Large-angle Polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation and Reionization

We discuss the effect of matter reionization on the large-angular-scale anisotropy and polarization of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) in the standard CDM model. We separate three cases in which the anisotropy is induced by pure scalar, pure tensor, and mixed metric perturbations respectively. It is found that, if reionization occurs early enough, the polarization can reach a detectable level of sequentially $6\%$, $9\%$, and $6.5\%$ of the anisotropy. In general, a higher degree of polarization implies a dominant contribution from the tensor mode or reionization at high redshift. Since early reionization will suppress small-scale CMBR anisotropies and polarizations significantly, measuring the polarization on few degree scales can be a direct probe of the reionization history of the early universe.Comment: Changes in the revised version: 1. Below Eq. (2), we demonstrate the method of our numerical work, by adding the evolution equations for the Legendre coefficents for both the scalar and tensor mode pertubations. 2. Below Eq. (9), we added a paragraph on discussing the basis we employed in computing the polarization correlation function. 3. In Sec. 4, we have rewritten the first and second paragraphs, where we illustrate how to the explain the discrepancies with the previous wor

Optical conductivity of the one-dimensional dimerized Hubbard model at quarter filling

We investigate the optical conductivity in the Mott insulating phase of the one-dimensional extended Hubbard model with alternating hopping terms (dimerization) at quarter band filling. Optical spectra are calculated for the various parameter regimes using the dynamical density-matrix renormalization group method. The study of limiting cases allows us to explain the various structures found numerically in the optical conductivity of this model. Our calculations show that the dimerization and the nearest-neighbor repulsion determine the main features of the spectrum. The on-site repulsion plays only a secondary role. We discuss the consequences of our results for the theory of the optical conductivity in the Bechgaard salts.Comment: 11 pages and 12 figure

Asymptotics of class numbers

A "simple trace formula" is used to derive an asymptotic result for class numbers of complex cubic orders.Comment: 37 page

Electric and magnetic form factors of strange baryons

Predictions for the electromagnetic form factors of the Lambda$, Sigma and Xi hyperons are presented. The numerical calculations are performed within the framework of the fully relativistic constituent-quark model developed by the Bonn group. The computed magnetic moments compare favorably with the experimentally known values. Most magnetic form factors G_M(Q^2) can be parametrized in terms of a dipole with cutoff masses ranging from 0.79 to 1.14 GeV.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures, 3 tables, submitted to Eur. Phys. J.

Reconclining phi radiative decays with other data for a0(980), fo(980), pi-pi -> KK and pi-pi -> eta-eta

Data for phi -> gamma (eta-pizero) are analysed using the KK loop model and compared with parameters of a0(980) derived from Crystal Barrel data. The eta-pi mass spectrum agrees closely and the absolute normalisation lies just within errors. However, BES parameters for fo(980) predict a normalisation for phi -> gamma (pizero-pizero) at least a factor 2 lower than is observed. This discrepancy may be eliminated by including constructive interference between fo(980) and sigma. The magnitude required for sigma -> KK is consistent with data on pi-pi -> KK. A dispersion relation analysis by Buttiker, Descotes-Genon and Moussallam of pi-pi -> KK leads to a similar conclusion. Data on pi-pi -> eta-eta also require decays of sigma to eta-eta. Four sets of pi-pi -> KK data all require a small but definite fo(1370) signal.Comment: 21 pages, 11 figures, Small rearrangement of reference

Extended thromboprophylaxis with betrixaban in acutely ill medical patients

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute medical illnesses are at prolonged risk for venous thrombosis. However, the appropriate duration of thromboprophylaxis remains unknown. METHODS: Patients who were hospitalized for acute medical illnesses were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous enoxaparin (at a dose of 40 mg once daily) for 10±4 days plus oral betrixaban placebo for 35 to 42 days or subcutaneous enoxaparin placebo for 10±4 days plus oral betrixaban (at a dose of 80 mg once daily) for 35 to 42 days. We performed sequential analyses in three prespecified, progressively inclusive cohorts: patients with an elevated d-dimer level (cohort 1), patients with an elevated d-dimer level or an age of at least 75 years (cohort 2), and all the enrolled patients (overall population cohort). The statistical analysis plan specified that if the between-group difference in any analysis in this sequence was not significant, the other analyses would be considered exploratory. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of asymptomatic proximal deep-vein thrombosis and symptomatic venous thromboembolism. The principal safety outcome was major bleeding. RESULTS: A total of 7513 patients underwent randomization. In cohort 1, the primary efficacy outcome occurred in 6.9% of patients receiving betrixaban and 8.5% receiving enoxaparin (relative risk in the betrixaban group, 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65 to 1.00; P=0.054). The rates were 5.6% and 7.1%, respectively (relative risk, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.98; P=0.03) in cohort 2 and 5.3% and 7.0% (relative risk, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.92; P=0.006) in the overall population. (The last two analyses were considered to be exploratory owing to the result in cohort 1.) In the overall population, major bleeding occurred in 0.7% of the betrixaban group and 0.6% of the enoxaparin group (relative risk, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.67 to 2.12; P=0.55). CONCLUSIONS: Among acutely ill medical patients with an elevated d-dimer level, there was no significant difference between extended-duration betrixaban and a standard regimen of enoxaparin in the prespecified primary efficacy outcome. However, prespecified exploratory analyses provided evidence suggesting a benefit for betrixaban in the two larger cohorts. (Funded by Portola Pharmaceuticals; APEX ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01583218.)

Some consequences of a noncommutative space-time structure

The existence of a fundamental length (or fundamental time) has been conjecture in many contexts. Here one discusses some consequences of a fundamental constant of this type, which emerges as a consequence of deformation-stability considerations leading to a non-commutative space-time structure. This mathematically well defined structure is sufficiently constrained to allow for unambiguous experimental predictions. In particular one discusses the phase-space volume modifications and their relevance for the calculation of the GZK sphere. Corrections to the spectrum of the Coulomb problemb are also computed.Comment: 17 pages Latex, 3 figure