Electromagnetic Dissociation and Space Radiation

Relativistic nucleus-nucleus reactions occur mainly through the Strong or Electromagnetic (EM) interactions. Transport codes often neglect the latter. This work shows the importance of including EM interactions for space radiation applications.Comment: 11 page

Initial experiments concerning quantum information processing in rare-earth-ion doped crystals

In this paper initial experiments towards constructing simple quantum gates in a solid state material are presented. Instead of using specially tailored materials, the aim is to select a subset of randomly distributed ions in the material, which have the interaction necessary to control each other and therefore can be used to do quantum logic operations. The experimental results demonstrate that part of an inhomogeneously broadened absorption line can be selected as a qubit and that a subset of ions in the material can control the resonance frequency of other ions. This opens the way for the construction of quantum gates in rare-earth-ion doped crystals.Comment: 24 pages, including 12 figure

Designing Refillable Packaging: A Qualitative Approach

In recognition of the fact that current packaging design fails to address the resource reductions needed to support the sustainability agenda (INCPEN, 2001; Environmental Services Association, 2004), a 2 year collaborative research project between Loughborough University and The Boots Company, funded by DEFRA, was set up to investigate the feasibility of developing refillable packaging systems which appeal to the consumer whilst reducing the overall sustainability impact. The overall aim of the project – ‘Refillable Packaging Systems’, reported on in this paper was to develop a refillable packaging system for a ‘body wash’ product and to investigate its feasibility with respect to consumer acceptance (female customers, aged 21-40) and sustainability improvements. In order to achieve the project aim a broad range of qualitative methods were used. This paper details the methods used to collate background understanding, develop design concepts and test the viability of the design solutions. It reflects on why they were used, how effective they were and on the benefits of combining these different methods at different stages. The paper concludes that combining together an array of design related qualitative methods, of the nature described, can produce rich and valuable outcomes. The project demonstrates that this approach can lead to the development of a more detailed understanding of the topic under investigation and open up discussion by creating demonstrator products which can be handled, critiqued and examined. Keywords: Packaging; Design Methods; Questionnaire; Visual Templates; Prototyping; Consumer Workshops</p

Quasiparticle spectra and excitons of organic molecules deposited on substrates: G0W0-BSE approach applied to benzene on graphene and metallic substrates

We present an alternative methodology for calculating the quasi-particle energy, energy loss, and optical spectra of a molecule deposited on graphene or a metallic substrate. To test the accuracy of the method it is first applied to the isolated benzene (C6H6) molecule. The quasiparticle energy levels and especially the energies of the benzene excitons (triplet, singlet, optically active and inactive) are in very good agreement with available experimental results. It is shown that the vicinity of the various substrates (pristine/doped graphene or (jellium) metal surface) reduces the quasiparticle HOMO-LUMO gap by an amount that slightly depends on the substrate type. This is consistent with the simple image theory predictions. It is even shown that the substrate does not change the energy of the excitons in the isolated molecule. We prove (in terms of simple image theory) that energies of the excitons are indeed influenced by two mechanisms which cancel each other. We demonstrate that the benzene singlet optically active (E1u) exciton couples to real electronic excitations in the substrate. This causes it substantial decay, such as {\Gamma} = 174 meV for pristine graphene and {\Gamma} = 362 meV for metal surfaces as the substrate. However, we find that doping graphene does not influence the E1u exciton decay rate.Comment: 16 pages, 14 figure

Computing as the 4th “R”: a general education approach to computing education

Computing and computation are increasingly pervading our lives, careers, and societies - a change driving interest in computing education at the secondary level. But what should define a "general education" computing course at this level? That is, what would you want every person to know, assuming they never take another computing course? We identify possible outcomes for such a course through the experience of designing and implementing a general education university course utilizing best-practice pedagogies. Though we nominally taught programming, the design of the course led students to report gaining core, transferable skills and the confidence to employ them in their future. We discuss how various aspects of the course likely contributed to these gains. Finally, we encourage the community to embrace the challenge of teaching general education computing in contrast to and in conjunction with existing curricula designed primarily to interest students in the field

Pedagogical Possibilities for the 2048 Puzzle Game

In this paper, we describe an engaging puzzle game called 2048 and outline a variety of exercises that can leverage the game’s popularity to engage student interest, reinforce core CS concepts, and excite student curiosity towards undergraduate research. Exercises range in difficulty from CS1-level exercises suitable for exercising and assessing 1D and 2D array skills to empirical undergraduate research in Monte Carlo Tree Search methods and skilled heuristic evaluation design

Matt Tarr: Associate Extension Professor Wildlife Specialist, Univeristy of New Hampshire

Professor Matt Tarr is an associate extension professor wildlife specialist at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Cooperative Extension/ NREN, and has been with UNH for thirteen years