0-pi Josephson tunnel junctions with ferromagnetic barrier

We fabricated high quality Nb/Al_2O_3/Ni_{0.6}Cu_{0.4}/Nb superconductor-insulator-ferromagnet-superconductor Josephson tunnel junctions. Using a ferromagnetic layer with a step-like thickness, we obtain a 0-pi junction, with equal lengths and critical currents of 0 and pi parts. The ground state of our 330 microns (1.3 lambda_J) long junction corresponds to a spontaneous vortex of supercurrent pinned at the 0-pi step and carrying ~6.7% of the magnetic flux quantum Phi_0. The dependence of the critical current on the applied magnetic field shows a clear minimum in the vicinity of zero field.Comment: submitted to PR

Heavy-flavor hadro-production with heavy-quark masses renormalized in the MS‾{\overline{\rm MS}}, MSR and on-shell schemes

We present predictions for heavy-quark production at the Large Hadron Collider making use of the \msbar and MSR renormalization schemes for the heavy-quark mass as alternatives to the widely used on-shell renormalization scheme. We compute single and double differential distributions including QCD corrections at next-to-leading order and investigate the renormalization and factorization scale dependence as well as the perturbative convergence in these mass renormalization schemes. The implementation is based on publicly available programs, ${\texttt{MCFM}}$ and ${\texttt{xFitter}}$, extending their capabilities. Our results are applied to extract the top-quark mass using measurements of the total and differential $t\bar{t}$ production cross-sections and to investigate constraints on parton distribution functions, especially on the gluon distribution at low $x$ values, from available LHC data on heavy-flavor hadro-production.Comment: 47 pages, 20 figures, 5 table

High quality ferromagnetic 0 and pi Josephson tunnel junctions

We fabricated high quality \Nb/\Al_2\O_3/\Ni_{0.6}\Cu_{0.4}/\Nb superconductor-insulator-ferromagnet-superconductor Josephson tunnel junctions. Depending on the thickness of the ferromagnetic \Ni_{0.6}\Cu_{0.4} layer and on the ambient temperature, the junctions were in the 0 or $\pi$ ground state. All junctions have homogeneous interfaces showing almost perfect Fraunhofer patterns. The \Al_2\O_3 tunnel barrier allows to achieve rather low damping, which is desired for many experiments especially in the quantum domain. The McCumber parameter $\beta_c$ increases exponentially with decreasing temperature and reaches $\beta_c\approx700$ at $T=2.1 {\rm K}$. The critical current density in the $\pi$ state was up to $5\:\rm{A/cm^2}$ at $T=2.1 {\rm K}$, resulting in a Josephson penetration depth $\lambda_J$ as low as $160\:\rm{\mu m}$. Experimentally determined junction parameters are well described by theory taking into account spin-flip scattering in the \Ni_{0.6}\Cu_{0.4} layer and different transparencies of the interfaces.Comment: Changed content and Corrected typo

Magnetic interference patterns in 0-Pi SIFS Josephson junctions: effects of asymmetry between 0 and Pi regions

We present a detailed analysis of the dependence of the critical current I_c on the magnetic field B of 0, Pi, and 0-Pi superconductor-insulator-ferromagnet-superconductor Josephson junctions. I_c(B) of the 0 and Pi junction closely follows a Fraunhofer pattern, indicating a homogeneous critical current density j_c(x). The maximum of I_c(B) is slightly shifted along the field axis, pointing to a small remanent in-plane magnetization of the F-layer along the field axis. I_c(B) of the 0-Pi junction exhibits the characteristic central minimum. I_c however has a finite value here, due to an asymmetry of j_c in the 0 and Pi part. In addition, this I_c(B) exhibits asymmetric maxima and bumped minima. To explain these features in detail, flux penetration being different in the 0 part and the Pi part needs to be taken into account. We discuss this asymmetry in relation to the magnetic properties of the F-layer and the fabrication technique used to produce the 0-Pi junctions

Trapped electron coupled to superconducting devices

We propose to couple a trapped single electron to superconducting structures located at a variable distance from the electron. The electron is captured in a cryogenic Penning trap using electric fields and a static magnetic field in the Tesla range. Measurements on the electron will allow investigating the properties of the superconductor such as vortex structure, damping and decoherence. We propose to couple a superconducting microwave resonator to the electron in order to realize a circuit QED-like experiment, as well as to couple superconducting Josephson junctions or superconducting quantum interferometers (SQUIDs) to the electron. The electron may also be coupled to a vortex which is situated in a double well potential, realized by nearby pinning centers in the superconductor, acting as a quantum mechanical two level system that can be controlled by a transport current tilting the double well potential. When the vortex is trapped in the interferometer arms of a SQUID, this would allow its detection both by the SQUID and by the electron.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure

Changes in Menopausal Risk Factors in Early Postmenopausal Osteopenic Women After 13 Months of High-Intensity Exercise: The Randomized Controlled ACTLIFE-RCT.

The menopausal transition is a critical period in women’s lives. Exercise might be the most promising non-pharmaceutic intervention to address the large variety of risk factors related to the pronounced estradiol decline during peri- and early-postmenopause. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an 18-month multipurpose exercise program on risk factors and symptoms related to the menopausal transition. Fifty-four women 1– 5 years postmenopause with osteopenia or osteoporosis were randomly assigned 1) to a high impact weight-bearing/high-intensity/velocity resistance training group (EG: n=27) exercising three times a week or 2) to an attendance control group (CG: n=27) that performed low-intensity exercise once a week. Both groups were supplemented with cholecalciferol and calcium. The primary study endpoint was bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine (LS) and total hip, secondary outcomes were lean body mass (LBM), total and abdominal body percentage, metabolic syndrome Z-Score (MetS-Z), menopausal symptoms and muscle strength and power. Due to COVID-19, the study was stopped after 13 months. We observed significant effects for BMD-LS (EG: 0.002± .018 versus CG: − .009± 0.018 mg/cm2, p=0.027) but not for BMD total hip (EG: − 0.01± .016 versus CG: − .009± 0.020 mg/cm2, p=0.129). LBM improved significantly in the EG and decreased in the CG (0.39± 1.08 vs − 0.37± 1.34 kg, p=0.026). Total and abdominal body fat improved significantly in the EG and was maintained in the CG (− 1.44± 1.49 vs − 0.02± 1.55 kg, p=0.002 and -1.50± 2.33 vs 0.08± 2.07 kg, p=0.011). Significant effects in favor of the EG were also determined for menopausal symptoms (p=0.029), hip/leg extension strength (p< 0.001) and power (p< 0.001). However, changes of the MetS-Z did not differ significantly (p=0.149) between EG and CG. In summary, with minor exceptions, we demonstrated the effectiveness of a multipurpose exercise protocol dedicated to early-postmenopausal women on various risk factors and complaints related to the menopausal transition

The effects of lower-body compression garments on walking performance and perceived exertion in adults with CVD risk factors

Objectives Compression garments are used by athletes in attempts to enhance performance and recovery, although evidence to support their use is equivocal. Reducing the exertion experienced during exercise may encourage sedentary individuals to increase physical activity. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of compression garments on walking performance (self-paced and enforced pace) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) in adults who presented with two or more CVD risk factors. Participants (n = 15, 10 female, 58.9 ± 11.5 years, BMI 27.5 ± 4.5 kg m2) were recruited. Design A repeated measures design. Methods Participants were randomised to Modified Bruce Protocol (enforced pace), or the 6 min walk test (self-paced), and completed the test wearing compression garments or normal exercise clothes (Control). Outcome measures included stage completed, gross efficiency (%) and RPE in Modified Bruce Protocol, and distance walked (m) and RPE in 6 min walk test. Results In the Modified Bruce Protcol participants had a higher RPE (15.5 ± 2.5 vs 14.3 ± 2.2) and a lower efficiency (19.1 ± 5.9 vs 21.1 ± 6.7) in the compression garment condition compared with control, p < 0.05. In the 6 min walk test participants walked 9% less in the compression garment condition (p < 0.05) but did not have a lower RPE. Conclusions Compared with previous studies reporting enhanced or no effects of compression garments on performance or RPE, this study shows adverse effects of such clothing in untrained individuals with CVD risk factors. The mechanisms underlying this negative effect require further exploration. Use of garments designed for the athletic individuals may not be suitable for the wider population

Financial crises and the attainment of the SDGs: an adjusted multidimensional poverty approach

This paper analyses the impact of financial crises on the Sustainable Development Goal of eradicating poverty. To do so, we develop an adjusted Multidimensional Poverty Framework (MPF) that includes 15 indicators that span across key poverty aspects related to income, basic needs, health, education and the environment. We then use an econometric model that allows us to examine the impact of financial crises on these indicators in 150 countries over the period 1980–2015. Our analysis produces new estimates on the impact of financial crises on poverty’s multiple social, economic and environmental aspects and equally important captures dynamic linkages between these aspects. Thus, we offer a better understanding of the potential impact of current debt dynamics on Multidimensional Poverty and demonstrate the need to move beyond the boundaries of SDG1, if we are to meet the target of eradicating poverty. Our results indicate that the current financial distress experienced by many low-income countries may reverse the progress that has been made hitherto in reducing poverty. We find that financial crises are associated with an approximately 10% increase of extreme poor in low-income countries. The impact is even stronger in some other poverty aspects. For instance, crises are associated with an average decrease of government spending in education by 17.72% in low-income countries. The dynamic linkages between most of the Multidimensional Poverty indicators, warn of a negative domino effect on a number of SDGs related to poverty, if there is a financial crisis shock. To pre-empt such a domino effect, the specific SDG target 17.4 on attaining long-term debt sustainability through coordinated policies plays a key role and requires urgent attention by the international community

Characteristics of resistance training-based protocols in older adults with sarcopenic obesity: a scoping review of training procedure recommendations

Background: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a clinical and functional disease characterized by the coexistence of obesity and sarcopenia. Resistance training (RT) characteristics for older adults with sarcopenia or obesity are already well established in the scientific literature. Nonetheless, we still do not know how detailed the RT protocols are described for older adults with SO. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the characteristics of RT programs, including each of their variables, recommended for older adults with SO. Methods: This is a scoping review study that was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Reviews. The search was carried out until November 2022 in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, LILACS, Google Scholar, and medRxiv databases. The studies included SO diagnosis and RT as an intervention strategy. The RT variables analyzed were as follows: exercise selection, the volume of sets, the intensity of load, repetition cadence, rest interval between sets, and weekly frequency. Results: A total of 1,693 studies were identified. After applying the exclusion criteria, 15 studies were included in the final analysis. The duration of the RT intervention ranged from 8 to 24 weeks. All studies included full-body routines, with single/multi-joint exercises. Regarding the volume of sets, some studies fixed it in three sets, whereas others varied between one and three sets. The load was reported by repetition range and the weight lifted, elastic-band color/resistance, percentage of one repetition maximum, or perceived exertion scale. Repetition cadence was fixed in some studies, while it was self-selected between concentric and eccentric phases in others. The interval between sets of rest varied from 30 to 180 s. All studies reported progression overload during the interventions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio