Dimensional-scaling estimate of the energy of a large system from that of its building blocks: Hubbard model and Fermi liquid

A simple, physically motivated, scaling hypothesis, which becomes exact in important limits, yields estimates for the ground-state energy of large, composed, systems in terms of the ground-state energy of its building blocks. The concept is illustrated for the electron liquid, and the Hubbard model. By means of this scaling argument the energy of the one-dimensional half-filled Hubbard model is estimated from that of a 2-site Hubbard dimer, obtaining quantitative agreement with the exact one-dimensional Bethe-Ansatz solution, and the energies of the two- and three-dimensional half-filled Hubbard models are estimated from the one-dimensional energy, recovering exact results for $U\to 0$ and $U\to \infty$ and coming close to Quantum Monte Carlo data for intermediate $U$.Comment: 3 figure

Suppression of two-bounce windows in kink-antikink collisions

We consider a class of topological defects in $(1,1)$-dimensions with a deformed $\phi^4$ kink structure whose stability analysis leads to a Schr\"odinger-like equation with a zero-mode and at least one vibrational (shape) mode. We are interested in the dynamics of kink-antikink collisions, focusing on the structure of two-bounce windows. For small deformation and for one or two vibrational modes, the observed two-bounce windows are explained by the standard mechanism of a resonant effect between the first vibrational and the translational modes. With the increasing of the deformation, the effect of the appearance of more than one vibrational mode is the gradual disappearance of the initial two-bounce windows. The total suppression of two-bounce windows even with the presence of a vibrational mode offers a counterexample from what expected from the standard mechanism. For even larger deformation, some two-bounce windows reappear, but with a non-standard structure.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure

Non-Gaussian two-mode squeezing and continuous variable entanglement of linearly and circularly polarized light beams interacting with cold atoms

We investigate how entangled coherent states and superpositions of low intensity coherent states of non-Gaussian nature can be generated via non-resonant interaction between either two linearly or circularly polarized field modes and an ensemble of X-like four-level atoms placed in an optical cavity. We compare our results to recent experimental observations and argue that the non-Gaussian structure of the field states may be present in those systems.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, replaced with final published versio

The use of genes for performance enhancement: doping or therapy?

Recent biotechnological advances have permitted the manipulation of genetic sequences to treat several diseases in a process called gene therapy. However, the advance of gene therapy has opened the door to the possibility of using genetic manipulation (GM) to enhance athletic performance. In such ‘gene doping’, exogenous genetic sequences are inserted into a specific tissue, altering cellular gene activity or leading to the expression of a protein product. The exogenous genes most likely to be utilized for gene doping include erythropoietin (EPO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor type 1 (IGF-1), myostatin antagonists, and endorphin. However, many other genes could also be used, such as those involved in glucose metabolic pathways. Because gene doping would be very difficult to detect, it is inherently very attractive for those involved in sports who are prepared to cheat. Moreover, the field of gene therapy is constantly and rapidly progressing, and this is likely to generate many new possibilities for gene doping. Thus, as part of the general fight against all forms of doping, it will be necessary to develop and continually improve means of detecting exogenous gene sequences (or their products) in athletes. Nevertheless, some bioethicists have argued for a liberal approach to gene doping

Genuine Multipartite Entanglement in Quantum Phase Transitions

We demonstrate that the Global Entanglement (GE) measure defined by Meyer and Wallach, J. Math. Phys. 43, 4273 (2002), is maximal at the critical point for the Ising chain in a transverse magnetic field. Our analysis is based on the equivalence of GE to the averaged linear entropy, allowing the understanding of multipartite entanglement (ME) features through a generalization of GE for bipartite blocks of qubits. Moreover, in contrast to GE, the proposed ME measure can distinguish three paradigmatic entangled states: $GHZ_{N}$, $W_{N}$, and $EPR^{\otimes N/2}$. As such the generalized measure can detect genuine ME and is maximal at the critical point.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Replaced with final published versio

Exploring microfoundations and multilevel mechanisms of absorptive capacity in an emerging economy: empirical evidence from a leading car manufacturer

Purpose Despite the importance of knowledge processes in building absorptive capacity, we are less clear about the micro-processes of absorptive capacity development and particularly about the role of individuals’ knowledge processes. Design/methodology/approach This study empirically examined, via an in-depth case study, the microfoundations of absorptive capacity and their influence on building absorptive capacity in an automaker across the course of four product innovation projects. Findings Findings suggested that dynamics in a knowledge environment informed individual-level tacit and explicit knowledge processes. In return, knowledge processes at the individual level informed organizational learning processes and the emergence of knowledge processes at organization level for acquisition, assimilation, transformation, and exploitation of new knowledge. Originality This study contributes to the literature by revealing individuals’ knowledge processes from which absorptive capacity emerges. Practically, managers can use the findings of this study to promote certain knowledge processes to develop intended aspects of absorptive capacity at an individual level

Photoassociative ionization of Na inside a storage ring

Motivated by recent interest in low dimensional arrays of atoms, we experimentally investigated the way cold collisional processes are affected by the geometry of the considered atomic sample. More specifically, we studied the case of photoassociative ionization (PAI) both in a storage ring where collision is more unidirectional in character and in a trap with clear undefinition of collision axis. First, creating a ring shaped trap (atomotron) we investigated two-color PAI dependence with intensity and polarization of a probing laser. The intensity dependence of the PAI rate was also measured in a magneto-optical trap presenting equivalent temperature and density conditions. Indeed, the results show that in the ring trap, the value of the PAI rate constant is much lower and does not show evidences of saturation, unlike in the case of the 3D-MOT. Cold atomic collisions in storage ring may represent new possibilities for study.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures; Accepted by Optics Communicatio

Behavior of the Dripping Faucet over a Wide Range of the Flow Rate

The time interval of successive water-drips from a faucet was examined over a wide range of the flow rate. The dripping interval alternately exhibits a stable state and a chaotic state as the flow rate increases. In the stable state, the volume of the drip is kept constant at fixed flow rates, and the constant volume increases with the flow rate. In the chaotic state, in addition to a mechanics that the drip is torn by its own weight, the vibration of the drip on the faucet takes part in the strange behavior of the interval.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, to be published in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn vol 68-2(1999

Water activity in lamellar stacks of lipid bilayers: "Hydration forces" revisited

Water activity and its relationship with interactions stabilising lamellar stacks of mixed lipid bilayers in their fluid state are investigated by means of osmotic pressure measurements coupled with small-angle x-ray scattering. The (electrically-neutral) bilayers are composed of a mixture in various proportions of lecithin, a zwitterionic phospholipid, and Simulsol, a non-ionic cosurfactant with an ethoxylated polar head. For highly dehydrated samples the osmotic pressure profile always exhibits the "classical" exponential decay as hydration increases but, depending on Simulsol to lecithin ratio, it becomes either of the "bound" or "unbound" types for more water-swollen systems. A simple thermodynamic model is used for interpreting the results without resorting to the celebrated but elusive "hydration forces"Comment: 24 pages, 12 figures. Accepted for publication in The European Physical Journal