561 research outputs found
Dynkin isomorphism and mermin-wagner theorems for hyperbolic sigma models and recurrence of the two-dimensional vertex-reinforced jump process
We prove the vertex-reinforced jump process (VRJP) is recurrent in two
dimensions for any translation invariant finite range initial rates. Our proof
has two main ingredients. The first is a direct connection between the VRJP and
sigma models whose target space is a hyperbolic space or its
supersymmetric counterpart . These results are analogues of
well-known relations between the Gaussian free field and the local times of
simple random walk. The second ingredient is a Mermin--Wagner theorem for these
sigma models. This result is of intrinsic interest for the sigma models and
also implies our main theorem on the VRJP. Surprisingly, our Mermin--Wagner
theorem applies even though the symmetry groups of and
are non-amenable
Time-reversal symmetry breaking versus superstructure
One of the mysteries of modern condenced-matter physics is the nature of the
pseudogap state of the superconducting cuprates. Kaminski et al.1 claimed to
have observed signatures of time-reversal symmetry breaking in the pseudogap
regime in underdoped Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+d (Bi2212). Here we argue that the observed
dichroism is due to the 5x1 superstructure replica of the electronic bands and
therefore cannot be considered as evidence for the spontaneous time-reversal
symmetry breaking in cuprates.Comment: 5 pages, pd
Extreme Water Velocities: Topographical Amplification of Wave-Induced Flow in the Surf Zone of Rocky Shores
Water velocities as high as 25 m s-1 have been recorded in the surf zone of wave-swept rocky shores-velocities more than twice the phase speed of the breaking waves with which they are associated. How can water travel twice as fast as the waveform that initially induces its velocity? We explore the possibility that the interaction of a wave with the local topography of the shore can greatly amplify the water velocities imposed on intertidal plants and animals. Experiments in a laboratory wave tank show that interactions between bores refracted by a prowlike beach can produce jets in which the velocity is nearly twice the bore\u27s phase speed. This velocity can be further amplified by a factor of 1.3-1.6 if the jet strikes a vertical wall. This type of topographically induced amplification of water velocity could result in substantial spatial variation in wave-induced hydrodynamic forces and might thereby help to explain the patchwork nature of disturbance that is characteristic of intertidal communities
Long-term, high frequency in situ measurements of intertidal mussel bed temperatures using biomimetic sensors
At a proximal level, the physiological impacts of global climate change on ectothermic organisms are manifest as changes in body temperatures. Especially for plants and animals exposed to direct solar radiation, body temperatures can be substantially different from air temperatures. We deployed biomimetic sensors that approximate the thermal characteristics of intertidal mussels at 71 sites worldwide, from 1998-present. Loggers recorded temperatures at 10-30 min intervals nearly continuously at multiple intertidal elevations. Comparisons against direct measurements of mussel tissue temperature indicated errors of similar to 2.0-2.5 degrees C, during daily fluctuations that often exceeded 15 degrees-20 degrees C. Geographic patterns in thermal stress based on biomimetic logger measurements were generally far more complex than anticipated based only on 'habitat-level' measurements of air or sea surface temperature. This unique data set provides an opportunity to link physiological measurements with spatially-and temporally-explicit field observations of body temperature
Fermi surface induced lattice distortion in NbTe
The origin of the monoclinic distortion and domain formation in the quasi
two-dimensional layer compound NbTe is investigated. Angle-resolved
photoemission shows that the Fermi surface is pseudogapped over large portions
of the Brillouin zone. Ab initio calculation of the electron and phonon
bandstructure as well as the static RPA susceptibility lead us to conclude that
Fermi surface nesting and electron-phonon coupling play a key role in the
lowering of the crystal symmetry and in the formation of the charge density
wave phase
Aging and the Environment: A Research Framework
The rapid growth in the number of older Americans has many implications for public health, including the need to better understand the risks posed to older adults by environmental exposures. Biologic capacity declines with normal aging; this may be exacerbated in individuals with pre-existing health conditions. This decline can result in compromised pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic responses to environmental exposures encountered in daily activities. In recognition of this issue, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing a research agenda on the environment and older adults. The U.S. EPA proposes to apply an environmental public health paradigm to better understand the relationships between external pollution sources → human exposures → internal dose → early biologic effect → adverse health effects for older adults. The initial challenge will be using information about aging-related changes in exposure, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic factors to identify susceptible subgroups within the diverse population of older adults. These changes may interact with specific diseases of aging or medications used to treat these conditions. Constructs such as “frailty” may help to capture some of the diversity in the older adult population. Data are needed regarding a) behavior/activity patterns and exposure to the pollutants in the microenvironments of older adults; b) changes in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion with aging; c) alterations in reserve capacity that alter the body’s ability to compensate for the effects of environmental exposures; and d) strategies for effective communication of risk and risk reduction methods to older individuals and communities. This article summarizes the U.S. EPA’s development of a framework to address and prioritize the exposure, health effects, and risk communications concerns for the U.S. EPA’s evolving research program on older adults as a susceptible subpopulation
Three-dimensional momentum-resolved electronic structure of A combined soft-x-ray photoemission and density functional theory study
1T−TiSe2 is a quasi-two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide, which exhibits a charge density wave transition at a critical temperature of ∼200 K as well as low- temperature superconductivity induced by pressure or intercalation. The electronic energy dispersion measured by soft x-ray angle-resolved photoemission is not only momentum resolved parallel to the surface but also perpendicular to it. Experiments are compared to density functional theory based band structure calculations using different exchange-correlation functionals. The results reveal the importance of including spin-orbit coupling for a good description of the experimental bands. Compared to calculations within the local density approximation, the use of the modified Becke-Johnson (mBJ) exchange functional leads to a band structure that does not need an artificial downwards shift of the valence band to fit the experiment. The mBJ functional thus clearly appears as the most adapted functional for the theoretical description of the 1T−TiSe2 band structure within the DFT framework
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