Transport and the Order Parameter of Superconducting UPt3

We calculate the ultrasonic absorption and the thermal conductivity in the superconducting state of UPt$_{3}$ as functions of temperature and direction of propagation and polarization. Two leading candidates for the superconducting order parameter are considered: the $E_{1g}$ and $E_{2u}$ representations. Both can fit the data except for the ultrasonic absorption in the $A$ phase. To do that, it is necessary to suppose that the system has only a single domain, and that must be chosen as the most favorable one. However, the $E_{2u}$ theory requires fine-tuning of parameters to fit the low temperature thermal conductivity. Thus, transport data favor the $E_{1g}$ theory. Measurements of the thermal conductivity as a function of pressure at low temperature could help to further distinguish the two theories.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Transport and the Order Parameter of Superconducting Sr2_2RuO4_4

Recent experiments make it appear more likely that the order parameter of the unconventional superconductor Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ has a spin-triplet $f$-wave symmetry. We study ultrasonic absorption and thermal conductivity of superconducting Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ and fit to the recent data for various $f$-wave candidates. It is shown that only $f_{x^2-y^2}$-wave symmetry can account qualitatively for the transport data.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, references added and update

Quantum noise in current biased Josephson junction

Quantum fluctuations in a current biased Josephson junction, described in terms of the RCSJ-model, are considered. The fluctuations of the voltage and phase across the junction are assumed to be initiated by equilibrium current fluctuations in the shunting resistor. This corresponds to low enough temperatures, when fluctuations of the normal current in the junction itself can be neglected. We used the quantum Langevin equation in terms of random variables related to the limit cycle of the nonlinear Josephson oscillator. This allows to go beyond the perturbation theory and calculate the widths of the Josephson radiation lines

The Japanese model in retrospective : industrial strategies, corporate Japan and the 'hollowing out' of Japanese industry

This article provides a retrospective look at the Japanese model of industrial development. This model combined an institutional approach to production based around the Japanese Firm (Aoki's, J-mode) and strategic state intervention in industry by the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). For a long period, the alignment of state and corporate interests appeared to match the wider public interest as the Japanese economy prospered. However, since the early 1990s, the global ambitions of the corporate sector have contributed to a significant 'hollowing out' of Japan's industrial base. As the world today looks for a new direction in economic management, we suggest the Japanese model provides policy-makers with a salutary lesson in tying the wider public interest with those of the corporate sector

Considerations for environmental biogeochemistry and food security for aquaculture around Lake Victoria, Kenya

The impact of population expansion through economic growth and development has been identified as one of the key drivers of both water and sediment contamination from potentially harmful elements (PHEs). This presents a major hazard not only to aquatic ecosystems but local riparian communities and beyond who rely heavily on this natural resource for drinking water and fish—a valuable source of dietary micronutrients and protein. The present study measured biogeochemical concentration of PHEs in water, sediment and fish from locations pooled into four zones within Winam Gulf and Lake Victoria area of Kenya. Captured fish were used as a sentinel receptor of lake health to evaluate potential risks to fisheries and aquaculture food security. In water, concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) were observed above the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) maximum contamination level drinking water guidelines (MCL), with aluminium (Al) observed above the Aquatic Life Criteria in all four zones. Similarly, sediment concentrations in all four zones exceeded the US EPA Effects range low (ERL) threshold guidelines for Cu, nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn) and Pb, with Cu, Zn and Pb classed at moderate contamination levels using the contamination factor. Fish tissue concentrations from the four zones were calculated using recommended daily intakes (RDI) and for PHEs as provisional maximum tolerable intakes (PMTIs) and indicated most macro- and micronutrients were at or below 10% RDI from aquaculture and wild fish, with Se indicating a greater RDI (16–29%) in all the zones. Contributions of PHEs to PMTIs were below threshold guidelines for both aquaculture and wild fish with only Cd, Cr and Pb levels being above the PMTI thresholds. There is a need to assess the long-term effects of persistent anthropogenic PHE input into Winam Gulf and the wider Lake Victoria basin. Continued monitoring of PHEs using both historical and more recent data will enable future management policies to be implemented through improved mitigation strategies to reduce their impact on water quality, fish health and subsequent human health

Renormalization Group Approach to the Coulomb Pseudopotential for C_{60}

A numerical renormalization group technique recently developed by one of us is used to analyse the Coulomb pseudopotential (${\mu^*}$) in ${{\rm C}_{60}}$ for a variety of bare potentials. We find a large reduction in ${\mu^*}$ due to intraball screening alone, leading to an interesting non-monotonic dependence of ${\mu^*}$ on the bare interaction strength. We find that ${\mu^*}$ is positive for physically reasonable bare parameters, but small enough to make the electron-phonon coupling a viable mechanism for superconductivity in alkali-doped fullerides. We end with some open problems.Comment: 12 pages, latex, 7 figures available from [email protected]

(Sub)mm Interferometry Applications in Star Formation Research

This contribution gives an overview about various applications of (sub)mm interferometry in star formation research. The topics covered are molecular outflows, accretion disks, fragmentation and chemical properties of low- and high-mass star-forming regions. A short outlook on the capabilities of ALMA is given as well.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figures, in proceedings to "2nd European School on Jets from Young Star: High Angular Resolution Observations". A high-resolution version of the paper can be found at http://www.mpia.de/homes/beuther/papers.htm

Search for direct production of charginos and neutralinos in events with three leptons and missing transverse momentum in √s = 7 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for the direct production of charginos and neutralinos in final states with three electrons or muons and missing transverse momentum is presented. The analysis is based on 4.7 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data delivered by the Large Hadron Collider and recorded with the ATLAS detector. Observations are consistent with Standard Model expectations in three signal regions that are either depleted or enriched in Z-boson decays. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set in R-parity conserving phenomenological minimal supersymmetric models and in simplified models, significantly extending previous results

The effect of training order on neuromuscular, endocrine and mood response to small-sided games and resistance training sessions over a 24-h period

Objectives: This study examined the acute effect of small-sided-game (SSG) and resistance training sequence on neuromuscular, endocrine and mood response over a 24-hour (h) period. Design: Repeated measures Methods: Fourteen semi-professional soccer players performed SSG-training (4vs4 + goalkeepers; 6x7-min, 2-min inter-set recovery) followed by resistance training 2h later (back-squat, Romanian deadlift, barbell-hip-thrust; 4x4 repetitions, 4-min inter-set recovery; 85% 1 rep-max) (SSG+RES), and on a separate week reversed the session order (RES+SSG). Physical demands of SSG’s were monitored using global positioning systems (GPS) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Countermovement-jump (CMJ; peak power output; jump height) and brief assessment of mood were collected before (pre), during (0h) and after (+24h) both protocols. Salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations were obtained at the same time-points but with the inclusion of a measure immediately prior to the second training session (+2h). Results: GPS outputs and RPE were similar between SSG-training during both protocols. Between-protocol comparisons revealed no significant differences at +24h in CMJ performance, mood, and endocrine markers. Testosterone was higher at 0h during RES+SSG in comparison to SSG+RES (moderate-effect; +21.4±26.7 pg·ml-1; p= 0.010), yet was similar between protocols by +2h. Conclusions: The order of SSG and resistance training does not appear to influence the physical demands of SSG’s with sufficient recovery between two sessions performed on the same day. Session order did not influence neuromuscular, endocrine or mood responses at +24h, however a favourable testosterone response from the resistance first session may enhance neuromuscular performance in the second session of the day