22,018 research outputs found
Nonequilibrium Transport in Quantum Impurity Models (Bethe-Ansatz for open systems)
We develop an exact non-perturbative framework to compute steady-state
properties of quantum-impurities subject to a finite bias. We show that the
steady-state physics of these systems is captured by nonequilibrium scattering
eigenstates which satisfy an appropriate Lippman-Schwinger equation.
Introducing a generalization of the equilibrium Bethe-Ansatz - the
Nonequilibrium Bethe-Ansatz (NEBA), we explicitly construct the scattering
eigenstates for the Interacting Resonance Level model and derive exact,
nonperturbative results for the steady-state properties of the system.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur
Constant Rank Bimatrix Games are PPAD-hard
The rank of a bimatrix game (A,B) is defined as rank(A+B). Computing a Nash
equilibrium (NE) of a rank-, i.e., zero-sum game is equivalent to linear
programming (von Neumann'28, Dantzig'51). In 2005, Kannan and Theobald gave an
FPTAS for constant rank games, and asked if there exists a polynomial time
algorithm to compute an exact NE. Adsul et al. (2011) answered this question
affirmatively for rank- games, leaving rank-2 and beyond unresolved.
In this paper we show that NE computation in games with rank , is
PPAD-hard, settling a decade long open problem. Interestingly, this is the
first instance that a problem with an FPTAS turns out to be PPAD-hard. Our
reduction bypasses graphical games and game gadgets, and provides a simpler
proof of PPAD-hardness for NE computation in bimatrix games. In addition, we
get:
* An equivalence between 2D-Linear-FIXP and PPAD, improving a result by
Etessami and Yannakakis (2007) on equivalence between Linear-FIXP and PPAD.
* NE computation in a bimatrix game with convex set of Nash equilibria is as
hard as solving a simple stochastic game.
* Computing a symmetric NE of a symmetric bimatrix game with rank is
PPAD-hard.
* Computing a (1/poly(n))-approximate fixed-point of a (Linear-FIXP)
piecewise-linear function is PPAD-hard.
The status of rank- games remains unresolved
A two-species continuum model for aeolian sand ripples
We formulate a continuum model for aeolian sand ripples consisting of two
species of grains: a lower layer of relatively immobile clusters, with an upper
layer of highly mobile grains moving on top. We predict analytically the ripple
wavelength, initial ripple growth rate and threshold saltation flux for ripple
formation. Numerical simulations show the evolution of realistic ripple
profiles from initial surface roughness via ripple growth and merger.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure
Why the Universe Started from a Low Entropy State
We show that the inclusion of backreaction of massive long wavelengths
imposes dynamical constraints on the allowed phase space of initial conditions
for inflation, which results in a superselection rule for the initial
conditions. Only high energy inflation is stable against collapse due to the
gravitational instability of massive perturbations. We present arguments to the
effect that the initial conditions problem {\it cannot} be meaningfully
addressed by thermostatistics as far as the gravitational degrees of freedom
are concerned. Rather, the choice of the initial conditions for the universe in
the phase space and the emergence of an arrow of time have to be treated as a
dynamic selection.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figs. Final version; agrees with accepted version in
Phys. Rev.
Menstrual health management: Knowledge and practices among adolescent girls
Objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitude of adolescent girls regarding menstruation and menstrual hygiene.Material and Methods: After approval by the ethical committee , the study was conducted on 340 adolescent girls aged 12-19 years, belonging to an urban slum area of Delhi. This was a questionnaire based cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 9 months in a tertiary hospital. Confidentiality of the subjects was ensured.Results: Out of 340 girls 69 % were between 16-19 years. Source of information about menstruation in majority of the cases was mother (60%). Only 48% girls knew menstruation before menarche and 24% girls knew uterus as the organ for menstruation. 71 % girls used sterile sanitary napkins as absorbent. Satisfactory changing of pads (>2pads/day) was done by 68 % and 77% girls cleaned the genitalia satisfactorily (>2 times/day). 41% girls were aware of the fact that unhygienic use of pad could be a source of genital infection and 8% girls had associated vaginal discharge. Social restrictions during menses in the form of religious activities, drop out from school, avoiding certain foods etc were practiced in many families.Conclusion: Although the menstrual practices appear to be satisfactory in major percentage of girls but knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene is worrisome, as maximum girls are unaware of menarche and physiology of menstruation. Inclusion of such information in the school curriculum and wider coverage in mass media will help to bridge this gap.Keywords: Adolescence; hygiene; menstruation healt
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