Reply on the comment on the paper "Superconducting transition in Nb nanowires fabricated using focused ion beam"

In this communication we present our response to the recent comment of A. Engel regarding our paper on FIB- fabricated Nb nanowires (see Vol. 20 (2009) Pag. 465302). After further analysis and additional experimental evidence, we conclude that our interpretation of the experimental results in light of QPS theory is still valid when compared with the alternative proximity-based model as proposed by A. Engel.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure, accepted by Nanotechnolog

A Decade of Integrated Reporting Studies: State of the Art and Future Research Implications

Purpose – Over the past decade, researchers have witnessed an exponential growth in the number of publications on IR. This paper aims to understand the state of the art of the research field and to highlight the areas where further academic research is needed, guiding developments in theory, research, policy and practices. Design/methodology/approach – The authors apply the dynamic literature review method called “Systematic Literature Network Analysis”, which combines systematic literature review and bibliographic network analysis. Furthermore, to overcome some of the limitations connected to the methodology, the authors integrate the literature with a manual content analysis of papers. Findings – IR adoption and practices and their determinants represent the most analyzed aspects of literature. Over time, attention has been paid to more specific issues, such as the relationship between IR and other disclosure mechanisms, IR quality and its assurance, the critical analysis of the IR framework and principles and difficulties in IR adoption. Although the literature on IR can be considered to be in its mature stage, many aspects are still under-researched, so there is plenty of space for future research. Originality/value – The authors propose the following main issues as subjects to be investigated in future studies: IR is not simply an evolution of sustainability reporting, but an innovative communication tool; the debate on who the recipients of value are (shareholders or stakeholders) and on what the definition of value adopted by IR is still remains an open issue; more attention should be given to the role of IR as a managerial tool, which could support strategy formation and communication, and influence internal processes of performance measurement and evaluation; what the future of IR will be in light of recent EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and new ISSB’s standards is still an open question. From a methodological perspective, little is known about structured approaches in accounting studies. The authors confirm how methodologies, such as that of this paper, may be exploited as a tool to support dynamic analysis for setting the agendas for future studies in the accounting field

Magnetic Field Probing of an SU(4) Kondo Resonance in a Single Atom Transistor

Semiconductor nano-devices have been scaled to the level that transport can be dominated by a single dopant atom. In the strong coupling case a Kondo effect is observed when one electron is bound to the atom. Here, we report on the spin as well as orbital Kondo ground state. We experimentally as well than theoretically show how we can tune a symmetry transition from a SU(4) ground state, a many body state that forms a spin as well as orbital singlet by virtual exchange with the leads, to a pure SU(2) orbital ground state, as a function of magnetic field. The small size and the s-like orbital symmetry of the ground state of the dopant, make it a model system in which the magnetic field only couples to the spin degree of freedom and allows for observation of this SU(4) to SU(2) transition.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in Physical Review Letter

Evolving neural networks for static single-position automated trading

This paper presents an approach to single-position, intraday automated trading based on a neurogenetic algorithm. An artificial neural network is evolved to provide trading signals to a simple automated trading agent. The neural network uses open, high, low, and close quotes of the selected financial instrument from the previous day, as well as a selection of the most popular technical indicators, to decide whether to take a single long or short position at market open. The position is then closed as soon as a given profit target is met or at market close. Experimental results indicate that, despite its simplicity, both in terms of input data and in terms of trading strategy, such an approach to automated trading may yield significant returns

Studying Parallel Evolutionary Algorithms: The cellular Programming Case

Parallel evolutionary algorithms, studied to some extent over the past few years, have proven empirically worthwhile—though there seems to be lacking a better understanding of their workings. In this paper we concentrate on cellular (fine-grained) models, presenting a number of statistical measures, both at the genotypic and phenotypic levels. We demonstrate the application and utility of these measures on a specific example, that of the cellular programming evolutionary algorithm, when used to evolve solutions to a hard problem in the cellular-automata domain, known as synchronization

Comment: Superconducting transition in Nb nanowires fabricated using focused ion beam

In a recent paper Tettamanzi et al (2009 Nanotechnology \bf{20} 465302) describe the fabrication of superconducting Nb nanowires using a focused ion beam. They interpret their conductivity data in the framework of thermal and quantum phase slips below $T_c$. In the following we will argue that their analysis is inappropriate and incomplete, leading to contradictory results. Instead, we propose an interpretation of the data within a SN proximity model.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure accepted in Nanotechnolog

Random Sampling and Machine Learning to Understand Good Decompositions

Motivated by its implications in the development of general purpose solvers for decomposable Mixed Integer Programs (MIP), we address a fundamental research question, that is to assess if good decomposition patterns can be consistently found by looking only at static properties of MIP input instances, or not. We adopt a data driven approach, devising a random sampling algorithm, considering a set of generic MIP base instances, and generating a large, balanced and well diversified set of decomposition patterns, that we analyze with machine learning tools. The use of both supervised and unsupervised techniques highlights interesting structures of random decompositions, as well as suggesting (under certain conditions) a positive answer to the initial question, triggering at the same time perspectives for future research. Keywords: Dantzig-Wolfe Decomposition, Machine Learning, Random Sampling

A planar Al-Si Schottky Barrier MOSFET operated at cryogenic temperatures

Schottky Barrier (SB)-MOSFET technology offers intriguing possibilities for cryogenic nano-scale devices, such as Si quantum devices and superconducting devices. We present experimental results on a novel device architecture where the gate electrode is self-aligned with the device channel and overlaps the source and drain electrodes. This facilitates a sub-5 nm gap between the source/drain and channel, and no spacers are required. At cryogenic temperatures, such devices function as p-MOS Tunnel FETs, as determined by the Schottky barrier at the Al-Si interface, and as a further advantage, fabrication processes are compatible with both CMOS and superconducting logic technology.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, minor changes from the previous version