26,871 research outputs found
Spinodal fractionation in a polydisperse square well fluid
Using Kinetic Monte Carlo simulation, we model gas-liquid spinodal
decomposition in a size-polydisperse square well fluid, representing a
'near-monodisperse' colloidal dispersion. We find that fractionation (demixing)
of particle sizes between the phases begins asserting itself shortly after the
onset of phase ordering. Strikingly, the direction of size fractionation can be
reversed by a seemingly trivial choice between two inter-particle potentials
which, in the monodisperse case, are identical -- we rationalise this in terms
of a perturbative, equilibrium theory of polydispersity. Furthermore, our
quantitative results show that Kinetic Monte Carlo simulation can provide
detailed insight into the role of fractionation in real colloidal systems.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev.
Correlation induced non-Abelian quantum holonomies
In the context of two-particle interferometry, we construct a parallel
transport condition that is based on the maximization of coincidence intensity
with respect to local unitary operations on one of the subsystems. The
dependence on correlation is investigated and it is found that the holonomy
group is generally non-Abelian, but Abelian for uncorrelated systems. It is
found that our framework contains the L\'{e}vay geometric phase [2004 {\it J.
Phys. A: Math. Gen.} {\bf 37} 1821] in the case of two-qubit systems undergoing
local SU(2) evolutions.Comment: Minor corrections; journal reference adde
Composite Geometric Phase for Multipartite Entangled States
When an entangled state evolves under local unitaries, the entanglement in
the state remains fixed. Here we show the dynamical phase acquired by an
entangled state in such a scenario can always be understood as the sum of the
dynamical phases of its subsystems. In contrast, the equivalent statement for
the geometric phase is not generally true unless the state is separable. For an
entangled state an additional term is present, the mutual geometric phase, that
measures the change the additional correlations present in the entangled state
make to the geometry of the state space. For qubit states we find this
change can be explained solely by classical correlations for states with a
Schmidt decomposition and solely by quantum correlations for W states.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, improved presentation, results and conclusions
unchanged from v1. Accepted for publication in PR
Radio-wave propagation in the non-Gaussian interstellar medium
Radio waves propagating from distant pulsars in the interstellar medium
(ISM), are refracted by electron density inhomogeneities, so that the intensity
of observed pulses fluctuates with time. The theory relating the observed pulse
time-shapes to the electron-density correlation function has developed for 30
years, however, two puzzles have remained. First, observational scaling of
pulse broadening with the pulsar distance is anomalously strong; it is
consistent with the standard model only when non-uniform statistics of electron
fluctuations along the line of sight are assumed. Second, the observed pulse
shapes are consistent with the standard model only when the scattering material
is concentrated in a narrow slab between the pulsar and the Earth.
We propose that both paradoxes are resolved at once if one assumes stationary
and uniform, but non-Gaussian statistics of the electron-density distribution.
Such statistics must be of Levy type, and the propagating ray should exhibit a
Levy flight. We propose that a natural realization of such statistics may be
provided by the interstellar medium with random electron-density
discontinuities. We develop a theory of wave propagation in such a non-Gaussian
random medium, and demonstrate its good agreement with observations. The
qualitative introduction of the approach and the resolution of the
anomalous-scaling paradox was presented earlier in [PRL 91, 131101 (2003); ApJ
584, 791 (2003)].Comment: 27 pages, changes to match published versio
Model predictions of wind and turbulence profiles associated with an ensemble of aircraft accidents
The feasibility of predicting conditions under which wind/turbulence environments hazardous to aviation operations exist is studied by examining a number of different accidents in detail. A model of turbulent flow in the atmospheric boundary layer is used to reconstruct wind and turbulence profiles which may have existed at low altitudes at the time of the accidents. The predictions are consistent with available flight recorder data, but neither the input boundary conditions nor the flight recorder observations are sufficiently precise for these studies to be interpreted as verification tests of the model predictions
Phenomenology of B -> pi pi, pi K Decays at O(alpha^2 beta_0) in QCD Factorization
We study O(alpha^2 beta_0) perturbative corrections to matrix elements
entering two-body exclusive decays of the form B -> pi pi, pi K in the QCD
factorization formalism, including chirally enhanced power corrections, and
discuss the effect of these corrections on direct CP asymmetries, which receive
their first contribution at O(alpha). We find that the O(alpha^2 beta_0)
corrections are often as large as the O(alpha) corrections. We find large
uncertainties due to renormalization scale dependence as well as poor knowledge
of the non-perturbative parameters. We assess the effect of the perturbative
corrections on the direct CP violation parameters of B -> pi^+ pi^-.Comment: 27 pages, 5 figures. Updated input parameters and added citations;
expanded discussio
An exploratory randomised controlled trial comparing telephone and hospital follow-up after treatment for colorectal cancer
Aim: Following treatment for colorectal cancer it is common practice for patients to attend hospital clinics at regular intervals for routine monitoring, although debate persists on the benefits of this approach. Nurse-led telephone follow-up is effective in meeting information and psycho-social needs in other patient groups. We explored the potential benefits of nurse-led telephone follow-up for colorectal cancer patients.
Method: Sixty-five patients were randomised to either telephone or hospital follow-up in an exploratory randomised trial.
Results: The telephone intervention was deliverable in clinical practice and acceptable to patients and health professionals. Seventy-five percent of eligible patients agreed to randomization. High levels of satisfaction were evident in both study groups. Appointments in the hospital group were shorter (median 14.0 minutes) than appointments in the telephone group (median 28.9 minutes). Patients in the telephone arm were more likely to raise concerns during consultations.
Conclusion: Historical approaches to follow-up unsupported by evidence of effectiveness and efficiency are not sustainable. Telephone follow-up by specialist nurses may be a feasible option. A main trial comparing hospital and telephone follow-up is justified although consideration needs to be given to trial design and practical issues related to the availability of specialist nurses at study locations
Observed tidal braking in the earth/moon/sun system
The low degree and order terms in the spherical harmonic model of the tidal potential were observed through the perturbations which are induced on near-earth satellite orbital motions. Evaluations of tracking observations from 17 satellites and a GEM-T1 geopotential model were used in the tidal recovery which was made in the presence of over 600 long-wavelength coefficients from 32 major and minor tides. Wahr's earth tidal model was used as a basis for the recovery of the ocean tidal terms. Using this tidal model, the secular change in the moon's mean motion due to tidal dissipation was found to be -25.27 + or - 0.61 arcsec/century squared. The estimation of lunar acceleration agreed with that observed from lunar laser ranging techniques (-24.9 + or - 1.0 arcsec/century squared), with the corresponding tidal braking of earth's rotation being -5.98 + or - 0.22 x 10 to the minus 22 rad/second squared. If the nontidal braking of the earth due to the observed secular change in the earth's second zonal harmonic is considered, satellite techniques yield a total value of the secular change of the earth's rotation rate of -4.69 + or - 0.36 x 10 to the minus 22 rad/second squared
Time dependent spectral modeling of Markarian 421 during a violent outburst in 2010
We present the results of extensive modeling of the spectral energy
distributions (SEDs) of the closest blazar (z=0.031) Markarian 421 (Mrk 421)
during a giant outburst in February 2010. The source underwent rapid flux
variations in both X-rays and very high energy (VHE) gamma-rays as it evolved
from a low-flux state on 2010 February 13-15 to a high-flux state on 2010
February 17. During this period, the source exhibited significant spectral
hardening from X-rays to VHE gamma-rays while exhibiting a "harder when
brighter" behavior in these energy bands. We reproduce the broadband SED using
a time-dependent multi-zone leptonic jet model with radiation feedback. We find
that an injection of the leptonic particle population with a single power-law
energy distribution at shock fronts followed by energy losses in an
inhomogeneous emission region is suitable for explaining the evolution of Mrk
421 from low- to high-flux state in February 2010. The spectral states are
successfully reproduced by a combination of a few key physical parameters, such
as the maximum minimum cutoffs and power-law slope of the electron
injection energies, magnetic field strength, and bulk Lorentz factor of the
emission region. The simulated light curves and spectral evolution of Mrk 421
during this period imply an almost linear correlation between X-ray flux at
1-10 keV energies and VHE gamma-ray flux above 200 GeV, as has been previously
exhibited by this source. Through this study, a general trend that has emerged
for the role of physical parameters is that, as the flare evolves from a low-
to a high-flux state, higher bulk kinetic energy is injected into the system
with a harder particle population and a lower magnetic field strength.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
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