RECESSION OF KAFFIØYRA REGION GLACIERS, OSCAR II LAND, SVALBARD

The main aim of this research was to describe the course of the glacier retreat in the Kaffiøyra Region, starting from the maximum advance of the glaciers to the year 2009. From maps and archival data as well as the results of the field measurements and GPS measurements carried out in the years 1977–2009, the authors present the retreat histories for six glaciers. The smallest retreat was recorded for Waldemarbreen (8 m a-1), while Elisebreen retreated at the fastest rate of 18 m a-1. Since 1909 the area of Kaffiøyra glaciers has decreased by 37% on average. The smallest change was recorded in the case of Irenebreen and Waldemarbreen, while the largest was in the case of Oliverbreen and Einvindbreen. As the analysis of the glacier extension in the valley areas of the Kaffiøyra Region indicates, all of them have been in the same recession stage since 1909.

Effect of a high-voltage mesh electrode on the volume and surface characteristics of pulsed dielectric barrier discharges

Electrical breakdown in a pulsed asymmetric dielectric barrier discharge between a glass-covered mesh electrode and a grounded metal electrode in the air at atmospheric pressure is investigated. Volume discharge forms between the metal tip and the dielectric surface and spreads over the dielectric surface. Breakdown and discharge behaviors depend on the polarity of the charged electrode covered with glass compared to the metal rod electrode. In the case of the dielectric cathode (covered mesh), volume discharge features a stronger and longer-lasting emission. Volume discharge is weaker with outstretched surface discharge developing on the opposite glass electrode sustained by the embedded mesh when the metal rod functions as a cathode. The development and spatial distribution of the surface discharge depend on the relative polarity of the dielectrics caused by the charge deposition of the preceding discharge and is independent of the polarity of the applied high voltage. The discharge emission is brighter for the metal cathode and dielectric anode than for the metal anode, with a branching discharge developing and spreading in a star-like structure along the embedded grid, while a ring-like structure was observed for the metal anode and dielectric cathode. The duty cycle influences the discharge development and properties through the effects of the gas phase and surface pre-ionization

The scaling or ontogeny of human gait kinetics and walk-run transition: The implications of work vs. peak power minimization

A simple model is developed to find vertical force profiles and stance durations that minimize either limb mechanical work or peak power demands during bipedal locomotion. The model predicts that work minimization is achieved with a symmetrical vertical force profile, consistent with previous models and observations of adult humans, and data for 487 participants (predominantly 11–18 years old) required to walk at a range of speeds at a Science Fair. Work minimization also predicts the discrete walk-run transition, familiar for adult humans. In contrast, modeled peak limb mechanical power demands are minimized with an early skew in vertical ground reaction force that increases with speed, and stance durations that decrease steadily with speed across the work minimizing walk-run transition speed. The peak power minimization model therefore predicts a continuous walk-run gait transition that is quantitatively consistent with measurements of younger children (1.1–4.7 years) required to locomote at a range of speeds but free to select their own gaits

Ultrafast Optical Excitation of a Persistent Surface-State Population in the Topological Insulator Bi2Se3

Using femtosecond time- and angle- resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we investigated the nonequilibrium dynamics of the topological insulator Bi2Se3. We studied p-type Bi2Se3, in which the metallic Dirac surface state and bulk conduction bands are unoccupied. Optical excitation leads to a meta-stable population at the bulk conduction band edge, which feeds a nonequilibrium population of the surface state persisting for >10ps. This unusually long-lived population of a metallic Dirac surface state with spin texture may present a channel in which to drive transient spin-polarized currents

Strong correlations and orbital texture in single-layer 1T-TaSe2

Strong electron correlation can induce Mott insulating behaviour and produce intriguing states of matter such as unconventional superconductivity and quantum spin liquids. Recent advances in van der Waals material synthesis enable the exploration of Mott systems in the two-dimensional limit. Here we report characterization of the local electronic properties of single- and few-layer 1T-TaSe2 via spatial- and momentum-resolved spectroscopy involving scanning tunnelling microscopy and angle-resolved photoemission. Our results indicate that electron correlation induces a robust Mott insulator state in single-layer 1T-TaSe2 that is accompanied by unusual orbital texture. Interlayer coupling weakens the insulating phase, as shown by reduction of the energy gap and quenching of the correlation-driven orbital texture in bilayer and trilayer 1T-TaSe2. This establishes single-layer 1T-TaSe2 as a useful platform for investigating strong correlation physics in two dimensions

Impact of Pharmacists and Student Pharmacists in Educating and Screening Low-Income Women for Cardiovascular Disease

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention on knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to increase awareness of risk factors among female patients of a community health center with an on-site 340B pharmacy. Methods: The program consisted of a 10-minute educational intervention and brief pre-test, post-test, and participant satisfaction survey. Adult female patients at the clinic for any provider visit or prescription fill were eligible to participate. Participants met individually with a student pharmacist or faculty member and verbally completed the pre-test. The participant received education regarding CVD, risk factors, and symptoms of myocardial infarction and were screened for hypertension and/or hyperlipidemia. The post-test was then verbally administered. Participants answered the satisfaction survey privately. Based on individual needs, educational materials and information on available pharmacy clinical services were provided. The university IRB deemed the study exempt. Results:Eighty-four individuals received educational materials and/or a screening test. Of those, 30 women (mean age 46.9 years) completed the educational intervention. Thirteen (43%) reported smoking; 22 (73%) identified themselves as overweight. Fourteen (47%) indicated a preexisting diagnosis of hypertension. Correct responses for 6 of 8 knowledge-based questions were statistically significantly improved from pre-test to post-test (p Conclusion: CVD is the leading cause of death in U.S. women. Data from this program indicate that through screening and education, pharmacists and student pharmacists can impact female patients' knowledge of CVD risk factors. Continued efforts in this area may help to reduce the public health burden of CVD.   Type: Student Projec