Effect of stoichiometry on oxygen incorporation in MgB2 thin films

The amount of oxygen incorporated into MgB2 thin films upon exposure to atmospheric gasses is found to depend strongly on the material's stoichiometry. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy was used to monitor changes in oxygen incorporation resulting from exposure to: (a) ambient atmosphere, (b) humid atmospheres, (c) anneals in air and (d) anneals in oxygen. The study investigated thin-film samples with compositions that were systematically varied from Mg0.9B2 to Mg1.1B2. A significant surface oxygen contamination was observed in all of these films. The oxygen content in the bulk of the film, on the other hand, increased significantly only in Mg rich films and in films exposed to humid atmospheres.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, 1 tabl

Experimental approaches for 100 TeV gamma-ray astronomy

The high energy end of gamma-ray source spectra might provide important clues regarding the nature of the processes involved in gamma-ray emission. Several galactic sources with hard emission spectra extending up to more than 30TeV have already been reported. Measurements around 100TeV and above should be an important goal for the next generation of high energy gamma-ray astronomy experiments. Here we present several techniques providing the required exposure (100 km^2.h). We focus our study on three Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Technique (IACT) based approaches: low elevation observations, large field of view telescopes, and large telescope arrays. We comment on the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and report simulation based estimates of their energy ranges and sensitivities.Comment: 3 pages 1 figure. Proceedings of TeV particle astrophysics 2, Madison, August 2006. http://www.icecube.wisc.edu/TeV/presentations/colin_poster.pd

Weight optimization of an aerobrake structural concept for a lunar transfer vehicle

An aerobrake structural concept for a lunar transfer vehicle was weight optimized through the use of the Taguchi design method, finite element analyses, and element sizing routines. Six design parameters were chosen to represent the aerobrake structural configuration. The design parameters included honeycomb core thickness, diameter-depth ratio, shape, material, number of concentric ring frames, and number of radial frames. Each parameter was assigned three levels. The aerobrake structural configuration with the minimum weight was 44 percent less than the average weight of all the remaining satisfactory experimental configurations. In addition, the results of this study have served to bolster the advocacy of the Taguchi method for aerospace vehicle design. Both reduced analysis time and an optimized design demonstrated the applicability of the Taguchi method to aerospace vehicle design

Swelling of acetylated wood in organic liquids

To investigate the affinity of acetylated wood for organic liquids, Yezo spruce wood specimens were acetylated with acetic anhydride, and their swelling in various liquids were compared to those of untreated specimens. The acetylated wood was rapidly and remarkably swollen in aprotic organic liquids such as benzene and toluene in which the untreated wood was swollen only slightly and/or very slowly. On the other hand, the swelling of wood in water, ethylene glycol and alcohols remained unchanged or decreased by the acetylation. Consequently the maximum volume of wood swollen in organic liquids was always larger than that in water. The effect of acetylation on the maximum swollen volume of wood was greater in liquids having smaller solubility parameters. The easier penetration of aprotic organic liquids into the acetylated wood was considered to be due to the scission of hydrogen bonds among the amorphous wood constituents by the substitution of hydroxyl groups with hydrophobic acetyl groups.Comment: to be published in J Wood Science (Japanese wood research society

Impact of Green Initiatives on the Financial Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises: The Case of Manufacturing Firm in Central Luzon

[EN] This study was conducted to propose the Green Economic Development Plan for Manufacturing S.M.E.s based on financial performance and operations thru Green Initiatives. The descriptive survey method used to gather data to determine the green initiative's implementation of small and medium (S.M.E.s) manufacturing enterprises. Green initiatives use as a basis for crafting a green economic development plan.  Document analysis was also employed to obtain data from any available printed materials and records provided by the respondents.  Such methods of gathering information used to validate data gathered from local and foreign-related literature.  The observation also employed to survey the assets owned and validate any green initiatives practiced, including their implementation. The study's findings show that among the green initiatives implemented by SMMEs, which resulted in the reduction of total costs and expenses, were the proper disposal and segregation of waste materials, water management by recycling wastewater and using water-efficient equipment, natural resources, and raw materials management.  SMMEs should encourage active participation and support of suppliers and customers in achieving G.E.D.'s objectives by developing incentive schemes. Furthermore, SMMEs should continue to benchmark with G.E.D. Practitioners are operating locally and abroad to adopt best greening strategies and regularly network with concerned government agencies for continuous updating on G.E.D. Initiatives that may benefit the firm.  Further research may be conducted on green initiatives implemented by small and medium enterprises in other industry sectors.Alfaro, MTB.; Diaz, RA. (2021). Impact of Green Initiatives on the Financial Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises: The Case of Manufacturing Firm in Central Luzon. WPOM-Working Papers on Operations Management. 12(1):28-41. https://doi.org/10.4995/wpom.14517OJS2841121Baines, T., Brown, S., Benedettini, O., & Ball, P. (2012). Examining Green production and its role within the competitive strategy of manufacturers. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Manage- ment, 5(1), 53-87. https://doi.org/10.3926/jiem.405Ballada, W., and Ballada, S. (2018). Basic Accounting: Made Easy 21st Edition. DomDane Publishers and Made Easy Books, Manila, Philippines.Bellgran, M. and Bruch, J. (2015). Environmental Management in Manufacturing Industries. In Handbook of Clean Energy Systems, J. Yan (Ed.). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118991978.hces092Beredugo, S. B. (2014). Environmental Accounting and Social Responsibility Disclosure on the Earning Capacity of Nigeria Manufacturing Firms. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 5(14).w ww.iiste.org.Cassells, S. and Lewis, K. (2011), S.M.E.s and environmental responsibility: do actions reflect attitudes?. Corp. Soc. Responsib. Environ. Mgmt, 18: 186-199. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.269Dal Pont, J.‐P., Azzaro‐Pantel, C., Dal Pont, J.‐P. and Azzaro‐Pantel, C. (2014). Excellence in Manufacturing and Operations Control. In New Approaches to the Process Industries. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118984536.ch5Dobers, P., & Wolff, R. (2000). Competing with "soft" issues - from managing the environment to sustainable business strategies. Business Strategy and the Environment, 9(3), 143-150. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0836(200005/06)9:33.0.CO;2-CEguia, I., Lozano, S., Racero, J., & Guerrero, F. (2011). A methodological approach for designing and sequencing product families in Reconfigurable Disassembly Systems. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 4(3), 418-435. https://doi.org/10.3926/jiem.2011.v4n3.p418-435Field, B.C. and Field, M.K. (2009). Environmental Economics: An Introduction.5th ed. McGraw-Hill International Edition. Singapore, 286.Jabbour de Sousa, A. B., Ndubisi, N.O., Roman Pais Seles, B.M. (2019). Sustainable Development in Asian Manufacturing SMEs: Progress and Directions Elsevier International Journal Production Economics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2019.107567Marcus, P.A. and Willig, J.T. (1997) Moving Ahead with ISO 14000. New York: Wiley.Mohanty, R. P., & Deshmukh, S. G. (1998). Managing green productivity: Some strategic directions. Production Planning & Control, 9(7), 624-633. https://doi.org/10.1080/095372898233614Nassani, A. A., Aldakhil, A. M., Abro, M. M. Q., Zaman, K., & Kabbani, A. (2019). Resource management for green growth: Ensure environment sustainability agenda for mutual exclusive global gain. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 38 (4), 13132. https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.13132Nguyen, HM, Onofrei, G, Truong, D, Lockrey, S. (2020) Customer green orientation, and process innovation alignment: A configuration approach in the global manufacturing industry. Bus Strat Env., 29, 92498- 2513. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2516Ogega, O. M. (2017). Globalization and Global Warming: A Case of Laikipia County, Kenya. Journal of Energy and Natural Resource Management.Peris, S. F., Kamisah Supian, M. Waliul, H., & Md. Naim Hossain. (2020). A Mediating Effect of Green Market Orientation on the Environmental Performance: From a Literature Review to a Conceptual Framework. Journal of Management Info, 7(2), 92-118. https://doi.org/10.31580/jmi.v7i2.1421Promotion of Green Economic Development (ProGED)-Philippines. (n.d.) http://www.greengrowthknowledge.org/project/promotion-green-economic-developmentproged-Philippines.Rowlands, C. (2019). The Increasing Demand for Eco-Friendly Products and Packaging. https://www.packageintegrity.com/single-post/2019/02/27/The-Increasing-Demand-for-EcoFriendly- products-and-PackagingStead, J. G., & Stead, E. (2000). Eco-enterprise strategy: Standing for sustainability. Journal of Business Ethics, 24(4), 313-329. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006188725928Shoeb, A. (2015). Green Human Resource Management: Policies and practices, Cogent Business & Management, 2:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2015.1030817Skrabania, L. (2018). Interview: RePack's Circular Packaging Solution for Online Retailers and Their Customers.November 19, 2018. https://en.reset.org/b log/interview-repacks-circular-packagingsolution-online-retailers-and-their-customers-11192018 (accessed: November 22, 2018).Tu, J. & Huang, H. (2015). Analysis on the Relationship between Green Accounting and Green Design for Enterprises. Sustainability 2015,7,6264-6277. https://doi.org/10.3390/su7056264Vachon S., Klassen R. (2008). Environmental Management and Manufacturing Performance: The Role of Collaboration in the Supply. Chain. International of Production Economics, 11 (2), 299-315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2006.11.030Waheed, A., Zhang, Q., Rashid, Y., Tahir, M.S., Zafar, M.W (2020). Impact of green manufacturing on consumer ecological behavior: Stakeholder engagement through green production and innovation. Sustainable Development, 28: 1395- 1403. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.209

Simulation Study of TenTen: A new Multi-TeV IACT array

TenTen is a proposed array of Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACT) optimized for the gamma ray energy regime of 10 TeV to 100 TeV, but with a threshold of ~1 to a few TeV. It will offer a collecting area of 10 km2 above energies of 10 TeV. In the initial phase, a cell of 3 to 5 modest-sized telescopes, each with 10-30 m2 mirror area, is suggested for an Australian site. A possible expansion of the array could comprise many such cells. Here we present work on configuration and technical issues from our simulation studies of the array. Working topics include array layout, telescope size and optics, camera field of view, telescope trigger system, electronics, and site surveys.Comment: 4 pages, 7 figures, submitted to Proceedings of the ICRC 2007, pdf forma

Fermionic Modular Categories and the 16-fold Way

We study spin and super-modular categories systematically as inspired by fermionic topological phases of matter, which are always fermion parity enriched and modelled by spin TQFTs at low energy. We formulate a $16$-fold way conjecture for the minimal modular extensions of super-modular categories to spin modular categories, which is a categorical formulation of gauging the fermion parity. We investigate general properties of super-modular categories such as fermions in twisted Drinfeld doubles, Verlinde formulas for naive quotients, and explicit extensions of $PSU(2)_{4m+2}$ with an eye towards a classification of the low-rank cases.Comment: Latest post-referee version. Many typos fixed, many explanations expanded, several inconsistencies corrected. 8 figure

TenTen: A New Array of Multi-TeV Imaging Cherenkov Telescopes

The exciting results from H.E.S.S. point to a new population of gamma-ray sources at energies E > 10 TeV, paving the way for future studies and new discoveries in the multi-TeV energy range. Connected with these energies is the search for sources of PeV cosmic-rays (CRs) and the study of multi-TeV gamma-ray production in a growing number of astrophysical environments. TenTen is a proposed stereoscopic array (with a suggested site in Australia) of modest-sized (10 to 30m^2) Cherenkov imaging telescopes with a wide field of view (8 to 10deg diameter) optimised for the E~10 to 100 TeV range. TenTen will achieve an effective area of ~10 km^2 at energies above 10 TeV. We outline here the motivation for TenTen and summarise key performance parameters.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, proceedings of the 30th ICRC, Merida, Mexico, 200

Spontaneous Fluxon Production in Annular Josephson Tunnel Junctions in the Presence of a Magnetic Field

We report on the spontaneous production of fluxons in the presence of a symmetry-breaking magnetic field for annular Josephson tunnel junctions during a thermal quench. The dependence on field intensity $B$ of the probability $\bar{f_1}$ to trap a single defect during the N-S phase transition drastically depends on the sample circumferences. We show that the data can be understood in the framework of the Kibble-Zurek picture of spontaneous defect formation controlled by causal bounds.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev. B with 5 figures on Nov. 15, 200