199 research outputs found
Nature of Correlated Motion of Electrons in the Parent Cobaltate Superconductors
Recently discovered class of cobaltate superconductors (Na0.3CoO2.nH2O) is a
novel realization of interacting quantum electron systems in a triangular
network with low-energy degrees of freedom. We employ angle-resolved
photoemission spectroscopy to uncover the nature of microscopic electron motion
in the parent superconductors for the first time. Results reveal a large
hole-like Fermi surface (consistent with Luttinger theorem) generated by the
crossing of super-heavy quasiparticles. The measured quasiparticle parameters
collectively suggest a two orders of magnitude departure from the conventional
Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer electron dynamics paradigm and unveils cobaltates as
a rather hidden class of relatively high temperature superconductors.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl
Microstructural Shear Localization in Plastic Deformation of Amorphous Solids
The shear-transformation-zone (STZ) theory of plastic deformation predicts
that sufficiently soft, non-crystalline solids are linearly unstable against
forming periodic arrays of microstructural shear bands. A limited nonlinear
analysis indicates that this instability may be the mechanism responsible for
strain softening in both constant-stress and constant-strain-rate experiments.
The analysis presented here pertains only to one-dimensional banding patterns
in two-dimensional systems, and only to very low temperatures. It uses the
rudimentary form of the STZ theory in which there is only a single kind of zone
rather than a distribution of them with a range of transformation rates.
Nevertheless, the results are in qualitative agreement with essential features
of the available experimental data. The nonlinear theory also implies that
harder materials, which do not undergo a microstructural instability, may form
isolated shear bands in weak regions or, perhaps, at points of concentrated
stress.Comment: 32 pages, 6 figure
Dynamics of Shear-Transformation Zones in Amorphous Plasticity: Energetic Constraints in a Minimal Theory
We use energetic considerations to deduce the form of a previously uncertain
coupling term in the shear-transformation-zone (STZ) theory of plastic
deformation in amorphous solids. As in the earlier versions of the STZ theory,
the onset of steady deformation at a yield stress appears here as an exchange
of dynamic stability between jammed and plastically deforming states. We show
how an especially simple ``quasilinear'' version of this theory accounts
qualitatively for many features of plasticity such as yielding, strain
softening, and strain recovery. We also show that this minimal version of the
theory fails to describe certain other phenomena, and argue that these
limitations indicate needs for additional internal degrees of freedom beyond
those included here.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figure
Observation of Fermi-energy dependent unitary impurity resonances in a strong topological insulator Bi2Se3 with scanning tunneling spectroscopy
Scanning tunneling spectroscopic studies of Bi2Se3 epitaxial films on Si
(111) substrates reveal highly localized unitary impurity resonances associated
with non-magnetic quantum impurities. The strength of the resonances depends on
the energy difference between the Fermi level ({E_F}) and the Dirac point
({E_D}) and diverges as {E_F} approaches {E_D}. The Dirac-cone surface state of
the host recovers within ~ 2{\AA} spatial distance from impurities, suggesting
robust topological protection of the surface state of topological insulators
against high-density impurities that preserve time reversal symmetry.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for fast-track publication in Solid
State Communications (2012
Shear yielding of amorphous glassy solids: Effect of temperature and strain rate
We study shear yielding and steady state flow of glassy materials with
molecular dynamics simulations of two standard models: amorphous polymers and
bidisperse Lennard-Jones glasses. For a fixed strain rate, the maximum shear
yield stress and the steady state flow stress in simple shear both drop
linearly with increasing temperature. The dependence on strain rate can be
described by a either a logarithm or a power-law added to a constant. In marked
contrast to predictions of traditional thermal activation models, the rate
dependence is nearly independent of temperature. The relation to more recent
models of plastic deformation and glassy rheology is discussed, and the
dynamics of particles and stress in small regions is examined in light of these
findings
STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION TOWARD THE INVOLVEMENT IN DEVELOPING INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS USING POWTOON TOOL
Student-faculty partnership has proven to significantly enhance many attributes in the teaching-learning process due to its ability to expose students to higher levels of engagement, enforcing the confidence, motivation, and responsibility of the students, as well as the establishment of a friendly and tight relationship between the students and faculties. Nevertheless, the student-faculty partnership is not only limitedly practised in Malaysia, but also the occasionally reported practices have involved matured postgraduate students with educational background and significant experience in teaching and learning. In this study, the student-faculty partnership has been implemented for undergraduate students to enhance the process of teaching and learning. This is done by involving the students in developing instructional videos using POWTOON tool. The study analysed three sources of data, viz. a survey questionnaire, online quiz marks, and test 1 marks, to assess the students’ perception toward this experience as well as to evaluate its impact on their academic performance. The findings indicate that student-faculty partnership has significantly improved the students’ learning and soft skills. In fact, the students responded positively to the activities conducted throughout this experience and gave positive feedback about the developed instructional materials. As an implication of this study, we strongly believe that the findings will serve as a good start for spreading the practice of the partnership of undergraduate students with faculties in Malaysian universities
Vascular risk factors, atherosclerosis, cerebral white matter lesions and cerebral perfusion in a population-based study
We studied risk factors for cerebral vascular disease (blood pressure and hypertension, factor VIIc, factor VIIIc, fibrinogen), indicators of atherosclerosis (intima-media thickness and plaques in the carotid artery) and cerebral white matter lesions in relation to regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in 60 persons (aged 65-85 years) recruited from a population-based study. rCBF was assessed with single-photon emission tomography using technetium-99m d,l-hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO). Statistical analysis was performed with multiple linear regression with adjustment for age, sex and ventricle-to-brain ratio. A significant positive association was found between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and temporo-parietal rCBF. In analysis with quartiles of the distribution, we found a threshold effect for the relation of low diastolic blood pressure (≤ 60 mmHg) and low temporo-parietal rCBF. Levels of plasma fibrinogen were inversely related to parietal rCBF, with a threshold effect of high fibrinogen levels (> 3.2 g/l) and low rCBF. Increased atherosclerosis was related to low rCBF in all cortical regions, but these associations were not significant. No consistent relation was observed between severity of cerebral white matter lesions and rCBF. Our results may have implications for blood pressure control in the elderly population
Multiwavelength studies of MHD waves in the solar chromosphere: An overview of recent results
The chromosphere is a thin layer of the solar atmosphere that bridges the
relatively cool photosphere and the intensely heated transition region and
corona. Compressible and incompressible waves propagating through the
chromosphere can supply significant amounts of energy to the interface region
and corona. In recent years an abundance of high-resolution observations from
state-of-the-art facilities have provided new and exciting ways of
disentangling the characteristics of oscillatory phenomena propagating through
the dynamic chromosphere. Coupled with rapid advancements in
magnetohydrodynamic wave theory, we are now in an ideal position to thoroughly
investigate the role waves play in supplying energy to sustain chromospheric
and coronal heating. Here, we review the recent progress made in
characterising, categorising and interpreting oscillations manifesting in the
solar chromosphere, with an impetus placed on their intrinsic energetics.Comment: 48 pages, 25 figures, accepted into Space Science Review
Diving into the vertical dimension of elasmobranch movement ecology
Knowledge of the three-dimensional movement patterns of elasmobranchs is vital to understand their ecological roles and exposure to anthropogenic pressures. To date, comparative studies among species at global scales have mostly focused on horizontal movements. Our study addresses the knowledge gap of vertical movements by compiling the first global synthesis of vertical habitat use by elasmobranchs from data obtained by deployment of 989 biotelemetry tags on 38 elasmobranch species. Elasmobranchs displayed high intra- and interspecific variability in vertical movement patterns. Substantial vertical overlap was observed for many epipelagic elasmobranchs, indicating an increased likelihood to display spatial overlap, biologically interact, and share similar risk to anthropogenic threats that vary on a vertical gradient. We highlight the critical next steps toward incorporating vertical movement into global management and monitoring strategies for elasmobranchs, emphasizing the need to address geographic and taxonomic biases in deployments and to concurrently consider both horizontal and vertical movements
Epidemiology, practice of ventilation and outcome for patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications
BACKGROUND Limited information exists about the epidemiology and outcome of surgical patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), and how intraoperative ventilation was managed in these patients.
OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of surgical patients at increased risk of PPCs, and to compare the intraoperative ventilation management and postoperative outcomes with patients at low risk of PPCs.
DESIGN This was a prospective international 1-week observational study using the ‘Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia risk score’ (ARISCAT score) for PPC for risk stratification.
PATIENTS AND SETTING Adult patients requiring intraoperative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery in 146 hospitals across 29 countries.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the incidence of patients at increased risk of PPCs based on the ARISCAT score. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative ventilatory management and clinical outcomes.
RESULTS A total of 9864 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The incidence of patients at increased risk was 28.4%. The most frequently chosen tidal volume (VT) size was 500 ml, or 7 to 9 ml kg1 predicted body weight, slightly lower in patients at increased risk of PPCs. Levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were slightly higher in patients at increased risk of PPCs, with 14.3% receiving more than 5 cmH2O PEEP compared with 7.6% in patients at low risk of PPCs (P < 0.001). Patients with a predicted preoperative increased risk of PPCs developed PPCs more frequently: 19 versus 7%, relative risk (RR) 3.16 (95% confidence interval 2.76 to 3.61), P < 0.001) and had longer hospital stays. The only ventilatory factor associated with the occurrence of PPCs was the peak pressure.
CONCLUSION The incidence of patients with a predicted increased risk of PPCs is high. A large proportion of patients receive high VT and low PEEP levels. PPCs occur frequently in patients at increased risk, with worse clinical outcome
- …