General Quantization

In the Darwinian evolution of physical theories, stability (genericity) has survival value. To convert a singular physical theory based on Lie algebras of several levels into a generic quantum theory with the same levels and nearly the same predictions and symmetries in a limited correspondence domain, it suffices to simplify the algebra of each level by a small homotopy (general quantization). This extends and unifies special relativization, general relativization, and canonical quantization. For exercise I general-quantize the scalar meson field in Minkowski space-time. The predictions of the resulting theory are finite, including its zero-point energy.This updates part of a talk given at Glafka 2005, Athens. quant-ph/0601002     

Aberrations theory of a time dependent magnetic field lens

We analyze new forms of aberrations affecting a time dependent magnetic field lens recently proposed. The lens consist of an axially symmetric ellipsoidal solenoid producing a spatially uniform but time pulsating homogeneous field. The dynamics of electrons emitted by some object and injected into this coil shows that this system is capable of focusing a parallel beam or produce images free of geometrical aberrations. The cardinal elements of this lens change periodically in positions and therefore to obtain a stationary image it is necessary to employ a chopped electron beam. Two forms of aberrations originate from the finite duration of the electron pulse and the energy dispersion of the incoming beam (chromatic aberration). Their image degradation effects are quite similar and result from recording different axially displaced images at some fixed stationary plane. We show how, by adjusting the parameters characterizing the magnetic pulse and introducing small apertures that increase the depth of focus, their effects can be reduced or in some cases eliminated. Other forms of instrumental aberrations characteristic of this time dependent magnetic field lens are briefly discussed.     

SRB States and Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics Close to Equilibrium

Nonequilibrium statistical mechanics close to equilibrium is studied using SRB states and a formula [10] for their derivatives with respect to parameters. We write general expressions for the thermodynamic fluxes (or currents) and the transport coefficients, generalizing the results of [4, 5]. In this framework we give a general proof of the Onsager reciprocity relations. Received: 2 December 1996 / Accepted: 13 March 1997     

Scheduling real-time and non-real-time traffic under nonstationary conditions

In this paper a statistical multiplexer that processes a mixture of real-time and non-real-time traffic is studied under bursts of traffic. Different scheduling algorithms are compared under conditions when one of the classes of traffic has a sudden increase in its arrival rate during a short period of time. The results show a difference in the way the scheduling disciplines studied behave under short overloads of traffic even though the scheduling algorithms had been set up to give similar performance under steady-state arrivals. The lifetime of real-time packets is shown to have a great effect on the way in which the performance of the scheduling algorithms compare.Robert Lackman is an IBM employee in the IBM Resident Study Program.     

Dibutyltin-3-hydroxyflavone titrates a dissociable component (cofactor) of mitochondrial ATP synthase: An energy-transfer component linked to the ubiquinone pool

Dibutyltin-3-hydroxyflavone, Bu₂Sn(of), is a new fluorescence probe inhibitor of F₁F₀-ATPase and oxidative phosphorylation which inhibits by titration of an unidentified component of F₀. Its site of action is closely related to that of the trialkyltins and of venturicidin. This F₀ component is part of a pool of this component which is present in the heart mitochondrial inner membrane at levels of 5–7 nmol (mg protein)^?1 [18 ± 3 Bu₂Sn(of) sites per mol F₁F₀-ATPase]. However, ATPase activity in submitochondrial particles is near maximally inhibited by titration of approx. three Bu₂Sn(of) sites per mol F₁F₀-ATPase. Over 60% (60–80%) of the Bu₂Sn(of) interaction sites can be lost during the purification of F₁F₀-ATPase from submitochondrial particles. The number of Bu₂Sn(of) interaction sites in various F₁F₀-ATPase preparations is variable. The high numbers of Bu₂Sn(of) sites per mol F₁F₀-ATPase for heart mitochondria (18–21) and submitochondrial particles (15–19.5) decline in ATP synthase (11–15) to the low values obtained in Complex V (7–10.5) and the minimal values observed in highly purified F₁F₀?ATPase (3.5–5.6), thus indicating a variable dissociable component or cofactor of ATP synthase. The Bu₂Sn(of) interaction site, a component of ATP synthase, is responsive to the redox status of the respiratory chain and the interaction with Bu₂Sn(of) is with the reduced form of this component. Fluorescence titration studies show that this component is in redox equilibrium with the ubiquinone pool of the respiratory chain. It is proposed that this redox component serves as an inhibitor titratable cofactor pool which cycles through an F₀ interaction site (or sites) via a system which serves as an energy-transfer link between the respiratory chain and ATP synthase.     

The primal-dual method for approximation algorithms

In this survey, we give an overview of a technique used to design and analyze algorithms that provide approximate solutions to NP-hard problems in combinatorial optimization. Because of parallels with the primal-dual method commonly used in combinatorial optimization, we call it the primal-dual method for approximation algorithms. We show how this technique can be used to derive approximation algorithms for a number of different problems, including network design problems, feedback vertex set problems, and facility location problems. Received: June 19, 2000 / Accepted: February 7, 2001?Published online October 2, 2001