Penetration depth study of LaOs4_4Sb12_{12}: Multiband s-wave superconductivity

We measured the magnetic penetration depth $\lambda(T)$ in single crystals of LaOs$_{4}$Sb$_{12}$ ($T_c$=0.74 K) down to 85 mK using a tunnel diode oscillator technique. The observed low-temperature exponential dependence indicates a s-wave gap. Fitting the low temperature data to BCS s-wave expression gives the zero temperature gap value $\Delta (0)= (1.34 \pm 0.07) k_B T_c$ which is significantly smaller than the BCS value of 1.76$k_B T_c$. In addition, the normalized superfluid density $\rho(T)$ shows an unusually long suppression near $T_c$, and are best fit by a two-band s-wave model.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

Distinctions in practice within coaching in Scotland

This research sought to identify distinctions in the practice of coaches within Scotland. A survey design was adopted, with a snowball sampling strategy generating 74 responses. The data from coaches within Scotland, compared with that from respondents in other European nations, suggest that: a greater proportion of the Scottish coaching community are male, that coaches commonly evaluate at the end of every meeting and also seek feedback from commissioning managers as well as clients, that there are numerous approaches to coaching and also to continuous professional development that are less widely adopted in Scotland, that the reputation of the coaching provider is often an important factor for those commissioning coaching and that there are preferences for certain coaching models when presented with particular client issues. Recommendations are made for future analytical research to identify causal factors for any phenomena that can be cautiously determined from this data set

Distinctions in practice within coaching in Wales

This research sought to identify distinctions in the practice of coaches within Wales, compared to other European nations. A survey design was adopted, with a snowball sampling strategy generating 150 respondents. Seven surveyed aspects of coaching practice produced distinctive responses from coaches within Wales: they are less likely to have membership of any professional coaching bodies, they spend a very small proportion of their working time coaching, they are more likely to operate as internal coaches or for low fees, they are more likely to engage in self-reflection and participate in peer networks, they have a marked preference for behavioural/goalfocused methods, they are thorough in the range of topics they cover when contracting and they are likely to be selected as coaches based predominantly upon their experience levels. Recommendations are made for future analytical research to identify causal factors for these distinctions

Dietary dairy product intake and incident type 2 diabetes: a prospective study using dietary data from a 7-day food diary

The consumption of specific dairy types may be beneficial for the prevention of diabetes. Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between total and types of dairy product intake and risk of developing incident type 2 diabetes, using a food diary. Methods: A nested case-cohort within the EPIC-Norfolk Study was examined, including a random subcohort (n=4,000) and cases of incident diabetes (n=892, including 143 cases in the subcohort) followed-up for 11 years. Diet was assessed using a prospective 7-day food diary. Total dairy intake (g/day) was estimated and categorised into high-fat (≥3.9%) and low-fat (<3.9% fat) dairy, and by subtype into yoghurt, cheese and milk. Combined fermented dairy product intake (yoghurt, cheese, sour cream) was estimated and categorised into high- and low-fat. Prentice-weighted Cox regression HRs were calculated. Results: Total dairy, high-fat dairy, milk, cheese and high-fat fermented dairy product intakes were not associated with the development of incident diabetes. Low-fat dairy intake was inversely associated with diabetes in age- and sex-adjusted analyses (tertile [T] 3 vs T1, HR 0.81 [95% CI 0.66, 0.98]), but further adjustment for anthropometric, dietary and diabetes risk factors attenuated this association. In addition, an inverse association was found between diabetes and low-fat fermented dairy product intake (T3 vs T1, HR 0.76 [95% CI 0.60, 0.99]; ptrend=0.049) and specifically with yoghurt intake (HR 0.72 [95% CI 0.55, 0.95]; ptrend=0.017) in multivariable adjusted analyses. Conclusions/interpretation: Greater low-fat fermented dairy product intake, largely driven by yoghurt intake, was associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes development in prospective analyses. These findings suggest that the consumption of specific dairy types may be beneficial for the prevention of diabetes, highlighting the importance of food group subtypes for public health messages

Risk-cost optimization of buried pipelines using subset simulation

On the basis of time-dependent reliability analysis, a computational framework called subset simulation (SS) has been applied for risk-cost optimization of flexible underground pipeline networks. SS can provide better resolution for rare failure events that are commonly encountered in pipeline engineering applications. Attention in this work is devoted to scrutinize the robustness of SS in risk-cost optimization of pipelines. SS is first employed to estimate the reliability of flexible underground pipes subjected to externally applied loading and material corrosion. Then SS is extended to determine the intervention year for maintenance and to identify the most appropriate renewal solution and renewal priority by minimizing the risk of failure and whole life-cycle cost. The efficiency of SS compared to genetic algorithm has been demonstrated by numerical studies with a view to prevent unexpected failure of flexible pipes at minimal cost by prioritizing maintenance based on failure severity and system reliability. This paper shows that SS is a more robust method in the decision-making process of reliability-based management for underground pipeline networks

Drawbacks of the Dissolution Method for Measurement of the Liquid-Solid Mass-Transfer Coefficients in Two-Phase Flow Packed-Bed Reactors Operated at Low and High Pressures

The Dissolution Method Was Used Predominantly at Atmospheric Conditions to Measure the Liquid-Solid Mass-Transfer Coefficient in Two-Phase Flow Packed-Bed Reactors. in an Attempt to Investigate the Effect of Reactor Pressure and Gas Flow Rate on the Liquid-Solid Mass-Transfer Coefficient in a Trickle-Bed Reactor using the Dissolution Method, Difficulties Were Encountered in Implementing This Method at Low- to High-Pressure Operation. Noticeable Losses in the Dissolved Material Were Observed as a Result of Flashing/stripping from the Liquid Phase to the Atmosphere and the Effluent Gas Stream. This Leads to Misinterpretation of the Effect of Reactor Pressure and to Improper Conclusions. in This Note, We Intend to Alert Researchers About Such Drawbacks, Which Would Be Encountered at Atmospheric to Low Pressures and to Provide Suggestions to overcome Such Problems. © 2000 American Chemical Society

Characterizing anomalies in distributed strain measurements of cast-in-situ bored piles

This paper describes the method of identifying typical defects of bored cast-in-situ piles when instrumenting using Distributed Optical Fiber Strain Sensing (DOFSS). The DOFSS technology is based on Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analyses (BOTDA), which has the advantage of recording continuous strain profile as opposed to the conventional discrete based sensors such as Vibrating Wire strain gauges. In pile instrumentation particularly, obtaining distributed strain profile is important when analysing the load-transfer and shaft friction of a pile, as well as detecting any anomalies in the strain regime. Features such as defective pile shaft necking, discontinuity of concrete, intrusion of foreign matter and improper toe formation due to contamination of concrete at base with soil particles, among others, may cause the pile to fail. In this study, a new technique of detecting such defects is proposed using DOFSS technology which can potentially supplement the existing non-destructive test (NDT) methods. Discussion on the performance of instrumented piles by means of maintained load test are also presented

Faktor-faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Mahasiswa Menggunakan Mobil Ke Kampus Berdasarkan Teori Perilaku Terencana

Transportasi memiliki peranan penting dalam USAha meningkatkan kualitas hidup manusia. Seiring berjalannya waktu, transportasi mengalami perkembangan. Hal ini berdampak pada bertambahnya jumlah kendaraan yang beredar yang disebut juga dengan motorisasi. Fenomena serupa juga terjadi di kampus dimana terdapat peningkatan jumlah mobil yang beredar di kampus. Pihak kampus dapat menerapkan Manajemen Transportasi Kampus untuk mengatasinya, namun akan lebih efektif apabila dapat diketahui faktor yang mempengaruhi mahasiswa untuk lebih memilih menggunakan mobil.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor apa yang paling mempengaruhi mahasiswa menggunakan mobil ke kampus berdasarkan Teori Perilaku Terencana dengan mengesampingkan faktor biaya dan waktu. Responden adalah mahasiswa yang secara rutin menggunakan mobil ke kampus. Data yang diperoleh selanjutnya akan diolah dengan bantuan program Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa diantara ketiga faktor dari Teori Perilaku Terencana, diketahui bahwa perceived behavioral control adalah faktor yang paling mempengaruhi intensi yang nantinya akan berpengaruh pada behavior