Ground states of a one-dimensional lattice-gas model with an infinite range nonconvex interaction. A numerical study

We consider a lattice-gas model with an infinite range pairwise noncovex interaction. It might be relevant, for example, for adsorption of alkaline elements on W(112) and Mo(112). We study a competition between the effective dipole-dipole and indirect interactions. The resulting ground state phase diagrams are analysed (numerically) in detail. We have found that for some model parameters the phase diagrams contain a region dominated by several phases only with periods up to nine lattice constants. The remaining phase diagrams reveal a complex structure of usually long periodic phases. We also discuss a possible role of surace states in phase transitions.Comment: 16 pages, 5 Postscript figures; Physical Review B15 (15 August 1996), in pres

The Ecological and Ethical Consumption Development Prospects in Poland Compared with the Western European Countries

An overview of the Western European literature shows that one of the most distinct trends in consumption that has been noted in the recent years is globally increasing environmental and social awareness. The issue of consumers' behaviours and attitudes towards "socially responsible products" has been gaining importance in Polish economy as well. This article evaluates the development prospects of ethical and ecological consumption in Poland vis-à-vis Western European countries. The comparative analysis being part of the article utilizes primary sources of information, i.e. interviews with a representative sample of Polish adults, as well as secondary sources of information. A factor analysis or, more precisely, a principal component analysis, allowed dividing Polish consumers into groups that were typologically homogeneous in respect of their sensitivity to various aspects of business ethics and ecology.Przegląd literatury zachodnio-europejskiej pozwala stwierdzić, że jednym z najbardziej zauważalnych trendów w sferze konsumpcji w ostatnich latach jest coraz większa świadomość ekologiczna i społeczna w wymiarze globalnym. Problematyka zachowań i postaw konsumentów wobec produktów "społecznie odpowiedzialnych" nabiera coraz większego znaczenia także w polskiej gospodarce. Celem artykułu jest ocena perspektyw rozwoju etyczneji ekologicznej konsumpcji w Polsce na tle krajów zachodnio-europejskich. Analizę porównawczą prowadzono bazując na źródłach wtórych jak i badaniach pierwotnych realizowanych na reprezentatywnej próbie losowej dorosłych mieszkańców Polski. W oparciu o analizę czynnikową, a dokładniej metodę analizy głównych składowych, dokonano także podziału polskich konsumentów na jednorodne grupy typologiczne pod względem ich wrażliwości na różne aspekty związane z ekologią i etyką

The turn of the valve: representing with material models

Many scientific models are representations. Building on Goodman and Elgin’s notion of representation-as we analyse what this claim involves by providing a general definition of what makes something a scientific model, and formulating a novel account of how they represent. We call the result the DEKI account of representation, which offers a complex kind of representation involving an interplay of, denotation, exemplification, keying up of properties, and imputation. Throughout we focus on material models, and we illustrate our claims with the Phillips-Newlyn machine. In the conclusion we suggest that, mutatis mutandis, the DEKI account can be carried over to other kinds of models, notably fictional and mathematical models

Rmi1 stimulates decatenation of double Holliday junctions during dissolution by Sgs1-Top3

double Holliday junction (dHJ) is a central intermediate of homologous recombination that can be processed to yield crossover or non-crossover recombination products. To preserve genomic integrity, cells possess mechanisms to avoid crossing over. We show that Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sgs1 and Top3 proteins are sufficient to migrate and disentangle a dHJ to produce exclusively non-crossover recombination products, in a reaction termed "dissolution." We show that Rmi1 stimulates dHJ dissolution at low Sgs1-Top3 protein concentrations, although it has no effect on the initial rate of Holliday junction (HJ) migration. Rmi1 serves to stimulate DNA decatenation, removing the last linkages between the repaired and template DNA molecules. Dissolution of a dHJ is a highly efficient and concerted alternative to nucleolytic resolution that prevents crossing over of chromosomes during recombinational DNA repair in mitotic cells and thereby contributes to genomic integrity

Ferroelectric Phase Transitions in Films with Depletion Charge

We consider ferroelectric phase transitions in both short-circuited and biased ferroelectric-semiconductor films with a space (depletion) charge which leads to some unusual behavior. It is shown that in the presence of the charge the polarization separates into `switchable' and `non-switchable' parts. The electric field, appearing due to the space charge, does not wash out the phase transition, which remains second order but takes place at somewhat reduced temperature. At the same time, it leads to a suppression of the ferroelectricity in a near-electrode layer. This conclusion is valid for materials with both second and first order phase transitions in pure bulk samples. Influence of the depletion charge on thermodynamic coercive field reduces mainly to the lowering of the phase transition temperature, and its effect is negligible. The depletion charge can, however, facilitate an appearance of the domain structure which would be detrimental for device performance (fatigue). We discuss some issues of conceptual character, which are generally known but were overlooked in previous works. The present results have general implications for small systems with depletion charge.Comment: 11 pages, REVTeX 3.1, five eps-figures included in the text. Minor clarifications in the text. To appear in Phys. Rev. B 61, Apr 1 (2000

Interplay between topological insulators and superconductors

Topological insulators are insulating in the bulk but possess metallic surface states protected by time-reversal symmetry. Here, we report on a detailed electronic transport study in high-quality Bi 2Se 3 topological insulator thin films contacted by superconducting (In, Al, and W) electrodes. The resistance of the film shows an abrupt and significant upturn when the electrodes become superconducting. In turn, the Bi 2Se 3 film greatly weakens the superconductivity of the electrodes, significantly reducing both their transition temperatures and their critical fields. A possible interpretation of these results is that the superconducting electrodes are accessing the surface states and the experimental results are consequences of the interplay between the Cooper pairs of the electrodes and the spin-polarized current of the surface states in Bi 2Se 3. © 2012 American Physical Society.published_or_final_versio

Effects of quantum gravity on the inflationary parameters and thermodynamics of the early universe

The effects of generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) on the inflationary dynamics and the thermodynamics of the early universe are studied. Using the GUP approach, the tensorial and scalar density fluctuations in the inflation era are evaluated and compared with the standard case. We find a good agreement with the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe data. Assuming that a quantum gas of scalar particles is confined within a thin layer near the apparent horizon of the Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker universe which satisfies the boundary condition, the number and entropy densities and the free energy arising form the quantum states are calculated using the GUP approach. A qualitative estimation for effects of the quantum gravity on all these thermodynamic quantities is introduced.Comment: 15 graghes, 7 figures with 17 eps graph

Light hadron, Charmonium(-like) and Bottomonium(-like) states

Hadron physics represents the study of strongly interacting matter in all its manifestations and the understanding of its properties and interactions. The interest on this field has been revitalized by the discovery of new light hadrons, charmonium- and bottomonium-like states. I review the most recent experimental results from different experiments.Comment: Presented at Lepton-Photon 2011, Mumbai, India; 21 pages, 18 figures; add more references; some correctio

Intrinsic activity in the fly brain gates visual information during behavioral choices

The small insect brain is often described as an input/output system that executes reflex-like behaviors. It can also initiate neural activity and behaviors intrinsically, seen as spontaneous behaviors, different arousal states and sleep. However, less is known about how intrinsic activity in neural circuits affects sensory information processing in the insect brain and variability in behavior. Here, by simultaneously monitoring Drosophila's behavioral choices and brain activity in a flight simulator system, we identify intrinsic activity that is associated with the act of selecting between visual stimuli. We recorded neural output (multiunit action potentials and local field potentials) in the left and right optic lobes of a tethered flying Drosophila, while its attempts to follow visual motion (yaw torque) were measured by a torque meter. We show that when facing competing motion stimuli on its left and right, Drosophila typically generate large torque responses that flip from side to side. The delayed onset (0.1-1 s) and spontaneous switch-like dynamics of these responses, and the fact that the flies sometimes oppose the stimuli by flying straight, make this behavior different from the classic steering reflexes. Drosophila, thus, seem to choose one stimulus at a time and attempt to rotate toward its direction. With this behavior, the neural output of the optic lobes alternates; being augmented on the side chosen for body rotation and suppressed on the opposite side, even though the visual input to the fly eyes stays the same. Thus, the flow of information from the fly eyes is gated intrinsically. Such modulation can be noise-induced or intentional; with one possibility being that the fly brain highlights chosen information while ignoring the irrelevant, similar to what we know to occur in higher animals

Vulnerability assessment and feasibility analysis of seismic strengthening of school buildings

The majority of structures in seismic-prone areas worldwide are structures that have been designed either without seismic design considerations, or using codes of practice that are seriously inadequate in the light of current seismic design principles. In Cyprus, after a series of earthquakes that occurred between 1995 and 1999, it was decided to carry out an unprecedented internationally seismic retrofitting of all school buildings, taking into account the sensitivity of the society towards these structures. In this paper representative school buildings are analysed in both their pristine condition and after applying retrofitting schemes typical of those implemented in the aforementioned large-scale strengthening programme. Non-linear analysis is conducted on calibrated analytical models of the selected buildings and fragility curves are derived for typical reinforced concrete and unreinforced masonry structures. These curves are then used to carry out a feasibility study, including both benefit-cost and life-cycle analysis, and evaluate the effectiveness of the strengthening programme