global developmental delay, hypotonia which progresses to spasticity, and early onset seizures of variable types. Gilfillan et al. [2008] reported mutations in SLC9A6, the gene encoding the sodium/hydrogen exchanger NHE6, in the family first reported and in three others. They also noted the clinical similarities to Angelman syndrome and found cerebellar atrophy on MRI and elevated glutamate/glutamine in the basal ganglia on MRS. Here we report on nonsense mutations in two additional families. The natural history is detailed in childhood and adult life, the similarities to Angelman syndrome confirmed, and the MRI/MRS findings documented in three affected boys
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