3,682 research outputs found
Spatial adiabatic passage in a realistic triple well structure
We investigate the evolution of an electron undergoing coherent tunneling via
adiabatic passage (CTAP) using the solution of the one-dimensional Schroedinger
equation in both space and time for a triple well potential. We find the
eigenspectrum and complete time evolution for a range of different pulsing
schemes. This also provides an example of a system that can be described with
the tools from both quantum optics and condensed matter. We find that while the
quantum optics description of the process captures most of the key physics,
there are important effects that can only be correctly described by a more
complete representation. This is an important point for applications such as
quantum information processing or quantum control where it is common practice
to use a reduced state space formulation of the quantum system in question.Comment: 10 pages, 12 figures (color online) - Published Versio
Mapping the dynamic interactions between vortex species in highly anisotropic superconductors
Here we use highly sensitive magnetisation measurements performed using a
Hall probe sensor on single crystals of highly anisotropic high temperature
superconductors to study the dynamic interactions
between the two species of vortices that exist in such superconductors. We
observe a remarkable and clearly delineated high temperature regime that
mirrors the underlying vortex phase diagram. Our results map out the parameter
space over which these dynamic interaction processes can be used to create
vortex ratchets, pumps and other fluxonic devices.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Supercond. Sci. Techno
The K20 survey. III. Photometric and spectroscopic properties of the sample
The K20 survey is an ESO VLT optical and near-infrared spectroscopic survey
aimed at obtaining spectral information and redshifts of a complete sample of
about 550 objects to K_s\leq20.0 over two independent fields with a total area
of 52 arcmin^2. In this paper we discuss the scientific motivation of such a
survey, we describe the photometric and spectroscopic properties of the sample,
and we release the -band photometric catalog. Extensive simulations showed
that the sample is photometrically highly complete to K_s=20. The observed
galaxy counts and the R-K_s color distribution are consistent with literature
results. We observed spectroscopically 94% of the sample, reaching a
spectroscopic redshift identification completeness of 92% to K_s\leq20.0 for
the observed targets, and of 87% for the whole sample (i.e. counting also the
unobserved targets). Deep spectroscopy was complemented with multi-band deep
imaging in order to derive tested and reliable photometric redshifts for the
galaxies lacking spectroscopic redshifts. The results show a very good
agreement between the spectroscopic and the photometric redshifts with
=0.01 and with a dispersion of \sigma_{\Delta z}=0.09. Using
both the spectroscopic and the photometric redshifts, we reached an overall
redshift completeness of about 98%. The size of the sample, the redshift
completeness, the availability of high quality photometric redshifts and
multicolor spectral energy distributions make the K20 survey database one of
the most complete samples available to date for constraining the currently
competing scenarios of galaxy formation and for a variety of other galaxy
evolution studies.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures, to appear in Astronomy & Astrophysic
Employing culturally responsive pedagogy to foster literacy learning in schools
In recent years it has become increasingly obvious that, to enable students in schools from an increasingly diverse range of cultural backgrounds to acquire literacy to a standard that will support them to achieve academically, it is important to adopt pedagogy that is responsive to, and respectful of, them as culturally situated. What largely has been omitted from the literature, however, is discussion of a relevant model of learning to underpin this approach. For this reason this paper adopts a socio-cultural lens (Vygotsky, 1978) through which to view such pedagogy and refers to a number of seminal texts to justify of its relevance. Use of this lens is seen as having a particular rationale. It forces a focus on the agency of the teacher as a mediator of learning who needs to acknowledge the learner’s cultural situatedness (Kozulin, 2003) if school literacy learning for all students is to be as successful as it might be. It also focuses attention on the predominant value systems and social practices that characterize the school settings in which students’ literacy learning is acquired. The paper discusses implications for policy and practice at whole-school, classroom and individual student levels of culturally-responsive pedagogy that is based on a socio-cultural model of learning. In doing so it draws on illustrations from the work of a number of researchers, including that of the author
Statistical characteristics of formation and evolution of structure in the universe
An approximate statistical description of the formation and evolution of
structure of the universe based on the Zel'dovich theory of gravitational
instability is proposed. It is found that the evolution of DM structure shows
features of self-similarity and the main structure characteristics can be
expressed through the parameters of initial power spectrum and cosmological
model. For the CDM-like power spectrum and suitable parameters of the
cosmological model the effective matter compression reaches the observed scales
20 -- 25Mpc with the typical mean separation of
wall-like elements 50 -- 70Mpc. This description can be
directly applied to the deep pencil beam galactic surveys and absorption
spectra of quasars. For larger 3D catalogs and simulations it can be applied to
results obtained with the core-sampling analysis.
It is shown that the interaction of large and small scale perturbations
modulates the creation rate of early Zel'dovich pancakes and generates bias on
the SLSS scale. For suitable parameters of the cosmological model and reheating
process this bias can essentially improve the characteristics of simulated
structure of the universe.
The models with give the best description of the
observed structure parameters. The influence of low mass "warm" dark matter
particles, such as a massive neutrino, will extend the acceptable range of
and .Comment: 20pages, 7 figures, MNRAS in pres
Reflections from behind the screen: avoiding therapeutic rupture when utilising reflecting teams
Parker, N., & O'Reilly, M. (2013). Reflections from behind the screen: avoiding therapeutic rupture when utilising reflecting teams. The Family Journal: Counseling for Couples and Families, 21(2), 170-179. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480712466810. Copyright © 2013 SAGE. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.Since Tom Andersen developed the use of reflecting teams to facilitate the progress and process of family therapy, little empirical evidence has emerged regarding their effectiveness or use in therapeutic practice. Reflecting teams are typically embraced by family therapists as a positive mechanism for enhancing practice and thus it is important that research explores how they are utilized. In this article, we draw upon videotaped data of naturally occurring family therapy from the United Kingdom. Using conversation analysis, we identified three performative actions related to interrupting the therapeutic conversation to consult with a reflecting team. We found that therapists had difficulty exiting therapy, that on some occasions exit was hindered, and that there were disturbances in feeding back the reflections of the team. By examining the use of teams in real practice, we were able to make a number of recommendations for practicing family therapists to facilitate the use of this valuable resource
Rab-GTPase binding effector protein 2 (RABEP2) is a primed substrate for Glycogen Synthase kinase-3 (GSK3)
Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) regulates many physiological processes through phosphorylation of a diverse array of substrates. Inhibitors of GSK3 have been generated as potential therapies in several diseases, however the vital role GSK3 plays in cell biology makes the clinical use of GSK3 inhibitors potentially problematic. A clearer understanding of true physiological and pathophysiological substrates of GSK3 should provide opportunities for more selective, disease specific, manipulation of GSK3. To identify kinetically favourable substrates we performed a GSK3 substrate screen in heart tissue. Rab-GTPase binding effector protein 2 (RABEP2) was identified as a novel GSK3 substrate and GSK3 phosphorylation of RABEP2 at Ser200 was enhanced by prior phosphorylation at Ser204, fitting the known consensus sequence for GSK3 substrates. Both residues are phosphorylated in cells while only Ser200 phosphorylation is reduced following inhibition of GSK3. RABEP2 function was originally identified as a Rab5 binding protein. We did not observe co-localisation of RABEP2 and Rab5 in cells, while ectopic expression of RABEP2 had no effect on endosomal recycling. The work presented identifies RABEP2 as a novel primed substrate of GSK3, and thus a potential biomarker for GSK3 activity, but understanding how phosphorylation regulates RABEP2 function requires more information on physiological roles of RABEP2
Body mass index, but not FTO genotype or major depressive disorder, influences brain structure
Obesity and major depressive disorder (MDD) are highly prevalent and often comorbid health conditions. Both are associated with differences in brain structure and are genetically influenced. Yet, little is known about how obesity, MDD, and known risk genotypes might interact in the brain. Subjects were 81 patients with MDD (mean age 48.6 years) and 69 matched healthy controls (mean age 51.2 years). Subjects underwent 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging, genotyping for the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene rs3751812 polymorphism, and measurements for body mass index (BMI). We conducted a whole brain voxelwise analysis using tensor-based morphometry (TBM) to examine the main and interaction effects of diagnosis, BMI and FTO genotype. Significant effects of BMI were observed across widespread brain regions, indicating reductions in predominantly subcortical and white matter areas associated with increased BMI, but there was no influence of MDD or FTO rs3751812 genotype. There were no significant interaction effects. Within MDD patients, there was no effect of current depressive symptoms; however the use of antidepressant medication was associated with reductions in brain volume in the frontal lobe and cerebellum. Obesity affects brain structure in both healthy participants and MDD patients; this influence may account for some of the brain changes previously associated with MDD. BMI and the use of medication should ideally be measured and controlled for when conducting structural brain imaging research in MDD
The K20 survey. VI. The Distribution of the Stellar Masses in Galaxies up to z~2
We present a detailed analysis of the stellar mass content of galaxies up to
z=2.5 in the K20 galaxy sample, that has a 92% spectroscopic completeness and a
complete multicolor coverage. We find that the M/L ratio decreases
with redshift: in particular, the average M/L ratio of early type galaxies
decreases with , with a scatter that is indicative of a range of
star--formation time-scales and redshift of formation. More important, the
typical M/L of massive early type galaxies is larger than that of less massive
ones, suggesting that their stellar population formed at higher z. The final
K20 galaxy sample spans a range of stellar masses from M*=10^9Msun to
M*=10^12Msun, with massive galaxies ($M*>10^11Msun) detected up to z~2. We
compute the Galaxy Stellar Mass Function at various z, of which we observe only
a mild evolution (i.e. by 20-30%) up to z~1. At z>1, the evolution of the GSMF
appears to be much faster: at z~2, about 35% of the present day stellar mass in
objects with M*~10^11Msun appear to have assembled. We also detect a change in
the physical nature of the most massive galaxies, since at z>1 a population of
massive star--forming galaxies progressively appears. We finally analyze our
results in the framework of Lambda-CDM hierarchical models. First, we show that
the large number of massive galaxies detected at high z does not violate any
fundamental Lambda-CDM constraint based on the number of massive DM halos.
Then, we compare our results with the predictions of renditions of both
semianalytic and hydro-dynamical models, that range from severe underestimates
to slight overestimates of the observed mass density at z<~2. We discuss how
the differences among these models are due to the different implementation of
the main physical processes. (Abridged)Comment: Accepted for publication on Astronomy & Astrophysic
Prevalence and 1-year incidence of frailty among women with and without HIV in the Women's Interagency HIV Study
A previous cross-sectional analysis of 2028 women in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS), who were on average 39 years old, found a frailty prevalence of 17% and 10% in women with or at risk for HIV, respectively [1]. To our knowledge, the only two longitudinal studies of frailty among people with HIV were conducted in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), which includes only men [2,3]. Data on the distribution of frailty components are limited, and have not been reported for HIV-seropositive people in the United State
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