3,616 research outputs found
Peculiar long-range superexchange in Cu2A2O7 (A = P, As, V) as a key element of the microscopic magnetic model
A microscopic magnetic model for alpha-Cu2P2O7 is evaluated in a combined
theoretical and experimental study. Despite a dominant intradimer coupling J1,
sizable interdimer couplings enforce long-range magnetic ordering at T_N=27 K.
The spin model for alpha-Cu2P2O7 is compared to the models of the isostructural
beta-Cu2V2O7 and alpha-Cu2As2O7 systems. As a surprise, coupled dimers in
alpha-Cu2P2O7 and alternating chains in alpha-Cu2As2O7 contrast with a
honeycomb lattice in beta-Cu2V2O7. We find that the qualitative difference in
the coupling regime of these isostructural compounds is governed by the nature
of AO4 side groups: d-elements (A = V) hybridize with nearby O atoms forming a
Cu-O-A-O-Cu superexchange path, while for p-elements (A = P, As) the
superexchange is realized via O-O edges of the tetrahedron. Implications for a
broad range of systems are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, 1 table; discussion extende
Vacuum Distillation of Zinc and Cadmium from Zinc Leach Purification Cake
The term vacuum distillation is used to desÂcribe the process employed when certain elements are separated either from their mother compounds or from one another by distilling them under reduced atmosÂpheric pressure
The value of traditional and technology-mediated library services to students enrolled in two universities that offer off-site degree programs / c by Michelle R. Stiles
Understanding vs. Knowing
How well do students understand concepts in science? Are teachers evaluating what students actually comprehend or merely how well they can recite information? How valuable are tests? What do they actually measure? How appropriate are the lessons to the children\u27s developmental levels?
These and similar questions should be an important part of every teacher\u27s evaluation procedure. We need to stop and ask ourselves such questions as: Why do I want my students to know this? Will knowing this make a difference in their lives? Is it important? Do the students really understand this? How can I be sure? From here, teachers can begin to design significant lessons and learning experiences for their students and develop evaluation procedures that measure understanding instead of merely how well a student has memorized data or how well students can take tests
Winter Conditions Influence Biological Responses of Migrating Hummingbirds
Conserving biological diversity given ongoing environmental changes requires the knowledge of how organisms respond biologically to these changes; however, we rarely have this information. This data deficiency can be addressed with coordinated monitoring programs that provide field data across temporal and spatial scales and with process-based models, which provide a method for predicting how species, in particular migrating species that face different conditions across their range, will respond to climate change. We evaluate whether environmental conditions in the wintering grounds of broad-tailed hummingbirds influence physiological and behavioral attributes of their migration. To quantify winter ground conditions, we used operative temperature as a proxy for physiological constraint, and precipitation and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) as surrogates of resource availability. We measured four biological response variables: molt stage, timing of arrival at stopover sites, body mass, and fat. Consistent with our predictions, we found that birds migrating north were in earlier stages of molt and arrived at stopover sites later when NDVI was low. These results indicate that wintering conditions impact the timing and condition of birds as they migrate north. In addition, our results suggest that biologically informed environmental surrogates provide a valuable tool for predicting how climate variability across years influences the animal populations
Microflow valve control system design
A design synthesis for a microflow control system is presented based on the interrogation of an analytical model, testing, and observation. The key issues relating to controlling a microflow using a variable geometry flow channel are explored through the implementation and testing of open and closed-loop control systems. The reliance of closed-loop systems on accurate flow measurement and the need for an open-loop strategy are covered. A valve and control system capable of accurately controlling flowrates between 0.09 and 400 ml/h and with a range of 900:1 is demonstrated
Ideal Spin Filters: Theoretical Study of Electron Transmission Through Ordered and Disordered Interfaces Between Ferromagnetic Metals and Semiconductors
It is predicted that certain atomically ordered interfaces between some
ferromagnetic metals (F) and semiconductors (S) should act as ideal spin
filters that transmit electrons only from the majority spin bands or only from
the minority spin bands of the F to the S at the Fermi energy, even for F with
both majority and minority bands at the Fermi level. Criteria for determining
which combinations of F, S and interface should be ideal spin filters are
formulated. The criteria depend only on the bulk band structures of the S and F
and on the translational symmetries of the S, F and interface. Several examples
of systems that meet these criteria to a high degree of precision are
identified. Disordered interfaces between F and S are also studied and it is
found that intermixing between the S and F can result in interfaces with spin
anti-filtering properties, the transmitted electrons being much less spin
polarized than those in the ferromagnetic metal at the Fermi energy. A patent
application based on this work has been commenced by Simon Fraser University.Comment: RevTeX, 12 pages, 5 figure
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