Nodeless superconductivity in Ir1−x_{1-x}Ptx_xTe2_2 with strong spin-orbital coupling

The thermal conductivity $\kappa$ of superconductor Ir$_{1-x}$Pt$_{x}$Te$_2$ ($x$ = 0.05) single crystal with strong spin-orbital coupling was measured down to 50 mK. The residual linear term $\kappa_0/T$ is negligible in zero magnetic field. In low magnetic field, $\kappa_0/T$ shows a slow field dependence. These results demonstrate that the superconducting gap of Ir$_{1-x}$Pt$_{x}$Te$_2$ is nodeless, and the pairing symmetry is likely conventional s-wave, despite the existence of strong spin-orbital coupling and a quantum critical point.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Nodeless superconductivity in Ca3Ir4Sn13: evidence from quasiparticle heat transport

We report resistivity $\rho$ and thermal conductivity $\kappa$ measurements on Ca$_3$Ir$_4$Sn$_{13}$ single crystals, in which superconductivity with $T_c \approx 7$ K was claimed to coexist with ferromagnetic spin-fluctuations. Among three crystals, only one crystal shows a small hump in resistivity near 20 K, which was previously attributed to the ferromagnetic spin-fluctuations. Other two crystals show the $\rho \sim T^2$ Fermi-liquid behavior at low temperature. For both single crystals with and without the resistivity anomaly, the residual linear term $\kappa_0/T$ is negligible in zero magnetic field. In low fields, $\kappa_0(H)/T$ shows a slow field dependence. These results demonstrate that the superconducting gap of Ca$_3$Ir$_4$Sn$_{13}$ is nodeless, thus rule out nodal gap caused by ferromagnetic spin-fluctuations.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Seismic control of rocking structures via external resonators

Tall rigid blocks are prevalent in ancient historical constructions. Such structures are prone to rocking behaviour under strong ground motion, which is recognisably challenging to predict and mitigate. Our study is motivated by the need to provide innovative non-intrusive solutions to attenuate the rocking response of historical buildings and monuments. In this paper, we examine a novel scheme that employs external resonators buried next to the rocking structure as a means to control its seis- mic response. The strategy capitalizes on the vibration absorbing potential of the structure-soil-resonator interaction. Advanced numerical analyses of discrete mod- els under coherent acceleration pulses with rocking bodies of different slenderness ratios under various ground motion intensities highlight the significant vibration absorbing qualities of the external resonating system. The influence of key system parameters such as the mass, stiffness and damping of the resonator and those of the soil-structure-resonator arrangement are studied. Finally, a case study on the evaluation of the response of rocking structures with external resonators under real pulse-like ground-motion records confirms the important reductions in peak seismic rotational demands obtained with the proposed arrangement

Mechanical properties and microstructure evaluation of high manganese steel alloyed with vanadium

Abstract: Austenitic manganese steel has a high toughness, high ductility, high strain hardening capacity and excellent wear resistance, the material is mostly used in the mining industry for crushing and loading equipment. High manganese steel shows superior wear resistance when used under primary crushing system than when used under secondary and tertiary modes of crushing. This work presents the effect of vanadium content on the mechanical properties and microstructure evaluation of high manganese steel. The addition of vanadium to high manganese steels has a direct increase on the hardness and wear resistance. Impact testing for alloys containing vanadium showed low impact energies compared to the standard manganese steel. The increase in hardness and the wear resistance of the alloys was explained on the basis of vanadium carbide which had formed on the austenitic matrix. It was observed that the carbon and vanadium content will have an effect on the mechanical properties of high manganese steel alloyed with vanadium. Microstructural examination showed that the size and distribution of vanadium carbides has an effect on the mechanical properties and the wear behaviour. Therefore, this work shows that the addition of vanadium to high manganese steel will increase the hardness and wear resistance while decreasing the impact energy of high manganese steel alloyed with vanadium

Risk analysis of viral diseases in infected pig farms during the lockdown period in China, January to May 2020

Biosecurity plays a critical role in preventing and controlling the introduction and spread of infectious diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic in China triggered a nationwide lockdown policy which reduced most of the daily activities of people, but the pig industry was encouraged to ensure the pork supply. An investigation of biosecurity practices in intensive pig farms across several provinces in China was conducted in June 2020 via questionnaire to evaluate the factors that may pose viral diseases risk to the farms during the lockdown period from January to May 2020. A total of 50 farms in 12 provinces of China were engaged. Fourteen of them were classified as positive farms since at least one viral disease was presented during this period, including porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (seven farms), porcine epidemic diarrhea (three farms), and pseudorabies (one farm). The other three farms only reported their disease positive status but refused to release disease names. The overall farm level prevalence of viral disease was 28.0% (95%CI: 16.3–42.5%). A logistic regression model was built to identify risk/protective factors for farm positivity. In the multivariable logistic regression model, the risk factor of dead pig ‘removal by the others’ (OR = 8.0, 95%CI: 1.5, 43.5) was found to be significantly associated with viral disease positivity. On-farm incineration pits are highly recommended to be the administered for the harmless treatment of dead pigs. This is not only crucial for controlling the transmission of viral diseases but also plays a key role in reducing activity in the illegal dead meat business. According to previous studies, factors such as adapting an all-in-all-out system, on-farm incineration pits, and requiring workers to wash their hands regularly would reduce the risk of virus transmission, even though these factors did not show significance in our study. The results of our study could help to design better surveillance strategies in China and other countries