Speckle interferometry at SOAR in 2015

The results of speckle interferometric observations at the SOAR telescope in 2015 are given, totalling 1303 measurements of 924 resolved binary and multiple stars and non-resolutions of 260 targets. The separations range from 12 mas to 3.37" (median 0.17"); the maximum measured magnitude difference is 6.7 mag. We resolved 27 pairs for the first time, including 10 as inner or outer subsystems in previously known binaries, e.g. the 50-mas pair in Epsilon Cha. Newly resolved pairs are commented upon. We discuss three apparently non-hierarchical systems discovered in this series, arguing that their unusual configuration results from projection. The resolved quadruple system HIP 71510 is studied as well.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in AJ. The online tables are not included, available from Tokovinin on request. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1506.0571

The d 3Πd \: ^3 \Pi state of LiRb

We report our spectroscopic studies of the $d \ ^3\Pi$ state of ultra-cold $^7$Li$^{85}$Rb using resonantly-enhanced multi-photon ionization and depletion spectroscopy with bound-to-bound transitions originating from the metastable $a \ ^3\Sigma^+$ state. We evaluate the potential of this state for use as the intermediate state in a STIRAP transfer scheme from triplet Feshbach LiRb molecules to the $X \ ^1\Sigma^+$ ground state, and find that the lowest several vibrational levels possess the requisite overlap with initial and final states, as well as convenient energies. Using depletion measurements, we measured the well depth and spin-orbit splitting. We suggest possible pathways for short-range photoassociation using deeply-bound vibrational levels of this electronic state

Bubbles and Filaments: Stirring a Cahn-Hilliard Fluid

The advective Cahn-Hilliard equation describes the competing processes of stirring and separation in a two-phase fluid. Intuition suggests that bubbles will form on a certain scale, and previous studies of Cahn-Hilliard dynamics seem to suggest the presence of one dominant length scale. However, the Cahn-Hilliard phase-separation mechanism contains a hyperdiffusion term and we show that, by stirring the mixture at a sufficiently large amplitude, we excite the diffusion and overwhelm the segregation to create a homogeneous liquid. At intermediate amplitudes we see regions of bubbles coexisting with regions of hyperdiffusive filaments. Thus, the problem possesses two dominant length scales, associated with the bubbles and filaments. For simplicity, we use use a chaotic flow that mimics turbulent stirring at large Prandtl number. We compare our results with the case of variable mobility, in which growth of bubble size is dominated by interfacial rather than bulk effects, and find qualitatively similar results.Comment: 20 pages, 27 figures. RevTeX

Universal Features of Terahertz Absorption in Disordered Materials

Using an analytical theory, experimental terahertz time-domain spectroscopy data and numerical evidence, we demonstrate that the frequency dependence of the absorption coupling coefficient between far-infrared photons and atomic vibrations in disordered materials has the universal functional form, C(omega) = A + B*omega^2, where the material-specific constants A and B are related to the distributions of fluctuating charges obeying global and local charge neutrality, respectively.Comment: 5 pages, 3 fig

Crystal-field splitting for low symmetry systems in ab initio calculations

In the framework of the LDA+U approximation we propose the direct way of calculation of crystal-field excitation energy and apply it to La and Y titanates. The method developed can be useful for comparison with the results of spectroscopic measurements because it takes into account fast relaxations of electronic system. For titanates these relaxation processes reduce the value of crystal-field splitting by $\sim30$ as compared with the difference of LDA one electron energies. However, the crystal-field excitation energy in these systems is still large enough to make an orbital liquid formation rather unlikely and experimentally observed isotropic magnetism remains unexplained.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, 3 table

Linking routinely collected social work, education and health data to enable monitoring of the health and health care of school-aged children in state care (‘looked after children’) in Scotland: a national demonstration project

Background and objectives: Children in state care (‘looked after children’) have poorer health than children who are not looked after. Recent developments in Scotland and elsewhere have aimed to improve services and outcomes for looked after children. Routine monitoring of the health outcomes of looked after children compared to those of their non-looked after peers is currently lacking. Developing capacity for comparative monitoring of population based outcomes based on linkage of routinely collected administrative data has been identified as a priority. To our knowledge there are no existing population based data linkage studies providing data on the health of looked after and non-looked after children at national level. Smaller scale studies that are available generally provide very limited information on linkage methods and hence do not allow scrutiny of bias that may be introduced through the linkage process. Study design and methods: National demonstration project testing the feasibility of linking routinely collected looked after children, education, and health data. Participants: All children in publicly funded school in Scotland in 2011/12. Results: Linkage between looked after children data and the national pupil census classified 10,009 (1.5%) and 1,757 (0.3%) of 670,952 children as, respectively, currently and previously looked after. Recording of the unique pupil identifier (Scottish Candidate Number, SCN) on looked after children returns is incomplete, with 66% of looked after records for 2011/12 for children of possible school age containing a valid SCN. This will have resulted in some under-ascertainment of currently and, particularly, previously looked after children within the general pupil population. Further linkage of the pupil census to the NHS Scotland master patient index demonstrated that a safe link to the child’s unique health service (Community Health Index, CHI) number could be obtained for a very high proportion of children in each group (94%, 95%, and 95% of children classified as currently, previously, and non-looked after respectively). In general linkage rates were higher for older children and those living in more affluent areas. Within the looked after group, linkage rates were highest for children with the fewest placements and for those in permanent fostering. Conclusions: This novel data linkage demonstrates the feasibility of monitoring population based health outcomes of school aged looked after and non-looked after children using linked routine administrative data. Improved recording of the unique pupil identifier number on looked after data returns would be beneficial. Extending the range of personal identifiers on looked after children returns would enable linkage to health data for looked after children who are not in publicly funded schooling (i.e. those who are pre- or post-school, home schooled, or in independent schooling)

Perceived importance of components of asynchronous music in circuit training

This study examined regular exercisers’ perceptions of specific components of music during circuit training. Twenty-four men (38.8 years, s = 11.8 years) and 31 women (32.4 years, s = 9.6 years) completed two questionnaires immediately after a circuit training class. Participants rated the importance of 13 components of music (rhythm, melody, etc.) in relation to exercise enjoyment, and each completed the Affect Intensity Measure (Larsen, 1984) to measure emotional reactivity. Independent t tests were used to evaluate gender differences in perceptions of musical importance. Pearson correlations were computed to evaluate the relationships between affect intensity, age and importance of musical components. Consistent with previous research and theoretical predictions, rhythm response components (rhythm, tempo, beat) were rated as most important. Women rated the importance of melody significantly higher than did men, while men gave more importance to music associated with sport. Affect intensity was found to be positively and significantly related to the perceived importance of melody, lyrical content, musical style, personal associations and emotional content. Results suggest that exercise leaders need to be sensitive to personal factors when choosing music to accompany exercise. Qualitative research that focuses on the personal meaning of music is encouraged