1,895 research outputs found
Unidirectional decomposition method for obtaining exact localized waves solutions totally free of backward components
In this paper we use a unidirectional decomposition capable of furnishing
localized wave pulses, with luminal and superluminal peak velocities, in exact
form and totally free of backward components, which have been a chronic problem
for such wave solutions. This decomposition is powerful enough for yielding not
only ideal nondiffracting pulses but also their finite energy versions still in
exact analytical closed form. Another advantage of the present approach is
that, since the backward spectral components are absent, the frequency spectra
of the pulses do not need to possess ultra-widebands, as it is required by the
usual localized waves (LWs) solutions obtained by other methods. Finally, the
present results bring the LW theory nearer to the real experimental
possibilities of usual laboratories.Comment: 28 pages, 6 figure
Decoherence and Quantum-Classical Master Equation Dynamics
The conditions under which quantum-classical Liouville dynamics may be
reduced to a master equation are investigated. Systems that can be partitioned
into a quantum-classical subsystem interacting with a classical bath are
considered. Starting with an exact non-Markovian equation for the diagonal
elements of the density matrix, an evolution equation for the subsystem density
matrix is derived. One contribution to this equation contains the bath average
of a memory kernel that accounts for all coherences in the system. It is shown
to be a rapidly decaying function, motivating a Markovian approximation on this
term in the evolution equation. The resulting subsystem density matrix equation
is still non-Markovian due to the fact that bath degrees of freedom have been
projected out of the dynamics. Provided the computation of non-equilibrium
average values or correlation functions is considered, the non-Markovian
character of this equation can be removed by lifting the equation into the full
phase space of the system. This leads to a trajectory description of the
dynamics where each fictitious trajectory accounts for decoherence due to the
bath degrees of freedom. The results are illustrated by computations of the
rate constant of a model nonadiabatic chemical reaction.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures, revision includes: Added references on mixed
quantum-classical Liouville theory, and some minor details that address the
comments of the reviewe
Nonlinear denoising of transient signals with application to event related potentials
We present a new wavelet based method for the denoising of {\it event related
potentials} ERPs), employing techniques recently developed for the paradigm of
deterministic chaotic systems. The denoising scheme has been constructed to be
appropriate for short and transient time sequences using circular state space
embedding. Its effectiveness was successfully tested on simulated signals as
well as on ERPs recorded from within a human brain. The method enables the
study of individual ERPs against strong ongoing brain electrical activity.Comment: 16 pages, Postscript, 6 figures, Physica D in pres
Impacts of the REACH candidate list of substances subject to authorisation:the reputation mechanism and empirical results on behavioral adaptations of German supply chain actors
The candidate list of substances subject to authorisation is an instrument provided by the EU chemicals regulation (REACH) to publicly announce and prioritize chemical substances of very high concern (SVHC) as a first step of imposing an obligation of authorisation on them, i.e. including them into the authorisation list (Annex XIV of REACH). As a consequence of inclusion into the “candidate list”, a variety of obligations concerned with intensifying risk communication apply. Article producers, importers and distributors of articles have to communicate information about SVHCs contained in articles and necessary risk management measures to the recipients of the articles and provide this information to consumers on request (Art. 33 REACH). This research paper analyzes the reputational mechanism of the candidate list showing a potential to stigmatize not only the substances as such but also various actors of the supply chain associated with these substances and their brands. Drawing on behavioral psychology theories, hypotheses on the reputational impacts of the candidate list on substance manufacturers, downstream users (including formulators and manufacturers of articles) and distributors are derived. These are discussed on the basis of current empirical data surveyed by the European Commission
Balancing engagement and neutrality in technology assessment
Should technology assessment take a stance – when, on what, and how? How to deal with its neutrality paradigm in times of anti-democratic tendencies
Pathological regional blood flow in opiate-dependent patients during withdrawal: A HMPAO-SPECT study
The aims of the present study were to investigate regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in heroin-dependent patients during withdrawal and to assess the relation between these changes and duration of heroin consumption and withdrawal data. The rCBF was measured using brain SPECT with Tc-99m-HMPAO in 16 heroin-dependent patients during heroin withdrawal. Thirteen patients received levomethadone at the time of the SPECT scans. The images were analyzed both visually and quantitatively, a total of 21 hypoperfused brain regions were observed in 11 of the 16 patients. The temporal lobes were the most affected area, hypoperfusions of the right and left temporal lobe were observed in 5 and 5 patients, respectively. Three of the patients had a hypoperfusion of the right frontal lobe, 2 patients showed perfusion defects in the left frontal lobe, right parietal lobe and left parietal lobe. The results of the quantitative assessments of the rCBF were consistent with the results of the qualitative findings. The stepwise regression analysis showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.54) between the dose of levomethadone at the time of the SPECT scan and the rCBF of the right parietal lobe. Other significant correlations between clinical data and rCBF were not found. The present results suggest brain perfusion abnormalities during heroin withdrawal in heroin-dependent patients, which are not due to the conditions of withdrawal
Zu altertumswissenschaftlichen Kartierungspraktiken
Altertumswissenschaftliche Karten sind nicht als unabhängi-
ge wissenschaftliche Instrumente zu betrachten, sondern als
technische Dinge, die auf der Sedimentation älterer Arbei-
ten sowie den Instrumenten, Sprachen und Praktiken anderer
Disziplinen beruhen. Durch diese Grundlegungen wurde die
Kartographie der verschiedenen Altertumswissenschaften von
Beginn an präjudiziert und in ein System spezifischer regio-
naler, disziplinärer, wissenschaftspolitischer und politischer
Konstellationen eingebunden. In der Einleitung des Sammel-
bandes, der Beispiele zur Kartierung kollektiver Entitäten aus
verschiedenen Altertumswissenschaften, aber auch aus der
Humangeographie und der Linguistik enthält, setzen wir uns
mit der Frage der RĂĽckkopplungen auf die kartographischen
Strategien zur Darstellung und Identifikation antiker Kollek-
tive auseinander. Hierzu beleuchten wir die altertumswissen-
schaftlichen Kartierungspraktiken aus diagrammatischer, wis-
senschaftsgeschichtlicher und identitätstheoretischer Perspek-
tive
Quantum Technologies and Society: Towards a Different Spin
Due primarily to technological advances over the last decade, quantum research has become a key priority area for science and technology policy all over the world. With this manifesto, we wish to prevent quantum technology from running into fiascos of implementation at the interface of science and society. To this end, we identify key stumbling blocks and propose recommendations
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