Comparing the generalized Kadanoff-Baym ansatz with the full Kadanoff-Baym equations for an excitonic insulator out of equilibrium

We investigate out-of-equilibrium dynamics in an excitonic insulator (EI) with a finite-momentum pairing perturbed by a laser-pulse excitation and a sudden coupling to fermionic baths. The transient dynamics of the excitonic order parameter is resolved using the full nonequilibrium Green's function approach and the generalized Kadanoff-Baym ansatz (GKBA) within the second-order Born approximation. The comparison between the two approaches after a laser-pulse excitation shows a good agreement in the weak and the intermediate photodoping regime. In contrast, the laser-pulse dynamics resolved by the GKBA does not show a complete melting of the excitonic order after a strong excitation. Instead we observe persistent oscillations of the excitonic order parameter with a predominant frequency given by the renormalized equilibrium band gap. This anomalous behavior can be overcome within the GKBA formalism by coupling to an external bath, which leads to a transition of the EI system toward the normal state. We analyze the long-time evolution of the system and distinguish decay timescales related to dephasing and thermalization

Ultrafast Electronic Band Gap Control in an Excitonic Insulator

We report on the nonequilibrium dynamics of the electronic structure of the layered semiconductor Ta2NiSe5 investigated by time- and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. We show that below the critical excitation density of FC=0.2 mJ cm-2, the band gap narrows transiently, while it is enhanced above FC. Hartree-Fock calculations reveal that this effect can be explained by the presence of the low-temperature excitonic insulator phase of Ta2NiSe5, whose order parameter is connected to the gap size. This work demonstrates the ability to manipulate the band gap of Ta2NiSe5 with light on the femtosecond time scale

Effect of screening of the electron-phonon interaction on the temperature of Bose-Einstein condensation of intersite bipolarons

Here we consider an interacting electron-phonon system within the framework of extended Holstein-Hubbard model at strong enough electron-phonon interaction limit in which (bi)polarons are the essential quasiparticles of the system. It is assumed that the electron-phonon interaction is screened and its potential has Yukawa-type analytical form. An effect of screening of the electron-phonon interaction on the temperature of Bose-Einstein condensation of the intersite bipolarons is studied for the first time. It is revealed that the temperature of Bose-Einstein condensation of intersite bipolarons is higher in the system with the more screened electron-phonon interaction.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Phonon distributions of a single bath mode coupled to a quantum dot

The properties of an unconventional, single mode phonon bath coupled to a quantum dot, are investigated within the rotating wave approximation. The electron current through the dot induces an out of equilibrium bath, with a phonon distribution qualitatively different from the thermal one. In selected transport regimes, such a distribution is characterized by a peculiar selective population of few phonon modes and can exhibit a sub-Poissonian behavior. It is shown that such a sub-Poissonian behavior is favored by a double occupancy of the dot. The crossover from a unequilibrated to a conventional thermal bath is explored, and the limitations of the rotating wave approximation are discussed.Comment: 21 Pages, 7 figures, to appear in New Journal of Physics - Focus on Quantum Dissipation in Unconventional Environment

Epidemiology, practice of ventilation and outcome for patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications

BACKGROUND Limited information exists about the epidemiology and outcome of surgical patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), and how intraoperative ventilation was managed in these patients. OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of surgical patients at increased risk of PPCs, and to compare the intraoperative ventilation management and postoperative outcomes with patients at low risk of PPCs. DESIGN This was a prospective international 1-week observational study using the ‘Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia risk score’ (ARISCAT score) for PPC for risk stratification. PATIENTS AND SETTING Adult patients requiring intraoperative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery in 146 hospitals across 29 countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the incidence of patients at increased risk of PPCs based on the ARISCAT score. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative ventilatory management and clinical outcomes. RESULTS A total of 9864 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The incidence of patients at increased risk was 28.4%. The most frequently chosen tidal volume (VT) size was 500 ml, or 7 to 9 ml kg1 predicted body weight, slightly lower in patients at increased risk of PPCs. Levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were slightly higher in patients at increased risk of PPCs, with 14.3% receiving more than 5 cmH2O PEEP compared with 7.6% in patients at low risk of PPCs (P < 0.001). Patients with a predicted preoperative increased risk of PPCs developed PPCs more frequently: 19 versus 7%, relative risk (RR) 3.16 (95% confidence interval 2.76 to 3.61), P < 0.001) and had longer hospital stays. The only ventilatory factor associated with the occurrence of PPCs was the peak pressure. CONCLUSION The incidence of patients with a predicted increased risk of PPCs is high. A large proportion of patients receive high VT and low PEEP levels. PPCs occur frequently in patients at increased risk, with worse clinical outcome

Epidemiology, practice of ventilation and outcome for patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications: LAS VEGAS - An observational study in 29 countries

BACKGROUND Limited information exists about the epidemiology and outcome of surgical patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), and how intraoperative ventilation was managed in these patients. OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of surgical patients at increased risk of PPCs, and to compare the intraoperative ventilation management and postoperative outcomes with patients at low risk of PPCs. DESIGN This was a prospective international 1-week observational study using the ‘Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia risk score’ (ARISCAT score) for PPC for risk stratification. PATIENTS AND SETTING Adult patients requiring intraoperative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery in 146 hospitals across 29 countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the incidence of patients at increased risk of PPCs based on the ARISCAT score. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative ventilatory management and clinical outcomes. RESULTS A total of 9864 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The incidence of patients at increased risk was 28.4%. The most frequently chosen tidal volume (V T) size was 500 ml, or 7 to 9 ml kg−1 predicted body weight, slightly lower in patients at increased risk of PPCs. Levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were slightly higher in patients at increased risk of PPCs, with 14.3% receiving more than 5 cmH2O PEEP compared with 7.6% in patients at low risk of PPCs (P ˂ 0.001). Patients with a predicted preoperative increased risk of PPCs developed PPCs more frequently: 19 versus 7%, relative risk (RR) 3.16 (95% confidence interval 2.76 to 3.61), P ˂ 0.001) and had longer hospital stays. The only ventilatory factor associated with the occurrence of PPCs was the peak pressure. CONCLUSION The incidence of patients with a predicted increased risk of PPCs is high. A large proportion of patients receive high V T and low PEEP levels. PPCs occur frequently in patients at increased risk, with worse clinical outcome.</p

Studies on the use of copepods in the semi-intensive seed production of grouper Epinephelus coioides

Previous studies by the authors have shown the feasibility of using copepods in the semi-intensive seed production of grouper Epinephelus coioides. Early-stage E. coioides larvae preferred to ingest copepod nauplii over rotifers, although their abundance is relatively low. Higher growth and survival were obtained in larvae provided with copepods than larvae fed with rotifers alone. In this study, the authors tested various fertilization techniques for the mass production of zooplankton in ponds. The zooplankton population increased from an initial density of 86–148 ind/L to 1,524–3,186 ind/L 9–12 days after flooding. Major zooplankton were identified as rotifers, copepods, including cyclopoid and harpacticoid spp., and cladocerans. The calanoid copepod Acartia tsuensis can be propagated in 1-ton tanks in mixed species of microalgae alone or in combination with baker’s yeast. Density of A. tsuensis increased from 60 ind/L at stocking to about 900 ind/L 3–5 days thereafter. A prototype collector for copepod eggs and nauplii was tested. The average daily numbers of eggs and nauplii collected varied (2,300–117,600), depending on the density of copepodids and adults in the holding container (1,000–8,000 ind/10-L container). Hatching rates of collected eggs ranged from 34 to 89%. Collected eggs may be stored at low temperature (4–10°C) for up to 7 days. Duration and viability of eggs stored at low temperature were highly affected by the presence of protozoans. A. tsuensis eggs survived freezing to –20°C (0.3–1.7%) only at the cleavage stage, suggesting the feasibility of cryopreservation. Use of pond grown zooplankton, particularly the calanoid copepods, for the seed production of grouper is discussed.This study was partially funded by the Australian Center for Agricultural Research (FIS/97/73), Japan International Cooperation Agency, and Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Aquaculture Department (Nr-03-F98T and Nr-01- F2000T)

Food selection of early grouper, Epinephelus coioides, larvae reared by the semi-intensive method

The grouper, Epinephelus coioides, larvae were reared in outdoor tanks with nauplii of copepods and/or rotifers, Brachionus rotundiformis as food. Nauplii propagated in tanks consisted mainly of Pseudodiaptomus annandalei and Acartia tsuensis. Gut content was examined for a total of 953 larvae sampled from day 3 to day 10 (day of hatching being day 0) . Grouper larvae successfully started feeding on early stage nauplii even if their abundance was as low as ca. 100 ind./l and showed better survival and growth thereafter compared to those fed with rotifers only. Feeding incidence reached 100% on day 4 when nauplii were available and only on day 9 when rotifers were given alone. Selective feeding ability of larvae seemed to start from day 4 and the larvae thereafter preferred to feed on medium- and large-size nauplii than rotifers. Coastal calanoid copepods of the genera Pseudodiaptomus and Acartia could be reproduced in tanks and their nauplii can be used as food for marine fish larval rearing

Superconducting optical response of photodoped Mott insulators

Ultrafast laser pulses can redistribute charges in Mott insulators on extremely short time scales, leading to the fast generation of photocarriers. It has recently been demonstrated that these photocarriers can form a novel η-paired condensate at low temperatures, featuring a staggered superconducting pairing field. In this conference paper, we discuss the origin of the η-paired hidden phase and its optical response, which may be detected in a pump-probe experiment. The hidden phase may be relevant for possible light-induced superconductivity in Mott insulators