Quantum criticality at the superconductor to insulator transition revealed by specific heat measurements

The superconductor-insulator transition (SIT) is considered an excellent example of a quantum phase transition which is driven by quantum fluctuations at zero temperature. The quantum critical point is characterized by a diverging correlation length and a vanishing energy scale. Low energy fluctuations near quantum criticality may be experimentally detected by specific heat, $c_{\rm p}$, measurements. Here, we use a unique highly sensitive experiment to measure $c_{\rm p}$ of two-dimensional granular Pb films through the SIT. The specific heat shows the usual jump at the mean field superconducting transition temperature $T_{\rm c}^{\rm {mf}}$ marking the onset of Cooper pairs formation. As the film thickness is tuned toward the SIT, $T_{\rm c}^{\rm {mf}}$ is relatively unchanged, while the magnitude of the jump and low temperature specific heat increase significantly. This behaviour is taken as the thermodynamic fingerprint of quantum criticality in the vicinity of a quantum phase transition.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl

Use of ultraviolet-fluorescence-based simulation in evaluation of personal protective equipment worn for first assessment and care of a patient with suspected high-consequence infectious disease

Background: Variations currently exist across the UK in the choice of personal protective equipment (PPE) used by healthcare workers when caring for patients with suspected high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs). Aim: To test the protection afforded to healthcare workers by current PPE ensembles during assessment of a suspected HCID case, and to provide an evidence base to justify proposal of a unified PPE ensemble for healthcare workers across the UK. Methods: One ‘basic level’ (enhanced precautions) PPE ensemble and five ‘suspected case’ PPE ensembles were evaluated in volunteer trials using ‘Violet’; an ultraviolet-fluorescence-based simulation exercise to visualize exposure/contamination events. Contamination was photographed and mapped. Findings: There were 147 post-simulation and 31 post-doffing contamination events, from a maximum of 980, when evaluating the basic level of PPE. Therefore, this PPE ensemble did not afford adequate protection, primarily due to direct contamination of exposed areas of the skin. For the five suspected case ensembles, 1584 post-simulation contamination events were recorded, from a maximum of 5110. Twelve post-doffing contamination events were also observed (face, two events; neck, one event; forearm, one event; lower legs, eight events). Conclusion: All suspected case PPE ensembles either had post-doffing contamination events or other significant disadvantages to their use. This identified the need to design a unified PPE ensemble and doffing procedure, incorporating the most protective PPE considered for each body area. This work has been presented to, and reviewed by, key stakeholders to decide on a proposed unified ensemble, subject to further evaluation

Impact Response of Granular Soils

The paper describes results from an extensive experimental model study of response of dry sand to impact of a rigid pounder. In the laboratory tests a circular steel pounder was repeatedly dropped on sand contained in a large tank. Measurements included pounder acceleration and soil pressure at impact, pounder settlement, and soil densities and strains. Effects of pounder drop height, weight and contact area were investigated. A method is presented for the evaluation of global dynamic stiffness of the so1l mass affected by the impact by calculating a dynamic settlement modulus (DSM). The DSM values are determined from integration of the impact acceleration record with respect to time using measured integration constants. DSM values show good correlation to soil densities and corresponding elastic moduli obtained from laboratory tests. The proposed method may have immediate construction application as it offers a reliable and cost effective alternative to quality control of dynamic compaction

‘VIOLET’: a fluorescence-based simulation exercise for training healthcare workers in the use of personal protective equipment

Background Healthcare workers caring for patients with high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs) require protection from pathogen exposure, for example by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Protection is acquired through the inherent safety of the PPE components, but also their safe and correct use, supported by adequate training and user familiarity. However, the evidence base for HCID PPE ensembles and any associated training is lacking, with subsequent variation between healthcare providers. Aim To develop an evidence-based assessment and training tool for evaluating PPE ensembles and doffing protocols, in the assessment of patients with suspected HCIDs. Methods VIOLET (Visualising Infection with Optimised Light for Education and Training) comprises a healthcare mannequin adapted to deliver simulated bodily fluids containing UV-fluorescent tracers. On demand and remotely operated, the mannequin projectile vomits (blue), coughs (red), has diarrhoea (yellow) and is covered in sweat (orange). Wearing PPE, healthcare staff participate in an HCID risk assessment and examination of the ‘patient’, thereby becoming exposed to these bodily fluids. Contamination of PPE is visualized and body-mapped under UV light before and after removal. Observational findings and participant feedback, around its use as a training exercise, is also recorded. Findings Significant contamination from different exposure events was seen, enabling evaluation of PPE and doffing procedures used. Observational data and participant feedback demonstrated its strengths and success as a training technique. Conclusion Simulation exercises using VIOLET provide evidence-based assessment of PPE ensembles, and are a valuable resource for training of healthcare staff in wearing and safe doffing of PPE

Soil Profiling by Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves

Methods for in-situ surface measurement and spectral analysis of Rayleigh waves for subsurface soil investigation have been tried by several researchers in recent years. The two most common methods, steady-state Rayleigh-wave and spectral-analysis-of-surface-waves (SASW) have certain disadvantages and are not used for routine soil investigation. The paper presents a system which uses a controlled vibration source with amplitude modulation and variable frequency capabilities. The electromagnetic vibrator may be varied in size and weight according to the depth of the soil strata investigated. The Rayleigh wave phase velocity dispersion curves are used to compute apparent velocity distribution in depth. An approximate conversion method is then used to estimate Rayleigh wave velocity profiles of the layered soil from the apparent velocities distributions. Shear wave velocities, computed by using established theoretical relationship, may then be used to obtain design parameters for the soil strata. The system has been used routinely in Japan and South East Asia for several years now and results show good correlations with SPT and shear wave velocity measurements conducted as verification tests in a variety of sites

Revisiting the initial steps of sexual development in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Human to vector transmission of malaria requires that some blood-stage parasites abandon asexual growth and convert into non-replicating sexual forms called gametocytes. The initial steps of gametocytogenesis remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we study this part of the malaria life cycle in Plasmodium falciparum using PfAP2-G, the master regulator of sexual conversion, as a marker of commitment. We demonstrate the existence of PfAP2-G-positive sexually committed parasite stages that precede the previously known committed schizont stage. We also found that sexual conversion can occur by two different routes: the previously described route in which PfAP2-G-expressing parasites complete a replicative cycle as committed forms before converting into gametocytes upon re-invasion, or a direct route with conversion within the same cycle as initial PfAP2-G expression. The latter route is linked to early PfAP2-G expression in ring stages. Reanalysis of published single-cell RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data confirmed the presence of both routes. Consistent with these results, using plaque assays we observed that, in contrast to the prevailing model, many schizonts produced mixed plaques containing both asexual parasites and gametocytes. Altogether, our results reveal unexpected features of the initial steps of sexual development and extend the current view of this part of the malaria life cycle

Multi-Cultural Curriculum Planning Approaches in Higher Education

Curriculum as a political document in every society must reflect its values and basic policies. In this research some approaches to multi-cultural curriculum planning in higher education have been presented, the results of which could be applicable in the Ministry of Higher Education (for all Universities), Farhangian University, and Shahid Rajaiee Teachers’ Training University. The research is a practical one using a descriptive-analytical methodology and library or documented study. It has also carried out a field survey obtaining the needed info through interviews and questionnaires. Using Cochran Model, the sampling consisted of 373 persons from the statistical population of 10000 professors, staff,  and university students studying within the period of 1391 to 1396, pursuing their continuous Bachelor Degree in Farhangian University. In this research SWOT method has been used for analyzing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and presenting the most important policies of multi cultural curriculum. Moreover, the strategic model of SOAR has been applied to planning the strategy of strengths and explaining the opportunities, ideals, and results. Then with applying the quantitative strategic planning matrix, the various strategy choices have been identified and assessed. We can sum پ up the best strategy for multi-cultural curriculum planning as setting up the curriculum and syllabus on the basis of the whole country's cultural diversity to the extent that the policy of “unity in plurality” will be implemented properly