Method and apparatus for fabricating improved solar cell modules

A method and apparatus for fabricating an improved solar cell module is described. The apparatus includes a supply drum for feeding a flexible strip having etched electrical circuitry deposited on it a supply drum for feeding into overlying engagement with the flexible strip a flexible tape having a pair of exposed tacky surfaces, and a plurality of rams for receiving and depositing a plurality of solar cells in side-by-side relation on an exposed tacky surface of the tape in electrical contacting engagement with the etched circuitry

Individual complex Dirac eigenvalue distributions from random matrix theory and lattice QCD at nonzero chemical potential

We analyze how individual eigenvalues of the QCD Dirac operator at nonzero chemical potential are distributed in the complex plane. Exact and approximate analytical results for such distributions are derived from non-Hermitian random matrix theory. When comparing these to lattice QCD spectra close to the origin, excellent agreement is found for zero and nonzero topology at several values of the chemical potential. Our analytical results are also applicable to other physical systems in the same symmetry class

Distributions of individual Dirac eigenvalues for QCD at non-zero chemical potential: RMT predictions and lattice results

For QCD at non-zero chemical potential $\mu$, the Dirac eigenvalues are scattered in the complex plane. We define a notion of ordering for individual eigenvalues in this case and derive the distributions of individual eigenvalues from random matrix theory (RMT). We distinguish two cases depending on the parameter $\alpha=\mu^2 F^2 V$, where $V$ is the volume and $F$ is the familiar low-energy constant of chiral perturbation theory. For small $\alpha$, we use a Fredholm determinant expansion and observe that already the first few terms give an excellent approximation. For large $\alpha$, all spectral correlations are rotationally invariant, and exact results can be derived. We compare the RMT predictions to lattice data and in both cases find excellent agreement in the topological sectors $\nu=0,1,2$

The Kohn-Luttinger Effect in Gauge Theories

Kohn and Luttinger showed that a many body system of fermions interacting via short range forces becomes superfluid even if the interaction is repulsive in all partial waves. In gauge theories such as QCD the interaction between fermions is long range and the assumptions of Kohn and Luttinger are not satisfied. We show that in a U(1) gauge theory the Kohn-Luttinger phenomenon does not take place. In QCD attractive channels always exist, but there are cases in which the primary pairing channel leaves some fermions ungapped. As an example we consider the unpaired fermion in the 2SC phase of QCD with two flavors. We show that it acquires a very small gap via a mechanism analogous to the Kohn-Luttinger effect. The gap is too small to be phenomenologically relevant.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure, minor revisions, to appear in PR

Asymptotic Stability, Instability and Stabilization of Relative Equilibria

In this paper we analyze asymptotic stability, instability and stabilization for the relative equilibria, i.e. equilibria modulo a group action, of natural mechanical systems. The practical applications of these results are to rotating mechanical systems where the group is the rotation group. We use a modification of the Energy-Casimir and Energy-Momentum methods for Hamiltonian systems to analyze systems with dissipation. Our work couples the modern theory of block diagonalization to the classical work of Chetaev

Spending time with money: from shared values to social connectivity

This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.There is a rapidly growing momentum driving the development of mobile payment systems for co-present interactions, using near-field communication on smartphones and contactless payment systems. The design (and marketing) imperative for this is to enable faster, simpler, effortless and secure transactions, yet our evidence shows that this focus on reducing transactional friction may ignore other important features around making payments. We draw from empirical data to consider user interactions around financial exchanges made on mobile phones. Our findings examine how the practices around making payments support people in making connections, to other people, to their communities, to the places they move through, to their environment, and to what they consume. While these social and community bonds shape the kinds of interactions that become possible, they also shape how users feel about, and act on, the values that they hold with their co-users. We draw implications for future payment systems that make use of community connections, build trust, leverage transactional latency, and generate opportunities for rich social interactions

Influence of a six month endurance exercise program on the immune function of prostate cancer patients undergoing Antiandrogen or Chemotherapy: design and rationale of the ProImmun study

Background: Exercise seems to minimize prostate cancer specific mortality risk and treatment related side effects like fatigue and incontinence. However the influence of physical activity on the immunological level remains uncertain. Even prostate cancer patients undergoing palliative treatment often have a relatively long life span compared to other cancer entities. To optimize exercise programs and their outcomes it is essential to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Further, it is important to discriminate between different exercise protocols and therapy regimes. Methods/Design: The ProImmun study is a prospective multicenter patient preference randomized controlled trial investigating the influence of a 24 week endurance exercise program in 80–100 prostate cancer patients by comparing patients undergoing Antiandrogen therapy combined with exercise (AE), Antiandrogen therapy without exercise (A), Chemotherapy with exercise(CE) or Chemotherapy without exercise (C). The primary outcome of the study is a change in prostate cancer relevant cytokines and hormones (IL-6, MIF, IGF-1, Testosterone). Secondary endpoints are immune cell ratios, oxidative stress and antioxidative capacity levels, VO2 peak, fatigue and quality of life. Patients of the intervention group exercise five times per week, while two sessions are supervised. During the supervised sessions patients (AE and CE) exercise for 33 minutes on a bicycle ergometer at 70-75% of their VO2 peak. To assess long term effects and sustainability of the intervention two follow-up assessments are arranged 12 and 18 month after the intervention. Discussion: The ProImmun study is the first trial which primarily investigates immunological effects of a six month endurance exercise program in prostate cancer patients during palliative care. Separating patients treated with Antiandrogen therapy from those who are additionally treated with Chemotherapy might allow a more specific view on the influence of endurance training interventions and the impact of different therapy protocols on the immune function. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS0000473