6,370 research outputs found
Energy Loss from a Moving Vortex in Superfluid Helium
We present measurements on both energy loss and pinning for a vortex
terminating on the curved surface of a cylindrical container. We vary surface
roughness, cell diameter, fluid velocity, and temperature. Although energy loss
and pinning both arise from interactions between the vortex and the surface,
their dependences on the experimental parameters differ, suggesting that
different mechanisms govern the two effects. We propose that the energy loss
stems from reconnections with a mesh of microscopic vortices that covers the
cell wall, while pinning is dominated by other influences such as the local
fluid velocity.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure
Analysis and correction of the magnetic field effects in the Hybrid Photo-Detectors of the RICH2 Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector of LHCb
The Ring Imaging Cherenkov detectors of the LHCb experiment at the Large
Hadron Collider at CERN are equipped with Hybrid Photo-Detectors. These vacuum
photo-detectors are affected by the stray magnetic field of the LHCb magnet,
which degrades their imaging properties. This effect increases the error on the
Cherenkov angle measurement and would reduce the particle identification
capabilities of LHCb. A system has been developed for the RICH2 Ring Imaging
Cherenkov detector to perform a detailed characterisation of the magnetic
distortion effects. It is described, along with the methods implemented to
correct for these effects, restoring the optimal resolution.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figure
Can Virialization Shocks be Detected Around Galaxy Clusters Through the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect?
In cosmological structure formation models, massive non-linear objects in the
process of formation, such as galaxy clusters, are surrounded by large-scale
shocks at or around the expected virial radius. Direct observational evidence
for such virial shocks is currently lacking, but we show here that their
presence can be inferred from future, high resolution, high-sensitivity
observations of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect in galaxy clusters. We study
the detectability of virial shocks in mock SZ maps, using simple models of
cluster structure (gas density and temperature distributions) and noise
(background and foreground galaxy clusters projected along the line of sight,
as well as the cosmic microwave background anisotropies). We find that at an
angular resolution of 2'' and sensitivity of 10 micro K, expected to be reached
at ~ 100 GHz frequencies in a ~ 20 hr integration with the forthcoming ALMA
instrument, virial shocks associated with massive M ~ 10^15 M_Sun clusters will
stand out from the noise, and can be detected at high significance. More
generally, our results imply that the projected SZ surface brightness profile
in future, high-resolution experiments will provide sensitive constraints on
the density profile of cluster gas.Comment: 15 pages, submitted to Ap
Lack of Leukocyte Migration Inhibition by Hepatitis B Antigen and Normal Nonspecific Immunoreactivity in Asymptomatic Carriers
The immune response to hepatitis B surface antigen (RBs Ag) was studied in 25 asymptomatic carriers by the leukocyte migration-inhibition (LMI) test in agarose. In the presence of purified RBs Ag, inhibition was demonstrated in only four of 25 carriers, in contrast to 24 of 28 patients who cleared the antigen after acute infection with hepatitis B. Tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) was also used as an antigen for the LMI test in these carriers. Inhibition was demonstrated in only 12 of 25 individuals who had positive PPD skin tests, in contrast to all of 14 normal noncarrier individuals with positive PPD skin tests and none of 12 normal noncarrier individuals with negative PPD skin tests. A nonspecific immunological investigation of the asymptomatic carriers gave normal results. The lack of an immune response to HBs Ag was thought to be responsible for the persistence of the antigen and also for the absence of symptom
Kinderanästhesie zur Protonenbestrahlung: Medizin fernab der Klinik
Zusammenfassung: Die Betreuung von Kleinkindern für die Protonentherapie stellt fachlich und menschlich hohe Anforderungen an das Anästhesieteam. Das Anästhesiepersonal soll in Kinderanästhesie speziell ausgebildet und erfahren sein, insbesondere da die Kinder sich oft in einem reduzierten Allgemeinzustand befinden. Die Infrastruktur soll gemäß den aktuellen anästhesiologischen Standards eingerichtet sein. Die ständige visuelle Überwachung des sedierten Patienten und das lückenlose Monitoring der Vitaldaten müssen gewährleistet sein. Propofol eignet sich ideal für die Sedierung von Kleinkindern in Spontanatmung für die Protonentherapie. Auch bei repetitiver Gabe über mehrere Wochen wird Propofol sehr gut toleriert. Eine enge Zusammenarbeit zwischen Radioonkologe, Onkologe und Anästhesist ist notwendig, um interkurrent auftretende medizinische Probleme optimal zu behandeln. Die besonderen Belange onkologischer Patienten müssen bei der Therapieplanung berücksichtigt werde
Complexity-based learning and teaching: a case study in higher education
This paper presents a learning and teaching strategy based on complexity science and explores its impacts on a higher education game design course. The strategy aimed at generating conditions fostering individual and collective learning in educational complex adaptive systems, and led the design of the course through an iterative and adaptive process informed by evidence emerging from course dynamics. The data collected indicate that collaboration was initially challenging for students, but collective learning emerged as the course developed, positively affecting individual and team performance. Even though challenged, students felt highly motivated and enjoyed working on course activities. Their perception of progress and expertise were always high, and the academic performance was on average very good. The strategy fostered collaboration and allowed students and tutors to deal with complex situations requiring adaptation
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Geostatistical radar-raingauge combination with nonparametric correlograms: methodological considerations and application in Switzerland
Modelling spatial covariance is an essential part of all geostatistical methods. Traditionally, parametric semivariogram models are fit from available data. More recently, it has been suggested to use nonparametric correlograms obtained from spatially complete data fields. Here, both estimation techniques are compared. Nonparametric correlograms are shown to have a substantial negative bias. Nonetheless, when combined with the sample variance of the spatial field under consideration, they yield an estimate of the semivariogram that is unbiased for small lag distances. This justifies the use of this estimation technique in geostatistical applications.
Various formulations of geostatistical combination (Kriging) methods are used here for the construction of hourly precipitation grids for Switzerland based on data from a sparse realtime network of raingauges and from a spatially complete radar composite. Two variants of Ordinary Kriging (OK) are used to interpolate the sparse gauge observations. In both OK variants, the radar data are only used to determine the semivariogram model. One variant relies on a traditional parametric semivariogram estimate, whereas the other variant uses the nonparametric correlogram. The variants are tested for three cases and the impact of the semivariogram model on the Kriging prediction is illustrated. For the three test cases, the method using nonparametric correlograms performs equally well or better than the traditional method, and at the same time offers great practical advantages.
Furthermore, two variants of Kriging with external drift (KED) are tested, both of which use the radar data to estimate nonparametric correlograms, and as the external drift variable. The first KED variant has been used previously for geostatistical radar-raingauge merging in Catalonia (Spain). The second variant is newly proposed here and is an extension of the first. Both variants are evaluated for the three test cases as well as an extended evaluation period. It is found that both methods yield merged fields of better quality than the original radar field or fields obtained by OK of gauge data. The newly suggested KED formulation is shown to be beneficial, in particular in mountainous regions where the quality of the Swiss radar composite is comparatively low. An analysis of the Kriging variances shows that none of the methods tested here provides a satisfactory uncertainty estimate. A suitable variable transformation is expected to improve this
Testing for Chlamydia trachomatis: time trends in positivity rates in the canton of Basel-Stadt, Switzerland
National health statistics report a 2·5-fold increase in laboratory-confirmed Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) cases over the last decade in Switzerland where no CT screening programme exists. We obtained essential denominator information to describe the epidemiology of CT in the canton of Basel-Stadt, an urban canton in north-western Switzerland. Laboratories reporting at least two CT infections from Basel-Stadt residents to the SFOPH in 2010 provided demographic and test-related data. CT positivity rates were calculated for 2002-2010. The influences of test year, age, sex and laboratory on CT positivity were investigated in a multivariable model. Positivity differed between sexes and age groups. In our sample of 32 034 records, female and male CT positivity rates were 4·7% and 11·1%, respectively. Test year was significantly associated with test outcome in the multivariable analysis but no time trend was observed. CT positivity did not change over the past 9 years in Basel-Stadt. In contrast to other European countries without CT screening, we found no evidence that the observed increase of Chlamydia cases in the national notification system represents an epidemiological trend, but rather results from an increased testing frequenc
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