Re-examining the directional-ordering transition in the compass model with screw-periodic boundary conditions

We study the directional-ordering transition in the two-dimensional classical and quantum compass models on the square lattice by means of Monte Carlo simulations. An improved algorithm is presented which builds on the Wolff cluster algorithm in one-dimensional subspaces of the configuration space. This improvement allows us to study classical systems up to $L=512$. Based on the new algorithm we give evidence for the presence of strongly anomalous scaling for periodic boundary conditions which is much worse than anticipated before. We propose and study alternative boundary conditions for the compass model which do not make use of extended configuration spaces and show that they completely remove the problem with finite-size scaling. In the last part, we apply these boundary conditions to the quantum problem and present a considerably improved estimate for the critical temperature which should be of interest for future studies on the compass model. Our investigation identifies a strong one-dimensional magnetic ordering tendency with a large correlation length as the cause of the unusual scaling and moreover allows for a precise quantification of the anomalous length scale involved.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures; version as publishe

The anisotropic quantum antiferromagnet on the Sierpinski gasket: Ground state and thermodynamics

We investigate an antiferromagnetic s=1/2 quantum spin system with anisotropic spin exchange on a fractal lattice, the Sierpinski gasket. We introduce a novel approximative numerical method, the configuration selective diagonalization (CSD) and apply this method to the Sierpinski gasket with N=42. Using this and other methods we calculate ground state energies, spin gap, spin-spin correlations and specific heat data and conclude that the s=1/2 quantum antiferromagnet on the Sierpinski gasket shows a disordered magnetic ground state with a very short correlation length of about 1 and an, albeit very small, spin gap. This conclusion holds for Heisenberg as well a for XY exchange.Comment: LaTeX: 16 pages, 9 figures, 1 tabl

The DSM 5 and the Istanbul Protocol: Diagnosis of psychological sequels of torture

The Manual on Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, commonly known as the Istanbul Protocol, is an interdisciplinary standard supported by, among others, the United Nations and the World Medical Association. It aims at aiding the fight against torture by giving clear guidelines to ensure better and more effective assessment of physical and psychological sequels. Mental health is a key aspect of diagnostical assessment and documentation due to the severe and frequently long-lasting impact of torture that often lasts longer than physical sequels. The inclusion of psychological aspects and a psychiatric diagnosis is to be treated as an important obligatory. Care must be taken to avoid common pitfalls. The new and substantial revisions in the frequently used but also criticised Diagnostical and Statistical Manual (DSM) reflect challenges and opportunities in a comprehensive approach to the documentation of torture

Losses Associated with Secondary Effects in Earthquakes

The number of earthquakes with high damage and high losses has been limited to around 100 events since 1900. Looking at historical losses from 1900 onward, we see that around 100 key earthquakes (or around 1% of damaging earthquakes) have caused around 93% of fatalities globally. What is indeed interesting about this statistic is that within these events, secondary effects have played a major role, causing around 40% of economic losses and fatalities as compared to shaking effects. Disaggregation of secondary effect economic losses and fatalities demonstrating the relative influence of historical losses from direct earthquake shaking in comparison to tsunami, fire, landslides, liquefaction, fault rupture, and other type losses is important if we are to understand the key causes post-earthquake. The trends and major event impacts of secondary effects are explored in terms of their historic impact as well as looking to improved ways to disaggregate them through two case studies of the Tohoku 2011 event for earthquake, tsunami, liquefaction, fire, and the nuclear impact; as well as the Chilean 1960 earthquake and tsunami event

Hospizarbeit und Palliative Care - Idee, konzeptionelle Grundlagen und Herausforderung für die Psychotherapie

Zusammenfassung: Hospizarbeit und Palliative Care sind mittlerweile weltweit anerkannte Konzepte und Haltungen, die den wachsenden Bedarf nach einer angemessenen gesellschaftlichen und fachlichen Sorgekultur mit und für sterbende Menschen und deren Bezugspersonen aufnehmen. Charakteristisch ist die komplexe Sicht des Menschen in seinen bio-psycho-sozialen und spirituellen Bedürfnissen und Dimensionen, die folgerichtig zu einer interdisziplinären und interprofessionellen Arbeitskultur geführt hat, die sich sowohl in und zwischen Care-Organisationen sowie Netzwerken etabliert und dabei ist, sich in kommunalisierten Sorgezusammenhängen wie „compassionate cities“ (Kellehear 2005) weiterzuentwickeln.Für Psychologie und Psychotherapie gibt es vielfältige Ansatzpunkte sowie Kompetenzen „einzubringen“. Erste internationale Verständigungen deuten darauf hin, dass das Interesse und die Sensibilität für mögliche Interferenzen zwischen Psychotherapie und Palliative Care zunehmen. Eine Psychotherapie, die sich auf den Grenzbereich zwischen Leben und Tod sowie auf die Korrespondenzen zwischen Körper und Seele (Was oder wer stirbt eigentlich?) einlässt, bedarf einer palliativen Haltung, die nicht auf Kuration psychischer Disharmonien, sondern auf Transzendenz und Transformation ausgerichtet ist.Abstract: Hospice and palliative care are internationally recognised concepts and attitudes with regard to the importance of bio-psycho-social dimensions and spiritual needs of the dying and their loved ones. Palliative Care is provided by multiprofessional teams to meet the complex requirements of a person-centred care, which influences not only organisations, but also a development, which Kellehear (2005) frames as “compassionate cities”. Psychotherapy and psychology have a lot to offer to the field of hospice and palliative care. International trends show that there is a growing interest for possible boundary points between psychotherapy and palliative care. Psychotherapy, which moves into the border area between life and death, between body and soul (who is dying?), demands a palliative attitude, which is focused on transcendence and transformation.

Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction and Organic Nitrate Therapy: Beneficial Effects on Endothelial Dysfunction, Nitrate Tolerance, and Vascular Oxidative Stress

Organic nitrates are a group of very effective anti-ischemic drugs. They are used for the treatment of patients with stable angina, acute myocardial infarction, and chronic congestive heart failure. A major therapeutic limitation inherent to organic nitrates is the development of tolerance, which occurs during chronic treatment with these agents, and this phenomenon is largely based on induction of oxidative stress with subsequent endothelial dysfunction. We therefore speculated that induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) could be an efficient strategy to overcome nitrate tolerance and the associated side effects. Indeed, we found that hemin cotreatment prevented the development of nitrate tolerance and vascular oxidative stress in response to chronic nitroglycerin therapy. Vice versa, pentaerithrityl tetranitrate (PETN), a nitrate that was previously reported to be devoid of adverse side effects, displayed tolerance and oxidative stress when the HO-1 pathway was blocked pharmacologically or genetically by using HO-1+/– mice. Recently, we identified activation of Nrf2 and HuR as a principle mechanism of HO-1 induction by PETN. With the present paper, we present and discuss our recent and previous findings on the role of HO-1 for the prevention of nitroglycerin-induced nitrate tolerance and for the beneficial effects of PETN therapy

Establishment of a research focus on resilient sustainable climate neutral agricultural production: resilient farming initiative

Efficient and sustainable agricultural production is a pivotal factor in meeting the nutritional needs of an expanding global population. However, it is imperative to optimize national, regional and local effectiveness to support government initiatives towards climate neutrality and resilience, while simultaneously ensuring economic viability for farmers. A significant reduction in the cost of goods must be accompanied by a decrease in their global warming potential contribution to maintain competitiveness in the world market. As such, it is necessary to adopt practices that enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impacts. This paper discusses potential solutions for the sustainable enlargement of botanical product portfolios towards essential oil products and natural extracts for value-added products, such as natural pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agrochemicals and materials by direct waste valorization. Contributions from the fields of automation and digitalization provide the basic technology for the realization of the approaches presented. Agricultural photovoltaics can contribute to the goal of the reduction of the cost of goods and global warming potential, such as the already established utilization of biogas. The potential of the research initiative described is demonstrated by basic data on key characteristic numbers and costs from the literature. The economic potential for climate neutrality and the reduction of global warming potential contribution is seen in magnitudes of factors 5–10. A research initiative is recommended and exemplified for the industrialization of such integrated processing