Flux Jumps and H-T Diagram of Instability for MgB2

We present a study of magneto-thermal instabilities in polycrystalline MgB₂ superconductor, by magnetic hysteresis loop measurements and by investigations of magnetic flux dynamics with a miniature Hall probe. Temperature and magnetic field ranges where the flux jumps may be observed have been determined. On the basis of measurements of the magnetic flux dynamics, an average magnetic diffusivity describing the process of the flux jump is estimated. This parameter is compared with the thermal and magnetic diffusivities calculated on the basis of available data for thermal conductivity, heat capacity and resistivity. It is shown that the estimated value of the field of the first flux jump is influenced significantly by the field dependence of specific heat. In order to explain the observed phenomenon, the temperature reached by the sample during the flux jump at different magnetic fields is calculated.     

hTERT-Driven Immortalization of RDEB Fibroblast and Keratinocyte Cell Lines Followed by Cre-Mediated Transgene Elimination

The recessive form of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a crippling disease caused by impairments in the junctions of the dermis and the basement membrane of the epidermis. Using ectopic expression of hTERT/hTERT + BMI-1 in primary cells, we developed expansible cultures of RDEB fibroblasts and keratinocytes. We showed that they display the properties of their founders, including morphology, contraction ability and expression of the respective specific markers including reduced secretion of type VII collagen (C7). The immortalized keratinocytes retained normal stratification in 3D skin equivalents. The comparison of secreted protein patterns from immortalized RDEB and healthy keratinocytes revealed the differences in the contents of the extracellular matrix that were earlier observed specifically for RDEB. We demonstrated the possibility to reverse the genotype of immortalized cells to the state closer to the progenitors by the Cre-dependent hTERT switch off. Increased β-galactosidase activity and reduced proliferation of fibroblasts were shown after splitting out of transgenes. We anticipate our cell lines to be tractable models for studying RDEB from the level of single-cell changes to the evaluation of 3D skin equivalents. Our approach permits the creation of standardized and expandable models of RDEB that can be compared with the models based on primary cell cultures.     

Algorithms for Quantum Branching Programs Based on Fingerprinting

In the paper, we develop a method for constructing quantum algorithms for computing Boolean functions by quantum ordered read-once branching programs (quantum OBDDs). Our method is based on ˉngerprinting technique and representation of Boolean functions by their characteristic polynomials. We use circuit notation for branching programs for desired algorithms presentation. For several known functions our approach provides optimal QOBDDs. Namely we consider such functions as MODm, EQn, Palindromen, and PERMn (testing whether given Boolean matrix is the Permutation Matrix). We also propose a generalization of our method and apply it to the Boolean variant of the Hidden Subgroup Problem.     

Novel thermal barrier coatings that are resistant to high-temperature attack by glassy deposits

Airborne sand particles that deposit on thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) in gas-turbine engines melt and form calcium–magnesium–aluminosilicate (CMAS) glass, which attacks the TBCs. A new approach for mitigating CMAS attack on TBCs is presented, where up to 20 mol.% Al₂O₃ and 5 mol.% TiO₂ in the form of a solid solution is incorporated into Y₂O₃-stabilized ZrO₂ (YSZ) TBCs. The fabrication of such TBCs with engineered chemistries is made possible by the solution-precursor plasma spray (SPPS) process, which is uniquely suited for depositing coatings of metastable ceramics with extended solid-solubilities. Here, the TBC serves as a reservoir of Al and Ti solutes, which are incorporated into the molten CMAS glass that is in contact with the TBC. This results in the crystallization of the CMAS glass and the attendant arrest of the penetrating CMAS front. This approach could also be used to mitigate attack by other types of foreign deposits (salt, ash, and contaminants) on TBCs.     

Enumeration of finite monomial orderings and combinatorics of universal Gröbner bases

The goal of this work is to analyze various classes of finite and total monomial orderings. The concept of monomial ordering plays the key role in the theory of Gröbner bases: every basis is determined by a certain ordering. At the same time, in order to define a Gröbner basis, it is not necessary to know ordering of all monomials. Instead, it is sufficient to know only a finite interval of the given ordering. We consider combinatorics of finite monomial orderings and its relationship with cells of a universal Gröbner basis. For every considered class of orderings (weakly admissible, convex, and admissible), an algorithm for enumerating finite orderings is discussed and combinatorial integer sequences are obtained. An algorithm for computing all minimal finite orderings for an arbitrary Gröbner basis that completely determine this basis is presented. The paper presents also an algorithm for computing an extended universal Gröbner basis for an arbitrary zero-dimensional ideal.     

Open-type miniature heat pipes

The hypothesis that systems of thermoregulation, similar to open-type micro heat pipes, exist in nature (soils, living organisms, plants) and in a number of technological processes (drying, thermodynamic cycles on solid adsorbents) is considered. The hydrodynamics and heat transfer in such thermoregulation systems differ from the hydrodynamics and heat transfer in classical heat pipes, since their geometrical dimensions are extremely small (dozens of microns), adhesion forces are powerful, the effect of the field of capillary and gravitational forces is significant, and strong interaction between counter-current flows of vapor and liquid takes place.Academic Scientific Complex A. V. Luikov Heat and Mass Transfer Institute, Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Minsk. Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 65, No. 1, July, 1993.     

The structure of nanocomposite 1D cationic conductor crystal@SWNT

Nanocomposites consisting of one-dimensional (1D) crystals of the cationic conductors CuI, CuBr and AgBr inside single-walled carbon nanotubes, mainly (n, 0), were obtained using the capillary technique. 1D crystal structure models were proposed based on the high resolution transmission electron microscopy performed on a FEI Titan 80-300 at 80 kV with aberration correction. According to the models and image simulations there are two modifications of 1D crystal: hexagonal close-packed bromine (iodine) anion sublattice (growth direction <001>) and 1D crystal cubic structure (growth direction <112>) compressed transversely to the nanotube (D(m) ～1.33 nm) axis. Tentatively this kind of 1D crystal can be considered as monoclinic. One modification of the anion sublattice reversibly transforms into the other inside the nanotube, probably initiated by electron beam heating. As demonstrated by micrographs, copper or silver cations can occupy octahedral positions or are statistically distributed across two tetrahedral positions. A 1DAgBr@SWNT (18, 0; 19, 0) pseudoperiodic 'lattice distortion' is revealed resulting from convolution of the nanotube wall function image with 1D cubic crystal function image.     

Superconducting UCN Polarizer for a New EDM Spectrometer

A test experiment has shown that the number of ultracold neutrons (UCN) of one polarization state, transmitted through a 100 μm Al foil when placed in a 5 T magnetic field, is greater by 3.8 times. The increased transmission is due to the higher velocity of the UCN passing through the foil.     

Energy Absorption by a Single Abrikosov’s Vortex in NbTi and YBaCuO Superconductors

The calculations of the absorption energy and the Q-factor of vibration of a vortex line under the effect of an external uniform harmonic force have been presented. The line tension of the vortex line and its effective mass, Magnus force, pinning force, and viscosity force were included in the equation of the dynamics. Two peaks of absorption in accordance with two modes of the oscillation spectrum were observed. The first peak of absorption is a result of flux pinning, which coincides with the De Gennes–Matricon solution in some limits. The second (high-frequency) peak is a result of a novel mode related to the effective mass of a vortex line. Temperature dependencies of absorption peaks were calculated for the NbTi and YBaCuO superconductors for orientations H∥c and H⊥c. The resonant frequency of the resonance peaks of absorption decreases with an increase in temperature. Some other peculiarities of the oscillating dynamics of the vortex line were discussed.     

Layer-by-layer composition and structure of silicon subjected to combined gallium and nitrogen ion implantation for the ion synthesis of gallium nitride

The composition and structure of silicon surface layers subjected to combined gallium and nitrogen ion implantation with subsequent annealing have been studied by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering, electron spin resonance, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. A slight redistribution of the implanted atoms before annealing and their substantial migration towards the surface during annealing depending on the sequence of implantations are observed. It is found that about 2% of atoms of the implanted layer are replaced with gallium bonded to nitrogen; however, it is impossible to detect the gallium-nitride phase. At the same time, gallium-enriched inclusions containing ～25 at % of gallium are detected as candidates for the further synthesis of gallium-nitride inclusions.