Comment on "Froehlich Mass in GaAs-Based Structures"

The results of recent measurements of the cyclotron resonance (CR) spectra for a GaAs quantum well are interpreted in terms of the resonant magnetopolaron effect. Owing to this effect, the CR peaks split near the TO-phonon frequency and also change their positions with respect to those obtained without electron-phonon interaction. The theoretical peak positions of the CR spectra calculated within the many-polaron approach compare well with experimental data, as distinct from the CR energies calculated without electron-phonon interaction, which show no particular features in the region of the optical-phonon frequencies. We conclude that the Froehlich polaron concept is valid and even necessary to interpret the CR spectra of quantum wells.Comment: 1 page, 1 figure, E-mail addresses: [email protected], [email protected]

Participatory Ranking of Fodders in the Western Hills of Nepal

Fodder is an important source of feed of the ruminants in Nepal. In the mid hills of Nepal, farmers generally practice integrated farming system that combines crop cultivation with livestock husbandry and agroforestry. Tree fodders are good sources of protein during the forage and green grass scarcity periods especially in dry season. Local communities possess indigenous knowledge for the selection of grasses and tree fodders at different seasons in mid hills of western Nepal. A study was conducted on the perception of farmers with respect to selection of fodder species in eight clusters in Kaski and Lumjung districts that range 900-2000 meter above sea level and receive average precipitation of 2000- 4500mm per annum. During the fodder preference ranking, farmers prepared the inventory of fodders found around the villages and nearby forests and selected top ten most important fodders in terms of their availability, palatability, fodder yield, milk yield and milk fat yield. In total, 23 top ranking fodders species were selected from the eight clusters. These fodder species were also ranked using pairwise ranking and weighted scoring methods and ranking was done on the basis of merit numbers obtained from weighted scores. The analysis revealed Artocarpus lakoocha as best tree fodder followed by Ficus semicordata, Thysanolena maxima and Ficus calvata. Similarly, the calendar of fodders trees for lopping season and the best feeding time was prepared on the basis of farmers\u27 local knowledge. This study suggests strategies for promotion of locally preferred tree fodder species and supplementing tree fodder with feed in different seasons depending on their availability and local preferences

Anomalous Suppression of Valley Splittings in Lead Salt Nanocrystals without Inversion Center

Atomistic sp3d5s* tight-binding theory of PbSe and PbS nanocrystals is developed. It is demonstrated, that the valley splittings of confined electrons and holes strongly and peculiarly depend on the geometry of a nanocrystal. When the nanocrystal lacks a microscopic center of inversion and has T_d symmetry, the splitting is strongly suppressed as compared to the more symmetric nanocrystals with O_h symmetry, having an inversion center.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl

Suppression of the D'yakonov-Perel' spin relaxation mechanism for all spin components in [111] zincblende quantum wells

We apply the D'yakonov-Perel' (DP) formalism to [111]-grown zincblende quantum wells (QWs) to compute the spin lifetimes of electrons in the two-dimensional electron gas. We account for both bulk and structural inversion asymmetry (Rashba) effects. We see that, under certain conditions, the spin splitting vanishes to first order in k, which effectively suppresses the DP spin relaxation mechanism for all spin components. We predict extended spin lifetimes as a result, giving rise to the possibility of enhanced spin storage. We also study [110]-grown QWs, where the effect of structural inversion asymmetry is to augment the spin relaxation rate of the component perpendicular to the well. We derive analytical expressions for the spin lifetime tensor and its proper axes, and see that they are dependent on the relative magnitude of the BIA- and SIA-induced splittings.Comment: v1: 5 pages, 2 figures, submitted to PRL v2: added 1 figure and supporting content, PRB forma

AMATEUR BOXER BIOMECHANICS AND PUNCH FORCE

The current study investigates the correlation between punch biomechanics and punch force in amateur male boxers (n=39). A Hybrid III 50th percentile male dummy was used to gather punch force values. TrackEye Motion Analysis (TEMA) was used to measure the velocity of each boxer’s punch. Lower body force values were determined using the Functional Assessment of Biomechanics (FAB) system. Two types of punches, hooks and straights, were analyzed. It was determined that punch forces correlated more strongly to hand velocity than to lower body forces. Punch force correlated to hand velocity with R2 values of 0.380 and 0.391 for hook and straight punches, respectively (

ACUTE EFFECTS OF DENTAL APPLIANCES ON UPPER AND LOWER ISOKINETIC MUSCLE FUNCTION

The possibility that athletic performance can be affected by a person’s jaw posture during the activity has been of interest to sports practitioners for many years. Using established elbow and knee flexion/extension testing protocols on a calibrated isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex System 2, Shirley, NY), this study examined selected muscle function characteristics in male NCAA II college football players (n=18) under test conditions in which they wore a professionally-fitted dental appliance (PowerPlus) designed for optimal maxilla-mandibular spacing, a common “boil-and-bite”-type mouth guard (Shock Dr.), and conditions in which they were instructed to have their teeth touch while keeping the jaws relaxed (Relax) or clenched (Clench) without wearing any oral appliances. Results indicated a significant improvement in total work (+9.8%), peak torque/body weight (+10.5%), and average power (+11.25%) for elbow flexion in the PowerPlus relative to the Relax condition. Similarly, knee flexion total work for the PowerPlus was significantly higher compared to both Relax and Clench test conditions

Goal Post Injuries in Soccer

Soccer is the most popular team sport worldwide, with approximately 40 million amateur participants. Most fa talities in soccer are related to player impact with the goal post. This study focuses on two case reports, a laboratory testing phase, and a pilot field testing phase of preventive equipment that can be used around the goal to prevent injury. Horizontal and vertical impact testing in the laboratory revealed impact force was di minished when the goal post was covered with protec tive padding (reduction of 31% and 63%) (P < 0.05). These data showed a statistically significant decrease in force at all temperatures. In the pilot field testing phase of the study, 471 games were monitored. Soccer teams participating in youth, teen, and adult soccer leagues were included in this phase of the study. During the 3-year study, there were seven player collisions with padded goal posts, and no injuries were recorded. The use of padded goal posts within the game of soccer has been documented to reduce the possibility of injury, both in the laboratory phase and in the pilot field testing phase.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66584/2/10.1177_036354659502300316.pd

Conversion of hole states by acoustic solitons

The hole states in the valence band of a large class of semiconductors are degenerate in the projections of angular momentum. Here we show that the switching of a hole between the states can efficiently be realized by acoustic solitons. The microscopic mechanism of such a state conversion is related to the valence band splitting by local elastic strain. The conversion is studied here for heavy holes localized at shallow and deep acceptors in silicon quantum wells.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Theory of laser-induced demagnetization at high temperatures

Laser-induced demagnetization is theoretically studied by explicitly taking into account interactions among electrons, spins and lattice. Assuming that the demagnetization processes take place during the thermalization of the sub-systems, the temperature dynamics is given by the energy transfer between the thermalized interacting baths. These energy transfers are accounted for explicitly through electron-magnons and electron-phonons interaction, which govern the demagnetization time scale. By properly treating the spin system in a self-consistent random phase approximation, we derive magnetization dynamic equations for a broad range of temperature. The dependence of demagnetization on the temperature and pumping laser intensity is calculated in detail. In particular, we show several salient features for understanding magnetization dynamics near the Curie temperature. While the critical slowdown in dynamics occurs, we find that an external magnetic field can restore the fast dynamics. We discuss the implication of the fast dynamics in the application of heat assisted magnetic recording.Comment: 11 Pages, 7 Figure

Elective surgery patients walk to operating room instead of wheeled in on trolley: patient centered care

Introductions: Habits and beliefs of earlier practitioners influence medicine. We continue to wheel in the elective surgery patients to operating room (OR) which makes them feel not in self-control and increases anxiety. With few exceptions of heavily sedated, in severe pain or frail patients, most prefer to walk to the OR accompanied by nurse and family, if given the opportunity, in line with patient centered care. We aim to assess feasibility to allow elective surgery patients walk to OR accompanied by nurse and family member. Methods:This was a cross-sectional observation of 100 consecutive elective surgery patients admitted at surgery department, Patan Hospital, Nepal. Adult patients of 15 years or above were allowed to walk to OR accompanied by a nurse and family members. Demographic profile, patient satisfaction, anxiety on arriving to OR, patient feeling of autonomy were recorded to assess patient centered care. Microsoft Excel was used to descriptively analyze the data. Ethical approval was obtained. Results:Of 100 consecutive patients, 62 were female and 38 male, average age 52 years (range 15 to 72), and abdomen surgery 62 (62%). Two patients did not want to walk. The 98 patients who walked to the OR, all were satisfied and 89 were not anxious. Conclusions: Elective surgery patients (98 out of 100) accompanied by nurse and family members walked to operating room satisfied and were not anxious.  Keywords: elective surgery, patient autonomy, patient-centered care, patient satisfaction, walking to operating roo