237 research outputs found
Magnetic and electronic structures of superconducting RuSrGdCuO
The coexistence of ferromagnetism and superconductivity in
RuSrGdCuO was reported both from experiments (by Tallon et. al.)
and first-principles calculations (by Pickett et. al.). Here we report that our
first-principles full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FLAPW)
calculations, employing the precise crystal structure with structural
distortions (i.e., RuO rotations) determined by neutron diffraction,
demonstrate that antiferromagnetic ordering of the Ru moments is energetically
favored over the previously proposed ferromagnetic ordering. Our results are
consistent with recently performed magnetic neutron diffraction experiments
(Lynn et. al). Ru states, which are responsible for the magnetism,
have only a very small interaction with Cu states, which results in a
small exchange splitting of these states. The Fermi surface, characterized by
strongly hybridized orbitals, has nesting features similar to those
in the two-dimensional high cuprate superconductors.Comment: 6 pages,6 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Governance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Cameroon: What lessons can we learn?
The aim of this paper is to find out the effects of the COBAC regulations regulating the microfinance industry on the governance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Cameroon. The paper is based on 35 in-depth interviews carried out from May to June 2011 and June to July 2012 with managers and accountants from MFIs in Cameroon, MFI clients and non-clients, regulatory authorities in the Ministry of Finance, and accounting professionals. The findings show that the regulations have broken down the governance within the MFIs in Cameroon thus turning MFIs into hybrid organizations with managers striving to meet their shareholders' interests
Exploring water, sanitation, and hygiene coverage targets for reaching and sustaining trachoma elimination: G-computation analysis
BACKGROUND: Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness. To reduce transmission, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) improvements are promoted through a comprehensive public health strategy. Evidence supporting the role of WaSH in trachoma elimination is mixed and it remains unknown what WaSH coverages are needed to effectively reduce transmission. METHODS/FINDINGS: We used g-computation to estimate the impact on the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular among children aged 1-9 years (TF1-9) when hypothetical WaSH interventions raised the minimum coverages from 5% to 100% for "nearby" face-washing water (<30 minutes roundtrip collection time) and adult latrine use in an evaluation unit (EU). For each scenario, we estimated the generalized prevalence difference as the TF1-9 prevalence under the intervention scenarios minus the observed prevalence. Data from 574 cross-sectional surveys conducted in 16 African and Eastern Mediterranean countries were included. Surveys were conducted from 2015-2019 with support from the Global Trachoma Mapping Project and Tropical Data. When modeling interventions among EUs that had not yet met the TF1-9 elimination target, increasing nearby face-washing water and latrine use coverages above 30% was generally associated with consistent decreases in TF1-9. For nearby face-washing water, we estimated a ≥25% decrease in TF1-9 at 65% coverage, with a plateau upon reaching 85% coverage. For latrine use, the estimated decrease in TF1-9 accelerated from 80% coverage upward, with a ≥25% decrease in TF1-9 by 85% coverage. Among EUs that had previously met the elimination target, results were inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support Sustainable Development Goal 6 and provide insight into potential WaSH-related coverage targets for trachoma elimination. Targets can be tested in future trials to improve evidence-based WaSH guidance for trachoma
Measurement of the WW production cross section in p anti-p collisions at s**(1/2) = 1.96 TeV
We present a measurement of the W boson pair-production cross section in p
anti-p collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV. The data,
collected with the Run II DO detector, correspond to an integrated luminosity
of 224-252 pb^-1 depending on the final state (ee, emu or mumu). We observe 25
candidates with a background expectation of
8.1+/-0.6(stat)+/-0.6(syst)+/-0.5(lum) events. The probability for an upward
fluctuation of the background to produce the observed signal is 2.3x10^-7,
equivalent to 5.2 standard deviations.The measurement yields a cross section of
13.8+4.3/-3.8(stat)+1.2/-0.9(syst)+/-0.9(lum) pb, in agreement with predictions
from the standard model.Comment: submitted to PR
Measurement of the Lambda^0_b lifetime in the decay Lambda^0_b -> J/psi Lambda^0 with the D0 Detector
We present measurements of the Lambda^0_b lifetime in the exclusive decay
channel Lambda^0_{b}->J/psi Lambda^0, with J/psi to mu+ mu- and Lambda^0 to p
pi-, the B^0 lifetime in the decay B^0 -> J/psi K^0_S with J/psi to mu+ mu- and
K^0_S to pi+ pi-, and the ratio of these lifetimes. The analysis is based on
approximately 250 pb^{-1} of data recorded with the D0 detector in pp(bar)
collisions at sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV. The Lambda^0_b lifetime is determined to be
tau(Lambda^0_b) = 1.22 +0.22/-0.18 (stat) +/- 0.04 (syst) ps, the B^0 lifetime
tau(B^0) = 1.40 +0.11/-0.10 (stat) +/- 0.03 (syst) ps, and the ratio
tau(Lambda^0_b)/tau(B^0) = 0.87 +0.17/-0.14 (stat) +/- 0.03 (syst). In contrast
with previous measurements using semileptonic decays, this is the first
determination of the Lambda^0_b lifetime based on a fully reconstructed decay
channel.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, Submitted to Physical Review Letters, v2: Added
FNAL Pub-numbe
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