2,036 research outputs found
Multilevel blocking approach to the fermion sign problem in path-integral Monte Carlo simulations
A general algorithm toward the solution of the fermion sign problem in
finite-temperature quantum Monte Carlo simulations has been formulated for
discretized fermion path integrals with nearest-neighbor interactions in the
Trotter direction. This multilevel approach systematically implements a simple
blocking strategy in a recursive manner to synthesize the sign cancellations
among different fermionic paths throughout the whole configuration space. The
practical usefulness of the method is demonstrated for interacting electrons in
a quantum dot.Comment: 4 pages RevTeX, incl. two figure
Crossover from Fermi liquid to Wigner molecule behavior in quantum dots
The crossover from weak to strong correlations in parabolic quantum dots at
zero magnetic field is studied by numerically exact path-integral Monte Carlo
simulations for up to eight electrons. By the use of a multilevel blocking
algorithm, the simulations are carried out free of the fermion sign problem. We
obtain a universal crossover only governed by the density parameter . For
, the data are consistent with a Wigner molecule description, while
for , Fermi liquid behavior is recovered. The crossover value is surprisingly small.Comment: 4 pages RevTeX, 3 figures, corrected Tabl
Hard X-ray emission from the galaxy cluster A3667
We report the results of a long BeppoSAX observation of Abell 3667, one of
the most spectacular galaxy cluster in the southern sky. A clear detection of
hard X-ray radiation up to ~ 35 keV is reported, while a hard excess above the
thermal gas emission is present at a marginal level that should be considered
as an upper limit to the presence of nonthermal radiation. The strong hard
excesses reported by BeppoSAX in Coma and A2256 and the only marginal detection
of nonthermal emission in A3667 can be explained in the framework of the
inverse Compton model. We argue that the nonthermal X-ray detections in the PDS
energy range are related to the radio index structure of halos and relics
present in the observed clusters of galaxie.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figure, ApJL in pres
The Muonium Atom as a Probe of Physics beyond the Standard Model
The observed interactions between particles are not fully explained in the
successful theoretical description of the standard model to date. Due to the
close confinement of the bound state muonium () can be used as
an ideal probe of quantum electrodynamics and weak interaction and also for a
search for additional interactions between leptons. Of special interest is the
lepton number violating process of sponteanous conversion of muonium to
antimuonium.Comment: 15 pages,6 figure
CPT and Lorentz tests with muons
Precision experiments with muons are sensitive to Planck-scale CPT and
Lorentz violation that is undetectable in other tests. Existing data on the
muonium ground-state hyperfine structure and on the muon anomalous magnetic
moment could be analyzed to provide dimensionless figures of merit for CPT and
Lorentz violation at the levels of and .Comment: 4 pages, accepted for publication in Physical Review Letter
Threat-sensitive anti-predator defence in precocial wader, the northern lapwing Vanellus vanellus
Birds exhibit various forms of anti-predator behaviours to avoid reproductive failure, with mobbing—observation, approach and usually harassment of a predator—being one of the most commonly observed. Here, we investigate patterns of temporal variation in the mobbing response exhibited by a precocial species, the northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus). We test whether brood age and self-reliance, or the perceived risk posed by various predators, affect mobbing response of lapwings. We quantified aggressive interactions between lapwings and their natural avian predators and used generalized additive models to test how timing and predator species identity are related to the mobbing response of lapwings. Lapwings diversified mobbing response within the breeding season and depending on predator species. Raven Corvus corax, hooded crow Corvus cornix and harriers evoked the strongest response, while common buzzard Buteo buteo, white stork Ciconia ciconia, black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus and rook Corvus frugilegus were less frequently attacked. Lapwings increased their mobbing response against raven, common buzzard, white stork and rook throughout the breeding season, while defence against hooded crow, harriers and black-headed gull did not exhibit clear temporal patterns. Mobbing behaviour of lapwings apparently constitutes a flexible anti-predator strategy. The anti-predator response depends on predator species, which may suggest that lapwings distinguish between predator types and match mobbing response to the perceived hazard at different stages of the breeding cycle. We conclude that a single species may exhibit various patterns of temporal variation in anti-predator defence, which may correspond with various hypotheses derived from parental investment theory
Extragalactic Radio Continuum Surveys and the Transformation of Radio Astronomy
Next-generation radio surveys are about to transform radio astronomy by
discovering and studying tens of millions of previously unknown radio sources.
These surveys will provide new insights to understand the evolution of
galaxies, measuring the evolution of the cosmic star formation rate, and
rivalling traditional techniques in the measurement of fundamental cosmological
parameters. By observing a new volume of observational parameter space, they
are also likely to discover unexpected new phenomena. This review traces the
evolution of extragalactic radio continuum surveys from the earliest days of
radio astronomy to the present, and identifies the challenges that must be
overcome to achieve this transformational change.Comment: To be published in Nature Astronomy 18 Sept 201
Bilateral myositis ossificans of the masseter muscle after chemoradiotherapy and critical illness neuropathy- report of a rare entity and review of literature
Myositis ossificans in the head and neck is a rare heterotropic bone formation within a muscle. Besides fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, traumatic and neurogenic forms are described in the literature
Autism diagnosis differentiates neurophysiological responses to faces in adults with tuberous sclerosis complex
- Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common and highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorder that is likely to be the outcome of complex aetiological mechanisms. One strategy to provide insight is to study ASD within tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a rare disorder with a high incidence of ASD, but for which the genetic cause is determined. Individuals with ASD consistently demonstrate face processing impairments, but these have not been examined in adults with TSC using event-related potentials (ERPs) that are able to capture distinct temporal stages of processing.
- Methods: For adults with TSC (n = 14), 6 of which had a diagnosis of ASD, and control adults (n = 13) passively viewed upright and inverted human faces with direct or averted gaze, with concurrent EEG recording. Amplitude and latency of the P1 and N170 ERPs were measured.
- Results: Individuals with TSC + ASD exhibited longer N170 latencies to faces compared to typical adults. Typical adults and adults with TSC-only exhibited longer N170 latency to inverted versus upright faces, whereas individuals with TSC + ASD did not show latency differences according to face orientation. In addition, individuals with TSC + ASD showed increased N170 latency to averted compared to direct gaze, which was not demonstrated in typical adults. A reduced lateralization was shown for the TSC + ASD groups on P1 and N170 amplitude.
- Conclusions: The findings suggest that individuals with TSC + ASD may have similar electrophysiological abnormalities to idiopathic ASD and are suggestive of developmental delay. Identifying brain-based markers of ASD that are similar in TSC and idiopathic cases is likely to help elucidate the risk pathways to ASD
Homozygous microdeletion of exon 5 in ZNF277 in a girl with specific language impairment
Peer reviewedPublisher PD
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