3,515 research outputs found
Investigating the intrinsic noise limit of Dayem bridge NanoSQUIDs
NanoSQUIDs made from Nb thin films have been produced with nanometre loop sizes down to 200 nm, using weak-link junctions with dimensions less than 60 nm. These composite (W/Nb) single layer thin film devices, patterned by FIB milling, show extremely good low-noise performance âŒ170 nΊ0 at temperatures between 5 and 8.5 K and can operate in rather high magnetic fields (at least up to 1 T). The devices produced so far have a limited operating temperature range, typically only 1â2 K. We have the goal of achieving operation at 4.2 K, to be compatible with the best SQUID series array (SSA) preamplifier available. Using the SSA to readout the nanoSQUIDs provides us with a means of investigating the intrinsic noise of the former. In this paper we report improved white noise levels of these nanoSQUIDs, enabling potential detection of a single electronic spin flip in a 1-Hz bandwidth. At low frequencies the noise performance is already limited by SSA preamplifier noise
Degenerate ground state and anomalous flux hysteresis in an YBa2Cu3O7 grain boundary r.f. SQUID
We report measurements of the flux hysteresis curves and trapped flux
distribution in an YBa2Cu3O7 r.f. SQUID containing two closely spaced grain
boundary Josephson junctions in parallel. Broadening of the flux distribution
from T = 15 K to 30 K is followed by a bifurcation at T = 35 K which
corresponds to a degenerate ground state. Above T ~ 40 K the bifurcation
disappears, the flux distribution narrows significantly and small secondary
loops appear in the hysteresis curves. This behaviour can be modelled
qualitatively if we assume a temperature dependent second harmonic term in the
current-phase relationship of the junctions.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure
Microwave intermodulation distortion of MgB2 thin films
The two tone intermodulation arising in MgB2 thin films deposited in-situ by
planar magnetron sputtering on sapphire substrates is studied. Samples are
characterised using an open-ended dielectric puck resonator operating at 8.8
GHz. The experimental results show that the third order products increase with
the two-tone input power with a slope ranging between 1.5 and 2.3. The
behaviour can be understood introducing a mechanism of vortex penetration in
grain boundaries as the most plausible source of non linearities in these
films. This assumption is confirmed by the analysis of the field dependence of
the surface resistance, that show a linear behaviour at all temperatures under
test.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures; to be published in Appl. Phys. Let
Preventing adolescentsâ externalizing and internalizing symptoms : effects of the Penn Resiliency Program
This study reports secondary outcome analyses from a past study of the Penn Resiliency
Program (PRP), a cognitive-behavioral depression prevention program for middle-school
aged children. Middle school students (N = 697) were randomly assigned to PRP, PEP
(an alternate intervention), or control conditions. Gillham et al., (2007) reported analyses
examining PRPâs effects on average and clinical levels of depression symptoms. We
examine PRPâs effects on parent-, teacher-, and self-reports of adolescentsâ externalizing
and broader internalizing (depression/anxiety, somatic complaints, and social
withdrawal) symptoms over three years of follow-up. Relative to no intervention control,
PRP reduced parent-reports of adolescentsâ internalizing symptoms beginning at the first
assessment after the intervention and persisting for most of the follow-up assessments.
PRP also reduced parent-reported conduct problems relative to no-intervention. There
was no evidence that the PRP program produced an effect on teacher- or self-report of
adolescentsâ symptoms. Overall, PRP did not reduce symptoms relative to the alternate
intervention, although there is a suggestion of a delayed effect for conduct problems.
These findings are discussed with attention to developmental trajectories and the
importance of interventions that address common risk factors for diverse forms of
negative outcomes.peer-reviewe
Development and Evaluation of a Pragmatic Measure of Adherence to Dialectical Behavior Therapy: The DBT Adherence Checklist for Individual Therapy
This paper presents two studies conducted to develop and evaluate a new pragmatic measure of therapist adherence to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): the DBT Adherence Checklist for Individual Therapy (DBT AC-I). Study 1 used item response analysis to select items from the gold standard DBT Adherence Coding Scale (DBT ACS) using archival data from 1271 DBT sessions. Items were then iteratively refined based on feedback from 33 target end-users to ensure relevance, usability, and understandability. Study 2 examined the psychometric properties of the DBT AC-I as a therapist self-report and observer-rated measure in 100 sessions from 50 therapist-client dyads, while also evaluating predictors of therapist accuracy in self-rated adherence. When used as a therapist self-report measure, concordance between therapist and observer ratings was at least moderate (AC1â„0.41) for all DBT AC-I items but overall concordance (ICC=0.09) as well as convergent (r=0.05) and criterion validity (AUC=0.54) with the DBT ACS were poor. Higher therapist accuracy was predicted by greater DBT knowledge and adherence as well as more severe client suicidal ideation. When used by trained observers, the DBT AC-I had excellent interrater reliability (ICC=0.93), convergent validity (r=0.90), and criterion validity (AUC=0.94). While therapistsâ self-rated adherence on the DBT AC-I should not be assumed to reflect their actual adherence, some therapists may self-rate accurately. The DBT AC-I offers an effective and relatively efficient method of evaluating adherence to DBT when used by trained observers
Synthetic Compound Libraries Displayed on the Surface of Encoded Bacteriophage
AbstractWe describe a technology for attaching libraries of synthetic compounds to coat proteins of bacteriophage particles such that the identity of the chemical structure is encoded in the genome of the phage, analogous to peptides displayed on phage surfaces by conventional phage-display techniques. This format allows a library of synthetic compounds to be screened very efficiently as a single pool. Encoded phage serve as extremely robust reporters of the presence of each compound, providing exquisite sensitivity for identification of active compounds engaged in complex biological processes such as receptor-mediated endocytosis and transcytosis. To evaluate this approach, we constructed a library of 980 analogs of folic acid displayed on T7 phage, and demonstrated rapid identification of compounds that bind to folate receptor and direct endocytosis of associated phage particles into cells that express the targeted receptor
On waiting for something to happen
This paper seeks to examine two particular and peculiar practices in which the mediation of apparently direct encounters is made explicit and is systematically theorized: that of the psychoanalytic dialogue with its inward focus and private secluded setting, and that of theatre and live performance, with its public focus. Both these practices are concerned with ways in which âlive encountersâ impact on their participants, and hence with the conditions under which, and the processes whereby, the coming-together of human subjects results in recognizable personal or social change. Through the rudimentary analysis of two anecdotes, we aim to think these encounters together in a way that explores what each borrows from the other, the psychoanalytic in the theatrical, the theatrical in the psychoanalytic, figuring each practice as differently committed to what we call the âpublication of livenessâ. We argue that these âredundantâ forms of human contact continue to provide respite from group acceptance of narcissistic failure in the post-democratic era through their offer of a practice of waiting
Tunable coaxial cavity resonator for linear and nonlinear microwave characterization of superconducting wires
We discuss experimental results obtained using a tunable cylindrical coaxial
cavity constituted by an outer Cu cylinder and an inner Pb-BSCCO wire. We have
used this device for investigating the microwave response of the
superconducting wire, both in the linear and nonlinear regimes. In particular,
by tuning the different modes of the cavity to make them resonant at exactly
harmonic frequencies, we have detected the power emitted by the superconducting
inner wire at the second- and third-harmonic frequency of the driving field.
The results obtained in the nonlinear regime, whether for the microwave surface
impedance or the harmonic emission, are qualitatively accounted for considering
intergrain fluxon dynamics. The use of this kind of device can be of strong
interest to investigate and characterise wires of large dimensions to be used
for implementing superconducting-based microwave devices.Comment: 14 pages, 6 embedded figures, accepted for publication in Supercond.
Sci. Techno
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