2,215 research outputs found
Deterministic constant-temperature dynamics for dissipative quantum systems
A novel method is introduced in order to treat the dissipative dynamics of
quantum systems interacting with a bath of classical degrees of freedom. The
method is based upon an extension of the Nos\`e-Hoover chain (constant
temperature) dynamics to quantum-classical systems. Both adiabatic and
nonadiabatic numerical calculations on the relaxation dynamics of the
spin-boson model show that the quantum-classical Nos\`e-Hoover chain dynamics
represents the thermal noise of the bath in an accurate and simple way.
Numerical comparisons, both with the constant energy calculation and with the
quantum-classical Brownian motion treatment of the bath, show that the
quantum-classical Nos\`e-Hoover Chain dynamics can be used to introduce
dissipation in the evolution of a quantum subsystem even with just one degree
of freedom for the bath. The algorithm can be computationally advantageous in
modeling, within computer simulation, the dynamics of a quantum subsystem
interacting with complex molecular environments.Comment: Revised versio
Random graph model with power-law distributed triangle subgraphs
Clustering is well-known to play a prominent role in the description and
understanding of complex networks, and a large spectrum of tools and ideas have
been introduced to this end. In particular, it has been recognized that the
abundance of small subgraphs is important. Here, we study the arrangement of
triangles in a model for scale-free random graphs and determine the asymptotic
behavior of the clustering coefficient, the average number of triangles, as
well as the number of triangles attached to the vertex of maximum degree. We
prove that triangles are power-law distributed among vertices and characterized
by both vertex and edge coagulation when the degree exponent satisfies
; furthermore, a finite density of triangles appears as
.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure; v2: major conceptual change
Phase-Space Metric for Non-Hamiltonian Systems
We consider an invariant skew-symmetric phase-space metric for
non-Hamiltonian systems. We say that the metric is an invariant if the metric
tensor field is an integral of motion. We derive the time-dependent
skew-symmetric phase-space metric that satisfies the Jacobi identity. The
example of non-Hamiltonian systems with linear friction term is considered.Comment: 12 page
New ADS Functionality for the Curator
In this paper we provide an update concerning the operations of the NASA
Astrophysics Data System (ADS), its services and user interface, and the
content currently indexed in its database. As the primary information system
used by researchers in Astronomy, the ADS aims to provide a comprehensive index
of all scholarly resources appearing in the literature. With the current effort
in our community to support data and software citations, we discuss what steps
the ADS is taking to provide the needed infrastructure in collaboration with
publishers and data providers. A new API provides access to the ADS search
interface, metrics, and libraries allowing users to programmatically automate
discovery and curation tasks. The new ADS interface supports a greater
integration of content and services with a variety of partners, including ORCID
claiming, indexing of SIMBAD objects, and article graphics from a variety of
publishers. Finally, we highlight how librarians can facilitate the ingest of
gray literature that they curate into our system.Comment: Submitted to the Proceedings of Library and Information Services in
Astronomy VIII, Strasbourg, Franc
Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Modification after Virtual Environment Exposure
Immersion in an illusory world is possible by means of virtual reality (VR), where environmental perception is modi
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c1c ed by artificial sensorial stimulation. The application of VR for the assessment and rehabilitation of pathologies affecting the vestibular system, in terms of both diagnosis and care, could represent an interesting new line of research. Our perception of reality is in fact based on static and dynamic spatial information perceived by our senses. During head movements in a virtual environment the images on the display and the labyrinthine information relative to the head angular accelerations differ and therefore a visuo-vestibular conflict is present. It is known that mismatches between visual and labyrinthine information may modify the vestibulo-oculomotor reflex (VOR) gain. We studied the post-immersion modifications in 20 healthy subjects (mean age 25 years) exposed to a virtual environment for 20 min by wearing a head-mounted display. VOR gain and phase were measured by means of harmonic sinusoidal stimulation in the dark before, at the end of and 30 min after VR exposure. A VOR gain reduction was observed in all subjects at the end of VR exposure which disappeared after 30 min. Our data show that exposure to a virtual environment can induce a temporary modi
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c1c cation of the VOR gain. This
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c1c nding can be employed to enable an artificial, instrumental modification of the VOR gain and therefore opens up new perspectives in the assessment and rehabilitation of vestibular diseases
Pass/fail grading in medical school and impact on residency placement
Objective: There is a trend toward using pass/fail (P/F) grading in the first 2 years of medical school as it has been noted to improve student well-being and academic performance is not negatively impacted. It is important that medical students are afforded the best medical education possible to prepare them for residency placement. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of P/F grading in medical school on residency placement. Methods: This study compared archival residency match data from two medical school classes. The Class of 2016 had tiered grading and the Class of 2017 had P/F grading in the first year of medical school. Doximity’s Residency Navigator was used to rank the residency programs and an independent samples t-test was calculated to determine if residency rankings differed by class. Results: The findings showed no statistically significant differences in residency placement when comparing a cohort of medical school graduates with tiered grading to a cohort with P/F grading in the first year of medical school. Conclusion: These findings may be useful to medical education leaders when making decisions about grading systems. Medical education leaders should consider implementing P/F grading into the first year of medical school
Complement Receptor 1/Cd35 Is a Receptor for Mannan-Binding Lectin
Mannan-binding lectin (MBL), a member of the collectin family, is known to have opsonic function, although identification of its cellular receptor has been elusive. Complement C1q, which is homologous to MBL, binds to complement receptor 1 (CR1/CD35), and thus we investigated whether CR1 also functions as the MBL receptor. Radioiodinated MBL bound to recombinant soluble CR1 (sCR1) that had been immobilized on plastic with an apparent equilibrium dissociation constant of 5 nM. N-acetyl-d-glucosamine did not inhibit sCR1–MBL binding, indicating that the carbohydrate binding site of MBL is not involved in binding CR1. C1q inhibited MBL binding to immobilized sCR1, suggesting that MBL and C1q might bind to the same or adjacent sites on CR1. MBL binding to polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) was associated positively with changes in CR1 expression induced by phorbol myristate acetate. Finally, CR1 mediated the adhesion of human erythrocytes to immobilized MBL and functioned as a phagocytic receptor on PMNs for MBL–immunoglobulin G opsonized bacteria. Thus, MBL binds to both recombinant sCR1 and cellular CR1, which supports the role of CR1 as a cellular receptor for the collectin MBL
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