38,998 research outputs found
Ion yields and erosion rates for Si1âxGex(0x1) ultralow energy O2+ secondary ion mass spectrometry in the energy range of 0.25â1 keV
We report the SIMS parameters required for the quantitative analysis of Si1âxGex across the range of 0 ⤠x ⤠1 when using low energy O2+ primary ions at normal incidence. These include the silicon and germanium secondary ion yield [i.e., the measured ion signal (ions/s)] and erosion rate [i.e., the speed at which the material sputters (nm/min)] as a function of x. We show that the ratio Rx of erosion rates, Si1âxGex/Si, at a given x is almost independent of beam energy, implying that the properties of the altered layer are dominated by the interaction of oxygen with silicon. Rx shows an exponential dependence on x. Unsurprisingly, the silicon and germanium secondary ion yields are found to depart somewhat from proportionality to (1âx) and x, respectively, although an approximate linear relationship could be used for quantification across around 30% of the range of x (i.e., a reference material containing Ge fraction x would give reasonably accurate quantification across the range of Âą0.15x). Direct comparison of the useful (ion) yields [i.e., the ratio of ion yield to the total number of atoms sputtered for a particular species (ions/atom)] and the sputter yields [i.e., the total number of atoms sputtered per incident primary ion (atoms/ions)] reveals a moderate matrix effect where the former decrease monotonically with increasing x except at the lowest beam energy investigated (250 eV). Here, the useful yield of Ge is found to be invariant with x. At 250 eV, the germanium ion and sputter yields are proportional to x for all x
Microarray sub-grid detection: A novel algorithm
This is the post print version of the article. The official published version can be obtained from the link below - Copyright 2007 Taylor & Francis LtdA novel algorithm for detecting microarray subgrids is proposed. The only input to the algorithm is the raw microarray image, which can be of any resolution, and the subgrid detection is performed with no prior assumptions. The algorithm consists of a series of methods of spot shape detection, spot filtering, spot spacing estimation, and subgrid shape detection. It is shown to be able to divide images of varying quality into subgrid regions with no manual interaction. The algorithm is robust against high levels of noise and high percentages of poorly expressed or missing spots. In addition, it is proved to be effective in locating regular groupings of primitives in a set of non-microarray images, suggesting potential application in the general area of image processing
Renormalization Group Treatment of Nonrenormalizable Interactions
The structure of the UV divergencies in higher dimensional nonrenormalizable
theories is analysed. Based on renormalization operation and renormalization
group theory it is shown that even in this case the leading divergencies
(asymptotics) are governed by the one-loop diagrams the number of which,
however, is infinite. Explicit expression for the one-loop counter term in an
arbitrary D-dimensional quantum field theory without derivatives is suggested.
This allows one to sum up the leading asymptotics which are independent of the
arbitrariness in subtraction of higher order operators. Diagrammatic
calculations in a number of scalar models in higher loops are performed to be
in agreement with the above statements. These results do not support the idea
of the na\"ive power-law running of couplings in nonrenormalizable theories and
fail (with one exception) to reveal any simple closed formula for the leading
terms.Comment: LaTex, 11 page
Performance of high-altitude, long-endurance, turboprop airplanes using conventional or cryogenic fuels
An analytical study has been conducted to evaluate the potential endurance of remotely piloted, low speed, high altitude, long endurance airplanes designed with 1990 technology. The baseline configuration was a propeller driven, sailplane like airplane powered by turbine engines that used JP-7, liquid methane, or liquid hydrogen as fuel. Endurance was measured as the time spent between 60,000 feet and an engine limited maximum altitude of 70,000 feet. Performance was calculated for a baseline vehicle and for configurations derived by varying aerodynamic, structural or propulsion parameters. Endurance is maximized by reducing wing loading and engine size. The level of maximum endurance for a given wing loading is virtually the same for all three fuels. Constraints due to winds aloft and propulsion system scaling produce maximum endurance values of 71 hours for JP-7 fuel, 70 hours for liquid methane, and 65 hours for liquid hydrogen. Endurance is shown to be strongly effected by structural weight fraction, specific fuel consumption, and fuel load. Listings of the computer program used in this study and sample cases are included in the report
On the Excess Dispersion in the Polarization Position Angle of Pulsar Radio Emission
The polarization position angles (PA) of pulsar radio emission occupy a
distribution that can be much wider than what is expected from the average
linear polarization and the off-pulse instrumental noise. Contrary to our
limited understanding of the emission mechanism, the excess dispersion in PA
implies that pulsar PAs vary in a random fashion. An eigenvalue analysis of the
measured Stokes parameters is developed to determine the origin of the excess
PA dispersion. The analysis is applied to sensitive, well-calibrated
polarization observations of PSR B1929+10 and PSR B2020+28. The analysis
clarifies the origin of polarization fluctuations in the emission and reveals
that the excess PA dispersion is caused by the isotropic inflation of the data
point cluster formed by the measured Stokes parameters. The inflation of the
cluster is not consistent with random fluctuations in PA, as might be expected
from random changes in the orientation of the magnetic field lines in the
emission region or from stochastic Faraday rotation in either the pulsar
magnetosphere or the interstellar medium. The inflation of the cluster, and
thus the excess PA dispersion, is attributed to randomly polarized radiation in
the received pulsar signal. The analysis also indicates that orthogonal
polarization modes (OPM) occur where the radio emission is heavily modulated.
In fact, OPM may only occur where the modulation index exceeds a critical value
of about 0.3.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap
Framed to fit? Challenging the domestic abuse âstoryâ in child protection
The current framing of domestic violence generates profound problems for those concerned with supporting change for all involved. In particular, the stress on the âequal vulnerabilityâ of all women to domestic abuse, irrespective of economic or social circumstances, is out of line with a developing evidence base and deprives policymakers and practitioners of the conceptual tools that are needed to situate actual identities, choices and challenges with differing implications for women as well as men. In this article, we note the relative lack of attention in the UK to the work of international researchers on how gendered inequalities intersect with those arising from a range of others, crucially, class and âraceâ. This body of work also draws attention to the importance of understanding the impact of state interventions on marginalised communities, an area also neglected in the UK
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Barriers to reporting non-motor symptoms to health-care providers in people with Parkinson's
Background: Non-motor symptoms (NMS) are common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and cause significant distress. A high rate of non-declaration of NMS by patients to healthcare providers (HCP) means that many NMS remain untreated. Current understanding of the factors preventing disclosure of NMS to HCPs is limited. The present study aimed to i) further assess the prevalence of NMS and associated distress, ii) establish current rates of NMS reporting across a range of sources, and iii) explore overall and any symptom specific barriers to help-seeking for NMS.
Methods: 358 PD patients completed a cross-sectional survey of NMS severity, reporting and barriers to help-seeking. A series of Generalised Estimating Equations were used to determine whether barriers were symptom specific.
Results: A mean of 10.5 NMS were reported by each patient. Rates of non-reporting of NMS ranged from 15 to 72% of those experiencing distressing symptoms. The most commonly reported barriers to help-seeking were acceptance of symptoms; lack of awareness that a symptom was associated with PD, and belief that no effective treatments were available. Symptom specific barriers were found for sexual dysfunction (embarrassment), unexplained pain and urinary problems (belief about lack of treatment availability).
Conclusion: A diverse range of barriers prevent PD patients reporting NMS to HCPs and these barriers differ between NMS. The study provides the foundations for developing interventions to increase reporting by targeting individual NMS. Increasing rates of help-seeking for NMS by patients to their Parkinson's healthcare providers will increase appropriate clinical care which may improve quality of life and well-being
Group velocity of neutrino waves
We follow up on the analysis of Mecozzi and Bellini (arXiv:1110:1253v1) where
they showed, in principle, the possibility of superluminal propagation of
neutrinos, as indicated by the recent OPERA result. We refine the analysis by
introducing wave packets for the superposition of energy eigenstates and
discuss the implications of their results with realistic values for the mixing
and mass parameters in a full three neutrino mixing scenario. Our analysis
shows the possibility of superluminal propagation of neutrino flavour in a very
narrow range of neutrino parameter space. Simultaneously this reduces the
number of observable events drastically. Therefore, the OPERA result cannot be
explained in this frame-work.Comment: 10 pages revtex with 2 figures. Important changes have been made; in
particular, it has been revised to include a discussion on the nature of the
measurement and its impact on the resul
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