20,358 research outputs found
Novel Symmetries in Christ-Lee Model
We demonstrate that the gauge-fixed Lagrangian of the Christ-Lee model
respects four fermionic symmetries, namely; (anti-)BRST symmetries,
(anti-)co-BRST symmetries within the framework of BRST formalism. The
appropriate anticommutators amongst the fermionic symmetries lead to a unique
bosonic symmetry. It turns out that the algebra obeyed by the symmetry
transformations (and their corresponding conserved charges) is reminiscent of
the algebra satisfied by the de Rham cohomological operators of differential
geometry. We also provide the physical realizations of the cohomological
operators in terms of the symmetry properties. Thus, the present model provides
a simple model for the Hodge theory.Comment: LaTeX File, 12 Pages, Text Modified, Typos Fixed, Refences Added, No
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Risk factors for acute exacerbations of COPD in a primary care population: A retrospective observational cohort study
Objectives: To evaluate risk factors associated with exacerbation frequency in primary care. Information on exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has mainly been generated by secondary care-based clinical cohorts. Design: Retrospective observational cohort study. Setting: Electronic medical records database (England and Wales). Participants: 58 589 patients with COPD aged ≥40 years with COPD diagnosis recorded between 1 April 2009 and 30 September 2012, and with at least 365 days of follow-up before and after the COPD diagnosis, were identified in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Mean age: 69 years; 47% female; mean forced expiratory volume in 1s 60% predicted. Outcome measures: Data on moderate or severe exacerbation episodes defined by diagnosis and/or medication codes 12 months following cohort entry were retrieved, together with demographic and clinical characteristics. Associations between patient characteristics and odds of having none versus one, none versus frequent (≥2) and one versus frequent exacerbations over 12 months follow-up were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression models. Results: During follow-up, 23% of patients had evidence of frequent moderate-to-severe COPD exacerbations (24% one; 53% none). Independent predictors of increased odds of having exacerbations during the follow-up, either frequent episodes or one episode, included prior exacerbations, increasing dyspnoea score, increasing grade of airflow limitation, females and prior or current history of several comorbidities (eg, asthma, depression, anxiety, heart failure and cancer). Conclusions: Primary care-managed patients with COPD at the highest risk of exacerbations can be identified by exploring medical history for the presence of prior exacerbations, greater COPD disease severity and co-occurrence of other medical conditions
Theory of nonlinear optical properties of phenyl-substituted polyacetylenes
In this paper we present a theoretical study of the third-order nonlinear
optical properties of poly(diphenyl)polyacetylene (PDPA) pertaining to the
third-harmonic-generation (THG) process. We study the aforesaid process in
PDPA's using both the independent electron Hueckel model, as well as
correlated-electron Pariser-Parr-Pople (P-P-P) model. The P-P-P model based
calculations were performed using various configuration interaction (CI)
methods such as the the multi-reference-singles-doubles CI (MRSDCI), and the
quadruples-CI (QCI) methods, and the both longitudinal and the transverse
components of third-order susceptibilities were computed. The Hueckel model
calculations were performed on oligo-PDPA's containing up to fifty repeat
units, while correlated calculations were performed for oligomers containing up
to ten unit cells. At all levels of theory, the material exhibits highly
anisotropic nonlinear optical response, in keeping with its structural
anisotropy. We argue that the aforesaid anisotropy can be divided over two
natural energy scales: (a) the low-energy response is predominantly
longitudinal and is qualitatively similar to that of polyenes, while (b) the
high-energy response is mainly transverse, and is qualitatively similar to that
of trans-stilbene.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures (included), to appear in Physical Review B (April
15, 2004
Spinodal decomposition: An alternate mechanism of phase conversion
The scenario of homogeneous nucleation is investigated for a first order
quark-hadron phase transition in a rapidly expanding background of quark gluon
plasma. It is found that significant supercooling is possible before
hadronization begins. This study also suggests that spinodal decomposition
competes with nucleation and may provide an alternative mechanism for phase
conversion.Comment: LaTeX, 4 pages with 3 Postscript figures. Talk given at International
Conference on Physics and Astrophysics of Quark Gluon Plasma (ICPAQGP 2001),
Nov. 26-30, 2001, Jaipur, Indi
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