Logarithmic Corrections to Scaling in the XY2XY_2--Model

We study the distribution of partition function zeroes for the $XY$--model in two dimensions. In particular we find the scaling behaviour of the end of the distribution of zeroes in the complex external magnetic field plane in the thermodynamic limit (the Yang--Lee edge) and the form for the density of these zeroes. Assuming that finite--size scaling holds, we show that there have to exist logarithmic corrections to the leading scaling behaviour of thermodynamic quantities in this model. These logarithmic corrections are also manifest in the finite--size scaling formulae and we identify them numerically. The method presented here can be used to check the compatibility of scaling behaviour of odd and even thermodynamic functions in other models too.Comment: 3 pages, latex, 2 figure

Implications of neoadjuvant therapy in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive breast cancer

Breast cancer outcomes have markedly improved in great part because of advances in therapy. These improved outcomes, however, have been accompanied by greater financial costs, toxicities, and overtreatment of a substantial number of patients. We must now focus on studies that leverage our accumulated knowledge and use a more individualized approach for the locoregional and systemic management of this disease. De-escalation trials can be harder to perform as a result of the complexities of noninferiority designs, difficulty in funding them, and human nature. Behavioral economists find that people experience negative feelings about losses more strongly than positive feelings about gains of similar size. This makes it harder to conduct trials that are designed to treat breast cancer precisely rather than comprehensively, including studies that aim to de-escalate standard therapy

Logarithmic Corrections to Scaling in the Two Dimensional XYXY--Model

By expressing thermodynamic functions in terms of the edge and density of Lee--Yang zeroes, we relate the scaling behaviour of the specific heat to that of the zero field magnetic susceptibility in the thermodynamic limit of the $XY$--model in two dimensions. Assuming that finite--size scaling holds, we show that the conventional Kosterlitz--Thouless scaling predictions for these thermodynamic functions are not mutually compatable unless they are modified by multiplicative logarithmic corrections. We identify these logarithmic corrections analytically in the case of the specific heat and numerically in the case of the susceptibility. The techniques presented here are general and can be used to check the compatibility of scaling behaviour of odd and even thermodynamic functions in other models too.Comment: 11 pages, latex, 4 figure

No Evidence Supporting Flare Driven High-Frequency Global Oscillations

The underlying physics that generates the excitations in the global low-frequency, < 5.3 mHz, solar acoustic power spectrum is a well known process that is attributed to solar convection; However, a definitive explanation as to what causes excitations in the high-frequency regime, > 5.3 mHz, has yet to be found. Karoff and Kjeldsen (Astrophys. J. 678, 73-76, 2008) concluded that there is a correlation between solar flares and the global high-frequency solar acoustic waves. We have used the Global Oscillations Network Group (GONG) helioseismic data in an attempt to verify Karoff and Kjeldsen (2008) results as well as compare the post-flare acoustic power spectrum to the pre-flare acoustic power spectrum for 31 solar flares. Among the 31 flares analyzed, we observe that a decrease in acoustic power after the solar flare is just as likely as an increase. Furthermore, while we do observe variations in acoustic power that are most likely associated with the usual p-modes associated with solar convection, these variations do not show any significant temporal association with flares. We find no evidence that consistently supports flare driven high-frequency waves.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figures, Accepted for publication in Solar Physic

Disposition of docosahexaenoic acid-paclitaxel, a novel taxane, in blood: in vitro and clinical pharmacokinetic studies

PURPOSE: Docosahexaenoic acid-paclitaxel is as an inert prodrug composed of the natural fatty acid DHA covalently linked to the C2'-position of paclitaxel (M. O. Bradley et al., Clin. Cancer Res., 7: 3229-3238, 2001). Here, we examined the role of protein binding as a determinant of the pharmacokinetic behavior of DHA-paclitaxel. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The blood distribution of DHA-paclitaxel was studied in vitro using equilibrium dialysis and in 23 cancer patients receiving the drug as a 2-h i.v. infusion (dose, 200-1100 mg/m(2)). RESULTS: In vitro, DHA-paclitaxel was found to bind extensively to human plasma (99.6 +/- 0.057%). The binding was concentration independent (P = 0.63), indicating a nonspecific, nonsaturable process. The fraction of unbound paclitaxel increased from 0.052 +/- 0.0018 to 0.055 +/- 0.0036 (relative increase, 6.25%; P = 0.011) with an increase in DHA-paclitaxel concentration (0-1000 microg/ml), suggesting weakly competitive drug displacement from protein-binding sites. The mean (+/- SD) area under the curve of unbound paclitaxel increased nonlinearly with dose from 0.089 +/- 0.029 microg.h/ml (at 660 mg/m(2)) to 0.624 +/- 0.216 microg.h/ml (at 1100 mg/m(2)), and was associated with the dose-limiting neutropenia in a maximum-effect model (R(2) = 0.624). A comparative analysis indicates that exposure to Cremophor EL and unbound paclitaxel after DHA-paclitaxel (at 1100 mg/m(2)) is similar to that achieved with paclitaxel on clinically relevant dose schedules. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive binding to plasma proteins may explain, in part, the unique pharmacokinetic profile of DHA-paclitaxel described previously with a small volume of distribution ( approximately 4 liters) and slow systemic clearance ( approximately 0.11 liters/h)

The Kosterlitz-Thouless Universality Class

We examine the Kosterlitz-Thouless universality class and show that essential scaling at this type of phase transition is not self-consistent unless multiplicative logarithmic corrections are included. In the case of specific heat these logarithmic corrections are identified analytically. To identify those corresponding to the susceptibility we set up a numerical method involving the finite-size scaling of Lee-Yang zeroes. We also study the density of zeroes and introduce a new concept called index scaling. We apply the method to the XY-model and the closely related step model in two dimensions. The critical parameters (including logarithmic corrections) of the step model are compatable with those of the XY-model indicating that both models belong to the same universality class. This result then raises questions over how a vortex binding scenario can be the driving mechanism for the phase transition. Furthermore, the logarithmic corrections identified numerically by our methods of fitting are not in agreement with the renormalization group predictions of Kosterlitz and Thouless.Comment: 36 pages (latex), plus 10 figures (postscript). This version to appear in Nuclear Physics

Emergence of Skyrme crystal in Gross-Neveu and 't Hooft models at finite density

We study two-dimensional, large $N$ field theoretic models (Gross-Neveu model, 't Hooft model) at finite baryon density near the chiral limit. The same mechanism which leads to massless baryons in these models induces a breakdown of translational invariance at any finite density. In the chiral limit baryonic matter is characterized by a spatially varying chiral angle with a wave number depending only on the density. For small bare quark masses a sine-Gordon kink chain is obtained which may be regarded as simplest realization of the Skyrme crystal for nuclear matter. Characteristic differences between confining and non-confining models are pointed out.Comment: 27 pages, 11 figures, added reference, corrected sig

A statistical correlation of sunquakes based on their seismic and white-light emission

Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the transient seismic emission, i.e. “sunquakes,” from some solar flares. Some theories associate high-energy electrons and/or white-light emission with sunquakes. High-energy charged particles and their subsequent heating of the photosphere and/or chromosphere could induce acoustic waves in the solar interior. We carried out a correlative study of solar flares with emission in hard X-rays, enhanced continuum emission at 6173 Å, and transient seismic emission. We selected those flares observed by the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) with a considerable flux above 50 keV between 1 January 2010 and 26 June 2014. We then used data from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager onboard the Solar Dynamic Observatory to search for excess visible-continuum emission and new sunquakes not previously reported. We found a total of 18 sunquakes out of 75 flares investigated. All of the sunquakes were associated with an enhancement of the visible continuum during the flare. Finally, we calculated a coefficient of correlation for a set of dichotomic variables related to these observations. We found a strong correlation between two of the standard helioseismic detection techniques, and between sunquakes and visible-continuum enhancements. We discuss the phenomenological connectivity between these physical quantities and the observational difficulties of detecting seismic signals and excess continuum radiation

On mappings preserving the sharp and star orders

The present paper is devoted to the study of linear maps preserving certain relations, such as the sharp partial order and the star partial order in semisimple Banach algebras and C*-algebras.The first author is partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, D.G.I. project no. MTM2011-23843, and Junta de Andaluc´ıa grant FQM375. The second author is also supported by a Plan Propio de Investigaci´on grant from University of Almer´ıa, and Junta de Andaluc´ıa grant FQM 3737. The third author is partially supported by FEDER Funds through “Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade – COMPETE” and by Portuguese Funds through FCT - “Funda¸c˜ao para a Ciˆencia e a Tecnologia”, within the project PEst-OE/MAT/UI0013/2014