52 research outputs found
An Optical Lattice Clock with Spin-polarized 87Sr Atoms
We present a new evaluation of an 87Sr optical lattice clock using spin
polarized atoms. The frequency of the 1S0-3P0 clock transition is found to be
429 228 004 229 873.6 Hz with a fractional accuracy of 2.6 10^{-15}, a value
that is comparable to the frequency difference between the various primary
standards throughout the world. This measurement is in excellent agreement with
a previous one of similar accuracy
Effects of Perfluorocarbons on surfactant exocytosis and membrane properties in isolated alveolar type II cells
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Perfluorocarbons (PFC) are used to improve gas exchange in diseased lungs. PFC have been shown to affect various cell types. Thus, effects on alveolar type II (ATII) cells and surfactant metabolism can be expected, data, however, are controversial.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>The study was performed to test two hypotheses: (I) the effects of PFC on surfactant exocytosis depend on their respective vapor pressures; (II) different pathways of surfactant exocytosis are affected differently by PFC.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Isolated ATII cells were exposed to two PFC with different vapor pressures and spontaneous surfactant exocytosis was measured. Furthermore, surfactant exocytosis was stimulated by either ATP, PMA or Ionomycin. The effects of PFC on cell morphology, cellular viability, endocytosis, membrane permeability and fluidity were determined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The spontaneous exocytosis was reduced by PFC, however, the ATP and PMA stimulated exocytosis was slightly increased by PFC with high vapor pressure. In contrast, Ionomycin-induced exocytosis was decreased by PFC with low vapor pressure. Cellular uptake of FM 1-43 - a marker of membrane integrity - was increased. However, membrane fluidity, endocytosis and viability were not affected by PFC incubation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We conclude that PFC effects can be explained by modest, unspecific interactions with the plasma membrane rather than by specific interactions with intracellular targets.</p
Phase- coherent comparison of two optical frequency standards over 146 km using a telecommunication fiber link
We have explored the performance of two "dark fibers" of a commercial
telecommunication fiber link for a remote comparison of optical clocks. The two
fibers, linking the Leibniz University of Hanover (LUH) with the
Physi-kalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Braunschweig, are connected in
Hanover to form a total fiber length of 146 km. At PTB the performance of an
optical frequency standard operating at 456 THz was imprinted to a cw trans-fer
laser at 194 THz, and its frequency was transmitted over the fiber. In order to
detect and compensate phase noise related to the optical fiber link we have
built a low-noise optical fiber interferometer and investigated noise sources
that affect the overall performance of the optical link. The frequency
stability at the remote end has been measured using the clock laser of PTB's
Yb+ frequency standard operating at 344 THz. We show that the frequency of a
frequency-stabilized fiber laser can be transmitted over a total fiber length
of 146 km with a relative frequency uncertainty below 1E-19, and short term
frequency instability given by the fractional Allan deviation of
sy(t)=3.3E-15/(t/s)
Very low neighbourhood income limits participation post stroke: preliminary evidence from a cohort study
Increasing support staff fluency with the content of behaviour support plans: An application of precision teaching
“Positive” Results Increase Down the Hierarchy of the Sciences
The hypothesis of a Hierarchy of the Sciences with physical sciences at the top, social sciences at the bottom, and biological sciences in-between is nearly 200 years old. This order is intuitive and reflected in many features of academic life, but whether it reflects the “hardness” of scientific research—i.e., the extent to which research questions and results are determined by data and theories as opposed to non-cognitive factors—is controversial. This study analysed 2434 papers published in all disciplines and that declared to have tested a hypothesis. It was determined how many papers reported a “positive” (full or partial) or “negative” support for the tested hypothesis. If the hierarchy hypothesis is correct, then researchers in “softer” sciences should have fewer constraints to their conscious and unconscious biases, and therefore report more positive outcomes. Results confirmed the predictions at all levels considered: discipline, domain and methodology broadly defined. Controlling for observed differences between pure and applied disciplines, and between papers testing one or several hypotheses, the odds of reporting a positive result were around 5 times higher among papers in the disciplines of Psychology and Psychiatry and Economics and Business compared to Space Science, 2.3 times higher in the domain of social sciences compared to the physical sciences, and 3.4 times higher in studies applying behavioural and social methodologies on people compared to physical and chemical studies on non-biological material. In all comparisons, biological studies had intermediate values. These results suggest that the nature of hypotheses tested and the logical and methodological rigour employed to test them vary systematically across disciplines and fields, depending on the complexity of the subject matter and possibly other factors (e.g., a field's level of historical and/or intellectual development). On the other hand, these results support the scientific status of the social sciences against claims that they are completely subjective, by showing that, when they adopt a scientific approach to discovery, they differ from the natural sciences only by a matter of degree
The effects of precision teaching and self-regulation learning on early multiplication fluency
Fluent recall of basic facts is essential to the development of more complex math skills. Therefore, failure to develop fluency with basic facts may impede the development of these skills. The present study used a between groups experimental design to investigate whether a basic facts fluency program, implemented within a self-regulated learner (SRL) framework, could lead to increased fluency with multiplication facts for Year 5 and Year 6 New Zealand students (9–10 years old). This study also investigated the extent to which the SRL program altered students’ basic facts practice behavior outside of school hours. The study found that the SRL program resulted in rapid fluency development that was maintained over time. Nomothetic and idiographic analysis confirmed that the program was suitable for use within Tier 1 of the response to intervention framework. In addition, the study also found that students who received the program altered their practice behavior outside school hours. The results from this study show how elements of self-regulated learning and precision teaching can be successfully combined to enhance students’ mathematics achievement
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