1,822 research outputs found
A non-Gaussian landscape
Primordial perturbations with wavelengths greater than the observable universe shift the effective background fields in our observable patch from their global averages over the inflating space. This leads to a landscape picture where the properties of our observable patch depend on its location and may significantly differ from the expectation values predicted by the underlying fundamental inflationary model. We show that if multiple fields are present during inflation, this may happen even if our horizon exit would be preceded by only a few e-foldings of inflation. Non-Gaussian statistics are especially affected: for example models of local non-Gaussianity predicting |f_NL|>> 10 over the entire inflating volume can have a probability up to a few tens of percent to generate a non-detectable bispectrum in our observable patch |fNL^{obs.}|<10. In this work we establish systematic connections between the observable local properties of primordial perturbations and the global properties of the inflating space which reflect the underlying high energy physics. We study in detail the implications of both a detection and non-detection of primordial non-Gaussianity by Planck, and discover novel ways of characterising the naturalness of different observational configurations
Scale-dependence of Non-Gaussianity in the Curvaton Model
We investigate the scale-dependence of f_NL in the self-interacting curvaton
model. We show that the scale-dependence, encoded in the spectral index
n_{f_NL}, can be observable by future cosmic microwave background observations,
such as CMBpol, in a significant part of the parameter space of the model. We
point out that together with information about the trispectrum g_NL, the
self-interacting curvaton model parameters could be completely fixed by
observations. We also discuss the scale-dependence of g_NL and its implications
for the curvaton model, arguing that it could provide a complementary probe in
cases where the theoretical value of n_{f_NL} is below observational
sensitivity.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, Eq.(10) correcte
Inhomogeneous non-Gaussianity
We propose a method to probe higher-order correlators of the primordial
density field through the inhomogeneity of local non-Gaussian parameters, such
as f_NL, measured within smaller patches of the sky. Correlators between
n-point functions measured in one patch of the sky and k-point functions
measured in another patch depend upon the (n+k)-point functions over the entire
sky. The inhomogeneity of non-Gaussian parameters may be a feasible way to
detect or constrain higher-order correlators in local models of
non-Gaussianity, as well as to distinguish between single and multiple-source
scenarios for generating the primordial density perturbation, and more
generally to probe the details of inflationary physics.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figures; v2: Minor changes and references added. Matches
the published versio
Scale-Dependent Non-Gaussianity as a Generalization of the Local Model
We generalize the local model of primordial non-Gaussianity by promoting the
parameter fNL to a general scale-dependent function fNL(k). We calculate the
resulting bispectrum and the effect on the bias of dark matter halos, and thus
the extent to which fNL(k) can be measured from the large-scale structure
observations. By calculating the principal components of fNL(k), we identify
scales where this form of non-Gaussianity is best constrained and estimate the
overlap with previously studied local and equilateral non-Gaussian models.Comment: Accepted to JCAP. 22 pages, 4 figure
Linearization of nonlinear connections on vector and affine bundles, and some applications
A linear connection is associated to a nonlinear connection on a vector
bundle by a linearization procedure. Our definition is intrinsic in terms of
vector fields on the bundle. For a connection on an affine bundle our procedure
can be applied after homogenization and restriction. Several applications in
Classical Mechanics are provided
Scale-dependent non-Gaussianity probes inflationary physics
We calculate the scale dependence of the bispectrum and trispectrum in
(quasi) local models of non-Gaussian primordial density perturbations, and
characterize this scale dependence in terms of new observable parameters. They
can help to discriminate between models of inflation, since they are sensitive
to properties of the inflationary physics that are not probed by the standard
observables. We find consistency relations between these parameters in certain
classes of models. We apply our results to a scenario of modulated reheating,
showing that the scale dependence of non-Gaussianity can be significant. We
also discuss the scale dependence of the bispectrum and trispectrum, in cases
where one varies the shape as well as the overall scale of the figure under
consideration. We conclude providing a formulation of the curvature
perturbation in real space, which generalises the standard local form by
dropping the assumption that f_NL and g_NL are constants.Comment: 27 pages, 2 figures. v2: Minor changes to match the published versio
Lineage dynamics of murine pancreatic development at single-cell resolution.
Organogenesis requires the complex interactions of multiple cell lineages that coordinate their expansion, differentiation, and maturation over time. Here, we profile the cell types within the epithelial and mesenchymal compartments of the murine pancreas across developmental time using a combination of single-cell RNA sequencing, immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization, and genetic lineage tracing. We identify previously underappreciated cellular heterogeneity of the developing mesenchyme and reconstruct potential lineage relationships among the pancreatic mesothelium and mesenchymal cell types. Within the epithelium, we find a previously undescribed endocrine progenitor population, as well as an analogous population in both human fetal tissue and human embryonic stem cells differentiating toward a pancreatic beta cell fate. Further, we identify candidate transcriptional regulators along the differentiation trajectory of this population toward the alpha or beta cell lineages. This work establishes a roadmap of pancreatic development and demonstrates the broad utility of this approach for understanding lineage dynamics in developing organs
The Berwald-type linearisation of generalised connections
We study the existence of a natural `linearisation' process for generalised
connections on an affine bundle. It is shown that this leads to an affine
generalised connection over a prolonged bundle, which is the analogue of what
is called a connection of Berwald type in the standard theory of connections.
Various new insights are being obtained in the fine structure of affine bundles
over an anchored vector bundle and affineness of generalised connections on
such bundles.Comment: 25 page
Adolescent Opiate Exposure in the Female Rat Induces Subtle Alterations in Maternal Care and Transgenerational Effects on Play Behavior
The non-medical use of prescription opiates, such as Vicodin® and MSContin®, has increased dramatically over the past decade. Of particular concern is the rising popularity of these drugs in adolescent female populations. Use during this critical developmental period could have significant long-term consequences for both the female user as well as potential effects on her future offspring. To address this issue, we have begun modeling adolescent opiate exposure in female rats and have observed significant transgenerational effects despite the fact that all drugs are withdrawn several weeks prior to pregnancy. The purpose of the current set of studies was to determine whether adolescent morphine exposure modifies postpartum care. In addition, we also examined juvenile play behavior in both male and female offspring. The choice of the social play paradigm was based on previous findings demonstrating effects of both postpartum care and opioid activity on play behavior. The findings revealed subtle modifications in the maternal behavior of adolescent morphine-exposed females, primarily related to the amount of time females’ spend nursing and in non-nursing contact with their young. In addition, male offspring of adolescent morphine-exposed mothers (MOR-F1) demonstrate decreased rough and tumble play behaviors, with no significant differences in general social behaviors (i.e., social grooming and social exploration). Moreover, there was a tendency toward increased rough and tumble play in MOR-F1 females, demonstrating the sex-specific nature of these effects. Given the importance of the postpartum environment on neurodevelopment, it is possible that modifications in maternal–offspring interactions, related to a history of adolescent opiate exposure, plays a role in the observed transgenerational effects. Overall, these studies indicate that the long-term consequences of adolescent opiate exposure can impact both the female and her future offspring
Local non-Gaussianity from rapidly varying sound speeds
We study the effect of non-trivial sound speeds on local-type non-Gaussianity
during multiple-field inflation. To this end, we consider a model of
multiple-field DBI and use the deltaN formalism to track the super-horizon
evolution of perturbations. By adopting a sum separable Hubble parameter we
derive analytic expressions for the relevant quantities in the two-field case,
valid beyond slow variation. We find that non-trivial sound speeds can, in
principle, curve the trajectory in such a way that significant local-type
non-Gaussianity is produced. Deviations from slow variation, such as rapidly
varying sound speeds, enhance this effect. To illustrate our results we
consider two-field inflation in the tip regions of two warped throats and find
large local-type non-Gaussianity produced towards the end of the inflationary
process.Comment: 30 pages, 7 figures; typos corrected, references added, accepted for
publication in JCA
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