Scaling of the magnetic entropy and magnetization in YbRh_2(Si_{0.95}Ge_{0.05})_2

The magnetic entropy of YbRh_2(Si_{0.95}Ge_{0.05})_2 is derived from low-temperature ($T\geq 18$ mK) specific heat measurements. Upon field-tuning the system to its antiferromagnetic quantum critical point unique temperature over magnetic field scaling is observed indicating the disintegration of heavy quasiparticles. The field dependence of the entropy equals the temperature dependence of the dc-magnetization as expected from the Maxwell relation. This proves that the quantum-critical fluctuations affect the thermal and magnetic properties in a consistent way.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, manuscript submitted to SCES2004 conferenc

Experimental evidence of non-Amontons behaviour at a multicontact interface

We report on normal stress field measurements at the multicontact interface between a rough elastomeric film and a smooth glass sphere under normal load, using an original MEMS-based stress sensing device. These measurements are compared to Finite Elements Method calculations with boundary conditions obeying locally Amontons' rigid-plastic-like friction law with a uniform friction coefficient. In dry contact conditions, significant deviations are observed which decrease with increasing load. In lubricated conditions, the measured profile recovers almost perfectly the predicted profile. These results are interpreted as a consequence of the finite compliance of the multicontact interface, a mechanism which is not taken into account in Amontons' law

Asymptotically Exact Solution for Superconductivity near Ferromagnetic Criticality

We analyze an asymptotically exact solution for the transition temperature of p-wave superconductivity near ferromagnetic criticality on the basis of the three-dimensional electron systems in which scattering processes are dominated by exchange interactions with small momentum transfers. Taking into account all Feynman diagrams in the gap equation, we show that vertex corrections neglected in the conventional Eliashberg's formalism enhance the dynamical retarded effect of the pairing interaction, and raise the superconducting transition temperature significantly, though they just give subleading corrections to properties of the normal state.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, published final versio

A Bayesian Approach to Inverse Quantum Statistics

A nonparametric Bayesian approach is developed to determine quantum potentials from empirical data for quantum systems at finite temperature. The approach combines the likelihood model of quantum mechanics with a priori information over potentials implemented in form of stochastic processes. Its specific advantages are the possibilities to deal with heterogeneous data and to express a priori information explicitly, i.e., directly in terms of the potential of interest. A numerical solution in maximum a posteriori approximation was feasible for one--dimensional problems. Using correct a priori information turned out to be essential.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, revte

Optimal Resource Allocation in Random Networks with Transportation Bandwidths

We apply statistical physics to study the task of resource allocation in random sparse networks with limited bandwidths for the transportation of resources along the links. Useful algorithms are obtained from recursive relations. Bottlenecks emerge when the bandwidths are small, causing an increase in the fraction of idle links. For a given total bandwidth per node, the efficiency of allocation increases with the network connectivity. In the high connectivity limit, we find a phase transition at a critical bandwidth, above which clusters of balanced nodes appear, characterised by a profile of homogenized resource allocation similar to the Maxwell's construction.Comment: 28 pages, 11 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

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

The Effect of Nonstationarity on Models Inferred from Neural Data

Neurons subject to a common non-stationary input may exhibit a correlated firing behavior. Correlations in the statistics of neural spike trains also arise as the effect of interaction between neurons. Here we show that these two situations can be distinguished, with machine learning techniques, provided the data are rich enough. In order to do this, we study the problem of inferring a kinetic Ising model, stationary or nonstationary, from the available data. We apply the inference procedure to two data sets: one from salamander retinal ganglion cells and the other from a realistic computational cortical network model. We show that many aspects of the concerted activity of the salamander retinal neurons can be traced simply to the external input. A model of non-interacting neurons subject to a non-stationary external field outperforms a model with stationary input with couplings between neurons, even accounting for the differences in the number of model parameters. When couplings are added to the non-stationary model, for the retinal data, little is gained: the inferred couplings are generally not significant. Likewise, the distribution of the sizes of sets of neurons that spike simultaneously and the frequency of spike patterns as function of their rank (Zipf plots) are well-explained by an independent-neuron model with time-dependent external input, and adding connections to such a model does not offer significant improvement. For the cortical model data, robust couplings, well correlated with the real connections, can be inferred using the non-stationary model. Adding connections to this model slightly improves the agreement with the data for the probability of synchronous spikes but hardly affects the Zipf plot.Comment: version in press in J Stat Mec