Properties of Resonating-Valence-Bond Spin Liquids and Critical Dimer Models

We use Monte Carlo simulations to study properties of Anderson's resonating-valence-bond (RVB) spin-liquid state on the square lattice (i.e., the equal superposition of all pairing of spins into nearest-neighbor singlet pairs) and compare with the classical dimer model (CDM). The latter system also corresponds to the ground state of the Rokhsar-Kivelson quantum dimer model at its critical point. We find that although spin-spin correlations decay exponentially in the RVB, four-spin valence-bond-solid (VBS) correlations are critical, qualitatively like the well-known dimer-dimer correlations of the CDM, but decaying more slowly (as $1/r^a$ with $a \approx 1.20$, compared with $a=2$ for the CDM). We also compute the distribution of monomer (defect) pair separations, which decay by a larger exponent in the RVB than in the CDM. We further study both models in their different winding number sectors and evaluate the relative weights of different sectors. Like the CDM, all the observed RVB behaviors can be understood in the framework of a mapping to a "height" model characterized by a gradient-squared stiffness constant $K$. Four independent measurements consistently show a value $K_{RVB} \approx 1.6 K_{CDM}$, with the same kinds of numerical evaluations of $K_{CDM}$ give results in agreement with the rigorously known value $K_{CDM}=\pi/16$. The background of a nonzero winding number gradient $W/L$ introduces spatial anisotropies and an increase in the effective K, both of which can be understood as a consequence of anharmonic terms in the height-model free energy, which are of relevance to the recently proposed scenario of "Cantor deconfinement" in extended quantum dimer models. We also study ensembles in which fourth-neighbor (bipartite) bonds are allowed, at a density controlled by a tunable fugacity, resulting (as expected) in a smooth reduction of K.Comment: 26 pages, 21 figures. v3: final versio

Multi-Modes Phonon Softening in Two-Dimensional Electron-Lattice System

Phonon dispersion in a two-dimensional electron-lattice system described by a two-dimensional square-lattice version of Su-Schrieffer-Heeger's model and having the half-filled electronic band is studied theoretically at temperatures higher than the mean field critical temperature of the Peierls transition. When the temperature is lowered from the higher region down to the critical one, softening of multi phonon modes which have wave vectors equal to the nesting vector \vv{Q}=(\pi/a,\pi/a) with $a$ the lattice constant or parallel to \vv{Q} is observed. Although both of the transverse and longitudinal modes are softened at the critical temperature in the case of the wave vector equal to \vv{Q}, only the transverse modes are softened for other wave vectors parallel to \vv{Q}. This behavior is consistent with the Peierls distortions at lower temperatures.Comment: 10 pages, 5 Figure

Coupled Oscillators with Chemotaxis

A simple coupled oscillator system with chemotaxis is introduced to study morphogenesis of cellular slime molds. The model successfuly explains the migration of pseudoplasmodium which has been experimentally predicted to be lead by cells with higher intrinsic frequencies. Results obtained predict that its velocity attains its maximum value in the interface region between total locking and partial locking and also suggest possible roles played by partial synchrony during multicellular development.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, latex using jpsj.sty and epsf.sty, to appear in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 67 (1998

Exploiting Cognitive Structure for Adaptive Learning

Adaptive learning, also known as adaptive teaching, relies on learning path recommendation, which sequentially recommends personalized learning items (e.g., lectures, exercises) to satisfy the unique needs of each learner. Although it is well known that modeling the cognitive structure including knowledge level of learners and knowledge structure (e.g., the prerequisite relations) of learning items is important for learning path recommendation, existing methods for adaptive learning often separately focus on either knowledge levels of learners or knowledge structure of learning items. To fully exploit the multifaceted cognitive structure for learning path recommendation, we propose a Cognitive Structure Enhanced framework for Adaptive Learning, named CSEAL. By viewing path recommendation as a Markov Decision Process and applying an actor-critic algorithm, CSEAL can sequentially identify the right learning items to different learners. Specifically, we first utilize a recurrent neural network to trace the evolving knowledge levels of learners at each learning step. Then, we design a navigation algorithm on the knowledge structure to ensure the logicality of learning paths, which reduces the search space in the decision process. Finally, the actor-critic algorithm is used to determine what to learn next and whose parameters are dynamically updated along the learning path. Extensive experiments on real-world data demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of CSEAL.Comment: Accepted by KDD 2019 Research Track. In Proceedings of the 25th ACM SIGKDD International Conference on Knowledge Discovery & Data Mining (KDD'19

Forest structure, stand composition, and climate-growth response in montane forests of Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve, China.

Montane forests of western China provide an opportunity to establish baseline studies for climate change. The region is being impacted by climate change, air pollution, and significant human impacts from tourism. We analyzed forest stand structure and climate-growth relationships from Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve in northwestern Sichuan province, along the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau. We conducted a survey to characterize forest stand diversity and structure in plots occurring between 2050 and 3350 m in elevation. We also evaluated seedling and sapling recruitment and tree-ring data from four conifer species to assess: 1) whether the forest appears in transition toward increased hardwood composition; 2) if conifers appear stressed by recent climate change relative to hardwoods; and 3) how growth of four dominant species responds to recent climate. Our study is complicated by clear evidence of 20(th) century timber extraction. Focusing on regions lacking evidence of logging, we found a diverse suite of conifers (Pinus, Abies, Juniperus, Picea, and Larix) strongly dominate the forest overstory. We found population size structures for most conifer tree species to be consistent with self-replacement and not providing evidence of shifting composition toward hardwoods. Climate-growth analyses indicate increased growth with cool temperatures in summer and fall. Warmer temperatures during the growing season could negatively impact conifer growth, indicating possible seasonal climate water deficit as a constraint on growth. In contrast, however, we found little relationship to seasonal precipitation. Projected warming does not yet have a discernible signal on trends in tree growth rates, but slower growth with warmer growing season climates suggests reduced potential future forest growth

Conduction mechanisms of epitaxial EuTiO3 thin films

To investigate leakage current density versus electric field characteristics, epitaxial EuTiO3 thin films were deposited on (001) SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition and were post-annealed in a reducing atmosphere. This investigation found that conduction mechanisms are strongly related to temperature and voltage polarity. It was determined that from 50 to 150 K the dominant conduction mechanism was a space-charge-limited current under both negative and positive biases. From 200 to 300 K, the conduction mechanism shows Schottky emission and Fowler-Nordheim tunneling behaviors for the negative and positive biases, respectively. This work demonstrates that Eu3+ is one source of leakage current in EuTiO3 thin films.Comment: 17 pages,4 figures, conferenc

Phase diagrams of period-4 spin chains consisting of three kinds of spins

We study a period-4 antiferromagnetic mixed quantum spin chain consisting of three kinds of spins. When the ground state is singlet, the spin magnitudes in a unit cell are arrayed as (s-t, s, s+t, s) with integer or half-odd integer s and t (0 <= t < s). The spin Hamiltonian is mapped onto a nonlinear sigma model (NLSM) in a previously developed method. The resultant NLSM includes only two independent parameters originating from four exchange constants for fixed s and t. The topological angle in the NLSM determines the gapless phase boundaries between disordered phases in the parameter space. The phase diagrams for various s and t shows rich structures. We systematically explain the phases in the singlet-cluster-solid picture.Comment: 8 pages (16 figures included

Ionizing beam-induced adhesion enhancement and interface chemistry for Au-GaAs

MeV ion beam-induced adhesion enhancement of Au-films (∼500 Å thick) on p-type and n-type GaAs substrates has been studied by the scratch test, ESCA, and nuclear reaction hydrogen profiling. For films resistively deposited in a diffusion pumped chamber at 2−5×10^(−6)torr, the data indicate that the adhesion enhancement is associated with oxide layers on the substrate surface adsorbed before the film deposition. The ESCA data suggest that water vapour dissociates and forms Ga(OH)_3 at the interface layers under ionizing radiation. The oxide concentration at the interface varies with substrate electronic properties and gives a large difference in the adhesion enhancement. However, the data obtained so far on the hydrogen concentration at the interface indicate that within our range of sensitivity it is about the same for substrates with different electronic properties. Our data demonstrate the importance of a thin absorbed (impurity) layer for the interface chemistry and adhesion enhancement by ionizing radiation

Use of many-objective visual analytics to analyze water supply objective tradeoffs with water transfer

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from ASCE via the DOI in this record.The construction of water transfer projects can have a considerable impact on the operation of the receiving reservoir. This study investigates the change of the objective tradeoffs in multi-objective reservoir operation problems due to the introduction of water transfer using a case study of the East-to-West Water Transfer project in northeastern China. Two optimization cases are constructed to analyze the tradeoff changes: a base case with no water transfer which considers four objectives, i.e., minimizing industry water shortage, minimizing agriculture water shortage, minimizing water spillage, and maximizing ecological satisfaction; a future post-construction case which considers an additional objective to minimize the amount of water transferred. Results obtained from the case study show increasing water transfer substantially reduces the intensity of the competition between industrial and agricultural water shortages, and the objective tradeoffs among water spillage, ecological satisfaction and agricultural shortage index are substantially changed because of water transfer. In addition, the amount of water transferred with high efficiency regarding each objective is identified, and three solutions of different orders of magnitude in diverted water have been recommended for informed decision making considering efficiency and benefit. This study implies that many-objective visual analytics can be used to determine the optimal amount of water transferred in terms of water efficiency revealed in different objective tradeoff spaces.This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51320105010, 51279021, and 51409043), and by the Ministry of Water Resources of China (Grant No. 201401014-2). The fourth author was partially supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) under the Building Resilience into Risk Management project (EP/N010329/1)