Three-dimensional spontaneous magnetic reconnection in neutral current sheets

Magnetic reconnection in an antiparallel uniform Harris current sheet equilibrium, which is initially perturbed by a region of enhanced resistivity limited in all three dimensions, is investigated through compressible magnetohydrodynamic simulations. Variable resistivity, coupled to the dynamics of the plasma by an electron-ion drift velocity criterion, is used during the evolution. A phase of magnetic reconnection amplifying with time and leading to eruptive energy release is triggered only if the initial perturbation is strongly elongated in the direction of current flow or if the threshold for the onset of anomalous resistivity is significantly lower than in the corresponding two-dimensional case. A Petschek-like configuration is then built up for \sim 100 Alfven times, but remains localized in the third dimension. Subsequently, a change of topology to an O-line at the center of the system (``secondary tearing'') occurs. This leads to enhanced and time-variable reconnection, to a second pair of outflow jets directed along the O-line, and to expansion of the reconnection process into the third dimension. High parallel current density components are created mainly near the region of enhanced resistivity.Comment: 22 pages, 14 figures (Figs. 3,9,10, and 14 as external GIF-Files

Muzak: on functional music and power

This paper examines the phenomenon of “functional music” and its evolution as a social technology in the control and regulation of work, consumption, and public space. It argues that the practices of functional music articulate some of the characteristic ways in which power is exercised in capitalist societies and, moreover, that changes in the functional music industry indicate wider structural shifts in capitalism toward “post-Fordist” regimes of production and consumption. Through an analysis of the history, forms, and discourses of functional music, this paper examines the cultural and political significance of these transformations

Geometry of intensive scalar dissipation events in turbulence

Maxima of the scalar dissipation rate in turbulence appear in form of sheets and correspond to the potentially most intensive scalar mixing events. Their cross-section extension determines a locally varying diffusion scale of the mixing process and extends the classical Batchelor picture of one mean diffusion scale. The distribution of the local diffusion scales is analysed for different Reynolds and Schmidt numbers with a fast multiscale technique applied to very high-resolution simulation data. The scales take always values across the whole Batchelor range and beyond. Furthermore, their distribution is traced back to the distribution of the contractive short-time Lyapunov exponent of the flow.Comment: 4 pages, 5 Postscript figures (2 with reduced quality

Quantum data processing and error correction

This paper investigates properties of noisy quantum information channels. We define a new quantity called {\em coherent information} which measures the amount of quantum information conveyed in the noisy channel. This quantity can never be increased by quantum information processing, and it yields a simple necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of perfect quantum error correction.Comment: LaTeX, 20 page

Indeterminate-length quantum coding

The quantum analogues of classical variable-length codes are indeterminate-length quantum codes, in which codewords may exist in superpositions of different lengths. This paper explores some of their properties. The length observable for such codes is governed by a quantum version of the Kraft-McMillan inequality. Indeterminate-length quantum codes also provide an alternate approach to quantum data compression.Comment: 32 page

Synchronized single electron emission from dynamical quantum dots

We study synchronized quantized charge pumping through several dynamical quantum dots (QDs) driven by a single time modulated gate signal. We show that the main obstacle for synchronization being the lack of uniformity can be overcome by operating the QDs in the decay cascade regime. We discuss the mechanism responsible for lifting the stringent uniformity requirements. This enhanced functionality of dynamical QDs might find applications in nanoelectronics and quantum metrology.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, submitted to AP

Wirkortäquilibration, Anschlagzeit, "time to peak effect": Bedeutung pharmakokinetisch-dynamischer Prinzipien für die tägliche klinische Praxis

Zusammenfassung: In der anästhesiologischen Pharmakologie spielen im Gegensatz zur internistischen Pharmakologie "Non-steady-state-Phänomene" eine herausragende Rolle. Ihr Verständnis ist eine Conditio sine qua non für die sichere und effiziente Applikation von anästhesierelevanten Medikamenten. Insbesondere die Verfügbarkeit der "optimierten target controlled infusion" ("optimized TCI"), von TCI-Systemen mit Ansteuerung des Effektkompartiments und dem relativ geringen Dosierungsspielraum bei "conscious sedation" unter erhaltener Spontanatmung verlangen von Anästhesisten, sich mit dem Konzept des Konzentrationsverlaufes am Wirkort auseinander zu setzen. Der Leser wird in die grundlegende Problematik eingeführt. Anwendungen der Prinzipien bei der Applikation von Muskelrelaxanzien, Propofol mit TCI-Systemen, volatilen Anästhetika und Opiaten werden erläuter