5,992 research outputs found
Convective instability and mass transport of diffusion layers in a Hele-Shaw geometry
We consider experimentally the instability and mass transport of a
porous-medium flow in a Hele-Shaw geometry. In an initially stable
configuration, a lighter fluid (water) is located over a heavier fluid
(propylene glycol). The fluids mix via diffusion with some regions of the
resulting mixture being heavier than either pure fluid. Density-driven
convection occurs with downward penetrating dense fingers that transport mass
much more effectively than diffusion alone. We investigate the initial
instability and the quasi steady state. The convective time and velocity
scales, finger width, wave number selection, and normalized mass transport are
determined for 6,000<Ra<90,000. The results have important implications for
determining the time scales and rates of dissolution trapping of carbon dioxide
in brine aquifers proposed as possible geologic repositories for sequestering
carbon dioxide.Comment: 4 page, 3 figure
Modelling the Northeast Atlantic circulation : implications for the spring invasion of shelf regions by Calanus finmarchicus
The appearance in spring of the copepod Calanus finmarchicus in continental shelf waters of the northeastern Atlantic has been hypothesized to be mainly attributable to invasion from across the continental slope rather than in situ overwintering. This paper describes the application of a hydrodynamic circulation model and a particle-tracking model to Northeast Atlantic waters in order to assess the influence of the flow field and ascent migration parameters on the spring invasion of C. finmarchicus. For hydrodynamic modelling, the Hamburg Shelf-Ocean Model (HAMSOM) was applied to the North Atlantic and Nordic Seas and forced with daily mean atmospheric data. Simulated flow fields from HAMSOM serve as forcing functions for a particle-tracking model of the same region. The robustness of the simulated shelf invasion in three target boxes of the Northeast Atlantic Shelf was assessed by means of a sensitivity analysis with respect to variations in four key migration parameters: overwintering depth, ascent rate, ascent timing, and depth during residence in upper layers. The invasion of the northern North Sea and Norwegian Shelf waters is more sensitive to ascent migration parameters than invasion of the Faroese Shelf. The main reason for enhanced sensitivity of the North Sea invasion is the time and space-dependent flow structure in the Faroe-Shetland Channel. Dense aggregations of overwintering C. finmarchicus are found in the Channel, but because of the complex flow field only a proportion of the overwintering stock has the capacity to reach the North Sea
The eclipsing post-common envelope binary CSS21055: a white dwarf with a probable brown-dwarf companion
We report photometric observations of the eclipsing close binary CSS21055
(SDSS J141126+200911) that strongly suggest that the companion to the
carbon-oxygen white dwarf is a brown dwarf with a mass between 0.030 and 0.074
Msun. The measured orbital period is 121.73min and the totality of the eclipse
lasts 125s. If confirmed, CSS21055 would be the first detached eclipsing WD+BD
binary. Spectroscopy in the eclipse could provide information about the
companion's evolutionary state and atmospheric structure.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure
Characterization of Thin Pixel Sensor Modules Interconnected with SLID Technology Irradiated to a Fluence of 2\,n/cm
A new module concept for future ATLAS pixel detector upgrades is presented,
where thin n-in-p silicon sensors are connected to the front-end chip
exploiting the novel Solid Liquid Interdiffusion technique (SLID) and the
signals are read out via Inter Chip Vias (ICV) etched through the front-end.
This should serve as a proof of principle for future four-side buttable pixel
assemblies for the ATLAS upgrades, without the cantilever presently needed in
the chip for the wire bonding.
The SLID interconnection, developed by the Fraunhofer EMFT, is a possible
alternative to the standard bump-bonding. It is characterized by a very thin
eutectic Cu-Sn alloy and allows for stacking of different layers of chips on
top of the first one, without destroying the pre-existing bonds. This paves the
way for vertical integration technologies.
Results of the characterization of the first pixel modules interconnected
through SLID as well as of one sample irradiated to \,\neqcm{}
are discussed.
Additionally, the etching of ICV into the front-end wafers was started. ICVs
will be used to route the signals vertically through the front-end chip, to
newly created pads on the backside. In the EMFT approach the chip wafer is
thinned to (50--60)\,m.Comment: Proceedings to PSD
Employees' views on home-based, after-hours telephone triage by Dutch GP cooperatives
__Abstract__
__Background:__
Dutch out-of-hours (OOH) centers find it difficult to attract sufficient triage staff. They regard home-based
triage as an option that might attract employees. Specially trained nurses are supposed to conduct triage by telephone
from home for after-hours medical care. The central aim of this research is to investigate the views of employees of OOH
centers in The Netherlands on home-based telephone triage in after-hours care.
Methods: The study is a Q methodology study. Triage nurses, general practitioners (GPs) and managers of OOH centers
ranked 36 opinion statements on home-based triage. We interviewed 10 participants to help develop and validate the
statements for the Q sort, and 77 participants did the Q sort.
__Results__:
We identified four views on home-based telephone triage. Two generally favor home-based triage, one
highlights some concerns and conditions, and one opposes it out of concern for quality. The four views perceive different
sources of credibility for nurse triagists working from home.
__Conclusion__:
Home-based telephone triage is a controversial issue among triage nurses, GPs and managers of OOH
centers. By identifying consensus and dissension among GPs, triagists, managers and regulators, this study generates four
perspectives on home-based triage. In addition, it reveals the conditions considered important for home-based triage
Stationary Josephson effect in a weak-link between nonunitary triplet superconductors
A stationary Josephson effect in a weak-link between misorientated nonunitary
triplet superconductors is investigated theoretically. The non-self-consistent
quasiclassical Eilenberger equation for this system has been solved
analytically. As an application of this analytical calculation, the
current-phase diagrams are plotted for the junction between two nonunitary
bipolar wave superconducting banks. A spontaneous current parallel to the
interface between superconductors has been observed. Also, the effect of
misorientation between crystals on the Josephson and spontaneous currents is
studied. Such experimental investigations of the current-phase diagrams can be
used to test the pairing symmetry in the above-mentioned superconductors.Comment: 6 pages and 6 figure
Josephson effects in dilute Bose-Einstein condensates
We propose an experiment that would demonstrate the ``dc'' and ``ac''
Josephson effects in two weakly linked Bose-Einstein condensates. We consider a
time-dependent barrier, moving adiabatically across the trapping potential. The
phase dynamics are governed by a ``driven-pendulum'' equation, as in
current-driven superconducting Josephson junctions. At a critical velocity of
the barrier (proportional to the critical tunneling current), there is a sharp
transition between the ``dc'' and ``ac'' regimes. The signature is a sudden
jump of a large fraction of the relative condensate population. Analytical
predictions are compared with a full numerical solution of the time dependent
Gross-Pitaevskii equation, in an experimentally realistic situation.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur
Quantum whistling in superfluid 4He
Fundamental considerations predict that macroscopic quantum systems such as
superfluids and the electrons in superconductors will exhibit oscillatory
motion when pushed through a small constriction. Here we report the observation
of these oscillations between two reservoirs of superfluid 4He partitioned by
an array of nanometer-sized apertures. They obey the Josephson frequency
equation and are coherent amongst all the apertures. This discovery at the
relatively high temperature of 2K (2000 times higher than related phenomena in
3He) may pave the way for a new class of practical rotation sensors of
unprecedented precision.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Natur
Delayed development of basal spikelets in wheat explains their increased floret abortion and rudimentary nature
Large differences exist in the number of grains per spikelet across an individual wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) spike. The central spikelets produce the highest number of grains, while apical and basal spikelets are less productive, and the most basal spikelets are commonly only developed in rudimentary form. Basal spikelets are delayed in initiation, yet they continue to develop and produce florets. The precise timing or the cause of their abortion remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the underlying causes of basal spikelet abortion using shading applications in the field. We found that basal spikelet abortion is likely to be the consequence of complete floret abortion, as both occur concurrently and have the same response to shading treatments. We detected no differences in assimilate availability across the spike. Instead, we show that the reduced developmental age of basal florets pre-anthesis is strongly associated with their increased abortion. Using the developmental age pre-abortion, we were able to predict final grain set per spikelet across the spike, alongside the characteristic gradient in the number of grains from basal to central spikelets. Future efforts to improve spikelet homogeneity across the spike could thus focus on improving basal spikelet establishment and increasing floret development rates pre-abortion
Photoassociation of cold atoms with chirped laser pulses: time-dependent calculations and analysis of the adiabatic transfer within a two-state model
This theoretical paper presents numerical calculations for photoassociation
of ultracold cesium atoms with a chirped laser pulse and detailed analysis of
the results. In contrast with earlier work, the initial state is represented by
a stationary continuum wavefunction. In the chosen example, it is shown that an
important population transfer is achieved to vibrational levels in
the vicinity of the v=98 bound level in the external well of the
potential. Such levels lie in the energy range swept by
the instantaneous frequency of the pulse, thus defining a ``photoassociation
window''. Levels outside this window may be significantly excited during the
pulse, but no population remains there after the pulse. Finally, the population
transfer to the last vibrational levels of the ground (6s + 6s)
is significant, making stable molecules. The results are interpreted in the
framework of a two state model as an adiabatic inversion mechanism, efficient
only within the photoassociation window. The large value found for the
photoassociation rate suggests promising applications. The present chirp has
been designed in view of creating a vibrational wavepacket in the excited state
which is focussing at the barrier of the double well potential.Comment: 49 pages, 9 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
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