192 research outputs found
Film dynamics and lubricant depletion by droplets moving on lubricated surfaces
Lubricated surfaces have shown promise in numerous applications where
impinging foreign droplets must be removed easily; however, before they can be
widely adopted, the problem of lubricant depletion, which eventually leads to
decreased performance, must be solved. Despite recent progress, a quantitative
mechanistic explanation for lubricant depletion is still lacking. Here, we
first explained the shape of a droplet on a lubricated surface by balancing the
Laplace pressures across interfaces. We then showed that the lubricant film
thicknesses beneath, behind, and wrapping around a moving droplet change
dynamically with droplet's speed---analogous to the classical
Landau-Levich-Derjaguin problem. The interconnected lubricant dynamics results
in the growth of the wetting ridge around the droplet, which is the dominant
source of lubricant depletion. We then developed an analytic expression for the
maximum amount of lubricant that can be depleted by a single droplet.
Counter-intuitively, faster moving droplets subjected to higher driving forces
deplete less lubricant than their slower moving counterparts. The insights
developed in this work will inform future work and the design of longer-lasting
lubricated surfaces
Magnetic nanocomposites at microwave frequencies
Most conventional magnetic materials used in the electronic devices are
ferrites, which are composed of micrometer-size grains. But ferrites have small
saturation magnetization, therefore the performance at GHz frequencies is
rather poor. That is why functionalized nanocomposites comprising magnetic
nanoparticles (e.g. Fe, Co) with dimensions ranging from a few nm to 100 nm,
and embedded in dielectric matrices (e.g. silicon oxide, aluminium oxide) have
a significant potential for the electronics industry. When the size of the
nanoparticles is smaller than the critical size for multidomain formation,
these nanocomposites can be regarded as an ensemble of particles in
single-domain states and the losses (due for example to eddy currents) are
expected to be relatively small. Here we review the theory of magnetism in such
materials, and we present a novel measurement method used for the
characterization of the electromagnetic properties of composites with
nanomagnetic insertions. We also present a few experimental results obtained on
composites consisting of iron nanoparticles in a dielectric matrix.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures, 5 table
Scaling Exponents in the Incommensurate Phase of the Sine-Gordon and U(1) Thirring Models
In this paper we study the critical exponents of the quantum sine-Gordon and
U(1) Thirring models in the incommensurate phase. This phase appears when the
chemical potential exceeds a critical value and is characterized by a
finite density of solitons. The low-energy sector of this phase is critical and
is described by the Gaussian model (Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid) with the
compactification radius dependent on the soliton density and the sine-Gordon
model coupling constant .
For a fixed value of , we find that the Luttinger parameter is
equal to 1/2 at the commensurate-incommensurate transition point and approaches
the asymptotic value away from it. We describe a possible phase
diagram of the model consisting of an array of weakly coupled chains. The
possible phases are Fermi liquid, Spin Density Wave, Spin-Peierls and Wigner
crystal.Comment: 10pages; Improved version; Submitted to Physical Review
An algebraic approach to the Tavis-Cummings problem
An algebraic method is introduced for an analytical solution of the
eigenvalue problem of the Tavis-Cummings (TC) Hamiltonian, based on
polynomially deformed su(2), i.e. su_n(2), algebras. In this method the
eigenvalue problem is solved in terms of a specific perturbation theory,
developed here up to third order. Generalization to the N-atom case of the Rabi
frequency and dressed states is also provided. A remarkable enhancement of
spontaneous emission of N atoms in a resonator is found to result from
collective effects.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figure
Symptom profiles of late‐life anxiety and depression: The influence of migration, religion and loneliness
Thinking about Later Life: Insights from the Capability Approach
A major criticism of mainstream gerontological frameworks is the inability of such frameworks to appreciate and incorporate issues of diversity and difference in engaging with experiences of aging. Given the prevailing socially structured nature of inequalities, such differences matter greatly in shaping experiences, as well as social constructions, of aging. I argue that Amartya Sen’s capability approach (2009) potentially offers gerontological scholars a broad conceptual framework that places at its core consideration of human beings (their values) and centrality of human diversity. As well as identifying these key features of the capability approach, I discuss and demonstrate their relevance to thinking about old age and aging. I maintain that in the context of complex and emerging identities in later life that shape and are shaped by shifting people-place and people-people relationships, Sen’s capability approach offers significant possibilities for gerontological research
Factors accounting for the association between anxiety and depression, and eczema: the Hordaland health study (HUSK)
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The association between anxiety and depression, and eczema is well known in the literature, but factors underlying this association remain unclear. Low levels of omega-3 fatty acids and female gender have been found to be associated with both depression and eczema. Somatization and health anxiety are known to be associated with anxiety and depression, further, somatization symptoms and health anxiety have also been found in several dermatological conditions. Accordingly, omega-3 fatty acid supplement, female gender, somatization and health anxiety are possible contributing factors in the association between anxiety and depression, and eczema. The aim of the study is to examine the relevance of proposed contributing factors for the association between anxiety and depression, and eczema, including, omega-3 fatty acid supplement, female gender, health anxiety and somatization.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Anxiety and depression was measured in the general population (n = 15715) employing the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Information on eczema, female gender, omega-3 fatty acid supplement, health anxiety and somatization was obtained by self-report.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Somatization and health anxiety accounted for more than half of the association between anxiety/depression, and eczema, while the other factors examined were of minor relevance for the association of interest.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We found no support for female gender and omega-3 fatty acid supplement as contributing factors in the association between anxiety/depression, and eczema. Somatization and health anxiety accounted for about half of the association between anxiety/depression, and eczema, somatization contributed most. The association between anxiety/depression, and eczema was insignificant after adjustment for somatization and health anxiety. Biological mechanisms underlying the mediating effect of somatization are yet to be revealed.</p
Finite-temperature correlations in the one-dimensional trapped and untrapped Bose gases
We calculate the dynamic single-particle and many-particle correlation
functions at non-zero temperature in one-dimensional trapped repulsive Bose
gases. The decay for increasing distance between the points of these
correlation functions is governed by a scaling exponent that has a universal
expression in terms of observed quantities. This expression is valid in the
weak-interaction Gross-Pitaevskii as well as in the strong-interaction
Girardeau-Tonks limit, but the observed quantities involved depend on the
interaction strength. The confining trap introduces a weak center-of-mass
dependence in the scaling exponent. We also conjecture results for the
density-density correlation function.Comment: 18 pages, Latex, Revtex
Norwegian patients on generic antihypertensive drugs: a qualitative study of their own experiences
Home care in Europe: a systematic literature review
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Health and social services provided at home are becoming increasingly important. Hence, there is a need for information on home care in Europe. The objective of this literature review was to respond to this need by systematically describing what has been reported on home care in Europe in the scientific literature over the past decade.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A systematic literature search was performed for papers on home care published in English, using the following data bases: Cinahl, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, Social Services Abstracts, and Social Care Online. Studies were only included if they complied with the definition of home care, were published between January 1998 and October 2009, and dealt with at least one of the 31 specified countries. Clinical interventions, instrument developments, local projects and reviews were excluded. The data extracted included: the characteristics of the study and aspects of home care 'policy & regulation', 'financing', 'organisation & service delivery', and 'clients & informal carers'.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seventy-four out of 5,133 potentially relevant studies met the inclusion criteria, providing information on 18 countries. Many focused on the characteristics of home care recipients and on the organisation of home care. Geographical inequalities, market forces, quality and integration of services were also among the issues frequently discussed.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Home care systems appeared to differ both between and within countries. The papers included, however, provided only a limited picture of home care. Many studies only focused on one aspect of the home care system and international comparative studies were rare. Furthermore, little information emerged on home care financing and on home care in general in Eastern Europe. This review clearly shows the need for more scientific publications on home care, especially studies comparing countries. A comprehensive and more complete insight into the state of home care in Europe requires the gathering of information using a uniform framework and methodology.</p
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