Short-coherence length superconductivity in the Attractive Hubbard Model in three dimensions

We study the normal state and the superconducting transition in the Attractive Hubbard Model in three dimensions, using self-consistent diagrammatics. Our results for the self-consistent $T$-matrix approximation are consistent with 3D-XY power-law critical scaling and finite-size scaling. This is in contrast to the exponential 2D-XY scaling the method was able to capture in our previous 2D calculation. We find the 3D transition temperature at quarter-filling and $U=-4t$ to be $T_c=0.207t$. The 3D critical regime is much narrower than in 2D and the ratio of the mean-field transition to $T_c$ is about 5 times smaller than in 2D. We also find that, for the parameters we consider, the pseudogap regime in 3D (as in 2D) coincides with the critical scaling regime.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Socially Responsible Investment in Japanese Pensions

As the level of retirement-related assets has grown, so too has public and private interest in so-called "Socially Responsible Investment" (SRI), an investment strategy that employs criteria other than the usual financial risk and return factors when selecting firms in which to invest. This study evaluates whether SRI indexes would alter portfolio risk and return patterns for the new defined contribution pension plans currently on offer in Japan. We conclude that SRI funds can be included as an option, albeit with some cost; consequently, mandatory investment in SRI portfolios cannot reasonably be justified.

The analytical discussion on strong gravitaional lensing for a gravitational source with a f(R)f(R) global monopole

Here the gravitational lensing in strong field limit of a Schwarzschild black hole with a solid deficit angle owing to global monopole within the context of the $f(R)$ gravity theory is investigated. We obtain the expressions of deflection angle and time delay in the forms of elliptic integrals and discuss the asymptotic behaviour of the elliptic integrals to find the explicit formulae of angle and time difference in the strong field limit. We show that the deflection angle and the time delay between multiple images are related not only to the monopole but also to the $f(R)$ correction $\psi_{0}$ by taking the cosmological boundary into account. Some observables such as the minimum impact parameter, the angular separation, the relative magnification and the compacted angular position have been estimated as well. It is intriguing that the tiny modification on the standard general relativity will make the remarkable deviation on the angle and the time lag, offering a significant way to explore some possible distinct signatures of the topological soliton and the correction of the Einstein general relativity.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1004.342

Electron-electron interaction effects on optical excitations in semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes

We report correlated-electron calculations of optically excited states in ten semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes with a wide range of diameters. Optical excitation occurs to excitons whose binding energies decrease with the increasing nanotube diameter, and are smaller than the binding energy of an isolated strand of poly-(paraphenylene vinylene). The ratio of the energy of the second optical exciton polarized along the nanotube axis to that of the lowest exciton is smaller than the value predicted within single-particle theory. The experimentally observed weak photoluminescence is an intrinsic feature of semiconducting nanotubes, and is consequence of dipole-forbidden excitons occurring below the optical exciton.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, To appear in PR

Adjusted State Teacher Salaries and the Decision to Teach

Using the 3-year sample of the American Community Survey (ACS) for 2009 to 2011, we compute public school teacher salaries for comparison across U.S. states. Teacher salaries are adjusted for state differences in teacher characteristics, cost of living, household amenity attractiveness and federal tax rates. Salaries of non-teaching college graduates, defined as those with occupations outside of education, are used to adjust for state household amenity attractiveness. We then find that state differences in federal tax-adjusted teacher salaries relative those of other college graduates significantly affects the share of education majors that are employed as teachers at the time of the survey

Is Shale Development Drilling Holes in the Human Capital Pipeline?

Using the Synthetic Control Method (SCM) and a novel method for measuring changes in educational attainment we examine the link between educational attainment and shale oil and gas extraction for the states of Montana, North Dakota, and West Virginia. The three states examined are economically-small, relatively more rural, and have high levels of shale oil and gas reserves. They also are varied in that West Virginia is intensive in shale gas extraction, while the other two are intensive in shale oil extraction. We find significant reductions in high school and college attainment among all three states' initial residents because of the shale booms

Isolation of a nitrate-reducing bacteria strain from oil field brine and the inhibition of sulfate-reducing bacteria

A nitrate-reducing bacteria (NRB) strain with vigorous growth, strong nitrate reduction ability, strain B9 2-1, was isolated from Suizhong36-1 oilfield, its routine identification and analysis of 16S rRNA and also the competitive inhibition experiments with the enrichment of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were carried out. The results showed that only the dosing of nitrate, nitrite as electron acceptors, the activation of nitrate-reducing bacteria, as well as the inhibition of sulfide production resulted from a limited capacity, while addition of NRB isolated from the produced fluid, growth and sulfide production activity of sulfate reducing bacteria produced a significant inhibition and antibacterial effects of nitrite, which was better than nitrate. At the same time, the small amount of molybdate dosing showed better results, which will be of significance when applied to shipping and state-defending industries.Key words: Nitrate-reducing bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria, restriction fragment length polymorphism, nitrates, nitrite, oil field, competitive inhibition

One of frontiers in agricultural and environmental biotechnology for the arid regions: Micro-pressure drip irrigation technology theory and practices

With the goal of reducing cost and energy consumption of drip irrigation systems, the relationship between pressure and cost of drip irrigation systems, as well as the feasibility of reducing the operating pressure, were analyzed. The irrigation quality and reliability of micro-pressure drip irrigation systems were also studied. A theory of micro-pressure drip irrigation technology is proposed, and the components of this type of irrigation system are presented. The results indicate that micro-pressure drip irrigation technology is feasible and that it can significantly decrease initial drip irrigation system cost and recurring operating expenses. Micro-pressure drip irrigation can also overcome some of the clogging problems of conventional drip irrigation systems. It is suggested that micro-pressure dripirrigation will be a topic of importance in the future of agriculture and environmental biotechnology

Spruce galactoglucomannan stabilized emulsions enhance bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds

The increasing public awareness of health and sustainability has prompted the development of functional foods rich in health-promoting ingredients. Processing technologies and sustainable multifunctional ingredients are needed for structuring these formulations. Spruce galactoglucomannan (GGM), the main hemicelluloses in softwood cell walls, are an abundantly available, emerging sustainable food hydrocolloid that have the ability to efficiently emulsify and stabilize oil-in-water emulsions. In this study, we illustrate how this lignocellulosic stabilizer affects the digestion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in vitro. A 100% decrease in the initial TAG content was observed during the in vitro digestion, suggesting that complete hydrolysis of the TAGs was achieved by the digestive enzymes. Besides, no release of mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides or phenolic compounds from GGM was detected. Our results demonstrate that the GGM-stabilized emulsion could potentially deliver lipophilic bioactive ingredients and enhance their bioaccessibility. In addition, this bio-stabilizer itself would remain stable in the upper gastrointestinal track and serve as a prebiotic for gut microbiota. We anticipate GGM to complement or even replace many of the conventional carriers of bioactive components in future health care products and functional foods.Peer reviewe