6,042 research outputs found
Magnetism of Superconducting UPt3
The phase diagram of superconducting in pressure-temperature
plane, together with the neutron scattering data is studied within a two
component superconducting order parameter scenario. In order to give a
qualitative explanation to the experimental data a set of two linearly
independent antiferromagnetic moments which emerge appropriately at the
temperature \mbox{} and \mbox{} and
couple to superconductivity is proposed. Several constraints on the fourth
order coefficients in the Ginzburg-Landau free energy are obtained.Comment: 17 pages, figures available on request to
[email protected]
Atomic quasi-Bragg diffraction in a magnetic field
We report on a new technique to split an atomic beam coherently with an
easily adjustable splitting angle. In our experiment metastable helium atoms in
the |{1s2s}^3S_1 M=1> state diffract from a polarization gradient light field
formed by counterpropagating \sigma^+ and \sigma^- polarized laser beams in the
presence of a homogeneous magnetic field. In the near-adiabatic regime, energy
conservation allows the resonant exchange between magnetic energy and kinetic
energy. As a consequence, symmetric diffraction of |M=0> or |M=-1> atoms in a
single order is achieved, where the order can be chosen freely by tuning the
magnetic field. We present experimental results up to 6th order diffraction (24
\hbar k momentum splitting, i.e., 2.21 m/s in transverse velocity) and present
a simple theoretical model that stresses the similarity with conventional Bragg
scattering. The resulting device constitutes a flexible, adjustable,
large-angle, three-way coherent atomic beam splitter with many potential
applications in atom optics and atom interferometry.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure
Anomalous Fisher-like zeros for the canonical partition function of noninteracting fermions
Noninteracting fermions, placed in a system with a continuous density of
states, may have zeros in the -fermion canonical partition function on the
positive real axis (or very close to it), even for a small number of
particles. This results in a singular free energy, and instability in other
thermal properties of the system. In the context of trapped fermions in a
harmonic oscillator, these zeros are shown to be unphysical. By contrast,
similar bosonic calculations with continuous density of states yield sensible
results.Noninteracting fermions, placed in a system with a continuous density
of states yield sensible results.Comment: 5 pages and 5 figure
The social cognition of medical knowledge, with special reference to childhood epilepsy
This paper arose out of an engagement in medical communication courses at a Gulf university. It deploys a theoretical framework derived from a (critical) sociocognitive approach to discourse analysis in order to investigate three aspects of medical discourse relating to childhood epilepsy: the cognitive processes that are entailed in relating different types of medical knowledge to their communicative context; the types of medical knowledge that are constituted in the three different text types analysed; and the relationship between these different types of medical knowledge and the discursive features of each text type. The paper argues that there is a cognitive dimension to the human experience of understanding and talking about one specialized from of medical knowledge. It recommends that texts be studied in medical communication courses not just in terms of their discrete formal features but also critically, in terms of the knowledge which they produce, transmit and reproduce
Semiclassical corrections to the interaction energy of a hard-sphere Boltzmann gas
Quantum effects in statistical mechanics are important when the thermal
wavelength is of the order of, or greater than, the mean interatomic spacing.
This is examined at depth taking the example of a hard-sphere Boltzmann gas.
Using the virial expansion for the equation of state, it is shown that the
interaction energy of a classical hard-sphere gas is exactly zero. When the
(second) virial coefficient of such a gas is obtained quantum mechanically,
however, the quantum contribution to the interaction energy is shown to be
substantial. The importance of the semiclassical corrections to the interaction
energy shows up dramatically in such a system.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Eur. J. Phy
Gamma-rays from Galactic Black Hole Candidates with Stochastic Particle Acceleration
We consider stochastic particle acceleration in plasmas around stellar mass
black holes to explain the emissions above 1 MeV from Galactic black hole
candidates. We show that for certain parameter regimes, electrons can overcome
Coulomb losses and be accelerated beyond the thermal distribution to form a new
population, whose distribution is broad and usually not a power law; the peak
energy of the distribution is determined by the balance between acceleration
and cooling, with particles piling up around it. Radiation by inverse Compton
scattering off the thermal (from background) and non-thermal (produced by
acceleration) particles can in principle explain the hard X-ray to gamma-ray
emissions from black hole candidates. We present model fits of Cyg X-1 and GRO
J0422 in 50 keV -- 5 MeV region observed with OSSE and COMPTEL.Comment: 2 figures, to appear in March 20 of ApJ
Superconductivity in heavy-fermion U(Pt,Pd)3 and its interplay with magnetism
The effect of Pd doping on the superconducting phase diagram of the
unconventional superconductor UPt3 has been measured by (magneto)resistance,
specific heat, thermal expansion and magnetostriction. Experiments on single-
and polycrystalline U(Pt1-xPdx)3 for x<= 0.006 show that the superconducting
transition temperatures of the A phase, Tc+, and of the B phase, Tc-, both
decrease, while the splitting DTc increases at a rate of 0.30(2)K/at.%Pd. We
find that DTc(x) correlates with an increase of the weak magnetic moment m(x)
upon Pd doping. This provides further evidence for Ginzburg-Landau scenarios
with magnetism as the symmetry breaking field, i.e. the 2D E representation and
the 1D odd parity model. Only for small splittings DTc is proportional to
m^2(Tc+) (DTc<= 0.05 K) as predicted. The results at larger splittings call for
Ginzburg-Landau expansions beyond 4th order. The tetracritical point in the B-T
plane persists till at least x= 0.002 for B perpendicular to c, while it is
rapidly suppressed for B||c. Upon alloying the A and B phases gain stability at
the expense of the C phase.Comment: 25 pages text (PS), 8 pages with 14 figures (PS), submitted to
Phys.Rev.
Validation of the performance of a GMO multiplex screening assay based on microarray detection
A new screening method for the detection and identification of GMO, based on the use of multiplex PCR followed by microarray, has been developed and is presented. The technology is based on the identification of quite ubiquitous GMO genetic target elements first amplified by PCR, followed by direct hybridisation of the amplicons on a predefined microarray (DualChipÂź GMO, Eppendorf, Germany). The validation was performed within the framework of a European project (Co-Extra, contract no 007158) and in collaboration with 12 laboratories specialised in GMO detection. The present study reports the strategy and the results of an ISO complying validation of the method carried out through an inter-laboratory study. Sets of blind samples were provided consisting of DNA reference materials covering all the elements detectable by specific probes present on the array. The GMO concentrations varied from 1% down to 0.045%. In addition, a mixture of two GMO events (0.1% RRS diluted in 100% TOPAS19/2) was incorporated in the study to test the robustness of the assay in extreme conditions. Data were processed according to ISO 5725 standard. The method was evaluated with predefined performance criteria with respect to the EC CRL method acceptance criteria. The overall method performance met the acceptance criteria; in particular, the results showed that the method is suitable for the detection of the different target elements at 0.1% concentration of GMO with a 95% accuracy rate. This collaborative trial showed that the method can be considered as fit for the purpose of screening with respect to its intra- and inter-laboratory accuracy. The results demonstrated the validity of combining multiplex PCR with array detection as provided by the DualChipÂź GMO (Eppendorf, Germany) for the screening of GMO. The results showed that the technology is robust, practical and suitable as a screening too
Target and (Astro-)WISE technologies - Data federations and its applications
After its first implementation in 2003 the Astro-WISE technology has been
rolled out in several European countries and is used for the production of the
KiDS survey data. In the multi-disciplinary Target initiative this technology,
nicknamed WISE technology, has been further applied to a large number of
projects. Here, we highlight the data handling of other astronomical
applications, such as VLT-MUSE and LOFAR, together with some non-astronomical
applications such as the medical projects Lifelines and GLIMPS, the MONK
handwritten text recognition system, and business applications, by amongst
others, the Target Holding. We describe some of the most important lessons
learned and describe the application of the data-centric WISE type of approach
to the Science Ground Segment of the Euclid satellite.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, Proceedngs IAU Symposium No 325 Astroinformatics
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Type of cancer treatment and cognitive symptoms in working cancer survivors:an 18-month follow-up study
Purpose: Cognitive symptoms are reported to affect cancer survivorsâ functioning at work. However, little is known about the type of cancer treatment and cognitive symptoms in working cancer survivors. We examined the longitudinal association between type of cancer treatment and cognitive symptoms in cancer survivors post return to work, and whether the course of cognitive symptoms over 18Â months differed per type of cancer treatment. Methods: Data from the Dutch longitudinal âWork-Life after Cancerâ study were used. The study population consisted of 330 working cancer survivors who completed questionnaires at baseline, and 6, 12, and 18Â months follow-up. Cognitive symptoms were assessed with the cognitive symptom checklist-work and linked with cancer treatment data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. Results: Cancer survivors who received chemotherapy reported comparable memory symptom levels (b: â 2.3; 95% CI = â 7.1, 2.5) to those receiving locoregional treatment. Executive function symptom levels (b: â 4.1; 95% CI = â 7.8, â 0.4) were significantly lower for cancer survivors who received chemotherapy, compared with those receiving locoregional treatment. In cancer survivors who received other systemic therapy, memory (b: 0.4; 95% CI = 0.1, 0.7) and executive function symptom levels (b: 0.4; 95% CI = 0.0, 0.7) increased over time. In cancer survivors who received chemotherapy and locoregional treatment, memory and executive function symptom scores were persistent during the first 18Â months after return to work. Conclusions: The contradictory finding that cancer patients receiving chemotherapy report fewer cognitive symptoms warrants further research. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Working cancer survivors may have cognitive symptom management needs irrespective of the type of cancer treatment they received
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