Induced superfluidity of imbalanced Fermi gases near unitarity

The induced intraspecies interactions among the majority species, mediated by the minority species, is computed for a population-imbalanced two-component Fermi gas. Although the Feshbach-resonance mediated interspecies interaction is dominant for equal populations, leading to singlet s-wave pairing, we find that in the strongly imbalanced regime the induced intraspecies interaction leads to p-wave pairing and superfluidity of the majority species. Thus, we predict that the observed spin-polaron Fermi liquid state in this regime is unstable to p-wave superfluidity, in accordance with the results of Kohn and Luttinger, below a temperature that, near unitarity, we find to be within current experimental capabilities. Possible experimental signatures of the p-wave state using radio-frequency spectroscopy as well as density-density correlations after free expansion are presented.Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Noise characterization of an atomic magnetometer at sub-millihertz frequencies

Noise measurements have been carried out in the LISA bandwidth (0.1 mHz to 100 mHz) to characterize an all-optical atomic magnetometer based on nonlinear magneto-optical rotation. This was done in order to assess if the technology can be used for space missions with demanding low-frequency requirements like the LISA concept. Magnetometry for low-frequency applications is usually limited by $1/f$ noise and thermal drifts, which become the dominant contributions at sub-millihertz frequencies. Magnetic field measurements with atomic magnetometers are not immune to low-frequency fluctuations and significant excess noise may arise due to external elements, such as temperature fluctuations or intrinsic noise in the electronics. In addition, low-frequency drifts in the applied magnetic field have been identified in order to distinguish their noise contribution from that of the sensor. We have found the technology suitable for LISA in terms of sensitivity, although further work must be done to characterize the low-frequency noise in a miniaturized setup suitable for space missions.Comment: 11 pages, 12 figure

The Journey to Oz: How Practice, Research, and Law Have Been Used to Combat Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking in Kansas

Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking is a form of modern day slavery and is one of the most hidden means of child abuse in the United States. In response to encountering the reality of this abuse and exploitation of our children, multidisciplinary professionals in Kansas were impassioned to develop and implement collaborative practices, community-based research, and law and policy in order to combat trafficking. This paper presents a summary of such efforts that, expanding over a decade, have culminated in a new Kansas Anti-Trafficking Law. A brief summary of the definitions and demographics of trafficking are provided followed by a discussion of the collaborative multidisciplinary practice and research efforts that occurred in the largest city in Kansas. With an understanding that it was these works that empowered a statewide paradigm shift and thus, ultimately led to policy development, a comparative summary of key Anti-Trafficking legislation is then reviewed. In conclusion, this paper offers recommendations for others who wish to combat trafficking in their own communities

The 2009 Claremont Debates: the Promise and Pitfalls of Utilization-focused and Empowerment Evaluation

Background: Hundreds of evaluators visit the Claremont Colleges in southern California each year to discuss a wide range of topics related to improving the quality of evaluation practice. Debates between thought leaders in the field have been one of the most popular and informative ways to advance understanding about how best to practice evaluation in contemporary times. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to provide a written transcript of the 2009 Claremont Evaluation Debates. The first debate is between Michael Quinn Patton and Michael Scriven on the promise and pitfalls of utilization-focused evaluation. The second debate is between David Fetterman, Michael Quinn Patton, and Michael Scriven on the promise and pitfalls of empowerment evaluation. Setting: The debates occurred at the Claremont Graduate University on August 23-24, 2009. Several hundred evaluators from around the world also viewed and participated in the debates via a live webcast

Infrared catastrophe and tunneling into strongly correlated electron systems: Exact solution of the x-ray edge limit for the 1D electron gas and 2D Hall fluid

In previous work we have proposed that the non-Fermi-liquid spectral properties in a variety of low-dimensional and strongly correlated electron systems are caused by the infrared catastrophe, and we used an exact functional integral representation for the interacting Green's function to map the tunneling problem onto the x-ray edge problem, plus corrections. The corrections are caused by the recoil of the tunneling particle, and, in systems where the method is applicable, are not expected to change the qualitative form of the tunneling density of states (DOS). Qualitatively correct results were obtained for the DOS of the 1D electron gas and 2D Hall fluid when the corrections to the x-ray edge limit were neglected and when the corresponding Nozieres-De Dominicis integral equations were solved by resummation of a divergent perturbation series. Here we reexamine the x-ray edge limit for these two models by solving these integral equations exactly, finding the expected modifications of the DOS exponent in the 1D case but finding no changes in the DOS of the 2D Hall fluid with short-range interaction. We also provide, for the first time, an exact solution of the Nozieres-De Dominicis equation for the 2D electron gas in the lowest Landau level.Comment: 6 pages, Revte

Self-Referential Noise and the Synthesis of Three-Dimensional Space

Generalising results from Godel and Chaitin in mathematics suggests that self-referential systems contain intrinsic randomness. We argue that this is relevant to modelling the universe and show how three-dimensional space may arise from a non-geometric order-disorder model driven by self-referential noise.Comment: Figure labels correcte

Impact Assesment of ionising Radiation on Wildlife

This is the Impact Assessment of ionising Radiation on Wildlife document produced by the Environment Agency in 2001. This report describes the behaviour and transport of radionuclides in the environment, considers the impact of ionising radiation on wildlife, and makes recommendations on an approach for the Impact assessment of ionising radiation on wildlife for England and Wales. The assessment approach focuses on three ecosystems representative of those considered potentially most at risk from the impact of authorised radioactive discharges, namely a coastal grassland (terrestrial ecosystem); estuarine and freshwater ecosystems. The likely scale of the impact on wildlife is also assessed in light of a preliminary analysis based on this assessment approach. The report demonstrates the behaviour and transfer of radionuclides in a number of different ecosystem types. Particular emphasis is placed on exposure pathways in those ecosystems most likely to be impacted by the authorised discharges of radioactivity within England and Wales. The use of biomarker techniques is reviewed in the report, and their application to the study of exposure to multiple contaminants is discussed

Prevalence and Correlates of Food Insecurity Among Students Attending a Midsize Rural University in Oregon

Objective: To examine the prevalence and identify correlates of food insecurity among students attending a rural university in Oregon. Methods: Cross-sectional non-probability survey of 354 students attending a midsize rural university in Oregon during May 2011. Main outcome was food insecurity measured using the USDA Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form. Socioeconomic and demographic variables were included in multivariate logistic regression models. Results: Over half of students (59%) were food insecure at some point during the previous year. Having fair/poor health (OR: 2.08, 95%CI: 1.07 – 4.63), being employed (OR: 1.73, 95%CI: 1.04 – 2.88) and with incomes below $15,000 per year (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.07 – 4.63) was associated with food insecurity. In turn, good academic performance (GPA 3.1 or higher) was inversely associated with food insecurity. Conclusions: Food insecurity seems to be a significant issue for college students. It is necessary to expand research on different campus settings, and further strengthen support systems to increase access to nutritious foods for this population

Geological Surprises at Itezhitezhi Dam, Zambia

An outburst of warm springs together with the development of an extensive area of high pore-water pressures occurred during the first filling of the 50m high earth and rock fill Itezhitezhi Dam on the Kafue River in Zambia. These and other unanticipated events led to extensive geological and hydrogeological investigations that resulted in the implementation of unusual remedial measures. The remedial work was completed before the reservoir reached its full supply level. The dam has since performed successfully. The problems are reviewed in terms of the significance of the site geology. The hydrogeologic problems were found to be caused by the presence of a modified karstic terrane developed on a mineralized, faulted and deeply weathered bedrock of granite and associated rocks. Small differences between the river levels and the piezometric levels in deep porings contributed to a delay in problem identification. The problems encountered and their causes are thought to be without precedent