Transition metal ion ensembles in crystals as solid-state coherent spin-photon interfaces: The case of nickel in magnesium oxide

We present general guidelines for finding solid-state systems that could serve as coherent electron spin-photon interfaces even at relatively high temperatures, where phonons are abundant but cooling is easier, and show that transition metal ions in various crystals could comply with these guidelines. As an illustrative example, we focus on divalent nickel ions in magnesium oxide. We perform electron spin resonance spectroscopy and polarization-sensitive magneto-optical fluorescence spectroscopy of a dense ensemble of these ions and find that (i) the ground-state electron spin stays coherent at liquid-helium temperatures for several microseconds, and (ii) there exists energetically well-isolated excited states which can couple to two ground state spin sub-levels via optical transitions of orthogonal polarizations. The latter implies that fast, coherent optical control over the electron spin is possible. We then propose schemes for optical initialization and control of the ground-state electron spin using polarized optical pulses, as well as two schemes for implementing a noise-free, broadband quantum-optical memory at near-telecom wavelengths in this material system.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figures. Revised versio

Sound symbolism in synesthesia: evidence from a lexical-gustatory synesthete

Synesthesia is a condition in which perceptual or cognitive stimuli (e.g., a written letter) trigger atypical additional percepts (e.g., the color yellow). Although these cross-modal pairings appear idiosyncratic in that they superficially differ from synesthete to synesthete, underlying patterns do exist and these can, in some circumstances, reflect the cross-modal intuitions of nonsynesthetes (e.g., higher pitch sounds tend to be "seen" in lighter colors by synesthetes and are also paired to lighter colors by nonsynesthetes in cross-modal matching tasks). We recently showed that grapheme-color synesthetes are more sensitive to sound symbolism (i.e., cross-modal sound-meaning correspondences) in natural language compared to nonsynesthetes. Accordingly, we hypothesize that sound symbolism may be a guiding force in synesthesia to dictate what types of synesthetic experiences are triggered by words. We tested this hypothesis by examining the cross-modal mappings of lexical-gustatory synesthete, JIW, for whom words trigger flavor experiences. We show that certain phonological features (e.g., front vowels) systematically trigger particular categories of taste (e.g., bitter) in his synesthesia. Some of these associations agree with sound symbolic patterns in natural language. This supports the view that synesthesia may be an exaggeration of cross-modal associations found in the general population and that sound symbolic properties of language may arise from similar mechanisms as those found in synesthesia

Dimensions of professional competences for interventions towards sustainability

This paper investigates sustainability competences through the eyes of professional practitioners in the field of sustainability and presents empirical data that have been created using an action research approach. The design of the study consists of two workshops, in which professional practitioners in interaction with each other and the facilitators are invited to explore and reflect on the specific knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours necessary to conduct change processes successfully towards sustainability in a variety of business and professional contexts. The research focuses on the competences associated with these change processes to devise, propose and conduct appropriate interventions that address sustainability issues. Labelled ‘intervention competence’, this ability comprises an interlocking set of knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours that include: appreciating the importance of (trying to) reaching decisions or interventions; being able to learn from lived experience of practice and to connect such learning to one’s own scientific knowledge; being able to engage in political-strategic thinking, deliberations and actions, related to different perspectives; the ability for showing goal-oriented, adequate action; adopting and communicating ethical practices during the intervention process; being able to cope with the degree of complexity, and finally being able to translate stakeholder diversity into collectively produced interventions (actions) towards sustainability. Moreover, this competence has to be practised in contexts of competing values, non-technical interests and power relations. The article concludes with recommendations for future research and practice

Point-Form Analysis of Elastic Deuteron Form Factors

Point-form relativistic quantum mechanics is applied to elastic electron-deuteron scattering. The deuteron is modeled using relativistic interactions that are scattering-equivalent to the nonrelativistic Argonne $v_{18}$ and Reid '93 interactions. A point-form spectator approximation (PFSA) is introduced to define a conserved covariant current in terms of single-nucleon form factors. The PFSA is shown to provide an accurate description of data up to momentum transfers of 0.5 ${\rm GeV}^2$, but falls below the data at higher momentum transfers. Results are sensitive to the nucleon form factor parameterization chosen, particularly to the neutron electric form factor.Comment: RevTex, 31 pages, 1 table, 13 figure

Behavioral determinants as predictors of return to work after long-term sickness absence: an application of the theory of planned behavior

Background The aim of this prospective, longitudinal cohort study was to analyze the association between the three behavioral determinants of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) model-attitude, subjective norm and self-efficacy-and the time to return-to-work (RTW) in employees on long-term sick leave. Methods The study was based on a sample of 926 employees on sickness absence (maximum duration of 12 weeks). The employees filled out a baseline questionnaire and were subsequently followed until the tenth month after listing sick. The TPB-determinants were measured at baseline. Work attitude was measured with a Dutch language version of the Work Involvement Scale. Subjective norm was measured with a self-structured scale reflecting a person's perception of social support and social pressure. Self-efficacy was measured with the three subscales of a standardised Dutch version of the general self-efficacy scale (ALCOS): willingness to expend effort in completing the behavior, persistence in the face of adversity, and willingness to initiate behavior. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to identify behavioral determinants of the time to RTW. Results Median time to RTW was 160 days. In the univariate analysis, all potential prognostic factors were significantly associated (P < 0.15) with time to RTW: work attitude, social support, and the three subscales of self-efficacy. The final multivariate model with time to RTW as the predicted outcome included work attitude, social support and willingness to expend effort in completing the behavior as significant predictive factors. Conclusions This prospective, longitudinal cohort-study showed that work attitude, social support and willingness to expend effort in completing the behavior are significantly associated with a shorter time to RTW in employees on long-term sickness absence. This provides suggestive evidence for the relevance of behavioral characteristics in the prediction of duration of sickness absence. It may be a promising approach to address the behavioral determinants in the development of interventions focusing on RTW in employees on long-term sick leave

The connection of the encephalopathy heaviness and protein S100 in sepsis

The aim of this study was to estimate the connection of the encephalopathy heaviness and protein S100 in septic patients. 35 patients with sepsis were included in this study. All patients were divided in two groups by using CAM-ICU method and RAAS scale: hyperactive and hypoactive delirium. Scale's estimation and Protein S100 investigation were made in 1 ,3 ,7 ,21days. Marked differences between protein S100 level in patients with hyperactive and hypoactive delirium were revealed (0,171+0,07 mkg/l and 0,417+0,09 mkg/l accordingly, p<0,01). So, the clinical approach with division septic patients on hyperactive and hypoactive delirium, probably, has the pathophysiological bases and may be used for the detection of the heaviness of septic encephalopathy.С целью выяснения связи сывороточного уровня астроглиального протеина s100, используемого в качестве биомаркера тяжести поражения головного мозга, и степенью выраженности клинических проявлений септической энцефалопатии было обследовано 35 пациентов, разделенных с использованием метода CAM-ICU и шкалы RASS на группы гиперактивного и гипоактивного делирия. В каждой группе проводилось определение протеина s100 и оценка по шкале RASS на 1, 3,7,21 сутки заболевания. В результате исследования выяснено, что имеются достоверные различия в сывороточном уровне протеина s100 между группами гиперактивного и гипоактивного делирия (0,171+0,07 мкг/л и 0,417+0,09 мкг/л соответственно, р<0,01). Вероятно, что применение подхода разделения септической энцефалопатии на два подтипа на основе клинических проявлений имеет под собой патофизиологическую основу и может быть использовано для определения тяжести поражения головного мозга при сепсисе

Hemodynamics regulation and serum level of protein S100 in septic encephalopathy

То study autonomous regulation of septic encephalopathy hemodynamics 35 septic patients were engaged. They were subdivided into two groups (hyperactive and hypoactive delirium) by way of CAM-ICU to diagnose delirium presents/absence and further estimation according to RASS scale. Mental status was estimated (by way of CAM-ICU and RASS) in certain checkpoint as well as laboratories data and hemodynamic parameters. Analyzing hemodynamics the most strongly pronounced distinction was revealed in pulsation peripheral blood vessels parameters. There were marked difference between serum levels of protein S100. The normal serum level of protein S100 was not revealed in any patient. Thus, early manifestation of hypoactive delirium septic encephalopathy is combined with marked malfunction of hemodynamics central regulation reveal grave sepsis and foretell unfavorable prognosis for a disease.С целью изучения автономной регуляции гемодинамики при септической энцефалопатии в исследование было включено 35 пациентов с установленным сепсисом. Они были разделены на 2 группы (гиперактивный и гипоактивный делирий) посредством применения метода CAM-ICU для диагностики наличия/отсутствия делирия с последующей оценкой по шкале RASS. В контрольные даты проводилась оценка психического статуса методом CAM-ICU и RASS, а также лабораторные исследования и оценка параметров гемодинамики. При анализе показателей гемодинамики наиболее яркие различия получены в параметрах, характеризующих пульсацию периферических сосудов. Имелись достоверные различия и при оценке сывороточного уровня протеина S100. При зтом нормальный уровень протеина S100 не был зафиксирован ни у одного из пациентов. Вывод: ранние проявления септической энцефалопатии по типу гипоактивного делирия сочетаются с выраженными нарушениями центральной регуляции гемодинамики, являются отражением тяжелого септического процесса и признаком неблагоприятного прогноза

Effects of boundary conditions on magnetization switching in kinetic Ising models of nanoscale ferromagnets

Magnetization switching in highly anisotropic single-domain ferromagnets has been previously shown to be qualitatively described by the droplet theory of metastable decay and simulations of two-dimensional kinetic Ising systems with periodic boundary conditions. In this article we consider the effects of boundary conditions on the switching phenomena. A rich range of behaviors is predicted by droplet theory: the specific mechanism by which switching occurs depends on the structure of the boundary, the particle size, the temperature, and the strength of the applied field. The theory predicts the existence of a peak in the switching field as a function of system size in both systems with periodic boundary conditions and in systems with boundaries. The size of the peak is strongly dependent on the boundary effects. It is generally reduced by open boundary conditions, and in some cases it disappears if the boundaries are too favorable towards nucleation. However, we also demonstrate conditions under which the peak remains discernible. This peak arises as a purely dynamic effect and is not related to the possible existence of multiple domains. We illustrate the predictions of droplet theory by Monte Carlo simulations of two-dimensional Ising systems with various system shapes and boundary conditions.Comment: RevTex, 48 pages, 13 figure