Elastomeric carbon nanotube circuits for local strain sensing

We use elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane substrates to strain single-walled carbon nanotubes and modulate their electronic properties, with the aim of developing flexible materials that can sense local strain. We demonstrate micron-scale nanotube devices that can be cycled repeatedly through strains as high as 20% while providing reproducible local strain transduction by via the device resistance. We also compress individual nanotubes, and find they undergo an undulatory distortion with a characteristic spatial period of 100-200 nm. The observed period can be understood by the mechanical properties of nanotubes and the substrate in conjunction with continuum elasticity theory. These could potentially be used to create superlattices within individual nanotubes, enabling novel devices and applications

Trade in Services-Economic Growth Nexus: An Analysis of the Growth Impact of Trade in Services in SADC Countries

The article analysed the trade in services led growth in ten selected countries in the Southern African Development Community region using econometric regression models. Panel data obtained from the World Bank and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development databases for the period 1992 to 2015 was analysed. Five variables were used in the econometric analysis. The marginal effects of service and goods exports were positive while those of goods and service imports were negative and highly significant as was expected from literature. Service exports registered an impact that was almost threefold that of service imports and greater than goods exports. Policy-makers are encouraged to, clearly define their trade in service strategy and reduce or remove trade restrictions. The study is of importance to researchers, the private sector and government policymakers

The Role of Competitive Intelligence in Trade Facilitation in an Emerging Economy

This article analyzed the role of competitive intelligence in trade facilitation in Zimbabwe, whose economy depends largely on exports of unprocessed minerals and tobacco among others to international markets. This study has been carried out when the country is facing persistent trade deficits as well as a number of trade complexities.This article was informed by both deductive and inductive approaches with an econometric model being developed to analyse the relationship between economic growth (GDP) and trade. A multiple regression analysis was used to measure this phenomenon using secondary data that was extracted from World Bank`s databases for the period 1975-2015. This analysis was then followed by a literature review of some identified peer-reviewed, published articles and documents that necessitated the development of a conceptual framework. The framework complemented the findings of the regression model.The special role of trade in economic development was analyzed using an econometric model with a positive correlation of 0.8045 obtained. An F-value equal to 34.86 was also obtained which is much greater than 1 thereby suggesting that the hypothesis H0 is false. This was also confirmed by the p-value of 0.000000002526< 0.05. The coefficient of determination R2, also known as the multiple R2, expresses the proportion of total variance explained by the independent variables and in this case an R2 of 0.647224 shows that the model was able to explain approximately 64.72% of the variation embedded in GDP. Competitive intelligence has been identified as a critical component in trade facilitation with positive effects on growth of trade, economy growth and development. It was also found that competitive intelligence enhances trade facilitation and hence its role cannot be overemphasized. This article is, however, of great significance to policy-makers, researchers and the academia.&nbsp

Thermal resistance of the nanoscale constrictions between carbon nanotubes and solid substrates

We have determined the thermal resistance for transferring heat between individual single-walled carbon nanotube devices and solid substrates. Using sapphire and comparing our results to previous results obtained from SiO2, we find that the resistance is dominated by interfacial resistance rather than the spreading resistance of heat for diffusing into the substrate. Our results are in agreement to a recent model for the thermal resistance of nanoscale constrictions. Our results suggest that relatively short contact lengths (~10–30 nm) to a typical solid should be sufficient to transfer heat efficiently into carbon nanotubes, underscoring the potential of carbon nanotubes for nanoscale thermal management

Financial Inclusion and the Trade-Growth Nexus: Evidence from the Emerging Zimbabwean Economy

This study examined the effect of financial inclusion in the trade-growth nexus in Zimbabwe using time series data collected from the World Bank databases from 1980 to 2016. The study precisely examined whether financial inclusion is a passage within which trade openness impacts growth in Zimbabwe. Also examined was the complementarity effect of financial inclusion and trade openness on growth. The effect of financial inclusion and trade openness on growth has received much attention from researchers across the globe and literature is awash with theoretical and empirical evidence of such studies. What is yet to be examined is whether financial inclusion is a passage within which trade openness influences growth. The study finds a negative significant effect of financial inclusion and trade openness on growth in Zimbabwe. Moreover, the findings show a complementary, strong and positive nexus linking financial inclusion and trade openness on growth in Zimbabwe. Policy-makers are, however, implored to formulate policies meant to deepen financial inclusion in order to enhance growth through trade openness. The article will help expand the academic knowledge and as such contribute in filling the gap that exists within the body of knowledge. The article is important to policy-makers, the academia, private sector and researchers at large

The Impact of FDI Inflows, Exports and Domestic Investment on Economic Growth in Africa

The topic regarding the impact of foreign direct investment net inflows, exports and domestic investment on economic growth has resulted in mixed research findings across the globe. Literature related to the above variables in five selected African countries drawn from the five sub-regions is critically reviewed in this article. Furthermore, an econometric analysis of these variables is done to ascertain their impact on economic growth. The findings are compared to previous findings in other studies. The researcher found similar results in some variables when compared to previous researches in other countries. The study found that the independent statistical variables significantly predicted gross domestic product, with F (3, 63) = 5.84, P > F 0.0014, R2 = 0.2176, adjusted R2 = 0.1804 and root mean squared error (RMSE) = 0.54976. The independent variables added significantly to the prediction of p < 0.05. The researcher challenges the notion that the impact of foreign direct investment net inflows, exports and domestic investment on economic growth should always be positive and significant. This study provides a refreshed appreciation of the relationship between foreign direct investment net inflows, exports, domestic investment and economic growth in light of rapid socioeconomic changes in the sampled countries. The article also proposes some critical considerations regarding this relationship

The Effects of Personal Property Tax Liens on the Rights of Secured Creditors

In most states, counties are allowed to tax personal property and may attach liens to the personal property if the taxes are not paid. However, secured creditors may already have a lien on the same personal property, which they perfected by making the appropriate filing as set forth by the Uniform Commercial Code (the “UCC”). The laws that control the relative rights of the counties and the secured creditors vary widely among states. In some states, despite a creditor’s apparent priority under the UCC, a county’s lien can override a creditor’s prior lien, even without any registration or opportunity for the creditor to discover the county’s lien. Some states also allow counties to attach liens to property in other counties in the state. The conflict between the rights of the counties and the rights of the secured creditors comes up most often in the context of repossession by the creditor. When the creditor repossesses and liquidates its collateral, the law often requires that creditor to repay delinquent taxes to the county. However, the creditor may not even be able to discover if any taxes were due until pursued by the county. Furthermore, in some states, a creditor who repossesses and liquidates collateral may be forced to pay the county up to the entire amount to satisfy the taxpayer’s outstanding personal property taxes, regardless of whether those taxes reflected amounts due on that creditor’s collateral or whether it was based on taxes due on other property. Because of the unpredictability and financial burden on creditors in states with such laws, this Note argues that some states should reconsider their current laws to more appropriately balance the interests of the creditors with the interests of the counties. This Note argues for objectively balancing the interests of the parties, keeping in mind the counties’ legitimate need to collect taxes while incorporating the creditors’ need for predictability and fair treatment. In order to understand the perspective and normal expectations of the secured creditors, this Note first examines how their security interests usually work under the UCC absent any government tax liens. Section I starts with explaining UCC Article 9, which governs secured transactions in all fifty states, and the special type of security interest known as a purchase money security interest (“PMSI”). The Section will examine how Article 9 normally dictates priority among secured creditors. Next, in Section II, the state laws that control the rights of counties and secured creditors are broken down into four dimensions: priority, discoverability, scope, and apportionment. The Section examines each of these four dimensions and explores the variations that exist among the states. Next, in Section III, this Note analyzes the laws in several states that have recently had changes in their laws related to personal property taxes. This brings together the four dimensions to illustrate how they can be combined in ways that are more favorable to counties or more favorable to creditors. Finally, in Section IV, this Note presents the best practice model that states ought to adopt to balance the interests of the counties and the secured creditors fairly and explains why the proposed rules are the fairest and most practical approach

Electrically tunable ring resonators incorporating nematic liquid crystals as cladding layers

We have demonstrated electrical tuning in ring resonators fabricated from silicon-on-insulator wafers by incorporating nematic liquid crystals (NLCs) as the waveguide top and side cladding material. Photolithographically defined electrodes aligned around the ring resonator were used to control the orientation of the NLCs to modulate the cladding refractive index and, hence, the resonant wavelengths of the ring resonator