Phase formation and thermal stability of ultrathin nickel-silicides on Si(100)

The solid-state reaction and agglomeration of thin nickel-silicide films was investigated from sputter deposited nickel films (1-10 nm) on silicon-on-insulator (100) substrates. For typical anneals at a ramp rate of 3 degrees C/s, 5-10 nm Ni films react with silicon and form NiSi, which agglomerates at 550-650 degrees C, whereas films with a thickness of 3.7 nm of less were found to form an epitaxylike nickel-silicide layer. The resulting films show an increased thermal stability with a low electrical resistivity up to 800 degrees C

Broadening the scope on health problems among the chronically neurologically ill with the International Classification of Functioning (ICF)

Purpose. The aim of this study was to determine ICF items indicating health problems for patients with a chronic neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and neuromuscular disease. Method. A Delphi study using three disease-specific panels composed of patients and proxies, medical and non-medical health professionals (N=98). Panels were asked to select items from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) reflecting relevant disease-specific health problems. Items appraised as relevant by the panel members were compared with items in established measures namely: the Minimal Record of Disability (MRD) and the Disability and Impact Profile (DIP). Results. Sixty-eight ICF items were considered to be the most relevant, and belonged to four ICF domains. No significant differences were found between the appraisal of items by patients/proxies and health professionals. Agreement across the disease panels appeared to be (very) strong. Differences between the three disease-specific panels were found for the 'Body Functions and Structures' domain: consensus was reached by extension of the inclusion criteria. The ICF-item selection covers almost all items of the established measures. The largest contrast was shown in the item selection for the 'participation' and 'environmental factors' domains. Conclusions. Selected items indicate a broader scope in studying health problems compared with widely used health status measures in neurology, especially for the ICF domains 'Participation' and 'Environmental Factors'

“Service Encounter 2.0” : an investigation into the roles of technology, employees and customers

The service encounter – one of the foundational concepts in service research – is fundamentally changing due to rapid evolutions in technology. In this paper, we offer an updated perspective on what we label the “Service Encounter 2.0”. To this end, we develop a conceptual framework that captures the essence of the Service Encounter 2.0 and provides a synthesis of the changing interdependent roles of technology, employees, and customers. We find that technology either augments or substitutes service employees, and can foster network connections. In turn, employees and customers are taking on the role of enabler, innovator, coordinator and differentiator. In addition, we identify critical areas for future research on this important topic

Flux-quantum-modulated Kondo conductance in a multielectron quantum dot

We investigate a lateral semiconductor quantum dot with a large number of electrons in the limit of strong coupling to the leads. A Kondo effect is observed and can be tuned in a perpendicular magnetic field. This Kondo effect does not exhibit Zeeman splitting. It shows a modulation with the periodicity of one flux quantum per dot area at low temperatures. The modulation leads to a novel, strikingly regular stripe pattern for a wide range in magnetic field and number of electrons.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Volatiles in the H2_2O and CO2_2 ices of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

ESA's Rosetta spacecraft at comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P) was the first mission that accompanied a comet over a substantial fraction of its orbit. On board was the ROSINA mass spectrometer suite to measure the local densities of the volatile species sublimating from the ices inside the comet's nucleus. Understanding the nature of these ices was a key goal of Rosetta. We analyzed the primary cometary molecules at 67P, namely H$_2$O and CO$_2$, together with a suite of minor species for almost the entire mission. Our investigation reveals that the local abundances of highly volatile species, such as CH$_4$ and CO, are reproduced by a linear combination of both H$_2$O and CO$_2$ densities. These findings bear similarities to laboratory-based temperature programmed desorption experiments of amorphous ices and imply that highly volatile species are trapped in H$_2$O and CO$_2$ ices. Our results do not show the presence of ices dominated by these highly volatile molecules. Most likely, they were lost due to thermal processing of 67P's interior prior to its deflection to the inner solar system. Deviations in the proportions co-released with H$_2$O and CO$_2$ can only be observed before the inbound equinox, when the comet was still far from the sun and the abundance of highly volatile molecules associated with CO$_2$ outgassing were lower. The corresponding CO$_2$ is likely seasonal frost, which sublimated and lost its trapped highly volatile species before re-freezing during the previous apparition. CO, on the other hand, was elevated during the same time and requires further investigation.Comment: This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society following peer review. The version of record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stad300

Volatiles in the H2O and CO2 ices of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko

European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft at comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko (67P) was the first mission that accompanied a comet over a substantial fraction of its orbit. On board was the Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis mass spectrometer suite to measure the local densities of the volatile species sublimating from the ices inside the comet’s nucleus. Understanding the nature of these ices was a key goal of Rosetta. We analysed the primary cometary molecules at 67P, namely H2O and CO2, together with a suite of minor species for almost the entire mission. Our investigation reveals that the local abundances of highly volatile species, such as CH4 and CO, are reproduced by a linear combination of both H2O and CO2 densities. These findings bear similarities to laboratory-based temperature-programmed desorption experiments of amorphous ices and imply that highly volatile species are trapped in H2O and CO2 ices. Our results do not show the presence of ices dominated by these highly volatile molecules. Most likely, they were lost due to thermal processing of 67P’s interior prior to its deflection to the inner solar system. Deviations in the proportions co-released with H2O and CO2 can only be observed before the inbound equinox, when the comet was still far from the sun and the abundance of highly volatile molecules associated with CO2 outgassing were lower. The corresponding CO2 is likely seasonal frost, which sublimated and lost its trapped highly volatile species before re-freezing during the previous apparition. CO, on the other hand, was elevated during the same time and requires further investigation

Erasmus Language students in a British University – a case study

Students’ assessment of their academic experience is actively sought by Higher Education institutions, as evidenced in the National Student Survey introduced in 2005. Erasmus students, despite their growing numbers, tend to be excluded from these satisfaction surveys, even though they, too, are primary customers of a University. This study aims to present results from bespoke questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with a sample of Erasmus students studying languages in a British University. These methods allow us insight into the experience of these students and their assessment as a primary customer, with a focus on language learning and teaching, university facilities and student support. It investigates to what extent these factors influence their levels of satisfaction and what costs of adaptation if any, they encounter. Although excellent levels of satisfaction were found, some costs affect their experience. They relate to difficulties in adapting to a learning methodology based on a low number of hours and independent learning and to a guidance and support system seen as too stifling. The results portray this cohort’s British University as a well-equipped and well-meaning but ultimately overbearing institution, which may indicate that minimising costs can eliminate some sources of dissatisfaction