Poling of VDF/TrFe copolymers using a step-wise method

A new poling technique is presented, in which a series of five consecutive pulses of electric field, and with successively increasing strength is applied between the two electrodes of 65/35 VDF/TrFE copolymer based sensor. Between each pulse, the applied electric field is reduced to zero (short circuit). This allows deformations and space charges to be relax, resulting in more homogeneous electric field distribution with less risk for an electric breakdown. It is conducted at room temperature and is compatible with semiconductor technology. This step-wise poling technique is characterised by a low breakdown rate and yields a high pyroelectric coefficien

Measurement of the ΔS=-ΔQ Amplitude from K_(e3)^0 Decay

We have measured the time distribution of the π^+e^-ν and π^-e^+ν modes from initial K^0's in a spark-chamber experiment performed at the Bevatron. From 1079 events between 0.2 and 7 K_S^0 lifetime, we find ReX=-0.069±0.036, ImX=+0.108_(-0.074)^(+0.092). This result is consistent with X=0 (relative probability = 0.25), but more than 4 standard deviations from the existing world average, +0.14 -0.13i

Bulk and surface energetics of lithium hydride crystal: benchmarks from quantum Monte Carlo and quantum chemistry

We show how accurate benchmark values of the surface formation energy of crystalline lithium hydride can be computed by the complementary techniques of quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) and wavefunction-based molecular quantum chemistry. To demonstrate the high accuracy of the QMC techniques, we present a detailed study of the energetics of the bulk LiH crystal, using both pseudopotential and all-electron approaches. We show that the equilibrium lattice parameter agrees with experiment to within 0.03 %, which is around the experimental uncertainty, and the cohesive energy agrees to within around 10 meV per formula unit. QMC in periodic slab geometry is used to compute the formation energy of the LiH (001) surface, and we show that the value can be accurately converged with respect to slab thickness and other technical parameters. The quantum chemistry calculations build on the recently developed hierarchical scheme for computing the correlation energy of a crystal to high precision. We show that the hierarchical scheme allows the accurate calculation of the surface formation energy, and we present results that are well converged with respect to basis set and with respect to the level of correlation treatment. The QMC and hierarchical results for the surface formation energy agree to within about 1 %.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figure

Treatment of interictal epileptiform discharges can improve behavior in children with behavioral problems and epilepsy

Objectives: It is generally agreed that children should be treated for epilepsy only if they have clinical seizures. The aim of this study was to examine whether suppressing interictal discharges can affect behavior in children with epilepsy.// Study design: In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 61 children with well-controlled or mild epilepsy were randomly assigned to add-on therapy with either lamotrigine followed by placebo or placebo followed by lamotrigine. Ambulatory electroencephalographic recordings and behavioral scales were performed during baseline and at the end of placebo and drug phases. The primary hypothesis to be tested was that behavioral scales would improve specifically in patients with a reduction of electroencephalographic discharges during active drug treatment.// Results: Global rating of behavior significantly improved only in patients who showed a significant reduction in either frequency (P < .05) or duration of discharges (P < .05) during active treatment but not in patients with without a significant change in discharge rate. This improvement was mainly seen in patients with partial epilepsy (P < .005).// Conclusions: Our data suggest that suppressing interictal discharges can improve behavior in children with epilepsy and behavioral problems, particularly partial epilepsy. Focal discharges may be involved in the underlying mechanisms of behavioral problems in epilepsy

Subtle Sensing:Detecting Differences in the Flexibility of Virtually Simulated Molecular Objects

During VR demos we have performed over last few years, many participants (in the absence of any haptic feedback) have commented on their perceived ability to 'feel' differences between simulated molecular objects. The mechanisms for such 'feeling' are not entirely clear: observing from outside VR, one can see that there is nothing physical for participants to 'feel'. Here we outline exploratory user studies designed to evaluate the extent to which participants can distinguish quantitative differences in the flexibility of VR-simulated molecular objects. The results suggest that an individual's capacity to detect differences in molecular flexibility is enhanced when they can interact with and manipulate the molecules, as opposed to merely observing the same interaction. Building on these results, we intend to carry out further studies investigating humans' ability to sense quantitative properties of VR simulations without haptic technology

Angular asymmetries in the reactions pp \to d\pi^+\eta and pn \to d\pi^0\eta and a_0-f_0 mixing

The reactions pp\to d\pi^+\eta and pn\to d\pi^0\eta are of special interest for investigating the a_0(980) (J^P=0^+) resonance in the process NN \to da_0 \to d\pi\eta. We study some aspects of those reactions within a general formalism and also in a concrete phenomenological model. In particular, it is shown that the presence of nonresonant (i.e. without excitation of the a_0 resonance) contributions to these reactions yields nonvanishing values for specific polarization observables, i.e. to effects like those generated by a_0-f_0 mixing. An experimental determination of these observables for the reaction pp\to d\pi^+\eta would provide concrete information on the magnitude of those nonresonant contributions to \pi\eta production. We discuss also the possibility of extracting information about a_0-f_0 mixing from the reaction pn \to d\pi^0\eta with polarized proton beam.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figure

The politics of in/visibility: carving out queer space in Ul'yanovsk

&lt;p&gt;In spite of a growing interest within sexualities studies in the concept of queer space (Oswin 2008), existing literature focuses almost exclusively on its most visible and territorialised forms, such as the gay scene, thus privileging Western metropolitan areas as hubs of queer consumer culture (Binnie 2004). While the literature has emphasised the political significance of queer space as a site of resistance to hegemonic gender and sexual norms, it has again predominantly focused on overt claims to public space embodied in Pride events, neglecting other less open forms of resistance.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; This article contributes new insights to current debates about the construction and meaning of queer space by considering how city space is appropriated by an informal queer network in Ul’ianovsk. The group routinely occupied very public locations meeting and socialising on the street or in mainstream cafés in central Ul’ianovsk, although claims to these spaces as queer were mostly contingent, precarious or invisible to outsiders. The article considers how provincial location affects tactics used to carve out communal space, foregrounding the importance of local context and collective agency in shaping specific forms of resistance, and questioning ethnocentric assumptions about the empowering potential of visibility.&lt;/p&gt

The role of primary healthcare professionals in oral cancer prevention and detection

AIM: To investigate current knowledge, examination habits and preventive practices of primary healthcare professionals in Scotland, with respect to oral cancer, and to determine any relevant training needs. SETTING: Primary care. METHOD: Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of 357 general medical practitioners (GMPs) and 331 dental practitioners throughout Scotland. Additionally, focus group research and interviews were conducted amongst primary healthcare team members. RESULTS: Whilst 58% of dental respondents reported examining regularly for signs of oral cancer, GMPs examined patients' mouths usually in response to a complaint of soreness. The majority of GMPs (85%) and dentists (63%) indicated that they felt less than confident in detecting oral cancer, with over 70% of GMPs identifying lack of training as an important barrier. Many practitioners were unclear concerning the relative importance of the presence of potentially malignant lesions in the oral cavity. A high proportion of the GMPs indicated that they should have a major role to play in oral cancer detection (66%) but many felt strongly that this should be primarily the remit of the dental team. CONCLUSION: The study revealed a need for continuing education programmes for primary care practitioners in oral cancer-related activities. This should aim to improve diagnostic skills and seek to increase practitioners' participation in preventive activities

Near-Threshold Production of omega Mesons in the pp -> pp omega Reaction

The total cross section for omega production in the pp -> pp omega reaction has been measured at five c.m. excess energies from 3.8 to 30 MeV. The energy dependence is easily understood in terms of a strong proton-proton final state interaction combined with a smearing over the width of the state. The ratio of near-threshold phi and omega production is consistent with the predictions of a one-pion-exchange model and the degree of violation of the OZI rule is similar to that found in the pi-p -> n omega/phi reactions.Comment: Report in LaTeX2e. 12 pages with 2 eps figure

Are people who participate in cultural activities more satisfied with life?

The influence of various aspects of life on wellbeing has been extensively researched. However, despite little empirical evidence, participation in leisure activities has been assumed to increase subjective wellbeing. Leisure is important because it is more under personal control than other sources of life satisfaction. This study asked whether people who participate in cultural leisure activities have higher life satisfaction than people who do not, if different types of leisure have the same influence on life satisfaction and if satisfaction is dependent on the frequency of participation or the number of activities undertaken. It used data from UKHLS Survey to establish associations between type, number and frequency of participation in leisure activities and life satisfaction. Results showed an independent and positive association of participation in sport, heritage and active-creative leisure activities and life satisfaction but not for participation in popular entertainment, theatre hobbies and museum/galleries. The association of reading hobbies and sedentary-creative activities and life satisfaction was negative. High life satisfaction was associated with engaging in a number of different activities rather than the frequency of participation in each of them. The results have implications for policy makers and leisure services providers, in particular those associated with heritage recreation. Subjective wellbeing measures, such as life satisfaction, and not economic measures alone should be considered in the evaluation of services. The promotion of leisure activities which are active and promote social interaction should be considered in programmes aimed at improving the quality of life