Generalized Thermalization in an Integrable Lattice System

After a quench, observables in an integrable system may not relax to the standard thermal values, but can relax to the ones predicted by the generalized Gibbs ensemble (GGE) [M. Rigol et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 050405 (2007)]. The GGE has been shown to accurately describe observables in various one-dimensional integrable systems, but the origin of its success is not fully understood. Here we introduce a microcanonical version of the GGE and provide a justification of the GGE based on a generalized interpretation of the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis, which was previously introduced to explain thermalization of nonintegrable systems. We study relaxation after a quench of one-dimensional hard-core bosons in an optical lattice. Exact numerical calculations for up to 10 particles on 50 lattice sites (~10^10 eigenstates) validate our approach.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures, as publishe

Single-color two-photon spectroscopy of Rydberg states in electric fields

Rydberg states of atomic helium with principal quantum numbers ranging from n=20 to n=100 have been prepared by non-resonance-enhanced single-color two-photon excitation from the metastable 2 {^3}S{_1} state. Photoexcitation was carried out using linearly and circularly polarized pulsed laser radiation. In the case of excitation with circularly polarized radiation, Rydberg states with azimuthal quantum number |m_{\ell}|=2 were prepared in zero electric field, and in homogeneous electric fields oriented parallel to the propagation axis of the laser radiation. In sufficiently strong electric fields, individual Rydberg-Stark states were resolved spectroscopically, highlighting the suitability of non-resonance-enhanced multiphoton excitation schemes for the preparation of long-lived high-|m_{\ell}| hydrogenic Rydberg states for deceleration and trapping experiments. Applications of similar schemes for Doppler-free excitation of positronium atoms to Rydberg states are also discussed

Dietary flavonoid intake and incidence of erectile dysfunction

Background: The predominant etiology for erectile dysfunction (ED) is vascular, however limited data are available on the role of diet. A higher intake of several flavonoids reduces diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk but no studies have examined associations between flavonoids and erectile function.   Objective: To examine the relationship between habitual flavonoid sub-class intakes and incidence of ED.   Methods: We conducted a prospective study among 25,096 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Total flavonoid and subclass intakes were calculated from food frequency questionnaires collected every 4 years. Participants rated their erectile function in 2000 (with historical reporting from 1986) and again in 2004 and 2008.   Results: During 10 years of follow-up, 35.6% reported incident ED. After multivariate adjustment, including classic CVD risk factors, several sub-classes were associated with reduced ED incidence; specifically flavones (RR 0.91:95%CI=0.85,0.97; p-trend=0.006), flavanones (RR 0.89;95%CI=0.83,0.95; p-trend=0.0009), and anthocyanins (RR 0.91;95%CI=0.85,0.98; p-trend=0.002) comparing extreme intakes. The results remained significant after additional adjustment for a composite dietary intake score. In analyses stratified by age, a higher intake of flavanones, anthocyanins and flavones was significantlyassociated with a reduction in risk of erectile dysfunction only in men <70 years old and not older men (11-16% reduction in risk (p - interaction 0.002, 0.03, 0.007 for flavones, flavanones and anthocyanins respectively). In food-based analysis, higher total fruit intake, major sources of anthocyanins and flavanones, was associated with 14% reduction in risk of ED (RR 0.86;95%CI=0.79,0.92; p=0.002).The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition AJCN/2015/122010 Version 3.    Conclusions : These data suggest that a higher habitual intake of specific 24 flavonoid-rich foods are associated with reduced ED incidence. Intervention trials are needed to further examine the impact of increasing intakes of commonly consumed flavonoid-rich foods on men’s health

Tannakian approach to linear differential algebraic groups

Tannaka's Theorem states that a linear algebraic group G is determined by the category of finite dimensional G-modules and the forgetful functor. We extend this result to linear differential algebraic groups by introducing a category corresponding to their representations and show how this category determines such a group.Comment: 31 pages; corrected misprint

In-vivo magnetic resonance imaging of hyperpolarized silicon particles

Silicon-based micro and nanoparticles have gained popularity in a wide range of biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability in-vivo, as well as a flexible surface chemistry, which allows drug loading, functionalization and targeting. Here we report direct in-vivo imaging of hyperpolarized 29Si nuclei in silicon microparticles by MRI. Natural physical properties of silicon provide surface electronic states for dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), extremely long depolarization times, insensitivity to the in-vivo environment or particle tumbling, and surfaces favorable for functionalization. Potential applications to gastrointestinal, intravascular, and tumor perfusion imaging at sub-picomolar concentrations are presented. These results demonstrate a new background-free imaging modality applicable to a range of inexpensive, readily available, and biocompatible Si particles.Comment: Supplemental Material include

Solar wind radiation damage effects in lunar material

The research on solar wind radiation damage and other effects in lunar samples which was conducted to understand the optical properties of lunar materials is reported. Papers presented include: solar radiation effects in lunar samples, albedo of the moon, radiation effects in lunar crystalline rocks, valence states of 3rd transition elements in Apollo 11 and 12 rocks, and trace ferric iron in lunar and meteoritic titanaugites

The development and evaluation of a speciality hand knitting yarn using appropriate technology for the empowerment of women in rural India.

The study is based on developing a speciality hand knitting yarn using silk remnants collected from sari weaving handlooms in Vellanchery village, South India. The research was built upon observations in the village designed to identify an appropriate method for the manufacture of yarn that would be acceptable for the unpaid female labour in the handloom sector. The initial field study lead to more sustainable methods of production and quality analysis of the resultant yarn. The speciality yarn was tested against five market available hand knitting yarns, which were similar in terms of visual effect and handle. The objective measurements of the yarn were triangulated with subjective data to provide a complete quality analysis. Finally, a branding strategy was developed for labelling and packaging. The aim of this paper is the identification and proving of the appropriate technology and thorough evaluation of the properties of the yarn and fabric

Dietary flavonoid intake and weight maintenance: three prospective cohorts of 124,086 US men and women followed for up to 24 years

Objective: To examine whether dietary intake of specific flavonoid sub-classes is associated with weight change over time, including flavonols, flavones, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins, and flavonoid polymers. Design: Three prospective cohort studies. Setting: Health professionals in the United States. Participants: 124,086 men and women participating in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS), Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), and Nurses’ Health Study II (NHS II). Main outcome measure: Self-reported change in weight over multiple 4-year time intervals between 1986 and 2011. Results: Increased consumption of most flavonoid sub-classes, including flavonols, flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins, and flavonoid polymers was inversely associated with weight change over 4-year time intervals, after adjustment for simultaneous changes in other lifestyle factors including other aspects of diet, smoking status, and physical activity. In the pooled results, the greatest magnitude of association was observed for anthocyanins (-0.22 lbs, 95% CI -0.30 to -0.15 lbs per additional SD/day, 10 mg), flavonoid polymers (-0.18 lbs, 95% CI -0.28 to -0.08 lbs per additional SD/day, 138 mg), and flavonols (-0.16 lbs, 95% CI -0.26 to -0.06 lbs per additional SD/day, 7 mg). After additional adjustment for fiber intake associations remained significant for anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and total flavonoid polymers but were attenuated and no longer statistically significant for other sub-classes. Conclusions: Higher intake of foods rich in flavonols, flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins, and flavonoid polymers, may contribute to weight maintenance in adulthood, and may help to refine dietary recommendations for the prevention of obesity and its potential sequelae

Relaxation Design of Separable Tube Connectors

Design procedure to predict relaxation or time to leakage for separable tube connector

A trap-based pulsed positron beam optimised for positronium laser spectroscopy

We describe a pulsed positron beam that is optimised for positronium (Ps) laser-spectroscopy experiments. The system is based on a two-stage Surko-type buffer gas trap that produces 4 ns wide pulses containing up to 5 × 105 positrons at a rate of 0.5-10 Hz. By implanting positrons from the trap into a suitable target material, a dilute positronium gas with an initial density of the order of 107 cm−3 is created in vacuum. This is then probed with pulsed (ns) laser systems, where various Ps-laser interactions have been observed via changes in Ps annihilation rates using a fast gamma ray detector. We demonstrate the capabilities of the apparatus and detection methodology via the observation of Rydberg positronium atoms with principal quantum numbers ranging from 11 to 22 and the Stark broadening of the n = 2 → 11 transition in electric fields