Emergence of simple patterns in many-body systems: from macroscopic objects to the atomic nucleus

Strongly correlated many-body systems often display the emergence of simple patterns and regular behaviour of their global properties. Phenomena such as clusterization, collective motion and appearance of shell structures are commonly observed across different size, time, and energy scales in our universe. Although at the microscopic level their individual parts are described by complex interactions, the collective behaviour of these systems can exhibit strikingly regular patterns. This contribution provides an overview of the experimental signatures that are commonly used to identify the emergence of shell structures and collective phenomena in distinct physical systems. Examples in macroscopic systems are presented alongside features observed in atomic nuclei. The discussion is focused on the experimental trends observed for exotic nuclei in the vicinity of nuclear closed-shells, and the new challenges that recent experiments have posed in our understanding of emergent phenomena in nuclei.Comment: Invited contribution prepared for the special issue of "The tower of effective (field) theories and the emergence of nuclear phenomen

Landslides in Shale-Derived Glacial Till

An area in south-east Iowa is notorious for landslides in both cut slopes and embankments. Most of the failed slopes have been modified to lower slope angles as attempted remediation; however in many instances the failure reoccurred. The dominant soil in the cuts and used for borrow material is Kansan age glacial till, while the underlying bedrock is Pennsylvanian shale of the Des Moines series. The till contains significant amounts of the underlying bedrock. In an effort to gain insight into the cause of these failures, an embankment with extensive failures in Monroe County was studied. One slide selected for intensive study was at a 2V:1H slope and 8 meters high. The slide was 16 meters in length. The failure zone was essentially parallel to the original surface at a depth of 0.75 meters. Average strength parameters used in stability analyses produced factors of safety that indicate that failure should not have occurred. X-ray diffraction tests indicate a slightly broader montmorillonite peak in surface soils compared to interior embankment soils, which may indicate the presence of intracrystalline moisture and perhaps a different exchangeable cation in the failure zone soil. This subtle difference could account for a lower shear strength in the soil at the surface of the embankment. It is interpreted that the most likely cause of failure is the reduction of cohesion near the embankment surface after construction. If the reduction of strength is due to weathering and saturation leading to the subsequent swelling of the montmorillonite is the cause of failure, then remediation such as flattening the slope would be ineffective. The use of other soil strengthening techniques such as the use of geosynthetics, minipiles, or chemical stabilization would provide better, long term stability

Regional GPS receiver networks for monitoring local mid-latitude total electron content

Two regional GPS receiver networks from the Ordnance Survey U.K.(OS)and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) have been used for monitoring mid-latitude Total Electron Content (TEC)during quiet and disturbed ionospheric conditions in the current solar cycle.A few quiet and disturbed days in March and April 2002 were examined. These showed how the temporal and spatial patterns of changes develop and how they are related to solar and geomagnetic activity for parameter descriptive of plasmaspheric-ionospheric ionisation.Use is then made of computer contouring techniques to produce snapshots of daily maps of TEC for these different regional areas

Investigation of external refrigeration systems for long term cryogenic storage Final report

Data on external refrigeration systems for space storage of cryogens for long period

Investigation of external refrigeration systems for long-term cryogenic storage

Evaluation of cryogenic refrigeration systems for space application

1.5 million pound load cell calibration and H-area thrust measuring system Technology report

System for calibration of load cells and design and development of thrust measuring syste

Midwifery students’ knowledge, understanding and experiences of workplace bullying, and violence: An integrative review

Background: Workplace bullying, and violence within the midwifery profession, has been a well-documented concern in health literature since the early 1990′s. However, contemporary research highlights that workplace bullying, and violence is often inflicted upon midwifery students. Workplace bullying, and violence has both short- and long-term effects on the student, including psychological trauma and poor mental health, loss of passion for the midwifery profession and absenteeism. To consider a solution to this phenomenon, current literature regarding midwifery students’ knowledge, understanding and experiences of workplace bullying, and violence has been reviewed. Objective: To explore and critique current literature on midwifery students’ knowledge, understanding and experiences of workplace bullying, and violence. Design: An integrative review. Review methods: Toronto & Remington's six-stage systematic framework was used to conduct the review, with rigour and validity for the research process. Results: Following critical appraisal, 12 articles met the inclusion criteria. Four themes emerged: (1) Prevalence and types of workplace bullying, and violence towards midwifery students. (2) Impact of workplace bullying, and violence on midwifery students’ experiences during the degree. (3) Impact of negative workplace culture on the midwifery profession. (4) The requirement to develop strategies for midwifery students to address workplace bullying, and violence. Conclusions: Workplace bullying, and violence is a global health concern within the midwifery profession with evidenced impact on midwifery students’ professional and personal lives. Organisational systems and approaches were identified as causes of a toxic clinical environment and workplace bullying, and violence, which impacted midwifery students’ experiences. Suggestions supported universities incorporating conflict resolution strategies into midwifery degree programs, to prepare midwifery students to manage workplace bullying, and violence. Tweetable abstract: Workplace bullying, and violence is a global health concern entrenched within the midwifery profession, impacting midwifery students’ professional and personal lives. Incorporating conflict resolution strategies into Bachelor of midwifery degree programs, may help prepare midwifery students to manage workplace bullying, and violence

Ocean acidification impacts mussel control on biomineralisation

Ocean acidification is altering the oceanic carbonate saturation state and threatening the survival of marine calcifying organisms. Production of their calcium carbonate exoskeletons is dependent not only on the environmental seawater carbonate chemistry but also the ability to produce biominerals through proteins. We present shell growth and structural responses by the economically important marine calcifier Mytilus edulis to ocean acidification scenarios (380, 550, 750, 1000≈ atm pCO 2). After six months of incubation at 750≈ atm pCO 2, reduced carbonic anhydrase protein activity and shell growth occurs in M. edulis. Beyond that, at 1000≈ atm pCO 2, biomineralisation continued but with compensated metabolism of proteins and increased calcite growth. Mussel growth occurs at a cost to the structural integrity of the shell due to structural disorientation of calcite crystals. This loss of structural integrity could impact mussel shell strength and reduce protection from predators and changing environments