432 research outputs found
Spiral phases and two-particle bound states from a systematic low-energy effective theory for magnons, electrons, and holes in an antiferromagnet
We have constructed a systematic low-energy effective theory for hole- and
electron-doped antiferromagnets, where holes reside in momentum space pockets
centered at and where electrons live in
pockets centered at or . The effective
theory is used to investigate the magnon-mediated binding between two holes or
two electrons in an otherwise undoped system. We derive the one-magnon exchange
potential from the effective theory and then solve the corresponding
two-quasiparticle Schr\"odinger equation. As a result, we find bound state wave
functions that resemble -like or -like symmetry. We also
study possible ground states of lightly doped antiferromagnets.Comment: 2 Pages; Proc. of SCES'07, Housto
Magnon-mediated binding between holes in an antiferromagnet
Abstract.: The long-range forces between holes in an antiferromagnet are due to magnon exchange. The one-magnon exchange potential between two holes is proportional to cos(2 ϕ)/r 2 where r is the distance vector of the holes and ϕ is the angle between r and an axis of the square crystal lattice. One-magnon exchange leads to bound states of holes with antiparallel spins resembling d-wave symmetr
Systematic Low-Energy Effective Field Theory for Electron-Doped Antiferromagnets
In contrast to hole-doped systems which have hole pockets centered at , in lightly electron-doped antiferromagnets
the charged quasiparticles reside in momentum space pockets centered at
or . This has important consequences for
the corresponding low-energy effective field theory of magnons and electrons
which is constructed in this paper. In particular, in contrast to the
hole-doped case, the magnon-mediated forces between two electrons depend on the
total momentum of the pair. For the one-magnon exchange
potential between two electrons at distance is proportional to ,
while in the hole case it has a dependence. The effective theory
predicts that spiral phases are absent in electron-doped antiferromagnets.Comment: 25 pages, 7 figure
Two-Hole Bound States from a Systematic Low-Energy Effective Field Theory for Magnons and Holes in an Antiferromagnet
Identifying the correct low-energy effective theory for magnons and holes in
an antiferromagnet has remained an open problem for a long time. In analogy to
the effective theory for pions and nucleons in QCD, based on a symmetry
analysis of Hubbard and t-J-type models, we construct a systematic low-energy
effective field theory for magnons and holes located inside pockets centered at
lattice momenta (\pm pi/2a,\pm pi/2a). The effective theory is based on a
nonlinear realization of the spontaneously broken spin symmetry and makes
model-independent universal predictions for the entire class of lightly doped
antiferromagnetic precursors of high-temperature superconductors. The
predictions of the effective theory are exact, order by order in a systematic
low-energy expansion. We derive the one-magnon exchange potentials between two
holes in an otherwise undoped system. Remarkably, in some cases the
corresponding two-hole Schr\"odinger equations can even be solved analytically.
The resulting bound states have d-wave characteristics. The ground state wave
function of two holes residing in different hole pockets has a d_{x^2-y^2}-like
symmetry, while for two holes in the same pocket the symmetry resembles d_{xy}.Comment: 35 pages, 11 figure
Homogeneous versus Spiral Phases of Hole-doped Antiferromagnets: A Systematic Effective Field Theory Investigation
Using the low-energy effective field theory for magnons and holes -- the
condensed matter analog of baryon chiral perturbation theory for pions and
nucleons in QCD -- we study different phases of doped antiferromagnets. We
systematically investigate configurations of the staggered magnetization that
provide a constant background field for doped holes. The most general
configuration of this type is either constant itself or it represents a spiral
in the staggered magnetization. Depending on the values of the low-energy
parameters, a homogeneous phase, a spiral phase, or an inhomogeneous phase is
energetically favored. The reduction of the staggered magnetization upon doping
is also investigated.Comment: 35 pages, 5 figure
Surveillance for European bat lyssavirus in Swiss bats
Most countries in Western Europe are currently free of rabies in terrestrial mammals. Nevertheless, rabies remains a residual risk to public health due to the natural circulation of bat-specific viruses, such as European bat lyssaviruses (EBLVs). European bat lyssavirus types 1 and 2 (EBLV-1 and EBLV-2) are widely distributed throughout Europe, but little is known of their true prevalence and epidemiology. We report that only three out of 837 brains taken from bats submitted to the Swiss Rabies Centre between 1976 and 2009 were found by immunofluorescence (FAT) to be positive for EBLVs. All three positive cases were in Myotis daubentoni, from 1992, 1993 and 2002. In addition to this passive surveillance, we undertook a targeted survey in 2009, aimed at detecting lyssaviruses in live bats in Switzerland. A total of 237 bats of the species M. daubentoni, Myotis myotis, Eptesicus serotinus and Nyctalus noctula were captured at different sites in western Switzerland. Oropharyngeal swabs and blood from each individual were analysed by RT-PCR and rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT), respectively. RNA corresponding to EBLV-2 was detected from oropharyngeal swabs of a single M. daubentoni bat, but no infectious virus was found. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that the corresponding sequence was closely related to the other EBLV-2 sequences identified in previous rabies isolates from Swiss bats (particularly to that found at Geneva in 2002). Three M. daubentoni bats were found to be seropositive by RFFIT. In conclusion, even though the prevalence is low in Switzerland, continuous management and surveillance are required to assess the potential risk to public healt
Putting the cart before the horse? The origin of information donation
Heintz & Scott-Phillips propose that the partner choice ecology of our ancestors required Gricean cognitive pragmatics for reputation management, which caused a tendency toward showing and expecting prosociality that subsequently scaffolded language evolution. Here, we suggest a cognitively leaner explanation that is more consistent with comparative data and posits that prosociality and eventually language evolved along with cooperative breeding
A convergent interaction engine: vocal communication among marmoset monkeys
To understand the primate origins of the human interaction engine, it is worthwhile to focus not only on great apes but also on callitrichid monkeys (marmosets and tamarins). Like humans, but unlike great apes, callitrichids are cooperative breeders, and thus habitually engage in coordinated joint actions, for instance when an infant is handed over from one group member to another. We first explore the hypothesis that these habitual cooperative interactions, the marmoset interactional ethology, are supported by the same key elements as found in the human interaction engine: mutual gaze (during joint action), turn-taking, volubility, as well as group-wide prosociality and trust. Marmosets show clear evidence of these features. We next examine the prediction that, if such an interaction engine can indeed give rise to more flexible communication, callitrichids may also possess elaborate communicative skills. A review of marmoset vocal communication confirms unusual abilities in these small primates: high volubility and large vocal repertoires, vocal learning and babbling in immatures, and voluntary usage and control. We end by discussing how the adoption of cooperative breeding during human evolution may have catalysed language evolution by adding these convergent consequences to the great ape-like cognitive system of our hominin ancestors.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Revisiting the human ‘interaction engine’: comparative approaches to social action coordination’
Pit picking vs. Limberg flap vs. primary open method to treat pilonidal sinus disease - A cohort of 327 consecutive patients.
Background
Minimally invasive methods in pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) surgery are becoming standard. Although long-term results are available for some techniques, long-term outcome data of patients after pit picking is lacking. We aimed at investigating perioperative and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing pit picking, Limberg flap or primary open surgery to treat PSD.
Methods
In a single-centre observational study, we evaluated the outcomes of 327 consecutive patients undergoing PSD surgery between 2011 and 2020.
Results
PSD had recurred in 22% of Limberg flap patients and 62% of pit picking patients at 5 years (p=0.0078; log rank test). Previous pilonidal surgeries, smoking, body mass index, immunodeficiency, and diabetes did not significantly influence the long-term recurrence rate. Primary open treatment was performed for 72% of female patients presenting with primary disease.
Conclusions
Due to its especially dismal long-term results, pit picking should be abandoned, and Limberg flap should be promoted instead, even for primary disease and in females
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