Appearance Potential Spectroscopy of Solid Surfaces

Among the techniques utilized for the study of unfilled density of states above the Fermi level in a system, appearance potential spectroscopy (APS) has emerged as one of the simplest. Some review papers on APS have appeared in the last decade. Since then APS has been applied to several interesting systems, the studies of which have been limited by other experimental techniques available. This paper reviews some of these applications of APS. We discuss briefly the one-electron theory describing the APS process and outline the basic experimental set-ups used by workers in this field. We then survey some important applications of this technique to simple, as well as, multi-component systems. The results of the applications cited are compared with those from other techniques wherever available. The electronic structure of transition metals, rare earths and their intermetallics as obtained from APS spectra are discussed. The phenomena of adsorption and fine structure which are dependent on the surface sensitivity of APS are also dealt with by including some interesting applications. Finally, we take into account the strengths and limitations of this technique and outline the prospects of this spectroscopy in attaining its importance among the various surface spectroscopies

Radar Cross-section Measurement Techniques

Radar cross-section (RCS) is an important study parameter for defence applications specially dealing with airborne weapon system. The RCS parameter guides the detection range for a target and is therefore studied to understand the effectiveness of a weapon system. It is not only important to understand the RCS characteristics of a target but also to look into the diagnostic mode of study where factors contributing to a particular RCS values are studied. This further opens up subject like RCS suppression and stealth. The paper discusses the RCS principle, control, and need of measurements. Classification of RCS in terms of popular usage is explained with detailed theory of RF imaging and inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR). The various types of RCS measurement ranges are explained with brief discussion on outdoor RCS measurement range. The RCS calibration plays a critical role in referencing the measurement to absolute values and has been described.The RCS facility at Reseach Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, is explained with some details of different activities that are carried out including RAM evaluation, scale model testing, and diagnostic imaging.Defence Science Journal, 2010, 60(2), pp.204-212, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.60.34

Anatomical variations and bilateral symmetry of roots and root canal system of mandibular first permanent molars in Saudi Arabian population utilizing cone- beam computed tomography

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the anatomical variations of the roots and root canal system, and to determine the symmetry between right and left sides of mandibular first permanent molars in Saudi Arabian population using images derived from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Methods: The CBCT scans (with the following parameters: FOV 170 × 120 mm, 90 Kv, 5–8 mA, 17.5 s exposure time and 0.25 mm voxel size) were retrieved from the database and axial, coronal and sagittal sections of mandibular first molars were examined. The number of roots, canals and type of canal configuration based on Vertucci's classification were recorded. Bilateral symmetry between right and left side of the same individuals and differences between genders were investigated. Results: Out of 174 mandibular first molars, 97.1% were two rooted and 2.9% were three rooted (distolingual root). In regards to the number of canals, 73% had three, 25.3% had four and 1.7% had two root canals. In teeth with four root canals, 90.9% of the extra canal was in the distal root, while 9.1% in the extra distolingual root. The most common canal configuration in mesial and distal root were type IV (64.9%) and type I (77%), respectively. Symmetrical analysis revealed 100% symmetry in number of roots and 56.4% in number of canals between right and left teeth in the same individual. Conclusions: Within the limitation of this study, wide range of canals configurations were noted in mandibular first molars among the Saudi Arabian population. The prevalence of three rooted mandibular first molars was relatively low. Three canals were most commonly seen in mandibular first molars. Bilateral symmetry was varied in number of canals and canals configurations, which could be of clinical significance while performing root canal treatment on both side mandibular first permanent molars

Auto-personalization: Theory, practice and cross-platform implementation

In an increasing digital society, access to information and communication technologies (ICT) is no longer just helpful but has become a necessity. However, the human interfaces appearing on these ICT (and increasingly, even common household products) are beyond of the abilities of many people with disability, digital literacy, or aging related limitations. Access to these ICT is essential to these individuals yet it is not possible to create an interface that is usable by all. This paper introduces a new approach to auto-personalization that is based on the development of the Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure (GPII). The GPII is a new international collaborative effort between users, developers and industry to build a sustainable infrastructure to make access to all digital technologies technically and economically possible, including access by users who are unable to use or understand today�s technologies. Based on a one-size-fits-one approach, the GPII uses auto-adapting mainstream interfaces, and ubiquitous access to assistive technologies when mainstream interfaces cannot adapt enough, to provide each user with the interface they need. The GPII has three main components: a mechanism to allow individuals to easily discover which interface variations they need and then store it in a secure way on a token or in the cloud; a mechanism to allow them to use these stored needs and preferences to automatically adapt the interfaces on the digital technologies they encounter, anywhere and anytime; and a resource for developers (mainstream and assistive technology) providing the information and tools required to develop, disseminate, and support new access solutions more simply, more quickly, and at lower cost

Complete TcT_c suppression and N\'eel triplets-mediated exchange in antiferromagnet-superconductor-antiferromagnet trilayers

An antiferromagnetic insulator (AFI) bearing a compensated interface to an adjacent conventional superconductor (S) has recently been predicted to generate N\'eel triplet Cooper pairs, whose amplitude alternates sign in space. Here, we theoretically demonstrate that such N\'eel triplets enable control of the superconducting critical temperature in an S layer via the angle between the N\'eel vectors of two enclosing AFI layers. This angle dependence changes sign with the number of S monolayers providing a distinct signature of the N\'eel triplets. Furthermore, we show that the latter mediate a similarly distinct exchange interaction between the two AFIs' N\'eel vectors.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Multiple Impact of Integrated Watershed Management in Low Rainfall Semi-Arid Region: A Case Study from Eastern Rajasthan, India

The agriculture in low rainfall areas of eastern Rajasthan, India is characterized by high risks from drought, degraded natural resources and pervasive poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition. In this region, water is the main limiting factor for upgrading rainfed agriculture. For such areas integrated watershed management is recognized as a potential approach for agriculture growth and rehabilitation of fragile and degraded lands. At Gokulpura-Goverdhanpura village in Bundi eastern Rajasthan, India an integrated watershed project was implemented using the holistic systems approach. This paper discusses the impacts of this watershed program on bio-physical, socio-economic, environmental and ecological parameters. Results indicate that due to watershed interventions the groundwater availability has substantially increased which brought changes in cropping patterns with high value crops. Significant increases in irrigated area, cropping intensity along with diversification of crops from traditional to commercial cash crops were recorded. The watershed program also significantly improved the socio-economic status of the watershed community. It has increased the income and reduced poverty of the people in the watershed. The watershed interventions generated good employment opportunities and significantly reduced the migration of both skilled and unskilled labor from the watershed village to urban areas. It has also improved the environmental quality and ecological status in the watershed. The watershed interventions increased the vegetative index or greenery, reduced runoff, soil loss, and land degradations and improved the bio-diversity in fragile ecosystems. Overall, the integrated watershed program at Gokulpura-Goverdhanpura provided resilience by ensuring continued and sustainable multiple outputs, besides soil and water conservation and other positive environmental effects

State-of-the-art in stock prediction techniques

ABSTRACT: Stock markets are affected by many uncertainties and interrelated economic and political factors at both local and global levels. The key to successful stock market forecasting is achieving best results with minimum required input data. To determine the set of relevant factors for making accurate predictions is a complicated task and so regular stock market analysis is very essential. More specifically, the stock market's movements are analyzed and predicted in order to retrieve knowledge that could guide investors on when to buy and sell. It will also help the investor to make money through his investment in the stock market. This paper surveys large number of resources from research papers, web-sources, company reports and other available sources

EXAFS study of intermetallics of the type RGe<SUB>2</SUB> (R=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Y) Part I: determination of Ge-Ge distances

A study of the EXAFS associated with the K x-ray absorption discontinuity of germanium in pure germanium and in the rare-earth germanides RGe2 (where R=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Y) has been carried out. The Ge-Ge distances have been obtained in these compounds. Considering the phase to the RGe2 system, the bond lengths in these compounds have been determined. The values obtained by us for the RGe2 compounds (R=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy and Y) agree with those obtained earlier by crystallographic methods. The bond lengths for the compounds TbGe2, HoGe2 and ErGe2 are also being reported

Mitophagy and the therapeutic clearance of damaged mitochondria for neuroprotection

Mitochondria are the foremost producers of the cellular energy currency ATP. They are also a significant source of reactive oxygen species and an important buffer of intracellular calcium. Mitochondrial retrograde signals regulate energy homeostasis and pro-survival elements whereas anterograde stimuli can trigger programmed cell death. Maintenance of a healthy, functional mitochondria network is therefore essential, and several mechanisms of mitochondrial quality control have been described. Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to several neurodegenerative conditions including Parkinson, and Huntingdon diseases as well as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Understanding the mechanisms governing mitochondrial quality control may reveal novel strategies for pharmacological intervention and disease therapy