Computer animations are an essential part of today's visual production pipeline, for feature animated films and video games. By moving from static to dynamic scenes, immersion in virtual environments is greatly enhanced. Most of these animations however are concerning rigid or articulated bodies, and are generated manually by an artist or off-line. The interactive animation of deformable objects still is a challenging task, requiring high computational resources. Moreover, interactive environments for dressing up with virtual clothing or training surgeons on unaccustomed procedures pose higher requirements on fidelity as simple plausibility, which we denote by visual simulation. This thesis presents a framework for the visual simulation of deformable objects, which is fast enough to be integrated into virtual environments. The modelling of these objects is based on continuum mechanics, yielding a better accuracy than the techniques commonly used in graphics. An important aspect of modelling are material laws. Measurements have shown viscoelasticity to be a distinctive characteristic of biological soft tissue, the hysteresis of cloth is a well known observation in standard Kawabata experiments. We introduce the modelling of viscoelasticity to graphics...

Peptide deformylase (PDF), a clinically unexploited antibacterial target, plays an essential role in protein maturation. PDF inhibitors, therefore, represent a new antibiotic class with a unique mode of action that provides an alternative therapy for the treatment of infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). GSK1322322 is a novel PDF inhibitor that is in phase II clinical development for the treatment of lower respiratory tract and skin infections. We have discovered that PDF inhibitors can prevent S. aureus in vitro growth for up to 6 h at concentrations 8- to 32-fold below their MICs. This phenomenon seems specific to PDF inhibitors, as none of the antimicrobial agents with alternative mechanisms of action tested show such a potent and widespread effect. It also appears limited to S. aureus, as PDF inhibitors do not show such an inhibition of growth at sub-MIC levels in Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae. Analysis of the effect of GSK1322322 on the early growth of 100 randomly selected S. aureus strains showed that concentrations equal to or below 1/8× MIC inhibited growth of 91% of the strains tested for 6 h, while the corresponding amount of moxifloxacin or linezolid only affected the growth of 1% and 6% of strains...

O boletim Mercado de trabalho: conjuntura e análise tem periodicidade semestral e traz uma análise conjuntural do Mercado de trabalho, acompanhada de indicadores e seções temáticas que abordam tanto considerações mais técnicas como questões de cunho político-institucional.; n. 25, ca. 30 p.; parte 1: Apresentação, arquivo pdf; parte 2: Igualdade de gênero no trabalho e a I Conferência Nacional de Políticas para as Mulheres, arquivo pdf; parte 3: Análise do mercado de trabalho, arquivo pdf; parte 4: Nota Técnica: Perspectiva de gênero e raça nas políticas públicas, arquivo pdf; parte 5: Nota Técnica: A transversalização das questões de gênero e raça nas ações de qualificação social e profissional, arquivo pdf; parte 6: anexo estatístico, arquivo pdf

O boletim Mercado de trabalho: conjuntura e análise tem periodicidade semestral e traz uma análise conjuntural do Mercado de trabalho, acompanhada de indicadores e seções temáticas que abordam tanto considerações mais técnicas como questões de cunho político-institucional.; n. 10, ca. 30 p.; Parte 1: Editorial, arquivo pdf; Parte 2: O proemprego e a qualidade de vida do trabalhador, arquivo pdf; Parte 3: Proemprego - uma política compensatória necessária, arquivo pdf; Parte 4: O proemprego e os recursos do FAT, arquivo pdf; Parte 5: Análise do mercado de trabalho, arquivo pdf; Parte 6: Índice de vagas para o Brasil , arquivo pdf

O boletim Mercado de trabalho: conjuntura e análise tem periodicidade semestral e traz uma análise conjuntural do Mercado de trabalho, acompanhada de indicadores e seções temáticas que abordam tanto considerações mais técnicas como questões de cunho político-institucional.; n. 5, ca. 30 p.; Parte 1: Editorial, arquivo pdf; Parte 2: Panorama geral, arquivo pdf; Parte 3: Conjuntura macroeconômica, arquivo pdf; Parte 4: Análise do mercado de trabalho, arquivo pdf; Parte 5: Ponto de vista, arquivo pdf; Parte 6: A opinião dos atores, arquivo pdf

We use the spherical collapse (SC) approximation to derive expressions for the smoothed redshift-space probability distribution function (PDF), as well as the $p$-order hierarchical amplitudes $S_p$, in both real and redshift space. We compare our results with numerical simulations, focusing on the $\Omega=1$ standard CDM model, where redshift distortions are strongest. We find good agreement between the SC predictions and the numerical PDF in real space even for $\sigma_L \simgt 1$, where $\sigma_L$ is the linearly-evolved rms fluctuation on the smoothing scale. In redshift space, reasonable agreement is possible only for $\sigma_L \simlt 0.4$. Numerical simulations also yield a simple empirical relation between the real-space PDF and redshift-space PDF: we find that for $\sigma \simlt 1$, the redshift space PDF, P[\delta_z], is, to a good approximation, a simple rescaling of the real space PDF, P[\delta], i.e., P[\delta/\sigma] d[\delta/\sigma] = P[\delta_z/\sigma_z] d[\delta_z/\sigma_z], where $\sigma$ and \sigma_z are the real-space and redshift-space rms fluctuations, respectively. This result applies well beyond the validity of linear perturbation theory, and it is a good fit for both the standard CDM model and the Lambda-CDM model. It breaks down for SCDM at $\sigma \approx 1$...

We examine the dependence of parton distribution functions (PDFs) on the value of the QCD coupling strength $\alpha_{s}(M_{Z})$. We explain a simple method that is rigorously valid in the quadratic approximation normally applied in PDF fitting, and fully reproduces the correlated dependence of theoretical cross sections on $\alpha_s$ and PDF parameters. This method is based on a statistical relation that allows one to add the uncertainty produced by $\alpha_s$, computed with some special PDF sets, in quadrature with the PDF uncertainty obtained for the fixed $\alpha_s$ value (such as the CTEQ6.6 PDF set). A series of four CTEQ6.6AS PDFs realizing this approach, for $\alpha_s$ values in the interval $0.116 \leq \alpha_{s}(M_{Z}) \leq 0.120$, is presented. Using these PDFs, the combined $\alpha_{s}$ and PDF uncertainty is assessed for theoretical predictions at the Fermilab Tevatron and Large Hadron Collider.; Comment: minor changes for publication

We suggest the modified matching procedure for TMD PDF to the integrated PDF aimed to increase the amount of perturbative information in the TMD PDF expression. The procedure consists in the selection and usage of the non-minimal operator basis, which restricts the expansion to desired general behavior. The implication of OPE allows to systematic account of the higher order corrections. In the case of TMD PDF we assume the Gaussian behavior, which suggests Laguerre polynomial basis as the best for the convergence of OPE. We present the leading and next-to-leading expression of TMD PDF in this basis. The obtained perturbative expression for the TMD PDF is valid in the wide region of $b_T$ (we estimate this region as $b_T\lesssim 2-3$ GeV$^{-1}$ depending on $x$).; Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures; corrected abstract, conclusion and various misprints; version submitted to JHEP

A key parameter to the description of all star formation processes is the density structure of the gas. In this letter, we make use of probability distribution functions (PDFs) of Herschel column density maps of Orion B, Aquila, and Polaris, obtained with the Herschel Gould Belt survey (HGBS). We aim to understand which physical processes influence the PDF shape, and with which signatures. The PDFs of Orion B (Aquila) show a lognormal distribution for low column densities until Av 3 (6), and a power-law tail for high column densities, consistent with a rho r^-2 profile for the equivalent spherical density distribution. The PDF of Orion B is broadened by external compression due to the nearby OB stellar aggregates. The PDF of a quiescent subregion of the non-star-forming Polaris cloud is nearly lognormal, indicating that supersonic turbulence governs the density distribution. But we also observe a deviation from the lognormal shape at Av>1 for a subregion in Polaris that includes a prominent filament. We conclude that (i) the point where the PDF deviates from the lognormal form does not trace a universal Av-threshold for star formation, (ii) statistical density fluctuations, intermittency and magnetic fields can cause excess from the lognormal PDF at an early cloud formation stage...

This paper considers the partial decode-and-forward (PDF) strategy for the Gaussian multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) relay channel. Unlike for the decode-and-forward (DF) strategy or point-to-point (P2P) transmission, for which Gaussian channel inputs are known to be optimal, the input distribution that maximizes the achievable PDF rate for the Gaussian MIMO relay channel has remained unknown so far. For some special cases, e.g., for relay channels where the optimal PDF strategy reduces to DF or P2P transmission, it could be deduced that Gaussian inputs maximize the PDF rate. For the general case, however, the problem has remained open until now. In this work, we solve this problem by proving that the maximum achievable PDF rate for the Gaussian MIMO relay channel is always attained by Gaussian channel inputs. Our proof relies on the channel enhancement technique, which was originally introduced by Weingarten et al. to derive the (private message) capacity region of the Gaussian MIMO broadcast channel. By combining this technique with a primal decomposition approach, we first establish that jointly Gaussian source and relay inputs maximize the achievable PDF rate for the aligned Gaussian MIMO relay channel. Subsequently, we use a limiting argument to extend this result from the aligned to the general Gaussian MIMO relay channel.; Comment: 23 pages...

The accurate determination of the Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs) of the proton is an essential ingredient of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) program. PDF uncertainties impact a wide range of processes, from Higgs boson characterisation and precision Standard Model measurements to New Physics searches. A major recent development in modern PDF analyses has been to exploit the wealth of new information contained in precision measurements from the LHC Run I, as well as progress in tools and methods to include these data in PDF fits. In this report we summarise the information that PDF-sensitive measurements at the LHC have provided so far, and review the prospects for further constraining PDFs with data from the recently started Run II. This document aims to provide useful input to the LHC collaborations to prioritise their PDF-sensitive measurements at Run II, as well as a comprehensive reference for the PDF-fitting collaborations.; Comment: 55 pages, 13 figures

We use the probability distribution function (PDF) of the lya forest flux at z=2-3, measured from high-resolution UVES/VLT data, and hydrodynamical simulations to obtain constraints on cosmological parameters and the thermal state of the intergalactic medium (IGM) at z 2-3. The observed flux PDF at z=3 alone results in constraints on cosmological parameters in good agreement with those obtained from the WMAP data, albeit with about a factor two larger errors. The observed flux PDF is best fit with simulations with a matter fluctuation amplitude of sigma_8=0.8-0.85 \pm 0.07 and an inverted IGM temperature-density relation (gamma ~ 0.5-0.75), consistent with our previous results obtained using a simpler analysis. These results appear to be robust to uncertainties in the quasar (QSO) continuum placement. We further discuss constraints obtained by a combined analysis of the high-resolution flux PDF and the power spectrum measured from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) lya forest data. The joint analysis confirms the suggestion of an inverted temperature-density relation, but prefers somewhat higher values (sigma_8 ~ 0.9) of the matter fluctuation amplitude than the WMAP data and the best fit to the flux PDF alone. The joint analysis of the flux PDF and power spectrum (as well as an analysis of the power spectrum data alone) prefers rather large values for the temperature of the IGM...

Any NLO calculation of a QCD final-state observable involves Monte Carlo integration over a large number of events. For DIS and hadron colliders this must usually be repeated for each new PDF set, making it impractical to consider many `error' PDF sets, or carry out PDF fits. Here we discuss ``a posteriori'' inclusion of PDFs, whereby the Monte Carlo run calculates a grid (in x and Q) of cross section weights that can subsequently be combined with an arbitrary PDF. The procedure is numerically equivalent to using an interpolated form of the PDF. The main novelty relative to prior work is the use of higher-order interpolation, which substantially improves the tradeoff between accuracy and memory use. An accuracy of about 0.01% has been reached for the single inclusive cross-section in the central rapidity region |y|<0.5 for jet transverse momenta from 100 to 5000 GeV. This method should facilitate the consistent inclusion of final-state data from HERA, Tevatron and LHC in PDF fits, thus helping to increase the sensitivity of LHC to deviations from standard Model predictions.; Comment: contribution to the CERN DESY workshop on "HERA and LHC"

Stochastic effects during inflation can be addressed by averaging the quantum inflaton field over Hubble-patch sized domains. The averaged field then obeys a Langevin-type equation into which short-scale fluctuations enter as a noise term. We solve the Langevin equation for a inflaton field with Dirac Born Infeld (DBI) kinetic term perturbatively in the noise and use the result to determine the field value's Probability Density Function (PDF). In this calculation, both the shape of the potential and the warp factor are arbitrary functions, and the PDF is obtained with and without volume effects due to the finite size of the averaging domain. DBI kinetic terms typically arise in string-inspired inflationary scenarios in which the scalar field is associated with some distance within the (compact) extra dimensions. The inflaton's accessible range of field values therefore is limited because of the extra dimensions' finite size. We argue that in a consistent stochastic approach the distance-inflaton's PDF must vanish for geometrically forbidden field values. We propose to implement these extra-dimensional spatial restrictions into the PDF by installing absorbing (or reflecting) walls at the respective boundaries in field space. As a toy model...

We quantitatively study the probability distribution function (PDF) of cosmological nonlinear density fluctuations from N-body simulations with Gaussian initial condition. In particular, we examine the validity and limitations of one-point and two-point log-normal PDF models against those directly estimated from the simulations. We find that the one-point log-normal PDF describes very accurately the cosmological density distribution even in the nonlinear regime (the rms variance \sigma_{nl} \simlt 4 and the over-density \delta \simlt 100). Furthermore the two-point log-normal PDFs are also in good agreement with the simulation data from linear to fairly nonlinear regime, while slightly deviate from them for \delta \simlt -0.5. Thus the log-normal PDF can be used as a useful empirical model for the cosmological density fluctuations. While this conclusion is fairly insensitive to the shape of the underlying power spectrum of density fluctuations P(k), models with substantial power on large scales, i.e., n\equiv d\ln P(k)/d \ln k \simlt -1, are better described by the log-normal PDF. On the other hand, we note that the one-to-one mapping of the initial and the evolved density fields consistent with the log-normal model does not approximate the broad distribution of their mutual correlation even on average. Thus the origin of the phenomenological log-normal PDF approximation still remains to be understood.; Comment: 25 pages...

The probability distribution functions (PDF) of density of the ISM in galactic disks and global star formation rate are discussed. Three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations show that the PDFs in globally stable, inhomogeneous ISM in galactic disks are well fitted by a single log-normal function over a wide density range. The dispersion of the log-normal PDF (LN-PDF) is larger for more gas-rich systems, and whereas the characteristic density of LN-PDF, for which the volume fraction becomes the maximum, does not significantly depend on the initial conditions. %At the characteristic density, thermal pressure and kinetic %pressure due to turbulent motion are comparable, and the material is %statistically stagnated in a turbulent flow. Supposing the galactic ISM is characterized by the LN-PDF, we give a global star formation rate (SFR) as a function of average gas density, a critical local density for star formation, and star formation efficiency. We find that the observed SFR is well-fitted by the theoretical SFR in a wide range of the global gas density ($10 - 10^4 M_\odot$ pc$^{-2}$). Star formation efficiency (SFE) for high density gas ($n > 10^3$ cm$^{-3}$) is SFE $= 0.001 - 0.01$ for normal spiral galaxies, and SFE $= 0.01 - 0.1$ for starburst galaxies. The LN-PDF and SFR proposed here could be applicable for modeling star formation on a kpc-scale in galaxies or numerical simulations of galaxy formation...

The probability distribution function (PDF) of the mass surface density of molecular clouds provides essential information about the structure of molecular cloud gas and condensed structures out of which stars may form. In general, the PDF shows two basic components: a broad distribution around the maximum with resemblance to a log-normal function, and a tail at high mass surface densities attributed to turbulence and self-gravity. In a previous paper, the PDF of condensed structures has been analyzed and an analytical formula presented based on a truncated radial density profile, $\rho(r) = \rho_c/(1+(r/r_0)^2)^{n/2}$ with central density $\rho_c$ and inner radius $r_0$, widely used in astrophysics as a generalization of physical density profiles. In this paper, the results are applied to analyze the PDF of self-gravitating, isothermal, pressurized, spherical (Bonnor-Ebert spheres) and cylindrical condensed structures with emphasis on the dependence of the PDF on the external pressure $p_{ext}$ and on the overpressure $q^{-1} =p_c /p_{ext}$, where $p_c$ is the central pressure. Apart from individual clouds, we also consider ensembles of spheres or cylinders, where effects caused by a variation of pressure ratio, a distribution of condensed cores within a turbulent gas...

We study the relationship between the metallicity of gamma-ray burst (GRB) progenitors and the probability distribution function (PDF) of GRB host galaxies as a function of luminosity using cosmological hydrodynamic simulations of galaxy formation. We impose a maximum limit to the gas metallicity in which GRBs can occur, and examine how the predicted luminosity PDF of GRB host galaxies changes in the simulation. We perform the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and show that the result from our simulation agrees with the observed luminosity PDF of core-collapse supernovae (SNe) host galaxies when we assume that the core-collapse SNe trace star formation. When we assume that GRBs occur only in a low-metallicity environment with $Z\lesssim 0.1 \Zsun$, GRBs occur in lower luminosity galaxies, and the simulated luminosity PDF becomes quantitatively consistent with the observed luminosity PDF. The observational bias against the host galaxies of optically dark GRBs owing to dust extinction may be another reason for the lower luminosities of GRB host galaxies, but the observed luminosity PDF of GRB host galaxies cannot be reproduced solely by the dust bias in our simulation.; Comment: 11 pages, 14 figures, minor revisions, one added figure, accepted for publication in ApJ

We examine the state of statistical equilibrium attained by a uniformly forced condensable substance subjected to advection in a periodic domain. In particular, we examine the probability density function (\pdf{}) of the condensable substance in the limit of rapid condensation. The constraints imposed by this limit are pointed out and are shown to result in a \pdf{} -- whenever the advecting velocity field admits a diffusive representation -- that features a peak at small values, decays exponentially and terminates in a rapid "roll-off" near saturation. Possible physical implications of this feature as compared to a \pdf{} which continues to decay slowly are pointed out. A set of simple numerical exercises which employ lattice maps for purposes of advection are performed to test these features. Despite the simplicity of the model, the derived \pdf{} is seen to compare favourably with \pdf{}'s constructed from isentropic specific humidity data. Further, structure functions associated with the condensable field are seen to scale anomalously with near saturation of the scaling exponents for high moments -- a feature which agrees with studies of high resolution aircraft data.; Comment: 10 pages, 5 figs, re-revised version -- clearer formulation of the pdf equation. Comments on physical implications etc

We provide a discussion of the impact of a subset of Drell-Yan data from LHC on the determination of the photon parton distribution function (PDF), using the NNPDF methodology. In previous work we have shown that the photon PDF determined from deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) data only has large uncertainties, suggesting the need for more data from other processes such as Drell-Yan, which unlike DIS, includes photon-induced contributions at leading order in QED. We describe the inclusion of ATLAS Drell-Yan W, Z data, which is a subset of the LHC data used in a final photon PDF determination, by means of a reweighting procedure. We show the impact of such data by comparing the reweighted photon PDF with the photon PDF from DIS, highlighting the reduction of uncertainties at medium/small-x. We conclude that the Drell-Yan data from LHC allows a reasonably accurate determination of the photon PDF.; Comment: 5 pages, 10 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the XXI International Workshop on Deep-Inelastic Scattering and Related Subjects (DIS2013), Marseille, 22-26 April 2013