Universal signatures of the metamagnetic quantum critical endpoint: Application to CeRu2Si2

A quantum critical endpoint related to a metamagnetic transition causes distinct signatures in the thermodynamic quantities of a compound. We argue that, irrespective of the microscopic details of the considered material, the diverging differential susceptibility combined with the Ising symmetry of the endpoint give rise to a number of characteristic metamagnetic phenomena. In the presence of a magnetoelastic coupling, one finds a correspondence of susceptibility, magnetostriction and compressibility and, as a result, a pronounced crystal softening, a diverging Grueneisen parameter, a sign change of thermal expansion alpha(H), and a minimum in the specific heat coefficient gamma(H). We illustrate these signatures and their relation on the metamagnetic crossover at 8 T in the prototypical heavy-fermion system CeRu2Si2.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, v2: changed title, minor modification

Wearing colored glasses can influence the exercise performance and testosterone concentration

Perception of red color is associated with higher testosterone concentration and better human performance. Thus, we evaluated the acute effects of wearing colored-lens glasses on the YoYo intermittent endurance exercise test 2 (YoYoIE2) performance indicators and testosterone concentration. Ten soccer players performed three YoYoIE2 (counterbalanced crossover) wearing colorless (control), blue- or red-lensed glasses (2–4 days of rest in between). YoYoIE2 performance did not differ among the trials (p>0.05), but blood testosterone increased post-exercise in red compared to red baseline (red=14%, effect size=0.75). Analysis showed faster heart rate recovery (p0.05) among the trials. Wearing red-colored lenses during high-intensity intermittent exercise increased testosterone concentration, but do not influence performance

Reaction-diffusion fronts with inhomogeneous initial conditions

Properties of reaction zones resulting from A+B -> C type reaction-diffusion processes are investigated by analytical and numerical methods. The reagents A and B are separated initially and, in addition, there is an initial macroscopic inhomogeneity in the distribution of the B species. For simple two-dimensional geometries, exact analytical results are presented for the time-evolution of the geometric shape of the front. We also show using cellular automata simulations that the fluctuations can be neglected both in the shape and in the width of the front.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures, submitted to J. Phys.

Distribution of partition function zeros of the ±J\pm J model on the Bethe lattice

The distribution of partition function zeros is studied for the $\pm J$ model of spin glasses on the Bethe lattice. We find a relation between the distribution of complex cavity fields and the density of zeros, which enables us to obtain the density of zeros for the infinite system size by using the cavity method. The phase boundaries thus derived from the location of the zeros are consistent with the results of direct analytical calculations. This is the first example in which the spin glass transition is related to the distribution of zeros directly in the thermodynamical limit. We clarify how the spin glass transition is characterized by the zeros of the partition function. It is also shown that in the spin glass phase a continuous distribution of singularities touches the axes of real field and temperature.Comment: 23 pages, 12 figure

Quantum phase transition in quantum wires controlled by an external gate

We consider electrons in a quantum wire interacting via a long-range Coulomb potential screened by a nearby gate. We focus on the quantum phase transition from a strictly one-dimensional to a quasi-one-dimensional electron liquid, that is controlled by the dimensionless parameter $n x_0$, where $n$ is the electron density and $x_0$ is the characteristic length of the transverse confining potential. If this transition occurs in the low-density limit, it can be understood as the deformation of the one-dimensional Wigner crystal to a zigzag arrangement of the electrons described by an Ising order parameter. The critical properties are governed by the charge degrees of freedom and the spin sector remains essentially decoupled. At large densities, on the other hand, the transition is triggered by the filling of a second one-dimensional subband of transverse quantization. Electrons at the bottom of the second subband interact strongly due to the diverging density of states and become impenetrable. We argue that this stabilizes the electron liquid as it suppresses pair-tunneling processes between the subbands that would otherwise lead to an instability. However, the impenetrable electrons in the second band are screened by the excitations of the first subband, so that the transition is identified as a Lifshitz transition of impenetrable polarons. We discuss the resulting phase diagram as a function of $n x_0$.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures, minor changes, published versio

A Toolbox for Discrete Modelling of Cell Signalling Dynamics

In an age where the volume of data regarding biological systems exceeds our ability to analyse it, many researchers are looking towards systems biology and computational modelling to help unravel the complexities of gene and protein regulatory networks. In order to make such techniques more accessible to mainstream researchers, tools such as the BioModelAnalyzer (BMA) have been developed to provide a user-friendly graphical interface for discrete modelling of biological systems. Here we use the BMA to build a library of target functions of known molecular interactions, translated from ordinary differential equations (ODEs). We then show that these BMA target functions can be used to reconstruct complex networks, which can correctly predict many known genetic perturbations. This new library supports the accessibility ethos behind the creation of BMA, providing a toolbox for the construction of complex cell signalling models without the need for extensive experience in computer programming or mathematical modelling, and allows for construction and simulation of complex biological systems with only small amounts of quantitative data.Royal Societ

Prospectus, November 14, 2019

ART THEATER PERMANENTLY CLOSES; Veteran seeks academic redemption within Parkland College; A passion to see others succeed; Rantoul hosts Punkin Chunkin\u27 Championship at Chanute Airforce Base; Punkin Chunkin\u27 Championship at Chanute Airforce Base; Opinion: Rising sea levels; Intense debate over holiday decorations; Parkland Ensembles have busy end to semesterhttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2019/1049/thumbnail.jp

Body size at birth and age-related macular degeneration in old age

Purpose To study associations between body size at birth and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in old age. Methods The study sample consists of 1497 community-dwelling individuals (56.1% women) aged 67-89 years with birth data and retinal data collected twice in old age 5 years apart. Birth data (weight, length, birth order) were extracted from original birth records. Digital retinal photographs were graded to determine AMD status. Data on covariates were collected at the baseline physical examination in old age. Multivariable regression analyses were used to study the association between birth data and AMD adjusting for known confounding factors, including birth year cohort effects. Results The prevalence and 5-year incidence of any AMD were 33.1% and 17.0%, respectively. Men and women born in 1930-1936 were significantly leaner and slightly longer at birth compared to those in earlier birth cohorts. There were no consistent associations between weight, length or ponderal index (PI) at birth and AMD in old age even when stratified by birth cohort. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) prevalence (39.8%) and 5-year incidence (28.6%) were highest in individuals who were in the highest quartile of PI at birth and who were obese in old age. Conclusion Body size at birth was not consistently associated with AMD in old age, suggesting that intrauterine growth might have little direct importance in the development of AMD in old age. It is possible that some yet unknown factors related to larger size at birth and obesity in old age may explain differences in the prevalence and incidence of AMD in the ageing population.Peer reviewe

An eating disorder randomized clinical trial and attrition: Profiles and determinants of dropout

Objective: This study sought to determine whether differential treatment effects in the targeted mechanisms of change and eating disorder (ED) symptoms are associated with patterns of attrition from a RCT. Method: The main study was a RCT of a psychotherapy designed to alter the non-weight related self-cognitions as the means to promote recovery and health in a sample of 69 women with AN or BN. Four groups based on point of dropout were compared on demographic, self-cognitions and ED symptoms using logit and piecewise mixed effects modeling. Results: Attrition was highest during treatment phase but no significant predictors were found. During the measurement phase, the direction and amount of change in self-cognition interrelatedness and body dissatisfaction differed according to point of dropout and treatment group. Discussion: Attention to changes both in symptoms and mediating factors that occur during treatment and follow-up may help to identify those who are at risk for dropout and to develop strategies to promote RCT participant retention. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2011; 44:356–368)Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/83766/1/20800_ftp.pd

Atomic scale engines: Cars and wheels

We introduce a new approach to build microscopic engines on the atomic scale that move translationally or rotationally and can perform useful functions such as pulling of a cargo. Characteristic of these engines is the possibility to determine dynamically the directionality of the motion. The approach is based on the transformation of the fed energy to directed motion through a dynamical competition between the intrinsic lengths of the moving object and the supporting carrier.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures (2 in color), Phys. Rev. Lett. (in print