3,870 research outputs found
Statistical Mechanics Analysis of the Continuous Number Partitioning Problem
The number partitioning problem consists of partitioning a sequence of
positive numbers into two disjoint sets, and
, such that the absolute value of the difference of the sums of
over the two sets is minimized. We use statistical mechanics tools to study
analytically the Linear Programming relaxation of this NP-complete integer
programming. In particular, we calculate the probability distribution of the
difference between the cardinalities of and and show that
this difference is not self-averaging.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figur
Concentration and temperature dependence of decomposition in supercooled liquid alloys
Silicon spin diffusion transistor: materials, physics and device characteristics
The realisation that eaveryday electronics has ignored the spin of the carrier in favour of its charge is the foundation of the field of spintronics. Starting with simple two-terminal devices based on GMR and tunnel magnetoresistance, the technology has advanced to consider three-terminal devices that aim to combine spin sensitivity with a high current gain and a large current output. These devices require both efficient spin injection and semiconductor fabrication. In this paper, a discussion is presented of the design, operation and characteristics of the only spin transistor that has yielded a current gain greater than one in combination with reasonable output current
Quality Assurance in Emergency Medicine - A Caribbean Perspective
Purpose
â Emergency medicine is a new specialty in the Caribbean. With the development of specialist training over the past 20 years, the issues of quality assurance and governance have become more prominent. The purpose of this paper is to explore the successes and challenges of implementing systems of quality assurance in this unique environment, highlighting issues peculiar to the Caribbean setting.
Design/methodology/approach
â This paper is a review of current practice in the emergency departments (ED) of the four major teaching hospitals of the University of the West Indies. Information was gathered through interviews with key stakeholders (including the respective ED residency directors, senior residents and senior nursing and administrative staff), review of departmental protocols and guidelines and reviews of current published and unpublished literature.
Findings
â Examples of good practice were identified in all six components of the clinical governance framework (clinical audit, clinical effectiveness, research and development, openness, risk management and education and training). Challenges to implementation of quality management included an underdeveloped quality culture, inadequate data collection, poor incentives for improvement and high external pressures, including staff shortages, departmental crowding and lack of public empowerment.
Originality/value
â This is the first published work on clinical governance and quality assurance in emergency medicine in the Caribbean. This paper gives an insight into the unique opportunities and challenges in the area of quality management and clinical governance in the developing world, and suggests ways forward with regard to more effective implementation of quality initiatives in under-resourced jurisdictions
Validation of spallation neutron production and propagation within Geant4
Using simulations to understand backgrounds from muon-induced neutrons is
important in designing next-generation low-background underground experiments.
Validation of relevant physics within the Geant4 simulation package has been
completed by comparing to data from two recent experiments. Verification
focused on the production and propagation of neutrons at energies important to
underground experiments. Discrepancies were observed between experimental data
and the simulation. Techniques were explored to correct for these
discrepancies.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, 5 tables, submitted to NIM A. 6 Aug 200
Response to comments on âA numerical method to determine interdiffusion coefficients of Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn intermetallic compoundsâ
Comments have recently been made by Yuan et al. [1] to deny one statement in our paper [2], Eq. (21) in Wagner's paper [3] can be used to accurately calculate the integrated interdiffusion coefficient for an incremental diffusion couple only under the assumption of constant Molar volume for all phases. We respond here to explain how they misunderstood our mathematical deduction, made a mistake in deriving a couple of equations, falsely cited our work and employed unjustifiable assumption. As a result, we believe that their comments are invalid to deny our statement
Alpha Backgrounds for HPGe Detectors in Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Experiments
The Majorana Experiment will use arrays of enriched HPGe detectors to search
for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of 76Ge. Such a decay, if found, would
show lepton-number violation and confirm the Majorana nature of the neutrino.
Searches for such rare events are hindered by obscuring backgrounds which must
be understood and mitigated as much as possible. A potentially important
background contribution to this and other double-beta decay experiments could
come from decays of alpha-emitting isotopes in the 232Th and 238U decay chains
on or near the surfaces of the detectors. An alpha particle emitted external to
an HPGe crystal can lose energy before entering the active region of the
detector, either in some external-bulk material or within the dead region of
the crystal. The measured energy of the event will only correspond to a partial
amount of the total kinetic energy of the alpha and might obscure the signal
from neutrinoless double-beta decay. A test stand was built and measurements
were performed to quantitatively assess this background. We present results
from these measurements and compare them to simulations using Geant4. These
results are then used to measure the alpha backgrounds in an underground
detector in situ. We also make estimates of surface contamination tolerances
for double-beta decay experiments using solid-state detectors.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figures, submitted to NIM
Multidecadal variability of potential temperature, salinity, and transport in the eastern subpolar North Atlantic
The Extended Ellett Line (EEL) hydrographic section extends from Scotland to Iceland crossing the Rockall Trough, Hatton-Rockall Basin and Iceland Basin. With 61 full-depth stations at a horizontal resolution of 10 to 50 km, the EEL samples the upper limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation flowing across the Iceland-Scotland Ridge into the Nordic Seas. The Rockall Trough has been sampled nearly four times per year from 1975 to 1996, and the full section annually since 1996. The EEL is an exceptionally long timeseries of deep-ocean temperatures and salinities. This study extends prior work in the Rockall Trough, and examines for the first time 18 year records in the Iceland and Hatton-Rockall Basins. We quantify errors in the timeseries from two sources: observational errors and aliasing. The data quality and annual sampling are suitable for observing interannual to decadal variability because the variability exceeds our error estimates. The upper waters of all 3 basins are cooler/fresher from 1997 to 2001, warmer/more saline 2001 to 2006, and cooler/fresher from 2006 to 2014. A reference level for geostrophic shear is developed heuristically and by comparison with sea-surface altimetry. The mean northward transport in the upper waters is 6.7±3.7 Sv and there is a 6.1±2.5 Sv southward flow below the thermocline. Although the magnitude of the Iceland Basin overturning circulation (4.3±1.9 Sv) is greater than in the Rockall Trough (3.0±3.7 Sv), the variability is greater in the Rockall Trough. We discuss the results in the context of our understanding of drivers of variability
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