Signal enhancement and Patterson-search phasing for high-spatial-resolution coherent X-ray diffraction imaging of biological objects

PubMed Central

Takayama, Yuki; Maki-Yonekura, Saori; Oroguchi, Tomotaka; Nakasako, Masayoshi; Yonekura, Koji

2015-01-01

In this decade coherent X-ray diffraction imaging has been demonstrated to reveal internal structures of whole biological cells and organelles. However, the spatial resolution is limited to several tens of nanometers due to the poor scattering power of biological samples. The challenge is to recover correct phase information from experimental diffraction patterns that have a low signal-to-noise ratio and unmeasurable lowest-resolution data. Here, we propose a method to extend spatial resolution by enhancing diffraction signals and by robust phasing. The weak diffraction signals from biological objects are enhanced by interference with strong waves from dispersed colloidal gold particles. The positions of the gold particles determined by Patterson analysis serve as the initial phase, and this dramatically improves reliability and convergence of image reconstruction by iterative phase retrieval. A set of calculations based on current experiments demonstrates that resolution is improved by a factor of two or more. PMID:25627480

Quantitative hard x-ray phase contrast imaging of micropipes in SiC

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kohn, V. G.; Argunova, T. S.; Je, J. H., E-mail: jhje@postech.ac.kr

2013-12-15

Peculiarities of quantitative hard x-ray phase contrast imaging of micropipes in SiC are discussed. The micropipe is assumed as a hollow cylinder with an elliptical cross section. The major and minor diameters can be restored using the least square fitting procedure by comparing the experimental data, i.e. the profile across the micropipe axis, with those calculated based on phase contrast theory. It is shown that one projection image gives an information which does not allow a complete determination of the elliptical cross section, if an orientation of micropipe is not known. Another problem is a weak accuracy in estimating themore » diameters, partly because of using pink synchrotron radiation, which is necessary because a monochromatic beam intensity is not sufficient to reveal the weak contrast from a very small object. The general problems of accuracy in estimating the two diameters using the least square procedure are discussed. Two experimental examples are considered to demonstrate small as well as modest accuracies in estimating the diameters.« less

Precision phase estimation based on weak-value amplification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Xiaodong; Xie, Linguo; Liu, Xiong; Luo, Lan; Li, Zhaoxue; Zhang, Zhiyou; Du, Jinglei

2017-02-01

In this letter, we propose a precision method for phase estimation based on the weak-value amplification (WVA) technique using a monochromatic light source. The anomalous WVA significantly suppresses the technical noise with respect to the intensity difference signal induced by the phase delay when the post-selection procedure comes into play. The phase measured precision of this method is proportional to the weak-value of a polarization operator in the experimental range. Our results compete well with the wide spectrum light phase weak measurements and outperform the standard homodyne phase detection technique.

Method for observing phase objects without halos and directional shadows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Yoshimasa; Kajitani, Kazuo; Ohde, Hisashi

2015-03-01

A new microscopy method for observing phase objects without halos and directional shadows is proposed. The key optical element is an annular aperture at the front focal plane of a condenser with a larger diameter than those used in standard phase contrast microscopy. The light flux passing through the annular aperture is changed by the specimen's surface profile and then passes through an objective and contributes to image formation. This paper presents essential conditions for realizing the method. In this paper, images of colonies formed by induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells using this method are compared with the conventional phase contrast method and the bright-field method when the NA of the illumination is small to identify differences among these techniques. The outlines of the iPS cells are clearly visible with this method, whereas they are not clearly visible due to halos when using the phase contrast method or due to weak contrast when using the bright-field method. Other images using this method are also presented to demonstrate a capacity of this method: a mouse ovum and superimposition of several different images of mouse iPS cells.

Three-dimensional propagation in near-field tomographic X-ray phase retrieval

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ruhlandt, Aike, E-mail: aruhlan@gwdg.de; Salditt, Tim

An extension of phase retrieval algorithms for near-field X-ray (propagation) imaging to three dimensions is presented, enhancing the quality of the reconstruction by exploiting previously unused three-dimensional consistency constraints. This paper presents an extension of phase retrieval algorithms for near-field X-ray (propagation) imaging to three dimensions, enhancing the quality of the reconstruction by exploiting previously unused three-dimensional consistency constraints. The approach is based on a novel three-dimensional propagator and is derived for the case of optically weak objects. It can be easily implemented in current phase retrieval architectures, is computationally efficient and reduces the need for restrictive prior assumptions, resultingmore » in superior reconstruction quality.« less

Improved specimen reconstruction by Hilbert phase contrast tomography.

PubMed

Barton, Bastian; Joos, Friederike; Schröder, Rasmus R

2008-11-01

The low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in images of unstained specimens recorded with conventional defocus phase contrast makes it difficult to interpret 3D volumes obtained by electron tomography (ET). The high defocus applied for conventional tilt series generates some phase contrast but leads to an incomplete transfer of object information. For tomography of biological weak-phase objects, optimal image contrast and subsequently an optimized SNR are essential for the reconstruction of details such as macromolecular assemblies at molecular resolution. The problem of low contrast can be partially solved by applying a Hilbert phase plate positioned in the back focal plane (BFP) of the objective lens while recording images in Gaussian focus. Images recorded with the Hilbert phase plate provide optimized positive phase contrast at low spatial frequencies, and the contrast transfer in principle extends to the information limit of the microscope. The antisymmetric Hilbert phase contrast (HPC) can be numerically converted into isotropic contrast, which is equivalent to the contrast obtained by a Zernike phase plate. Thus, in-focus HPC provides optimal structure factor information without limiting effects of the transfer function. In this article, we present the first electron tomograms of biological specimens reconstructed from Hilbert phase plate image series. We outline the technical implementation of the phase plate and demonstrate that the technique is routinely applicable for tomography. A comparison between conventional defocus tomograms and in-focus HPC volumes shows an enhanced SNR and an improved specimen visibility for in-focus Hilbert tomography.

The scaling of weak field phase-only control in Markovian dynamics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Am-Shallem, Morag; Kosloff, Ronnie

We consider population transfer in open quantum systems, which are described by quantum dynamical semigroups (QDS). Using second order perturbation theory of the Lindblad equation, we show that it depends on a weak external field only through the field's autocorrelation function, which is phase independent. Therefore, for leading order in perturbation, QDS cannot support dependence of the population transfer on the phase properties of weak fields. We examine an example of weak-field phase-dependent population transfer, and show that the phase-dependence comes from the next order in the perturbation.

Facing the phase problem in Coherent Diffractive Imaging via Memetic Algorithms.

PubMed

Colombo, Alessandro; Galli, Davide Emilio; De Caro, Liberato; Scattarella, Francesco; Carlino, Elvio

2017-02-09

Coherent Diffractive Imaging is a lensless technique that allows imaging of matter at a spatial resolution not limited by lens aberrations. This technique exploits the measured diffraction pattern of a coherent beam scattered by periodic and non-periodic objects to retrieve spatial information. The diffracted intensity, for weak-scattering objects, is proportional to the modulus of the Fourier Transform of the object scattering function. Any phase information, needed to retrieve its scattering function, has to be retrieved by means of suitable algorithms. Here we present a new approach, based on a memetic algorithm, i.e. a hybrid genetic algorithm, to face the phase problem, which exploits the synergy of deterministic and stochastic optimization methods. The new approach has been tested on simulated data and applied to the phasing of transmission electron microscopy coherent electron diffraction data of a SrTiO 3 sample. We have been able to quantitatively retrieve the projected atomic potential, and also image the oxygen columns, which are not directly visible in the relevant high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images. Our approach proves to be a new powerful tool for the study of matter at atomic resolution and opens new perspectives in those applications in which effective phase retrieval is necessary.

X-ray phase scanning setup for non-destructive testing using Talbot-Lau interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bachche, S.; Nonoguchi, M.; Kato, K.; Kageyama, M.; Koike, T.; Kuribayashi, M.; Momose, A.

2016-09-01

X-ray grating interferometry has a great potential for X-ray phase imaging over conventional X-ray absorption imaging which does not provide significant contrast for weakly absorbing objects and soft biological tissues. X-ray Talbot and Talbot-Lau interferometers which are composed of transmission gratings and measure the differential X-ray phase shifts have gained popularity because they operate with polychromatic beams. In X-ray radiography, especially for nondestructive testing in industrial applications, the feasibility of continuous sample scanning is not yet completely revealed. A scanning setup is frequently advantageous when compared to a direct 2D static image acquisition in terms of field of view, exposure time, illuminating radiation, etc. This paper demonstrates an efficient scanning setup for grating-based Xray phase imaging using laboratory-based X-ray source. An apparatus consisting of an X-ray source that emits X-rays vertically, optical gratings and a photon-counting detector was used with which continuously moving objects across the field of view as that of conveyor belt system can be imaged. The imaging performance of phase scanner was tested by scanning a long continuous moving sample at a speed of 5 mm/s and absorption, differential-phase and visibility images were generated by processing non-uniform moire movie with our specially designed phase measurement algorithm. A brief discussion on the feasibility of phase scanner with scanning setup approach including X-ray phase imaging performance is reported. The successful results suggest a breakthrough for scanning objects those are moving continuously on conveyor belt system non-destructively using the scheme of X-ray phase imaging.

Isotropy of Angular Frequencies and Weak Chimeras with Broken Symmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bick, Christian

2017-04-01

The notion of a weak chimeras provides a tractable definition for chimera states in networks of finitely many phase oscillators. Here, we generalize the definition of a weak chimera to a more general class of equivariant dynamical systems by characterizing solutions in terms of the isotropy of their angular frequency vector—for coupled phase oscillators the angular frequency vector is given by the average of the vector field along a trajectory. Symmetries of solutions automatically imply angular frequency synchronization. We show that the presence of such symmetries is not necessary by giving a result for the existence of weak chimeras without instantaneous or setwise symmetries for coupled phase oscillators. Moreover, we construct a coupling function that gives rise to chaotic weak chimeras without symmetry in weakly coupled populations of phase oscillators with generalized coupling.

Geometric phase topology in weak measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samlan, C. T.; Viswanathan, Nirmal K.

2017-12-01

The geometric phase visualization proposed by Bhandari (R Bhandari 1997 Phys. Rep. 281 1-64) in the ellipticity-ellipse orientation basis of the polarization ellipse of light is implemented to understand the geometric aspects of weak measurement. The weak interaction of a pre-selected state, acheived via spin-Hall effect of light (SHEL), results in a spread in the polarization ellipticity (η) or ellipse orientation (χ) depending on the resulting spatial or angular shift, respectively. The post-selection leads to the projection of the η spread in the complementary χ basis results in the appearance of a geometric phase with helical phase topology in the η - χ parameter space. By representing the weak measurement on the Poincaré sphere and using Jones calculus, the complex weak value and the geometric phase topology are obtained. This deeper understanding of the weak measurement process enabled us to explore the techniques’ capabilities maximally, as demonstrated via SHEL in two examples—external reflection at glass-air interface and transmission through a tilted half-wave plate.

Phase measurements of EUV mask defects

DOE PAGES

Claus, Rene A.; Wang, Yow-Gwo; Wojdyla, Antoine; ...

2015-02-22

Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Lithography mask defects were examined on the actinic mask imaging system, SHARP, at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Also, a quantitative phase retrieval algorithm based on the Weak Object Transfer Function was applied to the measured through-focus aerial images to examine the amplitude and phase of the defects. The accuracy of the algorithm was demonstrated by comparing the results of measurements using a phase contrast zone plate and a standard zone plate. Using partially coherent illumination to measure frequencies that would otherwise fall outside the numerical aperture (NA), it was shown that some defects are smaller than themore » conventional resolution of the microscope. We found that the programmed defects of various sizes were measured and shown to have both an amplitude and a phase component that the algorithm is able to recover.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Claus, Rene A.; Wang, Yow-Gwo; Wojdyla, Antoine

Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Lithography mask defects were examined on the actinic mask imaging system, SHARP, at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Also, a quantitative phase retrieval algorithm based on the Weak Object Transfer Function was applied to the measured through-focus aerial images to examine the amplitude and phase of the defects. The accuracy of the algorithm was demonstrated by comparing the results of measurements using a phase contrast zone plate and a standard zone plate. Using partially coherent illumination to measure frequencies that would otherwise fall outside the numerical aperture (NA), it was shown that some defects are smaller than themore » conventional resolution of the microscope. We found that the programmed defects of various sizes were measured and shown to have both an amplitude and a phase component that the algorithm is able to recover.« less

Phase slips in superconducting weak links

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kimmel, Gregory; Glatz, Andreas; Aranson, Igor S.

2017-01-01

Superconducting vortices and phase slips are primary mechanisms of dissipation in superconducting, superfluid, and cold-atom systems. While the dynamics of vortices is fairly well described, phase slips occurring in quasi-one- dimensional superconducting wires still elude understanding. The main reason is that phase slips are strongly nonlinear time-dependent phenomena that cannot be cast in terms of small perturbations of the superconducting state. Here we study phase slips occurring in superconducting weak links. Thanks to partial suppression of superconductivity in weak links, we employ a weakly nonlinear approximation for dynamic phase slips. This approximation is not valid for homogeneous superconducting wires andmore » slabs. Using the numerical solution of the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equation and bifurcation analysis of stationary solutions, we show that the onset of phase slips occurs via an infinite period bifurcation, which is manifested in a specific voltage-current dependence. Our analytical results are in good agreement with simulations.« less

Phase Diagram of the Bose Hubbard Model with Weak Links

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hettiarachchilage, Kalani; Rousseau, Valy; Tam, Ka-Ming; Moreno, Juana; Jarrell, Mark; Sheehy, Daniel

2012-02-01

We study the ground state phase diagram of strongly interacting ultracold Bose gas in a one-dimensional optical lattice with a tunable weak link, by means of Quantum Monte Carlo simulation. This model contains an on-site repulsive interaction (U) and two different near-neighbor hopping terms, J and t, for the weak link and the remainder of the chain, respectively. We show that by reducing the strength of J, a novel intermediate phase develops which is compressible and non-superfluid. This novel phase is identified as a Normal Bose Liquid (NBL) which does not appear in the phase diagram of the homogeneous bosonic Hubbard model. Further, we find a linear variation of the phase boundary of Normal Bose Liquid (NBL) to SuperFluid (SF) as a function of the strength of the weak link. These results may provide a new path to design advanced atomtronic devices in the future.

Photometric geodesy of main-belt asteroids. IV - An updated analysis of lightcurves for poles, periods, and shapes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Drummond, J. D.; Weidenschilling, S. J.; Chapman, C. R.; Davis, D. R.

1991-01-01

The Drummond et al. (1988) analysis of main-belt asteroids is presently extended, using three independent methods to derive poles, periods, phase functions, and triaxial ellipsoid shapes from lightcurve maxima and minima. This group of 26 asteroids is also reinvestigated with a view to the distributions of triaxial shapes and obliquity distributions. Poles weakly tend to avoid asteroid orbital planes; a rough-smooth dichotomization appears to be justified by the persistence of two solar phase angle-amplitude relations. Seven of the objects may be Jacobi ellipsoids if axial ratios are slightly exaggerated by a systematic effect of the analytical method employed.

FAST TRACK COMMUNICATION: An electromagnetically induced grating by microwave modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Zhi-Hong; Shin, Sung Guk; Kim, Kisik

2010-08-01

We study the phenomenon of an electromagnetically induced phase grating in a double-dark state system of 87Rb atoms, the two closely placed lower fold levels of which are coupled by a weak microwave field. Owing to the existence of the weak microwave field, the efficiency of the phase grating is strikingly improved, and an efficiency of approximately 33% can be achieved. Under the action of the weak standing wave field, the high efficiency of the phase grating can be maintained by modulating the strength and detuning of the weak microwave field, increasing the strength of the standing wave field.

A polyacrylamide-based silica stationary phase for the separation of carbohydrates using alcohols as the weak eluent in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Cai, Jianfeng; Cheng, Lingping; Zhao, Jianchao; Fu, Qing; Jin, Yu; Ke, Yanxiong; Liang, Xinmiao

2017-11-17

A hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) stationary phase was prepared by a two-step synthesis method, immobilizing polyacrylamide on silica sphere particles. The stationary phase (named PA, 5μm dia) was evaluated using a mixture of carbohydrates in HILIC mode and the column efficiency reached 121,000Nm -1 . The retention behavior of carbohydrates on PA stationary phase was investigated with three different organic solvents (acetonitrile, ethanol and methanol) employed as the weak eluent. The strongest hydrophilicity of PA stationary phase was observed in both acetonitrile and methanol as the weak eluent, when compared with another two amide stationary phases. Attributing to its high hydrophilicity, three oligosaccharides (xylooligosaccharide, fructooligosaccharide and chitooligosaccharides) presented good retention on PA stationary phase using alcohols/water as mobile phase. Finally, PA stationary phase was successfully applied for the purification of galactooligosaccharides and saponins of Paris polyphylla. It is feasible to use safer and cheaper alcohols to replace acetonitrile as the weak eluent for green analysis and purification of polar compounds on PA stationary phase. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Optical weak measurements without removing the Goos-Hänchen phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Araújo, Manoel P.; De Leo, Stefano; Maia, Gabriel G.

2018-04-01

Optical weak measurements are a powerful tool for measuring small shifts of optical paths. When applied to the measurement of the Goos-Hänchen shift, in particular, a special step must be added to its protocol: the removal of the relative Goos-Hänchen phase, since its presence generates a destructive influence on the measurement. There is, however, a lack of description in the literature of the precise effect of the Goos-Hänchen phase on weak measurements. In this paper we address this issue, developing an analytic study for a Gaussian beam transmitted through a dielectric structure. We obtain analytic expressions for weak measurements as a function of the relative Goos-Hänchen phase and show how to remove it without the aid of waveplates.

Evidences on weaknesses and strengths from health financing after decentralization: lessons from Latin American countries.

PubMed

Arredondo, Armando; Orozco, Emanuel; De Icaza, Esteban

2005-01-01

The main objective was to identify trends and evidence on health financing after health care decentralization. Evaluative research with a before-after design integrating qualitative and quantitative analysis. Taking into account feasibility, political and technical criteria, three Latin American countries were selected as study populations: Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. The methodology had two main phases. In the first phase, the study referred to secondary sources of data and documents to obtain information about the following variables: type of decentralization implemented, source of finance, funds of financing, providers, final use of resources and mechanisms for resource allocation. In the second phase, the study referred to primary data collected in a survey of key personnel from the health sectors of each country. The trends and evidence reported in all five financing indicators may identify major weaknesses and strengths in health financing. Weaknesses: a lack of human resources trained in health economics who can implement changes, a lack of financial resource independence between the local and central levels, the negative behavior of the main macro-economic variables, and the difficulty in developing new financing alternatives. Strengths: the sharing between the central level and local levels of responsibility for financing health services, the implementation of new organizational structures for the follow-up of financial changes at the local level, the development and implementation of new financial allocation mechanisms taking as a basis the efficiency and equity principles, new technique of a per-capita adjustment factor corrected at the local health needs, and the increase of financing contributions from households and local levels of government.

Phase Domain Walls in Weakly Nonlinear Deep Water Surface Gravity Waves.

PubMed

Tsitoura, F; Gietz, U; Chabchoub, A; Hoffmann, N

2018-06-01

We report a theoretical derivation, an experimental observation and a numerical validation of nonlinear phase domain walls in weakly nonlinear deep water surface gravity waves. The domain walls presented are connecting homogeneous zones of weakly nonlinear plane Stokes waves of identical amplitude and wave vector but differences in phase. By exploiting symmetry transformations within the framework of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation we demonstrate the existence of exact analytical solutions representing such domain walls in the weakly nonlinear limit. The walls are in general oblique to the direction of the wave vector and stationary in moving reference frames. Experimental and numerical studies confirm and visualize the findings. Our present results demonstrate that nonlinear domain walls do exist in the weakly nonlinear regime of general systems exhibiting dispersive waves.

Phase Domain Walls in Weakly Nonlinear Deep Water Surface Gravity Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsitoura, F.; Gietz, U.; Chabchoub, A.; Hoffmann, N.

2018-06-01

We report a theoretical derivation, an experimental observation and a numerical validation of nonlinear phase domain walls in weakly nonlinear deep water surface gravity waves. The domain walls presented are connecting homogeneous zones of weakly nonlinear plane Stokes waves of identical amplitude and wave vector but differences in phase. By exploiting symmetry transformations within the framework of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation we demonstrate the existence of exact analytical solutions representing such domain walls in the weakly nonlinear limit. The walls are in general oblique to the direction of the wave vector and stationary in moving reference frames. Experimental and numerical studies confirm and visualize the findings. Our present results demonstrate that nonlinear domain walls do exist in the weakly nonlinear regime of general systems exhibiting dispersive waves.

Granulite-facies rocks in the Whatley Mill gneiss, Pine Mountain basement massif, Eastern Alabama

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Daniell, N.; Salpas, P.A.

1993-03-01

The Pine Mountain basement massif is a granulite terrane exposed in a tectonic window through the Inner Piedmont of western Georgia and eastern Alabama. Investigations of the westernmost extent of the massif, the Whatley Mill Gneiss, have revealed four distinct lithologies: (1) an augen gneiss, the type lithology; (2) mylonite that develops in the shear zones cutting the unit; (3) a phaneritic rock showing weak to no foliation; (4) enclaves of biotite gneiss within the weakly-foliated rock. Additionally, the weakly-foliated rock comprises two distinct phases which are in sharp contact along curved and undulating boundaries: phase 1 is a coarser-grainedmore » rock; phase 2 is a finer-grained rock of the same mineralogy as phase 1 except it contains rare hypersthene. This first recorded observation of hypersthene unequivocally confirms the granulite-facies origin of the unit. Major and trace element compositions of the phase 1 rock are identical to those of the augen gneiss. The phase 2 rock, has a distinct composition with higher SiO[sub 2] and lower incompatible trace elements than the phase 1 rock. The enclaves display a range in major elements but higher incompatible elements than the other lithologies. Geochemical and petrologic relationships leads one to interpret: (1) the weakly-foliated rock retains many of its primary igneous features including its two phases and enclaves; (2) the two phases of the weakly-foliated rock arose as a result of injection of one magma (phase 2) into a cooler, crystal mush solidifying from another magma (phase 1); (3) the enclaves represent either autoliths of xenoliths; (4) the augen gneiss arose by isochemical deformation of the phase 1 rock.« less

Wigner's quantum phase-space current in weakly-anharmonic weakly-excited two-state systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kakofengitis, Dimitris; Steuernagel, Ole

2017-09-01

There are no phase-space trajectories for anharmonic quantum systems, but Wigner's phase-space representation of quantum mechanics features Wigner current J . This current reveals fine details of quantum dynamics —finer than is ordinarily thought accessible according to quantum folklore invoking Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. Here, we focus on the simplest, most intuitive, and analytically accessible aspects of J. We investigate features of J for bound states of time-reversible, weakly-anharmonic one-dimensional quantum-mechanical systems which are weakly-excited. We establish that weakly-anharmonic potentials can be grouped into three distinct classes: hard, soft, and odd potentials. We stress connections between each other and the harmonic case. We show that their Wigner current fieldline patterns can be characterised by J's discrete stagnation points, how these arise and how a quantum system's dynamics is constrained by the stagnation points' topological charge conservation. We additionally show that quantum dynamics in phase space, in the case of vanishing Planck constant ℏ or vanishing anharmonicity, does not pointwise converge to classical dynamics.

Pre-admission criteria and pre-clinical achievement: Can they predict medical students performance in the clinical phase?

PubMed

Salem, Raneem O; Al-Mously, Najwa; AlFadil, Sara; Baalash, Amal

2016-01-01

Various factors affect medical students' performance during clinical phase. Identifying these factors would help in mentoring weak students and help in selection process for residency programmes. Our study objective is to evaluate the impact of pre-admission criteria, and pre-clinical grade point average (GPA) on undergraduate medical students' performance during clinical phase. This study has a cross-sectional design that includes fifth- and sixth-year female medical students (71). Data of clinical and pre-clinical GPA in medical school and pre-admission to medical school tests scores were collected. A significant correlation between clinical GPA with the pre-clinical GPA was observed (p < 0.05). Such significant correlation was not seen with other variables under study. A regression analysis was performed, and the only significant predictor of students clinical performance was the pre-clinical GPA (p < 0.001). However, no significant difference between students' clinical and pre-clinical GPA for both cohorts was observed (p > 0.05). Pre-clinical GPA is strongly correlated with and can predict medical students' performance during clinical years. Our study highlighted the importance of evaluating the academic performances of students in pre-clinical years before they move into clinical years in order to identify weak students to mentor them and monitor their progress.

Transfer Behavior of the Weakly Acidic BCS Class II Drug Valsartan from the Stomach to the Small Intestine During Fasted and Fed States.

PubMed

Hamed, Rania; Alnadi, Sabreen Hasan

2018-05-07

The objective of this study was to investigate the transfer behavior of the weakly acidic BCS class II drug valsartan from the stomach to the small intestine during fasted and fed states. An in vitro transfer model previously introduced by Kostewicz et al. (J Pharm Pharmacol 56(1):43-51, 2004) based on a syringe pump and a USP paddle apparatus was used to determine the concentration profiles of valsartan in the small intestine. Donor phases of simulated gastric fluid during fasted (FaSSGF) and fed (FeSSGF) states were used to predisperse Diovan® tablets (160 mg valsartan). The initial concentrations of valsartan in FaSSGF and FeSSGF were 6.2 and 91.8%, respectively. Valsartan dispersions were then transferred to acceptor phases that simulate intestinal fluid and cover the physiological properties (pH, buffer capacity, and ionic strength) of the gastrointestinal fluid at a flow rate of 2 mL/min. The pH measurements were reported at time intervals corresponded to those of the transfer experiments to investigate the effect of percent dissolved of valsartan in the donor phase on lowering the pH of the acceptor phases. The f2 similarity test was used to compare the concentration profiles in the acceptor phases. In fasted state, the concentration of valsartan in the acceptor phases ranged between 33.1 and 89.4% after 240 min. Whereas in fed state, valsartan was fully dissolved in all acceptor phases within a range of 94.5-104.9% after 240 min. Therefore, the transfer model provides a useful screen for the concentrations of valsartan in the small intestine during fasted and fed states.

Improvement of coda phase detectability and reconstruction of global seismic data using frequency-wavenumber methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, Simon; Thomas, Christine; Dokht, Ramin M. H.; Gu, Yu Jeffrey; Chen, Yunfeng

2018-02-01

Due to uneven earthquake source and receiver distributions, our abilities to isolate weak signals from interfering phases and reconstruct missing data are fundamental to improving the resolution of seismic imaging techniques. In this study, we introduce a modified frequency-wavenumber (fk) domain based approach using a `Projection Onto Convex Sets' (POCS) algorithm. POCS takes advantage of the sparsity of the dominating energies of phase arrivals in the fk domain, which enables an effective detection and reconstruction of the weak seismic signals. Moreover, our algorithm utilizes the 2-D Fourier transform to perform noise removal, interpolation and weak-phase extraction. To improve the directional resolution of the reconstructed data, we introduce a band-stop 2-D Fourier filter to remove the energy of unwanted, interfering phases in the fk domain, which significantly increases the robustness of the signal of interest. The effectiveness and benefits of this method are clearly demonstrated using both simulated and actual broadband recordings of PP precursors from an array located in Tanzania. When used properly, this method could significantly enhance the resolution of weak crust and mantle seismic phases.

Single-exposure quantitative phase imaging in color-coded LED microscopy.

PubMed

Lee, Wonchan; Jung, Daeseong; Ryu, Suho; Joo, Chulmin

2017-04-03

We demonstrate single-shot quantitative phase imaging (QPI) in a platform of color-coded LED microscopy (cLEDscope). The light source in a conventional microscope is replaced by a circular LED pattern that is trisected into subregions with equal area, assigned to red, green, and blue colors. Image acquisition with a color image sensor and subsequent computation based on weak object transfer functions allow for the QPI of a transparent specimen. We also provide a correction method for color-leakage, which may be encountered in implementing our method with consumer-grade LEDs and image sensors. Most commercially available LEDs and image sensors do not provide spectrally isolated emissions and pixel responses, generating significant error in phase estimation in our method. We describe the correction scheme for this color-leakage issue, and demonstrate improved phase measurement accuracy. The computational model and single-exposure QPI capability of our method are presented by showing images of calibrated phase samples and cellular specimens.

Separability of Abstract-Category and Specific-Exemplar Visual Object Subsystems: Evidence from fMRI Pattern Analysis

PubMed Central

McMenamin, Brenton W.; Deason, Rebecca G.; Steele, Vaughn R.; Koutstaal, Wilma; Marsolek, Chad J.

2014-01-01

Previous research indicates that dissociable neural subsystems underlie abstract-category (AC) recognition and priming of objects (e.g., cat, piano) and specific-exemplar (SE) recognition and priming of objects (e.g., a calico cat, a different calico cat, a grand piano, etc.). However, the degree of separability between these subsystems is not known, despite the importance of this issue for assessing relevant theories. Visual object representations are widely distributed in visual cortex, thus a multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) approach to analyzing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data may be critical for assessing the separability of different kinds of visual object processing. Here we examined the neural representations of visual object categories and visual object exemplars using multi-voxel pattern analyses of brain activity elicited in visual object processing areas during a repetition-priming task. In the encoding phase, participants viewed visual objects and the printed names of other objects. In the subsequent test phase, participants identified objects that were either same-exemplar primed, different-exemplar primed, word-primed, or unprimed. In visual object processing areas, classifiers were trained to distinguish same-exemplar primed objects from word-primed objects. Then, the abilities of these classifiers to discriminate different-exemplar primed objects and word-primed objects (reflecting AC priming) and to discriminate same-exemplar primed objects and different-exemplar primed objects (reflecting SE priming) was assessed. Results indicated that (a) repetition priming in occipital-temporal regions is organized asymmetrically, such that AC priming is more prevalent in the left hemisphere and SE priming is more prevalent in the right hemisphere, and (b) AC and SE subsystems are weakly modular, not strongly modular or unified. PMID:25528436

Separability of abstract-category and specific-exemplar visual object subsystems: evidence from fMRI pattern analysis.

PubMed

McMenamin, Brenton W; Deason, Rebecca G; Steele, Vaughn R; Koutstaal, Wilma; Marsolek, Chad J

2015-02-01

Previous research indicates that dissociable neural subsystems underlie abstract-category (AC) recognition and priming of objects (e.g., cat, piano) and specific-exemplar (SE) recognition and priming of objects (e.g., a calico cat, a different calico cat, a grand piano, etc.). However, the degree of separability between these subsystems is not known, despite the importance of this issue for assessing relevant theories. Visual object representations are widely distributed in visual cortex, thus a multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) approach to analyzing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data may be critical for assessing the separability of different kinds of visual object processing. Here we examined the neural representations of visual object categories and visual object exemplars using multi-voxel pattern analyses of brain activity elicited in visual object processing areas during a repetition-priming task. In the encoding phase, participants viewed visual objects and the printed names of other objects. In the subsequent test phase, participants identified objects that were either same-exemplar primed, different-exemplar primed, word-primed, or unprimed. In visual object processing areas, classifiers were trained to distinguish same-exemplar primed objects from word-primed objects. Then, the abilities of these classifiers to discriminate different-exemplar primed objects and word-primed objects (reflecting AC priming) and to discriminate same-exemplar primed objects and different-exemplar primed objects (reflecting SE priming) was assessed. Results indicated that (a) repetition priming in occipital-temporal regions is organized asymmetrically, such that AC priming is more prevalent in the left hemisphere and SE priming is more prevalent in the right hemisphere, and (b) AC and SE subsystems are weakly modular, not strongly modular or unified. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Weak-light Phase-locking for LISA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McNamara, Paul W.

2004-01-01

The long armlengths of the LISA interferometer, and the finite aperture of the telescope, leads to an optical power attenuation of approximately equal to 10(exp -10) of the transmitted to received light. Simple reflection at the end of the arm is therefore not an optimum interferometric design. Instead, a local laser is offset phase-locked to the weak incoming beam, transferring the phase information of the incoming to the outgoing light. This paper reports on an experiment to characterize a weak light phase-locking scheme suitable for LISA in which a diode-pumped, Nd:YAG, non-planar ring oscillator (NPRO) is offset phase-locked to a low power (13pW) frequency stabilised master NPRO. Preliminary results of the relative phase noise of the slave laser shows shot noise limited performance above 0.4 Hz. Excess noise is observed at lower frequencies, most probably due to thermal effects in the optical arrangement and phase sensing electronics.

Speckle-field digital holographic microscopy.

PubMed

Park, YongKeun; Choi, Wonshik; Yaqoob, Zahid; Dasari, Ramachandra; Badizadegan, Kamran; Feld, Michael S

2009-07-20

The use of coherent light in conventional holographic phase microscopy (HPM) poses three major drawbacks: poor spatial resolution, weak depth sectioning, and fixed pattern noise due to unwanted diffraction. Here, we report a technique which can overcome these drawbacks, but maintains the advantage of phase microscopy - high contrast live cell imaging and 3D imaging. A speckle beam of a complex spatial pattern is used for illumination to reduce fixed pattern noise and to improve optical sectioning capability. By recording of the electric field of speckle, we demonstrate high contrast 3D live cell imaging without the need for axial scanning - neither objective lens nor sample stage. This technique has great potential in studying biological samples with improved sensitivity, resolution and optical sectioning capability.

Method and apparatus for evaluating structural weakness in polymer matrix composites

DOEpatents

Wachter, E.A.; Fisher, W.G.

1996-01-09

A method and apparatus for evaluating structural weaknesses in polymer matrix composites is described. An object to be studied is illuminated with laser radiation and fluorescence emanating therefrom is collected and filtered. The fluorescence is then imaged and the image is studied to determine fluorescence intensity over the surface of the object being studied and the wavelength of maximum fluorescent intensity. Such images provide a map of the structural integrity of the part being studied and weaknesses, particularly weaknesses created by exposure of the object to heat, are readily visible in the image. 6 figs.

Method and apparatus for evaluating structural weakness in polymer matrix composites

DOEpatents

Wachter, Eric A.; Fisher, Walter G.

1996-01-01

A method and apparatus for evaluating structural weaknesses in polymer matrix composites is described. An object to be studied is illuminated with laser radiation and fluorescence emanating therefrom is collected and filtered. The fluorescence is then imaged and the image is studied to determine fluorescence intensity over the surface of the object being studied and the wavelength of maximum fluorescent intensity. Such images provide a map of the structural integrity of the part being studied and weaknesses, particularly weaknesses created by exposure of the object to heat, are readily visible in the image.

Self-visualization of transparent microscopic objects in optical glasses under the conditions of the thermal self-action of an illuminating laser beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bubis, E. L.; Palashov, O. V.; Kuz'min, I. V.; Snetkov, I. L.; Gusev, S. A.

2017-03-01

We demonstrate the process of adaptive self-visualization of small-scale transparent objects and structures in weakly absorbing optical glasses (a glass plate made of K8 and an NS-1 neutral density filter) placed in the Fourier plane of the optical system under the conditions of thermal self-action of the illuminating laser beam. The process is based on the ideology of the classical Zernike phase contrast method. The process is implemented at the level of power of radiation of the illuminated object varying from several milliwatts to tens of watts in the visible and IR spectral ranges. The conducted experiments indicate that the visualization takes place in all glasses and optical elements fabricated from them at an appropriate level of the radiation power.

Response of mixed-phase boundary layer clouds with rapid and slow ice nucleation processes to cloud-top temperature trend

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fridlind, A. M.; Avramov, A.; Ackerman, A. S.; Alpert, P. A.; Knopf, D. A.; DeMott, P. J.; Brooks, S. D.; Glen, A.

2015-12-01

It has been argued on the basis of some laboratory data sets, observed mixed-phase cloud systems, and numerical modeling studies that weakly active or slowly consumed ice forming nuclei (IFN) may be important to natural cloud systems. It has also been argued on the basis of field measurements that ice nucleation under mixed-phase conditions appears to occur predominantly via a liquid-phase mechanism, requiring the presence of liquid droplets prior to substantial ice nucleation. Here we analyze the response of quasi-Lagrangian large-eddy simulations of mixed-phase cloud layers to IFN operating via a liquid-phase mode using assumptions that result in either slow or rapid depletion of IFN from the cloudy boundary layer. Using several generalized case studies that do not exhibit riming or drizzle, based loosely on field campaign data, we vary environmental conditions such that the cloud-top temperature trend varies. One objective of this work is to identify differing patterns in ice formation intensity that may be distinguishable from ground-based or satellite platforms.

Phase-contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy.

PubMed

Minoda, Hiroki; Tamai, Takayuki; Iijima, Hirofumi; Hosokawa, Fumio; Kondo, Yukihito

2015-06-01

This report introduces the first results obtained using phase-contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy (P-STEM). A carbon-film phase plate (PP) with a small center hole is placed in the condenser aperture plane so that a phase shift is introduced in the incident electron waves except those passing through the center hole. A cosine-type phase-contrast transfer function emerges when the phase-shifted scattered waves interfere with the non-phase-shifted unscattered waves, which passed through the center hole before incidence onto the specimen. The phase contrast resulting in P-STEM is optically identical to that in phase-contrast transmission electron microscopy that is used to provide high contrast for weak phase objects. Therefore, the use of PPs can enhance the phase contrast of the STEM images of specimens in principle. The phase shift resulting from the PP, whose thickness corresponds to a phase shift of π, has been confirmed using interference fringes displayed in the Ronchigram of a silicon single crystal specimen. The interference fringes were found to abruptly shift at the edge of the PP hole by π. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japanese Society of Microscopy. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Identical Quantum Particles and Weak Discernibility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dieks, Dennis; Versteegh, Marijn A. M.

2008-10-01

Saunders has recently claimed that “identical quantum particles” with an anti-symmetric state (fermions) are weakly discernible objects, just like irreflexively related ordinary objects in situations with perfect symmetry (Black’s spheres, for example). Weakly discernible objects have all their qualitative properties in common but nevertheless differ from each other by virtue of (a generalized version of) Leibniz’s principle, since they stand in relations an entity cannot have to itself. This notion of weak discernibility has been criticized as question begging, but we defend and accept it for classical cases likes Black’s spheres. We argue, however, that the quantum mechanical case is different. Here the application of the notion of weak discernibility indeed is question begging and in conflict with standard interpretational ideas. We conclude that the introduction of the conceptual resource of weak discernibility does not change the interpretational status quo in quantum mechanics.

Possible disruption of remote viewing by complex weak magnetic fields around the stimulus site and the possibility of accessing real phase space: a pilot study.

PubMed

Koren, S A; Persinger, M A

2002-12-01

In 2002 Persinger, Roll, Tiller, Koren, and Cook considered whether there are physical processes by which recondite information exists within the space and time of objects or events. The stimuli that compose this information might be directly detected within the whole brain without being processed by the typical sensory modalities. We tested the artist Ingo Swann who can reliably draw and describe randomly selected photographs sealed in envelopes in another room. In the present experiment the photographs were immersed continuously in repeated presentations (5 times per sec.) of one of two types of computer-generated complex magnetic field patterns whose intensities were less than 20 nT over most of the area. WINDOWS-generated but not DOS-generated patterns were associated with a marked decrease in Mr. Swann's accuracy. Whereas the DOS software generated exactly the same pattern, WINDOWS software phase-modulated the actual wave form resulting in an infinite bandwidth and complexity. We suggest that information obtained by processes attributed to "paranormal" phenomena have physical correlates that can be masked by weak, infinitely variable magnetic fields.

Strong and weak second-order topological insulators with hexagonal symmetry and ℤ3 index

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ezawa, Motohiko

2018-06-01

We propose second-order topological insulators (SOTIs) whose lattice structure has a hexagonal symmetry C6. We start with a three-dimensional weak topological insulator constructed on a stacked triangular lattice, which has only side topological surface states. We then introduce an additional mass term which gaps out the side surface states but preserves the hinge states. The resultant system is a three-dimensional SOTI. The bulk topological quantum number is shown to be the Z3 index protected by inversion time-reversal symmetry I T and rotoinversion symmetry I C6 . We obtain three phases: trivial, strong, and weak SOTI phases. We argue the origin of these two types of SOTIs. A hexagonal prism is a typical structure respecting these symmetries, where six topological hinge states emerge at the side. The building block is a hexagon in two dimensions, where topological corner states emerge at the six corners in the SOTI phase. Strong and weak SOTIs are obtained when the interlayer hopping interaction is strong and weak, respectively.

Microscopic investigation of the weakly correlated noncentrosymmetric superconductor SrAuSi3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barbero, N.; Biswas, P. K.; Isobe, M.; Amato, A.; Morenzoni, E.; Hillier, A. D.; Ott, H.-R.; Mesot, J.; Shiroka, T.

2018-01-01

SrAuSi3 is a noncentrosymmetric superconductor (NCS) with Tc=1.54 K, which to date has been studied only via macroscopic techniques. By combining nuclear-magnetic-resonance and muon-spin-rotation measurements, we investigate both the normal and the superconducting phase of SrAuSi3 at a local level. In the normal phase, our data indicate a standard metallic behavior with weak electron correlations and a Korringa constant Sexp=1.31 ×10-5 sK. The latter, twice the theoretical value, can be justified by the Moriya theory of exchange enhancement. In the superconducting phase, the material exhibits conventional BCS-type superconductivity with a weak-coupling s -wave pairing, a gap value Δ (0 )=0.213 (2 ) meV, and a magnetic penetration depth λ (0 )=398 (2 ) nm. The experimental proof of weak correlations in SrAuSi3 implies that correlation effects can be decoupled from those of antisymmetric spin-orbit coupling, thus enabling accurate band-structure calculations in the weakly correlated NCSs.

Collective phase description of oscillatory convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawamura, Yoji; Nakao, Hiroya

2013-12-01

We formulate a theory for the collective phase description of oscillatory convection in Hele-Shaw cells. It enables us to describe the dynamics of the oscillatory convection by a single degree of freedom which we call the collective phase. The theory can be considered as a phase reduction method for limit-cycle solutions in infinite-dimensional dynamical systems, namely, stable time-periodic solutions to partial differential equations, representing the oscillatory convection. We derive the phase sensitivity function, which quantifies the phase response of the oscillatory convection to weak perturbations applied at each spatial point, and analyze the phase synchronization between two weakly coupled Hele-Shaw cells exhibiting oscillatory convection on the basis of the derived phase equations.

Prediction of Vigilant Attention and Cognitive Performance Using Self-Reported Alertness, Circadian Phase, Hours since Awakening, and Accumulated Sleep Loss

PubMed Central

Bermudez, Eduardo B.; Klerman, Elizabeth B.; Czeisler, Charles A.; Cohen, Daniel A.; Wyatt, James K.; Phillips, Andrew J. K.

2016-01-01

Sleep restriction causes impaired cognitive performance that can result in adverse consequences in many occupational settings. Individuals may rely on self-perceived alertness to decide if they are able to adequately perform a task. It is therefore important to determine the relationship between an individual’s self-assessed alertness and their objective performance, and how this relationship depends on circadian phase, hours since awakening, and cumulative lost hours of sleep. Healthy young adults (aged 18–34) completed an inpatient schedule that included forced desynchrony of sleep/wake and circadian rhythms with twelve 42.85-hour “days” and either a 1:2 (n = 8) or 1:3.3 (n = 9) ratio of sleep-opportunity:enforced-wakefulness. We investigated whether subjective alertness (visual analog scale), circadian phase (melatonin), hours since awakening, and cumulative sleep loss could predict objective performance on the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT), an Addition/Calculation Test (ADD) and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Mathematical models that allowed nonlinear interactions between explanatory variables were evaluated using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Subjective alertness was the single best predictor of PVT, ADD, and DSST performance. Subjective alertness alone, however, was not an accurate predictor of PVT performance. The best AIC scores for PVT and DSST were achieved when all explanatory variables were included in the model. The best AIC score for ADD was achieved with circadian phase and subjective alertness variables. We conclude that subjective alertness alone is a weak predictor of objective vigilant or cognitive performance. Predictions can, however, be improved by knowing an individual’s circadian phase, current wake duration, and cumulative sleep loss. PMID:27019198

Probing the Evolution of Massive Young Stellar Objects using Weak Class II 6.7GHz Methanol Maser Emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ludwig, Bethany Ann; Cunningham, Nichol

2017-01-01

We present results from an investigation of class II 6.7GHz methanol masers towards four Massive Young Stellar Objects (MYSOs). The sources, selected from the Red MSX Source (RMS) Survey (Lumsden et al. 2013), were previously understood to be non-detections for class II methanol maser emission in the methanol multi-beam (MMB) Survey (Caswell et al. 2010.) Class II methanol masers are a well-known sign post of massive star forming regions and may be utilized to probe their relatively poorly understood formation. It is possible that these non-detections are simply weak masers that are potentially associated with a younger evolutionary phase of MYSOs as hypothesized by Olmi et al. (2014). The sources were chosen to sample various stages of evolution, having similar 21 to 8 micron flux ratios and bolometric luminosities as other MYSOs with previous class II methanol maser detections. We observed all 4 MYSOs with ATCA (~2" resolution) at 10 times deeper sensitivity than previously obtained with the MMB survey and have a spectral resolution of 0.087kms^-1 . The raw data is reduced using the program Miriad (Sault, R. J., et al., 1995) and deconvolutioned using the program CASA (McMullin, J. P., et al. 2007.) We determine one of the four observed MYSOs is harboring a weak class II methanol maser. We discuss the possibility of sensitivity limitations on the remaining sources as well as environmental and evolutionary differences between the sources.

Time-Reversal Symmetry-Breaking Nematic Insulators near Quantum Spin Hall Phase Transitions.

PubMed

Xue, Fei; MacDonald, A H

2018-05-04

We study the phase diagram of a model quantum spin Hall system as a function of band inversion and band-coupling strength, demonstrating that when band hybridization is weak, an interaction-induced nematic insulator state emerges over a wide range of band inversion. This property is a consequence of the long-range Coulomb interaction, which favors interband phase coherence that is weakly dependent on momentum and therefore frustrated by the single-particle Hamiltonian at the band inversion point. For weak band hybridization, interactions convert the continuous gap closing topological phase transition at inversion into a pair of continuous phase transitions bounding a state with broken time-reversal and rotational symmetries. At intermediate band hybridization, the topological phase transition proceeds instead via a quantum anomalous Hall insulator state, whereas at strong hybridization interactions play no role. We comment on the implications of our findings for InAs/GaSb and HgTe/CdTe quantum spin Hall systems.

Time-Reversal Symmetry-Breaking Nematic Insulators near Quantum Spin Hall Phase Transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, Fei; MacDonald, A. H.

2018-05-01

We study the phase diagram of a model quantum spin Hall system as a function of band inversion and band-coupling strength, demonstrating that when band hybridization is weak, an interaction-induced nematic insulator state emerges over a wide range of band inversion. This property is a consequence of the long-range Coulomb interaction, which favors interband phase coherence that is weakly dependent on momentum and therefore frustrated by the single-particle Hamiltonian at the band inversion point. For weak band hybridization, interactions convert the continuous gap closing topological phase transition at inversion into a pair of continuous phase transitions bounding a state with broken time-reversal and rotational symmetries. At intermediate band hybridization, the topological phase transition proceeds instead via a quantum anomalous Hall insulator state, whereas at strong hybridization interactions play no role. We comment on the implications of our findings for InAs/GaSb and HgTe/CdTe quantum spin Hall systems.

Phase-coherent elastic scattering of electromagnetic waves from a random array of resonant dielectric ridges on a dielectric substrate: Weak roughness limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Danila, B.; McGurn, A. R.

2005-03-01

A theoretical discussion is given of the diffuse scattering of p -polarized electromagnetic waves from a vacuum-dielectric interface characterized by a one-dimensional disorder in the form of parallel, Gaussian shaped, dielectric ridges positioned at random on a planar semi-infinite dielectric substrate. The parameters of the surface roughness are chosen so that the surface is characterized as weakly rough with a low ridge concentration. The emphasis is on phase coherent features in the speckle pattern of light scattered from the surface. These features are determined from the intensity-intensity correlation function of the speckle pattern and are studied as functions of the frequency of light for frequencies near the dielectric frequency resonances of the ridge material. In the first part of the study, the ridges on the substrate are taken to be identical, made from either GaAs, NaF, or ZnS. The substrate for all cases is CdS. In a second set of studies, the heights and widths of the ridges are statistically distributed. The effects of these different types of randomness on the scattering from the random array of dielectric ridges is determined near the dielectric resonance frequency of the ridge material. The work presented is an extension of studies [A. B. McGurn and R. M. Fitzgerald, Phys. Rev. B 65, 155414 (2002)] that originally treated only the differential reflection coefficient of the diffuse scattering of light (not speckle correlation functions) from a system of identical ridges. The object of the present work is to demonstrate the effects of the dielectric frequency resonances of the ridge materials on the phase coherent features found in the speckle patterns of the diffusely scattered light. The dielectric frequency resonances are shown to enhance the observation of the weak localization of electromagnetic surface waves at the random interface. The frequencies treated in this work are in the infrared. Previous weak localization studies have concentrated mainly on the visible and ultraviolet.

Collective phase description of oscillatory convection

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kawamura, Yoji, E-mail: ykawamura@jamstec.go.jp; Nakao, Hiroya

We formulate a theory for the collective phase description of oscillatory convection in Hele-Shaw cells. It enables us to describe the dynamics of the oscillatory convection by a single degree of freedom which we call the collective phase. The theory can be considered as a phase reduction method for limit-cycle solutions in infinite-dimensional dynamical systems, namely, stable time-periodic solutions to partial differential equations, representing the oscillatory convection. We derive the phase sensitivity function, which quantifies the phase response of the oscillatory convection to weak perturbations applied at each spatial point, and analyze the phase synchronization between two weakly coupled Hele-Shawmore » cells exhibiting oscillatory convection on the basis of the derived phase equations.« less

Evaluation of partial coherence correction in X-ray ptychography

DOE PAGES

Burdet, Nicolas; Shi, Xiaowen; Parks, Daniel; ...

2015-02-23

Coherent X-ray Diffraction Imaging (CDI) and X-ray ptychography both heavily rely on the high degree of spatial coherence of the X-ray illumination for sufficient experimental data quality for reconstruction convergence. Nevertheless, the majority of the available synchrotron undulator sources have a limited degree of partial coherence, leading to reduced data quality and a lower speckle contrast in the coherent diffraction patterns. It is still an open question whether experimentalists should compromise the coherence properties of an X-ray source in exchange for a higher flux density at a sample, especially when some materials of scientific interest are relatively weak scatterers. Amore » previous study has suggested that in CDI, the best strategy for the study of strong phase objects is to maintain a high degree of coherence of the illuminating X-rays because of the broadening of solution space resulting from the strong phase structures. In this article, we demonstrate the first systematic analysis of the effectiveness of partial coherence correction in ptychography as a function of the coherence properties, degree of complexity of illumination (degree of phase diversity of the probe) and sample phase complexity. We have also performed analysis of how well ptychographic algorithms refine X-ray probe and complex coherence functions when those variables are unknown at the start of reconstructions, for noise-free simulated data, in the case of both real-valued and highly-complex objects.« less

Observation of polarization domain wall solitons in weakly birefringent cavity fiber lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, H.; Tang, D. Y.; Zhao, L. M.; Wu, X.

2009-08-01

We report on the experimental observation of two types of phase-locked vector soliton in weakly birefringent cavity erbium-doped fiber lasers. While a phase-locked dark-dark vector soliton was only observed in fiber lasers of positive dispersion, a phase-locked dark-bright vector soliton was obtained in fiber lasers of either positive or negative dispersion. Numerical simulations confirmed the experimental observations and further showed that the observed vector solitons are the two types of phase-locked polarization domain wall solitons theoretically predicted.

Orientational ordering of colloidal dispersions by application of time-dependent external forces.

PubMed

Moths, Brian; Witten, T A

2013-08-01

We discuss a method of organizing incoherent motion of a colloidal suspension to produce synchronized, coherent motion, extending the discussion of our recent Letter [Moths and Witten, Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 028301 (2013)]. The method does not require interaction between the objects. Instead, the effect is controlled by the "twist matrix" which gives the angular velocity of an asymmetric object in a fluid resulting from a weak external force. We analyze the two types of forcing considered in the Letter: a force alternating between two directions and a continuously rotating force. For the alternating force, we justify the claim of the Letter that under appropriate forcing conditions, the orientational entropy of the objects decreases indefinitely with time, on average. We provide a bound on that rate in terms of the twist matrix. For the case of rotating force, we derive conditions for phased-locked motion of the objects to the force and prove that there is only one stable phase-locked orientation under these conditions. We find numerically that the fastest alignment typically occurs for tilt angles of order unity. We discuss how the alignment effect scales with the object size for external forcing caused by gravity or an electric field. Under practical forcing conditions we estimate that the alignment should persist despite rotational diffusion for objects larger than about 10 microns. Potential misalignment owing to hydrodynamic interaction of the objects is estimated to be negligible at volume fractions smaller than about 10(-4.5) (10(-3)) when the forcing is gravitational (electrophoretic).

Control of gel swelling and phase separation of weakly charged thermoreversible gels by salt addition

PubMed Central

Solis, Francisco J.; Vernon, Brent

2009-01-01

Doping of thermoreversible polymer gels with charged monomers provides a way to control phase separation and gelation conditions by coupling the properties of the gel with a tunable ionic environment. We analyze the dependence of the gelation and phase separation conditions on the amount of salt present using a mean field model of weakly charged associative polymers. The ions and co-ions present are explicitly considered at the mean field level, and we determine their concentrations in the different equilibrium phases when the system undergoes phase separation. For weak polymer charge, the entropic contributions of the ions to the free energy of the system play a central role in the determination of the location of phase equilibrium. In the simplest case, when the associative interaction responsible for gel formation is independent of the electrostatic interaction, the addition of salt changes the polymer equilibrium concentrations and indirectly changes the measurable swelling of the gel. We construct phase diagrams of these systems showing the location of the coexistence region, the gel-sol boundary and the location of the tie-lines. We determine the swelling of the gel within the co-existence region. Our main result is that the description of the effect of the salt on the properties of the weakly charged gel can be described through an extra contribution to the effective immiscibility parameter χ proportional to the square of the doping degree f2 and to the inverse square of the added salt concentration s−2. PMID:19759854

Spot auto-focusing and spot auto-stigmation methods with high-definition auto-correlation function in high-resolution TEM.

PubMed

Isakozawa, Shigeto; Fuse, Taishi; Amano, Junpei; Baba, Norio

2018-04-01

As alternatives to the diffractogram-based method in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, a spot auto-focusing (AF) method and a spot auto-stigmation (AS) method are presented with a unique high-definition auto-correlation function (HD-ACF). The HD-ACF clearly resolves the ACF central peak region in small amorphous-thin-film images, reflecting the phase contrast transfer function. At a 300-k magnification for a 120-kV transmission electron microscope, the smallest areas used are 64 × 64 pixels (~3 nm2) for the AF and 256 × 256 pixels for the AS. A useful advantage of these methods is that the AF function has an allowable accuracy even for a low s/n (~1.0) image. A reference database on the defocus dependency of the HD-ACF by the pre-acquisition of through-focus amorphous-thin-film images must be prepared to use these methods. This can be very beneficial because the specimens are not limited to approximations of weak phase objects but can be extended to objects outside such approximations.

How "implicit" are implicit color effects in memory?

PubMed

Zimmer, Hubert D; Steiner, Astrid; Ecker, Ullrich K H

2002-01-01

Processing colored pictures of objects results in a preference to choose the former color for a specific object in a subsequent color choice test (Wippich & Mecklenbräuker, 1998). We tested whether this implicit memory effect is independent of performances in episodic color recollection (recognition). In the study phase of Experiment 1, the color of line drawings was either named or its appropriateness was judged. We found only weak implicit memory effects for categorical color information. In Experiment 2, silhouettes were colored by subjects during the study phase. Performances in both the implicit and the explicit test were good. Selections of "old" colors in the implicit test, though, were almost completely confined to items for which the color was also remembered explicitly. In Experiment 3, we applied the opposition technique in order to check whether we could find any implicit effects regarding items for which no explicit color recollection was possible. This was not the case. We therefore draw the conclusion that implicit color preference effects are not independent of explicit recollection, and that they are probably based on the same episodic memory traces that are used in explicit tests.

Dual exposure interferometry. [gas dynamics and flow visualization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smeets, G.; George, A.

1982-01-01

The application of dual exposure differential interferometry to gas dynamics and flow visualization is discussed. A differential interferometer with Wallaston prisms can produce two complementary interference fringe systems, depending on the polarization of the incident light. If these two systems are superimposed on a film, with one exposure during a phenomenon, the other before or after, the phenomenon will appear on a uniform background. By regulating the interferometer to infinite fringe distance, a resolution limit of approximately lambda/500 can be obtained in the quantitative analysis of weak phase objects. This method was successfully applied to gas dynamic investigations.

The role of Bs-->Kπ in determining the weak phase /γ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gronau, M.; Rosner, J. L.

2000-06-01

The decay rates for B0-->K+π-, B+-->K0π+, and the charge-conjugate processes were found to provide information on the weak phase γ≡Arg(Vub*) when the ratio r of weak tree and penguin amplitudes was taken from data on /B-->ππ or semileptonic /B-->π decays. We show here that the rates for Bs-->K-π+ and B¯s-->K+π- can provide the necessary information on r, and estimate the statistical accuracy of forthcoming measurements at the Fermilab Tevatron.

SU(3) sextet model with Wilson fermions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hansen, Martin; Pica, Claudio

2018-03-01

We present our final results for the SU(3) sextet model with the non-improved Wilson fermion discretization. We find evidence for several phases of the lattice model, including a bulk phase with broken chiral symmetry. We study the transition between the bulk and weak coupling phase which corresponds to a significant change in the qualitative behavior of spectral and scale setting observables. In particular the t0 and w0 observables seem to diverge in the chiral limit in the weak coupling phase. We then focus on the study of spectral observables in the chiral limit in the weak coupling phase at infinite volume. We consider the masses and decay constants for the pseudoscalar and vector mesons, the mass of the axial vector meson and the spin-1/2 baryon as a function of the quark mass, while controlling finite volume effects. We then test our data against both the IR conformal and the chirally broken hypotheses. Preprint: CP3-Origins-2017-49 DNRF90

Weak and Dynamic GNSS Signal Tracking Strategies for Flight Missions in the Space Service Volume

PubMed Central

Jing, Shuai; Zhan, Xingqun; Liu, Baoyu; Chen, Maolin

2016-01-01

Weak-signal and high-dynamics are of two primary concerns of space navigation using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) in the space service volume (SSV). The paper firstly defines a reference assumption third-order phase-locked loop (PLL) as the baseline of an onboard GNSS receiver, and proves the incompetence of this conventional architecture. Then an adaptive four-state Kalman filter (KF)-based algorithm is introduced to realize the optimization of loop noise bandwidth, which can adaptively regulate its filter gain according to the received signal power and line-of-sight (LOS) dynamics. To overcome the matter of losing lock in weak-signal and high-dynamic environments, an open loop tracking strategy aided by an inertial navigation system (INS) is recommended, and the traditional maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method is modified in a non-coherent way by reconstructing the likelihood cost function. Furthermore, a typical mission with combined orbital maneuvering and non-maneuvering arcs is taken as a destination object to test the two proposed strategies. Finally, the experiment based on computer simulation identifies the effectiveness of an adaptive four-state KF-based strategy under non-maneuvering conditions and the virtue of INS-assisted methods under maneuvering conditions. PMID:27598164

Weak and Dynamic GNSS Signal Tracking Strategies for Flight Missions in the Space Service Volume.

PubMed

Jing, Shuai; Zhan, Xingqun; Liu, Baoyu; Chen, Maolin

2016-09-02

Weak-signal and high-dynamics are of two primary concerns of space navigation using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) in the space service volume (SSV). The paper firstly defines a reference assumption third-order phase-locked loop (PLL) as the baseline of an onboard GNSS receiver, and proves the incompetence of this conventional architecture. Then an adaptive four-state Kalman filter (KF)-based algorithm is introduced to realize the optimization of loop noise bandwidth, which can adaptively regulate its filter gain according to the received signal power and line-of-sight (LOS) dynamics. To overcome the matter of losing lock in weak-signal and high-dynamic environments, an open loop tracking strategy aided by an inertial navigation system (INS) is recommended, and the traditional maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method is modified in a non-coherent way by reconstructing the likelihood cost function. Furthermore, a typical mission with combined orbital maneuvering and non-maneuvering arcs is taken as a destination object to test the two proposed strategies. Finally, the experiment based on computer simulation identifies the effectiveness of an adaptive four-state KF-based strategy under non-maneuvering conditions and the virtue of INS-assisted methods under maneuvering conditions.

Spectro-Polarimetry of Fine-Grained Ice and Dust Surfaces Measured in the Laboratory to Study Solar System Objects and Beyond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poch, O.; Cerubini, R.; Pommerol, A.; Thomas, N.; Schmid, H. M.; Potin, S.; Beck, P.; Schmitt, B.; Brissaud, O.; Carrasco, N.; Szopa, C.; Buch, A.

2017-12-01

The polarization of the light is very sensitive to the size, morphology, porosity and composition of the scattering particles. As a consequence, polarimetric observations could significantly complement observations performed in total light intensity, providing additional constraints to interpret remote sensing observations of Solar System and extra-solar objects. This presentation will focus on measurements performed in the laboratory on carefully characterized surface samples, providing reference data that can be used to test theoretical models and predict or interpret spectro-polarimetric observations. Using methods developed in the Laboratory for Outflow Studies of Sublimating Materials (LOSSy) at the University of Bern, we produce well-characterized and reproducible surfaces made of water ice particles having different grain sizes and porosities, as well as mineral/organic dusts, pure or mixed together, as analogues of planetary or small bodies surfaces. These surface samples are illuminated with a randomly polarized light source simulating the Sun. The polarization of their scattered light is measured at multiple phase angles and wavelengths, allowing to study the shape of the polarimetric phase curves and their spectral dependence, with two recently developed setups: The POLarimeter for Icy Samples (POLICES), at the University of Bern, allows the measurement of the weak polarization of ice surfaces from 400 to 800 nm, with direct application to icy satellites. Using a precision Stokes polarimeter, this setup is also used to study the spectral variations of circular polarization in the light scattered by biotic versus abiotic surfaces. The Spectrogonio radiometer with cHanging Angles for Detection Of Weak Signals (SHADOWS), at IPAG (University of Grenoble Alpes), measures linear polarization spectra from 0.35 to 5 μm in the light scattered by dark meteorite powders or icy samples, with application to primitive objects of the Solar System (asteroids, comets).

Proportional-scanning-phase method to suppress the vibrational noise in nonisotope dual-atom-interferometer-based weak-equivalence-principle-test experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xi; Zhong, Jiaqi; Song, Hongwei; Zhu, Lei; Wang, Jin; Zhan, Mingsheng

2014-08-01

Vibrational noise is one of the most important noises that limits the performance of the nonisotopes atom-interferometers (AIs) -based weak-equivalence-principle (WEP) -test experiment. By analyzing the vibration-induced phases, we find that, although the induced phases are not completely common, their ratio is always a constant at every experimental data point, which is not fully utilized in the traditional elliptic curve-fitting method. From this point, we propose a strategy that can greatly suppress the vibration-induced phase noise by stabilizing the Raman laser frequencies at high precision and controlling the scanning-phase ratio. The noise rejection ratio can be as high as 1015 with arbitrary dual-species AIs. Our method provides a Lissajous curve, and the shape of the curve indicates the breakdown of the weak-equivalence-principle signal. Then we manage to derive an estimator for the differential phase of the Lissajous curve. This strategy could be helpful in extending the candidates of atomic species for high-precision AIs-based WEP-test experiments.

Two-dimensional solid-phase extraction strategy for the selective enrichment of aminoglycosides in milk.

PubMed

Shen, Aijin; Wei, Jie; Yan, Jingyu; Jin, Gaowa; Ding, Junjie; Yang, Bingcheng; Guo, Zhimou; Zhang, Feifang; Liang, Xinmiao

2017-03-01

An orthogonal two-dimensional solid-phase extraction strategy was established for the selective enrichment of three aminoglycosides including spectinomycin, streptomycin, and dihydrostreptomycin in milk. A reversed-phase liquid chromatography material (C 18 ) and a weak cation-exchange material (TGA) were integrated in a single solid-phase extraction cartridge. The feasibility of two-dimensional clean-up procedure that experienced two-step adsorption, two-step rinsing, and two-step elution was systematically investigated. Based on the orthogonality of reversed-phase and weak cation-exchange procedures, the two-dimensional solid-phase extraction strategy could minimize the interference from the hydrophobic matrix existing in traditional reversed-phase solid-phase extraction. In addition, high ionic strength in the extracts could be effectively removed before the second dimension of weak cation-exchange solid-phase extraction. Combined with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry, the optimized procedure was validated according to the European Union Commission directive 2002/657/EC. A good performance was achieved in terms of linearity, recovery, precision, decision limit, and detection capability in milk. Finally, the optimized two-dimensional clean-up procedure incorporated with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was successfully applied to the rapid monitoring of aminoglycoside residues in milk. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Gapped boundary phases of topological insulators via weak coupling

DOE PAGES

Seiberg, Nathan; Witten, Edward

2016-11-04

The standard boundary state of a topological insulator in 3 + 1 dimensions has gapless charged fermions. We present model systems that reproduce this standard gapless boundary state in one phase, but also have gapped phases with topological order. Our models are weakly coupled and all the dynamics is explicit. We rederive some known boundary states of topological insulators and construct new ones. Consistency with the standard spin/charge relation of condensed matter physics places a nontrivial constraint on models

Dependence of weak interaction rates on the nuclear composition during stellar core collapse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furusawa, Shun; Nagakura, Hiroki; Sumiyoshi, Kohsuke; Kato, Chinami; Yamada, Shoichi

2017-02-01

We investigate the influences of the nuclear composition on the weak interaction rates of heavy nuclei during the core collapse of massive stars. The nuclear abundances in nuclear statistical equilibrium (NSE) are calculated by some equation of state (EOS) models including in-medium effects on nuclear masses. We systematically examine the sensitivities of electron capture and neutrino-nucleus scattering on heavy nuclei to the nuclear shell effects and the single-nucleus approximation. We find that the washout of the shell effect at high temperatures brings significant change to weak rates by smoothing the nuclear abundance distribution: the electron capture rate decreases by ˜20 % in the early phase and increases by ˜40 % in the late phase at most, while the cross section for neutrino-nucleus scattering is reduced by ˜15 % . This is because the open-shell nuclei become abundant instead of those with closed neutron shells as the shell effects disappear. We also find that the single-nucleus description based on the average values leads to underestimations of weak rates. Electron captures and neutrino coherent scattering on heavy nuclei are reduced by ˜80 % in the early phase and by ˜5 % in the late phase, respectively. These results indicate that NSE like EOS accounting for shell washout is indispensable for the reliable estimation of weak interaction rates in simulations of core-collapse supernovae.

Thin-Film Phase Plates for Transmission Electron Microscopy Fabricated from Metallic Glasses.

PubMed

Dries, Manuel; Hettler, Simon; Schulze, Tina; Send, Winfried; Müller, Erich; Schneider, Reinhard; Gerthsen, Dagmar; Luo, Yuansu; Samwer, Konrad

2016-10-01

Thin-film phase plates (PPs) have become an interesting tool to enhance the contrast of weak-phase objects in transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thin film usually consists of amorphous carbon, which suffers from quick degeneration under the intense electron-beam illumination. Recent investigations have focused on the search for alternative materials with an improved material stability. This work presents thin-film PPs fabricated from metallic glass alloys, which are characterized by a high electrical conductivity and an amorphous structure. Thin films of the zirconium-based alloy Zr65.0Al7.5Cu27.5 (ZAC) were fabricated and their phase-shifting properties were evaluated. The ZAC film was investigated by different TEM techniques, which reveal beneficial properties compared with amorphous carbon PPs. Particularly favorable is the small probability for inelastic plasmon scattering, which results from the combined effect of a moderate inelastic mean free path and a reduced film thickness due to a high mean inner potential. Small probability plasmon scattering improves contrast transfer at high spatial frequencies, which makes the ZAC alloy a promising material for PP fabrication.

Modified Standard Penetration Test–based Drilled Shaft Design Method for Weak Rocks (Phase 2 Study)

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-12-15

In this project, Illinois-specific design procedures were developed for drilled shafts founded in weak shale or rock. In particular, a modified standard penetration test was developed and verified to characterize the in situ condition of weak shales ...

The Electric Field of a Weakly Electric Fish

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rasnow, Brian K.

Freshwater fish of the genus Apteronotus (family Gymnotidae) generate a weak, high frequency electric field (<100 mV/cm, 0.5-10 kHz) which permeates their local environment. These nocturnal fish are acutely sensitive to perturbations in their electric field caused by other electric fish, and nearby objects whose impedance is different from the surrounding water. This thesis presents high temporal and spatial resolution maps of the electric potential and field on and near Apteronotus. The fish's electric field is a complicated and highly stable function of space and time. Its characteristics, such as spectral composition, timing, and rate of attenuation, are examined in terms of physical constraints, and their possible functional roles in electroreception. Temporal jitter of the periodic field is less than 1 musec. However, electrocyte activity is not globally synchronous along the fish's electric organ. The propagation of electrocyte activation down the fish's body produces a rotation of the electric field vector in the caudal part of the fish. This may assist the fish in identifying nonsymmetrical objects, and could also confuse electrosensory predators that try to locate Apteronotus by following its fieldlines. The propagation also results in a complex spatiotemporal pattern of the EOD potential near the fish. Visualizing the potential on the same and different fish over timescales of several months suggests that it is stable and could serve as a unique signature for individual fish. Measurements of the electric field were used to calculate the effects of simple objects on the fish's electric field. The shape of the perturbation or "electric image" on the fish's skin is relatively independent of a simple object's size, conductivity, and rostrocaudal location, and therefore could unambiguously determine object distance. The range of electrolocation may depend on both the size of objects and their rostrocaudal location. Only objects with very large dielectric constants cause appreciable phase shifts, and these are strongly dependent on the water conductivity.

First-order melting of a weak spin-orbit mott insulator into a correlated metal

DOE PAGES

Hogan, Tom; Yamani, Z.; Walkup, D.; ...

2015-06-25

Herein, the electronic phase diagram of the weak spin-orbit Mott insulator (Sr 1-xLa x) 3Ir 2O 7 is determined via an exhaustive experimental study. Upon doping electrons via La substitution, an immediate collapse in resistivity occurs along with a narrow regime of nanoscale phase separation comprised of antiferromagnetic, insulating regions and paramagnetic, metallic puddles persisting until x≈0.04. Continued electron doping results in an abrupt, first-order phase boundary where the Néel state is suppressed and a homogenous, correlated, metallic state appears with an enhanced spin susceptibility and local moments. In conclusion, as the metallic state is stabilized, a weak structural distortionmore » develops and suggests a competing instability with the parent spin-orbit Mott state.« less

Determination of void volume in normal phase liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Jiang, Ping; Wu, Di; Lucy, Charles A

2014-01-10

Void volume is an important fundamental parameter in chromatography. Little prior discussion has focused on the determination of void volume in normal phase liquid chromatography (NPLC). Various methods to estimate the total void volume are compared: pycnometry; minor disturbance method based on injection of weak solvent; tracer pulse method; hold-up volume based on unretained compounds; and accessible volume based on Martin's rule and its descendants. These are applied to NPLC on silica, RingSep and DNAP columns. Pycnometry provides a theoretically maximum value for the total void volume and should be performed at least once for each new column. However, pycnometry does not reflect the volume of adsorbed strong solvent on the stationary phase, and so only yields an accurate void volume for weaker mobile phase conditions. 1,3,5-Tri-t-butyl benzene (TTBB) results in hold-up volumes that are convenient measures of the void volume for all eluent conditions on charge-transfer columns (RingSep and DNAP), but is weakly retained under weak eluent conditions on silica. Injection of the weak mobile phase component (hexane) may be used to determine void volume, but care must be exercised to select the appropriate disturbance feature. Accessible volumes, that are determined using a homologous series, are always biased low, and are not recommended as a measure of the void volume. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dynamically induced many-body localization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Soonwon; Abanin, Dmitry A.; Lukin, Mikhail D.

2018-03-01

We show that a quantum phase transition from ergodic to many-body localized (MBL) phases can be induced via periodic pulsed manipulation of spin systems. Such a transition is enabled by the interplay between weak disorder and slow heating rates. Specifically, we demonstrate that the Hamiltonian of a weakly disordered ergodic spin system can be effectively engineered, by using sufficiently fast coherent controls, to yield a stable MBL phase, which in turn completely suppresses the energy absorption from external control field. Our results imply that a broad class of existing many-body systems can be used to probe nonequilibrium phases of matter for a long time, limited only by coupling to external environment.

Zoo of Quantum Phases and Excitations of Cold Bosonic Atoms in Optical Lattices

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alon, Ofir E.; Streltsov, Alexej I.; Cederbaum, Lorenz S.

Quantum phases and phase transitions of weakly to strongly interacting bosonic atoms in deep to shallow optical lattices are described by a single multiorbital mean-field approach in real space. For weakly interacting bosons in one dimension, the critical value of the superfluid to Mott insulator (MI) transition found is in excellent agreement with many-body treatments of the Bose-Hubbard model. For strongly interacting bosons (i) additional MI phases appear, for which two (or more) atoms residing in each site undergo a Tonks-Girardeau-like transition and localize, and (ii) on-site excitation becomes the excitation lowest in energy. Experimental implications are discussed.

Phase-preserving wavefront amplification at 590 nm by stimulated Raman scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wick, D. V.; Gruneisen, M. T.; Peterson, P. R.

1998-03-01

This paper presents an experimental demonstration of high-gain optical-wavefront amplification by stimulated Raman scattering near the D 1 resonance in atomic sodium vapor. Single-pass weak-field gain of nearly 400 is achieved with only 800 mW of pump power. Through judicious focusing, the weak wavefront is confined to the central region of the focused pump wave where saturation of the dispersion profile minimizes phase distortions due to self-focusing effects. Phase-preserving amplification is demonstrated by interferometric measurements of an amplified TEM 00 wavefront.

Weak arrest-like and field-driven first order magnetic phase transitions of itinerant Fe3Ga4 revealed by magnetization and magnetoresistance isotherms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samatham, S. Shanmukharao; Suresh, K. G.

2017-01-01

The detailed magnetic study of complex 3d-electron based Fe3Ga4 is reported. It undergoes paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic (TN) and antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic (TC) transitions respectively around 380 and 70 K. The thermal hysteresis of field-cooled cooling (FCC) and field-cooled warming (FCW) hints at first order phase transition below Curie temperature. A weak phase coexistence of ferro and antiferromagnetic phases is suggested by exploring the arrest-like first-order phenomenon. In the intermediate temperature range, field-driven metamagnetic transition from antiferro to ferromagnetic phase is confirmed. Further bringing the system very near to TN, field-induced transitions disappear and above TN predominant paramagnetic contribution is evident. The magnetic H-T phase diagram distinguishing different magnetic phases of Fe3Ga4 is obtained.

Static and dynamic dielectric properties of strongly polar liquids in the vicinity of first order and weakly first order phase transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jadżyn, Jan; Czechowski, Grzegorz; Legrand, Christian; Douali, Redouane

2003-04-01

The paper presents the results of measurements of the linear dielectric properties of the compounds from the homologous series of alkylcyanobiphenyls (CnH2n+1PhPhCN, nCB) in the vicinity of the first order transition (from the isotropic liquid to the crystalline phase) of nonmesogenic nCB’s (n=2 4) and the weakly first order transition (from the isotropic liquid to the nematic phase) of 5CB. The experimental method for the separation of the critical part of the static permittivity derivative and the activation energy for rotation of the mesogenic molecules, in the vicinity of weakly first order phase transition, is proposed. It is shown that the critical temperature dependence of the permittivity and the activation energy can be described with a function of (T-T*)-α type, with the same values of the temperature of virtual transition of the second order (T*) and the critical exponent (α).

Phase structure of NJL model with weak renormalization group

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aoki, Ken-Ichi; Kumamoto, Shin-Ichiro; Yamada, Masatoshi

2018-06-01

We analyze the chiral phase structure of the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model at finite temperature and density by using the functional renormalization group (FRG). The renormalization group (RG) equation for the fermionic effective potential V (σ ; t) is given as a partial differential equation, where σ : = ψ bar ψ and t is a dimensionless RG scale. When the dynamical chiral symmetry breaking (DχSB) occurs at a certain scale tc, V (σ ; t) has singularities originated from the phase transitions, and then one cannot follow RG flows after tc. In this study, we introduce the weak solution method to the RG equation in order to follow the RG flows after the DχSB and to evaluate the dynamical mass and the chiral condensate in low energy scales. It is shown that the weak solution of the RG equation correctly captures vacuum structures and critical phenomena within the pure fermionic system. We show the chiral phase diagram on temperature, chemical potential and the four-Fermi coupling constant.

The prospects of construction and transport industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yaskova, Natalia

2017-10-01

The article is focused on a problem of moving the construction industry into the growth and prosperity phase. The method of target orienting developed by the author is aimed at overcoming technological weakness of the construction industry and eliminating disproportions of the capital funds’ structure. Exhaustion of traditional sources of construction industry growth and real property market growth required the research on specific technologies of interphase transformations and their development. It will contribute to implementing the objective laws of the new wave of construction growth, which provides the development of immovable’s structure that is reasonable in terms of strategic priorities of the national economy.

Can biological homochirality result from a phase transition?

PubMed

Figureau, A; Duval, E; Boukenter, A

1995-06-01

The problem of chiral purity in living organisms is still one of the prominent difficulties in the study of the origins of life. In particular the parity non-conservation known to occur in weak interactions could not be related to this lack of symmetry: these physical forces, though universal, are very weak and up to now no amplification process had been proposed. In 1991, A. Salam remarked that, due to the attractive character of the parity violating force in electro-weak interactions, a phase transition at low temperature should exist, leading eventually to enantiomeric purity. We undertook then a series of experimental tests, looking for a sizeable change in the optical activity of cystine molecules. We found no evidence for the phase transition down to 0.01 K. The interpretation of these negative results will be discussed, and future experiments proposed.

Experimental investigations of weak definite and weak indefinite noun phrases

PubMed Central

Klein, Natalie M.; Gegg-Harrison, Whitney M.; Carlson, Greg N.; Tanenhaus, Michael K.

2013-01-01

Definite noun phrases typically refer to entities that are uniquely identifiable in the speaker and addressee’s common ground. Some definite noun phrases (e.g. the hospital in Mary had to go the hospital and John did too) seem to violate this uniqueness constraint. We report six experiments that were motivated by the hypothesis that these “weak definite” interpretations arise in “incorporated” constructions. Experiments 1-3 compared nouns that seem to allow for a weak definite interpretation (e.g. hospital, bank, bus, radio) with those that do not (e.g. farm, concert, car, book). Experiments 1 and 2 used an instruction-following task and picture-judgment task, respectively, to demonstrate that a weak definite need not uniquely refer. In Experiment 3 participants imagined scenarios described by sentences such as The Federal Express driver had to go to the hospital/farm. The imagined scenarios following weak definite noun phrases were more likely to include conventional activities associated with the object, whereas following regular nouns, participants were more likely to imagine scenarios that included typical activities associated with the subject; similar effects were observed with weak indefinites. Experiment 4 found that object-related activities were reduced when the same subject and object were used with a verb that does not license weak definite interpretations. In Experiment 5, a science fiction story introduced an artificial lexicon for novel concepts. Novel nouns that shared conceptual properties with English weak definite nouns were more likely to allow weak reference in a judgment task. Experiment 6 demonstrated that familiarity for definite articles and anti- familiarity for indefinite articles applies to the activity associated with the noun, consistent with predictions made by the incorporation analysis. PMID:23685208

MUSIC algorithms for rebar detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solimene, Raffaele; Leone, Giovanni; Dell'Aversano, Angela

2013-12-01

The MUSIC (MUltiple SIgnal Classification) algorithm is employed to detect and localize an unknown number of scattering objects which are small in size as compared to the wavelength. The ensemble of objects to be detected consists of both strong and weak scatterers. This represents a scattering environment challenging for detection purposes as strong scatterers tend to mask the weak ones. Consequently, the detection of more weakly scattering objects is not always guaranteed and can be completely impaired when the noise corrupting data is of a relatively high level. To overcome this drawback, here a new technique is proposed, starting from the idea of applying a two-stage MUSIC algorithm. In the first stage strong scatterers are detected. Then, information concerning their number and location is employed in the second stage focusing only on the weak scatterers. The role of an adequate scattering model is emphasized to improve drastically detection performance in realistic scenarios.

Energy Dissipation and Phase-Space Dynamics in Eulerian Vlasov-Maxwell Turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tenbarge, Jason; Juno, James; Hakim, Ammar

2017-10-01

Turbulence in a magnetized plasma is a primary mechanism responsible for transforming energy at large injection scales into small-scale motions, which are ultimately dissipated as heat in systems such as the solar corona, wind, and other astrophysical objects. At large scales, the turbulence is well described by fluid models of the plasma; however, understanding the processes responsible for heating a weakly collisional plasma such as the solar wind requires a kinetic description. We present a fully kinetic Eulerian Vlasov-Maxwell study of turbulence using the Gkeyll simulation framework, including studies of the cascade of energy in phase space and formation and dissipation of coherent structures. We also leverage the recently developed field-particle correlations to diagnose the dominant sources of dissipation and compare the results of the field-particle correlation to other dissipation measures. NSF SHINE AGS-1622306 and DOE DE-AC02-09CH11466.

Phase behaviour and structure of stable complexes of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mengarelli, V.; Auvray, L.; Zeghal, M.

2009-03-01

We study the formation and structure of stable electrostatic complexes between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, a long polymethacrylic acid and a shorter polyethylenimine, at low pH, where the polyacid is weakly charged. We explore the phase diagram as a function of the charge and concentration ratio of the constituents. In agreement with theory, turbidity and ζ potential measurements show two distinct regimes of weak and strong complexation, which appear successively as the pH is increased and are separated by a well-defined limit. Weak complexes observed by neutron scattering and contrast matching have an open, non-compact structure, while strong complexes are condensed.

Determination of the weak phase γ from color-allowed B+/-u-->DK+/- decays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xing, Zhi-Zhong

1998-11-01

We show that it is possible to determine the weak phase γ≡arg(-V*ubVud/V*cbVcd) of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa flavor mixing matrix only from the measurement of the color-allowed B+/-u-->DK+/- decay rates. The uncertainty of this method, arising mainly from the factorization approximation for two tree-level spectator quark transitions, may be well controlled.

Could Objective Tests Be Used to Measure Fatigue in Patients With Advanced Cancer?

PubMed

Schvartsman, Gustavo; Park, Minjeong; Liu, Diane D; Yennu, Sriram; Bruera, Eduardo; Hui, David

2017-08-01

Assessment of cancer-related fatigue is currently based on patient-reported outcomes. We asked whether objective assessments, such as muscle strength and nutritional markers, can be used as surrogate measures of cancer-related fatigue. We examined the association among three fatigue scales, muscle strength, and nutritional markers in patients with advanced cancer. In this prospective study, we enrolled hospitalized cancer patients who had been seen in palliative care consultation at MD Anderson Cancer Center. We assessed fatigue using three fatigue scales-the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30)-and determined their association with objective assessments, including handgrip strength, maximal inspiratory pressure, lean body mass, phase angle, and albumin. Spearman's correlation test was used to assess associations. Among 222 patients, the mean age was 55 years; 59% were women. The median overall survival was 106 days. The total BFI score had weak association with handgrip strength (ρ = -0.18, P = 0.007) and no association with the remaining objective measures. ESAS fatigue and EORTC fatigue showed similar findings. Total BFI had moderate-to-strong association with ESAS (ρ = 0.54, P < 0.0001) and EORTC (ρ = 0.60, P < 0.0001) fatigue. Our study showed that subjective assessment of fatigue based on patient-reported outcomes correlates only weakly with muscle strength and nutritional markers; thus, patient-reported outcomes remain the gold standard for fatigue assessment. Copyright © 2017 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Weak hard X-ray emission from broad absorption line quasars: evidence for intrinsic X-ray weakness

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Luo, B.; Brandt, W. N.; Scott, A. E.

We report NuSTAR observations of a sample of six X-ray weak broad absorption line (BAL) quasars. These targets, at z = 0.148-1.223, are among the optically brightest and most luminous BAL quasars known at z < 1.3. However, their rest-frame ≈2 keV luminosities are 14 to >330 times weaker than expected for typical quasars. Our results from a pilot NuSTAR study of two low-redshift BAL quasars, a Chandra stacking analysis of a sample of high-redshift BAL quasars, and a NuSTAR spectral analysis of the local BAL quasar Mrk 231 have already suggested the existence of intrinsically X-ray weak BAL quasars,more » i.e., quasars not emitting X-rays at the level expected from their optical/UV emission. The aim of the current program is to extend the search for such extraordinary objects. Three of the six new targets are weakly detected by NuSTAR with ≲ 45 counts in the 3-24 keV band, and the other three are not detected. The hard X-ray (8-24 keV) weakness observed by NuSTAR requires Compton-thick absorption if these objects have nominal underlying X-ray emission. However, a soft stacked effective photon index (Γ{sub eff} ≈ 1.8) for this sample disfavors Compton-thick absorption in general. The uniform hard X-ray weakness observed by NuSTAR for this and the pilot samples selected with <10 keV weakness also suggests that the X-ray weakness is intrinsic in at least some of the targets. We conclude that the NuSTAR observations have likely discovered a significant population (≳ 33%) of intrinsically X-ray weak objects among the BAL quasars with significantly weak <10 keV emission. We suggest that intrinsically X-ray weak quasars might be preferentially observed as BAL quasars.« less

Level set method for image segmentation based on moment competition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Min, Hai; Wang, Xiao-Feng; Huang, De-Shuang; Jin, Jing; Wang, Hong-Zhi; Li, Hai

2015-05-01

We propose a level set method for image segmentation which introduces the moment competition and weakly supervised information into the energy functional construction. Different from the region-based level set methods which use force competition, the moment competition is adopted to drive the contour evolution. Here, a so-called three-point labeling scheme is proposed to manually label three independent points (weakly supervised information) on the image. Then the intensity differences between the three points and the unlabeled pixels are used to construct the force arms for each image pixel. The corresponding force is generated from the global statistical information of a region-based method and weighted by the force arm. As a result, the moment can be constructed and incorporated into the energy functional to drive the evolving contour to approach the object boundary. In our method, the force arm can take full advantage of the three-point labeling scheme to constrain the moment competition. Additionally, the global statistical information and weakly supervised information are successfully integrated, which makes the proposed method more robust than traditional methods for initial contour placement and parameter setting. Experimental results with performance analysis also show the superiority of the proposed method on segmenting different types of complicated images, such as noisy images, three-phase images, images with intensity inhomogeneity, and texture images.

Stability of cosmological detonation fronts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mégevand, Ariel; Membiela, Federico Agustín

2014-05-01

The steady-state propagation of a phase-transition front is classified, according to hydrodynamics, as a deflagration or a detonation, depending on its velocity with respect to the fluid. These propagation modes are further divided into three types, namely, weak, Jouguet, and strong solutions, according to their disturbance of the fluid. However, some of these hydrodynamic modes will not be realized in a phase transition. One particular cause is the presence of instabilities. In this work we study the linear stability of weak detonations, which are generally believed to be stable. After discussing in detail the weak detonation solution, we consider small perturbations of the interface and the fluid configuration. When the balance between the driving and friction forces is taken into account, it turns out that there are actually two different kinds of weak detonations, which behave very differently as functions of the parameters. We show that the branch of stronger weak detonations are unstable, except very close to the Jouguet point, where our approach breaks down.

Weak crystallization theory of metallic alloys

DOE PAGES

Martin, Ivar; Gopalakrishnan, Sarang; Demler, Eugene A.

2016-06-20

Crystallization is one of the most familiar, but hardest to analyze, phase transitions. The principal reason is that crystallization typically occurs via a strongly first-order phase transition, and thus rigorous treatment would require comparing energies of an infinite number of possible crystalline states with the energy of liquid. A great simplification occurs when crystallization transition happens to be weakly first order. In this case, weak crystallization theory, based on unbiased Ginzburg-Landau expansion, can be applied. Even beyond its strict range of validity, it has been a useful qualitative tool for understanding crystallization. In its standard form, however, weak crystallization theorymore » cannot explain the existence of a majority of observed crystalline and quasicrystalline states. Here we extend the weak crystallization theory to the case of metallic alloys. In this paper, we identify a singular effect of itinerant electrons on the form of weak crystallization free energy. It is geometric in nature, generating strong dependence of free energy on the angles between ordering wave vectors of ionic density. That leads to stabilization of fcc, rhombohedral, and icosahedral quasicrystalline (iQC) phases, which are absent in the generic theory with only local interactions. Finally, as an application, we find the condition for stability of iQC that is consistent with the Hume-Rothery rules known empirically for the majority of stable iQC; namely, the length of the primary Bragg-peak wave vector is approximately equal to the diameter of the Fermi sphere.« less

Chromatographic retention prediction and octanol-water partition coefficient determination of monobasic weak acidic compounds in ion-suppression reversed-phase liquid chromatography using acids as ion-suppressors.

PubMed

Ming, Xin; Han, Shu-ying; Qi, Zheng-chun; Sheng, Dong; Lian, Hong-zhen

2009-08-15

Although simple acids, replacing buffers, have been widely applied to suppress the ionization of weakly ionizable acidic analytes in reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), none of the previously reported works focused on the systematic studies about the retention behavior of the acidic solutes in this ion-suppression RPLC mode. The subject of this paper was therefore to investigate the retention behavior of monobasic weak acidic compounds using acetic, perchloric and phosphoric acids as the ion-suppressors. The apparent octanol-water partition coefficient (K" ow) was proposed to calibrate the octanol-water partition coefficient (K(ow)) of these weak acidic compounds, which resulted in a better linear correlation with log k(w), the logarithm of the hypothetical retention factor corresponding to neat aqueous fraction of hydroorganic mobile phase. This log K" ow-log k w linear correlation was successfully validated by the results of monocarboxylic acids and monohydrating phenols, and moreover by the results under diverse experimental conditions for the same solutes. This straightforward relationship not only can be used to effectively predict the retention values of weak acidic solutes combined with Snyder-Soczewinski equation, but also can offer a promising medium for directly measuring K(ow) data of these compounds via Collander equation. In addition, the influence of the different ion-suppressors on the retention of weak acidic compounds was also compared in this RPLC mode.

Wake of inertial waves of a horizontal cylinder in horizontal translation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Machicoane, Nathanaël; Labarre, Vincent; Voisin, Bruno; Moisy, Frédéric; Cortet, Pierre-Philippe

2018-03-01

We analyze theoretically and experimentally the wake behind a horizontal cylinder of diameter d horizontally translated at constant velocity U in a fluid rotating about the vertical axis at a rate Ω . Using particle image velocimetry measurements in the rotating frame, we show that the wake is stabilized by rotation for Reynolds number Re =U d /ν much larger than in a nonrotating fluid. Over the explored range of parameters, the limit of stability is Re ≃(275 ±25 )/Ro , with Ro =U /2 Ω d the Rossby number, indicating that the stabilizing process is governed by the Ekman pumping in the boundary layer. At low Rossby number, the wake takes the form of a stationary pattern of inertial waves, similar to the wake of surface gravity waves behind a ship. We compare this steady wake pattern to a model, originally developed by Johnson [E. R. Johnson, J. Fluid Mech. 120, 359 (1982), 10.1017/S0022112082002808], assuming a free-slip boundary condition and a weak streamwise perturbation. Our measurements show quantitative agreement with this model for Ro ≲0.3 . At larger Rossby number, the phase pattern of the wake is close to the prediction for an infinitely small line object. However, the wake amplitude and phase origin are not correctly described by the weak-streamwise-perturbation model, calling for an alternative model for the boundary condition at moderate rotation rate.

Weakly Nonergodic Dynamics in the Gross-Pitaevskii Lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mithun, Thudiyangal; Kati, Yagmur; Danieli, Carlo; Flach, Sergej

2018-05-01

The microcanonical Gross-Pitaevskii (also known as the semiclassical Bose-Hubbard) lattice model dynamics is characterized by a pair of energy and norm densities. The grand canonical Gibbs distribution fails to describe a part of the density space, due to the boundedness of its kinetic energy spectrum. We define Poincaré equilibrium manifolds and compute the statistics of microcanonical excursion times off them. The tails of the distribution functions quantify the proximity of the many-body dynamics to a weakly nonergodic phase, which occurs when the average excursion time is infinite. We find that a crossover to weakly nonergodic dynamics takes place inside the non-Gibbs phase, being unnoticed by the largest Lyapunov exponent. In the ergodic part of the non-Gibbs phase, the Gibbs distribution should be replaced by an unknown modified one. We relate our findings to the corresponding integrable limit, close to which the actions are interacting through a short range coupling network.

ROSAT - A German X-ray satellite searches for the big bang

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

The scientific aims, design, development history, launch, and initial performance of the NASA/FRG orbiting X-ray observatory Rosat are reviewed and illustrated with extensive drawings, diagrams, photographs, and sample images. The main Rosat instrument is a 120-cm-long 83-cm-aperture Wolter X-ray telescope with optical surfaces ground to achieve mean microroughness of less than 1 nm and image resolution 2.5 arcsec. The Rosat mission began with a Delta II launch on June 1, 1990; its first objective is an all-sky X-ray survey which should increase the number of known X-ray sources from about 5000 to over 100,000. The second phase involves detailed observations of selected objects, including nearby normal stars, SN clouds, binary systems, hot neutron stars, and extremely distant QSOs. The first images obtained by Rosat were of the Galactic SNR Cas A, revealing the structure of the shock front and a weak X-ray halo.

Molecular aspect ratio and anchoring strength effects in a confined Gay-Berne liquid crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cañeda-Guzmán, E.; Moreno-Razo, J. A.; Díaz-Herrera, E.; Sambriski, E. J.

2014-04-01

Phase diagrams for Gay-Berne (GB) fluids were obtained from molecular dynamics simulations for GB(2, 5, 1, 2) (i.e. short mesogens) and GB(3, 5, 1, 2) (i.e. long mesogens), which yield isotropic, nematic, and smectic-B phases. The long-mesogen fluid also yields the smectic-A phase. Ordered phases of the long-mesogen fluid form at higher temperatures and lower densities when compared to those of the short-mesogen fluid. The effect of confinement under weak and strong substrate couplings in slab geometry was investigated. Compared to the bulk, the isotropic-nematic transition does not shift in temprature significantly for the weakly coupled substrate in either mesogen fluid. However, the strongly coupled substrate shifts the transition to lower temperature. Confinement induces marked stratification in the short-mesogen fluid. This effect diminishes with distance from the substrate, yielding bulk-like behaviour in the slab central region. Fluid stratification is very weak for the long-mesogen fluid, but the strongly coupled substrate induces 'smectisation', an ordering effect that decays with distance. Orientation of the fluid on the substrate depends on the mesogen. There is no preferred orientation in a plane parallel to the substrate for the weakly coupled case. In the strongly coupled case, the mesogen orientation mimics that of adjacent fluid layers. Planar anchoring is observed with a broad distribution of orientations in the weakly coupled case. In the strongly coupled case, the distribution leans toward planar orientations for the short-mesogen fluid, while a marginal preference for tilting persists in the long-mesogen fluid.

Nature of light scattering in dental enamel and dentin at visible and near-infrared wavelengths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fried, Daniel; Glena, Richard E.; Featherstone, John D. B.; Seka, Wolf

1995-03-01

The light-scattering properties of dental enamel and dentin were measured at 543, 632, and 1053 nm. Angularly resolved scattering distributions for these materials were measured from 0 deg to 180 deg using a rotating goniometer. Surface scattering was minimized by immersing the samples in an index-matching bath. The scattering and absorption coefficients and the scattering phase function were deduced by comparing the measured scattering data with angularly resolved Monte Carlo light-scattering simulations. Enamel and dentin were best represented by a linear combination of a highly forward-peaked Henyey-Greenstein (HG) phase function and an isotropic phase function. Enamel weakly scatters light between 543 nm and 1.06 mu m, with the scattering coefficient ( mu s) ranging from mu s = 15 to 105 cm-1. The phase function is a combination of a HG function with g = 0.96 and a 30-60% isotropic phase function. For enamel, absorption is negligible. Dentin scatters strongly in the visible and near IR ( mu s approximately equals 260 cm-1) and absorbs weakly ( mu a approximately equals 4 cm-1). The scattering phase function for dentin is described by a HG function with g = 0.93 and a very weak isotropic scattering component ( approximately 2%).

Weak-signal Phase Calibration Strategies for Large DSN Arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Dayton L.

2005-01-01

The NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) is studying arrays of large numbers of small, mass-produced radio antennas as a cost-effective way to increase downlink sensitivity and data rates for future missions. An important issue for the operation of large arrays is the accuracy with which signals from hundreds of small antennas can be combined. This is particularly true at Ka band (32 GHz) where atmospheric phase variations can be large and rapidly changing. A number of algorithms exist to correct the phases of signals from individual antennas in the case where a spacecraft signal provides a useful signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on time scales shorter than the atmospheric coherence time. However, for very weak spacecraft signals it will be necessary to rely on background natural radio sources to maintain array phasing. Very weak signals could result from a spacecraft emergency or by design, such as direct-to-Earth data transmissions from distant planetary atmospheric or surface probes using only low gain antennas. This paper considers the parameter space where external real-time phase calibration will be necessary, and what this requires in terms of array configuration and signal processing. The inherent limitations of this technique are also discussed.

Electron ptychographic phase imaging of light elements in crystalline materials using Wigner distribution deconvolution

DOE PAGES

Yang, Hao; MacLaren, Ian; Jones, Lewys; ...

2017-04-01

Recent development in fast pixelated detector technology has allowed a two dimensional diffraction pattern to be recorded at every probe position of a two dimensional raster scan in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), forming an information-rich four dimensional (4D) dataset. Electron ptychography has been shown to enable efficient coherent phase imaging of weakly scattering objects from a 4D dataset recorded using a focused electron probe, which is optimised for simultaneous incoherent Z-contrast imaging and spectroscopy in STEM. Thus coherent phase contrast and incoherent Z-contrast imaging modes can be efficiently combined to provide a good sensitivity of both light andmore » heavy elements at atomic resolution. Here, we explore the application of electron ptychography for atomic resolution imaging of strongly scattering crystalline specimens, and present experiments on imaging crystalline specimens including samples containing defects, under dynamical channelling conditions using an aberration corrected microscope. A ptychographic reconstruction method called Wigner distribution deconvolution (WDD) was implemented. Our experimental results and simulation results suggest that ptychography provides a readily interpretable phase image and great sensitivity for imaging light elements at atomic resolution in relatively thin crystalline materials.« less

Bethe Ansatz for the Weakly Asymmetric Simple Exclusion Process and Phase Transition in the Current Distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simon, Damien

2011-03-01

The probability distribution of the current in the asymmetric simple exclusion process is expected to undergo a phase transition in the regime of weak asymmetry of the jumping rates. This transition was first predicted by Bodineau and Derrida using a linear stability analysis of the hydrodynamical limit of the process and further arguments have been given by Mallick and Prolhac. However it has been impossible so far to study what happens after the transition. The present paper presents an analysis of the large deviation function of the current on both sides of the transition from a Bethe Ansatz approach of the weak asymmetry regime of the exclusion process.

Judgment: Analyzing Fallacies and Weaknesses in Arguments: Grades 7-12.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Instructional Objectives Exchange, Los Angeles, CA.

Objectives, with sample test items and explanations of answers are presented for instruction in judgment and logic in analyzing fallacies and weaknesses in arguments. This type of material is not usually taught in pre-college curricula, but has been geared for the secondary grades. Each fallacy is explained after the stated objective, and answers…

Objective Evaluation of Muscle Strength in Infants with Hypotonia and Muscle Weakness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reus, Linda; van Vlimmeren, Leo A.; Staal, J. Bart; Janssen, Anjo J. W. M.; Otten, Barto J.; Pelzer, Ben J.; Nijhuis-van der Sanden, Maria W. G.

2013-01-01

The clinical evaluation of an infant with motor delay, muscle weakness, and/or hypotonia would improve considerably if muscle strength could be measured objectively and normal reference values were available. The authors developed a method to measure muscle strength in infants and tested 81 typically developing infants, 6-36 months of age, and 17…

Laboratory-based x-ray phase-contrast tomography enables 3D virtual histology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Töpperwien, Mareike; Krenkel, Martin; Quade, Felix; Salditt, Tim

2016-09-01

Due to the large penetration depth and small wavelength hard x-rays offer a unique potential for 3D biomedical and biological imaging, combining capabilities of high resolution and large sample volume. However, in classical absorption-based computed tomography, soft tissue only shows a weak contrast, limiting the actual resolution. With the advent of phase-contrast methods, the much stronger phase shift induced by the sample can now be exploited. For high resolution, free space propagation behind the sample is particularly well suited to make the phase shift visible. Contrast formation is based on the self-interference of the transmitted beam, resulting in object-induced intensity modulations in the detector plane. As this method requires a sufficiently high degree of spatial coherence, it was since long perceived as a synchrotron-based imaging technique. In this contribution we show that by combination of high brightness liquid-metal jet microfocus sources and suitable sample preparation techniques, as well as optimized geometry, detection and phase retrieval, excellent three-dimensional image quality can be obtained, revealing the anatomy of a cobweb spider in high detail. This opens up new opportunities for 3D virtual histology of small organisms. Importantly, the image quality is finally augmented to a level accessible to automatic 3D segmentation.

Instanton-dyon ensembles reproduce deconfinement and chiral restoration phase transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shuryak, Edward

2018-03-01

Paradigm shift in gauge topology at finite temperatures, from the instantons to their constituents - instanton-dyons - has recently lead to studies of their ensembles and very significant advances. Like instantons, they have fermionic zero modes, and their collectivization at suffciently high density explains the chiral symmetry breaking transition. Unlike instantons, these objects have electric and magnetic charges. Simulations of the instanton-dyon ensembles have demonstrated that their back reaction on the Polyakov line modifies its potential and generates the deconfinement phase transition. For the Nc = 2 gauge theory the transition is second order, for QCD-like theory with Nc = 2 and two light quark flavors Nf = 2 both transitions are weak crossovers at happening at about the same condition. Introduction of quark-flavor-dependent periodicity phases (imaginary chemical potentials) leads to drastic changes in both transitions. In particulaly, in the so called Z(Nc) - QCD model the deconfinement transforms to strong first order transition, while the chiral condensate does not disappear at all. The talk will also cover more detailed studies of correlations between the dyons, effective eta' mass and other screening masses.

Weak ferromagnetism in a high-pressure phase of FeTiO3 with polar lattice distortion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varga, Tamas; Mitchell, John; Fennie, Craig; Streiffer, Stephen; Hong, Seungbum; Park, Moonkyu; Gopalan, Venkatraman; Kumar, Amit; Vlahos, Eftihia; Sanehira, Takeshi; Wang, Yanbin

2009-03-01

Today's challenge in multiferroics is to identify materials in which polarization and magnetization -- normally considered contraindicated properties - are strongly coupled. Recent density functional theory calculations have predicted that the family of compounds MTiO3 (M = Mn, Fe, Ni) are promising candidates where a polar lattice distortion can induce weak ferromagnetism. The crucial insight is that while the equilibrium one-atmosphere structure of these is ilmenite, they must be transformed to a closely related LiNbO3-type structure. We have prepared the corresponding FeTiO3 phase at 18 GPa and 1200 ^oC. It shows a sharp antiferromagnetic (AF) transition at 111.5 K. FeTiO3 also displays ferroelectric domains, and weak ferromagnetism coincident with the AF transition. Possible coupling between its polarization and weak ferromagnetism is discussed based on results of piezoelectric force microscopy (PFM), second harmonic generation (SHG), dielectric, and polarization measurements.

Topological Hall Effect from Strong to Weak Coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakazawa, Kazuki; Bibes, Manuel; Kohno, Hiroshi

2018-03-01

The topological Hall effect (THE) of electrons coupled to a noncoplanar spin texture has been studied so far for the strong- and weak-coupling regimes separately; the former in terms of the Berry phase and the latter by perturbation theory. In this letter, we present a unified treatment in terms of spin gauge field by considering not only the adiabatic (Berry phase) component of the gauge field but also the nonadiabatic component. While only the adiabatic contribution is important in the strong-coupling regime, it is completely canceled by a part of the nonadiabatic contribution in the weak-coupling regime, where the THE is governed by the remaining nonadiabatic terms. We found a new weak-coupling region that cannot be accessed by a simple perturbation theory, where the Hall conductivity is proportional to M, with 2M being the exchange splitting of the electron spectrum.

First-order wetting transition at a liquid-vapor interface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schmidt, J. W.; Moldover, M. R.

1983-01-01

Evidence from reflectance and contact angle measurements is presented that three-phase mixtures of i-C3H7OH-C7F14 exhibit a first-order wetting phase transition at the liquid-vapor interface at 38 C. Equilibration phenomena support this interpretation. Ellipsometry was used to measure the apparent thickness of the intruding layer in the three-phase mixture. At temperatures slightly above the wetting temperature T(w), the intruding layer's thickness is several hundred angstroms and its variation with temperature is extremely weak. Below T(w), three-phase contact can occur between the vapor and both the upper and lower liquid phases; one of the angles which characterizes this contact has a very simple temperature dependence. The thickness of the intruding layer, monitored as the solutions approached equilibrium, is found to depend quite weakly on the height spanned by the upper liquid phase in the vicinity of a first-order wetting transition.

Postselected weak measurement beyond the weak value

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Geszti, Tamas

2010-04-15

Closed expressions are derived for the quantum measurement statistics of pre- and postselected Gaussian particle beams. The weakness of the preselection step is shown to compete with the nonorthogonality of postselection in a transparent way. The approach is shown to be useful in analyzing postselection-based signal amplification, allowing measurements to be extended far beyond the range of validity of the well-known Aharonov-Albert-Vaidman limit. Additionally, the present treatment connects postselected weak measurement to the topic of phase-contrast microscopy.

Fourier emission infrared microspectrophotometer for surface analysis. I - Application to lubrication problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lauer, J. L.; King, V. W.

1979-01-01

A far-infrared interferometer was converted into an emission microspectrophotometer for surface analysis. To cover the mid-infrared as well as the far-infrared the Mylar beamsplitter was made replaceable by a germanium-coated salt plate, and the Moire fringe counting system used to locate the moveable Michelson mirror was improved to read 0.5 micron of mirror displacement. Digital electronics and a dedicated minicomputer were installed for data collection and processing. The most critical element for the recording of weak emission spectra from small areas was, however, a reflecting microscope objective and phase-locked signal detection with simultaneous referencing to a blackbody source. An application of the technique to lubrication problems is shown.

[Intersection point rule for the retention value with mobile phase composition and boiling point of the homologues and chlorobenzenes in soil leaching column chromatography].

PubMed

Xu, F; Liang, X; Lin, B; Su, F

1999-03-01

Based on the linear retention equation of the logarithm of the capacity factor (logk') vs. the methanol volume fraction (psi) of aqueous binary mobile phase in soil leaching column chromatography, the intersection point rule for the logk' of homologues and weak polar chlorobenzenes, with psi, as well as with boiling point, has been derived due to existence of the similar interactions among solutes of the same series, stationary phase (soil) and eluent (methanol-water). These rules were testified by experimental data of homologues (n-alkylbenzenes, methylbenzenes) and weak polar chlorobenzenes.

An evaluation of three-dimensional sensors for the extravehicular activity helper/retreiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Magee, Michael

1993-01-01

The Extravehicular Activity Retriever/Helper (EVAHR) is a robotic device currently under development at the NASA Johnson Space Center that is designed to fetch objects or to assist in retrieving an astronaut who may have become inadvertently de-tethered. The EVAHR will be required to exhibit a high degree of intelligent autonomous operation and will base much of its reasoning upon information obtained from one or more three-dimensional sensors that it will carry and control. At the highest level of visual cognition and reasoning, the EVAHR will be required to detect objects, recognize them, and estimate their spatial orientation and location. The recognition phase and estimation of spatial pose will depend on the ability of the vision system to reliably extract geometric features of the objects such as whether the surface topologies observed are planar or curved and the spatial relationships between the component surfaces. In order to achieve these tasks, accurate sensing of the operational environment and objects in the environment will therefore be critical. The qualitative and quantitative results of empirical studies of three sensors that are capable of providing three-dimensional information to the EVAHR, but using completely different hardware approaches are documented. The first of these devices is a phase shift laser with an effective operating range (ambiguity interval) of approximately 15 meters. The second sensor is a laser triangulation system designed to operate at much closer range and to provide higher resolution images. The third sensor is a dual camera stereo imaging system from which range images can also be obtained. The remainder of the report characterizes the strengths and weaknesses of each of these systems relative to quality of data extracted and how different object characteristics affect sensor operation.

Trial design and rationale for APOLLO, a Phase 3, placebo-controlled study of patisiran in patients with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy.

PubMed

Adams, David; Suhr, Ole B; Dyck, Peter J; Litchy, William J; Leahy, Raina G; Chen, Jihong; Gollob, Jared; Coelho, Teresa

2017-09-11

Patisiran is an investigational RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic in development for the treatment of hereditary ATTR (hATTR) amyloidosis, a progressive disease associated with significant disability, morbidity, and mortality. Here we describe the rationale and design of the Phase 3 APOLLO study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, global study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of patisiran in patients with hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. Eligible patients are 18-85 years old with hATTR amyloidosis, investigator-estimated survival of ≥2 years, Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS) of 5-130, and polyneuropathy disability score ≤IIIb. Patients are randomized 2:1 to receive either intravenous patisiran 0.3 mg/kg or placebo once every 3 weeks. The primary objective is to determine the efficacy of patisiran at 18 months based on the difference in the change in modified NIS+7 (a composite measure of motor strength, sensation, reflexes, nerve conduction, and autonomic function) between the patisiran and placebo groups. Secondary objectives are to evaluate the effect of patisiran on Norfolk-Diabetic Neuropathy quality of life questionnaire score, nutritional status (as evaluated by modified body mass index), motor function (as measured by NIS-weakness and timed 10-m walk test), and autonomic symptoms (as measured by the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score-31 questionnaire). Exploratory objectives include assessment of cardiac function and pathologic evaluation to assess nerve fiber innervation and amyloid burden. Safety of patisiran will be assessed throughout the study. APOLLO represents the largest randomized, Phase 3 study to date in patients with hATTR amyloidosis, with endpoints that capture the multisystemic nature of this disease. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT01960348 ); October 9, 2013.

VLBI phase-referencing for observations of weak radio sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lestrade, J.-F.

1991-01-01

Phase-referencing is a technique used in VLBI to extend the signal coherence time from a few minutes to a few hours in order to enhance significantly its sensitivity. With this technique, VLBI observations of milliJansky radio sources can be conducted for high-accuracy differential astrometry as well as imaging. We describe the technique in some details and present, as an example, a submilliarcsecond differential astrometric experiment design to identify the star responsible for the weak radio emission in the binary system Algol.

Recovery of maximally entangled quantum states by weak-measurement reversal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maleki, Yusef; Zheltikov, Aleksei M.

2018-05-01

Maximal quantum entanglement provided by N00N states is a unique resource in the quest for the ultimate precision in physical measurements. Such states, however, are fragile and prone to decoherence. Even in weak-measurement schemes, as we demonstrate in this work, the phase super-resolution provided by N00N states is achieved at a cost of an N-fold enhancement of amplitude damping. Still, as the analysis presented here shows, a partial collapse of N00N states induced by weak measurements can be reversed, despite the dramatic, N-fold enhancement of amplitude damping, through appropriate reversal operations on the post-measurement state, enabling a full restoration of the Heisenberg-limit phase super-resolution of N00N states.

The Frequency of Intrinsic X-Ray Weakness among Broad Absorption Line Quasars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Hezhen; Luo, B.; Brandt, W. N.; Gallagher, S. C.; Garmire, G. P.

2018-06-01

We present combined ≈14–37 ks Chandra observations of seven z = 1.6–2.7 broad absorption line (BAL) quasars selected from the Large Bright Quasar Survey (LBQS). These seven objects are high-ionization BAL (HiBAL) quasars, and they were undetected in the Chandra hard band (2–8 keV) in previous observations. The stacking analyses of previous Chandra observations suggested that these seven objects likely contain some candidates for intrinsically X-ray weak BAL quasars. With the new Chandra observations, six targets are detected. We calculate their effective power-law photon indices and hard-band flux weakness, and find that two objects, LBQS 1203+1530 and LBQS 1442–0011, show soft/steep spectral shapes ({{{Γ }}}eff}={2.2}-0.9+0.9 and {1.9}-0.8+0.9) and significant X-ray weakness in the hard band (by factors of ≈15 and 12). We conclude that the two HiBAL quasars are good candidates for intrinsically X-ray weak BAL quasars. The mid-infrared-to-ultraviolet spectral energy distributions of the two candidates are consistent with those of typical quasars. We constrain the fraction of intrinsically X-ray weak active galactic nuclei (AGNs) among HiBAL quasars to be ≈7%–10% (2/29–3/29), and we estimate it is ≈6%–23% (2/35–8/35) among the general BAL quasar population. Such a fraction is considerably larger than that among non-BAL quasars, and we suggest that intrinsically X-ray weak quasars are preferentially observed as BAL quasars. Intrinsically X-ray weak AGNs likely comprise a small minority of the luminous type 1 AGN population, and they should not affect significantly the completeness of these AGNs found in deep X-ray surveys.

A weak cation-exchange monolith as stationary phase for the separation of peptide diastereomers by CEC.

PubMed

Ludewig, Ronny; Nietzsche, Sandor; Scriba, Gerhard K E

2011-01-01

A CEC weak cation-exchange monolith has been prepared by in situ polymerization of acrylamide, methylenebisacrylamide and 4-acrylamidobutyric acid in a decanol-dimethylsulfoxide mixture as porogen. The columns were evaluated by SEM and characterized with regard to the separation of diastereomers and α/β-isomers of aspartyl peptides. Column preparation was reproducible as evidenced by comparison of the analyte retention times of several columns prepared simultaneously. Analyte separation was achieved using mobile phases consisting of acidic phosphate buffer and ACN. Under these conditions the peptides migrated due to their electrophoretic mobility but the EOF also contributed as driving force as a function of the pH of the mobile phase due to increasing dissociation of the carboxyl groups of the polymer. Raising the pH of the mobile phase also resulted in deprotonation of the peptides reducing analyte mobility. Due to these mechanisms each pair of diastereomeric peptides displayed the highest resolution at a different pH of the buffer component of the mobile phase. Comparing the weak-cation exchange monolith to an RP monolith and a strong cation-exchange monolith different elution order of some peptide diastereomers was observed, clearly illustrating that interactions with the stationary phase contribute to the CEC separations. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Distribution and severity of weakness among patients with polymyositis, dermatomyositis and juvenile dermatomyositis

PubMed Central

Harris-Love, M. O.; Shrader, J. A.; Koziol, D.; Pahlajani, N.; Jain, M.; Smith, M.; Cintas, H. L.; McGarvey, C. L.; James-Newton, L.; Pokrovnichka, A.; Moini, B.; Cabalar, I.; Lovell, D. J.; Wesley, R.; Plotz, P. H.; Miller, F. W.; Hicks, J. E.

2009-01-01

Objective. To describe the distribution and severity of muscle weakness using manual muscle testing (MMT) in 172 patients with PM, DM and juvenile DM (JDM). The secondary objectives included characterizing individual muscle group weakness and determining associations of weakness with functional status and myositis characteristics in this large cohort of patients with myositis. Methods. Strength was assessed for 13 muscle groups using the 10-point MMT and expressed as a total score, subscores based on functional and anatomical regions, and grades for individual muscle groups. Patient characteristics and secondary outcomes, such as clinical course, muscle enzymes, corticosteroid dosage and functional status were evaluated for association with strength using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results. A gradient of proximal weakness was seen, with PM weakest, DM intermediate and JDM strongest among the three myositis clinical groups (P ≤ 0.05). Hip flexors, hip extensors, hip abductors, neck flexors and shoulder abductors were the muscle groups with the greatest weakness among all three clinical groups. Muscle groups were affected symmetrically. Conclusions. Axial and proximal muscle impairment was reflected in the five weakest muscles shared by our cohort of myositis patients. However, differences in the pattern of weakness were observed among all three clinical groups. Our findings suggest a greater severity of proximal weakness in PM in comparison with DM. PMID:19074186

Axial strain insensitivity of weakly guiding optical fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Egalon, Claudio O.; Rogowski, Robert S.

1993-01-01

A numerical model has been developed to calculate the modal phase shift of circular step index profile weakly guiding fibers under axial strain. Whenever an optical fiber is under stress, the optical path length, the index of refraction, and the propagation constants of each mode change. In consequence, the phase of each mode is also modified. A relationship for the modal phase shift is presented. This relation is applied to both single mode and two-mode fibers in order to determine the sensitivity characteristics of strained fibers. It was found that the phase shift is strongly dependent on the core refractive index, n(co). It was also found that it is possible to design fibers which are insensitive to axial strain. Practical applications of strain insensitive fibers are discussed.

Validity and reliability of a modified english version of the physical activity questionnaire for adolescents.

PubMed

Aggio, Daniel; Fairclough, Stuart; Knowles, Zoe; Graves, Lee

2016-01-01

Adaptation of physical activity self-report questionnaires is sometimes required to reflect the activity behaviours of diverse populations. The processes used to modify self-report questionnaires though are typically underreported. This two-phased study used a formative approach to investigate the validity and reliability of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) in English youth. Phase one examined test content and response process validity and subsequently informed a modified version of the PAQ-A. Phase two assessed the validity and reliability of the modified PAQ-A. In phase one, focus groups (n = 5) were conducted with adolescents (n = 20) to investigate test content and response processes of the original PAQ-A. Based on evidence gathered in phase one, a modified version of the questionnaire was administered to participants (n = 169, 14.5 ± 1.7 years) in phase two. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were assessed using Cronbach's alpha and intra-class correlations, respectively. Spearman correlations were used to assess associations between modified PAQ-A scores and accelerometer-derived physical activity, self-reported fitness and physical activity self-efficacy. Phase one revealed that the original PAQ-A was unrepresentative for English youth and that item comprehension varied. Contextual and population/cultural-specific modifications were made to the PAQ-A for use in the subsequent phase. In phase two, modified PAQ-A scores had acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.72) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.78). Modified PAQ-A scores were significantly associated with objectively assessed moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (r = 0.39), total physical activity (r = 0.42), self-reported fitness (r = 0.35), and physical activity self-efficacy (r = 0.32) (p ≤ 0.01). The modified PAQ-A had acceptable internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Modified PAQ-A scores displayed weak-to-moderate correlations with objectively measured physical activity, self-reported fitness, and self-efficacy providing evidence of satisfactory criterion and construct validity, respectively. Further testing with more diverse English samples is recommended to provide a more complete assessment of the tool.

A note on libration point orbits, temporary capture and low-energy transfers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fantino, E.; Gómez, G.; Masdemont, J. J.; Ren, Y.

2010-11-01

In the circular restricted three-body problem (CR3BP) the weak stability boundary (WSB) is defined as a boundary set in the phase space between stable and unstable motion relative to the second primary. At a given energy level, the boundaries of such region are provided by the stable manifolds of the central objects of the L1 and L2 libration points, i.e., the two planar Lyapunov orbits. Besides, the unstable manifolds of libration point orbits (LPOs) around L1 and L2 have been identified as responsible for the weak or temporary capture around the second primary of the system. These two issues suggest the existence of natural dynamical channels between the Earth's vicinity and the Sun-Earth libration points L1 and L2. Furthermore, it has been shown that the Sun-Earth L2 central unstable manifolds can be linked, through an heteroclinic connection, to the central stable manifolds of the L2 point in the Earth-Moon three-body problem. This concept has been applied to the design of low energy transfers (LETs) from the Earth to the Moon. In this contribution we consider all the above three issues, i.e., weak stability boundaries, temporary capture and low energy transfers, and we discuss the role played by the invariant manifolds of LPOs in each of them. The study is made in the planar approximation.

Negotiation from weakness: Concept, model, and application to strategic negotiations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tangredi, S.J.

Analysis of the dynamics of asymmetrical negotiations requires the development of the novel concept of negotiation from weakness. A nation is assumed to be negotiating from weakness when the elements of national power place it at a relative disadvantage in achieving the desired objectives of a particular set of negotiations. Successful negotiation from weakness is the adoption and application of negotiating strategies and tactics (subjective elements) that nullify the possible effects of an asymmetry in objective power potential. Once developed, the model is applied to arms control negotiations between the United States and Soviet Union in 1962-1972, a period inmore » which the United States was assumed to be strategically superior. Outcomes of the arms control negotiations examined suggests that the Soviet Union attempted to utilize strategies and tactics appropriate to the negotiating from weakness situation. The success of the Soviet Union is reversing the perceived strategic balance by 1972, implies that the concept of successful negotiating from weakness is a viable approach to the examination of asymmetrical negotiations involving security issues.« less

A Weak Quantum Blind Signature with Entanglement Permutation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lou, Xiaoping; Chen, Zhigang; Guo, Ying

2015-09-01

Motivated by the permutation encryption algorithm, a weak quantum blind signature (QBS) scheme is proposed. It involves three participants, including the sender Alice, the signatory Bob and the trusted entity Charlie, in four phases, i.e., initializing phase, blinding phase, signing phase and verifying phase. In a small-scale quantum computation network, Alice blinds the message based on a quantum entanglement permutation encryption algorithm that embraces the chaotic position string. Bob signs the blinded message with private parameters shared beforehand while Charlie verifies the signature's validity and recovers the original message. Analysis shows that the proposed scheme achieves the secure blindness for the signer and traceability for the message owner with the aid of the authentic arbitrator who plays a crucial role when a dispute arises. In addition, the signature can neither be forged nor disavowed by the malicious attackers. It has a wide application to E-voting and E-payment system, etc.

High-reflectivity phase conjugation using Brillouin preamplification.

PubMed

Ridley, K D; Scott, A M

1990-07-15

We describe experiments in which a weak laser pulse is phase conjugated by using a high-gain Brillouin amplifier in front of a stimulated Brillouin scattering phase-conjugate mirror. We observe phase conjugation with signal energies as low as 3 x 10(-13) J and with a maximum reflection coefficient of 2 x 10(8).

A simple physical model for X-ray burst sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Joss, P. C.; Rappaport, S.

1977-01-01

In connection with information considered by Illarianov and Sunyaev (1975) and van den Heuvel (1975), a simple physical model for an X-ray burst source in the galactic disk is proposed. The model includes an unevolved OB star with a relatively weak stellar wind and a compact object in a close binary system. For some reason, the stellar wind from the OB star is unable to accrete steadily on to the compact object. When the stellar wind is sufficiently weak, the compact object accretes irregularly, leading to X-ray bursts.

Different phases of a system of hard rods on three dimensional cubic lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vigneshwar, N.; Dhar, Deepak; Rajesh, R.

2017-11-01

We study the different phases of a system of monodispersed hard rods of length k on a cubic lattice, using an efficient cluster algorithm able to simulate densities close to the fully-packed limit. For k≤slant 4 , the system is disordered at all densities. For k=5, 6 , we find a single density-driven transition, from a disordered phase to high density layered-disordered phase, in which the density of rods of one orientation is strongly suppressed, breaking the system into weakly coupled layers. Within a layer, the system is disordered. For k ≥slant 7 , three density-driven transitions are observed numerically: isotropic to nematic to layered-nematic to layered-disordered. In the layered-nematic phase, the system breaks up into layers, with nematic order in each layer, but very weak correlation between the ordering directions of different layers. We argue that the layered-nematic phase is a finite-size effect, and in the thermodynamic limit, the nematic phase will have higher entropy per site. We expect the systems of rods in four and higher dimensions will have a qualitatively similar phase diagram.

Smoke composition and predicting relationships for international commercial cigarettes smoked with three machine-smoking conditions.

PubMed

Counts, M E; Morton, M J; Laffoon, S W; Cox, R H; Lipowicz, P J

2005-04-01

The study objectives were to determine the effects of smoking machine puffing parameters on mainstream smoke composition and to express those effects as predicting relationships. Forty-eight commercial Philip Morris USA and Philip Morris International cigarettes from international markets and the 1R4F reference cigarette were machine-smoked using smoking conditions defined by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO), the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), and Health Canada (HC). Cigarette tobacco fillers were analyzed for nitrate, nicotine, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA), and ammonia. Mainstream yields for tar and 44 individual smoke constituents and "smoke pH" were determined. Cigarette constituent yields typically increased in the order ISO

Large-scale weakly supervised object localization via latent category learning.

PubMed

Chong Wang; Kaiqi Huang; Weiqiang Ren; Junge Zhang; Maybank, Steve

2015-04-01

Localizing objects in cluttered backgrounds is challenging under large-scale weakly supervised conditions. Due to the cluttered image condition, objects usually have large ambiguity with backgrounds. Besides, there is also a lack of effective algorithm for large-scale weakly supervised localization in cluttered backgrounds. However, backgrounds contain useful latent information, e.g., the sky in the aeroplane class. If this latent information can be learned, object-background ambiguity can be largely reduced and background can be suppressed effectively. In this paper, we propose the latent category learning (LCL) in large-scale cluttered conditions. LCL is an unsupervised learning method which requires only image-level class labels. First, we use the latent semantic analysis with semantic object representation to learn the latent categories, which represent objects, object parts or backgrounds. Second, to determine which category contains the target object, we propose a category selection strategy by evaluating each category's discrimination. Finally, we propose the online LCL for use in large-scale conditions. Evaluation on the challenging PASCAL Visual Object Class (VOC) 2007 and the large-scale imagenet large-scale visual recognition challenge 2013 detection data sets shows that the method can improve the annotation precision by 10% over previous methods. More importantly, we achieve the detection precision which outperforms previous results by a large margin and can be competitive to the supervised deformable part model 5.0 baseline on both data sets.

Wide-field optical detection of nanoparticles using on-chip microscopy and self-assembled nanolenses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mudanyali, Onur; McLeod, Euan; Luo, Wei; Greenbaum, Alon; Coskun, Ahmet F.; Hennequin, Yves; Allier, Cédric P.; Ozcan, Aydogan

2013-03-01

The direct observation of nanoscale objects is a challenging task for optical microscopy because the scattering from an individual nanoparticle is typically weak at optical wavelengths. Electron microscopy therefore remains one of the gold standard visualization methods for nanoparticles, despite its high cost, limited throughput and restricted field-of-view. Here, we describe a high-throughput, on-chip detection scheme that uses biocompatible wetting films to self-assemble aspheric liquid nanolenses around individual nanoparticles to enhance the contrast between the scattered and background light. We model the effect of the nanolens as a spatial phase mask centred on the particle and show that the holographic diffraction pattern of this effective phase mask allows detection of sub-100 nm particles across a large field-of-view of >20 mm2. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, we report on-chip detection of individual polystyrene nanoparticles, adenoviruses and influenza A (H1N1) viral particles.

Wide-field optical detection of nanoparticles using on-chip microscopy and self-assembled nanolenses

PubMed Central

Mudanyali, Onur; McLeod, Euan; Luo, Wei; Greenbaum, Alon; Coskun, Ahmet F.; Hennequin, Yves; Allier, Cédric P.; Ozcan, Aydogan

2013-01-01

The direct observation of nanoscale objects is a challenging task for optical microscopy because the scattering from an individual nanoparticle is typically weak at optical wavelengths. Electron microscopy therefore remains one of the gold standard visualization methods for nanoparticles, despite its high cost, limited throughput and restricted field-of-view. Here, we describe a high-throughput, on-chip detection scheme that uses biocompatible wetting films to self-assemble aspheric liquid nanolenses around individual nanoparticles to enhance the contrast between the scattered and background light. We model the effect of the nanolens as a spatial phase mask centred on the particle and show that the holographic diffraction pattern of this effective phase mask allows detection of sub-100 nm particles across a large field-of-view of >20 mm2. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, we report on-chip detection of individual polystyrene nanoparticles, adenoviruses and influenza A (H1N1) viral particles. PMID:24358054

Pressure-induced topological phase transitions and strongly anisotropic magnetoresistance in bulk black phosphorus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chun-Hong; Long, Yu-Jia; Zhao, Ling-Xiao; Shan, Lei; Ren, Zhi-An; Zhao, Jian-Zhou; Weng, Hong-Ming; Dai, Xi; Fang, Zhong; Ren, Cong; Chen, Gen-Fu

2017-03-01

We report the anisotropic magnetotransport measurement on a noncompound band semiconductor black phosphorus (BP) with magnetic field B up to 16 Tesla applied in both perpendicular and parallel to electric current I under hydrostatic pressures. The BP undergoes a topological Lifshitz transition from band semiconductor to a zero-gap Dirac semimetal state at a critical pressure Pc, characterized by a weak localization-weak antilocalization transition at low magnetic fields and the emergence of a nontrivial Berry phase of π detected by SdH magneto-oscillations in magnetoresistance curves. In the transition region, we observe a pressure-dependent negative MR only in the B ∥I configuration. This negative longitudinal MR is attributed to the Adler-Bell-Jackiw anomaly (topological E .B term) in the presence of weak antilocalization corrections.

Mutually unbiased projectors and duality between lines and bases in finite quantum systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shalaby, M.; Vourdas, A., E-mail: a.vourdas@bradford.ac.uk

2013-10-15

Quantum systems with variables in the ring Z(d) are considered, and the concepts of weak mutually unbiased bases and mutually unbiased projectors are discussed. The lines through the origin in the Z(d)×Z(d) phase space, are classified into maximal lines (sets of d points), and sublines (sets of d{sub i} points where d{sub i}|d). The sublines are intersections of maximal lines. It is shown that there exists a duality between the properties of lines (resp., sublines), and the properties of weak mutually unbiased bases (resp., mutually unbiased projectors). -- Highlights: •Lines in discrete phase space. •Bases in finite quantum systems. •Dualitymore » between bases and lines. •Weak mutually unbiased bases.« less

Advanced Receiver For Phase-Shift-Keyed Signals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hinedi, Sami M.

1992-01-01

ARX II is second "breadboard" version of advanced receiver, a hybrid digital/analog receiving subsystem, extracting symbols and Doppler shifts from weak phase-shift-keyed signals. Useful in terrestrial digital communication systems.

Viscoelastic properties of soy protein isolate - pectin blends: Richer than those of a simple composite material.

PubMed

Dekkers, Birgit L; Boom, Remko M; van der Goot, Atze Jan

2018-05-01

Concentrated soy protein isolate (SPI) - pectin blends acquire fibrous textures by shear-induced structuring while heating. The objective of this study was to determine the viscoelastic properties of concentrated SPI-pectin blends under similar conditions as during shear-induced structuring, and after cooling. A closed cavity rheometer was used to measure these properties under these conditions. At 140 °C, SPI and pectin had both a lower G* than the blend of the two and also showed a different behavior in time. Hence, the viscoelastic properties of the blend are richer than those of a simple composite material with stable physical phase properties. In addition, the G' pectin was much lower compared with the G' SPI and G' SPI-pectin upon cooling, confirming that pectin formed a weak dispersed phase. The results can be explained by considering that the viscoelastic properties of the blend are influenced by thermal degradation of the pectin phase. This degradation leads to: i) release of galacturonic acid, ii) lowering of the pH, and iii) water redistribution from the SPI towards the pectin phase. The relative importance of those effects are evaluated. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Hacking on decoy-state quantum key distribution system with partial phase randomization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Shi-Hai; Jiang, Mu-Sheng; Ma, Xiang-Chun; Li, Chun-Yan; Liang, Lin-Mei

2014-04-01

Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides means for unconditional secure key transmission between two distant parties. However, in practical implementations, it suffers from quantum hacking due to device imperfections. Here we propose a hybrid measurement attack, with only linear optics, homodyne detection, and single photon detection, to the widely used vacuum + weak decoy state QKD system when the phase of source is partially randomized. Our analysis shows that, in some parameter regimes, the proposed attack would result in an entanglement breaking channel but still be able to trick the legitimate users to believe they have transmitted secure keys. That is, the eavesdropper is able to steal all the key information without discovered by the users. Thus, our proposal reveals that partial phase randomization is not sufficient to guarantee the security of phase-encoding QKD systems with weak coherent states.

Hacking on decoy-state quantum key distribution system with partial phase randomization.

PubMed

Sun, Shi-Hai; Jiang, Mu-Sheng; Ma, Xiang-Chun; Li, Chun-Yan; Liang, Lin-Mei

2014-04-23

Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides means for unconditional secure key transmission between two distant parties. However, in practical implementations, it suffers from quantum hacking due to device imperfections. Here we propose a hybrid measurement attack, with only linear optics, homodyne detection, and single photon detection, to the widely used vacuum + weak decoy state QKD system when the phase of source is partially randomized. Our analysis shows that, in some parameter regimes, the proposed attack would result in an entanglement breaking channel but still be able to trick the legitimate users to believe they have transmitted secure keys. That is, the eavesdropper is able to steal all the key information without discovered by the users. Thus, our proposal reveals that partial phase randomization is not sufficient to guarantee the security of phase-encoding QKD systems with weak coherent states.

Protein structure determination by single-wavelength anomalous diffraction phasing of X-ray free-electron laser data

DOE PAGES

Nass, Karol; Meinhart, Anton; Barends, Thomas R. M.; ...

2016-03-09

Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) at X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) offers unprecedented possibilities for macromolecular structure determination of systems that are prone to radiation damage. However, phasing XFEL data de novo is complicated by the inherent inaccuracy of SFX data, and only a few successful examples, mostly based on exceedingly strong anomalous or isomorphous difference signals, have been reported. Here, it is shown that SFX data from thaumatin microcrystals can be successfully phased using only the weak anomalous scattering from the endogenous S atoms. Furthermore, a step-by-step investigation is presented of the particular problems of SAD phasing of SFX data, analysingmore » data from a derivative with a strong anomalous signal as well as the weak signal from endogenous S atoms.« less

Rheological investigation of self-emulsification process.

PubMed

Biradar, Shailesh V; Dhumal, Ravindra S; Paradkar, Anant

2009-01-01

Aim of this study is to investigate the mechanism of self-emulsification through rheological analysis of intermediate liquid crystalline (LC) phase formed during self-emulsification process. Binary system of tween 80 (T80) and imwitor 742 (I742) was used and different SES were prepared with I742 at 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90% w/w concentration levels. Self-emulsification was monitored by visual observations and droplet size measurement. Mesophases obtained by 50% v/v hydration of SES were utilized for polarizing microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and rheological studies. Good emulsification with nano sized droplets was observed for SES 30% as compared to micron sized droplets for other SES. In polarizing microscopy, formation of intermediate LC phase was observed in all SES. Lamellar phase was evident in 30% SES while other SES exhibited micellar cubic phase. Presence of high level of structurally bound water in thermal analysis confirmed mesophase formation in all SES. In frequency sweep, decrease in elastic modulus, and an increase in phase degree and loss tangent was observed for 30% SES. Exactly opposite trend was seen in other SES. Thus, rheological studies concluded presence of weak and fragile mesophase structure in 30% SES while LC phase structure with little structural buildup was observed in other SES. This weak mesosphere structure in SES 30% presented no or very little resistance against strain induced deformation. Therefore, during emulsification, weak mesophase in SES 30% ruptured with ease and released jet of nanosize droplets compared to coarse droplets for other SES. This study signifies the effect of viscoelastic properties of intermediate LC phase on self-emulsification performance.

Why are living things sensitive to weak magnetic fields?

PubMed

Liboff, Abraham R

2014-09-01

There is evidence for robust interactions of weak ELF magnetic fields with biological systems. Quite apart from the difficulties attending a proper physical basis for such interactions, an equally daunting question asks why these should even occur, given the apparent lack of comparable signals in the long-term electromagnetic environment. We suggest that the biological basis is likely to be found in the weak (∼50 nT) daily swing in the geomagnetic field that results from the solar tidal force on free electrons in the upper atmosphere, a remarkably constant effect exactly in phase with the solar diurnal change. Because this magnetic change is locked into the solar-derived everyday diurnal response in living things, one can argue that it acts as a surrogate for the solar variation, and therefore plays a role in chronobiological processes. This implies that weak magnetic field interactions may have a chronodisruptive basis, homologous to the more familiar effects on the biological clock arising from sleep deprivation, phase-shift employment and light at night. It is conceivable that the widespread sensitivity of biological systems to weak ELF magnetic fields is vestigially derived from this diurnal geomagnetic effect.

Anomalous amplification of a homodyne signal via almost-balanced weak values.

PubMed

Liu, Wei-Tao; Martínez-Rincón, Julián; Viza, Gerardo I; Howell, John C

2017-03-01

We propose precision measurements of ultra-small angular velocities of a mirror within a modified Sagnac interferometer, where the counter-propagating beams are spatially separated, using the recently proposed technique of almost-balanced weak values amplification (ABWV) [Phys. Rev. Lett.116, 100803 (2016)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.116.100803]. The separation between the two beams provides additional amplification with respect to using collinear beams in a Sagnac interferometer. Within the same setup, the weak-value amplification technique is also performed for comparison. Much higher amplification factors can be obtained using the almost-balanced weak values technique, with the best one achieved in our experiments being as high as 1.2×10⁷. In addition, the amplification factor monotonically increases with decreasing of the post-selection phase for the ABWV case in our experiments, which is not the case for weak-value amplification (WVA) at small post-selection phases. Both techniques consist of measuring the angular velocity. The sensitivity of the ABWV technique is ∼38  nrad/s per averaged pulse for a repetition rate of 1 Hz and ∼33  nrad/s per averaged pulse for the WVA technique.

Fatigue is associated with muscle weakness in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: an explorative study.

PubMed

Voermans, N C; Knoop, H; Bleijenberg, G; van Engelen, B G

2011-06-01

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of inherited connective tissue disorders characterised by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility and tissue fragility. It has recently been shown that muscle weakness occurs frequently in EDS, and that fatigue is a common and clinically important symptom. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fatigue severity and subjective and objective measures of muscle weakness. Furthermore, the predictive value of muscle weakness for fatigue severity was determined, together with that of pain and physical activity. An explorative, cross-sectional, observational study. Thirty EDS patients, recruited from the Dutch patient association, were investigated at the neuromuscular outpatient department of a tertiary referral centre in The Netherlands. Muscle strength measured with manual muscle strength testing and hand-held dynamometry. Self-reported muscle weakness, pain, physical activity levels and fatigue were assessed with standardised questionnaires. Fatigue severity in EDS was significantly correlated with measured and self-reported muscle weakness (r=-0.408 for manual muscle strength, r=0.461 for hand-held dynamometry and r=0.603 for self-reported muscle weakness). Both muscle weakness and pain severity were significant predictors of fatigue severity in a multiple regression analysis. The results suggest a positive and direct relationship between fatigue severity and muscle weakness in EDS. Future research should focus on the relationship between fatigue, muscle weakness and objectively measured physical activity, preferably in a larger cohort of EDS patients. Copyright © 2010 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of the n-octanol/water partition coefficients of weakly ionizable basic compounds by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with neutral model compounds.

PubMed

Liang, Chao; Han, Shu-ying; Qiao, Jun-qin; Lian, Hong-zhen; Ge, Xin

2014-11-01

A strategy to utilize neutral model compounds for lipophilicity measurement of ionizable basic compounds by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is proposed in this paper. The applicability of the novel protocol was justified by theoretical derivation. Meanwhile, the linear relationships between logarithm of apparent n-octanol/water partition coefficients (logKow '') and logarithm of retention factors corresponding to the 100% aqueous fraction of mobile phase (logkw ) were established for a basic training set, a neutral training set and a mixed training set of these two. As proved in theory, the good linearity and external validation results indicated that the logKow ''-logkw relationships obtained from a neutral model training set were always reliable regardless of mobile phase pH. Afterwards, the above relationships were adopted to determine the logKow of harmaline, a weakly dissociable alkaloid. As far as we know, this is the first report on experimental logKow data for harmaline (logKow = 2.28 ± 0.08). Introducing neutral compounds into a basic model training set or using neutral model compounds alone is recommended to measure the lipophilicity of weakly ionizable basic compounds especially those with high hydrophobicity for the advantages of more suitable model compound choices and convenient mobile phase pH control. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Detecting overlapping instances in microscopy images using extremal region trees.

PubMed

Arteta, Carlos; Lempitsky, Victor; Noble, J Alison; Zisserman, Andrew

2016-01-01

In many microscopy applications the images may contain both regions of low and high cell densities corresponding to different tissues or colonies at different stages of growth. This poses a challenge to most previously developed automated cell detection and counting methods, which are designed to handle either the low-density scenario (through cell detection) or the high-density scenario (through density estimation or texture analysis). The objective of this work is to detect all the instances of an object of interest in microscopy images. The instances may be partially overlapping and clustered. To this end we introduce a tree-structured discrete graphical model that is used to select and label a set of non-overlapping regions in the image by a global optimization of a classification score. Each region is labeled with the number of instances it contains - for example regions can be selected that contain two or three object instances, by defining separate classes for tuples of objects in the detection process. We show that this formulation can be learned within the structured output SVM framework and that the inference in such a model can be accomplished using dynamic programming on a tree structured region graph. Furthermore, the learning only requires weak annotations - a dot on each instance. The candidate regions for the selection are obtained as extremal region of a surface computed from the microscopy image, and we show that the performance of the model can be improved by considering a proxy problem for learning the surface that allows better selection of the extremal regions. Furthermore, we consider a number of variations for the loss function used in the structured output learning. The model is applied and evaluated over six quite disparate data sets of images covering: fluorescence microscopy, weak-fluorescence molecular images, phase contrast microscopy and histopathology images, and is shown to exceed the state of the art in performance. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SIGNATURES OF LONG-LIVED SPIRAL PATTERNS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Martinez-Garcia, Eric E.; Gonzalez-Lopezlira, Rosa A., E-mail: ericmartinez@inaoep.mx, E-mail: martinez@astro.unam.mx, E-mail: r.gonzalez@crya.unam.mx

2013-03-10

Azimuthal age/color gradients across spiral arms are a signature of long-lived spirals. From a sample of 19 normal (or weakly barred) spirals where we have previously found azimuthal age/color gradient candidates, 13 objects were further selected if a two-armed grand-design pattern survived in a surface density stellar mass map. Mass maps were obtained from optical and near-infrared imaging, by comparison with a Monte Carlo library of stellar population synthesis models that allowed us to obtain the mass-to-light ratio in the J band, (M/L){sub J}, as a function of (g - i) versus (i - J) color. The selected spirals weremore » analyzed with Fourier methods in search of other signatures of long-lived modes related to the gradients, such as the gradient divergence toward corotation, and the behavior of the phase angle of the two-armed spiral in different wavebands, as expected from theory. The results show additional signatures of long-lived spirals in at least 50% of the objects.« less

Central Compact Objects: some of them could be spinning up?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benli, O.; Ertan, Ü.

2018-05-01

Among confirmed central compact objects (CCOs), only three sources have measured period and period derivatives. We have investigated possible evolutionary paths of these three CCOs in the fallback disc model. The model can account for the individual X-ray luminosities and rotational properties of the sources consistently with their estimated supernova ages. For these sources, reasonable model curves can be obtained with dipole field strengths ˜ a few × 109 G on the surface of the star. The model curves indicate that these CCOs were in the spin-up state in the early phase of evolution. The spin-down starts, while accretion is going on, at a time t ˜ 103 - 104 yr depending on the current accretion rate, period and the magnetic dipole moment of the star. This implies that some of the CCOs with relatively long periods, weak dipole fields and high X-ray luminosities could be strong candidates to show spin-up behavior if they indeed evolve with fallback discs.

Generic weak isolated horizons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatterjee, Ayan; Ghosh, Amit

2006-12-01

Weak isolated horizon boundary conditions have been relaxed supposedly to their weakest form so that both zeroth and first laws of black hole mechanics hold. This makes the formulation more amenable for applications in both analytic and numerical relativities. It also unifies the phase spaces of non-extremal and extremal black holes.

Tracks detection from high-orbit space objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shumilov, Yu. P.; Vygon, V. G.; Grishin, E. A.; Konoplev, A. O.; Semichev, O. P.; Shargorodskii, V. D.

2017-05-01

The paper presents studies results of a complex algorithm for the detection of highly orbital space objects. Before the implementation of the algorithm, a series of frames with weak tracks of space objects, which can be discrete, is recorded. The algorithm includes pre-processing, classical for astronomy, consistent filtering of each frame and its threshold processing, shear transformation, median filtering of the transformed series of frames, repeated threshold processing and detection decision making. Modeling of space objects weak tracks on of the night starry sky real frames obtained in the regime of a stationary telescope was carried out. It is shown that the permeability of an optoelectronic device has increased by almost 2m.

Dark-field optical coherence microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pache, C.; Villiger, M. L.; Lasser, T.

2010-02-01

Many solutions have been proposed to produce phase quantitative images of biological cell samples. Among these, Spectral Domain Phase Microscopy combines the fast imaging speed and high sensitivity of Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM) in the Fourier domain with the high phase stability of common-path interferometry. We report on a new illumination scheme for OCM that enhances the sensitivity for backscattered light and detects the weak sample signal, otherwise buried by the signal from specular reflection. With the use of a Bessel-like beam, a dark-field configuration was realized. Sensitivity measurements for three different illumination configurations were performed to compare our method to standard OCM and extended focus OCM. Using a well-defined scattering and reflecting object, we demonstrated an attenuation of -40 dB of the DC-component and a relative gain of 30 dB for scattered light, compared to standard OCM. In a second step, we applied this technique, referred to as dark-field Optical Coherence Microscopy (dfOCM), to living cells. Chinese hamster ovarian cells were applied in a drop of medium on a coverslide. The cells of ~15 μm in diameter and even internal cell structures were visualized in the acquired tomograms.

X-ray grating interferometer for materials-science imaging at a low-coherent wiggler source

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Herzen, Julia; Physics Department and Institute for Medical Engineering, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, 85748 Garching; Donath, Tilman

2011-11-15

X-ray phase-contrast radiography and tomography enable to increase contrast for weakly absorbing materials. Recently, x-ray grating interferometers were developed that extend the possibility of phase-contrast imaging from highly brilliant radiation sources like third-generation synchrotron sources to non-coherent conventional x-ray tube sources. Here, we present the first installation of a three grating x-ray interferometer at a low-coherence wiggler source at the beamline W2 (HARWI II) operated by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht at the second-generation synchrotron storage ring DORIS (DESY, Hamburg, Germany). Using this type of the wiggler insertion device with a millimeter-sized source allows monochromatic phase-contrast imaging of centimeter sized objects withmore » high photon flux. Thus, biological and materials-science imaging applications can highly profit from this imaging modality. The specially designed grating interferometer currently works in the photon energy range from 22 to 30 keV, and the range will be increased by using adapted x-ray optical gratings. Our results of an energy-dependent visibility measurement in comparison to corresponding simulations demonstrate the performance of the new setup.« less

Financing indicators for health care decentralization in Latin America: information and suggestions for health planning.

PubMed

Arredondo, A; Parada, I

2001-01-01

This article presents the results from an evaluative longitudinal study with before-after design. The main objective was to determine the effects of health care decentralization on changes in health financing. Taking into account feasibility, political and technical criteria, three Latin American countries were selected as study populations: Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. The methodology had two main phases. In the first phase, the study referred to secondary sources of data and documents to obtain information about the following variables: type of decentralization implemented, source of finance, funds of financing, providers, final use of resources and mechanisms for resource allocation. In the second phase, the study referred to primary data collected in a survey of key personnel from the health sectors of each country. Taking into account the changes implemented in the three countries, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each country in financing and decentralization, a rule for decision-making is proposed that attempts to identify the main financial changes implemented in each country and the basic indicators that can be used in future years to direct the planning, assessment, adjustment and correction of health financing and decentralization.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for storage, transfer and/or control of information via matter wave dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vestergaard Hau, Lene (Inventor)

2012-01-01

Methods, systems and apparatus for generating atomic traps, and for storing, controlling and transferring information between first and second spatially separated phase-coherent objects, or using a single phase-coherent object. For plural objects, both phase-coherent objects have a macroscopic occupation of a particular quantum state by identical bosons or identical BCS-paired fermions. The information may be optical information, and the phase-coherent object(s) may be Bose-Einstein condensates, superfluids, or superconductors. The information is stored in the first phase-coherent object at a first storage time and recovered from the second phase-coherent object, or the same first phase-coherent object, at a second revival time. In one example, an integrated silicon wafer-based optical buffer includes an electrolytic atom source to provide the phase-coherent object(s), a nanoscale atomic trap for the phase-coherent object(s), and semiconductor-based optical sources to cool the phase-coherent object(s) and provide coupling fields for storage and transfer of optical information.

Analysis of Teacher Beliefs and Efficacy for Teaching Writing to Weak Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mohar, Tunku Mohani Tunku; Singh, Charajit Kaur Swaran; Kepol, Napisah; Ahmad, Ahmad Zainuri Loap; Moneyam, Sasigaran

2017-01-01

The present study investigated the beliefs and efficacy of a teacher teaching English to students who were weak at the language. The objective of the study was mainly to investigate the beliefs and efficacy of the ESL teacher for teaching writing to weak learners. The research was a case study of the English Language teacher teaching Form Three…

Structural Stability of Mathematical Models of National Economy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashimov, Abdykappar A.; Sultanov, Bahyt T.; Borovskiy, Yuriy V.; Adilov, Zheksenbek M.; Ashimov, Askar A.

2011-12-01

In the paper we test robustness of particular dynamic systems in a compact regions of a plane and a weak structural stability of one dynamic system of high order in a compact region of its phase space. The test was carried out based on the fundamental theory of dynamical systems on a plane and based on the conditions for weak structural stability of high order dynamic systems. A numerical algorithm for testing the weak structural stability of high order dynamic systems has been proposed. Based on this algorithm we assess the weak structural stability of one computable general equilibrium model.

Dynamical diagnostics of the SST annual cycle in the eastern equatorial Pacific: Part II analysis of CMIP5 simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Ying-Ying; Jin, Fei-Fei

2017-12-01

In this study, a simple coupled framework established in Part I is utilized to investigate inter-model diversity in simulating the equatorial Pacific SST annual cycle (SSTAC). It demonstrates that the simulated amplitude and phase characteristics of SSTAC in models are controlled by two internal dynamical factors (the damping rate and phase speed) and two external forcing factors (the strength of the annual and semi-annual harmonic forcing). These four diagnostic factors are further condensed into a dynamical response factor and a forcing factor to derive theoretical solutions of amplitude and phase of SSTAC. The theoretical solutions are in remarkable agreement with observations and CMIP5 simulations. The great diversity in the simulated SSTACs is related to the spreads in these dynamic and forcing factors. Most models tend to simulate a weak SSTAC, due to their weak damping rate and annual harmonic forcing. The latter is due to bias in the meridional asymmetry of the annual mean state of the tropical Pacific, represented by the weak cross-equatorial winds in the cold tongue region.

Use of individualized learning plans among fourth-year sub-interns in pediatrics and internal medicine.

PubMed

Shepard, Michelle E; Sastre, Elizabeth A; Davidson, Mario A; Fleming, Amy E

2012-01-01

Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) are an effective tool for promoting self-directed learning among residents. However, no literature details ILP use among medical students. Fifty fourth-year sub-interns in pediatrics and internal medicine created ILPs, including a self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses based on ACGME core competencies and the setting of learning objectives. During weekly follow-up meetings with faculty mentors and peers, students discussed challenges and revised goals. Upon completion of the rotation, students completed a survey of Likert-scale questions addressing satisfaction with and perceived utility of ILP components. Students most often self-identified strengths in the areas of Professionalism and Interpersonal and Communication Skills and weaknesses in Patient Care and Systems-Based Practice. Eighty-two percent set at least one learning objective in an identified area of weakness. Students expressed high confidence in their abilities to create achievable learning objectives and to generate strategies to meet those objectives. Students agreed that discussions during group meetings were meaningful, and they identified the setting learning objectives and weekly meetings as the most important elements of the exercise. Fourth-year sub-interns reported that ILPs helped them to accomplish rotation goals, with the setting of learning objectives and weekly discussions being the most useful elements.

Weak-field multiphoton femtosecond coherent control in the single-cycle regime.

PubMed

Chuntonov, Lev; Fleischer, Avner; Amitay, Zohar

2011-03-28

Weak-field coherent phase control of atomic non-resonant multiphoton excitation induced by shaped femtosecond pulses is studied theoretically in the single-cycle regime. The carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of the pulse, which in the multi-cycle regime does not play any control role, is shown here to be a new effective control parameter that its effect is highly sensitive to the spectral position of the ultrabroad spectrum. Rationally chosen position of the ultrabroadband spectrum coherently induces several groups of multiphoton transitions from the ground state to the excited state of the system: transitions involving only absorbed photons as well as Raman transitions involving both absorbed and emitted photons. The intra-group interference is controlled by the relative spectral phase of the different frequency components of the pulse, while the inter-group interference is controlled jointly by the CEP and the relative spectral phase. Specifically, non-resonant two- and three-photon excitation is studied in a simple model system within the perturbative frequency-domain framework. The developed intuition is then applied to weak-field multiphoton excitation of atomic cesium (Cs), where the simplified model is verified by non-perturbative numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. We expect this work to serve as a basis for a new line of femtosecond coherent control experiments.

Colossal Magnetoelectric Effect with Competing Multiferroic and Weak-Ferromagnetic Phases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Young Jai; Zhang, Chenglin; Lee, Nara; Cheong, Sang-Wook

2011-03-01

From our investigation of magnetoelectric properties of Eu 0.75 Y0.25 Mn O3 , where a multiferroic phase competes with a weak ferromagnetic phase in magnetic fields, we found intriguing hysteretic behaviors of physical properties with variation of temperature and magnetic field. These hysteretic behaviors arise from the kinetic arrest/de-arrest processes of the first order magnetic transition, resulting in freezing or melting of a magnetoelectric glass state with the coexistence of two competing phases. We note that most of large magnetoelectric coupling effects in multiferroics are associated with the large change of polarization with magnetic fields, but the control of ferromagnetic-type magnetization by applying electric fields is most relevant to technological applications, which is scarcely observed. This important issue of mutual controllability is achieved in Eu 0.75 Y0.25 Mn O3 utilizing dynamical modulations of the coexistence of two contraindicative phases, highly susceptible to the external perturbations such as electric and magnetic fields.

Dynamical mean-field theory and weakly non-linear analysis for the phase separation of active Brownian particles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Speck, Thomas; Menzel, Andreas M.; Bialké, Julian

2015-06-14

Recently, we have derived an effective Cahn-Hilliard equation for the phase separation dynamics of active Brownian particles by performing a weakly non-linear analysis of the effective hydrodynamic equations for density and polarization [Speck et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 218304 (2014)]. Here, we develop and explore this strategy in more detail and show explicitly how to get to such a large-scale, mean-field description starting from the microscopic dynamics. The effective free energy emerging from this approach has the form of a conventional Ginzburg-Landau function. On the coarsest scale, our results thus agree with the mapping of active phase separation ontomore » that of passive fluids with attractive interactions through a global effective free energy (motility-induced phase transition). Particular attention is paid to the square-gradient term necessary for the phase separation kinetics. We finally discuss results from numerical simulations corroborating the analytical results.« less

Metallic phases from disordered (2+1)-dimensional quantum electrodynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goswami, Pallab; Goldman, Hart; Raghu, S.

2017-06-01

Metallic phases have been observed in several disordered two-dimensional (2D) systems, including thin films near superconductor-insulator transitions and quantum Hall systems near plateau transitions. The existence of 2D metallic phases at zero temperature generally requires an interplay of disorder and interaction effects. Consequently, experimental observations of 2D metallic behavior have largely defied explanation. We formulate a general stability criterion for strongly interacting, massless Dirac fermions against disorder, which describe metallic ground states with vanishing density of states. We show that (2+1)-dimensional quantum electrodynamics (QED3) with a large, even number of fermion flavors remains metallic in the presence of weak scalar potential disorder due to the dynamic screening of disorder by gauge fluctuations. We also show that QED3 with weak mass disorder exhibits a stable, dirty metallic phase in which both interactions and disorder play important roles.

Weak measurements and quantum weak values for NOON states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosales-Zárate, L.; Opanchuk, B.; Reid, M. D.

2018-03-01

Quantum weak values arise when the mean outcome of a weak measurement made on certain preselected and postselected quantum systems goes beyond the eigenvalue range for a quantum observable. Here, we propose how to determine quantum weak values for superpositions of states with a macroscopically or mesoscopically distinct mode number, that might be realized as two-mode Bose-Einstein condensate or photonic NOON states. Specifically, we give a model for a weak measurement of the Schwinger spin of a two-mode NOON state, for arbitrary N . The weak measurement arises from a nondestructive measurement of the two-mode occupation number difference, which for atomic NOON states might be realized via phase contrast imaging and the ac Stark effect using an optical meter prepared in a coherent state. The meter-system coupling results in an entangled cat-state. By subsequently evolving the system under the action of a nonlinear Josephson Hamiltonian, we show how postselection leads to quantum weak values, for arbitrary N . Since the weak measurement can be shown to be minimally invasive, the weak values provide a useful strategy for a Leggett-Garg test of N -scopic realism.

Coulomb blockade in a single tunnel junction directly connected to a multiwalled carbon nanotube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haruyama, Junji; Takesue, Izumi; Sato, Yuki

2000-10-01

We report on Coulomb blockade in a single tunnel junction directly connected to a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) by utilizing a nanoporous alumina film. The MWNT exhibits a weak localization effect with strong spin flip scattering. Experimental results and analysis suggest that a high-impedance external environment caused by the weak localization in the MWNT can yield Coulomb blockade, in accordance with phase correlation theory in a single junction system. It is also revealed that the Coulomb blockade is very sensitive to phase modulation in the MWNT, which also acts as a high-impedance transmission line.

Prestimulus EEG Power Predicts Conscious Awareness But Not Objective Visual Performance

PubMed Central

Veniero, Domenica

2017-01-01

Abstract Prestimulus oscillatory neural activity has been linked to perceptual outcomes during performance of psychophysical detection and discrimination tasks. Specifically, the power and phase of low frequency oscillations have been found to predict whether an upcoming weak visual target will be detected or not. However, the mechanisms by which baseline oscillatory activity influences perception remain unclear. Recent studies suggest that the frequently reported negative relationship between α power and stimulus detection may be explained by changes in detection criterion (i.e., increased target present responses regardless of whether the target was present/absent) driven by the state of neural excitability, rather than changes in visual sensitivity (i.e., more veridical percepts). Here, we recorded EEG while human participants performed a luminance discrimination task on perithreshold stimuli in combination with single-trial ratings of perceptual awareness. Our aim was to investigate whether the power and/or phase of prestimulus oscillatory activity predict discrimination accuracy and/or perceptual awareness on a trial-by-trial basis. Prestimulus power (3–28 Hz) was inversely related to perceptual awareness ratings (i.e., higher ratings in states of low prestimulus power/high excitability) but did not predict discrimination accuracy. In contrast, prestimulus oscillatory phase did not predict awareness ratings or accuracy in any frequency band. These results provide evidence that prestimulus α power influences the level of subjective awareness of threshold visual stimuli but does not influence visual sensitivity when a decision has to be made regarding stimulus features. Hence, we find a clear dissociation between the influence of ongoing neural activity on conscious awareness and objective performance. PMID:29255794

Two-dimensional topological superconducting phases emerged from d-wave superconductors in proximity to antiferromagnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Guo-Yi; Wang, Ziqiang; Zhang, Guang-Ming

2017-05-01

Motivated by the recent observations of nodeless superconductivity in the monolayer CuO2 grown on the Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ substrates, we study the two-dimensional superconducting (SC) phases described by the two-dimensional t\\text-J model in proximity to an antiferromagnetic (AF) insulator. We found that i) the nodal d-wave SC state can be driven via a continuous transition into a nodeless d-wave pairing state by the proximity-induced AF field. ii) The energetically favorable pairing states in the strong field regime have extended s-wave symmetry and can be nodal or nodeless. iii) Between the pure d-wave and s-wave paired phases, there emerge two topologically distinct SC phases with (s+\\text{i}d) symmetry, i.e., the weak and strong pairing phases, and the weak pairing phase is found to be a Z 2 topological superconductor protected by valley symmetry, exhibiting robust gapless nonchiral edge modes. These findings strongly suggest that the high-T c superconductors in proximity to antiferromagnets can realize fully gapped symmetry-protected topological SC.

Dislocation dynamics and crystal plasticity in the phase-field crystal model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skaugen, Audun; Angheluta, Luiza; Viñals, Jorge

2018-02-01

A phase-field model of a crystalline material is introduced to develop the necessary theoretical framework to study plastic flow due to dislocation motion. We first obtain the elastic stress from the phase-field crystal free energy under weak distortion and show that it obeys the stress-strain relation of linear elasticity. We focus next on dislocations in a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice. They are composite topological defects in the weakly nonlinear amplitude equation expansion of the phase field, with topological charges given by the standard Burgers vector. This allows us to introduce a formal relation between the dislocation velocity and the evolution of the slowly varying amplitudes of the phase field. Standard dissipative dynamics of the phase-field crystal model is shown to determine the velocity of the dislocations. When the amplitude expansion is valid and under additional simplifications, we find that the dislocation velocity is determined by the Peach-Koehler force. As an application, we compute the defect velocity for a dislocation dipole in two setups, pure glide and pure climb, and compare it with the analytical predictions.

Phase-locking behavior in a high-frequency gymnotiform weakly electric fish, Adontosternarchus.

PubMed

Kawasaki, Masashi; Leonard, John

2017-02-01

An apteronotid weakly electric fish, Adontosternarchus, emits high-frequency electric organ discharges (700-1500 Hz) which are stable in frequency if no other fish or artificial signals are present. When encountered with an artificial signal of higher frequency than the fish's discharge, the fish raised its discharge frequency and eventually matched its own frequency to that of the artificial signal. At this moment, phase locking was observed, where the timing of the fish's discharge was precisely stabilized at a particular phase of the artificial signal over a long period of time (up to minutes) with microsecond precision. Analyses of the phase-locking behaviors revealed that the phase values of the artificial stimulus at which the fish stabilizes the phase of its own discharge (called lock-in phases) have three populations between -180° and +180°. During the frequency rise and the phase-locking behavior, the electrosensory system is exposed to the mixture of feedback signals from its electric organ discharges and the artificial signal. Since the signal mixture modulates in both amplitude and phase, we explored whether amplitude or phase information participated in driving the phase-locking behavior, using a numerical model. The model which incorporates only amplitude information well predicted the three populations of lock-in phases. When phase information was removed from the electrosensory stimulus, phase-locking behavior was still observed. These results suggest that phase-locking behavior of Adontosternarchus requires amplitude information but not phase information available in the electrosensory stimulus.

Weak wide-band signal detection method based on small-scale periodic state of Duffing oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Jian; Yan, Xiao-peng; Li, Ping; Hao, Xin-hong

2018-03-01

The conventional Duffing oscillator weak signal detection method, which is based on a strong reference signal, has inherent deficiencies. To address these issues, the characteristics of the Duffing oscillatorʼs phase trajectory in a small-scale periodic state are analyzed by introducing the theory of stopping oscillation system. Based on this approach, a novel Duffing oscillator weak wide-band signal detection method is proposed. In this novel method, the reference signal is discarded, and the to-be-detected signal is directly used as a driving force. By calculating the cosine function of a phase space angle, a single Duffing oscillator can be used for weak wide-band signal detection instead of an array of uncoupled Duffing oscillators. Simulation results indicate that, compared with the conventional Duffing oscillator detection method, this approach performs better in frequency detection intervals, and reduces the signal-to-noise ratio detection threshold, while improving the real-time performance of the system. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 61673066).

A scheme of quantum state discrimination over specified states via weak-value measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xi; Dai, Hong-Yi; Liu, Bo-Yang; Zhang, Ming

2018-04-01

The commonly adopted projective measurements are invalid in the specified task of quantum state discrimination when the discriminated states are superposition of planar-position basis states whose complex-number probability amplitudes have the same magnitude but different phases. Therefore we propose a corresponding scheme via weak-value measurement and examine the feasibility of this scheme. Furthermore, the role of the weak-value measurement in quantum state discrimination is analyzed and compared with one in quantum state tomography in this Letter.

Velocity Measurement by Scattering from Index of Refraction Fluctuations Induced in Turbulent Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lading, Lars; Saffman, Mark; Edwards, Robert

1996-01-01

Induced phase screen scattering is defined as scatter light from a weak index of refraction fluctuations induced by turbulence. The basic assumptions and requirements for induced phase screen scattering, including scale requirements, are presented.

Revisiting Weak Emission-line Quasars with a Simple Approach to Deduce their Nature and the Tracers of X-ray Weakness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, Qingling

2018-01-01

We present an X-ray and multi-wavelength study of 17 “bridge” weak emission-line quasars (WLQs) and 16 “extreme” WLQs naturally divided by their C IV rest equivalent widths (REWs), which constitute our clean WLQ sample together. New Chandra 3.1-4.8 ks observations were obtained for 14 objects while the other 19 have archival X-ray observations. 4 of the 17 bridge WLQs appear to be X-ray weak, while 9 of the 16 extreme WLQs appear to be X-ray weak. The X-ray weak fraction in the bridge sample (23.5%) is lower than in the extreme sample(56.3%), indicating the fraction of X-ray weak objects along with rising C IV REWs.X-ray stacking analysis is performed for the X-ray weak WLQs in the clean sample. We measured a relatively hard (Γeff=1.37) effective power-law photon index for a stack of the X-ray weak subsample, suggesting X-ray absorption due to shielding material inside the broad emission-line region (BELR). We proposed a geometrically and optically thick inner accretion disk as the natural shield, which could also explain the behavior of the X-ray weak fraction along with C IV REW.Futhermore, we ran Peto-Prentice tests to assess if the distributions of optical-UV spectral properties are different between X-ray weak WLQs and X-ray normal WLQs. We also examined correlations between △αOX and optical-UV spectral properties. The C IV REW, C IV blueshift, C IV FWHM, REWs of the Si IV, λ1900, Fe II, and Mg II emission features, and the relative SDSS color △(g - i) are examined in our study. △(g - i) turned out to be the most effective tracer of X-ray weakness.

Influence of variation in mobile phase pH and solute pK(a) with the change of organic modifier fraction on QSRRs of hydrophobicity and RP-HPLC retention of weakly acidic compounds.

PubMed

Han, Shu-ying; Liang, Chao; Zou, Kuan; Qiao, Jun-qin; Lian, Hong-zhen; Ge, Xin

2012-11-15

The variation in mobile phase pH and ionizable solute dissociation constant (pK(a)) with the change of organic modifier fraction in hydroorganic mobile phase has seemingly been a troublesome problem in studies and applications of reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Most of the early studies regarding the RP-HPLC of acid-base compounds have to measure the actual pH of the mixed mobile phase rigorously, sometimes bringing difficulties in the practices of liquid chromatographic separation. In this paper, the effect of this variation on the apparent n-octanol/water partition coefficient (K(ow)″) and the related quantitative structure-retention relationship (QSRR) of logK(ow)″ vs. logk(w), the logarithm of retention factor of analytes in neat aqueous mobile phases, was investigated for weakly acidic compounds. This QSRR is commonly used as a classical method for K(ow) measurement by RP-HPLC. The theoretical and experimental derivation revealed that the variation in mobile phase pH and solute pK(a) will not affect the QSRRs of acidic compounds. This conclusion is proved to be suitable for various types of ion-suppressors, i.e., strong acid (perchloric acid), weak acid (acetic acid) and buffer salt (potassium dihydrogen phosphate/phosphoric acid, PBS). The QSRRs of logK(ow)″ vs. logk(w) were modeled by 11 substituted benzoic acids using different types of ion-suppressors in a binary methanol-water mobile phase to confirm our deduction. Although different types of ion-suppressor all can be used as mobile phase pH modifiers, the QSRR model obtained by using perchloric acid as the ion-suppressor was found to have the best result, and the slightly inferior QSRRs were obtained by using acetic acid or PBS as the ion-suppressor. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dynamical mass and multiplicity constraints on co-orbital bodies around stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veras, Dimitri; Marsh, Thomas R.; Gänsicke, Boris T.

2016-09-01

Objects transiting near or within the disruption radius of both main-sequence (e.g. KOI 1843) and white dwarf (WD 1145+017) stars are now known. Upon fragmentation or disintegration, these planets or asteroids may produce co-orbital configurations of nearly equal mass objects. However, as evidenced by the co-orbital objects detected by transit photometry in the WD 1145+017 system, these bodies are largely unconstrained in size, mass, and total number (multiplicity). Motivated by potential future similar discoveries, we perform N-body simulations to demonstrate if and how debris masses and multiplicity may be bounded due to second-to-minute deviations and the resulting accumulated phase shifts in the osculating orbital period amongst multiple co-orbital equal point masses. We establish robust lower and upper mass bounds as a function of orbital period deviation, but find the constraints on multiplicity to be weak. We also quantify the fuzzy instability boundary, and show that mutual collisions occur in less than 5, 10, and 20 per cent of our simulations for masses of 1021, 1022, and 1023 kg. Our results may provide useful initial rough constraints on other stellar systems with multiple co-orbital bodies.

ARACHNID: A prototype object-oriented database tool for distributed systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Younger, Herbert; Oreilly, John; Frogner, Bjorn

1994-01-01

This paper discusses the results of a Phase 2 SBIR project sponsored by NASA and performed by MIMD Systems, Inc. A major objective of this project was to develop specific concepts for improved performance in accessing large databases. An object-oriented and distributed approach was used for the general design, while a geographical decomposition was used as a specific solution. The resulting software framework is called ARACHNID. The Faint Source Catalog developed by NASA was the initial database testbed. This is a database of many giga-bytes, where an order of magnitude improvement in query speed is being sought. This database contains faint infrared point sources obtained from telescope measurements of the sky. A geographical decomposition of this database is an attractive approach to dividing it into pieces. Each piece can then be searched on individual processors with only a weak data linkage between the processors being required. As a further demonstration of the concepts implemented in ARACHNID, a tourist information system is discussed. This version of ARACHNID is the commercial result of the project. It is a distributed, networked, database application where speed, maintenance, and reliability are important considerations. This paper focuses on the design concepts and technologies that form the basis for ARACHNID.

Selectivity differences of water-soluble vitamins separated on hydrophilic interaction stationary phases.

PubMed

Yang, Yuanzhong; Boysen, Reinhard I; Hearn, Milton T W

2013-06-01

In this study, the retention behavior and selectivity differences of water-soluble vitamins were evaluated with three types of polar stationary phases (i.e. an underivatized silica phase, an amide phase, and an amino phase) operated in the hydrophilic interaction chromatographic mode with ESI mass spectrometric detection. The effects of mobile phase composition, including buffer pH and concentration, on the retention and selectivity of the vitamins were investigated. In all stationary phases, the neutral or weakly charged vitamins exhibited very weak retention under each of the pH conditions, while the acidic and more basic vitamins showed diverse retention behaviors. With the underivatized silica phase, increasing the salt concentration of the mobile phase resulted in enhanced retention of the acidic vitamins, but decreased retention of the basic vitamins. These observations thus signify the involvement of secondary mechanisms, such as electrostatic interaction in the retention of these analytes. Under optimized conditions, a baseline separation of all vitamins was achieved with excellent peak efficiency. In addition, the effects of water content in the sample on retention and peak efficiency were examined, with sample stacking effects observed when the injected sample contained a high amount of water. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Two-dimensional distributed-phase-reference protocol for quantum key distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bacco, Davide; Christensen, Jesper Bjerge; Castaneda, Mario A. Usuga; Ding, Yunhong; Forchhammer, Søren; Rottwitt, Karsten; Oxenløwe, Leif Katsuo

2016-12-01

Quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum communication enable the secure exchange of information between remote parties. Currently, the distributed-phase-reference (DPR) protocols, which are based on weak coherent pulses, are among the most practical solutions for long-range QKD. During the last 10 years, long-distance fiber-based DPR systems have been successfully demonstrated, although fundamental obstacles such as intrinsic channel losses limit their performance. Here, we introduce the first two-dimensional DPR-QKD protocol in which information is encoded in the time and phase of weak coherent pulses. The ability of extracting two bits of information per detection event, enables a higher secret key rate in specific realistic network scenarios. Moreover, despite the use of more dimensions, the proposed protocol remains simple, practical, and fully integrable.

Two-dimensional distributed-phase-reference protocol for quantum key distribution.

PubMed

Bacco, Davide; Christensen, Jesper Bjerge; Castaneda, Mario A Usuga; Ding, Yunhong; Forchhammer, Søren; Rottwitt, Karsten; Oxenløwe, Leif Katsuo

2016-12-22

Quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum communication enable the secure exchange of information between remote parties. Currently, the distributed-phase-reference (DPR) protocols, which are based on weak coherent pulses, are among the most practical solutions for long-range QKD. During the last 10 years, long-distance fiber-based DPR systems have been successfully demonstrated, although fundamental obstacles such as intrinsic channel losses limit their performance. Here, we introduce the first two-dimensional DPR-QKD protocol in which information is encoded in the time and phase of weak coherent pulses. The ability of extracting two bits of information per detection event, enables a higher secret key rate in specific realistic network scenarios. Moreover, despite the use of more dimensions, the proposed protocol remains simple, practical, and fully integrable.

Two-dimensional distributed-phase-reference protocol for quantum key distribution

PubMed Central

Bacco, Davide; Christensen, Jesper Bjerge; Castaneda, Mario A. Usuga; Ding, Yunhong; Forchhammer, Søren; Rottwitt, Karsten; Oxenløwe, Leif Katsuo

2016-01-01

Quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum communication enable the secure exchange of information between remote parties. Currently, the distributed-phase-reference (DPR) protocols, which are based on weak coherent pulses, are among the most practical solutions for long-range QKD. During the last 10 years, long-distance fiber-based DPR systems have been successfully demonstrated, although fundamental obstacles such as intrinsic channel losses limit their performance. Here, we introduce the first two-dimensional DPR-QKD protocol in which information is encoded in the time and phase of weak coherent pulses. The ability of extracting two bits of information per detection event, enables a higher secret key rate in specific realistic network scenarios. Moreover, despite the use of more dimensions, the proposed protocol remains simple, practical, and fully integrable. PMID:28004821

General solution for high dynamic range three-dimensional shape measurement using the fringe projection technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Shijie; Zhang, Yuzhen; Chen, Qian; Zuo, Chao; Li, Rubin; Shen, Guochen

2014-08-01

This paper presents a general solution for realizing high dynamic range three-dimensional (3-D) shape measurement based on fringe projection. Three concrete techniques are involved in the solution for measuring object with large range of reflectivity (LRR) or one with shiny specular surface. For the first technique, the measured surface reflectivities are sub-divided into several groups based on its histogram distribution, then the optimal exposure time for each group can be predicted adaptively so that the bright as well as dark areas on the measured surface are able to be handled without any compromise. Phase-shifted images are then captured at the calculated exposure times and a composite phase-shifted image is generated by extracting the optimally exposed pixels in the raw fringes images. For the second technique, it is proposed by introducing two orthogonal polarizers which are placed separately in front of the camera and projector into the first technique and the third one is developed by combining the second technique with the strategy of properly altering the angle between the transmission axes of the two polarizers. Experimental results show that the first technique can effectively improve the measurement accuracy of diffuse objects with LRR, the second one is capable of measuring object with weak specular reflection (WSR: e.g. shiny plastic surface) and the third can inspect surface with strong specular reflection (SSR: e.g. highlight on aluminum alloy) precisely. Further, more complex scene, such as the one with LRR and WSR, or even the one simultaneously involving LRR, WSR and SSR, can be measured accurately by the proposed solution.

X-ray microscopy with high-resolution zone plates: recent developments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, Gerd; Wilhein, Thomas; Niemann, Bastian; Guttman, P.; Schliebe, T.; Lehr, J.; Aschoff, H.; Thieme, Juergen; Rudolph, Dietbert M.; Schmahl, Guenther A.

1995-09-01

In order to expand the applications of x-ray microscopy, developments in the fields of zone plate technology, specimen preparation and imaging techniques have been made. A new cross- linked polymer chain electron beam resist allows us to record zone plate pattern down to 19 nm outermost zone width. High resolution zone plates in germanium with outermost zone widths down to 19 nm have been developed. In addition, phase zone plates in nickel down to 30 nm zone width have been made by electroplating. In order to enhance the image contrast for weak absorbing objects, the phase contrast method for x-ray microscopy was developed and implemented on the Gottingen x-ray microscope at BESSY. The effects of x ray absorption on the structure of biological specimen limits the maximum applicable radiation dose and therefore the achievable signal to noise ratio for an artifact-free x-ray image. To improve the stability especially of biological specimen, a cryogenic object chamber has been developed and tested. It turns out that at the operating temperature T less than or equal to 130 K unfixed biological specimen can be exposed to a radiation dose of 109 - 1010 Gy without any observable structural changes. A multiple-angle viewing stage allows us to take stereoscopic images with the x-ray microscope, giving a 3D-impression of the object. As an example for the applications of x-ray microscopy in biology, erythrocytes infected by malaria parasite have been examined. Studies of the aggregation of hematite by sodium sulfate gives an example for the application of x-ray microscopy in the field of colloid research.

Sensitivity of complex cells in cat striate cortex to relative motion.

PubMed

Hammond, P; Smith, A T

1984-06-03

Sensitivity of 95 complex cells to relative motion between oriented bars and textured backgrounds was investigated monocularly in the striate cortex of lightly anesthetized, paralyzed cats. Cells were classified conventionally. Those in deep layers were either direction-selective, or strongly preferred one direction of motion, and responded well to background texture motion alone: backgrounds potentiated the response to the bar in the cell's preferred direction when moved in phase, or in the opposite direction when moved in antiphase; other combinations depressed the level of response compared with that for the bar alone. The majority of direction-selective or strongly direction-biased cells in superficial layers behaved similarly. The most interesting superficial-layer cells were bidirectional or weakly direction-biased, and recorded closer to the cortical surface than the direction-selective neurons. A majority showed preference for relative motion, some for antiphase, others for in-phase motion, regardless of the absolute direction of motion across the receptive field, which could not be accounted for on the basis of separate responses to bars and backgrounds alone. Three of the superficial-layer direction-selective cells also showed preference for antiphase relative motion. In a few complex cells from superficial laminae, backgrounds were either without influence on responses to oriented stimuli, or purely suppressive. Visual backgrounds against which objects are perceived are usually neither featureless nor motionless: the results suggest that most complex cells in striate cortex are sensitive to the context in which objects are seen and susceptible to relationships between objects and their backgrounds in relative motion.

pH-Dependent Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation of Highly Supersaturated Solutions of Weakly Basic Drugs.

PubMed

Indulkar, Anura S; Box, Karl J; Taylor, Robert; Ruiz, Rebeca; Taylor, Lynne S

2015-07-06

Supersaturated solutions of poorly aqueous soluble drugs can be formed both in vivo and in vitro. For example, increases in pH during gastrointestinal transit can decrease the aqueous solubility of weakly basic drugs resulting in supersaturation, in particular when exiting the acidic stomach environment. Recently, it has been observed that highly supersaturated solutions of drugs with low aqueous solubility can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) prior to crystallization, forming a turbid solution such that the concentration of the drug in the continuous solution phase corresponds to the amorphous solubility while the colloidal phase is composed of a disordered drug-rich phase. Although it is well established that the equilibrium solubility of crystalline weakly basic drugs follows the Henderson-Hasselbalch relationship, the impact of pH on the LLPS phenomenon or the amorphous solubility has not been explored. In this work, the LLPS concentration of three weakly basic compounds-clotrimazole, nicardipine, and atazanavir-was determined as a function of pH using three different methods and was compared to the predicted amorphous solubility, which was calculated from the pH-dependent crystalline solubility and by estimating the free energy difference between the amorphous and crystalline forms. It was observed that, similar to crystalline solubility, the experimental amorphous solubility at any pH follows the Henderson-Hasselbalch relation and can be predicted if the amorphous solubility of the free base is known. Excellent agreement between the LLPS concentration and the predicted amorphous solubility was observed. Dissolution studies of amorphous drugs showed that the solution concentration can reach the corresponding LLPS concentration at that pH. Solid-state analysis of the precipitated material confirmed the amorphous nature. This work provides insight into the pH-dependent precipitation behavior of poorly water-soluble compounds and provides a fundamental basis with which to understand the performance of supersaturating dosage forms.

Study of a structural phase transition by two dimensional Fourier transform NMR method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trokiner, A.; Man, P. P.; Théveneau, H.; Papon, P.

1985-09-01

The fluoroperovskite RbCaF 3 undergoes a structural phase transition at 195.5 K, from a cubic phase where the 87Rb nuclei have no quadrupolar interaction ( ωQ= 0) to a tetragonal phase where ω Q ≠ O. The transition is weakly first-order. A two-dimensional FT NMR experiment has been performed on 87Rb ( I = {3}/{2}) in a single crystal in both phases and in the vicinity of the phase transition. Our results show the coexistence of the two phases at the phase transition.

Life-Cycle Analysis of Energy Use, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Water Consumption in the 2016 MYPP Algal Biofuel Scenarios

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Frank, Edward; Pegallapati, Ambica; Davis, Ryan

2016-06-16

The Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) Multi-year Program Plan (MYPP) describes the bioenergy objectives pursued by BETO, the strategies for achieving those objectives, the current state of technology (SOT), and a number of design cases that explore cost and operational performance required to advance the SOT towards middle and long term goals (MYPP, 2016). Two options for converting algae to biofuel intermediates were considered in the MYPP, namely algal biofuel production via lipid extraction and algal biofuel production by thermal processing. The first option, lipid extraction, is represented by the Combined Algae Processing (CAP) pathway in whichmore » algae are hydrolyzed in a weak acid pretreatment step. The treated slurry is fermented for ethanol production from sugars. The fermentation stillage contains most of the lipids from the original biomass, which are recovered through wet solvent extraction. The process residuals after lipid extraction, which contain much of the original mass of amino acids and proteins, are directed to anaerobic digestion (AD) for biogas production and recycle of N and P nutrients. The second option, thermal processing, comprises direct hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of the wet biomass, separation of aqueous, gas, and oil phases, and treatment of the aqueous phase with catalytic hydrothermal gasification (CHG) to produce biogas and to recover N and P nutrients.« less

Simulating the thermodynamics of charging in weak polyelectrolytes: the Debye-Hückel limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rathee, Vikramjit S.; Sikora, Benjamin J.; Sidky, Hythem; Whitmer, Jonathan K.

2018-01-01

The coil-globule transition in weak (annealed) polyelectrolytes involves a subtle balance of pH, charge strength, and solvation forces. In this work, we utilize a coarse-grained hybrid grand-canonical Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics approach to explore the swelling behavior of weak linear and star polyelectrolytes under different ionic screening conditions and pH. Importantly, we are able to quantify topology-dependent effects in charging which arise at the core of star polymers. Our results are suggestive of suppression of charging in star weak polyelectrolytes in comparison to linear weak polyelectrolytes. Furthermore, we characterize the coil-globule transition in linear and star weak polyelectrolyte through expanded ensemble density-of-states simulations which suggest a change from a first order to second order phase transition moving from linear to star polyelectrolytes. Lastly, we characterize the inhomogeneous charging across the weak star polyelectrolyte through observed shifts in {{Δ }}{{{pK}}}{{o}}, and compare with experimental work. We discuss these results in relation to surfaces functionalized by weak polyelectrolyte brushes and weak polyelectrolyte-based drug delivery applications.

Analysis of SBIR phase I and phase II review results at the National Institutes of Health.

PubMed

Vener, K J; Calkins, B M

1991-09-01

A cohort of phase I and phase II summary statements for the SBIR grant applications was evaluated to determine the strengths and weaknesses in approved and disapproved applications. An analysis of outcome variables (disapproval or unfunded status) was examined with respect to exposure variables (strengths or shortcomings). Logistic regression models were developed for comparisons to measure the predictive value of shortcomings and strengths to the outcomes. Disapproved phase I results were compared with an earlier 1985 study. Although the magnitude of the frequencies of shortcomings was greater in the present study, the relative rankings within shortcoming class were more alike than different. Also, the frequencies of shortcomings were, with one exception, not significantly different in the two studies. Differences in the summary statement review may have accounted for some differences observed between the 1985 data and results of the present study. Comparisons of Approved/Disapproved and Approved-Unfunded/Funded yielded the following observations. For phase I applicants, a lack of a clearly stated, testable hypothesis, a poorly qualified or described investigative team, and inadequate methodological approaches contributed significantly (in that order) to a rating of disapproval. A critical flaw for phase II proposals was failure to accomplish objectives of the phase I study. Methodological issues also dominate the distinctions in both comparison groups. A clear result of the data presented here and that published previously is that SBIR applicants need continuing assistance to improve the chances of their success. These results should serve as a guide to assist NIH staff as they provide information to prospective applicants focusing on key elements of the application. A continuing review of the SBIR program would be helpful to evaluate the quality of the submitted science.

Cryo diffraction microscopy: Ice conditions and finite supports

DOE PAGES

Miao, H.; Downing, K.; Huang, X.; ...

2009-09-25

Using a signal-to-noise ratio estimation based on correlations between multiple simulated images, we compare the dose efficiency of two soft x-ray imaging systems: incoherent brightfield imaging using zone plate optics in a transmission x-ray microscope (TXM), and x-ray diffraction microscopy (XDM) where an image is reconstructed from the far-field coherent diffraction pattern. In XDM one must computationally phase weak diffraction signals; in TXM one suffers signal losses due to the finite numerical aperture and efficiency of the optics. In simulations with objects representing isolated cells such as yeast, we find that XDM has the potential for delivering equivalent resolution imagesmore » using fewer photons. This can be an important advantage for studying radiation-sensitive biological and soft matter specimens.« less

High resolution quantitative phase imaging of live cells with constrained optimization approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandiyan, Vimal Prabhu; Khare, Kedar; John, Renu

2016-03-01

Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) aims at studying weakly scattering and absorbing biological specimens with subwavelength accuracy without any external staining mechanisms. Use of a reference beam at an angle is one of the necessary criteria for recording of high resolution holograms in most of the interferometric methods used for quantitative phase imaging. The spatial separation of the dc and twin images is decided by the reference beam angle and Fourier-filtered reconstructed image will have a very poor resolution if hologram is recorded below a minimum reference angle condition. However, it is always inconvenient to have a large reference beam angle while performing high resolution microscopy of live cells and biological specimens with nanometric features. In this paper, we treat reconstruction of digital holographic microscopy images as a constrained optimization problem with smoothness constraint in order to recover only complex object field in hologram plane even with overlapping dc and twin image terms. We solve this optimization problem by gradient descent approach iteratively and the smoothness constraint is implemented by spatial averaging with appropriate size. This approach will give excellent high resolution image recovery compared to Fourier filtering while keeping a very small reference angle. We demonstrate this approach on digital holographic microscopy of live cells by recovering the quantitative phase of live cells from a hologram recorded with nearly zero reference angle.

On the room-temperature phase diagram of high pressure hydrogen: an ab initio molecular dynamics perspective and a diffusion Monte Carlo study.

PubMed

Chen, Ji; Ren, Xinguo; Li, Xin-Zheng; Alfè, Dario; Wang, Enge

2014-07-14

The finite-temperature phase diagram of hydrogen in the region of phase IV and its neighborhood was studied using the ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) and the ab initio path-integral molecular dynamics (PIMD). The electronic structures were analyzed using the density-functional theory (DFT), the random-phase approximation, and the diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) methods. Taking the state-of-the-art DMC results as benchmark, comparisons of the energy differences between structures generated from the MD and PIMD simulations, with molecular and dissociated hydrogens, respectively, in the weak molecular layers of phase IV, indicate that standard functionals in DFT tend to underestimate the dissociation barrier of the weak molecular layers in this mixed phase. Because of this underestimation, inclusion of the quantum nuclear effects (QNEs) in PIMD using electronic structures generated with these functionals leads to artificially dissociated hydrogen layers in phase IV and an error compensation between the neglect of QNEs and the deficiencies of these functionals in standard ab initio MD simulations exists. This analysis partly rationalizes why earlier ab initio MD simulations complement so well the experimental observations. The temperature and pressure dependencies for the stability of phase IV were also studied in the end and compared with earlier results.

Neurofilament light chain level is a weak risk factor for the development of MS

PubMed Central

Arrambide, Georgina; Eixarch, Herena; Villar, Luisa M.; Alvarez-Cermeño, José C.; Picón, Carmen; Kuhle, Jens; Disanto, Giulio; Kappos, Ludwig; Sastre-Garriga, Jaume; Pareto, Deborah; Simon, Eva; Comabella, Manuel; Río, Jordi; Nos, Carlos; Tur, Carmen; Castilló, Joaquín; Vidal-Jordana, Angela; Galán, Ingrid; Arévalo, Maria J.; Auger, Cristina; Rovira, Alex; Montalban, Xavier

2016-01-01

Objective: To determine the prognostic value of selected biomarkers in clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) for conversion to multiple sclerosis (MS) and disability accrual. Methods: Data were acquired from 2 CIS cohorts. The screening phase evaluated patients developing clinically definite MS (CIS-CDMS) and patients who remained as CIS during a 2-year minimum follow-up (CIS-CIS). We determined levels of neurofascin, semaphorin 3A, fetuin A, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and neurofilament light (NfL) and heavy chains in CSF (estimated mean [95% confidence interval; CI]). We evaluated associations between biomarker levels, conversion, disability, and magnetic resonance parameters. In the replication phase, we determined NfL levels (n = 155) using a 900 ng/L cutoff. Primary endpoints in uni- and multivariate analyses were CDMS and 2010 McDonald MS. Results: The only biomarker showing significant differences in the screening was NfL (CIS-CDMS 1,553.1 [1,208.7–1,897.5] ng/L and CIS-CIS 499.0 [168.8–829.2] ng/L, p < 0.0001). The strongest associations were with brain parenchymal fraction change (rs = −0.892) and percentage brain volume change (rs = −0.842) at 5 years. NfL did not correlate with disability. In the replication phase, more NfL-positive patients, according to the cutoff, evolved to MS. Every 100-ng/L increase in NfL predicted CDMS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.009, 95% CI 1.005–1.014) and McDonald MS (HR = 1.009, 95% CI 1.005–1.013), remaining significant for CDMS in the multivariate analysis (adjusted HR = 1.005, 95% CI 1.000–1.011). This risk was lower than the presence of oligoclonal bands or T2 lesions. Conclusions: NfL is a weak independent risk factor for MS. Its role as an axonal damage biomarker may be more relevant as suggested by its association with medium-term brain volume changes. PMID:27521440

Spatial Noise in Coupling Strength and Natural Frequency within a Pacemaker Network; Consequences for Development of Intestinal Motor Patterns According to a Weakly Coupled Phase Oscillator Model

PubMed Central

Parsons, Sean P.; Huizinga, Jan D.

2016-01-01

Pacemaker activities generated by networks of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), in conjunction with the enteric nervous system, orchestrate most motor patterns in the gastrointestinal tract. It was our objective to understand the role of network features of ICC associated with the myenteric plexus (ICC-MP) in the shaping of motor patterns of the small intestine. To that end, a model of weakly coupled oscillators (oscillators influence each other's phase but not amplitude) was created with most parameters derived from experimental data. The ICC network is a uniform two dimensional network coupled by gap junctions. All ICC generate pacemaker (slow wave) activity with a frequency gradient in mice from 50/min at the proximal end of the intestine to 40/min at the distal end. Key features of motor patterns, directly related to the underlying pacemaker activity, are frequency steps and dislocations. These were accurately mimicked by reduction of coupling strength at a point in the chain of oscillators. When coupling strength was expressed as a product of gap junction density and conductance, and gap junction density was varied randomly along the chain (i.e., spatial noise) with a long-tailed distribution, plateau steps occurred at pointsof low density. As gap junction conductance was decreased, the number of plateaus increased, mimicking the effect of the gap junction inhibitor carbenoxolone. When spatial noise was added to the natural interval gradient, as gap junction conductance decreased, the number of plateaus increased as before but in addition the phase waves frequently changed direction of apparent propagation, again mimicking the effect of carbenoxolone. In summary, key features of the motor patterns that are governed by pacemaker activity may be a direct consequence of biological noise, specifically spatial noise in gap junction coupling and pacemaker frequency. PMID:26869875

Near-surface Salinity and Temperature Structure Observed with Dual-Sensor Drifters in the Subtropical South Pacific

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Shenfu; Goni, Gustavo; Volkov, Denis; Lumpkin, Rick; Foltz, Gregory

2017-04-01

Three surface drifters equipped with temperature and salinity sensors at 0.2 m and 5 m depths were deployed in April/May 2015 in the subtropical South Pacific Ocean with the objective of measuring near-surface salinity differences seen by satellite and in situ sensors and examining the causes of the differences. Measurements from these drifters indicate that, on average, water at a depth of 0.2 m is about 0.013 psu fresher than at 5 m and about 0.024°C warmer. Events with large temperature and salinity differences between the two depths often occur when surface winds are weak. In addition to the expected surface freshening and cooling during rainfall events, surface salinification occurs under weak wind conditions when there is strong surface warming that enhances evaporation and upper ocean stratification. Further examination of the drifter measurements demonstrate that (i) the amount of surface freshening and vertical salinity gradient heavily depend on wind speed during rain events, (ii) salinity differences between 0.2 m and 5 m are positively correlated with the corresponding temperature differences, and (iii) temperature exhibits a diurnal cycle at both depths, whereas the diurnal cycle of salinity is observed only at 0.2 m when the wind speed is less than 4 m/s. Its phase is consistent with diurnal changes in surface temperature-induced evaporation. Below a wind speed of 6 m/s, the amplitudes of the diurnal cycles of temperature at both depths decrease with increasing wind speed. Wind speed also affects the phasing of the diurnal cycle of T5m with the time of maximum T5m increasing gradually with decreasing wind speed. Wind speed does not affect the phasing of the diurnal cycle of T0.2m. At 0.2 m and 5 m, the diurnal cycle of temperature also depends on surface solar radiation, with the amplitude and time of diurnal maximum increasing as solar radiation increases.

On the classification of weakly integral modular categories

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bruillard, Paul; Galindo, César; Ng, Siu-Hung

In this paper we classify all modular categories of dimension 4m, where m is an odd square-free integer, and all rank 6 and rank 7 weakly integral modular categories. This completes the classification of weakly integral modular categories through rank 7. In particular, our results imply that all integral modular categories of rank at most 7 are pointed (that is, every simple object has dimension 1). All the non-integral (but weakly integral) modular categories of ranks 6 and 7 have dimension 4m, with m an odd square free integer, so their classification is an application of our main result. Themore » classification of rank 7 integral modular categories is facilitated by an analysis of the two group actions on modular categories: the Galois group of the field generated by the entries of the S-matrix and the group of invertible isomorphism classes of objects. We derive some valuable arithmetic consequences from these actions.« less

Weak variations of Lipschitz graphs and stability of phase boundaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grabovsky, Yury; Kucher, Vladislav A.; Truskinovsky, Lev

2011-03-01

In the case of Lipschitz extremals of vectorial variational problems, an important class of strong variations originates from smooth deformations of the corresponding non-smooth graphs. These seemingly singular variations, which can be viewed as combinations of weak inner and outer variations, produce directions of differentiability of the functional and lead to singularity-centered necessary conditions on strong local minima: an equality, arising from stationarity, and an inequality, implying configurational stability of the singularity set. To illustrate the underlying coupling between inner and outer variations, we study in detail the case of smooth surfaces of gradient discontinuity representing, for instance, martensitic phase boundaries in non-linear elasticity.

CP Violation (4/4)

ScienceCinema

Raven, G.

2018-05-23

Existence of antimatter is a consequence of the combination of special relativity and quantum mechanics. No 'primordial' antimatter's observed, need CP violation. CP broken by the charged weak interaction. The weak and mass eigenstates of quarks are different, and this difference is described by the CKM matrix. There is a clear (and unexplained!) hierarchical structure to the CKM matrix...with 3 (or more families, one can have a complex phase(s) in the CKM matrix, and this allows for CP violation! Measurements show that CKM describes the dominant (only?) source of CP violation (at the EW scale). But it doesn't explain the matter--antimatter asymmetry of the universe.

Model of an axially strained weakly guiding optical fiber modal pattern

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Egalon, Claudio O.; Rogowski, Robert S.

1992-01-01

Axial strain can be determined by monitoring the modal pattern variation of an optical fiber. The results of a numerical model developed to calculate the modal pattern variation at the end of a weakly guiding optical fiber under axial strain is presented. Whenever an optical fiber is under stress, the optical path length, the index of refraction, and the propagation constants of each fiber mode change. In consequence, the modal phase term for the fields and the fiber output pattern are also modified. For multimode fibers, very complicated patterns result. The predicted patterns are presented, and an expression for the phase variation with strain is derived.

Electromyography of the quadriceps in patellofemoral pain with patellar subluxation.

PubMed

Mohr, Karen J; Kvitne, Ronald S; Pink, Marilyn M; Fideler, Bradley; Perry, Jacquelin

2003-10-01

This study compared muscle activity and timing of gait phases during functional activities in 13 subjects with patellofemoral pain associated with lateral subluxation and in 11 subjects with healthy knees. Fine wire electromyography recorded activity in the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis oblique during walking and ascending and descending stairs. Subjects were filmed to divide the activities into phases and determine timing. The vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis had similar patterns during all activities. Subjects with patellofemoral pain had significantly increased activity in the vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis compared with the healthy subjects during the most demanding phases of the gait cycle, suggesting a generalized quadriceps weakness in the patients with patellofemoral pain. Timing differences were seen in walking and stair ascending with the subjects with patellofemoral pain spending significantly more time in stance compared with the healthy subjects. This may be an attempt to reduce the load on weak quadriceps. These data reflect a generalized quadriceps muscle weakness, rather than the prevailing theory of quadriceps muscle imbalance as an etiology of patellofemoral pain. Therefore, we support the practice of strengthening the entire quadriceps muscle group, rather than attempting to specifically target the vastus medialis oblique.

Measurement of the CP-violating weak phase ϕs and the decay width difference ΔΓs using the Bs0 → J / ψ ϕ (1020) decay channel in pp collisions at √{ s} = 8 TeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khachatryan, V.; Sirunyan, A. M.; Tumasyan, A.; Adam, W.; Asilar, E.; Bergauer, T.; Brandstetter, J.; Brondolin, E.; Dragicevic, M.; Erö, J.; Flechl, M.; Friedl, M.; Frühwirth, R.; Ghete, V. M.; Hartl, C.; Hörmann, N.; Hrubec, J.; Jeitler, M.; Knünz, V.; König, A.; Krammer, M.; Krätschmer, I.; Liko, D.; Matsushita, T.; Mikulec, I.; Rabady, D.; Rahbaran, B.; Rohringer, H.; Schieck, J.; Schöfbeck, R.; Strauss, J.; Treberer-Treberspurg, W.; Waltenberger, W.; Wulz, C.-E.; Mossolov, V.; Shumeiko, N.; Suarez Gonzalez, J.; Alderweireldt, S.; Cornelis, T.; de Wolf, E. A.; Janssen, X.; Knutsson, A.; Lauwers, J.; Luyckx, S.; Ochesanu, S.; Rougny, R.; van de Klundert, M.; van Haevermaet, H.; van Mechelen, P.; van Remortel, N.; van Spilbeeck, A.; Abu Zeid, S.; Blekman, F.; D'Hondt, J.; Daci, N.; de Bruyn, I.; Deroover, K.; Heracleous, N.; Keaveney, J.; Lowette, S.; Moreels, L.; Olbrechts, A.; Python, Q.; Strom, D.; Tavernier, S.; van Doninck, W.; van Mulders, P.; van Onsem, G. P.; van Parijs, I.; Barria, P.; Brun, H.; Caillol, C.; Clerbaux, B.; de Lentdecker, G.; Delannoy, H.; Fasanella, G.; Favart, L.; Gay, A. P. R.; Grebenyuk, A.; Karapostoli, G.; Lenzi, T.; Léonard, A.; Maerschalk, T.; Marinov, A.; Perniè, L.; Randle-Conde, A.; Reis, T.; Seva, T.; Vander Velde, C.; Vanlaer, P.; Yonamine, R.; Zenoni, F.; Zhang, F.; Beernaert, K.; Benucci, L.; Cimmino, A.; Crucy, S.; Dobur, D.; Fagot, A.; Garcia, G.; Gul, M.; McCartin, J.; Ocampo Rios, A. A.; Poyraz, D.; Ryckbosch, D.; Salva, S.; Sigamani, M.; Strobbe, N.; Tytgat, M.; van Driessche, W.; Yazgan, E.; Zaganidis, N.; Basegmez, S.; Beluffi, C.; Bondu, O.; Brochet, S.; Bruno, G.; Castello, R.; Caudron, A.; Ceard, L.; da Silveira, G. G.; Delaere, C.; Favart, D.; Forthomme, L.; Giammanco, A.; Hollar, J.; Jafari, A.; Jez, P.; Komm, M.; Lemaitre, V.; Mertens, A.; Nuttens, C.; Perrini, L.; Pin, A.; Piotrzkowski, K.; Popov, A.; Quertenmont, L.; Selvaggi, M.; Vidal Marono, M.; Beliy, N.; Hammad, G. H.; Aldá Júnior, W. L.; Alves, G. A.; Brito, L.; Correa Martins Junior, M.; Hamer, M.; Hensel, C.; Mora Herrera, C.; Moraes, A.; Pol, M. E.; Rebello Teles, P.; Belchior Batista Das Chagas, E.; Carvalho, W.; Chinellato, J.; Custódio, A.; da Costa, E. M.; de Jesus Damiao, D.; de Oliveira Martins, C.; Fonseca de Souza, S.; Huertas Guativa, L. M.; Malbouisson, H.; Matos Figueiredo, D.; Mundim, L.; Nogima, H.; Prado da Silva, W. L.; Santoro, A.; Sznajder, A.; Tonelli Manganote, E. J.; Vilela Pereira, A.; Ahuja, S.; Bernardes, C. A.; de Souza Santos, A.; Dogra, S.; Fernandez Perez Tomei, T. R.; Gregores, E. M.; Mercadante, P. G.; Moon, C. S.; Novaes, S. F.; Padula, Sandra S.; Romero Abad, D.; Ruiz Vargas, J. C.; Aleksandrov, A.; Hadjiiska, R.; Iaydjiev, P.; Rodozov, M.; Stoykova, S.; Sultanov, G.; Vutova, M.; Dimitrov, A.; Glushkov, I.; Litov, L.; Pavlov, B.; Petkov, P.; Ahmad, M.; Bian, J. G.; Chen, G. M.; Chen, H. S.; Chen, M.; Cheng, T.; Du, R.; Jiang, C. H.; Plestina, R.; Romeo, F.; Shaheen, S. M.; Tao, J.; Wang, C.; Wang, Z.; Zhang, H.; Asawatangtrakuldee, C.; Ban, Y.; Li, Q.; Liu, S.; Mao, Y.; Qian, S. J.; Wang, D.; Xu, Z.; Zou, W.; Avila, C.; Cabrera, A.; Chaparro Sierra, L. F.; Florez, C.; Gomez, J. P.; Gomez Moreno, B.; Sanabria, J. C.; Godinovic, N.; Lelas, D.; Puljak, I.; Ribeiro Cipriano, P. M.; Antunovic, Z.; Kovac, M.; Brigljevic, V.; Kadija, K.; Luetic, J.; Micanovic, S.; Sudic, L.; Attikis, A.; Mavromanolakis, G.; Mousa, J.; Nicolaou, C.; Ptochos, F.; Razis, P. 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M.; Lanza, G.; Lista, L.; Meola, S.; Merola, M.; Paolucci, P.; Sciacca, C.; Thyssen, F.; Azzi, P.; Bacchetta, N.; Benato, L.; Bisello, D.; Boletti, A.; Carlin, R.; Checchia, P.; Dall'Osso, M.; Dorigo, T.; Gasparini, F.; Gasparini, U.; Gonella, F.; Gozzelino, A.; Kanishchev, K.; Lacaprara, S.; Margoni, M.; Maron, G.; Meneguzzo, A. T.; Michelotto, M.; Pazzini, J.; Pozzobon, N.; Ronchese, P.; Simonetto, F.; Torassa, E.; Tosi, M.; Zanetti, M.; Zotto, P.; Zucchetta, A.; Zumerle, G.; Braghieri, A.; Magnani, A.; Montagna, P.; Ratti, S. P.; Re, V.; Riccardi, C.; Salvini, P.; Vai, I.; Vitulo, P.; Alunni Solestizi, L.; Biasini, M.; Bilei, G. M.; Ciangottini, D.; Fanò, L.; Lariccia, P.; Mantovani, G.; Menichelli, M.; Saha, A.; Santocchia, A.; Spiezia, A.; Androsov, K.; Azzurri, P.; Bagliesi, G.; Bernardini, J.; Boccali, T.; Broccolo, G.; Castaldi, R.; Ciocci, M. A.; Dell'Orso, R.; Donato, S.; Fedi, G.; Foà, L.; Giassi, A.; Grippo, M. 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V.; Neugebauer, H.; Orfanelli, S.; Orsini, L.; Pape, L.; Perez, E.; Peruzzi, M.; Petrilli, A.; Petrucciani, G.; Pfeiffer, A.; Piparo, D.; Racz, A.; Rolandi, G.; Rovere, M.; Ruan, M.; Sakulin, H.; Schäfer, C.; Schwick, C.; Sharma, A.; Silva, P.; Simon, M.; Sphicas, P.; Spiga, D.; Steggemann, J.; Stieger, B.; Stoye, M.; Takahashi, Y.; Treille, D.; Triossi, A.; Tsirou, A.; Veres, G. I.; Wardle, N.; Wöhri, H. K.; Zagozdzinska, A.; Zeuner, W. D.; Bertl, W.; Deiters, K.; Erdmann, W.; Horisberger, R.; Ingram, Q.; Kaestli, H. C.; Kotlinski, D.; Langenegger, U.; Renker, D.; Rohe, T.; Bachmair, F.; Bäni, L.; Bianchini, L.; Buchmann, M. A.; Casal, B.; Dissertori, G.; Dittmar, M.; Donegà, M.; Eller, P.; Grab, C.; Heidegger, C.; Hits, D.; Hoss, J.; Kasieczka, G.; Lustermann, W.; Mangano, B.; Marionneau, M.; Martinez Ruiz Del Arbol, P.; Masciovecchio, M.; Meister, D.; Micheli, F.; Musella, P.; Nessi-Tedaldi, F.; Pandolfi, F.; Pata, J.; Pauss, F.; Perrozzi, L.; Quittnat, M.; Rossini, M.; Starodumov, A.; Takahashi, M.; Tavolaro, V. R.; Theofilatos, K.; Wallny, R.; Aarrestad, T. K.; Amsler, C.; Caminada, L.; Canelli, M. F.; Chiochia, V.; de Cosa, A.; Galloni, C.; Hinzmann, A.; Hreus, T.; Kilminster, B.; Lange, C.; Ngadiuba, J.; Pinna, D.; Robmann, P.; Ronga, F. J.; Salerno, D.; Yang, Y.; Cardaci, M.; Chen, K. H.; Doan, T. H.; Jain, Sh.; Khurana, R.; Konyushikhin, M.; Kuo, C. M.; Lin, W.; Lu, Y. J.; Yu, S. S.; Kumar, Arun; Bartek, R.; Chang, P.; Chang, Y. H.; Chang, Y. W.; Chao, Y.; Chen, K. F.; Chen, P. H.; Dietz, C.; Fiori, F.; Grundler, U.; Hou, W.-S.; Hsiung, Y.; Liu, Y. F.; Lu, R.-S.; Miñano Moya, M.; Petrakou, E.; Tsai, J. F.; Tzeng, Y. M.; Asavapibhop, B.; Kovitanggoon, K.; Singh, G.; Srimanobhas, N.; Suwonjandee, N.; Adiguzel, A.; Cerci, S.; Demiroglu, Z. S.; Dozen, C.; Girgis, S.; Gokbulut, G.; Guler, Y.; Gurpinar, E.; Hos, I.; Kangal, E. E.; Kayis Topaksu, A.; Onengut, G.; Ozdemir, K.; Ozturk, S.; Tali, B.; Topakli, H.; Vergili, M.; Zorbilmez, C.; Akin, I. V.; Bilin, B.; Bilmis, S.; Isildak, B.; Karapinar, G.; Yalvac, M.; Zeyrek, M.; Albayrak, E. A.; Gülmez, E.; Kaya, M.; Kaya, O.; Yetkin, T.; Cankocak, K.; Sen, S.; Vardarlı, F. I.; Grynyov, B.; Levchuk, L.; Sorokin, P.; Aggleton, R.; Ball, F.; Beck, L.; Brooke, J. J.; Clement, E.; Cussans, D.; Flacher, H.; Goldstein, J.; Grimes, M.; Heath, G. P.; Heath, H. F.; Jacob, J.; Kreczko, L.; Lucas, C.; Meng, Z.; Newbold, D. M.; Paramesvaran, S.; Poll, A.; Sakuma, T.; Seif El Nasr-Storey, S.; Senkin, S.; Smith, D.; Smith, V. J.; Barducci, D.; Bell, K. W.; Belyaev, A.; Brew, C.; Brown, R. M.; Cieri, D.; Cockerill, D. J. A.; Coughlan, J. A.; Harder, K.; Harper, S.; Olaiya, E.; Petyt, D.; Shepherd-Themistocleous, C. H.; Thea, A.; Thomas, L.; Tomalin, I. R.; Williams, T.; Womersley, W. J.; Worm, S. D.; Baber, M.; Bainbridge, R.; Buchmuller, O.; Bundock, A.; Burton, D.; Casasso, S.; Citron, M.; Colling, D.; Corpe, L.; Cripps, N.; Dauncey, P.; Davies, G.; de Wit, A.; Della Negra, M.; Dunne, P.; Elwood, A.; Ferguson, W.; Fulcher, J.; Futyan, D.; Hall, G.; Iles, G.; Kenzie, M.; Lane, R.; Lucas, R.; Lyons, L.; Magnan, A.-M.; Malik, S.; Nash, J.; Nikitenko, A.; Pela, J.; Pesaresi, M.; Petridis, K.; Raymond, D. M.; Richards, A.; Rose, A.; Seez, C.; Tapper, A.; Uchida, K.; Vazquez Acosta, M.; Virdee, T.; Zenz, S. C.; Cole, J. E.; Hobson, P. R.; Khan, A.; Kyberd, P.; Leggat, D.; Leslie, D.; Reid, I. D.; Symonds, P.; Teodorescu, L.; Turner, M.; Borzou, A.; Call, K.; Dittmann, J.; Hatakeyama, K.; Kasmi, A.; Liu, H.; Pastika, N.; Charaf, O.; Cooper, S. I.; Henderson, C.; Rumerio, P.; Avetisyan, A.; Bose, T.; Fantasia, C.; Gastler, D.; Lawson, P.; Rankin, D.; Richardson, C.; Rohlf, J.; St. John, J.; Sulak, L.; Zou, D.; Alimena, J.; Berry, E.; Bhattacharya, S.; Cutts, D.; Dhingra, N.; Ferapontov, A.; Garabedian, A.; Hakala, J.; Heintz, U.; Laird, E.; Landsberg, G.; Mao, Z.; Narain, M.; Piperov, S.; Sagir, S.; Sinthuprasith, T.; Syarif, R.; Breedon, R.; Breto, G.; Calderon de La Barca Sanchez, M.; Chauhan, S.; Chertok, M.; Conway, J.; Conway, R.; Cox, P. T.; Erbacher, R.; Gardner, M.; Ko, W.; Lander, R.; Mulhearn, M.; Pellett, D.; Pilot, J.; Ricci-Tam, F.; Shalhout, S.; Smith, J.; Squires, M.; Stolp, D.; Tripathi, M.; Wilbur, S.; Yohay, R.; Cousins, R.; Everaerts, P.; Farrell, C.; Hauser, J.; Ignatenko, M.; Saltzberg, D.; Takasugi, E.; Valuev, V.; Weber, M.; Burt, K.; Clare, R.; Ellison, J.; Gary, J. W.; Hanson, G.; Heilman, J.; Ivova Paneva, M.; Jandir, P.; Kennedy, E.; Lacroix, F.; Long, O. R.; Luthra, A.; Malberti, M.; Olmedo Negrete, M.; Shrinivas, A.; Wei, H.; Wimpenny, S.; Yates, B. R.; Branson, J. G.; Cerati, G. B.; Cittolin, S.; D'Agnolo, R. T.; Holzner, A.; Kelley, R.; Klein, D.; Letts, J.; MacNeill, I.; Olivito, D.; Padhi, S.; Pieri, M.; Sani, M.; Sharma, V.; Simon, S.; Tadel, M.; Vartak, A.; Wasserbaech, S.; Welke, C.; Würthwein, F.; Yagil, A.; Zevi Della Porta, G.; Barge, D.; Bradmiller-Feld, J.; Campagnari, C.; Dishaw, A.; Dutta, V.; Flowers, K.; Franco Sevilla, M.; Geffert, P.; George, C.; Golf, F.; Gouskos, L.; Gran, J.; Incandela, J.; Justus, C.; McColl, N.; Mullin, S. D.; Richman, J.; Stuart, D.; Suarez, I.; To, W.; West, C.; Yoo, J.; Anderson, D.; Apresyan, A.; Bornheim, A.; Bunn, J.; Chen, Y.; Duarte, J.; Mott, A.; Newman, H. B.; Pena, C.; Pierini, M.; Spiropulu, M.; Vlimant, J. R.; Xie, S.; Zhu, R. Y.; Andrews, M. B.; Azzolini, V.; Calamba, A.; Carlson, B.; Ferguson, T.; Paulini, M.; Russ, J.; Sun, M.; Vogel, H.; Vorobiev, I.; Cumalat, J. P.; Ford, W. T.; Gaz, A.; Jensen, F.; Johnson, A.; Krohn, M.; Mulholland, T.; Nauenberg, U.; Stenson, K.; Wagner, S. R.; Alexander, J.; Chatterjee, A.; Chaves, J.; Chu, J.; Dittmer, S.; Eggert, N.; Mirman, N.; Nicolas Kaufman, G.; Patterson, J. R.; Rinkevicius, A.; Ryd, A.; Skinnari, L.; Soffi, L.; Sun, W.; Tan, S. M.; Teo, W. D.; Thom, J.; Thompson, J.; Tucker, J.; Weng, Y.; Wittich, P.; Abdullin, S.; Albrow, M.; Anderson, J.; Apollinari, G.; Bauerdick, L. A. T.; Beretvas, A.; Berryhill, J.; Bhat, P. C.; Bolla, G.; Burkett, K.; Butler, J. N.; Cheung, H. W. K.; Chlebana, F.; Cihangir, S.; Elvira, V. D.; Fisk, I.; Freeman, J.; Gottschalk, E.; Gray, L.; Green, D.; Grünendahl, S.; Gutsche, O.; Hanlon, J.; Hare, D.; Harris, R. M.; Hirschauer, J.; Hu, Z.; Jindariani, S.; Johnson, M.; Joshi, U.; Jung, A. W.; Klima, B.; Kreis, B.; Kwan, S.; Lammel, S.; Linacre, J.; Lincoln, D.; Lipton, R.; Liu, T.; Lopes de Sá, R.; Lykken, J.; Maeshima, K.; Marraffino, J. M.; Martinez Outschoorn, V. I.; Maruyama, S.; Mason, D.; McBride, P.; Merkel, P.; Mishra, K.; Mrenna, S.; Nahn, S.; Newman-Holmes, C.; O'Dell, V.; Pedro, K.; Prokofyev, O.; Rakness, G.; Sexton-Kennedy, E.; Soha, A.; Spalding, W. J.; Spiegel, L.; Taylor, L.; Tkaczyk, S.; Tran, N. V.; Uplegger, L.; Vaandering, E. W.; Vernieri, C.; Verzocchi, M.; Vidal, R.; Weber, H. A.; Whitbeck, A.; Yang, F.; Acosta, D.; Avery, P.; Bortignon, P.; Bourilkov, D.; Carnes, A.; Carver, M.; Curry, D.; Das, S.; di Giovanni, G. P.; Field, R. D.; Furic, I. K.; Hugon, J.; Konigsberg, J.; Korytov, A.; Low, J. F.; Ma, P.; Matchev, K.; Mei, H.; Milenovic, P.; Mitselmakher, G.; Rank, D.; Rossin, R.; Shchutska, L.; Snowball, M.; Sperka, D.; Terentyev, N.; Wang, J.; Wang, S.; Yelton, J.; Hewamanage, S.; Linn, S.; Markowitz, P.; Martinez, G.; Rodriguez, J. L.; Ackert, A.; Adams, J. R.; Adams, T.; Askew, A.; Bochenek, J.; Diamond, B.; Haas, J.; Hagopian, S.; Hagopian, V.; Johnson, K. F.; Khatiwada, A.; Prosper, H.; Veeraraghavan, V.; Weinberg, M.; Baarmand, M. M.; Bhopatkar, V.; Hohlmann, M.; Kalakhety, H.; Noonan, D.; Roy, T.; Yumiceva, F.; Adams, M. R.; Apanasevich, L.; Berry, D.; Betts, R. R.; Bucinskaite, I.; Cavanaugh, R.; Evdokimov, O.; Gauthier, L.; Gerber, C. E.; Hofman, D. J.; Kurt, P.; O'Brien, C.; Sandoval Gonzalez, I. D.; Silkworth, C.; Turner, P.; Varelas, N.; Wu, Z.; Zakaria, M.; Bilki, B.; Clarida, W.; Dilsiz, K.; Durgut, S.; Gandrajula, R. P.; Haytmyradov, M.; Khristenko, V.; Merlo, J.-P.; Mermerkaya, H.; Mestvirishvili, A.; Moeller, A.; Nachtman, J.; Ogul, H.; Onel, Y.; Ozok, F.; Penzo, A.; Snyder, C.; Tan, P.; Tiras, E.; Wetzel, J.; Yi, K.; Anderson, I.; Barnett, B. A.; Blumenfeld, B.; Fehling, D.; Feng, L.; Gritsan, A. V.; Maksimovic, P.; Martin, C.; Osherson, M.; Swartz, M.; Xiao, M.; Xin, Y.; You, C.; Baringer, P.; Bean, A.; Benelli, G.; Bruner, C.; Kenny, R. P., III; Majumder, D.; Malek, M.; Murray, M.; Sanders, S.; Stringer, R.; Wang, Q.; Ivanov, A.; Kaadze, K.; Khalil, S.; Makouski, M.; Maravin, Y.; Mohammadi, A.; Saini, L. K.; Skhirtladze, N.; Toda, S.; Lange, D.; Rebassoo, F.; Wright, D.; Anelli, C.; Baden, A.; Baron, O.; Belloni, A.; Calvert, B.; Eno, S. C.; Ferraioli, C.; Gomez, J. A.; Hadley, N. J.; Jabeen, S.; Kellogg, R. G.; Kolberg, T.; Kunkle, J.; Lu, Y.; Mignerey, A. C.; Shin, Y. H.; Skuja, A.; Tonjes, M. B.; Tonwar, S. C.; Apyan, A.; Barbieri, R.; Baty, A.; Bierwagen, K.; Brandt, S.; Busza, W.; Cali, I. A.; Demiragli, Z.; Di Matteo, L.; Gomez Ceballos, G.; Goncharov, M.; Gulhan, D.; Iiyama, Y.; Innocenti, G. M.; Klute, M.; Kovalskyi, D.; Lai, Y. S.; Lee, Y.-J.; Levin, A.; Luckey, P. D.; Marini, A. C.; McGinn, C.; Mironov, C.; Niu, X.; Paus, C.; Ralph, D.; Roland, C.; Roland, G.; Salfeld-Nebgen, J.; Stephans, G. S. F.; Sumorok, K.; Varma, M.; Velicanu, D.; Veverka, J.; Wang, J.; Wang, T. W.; Wyslouch, B.; Yang, M.; Zhukova, V.; Dahmes, B.; Finkel, A.; Gude, A.; Hansen, P.; Kalafut, S.; Kao, S. C.; Klapoetke, K.; Kubota, Y.; Lesko, Z.; Mans, J.; Nourbakhsh, S.; Ruckstuhl, N.; Rusack, R.; Tambe, N.; Turkewitz, J.; Acosta, J. G.; Oliveros, S.; Avdeeva, E.; Bloom, K.; Bose, S.; Claes, D. R.; Dominguez, A.; Fangmeier, C.; Gonzalez Suarez, R.; Kamalieddin, R.; Keller, J.; Knowlton, D.; Kravchenko, I.; Lazo-Flores, J.; Meier, F.; Monroy, J.; Ratnikov, F.; Siado, J. E.; Snow, G. R.; Alyari, M.; Dolen, J.; George, J.; Godshalk, A.; Harrington, C.; Iashvili, I.; Kaisen, J.; Kharchilava, A.; Kumar, A.; Rappoccio, S.; Alverson, G.; Barberis, E.; Baumgartel, D.; Chasco, M.; Hortiangtham, A.; Massironi, A.; Morse, D. M.; Nash, D.; Orimoto, T.; Teixeira de Lima, R.; Trocino, D.; Wang, R.-J.; Wood, D.; Zhang, J.; Hahn, K. A.; Kubik, A.; Mucia, N.; Odell, N.; Pollack, B.; Pozdnyakov, A.; Schmitt, M.; Stoynev, S.; Sung, K.; Trovato, M.; Velasco, M.; Brinkerhoff, A.; Dev, N.; Hildreth, M.; Jessop, C.; Karmgard, D. J.; Kellams, N.; Lannon, K.; Lynch, S.; Marinelli, N.; Meng, F.; Mueller, C.; Musienko, Y.; Pearson, T.; Planer, M.; Reinsvold, A.; Ruchti, R.; Smith, G.; Taroni, S.; Valls, N.; Wayne, M.; Wolf, M.; Woodard, A.; Antonelli, L.; Brinson, J.; Bylsma, B.; Durkin, L. S.; Flowers, S.; Hart, A.; Hill, C.; Hughes, R.; Ji, W.; Kotov, K.; Ling, T. Y.; Liu, B.; Luo, W.; Puigh, D.; Rodenburg, M.; Winer, B. L.; Wulsin, H. W.; Driga, O.; Elmer, P.; Hardenbrook, J.; Hebda, P.; Koay, S. A.; Lujan, P.; Marlow, D.; Medvedeva, T.; Mooney, M.; Olsen, J.; Palmer, C.; Piroué, P.; Quan, X.; Saka, H.; Stickland, D.; Tully, C.; Werner, J. S.; Zuranski, A.; Malik, S.; Barnes, V. E.; Benedetti, D.; Bortoletto, D.; Gutay, L.; Jha, M. K.; Jones, M.; Jung, K.; Kress, M.; Miller, D. H.; Neumeister, N.; Radburn-Smith, B. C.; Shi, X.; Shipsey, I.; Silvers, D.; Sun, J.; Svyatkovskiy, A.; Wang, F.; Xie, W.; Xu, L.; Parashar, N.; Stupak, J.; Adair, A.; Akgun, B.; Chen, Z.; Ecklund, K. M.; Geurts, F. J. M.; Guilbaud, M.; Li, W.; Michlin, B.; Northup, M.; Padley, B. P.; Redjimi, R.; Roberts, J.; Rorie, J.; Tu, Z.; Zabel, J.; Betchart, B.; Bodek, A.; de Barbaro, P.; Demina, R.; Eshaq, Y.; Ferbel, T.; Galanti, M.; Garcia-Bellido, A.; Han, J.; Harel, A.; Hindrichs, O.; Khukhunaishvili, A.; Petrillo, G.; Verzetti, M.; Demortier, L.; Arora, S.; Barker, A.; Chou, J. P.; Contreras-Campana, C.; Contreras-Campana, E.; Duggan, D.; Ferencek, D.; Gershtein, Y.; Gray, R.; Halkiadakis, E.; Hidas, D.; Hughes, E.; Kaplan, S.; Kunnawalkam Elayavalli, R.; Lath, A.; Nash, K.; Panwalkar, S.; Park, M.; Salur, S.; Schnetzer, S.; Sheffield, D.; Somalwar, S.; Stone, R.; Thomas, S.; Thomassen, P.; Walker, M.; Foerster, M.; Riley, G.; Rose, K.; Spanier, S.; York, A.; Bouhali, O.; Castaneda Hernandez, A.; Dalchenko, M.; de Mattia, M.; Delgado, A.; Dildick, S.; Eusebi, R.; Flanagan, W.; Gilmore, J.; Kamon, T.; Krutelyov, V.; Mueller, R.; Osipenkov, I.; Pakhotin, Y.; Patel, R.; Perloff, A.; Rose, A.; Safonov, A.; Tatarinov, A.; Ulmer, K. A.; Akchurin, N.; Cowden, C.; Damgov, J.; Dragoiu, C.; Dudero, P. R.; Faulkner, J.; Kunori, S.; Lamichhane, K.; Lee, S. W.; Libeiro, T.; Undleeb, S.; Volobouev, I.; Appelt, E.; Delannoy, A. G.; Greene, S.; Gurrola, A.; Janjam, R.; Johns, W.; Maguire, C.; Mao, Y.; Melo, A.; Ni, H.; Sheldon, P.; Snook, B.; Tuo, S.; Velkovska, J.; Xu, Q.; Arenton, M. W.; Boutle, S.; Cox, B.; Francis, B.; Goodell, J.; Hirosky, R.; Ledovskoy, A.; Li, H.; Lin, C.; Neu, C.; Wolfe, E.; Wood, J.; Xia, F.; Clarke, C.; Harr, R.; Karchin, P. E.; Kottachchi Kankanamge Don, C.; Lamichhane, P.; Sturdy, J.; Belknap, D. A.; Carlsmith, D.; Cepeda, M.; Christian, A.; Dasu, S.; Dodd, L.; Duric, S.; Friis, E.; Gomber, B.; Hall-Wilton, R.; Herndon, M.; Hervé, A.; Klabbers, P.; Lanaro, A.; Levine, A.; Long, K.; Loveless, R.; Mohapatra, A.; Ojalvo, I.; Perry, T.; Pierro, G. A.; Polese, G.; Ross, I.; Ruggles, T.; Sarangi, T.; Savin, A.; Sharma, A.; Smith, N.; Smith, W. H.; Taylor, D.; Woods, N.

2016-06-01

The CP-violating weak phase ϕs of the Bs0 meson and the decay width difference ΔΓs of the Bs0 light and heavy mass eigenstates are measured with the CMS detector at the LHC using a data sample of Bs0 → J / ψ ϕ (1020) →μ+μ-K+K- decays. The analysed data set corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 19.7fb-1 collected in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8TeV. A total of 49 200 reconstructed Bs0 decays are used to extract the values of ϕs and ΔΓs by performing a time-dependent and flavour-tagged angular analysis of the μ+μ-K+K- final state. The weak phase is measured to be ϕs = - 0.075 ± 0.097 (stat) ± 0.031 (syst) rad, and the decay width difference is ΔΓs = 0.095 ± 0.013 (stat) ± 0.007 (syst) ps-1.

Circular Regression in a Dual-Phase Lock-In Amplifier for Coherent Detection of Weak Signal

PubMed Central

Wang, Gaoxuan; Reboul, Serge; Fertein, Eric

2017-01-01

Lock-in amplification (LIA) is an effective approach for recovery of weak signal buried in noise. Determination of the input signal amplitude in a classical dual-phase LIA is based on incoherent detection which leads to a biased estimation at low signal-to-noise ratio. This article presents, for the first time to our knowledge, a new architecture of LIA involving phase estimation with a linear-circular regression for coherent detection. The proposed phase delay estimate, between the input signal and a reference, is defined as the maximum-likelihood of a set of observations distributed according to a von Mises distribution. In our implementation this maximum is obtained with a Newton Raphson algorithm. We show that the proposed LIA architecture provides an unbiased estimate of the input signal amplitude. Theoretical simulations with synthetic data demonstrate that the classical LIA estimates are biased for SNR of the input signal lower than −20 dB, while the proposed LIA is able to accurately recover the weak signal amplitude. The novel approach is applied to an optical sensor for accurate measurement of NO2 concentrations at the sub-ppbv level in the atmosphere. Side-by-side intercomparison measurements with a commercial LIA (SR830, Stanford Research Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA ) demonstrate that the proposed LIA has an identical performance in terms of measurement accuracy and precision but with simplified hardware architecture. PMID:29135951

Polar-antipolar transition and weak ferromagnetism in Mn-doped Bi0.86La0.14FeO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khomchenko, V. A.; Karpinsky, D. V.; Troyanchuk, I. O.; Sikolenko, V. V.; Többens, D. M.; Ivanov, M. S.; Silibin, M. V.; Rai, R.; Paixão, J. A.

2018-04-01

Having been considered as a prime example of a room-temperature magnetoelectric multiferroic, BiFeO3 continues to attract much interest. Since functional properties of this material can be effectively influenced by chemical, electrical, magnetic, mechanical and thermal stimuli, it can serve as a model for the investigation of cross-coupling phenomena in solids. Special attention is currently paid to the study of chemical pressure-driven magneto-structural transformations. In this paper, we report on the effect of the Mn doping on the crystal structure and magnetic behavior of the Bi1‑x La x FeO3 multiferroics near their polar-antipolar (antiferromagnetic-weak ferromagnetic) phase boundary. Synchrotron x-ray and neutron powder diffraction measurements of the Bi0.86La0.14Fe1‑x Mn x O3 (x  =  0.05, 0.1, 0.15) compounds have been performed. The diffraction data suggest that the Mn substitution results in the suppression of the ferroelectric polarization and gives rise to the appearance of the antiferroelectric (generally, PbZrO3-related) phase characteristic of the phase diagrams of the Bi1‑x RE x FeO3 (RE  =  rare-earth) systems. Depending on the Mn concentration (determining phase composition of the Bi0.86La0.14Fe1‑x Mn x O3 samples at room temperature), either complete or partial revival of the polar phase can be observed with increasing temperature. Magnetic measurements of the samples indicate that the Mn doping affects the stability of the cycloidal antiferromagnetic order specific to the polar phase, thus resulting in the formation of a ferroelectric and weak ferromagnetic state.

Weber's gravitational force as static weak field approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiandho, Yuant

2016-02-01

Weber's gravitational force (WGF) is one of gravitational model that can accommodate a non-static system because it depends not only on the distance but also on the velocity and the acceleration. Unlike Newton's law of gravitation, WGF can predict the anomalous of Mercury and gravitational bending of light near massive object very well. Then, some researchers use WGF as an alternative model of gravitation and propose a new mechanics theory namely the relational mechanics theory. However, currently we have known that the theory of general relativity which proposed by Einstein can explain gravity with very accurate. Through the static weak field approximation for the non-relativistic object, we also have known that the theory of general relativity will reduce to Newton's law of gravity. In this work, we expand the static weak field approximation that compatible with relativistic object and we obtain a force equation which correspond to WGF. Therefore, WGF is more precise than Newton's gravitational law. The static-weak gravitational field that we used is a solution of the Einstein's equation in the vacuum that satisfy the linear field approximation. The expression of WGF with ξ = 1 and satisfy the requirement of energy conservation are obtained after resolving the geodesic equation. By this result, we can conclude that WGF can be derived from the general relativity.

Simulation Tool for Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuators at Atmospheric and Sub-Atmospheric Pressures: SBIR Phase I Final Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Likhanskii, Alexandre

2012-01-01

This report is the final report of a SBIR Phase I project. It is identical to the final report submitted, after some proprietary information of administrative nature has been removed. The development of a numerical simulation tool for dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuator is reported. The objectives of the project were to analyze and predict DBD operation at wide range of ambient gas pressures. It overcomes the limitations of traditional DBD codes which are limited to low-speed applications and have weak prediction capabilities. The software tool allows DBD actuator analysis and prediction for subsonic to hypersonic flow regime. The simulation tool is based on the VORPAL code developed by Tech-X Corporation. VORPAL's capability of modeling DBD plasma actuator at low pressures (0.1 to 10 torr) using kinetic plasma modeling approach, and at moderate to atmospheric pressures (1 to 10 atm) using hydrodynamic plasma modeling approach, were demonstrated. In addition, results of experiments with pulsed+bias DBD configuration that were performed for validation purposes are reported.

Power system requirements and concepts for a commercially viable lunar base architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lenard, Roger X.; Binder, Alan B.

1999-01-01

Historically, space exploration has been the province of governments and major agencies within those governmental entities. Recent advances in the state-of-the-art in many subsystem technology areas and the revealed inadequacies of governments to singlehandedly underwrite major exploration ventures present the potential to expand the venue of space exploration to the commercial sector. Further, major international projects such as the International Space Station have revealed weaknesses in both international financing and management of such projects. Cost overruns are the rule and significant schedule slips and/or failures to deliver have resulted in an enormously costly and delayed program. The exorbitant costs have stymied exploration ventures beyond Earth orbit. There are many potential advantages to a commercial operation including cost, schedule and a distinct customer orientation to services. The objective of this paper is to describe the first phase of a phased strawman commercial lunar base concept which operates as a user facility for governmental entities, corporations and companies. The paper will discuss the power system options and conditions under which such a base can be made to become profitable.

Performance Analysis of Continuous Black-Box Optimization Algorithms via Footprints in Instance Space.

PubMed

Muñoz, Mario A; Smith-Miles, Kate A

2017-01-01

This article presents a method for the objective assessment of an algorithm's strengths and weaknesses. Instead of examining the performance of only one or more algorithms on a benchmark set, or generating custom problems that maximize the performance difference between two algorithms, our method quantifies both the nature of the test instances and the algorithm performance. Our aim is to gather information about possible phase transitions in performance, that is, the points in which a small change in problem structure produces algorithm failure. The method is based on the accurate estimation and characterization of the algorithm footprints, that is, the regions of instance space in which good or exceptional performance is expected from an algorithm. A footprint can be estimated for each algorithm and for the overall portfolio. Therefore, we select a set of features to generate a common instance space, which we validate by constructing a sufficiently accurate prediction model. We characterize the footprints by their area and density. Our method identifies complementary performance between algorithms, quantifies the common features of hard problems, and locates regions where a phase transition may lie.

Coexistence of Weak Ferromagnetism and Ferroelectricity in the High Pressure LiNbO3-Type Phase of FeTiO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varga, T.; Kumar, A.; Vlahos, E.; Denev, S.; Park, M.; Hong, S.; Sanehira, T.; Wang, Y.; Fennie, C. J.; Streiffer, S. K.; Ke, X.; Schiffer, P.; Gopalan, V.; Mitchell, J. F.

2009-07-01

We report the magnetic and electrical characteristics of polycrystalline FeTiO3 synthesized at high pressure that is isostructural with acentric LiNbO3 (LBO). Piezoresponse force microscopy, optical second harmonic generation, and magnetometry demonstrate ferroelectricity at and below room temperature and weak ferromagnetism below ˜120K. These results validate symmetry-based criteria and first-principles calculations of the coexistence of ferroelectricity and weak ferromagnetism in a series of transition metal titanates crystallizing in the LBO structure.

Coexistence of weak ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity in the high pressure LiNbO3-type phase of FeTiO3.

PubMed

Varga, T; Kumar, A; Vlahos, E; Denev, S; Park, M; Hong, S; Sanehira, T; Wang, Y; Fennie, C J; Streiffer, S K; Ke, X; Schiffer, P; Gopalan, V; Mitchell, J F

2009-07-24

We report the magnetic and electrical characteristics of polycrystalline FeTiO_{3} synthesized at high pressure that is isostructural with acentric LiNbO_{3} (LBO). Piezoresponse force microscopy, optical second harmonic generation, and magnetometry demonstrate ferroelectricity at and below room temperature and weak ferromagnetism below approximately 120 K. These results validate symmetry-based criteria and first-principles calculations of the coexistence of ferroelectricity and weak ferromagnetism in a series of transition metal titanates crystallizing in the LBO structure.

Magnetic field tuning of an excitonic insulator between the weak and strong coupling regimes in quantum limit graphite [Tunable excitonic insulator in quantum limit graphite

DOE PAGES

Zhu, Zengwei; McDonald, R. D.; Shekhter, A.; ...

2017-05-04

Here, the excitonic insulator phase has long been predicted to form in proximity to a band gap opening in the underlying band structure. The character of the pairing is conjectured to crossover from weak (BCS-like) to strong coupling (BEC-like) as the underlying band structure is tuned from the metallic to the insulating side of the gap opening. Here we report the high-magnetic field phase diagram of graphite to exhibit just such a crossover. By way of comprehensive angle-resolved magnetoresistance measurements, we demonstrate that the underlying band gap opening occurs inside the magnetic field-induced phase, paving the way for a systematicmore » study of the BCS-BEC-like crossover by means of conventional condensed matter probes.« less

Magnetic field tuning of an excitonic insulator between the weak and strong coupling regimes in quantum limit graphite [Tunable excitonic insulator in quantum limit graphite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhu, Zengwei; McDonald, R. D.; Shekhter, A.

Here, the excitonic insulator phase has long been predicted to form in proximity to a band gap opening in the underlying band structure. The character of the pairing is conjectured to crossover from weak (BCS-like) to strong coupling (BEC-like) as the underlying band structure is tuned from the metallic to the insulating side of the gap opening. Here we report the high-magnetic field phase diagram of graphite to exhibit just such a crossover. By way of comprehensive angle-resolved magnetoresistance measurements, we demonstrate that the underlying band gap opening occurs inside the magnetic field-induced phase, paving the way for a systematicmore » study of the BCS-BEC-like crossover by means of conventional condensed matter probes.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feng, Hao; Ashkar, Rana; Steinke, Nina

A method dubbed grating-based holography was recently used to determine the structure of colloidal fluids in the rectangular grooves of a diffraction grating from X-ray scattering measurements. Similar grating-based measurements have also been recently made with neutrons using a technique called spin-echo small-angle neutron scattering. The analysis of the X-ray diffraction data was done using an approximation that treats the X-ray phase change caused by the colloidal structure as a small perturbation to the overall phase pattern generated by the grating. In this paper, the adequacy of this weak phase approximation is explored for both X-ray and neutron grating holography.more » Additionally, it is found that there are several approximations hidden within the weak phase approximation that can lead to incorrect conclusions from experiments. In particular, the phase contrast for the empty grating is a critical parameter. Finally, while the approximation is found to be perfectly adequate for X-ray grating holography experiments performed to date, it cannot be applied to similar neutron experiments because the latter technique requires much deeper grating channels.« less

Superfluid H3e in globally isotropic random media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikeda, Ryusuke; Aoyama, Kazushi

2009-02-01

Recent theoretical and experimental studies of superfluid H3e in aerogels with a global anisotropy created, e.g., by an external stress have definitely shown that the A -like phase with an equal-spin pairing in such aerogel samples is in the Anderson-Brinkman-Morel (ABM) (or axial) pairing state. In this paper, the A -like phase of superfluid H3e in globally isotropic aerogel is studied in detail by assuming a weakly disordered system in which singular topological defects are absent. Through calculation of the free energy, a disordered ABM state is found to be the best candidate of the pairing state of the globally isotropic A -like phase. Further, it is found through a one-loop renormalization-group calculation that the coreless continuous vortices (or vortex-Skyrmions) are irrelevant to the long-distance behavior of disorder-induced textures, and that the superfluidity is maintained in spite of lack of the conventional superfluid long-range order. Therefore, the globally isotropic A -like phase at weak disorder is, like in the case with a globally stretched anisotropy, a glass phase with the ABM pairing and shows superfluidity.

Scattered light and accuracy of the cross-section measurements of weak absorptions: Gas and liquid phase UV absorption cross sections of CH3CFCl2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fahr, A.; Braun, W.; Kurylo, M. J.

1993-01-01

Ultraviolet absorption cross sections of CH3CFCl2(HCFC-141b) were determined in the gas phase (190-260 nm) and liquid phase (230-260 mm) at 298 K. The liquid phase absorption cross sections were then converted into accurate gas phase values using a previously described procedure. It has been demonstrated that scattered light from the shorter-wavelength region (as little as several parts per thousand) can seriously compromise the absorption cross-section measurement, particularly at longer wavelengths where cross sections are low, and can be a source of discrepancies in the cross sections of weakly absorbing halocarbons reported in the literature. A modeling procedure was developed to assess the effect of scattered light on the measured absorption cross section in our experiments, thereby permitting appropriate corrections to be made on the experimental values. Modeled and experimental results were found to be in good agreement. Experimental results from this study were compared with other available determinations and provide accurate input for calculating the atmospheric lifetime of HCFC-141b.

Vector critical points and generalized quasi-efficient solutions in nonsmooth multi-objective programming.

PubMed

Wang, Zhen; Li, Ru; Yu, Guolin

2017-01-01

In this work, several extended approximately invex vector-valued functions of higher order involving a generalized Jacobian are introduced, and some examples are presented to illustrate their existences. The notions of higher-order (weak) quasi-efficiency with respect to a function are proposed for a multi-objective programming. Under the introduced generalization of higher-order approximate invexities assumptions, we prove that the solutions of generalized vector variational-like inequalities in terms of the generalized Jacobian are the generalized quasi-efficient solutions of nonsmooth multi-objective programming problems. Moreover, the equivalent conditions are presented, namely, a vector critical point is a weakly quasi-efficient solution of higher order with respect to a function.

Activation of weak IR fundamentals of two species of astrochemical interest in the T(d) point group--the importance of amorphous ices.

PubMed

Hudson, R L; Gerakines, P A; Loeffler, M J

2015-05-21

New measurements are reported on the weak ν1 and ν2 fundamentals of frozen CH4, a solid of considerable astrochemical interest. Infrared spectra in the ν1 and ν2 regions are presented for three CH4-ice phases at 10-30 K with new absorption coefficients and band strengths to quantify the results. In contrast to the situation with the two crystalline phases of CH4, both ν1 and ν2 were seen clearly in methane's amorphous phase. To support our CH4 work, we also present new results for NH4SH, a component of Jupiter's atmosphere, showing that the ν2 vibration of NH4(+) undergoes a dramatic loss of intensity during an amorphous-to-crystalline phase transition, but is regenerated in equally-dramatic fashion by radiation-induced amorphization of the sample. Results are compared to work recently published in this journal and elsewhere.

See–saw relationship of the Holocene East Asian–Australian summer monsoon

PubMed Central

Eroglu, Deniz; McRobie, Fiona H.; Ozken, Ibrahim; Stemler, Thomas; Wyrwoll, Karl-Heinz; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Marwan, Norbert; Kurths, Jürgen

2016-01-01

The East Asian–Indonesian–Australian summer monsoon (EAIASM) links the Earth's hemispheres and provides a heat source that drives global circulation. At seasonal and inter-seasonal timescales, the summer monsoon of one hemisphere is linked via outflows from the winter monsoon of the opposing hemisphere. Long-term phase relationships between the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) and the Indonesian–Australian summer monsoon (IASM) are poorly understood, raising questions of long-term adjustments to future greenhouse-triggered climate change and whether these changes could ‘lock in' possible IASM and EASM phase relationships in a region dependent on monsoonal rainfall. Here we show that a newly developed nonlinear time series analysis technique allows confident identification of strong versus weak monsoon phases at millennial to sub-centennial timescales. We find a see–saw relationship over the last 9,000 years—with strong and weak monsoons opposingly phased and triggered by solar variations. Our results provide insights into centennial- to millennial-scale relationships within the wider EAIASM regime. PMID:27666662

See-saw relationship of the Holocene East Asian-Australian summer monsoon.

PubMed

Eroglu, Deniz; McRobie, Fiona H; Ozken, Ibrahim; Stemler, Thomas; Wyrwoll, Karl-Heinz; Breitenbach, Sebastian F M; Marwan, Norbert; Kurths, Jürgen

2016-09-26

The East Asian-Indonesian-Australian summer monsoon (EAIASM) links the Earth's hemispheres and provides a heat source that drives global circulation. At seasonal and inter-seasonal timescales, the summer monsoon of one hemisphere is linked via outflows from the winter monsoon of the opposing hemisphere. Long-term phase relationships between the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) and the Indonesian-Australian summer monsoon (IASM) are poorly understood, raising questions of long-term adjustments to future greenhouse-triggered climate change and whether these changes could 'lock in' possible IASM and EASM phase relationships in a region dependent on monsoonal rainfall. Here we show that a newly developed nonlinear time series analysis technique allows confident identification of strong versus weak monsoon phases at millennial to sub-centennial timescales. We find a see-saw relationship over the last 9,000 years-with strong and weak monsoons opposingly phased and triggered by solar variations. Our results provide insights into centennial- to millennial-scale relationships within the wider EAIASM regime.

Generalized model of island biodiversity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kessler, David A.; Shnerb, Nadav M.

2015-04-01

The dynamics of a local community of competing species with weak immigration from a static regional pool is studied. Implementing the generalized competitive Lotka-Volterra model with demographic noise, a rich dynamics with four qualitatively distinct phases is unfolded. When the overall interspecies competition is weak, the island species recapitulate the mainland species. For higher values of the competition parameter, the system still admits an equilibrium community, but now some of the mainland species are absent on the island. Further increase in competition leads to an intermittent "disordered" phase, where the dynamics is controlled by invadable combinations of species and the turnover rate is governed by the migration. Finally, the strong competition phase is glasslike, dominated by uninvadable states and noise-induced transitions. Our model contains, as a special case, the celebrated neutral island theories of Wilson-MacArthur and Hubbell. Moreover, we show that slight deviations from perfect neutrality may lead to each of the phases, as the Hubbell point appears to be quadracritical.

Generalized model of island biodiversity.

PubMed

Kessler, David A; Shnerb, Nadav M

2015-04-01

The dynamics of a local community of competing species with weak immigration from a static regional pool is studied. Implementing the generalized competitive Lotka-Volterra model with demographic noise, a rich dynamics with four qualitatively distinct phases is unfolded. When the overall interspecies competition is weak, the island species recapitulate the mainland species. For higher values of the competition parameter, the system still admits an equilibrium community, but now some of the mainland species are absent on the island. Further increase in competition leads to an intermittent "disordered" phase, where the dynamics is controlled by invadable combinations of species and the turnover rate is governed by the migration. Finally, the strong competition phase is glasslike, dominated by uninvadable states and noise-induced transitions. Our model contains, as a special case, the celebrated neutral island theories of Wilson-MacArthur and Hubbell. Moreover, we show that slight deviations from perfect neutrality may lead to each of the phases, as the Hubbell point appears to be quadracritical.

Optimized tracking of RF carriers with phase noise, including Pioneer 10 results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vilnrotter, V. A.; Hurd, W. J.; Brown, D. H.

1987-01-01

The ability to track very weak signals from distant spacecraft is limited by the phase instabilities of the received signal and of the local oscillator employed by the receiver. These instabilities ultimately limit the minimum loop bandwidth that can be used in a phase-coherent receiver, and hence limit the ratio of received carrier power to noise spectral density which can be tracked phase coherently. A method is presented for near real time estimation of the received carrier phase and additive noise spectrum, and optimization of the phase locked loop bandwidth. The method was used with the breadboard Deep Space Network (DSN) Advanced Receiver to optimize tracking of very weak signals from the Pioneer 10 spacecraft, which is now more distant that the edge of the solar system. Tracking with bandwidths of 0.1 Hz to 1.0 Hz reduces tracking signal threshold and increases carrier loop signal to noise ratio (SNR) by 5 dB to 15 dB compared to the 3 Hz bandwidth of the receivers now used operationally in the DSN. This will enable the DSN to track Pioneer 10 until its power sources fails near the end of the century.

Coherent control of the route of magnetic phases in quasi-1D armchair graphene nanoribbons via doping in the presence of electronic correlations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dinh Hoi, Bui; Yarmohammadi, Mohsen; Davoudiniya, Masoumeh

2018-03-01

In this work, we show that the magnetic phase transition in both semiconducting and metallic armchair graphene nanoribbons would be observed in the presence of electronic dopant. However, the mutual interactions between electrons are also considered based on theoretically tight-binding and Hubbard model calculations considering nearest neighbors within the framework of Green's function technique. This work showed that charge concentration of dopant in such system depending on the weak and strong mutual repulsions plays a crucial role in determining the magnetic phase. It follows from the obtained results that the ground state turns paramagnetic in a range of carrier concentrations by neglecting the electronic correlations. The inclusion of a Coulombic repulsion between electrons stops the phase transition and system remains in its ground state antiferromagnetic phase. Furthermore, we concluded that magnetic phases are insensitive to the electron-electron interaction at all weak and strong concentrations of dopant. In addition, this paper provides a controllable gap engineering by doping and inclusion of electron-electron repulsions for further studies on such system as a new potential nanomaterial for magnetic graphene nanoribbon-based applications.

[The effect of pemolin on the mitotic activity of Vicia faba L (author's transl)].

PubMed

Brabec, F; Röper, W

1976-02-01

The effect of diverse concentrations of 5-phenyl-2-imino-4-oxazolidone (PIO, pemolin, Tradon) on the mitotic activity in lateral roots of Vicia faba L. was studied by aerated and non-aerated hydrocultivation with and without mineral nutrition, respectively. With optimal conditions (aerated nutrient solution) weak PIO-concentrations, most significantly 10(-6) g/ml, effected a marked increase of the mitotic index. Contrarily, strong PIO-concentrations (10(-4) and 3 X 10(-4) g/ml = saturated solution) significantly decreased the mitotic index though simultaneously preserving the mitotic activity in long-term experiments, when on account of nutrient deficiency it had already collapsed in weak PIO-concentrations and the controls. The activating effect of weak PIO-concentrations compared with the controls is more significant in stress situations (nutrient deficiency, O2-deficiency) than under optimal conditions. Furthermore a slight acceleration of mid-mitotic phases (metaphase--anaphase) recognized by a marked decrease in percentage of these phases, can be stated with weak PIO-concentrations, again particularly so with 10(-6) g/ml. In total, dependent on concentration, pemolin presumably may either activate or suppress cell metabolism and particularly the mitotic cycle. The exact site of action of the substance is still unknown.

Sensor Fusion Techniques for Phased-Array Eddy Current and Phased-Array Ultrasound Data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Arrowood, Lloyd F.

Sensor (or Data) fusion is the process of integrating multiple data sources to produce more consistent, accurate and comprehensive information than is provided by a single data source. Sensor fusion may also be used to combine multiple signals from a single modality to improve the performance of a particular inspection technique. Industrial nondestructive testing may utilize multiple sensors to acquire inspection data depending upon the object under inspection and the anticipated types of defects that can be identified. Sensor fusion can be performed at various levels of signal abstraction with each having its strengths and weaknesses. A multimodal data fusionmore » strategy first proposed by Heideklang and Shokouhi that combines spatially scattered detection locations to improve detection performance of surface-breaking and near-surface cracks in ferromagnetic metals is shown using a surface inspection example and is then extended for volumetric inspections. Utilizing data acquired from an Olympus Omniscan MX2 from both phased array eddy current and ultrasound probes on test phantoms, single and multilevel fusion techniques are employed to integrate signals from the two modalities. Preliminary results demonstrate how confidence in defect identification and interpretation benefit from sensor fusion techniques. Lastly, techniques for integrating data into radiographic and volumetric imagery from computed tomography are described and results are presented.« less

Spectroscopic and chemical-kinetic analysis of the phases of HCCI autoignition and combustion for single- and two-stage ignition fuels

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hwang, Wontae; Dec, John; Sjoeberg, Magnus

The temporal phases of autoignition and combustion in an HCCI engine have been investigated in both an all-metal engine and a matching optical engine. Gasoline, a primary reference fuel mixture (PRF80), and several representative real-fuel constituents were examined. Only PRF80, which is a two-stage ignition fuel, exhibited a ''cool-flame'' low-temperature heat-release (LTHR) phase. For all fuels, slow exothermic reactions occurring at intermediate temperatures raised the charge temperature to the hot-ignition point. In addition to the amount of LTHR, differences in this intermediate-temperature heat-release (ITHR) phase affect the fuel ignition quality. Chemiluminescence images of iso-octane show a weak and uniform lightmore » emission during this phase. This is followed by the main high-temperature heat-release (HTHR) phase. Finally, a ''burnout'' phase was observed, with very weak uniform emission and near-zero heat-release rate (HRR). To better understand these combustion phases, chemiluminescence spectroscopy and chemical-kinetic analysis were applied for the single-stage ignition fuel, iso-octane, and the two-stage fuel, PRF80. For both fuels, the spectrum obtained during the ITHR phase was dominated by formaldehyde chemiluminescence. This was similar to the LTHR spectrum of PRF80, but the emission intensity and the temperature were much higher, indicating differences between the ITHR and LTHR phases. Chemical-kinetic modeling clarified the differences and similarities between the LTHR and ITHR phases and the cause of the enhanced ITHR with PRF80. The HTHR spectra for both fuels were dominated by a broad CO continuum with some contribution from bands of HCO, CH, and OH. The modeling showed that the CO+ O{yields}CO{sub 2}+h{nu} reaction responsible for the CO continuum emission tracks the HTHR well, explaining the strong correlation observed experimentally between the total chemiluminescence and HRR during the HTHR phase. It also showed that the CO continuum does not contribute to the ITHR and LTHR chemiluminescence. Bands of H{sub 2}O and O{sub 2} in the red and IR regions were also detected during the HTHR, which the data indicated were most likely due to thermal excitation. The very weak light emission in the ''burnout'' phase also appeared to be thermal emission from H{sub 2}O and O{sub 2}. (author)« less

Harmonic Phase Response of Nonlinear Radar Targets

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-01

while allowing its harmonics to pass through. The weak harmonic responses are then amplified to allow for easier detection and measurement . 4...where the phase of the 2nd and 3rd harmonic of the received electromagnetic wave from nonlinear targets was measured and plotted against the frequency

Physical complications in acute lung injury survivors: a two-year longitudinal prospective study.

PubMed

Fan, Eddy; Dowdy, David W; Colantuoni, Elizabeth; Mendez-Tellez, Pedro A; Sevransky, Jonathan E; Shanholtz, Carl; Himmelfarb, Cheryl R Dennison; Desai, Sanjay V; Ciesla, Nancy; Herridge, Margaret S; Pronovost, Peter J; Needham, Dale M

2014-04-01

Survivors of severe critical illness frequently develop substantial and persistent physical complications, including muscle weakness, impaired physical function, and decreased health-related quality of life. Our objective was to determine the longitudinal epidemiology of muscle weakness, physical function, and health-related quality of life and their associations with critical illness and ICU exposures. A multisite prospective study with longitudinal follow-up at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after acute lung injury. Thirteen ICUs from four academic teaching hospitals. Two hundred twenty-two survivors of acute lung injury. None. At each time point, patients underwent standardized clinical evaluations of extremity, hand grip, and respiratory muscle strength; anthropometrics (height, weight, mid-arm circumference, and triceps skin fold thickness); 6-minute walk distance, and the Medical Outcomes Short-Form 36 health-related quality of life survey. During their hospitalization, survivors also had detailed daily evaluation of critical illness and related treatment variables. Over one third of survivors had objective evidence of muscle weakness at hospital discharge, with most improving within 12 months. This weakness was associated with substantial impairments in physical function and health-related quality of life that persisted at 24 months. The duration of bed rest during critical illness was consistently associated with weakness throughout 24-month follow-up. The cumulative dose of systematic corticosteroids and use of neuromuscular blockers in the ICU were not associated with weakness. Muscle weakness is common after acute lung injury, usually recovering within 12 months. This weakness is associated with substantial impairments in physical function and health-related quality of life that continue beyond 24 months. These results provide valuable prognostic information regarding physical recovery after acute lung injury. Evidence-based methods to reduce the duration of bed rest during critical illness may be important for improving these long-term impairments.

Shock-wave propagation and reflection in semicrystalline polyethylene: A molecular-level investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elder, Robert M.; O'Connor, Thomas C.; Chantawansri, Tanya L.; Sliozberg, Yelena R.; Sirk, Timothy W.; Yeh, In-Chul; Robbins, Mark O.; Andzelm, Jan W.

2017-09-01

Semicrystalline polyethylene (PE) is attractive for a variety of mechanically demanding applications, where shock compression can occur. Although often highly crystalline, PE invariably contains nanoscale amorphous domains that influence shock propagation. Our objective in this work is to study the effects of such domains. To this end, we adopt a novel approach wherein we parametrize a simple continuum-level theory based on the shock impedance from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Using this theory, we predict how crystalline/amorphous interfaces attenuate shocks via energy reflection due to the impedance mismatch between the phases. The theory predicts that these interfaces attenuate weak shocks more effectively than strong shocks. We compare the theory to explicit nonequilibrium MD simulations of compressive shocks in semicrystalline PE containing nanometer-scale amorphous regions of varying size, where we analyze the pressure response and reflection of energy. The theory and simulations show good agreement for strong shocks (≥1.0 km /s ), but for weak shocks (<1.0 km /s ) the simulations show enhanced energy reflection relative to the continuum predictions. Furthermore, the simulations show an effect not captured by the continuum theory: the size of amorphous regions is important. The theory assumes a sharp (discontinuous) interface between two bulk phases and a sharp change in thermodynamic and hydrodynamic quantities at the shock front. However, the simulations show that when amorphous domains are narrow—with widths comparable to the shock front—reflection is reduced compared to the predictions. We identify several nanoscale mechanisms that reduce the impedance mismatch, and thus reduce reflection, at thin amorphous domains. First, the two-wave elastic-plastic structure of shocks in crystalline PE allows the faster-moving elastic precursor wave to compress small amorphous domains before the plastic wave arrives. Second, confinement between stiff, ordered crystalline domains increases the stiffness and chain ordering in small amorphous regions. Moreover, in terms of stiffness the interfaces are similar in width to the shock front, which may contribute to the underprediction of the theory for weak shocks, where the shock front is widest. We conclude by discussing the significance of these results, namely, how they can be applied to tune shock attenuation for particular applications.

The Quantum Phase-Dynamical Properties of the Squeezed Vacuum State Intensity-Couple Interacting with the Atom

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fan, An-Fu; Sun, Nian-Chun; Zhou, Xin

1996-01-01

The Phase-dynamical properties of the squeezed vacuum state intensity-couple interacting with the two-level atom in an ideal cavity are studied using the Hermitian phase operator formalism. Exact general expressions for the phase distribution and the associated expectation value and variance of the phase operator have been derived. we have also obtained the analytic results of the phase variance for two special cases-weakly and strongly squeezed vacuum. The results calculated numerically show that squeezing has a significant effect on the phase properties of squeezed vacuum.

Paraelectric-antiferroelectric phase transition in achiral liquid crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pociecha, Damian; Gorecka, Ewa; Čepič, Mojca; Vaupotič, Nataša; Gomola, Kinga; Mieczkowski, Jozef

2005-12-01

Critical freezing of molecular rotation in an achiral smectic phase, which leads to polar ordering through the second order paraelectric-antiferroelectric (Sm-A→Sm-APA) phase transition is studied theoretically and experimentally. Strong softening of the polar mode in the Sm-A phase and highly intensive dielectric mode in the Sm-APA phase are observed due to weak antiferroelectric interactions in the system. In the Sm-APA phase the dielectric response behaves critically upon biasing by a dc electric field. Such a behavior is found general for the antiferroelectric smectic phase with significant quadrupolar interlayer coupling.

Model of an axially strained weakly guiding optical fiber modal pattern

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Egalon, Claudio O.; Rogowski, Robert S.

1991-01-01

Axial strain may be determined by monitoring the modal pattern variation of an optical fiber. In this paper we present the results of a numerical model that has been developed to calculate the modal pattern variation at the end of a weakly guiding optical fiber under axial strain. Whenever an optical fiber is under stress, the optical path length, the index of refraction and the propagation constants of each fiber mode change. In consequence, the modal phase term of the fields and the fiber output pattern are also modified. For multimode fibers, very complicated patterns result. The predicted patterns are presented, and an expression for the phase variation with strain is derived.

Transition between strong and weak topological insulator in ZrTe5 and HfTe5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Zongjian; Liang, Qi-Feng; Chen, Y. B.; Yao, Shu-Hua; Zhou, Jian

2017-04-01

ZrTe5 and HfTe5 have attracted increasingly attention recently since the theoretical prediction of being topological insulators (TIs). However, subsequent works show many contradictions about their topolog-ical nature. Three possible phases, i.e. strong TI, weak TI, and Dirac semi-metal, have been observed in different experiments until now. Essentially whether ZrTe5 or HfTe5 has a band gap or not is still a question. Here, we present detailed first-principles calculations on the electronic and topological prop-erties of ZrTe5 and HfTe5 on variant volumes and clearly demonstrate the topological phase transition from a strong TI, going through an intermediate Dirac semi-metal state, then to a weak TI when the crystal expands. Our work might give a unified explain about the divergent experimental results and propose the crucial clue to further experiments to elucidate the topological nature of these materials.

Zweig-rule-satisfying inelastic rescattering in B decays to pseudoscalar mesons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Łach, P.; Żenczykowski, P.

2002-09-01

We discuss all contributions from Zweig-rule-satisfying SU(3)-symmetric inelastic final state interaction (FSI)-induced corrections in B decays to ππ, πK, KK¯, πη(η'), and Kη(η'). We show how all of these FSI corrections lead to a simple redefinition of the amplitudes, permitting the use of a simple diagram-based description, in which, however, weak phases may enter in a modified way. The inclusion of FSI corrections admitted by the present data allows an arbitrary relative phase between the penguin and tree short-distance amplitudes. The FSI-induced error of the method, in which the value of the weak phase γ is to be determined by combining future results from B+,B0d,B0s decays to Kπ, is estimated to be of the order of 5° for γ~50°-60°.

Current-phase relations in low carrier density graphene Josephson junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kratz, Philip; Amet, Francois; Watson, Christopher; Moler, Kathryn; Ke, Chung; Borzenets, Ivan; Watanabe, Kenji; Taniguchi, Takashi; Deacon, Russell; Yamamoto, Michihisa; Bomze, Yuriy; Tarucha, Seigo; Finkelstein, Gleb

Ideal Dirac semimetals have the unique property of being gate tunable to arbitrarily low electron and hole carrier concentrations near the Dirac point, without suffering from conduction channel pinch-off or Fermi level pinning to band edges and deep-level charge traps, which are common in typical semiconductors. SNS junctions, where N is a Dirac semimetal, can provide a versatile platform for studying few-mode superconducting weak links, with potential device applications for superconducting logic and qubits. We will use an inductive readout technique, scanning superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry, to measure the current-phase relations of high-mobility graphene SNS junctions as a function of temperature and carrier density, complementing magnetic Fraunhofer diffraction analysis from transport measurements which previously have assumed sinusoidal current-phase relations for junction Andreev modes. Deviations from sinusoidal behavior convey information about resonant scattering processes, dissipation, and ballistic modes in few-mode superconducting weak links.

Flow-gated radial phase-contrast imaging in the presence of weak flow.

PubMed

Peng, Hsu-Hsia; Huang, Teng-Yi; Wang, Fu-Nien; Chung, Hsiao-Wen

2013-01-01

To implement a flow-gating method to acquire phase-contrast (PC) images of carotid arteries without use of an electrocardiography (ECG) signal to synchronize the acquisition of imaging data with pulsatile arterial flow. The flow-gating method was realized through radial scanning and sophisticated post-processing methods including downsampling, complex difference, and correlation analysis to improve the evaluation of flow-gating times in radial phase-contrast scans. Quantitatively comparable results (R = 0.92-0.96, n = 9) of flow-related parameters, including mean velocity, mean flow rate, and flow volume, with conventional ECG-gated imaging demonstrated that the proposed method is highly feasible. The radial flow-gating PC imaging method is applicable in carotid arteries. The proposed flow-gating method can potentially avoid the setting up of ECG-related equipment for brain imaging. This technique has potential use in patients with arrhythmia or weak ECG signals.

Signal-to-noise and radiation exposure considerations in conventional and diffraction x-ray microscopy

DOE PAGES

Huang, Xiaojing; Miao, Huijie; Steinbrener, Jan; ...

2009-01-01

Using a signal-to-noise ratio estimation based on correlations between multiple simulated images, we compare the dose efficiency of two soft x-ray imaging systems: incoherent brightfield imaging using zone plate optics in a transmission x-ray microscope (TXM), and x-ray diffraction microscopy (XDM) where an image is reconstructed from the far-field coherent diffraction pattern. In XDM one must computationally phase weak diffraction signals; in TXM one suffers signal losses due to the finite numerical aperture and efficiency of the optics. In simulations with objects representing isolated cells such as yeast, we find that XDM has the potential for delivering equivalent resolution imagesmore » using fewer photons. As a result, this can be an important advantage for studying radiation-sensitive biological and soft matter specimens.« less

PG 1316+678: A young pre-cataclysmic binary with weak reflection effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimansky, V. V.; Borisov, N. V.; Bikmaev, I. F.; Sakhibullin, N. A.; Shimanskaya, N. N.; Spiridonova, O. I.; Irtuganov, E. N.

2013-03-01

The PG 1316+678 star is classified as a pre-cataclysmic binary, as is evidenced by its photometric and spectroscopic observations. Its orbital period is determined to be P orb = 3.3803d, which coincides with the photometric period. The intensities of the emission HI and HeI lines are shown to vary synchronously with the brightness of the object (Δ m V = 0.065 m , Δ m R = 0.08 m ). These variations arise as the UV radiation from the DAO white dwarf is reflected from the surface of the cold companion. The parameters of the binary are estimated and the time of its evolution after the common-envelope phase is determined to be t ≈ 240 000 years. Thus, PG 1316+678 is a young pre-cataclysmic NN Ser variable with the smallest known photometric reflection effect.

Weak phases γ and α from B+, or B0 and Bs decays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gronau, Michael; Pirjol, Dan

1999-03-01

An improved flavor SU(3) method is presented for determining the weak angle γ of the unitarity triangle using decay rates for B+-->Kπ,B+-- >K+K¯0 and B+-->π+η (or B0-->Kπ and Bs-->Kπ), their CP-conjugate modes and the CP-averaged rate for B+/--->π+/-π0. Rescattering (color-suppressed) contribution in B+(B0)-->Kπ is subtracted away. The only significant SU(3) breaking effects are accounted for in the factorization approximation of tree amplitudes. The weak angle α is obtained as a byproduct.

On the possibility of detecting weak magnetic fields in variable white dwarfs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Philip W.; Hansen, Carl J.; Pesnell, W. Dean; Kawaler, Steven D.

1989-01-01

It is suggested that 'weak' magnetic fields of strengths less than 10 to the 6th G may be detectable in some variable white dwarfs. Weak fields can cause subtle changes in the Fourier power spectra of these stars in the form of 'splitting' in frequency of otherwise degenerate signals. Present-day observational and analysis techniques are capable of detecting these changes. It is suggested suggested, by listing some well-studied candidate stars, that perhaps the magnetic signature of splitting has already been observed in at least one object and that the difficult task of intensive measurements of weak fields should now be undertaken of those candidates.

Weak values in continuous weak measurements of qubits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Lupei; Liang, Pengfei; Li, Xin-Qi

2015-07-01

For continuous weak measurements of qubits, we obtain exact expressions for weak values (WVs) from the postselection restricted average of measurement outputs, by using both the quantum-trajectory equation (QTE) and the quantum Bayesian approach. The former is applicable to short-time weak measurement, while the latter can relax the measurement strength to finite. We find that even in the "very" weak limit the result can be essentially different from the one originally proposed by Aharonov, Albert, and Vaidman (AAV), in the sense that our result incorporates nonperturbative correction which could be important when the AAV WV is large. Within the Bayesian framework, we obtain also elegant expressions for finite measurement strength and find that the amplifier's noise in quantum measurement has no effect on the WVs. In particular, we obtain very useful results for homodyne measurement in a circuit-QED system, which allows for measuring the real and imaginary parts of the AAV WV by simply tuning the phase of the local oscillator. This advantage can be exploited as an efficient state-tomography technique.

Na(23)K(9)Tl(15.3): An Unusual Zintl Compound Containing Apparent Tl(5)(7)(-), Tl(4)(8)(-), Tl(3)(7)(-), and Tl(5)(-) Anions.

PubMed

Dong, Zhen-Chao; Corbett, John D.

1996-05-22

Reaction of the neat elements in tantalum containers at 400 degrees C and then 150 degrees C gives the pure title phase. X-ray crystallography shows that the hexagonal structure (P6(3)/mmc, Z = 2, a = 11.235(1) Å, b = 30.133(5) Å) contains relatively high symmetry clusters Tl(5)(7)(-) (D(3)(h)()), Tl(4)(8)(-) (C(3)(v)(), approximately T(d)), and the new Tl(3)(7)(-) (D(infinity)(h)()) plus Tl(5)(-), the last two disordered over the same elongated site in 1:2 proportions. Cation solvation of these anions is tight and specific, providing good Coulombic trapping of weakly bound electrons on the isolated cluster anions. The observed disorder makes the compound structurally a Zintl phase with a closed shell electron count. EHMO calculations on the novel Tl(3)(7)(-) reveal some bonding similarities with the isoelectronic CO(2), with two good sigma(s,p) bonding and two weakly bonding pi MO's. The Tl-Tl bond lengths therein (3.14 Å) are evidently consistent with multiple bonding. The weak temperature-independent paramagnetism and metallic conductivity (rho(293) approximately 90 &mgr;Omega.cm) of the phase are discussed.

Measurement of the CP-violating weak phase $$\\mathrm{ \\phi_s }$$ and the decay width difference $$ \\Delta \\Gamma_{ \\mathrm{s} }$$ using the $$ \\mathrm{B^0_s} \\to \\mathrm{J} / \\psi \\phi(1020) $$ decay channel in pp collisions at $$\\sqrt{s} =$$ 8 TeV

DOE PAGES

Khachatryan, Vardan

2016-03-23

The CP-violating weak phase φ s of the B 0 s meson and the decay width difference ΔΓs of the B 0 s light and heavy mass eigenstates are measured with the CMS detector at the LHC using a data sample of B 0 s →J/ψ φ(1020) → µ +µ -K +K - decays. Our analysed data set corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb -1 collected in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV. Additionally, a total of 49 200 reconstructed B 0 s decays are used to extract the values of φs and ΔΓ smore » by performing a time-dependent and flavourtagged angular analysis of the µ +µ -K +K - final state. The weak phase is measured to be φ s = -0.075 ± 0.097 (stat) ± 0.031 (syst) rad, and the decay width difference is ΔΓ s = 0.095 ± 0.013 (stat) ± 0.007 (syst) ps -1 .« less

Measurement of the CP-violating weak phase $$\\mathrm{ \\phi_s }$$ and the decay width difference $$ \\Delta \\Gamma_{ \\mathrm{s} }$$ using the $$ \\mathrm{B^0_s} \\to \\mathrm{J} / \\psi \\phi(1020) $$ decay channel in pp collisions at $$\\sqrt{s} =$$ 8 TeV

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Khachatryan, Vardan

The CP-violating weak phase φ s of the B 0 s meson and the decay width difference ΔΓs of the B 0 s light and heavy mass eigenstates are measured with the CMS detector at the LHC using a data sample of B 0 s →J/ψ φ(1020) → µ +µ -K +K - decays. Our analysed data set corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb -1 collected in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV. Additionally, a total of 49 200 reconstructed B 0 s decays are used to extract the values of φs and ΔΓ smore » by performing a time-dependent and flavourtagged angular analysis of the µ +µ -K +K - final state. The weak phase is measured to be φ s = -0.075 ± 0.097 (stat) ± 0.031 (syst) rad, and the decay width difference is ΔΓ s = 0.095 ± 0.013 (stat) ± 0.007 (syst) ps -1 .« less

Student nurses' learning on community-based education in Ethiopia.

PubMed

Salmon, Karen; Keneni, Gutema

2004-07-01

At Jimma University educational goals are to apply the concept of community-oriented education through community-based education (CBE) of health students. This study examined the experiences of student nurses on CBE. The aims of the study were to identify factors that students considered had helped or hindered their learning on CBE and to ascertain if the stated learning objectives were met. A quantitative, descriptive, survey design was adopted, using a single, anonymous questionnaire. Some qualitative data were gained using open questions. A convenience sample of 95 students participated in the research. Participants represented 90% of all students who had completed their CBE placements. Participation, mentors' willingness to answer questions and the relevance of the placement were factors that facilitated learning. Factors reported by students that hindered learning were difficulties of self-expression in a group, mentors emphasising mistakes and weakness and the short time-frame due to ongoing lectures during placement. Students said learning objectives most met were socio-demographic assessment, identifying health problems and action planning. Objectives reported to be least met were identifying environmental health problems, planning preventive health interventions and implementing health interventions. These include the need to develop students' group skills, prepare mentors to facilitate learning, organise CBE in spiral phases, avoid concurrent lectures and improve study facilities.

The Discovery of a High-Redshift Quasar without Emission Lines from Sloan Digital Sky Survey Commissioning Data.

PubMed

Fan; Strauss; Gunn; Lupton; Carilli; Rupen; Schmidt; Moustakas; Davis; Annis; Bahcall; Brinkmann; Brunner; Csabai; Doi; Fukugita; Heckman; Hennessy; Hindsley; Ivezic; Knapp; Lamb; Munn; Pauls; Pier; Rockosi; Schneider; Szalay; Tucker; York

1999-12-01

We report observations of a luminous unresolved object at redshift z=4.62, with a featureless optical spectrum redward of the Lyalpha forest region, discovered from Sloan Digital Sky Survey commissioning data. The redshift is determined by the onset of the Lyalpha forest at lambda approximately 6800 Å and a Lyman limit system at lambda=5120 Å. A strong Lyalpha absorption system with weak metal absorption lines at z=4.58 is also identified in the spectrum. The object has a continuum absolute magnitude of -26.6 at 1450 Å in the rest frame (h0=0.5, q0=0.5) and therefore cannot be an ordinary galaxy. It shows no radio emission (the 3 sigma upper limit of its flux at 6 cm is 60 µJy), indicating a radio-to-optical flux ratio at least as small as that of the radio-weakest BL Lacertae objects known. It is also not linearly polarized to a 3 sigma upper limit of 4% in the observed I band. Therefore, it is either the most distant BL Lac object known to date, with very weak radio emission, or a new type of unbeamed quasar, whose broad emission line region is very weak or absent.

Pre-Occupancy Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction in Hospitals.

PubMed

van der Zwart, Johan; van der Voordt, Theo J M

2015-01-01

To explore analytical drawing techniques as a means to assess the attainment of preset objectives in the design phase of hospital buildings and to test ex ante if the building fits with these objectives, with a focus on view on nature, wayfinding, daylight, visibility of patient areas from reception desks, privacy, and communication between medical staff and patients, and noise reduction. The impact of the build environment on user value is at the core of evidence-based design, but these values are normally only experienced by users after the building is constructed. Therefore, assessment of these values during the design phase could improve the outcome for patients. An analysis of available assessment tools showed that research by drawing and the use of space syntax methods is an adequate means to visualize the strengths and weaknesses of floor plans in relation to spatial user experience. This approach is illustrated by an assessment of a nursing ward of the Deventer hospital in the Netherlands. Floor plan analysis by using space syntax techniques makes it possible to visualize various aspects of user value and supports the incorporation of usability issues in the discussion between the designer, the client, and the users during the design process. It is recommended to test the findings of the design assessment by a post-occupancy evaluation of the building-in-use and to conduct similar studies in other hospitals, as a means to build a body of knowledge for user-oriented design and management of hospital buildings. © The Author(s) 2015.

Phase slip process and charge density wave dynamics in a one dimensional conductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Habiballah, N.; Zouadi, M.; Arbaoui, A.; Qjani, M.; Dumas, J.

In this paper, we study the phase slip effect on the charge density wave (CDW) dynamics in a one-dimensional conductor in the weak pinning limit. A considerable enhancement of JCDW is observed in the presence of phase slips. In addition, a spatial dependence of the CDW current density JCDW is also studied showing that a decrease of JCDW with distance from the current contact occurs. The results are discussed in terms the relationship between additional phase slips and the mobility of phase dislocations nucleated at electrical contacts.

Bosons with Synthetic Rashba Spin-Orbit Coupling at Finite Power

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Brandon; Clark, Charles

2013-05-01

Isotropic spin-orbit couplings, such as Rashba in two dimensions, have a continuous symmetry that produces a large degeneracy in the momentum-space dispersion. This degeneracy leads to an enhanced density-of-states, producing novel phases in systems of bosonic atoms. This model is idealistic, however, in that the symmetry of the lasers will weakly break the continuous symmetry to a discrete one in experimental manifestations. This perturbation typically scales inversely with the optical power, and only at infinite power will ideal symmetry be restored. In this talk, we consider the effects of this weak symmetry breaking in a system of bosons at finite power with synthetic Rashba coupling. We solve the mean-field equations and find new phases, such as a stripe phase with a larger symmetry group. We then consider the experimentally relevant scheme where the spin-orbit fields are turned on adiabatically from an initial spin-polarized state. At intermediate power, stripe phases are found, while at sufficiently high power it appears that the system quenches to phases similar to that of the ideal limit. Techniques for optimizing the adiabatic ramping sequence are discussed. NSF PFC Grant PHY-0822671 and by the ARO under the DARPA OLE program.

Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo inversion for weak anisotropy parameters and fracture weaknesses using azimuthal elastic impedance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Huaizhen; Pan, Xinpeng; Ji, Yuxin; Zhang, Guangzhi

2017-08-01

A system of aligned vertical fractures and fine horizontal shale layers combine to form equivalent orthorhombic media. Weak anisotropy parameters and fracture weaknesses play an important role in the description of orthorhombic anisotropy (OA). We propose a novel approach of utilizing seismic reflection amplitudes to estimate weak anisotropy parameters and fracture weaknesses from observed seismic data, based on azimuthal elastic impedance (EI). We first propose perturbation in stiffness matrix in terms of weak anisotropy parameters and fracture weaknesses, and using the perturbation and scattering function, we derive PP-wave reflection coefficient and azimuthal EI for the case of an interface separating two OA media. Then we demonstrate an approach to first use a model constrained damped least-squares algorithm to estimate azimuthal EI from partially incidence-phase-angle-stack seismic reflection data at different azimuths, and then extract weak anisotropy parameters and fracture weaknesses from the estimated azimuthal EI using a Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo inversion method. In addition, a new procedure to construct rock physics effective model is presented to estimate weak anisotropy parameters and fracture weaknesses from well log interpretation results (minerals and their volumes, porosity, saturation, fracture density, etc.). Tests on synthetic and real data indicate that unknown parameters including elastic properties (P- and S-wave impedances and density), weak anisotropy parameters and fracture weaknesses can be estimated stably in the case of seismic data containing a moderate noise, and our approach can make a reasonable estimation of anisotropy in a fractured shale reservoir.

Phase diagram and neutron spin resonance of superconducting NaFe 1 - x Cu x As

DOE PAGES

Tan, Guotai; Song, Yu; Zhang, Rui; ...

2017-02-03

In this paper, we use transport and neutron scattering to study the electronic phase diagram and spin excitations of NaFe 1-xCu xAs single crystals. Similar to Co- and Ni-doped NaFeAs, a bulk superconducting phase appears near x≈2% with the suppression of stripe-type magnetic order in NaFeAs. Upon further increasing Cu concentration the system becomes insulating, culminating in an antiferromagnetically ordered insulating phase near x≈50%. Using transport measurements, we demonstrate that the resistivity in NaFe 1-xCu xAs exhibits non-Fermi-liquid behavior near x≈1.8%. Our inelastic neutron scattering experiments reveal a single neutron spin resonance mode exhibiting weak dispersion along c axis inmore » NaFe 0.98Cu 0.02As. The resonance is high in energy relative to the superconducting transition temperature T c but weak in intensity, likely resulting from impurity effects. These results are similar to other iron pnictides superconductors despite that the superconducting phase in NaFe 1-xCu xAs is continuously connected to an antiferromagnetically ordered insulating phase near x≈50% with significant electronic correlations. Finally, therefore, electron correlations is an important ingredient of superconductivity in NaFe 1-xCu xAs and other iron pnictides.« less

Coupled domain wall motion, lattice strain and phase transformation in morphotropic phase boundary composition of PbTiO 3-BiScO 3 piezoelectric ceramic

DOE PAGES

Khatua, Dipak Kumar; V., Lalitha K.; Fancher, Chris M.; ...

2016-10-18

High energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction, in situ with electric field, was carried out on the morphotropic phase boundary composition of the piezoelectric alloy PbTiO 3-BiScO 3. We demonstrate a strong correlation between ferroelectric-ferroelastic domain reorientation, lattice strain and phase transformation. Lastly, we also show the occurrence of the three phenomena and persistence of their correlation in the weak field regime.

Direct comparison of phase-sensitive vibrational sum frequency generation with maximum entropy method: case study of water.

PubMed

de Beer, Alex G F; Samson, Jean-Sebastièn; Hua, Wei; Huang, Zishuai; Chen, Xiangke; Allen, Heather C; Roke, Sylvie

2011-12-14

We present a direct comparison of phase sensitive sum-frequency generation experiments with phase reconstruction obtained by the maximum entropy method. We show that both methods lead to the same complex spectrum. Furthermore, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each of these methods, analyzing possible sources of experimental and analytical errors. A simulation program for maximum entropy phase reconstruction is available at: http://lbp.epfl.ch/. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

Constraints on the stress state of the San Andreas Fault with analysis based on core and cuttings from San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) drilling phases 1 and 2

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tembe, S.; Lockner, D.; Wong, T.-F.

2009-01-01

Analysis of field data has led different investigators to conclude that the San Andreas Fault (SAF) has either anomalously low frictional sliding strength (?? 0.6). Arguments for the apparent weakness of the SAF generally hinge on conceptual models involving intrinsically weak gouge or elevated pore pressure within the fault zone. Some models assert that weak gouge and/or high pore pressure exist under static conditions while others consider strength loss or fluid pressure increase due to rapid coseismic fault slip. The present paper is composed of three parts. First, we develop generalized equations, based on and consistent with the Rice (1992) fault zone model to relate stress orientation and magnitude to depth-dependent coefficient of friction and pore pressure. Second, we present temperature-and pressure-dependent friction measurements from wet illite-rich fault gouge extracted from San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) phase 1 core samples and from weak minerals associated with the San Andreas Fault. Third, we reevaluate the state of stress on the San Andreas Fault in light of new constraints imposed by SAFOD borehole data. Pure talc (?????0.1) had the lowest strength considered and was sufficiently weak to satisfy weak fault heat flow and stress orientation constraints with hydrostatic pore pressure. Other fault gouges showed a systematic increase in strength with increasing temperature and pressure. In this case, heat flow and stress orientation constraints would require elevated pore pressure and, in some cases, fault zone pore pressure in excess of vertical stress. Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.

Gamow-Teller strength and lepton captures rates on 66-71Ni in stellar matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nabi, Jameel-Un; Majid, Muhammad

Charge-changing transitions play a significant role in stellar weak-decay processes. The fate of the massive stars is decided by these weak-decay rates including lepton (positron and electron) captures rates, which play a consequential role in the dynamics of core collapse. As per previous simulation results, weak interaction rates on nickel (Ni) isotopes have significant influence on the stellar core vis-à-vis controlling the lepton content of stellar matter throughout the silicon shell burning phases of high mass stars up to the presupernova stages. In this paper, we perform a microscopic calculation of Gamow-Teller (GT) charge-changing transitions, in the β-decay and electron capture (EC) directions, for neutron-rich Ni isotopes (66-71Ni). We further compute the associated weak-decay rates for these selected Ni isotopes in stellar environment. The computations are accomplished by employing the deformed proton-neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation (pn-QRPA) model. A recent study showed that the deformed pn-QRPA theory is well suited for the estimation of GT transitions. The astral weak-decay rates are determined over densities in the range of 10-1011g/cm3 and temperatures in the range of 0.01 × 109-30 × 109K. The calculated lepton capture rates are compared with the previous calculation of Pruet and Fuller (PF). The overall comparison demonstrates that, at low stellar densities and high temperatures, our EC rates are bigger by as much as two orders of magnitude. Our results show that, at higher temperatures, the lepton capture rates are the dominant mode for the stellar weak rates and the corresponding lepton emission rates may be neglected.

Constraints on the stress state of the San Andreas fault with analysis based on core and cuttings from SAFOD drilling phases I and II

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lockner, David A.; Tembe, Cheryl; Wong, Teng-fong

2009-01-01

Analysis of field data has led different investigators to conclude that the San Andreas Fault (SAF) has either anomalously low frictional sliding strength (m < 0.2) or strength consistent with standard laboratory tests (m > 0.6). Arguments for the apparent weakness of the SAF generally hinge on conceptual models involving intrinsically weak gouge or elevated pore pressure within the fault zone. Some models assert that weak gouge and/or high pore pressure exist under static conditions while others consider strength loss or fluid pressure increase due to rapid coseismic fault slip. The present paper is composed of three parts. First, we develop generalized equations, based on and consistent with the Rice (1992) fault zone model to relate stress orientation and magnitude to depth-dependent coefficient of friction and pore pressure. Second, we present temperature- and pressure-dependent friction measurements from wet illite-rich fault gouge extracted from San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) phase 1 core samples and from weak minerals associated with the San Andreas Fault. Third, we reevaluate the state of stress on the San Andreas Fault in light of new constraints imposed by SAFOD borehole data. Pure talc (m0.1) had the lowest strength considered and was sufficiently weak to satisfy weak fault heat flow and stress orientation constraints with hydrostatic pore pressure. Other fault gouges showed a systematic increase in strength with increasing temperature and pressure. In this case, heat flow and stress orientation constraints would require elevated pore pressure and, in some cases, fault zone pore pressure in excess of vertical stress.

A/GATECH DOSP Fabrication

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-11-01

developer and then bleached with a rehalogenating bleach and finally re-developed with a weak citric acid developer. The final result of this processing...refraction forming a phase hologram. The plate is then immersed in a weak solution of citric acid , and illuminated with a bright light. The citric acid ...also results in NP complexity due to the combinational^ explosive number of permutations of splits that must be examined. By limiting the degree to

Critical illness polyneuropathy: a case report.

PubMed

Celik, Canan; Ucan, Halil; Alemdaroglu, Ebru; Oktay, Fugen

2011-01-01

Critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) is defined as a common complication of critically ilness patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit due to sepsis, multiple trauma and/or multi-organ failure. We aimed to present a patient who was diagnosed as CIP. He was admitted to our outpatient clinic due to weakness and pain in his lower extremities. He had been followed in an intensive care unit due to suicid five months ago. There were symmetrically and predominantly muscle weakness, sensory impairment, absence of deep tendon reflexes in his lower extremities. Electrophysiological evaluation demonstrated motor and sensory axonal distal polyneuropathy predominantly in lower extremities. At follow up, he had high fever, and elevated acute phase responses. Therefore source of infection was investigated and was suspected to a diagnosis of infective endocarditis. He was discharged to be hospitalized in cardiology clinic. With this case, we think that physiatrists should take into consideration a diagnosis of critical illness polyneuropathy in patients with symmetric motor weakness. In CIP, muscle weakness, sensory loss, neuropathic pain, and autonomic problems lengthened the rehabilitation period. Due to a diagnosis of infective endocarditis in our case, we point out that source of infection should be carefully investigated if there is acute phase responses in CIP patients even if during rehabilitation period.

A class of stochastic optimization problems with one quadratic & several linear objective functions and extended portfolio selection model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Jiuping; Li, Jun

2002-09-01

In this paper a class of stochastic multiple-objective programming problems with one quadratic, several linear objective functions and linear constraints has been introduced. The former model is transformed into a deterministic multiple-objective nonlinear programming model by means of the introduction of random variables' expectation. The reference direction approach is used to deal with linear objectives and results in a linear parametric optimization formula with a single linear objective function. This objective function is combined with the quadratic function using the weighted sums. The quadratic problem is transformed into a linear (parametric) complementary problem, the basic formula for the proposed approach. The sufficient and necessary conditions for (properly, weakly) efficient solutions and some construction characteristics of (weakly) efficient solution sets are obtained. An interactive algorithm is proposed based on reference direction and weighted sums. Varying the parameter vector on the right-hand side of the model, the DM can freely search the efficient frontier with the model. An extended portfolio selection model is formed when liquidity is considered as another objective to be optimized besides expectation and risk. The interactive approach is illustrated with a practical example.

Magnetic phase diagram and multiferroicity of Ba 3 MnNb 2 O 9 : A spin - 5 2 triangular lattice antiferromagnet with weak easy-axis anisotropy

DOE PAGES

Lee, M.; Choi, E. S.; Huang, X.; ...

2014-12-01

Here we have performed magnetic, electric, thermal and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) experiments as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations on Ba 3MnNb 2 O 9. All results suggest that Ba 3MnNb 2 O 9 is a spin-5/2 triangular lattice antiferromagnet (TLAF) with weak easy-axis anisotropy. At zero field, we observed a narrow two-step transition at T N1 = 3.4 K and T N2 = 3.0 K. The neutron diffraction measurement and the DFT calculation indicate a 120 spin structure in ab plane with out-of-plane canting at low temperatures. With increasing magnetic field, the 120 spin structure evolves intomore » up-up-down (uud) and oblique phases showing successive magnetic phase transitions, which fits well to the theoretical prediction for the 2D Heisenberg TLAF with classical spins. Ultimately, multiferroicity is observed when the spins are not collinear but suppressed in the uud and oblique phases.« less

Quasi-monoenergetic electron acceleration in relativistic laser-plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pukhov, Alexander; Gordienko, Sergei; Seredov, Vasili; Kostyukov, Igor

2009-03-01

Using Particle-in-Cell simulations as well as analytical theory we study electron acceleration in underdense plasmas both in the Bubble regime and in the weakly relativistic periodic wake fields. In the Bubble regime, electron trapping is taken as a function of the propagated distance. The number of trapped electrons depends on the effective phase velocity of the X-point at the rear of the Bubble. For the weakly relativistic periodic wakes, we show that the phase synchronism between the wake and the relativistic electrons can be maintained over very long distances when the plasma density is tapered properly. Moreover, one can use layered plasmas to control and improve the accelerated beam quality. To cite this article: A. Pukhov et al., C. R. Physique 10 (2009).

Dynamics of a coherently driven micromaser by the Monte Carlo wavefunction approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonacina, L.; Casagrande, F.; Lulli, A.

2000-08-01

Using a Monte Carlo wavefunction approach we investigate the dynamics of a micromaser driven by a resonant coherent field. At steady state, for increasing interaction times, the system exhibits driven Rabi oscillations, followed by collapse as the range of micromaser trapping states is approached. The system operates in regimes ranging from a strong to a weak amplifier. In the strong-amplifier regime the cavity mode shows a preferred phase and can exhibit quadrature squeezing and sub-Poissonian photon statistics. In the weak-amplifier regime the cavity mode has no preferred phase, is super-Poissonian and is influenced by trapping effects; no revival of Rabi oscillations occurs. The main predictions can be compared with experimental measurements on the populations of atoms leaving the cavity.

New T Tauri stars in Chamaeleon I and Chamaeleon II

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartigan, Patrick

1993-01-01

A new objective prism survey of the entire Chamaeleon I dark cloud and 2/3 of the Chamaeleon II cloud has uncovered 26 new H-alpha emission line objects that were missed by previous H-alpha plate surveys. The new H-alpha emission line objects have similar IR colors and spatial distributions to the known T Tauri stars in these dark clouds, and could represent the very low mass end of the stellar population in these clouds or an older, less active component to the usual classical T Tauri star population. The new H-alpha survey identified 70 percent of the total known Young Stellar Objects (YSOs) in Cha I, compared with 35 percent for IRAS, and 25 percent from the Einstein X-ray survey. Ten of the new objects are weak-lined stars, with H-alpha equivalent widths less than 10 A. Weak-lined T Tauri stars make up about half of the total population of young stars in the Chamaeleon I cloud, a proportion similar to the Taurus-Auriga cloud. Presented are coordinates, finding charts, and optical and IR photometry of the new emission-line objects.

3D Micro-tomography on Aggregates from the 2014- 2015 Eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Volcano

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colombier, M.; Scheu, B.; Cronin, S. J.; Tost, M.; Dobson, K. J.; Dingwell, D. B.

2016-12-01

In December 2014- January 2015, a surtseyan eruption at Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano (Tonga) formed a new island. Three main eruptive phases were distinguished by observation and deposits: (i) mound and cone construction, involving collapse of 300-600 m-high wet tephra jets, grain flows, slope-remobilisation and energetic surges, with little or no convective plume (ii) The upper cone-building phase with lower jets (mainly <300 m) but greater ash production (weak, steam-rich plumes to 6 km) and weak surges, and (iii) final phase with weak surge, fall and ballistic deposits with more vesicular pyroclasts producing proximal capping deposits. Most sampled deposits contain ash, lapilli and bombs, and lapilli-sized aggregates are ubiquitous. We used high-resolution 3D X-ray microcomputed tomography (XCT) to quantify the grain size distribution (GSD) and porosity by sampling multiple stratigraphic units within the main eruptive sequences. We visualized and quantified the internal structure of the aggregates to understand the evolution of this surtseyan eruption. We present here an overview of the textural information: porosity, vesicle size distribution and morphology as well as the variability of the aggregation features. Aggregates from the fall deposits of the early wet phase are mostly loosely packed, poorly-structured ash clusters. Aggregates from the early surge sequence and the main cone building phase dominantly exhibit a central particle coated by ash cluster material. Vesicles in the particles from the early fall deposits tend to be smaller and more isolated than in the particles from the surge sequence and the main cone building phase. The GSD of aggregates obtained by XCT is highly valuable to correct the total GSD of volcaniclastic deposits. The strong variations in the aggregation features across the eruption suggest a range of different formation and deposition mechanisms related to varying degrees of magma-water-interaction, which changed the morphology and textural properties of the individual particles.

Effects of molecular chirality on self-assembly and switching in liquid crystals at the cross-over between rod-like and bent shapes.

PubMed

Ocak, Hale; Poppe, Marco; Bilgin-Eran, Belkız; Karanlık, Gürkan; Prehm, Marko; Tschierske, Carsten

2016-09-21

A bent-core compound derived from a 4-cyanoresorcinol core unit with two terephthalate based rod-like wings and carrying chiral 3,7-dimethyloctyloxy side chains has been synthesized in racemic and enantiomerically pure form and characterized by polarizing microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and electro-optical investigations to study the influence of molecular chirality on the superstructural chirality and polar order in lamellar liquid crystalline phases. Herein we demonstrate that the coupling of molecular chirality with superstructural layer chirality in SmCsPF domain phases (forming energetically distinct diastereomeric pairs) can fix the tilt direction and thus stabilize synpolar order, leading to bistable ferroelectric switching in the SmC* phases of the (S)-enantiomer, whereas tristable modes determine the switching of the racemate. Moreover, the mechanism of electric field induced molecular reorganization changes from a rotation around the molecular long axis in the racemate to a rotation on the tilt-cone for the (S)-enantiomer. At high temperature the enantiomer behaves like a rod-like molecule with a chirality induced ferroelectric SmC* phase and an electroclinic effect in the SmA'* phase. At reduced temperature sterically induced polarization, due to the bent molecular shape, becomes dominating, leading to much higher polarization values, thus providing access to high polarization ferroelectric materials with weakly bent compounds having only "weakly chiral" stereogenic units. Moreover, the field induced alignment of the SmCsPF(()*()) domains gives rise to a special kind of electroclinic effect appearing even in the absence of molecular chirality. Comparison with related compounds indicates that the strongest effects of chirality appear for weakly bent molecules with a relatively short coherence length of polar order, whereas for smectic phases with long range polar order the effects of the interlayer interfaces can override the chirality effects.

Weak bump quasars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilkes, B. J.; Mcdowell, J.

1994-01-01

Research into the optical, ultraviolet and infrared continuum emission from quasars and their host galaxies was carried out. The main results were the discovery of quasars with unusually weak infrared emission and the construction of a quantitative estimate of the dispersion in quasar continuum properties. One of the major uncertainties in the measurement of quasar continuum strength is the contribution to the continuum of the quasar host galaxy as a function of wavelength. Continuum templates were constructed for different types of host galaxy and individual estimates made of the decomposed quasar and host continua based on existing observations of the target quasars. The results are that host galaxy contamination is worse than previously suspected, and some apparent weak bump quasars are really normal quasars with strong host galaxies. However, the existence of true weak bump quasars such as PHL 909 was confirmed. The study of the link between the bump strength and other wavebands was continued by comparing with IRAS data. There is evidence that excess far infrared radiation is correlated with weaker ultraviolet bumps. This argues against an orientation effect and implies a probable link with the host galaxy environment, for instance the presence of a luminous starburst. However, the evidence still favors the idea that reddening is not important in those objects with ultraviolet weak bumps. The same work has led to the discovery of a class of infrared weak quasars. Pushing another part of the envelope of quasar continuum parameter space, the IR-weak quasars have implications for understanding the effects of reddening internal to the quasars, the reality of ultraviolet turnovers, and may allow further tests of the Phinney dust model for the IR continuum. They will also be important objects for studying the claimed IR to x-ray continuum correlation.

Prospective 15-year study of neuromuscular function in a cohort of patients with prior poliomyelitis.

PubMed

Daube, Jasper R; Sorenson, Eric J; Windebank, Anthony J

2009-01-01

Poliomyelitis is a monophasic illness affecting lower motor neurons and individuals may describe new problems years after the initial weakness. We have studied 38 people with the post-polio syndrome over a 15-year period assessing a number of neuromuscular measures, including motor unit number estimation (MUNE). Twenty-five individuals reported progressive weakness but there was no objective change in MUNE and other measures. There was an association with reported weakness and initial deficits. There was a slow decline in MUNE values over time in both groups.

Separation of cannabinoids on three different mixed-mode columns containing carbon/nanodiamond/amine-polymer superficially porous particles.

PubMed

Hung, Chuan-Hsi; Zukowski, Janusz; Jensen, David S; Miles, Andrew J; Sulak, Clayton; Dadson, Andrew E; Linford, Matthew R

2015-09-01

Three mixed-mode high-performance liquid chromatography columns packed with superficially porous carbon/nanodiamond/amine-polymer particles were used to separate mixtures of cannabinoids. Columns evaluated included: (i) reversed phase (C18 ), weak anion exchange, 4.6 × 33 mm, 3.6 μm, and 4.6 × 100 mm, 3.6 μm, (ii) reversed phase, strong anion exchange (quaternary amine), 4.6×33 mm, 3.6 μm, and (iii) hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography, 4.6 × 150 mm, 3.6 μm. Different selectivities were achieved under various mobile phase and stationary phase conditions. Efficiencies and peak capacities were as high as 54 000 N/m and 56, respectively. The reversed phase mixed-mode column (C18 ) retained tetrahydrocannabinolic acid strongly under acidic conditions and weakly under basic conditions. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid was retained strongly on the reversed phase, strong anion exchange mixed-mode column under basic polar organic mobile phase conditions. The hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column retained polar cannabinoids better than the (more) neutral ones under basic conditions. A longer reversed phase (C18 ) mixed-mode column (4.6 × 100 mm) showed better resolution for analytes (and a contaminant) than a shorter column. Fast separations were achieved in less than 5 min and sometimes 2 min. A real world sample (bubble hash extract) was also analyzed by gradient elution. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Chaotic phase synchronization in bursting-neuron models driven by a weak periodic force

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ando, Hiroyasu; Suetani, Hiromichi; Kurths, Jürgen; Aihara, Kazuyuki

2012-07-01

We investigate the entrainment of a neuron model exhibiting a chaotic spiking-bursting behavior in response to a weak periodic force. This model exhibits two types of oscillations with different characteristic time scales, namely, long and short time scales. Several types of phase synchronization are observed, such as 1:1 phase locking between a single spike and one period of the force and 1:l phase locking between the period of slow oscillation underlying bursts and l periods of the force. Moreover, spiking-bursting oscillations with chaotic firing patterns can be synchronized with the periodic force. Such a type of phase synchronization is detected from the position of a set of points on a unit circle, which is determined by the phase of the periodic force at each spiking time. We show that this detection method is effective for a system with multiple time scales. Owing to the existence of both the short and the long time scales, two characteristic phenomena are found around the transition point to chaotic phase synchronization. One phenomenon shows that the average time interval between successive phase slips exhibits a power-law scaling against the driving force strength and that the scaling exponent has an unsmooth dependence on the changes in the driving force strength. The other phenomenon shows that Kuramoto's order parameter before the transition exhibits stepwise behavior as a function of the driving force strength, contrary to the smooth transition in a model with a single time scale.

Weak and strong coupling equilibration in nonabelian gauge theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keegan, Liam; Kurkela, Aleksi; Romatschke, Paul; van der Schee, Wilke; Zhu, Yan

2016-04-01

We present a direct comparison studying equilibration through kinetic theory at weak coupling and through holography at strong coupling in the same set-up. The set-up starts with a homogeneous thermal state, which then smoothly transitions through an out-of-equilibrium phase to an expanding system undergoing boost-invariant flow. This first apples-to-apples comparison of equilibration provides a benchmark for similar equilibration processes in heavy-ion collisions, where the equilibration mechanism is still under debate. We find that results at weak and strong coupling can be smoothly connected by simple, empirical power-laws for the viscosity, equilibration time and entropy production of the system.

Weak and strong chaos in Fermi-Pasta-Ulam models and beyond.

PubMed

Pettini, Marco; Casetti, Lapo; Cerruti-Sola, Monica; Franzosi, Roberto; Cohen, E G D

2005-03-01

We briefly review some of the most relevant results that our group obtained in the past, while investigating the dynamics of the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam (FPU) models. The first result is the numerical evidence of the existence of two different kinds of transitions in the dynamics of the FPU models: (i) A stochasticity threshold (ST), characterized by a value of the energy per degree of freedom below which the overwhelming majority of the phase space trajectories are regular (vanishing Lyapunov exponents). It tends to vanish as the number N of degrees of freedom is increased. (ii) A strong stochasticity threshold (SST), characterized by a value of the energy per degree of freedom at which a crossover appears between two different power laws of the energy dependence of the largest Lyapunov exponent, which phenomenologically corresponds to the transition between weak and strong chaotic regimes. It is stable with N. The second result is the development of a Riemannian geometric theory to explain the origin of Hamiltonian chaos. Starting this theory has been motivated by the inadequacy of the approach based on homoclinic intersections to explain the origin of chaos in systems of arbitrarily large N, or arbitrarily far from quasi-integrability, or displaying a transition between weak and strong chaos. Finally, the third result stems from the search for the transition between weak and strong chaos in systems other than FPU. Actually, we found that a very sharp SST appears as the dynamical counterpart of a thermodynamic phase transition, which in turn has led, in the light of the Riemannian theory of chaos, to the development of a topological theory of phase transitions.

Weak and strong chaos in Fermi-Pasta-Ulam models and beyond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pettini, Marco; Casetti, Lapo; Cerruti-Sola, Monica; Franzosi, Roberto; Cohen, E. G. D.

2005-03-01

We briefly review some of the most relevant results that our group obtained in the past, while investigating the dynamics of the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam (FPU) models. The first result is the numerical evidence of the existence of two different kinds of transitions in the dynamics of the FPU models: (i) A stochasticity threshold (ST), characterized by a value of the energy per degree of freedom below which the overwhelming majority of the phase space trajectories are regular (vanishing Lyapunov exponents). It tends to vanish as the number N of degrees of freedom is increased. (ii) A strong stochasticity threshold (SST), characterized by a value of the energy per degree of freedom at which a crossover appears between two different power laws of the energy dependence of the largest Lyapunov exponent, which phenomenologically corresponds to the transition between weak and strong chaotic regimes. It is stable with N. The second result is the development of a Riemannian geometric theory to explain the origin of Hamiltonian chaos. Starting this theory has been motivated by the inadequacy of the approach based on homoclinic intersections to explain the origin of chaos in systems of arbitrarily large N, or arbitrarily far from quasi-integrability, or displaying a transition between weak and strong chaos. Finally, the third result stems from the search for the transition between weak and strong chaos in systems other than FPU. Actually, we found that a very sharp SST appears as the dynamical counterpart of a thermodynamic phase transition, which in turn has led, in the light of the Riemannian theory of chaos, to the development of a topological theory of phase transitions.

Ferromagnetic Objects Magnetovision Detection System.

PubMed

Nowicki, Michał; Szewczyk, Roman

2013-12-02

This paper presents the application of a weak magnetic fields magnetovision scanning system for detection of dangerous ferromagnetic objects. A measurement system was developed and built to study the magnetic field vector distributions. The measurements of the Earth's field distortions caused by various ferromagnetic objects were carried out. The ability for passive detection of hidden or buried dangerous objects and the determination of their location was demonstrated.

Early MESSENGER Results for Less Abundant or Weakly Emitting Species in Mercury's Exosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vervack, Ronald J., Jr.; McClintock, William E.; Killen, Rosemary M.; Sprague, Ann L.; Burger, Matthew H.; Merkel, Aimee W.; Sarantos, Menelaos

2011-01-01

Now that the Messenger spacecraft is in orbit about Mercury, the extended observing time enables searches for exospheric species that are less abundant or weakly emitting compared with those for which emission has previously been detected. Many of these species cannot be observed from the ground because of terrestrial atmospheric absorption. We report here on the status of MESSENGER orbital-phase searches for additional species in Mercury's exosphere.

Geology of a Stable Intraplate Region: The Cape Verde/Canary Basin,

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-03-01

reflection records indicate a possible Eocene age up- lifting. Extensive island volcanism and sill and dike emplacement occurred during Miocene. Many abyssal...hills and small scale faults are related to this Miocene tectonic phase. Island volcanism has a con- tinuing influence on the sedimentary sections. The...Plate is capable of generating zones of weak- nesses. These weakness zones could be expected to localize island volcanism , create north/south-trending

How binarity affect the abundance discrepancy in planetary nebulae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

García-Rojas, J.; Monteiro, H.; Jones, D.; Boffin, H.; Wesson, R.; Corradi, R.; Rodríguez-Gil, P.

2017-11-01

The discrepancy between chemical abundances computed using optical recombination lines (ORLs) and collisionally excited lines (CELs) is a major unresolved problem in nebular astrophysics, with significant implications for the determination of chemical abundances throughout the Universe. In planetary nebulae (PNe), a common explanation of this discrepancy is that two different gas phases coexist: a hot component with standard metallicity, and a much cooler plasma with a highly enhanced content of heavy elements. This dual nature is not predicted by mass loss theories, and observational support for it is still weak. We present recent findings which show that the largest abundance discrepancies (ADs) are reached in PNe with close binary central stars. Our last long-slit spectroscopic studies as well as direct imaging of the gas in the faint O II ORLs and high spatial resolution IFU spectroscopy support the fact that probably two different gas phases coexist in these nebulae and that high ADs should be explained in a framework of binary evolution. Although the exact scenario is still not understood, a promising proposal is that nova-like ejecta have a crucial role in the strong ORL emission in these objects.

Reconstruction of a yeast cell from x-ray diffraction data

DOE PAGES

Thibault, Pierre; Elser, Veit; Jacobsen, Chris; ...

2006-06-21

We provide details of the algorithm used for the reconstruction of yeast cell images in the recent demonstration of diffraction microscopy by Shapiro, Thibault, Beetz, Elser, Howells, Jacobsen, Kirz, Lima, Miao, Nieman & Sayre. Two refinements of the iterative constraint-based scheme are developed to address the current experimental realities of this imaging technique, which include missing central data and noise. A constrained power operator is defined whose eigenmodes allow the identification of a small number of degrees of freedom in the reconstruction that are negligibly constrained as a result of the missing data. To achieve reproducibility in the algorithm's output,more » a special intervention is required for these modes. Weak incompatibility of the constraints caused by noise in both direct and Fourier space leads to residual phase fluctuations. This problem is addressed by supplementing the algorithm with an averaging method. The effect of averaging may be interpreted in terms of an effective modulation transfer function, as used in optics, to quantify the resolution. The reconstruction details are prefaced with simulations of wave propagation through a model yeast cell. These show that the yeast cell is a strong-phase-contrast object for the conditions in the experiment.« less

Using the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model: Implications for Practice

PubMed Central

Rooney, Laura E; Videto, Donna M; Birch, David A

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND Schools, school districts, and communities seeking to implement the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model should carefully and deliberately select planning, implementation, and evaluation strategies. METHODS In this article, we identify strategies, steps, and resources within each phase that can be integrated into existing processes that help improve health outcomes and academic achievement. Implementation practices may vary across districts depending upon available resources and time commitments. RESULTS Obtaining and maintaining administrative support at the beginning of the planning phase is imperative for identifying and implementing strategies and sustaining efforts to improve student health and academic outcomes. Strategy selection hinges on priority needs, community assets, and resources identified through the planning process. Determining the results of implementing the WSCC is based upon a comprehensive evaluation that begins during the planning phase. Evaluation guides success in attaining goals and objectives, assesses strengths and weaknesses, provides direction for program adjustment, revision, and future planning, and informs stakeholders of the effect of WSCC, including the effect on academic indicators. CONCLUSIONS With careful planning, implementation, and evaluation efforts, use of the WSCC model has the potential of focusing family, community, and school education and health resources to increase the likelihood of better health and academic success for students and improve school and community life in the present and in the future. PMID:26440824

The DUNE Mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castander, F. J.

The Dark UNiverse Explorer (DUNE) is a wide-field imaging mission concept whose primary goal is the study of dark energy and dark matter with unprecedented precision. To this end, DUNE is optimised for weak gravitational lensing, and also uses complementary cosmological probes, such as baryonic oscillations, the integrated Sachs-Wolf effect, and cluster counts. Besides its observational cosmology goals, the mission capabilities of DUNE allow the study of galaxy evolution, galactic structure and the demographics of Earth-mass planets. DUNE is a medium class mission consisting of a 1.2m telescope designed to carry out an all-sky survey in one visible and three NIR bands. The final data of the DUNE mission will form a unique legacy for the astronomy community. DUNE has been selected jointly with SPACE for an ESA Assessment phase which has led to the Euclid merged mission concept which combines wide-field deep imaging with low resolution multi-object spectroscopy.

Functional and esthetic rehabilitation of a child with amelogenesis imperfecta: a case report.

PubMed

Moura, Carmem Dolores Vilarinho Soares de; Pontes, Alessandra Silva; Lopes, Teresinha Soares Pereira; Moura, Lúcia Fátima Almeida de Deus; Lima, Marina Deus Moura de

2017-01-01

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a tooth disorder characterized by the abnormal development of the enamel in response to mutations in the genes involved in amelogenesis. The objective of this article is to present the clinical case of a child with AI in the primary dentition phase. A 4-year-old boy was presented to a clinic by his mother, who complained that her son's smile esthetics were compromised by "weak and yellow teeth." All the teeth showed yellowish discoloration as well as crumbling or missing enamel. Due to the absence of carious lesions and the presence of normal pulp in the teeth, it was decided to restore the dentition with indirect crowns of ceramic-optimized polymer, also known as ceromer. No preparations were performed on the teeth. For this patient, indirect ceromer restorations presented a good treatment option for the rehabilitation of primary teeth affected by AI.

Spin Entanglement Witness for Quantum Gravity.

PubMed

Bose, Sougato; Mazumdar, Anupam; Morley, Gavin W; Ulbricht, Hendrik; Toroš, Marko; Paternostro, Mauro; Geraci, Andrew A; Barker, Peter F; Kim, M S; Milburn, Gerard

2017-12-15

Understanding gravity in the framework of quantum mechanics is one of the great challenges in modern physics. However, the lack of empirical evidence has lead to a debate on whether gravity is a quantum entity. Despite varied proposed probes for quantum gravity, it is fair to say that there are no feasible ideas yet to test its quantum coherent behavior directly in a laboratory experiment. Here, we introduce an idea for such a test based on the principle that two objects cannot be entangled without a quantum mediator. We show that despite the weakness of gravity, the phase evolution induced by the gravitational interaction of two micron size test masses in adjacent matter-wave interferometers can detectably entangle them even when they are placed far apart enough to keep Casimir-Polder forces at bay. We provide a prescription for witnessing this entanglement, which certifies gravity as a quantum coherent mediator, through simple spin correlation measurements.

Spin Entanglement Witness for Quantum Gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bose, Sougato; Mazumdar, Anupam; Morley, Gavin W.; Ulbricht, Hendrik; Toroš, Marko; Paternostro, Mauro; Geraci, Andrew A.; Barker, Peter F.; Kim, M. S.; Milburn, Gerard

2017-12-01

Understanding gravity in the framework of quantum mechanics is one of the great challenges in modern physics. However, the lack of empirical evidence has lead to a debate on whether gravity is a quantum entity. Despite varied proposed probes for quantum gravity, it is fair to say that there are no feasible ideas yet to test its quantum coherent behavior directly in a laboratory experiment. Here, we introduce an idea for such a test based on the principle that two objects cannot be entangled without a quantum mediator. We show that despite the weakness of gravity, the phase evolution induced by the gravitational interaction of two micron size test masses in adjacent matter-wave interferometers can detectably entangle them even when they are placed far apart enough to keep Casimir-Polder forces at bay. We provide a prescription for witnessing this entanglement, which certifies gravity as a quantum coherent mediator, through simple spin correlation measurements.

Fluctuation driven electroweak phase transition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gleiser, Marcelo; Kolb, Edward W.

1991-01-01

We examine the dynamics of the electroweak phase transition in the early Universe. For Higgs masses in the range 46 less than or = M sub H less than or = 150 GeV and top quark masses less than 200 GeV, regions of symmetric and asymmetric vacuum coexist to below the critical temperature, with thermal equilibrium between the two phases maintained by fluctuations of both phases. We propose that the transition to the asymmetric vacuum is completed by percolation of these subcritical fluctuations. Our results are relevant to scenarios of baryogenesis that invoke a weakly first-order phase transition at the electroweak scale.

Theory of coherent quantum phase slips in Josephson junction chains with periodic spatial modulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Svetogorov, Aleksandr E.; Taguchi, Masahiko; Tokura, Yasuhiro; Basko, Denis M.; Hekking, Frank W. J.

2018-03-01

We study coherent quantum phase slips which lift the ground state degeneracy in a Josephson junction ring, pierced by a magnetic flux of the magnitude equal to half of a flux quantum. The quantum phase-slip amplitude is sensitive to the normal mode structure of superconducting phase oscillations in the ring (Mooij-Schön modes). These, in turn, are affected by spatial inhomogeneities in the ring. We analyze the case of weak periodic modulations of the system parameters and calculate the corresponding modification of the quantum phase-slip amplitude.

Fluctuation-driven electroweak phase transition. [in early universe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gleiser, Marcelo; Kolb, Edward W.

1992-01-01

We examine the dynamics of the electroweak phase transition in the early Universe. For Higgs masses in the range 46 less than or = M sub H less than or = 150 GeV and top quark masses less than 200 GeV, regions of symmetric and asymmetric vacuum coexist to below the critical temperature, with thermal equilibrium between the two phases maintained by fluctuations of both phases. We propose that the transition to the asymmetric vacuum is completed by percolation of these subcritical fluctuations. Our results are relevant to scenarios of baryogenesis that invoke a weakly first-order phase transition at the electroweak scale.

Validation of the Chinese Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD-Symptoms and Normal-Behaviors Questionnaire in Hong Kong

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lai, Kelly Y. C.; Leung, Patrick W. L.; Luk, Ernest S. L.; Wong, Ann S. Y.; Law, Lawrence S. C.; Ho, Karen K. Y.

2013-01-01

Objective: Unlike rating scales that focus on the severity of ADHD symptoms, the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD-Symptoms and Normal-Behaviors (SWAN) rating scale is phrased in neutral or positive terms for carers to compare the index child's behaviors with that of their peers. This study explores its psychometric properties when applied to…

Manifestation of weak ferromagnetism and photocatalytic activity in bismuth ferrite nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakar, M.; Balakumar, S.; Saravanan, P.; Jaisankar, S. N.

2013-02-01

Bismuth ferrite (BFO) nanoparticles were synthesized by auto-ignition technique with and without adding ignition fuel such as citric acid. The presence of citric acid in the reaction mixture yielded highly-magnetic BFO/γ-Fe2O3 nanocomposite. When this composite was annealed to 650°C, a single phase BFO was formed with average crystallite size of 50 nm and showed weak ferromagnetic behavior. Conversely, the phase pure BFO prepared without adding citric acid exhibited antiferromagnetism because of its larger crystallite size of around 70 nm. The visible-light driven photocatalytic activity of both the pure BFO and BFO/γ-Fe2O3 nanocomposite were examined by degrading methyl orange dye. The pure BFO showed a moderate photocatalytic activity; while BFO/γ-Fe2O3 nanocomposite showed enhanced activity. This could be probably due to the optimal band gap ratio between BFO and γ-Fe2O3 phases reduced the recombination of electron-hole pairs which aided in the enhancement of photocatalytic activity.

n→π* Non-Covalent Interaction is Weak but Strong in Action

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Santosh Kumar; Das, Aloke

2017-06-01

n→π* interaction is a newly discovered non-covalent interaction which involves delocalization of lone pair (n) electrons of an electronegative atom into π* orbital of a carbonyl group or an aromatic ring. It is widely observed in materials, biomolecules (protein, DNA, RNA), amino acids, neurotransmitter and drugs. However, due to its weak strength and counterintuitive nature its existence is debatable. Such weak interactions are often masked by solvent effects in condense phase or physiological conditions thereby, making it difficult to prove the presence of such weak interactions. Therefore, we have used isolated gas phase spectroscopy in combination with quantum chemical calculations to study n→π* interaction in several molecules where, our molecular systems are free from solvent effects or any external forces. Herein I will be discussing two of the molecular systems (phenyl formate and salicin) where, we have observed the significance of n→π* interaction in determining the conformational specificity of the molecules. We have proved the existence of n→π* interaction for the first time through IR spectroscopy by probing the carbonyl stretching frequency of phenyl formate. Our study is further pursued on a drug named salicin where, we have observed that its conformational preferences is ruled by n→π* interaction even though a strong hydrogen bonding interaction is present in the molecule. Our results show that n→π* interaction, in spite of its weak strength, should not be overlooked as it existence can play an important role in governing the structures of molecules like other strong non-covalent interactions do.

Non-equilibrium quantum phase transition via entanglement decoherence dynamics.

PubMed

Lin, Yu-Chen; Yang, Pei-Yun; Zhang, Wei-Min

2016-10-07

We investigate the decoherence dynamics of continuous variable entanglement as the system-environment coupling strength varies from the weak-coupling to the strong-coupling regimes. Due to the existence of localized modes in the strong-coupling regime, the system cannot approach equilibrium with its environment, which induces a nonequilibrium quantum phase transition. We analytically solve the entanglement decoherence dynamics for an arbitrary spectral density. The nonequilibrium quantum phase transition is demonstrated as the system-environment coupling strength varies for all the Ohmic-type spectral densities. The 3-D entanglement quantum phase diagram is obtained.

Three-Phase Coexistence in Colloidal Rod-Plate Mixtures.

PubMed

Woolston, Phillip; van Duijneveldt, Jeroen S

2015-09-01

Aqueous suspensions of clay particles, such as montmorillonite (MMT) platelets and sepiolite (Sep) rods, tend to form gels at concentrations around 1 vol %. For Sep rods, adsorbing sodium polyacrylate to the surface allows for an isotropic-nematic phase separation to be seen instead. Here, MMT is added to such Sep suspensions, resulting in a complex phase behavior. Across a range of clay concentrations, separation into three phases is observed: a lower, nematic phase dominated by Sep rods, a MMT-rich middle layer, which is weakly birefringent and probably a gel, and a dilute top phase. Analysis of phase volumes suggests that the middle layer may contain as much as 6 vol % MMT.

Reconciling phase diffusion and Hartree-Fock approximation in condensate systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giorgi, Gian Luca; de Pasquale, Ferdinando

2012-01-01

Despite the weakly interacting regime, the physics of Bose-Einstein condensates is widely affected by particle-particle interactions. They determine quantum phase diffusion, which is known to be the main cause of loss of coherence. Studying a simple model of two interacting Bose systems, we show how to predict the appearance of phase diffusion beyond the Bogoliubov approximation, providing a self-consistent treatment in the framework of a generalized Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov perturbation theory.

Phase diagram of the underdoped cuprates at high magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chakraborty, Debmalya; Morice, Corentin; Pépin, Catherine

2018-06-01

The experimentally measured phase diagram of cuprate superconductors in the temperature-applied magnetic field plane illuminates key issues in understanding the physics of these materials. At low temperature, the superconducting state gives way to a long-range charge order with increasing magnetic field; both the orders coexist in a small intermediate region. The charge order transition is strikingly insensitive to temperature and quickly reaches a transition temperature close to the zero-field superconducting Tc. We argue that such a transition along with the presence of the coexisting phase is difficult to obtain in a weak coupling competing orders formalism. We demonstrate that for some range of parameters there is an enlarged symmetry of the strongly coupled charge and superconducting orders in the system depending on their relative masses and the coupling strength of the two orders. We establish that this sharp switch from the superconducting phase to the charge order phase can be understood in the framework of a composite SU(2) order parameter comprising the charge and superconducting orders. Finally, we illustrate that there is a possibility of the coexisting phase of the competing charge and superconducting orders only when the SU(2) symmetry between them is weakly broken due to biquadratic terms in the free energy. The relation of this sharp transition to the proximity to the pseudogap quantum critical doping is also discussed.

Polar silica-based stationary phases. Part II- Neutral silica stationary phases with surface bound maltose and sorbitol for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Rathnasekara, Renuka; El Rassi, Ziad

2017-07-28

Two neutral polyhydroxylated silica bonded stationary phases, namely maltose-silica (MALT-silica) and sorbitol-silica (SOR-silica), have been introduced and chromatographically characterized in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) for a wide range of polar compounds. The bonding of the maltose and sorbitol to the silica surface was brought about by first converting bare silica to an epoxy-activated silica surface via reaction with γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) followed by attaching maltose and sorbitol to the epoxy surface in the presence of the Lewis acid catalyst BF 3 .ethereate. Both silica based columns offered the expected retention characteristics usually encountered for neutral polar surface. The retention mechanism is majorly based on solute' differential partitioning between an organic rich hydro-organic mobile phase (e.g., ACN rich mobile phase) and an adsorbed water layer on the surface of the stationary phase although additional hydrogen bonding was also responsible in some cases for solute retention. The MALT-silica column proved to be more hydrophilic and offered higher retention, separation efficiency and resolution than the SOR-silica column among the tested polar solutes such as derivatized mono- and oligosaccharides, weak phenolic acids, cyclic nucleotide monophosphate and nucleotide-5'-monophosphates, and weak bases, e.g., nucleobases and nucleosides. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Weak values, 'negative probability', and the uncertainty principle

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sokolovski, D.

2007-10-15

A quantum transition can be seen as a result of interference between various pathways (e.g., Feynman paths), which can be labeled by a variable f. An attempt to determine the value of f without destroying the coherence between the pathways produces a weak value of f. We show f to be an average obtained with an amplitude distribution which can, in general, take negative values, which, in accordance with the uncertainty principle, need not contain information about the actual range of f which contributes to the transition. It is also demonstrated that the moments of such alternating distributions have amore » number of unusual properties which may lead to a misinterpretation of the weak-measurement results. We provide a detailed analysis of weak measurements with and without post-selection. Examples include the double-slit diffraction experiment, weak von Neumann and von Neumann-like measurements, traversal time for an elastic collision, phase time, and local angular momentum.« less

Weak-interaction rates in stellar conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarriguren, Pedro

2018-05-01

Weak-interaction rates, including β-decay and electron captures, are studied in several mass regions at various densities and temperatures of astrophysical interest. In particular, we study odd-A nuclei in the pf-shell region, which are involved in presupernova formations. Weak rates are relevant to understand the late stages of the stellar evolution, as well as the nucleosynthesis of heavy nuclei. The nuclear structure involved in the weak processes is studied within a quasiparticle proton-neutron random-phase approximation with residual interactions in both particle-hole and particle-particle channels on top of a deformed Skyrme Hartree-Fock mean field with pairing correlations. First, the energy distributions of the Gamow-Teller strength are discussed and compared with the available experimental information, measured under terrestrial conditions from charge-exchange reactions. Then, the sensitivity of the weak-interaction rates to both astrophysical densities and temperatures is studied. Special attention is paid to the relative contribution to these rates of thermally populated excited states in the decaying nucleus and to the electron captures from the degenerate electron plasma.

The unusual magnetism of nanoparticle LaCoO3.

PubMed

Durand, A M; Belanger, D P; Hamil, T J; Ye, F; Chi, S; Fernandez-Baca, J A; Booth, C H; Abdollahian, Y; Bhat, M

2015-05-08

Bulk and nanoparticle powders of LaCoO3 (LCO) were synthesized and their magnetic and structural properties were studied using SQUID magnetometry and neutron diffraction. The bulk and large nanoparticles exhibit weak ferromagnetism (FM) below T ≈ 85 K and a crossover from strong to weak antiferromagnetic (AFM) correlations near a transition expressed in the lattice parameters, To≈40 K. This crossover does not occur in the smallest nanoparticles; instead, the magnetic behavior is predominantly ferromagnetic. The amount of FM in the nanoparticles depends on the amount of Co3O4 impurity phase, which induces tensile strain on the LCO lattice. A core-interface model is introduced, with the core region exhibiting the AFM crossover and with FM in the interface region near surfaces and impurity phases.

The unusual magnetism of nanoparticle LaCoO 3

DOE PAGES

Durand, A. M.; Belanger, D. P.; Hamil, T. J.; ...

2015-04-15

Bulk and nanoparticle powders of LaCoO 3 (LCO) were synthesized and their magnetic and structural properties were studied using SQUID magnetometry and neutron diffraction. The bulk and large nanoparticles exhibit weak ferromagnetism (FM) below T≈85K and a crossover from strong to weak antiferromagnetic (AFM) correlations near a transition expressed in the lattice parameters, To ≈ 40 K. This crossover does not occur in the smallest nanoparticles; instead, the magnetic behavior is predominantly ferromagnetic. The amount of FM in the nanoparticles depends on the amount of Co 3O 4 impurity phase, which induces tensile strain on the LCO lattice. A core-interfacemore » model is introduced, with the core region exhibiting the AFM crossover and with FM in the interface region near surfaces and impurity phases.« less

The unusual magnetism of nanoparticle LaCoO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durand, A. M.; Belanger, D. P.; Hamil, T. J.; Ye, F.; Chi, S.; Fernandez-Baca, J. A.; Booth, C. H.; Abdollahian, Y.; Bhat, M.

2015-05-01

Bulk and nanoparticle powders of LaCoO3 (LCO) were synthesized and their magnetic and structural properties were studied using SQUID magnetometry and neutron diffraction. The bulk and large nanoparticles exhibit weak ferromagnetism (FM) below T ≈ 85 K and a crossover from strong to weak antiferromagnetic (AFM) correlations near a transition expressed in the lattice parameters, To≈40 K. This crossover does not occur in the smallest nanoparticles; instead, the magnetic behavior is predominantly ferromagnetic. The amount of FM in the nanoparticles depends on the amount of Co3O4 impurity phase, which induces tensile strain on the LCO lattice. A core-interface model is introduced, with the core region exhibiting the AFM crossover and with FM in the interface region near surfaces and impurity phases.

Influence of strong and weak hydrogen bonds in ices on stimulated Raman scattering.

PubMed

Li, Tianyu; Li, Fangfang; Li, Zhanlong; Sun, Chenglin; Tong, Junhong; Fang, Wenhui; Men, Zhiwei

2016-03-15

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) in liquid water and ice Ih using Nd:YAG laser is investigated. The spectrum of backward SRS (BSRS) in water is acquired. The spectrum shows an unexpected SRS peak at around 3453  cm(-1) besides the normal peak, which is similar to the spontaneous Raman spectrum of ice VII. The ice VII phase will be formed by laser-induced shock compression in liquid water. Simultaneously, unlike the spontaneous Raman spectrum, the pre-resonance SRS of ice Ih at around 3110 and 3210  cm(-1) is observed. The Raman peaks appeared in liquid water and ice Ih are attributed to the effect of strong and weak hydrogen bonds (H bonds), which should be ubiquitous in other ice phases.

Dual fermionic variables and renormalization group approach to junctions of strongly interacting quantum wires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giuliano, Domenico; Nava, Andrea

2015-09-01

Making a combined use of bosonization and fermionization techniques, we build nonlocal transformations between dual fermion operators, describing junctions of strongly interacting spinful one-dimensional quantum wires. Our approach allows for trading strongly interacting (in the original coordinates) fermionic Hamiltonians for weakly interacting (in the dual coordinates) ones. It enables us to generalize to the strongly interacting regime the fermionic renormalization group approach to weakly interacting junctions. As a result, on one hand, we are able to pertinently complement the information about the phase diagram of the junction obtained within the bosonization approach; on the other hand, we map out the full crossover of the conductance tensors between any two fixed points in the phase diagram connected by a renormalization group trajectory.

Characterization of Strength and Function in Ambulatory Adults With GNE Myopathy

PubMed Central

Argov, Zohar; Bronstein, Faye; Esposito, Alicia; Feinsod-Meiri, Yael; Florence, Julaine M.; Fowler, Eileen; Greenberg, Marcia B.; Malkus, Elizabeth C.; Rebibo, Odelia; Siener, Catherine S.; Caraco, Yoseph; Kolodny, Edwin H.; Lau, Heather A.; Pestronk, Alan; Shieh, Perry; Mayhew, Jill E.

2017-01-01

Abstract Objective: To characterize the pattern and extent of muscle weakness and impact on physical functioning in adults with GNEM. Methods: Strength and function were assessed in GNEM subjects (n = 47) using hand-held dynamometry, manual muscle testing, upper and lower extremity functional capacity tests, and the GNEM-Functional Activity Scale (GNEM-FAS). Results: Profound upper and lower muscle weakness was measured using hand-held dynamometry in a characteristic pattern, previously described. Functional tests and clinician-reported outcomes demonstrated the consequence of muscle weakness on physical functioning. Conclusions: The characteristic pattern of upper and lower muscle weakness associated with GNEM and the resulting functional limitations can be reliably measured using these clinical outcome assessments of muscle strength and function. PMID:28827485

The skewed weak lensing likelihood: why biases arise, despite data and theory being sound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sellentin, Elena; Heymans, Catherine; Harnois-Déraps, Joachim

2018-07-01

We derive the essentials of the skewed weak lensing likelihood via a simple hierarchical forward model. Our likelihood passes four objective and cosmology-independent tests which a standard Gaussian likelihood fails. We demonstrate that sound weak lensing data are naturally biased low, since they are drawn from a skewed distribution. This occurs already in the framework of Lambda cold dark matter. Mathematically, the biases arise because noisy two-point functions follow skewed distributions. This form of bias is already known from cosmic microwave background analyses, where the low multipoles have asymmetric error bars. Weak lensing is more strongly affected by this asymmetry as galaxies form a discrete set of shear tracer particles, in contrast to a smooth shear field. We demonstrate that the biases can be up to 30 per cent of the standard deviation per data point, dependent on the properties of the weak lensing survey and the employed filter function. Our likelihood provides a versatile framework with which to address this bias in future weak lensing analyses.

The skewed weak lensing likelihood: why biases arise, despite data and theory being sound.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sellentin, Elena; Heymans, Catherine; Harnois-Déraps, Joachim

2018-04-01

We derive the essentials of the skewed weak lensing likelihood via a simple Hierarchical Forward Model. Our likelihood passes four objective and cosmology-independent tests which a standard Gaussian likelihood fails. We demonstrate that sound weak lensing data are naturally biased low, since they are drawn from a skewed distribution. This occurs already in the framework of ΛCDM. Mathematically, the biases arise because noisy two-point functions follow skewed distributions. This form of bias is already known from CMB analyses, where the low multipoles have asymmetric error bars. Weak lensing is more strongly affected by this asymmetry as galaxies form a discrete set of shear tracer particles, in contrast to a smooth shear field. We demonstrate that the biases can be up to 30% of the standard deviation per data point, dependent on the properties of the weak lensing survey and the employed filter function. Our likelihood provides a versatile framework with which to address this bias in future weak lensing analyses.

Radiation from quantum weakly dynamical horizons in loop quantum gravity.

PubMed

Pranzetti, Daniele

2012-07-06

We provide a statistical mechanical analysis of quantum horizons near equilibrium in the grand canonical ensemble. By matching the description of the nonequilibrium phase in terms of weakly dynamical horizons with a local statistical framework, we implement loop quantum gravity dynamics near the boundary. The resulting radiation process provides a quantum gravity description of the horizon evaporation. For large black holes, the spectrum we derive presents a discrete structure which could be potentially observable.

A three-phase amplification of the cosmic magnetic field in galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin-Alvarez, Sergio; Devriendt, Julien; Slyz, Adrianne; Teyssier, Romain

2018-06-01

Arguably the main challenge of galactic magnetism studies is to explain how the interstellar medium of galaxies reaches energetic equipartition despite the extremely weak cosmic primordial magnetic fields that are originally predicted to thread the inter-galactic medium. Previous numerical studies of isolated galaxies suggest that a fast dynamo amplification might suffice to bridge the gap spanning many orders of magnitude in strength between the weak early Universe magnetic fields and the ones observed in high redshift galaxies. To better understand their evolution in the cosmological context of hierarchical galaxy growth, we probe the amplification process undergone by the cosmic magnetic field within a spiral galaxy to unprecedented accuracy by means of a suite of constrained transport magnetohydrodynamical adaptive mesh refinement cosmological zoom simulations with different stellar feedback prescriptions. A galactic turbulent dynamo is found to be naturally excited in this cosmological environment, being responsible for most of the amplification of the magnetic energy. Indeed, we find that the magnetic energy spectra of simulated galaxies display telltale inverse cascades. Overall, the amplification process can be divided in three main phases, which are related to different physical mechanisms driving galaxy evolution: an initial collapse phase, an accretion-driven phase, and a feedback-driven phase. While different feedback models affect the magnetic field amplification differently, all tested models prove to be subdominant at early epochs, before the feedback-driven phase is reached. Thus the three-phase evolution paradigm is found to be quite robust vis-a-vis feedback prescriptions.

Surface charge fine tuning of reversed-phase/weak anion-exchange type mixed-mode stationary phases for milder elution conditions.

PubMed

Zimmermann, Aleksandra; Horak, Jeannie; Sánchez-Muñoz, Orlando L; Lämmerhofer, Michael

2015-08-28

A series of new mixed-mode reversed-phase/weak anion-exchange (RP/WAX) phases have been synthesized by immobilization of N-undecenyl-3-α-aminotropane onto thiol-modified silica gel by thiol-ene click chemistry and subsequent introduction of acidic thiol-endcapping functionalities of different type and surface densities. Click chemistry allowed to adjust a controlled surface concentration of the RP/WAX ligand in such a way that a sufficient quantity of residual thiols remained unmodified which have been capped by thiol click with either 3-butenoic acid or allylsulfonic acid as co-ligands. In another embodiment, performic acid oxidation of N-undecenyl-3-α-aminotropane-derivatized thiol-modified silica gave a RP/WAX phase with high density of sulfonic acid end-capping groups. ζ-Potential determinations confirmed the fine-tuned pI of these mixed-mode stationary phases which was shifted from 9.5 to 8.2, 7.8, and 6.5 with 3-butenoic acid and allylsulfonic acid end-capping as well as performic acid oxidation. For acidic solutes, the co-ionic endcapping leads to strongly reduced retention times and clearly allowed elution of these analytes under lower ionic strength thus milder elution conditions. In spite of the acidic endcapping, the new mixed-mode phases maintained their hydrophobic and anion-exchange selectivity as well as their multimodal nature featuring RP and HILIC elution domains at acetonitrile percentages below and above 50%, respectively. Column classification by principal component analysis of an extended retention map in comparison to a set of polar commercial and in-house synthesized stationary phases confirmed complementarity of the new mixed-mode phases with respect to HILIC, polar RP, amino and commercial mixed-mode phases. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Glassy phases and driven response of the phase-field-crystal model with random pinning.

PubMed

Granato, E; Ramos, J A P; Achim, C V; Lehikoinen, J; Ying, S C; Ala-Nissila, T; Elder, K R

2011-09-01

We study the structural correlations and the nonlinear response to a driving force of a two-dimensional phase-field-crystal model with random pinning. The model provides an effective continuous description of lattice systems in the presence of disordered external pinning centers, allowing for both elastic and plastic deformations. We find that the phase-field crystal with disorder assumes an amorphous glassy ground state, with only short-ranged positional and orientational correlations, even in the limit of weak disorder. Under increasing driving force, the pinned amorphous-glass phase evolves into a moving plastic-flow phase and then, finally, a moving smectic phase. The transverse response of the moving smectic phase shows a vanishing transverse critical force for increasing system sizes.

[Special mechanisms for reducing life span of cells and organisms, initiated by some weak external signals].

PubMed

Bychkovskaia, I B; Fedortseva, R F

2014-01-01

The study presents the results of many-years research conducted using biological objects of different organization level. It demonstrates special species-nonspecific form of weak external signals negative effect to cells life expectancy reduction caused by program damage of cells populations. This effect is detected after weak radiation, radio-chemical and thermal influences. It leads to faster extinction of postmitotic populations which can be a reason for life expectancy reduction of multicellular organisms. A possibility of such effect inheritance in the asexual and sexual reproduction is shown. Epigenetic mechanisms of this phenomenon are assumed.

Crystallographic Phasing from Weak Anomalous Signals

PubMed Central

Liu, Qun; Hendrickson, Wayne A.

2015-01-01

The exploitation of anomalous signals for biological structural solution is maturing. Single-wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD) is dominant in de novo structure analysis. Nevertheless, for challenging structures where the resolution is low (dmin ≥ 3.5 Å) or where only lighter atoms (Z ≤ 20) are present, as for native macromolecules, solved SAD structures are still scarce. With the recent rapid development in crystal handling, beamline instrumentation, optimization of data collection strategies, use of multiple crystals and structure determination technologies, the weak anomalous diffraction signals are now robustly measured and should be used for routine SAD structure determination. The review covers these recent advances on weak anomalous signals measurement, analysis and utilization. PMID:26432413

Weak and strong coupling equilibration in nonabelian gauge theories

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Keegan, Liam; Kurkela, Aleksi; Romatschke, Paul

2016-04-06

In this study, we present a direct comparison studying equilibration through kinetic theory at weak coupling and through holography at strong coupling in the same set-up. The set-up starts with a homogeneous thermal state, which then smoothly transitions through an out-of-equilibrium phase to an expanding system undergoing boost-invariant flow. This first apples-to-apples comparison of equilibration provides a benchmark for similar equilibration processes in heavy-ion collisions, where the equilibration mechanism is still under debate. We find that results at weak and strong coupling can be smoothly connected by simple, empirical power-laws for the viscosity, equilibration time and entropy production of themore » system.« less

Crystallographic phasing from weak anomalous signals.

PubMed

Liu, Qun; Hendrickson, Wayne A

2015-10-01

The exploitation of anomalous signals for biological structural solution is maturing. Single-wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD) is dominant in de novo structure analysis. Nevertheless, for challenging structures where the resolution is low (dmin≥3.5Å) or where only lighter atoms (Z≤20) are present, as for native macromolecules, solved SAD structures are still scarce. With the recent rapid development in crystal handling, beamline instrumentation, optimization of data collection strategies, use of multiple crystals and structure determination technologies, the weak anomalous diffraction signals are now robustly measured and should be used for routine SAD structure determination. The review covers these recent advances on weak anomalous signals measurement, analysis and utilization. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Theoretical aspects of femtosecond double-pump single-molecule spectroscopy. I. Weak-field regime.

PubMed

Palacino-González, Elisa; Gelin, Maxim F; Domcke, Wolfgang

2017-12-13

We present a theoretical description of double-pump femtosecond single-molecule signals with fluorescence detection. We simulate these signals in the weak-field regime for a model mimicking a chromophore with a Franck-Condon-active vibrational mode. We establish several signatures of these signals which are characteristic for the weak-field regime. The signatures include the quenching of vibrational beatings by electronic dephasing and a pronounced tilt of the phase-time profiles in the two-dimensional (2D) maps. We study how environment-induced slow modulations of the electronic dephasing and relevant chromophore parameters (electronic energy, orientation, vibrational frequency and relative shift of the potential energy surfaces) affect the signals.

KLY5 Kappabridge: High sensitivity susceptibility and anisotropy meter precisely decomposing in-phase and out-of-phase components

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pokorny, Petr; Pokorny, Jiri; Chadima, Martin; Hrouda, Frantisek; Studynka, Jan; Vejlupek, Josef

2016-04-01

The KLY5 Kappabridge is equipped, in addition to standard measurement of in-phase magnetic susceptibility and its anisotropy, for precise and calibrated measurement of out-of-phase susceptibility and its anisotropy. The phase angle is measured in "absolute" terms, i.e. without any residual phase error. The measured value of the out-of-phase susceptibility is independent on both the magnitude of the complex susceptibility and intensity of the driving magnetic field. The precise decomposition of the complex susceptibility into the in-phase and out-of-phase components is verified through presumably zero out-of-phase susceptibility of pure gadolinium oxide. The outstanding sensitivity in measurement of weak samples is achieved by newly developed drift compensation routine in addition to the latest models of electronic devices. In rocks, soils, and environmental materials, in which it is usually due to viscous relaxation, the out-of-phase susceptibility is able to substitute the more laborious frequency-dependent susceptibility routinely used in magnetic granulometry. Another new feature is measurement of the anisotropy of out-of-phase magnetic susceptibility (opAMS), which is also performed simultaneously and automatically with standard (in-phase) AMS measurement. The opAMS enables the direct determination of the magnetic sub-fabrics of the minerals that show non-zero out-of-phase susceptibility either due to viscous relaxation (ultrafine grains of magnetite or maghemite), or due to weak-field hysteresis (titanomagnetite, hematite, pyrrhotite), or due to eddy currents (in conductive minerals). Using the 3D rotator, the instrument performs the measurement of both the AMS and opAMS by only one insertion of the specimen into the specimen holder. In addition, fully automated measurement of the field variation of the AMS and opAMS is possible. The instrument is able to measure, in conjunction with the CS-4 Furnace and CS-L Cryostat, the temperature variation of susceptibility.

Four hot DOGs in the microwave

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frey, Sándor; Paragi, Zsolt; Gabányi, Krisztina Éva; An, Tao

2016-01-01

Hot dust-obscured galaxies (hot DOGs) are a rare class of hyperluminous infrared galaxies identified with the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) satellite. The majority of them are at high redshifts (z ˜ 2-3), at the peak epoch of star formation in the Universe. Infrared, optical, radio, and X-ray data suggest that hot DOGs contain heavily obscured, extremely luminous active galactic nuclei (AGN). This class may represent a short phase in the life of the galaxies, signifying the transition from starburst- to AGN-dominated phases. Hot DOGs are typically radio-quiet, but some of them show mJy-level emission in the radio (microwave) band. We observed four hot DOGs using the technique of very long baseline interferometry (VLBI). The 1.7 GHz observations with the European VLBI Network (EVN) revealed weak radio features in all sources. The radio is free from dust obscuration and, at such high redshifts, VLBI is sensitive only to compact structures that are characteristic of AGN activity. In two cases (WISE J0757+5113, WISE J1603+2745), the flux density of the VLBI-detected components is much smaller than the total flux density, suggesting that ˜70-90 per cent of the radio emission, while still dominated by AGN, originates from angular scales larger than that probed by the EVN. The source WISE J1146+4129 appears a candidate compact symmetric object, and WISE J1814+3412 shows a 5.1 kpc double structure, reminiscent of hotspots in a medium-sized symmetric object. Our observations support that AGN residing in hot DOGs may be genuine young radio sources where starburst and AGN activities coexist.

Direction of coupling from phases of interacting oscillators: An information-theoretic approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paluš, Milan; Stefanovska, Aneta

2003-05-01

A directionality index based on conditional mutual information is proposed for application to the instantaneous phases of weakly coupled oscillators. Its abilities to distinguish unidirectional from bidirectional coupling, as well as to reveal and quantify asymmetry in bidirectional coupling, are demonstrated using numerical examples of quasiperiodic, chaotic, and noisy oscillators, as well as real human cardiorespiratory data.

Scene segmentation by spike synchronization in reciprocally connected visual areas. II. Global assemblies and synchronization on larger space and time scales.

PubMed

Knoblauch, Andreas; Palm, Günther

2002-09-01

We present further simulation results of the model of two reciprocally connected visual areas proposed in the first paper [Knoblauch and Palm (2002) Biol Cybern 87:151-167]. One area corresponds to the orientation-selective subsystem of the primary visual cortex, the other is modeled as an associative memory representing stimulus objects according to Hebbian learning. We examine the scene-segmentation capability of our model on larger time and space scales, and relate it to experimental findings. Scene segmentation is achieved by attention switching on a time-scale longer than the gamma range. We find that the time-scale can vary depending on habituation parameters in the range of tens to hundreds of milliseconds. The switching process can be related to findings concerning attention and biased competition, and we reproduce experimental poststimulus time histograms (PSTHs) of single neurons under different stimulus and attentional conditions. In a larger variant the model exhibits traveling waves of activity on both slow and fast time-scales, with properties similar to those found in experiments. An apparent weakness of our standard model is the tendency to produce anti-phase correlations for fast activity from the two areas. Increasing the inter-areal delays in our model produces alternations of in-phase and anti-phase oscillations. The experimentally observed in-phase correlations can most naturally be obtained by the involvement of both fast and slow inter-areal connections; e.g., by two axon populations corresponding to fast-conducting myelinated and slow-conducting unmyelinated axons.

Instantaneous phase estimation to measure weak velocity variations: application to noise correlation on seismic data at the exploration scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corciulo, M.; Roux, P.; Campillo, M.; Dubucq, D.

2010-12-01

Passive imaging from noise cross-correlation is a consolidated analysis applied at continental and regional scale whereas its use at local scale for seismic exploration purposes is still uncertain. The development of passive imaging by cross-correlation analysis is based on the extraction of the Green’s function from seismic noise data. In a completely random field in time and space, the cross-correlation permits to retrieve the complete Green’s function whatever the complexity of the medium. At the exploration scale and at frequency above 2 Hz, the noise sources are not ideally distributed around the stations which strongly affect the extraction of the direct arrivals from the noise cross-correlation process. In order to overcome this problem, the coda waves extracted from noise correlation could be useful. Coda waves describe long and scattered paths sampling the medium in different ways such that they become sensitive to weak velocity variations without being dependent on the noise source distribution. Indeed, scatters in the medium behave as a set of secondary noise sources which randomize the spatial distribution of noise sources contributing to the coda waves in the correlation process. We developed a new technique to measure weak velocity changes based on the computation of the local phase variations (instantaneous phase variation or IPV) of the cross-correlated signals. This newly-developed technique takes advantage from the doublet and stretching techniques classically used to monitor weak velocity variation from coda waves. We apply IPV to data acquired in Northern America (Canada) on a 1-km side square seismic network laid out by 397 stations. Data used to study temporal variations are cross-correlated signals computed on 10-minutes ambient noise in the frequency band 2-5 Hz. As the data set was acquired over five days, about 660 files are processed to perform a complete temporal analysis for each stations pair. The IPV permits to estimate the phase shift all over the signal length without any assumption on the medium velocity. The instantaneous phase is computed using the Hilbert transform of the signal. For each stations pair, we measure the phase difference between successive correlation functions calculated for 10 minutes of ambient noise. We then fit the instantaneous phase shift using a first-order polynomial function. The measure of the velocity variation corresponds to the slope of this fit. Compared to other techniques, the advantage of IPV is a very fast procedure which efficiently provides the measure of velocity variation on large data sets. Both experimental results and numerical tests on synthetic signals will be presented to assess the reliability of the IPV technique, with comparison to the doublet and stretching methods.

Conversion of short-term to long-term memory in the novel object recognition paradigm

PubMed Central

Moore, Shannon J.; Deshpande, Kaivalya; Stinnett, Gwen S.; Seasholtz, Audrey F.; Murphy, Geoffrey G.

2013-01-01

It is well-known that stress can significantly impact learning; however, whether this effect facilitates or impairs the resultant memory depends on the characteristics of the stressor. Investigation of these dynamics can be confounded by the role of the stressor in motivating performance in a task. Positing a cohesive model of the effect of stress on learning and memory necessitates elucidating the consequences of stressful stimuli independently from task-specific functions. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine the effect of manipulating a task-independent stressor (elevated light level) on short-term and long-term memory in the novel object recognition paradigm. Short-term memory was elicited in both low light and high light conditions, but long-term memory specifically required high light conditions during the acquisition phase (familiarization trial) and was independent of the light level during retrieval (test trial). Additionally, long-term memory appeared to be independent of stress-mediated glucocorticoid release, as both low and high light produced similar levels of plasma corticosterone, which further did not correlate with subsequent memory performance. Finally, both short-term and long-term memory showed no savings between repeated experiments suggesting that this novel object recognition paradigm may be useful for longitudinal studies, particularly when investigating treatments to stabilize or enhance weak memories in neurodegenerative diseases or during age-related cognitive decline. PMID:23835143

Conversion of short-term to long-term memory in the novel object recognition paradigm.

PubMed

Moore, Shannon J; Deshpande, Kaivalya; Stinnett, Gwen S; Seasholtz, Audrey F; Murphy, Geoffrey G

2013-10-01

It is well-known that stress can significantly impact learning; however, whether this effect facilitates or impairs the resultant memory depends on the characteristics of the stressor. Investigation of these dynamics can be confounded by the role of the stressor in motivating performance in a task. Positing a cohesive model of the effect of stress on learning and memory necessitates elucidating the consequences of stressful stimuli independently from task-specific functions. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine the effect of manipulating a task-independent stressor (elevated light level) on short-term and long-term memory in the novel object recognition paradigm. Short-term memory was elicited in both low light and high light conditions, but long-term memory specifically required high light conditions during the acquisition phase (familiarization trial) and was independent of the light level during retrieval (test trial). Additionally, long-term memory appeared to be independent of stress-mediated glucocorticoid release, as both low and high light produced similar levels of plasma corticosterone, which further did not correlate with subsequent memory performance. Finally, both short-term and long-term memory showed no savings between repeated experiments suggesting that this novel object recognition paradigm may be useful for longitudinal studies, particularly when investigating treatments to stabilize or enhance weak memories in neurodegenerative diseases or during age-related cognitive decline. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of Phase Transformations and Dynamic Material Strength on Hydrodynamic Instability Evolution in Metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Opie, Saul

Hydrodynamic phenomena such as the Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) and Richtmyer-Meshkov (RM) instabilities can be described by exponential/linear growth of surface perturbations at a bimaterial interface when subjected to constant/impulsive acceleration. A challenge in designing systems to mitigate or exploit these effects is the lack of accurate material models at large dynamic strain rates and pressures. In particular, little stress-strain constitutive information at large strain rates and pressures is available for transient material phases formed at high pressures, and the continuum effect the phase transformation process has on the instability evolution. In this work, a phase-aware isotropic strength model is developed and partially validated with a novel RM-based instability experiment in addition to existing data from the literature. With the validated material model additional simulations are performed to provide insight into to the role that robust material constitutive behavior (e.g., pressure, temperature, rate dependence) has on RM instability and how RM instability experiments can be used to characterize and validated expected material behavior. For phase aware materials, particularly iron in this work, the simulations predict a strong dependence on the Atwood number that single phase materials do not have. At Atwood numbers close to unity, and pressures in the high pressure stability region, the high pressure phase dominates the RM evolution. However, at Atwood numbers close to negative one, the RM evolution is only weakly affected by the high-pressure phase even for shocks well above the phase transformation threshold. In addition to RM evolution this work looks at the closely related shock front perturbation evolution. Existing analytical models for isentropic processes in gases and liquids are modified for metal equation of states and plastic behavior for the first time. It is found that the presence of a volume collapsing phase transformation with increased pressure causes shock front perturbations to decay sooner, while plastic strength has the opposite effect which is significantly different from the effect viscosity has. These results suggest additional experimental setups to validate material models, or relevant material parameters that can be optimized for system design objectives, e.g., minimize feed through perturbations in inertial confinement fusion capsules.

Ghost imaging via optical parametric amplification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Hong-Guo; Zhang, De-Jian; Xu, De-Qin; Zhao, Qiu-Li; Wang, Sen; Wang, Hai-Bo; Xiong, Jun; Wang, Kaige

2015-10-01

We investigate theoretically and experimentally thermal light ghost imaging where the light transmitted through the object as the seed light is amplified by an optical parametric amplifier (OPA). In conventional lens imaging systems with OPA, the spectral bandwidth of OPA dominates the image resolution. Theoretically, we prove that in ghost imaging via optical parametric amplification (GIOPA) the bandwidth of OPA will not affect the image resolution. The experimental results show that for weak seed light the image quality in GIOPA is better than that of conventional ghost imaging. Our work may be valuable in remote sensing with ghost imaging technique, where the light passed through the object is weak after a long-distance propagation.

Theory of disordered unconventional superconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Keles, A.; Andreev, A. V.; Spivak, B. Z., E-mail: spivak@uw.edu

In contrast to conventional s-wave superconductivity, unconventional (e.g., p- or d-wave) superconductivity is strongly suppressed even by relatively weak disorder. Upon approaching the superconductormetal transition, the order parameter amplitude becomes increasingly inhomogeneous, leading to effective granularity and a phase ordering transition described by the Mattis model of spin glasses. One consequence of this is that at sufficiently low temperatures, between the clean unconventional superconducting and the diffusive metallic phases, there is necessarily an intermediate superconducting phase that exhibits s-wave symmetry on macroscopic scales.

Carrier-envelope phase-dependent atomic coherence and quantum beats

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wu Ying; State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071; Yang Xiaoxue

2007-07-15

It is shown that the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of few-cycle laser pulses has profound effects on the bound-state atomic coherence even in the weak-field regime where both tunneling and multiphoton ionization hardly take place. The atomic coherence thus produced is shown to be able to be mapped onto the CEP-dependent signal of quantum beats (and other quantum-interference phenomena) and hence might be used to extract information about and ultimately to measure the carrier-envelope phase.

Precision requirements and innovative manufacturing for ultrahigh precision laser interferometry of gravitational-wave astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, Wei-Tou; Han, Sen; Jin, Tao

2016-11-01

With the LIGO announcement of the first direct detection of gravitational waves (GWs), the GW Astronomy was formally ushered into our age. After one-hundred years of theoretical investigation and fifty years of experimental endeavor, this is a historical landmark not just for physics and astronomy, but also for industry and manufacturing. The challenge and opportunity for industry is precision and innovative manufacturing in large size - production of large and homogeneous optical components, optical diagnosis of large components, high reflectance dielectric coating on large mirrors, manufacturing of components for ultrahigh vacuum of large volume, manufacturing of high attenuating vibration isolation system, production of high-power high-stability single-frequency lasers, production of high-resolution positioning systems etc. In this talk, we address the requirements and methods to satisfy these requirements. Optical diagnosis of large optical components requires large phase-shifting interferometer; the 1.06 μm Phase Shifting Interferometer for testing LIGO optics and the recently built 24" phase-shifting Interferometer in Chengdu, China are examples. High quality mirrors are crucial for laser interferometric GW detection, so as for ring laser gyroscope, high precision laser stabilization via optical cavities, quantum optomechanics, cavity quantum electrodynamics and vacuum birefringence measurement. There are stringent requirements on the substrate materials and coating methods. For cryogenic GW interferometer, appropriate coating on sapphire or silicon are required for good thermal and homogeneity properties. Large ultrahigh vacuum components and high attenuating vibration system together with an efficient metrology system are required and will be addressed. For space interferometry, drag-free technology and weak-light manipulation technology are must. Drag-free technology is well-developed. Weak-light phase locking is demonstrated in the laboratories while weak-light manipulation technology still needs developments.

An evaluation of objective rating methods for full-body finite element model comparison to PMHS tests.

PubMed

Vavalle, Nicholas A; Jelen, Benjamin C; Moreno, Daniel P; Stitzel, Joel D; Gayzik, F Scott

2013-01-01

Objective evaluation methods of time history signals are used to quantify how well simulated human body responses match experimental data. As the use of simulations grows in the field of biomechanics, there is a need to establish standard approaches for comparisons. There are 2 aims of this study. The first is to apply 3 objective evaluation methods found in the literature to a set of data from a human body finite element model. The second is to compare the results of each method, examining how they are correlated to each other and the relative strengths and weaknesses of the algorithms. In this study, the methods proposed by Sprague and Geers (magnitude and phase error, SGM and SGP), Rhule et al. (cumulative standard deviation, CSD), and Gehre et al. (CORrelation and Analysis, or CORA, size, phase, shape, corridor) were compared. A 40 kph frontal sled test presented by Shaw et al. was simulated using the Global Human Body Models Consortium midsized male full-body finite element model (v. 3.5). Mean and standard deviation experimental data (n = 5) from Shaw et al. were used as the benchmark. Simulated data were output from the model at the appropriate anatomical locations for kinematic comparison. Force data were output at the seat belts, seat pan, knee, and foot restraints. Objective comparisons from 53 time history data channels were compared to the experimental results. To compare the different methods, all objective comparison metrics were cross-plotted and linear regressions were calculated. The following ratings were found to be statistically significantly correlated (P < .01): SGM and CORrelation and Analysis (CORA) size, R (2) = 0.73; SGP and CORA shape, R (2) = 0.82; and CSD and CORA's corridor factor, R (2) = 0.59. Relative strengths of the correlated ratings were then investigated. For example, though correlated to CORA size, SGM carries a sign to indicate whether the simulated response is greater than or less than the benchmark signal. A further analysis of the advantages and drawbacks of each method is discussed. The results demonstrate that a single metric is insufficient to provide a complete assessment of how well the simulated results match the experiments. The CORA method provided the most comprehensive evaluation of the signal. Regardless of the method selected, one primary recommendation of this work is that for any comparison, the results should be reported to provide separate assessments of a signal's match to experimental variance, magnitude, phase, and shape. Future work planned includes implementing any forthcoming International Organization for Standardization standards for objective evaluations. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Traffic Injury Prevention to view the supplemental file.

Magnetic excitations in the orbital disordered phase of MnV2O4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsuura, Keisuke; Sagayama, Hajime; Uehara, Amane; Nii, Yoichi; Kajimoto, Ryoichi; Kamazawa, Kazuya; Ikeuchi, Kazuhiko; Ji, Sungdae; Abe, Nobuyuki; Arima, Taka-hisa

2018-05-01

We have investigated the temperature dependence of magnetic dynamics in a spinel-type vanadium oxide MnV2O4 by inelastic neutron scattering. The scattering intensity of excitation around 20 meV disappears in the collinear intermediate-temperature cubic-ferrimagnetic phase, which reveals that this excitation should be peculiar to the orbital ordered phase. We have found a weakly dispersive mode emergent from a non-integer wavevector (1.4,1.4,0) at 56 K, which lies in the cubic-ferrimagnetic phase between non-coplanar ferrimagnetic and paramagnetic phases. This indicates that the probable presence of an incommensurate instability in the simple collinear structure.

Deterministic quantum controlled-PHASE gates based on non-Markovian environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Rui; Chen, Tian; Wang, Xiang-Bin

2017-12-01

We study the realization of the quantum controlled-PHASE gate in an atom-cavity system beyond the Markovian approximation. The general description of the dynamics for the atom-cavity system without any approximation is presented. When the spectral density of the reservoir has the Lorentz form, by making use of the memory backflow from the reservoir, we can always construct the deterministic quantum controlled-PHASE gate between a photon and an atom, no matter the atom-cavity coupling strength is weak or strong. While, the phase shift in the output pulse hinders the implementation of quantum controlled-PHASE gates in the sub-Ohmic, Ohmic or super-Ohmic reservoirs.

Efficient characterization of phase space mapping in axially symmetric optical systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barbero, Sergio; Portilla, Javier

2018-01-01

Phase space mapping, typically between an object and image plane, characterizes an optical system within a geometrical optics framework. We propose a novel conceptual frame to characterize the phase mapping in axially symmetric optical systems for arbitrary object locations, not restricted to a specific object plane. The idea is based on decomposing the phase mapping into a set of bivariate equations corresponding to different values of the radial coordinate on a specific object surface (most likely the entrance pupil). These equations are then approximated through bivariate Chebyshev interpolation at Chebyshev nodes, which guarantees uniform convergence. Additionally, we propose the use of a new concept (effective object phase space), defined as the set of points of the phase space at the first optical element (typically the entrance pupil) that are effectively mapped onto the image surface. The effective object phase space provides, by means of an inclusion test, a way to avoid tracing rays that do not reach the image surface.

The role of rewarding and novel events in facilitating memory persistence in a separate spatial memory task.

PubMed

Salvetti, Beatrice; Morris, Richard G M; Wang, Szu-Han

2014-01-15

Many insignificant events in our daily life are forgotten quickly but can be remembered for longer when other memory-modulating events occur before or after them. This phenomenon has been investigated in animal models in a protocol in which weak memories persist longer if exploration in a novel context is introduced around the time of memory encoding. This study aims to understand whether other types of rewarding or novel tasks, such as rewarded learning in a T-maze and novel object recognition, can also be effective memory-modulating events. Rats were trained in a delayed matching-to-place task to encode and retrieve food locations in an event arena. Weak encoding with only one food pellet at the sample location induced memory encoding but forgetting over 24 h. When this same weak encoding was followed by a rewarded task in a T-maze, the memory persisted for 24 h. Moreover, the same persistence of memory over 24 h could be achieved by exploration in a novel box or by a rewarded T-maze task after a "non-rewarded" weak encoding. When the one-pellet weak encoding was followed by novel object exploration, the memory did not persist at 24 h. Together, the results confirm that place encoding is possible without explicit reward, and that rewarded learning in a separate task lacking novelty can be an effective memory-modulating event. The behavioral and neurobiological implications are discussed.

Can Anomalous Amplification be Attained without Postselection?

PubMed

Martínez-Rincón, Julián; Liu, Wei-Tao; Viza, Gerardo I; Howell, John C

2016-03-11

We present a parameter estimation technique based on performing joint measurements of a weak interaction away from the weak-value-amplification approximation. Two detectors are used to collect full statistics of the correlations between two weakly entangled degrees of freedom. Without discarding of data, the protocol resembles the anomalous amplification of an imaginary-weak-value-like response. The amplification is induced in the difference signal of both detectors allowing robustness to different sources of technical noise, and offering in addition the advantages of balanced signals for precision metrology. All of the Fisher information about the parameter of interest is collected. A tunable phase controls the strength of the amplification response. We experimentally demonstrate the proposed technique by measuring polarization rotations in a linearly polarized laser pulse. We show that in the presence of technical noise the effective sensitivity and precision of a split detector is increased when compared to a conventional continuous-wave balanced detection technique.

Can Anomalous Amplification be Attained without Postselection?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martínez-Rincón, Julián; Liu, Wei-Tao; Viza, Gerardo I.; Howell, John C.

2016-03-01

We present a parameter estimation technique based on performing joint measurements of a weak interaction away from the weak-value-amplification approximation. Two detectors are used to collect full statistics of the correlations between two weakly entangled degrees of freedom. Without discarding of data, the protocol resembles the anomalous amplification of an imaginary-weak-value-like response. The amplification is induced in the difference signal of both detectors allowing robustness to different sources of technical noise, and offering in addition the advantages of balanced signals for precision metrology. All of the Fisher information about the parameter of interest is collected. A tunable phase controls the strength of the amplification response. We experimentally demonstrate the proposed technique by measuring polarization rotations in a linearly polarized laser pulse. We show that in the presence of technical noise the effective sensitivity and precision of a split detector is increased when compared to a conventional continuous-wave balanced detection technique.

Mass gap in the weak coupling limit of (2 +1 )-dimensional SU(2) lattice gauge theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anishetty, Ramesh; Sreeraj, T. P.

2018-04-01

We develop the dual description of (2 +1 )-dimensional SU(2) lattice gauge theory as interacting "Abelian-like" electric loops by using Schwinger bosons. "Point splitting" of the lattice enables us to construct explicit Hilbert space for the gauge invariant theory which in turn makes dynamics more transparent. Using path integral representation in phase space, the interacting closed loop dynamics is analyzed in the weak coupling limit to get the mass gap.

Electric fish as natural models for technical sensor systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

von der Emde, Gerhard; Bousack, Herbert; Huck, Christina; Mayekar, Kavita; Pabst, Michael; Zhang, Yi

2009-05-01

Instead of vision, many animals use alternative senses for object detection. Weakly electric fish employ "active electrolocation", during which they discharge an electric organ emitting electrical current pulses (electric organ discharges, EOD). Local EODs are sensed by electroreceptors in the fish's skin, which respond to changes of the signal caused by nearby objects. Fish can gain information about attributes of an object, such as size, shape, distance, and complex impedance. When close to the fish, each object projects an 'electric image' onto the fish's skin. In order to get information about an object, the fish has to analyze the object's electric image by sampling its voltage distribution with the electroreceptors. We now know a great deal about the mechanisms the fish use to gain information about objects in their environment. Inspired by the remarkable capabilities of weakly electric fish in detecting and recognizing objects with their electric sense, we are designing technical sensor systems that can solve similar sensing problems. We applied the principles of active electrolocation to devices that produce electrical current pulses in water and simultaneously sense local current densities. Depending on the specific task, sensors can be designed which detect an object, localize it in space, determine its distance, and measure certain object properties such as material properties, thickness, or material faults. We present first experiments and FEM simulations on the optimal sensor arrangement regarding the sensor requirements e. g. localization of objects or distance measurements. Different methods of the sensor read-out and signal processing are compared.

Phallic narcissism, anal sadism, and oral discord: the case of Yukio Mishima, Part I.

PubMed

Piven, J

2001-12-01

Thus far I have explored Mishima's traumatic childhood and the experiences leading him toward misogyny, phallic narcissism, and the drive to murder his own weakness and sexual vulnerability. Mishima suffered the extraordinary trauma of being separated from his parents and sequestered to the sickroom of a psychotic grandmother for the first twelve years of his life. Intense rage over abandonment and impingement engendered a disgust for femininity and the need to escape feminine messiness through homosexual pursuits. Mishima's entrenched feelings of shame and weakness gave rise to phallic narcissistic tendencies, as he idealized powerful men and eventually strove to become a powerful and beautiful male. In pursuing this erotic masculine image Mishima continued to fantasize about murdering his weak and shameful self-image, and commingled this sadistic impulse with fantasies of sexual merger with murdered love objects. Finally Mishima was the murderer erotically eradicating his sexual vulnerability as both subject and object. His suicide was a repetition of this erotic sadistic fantasy. In a further article I will continue the discussion by examining Mishima's fantasies of murdering beautiful and abandoning love objects. I will also address the complex nature of his ritual suicide as fantasy of rebirth, sexual merger, the murder of toxic introjects, and escape from death, decay, and regression to helpless infancy.

Non-equilibrium quantum phase transition via entanglement decoherence dynamics

PubMed Central

Lin, Yu-Chen; Yang, Pei-Yun; Zhang, Wei-Min

2016-01-01

We investigate the decoherence dynamics of continuous variable entanglement as the system-environment coupling strength varies from the weak-coupling to the strong-coupling regimes. Due to the existence of localized modes in the strong-coupling regime, the system cannot approach equilibrium with its environment, which induces a nonequilibrium quantum phase transition. We analytically solve the entanglement decoherence dynamics for an arbitrary spectral density. The nonequilibrium quantum phase transition is demonstrated as the system-environment coupling strength varies for all the Ohmic-type spectral densities. The 3-D entanglement quantum phase diagram is obtained. PMID:27713556

A probabilistic cellular automata model for the dynamics of a population driven by logistic growth and weak Allee effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendonça, J. R. G.

2018-04-01

We propose and investigate a one-parameter probabilistic mixture of one-dimensional elementary cellular automata under the guise of a model for the dynamics of a single-species unstructured population with nonoverlapping generations in which individuals have smaller probability of reproducing and surviving in a crowded neighbourhood but also suffer from isolation and dispersal. Remarkably, the first-order mean field approximation to the dynamics of the model yields a cubic map containing terms representing both logistic and weak Allee effects. The model has a single absorbing state devoid of individuals, but depending on the reproduction and survival probabilities can achieve a stable population. We determine the critical probability separating these two phases and find that the phase transition between them is in the directed percolation universality class of critical behaviour.

Use of reconstructed 3D VMEC equilibria to match effects of toroidally rotating discharges in DIII-D

DOE PAGES

Wingen, Andreas; Wilcox, Robert S.; Cianciosa, Mark R.; ...

2016-10-13

Here, a technique for tokamak equilibrium reconstructions is used for multiple DIII-D discharges, including L-mode and H-mode cases when weakly 3D fieldsmore » $$\\left(\\delta B/B\\sim {{10}^{-3}}\\right)$$ are applied. The technique couples diagnostics to the non-linear, ideal MHD equilibrium solver VMEC, using the V3FIT code, to find the most likely 3D equilibrium based on a suite of measurements. It is demonstrated that V3FIT can be used to find non-linear 3D equilibria that are consistent with experimental measurements of the plasma response to very weak 3D perturbations, as well as with 2D profile measurements. Observations at DIII-D show that plasma rotation larger than 20 krad s –1 changes the relative phase between the applied 3D fields and the measured plasma response. Discharges with low averaged rotation (10 krad s –1) and peaked rotation profiles (40 krad s –1) are reconstructed. Similarities and differences to forward modeled VMEC equilibria, which do not include rotational effects, are shown. Toroidal phase shifts of up to $${{30}^{\\circ}}$$ are found between the measured and forward modeled plasma responses at the highest values of rotation. The plasma response phases of reconstructed equilibra on the other hand match the measured ones. This is the first time V3FIT has been used to reconstruct weakly 3D tokamak equilibria.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xiang, N. B.; Kong, D. F., E-mail: nanbin@ynao.ac.cn

The Physikalisch Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos total solar irradiance (TSI), Active Cavity Radiometer Irradiance Monitoring TSI, and Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium TSI are three typical TSI composites. Magnetic Plage Strength Index (MPSI) and Mount Wilson Sunspot Index (MWSI) should indicate the weak and strong magnetic field activity on the solar full disk, respectively. Cross-correlation (CC) analysis of MWSI with three TSI composites shows that TSI should be weakly correlated with MWSI, and not be in phase with MWSI at timescales of solar cycles. The wavelet coherence (WTC) and partial wavelet coherence (PWC) of TSI with MWSI indicate that the inter-solar-cyclemore » variation of TSI is also not related to solar strong magnetic field activity, which is represented by MWSI. However, CC analysis of MPSI with three TSI composites indicates that TSI should be moderately correlated and accurately in phase with MPSI at timescales of solar cycles, and that the statistical significance test indicates that the correlation coefficient of three TSI composites with MPSI is statistically significantly higher than that of three TSI composites with MWSI. Furthermore, the cross wavelet transform (XWT) and WTC of TSI with MPSI show that the TSI is highly related and actually in phase with MPSI at a timescale of a solar cycle as well. Consequently, the CC analysis, XWT, and WTC indicate that the solar weak magnetic activity on the full disk, which is represented by MPSI, dominates the inter-solar-cycle variation of TSI.« less

Cavitation transition in the energy landscape: Distinct tensile yielding behavior in strongly and weakly attractive systems.

PubMed

Altabet, Y Elia; Fenley, Andreia L; Stillinger, Frank H; Debenedetti, Pablo G

2018-03-21

Particles with cohesive interactions display a tensile instability in the energy landscape at the Sastry density ρ S . The signature of this tensile limit is a minimum in the landscape equation of state, the pressure-density relationship of inherent structures sampled along a liquid isotherm. Our previous work [Y. E. Altabet, F. H. Stillinger, and P. G. Debenedetti, J. Chem. Phys. 145, 211905 (2016)] revisited the phenomenology of Sastry behavior and found that the evolution of the landscape equation of state with system size for particles with interactions typical of molecular liquids indicates the presence of an athermal first-order phase transition between homogeneous and fractured inherent structures, the latter containing several large voids. Here, we study how this tensile limit manifests itself for different interparticle cohesive strengths and identify two distinct regimes. Particles with sufficiently strong cohesion display an athermal first-order phase transition, consistent with our prior characterization. Weak cohesion also displays a tensile instability. However, the landscape equation of state for this regime is independent of system size, suggesting the absence of a first-order phase transition. An analysis of the voids suggests that yielding in the energy landscape of weakly cohesive systems is associated with the emergence of a highly interconnected network of small voids. While strongly cohesive systems transition from exclusively homogeneous to exclusively fractured configurations at ρ S in the thermodynamic limit, this interconnected network develops gradually, starting at ρ S , even at infinite system size.

Liquid structure of the urea-water system studied by dielectric spectroscopy.

PubMed

Hayashi, Yoshihito; Katsumoto, Yoichi; Omori, Shinji; Kishii, Noriyuki; Yasuda, Akio

2007-02-08

Dielectric spectroscopy measurements for aqueous urea solutions were performed at 298 K through a concentration range from 0.5 to 9.0 M with frequencies between 200 MHz and 40 GHz. Observed dielectric spectra were well represented by the superposition of two Debye type relaxation processes attributable to the bulk-water clusters and the urea-water coclusters. Our quantitative analysis of the spectra shows that the number of hydration water molecules is approximately two per urea molecule for the lower concentration region below 5.0 M, while the previous molecular dynamics studies predicted approximately six water molecules. It was also indicated by those studies, however, that there are two types of hydration water molecule in urea solution, which are strongly and weakly associated to the urea molecule, respectively. Only the strongly associated water was distinguishable in our analysis, while the weakly associated water exhibited the same dynamic feature as bulk water. This implies that urea retains the weakly associated water in the tetrahedral structure and, thus, is not a strong structure breaker of water. We also verified the model of liquid water where water consists of two states: the icelike-ordered and dense-disordered phases. Our dielectric data did not agree with the theoretical prediction based on the two-phase model. The present work supports the argument that urea molecules can easily replace near-neighbor water in the hydrogen-bonding network and do not require the presence of the disordered phase of water to dissolve into water.

Cavitation transition in the energy landscape: Distinct tensile yielding behavior in strongly and weakly attractive systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Altabet, Y. Elia; Fenley, Andreia L.; Stillinger, Frank H.; Debenedetti, Pablo G.

2018-03-01

Particles with cohesive interactions display a tensile instability in the energy landscape at the Sastry density ρS. The signature of this tensile limit is a minimum in the landscape equation of state, the pressure-density relationship of inherent structures sampled along a liquid isotherm. Our previous work [Y. E. Altabet, F. H. Stillinger, and P. G. Debenedetti, J. Chem. Phys. 145, 211905 (2016)] revisited the phenomenology of Sastry behavior and found that the evolution of the landscape equation of state with system size for particles with interactions typical of molecular liquids indicates the presence of an athermal first-order phase transition between homogeneous and fractured inherent structures, the latter containing several large voids. Here, we study how this tensile limit manifests itself for different interparticle cohesive strengths and identify two distinct regimes. Particles with sufficiently strong cohesion display an athermal first-order phase transition, consistent with our prior characterization. Weak cohesion also displays a tensile instability. However, the landscape equation of state for this regime is independent of system size, suggesting the absence of a first-order phase transition. An analysis of the voids suggests that yielding in the energy landscape of weakly cohesive systems is associated with the emergence of a highly interconnected network of small voids. While strongly cohesive systems transition from exclusively homogeneous to exclusively fractured configurations at ρS in the thermodynamic limit, this interconnected network develops gradually, starting at ρS, even at infinite system size.

Weak fault detection and health degradation monitoring using customized standard multiwavelets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Jing; Wang, Yu; Peng, Yizhen; Wei, Chenjun

2017-09-01

Due to the nonobvious symptoms contaminated by a large amount of background noise, it is challenging to beforehand detect and predictively monitor the weak faults for machinery security assurance. Multiwavelets can act as adaptive non-stationary signal processing tools, potentially viable for weak fault diagnosis. However, the signal-based multiwavelets suffer from such problems as the imperfect properties missing the crucial orthogonality, the decomposition distortion impossibly reflecting the relationships between the faults and signatures, the single objective optimization and independence for fault prognostic. Thus, customized standard multiwavelets are proposed for weak fault detection and health degradation monitoring, especially the weak fault signature quantitative identification. First, the flexible standard multiwavelets are designed using the construction method derived from scalar wavelets, seizing the desired properties for accurate detection of weak faults and avoiding the distortion issue for feature quantitative identification. Second, the multi-objective optimization combined three dimensionless indicators of the normalized energy entropy, normalized singular entropy and kurtosis index is introduced to the evaluation criterions, and benefits for selecting the potential best basis functions for weak faults without the influence of the variable working condition. Third, an ensemble health indicator fused by the kurtosis index, impulse index and clearance index of the original signal along with the normalized energy entropy and normalized singular entropy by the customized standard multiwavelets is achieved using Mahalanobis distance to continuously monitor the health condition and track the performance degradation. Finally, three experimental case studies are implemented to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method can quantitatively identify the fault signature of a slight rub on the inner race of a locomotive bearing, effectively detect and locate the potential failure from a complicated epicyclic gear train and successfully reveal the fault development and performance degradation of a test bearing in the lifetime.

Rasch analysis of three dry eye questionnaires and correlates with objective clinical tests.

PubMed

McAlinden, Colm; Gao, Rongrong; Wang, Qinmei; Zhu, Senmiao; Yang, Jing; Yu, Ayong; Bron, Anthony J; Huang, Jinhai

2017-04-01

To assess the psychometric properties of Chinese versions of the Ocular Comfort Index (OCI), Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and McMonnies questionnaires. Further, to assess the correlation between questionnaire scores and objective dry eye disease (DED) clinical tests. Translated versions of the OCI, OSDI and McMonnies questionnaires were completed in a random order by 238 participants with DED. Objective clinical tests included visual acuity (VA), fluorescein tear film break-up time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer I testing and meibomian gland grading. Rasch analysis was used to assess questionnaire psychometrics and spearman rank for correlations. For the OCI, the person separation was 2.31, item infit and outfit statistics ranged from 0.74-1.14 and 0.75-1.32, respectively, and targeting 1.54 logits. For the OSDI, person separation was 0.94. None of the three subscales provided valid measurements based on Rasch analysis. For the McMonnies questionnaire, person separation was 1.17, item infit and outfit statistics ranged from 0.7 to 1.21 and 0.51-3.49, respectively. There were weak correlations between questionnaire scores and clinical tests. There were weak correlations between OSDI scores and VA, fluorescein TBUT, Schirmer I testing and corneal fluorescein staining. There were weak correlations between McMonnies scores and VA, fluorescein TBUT, Schirmer I testing, and corneal fluorescein staining and meibomian gland grading. The OCI questionnaire was the only questionnaire that provided valid measurement on the basis of Rasch analysis, although slight multidimensionality was found. There were weak correlations between OCI scores and fluorescein TBUT, Schirmer I testing, and corneal fluorescein staining. Due to this paradoxical disconnect between symptoms and signs and the repeatability of tests, the use of both subjective and objective markers in the clinical management of patients or as endpoints in clinical trials would appear prudent. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Adsorption mechanism of acids and bases in reversed-phase liquid chromatography in weak buffered mobile phases designed for liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gritti, Fabrice; Guiochon, Georges A

2009-01-01

The overloaded band profiles of five acido-basic compounds were measured, using weakly buffered mobile phases. Low buffer concentrations were selected to provide a better understanding of the band profiles recorded in LC/MS analyses, which are often carried out at low buffer concentrations. In this work, 10 {micro}L samples of a 50 mM probe solution were injected into C{sub 18}-bonded columns using a series of five buffered mobile phases at {sub W}{sup S}pH between 2 and 12. The retention times and the shapes of the bands were analyzed based on thermodynamic arguments. A new adsorption model that takes into account themore » simultaneous adsorption of the acidic and the basic species onto the endcapped adsorbent, predicts accurately the complex experimental profiles recorded. The adsorption mechanism of acido-basic compounds onto RPLC phases seems to be consistent with the following microscopic model. No matter whether the acid or the base is the neutral or the basic species, the neutral species adsorbs onto a large number of weak adsorption sites (their saturation capacity is several tens g/L and their equilibrium constant of the order of 0.1 L/g). In contrast, the ionic species adsorbs strongly onto fewer active sites (their saturation capacity is about 1 g/L and their equilibrium constant of the order of a few L/g). From a microscopic point of view and in agreement with the adsorption isotherm of the compound measured by frontal analysis (FA) and with the results of Monte-Carlo calculations performed by Schure et al., the first type of adsorption sites are most likely located in between C{sub 18}-bonded chains and the second type of adsorption sites are located deeper in contact with the silica surface. The injected concentration (50 mM) was too low to probe the weakest adsorption sites (saturation capacity of a few hundreds g/L with an equilibrium constant of one hundredth of L/g) that are located at the very interface between the C{sub 18}-bonded layer and the bulk phase.« less

Remanence carrying minerals in meteorites: a journey through an exotic jungle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rochette, P.; Gattacceca, J.; Uehara, M.

2011-12-01

Well-known remanence carrying minerals in meteorites are magnetite and pyrrhotite, familiar on Earth, and Fe-Ni metal alloys. In Fe-Ni metal the difficulty in interpreting paleomagnetic data is due to the presence of multiple metastable phases which follow complex transformation paths during thermal treatment. A minor phase, tetrataenite (ordered Fe0.5Ni0.5), usually carries most of the remanence [1]. It is intimately mixed with high susceptibility phases (kamacite and taenite), implying strong interaction effects. FeNi phosphide and carbide (schreibersite and cohenite), often associated with metal, are usually overlooked although they may be responsible for the remanence of enstatite chondrites and some lunar basalts, with Tc around 200°C. They are also likely responsible for the claim of "magnetic carbon" found in Canyon Diablo meteorite [2]. Sulfides, a wide variety of which occurs in meteorites, provide even more thrill. Concerning pyrrhotite, there is still imperfect understanding of the observation that not monoclinic but hexagonal pyrrhotite is the ferromagnetic phase present in some martian meteorites and Rumuruti chondrites. The most common sulfide in meteorites, troilite (FeS), is an antiferromagnet (TN= 320°C), showing a susceptibility anomaly at 140°C. Recently a transition toward weak ferromagnetism has been proposed below 60-70 K [3]. However it has been shown subsequently that this weak ferromagnetism is due to impurities of chromite [4] an ubiquitous phase in meteorites that becomes ferromagnetic below a Tc of 40 to 150 K (a wide range linked to the various possible substitutions). Other sulfides found in meteorites show low temperature transitions. Alabandite ( (Fe,Mn)S) and Daubreelite (FeCr2S4) have been reviewed in [3]. Chalcopyrite (FeCuS2), an antiferromagnet at room temperature, shows magnetic ordering of Cu+ ions at 50 K with appearance of weak ferromagnetism [5]. Magnetic properties of cubanite (Fe2CuS3), a RT ferrimagnet found in CI chondrites and Martian meteorites will also be presented [6]. Most cited minerals exhibit high pressure phase transitions in the 3-5 GPa range and thus are remagnetized by moderate impact.

Particle-laden weakly swirling free jets: Measurements and predictions. Ph.D. Thesis - Pennsylvania State Univ.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bulzan, Daniel L.

1988-01-01

A theoretical and experimental investigation of particle-laden, weakly swirling, turbulent free jets was conducted. Glass particles, having a Sauter mean diameter of 39 microns, with a standard deviation of 15 microns, were used. A single loading ratio (the mass flow rate of particles per unit mass flow rate of air) of 0.2 was used in the experiments. Measurements are reported for three swirl numbers, ranging from 0 to 0.33. The measurements included mean and fluctuating velocities of both phases, and particle mass flux distributions. Measurements were also completed for single-phase non-swirling and swirling jets, as baselines. Measurements were compared with predictions from three types of multiphase flow analysis, as follows: (1) locally homogeneous flow (LHF) where slip between the phases was neglected; (2) deterministic separated flow (DSF), where slip was considered but effects of turbulence/particle interactions were neglected; and (3) stochastic separated flow (SSF), where effects of both interphase slip and turbulence/particle interactions were considered using random sampling for turbulence properties in conjunction with random-walk computations for particle motion. Single-phase weakly swirling jets were considered first. Predictions using a standard k-epsilon turbulence model, as well as two versions modified to account for effects of streamline curvature, were compared with measurements. Predictions using a streamline curvature modification based on the flux Richardson number gave better agreement with measurements for the single-phase swirling jets than the standard k-epsilon model. For the particle-laden jets, the LHF and DSF models did not provide very satisfactory predictions. The LHF model generally overestimated the rate of decay of particle mean axial and angular velocities with streamwise distance, and predicted particle mass fluxes also showed poor agreement with measurements, due to the assumption of no-slip between phases. The DSF model also performed quite poorly for predictions of particle mass flux because turbulent dispersion of the particles was neglected. The SSF model, which accounts for both particle inertia and turbulent dispersion of the particles, yielded reasonably good predictions throughout the flow field for the particle-laden jets.

Adsorption mechanism of acids and bases in reversed-phase liquid chromatography in weak buffered mobile phases designed for liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Gritti, Fabrice; Guiochon, Georges

2009-03-06

The overloaded band profiles of five acido-basic compounds were measured, using weakly buffered mobile phases. Low buffer concentrations were selected to provide a better understanding of the band profiles recorded in LC/MS analyses, which are often carried out at low buffer concentrations. In this work, 10 microL samples of a 50 mM probe solution were injected into C(18)-bonded columns using a series of five buffered mobile phases at (SW)pH between 2 and 12. The retention times and the shapes of the bands were analyzed based on thermodynamic arguments. A new adsorption model that takes into account the simultaneous adsorption of the acidic and the basic species onto the endcapped adsorbent, predicts accurately the complex experimental profiles recorded. The adsorption mechanism of acido-basic compounds onto RPLC phases seems to be consistent with the following microscopic model. No matter whether the acid or the base is the neutral or the basic species, the neutral species adsorbs onto a large number of weak adsorption sites (their saturation capacity is several tens g/L and their equilibrium constant of the order of 0.1 L/g). In contrast, the ionic species adsorbs strongly onto fewer active sites (their saturation capacity is about 1g/L and their equilibrium constant of the order of a few L/g). From a microscopic point of view and in agreement with the adsorption isotherm of the compound measured by frontal analysis (FA) and with the results of Monte-Carlo calculations performed by Schure et al., the first type of adsorption sites are most likely located in between C(18)-bonded chains and the second type of adsorption sites are located deeper in contact with the silica surface. The injected concentration (50 mM) was too low to probe the weakest adsorption sites (saturation capacity of a few hundreds g/L with an equilibrium constant of one hundredth of L/g) that are located at the very interface between the C(18)-bonded layer and the bulk phase.

Partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems: Analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

PubMed

Soares, Ruben R G; Azevedo, Ana M; Van Alstine, James M; Aires-Barros, M Raquel

2015-08-01

For half a century aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) have been applied for the extraction and purification of biomolecules. In spite of their simplicity, selectivity, and relatively low cost they have not been significantly employed for industrial scale bioprocessing. Recently their ability to be readily scaled and interface easily in single-use, flexible biomanufacturing has led to industrial re-evaluation of ATPSs. The purpose of this review is to perform a SWOT analysis that includes a discussion of: (i) strengths of ATPS partitioning as an effective and simple platform for biomolecule purification; (ii) weaknesses of ATPS partitioning in regard to intrinsic problems and possible solutions; (iii) opportunities related to biotechnological challenges that ATPS partitioning may solve; and (iv) threats related to alternative techniques that may compete with ATPS in performance, economic benefits, scale up and reliability. This approach provides insight into the current status of ATPS as a bioprocessing technique and it can be concluded that most of the perceived weakness towards industrial implementation have now been largely overcome, thus paving the way for opportunities in fermentation feed clarification, integration in multi-stage operations and in single-step purification processes. Copyright © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Weak lasing in one-dimensional polariton superlattices.

PubMed

Zhang, Long; Xie, Wei; Wang, Jian; Poddubny, Alexander; Lu, Jian; Wang, Yinglei; Gu, Jie; Liu, Wenhui; Xu, Dan; Shen, Xuechu; Rubo, Yuri G; Altshuler, Boris L; Kavokin, Alexey V; Chen, Zhanghai

2015-03-31

Bosons with finite lifetime exhibit condensation and lasing when their influx exceeds the lasing threshold determined by the dissipative losses. In general, different one-particle states decay differently, and the bosons are usually assumed to condense in the state with the longest lifetime. Interaction between the bosons partially neglected by such an assumption can smear the lasing threshold into a threshold domain--a stable lasing many-body state exists within certain intervals of the bosonic influxes. This recently described weak lasing regime is formed by the spontaneously symmetry breaking and phase-locking self-organization of bosonic modes, which results in an essentially many-body state with a stable balance between gains and losses. Here we report, to our knowledge, the first observation of the weak lasing phase in a one-dimensional condensate of exciton-polaritons subject to a periodic potential. Real and reciprocal space photoluminescence images demonstrate that the spatial period of the condensate is twice as large as the period of the underlying periodic potential. These experiments are realized at room temperature in a ZnO microwire deposited on a silicon grating. The period doubling takes place at a critical pumping power, whereas at a lower power polariton emission images have the same periodicity as the grating.

Dark Matter Decay between Phase Transitions at the Weak Scale.

PubMed

Baker, Michael J; Kopp, Joachim

2017-08-11

We propose a new alternative to the weakly interacting massive particle paradigm for dark matter. Rather than being determined by thermal freeze-out, the dark matter abundance in this scenario is set by dark matter decay, which is allowed for a limited amount of time just before the electroweak phase transition. More specifically, we consider fermionic singlet dark matter particles coupled weakly to a scalar mediator S_{3} and to auxiliary dark sector fields, charged under the standard model gauge groups. Dark matter freezes out while still relativistic, so its abundance is initially very large. As the Universe cools down, the scalar mediator develops a vacuum expectation value (VEV), which breaks the symmetry that stabilizes dark matter. This allows dark matter to mix with charged fermions and decay. During this epoch, the dark matter abundance is reduced to give the value observed today. Later, the SM Higgs field also develops a VEV, which feeds back into the S_{3} potential and restores the dark sector symmetry. In a concrete model we show that this "VEV flip-flop" scenario is phenomenologically successful in the most interesting regions of its parameter space. We also comment on detection prospects at the LHC and elsewhere.

Dark Matter Decay between Phase Transitions at the Weak Scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baker, Michael J.; Kopp, Joachim

2017-08-01

We propose a new alternative to the weakly interacting massive particle paradigm for dark matter. Rather than being determined by thermal freeze-out, the dark matter abundance in this scenario is set by dark matter decay, which is allowed for a limited amount of time just before the electroweak phase transition. More specifically, we consider fermionic singlet dark matter particles coupled weakly to a scalar mediator S3 and to auxiliary dark sector fields, charged under the standard model gauge groups. Dark matter freezes out while still relativistic, so its abundance is initially very large. As the Universe cools down, the scalar mediator develops a vacuum expectation value (VEV), which breaks the symmetry that stabilizes dark matter. This allows dark matter to mix with charged fermions and decay. During this epoch, the dark matter abundance is reduced to give the value observed today. Later, the SM Higgs field also develops a VEV, which feeds back into the S3 potential and restores the dark sector symmetry. In a concrete model we show that this "VEV flip-flop" scenario is phenomenologically successful in the most interesting regions of its parameter space. We also comment on detection prospects at the LHC and elsewhere.

Comparison of analytical protein separation characteristics for three amine-based capillary-channeled polymer (C-CP) stationary phases.

PubMed

Jiang, Liuwei; Marcus, R Kenneth

2016-02-01

Capillary-channeled polymer (C-CP) fiber stationary phases are finding utility in the realms of protein analytics as well as downstream processing. We have recently described the modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) C-CP fibers to affect amine-rich phases for the weak anion-exchange (WAX) separation of proteins. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is covalently coupled to the PET surface, with subsequent cross-linking imparted by treatment with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BUDGE). These modifications yield vastly improved dynamic binding capacities over the unmodified fibers. We have also previously employed native (unmodified) nylon 6 C-CP fibers as weak anion/cation-exchange (mixed-mode) and hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) phases for protein separations. Polyamide, nylon 6, consists of amide groups along the polymer backbone, with primary amines and carboxylic acid end groups. The analytical separation characteristics of these three amine-based C-CP fiber phases are compared here. Each of the C-CP fiber columns in this study was shown to be able to separate a bovine serum albumin/hemoglobin/lysozyme mixture at high mobile phase linear velocity (∼70 mm s(-1)) but with different elution characteristics. These differences reflect the types of protein-surface interactions that are occurring, based on the active group composition of the fiber surfaces. This study provides important fundamental understanding for the development of surface-modified C-CP fiber columns for protein separation.

Emergency psychiatric condition, mental illness behavior and lunar cycles: is there a real or an imaginary association?

PubMed

Tejedor, M J; Etxabe, M P; Aguirre-Jaime, A

2010-01-01

There is a fairly widespread belief regarding the influence of the moon phases on the psychological behavior in humans. This relationship could be more pronounced among patients with mental disorders. To study the possible association between the incidence of psychiatric emergencies and moon phases and between the behaviors of psychiatric patients and moon phases. Daily series of cases seen in psychiatric emergencies were established according to the condition, typical behaviors manifested and treatments received by patients admitted to the short-term in-patient psychiatric unit, and the brightness of the moon, from 11-1-2006 to 10-31-2007. The possible association between the first two with the second was examined by making cross-correlations in the tuning fork of delays from 0 to 7 days. No association appeared between moon phases and characteristics of psychiatric emergencies. In hospitalized patients, a correlation was observed between the moon phases and the bed occupancy rate, which was direct, weak but significant, decreasing until the third day after admission (0.20, 0.18, 0.16 and 0.11), while hypnotic medication intake increased with moon brightness moon until the second day after, also declining and significantly weakness (0.22, 0.19 and 0.15). The only empirical relationship of the moon phases with psychiatric behavior of the mentally ill in our sample was manifested as an increase in the incidence of cases and greater disruption of sleep patterns.

Perceptual Integration Deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorders Are Associated with Reduced Interhemispheric Gamma-Band Coherence.

PubMed

Peiker, Ina; David, Nicole; Schneider, Till R; Nolte, Guido; Schöttle, Daniel; Engel, Andreas K

2015-12-16

The integration of visual details into a holistic percept is essential for object recognition. This integration has been reported as a key deficit in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The weak central coherence account posits an altered disposition to integrate features into a coherent whole in ASD. Here, we test the hypothesis that such weak perceptual coherence may be reflected in weak neural coherence across different cortical sites. We recorded magnetoencephalography from 20 adult human participants with ASD and 20 matched controls, who performed a slit-viewing paradigm, in which objects gradually passed behind a vertical or horizontal slit so that only fragments of the object were visible at any given moment. Object recognition thus required perceptual integration over time and, in case of the horizontal slit, also across visual hemifields. ASD participants were selectively impaired in the horizontal slit condition, indicating specific difficulties in long-range synchronization between the hemispheres. Specifically, the ASD group failed to show condition-related enhancement of imaginary coherence between the posterior superior temporal sulci in both hemispheres during horizontal slit-viewing in contrast to controls. Moreover, local synchronization reflected in occipitocerebellar beta-band power was selectively reduced for horizontal compared with vertical slit-viewing in ASD. Furthermore, we found disturbed connectivity between right posterior superior temporal sulcus and left cerebellum. Together, our results suggest that perceptual integration deficits co-occur with specific patterns of abnormal global and local synchronization in ASD. The weak central coherence account proposes a tendency of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) to focus on details at the cost of an integrated coherent whole. Here, we provide evidence, at the behavioral and the neural level, that visual integration in object recognition is impaired in ASD, when details had to be integrated across both visual hemifields. We found enhanced interhemispheric gamma-band coherence in typically developed participants when communication between cortical hemispheres was required by the task. Importantly, participants with ASD failed to show this enhanced coherence between bilateral posterior superior temporal sulci. The findings suggest that visual integration is disturbed at the local and global synchronization scale, which might bear implications for object recognition in ASD. Copyright © 2015 the authors 0270-6474/15/3516352-10$15.00/0.

Role of Madden-Julian Oscillation in Modulating Monsoon Retreat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Madhu; Bhatla, R.

2018-01-01

The Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO) is the major fluctuation in tropical weather on a seasonal scale. The impact of MJO on different epochs, viz., onset, advance and active break is well known. There can be several MJO events in a season and it may enhance/suppress the retreat process. The present study aims to find the MJO-modulated retreat of monsoon. The results suggest that the fastest retreat of monsoon occurred in the years 2007 and 2008, while slowest retreat of monsoon occurred in the year 1979. The retreat features of the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) are investigated with the MJO phase and amplitude variations. The daily MJO indices for the retreat period 1979-2016 are used. The results reveal that the MJO strength decreases during the transition phase (i.e., summer monsoon to winter monsoon transition). The monsoon retreat is most favored by strong MJO phase 4 and phase 5. The fastest retreat of monsoon occurred in the years 2007 and 2008, while the slowest retreat of monsoon occurred in the year 1979. There exists a weak positive correlation between the MJO amplitude and the retreat period of monsoon. The monsoon retreat is most favored by strong MJO phase 4 and phase 5. The MJO amplitude variations during MJO phases 1-8 suggest that the MJO amplitude decreases with increase in retreat period. The MJO-modulated retreat results in slow retreat of monsoon, whereas fast and normal retreat of monsoon is seen on rare occasions. Weak MJO events lead to normal retreat of monsoon.

Extremely weak linear electron-phonon coupling in iron-free hemeproteins studied by phase-modulated photon echo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, J. W.-I.; Tada, T.; Saikan, S.; Kushida, T.; Tani, T.

1991-10-01

The femtosecond accumulated photon echoes in iron-free myoglobin and iron-free cytochrome-C reveal that the linear electron-phonon coupling is extremely weak in these materials. This feature also manifests itself in the absence of the Stokes shift in the fluorescence spectrum over a wide range of temperatures from liquid-helium temperatures to near room temperatures. The origin of the weak coupling is attributed to the close packing of the porphyrin chromophores into a hydrophobic environment, which is constructed out of the polypeptide chain of the protein. The present results hint at the so-called hydrophobic compartmentalization of the chromophores as one of the important factors in reducing markedly the electron-phonon coupling in dye-polymer systems.

On a Nonlinear Model for Tumor Growth: Global in Time Weak Solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Donatelli, Donatella; Trivisa, Konstantina

2014-07-01

We investigate the dynamics of a class of tumor growth models known as mixed models. The key characteristic of these type of tumor growth models is that the different populations of cells are continuously present everywhere in the tumor at all times. In this work we focus on the evolution of tumor growth in the presence of proliferating, quiescent and dead cells as well as a nutrient. The system is given by a multi-phase flow model and the tumor is described as a growing continuum Ω with boundary ∂Ω both of which evolve in time. Global-in-time weak solutions are obtained using an approach based on penalization of the boundary behavior, diffusion and viscosity in the weak formulation.

Efficient Transmission of Subthreshold Signals in Complex Networks of Spiking Neurons

PubMed Central

Torres, Joaquin J.; Elices, Irene; Marro, J.

2015-01-01

We investigate the efficient transmission and processing of weak, subthreshold signals in a realistic neural medium in the presence of different levels of the underlying noise. Assuming Hebbian weights for maximal synaptic conductances—that naturally balances the network with excitatory and inhibitory synapses—and considering short-term synaptic plasticity affecting such conductances, we found different dynamic phases in the system. This includes a memory phase where population of neurons remain synchronized, an oscillatory phase where transitions between different synchronized populations of neurons appears and an asynchronous or noisy phase. When a weak stimulus input is applied to each neuron, increasing the level of noise in the medium we found an efficient transmission of such stimuli around the transition and critical points separating different phases for well-defined different levels of stochasticity in the system. We proved that this intriguing phenomenon is quite robust, as it occurs in different situations including several types of synaptic plasticity, different type and number of stored patterns and diverse network topologies, namely, diluted networks and complex topologies such as scale-free and small-world networks. We conclude that the robustness of the phenomenon in different realistic scenarios, including spiking neurons, short-term synaptic plasticity and complex networks topologies, make very likely that it could also occur in actual neural systems as recent psycho-physical experiments suggest. PMID:25799449

Application of phase-change materials in memory taxonomy.

PubMed

Wang, Lei; Tu, Liang; Wen, Jing

2017-01-01

Phase-change materials are suitable for data storage because they exhibit reversible transitions between crystalline and amorphous states that have distinguishable electrical and optical properties. Consequently, these materials find applications in diverse memory devices ranging from conventional optical discs to emerging nanophotonic devices. Current research efforts are mostly devoted to phase-change random access memory, whereas the applications of phase-change materials in other types of memory devices are rarely reported. Here we review the physical principles of phase-change materials and devices aiming to help researchers understand the concept of phase-change memory. We classify phase-change memory devices into phase-change optical disc, phase-change scanning probe memory, phase-change random access memory, and phase-change nanophotonic device, according to their locations in memory hierarchy. For each device type we discuss the physical principles in conjunction with merits and weakness for data storage applications. We also outline state-of-the-art technologies and future prospects.

Biphasic patterns of diversification and the emergence of modules

PubMed Central

Mittenthal, Jay; Caetano-Anollés, Derek; Caetano-Anollés, Gustavo

2012-01-01

The intricate molecular and cellular structure of organisms converts energy to work, which builds and maintains structure. Evolving structure implements modules, in which parts are tightly linked. Each module performs characteristic functions. In this work we propose that a module can emerge through two phases of diversification of parts. Early in the first phase of this biphasic pattern, the parts have weak linkage—they interact weakly and associate variously. The parts diversify and compete. Under selection for performance, interactions among the parts increasingly constrain their structure and associations. As many variants are eliminated, parts self-organize into modules with tight linkage. Linkage may increase in response to exogenous stresses as well as endogenous processes. In the second phase of diversification, variants of the module and its functions evolve and become new parts for a new cycle of generation of higher-level modules. This linkage hypothesis can interpret biphasic patterns in the diversification of protein domain structure, RNA and protein shapes, and networks in metabolism, codes, and embryos, and can explain hierarchical levels of structural organization that are widespread in biology. PMID:22891076

Critical phenomena at the complex tensor ordering phase transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boettcher, Igor; Herbut, Igor F.

2018-02-01

We investigate the critical properties of the phase transition towards complex tensor order that has been proposed to occur in spin-orbit-coupled superconductors. For this purpose, we formulate the bosonic field theory for fluctuations of the complex irreducible second-rank tensor order parameter close to the transition. We then determine the scale dependence of the couplings of the theory by means of the perturbative renormalization group (RG). For the isotropic system, we generically detect a fluctuation-induced first-order phase transition. The initial values for the running couplings are determined by the underlying microscopic model for the tensorial order. As an example, we study three-dimensional Luttinger semimetals with electrons at a quadratic band-touching point. Whereas the strong-coupling transition of the model receives substantial fluctuation corrections, the weak-coupling transition at low temperatures is rendered only weakly first order due to the presence of a fixed point in the vicinity of the RG trajectory. If the number of fluctuating complex components of the order parameter is reduced by cubic anisotropy, the theory maps onto the field theory for frustrated magnetism.

Phospholipid bilayer affinities and solvation characteristics by electrokinetic chromatography with a nanodisc pseudostationary phase.

PubMed

Penny, William M; Steele, Harmen B; Ross, J B Alexander; Palmer, Christopher P

2017-03-01

Phospholipid bilayer nanodiscs composed of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and synthetic maleic acid-styrene copolymer belts have been introduced as a pseudostationary phase (PSP) in electrokinetic chromatography and demonstrated good performance. The nanodiscs provide a suitable migration range and high theoretical plate counts. Using this nanodisc pseudostationary phase, the affinity of the bilayer structure for probe solutes was determined and characterized. Good correlation is observed between retention factors and octanol water partition coefficients for particular categories of solutes, but the general correlation is weak primarily because the nanodiscs show stronger affinity than octanol for hydrogen bond donors. This suggests that a more appropriate application of this technology is to measure and characterize interactions between solutes and lipid bilayers directly. Linear solvation energy relationship analysis of the nanodisc-solute interactions in this study demonstrates that the nanodiscs provide a solvation environment with low cohesivity and weak hydrogen bond donating ability, and provide relatively strong hydrogen bond acceptor strength. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Field-induced superconducting phase of FeSe in the BCS-BEC cross-over

PubMed Central

Kasahara, Shigeru; Watashige, Tatsuya; Hanaguri, Tetsuo; Kohsaka, Yuhki; Yamashita, Takuya; Shimoyama, Yusuke; Mizukami, Yuta; Endo, Ryota; Ikeda, Hiroaki; Aoyama, Kazushi; Terashima, Taichi; Uji, Shinya; Wolf, Thomas; von Löhneysen, Hilbert; Shibauchi, Takasada; Matsuda, Yuji

2014-01-01

Fermi systems in the cross-over regime between weakly coupled Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BCS) and strongly coupled Bose–Einstein-condensate (BEC) limits are among the most fascinating objects to study the behavior of an assembly of strongly interacting particles. The physics of this cross-over has been of considerable interest both in the fields of condensed matter and ultracold atoms. One of the most challenging issues in this regime is the effect of large spin imbalance on a Fermi system under magnetic fields. Although several exotic physical properties have been predicted theoretically, the experimental realization of such an unusual superconducting state has not been achieved so far. Here we show that pure single crystals of superconducting FeSe offer the possibility to enter the previously unexplored realm where the three energies, Fermi energy εF, superconducting gap Δ, and Zeeman energy, become comparable. Through the superfluid response, transport, thermoelectric response, and spectroscopic-imaging scanning tunneling microscopy, we demonstrate that εF of FeSe is extremely small, with the ratio Δ/εF∼1(∼0.3) in the electron (hole) band. Moreover, thermal-conductivity measurements give evidence of a distinct phase line below the upper critical field, where the Zeeman energy becomes comparable to εF and Δ. The observation of this field-induced phase provides insights into previously poorly understood aspects of the highly spin-polarized Fermi liquid in the BCS-BEC cross-over regime. PMID:25378706

Equivalence principle for quantum systems: dephasing and phase shift of free-falling particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anastopoulos, C.; Hu, B. L.

2018-02-01

We ask the question of how the (weak) equivalence principle established in classical gravitational physics should be reformulated and interpreted for massive quantum objects that may also have internal degrees of freedom (dof). This inquiry is necessary because even elementary concepts like a classical trajectory are not well defined in quantum physics—trajectories originating from quantum histories become viable entities only under stringent decoherence conditions. From this investigation we posit two logically and operationally distinct statements of the equivalence principle for quantum systems. Version A: the probability distribution of position for a free-falling particle is the same as the probability distribution of a free particle, modulo a mass-independent shift of its mean. Version B: any two particles with the same velocity wave-function behave identically in free fall, irrespective of their masses. Both statements apply to all quantum states, including those without a classical correspondence, and also for composite particles with quantum internal dof. We also investigate the consequences of the interaction between internal and external dof induced by free fall. For a class of initial states, we find dephasing occurs for the translational dof, namely, the suppression of the off-diagonal terms of the density matrix, in the position basis. We also find a gravitational phase shift in the reduced density matrix of the internal dof that does not depend on the particle’s mass. For classical states, the phase shift has a natural classical interpretation in terms of gravitational red-shift and special relativistic time-dilation.

Detection and tracking of drones using advanced acoustic cameras

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Busset, Joël.; Perrodin, Florian; Wellig, Peter; Ott, Beat; Heutschi, Kurt; Rühl, Torben; Nussbaumer, Thomas

2015-10-01

Recent events of drones flying over city centers, official buildings and nuclear installations stressed the growing threat of uncontrolled drone proliferation and the lack of real countermeasure. Indeed, detecting and tracking them can be difficult with traditional techniques. A system to acoustically detect and track small moving objects, such as drones or ground robots, using acoustic cameras is presented. The described sensor, is completely passive, and composed of a 120-element microphone array and a video camera. The acoustic imaging algorithm determines in real-time the sound power level coming from all directions, using the phase of the sound signals. A tracking algorithm is then able to follow the sound sources. Additionally, a beamforming algorithm selectively extracts the sound coming from each tracked sound source. This extracted sound signal can be used to identify sound signatures and determine the type of object. The described techniques can detect and track any object that produces noise (engines, propellers, tires, etc). It is a good complementary approach to more traditional techniques such as (i) optical and infrared cameras, for which the object may only represent few pixels and may be hidden by the blooming of a bright background, and (ii) radar or other echo-localization techniques, suffering from the weakness of the echo signal coming back to the sensor. The distance of detection depends on the type (frequency range) and volume of the noise emitted by the object, and on the background noise of the environment. Detection range and resilience to background noise were tested in both, laboratory environments and outdoor conditions. It was determined that drones can be tracked up to 160 to 250 meters, depending on their type. Speech extraction was also experimentally investigated: the speech signal of a person being 80 to 100 meters away can be captured with acceptable speech intelligibility.

Spacetime and orbits of bumpy black holes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vigeland, Sarah J.; Hughes, Scott A.

2010-01-15

Our Universe contains a great number of extremely compact and massive objects which are generally accepted to be black holes. Precise observations of orbital motion near candidate black holes have the potential to determine if they have the spacetime structure that general relativity demands. As a means of formulating measurements to test the black hole nature of these objects, Collins and Hughes introduced ''bumpy black holes'': objects that are almost, but not quite, general relativity's black holes. The spacetimes of these objects have multipoles that deviate slightly from the black hole solution, reducing to black holes when the deviation ismore » zero. In this paper, we extend this work in two ways. First, we show how to introduce bumps which are smoother and lead to better behaved orbits than those in the original presentation. Second, we show how to make bumpy Kerr black holes--objects which reduce to the Kerr solution when the deviation goes to zero. This greatly extends the astrophysical applicability of bumpy black holes. Using Hamilton-Jacobi techniques, we show how a spacetime's bumps are imprinted on orbital frequencies, and thus can be determined by measurements which coherently track the orbital phase of a small orbiting body. We find that in the weak field, orbits of bumpy black holes are modified exactly as expected from a Newtonian analysis of a body with a prescribed multipolar structure, reproducing well-known results from the celestial mechanics literature. The impact of bumps on strong-field orbits is many times greater than would be predicted from a Newtonian analysis, suggesting that this framework will allow observations to set robust limits on the extent to which a spacetime's multipoles deviate from the black hole expectation.« less

SKA weak lensing - I. Cosmological forecasts and the power of radio-optical cross-correlations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrison, Ian; Camera, Stefano; Zuntz, Joe; Brown, Michael L.

2016-12-01

We construct forecasts for cosmological parameter constraints from weak gravitational lensing surveys involving the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). Considering matter content, dark energy and modified gravity parameters, we show that the first phase of the SKA (SKA1) can be competitive with other Stage III experiments such as the Dark Energy Survey and that the full SKA (SKA2) can potentially form tighter constraints than Stage IV optical weak lensing experiments, such as those that will be conducted with LSST, WFIRST-AFTA or Euclid-like facilities. Using weak lensing alone, going from SKA1 to SKA2 represents improvements by factors of ˜10 in matter, ˜10 in dark energy and ˜5 in modified gravity parameters. We also show, for the first time, the powerful result that comparably tight constraints (within ˜5 per cent) for both Stage III and Stage IV experiments, can be gained from cross-correlating shear maps between the optical and radio wavebands, a process which can also eliminate a number of potential sources of systematic errors which can otherwise limit the utility of weak lensing cosmology.

On the global well-posedness of BV weak solutions to the Kuramoto-Sakaguchi equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amadori, Debora; Ha, Seung-Yeal; Park, Jinyeong

2017-01-01

The Kuramoto model is a prototype phase model describing the synchronous behavior of weakly coupled limit-cycle oscillators. When the number of oscillators is sufficiently large, the dynamics of Kuramoto ensemble can be effectively approximated by the corresponding mean-field equation, namely "the Kuramoto-Sakaguchi (KS) equation". This KS equation is a kind of scalar conservation law with a nonlocal flux function due to the mean-field interactions among oscillators. In this paper, we provide a unique global solvability of bounded variation (BV) weak solutions to the kinetic KS equation for identical oscillators using the method of front-tracking in hyperbolic conservation laws. Moreover, we also show that our BV weak solutions satisfy local-in-time L1-stability with respect to BV-initial data. For the ensemble of identical Kuramoto oscillators, we explicitly construct an exponentially growing BV weak solution generated from BV perturbation of incoherent state for any positive coupling strength. This implies the nonlinear instability of incoherent state in a positive coupling strength regime. We provide several numerical examples and compare them with our analytical results.

Tapering off long-term opioid therapy in chronic non-cancer pain patients: a randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Kurita, Geana Paula; Højsted, Jette; Sjøgren, Per

2018-05-13

The indications for initiating long-term opioid treatment (L-TOT) for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) are often unclear and associated with problematic use. This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of stabilizing opioid therapy followed by a sequential opioid tapering off program in CNCP patients. A randomized clinical trial with a medications stabilization period (Phase 1) followed by a opioid tapering off program (Phase 2). In Phase 2, patients were randomized to Control Group (stable treatment) or Taper off Group (sequential opioid dose reduction) and assessed at baseline, after stabilization and up to six months. Primary outcomes: measures of cognitive function; secondary outcomes: pain, sleep, rest, quality of life, depression, anxiety, opioid misuse, and opioid withdrawal symptoms. Two hundred seventy-four patients were screened; 75 were included, out of which 40 dropped out before Phase 2. Those who succeeded Phase 1 (n=35) had weak/moderate improvements of psychomotor function (p=0.020), sleeping hours (p=0.031), opioid withdrawal symptoms (p=0.019), measures of quality of life (p≤0.043) and opioid misuse scores (p=0.003). In Phase 2, patients in Taper off Group (n=15) experienced stable pain intensity and felt significantly more rested at third assessment than the Control Group (n=20). The opioid tapering off program was not successful due to the vast number of dropouts. Phase 1 was associated with weak to moderate improvements on psychomotor function, sleeping, opioid withdrawal symptoms, quality of life, and reduced risk of opioid misuse. In the intervention group of Phase 2, pain intensity was stable and patients felt more rested. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Inattentional Blindness and Individual Differences in Cognitive Abilities.

PubMed

Kreitz, Carina; Furley, Philip; Memmert, Daniel; Simons, Daniel J

2015-01-01

People sometimes fail to notice salient unexpected objects when their attention is otherwise occupied, a phenomenon known as inattentional blindness. To explore individual differences in inattentional blindness, we employed both static and dynamic tasks that either presented the unexpected object away from the focus of attention (spatial) or near the focus of attention (central). We hypothesized that noticing in central tasks might be driven by the availability of cognitive resources like working memory, and that noticing in spatial tasks might be driven by the limits on spatial attention like attention breadth. However, none of the cognitive measures predicted noticing in the dynamic central task or in either the static or dynamic spatial task. Only in the central static task did working memory capacity predict noticing, and that relationship was fairly weak. Furthermore, whether or not participants noticed an unexpected object in a static task was only weakly associated with their odds of noticing an unexpected object in a dynamic task. Taken together, our results are largely consistent with the notion that noticing unexpected objects is driven more by stochastic processes common to all people than by stable individual differences in cognitive abilities.

Inattentional Blindness and Individual Differences in Cognitive Abilities

PubMed Central

Kreitz, Carina; Furley, Philip; Memmert, Daniel; Simons, Daniel J.

2015-01-01

People sometimes fail to notice salient unexpected objects when their attention is otherwise occupied, a phenomenon known as inattentional blindness. To explore individual differences in inattentional blindness, we employed both static and dynamic tasks that either presented the unexpected object away from the focus of attention (spatial) or near the focus of attention (central). We hypothesized that noticing in central tasks might be driven by the availability of cognitive resources like working memory, and that noticing in spatial tasks might be driven by the limits on spatial attention like attention breadth. However, none of the cognitive measures predicted noticing in the dynamic central task or in either the static or dynamic spatial task. Only in the central static task did working memory capacity predict noticing, and that relationship was fairly weak. Furthermore, whether or not participants noticed an unexpected object in a static task was only weakly associated with their odds of noticing an unexpected object in a dynamic task. Taken together, our results are largely consistent with the notion that noticing unexpected objects is driven more by stochastic processes common to all people than by stable individual differences in cognitive abilities. PMID:26258545

The nuclear region of low luminosity flat radio spectrum sources. II. Emission-line spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonçalves, A. C.; Serote Roos, M.

2004-01-01

We report on the spectroscopic study of 19 low luminosity Flat Radio Spectrum (LL FRS) sources selected from Marchã's et al. (\\cite{March96}) 200 mJy sample. In the optical, these objects are mainly dominated by the host galaxy starlight. After correcting the data for this effect, we obtain a new set of spectra clearly displaying weak emission lines; such features carry valuable information concerning the excitation mechanisms at work in the nuclear regions of LL FRS sources. We have used a special routine to model the spectra and assess the intensities and velocities of the emission lines; we have analyzed the results in terms of diagnostic diagrams. Our analysis shows that 79% of the studied objects harbour a Low Ionization Nuclear Emission-line Region (or LINER) whose contribution was swamped by the host galaxy starlight. The remaining objects display a higher ionization spectrum, more typical of Seyferts; due to the poor quality of the spectra, it was not possible to identify any possible large Balmer components. The fact that we observe a LINER-type spectrum in LL FRS sources supports the idea that some of these objects could be undergoing an ADAF phase; in addition, such a low ionization emission-line spectrum is in agreement with the black hole mass values and sub-Eddington accretion rates published for some FRS sources. Based on observations collected at the Multiple Mirror Telescope on Mt. Hopkins. Full Fig. 1 is only available in electronic form at http://www.edpsciences.org

Geometry in transition in four dimensions: A model of emergent geometry in the early universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ydri, Badis; Khaled, Ramda; Ahlam, Rouag

2016-10-01

We study a six matrix model with global S O (3 )×S O (3 ) symmetry containing at most quartic powers of the matrices. This theory exhibits a phase transition from a geometrical phase at low temperature to a Yang-Mills matrix phase with no background geometrical structure at high temperature. This is an exotic phase transition in the same universality class as the three matrix model but with important differences. The geometrical phase is determined dynamically, as the system cools, and is given by a fuzzy sphere background SN2×SN2, with an Abelian gauge field which is very weakly coupled to two normal scalar fields.

Nanopatterned Quantum Dot Lasers for High Speed, High Efficiency, Operation

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-27

significant inhomogeneous broadening of the spectral gain. SK QDs inherently form on top of a two-dimensional “ wetting layer”, leading to weak...QDs inherently form on top of a two-dimensional “ wetting layer”, leading to weak electron and hole confinement to the QD, which results in low gain...exhibit full three- dimensional nano-scale confinement and elimination of the wetting layer states. The objectives of this project were to develop

The Reliability and Validity of the English and Spanish Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD and Normal Behavior Rating Scales in a Preschool Sample: Continuum Measures of Hyperactivity and Inattention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lakes, Kimberley D.; Swanson, James M.; Riggs, Matt

2012-01-01

Objective: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the English and Spanish versions of the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD-symptom and Normal-behavior (SWAN) rating scale. Method: Parents of preschoolers completed both a SWAN and the well-established Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) on two separate occasions over a span of 3…

Parallel-quadrature phase-shifting digital holographic microscopy using polarization beam splitter

PubMed Central

Das, Bhargab; Yelleswarapu, Chandra S; Rao, DVGLN

2012-01-01

We present a digital holography microscopy technique based on parallel-quadrature phase-shifting method. Two π/2 phase-shifted holograms are recorded simultaneously using polarization phase-shifting principle, slightly off-axis recording geometry, and two identical CCD sensors. The parallel phase-shifting is realized by combining circularly polarized object beam with a 45° degree polarized reference beam through a polarizing beam splitter. DC term is eliminated by subtracting the two holograms from each other and the object information is reconstructed after selecting the frequency spectrum of the real image. Both amplitude and phase object reconstruction results are presented. Simultaneous recording eliminates phase errors caused by mechanical vibrations and air turbulences. The slightly off-axis recording geometry with phase-shifting allows a much larger dimension of the spatial filter for reconstruction of the object information. This leads to better reconstruction capability than traditional off-axis holography. PMID:23109732

Diffusive processes in a stochastic magnetic field

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, H.; Vlad, M.; Vanden Eijnden, E.

1995-05-01

The statistical representation of a fluctuating (stochastic) magnetic field configuration is studied in detail. The Eulerian correlation functions of the magnetic field are determined, taking into account all geometrical constraints: these objects form a nondiagonal matrix. The Lagrangian correlations, within the reasonable Corrsin approximation, are reduced to a single scalar function, determined by an integral equation. The mean square perpendicular deviation of a geometrical point moving along a perturbed field line is determined by a nonlinear second-order differential equation. The separation of neighboring field lines in a stochastic magnetic field is studied. We find exponentiation lengths of both signs describing,more » in particular, a decay (on the average) of any initial anisotropy. The vanishing sum of these exponentiation lengths ensures the existence of an invariant which was overlooked in previous works. Next, the separation of a particle`s trajectory from the magnetic field line to which it was initially attached is studied by a similar method. Here too an initial phase of exponential separation appears. Assuming the existence of a final diffusive phase, anomalous diffusion coefficients are found for both weakly and strongly collisional limits. The latter is identical to the well known Rechester-Rosenbluth coefficient, which is obtained here by a more quantitative (though not entirely deductive) treatment than in earlier works.« less

Manual Physical Therapists' Use of Biopsychosocial History Taking in the Management of Patients with Back or Neck Pain in Clinical Practice

PubMed Central

Oostendorp, Rob A. B.; Elvers, Hans; Mikołajewska, Emilia; Laekeman, Marjan; van Trijffel, Emiel; Samwel, Han; Duquet, William

2015-01-01

Objective. To develop and evaluate process indicators relevant to biopsychosocial history taking in patients with chronic back and neck pain. Methods. The SCEBS method, covering the Somatic, Psychological (Cognition, Emotion, and Behavior), and Social dimensions of chronic pain, was used to evaluate biopsychosocial history taking by manual physical therapists (MPTs). In Phase I, process indicators were developed while in Phase II indicators were tested in practice. Results. Literature-based recommendations were transformed into 51 process indicators. Twenty MTPs contributed 108 patient audio recordings. History taking was excellent (98.3%) for the Somatic dimension, very inadequate for Cognition (43.1%) and Behavior (38.3%), weak (27.8%) for Emotion, and low (18.2%) for the Social dimension. MTPs estimated their coverage of the Somatic dimension as excellent (100%), as adequate for Cognition, Emotion, and Behavior (60.1%), and as very inadequate for the Social dimension (39.8%). Conclusion. MTPs perform screening for musculoskeletal pain mainly through the use of somatic dimension of (chronic) pain. Psychological and social dimensions of chronic pain were inadequately covered by MPTs. Furthermore, a substantial discrepancy between actual and self-estimated use of biopsychosocial history taking was noted. We strongly recommend full implementation of the SCEBS method in educational programs in manual physical therapy. PMID:25945358

Place and contingency differential responses of monkey septal neurons during conditional place-object discrimination.

PubMed

Kita, T; Nishijo, H; Eifuku, S; Terasawa, K; Ono, T

1995-03-01

To elucidate spatial and cognitive function of the septal nuclei, neural activity was recorded from alert monkeys during performance of a place-dependent go/no-go (PGN) task. Response/reinforcement contingencies of given objects were conditional upon the location of a motorized, movable device (cab) containing a monkey in one of four places. The task was initiated by presentation of the outside view (place phase) followed by presentation of an object (object phase) selected from a total of four. A lever press was reinforced only if the correct object was seen in its corresponding place, and the same object was never reinforced in any of the other three places. Of 430 septal neurons recorded, the responses during the place phase in the four places were significantly different in 58 neurons. Responses of eight of these neurons were also place-differential during the object phase as well as the place phase. Furthermore, when the outside view was not presented before the object phase, differential responses in the object phase disappeared. Responses of 91 neurons in the object phase were differential in terms of go/no-go responses and reward availability. Of these 91 neurons, 72 were further tested on a place-independent asymmetrical go/no-go (AGN) task, which required no conditional discrimination. Forty-three neurons responded differentially only in the PGN task. It is thus concluded that this PGN-specific activity reflected conditional place-object relations. Of the remaining 29 neurons that responded differentially in both tasks, 21 were further tested by a place-independent symmetrical go/no-go task (no-go responses were also rewarded). Responses of 19 of these 21 neurons were related to the reward/nonreward contingency but not to the response contingency. The results suggest that septal nuclei are involved in integrating spatial information, conditional place-object relations, and reward/nonreward contingency.

Evaluating the Use of Learning Objects for Improving Calculus Readiness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kay, Robin; Kletskin, Ilona

2010-01-01

Pre-calculus concepts such as working with functions and solving equations are essential for students to explore limits, rates of change, and integrals. Yet many students have a weak understanding of these key concepts which impedes performance in their first year university Calculus course. A series of online learning objects was developed to…

Weaknesses in Awarding Fees for the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Contract

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-11-02

Table of Contents Introduction 1 Audit Objectives 1 Background on Broad Area Maritime Surveillance 1...24 Mangement Comments The Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition 25... Introduction Audit Objectives This is the first in a series of reports on the contract supporting the Broad Area Maritime

34 CFR 607.8 - What is a comprehensive development plan and what must it contain?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... development plan must include the following: (1) An analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and significant...) Measurable objectives related to reaching each goal and timeframes for achieving the objectives. (4) Methods...-year plan for improving its services to Indian students, increasing the rates at which Indian secondary...

34 CFR 606.8 - What is a comprehensive development plan and what must it contain?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... comprehensive development plan must include the following: (1) An analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and...) Measurable objectives related to reaching each goal and timeframes for achieving the objectives. (4) Methods... proposed project. (5) Its five year plan to improve its services to Hispanic and other low-income students...

34 CFR 606.8 - What is a comprehensive development plan and what must it contain?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... comprehensive development plan must include the following: (1) An analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and...) Measurable objectives related to reaching each goal and timeframes for achieving the objectives. (4) Methods... proposed project. (5) Its five year plan to improve its services to Hispanic and other low-income students...

34 CFR 607.8 - What is a comprehensive development plan and what must it contain?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... development plan must include the following: (1) An analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and significant...) Measurable objectives related to reaching each goal and timeframes for achieving the objectives. (4) Methods...-year plan for improving its services to Indian students, increasing the rates at which Indian secondary...

34 CFR 606.8 - What is a comprehensive development plan and what must it contain?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... comprehensive development plan must include the following: (1) An analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and...) Measurable objectives related to reaching each goal and timeframes for achieving the objectives. (4) Methods... proposed project. (5) Its five year plan to improve its services to Hispanic and other low-income students...

34 CFR 607.8 - What is a comprehensive development plan and what must it contain?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... development plan must include the following: (1) An analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and significant...) Measurable objectives related to reaching each goal and timeframes for achieving the objectives. (4) Methods...-year plan for improving its services to Indian students, increasing the rates at which Indian secondary...

34 CFR 606.8 - What is a comprehensive development plan and what must it contain?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... comprehensive development plan must include the following: (1) An analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and...) Measurable objectives related to reaching each goal and timeframes for achieving the objectives. (4) Methods... proposed project. (5) Its five year plan to improve its services to Hispanic and other low-income students...

34 CFR 607.8 - What is a comprehensive development plan and what must it contain?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... development plan must include the following: (1) An analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and significant...) Measurable objectives related to reaching each goal and timeframes for achieving the objectives. (4) Methods...-year plan for improving its services to Indian students, increasing the rates at which Indian secondary...

34 CFR 606.8 - What is a comprehensive development plan and what must it contain?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... comprehensive development plan must include the following: (1) An analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and...) Measurable objectives related to reaching each goal and timeframes for achieving the objectives. (4) Methods... proposed project. (5) Its five year plan to improve its services to Hispanic and other low-income students...

34 CFR 607.8 - What is a comprehensive development plan and what must it contain?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... development plan must include the following: (1) An analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and significant...) Measurable objectives related to reaching each goal and timeframes for achieving the objectives. (4) Methods...-year plan for improving its services to Indian students, increasing the rates at which Indian secondary...

Three filters for visualization of phase objects with large variations of phase gradients

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sagan, Arkadiusz; Antosiewicz, Tomasz J.; Szoplik, Tomasz

2009-02-20

We propose three amplitude filters for visualization of phase objects. They interact with the spectra of pure-phase objects in the frequency plane and are based on tangent and error functions as well as antisymmetric combination of square roots. The error function is a normalized form of the Gaussian function. The antisymmetric square-root filter is composed of two square-root filters to widen its spatial frequency spectral range. Their advantage over other known amplitude frequency-domain filters, such as linear or square-root graded ones, is that they allow high-contrast visualization of objects with large variations of phase gradients.

A minimal model of striped superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, I.; Ortiz, G.; Balatsky, A. V.; Bishop, A. R.

2001-12-01

We present a minimal model of high-temperature superconductors that simultaneously supports antiferromagnetic stripes and d-wave superconductivity. At the unrestricted mean-field level, the various phases of the cuprates, including weak and strong pseudogap phases, and two different types of superconductivity in the underdoped and the overdoped regimes, find a natural interpretation. We argue that on the underdoped side, the superconductor is intrinsically inhomogeneous and global phase coherence is achieved through Josephson-like coupling of the superconducting stripes. On the overdoped side, the state is overall homogeneous and the superconductivity is of a classical BCS type.

Phase correlation of laser waves with arbitrary frequency spacing.

PubMed

Huss, A F; Lammegger, R; Neureiter, C; Korsunsky, E A; Windholz, L

2004-11-26

The theoretically predicted correlation of laser phase fluctuations in Lambda-type interaction schemes is experimentally demonstrated. We show that the mechanism of correlation in a Lambda scheme is restricted to high-frequency noise components, whereas in a double-Lambda scheme, due to the laser phase locking in a closed-loop interaction, it extends to all noise frequencies. In this case the correlation is weakly sensitive to coherence losses. Thus the double-Lambda scheme can be used to correlate electromagnetic fields with carrier frequency differences beyond the GHz regime.

Conditional phase-shift enhancement through dynamical Rydberg blockade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Jin-Hui; Artoni, M.; Cataliotti, F.; La Rocca, G. C.

2017-12-01

Large cross-phase shifts per photon can be attained through an all-optical polarization control of dipole blockade in Rydberg atoms. A pair of weak circularly polarized signal and control light pulses experience a giant nonlinear cross-interaction through the conditional excitation of a Rydberg state. Conditional cross-phase modulations on the order of π-radians may be attained under specific symmetric EIT quasi-resonant driving conditions at large degrees of transparency. We also suggest the possibility of extending our scheme to work at very low intensities and within a few-blockade-radii regions.

Subtraction method in the Second Random Phase Approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gambacurta, Danilo

2018-02-01

We discuss the subtraction method applied to the Second Random Phase Approximation (SRPA). This method has been proposed to overcome double counting and stability issues appearing in beyond mean-field calculations. We show that the subtraction procedure leads to a considerable reduction of the SRPA downwards shift with respect to the random phase approximation (RPA) spectra and to results that are weakly cutoff dependent. Applications to the isoscalar monopole and quadrupole response in 16O and to the low-lying dipole response in 48Ca are shown and discussed.

Determination of the angle γ from nonleptonic Bc-->DsD0 decays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giri, A. K.; Mohanta, R.; Khanna, M. P.

2002-02-01

We note that the two-body nonleptonic pure tree decays B+/-c-->D+/-sD0(D0) and the corresponding vector-vector modes B+/-c-->D*+/-sD*0(D*0) are well suited to extract the weak phase γ of the unitarity triangle. The CP violating phase γ can be determined cleanly as these decay modes are free from the penguin pollutions.

Systems engineering process and organization assessment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Batson, Robert G.

1992-01-01

The purpose of this report is to briefly summarize the results of an eight week assessment of NASA/MSFC Phase A and Phase B systems engineering processes, methodologies, and activities. Specifically, fourteen inconsistencies or weaknesses were identified and recommendations for corrective action were generated. A 1.5 hour briefing on these results was given in EL51 on 8-11-92; that documentation is available from the author or either NASA Colleague.

Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations in bulk ZrT e5 single crystals: Evidence for a weak topological insulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Yang-Yang; Zhang, Bin-Bin; Li, Xiao; Zhang, Kai-Wen; Li, Xiang-Bing; Yao, Shu-Hua; Chen, Y. B.; Zhou, Jian; Zhang, Shan-Tao; Lu, Ming-Hui; Li, Shao-Chun; Chen, Yan-Feng

2018-03-01

The study of ZrT e5 crystals is revived because of the recent theoretical prediction of topological phase in bulk ZrT e5 . However, the current conclusions for the topological character of bulk ZrT e5 are quite contradictory. To resolve this puzzle, we here identify the Berry phase on both b - and c planes of high-quality ZrT e5 crystals by the Shubnikov-de-Hass (SdH) oscillation under tilted magnetic field at 2 K. The angle-dependent SdH oscillation frequency, both on b - and c planes of ZrT e5 , demonstrates the two-dimensional feature. However, phase analysis of SdH verifies that a nontrivial π-Berry phase is observed in the c -plane SdH oscillation, but not in the b -plane one. Compared to bulk Fermi surface predicted by the first-principle calculation, the two-dimensional-like behavior of SdH oscillation measured at b plane comes from the bulk electron. Based on these analyses, it is suggested that bulk ZrT e5 at low temperature (˜2 K) belongs to a weak topological insulator, rather than Dirac semimetal or strong topological insulator as reported previously.

Ground-state phase diagram of the repulsive fermionic t -t' Hubbard model on the square lattice from weak coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Šimkovic, Fedor; Liu, Xuan-Wen; Deng, Youjin; Kozik, Evgeny

2016-08-01

We obtain a complete and numerically exact in the weak-coupling limit (U →0 ) ground-state phase diagram of the repulsive fermionic Hubbard model on the square lattice for filling factors 0

Simultaneous separation and analysis of water- and fat-soluble vitamins on multi-modal reversed-phase weak anion exchange material by HPLC-UV.

PubMed

Dabre, Romain; Azad, Nazanin; Schwämmle, Achim; Lämmerhofer, Michael; Lindner, Wolfgang

2011-04-01

Several methods for the separation of vitamins on HPLC columns were already validated in the last 20 years. However, most of the techniques focus on separating either fat- or water-soluble vitamins and only few methods are intended to separate lipophilic and hydrophilic vitamins simultaneously. A mixed-mode reversed-phase weak anion exchange (RP-WAX) stationary phase was developed in our laboratory in order to address such mixture of analytes with different chemical characteristics, which are difficult to separate on standard columns. The high versatility in usage of the RP-WAX chromatographic material allowed a baseline separation of ten vitamins within a single run, seven water-soluble and three fat-soluble, using three different chromatographic modes: some positively charged vitamins are eluted in ion exclusion and ion repulsion modes whereas the negatively charged molecules are eluted in the ion exchange mechanism. The non-charged molecules are eluted in a classical reversed-phase mode, regarding their polarities. The method was validated for the vitamin analysis in tablets, evaluating selectivity, robustness, linearity, accuracy, and precision. The validated method was finally employed for the analysis of the vitamin content of some commercially available supplement tablets. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Plotkin, Richard M.; Gallo, Elena; Shemmer, Ohad

Over the past 15 yr, examples of exotic radio-quiet quasars with intrinsically weak or absent broad emission line regions (BELRs) have emerged from large-scale spectroscopic sky surveys. Here, we present spectroscopy of seven such weak emission line quasars (WLQs) at moderate redshifts (z = 1.4–1.7) using the X-shooter spectrograph, which provides simultaneous optical and near-infrared spectroscopy covering the rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) through optical. These new observations effectively double the number of WLQs with spectroscopy in the optical rest-frame, and they allow us to compare the strengths of (weak) high-ionization emission lines (e.g., C iv) to low-ionization lines (e.g., Mg ii,more » Hβ, Hα) in individual objects. We detect broad Hβ and Hα emission in all objects, and these lines are generally toward the weaker end of the distribution expected for typical quasars (e.g., Hβ has rest-frame equivalent widths ranging from 15–40 Å). However, these low-ionization lines are not exceptionally weak, as is the case for high-ionization lines in WLQs. The X-shooter spectra also display relatively strong optical Fe ii emission, Hβ FWHM ≲ 4000 km s{sup −1}, and significant C iv blueshifts (≈1000–5500 km s{sup −1}) relative to the systemic redshift; two spectra also show elevated UV Fe ii emission, and an outflowing component to their (weak) Mg ii emission lines. These properties suggest that WLQs are exotic versions of “wind-dominated” quasars. Their BELRs either have unusual high-ionization components, or their BELRs are in an atypical photoionization state because of an unusually soft continuum.« less

Perceptual Sensitivity and Response to Strong Stimuli Are Related

PubMed Central

Bolders, Anna C.; Tops, Mattie; Band, Guido P. H.; Stallen, Pieter Jan M.

2017-01-01

To shed new light on the long-standing debate about the (in)dependence of sensitivity to weak stimuli and overreactivity to strong stimuli, we examined the relation between these tendencies within the neurobehavioral framework of the Predictive and Reactive Control Systems (PARCS) theory (Tops et al., 2010, 2014). Whereas previous studies only considered overreactivity in terms of the individual tendency to experience unpleasant affect (punishment reactivity) resulting from strong sensory stimulation, we also took the individual tendency to experience pleasant affect (reward reactivity) resulting from strong sensory stimulation into account. According to PARCS theory, these temperamental tendencies overlap in terms of high reactivity toward stimulation, but oppose each other in terms of the response orientation (approach or avoid). PARCS theory predicts that both types of reactivity to strong stimuli relate to sensitivity to weak stimuli, but that these relationships are suppressed due to the opposing relationship between reward and punishment reactivity. We measured punishment and reward reactivity to strong stimuli and sensitivity to weak stimuli using scales from the Adult Temperament Questionnaire (Evans and Rothbart, 2007). Sensitivity was also measured more objectively using the masked auditory threshold. We found that sensitivity to weak stimuli (both self-reported and objectively assessed) was positively associated with self-reported punishment and reward reactivity to strong stimuli, but only when these reactivity measures were controlled for each other, implicating a mutual suppression effect. These results are in line with PARCS theory and suggest that sensitivity to weak stimuli and overreactivity are dependent, but this dependency is likely to be obscured if punishment and reward reactivity are not both taken into account. PMID:29018377

Selective suppression of high-order harmonics within phase-matched spectral regions.

PubMed

Lerner, Gavriel; Diskin, Tzvi; Neufeld, Ofer; Kfir, Ofer; Cohen, Oren

2017-04-01

Phase matching in high-harmonic generation leads to enhancement of multiple harmonics. It is sometimes desired to control the spectral structure within the phase-matched spectral region. We propose a scheme for selective suppression of high-order harmonics within the phase-matched spectral region while weakly influencing the other harmonics. The method is based on addition of phase-mismatched segments within a phase-matched medium. We demonstrate the method numerically in two examples. First, we show that one phase-mismatched segment can significantly suppress harmonic orders 9, 15, and 21. Second, we show that two phase-mismatched segments can efficiently suppress circularly polarized harmonics with one helicity over the other when driven by a bi-circular field. The new method may be useful for various applications, including the generation of highly helical bright attosecond pulses.

Properties of the seismic nucleation phase

USGS Publications Warehouse

Beroza, G.C.; Ellsworth, W.L.

1996-01-01

Near-source observations show that earthquakes begin abruptly at the P-wave arrival, but that this beginning is weak, with a low moment rate relative to the rest of the main shock. We term this initial phase of low moment rate the seismic nucleation phase. We have observed the seismic nucleation phase for a set of 48 earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 1.1-8.1. The size and duration of the seismic nucleation phase scale with the total seismic moment of the earthquake, suggesting that the process responsible for the seismic nucleation phase carries information about the eventual size of the earthquake. The seismic nucleation phase is characteristically followed by quadratic growth in the moment rate, consistent with self-similar rupture at constant stress drop. In this paper we quantify the properties of the seismic nucleation phase and offer several possible explanations for it.

Analog Ranging Modem Code Processor and Generator

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1974-05-01

The report details technical development efforts to implement an analog ranging modem using recently developed linear integrated circuits where possible. The breadboard hardware is capable of acquiring frequency and phase of a weak signal in a high n...

Entanglement and Weak Values: A Quantum Miracle Cookbook

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Botero, Alonso

The concept of the weak value has proved to be a powerful and operationally grounded framework for the assignment of physical properties to a quantum system at any given time. More importantly, this framework has allowed us to identify a whole range of surprising quantum effects, or "miracles", which are readily testable but which lie buried "under the noise" when the results of measurements are not post-selected. In all cases, these miracles have to do with the fact that weak values can take values lying outside the conventional ranges of quantum expectation values. We explore the extent to which such miracles are possible within the weak value framework. As we show, given appropriate initial and final states, it is generally possible to produce any set of weak values that is consistent with the linearity of weak values, provided that the states are entangled states of the system with some external ancillary system. Through a simple constructive proof, we obtain a recipe for arbitrary quantum miracles, and give examples of some interesting applications. In particular, we show how the classical description of an infinitely-localized point in phase-space is contained in the weak-value framework augmented by quantum entanglement. [Editor's note: for a video of the talk given by Prof. Botero at the Aharonov-80 conference in 2012 at Chapman University, see http://quantum.chapman.edu/talk-27.

Optomechanical detection of weak microwave signals with the assistance of a plasmonic wave

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nejad, A. Asghari; Askari, H. R.; Baghshahi, H. R.

2018-05-01

Entanglement between optical fields and microwave signals can be used as a quantum optical sensing technique to detect received microwave signals from a low-reflecting object which is encompassed by a bright thermal environment. Here, we introduce and analyze an optomechanical system for detecting weak reflected microwave signals from an object of low reflectivity. In our system, coupling and consequently entanglement between microwave and optical photons are achieved by means of a plasmonic wave. The main problem that can be moderated in the field of quantum optical sensing of weak microwave signals is suppressing the destructive effect of high temperatures on the entanglement between microwave signals and optical photons. For this purpose, we will show that our system can perform at high temperatures as well as low ones. It will be shown that the presence of the plasmonic wave can reduce the destructive effect of the thermal noises on the entanglement between microwave and optical photons. Also, we will show that the optomechanical interaction is vital to create an appropriate entanglement between microwave and optical photons.

Design of an Internal Model Control strategy for single-phase grid-connected PWM inverters and its performance analysis with a non-linear local load and weak grid.

PubMed

Chaves, Eric N; Coelho, Ernane A A; Carvalho, Henrique T M; Freitas, Luiz C G; Júnior, João B V; Freitas, Luiz C

2016-09-01

This paper presents the design of a controller based on Internal Model Control (IMC) applied to a grid-connected single-phase PWM inverter. The mathematical modeling of the inverter and the LCL output filter, used to project the 1-DOF IMC controller, is presented and the decoupling of grid voltage by a Feedforward strategy is analyzed. A Proportional - Resonant Controller (P+Res) was used for the control of the same plant in the running of experimental results, thus moving towards the discussion of differences regarding IMC and P+Res performances, which arrived at the evaluation of the proposed control strategy. The results are presented for typical conditions, for weak-grid and for non-linear local load, in order to verify the behavior of the controller against such situations. Copyright © 2016 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evolution of molecular crystal optical phonons near structural phase transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michki, Nigel; Niessen, Katherine; Xu, Mengyang; Markelz, Andrea

Molecular crystals are increasingly important photonic and electronic materials. For example organic semiconductors are lightweight compared to inorganic semiconductors and have inexpensive scale up processing with roll to roll printing. However their implementation is limited by their environmental sensitivity, in part arising from the weak intermolecular interactions of the crystal. These weak interactions result in optical phonons in the terahertz frequency range. We examine the evolution of intermolecular interactions near structural phase transitions by measuring the optical phonons as a function of temperature and crystal orientation using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. The measured orientation dependence of the resonances provides an additional constraint for comparison of the observed spectra with the density functional calculations, enabling us to follow specific phonon modes. We observe crystal reorganization near 350 K for oxalic acid as it transforms from dihydrate to anhydrous form. We also report the first THz spectra for the molecular crystal fructose through its melting point.

Scrambling in the quantum Lifshitz model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plamadeala, Eugeniu; Fradkin, Eduardo

2018-06-01

We study signatures of chaos in the quantum Lifshitz model through out-of-time ordered correlators (OTOC) of current operators. This model is a free scalar field theory with dynamical critical exponent z  =  2. It describes the quantum phase transition in 2D systems, such as quantum dimer models, between a phase with a uniform ground state to another one with spontaneously broken translation invariance. At the lowest temperatures the chaotic dynamics are dominated by a marginally irrelevant operator which induces a temperature dependent stiffness term. The numerical computations of OTOC exhibit a non-zero Lyapunov exponent (LE) in a wide range of temperatures and interaction strengths. The LE (in units of temperature) is a weakly temperature-dependent function; it vanishes at weak interaction and saturates for strong interaction. The Butterfly velocity increases monotonically with interaction strength in the studied region while remaining smaller than the interaction-induced velocity/stiffness.

Multi-band magnetotransport in exfoliated thin films of Cu x Bi2Se3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexander-Webber, J. A.; Huang, J.; Beilsten-Edmands, J.; Čermák, P.; Drašar, Č.; Nicholas, R. J.; Coldea, A. I.

2018-04-01

We report magnetotransport studies in thin (<100 nm) exfoliated films of Cu x Bi2Se3 and we detect an unusual electronic transition at low temperatures. Bulk crystals show weak superconductivity with T_c∼3.5 K and a possible electronic phase transition around 200 K. Following exfoliation, superconductivity is supressed and a strongly temperature dependent multi-band conductivity is observed for T  <  30 K. This transition between competing conducting channels may be enhanced due to the presence of electronic ordering, and could be affected by the presence of an effective internal stress due to Cu intercalation. By fitting to the weak antilocalisation conductivity correction at low magnetic fields we confirm that the low temperature regime maintains a quantum phase coherence length Lφ> 100 nm indicating the presence of topologically protected surface states.

Electronic holography using binary phase modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matoba, Osamu

2014-06-01

A 3D display system by using a phase-only distribution is presented. Especially, binary phase distribution is used to reconstruct a 3D object for wide viewing zone angle. To obtain the phase distribution to be displayed on a phase-mode spatial light modulator, both of experimental and numerical processes are available. In this paper, we present a numerical process by using a computer graphics data. A random phase distribution is attached to all polygons of an input 3D object to reconstruct a 3D object well from the binary phase distribution. Numerical and experimental results are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed system.

Magnetoresistance in two-dimensional array of Ge/Si quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stepina, N. P.; Koptev, E. S.; Pogosov, A. G.; Dvurechenskii, A. V.; Nikiforov, A. I.; Zhdanov, E. Yu

2012-07-01

Magnetoresistance in two-dimensional array of Ge/Si was studied for a wide range of the conductance, where the transport regime changes from hopping to diffusive one. The behavior of magnetoresistance is similar for all samples; it is negative in weak fields and becomes positive with increasing of magnetic field. Negative magnetoresistance can be described in the frame of weak localization approach with suggestion that quantum interference contribution to the conductance is restricted not only by the phase breaking length but also by the localization length.

Defect-driven localization crossovers in MBE-grown La-doped SrSn O3 films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Tianqi; Thoutam, Laxman Raju; Prakash, Abhinav; Nunn, William; Haugstad, Greg; Jalan, Bharat

2017-11-01

Through systematic control of cation stoichiometry using a hybrid molecular beam epitaxy method, we show a crossover from weak to strong localization of electronic carriers in La-doped SrSn O3 films on LaAl O3 (001). We demonstrate that substrate-induced dislocations in these films can have a strong influence on the electron phase coherence length resulting in two-dimensional to three-dimensional weak localization crossover. We discuss the correlation between electronic transport, and defects associated with nonstoichiometry and dislocations.

Normal-Mode Splitting in a Weakly Coupled Optomechanical System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossi, Massimiliano; Kralj, Nenad; Zippilli, Stefano; Natali, Riccardo; Borrielli, Antonio; Pandraud, Gregory; Serra, Enrico; Di Giuseppe, Giovanni; Vitali, David

2018-02-01

Normal-mode splitting is the most evident signature of strong coupling between two interacting subsystems. It occurs when two subsystems exchange energy between themselves faster than they dissipate it to the environment. Here we experimentally show that a weakly coupled optomechanical system at room temperature can manifest normal-mode splitting when the pump field fluctuations are antisquashed by a phase-sensitive feedback loop operating close to its instability threshold. Under these conditions the optical cavity exhibits an effectively reduced decay rate, so that the system is effectively promoted to the strong coupling regime.

The Kardar-Parisi-Zhang Equation as Scaling Limit of Weakly Asymmetric Interacting Brownian Motions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diehl, Joscha; Gubinelli, Massimiliano; Perkowski, Nicolas

2017-09-01

We consider a system of infinitely many interacting Brownian motions that models the height of a one-dimensional interface between two bulk phases. We prove that the large scale fluctuations of the system are well approximated by the solution to the KPZ equation provided the microscopic interaction is weakly asymmetric. The proof is based on the martingale solutions of Gonçalves and Jara (Arch Ration Mech Anal 212(2):597-644, 2014) and the corresponding uniqueness result of Gubinelli and Perkowski (Energy solutions of KPZ are unique, 2015).

Determination of the electric field gradient in RbCaF3 near the phase transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hepp, M. A.; Man, P. P.; Trokiner, A.; Zanni, H.; Fraissard, J.

1992-12-01

The fluoroperovskite, RbCaF 3 undergoes a phase transition at 195.5K from a cubic to a tetragonal phase. The order parameter for this transition is directly related to the electric field gradient which arises in the tetragonal phase. In this work, we have used three NMR methods to measure the electric field gradient at the 87Rb site in a single crystal of RbCaF 3, very near this transition. These experiments are based on recent theoretical developments which allow the measurement of quadrupole parameters even for nuclei in a weak electric field gradient.

First-order inflation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kolb, Edward W.

1991-01-01

In the original proposal, inflation occurred in the process of a strongly first-order phase transition. This model was soon demonstrated to be fatally flawed. Subsequent models for inflation involved phase transitions that were second-order, or perhaps weakly first-order; some even involved no phase transition at all. Recently the possibility of inflation during a strongly first-order phase transition has been revived. In this talk I will discuss some models for first-order inflation, and emphasize unique signatures that result if inflation is realized in a first-order transition. Before discussing first-order inflation, I will briefly review some of the history of inflation to demonstrate how first-order inflation differs from other models.

First-order inflation. [in cosmology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kolb, Edward W.

1991-01-01

In the original proposal, inflation occurred in the process of a strongly first-order phase transition. This model was soon demonstrated to be fatally flawed. Subsequent models for inflation involved phase transitions that were second-order, or perhaps weakly first-order; some even involved no phase transition at all. Recently the possibility of inflation during a strongly first-order phase transition has been revived. In this paper, some models for first-order inflation are discussed, and unique signatures that result if inflation is realized in a first-order transition are emphasized. Some of the history of inflation is reviewed to demonstrate how first-order inflation differs from other models.

A multi-wavelength investigation of Seyfert 1.8 and 1.9 galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trippe, Margaret L.

We focus on determining the underlying physical cause of a Seyfert galaxy's appearance as type a 1.8 or 1.9. Are these "intermediate" Seyfert types typical Seyfert 1 nuclei reddened by central dusty tori or by nuclear dust lanes/spirals in the narrow-line region? Or, are they similar to NGC 2992, objects that have intrinsically weak continua and weak broad emission lines? Our study compares measurements of the reddenings of the narrow and broad-line regions with each other and with the X-ray column derived from XMM Newton 0.5--10 keV spectra to determine the presence and location of dust in the line of sight for a sample of 35 Seyfert 1.8s and 1.9s. From this, we find that Seyfert 1.9s are an almost equal mix of low-flux objects with unreddened broad line regions, and objects with broad line regions reddened by an internal dust source, either the torus or dust structures on the same size scale as the narrow line region. The 1.9s that recieved this designation due to a low continuum flux state showed variable type classifications. All three of the Seyfert 1.8s in our study are probably in low continuum states. Many objects have been misclassified as Seyfert 1.8/1.9s in the past, probably due to improper [N II]/Halpha deconvolution leading to a false detection of weak broad Halpha. INDEX WORDS: Active galaxies, Seyfert galaxies, Optical spectroscopy, X-ray spectroscopy, Astronomical dust

Knee Joint Contact Mechanics during Downhill Gait and its Relationship with Varus/Valgus Motion and Muscle Strength in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

PubMed Central

Farrokhi, Shawn; Voycheck, Carrie A.; Gustafson, Jonathan A.; Fitzgerald, G. Kelley; Tashman, Scott

2015-01-01

Objective The objective of this exploratory study was to evaluate tibiofemoral joint contact point excursions and velocities during downhill gait and assess the relationship between tibiofemoral joint contact mechanics with frontal-plane knee joint motion and lower extremity muscle weakness in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods Dynamic stereo X-ray was used to quantify tibiofemoral joint contact mechanics and frontal-plane motion during the loading response phase of downhill gait in 11 patients with knee OA and 11 control volunteers. Quantitative testing of the quadriceps and the hip abductor muscles was also performed. Group differences in contact mechanics and frontal-plane motion excursions were compared using analysis of covariance with adjustments for body mass index. Differences in strength were compared using independent sample t-tests. Additionally, linear associations between contact mechanics with frontal-plane knee motion and muscle strength were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficients. Results Patients with knee OA demonstrated larger medial/lateral joint contact point excursions (p<0.02) and greater heel-strike joint contact point velocities (p<0.05) for the medial and lateral compartments compared to the control group. The peak medial/lateral joint contact point velocity of the medial compartment was also greater for patients with knee OA compared to their control counterparts (p=0.02). Additionally, patients with knee OA demonstrated significantly increased frontal-plane varus motion excursions (p<0.01) and greater quadriceps and hip abductor muscle weakness (p=0.03). In general, increased joint contact point excursions and velocities in patients with knee OA were linearly associated with greater frontal-plane varus motion excursions (p<0.04) but not with quadriceps or hip abductor strength. Conclusion Altered contact mechanics in patients with knee OA may be related to compromised frontal-plane joint stability but not with deficits in muscle strength. PMID:27030846

Massive star formation by accretion. II. Rotation: how to circumvent the angular momentum barrier?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haemmerlé, L.; Eggenberger, P.; Meynet, G.; Maeder, A.; Charbonnel, C.; Klessen, R. S.

2017-06-01

Context. Rotation plays a key role in the star-formation process, from pre-stellar cores to pre-main-sequence (PMS) objects. Understanding the formation of massive stars requires taking into account the accretion of angular momentum during their PMS phase. Aims: We study the PMS evolution of objects destined to become massive stars by accretion, focusing on the links between the physical conditions of the environment and the rotational properties of young stars. In particular, we look at the physical conditions that allow the production of massive stars by accretion. Methods: We present PMS models computed with a new version of the Geneva Stellar Evolution code self-consistently including accretion and rotation according to various accretion scenarios for mass and angular momentum. We describe the internal distribution of angular momentum in PMS stars accreting at high rates and we show how the various physical conditions impact their internal structures, evolutionary tracks, and rotation velocities during the PMS and the early main sequence. Results: We find that the smooth angular momentum accretion considered in previous studies leads to an angular momentum barrier and does not allow the formation of massive stars by accretion. A braking mechanism is needed in order to circumvent this angular momentum barrier. This mechanism has to be efficient enough to remove more than two thirds of the angular momentum from the inner accretion disc. Due to the weak efficiency of angular momentum transport by shear instability and meridional circulation during the accretion phase, the internal rotation profiles of accreting stars reflect essentially the angular momentum accretion history. As a consequence, careful choice of the angular momentum accretion history allows circumvention of any limitation in mass and velocity, and production of stars of any mass and velocity compatible with structure equations.

Evaluating an insurance-sponsored weight management program with the RE-AIM Model, West Virginia, 2004-2008.

PubMed

Abildso, Christiaan G; Zizzi, Sam J; Reger-Nash, Bill

2010-05-01

Evaluations of weight management programs in real-world settings are lacking. The RE-AIM model (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance) was developed to address this deficiency. Our primary objective was to evaluate a 12-week insurance-sponsored weight management intervention by using the RE-AIM model, including short-term and long-term individual outcomes and setting-level implementation factors. Our secondary objective was to critique the RE-AIM model and its revised calculation methods. We created operational definitions for components of the 5 RE-AIM indices and used standardized effect size values from various statistical procedures to measure multiple components or outcomes within each index. We used chi(2) analysis to compare categorical variables and repeated-measures analysis of variance to assess the magnitude of outcome changes over time. On the basis of data for 1,952 participants and surveys completed by administrators at 23 sites, RE-AIM indices ranging from 0 to 100 revealed low program reach and adoption (5.4 and 8.8, respectively), moderate effectiveness (43.8), high implementation (91.4), low to moderate individual maintenance (21.2), and moderate to high site maintenance (77.8). Median (interquartile range) weight loss was 13 lb (6.5-21.4 lb) among participants who completed phase I (12 weeks; 76.5%) and 15 lb (6.1-30.3 lb) among those who completed phase II (1 year; 45.7%). This program had a significant, positive effect on participants and has been sustainable but needs to be expanded for more public health benefit. The RE-AIM model provided a useful framework to determine program strengths and weaknesses and to present them to the insurance agency and public health decision makers.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Frank, Edward; Pegallapati, Ambica K.; Davis, Ryan

The Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) Multi-year Program Plan (MYPP) describes the bioenergy objectives pursued by BETO, the strategies for achieving those objectives, the current state of technology (SOT), and a number of design cases that explore cost and operational performance required to advance the SOT towards middle and long term goals (MYPP, 2016). Two options for converting algae to biofuel intermediates were considered in the MYPP, namely algal biofuel production via lipid extraction and algal biofuel production by thermal processing. The first option, lipid extraction, is represented by the Combined Algae Processing (CAP) pathway in whichmore » algae are hydrolyzed in a weak acid pretreatment step. The treated slurry is fermented for ethanol production from sugars. The fermentation stillage contains most of the lipids from the original biomass, which are recovered through wet solvent extraction. The process residuals after lipid extraction, which contain much of the original mass of amino acids and proteins, are directed to anaerobic digestion (AD) for biogas production and recycle of N and P nutrients. The second option, thermal processing, comprises direct hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of the wet biomass, separation of aqueous, gas, and oil phases, and treatment of the aqueous phase with catalytic hydrothermal gasification (CHG) to produce biogas and to recover N and P nutrients. The present report describes a life cycle analysis of energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the CAP and HTL options for the three scenarios just described. Water use is also reported. Water use during algal biofuel production comes from evaporation during cultivation, discharge to bleed streams to control pond salinity (“blowdown”), and from use during preprocessing and upgrading. For scenarios considered to date, most water use was from evaporation and, secondarily, from bleed streams. Other use was relatively small at the level of fidelity being modeled now.« less

Selection biases in empirical p(z) methods for weak lensing

DOE PAGES

Gruen, D.; Brimioulle, F.

2017-02-23

To measure the mass of foreground objects with weak gravitational lensing, one needs to estimate the redshift distribution of lensed background sources. This is commonly done in an empirical fashion, i.e. with a reference sample of galaxies of known spectroscopic redshift, matched to the source population. In this paper, we develop a simple decision tree framework that, under the ideal conditions of a large, purely magnitude-limited reference sample, allows an unbiased recovery of the source redshift probability density function p(z), as a function of magnitude and colour. We use this framework to quantify biases in empirically estimated p(z) caused bymore » selection effects present in realistic reference and weak lensing source catalogues, namely (1) complex selection of reference objects by the targeting strategy and success rate of existing spectroscopic surveys and (2) selection of background sources by the success of object detection and shape measurement at low signal to noise. For intermediate-to-high redshift clusters, and for depths and filter combinations appropriate for ongoing lensing surveys, we find that (1) spectroscopic selection can cause biases above the 10 per cent level, which can be reduced to ≈5 per cent by optimal lensing weighting, while (2) selection effects in the shape catalogue bias mass estimates at or below the 2 per cent level. Finally, this illustrates the importance of completeness of the reference catalogues for empirical redshift estimation.« less

The Physics of Twisted Magnetic Tubes Rising in a Stratified Medium: Two-dimensional Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Emonet, T.; Moreno-Insertis, F.

1998-01-01

The physics of a twisted magnetic flux tube rising in a stratified medium is studied using a numerical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) code. The problem considered is fully compressible (has no Boussinesq approximation), includes ohmic resistivity, and is two-dimensional, i.e., there is no variation of the variables in the direction of the tube axis. We study a high-plasma β-case with a small ratio of radius to external pressure scale height. The results obtained will therefore be of relevance to understanding the transport of magnetic flux across the solar convection zone. We confirm that a sufficient twist of the field lines around the tube axis can suppress the conversion of the tube into two vortex rolls. For a tube with a relative density deficit on the order of 1/β (the classical Parker buoyancy) and a radius smaller than the pressure scale height (R2<

Near optimal pentamodes as a tool for guiding stress while minimizing compliance in 3d-printed materials: A complete solution to the weak G-closure problem for 3d-printed materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milton, Graeme W.; Camar-Eddine, Mohamed

2018-05-01

For a composite containing one isotropic elastic material, with positive Lame moduli, and void, with the elastic material occupying a prescribed volume fraction f, and with the composite being subject to an average stress, σ0 , Gibiansky, Cherkaev, and Allaire provided a sharp lower bound Wf(σ0) on the minimum compliance energy σ0 :ɛ0 , in which ɛ0 is the average strain. Here we show these bounds also provide sharp bounds on the possible (σ0 ,ɛ0) -pairs that can coexist in such composites, and thus solve the weak G-closure problem for 3d-printed materials. The materials we use to achieve the extremal (σ0 ,ɛ0) -pairs are denoted as near optimal pentamodes. We also consider two-phase composites containing this isotropic elasticity material and a rigid phase with the elastic material occupying a prescribed volume fraction f, and with the composite being subject to an average strain, ɛ0. For such composites, Allaire and Kohn provided a sharp lower bound W˜f(ɛ0) on the minimum elastic energy σ0 :ɛ0 . We show that these bounds also provide sharp bounds on the possible (σ0 ,ɛ0) -pairs that can coexist in such composites of the elastic and rigid phases, and thus solve the weak G-closure problem in this case too. The materials we use to achieve these extremal (σ0 ,ɛ0) -pairs are denoted as near optimal unimodes.

Navigating the Return Trip from the Moon Using Earth-Based Ground Tracking and GPS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berry, Kevin; Carpenter, Russell; Moreau, Michael C.; Lee, Taesul; Holt, Gregg N.

2009-01-01

NASA s Constellation Program is planning a human return to the Moon late in the next decade. From a navigation perspective, one of the most critical phases of a lunar mission is the series of burns performed to leave lunar orbit, insert onto a trans-Earth trajectory, and target a precise re-entry corridor in the Earth s atmosphere. A study was conducted to examine sensitivity of the navigation performance during this phase of the mission to the type and availability of tracking data from Earth-based ground stations, and the sensitivity to key error sources. This study also investigated whether GPS measurements could be used to augment Earth-based tracking data, and how far from the Earth GPS measurements would be useful. The ability to track and utilize weak GPS signals transmitted across the limb of the Earth is highly dependent on the configuration and sensitivity of the GPS receiver being used. For this study three GPS configurations were considered: a "standard" GPS receiver with zero dB antenna gain, a "weak signal" GPS receiver with zero dB antenna gain, and a "weak signal" GPS receiver with an Earth-pointing direction antenna (providing 10 dB additional gain). The analysis indicates that with proper selection and configuration of the GPS receiver on the Orion spacecraft, GPS can potentially improve navigation performance during the critical final phases of flight prior to Earth atmospheric entry interface, and may reduce reliance on two-way range tracking from Earth-based ground stations.

Magnetically aligned phospholipid bilayers in weak magnetic fields: optimization, mechanism, and advantages for X-band EPR studies.

PubMed

Cardon, Thomas B; Tiburu, Elvis K; Lorigan, Gary A

2003-03-01

Our lab is developing a spin-labeled EPR spectroscopic technique complementary to solid-state NMR studies to study the structure, orientation, and dynamics of uniaxially aligned integral membrane proteins inserted into magnetically aligned discotic phospholipid bilayers, or bicelles. The focus of this study is to optimize and understand the mechanisms involved in the magnetic alignment process of bicelle disks in weak magnetic fields. Developing experimental conditions for optimized magnetic alignment of bicelles in low magnetic fields may prove useful to study the dynamics of membrane proteins and its interactions with lipids, drugs, steroids, signaling events, other proteins, etc. In weak magnetic fields, the magnetic alignment of Tm(3+)-doped bicelle disks was thermodynamically and kinetically very sensitive to experimental conditions. Tm(3+)-doped bicelles were magnetically aligned using the following optimized procedure: the temperature was slowly raised at a rate of 1.9K/min from an initial temperature being between 298 and 307K to a final temperature of 318K in the presence of a static magnetic field of 6300G. The spin probe 3beta-doxyl-5alpha-cholestane (cholestane) was inserted into the bicelle disks and utilized to monitor bicelle alignment by analyzing the anisotropic hyperfine splitting for the corresponding EPR spectra. The phases of the bicelles were determined using solid-state 2H NMR spectroscopy and compared with the corresponding EPR spectra. Macroscopic alignment commenced in the liquid crystalline nematic phase (307K), continued to increase upon slowly raising the temperature, and was well-aligned in the liquid crystalline lamellar smectic phase (318K).

Weak antilocalization in Cd3As2 thin films

PubMed Central

Zhao, Bo; Cheng, Peihong; Pan, Haiyang; Zhang, Shuai; Wang, Baigeng; Wang, Guanghou; Xiu, Faxian; Song, Fengqi

2016-01-01

Recently, it has been theoretically predicted that Cd3As2 is a three dimensional Dirac material, a new topological phase discovered after topological insulators, which exhibits a linear energy dispersion in the bulk with massless Dirac fermions. Here, we report on the low-temperature magnetoresistance measurements on a ~50 nm-thick Cd3As2 film. The weak antilocalization under perpendicular magnetic field is discussed based on the two-dimensional Hikami-Larkin-Nagaoka (HLN) theory. The electron-electron interaction is addressed as the source of the dephasing based on the temperature-dependent scaling behavior. The weak antilocalization can be also observed while the magnetic field is parallel to the electric field due to the strong interaction between the different conductance channels in this quasi-two-dimensional film. PMID:26935029

Weak antilocalization in Cd3As2 thin films.

PubMed

Zhao, Bo; Cheng, Peihong; Pan, Haiyang; Zhang, Shuai; Wang, Baigeng; Wang, Guanghou; Xiu, Faxian; Song, Fengqi

2016-03-03

Recently, it has been theoretically predicted that Cd3As2 is a three dimensional Dirac material, a new topological phase discovered after topological insulators, which exhibits a linear energy dispersion in the bulk with massless Dirac fermions. Here, we report on the low-temperature magnetoresistance measurements on a ~50 nm-thick Cd3As2 film. The weak antilocalization under perpendicular magnetic field is discussed based on the two-dimensional Hikami-Larkin-Nagaoka (HLN) theory. The electron-electron interaction is addressed as the source of the dephasing based on the temperature-dependent scaling behavior. The weak antilocalization can be also observed while the magnetic field is parallel to the electric field due to the strong interaction between the different conductance channels in this quasi-two-dimensional film.

The sn stars - Magnetically controlled stellar winds among the helium-weak stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shore, Steven N.; Brown, Douglas N.; Sonneborn, George

1987-01-01

The paper reports observations of magnetically controlled stellar mass outflows in three helium-weak sn stars: HD 21699 = HR 1063; HD 5737 = Alpha Scl; and HD 79158 = 36 Lyn. IUE observations show that the C IV resonance doublet is variable on the rotational timescale but that there are no other strong-spectrum variations in the UV. Magnetic fields, which reverse sign on the rotational timescale, are present in all three stars. This phenomenology is interpreted in terms of jetlike mass loss above the magnetic poles, and these objects are discussed in the context of a general survey of the C IV and Si IV profiles of other more typical helium-weak stars.

Residual Gas and Dust around Transition Objects and Weak T Tauri Stars

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Doppmann, Greg W.; Najita, Joan R.; Carr, John S., E-mail: gdoppmann@keck.hawaii.edu, E-mail: najita@noao.edu, E-mail: carr@nrl.navy.mil

Residual gas in disks around young stars can spin down stars, circularize the orbits of terrestrial planets, and whisk away the dusty debris that is expected to serve as a signpost of terrestrial planet formation. We have carried out a sensitive search for residual gas and dust in the terrestrial planet region surrounding young stars ranging in age from a few to ∼10 Myr. Using high-resolution 4.7 μ m spectra of transition objects (TOs) and weak T Tauri stars, we searched for weak continuum excesses and CO fundamental emission, after making a careful correction for the stellar contribution to themore » observed spectrum. We find that the CO emission from TOs is weaker and located farther from the star than CO emission from nontransition T Tauri stars with similar stellar accretion rates. The difference is possibly the result of chemical and/or dynamical effects (i.e., a low CO abundance or close-in low-mass planets). The weak T Tauri stars show no CO fundamental emission down to low flux levels (5 × 10{sup −20} to 10{sup −18} W m{sup −2}). We illustrate how our results can be used to constrain the residual disk gas content in these systems and discuss their potential implications for star and planet formation.« less

Evaluating arguments during instigations of defence motivation and accuracy motivation.

PubMed

Liu, Cheng-Hong

2017-05-01

When people evaluate the strength of an argument, their motivations are likely to influence the evaluation. However, few studies have specifically investigated the influences of motivational factors on argument evaluation. This study examined the effects of defence and accuracy motivations on argument evaluation. According to the compatibility between the advocated positions of arguments and participants' prior beliefs and the objective strength of arguments, participants evaluated four types of arguments: compatible-strong, compatible-weak, incompatible-strong, and incompatible-weak arguments. Experiment 1 revealed that participants possessing a high defence motivation rated compatible-weak arguments as stronger and incompatible-strong ones as weaker than participants possessing a low defence motivation. However, the strength ratings between the high and low defence groups regarding both compatible-strong and incompatible-weak arguments were similar. Experiment 2 revealed that when participants possessed a high accuracy motivation, they rated compatible-weak arguments as weaker and incompatible-strong ones as stronger than when they possessed a low accuracy motivation. However, participants' ratings on both compatible-strong and incompatible-weak arguments were similar when comparing high and low accuracy conditions. The results suggest that defence and accuracy motivations are two major motives influencing argument evaluation. However, they primarily influence the evaluation results for compatible-weak and incompatible-strong arguments, but not for compatible-strong and incompatible-weak arguments. © 2016 The British Psychological Society.

Chaotic system detection of weak seismic signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Y.; Yang, B. J.; Badal, J.; Zhao, X. P.; Lin, H. B.; Li, R. L.

2009-09-01

When the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio is less than -3 dB or even 0 dB, seismic events are generally difficult to identify from a common shot record. To overcome this type of problem we present a method to detect weak seismic signals based on the oscillations described by a chaotic dynamic system in phase space. The basic idea is that a non-linear chaotic oscillator is strongly immune to noise. Such a dynamic system is less influenced by noise, but it is more sensitive to periodic signals, changing from a chaotic state to a large-scale periodic phase state when excited by a weak signal. With the purpose of checking the possible contamination of the signal by noise, we have performed a numerical experiment with an oscillator controlled by the Duffing-Holmes equation, taking a distorted Ricker wavelet sequence as input signal. In doing so, we prove that the oscillator system is able to reach a large-scale periodic phase state in a strong noise environment. In the case of a common shot record with low S/N ratio, the onsets reflected from a same interface are similar to one other and can be put on a single trace with a common reference time and the periodicity of the so-generated signal follows as a consequence of moveout at a particular scanning velocity. This operation, which is called `horizontal dynamic correction' and leads to a nearly periodic signal, is implemented on synthetic wavelet sequences taking various sampling arrival times and scanning velocities. Thereafter, two tests, both in a noisy ambient of -3.7 dB, are done using a chaotic oscillator: the first demonstrates the capability of the method to really detect a weak seismic signal; the second takes care of the fundamental weakness of the dynamic correction coming from the use of a particular scanning velocity, which is investigated from the effect caused by near-surface lateral velocity variation on the periodicity of the reconstructed seismic signal. Finally, we have developed an application of the method to real data acquired in seismic prospecting and then converted into pseudo-periodic signals, which has allowed us to discriminate fuzzy waveforms as multiples, thus illustrating in practice the performance of our working scheme.

Phase object retrieval through scattering medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Ming; Zhao, Meijing; Wu, Houde; Xu, Wenhai

2018-05-01

Optical imaging through a scattering medium has been an interesting and important research topic, especially in the field of biomedical imaging. However, it is still a challenging task due to strong scattering. This paper proposes to recover the phase object behind the scattering medium from one single-shot speckle intensity image using calibrated transmission matrices (TMs). We construct the forward model as a non-linear mapping, since the intensity image loses the phase information, and then a generalized phase retrieval algorithm is employed to recover the hidden object. Moreover, we show that a phase object can be reconstructed with a small portion of the speckle image captured by the camera. The simulation is performed to demonstrate our scheme and test its performance. Finally, a real experiment is set up, we measure the TMs from the scattering medium, and then use it to reconstruct the hidden object. We show that a phase object of size 32 × 32 is retrieved from 150 × 150 speckle grains, which is only 1/50 of the speckles area. We believe our proposed method can benefit the community of imaging through the scattering medium.

Cosmic Blasting Zone

NASA Image and Video Library

2005-12-06

Saturn's impact-pummeled Hyperion stares back at Cassini in this six-image mosaic taken during the spacecraft’s close approach on Sept. 26, 2005. This up-close view shows a low density body blasted by impacts over the eons. Scientists originally believed that the spongy appearance of Hyperion is caused by a phenomenon called thermal erosion, in which dark materials accumulating on crater floors are warmed by sunlight and melt deeper into the surface, allowing surrounding ice to vaporize away. Cassini scientists now think that Hyperion’s unusual appearance can be attributed to the fact that it has an unusually low density for such a large object, giving it weak surface gravity and high porosity. These characteristics help preserve the original shapes of Hyperion’s craters by limiting the amount of impact ejecta coating the moon’s surface. Impactors tend to make craters by compressing the surface material, rather than blasting it out. Further, Hyperion’s weak gravity, and correspondingly low escape velocity, means that what little ejecta is produced has a good chance of escaping the moon altogether. At 280 kilometers, (174 miles) across, Hyperion’s impact-shaped morphology makes it the largest of Saturn's irregularly-shaped moons. Six, clear-filter images were combined to create this mosaic. Images were taken by the Cassini spacecraft narrow-angle camera at a mean distance of about 33,000 kilometers (20,500 miles) from Hyperion and at a sun-Hyperion-spacecraft, or phase, angle of 51 degrees. Image scale is 197 meters per pixel. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA07761

Infrared and Optical Spectroscopy of Protostars in the Elephant Trunk Nebula

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faied, Dohy; Reach, W. T.; Tappe, A.; Rho, J.

2006-12-01

We present Spitzer Space Telescope observations of the optically dark globule IC1396A. We have identified red objects located within the molecular globule to be Class I protostars, and objects scattered near the globule are found to be Class II T-Tauri stars surrounded by warm, luminous disks. We obtained simultaneous optical and infrared spectra (5.5 40 microns) with the Palomar Hale 200 inch telescope. The Class I sources were observed to have extremely red continua, rising at 24 microns, with deep silicate absorption at 9-11 microns, and weaker silicate absorption at around 12 microns. Some of these sources also display weak ice features such as CO2 and H2O. In contrast, the Class II sources have strong H-alpha emission and silicate emission features at 9-11 microns, indicative of circumstellar disks. These results all suggest that star formation within this globule is occurring at two different stages the first stage, leading to the Class II sources located in the center of the globule, and a second, very recent one (less than 100,000 yr ago) that is occurring within the globule. This second phase was likely triggered by the wind and radiation of the central O-type star of the IC 1396 H II region.

The quality of on-line communication in a national learning programme for newly qualified nurses, midwives and allied health professionals.

PubMed

Lauder, W; Roxburgh, M; Atkinson, John; Banks, Pauline; Kane, Helen

2011-05-01

Asynchronous communication has become the dominant mode of on-line instruction and has been incorporated into Flying Start NHS, an on-line programme for newly qualified NMAHPs in the transition phase from student to registered practitioner. On-line programmes have a number of objectives including the delivery of educational materials and the development of on-line communities. This study sought to provide a direct and objective understanding of the quality of the on-line community within Flying Start NHS and give an indication of areas of strength and weakness. The study used mixed methods including a Gricean analysis of on-line communication focusing on quantity, quality, relevance, and manner, and a thematic analysis of communication content. There was little evidence that students engaged in the type of interactive communication essential for creating on-line learning communities. The majority of postings related to progression through Flying Start. The small number of communications which did begin to engage with the learning materials were limited with little evidence of the development of critical debate. Analysis of the qualitative data indicates that the period of transition continues to be stressful with Flying Start NHS being undertaken concurrently with local CPD being seen as duplication of effort. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Challenges and dreams: physics of weak interactions essential to life

PubMed Central

Chien, Peter; Gierasch, Lila M.

2014-01-01

Biological systems display stunning capacities to self-organize. Moreover, their subcellular architectures are dynamic and responsive to changing needs and conditions. Key to these properties are manifold weak “quinary” interactions that have evolved to create specific spatial networks of macromolecules. These specific arrangements of molecules enable signals to be propagated over distances much greater than molecular dimensions, create phase separations that define functional regions in cells, and amplify cellular responses to changes in their environments. A major challenge is to develop biochemical tools and physical models to describe the panoply of weak interactions operating in cells. We also need better approaches to measure the biases in the spatial distributions of cellular macromolecules that result from the integrated action of multiple weak interactions. Partnerships between cell biologists, biochemists, and physicists are required to deploy these methods. Together these approaches will help us realize the dream of understanding the biological “glue” that sustains life at a molecular and cellular level. PMID:25368424

The QBO and weak external forcing by solar activity: A three dimensional model study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dameris, M.; Ebel, A.

1989-01-01

A better understanding is attempted of the physical mechanisms leading to significant correlations between oscillations in the lower and middle stratosphere and solar variability associated with the sun's rotation. A global 3-d mechanistic model of the middle atmosphere is employed to investigate the effects of minor artificially induced perturbations. The aim is to explore the physical mechanisms of the dynamical response especially of the stratosphere to weak external forcing as it may result from UV flux changes due to solar rotation. First results of numerical experiments dealing about the external forcing of the middle atmosphere by solar activity were presented elsewhere. Different numerical studies regarding the excitation and propagation of weak perturbations have been continued since then. The model calculations presented are made to investigate the influence of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) on the dynamical response of the middle atmosphere to weak perturbations by employing different initial wind fields which represent the west and east phase of the QBO.

A First-look Atmospheric Modeling Study of the Young Directly Imaged Planet-mass Companion, ROXs 42Bb

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Currie, Thayne; Burrows, Adam; Daemgen, Sebastian

2014-06-01

We present and analyze JKsL' photometry and our previously published H-band photometry and K-band spectroscopy for ROXs 42Bb, an object Currie et al. first reported as a young directly imaged planet-mass companion. ROXs 42Bb exhibits IR colors redder than field L dwarfs but consistent with other planet-mass companions. From the H2O-2 spectral index, we estimate a spectral type of L0 ± 1; weak detections/non-detections of the CO bandheads, Na I, and Ca I support evidence for a young, low surface gravity object primarily derived from the H2(K) index. ROXs 42Bb's photometry/K-band spectrum are inconsistent with limiting cases of dust-free atmospheres (COND) and marginally inconsistent with the AMES/DUSTY models and the BT-SETTL models. However, ROXS 42Bb data are simultaneously fit by atmosphere models incorporating several micron-sized dust grains entrained in thick clouds, although further modifications are needed to better reproduce the K-band spectral shape. ROXs 42Bb's best-estimated temperature is T eff ~ 1950-2000 K, near the low end of the empirically derived range in Currie et al. For an age of ~1-3 Myr and considering the lifetime of the protostar phase, ROXs 42Bb's luminosity of log(L/L ⊙) ~ -3.07 ± 0.07 implies a mass of 9^{+3}_{-3} MJ , making it one of the lightest planetary-mass objects yet imaged.

Spectroscopic classification of X-ray sources in the Galactic Bulge Survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wevers, T.; Torres, M. A. P.; Jonker, P. G.; Nelemans, G.; Heinke, C.; Mata Sánchez, D.; Johnson, C. B.; Gazer, R.; Steeghs, D. T. H.; Maccarone, T. J.; Hynes, R. I.; Casares, J.; Udalski, A.; Wetuski, J.; Britt, C. T.; Kostrzewa-Rutkowska, Z.; Wyrzykowski, Ł.

2017-10-01

We present the classification of 26 optical counterparts to X-ray sources discovered in the Galactic Bulge Survey. We use (time-resolved) photometric and spectroscopic observations to classify the X-ray sources based on their multiwavelength properties. We find a variety of source classes, spanning different phases of stellar/binary evolution. We classify CX21 as a quiescent cataclysmic variable (CV) below the period gap, and CX118 as a high accretion rate (nova-like) CV. CXB12 displays excess UV emission, and could contain a compact object with a giant star companion, making it a candidate symbiotic binary or quiescent low-mass X-ray binary (although other scenarios cannot be ruled out). CXB34 is a magnetic CV (polar) that shows photometric evidence for a change in accretion state. The magnetic classification is based on the detection of X-ray pulsations with a period of 81 ± 2 min. CXB42 is identified as a young stellar object, namely a weak-lined T Tauri star exhibiting (to date unexplained) UX Ori-like photometric variability. The optical spectrum of CXB43 contains two (resolved) unidentified double-peaked emission lines. No known scenario, such as an active galactic nucleus or symbiotic binary, can easily explain its characteristics. We additionally classify 20 objects as likely active stars based on optical spectroscopy, their X-ray to optical flux ratios and photometric variability. In four cases we identify the sources as binary stars.

Phase Locking of Multiple Single Neurons to the Local Field Potential in Cat V1.

PubMed

Martin, Kevan A C; Schröder, Sylvia

2016-02-24

The local field potential (LFP) is thought to reflect a temporal reference for neuronal spiking, which may facilitate information coding and orchestrate the communication between neural populations. To explore this proposed role, we recorded the LFP and simultaneously the spike activity of one to three nearby neurons in V1 of anesthetized cats during the presentation of drifting sinusoidal gratings, binary dense noise stimuli, and natural movies. In all stimulus conditions and during spontaneous activity, the average LFP power at frequencies >20 Hz was higher when neurons were spiking versus not spiking. The spikes were weakly but significantly phase locked to all frequencies of the LFP. The average spike phase of the LFP was stable across high and low levels of LFP power, but the strength of phase locking at low frequencies (≤10 Hz) increased with increasing LFP power. In a next step, we studied how strong stimulus responses of single neurons are reflected in the LFP and the LFP-spike relationship. We found that LFP power was slightly increased and phase locking was slightly stronger during strong compared with weak stimulus-locked responses. In summary, the coupling strength between high frequencies of the LFP and spikes was not strongly modulated by LFP power, which is thought to reflect spiking synchrony, nor was it strongly influenced by how strongly the neuron was driven by the stimulus. Furthermore, a comparison between neighboring neurons showed no clustering of preferred LFP phase. We argue that hypotheses on the relevance of phase locking in their current form are inconsistent with our findings. Copyright © 2016 the authors 0270-6474/16/362494-09$15.00/0.

Synthesis and characterization of Fe-Ti-Sb intermetallic compounds: Discovery of a new Slater-Pauling phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naghibolashrafi, N.; Keshavarz, S.; Hegde, Vinay I.; Gupta, A.; Butler, W. H.; Romero, J.; Munira, K.; LeClair, P.; Mazumdar, D.; Ma, J.; Ghosh, A. W.; Wolverton, C.

2016-03-01

Compounds of Fe, Ti, and Sb were prepared using arc melting and vacuum annealing. Fe2TiSb , expected to be a full Heusler compound crystallizing in the L 21 structure, was shown by XRD and SEM analyses to be composed of weakly magnetic grains of nominal composition Fe1.5TiSb with iron-rich precipitates in the grain boundaries. FeTiSb, a composition consistent with the formation of a half-Heusler compound, also decomposed into Fe1.5TiSb grains with Ti-Sb rich precipitates and was weakly magnetic. The dominant Fe1.5TiSb phase appears to crystallize in a defective L 21 -like structure with iron vacancies. Based on this finding, a first-principles DFT-based binary cluster expansion of Fe and vacancies on the Fe sublattice of the L 21 structure was performed. Using the cluster expansion, we computationally scanned >103 configurations and predict a novel, stable, nonmagnetic semiconductor phase to be the zero-temperature ground state. This new structure is an ordered arrangement of Fe and vacancies, belonging to the space group R 3 m , with composition Fe1.5TiSb , i.e., between the full- and half-Heusler compositions. This phase can be visualized as alternate layers of L 21 phase Fe2TiSb and C 1b phase FeTiSb, with layering along the [111] direction of the original cubic phases. Our experimental results on annealed samples support this predicted ground-state composition, but further work is required to confirm that the R 3 m structure is the ground state.

Adiponectin, Leptin and Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Adults: A Narrative Review

PubMed Central

Nurnazahiah, Ali; Lua, Pei Lin; Shahril, Mohd Razif

2016-01-01

The objective of this study was to compile and analyse existing scientific evidences reporting the effects of objectively measured physical activity on the levels of adiponectin and leptin. Articles related to the effects of objectively measured physical activity on the levels of adiponectin and leptin were searched from the Medline and PubMed databases. The search was limited to ‘objectively measured’ physical activity, and studies that did not objectively measure the physical activity were excluded. Only English articles were included in the search and review. A total of 18 articles encompassing 2,026 respondents met the inclusion criteria. The eligible articles included all forms of evidence (e.g., cross-sectional and intervention). Seventeen and 11 studies showed the effects of objectively measured physical activity on adiponectin and leptin, respectively. Five and four cross-sectional studies showed the effects of objectively measured physical activity on adiponectin and leptin, respectively. Two out of five studies showed a weak to moderate positive association between adiponectin and objectively measured physical activity, while three out of four studies showed a weak to moderate inverse association between leptin and objectively measured physical activity. For intervention studies, six out of 12 studies involving adiponectin and five out of seven studies involving leptin showed a significant effect between the proteins and objectively measured physical activity. However, a definitive conclusion could not be drawn due to several methodological flaws in the existing articles and the acute lack of additional research in this area. In conclusion, the existing evidences are encouraging but yet not compelling. Hence, further well-designed large trials are needed before the effectiveness of objectively measured physical activity in elevating adiponectin levels and in decreasing leptin levels could be strongly confirmed. PMID:28090175

3-Dimensional Scene Perception during Active Electrolocation in a Weakly Electric Pulse Fish

PubMed Central

von der Emde, Gerhard; Behr, Katharina; Bouton, Béatrice; Engelmann, Jacob; Fetz, Steffen; Folde, Caroline

2010-01-01

Weakly electric fish use active electrolocation for object detection and orientation in their environment even in complete darkness. The African mormyrid Gnathonemus petersii can detect object parameters, such as material, size, shape, and distance. Here, we tested whether individuals of this species can learn to identify 3-dimensional objects independently of the training conditions and independently of the object's position in space (rotation-invariance; size-constancy). Individual G. petersii were trained in a two-alternative forced-choice procedure to electrically discriminate between a 3-dimensional object (S+) and several alternative objects (S−). Fish were then tested whether they could identify the S+ among novel objects and whether single components of S+ were sufficient for recognition. Size-constancy was investigated by presenting the S+ together with a larger version at different distances. Rotation-invariance was tested by rotating S+ and/or S− in 3D. Our results show that electrolocating G. petersii could (1) recognize an object independently of the S− used during training. When only single components of a complex S+ were offered, recognition of S+ was more or less affected depending on which part was used. (2) Object-size was detected independently of object distance, i.e. fish showed size-constancy. (3) The majority of the fishes tested recognized their S+ even if it was rotated in space, i.e. these fishes showed rotation-invariance. (4) Object recognition was restricted to the near field around the fish and failed when objects were moved more than about 4 cm away from the animals. Our results indicate that even in complete darkness our G. petersii were capable of complex 3-dimensional scene perception using active electrolocation. PMID:20577635

Blocks, Bricks, and Planks: Relationships between Affordance and Visuo-Spatial Constructive Play Objects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ness, Daniel; Farenga, Stephen J.

2016-01-01

The authors consider the strengths and weaknesses of three different visuo-spatial constructive play object (VCPO) types--blocks, bricks, and planks--and their impact on the development of creativity in spatial thinking and higher learning during free play. Each VCPO has its own set of attributes, they note, leading to different purposes,…

FY 2012 Audit Plan

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-10-01

September 30, 2012 and 2011 Objective: Determine whether KPMG complied, in all material respects, with U.S. generally accepted government auditing...reported the same 13 material internal control weaknesses as the previous year. These pervasive and longstanding financial management issues...Defense Contract Management Agency’s Investigation and Control of Nonconforming Materials (D2011-D000CD-0264.000) Objective: Examine the Defense

Hybrid Analog/Digital Receiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, D. H.; Hurd, W. J.

1989-01-01

Advanced hybrid analog/digital receiver processes intermediate-frequency (IF) signals carrying digital data in form of phase modulation. Uses IF sampling and digital phase-locked loops to track carrier and subcarrier signals and to synchronize data symbols. Consists of three modules: IF assembly, signal-processing assembly, and test-signal assembly. Intended for use in Deep Space Network, but presumably basic design modified for such terrestrial uses as communications or laboratory instrumentation where signals weak and/or noise strong.

Helioseismic inferences of the solar cycles 23 and 24: GOLF and VIRGO observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salabert, D.; García, R. A.; Jiménez, A.

2014-12-01

The Sun-as-a star helioseismic spectrophotometer GOLF and photometer VIRGO instruments onboard the SoHO spacecraft are collecting high-quality, continuous data since April 1996. We analyze here these unique datasets in order to investigate the peculiar and weak on-going solar cycle 24. As this cycle 24 is reaching its maximum, we compare its rising phase with the rising phase of the previous solar cycle 23.

Optical monitor for real time thickness change measurements via lateral-translation induced phase-stepping interferometry

DOEpatents

Rushford, Michael C.

2002-01-01

An optical monitoring instrument monitors etch depth and etch rate for controlling a wet-etching process. The instrument provides means for viewing through the back side of a thick optic onto a nearly index-matched interface. Optical baffling and the application of a photoresist mask minimize spurious reflections to allow for monitoring with extremely weak signals. A Wollaston prism enables linear translation for phase stepping.

Pairing of one-dimensional Bose-Fermi mixtures with unequal masses

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rizzi, Matteo; Max Planck Institut fuer QuantenOptik, Hans Kopfermann Strasse 1, D-85748 Garching; Imambekov, Adilet

We have considered one-dimensional Bose-Fermi mixture with equal densities and unequal masses using numerical density matrix renormalization group. For the mass ratio of K-Rb mixture and attraction between bosons and fermions, we determined the phase diagram. For weak boson-boson interactions, there is a direct transition between two-component Luttinger liquid and collapsed phases as the boson-fermion attraction is increased. For strong enough boson-boson interactions, we find an intermediate 'paired' phase, which is a single-component Luttinger liquid of composite particles. We investigated correlation functions of such a 'paired' phase, studied the stability of 'paired' phase to density imbalance, and discussed various experimentalmore » techniques which can be used to detect it.« less

Phase slips in oscillatory hair bundles.

PubMed

Roongthumskul, Yuttana; Shlomovitz, Roie; Bruinsma, Robijn; Bozovic, Dolores

2013-04-05

Hair cells of the inner ear contain an active amplifier that allows them to detect extremely weak signals. As one of the manifestations of an active process, spontaneous oscillations arise in fluid immersed hair bundles of in vitro preparations of selected auditory and vestibular organs. We measure the phase-locking dynamics of oscillatory bundles exposed to low-amplitude sinusoidal signals, a transition that can be described by a saddle-node bifurcation on an invariant circle. The transition is characterized by the occurrence of phase slips, at a rate that is dependent on the amplitude and detuning of the applied drive. The resultant staircase structure in the phase of the oscillation can be described by the stochastic Adler equation, which reproduces the statistics of phase slip production.

Effect of Cr3+ concentration on structural and optical properties of TiO2:Cr3+ anatase and rutile phases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loan, Trinh Thi; Bang, Ngac An; Huong, Vu Hoang; Long, Nguyen Ngoc

2017-07-01

TiO2 powders doped with different amounts of Cr3+ions (from 0 to 10 mol%) have been prepared by hydrothermal technique. TiO2:Cr3+ powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, diffuse reflection, absorption, photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation spectra. The results showed that the Cr3+ dopant concentrations did not affect on the lattice constants of TiO2 crystal, but affected on shift and broadening of the Raman modes for both anatase and rutile phases. The band gap of both the anatase and rutile TiO2 host lattice was strongly decreased with increasing Cr3+ dopant concentration. The photoluminescence spectra of TiO2:Cr3+ anatase phase exhibited a weak narrow peak (the so-called R-line) at 698 nm, meanwhile those of TiO2:Cr3+ rutile phase consisted of a very intense narrow zero-phonon R-line at 695 nm assigned to the 2E(2G) → 4A2(4F) transition of Cr3+ ions in strong octahedral field and its phonon-sidebands. In particular, in the PL spectrum of TiO2:Cr3+ rutile phase is also observed an abroad emission band centered at 813 nm assigned to the 4T2(4F) → 4A2(4F) transition of ions Cr3+ in weak octahedral field.

Identifying the Challenges of Iran's Health Houses and Presenting a Solution.

PubMed

Saberi, Seyed Hossein; Alimehr, Mostafa; Amiresmaili, Mohammadreza; Seyednezhad, Maryam

2016-10-01

After more than three decades of network system design, epidemiological transition, as well as the change in needs and expectations of rural communities, have brought some challenges for Iran's health houses. So, this study is aimed at identifying these challenges through a qualitative study. This was a qualitative and phenomenological study which was carried out in three phases in Iran in 2015. In the first phase, the required data was collected through semi-structured interviews with selected experts, health workers and referrals to Iran's health houses, so that all were selected purposefully. In the second phase, two expert panels were conducted to provide solutions. In the third phase the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were evaluated using the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) method. The data of the first two phases were analyzed using the Collaizi method. Fourteen subthemes under five themes of ; quality of provided services, human resources, infrastructure, inter-sectorial and intra-sectorial relations, and contextual factors were identified as the challenges of Iran's health houses, and consist of fourteen sub themes. Continuous education of health workers, equipping and renovating old buildings, improving inter and intra-sectorial relationships and the proportionating workload with a number of workers, were the most important solutions. The study showed that, over time, many of the functions of Iran's health houses have been faced with problems, therefore, training the manpower, equipping Iran's health houses and creating better public spaces and building culture are recommended to enhance the effectiveness and revisions based on the study.

Phase-stepped fringe projection by rotation about the camera's perspective center.

PubMed

Huddart, Y R; Valera, J D; Weston, N J; Featherstone, T C; Moore, A J

2011-09-12

A technique to produce phase steps in a fringe projection system for shape measurement is presented. Phase steps are produced by introducing relative rotation between the object and the fringe projection probe (comprising a projector and camera) about the camera's perspective center. Relative motion of the object in the camera image can be compensated, because it is independent of the distance of the object from the camera, whilst the phase of the projected fringes is stepped due to the motion of the projector with respect to the object. The technique was validated with a static fringe projection system by moving an object on a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The alternative approach, of rotating a lightweight and robust CMM-mounted fringe projection probe, is discussed. An experimental accuracy of approximately 1.5% of the projected fringe pitch was achieved, limited by the standard phase-stepping algorithms used rather than by the accuracy of the phase steps produced by the new technique.

Weak lasing in one-dimensional polariton superlattices

PubMed Central

Zhang, Long; Xie, Wei; Wang, Jian; Poddubny, Alexander; Lu, Jian; Wang, Yinglei; Gu, Jie; Liu, Wenhui; Xu, Dan; Shen, Xuechu; Rubo, Yuri G.; Altshuler, Boris L.; Kavokin, Alexey V.; Chen, Zhanghai

2015-01-01

Bosons with finite lifetime exhibit condensation and lasing when their influx exceeds the lasing threshold determined by the dissipative losses. In general, different one-particle states decay differently, and the bosons are usually assumed to condense in the state with the longest lifetime. Interaction between the bosons partially neglected by such an assumption can smear the lasing threshold into a threshold domain—a stable lasing many-body state exists within certain intervals of the bosonic influxes. This recently described weak lasing regime is formed by the spontaneously symmetry breaking and phase-locking self-organization of bosonic modes, which results in an essentially many-body state with a stable balance between gains and losses. Here we report, to our knowledge, the first observation of the weak lasing phase in a one-dimensional condensate of exciton–polaritons subject to a periodic potential. Real and reciprocal space photoluminescence images demonstrate that the spatial period of the condensate is twice as large as the period of the underlying periodic potential. These experiments are realized at room temperature in a ZnO microwire deposited on a silicon grating. The period doubling takes place at a critical pumping power, whereas at a lower power polariton emission images have the same periodicity as the grating. PMID:25787253

Suzaku Captures a Possible Eclipse in IGR J16207-5129 and Identifies a Weak-Flaring State in IGR J17391-3021

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bodaghee, Arash; Tomsick, John A.; Rodriquez, Jerome; Chaty, Sylvain; Pottschmidt, Katja; Walter, Roland; Romano, Patrizia

2011-01-01

We present the results from analyses of Suzaku observations of the supergiant X-ray binaries IGR Jl6207-5129 and IGR Jl7391-3021. For IGR Jl6207-5129, we provide the first broadband (0.5-60 keV) spectrum from which we confirm a large intrinsic column density (N(sub H) = 16 X 10(exp 22)/square cm), and constrain the cutoff energy for the first time (E(sub c) 19 keV). We observed a prolonged (> 30 ks) attenuation of the X-ray flux which we tentatively attribute to an eclipse of the probable neutron star by its massive companion. For IGR Jl739J-3021, we witnessed a transition from quiescence to a low-activity phase punctuated by weak flares whose peak luminosities in the 0.5-10 keV band are only a factor of 5 times that of the pre-flare emission. The weak flaring is accompanied by an increase in the absorbing column which suggests the accretion of obscuring clumps of wind. Placing this observation in the context of the recent Swift monitoring campaign, we now recognize that these low-activity epochs constitute the most common emission phase for this system, and perhaps in other supergiant fast X-ray transients (SFXTs) as well.

A weak electric field-assisted ultrafast electrical switching dynamics in In3SbTe2 phase-change memory devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandey, Shivendra Kumar; Manivannan, Anbarasu

2017-07-01

Prefixing a weak electric field (incubation) might enhance the crystallization speed via pre-structural ordering and thereby achieving faster programming of phase change memory (PCM) devices. We employed a weak electric field, equivalent to a constant small voltage (that is incubation voltage, Vi of 0.3 V) to the applied voltage pulse, VA (main pulse) for a systematic understanding of voltage-dependent rapid threshold switching characteristics and crystallization (set) process of In3SbTe2 (IST) PCM devices. Our experimental results on incubation-assisted switching elucidate strikingly one order faster threshold switching, with an extremely small delay time, td of 300 ps, as compared with no incubation voltage (Vi = 0 V) for the same VA. Also, the voltage dependent characteristics of incubation-assisted switching dynamics confirm that the initiation of threshold switching occurs at a lower voltage of 0.82 times of VA. Furthermore, we demonstrate an incubation assisted ultrafast set process of IST device for a low VA of 1.7 V (˜18 % lesser compared to without incubation) within a short pulse-width of 1.5 ns (full width half maximum, FWHM). These findings of ultrafast switching, yet low power set process would immensely be helpful towards designing high speed PCM devices with low power operation.

A Carrier Estimation Method Based on MLE and KF for Weak GNSS Signals.

PubMed

Zhang, Hongyang; Xu, Luping; Yan, Bo; Zhang, Hua; Luo, Liyan

2017-06-22

Maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) has been researched for some acquisition and tracking applications of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers and shows high performance. However, all current methods are derived and operated based on the sampling data, which results in a large computation burden. This paper proposes a low-complexity MLE carrier tracking loop for weak GNSS signals which processes the coherent integration results instead of the sampling data. First, the cost function of the MLE of signal parameters such as signal amplitude, carrier phase, and Doppler frequency are used to derive a MLE discriminator function. The optimal value of the cost function is searched by an efficient Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) method iteratively. Its performance including Cramér-Rao bound (CRB), dynamic characteristics and computation burden are analyzed by numerical techniques. Second, an adaptive Kalman filter is designed for the MLE discriminator to obtain smooth estimates of carrier phase and frequency. The performance of the proposed loop, in terms of sensitivity, accuracy and bit error rate, is compared with conventional methods by Monte Carlo (MC) simulations both in pedestrian-level and vehicle-level dynamic circumstances. Finally, an optimal loop which combines the proposed method and conventional method is designed to achieve the optimal performance both in weak and strong signal circumstances.

The bothersomeness of sciatica: patients' self-report of paresthesia, weakness and leg pain.

PubMed

Grøvle, Lars; Haugen, Anne Julsrud; Keller, Anne; Natvig, Bård; Brox, Jens Ivar; Grotle, Margreth

2010-02-01

The objective of the study was to investigate how patients with sciatica due to disc herniation rate the bothersomeness of paresthesia and weakness as compared to leg pain, and how these symptoms are associated with socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 411 patients with clinical signs of radiculopathy. Items from the Sciatica Bothersomeness Index (0 = none to 6 = extremely) were used to establish values for paresthesia, weakness and leg pain. Associations with socio-demographic and clinical variables were analyzed by multiple linear regression. Mean scores (SD) were 4.5 (1.5) for leg pain, 3.4 (1.8) for paresthesia and 2.6 (2.0) for weakness. Women reported higher levels of bothersomeness for all three symptoms with mean scores approximately 10% higher than men. In the multivariate models, more severe symptoms were associated with lower physical function and higher emotional distress. Muscular paresis explained 19% of the variability in self-reported weakness, sensory findings explained 10% of the variability in paresthesia, and straight leg raising test explained 9% of the variability in leg pain. In addition to leg pain, paresthesia and weakness should be assessed when measuring symptom severity in sciatica.

Fermion masses through four-fermion condensates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ayyar, Venkitesh; Chandrasekharan, Shailesh

Fermion masses can be generated through four-fermion condensates when symmetries prevent fermion bilinear condensates from forming. This less explored mechanism of fermion mass generation is responsible for making four reduced staggered lattice fermions massive at strong couplings in a lattice model with a local four-fermion coupling. The model has a massless fermion phase at weak couplings and a massive fermion phase at strong couplings. In particular there is no spontaneous symmetry breaking of any lattice symmetries in both these phases. Recently it was discovered that in three space-time dimensions there is a direct second order phase transition between the twomore » phases. Here we study the same model in four space-time dimensions and find results consistent with the existence of a narrow intermediate phase with fermion bilinear condensates, that separates the two asymptotic phases by continuous phase transitions.« less

Staging of the Acoustic Response at Laboratory Modelling of Tidal Influence upon Seismicity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saltykov, Vadim; Patonin, Andrey; Kugaenko, Yulia

2010-05-01

INTRODUCTION The seismic radiation is varied through the wide range of seismic energy from seismic emission (high-frequency seismic noise, HFSN) to earthquakes. Some features of external influence response on the different scales allow to consider the medium as a single whole seismoactive object. Earth tide is a bright example of external excited field. Tidal topic has long history in seismology. Results obtained by different scientists are contradictory and ambiguous often. We denoted instability of tidal effect manifestation as possible reason of this situation. In view of the aforesaid it is significant, that tidal effects in weak seismicity and HFSN prove more strongly in the stage of large earthquake preparation [Rykunov et al., 1998, Saltykov et al., 2004, 2007]. It is presumed that the metastable medium has more high tidal sensitivity. For example, sources of prepared earthquakes and extensive near-surface zones of micro-fissuring and dilatancy, which appear during source formation and stretch far enough. [Alekseev et all., 2001, Goldin, 2004, 2005]. Common features of observed effects allow to suggest existence of tidal modulation mechanism, which is similar (may be single) for different seismic scales. Modelling of these processes can improve our understanding of tidal effect nature. LABORATORY EXPERIMENT Results of rock sample destruction experiments under controlling are presented. Acoustic emission (AE) pulses act as analogue of seismic events. Tides are simulated by weak long-period variations added to quasi-stationary subcritical loading. The results of tidal modeling confirmed AE intensity synchronization with external periodic influence with large (5-10%) variations of loading are known [Lockner, Beeler, 1999, Ponomarev et al., 2007]. But real (in nature) tidal strain&stress variations are much less and equal to splits of percent. Therefore, investigation of weak modulation influence upon deformed rock is one of main proposed purposes. Used software-programmable electro-hydraulic system INOVA [Patonin, 2006], can provide various procedures of experiment, among them programmable modulatory action. Axial deformation with stable strain rate and additional action of meander with specified period and amplitude was chosen as mode of operation. The relation between background and periodic strains reaches three orders, which corresponds to real relation between maximal tectonic and tidal strains. RESULTS For detection of periodic loading modulation of AE we used procedure based on Rayleigh criteria of uniformity and considered uniformity of AE impulses distribution on time interval, multiple to period of loading. Moreover, the predominant phase of periodical loading, corresponding to maximal AE activity, was calculated in sliding time window. In all experiments we observed instability of modulation effects. So the following stages were distinguished: - synchronization of AE and periodic loading at the initial part of test; - absence of synchronization at the elastic stage; - resumption of synchronization during plastic deformation. Stability of phase corresponding to maximal AE activity was discovered within the initial part and plastic deformation stage. Absolute values of phase for initial loading and during plastic deformation are different. CONCLUSION Now we regard revealed staging of AE response to weak periodical loading as our main result of these experiments. Different stages of AE response are connected with different state of rock samples during loading and destruction. Observed effects of synchronization can be considered as analogue of tidal modulation of HFSN and appearance of "tidal" seismicity in source zone of prepared large earthquake. This investigation was supported by RFBR, grant 08-05-00692.

Synthetic oligonucleotide separations by mixed-mode reversed-phase/weak anion-exchange liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Zimmermann, Aleksandra; Greco, Roberto; Walker, Isabel; Horak, Jeannie; Cavazzini, Alberto; Lämmerhofer, Michael

2014-08-08

Synthetic oligonucleotides gain increasing importance in new therapeutic concepts and as probes in biological sciences. If pharmaceutical-grade purities are required, chromatographic purification using ion-pair reversed-phase chromatography is commonly carried out. However, separation selectivity for structurally closely related impurities is often insufficient, especially at high sample loads. In this study, a "mixed-mode" reversed-phase/weak anion exchanger stationary phase has been investigated as an alternative tool for chromatographic separation of synthetic oligonucleotides with minor sequence variations. The employed mixed-mode phase shows great flexibility in method development. It has been run in various gradient elution modes, viz. one, two or three parameter (mixed) gradients (altering buffer pH, buffer concentration, and organic modifier) to find optimal elution conditions and gain further insight into retention mechanisms. Compared to ion-pair reversed-phase and mere anion-exchange separation, enhanced selectivities were observed with the mixed-mode phase for 20-23 nucleotide (nt) long oligonucleotides with similar sequences. Oligonucleotides differing by 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides in length could be readily resolved and separation factors for single nucleotide replacements declined in the order Cytosine (C)/Guanine (G)>Adenine (A)/Guanine∼Guanine/Thymine (T)>Adenine/Cytosine∼Cytosine/Thymine>Adenine/Thymine. Selectivities were larger when the modification was at the 3' terminal-end, declined when it was in the middle of the sequence and was smallest when it was located at the 5' terminus. Due to the lower surface area of the 200Å pore size mixed-mode stationary phase compared to the corresponding 100Å material, lower retention times with equal selectivities under milder elution conditions were achievable. Considering high sample loading capacities of the mixed-mode anion-exchanger phase, it should have great potential for chromatographic oligonucleotide separation and purification. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Redistribution of CB1 Cannabinoid Receptors in the Acute and Chronic Phases of Pilocarpine-Induced Epilepsy

PubMed Central

Karlócai, Mária R.; Tóth, Kinga; Watanabe, Masahiko; Ledent, Catherine; Juhász, Gábor; Freund, Tamás F.; Maglóczky, Zsófia

2011-01-01

The endocannabinoid system plays a central role in retrograde synaptic communication and may control the spread of activity in an epileptic network. Using the pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy we examined the expression pattern of the Type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1-R) in the hippocampi of CD1 mice at survival times of 2 hours, 1 day, 3 days and 2 months (acute, latent and chronic phases). Based on the behavioral signs of the acute seizures, animals were classified as “weakly” or “strongly” epileptic using the modified Racine scale. Mice of the weak group had mild seizures, whereas seizures in the strong group were frequent with intense motor symptoms and the majority of these animals developed sclerosis in the chronic phase. In control samples the most intense staining of CB1-R-positive fibers was found in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus and in str. pyramidale of the cornu Ammonis. In weak animals no significant changes were seen at any survival time compared to controls. In strong animals, however, in the acute phase, a massive reduction in CB1-R-stained terminals occurred in the hippocampus. In the latent phase CB1-R immunoreactivity gradually recovered. In the chronic phase, CB1-immunostaining in sclerotic samples was stronger throughout the hippocampus. Quantitative electron microscopic analysis showed an increase in the number of CB1-R-positive terminals in the dentate gyrus. Moreover, the number of immunogold particles significantly increased in GABAergic terminals. Our results suggest a proconvulsive downregulation of CB1 receptors in the acute phase most probably due to receptor internalization, followed by compensatory upregulation and sprouting in the chronic phase of epilepsy. In conclusion, the changes in CB1 receptor expression pattern revealed in this study are associated with the severity of hippocampal injury initiated by acute seizures that ultimately leads to sclerosis in the vulnerable regions in the chronic phase. PMID:22076136

Experiments on sparsity assisted phase retrieval of phase objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaur, Charu; Lochab, Priyanka; Khare, Kedar

2017-05-01

Iterative phase retrieval algorithms such as the Gerchberg-Saxton method and the Fienup hybrid input-output method are known to suffer from the twin image stagnation problem, particularly when the solution to be recovered is complex valued and has centrosymmetric support. Recently we showed that the twin image stagnation problem can be addressed using image sparsity ideas (Gaur et al 2015 J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 32 1922). In this work we test this sparsity assisted phase retrieval method with experimental single shot Fourier transform intensity data frames corresponding to phase objects displayed on a spatial light modulator. The standard iterative phase retrieval algorithms are combined with an image sparsity based penalty in an adaptive manner. Illustrations for both binary and continuous phase objects are provided. It is observed that image sparsity constraint has an important role to play in obtaining meaningful phase recovery without encountering the well-known stagnation problems. The results are valuable for enabling single shot coherent diffraction imaging of phase objects for applications involving illumination wavelengths over a wide range of electromagnetic spectrum.

VLBA Observations of Low Luminosity Flat Spectrum Radio Galaxies and BL Lac Objects: Polarisation Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bondi, M.; Dallacasa, D.; Stanghellini, C.; Marchã, M. J. M.

We obtained two-epoch VLBA observations at 5 GHz of a list of radio galaxies drawn from the 200 mJy sample (Marcha et al. 1996). The objects selected for milli-arcsecond scale observations are classified, on the basis of their optical spectroscopic and polarimetric properties, as BL Lac objects, normal weak line radio galaxies, broad line radio galaxies, and transition objects (those with intermediate properties). We present preliminary results on the radio polarization properties, on the milli-arcsecond scale, of objects with different optical properties and discuss structural variations detected from the two epochs.

Application of phase-change materials in memory taxonomy

PubMed Central

Wang, Lei; Tu, Liang; Wen, Jing

2017-01-01

Abstract Phase-change materials are suitable for data storage because they exhibit reversible transitions between crystalline and amorphous states that have distinguishable electrical and optical properties. Consequently, these materials find applications in diverse memory devices ranging from conventional optical discs to emerging nanophotonic devices. Current research efforts are mostly devoted to phase-change random access memory, whereas the applications of phase-change materials in other types of memory devices are rarely reported. Here we review the physical principles of phase-change materials and devices aiming to help researchers understand the concept of phase-change memory. We classify phase-change memory devices into phase-change optical disc, phase-change scanning probe memory, phase-change random access memory, and phase-change nanophotonic device, according to their locations in memory hierarchy. For each device type we discuss the physical principles in conjunction with merits and weakness for data storage applications. We also outline state-of-the-art technologies and future prospects. PMID:28740557

Motion-induced error reduction by combining Fourier transform profilometry with phase-shifting profilometry.

PubMed

Li, Beiwen; Liu, Ziping; Zhang, Song

2016-10-03

We propose a hybrid computational framework to reduce motion-induced measurement error by combining the Fourier transform profilometry (FTP) and phase-shifting profilometry (PSP). The proposed method is composed of three major steps: Step 1 is to extract continuous relative phase maps for each isolated object with single-shot FTP method and spatial phase unwrapping; Step 2 is to obtain an absolute phase map of the entire scene using PSP method, albeit motion-induced errors exist on the extracted absolute phase map; and Step 3 is to shift the continuous relative phase maps from Step 1 to generate final absolute phase maps for each isolated object by referring to the absolute phase map with error from Step 2. Experiments demonstrate the success of the proposed computational framework for measuring multiple isolated rapidly moving objects.

MASTER OT J014638.27+041324.4 is a Young Type IIP Supernova

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, W.; Kelly, P. L.; Clubb, K. I.; Filippenko, A. V.

2013-12-01

We report that a CCD spectrum (range 350-1000 nm) of MASTER OT J014638.27+041324.4 (Shurpakov et al., ATel #5630) was obtained on Dec 6.5 UT with the Shane 3-m reflector (+Kast spectrograph) at Lick Observatory. The spectrum shows a blue continuum and weak, broad hydrogen Balmer lines having P-Cyg profiles, indicating that the object is a young Type IIP supernova. Weak He I 587.6 nm is also present.

Altered object exploration but not temporal order memory retrieval in an object recognition test following treatment of rats with the group II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist LY379268.

PubMed

Lins, Brittney R; Ballendine, Stephanie A; Howland, John G

2014-02-07

Temporal order memory refers to the ability to distinguish past experiences in the order that they occurred. Temporal order memory for objects is often tested in rodents using spontaneous object recognition paradigms. The circuitry mediating memory in these tests is distributed and involves ionotropic glutamate receptors in the perirhinal cortex and medial prefrontal cortex. It is unknown what role, if any, metabotropic glutamate receptors have in temporal order memory for objects. The present experiment examined the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors in temporal memory retrieval using the group II metabotropic glutamate receptor selective agonist LY379268. Rats were trained on a temporal memory test with three phases: two sample phases (60 min between them) in which rats explored two novel objects and a test phase (60 min after the second sample phase) which included a copy of each object previously encountered. Under these conditions, we confirmed that rats showed a significant exploratory preference for the object presented during the first sample phase. In a second experiment, we found that LY379268 (0.3, 1.0, or 3.0mg/kg; i.p.; 30 min before the test phase) had no effect on temporal memory retrieval but dose-dependently reduced time spent exploring the objects. Our results show that enhancing mGluR2 activity under conditions when TM is intact does not influence memory retrieval. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Exploiting Attribute Correlations: A Novel Trace Lasso-Based Weakly Supervised Dictionary Learning Method.

PubMed

Wu, Lin; Wang, Yang; Pan, Shirui

2017-12-01

It is now well established that sparse representation models are working effectively for many visual recognition tasks, and have pushed forward the success of dictionary learning therein. Recent studies over dictionary learning focus on learning discriminative atoms instead of purely reconstructive ones. However, the existence of intraclass diversities (i.e., data objects within the same category but exhibit large visual dissimilarities), and interclass similarities (i.e., data objects from distinct classes but share much visual similarities), makes it challenging to learn effective recognition models. To this end, a large number of labeled data objects are required to learn models which can effectively characterize these subtle differences. However, labeled data objects are always limited to access, committing it difficult to learn a monolithic dictionary that can be discriminative enough. To address the above limitations, in this paper, we propose a weakly-supervised dictionary learning method to automatically learn a discriminative dictionary by fully exploiting visual attribute correlations rather than label priors. In particular, the intrinsic attribute correlations are deployed as a critical cue to guide the process of object categorization, and then a set of subdictionaries are jointly learned with respect to each category. The resulting dictionary is highly discriminative and leads to intraclass diversity aware sparse representations. Extensive experiments on image classification and object recognition are conducted to show the effectiveness of our approach.

A Gaussian wave packet phase-space representation of quantum canonical statistics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Coughtrie, David J.; Tew, David P.

2015-07-28

We present a mapping of quantum canonical statistical averages onto a phase-space average over thawed Gaussian wave-packet (GWP) parameters, which is exact for harmonic systems at all temperatures. The mapping invokes an effective potential surface, experienced by the wave packets, and a temperature-dependent phase-space integrand, to correctly transition from the GWP average at low temperature to classical statistics at high temperature. Numerical tests on weakly and strongly anharmonic model systems demonstrate that thermal averages of the system energy and geometric properties are accurate to within 1% of the exact quantum values at all temperatures.

Lattice QCD phase diagram in and away from the strong coupling limit.

PubMed

de Forcrand, Ph; Langelage, J; Philipsen, O; Unger, W

2014-10-10

We study lattice QCD with four flavors of staggered quarks. In the limit of infinite gauge coupling, "dual" variables can be introduced, which render the finite-density sign problem mild and allow a full determination of the μ-T phase diagram by Monte Carlo simulations, also in the chiral limit. However, the continuum limit coincides with the weak coupling limit. We propose a strong-coupling expansion approach towards the continuum limit. We show first results, including the phase diagram and its chiral critical point, from this expansion truncated at next-to-leading order.

Topological insulating phases from two-dimensional nodal loop semimetals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Linhu; Araújo, Miguel A. N.

2016-10-01

Starting from a minimal model for a two-dimensional nodal loop semimetal, we study the effect of chiral mass gap terms. The resulting Dirac loop anomalous Hall insulator's Chern number is the phase-winding number of the mass gap terms on the loop. We provide simple lattice models, analyze the topological phases, and generalize a previous index characterizing topological transitions. The responses of the Dirac loop anomalous Hall and quantum spin Hall insulators to a magnetic field's vector potential are also studied both in weak- and strong-field regimes, as well as the edge states in a ribbon geometry.

Quark-antiquark potential in defect conformal field theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Preti, Michelangelo; Trancanelli, Diego; Vescovi, Edoardo

2017-10-01

We consider antiparallel Wilson lines in N = 4 super Yang-Mills in the presence of a codimension-1 defect. We compute the Wilson lines' expectation value both at weak coupling, in the gauge theory, and at strong coupling, by finding the string configurations which are dual to this operator. These configurations display a Gross-Ooguri transition between a connected, U-shaped string phase and a phase in which the string breaks into two disconnected surfaces. We analyze in detail the critical configurations separating the two phases and compare the string result with the gauge theory one in a certain double scaling limit.

Experimental demonstration of an active phase randomization and monitor module for quantum key distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Shi-Hai; Liang, Lin-Mei

2012-08-01

Phase randomization is a very important assumption in the BB84 quantum key distribution (QKD) system with weak coherent source; otherwise, eavesdropper may spy the final key. In this Letter, a stable and monitored active phase randomization scheme for the one-way and two-way QKD system is proposed and demonstrated in experiments. Furthermore, our scheme gives an easy way for Alice to monitor the degree of randomization in experiments. Therefore, we expect our scheme to become a standard part in future QKD systems due to its secure significance and feasibility.

Electrical brain stimulation (tES) improves learning more than performance: A meta-analysis.

PubMed

Simonsmeier, Bianca A; Grabner, Roland H; Hein, Julia; Krenz, Ugne; Schneider, Michael

2018-01-01

Researchers have recently started evaluating whether stimulating the brain noninvasively with a weak and painless electrical current (transcranial Electrical Stimulation, tES) enhances physiological and cognitive processes. Some studies found that tES has weak but positive effects on brain physiology, cognition, or assessment performance, which has attracted massive public interest. We present the first meta-analytic test of the hypothesis that tES in a learning phase is more effective than tES in an assessment phase. The meta-analysis included 246 effect sizes from studies on language or mathematical competence. The effect of tES was stronger when stimulation was administered during a learning phase (d=0.712) as compared to stimulation administered during test performance (d=0.207). The overall effect was stimulation-dosage specific and, as found in a previous meta-analysis, significant only for anodal stimulation and not for cathodal. The results provide evidence for the modulation of long-term synaptic plasticity by tES in the context of practically relevant learning tasks and highlight the need for more systematic evaluations of tES in educational settings. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evidence for trivial Berry phase and absence of chiral anomaly in semimetal NbP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sudesh; Kumar, Pawan; Neha, Prakriti; Das, Tanmoy; Patnaik, Satyabrata

2017-04-01

The discovery of Weyl semimetals (WSM) has brought forth the condensed matter realization of Weyl fermions, which were previously theorized as low energy excitations in high energy particle physics. Recently, transition metal mono-pnictides are under intense investigation for understanding properties of inversion-symmetry broken Weyl semimetals. Non-trivial Berry phase and chirality are important markers for characterizing topological aspects of Weyl semimetals. Most recently, theoretical calculations predict strong influence of the position of Weyl nodes with respect to Fermi surface and weak disorder that can drive WSMs into chirally symmetric Dirac semimetals. Using magneto-transport measurements in single crystals of WSM NbP, we observe an exceptionally large magnetoresistance at low temperature, which is non-saturating and linear at high fields. The origin of linear transverse magnetoresistance is assigned to charge carrier mobility fluctuations. Negative longitudinal magnetoresistance is not seen, suggesting lack of well-defined chiral anomaly in NbP. Unambiguous Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations are observed at low temperatures that are correlated to a trivial Berry phase corresponding to Fermi surface extrema at 30.5 Tesla. Our results are important towards identifying topological characteristics of Weyl semimetals and their experimental manifestations in the presence of weak disorder.

Two-dimensional La2/3Sr4/3MnO4 Manganite Films Probed by Epitaxial Strain and Cation Ordering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelson-Cheeseman, Brittany; Santos, Tiffany; Bhattacharya, Anand

2010-03-01

Dimensionality is known to play a central role in the properties of strongly correlated systems. Here we investigate magnetism and transport in thin films of the Ruddlesden-Popper n=1 phase, La1-xSr1+xMnO4. Within this material, the MnO6-octahedra form two-dimensional perovskite sheets separated by an extra rocksalt layer. By fabricating high quality thin films with ozone-assisted molecular beam epitaxy, we study how the effects of epitaxial strain and intentional cation ordering, known as digital synthesis, influence the properties of this 2-dimensional manganite. For example, at the same Mn^3+:Mn^4+ ratio (2:1) as its fully spin-polarized 3D manganite counterpart, this two dimensional analog at x=1/3 only displays a spin glass phase below 20K in bulk. This is believed to result from a competition between superexchange and double exchange, as well as disordered Jahn-Teller distortions. However, in our films we find weak ferromagnetic order up to much higher temperatures in addition to a low temperature spin glass phase. We will discuss how strain and cation order effect the presence of this weak ferromagnetism.

Film thickness measurement based on nonlinear phase analysis using a Linnik microscopic white-light spectral interferometer.

PubMed

Guo, Tong; Chen, Zhuo; Li, Minghui; Wu, Juhong; Fu, Xing; Hu, Xiaotang

2018-04-20

Based on white-light spectral interferometry and the Linnik microscopic interference configuration, the nonlinear phase components of the spectral interferometric signal were analyzed for film thickness measurement. The spectral interferometric signal was obtained using a Linnik microscopic white-light spectral interferometer, which includes the nonlinear phase components associated with the effective thickness, the nonlinear phase error caused by the double-objective lens, and the nonlinear phase of the thin film itself. To determine the influence of the effective thickness, a wavelength-correction method was proposed that converts the effective thickness into a constant value; the nonlinear phase caused by the effective thickness can then be determined and subtracted from the total nonlinear phase. A method for the extraction of the nonlinear phase error caused by the double-objective lens was also proposed. Accurate thickness measurement of a thin film can be achieved by fitting the nonlinear phase of the thin film after removal of the nonlinear phase caused by the effective thickness and by the nonlinear phase error caused by the double-objective lens. The experimental results demonstrated that both the wavelength-correction method and the extraction method for the nonlinear phase error caused by the double-objective lens improve the accuracy of film thickness measurements.

To the horizon and beyond: Weak lensing of the CMB and binary inspirals into horizonless objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kesden, Michael

This thesis examines two predictions of general relativity: weak lensing and gravitational waves. The cosmic microwave background (CMB) is gravitationally lensed by the large-scale structure between the observer and the last- scattering surface. This weak lensing induces non-Gaussian correlations that can be used to construct estimators for the deflection field. The error and bias of these estimators are derived and used to analyze the viability of lensing reconstruction for future CMB experiments. Weak lensing also affects the one-point probability distribution function of the CMB. The skewness and kurtosis induced by lensing and the Sunayev- Zel'dovich (SZ) effect are calculated as functions of the angular smoothing scale of the map. While these functions offer the advantage of easy computability, only the skewness from lensing-SZ correlations can potentially be detected, even in the limit of the largest amplitude fluctuations allowed by observation. Lensing estimators are also essential to constrain inflation, the favored explanation for large-scale isotropy and the origin of primordial perturbations. B-mode polarization is considered to be a "smoking-gun" signature of inflation, and lensing estimators can be used to recover primordial B-modes from lensing-induced contamination. The ability of future CMB experiments to constrain inflation is assessed as functions of survey size and instrumental sensitivity. A final application of lensing estimators is to constrain a possible cutoff in primordial density perturbations on near-horizon scales. The paucity of independent modes on such scales limits the statistical certainty of such a constraint. Measurements of the deflection field can be used to constrain at the 3s level the existence of a cutoff large enough to account for current CMB observations. A final chapter of this thesis considers an independent topic: the gravitational-wave (GW) signature of a binary inspiral into a horizonless object. If the supermassive objects at galactic centers lack the horizons of traditional black holes, inspiraling objects could emit GWs after passing within their surfaces. The GWs produced by such an inspiral are calculated, revealing distinctive features potentially observable by future GW observatories.

Modélisation et simulation numérique du changement de phase liquide vapeur en cavité

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daru, Virginie; Duluc, Marie-Christine; Le Maître, Olivier; Juric, Damir; Le Quéré, Patrick

2006-01-01

A model for the simulation of boiling flow with phase change in a closed cavity is presented. A front-tracking method is used to deal with the liquid-vapor interface. The liquid phase is incompressible while the vapor phase is weakly compressible and obeys to the perfect gas law. This model can deal with large density ratio ( ρ/ρ≃1000) flows while accounting for the saturation curve. Computations are performed on a 1D validation case, idealizing a pressure cooker. Results are compared with a low Mach number approximation. To cite this article: V. Daru et al., C. R. Mecanique 334 (2006).

Tolerance to bovine clinical mastitis: Total, direct, and indirect milk losses.

PubMed

Detilleux, J

2018-04-01

The objectives of this paper were to estimate direct and indirect milk losses associated with mastitis. Indirect losses, linked to indirect tolerance, are mediated by the increase in milk somatic cell count (SCC) in response to bacterial infection. Direct losses, linked to weak direct tolerance, are not mediated by the increase in SCC. So far, studies have evaluated milk loss associated with clinical mastitis without considering both components, which may lead to biased estimates of their sum; that is, the total loss in milk. A total of 43,903 test-day records on milk and SCC from 3,716 cows and 5,858 lactations were analyzed with mediation mixed models and health trajectories to estimate the amount of direct, indirect, and total milk losses after adjustment for known and potentially unmeasured (sensitivity analyses) confounding factors. Estimates were formalized under the counterfactual causal theory of causation. In this study, milk losses were mostly mediated by an increase in SCC. They were highest in the first month of lactation, when SCC were highest. Milk losses were estimated at 0.5, 0.8, and 1.1 kg/d in first, second, and third and greater parity, respectively. Two phases described how changes in milk were associated with changes in SCC: on average, one occurred before and one after the day preceding the clinical diagnosis. In both phases, changes in milk were estimated at 1 mg/d per 10 3 cells/mL. After adjusting for known confounders, cow effect accounted for 20.7 and 64.2% of the variation in milk in the first and second phases, respectively. This suggests that deviations from the resilient path were highest during the second phase of inflammation and that selection for cows more tolerant to mastitis is feasible. As discussed herein, epigenetic regulation of macrophage polarization may contribute to the variation in milk observed in the second phase. Copyright © 2018 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The nature of Becklin's star.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Penston, M. V.; Allen, D. A.; Hyland, A. R.

1971-01-01

The IR point source in the Orion Nebula commonly known as Becklin's star appears to be exceptional because of its extreme colors and the lack of any associated optical object. Characteristics of the spectrum of Becklin's object are examined. It is found that the spectrum is consistent with that of a highly reddened early-type supergiant, in which weak absorption has been masked by low resolution.

Quantum walks with an anisotropic coin II: scattering theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richard, S.; Suzuki, A.; de Aldecoa, R. Tiedra

2018-05-01

We perform the scattering analysis of the evolution operator of quantum walks with an anisotropic coin, and we prove a weak limit theorem for their asymptotic velocity. The quantum walks that we consider include one-defect models, two-phase quantum walks, and topological phase quantum walks as special cases. Our analysis is based on an abstract framework for the scattering theory of unitary operators in a two-Hilbert spaces setting, which is of independent interest.

More target features in visual working memory leads to poorer search guidance: Evidence from contralateral delay activity

PubMed Central

Schmidt, Joseph; MacNamara, Annmarie; Proudfit, Greg Hajcak; Zelinsky, Gregory J.

2014-01-01

The visual-search literature has assumed that the top-down target representation used to guide search resides in visual working memory (VWM). We directly tested this assumption using contralateral delay activity (CDA) to estimate the VWM load imposed by the target representation. In Experiment 1, observers previewed four photorealistic objects and were cued to remember the two objects appearing to the left or right of central fixation; Experiment 2 was identical except that observers previewed two photorealistic objects and were cued to remember one. CDA was measured during a delay following preview offset but before onset of a four-object search array. One of the targets was always present, and observers were asked to make an eye movement to it and press a button. We found lower magnitude CDA on trials when the initial search saccade was directed to the target (strong guidance) compared to when it was not (weak guidance). This difference also tended to be larger shortly before search-display onset and was largely unaffected by VWM item-capacity limits or number of previews. Moreover, the difference between mean strong- and weak-guidance CDA was proportional to the increase in search time between mean strong-and weak-guidance trials (as measured by time-to-target and reaction-time difference scores). Contrary to most search models, our data suggest that trials resulting in the maintenance of more target features results in poor search guidance to a target. We interpret these counterintuitive findings as evidence for strong search guidance using a small set of highly discriminative target features that remain after pruning from a larger set of features, with the load imposed on VWM varying with this feature-consolidation process. PMID:24599946

More target features in visual working memory leads to poorer search guidance: evidence from contralateral delay activity.

PubMed

Schmidt, Joseph; MacNamara, Annmarie; Proudfit, Greg Hajcak; Zelinsky, Gregory J

2014-03-05

The visual-search literature has assumed that the top-down target representation used to guide search resides in visual working memory (VWM). We directly tested this assumption using contralateral delay activity (CDA) to estimate the VWM load imposed by the target representation. In Experiment 1, observers previewed four photorealistic objects and were cued to remember the two objects appearing to the left or right of central fixation; Experiment 2 was identical except that observers previewed two photorealistic objects and were cued to remember one. CDA was measured during a delay following preview offset but before onset of a four-object search array. One of the targets was always present, and observers were asked to make an eye movement to it and press a button. We found lower magnitude CDA on trials when the initial search saccade was directed to the target (strong guidance) compared to when it was not (weak guidance). This difference also tended to be larger shortly before search-display onset and was largely unaffected by VWM item-capacity limits or number of previews. Moreover, the difference between mean strong- and weak-guidance CDA was proportional to the increase in search time between mean strong-and weak-guidance trials (as measured by time-to-target and reaction-time difference scores). Contrary to most search models, our data suggest that trials resulting in the maintenance of more target features results in poor search guidance to a target. We interpret these counterintuitive findings as evidence for strong search guidance using a small set of highly discriminative target features that remain after pruning from a larger set of features, with the load imposed on VWM varying with this feature-consolidation process.

Effect of weak magnetic field on arsenate and arsenite removal from water by zerovalent iron: an XAFS investigation.

PubMed

Sun, Yuankui; Guan, Xiaohong; Wang, Jianmin; Meng, Xiaoguang; Xu, Chunhua; Zhou, Gongming

2014-06-17

In this study, a weak magnetic field (WMF), superimposed with a permanent magnet, was utilized to improve ZVI corrosion and thereby enhance As(V)/As(III) removal by ZVI at pHini 3.0-9.0. The experiment with real arsenic-bearing groundwater revealed that WMF could greatly improve arsenic removal by ZVI even in the presence of various cations and anions. The WMF-induced improvement in As(V)/As(III) removal by ZVI should be primarily associated with accelerated ZVI corrosion, as evidenced by the pH variation, Fe(2+) release, and the formation of corrosion products as characterized with X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. The arsenic species analysis in solution/solid phases at pHini 3.0 revealed that As(III) oxidation to As(V) in aqueous phase preceded its subsequent sequestration by the newly formed iron (hydr)oxides. However, both As(V) adsorption following As(III) oxidation to As(V) in solution and As(III) adsorption preceding its conversion to As(V) in solid phase were observed at pHini 5.0-9.0. The application of WMF accelerated the transformation of As(III) to As(V) in both aqueous and solid phases at pHini 5.0-9.0 and enhanced the oxidation of As(III) to As(V) in solution at pHini 3.0.