681 research outputs found
Evaluation of the synoptic and mesoscale predictive capabilities of a mesoscale atmospheric simulation system
The overall performance characteristics of a limited area, hydrostatic, fine (52 km) mesh, primitive equation, numerical weather prediction model are determined in anticipation of satellite data assimilations with the model. The synoptic and mesoscale predictive capabilities of version 2.0 of this model, the Mesoscale Atmospheric Simulation System (MASS 2.0), were evaluated. The two part study is based on a sample of approximately thirty 12h and 24h forecasts of atmospheric flow patterns during spring and early summer. The synoptic scale evaluation results benchmark the performance of MASS 2.0 against that of an operational, synoptic scale weather prediction model, the Limited area Fine Mesh (LFM). The large sample allows for the calculation of statistically significant measures of forecast accuracy and the determination of systematic model errors. The synoptic scale benchmark is required before unsmoothed mesoscale forecast fields can be seriously considered
Static Charge Coupling of Intrinsic Josephson Junction
A microscopic theory for the coupling of intrinsic Josephson oscillations due
to charge fluctuations on the quasi two-dimensional superconducting layers is
presented. Thereby in close analogy to the normal state the effect of the
scalar potential on the transport current is taken into account consistently.
The dispersion of collective modes is derived and an estimate of the coupling
constant is given. It is shown that the correct treatment of the quasiparticle
current is essential in order to get the correct position of Shapiro steps. In
this case the influence of the coupling on dc-properties like the -curve
is negligible.Comment: 6 pages latex, 5 figures, espcrc2.sty, Invited Contribution to "2nd
International Symposiom on Intrinsic Josephson Effects and Plasma
Oscillations in High-TC Superconductors", 22-24 August, Sendai, Japan, to be
published in Physica
Multiply-connected Bose-Einstein condensed alkali gases: Current-carrying states and their decay
The ability to support metastable current-carrying states in
multiply-connected settings is one of the prime signatures of superfluidity.
Such states are investigated theoretically for the case of trapped Bose
condensed alkali gases, particularly with regard to the rate at which they
decay via thermal fluctuations. The lifetimes of metastable currents can be
either longer or shorter than experimental time-scales. A scheme for the
experimental detection of metastable states is sketched.Comment: 4 pages, including 1 figure (REVTEX
Decay of Superflow Confined in Thin Torus: A Realization of Tunneling Quantum Fields
The quantum nucleation of phase slips in neutral superfluids confined in a
thin torus is investigated by means of the collective coordinate method. We
have devised, with numerical justification, a certain collective coordinate to
describe the quantum nucleation process of a phase slip. Considering the
quantum fluctuation around the local minimum of the action, we calculate the
effective mass of the phase slip. Due to the coherence of the condensate
throughout the torus, the effective mass is proportional to the circumference L
of the torus, and the decay rate has a strong exponential L-dependence.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, REVTe
Multi-photon transitions between energy levels in a current-biased Josephson tunnel junction
The escape of a small current-biased Josephson tunnel junction from the zero
voltage state in the presence of weak microwave radiation is investigated
experimentally at low temperatures. The measurements of the junction switching
current distribution indicate the macroscopic quantum tunneling of the phase
below a cross-over temperature of . At
temperatures below we observe both single-photon and
\emph{multi-photon} transitions between the junction energy levels by applying
microwave radiation in the frequency range between and to the junction. These observations reflect the anharmonicity of the
junction potential containing only a small number of levels.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure
Critical currents in Josephson junctions with macroscopic defects
The critical currents in Josephson junctions of conventional superconductors
with macroscopic defects are calculated for different defect critical current
densities as a function of the magnetic field. We also study the evolution of
the different modes with the defect position, at zero external field. We study
the stability of the solutions and derive simple arguments, that could help the
defect characterization. In most cases a reentrant behavior is seen, where both
a maximum and a minimum current exist.Comment: 17 pages with 16 figures, submitted to Supercond. Sci. Techno
History and modes of star formation in the most active region of the Small Magellanic Cloud, NGC 346
We discuss the star formation history of the SMC region NGC 346 based on
Hubble Space Telescope images. The region contains both field stars and cluster
members. Using a classical synthetic CMD procedure applied to the field around
NGC 346 we find that there the star formation pace has been rising from a quite
low rate 13 Gyr ago to \approx 1.4 \times 10^{-8} Mo yr^{-1}pc^{-2} in the last
100 Myr. This value is significantly higher than in other star forming regions
of the SMC. For NGC 346 itself, we compare theoretical and observed
Color-Magnitude Diagrams (CMDs) of several stellar sub-clusters identified in
the region, and we derive their basic evolution parameters. We find that NGC
346 experienced different star formation regimes, including a dominant and
focused "high density mode", with the sub-clusters hosting both pre-main
sequence (PMS) and upper main sequence (UMS) stars, and a diffuse "low density
mode", as indicated by the presence of low-mass PMS sub-clusters.
Quantitatively, the star formation in the oldest sub-clusters started about 6
Myr ago with remarkable synchronization, it continued at high rate (up to 2
\times 10^{-5} Mo yr^{-1} pc^{-2}) for about 3 Myr and is now progressing at a
lower rate. Interestingly, sub-clusters mainly composed by low mass PMS stars
seem to experience now the first episode of star formation, following
multi-seeded spatial patterns instead of resulting from a coherent trigger. Two
speculative scenarios are put forth to explain the deficiency of UMS stars: the
first invokes under-threshold conditions of the parent gas; the second
speculates that the initial mass function (IMF) is a function of time, with the
youngest sub-clusters not having had sufficient time to form more massive
stars.Comment: 17 pages. Accepted for publication in A
Mode-Locking in Quantum-Hall-Effect Point Contacts
We study the effect of an ac drive on the current-voltage (I-V)
characteristics of a tunnel junction between two fractional Quantum Hall fluids
at filling an odd integer. Within the chiral Luttinger liquid model
of edge states, the point contact dynamics is described by a driven damped
quantum mechanical pendulum. In a semi-classical limit which ignores electron
tunnelling, this model exhibits mode-locking, which corresponds to current
plateaus in the I-V curve at integer multiples of , with
the ac drive angular frequency. By analyzing the full quantum model at
non-zero using perturbative and exact methods, we study the effect of
quantum fluctuation on the mode-locked plateaus. For quantum
fluctuations smear completely the plateaus, leaving no trace of the ac drive.
For smeared plateaus remain in the I-V curve, but are not
centered at the currents . For rounded plateaus
centered around the quantized current values are found. The possibility of
using mode locking in FQHE point contacts as a current-to-frequency standard is
discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, minor change
Effective eModule Design for First-Year Medical Student Anatomy Curricula
Introduction: It is critical to evaluate student experience with any newly integrated educational resource. In 2018, a Distal Upper Limb (DUL) Anatomy eModule was developed for first-year medical students at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, who have historically identified the DUL as a region of difficulty. This mixed methods study sought to (1) evaluate learner perception of the eModule relative to other resources, and (2) identify eModule content and features that students found valuable.
Methods: The DUL eModule was made available to first-year medical students in 2019 (n= 132), 2020 (n=131), and 2021 (n=131) as a voluntary, supplemental resource. In 2019-2021, all eModule users were prompted to complete a post-eModule, pre-exam survey. In 2021, users were also asked to complete a post-eModule, post-exam survey. Both surveys included a combination of Likert-type and free-response questions.
Results: In the post-eModule, pre-exam survey, a majority of students from all three years agreed or strongly agreed that the eModule was convenient, preferred compared to a textbook or didactic lecture, and applicable to the gross anatomy lab, though opinions were more split when comparing the eModule to studying from a gross specimen. In the post-eModule, post-exam survey, greater than 75% of students agreed or strongly agreed that the eModule prepared them to answer DUL exam questions, and was a useful adjunct to learning DUL anatomy. In the survey’s free response section, students cited support for the eModule’s cadaveric images, its ability to consolidate/organize information, and its two modes of use, though users reported a need for a figure legend to orient the user, and a desire for a learning evaluation integrated within the eModule.
Discussion: While gross anatomy has historically been taught through in-person dissection, student demand for digital, remote learning resources is certain to grow. The findings of this mixed methods analysis will serve to guide anatomy faculty in developing effective digital resources for future novice anatomists.https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/emet_posters/1034/thumbnail.jp
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