Dissipative Landau-Zener transitions in a three-level bow-tie model: accurate dynamics with the Davydov multi-D2 Ansatz

We investigate Landau-Zener (LZ) transitions in the three-level bow-tie model (3L-BTM) in a dissipative environment by using the numerically accurate method of multiple Davydov D2 Ansatze. We first consider the 3L-TBM coupled to a single harmonic mode, study evolutions of the transition probabilities for selected values of the model parameters, and interpret the obtained results with the aid of the energy diagram method. We then explore the 3L-TBM coupled to a boson bath. Our simulations demonstrate that sub-Ohmic, Ohmic and super-Ohmic boson baths have substantially different influences on the 3L-BTM dynamics, which cannot be grasped by the standard phenomenological Markovian single-rate descriptions. We also describe novel bath-induced phenomena which are absent in two-level LZ systems.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure

Are NLP Models Good at Tracing Thoughts: An Overview of Narrative Understanding

Narrative understanding involves capturing the author's cognitive processes, providing insights into their knowledge, intentions, beliefs, and desires. Although large language models (LLMs) excel in generating grammatically coherent text, their ability to comprehend the author's thoughts remains uncertain. This limitation hinders the practical applications of narrative understanding. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive survey of narrative understanding tasks, thoroughly examining their key features, definitions, taxonomy, associated datasets, training objectives, evaluation metrics, and limitations. Furthermore, we explore the potential of expanding the capabilities of modularized LLMs to address novel narrative understanding tasks. By framing narrative understanding as the retrieval of the author's imaginative cues that outline the narrative structure, our study introduces a fresh perspective on enhancing narrative comprehension

Dynamics of dissipative Landau-Zener transitions in an anisotropic three-level system

We investigate the dynamics of Landau-Zener transitions in an anisotropic, dissipative three-level model (3-LZM) using the numerically accurate multiple Davydov D2 Ansatz in the framework of time-dependent variation. It is demonstrated that a non-monotonic relationship exists between the Landau-Zener transition probability and the phonon coupling strength when the 3-LZM is driven by a linear external field. Under the influence of a periodic driving field, phonon coupling may induce peaks in contour plots of the transition probability when the magnitude of the system anisotropy matches the phonon frequency. Dynamics of the 3-LZM have also been probed in the presence of a super-ohmic phonon bath when driven by a periodic driving field. It is found that both the period and the amplitude of the Rabi cycle decay exponentially with the increasing bath coupling strength.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figure

Effects of Shenque Moxibustion on Behavioral Changes and Brain Oxidative State in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice

Purpose. To determine whether moxibustion influences the learning and memory behavior of ApoE−/− male mice, and investigate the mechanism of moxibustion on the alteration of oxidized proteins (glial fibrillary acidic protein, β-amyloid) in hippocampus. Methods. Thirty-three ApoE−/− mice were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=11/group): moxibustion, sham moxibustion, and no treatment control. Wild-type C57BL/6 mice n=13 were used for normal control. Moxibustion was performed with Shenque (RN8) moxibustion for 20 minutes per day, 6 days/week for 12 weeks. In sham control, the procedure was similar except burning of the moxa stick. Behavioral tests (step-down test and Morris water maze task) were conducted in the 13th week. The mice were then sacrificed and the tissues were harvested for immune-histochemical staining. Results. In the step-down test, the moxibustion group had shorter reaction time in training record and committed less mistakes compared to sham control. In immune-histochemical study, the moxibustion group expressed lower level of GFAP and less aggregation of β-amyloid in the hippocampus than the sham control. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that moxibustion may enhance learning capability of ApoE−/− mice. The mechanism may be via inhibiting oxidized proteins (GFAP and β-amyloid) in astrocytes

Effectiveness of moxibustion treatment as adjunctive therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to compare the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese moxibustion to that of sham moxibustion in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) pain. METHODS: We conducted a randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 110 patients with KOA who met the inclusion criteria. These patients randomly received either active moxibustion (n = 55) or sham moxibustion control (n = 55) at acupoints Dubi (ST 35), extra-point Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), and an Ashi (tender) point three times a week for 6 weeks. Effects were evaluated with Western Ontario and McMaster Universities’ Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC VA 3.1) criteria at the end of the course of treatment and 3, 12, and 24 weeks after the initial treatment. RESULTS: The WOMAC pain scores showed greater improvement in the active treatment group than in control at weeks 3 (P = 0.012), 6 (P <0.001), 12 (P = 0.002), and 24 (P = 0.002) as did WOMAC physical function scores of the active treatment group at week 3 (P = 0.002), 6 (P = 0.015), and 12 (P <0.001) but not 24 (P = 0.058). Patients and practitioners were blinded successfully, and no significant adverse effects were found during the trial. CONCLUSIONS: A 6-week course of moxibustion seems to relieve pain effectively and improve function in patients with KOA for up to 18 weeks after the end of treatment. Moxibustion treatment appears to be safe, and the usefulness of the novel moxa device was validated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current controlled trial: ISRCTN68475405. Registered 4 April 2014