855 research outputs found
Nonequilibrium critical dynamics of the relaxational models C and D
We investigate the critical dynamics of the -component relaxational models
C and D which incorporate the coupling of a nonconserved and conserved order
parameter S, respectively, to the conserved energy density rho, under
nonequilibrium conditions by means of the dynamical renormalization group.
Detailed balance violations can be implemented isotropically by allowing for
different effective temperatures for the heat baths coupling to the slow modes.
In the case of model D with conserved order parameter, the energy density
fluctuations can be integrated out. For model C with scalar order parameter, in
equilibrium governed by strong dynamic scaling (z_S = z_rho), we find no
genuine nonequilibrium fixed point. The nonequilibrium critical dynamics of
model C with n = 1 thus follows the behavior of other systems with nonconserved
order parameter wherein detailed balance becomes effectively restored at the
phase transition. For n >= 4, the energy density decouples from the order
parameter. However, for n = 2 and n = 3, in the weak dynamic scaling regime
(z_S <= z_rho) entire lines of genuine nonequilibrium model C fixed points
emerge to one-loop order, which are characterized by continuously varying
critical exponents. Similarly, the nonequilibrium model C with spatially
anisotropic noise and n < 4 allows for continuously varying exponents, yet with
strong dynamic scaling. Subjecting model D to anisotropic nonequilibrium
perturbations leads to genuinely different critical behavior with softening
only in subsectors of momentum space and correspondingly anisotropic scaling
exponents. Similar to the two-temperature model B the effective theory at
criticality can be cast into an equilibrium model D dynamics, albeit
incorporating long-range interactions of the uniaxial dipolar type.Comment: Revtex, 23 pages, 5 eps figures included (minor additions), to appear
in Phys. Rev.
NK cells in self-limited HCV infection exhibit a more extensively differentiated, but not memory-like, repertoire
Natural killer (NK) cells have long been thought of as a purely innate immune cell population, but increasing reports have described developmental and functional qualities of NK cells that are commonly associated with cells of the adaptive immune system. Of these features, the ability of NK cells to acquire functional qualities associated with immunological memory and continuous differentiation resulting in the formation of specific NK cell repertoires has recently been highlighted in viral infection settings. By making use of a unique cohort of monitored, at-risk intravenous drug users in this study, we were able to dissect the phenotypic and functional parameters associated with NK cell differentiation and NK cell memory in patients 3 years after acute HCV infection and either the subsequent self-clearance or progression to chronicity. We observed increased expression of cytolytic mediators and markers CD56bright and NKp46+ of NK cells in patients with chronic, but not self-limited HCV infection. Patients with a self-limited infection expressed higher levels of differentiation-associated markers CD57 and KIRs, and lower levels of NKG2A. A more extensively differentiated NK cell phenotype is associated with self-clearance in HCV patients, while the NK cells of chronic patients exhibited more naĂŻve and effector NK cell phenotypic and functional characteristics. The identification of these distinct NK cell repertoires may shed light on the role NK cells play in determining the outcome of acute HCV infections, and the underlying immunological defects that lead to chronicity
Vortex wandering in a forest of splayed columnar defects
We investigate the scaling properties of single flux lines in a random
pinning landscape consisting of splayed columnar defects. Such correlated
defects can be injected into Type II superconductors by inducing nuclear
fission or via direct heavy ion irradiation. The result is often very efficient
pinning of the vortices which gives, e.g., a strongly enhanced critical
current. The wandering exponent \zeta and the free energy exponent \omega of a
single flux line in such a disordered environment are obtained analytically
from scaling arguments combined with extreme-value statistics. In contrast to
the case of point disorder, where these exponents are universal, we find a
dependence of the exponents on details in the probability distribution of the
low lying energies of the columnar defects. The analytical results show
excellent agreement with numerical transfer matrix calculations in two and
three dimensions.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figure
Tune in to your emotions: a robust personalized affective music player
The emotional power of music is exploited in a personalized affective music player (AMP) that selects music for mood enhancement. A biosignal approach is used to measure listenersâ personal emotional reactions to their own music as input for affective user models. Regression and kernel density estimation are applied to model the physiological changes the music elicits. Using these models, personalized music selections based on an affective goal state can be made. The AMP was validated in real-world trials over the course of several weeks. Results show that our models can cope with noisy situations and handle large inter-individual differences in the music domain. The AMP augments music listening where its techniques enable automated affect guidance. Our approach provides valuable insights for affective computing and user modeling, for which the AMP is a suitable carrier application
Vector meson production and nucleon resonance analysis in a coupled-channel approach for energies m_N < sqrt(s) < 2 GeV II: photon-induced results
We present a nucleon resonance analysis by simultaneously considering all
pion- and photon-induced experimental data on the final states gamma N, pi N, 2
pi N, eta N, K Lambda, K Sigma, and omega N for energies from the nucleon mass
up to sqrt(s) = 2 GeV. In this analysis we find strong evidence for the
resonances P_{31}(1750), P_{13}(1900), P_{33}(1920), and D_{13}(1950). The
omega N production mechanism is dominated by large P_{11}(1710) and
P_{13}(1900) contributions. In this second part we present the results on the
photoproduction reactions and the electromagnetic properties of the resonances.
The inclusion of all important final states up to sqrt(s) = 2 GeV allows for
estimates on the importance of the individual states for the GDH sum rule.Comment: 41 pages, 26 figures, discussion extended, typos corrected,
references updated, to appear in Phys. Rev.
Field Theory Approaches to Nonequilibrium Dynamics
It is explained how field-theoretic methods and the dynamic renormalisation
group (RG) can be applied to study the universal scaling properties of systems
that either undergo a continuous phase transition or display generic scale
invariance, both near and far from thermal equilibrium. Part 1 introduces the
response functional field theory representation of (nonlinear) Langevin
equations. The RG is employed to compute the scaling exponents for several
universality classes governing the critical dynamics near second-order phase
transitions in equilibrium. The effects of reversible mode-coupling terms,
quenching from random initial conditions to the critical point, and violating
the detailed balance constraints are briefly discussed. It is shown how the
same formalism can be applied to nonequilibrium systems such as driven
diffusive lattice gases. Part 2 describes how the master equation for
stochastic particle reaction processes can be mapped onto a field theory
action. The RG is then used to analyse simple diffusion-limited annihilation
reactions as well as generic continuous transitions from active to inactive,
absorbing states, which are characterised by the power laws of (critical)
directed percolation. Certain other important universality classes are
mentioned, and some open issues are listed.Comment: 54 pages, 9 figures, Lecture Notes for Luxembourg Summer School
"Ageing and the Glass Transition", submitted to Springer Lecture Notes in
Physics (www.springeronline/com/series/5304/
Interferon alfa for chronic hepatitis B infection: Increased efficacy of prolonged treatment
Interferon alfa (IFN-a) is the primary treatment for
chronic hepatitis B. The standard duration of IFN-a therapy
is considered 16 weeks; however, the optimal treatment
length is still poorly defined. We evaluated the efficacy and
acceptability of prolonged IFN-a treatment in patients with
chronic hepatitis B. To investigate whether treatment prolongation
could enhance the rate of hepatitis B e antigen
(HBeAg) seroconversion, we conducted a prospective, controlled,
multicenter trial in wh
Exclusive electroproduction of K+ Lambda and K+ Sigma^0 final states at Q^2 = 0.030-0.055 (GeV/c)^2
Cross section measurements of the exclusive p(e,e'K+)Lambda,Sigma^0
electroproduction reactions have been performed at the Mainz Microtron MAMI in
the A1 spectrometer facility using for the first time the Kaos spectrometer for
kaon detection. These processes were studied in a kinematical region not
covered by any previous experiment. The nucleon was probed in its third
resonance region with virtual photons of low four-momenta, Q^2= 0.030-0.055
(GeV/c)^2. The MAMI data indicate a smooth transition in Q^2 from
photoproduction to electroproduction cross sections. Comparison with
predictions of effective Lagrangian models based on the isobar approach reveal
that strong longitudinal couplings of the virtual photon to the N* resonances
can be excluded from these models.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure
P-wave excited baryons from pion- and photo-induced hyperon production
We report evidence for , , ,
, , and , and find
indications that might have a companion state at 1970\,MeV. The
controversial is not seen. The evidence is derived from a
study of data on pion- and photo-induced hyperon production, but other data are
included as well. Most of the resonances reported here were found in the
Karlsruhe-Helsinki (KH84) and the Carnegie-Mellon (CM) analyses but were
challenged recently by the Data Analysis Center at GWU. Our analysis is
constrained by the energy independent scattering amplitudes from either
KH84 or GWU. The two amplitudes from KH84 or GWU, respectively, lead to
slightly different branching ratios of contributing resonances but the
debated resonances are required in both series of fits.Comment: 22 pages, 28 figures. Some additional sets of data are adde
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