Semiclassical Dynamics of the Jaynes-Cummings Model

The semiclassical approximation of coherent state path integrals is employed to study the dynamics of the Jaynes-Cummings model. Decomposing the Hilbert space into subspaces of given excitation quanta above the ground state, the semiclassical propagator is shown to describe the exact quantum dynamics of the model. We also present a semiclassical approximation that does not exploit the special properties of the Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian and can be extended to more general situations. In this approach the contribution of the dominant semiclassical paths and the relevant fluctuations about them are evaluated. This theory leads to an accurate description of spontaneous emission going beyond the usual classical field approximation.Comment: 18 page

Improvements and Future Challenges for the Research: Infrastructure in the Field of Civil Society

Despite the obvious existence of civil society organizations (CSOs) and forms of civic engagement, the data available for this sector remains inadequate. This expert report provides a comprehensive view of the current data situation, reveals existing gaps, and offers suggestions on how these gaps might be closed. The empirical material currently provided by existing data sources - the Federal Statistical Office, statistics from the CSOs themselves, as well as special data and surveys - only register this area separately and to a limited extent, and even then not in a consistent manner. With respect to both civil society organizations and forms of individual engagement there is an inadequate data situation. Questions that have arisen around whether CSOs will remain oriented toward civil society in a context of increased economic pressure on organizations cannot be answered. Similarly, it is nearly impossible to analyze whether civic engagement belies an increased tendency towards monetarization. Since civil society will undoubtedly continue to gain in political and social importance, the long-term task will be to set up a meaningful and a predominantly self-contained system of data collection and provision. This goal can be reached by following up on the existing surveys and databases described in this paper.civil society; civil society organizations; civic engagement; Volunteers Survey; Johns Hopkins Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project; Handbook on Nonprofit Institutions in the System of National Accounts

Assisted Peritoneal Dialysis

The number of patients depending on dialysis therapies increases worldwide. The home-based dialysis modalities offer some advantages especially for elderly patients. In the case of peritoneal dialysis (PD), the life quality is superior compared to in-center hemodialysis (HD), and other advantages are existent. Due to the effect that a lot of elderly PD patients are frail, a concept covering the different modalities of PD must include the assistance at home or the living environment (assisted PD) for the bag exchanges that often cannot be performed reliably by elderly and frail patients by themselves. Nowadays, we have enough data to safely offer assisted peritoneal dialysis (aPD) in a cost-saving manner. Putting all these aspects together, aPD is a safe and in some countries widely used modality. The issue of reimbursement and education of home nurse staff must be solved. However, for elderly and frail patients, aPD offers a change to use the advantages of PD for these population, and on a local level, the provider should seek ways to establish aPD programs

Classical and quantum dynamics of a spin-1/2

We reply to a comment on `Semiclassical dynamics of a spin-1/2 in an arbitrary magnetic field'.Comment: 4 pages, submitted to Journal of Physics

Improvements and future challenges for the research: infrastructure in the field of civil society

"Despite the obvious existence of civil society organizations (CSOs) and forms of civic engagement, the data available for this sector remains inadequate. This expert report provides a comprehensive view of the current data situation, reveals existing gaps, and offers suggestions on how these gaps might be closed. The empirical material currently provided by existing data sources - the Federal Statistical Office, statistics from the CSOs themselves, as well as special data and surveys - only register this area separately and to a limited extent, and even then not in a consistent manner. With respect to both civil society organizations and forms of individual engagement there is an inadequate data situation. Questions that have arisen around whether CSOs will remain oriented toward civil society in a context of increased economic pressure on organizations cannot be answered. Similarly, it is nearly impossible to analyze whether civic engagement belies an increased tendency towards monetarization. Since civil society will undoubtedly continue to gain in political and social importance, the long-term task will be to set up a meaningful and a predominantly self-contained system of data collection and provision. This goal can be reached by following up on the existing surveys and databases described in this paper." [author's abstract

The Practice of Medicine in the Age of Information Technology

Regarding the practice of medicine, we have to face the chances and challenges of all aspects of e-Health; however, the term “digitalization” is broader and spanning all aspects. However, the digitalization of medicine offers solutions for pressing problem. We know the factors that lead to excellence in medicine. Without the right amount of experiences based on a solid ground of knowledge, no excellence is achievable. The problem, nowadays, is that due to restriction of working hours, to the goals of life (“life-work-balance”) and the restrictions of Generation Y, almost no education in medicine is spanning the needed 10,000 h experiences in practical medicine for excellence. Therefore, we will see the fading of medical excellence, if we could not establish other systems. A solution can be searched in decision-support systems. However, a requirement before is the need of a digitalization of all health data. We surely do not have enough evidences for all aspects of the practice of medicine, the intuition is fading away and therefore, we have to look around for other solutions. Big data generated by the digitalization of all health data could be the problem solver. In combination, IT will help to improve the quality of care

Adoption of Digital Vaccination Services: It Is the Click Flow, Not the Value : An Empirical Analysis of the Vaccination Management of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany

This research paper examines the adoption of digital services for the vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Based on a survey in Germany’s federal state with the highest vaccination rate, which used digital vaccination services, its platform configuration and adoption barriers are analyzed to understand existing and future levers for optimizing vaccination success. Though technological adoption and resistance models have been originally developed for consumergoods markets, this study gives empirical evidence especially for the applicability of an adjusted model explaining platform adoption for vaccination services and for digital health services in general. In this model, the configuration areas of personalization, communication, and data management have a remarkable effect to lower adoption barriers, but only functional and psychological factors affect the adoption intention. Above all, the usability barrier stands out with the strongest effect, while the often-cited value barrier is not significant at all. Personalization is found to be the most important factor for managing the usability barrier and thus for addressing the needs, preferences, situation, and, ultimately, the adoption of the citizens as users. Implications are given for policy makers and managers in such a pandemic crisis to focus on the click flow and server-to-human interaction rather than emphasizing value messages or touching traditional factors

Auf der Suche nach Balance: Frauen und Männer zwischen Beruf, Familie und Engagement

"Verschiedene Lebensbereiche in Balance zu bringen ist eine zentrale gesellschaftspolitische Aufgabe. Wenn es um das Gleichgewicht von Beruf, Familie und freiwilligem Engagement geht, sind Frauen stärker herausgefordert als Männer. Bestimmte Lebensphasen begünstigen die freiwilligen Aktivitäten von Frauen. Viele sind in der Familienphase, wenn sie sich etwa in Schulen und Kindergärten engagieren. Es ist naheliegend, dass teilzeitbeschäftigte Mütter hier aktiver sind als Mütter, die Vollzeit arbeiten. Mehr Zeit für ehrenamtliches Engagement haben Männer. Trotz Vollzeitjobs und Familie gelingt es ihnen, sich in höherem Maße als Frauen zu engagieren." (Autorenreferat)"It is an important sociopolitical task to bring various spheres of life into balance. It is a much bigger challenge for women than for men to juggle working life, family and voluntary engagement. There are certain stages in life when it is easier for women to get involved in voluntary activities – many are parenting when they become involved in kindergartens and schools, for example. Obviously, mothers with part-time jobs are more involved than mothers who work full-time. Men, meanwhile, have more time on their hands for voluntary work. Even if they are working full-time and have families, they are able to commit more time for voluntary activities than women." (author's abstract