41 research outputs found
Genus Topology of the Cosmic Microwave Background from the WMAP 3-Year Data
We have independently measured the genus topology of the temperature
fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background seen in the Wilkinson Microwave
Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) 3-year data. A genus analysis of the WMAP data
indicates consistency with Gaussian random-phase initial conditions, as
predicted by standard inflation. We set 95% confidence limits on
non-linearities of -101 < f_{nl} < 107. We also find that the observed low l (l
<= 8) modes show a slight anti-correlation with the Galactic foreground, but
not exceeding 95% confidence, and that the topology defined by these modes is
consistent with that of a Gaussian random-phase distribution (within 95%
confidence).Comment: MNRAS LaTeX style (mn2e.cls), EPS and JPEG figure
Well-Posedness and Symmetries of Strongly Coupled Network Equations
We consider a diffusion process on the edges of a finite network and allow
for feedback effects between different, possibly non-adjacent edges. This
generalizes the setting that is common in the literature, where the only
considered interactions take place at the boundary, i. e., in the nodes of the
network. We discuss well-posedness of the associated initial value problem as
well as contractivity and positivity properties of its solutions. Finally, we
discuss qualitative properties that can be formulated in terms of invariance of
linear subspaces of the state space, i. e., of symmetries of the associated
physical system. Applications to a neurobiological model as well as to a system
of linear Schroedinger equations on a quantum graph are discussed.Comment: 25 pages. Corrected typos and minor change
Heat Kernel Bounds for the Laplacian on Metric Graphs of Polygonal Tilings
We obtain an upper heat kernel bound for the Laplacian on metric graphs
arising as one skeletons of certain polygonal tilings of the plane, which
reflects the one dimensional as well as the two dimensional nature of these
graphs.Comment: 8 page
A family of diameter-based eigenvalue bounds for quantum graphs
We establish a sharp lower bound on the first non-trivial eigenvalue of the
Laplacian on a metric graph equipped with natural (i.e., continuity and
Kirchhoff) vertex conditions in terms of the diameter and the total length of
the graph. This extends a result of, and resolves an open problem from, [J. B.
Kennedy, P. Kurasov, G. Malenov\'a and D. Mugnolo, Ann. Henri Poincar\'e 17
(2016), 2439--2473, Section 7.2], and also complements an analogous lower bound
for the corresponding eigenvalue of the combinatorial Laplacian on a discrete
graph. We also give a family of corresponding lower bounds for the higher
eigenvalues under the assumption that the total length of the graph is
sufficiently large compared with its diameter. These inequalities are sharp in
the case of trees.Comment: Substantial revision of v1. The main result, originally for the first
eigenvalue, has been generalised to the higher ones. The title has been
changed and the proofs substantially reorganised to reflect the new result,
and a section containing concluding remarks has been adde
A variational approach to strongly damped wave equations
We discuss a Hilbert space method that allows to prove analytical
well-posedness of a class of linear strongly damped wave equations. The main
technical tool is a perturbation lemma for sesquilinear forms, which seems to
be new. In most common linear cases we can furthermore apply a recent result
due to Crouzeix--Haase, thus extending several known results and obtaining
optimal analyticity angle.Comment: This is an extended version of an article appeared in
\emph{Functional Analysis and Evolution Equations -- The G\"unter Lumer
Volume}, edited by H. Amann et al., Birkh\"auser, Basel, 2008. In the latest
submission to arXiv only some typos have been fixe
COVID-19-Related Social Isolation Predispose to Problematic Internet and Online Video Gaming Use in Italy
COVID-19 pandemic and its related containment measures have been associated with increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression in the general population. While the use of digital media has been greatly promoted by national governments and international authorities to maintain social contacts and healthy lifestyle behaviors, its increased access may also bear the risk of inappropriate or excessive use of internet-related resources. The present study, part of the COVID Mental hEalth Trial (COMET) study, aims at investigating the possible relationship between social isolation, the use of digital resources and the development of their problematic use. A cross sectional survey was carried out to explore the prevalence of internet addiction, excessive use of social media, problematic video gaming and binge watching, during Italian phase II (May-June 2020) and III (June-September 2020) of the pandemic in 1385 individuals (62.5% female, mean age 32.5 ± 12.9) mainly living in Central Italy (52.4%). Data were stratified according to phase II/III and three groups of Italian regions (northern, central and southern). Compared to the larger COMET study, most participants exhibited significant higher levels of severe-to-extremely-severe depressive symptoms (46.3% vs. 12.4%; p < 0.01) and extremely severe anxiety symptoms (77.8% vs. 7.5%; p < 0.01). We also observed a rise in problematic internet use and excessive gaming over time. Mediation analyses revealed that COVID-19-related general psychopathology, stress, anxiety, depression and social isolation play a significant role in the emergence of problematic internet use, social media addiction and problematic video gaming. Professional gamers and younger subjects emerged as sub-populations particularly at risk of developing digital addictions. If confirmed in larger and more homogenous samples, our findings may help in shedding light on possible preventive and treatment strategies for digital addictions