Can low metallicity binaries avoid merging?

Rapid mass transfer in a binary system can drive the accreting star out of thermal equilibrium, causing it to expand. This can lead to a contact system, strong mass loss from the system and possibly merging of the two stars. In low metallicity stars the timescale for heat transport is shorter due to the lower opacity. The accreting star can therefore restore thermal equilibrium more quickly and possibly avoid contact. We investigate the effect of accretion onto main sequence stars with radiative envelopes with different metallicities. We find that a low metallicity (Z<0.001), 4 solar mass star can endure a 10 to 30 times higher accretion rate before it reaches a certain radius than a star at solar metallicity. This could imply that up to two times fewer systems come into contact during rapid mass transfer when we compare low metallicity. This factor is uncertain due to the unknown distribution of binary parameters and the dependence of the mass transfer timescale on metallicity. In a forthcoming paper we will present analytic fits to models of accreting stars at various metallicities intended for the use in population synthesis models.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of "First Stars III", Santa Fe, New Mexico, July 16-20, 2007, 3 pages, 2 figure

Reducing Benzodiazepine Use in the Treatment of Anxiety in a Community Mental Health Setting

Abstract Background and Significance: Anxiety Disorders affect nearly 18% of adult population annually (SAMHSA, 2013.) Per APA, (1990) & Ashton (1994), prescribers should limit use to short-term crisis or to prepare for therapy. Unintended consequences of benzodiazepines: abuse, dependence, compromised sobriety, withdrawal seizures, rebound anxiety (APA, 1990, p. 35) Purpose of pilot: To develop/ implement an evidence based pilot program using internet-based, CBT to taper benzos with minimal/no perceived participant distress. Theoretical Framework: The recovery model (Anthony, 1993). Project Design: Design. Pilot project using a one-group, pre-test, post-test model. Sample. Convenience sample of seven clients; (18 years old on long-term benzos) Setting. Urban community mental health center, 1,900+ adults Project Design: daily dosage of benzo recorded; administered GAD-7 for baseline score; provided with the tools and education to access tool; recorded active engagement in therapy; dose reduced by one-half pill every month; prescriber monitored client’s subjective experience; monitored use of tool. At conclusion: GAD-7 administered; current dosage of benzo recorded; use/non-use of web-based program recorded; recorded active engagement in therapy services. Evaluation: All participants reduced /discontinue benzos by end project; all demonstrated acceptable level of anxiety throughout pilot; no participants used tool offered Keywords: benzodiazepines, anxiety treatment, community mental healt

Probing the topological exciton condensate via Coulomb drag

The onset of exciton condensation in a topological insulator thin film was recently predicted. We calculate the critical temperature for this transition, taking into account screening effects. Furthermore, we show that the proximity to this transition can be probed by measuring the Coulomb drag resistivity between the surfaces of the thin film as a function of temperature. This resistivity shows an upturn upon approaching the exciton-condensed state.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Comparison of the Effects of Ice and 3.5% Menthol Gel on Blood Flow and Muscle Strength of the Lower Arm

Context: Soft-tissue injuries are commonly treated with ice or menthol gels. Few studies have compared the effects of these treatments on blood flow and muscle strength. Objective: To compare blood flow and muscle strength in the forearm after an application of ice or menthol gel or no treatment. Design: Repeated measures design in which blood-flow and muscle-strength data were collected from subjects under 3 treatment conditions. Setting: Exercise physiology laboratory. Participants: 17 healthy adults with no impediment to the blood flow or strength in their right arm, recruited through word of mouth. Intervention: Three separate treatment conditions were randomly applied topically to the right forearm: no treatment, 0.5 kg of ice, or 3.5 mL of 3.5% menthol gel. To avoid injury ice was only applied for 20 min. Main Outcome Measures: At each data-collection session blood flow (mL/min) of the right radial artery was determined at baseline before any treatment and then at 5, 10, 15, and 20 min after treatment using Doppler ultrasound. Muscle strength was assessed as maximum isokinetic flexion and extension of the wrist at 30°/s 20, 25, and 30 min after treatment. Results: The menthol gel reduced (–42%, P \u3c .05) blood flow in the radial artery 5 min after application but not at 10, 15, or 20 min after application. Ice reduced (–48%, P \u3c .05) blood flow in the radial artery only after 20 min of application. After 15 min of the control condition blood flow increased (83%, P \u3c .05) from baseline measures. After the removal of ice, wrist-extension strength did not increase per repeated strength assessment as it did during the control condition (9–11%, P \u3c .05) and menthol-gel intervention (8%, P \u3c .05). Conclusions: Menthol has a fast-acting, short-lived effect of reducing blood flow. Ice reduces blood flow after a prolonged duration. Muscle strength appears to be inhibited after ice application

Commemoration and Poppies: Cambridge, and Other American Battle Monuments Commission Cemeteries’ Mission on Anniversary Years

The English language does not have the words to describe something as powerful as this1 Around the beginning of August 2014, the grassy moat around the Tower of London became a field of red ceramic poppies to commemorate the centenary of World War I. As Remembrance Day (Veterans Day, in the United States) on November 11 approached, millions travelled from all over the London area, the country, and indeed the world, to view \u27Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red.\u27 This display became so popular that the Mayor of London, as well as the leaders of the three major political parties and many average citizens, petitioned for the display to remain in place even after Remembrance Day. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, in the nation where its native son John McCrea, the surgeon from Toronto who wrote the famous World War I poem, “In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,” immediately after the October 22, 2014 terrorist attack in Ottawa on Parliament, there was a push for the Royal Canadian Legion to start selling poppies earlier than normal for November 11 Remembrance Day (Yuen, 2014). While Remembrance Day is commemorated every year, 2014 took on heightened importance as the year was the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War One. Clarke and Eastgate (2011) found in their research that the “sense of anniversary” (40) added “to the cultural value” of visits to commemorative sites. The recent list of these anniversaries and commemorations is lengthy. In June 2014, the 70th anniversary of D-Day was celebrated. More recently, related Victory in Europe and “VJ” days were commemorated. Eight hundred years ago, the foundation of English law, the Magana Carta was signed. In 2015, the Queen visited the Runnymede site and major exhibits were on display around Britain. In addition, Belgium saw huge numbers of tourists for the June 2015 reenactment and associated ceremonies on the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. The Belgian city of Ieper (Ypres) sees an important contribution to its economy based on the daily “last post” ceremony at the Menin Gate which has seen even more attendees at the ceremony during the centenary. Visitors are often surprised at how many actually go to attend. Comments such as, “I was surprised by the number of people at the memorial. I arrived half an hour before the Last Call and there was a very large crowd already gathered at the memorial,” often appear on TripAdvisor in relationship to the Last Post ceremony