22,693 research outputs found
Ge Detectors and : The Search for Double Beta Decay with Germanium Detectors: Past, Present and Future
High Purity Germanium Detectors have excellent energy resolution; the best
among the technologies used in double beta decay. Since neutrino-less double
beta decay hinges on the search for a rare peak upon a background continuum,
this strength has enabled the technology to consistently provide leading
results. The Ge crystals at the heart of these experiments are very pure; they
have no measurable U or Th contamination. The added efforts to reduce the
background associated with electronics, cryogenic cooling, and shielding have
been very successful, leading to the longevity of productivity. The first
experiment published in 1967 by the Milan group of Fiorini, established the
benchmark half-life limit yr. More recently, the \MJ\ and
GERDA collaborations have developed new detector technologies that optimize the
pulse waveform analysis. As a result, the GERDA collaboration refuted the claim
of observation with a revolutionary approach to shielding by immersing the
detectors directly in radio-pure liquid argon. In 2018, the \MJ\ collaboration,
using a classic vacuum cryostat and high-Z shielding, achieved a background
level near that of GERDA by developing very pure materials for use nearby the
detectors. Together, GERDA and \MJ\ have provided limits approaching
yr. In this article, we elaborate on the historical use of Ge detectors for
double beta decay addressing the strengths and weaknesses. We also summarize
the status and future as many \MJ\ and GERDA collaborators have joined with
scientists from other efforts to give birth to the LEGEND collaboration. LEGEND
will exploit the best features of both experiments to extend the half-life
limit beyond yr with a ton-scale experiment.Comment: Invited submission to Frontiers in Physic
Reducing inappropriate antibiotics prescribing: The role of online commentary on physical examination findings
Objective: This study investigates the relationship of ‘online commentary’(contemporaneous physician comments about physical examination [PE] findings) with (i) parent questioning of the treatment recommendation and (ii) inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. Methods: A nested cross-sectional study of 522 encounters motivated by upper respiratory symptoms in 27 California pediatric practices (38 pediatricians). Physicians completed a post-visit survey regarding physical examination findings, diagnosis, treatment, and whether they perceived the parent as expecting an antibiotic. Taped encounters were coded for ‘problem’ online commentary (PE findings discussed as significant or clearly abnormal) and ‘no problem’ online commentary (PE findings discussed reassuringly as normal or insignificant). Results: Online commentary during the PE occurred in 73% of visits with viral diagnoses (n = 261). Compared to similar cases with ‘no problem’ online commentary, ‘problem’ comments were associated with a 13% greater probability of parents uestioning a non-antibiotic treatment plan (95% CI 0-26%, p = .05,) and a 27% (95% CI: 2-52%, p < .05) greater probability of an inappropriate antibiotic prescription. Conclusion: With viral illnesses, problematic online comments are associated with more pediatrician-parent conflict over non-antibiotic treatment recommendations. This may increase inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. Practice implications: In viral cases, physicians should consider avoiding the use of problematic online commentary
Universal Features of Terahertz Absorption in Disordered Materials
Using an analytical theory, experimental terahertz time-domain spectroscopy
data and numerical evidence, we demonstrate that the frequency dependence of
the absorption coupling coefficient between far-infrared photons and atomic
vibrations in disordered materials has the universal functional form, C(omega)
= A + B*omega^2, where the material-specific constants A and B are related to
the distributions of fluctuating charges obeying global and local charge
neutrality, respectively.Comment: 5 pages, 3 fig
Structural characteristics of positionally-disordered lattices: relation to the first sharp diffraction peak in glasses
Positional disorder has been introduced into the atomic structure of certain
crystalline lattices, and the orientationally-averaged structure factor S(k)
and pair-correlation function g(r) of these disordered lattices have been
studied. Analytical expressions for S(k) and g(r) for Gaussian positional
disorder in 2D and 3D are confirmed with precise numerical simulations. These
analytic results also have a bearing on the unsolved Gauss circle problem in
mathematics. As the positional disorder increases, high-k peaks in S(k) are
destroyed first, eventually leaving a single peak, that with the lowest-k
value. The pair-correlation function for lattices with such high levels of
positional disorder exhibits damped oscillations, with a period equal to the
separation between the furthest-separated (lowest-k) lattice planes. The last
surviving peak in S(k) is, for example for silicon and silica, at a wavevector
nearly identical to that of the experimentally-observed first sharp diffraction
peak (FSDP) in the amorphous phases of those materials. Thus, for these
amorphous materials at least, the FSDP can be regarded as arising from
scattering from atomic configurations equivalent to the single family of
positionally-disordered local Bragg planes having the furthest separation.Comment: v2: changes in response to referees' comments: Figure 2 made more
readable, improved discussion of height of peaks in S(k), other minor changes
4 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Review
The MAJORANA 76Ge neutrino less double-beta decay project: A brief update
At present, MAJORANA is a research and development (R&D) project to
investigate the feasibility and cost of constructing and operating a one ton
decay experiment with ~1000 kg of Ge detectors fabricated from germanium
enriched to 86% in . The study will include three separate cryostats with
various types of detectors: un-segmented, un-segmented point-contact, minimally
segmented, and highly segmented. One cryostat will contain at least 30 kg of
enriched (preferably point-contact) detectors. The performance of the cryostats
and detectors as well as background levels will be investigated. The goal of
the demonstrator project is to reach a discovery sensitivity of ~ 1026 y.Comment: 3 pages, no figure
Photosensor with enhanced quantum efficiency
A method to significantly increase the quantum efficiency (QE) of a CCD (or similar photosensor) applied in the UV, far UV and low energy x-ray regions of the spectrum. The increase in QE is accomplished by overthinning the backside of a CCD substrate beyond the epitaxial interface and UV flooding the sensor prior to use. The UV light photoemits electrons to the thinned surface and charges the backside negatively. This in turn forms an accumulation layer of holes near the Si-SiO.sub.2 interface creating an electric field gradient in the silicon which directs the photogenerated signal to the frontside where they are collected in pixel locations and later transferred. An oxide film, in which the backside charge resides, must have quality equivalent to a well aged native oxide which typically takes several years to form under ambient conditions. To reduce the amount of time in growing an oxide of sufficient quality, a process has been developed to grow an oxide by using deionized steam at 95.degree. C. which takes less than one hour to grow
Factors affecting sleep in the critically ill: An observational study
Purpose: The aims of the current study were to describe the extrinsic and intrinsic factors affecting sleep in critically ill patients and to examine potential relationships with sleep quality. Materials and Methods: Sleep was recorded using polysomnography (PSG) and self-reports collected in adult patients in intensive care. Sound and illuminance levels were recorded during sleep recording. Objective sleep quality was quantified using total sleep time divided by the number of sleep periods (PSG sleep period time ratio). A regression model was specified using the "PSG sleep period time ratio" as a dependent variable. Results: Sleep was highly fragmented. Patients rated noise and light as the most sleep disruptive. Continuous equivalent sound levels were 56 dB (A). Median daytime illuminance level was 74 lux, and nighttime levels were 1 lux. The regression model explained 25% of the variance in sleep quality (P = .027); the presence of an artificial airway was the only statistically significant predictor in the model (P = .007). Conclusions: The presence of an artificial airway during sleep monitoring was the only significant predictor in the regression model and may suggest that although potentially uncomfortable, an artificial airway may actually promote sleep. This requires further investigation. © 2014 Elsevier Inc
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