Applications of Tethers in Space, Volume 2

Topics discussed include tethered satellites, tether deployment, satellite systems, science applications, electrodynamic interactions, transportation applications, artificial gravity, constellations, and technology and testing

Applications of Tethers in Space, Volume 1

The tethered satellite system is described including tether fundamentals. Applications of very long tethers in space to a broad spectrum of future space missions are explored. Topics covered include: science, transportation, constellations, artificial gravity, technology and test, and electrodynamic interactions. Recommendations to NASA are included

Das Bild vom Kind in ausgewählten Texten der Kinder- und Jugendliteratur im Exil 1933 - 1945

Die Dissertation setzt sich exemplarisch mit ausgewählten Werken der Kinder- und Jugendliteratur im Exil 1933-1945 auseinander. Die literaturwissenschaftliche und literaturpädagogische Interpretation des Kinderbildes der Texte zeigt übergreifende Strukturmerkmale der Kinder- und Jugendliteratur im Exil. Die Analysen zu den Kinderbüchern Die Jagd nach dem Stiefel, Das Eismeer ruft, Jan auf der Zille, Zehn jagen Mr. X, Insu-Pu und Die Kinder auf der Insel beleuchten Aspekte der Figurengestaltung, signifikante thematische Felder, erzählerische Verfahren und gattungsspezifische Merkmale. Die Interpretationen zeigen ein Bild vom Kind, das auf den Grundgedanken der Menschlichkeit weist, Solidarität verkörpert und aktives, politisches Engagement verdeutlicht, das aus der Gegnerschaft zum NS-Regime resultiert. Darüber hinaus wird das Kind zum Symbol der Hoffnung und zum Sinnbild einer besseren Zukunft

Dynamical Coulomb blockade of multiple Andreev reflections

We analyze the dynamical Coulomb blockade of multiple Andreev reflections (MAR) in a superconducting quantum point contact coupled to a macroscopic impedance. We find that at very low transmission the blockade scales as $n^2$ with $n = {Int}(2\Delta/eV)$, where $V$ is the bias voltage and $\Delta$ is the superconducting gap, as it would correspond to the occurrence of "shots" of charge $ne$. For higher transmission the blockade is reduced both due to Pauli principle and to elastic renormalization of the MAR probability, and for certain voltage regions it may even become an "antiblockade", i.e. the current is enhanced due to the coupling with the electromagnetic environment.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Experimental Test of the Dynamical Coulomb Blockade Theory for Short Coherent Conductors

We observed the recently predicted quantum suppression of dynamical Coulomb blockade on short coherent conductors by measuring the conductance of a quantum point contact embedded in a tunable on-chip circuit. Taking advantage of the circuit modularity we measured most parameters used by the theory. This allowed us to perform a reliable and quantitative experimental test of the theory. Dynamical Coulomb blockade corrections, probed up to the second conductance plateau of the quantum point contact, are found to be accurately normalized by the same Fano factor as quantum shot noise, in excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Physical Review Letter

Gender Differences in Self-Reported Symptoms of Depression among Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

This study examined the prevalence of self-reported depressive symptoms and the self reported somatic depressive symptoms as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) among patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and explored the impact of gender on both. A convenience sample of 789 adults (248 women and 541 men) was recruited for the study during hospital admission for ACS and participants were screened for self-reported depressive symptoms. BDI-II scores of ≥14 indicate a moderate level of depressive symptoms and this cut-off score was used to categorize patients into depressed and non-depressed groups. Pearson chi-square tests for independence (categorical variables) and t tests for independent samples (continuous variables) were used for gender comparisons. Results showed that depressive symptoms during ACS episodes were different between women and men. Women reported greater overall depressive symptoms (BDI-II mean = 11.89, S.D. = 9.68) than men (BDI-II mean = 9.00, S.D. = 7.93) (P < 0.000). Significantly more women (7.66%) were identified positive for somatic depressive symptoms (sleep and appetite disturbances and fatigue) than men (2.22%) (P = 0.0003). Findings support that there are gender differences in depressive symptoms experienced by patients hospitalized for ACS. Somatic symptoms of depression may be important indicators of depression especially among female ACS patients

Superconducting Quantum Point Contacts

We review our experiments on the electronic transport properties of atomic contacts between metallic electrodes, in particular superconducting ones. Despite ignorance of the exact atomic configuration, these ultimate quantum point contacts can be manipulated and well characterized in-situ. They allow performing fundamental tests of the scattering theory of quantum transport. In particular, we discuss the case of the Josephson effect