Construction of fiber-optic bundle light-collection systems and calculations of collection efficiency

This paper describes the position-sensitive light-collection system that we use in our fast-beam laser experiments. The collection system consists of fiber-optic bundles whose facets are arranged to accept light emitted from a beam of fluorescent atoms. The flexibility of the fiber bundles allows their use in scanning collection systems with precise position sensitivity. We describe calculations of geometrical collection efficiency using a numerical integration scheme and compare the results with measurements. We also compare the collection efficiencies of the different fiber bundle arrangements that we used as our apparatus evolved with the implementation of various improvements.     

Correlations beyond the horizon

It is a fundamental feature of quantum field theory that correlations between observable quantities occur over all spacetime regions. In particular, in cosmological models with horizons, such correlations will be present in regions which lie outside of each other's horizon. Such correlations may play an important role in processes occurring in the early universe.This essay received the first award from the Gravity Research Foundation, 1992—Ed.     

Multi-grid Monte Carlo (III). Two-dimensional O(4)-symmetric non-linear σ-model

We study the dynamic critical behavior of the multi-grid Monte Carlo (MGMC) algorithm with piecewise-constant interpolation applied to the two-dimensional O(4)-symmetric non-linear σ-model [ = SU(2) principal chirral model]], on lattices up to 256×256. We find a dynamic critical exponent for the W-cycle and for the V-cycle, compared to for the single-site heat-bath algorithm (subjective 68% confidence intervals). Thus, for this asymptotically free model, critical slowing-down is greatly reduced compared to local algorithms, but not completely eliminated. For a 256×256 lattice, W-cycle MGMC is about 35 times as efficient as a single-site heat-bath algorithm.     

High spatial and angular resolution diffusion-weighted imaging reveals forniceal damage related to memory impairment

Introduction

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly those measures associated with a specific white matter pathway, have consistently shown correlations with function. This study sought to investigate correlations between DTI measures in the fornix and common cognitive deficits in MS patients, including episodic memory, working memory and attention.

Materials and Methods

Patients with MS and group age- and sex-matched controls underwent high-resolution diffusion scanning (1-mm isotropic voxels) and cognitive testing. Manually drawn forniceal regions of interest were applied to individual maps of tensor-derived measures, and mean values of transverse diffusivity (TD), mean diffusivity (MD), longitudinal diffusivity (LD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were calculated.

Results

In 40 patients with MS [mean age±S.D.= 42.55±9.1 years; Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)=2.0±1.2; Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) score=0.38±0.46] and 20 healthy controls (mean age±S.D.= 41.35±9.7 years; EDSS=0.0±0; MSFC score=0.74±0.24), we found that FA, MD and TD values in the fornix were significantly different between groups (P< .03), and patient performance on the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) was correlated with DTI measures (P< .03).

Discussion

These results are consistent with findings of axonal degeneration in MS and support the use of DTI as an indicator of disease progression.     

Stock price dynamics and option valuations under volatility feedback effect

According to the volatility feedback effect, an unexpected increase in squared volatility leads to an immediate decline in the price–dividend ratio. In this paper, we consider the properties of stock price dynamics and option valuations under the volatility feedback effect by modeling the joint dynamics of stock price, dividends, and volatility in continuous time. Most importantly, our model predicts the negative effect of an increase in squared return volatility on the value of deep-in-the-money call options and, furthermore, attempts to explain the volatility puzzle. We theoretically demonstrate a mechanism by which the market price of diffusion return risk, or an equity risk-premium, affects option prices and empirically illustrate how to identify that mechanism using forward-looking information on option contracts. Our theoretical and empirical results support the relevance of the volatility feedback effect. Overall, the results indicate that the prevailing practice of ignoring the time-varying dividend yield in option pricing can lead to oversimplification of the stock market dynamics.     

Structure theorem for covariant bundles on quantum homogeneous spaces

The natural generalization of the notion of bundle in quantum geometry is that of bimodule. If the base space has quantum group symmetries, one is particularly interested in bimodules covariant (equivariant) under these symmetries. Most attention has so far been focused on the case with maximal symmetry — where the base space is a quantum group and the bimodules are bicovariant. The structure of bicovariant bimodules is well understood through their correspondence with crossed modules. We investigate the “next best” case — where the base space is a quantum homogeneous space and the bimodules are covariant. We present a structure theorem that resembles the one for bicovariant bimodules. Thus, there is a correspondence between covariant bimodules and a new kind of “crossed” modules which we define. The latter are attached to the pair of quantum groups which defines the quantum homogeneous space. We apply our structure theorem to differential calculi on quantum homogeneous spaces and discuss a related notion of induced differential calculus. Presented at the 10th International Colloquium on Quantum Groups: “Quantum Groups and Integrable Systems”, Prague, 21–23 June 2001. This work was supported by a NATO fellowship grant.     

Testing the Equivalence Principle in the Quantum Regime

We consider possible tests of the Einstein Equivalence Principle for physical systems in which quantum-mechanical vacuum energies cannot be neglected. Specific tests include a search for the manifestation of non-metric effects in Lamb-shift transitions of hydrogenic atoms and in anomalous magnetic moments of massive leptons. We discuss how current experiments already set bounds on the violation of the equivalence principle in this sector and how new (high-precision) measurements of these quantities could provide further information to this end.     

High‐pressure μSR studies of ferro‐ and antiferromagnetic metals

High‐pressure μSR experiments on ferromagnetic nickel and \alpha‐iron and antiferromagnetic chromium are reported. In Ni above 260 K B_Fermi was found to be proportional to the saturation magnetization, whereas at lower temperatures it is temperature independent apart from a small anomaly below 30 K which is presumably caused by a magnetoelastic interaction. There was no evidence for an occupation of metastable sites by the μ⁺ below the Curie temperature. By contrast, in \alpha‐Fe the temperature dependence of \curpartialB_μ/\curpartialp shows a structure which might be attributed to the occupation of excited muon states at elevated temperatures. High‐pressure zero‐field experiments on Cr performed in the temperature regime between 4.5 K and 8 K revealed a pressure dependence of B_μ as large as \curpartialB_μ/\curpartialp=-(89.15\pm 0.06)\times 10^-12 T/Pa. In terms of volume dependence a very large negative Grüneisen parameter \gamma =-27 was obtained. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

High intensity anthropogenic sound damages fish ears

Marine petroleum exploration involves the repetitive use of high-energy noise sources, air-guns, that produce a short, sharp, low-frequency sound. Despite reports of behavioral responses of fishes and marine mammals to such noise, it is not known whether exposure to air-guns has the potential to damage the ears of aquatic vertebrates. It is shown here that the ears of fish exposed to an operating air-gun sustained extensive damage to their sensory epithelia that was apparent as ablated hair cells. The damage was regionally severe, with no evidence of repair or replacement of damaged sensory cells up to 58 days after air-gun exposure.