Lieb-Robinson bounds and the speed of light from topological order

We apply the Lieb-Robinson bounds technique to find the maximum speed of interaction in a spin model with topological order whose low-energy effective theory describes light [see X.-G. Wen, \prb {\bf 68}, 115413 (2003)]. The maximum speed of interactions is found in two dimensions is bounded from above less than $\sqrt{2} e$ times the speed of emerging light, giving a strong indication that light is indeed the maximum speed of interactions. This result does not rely on mean field theoretic methods. In higher spatial dimensions, the Lieb-Robinson speed is conjectured to increase linearly with the dimension itself. Implications for the horizon problem in cosmology are discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 1 eps figure. Bound improve

Controlled generation of a pn-junction in a waveguide integrated graphene photodetector

With its electrically tunable light absorption and ultrafast photoresponse, graphene is a promising candidate for high-speed chip-integrated photonics. The generation mechanisms of photosignals in graphene photodetectors have been studied extensively in the past years. However, the knowledge about efficient light conversion at graphene pn-junctions has not yet been translated into high-performance devices. Here, we present a graphene photodetector integrated on a silicon slot-waveguide, acting as a dual-gate to create a pn-junction in the optical absorption region of the device. While at zero bias the photo-thermoelectric effect is the dominant conversion process, an additional photoconductive contribution is identified in a biased configuration. Extrinsic responsivities of 35 mA/W, or 3.5 V/W, at zero bias and 76 mA/W at 300 mV bias voltage are achieved. The device exhibits a 3 dB-bandwidth of 65 GHz, which is the highest value reported for a graphene-based photodetector.Comment: 19 pages, 16 figure

Monte Carlo computer simulations and electron microscopy of colloidal cluster formation via emulsion droplet evaporation

We consider a theoretical model for a binary mixture of colloidal particles and spherical emulsion droplets. The hard sphere colloids interact via additional short-ranged attraction and long-ranged repulsion. The droplet-colloid interaction is an attractive well at the droplet surface, which induces the Pickering effect. The droplet-droplet interaction is a hard-core interaction. The droplets shrink in time, which models the evaporation of the dispersed (oil) phase, and we use Monte Carlo simulations for the dynamics. In the experiments, polystyrene particles were assembled using toluene droplets as templates. The arrangement of the particles on the surface of the droplets was analyzed with cryogenic field emission scanning electron microscopy. Before evaporation of the oil, the particle distribution on the droplet surface was found to be disordered in experiments, and the simulations reproduce this effect. After complete evaporation, ordered colloidal clusters are formed that are stable against thermal fluctuations. Both in the simulations and with field emission scanning electron microscopy, we find stable packings that range from doublets, triplets, and tetrahedra to complex polyhedra of colloids. The simulated cluster structures and size distribution agree well with the experimental results. We also simulate hierarchical assembly in a mixture of tetrahedral clusters and droplets, and find supercluster structures with morphologies that are more complex than those of clusters of single particles.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figure

Perceived stress and team performance during a simulated resuscitation

Purpose: Barriers to optimal performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation may partly relate to human factors, such as stress and specific emotions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether mental stress and different perceived emotions have a negative impact on the performance of rescuers. Methods: This prospective, observational study was conducted at the Simulator Center of the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland. A total of 120 medical students (70% female) participated in teams of three. They reported levels of perceived stress, feeling overwhelmed, motivation and specific emotions before, during, and after a simulated resuscitation. The association of stress/overload (index of stress and feeling overwhelmed), motivation, and specific emotions with resuscitation performance defined as hands-on time during the first 180s after cardiac arrest was investigated. Results: During resuscitation, levels of stress/overload, motivation, and negative emotions were significantly higher as compared to the periods before and after resuscitation. In contrast, positive emotions were highest before and after resuscitation and significantly lower during resuscitation. In general, females reported higher stress/overload and negative emotions, whereas males reported more positive emotions. A multivariate linear regression model showed negative associations of stress/overload (regression coefficient −18.12, 95% CI −30.73, −5.51, p=0.006) and positive associations of motivation (regression coefficient 13.45, 95% CI 0.95, 25.95, p=0.036) with resuscitation performance. Conclusion: A simulated cardiac arrest caused substantial perceived stress/overload and negative emotions, particularly in female students, which adversely impacted resuscitation performance. Further studies are required to expand our findings to more experienced medical professionals and investigate whether stress coping strategies improve resuscitation performanc

KCNC2 variants of uncertain significance are also associated to various forms of epilepsy

Recently, de novo variants in KCNC2, coding for the potassium channel subunit KV3.2, have been described as causative for various forms of epilepsy including genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) and developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). Here, we report the functional characteristics of three additional KCNC2 variants of uncertain significance and one variant classified as pathogenic. Electrophysiological studies were performed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The data presented here support that KCNC2 variants with uncertain significance may also be causative for various forms of epilepsy, as they show changes in the current amplitude and activation and deactivation kinetics of the channel, depending on the variant. In addition, we investigated the effect of valproic acid on KV3.2, as several patients carrying pathogenic variants in the KCNC2 gene achieved significant seizure reduction or seizure freedom with this drug. However, in our electrophysiological investigations, no change on the behavior of KV3.2 channels could be observed, suggesting that the therapeutic effect of VPA may be explained by other mechanisms

André Schwarz-Bart, le Juif et les Antillais

Cet entretien (resté inédit) s’est déroulé à La Souvenance, à Goyave, le 26 janvier 2011. Il a été enregistré, retranscrit et mis en forme par Francine Kaufmann. Lors d’une seconde rencontre, également à La Souvenance, le 30 janvier 2012, Ernest Pépin, en présence de Simone Schwarz-Bart qui intervenait de temps en temps, a relu et précisé son texte. Cet entretien porte notamment sur la réception de La Mulâtresse Solitude aux Antilles.Xxxx Abstract xxx

A reinforcement learning based slope limiter for second‐order finite volume schemes

Hyperbolic equations admit discontinuities in the solution and thus adequate and physically sound numerical schemes are necessary for their discretization. Second‐order finite volume schemes are a popular choice for the discretization of hyperbolic problems due to their simplicity. Despite the numerous advantages of higher‐order schemes in smooth regions, they fail at strong discontinuities. Crucial for the accurate and stable simulation of flow problems with discontinuities is the adequate and reliable limiting of the reconstructed slopes. Numerous limiters have been developed to handle this task. However, they are too dissipative in smooth regions or require empirical parameters which are globally defined and test case specific. Therefore, this paper aims to develop a new slope limiter based on deep learning and reinforcement learning techniques. For this, the proposed limiter is based on several admissibility constraints: positivity of the solution and a relaxed discrete maximum principle. This approach enables a slope limiter which is independent of a manually specified global parameter while providing an optimal slope with respect to the defined admissibility constraints. The new limiter is applied to several well‐known shock tube problems, which illustrates its broad applicability and the potential of reinforcement learning in numerics.Deutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftProjekt DEALEuropean Commissio

New Trends for Controlled-Release of TBH Herbicide in the Field by Using a Biodegradable Polymer Fashion

The herbicide Tebuthiuron (TBH) is widely used to weed control in sugar cane and cotton crops. However, TBH when applied to the soil is prone to the leaching process due to its high solubility, reaching soil layers below the required control zone. Here, we present a new insight for controlled-release of TBH herbicide by using a microparticulate system on the weed plants of difficult control. For this purpose, calcium alginate (Ca-ALG) microparticles containing the TBH herbicide were developed as a strategy to reduce the groundwater contamination, caused by the mobility of the herbicide element. The obtained results are innovative since demonstrates potential application in controlled-release as well as efficiency on the weed species control of Digitaria horizontalis (Willd) and Ipomoea grandifolia (Dammer) O'Donell weed species in pre-emergence. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v12i4.155