Even tiers and resonances on the Real Projective Plane

In this work we focus on various phenomenological aspects of the lightest even tiers, (2,0) and (0,2), in models based on a Real Projective Plane in 6 dimensions. We discuss the spectrum of the levels due to loop corrections, and the limit when the two radii are equal, in which case the two levels mix with each other and a new basis is defined. We also discuss the dependence of the spectrum on the ratio of the two radii. These results are essential to understand the phenomenology of the model at colliders (LHC) and to predict the relic abundance of Dark Matter. Finally, we estimate the bounds on the radius from resonant decays of the even tiers at the LHC, showing that they can be in the 600 GeV range after the complete analysis of the 2011 data.Comment: 43 pages, 10 figure

Rejecting the De Minimis Defense to Infringement of Sound Recording Copyrights

Part I of this Note examines the history of sound recording copyrights, the role of digital sampling in the music industry, and the basic principles and functions of the de minimis defense. Part II carefully dissects the Bridgeport and VMG opinions. Part III then considers the merits of each opinion and concludes that Bridgeport reached the correct conclusion. This argument rests on the statutory scheme of Title 17 of the U.S. Code and the plain text of its applicable provisions, bolstered by their legislative history, giving life to a unique statutory creature that thrives in a manner inconsistent with traditional theories of copyright law. In essence, (1) sound recording copyrights protect only the form of the substance protected by underlying musical work copyrights; (2) the de minimis inquiry focuses solely on the substance of a given work; (3) therefore, the formal protection afforded by sound recording copyrights should be excluded from the de minimis inquiry

LCDG4 and DigiSim - Simulation activities at NICADD/NIU

We present two software packages developed to support detector R&D studies for the International Linear Collider. LCDG4 is a full-detector simulator that provides energy deposits from particles traversing the sensitive volumes of the detector. It has been extensively used within the American ILC community, providing data for algorithm development and detector optimization studies. DigiSim models real-life digitization effects, converting the idealized response into simulated detector readout. It has many useful features to improve the realism in modeling detector response. The main characteristics of these two complementary packages are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, submitted to LCWS05 conference proceedings. Uses slac_one.rt

Dark Matter from Lorentz Invariance and the LHC

International audienceIn extra dimensional models, a Dark Matter candidate can be present thanks to a Kaluza-Klein parity which makes the lightest resonances stable. However, compactifications considered sofar need the symmetry to be imposed by hand on the model: here we propose the unique orbifold in 6 dimensions where such parity arises naturally as part of the unbroken 6D Lorentz invariance. As an example we introduce a model of universal extra dimensions where all standard model fields propagate in the extra dimensions. The dark matter candidate is a scalar photon and its preferred mass range lies below 300 GeV. Due to the small splitting between states in the same Kaluza-Klein tier, discovery of the lightest tiers is challenging at the LH

Performance data of US Naval Observatory VLG-11 hydrogen masers since September, 1983

In 1983, two VLC-11 masers were delivered to the U.S. Naval Observatory by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Last year the short-term stability of these masers was reported and the effect of this short-term stability on timekeeping performance was examined. Since the date of installation, 13 September 1983, data on the masers' long-term performance have been accumulated. The Allan variance, agma(tau), of the relative frequency between the masers reaches a minimum of about 4 parts in 10 to the 16th power at averaging times 5,000 seconds and rises at longer averaging times due, at least partly, to systematic frequency drift. The systematic frequency drifts, expressed in units of fractional frequency difference per day are discussed

Evaluation of a method for fusing LIDAR data and multispectral images for building detection

In this paper, we describe the evaluation of a method for building detection by the Dempster-Shafer fusion of LIDAR data and multispectral images. For that purpose, ground truth was digitised for two test sites with quite different characteristics. Using these data sets, the heuristic model for the probability mass assignments of the method is validated, and rules for the tuning of the parameters of this model are discussed. Further we evaluate the contributions of the individual cues used in the classification process to the quality of the classification results. Our results show the degree to which the overall correctness of the results can be improved by fusing LIDAR data with multispectral images

Operationalizing anthropological theory: four techniques to simplify networks of co-occurring ethnographic codes

The use of data and algorithms in the social sciences allows for exciting progress, but also poses epistemological challenges. Operations that appear innocent and purely technical may profoundly influence final results. Researchers working with data can make their process less arbitrary and more accountable by making theoretically grounded methodological choices. We apply this approach to the problem of simplifying networks representing ethnographic corpora, in the interest of visual interpretation. Network nodes represent ethnographic codes, and their edges the co-occurrence of codes in a corpus. We introduce and discuss four techniques to simplify such networks and facilitate visual analysis. We show how the mathematical characteristics of each one are aligned with an identifiable approach in sociology or anthropology: structuralism and post-structuralism; identifying the central concepts in a discourse; and discovering hegemonic and counter-hegemonic clusters of meaning. We then provide an example of how the four techniques complement each other in ethnographic analysis

Morphological Description of Telaepolella tubasferens n. g., n. sp., Isolate ATCC© 50593™, a Filose Amoeba in the Gracilipodida, Amoebozoa

We describe the amoeboid isolate ATCC© 50593™ as a new taxon, Telaepolella tubasferens n. gen. n. sp. This multinucleated amoeba has filose pseudopods and is superficially similar to members of the vampyrellids (Rhizaria) such as Arachnula impatiens Cienkowski, 1876, which was the original identification upon deposition. However, previous multigene analyses place this taxon within the Gracilipodida Lahr and Katz 2011 in the Amoebozoa. Here, we document the morphology of this organism at multiple life history stages and describe data underlying the description as a new taxon. We demonstrate that T. tubaspherens is distinct from Arachnula and other rhizarians (Theratromyxa, Leptophrys) in a suite of morphological characters such as general body shape, relative size of pseudopods, distinction of ecto- and endoplasmic regions, and visibility of nuclei in non-stained cells (an important diagnostic character). Although Amoebozoa taxa generally have lobose pseudopods, genera in Gracilipodida such as Flamella and Filamoeba as well as several organisms previously classified as protosteloid amoebae (e.g. schizoplasmodiis, cavosteliids and Stemonitales) present filose pseudopodia. Thus, classification of amoeboid organisms merely by filose-lobose distinction must be reconsidered

Chronic alcohol exposure alters circulating insulin and ghrelin levels: role of ghrelin in hepatic steatosis

Fatty liver is the earliest response of the liver to excessive ethanol consumption. Central in the development of alcoholic steatosis is increased mobilization of nonesterified free fatty acids (NEFAs) to the liver from the adipose tissue. In this study, we hypothesized that ethanol-induced increase in ghrelin by impairing insulin secretion, could be responsible for the altered lipid metabolism observed in adipose and liver tissue. Male Wistar rats were fed for 5–8 wk with control or ethanol Lieber-DeCarli diet, followed by biochemical analyses in serum and liver tissues. In addition, in vitro studies were conducted on pancreatic islets isolated from experimental rats. We found that ethanol increased serum ghrelin and decreased serum insulin levels in both fed and fasting conditions. These results were corroborated by our observations of a significant accumulation of insulin in pancreatic islets of ethanol-fed rats, indicating that its secretion was impaired. Furthermore, ethanol-induced reduction in circulating insulin was associated with lower adipose weight and increased NEFA levels observed in these rats. Additionally, we found that increased concentration of serum ghrelin was due to increased synthesis and maturation in the stomach of the ethanol-fed rats. We also report that in addition to its effect on the pancreas, ghrelin can also directly act on hepatocytes via the ghrelin receptors and promote fat accumulation. In conclusion, alcohol-induced elevation of circulating ghrelin levels impairs insulin secretion. Consequently, reduced circulating insulin levels likely contribute to increased free fatty acid mobilization from adipose tissue to liver, thereby contributing to hepatic steatosis