H - T phase diagram of YbCo2Si2 with H // [100]

We report on the first high-resolution dc-magnetisation ($M$) measurements on a single crystal of \ycs. $M$ was measured down to 0.05 K and in fields up to 12 T, with the magnetic field $H$ parallel to the crystallographic direction [100]. Two antiferromagnetic (AFM) phase transitions have been detected in a field $\mu_{0}H = 0.1$ T at $T_{N} = 1.75$ K and $T_{L} = 0.9$ K, in form of a sharp cusp and a sudden drop in $\chi = M/H$, respectively. These signatures suggest that the phase transitions are $2^{nd}$ order at $T_{N}$ and $1^{st}$ order at $T_{L}$. The upper transition is suppressed by a critical field $\mu_{0}H_{N} = 1.9$ T. The field-dependent magnetisation shows two hysteretic metamagnetic-like steps at the lowest temperature, followed by a sharp kink, which separates the AFM region from the paramagnetic one. The magnetic $H - T$ phase diagram of \ycs has been deduced from the isothermal and isofield curves. Four AFM regions were identified which are separated by $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ order phase-transition lines.Comment: 5 Pages, 3 figure

Identifying Demographic, Clinical, And Geographic Features Of Cervical Cancer Patients Presenting To A Multidisciplinary Team (mdt) Clinic In Gaborone, Botswana

In Botswana, cervical cancer is the most common cancer and leading cause of cancer death for females. The capital, Gaborone, houses the only gynecological cancer multi-disciplinary team (MDT) clinic in the country with the expertise and facilities able to provide standard of care for cervical cancer patients. Botswana, with a 20% prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is experiencing increasing morbidity and mortality from HIV/AIDS-related cancers, including cervical cancer). Data, resources, and interventions are needed to combat this growing cancer burden. For this dissertation, we abstracted social, biological, clinical, and geographic characteristics of cervical cancer patients presenting for treatment. First, we used logistic regression to investigate individual patient characteristics associated with tumor stage at presentation. We found the odds of having late-stage cervical cancer at presentation decreased with previous cervical cancer screening, whereas experiencing abnormal vaginal bleeding and never being married were associated with increased odds of late-stage cervical cancer. Second, we used geo-spatial methods to detect areas with high or low clustering of cervical cancer cases to identify sub-districts with disproportionate access to the MDT clinic. We identified five sub-districts with clustering, specifically highlighting sub-districts with disproportionately lower rates of cervical cancer cases presenting for care. Furthermore, we noted individual level predictors (HIV status and presence of abnormal vaginal bleeding) among patients living in areas with disproportionate rates. Third, we used multinomial logistic regression to study travel time from a patient’s residence to the MDT clinic and tumor stage at presentation. We found that increased travel time was associated with later stages of cervical cancer at presentation. Additionally, women with increased travel time to the MDT clinic were more likely to be living with HIV, suggesting HIV status may influence referral to and receipt of cervical cancer care. In conclusion, identifying individual, community, and geographic factors associated with late-stage diagnosis and areas with low access to comprehensive cervical cancer care can guide future studies and national health programs in developing strategies that target under-served areas with interventions to improve early detection of cervical cancer. These strategies will be key in controlling the emerging cervical cancer burden in Botswana

Magnetic phase diagram of YbCo2Si2 derived from magnetization measurements

We report on high-resolution dc-magnetization (M) measurements on a high-quality single crystal of YbCo2Si2. M was measured down to 0.05K and in fields up to 4T, with the magnetic field oriented along the crystallographic directions [100], [110] and [001] of the tetragonal structure

Controlled Noncontact Manipulation of Nonmagnetic Untethered Microbeads Orbiting Two-Tailed Soft Microrobot

A rotating two-tailed soft microrobot induces a frequency dependent flow-field in low Reynolds number fluids. We use this flow-field to achieve noncontact manipulation of nonmagnetic microbeads with average diameter of 30 μ m in 2-D space. Our noncontact manipulation strategy capitalizes on exerting a rotational magnetic torque on the magnetic dipole of the microrobot. The induced flow-field enables microbeads in the surrounding fluid to orbit the microrobot along a sprocketlike trajectory due to a periodic and asymmetric flow-field caused by the two tails. A hydrodynamic model of the two-tailed microrobot and the orbiting microbeads is developed based on the method of regularized Stokeslets for computing Stokes flows. The relations between the angular velocity of the orbiting microbeads and the rotation frequency of the microrobot, their proximity (p), and tail length ratio of the microrobots are studied theoretically and experimentally. Our simulations and experimental results show that the angular velocity of the orbiting microbeads decreases nearly as |p|-2 with the distance to the microrobot and its tail length ratio. We also demonstrate closed-loop control of the microbeads toward target positions along sprocketlike trajectories with an average position error of 23.1 ± 9.1 μ m (n=10), and show the ability to swim away without affecting the positioning accuracy after manipulation

Rethinking the Language Learner in the Post-method Era The Question of Identity

AbstractTaking into consideration the requirements of postmethod era which, according to Kumaravadivelu (2001), called for particular stances of language teachers towards the role of language learning theories in practice and putting the language learner within the frameworks of such theories as competition model, this paper attempts to verify and substantiate the claim that the language learner does not have a particular identity. This substantiation draws on two interrelated issues: (1) as people concerned with language education, teachers are responsible for practice which is mediated by different theories in the postmethod era, and (2) each theory allows for looking at the learner from one perspective according to which only partial understanding of the learner is within reach (only partial theoretical resource to pave the grounds for effective learning opportunities is available). Furthermore, since depending upon a particular theory there might be an understanding of the learner differnet from and sometimes even the opposite of that formed on the basis of another theory, and because in the postmethod era practice in general and moment by moment instances of practice in particular are quite likely to be subjected to opposing theories, it is concluded that the foreign language learner does not have a particular identity

Quantitative single-protein imaging reveals molecular complex formation of integrin, talin, and kindlin during cell adhesion

Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) enabling the investigation of individual proteins on molecular scales has revolutionized how biological processes are analysed in cells. However, a major limitation of imaging techniques reaching single-protein resolution is the incomplete and often unknown labeling and detection efficiency of the utilized molecular probes. As a result, fundamental processes such as complex formation of distinct molecular species cannot be reliably quantified. Here, we establish a super-resolution microscopy framework, called quantitative single-molecule colocalization analysis (qSMCL), which permits the identification of absolute molecular quantities and thus the investigation of molecular-scale processes inside cells. The method combines multiplexed single-protein resolution imaging, automated cluster detection, in silico data simulation procedures, and widely applicable experimental controls to determine absolute fractions and spatial coordinates of interacting species on a true molecular level, even in highly crowded subcellular structures. The first application of this framework allowed the identification of a long-sought ternary adhesion complex-consisting of talin, kindlin and active beta 1-integrin-that specifically forms in cell-matrix adhesion sites. Together, the experiments demonstrate that qSMCL allows an absolute quantification of multiplexed SMLM data and thus should be useful for investigating molecular mechanisms underlying numerous processes in cells. Single-molecule localisation microscopy is limited by low labeling and detection efficiencies of the molecular probes. Here the authors report a framework to obtain absolute molecular quantities on a true molecular scale; the data reveal a ternary adhesion complex underlying cell-matrix adhesion