The primitive ideals of some \'etale groupoid C*-algebras

Consider the Deaconu-Renault groupoid of an action of a finitely generated free abelian monoid by local homeomorphisms of a locally compact Hausdorff space. We catalogue the primitive ideals of the associated groupoid C*-algebra. For a special class of actions we describe the Jacobson topology.Comment: 22 page

The Dixmier-Douady Classes of Certain Groupoid C∗C^*-Algebras with Continuous Trace

Given a locally compact abelian group $G$, we give an explicit formula for the Dixmier--Douady invariant of the $C^*$-algebra of the groupoid extension associated to a \v{C}ech $2$-cocycle in the sheaf of germs of continuous $G$-valued functions. We then exploit the blow-up construction for groupoids to extend this to some more general central extensions of \'etale equivalence relations

Amenability for Fell bundles over groupoids

We establish conditions under which the universal and reduced norms coincide for a Fell bundle over a groupoid. Specifically, we prove that the full and reduced C*-algebras of any Fell bundle over a measurewise amenable groupoid coincide, and also that for a groupoid G whose orbit space is T_0, the full and reduced algebras of a Fell bundle over G coincide if the full and reduced algebras of the restriction of the bundle to each isotropy group coincide.Comment: 13 page

Effects of 3-d and 4-d-transition metal substitutional impurities on the electronic properties of CrO2

We present first-principles based density functional theory calculations of the electronic and magnetic structure of CrO2 with 3d (Ti through Cu) and 4d (Zr through Ag) substitutional impurities. We find that the half-metallicity of CrO2 remains intact for all of the calculated substitutions. We also observe two periodic trends as a function of the number of valence electrons: if the substituted atom has six or fewer valence electrons (Ti-Cr or Zr-Mo), the number of down spin electrons associated with the impurity ion is zero, resulting in ferromagnetic (FM) alignment of the impurity magnetic moment with the magnetization of the CrO2 host. For substituent atoms with eight to ten (Fe-Ni or Ru-Pd with the exception of Ni), the number of down spin electrons contributed by the impurity ion remains fixed at three as the number contributed to the majority increases from one to three resulting in antiferromagnetic (AFM) alignment between impurity moment and host magnetization. The origin of this variation is the grouping of the impurity states into 3 states with approximate "t2g" symmetry and 2 states with approximate "eg" symmetry. Ni is an exception to the rule because a Jahn-Teller-like distortion causes a splitting of the Ni eg states. For Mn and Tc, which have 8 valence electrons, the zero down spin and 3 down spin configurations are very close in energy. For Cu and Ag atoms, which have 11 valence electrons, the energy is minimized when the substituent ion contributes 5 Abstract down-spin electrons. We find that the interatomic exchange interactions are reduced for all substitutions except for the case of Fe for which a modest enhancement is calculated for interactions along certain crystallographic directions.Comment: 26 pages, 10 figures, 2 table

Uniqueness Theorems For Topological Higher-rank Graph C*-algebras

We consider the boundary-path groupoids of topological higher-rank graphs. We show that all such groupoids are topologically amenable. We deduce that the $C^*$-algebras of topological higher-rank graphs are nuclear and prove versions of the gauge-invariant uniqueness theorem and the Cuntz-Krieger uniqueness theorem. We then provide a necessary and sufficient condition for simplicity of a topological higher-rank graph $C^*$-algebra, and a condition under which it is also purely infinite

Characterising the Analgesic Effect of Different Targets for Deep Brain Stimulation in Trigeminal Anaesthesia Dolorosa

BACKGROUND: Several deep brain stimulation (DBS) targets have been explored for the alleviation of trigeminal anaesthesia dolorosa. We aimed to characterise the analgesia produced from the periaqueductal grey (PAG) and centromedian-parafascicular (CmPf) nucleus using a within-subject design. METHOD: We report a case series of 3 subjects implanted with PAG and CmPf DBS systems for the treatment of anaesthesia dolorosa. At follow-up, testing of onset and offset times, magnitude, and thermal and mechanical sensitivity was performed. RESULTS: The mean pain score of the cohort was acutely reduced by 56% (p < 0.05) with PAG and 67% (p < 0.01) with CmPf stimulation at mean time intervals of 38 and 16 min, respectively. The onset time was 12.5 min (p < 0.05) for PAG stimulation and 2.5 min (p < 0.01) for CmPf. The offset time was 2.5 min (p < 0.05) for PAG and 12.5 min (p < 0.01) for CmPf. The two targets were effective at different stimulation frequencies and were not antagonistic in effect. CONCLUSION: The mechanisms by which stimulation at these two targets produces analgesia are likely to be different. Certain pain qualities may respond more favourably to specific targets. Knowledge of onset and offset times for the targets can guide optimisation of stimulation settings. The use of more than one stimulation target may be beneficial and should be considered in anaesthesia dolorosa patients

Characterisation and Integration of Piezoelectric Trimorph Actuators for Blade Active Surface Control on a Scaled Wind Turbine

The paper investigates the integration of piezoelectric bending actuators on trailing edge flaps (TEF). The characterisation of piezoelectric actuators is of great importance due to differences in performance resulting from sample variability, actuator construction, circuit type and equipment. For the application of trailing edge flaps in scaled turbines, the total deflection these actuators can produce determines the possible flap angles and, consequently, the potential effects on wake evolution downwind of the wind turbine. In this paper, we fully characterise the performance of the piezoelectric bending actuator under a variety of operating conditions. The bridged bi-polar circuit is used to drive the piezoelectric actuators with both a static and a dynamic signal. Deflection results demonstrate that the piezoelectric actuator is capable of achieving flap angles of β ± 3° with a static signal, and β = 2.3° and β = −3.2° angles with a dynamic signal. Experimental force measurements using a dynamic signal result in a force reduction of up to 33% when compared to a static signal. Force values at increasing frequencies do not show a depreciation in force. Additionally, initial aerodynamic loads exerted on TEF are presented based on XFoil simulations to ensure that the piezoelectric actuating force can overcome aerodynamic loads for future experiments. Experimental force measurements from the piezoelectric actuator demonstrate that aerodynamic forces can be overcome. This work serves as the first step towards implementing the TEF technology in lab-scaled wind turbine models

Reduction of Dendrite Formations to Improve the Appearance of the Powder Cured Films for Automotive Industry

The appearance of powder-coated films is dependent upon powder chemistry and spraying parameters. One of the most important physical factors controlling the powder film appearance is the microdeposition of the powder particles on the grounded substrate. During the electrostatic deposition of powder, the formation of dendrites and agglomerates was observed; these formations have an adverse effect on the final film appearance and their elimination may result in smoother and glossier films. Dendrites are generated due to bipolar charging and inter-particulate electrostatic attractive forces. The corona charging technique is mostly used in industrial powder coating applications. At low corona voltages (- 40 to - 60 kV) a greater degree of bipolar charging was observed compared to that at higher voltages (- 80 to - 100 kV). At the higher voltages, the increase n number of ions produces a more unipolar charging and higher charge-to-mass ratios. As the film builds up, the powder transfer efficiency decreases as the repulsion forces between oncoming charged particles and the already deposited powder layer increase. By controlling the deposition patterns, the final film appearance can be improved. The smoothest films were obtained when the voltage was ramped from - 60 to - 100 kV. Another method to reduce dendrite formations was to deposit powder particles charged unipolarly by first separating them from the oppositely charged ones by using a charge separator