Monoclinic phase in the relaxor-based piezo-/ ferroelectric Pb(Mg1/3_{1/3}Nb2/3)O3_{2/3})O_3-PbTiO3_3 system

A ferroelectric monoclinic phase of space group $Cm$ ($M_A$ type) has been discovered in 0.65Pb(Mg$_{1/3}$Nb$_{2/3})O_3$-0.35PbTiO$_3$ by means of high resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction. It appears at room temperature in a single crystal previously poled under an electric field of 43 kV/cm applied along the pseudocubic [001] direction, in the region of the phase diagram around the morphotropic phase boundary between the rhombohedral (R3m) and the tetragonal (P4mm) phases. The monoclinic phase has lattice parameters a = 5.692 A, b = 5.679 A, c = 4.050 A and $\beta$ = $90.15^{\circ}$, with the b$_m$-axis oriented along the pseudo-cubic [110] direction . It is similar to the monoclinic phase observed in PbZr$_{1-x}$Ti$_x$O$_3$, but different from that recently found in Pb(Zn$_{1/3}$Nb$_{2/3})O_3$-PbTiO$_3$, which is of space group $Pm$ ($M_C$ type).Comment: Revised version after referees' comments. PDF file. 6 pages, 4 figures embedde

Can Machine Learning, as a RegTech Compliance Tool, lighten the Regulatory Burden for Charitable Organisations in the United Kingdom?

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to explore the extent to which machine learning can be used as solution to lighten the compliance and regulatory burden on charitable organisations in the United Kingdom. Design/methodology/approach: The subject is approached through the analysis of data, literature, and domestic and international regulation. The first part of the article summarises the extent of current regulatory obligations faced by charities, these are then, in the second part, set against the potential technological solutions provided by machine learning as at July 2021. Findings: It is suggested that charities can utilise machine learning as a smart technological solution to ease the regulatory burden they face in a growing and impactful sector. Originality: The work is original because it is the first to specifically explore how machine learning as a technological advance can assist charities in meeting the regulatory compliance challenge

An Anomalous Phase in the Relaxor Ferroelectric Pb(Zn1/3_{1/3}Nb2/3_{2/3})O3_3

X-ray diffraction studies on a Pb(Zn$_{1/3}$Nb$_{2/3}$)O$_3$ (PZN) single crystal sample show the presence of two different structures. An outer-layer exists in the outer most $\sim$ 10 to 50~$\mu$m of the crystal, and undergoes a structural phase transition at the Curie temperature $T_C\approx410$ K. The inside phase is however, very different. The lattice inside the crystal maintains a cubic unit cell, while ferroelectric polarization develops below $T_C$. The lattice parameter of the cubic unit cell remains virtually a constant, i.e., much less variations compared to that of a typical relaxor ferroelectric, in a wide temperature range of 15 K to 750 K. On the other hand, broadening of Bragg peaks and change of Bragg profile line-shapes in both longitudinal and transverse directions at $T_C$ clearly indicate a structural phase transition occurring.Comment: to be submitted for PR

Momentum Distribution of Near-Zero-Energy Photoelectrons in the Strong-Field Tunneling Ionization in the Long Wavelength Limit

We investigate the ionization dynamics of Argon atoms irradiated by an ultrashort intense laser of a wavelength up to 3100 nm, addressing the momentum distribution of the photoelectrons with near-zero-energy. We find a surprising accumulation in the momentum distribution corresponding to meV energy and a \textquotedblleft V"-like structure at the slightly larger transverse momenta. Semiclassical simulations indicate the crucial role of the Coulomb attraction between the escaping electron and the remaining ion at extremely large distance. Tracing back classical trajectories, we find the tunneling electrons born in a certain window of the field phase and transverse velocity are responsible for the striking accumulation. Our theoretical results are consistent with recent meV-resolved high-precision measurements.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Diffuse Neutron Scattering Study of Relaxor Ferroelectric (1-x)Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3(PZN-xPT)

Diffuse neutron scattering is a valuable tool to obtain information about the size and orientation of the polar nanoregions that are a characteristic feature of relaxor ferroelectrics. In this paper, we present new diffuse scattering results obtained on Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 (PZN for short) and (1-x)Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3(PZN-xPT)single crystals (with x=4.5 and 9%), around various Bragg reflections and along three symmetry directions in the [100]-[011] zone. Diffuse scattering is observed around reflections with mixed indices, (100), (011) and (300), and along transverse and diagonal directions only. No diffuse scattering is found in longitudinal scans. The diffuse scattering peaks can be fitted well with a Lorentzian function, from which a correlation length is extracted. The correlation length increases with decreasing temperatures down to the transition at Tc, first following a Curie-Weiss law, then departing from it and becoming flat at very low temperatures. These results are interpreted in terms of three temperature regions: 1) dynamic polarization fluctuations (i.e. with a finite lifetime) at high temperatures, 2) static polarization reorientations (condensation of polar nanoregions) that can still reorient as a unit (relaxor behavior) at intermediate temperatures and 3) orientational freezing of the polar nanoregions with random strain fields in pure PZN or a structural phase transition in PZN-xPT at low temperatures. The addition of PT leads to a broadening of the diffuse scattering along the diagonal ([111]) relative to the transverse ([100]) direction, indicating a change in the orientation of the polar regions. Also, with the addition of PT, the polar nanoregions condense at a higher temperature above Tc.Comment: AIP 6x9 style files, 9 pages, 5 figures, Conference-Fundamental Physics of Ferroelectrics 200

Molecular cloning and functional analysis of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor gene promoter from the Jintang black goat

A 762 bp fragment of the 5’-flanking region of the FSHR gene from the Jintang black goat was cloned. The putative initial transcript site was the A at 681 bp and there were 7 putative cis-acting elements and 3 AT-rich regions. The sequence of the FSHR promoter from the Jintang black goat is 99.34% homology to Capra hircus, 32.38% to Gallus gallus and 38.55% to mouse. It could promote the EGFP, FSHR transcription in HEK293 cells, the fluorescence intensity was weaker than the CMV promoter, but the expressed FSHR could respond to the FSH signaling with signal intensity much higher than that at 24 h. This indicated that the FSHR promoter of the Jintang black goat is a strong promoter and may be a gene-special promoter.Key words: Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor, gene promoter, Jintang black goat, molecular cloning, functional analysis