161 research outputs found
Promoting Resilience Among African American Girls: Racial Identity as a Protective Factor
Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146551/1/cdev12995.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146551/2/cdev12995_am.pd
Monte Carlo simulation of ice models
We propose a number of Monte Carlo algorithms for the simulation of ice
models and compare their efficiency. One of them, a cluster algorithm for the
equivalent three colour model, appears to have a dynamic exponent close to
zero, making it particularly useful for simulations of critical ice models. We
have performed extensive simulations using our algorithms to determine a number
of critical exponents for the square ice and F models.Comment: 32 pages including 15 postscript figures, typeset in LaTeX2e using
the Elsevier macro package elsart.cl
Quantum effects in the quasiparticle structure of the ferromagnetic Kondo lattice model
A new ``Dynamical Mean-field theory'' based approach for the Kondo lattice
model with quantum spins is introduced. The inspection of exactly solvable
limiting cases and several known approximation methods, namely the second-order
perturbation theory, the self-consistent CPA and finally a moment-conserving
decoupling of the equations of motion help in evaluating the new approach. This
comprehensive investigation gives some certainty to our results: Whereas our
method is somewhat limited in the investigation of the J<0-model, the results
for J>0 reveal important aspects of the physics of the model: The energetically
lowest states are not completely spin-polarized.A band splitting, which occurs
already for relatively low interaction strengths, can be related to distinct
elementary excitations, namely magnon emission (absorption) and the formation
of magnetic polarons. We demonstrate the properties of the ferromagnetic Kondo
lattice model in terms of spectral densities and quasiparticle densities of
states.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figure
Phase transitions in the antiferromagnetic XY model with a kagome lattice
The ground state of the antiferromagnetic XY model with a kagome lattice is
characterized by a well developed accidental degeneracy. As a consequence the
phase transition in this system consists in unbinding of pairs of fractional
vortices. Addition of the next-to-nearest neighbors (NNN) interaction leads to
stabilization of the long-range order in chirality (staggered chirality). We
show that the phase transition, related with destruction of this long-range
order, can happen as a separate phase transition below the temperature of the
fractional vortex pairs unbinding only if the NNN coupling is extremely weak,
and find how the temperature of this transition depends on coupling constants.
We also demonstarte that the antiferromagnetic ordering of chiralities and,
accordingly, the presence of the second phase transition are induced by the
free energy of spin wave fluctuations even in absence of the NNN coupling.Comment: 10 pages (Revtex) + 8 figures (in 2 postscript files
Some approximate analytical methods in the study of the self-avoiding loop model with variable bending rigidity and the critical behaviour of the strong coupling lattice Schwinger model with Wilson fermions
Some time ago Salmhofer demonstrated the equivalence of the strong coupling
lattice Schwinger model with Wilson fermions to a certain 8-vertex model which
can be understood as a self-avoiding loop model on the square lattice with
bending rigidity and monomer weight . The
present paper applies two approximate analytical methods to the investigation
of critical properties of the self-avoiding loop model with variable bending
rigidity, discusses their validity and makes comparison with known MC results.
One method is based on the independent loop approximation used in the
literature for studying phase transitions in polymers, liquid helium and cosmic
strings. The second method relies on the known exact solution of the
self-avoiding loop model with bending rigidity . The present
investigation confirms recent findings that the strong coupling lattice
Schwinger model becomes critical for . The phase
transition is of second order and lies in the Ising model universality class.
Finally, the central charge of the strong coupling Schwinger model at
criticality is discussed and predicted to be .Comment: 22 pages LaTeX, 6 Postscript figure
Reduction of serum IGF-I levels in patients affected with Monoclonal Gammopathies of undetermined significance or Multiple Myeloma. Comparison with bFGF, VEGF and K-ras gene mutation
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Serum levels of IGF-I in patients affected with multiple myeloma (MM) have been scarcely studied. The present study is aimed to explore this point comparing 55 healthy subjects, 71 monoclonal gammopaties of uncertain significance (MGUS) and 77 overt MM patients. In the same subjects, basic FGF and VEGF, have been detected. All three mediators were analyzed in function of K-<it>ras </it>mutation and melphalan response. Concerning IGF-I, two representative monitoring examples have also been added.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cytokine determinations were performed by commercially available ELISA kits, while K12-<it>ras </it>mutation was investigated on genomic DNA isolated from bone marrow cell specimens by RFLP-PCR assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significant reductions of IGF-I levels were observed in MGUS and MM as compared with healthy controls. In addition, MM subjects showed significantly decreased serum IGF-I levels than MGUS. Conversely, increasing levels were observed for bFGF and VEGF, molecules significantly correlated. A multivariate analysis corrected for age and gender confirmed the significant difference only for IGF-I values (P = 0.01). K12-<it>ras </it>mutation was significantly associated with malignancy, response to therapy and with significantly increased serum bFGF levels.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>IGF-I reduction in the transition: Controls→MGUS→MM and changes observed over time suggest that IGF-I should be furtherly studied in future clinical trials as a possible monitoring marker for MM.</p
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