25,414 research outputs found
Long-range triplet proximity effect in multiply connected ferromagnet-superconductor hybrids
Applying the linearized Usadel equations, we consider the nucleation of
superconductivity in multiply connected mesoscopic superconductor/ferromagnet
(S/F) hybrids such as a thin superconducting ring on a ferromagnet with a
uniform in-plane magnetization M and a spin-active S/F interface. We
demonstrate that the exchange field in F provokes a switching between
superconducting states with different vorticities which may increase the
critical temperature ( Tc ) of the superconductor in a magnetic field. We study
the interplay between oscillations in Tc due to the Little--Parks effect and
oscillations in Tc induced by the exchange field. Furthermore, we analyse the
influence of long-range spin-triplet correlations on the switching between
different vorticities.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure
The role of regional institutional entrepreneurs in the emergence of clusters in nanotechnologies
In the case of new technologies like nanotechnology, institutional entrepreneurs appear who have to act at different levels (organizational, regional, national) at the same time. We reconstruct, in some detail, the history of two cases, in Grenoble and in Twente/Netherlands. An intriguing finding is that institutional entrepreneurs build their environment before changing their institution. They first mobilize European support to convince local and national levels before actual cluster building occurs. Only later will there be reactions against any de-institutionalisation caused at the base location. The Dutch case shows another notable finding: when mobilizing support the entrepreneur will have to agree to further conditions, and then ends up in a different situation (a broad national consortium) than originally envisaged (the final cluster involved a collaboration of Twente with two other centres). In general, an institutional entrepreneur attempts to create momentum, and when this is achieved, he has to follow rather than lead it.INSTITUTIONAL ENTREPRENEUR; DEINSTITUTIONALISATION; CLUSTER; LOCATION; EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES; PROMISE; NANOTECHNOLOGY
Promoting Team-Based Exercise Among African American Breast Cancer Survivors
Physical activity benefits the health and well-being of breast cancer survivors (BCS). Yet, many African American survivors do not routinely exercise and have increased risk of poor outcomes. The purpose of this mixed-method study was to identify motivational factors compelling African American BCS to participate in a 14-week team walking program and to intend to continue exercise after the intervention concluded. Focus groups were held with participants (n = 12) before and after training. Content analysis discovered themes before the intervention: Not wanting to go at it alone, exercise not a life or treatment priority, cancer treatment affected activity, advocates to exercise, and can exercise really help? Four themes postintervention themes included: In the same boat, changed mind-set, improved weight and activity, and overcoming barriers. Physical data verified improvements. Results suggest that a team-based exercise training program may assist in overcoming a sedentary behavior tendency and subsequently improve health among survivors
Survivors Speak: A Qualitative Analysis of Motivational Factors Influencing Breast Cancer Survivorsâ Participation in a Sprint Distance Triathlon
Aims and Objectives
To examine motivational factors influencing breast cancer survivors to participate in triathlon training, complete a triathlon and maintain an exercise thereafter.
Background
Routine exercise has been shown to improve quality of life and reduce recurrence for breast cancer survivors. Yet physical and psychological factors present barriers for initiating and maintaining an exercise routine. Research is limited in exploring factors of exercise motivation from the survivor\u27s perspective.
Design
Qualitative design using focus groups and individual follow-up phone interviews to explore motivation for exercise initiation and maintenance.
Methods
One to two weeks after completing a triathlon, 11 breast cancer survivors who trained together participated in one of three focus groups to discuss their experience. Five months post triathlon 6 of the 11 participants were successfully contacted and phone interviews were conducted to explore exercise maintenance. Focus groups and interviews were analysed using content and thematic analysis.
Results
Five themes emerged (1) Champion for Exercise, (2) Part of a Team, (3) Everyone Had a Story, (4) Not Really Exercise and (5) What Do We Do Now? Overall, survivors recognised their need for lifestyle change (e.g. moving from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active one). More importantly, they identified the team approach to exercise initiation was crucial in their success in sustaining a behavioural change.
Conclusions
Emphasis needed on developing team exercise training programmes for survivors. Nurses can play a critical role in discussing with survivors, the benefits of exercise initiation and maintenance.
Relevance to clinical practice
Breast cancer survivors are hesitant to initiate routine exercise. Training with women who share a common lived experience increases the likelihood of success. Nurses are in a position to encourage breast cancer survivors to participate in group exercise programmes as a way to improve quality of life
The H-alpha and Infrared Star Formation Rates for the Nearby Field Galaxy Survey
We investigate the H-alpha and infrared star formation rate (SFR) diagnostics
for galaxies in the Nearby Field Galaxy Survey (NFGS). For the 81 galaxies in
our sample, we derive H-alpha fluxes (included here) from integrated spectra.
There is a strong correlation between the ratio of far-infrared to optical
luminosities L(FIR)/L(H-alpha) and the extinction E(B-V) measured with the
Balmer decrement. Before reddening correction, the SFR(IR) and SFR(H-alpha) are
related to each other by a power-law. Correction of the SFR(H-alpha) for
extinction using the Balmer decrement and a classical reddening curve both
reduces the scatter in the SFR(IR)-SFR(H-alpha) correlation and results in a
much closer agreement (within ~10%) between the two SFR indicators. This SFR
relationship spans 4 orders of magnitude and holds for all Hubble types with
IRAS detections in the NFGS. A constant ratio between the SFR(IR) and
SFR(H-alpha) for all Hubble types, including early types (S0-Sab), suggests
that the IR emission in all of these objects results from a young stellar
population.Comment: 23 pages, 5 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in the
Astronomical Journal. V2: Important changes: IRAS fluxes updated. Only
moderate and good quality IRAS FIR fluxes are now used, resulting in slight
changes to the equations and figures. The IR and H-alpha SFRs now agree to
within ~10%, rather than ~30% as quoted previousl
Electromagnetic vortex lines riding atop null solutions of the Maxwell equations
New method of introducing vortex lines of the electromagnetic field is
outlined. The vortex lines arise when a complex Riemann-Silberstein vector
is multiplied by a complex scalar function
. Such a multiplication may lead to new solutions of the Maxwell
equations only when the electromagnetic field is null, i.e. when both
relativistic invariants vanish. In general, zeroes of the function give
rise to electromagnetic vortices. The description of these vortices benefits
from the ideas of Penrose, Robinson and Trautman developed in general
relativity.Comment: NATO Workshop on Singular Optics 2003 To appear in Journal of Optics
A Dicke Type Model for Equilibrium BEC Superradiance
We study the effect of electromagnetic radiation on the condensate of a Bose
gas. In an earlier paper we considered the problem for two simple models
showing the cooperative effect between Bose-Einstein condensation and
superradiance. In this paper we formalise the model suggested by Ketterle et al
in which the Bose condensate particles have a two level structure. We present a
soluble microscopic Dicke type model describing a thermodynamically stable
system. We find the equilibrium states of the system and compute the
thermodynamic functions giving explicit formulae expressing the cooperative
effect between Bose-Einstein condensation and superradiance
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