Semiclassical Interpretation of Eigenvectors for Excited Atoms in External Fields

Eigenvectors for an electron in an atom in parallel electric and magnetic fields are calculated, and a semiclassical interpretation of their behavior is obtained. Eigenvectors can in this case be regarded as ‘‘wave functions in angular momentum space.’’ The matrix equation defining the eigenvectors is written as a difference equation, and then converted to a pseudodifferential equation; a systematic procedure is then used to construct a semiclassical approximation. It is found that the same classical Hamiltonian that has been previously used to calculate semiclassical eigenvalues provides a WKB-type representation of the eigenvectors. The development sheds new light on action-angle formulations of quantum mechanics and on semiclassical approximations in action-angle variables

Innovative Financing for Global Education

Innovative financing is a growing prospect and priority in the education sector, where over 57 million children and youth do not have access to schools, and the funding gap for achieving basic education for all is estimated at $26 billion. It has made a significant difference in meeting the UN Millennium Development Goals, especially in health, by generating more than$7 billion in additional financial resources through a range of new institutions and partnerships.This paper presents a comprehensive and practical analysis of the current state of innovative financing in global education. The report argues that education is a complex sector characterized by significant barriers to investment. But it also suggests how to break through these barriers using innovative financing such as solidarity levies and private sector investments through a global education investment bank.This research, carried out by the Innovative Finance Foundation, is part of the Open Society Education Support Program's efforts to identify innovative financing mechanisms and approaches that can increase the availability and allocation of resources for education systems

Ariel - Volume 7 Number 2

Editors Mark Dembert Frank Chervanek John Lammie Jim Burke Curt Cumming

Computation of nucleation of a non-equilibrium first-order phase transition using a rare-event algorithm

We introduce a new Forward-Flux Sampling in Time (FFST) algorithm to efficiently measure transition times in rare-event processes in non-equilibrium systems, and apply it to study the first-order (discontinuous) kinetic transition in the Ziff-Gulari-Barshad model of catalytic surface reaction. The average time for the transition to take place, as well as both the spinodal and transition points, are clearly found by this method.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figure

Role of Kindness in Cancer Care

The wonders of high-tech cancer care are best complemented by the humanity of high-touch care. Simple kindnesses can help to diffuse negative emotions that are associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment-and may even help to improve patients\u27 outcomes. On the basis of our experience in cancer care and research, we propose six types of kindness in cancer care: deep listening , whereby clinicians take the time to truly understand the needs and concerns of patients and their families; empathy for the patient with cancer, expressed by both individual clinicians and the care culture, that seeks to prevent avoidable suffering; generous acts of discretionary effort that go beyond what patients and families expect from a care team; timely care that is delivered by using a variety of tools and systems that reduce stress and anxiety; gentle honesty, whereby the truth is conveyed directly in well-chosen, guiding words; and support for family caregivers, whose physical and mental well-being are vital components of the care their loved ones receive. These mutually reinforcing manifestations of kindness-exhibited by self-aware clinicians who understand that how care is delivered matters-constitute a powerful and practical way to temper the emotional turmoil of cancer for patients, their families, and clinicians themselves

Repolarization heterogeneity and rate dependency in a canine rapid pacing model of heart failure

Repolarization heterogeneity and rate dependency have long been established as factors contributing to arrhythmogenic risk. However there are conflicting observations regarding the nature and extent of ventricular repolarization heterogeneity that complicate understanding of arrhythmogenic mechanisms. In order to explore these disparate findings, we studied ventricular repolarization heterogeneity and rate dependency in a canine, rapid pacing model of heart failure

The human CHRNA7 and CHRFAM7A genes: A review of the genetics, regulation, and function

The human α7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene (CHRNA7) is ubiquitously expressed in both the central nervous system and in the periphery. CHRNA7 is genetically linked to multiple disorders with cognitive deficits, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, ADHD, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and Rett syndrome. The regulation of CHRNA7 is complex; more than a dozen mechanisms are known, one of which is a partial duplication of the parent gene. Exons 5–10 of CHRNA7 on chromosome 15 were duplicated and inserted 1.6 Mb upstream of CHRNA7, interrupting an earlier partial duplication of two other genes. The chimeric CHRFAM7A gene product, dupα7, assembles with α7 subunits, resulting in a dominant negative regulation of function. The duplication is human specific, occurring neither in primates nor in rodents. The duplicated α7 sequence in exons 5–10 of CHRFAM7A is almost identical to CHRNA7, and thus is not completely queried in high throughput genetic studies (GWAS). Further, pre-clinical animal models of the α7nAChR utilized in drug development research do not have CHRFAM7A (dupα7) and cannot fully model human drug responses. The wide expression of CHRNA7, its multiple functions and modes of regulation present challenges for study of this gene in disease

Composition of the bovine at birth

Publication authorized January 17, 1920.Digitized 2007 AES