title: The marriage problem: from the bar of appointments to the agency

abstract:
  We study the stable marriage problem from different points of view. We
proposed a microscopic dynamic that lead the system to a stationary state that
we are able to characterize analytically. Then, we derive a thermodynamical
description of the Nash equilibrium states of the system that agree very well
with the results of Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, through large scale
numerical simulations we compare the Global Optimum of the society with the
stable marriage of lower energy. We showed that both states are strongly
correlated and that the selffish attitude results in a benefit for most of the
practitioners belonging to blocking pairs in the Global Optimum of the society.


title:
Monte Carlo study of a luminosity detector for the International Linear
  Collider

abstract:
  This paper presents the status of Monte Carlo simulation of one of the
luminosity detectors considered for the future e+e- International Linear
Collider (ILC). The detector consists of a tungsten/silicon sandwich
calorimeter with pad readout. The study was performed for Bhabha scattering
events assuming a zero crossing angle for the beams.


title:
Anharmonic force fields of perchloric acid, HClO$_4$, and perchloric
  anhydride, Cl$_2$O$_7$. An extreme case of inner polarization

abstract:
  DFT (density functional theory) anharmonic force fields with basis sets near
the Kohn-Sham limit have been obtained for perchloric acid, HClO$_4$, and
perchloric anhydride, Cl$_2$O$_7$. Calculated fundamental frequencies are in
very good agreement with available experimental data. Some reassignments in the
vibrational spectra of Cl$_2$O$_7$ are proposed based on our calculations.
HClO$_4$ and Cl$_2$O$_7$ are particularly severe examples of the `inner
polarization' phenomenon. The polarization consistent basis sets pc-1 and pc-2
(as well as their augmented counterparts) should be supplemented with two
(preferably three) and one (preferably two) high-exponent $d$ functions,
respectively, on second-row atoms. Complete anharmonic force fields are
available as electronic supporting information.


title:
Heats of formation of perchloric acid, HClO$_4$, and perchloric
  anhydride, Cl$_2$O$_7$. Probing the limits of W1 and W2 theory

abstract:
  The heats of formation of HClO$_4$ and Cl$_2$O$_7$ have been determined to
chemical accuracy for the first time by means of W1 and W2 theory. These
molecules exhibit particularly severe degrees of inner polarization, and as
such obtaining a basis-set limit SCF component to the total atomization energy
becomes a challenge. (Adding high-exponent $d$ functions to a standard $spd$
basis set has an effect on the order of 100 kcal/mol for Cl$_2$O$_7$.) Wilson's
aug-cc-pV(n+d)Z basis sets represent a dramatic improvement over the standard
aug-cc-pVnZ basis sets, while the aug-cc-pVnZ+2d1f sequence converges still
more rapidly. Jensen's polarization consistent basis sets still require
additional high-exponent $d$ functions: for smooth convergence we suggest the
\{aug-pc1+3d,aug-pc2+2d,aug-pc3+d,aug-pc4\} sequence. The role of the tight $d$
functions is shown to be an improved description of the Cl (3d) Rydberg
orbital, enhancing its ability to receive back-bonding from the oxygen lone
pairs. In problematic cases like this (or indeed in general), a single
SCF/aug-cc-pV6Z+2d1f calculation may be preferable over empirically motivated
extrapolations. Our best estimate heats of formation are $\Delta
H^\circ_{f,298}[$HClO$_4$(g)$]=-0.6\pm$1 kcal/mol and $\Delta
H^\circ_{f,298}[$Cl$_2$O$_7$(g)$]=65.9\pm$2 kcal/mol, the largest source of
uncertainty being our inability to account for post-CCSD(T) correlation
effects. While G2 and G3 theory have fairly large errors, G3X theory reproduces
both values to within 2 kcal/mol.


title: Application of Zhangs Square Root Law and Herding to Financial Markets

abstract:
  We apply an asymmetric version of Kirman's herding model to volatile
financial markets. In the relation between returns and agent concentration we
use the square root law proposed by Zhang. This can be derived by extending the
idea of a critical mean field theory suggested by Plerou et al. We show that
this model is equivalent to the so called 3/2-model of stochastic volatility.
The description of the unconditional distribution for the absolute returns is
in good agreement with the DAX independent whether one uses the square root or
a conventional linear relation. Only the statistic of extreme events prefers
the former. The description of the autocorrelations are in much better
agreement for the square root law. The volatility clusters are described by a
scaling law for the distribution of returns conditional to the value at the
previous day in good agreement with the data.


title:
Optimization of coupling between photonic crystal resonator and curved
  microfiber

abstract:
  The evanescent coupling from a photonic crystal resonator to a micron-thick
optical fiber is investigated in detail by using a 3D-FDTD method. Properly
designed photonic crystal cavity and taper structures are proposed, and optimal
operating conditions are found to enhance the coupling strength while
suppressing other cavity losses including the coupling to the slab propagating
mode and to the higher-order fiber mode. In simulation, the coupling into the
fundamental fiber mode is discriminated from other cavity losses by spatial and
parity filtering of the FDTD results. The coupling efficiency of more than 80%
into the fundamental fiber mode together with a total Q factor of 5,200 is
achieved for the fiber diameter of 1.0 um and the air gap of 200 nm between the
fiber and the cavity.


title: Technology for Production of Ultra-Thin Crystal Silicon Membranes

abstract:
  Ultra-thin crystal targets in shape of self-supporting membranes were
produced for our experiments with parametric x-rays emitted by low-energy
electrons. Concise description of the technology developed for production of
silicon crystal membranes and the technique for the membrane thickness
measurements are considered in the paper. Membrane thickness of ~0.5 micron at
1.0 mm diameter supporting by 2x2 mm silicon substrate of ~200 microns
thickness is achieved. Developed technology for thin crystal membrane
production can also be applied for manufacturing of various membrane-containing
sensors


title: Viscous fingering of miscible slices

abstract:
  Viscous fingering of a miscible high viscosity slice of fluid displaced by a
lower viscosity fluid is studied in porous media by direct numerical
simulations of Darcy's law coupled to the evolution equation for the
concentration of a solute controlling the viscosity of miscible solutions. In
contrast with fingering between two semi-infinite regions, fingering of finite
slices is a transient phenomenon due to the decrease in time of the viscosity
ratio across the interface induced by fingering and dispersion processes. We
show that fingering contributes transiently to the broadening of the peak in
time by increasing its variance. A quantitative analysis of the asymptotic
contribution of fingering to this variance is conducted as a function of the
four relevant parameters of the problem i.e. the log-mobility ratio R, the
length of the slice l, the Peclet number Pe and the ratio between transverse
and axial dispersion coefficients $\epsilon$. Relevance of the results is
discussed in relation with transport of viscous samples in chromatographic
columns and propagation of contaminants in porous media.


title: The Gauge Hierarchy Problem and Planck Oscillators

abstract:
  A longstanding question that has puzzled Physicists is the so called gauge
hierarchy problem, that is why is there such a wide gap between the mass of a
Planck particle, $10^{-5}gms$ and the mass of a typical elementary particle
$\sim 10^{-25}gms$. We show that the answer to this problem lies in a
particular characterization of gravitation. This moreover also provides a
picture of a Planck scale underpinning for the entire universe itself.


title: Superfluidity of the BEC at finite temperature

abstract:
  We use the classical fields approximation to study a translational flow of
the condensate with respect to the thermal cloud in a weakly interacting Bose
gas. We study both, subcritical and supercritical relative velocity cases and
analyze in detail a state of stationary flow which is reached in the dynamics.
This state corresponds to the thermal equilibrium, which is characterized by
the relative velocity of the condensate and the thermal cloud. The
superfluidity manifests itself in the existence of many thermal equilibria
varying in (the value of this velocity) the relative velocity between the
condensate and the thermal cloud. We pay a particular attention to excitation
spectra in a phonon as well as in a particle regime. Finally, we introduce a
measure of the amount of the superfluid fraction in a weakly interacting Bose
gas, allowing for the precise distinction between the superfluid and the
condensed fractions in a single and consistent framework.


title: On correlations and fractal characteristics of time series

abstract:
  Correlation analysis is convenient and frequently used tool for investigation
of time series from complex systems. Recently new methods such as the
multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MFDFA) and the wavelet transform
modulus maximum method (WTMM) have been developed. By means of these methods
(i) we can investigate long-range correlations in time series and (ii) we can
calculate fractal spectra of these time series. But opposite to the classical
tool for correlation analysis - the autocorrelation function, the newly
developed tools are not applicable to all kinds of time series. The
unappropriate application of MFDFA or WTMM leads to wrong results and
conclusions. In this article we discuss the opportunities and risks connected
to the application of the MFDFA method to time series from a random number
generator and to experimentally measured time series (i) for accelerations of
an agricultural tractor and (ii) for the heartbeat activity of {\sl Drosophila
melanogaster}. Our main goal is to emphasize on what can be done and what can
not be done by the MFDFA as tool for investigation of time series.


title: Aberration associated with the reflection of light on a moving mirror

abstract:
  Imposing start from the beginning that the incidence and the reflection of a
ray t on an arbitrarily orientated mirror take place at the same point in space
and at the same zero time in all involved reference frames in relative motion,
we decompose the reflection in two aberration of light effects, of the incident
and of the reflected rays respectively


title:
A simple and surprisingly accurate approach to the chemical bond
  obtained from dimensional scaling

abstract:
  We present a new dimensional scaling transformation of the Schrodinger
equation for the two electron bond. This yields, for the first time, a good
description of the two electron bond via D-scaling. There also emerges, in the
large-D limit, an intuitively appealing semiclassical picture, akin to a
molecular model proposed by Niels Bohr in 1913. In this limit, the electrons
are confined to specific orbits in the scaled space, yet the uncertainty
principle is maintained because the scaling leaves invariant the
position-momentum commutator. A first-order perturbation correction,
proportional to 1/D, substantially improves the agreement with the exact ground
state potential energy curve. The present treatment is very simple
mathematically, yet provides a strikingly accurate description of the potential
energy curves for the lowest singlet, triplet and excited states of H_2. We
find the modified D-scaling method also gives good results for other molecules.
It can be combined advantageously with Hartree-Fock and other conventional
methods.


title: Gauge invariant fluid lagrangian and its application to cosmology

abstract:
  A lagrangian for relativistic fluid systems with matters inside is developed
using gauge principle. In the model, the gauge boson represents the fluid field
in a form $A_\mu \equiv \epsilon_\mu \phi$, where $\epsilon_\mu$ contains the
fluid kinematics and $\phi$ is an auxiliary field representing the fluid
distribution. This leads to a new relativistic equation of motion for fluid,
but which further coincides to the classical Euler equation at non-relativistic
limit. The lagrangian is applied to model homogeneous universe as a bulk pure
fluid system. Taking the simplest case of fluid with radial velocity and
uniform distribution, the free energy density is calculated and its behaviour
around Hubble distance is discussed.


title:
Frequency-dependent polarizabilities of alkali atoms from ultraviolet
  through infrared spectral regions

abstract:
  We present results of first-principles calculations of the
frequency-dependent polarizabilities of all alkali atoms for light in the
wavelength range 300-1600 nm, with particular attention to wavelengths of
common infrared lasers. We parameterize our results so that they can be
extended accurately to arbitrary wavelengths above 800 nm. This work is
motivated by recent experiments involving simultaneous optical trapping of two
different alkali species. Our data can be used to predict the oscillation
frequencies of optically-trapped atoms, and particularly the ratios of
frequencies of different species held in the same trap. We identify wavelengths
at which two different alkali atoms have the same oscillation frequency.


title: Rough-conduit flows and the existence of fully developed turbulence

abstract:
  It is widely believed that at high Reynolds number (Re) all turbulent flows
approach a state of "fully developed turbulence" defined by a unique,
Re-independent statistics of the velocity fluctuations. Yet direct measurements
of the velocity fluctuations have failed to yield clear-cut empirical evidence
of the existence of fully developed turbulence. Here we relate the friction
coefficient ($f$) of rough-conduit flows to the statistics of the velocity
fluctuations. In light of experimental measurements of $f$, our results yield
unequivocal evidence of the existence of fully developed turbulence.


title: Recirculating BBU thresholds for polarized HOMs with optical coupling

abstract:
  We will derive the general theory of the beam-breakup instability in
recirculating linear accelerators with coupled beam optics and with polarized
higher order dipole modes. The bunches do not have to be at the same RF phase
during each recirculation turn. This is important for the description of energy
recovery linacs (ERLs) where beam currents become very large and coupled optics
are used on purpose to increase the threshold current. A remarkable agreement
with tracking data is demonstrated. The general formulas are then analyzed for
several analytically solvable cases, which show: (a) Why different higher order
modes (HOM) in one cavity can couple and cannot be considered individually,
even when their frequencies are separated by much more than the resonance
widths of the HOMs. For the Cornell ERL as an example, it is noted that optimum
advantage of coupled optics is taken when the cavities are designed with an
$x$-$y$ HOM frequency splitting of above 50MHz. The threshold current is then
far above the design current of this accelerator. (b) How the $x$-$y$ coupling
in the particle optics determines when modes can be considered separately. (c)
That the increase of the threshold current obtainable by coupled optics and
polarized modes diminishes roughly with the square root of the HOMs' quality
factors. Therefore the largest advantages are achieved with cavities that are
not specifically designed to minimize these quality factors, e.g. by means of
HOM absorbers. (d) How multiple-turn recirculation interferes with the
threshold improvements obtained with a coupled optics.


title:
Making ultracold molecules in a two color pump-dump photoassociation
  scheme using chirped pulses

abstract:
  This theoretical paper investigates the formation of ground state molecules
from ultracold cesium atoms in a two-color scheme. Following previous work on
photoassociation with chirped picosecond pulses [Luc-Koenig et al., Phys. Rev.
A {\bf 70}, 033414 (2004)], we investigate stabilization by a second (dump)
pulse. By appropriately choosing the dump pulse parameters and time delay with
respect to the photoassociation pulse, we show that a large number of deeply
bound molecules are created in the ground triplet state. We discuss (i)
broad-bandwidth dump pulses which maximize the probability to form molecules
while creating a broad vibrational distribution as well as (ii)
narrow-bandwidth pulses populating a single vibrational ground state level,
bound by 113 cm$^{-1}$. The use of chirped pulses makes the two-color scheme
robust, simple and efficient.


title: Immunization of Real Complex Communication Networks

abstract:
  Most communication networks are complex. In this paper, we address one of the
fundamental problems we are facing nowadays, namely, how we can efficiently
protect these networks. To this end, we study an immunization strategy and
found that it works as good as targeted immunization, but using only local
information about the network topology. Our findings are supported with
numerical simulations of the Susceptible-Infected-Removed (SIR) model on top of
real communication networks, where immune nodes are previously identified by a
covering algorithm. The results provide useful hints in the way to design and
deploying a digital immune system.


title: Lagrangian dynamics of the Navier-Stokes equation

abstract:
  Most researches on fluid dynamics are mostly dedicated to obtain the
solutions of Navier-Stokes equation which governs fluid flow with particular
boundary conditions and approximations. We propose an alternative approach to
deal with fluid dynamics using the lagrangian. We attempt to develop a gauge
invariant lagrangian which reconstructs the Navier-Stokes equation through the
Euler-Lagrange equation. The lagrangian consists of gauge boson field $\A_\mu$
with appropriate content describing the fluid dynamics, i.e. $\A_\mu = (\Phi,
-\uv)$. An example of applying the lagrangian to the interaction of fluid in a
solitonic medium is also given.


title:
Conservation of Angular Momentum, Transverse Shift, and Spin Hall Effect
  in Reflection and Refraction of Electromagnetic Wave Packet

abstract:
  We present a solution to the problem of reflection/refraction of a polarized
Gaussian beam on the interface between two transparent media. The transverse
shifts of the beams' centers of gravity are calculated. They always satisfy the
total angular momentum conservation law for beams, however, in general, do not
satisfy the conservation laws for individual photons in consequence of the lack
of the ``which path'' information in a two-channel wave scattering. The field
structure for the reflected/refracted beam is analyzed. In the scattering of a
linearly-polarized beam, photons of opposite helicities are accumulated at the
opposite edges of the beam: this is the spin Hall effect for photons, which can
be registered in the cross-polarized component of the scattered beam.


title: Can one predict DNA Transcription Start Sites by studying bubbles?

abstract:
  It has been speculated that bubble formation of several base-pairs due to
thermal fluctuations is indicatory for biological active sites. Recent
evidence, based on experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using
the Peyrard-Bishop-Dauxois model, seems to point in this direction. However,
sufficiently large bubbles appear only seldom which makes an accurate
calculation difficult even for minimal models. In this letter, we introduce a
new method that is orders of magnitude faster than MD. Using this method we
show that the present evidence is unsubstantiated.


title: Simple estimation of absolute free energies for biomolecules

abstract:
  One reason that free energy difference calculations are notoriously difficult
in molecular systems is due to insufficient conformational overlap, or
similarity, between the two states or systems of interest. The degree of
overlap is irrelevant, however, if the absolute free energy of each state can
be computed. We present a method for calculating the absolute free energy that
employs a simple construction of an exactly computable reference system which
possesses high overlap with the state of interest. The approach requires only a
physical ensemble of conformations generated via simulation, and an auxiliary
calculation of approximately equal central-processing-unit (CPU) cost.
Moreover, the calculations can converge to the correct free energy value even
when the physical ensemble is incomplete or improperly distributed. As a "proof
of principle," we use the approach to correctly predict free energies for test
systems where the absolute values can be calculated exactly, and also to
predict the conformational equilibrium for leucine dipeptide in implicit
solvent.


title: Epidemic dynamics on complex networks

abstract:
  Recently, motivated by the pioneer works that reveal the small-world effect
and scale-free property of various real-life networks, many scientists devote
themselves into studying complex networks. One of the ultimate goals is to
understand how the topological structures of networks affect the dynamics upon
them. In this paper, we give a brief review on the studies of epidemic dynamics
on complex networks, including the description of classical epidemic models,
the epidemic spread on small-world and scale-free networks, and network
immunization. Finally, a prospect is addressed and some interesting problems
are listed.


title:
Test of the isotropy of the speed of light using a continuously rotating
  optical resonator

abstract:
  We report on a test of Lorentz invariance performed by comparing the
resonance frequencies of one stationary optical resonator and one continuously
rotating on a precision air bearing turntable. Special attention is paid to the
control of rotation induced systematic effects. Within the photon sector of the
Standard Model Extension, we obtain improved limits on combinations of 8
parameters at a level of a few parts in $10^{-16}$. For the previously least
well known parameter we find $\tilde \kappa_{e-}^{ZZ} =(-1.9 \pm 5.2)\times
10^{-15}$. Within the Robertson-Mansouri-Sexl test theory, our measurement
restricts the isotropy violation parameter $\beta -\delta -\frac 12$ to
$(-2.1\pm 1.9)\times 10^{-10}$, corresponding to an eightfold improvement with
respect to previous non-rotating measurements.


title:
Response of Superheated Droplet Detectors of the PICASSO Dark Matter
  Search Experiment

abstract:
  We present results of systematic studies of the radiation response of
superheated liquid droplet detectors, which are used in the PICASSO dark matter
search experiment. This detection technique is based on the phase transitions
of superheated liquid Freon droplets dispersed and trapped in a polymerized
gel. Phase transitions can be induced by nuclear recoils following particle
interactions and, in particular, interactions with Weakly Interacting Massive
Particles (WIMPs). These detectors are threshold devices since a minimal energy
deposition is necessary to induce a phase transition and their sensitivity to
various types of radiation depends strongly on the operating temperature and
pressure. The sensitivity to neutrons, alpha particles and gamma rays was
determined as a function of these operating parameters and the results are
compared with simulations. In particular, we present a complete
characterization of the response of detector modules already in use for a dark
matter search at the SNO site to detect WIMPs and discuss possible background
sources.


title: Faraday's law in the presence of magnetic monopoles

abstract:
  We show that if we consider the full statement of Faraday's law for a closed
physical circuit, the standard Maxwell's equations in the presence of electric
and magnetic charges have to include in their integral form a mixed term of the
form $\rho_m {\bf v}_e^{\perp}$ where $\rho_m$ is the magnetic charge density
and ${\bf v}_e^{\perp}$ the perpendicular component of the velocity ${\bf v}_e$
of the electric charge.


title: High-flux beam source for cold, slow atoms or molecules

abstract:
  We demonstrate and characterize a high-flux beam source for cold, slow atoms
or molecules. The desired species is vaporized using laser ablation, then
cooled by thermalization in a cryogenic cell of buffer gas. The beam is formed
by particles exiting a hole in the buffer gas cell. We characterize the
properties of the beam (flux, forward velocity, temperature) for both an atom
(Na) and a molecule (PbO) under varying buffer gas density, and discuss
conditions for optimizing these beam parameters. Our source compares favorably
to existing techniques of beam formation, for a variety of applications.


title: Compton effect: interacting particles or interacting waves

abstract:
  Traditional textbook explanations of the Compton effect treat the photon
electron interaction as a particle collision. This explanation is a pedagogical
disaster, implying that sometimes interactions are particle-like whereas
quantum mechanics always demands that they be wave-like; a photon wavefunction
evolves according to a wave equation until its collapse at measurement. If this
is so why then does the classical radiation wave equation fail to predict the
Compton effect? We address these issues and propose a clearer explanation.


title:
Cross-Correlation of Instantaneous Phase Increments in Pressure-Flow
  Fluctuations: Applications to Cerebral Autoregulation

abstract:
  We investigate the relationship between the blood flow velocities (BFV) in
the middle cerebral arteries and beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) recorded from
a finger in healthy and post-stroke subjects during the quasi-steady state
after perturbation for four different physiologic conditions: supine rest,
head-up tilt, hyperventilation and CO_2 rebreathing in upright position. To
evaluate whether instantaneous BP changes in the steady state are coupled with
instantaneous changes in the BFV, we compare dynamical patterns in the
instantaneous phases of these signals, obtained from the Hilbert transform, as
a function of time. We find that in post-stroke subjects the instantaneous
phase increments of BP and BFV exhibit well pronounced patterns that remain
stable in time for all four conditions, while in healthy subjects these
patterns are different, less pronounced and more variable. We propose a new
approach based on the instantaneous phase increments cross-correlation to
quantify the coupling between BP and BFV. We find that the maximum correlation
strength is different for the two groups and for the different conditions. For
healthy subjects the amplitude of the cross-correlation between the
instantaneous phase increments of BP and BFV is small and attenuates within 3-5
heartbeats. In contrast, for post-stroke subjects, this amplitude is
significantly larger and cross-correlations persist up to 20 heartbeats. We
compare the results of our approach with three complementary methods: direct
BP-BFV cross-correlation, transfer function analysis and phase synchronization
analysis.


title:
Time-Resolved Ring Structure of Backscattered Circularly Polarized Beams
  from Forward Scattering Media

abstract:
  The backscattering of circularly polarized light at normal incidence to a
half-space of scattering particles is studied using the Electric Field Monte
Carlo (EMC) method. The spatial distribution of the backscattered light
intensity is examined for both the time-resolved and continuous-wave cases for
large particles with anisotropy factor, g, in the range 0.8 to 0.97. For the
time-resolved case, the backscattered light with the same helicity as that of
the incident beam (co-polarized) is found to form a ring centered on the point
of incidence. The ring expands and simultaneously grows weak as time increases.
The intensity of backscattered light with helicity opposite to that of the
incident beam (cross-polarized) is found to exhibit a ring behavior for
g>=0.85, with significant backscattering at the point of incidence. For the
continuous-wave case no such ring pattern is observed in backscattered light
for either helicity. The present EMC study suggests that the ring behavior can
only be observed in the time domain, in contrast to previous studies of light
backscattered from forward scattering media based on the scalar
time-independent Fokker-Planck approximation to the radiative transfer
equation. The time-dependent ring structure of backscattered light may have
potential use in subsurface imaging applications.


title: Trend followers lose more often than they gain

abstract:
  We solve exactly a simple model of trend following strategy, and obtain the
analytical shape of the profit per trade distribution. This distribution is non
trivial and has an option like, asymmetric structure. The degree of asymmetry
depends continuously on the parameters of the strategy and on the volatility of
the traded asset. While the average gain per trade is always exactly zero, the
fraction f of winning trades decreases from f=1/2 for small volatility to f=0
for high volatility, showing that this winning probability does not give any
information on the reliability of the strategy but is indicative of the trading
style.

categories: physics.data-an cond-mat.other physics.soc-ph q-fin.PM


title: Creep-Enhanced Low-Frequency Sensitivity of Seismometers

abstract:
  The frequency response of a seismometer is typically assumed to be the
textbook case of a viscous damped, simple harmonic oscillator. Real mechanical
oscillators are not ideal, and the damping at low frequencies, due to internal
friction, is presently too poorly understood to describe from first principles.
Even if the low-level motions were smooth (which they are not), the mean
position of a seismic mass changes because of creep and creep recovery. This
article shows that secondary creep can actually serve to increase the
sensitivity of a seismometer at low frequencies.


title: Vlasov Simulations of Trapping and Inhomogeneity in Raman Scattering

abstract:
  We study stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) in laser-fusion conditions with
the Eulerian Vlasov code ELVIS. Back SRS from homogeneous plasmas occurs in
sub-picosecond bursts and far exceeds linear theory. Forward SRS and re-scatter
of back SRS are also observed. The plasma wave frequency downshifts from the
linear dispersion curve, and the electron distribution shows flattening. This
is consistent with trapping and reduces the Landau damping. There is some
acoustic ($\omega\propto k$) activity and possibly electron acoustic scatter.
Kinetic ions do not affect SRS for early times but suppress it later on. SRS
from inhomogeneous plasmas exhibits a kinetic enhancement for long density
scale lengths. More scattering results when the pump propagates to higher as
opposed to lower density.


title:
Inconsistencies in the current thermodynamic description of elastic
  solids

abstract:
  Using the contemporary thermodynamic equations of elastic solids leads to
contradictions with the fundamental statements of thermodynamics. Two examples
are presented to expose the inconsistencies. In example one the internal energy
between the initial and final states shows path dependency while in example two
changing the temperature of a system at constant volume produces mechanical
work. These results are contradictory with the fundamentals of thermodynamics
and indicate that the contemporary description of elastic solids needs to be
revisited and revised.


title: Holoprojection of Images by a Double Diffraction Process

abstract:
  Three dimensional images having continuous horizontal parallax were developed
by wavelength enconding of view followed by a natural decoding process of
projection onto a diffractive screen. It allows for the direct criation of
"holoimages" by using projected images of a real object substituting
holographic images for some applications in the visual aarts. It also allows
for the enlargement of holograms performing simultaneously its conversion to
the white light observation. White light is employed in this process, since
laser light is only necessary for constructing the diffractive components.


title: Diffusion correction to the avalanche--to--streamer transition

abstract:
  Space-charge dominated streamer discharges can emerge in free space from
single electrons. We reinvestigate the Raether-Meek criterion and show that
streamer emergence depends not only on ionization and attachment rates and gap
length, but also on electron diffusion. Motivated by simulation results, we
derive an explicit quantitative criterion for the avalanche-to-streamer
transition both for pure non-attaching gases and for air, under the assumption
that the avalanche emerges from a single free electron and evolves in a
homogenous field.


title:
Negative-Index Refraction in a Lamellar Composite with Alternating
  Single Negative Layers

abstract:
  Negative-index refraction is achieved in a lamellar composite with
epsilon-negative (ENG) and mu-negative (MNG) materials stacked alternatively.
Based on the effective medium approximation, simultaneously negative effective
permittivity and permeability of such a lamellar composite are obtained
theoretically and further proven by full-wave simulations. Consequently, the
famous left-handed metamaterial comprising split ring resonators and wires is
interpreted as an analogy of such an ENG-MNG lamellar composite. In addition,
beyond the effective medium approximation, the propagating field squeezed near
the ENG/MNG interface is demonstrated to be left-handed surface waves with
backward phase velocity.


title: Parallel Tempering: Theory, Applications, and New Perspectives

abstract:
  We review the history of the parallel tempering simulation method. From its
origins in data analysis, the parallel tempering method has become a standard
workhorse of physiochemical simulations. We discuss the theory behind the
method and its various generalizations. We mention a selected set of the many
applications that have become possible with the introduction of parallel
tempering and we suggest several promising avenues for future research.


title:
Gene regulatory networks: a coarse-grained, equation-free approach to
  multiscale computation

abstract:
  We present computer-assisted methods for analyzing stochastic models of gene
regulatory networks. The main idea that underlies this equation-free analysis
is the design and execution of appropriately-initialized short bursts of
stochastic simulations; the results of these are processed to estimate
coarse-grained quantities of interest, such as mesoscopic transport
coefficients. In particular, using a simple model of a genetic toggle switch,
we illustrate the computation of an effective free energy and of a
state-dependent effective diffusion coefficient that characterize an
unavailable effective Fokker-Planck equation. Additionally we illustrate the
linking of equation-free techniques with continuation methods for performing a
form of stochastic "bifurcation analysis"; estimation of mean switching times
in the case of a bistable switch is also implemented in this equation-free
context. The accuracy of our methods is tested by direct comparison with
long-time stochastic simulations. This type of equation-free analysis appears
to be a promising approach to computing features of the long-time,
coarse-grained behavior of certain classes of complex stochastic models of gene
regulatory networks, circumventing the need for long Monte Carlo simulations.

categories: physics.bio-ph physics.chem-ph physics.comp-ph q-bio.MN


title: A parameter to quantify dynamics of a researcher's scientific activity

abstract:
  I propose the coefficient, $t_h$, and its modification $N_t$ which in a
simple way reflect dynamics of scientific activity of an individual researcher.
I determine $t_h$ as a time period (from some moment in the past till the
present moment) during which papers responsible for 1/2 of the total citation
index were published. Parameter $N_t$ represents average of the citation index
over this period: $N_t={\mathrm{C.I.}}/2t_h$.


title: Designing Effective Questions for Classroom Response System Teaching

abstract:
  Classroom response systems (CRSs) can be potent tools for teaching physics.
Their efficacy, however, depends strongly on the quality of the questions used.
Creating effective questions is difficult, and differs from creating exam and
homework problems. Every CRS question should have an explicit pedagogic purpose
consisting of a content goal, a process goal, and a metacognitive goal.
Questions can be engineered to fulfil their purpose through four complementary
mechanisms: directing students' attention, stimulating specific cognitive
processes, communicating information to instructor and students via
CRS-tabulated answer counts, and facilitating the articulation and
confrontation of ideas. We identify several tactics that help in the design of
potent questions, and present four "makeovers" showing how these tactics can be
used to convert traditional physics questions into more powerful CRS questions.


title:
Self-consistent iterative solution of the exchange-only OEP equations
  for simple metal clusters in jellium model

abstract:
  In this work, employing the exchange-only orbital-dependent functional, we
have obtained the optimized effective potential using the simple iterative
method proposed by K\"ummel and Perdew [S. K\"ummel and J. P. Perdew, Phys.
Rev. Lett. {\bf 90}, 43004-1 (2003)]. Using this method, we have solved the
self-consistent Kohn-Sham equations for closed-shell simple metal clusters of
Al, Li, Na, K, and Cs in the context of jellium model. The results are in good
agreement with those obtained by the different method of Engel and Vosko [E.
Engel and S. H. Vosko, Phys. Rev. B {\bf 50}, 10498 (1994)].


title: Modeling molecules with constraints

abstract:
  Techniques for simulating molecules whose conformations satisfy constraints
are presented. A method for selecting appropriate moves in Monte Carlo
simulations is given. The resulting moves not only obey the constraints but
also maintain detailed balance so that correct equilibrium averages are
computed. In addition, techniques for optimizing the evaluation of implicit
solvent terms are given.


title: Diffusion entropy analysis on the scaling behavior of financial markets

abstract:
  In this paper the diffusion entropy technique is applied to investigate the
scaling behavior of financial markets. The scaling behaviors of four
representative stock markets, Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard&Poor 500,
Heng Seng Index, and Shang Hai Stock Synthetic Index, are almost the same; with
the scale-invariance exponents all in the interval $[0.92, 0.95]$. These
results provide a strong evidence of the existence of long-rang correlation in
financial time series, thus several variance-based methods are restricted for
detecting the scale-invariance properties of financial markets. In addition, a
parsimonious percolation model for stock markets is proposed, of which the
scaling behavior agrees with the real-life markets well.


title: Correlation filtering in financial time series

abstract:
  We apply a method to filter relevant information from the correlation
coefficient matrix by extracting a network of relevant interactions. This
method succeeds to generate networks with the same hierarchical structure of
the Minimum Spanning Tree but containing a larger amount of links resulting in
a richer network topology allowing loops and cliques. In Tumminello et al.
\cite{TumminielloPNAS05}, we have shown that this method, applied to a
financial portfolio of 100 stocks in the USA equity markets, is pretty
efficient in filtering relevant information about the clustering of the system
and its hierarchical structure both on the whole system and within each
cluster. In particular, we have found that triangular loops and 4 element
cliques have important and significant relations with the market structure and
properties. Here we apply this filtering procedure to the analysis of
correlation in two different kind of interest rate time series (16 Eurodollars
and 34 US interest rates).


title: Mass Dependence of Ultracold Three-Body Collision Rates

abstract:
  We show that many aspects of ultracold three-body collisions can be
controlled by choosing the mass ratio between the collision partners. In the
ultracold regime, the scattering length dependence of the three-body rates can
be substantially modified from the equal mass results. We demonstrate that the
only non-trivial mass dependence is due solely to Efimov physics. We have
determined the mass dependence of the three-body collision rates for all
heteronuclear systems relevant for two-component atomic gases with resonant
s-wave interspecies interactions, which includes only three-body systems with
two identical bosons or two identical fermions.


title:
Production of cold formaldehyde molecules for study and control of
  chemical reaction dynamics with hydroxyl radicals

abstract:
  We propose a method for controlling a class of low temperature chemical
reactions. Specifically, we show the hydrogen abstraction channel in the
reaction of formaldehyde (H$_{2}$CO) and the hydroxyl radical (OH) can be
controlled through either the molecular state or an external electric field. We
also outline experiments for investigating and demonstrating control over this
important reaction. To this end, we report the first Stark deceleration of the
H$_{2}$CO molecule. We have decelerated a molecular beam of H$_{2}$CO
essentially to rest, producing cold molecule packets at a temperature of 100 mK
with a few million molecules in the packet at a density of $\sim10^{6}$
cm$^{-3}$.


title: MCSCF-DFT based on an interacting reference system

abstract:
  We present the MCSCF version of density functional theory. Two sets of
equations, which correspond to the CI and orbital relaxation respectively, are
derived. An important feature is that the correlation potential of DFT for CI
wavefunction and that for orbitals are different to each other. These relations
ensure that a density yielded by a effective MCSCF solution also satisfies the
Euler equation of DFT


title:
Teaching the hidden symmetry of the Kepler problem in relativistic
  quantum mechanics - from Pauli to Dirac electron

abstract:
  Hidden symmetry in Coulomb interaction is one of the mysterious problems of
modern physics. Additional conserved quantities associated with extra symmetry
govern wide variety of physics problems, from planetary motion till fine and
hyperfine structures of atomic spectra. In this paper we present a simple
derivation of hidden symmetry operator in relativistic quantum mechanics for
the Dirac equation in the Coulomb field. We established that this operator may
be reduced to the one introduced by Johnson and Lippmann. It is worthwhile to
notice that this operator was discussed in literature very rarely and so is not
known well among physicists and was omitted even in the recent textbooks on
relativistic quantum mechanics and/or quantum electrodynamics.


title: The importance of the observer in science

abstract:
  The concept of {\em complexity} (as a quantity) has been plagued by numerous
contradictory and confusing definitions. By explicitly recognising a role for
the observer of a system, an observer that attaches meaning to data about the
system, these contradictions can be resolved, and the numerous complexity
measures that have been proposed can be seen as cases where different observers
are relevant, and/or being proxy measures that loosely scale with complexity,
but are easy to compute from the available data. Much of the epistemic
confusion in the subject can be squarely placed at science's tradition of
removing the observer from the description in order to guarantee {\em
objectivity}. Explicitly acknowledging the role of the observer helps untangle
other confused subject areas. {\em Emergence} is a topic about which much ink
has been spilt, but it can be understand easily as an irreducibility between
description space and meaning space. Quantum Mechanics can also be understood
as a theory of observation. The success in explaining quantum mechanics, leads
one to conjecture that all of physics may be reducible to properties of the
observer. And indeed, what are the necessary (as opposed to contingent)
properties of an observer? This requires a full theory of consciousness, from
which we are a long way from obtaining. However where progress does appear to
have been made, e.g. Daniel Dennett's {\em Consciousness Explained}, a
recurring theme of self-observation is a crucial ingredient.


title:
Covariant Irreducible Parametrization of Electromagnetic Fields in
  Arbitrary Spacetime

abstract:
  We present a new unified covariant description of electromagnetic field
properties for an arbitrary space-time. We derive a complete set of irreducible
components describing a six-dimensional electromagnetic field from the Maxwell
and metric tensors using the symmetry group SL(2,C). For the special case of a
flat space-time metric the components are shown to correspond to the scalar
invariants of the electromagnetic field, the energy-momentum-stress tensor and
in addition, three new tensors expressing physical observables of rank two and
four, respectively. We make a physical interpretation of one of the new rank
two tensors as describing a classical intrinsic spin of the electromagnetic
field.


title:
Observation of Three-dimensional Long-range Order in Smaller Ion Coulomb
  Crystals in an rf Trap

abstract:
  Three-dimensional long-range ordered structures in smaller and
near-spherically symmetric Coulomb crystals of ^{40}Ca^+ ions confined in a
linear rf Paul trap have been observed when the number of ions exceeds ~1000
ions. This result is unexpected from ground state molecular dynamics (MD)
simulations, but found to be in agreement with MD simulations of metastable ion
configurations. Previously, three-dimensional long-range ordered structures
have only been reported in Penning traps in systems of ~50,000 ions or more.


title: Fast Detector Simulation Using Lelaps, Detector Descriptions in GODL

abstract:
  Lelaps is a fast detector simulation program which reads StdHep generator
files and produces SIO or LCIO output files. It swims particles through
detectors taking into account magnetic fields, multiple scattering and dE/dx
energy loss. It simulates parameterized showers in EM and hadronic calorimeters
and supports gamma conversions and decays. In addition to three built-in
detector configurations, detector descriptions can also be read from files in
the new GODL file format.


title:
Supermodes of photonic crystal CCWs and multimode bistable switchings
  with uniform thresholds

abstract:
  Photonic crystal (PC) coupled cavity waveguides (CCWs) with
\textit{completely separated eigenfrequencies} (or supermodes) are
investigated. Using a coupled mode theory, the properties of the supermodes,
such as the electric field profiles, the eigenfrequencies (including the
central frequencies and corresponding linewidths), and the quality factors (Qs)
are expressed in very simple formulas, and these results agree well with those
of ``exact'' numerical method. We also discuss the great differences between
the supermodes and \textit{continuous modes}, which are described by tight
binding (TB) theory. Then, the properties of supermodes are used to investigate
their potential applications in multichannel (covering the whole C-band)
bistable switchings, and bistable loops are obtained numerically. We also
predict and verify that all the thresholds are uniform inherently.


title: Enhanced dispersion interaction in confined geometry

abstract:
  The dispersion interaction between two point-like particles confined in a
dielectric slab between two plates of another dielectric medium is studied
within a continuum (Lifshitz) theory. The retarded (Casimir-Polder) interaction
at large inter-particle distances is found to be strongly enhanced as the
mismatch between the dielectric permittivities of the two media is increased.
The large-distance interaction is multiplied due to confinement by a factor of
$(33\gamma^{5/2}+13\gamma^{-3/2})/46$ at zero temperature, and by
$(5\gamma^2+\gamma^{-2})/6$ at finite temperature, $\gamma=\ein(0)/\eout(0)$
being the ratio between the static dielectric permittivities of the inner and
outer media. This confinement-induced amplification of the dispersion
interaction can reach several orders of magnitude.

categories: physics.chem-ph cond-mat.mtrl-sci cond-mat.soft quant-ph


title: Transforming student learning with classroom communication systems

abstract:
  Since 1993, the University of Massachusetts Physics Education Research Group
(UMPERG) has developed curriculum and pedagogic techniques for use with
classroom communication systems (CCSs) and has researched the effectiveness of
CCS-based teaching. This bulletin describes how CCSs can influence "interactive
pedagogy" and fundamentally transform the learning process. It includes advice
drawn from lessons learned through a decade of experience.


title: Contributions of George J. Papadopoulos

abstract:
  I review some of the scientific work of George Papadopoulos in the context of
the Greek cultural tradition and modern theoretical physics. The main emphasis
is on his works on path integrals and their applications. The review is closed
by an excursus on the polaron physics, where the path-integral approach has
been proven to be a method of excellence.


title:
Teaching vs. learning: Changing perspectives on problem solving in
  physics instruction

abstract:
  Problem solving is central to physics instruction. Results from Physics
Education Research (PER), however, demonstrate that traditional ways of
teaching with problem solving are inefficient and ineffective for promoting
true physics expertise. PER findings give rise to a perspective on physics
expertise, learning, and problem solving that can illuminate the reasons why
problem solving in traditional instruction fares poorly and suggest remedies.
At the heart of the remedies lies a rethinking of the instructional model in
which teachers focus less on presenting subject material and more on
engineering learning experiences and guiding students' learning efforts, while
students strive to become active, selfmonitoring constructors of knowledge.


title:
Modeling innovation by a kinetic description of the patent citation
  system

abstract:
  This paper reports results of a network theory approach to the study of the
United States patent system. We model the patent citation network as a discrete
time, discrete space stochastic dynamic system. From data on more than 2
million patents and their citations, we extract an attractiveness function,
$A(k,l)$, which determines the likelihood that a patent will be cited. $A(k,l)$
is approximately separable into a product of a function $A_k(k)$ and a function
$A_l(l)$, where $k$ is the number of citations already received (in-degree) and
$l$ is the age measured in patent number units. $A_l(l)$ displays a peak at low
$l$ and a long power law tail, suggesting that some patented technologies have
very long-term effects. $A_k(k)$ exhibits super-linear preferential attachment.
The preferential attachment exponent has been increasing since 1991, suggesting
that patent citations are increasingly concentrated on a relatively small
number of patents. The overall average probability that a new patent will be
cited by a given patent has increased slightly during the same period. We
discuss some possible implications of our results for patent policy.


title:
Probing physics students' conceptual knowledge structures through term
  association

abstract:
  Traditional tests are not effective tools for diagnosing the content and
structure of students' knowledge of physics. As a possible alternative, a set
of term-association tasks (the "ConMap" tasks) was developed to probe the
interconnections within students' store of conceptual knowledge. The tasks have
students respond spontaneously to a term or problem or topic area with a
sequence of associated terms; the response terms and timeof- entry data are
captured. The tasks were tried on introductory physics students, and
preliminary investigations show that the tasks are capable of eliciting
information about the stucture of their knowledge. Specifically, data gathered
through the tasks is similar to that produced by a hand-drawn concept map task,
has measures that correlate with inclass exam performance, and is sensitive to
learning produced by topic coverage in class. Although the results are
preliminary and only suggestive, the tasks warrant further study as
student-knowledge assessment instruments and sources of experimental data for
cognitive modeling efforts.


title:
Doppler Effect Associated with the Reflection of Light on a Moving
  Mirror

abstract:
  The Doppler Effect associated with the reflection on a moving mirror is
reduced to two Doppler Effect experiments involving the incoming incident ray
and the outgoing reflected ray or vice-versa. The dependence of the
corresponding Doppler factors on the incidence angle on the stationary mirror.


title:
Stealth Communication: Zero-Power Classical Communication, Zero-Quantum
  Quantum Communication and Environmental-Noise Communication

abstract:
  An alternative physical way of communication, communication by the inherent
background noise, is proposed which does not need net energy transfer in the
information channel. The communicator devices do dissipate energy; however,
they do not emit net energy into the channel, instead of that, they modulate
the parameters of inherent spontaneous fluctuations in the channel. The method
can use two different mechanisms, thermal noise (Johnson-Nyquist noise) for
classical communication, and vacuum fluctuations/zero point energy (quantum
uncertainty noise) for quantum communication. The strongest advantage of the
method that this is apparently the most hidden (stealth) way of communication,
because it is using the inherent background noise for communication, therefore
it is extremely difficult or impossible to discover its presence. With proper
wave-based arrangements and specific conditions, the sender and the receiver
can easily detect eavesdropper activities, so that the eavesdropper is detected
as soon as she extracts a single bit of information, thus the security of the
method is comparable to the security of quantum communication/quantum key
distribution schemes. Finally, concerning practical applications, environmental
noise, out of the fundamental/inherent fluctuations, can also be used for this
kind of communication provided that is sufficiently stationary.


title: Cosmological pressure fluctuations and spatial expansion

abstract:
  Most recently, experimental determinations of the spectrometric
characteristics and internal structural velocities of galaxies have suggested
the presence of massive central black holes. In the present work, we examine
whether conditions existed in the early universe, that could have led to the
formation of gravitational structures possessing such unusual characteristics.
We propose an early-time pressure-fluctuation model, which would have generated
a radiation based energy distribution possessing the characteristic of a
centrally collapsed zone isolated from its surrounding environment and thereby
manifesting such a black hole behavior. Einstein's gravitational equations are
assumed to apply within the radiation-dominated hole-core spatial domain and,
with utilization of a spherically symmetric isotropic metric, are used in order
to calculate the evolutionary time expansion characteristics. Birth times for
the radiation structures are uniquely correlated with the size of the spheres
and are primarily determined from the early time energy densities and the
apparent curvatures presented by the gravitational equations. The model
displays an early time pressure fluctuation collapse, tentatively interpreted
to be the formation of a galaxy hole, and therein provides a theoretical basis
for the experimental data.


title: Beam Profile Measurements and Simulations of the PETRA Laser-Wire

abstract:
  The Laser-wire will be an essential diagnostic tool at the International
Linear Collider. It uses a finely focussed laser beam to measure the transverse
profile of electron bunches by detecting the Compton-scattered photons (or
degraded electrons) downstream of where the laser beam intersects the electron
beam. Such a system has been installed at the PETRA storage ring at DESY, which
uses a piezo-driven mirror to scan the laser-light across the electron beam.
Lat- est results of experimental data taking are presented and compared to
detailed simulations using the Geant4 based program BDSIM.


title: Monolithic CMOS Pixel R&D for the ILC at LBNL

abstract:
  An R&D program on monolithic CMOS pixel sensors for application at the ILC
has been started at LBNL. This program profits of significant synergies with
other R&D activities on CMOS pixel sensors. The project activities after the
first semester of the R&D program are reviewed.


title: Introduction to microstructured optical fibers

abstract:
  This article recounts definition, classification, history, and applications
of microstructured optical fibers.


title: Siegert pseudostate perturbation theory: one- and two-threshold cases

abstract:
  Perturbation theory for the Siegert pseudostates (SPS) [Phys.Rev.A 58, 2077
(1998) and Phys.Rev.A 67, 032714 (2003)] is studied for the case of two
energetically separated thresholds. The perturbation formulas for the
one-threshold case are derived as a limiting case whereby we reconstruct More's
theory for the decaying states [Phys.Rev.A 3,1217(1971)] and amend an error.
The perturbation formulas for the two-threshold case have additional terms due
to the non-standard orthogonality relationship of the Siegert Pseudostates. We
apply the theory to a 2-channel model problem, and find the rate of convergence
of the perturbation expansion should be examined with the aide of the variance
$D= ||E-\sum_{n}\lambda^n E^{(n)}||$ instead of the real and imaginary parts of
the perturbation energy individually.


title:
Automated Chirp Detection with Diffusion Entropy: Application to
  Infrasound from Sprites

abstract:
  We study the performance of three different methods to automatically detect a
chirp in background noise. (1) The standard deviation detector uses the
computation of the signal to noise ratio. (2) The spectral covariance detector
is based on the recognition of the chirp in the spectrogram. (3) The CASSANDRA
detector uses diffusion entropy analysis to detect periodic patterns in noise.
All three detectors are applied to an infrasound recording for detecting chirps
produced by sprites. The CASSANDRA detector provides the best trade off between
the false alarm rate and the detection efficiency.


title: A Planetary System with an Escaping Mars

abstract:
  The chaotic behaviour of the motion of the planets in our Solar System is
well established. In this work to model a hypothetical extrasolar planetary
system our Solar System was modified in such a way that we replaced the Earth
by a more massive planet and let the other planets and all the orbital elements
unchanged. The major result of former numerical experiments with a modified
Solar System was the appearance of a chaotic window at $\kappa_E \in (4,6)$,
where the dynamical state of the system was highly chaotic and even the body
with the smallest mass escaped in some cases. On the contrary for very large
values of the mass of the Earth, even greater than that of Jupiter regular
dynamical behaviour was observed. In this paper the investigations are extended
to the complete Solar System and showed, that this chaotic window does still
exist. Tests in different 'Solar Systems' clarified that including only Jupiter
and Saturn with their actual masses together with a more 'massive' Earth ($4 <
\kappa_E < 6$) perturbs the orbit of Mars so that it can even be ejected from
the system. Using the results of the Laplace-Lagrange secular theory we found
secular resonances acting between the motions of the nodes of Mars, Jupiter and
Saturn. These secular resonances give rise to strong chaos, which is the cause
of the appearance of the instability window.


title: Schroedinger's cat in Einstein's box

abstract:
  Using the Einstein's boxes thought experiment, as well as EPR and
Heisenberg's ones, the local-realistic hidden-variable interpretation of
quantum mechanics is explained. The key hidden variable is the consciousness
forecasting the future. It is supposed that atoms and particles are complex
products of evolution.


title: ASK-IT/A2L: Assessing student knowlede with instructional technology

abstract:
  The ASK-IT/Assessing-to-Learn (A2L) project is an attempt to bring a
strategic approach to learning, instruction, and communication. ASK-IT/A2L
seeks to integrate formative assessment and classroom response system use with
physics instruction at both the high school and college levels. In this guide,
we present a structure for discussing the new mindset students need in an
ASK-IT/A2L classroom, consisting of twelve "habits of mind" for students to
develop. To help teachers plan instruction, we present a model of five stages
of cognitive development that most students need to follow to develop desirable
knowledge and skills. We show how a typical lesson might be organized around
"items," the smallest unit of ASK-IT/A2L lesson planning: questions, problems,
or tasks given to students to work on individually or in groups. To help with
item creation, we present our model-based design paradigm and suggest tips for
avoiding common pitfalls and ways to match up cognitive goals with habits of
mind. Finally, we apply the habits of mind to the metacognition of teachers and
students.


title: Model of mobile agents for sexual interactions networks

abstract:
  We present a novel model to simulate real social networks of complex
interactions, based in a granular system of colliding particles (agents). The
network is build by keeping track of the collisions and evolves in time with
correlations which emerge due to the mobility of the agents. Therefore,
statistical features are a consequence only of local collisions among its
individual agents. Agent dynamics is realized by an event-driven algorithm of
collisions where energy is gained as opposed to granular systems which have
dissipation. The model reproduces empirical data from networks of sexual
interactions, not previously obtained with other approaches.


title: Bringing Science into Schools through Astronomy. Project ASTRO, Tucson

abstract:
  We report our experience in bringing science into US and French classrooms.
We participated in the US scientific educational program Project ASTRO. It is
based on a partnership between a school teacher and an astronomer. They
together design and realize simple and interesting scientific activities for
the children to learn and enjoy science. We present four hands-on activities we
realized in a 4th-grade class (10 yr-old kids) in Tucson (USA) in 2002-2003.
Among the covered topics were: the Solar System, the Sun (helioseismology) and
the Galaxies. We also present a similar experience done in two classrooms in
2005, in Chatenay-Malabry (France) in partnership with an amateur astronomy
association (Aphelie). This is a pleasant and rewarding activity, extremely
well appreciated by the children and the school teachers. It furthermore
promotes already at a young age the excitement of science, and provides
concrete examples of the scientific methodology.


title:
Systematic procedural and sensitivity analysis of the pattern
  informatics method for forecasting large (M > 5) earthquake events in
  southern California

abstract:
  Recent studies in the literature have introduced a new approach to earthquake
forecasting based on representing the space-time patterns of localized
seismicity by a time-dependent system state vector in a real-valued Hilbert
space and deducing information about future space-time fluctuations from the
phase angle of the state vector. While the success rate of this Pattern
Informatics (PI) method has been encouraging, the method is still in its
infancy. Procedural analysis, statistical testing, parameter sensitivity
investigation and optimization all still need to be performed. In this paper,
we attempt to optimize the PI approach by developing quantitative values for
"predictive goodness" and analyzing possible variations in the proposed
procedure. In addition, we attempt to quantify the systematic dependence on the
quality of the input catalog of historic data and develop methods for combining
catalogs from regions of different seismic rates.


title:
Collisional perturbation of radio-frequency E1 transitions in an atomic
  beam of dysprosium

abstract:
  We have studied collisional perturbations of radio-frequency (rf)
electric-dipole (E1) transitions between the nearly degenerate opposite-parity
levels in atomic dysprosium (Dy) in the presence of 10 to 80 $\mu$Torr of
H$_\text{2}$, N$_\text{2}$, He, Ar, Ne, Kr, and Xe. Collisional broadening and
shift of the resonance, as well as the attenuation of the signal amplitude are
observed to be proportional to the foreign-gas density with the exception of
H$_2$ and Ne, for which no shifts were observed. Corresponding rates and cross
sections are presented. In addition, rates and cross sections for O$_2$ are
extracted from measurements using air as foreign gas. The primary motivation
for this study is the need for accurate determination of the shift rates, which
are needed in a laboratory search for the temporal variation of the
fine-structure constant [A. T. Nguyen, D. Budker, S. K. Lamoreaux, and J. R.
Torgerson, Phys. Rev. A \textbf{69}, 22105 (2004)].


title: Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis of Sunspot Time Series

abstract:
  We use multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA), to See query 1
study sunspot number fluctuations. The result of the MF-DFA shows that there
are three crossover timescales in the fluctuation function. We discuss how the
existence of the crossover timescales is related to a sinusoidal trend. Using
Fourier detrended fluctuation analysis, the sinusoidal trend is eliminated. The
Hurst exponent of the time series without the sinusoidal trend is $0.12\pm
0.01$. Also we find that these fluctuations have multifractal nature. Comparing
the MF-DFA results for the remaining data set to those for shuffled and
surrogate series, we conclude that its multifractal nature is almost entirely
due to long range correlations.


title: A conjecture for turbulent flow

abstract:
  In this paper, basing on a generalized Newtonian dynamics (GND) approach
which has been proposed elsewhere we present a conjecture for turbulent flow.
We firstly utilize the GND to reasonably unify the two phenomenological methods
recently proposed of the water movement in unsaturated soils. Then in the same
way a modified Euler equation (MEE) is yielded. Under a zero-order
approximation, a simple split solution of the MEE can be obtained that shows
flow fluids would have a velocity field with the power-law scaling feature
(power-law fluid) for the case of high Reynolds number.


title: Multiscale Mixing Efficiencies for Steady Sources

abstract:
  Multiscale mixing efficiencies for passive scalar advection are defined in
terms of the suppression of variance weighted at various length scales. We
consider scalars maintained by temporally steady but spatially inhomogeneous
sources, stirred by statistically homogeneous and isotropic incompressible
flows including fully developed turbulence. The mixing efficiencies are
rigorously bounded in terms of the Peclet number and specific quantitative
features of the source. Scaling exponents for the bounds at high Peclet number
depend on the spectrum of length scales in the source, indicating that
molecular diffusion plays a more important quantitative role than that implied
by classical eddy diffusion theories.


title: Deep level emission of ZnO nanoparticles deposited inside UV opal

abstract:
  The temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectra of zinc oxide (ZnO)
nanocrystals deposited inside the ultraviolet (UV) opal were studied. ZnO was
grown in the voids between FCC packed silicon dioxide spheres using spray
pyrolysis under ultrasonic vibration in the solution containing a zinc nitrate
precursor. The ZnO nanoparticles inside opal matrix with UV photonic band-gap
exhibit suppression of the excitonic emission and enhancement of the deep level
emission. Suppression of the excitonic lines is due to the inhibition of
spontaneous emission, while enhancement and broadening of the DL emission in
the green spectral region is due to Purcell effect. The infiltration of ZnO
inside the photonic crystal may be a useful technique to increase its emission
efficiency in the selected spectral region.


title:
Suspension of the fiber mode-cleaner launcher and measurement of the
  high extinction-ratio (10^{-9}) ellipsometer for the Q & A experiment

abstract:
  The Q & A experiment, first proposed and started in 1994, provides a feasible
way of exploring the quantum vacuum through the detection of vacuum
birefringence effect generated by QED loop diagram and the detection of the
polarization rotation effect generated by photon-interacting (pseudo-)scalar
particles. Three main parts of the experiment are: (1) Optics System (including
associated Electronic System) based on a suspended 3.5-m high finesse
Fabry-Perot cavity, (2) Ellipsometer using ultra-high extinction-ratio
polarizer and analyzer, and (3) Magnetic Field Modulation System for generating
the birefringence and the polarization rotation effect. In 2002, the Q & A
experiment achieved the Phase I sensitivity goal. During Phase II, we set (i)
to improve the control system of the cavity mirrors for suppressing the
relative motion noise, (ii) to enhance the birefringence signal by setting-up a
60-cm long 2.3 T transverse permanent magnet rotatable to 10 rev/s, (iii) to
reduce geometrical noise by inserting a polarization-maintaining optical fiber
(PM fiber) as a mode cleaner, and (iv) to use ultra-high extinction-ratio
(10^{-9}) polarizer and analyzer for ellipsometry. Here we report on (iii) &
(iv); specifically, we present the properties of the PM-fiber mode-cleaner, the
transfer function of its suspension system, and the result of our measurement
of high extinction-ratio polarizer and analyzer.


title:
Modification of the pattern informatics method for forecasting large
  earthquake events using complex eigenvectors

abstract:
  Recent studies have shown that real-valued principal component analysis can
be applied to earthquake fault systems for forecasting and prediction. In
addition, theoretical analysis indicates that earthquake stresses may obey a
wave-like equation, having solutions with inverse frequencies for a given fault
similar to those that characterize the time intervals between the largest
events on the fault. It is therefore desirable to apply complex principal
component analysis to develop earthquake forecast algorithms. In this paper we
modify the Pattern Informatics method of earthquake forecasting to take
advantage of the wave-like properties of seismic stresses and utilize the
Hilbert transform to create complex eigenvectors out of measured time series.
We show that Pattern Informatics analyses using complex eigenvectors create
short-term forecast hot-spot maps that differ from hot-spot maps created using
only real-valued data and suggest methods of analyzing the differences and
calculating the information gain.


title: Mesoscopic wave turbulence

abstract:
  We report results of sumulation of wave turbulence. Both inverse and direct
cascades are observed. The definition of "mesoscopic turbulence" is given. This
is a regime when the number of modes in a system involved in turbulence is high
enough to qualitatively simulate most of the processes but significantly
smaller then the threshold which gives us quantitative agreement with the
statistical description, such as kinetic equation. Such a regime takes place in
numerical simulation, in essentially finite systems, etc.


title: Size matters: some stylized facts of the stock market revisited

abstract:
  We reanalyze high resolution data from the New York Stock Exchange and find a
monotonic (but not power law) variation of the mean value per trade, the mean
number of trades per minute and the mean trading activity with company
capitalization. We show that the second moment of the traded value distribution
is finite. Consequently, the Hurst exponents for the corresponding time series
can be calculated. These are, however, non-universal: The persistence grows
with larger capitalization and this results in a logarithmically increasing
Hurst exponent. A similar trend is displayed by intertrade time intervals.
Finally, we demonstrate that the distribution of the intertrade times is better
described by a multiscaling ansatz than by simple gap scaling.


title:
Exact exchange optimized effective potential and self-compression of
  stabilized jellium clusters

abstract:
  In this work, we have used the exchange-only optimized effective potential in
the self-consistent calculations of the density functional Kohn-Sham equations
for simple metal clusters in stabilized jellium model with self-compression.
The results for the closed-shell clusters of Al, Li, Na, K, and Cs with $N=$2,
8, 18, 20, 34, and 40 show that the clusters are 3% more compressed here than
in the local spin density approximation. On the other hand, in the LSDA,
neglecting the correlation results in a contraction by 1.4%.


title:
The effect of pack formation at the 2005 world orienteering
  championships

abstract:
  At the 2005 world championships there was considerable discussion and a
formal protest in the long distance race arising from a perceived advantage
obtained by some athletes running together. It is shown that a statistical
model presented in previous work [1] is applicable to this event, giving
predictions of the final times to with 2-3 minutes. Using the model, we show
that pack formation was inevitable in this format. The statistical benefit
gained at the elite level from running with other competitors appears to derive
both from increase speed through the terrain, and the elimination of large
navigational errors.


title: Dynamic instability in a phenomenological model of correlated assets

abstract:
  We show that financial correlations exhibit a non-trivial dynamic behavior.
We introduce a simple phenomenological model of a multi-asset financial market,
which takes into account the impact of portfolio investment on price dynamics.
This captures the fact that correlations determine the optimal portfolio but
are affected by investment based on it. We show that such a feedback on
correlations gives rise to an instability when the volume of investment exceeds
a critical value. Close to the critical point the model exhibits dynamical
correlations very similar to those observed in real markets. Maximum likelihood
estimates of the model's parameter for empirical data indeed confirm this
conclusion, thus suggesting that real markets operate close to a dynamically
unstable point.


title: SIR dynamics in structured populations with heterogeneous connectivity

abstract:
  Most epidemic models assume equal mixing among members of a population. An
alternative approach is to model a population as random network in which
individuals may have heterogeneous connectivity. This paper builds on previous
research by describing the exact dynamical behavior of epidemics as they occur
in random networks. A system of nonlinear differential equations is presented
which describes the behavior of epidemics spreading through random networks
with arbitrary degree distributions. The degree distribution is observed to
have significant impact on both the final size and time scale of epidemics.

categories: physics.soc-ph cond-mat.dis-nn cond-mat.other q-bio.OT


title: Bohr's 1913 molecular model revisited

abstract:
  It is generally believed that the old quantum theory, as presented by Niels
Bohr in 1913, fails when applied to few electron systems, such as the H2
molecule. Here we find new solutions within the Bohr theory that describe the
potential energy curve for the lowest singlet and triplet states of H2 about as
well as the early wave mechanical treatment of Heitler and London. We also
develop a new interpolation scheme which substantially improves the agreement
with the exact ground state potential curve of H2 and provides a good
description of more complicated molecules such as LiH, Li2, BeH and He2.


title:
Modeling a foreign exchange rate using moving average of Yen-Dollar
  market data

abstract:
  We introduce an autoregressive-type model with self-modulation effects for a
foreign exchange rate by separating the foreign exchange rate into a moving
average rate and an uncorrelated noise. From this model we indicate that
traders are mainly using strategies with weighted feedbacks of the past rates
in the exchange market. These feedbacks are responsible for a power law
distribution and characteristic autocorrelations of rate changes.


title: On the discovery of Birkhoff's theorem

abstract:
  Birkhoff showed in 1923 that the Schwarzschild solution for the metric from a
point particle was also valid in the a priori non-static case as long as the
spherical symmetry was maintained. This theorem was actually discovered and
published two years earlier by an unknown Norwegian physicist, J.T. Jebsen. His
life and scientific career is briefly chronicled.


title: Correlation Networks Among Currencies

abstract:
  By analyzing the foreign exchange market data of various currencies, we
derive a hierarchical taxonomy of currencies constructing minimal-spanning
trees. Clustered structure of the currencies and the key currency in each
cluster are found. The clusters match nicely with the geographical regions of
corresponding countries in the world such as Asia or East Europe, the key
currencies are generally given by major economic countries as expected.


title:
Simulation of guiding of multiply charged projectiles through insulating
  capillaries

abstract:
  Recent experiments have demonstrated that highly charged ions can be guided
through insulating nanocapillaries along the direction of the capillary axis
for a surprisingly wide range of injection angles. Even more surprisingly, the
transmitted particles remain predominantly in their initial charge state, thus
opening the pathway to the construction of novel ion-optical elements without
electric feedthroughs. We present a theoretical treatment of this
self-organized guiding process. We develop a classical trajectory transport
theory that relates the microscopic charge-up with macroscopic material
properties. Transmission coefficients, angular spread of transmitted particles,
and discharge characteristics of the target are investigated. Partial agreement
with experiment is found.


title:
Theoretical, Numerical, and Experimental Evidence of Superluminal
  Electromagnetic and Gravitational Fields Generated in the Nearfield of Dipole
  Sources

abstract:
  Theoretical and numerical wave propagation analysis of an oscillating
electric dipole is presented. The results show that upon creation at the
source, both the longitudinal electric and transverse magnetic fields propagate
superluminally and reduce to the speed of light as they propagate about one
wavelength from the source. In contrast, the transverse electric field is shown
to be created about 1/4 wavelength outside the source and launches superluminal
fields both towards and away from the source which reduce to the speed of light
as the field propagates about one wavelength from the source. An experiment
using simple dipole antennas is shown to verify the predicted superluminal
transverse electric field behavior. In addition, it is shown that the fields
generated by a gravitational source propagate superluminally and can be modeled
using quadrapole electrodynamic theory. The phase speed, group speed, and
information speed of these systems are compared and shown to differ. Provided
the noise of a signal is small and the modulation method is known, it is shown
that the information speed can be approximately the same as the superluminal
group speed. According to relativity theory, it is known that between moving
reference frames, superluminal signals can propagate backwards in time enabling
violations of causality. Several explanations are presented which may resolve
this dilemma.


title:
Why the Langevin-Debye theory of molecular polarization fails in gas
  phase

abstract: The classical polarization theory needs to be changed in gas phase


title: Epidemic spreading with time delay in complex networks

abstract:
  We present a modified \emph{susceptible-infected-susceptible} (SIS) model on
complex networks, small-world and scale-free, to study epidemic spreading with
the effect of time delay which is introduced to the infected phase. Considering
the topology of the network, both uniform and degree-dependent delays are
studied during the contagion process. We find that the existence of time delay
will enhance both outbreaks and prevalence of infectious diseases in the
network.


title: (not quite) Theoretical Proof of the Lorentz Force Formula

abstract:
  There is actually a mistake in this paper, but it is still a nice try worth a
read. It is (not quite) proved that within the framework of Special Relativity,
a force exerted on a \emph{classical particle} by a field must be of the form
$\yv{E}+\yv{v}\times\yv{B}$, the Lorentz force form. The proof makes use of an
action principle in which the action is the sum of a free particle part, and an
interaction part.


title: Reactions to extreme events: moving threshold model

abstract:
  In spite of precautions to avoid the harmful effects of extreme events, we
experience recurrently phenomena that overcome the preventive barriers. These
barriers usually increase drastically right after the occurrence of such
extreme events, but steadily decay in their absence. In this paper we consider
a simple model that mimics the evolution of the protection barriers to study
the efficiency of the system's reaction to extreme events and how it changes
our perception of the sequence of extreme events itself. We obtain that the
usual method of fighting extreme events introduces a periodicity in their
occurrence and is generally less efficient than the use of a constant barrier.
On the other hand, it shows a good adaptation to the presence of slow
non-stationarities.


title: Simulation of a fine grained GEM used in the PixiE Experiment

abstract:
  We have simulated the performances of a GEM with a large density of
multiplication holes. In particular in this note we fully simulate the GEM
detector used in the PixiE experiment. The detector will be employed in the
measurement of the polarization of X-rays produced by astrophysical sources and
its optimization is critical. In particular we have studied the gain of the GEM
and the diffusion of the charge inside the detector for different
configurations of electric fields and for different gas mixtures. This study
has been performed to finalize the design of the PixiE Imager Detector.


title:
Characteristic market behaviors caused by intervention in a foreign
  exchange market

abstract:
  In foreign exchange markets monotonic rate changes can be observed in time
scale of order of an hour on the days that governmental interventions took
place. We estimate the starting time of an intervention using this
characteristic behavior of the exchange rates. We find that big amount of
interventions can shift the averaged rate about 1 yen per 1 dollar in an hour,
and the rate change distribution becomes asymmetric for a few hours.


title:
Inertial Range Scaling, Karman-Howarth Theorem and Intermittency for
  Forced and Decaying Lagrangian Averaged MHD in 2D

abstract:
  We present an extension of the Karman-Howarth theorem to the Lagrangian
averaged magnetohydrodynamic (LAMHD-alpha) equations. The scaling laws
resulting as a corollary of this theorem are studied in numerical simulations,
as well as the scaling of the longitudinal structure function exponents
indicative of intermittency. Numerical simulations for a magnetic Prandtl
number equal to unity are presented both for freely decaying and for forced two
dimensional MHD turbulence, solving directly the MHD equations, and employing
the LAMHD-alpha equations at 1/2 and 1/4 resolution. Linear scaling of the
third-order structure function with length is observed. The LAMHD-alpha
equations also capture the anomalous scaling of the longitudinal structure
function exponents up to order 8.

categories: physics.flu-dyn astro-ph nlin.CD physics.plasm-ph


title:
The Michelson and Morley 1887 Experiment and the Discovery of Absolute
  Motion

abstract:
  Physics textbooks assert that in the famous interferometer 1887 experiment to
detect absolute motion Michelson and Morley saw no rotation-induced fringe
shifts - the signature of absolute motion; it was a null experiment. However
this is incorrect. Their published data revealed to them the expected fringe
shifts, but that data gave a speed of some 8km/s using a Newtonian theory for
the calibration of the interferometer, and so was rejected by them solely
because it was less than the 30km/s orbital speed of the earth. A 2002 post
relativistic-effects analysis for the operation of the device however gives a
different calibration leading to a speed >300km/s. So this experiment detected
both absolute motion and the breakdown of Newtonian physics. So far another six
experiments have confirmed this first detection of absolute motion in 1887.


title: Black Holes in Elliptical and Spiral Galaxies and in Globular Clusters

abstract:
  Supermassive black holes have been discovered at the centers of galaxies, and
also in globular clusters. The data shows correlations between the black hole
mass and the elliptical galaxy mass or globular cluster mass. It is shown that
this correlation is accurately predicted by a theory of gravity which includes
the new dynamics of self-interacting space. In spiral galaxies this dynamics is
shown to explain the so-called `dark matter' rotation-curve anomaly, and also
explains the earth based bore-hole g anomaly data. Together these effects imply
that the strength of the self-interaction dynamics is determined by the fine
structure constant. This has major implications for fundamental physics and
cosmology.


title:
Ellipsometry noise spectrum, suspension transfer function measurement
  and closed-loop control of the suspension system in the Q & A experiment

abstract:
  The Q & A experiment, aiming at the detection of vacuum birefringence
predicted by quantum electrodynamics, consists mainly of a suspended 3.5 m
Fabry-Perot cavity, a rotating permanent dipole magnet and an ellipsometer. The
2.3 T magnet can rotate up to 10 rev/s, introducing an ellipticity signal at
twice the rotation frequency. The X-pendulum gives a good isolation ratio for
seismic noise above its main resonant frequency 0.3 Hz. At present, the
ellipsometry noise decreases with frequency, from 1*10^{-5} rad Hz^{-1/2} at 5
Hz, 2*10^{-6} rad Hz^{-1/2} at 20 Hz to 5*10^{-7} rad Hz^{-1/2} at 40 Hz. The
shape of the noise spectrum indicates possible improvement can be made by
further reducing the movement between the cavity mirrors. From the preliminary
result of yaw motion alignment control, it can be seen that some peaks due to
yaw motion of the cavity mirror was suppressed. In this paper, we first give a
schematic view of the Q & A experiment, and then present the measurement of
transfer function of the compound X-pendulum-double pendulum suspension. A
closed-loop control was carried out to verify the validity of the measured
transfer functions. The ellipsometry noise spectra with and without yaw
alignment control and the newest improvement is presented.


title:
The two electron molecular bond revisited: from Bohr orbits to
  two-center orbitals

abstract:
  In this review we first discuss extension of Bohr's 1913 molecular model and
show that it corresponds to the large-D limit of a dimensional scaling
(D-scaling) analysis, as developed by Herschbach and coworkers.
  In a separate but synergetic approach to the two-electron problem, we
summarize recent advances in constructing analytical models for describing the
two-electron bond. The emphasis here is not maximally attainable numerical
accuracy, but beyond textbook accuracy as informed by physical insights. We
demonstrate how the interplay of the cusp condition, the asymptotic condition,
the electron-correlation, configuration interaction, and the exact one electron
two-center orbitals, can produce energy results approaching chemical accuracy.
Reviews of more traditional calculational approaches, such as Hartree-Fock, are
also given.
  The inclusion of electron correlation via Hylleraas type functions is well
known to be important, but difficult to implement for more than two electrons.
The use of the D-scaled Bohr model offers the tantalizing possibility of
obtaining electron correlation energy in a non-traditional way.


title: Derivation of the distribution from extended Gibrat's law

abstract:
  Employing profits data of Japanese companies in 2002 and 2003, we identify
the non-Gibrat's law which holds in the middle profits region. From the law of
detailed balance in all regions, Gibrat's law in the high region and the
non-Gibrat's law in the middle region, we kinematically derive the profits
distribution function in the high and middle range uniformly. The distribution
function accurately fits with empirical data without any fitting parameter.


title: Concepts of Renormalization in Physics

abstract:
  A non technical introduction to the concept of renormalization is given, with
an emphasis on the energy scale dependence in the description of a physical
system. We first describe the idea of scale dependence in the study of a
ferromagnetic phase transition, and then show how similar ideas appear in
Particle Physics. This short review is written for non-particle physicists
and/or students aiming at studying Particle Physics.


title:
Philosophy Enters the Optics Laboratory: Bell's Theorem and its First
  Experimental Tests (1965-1982)

abstract:
  This paper deals with the ways that the issue of completing quantum mechanics
was brought into laboratories and became a topic in mainstream quantum optics.
It focuses on the period between 1965, when Bell published what now we call
Bell's theorem, and 1982, when Aspect published the results of his experiments.
I argue that what was considered good physics after Aspect's experiments was
once considered by many a philosophical matter instead of a scientific one, and
that the path from philosophy to physics required a change in the physics
community's attitude about the status of the foundations of quantum mechanics.


title:
Orbital Data Confirms Dynamic Fractal Firework Universe Having 3D-spiral
  Code

abstract:
  The understanding of the universe is confused by the unknown nature of about
95% of its matter, required to confine the motions of space objects in cosmic
structures. The idea of this paper is that the self-similar transformations of
one postulated basic matter create the fundamental dynamic fractal elements of
the universe. The elements are described with equation of unifying interaction
drawn into their fundamental framework. The equation transforms into the
inverse square laws, the principle of uncertainty, Maxwell equations of
electromagnetic field and into MOND like expression after modification of its
parameters at the scales where these laws and principle are found to hold. The
introduced equation is also confirmed with calculations based on the orbital
data for bodies that move around the nucleus of the Milky Way Galaxy, the
centers of the Earth and the Sun and orbit the huge 87 Sylvia asteroid. The
puzzling constant sunward force that acts on the Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft,
the flat rotational curves of stars far from the galactic nuclei, the nature of
dark matter and the enigmatic cosmic repulsion are explained in terms of
contracting and expanding 3D-spirally-faster-inward-oscillating vortexes of
basic matter, called dynamic fractals. The latter create new fundamental
framework, which allows qualitative and quantitative modeling by fitting of the
parameters of the equation of unifying interaction to experimental data. The
calculations based on the proposed dynamic fractal framework are in agreement
with the considered orbital data. Many testable predictions are made and
natural hazard precursors are suggested.


title: Quantum random walks using quantum accelerator modes

abstract:
  We discuss the use of high-order quantum accelerator modes to achieve an atom
optical realization of a biased quantum random walk. We first discuss how one
can create co-existent quantum accelerator modes, and hence how momentum
transfer that depends on the atoms' internal state can be achieved. When
combined with microwave driving of the transition between the states, a new
type of atomic beam splitter results. This permits the realization of a biased
quantum random walk through quantum accelerator modes.


title:
The Road Less Traveled: Non-traditional Ways of Communicating Astronomy
  with the Public

abstract:
  In an age of media saturation, how can astronomers succeed in grabbing the
public's attention to increase awareness and understanding of astronomy? Here I
discuss some creative alternatives to press releases, public lectures,
television programs, books, magazine articles, and other traditional ways of
bringing astronomy to a wide audience. By thinking outside the box and
employing novel tools - from truly terrible sci-fi movies, to modern
Stonehenges, to music from the stars - astronomers are finding effective new
ways of communicating the wonders of the universe to people of all ages.


title:
Science and exile: David Bohm, the hot times of the Cold War, and his
  struggle for a new interpretation of quantum mechanics

abstract:
  This article focuses on the reception among physicists of Bohm's 1952 papers
on the causal interpretation of quantum mechanics, which were poorly received
at the time. I describe his Brazilian exile and analyze the culture of physics
surrounding the foundations of quantum mechanics. I take into account the
strength of the Copenhagen interpretation among physicists, the way in which
issues concerning the foundations of quantum mechanics were present in the
training of physicists, the low status of these issues on research agendas, and
the kind of results Bohm and collaborators were able to achieve. I also compare
the reception of Bohm's ideas with that of Hugh Everett's interpretation and
argue that the obstacles growing from the cultural context of physics at that
time had a more significant influence in the reception of Bohm's ideas than did
the vicissitudes related to the McCarthyist climate.


title: Le Chatelier Response

abstract:
  The article investigates a possible influence of the open chemical system
reaction to the external impact on the system transition to a new equilibrium.
Potential system response is taken as a combination of various powers of the
reaction shift from thermodynamic equilibrium, leading to different equations
for the system Gibbs' free energy change. The investigation is focused on two
types of the constraints which are put on the system - the "soluble",
disappearing when the stressed system achieves its new equilibrium, as it
happens in result of a temperature change, and "insoluble", still remaining
active in the new equilibrium. It was assumed that the "soluble" constraints
activate a wider selection of the reaction shift powers as the system Le
Chatelier response, providing for a smooth transition between two equilibrium
states. The "insoluble" constraints may suppress some higher powers in the
response set, and transition may be accompanied by bifurcations.


title: Rutherford scattering with radiation damping

abstract:
  We study the effect of radiation damping on the classical scattering of
charged particles. Using a perturbation method based on the Runge-Lenz vector,
we calculate radiative corrections to the Rutherford cross section, and the
corresponding energy and angular momentum losses.


title:
Nuclear Structure corrections for Parity Non-conservation in Atomic
  Ba$^+$ and Ra$^+$

abstract:
  We calculate the binding energy, charge radii in $^{126}$Ba--$^{140}$Ba and
$^{214}$Ra--$^{228}$Ra using the relativistic mean field theory which includes
scalar and vector mesons. We then evaluate the nuclear structure corrections to
the weak charges for a series of isotopes of these atoms using different
parameters and estimate their uncertainty in the framework of this model. Our
results will have important implication for the ongoing and planned parity
non-conservation experiments and atomic structure calculations on Ba$^+$ and
Ra$^+$.


title: Cross-country hierarchical structure and currency crisis

abstract:
  Using data from a sample of 28 representatives countries, we propose a
classification of currency crises consequences based on the ultrametric
analysis of the real exchange rate movements time series, without any further
assumption. By using the matrix of synchronous linear correlation coefficients
and the appropriate metric distance between pairs of countries, we were able to
construct a hierarchical tree of countries. This economic taxonomy provides
relevant information regarding liaisons between countries and a meaningful
insight about the contagion phenomenon


title:
Dynamical model based on finite stacking enthalpies for homogeneous and
  inhomogeneous DNA thermal denaturation

abstract:
  We present a nonlinear dynamical model for DNA thermal denaturation, which is
based on the finite stacking enthalpies used in thermodynamical
nearest-neighbour calculations. Within this model, the finiteness of stacking
enthalpies is shown to be responsible for the sharpness of calculated melting
curves. Transfer-integral and molecular dynamics calculations are performed to
demonstrate that the proposed model leads to good agreement with known
experimental results for both homogeneous and inhomogeneous DNA.