Barkhausen Noise and Critical Scaling in the Demagnetization Curve

The demagnetization curve, or initial magnetization curve, is studied by examining the embedded Barkhausen noise using the non-equilibrium, zero temperature random-field Ising model. The demagnetization curve is found to reflect the critical point seen as the system's disorder is changed. Critical scaling is found for avalanche sizes and the size and number of spanning avalanches. The critical exponents are derived from those related to the saturation loop and subloops. Finally, the behavior in the presence of long range demagnetizing fields is discussed. Results are presented for simulations of up to one million spins.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letter

Preliminary results for RR Lyrae stars and Classical Cepheids from the Vista Magellanic Cloud (VMC) Survey

The Vista Magellanic Cloud (VMC, PI M.R. Cioni) survey is collecting $K_S$-band time series photometry of the system formed by the two Magellanic Clouds (MC) and the "bridge" that connects them. These data are used to build $K_S$-band light curves of the MC RR Lyrae stars and Classical Cepheids and determine absolute distances and the 3D geometry of the whole system using the $K$-band period luminosity ($PLK_S$), the period - luminosity - color ($PLC$) and the Wesenhiet relations applicable to these types of variables. As an example of the survey potential we present results from the VMC observations of two fields centered respectively on the South Ecliptic Pole and the 30 Doradus star forming region of the Large Magellanic Cloud. The VMC $K_S$-band light curves of the RR Lyrae stars in these two regions have very good photometric quality with typical errors for the individual data points in the range of $\sim$ 0.02 to 0.05 mag. The Cepheids have excellent light curves (typical errors of $\sim$ 0.01 mag). The average $K_S$ magnitudes derived for both types of variables were used to derive $PLK_S$ relations that are in general good agreement within the errors with the literature data, and show a smaller scatter than previous studies.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure. Accepted for publication in Astrophysics and Space Science. Following a presentation at the conference "The Fundamental Cosmic Distance Scale: State of the Art and the Gaia Perspective", Naples, May 201

Technique using axicons for generating flat-top laser-beam profiles

In certain fusion experiments using CO/sub 2/ lasers, like Helios, it is desired to produce a focal spot several times larger than the nominal focal spot, with a flat beam profile. The typical focal spot in Helios is roughly 70 ..mu..m and just defocussing the beam produces beam breakup, with several hot spots with roughly the original diameter, and a gaussian distribution. A number of schemes were tried to achieve a large spot with desired characteristics. These are described in the article. Axicons were found to produce spots with desired characteristics. Axicons are lenses or mirrors having a cone-shaped surface. The various schemes are described, as well as an experiment in Helios which confirmed that axicons produced the spots with desirable characteristics. Helios is an 8-beam CO/sub 2/ laser which produces 10 kJ at power in excess of 20 TW. It is currently being used for Laser Fusion studies at the Los Alamos National Laboratory

Polymerization of the E and Z Isomers of Bis-(Triethoxysilyl)-2-Butene

We have synthesized the Z and E isomers of 1,4-bis(triethoxysilyl)-2- butene and polymerized them under acid and base catalyzed sol-gel conditions. As expected the E system formed crosslinked, insoluble gels. The Z isomer, by nature of its geometry, formed high molecular weight, soluble polymeric products under acidic conditions. We were able to prepare and isolate both the cyclic disilsesquioxane monomer, and its dimer. Comparison of their spectral characterization with that of the soluble polymers suggests that the cyclics are present within the polymers. lle synthesis of a dimer likely present at some early stage of the polymerization suggests that we may be able to control the reaction and form rigid polymers with controllable tacticity. In addition, most of the gels were found to be non-porous indicating that the gels were, in fact, more compliant than ethenylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes leading to collapse of pores during drying

Rayleigh loops in the random-field Ising model on the Bethe lattice

We analyze the demagnetization properties of the random-field Ising model on the Bethe lattice focusing on the beahvior near the disorder induced phase transition. We derive an exact recursion relation for the magnetization and integrate it numerically. Our analysis shows that demagnetization is possible only in the continous high disorder phase, where at low field the loops are described by the Rayleigh law. In the low disorder phase, the saturation loop displays a discontinuity which is reflected by a non vanishing magnetization m_\infty after a series of nested loops. In this case, at low fields the loops are not symmetric and the Rayleigh law does not hold.Comment: 8pages, 6 figure

The Relationship Between Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Women

Background: The ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) obtained during ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) has been cited as an independent predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) including cardiovascular death, stroke and worsening chronic kidney disease (CKD) among mixed-sex adult populations. This study aimed to determine the relationship between AASI and MACE and its predictive precision in women. Methods: This work follows the guidelines of the STROBE initiative for cohort studies. This was a retrospective single-center observational study of adult women (aged 18 – 75 years), who underwent 24-h ABPM for the diagnosis of hypertension or its control. The primary endpoint was a composite MACE of cardiovascular death, acute limb ischemia, stroke, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), or progression to stage V CKD. Results: A total of 219 women aged 57.4 ± 13.3 years were followed up for a median (interquartile range (IQR)) of 25.5 (18.3 – 31.3) months. Overall, 16 (7.3%) patients suffered one or more MACE events. AASI was significantly higher in patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), heart failure, previous stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA). AASI was a significant predictor of MACE (area under the curve: 0.78; P < 0.001) with an optimal cut-off of ≥ 0.56. On Kaplan-Meier analysis AASI ≥ 0.56 was significantly associated with MACE (log-rank test, P < 0.001). The only independent predictors of MACE on Cox proportional hazard analysis were diabetes mellitus, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, cumulative AASI values, or AASI ≥ 0.56. Conclusions: An AASI of ≥ 0.56 is an independent predictor of MACE in women. A further validation study in a larger cohort of women is recommended

The influence of νh11/2 occupancy on the magnetic moments of collective 21+ states in A∼100 fission fragments

AbstractThe magnetic moments of Iπ=21+ states in even–even A∼100 fission fragments have been measured using the Gammasphere array, using the technique of time-integral perturbed angular correlations. The data are interpreted within the context of the interacting boson model (IBA2) leading to the suggestion of a strong νh11/2 component in the deformed 21+ states of this region

Birthing practices of traditional birth attendants in South Asia in the context of training programmes

Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) training has been an important component of public health policy interventions to improve maternal and child health in developing countries since the 1970s. More recently, since the 1990s, the TBA training strategy has been increasingly seen as irrelevant, ineffective or, on the whole, a failure due to evidence that the maternal mortality rate (MMR) in developing countries had not reduced. Although, worldwide data show that, by choice or out of necessity, 47 percent of births in the developing world are assisted by TBAs and/or family members, funding for TBA training has been reduced and moved to providing skilled birth attendants for all births. Any shift in policy needs to be supported by appropriate evidence on TBA roles in providing maternal and infant health care service and effectiveness of the training programmes. This article reviews literature on the characteristics and role of TBAs in South Asia with an emphasis on India. The aim was to assess the contribution of TBAs in providing maternal and infant health care service at different stages of pregnancy and after-delivery and birthing practices adopted in home births. The review of role revealed that apart from TBAs, there are various other people in the community also involved in making decisions about the welfare and health of the birthing mother and new born baby. However, TBAs have changing, localised but nonetheless significant roles in delivery, postnatal and infant care in India. Certain traditional birthing practices such as bathing babies immediately after birth, not weighing babies after birth and not feeding with colostrum are adopted in home births as well as health institutions in India. There is therefore a thin precarious balance between the application of biomedical and traditional knowledge. Customary rituals and perceptions essentially affect practices in home and institutional births and hence training of TBAs need to be implemented in conjunction with community awareness programmes

α decay of 97249Bk and levels in 95245Am

α decay of 249Bk has been investigated by measuring its α and γ-ray spectra, both in singles and in coincidence modes. The α spectrum of a freshly purified 249Bk sample was measured with a high-resolution, double-focusing magnetic spectrometer. γ singles, γ-γ coincidence, and γ-α coincidence spectra were also recorded. The absolute intensity of the 327.45-keV γ ray has been determined to be (1.44±0.08)×10-5% per 249Bk decay. Assignments of previously known single-particle states were confirmed. A new rotational band was identified in the α singles spectrum and Am K x rays have been observed in its decay. This single-particle state, with an energy of 154 keV, has been assigned to the 3/2-[521] Nilsson state. This is the lowest excitation energy for this orbital in any Am nucleus. More precise energies and intensities of the 249Bk α groups and γ-ray transitions are provided