Density-functional investigation of the rhombohedral to simple cubic phase transition of arsenic

We report on our investigation of the crystal structure of arsenic under compression, focusing primarily on the pressure-induced A7 to simple cubic (sc) phase transition. The two-atom rhombohedral unit cell is subjected to pressures ranging from 0 GPa to 200 GPa; for each given pressure, cell lengths and angles, as well as atomic positions, are allowed to vary until the fully relaxed structure is obtained. We find that the nearest and next-nearest neighbor distances give the clearest indication of the occurrence of a structural phase transition. Calculations are performed using the local density approximation (LDA) and the PBE and PW91 generalized gradient approximations (GGA-PBE and GGA-PW91) for the exchange-correlation functional. The A7 to sc transition is found to occur at 21+/-1 GPa in the LDA, at 28+/-1 GPa in the GGA-PBE and at 29+/-1 GPa in the GGA-PW91; no volume discontinuity is observed across the transition in any of the three cases. We use k-point grids as dense as 66X66X66 to enable us to present reliably converged results for the A7 to sc transition of arsenic.Comment: To be published in Physical Review B; material supplementary to this article is available at arXiv:0810.169

Assessing Student Oral Language Proficiency: Cost-Conscious Tools, Practices & Outcomes

Second language teachers have an ever increasing abundance oftechnology choices for assessment of student oral proficiency through theadaption of consumer electronics and multimedia devices. The purpose ofthis article is two-fold: (1) to address the benefits and ease of usingdifferent multimedia tools to assess students' oral language proficiencyregardless of grade level and (2) to report the findings of an orallanguage assessment study. Results from the empirical study (N = 128)show that there are manifold benefits of using technology for oralproficiency assessment for both students and instructors. Additionally, thisresearch emphasizes the importance of maximum use of the targetlanguage in the classroom and the importance of aligning assessmentrubrics to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language'sspeaking proficiency guidelines

Communicating the Value of Ergonomics to Management – Part 2: Ergonomics ROI Case Study Applications

More than ever, human factors engineers and ergonomists need to justify our practice’s value to management. How can we effectively communicate with management? How should we present a Return on Investment (ROI) that leadership will find useful that addresses company profits, cost savings, productivity, first time quality, and turnover? What else does management care about other than ROI? This second panel in a two panel series will specifically highlight case studies in which presenters give examples of situations in which ROI for ergonomics was investigated from a business value. The session will start with four case study lectures followed by a panel discussion led by the moderators. The audience will be encouraged to participate with their own questions and comments

Enhanced deposition to pits: A local food source for benthos

Particle deposition experiments using mimics of biogenous negative relief (“pits”) and low-excess-density particles in a small annular flume indicate a significantly enhanced deposition rate (number of particles per time) compared to smooth, flat patches of the same diameter. This study included flow visualizations as well as observations of particle residence times, particle concentrations in the pits, and particle fluxes to the pits from the main flow. Experimental conditions of particle concentration, shear velocity, and particle settling velocity mimicked the dynamic characteristics (low excess density and large size) of organic-rich flocs and flow conditions in the subtidal and deep sea where biogenous pits are common features. Results suggest that pits provide benthic organisms an important capture mechanism for such flocs. Flow visualizations concur qualitatively with previously reported results for two-dimensional cavity flow, with unique features due to the conical shape of the pits. When the Rouse number (settling velocity/shear velocity) was much less than 1, pit deposition rate increased with increasing pit aspect ratio (AR = depth/diameter; ranging from 0.25 to 2) and always exceeded deposition to a flat patch of comparable diameter. For the single aspect ratio tested (AR = 0.5) under conditions of increasing turbulence, deposition to the pit increased under transitional flow, but then decreased to near zero when conditions reached fully rough flow. Relative enhancement of deposition to this pit decreased with increased ambient bed roughness since gravel beds also effectively collect particles. Particle concentration inside pits decreased weakly with pit aspect ratio but greatly increased with increasing roughness Reynolds number. Particle residence time increased somewhat with pit aspect ratio but decreased significantly with increasing roughness Reynolds number. Particle flux into pits from the main flow increased with both increasing aspect ratio and increasing roughness Reynolds number. Enhancement of food supply to pit inhabitants thus depends on the flow regime

Looking to thefuture

Panel discussion by speakers on their expectations, impressions and take-away message of the meeting