86 research outputs found
Universal finite size corrections and the central charge in non solvable Ising models
We investigate a non solvable two-dimensional ferromagnetic Ising model with
nearest neighbor plus weak finite range interactions of strength \lambda. We
rigorously establish one of the predictions of Conformal Field Theory (CFT),
namely the fact that at the critical temperature the finite size corrections to
the free energy are universal, in the sense that they are exactly independent
of the interaction. The corresponding central charge, defined in terms of the
coefficient of the first subleading term to the free energy, as proposed by
Affleck and Blote-Cardy-Nightingale, is constant and equal to 1/2 for all
0<\lambda<\lambda_0 and \lambda_0 a small but finite convergence radius. This
is one of the very few cases where the predictions of CFT can be rigorously
verified starting from a microscopic non solvable statistical model. The proof
uses a combination of rigorous renormalization group methods with a novel
partition function inequality, valid for ferromagnetic interactions.Comment: 43 pages, 1 figur
Quantified limits of the nuclear landscape
The chart of the nuclides is limited by particle drip lines beyond which
nuclear stability to proton or neutron emission is lost. Predicting the range
of particle-bound isotopes poses an appreciable challenge for nuclear theory as
it involves extreme extrapolations of nuclear masses beyond the regions where
experimental information is available. Still, quantified extrapolations are
crucial for a variety of applications, including the modeling of stellar
nucleosynthesis. We use microscopic nuclear mass models and Bayesian
methodology to provide quantified predictions of proton and neutron separation
energies as well as Bayesian probabilities of existence throughout the nuclear
landscape all the way to the particle drip lines. We apply nuclear density
functional theory with several energy density functionals. To account for
uncertainties, Bayesian Gaussian processes are trained on the separation-energy
residuals for each individual model, and the resulting predictions are combined
via Bayesian model averaging. This framework allows to account for systematic
and statistical uncertainties and propagate them to extrapolative predictions.
We characterize the drip-line regions where the probability that the nucleus is
particle-bound decreases from to . In these regions, we provide
quantified predictions for one- and two-nucleon separation energies. According
to our Bayesian model averaging analysis, 7759 nuclei with have a
probability of existence . The extrapolations obtained in this study
will be put through stringent tests when new experimental information on exotic
nuclei becomes available. In this respect, the quantified landscape of nuclear
existence obtained in this study should be viewed as a dynamical prediction
that will be fine-tuned when new experimental information and improved global
mass models become available
Extended scaling relations for planar lattice models
It is widely believed that the critical properties of several planar lattice
models, like the Eight Vertex or the Ashkin-Teller models, are well described
by an effective Quantum Field Theory obtained as formal scaling limit. On the
basis of this assumption several extended scaling relations among their indices
were conjectured. We prove the validity of some of them, among which the ones
by Kadanoff, [K], and by Luther and Peschel, [LP].Comment: 32 pages, 7 fi
Future of nuclear fission theory
There has been much recent interest in nuclear fission, due in part to a new appreciation of its relevance to astrophysics, stability of superheavy elements, and fundamental theory of neutrino interactions. At the same time, there have been important developments on a conceptual and computational level for the theory. The promising new theoretical avenues were the subject of a workshop held at the University of York in October 2019; this report summarises its findings and recommendations.Peer reviewe
Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London
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