An ISS Small-Gain Theorem for General Networks

We provide a generalized version of the nonlinear small-gain theorem for the case of more than two coupled input-to-state stable (ISS) systems. For this result the interconnection gains are described in a nonlinear gain matrix and the small-gain condition requires bounds on the image of this gain matrix. The condition may be interpreted as a nonlinear generalization of the requirement that the spectral radius of the gain matrix is less than one. We give some interpretations of the condition in special cases covering two subsystems, linear gains, linear systems and an associated artificial dynamical system.Comment: 26 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Mathematics of Control, Signals, and Systems (MCSS

Stability of quantized time-delay nonlinear systems: A Lyapunov-Krasowskii-functional approach

Lyapunov-Krasowskii functionals are used to design quantized control laws for nonlinear continuous-time systems in the presence of constant delays in the input. The quantized control law is implemented via hysteresis to prevent chattering. Under appropriate conditions, our analysis applies to stabilizable nonlinear systems for any value of the quantization density. The resulting quantized feedback is parametrized with respect to the quantization density. Moreover, the maximal allowable delay tolerated by the system is characterized as a function of the quantization density.Comment: 31 pages, 3 figures, to appear in Mathematics of Control, Signals, and System

Higgs Boson Flavor-Changing Neutral Decays into Bottom Quarks in Supersymmetry

We analyze the maximum branching ratios for the Flavor Changing Neutral Current (FCNC) decays of the neutral Higgs bosons of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) into bottom quarks, h -> b\bar{s} (h=h^0,H^0,A^0). We consistently correlate these decays with the radiative B-meson decays (b-> s\gamma). A full-fledged combined numerical analysis is performed of these high-energy and low-energy FCNC decay modes in the MSSM parameter space. Our calculation shows that the available data on B(b->s \gamma) severely restricts the allowed values of B(h->b\bar{s}). While the latter could reach a few percent level in fine-tuned scenarios, the requirement of naturalness reduces these FCNC rates into the modest range B(h->b\bar{s}) ~ 10^{-4}-10^{-3}. We find that the bulk of the MSSM contribution to B(h->b\bar{s}) could originate from the strong supersymmetric sector. The maximum value of the FCNC rates obtained in this paper disagree significantly with recent (over-)estimates existing in the literature. Our results are still encouraging because they show that the FCNC modes h->b\bar{s} can be competitive with other Higgs boson signatures and could play a helpful complementary role to identify the supersymmetric Higgs bosons, particularly the lightest CP-even state in the critical LHC mass region m_{h^0} ~= 90-130 GeV.Comment: LaTeX, 19 pages, 4 tables, 7 figures. Clarifications and discussions added, references added. Slight changes in Figs2b,6b and 7b. Version accepted in JHE

Nutrient requirements of lactococci in defined growth media

Many attempts have been made for the last six decades to design defined media for species of the lactococcus group. The general outcome of the studies suggests that this group is heterogeneous with respect to specific requirements for nutrients. Lactococcal species are limited in various metabolic pathways. Early attempts to trace the required nutrients were not always successful because of the poor quality of analysis and the presence of impurities in the medium components

Fermionic decays of sfermions: a complete discussion at one-loop order

We present a definition of an on-shell renormalization scheme for the sfermion and chargino-neutralino sector of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). Then, apply this renormalization framework to the interaction between charginos/neutralinos and sfermions. A kind of universal corrections is identified, which allow to define effective chargino/neutralino coupling matrices. In turn, these interactions generate (universal) non-decoupling terms that grow as the logarithm of the heavy mass. Therefore the full MSSM spectrum must be taken into account in the computation of radiative corrections to observables involving these interactions. As an application we analyze the full one-loop electroweak radiative corrections to the partial decay widths \Gamma(\tilde{f} -> f\neut) and \Gamma(\tilde{f} -> f'\cplus) for all sfermion flavours and generations. These are combined with the QCD corrections to compute the corrected branching ratios of sfermions. It turns out that the electroweak corrections can have an important impact on the partial decay widths, as well as the branching ratios, in wide regions of the parameter space. The precise value of the corrections is strongly dependent on the correlation between the different particle masses.Comment: LaTeX 53 pages, 22 figures, 3 tables. Typos correcte

Cosmogenic neutron production at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory

Neutrons produced in nuclear interactions initiated by cosmic-ray muons present an irreducible background to many rare-event searches, even in detectors located deep underground. Models for the production of these neutrons have been tested against previous experimental data, but the extrapolation to deeper sites is not well understood. Here we report results from an analysis of cosmogenically produced neutrons at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory. A specific set of observables are presented, which can be used to benchmark the validity of geant4 physics models. In addition, the cosmogenic neutron yield, in units of 10-4 cm2/(g·μ), is measured to be 7.28±0.09(stat)-1.12+1.59(syst) in pure heavy water and 7.30±0.07(stat)-1.02+1.40(syst) in NaCl-loaded heavy water. These results provide unique insights into this potential background source for experiments at SNOLAB

A mathematical model for breath gas analysis of volatile organic compounds with special emphasis on acetone

Recommended standardized procedures for determining exhaled lower respiratory nitric oxide and nasal nitric oxide have been developed by task forces of the European Respiratory Society and the American Thoracic Society. These recommendations have paved the way for the measurement of nitric oxide to become a diagnostic tool for specific clinical applications. It would be desirable to develop similar guidelines for the sampling of other trace gases in exhaled breath, especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which reflect ongoing metabolism. The concentrations of water-soluble, blood-borne substances in exhaled breath are influenced by: (i) breathing patterns affecting gas exchange in the conducting airways; (ii) the concentrations in the tracheo-bronchial lining fluid; (iii) the alveolar and systemic concentrations of the compound. The classical Farhi equation takes only the alveolar concentrations into account. Real-time measurements of acetone in end-tidal breath under an ergometer challenge show characteristics which cannot be explained within the Farhi setting. Here we develop a compartment model that reliably captures these profiles and is capable of relating breath to the systemic concentrations of acetone. By comparison with experimental data it is inferred that the major part of variability in breath acetone concentrations (e.g., in response to moderate exercise or altered breathing patterns) can be attributed to airway gas exchange, with minimal changes of the underlying blood and tissue concentrations. Moreover, it is deduced that measured end-tidal breath concentrations of acetone determined during resting conditions and free breathing will be rather poor indicators for endogenous levels. Particularly, the current formulation includes the classical Farhi and the Scheid series inhomogeneity model as special limiting cases.Comment: 38 page

The XMM Cluster Survey: Forecasting cosmological and cluster scaling-relation parameter constraints

We forecast the constraints on the values of sigma_8, Omega_m, and cluster scaling relation parameters which we expect to obtain from the XMM Cluster Survey (XCS). We assume a flat Lambda-CDM Universe and perform a Monte Carlo Markov Chain analysis of the evolution of the number density of galaxy clusters that takes into account a detailed simulated selection function. Comparing our current observed number of clusters shows good agreement with predictions. We determine the expected degradation of the constraints as a result of self-calibrating the luminosity-temperature relation (with scatter), including temperature measurement errors, and relying on photometric methods for the estimation of galaxy cluster redshifts. We examine the effects of systematic errors in scaling relation and measurement error assumptions. Using only (T,z) self-calibration, we expect to measure Omega_m to +-0.03 (and Omega_Lambda to the same accuracy assuming flatness), and sigma_8 to +-0.05, also constraining the normalization and slope of the luminosity-temperature relation to +-6 and +-13 per cent (at 1sigma) respectively in the process. Self-calibration fails to jointly constrain the scatter and redshift evolution of the luminosity-temperature relation significantly. Additional archival and/or follow-up data will improve on this. We do not expect measurement errors or imperfect knowledge of their distribution to degrade constraints significantly. Scaling-relation systematics can easily lead to cosmological constraints 2sigma or more away from the fiducial model. Our treatment is the first exact treatment to this level of detail, and introduces a new `smoothed ML' estimate of expected constraints.Comment: 28 pages, 17 figures. Revised version, as accepted for publication in MNRAS. High-resolution figures available at http://xcs-home.org (under "Publications"

Imaging of acute appendicitis in children: EU versus US ... or US versus CT? A European perspective

There is substantial evidence that imaging may reduce the negative appendectomy rate, also in children. However, controversy exists about the preferred method: US or CT, and the choice appears to be determined by the side of the Atlantic Ocean. This review brings forth several arguments in favour of U