18,711 research outputs found
Majorana Fermions Signatures in Macroscopic Quantum Tunneling
Thermodynamic measurements of magnetic fluxes and I-V characteristics in
SQUIDs offer promising paths to the characterization of topological
superconducting phases. We consider the problem of macroscopic quantum
tunneling in an rf-SQUID in a topological superconducting phase. We show that
the topological order shifts the tunneling rates and quantum levels, both in
the parity conserving and fluctuating cases. The latter case is argued to
actually enhance the signatures in the slowly fluctuating limit, which is
expected to take place in the quantum regime of the circuit. In view of recent
advances, we also discuss how our results affect a -junction loop.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figure
Emergent SU(N) symmetry in disordered SO(N) spin chains
Strongly disordered spin chains invariant under the SO(N) group are shown to
display random-singlet phases with emergent SU(N) symmetry without fine tuning.
The phases with emergent SU(N) symmetry are of two kinds: one has a ground
state formed of randomly distributed singlets of strongly bound pairs of SO(N)
spins (a `mesonic' phase), while the other has a ground state composed of
singlets made out of strongly bound integer multiples of N SO(N) spins (a
`baryonic' phase). The established mechanism is general and we put forward the
cases of and as prime candidates for experimental
realizations in material compounds and cold-atoms systems. We display universal
temperature scaling and critical exponents for susceptibilities distinguishing
these phases and characterizing the enlarging of the microscopic symmetries at
low energies.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, Contribution to the Topical Issue "Recent
Advances in the Theory of Disordered Systems", edited by Ferenc Igl\'oi and
Heiko Riege
Highly-symmetric random one-dimensional spin models
The interplay of disorder and interactions is a challenging topic of
condensed matter physics, where correlations are crucial and exotic phases
develop. In one spatial dimension, a particularly successful method to analyze
such problems is the strong-disorder renormalization group (SDRG). This method,
which is asymptotically exact in the limit of large disorder, has been
successfully employed in the study of several phases of random magnetic chains.
Here we develop an SDRG scheme capable to provide in-depth information on a
large class of strongly disordered one-dimensional magnetic chains with a
global invariance under a generic continuous group. Our methodology can be
applied to any Lie-algebra valued spin Hamiltonian, in any representation. As
examples, we focus on the physically relevant cases of SO(N) and Sp(N)
magnetism, showing the existence of different randomness-dominated phases.
These phases display emergent SU(N) symmetry at low energies and fall in two
distinct classes, with meson-like or baryon-like characteristics. Our
methodology is here explained in detail and helps to shed light on a general
mechanism for symmetry emergence in disordered systems.Comment: 26 pages, 12 figure
Gravitational Wave Signatures of Highly Magnetized Neutron Stars
Motivated by the recent gravitational wave detection by the LIGO-VIRGO
observatories, we study the Love number and dimensionless tidal polarizability
of highly magnetized stars. We also investigate the fundamental quasi-normal
mode of neutron stars subject to high magnetic fields. To perform our
calculations we use the chaotic field approximation and consider both nucleonic
and hyperonic stars. As far as the fundamental mode is concerned, we conclude
that the role played by the constitution of the stars is far more relevant than
the intensity of the magnetic field and if massive stars are considered, the
ones constituted by nucleons only present frequencies somewhat lower than the
ones with hyperonic cores, a feature that can be used to point out the real
internal structure of neutron stars. Moreover, our studies clearly indicate
that strong magnetic fields play a crucial role in the deformability of low
mass neutron stars, with possible consequences on the interpretation of the
detected gravitational waves signatures.Comment: 24 pages, 4 figures, 6 table
Development of liquid xenon detectors for medical imaging
In the present paper, we report on our developments of liquid xenon detectors
for medical imaging, positron emission tomography and single photon imaging, in
particular. The results of the studies of several photon detectors
(photomultiplier tubes and large area avalanche photodiode) suitable for
detection of xenon scintillation are also briefly described.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, presented on the International Workshop on
Techniques and Applications of Xenon Detectors (Xenon01), ICRR, Univ. of
Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan, December 3-4, 2001 (submitted to proceedings
Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis Associated with Diltiazem
Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) usually presents with the acute appearance of oedematous and erythematous lesions, on which multiple sterile pustules appear, associated with fever. Almost 90% of cases are associated with drugs, with antibiotics (penicillins and macrolides) being the most frequent causative agents. We describe a 36-year-old female patient, which started diltiazem 120mg/day for hypertension. After 6 days of therapy, multiple erythematous and oedematous lesions appeared, with associated multiple small non-follicular pustules. Oral corticosteroids were started, with progressive and complete improvement. Patch-tests were performed, which revealed positivity for diltiazem. Although a rare entity, AGEP must be considered in cases of acute eruptions with disseminated pustules and fever. The use of patch tests in this disease may be useful as positive reactions are frequent
Design of the Next Generation Aircraft Noise Prediction Program: ANOPP2
The requirements, constraints, and design of NASA's next generation Aircraft NOise Prediction Program (ANOPP2) are introduced. Similar to its predecessor (ANOPP), ANOPP2 provides the U.S. Government with an independent aircraft system noise prediction capability that can be used as a stand-alone program or within larger trade studies that include performance, emissions, and fuel burn. The ANOPP2 framework is designed to facilitate the combination of acoustic approaches of varying fidelity for the analysis of noise from conventional and unconventional aircraft. ANOPP2 integrates noise prediction and propagation methods, including those found in ANOPP, into a unified system that is compatible for use within general aircraft analysis software. The design of the system is described in terms of its functionality and capability to perform predictions accounting for distributed sources, installation effects, and propagation through a non-uniform atmosphere including refraction and the influence of terrain. The philosophy of mixed fidelity noise prediction through the use of nested Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings surfaces is presented and specific issues associated with its implementation are identified. Demonstrations for a conventional twin-aisle and an unconventional hybrid wing body aircraft configuration are presented to show the feasibility and capabilities of the system. Isolated model-scale jet noise predictions are also presented using high-fidelity and reduced order models, further demonstrating ANOPP2's ability to provide predictions for model-scale test configurations
Online-learning at ISCTE-IUL: towards a sustainable education paradigm
Online-learning platforms have long been praised for their great benefits, such as the way they contribute to long-distance students being able to overcome geographical barriers to their education, and the way they allow students to self-manage, by autonomously deciding when they enroll and complete courses. This empowers people from all over the world to engage in lifelong-learning that may have an important impact in their daily lives, especially in developing countries. Besides these benefits, there’s also an important dimension that is often overlooked: the contribution that the use of online-learning platforms has in providing a sustainable environment by reducing environmentally-damaging effects and the use of scarce resources. In this paper, we present the economical and environmental impact that the use of an online-learning platform has had in a public University in Lisbon, Portugal. We first present the online-learning platform that was developed in-house and follow up by describing the positive impact that this education paradigm has had in the lives of students, in reducing costs at the University, and in contributing to a more sustainable future.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
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