Chiral symmetry breaking in a uniform external magnetic field II. Symmetry restoration at high temperatures and chemical potentials

Chiral symmetry is dynamically broken in quenched, ladder QED at weak gauge couplings when an external magnetic field is present. In this paper, we show that chiral symmetry is restored above a critical chemical potential and the corresponding phase transition is of first order. In contrast, the chiral symmetry restoration at high temperatures (and at zero chemical potential) is a second order phase transition.Comment: Latex; 12 pages; 8 postscript figures include

Structural-Electrical-Coupled Formulation for the Free Vibration of a Piezoelectric-Laminated Plate Using the Analytical Arbitrary Quadrilateral p

An analytical quadrilateral p element is developed for solving the free vibrations of piezoelectric-laminated plates. The formulations of the displacement and strain fields are based on first-order shear deformation plate theory. The coupling effect between the electrical and stress fields is also considered. The Legendre orthogonal polynomials are used as the element interpolation functions, and the analytical integration technique is adopted. It is found that the present p element method gives high numerical precision results, fast and monotonic convergence rate. In the numerical cases, the effects of the number of hierarchical terms and mesh size on the convergence rate are investigated. Examples of square plates with different displacement and potential boundary conditions are studied. In the comparisons, the solutions of the present element are in good agreement with those obtained from other classical and finite element methods

Where do They Head for University Studies? The University Destinations of Chinese IBDP Graduates: A Study of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in China

Paper PresentationConference theme: Educational Reform and Social Change: East-West DialogueOver the last decade, the number of IB programs adopted by schools around the world has dramatically increased by almost 400% (IB, 2009; Lee et al., in-press). In recent years China has also evidenced an impressive gain in the number of schools adopting IB programs in general and the DP in particular. Specifically, as of 2011, there were 50 IB schools authorized for the implementation of the DP in China. Of these, 43 schools have been authorized since 2003 (IB, 2012), illustrating the fast growth of IBDP schools in China in recent years. Despite such fast growth (and by implication, popularity) of the IBDP schools in China, empirical studies exploring the impact of Chinese IBDP students’ learning outcomes in terms of their university matriculation to foreign universities seems to be almost nonexistent. With this in mind, the primary goal of this proposal is to document the patterns of university destination of IBDP graduates in China over time. To this end, our analysis centers on the following overarching question: Where have Chinese students who previously graduated from the 50 IB schools been educated? Alongside the focus of the main question, we seek answers to more specific questions: Are there any trends in their university destinations in terms of geographical region or university prestige (by ranking)? Are there any significant differences in students’ enrolment in foreign universities before or after the 50 IB schools’ adoption of the DP (in the case that the 50 IB schools implemented different international programs other than the DP before they adopted the IB)? Does the adoption of the DP contribute to the growth (rate) of DP graduates enrolled in foreign universities? To investigate these questions, we adopt a theoretical framework from research of international student mobility. Specifically, we focus on internal and external forces (Altbach, Reisberg & Rumbley, 2009; Li & Bray, 2007) that influence IB graduates’ international flow in terms of university destination. We employ a sequential explanatory design (Creswell, Plano, Gutmann, & Hanson, 2003). As part of the mixed-methods research project, we plan to collect longitudinal data on DP graduates’ destinations for university study since the adoption of the DP. A series of quantitative analysis (e.g., descriptive trend analysis, pre/post comparison “before and after” the 50 IB schools’ adoption of the DP, and longitudinal analysis using piecewise modeling) will be employed to determine trends and patterns in terms of university matriculation of the 50 schools over time. As first of its kind, this study will evidence the impact of the DP on student preparation for university studies abroad. In addition, the dataset may be employed for broader purposes (e.g., program development or evaluation) within the IB and the community of schools in China or East Asian countries.published_or_final_versio

A systematic review on the anxiolytic effects of aromatherapy in people with anxiety symptoms

Purpose: We reviewed studies from 1990 to 2010 on using aromatherapy for people with anxiety or anxiety symptoms and examined their clinical effects. Methods: The review was conducted on available electronic databases to extract journal articles that evaluated the anxiolytic effects of aromatherapy for people with anxiety symptoms. Results: The results were based on 16 randomized controlled trials examining the anxiolytic effects of aromatherapy among people with anxiety symptoms. Most of the studies indicated positive effects to quell anxiety. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: It is recommended that aromatherapy could be applied as a complementary therapy for people with anxiety symptoms. Further studies with better quality on methodology should be conducted to identify its clinical effects and the underlying biologic mechanisms. © 2011, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.published_or_final_versio

Design and implementation of a neural-network-controlled UPS inverter

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Neural-network-controlled single-phase UPS inverters with improved transient response and adaptability to various loads

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The effectiveness of low-dose desmopressin in improving hypothermia-induced impairment of primary haemostasis under influence of aspirin - a randomized controlled trial.

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Simulating 3-D radiative transfer effects over the Sierra Nevada Mountains using WRF

A surface solar radiation parameterization based on deviations between 3-D and conventional plane-parallel radiative transfer models has been incorporated into the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to understand the solar insolation over mountain/snow areas and to investigate the impact of the spatial and temporal distribution and variation of surface solar fluxes on land-surface processes. Using the Sierra-Nevada in the western United States as a testbed, we show that mountain effect could produce up to −50 to + 50 W m<sup>−2</sup> deviations in the surface solar fluxes over the mountain areas, resulting in a temperature increase of up to 1 °C on the sunny side. Upward surface sensible and latent heat fluxes are modulated accordingly to compensate for the change in surface solar fluxes. Snow water equivalent and surface albedo both show decreases on the sunny side of the mountains, indicating more snowmelt and hence reduced snow albedo associated with more solar insolation due to mountain effect. Soil moisture increases on the sunny side of the mountains due to enhanced snowmelt, while decreases on the shaded side. Substantial differences are found in the morning hours from 8–10 a.m. and in the afternoon around 3–5 p.m., while differences around noon and in the early morning and late afternoon are comparatively smaller. Variation in the surface energy balance can also affect atmospheric processes, such as cloud fields, through the modulation of vertical thermal structure. Negative changes of up to −40 g m<sup>−2</sup> are found in the cloud water path, associated with reductions in the surface insolation over the cloud region. The day-averaged deviations in the surface solar flux are positive over the mountain areas and negative in the valleys, with a range between −12~12 W m<sup>−2</sup>. Changes in sensible and latent heat fluxes and surface skin temperature follow the solar insolation pattern. Differences in the domain-averaged diurnal variation over the Sierras show that the mountain area receives more solar insolation during early morning and late afternoon, resulting in enhanced upward sensible heat and latent heat fluxes from the surface and a corresponding increase in surface skin temperature. During the middle of the day, however, the surface insolation and heat fluxes show negative changes, indicating a cooling effect. Hence overall, the diurnal variations of surface temperature and surface fluxes in the Sierra-Nevada are reduced through the interactions of radiative transfer and mountains. The hourly differences of the surface solar insolation in higher elevated regions, however, show smaller magnitude in negative changes during the middle of the day and possibly more solar fluxes received during the whole day