Noncommutative geometry, topology and the standard model vacuum

As a ramification of a motivational discussion for previous joint work, in which equations of motion for the finite spectral action of the Standard Model were derived, we provide a new analysis of the results of the calculations herein, switching from the perspective of Spectral triple to that of Fredholm module and thus from the analogy with Riemannian geometry to the pre-metrical structure of the Noncommutative geometry. Using a suggested Noncommutative version of Morse theory together with algebraic $K$-theory to analyse the vacuum solutions, the first two summands of the algebra for the finite triple of the Standard Model arise up to Morita equivalence. We also demonstrate a new vacuum solution whose features are compatible with the physical mass matrix.Comment: 24 page

Distribution and Size of Short-finned Squid (Illex illecebrosus) Larvae in the Northwest Atlantic from Winter Surveys in 1969, 1981 and 1982

During a plankton survey along the edge of the continental shelf south of New Jersey in February 1969. Illex sp. larvae were caught in the vicinity of the Florida Current between Cape Hatteras and central Florida (28°30'N 80° 00'W). The larva from the latter area represents the most southwesterly capture that has been reported to date. Illex sp. larvae were also caught during surveys in February-March of 1981 and 1982 south of Newfoundland in the northern partof the Gulf Stream, the most easterly capture being at 40°09'N 53°00'W and northerly capture at 41°00'N 56°00'W. The larvae taken off Florida were 1.1-6.2 mm mantle length (ML) and those from the region south of Newfoundland were 2.4-6.6 mm. From the observed distribution and sizes of larvae in relation to water masses associated with the Gulf Stream System and in the light of recent observations on Illex illecebrosus spawning in captivity and temperatures required for embryonic development, it is considered that spawning probably occurs pelagically a in the winter months within the Gulf Stream or in the Gulf Stream-Slope Water frontal zone south of Cape Hatteras

Distribution of Short-finned Squid (IIlex illecebrosus) Larvae and Juveniles in Relation to the Gulf Stream Frontal Zone Between Florida and Cape Hatteras

Catches of rhynchoteuthion type C' larvae, which are considered to be II/ex illecebrosus, and I. il/ecebrosus juveniles over the edge of the continental shelf between Cape Hatteras and Florida are examined in relation to the water masses and their dynamics along the Gulf Stream~Slope Water frontal zone. All larvae and juveniles were captured at stations where the temperature~salinity (T-S) properties of the upper 50 m of the water column were closely grouped, with temperatures of 21.0° to 23.5° C and salinities of 36.30 to 36.80, which are very similar to those of Continental Edge Water. Although the actual depths of capture of the larvae and juveniles in the bongo and midwater trawl tows are unknown, it is likely that the majority were taken in the upper 50 m. Larvae and juveniles were intermixed along the entire frontal zone, but there are indications of some differences in microscale distribution. Although juveniles were nearly always captured at stations where larvae were taken, larvae were captured at only 44% of the stations where juveniles were found. The intermixture of larvae and juveniles with a broad range of size (mantle length) indicates that spawning occurs either along the Gulf Stream~Slope Water frontal zone south of Cape Hatteras or in a relatively small area to the south of the surveyed area. The possible role of frontal eddies in causing the intermixture of larvae and juveniles is discussed

Validation and Application of an Ageing Technique for Short-finned Squid (IIlex illecebrosus)

A technique has been developed which simplifies the ageing of short-finned squid (IIlex illecebrosus) through microstructural examination of the statotiths. The spatial pattern of growth increments was studied with the use of light and scanning electron microscopy. Daily growth increments in statoliths were validated by employing chemical "time" markers (strontium and tetracycline) and laboratory-reared animals of known age. Increment formation continued through periods of food deprivation and minimal temperature fluctuations

The endolysosomal adaptor PLEKHM1 is a direct target for both mTOR and MAPK pathways

The lysosome is a cellular signalling hub at the point of convergence of endocytic and autophagic pathways, where the contents are degraded and recycled. Pleckstrin homology domain-containing family member 1 (PLEKHM1) acts as an adaptor to facilitate the fusion of endocytic and autophagic vesicles with the lysosome. However, it is unclear how PLEKHM1 function at the lysosome is controlled. Herein, we show that PLEKHM1 co-precipitates with, and is directly phosphorylated by, mTOR. Using a phospho-specific antibody against Ser432/S435 of PLEKHM1, we show that the same motif is a direct target for ERK2-mediated phosphorylation in a growth factor-dependent manner. This dual regulation of PLEKHM1 at a highly conserved region points to a convergence of both growth factor- and amino acid-sensing pathways, placing PLEKHM1 at a critical juncture of cellular metabolism

Selection of Reserves for Woodland Caribou Using an Optimization Approach

Habitat protection has been identified as an important strategy for the conservation of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus). However, because of the economic opportunity costs associated with protection it is unlikely that all caribou ranges can be protected in their entirety. We used an optimization approach to identify reserve designs for caribou in Alberta, Canada, across a range of potential protection targets. Our designs minimized costs as well as three demographic risk factors: current industrial footprint, presence of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and climate change. We found that, using optimization, 60% of current caribou range can be protected (including 17% in existing parks) while maintaining access to over 98% of the value of resources on public lands. The trade-off between minimizing cost and minimizing demographic risk factors was minimal because the spatial distributions of cost and risk were similar. The prospects for protection are much reduced if protection is directed towards the herds that are most at risk of near-term extirpation

Single hadron response measurement and calorimeter jet energy scale uncertainty with the ATLAS detector at the LHC

The uncertainty on the calorimeter energy response to jets of particles is derived for the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). First, the calorimeter response to single isolated charged hadrons is measured and compared to the Monte Carlo simulation using proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of sqrt(s) = 900 GeV and 7 TeV collected during 2009 and 2010. Then, using the decay of K_s and Lambda particles, the calorimeter response to specific types of particles (positively and negatively charged pions, protons, and anti-protons) is measured and compared to the Monte Carlo predictions. Finally, the jet energy scale uncertainty is determined by propagating the response uncertainty for single charged and neutral particles to jets. The response uncertainty is 2-5% for central isolated hadrons and 1-3% for the final calorimeter jet energy scale.Comment: 24 pages plus author list (36 pages total), 23 figures, 1 table, submitted to European Physical Journal

Measurement of χ c1 and χ c2 production with s√ = 7 TeV pp collisions at ATLAS

The prompt and non-prompt production cross-sections for the χ c1 and χ c2 charmonium states are measured in pp collisions at s√ = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the LHC using 4.5 fb−1 of integrated luminosity. The χ c states are reconstructed through the radiative decay χ c → J/ψγ (with J/ψ → μ + μ −) where photons are reconstructed from γ → e + e − conversions. The production rate of the χ c2 state relative to the χ c1 state is measured for prompt and non-prompt χ c as a function of J/ψ transverse momentum. The prompt χ c cross-sections are combined with existing measurements of prompt J/ψ production to derive the fraction of prompt J/ψ produced in feed-down from χ c decays. The fractions of χ c1 and χ c2 produced in b-hadron decays are also measured