1,278 research outputs found
First observation of bright solitons in bulk superfluid He-4
The existence of bright solitons in bulk superfluid He-4 is demonstrated by
time-resolved shadowgraph i maging experiments and density functional theory
(DFT) calculations. The initial liquid compression that leads to the creation
of non-linear waves is produced by rapidly expanding plasma from laser
ablation. Af ter the leading dissipative period, these waves transform into
bright solitons, which exhibit three chara cteristic features: dispersionless
propagation, negligible interaction in two-wave collision, and direct
dependence between soliton amplitude and the propagation velocity. The
experimental observations are supp orted by DFT calculations, which show rapid
evolution of the initially compressed liquid into bright soli tons. At high
amplitudes, solitons become unstable and break down into dispersive shock
waves.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures (accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Lett.
Reframing the Independence v. Accountability Debate: Defining Judicial Structure in Light of Judges\u27 Courage and Integrity
The perennial debate over striking the right balance between judicial independence and judicial accountability largely misses the mark. The tension between these concepts arises only in the structural sense of the terms, i.e. the conflict lies in the structural approaches traditionally taken to protect independence and to enforce accountability. In actuality, our primary concern should be the judge\u27s own sense of independence and her internal sense of accountability. These more subjective concepts--which may be termed “judicial courage” (for the judge who is willing to act independently) and “judicial integrity” (for the judge who is willing to hold herself accountable)--do not conflict with each other and therefore need not be balanced. The structural protections (to insulate judges from outside influence) and the accountability mechanisms (to police judicial misconduct) are still important, but these structures should be considered in terms of their impact on judges\u27 exercise of courage and integrity. Given cultural and personal differences in judges, however, the optimal structural prescription is highly variable. This Article demonstrates how the proper balance depends on the judicial culture and the judges already in the system, illustrating through a graphical analysis how to craft a system-specific approach to such policy questions. The analysis also yields a caution that any attempt to impose a one-size-fits-all solution for protecting independence while promoting accountability may well do more harm than good
The Impact of Obergefell: Tradition Marriage\u27s New Lease on Life
The Supreme Court\u27s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in June 2015 provided a dramatic turn in America\u27s ongoing debate over same-sex marriage. Justice Kennedy\u27s opinion speaks in emotionally evocative terms about the compelling societal and personal significance of marriage, holding that the right to marry is a fundamental right under the Fourteenth Amendment, a right that extends to same-sex couples. Justice Kennedy\u27s rhetoric about the importance of marriage is noteworthy, even curious, given marriage\u27s steady decline over the past 50 years. Just when it seemed that marriage was losing its significance in our society-because marriages are more easily ended, because alternatives to marriage have been created, and because fewer and fewer couples are choosing to formalize their relationships with marriage in the first place.
But Justice Kennedy\u27s opinion strongly reinforces the idea that marriage remains relevant today, that it is something to be encouraged, revered, and protected. The proliferation of alternatives to marriage in recent years-e.g. civil unions, domestic partnerships and designated beneficiaries-has certainly contributed to the ongoing erosion of marriage as a meaningful legal institution, but because these options were created mostly to accommodate same-sex couples, who now have full access to marriage, one might argue that they are no longer needed. Clarity in the law will benefit from a return to bright-line rules, where nothing less than marriage itself qualifies individuals to enjoy and claim (1) legal status as a couple, gay or straight, and (2) the benefits that come with such recognition. At the same time, this would better serve the state\u27s stated interest in promoting the security and stability of family relationships. Defenders of traditional marriage, or, those who believe that marriage is or should be meaningful, should seize the opening that Justice Kennedy\u27s opinion has given them, and breathe new life into the institution of marriage by lobbying to eliminate its alternatives. In this sense, the Obergefell decision may not signal traditional marriage\u27s demise as much as its rebirth, in an incarnation that is at once more inclusive and more robust
Constitutional Concepts for the Rule of Law: A Vision for the Post-Monarchy Judiciary in Nepal
A new government has taken power in Nepal. Intent on replacing the monarchical Hindu state with a secular democracy, it has promised a new constitution. Although the Nepali government is currently operating under an Interim Constitution, it remains to be seen what the post-monarchy judiciary will look like. Those involved in the drafting should pay careful attention to how specific provisions for court governance will impact both institutional and decisional judicial independence. The Interim Constitution calls for a judicial council but not a sufficiently independent one. The Interim Constitution also allows broad exercise of emergency powers, depriving the courts of jurisdiction over the legality or constitutionality of such exercises-a particularly disturbing flaw given the history of abuse of emergency powers in Nepal. These, along with an array of other concerns that otherwise threaten to undermine the independence and effectiveness of the third branch of government in Nepal, can and should be corrected in the new constitution. This Article sets forth those concerns and suggests solutions for each. Nepal\u27s prospects for the rule of law may depend on how well the new constitution\u27s drafters follow this punch-list of issues and principles as they establish the constitutional framework for the new Nepali judiciary
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