J1−J2J_1-J_2 Quantum Heisenberg Antiferromagnet: Improved Spin-Wave Theories Versus Exact-Diagonalization Data

We reconsider the results cocerning the extreme-quantum $S=1/2$ square-lattice Heisenberg antiferromagnet with frustrating diagonal couplings ($J_1-J_2$ model) drawn from a comparison with exact-diagonalization data. A combined approach using also some intrinsic features of the self-consistent spin-wave theory leads to the conclusion that the theory strongly overestimates the stabilizing role of quantum flutcuations in respect to the N\'{e}el phase in the extreme-quantum case $S=1/2$. On the other hand, the analysis implies that the N\'{e}el phase remains stable at least up to the limit $J_{2}/J_{1} = 0.49$ which is pretty larger than some previous estimates. In addition, it is argued that the spin-wave ansatz predicts the existence of a finite range ($J_{2}/J_{1}<0.323$ in the linear spin-wave theory) where the Marshall-Peierls sigh rule survives the frustrations.Comment: 13 pages, LaTex, 7 figures on reques

Spin-1/2 J1-J2 model on the body-centered cubic lattice

Using exact diagonalization (ED) and linear spin wave theory (LSWT) we study the influence of frustration and quantum fluctuations on the magnetic ordering in the ground state of the spin-1/2 J1-J2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet (J1-J2 model) on the body-centered cubic (bcc) lattice. Contrary to the J1-J2 model on the square lattice, we find for the bcc lattice that frustration and quantum fluctuations do not lead to a quantum disordered phase for strong frustration. The results of both approaches (ED, LSWT) suggest a first order transition at J2/J1 $\approx$ 0.7 from the two-sublattice Neel phase at low J2 to a collinear phase at large J2.Comment: 6.1 pages 7 figure

Resonating Valence Bond Wave Functions for Strongly Frustrated Spin Systems

The Resonating Valence Bond (RVB) theory for two-dimensional quantum antiferromagnets is shown to be the correct paradigm for large enough ``quantum frustration''. This scenario, proposed long time ago but never confirmed by microscopic calculations, is very strongly supported by a new type of variational wave function, which is extremely close to the exact ground state of the $J_1{-}J_2$ Heisenberg model for $0.4 \lesssim J_2/J_1\lesssim 0.5$. This wave function is proposed to represent the generic spin-half RVB ground state in spin liquids.Comment: 4 Pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in PR

Towards the definition of a detailed transcriptomic map of berry development

The progress of the grapevine genomics and the development of high-throughput technologies for gene expression analysis stimulated the investigation of the physical, biochemical and physiological changes of grape berry growth and maturation at transcriptomic level. The molecular information generated in the last decade is however still fragmented since it relies upon detailed analysis of few stages and thus lacks continuity over grape development. To identify the molecular events associated with berry development at a higher temporal resolution and define a transcriptomic map, we performed RNA-seq analysis of berry samples collected every week from fruit-set to maturity in Pinot noir and Cabernet Sauvignon for three consecutive years, resulting in 219 samples. Using the most variable portion of the transcriptome, we built a preliminary transcriptomic model of berry development based on the Cabernet Sauvignon samples. The Pinot noir samples were then aligned onto this preliminary ripening map to investigate its performance in describing the development of another grape variety. A further step for testing the model was the projection of RNA-seq samples of fruit development of five red-skin Italian cultivars. For all these surveys, the transcriptomic route allowed a precise definition of the progression of berry development during both formation and ripening phases

The spin-1/2 J1-J2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the square lattice: Exact diagonalization for N=40 spins

We present numerical exact results for the ground state and the low-lying excitations for the spin-1/2 J1-J2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on finite square lattices of up to N=40 sites. Using finite-size extrapolation we determine the ground-state energy, the magnetic order parameters, the spin gap, the uniform susceptibility, as well as the spin-wave velocity and the spin stiffness as functions of the frustration parameter J2/J1. In agreement with the generally excepted scenario we find semiclassical magnetically ordered phases for J2 < J2^{c1} and J2 > J2^{c2} separated by a gapful quantum paramagnetic phase. We estimate J2^{c1} \approx 0.35J1 and J2^{c2} \approx 0.66J1.Comment: 16 pages, 2 tables, 11 figure

Quantum magnetism in two dimensions: From semi-classical N\'eel order to magnetic disorder

This is a review of ground-state features of the s=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on two-dimensional lattices. A central issue is the interplay of lattice topology (e.g. coordination number, non-equivalent nearest-neighbor bonds, geometric frustration) and quantum fluctuations and their impact on possible long-range order. This article presents a unified summary of all 11 two-dimensional uniform Archimedean lattices which include e.g. the square, triangular and kagome lattice. We find that the ground state of the spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet is likely to be semi-classically ordered in most cases. However, the interplay of geometric frustration and quantum fluctuations gives rise to a quantum paramagnetic ground state without semi-classical long-range order on two lattices which are precisely those among the 11 uniform Archimedean lattices with a highly degenerate ground state in the classical limit. The first one is the famous kagome lattice where many low-lying singlet excitations are known to arise in the spin gap. The second lattice is called star lattice and has a clear gap to all excitations. Modification of certain bonds leads to quantum phase transitions which are also discussed briefly. Furthermore, we discuss the magnetization process of the Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the 11 Archimedean lattices, focusing on anomalies like plateaus and a magnetization jump just below the saturation field. As an illustration we discuss the two-dimensional Shastry-Sutherland model which is used to describe SrCu2(BO3)2.Comment: This is now the complete 72-page preprint version of the 2004 review article. This version corrects two further typographic errors (three total with respect to the published version), see page 2 for detail

Essential versus accessory aspects of cell death: recommendations of the NCCD 2015

Cells exposed to extreme physicochemical or mechanical stimuli die in an uncontrollable manner, as a result of their immediate structural breakdown. Such an unavoidable variant of cellular demise is generally referred to as ‘accidental cell death’ (ACD). In most settings, however, cell death is initiated by a genetically encoded apparatus, correlating with the fact that its course can be altered by pharmacologic or genetic interventions. ‘Regulated cell death’ (RCD) can occur as part of physiologic programs or can be activated once adaptive responses to perturbations of the extracellular or intracellular microenvironment fail. The biochemical phenomena that accompany RCD may be harnessed to classify it into a few subtypes, which often (but not always) exhibit stereotyped morphologic features. Nonetheless, efficiently inhibiting the processes that are commonly thought to cause RCD, such as the activation of executioner caspases in the course of apoptosis, does not exert true cytoprotective effects in the mammalian system, but simply alters the kinetics of cellular demise as it shifts its morphologic and biochemical correlates. Conversely, bona fide cytoprotection can be achieved by inhibiting the transduction of lethal signals in the early phases of the process, when adaptive responses are still operational. Thus, the mechanisms that truly execute RCD may be less understood, less inhibitable and perhaps more homogeneous than previously thought. Here, the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death formulates a set of recommendations to help scientists and researchers to discriminate between essential and accessory aspects of cell death

Search for the standard model Higgs boson decaying to a bb pair in events with one charged lepton and large missing transverse energy using the full CDF data set

We present a search for the standard model Higgs boson produced in association with a W boson in sqrt(s) = 1.96 TeV p-pbar collision data collected with the CDF II detector at the Tevatron corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9.45 fb-1. In events consistent with the decay of the Higgs boson to a bottom-quark pair and the W boson to an electron or muon and a neutrino, we set 95% credibility level upper limits on the WH production cross section times the H->bb branching ratio as a function of Higgs boson mass. At a Higgs boson mass of 125 GeV/c2 we observe (expect) a limit of 4.9 (2.8) times the standard model value.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett (v2 contains clarifications suggested by PRL

Search for the standard model Higgs boson decaying to a bbˉb\bar{b} pair in events with no charged leptons and large missing transverse energy using the full CDF data set

We report on a search for the standard model Higgs boson produced in association with a vector boson in the full data set of proton-antiproton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 1.96$ TeV recorded by the CDF II detector at the Tevatron, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9.45 fb$^{-1}$. We consider events having no identified charged lepton, a transverse energy imbalance, and two or three jets, of which at least one is consistent with originating from the decay of a $b$ quark. We place 95% credibility level upper limits on the production cross section times standard model branching fraction for several mass hypotheses between 90 and $150 \mathrm{GeV}/c^2$. For a Higgs boson mass of $125 \mathrm{GeV}/c^2$, the observed (expected) limit is 6.7 (3.6) times the standard model prediction.Comment: Accepted by Phys. Rev. Let

Search for the standard model Higgs boson decaying to a bb pair in events with two oppositely-charged leptons using the full CDF data set

We present a search for the standard model Higgs boson produced in association with a Z boson in data collected with the CDF II detector at the Tevatron, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9.45/fb. In events consistent with the decay of the Higgs boson to a bottom-quark pair and the Z boson to electron or muon pairs, we set 95% credibility level upper limits on the ZH production cross section times the H -> bb branching ratio as a function of Higgs boson mass. At a Higgs boson mass of 125 GeV/c^2 we observe (expect) a limit of 7.1 (3.9) times the standard model value.Comment: To be submitted to Phys. Rev. Let