Deceleration and trapping of heavy diatomic molecules using a ring-decelerator

We present an analysis of the deceleration and trapping of heavy diatomic molecules in low-field seeking states by a moving electric potential. This moving potential is created by a 'ring-decelerator', which consists of a series of ring-shaped electrodes to which oscillating high voltages are applied. Particle trajectory simulations have been used to analyze the deceleration and trapping efficiency for a group of molecules that is of special interest for precision measurements of fundamental discrete symmetries. For the typical case of the SrF molecule in the (N,M) = (2, 0) state, the ring-decelerator is shown to outperform traditional and alternate-gradient Stark decelerators by at least an order of magnitude. If further cooled by a stage of laser cooling, the decelerated molecules allow for a sensitivity gain in a parity violation measurement, compared to a cryogenic molecular beam experiment, of almost two orders of magnitude

Ammonite Faunal Dynamics Across Bio-Events During the Mid-and Late Cretaceous Along the Russian Pacific Coast

Jagt−Yazykova, E.A. 2012. Ammonite faunal dynamics across bio−events during the mid − and Late Cretaceous along th

Voice change following thyroid and parathyroid surgery

Voice complications following thyroid and parathyroid procedures have long been recognized in the literature. However, there is little clear data on the nature, severity, and duration of any changes. No single previous study has comprehensively addressed the multiple issues involved. Most studies have been retrospective, preventing control over extraneous variables, or are small prospective studies using limited assessment measures. Emphasis has been on damage (paralysis) to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). The effects of surgery on the more subtle (but equally important) aspects of voice disorders have received little attention. This prospective study of 67 participants used multidimensional voice outcomes measures to assess changes in voice following thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Strict exclusion criteria minimized the effects of extraneous variables. Participants were assessed preoperatively to establish a baseline and at least twice more postoperatively. Generally speaking, the patient vocal performance and expert perceptual rating data suggest an incidence of 0% for all operation types. Mild changes at the early postoperative stages had settled in all cases by the 3-month postoperative assessment. Videostroboscopic evaluation revealed an interesting picture of six patients who appeared to have improved vocal function postsurgery, 15 patients who showed signs of neurological damage at their first postoperative examination, and only five “permanent” RLN paralyses at 12 months postsurgery. The potential for improvement in voice quality postsurgery has not previously been reported in the literature as far as we are aware. Symptoms consistent with RLN and superior laryngeal nerve palsy were present both pre- and postoperatively. Apparent nerve damage did not necessarily result in dysphonia. The potential for undiagnosed nerve damage preoperatively has rarely been reported in the literature. These results may have medico-legal implications, in addition to influencing surgical risk management and informed patient consent

Creating a supranational institution: the role of the individual and the mood of the times

This study notes that, while the research literature which addresses accounting change in different countries is preoccupied with issues such as economic and legal environment, culture and consensus, research in accounting history recognizes, in biographical studies, the role sometimes played by individuals in influencing the outcomes in moments where change takes place. The article looks at the case of the creation of the International Accounting Standards Committee and analyses the evidence concerning the roles of the central individuals, Henry Benson, Douglas Morpeth and Wally Olson. It concludes that while it is difficult to disentangle the strands of institutional politics and responses to prevailing policy issues, the individuals concerned did play major roles and there is a case for the intervention of individuals to be considered in the international accounting literature as one of the issues that helps build accounting infrastructure