7,079 research outputs found
Singular Contractions of W-algebras
Many -algebras (e.g. the algebras) are consistent for all values of
the central charge except for a discrete set of exceptional values. We show
that such algebras can be contracted to new consistent degenerate algebras at
these exceptional values of the central charge.Comment: 10 pages, phyzzx.tex, QMW-92-7.(minor spelling and acknowledgement
corrections
Modeling contact formation between atomic-sized gold tips via molecular dynamics
The formation and rupture of atomic-sized contacts is modelled by means of
molecular dynamics simulations. Such nano-contacts are realized in scanning
tunnelling microscope and mechanically controlled break junction experiments.
These instruments routinely measure the conductance across the nano-sized
electrodes as they are brought into contact and separated, permitting
conductance traces to be recorded that are plots of conductance versus the
distance between the electrodes. One interesting feature of the conductance
traces is that for some metals and geometric configurations a jump in the value
of the conductance is observed right before contact between the electrodes, a
phenomenon known as jump-to-contact. This paper considers, from a computational
point of view, the dynamics of contact between two gold nano-electrodes.
Repeated indentation of the two surfaces on each other is performed in two
crystallographic orientations of face-centred cubic gold, namely (001) and
(111). Ultimately, the intention is to identify the structures at the atomic
level at the moment of first contact between the surfaces, since the value of
the conductance is related to the minimum cross-section in the contact region.
Conductance values obtained in this way are determined using first principles
electronic transport calculations, with atomic configurations taken from the
molecular dynamics simulations serving as input structures.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, conference submissio
Mechanical, Electrical, and Magnetic Properties of Ni Nanocontacts
The dynamic deformation upon stretching of Ni nanowires as those formed with
mechanically controllable break junctions or with a scanning tunneling
microscope is studied both experimentally and theoretically. Molecular dynamics
simulations of the breaking process are performed. In addition, and in order to
compare with experiments, we also compute the transport properties in the last
stages before failure using the first-principles implementation of Landauer's
formalism included in our transport package ALACANT.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure
Formation of a Metallic Contact: Jump to Contact Revisited
The transition from tunneling to metallic contact between two surfaces does
not always involve a jump, but can be smooth. We have observed that the
configuration and material composition of the electrodes before contact largely
determines the presence or absence of a jump. Moreover, when jumps are found
preferential values of conductance have been identified. Through combination of
experiments, molecular dynamics, and first-principles transport calculations
these conductance values are identified with atomic contacts of either
monomers, dimers or double-bond contacts.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure
26Al yields from rotating Wolf--Rayet star models
We present new Al stellar yields from rotating Wolf--Rayet stellar
models which, at solar metallicity, well reproduce the observed properties of
the Wolf-Rayet populations. These new yields are enhanced with respect to
non--rotating models, even with respect to non--rotating models computed with
enhanced mass loss rates. We briefly discuss some implications of the use of
these new yields for estimating the global contribution of Wolf-Rayet stars to
the quantity of Al now present in the Milky Way.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, to appear in New Astronomy Review
The Lithium Flash - Thermal instabilities generated by lithium burning in RGB stars
We present a scenario to explain the lithium-rich phase which occurs on the red giant branch at the so-called bump in the luminosity function. The high transport coefficients required to enhance the surface lithium abundance are obtained in the framework of rotation-induced mixing thanks to the impulse of the important nuclear energy released in a lithium burning shell. Under certain conditions a lithium flash is triggered off. The enhanced mass loss rate due to the temporary increase of the stellar luminosity naturally accounts for a dust shell formation
Effect of a text intervention during pregnancy on birth weight in participants of the WIC program in Hawaii.
ObjectivesThere
are limited studies testing the effect of a pregnancy educational
intervention on infantsâ birth weight. This study investigated the
effect of a short message service (SMS), or text message, intervention
for promoting adequate gestational weight gain on infantsâ birth weight
in a sample of pregnant women in Hawaiâi.MethodsA
randomized clinical trial was conducted among women participating in
the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and
Children (WIC) program in Hawaiâi (n = 83). The intervention group (n = 42) received weekly SMS about appropriate energy intake and physical activity and the control group (n = 41)
received weekly SMS about general health issues for 4 months during
pregnancy. Weight and length at birth were obtained from the
participant's chart in WIC and compared between groups. Birthweight was
categorized as small (SGA), appropriate (AGA) or large (LGA) for
gestational age.ResultsWomen
were age 27.7 ± 5.3y on average, 65.5% were Native Hawaiian, Pacific
Islander or American Indian, 54.8% had some college or more and 37.8%
were employed. Infant birth weight was similar in the intervention
(3431 ± 682 g) and control groups (3232 ± 599 g; P > 0.05).
Mothers in the control group had higher odds of having a SGA baby (OR:
2.21; 95% CI 0.40, 12.2) but similar risk of having a LGA baby (0.27;
95% CI 0.07, 1.05) compared to the intervention group. After adjusting
for mothersâ age, education level and employment status, results were
similar for SGA (OR: 2.34; 95% CI 0.43, 14.7) and LGA (OR: 0.35; 95% CI
0.08, 1.49).ConclusionsThere
was no significant difference in birth weight between groups in mothers
from the WIC program in Hawaiâi. More intensive educational
interventions may be needed to observe an impact on birth weight
Amount, preparation and type of formula consumed and its association with weight gain in infants participating in the WIC Program in Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
The aim of this study was to assess the association between amount (below or above recommendations), preparation (liquid vs. powder), and type (regular vs. hydrolysate) of infant formula consumed and weight in infants participating in the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program in Hawaii (HI) and Puerto Rico (PR). This was a secondary analysis of 162 caregivers with healthy term 0-2-month-old infants. Socio-demographics, infant food frequency questionnaires, and weight and length were assessed at baseline and after four months. Infant feeding practices were associated with weight-for-length z-scores using multivariable logistic regression. In total, 37.7% were exclusively breastfed and 27.2% were exclusively formula-fed. Among formula users, regular (63.6%) and powder (87.0%) formula were the most common; 43.2% consumed formula above recommendations. Most infants had rapid weight gain (61.1%). Infants fed regular formula had higher odds of overweight after four months (adjusted OR = 8.77, 95% CI: 1.81-42.6) and higher odds of rapid weight gain (adjusted OR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.12, 8.61). Those exclusively formula fed had higher odds of slow weight gain (adjusted OR = 4.07, 95% CI: 1.17-14.2). Formula preparation and amount of formula were not associated with weight. These results could inform the WIC program's nutrition education messages on infant feeding. Studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm these results
Effect of a multi-site trial using short message service (SMS) on infant feeding practices and weight gain in low-income minorities.
Objective: To test the effects of weekly SMS for improving infant
feeding practices and infant weight.
Methods: This was a multi-site randomized clinical trial in a
convenience sample of 202 caregivers of healthy term infants 0â2 months
participating in the WIC program in Puerto Rico and Hawaii. Participants
were randomized to receive SMS about infant's general health issues
(control) or SMS for improving feeding practices (intervention) for four
months. Weight, length and infant feeding practices were assessed at
baseline and four months later.
Results: A total of 170 participants completed the study (n = 86 control
and n = 84 intervention). Baseline characteristics were similar between
groups. At the end, exclusive breastfeeding rates were similar between
groups (67.4% control and 59.1% intervention). Introduction of other
foods and beverages, addition of foods to the bottle, placing infants to
sleep with milk bottles, caregiver's method and response to feeding
infants and distractions while feeding infants were similar between
groups. Also, weight status or rate of weight gain was similar between
groups.
Conclusion: There were no significant improvements in feeding practices
or in weight with the intervention. The timeline of the messages in
relation to the targeted behavior may have affected the effectiveness of
the intervention. Earlier dissemination of messages, higher level of
intensity, longer intervention, additional contacts and inclusion of
other caregivers may be needed to achieve the desired effects
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