1,512 research outputs found

    Scaling of the coercivity with the geometrical parameters in epitaxial Fe antidot arrays

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    We studied a series of square lattice antidot arrays, with diameter and lattice parameter from hundreds of nanometers to some microns, fabricated using two lithography techniques in epitaxial Fe(001) films. The coercivity increase of each array with respect to its base film can be scaled to a simple geometric parameter, irrespective of the lithography technique employed. Magnetic transmission x-ray microscopy studies, in arrays fabricated on polycrystalline Fe films deposited on silicon nitride membranes, evidenced the propagation of reversed domains from the edges of the arrays, in agreement with the coercivity analysis of the epitaxial arrays and with micromagnetic models

    Use of point of view cameras for welfare management in extensive grazing systems

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    Grazing patterns can be a major indicator for welfare assessment in extensive systems. The aim of this study was to test animal-borne video as a method to evaluate sheep grazing behavior. To test the changes in grazing duration, grazing frequency and grazing rate, we used wide angle cameras (Go-Pro and infra-red night vision) to access diurnal and nocturnal grazing activities of ewes in a native sward, during two weeks in late spring, the season with greatest changes in weather and vegetative growth. Three ewes were chosen from a flock of 15 animals for focal observation. The foraging behaviour of the entire flock were recorded by scan sampling with a 10-minute interval. Grazing bout duration increased significantly between the first (44.6 ± 41.4 s) and the second week (94.0 ± 57.0 s) (F = 10.295, P<0.05). Conversely, grazing bout duration differed among grazing hours (F = 4.523, P<0.05), with a peak for the dusk grazing period (128.1 ± 88.8 s). Nocturnal grazing did not differ significantly for any of the grazing parameters, although a general trend for longer grazing duration through time was observed. Sheep spend the hot part of the day lying in shade under trees and use more than one tree as resting areas. A significant correlation was shown to exist between the grazing behaviour estimated from focal sampling with video cameras and the scan sampling (r2=0.83). We concluded that animal-borne video cameras are a method appropriate for assessing sheep variations of grazing behaviour structure allowing to understand differences of adaptive grazing patterns that can be useful for welfare management in extensive systems

    Entrapment ability and release profile of corticosteroids from starch-based microparticles

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    We previously described the synthesis of starchbased microparticles that were shown to be bioactive (when combined with Bioactive Glass 45S5) and noncytotoxic. To further assess their potential for biomedical applications such as controlled release, three corticosteroids with a similar basic structure—dexamethasone (DEX), 16-methylprednisonole (MP), and 16-methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) - were used as models for the entrapment and release of bioactive agents. DEX, MP, and MPA were entrapped into starch-based microparticles at 10% wt/wt of the starch-based polymer and the loading efficiencies, as well as the release profiles, were evaluated. Differences were found for the loading efficiencies of the three corticosteroids, with DEX and MPA being the most successfully loaded (82 and 84%, respectively), followed by MP (51%). These differences might be explained based on the differential distribution of the molecules within the matrix of the microparticles. Furthermore, a differential burst release was observed in the first 24 h for all corticosteroids with DEX and MP being more pronounced (around 25%), whereas only 12% of MPA was released during the same time period. Whereas the water uptake profile can account for this first stage burst release, the subsequent slower release stage was mainly attributed to degradation of the microparticle network. Differences in the release profiles can be explained based on the structure of the molecule, because MPA, a more bulky and hydrophobic molecule, is released at a slower rate compared with DEX and MP. In this work, it is shown that these carriers were able to sustain a controlled release of the entrapped corticosteroids over 30 days, which confirms the potential of these systems to be used as carriers for the delivery of bioactive agents

    Limits on WWZ and WW\gamma couplings from p\bar{p}\to e\nu jj X events at \sqrt{s} = 1.8 TeV

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    We present limits on anomalous WWZ and WW-gamma couplings from a search for WW and WZ production in p-bar p collisions at sqrt(s)=1.8 TeV. We use p-bar p -> e-nu jjX events recorded with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider during the 1992-1995 run. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 96.0+-5.1 pb^(-1). Assuming identical WWZ and WW-gamma coupling parameters, the 95% CL limits on the CP-conserving couplings are -0.33<lambda<0.36 (Delta-kappa=0) and -0.43<Delta-kappa<0.59 (lambda=0), for a form factor scale Lambda = 2.0 TeV. Limits based on other assumptions are also presented.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, 2 table

    Search For Heavy Pointlike Dirac Monopoles

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    We have searched for central production of a pair of photons with high transverse energies in ppˉp\bar p collisions at s=1.8\sqrt{s} = 1.8 TeV using 70pb170 pb^{-1} of data collected with the D\O detector at the Fermilab Tevatron in 1994--1996. If they exist, virtual heavy pointlike Dirac monopoles could rescatter pairs of nearly real photons into this final state via a box diagram. We observe no excess of events above background, and set lower 95% C.L. limits of 610,870,or1580GeV/c2610, 870, or 1580 GeV/c^2 on the mass of a spin 0, 1/2, or 1 Dirac monopole.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure

    Search for New Physics in e mu X Data at D0 Using Sleuth: A Quasi-Model-Independent Search Strategy for New Physics

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    We present a quasi-model-independent search for the physics responsible for electroweak symmetry breaking. We define final states to be studied, and construct a rule that identifies a set of relevant variables for any particular final state. A new algorithm ("Sleuth") searches for regions of excess in those variables and quantifies the significance of any detected excess. After demonstrating the sensitivity of the method, we apply it to the semi-inclusive channel e mu X collected in 108 pb^-1 of ppbar collisions at sqrt(s) = 1.8 TeV at the D0 experiment during 1992-1996 at the Fermilab Tevatron. We find no evidence of new high p_T physics in this sample.Comment: 23 pages, 12 figures. Submitted to Physical Review

    The Dijet Mass Spectrum and a Search for Quark Compositeness in bar{p}p Collisions at sqrt{s} = 1.8 TeV

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    Using the DZero detector at the 1.8 TeV pbarp Fermilab Tevatron collider, we have measured the inclusive dijet mass spectrum in the central pseudorapidity region |eta_jet| < 1.0 for dijet masses greater than 200 Gev/c^2. We have also measured the ratio of spectra sigma(|eta_jet| < 0.5)/sigma(0.5 < |eta_jet| < 1.0). The order alpha_s^3 QCD predictions are in good agreement with the data and we rule out models of quark compositeness with a contact interaction scale < 2.4 TeV at the 95% confidence level.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

    Search for High Mass Photon Pairs in p-pbar --> gamma-gamma-jet-jet Events at sqrt(s)=1.8 TeV

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    A search has been carried out for events in the channel p-barp --> gamma gamma jet jet. Such a signature can characterize the production of a non-standard Higgs boson together with a W or Z boson. We refer to this non-standard Higgs, having standard model couplings to vector bosons but no coupling to fermions, as a "bosonic Higgs." With the requirement of two high transverse energy photons and two jets, the diphoton mass (m(gamma gamma)) distribution is consistent with expected background. A 90(95)% C.L. upper limit on the cross section as a function of mass is calculated, ranging from 0.60(0.80) pb for m(gamma gamma) = 65 GeV/c^2 to 0.26(0.34) pb for m(gamma gamma) = 150 GeV/c^2, corresponding to a 95% C.L. lower limit on the mass of a bosonic Higgs of 78.5 GeV/c^2.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures. Replacement has new H->gamma gamma branching ratios and corresponding new mass limit

    Ratio of the Isolated Photon Cross Sections at \sqrt{s} = 630 and 1800 GeV

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    The inclusive cross section for production of isolated photons has been measured in \pbarp collisions at s=630\sqrt{s} = 630 GeV with the \D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The photons span a transverse energy (ETE_T) range from 7-49 GeV and have pseudorapidity η<2.5|\eta| < 2.5. This measurement is combined with to previous \D0 result at s=1800\sqrt{s} = 1800 GeV to form a ratio of the cross sections. Comparison of next-to-leading order QCD with the measured cross section at 630 GeV and ratio of cross sections show satisfactory agreement in most of the ETE_T range.Comment: 7 pages. Published in Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 251805, (2001
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