Some Observations for Mean-Field Spin Glass Models

We obtain bounds to show that the pressure of a two-body, mean-field spin glass is a Lipschitz function of the underlying distribution of the random coupling constants, with respect to a particular semi-norm. This allows us to re-derive a result of Carmona and Hu, on the universality of the SK model, by a different proof, and to generalize this result to the Viana-Bray model. We also prove another bound, suitable when the coupling constants are not independent, which is what is necessary if one wants to consider ``canonical'' instead of ``grand canonical'' versions of the SK and Viana-Bray models. Finally, we review Viana-Bray type models, using the language of L\'evy processes, which is natural in this context.Comment: 15 pages, minor revision

A balloon-borne high-resolution spectrometer for observations of gamma-ray emission from solar flares

The design, development, and balloon-flight verification of a payload for observations of gamma-ray emission from solar flares are reported. The payload incorporates a high-purity germanium semiconductor detector, standard NIM and CAMAC electronics modules, a thermally stabilized pressure housing, and regulated battery power supplies. The flight system is supported on the ground with interactive data-handling equipment comprised of similar electronics hardware. The modularity and flexibility of the payload, together with the resolution and stability obtained throughout a 30-hour flight, make it readily adaptable for high-sensitivity, long-duration balloon fight applications

A comparison of small and larger mesoscale latent heat and radiative fluxes: December 6 case study

Because of the small amounts of water vapor, the potential for rapid changes, and the very cold temperatures in the upper troposphere, moisture measuring instruments face several problems related to calibration and response. Calculations of eddy moisture fluxes are, therefore, subject to significant uncertainty. The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of latent heat (moisture) fluxes due to small and larger mesoscale circulations in comparison to radiative fluxes within cirrus. Scale separation is made at about 1 km because of significant changes in the structures within cirrus. Only observations at warmer than -40 C are used in this study. The EG&G hygrometer that is used for measuring dewpoint temperature (Td) is believed to be fairly accurate down to -40 C. On the other hand, Lyman-Alpha (L-alpha) hygrometer measurements of moisture may include large drift errors. In order to compensate for these drift errors, the L-alpha hygrometer is often calibrated against the EG&G hygrometer. However, large errors ensue for Td measurements at temperatures less than -40 C. The cryogenic hygrometer frost point measurements may be used to calibrate L-alpha measurements at temperatures less than -40 C. In this study, however, measurements obtained by EG&G hygrometer and L-alpha measurements are used for the flux calculations

Photocurrent Enhancement by Spontaneous Formation of a p n Junction in Calcium Doped Bismuth Vanadate Photoelectrodes

The application of bismuth vanadate BiVO4 photoelectrodes for solar water splitting is hindered by the poor carrier transport. To overcome this, multiple donor doping strategies e.g. dual doping, gradient doping have been explored. Here, we show for the first time the successful introduction of calcium Ca as an acceptor type dopant into BiVO4 photoelectrodes. Interestingly, instead of generating cathodic photocurrents, the Ca doped BiVO4 photoelectrodes show anodic photocurrents with an enhanced carrier separation efficiency. Hard X ray photoelectron spectroscopy HAXPES shows that this enhancement is caused by out diffusion of Ca during the deposition process, which spontaneously creates a p n junction within the BiVO4 layer. Overall, a significant two fold improvement of the AM1.5 photocurrent is obtained upon Ca doping. This study highlights the importance of controlled doping beyond simply modifying carrier concentration and may enable new device architectures in photoelectrode material

Selective patient and public involvement: The promise and perils of pharmaceutical intervention for autism

This is the final version of the article. Available from Wiley via the DOI in this record.BACKGROUND: Guidelines suggest the patient community should be consulted from the outset when designing and implementing basic biomedical research, but such patient communities may include conflicting views. We examined how engagement occurred in one such instance. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to scrutinize patient and public involvement (PPI) by a pan-European biomedical consortium working to develop drugs to treat autism. We aimed to use this as an example to illustrate how PPI has been utilized in biomedical research. SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND ANALYSIS: Two public events, one in the UK and one in Denmark were conducted as part of the consortium's on-going PPI activities in 2014 and 2015. Sixty-six individuals submitted written comments on the consortium's research after these events. The textual data produced were analysed using a thematic approach. Approximately 71% of respondents reported themselves to be adults on the autism spectrum or parents of children with autism. RESULTS: The themes identified illustrated major differences between some community concerns and the biomedical research agenda. While treating autism per se. was seen as problematic by some, treating specific co-occurring problems was seen as helpful in some circumstances. The biomedical consortium selected PPI with a limited user viewpoint at its outset and more widely once basic research was on-going. DISCUSSION: This case illustrates what we term "selective PPI" where only a sympathetic and/or limited patient viewpoint is included. Findings highlight the perils of using selective PPI to legitimise scientific endeavours, and the possibilities for constructive dialogue.This work was supported by EU-AIMS (European Autism Interventions), which receives support from the Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking under grant agreement no. 115300, the resources of which are composed of financial contributions from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (grant FP7/2007-2013); The first author's work was specifically funded by the Wellcome Trust, Grant number 108676/Z/15/Z

Scaffolding Discourse in Asynchronous Learning Networks

Discourse, a form of collaborative learning, is fundamentally a communications process. This in-progress study adapts Clark and Brennan’s grounding in communications principles to investigate how to “scaffold” asynchronous discourse. Scaffolding is defined as providing support for the learner at his or her level until the support is no longer needed. This paper presents early results from an experimental study measuring learning effectiveness. In the experiment, content and process scaffolding are manipulated based on pedagogic principles. A major contribution of the study is building and testing a technologymediated, discourse-centered, teaching and learning model called the Asynchronous Learning Networks Cognitive Discourse Model (ALNCDM). As discourse is one of the most widely used online methods of teaching and learning, the results of the study are expected to add to the body of knowledge on how to structure asynchronous online discourse assignments for more effective student learning

Fast Ray Tracing of Lunar Digital Elevation Models

Ray-tracing (RT) of Lunar Digital Elevation Models (DEM)'s is performed to virtually derive the degree of radiation incident to terrain as a function of time, orbital and ephemeris constraints [I- 4]. This process is an integral modeling process in lunar polar research and exploration due to the present paucity of terrain information at the poles and mission planning activities for the anticipated spring 2009 launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). As part of the Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) and Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) preparations RI methods are used to estimate the critical conditions presented by the combined effects of high latitude, terrain and the moons low obliquity [5-7]. These factors yield low incident solar illumination and subsequently extreme thermal, and radiation conditions. The presented research uses RT methods both for radiation transport modeling in space and regolith related research as well as to derive permanently shadowed regions (PSR)'s in high latitude topographic minima, e.g craters. These regions are of scientific and human exploration interest due to the near constant low temperatures in PSRs, inferred to be < 100 K. Hydrogen is thought to have accumulated in PSR's through the combined effects of periodic cometary bombardment and/or solar wind processes, and the extreme cold which minimizes hydrogen sublimation [8-9]. RT methods are also of use in surface position optimization for future illumination dependent on surface resources e.g. power and communications equipment

Thermodynamic and structural aspects of the potential energy surface of simulated water

Relations between the thermodynamics and dynamics of supercooled liquids approaching a glass transition have been proposed over many years. The potential energy surface of model liquids has been increasingly studied since it provides a connection between the configurational component of the partition function on one hand, and the system dynamics on the other. This connection is most obvious at low temperatures, where the motion of the system can be partitioned into vibrations within a basin of attraction and infrequent inter-basin transitions. In this work, we present a description of the potential energy surface properties of supercooled liquid water. The dynamics of this model has been studied in great details in the last years. Specifically, we locate the minima sampled by the liquid by ``quenches'' from equilibrium configurations generated via molecular dynamics simulations. We calculate the temperature and density dependence of the basin energy, degeneracy, and shape. The temperature dependence of the energy of the minima is qualitatively similar to simple liquids, but has anomalous density dependence. The unusual density dependence is also reflected in the configurational entropy, the thermodynamic measure of degeneracy. Finally, we study the structure of simulated water at the minima, which provides insight on the progressive tetrahedral ordering of the liquid on cooling