2,615 research outputs found
A method for mechanical generation of radio frequency fields in nuclear magnetic resonance force microscopy
We present an innovative method for magnetic resonance force microscopy
(MRFM) with ultra-low dissipation, by using the higher modes of the mechanical
detector as radio frequency (rf) source. This method allows MRFM on samples
without the need to be close to an rf source. Furthermore, since rf sources
require currents that give dissipation, our method enables nuclear magnetic
resonance experiments at ultra-low temperatures. Removing the need for an
on-chip rf source is an important step towards a MRFM which can be widely used
in condensed matter physics.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, to be submitted to Physical Review Applie
Association of cognitive performance with clinical staging in schizophrenia spectrum disorders:a prospective 6-year follow-up study
BACKGROUND: Clinical staging has been developed to capture the large heterogeneity in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Including cognitive performance in the staging model may improve its clinical validity. Moreover, cognitive functioning could predict transition across stages. However, current evidence of the association between cognition and clinical staging is inconsistent. Therefore, we aim to assess whether cognitive parameters are associated with clinical stages in a large sample of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and to identify cognitive markers at baseline that are associated with stage-transition at three and six-year follow-up. METHODS: We applied the staging model of Fusar-Poli et al. (2017) in 927 patients with non-affective psychotic disorders, assessed at baseline, and after three and six-year follow-up. Cognitive performance was assessed with a standard test battery. Generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze associations of cognitive performance with staging and stage-transition at follow-up. RESULTS: Findings showed that higher stages of illness were significantly associated with lower processing speed (F = 3.688, p = 0.025) and deficits in working memory (F = 6.365, p = 0.002) across assessments. No associations between cognitive parameters at baseline and stage-transition at three- and six-year follow-up were found. CONCLUSION: We conclude that processing speed and working memory were modestly associated with higher stages of illness in schizophrenia spectrum disorders, thereby slightly improving its clinical validity. However, associations were small and we found no evidence for predictive validity
Maximal height statistics for 1/f^alpha signals
Numerical and analytical results are presented for the maximal relative
height distribution of stationary periodic Gaussian signals (one dimensional
interfaces) displaying a 1/f^alpha power spectrum. For 0<alpha<1 (regime of
decaying correlations), we observe that the mathematically established limiting
distribution (Fisher-Tippett-Gumbel distribution) is approached extremely
slowly as the sample size increases. The convergence is rapid for alpha>1
(regime of strong correlations) and a highly accurate picture gallery of
distribution functions can be constructed numerically. Analytical results can
be obtained in the limit alpha -> infinity and, for large alpha, by
perturbation expansion. Furthermore, using path integral techniques we derive a
trace formula for the distribution function, valid for alpha=2n even integer.
From the latter we extract the small argument asymptote of the distribution
function whose analytic continuation to arbitrary alpha > 1 is found to be in
agreement with simulations. Comparison of the extreme and roughness statistics
of the interfaces reveals similarities in both the small and large argument
asymptotes of the distribution functions.Comment: 17 pages, 8 figures, RevTex
Photocurrent in nanostructures with asymmetric antidots
The steady current induced by electromagnetic field in a 2D system with
asymmetric scatterers is studied. The scatterers are assumed to be oriented
cuts with one diffusive and another specular sides. Besides, the existence of
isotropic impurity scatterers is assumed. This simple model simulates the
lattice of half-disk which have been studied numerically recently. The model
allows the exact solution in the framework of the kinetic equation. The static
current response in the second order of electric field is obtained. The
photogalvanic tensor contains both responses to linear and circular
polarization of electromagnetic field. The model possesses non-analyticity with
regards to the rate of impurity scattering.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure
Absence of phase coexistence in disordered exclusion processes with bypassing
Adding quenched disorder to the one-dimensional asymmetric exclusion process
is known to always induce phase separation. To test the robustness of this
result, we introduce two modifications of the process that allow particles to
bypass defect sites. In the first case, particles are allowed to jump l sites
ahead with the probability p_l ~ l^-(1+sigma), where sigma>1. By using Monte
Carlo simulations and the mean-field approach, we show that phase coexistence
may be absent up to enormously large system sizes, e.g. lnL~50, but is present
in the thermodynamic limit, as in the short-range case. In the second case, we
consider the exclusion process on a quadratic lattice with symmetric and
totally asymmetric hopping perpendicular to and along the direction of driving,
respectively. We show that in an anisotropic limit of this model a regime may
be found where phase coexistence is absent.Comment: 18 pages, 10 figures, to appear in JSTA
Moral enhancement: do means matter morally?
One of the reasons why moral enhancement may be controversial, is because the advantages of moral enhancement may fall upon society rather than on those who are enhanced. If directed at individuals with certain counter-moral traits it may have direct societal benefits by lowering immoral behavior and increasing public safety, but it is not directly clear if this also benefits the individual in question. In this paper, we will discuss what we consider to be moral enhancement, how different means may be used to achieve it and whether the means we employ to reach moral enhancement matter morally. Are certain means to achieve moral enhancement wrong in themselves? Are certain means to achieve moral enhancement better than others, and if so, why? More specifically, we will investigate whether the difference between direct and indirect moral enhancement matters morally. Is it the case that indirect means are morally preferable to direct means of moral enhancement and can we indeed pinpoint relevant intrinsic, moral differences between both? We argue that the distinction between direct and indirect means is indeed morally relevant, but only insofar as it tracks an underlying distinction between active and passive interventions. Although passive interventions can be ethical provided specific safeguards are put in place, these interventions exhibit a greater potential to compromise autonomy and disrupt identity
Use of azacitidine and its safety and efficacy in daily clinical practice in The Netherlands:the OCEAN study
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Space-time versus particle-hole symmetry in quantum Enskog equations
The non-local scattering-in and -out integrals of the Enskog equation have
reversed displacements of colliding particles reflecting that the -in and -out
processes are conjugated by the space and time inversions. Generalisations of
the Enskog equation to Fermi liquid systems are hindered by a request of the
particle-hole symmetry which contradicts the reversed displacements. We resolve
this problem with the help of the optical theorem. It is found that space-time
and particle-hole symmetry can only be fulfilled simultaneously for the
Bruckner-type of internal Pauli-blocking while the Feynman-Galitskii form
allows only for particle-hole symmetry but not for space-time symmetry due to a
stimulated emission of Bosons
Spatial extremes of wildfire sizes: Bayesian hieralquical models for extremes
In Portugal, due to the combination of climatological and ecological
factors, large wildfires are a constant threat and due to their economic impact, a big
policy issue. In order to organize efficient fire fighting capacity and resource management,
correct quantification of the risk of large wildfires are needed. In this paper,
we quantify the regional risk of large wildfire sizes, by fitting a Generalized Pareto
distribution to excesses over a suitably chosen high threshold. Spatio-temporal variations
are introduced into the model through model parameters with suitably chosen
link functions. The inference on these models are carried using Bayesian Hierarchical
Models and Markov chain Monte Carlo methods
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