Measurements of quasi-particle tunneling in the nu = 5/2 fractional quantum Hall state

Some models of the 5/2 fractional quantum Hall state predict that the quasi-particles, which carry the charge, have non-Abelian statistics: exchange of two quasi-particles changes the wave function more dramatically than just the usual change of phase factor. Such non-Abelian statistics would make the system less sensitive to decoherence, making it a candidate for implementation of topological quantum computation. We measure quasi-particle tunneling as a function of temperature and DC bias between counter-propagating edge states. Fits to theory give e*, the quasi-particle effective charge, close to the expected value of e/4 and g, the strength of the interaction between quasi-particles, close to 3/8. Fits corresponding to the various proposed wave functions, along with qualitative features of the data, strongly favor the Abelian 331 state

Reliability training

Discussed here is failure physics, the study of how products, hardware, software, and systems fail and what can be done about it. The intent is to impart useful information, to extend the limits of production capability, and to assist in achieving low cost reliable products. A review of reliability for the years 1940 to 2000 is given. Next, a review of mathematics is given as well as a description of what elements contribute to product failures. Basic reliability theory and the disciplines that allow us to control and eliminate failures are elucidated

Looking Back, Looking Forward: A Retrospective Analysis of a Pre-service Teacher Preparation Course

This SoTL study aimed to determine thirty-eight teacher candidates’ self-efficacy after experiencing semester one of a yearlong residency. Researchers used a pre/post survey, the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES), and a retrospective pre TSES to determine perceived levels of self-efficacy in three areas: classroom management, instructional strategies, and student engagement. Findings revealed that pre TSES (candidates scored themselves at the beginning of the semester) and retrospective pre TSES scores (candidates scored themselves at the end of the semester reflecting on where they were at the beginning of the semester) were significantly different, with the retrospective pre TSES showing lower self-efficacy than the pre TSES. Post TSES comparisons to the retro-spective pre TSES showed a significant increase, whereas, the comparison of the traditional pre/post TSES showed no significant changes. This suggests teacher candidates had an overinflated sense of self-efficacy and that teacher educators should look beyond the pre TSES to provide transformational experiences for teacher candidates. The retro-pre TSES helps teacher educators monitor teacher candidates’ change in self-efficacy and gauge program impact

In Vitro Methane Production from Heifers Offered Four Bermudagrass Cultivars

Though bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) is one of the predominant warm-season perennial forage supporting the southeastern United States livestock production systems, little is known about its influence on parameters of ruminal metabolism, including carbon loss as methane. With the multitude of cultivars of this grass that have been developed and released, one may question whether the physiological cultivar differences will manifest varying results in digestive efficiency and subsequent methane emissions. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro methane (CH4) production as influenced by four bermudagrass cultivars. Ruminally-fistulated heifers (n = 4) were assigned randomly to one of four bermudagrass cultivars (Coastal [COS], Russell [RUS], Tifton 44 [T44], or Tifton 85 [T85]) for four 30-d in vivo periods in a Latin square design. On d 28 of each period, rumen fluid was collected from each heifer for use in CH4 production evaluation. Samples of each bermudagrass, corresponding to the cultivar fed, were weighed into duplicate 10-mL serum bottles and incubated at 39°C for 0, 2, 4, and 24 h. Following incubation, headspace samples were assayed for CH4 concentrations by gas chromatography. There was an interaction of cultivar and time (P \u3c 0.01). There was no difference among cultivars (P \u3c 0.05) at 0, 2, or 4 h of incubation. After 24 h of incubation, however, CH4 concentrations were greater (P \u3c 0.05) from T44 and T85 (7.7 and 6.2 mmol/L, respectively) than from RUS and COS (3.4 and 3.0 mmol/L, respectively). Results are interpreted to mean that cultivar type has an influence on the potential CH4 production of bermudagrass

The independence and interdependence of coacting observers in regard to performance efficiency, workload, and stress in a vigilance task

Objective We investigated performance, workload, and stress in groups of paired observers who performed a vigilance task in a coactive (independent) manner. Background Previous studies have demonstrated that groups of coactive observers detect more signals in a vigilance task than observers working alone. Therefore, the use of such groups might be effective in enhancing signal detection in operational situations. However, concern over appearing less competent than one's cohort might induce elevated levels of workload and stress in coactive group members and thereby undermine group performance benefits. Accordingly, we performed the initial experiment comparing workload and stress in observers who performed a vigilance task coactively with those of observers who performed the vigilance task alone. Method Observers monitored a video display for collision flight paths in a simulated unmanned aerial vehicle control task. Self-reports of workload and stress were secured via the NASA-Task Load Index and the Dundee Stress State Questionnaire, respectively. Results Groups of coactive observers detected significantly more signals than did single observers. Coacting observers did not differ significantly from those operating by themselves in terms of workload but did in regard to stress; posttask distress was significantly lower for coacting than for single observers. Conclusion Performing a visual vigilance task in a coactive manner with another observer does not elevate workload above that of observers working alone and serves to attenuate the stress associated with vigilance task performance. Application The use of coacting observers could be an effective vehicle for enhancing performance efficiency in operational vigilance

Productivity and Nutritive Quality of Johnsongrass ( Sorghum halepense

In the southeastern USA, there is an abundance of broiler litter from commercial poultry production that is available for use as fertilizer, but cropland and pastureland amended with broiler litter often exhibit greatly increased soil-test P. We evaluated productivity and nutritive quality of Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) that was interseeded with or without white clover (Trifolium repens) and which commercial fertilizer (ammonium nitrate and diammonium phosphate) or broiler litter was applied on the basis of soil-test P; broiler litter was supplemented with ammonium nitrate to be isonitrogenous with commercial fertilizer. Forage dry matter yield and foliar concentrations of crude protein, cell wall constituents, P, K, and Cu were not different among fertilizer treatments, and concentration of Zn was only slightly greater for forage amended with broiler litter than commercial fertilizer. Results indicate that broiler litter can be a cost-effective alternative to commercial fertilizer for warm-season forage production when applied on the basis of soil-test P

The SFA Business Review Vol. 2 No. 1

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/busreview/1002/thumbnail.jp

The routinisation of management controls in software.

Author's post-print version. Final version published by Springer; available online at http://link.springer.com/Our paper aims to explore management control as complex and intertwining process over time, rather than the (mainstream) fixation on rational, optimising tools for ensuring business success. We set out to contribute towards our understanding of why and how particular management controls evolve over time as they do. We discuss how the management control routines of one organisation emerged and reproduced (through software), and moved towards a situation of becoming accepted and generally unquestioned across much of the industry. The creativity and championing of one particular person was found to be especially important in this unfolding change process. Our case study illuminates how management control (software) routines can be an important carrier of organisational knowledge, both as an engine for continuity but also potentially as a catalyst for change. We capture this process by means of exploring the ‘life-story’ of a piece of software that is adopted in the corrugated container industry

Measuring, and identifying predictors of, women's perceptions of three types of breast cancer risk: population risk, absolute risk and comparative risk

Although a key function of cancer genetics services is to provide risk information, to date there has been little consistency in the way in which breast cancer risk perception has been measured. The aims of the study were to measure estimates of (i) population risk, (ii) absolute risk and (iii) comparative risk of developing breast cancer for Ashkenazi Jewish women, and to determine predictors of breast cancer risk perception. Of 152 women, 107 (70%) completed all questions. The mean (s.d.) estimates for population risk, absolute risk and comparative risk were 22.7% (15.9), 31.8% (20.6) and 1.9-fold (1.9), respectively. Most women overestimated population risk. Women at population risk generally overestimated the population risk and their own absolute risk, yet understood they are at the same risk as the population. Those with a family history understood that they are at increased risk, but underestimated the extent to which their familial risk is increased. Anxiety, high estimation of population risk and lesser family history predicted overestimation of absolute risk, whereas high estimation of population risk and a strong family history predicted underestimation of comparative risk

Demostración de resultado económico: percepción del comando da aeronáutica de Brasil

No ano de 2010, uma alteração no quadro normativo brasileiro introduziu a Demonstração do Resultado Econômico (DRE) para o setor público, que busca comparar custos internos de produção com valores de mercado, segundo o conceito de custo de oportunidade. Este estudo procura analisar as possíveis respostas estratégicas dos gestores , buscando perceber se a cultura contábil existente no País permite a aceitação do novo instrumento. Por meio das percepções dos agentes públicos do Comando da Aeronáutica (Comaer), no Brasil, conclui-se que a resposta estratégica dos entrevistados tende para a atitude de aceitação da nova rotina, demonstrando traços de menor conservadorismo e maior interesse pela evidenciação de resultados.In 2010, a change in the Brazilian accounting regulatory framework introduced the Demonstração do Resultado Econômico (DRE) [Economic Income Statement] for the public sector, which seeks to compare the internal costs of production to market values, according to the concept of opportunity cost. This study aims to analyse the possible strategic responses of managers and tries to understand if the existing accounting culture in Brazil facilitates the introduction of the new statement. By means of perceptions of officials of the Aeronautical Command (Comaer), in Brazil, it is possible to conclude that the strategic response of respondents is closer to acceptance of the new routine, showing traces of less conservatism and greater interest for displaying results.En el año 2010, una modificación del cuadro normativo brasileño introdujo la Demostración del Resultado Económico (DRE) para el sector público, que busca comparar los costos internos de producción con los valores del mercado, según el concepto de costo de oportunidad. Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar las posibles respuestas estratégicas de los gestores, con el fin de percibir si la cultura contable existente en el país permite la aceptación del nuevo instrumento. Por medio de las percepciones de los agentes públicos del Comando da Aeronáutica (Comaer), en Brasil, se concluyó que la respuesta estratégica de los entrevistados tiende a aceptar la nueva rutina, mostrando rasgos de menos conservadurismo y más interés por la manifestación de resultados.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT