On classification of conformally flat spaces

Classification of conformally flat n-dimensional pseudo-Riemannian spaces via Plebanski's method is discussed. It is based on embedding these spaces into a flat (n + 2)-dimensional space and on finding their minimal isometry groups which are subgroups of the conformal group. In particular, the case n = 4 is given in full detail and compared with incomplete results known in the literature. The found conformally flat spacetimes are identified with the associated solutions of the Einstein equations and with the spacetimes used in various cosmological considerations.     

Scattering and bound states of a nonrelativistic neutral spin-1/2 particle in a magnetic field

We have investigated the scattering and bound states of a nonrelativistic spin-1/2 particle in the system ofN magnetic barriers (or magnetic wells) andN magnetic delta functions. We have studied three types of problems: tunnelling with spin, band structure and change of polarization during transmission and reflection.     

EPR investigation of cell membrane fluidity upon external oxidative stimulus

The perturbation of the physical state of cell membranes triggered by an external oxidative stimulus has been studied with sperm cells which were chosen as a model system. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was applied and three different nitroxides bearing a paramagnetic group on the 5th, 7th and 13th carbon of the stearic acid acyl chain were used to probe different regions of the membrane. The theoretical simulations of the experimental spectra indicate distinct domains in the intact cell plasma membrane where local steric constraints impose different degrees of motional averaging experienced by the reporter group. Upon the external oxidative stimulus the spectral changes were proportional to the accumulated oxidation products and were detected only for the reporter group residing close to the lipid-water interface. The EPR spectra reveal that the motion of the reporter group has slowed down in the oxidized cells and that the oxidatively modified membrane shows up as a more rigid structure as compared with the native state. The results also indicate that the oxidation-induced spectral changes are supressed in the presence of gangliosides.     

Towards an universal classification of scale invariant processes

We consider fields which take random values over several decades. Starting from physical examples, we postulate that scale is not an absolute quantity. We then establish the equivalence between two existing approaches based on scale symmetry arguments as general as possible. This yields a classification of log-infinitely divisible laws, possibly universal. The physical significance of the parameters entering in the classification is discussed. Received: 7 November 1997 / Received in final form: 26 March 1998 / Accepted: 30 March 1998     

On the Seneta Sequences

In this paper, we prove some properties of the Seneta sequences and functions, and in particular we prove a representation theorem in the Karamata sense for the sequences from the Seneta class SOc.     

Separation of vibrational-electronic Hamiltonian in crude representation

A separation of the vibrational-electronic Hamiltonian in crude representation is presented. The separation is done in the following way: first we quantize only the electronic states on the unperturbed Hamiltonian level, then using the perturbation theory, we treat the terms where we have electronic operators to obtain new harmonic potential energy. Then we quantize a-posteriori the nuclear motion and as a result the only perturbation term is due to anharmonicity.     

A census of semisymmetric cubic graphs on up to 768 vertices

A list is given of all semisymmetric (edge- but not vertex-transitive) connected finite cubic graphs of order up to 768. This list was determined by the authors using Goldschmidt's classification of finite primitive amalgams of index (3,3), and a computer algorithm for finding all normal subgroups of up to a given index in a finitely-presented group. The list includes several previously undiscovered graphs. For each graph in the list, a significant amount of information is provided, including its girth and diameter, the order of its automorphism group, the order and structure of a minimal edge-transitive group of automorphisms, its Goldschmidt type, stabiliser partitions, and other details about its quotients and covers. A summary of all known infinite families of semisymmetric cubic graphs is also given, together with explicit rules for their construction, and members of the list are identified with these. The special case of those graphs having K_1,3 as a normal quotient is investigated in detail. Supported in part by N.Z. Marsden Fund (grant no. UOA 124) and N.Z. Centres of Research Excellence Fund (grant no. UOA 201) Supported in part by “Ministrstvo za šolstvo, znanost in šport Slovenije”, research program no. 101-506. Supported in part by research projects no. Z1-4186-0101 and no. Z1-3124-0101. The fourth author would like to thank the University of Auckland for hospitality during his visit there in 2003.