7,866 research outputs found
Effect of geometric and electronic structures on the finite temperature behavior of Na, Na, and Na clusters
An analysis of the evolutionary trends in the ground state geometries of
Na to Na reveals Na, an electronic closed--shell system,
shows namely an electronically driven spherical shape leading to a disordered
but compact structure. This structural change induces a strong {\it
connectivity} of short bonds among the surface atoms as well as between core
and surface atoms with inhomogeneous strength in the ground state geometry,
which affects its finite--temperature behavior. By employing {\it ab initio}
density--functional molecular dynamics, we show that this leads to two distinct
features in specific heat curve compared to that of Na: (1) The peak is
shifted by about 100 K higher in temperature. (2) The transition region becomes
much broader than Na. The inhomogeneous distribution of bond strengths
results in a broad melting transition and the strongly connected network of
short bonds leads to the highest melting temperature of 375 K reported among
the sodium clusters. Na, which has one electron less than Na,
also possesses stronger short--bond network compared with Na, resulting
in higher melting temperature (350 K) than observed in Na. Thus, we
conclude that when a cluster has nearly closed shell structure not only
geometrically but also electronically, it show a high melting temperature. Our
calculations clearly bring out the size--sensitive nature of the specific heat
curve in sodium clusters.Comment: 7 pages, 11 figure
First principles investigation of finite-temperature behavior in small sodium clusters
A systematic and detailed investigation of the finite-temperature behavior of
small sodium clusters, Na_n, in the size range of n= 8 to 50 are carried out.
The simulations are performed using density-functional molecular-dynamics with
ultrasoft pseudopotentials. A number of thermodynamic indicators such as
specific heat, caloric curve, root-mean-square bond length fluctuation,
deviation energy, etc. are calculated for each of the clusters. Size dependence
of these indicators reveals several interesting features. The smallest clusters
with n= 8 and 10, do not show any signature of melting transition. With the
increase in size, broad peak in the specific heat is developed, which
alternately for larger clusters evolves into a sharper one, indicating a
solidlike to liquidlike transition. The melting temperatures show irregular
pattern similar to experimentally observed one for larger clusters [ M. Schmidt
et al., Nature (London) 393, 238 (1998) ]. The present calculations also reveal
a remarkable size-sensitive effect in the size range of n= 40 to 55. While
Na_40 and Na_55 show well developed peaks in the specific heat curve, Na_50
cluster exhibits a rather broad peak, indicating a poorly-defined melting
transition. Such a feature has been experimentally observed for gallium and
aluminum clusters [ G. A. Breaux et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126, 8628 (2004); G.
A.Breaux et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 173401 (2005) ].Comment: 8 pages, 11 figure
Critical current of a superconductor measured via injection of spin polarized carriers
In this paper we report a direct evidence of the suppression of critical
current due to pair-breaking in a superconducting micro-bridge when the
measurement is carried out by injecting spin polarised carriers instead of
normal electrons. A thin layer of La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 was used as the source of spin
polarised carriers. The micro-bridge was formed on the DyBa2Cu3O7-d thin film
by photo-lithographic techniques. The design of our spin-injection device
allowed us to inject spin-polarised carriers from the La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 layer
directly to the DyBa2Cu3O7- d micro-bridge (without any insulating buffer
layer) making it possible to measure the critical current when polarised
electrons alone are injected into the superconductor. Our results confirm the
role of polarised carriers in breaking the Cooper pairs in the superconductor.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure
Fracture analysis of concrete gravity dam under earthquake induced loads
In this paper, seismic fracture behavior of the concrete gravity dam using finite element (2D) theory has been studied. Bazant model which is non-linear fracture mechanics criteria as a measure of growth and smeared crack was chosen to develop profiles of the crack. Behavior of stress - strain curves of concrete as a simplified two-line, dam and reservoir system using the formulation of the Euler - Lagrange was chosen. According to the above models, Koyna concrete gravity dam were investigated by the 1967 earthquake record. The results provide profiles of growth and expansion first with the effects of reservoir and second without it. Comparison of the obtained results shows good agreement with the works of the other researchers
Prevalence of smokers among air-conditioned coaches, Pakistan
Objective: To estimate the proportion of smokers among passengers of air-conditioned (A/C) coaches running between Karachi and Hyderabad. Pakistan.METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was done on passengers and staff members of 20 air-conditioned coaches.Results: Of 847 passengers interviewed, 17.3% were smokers and 11.7% passengers smoked during travel while rest of them remained passive smokers. Out of 147 smokers 91.2% were literate persons. Among staff members 59.3% were smokers. Approximately 56% of smokers among passengers were in the age range of 14-40 years. In 95% of A/C coaches there were no anti-smoking warning signs or written words present.CONCLUSION: In this study majority of smokers were literate, so inter-personal communication and counseling may change the smoking behavior. Ministry of Health should disseminate educational messages regarding hazards of passive smoking among commuters of AC coaches and above all proper implementation of legislation for smoking at public places especially in transport
Geometric, electronic properties and the thermodynamics of pure and Al--doped Li clusters
The first--principles density functional molecular dynamics simulations have
been carried out to investigate the geometric, the electronic, and the finite
temperature properties of pure Li clusters (Li, Li) and Al--doped
Li clusters (LiAl, LiAl). We find that addition of two Al
impurities in Li results in a substantial structural change, while the
addition of one Al impurity causes a rearrangement of atoms. Introduction of
Al--impurities in Li establishes a polar bond between Li and nearby Al
atom(s), leading to a multicentered bonding, which weakens the Li--Li metallic
bonds in the system. These weakened Li--Li bonds lead to a premelting feature
to occur at lower temperatures in Al--doped clusters. In LiAl, Al
atoms also form a weak covalent bond, resulting into their dimer like behavior.
This causes Al atoms not to `melt' till 800 K, in contrast to the Li atoms
which show a complete diffusive behavior above 400 K. Thus, although one Al
impurity in Li cluster does not change its melting characteristics
significantly, two impurities results in `surface melting' of Li atoms whose
motions are confined around Al dimer.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure
Conservation and sustainable use of tropical fruit species diversity: Bioversity's efforts in Asia, the Pacific and Oceania
Asia, the Pacific and Oceania region is very rich in genetic diversity of tropical fruits. Although, fruits have always been important agricultural species, it is only in recent years that there is an increasing awareness of the potential of native tropical fruit species as good sources of dietary vitamins, minerals and energy. They also play a very signifi cant role for the wellbeing of the people through enhancing household income, employment generation particularly for women, and environmental protection. At the same time, their genetic diversity and even the species diversity is threatened due to various human interventions and concerted efforts are required to take corrective measures. Bioversity International, in collaboration with national partners, implemented in recent past several programmes for effective conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources of tropical fruits in the region and is continuing to do so. This paper describes the results of studies on various aspects of tropical fruit genetic diversity and species diversity as well as their sustainable use in major fruit growing countries in Asia, the Pacifi c and Oceania in the last decade and half. The studies included exploration and collecting, characterization and evaluation, identifi cation of promising/elite lines, documentation, conservation, training and capacity building, socio-economic analysis, information dissemination, collaboration and networking, impacts and sustainability of efforts. The paper also touches on the current efforts and future thrusts for tropical fruit species genetic resources conservation, management and sustainable use
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