238 research outputs found
Scalar Field Dynamics: Classical, Quantum and in Between
Using a Hartree ensemble approximation, we investigate the dynamics of the
\f^4 model in 1+1 dimensions. We find that the fields initially thermalize with
a Bose-Einstein distribution for the fields. Gradually, however, the
distribution changes towards classical equipartition. Using suitable initial
conditions quantum thermalization is achieved much faster than the onset of
this undesirable equipartition. We also show how the numerical efficiency of
our method can be significantly improved.Comment: Presented at SEWM 2000, 6 pages including figures, reference
correcte
Kinks in the Hartree approximation
The topological defects of the lambda phi^4 theory, kink and antikink, are
studied in the Hartree approximation. This allows us to discuss quantum effects
on the defects in both stationary and dynamical systems. The kink mass is
calculated for a number of parameters, and compared to classical, one loop and
Monte Carlo results known from the literature. We discuss the thermalization of
the system after a kink antikink collision. A classical result, the existence
of a critical speed, is rederived and shown for the first time in the quantum
theory. We also use kink antikink collisions as a very simple toy model for
heavy ion collisions and discuss the differences and similarities, for example
in the pressure. Finally, using the Hartree Ensemble Approximation allows us to
study kink antikink nucleation starting from a thermal (Bose Einstein)
distribution. In general our results indicate that on a qualitative level there
are few differences with the classical results, but on a quantitative level
there are some import ones.Comment: 20 pages REVTeX 4, 17 Figures. Uses amsmath.sty and subfigure.sty.
Final version, fixed typo in published versio
Tachyonic preheating using 2PI-1/N dynamics and the classical approximation
We study the process of tachyonic preheating using approximative quantum
equations of motion derived from the 2PI effective action. The O(N) scalar
(Higgs) field is assumed to experience a fast quench which is represented by an
instantaneous flip of the sign of the mass parameter. The equations of motion
are solved numerically on the lattice, and the Hartree and 1/N-NLO
approximations are compared to the classical approximation. Classical dynamics
is expected to be valid, since the occupation numbers can rise to large values
during tachyonic preheating. We find that the classical approximation performs
excellently at short and intermediate times, even for couplings in the larger
region currently allowed for the SM Higgs. This is reassuring, since all
previous numerical studies of tachyonic preheating and baryogenesis during
tachyonic preheating have used classical dynamics. We also compare different
initializations for the classical simulations.Comment: 32 pages, 21 figures. Published version: Some details added, section
added, references added, conclusions unchange
Rapid and MR-Independent IK1 activation by aldosterone during ischemia-reperfusion
In ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) context, clinical studies have shown the deleterious
effect of high aldosterone levels on ventricular arrhythmia occurrence and cardiac
mortality. Previous in vitro reports showed that during ischemia-reperfusion, aldosterone
modulates K+ currents involved in the holding of the resting membrane potential (RMP).
The aim of this study was to assess the electrophysiological impact of aldosterone on IK1
current during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. We used an in vitro model of “border zone”
using right rabbit ventricle and standard microelectrode technique followed by cell-attached
recordings from freshly isolated rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes. In microelectrode experiments,
aldosterone (10 and 100 nmol/L, n=7 respectively) increased the action potential
duration (APD) dispersion at 90% between ischemic and normoxic zones (from 95±4ms to
116±6 ms and 127±5 ms respectively, P<0.05) and reperfusion-induced sustained premature
ventricular contractions occurrence (from 2/12 to 5/7 preparations, P<0.05). Conversely,
potassium canrenoate 100 nmol/L and RU 28318 1 ÎĽmol/l alone did not affect AP
parameters and premature ventricular contractions occurrence (except Vmax which was
decreased by potassium canrenoate during simulated-ischemia). Furthermore, aldosterone
induced a RMP hyperpolarization, evoking an implication of a K+ current involved in the
holding of the RMP. Cell-attached recordings showed that aldosterone 10 nmol/L quickly
activated (within 6.2±0.4 min) a 30 pS K+-selective current, inward rectifier, with pharmacological
and biophysical properties consistent with the IK1 current (NPo =1.9±0.4 in control vs
NPo=3.0±0.4, n=10, P<0.05). These deleterious effects persisted in presence of RU 28318,
a specific MR antagonist, and were successfully prevented by potassium canrenoate, a non
specific MR antagonist, in both microelectrode and patch-clamp recordings, thus indicating
a MR-independent IK1 activation. In this ischemia-reperfusion context, aldosterone induced
rapid and MR-independent deleterious effects including an arrhythmia substrate (increased
APD90 dispersion) and triggered activities (increased premature ventricular contractions
occurrence on reperfusion) possibly related to direct IK1 activation
Étude pharmacologique et anatomo-pathologique d’un insecticide : le thiophosphate de di-éthyle et de paranitrophényle
Valade Paul, Salle J. Étude pharmacologique et anatomo-pathologique d’un insecticide : le tiopliosphate de di-éthyle et de paranitrophényle. In: Bulletin de l'Académie Vétérinaire de France tome 103 n°5, 1950. pp. 255-262
Prevalence of sarcopenia in the French senior population
Introduction A muscle mass normalized for height2 (MMI) or for body weight (SMI) below 2SD under the mean for a young population defines sarcopenia. This study aimed at setting the cutoffs and the prevalence of sarcopenia in the French elderly population. Another objective was to compare the results obtained with SMI and MMI.Methods: Muscle mass was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis in 782 healthy adults (<40 years) to determine skeletal mass index (SMI, muscle mass*100/weight) and muscle mass index (MMI, muscle mass/height2). Prevalence was estimated in 888 middle aged (40–59 years) and 218 seniors (60–78 years). All were healthy people.Results: For women mean-2SD were 6.2 kg/m2 (MMI) and 26.6% (SMI); for men limits were 8.6 kg/m2 (MMI) and 34.4% (SMI). In middle aged persons a small number of them were identified as sarcopenic. In healthy seniors, 2.8% of women and 3.6% of men were sarcopenic (MMI). The prevalence was 23.6% in women and 12.5% in men with SMI. MMI and SMI identified different sarcopenic populations, leaner subjects for MMI while fatter subjects for SMI.Conclusion: Cutoff values for the French population were defined. Prevalence of sarcopenia was different from that in the US population
Bark beetle population dynamics in the Anthropocene: Challenges and solutions
Tree-killing bark beetles are the most economically important insects in conifer forests worldwide. However, despite N200 years of research, the drivers of population eruptions and crashes are still not fully understood and the existing knowledge is thus insufficient to face the challenges posed by the Anthropocene. We critically analyze potential biotic and abiotic drivers of population dynamics of an exemplary species, the European spruce bark beetle (ESBB) (Ips typographus) and present a multivariate approach that integrates the many drivers governing this bark beetle system. We call for hypothesis-driven, large-scale collaborative research efforts to improve our understanding of the population dynamics of this and other bark beetle pests. Our approach can serve as a blueprint for tackling other eruptive forest insects
Tetrathiafulvalene-Based Architectures: From Guests Recognition to Self-Assembly
The tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) unit has been successfully used for an incredibly broad range of applications. Beyond the well-established conducting properties of the corresponding cation-radical salts, this unit has appeared as a key redox-active component for various applications supported by its remarkable redox properties: a high π-donating ability and occurrence of three stable redox states. This article reviews the main contribution of the group of Angers to this field, highlighting results obtained in terms of redox-sensing as well as efforts carried out to reach new self-assembled TTF-based architectures
Call-by-value non-determinism in a linear logic type discipline
We consider the call-by-value lambda-calculus extended with a may-convergent
non-deterministic choice and a must-convergent parallel composition. Inspired
by recent works on the relational semantics of linear logic and non-idempotent
intersection types, we endow this calculus with a type system based on the
so-called Girard's second translation of intuitionistic logic into linear
logic. We prove that a term is typable if and only if it is converging, and
that its typing tree carries enough information to give a bound on the length
of its lazy call-by-value reduction. Moreover, when the typing tree is minimal,
such a bound becomes the exact length of the reduction
Nonequilibrium time evolution of the spectral function in quantum field theory
Transport or kinetic equations are often derived assuming a quasi-particle
(on-shell) representation of the spectral function. We investigate this
assumption using a three-loop approximation of the 2PI effective action in real
time, without a gradient expansion or on-shell approximation. For a scalar
field in 1+1 dimensions the nonlinear evolution, including the integration over
memory kernels, can be solved numerically. We find that a spectral function
approximately described by a nonzero width emerges dynamically. During the
nonequilibrium time evolution the Wigner transformed spectral function is
slowly varying, even in presence of strong qualitative changes in the effective
particle distribution. These results may be used to make further analytical
progress towards a quantum Boltzmann equation including off-shell effects and a
nonzero width.Comment: 20 pages with 6 eps figures, explanation and references added; to
appear in Phys.Rev.
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