2,033 research outputs found
Finite temperature phase transition for disordered weakly interacting bosons in one dimension
It is commonly accepted that there are no phase transitions in
one-dimensional (1D) systems at a finite temperature, because long-range
correlations are destroyed by thermal fluctuations. Here we demonstrate that
the 1D gas of short-range interacting bosons in the presence of disorder can
undergo a finite temperature phase transition between two distinct states:
fluid and insulator. None of these states has long-range spatial correlations,
but this is a true albeit non-conventional phase transition because transport
properties are singular at the transition point. In the fluid phase the mass
transport is possible, whereas in the insulator phase it is completely blocked
even at finite temperatures. We thus reveal how the interaction between
disordered bosons influences their Anderson localization. This key question,
first raised for electrons in solids, is now crucial for the studies of atomic
bosons where recent experiments have demonstrated Anderson localization in
expanding very dilute quasi-1D clouds.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure
The Linear Algebraic Method for Electron-Molecule Collisions
In order to find numerical solutions to many problems in physics, chemistry and engineering it is necessary to place the equations of motion (classical or quantal) of the variables of dynamical interest on a discrete mesh. The formulation of scattering theory in quantum mechanics is no exception and leads to partial differential or integral equations which may only be solved on digital computers. Typical approaches introduce a numerical grid or basis set expansion of the scattering wavefunction in order to reduce `the problem to the solution of a set of algebraic equations. Often it is more convenient to deal with the scattering matrix or phase amplitude rather than the wavefunction but the essential features of the numerics are unchanged. In this section we will formulate the Linear Algebraic Method (LAM) for electron-atom/molecule scattering for a simple, one-dimensional radial potential. This will illustrate the basic approach and enable the uninitiated reader to follow the subsequent discussion of the general, multi-channel, electron-molecule formulation without undue difficulty. We begin by writing the Schroedinger equation for the s-wave scattering of a structureless particle by a short-range, local potential
Improving the use of research evidence in guideline development: 9. Grading evidence and recommendations
BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO), like many other organisations around the world, has recognised the need to use more rigorous processes to ensure that health care recommendations are informed by the best available research evidence. This is the ninth of a series of 16 reviews that have been prepared as background for advice from the WHO Advisory Committee on Health Research to WHO on how to achieve this. OBJECTIVES: We reviewed the literature on grading evidence and recommendations in guidelines. METHODS: We searched PubMed and three databases of methodological studies for existing systematic reviews and relevant methodological research. We did not conduct a full systematic review ourselves. Our conclusions are based on the available evidence, consideration of what WHO and other organisations are doing and logical arguments. KEY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Should WHO grade the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations? • Users of recommendations need to know how much confidence they can place in the underlying evidence and the recommendations. The degree of confidence depends on a number of factors and requires complex judgments. These judgments should be made explicitly in WHO recommendations. A systematic and explicit approach to making judgments about the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations can help to prevent errors, facilitate critical appraisal of these judgments, and can help to improve communication of this information. What criteria should be used to grade evidence and recommendations? • Both the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations should be graded. The criteria used to grade the strength of recommendations should include the quality of the underlying evidence, but should not be limited to that. • The approach to grading should be one that has wide international support and is suitable for a wide range of different types of recommendations. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, which is currently suggested in the Guidelines for WHO Guidelines, is being used by an increasing number of other organizations internationally. It should be used more consistently by WHO. Further developments of this approach should ensure its wide applicability. Should WHO use the same grading system for all of its recommendations? • Although there are arguments for and against using the same grading system across a wide range of different types of recommendations, WHO should use a uniform grading system to prevent confusion for developers and users of recommendations
Stretchable liquid-crystal blue-phase gels
Liquid crystalline polymers are materials of considerable scientific interest
and technological value to society [1-3]. An important subset of such materials
exhibit rubber-like elasticity; these can combine the remarkable optical
properties of liquid crystals with the favourable mechanical properties of
rubber and, further, exhibit behaviour not seen in either type of material
independently [2]. Many of their properties depend crucially on the particular
mesophase employed. Stretchable liquid crystalline polymers have previously
been demonstrated in the nematic, chiral nematic, and smectic mesophases [2,4].
Here were report the fabrication of a stretchable gel of blue phase I, which
forms a self-assembled, three-dimensional photonic crystal that may have its
optical properties manipulated by an applied strain and, further, remains
electro-optically switchable under a moderate applied voltage. We find that,
unlike its undistorted counterpart, a mechanically deformed blue phase exhibits
a Pockels electro-optic effect, which sets out new theoretical challenges and
new possibilities for low-voltage electro-optic devices.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, additional data and discussion included.
Supplementary videos available from F. Castles on reques
Quantum suppression of superconductivity in ultrathin nanowires
We report measurements on ultrathin (<10 nm) nanowires produced by coating
carbon nanotubes with a superconducting amorphous MoGe alloy. We find that
nanowires can be superconducting or insulating depending on their normal state
resistance compared to -- the quantum resistance for
Cooper pairs. If the tunneling of quantum phase slips (QPS) is
prohibited due to strong damping, and so the wires stay superconducting. The
insulating state, observed if , is explained in terms of
proliferation of quantum phase slips and corresponding localization of Cooper
pairs. The observed superconductor-insulator transition is analogous to the
dissipative phase transition which takes place in Josephson Junctions at
(Penttila et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. Vol.82, p.1004, 1999)Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in Natur
Some Field Theoretic Issues Regarding the Chiral Magnetic Effect
In this paper, we shall address some field theoretic issues regarding the
chiral magnetic effect. The general structure of the magnetic current
consistent with the electromagnetic gauge invariance is obtained and the impact
of the infrared divergence is examined. Some subtleties on the relation between
the chiral magnetic effect and the axial anomaly are clarified through a
careful examination of the infrared limit of the relevant thermal diagrams.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures in Latex. Typos fixed, version accepted to be
published in JHE
Non-universal minimal Z' models: present bounds and early LHC reach
We consider non-universal 'minimal' Z' models, whose additional U(1) charge
is a non-anomalous linear combination of the weak hypercharge Y, the baryon
number B and the partial lepton numbers (L_e, L_mu, L_tau), with no exotic
fermions beyond three standard families with right-handed neutrinos. We show
that the observed pattern of neutrino masses and mixing can be fully reproduced
by a gauge-invariant renormalizable Lagrangian, and flavor-changing neutral
currents in the charged lepton sector are suppressed by a GIM mechanism. We
then discuss the phenomenology of some benchmark models. The electrophilic
B-3L_e model is significantly constrained by electroweak precision tests, but
still allows to fit the hint of an excess observed by CDF in dielectrons but
not in dimuons. The muonphilic B-3L_mu model is very mildly constrained by
electroweak precision tests, so that even the very early phase of the LHC can
explore significant areas of parameter space. We also discuss the hadrophobic
L_mu-L_tau model, which has recently attracted interest in connection with some
puzzling features of cosmic ray spectra.Comment: 29 pages, 13 figure
Present day greenhouse gases could cause more frequent and longer Dust Bowl heatwaves
Substantial warming occurred across North America, Europe and the Arctic over the early twentieth century1, including an increase in global drought2, that was partially forced by rising greenhouse gases (GHGs)3. The period included the 1930s Dust Bowl drought4,5,6,7 across North America’s Great Plains that caused widespread crop failures4,8, large dust storms9 and considerable out-migration10. This coincided with the central United States experiencing its hottest summers of the twentieth century11,12 in 1934 and 1936, with over 40 heatwave days and maximum temperatures surpassing 44 °C at some locations13,14. Here we use a large-ensemble regional modelling framework to show that GHG increases caused slightly enhanced heatwave activity over the eastern United States during 1934 and 1936. Instead of asking how a present-day heatwave would behave in a world without climate warming, we ask how these 1930s heatwaves would behave with present-day GHGs. Heatwave activity in similarly rare events would be much larger under today’s atmospheric GHG forcing and the return period of a 1-in-100-year heatwave summer (as observed in 1936) would be reduced to about 1-in-40 years. A key driver of the increasing heatwave activity and intensity is reduced evaporative cooling and increased sensible heating during dry springs and summers
Ictal Cortical Blindness with Permanent Visual Loss
Cortical blindness is rarely an ictal manifestation. We report the case of a man who developed transient cortical blindness followed by permanent visual deficits during repeated partial seizures. Intermittent visual impairment began at age 14 years. After he had the first generalized seizure at age 28 years, neurologic, ophthalmologic, angiographic, and brain computed tomographic (CT) examinations were normal. Several EEGs showed almost continuous biposterior spike-waves. Over the next several years, frequent partial seizures were associated with transient visual loss and left body twitching or paresthesias. When he was 32, transient blindness occurred during several days of repeated occipital seizures. Permanent left homonymous hemianopia, right homonymous central scotoma, dyschromatopsia, and altered stereopsis followed these seizures. Brain CT demonstrated a new right occipital lesion. Partial seizures arising posteriorly may cause transient cortical blindness and result in permanent visual deficits.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65600/1/j.1528-1157.1989.tb05292.x.pd
Improving the use of research evidence in guideline development: 11. Incorporating considerations of cost-effectiveness, affordability and resource implications
BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO), like many other organisations around the world, has recognised the need to use more rigorous processes to ensure that health care recommendations are informed by the best available research evidence. This is the 11(th )of a series of 16 reviews that have been prepared as background for advice from the WHO Advisory Committee on Health Research to WHO on how to achieve this. OBJECTIVES: We reviewed the literature on incorporating considerations of cost-effectiveness, affordability and resource implications in guidelines and recommendations. METHODS: We searched PubMed and three databases of methodological studies for existing systematic reviews and relevant methodological research. We did not conduct systematic reviews ourselves. Our conclusions are based on the available evidence, consideration of what WHO and other organisations are doing and logical arguments. KEY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: When is it important to incorporate cost-effectiveness, resource implications and affordability considerations in WHO guidelines (which topics)? • For cost-effectiveness: The need for cost/effectiveness information should be dictated by the specific question, of which several may be addressed in a single guideline. It is proposed that the indications for undertaking a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) could be a starting point for determining which recommendation(s) in the guideline would benefit from such analysis. • For resource implications/affordability: The resource implications of each individual recommendation need to be considered when implementation issues are being discussed. How can cost-effectiveness, resource implications and affordability be explicitly taken into account in WHO guidelines? • For cost-effectiveness: ∘ If data are available, the ideal time to consider cost-effectiveness is during the evidence gathering and synthesizing stage. However, because of the inconsistent availability of CEAs and the procedural difficulty associated with adjusting results from different CEAs to make them comparable, it is also possible for cost-effectiveness to be considered during the stage of developing recommendations. ∘ Depending on the quantity and quality and relevance of the data available, such data can be considered in a qualitative way or in a quantitative way, ranging from a listing of the costs to a modelling exercise. At the very least, a qualitative approach like a commentary outlining the economic issues that need to be considered is necessary. If a quantitative approach is to be used, the full model should be transparent and comprehensive. • For resource implications/affordability: ∘ Resource implications, including health system changes, for each recommendation in a WHO guideline should be explored. At the minimum, a qualitative description that can serve as a gross indicator of the amount of resources needed, relative to current practice, should be provided. How does one provide guidance in contextualizing guideline recommendations at the country level based on considerations of cost-effectiveness, resource implications and affordability? • All models should be made available and ideally are designed to allow for analysts to make changes in key parameters and reapply results in their own country. • In the global guidelines, scenarios and extensive sensitivity/uncertainty analysis can be applied. Resource implications for WHO • From the above, it is clear that guidelines development groups will need a health economist. There is need to ensure that this is included in the budget for guidelines and that there is in-house support for this as well
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