Thermodynamic transport theory of spin waves in ferromagnetic insulators

We use the Boltzmann transport theory in the relaxation time approximation to describe the thermal transport of spin waves in a ferromagnet. By treating spin waves as magnon excitations we are able to compute analytically and numerically the coefficients of the constitutive thermo-magnetic transport equations. As a main result, we find that the absolute thermo-magnetic power coefficient $\epsilon_M$, relating the gradient of the potential of the magnetization current and the gradient of the temperature, in the limit of low temperature and low field, is a constant $\epsilon_M = -0.6419 \, k_B/\mu_B$. The theory correctly describes the low-temperature and magnetic-field dependencies of spin Seebeck experiments. Furthermore, the theory predicts that in the limit of very low temperatures the spin Peltier coefficient $\Pi_M$, relating the heat and the magnetization currents, tends to a finite value which depends on the amplitude of the magnetic field. This indicates the possibility to exploit the spin Peltier effect as an efficient cooling mechanism in cryogenics.Comment: (v1) PDFLaTeX, 10 pages, 5 figures, 1 table, submitted to Phys. Rev. B; (v2) PDFLaTeX, 12 pages, 5 figures, 1 table; Secs. I, III, IV highly improved, old-Sec. VI splitted into two new Secs. VI-VII, references added, typos corrected, revised version re-submitted to Phys. Rev. B; (v3) PDFLaTeX, 12 pages, 5 figures, 1 table; Refs. [3], [27], [36] updated, final version published in Phys. Rev.

Kinetics of heat flux avalanches at the first order transition in La(Fe-Mn-Si)13_{13}-H1.65_{1.65} compounds

We study heat flux avalanches occurring at the first order transition in La(Fe-Mn-Si)$_{13}$-H$_{1.65}$ magnetocaloric material. As the transition is associated to the phase boundaries motion that gives rise to the latent heat, we develop a non equilibrium thermodynamic model. By comparing the model with experimental calorimetry data available for Mn=0.18, we find the values of the intrinsic kinetic parameter $R_L$, expressing the damping for the moving boundary interface, at different magnetic fields. We conclude that by increasing field, thus approaching the critical point, the avalanches increase in number and their kinetics is slowed down.Comment: PDFLaTeX, 5 pages, 2 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in Journal of Physics: Conference Series as Conference Proceeding of JEMS 2016 (8th Joint European Magnetic Symposia

Building relationships with the local community : approaches to community engagement at Australian folk festivals

University of Technology, Sydney. Faculty of Business.This thesis focuses on the social dimension of event impacts, and seeks to provide insights into those approaches employed by Australian Folk Festivals to engage with their local communities from the point of view of event organisers. Over the past decade there has been an increased awareness of the impacts, both positive and negative, that events have on their host communities, and a recognition that community support can play an important role in the success and longevity of the event itself. While event-hosting communities are acknowledged as important stakeholders for festival organisations, little effort has been made to identify the spectrum of practices purposefully employed to seek their engagement and manage their relationship. This exploratory study has sought to go some way towards the understanding of a ‘continuum’ of community engagement within events and in so doing, provides event managers with a deeper appreciation of the approaches to host community engagement available to them during the planning and delivery phases of their events. A qualitative exploratory research approach was employed, with the intent of providing insights into the issue of concern to this study, which was reflected in the enquiry’s research aim: Identify the spectrum of approaches and practices used by the organisers of folk festivals to engage with their local communities with a view to building relationships leading to both event longevity and positive community outcomes. An extensive literature review was conducted, the results of which were employed to frame a series of in-depth interview questions, which were then posed to a number of festivals (20) listed, amongst others, on the Folk Alliance Australia calendar of events. The practices identified from the analysis of this data were then placed into one of three engagement categories - transactional, transitional or transformational. The practices within these groupings were then explored in terms of their intent. Those factors that served to facilitate or hinder them were also noted, along with the stakeholder groups linked to them. The enquiry found that the practices used by event organisers seeking to build relationships with their communities are predominantly of transactional and transitional nature, with events acknowledging the importance of engaging with their communities yet retaining control of the process. Only a few examples were found of transformational strategies. However, while the study provided an understanding of the strategies currently in use, it also highlighted that the community engagement continuum only partially reflects the diversity of experiences of folk festival organisations in this area. This suggests that the engagement process in the context of Australian folk festivals is a complex one, that could benefit from a strategic focus. The significance of this study lies in its capacity to provide event organisers, both in the folk festival area and in the broader public events field, with a deeper appreciation of the range of potential practices available to them when seeking to engage their host communities, along with those factors that might impact such efforts. This appreciation in turn, should serve to ‘sharpen’ the strategic focus of such events in the community engagement area, and assist them in articulating their engagement efforts when seeking government support through public grants. In conclusion, the study identified opportunities for further research, specifically: the investigation of the insights emerging from this study in other public event settings; and the exploration of stakeholder perspectives on the effectiveness of the various approaches to community engagement identified here, along with their desired outcomes

Studio della sostanza organica in suoli mediterranei mediante tecniche di Risonanza Magnetica Nucleare allo stato solido

In questo lavoro sono state utilizzate tecniche NMR a stato solido per studiare la SOM di tre suoli mediterranei. I tre suoli scelti sono abbastanza simili per tessitura e per tipo di vegetazione presente, ma effettuando un'analisi dettagliata con la 13C NMR a stato solido sono state messe in luce differenze nella strutturazione della SOM altrimenti sconosciute

Atrocidad, vínculos y vindicta pública. naturaleza jurídica y dispositivos procesales. rosario (argentina), 1850-1900

Este trabalho estuda de que maneira a atrocidade, ou seja, a qualificação penal própria do Antigo Regime continuou operando judicialmente durante o século XIX. Observa-se isto a partir de demandas que foram apresentadas no Tribunal Comum de Justiça da 2ª Circunscrição do Estado de Santa Fé, com sede na cidade de Rosário, durante a segunda metade do século XIX, por homicídios que têm o agravamento pelo fato de existir um vínculo entre o morto e o assassino, e também, por suicídios. A complexidade legal do período que se está analisando e a incipiente jurisprudência mostram sentidos “jurídico-conceptuais” do antigo Código, perante as decisões judiciais que se ajustam aos novos modelos legais. Não só a falta de provas, mas, também, algumas dificuldades do procedimento determinaram a diminuição das penas nos casos supramencionados, que continuavam sendo qualificados como atrozesThis paper studies how the atrocity, that is to say, the criminal qualification of the Old Regime continued operating in court during the 19th century. This can be observed from demands that were presented at the Common Court of Justice of the 2nd Constituency of the State of Santa Fe, based in the city of Rosario, during the second half of the 19th century, by homicides that have the aggravation by the fact that there is a link between the dead and the killer, and also, for suicides. The legal complexity of the period that is being analyzed and the incipient jurisprudence show “conceptual and legal” senses of the old Code, in face of the judicial decisions that fit the new legal models. Not only the lack of evidence, but also, some difficulties with the procedure, determined the decrease of penalties in the above mentioned cases, which continued being qualified as atrociousEste trabajo estudia de qué manera la atrocidad, calificación penal propia del Antiguo Régimen continuó operando judicialmente durante el siglo XIX. Esto se observa a partir de causas judicializadas ante el Juzgado de Primera Instancia de la 2a Circunscripción de la provincia de Santa Fe, con sede en la ciudad de Rosario, durante la segunda mitad del siglo XIX por homicidios agravados por el vínculo y suicidios. La complejidad legal del periodo bajo análisis y la incipiente jurisprudencia muestran sentidos “jurídico-conceptuales” de tipo antiguo frente a decisiones judiciales ajustadas a los nuevos referentes legales. La precariedad de las pruebas y algunas dificultades procedimentales determinaban la atenuación de las penas en estos homicidios/suicidios que seguían siendo adjetivados bajo los rótulos de atrocesFil: Piazzi, Carolina Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Humanidades y Artes. Escuela de Historia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Analisi cluster delle caratteristiche socio-economiche dei comuni dell'Emilia-Romagna: un confronto tra comuni dentro e fuori dal cratere del sisma

The socio-economic features of the area hit by the 2012 earthquake in Emilia-Romagna (Italy) represents a first step in building a more comprehensive framework, which could help in better interpreting earthquake effects in both short and medium period. Actually, this analysis falls under that broader field of research, which is aimed at providing counterfactual evaluations of both natural disasters’ impacts and the adoption of public policies to support reconstruction. This paper moves from the idea that those municipalities, which lie close to the epicentre of 2012 Emilia-Romagna earthquake, are not particularly homogenous in terms of socio-economic features. Analysing those major differences is a key element in order to assess the way human activities and other specific economic features at municipality level may either increase or limit the effects of an earthquake. Firstly, this paper tackles the problem of properly identifying the boundaries of the area directly hit by the 2012 earthquake. Indeed, different acts have provided different definitions of those boundaries. Eventually, a cluster analysis has been performed covering all municipalities in Emilia-Romagna, according to a set of demographic and economic variables, available at municipality level. This analysis highlights the existence of different typologies of municipalities, even in the area hit by the earthquake. In particular, these results are of particular interest, allowing further assessments on the effects of the earthquake. Actually, according to cluster analysis results, specific counterfactual examples (not hit by the earthquake) will be identified

Successful induction of ovulation and completed pregnancy using recombinant human luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone in a woman with Kallmann's syndrome

The induction of ovulation in women with hypogonado-trophic hypogonadism requires follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) for follicular growth and both FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) to induce optimal follicular steroidogenesis. The development of human recombinant FSH and LH means that individually tailored doses of both hormones can be used with the aim of inducing unifollicular ovulation. This report describes the use of recombinant human FSH and LH for the induction of ovulation and conception in the second cycle of treatment, and subsequently a successfully completed pregnancy in a woman with Kallmann's syndrom

Factors influencing clinical trial site selection in Europe: the Survey of Attitudes towards Trial sites in Europe (the SAT-EU Study).

This is the final version of the article. Available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.OBJECTIVES: Applications to run clinical trials in Europe fell 25% between 2007 and 2011. Costs, speed of approvals and shortcomings of European Clinical Trial Directive are commonly invoked to explain this unsatisfactory performance. However, no hard evidence is available on the actual weight of these factors or has it been previously investigated whether other criteria may also impact clinical trial site selection. DESIGN: The Survey of Attitudes towards Trial sites in Europe (SAT-EU Study) was an anonymous, cross-sectional web-based survey that systematically assessed factors impacting European clinical trial site selection. It explored 19 factors across investigator-driven, hospital-driven and environment-driven criteria, and costs. It also surveyed perceptions of the European trial environment. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Clinical research organisations (CROs), academic clinical trial units (CTUs) and industry invited to respond. OUTCOME MEASURES: PRIMARY OUTCOME: weight assigned to each factor hypothesised to impact trial site selection and trial incidence. Secondary outcome: desirability of European countries to run clinical trials. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 485 professionals in 34 countries: 49% from BioPharma, 40% from CTUs or CROs. Investigator-dependent, environment-dependent and hospital-dependent factors were rated highly important, costs being less important (p<0.0001). Within environment-driven criteria, pool of eligible patients, speed of approvals and presence of disease-management networks were significantly more important than costs or government financial incentives (p<0.0001). The pattern of response was consistent across respondent groupings (CTU vs CRO vs industry). Considerable variability was demonstrated in the perceived receptivity of countries to undertake clinical trials, with Germany, the UK and the Netherlands rated the best trial markets (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Investigator-dependent factors and ease of approval dominate trial site selection, while costs appear less important. Fostering competitiveness of European clinical research may not require additional government spending/incentives. Rather, harmonisation of approval processes, greater visibility of centres of excellence and reduction of 'hidden' indirect costs, may bring significantly more clinical trials to Europe

The Seagrass effect turned upside down changes the prospective of sea urchin survival and landscape implications

Habitat structure plays an important mediating role in predator-prey interactions. However the effects are strongly dependent on regional predator pools, which can drive predation risk in habitats with very similar structure in opposite directions. In the Mediterranean Sea predation on juvenile sea urchins is commonly known to be regulated by seagrass structure. In this study we test whether the possibility for juvenile Paracentrotus lividus to be predated changes in relation to the fragmentation of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica (four habitat classes: continuous, low-fragmentation, high-fragmentation and rocks), and to the spatial arrangement of such habitat classes at a landscape scale. Sea urchin predation risk was measured in a 20-day field experiment on tethered individuals placed in three square areas 35×35 m2 in size. Variability of both landscape and habitat structural attributes was assessed at the sampling grain 5×5 m2. Predation risk changed among landscapes, as it was lower where more ‘rocks’, and thus less seagrass, were present. The higher risk was found in the ‘continuous’ P. oceanica rather than in the low-fragmentation, high-fragmentation and rock habitats (p-values = 0.0149, 0.00008, and 0.0001, respectively). Therefore, the expectation that juvenile P. lividus survival would have been higher in the ‘continuous’ seagrass habitat, which would have served as shelter from high fish predation pressure, was not met. Predation risk changed across habitats due to different success between attack types: benthic attacks (mostly from whelks) were overall much more effective than those due to fish activity, the former type being associated with the ‘continuous’ seagrass habitat. Fish predation on juvenile sea urchins on rocks and ‘high-fragmentation’ habitat was less likely than benthic predation in the ‘continuous’ seagrass, with the low seagrass patch complexity increasing benthic activity. Future research should be aimed at investigating, derived from the complex indirect interactions among species, how top-down control in marine reserves can modify seagrass habitat effects

Ecosystem vulnerability to alien and invasive species: a case study on marine habitats along the Italian coast

1. Spread of alien species (AS) is a serious threat to marine habitats and analysis of principal descriptors of their occurrence is pivotal to set reliable conservation strategies. 2. In order to assess the susceptibility of marine habitats to biological invasions, a dataset was gathered of the occurrence of 3899 species from 29 phyla, taken from 93 marine sites located along the Italian coast in the period 2000\u20132012.3. In total, 61 AS belonging to 11 phyla have been recorded. Invertebrates were the most represented (63%). Alien species were found in all the habitats examined (EUNIS, level 2), although they showed highest abundance in benthic habitats. Most of the AS were associated with a single EUNIS habitat, while some of them were present in more than one habitat. Trans-habitat occurrence suggests the potential invasiveness of AS. 4. According to statistical analysis, AS recorded could have been more numerous, since some of the marine habitats seemed to be still unsaturated. The model that best describes the spread of AS takes account of both native species richness (Rn) and EUNIS habitat type as explanatory variables. The number of observed AS was directly related to Rn and it was highest in rocky circalittoral and infralittoral habitats. 5. The results of this macro-ecological study focus on the importance of performing large-scale studies, since adopting ecosystem approaches to marine invasion management seems especially fruitful. 6. The results, moreover, highlight the importance of AS monitoring of different habitats, from those subjected to anthropogenic pressure, historically considered to be hubs of introduction of AS, to the most biologically rich and diverse marine habitats. Indeed, it is necessary to set monitoring strategies to detect the introduction, the distribution and persistence of AS over time. These recommendations are especially significant in the light of the strategic plans currently under formulation in Mediterranean countries with regard to AS monitoring