Incomplete beta-function expansions of the solutions to the confluent Heun equation

Several expansions of the solutions to the confluent Heun equation in terms of incomplete Beta functions are constructed. A new type of expansion involving certain combinations of the incomplete Beta functions as expansion functions is introduced. The necessary and sufficient conditions when the derived expansions are terminated, thus generating closed-form solutions, are discussed. It is shown that termination of a Beta-function series solution always leads to a solution that is necessarily an elementary function

Exact solutions of the sextic oscillator from the bi-confluent Heun equation

In this paper, the sextic oscillator is discussed as a potential obtained from the biconfluent Heun equation after a suitable variable transformation. Following earlier results, the solutions of this differential equation are expressed as a series expansion of Hermite functions with shifted and scaled arguments. The expansion coefficients are obtained from a three-term recurrence relation. It is shown that this construction leads to the known quasi-exactly solvable (QES) form of the sextic oscillator when some parameters are chosen in a specific way. By forcing the termination of the recurrence relation, the Hermite functions turn into Hermite polynomials with shifted arguments, and, at the same time, a polynomial expression is obtained for one of the parameters, the roots of which supply the energy eigenvalues. With the delta = 0 choice the quartic potential term is canceled, leading to the reduced sextic oscillator. It was found that the expressions for the energy eigenvalues and the corresponding wave functions of this potential agree with those obtained from the QES formalism. Possible generalizations of the method are also presented

Landau-Zener Problem for Trilinear Hamiltonians

We consider a nonlinear version of the Landau-Zener problem, focusing on photoassociation of a Bose-Einstein condensate as a specific example. Contrary to the exponential rate dependence obtained for the linear problem, a series expansion technique indicates that, when the resonance is crossed slowly, the probability for failure of adiabaticity is directly proportional to the rate at which the resonance is crossed.Comment: 4.5 pages, 1 figure, transferred to PRA; v2 adds discussion, clarification, and explicit numbers for Na and 87R

Strong-coupling limit in cold-molecule formation via photoassociation or Feshbach resonance through Nikitin exponential resonance crossing

The strong-coupling limit of molecule formation in an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate via two-mode one-color photoassociation or sweep across a Feshbach resonance is examined using a basic nonlinear time-dependent two-state model. For the general class of term-crossing models with constant coupling, a common strategy for attacking the problem is developed based on the reduction of the initial system of semiclassical equations for atom-molecule amplitudes to a third order nonlinear differential equation for the molecular state probability. This equation provides deriving exact solution for a class of periodic level-crossing models. These models reveal much in common with the Rabi problem. Discussing the strong-coupling limit for the general case of variable detuning, the equation is further truncated to a limit first-order nonlinear equation. Using this equation, the strong nonlinearity regime for the first Nikitin exponential-crossing model is analyzed and accurate asymptotic expressions for the nonlinear transition probability to the molecular state are derived. It is shown that, because of a finite final detuning involved, this model displays essential deviations from the Landau-Zener behavior. In particular, it is shown that in the limit of strong coupling the final conversion probability tends to 1/6. Thus, in this case the strong interaction limit is not optimal for molecule formation. We have found that if optimal field intensity is applied the molecular probability is increased up to 1/4 (i.e., the half of the initial atomic population)

In COVID-19 Health Messaging, Loss Framing Increases Anxiety with Little-to-No Concomitant Benefits: Experimental Evidence from 84 Countries

The COVID-19 pandemic (and its aftermath) highlights a critical need to communicate health information effectively to the global public. Given that subtle differences in information framing can have meaningful effects on behavior, behavioral science research highlights a pressing question: Is it more effective to frame COVID-19 health messages in terms of potential losses (e.g., "If you do not practice these steps, you can endanger yourself and others") or potential gains (e.g., "If you practice these steps, you can protect yourself and others")? Collecting data in 48 languages from 15,929 participants in 84 countries, we experimentally tested the effects of message framing on COVID-19-related judgments, intentions, and feelings. Loss- (vs. gain-) framed messages increased self-reported anxiety among participants cross-nationally with little-to-no impact on policy attitudes, behavioral intentions, or information seeking relevant to pandemic risks. These results were consistent across 84 countries, three variations of the message framing wording, and 560 data processing and analytic choices. Thus, results provide an empirical answer to a global communication question and highlight the emotional toll of loss-framed messages. Critically, this work demonstrates the importance of considering unintended affective consequences when evaluating nudge-style interventions

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased negative emotions and decreased positive emotions globally. Left unchecked, these emotional changes might have a wide array of adverse impacts. To reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions, we tested the effectiveness of reappraisal, an emotion-regulation strategy that modifies how one thinks about a situation. Participants from 87 countries and regions (n = 21,644) were randomly assigned to one of two brief reappraisal interventions (reconstrual or repurposing) or one of two control conditions (active or passive). Results revealed that both reappraisal interventions (vesus both control conditions) consistently reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions across different measures. Reconstrual and repurposing interventions had similar effects. Importantly, planned exploratory analyses indicated that reappraisal interventions did not reduce intentions to practice preventive health behaviours. The findings demonstrate the viability of creating scalable, low-cost interventions for use around the world