252 research outputs found
Zero Temperature Dynamics of 2D and 3D Ising Ferromagnets
We consider zero-temperature, stochastic Ising models with nearest-neighbor
interactions in two and three dimensions. Using both symmetric and asymmetric
initial configurations, we study the evolution of the system with time. We
examine the issue of convergence of the dynamics and discuss the nature of the
final state of the system. By determining a relation between the median number
of spin flips per site, the probability p that a spin in the initial spin
configuration takes the value +1, and lattice size, we conclude that in two and
three dimensions, the system converges to a frozen (but not necessarily
uniform) state when p is not equal to 1/2. Results for p=1/2 in three
dimensions are consistent with the conjecture that the system does not evolve
towards a fully frozen limiting state. Our simulations also uncover `striped'
and `blinker' states first discussed by Spirin et al., and their statistical
properties are investigated.Comment: 17 pages, 12 figure
Ising Ferromagnet: Zero-Temperature Dynamic Evolution
The dynamic evolution at zero temperature of a uniform Ising ferromagnet on a
square lattice is followed by Monte Carlo computer simulations. The system
always eventually reaches a final, absorbing state, which sometimes coincides
with a ground state (all spins parallel), and sometimes does not (parallel
stripes of spins up and down). We initiate here the numerical study of
``Chaotic Time Dependence'' (CTD) by seeing how much information about the
final state is predictable from the randomly generated quenched initial state.
CTD was originally proposed to explain how nonequilibrium spin glasses could
manifest equilibrium pure state structure, but in simpler systems such as
homogeneous ferromagnets it is closely related to long-term predictability and
our results suggest that CTD might indeed occur in the infinite volume limit.Comment: 14 pages, Latex with 8 EPS figure
Metastability in zero-temperature dynamics: Statistics of attractors
The zero-temperature dynamics of simple models such as Ising ferromagnets
provides, as an alternative to the mean-field situation, interesting examples
of dynamical systems with many attractors (absorbing configurations, blocked
configurations, zero-temperature metastable states). After a brief review of
metastability in the mean-field ferromagnet and of the droplet picture, we
focus our attention onto zero-temperature single-spin-flip dynamics of
ferromagnetic Ising models. The situations leading to metastability are
characterized. The statistics and the spatial structure of the attractors thus
obtained are investigated, and put in perspective with uniform a priori
ensembles. We review the vast amount of exact results available in one
dimension, and present original results on the square and honeycomb lattices.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figures. To appear in special issue of JPCM on Granular
Matter edited by M. Nicodem
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Diverging and Converging: Integrative Insights on a Paradox Meta-perspective
Paradox theory stands at an exciting moment in organization and management theory. Scholars increasingly seek out insights about the nature and management of contradictory demands to explain a wide array of organizational phenomena across multiple levels of analysis. Our two reviews in the 2016 Academy of Management Annals attest to this growing breadth and depth, each integrating and expanding related, yet different bodies of research. Schad, Lewis, Raisch, and Smith (2016) emphasize the depth of scholarship by analyzing an increasing number of paradox studies within management science. Putnam, Fairhurst, and Banghart (2016) highlight the breadth of scholarship by comparing paradoxes that emerge from multiple theories and paradigms that embrace an interdisciplinary orientation. By drawing on distinct literatures, these two manuscripts reveal diverse insights and reflections about paradoxical demands in organizations. In this integrative reflection, we juxtapose our two review articles, surface distinct assumptions and emphases, highlight complementarities, and raise questions for future scholarship. In doing so, we hope to fuel insights toward a meta-perspective on paradox
Fabrication of magnetic and photocatalytic polyamide fabric coated with Fe2O3 particles
Hematite (alpha-Fe₂O₃) particles are prepared and synchronously deposited on the surface of polyamide (PA) fabric using ferric sulfate as the precursor, sodium hydroxide as the precipitant, and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate as the dispersant in a low temperature hydrothermal process. The Fe₂O₃ coated PA fabric is then modified with silane coupling agent Z-6040. The Fe₂O₃ coated PA fabric and remaining particles are systematically characterized by different techniques, such as small-spot micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The properties of tensile, durable washing and photocatalytic activity are investigated. The experimental results show that Fe₂O₃ particles composed of nanoparticles having the average crystallite size of 37.8 nm are grafted onto PA fabric and enhanced by coupling agent via the C-Fe, O-Fe and Si-O-Fe bonds. It is found that, after treatments, the thermal stability of PA fabric hardly changes; the visible light absorption capability and magnetism are gained; and the tensile property decreases slightly. It is also confirmed that the Fe₂O₃ coated PA fabric can withstand the repeated washings up to 20 times and photodegrade the adsorbed methyl orange (MO) exposed to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Therefore, the present method provides a new strategy for the production of durable magnetic fabric
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Shareholder activism in the UK: types of activists, forms of activism, and their impact on a target’s performance
Considering the recent rapid expansion of shareholder activism phenomenon in the United Kingdom (UK) and the vast amount of resources committed to it by corporations, government and investors, its effectiveness has become a crucial subject for investigation. This article analyzes organizational outcomes of shareholder activism in the UK. This research is based on a unique comprehensive database of shareholder activism events during the period of 1998–2008. We provide a detailed account of different types of activists, activism strategies and shareholder demands associated with the events of activism. Our findings show that the effectiveness of shareholder activism in terms of abnormal stock-market returns varies dramatically depending on its form, type of investor and the nature of investor proposals
An Arthroscopic Device to Assess Articular Cartilage Defects and Treatment with a Hydrogel
The hydraulic resistance R across osteochondral tissue, especially articular cartilage, decreases with degeneration and erosion. Clinically useful measures to quantify and diagnose the extent of cartilage degeneration and efficacy of repair strategies, especially with regard to pressure maintenance, are still developing. The hypothesis of this study was that hydraulic resistance provides a quantitative measure of osteochondral tissue that could be used to evaluate the state of cartilage damage and repair. The aims were to (1) develop a device to measure R in an arthroscopic setting, (2) determine whether the device could detect differences in R for cartilage, an osteochondral defect, and cartilage treated using a hydrogel ex vivo, and (3) determine how quickly such differences could be discerned. The apparent hydraulic resistance of defect samples was ~35% less than intact cartilage controls, while the resistance of hydrogel-filled groups was not statistically different than controls, suggesting some restoration of fluid pressurization in the defect region by the hydrogel. Differences in hydraulic resistance between control and defect groups were apparent after 4 s. The results indicate that the measurement of R is feasible for rapid and quantitative functional assessment of the extent of osteochondral defects and repair. The arthroscopic compatibility of the device demonstrates the potential for this measurement to be made in a clinical setting
Maskless Plasmonic Lithography at 22 nm Resolution
Optical imaging and photolithography promise broad applications in nano-electronics, metrologies, and single-molecule biology. Light diffraction however sets a fundamental limit on optical resolution, and it poses a critical challenge to the down-scaling of nano-scale manufacturing. Surface plasmons have been used to circumvent the diffraction limit as they have shorter wavelengths. However, this approach has a trade-off between resolution and energy efficiency that arises from the substantial momentum mismatch. Here we report a novel multi-stage scheme that is capable of efficiently compressing the optical energy at deep sub-wavelength scales through the progressive coupling of propagating surface plasmons (PSPs) and localized surface plasmons (LSPs). Combining this with airbearing surface technology, we demonstrate a plasmonic lithography with 22 nm half-pitch resolution at scanning speeds up to 10 m/s. This low-cost scheme has the potential of higher throughput than current photolithography, and it opens a new approach towards the next generation semiconductor manufacturing
The ‘Biophilic Organization’: An Integrative Metaphor for Corporate Sustainability
This paper proposes a new organizational metaphor, the ‘Biophilic Organization’, which aims to counter the bio-cultural disconnection of many organizations despite their espoused commitment to sustainability. This conceptual research draws on multiple disciplines such as evolutionary psychology and architecture to not only develop a diverse bio-cultural connection but to show how this connection tackles sustainability, in a holistic and systemic sense. Moreover, the paper takes an integrative view of sustainability, which effectively means that it embraces the different emergent tensions. Three specific tensions are explored: efficiency versus resilience, organizational versus personal agendas and isomorphism versus institutional change. In order to illustrate how the Biophilic Organization could potentially provide a synthesis strategy for such tensions, healthcare examples are drawn from the emerging fields of Biophilic Design in Singapore and Generative Design in the U.S.A. Finally, an example is provided which highlights how a Taoist cultural context has impacted on a business leader in China, to illustrative the significance of a transcendent belief system to such a bio-cultural narrative
Identification of Mechanosensitive Genes during Embryonic Bone Formation
Although it is known that mechanical forces are needed for normal bone
development, the current understanding of how biophysical stimuli are
interpreted by and integrated with genetic regulatory mechanisms is limited.
Mechanical forces are thought to be mediated in cells by
“mechanosensitive” genes, but it is a challenge to
demonstrate that the genetic regulation of the biological system is dependant on
particular mechanical forces in vivo. We propose a new means of selecting
candidate mechanosensitive genes by comparing in vivo gene expression patterns
with patterns of biophysical stimuli, computed using finite element analysis. In
this study, finite element analyses of the avian embryonic limb were performed
using anatomically realistic rudiment and muscle morphologies, and patterns of
biophysical stimuli were compared with the expression patterns of four candidate
mechanosensitive genes integral to bone development. The expression patterns of
two genes, Collagen X (ColX) and Indian hedgehog (Ihh), were shown to colocalise
with biophysical stimuli induced by embryonic muscle contractions, identifying
them as potentially being involved in the mechanoregulation of bone formation.
An altered mechanical environment was induced in the embryonic chick, where a
neuromuscular blocking agent was administered in ovo to modify skeletal muscle
contractions. Finite element analyses predicted dramatic changes in levels and
patterns of biophysical stimuli, and a number of immobilised specimens exhibited
differences in ColX and Ihh expression. The results obtained indicate that
computationally derived patterns of biophysical stimuli can be used to inform a
directed search for genes that may play a mechanoregulatory role in particular
in vivo events or processes. Furthermore, the experimental data demonstrate that
ColX and Ihh are involved in mechanoregulatory pathways and may be key mediators
in translating information from the mechanical environment to the molecular
regulation of bone formation in the embryo
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