759 research outputs found
Optical absorption of non-interacting tight-binding electrons in a Peierls-distorted chain at half band-filling
In this first of three articles on the optical absorption of electrons in
half-filled Peierls-distorted chains we present analytical results for
non-interacting tight-binding electrons. We carefully derive explicit
expressions for the current operator, the dipole transition matrix elements,
and the optical absorption for electrons with a cosine dispersion relation of
band width and dimerization parameter . New correction
(``''-)terms to the current operator are identified. A broad band-to-band
transition is found in the frequency range whose shape
is determined by the joint density of states for the upper and lower Peierls
subbands and the strong momentum dependence of the transition matrix elements.Comment: 17 pages REVTEX 3.0, 2 postscript figures; hardcopy versions before
May 96 are obsolete; accepted for publication in The Philosophical Magazine
Exact results for the optical absorption of strongly correlated electrons in a half-filled Peierls-distorted chain
In this second of three articles on the optical absorption of electrons in a
half-filled Peierls-distorted chain we present exact results for strongly
correlated tight-binding electrons. In the limit of a strong on-site
interaction we map the Hubbard model onto the Harris-Lange model which can
be solved exactly in one dimension in terms of spinless fermions for the charge
excitations. The exact solution allows for an interpretation of the charge
dynamics in terms of parallel Hubbard bands with a free-electron dispersion of
band-width , separated by the Hubbard interaction . The spin degrees of
freedom enter the expressions for the optical absorption only via a momentum
dependent but static ground state expectation value. The remaining spin problem
can be traced out exactly since the eigenstates of the Harris-Lange model are
spin-degenerate. This corresponds to the Hubbard model at temperatures large
compared to the spin exchange energy. Explicit results are given for the
optical absorption in the presence of a lattice distortion and a
nearest-neighbor interaction . We find that the optical absorption for
is dominated by a peak at and broad but weak absorption bands for . For an appreciable nearest-neighbor interaction, ,
almost all spectral weight is transferred to Simpson's exciton band which is
eventually Peierls-split.Comment: 50 pages REVTEX 3.0, 6 postscript figures; hardcopy versions before
May 96 are obsolete; accepted for publication in The Philosophical Magazine
Localization Properties of the Periodic Random Anderson Model
We consider diagonal disordered one-dimensional Anderson models with an
underlying periodicity. We assume the simplest periodicity, i.e., we have
essentially two lattices, one that is composed of the random potentials and the
other of non-random potentials. Due to the periodicity special resonance
energies appear, which are related to the lattice constant of the non-random
lattice. Further on two different types of behaviors are observed at the
resonance energies. When a random site is surrounded by non-random sites, this
model exhibits extended states at the resonance energies, whereas otherwise all
states are localized with, however, an increase of the localization length at
these resonance energies. We study these resonance energies and evaluate the
localization length and the density of states around these energies.Comment: 4 page
Explosions of water clusters in intense laser fields
Energetic, highly-charged oxygen ions, (), are copiously
produced upon laser field-induced disassembly of highly-charged water clusters,
and , 60, that are formed by seeding high-pressure
helium or argon with water vapor. clusters (n40000) formed under
similar experimental conditions are found undergo disassembly in the Coulomb
explosion regime, with the energies of ions showing a
dependence. Water clusters, which are argued to be considerably smaller in
size, should also disassemble in the same regime, but the energies of fragment
O ions are found to depend linearly on which, according to
prevailing wisdom, ought to be a signature of hydrodynamic expansion that is
expected of much larger clusters. The implication of these observations on our
understanding of the two cluster explosion regimes, Coulomb explosion and
hydrodynamic expansion, is discussed. Our results indicate that charge state
dependences of ion energy do not constitute an unambiguous experimental
signature of cluster explosion regime.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev.
Molecular dynamics simulations of lead clusters
Molecular dynamics simulations of nanometer-sized lead clusters have been
performed using the Lim, Ong and Ercolessi glue potential (Surf. Sci. {\bf
269/270}, 1109 (1992)). The binding energies of clusters forming crystalline
(fcc), decahedron and icosahedron structures are compared, showing that fcc
cuboctahedra are the most energetically favoured of these polyhedral model
structures. However, simulations of the freezing of liquid droplets produced a
characteristic form of ``shaved'' icosahedron, in which atoms are absent at the
edges and apexes of the polyhedron. This arrangement is energetically favoured
for 600-4000 atom clusters. Larger clusters favour crystalline structures.
Indeed, simulated freezing of a 6525-atom liquid droplet produced an imperfect
fcc Wulff particle, containing a number of parallel stacking faults. The
effects of temperature on the preferred structure of crystalline clusters below
the melting point have been considered. The implications of these results for
the interpretation of experimental data is discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 18 figues, new section added and one figure added, other
minor changes for publicatio
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Biogenic UO_2 _ Characterization and Surface Reactivity
Nano-scale biogenic UO{sub 2} is easier to oxidize and more reactive to aqueous metal ions than bulk UO{sub 2}. In an attempt to understand these differences in properties, we have used a suite of bulk and surface characterization techniques to examine differences in the reactivity of biogenic UO{sub 2} versus bulk UO{sub 2} with respect to aqueous Zn(II). Precipitation of biogenic UO{sub 2} was mediated by Shewanella putrefaciens CN32, and the precipitates were washed using two protocols: (1) 5% NaOH, followed by 4 mM KHCO{sub 3}/KCl (NA-wash; ''NAUO2'', to remove surface organic matter), and (2) 4 mM KHCO{sub 3}-KCl (BI-wash; ''BIUO2'', to remove soluble uranyl species). BET surface areas of biogenic-UO{sub 2} prepared using the two protocols are 128.63 m{sup 2}g{sup -1} and 92.56 m{sup 2}g{sup -1}, respectively; particle sizes range from 2-10 nm as determined by FEG-SEM. Surface composition was probed using XPS, which showed a strong carbon 1s signal for the BI-washed samples; surface uranium is > 90% U(IV) for both washing protocols. U L{sub III}-edge XANES spectra also indicate that U(IV) is the dominant oxidation state in the biogenic UO{sub 2} samples. Fits of the EXAFS spectra of these samples yielded half the number of uranium second-shell neighbors relative to bulk UO{sub 2}, and no detectable oxygen neighbors beyond the first shell. At pH 7, the sorption of Zn(II) onto both biogenic and bulk UO{sub 2} is independent of electrolyte concentration, suggesting that Zn(II) sorption complexes are dominantly inner-sphere. Fits of Zn K-edge EXAFS spectra for biogenic UO{sub 2} indicate that Zn(II) sorption is dependent on the washing protocol. Zn-U pair correlations are observed for the NA-washed samples, but not for the BI-washed ones, suggesting that Zn(II) sorbs directly to the UO{sub 2} surface in the first case, and possibly to organic matter in the latter. Further work is required to elucidate the binding mechanism of Zn(II) to bulk UO{sub 2}
Fibrin-based scaffolds for dental pulp regeneration: from biology to nanotherapeutics
Tissue engineering-based endodontic therapies, designed to regenerate the dental pulp (DP) in the devitalised endodontic space, have been proposed to improve tooth longevity compared to conventional root-filling therapies. Their aim is to restore tooth vitality and major DP functions necessary to maintain tooth health such as immunosurveillance, sensitivity and healing/repair/regenerative capacities. Several formulations based on the use of fibrin, the main component of the blood clot matrix, recently gave valuable results in the regeneration of the human DP. This review describes recent fibrin-based scaffolds designed for that purpose. After having presented the various strategies for DP regeneration, the main fibrin-based scaffolds reported so far for clinical use in endodontics were reviewed. Particular emphasis was given to hydrogel devices that may be improved by incorporation of bioactive molecules that stimulate vascularisation and tissue neoformation or provide antibacterial properties. Data indicate that fibrin-based scaffolds constitute a highly favourable environment for mesenchymal stem cells, which is maintained upon functionalisation. Additional knowledge is needed to understand how fibrin and functionalising agents affect adhesion, survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation of cells incorporated in the scaffold or which will colonise it from neighbouring host tissues. This knowledge is needed to adapt the hydrogel formulation for various clinical conditions
Guidelines for Perioperative Care for Liver Surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society Recommendations.
BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal pathway developed to overcome the deleterious effect of perioperative stress after major surgery. In colorectal surgery, ERAS pathways reduced perioperative morbidity, hospital stay and costs. Similar concept should be applied for liver surgery. This study presents the specific ERAS Society recommendations for liver surgery based on the best available evidence and on expert consensus.
METHODS: A systematic review was performed on ERAS for liver surgery by searching EMBASE and Medline. Five independent reviewers selected relevant articles. Quality of randomized trials was assessed according to the Jadad score and CONSORT statement. The level of evidence for each item was determined using the GRADE system. The Delphi method was used to validate the final recommendations.
RESULTS: A total of 157 full texts were screened. Thirty-seven articles were included in the systematic review, and 16 of the 23 standard ERAS items were studied specifically for liver surgery. Consensus was reached among experts after 3 rounds. Prophylactic nasogastric intubation and prophylactic abdominal drainage should be omitted. The use of postoperative oral laxatives and minimally invasive surgery results in a quicker bowel recovery and shorter hospital stay. Goal-directed fluid therapy with maintenance of a low intraoperative central venous pressure induces faster recovery. Early oral intake and mobilization are recommended. There is no evidence to prefer epidural to other types of analgesia.
CONCLUSIONS: The current ERAS recommendations were elaborated based on the best available evidence and endorsed by the Delphi method. Nevertheless, prospective studies need to confirm the clinical use of the suggested protocol
Ego-Splitting and the Transcendental Subject. Kant’s Original Insight and Husserl’s Reappraisal
In this paper, I contend that there are at least two essential traits that commonly define being an I: self-identity and self-consciousness. I argue that they bear quite an odd relation to each other in the sense that self-consciousness seems to jeopardize self-identity. My main concern is to elucidate this issue within the range of the transcendental philosophies of Immanuel Kant and Edmund Husserl. In the first section, I shall briefly consider Kant’s own rendition of the problem of the Egosplitting. My reading of the Kantian texts reveals that Kant himself was aware of this phenomenon but eventually deems it an unexplainable fact. The second part of the paper tackles the same problematic from the standpoint of Husserlian phenomenology. What Husserl’s extensive analyses on this topic bring to light is that the phenomenon of the Ego-splitting constitutes the bedrock not only of his thought but also of every philosophy that works within the framework of transcendental thinking
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