2,133 research outputs found

    Variational formulas of higher order mean curvatures

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    In this paper, we establish the first variational formula and its Euler-Lagrange equation for the total 2p2p-th mean curvature functional M2p\mathcal {M}_{2p} of a submanifold MnM^n in a general Riemannian manifold Nn+mN^{n+m} for p=0,1,...,[n2]p=0,1,...,[\frac{n}{2}]. As an example, we prove that closed complex submanifolds in complex projective spaces are critical points of the functional M2p\mathcal {M}_{2p}, called relatively 2p2p-minimal submanifolds, for all pp. At last, we discuss the relations between relatively 2p2p-minimal submanifolds and austere submanifolds in real space forms, as well as a special variational problem.Comment: 13 pages, to appear in SCIENCE CHINA Mathematics 201

    Randomized controlled trial of a good practice approach to treatment of childhood obesity in Malaysia: Malaysian childhood obesity treatment trial (MASCOT)

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    Context. Few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions for the treatment of childhood obesity have taken place outside the Western world. Aim. To test whether a good practice intervention for the treatment of childhood obesity would have a greater impact on weight status and other outcomes than a control condition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods. Assessor-blinded RCT of a treatment intervention in 107 obese 7- to 11-year olds. The intervention was relatively low intensity (8 hours contact over 26 weeks, group based), aiming to change child sedentary behavior, physical activity, and diet using behavior change counselling. Outcomes were measured at baseline and six months after the start of the intervention. Primary outcome was BMI z-score, other outcomes were weight change, health-related quality of life (Peds QL), objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior (Actigraph accelerometry over 5 days). Results. The intervention had no significant effect on BMI z score relative to control. Weight gain was reduced significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group (+1.5 kg vs. +3.5 kg, respectively, t-test p < 0.01). Changes in health-related quality of life and objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior favored the intervention group. Conclusions. Treatment was associated with reduced rate of weight gain, and improvements in physical activity and quality of life. More substantial benefits may require longer term and more intensive interventions which aim for more substantive lifestyle changes

    Rigidity of compact Riemannian spin Manifolds with Boundary

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    In this article, we prove new rigidity results for compact Riemannian spin manifolds with boundary whose scalar curvature is bounded from below by a non-positive constant. In particular, we obtain generalizations of a result of Hang-Wang \cite{hangwang1} based on a conjecture of Schroeder and Strake \cite{schroeder}.Comment: English version of "G\'eom\'etrie spinorielle extrins\`eque et rigidit\'es", Corollary 6 in Section 3 added, to appear in Letters Math. Phy

    Restricted and unrestricted Hartree-Fock calculations of conductance for a quantum point contact

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    Very short quantum wires (quantum contacts) exhibit a conductance structure at a value of conductance close to 0.7×2e2/h0.7 \times 2e^2/h. It is believed that the structure arises due to the electron-electron interaction, and it is also related to electron spin. However details of the mechanism of the structure are not quite clear. Previously we approached the problem within the restricted Hartree-Fock approximation. This calculation demonstrated a structure similar to that observed experimentally. In the present work we perform restricted and unrestricted Hartree-Fock calculations to analyze the validity of the approximations. We also consider dependence of the effect on the electron density in leads. The unrestricted Hartree-Fock method allows us to analyze trapping of the single electron within the contact. Such trapping would result in the Kondo model for the ``0.7 structure''. The present calculation confirms the spin-dependent bound state picture and does not confirm the Kondo model scenario.Comment: 6 pages, 9 figure

    Extreme sensitivity of the spin-splitting and 0.7 anomaly to confining potential in one-dimensional nanoelectronic devices

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    Quantum point contacts (QPCs) have shown promise as nanoscale spin-selective components for spintronic applications and are of fundamental interest in the study of electron many-body effects such as the 0.7 x 2e^2/h anomaly. We report on the dependence of the 1D Lande g-factor g* and 0.7 anomaly on electron density and confinement in QPCs with two different top-gate architectures. We obtain g* values up to 2.8 for the lowest 1D subband, significantly exceeding previous in-plane g-factor values in AlGaAs/GaAs QPCs, and approaching that in InGaAs/InP QPCs. We show that g* is highly sensitive to confinement potential, particularly for the lowest 1D subband. This suggests careful management of the QPC's confinement potential may enable the high g* desirable for spintronic applications without resorting to narrow-gap materials such as InAs or InSb. The 0.7 anomaly and zero-bias peak are also highly sensitive to confining potential, explaining the conflicting density dependencies of the 0.7 anomaly in the literature.Comment: 23 pages, 7 figure

    Skilful seasonal predictions of Summer European rainfal

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    This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from American Geophysical Union (AGU) via the DOI in this record.Year-to-year variability in Northern European summer rainfall has profound societal and economic impacts; however current seasonal forecast systems show no significant forecast skill. Here we show skilful predictions are possible (r~0.5, p80 members) are required for skilful predictions. This work is promising for the development of European summer rainfall climate services.This work was supported by the Joint DECC/Defra Met Office Hadley Centre Climate Programme (GA01101), the EU FP7 SPECS project. We acknowledge the E-OBS dataset from the EU-FP6 project ENSEMBLES (http://ensembles-eu.metoffice.com) and the data providers in the ECA&D project (http://www.ecad.eu). We also would like to thank Gerard van der Schrier and Else Van Den Besselaar for kindly providing us the pre-release E-OBS dataset version 'v16e' and further support. Model data used to create the figures are available from the authors upon request for academic use

    Cognitive Performance in Midlife Type 2 Diabetes: Results form the ENBIND Study

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    Aims: To establish the impact of uncomplicated type 2 diabetes on cognitive and neuropsychological performance in midlife. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of middle-aged adults with uncomplicated type 2 diabetes and a cohort of healthy control participants. General cognition was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test and neuropsychological assessment was undertaken using a detailed neuropsychological assessment battery. Results: A total of 152 participants (102 with type 2 diabetes and 50 controls) were recruited (mean age 52 ± 8 years, 51% women). Participants with midlife type 2 diabetes were more than twice as likely to make an error on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test [incidence rate ratio 2.44 (95% CI 1.54 to 3.87); P \u3c 0.001]. Further, type 2 diabetes was also associated with significantly lower memory composite score [β: −0.20 (95% CI −0.39 to −0.01); P = 0.04] and paired associates learning score [β: = −1.97 (95% CI −3.51, −0.43); P = 0.01] on the neuropsychological assessment battery following adjustment for age, sex, BMI, educational attainment and hypercholesterolaemia. Conclusions: Even in midlife, type 2 diabetes was associated with small but statistically significant cognitive decrements. These statistically significant decrements, whilst not clinically significant in terms of objective cognitive impairment, may have important implications in selecting out individuals most at risk of later cognitive decline for potential preventative interventions in midlife

    The Grizzly, September 29, 1978

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    Social changes open Fall term • Student Deans reorganized • Rebuck stresses individuality • News in brief: Lindback award presented to profs; Student dies suddenly; Miller heads Advance Ursinus; Women\u27s council meets; Fields speaks at VPI; Nine faculty appointed; Music director honored; New Alumni Secretary named • Ursinus middle class • Dr. Snyder, interim Dean • Letters to the editor: Damage policy questioned • Life on these American campuses • I. F. picnic: Let\u27s do it again • Good bands are available: Price shouldn\u27t be primary concern • Keith Moon: The life and death of The Who? • Richter welcomes frosh • USGA reports • Danforth fellowships offered • Portrait of the professor: Dr. Roger P. Staiger • Harriers open season • Football: Tough start • Sports profile: Dave Kennedy • Cross country looks strong • Football: Pre-season peek • Field hockeyhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1000/thumbnail.jp

    Antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals: results from the second point prevalence survey (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use, 2016 to 2017

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    Antimicrobial agents used to treat infections are life-saving. Overuse may result in more frequent adverse effects and emergence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. In 2016-17, we performed the second point-prevalence survey (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals. We included 1,209 hospitals and 310,755 patients in 28 of 31 European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries. The weighted prevalence of antimicrobial use in the EU/EEA was 30.5% (95% CI: 29.2-31.9%). The most common indication for prescribing antimicrobials was treatment of a community-acquired infection, followed by treatment of HAI and surgical prophylaxis. Over half (54.2%) of antimicrobials for surgical prophylaxis were prescribed for more than 1 day. The most common infections treated by antimicrobials were respiratory tract infections and the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents were penicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitors. There was wide variation of patients on antimicrobials, in the selection of antimicrobial agents and in antimicrobial stewardship resources and activities across the participating countries. The results of the PPS provide detailed information on antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals, enable comparisons between countries and hospitals, and highlight key areas for national and European action that will support efforts towards prudent use of antimicrobials

    ff-minimal surface and manifold with positive mm-Bakry-\'{E}mery Ricci curvature

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    In this paper, we first prove a compactness theorem for the space of closed embedded ff-minimal surfaces of fixed topology in a closed three-manifold with positive Bakry-\'{E}mery Ricci curvature. Then we give a Lichnerowicz type lower bound of the first eigenvalue of the ff-Laplacian on compact manifold with positive mm-Bakry-\'{E}mery Ricci curvature, and prove that the lower bound is achieved only if the manifold is isometric to the nn-shpere, or the nn-dimensional hemisphere. Finally, for compact manifold with positive mm-Bakry-\'{E}mery Ricci curvature and ff-mean convex boundary, we prove an upper bound for the distance function to the boundary, and the upper bound is achieved if only if the manifold is isometric to an Euclidean ball.Comment: 15 page
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