Comparison Theorems for Gibbs Measures

The Dobrushin comparison theorem is a powerful tool to bound the difference between the marginals of high-dimensional probability distributions in terms of their local specifications. Originally introduced to prove uniqueness and decay of correlations of Gibbs measures, it has been widely used in statistical mechanics as well as in the analysis of algorithms on random fields and interacting Markov chains. However, the classical comparison theorem requires validity of the Dobrushin uniqueness criterion, essentially restricting its applicability in most models to a small subset of the natural parameter space. In this paper we develop generalized Dobrushin comparison theorems in terms of influences between blocks of sites, in the spirit of Dobrushin–Shlosman and Weitz, that substantially extend the range of applicability of the classical comparison theorem. Our proofs are based on the analysis of an associated family of Markov chains. We develop in detail an application of our main results to the analysis of sequential Monte Carlo algorithms for filtering in high dimension.     

Polarization-dependent Goos-Hänchen shift at a graded dielectric interface

We examine the polarization differential Goos-Hänchen beam shift upon total internal reflection, for a graded-index dielectric interface. We find a generic scaling law where the magnitude of this shift depends solely on the product of wavelength and gradient steepness. The analytic results are extended using transmission matrix calculations in cases where the assumptions made to allow analytical treatment might become questionable. Two important cases in this category are: (i) incident angle close to the critical angle and (ii) gradients with an overall thickness of the order of a wavelength. We demonstrate this effect experimentally using a polymer-blend sample with a gradual refractive-index transition induced by diffusion.     

FeRu/TiO2 and Fe/TiO2 catalysts after reduction and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy

A series of TiO₂-supported bimetallic FeRu catalysts with different Fe:Ru ratios (; 101; 31; 11; 13) has been studied by means of in situ Mössbauer spectroscopy. The influence of reduction and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on the state of iron in the FeRu/TiO₂ catalysts will be derived.     

Regularization of Quantum Relative Entropy in Finite Dimensions and Application to Entropy Production

The fundamental concept of relative entropy is extended to a functional that is regular-valued also on arbitrary pairs of nonfaithful states of open quantum systems. This regularized version preserves almost all important properties of ordinary relative entropy such as joint convexity and contractivity under completely positive quantum dynamical semigroup time evolution. On this basis a generalized formula for entropy production is proposed, the applicability of which is tested in models of irreversible processes. The dynamics of the latter is determined by either Markovian or non-Markovian master equations and involves all types of states.     

Postural Complexity during Listening in Young and Middle-Aged Adults

Postural behavior has traditionally been studied using linear assessments of stability (e.g., center of pressure ellipse area). While these assessments may provide valuable information, they neglect the nonlinear nature of the postural system and often lead to the conflation of variability with pathology. Moreover, assessing postural behavior in isolation or under otherwise unrealistic conditions may obscure the natural dynamics of the postural system. Alternatively, assessing postural complexity during ecologically valid tasks (e.g., conversing with others) may provide unique insight into the natural dynamics of the postural system across a wide array of temporal scales. Here, we assess postural complexity using Multiscale Sample Entropy in young and middle-aged adults during a listening task of varying degrees of difficulty. It was found that middle-aged adults exhibited greater postural complexity than did young adults, and that this age-related difference in postural complexity increased as a function of task difficulty. These results are inconsistent with the notion that aging is universally associated with a loss of complexity, and instead support the notion that age-related differences in complexity are task dependent.     

BiCGstab(l) and other hybrid Bi-CG methods

It is well-known that Bi-CG can be adapted so that the operations withA ^T can be avoided, and hybrid methods can be constructed in which it is attempted to further improve the convergence behaviour. Examples of this are CGS, Bi-CGSTAB, and the more general BiCGstab(l) method. In this paper it is shown that BiCGstab(l) can be implemented in different ways. Each of the suggested approaches has its own advantages and disadvantages. Our implementations allow for combinations of Bi-CG with arbitrary polynomial methods. The choice for a specific implementation can also be made for reasons of numerical stability. This aspect receives much attention. Various effects have been illustrated by numerical examples.     

The orientation of porphins in n-alkane Shpolskii hosts

When a solution of a porphin in n-octane is slowly frozen the guests predominantly occupy a single site (A) in which the porphin has been shown to replace a number of host molecules displaced along the b-direction; if the solution is quickly frozen the optical spectra reveal the presence of a second site (B). In the present paper it is shown that the occurrence of these two types of sites, A and B, is a common phenomenon throughout the series from n-heptane (C₇) to n-decane (C ₁₀) as hosts and phenomenological criteria are formulated to distinguish between the two kinds of sites.

The orientation of palladiumporphin (PdP) in the A and B sites of a C₇ host is determined from Zeeman experiments on the S ₁← S ₀ and T ₀ →S ₀ transitions in a single crystal of C₇ doped with PdP. The porphin nuclei in the B sites replace a number of alkanes displaced along the a-axis. In the course of the experiments signals related to a third type of site, B', grew in intensity in the spectra. This site is coplanar with the B site and it differs from the latter by an in-plane rotation of the trapped molecule over 20°. The origins of the S ₁ ←S ₀ transition for the two types of site are assigned for H₂P, ZnP and PdP as solutes in C₇, C₈, C₉ and C₁₀ as hosts.

Finally, the Zeeman shifts observed in the S ₁ ←S ₀ transition of PdP in the three sites of C₇ yield an effective orbital angular momentum for PdP in the state S ₁ of (4·4 ± 0·1)?, in excellent agreement with previous determinations.     

On the existence of certain generalized Moore geometries,part II

The existence of generalized Moore geometries of type GM_m(s,t,s+1),with st>1, is investigated. In a previous paper it was shown that if the diameter m is odd such a geometry can exist only if m?7; as a consequence of the main result of the present paper the restriction ‘m is odd’ has become superfluous.