Quantum limited measurements of atomic scattering properties

We propose a method to perform precision measurements of the interaction parameters in systems of N ultra-cold spin 1/2 atoms. The spectroscopy is realized by first creating a coherent spin superposition of the two relevant internal states of each atom and then letting the atoms evolve under a squeezing Hamiltonian. The non-linear nature of the Hamiltonian decreases the fundamental limit imposed by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle to N^(-2), a factor of N smaller than the fundamental limit achievable with non-interacting atoms. We study the effect of decoherence and show that even with decoherence, entangled states can outperform the signal to noise limit of non-entangled states. We present two possible experimental implementations of the method using Bose-Einstein spinor condensates and fermionic atoms loaded in optical lattices and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures. References adde

Exactly Soluble Dynamics of (p,q) String Near Macroscopic Fundamental Strings

We study dynamics of Type IIB bound-state of a Dirichlet string and n fundamental strings in the background of N fundamental strings. Because of supergravity potential, the bound-state string is pulled to the background fundamental strings, whose motion is described by open string rolling radion field. The string coupling can be made controllably weak and, in the limit $1 << g^2_{\rm st} n << g^2_{\rm st} N$, the bound-state energy involved is small compared to the string scale. We thus propose rolling dynamics of open string radion in this system as an exactly solvable analog for rolling dynamics of open string tachyon in decaying D-brane. The dynamics bears a novel feature that the worldsheet electric field increases monotonically to the critical value as the bound-state string falls into the background string. Close to the background string, D string constituent inside the bound-state string decouples from fundamental string constituents.Comment: 27p, 2 figure

Wave polarizations for a beam-like gravitational wave in quadratic curvature gravity

We compute analytically the tidal field and polarizations of an exact gravitational wave generated by a cylindrical beam of null matter of finite width and length in quadratic curvature gravity. We propose that this wave can represent the gravitational wave that keep up with the high energy photons produced in a gamma ray burst (GRB) source.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, minor corrections, to appear in CQ

Formation of nanosized strontium substituted hydroxyapatites

Incorporation of specific elements into calcium phosphates offers the combination of a bioactive material and a therapeutic effect. This is important for improving the integration of implants as well as treating medical conditions. Strontium is a suitable candidate and displays the ability to stimulate bone growth and reducing bone resorption. This study investigated the formation of strontium carbonated hydroxyapatite nanoparticles from an amorphous phase. Crystallization of carbonated hydroxyapatite occurred at 585 oC, but samples with an intended 25% and 75% replacement of calcium with strontium crystallized at 624 oC. Heat treatment at the crystallization temperature revealed that strontium free apatite does not crystallize in 5 minutes, but an increasing strontium concentration leads to a higher rate of crystallization. X-ray diffraction patterns suggest that it may be difficult to include strontium, but higher strontium concentrations are possibly included with ease in the lattice. This work has produced a nanosized apatite accompanied by an amorphous phase after a short heat-treatment time. This offers a range of features that collectively show great promise for significantly enhancing the release of strontium for improved bone therapeutic effects

Coarse-graining schemes for stochastic lattice systems with short and long-range interactions

We develop coarse-graining schemes for stochastic many-particle microscopic models with competing short- and long-range interactions on a d-dimensional lattice. We focus on the coarse-graining of equilibrium Gibbs states and using cluster expansions we analyze the corresponding renormalization group map. We quantify the approximation properties of the coarse-grained terms arising from different types of interactions and present a hierarchy of correction terms. We derive semi-analytical numerical schemes that are accompanied with a posteriori error estimates for coarse-grained lattice systems with short and long-range interactions.Comment: 31 pages, 2 figure

Some considerations for various positioning systems and their science capabilities

Containerless processing of materials at elevated temperatures is discussed with emphasis on high temperature chemistry, thermophysical properties, materials science, and materials processing. Acoustic and electromagnetic positioning of high temperature melts are discussed. Results from recent ground based experiments, including KC-135 testing of an acoustic levitator, are presented. Some current positioning technologies and the potential for enhancing them are considered. Further, a summary of these technologies and their science capabilities for the development of future experiments is given

Oxidative phosphorylation efficiency, proton conductance and reactive oxygen species production of liver mitochondria correlates with body mass in frogs

ody size is a central biological parameter affecting most biological processes (especially energetics) and mitochondria is a key organelle controlling metabolism and is also the cell's main source of chemical energy. However, the link between body size and mitochondrial function is still unclear, especially in ectotherms. In this study, we investigated several parameters of mitochondrial bioenergetics in the liver of three closely related species of frogs (the common frog Rana temporaria, the marsh frog Pelophylax ridibundus and the bull frog Lithobates catesbeiana). These particular species were chosen due to their differences in adult body mass. We found that the mitochondrial coupling efficiency was markedly increased with animal size, which lead to a higher ATP production (+70%) in the larger frogs (L. catesbeiana) compared to the smaller frogs (R. temporaria). This was essentially driven by a strong negative dependence of mitochondrial proton conductance on body mass. Liver mitochondria from the larger frogs (L. catesbeiana) displayed 50% of the proton conductance of mitochondria from the smaller frogs (R. temporaria). Contrary to our prediction, the low mitochondrial proton conductance measured in L. catesbeiana was not associated with higher radical oxygen species production. Instead, liver mitochondria from the larger individuals produced significantly lower radical oxygen species than those from the smaller frogs. Collectively, the data shows that key bioenergetics parameters of mitochondria (proton leak, ATP production efficiency and radical oxygen species production) are correlated with body mass in frogs. This research expands our understanding of the relationship between mitochondrial function and the evolution of allometric scaling in ectotherms

Formation and kinetics of transient metastable states in mixtures under coupled phase ordering and chemical demixing

We present theory and simulation of simultaneous chemical demixing and phase ordering in a polymer-liquid crystal mixture in conditions where isotropic- isotropic phase separation is metastable with respect to isotropic-nematic phase transition. It is found that mesophase formation proceeds by a transient metastable phase that surround the ordered phase, and whose lifetime is a function of the ratio of diffusional to orientational mobilities. It is shown that kinetic phase ordering in polymer-mesogen mixtures is analogous to kinetic crystallization in polymer solutions.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures accepted for publication in EP