2,030 research outputs found
Scaling configurations of cosmic superstring networks and their cosmological implications
We study the cosmic microwave background temperature and polarisation spectra
sourced by multi-tension cosmic superstring networks. First we obtain solutions
for the characteristic length scales and velocities associated with the
evolution of a network of F-D strings, allowing for the formation of junctions
between strings of different tensions. We find two distinct regimes describing
the resulting scaling distributions for the relative densities of the different
types of strings, depending on the magnitude of the fundamental string coupling
g_s. In one of them, corresponding to the value of the coupling being of order
unity, the network's stress-energy power spectrum is dominated by populous
light F and D strings, while the other regime, at smaller values of g_s, has
the spectrum dominated by rare heavy D strings. These regimes are seen in the
CMB anisotropies associated with the network. We focus on the dependence of the
shape of the B-mode polarisation spectrum on g_s and show that measuring the
peak position of the B-mode spectrum can point to a particular value of the
string coupling. Finally, we assess how this result, along with pulsar bounds
on the production of gravitational waves from strings, can be used to constrain
a combination of g_s and the fundamental string tension mu_F. Since CMB and
pulsar bounds constrain different combinations of the string tensions and
densities, they result in distinct shapes of bounding contours in the (mu_F,
g_s) parameter plane, thus providing complementary constraints on the
properties of cosmic superstrings.Comment: 23 pages, 8 figures, 3 tables; V2: matches published version (PRD
Does joint architecture influence the nature of intra-articular fractures?
Introduction: The architecture of joints has potentially the greatest influence on the nature of intra-articular fractures. We analysed a large number of intra-articular fractures with two aims: (1) to determine if the pattern of injuries observed supports our conjecture that the local skeletal architecture is an important factor and (2) to investigate whether associated dislocations further affect the fracture pattern. Methods: A retrospective study of intra-articular fractures over a 3.5-year period; 1003 joints met inclusion criteria and were analysed. Three independent investigators determined if fractures affected the convex dome, the concave socket, or if both joint surfaces were involved. Further review determined if a joint dislocation occurred with the initial injury. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-way frequency table, and the χ test was used to compare the frequencies of concave and convex surface fractures. The odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to establish the association between the frequencies of concave and convex surface fractures, as well as between dislocation and either fracture surface involvement. Results: Of the 1003 fractures analysed, 956 (95.3%) involved only the concavity of the joint; in 21 fractures (2.1%) both joint surfaces were involved; and in 26 fractures (2.6%) only the convexity was involved (χ = 1654.9, df = 2, p < 0.0001). As expected, the concavity was 20.8 times more likely to fail than the convexity (11.2-36.6, 95% CI). However, the risk of fracturing the convex surface was 18.6 times higher (9.8-35.2, 95% CI) in association with a simultaneous joint dislocation, compared to those cases without a joint dislocation. Conclusions: These results very strongly support the study hypotheses: the skeletal architecture of joints clearly plays a highly significant role in determining the nature of intra-articular fractures. Intra-articular fractures involving the convexity are much more likely to be associated with a concurrent joint dislocation. Crow
Videoconference-based creativity workshops for mental health staff during the COVID-19 pandemic
Background
COVID-19 presented significant challenges to psychiatric staff, while social distancing and remote working necessitated digital communications. NHS England prioritised staff wellbeing. Arts-based creativity interventions appear to improve psychological wellbeing, so this study evaluated online Creativity Workshops as a staff support response for COVID-19-related stress.
Methods
Participants were staff from a South London NHS psychiatric hospital. Group Creativity Workshops were facilitated via Microsoft Teams. Acceptability data on pre- and post-workshop mood and attitudes were self-reported by participants. Feasibility data were gathered from adherence to number of workshop components delivered.
Results
Eight workshops were delivered in May-September 2020 (N = 55) with high adherence to components. Participants reported significantly increased positive mood and attitudes towards themselves and others; and decreased stress and anxiety.
Conclusions
Online Creativity Workshops appear feasible and acceptable in reducing stress in psychiatric staff. Integrating a programme of Creativity Workshops within healthcare staff support may benefit staff wellbeing
Monolithic fabrication of a planar Gunn diode and a pHEMT side-by-side
This work presents the implementation of planar Gunn diodes and pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistors (pHEMTs) on the same wafer for the first time. The AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs heterostructures were designed for the realisation of pHEMTs on a Gallium Arsenide — based wafer. T-gate technology has been used for the maximisation of the transistor performance. Devices with a 70 nm long gate foot showed excellent DC and small-signal characteristics, with 780 mS/mm peak transconductance and 200 GHz fmax. Planar Gunn diodes were fabricated in parallel with the pHEMTs, sharing most of the fabrication steps. The diodes produce oscillations with 87.6 GHz maximum frequency and −40 dBm maximum output power
Symplectic structure for elastic and chiral conducting cosmic string models
This article is based on the covariant canonical formalism and corresponding
symplectic structure on phase space developed by Witten, Zuckerman and others
in the context of field theory. After recalling the basic principles of this
procedure, we construct the conserved bilinear symplectic current for generic
elastic string models. These models describe current carrying cosmic strings
evolving in an arbitrary curved background spacetime. Particular attention is
paid to the special case of the chiral string for which the worldsheet current
is null. Different formulations of the chiral string action are discussed in
detail, and as a result the integrability property of the chiral string is
clarified.Comment: 18 page
Measurement of the orientation of buffer-gas-cooled, electrostatically-guided ammonia molecules
AbstractThe extent to which the spatial orientation of internally and translationally cold ammonia molecules can be controlled as molecules pass out of a quadrupole guide and through different electric field regions is examined. Ammonia molecules are collisionally cooled in a buffer gas cell, and are subsequently guided by a three-bend electrostatic quadrupole into a detection chamber. The orientation of ammonia molecules is probed using (2+1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionisation (REMPI), with the laser polarisation axis aligned both parallel and perpendicular to the time-of-flight axis. Even with the presence of a near-zero field region, the ammonia REMPI spectra indicate some retention of orientation. Monte Carlo simulations propagating the time-dependent Schrödinger equation in a full basis set including the hyperfine interaction enable the orientation of ammonia molecules to be calculated – with respect to both the local field direction and a space-fixed axis – as the molecules pass through different electric field regions. The simulations indicate that the orientation of ∼95% of ammonia molecules in JK=11 could be achieved with the application of a small bias voltage (17V) to the mesh separating the quadrupole and detection regions. Following the recent combination of the buffer gas cell and quadrupole guide apparatus with a linear Paul ion trap, this result could enable one to examine the influence of molecular orientation on ion-molecule reaction dynamics and kinetics
Terahertz oscillations in an In<sub>0.53</sub>Ga<sub>0.47</sub>As submicron planar gunn diode
The length of the transit region of a Gunn diode determines the natural frequency at which it operates in fundamental mode – the shorter the device, the higher the frequency of operation. The long-held view on Gunn diode design is that for a functioning device the minimum length of the transit region is about 1.5μm, limiting the devices to fundamental mode operation at frequencies of roughly 60 GHz. Study of these devices by more advanced Monte Carlo techniques that simulate the ballistic transport and electron-phonon interactions that govern device behaviour, offers a new lower bound of 0.5μm, which is already being approached by the experimental evidence that has shown planar and vertical devices exhibiting Gunn operation at 600nm and 700nm, respectively. The paper presents results of the first ever THz submicron planar Gunn diode fabricated in In<sub>0.53</sub>Ga<sub>0.47</sub>A on an InP substrate, operating at a fundamental frequency above 300 GHz. Experimentally measured rf power of 28 µW was obtained from a 600 nm long ×120 µm wide device. At this new length, operation in fundamental mode at much higher frequencies becomes possible – the Monte Carlo model used predicts power output at frequencies over 300 GHz
- …