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<p> It is believed that Sr2RuO4 is a triplet superconductor that breaks time reversal symmetry, and it is expected to have spontaneous magnetization both at the sample edge, as well as at domain walls. Recent magnetic microscopy results place upper limits on the magnetic fields differing from previous theoretical calculations by 2 orders of magnitude. Using a Ginzburg-Landau formalism we investigate the effects of a rough surface as well as parameter choices which differ from the typical weak coupling parameters on the magnitudes of the spontaneous supercurrents and magnetic fields. The dependance on surface roughness is found to be small resulting in only a 20% reduction for the weak coupling parameters. Changing the parameters from weak coupling in addition to pair breaking surface effects is also found to affect the magnitudes of the spontaneous fields weakly, except in certain unphysical parameter regimes. The effects of the surface stabilizing another non-magnetic order parameter are considered, and give rise to field distributions with similar features to those present at domain walls.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

An alternative approach to the problem of CP-violation is presented. It is based on the possibility of spontaneous CP-breakdown in models with two Higgs doublets. General features of the phenomenon such as stability of the vacuum and the existence of a light axion are discussed. We investigate the feasibility of spontaneously broken CP in the minimal supersymmetric models - the MSSM and NMSSM. The latter is shown to be experimentally viable. The phenomenological implications of the model such as CP-violating effects in the kaon systems and a nonzero neutron electric dipole moment are studied. / Ph. D.

Spontaneous order happens in non-equilibrium systems composed of interacting elements. This phenomenon manifests in both the formation of space-time patterns in reaction-diffusion systems and collective rhythmic behaviors in coupled oscillators. In this thesis, we present the results of two studies: 1) The response of a multi-species predator-prey system to perturbation. 2) The features of a rich attractor space in a system of repulsively coupled Kuramoto oscillators. In the first part, we address this question: how does a complex coarsening system with non-trivial in-domain dynamics respond to perturbations? We choose a cyclic predator-prey model with six species each attacking three others. As a result of this interaction network, two competing domains form, while inside each domain three species play a rock-paper-scissors game which results in the formation of spirals inside the domains. We perturb the system by changing the interaction scheme which leads to a change of alliances and therefore a different spatial pattern. As expected, perturbing a complex space-time pattern results in a complex response. In the second part, we explore the attractor space of a system of repulsively coupled oscillators with non-homogeneous natural frequencies on a hexagonal lattice. Due to the negative coupling and the particular choice of geometry, some of the links between oscillators become frustrated. Coupled oscillators with frustration show similar features as frustrated magnetic systems. We use the parameters of the system like the coupling constant and the width of the frequency distribution to understand the system's attractor space. Further, we study the effects of external noise on the system. We also identify the breaking of time-translation invariance in the absence of external noise, in our system. / Doctor of Philosophy / Spontaneous ordering is a ubiquitous phenomenon observed in natural systems containing many interacting elements. In some systems the order is observed in the form of spatial patterns. It also can be seen in a population of coupled oscillators in the form of collective rhythmic behaviors. In this thesis, we present the results of two studies. For the first study, we choose a cyclic predator-prey system that shows a non-trivial space-time pattern. The system consists of six species each attacking three others, cyclically. By choosing such an interaction network, two competing domains form, while inside each domain three species play a rock-paper-scissors game. As a result of the inner competition, spirals form inside the domains. We study the response of the system to a perturbation. To perturb the system, we change the interaction scheme which leads to a change of alliances and therefore, a different spatial pattern. In the second study, we explore the patterns of clustering and synchronization in a system of repulsively coupled oscillators with non-homogeneous natural frequencies. Due to the negative coupling and the particular choice of geometry, some of the links between oscillators become frustrated. We use the parameters of the system such as the coupling constant and the width of the frequency distribution to understand the system’s attractor space. Further, we examine the effect of external noise on the system.

Spontaneous combustion occurring in inaccessible areas of underground coal mines is often intractable. Even though routine inspection and/or continuous monitoring help detect the incubation of spontaneous heatings, they may not be able to identify the locations with accuracy. Moreover, implementation of remedial measures is difficult. A new approach to ventilation system design to overcome the problem is investigated in this dissertation. Ventilation layouts are analyzed to identify potential problem areas and nullify the probability of fire occurrence. The focus is directed to longwall gobs. The changing gob characteristics, especially the varying degree of consolidation at different parts of a gob as the face moves, is considered. Analytical studies and computer modeling show that bleederless ventilation in retreating panels is promising. The W -system of ventilation is most suitable. However, there may be difficulties in maintaining the middle entry in a Wsystem / Ph. D.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering, 2016 / Spontaneous combustion of coal may occur when coal is mined, stored or transported and is influenced by a combination of intrinsic and /or extrinsic factors. While it is unusual for intact seams to burn in the highwall, the most common occurrence is when surface mines extract seams previously partially mined by underground bord and pillar operations. The aim of the study is to provide a predictive model (matrix) of the spontaneous combustion potential of remnant pillars at Colliery X. A number of different thermal, chemical and petrographic tests (coal factors) will be undertaken to determine their individual and collective impacts on the sponcom predictive model. The primary geology at the mine is conformable with that of the Witbank Coalfield. Battacharyya (1982) described 3 main factors in the spontaneous combustion of coal, mining factor, coal factor and geological factor which have an aggregate effect. Some of the main historical and present theories of sponcom are the pyrite theory, the bacterial theory, the oxidation theory and the humidity theory. It is important to note that no single factor is responsible for spontaneous combustion. The oxidation of coal occurs constantly. The temperature of the coal is a function of the rate of heat generation versus the rate of heat loss. Fires can start at outcrops and move through interconnected workings with heat transfer by conduction (into the overburden) or convection (between panels).The overburden can also insulate the burning coal seam. Geological factors such as depth of overburden, the degree of fracturing, and the nature of the overlying strata vary between coalfields. A coal seam fire or mine fire is the underground smouldering of a coal deposit, often in a coal mine. Such fires have economic, social and ecological impacts In order to extinguish a fire, one of three elements, fuel, oxygen, or energy, must be removed. The components of the fire triangle can be further subdivided into conventional mine control techniques and more or less unconventional or unproven mine fire control techniques. The thermal techniques discussed include the crossing point temperature, thermogravimetric analyses and oxygen absorption. Macerals, the microscopically identifiable organic constituents of coal, are one of the three basic parameters that define coal. The other two parameters are the coal rank and the mineral matter Vitrinite is the principal maceral group of the No.5 seam and inertinite dominates the No.2 and No.4 seams. The results obtained from the 22 drill-core samples and 2 ROM samples were matched to the existing borehole dataset (2296 boreholes) based on similarity of heat value (figure 3.11). A total of 24 test results (thermal, chemical and petrographic) from borehole A and borehole B were thus assigned to the borehole database which has approximately 1500 samples for each seam. By linking the laboratory datasets (borehole A and B) and the existing borehole database used for resource modelling, the sponcom variables could be modelled in a similar way to the coal resources. The overall risk matrix was calculated on a full seam basis by combining 15 variable scores, each variable having a score of 0, 1 or 2 (low-mod-high probability). The overall results from this research produced clear and unambiguous contour plans of different factors effecting sponcom of coal using single variable and combined variable datasets. In conclusion, it appears that the acceptability of a method for determining spontaneous heating characteristics of coal mainly depends upon how closely it predicts the spontaneous heating behaviour in the field conditions / CK2018

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Yes / Can adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) infer what happened to someone from their emotional response? Millikan has argued that in everyday life, others' emotions are most commonly used to work out the antecedents of behavior, an ability termed retrodictive mindreading. As those with ASD show difficulties interpreting others' emotions, we predicted that these individuals would have difficulty with retrodictive mindreading. Sixteen adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome and 19 typically developing adults viewed 21 video clips of people reacting to one of three gifts (chocolate, monopoly money, or a homemade novelty) and then inferred what gift the recipient received and the emotion expressed by that person. Participants' eye movements were recorded while they viewed the videos. Results showed that participants with ASD were only less accurate when inferring who received a chocolate or homemade gift. This difficulty was not due to lack of understanding what emotions were appropriate in response to each gift, as both groups gave consistent gift and emotion inferences significantly above chance (genuine positive for chocolate and feigned positive for homemade). Those with ASD did not look significantly less to the eyes of faces in the videos, and looking to the eyes did not correlate with accuracy on the task. These results suggest that those with ASD are less accurate when retrodicting events involving recognition of genuine and feigned positive emotions, and challenge claims that lack of attention to the eyes causes emotion recognition difficulties in ASD. / University of Nottingham, School of Psychology

Le pneumothorax spontané (PS) est une pathologie le plus souvent bégnine quand elle survient chez un sujet sain. Le principal risque est la récidive dans environ 30 % des cas. L'évolution des connaissances concernant sa physiopathologie, associée aux résultats des études cliniques évaluant sa prise en charge en ambulatoire, font reconsidérer les stratégies de traitement initial et de prévention des récidives. Nos travaux de recherche sur le PS ont plusieurs axes relatifs aux aspects épidémiologiques, diagnostiques et thérapeutiques de sa prise en charge initiale, en particulier dans les services d'urgence. Cette thèse s'articule autour de 3 volets. Le premier volet correspond à l'identification de facteurs associés à la récurrence du PS. Si le tabac, le sexe ou l'intoxication au cannabis sont des facteurs de risque reconnu d'occurence, leur impact sur la récidive n'est pas consensuel. C'est pourquoi nous avons mené une étude rétrospective multicentrique dans des services d'urgence français. Sur cette série de 1491 PSP, dont respectivement 62 et 38% correspondaient à un premier épisode et à une récidive, aucun facteur de risque clinique n'était lié à la récidive. Malgré des limites méthodologiques liées notamment à son caractère rétrospectif, cette série représente la plus importante quantitativement jamais publiée. Un deuxième axe concerne l'étude de la prise en charge thérapeutique initiale du PS aux urgences. Bien que des études préliminaires aient montré des taux de succès de plus de 70% en cas de prise en charge ambulatoire, en l'absence de consensus au niveau international ni de recommandations françaises, le choix du traitement initial revient au praticien prenant en charge le patient. Très peu de données existent sur cette prise en charge initiale dans la vraie vie, qu'il s'agisse de la décision thérapeutique, du matériel employé ou du spécialiste impliqué. Ainsi, nous avons mené une étude rétrospective à propos de 1849 PS pris en charge dans 14 services d'urgence en France afin de documenter la filière de prise en charge. Cette étude a montré que la prise en charge était pluridisciplinaire, que l'abstention était la stratégie thérapeutique de première intention pour la moitié des patients. et qu'en cas de geste le drainage était choisi dans près de 80% des cas. La stratégie ambulatoire ne concernait que 239 patients, dont 230 PS primitifs et 9 PS secondaires (4%), très majoritairement en cas d'abstention thérapeutique. Le troisième volet concerne l'évaluation médico-économique de deux stratégies de traitement d'un premier PS primitif: drainage thoracique standard versus une stratégie combinée avec exsufflation en première intention (étude EXPRED). L'étude a porté sur une série de 379 patients, randomisés en deux bras. Les résultats de cette étude multicentrique ont montré que les deux stratégies étaient équivalentes en ce qui concerne le succès immédiat, évalué sur le recollement pleural, et le taux de récidive à un an. L'évaluation médico économique, conduite avec une approche de minimisation des coûts et avec l'hypothèse d'une équivalence des deux stratégies, dans la perspective du payeur, a montré que l'exsufflation était une stratégie plus coût efficace que le drainage. Au final, les résultats de ces travaux montrent qu'en pratique, actuellement, dans les services d'urgences en France, l'abstention thérapeutique et le drainage thoracique sont préférentiellement choisis lors de la prise en charge du PS, à l'inverse des stratégies ambulatoires. Les connaissances apportées par l'étude EXPRED et celles sur les facteurs de risque de récidive sont de nature à influencer les recommandations françaises à venir. De futurs travaux de recherche devront s'attacher à identifier les freins à l'implantation de ces recommandations, ainsi que ceux relatifs à l'adhésion à une stratégie ambulatoire de prise en charge / Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is usually a benign pathology, when it occurs at a healthy subject. Recurrence is the main risk, in approximately 30% of the cases. Current knowledge concerning physiopathology, associated with the results of clinical trials estimating ambulatory treatment, make reconsider the strategies of initial treatment and prevention of recurrence. Our research on SP have several topics related to epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of initial management in the Emergency Department (ED). This work treats three axis. The first axis corresponds to identification of factors associated with recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). If tobacco, gender or use of cannabis are identified as a risk factor of occurrence, their impact on recurrence are not consensual. Then, we conducted a retrospective multicenter study in 14 french ED. In this population of 1491 PSP, among whom respectively 62 and 38% corresponded to a first episod and to a recurrence, no clinical risk factor of recurrence was highl ighted. In spite of methodological limits, in particular in line with its retrospective design, this series represents the most larger never published. The second axis concerns the study of initial treatrnent of PS in 14 ED. Although preliminary studies showed rates of success of more than 70% in case of ambulatory management, in the absence of international consensus and French recommandations, the choice of initial treatment depends on physicians decision. Few data exist on this initial management in real life condition, concerning therapeutic action, material devices used, or speciality of physicians implied. Again, we conducted a second retrospective study with 1849 PS in 14 french ED in France to precise healthcare pathways. The study showed that the management was multidisciplinary, abstention was the frst therapeutic strategy for half of patients and in case of intervention, chest tube was chosen in about 80% of cases. Ambulatory strategy concerned only 239 patients (14%), among whom 230 PSP and 9 secondary PS, mostly in case of abstention. The third axis concerns medical economic evaluation of two treatments strategies of first primary PS : chest tube drainage versus aspiration as first therapeutic action (EXPRED study).The study concerned a serie of 379 patients, randomized in Iwo arms. The results of this multicenter study showed that both strategies are equivalent concerning immediat success estimated on pneumothorax resolution and the rate of recurrence at one year. The medicoeconomic evaluation as a minimization of the costs and with the hypothesis of an equivalence of both strategies with the prospect of the payer, showed that aspiration was a strategy more cost effective than chest tube. Finally, results of these works showed that actually in practice, abstention and chest tube drainage are preferentially chosen for the management of PS in ED in France, compare to ambulatory strategy. Results of EXPRED study and knowledge about risk factors of recurrence can influence future french recommandations. Future research are necessary to identify barriers to implementation of these recommandations, as well asthose relative to adhesion of ambulatory management.