Charge gaps and quasiparticle bands of the ionic Hubbard model

The ionic Hubbard model on a cubic lattice is investigated using analytical approximations and Wilson's renormalization group for the charge excitation spectrum. Near the Mott insulating regime, where the Hubbard repulsion starts to dominate all energies, the formation of correlated bands is described. The corresponding partial spectral weights and local densities of states show characteristic features, which compare well with a hybridized-band picture appropriate for the regime at small $U$, which at half-filling is known as a band insulator. In particular, a narrow charge gap is obtained at half-filling, and the distribution of spectral quasi-particle weight reflects the fundamental hybridization mechanism of the model

Conserving approximations in direct perturbation theory: new semianalytical impurity solvers and their application to general lattice problems

For the treatment of interacting electrons in crystal lattices approximations based on the picture of effective sites, coupled in a self-consistent fashion, have proven very useful. Particularly in the presence of strong local correlations, a local approach to the problem, combining a powerful method for the short ranged interactions with the lattice propagation part of the dynamics, determines the quality of results to a large extent. For a considerable time the non crossing approximation (NCA) in direct perturbation theory, an approach originally developed by Keiter for the Anderson impurity model, built a standard for the description of the local dynamics of interacting electrons. In the last couple of years exact methods like the numerical renormalization group (NRG) as pioneered by Wilson, have surpassed this approximation as regarding the description of the low energy regime. We present an improved approximation level of direct perturbation theory for finite Coulomb repulsion U, the crossing approximation one (CA1) and discuss its connections with other generalizations of NCA. CA1 incorporates all processes up to fourth order in the hybridization strength V in a self-consistent skeleton expansion, retaining the full energy dependence of the vertex functions. We reconstruct the local approach to the lattice problem from the point of view of cumulant perturbation theory in a very general way and discuss the proper use of impurity solvers for this purpose. Their reliability can be tested in applications to e.g. the Hubbard model and the Anderson-lattice model. We point out shortcomings of existing impurity solvers and improvements gained with CA1 in this context. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Hellmut Keiter.Comment: 45 pages, 22 figure

The relationship between subtypes of depression and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review of biological models

A compelling association has been observed between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and depression, suggesting individuals with depression to be at significantly higher risk for CVD and CVD-related mortality. Systemic immune activation, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity, arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction have been frequently implicated in this relationship. Although a differential epidemiological association between CVD and depression subtypes is evident, it has not been determined if this indicates subtype specific biological mechanisms. A comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed and PsycINFO databases yielding 147 articles for this review. A complex pattern of systemic immune activation, endothelial dysfunction and HPA axis hyperactivity is suggestive of the biological relationship between CVD and depression subtypes. The findings of this review suggest that diagnostic subtypes rather than a unifying model of depression should be considered when investigating the bidirectional biological relationship between CVD and depression. The suggested model of a subtype-specific biological relationship between depression and CVDs has implications for future research and possibly for diagnostic and therapeutic processes

Disturbances in Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis and Immunological Activity Differentiating between Unipolar and Bipolar Depressive Episodes

Differentiating bipolar depression (BD) from unipolar depression (UD) is difficult in clinical practice and, consequently, accurate recognition of BD can take as long as nine years. Research has therefore focused on the discriminatory capacities of biomarkers, such as markers of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis or immunological activity. However, no previous study included assessments of both systems, which is problematic as they may influence each other. Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether cortisol indicators and inflammatory markers were a) independently associated with and/or b) showed effect modification in relation to a lifetime (hypo)manic episode in a large sample of depressed patients.Data were derived from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety and comprised 764 patients with a DSM-IV depressive disorder at baseline, of which 124 (16.2%) had a lifetime (hypo)manic episode at the 2-year assessment, or a more recent episode at the 4-year or 6-year assessment. Baseline cortisol awakening response, evening cortisol and diurnal cortisol slope were considered as cortisol indicators, while baseline C-reactive Protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) were included as inflammatory markers.In depressed men and women, none of the cortisol indicators and inflammatory markers were (independently) associated with a (hypo)manic episode. However, effect modification was found of diurnal cortisol slope and CRP in relation to a (hypo)manic episode. Further analyses showed that depressed men with high levels of diurnal cortisol slope and CRP had an increased odds (OR=10.99, p=.001) of having a (hypo)manic episode. No significant differences were found in women.Our findings suggest that the combination of high diurnal cortisol slope and high CRP may differentiate between UD and BD. This stresses the importance of considering HPA-axis and immunological activity simultaneously, but more research is needed to unravel their interrelatedness

Multi-orbital Anderson models and the Kondo effect: a NCA study enhanced by vertex corrections

The low energy region of certain transition metal compounds reveals dramatic correlation effects between electrons, which can be studied by photoelectron spectroscopy. Theoretical investigations are often based on multi-orbital impurity models, which exhibit modified versions of the Kondo effect. We present a systematic study of a multi-orbital Anderson-like model, based on a new semi-analytical impurity solver which goes beyond simple modifications of the well known NCA. We discuss one-particle excitation spectra and in particular the role of level positions and Coulomb-matrix elements. It is shown that the low-energy region as well as the overall features of spectra critically depend on the model parameters and on the quality of the approximations used. Recent photoelectron experiments and corresponding existing calculations are put into perspective. An interesting crossover scenario between different regimes of ground states with characteristically different local correlations is uncovered

Multi-orbital Anderson models and the Kondo effect: a NCA study enhanced by vertex corrections

71.10.-w Theories and models of many-electron systems, 71.20.-b Electron density of states and band structure of crystalline solids, 71.27.+a Strongly correlated electron systems; heavy fermions, 71.55.-i Impurity and defect levels,

Assessment of new limit values for wind turbines. Influence of different limit values on exposure, annoyance and potential development locations

Ongeveer 1500 omwonenden rondom de huidige windturbines in Nederland hebben kans op ernstige geluidhinder. Een richtwaarde van 40 decibel (dB) in de nieuwe regelgeving voor windturbines kan een verdere toename tot een minimum beperken als nieuwe windturbines worden gerealiseerd. Boven de 45 dB zijn in toenemende mate hinderklachten en gezondheidsproblemen te verwachten. In vergelijking met andere typen geluidbronnen ontstaan bij windturbines eerder hindereffecten voor omwonenden bij een lagere geluidbelasting. De keuze van grenswaarden heeft gevolgen voor de hoeveelheid ruimte op land die beschikbaar is voor nieuwe windturbines. Geschat wordt dat een grenswaarde van 40 dB ruimte biedt voor 7000 megawatt aan duurzame energie via nieuwe windturbines. Een grenswaarde van 45 dB biedt meer ruimte, ongeveer voor 25.000 megawatt. Momenteel is een nieuw wetsvoorstel in voorbereiding dat eisen stelt aan de geluidimmissie van nieuwe windturbines in Nederland. Het wetsvoorstel beoogt de geluidhinder van nieuwe turbines te beperken bij realisatie van de doelstellingen van het kabinet voor duurzame energie. Net als in de wetgeving voor weg- en railverkeersgeluid wordt in het wetsvoorstel een richtwaarde en een maximale grenswaarde voor de geluidbelasting (in Lden) van woningen gesteld. Onder de richtwaarde zijn er geen belemmeringen om nieuwe windturbines te plaatsen; boven de maximale grenswaarde kan het bevoegde gezag geen vergunning verlenen. Tussen deze waarden zullen belangen via een inspraakprocedure worden afgewogen. Het RIVM heeft de mogelijke consequenties bij verschillende grenswaarden onderzocht. Gekeken is naar de kans op geluidhinder, plaatsingsruimte voor nieuwe turbines in relatie tot energiedoelstellingen en risico's op extra hinder door laagfrequent geluid.Approximately 1500 people living in the close vicinity of wind turbines in the Netherlands run the risk of suffering severe annoyance effects due to noise exposure. New guidelines that limit new wind turbines to a maximum noise level of 45 dB can minimize any further increase in noise health effects. Noise levels above 45 dB will likely result in a further increase in annoyance effects and sleep disturbances. Compared to other noise sources, noise emitted from a wind turbine causes annoyance at relatively low noise levels. The amount of available land for the placement of new wind turbines depends on the limit value that is chosen. A limit value of 40 dB would enable an additional 7000 megawatt of renewable energy to be obtained from new turbines. A limit value of 45 dB, however, would enable wind turbines to be constructed on additional land, resulting in the production of approximately 25,000 megawatt. A new noise regulation for wind turbines is currently being prepared that sets limits on the noise levels experienced by residents of nearby dwellings. The regulation aims at limiting the effects of noise annoyance caused by new wind turbines within the framework of policy targets for renewable energy. This new regulation will be in line with existing ones for road- and railway traffic in setting both a preferable and maximum allowable value for the noise level (Lden) in nearby residences. Below the preferred value, there will be no noise restriction; above the maximum value, local authorities will not be allowed to issue building permits. For noise levels that fall in between, the decision for/against construction will be based on the results of a public inquiry process involving the major stakeholders. The National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) has investigated the consequences of different choices for the preferred and maximum noise limits. Aspects of annoyance and health effects, amount of land available for new turbines within the framework of energy policy targets and the risk of extra noise health effects from exposure to low-frequency noise were evaluated.VROM-DG Ruimt

Is processing speed predictive of functional outcome in psychosis?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the contribution of processing speed in the prediction of various domains of outcome in psychosis. METHOD: Data were drawn from the UK700 Case Management Trial of 708 patients with chronic psychotic illness. Regression analyses were applied to investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between processing speed at baseline and measures of service use, social outcome and subjective outcome, taking into account current psychopathology and adjusting for baseline values of the outcome measure. RESULTS: Cross-sectionally, processing speed was associated with all three domains of outcome, although only associations in the social and subjective outcome domain remained significant after controlling for psychopathology and the effects differed between and within domains of outcome. Prospectively, only the subjective outcome measure of number of met and unmet needs (CAN) was weakly associated with baseline neurocognitive performance after adjustment for baseline needs. Other associations disappeared after adjustment for the baseline measure of outcome and/or baseline psychopathology. CONCLUSION: The finding of weak cross-sectional associations in the absence of specific and unconfounded longitudinal associations suggests that processing speed is an independent dimension of disease severity rather than a causal factor impacting on social outcome. Nevertheless, longitudinal change in patient reported needs may be weakly sensitive to baseline cognitive impairment