Controlling frustrated magnetism on the kagome lattice by uniaxial-strain tuning

It is predicted that strongly interacting spins on a frustrated lattice may lead to a quantum disordered ground state or even form a quantum spin liquid with exotic low-energy excitations. However, a thorough tuning of the frustration strength, separating its effects from those of disorder and other factors, is pending. Here we break the symmetry of a kagome-lattice compound in a controlled manner by applying $in$ $situ$ uniaxial stress. The transition temperature of $\rm Y_3Cu_9(OH)_{18}OCl_8$ is linearly enhanced with strain, $\Delta T_{\rm N}/T_{\rm N} \approx 10\%$ upon in-plane compression of order $1\%$, providing clear evidence for a release of frustration and its pivotal role for magnetic order. Our comprehensive $^1$H NMR results suggest a $\overrightarrow{Q}=(1/3\times 1/3)$ state under unstrained conditions and further reveal an incomplete antiferromagnetic transition with fluctuating moments in this strongly frustrated system.Comment: 7 pages total, 4 pages main text, 5 figure

Gate-Compatible Circuit QED in a Three-Dimensional Cavity Architecture

Semiconductor-based superconducting qubits offer a versatile platform for studying hybrid quantum devices in circuit quantum electrodynamics (cQED) architecture. Most of these cQED experiments utilize coplanar waveguides, where the incorporation of DC gate lines is straightforward. Here, we present a technique for probing gate-tunable hybrid devices using a three-dimensional (3D) microwave cavity. A recess is machined inside the cavity wall for the placement of devices and gate lines. We validate this design using a hybrid device based on an InAs-Al nanowire Josephson junction. The coupling between the device and the cavity is facilitated by a long superconducting strip, the antenna. The Josephson junction and the antenna together form a gatemon qubit. We further demonstrate the gate-tunable cavity shift and two-tone qubit spectroscopy. This technique could be used to probe various quantum devices and materials in a 3D cQED architecture that requires DC gate voltages

Prominent Size Effects without a Depolarization Field Observed in Ultrathin Ferroelectric Oxide Membranes

The increasing miniaturization of electronics requires a better understanding of material properties at the nanoscale. Many studies have shown that there is a ferroelectric size limit in oxides, below which the ferroelectricity will be strongly suppressed due to the depolarization field, and whether such a limit still exists in the absence of the depolarization field remains unclear. Here, by applying uniaxial strain, we obtain pure in-plane polarized ferroelectricity in ultrathin SrTiO3 membranes, providing a clean system with high tunability to explore ferroelectric size effects especially the thickness-dependent ferroelectric instability with no depolarization field. Surprisingly, the domain size, ferroelectric transition temperature, and critical strain for room-temperature ferroelectricity all exhibit significant thickness dependence. These results indicate that the stability of ferroelectricity is suppressed (enhanced) by increasing the surface or bulk ratio (strain), which can be explained by considering the thickness-dependent dipole-dipole interactions within the transverse Ising model. Our study provides new insights into ferroelectric size effects and sheds light on the applications of ferroelectric thin films in nanoelectronics

Bifunctional ultraviolet/ultrasound responsive composite TiO2/polyelectrolyte microcapsules

Designing and fabricating multifunctional microcapsules are of considerable interest in both academic and industrial research aspects. This work reports an innovative approach to fabricate composite capsules with high UV and ultrasound responsive functionalities that can be used as external triggers for controlled release, yet with enhanced mechanical strength that can make them survive in a harsh environment. Needle-like TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were produced in situ into layer-by-layer (LbL) polyelectrolyte (PE) shells through the hydrolysis of titanium butoxide (TIBO). These rigid TiO2 NPs yielded the formed capsules with excellent mechanical strength, showing a free standing structure. A possible mechanism is proposed for the special morphology formation of the TiO2 NPs and their reinforcing effects. Synergistically, their response to UV and ultrasound was visualized via SEM, with the results showing an irreversible shell rapture upon exposure to either UV or ultrasound irradiation. As expected, the release studies revealed that the dextran release from the TiO2/PE capsules was both UV-dependent and ultrasound-dependent. Besides, the biocompatibility of the capsules with the incorporation of amorphous TiO2 NPs was confirmed by an MTT assay experiment. All these pieces of evidence suggested a considerable potential medicinal application of TiO2/PE capsules for controlled drug delivery

The genome assembly of <i>Pst</i> isolate AZ2 haplotype 1

PacBio HiFi sequencing technology and a trio-binning approach were combined to generate a fully haplotype-resolved and nearly gap-free genome assembly of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) isolate AZ2, which was derived from Pst isolate A153 crossing with isolate XZ-2. </p

A Thirteen-Week Performance Practice Routine for Students Majoring in Piano

Increasingly, students who are music majors are looking for highly efficient strategies to prepare for their scheduled performance. This thesis introduces a well-organized, thirteen-week routine of (piano) performance practice for a brand-new piece. This routine draws on Aaron Copland’s What to Listen for in Music, Anders Ericsson’s PEAK: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise, and Noa Kageyama’s online course, Beyond Practicing (v2.5). It uses Alban Berg’s Piano Sonata op.1 as an example of how to create this routine. There are four dimensions to this routine—building an artistic image before execution; deliberate practice in the practice room; achieving solid, stable memorization; and mental practice for the final performance

The genome assembly of <i>Pst</i> isolate AZ2 including mitochondria

PacBio HiFi sequencing technology and a trio-binning approach were combined to generate a fully haplotype-resolved and nearly gap-free genome assembly of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) isolate AZ2, which was derived from Pst isolate A153 crossing with isolate XZ-2.</p

The genome assembly of <i>Pst</i> isolate AZ2 haplotype 2

PacBio HiFi sequencing technology and a trio-binning approach were combined to generate a fully haplotype-resolved and nearly gap-free genome assembly of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) isolate AZ2, which was derived from Pst isolate A153 crossing with isolate XZ-2.</p

Study on the Reform of Agricultural Supply Side Based on Food Security

In December 2015, the Central Rural Work Conference put forward the structural reform of agricultural supply side, to ensure the national food security. At present, China's grain production is increasing, the supply and demand structure of grain market is not balanced, and the ineffective supply due to the lack of market supply and demand has caused the problem of structural surplus and structural shortage. And price and quality difference of domestic and international grain is obvious, and the agricultural products in China are overstock, so the reform of agricultural supply side based on food security must be implemented. To adjust structure, reduce stock, reduce cost, increase quality, promote the primary, secondary and tertiary industries convergence will become the focus of China's agricultural supply side structural reform, and we can develop the ecological agriculture, improve the competitiveness of the grain market in price and quality, to ensure food security for the nation

Study on the Reform of Agricultural Supply Side Based on Food Security

In December 2015, the Central Rural Work Conference put forward the structural reform of agricultural supply side, to ensure the national food security. At present, China's grain production is increasing, the supply and demand structure of grain market is not balanced, and the ineffective supply due to the lack of market supply and demand has caused the problem of structural surplus and structural shortage. And price and quality difference of domestic and international grain is obvious, and the agricultural products in China are overstock, so the reform of agricultural supply side based on food security must be implemented. To adjust structure, reduce stock, reduce cost, increase quality, promote the primary, secondary and tertiary industries convergence will become the focus of China's agricultural supply side structural reform, and we can develop the ecological agriculture, improve the competitiveness of the grain market in price and quality, to ensure food security for the nation