1,165 research outputs found

    Magnetoelastic coupling in URu2Si2: Probing multipolar correlations in the hidden order state

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    Time-reversal symmetry and magnetoelastic correlations are probed by means of high-resolution volume dilatometry in URu 2 Si 2 at cryogenic temperatures, and magnetic fields sufficient to suppress the hidden order state at H HO ( T = 0.66 K ) ≃ 35 T. We report a significant magnetoelastic volume expansion at and above H HO ( T ) , and even above T HO , possibly a consequence of field-induced f -electron localization. We investigate in detail the magnetostriction and magnetization as the temperature is reduced across two decades in temperature from 30 K where the system is paramagnetic, to 0.5 K in the realm of the hidden order state. We find a dominant quadratic-in-field dependence Δ L / L ∝ H 2 , a result consistent with a state that is symmetric under time reversal. The data shows, however, an incipient yet unmistakable asymptotic approach to linear ( Δ L / L ∝ 1 − H / H 0 ) for 15 T < H < H HO ( 0.66 K ) ∼ 40 T at the lowest temperatures. We discuss these results in the framework of a Ginzburg-Landau formalism that proposes a complex order parameter for the HO phase to model the ( H , T , p ) phase diagram.Fil: Wartenbe, Mark. National High Magnetic Field Laboratory; Estados Unidos. Florida State University; Estados UnidosFil: Baumbach, Ryan E.. National High Magnetic Field Laboratory; Estados Unidos. Florida State University; Estados UnidosFil: Shekhter, Arkady. National High Magnetic Field Laboratory; Estados Unidos. Florida State University; Estados UnidosFil: Boebinger, Gregory S.. National High Magnetic Field Laboratory; Estados Unidos. Florida State University; Estados UnidosFil: Bauer, Eric D.. Los Alamos National High Magnetic Field Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Corvalán Moya, Carolina del Huerto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. Los Alamos National High Magnetic Field Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Harrison, Neil. Los Alamos National High Magnetic Field Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: McDonald, Ross D.. Los Alamos National High Magnetic Field Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Salamon, Myron B.. Los Alamos National High Magnetic Field Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Jaime, Marcelo. Los Alamos National High Magnetic Field Laboratory; Estados Unido

    Genescene: Biomedical Text and Data Mining

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    To access the content of digital texts efficiently, it is necessary to provide more sophisticated access than keyword based searching. GeneScene provides biomedical researchers with research findings and background relations automatically extracted from text and experimental data. These provide a more detailed overview of the information available. The extracted relations were evaluated by qualified researchers and are precise. A qualitative ongoing evaluation of the current online interface indicates that this method to search the literature is more useful and efficient than keyword based searching

    SPECT/CT imaging of the lumbar spine in chronic low back pain: a case report

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    Mechanical low back pain is a common indication for Nuclear Medicine imaging. Whole-body bone scan is a very sensitive but poorly specific study for the detection of metabolic bone abnormalities. The accurate localisation of metabolically active bone disease is often difficult in 2D imaging but single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) allows accurate diagnosis and anatomic localisation of osteoblastic and osteolytic lesions in 3D imaging. We present a clinical case of a patient referred for evaluation of chronic lower back pain with no history of trauma, spinal surgery, or cancer. Planar whole-body scan showed heterogeneous tracer uptake in the lumbar spine with intense localisation to the right lateral aspect of L3. Integrated SPECT/CT of the lumbar spine detected active bone metabolism in the right L3/L4 facet joint in the presence of minimal signs of degenerative osteoarthrosis on CT images, while a segment demonstrating more gross degenerative changes was more quiescent with only mild tracer uptake. The usefulness of integrated SPECT/CT for anatomical and functional assessment of back pain opens promising opportunities both for multi-disciplinary clinical assessment and treatment for manual therapists and for research into the effectiveness of manual therapies

    Internal construct validity of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS): a Rasch analysis using data from the Scottish Health Education Population Survey

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    Background: The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) was developed to meet demand for instruments to measure mental well-being. It comprises 14 positively phrased Likert-style items and fulfils classic criteria for scale development. We report here the internal construct validity of WEMWBS from the perspective of the Rasch measurement model. Methods: The model was applied to data collected from 779 respondents in Wave 12 (Autumn 2006) of the Scottish Health Education Population Survey. Respondents were aged 16–74 (average 41.9) yrs. Results: Initial fit to model expectations was poor. The items 'I've been feeling good about myself', 'I've been interested in new things' and 'I've been feeling cheerful' all showed significant misfit to model expectations, and were deleted. This led to a marginal improvement in fit to the model. After further analysis, more items were deleted and a strict unidimensional seven item scale (the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS)) was resolved. Many items deleted because of misfit with model expectations showed considerable bias for gender. Two retained items also demonstrated bias for gender but, at the scale level, cancelled out. One further retained item 'I've been feeling optimistic about the future' showed bias for age. The correlation between the 14 item and 7 item versions was 0.954. Given fit to the Rasch model, and strict unidimensionality, SWEMWBS provides an interval scale estimate of mental well-being. Conclusion: A short 7 item version of WEMWBS was found to satisfy the strict unidimensionality expectations of the Rasch model, and be largely free of bias. This scale, SWEMWBS, provides a raw score-interval scale transformation for use in parametric procedures. In terms of face validity, SWEMWBS presents a more restricted view of mental well-being than the 14 item WEMWBS, with most items representing aspects of psychological and eudemonic well-being, and few covering hedonic well-being or affect. However, robust measurement properties combined with brevity make SWEMWBS preferable to WEMWBS at present for monitoring mental well-being in populations. Where face validity is an issue there remain arguments for continuing to collect data on the full 14 item WEMWBS

    Cognitive remediation and social recovery in early psychosis (CReSt-R): protocol for a pilot randomised controlled study

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    Background Psychosis, even in its early stages, is associated with significant disability, causing it to be ranked ahead of paraplegia and blindness in those aged 18–35 in terms of years lived with disability. Current pharmacological and psychological interventions intervention have focused primarily on the reduction of positive symptoms (hallucinations and delusions), with little benefit to domains of psychosis such as cognitive difficulties and social and occupational functioning. Methods/design The CReSt-R intervention trial is a single center, pilot randomised controlled study based at the National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway. The trial will recruit participants from four clinical sites with assessment and intervention completed by the primary NUI Galway team. The trial will explore the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a novel psychosocial intervention for early psychosis based on a combined cognitive remediation training and cognitive behavioural therapy approach focused on social recovery. Participants, aged 16–35 within the first 5 years of a diagnosed psychotic disorder, will be recruited from the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service and the Adult Mental Health Services in the region. Discussion Cognitive remediation training (for improving cognition) and social recovery focused cognitive behavioural therapy, have both separately demonstrated effectiveness. This trial will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and explore the efficacy of a treatment approach that combines both approaches as part of an integrated, multicomponent intervention

    Representations of sport in the revolutionary socialist press in Britain, 1988–2012

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    This paper considers how sport presents a dualism to those on the far left of the political spectrum. A long-standing, passionate debate has existed on the contradictory role played by sport, polarised between those who reject it as a bourgeois capitalist plague and those who argue for its reclamation and reformation. A case study is offered of a political party that has consistently used revolutionary Marxism as the basis for its activity and how this party, the largest in Britain, addresses sport in its publications. The study draws on empirical data to illustrate this debate by reporting findings from three socialist publications. When sport did feature it was often in relation to high profile sporting events with a critical tone adopted and typically focused on issues of commodification, exploitation and alienation of athletes and supporters. However, readers’ letters, printed in the same publications, revealed how this interpretation was not universally accepted, thus illustrating the contradictory nature of sport for those on the far left
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