Novel X-Ray Imaging Method for Evaluating Defect Evolution in Ceramic Tapes

Ceramic tape casting is critical to the electronics industry for manufacturing a wide range of components including piezoelectric actuators, MLC capacitors, and substrates for VLSI and LSI chips [1–3]. Recent regulatory changes, led by the Environmental Protection Agency concerning hazardous chemicals used in ceramic tape-casting, have renewed interest in the development of environmentally-friendly modifications to this process. In turn, this has increased interest in developing a better, fundamental understanding of how microstructural defects form and evolve during the sequence of processing steps associated with tape casting. In order to form more reliable electronic components, there is a need to develop a better, basic understanding of how to eliminate these defects by optimizing critical processing variables

Three-Dimensional Imaging of Magnetic Domains with Neutron Grating Interferometry

This paper gives a brief overview on3D imaging of magnetic domains with shearing grating neutron tomography. We investigated the three-dimensional distribution of magnetic domain walls in the bulk of a wedge-shaped FeSi single crystal. The width of the magnetic domains wasanalyzed at different locations within the crystal. Magnetic domains close to the tip of the wedge are much smaller than in the bulk. Furthermore, the three-dimensional shape of individual domains wasinvestigated. We discuss prospects and limitations of the applied measurement technique

Down syndrome with microgranular variant of acute promyelocytic leukemia in a child: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) accounts for less than 10% of pediatric AML. Cases of APL in Down syndrome (DS) have been described in the literature rarely and it is rarer still to find the microgranular variant (M3v) of APL in trisomy 21 patients.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present a case of a five-year-old female with Down syndrome diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). She came to our hospital with bleeding manifestations. Blood and bone marrow examination revealed promyelocytes showing a few fine granules and occasional Auer rods. Based on this morphology and cytochemistry, a diagnosis of APL microgranular variant (M3v) was made.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This case report emphasizes the importance of a high index of suspicion in the diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia microgranular variant in Down syndrome.</p

Precision Timing Measurements of PSR J1012+5307

We present results and applications of high precision timing measurements of the millisecond pulsar J1012+5307. Combining our radio observations with results based on optical observations, we derive complete 3-D velocity information for this system. Correcting for Doppler effects, we derive the intrinsic spin parameters of this pulsar and a characteristic age of 8.6 +/- 1.9 Gyr. Our upper limit for the orbital eccentricity of only 8 * 10^-7 (68% C.L.) is the smallest ever measured for a binary system. We demonstrate that this makes the pulsar an ideal laboratory to test certain aspects of alternative theories of gravitation. Our precise measurements suggest deviations from a simple pulsar spin-down timing model, which are consistent with timing noise and the extrapolation of the known behaviour of slowly rotating pulsars.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

Design and feasibility testing of a novel group intervention for young women who binge drink in groups

BackgroundYoung women frequently drink alcohol in groups and binge drinking within these natural drinking groups is common. This study describes the design of a theoretically and empirically based group intervention to reduce binge drinking among young women. It also evaluates their engagement with the intervention and the acceptability of the study methods.MethodsFriendship groups of women aged 18–35 years, who had two or more episodes of binge drinking (>6 UK units on one occasion; 48g of alcohol) in the previous 30 days, were recruited from the community. A face-to-face group intervention, based on the Health Action Process Approach, was delivered over three sessions. Components of the intervention were woven around fun activities, such as making alcohol free cocktails. Women were followed up four months after the intervention was delivered. Results The target of 24 groups (comprising 97 women) was recruited. The common pattern of drinking was infrequent, heavy drinking (mean consumption on the heaviest drinking day was UK 18.1 units). Process evaluation revealed that the intervention was delivered with high fidelity and acceptability of the study methods was high. The women engaged positively with intervention components and made group decisions about cutting down. Twenty two groups set goals to reduce their drinking, and these were translated into action plans. Retention of individuals at follow up was 87%.ConclusionsThis study successfully recruited groups of young women whose patterns of drinking place them at high risk of acute harm. This novel approach to delivering an alcohol intervention has potential to reduce binge drinking among young women. The high levels of engagement with key steps in the behavior change process suggests that the group intervention should be tested in a full randomised controlled trial

B→D(∗)B \to D^{(*)} Form Factors from QCD Light-Cone Sum Rules

We derive new QCD sum rules for $B\to D$ and $B\to D^*$ form factors. The underlying correlation functions are expanded near the light-cone in terms of $B$-meson distribution amplitudes defined in HQET, whereas the $c$-quark mass is kept finite. The leading-order contributions of two- and three-particle distribution amplitudes are taken into account. From the resulting light-cone sum rules we calculate all B\to \Dst form factors in the region of small momentum transfer (maximal recoil). In the infinite heavy-quark mass limit the sum rules reduce to a single expression for the Isgur-Wise function. We compare our predictions with the form factors extracted from experimental B\to \Dst l \nu_l decay rates fitted to dispersive parameterizations.Comment: 20 pages, 6 figures; one reference, one figure and several comments added; version to appear in European Physical Journal

Direct <i>Q</i> -Value Determination of the <i>β^-</i> Decay of ¹⁸⁷Re

The cyclotron frequency ratio of 187Os29+ to 187Re29+ ions was measured with the Penning-trap mass spectrometer PENTATRAP. The achieved result of R=1.000 000 013 882(5) is to date the most precise such measurement performed on ions. Furthermore, the total binding-energy difference of the 29 missing electrons in Re and Os was calculated by relativistic multiconfiguration methods, yielding the value of ΔE=53.5(10)  eV. Finally, using the achieved results, the mass difference between neutral 187Re and 187Os, i.e., the Q value of the β-− decay of 187Re, is determined to be 2470.9(13) eV

Orbital variability of the PSR J2051-0827 Binary System

We have carried out high-precision timing measurements of the binary millisecond pulsar PSR J2051$-$0827 with the Effelsberg 100-m radio telescope of the Max-Planck-Institut f\"ur Radioastronomie and with the Lovell 76-m radio telescope at Jodrell Bank. The 6.5-yrs radio timing measurements have revealed a significant secular variation of the projected semi-major axis of the pulsar at a rate of $\dot x\equiv d(a_{\rm 1} \sin i)/dt = (-0.23\pm 0.03)\times 10^{-12}$, which is probably caused by the Newtonian spin-orbit coupling in this binary system leading to a precession of the orbital plane. The required misalignment of the spin and orbital angular momenta of the companion are evidence for an asymmetric supernova explosion. We have also confirmed that the orbital period is currently decreasing at a rate of $\dot P_{\rm b}=(-15.5 \pm 0.8)\times 10^{-12}$s s$^{-1}$ and have measured second and third orbital period derivatives $d^2P_{\rm b}/dt^2=(+2.1 \pm 0.3)\times 10^{-20} {\rm s^{-1}}$ and $d^3P_{\rm b}/dt^3 =(3.6 \pm 0.6)\times 10^{-28} {\rm s^{-2}}$, which indicate a quasi-cyclic orbital period variation similar to those found in another eclipsing pulsar system, PSR B1957+20. The observed variation of the orbital parameters constrains the maximal value of the companion radius to $R_{\rm c max} \sim 0.06 R_{\odot}$ and implies that the companion is underfilling its Roche lobe by 50 %. The derived variation in the quadrupole moment of the companion is probably caused by tidal dissipation similar to the mechanism proposed for PSR B1957+20. We conclude that the companion is at least partially non-degenerate, convective and magnetically active.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures; accepted for publication in A&A, minor change