Towards Spinfoam Cosmology

We compute the transition amplitude between coherent quantum-states of geometry peaked on homogeneous isotropic metrics. We use the holomorphic representations of loop quantum gravity and the Kaminski-Kisielowski-Lewandowski generalization of the new vertex, and work at first order in the vertex expansion, second order in the graph (multipole) expansion, and first order in 1/volume. We show that the resulting amplitude is in the kernel of a differential operator whose classical limit is the canonical hamiltonian of a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker cosmology. This result is an indication that the dynamics of loop quantum gravity defined by the new vertex yields the Friedmann equation in the appropriate limit.Comment: 8 page

The electric double layer has a life of its own

Using molecular dynamics simulations with recently developed importance sampling methods, we show that the differential capacitance of a model ionic liquid based double-layer capacitor exhibits an anomalous dependence on the applied electrical potential. Such behavior is qualitatively incompatible with standard mean-field theories of the electrical double layer, but is consistent with observations made in experiment. The anomalous response results from structural changes induced in the interfacial region of the ionic liquid as it develops a charge density to screen the charge induced on the electrode surface. These structural changes are strongly influenced by the out-of-plane layering of the electrolyte and are multifaceted, including an abrupt local ordering of the ions adsorbed in the plane of the electrode surface, reorientation of molecular ions, and the spontaneous exchange of ions between different layers of the electrolyte close to the electrode surface. The local ordering exhibits signatures of a first-order phase transition, which would indicate a singular charge-density transition in a macroscopic limit

European security in the 1990s and beyond : the implications of the accession of Cyprus and Malta to the European Union

For the last decade, the dramatic events in eastern and central Europe have (rightly) dominated the security debate in Europe and, indeed, the wider world. One of the consequences of this has been that the traditional neglect of the Mediterranean region has been compounded. However, there are now signs-notably the recent Barcelona conference at which the European Union's Mediterranean policy was relaunched and extended (to incorporate the grand design of a Mediterranean free trade area) - that the Mediterranean is, at last, receiving some of the attention it deserves and justifies.peer-reviewe

Spectroelectrochemistry at free-standing carbon nanotubes electrodes

A versatile and low-cost methodology for fabricating free-standing carbon nanotubes (CNT) electrodes for electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical applications is described. The uniformity, flexibility and resistance to bending of these films make them one of the most interesting membranes in a wide range of applications. CNT electrodes were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy and their electrochemical performance was assessed employing various redox species such as ferrocenemethanol, hexacyanoferrate (II) and dopamine. Free-standing single-walled CNT electrodes exhibit good conductivity and transparency to UV–vis radiation, making them suitable as optically transparent electrodes. This is exemplified by monitoring, using UV–vis absorption spectroelectrochemistry, the electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on one face of the free-standing CNT electrodes, while the other face remained unmodifiedMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad (CTQ2014-55583-R, CTQ2014-61914-EXP, CTQ2015-71955-REDT) and Junta de Castilla y León (BU033U16)Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (CTQ2014-55583-R, CTQ2014-61914-EXP, CTQ2015-71955-REDT) and Junta de Castilla y León (BU033U16

Delayed voltammetric with respect to amperometric electrochemical detection of concentration changes in microchannels

The time response of an electrode incorporated into a fluidic channel to variations in analyte concentration of the outer-sphere redox probe ferrocenemethanol was investigated both for amperometry (AMP) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The experimental data show that the temporal resolution of CV is not as good as that of AMP, as CV cannot properly detect fast concentration transients. The delayed response of CV was previously reported, for neurotransmitters, and mostly attributed to the adsorption of the analyte on the electrode surface. By using an outer-sphere redox couple, we show that mass transport also significantly delays the response of CV. The experimental delay time in CV was understood from mass transfer limitations due to the relaxation of the diffusion layer during repeated potential scanning. Furthermore, a robust protocol for the analysis of fast concentration transients was established, using the impulse and modulation transfer functions of the system. This method was found to be more precise than the mere analysis of undifferentiated traces in the time domain. As a proof of concept, the effect of increased viscosity was investigated, showing that AMP was more sensitive than CV to these variations. Overall, this analysis underlines further the enhanced temporal sensitivity of AMP over CV, at the expense of decreased chemical resolution, potentially having implications for in situ electrochemical detection of biologically relevant molecules

Treasurer\u27s Report

Phoenix Cooperative Association Treasurer\u27s report for April 1879.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/mss-darden-papers/1129/thumbnail.jp

Dissolution and electrochemical properties of molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) in basic solutions

The dissolution and electrochemical properties of molybdenum carbide were investigated using a number of electrochemical techniques, including general corrosion tests (GCT), linear voltammetry (LV), potential controlled electrolysis (PCE) and Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM), in basic media (0.5−4 M NaOH and 1 M NaHCO3/Na2CO3, pH 9.1–11.3). It was shown that the Mo2C corrosion potential (Ecorr) shifted towards negative values from -0.39 to -0.96 V/SCE with an increase of the OH- concentration and did not depend on the CO32- concentration in the electrolyte. LV measurements in carbonate buffer (pH 9.2), evidenced three potential regions: passivation from Ecorr to -0.2 V/SCE, pseudopassivation from -0.25 to 0 V/SCE and anodic dissolution (transpassivation) at E > 0.1 V/SCE. The potentials delimiting the mentioned regions decreased with the increase of the OH- concentration, becoming undistinguished in 2 M NaOH. The Mo2C dissolution rate (kdiss) in the transpassive state was estimated using LV data. In 4 M NaOH at -0.1 V/SCE, kdiss reached 430 mg cm-2 h-1 and decreased with the decrease of the OH- concentration and the electrolysis potential. The Mo2C dissolution current efficiency varied between 12 and 13 F mol-1 Mo2C, proving the formation of the intermediate products of a carbon oxidative degradation during PCE. The presence of C2O42- and non-identified aromatic compounds in the electrolytes after Mo2C dissolution was ascertained, using capillary zone electrophoresis. Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) confirmed the formation of a pseudopassive film and demonstrated the increase of its thickness with the increase of the applied potential. The effect of the presence of Mo2C on the irradiated UC fuel dissolution rate and the mechanisms involved are discussed