2,215 research outputs found
Kerr-Schild Symmetries
We study continuous groups of generalized Kerr-Schild transformations and the
vector fields that generate them in any n-dimensional manifold with a
Lorentzian metric. We prove that all these vector fields can be intrinsically
characterized and that they constitute a Lie algebra if the null deformation
direction is fixed. The properties of these Lie algebras are briefly analyzed
and we show that they are generically finite-dimensional but that they may have
infinite dimension in some relevant situations. The most general vector fields
of the above type are explicitly constructed for the following cases: any
two-dimensional metric, the general spherically symmetric metric and
deformation direction, and the flat metric with parallel or cylindrical
deformation directions.Comment: 15 pages, no figures, LaTe
Null cone preserving maps, causal tensors and algebraic Rainich theory
A rank-n tensor on a Lorentzian manifold V whose contraction with n arbitrary
causal future directed vectors is non-negative is said to have the dominant
property. These tensors, up to sign, are called causal tensors, and we
determine their general properties in dimension N. We prove that rank-2 tensors
which map the null cone on itself are causal. It is known that, to any tensor A
on V there is a corresponding ``superenergy'' (s-e) tensor T{A} which always
has the dominant property. We prove that, conversely, any symmetric rank-2
tensor with the dominant property can be written in a canonical way as a sum of
N s-e tensors of simple forms. We show that the square of any rank-2 s-e tensor
is proportional to the metric if N<5, and that this holds for the s-e tensor of
any simple form for arbitrary N. Conversely, we prove that any symmetric rank-2
tensor T whose square is proportional to the metric must be, up to sign, the
s-e of a simple p-form, and that the trace of T determines the rank p of the
form. This generalises, both with respect to N and the rank p, the classical
algebraic Rainich conditions, which are necessary and sufficient conditions for
a metric to originate in some physical field, and has a geometric
interpretation: the set of s-e tensors of simple forms is precisely the set of
tensors which preserve the null cone and its time orientation. It also means
that all involutory Lorentz transformations (LT) can be represented as s-e
tensors of simple forms, and that any rank-2 s-e tensor is the sum of at most N
conformally involutory LT. Non-symmetric null cone preserving maps are shown to
have a causal symmetric part and are classified according to the null
eigenvectors of the skew-symmetric part. We thus obtain a complete
classification of all conformal LT and singular null cone preserving maps on V.Comment: 36 pages, no figures, LaTeX fil
Neutrino physics at accelerators
Present and future neutrino experiments at accelerators are mainly concerned
with understanding the neutrino oscillation phenomenon and its implications.
Here a brief account of neutrino oscillations is given together with a
description of the supporting data. Some current and planned accelerator
neutrino experiments are also explained.Comment: 23 pages, 24 figures. Talk given at the Corfu Summer Institute on
Elementary Particle Physics 200
Integration of Acoustic Neutrino Detection Methods into ANTARES
The ANTARES Neutrino Telescope is a water Cherenkov detector currently under
construction in the Mediterranean Sea. It is also designed to serve as a
platform for investigations of the deep-sea environment. In this context, the
ANTARES group at the University of Erlangen will integrate acoustic sensors
within the infrastructure of the experiment. With this dedicated setup, tests
of acoustic particle detection methods and deep-sea acoustic background studies
shall be performed. The aim of this project is to evaluate the feasibility of a
future acoustic neutrino telescope in the deep sea operating in the ultra-high
energy regime. In these proceedings, the implementation of the project is
described in the context of the premises and challenges set by the physics of
acoustic particle detection and the integration into an existing
infrastructure.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the International
ARENA Workshop, May 28-30th, 2006, University of Northumbri
Boolean analysis identifies CD38 as a biomarker of aggressive localized prostate cancer.
The introduction of serum Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) testing nearly 30 years ago has been associated with a significant shift towards localized disease and decreased deaths due to prostate cancer. Recognition that PSA testing has caused over diagnosis and over treatment of prostate cancer has generated considerable controversy over its value, and has spurred efforts to identify prognostic biomarkers to distinguish patients who need treatment from those that can be observed. Recent studies show that cancer is heterogeneous and forms a hierarchy of tumor cell populations. We developed a method of identifying prostate cancer differentiation states related to androgen signaling using Boolean logic. Using gene expression data, we identified two markers, CD38 and ARG2, that group prostate cancer into three differentiation states. Cancers with CD38-, ARG2- expression patterns, corresponding to an undifferentiated state, had significantly lower 10-year recurrence-free survival compared to the most differentiated group (CD38+ARG2+). We carried out immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for these two markers in a single institution (Stanford; n = 234) and multi-institution (Canary; n = 1326) cohorts. IHC staining for CD38 and ARG2 in the Stanford cohort demonstrated that combined expression of CD38 and ARG2 was prognostic. In the Canary cohort, low CD38 protein expression by IHC was significantly associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS), seminal vesicle invasion (SVI), extra-capsular extension (ECE) in univariable analysis. In multivariable analysis, ARG2 and CD38 IHC staining results were not independently associated with RFS, overall survival, or disease-specific survival after adjusting for other factors including SVI, ECE, Gleason score, pre-operative PSA, and surgical margins
Atomic step motion during the dewetting of ultra-thin films
We report on three key processes involving atomic step motion during the
dewetting of thin solid films: (i) the growth of an isolated island nucleated
far from a hole, (ii) the spreading of a monolayer rim, and (iii) the zipping
of a monolayer island along a straight dewetting front. Kinetic Monte Carlo
results are in good agreement with simple analytical models assuming
diffusion-limited dynamics.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure
Painlev\'e-Gullstrand synchronizations in spherical symmetry
A Painlev\'e-Gullstrand synchronization is a slicing of the space-time by a
family of flat spacelike 3-surfaces. For spherically symmetric space-times, we
show that a Painlev\'e-Gullstrand synchronization only exists in the region
where , being the curvature radius of the isometry group
orbits (-spheres). This condition says that the Misner-Sharp gravitational
energy of these 2-spheres is not negative and has an intrinsic meaning in terms
of the norm of the mean extrinsic curvature vector. It also provides an
algebraic inequality involving the Weyl curvature scalar and the Ricci
eigenvalues. We prove that the energy and momentum densities associated with
the Weinberg complex of a Painlev\'e-Gullstrand slice vanish in these curvature
coordinates, and we give a new interpretation of these slices by using
semi-metric Newtonian connections. It is also outlined that, by solving the
vacuum Einstein's equations in a coordinate system adapted to a
Painlev\'e-Gullstrand synchronization, the Schwarzschild solution is directly
obtained in a whole coordinate domain that includes the horizon and both its
interior and exterior regions.Comment: 16 page
Matrix-free calcium in isolated chromaffin vesicles
Isolated secretory vesicles from bovine adrenal medulla contain 80 nmol of Ca2+ and 25 nmol
of Mg2+ per milligram of protein. As determined with a Ca2+-selective electrode, a further accumulation
of about 160 nmol of Ca2+/mg of protein can be attained upon addition of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187.
During this process protons are released from the vesicles, in exchange for Ca2+ ions, as indicated by the
decrease of the pH in the incubation medium or the release of 9-aminoacridine previously taken up by the
vesicles. Intravesicular Mg2+ is not released from the vesicles by A23 187, as determined by atomic emission
spectroscopy. In the presence of N H Q , which causes the collapse of the secretory vesicle transmembrane
proton gradient (ApH), Ca2+ uptake decreases. Under these conditions A23 187-mediated influx of Ca2+
and efflux of H+ cease at Ca2+ concentrations of about 4 pM. Below this concentration Ca2+ is even released
from the vesicles. At the Ca2+ concentration at which no net flux of ions occurs the intravesicular matrix
free Ca2+ equals the extravesicular free Ca2+. In the absence of NH4C1 we determined an intravesicular
pH of 6.2. Under these conditions the Ca2+ influx ceases around 0.15 pM. From this value and the known
pH across the vesicular membrane an intravesicular matrix free Ca2+ concentration of about 24 pM was
calculated. This is within the same order of magnitude as the concentration of free Ca2+ in the vesicles
determined in the presence of NH4C1. Calculation of the total Ca2+ present in the secretory vesicles gives
an apparent intravesicular Ca2+ concentration of 40 mM, which is a factor of lo4 higher than the free
intravesicular concentration of Ca2+. It can be concluded, therefore, that the concentration gradient of free
Ca2+ across the secretory vesicle membrane in the intact chromaffin cells is probably small, which implies
that less energy is required to accumulate and maintain Ca2+ within the vesicles than was previously
anticipated
DNA Nucleobase Synthesis at Titan Atmosphere Analog by Soft X-rays
Titan, the largest satellite of Saturn, has an atmosphere chiefly made up of
N2 and CH4 and includes traces of many simple organic compounds. This
atmosphere also partly consists of haze and aerosol particles which during the
last 4.5 gigayears have been processed by electric discharges, ions, and
ionizing photons, being slowly deposited over the Titan surface. In this work,
we investigate the possible effects produced by soft X-rays (and secondary
electrons) on Titan aerosol analogs in an attempt to simulate some prebiotic
photochemistry. The experiments have been performed inside a high vacuum
chamber coupled to the soft X-ray spectroscopy beamline at the Brazilian
Synchrotron Light Source, Campinas, Brazil. In-situ sample analyses were
performed by a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The infrared spectra
have presented several organic molecules, including nitriles and aromatic CN
compounds. After the irradiation, the brownish-orange organic residue (tholin)
was analyzed ex-situ by gas chromatographic (GC/MS) and nuclear magnetic
resonance (1H NMR) techniques, revealing the presence of adenine (C5H5N5), one
of the constituents of the DNA molecule. This confirms previous results which
showed that the organic chemistry on the Titan surface can be very complex and
extremely rich in prebiotic compounds. Molecules like these on the early Earth
have found a place to allow life (as we know) to flourish.Comment: To appear in Journal of Physical Chemistry A.; Number of pages: 6;
Number of Figures: 5; Number of Tables: 1; Number of references:49; Full
paper at http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jp902824
Cross-transmission is not the source of new Mycobacteirum abscessus infections in a multi-centre cohort of cystic fibrosis patients
BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium abscessus is an extensively drug resistant pathogen that causes pulmonary disease particularly in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Identifying direct patient-to-patient transmission of M. abscessus is critically important in directing infection control policy for the management of risk in CF patients. A variety of clinical labs have used molecular epidemiology to investigate transmission. However there is still conflicting evidence as to how M. abscessus is acquired and whether cross-transmission occurs. Recently labs have applied whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to investigate this further and in this study we investigate whether WGS can reliably identify cross-transmission in M. abscessus.
METHODS: We retrospectively sequenced the whole genomes of 145 M. abscessus isolates from 62 patients seen at four hospitals in two countries over 16 years.
RESULTS: We have shown that a comparison of a fixed number of core single nucleotide variants (SNVs) alone cannot be used to infer cross-transmission in M. abscessus but does provide enough information to replace multiple existing molecular assays. We detected one episode of possible direct patient-to-patient transmission in a sibling pair. We found that patients acquired unique M. abscessus strains even after spending considerable time on the same wards with other M. abscessus positive patients.
CONCLUSIONS: This novel analysis has demonstrated that the majority of patients in this study have not acquired M. abscessus through direct patient-patient transmission or a common reservoir. Tracking transmission using WGS will only realise its full potential with proper environmental screening as well as patient sampling
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