Macroscopic Resonant Tunneling in the Presence of Low Frequency Noise

We develop a theory of macroscopic resonant tunneling of flux in a double-well potential in the presence of realistic flux noise with significant low-frequency component. The rate of incoherent flux tunneling between the wells exhibits resonant peaks, the shape and position of which reflect qualitative features of the noise, and can thus serve as a diagnostic tool for studying the low-frequency flux noise in SQUID qubits. We show, in particular, that the noise-induced renormalization of the first resonant peak provides direct information on the temperature of the noise source and the strength of its quantum component.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Chest X-Ray interpretation: agreement between consultant radiologists and a reporting radiographer in clinical practice in the United Kingdom

Rationale: Driven by developing technology and an ageing population, radiology has witnessed an unprecedented rise in workload. One response to this in the United Kingdom has been to train radiographers to undertake clinical reporting. Accurate interpretation of imaging is crucial to allow clinicians' to correctly manage and treat patients. Methods: A random sample of cases (n=100) was selected from a consecutive series of 1,000 chest x-ray reports produced by a radiographer in clinical practice using a simple computer generated algorithm. Due to the high level of observer variation which is apparent when interpreting chest x-rays, three consultant radiologists were also included to establish the rate of inter-observer variation between radiologists, which was then used as the baseline. Fifty images were interpreted by each radiologist who examined the radiographer report for accuracy and agreement, with 50% duplication of cases between radiologists to determine inter-radiologist variation. The radiologists performed their evaluation independently and blinded to the proportion of cases receiving multiple radiologist opinions. Inter-observer agreement analysis using Kappa was performed to determine consistency among observers. Results: Disagreement was found between the radiologist and radiographer in 7 cases, which in three instances showed agreement between one radiologist and the radiographer. Inter-observer agreement (Kappa statistic) between the three radiologists and the reporting radiographer was found to be almost perfect, K=0.91, 95% confidence interval (0.79,1.0), K=0.91 (0.78,1.0) and K=0.83 (0.68,0.99) respectively. Inter-radiologist agreement was also almost perfect, K=0.82 (0.57,1.0) and K=0.91 (0.75,1.0). Conclusion: The level of inter-observer agreement between radiologist and reporting radiographer chest x-ray interpretation compares favourably with inter-radiologist variation

Partial duplication of the APBA2 gene in chromosome 15q13 corresponds to duplicon structures.

BackgroundChromosomal abnormalities affecting human chromosome 15q11-q13 underlie multiple genomic disorders caused by deletion, duplication and triplication of intervals in this region. These events are mediated by highly homologous segments of DNA, or duplicons, that facilitate mispairing and unequal cross-over in meiosis. The gene encoding an amyloid precursor protein-binding protein (APBA2) was previously mapped to the distal portion of the interval commonly deleted in Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes and duplicated in cases of autism.ResultsWe show that this gene actually maps to a more telomeric location and is partially duplicated within the broader region. Two highly homologous copies of an interval containing a large 5' exon and downstream sequence are located approximately 5 Mb distal to the intact locus. The duplicated copies, containing the first coding exon of APBA2, can be distinguished by single nucleotide sequence differences and are transcriptionally inactive. Adjacent to APBA2 maps a gene termed KIAA0574. The protein encoded by this gene is weakly homologous to a protein termed X123 that in turn maps adjacent to APBA1 on 9q21.12; APBA1 is highly homologous to APBA2 in the C-terminal region and is distinguished from APBA2 by the N-terminal region encoded by this duplicated exon.ConclusionThe duplication of APBA2 sequences in this region adds to a complex picture of different low copy repeats present across this region and elsewhere on the chromosome

Stationary Josephson effect in a weak-link between nonunitary triplet superconductors

A stationary Josephson effect in a weak-link between misorientated nonunitary triplet superconductors is investigated theoretically. The non-self-consistent quasiclassical Eilenberger equation for this system has been solved analytically. As an application of this analytical calculation, the current-phase diagrams are plotted for the junction between two nonunitary bipolar $f-$wave superconducting banks. A spontaneous current parallel to the interface between superconductors has been observed. Also, the effect of misorientation between crystals on the Josephson and spontaneous currents is studied. Such experimental investigations of the current-phase diagrams can be used to test the pairing symmetry in the above-mentioned superconductors.Comment: 6 pages and 6 figure

Thermally assisted adiabatic quantum computation

We study the effect of a thermal environment on adiabatic quantum computation using the Bloch-Redfield formalism. We show that in certain cases the environment can enhance the performance in two different ways: (i) by introducing a time scale for thermal mixing near the anticrossing that is smaller than the adiabatic time scale, and (ii) by relaxation after the anticrossing. The former can enhance the scaling of computation when the environment is superohmic, while the latter can only provide a prefactor enhancement. We apply our method to the case of adiabatic Grover search and show that performance better than classical is possible with a superohmic environment, with no a priori knowledge of the energy spectrum.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, Final version to appear in PR

A review on removal of pharmaceuticals from water by adsorption

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products are recognized as emerging pollutants in water resources. Various treatment options have been investigated for the removal of pharmaceuticals that include both conventional (e.g., biodegradation, adsorption, activated sludge) and advanced (e.g., membrane, microfiltration, ozonation) processes. This article reviews literature for adsorptive removal of pharmaceuticals from water sources. Adsorbents from various origins were reviewed for their capacity to remove pharmaceuticals from water. These adsorbents include carbonaceous materials, clay minerals, siliceous adsorbents, and polymeric materials. The adsorption capacity of adsorbents to adsorb pharmaceuticals from water is discussed in this study. The review discusses the mechanism for adsorption of pharmaceuticals onto adsorbents as well. Finally, effectiveness of processing parameters during adsorption processes is presented

Pengembangan Prototipe Alat Bantu Latihan Mengayun Pada Cabang Olahraga Woodball Di Jawa Tengah

The purpose of the research was to develop a model tools swing that can be used to swing training for men\u27s athlete woodball beginner and advanced level with the aim to improve the skills of swing movement. This equipment can be used for practicing male woodball on beginner advanced men\u27s level. This study used a qualitative approach for model development. The data collected in this study either at initial as well as trial stages were qualitative data. The main procedure in the research and development consists of five steps, namely: (1) analyze product to be developed; (2) develop early product; (3) Validation by the expert; (4) The field trials; (5) Revision of product. The results of this study concluded that the development model of swing training can be used to (1) improve the skills of swing motion for men\u27s athlete woodball beginner and advanced level; (2) As a means of training for men\u27s athlete woodball beginner and advanced level

Charge neutralization in vacuum for non-conducting and isolated objects using directed low-energy electron and ion beams

We propose using ions and electrons of energy 1 eV–10 eV for neutralizing the charges on the non-conducting or isolated surfaces of high-sensitivity experiments. The mirror surfaces of the test masses of the laser interferometer gravitational observatory are used as an example of the implementation of this method. By alternatively directing beams of positive and negative charges towards the mirror surfaces, we ensure the neutralization of the total charge as well as the equalization of the surface charge distribution to within a few eV of the potential of the ground reference of the vacuum system. This method is compatible with operation in high vacuum, does not require measuring the potential of the mirrors and is expected not to damage sensitive optical surfaces

Local community on trial

While plenty has been written about the reinvention of the social by the Third Way as a new governmentality of control, consensus, and social integration, less has been said about its subtle elision of social and the local, and the implications of this elision for urban and regional regeneration. This is the theme taken up by this paper, beginning with a critical appraisal of the recent turn by New Labour to community cohesion and social capital as a means of overcoming local poverty and disadvantage. It shows how the social has come to be redefined as community, localized, and thrown back at hard-pressed areas as both cause and solution in the area of social, political, and economic regeneration. The second half of the paper develops an alternative designation of the local-social that is less instrumentalist, decidedly a-moral (though equally ethical), agonistically political, and geographically unconstrained. It argues for a return to ideas of agonistic democracy and the society of commitments and connections so thoroughly repudiated by new versions of market social democracy