10,057 research outputs found
Convex Functions and Spacetime Geometry
Convexity and convex functions play an important role in theoretical physics.
To initiate a study of the possible uses of convex functions in General
Relativity, we discuss the consequences of a spacetime or an
initial data set admitting a suitably defined convex
function. We show how the existence of a convex function on a spacetime places
restrictions on the properties of the spacetime geometry.Comment: 26 pages, latex, 7 figures, improved version. some claims removed,
references adde
Exact Solution of the Infinite-Range Quantum Mattis Model
We have solved the quantum version of the Mattis model with infinite-range
interactions. A variational approach gives the exact solution for the
infinite-range system, in spite of the non-commutative nature of the quantum
spin components; this implies that quantum effects are not predominant in
determining the macroscopic properties of the system. Nevertheless, the model
has a surprisingly rich phase behaviour, exhibiting phase diagrams with
tricritical, three-phase and critical end points.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figure
Double Charge Exchange And Configuration Mixing
The energy dependence of forward pion double charge exchange reactions on
light nuclei is studied for both the Ground State transition and the
Double-Isobaric-Analog-State transitions. A common characteristic of these
double reactions is a resonance-like peak around 50 MeV pion lab energy. This
peak arises naturally in a two-step process in the conventional pion-nucleon
system with proper handling of nuclear structure and pion distortion. A
comparison among the results of different nuclear structure models demonstrates
the effects of configuration mixing. The angular distribution is used to fix
the single particle wave function.Comment: Added 1 figure (now 8) corrected references and various other change
Microbiological quality of Portuguese yogurts
The microbiological quality of four brands of natural yogurts and two probiotic yogurts available in the Portuguese
market, was evaluated during the shelf-life period. Although the specific flora decreased during storage it was always
within the range of recommended values. No coliforms and an insignificant number of fungi were detected
All-Optical Switching with Transverse Optical Patterns
We demonstrate an all-optical switch that operates at ultra-low-light levels
and exhibits several features necessary for use in optical switching networks.
An input switching beam, wavelength , with an energy density of
photons per optical cross section [] changes
the orientation of a two-spot pattern generated via parametric instability in
warm rubidium vapor. The instability is induced with less than 1 mW of total
pump power and generates several Ws of output light. The switch is
cascadable: the device output is capable of driving multiple inputs, and
exhibits transistor-like signal-level restoration with both saturated and
intermediate response regimes. Additionally, the system requires an input power
proportional to the inverse of the response time, which suggests thermal
dissipation does not necessarily limit the practicality of optical logic
devices
Many-Body Dynamics and Exciton Formation Studied by Time-Resolved Photoluminescence
The dynamics of exciton and electron-hole plasma populations is studied via
time-resolved photoluminescence after nonresonant excitation. By comparing the
peak emission at the exciton resonance with the emission of the continuum, it
is possible to experimentally identify regimes where the emission originates
predominantly from exciton and/or plasma populations. The results are supported
by a microscopic theory which allows one to extract the fraction of bright
excitons as a function of time.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure
Struggling and juggling: a comparison of assessment loads in research and teaching-intensive universities
In spite of the rising tide of metrics in UK higher education, there has been scant attention paid to assessment loads, when evidence demonstrates that heavy demands lead to surface learning. Our study seeks to redress the situation by defining assessment loads and comparing them across research-and teaching intensive universities. We clarify the concept of ‘assessment load’ in response to findings about high volumes of summative assessment on modular degrees. We define assessment load across whole undergraduate degrees, according to four measures: the volume of summative assessment; volume of formative assessment; proportion of examinations to coursework; number of different varieties of assessment. All four factors contribute to the weight of an assessment load, and influence students’ approaches to learning. Our research compares programme assessment data from 73 programmes in 14 UK universities, across two institutional categories. Research-intensives have higher summative assessment loads and a greater proportion of examinations; teaching-intensives have higher varieties of assessment. Formative assessment does not differ significantly across both university groups. These findings pose particular challenges for students in different parts of the sector. Our study questions the wisdom that ‘more’ is always better, proposing that lighter assessment loads may make room for ‘slow’ and deep learning
Elastic Scattering of Pions From the Three-nucleon System
We examine the scattering of charged pions from the trinucleon system at a
pion energy of 180 MeV. The motivation for this study is the structure seen in
the experimental angular distribution of back-angle scattering for pi+ 3He and
pi- 3H but for neither pi- 3He nor pi+ 3H. We consider the addition of a double
spin flip term to an optical model treatment and find that, though the
contribution of this term is non-negligible at large angles for pi+ 3He and pi-
3H, it does not reproduce the structure seen in the experiment.Comment: 15 pages + 5 figure
Layer- and bulk roton excitations of 4He in porous media
We examine the energetics of bulk and layer-roton excitations of 4He in
various porous medial such as aerogel, Geltech, or Vycor, in order to find out
what conclusions can be drawn from experiments on the energetics about the
physisorption mechanism. The energy of the layer-roton minimum depends
sensitively on the substrate strength, thus providing a mechanism for a direct
measurement of this quantity. On the other hand, bulk-like roton excitations
are largely independent of the interaction between the medium and the helium
atoms, but the dependence of their energy on the degree of filling reflects the
internal structure of the matrix and can reveal features of 4He at negative
pressures. While bulk-like rotons are very similar to their true bulk
counterparts, the layer modes are not in close relation to two-dimensional
rotons and should be regarded as a third, completely independent kind of
excitation
Can remote STI/HIV testing and eClinical Care be compatible with robust public health surveillance?
In this paper we outline the current data capture systems for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) surveillance used by Public Health England (PHE), and how these will be affected by the introduction of novel testing platforms and changing patient pathways. We outline the Chlamydia Online Clinical Care Pathway (COCCP), developed as part of the Electronic Self-Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections (eSTI(2)) Consortium, which ensures that surveillance data continue to be routinely collected and transmitted to PHE. We conclude that both novel diagnostic testing platforms and established data capture systems must be adaptable to ensure continued robust public health surveillance
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