Ground State Bands of the E(5) and X(5) Critical Symmetries Obtained from Davidson Potentials through a Variational Procedure

Davidson potentials of the form $\beta^2 +\beta_0^4/\beta^2$, when used in the original Bohr Hamiltonian for $\gamma$-independent potentials bridge the U(5) and O(6) symmetries. Using a variational procedure, we determine for each value of angular momentum $L$ the value of $\beta_0$ at which the derivative of the energy ratio $R_L=E(L)/E(2)$ with respect to $\beta_0$ has a sharp maximum, the collection of $R_L$ values at these points forming a band which practically coincides with the ground state band of the E(5) model, corresponding to the critical point in the shape phase transition from U(5) to O(6). The same potentials, when used in the Bohr Hamiltonian after separating variables as in the X(5) model, bridge the U(5) and SU(3) symmetries, the same variational procedure leading to a band which practically coincides with the ground state band of the X(5) model, corresponding to the critical point of the U(5) to SU(3) shape phase transition. A new derivation of the Holmberg-Lipas formula for nuclear energy spectra is obtained as a by-product.Comment: LaTeX, 12 pages, 4 postscript figure

The 3-Dimensional q-Deformed Harmonic Oscillator and Magic Numbers of Alkali Metal Clusters

Magic numbers predicted by a 3-dimensional q-deformed harmonic oscillator with Uq(3) > SOq(3) symmetry are compared to experimental data for alkali metal clusters, as well as to theoretical predictions of jellium models, Woods--Saxon and wine bottle potentials, and to the classification scheme using the 3n+l pseudo quantum number. The 3-dimensional q-deformed harmonic oscillator correctly predicts all experimentally observed magic numbers up to 1500 (which is the expected limit of validity for theories based on the filling of electronic shells), thus indicating that Uq(3), which is a nonlinear extension of the U(3) symmetry of the spherical (3-dimensional isotropic) harmonic oscillator, is a good candidate for being the symmetry of systems of alkali metal clusters.Comment: 13 pages, LaTe

High-Energy Aspects of Solar Flares: Overview of the Volume

In this introductory chapter, we provide a brief summary of the successes and remaining challenges in understanding the solar flare phenomenon and its attendant implications for particle acceleration mechanisms in astrophysical plasmas. We also provide a brief overview of the contents of the other chapters in this volume, with particular reference to the well-observed flare of 2002 July 23Comment: This is the introductory article for a monograph on the physics of solar flares, inspired by RHESSI observations. The individual articles are to appear in Space Science Reviews (2011

Topographical Organization of Mu and Beta Band Activity Associated with Hand and Foot Movements in Patients with Perirolandic Lesions

To study the topographical organization of mu and beta band event-related desynchronization (ERD) associated with voluntary hand and foot movements, we used magnetoencephalographic (MEG) recordings from 19 patients with perirolandic lesions. Synthetic aperture magnetometry (SAM) was used to detect and localize changes in the mu (7 - 11 Hz) and beta (13 - 30 Hz) frequency bands associated with repetitive movements of the hand and foot and overlaid on individual coregistered magnetic resonance (MR) images. Hand movements showed homotopic and contralateral ERD at the sensorimotor (S/M) cortex in the majority of cases for mu and to a lesser extent for beta rhythms. Foot movements showed an increased heterotopic distribution with bilateral and ipsilateral ERD compared to hand movements. No systematic topographical segregation between mu and beta ERD could be observed. In patients with perirolandic lesions, the mu and beta band spatial characteristics associated with hand movements retain the expected functional-anatomical boundaries to a large extent. Foot movements have altered patterns of mu and beta band ERD, which may give more insight into the differential functional role of oscillatory activity in different voluntary movements

Het managen van incidenten in het onderwijs. Praktische governance-lessen op basis van een vergelijkende case analyse

Bij iedere onderwijsorganisatie doen zich incidenten voor. Deze incidenten lopen soms ernstig uit de hand. Er zijn echter ook incidenten die tijdig en effectief worden aangepakt en niet uitgroeien tot echte ongelukken of zelfs misstanden. Aan de hand van zes concrete incidenten binnen het onderwijsdomein is onderzocht hoe dankzij adequaat optreden ongelukken zijn voorkomen en welke mechanismen daarbij een rol spelen

Deterministically Driven Avalanche Models of Solar Flares

We develop and discuss the properties of a new class of lattice-based avalanche models of solar flares. These models are readily amenable to a relatively unambiguous physical interpretation in terms of slow twisting of a coronal loop. They share similarities with other avalanche models, such as the classical stick--slip self-organized critical model of earthquakes, in that they are driven globally by a fully deterministic energy loading process. The model design leads to a systematic deficit of small scale avalanches. In some portions of model space, mid-size and large avalanching behavior is scale-free, being characterized by event size distributions that have the form of power-laws with index values, which, in some parameter regimes, compare favorably to those inferred from solar EUV and X-ray flare data. For models using conservative or near-conservative redistribution rules, a population of large, quasiperiodic avalanches can also appear. Although without direct counterparts in the observational global statistics of flare energy release, this latter behavior may be relevant to recurrent flaring in individual coronal loops. This class of models could provide a basis for the prediction of large solar flares.Comment: 24 pages, 11 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in Solar Physic

Brain choline concentration: early quantitative marker of ischemia and infarct expansion?

Objective: Better prediction of tissue prognosis in acute stroke might improve treatment decisions. We hypothesized that there are metabolic ischemic disturbances measurable non-invasively by proton MR spectroscopy (1HMRS) that occur earlier than any structural changes visible on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), which may therefore serve for territorial identification of “tissue at risk”. Methods: We performed multi-voxel 1HMRS plus DTI within a maximum of 26 hours, and DTI at three-seven days, after ischemic stroke. We compared choline, lactate, NAA, creatine concentrations in normal-appearing voxels that became infarcted("infarct expansion”), with normal-appearing voxels around the infarct that remained “healthy”(“non-expansion”) on follow-up DTI. Each “infarct expansion” voxel was additionally classified as either “complete infarct expansion”(infarcted tissue on follow-up DTI covered ≥50% of the voxel) or “partial infarct expansion”(<50% of voxel). Results: In 31 patients (NIHSS:0–28) there were 108 infarct "non-expansion” voxels and 113 infarct "expansion” voxels (of which 80 were “complete expansion” and 33 “partial expansion” voxels). Brain choline concentration increased for each change in expansion category from "non-expansion", via "partial expansion" to "complete expansion" (2423, 3843, 4158i.u.; p<0.05). Changes in lactate, NAA and creatine concentrations in expansion category were insignificant although for lactate there was a tendency to such association. Conclusions: Choline concentration measurable with 1HMRS was elevated in peri-ischemic normal-appearing brain that became infarcted by three-seven days. The degree of elevation was associated with the amount of infarct expansion. 1HMRS might identify DTI-normal appearing tissue at risk of conversion to infarction in early stroke

A Quantitative Model of Energy Release and Heating by Time-dependent, Localized Reconnection in a Flare with a Thermal Loop-top X-ray Source

We present a quantitative model of the magnetic energy stored and then released through magnetic reconnection for a flare on 26 Feb 2004. This flare, well observed by RHESSI and TRACE, shows evidence of non-thermal electrons only for a brief, early phase. Throughout the main period of energy release there is a super-hot (T>30 MK) plasma emitting thermal bremsstrahlung atop the flare loops. Our model describes the heating and compression of such a source by localized, transient magnetic reconnection. It is a three-dimensional generalization of the Petschek model whereby Alfven-speed retraction following reconnection drives supersonic inflows parallel to the field lines, which form shocks heating, compressing, and confining a loop-top plasma plug. The confining inflows provide longer life than a freely-expanding or conductively-cooling plasma of similar size and temperature. Superposition of successive transient episodes of localized reconnection across a current sheet produces an apparently persistent, localized source of high-temperature emission. The temperature of the source decreases smoothly on a time scale consistent with observations, far longer than the cooling time of a single plug. Built from a disordered collection of small plugs, the source need not have the coherent jet-like structure predicted by steady-state reconnection models. This new model predicts temperatures and emission measure consistent with the observations of 26 Feb 2004. Furthermore, the total energy released by the flare is found to be roughly consistent with that predicted by the model. Only a small fraction of the energy released appears in the super-hot source at any one time, but roughly a quarter of the flare energy is thermalized by the reconnection shocks over the course of the flare. All energy is presumed to ultimately appear in the lower-temperature T<20 MK, post-flare loops

Behoorlijk Bestuur van Onderwijsinstellingen

Het doel van dit onderzoek luidt: - Het conceptualiseren van behoorlijk bestuur als een levende en lerende bestuurspraktijk die verder gaat dan alleen maar een set van principes die verwoord zijn in een governance code. - Het beschrijven van praktijken van duurzaam behoorlijk bestuur op het niveau van gedrag en cultuur in onderwijsinstellingen waar corrigerende mechanismen aantoonbaar hebben gewerkt; - het analyseren van de condities waaronder deze mechanismen werken; en - het formuleren van uitgangspunten voor de versterking van het corrigerende vermoge

Leveraging phylogenetics to understand HIV transmission and partner notification networks

Background: Partner notification is an important component of public health test and treat interventions. To enhance this essential function, we assessed the potential for molecular methods to supplement routine partner notification and corroborate HIV networks. Methods: All persons diagnosed with HIV infection in Wake County, NC, during 2012-2013 and their disclosed sexual partners were included in a sexual network. A data set containing HIV-1 pol sequences collected in NC during 1997-2014 from 15,246 persons was matched to HIV-positive persons in the network and used to identify putative transmission clusters. Both networks were compared. Results: The partner notification network comprised 280 index cases and 383 sexual partners and high-risk social contacts (n = 131 HIVpositive). Of the 411 HIV-positive persons in the partner notification network, 181 (44%) did not match to a HIV sequence, 61 (15%) had sequences but were not identified in a transmission cluster, and 169 (41%) were identified in a transmission cluster. More than half (59%) of transmission clusters bridged sexual network partnerships that were not recognized in the partner notification; most of these clusters were dominated by men who have sex with men. Conclusions: Partner notification and HIV sequence analysis provide complementary representations of the existent partnerships underlying the HIV transmission network. The partner notification network components were bridged by transmission clusters, particularly among components dominated by men who have sex with men. Supplementing the partner notification network with phylogenetic data highlighted avenues for intervention