561 research outputs found
One-Parameter Squeezed Gaussian States of Time-Dependent Harmonic Oscillator and Selection Rule for Vacuum States
By using the invariant method we find one-parameter squeezed Gaussian states
for both time-independent and time-dependent oscillators. The squeezing
parameter is expressed in terms of energy expectation value for
time-independent case and represents the degree of mixing positive and negative
frequency solutions for time-dependent case. A {\it minimum uncertainty
proposal} is advanced to select uniquely vacuum states at each moment of time.
We show that the Gaussian states with minimum uncertainty coincide with the
true vacuum state for time-independent oscillator and the Bunch-Davies vacuum
for a massive scalar field in a de Sitter spacetime.Comment: 13 Pages, ReVTeX, no figure
Squeezed States of the Generalized Minimum Uncertainty State for the Caldirola-Kanai Hamiltonian
We show that the ground state of the well-known pseudo-stationary states for
the Caldirola-Kanai Hamiltonian is a generalized minimum uncertainty state,
which has the minimum allowed uncertainty , where is a constant depending on the damping
factor and natural frequency. The most general symmetric Gaussian states are
obtained as the one-parameter squeezed states of the pseudo-stationary ground
state. It is further shown that the coherent states of the pseudo-stationary
ground state constitute another class of the generalized minimum uncertainty
states.Comment: RevTex4, 9 pages, no fingure; to be published in Journal of Physics
A meta-analysis of state-of-the-art electoral prediction from Twitter data
Electoral prediction from Twitter data is an appealing research topic. It
seems relatively straightforward and the prevailing view is overly optimistic.
This is problematic because while simple approaches are assumed to be good
enough, core problems are not addressed. Thus, this paper aims to (1) provide a
balanced and critical review of the state of the art; (2) cast light on the
presume predictive power of Twitter data; and (3) depict a roadmap to push
forward the field. Hence, a scheme to characterize Twitter prediction methods
is proposed. It covers every aspect from data collection to performance
evaluation, through data processing and vote inference. Using that scheme,
prior research is analyzed and organized to explain the main approaches taken
up to date but also their weaknesses. This is the first meta-analysis of the
whole body of research regarding electoral prediction from Twitter data. It
reveals that its presumed predictive power regarding electoral prediction has
been rather exaggerated: although social media may provide a glimpse on
electoral outcomes current research does not provide strong evidence to support
it can replace traditional polls. Finally, future lines of research along with
a set of requirements they must fulfill are provided.Comment: 19 pages, 3 table
A robust system for RNA interference in the chicken using a modified microRNA operon
AbstractRNA interference (RNAi) provides an effective method to silence gene expression and investigate gene function. However, RNAi tools for the chicken embryo have largely been adapted from vectors designed for mammalian cells. Here we present plasmid and retroviral RNAi vectors specifically designed for optimal gene silencing in chicken cells. The vectors use a chicken U6 promoter to express RNAs modelled on microRNA30, which are embedded within chicken microRNA operon sequences to ensure optimal Drosha and Dicer processing of transcripts. The chicken U6 promoter works significantly better than promoters of mammalian origin and in combination with a microRNA operon expression cassette (MOEC), achieves up to 90% silencing of target genes. By using a MOEC, we show that it is also possible to simultaneously silence two genes with a single vector. The vectors express either RFP or GFP markers, allowing simple in vivo tracking of vector delivery. Using these plasmids, we demonstrate effective silencing of Pax3, Pax6, Nkx2.1, Nkx2.2, Notch1 and Shh in discrete regions of the chicken embryonic nervous system. The efficiency and ease of use of this RNAi system paves the way for large-scale genetic screens in the chicken embryo
Planning for Sustainability in Small Municipalities: The Influence of Interest Groups, Growth Patterns, and Institutional Characteristics
How and why small municipalities promote sustainability through planning efforts is poorly understood. We analyzed ordinances in 451 Maine municipalities and tested theories of policy adoption using regression analysis.We found that smaller communities do adopt programs that contribute to sustainability relevant to their scale and context. In line with the political market theory, we found that municipalities with strong environmental interests, higher growth, and more formal governments were more likely to adopt these policies. Consideration of context and capacity in planning for sustainability will help planners better identify and benefit from collaboration, training, and outreach opportunities
A Grand Canonical Ensemble Approach to the Thermodynamic Properties of the Nucleon in the Quark-Gluon Coupling Model
In this paper, we put forward a way to study the nucleon's thermodynamic
properties such as its temperature, entropy and so on, without inputting any
free parameters by human hand, even the nucleon's mass and radius. First we use
the Lagrangian density of the quark gluon coupling fields to deduce the Dirac
Equation of the quarks confined in the gluon fields. By boundary conditions we
solve the wave functions and energy eigenvalues of the quarks, and thus get
energy-momentum tensor, nucleon mass, and density of states. Then we utilize a
hybrid grand canonical ensemble, to generate the temperature and chemical
potentials of quarks, antiquarks of three flovars by the four conservation laws
of the energy and the valence quark numbers, after which, all other
thermodynamic properties are known. The only seemed free paremeter, the nucleon
radius is finally determined by the grand potential minimal principle.Comment: 5 pages, LaTe
Azulene-Derived Fluorescent Probe for Bioimaging:Detection of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species by Two-Photon Microscopy
Nonequilibrium Quantum Dynamics of Second Order Phase Transitions
We use the so-called Liouville-von Neumann (LvN) approach to study the
nonequilibrium quantum dynamics of time-dependent second order phase
transitions. The LvN approach is a canonical method that unifies the functional
Schr\"{o}dinger equation for the quantum evolution of pure states and the LvN
equation for the quantum description of mixed states of either equilibrium or
nonequilibrium. As nonequilibrium quantum mechanical systems we study a
time-dependent harmonic and an anharmonic oscillator and find the exact Fock
space and density operator for the harmonic oscillator and the nonperturbative
Gaussian Fock space and density operator for the anharmonic oscillator. The
density matrix and the coherent, thermal and coherent-thermal states are found
in terms of their classical solutions, for which the effective Hamiltonians and
equations of motion are derived. The LvN approach is further extended to
quantum fields undergoing time-dependent second order phase transitions. We
study an exactly solvable model with a finite smooth quench and find the
two-point correlation functions. Due to the spinodal instability of long
wavelength modes the two-point correlation functions lead to the
-scaling relation during the quench and the Cahn-Allen scaling
relation after the completion of quench. Further, after the finite
quench the domain formation shows a time-lag behavior at the cubic power of
quench period. Finally we study the time-dependent phase transition of a
self-interacting scalar field.Comment: discussion on back-reaction added, typos corrected, references added,
final version for PR
Nonequilibrium Evolution of Correlation Functions: A Canonical Approach
We study nonequilibrium evolution in a self-interacting quantum field theory
invariant under space translation only by using a canonical approach based on
the recently developed Liouville-von Neumann formalism. The method is first
used to obtain the correlation functions both in and beyond the Hartree
approximation, for the quantum mechanical analog of the model. The
technique involves representing the Hamiltonian in a Fock basis of annihilation
and creation operators. By separating it into a solvable Gaussian part
involving quadratic terms and a perturbation of quartic terms, it is possible
to find the improved vacuum state to any desired order. The correlation
functions for the field theory are then investigated in the Hartree
approximation and those beyond the Hartree approximation are obtained by
finding the improved vacuum state corrected up to . These
correlation functions take into account next-to-leading and
next-to-next-to-leading order effects in the coupling constant. We also use the
Heisenberg formalism to obtain the time evolution equations for the equal-time,
connected correlation functions beyond the leading order. These equations are
derived by including the connected 4-point functions in the hierarchy. The
resulting coupled set of equations form a part of infinite hierarchy of coupled
equations relating the various connected n-point functions. The connection with
other approaches based on the path integral formalism is established and the
physical implications of the set of equations are discussed with particular
emphasis on thermalization.Comment: Revtex, 32 pages; substantial new material dealing with
non-equilibrium evolution beyond Hartree approx. based on the LvN formalism,
has been adde
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