109 research outputs found
Transport in Almost Integrable Models: Perturbed Heisenberg Chains
The heat conductivity kappa(T) of integrable models, like the one-dimensional
spin-1/2 nearest-neighbor Heisenberg model, is infinite even at finite
temperatures as a consequence of the conservation laws associated with
integrability. Small perturbations lead to finite but large transport
coefficients which we calculate perturbatively using exact diagonalization and
moment expansions. We show that there are two different classes of
perturbations. While an interchain coupling of strength J_perp leads to
kappa(T) propto 1/J_perp^2 as expected from simple golden-rule arguments, we
obtain a much larger kappa(T) propto 1/J'^4 for a weak next-nearest neighbor
interaction J'. This can be explained by a new approximate conservation law of
the J-J' Heisenberg chain.Comment: 4 pages, several minor modifications, title change
Mott transition of fermionic atoms in a three-dimensional optical trap
We study theoretically the Mott metal-insulator transition for a system of
fermionic atoms confined in a three-dimensional optical lattice and a harmonic
trap. We describe an inhomogeneous system of several thousand sites using an
adaptation of dynamical mean field theory solved efficiently with the numerical
renormalization group method. Above a critical value of the on-site
interaction, a Mott-insulating phase appears in the system. We investigate
signatures of the Mott phase in the density profile and in time-of-flight
experiments.Comment: 4 pages and 5 figure
Absorption and Emission in quantum dots: Fermi surface effects of Anderson excitons
Recent experiments measuring the emission of exciton recombination in a
self-organized single quantum dot (QD) have revealed that novel effects occur
when the wetting layer surrounding the QD becomes filled with electrons,
because the resulting Fermi sea can hybridize with the local electron levels on
the dot. Motivated by these experiments, we study an extended Anderson model,
which describes a local conduction band level coupled to a Fermi sea, but also
includes a local valence band level. We are interested, in particular, on how
many-body correlations resulting from the presence of the Fermi sea affect the
absorption and emission spectra. Using Wilson's numerical renormalization group
method, we calculate the zero-temperature absorption (emission) spectrum of a
QD which starts from (ends up in) a strongly correlated Kondo ground state. We
predict two features: Firstly, we find that the spectrum shows a power law
divergence close to the threshold, with an exponent that can be understood by
analogy to the well-known X-ray edge absorption problem. Secondly, the
threshold energy - below which no photon is absorbed (above which no
photon is emitted) - shows a marked, monotonic shift as a function of the
exciton binding energy Comment: 10 pages, 9 figure
Kondo proximity effect: How does a metal penetrate into a Mott insulator?
We consider a heterostructure of a metal and a paramagnetic Mott insulator
using an adaptation of dynamical mean field theory to describe inhomogeneous
systems. The metal can penetrate into the insulator via the Kondo effect. We
investigate the scaling properties of the metal-insulator interface close to
the critical point of the Mott insulator. At criticality, the quasiparticle
weight decays as 1/x^2 with distance x from the metal within our mean field
theory. Our numerical results (using the numerical renormalization group as an
impurity solver) show that the prefactor of this power law is extremely small.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Supersolid state of ultracold fermions in an optical lattice
We study ultracold fermionic atoms trapped in an optical lattice with
harmonic confinement by means of the dynamical mean-field approximation. It is
demonstrated that a supersolid state, where an s-wave superfluid coexists with
a density-wave state with a checkerboard pattern, is stabilized by attractive
onsite interactions on a square lattice. Our new finding here is that a
confining potential plays an invaluable role in stabilizing the supersolid
state. We establish a rich phase diagram at low temperatures, which clearly
shows how the insulator, the density wave and the superfluid compete with each
other to produce an intriguing domain structure. Our results shed light on the
possibility of the supersolid state in fermionic optical lattice systems.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
Dynamical Mean-Field Theory
The dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) is a widely applicable approximation
scheme for the investigation of correlated quantum many-particle systems on a
lattice, e.g., electrons in solids and cold atoms in optical lattices. In
particular, the combination of the DMFT with conventional methods for the
calculation of electronic band structures has led to a powerful numerical
approach which allows one to explore the properties of correlated materials. In
this introductory article we discuss the foundations of the DMFT, derive the
underlying self-consistency equations, and present several applications which
have provided important insights into the properties of correlated matter.Comment: Chapter in "Theoretical Methods for Strongly Correlated Systems",
edited by A. Avella and F. Mancini, Springer (2011), 31 pages, 5 figure
Prevalence of physical and verbal aggressive behaviours and associated factors among older adults in long-term care facilities
BACKGROUND: Verbal and physical aggressive behaviours are among the most disturbing and distressing behaviours displayed by older patients in long-term care facilities. Aggressive behaviour (AB) is often the reason for using physical or chemical restraints with nursing home residents and is a major concern for caregivers. AB is associated with increased health care costs due to staff turnover and absenteeism. METHODS: The goals of this secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study are to determine the prevalence of verbal and physical aggressive behaviours and to identify associated factors among older adults in long-term care facilities in the Quebec City area (n = 2 332). RESULTS: The same percentage of older adults displayed physical aggressive behaviour (21.2%) or verbal aggressive behaviour (21.5%), whereas 11.2% displayed both types of aggressive behaviour. Factors associated with aggressive behaviour (both verbal and physical) were male gender, neuroleptic drug use, mild and severe cognitive impairment, insomnia, psychological distress, and physical restraints. Factors associated with physical aggressive behaviour were older age, male gender, neuroleptic drug use, mild or severe cognitive impairment, insomnia and psychological distress. Finally, factors associated with verbal aggressive behaviour were benzodiazepine and neuroleptic drug use, functional dependency, mild or severe cognitive impairment and insomnia. CONCLUSION: Cognitive impairment severity is the most significant predisposing factor for aggressive behaviour among older adults in long-term care facilities in the Quebec City area. Physical and chemical restraints were also significantly associated with AB. Based on these results, we suggest that caregivers should provide care to older adults with AB using approaches such as the progressively lowered stress threshold model and reactance theory which stress the importance of paying attention to the severity of cognitive impairment and avoiding the use of chemical or physical restraints
The clinical relevance of oliguria in the critically ill patient : Analysis of a large observational database
Funding Information: Marc Leone reports receiving consulting fees from Amomed and Aguettant; lecture fees from MSD, Pfizer, Octapharma, 3 M, Aspen, Orion; travel support from LFB; and grant support from PHRC IR and his institution. JLV is the Editor-in-Chief of Critical Care. The other authors declare that they have no relevant financial interests. Publisher Copyright: © 2020 The Author(s). Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background: Urine output is widely used as one of the criteria for the diagnosis and staging of acute renal failure, but few studies have specifically assessed the role of oliguria as a marker of acute renal failure or outcomes in general intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Using a large multinational database, we therefore evaluated the occurrence of oliguria (defined as a urine output 16 years) patients in the ICON audit who had a urine output measurement on the day of admission were included. To investigate the association between oliguria and mortality, we used a multilevel analysis. Results: Of the 8292 patients included, 2050 (24.7%) were oliguric during the first 24 h of admission. Patients with oliguria on admission who had at least one additional 24-h urine output recorded during their ICU stay (n = 1349) were divided into three groups: transient - oliguria resolved within 48 h after the admission day (n = 390 [28.9%]), prolonged - oliguria resolved > 48 h after the admission day (n = 141 [10.5%]), and permanent - oliguria persisting for the whole ICU stay or again present at the end of the ICU stay (n = 818 [60.6%]). ICU and hospital mortality rates were higher in patients with oliguria than in those without, except for patients with transient oliguria who had significantly lower mortality rates than non-oliguric patients. In multilevel analysis, the need for RRT was associated with a significantly higher risk of death (OR = 1.51 [95% CI 1.19-1.91], p = 0.001), but the presence of oliguria on admission was not (OR = 1.14 [95% CI 0.97-1.34], p = 0.103). Conclusions: Oliguria is common in ICU patients and may have a relatively benign nature if only transient. The duration of oliguria and need for RRT are associated with worse outcome.publishersversionPeer reviewe
Temporal changes in the epidemiology, management, and outcome from acute respiratory distress syndrome in European intensive care units: a comparison of two large cohorts
Background: Mortality rates for patients with ARDS remain high. We assessed temporal changes in the epidemiology and management of ARDS patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation in European ICUs. We also investigated the association between ventilatory settings and outcome in these patients. Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of two cohorts of adult ICU patients admitted between May 1–15, 2002 (SOAP study, n = 3147), and May 8–18, 2012 (ICON audit, n = 4601 admitted to ICUs in the same 24 countries as the SOAP study). ARDS was defined retrospectively using the Berlin definitions. Values of tidal volume, PEEP, plateau pressure, and FiO2 corresponding to the most abnormal value of arterial PO2 were recorded prospectively every 24 h. In both studies, patients were followed for outcome until death, hospital discharge or for 60 days. Results: The frequency of ARDS requiring mechanical ventilation during the ICU stay was similar in SOAP and ICON (327[10.4%] vs. 494[10.7%], p = 0.793). The diagnosis of ARDS was established at a median of 3 (IQ: 1–7) days after admission in SOAP and 2 (1–6) days in ICON. Within 24 h of diagnosis, ARDS was mild in 244 (29.7%), moderate in 388 (47.3%), and severe in 189 (23.0%) patients. In patients with ARDS, tidal volumes were lower in the later (ICON) than in the earlier (SOAP) cohort. Plateau and driving pressures were also lower in ICON than in SOAP. ICU (134[41.1%] vs 179[36.9%]) and hospital (151[46.2%] vs 212[44.4%]) mortality rates in patients with ARDS were similar in SOAP and ICON. High plateau pressure (> 29 cmH2O) and driving pressure (> 14 cmH2O) on the first day of mechanical ventilation but not tidal volume (> 8 ml/kg predicted body weight [PBW]) were independently associated with a higher risk of in-hospital death. Conclusion: The frequency of and outcome from ARDS remained relatively stable between 2002 and 2012. Plateau pressure > 29 cmH2O and driving pressure > 14 cmH2O on the first day of mechanical ventilation but not tidal volume > 8 ml/kg PBW were independently associated with a higher risk of death. These data highlight the continued burden of ARDS and provide hypothesis-generating data for the design of future studies
- …