Non-volatile gated variable resistor based on doped La_{2}CuO_{4} and SrTiO_{3} heterostructures

Gated variable resistors were manufactured by depositing epitaxial heterostructures of doped La_{2}CuO_{4} and SrTiO_{3} layers. Their conductance change as function of write current I and write time t followed a simple empirical law of the form {\Delta}G/G = CI^A t^B. This behavior is in agreement with ionic transport that accelerates exponentially with electrical field strength.Comment: Communicatio

Do Prices in the EMU Converge (Non-linearly)?

This paper examines the current state of price convergence amongst the eleven initial EMU member states. Special attention is given to possible changes in the convergence process during the euro cash changeover. We apply the sigma-convergence approach using both panel estimates of changes in the deterministic time trend of a coefficient of variation and stochastic kernel-density estimates. We find that convergence took place before 2000, slowed down substantially between 2000 and 2003, and resurfaced after 2003. This points to a non-linear convergence path. We show that stronger convergence is associated with periods of positive and less-dispersed output gaps across member states. There are no big differences between the results for tradables and non-tradables, indicating that Balassa-Samuelson effects are relatively weak.Prices, European Monetary Union, Sigma-convergence, Kernel-density Estimation, Balassa-Samuelson Effect

Long-Term Measurements of Sunspot Magnetic Tilt Angles

Tilt angles of close to 30,600 sunspots are determined using Mount Wilson daily averaged magnetograms taken from 1974 to 2012, and MDI/SoHO magnetograms taken from 1996 to 2010. Within a cycle, more than 90% of sunspots have a normal polarity alignment along the east-west direction following Hale's law. The median tilts increase with increasing latitude (Joy's law) at a rate of ~0.5 degree per degree of latitude. Tilt angles of spots appear largely invariant with respect to time at a given latitude, but they decrease by ~0.9degree per year on average, a trend which largely reflects Joy's law following the butterfly diagram. We find an asymmetry between the hemispheres in the mean tilt angles. On average, the tilts are greater in the southern than in the northern hemisphere for all latitude zones, and the differences increase with increasing latitude.Comment: 29 pages, 13 figures, to appear on ApJ, October 20, 2012 website: http://www2.ess.ucla.edu/~jingli/ApJ201210

Linear Optics C-Phase gate made simple

Linear optics quantum logic gates are the best tool to generate multi-photon entanglement. Simplifying a recent approach [Phys. Rev. A 65, 062324; Phys. Rev. A 66, 024308] we were able to implement the conditional phase gate with only one second order interference at a polarization dependent beam splitter, thereby significantly increasing its stability. The improved quality of the gate is evaluated by analysing its entangling capability and by performing full process tomography. The achieved results ensure that this device is well suited for implementation in various multi photon quantum information protocols.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Variable resistor made by repeated steps of epitaxial deposition and lithographic structuring of oxide layers by using wet chemical etchants

Variable resistors were constructed from epitaxial SrRuO3 (SRO), La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) and SrTiO3 layers with perovskite crystal structure. Each layer was patterned separately by lithographic methods. Optimized wet chemical etchants and several polishing steps in organic solvents allowed good epitaxy of subsequent layers, comparable to epitaxy on pristine substrates. Periodate as the oxidizing agent for SRO and iodide with ascorbic acid as the reducing agents for LSMO were used to attack these chemically resistant oxides. The final devices changed their conductance in a similar manner to previously described variable resistors that were defined with shadow masks

Maturity choice of private mortgage borrowers

This paper asks what factors influence the maturity choice of private mortgage borrowers and if the choice is rational. Using a unique data set from the German market with more than 50,000 financed projects, we find a significant influence of personal and macroeconomic factors. A high income, a low loan value, and a low value to income ratio lead to short maturities; so do economically good times with high GDP growth and low unemployment. In addition, we show that the importance of pricing variables is age dependent and declining for older borrowers. Moreover, we demonstrate that borrowers behave irrational and not according to the recommendations of models on optimal mortgage choice when choosing the maturity of their mortgage

Die "Netzgeneration". Empirische Untersuchungen zur Mediennutzung bei Jugendlichen

In diesem Kapitel wird das Konzept der "Netzgeneration" vorgestellt und kritisch beleuchtet. Im ersten Abschnitt werden die zentralen Aussagen der Verfechterinnen und Verfechter einer "Netzgeneration" dargelegt. Im zweiten Abschnitt wird die Kritik an diesem Konzept aufgeführt, mit dem zentralen Ergebnis, dass die Behauptung der Existenz einer "Netzgeneration" einer wissenschaftlichen Überprüfung nicht standhält. Das Bild der "Netzgeneration" oder sogenannter "Digitaler Eingeborener" als Bezeichnung für die heutigen Kinder und Jugendlichen wurde zwar breit rezipiert und hat den Diskurs um neue Lern- und Lehrformen stark beeinflusst, muss in seiner verallgemeinert-pauschalen Form aber als Mythos bezeichnet werden. Ein Überblick über zentrale Ergebnisse empirischer Studien zum Medien(nutzungs)verhalten von Kindern und Jugendlichen im dritten Abschnitt liefert entsprechend ein sehr viel differenzierteres Bild. Im vierten Abschnitt wird aufgezeigt, welche Konsequenzen diese Ergebnisse für das Bildungssystem allgemein und für das Lehren und Lernen mit Technologien im Besonderen haben, jenseits der Pauschalforderungen der Propagandisten und Propagandistinnen einer "Netzgeneration". Eine Aufzählung zentraler Erkenntnisse im fünften Abschnitt rundet das Kapitel ab. (DIPF/Orig.

5, 10, or 15: Maturity Choice of Private Mortgage Borrowers

This paper analyzes the factors that influence the maturity choice of private mortgage borrowers. Using a unique dataset from the German market with more than 40,000 mortgages we find a significant influence of pricing variables, especially of the relative pricing of a mortgage provider compared to the market average. In addition, we show that personal factors matter suggesting that risk averse borrowers and borrowers who suffer most from interest rate increases choose longer maturities. Finally, we show that mortgage brokers' advice is significantly influenced by their commission scheme