1,956 research outputs found
Microscopic reversibility of quantum open systems
The transition probability for time-dependent unitary evolution is invariant
under the reversal of protocols just as in the classical Liouvillian dynamics.
In this article, we generalize the expression of microscopic reversibility to
externally perturbed large quantum open systems. The time-dependent external
perturbation acts on the subsystem during a transient duration, and
subsequently the perturbation is switched off so that the total system would
thermalize. We concern with the transition probability for the subsystem
between the initial and final eigenstates of the subsystem. In the course of
time evolution, the energy is irreversibly exchanged between the subsystem and
reservoir. The time reversed probability is given by the reversal of the
protocol and the initial ensemble. Microscopic reversibility equates the time
forward and reversed probabilities, and therefore appears as a thermodynamic
symmetry for open quantum systems.Comment: numerical demonstration is correcte
Fluctuation theorem for currents in open quantum systems
A quantum-mechanical framework is set up to describe the full counting
statistics of particles flowing between reservoirs in an open system under
time-dependent driving. A symmetry relation is obtained which is the
consequence of microreversibility for the probability of the nonequilibrium
work and the transfer of particles and energy between the reservoirs. In some
appropriate long-time limit, the symmetry relation leads to a steady-state
quantum fluctuation theorem for the currents between the reservoirs. On this
basis, relationships are deduced which extend the Onsager-Casimir reciprocity
relations to the nonlinear response coefficients.Comment: 19 page
Dermatillomania: Strategies for developing protective biomaterials/cloth
Dermatillomania or skin picking disorder (SPD) is a chronic, recurrent, and treatment resistant neuropsychiatric disorder with an underestimated prevalence that has a concerning negative impact on an individual’s health and quality of life. The current treatment strategies focus on behavioral and pharmacological therapies that are not very effective. Thus, the primary objective of this review is to provide an introduction to SPD and discuss its current treatment strategies as well as to propose biomaterial-based physical barrier strategies as a supporting or alternative treatment. To this end, searches were conducted within the PubMed database and Google Scholar, and the results obtained were organized and presented as per the following categories: prevalence, etiology, conse-quences, diagnostic criteria, and treatment strategies. Furthermore, special attention was provided to alternative treatment strategies and biomaterial-based physical treatment strategies. A total of six products with the potential to be applied as physical barrier strategies in supporting SPD treatment were shortlisted and discussed. The results indicated that SPD is a complex, underestimated, and underemphasized neuropsychiatric disorder that needs heightened attention, especially with regard to its treatment and care. Moreover, the high synergistic potential of biomaterials and nanosystems in this area remains to be explored. Certain strategies that are already being utilized for wound healing can also be further exploited, particularly as far as the prevention of infections is concerned
Thermodynamic large fluctuations from uniformized dynamics
Large fluctuations have received considerable attention as they encode
information on the fine-scale dynamics. Large deviation relations known as
fluctuation theorems also capture crucial nonequilibrium thermodynamical
properties. Here we report that, using the technique of uniformization, the
thermodynamic large deviation functions of continuous-time Markov processes can
be obtained from Markov chains evolving in discrete time. This formulation
offers new theoretical and numerical approaches to explore large deviation
properties. In particular, the time evolution of autonomous and non-autonomous
processes can be expressed in terms of a single Poisson rate. In this way the
uniformization procedure leads to a simple and efficient way to simulate
stochastic trajectories that reproduce the exact fluxes statistics. We
illustrate the formalism for the current fluctuations in a stochastic pump
model
Green-Kubo formula for heat conduction in open systems
We obtain an exact Green-Kubo type linear response result for the heat
current in an open system. The result is derived for classical Hamiltonian
systems coupled to heat baths. Both lattice models and fluid systems are
studied and several commonly used implementations of heat baths, stochastic as
well as deterministic, are considered. The results are valid in arbitrary
dimensions and for any system sizes. Our results are useful for obtaining the
linear response transport properties of mesoscopic systems. Also we point out
that for systems with anomalous heat transport, as is the case in
low-dimensional systems, the use of the standard Green-Kubo formula is
problematic and the open system formula should be used.Comment: 4 page
Dynamical fluctuations for semi-Markov processes
We develop an Onsager-Machlup-type theory for nonequilibrium semi-Markov
processes. Our main result is an exact large time asymptotics for the joint
probability of the occupation times and the currents in the system,
establishing some generic large deviation structures. We discuss in detail how
the nonequilibrium driving and the non-exponential waiting time distribution
influence the occupation-current statistics. The violation of the Markov
condition is reflected in the emergence of a new type of nonlocality in the
fluctuations. Explicit solutions are obtained for some examples of driven
random walks on the ring.Comment: Minor changes, accepted for publication in Journal of Physics
The chronology of Late Pleistocene thermal contraction cracking derived from sand wedge OSL dating in central and southern France
Much of France remained unglaciated during the Late Quaternary and was subjected to repeated phases of periglacial activity. Numerous periglacial features have been reported but disentangling the environmental and climatic conditions they formed under, the timing and extent of permafrost and the role of seasonal frost has remained elusive. The primary sandy infillings of relict sand-wedges and composite-wedge pseudomorphs record periglacial activity. As they contain well-bleached quartz-rich aeolian material they are suitable for optically stimulated luminescence dating (OSL). This study aims to reconstruct when wedge activity took place in two regions of France; Northern Aquitaine and in the Loire valley. Results from single-grain OSL measurements identify multiple phases of activity within sand wedges which suggest that wedge activity in France occurred at least 11 times over the last 100 ka. The most widespread events of thermal contraction cracking occurred between ca. 30 and 24 ka (Last Permafrost Maximum) which are concomitant with periods of high sand availability (MIS 2). Although most phases of sand-wedge growth correlate well with known Pleistocene cold periods, the identification of wedge activity during late MIS 5 and the Younger Dryas strongly suggests that these features do not only indicate permafrost but also deep seasonal ground freezing in the context of low winter insolation. These data also suggest that the overall young ages yielded by North-European sand-wedges likely result from poor record of periglacial periods concomitant with low sand availability and/or age averaging inherent with standard luminescence methods
Implementing "mutually supportive" access and benefit sharing mechanisms under the Plant Treaty, Convention on Biological Diversity, and Nagoya Protocol
Two-step polarization reversal in biased ferroelectrics
Polarization reversal in polycrystalline ferroelectrics is shown to occur via two distinct and sequential domain reorientation steps. This reorientation sequence, which cannot be readily discriminated in the overall sample polarization, is made apparent using time-resolved high-energy x-ray diffraction. Upon application of electric fields opposite to the initial poling direction, two unique and significantly different time constants are observed. The first (faster time constant) is shown to be derived by the release of a residual stress due to initial electrical biasing and the second (slower time constant) due to the redevelopment of residual stress during further domain wall motion. A modified domain reorientation model is given that accurately describes the domain volume fraction evolution during the reversal process.open1
Direct Electrodeposition of Polypyrrole on Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy by Electron Transfer Mediation
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