424 research outputs found
The origin of switching noise in GaAs/AlGaAs lateral gated devices
We have studied the origin of switching (telegraph) noise at low temperature
in lateral quantum structures defined electrostatically in GaAs/AlGaAs
heterostructures by surface gates. The noise was measured by monitoring the
conductance fluctuations around on the first step of a quantum point
contact at around 1.2 K. Cooling with a positive bias on the gates dramatically
reduces this noise, while an asymmetric bias exacerbates it. We propose a model
in which the noise originates from a leakage current of electrons that tunnel
through the Schottky barrier under the gate into the doped layer. The key to
reducing noise is to keep this barrier opaque under experimental conditions.
Bias cooling reduces the density of ionized donors, which builds in an
effective negative gate voltage. A smaller negative bias is therefore needed to
reach the desired operating point. This suppresses tunnelling from the gate and
hence the noise. The reduction in the density of ionized donors also
strengthens the barrier to tunneling at a given applied voltage. Support for
the model comes from our direct observation of the leakage current into a
closed quantum dot, around for this device. The current
was detected by a neighboring quantum point contact, which showed monotonic
steps in time associated with the tunneling of single electrons into the dot.
If asymmetric gate voltages are applied, our model suggests that the noise will
increase as a consequence of the more negative gate voltage applied to one of
the gates to maintain the same device conductance. We observe exactly this
behaviour in our experiments.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure
Theory of electronic transport through a triple quantum dot in the presence of magnetic field
Theory of electronic transport through a triangular triple quantum dot
subject to a perpendicular magnetic field is developed using a tight binding
model. We show that magnetic field allows to engineer degeneracies in the
triple quantum dot energy spectrum. The degeneracies lead to zero electronic
transmission and sharp dips in the current whenever a pair of degenerate states
lies between the chemical potential of the two leads. These dips can occur with
a periodicity of one flux quantum if only two levels contribute to the current
or with half flux quantum if the three levels of the triple dot contribute. The
effect of strong bias voltage and different lead-to-dot connections on
Aharonov-Bohm oscillations in the conductance is also discussed
Laboratory and field measurements of nail guns' noise emission
Field measurements and laboratory measurements using EN 12549 was presented. The rig was held in a small comfortable backpack and even if the sensors were wired to the acquisition card, the worker could work without obstruction. Between 8 and 12 trials of 10 impacts were recorded for each nailer/worker combination. Eight framing nailers and two roofing nailers were tested in the laboratory under controlled conditions as per the EN 12549 standard. From this standard, three operators were required to perform five trials of 10 nails each, with each trial lasting a period of 30 seconds. The measures were performed in a semi anechoic room where both the sound power and the sound pressure level at the worker?s ear were measured. Concerning the EN 12549 standard, it seems appropriate in order to perform representative workplace ranking of nailers following their sound power level values. Concerning the reduction of workers? noise exposure, the battery operated nailer stands out as the best choice as its level is at least 6 dBs lower than any other tested nailer in both lab and field measurements
Actual and ideal roles of school staff to support students with special needs: Current needs and strategies for improvement
To optimise school-based service delivery for students with disabilities, it is important to understand roles and needs of school staff. This study aimed to clarify ideal and actual roles of school staff (teachers, special educators, administrators) working with students with special needs, and to identify potential strategies to support actual roles. Ninety-five school personnel (64% teachers) from 3 different elementary schools and school boards in Quebec completed a 14-question survey. Open-ended responses were coded and analysed thematically. Common actual roles included task adaptation, offering individualized support, being available, and teamwork. Respondents felt roles could improve through in-context professional support, continuing education, teamwork opportunities extending to partnerships with families, and access to resources. Clarifying roles and expectations within a tiered-model to best support students also emerged, emphasizing the importance of sharing responsibilities across all service providers. Findings can guide implementation strategies and processes for providing effective services, enabling inclusion for students
Solid-state Marx based two-switch voltage modulator for the On-Line Isotope Mass Separator accelerator at the European Organization for Nuclear Research
A new circuit topology is proposed to replace the actual pulse transformer and thyratron based resonant modulator that supplies the 60 kV target potential for the ion acceleration of the On-Line Isotope Mass Separator accelerator, the stability of which is critical for the mass resolution downstream separator, at the European Organization for Nuclear Research. The improved modulator uses two solid-state switches working together, each one based on the Marx generator concept, operating as series and parallel switches, reducing the stress on the series stacked semiconductors, and also as auxiliary pulse generator in order to fulfill the target requirements. Preliminary results of a 10 kV prototype, using 1200 V insulated gate bipolar transistors and capacitors in the solid-state Marx circuits, ten stages each, with an electrical equivalent circuit of the target, are presented, demonstrating both the improved voltage stability and pulse flexibility potential wanted for this new modulator
Further results on generalized centro-invertible matrices
This paper deals with generalized centro-invertible matrices introduced by the authors in Lebtahi et al. (Appl. Math. Lett. 38, 106-109, 2014). As a first result, we state the coordinability between the classes of involutory matrices, generalized centro-invertible matrices, and {K}-centrosymmetric matrices. Then, some characterizations of generalized centro-invertible matrices are obtained. A spectral study of generalized centro-invertible matrices is given. In addition, we prove that the sign of a generalized centro-invertible matrix is {K}-centrosymmetric and that the class of generalized centro-invertible matrices is closed under the matrix sign function. Finally, some algorithms have been developed for the construction of generalized centro-invertible matrices
Validation of the 4AT tool for delirium assessment in specialist palliative care settings: protocol of a prospective diagnostic test accuracy study [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]
BACKGROUND: Delirium is a serious and distressing neuropsychiatric condition, which is prevalent across all palliative care settings. Hypoactive delirium is particularly common, but difficult to recognize, partly due to overlapping symptoms with depression and dementia. Delirium screening tools can lead to earlier identification and hence better management of patients. The 4AT (4 ‘A’s Test) is a brief tool for delirium detection, designed for use in clinical practice. It has been validated in 17 studies in over 3,700 patients. The test is currently used in specialist palliative care units, but has not been validated in this setting. The aim of the study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the 4AT for delirium detection against a reference standard, in hospice inpatients. METHODS: 240 participants will be recruited from the inpatient units of two hospices in Scotland. If a patient lacks capacity to consent, agreement will be sought from a legal proxy. Each participant will complete the 4AT and a reference standard assessment based on the diagnostic delirium criteria in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This will be supplemented by tests of cognition and attention, including reverse days of the week, counting down from 20 to 1, Vigilance 'A', the Observational Scale for Level of Arousal, the modified Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale and the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98. The assessments will be conducted in a randomized order by two independent clinicians, who will be blinded to the results until both are complete. Primary outcomes will be the sensitivity and specificity of the 4AT in detecting delirium. DISCUSSION: The findings will inform clinical practice regarding delirium assessment in palliative care settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN ISRCTN97417474 (21/02/2020)
Coherent control of three-spin states in a triple quantum dot
Spin qubits involving individual spins in single quantum dots or coupled
spins in double quantum dots have emerged as potential building blocks for
quantum information processing applications. It has been suggested that triple
quantum dots may provide additional tools and functionalities. These include
the encoding of information to either obtain protection from decoherence or to
permit all-electrical operation, efficient spin busing across a quantum
circuit, and to enable quantum error correction utilizing the three-spin
Greenberger-Horn-Zeilinger quantum state. Towards these goals we demonstrate
for the first time coherent manipulation between two interacting three-spin
states. We employ the Landau-Zener-St\"uckelberg approach for creating and
manipulating coherent superpositions of quantum states. We confirm that we are
able to maintain coherence when decreasing the exchange coupling of one spin
with another while simultaneously increasing its coupling with the third. Such
control of pairwise exchange is a requirement of most spin qubit architectures
but has not been previously demonstrated.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figures, and 2 table
Major bleeding during negative pressure wound/V.A.C.® - therapy for postsurgical deep sternal wound infection - a critical appraisal
Negative-pressure wound therapy, commercially known as vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C.®) therapy, has become one of the most popular (and efficacious) interim (prior to flap reconstruction) or definite methods of managing deep sternal wound infection. Complications such as profuse bleeding, which may occur during negative-pressure therapy but not necessarily due to it, are often attributed to a single factor and reported as such. However, despite the wealth of clinical experience internationally available, information regarding certain simple considerations is still lacking. Garnering information on all the factors that could possibly influence the outcome has become more difficult due to a (fortunate) decrease in the incidence of deep sternal wound infection. If more insight is to be gained from fewer clinical cases, then various potentially confounding factors should be fully disclosed before complications can be attributed to the technique itself or improvements to negative-pressure wound therapy for deep sternal wound infection can be accepted as evidence-based and the guidelines for its use adapted. The authors propose the adoption of a simple checklist in such cases
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