Double-Fourier engineering of Josephson energy-phase relationships applied to diodes

We present a systematic method to design arbitrary energy-phase relations using parallel arms of two series Josephson tunnel junctions each. Our approach employs Fourier engineering in the energy-phase relation of each arm and the position of the arms in real space. We demonstrate our method by engineering the energy-phase relation of a near-ideal superconducting diode, which we find to be robust against the imperfections in the design parameters. Finally, we show the versatility of our approach by designing various other energy-phase relations.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figure

Extension of the flux fit method for estimating power deposition profiles

The flux fit method is used to self-consistently estimate the power deposition profile and heat transport profiles from temperature measurements originating from perturbative experiments with a modulated source. This Letter improves on this method by addressing the limitations and assumptions. The most crucial improvement is the additional freedom in the source deposition profile. Allowing for a variable central deposition location and height and including a skewness parameter produces deposition profiles more consistent with the measurement data, but still wider than equilibrium ray tracing in two different DIII-D discharges. Moreover, we show that the quality of the estimated deposition profile is key to the accuracy of diffusivity and convectivity estimates, but inversely, the estimated transport parameters hardly affect the quality of the power deposition estimate. Using this method, we show that the power deposition profile estimate is broadened with respect to ray-tracing by about 1.7–1.8 times in two DIII-D discharges.</p

The 412 retrotransposon and the development of gonadal mesoderm in Drosophila

We have shown that the expression of the 412 retrotransposon provides a useful early marker for the development of the gonadal mesoderm in Drosophila embryos. 412 is initially expressed in a set of parasegmentally repeated stripes from parasegments (PS) 2-14 in the mesoderm at the extended germ band stage. During germ band retraction the bulk of 412 expression declines except in dorsolateral clusters of cells in PS10, 11 and 12, where high levels of 412 expression remain. These mesodermal cell clusters are associated with germ cells and subsequently they coalesce, rounding up to form the gonads. The gonadal mesoderm thus appears to originate specifically from three abdominal parasegments, PS10, 11 and 12. We show that the maintenance of high levels of 412 expression in gonadal mesoderm is not induced by contact with germ cells, but rather depends on genetic control by the homeotic genes abdominal-A and Abdominal-B

The consultant practitioner: an evolving role to meet changing NHS needs.

Since the introduction of the consultant practitioner role, with its huge variability in purpose and context, it has had to evolve in response to the changing needs of the NHS to achieve sustainability and transformation of services. AIM: This article reflects on the relevance of the consultant practitioner role and the impact of an action learning set in hastening its evolution in one NHS foundation trust. METHOD: From a process of collective critical reflection on their practice, six consultant practitioners analysed the impact they have had on influencing services and empowerment of their patients. Additionally, they have analysed the impact of an externally facilitated action learning set as a catalyst for change. RESULTS: All six consultant practitioners recognised that working together through the learning set enabled them to be more influential and effective. It encouraged them to share their experiences of continuous service improvement and crystalised their views on the impact they have had in delivering the organisation's vision. CONCLUSION: From their critical reflection, the six consultant practitioners acknowledged the influence of the action learning set on accelerating their confidence and competence to lead, and evaluating new models of care delivery at scale and pace. They recognised how far they have travelled in achieving the four dimensions of the role and ultimately their impact on their local sustainability and transformation plan (STP) and their trust's vision

A novel Doppler backscattering (DBS) system to simultaneously monitor radio frequency plasma fluctuations and low frequency turbulence

A novel quadrature Doppler Backscattering (DBS) system has been developed and optimized for the E-band (60-90GHz) frequency range using either O-mode or X-mode polarization in DIII-D plasmas. In general, DBS measures the amplitude of density fluctuations and their velocity in the lab frame. The system can simultaneously monitor both low-frequency turbulence (f < 10MHz) and radiofrequency plasma density fluctuations over a selectable frequency range (20-500 MHz). Detection of high-frequency fluctuations has been demonstrated for low harmonics of the ion cyclotron frequency (e.g., 2fci~23MHz) and externally driven high-frequency helicon waves (f = 476MHz) using an adjustable frequency down conversion system. Importantly, this extends the application of DBS to a high-frequency spectral domain while maintaining important turbulence and flow measurement capabilities. This unique system has low phase noise, good temporal resolution (sub-millisecond) and excellent wavenumber coverage (k_{\theta} ~ 1-20cm^{-1} and k_r ~ 20-30cm^{-1}). As a demonstration, localized internal DIII-D plasma measurements are presented from turbulence (f = 20MHz) as well as fluctuations around 476MHz driven by an external high-power 476 MHz helicon wave antenna. In the future, helicon measurements will be used to validate GENRAY and AORSA modeling tools for prediction of helicon wave propagation, absorption and current drive location for the newly installed helicon current drive system on DIII-D.Comment: 13 pages, 14 figs, journal pape

Using eye-tracking and click-stream data to design adaptive training of children's inhibitory control in a maths and science game

Computerised educational neuroscience interventions that train within-domain inhibitory control (IC) can improve children's coun- terintuitive reasoning. However, the HCI or adaptive design of such en- vironments often receive less attention. Eye-tracking and click data were used to compare four versions of an IC-training game in terms of their HCI design and potential for supporting adaptive feedback. Our results provide insights for developing an adaptive system to scaffold pupils' transition towards using IC in un-cued, self-regulated scenarios

Transkingdom Networks: A Systems Biology Approach to Identify Causal Members of Host-Microbiota Interactions

Improvements in sequencing technologies and reduced experimental costs have resulted in a vast number of studies generating high-throughput data. Although the number of methods to analyze these "omics" data has also increased, computational complexity and lack of documentation hinder researchers from analyzing their high-throughput data to its true potential. In this chapter we detail our data-driven, transkingdom network (TransNet) analysis protocol to integrate and interrogate multi-omics data. This systems biology approach has allowed us to successfully identify important causal relationships between different taxonomic kingdoms (e.g. mammals and microbes) using diverse types of data

Characterizing Community-Based Mental Health Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Disruptive Behavior Problems

This study describes the characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with disruptive behavior problems served in community-based mental health clinics, characterizes psychotherapy process and outcome, and examines differences between children with ASD and a non-ASD comparison group. Results indicate that children with ASD served in this setting are high functioning and diagnostically complex. Certain research-based behavioral and cognitive behavioral psychotherapeutic strategies were observed frequently, while parent training strategies and active teaching strategies were observed less frequently. The intensity or thoroughness with which strategies were pursued was relatively low. Outcome analyses indicate improvement in child symptoms and family functioning. Treatment delivery and outcome were similar for children with and without ASD. These findings represent the first detailed observational data characterizing community-based mental health services for children with ASD