Self-generated magnetic flux in YBa2_2Cu3_3O7−x_{7-x} grain boundaries

Grain boundaries in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-x}$ superconducting films are considered as Josephson junctions with a critical current density $j_c(x)$ alternating along the junction. A self-generated magnetic flux is treated both analytically and numerically for an almost periodic distribution of $j_c(x)$. We obtained a magnetic flux-pattern similar to the one which was recently observed experimentally.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Genome-wide association meta-analysis of corneal curvature identifies novel loci and shared genetic influences across axial length and refractive error.

Corneal curvature, a highly heritable trait, is a key clinical endophenotype for myopia - a major cause of visual impairment and blindness in the world. Here we present a trans-ethnic meta-analysis of corneal curvature GWAS in 44,042 individuals of Caucasian and Asian with replication in 88,218 UK Biobank data. We identified 47 loci (of which 26 are novel), with population-specific signals as well as shared signals across ethnicities. Some identified variants showed precise scaling in corneal curvature and eye elongation (i.e. axial length) to maintain eyes in emmetropia (i.e. HDAC11/FBLN2 rs2630445, RBP3 rs11204213); others exhibited association with myopia with little pleiotropic effects on eye elongation. Implicated genes are involved in extracellular matrix organization, developmental process for body and eye, connective tissue cartilage and glycosylation protein activities. Our study provides insights into population-specific novel genes for corneal curvature, and their pleiotropic effect in regulating eye size or conferring susceptibility to myopia

Assessment of pile response due to deep excavation in close proximity—A case study based on DTL3 Tampines West Station

Ground movements during deep excavations and tunnelling, especially in urban areas, may potentially have major impact on adjacent buildings, structures and utilities. This impact on buildings and structures needs to be assessed by considering the horizontal and vertical displacements induced by deep excavations to determine the necessary mitigation measures. One major factor affecting the degree of severity the impact due to deep excavation may have on the buildings and structures is the type of foundation systems. While methodology in determining the damage category for the buildings on shallow foundation has been quite well established, the methodology for assessing the impact on the pile foundation is not straightforward due to the geometry and complexity of soil structure interaction. Often simplified two-dimensional (2D) or comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) finite element analyses would be carried out for the stage excavation to predict the displacement and stresses in the piles. Suitable protective and preventive measures would need to be designed and implemented for the existing buildings/structures if the damage category falls within the unacceptable range. This paper discusses the analysis and methodology to assess the effect on the pile foundation of a high-rise building due to the deep excavation of the Down Town Line Stage 3 (DTL3) Tampines West (TPW) Station. The approach to assess the geotechnical capacity of the pile as a result of the deep excavation is presented in this paper. Based on the assessment of pile response, predicted movement, structural and geotechnical capacities of the pile, it was found to be within the acceptable limit and the pile foundation has adequate factor of safety with the deep excavation in close proximity

Accuracy of ultrasound dating formulae in the late second-trimester in pregnancies conceived with in-vitro fertilization

10.1034/j.1600-0455.2003.00089.xActa Radiologica444452-455ACRA

The fine structure of the pomeron and the slope parameter of the diffraction peak

Antoniou NG, Baier R. The fine structure of the pomeron and the slope parameter of the diffraction peak. Phys.Lett. 1971;37(5):501-504

Hysteretic YBa2Cu3O7-δ-Au-YBa2Cu3O7-δ proximity effect Josephson junctions

The superconducting proximity effect can be used to produce Josephson junctions in high temperature superconducting structures with a normal conducting barrier. We describe work on ‘edge-microbridge’ junctions made by defining 10-30 pm wide Au bridges to link the upper and lower layers of a YBa2Cu3O7-δ-Au-YBa2Cu3O7-δ trilayer. The structures are patterned by photolithography and ion milling from multilayers grown in situ by electron-beam evaporation. Our best junctions operate up to around 20 K, exhibit hysteresis in their current-voltage characteristics and have an I,R, greater than 200 pV at 4.2 K

Active coated nanoparticles: impact of plasmonic material choice

The near- and far-field properties of a number of active coated spherical nanoparticles excited by an electric Hertzian dipole at optical frequencies are investigated. Their enhanced, as well as reduced, radiation effects are demonstrated and compared. © 2011 Springer-Verlag