3,039 research outputs found
Superconducting Quantum Critical Point
We study the properties of a quantum critical point which develops in a BCS
superconductor when pair-breaking suppresses the transition temperature to
zero. The pair fluctuations are characterized by a dynamical critical exponent
z=2. Except for very low temperatures, anomalous contribution to the
conductivity is proportional to the square root of T in three dimensions, but
to 1/T in two dimensions. At lowest temperatures, the conductivity correction
varies as T to the power 1/4 in three dimensions, and as ln(1/T) in two.Comment: 3 pages, 3 Postscript figures, Late
Magic number 7 2 in networks of threshold dynamics
Information processing by random feed-forward networks consisting of units
with sigmoidal input-output response is studied by focusing on the dependence
of its outputs on the number of parallel paths M. It is found that the system
leads to a combination of on/off outputs when , while for , chaotic dynamics arises, resulting in a continuous distribution of
outputs. This universality of the critical number is explained by
combinatorial explosion, i.e., dominance of factorial over exponential
increase. Relevance of the result to the psychological magic number
is briefly discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure
Performance of networks of artificial neurons: The role of clustering
The performance of the Hopfield neural network model is numerically studied
on various complex networks, such as the Watts-Strogatz network, the
Barab{\'a}si-Albert network, and the neuronal network of the C. elegans.
Through the use of a systematic way of controlling the clustering coefficient,
with the degree of each neuron kept unchanged, we find that the networks with
the lower clustering exhibit much better performance. The results are discussed
in the practical viewpoint of application, and the biological implications are
also suggested.Comment: 4 pages, to appear in PRE as Rapid Com
Dynamic scaling regimes of collective decision making
We investigate a social system of agents faced with a binary choice. We
assume there is a correct, or beneficial, outcome of this choice. Furthermore,
we assume agents are influenced by others in making their decision, and that
the agents can obtain information that may guide them towards making a correct
decision. The dynamic model we propose is of nonequilibrium type, converging to
a final decision. We run it on random graphs and scale-free networks. On random
graphs, we find two distinct regions in terms of the "finalizing time" -- the
time until all agents have finalized their decisions. On scale-free networks on
the other hand, there does not seem to be any such distinct scaling regions
A Phenomenological Description of the Non-Fermi-Liquid Phase of MnSi
In order to understand the non-Fermi-liquid behavior of MnSi under pressure
we propose a scenario on the basis of the multispiral state of the magnetic
moment.
This state can describe the recent critical experiment of the Bragg sphere in
the neutron scattering which is the key ingredient of the non-Fermi-liquid
behavior.Comment: 3 page
Bose Glass in Large N Commensurate Dirty Boson Model
The large N commensurate dirty boson model, in both the weakly and strongly
commensurate cases, is considered via a perturbative renormalization group
treatment. In the weakly commensurate case, there exists a fixed line under RG
flow, with varying amounts of disorder along the line. Including 1/N
corrections causes the system to flow to strong disorder, indicating that the
model does not have a phase transition perturbatively connected to the Mott
Insulator-Superfluid (MI-SF) transition. I discuss the qualitative effects of
instantons on the low energy density of excitations. In the strongly
commensurate case, a fixed point found previously is considered and results are
obtained for higher moments of the correlation functions. To lowest order,
correlation functions have a log-normal distribution. Finally, I prove two
interesting theorems for large N vector models with disorder, relevant to the
problem of replica symmetry breaking and frustration in such systems.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure
On the center of mass of Ising vectors
We show that the center of mass of Ising vectors that obey some simple
constraints, is again an Ising vector.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, LaTeX; Claims in connection with disordered
systems have been withdrawn; More detailed description of the simulations;
Inset added to figure
Principles And Practices Fostering Inclusive Excellence: Lessons From The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Capstone Institutions
Best-practices pedagogy in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) aims for inclusive excellence that fosters student persistence. This paper describes principles of inclusivity across 11 primarily undergraduate institutions designated as Capstone Awardees in Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s (HHMI) 2012 competition. The Capstones represent a range of institutional missions, student profiles, and geographical locations. Each successfully directed activities toward persistence of STEM students, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups, through a set of common elements: mentoring programs to build community; research experiences to strengthen scientific skill/identity; attention to quantitative skills; and outreach/bridge programs to broaden the student pool. This paper grounds these program elements in learning theory, emphasizing their essential principles with examples of how they were implemented within institutional contexts. We also describe common assessment approaches that in many cases informed programming and created traction for stakeholder buy-in. The lessons learned from our shared experiences in pursuit of inclusive excellence, including the resources housed on our companion website, can inform others’ efforts to increase access to and persistence in STEM in higher education
Global increases in both common and rare copy number load associated with autism.
Children with autism have an elevated frequency of large, rare copy number variants (CNVs). However, the global load of deletions or duplications, per se, and their size, location and relationship to clinical manifestations of autism have not been documented. We examined CNV data from 516 individuals with autism or typical development from the population-based Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE) study. We interrogated 120 regions flanked by segmental duplications (genomic hotspots) for events >50 kbp and the entire genomic backbone for variants >300 kbp using a custom targeted DNA microarray. This analysis was complemented by a separate study of five highly dynamic hotspots associated with autism or developmental delay syndromes, using a finely tiled array platform (>1 kbp) in 142 children matched for gender and ethnicity. In both studies, a significant increase in the number of base pairs of duplication, but not deletion, was associated with autism. Significantly elevated levels of CNV load remained after the removal of rare and likely pathogenic events. Further, the entire CNV load detected with the finely tiled array was contributed by common variants. The impact of this variation was assessed by examining the correlation of clinical outcomes with CNV load. The level of personal and social skills, measured by Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, negatively correlated (Spearman's r = -0.13, P = 0.034) with the duplication CNV load for the affected children; the strongest association was found for communication (P = 0.048) and socialization (P = 0.022) scores. We propose that CNV load, predominantly increased genomic base pairs of duplication, predisposes to autism
Motor Outcomes After Neonatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke Related to Early MRI Data in a Prospective Study
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to correlate early imaging data with motor outcomes in a large, homogeneous, cohort of infants with neonatal (diagnosed before 29 days of life) arterial ischemic stroke (AIS).METHODS: From a prospective cohort of 100 children with neonatal AIS, we analyzed the MRI studies performed within the 28 first days of life for 80 infants evaluated at 2 years of age. The relationships between infarction location and corticospinal tract (CST) involvement and motor outcomes were studied RESULTS: Seventy-three infarctions involved the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. Of those, 50 were superficial infarctions, 5 deep infarctions, and 18 mixed infarctions. The CST was involved in 24 cases. Nineteen patients with MCA infarctions (26% [95% confidence interval: 16%–34%]) developed hemiplegia. Mixed infarctions (P < .0001) and CST involvement (P < .0001) were highly predictive of hemiplegia. In contrast, 88% of children with isolated superficial MCA infarctions did not exhibit impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate prediction of motor outcomes can be obtained from early MRI scans after neonatal AIS. The absence of involvement of the CST resulted in normal motor development in 94% of cases. CST involvement resulted in congenital hemiplegia in 66% of cases
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