Statistical Mechanics of finite arrays of coupled bistable elements

We discuss the equilibrium of a single collective variable characterizing a finite set of coupled, noisy, bistable systems as the noise strength, the size and the coupling parameter are varied. We identify distinct regions in parameter space. The results obtained in prior works in the asymptotic infinite size limit are significantly different from the finite size results. A procedure to construct approximate 1-dimensional Langevin equation is adopted. This equation provides a useful tool to understand the collective behavior even in the presence of an external driving force

Vacuum fluctuations and the conditional homodyne detection of squeezed light

Conditional homodyne detection of quadrature squeezing is compared with standard nonconditional detection. Whereas the latter identifies nonclassicality in a quantitative way, as a reduction of the noise power below the shot noise level, conditional detection makes a qualitative distinction between vacuum state squeezing and squeezed classical noise. Implications of this comparison for the realistic interpretation of vacuum fluctuations (stochastic electrodynamics) are discussed.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, to appear in J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Op

Immune Polarization in Allergic Patients: Role of the Innate Immune System

Allergens come into contact with the immune system as components of a very diverse mixture. The most common sources are pollen grains, food, and waste. These sources contain a variety of immunomodulatory components that play a key role in the induction of allergic sensitization. The way allergen molecules bind to the cells of the immune system can determine the immune response. In order to better understand how allergic sensitization is triggered, we review the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of allergy and the role of immunomodulators in allergen recognition by innate cells

SiC JFET/P-MOSFET cascode for SSCB and inrush current limiter in 300V DC power systems

This work presents a solid-state distribution and protection switch based on the SiC JFET/P-MOSFET cascode structure. The concept is aimed for 300V applications, but it can be adapted easily to other voltages. Detailed circuit design and simulation is discussed, as well as the potential application in 300V bus voltage satellite

Numerical approximation of a one-dimensional elliptic optimal design problem

We address the numerical approximation by finite-element methods of an optimal design problem for a two phase material in one space dimension. This problem, in the continuous setting, due to high frequency oscillations, often does not have a classical solution, and a relaxed formulation is needed to ensure existence. On the contrary, the discrete versions obtained by numerical approximation have a solution. In this article we prove the convergence of the discretizations and obtain convergence rates. We also show a faster convergence when the relaxed version of the continuous problem is taken into account when building the discretization strategy. In particular it is worth emphasizing that, even when the original problem has a classical solution so that relaxation is not necessary, numerical algorithms converge faster when implemented on the relaxed version

Linking tourism, retirement migration and social capital

A general trend in the study of international retirement migration has been the increased attention paid to the social contacts and network connections of the migrants in both the destination and the origin areas. These studies have examined the extent to which migrants build social relationships with their neighbours and the host society while also maintaining social links with their countries of origin, addressing the central role that leisure travel plays in sustaining increasingly dispersed social networks and maintaining the social capital of these networks and of the individuals involved in them. Using a case study approach to examine British retirement migration to Spain, we explore the relevance of transnational social networks in the context of international retirement migration, particularly the intensity of bidirectional visiting friends and relatives (VFR) tourism flows and the migrants' social contacts with friends and/or family back in their home country. Building on the concept of social capital and Putnam's distinction between bonding and bridging social capital, we propose a framework for the analysis of the migrants' international social networks. The results of a study conducted based on a sample of 365 British retirees living in the coast of Alicante (Spain) show both the strength of the retirees' international bonding social capital and the role of 'VFR's travel and communication technologies in sustaining the migrants' transnational social practices and, ultimately, their international bonding social capital. It also provides evidence for the reinforcing links between tourism-related mobility and amenity-seeking migration in later life. © 2013 © 2013 Taylor & Francis

Mobility and stochastic resonance in spatially inhomogeneous system

The mobility of an overdamped particle, in a periodic potential tilted by a constant external field and moving in a medium with periodic friction coefficient is examined. When the potential and the friction coefficient have the same periodicity but have a phase difference, the mobility shows many interesting features as a function of the applied force, the temperature, etc. The mobility shows stochastic resonance even for constant applied force, an issue of much recent interest. The mobility also exhibits a resonance like phenomenon as a function of the field strength and noise induced slowing down of the particle in an appropriate parameter regime.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev.