Bad weather strands 1,200 Mount Everest trekkers (AP)

KATMANDU, Nepal ? More than 1,000 foreign trekkers are stranded in the foothills of Mount Everest because bad weather has not allowed planes to take off or land at the area's only airport.

Police official Ramesh Khakda says about 1,200 foreign trekkers are stranded at and around Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, Nepal. There are several Nepalese guides and porters with the foreigners.

Small helicopters ferried some of the trekkers Friday, but bad weather was hampering the efforts. Thick fog has canceled flights at the airport, which sits at an altitude of 9,200 feet (2,800 meters), for the past four days. The stranded trekkers have been sleeping at the airport and in tents and dining halls at Lukla hotels.

Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain, peaks at 29,035 feet (8,850 meters).

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/environment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111104/ap_on_re_as/as_nepal_trekkers_stranded

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No. 1 LSU gets its kicks out of OT win over No. 2 'Bama

No. 1 LSU gained the inside track to the BCS title game, beating No. 2 Alabama 9-6 on Drew Alleman's 25-yard field goal in overtime after a fierce defensive struggle in which neither team reached the end zone Saturday night.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/vp/45169851#45169851

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A 2-dimensional electron liquid solidifies in a magnetic field

Friday, November 4, 2011
Electron densities for the ground state of N=7 electrons in a magntic field, at: (a) fractional filling ? =1/3, corresponding to the angular momentum L2 = 63, shown in red on the left hand side (? = 0, ? = 1). The total wave function is ?= ?63 whose density is seen to exhibit a uniform circular amplitude characteristic of a liquid state, and (b) a mixed state in the neighborhood of ? =1/3, obtained by disorder-induced coupling between the ground state ?63 and the adjacent excited state with L1 = 57. The density of the broken-symmetry mixed state ?= ? ?57 + ? ?63 (with ? = 1/ 2, ? =1/ 2) , shown in blue on the right, exhibits a non-uniform crystalline pattern, portraying formation of a disorder-pinned wigner crystallite. The results were obtained through exact diagonalization of the hamiltonian, with the parameters corresponding to GaAs, i.e. a dielectric constant ? = 13.1 and an effective mass m* =0.0067 me, and a confining potential of 3.6 meV. Lengths are given in units of the magnetic length lB, and the units of the vertical axes are 10?2lB-2. The electron density is normalized to the number of particles, N. Credit: Uzi Landman, Georgia Institute of Technology

Physicists from the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a theory that describes, in a unified manner, the coexistence of liquid and pinned solid phases of electrons in two dimensions under the influence of a magnetic field. The theory also describes the transition between these phases as the field is varied. The theoretical predictions by Constantine Yannouleas and Uzi Landman, from Georgia Tech's School of Physics, aim to explain and provide insights into the origins of experimental findings published last year by a team of researchers from Princeton, Florida State and Purdue universities. The research appears in the October 27 edition of the journal Physical Review B.

The experimental discovery in 1982 of a new Hall conductance step at a fraction ?=1/m with m=3, that is at (1/3)e2/h (with more conductance steps, at other m, found later) ? where h is the Planck constant and e is the electron charge ? was made for two-dimensional electrons at low temperatures and strong magnetic fields and was greeted with great surprise. The theoretical explanation of this finding a year later by Robert Laughlin in terms of a new form of a quantum fluid, earned him and the experimentalists Horst St?rmer and Daniel Tsui the 1998 Nobel Prize with the citation "for the discovery of a new form of quantum fluid with fractionally charged excitations." These discoveries represent conceptual breakthroughs in the understanding of matter, and the fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE) liquid states, originating from the highly correlated nature of the electrons in these systems, have been termed as new states of matter.

"The quantum fluid state at the 1/3 primary fraction is the hallmark of the FQHE, whose theoretical understanding has been formulated around the antithesis between a new form of quantum fluid and the pinned Wigner crystal," said Landman, Regents' and Institute Professor in the School of Physics, F.E. Callaway Chair and director of the Center for Computational Materials Science (CCMS) at Georgia Tech. "Therefore, the discovery of pinned crystalline signatures in the neighborhood of the 1/3 FQHE fraction, measured as resonances in the microwave spectrum of the two-dimensional electron gas and reported in the Physical Review Letters in September 2010 by a group of researchers headed by Daniel Tsui, was rather surprising," he added.

Indeed, formation of a hexagonally ordered two-dimensional electron solid phase, a so called Wigner crystal (WC) named after the Nobel laureate physicist Eugene Wigner who predicted its existence in 1934, has been anticipated for smaller quantum Hall fractional fillings, ?, of the lowest Landau level populated by the electrons at high magnetic fields, for example ? = 1/9, 1/7 and even 1/5. However, the electrons in the ?=1/3 fraction were believed to resist crystallization and remain liquid.

The Georgia Tech physicists developed a theoretical formalism that, in conjunction with exact numerical solutions, provides a unified microscopic approach to the interplay between FQHE liquid and Wigner solid states in the neighborhood of the 1/3 fractional filling. A major advantage of their approach is the use of a single class of variational wave functions for description of both the quantum liquid and solid phases.

"Liquid characteristics of the fractional quantum Hall effect states are associated with symmetry-conserving vibrations and rotations of the strongly interacting electrons and they coexist with intrinsic correlations that are crystalline in nature," Yannouleas and Landman wrote in the opening section of their paper. "While the electron densities of the fractional quantum Hall effect liquid state do not exhibit crystalline patterns, the intrinsic crystalline correlations which they possess are reflected in the emergence of a sequence of liquid states of enhanced stability, called cusp states, that correspond in the thermodynamic limit to the fractional quantum Hall effect filling fractions observed in Hall conductance measurements," they added.

The key to their explanation of the recent experimental observations pertaining to the appearance of solid characteristics for magnetic fields in the neighborhood of the 1/3 filling fraction is their finding that "away from the exact fractional fillings, for example near ?=1/3, weak pinning perturbations, due to weak disorder, may overcome the energy gaps between adjacent good angular momentum symmetry-conserving states. The coupling between these states generates broken-symmetry ground states whose densities exhibit spatial crystalline patterns. At the same time, however, the energy gap between the ground state at ?=1/3 and adjacent states is found to be sufficiently large to prevent disorder-induced mixing, thus preserving its quantum fluid nature."

Furthermore, the work shows that the emergence of the crystalline features, via the pinning perturbations, is a consequence of the aforementioned presence of crystalline correlations in the symmetry-conserving states. Consequently, mixing rules that govern the nature of the disorder-pinned crystalline states have been formulated and tested. Extrapolation of the calculated results to the thermodynamic limit shows development of a hexagonal Wigner crystal with enhanced stability due to quantum correlations.

"In closing, the nature of electrons in the fractional quantum Hall regime continues now for close to three decades to be a subject of great fascination, a research field that raises questions whose investigations can lead to deeper conceptual understanding of matter and many-body phenomena, and a rich source of surprise and discovery," said Landman.

###

Georgia Institute of Technology: http://www.gatech.edu

Thanks to Georgia Institute of Technology for this article.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/114967/A___dimensional_electron_liquid_solidifies_in_a_magnetic_field

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Jury begins considering fate of Jackson doctor (AP)

LOS ANGELES ? After six weeks of listening, jurors in the involuntary manslaughter case of Michael Jackson's doctor began deliberations Friday morning.

Their discussions behind closed doors in a downtown Los Angeles courthouse could lead to the conviction or acquittal of Dr. Conrad Murray, whom the panel has heard described alternately as an inept and opportunistic physician or a naive outsider granted access into Jackson's inner realm.

The seven-man, five-woman panel listened intently Thursday as prosecutors and defense attorneys argued over whether Murray should be convicted of involuntary manslaughter for Jackson's death in June 2009. The physician's attorneys attacked prosecutors and their witnesses, saying they had over time developed stories and theories that placed the blame for Jackson's death squarely on Murray.

Media were camped outside the courthouse and in the courtroom where the jury's decision will eventually be read. There was no sign of Murray or attorneys handling the case, but they will receive a two-hour notice when a verdict is reached. Murray waived the need for his presence if the panel asks any questions, but must be present when a verdict is reached.

Jackson died from a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol; Murray has acknowledged giving Jackson propofol to help him sleep.

The real reason Jackson died, defense attorney Ed Chernoff argued, was because he craved the powerful anesthetic so much that he gave himself a fatal injection when Murray left his bedside.

"They want you to convict Dr. Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson," Chernoff said.

"Poor Conrad Murray," prosecutor David Walgren replied in his final speech to jurors. "Michael Jackson is dead. And we have to hear about poor Conrad Murray and no doctor knows what it's like to be in his shoes."

Walgren noted that several doctors who testified ? including two who were called by Murray's attorneys ? said they would have never given the singer anesthesia in his bedroom.

Murray is solely to blame for Jackson's death, Walgren argued, saying Murray had purchased more than four gallons of propofol to administer to Jackson and had been giving him nightly doses to help him sleep.

Walgren repeatedly described Murray's treatments on Jackson as unusual and called his actions on the day of the singer's death ? including not calling 911 and not mentioning his propofol doses to paramedics or other doctors ? "bizarre."

Murray was essentially experimenting on Jackson, Walgren said. Murray should have known Jackson might die from the treatments, yet he lacked the proper life-saving and monitoring equipment.

"What is unusual and unpredictable is that Michael Jackson lived as long as he did under the care of Conrad Murray in this situation," Walgren said.

The prosecutor repeatedly invoked the singer's children, Prince, Paris and Blanket, and said Murray's actions left them without a father. The children, who range in ages from 9 to 14, were not present, but Jackson's parents and several of his siblings attended closing arguments.

The Houston-based cardiologist's culpability will be decided by jurors, who heard from 49 witnesses and have more than 300 pieces of evidence to consider. They were given lengthy instructions about how to deliberate and interpret the case.

If Murray is convicted, he faces a sentence that ranges from probation to four years behind bars, and he would lose his medical license. The sentence will be decided by Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor and not the jury; the judge will receive input from attorneys for both sides and probation officials if necessary. A recent change in California law means that Murray, 58, might serve any incarceration in a county jail rather than a state prison.

If acquitted, Murray would be free from criminal prosecution, but will likely be pursued by medical licensing authorities in the states of California, Nevada and Texas.

In order to convict Murray, jurors will have to determine the cardiologist was substantially responsible for Jackson's death.

Despite days of scientific testimony about what likely happened in Jackson's bedroom from experts for Murray and the prosecution, Walgren acknowledged that some things about the events in the King of Pop's bedroom that led to his death will never be known.

"The people won't prove exactly what happened behind those closed doors," he said. "Michael Jackson could give answers, but he is dead."

___

AP Special Correspondent Linda Deutsch contributed to this report.

___

McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/topstories/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111104/ap_on_en_mu/us_michael_jackson_doctor

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Cuba legalizes sale, purchase of private property

HAVANA (AP) ? Cuba announced Thursday it will allow real estate to be bought and sold for the first time since the early days of the revolution, the most important reform yet in a series of free-market changes under President Raul Castro.

The law, which takes effect Nov. 10, applies to citizens and permanent residents only, according to a red-letter headline on the front page of Thursday's Communist Party daily Granma.

The brief article said details of the new law would be published imminently in the government's Official Gazette. Authorities have said previously that sales will be subject to taxes and the rules will not allow anyone to accumulate great property holdings.

The change follows October's legalization of buying and selling cars, though with restrictions that still make it hard for ordinary Cubans to buy new vehicles.

Castro has also allowed citizens to go into business for themselves in a number of approved jobs ? everything from party clowns to food vendors to accountants ? and has pledged to streamline the state-dominated economy by eliminating half a million government workers.

Cuba's government employs over 80 percent of the workers in the island's command economy, paying wages of just $20 a month in return for free education and health care, and nearly free housing, transportation and basic foods. Castro has said repeatedly that the system is not working since taking over from his brother Fidel in 2008, but he has vowed that Cuba will remain a Socialist state.

Cubans have long bemoaned the ban on property sales, which took effect in stages over the first years after Fidel Castro came to power in 1959. In an effort to fight absentee ownership by wealthy landlords, Fidel enacted a reform that gave title to whomever lived in a home. Most who left the island forfeited their properties to the state.

Since no property market was allowed, the rules have meant that for decades Cubans could only exchange property through complicated barter arrangements, or through even murkier black-market deals where thousands of dollars change hands under the table, with no legal recourse if transactions go bad.

Some Cubans enter into sham marriages to make deed transfers easier. Others make deals to move into homes ostensibly to care for an elderly person living there, only to inherit the property when the person dies.

The island's crumbling housing stock has meant that many are forced to live in overcrowded apartments with multiple generations crammed into a few rooms. Even divorce hasn't necessarily meant separation in Cuba, where estranged couples are often forced to live together for years while they work out alternative housing.

The new law will eliminate a state agency that regulated the exchange-by-barter of homes, meaning that from now on sales will only need the seal of a notary, according to Granma.

The government has also dropped hints in recent months about the new property law, saying it will allow family members to inherit homes even if they are not living in the property.

Cubans who can afford it will be allowed to own one home in the city and one in the countryside.

___

Paul Haven can be reached at www.twitter.com/paulhaven

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2011-11-03-CB-Cuba-Private-Property/id-c648f75bedc24842b9ad507899b7c238

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Novatel celebrates sale of 3 millionth MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot with an intelligent rager

Today marks a momentous occasion for Novatel Wireless, because shipments of its MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot have now surpassed the 3 million mark. The company confirmed the milestone in an announcement yesterday, and took a moment to look back on how far their router has come since it was first introduced in 2009. Since then, Novatel has launched its family of MiFi devices with 25 operators across the world and is looking to build upon its record. For now, though, just grab a bottle of bubbly and join the PR party, after the break.

Continue reading Novatel celebrates sale of 3 millionth MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot with an intelligent rager

Novatel celebrates sale of 3 millionth MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot with an intelligent rager originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 07:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netflix, Amazon sign content deals with Disney (Reuters)

(Reuters) ? Netflix and Amazon.com Inc unveiled content deals with Walt Disney Co on Monday, a sign of increased competition between the two companies in the video streaming business.

Netflix said it extended its license agreement with ABC Television Group, a division of Disney, to continue to stream TV shows over the Internet.

With the extension of the existing license agreement, Netflix will also add new TV show episodes from ABC Studios, Disney Channel and the ABC Family to its existing library, it said in a statement.

Netflix will now also carry episodes of ABC's "Switched at Birth", "Alias" and prior-season episodes of Disney Channel's animated series "Kick Buttowski".

Netflix will continue to carry every episode of ABC shows such as "Lost", "Ugly Betty", "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives", and a number of programs from the Disney Channel.

Amazon announced a new licensing agreement with Disney-ABC Television Group that will allow Amazon Prime members to instantly stream a broad selection of library content from ABC Studios, Disney Channel, ABC Family and Marvel.

Amazon Prime costs $79 a year in the United States and gives members free 2-day shipping along with free access to almost 13,000 TV shows and movies from the company's Internet streaming service.

(Reporting by Maneesha Tiwari in Bangalore and Alistair Barr in San Francisco; Editing by Matt Driskill and Richard Chang)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tv/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20111031/tv_nm/us_netflixdisney

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