Ordering at two length scales in comb-coil diblock copolymers consisting of only two different monomers

The microphase separated morphology of a melt of a specific class of comb-coil diblock copolymers, consisting of an AB comb block and a linear homopolymer A block, is analyzed in the weak segregation limit. On increasing the length of the homopolymer A block, the systems go through a characteristic series of structural transitions. Starting from the pure comb copolymer the first series of structures involve the short length scale followed by structures involving the large length scale. A maximum of two critical points exists. Furthermore, in the two parameter space, characterizing the comb-coil diblock copolymer molecules considered, a non-trivial bifurcation point exists beyond which the structure factor can have two maxima (two correlation hole peaks).Comment: 22 pages, 12 Postscript figures (revtex

Imbalances: Should the EU intervene? Bertelsmann Stiftung EUROPA Briefing 2017

Economic imbalances keep recurring in the EU. Differences in trade balances dominate the debate. Germany has been generating very high surpluses for years and meets criticism for this reason. Are imbalances a threat to the EU, and what role does the euro play in this? Should politicians adjust differences in the balance of trade? And if so, is that up to national governments or the EU

European taxes: Do we need them? Bertelsmann Stiftung EUROPA Briefing 2017

In the European Union, each member state is responsible for its tax system. Different national regimes help with tax competition, but can also lead to tax evasion or unfair rules in the Single Market. That is why better coordination or even standardisation of taxes is debated. What tax regulations are there already in the Single Market? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of a European tax? And what reforms are being discussed in Europe

The four freedoms in the EU: Are they inseparable? Bertelsmann Stiftung EUROPA Briefing 2017

The four freedoms govern the movement of goods, persons, services and capital within the EU. They are the cornerstones of the Single Market and the common currency. Many citizens see them as the greatest achievement of the European unification project. Brexit has reignited the discussion surrounding the free movement of people - that is the opportunity to live and work in any EU country. Technically speaking, it is possible to separate the four freedoms, but does it make political sense

Convergence: Are the Eurozone countries too different? Bertelsmann Stiftung EUROPA Briefing 2017

The Eurozone countries are economically different. The crisis has rendered some of these differences more acute and this could destabilize the currency union. The Eurozone countries therefore need to agree on which type of convergence is most important to them and the best way to achieve it. In what areas should they converge? What differences could or should remain? And what policy instruments are required to achieve this

Bi-Plane X-ray coronary 3D reconstruction for flow velocity assessment

In coronary angiography the coronary blood flow velocity can be assessed by tracking a contrast agent in an image sequence. The contrast agent flow velocity is used to estimate the functional behavior of the coronary arteries using TIMI frame count (TFC). In this paper we descibe the 3D reconstruction algorithm used in our method towards the automation of TFC. The method creates a two dimensional map of the contrast agent in which the opacification of the vessel centerline is plotted against time. This map is used to find the velocity of the contrast agent and subsequently the TFC. The vessel centerline is obtained using the Fast Marching Method to find the minimum cost path between\ud the catheter point and the end of the vessel. The determination of the start and endpoint is estimated using a 3D model reconstructed from bi-plane 2D image\ud data. The final reconstructed coronary model only includes the segments matching our error criterion

Atomic Force Microscopy and Real Atomic Resolution. Simple Computer Simulations.

Using a simple computer simulation for AFM imaging in the contact mode, pictures with true and false atomic resolution are demonstrated. The surface probed consists of two f.c.c. (111) planes and an atomic vacancy is introduced in the upper layer. Changing the size of the effective tip and its registry with respect to the atoms of the crystal probed, images with completely different qualitative features are obtained. If the effective tip is a single atom the vacancy is clearly imaged. However, if the tip consists of several atoms and is in registry with the sample, a virtual atom appears instead of the vacancy and the crystal lattice is perfectly reproduced. If the tip is out of registry with respect to the sample, artifacts having the size of the effective tip are reported.