On Generalized Additive Models for Representation of Solar EUV Irradiance

In the context of space weather forecasting, solar EUV irradiance specification is needed on multiple time scales, with associated uncertainty quantification for determining the accuracy of downstream parameters. Empirical models of irradiance often rely on parametric fits between irradiance in several bands and various solar indices. We build upon these empirical models by using Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) to represent solar irradiance. We apply the GAM approach in two steps: (a) A GAM is fitted between FISM2 irradiance and solar indices F10.7, Revised Sunspot Number, and the Lyman-α solar index. (b) A second GAM is fit to model the residuals of the first GAM with respect to FISM2 irradiance. We evaluate the performance of this approach during Solar Cycle 24 using GAMs driven by known solar indices as well as those forecasted 3 days ahead with an autoregressive modeling approach. We demonstrate negligible dependence of performance on solar cycle and season, and we assess the efficacy of the GAM approach across different wavelengths

Laser cooling of a nanomechanical resonator mode to its quantum ground state

We show that it is possible to cool a nanomechanical resonator mode to its ground state. The proposed technique is based on resonant laser excitation of a phonon sideband of an embedded quantum dot. The strength of the sideband coupling is determined directly by the difference between the electron-phonon couplings of the initial and final states of the quantum dot optical transition. Possible applications of the technique we describe include generation of non-classical states of mechanical motion.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, revtex

Rapport‐building in multiple interviews of children

AbstractRapport‐building is key in child investigative interviews, however, recommendations of how to build rapport differ. Additionally, rapport in more complex situations: when a child is interviewed repeatedly or requires separate rapport building have not been studied. This research examined the UK's ‘Achieving Best Evidence’ guidelines for rapport‐building, which recommend conducting a neutral discussion, compared with a control condition and a separate rapport‐building session for first interviews on children's recall and well‐being (measured by state anxiety and rapport questionnaires). For second and third interviews, additional full rapport‐building sessions were compared to shortened or no rapport‐building conditions. No significant differences in children's (N = 107) recall or well‐being were found across rapport‐building conditions for all interviews. We conclude that for children who have experienced non‐traumatic events, the inclusion of a neutral discussion rapport‐building phase may not be any more beneficial for children than conducting a friendly interview

Energy bands, conductance and thermoelectric power for ballistic electrons in a nanowire with spin-orbit interaction

We calculated the effects of spin-orbit interaction (SOI) on the energy bands, ballistic conductance and the electron-diffusion thermoelectric power of a nanowire by varying the temperature, electron density and width of the wire. The potential barriers at the edges of the wire are assumed to be very high. A consequence of the boundary conditions used in this model is determined by the energy band structure, resulting in wider plateaus when the electron density is increased due to larger energy-level separation as the higher subbands are occupied by electrons. The nonlinear dependence of the transverse confinement on position with respect to the well center excludes the "pole-like feature" in the conductance which is obtained when a harmonic potential is employed for confinement. At low temperature, the electron diffusion thermoelectric power increases linearly with T but deviates from the linear behavior for large values of T.Comment: Updated corrected version of the original submissio

Social flocculation in plant–animal worms

Individual animals can often move more safely or more efficiently as members of a group. This can be as simple as safety in numbers or as sophisticated as aerodynamic or hydrodynamic cooperation. Here, we show that individual plant–animal worms (Symsagittifera roscoffensis) can move to safety more quickly through flocculation. Flocs form in response to turbulence that might otherwise carry these beach-dwelling worms out to sea. They allow the worms to descend much more quickly to the safety of the substrate than single worms could swim. Descent speed increases with floc size such that larger flocs can catch up with smaller ones and engulf them to become even larger and faster. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of social flocculation in a wild, multicellular organism. It is also remarkable that such effective flocculation occurs where the components are comparatively large multicellular organisms organized as entangled ensembles

Pattern Formation in Semiconductors

In semiconductors, nonlinear generation and recombination processes of free carriers and nonlinear charge transport can give rise to non-equilibrium phase transitions. At low temperatures, the basic nonlinearity is due to the autocatalytic generation of free carriers by impact ionization of shallow impurities. The electric field accelerates free electrons, causing an abrupt increase in free carrier density at a critical electric field. In static electric fields, this nonlinearity is known to yield complex filamentary current patterns bound to electric contacts

Experiences of providing self-management support: a qualitative study of pre-registration physiotherapy students at one university

BACKGROUND: The importance of health care professionals in supporting self-management of individuals with long-term conditions has increased significantly over the last decade. While research has explored health care professionals’ experiences of supporting self-management, there is a paucity of literature exploring student experiences. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore pre-registration physiotherapy students’ experiences, of using self-management support principles in practice. METHODS: A qualitative methodology was adopted, in which final year pre-registration physiotherapy students, were invited to participate in focus groups to explore their experiences of using self-management principles with patients in practice. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified: i) self-management support as something to apply or do, ii) environmental and patient factors influencing application in practice, iii) limited development of self-management support self-efficacy and iv) learning experiences of self-management support disjointed. Despite self-management support teaching, students had varied theoretical comprehension of the concepts and overall lacked confidence in the practical application CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest more consistent and practical approaches would support learning and facilitate the development of students’ self-efficacy for using self-management support principles. For instance, curricula should encompass opportunities to explore simulated scenarios to develop effective collaborative communication with individuals and avoid didactic and directive approaches to providing self-management support. Further research is planned to investigate students’ experiences of a newly validated curriculum where self-management support teaching is integrated and embedded. Research to compare communication curriculum and effectiveness between universities is also warranted