Properties of unbound high-spin states in27Al

Selectively excited high-spin states in²⁷Al have been located by the reaction¹²C(¹⁶O,p)²⁷Al. The excitation functions of these states have been measured at incident energiesE _cm=18.7 to 30.1 MeV at intervals of 150 keV. They exhibit maxima of presumably non-statistical origin. At four different energies the subsequent decay of the²⁷Al states has been studied by detecting the final heavy recoils with the Munich recoil spectrometer in coincidence with the proton emitted in the first stage of the reaction. Using this new method branching ratios of theγ-, α-, andn-decay have been measured. Based on angular correlation arguments spins up to 27/2? have been determined within the experimental accuracy of 1–2?. The observations suggest a superdeformed shape of²⁷Al at least in some of the states.     

Discrete degenerate representations of non-compact unitary groups

Two degenerate principal series of irreducible unitary representations of an arbitrary non-compact unitary groupU(p,1) are derived. These series are determined by the eigenvalues of the first and second-order invariant operators, which are shown to possess a discrete spectrum. The explicit form of the corresponding harmonic functions is derived and the properties of the discrete representations are discussed in detail. Moreover, in the Appendix, we derive the properties of the corresponding degenerate representations of an arbitrary compactU(p) group.On leave of absence from Institute of Nuclear Research, Warsaw, Poland.On leave of absence from Institute of Physics of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechoslovakia.     

Commutator representations of differential calculi on the quantum group SUq(2)

Let (Γ, d) be the 3D-calculus or the 4D_±-calculus on the quantum group SU_q (2). We describe all pairs (π, F) of a ^*-representation π of (SU_q(2)) and of a symmetric operator F on the representation space satisfying a technical condition concerning its domain such that there exist a homomorphism of first order differential calculi which maps dx into the commutator [iF, π(x)] for x ε (SU_q (2)). As an application commutator representations of the two-dimensional left-covariant calculus on Podles quantum 2-sphere S_qc² with c = 0 are given.     

Antiferromagnetism of type II in nonstoichiometric YbP

A polycrystalline smaple of nonstoichiometric ytterbium phosphide, YbP_0.84, was investigated by neutron scattering, Mössbauer spectroscopy and bulk magnetic measurements. Neutron diffraction experiments prove the existence of antiferromagnetic type II ordering belowT _N =0.64 K, in contrast to the observed antiferromagnetic type III ordering in the stoichiometric Kondo-like compounds YbN and YbAs. The temperature dependence of the average ordered magnetic moment per Yb³⁺ ion with saturation value _Yb = 1.03(7) _B is similar to that of YbN. Mössbauer experiments prove the magnetic phase transition to be first order with different regions in the sample having slightly different transition temperatures. By means of inelastic neutron scattering the crystal-field level scheme was established to be ₆ – ₈(19meV) – ₇(43meV).     

Three-dimensional polarization-independent visible-frequency carpet invisibility cloak

We miniaturize all features in a previously introduced polarization-independent three-dimensional carpet invisibility cloak by more than a factor of 2. This leads to operation wavelengths in the visible. The structures are characterized by electron and optical microscopy. In contrast to our previous work at IR wavelengths, we can directly measure two-dimensional images at visible frequencies, perform control experiments from the backside, and compare the images with theory. We find excellent agreement. Furthermore, we study the wavelength dependence in the range from 900 nm down to 500 nm. Cloaking action deteriorates as the woodpile stop band at around 575 nm is approached.     

Learning alters theta amplitude, theta-gamma coupling and neuronal synchronization in inferotemporal cortex

Background

How oscillatory brain rhythms alone, or in combination, influence cortical information processing to support learning has yet to be fully established. Local field potential and multi-unit neuronal activity recordings were made from 64-electrode arrays in the inferotemporal cortex of conscious sheep during and after visual discrimination learning of face or object pairs. A neural network model has been developed to simulate and aid functional interpretation of learning-evoked changes.

Results

Following learning the amplitude of theta (4-8 Hz), but not gamma (30-70 Hz) oscillations was increased, as was the ratio of theta to gamma. Over 75% of electrodes showed significant coupling between theta phase and gamma amplitude (theta-nested gamma). The strength of this coupling was also increased following learning and this was not simply a consequence of increased theta amplitude. Actual discrimination performance was significantly correlated with theta and theta-gamma coupling changes. Neuronal activity was phase-locked with theta but learning had no effect on firing rates or the magnitude or latencies of visual evoked potentials during stimuli. The neural network model developed showed that a combination of fast and slow inhibitory interneurons could generate theta-nested gamma. By increasing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor sensitivity in the model similar changes were produced as in inferotemporal cortex after learning. The model showed that these changes could potentiate the firing of downstream neurons by a temporal desynchronization of excitatory neuron output without increasing the firing frequencies of the latter. This desynchronization effect was confirmed in IT neuronal activity following learning and its magnitude was correlated with discrimination performance.

Conclusions

Face discrimination learning produces significant increases in both theta amplitude and the strength of theta-gamma coupling in the inferotemporal cortex which are correlated with behavioral performance. A network model which can reproduce these changes suggests that a key function of such learning-evoked alterations in theta and theta-nested gamma activity may be increased temporal desynchronization in neuronal firing leading to optimal timing of inputs to downstream neural networks potentiating their responses. In this way learning can produce potentiation in neural networks simply through altering the temporal pattern of their inputs.     

Nuclear shadowing in Glauber–Gribov theory with Q 2-evolution

We consider deep inelastic scattering off nuclei in the Regge limit within the Glauber–Gribov model. Using unitarized parton distribution functions for the proton, we find sizeable shadowing effects on the nuclear total and longitudinal structure functions, $F_{2}^{A}$ and $F_{L}^{A}$ , in the low-x limit. Extending a fan-diagram analysis for the large-mass region of coherent diffraction off nuclei to high Q ², we also find significant shadowing effects in this kinematical regime. Finally, we discuss the shortcomings of our approach and possible extensions of the model to other kinematical regimes.