4,566 research outputs found
Crystallization of the glassy phase of grain boundaries in silicon nitride
Three types of hot-pressed silicon nitride specimens (containing 5wt% Y2O3 and 2wt% Al2O3 additives) which were subjected to different temperature heat treatments were studied by X-ray diffraction, X-ray microanalysis and high resolution electron microscopy. The results indicated that there were phase changes in the grain boundaries after heat treatment and the glassy phase at the grain boundaries was crystallized by heat treatment
Spin detection at elevated temperatures using a driven double quantum dot
We consider a double quantum dot in the Pauli blockade regime interacting
with a nearby single spin. We show that under microwave irradiation the average
electron occupations of the dots exhibit resonances that are sensitive to the
state of the nearby spin. The system thus acts as a spin meter for the nearby
spin. We investigate the conditions for a non-demolition read-out of the spin
and find that the meter works at temperatures comparable to the dot charging
energy and sensitivity is mainly limited by the intradot spin relaxation.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure
Adult participation in childrenâs word searches: on the use of prompting, hinting, and supplying a model
Although word searching in children is very common, very little is known about how adults support children in the turns following the childâs search behaviours, an important topic because of the social, educational and clinical implications. This study characterises, in detail, teachersâ use of prompting, hinting and supplying a model. From a classroom dataset of 53 instances, several distinctive patterns emerged. A prompted completion sequence is initiated by a âword retrieval elicitorâ (âfishingâ) and is interpreted as a request to complete the phrase. Non-verbal prompting is accomplished through a combination of gaze and gesture and, also, as a series of prompts. Hinting supplies a verbal clue, typically via a wh-question, or by specifying the nature of the repairable. In contrast, the strategies that supply a linguistic model include both embedded and exposed corrections and offers of candidates. A sequential relationship was found between prompting, hinting and supplying a model which has implications for how clinicians and teachers can foster self-repair
Entanglement between static and flying qubits in a semiconducting carbon nanotube
Entanglement can be generated by two electrons in a spin-zero state on a
semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube. The two electrons, one weakly
bound in a shallow well in the conduction band, and the other injected into the
conduction band, are coupled by the Coulomb interaction. Both transmission and
entanglement are dependent on the well characteristics, which can be controlled
by a local gate, and on the kinetic energy of the injected electron. Regimes
with different degrees of electron correlation exhibit full or partial
entanglement. In the latter case, the maximum entanglement can be estimated as
a function of width and separation of a pair of singlet-triplet resonances.Comment: 17 pages and 12 figures, accepted to J. Phys. Cond. Ma
Subnanosecond GPS-based clock synchronization and precision deep-space tracking
Interferometric spacecraft tracking is accomplished by the Deep Space Network (DSN) by comparing the arrival time of electromagnetic spacecraft signals at ground antennas separated by baselines on the order of 8000 km. Clock synchronization errors within and between DSN stations directly impact the attainable tracking accuracy, with a 0.3-nsec error in clock synchronization resulting in an 11-nrad angular position error. This level of synchronization is currently achieved by observing a quasar which is angularly close to the spacecraft just after the spacecraft observations. By determining the differential arrival times of the random quasar signal at the stations, clock offsets and propagation delays within the atmosphere and within the DSN stations are calibrated. Recent developments in time transfer techniques may allow medium accuracy (50-100 nrad) spacecraft tracking without near-simultaneous quasar-based calibrations. Solutions are presented for a worldwide network of Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers in which the formal errors for DSN clock offset parameters are less than 0.5 nsec. Comparisons of clock rate offsets derived from GPS measurements and from very long baseline interferometry (VLBI), as well as the examination of clock closure, suggest that these formal errors are a realistic measure of GPS-based clock offset precision and accuracy. Incorporating GPS-based clock synchronization measurements into a spacecraft differential ranging system would allow tracking without near-simultaneous quasar observations. The impact on individual spacecraft navigation-error sources due to elimination of quasar-based calibrations is presented. System implementation, including calibration of station electronic delays, is discussed
Diagnosis of an anaerobic pond treating temperate domestic wastewater: An alternative sludge strategy for small works
An anaerobic pond (AP) for treatment of temperate domestic wastewater has been studied as a small works sludge management strategy to challenge existing practice which comprises solids separation followed by open sludge storage, for up to 90 days. During the study, effluent temperature ranged between 0.1 °C and 21.1 °C. Soluble COD production was noted in the AP at effluent temperatures typically greater than 10 °C and was coincident with an increase in effluent volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, which is indicative of anaerobic degradation. Analysis from ports sited along the AP's length, demonstrated VFA to be primarily formed nearest the inlet where most solids deposition initially incurred, and confirmed the anaerobic reduction of sludge within this chamber. Importantly, the sludge accumulation rate was 0.06 m3 capitaâ1 yâ1 which is in the range of APs operated at higher temperatures and suggests a de-sludge interval of 2.3â3.8 years, up to 10 times longer than current practice for small works. Coincident with the solids deposition profile, biogas production was predominantly noted in the initial AP section, though biogas production increased further along the AP's length following start-up. A statistically significant increase in mean biogas production of greater than an order of magnitude was measured between winters (t(n=19) = 5.52, P < 0.001) demonstrating continued acclimation. The maximum methane yield recorded was 2630 mgCH4 PEâ1 dâ1, approximately fifty times greater than estimated from sludge storage (57 mgCH4 PEâ1 dâ1). Anaerobic ponds at small works can therefore enable sludge reduction and longer sludge holding times than present thus offsetting tanker demand whilst reducing fugitive methane emissions currently associated with sludge storage, and based on the enhanced yield noted, could provide a viable opportunity for local energy generation
Entanglement between static and flying qubits in quantum wires
A weakly bound electron in a semiconductor quantum wire is shown to become
entangled with an itinerant electron via the coulomb interaction. The degree of
entanglement and its variation with energy of the injected electron, may be
tuned by choice of spin and initial momentum. Full entanglement is achieved
close to energies where there are spin-dependent resonances. Possible
realisations of related device structures are discussed
Evidence of spontaneous spin polarized transport in magnetic nanowires
The exploitation of the spin in charge-based systems is opening revolutionary
opportunities for device architecture. Surprisingly, room temperature
electrical transport through magnetic nanowires is still an unresolved issue.
Here, we show that ferromagnetic (Co) suspended atom chains spontaneously
display an electron transport of half a conductance quantum, as expected for a
fully polarized conduction channel. Similar behavior has been observed for Pd
(a quasi-magnetic 4d metal) and Pt (a non-magnetic 5d metal). These results
suggest that the nanowire low dimensionality reinforces or induces magnetic
behavior, lifting off spin degeneracy even at room temperature and zero
external magnetic field.Comment: 4 pages, 3 eps fig
Communicating Biotechnology: Relationships Between Tone, Issues, and Terminology in U.S. Print Media Coverage
As part of a nationwide study on the public acceptability of agricultural biotechnology, researchers performed a content analysis on two years of print news coverage of biotechnology (2000-2002). Qualitative analysis methods included examining text from selected national newspapers, regional newspapers, and trade publications for common issues, tone, and terminology. A team of three coders, trained to an acceptable level of agreement (Cohenâs K = .80), examined and coded the articles. The relationship between the tone of the article and the terminology used in reference to biotechnology (e.g., âgenetically engineered,â âgenetically modified,â or âbiotechnologyâ) has practical applications for both public relations practitioners and communication researchers. âBiotechnologyâ was associated with the largest percentage of articles with positive tones. âGenetically modifiedâ was associated with more neutral articles. âGenetically engineeredâ was the term of choice for authors of physical science articles, which were mostly positive. Understanding these relationships may help communication practitioners choose their terminology to achieve their communication goals, as well as opinion researchers, who, in developing survey instruments, may wish to choose a term that carries the least amount of bias
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