Critical properties of the XXZ model with long-range interactions on the double chain

The $XXZ$ model $(s = 1/2)$ in a transverse field on a double chain with a uniform long-range interaction among the $z$ components of the spins is considered. The nearest-neighbour interactions are restricted to the components in the $xy$ plane and to the spins within the same chain leg, such that the Hamiltonian is given by $H = -\sum_{m=1}^{2} J_{m} \sum_{j=1}^{N}(S_{m,j}^{x}S_{m, j+1}^{x} + S_{m,j}^{y}S_{m,j+1}^{y}) - \frac{I}{N}\sum_{m,n=1}^{2} \sum_{j,k=1}^{N}S_{m,j}^{z}S_{n,k}^{z}-h\sum_{m=1}^{2} \sum_{j=1}^{N}S_{m,j}^{z}$, where $N$ is the number of sites of the lattice and $m,n$ $(m,n = 1, 2)$ label the chain legs. The model is solved exactly by introducing the Jordan-Wigner and integral Gaussian transformations, which map the Hamiltonian in a non-interacting fermion system and corresponds to an extension of the model recently studied by the authors for a single chain. The equation of state is obtained in closed form, and the critical classical (at $T > 0$) and quantum (at $T = 0$) behaviours can be determined exactly. The quantum critical surface is determined in the space generated by the transverse field and interaction parameters, and the crossover lines separating the different critical regimes are also obtained. It is also shown that, differently from the results obtained for the single chain, the system can present multiple quantum transitions.Comment: 02 pages, 02 figures, to appear in JMMM (Proceedings of ICM2006

Persistent Currents and Dissipation in Narrow Bilayer Quantum Hall Bars

Bilayer quantum Hall states support a flow of nearly dissipationless staggered current which can only decay through collective channels. We study the dominant finite-temperature dissipation mechanism which in narrow bars is driven by thermal nucleation of pseudospin solitons. We find the finite-temperature resistivity, predict the resulting staggered current-voltage characteristics, and calculate the associated zero-temperature critical staggered current and gate voltage.Comment: 4 pgs. REVTeX, 3 eps figure

Relational Hidden Variables and Non-Locality

We use a simple relational framework to develop the key notions and results on hidden variables and non-locality. The extensive literature on these topics in the foundations of quantum mechanics is couched in terms of probabilistic models, and properties such as locality and no-signalling are formulated probabilistically. We show that to a remarkable extent, the main structure of the theory, through the major No-Go theorems and beyond, survives intact under the replacement of probability distributions by mere relations.Comment: 42 pages in journal style. To appear in Studia Logic

Density Perturbations in the Brans-Dicke Theory

We analyse the fate of density perturbation in the Brans-Dicke Theory, giving a general classification of the solutions of the perturbed equations when the scale factor of the background evolves as a power law. We study with details the cases of vacuum, inflation, radiation and incoherent matter. We find, for the a negative Brans-Dicke parameter, a significant amplification of perturbations.Comment: 26 pages, latex fil

Large-eddy simulation of the lid-driven cubic cavity flow by the spectral element method

This paper presents the large-eddy simulation of the lid-driven cubic cavity flow by the spectral element method (SEM) using the dynamic model. Two spectral filtering techniques suitable for these simulations have been implemented. Numerical results for Reynolds number $\text{Re}=12'000$ are showing very good agreement with other experimental and DNS results found in the literature

The Equivalence Principle and the Constants of Nature

We briefly review the various contexts within which one might address the issue of ``why'' the dimensionless constants of Nature have the particular values that they are observed to have. Both the general historical trend, in physics, of replacing a-priori-given, absolute structures by dynamical entities, and anthropic considerations, suggest that coupling ``constants'' have a dynamical nature. This hints at the existence of observable violations of the Equivalence Principle at some level, and motivates the need for improved tests of the Equivalence Principle.Comment: 12 pages; invited talk at the ISSI Workshop on the Nature of Gravity: Confronting Theory and Experiment in Space, Bern, Switzerland, 6-10 October 2008; to appear in Space Science Review

Probe-configuration dependent dephasing in a mesoscopic interferometer

Dephasing in a ballistic four-terminal Aharonov-Bohm geometry due to charge and voltage fluctuations is investigated. Treating two terminals as voltage probes, we find a strong dependence of the dephasing rate on the probe configuration in agreement with a recent experiment by Kobayashi et al. (J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 71, 2094 (2002)). Voltage fluctuations in the measurement circuit are shown to be the source of the configuration dependence.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

The Relationship Between Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Women

Background: The ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) obtained during ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) has been cited as an independent predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) including cardiovascular death, stroke and worsening chronic kidney disease (CKD) among mixed-sex adult populations. This study aimed to determine the relationship between AASI and MACE and its predictive precision in women. Methods: This work follows the guidelines of the STROBE initiative for cohort studies. This was a retrospective single-center observational study of adult women (aged 18 – 75 years), who underwent 24-h ABPM for the diagnosis of hypertension or its control. The primary endpoint was a composite MACE of cardiovascular death, acute limb ischemia, stroke, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), or progression to stage V CKD. Results: A total of 219 women aged 57.4 ± 13.3 years were followed up for a median (interquartile range (IQR)) of 25.5 (18.3 – 31.3) months. Overall, 16 (7.3%) patients suffered one or more MACE events. AASI was significantly higher in patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), heart failure, previous stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA). AASI was a significant predictor of MACE (area under the curve: 0.78; P < 0.001) with an optimal cut-off of ≥ 0.56. On Kaplan-Meier analysis AASI ≥ 0.56 was significantly associated with MACE (log-rank test, P < 0.001). The only independent predictors of MACE on Cox proportional hazard analysis were diabetes mellitus, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, cumulative AASI values, or AASI ≥ 0.56. Conclusions: An AASI of ≥ 0.56 is an independent predictor of MACE in women. A further validation study in a larger cohort of women is recommended