21 research outputs found
Method for finding the critical temperature of the island in a SET structure
We present a method to measure the critical temperature of the island of a
superconducting single electron transistor. The method is based on a sharp
change in the slope of the zero-bias conductance as a function of temperature.
We have used this method to determine the superconducting phase transition
temperature of the Nb island of an superconducting single electron transistor
with Al leads. We obtain as high as 8.5 K and gap
energies up to meV. By looking at the zero bias
conductance as a function of magnetic field instead of temperature, also the
critical field of the island can be determined. Using the orthodox theory, we
have performed extensive numerical simulations of charge transport properties
in the SET at temperatures comparable to the gap, which match very well the
data, therefore providing a solid theoretical basis for our method.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure
Cooper-pair resonances and subgap Coulomb blockade in a superconducting single-electron transistor
We have fabricated and measured superconducting single-electron transistors
with Al leads and Nb islands. At bias voltages below the gap of Nb we observe
clear signatures of resonant tunneling of Cooper pairs, and of Coulomb blockade
of the subgap currents due to linewidth broadening of the energy levels in the
superconducting density of states of Nb. The experimental results are in good
agreement with numerical simulations.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Communication style and exercise compliance in physiotherapy (CONNECT). A cluster randomized controlled trial to test a theory-based intervention to increase chronic low back pain patientsâ adherence to physiotherapistsâ recommendations: study rationale, design, and methods
Physical activity and exercise therapy are among the accepted clinical rehabilitation guidelines and are recommended self-management strategies for chronic low back pain. However, many back pain sufferers do not adhere to their physiotherapistâs recommendations. Poor patient adherence may decrease the effectiveness of advice and home-based rehabilitation exercises. According to self-determination theory, support from health care practitioners can promote patientsâ autonomous motivation and greater long-term behavioral persistence (e.g., adherence to physiotherapistsâ recommendations). The aim of this trial is to assess the effect of an intervention designed to increase physiotherapistsâ autonomy-supportive communication on low back pain patientsâ adherence to physical activity and exercise therapy recommendations. \ud
\ud
This study will be a single-blinded cluster randomized controlled trial. Outpatient physiotherapy centers (N =12) in Dublin, Ireland (populationâ=â1.25 million) will be randomly assigned using a computer-generated algorithm to either the experimental or control arm. Physiotherapists in the experimental arm (two hospitals and four primary care clinics) will attend eight hours of communication skills training. Training will include handouts, workbooks, video examples, role-play, and discussion designed to teach physiotherapists how to communicate in a manner that promotes autonomous patient motivation. Physiotherapists in the waitlist control arm (two hospitals and four primary care clinics) will not receive this training. Participants (Nâ=â292) with chronic low back pain will complete assessments at baseline, as well as 1âweek, 4âweeks, 12âweeks, and 24âweeks after their first physiotherapy appointment. Primary outcomes will include adherence to physiotherapy recommendations, as well as low back pain, function, and well-being. Participants will be blinded to treatment allocation, as they will not be told if their physiotherapist has received the communication skills training. Outcome assessors will also be blinded. \ud
\ud
We will use linear mixed modeling to test between arm differences both in the mean levels and the rates of change of the outcome variables. We will employ structural equation modeling to examine the process of change, including hypothesized mediation effects. \ud
\ud
This trial will be the first to test the effect of a self-determination theory-based communication skills training program for physiotherapists on their low back pain patientsâ adherence to rehabilitation recommendations. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN63723433\u
Selfâtracking in effortful activities: Gender differences in consumers' task experience
Despite the increasing use of selfâtracking technologies, surprisingly little empirical research has examined the effect of selfâtracking in effortful activities on consumers' task experience. Accordingly, the present research examined the moderating role of gender in the effect of selfâtracking in effortful activities on perceived competence and task experience (namely, enjoyment and subjective vitality). Across three experiments, results suggested that selfâtracking in effortful activities increases the perceived competence, enjoyment, and subjective vitality of females more than males, and that perceived competence explains these interaction effects. Interestingly, an experimental manipulation designed to prompt overestimation of abilities attenuated these positive effects among females. As such, the present research contributes to the literatures on selfâtracking and feedback instrumentality, and offers important practical implications for marketers.publishedVersio
Dental anxiety, oral healthârelated quality of life, and general wellâbeing: A selfâdetermination theory perspective
The aim of this study was to test a structural equation model (SEM) with the following hypotheses: (1) patientsâ perceptions of oral health care professionalsâ (i.e., dentists and dental hygienists) controlling interpersonal styles would positively predict patientsâ dental anxiety through their basic psychological need frustration in treatment; (2) in turn, high dental anxiety would positively predict dysregulation of dental anxiety, which through a feedback loop contributes to perception of oral health care professionalsâ controlling styles; and, (3) in addition, both dental anxiety and dysregulation of dental anxiety would predict poor Oral HealthâRelated Quality of Life (OHRQoL) and subsequently poor general wellâbeing. A crossâsectional study was conducted among 322 students at the University of Oslo. Participants responded to a survey with validated questionnaires. All variables in the model tested were acceptably normally distributed. The SEM did fit the data well and all hypotheses were supported. A bootstrapping procedure indicated that all indirect links in the model were supported. Analysis indicated that common method variance (CMV) did not seriously distort the results in this setting. Although the majority of oral health care professionals are perceived as being noncontrolling by their patients (51%), the proportion perceived as moderately (38%) or highly (11%) controlling represent a challenge for oral health care education and practice. It would be useful for oral health care professionals to be trained in avoiding a controlling treatment style
The impact of the achievement motive on athletic performance in adolescent football players
Researchers largely agree that there is a positive relationship between achievement motivation and athletic performance, which is why the achievement motive is viewed as a potential criterion for talent. However, the underlying mechanism behind this relationship remains unclear. In talent and performance models, main effect, mediator and moderator models have been suggested. A longitudinal study was carried out among 140 13-year-old football talents, using structural equation modelling to determine which model best explains how hope for success (HS) and fear of failure (FF), which are the aspects of the achievement motive, motor skills and abilities that affect performance. Over a period of half a year, HS can to some extent explain athletic performance, but this relationship is not mediated by the volume of training, sport-specific skills or abilities, nor is the achievement motive a moderating variable. Contrary to expectations, FF does not explain any part of performance. Aside from HS, however, motor abilities and in particular skills also predict a significant part of performance. The study confirms the widespread assumption that the development of athletic performance in football depends on multiple factors, and in particular that HS is worth watching in the medium term as a predictor of talent
Changes in return to work among patients in vocational rehabilitation: a self-determination theory perspective
Purpose: The aim of the current study was to examine whether patient perceptions of autonomy support from the treatment team in a vocational rehabilitation program will be associated with change (increase) in need satisfaction, autonomous motivation, perceived competence, well-being, physical activity, and return to work (RTW), and whether the self-determination theory (SDT) Model of Health Behavior will provide adequate fit to the data. Method: A total of 90 participants were enrolled in a longitudinal study and completed measures at four time points over 15 months. Results: Participants reported increases in all variables, and in general these changes were maintained at six weeks post-rehabilitation and at 15 months post-baseline. As well, the SDT Model of Health Behavior provided adequate fit to the data. Conclusions: These results underscore the importance of health care practitionersâ providing support for their patientsâ autonomy, competence, and relatedness to improve well-being, physical activity, and RTW in the context of vocational rehabilitation. Implications for Rehabilitation Vocational rehabilitation that emphasizes physical activity is associated with increases in patientsâ well-being, physical activity, and return to work (RTW). It is important for health care practitioners to provide support for their patientsâ autonomy, competence, and relatedness in the context of vocational rehabilitation, as doing so is associated with increases in patientsâ autonomous motivation, perceived competence, and psychosocial outcomes
Motivational patterns as an instrument for predicting success in promising young football players
Psychological characteristics are crucial to identifying talents, which is why these are being incorporated in todayâs multidimensional talent models. In addition to multidimensionality, talent studies are increasingly drawing on holistic theories of development, leading to the use of person-oriented approaches. The present study adopts such an approach by looking at the influence that motivational characteristics have on the development of performance, in a person-oriented way. For this purpose, it looks at how the constructs achievement motive, achievement goal orientation and self-determination interact with one another, what patterns they form and how these patterns are linked to subsequent sports success. 97 top young football players were questioned twice. Another year later, it was enquired which of these players had been selected for the U15 national team. At both measuring points, four patterns were identified, which displayed a high degree of structural and individual stability. As expected, the highly intrinsically achievement-oriented players were significantly more likely to move up into the U15 national team. The results point to the importance of favourable patterns of motivational variables in the form of specific types, for medium-term performance development among promising football talents, and thus provide valuable clues for the selection and promotion of those