Quantum Nondemolition Squeezing of a Nanomechanical Resonator

We show that the nanoresonator position can be squeezed significantly below the ground state level by measuring the nanoresonator with a quantum point contact or a single-electron transistor and applying a periodic voltage across the detector. The mechanism of squeezing is basically a generalization of quantum nondemolition measurement of an oscillator to the case of continuous measurement by a weakly coupled detector. The quantum feedback is necessary to prevent the ``heating'' due to measurement back-action. We also discuss a procedure of experimental verification of the squeezed state.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure

In Defense of Ambulance Chasing: A Critique of Model Rule of Professional Conduct 7.3

In order to pursue its goal of assuring the highest standards of professional competence and ethical conduct, the American Bar Association (ABA) publishes the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. These rules form the basis for the ethical requirements imposed by many state bars, as well as states\u27 legal regulation of the profession

Relaxation of a Rubbed Polystyrene Surface

The relaxation dynamics of a rubbed polystyrene (PS) surface have been characterized using infrared-visible sum frequency generation spectroscopy (SFG). The SFG results were compared with previous relaxation of retardation measurements, and the results show that the rubbed PS surface has the same T(g) as the bulk where T(g) is defined as tau(T(g))=5 s, however, the surface has a lower activation energy (DeltaE) and a larger stretching exponent (beta(KWW)) than bulk PS. This indicates that the surface region relaxes more quickly than the bulk. The thickness of this region of lower DeltaE and larger beta(KWW) is estimated to be roughly 12 nm

Business Model Innovation and Antitrust Law

Modern antitrust enforcement is premised on maximizing consumer welfare through an examination of two variables: unit price and total output. That inquiry suffices for static markets for relatively interchangeable goods, but it is ill-suited for more dynamic markets. While typically associated with technological innovation, dynamic markets can take many forms. A firm\u27s business model, for instance, can exhibit all the same indicia of innovation and fluidity as the technological intricacy of its product. But by treating firms with innovative business models as though they inhabit a separate market from their more traditional competitors, antitrust law places those firms at a comparative disadvantage. Rather than reward firms for the increased consumer surplus that results from business model innovation, the enforcers of antitrust law have instead discouraged growth in innovative sectors. The result is economically harmful and doctrinally incoherent. This Article seeks to remedy that flaw. We examine the unique benefits provided by business model innovators, conclude that mergers between such firms yield underappreciated returns to consumer surplus, and offer some recommendations for policy reform

A Device for Surface Study of Confined Micron Thin Films in a Total Internal Reflection Geometry

A device to probe the molecular structure of materials next to a solid interface in a thin film geometry has been developed. The device can produce controlled thicknesses as small as 1 mum with parallelity better than 0.003degrees. We have shown that the thickness and the parallelity of the film produced between two optical surfaces can be quantified using white light and monochromatic light interferometry, respectively. In addition, this apparatus allows the study of these films in a static state or under shear using spectroscopic techniques involving transmission or reflection measurements. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics

Grigorii Israilevič Ganzburg (Hg.), F. Mendel'son-Bartol'di i tradicii muzykal'nogo professionalizma [Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy und die Tradition des musikalischen Professionalismus], Charkov 1995 [Rezension]: Grigorii Israilevič Ganzburg (Hg.), F. Mendel''son-Bartol''di i tradiciimuzykal''nogo professionalizma [Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy und dieTradition des musikalischen Professionalismus], Charkov 1995 [Rezension]

Rezension des Werkes F. Mendel''son-Bartol''di i tradicii muzykal''nogo professionalizma, hrsg. von Grigorii I. Ganzburg, erschienen 1995 in Charko

Modelling cyclists’ comfort zones from obstacle avoidance manoeuvres

This paper introduces a framework for modelling the cyclist’s comfort zone. Unlike the driver’s comfort zone, little is known about the cyclist’s. The framework draws on existing literature in cognitive science about driver behaviour to explain experimental results from cycling field trials, and the modelling of these results. We modelled braking and steering manoeuvres from field data of cyclists’ obstacle avoidance within their comfort zone. Results show that when cyclists avoided obstacles by braking, they kept a constant deceleration; as speed increased, they started to brake earlier, farther from the obstacle, maintaining an almost constant time to collision. When cyclists avoided obstacles by steering, they maintained a constant distance from the object, independent of speed. Overall, the higher the speed, the more the steering manoeuvres were temporally delayed compared to braking manoeuvres. We discuss these results and other similarities between cyclist and driver behaviour during obstacle avoidance. Implications for the design of acceptable active safety and infrastructure design are also addressed

Deep-Red Luminescent Molybdenum(0) Complexes with Bi- and Tridentate Isocyanide Chelate Ligands

In octahedral complexes, molybdenum(0) has the same 4cr valence electron configuration as ruthenium(II), which is beneficial for establishing energetically low-lying metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited states. Those MLCT states often show luminescence, and they can furthermore undergo photoinduced electron and energy transfer reactions that are of interest in the context of solar energy conversion, sensing, or photocatalysis. Molybdenum is roughly 100 times more abundant than ruthenium, and it seems desirable to increase our fundamental understanding of the photophysical properties of complexes made from non-precious metals. We report here on the luminescence behavior of two new homoleptic molybdenum(0) isocyanide complexes, one with three bidentate, the other with two tridentate chelate ligands. The key novelty is the incorporation of thiophene units into the ligand backbones, causing strongly red-shifted photoluminescence with respect to comparable molybdenum(0) isocyanides with phenylene units in the ligand backbones. Combined experimental and computational studies provide detailed insight into the photophysical properties of this compound class. This work is relevant for the development of new luminescent compounds with possible applications in lighting and sensing, and it complements current research efforts on photoactive complexes with other abundant transition metal and main group elements

Comparison of radiation dose, workflow, patient comfort and financial break-even of standard digital radiography and a novel biplanar low-dose X-ray system for upright full-length lower limb and whole spine radiography

Objective: To compare the radiation dose, workflow, patient comfort, and financial break-even of a standard digital radiography and a biplanar low-dose X-ray system. Materials and methods: A standard digital radiography system (Ysio, Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany) was compared with a biplanar X-ray unit (EOS, EOS imaging, Paris, France) consisting of two X-ray tubes and slot-scanning detectors, arranged at an angle of 90° allowing simultaneous vertical biplanar linear scanning in the upright patient position. We compared data of standing full-length lower limb radiographs and whole spine radiographs of both X-ray systems. Results: Dose-area product was significantly lower for radiographs of the biplanar X-ray system than for the standard digital radiography system (e.g. whole spine radiographs; standard digital radiography system: 392.2 ± 231.7cGy*cm2 versus biplanar X-ray system: 158.4 ± 103.8cGy*cm2). The mean examination time was significantly shorter for biplanar radiographs compared with standard digital radiographs (e.g. whole spine radiographs: 449s vs 248s). Patients' comfort regarding noise was significantly higher for the standard digital radiography system. The financial break-even point was 2,602 radiographs/year for the standard digital radiography system compared with 4,077 radiographs/year for the biplanar X-ray unit. Conclusion: The biplanar X-ray unit reduces radiation exposure and increases subjective noise exposure to patients. The biplanar X-ray unit demands a higher number of examinations per year for the financial break-even point, despite the lower labour cost per examination due to the shorter examination tim