Ultrafast dynamics of a magnetic antivortex - Micromagnetic simulations

The antivortex is a fundamental magnetization structure which is the topological counterpart of the well-known magnetic vortex. We study here the ultrafast dynamic behavior of an isolated antivortex in a patterned Permalloy thin-film element. Using micromagnetic simulations we predict that the antivortex response to an ultrashort external field pulse is characterized by the production of a new antivortex as well as of a temporary vortex, followed by an annihilation process. These processes are complementary to the recently reported response of a vortex and, like for the vortex, lead to the reversal of the orientation of the antivortex core region. In addition to its fundamental interest, this dynamic magnetization process could be used for the generation and propagation of spin waves for novel logical circuits.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. To be published in Physical Review B (R

Parker-Jeans Instability of Gaseous Disks Including the Effect of Cosmic Rays

We use linear analysis to examine the effect of cosmic rays (CRs) on the Parker-Jeans instability of magnetized self-gravitating gaseous disks. We adopt a slab equilibrium model in which the gravity (including self-gravity) is perpendicular to the mid-plane, the magnetic field lies along the slab. CR is described as a fluid and only along magnetic field lines diffusion is considered. The linearised equations are solved numerically. The system is susceptible to Parker-Jeans instability. In general the system is less unstable when the CR diffusion coefficient is smaller (i.e., the coupling between the CRs and plasma is stronger). The system is also less unstable if CR pressure is larger. This is a reminiscence of the fact that Jeans instability and Parker instability are less unstable when the gas pressure is larger (or temperature is higher). Moreover, for large CR diffusion coefficient (or small CR pressure), perturbations parallel to the magnetic field are more unstable than those perpendicular to it. The other governing factor on the growth rate of the perturbations in different directions is the thickness of the disk or the strength of the external pressure on the disk. In fact, this is the determining factor in some parameter regimes.Comment: 19pages, 14figures submitted to Ap

By protecting against cutaneous inflammation, epidermal pigmentation provided an additional advantage for ancestral humans.

Pigmentation evolved in ancestral humans to protect against toxic, ultraviolet B irradiation, but the question remains: "what is being protected?" Because humans with dark pigmentation display a suite of superior epidermal functions in comparison with their more lightly pigmented counterparts, we hypothesized and provided evidence that dark pigmentation evolved in Africa to support cutaneous function. Because our prior clinical studies also showed that a restoration of a competent barrier dampens cutaneous inflammation, we hypothesized that resistance to inflammation could have provided pigmented hominins with yet another, important evolutionary benefit. We addressed this issue here in two closely related strains of hairless mice, endowed with either moderate (Skh2/J) or absent (Skh1) pigmentation. In these models, we showed that (a) pigmented mice display a markedly reduced propensity to develop inflammation after challenges with either a topical irritant or allergen in comparison with their nonpigmented counterparts; (b) visible and histologic evidence of inflammation was paralleled by reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-1α and INFα); (c) because depigmentation of Skh2/J mouse skin enhanced both visible inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels after comparable pro-inflammatory challenges, the reduced propensity to develop inflammation was directly linked to the presence of pigmentation; and (d) furthermore, in accordance with our prior work showing that pigment production endows benefits by reducing the surface pH of skin, acidification of albino (Skh1) mouse skin also protected against inflammation, and equalized cytokine levels to those found in pigmented skin. In summary, pigmentation yields a reduced propensity to develop inflammation, consistent with our hypothesis that dark pigmentation evolved in ancestral humans to provide a suite of barrier-linked benefits that now include resistance to inflammation

Topological structure of the many vortices solution in Jackiw-Pi model

We construct an M-solitons solutions in Jackiw-Pi model depends on 5M parameters(two positions, one scale, one phase per solition and one charge of each solution). By using \phi -mapping method, we discuss the topological structure of the self-duality solution in Jackiw-Pi model in terms of gauge potential decomposition. We set up relationship between Chern-Simons vortices solution and topological number which is determined by Hopf indices and and Brouwer degrees. We also give the quantization of flux in this case.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure

Performance Analysis in Strength Training: An Innovative Instrumentation

In strength training, the performance of the athletes varies according to different objectives of the training. In this study, the performance of the athlete in strength training is defined as the torque and power generated to lift given loads. Electromyography (EMG) is utilized during the performance assessment to prevent muscle injuries. Over the past few years, athletic and clinical testing on performance analysis and enhancement have traditionally taken place in the laboratory due to the low portability of the equipment. With the rapid development in electronics miniaturization, instrumentation for such data acquisition can be constructed in mini and micro scale. Miniaturized instrumentations are designed to be unobtrusive to athletes’ movement during performance analysis and enhancement. On the other hand, the correlation between muscle activity and real-time data for performance assessment is critical for coaches and physiologists. With the aid of a miniaturized system that can correlate the muscle activity with performance, fatigue, impulse and total energy expenditure, coaches and physiologists can plan the most suitable training for athletes to achieve higher performance. In conclusion, this study focuses on the miniaturized instrumentation for the analysis of athletes’ performance in strength training