3,607 research outputs found
Self-field effects upon the critical current density of flat superconducting strips
We develop a general theory to account self-consistently for self-field
effects upon the average transport critical current density Jc of a flat
type-II superconducting strip in the mixed state when the bulk pinning is
characterized by a field-dependent depinning critical current density Jp(B),
where B is the local magnetic flux density. We first consider the possibility
of both bulk and edge-pinning contributions but conclude that bulk pinning
dominates over geometrical edge-barrier effects in state-of-the-art YBCO films
and prototype second-generation coated conductors. We apply our theory using
the Kim model, JpK(B) = JpK(0)/(1+|B|/B0), as an example. We calculate Jc(Ba)
as a function of a perpendicular applied magnetic induction Ba and show how
Jc(Ba) is related to JpK(B). We find that Jc(Ba) is very nearly equal to
JpK(Ba) when Ba > Ba*, where Ba* is the value of Ba that makes the net flux
density zero at the strip's edge. However, Jc(Ba) is suppressed relative to
JpK(Ba) at low fields when Ba < Ba*, with the largest suppression occurring
when Ba*/B0 is of order unity or larger.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, minor revisions to add four reference
Are they ‘worth their weight in gold’? Sport for older adults: benefits and barriers of their participation for sporting organisations
The ageing global population has led to an increased focus on health for older adults. However, older adults have not been a specific priority for some sporting organisations (SOs). Thus, there is an emerging opportunity for this age group to be considered within international sport policy. The aim of this study was to understand the benefits and barriers that SOs encounter when engaging older adults. Eight focus group interviews (n = 49) were held with representatives of Australian national sporting organisations (NSOs), and older adults who were either sport club or non-sport club members. The socioecological model domains, interpersonal, organisational and policy, were used as a framework for thematic analysis, and organisational capacity building concepts were utilised to explain the findings. Common perceived benefits included interpersonal benefits (intergenerational opportunities and role models) and organisational benefits (volunteering, financial contributions and maximised facility usage) for engaging older adults. Common perceived barriers included interpersonal barriers (competing priorities and perceived societal expectations), organisational barriers (lack of appropriate playing opportunities, lack of facility access and lack of club capacity) and policy barriers (strategic organisational focus on children and elite sport and risk management). Whilst participation in sport is not common for older adults, their involvement can be invaluable for sport clubs. It is not anticipated that any policy focus on older adults will significantly increase active participation for this age group. However, any increase in older adults’ sport participation either through actively playing, supporting family and friends and/or volunteering will contribute to the positive health of individuals, sport clubs and the community.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio
A microfabricated sensor for thin dielectric layers
We describe a sensor for the measurement of thin dielectric layers capable of
operation in a variety of environments. The sensor is obtained by
microfabricating a capacitor with interleaved aluminum fingers, exposed to the
dielectric to be measured. In particular, the device can measure thin layers of
solid frozen from a liquid or gaseous medium. Sensitivity to single atomic
layers is achievable in many configurations and, by utilizing fast, high
sensitivity capacitance read out in a feedback system onto environmental
parameters, coatings of few layers can be dynamically maintained. We discuss
the design, read out and calibration of several versions of the device
optimized in different ways. We specifically dwell on the case in which
atomically thin solid xenon layers are grown and stabilized, in cryogenic
conditions, from a liquid xenon bath
A simple radionuclide-driven single-ion source
We describe a source capable of producing single barium ions through nuclear
recoils in radioactive decay. The source is fabricated by electroplating 148Gd
onto a silicon {\alpha}-particle detector and vapor depositing a layer of BaF2
over it. 144Sm recoils from the alpha decay of 148Gd are used to dislodge Ba+
ions from the BaF2 layer and emit them in the surrounding environment. The
simultaneous detection of an {\alpha} particle in the substrate detector allows
for tagging of the nuclear decay and of the Ba+ emission. The source is simple,
durable, and can be manipulated and used in different environments. We discuss
the fabrication process, which can be easily adapted to emit most other
chemical species, and the performance of the source
Observation of single collisionally cooled trapped ions in a buffer gas
Individual Ba ions are trapped in a gas-filled linear ion trap and observed
with a high signal-to-noise ratio by resonance fluorescence. Single-ion storage
times of ~5 min (~1 min) are achieved using He (Ar) as a buffer gas at
pressures in the range 8e-5 - 4e-3 torr. Trap dynamics in buffer gases are
experimentally studied in the simple case of single ions. In particular, the
cooling effects of light gases such as He and Ar and the destabilizing
properties of heavier gases such as Xe are studied. A simple model is offered
to explain the observed phenomenology.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. A. Minor
text and figure change
The transformative potential of reflective diaries for elite English cricketers
The sport of cricket has a history of its players suffering from mental health issues. The psychological study of cricket and, in particular, the attendant demands of participating at an elite level has not previously received rigorous academic attention. This study explored ten elite male cricketers’ experiences of keeping a daily reflective diary for one month during the competitive season. The aim was to assess how valuable qualitative diaries are in this field. Participants were interviewed regarding their appraisal of the methodology as a self‐help tool that could assist coping with performance pressures and wider life challenges. Three outcomes were revealed: first, that diary keeping was an effective opportunity to reflect upon the past and enhance one’s self (both as an individual and a performer); second, that diary keeping acted as a form of release that allowed participants to progress; and third, that diary keeping allowed participants to discover personal patterns of success that increased the likeliness of optimum performance
Creativity and Autonomy in Swarm Intelligence Systems
This work introduces two swarm intelligence algorithms -- one mimicking the behaviour of one species of ants (\emph{Leptothorax acervorum}) foraging (a `Stochastic Diffusion Search', SDS) and the other algorithm mimicking the behaviour of birds flocking (a `Particle Swarm Optimiser', PSO) -- and outlines a novel integration strategy exploiting the local search properties of the PSO with global SDS behaviour. The resulting hybrid algorithm is used to sketch novel drawings of an input image, exploliting an artistic tension between the local behaviour of the `birds flocking' - as they seek to follow the input sketch - and the global behaviour of the `ants foraging' - as they seek to encourage the flock to explore novel regions of the canvas. The paper concludes by exploring the putative `creativity' of this hybrid swarm system in the philosophical light of the `rhizome' and Deleuze's well known `Orchid and Wasp' metaphor
A linear RFQ ion trap for the Enriched Xenon Observatory
The design, construction, and performance of a linear radio-frequency ion
trap (RFQ) intended for use in the Enriched Xenon Observatory (EXO) are
described. EXO aims to detect the neutrinoless double-beta decay of Xe
to Ba. To suppress possible backgrounds EXO will complement the
measurement of decay energy and, to some extent, topology of candidate events
in a Xe filled detector with the identification of the daughter nucleus
(Ba). The ion trap described here is capable of accepting, cooling, and
confining individual Ba ions extracted from the site of the candidate
double-beta decay event. A single trapped ion can then be identified, with a
large signal-to-noise ratio, via laser spectroscopy.Comment: 18 pages, pdflatex, submitted to NIM
Search for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay in Xe with EXO-200
We report on a search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of Xe with
EXO-200. No signal is observed for an exposure of 32.5 kg-yr, with a background
of ~1.5 x 10^{-3} /(kg yr keV) in the region of interest. This
sets a lower limit on the half-life of the neutrinoless double-beta decay
(Xe) > 1.6 x 10 yr (90% CL),
corresponding to effective Majorana masses of less than 140-380 meV, depending
on the matrix element calculation
Yoga and pilates in the management of low back pain
Many interventions for the management of low back pain exist, however most have modest efficacy at best, and there are few with clearly demonstrated benefits once pain becomes chronic. Therapeutic exercise, on the other hand, does appear to have significant benefits for managing patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) in terms of decreasing pain and improving function. In addition, because chronic pain is complex and does not fit a simple model, there have also been numerous trials investigating and demonstrating the efficacy of multidisciplinary pain programs for CLBP. It follows that interventions that treat more than one aspect of LBP would have significant benefits for this patient population. Yoga and Pilates which have, both been gaining in popularity over the last decade are two mind–body exercise interventions that address both the physical and mental aspects of pain with core strengthening, flexibility, and relaxation. There has been a slow evolution of these nontraditional exercise regimens into treatment paradigms for LBP, although few studies examining their effects have been published. The following article will focus on the scientific and theoretical basis of using yoga and Pilates in the management of CLBP
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