Robust quantum control by shaped pulse

Considering the problem of the control of a two-state quantum system by an external field, we establish a general and versatile method that allows the derivation of smooth pulses, suitable for ultrafast applications, that feature the properties of high-fidelity, robustness, and low area. Such shaped pulses can be viewed as a single-shot generalization of the composite pulse technique with a time-dependent phase

Learning policies through argumentation-derived evidence (extended abstract)

(c) IFAAMASPublisher PD

The Effect of Sex and Age on Selection of Weight Loss Method

The high rate of overweight and obesity in the United States has contributed to increased efforts in weight management. National Health and Nutritional Exam Survey (NHANES) data collected from 2011-2012 revealed 35% of the 6,175 survey respondents confirmed that they tried to lose weight in that time period. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether sex and age affected the selection of weight loss method. Using Chi Square analysis, NHANES data were utilized to determine if the frequency of choosing a particular weight loss method was associated with either sex or age. Predetermined age groups were: 18 to 29 years, 30 to 39 years, 40 to 49 years, 50 to 59 years, and 60 years or more. The weight loss methods were: (a) changed food/beverage consumption, (b) used prescription or nonprescription diet pills, (c) performed exercise, (d) joined a support group, (e) sought professional help, or (f) exhibited unhealthy behaviors. In the 2011-2012 NHANES data collection, 2,409 respondents indicated they tried to lose weight. Females (8.4%) used prescription or nonprescription diet pills more than males (4.8%), and joined support groups at a higher rate than males (females, 7.4%; males, 2%). The 50 to 59 and 60 years or more age groups chose prescription or nonprescription diet pills less than other age groups at 4.3% and 2.9%, respectively. Exercise participation was selected by 75.4% in the 18 to 29 age group and 48.7% in the 60 years or more age group. Unhealthy behaviors were lowest in the 60 years or more age group (12.5%), while highest in the 18 to 29 age group (18.1%). In every age group, females chose prescription or nonprescription diet pills at a higher rate than males. Males participated in exercise more than females in all age groups except the 50 to 59 age group. Females in every age group chose to join a support group more than males. Lastly, females sought professional help more often than males in all age groups except the 60 years or more age group where the sexes were the same. For health professionals to facilitate successful weight loss in individuals, sex and age should be considered. An individual’s sex or age may impact their choices and therefore outcome of weight loss

Factors Related to Earthquake Preparedness Among Child Care Professionals: Theory and Policy Implications

With increasing numbers of children enrolled in child care, the safety of the child care environment and the preparedness of personnel to prevent injuries and fatalities in the event of natural disasters becomes an important public policy issue. In this study, earthquake preparedness and its correlates were examined in 25 child care centers located in a southern California community adjacent to the San Andreaas Fault. Extensive survey, interview, and on-site observational data were collected. Findings indicated a wide range of preparedness in child care centers. Half of the child care centers lacked basic essentials required to cope in the aftermath of a major quake. Several hazards were also common: unsecured bookcases, open shelves, rolling furniture, large and unprotected windows, and heavy objects stored on high shelves. In addition, many directors had misconceptions about the role of local agencies (e.g., fire department, police, Red Cross) following an earthquake. Findings are considered in terms of risk assessment theory and implications; public policy and legislative courses of action are discussed

Interface Dipole : Effects on Threshold Voltage and Mobility for both Amorphous and Poly-crystalline Organic Field Effect Transistors

We report a detailed comparison on the role of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of dipolar molecules on the threshold voltage and charge carrier mobility of organic field-effect transistor (OFET) made of both amorphous and polycrystalline organic semiconductors. We show that the same relationship between the threshold voltage and the dipole-induced charges in the SAM holds when both types of devices are fabricated on strictly identical base substrates. Charge carrier mobilities, almost constant for amorphous OFET, are not affected by the dipole in the SAMs, while for polycrystalline OFET (pentacene) the large variation of charge carrier mobilities is related to change in the organic film structure (mostly grain size).Comment: Full paper and supporting informatio

Effect of ready-to-use-therapeutic food supplementation on the nutritional status, mortality and morbidity of children 6 to 60 months in Niger, a cluster randomized trial

Presented at the conference of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 200

Electron transport through rectifying self-assembled monolayer diodes on silicon: Fermi level pinning at the molecule-metal interface

We report the synthesis and characterization of molecular rectifying diodes on silicon using sequential grafting of self-assembled monolayers of alkyl chains bearing a pi group at their outer end (Si/sigma-pi/metal junctions). We investigate the structure-performance relationships of these molecular devices and we examine to what extent the nature of the pi end-group (change in the energy position of their molecular orbitals) drives the properties of these molecular diodes. For all the pi-groups investigated here, we observe rectification behavior. These results extend our preliminary work using phenyl and thiophene groups (S. Lenfant et al., Nano Letters 3, 741 (2003)).The experimental current-voltage curves are analyzed with a simple analytical model, from which we extract the energy position of the molecular orbital of the pi-group in resonance with the Fermi energy of the electrodes. We report the experimental studies of the band lineup in these silicon/alkyl-pi conjugated molecule/metal junctions. We conclude that Fermi level pinning at the pi-group/metal interface is mainly responsible for the observed absence of dependence of the rectification effect on the nature of the pi-groups, even though they were chosen to have significant variations in their electronic molecular orbitalsComment: To be published in J. Phys. Chem.

Negative Differential Resistance, Memory and Reconfigurable Logic Functions based on Monolayer Devices derived from Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized with Electro-polymerizable Thiophene-EDOT Units

We report on hybrid memristive devices made of a network of gold nanoparticles (10 nm diameter) functionalized by tailored 3,4(ethylenedioxy)thiophene (TEDOT) molecules, deposited between two planar electrodes with nanometer and micrometer gaps (100 nm to 10 um apart), and electropolymerized in situ to form a monolayer film of conjugated polymer with embedded gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Electrical properties of these films exhibit two interesting behaviors: (i) a NDR (negative differential resistance) behavior with a peak/valley ratio up to 17, and (ii) a memory behavior with an ON/OFF current ratio of about 1E3 to 1E4. A careful study of the switching dynamics and programming voltage window is conducted demonstrating a non-volatile memory. The data retention of the ON and OFF states is stable (tested up to 24h), well controlled by the voltage and preserved when repeating the switching cycles (800 in this study). We demonstrate reconfigurable Boolean functions in multiterminal connected NP molecule devices.Comment: Full manuscript, figures and supporting information, J. Phys. Chem. C, on line, asap (2017