Quantum dynamics in strong fluctuating fields

A large number of multifaceted quantum transport processes in molecular systems and physical nanosystems can be treated in terms of quantum relaxation processes which couple to one or several fluctuating environments. A thermal equilibrium environment can conveniently be modelled by a thermal bath of harmonic oscillators. An archetype situation provides a two-state dissipative quantum dynamics, commonly known under the label of a spin-boson dynamics. An interesting and nontrivial physical situation emerges, however, when the quantum dynamics evolves far away from thermal equilibrium. This occurs, for example, when a charge transferring medium possesses nonequilibrium degrees of freedom, or when a strong time-dependent control field is applied externally. Accordingly, certain parameters of underlying quantum subsystem acquire stochastic character. Herein, we review the general theoretical framework which is based on the method of projector operators, yielding the quantum master equations for systems that are exposed to strong external fields. This allows one to investigate on a common basis the influence of nonequilibrium fluctuations and periodic electrical fields on quantum transport processes. Most importantly, such strong fluctuating fields induce a whole variety of nonlinear and nonequilibrium phenomena. A characteristic feature of such dynamics is the absence of thermal (quantum) detailed balance.Comment: review article, Advances in Physics (2005), in pres

Re-visiting Meltsner: Policy Advice Systems and the Multi-Dimensional Nature of Professional Policy Analysis

10.2139/ssrn.15462511-2

What prompts health care policy change? On political power contests and reform of health care systems (The case of Canada and Israel)

This article attempts to shed light on the complexity inherent in health care reform policies in the context of political power contests that trigger the changes imposed on the health care system. Rather than being solely a response to financial circumstances, as it is often claimed, we argue that these political contests lead to many of the changes in the systems. Furthermore, changes do not necessarily occur when worrying symptoms appear in the system, but rather when the contest reaches a peak and when neither side involved can emerge from the contest as winner or loser and as defender of the public interest. While in both cases fiscal problems in the health systems are usually brought up in order to justify reform, the trigger for change in Israel has been the power contest between the two main parties - the Labor Party and the Likud Party - With the Likud attempting to impair the financial basis of the former. In Canada, the power contests are between the provinces and the federal government

Reducing Anxiety and Resistance in Policy and Programme Evaluations: A Socio-Psychological Analysis

Evaluators of an organization whose programmes or policies are under evaluation frequently encounter anxiety and resistance from the evaluees. Literature abounds with suggestions for developing collaborative interactions. Few studies, if any, show circumstances where the evaluees’ need for co-operation and support transcends the inherent anxiety and resistance and triggers for the evaluees’ desire for moral support and advice. An analysis of the socio-psychological factors involved in the circumstances described in this study may shed light on how the evaluator can develop the evaluation process to enhance the collaboration with the evaluees. Here we report and analyse three case histories of such evaluations to determine the critical features of the evaluations that made them collaborative rather than conflictual. The common issues raised shed light on practices that alleviate anxiety in the evaluation process