5,761 research outputs found
Flux Noise in MgB2 Thin Films
We have performed flux noise and AC-susceptibility measurements on two 400 nm
thick MgB films. Both measurement techniques give information about the
vortex dynamics in the sample, and hence the superconducting transition, and
can be linked to each other through the fluctuation-dissipation-theorem. The
transition widths for the two films are 0.3 and 0.8 K, respectively, and the
transitions show a multi step-like behavior in the AC-susceptibility
measurements. The same phenomenon is observed in the flux noise measurements
through a change in the frequency dependence of the spectral density at each
step in the transition. The results are discussed and interpreted in terms of
vortices carrying an arbitrary fraction of a flux quantum as well as in terms
of different macroscopic regions in the films having slightly different
compositions, and hence, different critical temperatures.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, conference contribution to "Fluctuations and
Noise", Santa Fe, New mexico 1-4 june 200
Growth of superconducting MgB2 thin films via postannealing techniques
We report the effect of annealing on the superconductivity of MgB2 thin films
as functions of the postannealing temperature in the range from 700 C to 950 C
and of the postannealing time in the range from 30 min to 120 min. On annealing
at 900 C for 30 min, we obtained the best-quality MgB2 films with a transition
temperature of 39 K and a critical current density of ~ 10^7 A/cm^2. Using the
scanning electron microscopy, we also investigated the film growth mechanism.
The samples annealed at higher temperatures showed the larger grain sizes,
well-aligned crystal structures with preferential orientations along the
c-axis, and smooth surface morphologies. However, a longer annealing time
prevented the alignment of grains and reduced the superconductivity, indicating
a strong interfacial reaction between the substrate and the MgB2 film.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures include
Interobserver Reliability of Tongue Diagnosis Using Traditional Korean Medicine for Stroke Patients
Observation of the tongue, also known as tongue diagnosis, is an important procedure in diagnosis by inspection in Traditional Korean medicine (TKM). We investigated the reliability of TKM tongue diagnosis in stroke patients by evaluating interobserver reliability regarding tongue indicators as part of the project named the Fundamental Study for the Standardization and Objectification of Pattern Identification in TKM for Stroke (SOPI-Stroke). A total of 658 patients with stroke admitted to 9 oriental medical university hospitals participated. Each patient was independently seen by two experts from the same department for an examination of the status of the tongue. Interobserver agreement about subjects regarding pattern identification with the same opinion between the raters (n = 451) was generally high, ranging from “moderate” to “excellent”. Interobserver agreement was nearly perfect for certain signs of special tongue appearance (mirror, spotted, and bluish purple), poor for one of the tongue colors (pale) and moderate for others. Clinicians displayed measurable agreement regarding tongue indicators via both observation and pattern identification consistency. However, interobserver reliability regarding tongue color and fur quality was relatively low. Therefore, it is necessary to improve objectivity and reproducibility of tongue diagnosis through the development of detail-oriented criteria and enhanced training of clinicians
Optimal Harvesting for an Age-Spatial-Structured Population Dynamic Model with External Mortality
We study an optimal harvesting for a nonlinear age-spatial-structured population dynamic model, where the dynamic system contains an external mortality rate depending on the total population size. The total mortality consists of two types: the natural, and external mortality and the external mortality reflects the effects of external environmental causes. We prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions for the population dynamic model. We also derive a sufficient condition for optimal harvesting and some necessary conditions for optimality in an optimal control problem relating to the population dynamic model. The results may be applied to an optimal harvesting for some realistic biological models
Genetic Association of NPY Gene Polymorphisms with Dampness-Phlegm Pattern in Korean Stroke Patients
Neuropeptide Y (NPY), which is widely expressed in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, has an important role in a variety of biological fields. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of NPY polymorphisms in dampness-phlegm pattern and non-dampness-phlegm pattern in elderly Korean subjects with cerebral infarction (CI). A total of 1.097 subjects (498 normal subjects and 599 CI patients, including 198 with dampness-phlegm pattern and 401 with non-dampness-phlegm pattern) participated in this study. Genotyping for five SNPs (G-1484A, C-1471T, C-399T, A1201G, and C5325T) was conducted by primer extension. The results were statistically analyzed for genetic association of NPY-polymorphisms with normal versus dampness-phlegm pattern or non-dampness-phlegm pattern subjects. Among the five SNPs tested, the T allele of C-399T has a negative association with the dampness-phlegm pattern and is marked by a decrease in serum cholesterol levels. Furthermore, serum cholesterol levels were significantly higher in dampness-phlegm pattern patients than in non-dampness-phlegm pattern patients.In this study, for the first time, the association of NPY polymorphisms with pattern identification (PI) of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) was analyzed in a large CI patient population
The Dendritic magnetic avalanches in carbon-free MgB thin films with and without a deposited Au layer
From the magneto optics images (MOI), the dendritic magnetic avalanche is
known to appear dominantly for thin films of the newly discovered MgB. To
clarify the origin of this phenomenon, we studied in detail the MOI of
carbon-free MgB thin films with and without a deposited gold layer. The MOI
indicated carbon contamination was not the main source of the avalanche. The
MOI clearly showed that the deposition of metallic gold deposition on top of a
MgB thin film improved its thermal stability and suppressed the sudden
appearance of the dendritic flux avalanche. This is consistent with the
previous observation of flux noise in the magnetization.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figeure
The Spitzer c2d Survey of Nearby Dense Cores. V. Discovery of a VeLLO in the "Starless" Dense Core L328
This paper reports the discovery of a Very Low Luminosity Object (VeLLO) in
the "starless" dense core L328, using the Spitzer Space Telescope and ground
based observations from near-infrared to millimeter wavelengths. The Spitzer 8
micron image indicates that L328 consists of three subcores of which the
smallest one may harbor a source, L328-IRS while two other subcores remain
starless. L328-IRS is a Class 0 protostar according to its bolometric
temperature (44 K) and the high fraction ~72 % of its luminosity emitted at
sub-millimeter wavelengths. Its inferred "internal luminosity" (0.04 - 0.06
Lsun) using a radiative transfer model under the most plausible assumption of
its distance as 200 pc is much fainter than for a typical protostar, and even
fainter than other VeLLOs studied previously. Note, however, that its inferred
luminosity may be uncertain by a factor of 2-3 if we consider two extreme
values of the distance of L328-IRS (125 or 310 pc). Low angular resolution
observations of CO do not show any clear evidence of a molecular outflow
activity. But broad line widths toward L328, and Spitzer and near-infrared
images showing nebulosity possibly tracing an outflow cavity, strongly suggest
the existence of outflow activity. Provided that an envelope of at most ~0.1
Msunis the only mass accretion reservoir for L328-IRS, and the star formation
efficiency is close to the canonical value ~30%, L328-IRS has not yet accreted
more than 0.05 Msun. At the assumed distance of 200 pc, L328-IRS is destined to
be a brown dwarf.Comment: 29 pages, 8 figures, 1 table, to be published in Astrophysical
Journa
- …