The Independence of Characters on Nonabelian Groups

We show that there are characters of compact, connected, nonabelian groups that approximate random choices of signs. The work was motivated by Kronecker\u27s theorem on the independence of exponential functions and has applications to thin sets

Fractal Newton Methods

We introduce fractal Newton methods for solving (Formula presented.) that generalize and improve the classical Newton method. We compare the theoretical efficacy of the classical and fractal Newton methods and illustrate the theory with examples

A Minimal Congruence Lattice Representation for ₚ₊₁

Let p be an odd prime. The unary algebra consisting of the dihedral group of order 2p, acting on itself by left translation, is a minimal congruence lattice representation of p+1

Novices Outperform Experienced Laparoscopists on Virtual Reality Laparoscopy Simulator

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Virtual reality has been poorly studied among gynecologic surgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether performance on the Minimally Invasive Surgery Trainer-Virtual Reality (MIST-VR) laparoscopic trainer reflects laparoscopic experience among gynecologic surgeons and trainees. METHODS: Twenty-six medical students, residents, and attending gynecologic surgeons completed a MIST-VR training program. A new simulated task was then presented to each participant, who repeated the task until proficiency was reached. RESULTS: Attending physicians performed poorly when compared with medical students, requiring more than twice the number of attempts to reach proficiency (Mann-Whitney P\u3c0.01). Among medical students and residents, there was an association between years of live laparoscopy experience and poor simulator performance (Spearman r P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Increased operating room experience and age were associated with worsening simulator performance. Several potential explanations for this trend are discussed, including lack of tactile and contextual feedback. Caution should be exercised when considering current virtual reality simulator technology as a measure of experience or ability among gynecologic surgeons

Comparison of Velocity between an Accelerometer and a Linear Position Transducer during Barbell Back Squat

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First Foods Nutrition Curriculum for New Immigrant Families: A Pilot Study

Background: Immigrant families arrive in the US from a variety of nutritional landscapes and educational experiences. Early childhood is a key time to intervene to set children on a healthy path. Creating nutritional education programs tailored for immigrant families may improve nutrition and health outcomes. Objective: To evaluate the First Foods curriculum as a tool for knowledge and behavior change for new immigrant families of young children. Methods: Immigrant caregivers of children less than 2 years old were invited to attend First Foods, a 4-class series. Each series was offered in 1 of 5 different languages (Arabic, Dari, Somali, Burmese, and Nepali). Recruitment occurred through community organizations, primary care clinics and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and classes were held in King County, Washington. The curriculum was developed and taught by a registered pediatric dietitian with input from general pediatricians, all experienced in the care of immigrant families. Classes were interpreted in the relevant language and course materials were translated. The classes were based on 4 themes -- 1) Child Eating and Development, 2) Eating Together, 3) Food Safety, and 4) Health Living -- and incorporated positive parenting and child development. Attendees completed pre- and post-surveys in their respective languages or in English. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared analyses, t-tests, and a multi-level linear regression model were conducted in Stata v14.0. Results: Participants in the classes included 47 caregivers (91% mothers). Nearly one-third had previously lived in a refugee camp. They had lived in the US a mean 5.5 years (95% CI: 3.8-7.2 years), attended a mean 8.6 years of school (95% CI: 7.1-10.1 years), and had a mean of 2.8 children (95% CI: 2.3-3.3 children). Classes ranged in size from 5 to 14 caregivers. Caregivers reported an improved understanding of 2 out of 4 methods to decrease risk of dental caries (drinking tap water, p = \u3c0.001; going to the dentist, p=0.02). They reported a decreased use of food as a reward from the pre- to the post-survey (p=0.027). Additionally, the caregivers reported increased frequency of considering sugar content in family foods (p=0.033), and decreased frequency of purchasing food at a convenience store, after participating in the curriculum (p=0.001). Conversely, there were several domains where caregivers did not show a change in their response. Conclusion: First Foods, a community-tailored, early childhood feeding curriculum for immigrant parents of young children, improved knowledge and behavior among caregivers from a variety of immigrant communities in some domains. In the other domains, there may be opportunities to further optimize the educational messages and approach

Guiding neutral atoms around curves with lithographically patterned current-carrying wires

Laser-cooled neutral atoms from a low-velocity atomic source are guided via a magnetic field generated between two parallel wires on a glass substrate. The atoms bend around three curves, each with a 15-cm radius of curvature, while traveling along a 10-cm-long track. A maximum flux of 2*10^6 atoms/sec is achieved with a current density of 3*10^4 A/cm^2 in the 100x100-micrometer-cross-section wires. The kinetic energy of the guided atoms in one transverse dimension is measured to be 42 microKelvin.Comment: 9 page

Two-stage evolution of mantle peridotites from the Stalemate Fracture Zone, northwestern Pacific

This paper reports the results of a mineralogical study of 14 mantle peridotite samples dredged in 2009 from the eastern slope of the northwestern segment of the Stalemate Ridge in the northwestern Pacific during cruise SO201-KALMAR Leg 1b of the R/V Sonne. The sample collection included four serpentinized and silicified dunites and ten variably serpentinized lherzolites. The compositions of primary minerals (clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, and spinel) change systematically from the lherzolites to dunites. Spinel from the lherzolites shows higher Mg# and lower Cr# values (0.65-0.68 and 0.26-0.33, respectively) compared with spinel from the dunites (Mg# = 0.56-0.64 and Cr# = 0.38-0.43). Clinopyroxene from the lherzolites is less magnesian (Mg# = 91.7-92.4) than clinopyroxene from dunite sample DR37-3 (Mg# = 93.7). Based on the obtained data, it was concluded that the lherzolites of the Stalemate Fracture Zone were derived by 10-12% near-fractional melting of a DMM-type depleted mantle reservoir beneath the Kula-Pacific spreading center. The dunites were produced by interaction of residual lherzolites with sodium- and titaniumrich melt and are probably fragments of a network of dunite channels in the shallow mantle. The moderately depleted composition of minerals clearly distinguishes the lherzolites from the strongly depleted peridotites of the East Pacific Rise and indicates the existence of slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges in the Pacific Ocean during the Cretaceous-Paleogene

ICP Etching of SiC

A number of different plasma chemistries, including NF{sub 3}/O{sub 2}, SF{sub 6}/O{sub 2}, SF{sub 6}/Ar, ICl, IBr, Cl{sub 2}/Ar, BCl{sub 3}/Ar and CH{sub 4}/H{sub 2}/Ar, have been investigated for dry etching of 6H and 3C-SiC in a Inductively Coupled Plasma tool. Rates above 2,000 {angstrom} cm{sup {minus}1} are found with fluorine-based chemistries at high ion currents. Surprisingly, Cl{sub 2}-based etching does not provide high rates, even though the potential etch products (SiCi{sub 4} and CCl{sub 4}) are volatile. Photoresist masks have poor selectivity over SiC in F{sub 2}-based plasmas under normal conditions, and ITO or Ni are preferred