Body dissatisfaction, appearance investment and wellbeing: how older obese men orient to 'aesthetic health' [forthcoming]

Most research on male body image to date has focused on young men using quantitative methods. The study reported here is based on qualitative interviews with a sample of older men (n = 30) on a weight management programme, and we asked them about body-related feelings. The interviews were all transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Our results indicate that although body weight was typically minimised, body image was a key concern, with many examples of body consciousness and body dissatisfaction evident. On the other hand, post-programme weight loss was associated with a transformative shift in body image, with the men emphasising enhanced body confidence, self-esteem and psychological wellbeing. We conclude by highlighting the need to recognise and address appearance issues and/as health concerns for middle-aged and older men

Neutrino Oscillations for Dummies

The reality of neutrino oscillations has not really sunk in yet. The phenomenon presents us with purely quantum mechanical effects over macroscopic time and distance scales (milliseconds and 1000s of km). In order to help with the pedagogical difficulties this poses, I attempt here to present the physics in words and pictures rather than math. No disrespect is implied by the title; I am merely borrowing a term used by a popular series of self-help books

Antiferromagnetic Alignment and Relaxation Rate of Gd Spins in the High Temperature Superconductor GdBa_2Cu_3O_(7-delta)

The complex surface impedance of a number of GdBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$ single crystals has been measured at 10, 15 and 21 GHz using a cavity perturbation technique. At low temperatures a marked increase in the effective penetration depth and surface resistance is observed associated with the paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic alignment of the Gd spins. The effective penetration depth has a sharp change in slope at the N\'eel temperature, $T_N$, and the surface resistance peaks at a frequency dependent temperature below 3K. The observed temperature and frequency dependence can be described by a model which assumes a negligibly small interaction between the Gd spins and the electrons in the superconducting state, with a frequency dependent magnetic susceptibility and a Gd spin relaxation time $\tau_s$ being a strong function of temperature. Above $T_N$, $\tau_s$ has a component varying as $1 / (T - T_N)$, while below $T_N$ it increases $\sim T^{-5}$.Comment: 4 Pages, 4 Figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Experimental Study of Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) Coated Electrodes for Pulsed High Gradient Electron Gun

For the SwissFEL Free Electron Laser project at the Paul Scherrer Institute, a pulsed High Gradient (HG) electron gun was used to study low emittance electron sources. Different metals and surface treatments for the cathode and anode were studied for their HG suitability. Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coatings are found to perform exceptionally well for vacuum gap insulation. A set of DLC coated electrodes with different coating parameters were tested for both vacuum breakdown and photo electron emission. Surface electric fields over 250MV/m (350 - 400kV, pulsed) were achieved without breakdown. From the same surface, it was possible to photo-emit an electron beam at gradients up to 150MV/m. The test setup and the experimental results are presentedComment: 4 pages, 14 figures, IPMHVC 2010 : IEEE International Power Modulator and High Voltage Conferenc

Time dependence of current-voltage measurements of c-axis quasiparticle conductivity in 2212-BSCCO mesa structures

We report four-point IV measurements of the c-axis conductivity of mesa structures of 2212-BSCCO, using a system with sub-microsecond resolution along with multi-level pulses. These allow a test to be made for the presence of nonequilibrium effects. Our results suggest simple heating alone is important in measurements of this kind.Comment: to appear in proceedings of LT23; submitted to Physica

PBO Fibres: from saliling design towards architectural performance

p. 3013-3023PBO fibres, also called "high-performance" polymer fibres, are a group of materials known as "rigid rods". Through this work it is pretended to make some considerations about the use of these new generation fibres. Poly (p-phenylene-2.6-benzobisoxazole)(PBO) is rigid-rod isotropic crystal polymer. PBO fibre is a high performance fibre developed by TOYOBO (Japan) PBO fibre is quite flexible and has very soft handling, in spite of its extremely high mechanical properties. Over the past ten years Future Fibres Company has pioneered the use of PBO for yacht rigging and has proven it to provide remarkable performance and longevity. Their method of producing these PBO cables delivers the lightest, smallest cables available on the market today. The PBO cable is formed by combining the incredible properties of PBO (poly(p-phenylene-2,6- benzobisoxazole)) fibre with the simple yet undeniably reliable process of continuous winding. A PBO cable is dry fibre tightly compacted and does not rely on a resin matrix that, if impacted, can be compromised. The cover of the cable is a vital component and whilst PBO is an excellent material for yacht rigging purposes, due to its extreme strength, low elongation and general robustness it must be protected from sunlight and seawater. Future Fibres has perfected its cover design that comprises a consolidating film, environmental protection layer and a customizable braided cover that can be tailored to suit any specific application. PBO has great potential to be used in construction or rehabilitation applications. At the same time the fibres, following further testing, would open up several design opportunities for high quality architectural projects.Gough, CE.; Pobo Blasco, M.; Ruiz Checa, JR. (2009). PBO Fibres: from saliling design towards architectural performance. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/670

Prospects for Nuclear Fusion Power

The prospects for fusion power are discussed including the need for fusion, its environmental advantages, and the research results that form the basis for present confidence that the program will succeed. The steps remaining before commercial fusion power will be available are outlined. Exploratory ideas for second generation fusion electric power plants, and non electrical applications of fusion technology and reactors are briefly covered

Biophysical drivers of carbon dioxide and methane fluxes in a restored tidal freshwater wetland

Wetlands store large amounts of carbon (C) in biomass and soils, playing a crucial role in offsetting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; however, they also account for 30% of global yearly CH4 emissions. Anthropogenic disturbance has led to the decline of natural wetlands throughout the United States, with a corresponding increase in created and restored wetlands. Studies characterizing biogeochemical processes in restored forested wetlands, particularly those that are both tidal and freshwater, are lacking but essential for informing science- based carbon management

THE CELLULAR COMMUNICATION PROCESS AND ALTERNATIVE MODES OF HEALING

This paper presents a hypothesis to explain the process for long distance healing. The hypothesis is based upon an integration of many areas of scientific research. We focus upon non-local inputs and their effects upon the shape of the molecules in our bodies. For hundreds of years scientists have said that if anything moved it was because something else acted on it. Nonlocality suggests that distant systems can be connected in a totally new way-a way in which distance no longer seems to matter. Recent physics experiments strongly support the existence of the phenomena. Our model suggests that for the human body, non-local effects, which initially appear at the sub-atomic level, will be detectable as changes in the molecular structure of cells. Non-local input provides guidance for maintaining the intercellular communication process essential for human gtowth and a healthy body. When noise, interference and misinformation enter into the cellular communication process the human body suffers. However, the human mind, with its ability to operate beyond the physical, permits humans to influence physical processes and hence, the healing process of a body-one's own or others. For a person to become truly connected to the non-local aspects of reality they have to "tune" their bodies to receive the intuitive non-local information. We conclude the paper with a look at how the process berween a spiritual healer and a healee works

Review of meteoroid-bumper interaction studies at McGill University

Experimental investigation of meteoroid-bumper impact, debris cloud expansion, and second surface pressure loadin