Modified Brans–Dicke theory of gravity from five-dimensional vacuum

We investigate, in the context of five-dimensional (5D) Brans–Dicke theory of gravity, the idea that macroscopic matter configurations can be generated from pure vacuum in five dimensions, an approach first proposed by Wesson and collaborators in the framework of 5D general relativity. We show that the 5D Brans–Dicke vacuum equations when reduced to four dimensions (4D) lead to a modified version of Brans–Dicke theory in 4D. As an application of the formalism, we obtain two 5D extensions of 4D O’Hanlon and Tupper vacuum solution and show that they lead two different cosmological scenarios in 4D.     

Automated species recognition of antbirds in a Mexican rainforest using hidden Markov models

Behavioral and ecological studies would benefit from the ability to automatically identify species from acoustic recordings. The work presented in this article explores the ability of hidden Markov models to distinguish songs from five species of antbirds that share the same territory in a rainforest environment in Mexico. When only clean recordings were used, species recognition was nearly perfect, 99.5%. With noisy recordings, performance was lower but generally exceeding 90%. Besides the quality of the recordings, performance has been found to be heavily influenced by a multitude of factors, such as the size of the training set, the feature extraction method used, and number of states in the Markov model. In general, training with noisier data also improved recognition in test recordings, because of an increased ability to generalize. Considerations for improving performance, including beamforming with sensor arrays and design of preprocessing methods particularly suited for bird songs, are discussed. Combining sensor network technology with effective event detection and species identification algorithms will enable observation of species interactions at a spatial and temporal resolution that is simply impossible with current tools. Analysis of animal behavior through real-time tracking of individuals and recording of large amounts of data with embedded devices in remote locations is thus a realistic goal.     

A note on a paper by Massa and Pagani

Massa and Pagani [1] have given a neat refutal to the conjecture [2] that the Riemann tensor is derivable from a tensor potential. Their method consists of assuming such a relationship does exist and examining the resulting integrability conditions; they show that the existence of such a potential will impose nontrivial restrictions on the Riemann tensor and so conclude that, in general, such a potential cannot exist. Although Massa and Pagani posed the problem and interpreted the conclusion in ordinary tensor notation the actual derivation of the crucial constraint equation was carried out in the language of tensor-valued differential forms, and is quite involved. In this note it is shown that the crucial equation can be obtained quite naturally and easily in ordinary tensor notation.     

Electronic States of 1,5-Cyclooctadiyne Radical Cation and of Related Systems: The electronic structure of cis-bent carbon-carbon triple bonds

The photoelectron spectra of 1,5-cyclooctadiyne ( 2 ) and of 1,6-dithiacyclodeca-3,8-diyne ( 3 ) have been recorded. The first four ( 2 ) or six ( 3 ) PE. bands have been assigned as follows; in increasing order of ionization potentials: The relative sequence and the positions of the PE. bands are explained in terms of through-bond and through-space interactions between the basis π-orbitals and σ-orbitals of appropriate symmetry behaviour. An analysis of the PE. spectroscopic data for cyclooctyne ( 1 ) and for ( 2 ) indicates that a cis-bend of the acetylene moiety by θ < 20° leads to a split in energy of the in-plane and out-of-plane basis π-orbitals which is smaller than ∽ 0.2 eV. This is in agreement with the predictions derived from semiempirical models (MINDO/2, SPINDO) and qualitative orbital arguments. However, it is shown by using orbital localization procedures, that the rationales underlying the two semiempirical models differ significantly.     

Interpretation der Absorptionsspektren der Komplexionen [Mo(CN)8]4−, [Mo(CN)8]3−, [W(CN)8]4− und [W(CN)8]3−

Zusammenfassung Die Absorptions- und Reflexionsspektren der Oktocyanokomplexe desMo(IV) undW(IV) sowie die Absorptionsspektren der Oktocyanotomplexe desMo(V) undW(V) werden mitgeteilt. Die Spektren werden unter Zugrundelegung der durch Raman- und IR-spektroskopische Untersuchungen gefordertenD _4d-Symmetrie dieser Verbindungen interpretiert. Die beobachteten Banden niedriger Intensität (log<3) werden Übergängen in einem Termsystem zugeordnet, das für die Konfigurationend ² undd ₁ und die SymmetrieD _4d berechnet worden ist. Banden hoher Intensität (log>3) werden auf Übergänge in antibindende Zustände zurückgeführt, an denen höherep-Zustände des Zentralions sowie Ligandenzustände beteiligt sind. Die erhaltenen Werte des Feldparameters stimmen mit ligandenfeldtheoretischen Erwartungen überein.

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Absorption and reflection spectra of the octacyanides ofMo(IV) andW(IV) and the absorption spectra of the octacyanides ofMo(V) andW(V) are presented. The spectra are interpreted in terms of theD _4d symmetry of the compounds supported by investigations of Raman and infrared spectra. Bands of low intensity (log<3) correspond to transitions between levels obtained in the case of the configurationsd ² andd ¹ respectively, in a field ofD _4d symmetry. Bands of high intensity (log>3) are attributed to transitions into antibonding levels in which p-orbitals of the central ion and ligand orbitals participate. The values of the field parameter obtained are in accord with ligand field theory.

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Résumé Les spectres d'absorption et de réflexion des complexes octocyanurés duMo(IV) et duW(IV) ainsi que les spectres d'absorption des mêmes complexes deMo(V) et de W(V) sont présentés. Les spectres sont interprétés en supposant la symétrieD _4d des molécules indiquée par des analyses des spectres Raman et infrarouges. Les bandes de faible intensité (log<3) sont attribuées à des transitions dans un système de niveaux, calculé pour les configurationsd ² etd ¹, respectivement, en symétrieD _4d. Des bandes de forte intensité (log>3) sont attribuées à des transitions vers des niveaux antiliants auxquels participent des fonctions élevéesp de l'ion central et des fonctions des groupes liés. Les valeurs obtenues pour le paramètre de champ sont en accord avec les prévisions de la théorie.

     

Thermodynamics of the lanthanide halides I. Heat capacities and Schottky anomalies of LaCl3, PrCl3, and NdCl3 from 5 to 350 K

The heat capacities of LaCl₃, PrCl₃, and NdCl₃ have been measured from 5 to 350 K by adiabatic calorimetry. No co-operative thermal anomalies were seen in the temperature range investigated but substantial magnetic heat-capacity contributions of the non-cooperative (Schottky) type were found. Subtraction of the heat capacity of the diamagnetic and isostructural LaCl₃ from those of the paramagnetic members yields experimental Schottky heat-capacity contributions which are compared with heat capacities derived from spectroscopically determined energy levels. Small discrepancies between the calculated and experimental contributions are probably due to differences in lattice heat capacities between LaCl₃ and the others. The values of {(S^o(298.15 K) ? S^o(0)}/cal_th K^?1 mol^?1 are for LaCl₃ and NdCl₃, 32.88 and 36.67. Due to the possibility of a low-temperature phase transition, the entropy of PrCl₃ covers only the experimental range of this research and that of Colwell, Mangum, and Utton. {S^o(298.15 K) ? S^o(0.294 K)} for PrCl₃ is 36.64 cal_th K^?1 mol^?1.     

The Electronic Structure of Vinyl Ethers and Sulfides with Interrupted Conjugation Examined by Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to examine the consequences of steric inhibition of conjugation in a distorted vinyl sulfide and vinyl ether. Based upon the degree of interaction a deviation from coplanarity of 70°–75° is calculated for 9-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]non-1-ene ( 3 ) and approximately 75°–80° for the sulfur analog 6 .