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Oxygen isotopic and petrological constraints on the origin and relationship of IIE iron meteorites and H chondrites
New oxygen isotopic measurements of IIEs and H chondrites are indistinguishable — strengthening a possible common origin for these groups. Combining oxygen results with mineralogy, the nature of their parent body or bodies can be explored
Neutrino Phenomenology in a 3+1+1 Framework
Evidence continues to grow in the MiniBooNE (MB) antineutrino mode supporting
a low-energy excess compatible with the MB neutrino mode and possibly also
confirming the results of the LSND experiment. At least one sterile neutrino is
required to explain the anomalies consistent with the observations of other
experiments. At the same time, there is a strong tension between the positive
signals of LSND and MB and the null results of nu_e and nu_mu disappearance
experiments. We explore a scenario, first proposed in \cite{Nelson:2010hz},
where the presence of an additional heavy sterile neutrino (with mass well
above an eV) can alleviate tension between LSND, MB and the null results of
disappearance experiments. We compare and contrast this 3+1+1 scenario with the
more standard 3+1 scenario and carry out global fits to all oscillation data
including new 2011 MB anti-nu data. We find that the tension can be somewhat
alleviated and that a phenomenologically viable window for the heavy neutrino,
consistent with rare decays and BBN constraints, can be found if the fifth
neutrino has a mass of order 0.3 - 10 GeV. We also find, however, that the 2011
MB anti-nu data exacerbates the tension with null experiments in both the 3+1
and 3+1+1 models when the lowest energy bins are included, resulting in little
improvement in the global fit. We also discuss the implications of an
additional neutrino for the reactor and gallium anomalies, and show that an
oscillation explanation of the anomalies is disfavored by cosmological
considerations, direct searches, and precision electroweak tests.Comment: 22 pages, 5 figures; replaced to reflect journal versio
The role of working hours, work environment and physical leisure activity on the need for recovery following a day's work among UK white-water raft guides: a within-subjects multilevel approach
Background: White-water raft guides are a growing workforce of the outdoor sector but little is known about how the working environment, workload and physical leisure activity impacts on the need for occupational recovery (the desire to replenish internal resources and recuperate in the time immediately following work) of those working in this physically demanding occupation. Methods: Longitudinal data were collected across an eight month working season at three month intervals. Multilevel analyses tested the within-subject associations between work environment, hours worked and physical leisure activity had on the need for recovery. Results: Working longer across the working season and participating in more physical leisure activity were directly associated with a lower need for occupational recovery. Furthermore, working on natural rivers significantly reduced the need for recovery experienced compared to work on man-made courses. This was regardless of the number of hours of worked in these environments. Discussion: Physical leisure activity may provide a distraction from work, allowing employees to replenish their physical and psychological energy, thus protecting themselves against work-related fatigue. The findings also expand upon the previous literature identifying that working in a natural environment reduces the risk of experiencing work-related fatigue
Simultaneous two component squeezing in generalized q-coherent states
Using a generalization of the q-commutation relations, we develop a formalism in which it is possible to define generalized q-bosonic operators. This formalism includes both types of the usual q-deformed bosons as special cases. The coherent states of these operators show interesting and novel noise reduction properties including simultaneous squeezing in both field components, unlike the conventional case in which squeezing is permitted in only one component. This also contrasts with the usual quantum group deformation which also only permits one component squeezing
Global gyrokinetic simulations of intrinsic rotation in ASDEX Upgrade Ohmic L-mode plasmas
Non-linear, radially global, turbulence simulations of ASDEX Upgrade (AUG)
plasmas are performed and the nonlinear generated intrinsic flow shows
agreement with the intrinsic flow gradients measured in the core of Ohmic
L-mode plasmas at nominal parameters. Simulations utilising the kinetic
electron model show hollow intrinsic flow profiles as seen in a predominant
number of experiments performed at similar plasma parameters. In addition,
significantly larger flow gradients are seen than in a previous flux-tube
analysis (Hornsby et al {\it Nucl. Fusion} (2017)). Adiabatic electron model
simulations can show a flow profile with opposing sign in the gradient with
respect to a kinetic electron simulation, implying a reversal in the sign of
the residual stress due to kinetic electrons. The shaping of the intrinsic flow
is strongly determined by the density gradient profile. The sensitivity of the
residual stress to variations in density profile curvature is calculated and
seen to be significantly stronger than to neoclassical flows (Hornsby et al
{\it Nucl. Fusion} (2017)). This variation is strong enough on its own to
explain the large variations in the intrinsic flow gradients seen in some AUG
experiments. Analysis of the symmetry breaking properties of the turbulence
shows that profile shearing is the dominant mechanism in producing a finite
parallel wave-number, with turbulence gradient effects contributing a smaller
portion of the parallel wave-vector
Do worms protect against the metabolic syndrome? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Aims: There is increasing evidence on the role of helminth infections in modifying autoimmune and allergic diseases. These infections may have similar effect in other inflammatory processes, such as insulin resistance. This review aims to examine the literature on the effect of helminthic infections on metabolic outcomes in humans.
Methods: Using the PRISMA protocol, we searched the literature using PubMed, MEDLINE, and a manual review of reference lists. Human studies published in English after 1995 were included. Four papers were included in this review. Data was extracted and a meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using Tau(2) and I(2) tests.
Results: The included studies found that infection was associated with lower glucose levels, less insulin resistance, and/or a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Meta-analysis showed that participants with a previous or current helminth infection were 50% less likely to have an endpoint of metabolic dysfunction in comparison to uninfected participants (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.38-0.66).
Conclusion: This review has shown that helminth infections can be associated with improved metabolic outcomes. Understanding of the mechanisms underlying this relationship could facilitate the development of novel strategies to prevent or delay T2DM
Controls on geothermal heat recovery from a hot sedimentary aquifer in Guardbridge, Scotland:Field measurements, modelling and long term sustainability
Geothermal heat from Hot Sedimentary Aquifers represents a promising intermediate (30°C) resource for district heating systems. A key control on the geothermal productivity of these aquifers is the architecture of faults, which can significantly enhance or reduce the natural permeability of these systems. We present the first three-dimensional coupled groundwater flow and heat transport numerical model, combining multiple data from field mapping and fracture surveys, of two intersecting major fault systems in Central-East Scotland. This includes fault-zone fracture permeability modelling, depth-dependent permeability modelling, geo-mechanical facies assessment and heat productivity estimates for single well and multiple well extraction scenarios. Simulations indicate that with careful location of extraction wells within permeable fault systems, production is sustainable for over 50 years for multiple-well extraction scenarios in this region
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