Cascade of parametric resonances in coupled Josephson junctions

We found that the coupled system of Josephson junctions under external electromagnetic radiation demonstrates a cascade of parametric instabilities. These instabilities appear along the IV characteristics within bias current intervals corresponding to Shapiro step subharmonics and lead to charging in the superconducting layers. The amplitudes of the charge oscillations increase with increasing external radiation power. We demonstrate the existence of longitudinal plasma waves at the corresponding bias current values. An essential advantage of the parametric instabilities in the case of subharmonics is the lower amplitude of radiation that is needed for the creation of the longitudinal plasma wave. This fact gives a unique possibility to create and control longitudinal plasma waves in layered superconductors. We propose a novel experiment for studying parametric instabilities and the charging of superconducting layers based on the simultaneous variation of the bias current and radiation amplitude

Reversibility of the effects of GnRH-vaccination used to suppress reproductive function in mares

Reasons for performing study: Active immunisation against gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) provides a reversible method for control of oestrous behaviour and fertility in mares. Previous reports failed to demonstrate the interval to resumption of cyclic ovarian activity after GnRH-vaccination. Hypothesis: Administration of the GnRH-vaccine ImprovacÒ1 in a large group of mares of various ages will result in effective, reliably reversible suppression of ovarian activity within a two-year period. Methods: The mares, subdivided into three age categories were vaccinated twice (with a 35 d interval) using ImprovacÒ1 and were monitored via blood samples until Day 720 after initial vaccination for serum progesterone concentration determination by radio-immune assay and anti-GnRH antibody titre by enzyme immuno-assay. Samples were collected until individuals resumed cyclic ovarian activity. Results: All mares showed suppression of cyclic ovarian activity (SPC <1 nmol/l) and 92.2% resumed cyclic activity at Day 720 with a mean interval = 417.8 d (SD = 23.19) and median = 344 d. A significant age effect (P=0.028) on the interval, but not on GnRH-AB titre response, was observed between the youngest (11 years) categories. Conclusions: Immunising adult mares of all ages with ImprovacÒ1 resulted in a reversible suppression of cyclic ovarian activity in most mares. An age effect, with the youngest mares showing a longer interval to reversibility was observed.The Equine Research Centre of the University of Pretoriahttp://www.evj.co.uk/journals/hb2013ab201

Vaccination against GnRH as a prelude to surgical castration of horses

BACKGROUND : Surgical castration is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in horses and is associated with various post-surgical complications ranging in severity. OBJECTIVES : We investigated the effects of administering an anti-GnRH vaccine to colts for reduction of testis size on the incidence of complications associated with their subsequent surgical castration. STUDY DESIGN : Randomised open controlled trial. METHODS : Nineteen colts were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. Treatment Groups V1-57 and V2-100 received two treatments of Improvac® (Zoetis, South Africa) before their castration in the field on either Day 57 or Day 100 following first treatment, respectively. Controls similarly received placebo treatments followed by castration on Day 57. Serial measurements of testicular dimensions and serum samples for measuring serum testosterone concentrations (STCs) and anti-GnRH antibody titres (ABTs) were obtained pre- and post-vaccination and on the day of castration. Clinical data recorded for 10 days determined post-surgical complications. RESULTS : All vaccinated colts showed a baseline STC concentration at castration with a strong ABT response. Mean testicular volume of Groups V1-57 and V2-100 reduced by 49.7% and 30.8%, respectively, on Day 57 and this further reduced in Group V2-100 by 63.9% at castration on Day 100. Testis size was significantly correlated with post-surgical preputial (P = 0.001) and scrotal (P = 0.025) swelling. MAIN LIMITATIONS : A study population of young light horse breed colts and a relatively small sample size limited this pilot study.http://www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/evj2021-12-22hj2021Mammal Research InstituteProduction Animal StudiesZoology and Entomolog

Manifestation of Resonance-Related Chaos in Coupled Josephson Junctions

Chaotic features of systems of coupled Josephson junctions are studied. Manifestation of chaos in the temporal dependence of the electric charge, related to a parametric resonance, is demonstrated through the calculation of the maximal Lyapunov exponent, phase-charge and charge-charge Lissajous diagrams and correlation functions. The number of junctions in the stack strongly influences the fine structure in the current voltage characteristics and a strong proximity effect results from the nonperiodic boundary conditions. The observed resonance-related chaos exhibits intermittency over a range of conditions and parameters. General features of the system are analyzed by means of a linearized equation and the criteria for a breakpoint region with no chaos are obtained. Such criteria could clarify recent experimental observations of variations in the power output from intrinsic Josephson junctions in high temperature superconductors.Comment: 13 pages, 16 figure

The radial variation of the solar wind turbulence spectra near the kinetic break scale from Parker Solar Probe measurements

In this study we examine the radial dependence of the inertial and dissipation range indices, as well as the spectral break separating the inertial and dissipation range in power density spectra of interplanetary magnetic field fluctuations using Parker Solar Probe data from the fifth solar encounter between ∼0.1 and ∼0.7 au. The derived break wavenumber compares reasonably well with previous estimates at larger radial distances and is consistent with gyro-resonant damping of Alfvénic fluctuations by thermal protons. We find that the inertial scale power-law index varies between approximately −1.65 and −1.45. This is consistent with either the Kolmogorov (−5/3) or Iroshnikov–Kraichnan (−3/2) values, and has a very weak radial dependence with a possible hint that the spectrum becomes steeper closer to the Sun. The dissipation range power-law index, however, has a clear dependence on radial distance (and turbulence age), decreasing from −3 near 0.7 au (4 days) to −4 [±0.3] at 0.1 au (0.75 days) closer to the Sun

Saúde e desenvolvimento econômico: atualização de um tema

Considering the importance of the interrelationship between health and economic development, a review was made of selected papers on the subject published in the last 20 years, both in Brazil and abroad. The review shows a tendency towards an objective analysis of the subject by the use of refined statistical analysis and econometric methods. Due to the relative lack of this kind of study in Brazil, more cooperation is recommended among economists, planners and physicians, in an effort to fultil this gap by researching together.Tendo em vista a importância das relações entre saúde e desenvolvimento econômico, foi feita uma revisão do tema destacando trabalhos publicados nas duas últimas décadas, tanto na literatura médica estrangeira como na nacional. A revisão revela uma tendência à análise objetiva do problema, mediante o uso de análise estatística sofisticada e métodos econométricos. Diante da carência deste tipo de estudos no Brasil, recomenda-se maior colaboração entre médicos, planejadores e economistas para realizar pesquisas que preencham esta lacuna

Numerical solution of multiband k.p model for tunnelling in type-II heterostructures

A new and very general method was developed for calculating the charge and spin-resolved electron tunnelling in type-II heterojunctions. Starting from a multiband k.p description of the bulk energy-band structure, a multiband k.p Riccati equation was derived. The reflection and transmission coefficients were obtained for each channel by integrating the Riccati equation over the entire heterostructure. Numerical instability was reduced through this method, in which the multichannel log-derivative of the envelope function matrix, rather than the envelope function itself, was propagated. As an example, a six-band k.p Hamiltonian was used to calculate the current-voltage characteristics of a 10-nm wide InAs/ GaSb/InAs single quantum well device which exhibited negative differential resistance at room temperature. The calculated current as a function of applied (bias) voltage was found to be in semiquantitative agreement with the experiment, a result which indicated that inelastic transport mechanisms do not contribute significantly to the valley currents measured in this particular device

Numerical solution of multiband k.p model for tunnelling in type-II heterostructures

A new and very general method was developed for calculating the charge and spin-resolved electron tunnelling in type-II heterojunctions. Starting from a multiband k.p description of the bulk energy-band structure, a multiband k.p Riccati equation was derived. The reflection and transmission coefficients were obtained for each channel by integrating the Riccati equation over the entire heterostructure. Numerical instability was reduced through this method, in which the multichannel log-derivative of the envelope function matrix, rather than the envelope function itself, was propagated. As an example, a six-band k.p Hamiltonian was used to calculate the current-voltage characteristics of a 10-nm wide InAs/ GaSb/InAs single quantum well device which exhibited negative differential resistance at room temperature. The calculated current as a function of applied (bias) voltage was found to be in semiquantitative agreement with the experiment, a result which indicated that inelastic transport mechanisms do not contribute significantly to the valley currents measured in this particular device