The Ward Identities of the Gauge Invariant Three Boson Vertices

We outline the pinch technique for constructing gauge invariant Green's functions in gauge theories and derive the Ward identities that must be satisfied by the gauge invariant three boson vertices of the standard model. They are generalizations of their tree level Ward identities and are shown to be crucial for the delicate gauge cancellations of the S-matrix.Comment: 6 pages Latex, uses revtex[aps,aipbook,floats]. To appear in the proceedings of the International Symposium on Vector Boson Self Interactions, Feb. 1-3, 1995 UCLA, Los Angeles, California US

The dual gauge fixing property of the S matrix

The $S$-matrix is known to be independent of the gauge fixing parameter to all orders in perturbation theory. In this paper by employing the pinch technique we prove at one loop a stronger version of this independence. In particular we show that one can use a gauge fixing parameter for the gauge bosons inside quantum loops which is different from that used for the bosons outside loops, and the $S$-matrix is independent from both. Possible phenomenological applications of this result are briefly discussed.Comment: 17 pages, Late

A method for determining anomalous gauge boson couplings from e^{+}e^{-} experiments

We present a model-independent method for determining anomalous gauge boson couplings from ongoing and future e^{+}e^{-} -> W^{+} W^{-} experiments. First we generalize an already existing method, which relies on the study of four observables constructed through appropriate projections of the unpolarized differential cross-section. In particular, we retain both linear and quadratic terms in the unknown couplings, and compute contributions to these observables originating from anomalous couplings which do not separately conserve the discrete C, P, and T symmetries. Second, we combine the above set of observables with three additional ones, which can be experimentally obtained from the total cross-sections for polarized final state W bosons. The resulting set of seven observables may provide useful information for constraining, and in some cases for fully determining, various of the possible anomalous gauge boson couplings.Comment: 15 pages, Latex, 1 Figure, uses axodra

On the false positives and false negatives of the Jacobian Matrix in kinematically redundant parallel mechanisms

The Jacobian matrix is a highly popular tool for the control and performance analysis of closed-loop robots. Its usefulness in parallel mechanisms is certainly apparent, and its application to solve motion planning problems, or other higher level questions, has been seldom queried, or limited to non-redundant systems. In this paper, we discuss the shortcomings of the use of the Jacobian matrix under redundancy, in particular when applied to kinematically redundant parallel architectures with non-serially connected actuators. These architectures have become fairly popular recently as they allow the end-effector to achieve full rotations, which is an impossible task with traditional topologies. The problems with the Jacobian matrix in these novel systems arise from the need to eliminate redundant variables when forming it, resulting in both situations where the Jacobian incorrectly identifies singularities (false positive), and where it fails to identify singularities (false negative). These issues have thus far remained unaddressed in the literature. We highlight these limitations herein by demonstrating several cases using numerical examples of both planar and spatial architectures

Placing large group relations into pedestrian dynamics: psychological crowds in counterflow

Understanding influences on pedestrian movement is important to accurately simulate crowd behaviour, yet little research has explored the psychological factors that influence interactions between large groups in counterflow scenarios. Research from social psychology has demonstrated that social identities can influence the micro-level pedestrian movement of a psychological crowd, yet this has not been extended to explore behaviour when two large psychological groups are co-present. This study investigates how the presence of large groups with different social identities can affect pedestrian behaviour when walking in counterflow. Participants (N = 54) were divided into two groups and primed to have identities as either ‘team A’ or ‘team B’. The trajectories of all participants were tracked to compare the movement of team A when walking alone to when walking in counterflow with team B, based on their i) speed of movement and distance walked, and ii) proximity between participants. In comparison to walking alone, the presence of another group influenced team A to collectively self-organise to reduce their speed and distance walked in order to walk closely together with ingroup members. We discuss the importance of incorporating social identities into pedestrian group dynamics for empirically validated simulations of counterflow scenarios

Four-Dimensional Neuronal Signaling by Nitric Oxide: A Computational Analysis

Nitric oxide (NO) is now recognized as a transmitter of neurons that express the neuronal isoform of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase. NO, however, violates some of the key tenets of chemical transmission, which is classically regarded as occurring at points of close apposition between neurons. It is the ability of NO to diffuse isotropically in aqueous and lipid environments that has suggested a radically different form of signaling in which the transmitter acts four-dimensionally in space and time, affecting volumes of the brain containing many neurons and synapses. Although ¿volume signaling¿ clearly challenges simple connectionist models of neural processing, crucial to its understanding are the spatial and temporal dynamics of the spread of NO within the brain. Existing models of NO diffusion, however, have serious shortcomings because they represent solutions for ¿point-sources,¿ which have no physical dimensions. Methods for overcoming these difficulties are presented here, and results are described that show how NO spreads from realistic neural architectures with both simple symmetrical and irregular shapes. By highlighting the important influence of the geometry of NO sources, our results provide insights into the four-dimensional spread of a diffusing messenger. We show for example that reservoirs of NO that accumulate in volumes of the nervous system where NO is not synthesized contribute significantly to the temporal and spatial dynamics of NO spread

Venice, Genoa, and John VIII Palaeologus\u27 Renovation of the Fortifications of Constantinople

Chalcocondyles’ account of John’s conflict with the Genoese ca. 1434 is supplemented by a contemporary panegyric that shows the events to be part of a larger conflict between Genoa and Venice

The phantom of classicism in Greek architecture

No abstract availabl

Flexible couplings: diffusing neuromodulators and adaptive robotics

Recent years have seen the discovery of freely diffusing gaseous neurotransmitters, such as nitric oxide (NO), in biological nervous systems. A type of artificial neural network (ANN) inspired by such gaseous signaling, the GasNet, has previously been shown to be more evolvable than traditional ANNs when used as an artificial nervous system in an evolutionary robotics setting, where evolvability means consistent speed to very good solutions¿here, appropriate sensorimotor behavior-generating systems. We present two new versions of the GasNet, which take further inspiration from the properties of neuronal gaseous signaling. The plexus model is inspired by the extraordinary NO-producing cortical plexus structure of neural fibers and the properties of the diffusing NO signal it generates. The receptor model is inspired by the mediating action of neurotransmitter receptors. Both models are shown to significantly further improve evolvability. We describe a series of analyses suggesting that the reasons for the increase in evolvability are related to the flexible loose coupling of distinct signaling mechanisms, one ¿chemical¿ and one ¿electrical.