Tunable SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Si-based nanostructures

We model the formation of a nanoscale potential well with quantum wires on the semiconductor surface near the SiO₂/Si interface owing to a special charge distribution in the oxide. We consider an SiO₂/Si structure in the form of a cylindrical substrate covered with a coaxial oxide layer. The charge distribution in the oxide is taken to have the form of charged circular rings of finite thickness, coaxial with the cylindrical substrate. The parameters of the quantum wires are analyzed in relation to the charge distribution and density. Reducing the separation between two charged rings decreases the width of the quantum wires produced on the semiconductor surface and increases their depth.     

Discounting future green: Money versus the environment.

In 3 studies, participants made choices between hypothetical financial, environmental, and health gains and losses that took effect either immediately or with a delay of 1 or 10 years. In all 3 domains, choices indicated that gains were discounted more than losses. There were no significant differences in the discounting of monetary and environmental outcomes, but health gains were discounted more and health losses were discounted less than gains or losses in the other 2 domains. Correlations between implicit discount rates for these different choices suggest that discount rates are influenced more by the valence of outcomes (gains vs. losses) than by domain (money, environment, or health). Overall, results indicate that when controlling as many factors as possible, at short to medium delays, environmental outcomes are discounted in a similar way to financial outcomes, which is good news for researchers and policy makers alike. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

ATWS analysis for PWR using the coupled code system DYN3D/ATHLET

The ATWS transient “Loss of main feed water supply” in a generic four-loop PWR at the nominal power of 3750 MW was analyzed using the coupled code system DYN3D/ATHLET. A variation of the MOX-fuel-assembly portion in the core has an effect on the reactivity coefficients of the fuel temperature and the moderator density. These two parameters mainly influence the behaviour of the coolant pressure, which is safety-relevant. It has been demonstrated that the pressure maximum decreases with an increasing portion of MOX. For all core loadings considered, both primary-circuit mechanical integrity and sufficient core cooling are guaranteed.     

A MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR MILD HYDROCRACKING:KINETICS AND PRODUCT YIELDS FROM A CRUDE OIL BLEND IN LIGHT GAS OIL OVER HYDROTREATING CATALYST.

Abstract

Mild hydrocracking of 30% crude oil (Indian Crude oil.North Gujarat base)solution in light gas oil is carried out over a commercial hydrotreating catalyst at a temperature range of 300–450°c and pressure of 6. 8–20.OMpa in laboratory reactor. About 30 to 60% of the long residue (365° c+ cut) in the solution is converted to light distillates.

A mathematical model has been developed to predict the yields of products.     

Impact of podcasting on student motivation in the online learning environment

Researchers investigated the impact of podcasting on student motivation in the online environment during fall 2008 and spring 2009. Data were collected from students enrolled in fourteen online courses at a research university in the United States. One hundred and ninety-one students completed a modified version of the Instructional Materials Motivation Survey (Keller, 2006); it has four subscales: attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction. Strong positive relationships between all subscales were detected. Results indicate students were moderately motivated by the use of podcasts in their online courses. Statistically significant differences in student motivation based on gender, class standing, and prior online learning experience were found. Benefits of using podcasts and recommendations for improvement of the multimedia files were offered by users.     

High-pressure magnetic phase transition and galvanomagnetic effects in the high-temperature ferromagnet <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-Cd<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>GeAs<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The ferromagnetic semiconductor Cd_0.7Mn_0.3GeAs₂ undergoes a high-pressure ferromagnetic-to-antiferromagnetic phase transition. We have studied this transition at different temperatures. From magnetic-field dependences of the Hall resistance measured at different temperatures, we have derived the normal and anomalous Hall coefficients of the material as functions of temperature. Its transverse magnetoresistance changes from positive to negative near the ferromagnetic-to-antiferromagnetic phase transition.     

Mild and severe udder cleft dermatitis—Prevalence and risk factors in Swedish dairy herds

Udder cleft dermatitis (UCD) is an inflammatory skin condition affecting the anterior parts of the udder of dairy cows. The lesions may present as mild or severe skin lesions and have been associated with mastitis and digital dermatitis. The full etiology and pathogenesis are not understood and no large-scale studies have investigated prevalence and risk factors. Therefore, the main objectives of the study were to investigate the prevalence of mild and severe UCD in Swedish dairy herds and to identify risk factors associated with such lesions. We also wanted to investigate risk factors for all cases of UCD and to determine whether UCD increases the risk for mastitis and culling. A random sample of 100 freestall dairy herds were included in the study, and each herd was visited once. Cows were registered as having no, mild, or severe UCD. Additional cow and herd data were obtained via observations, interviews, and the Swedish Official Milk Recording Scheme. The data were analyzed using logistic regression models to identify risk factors for mild and severe UCD. In total, data from 3,479 cows in 99 herds were analyzed. The prevalence of mild and severe UCD was 19 and 9%, respectively. Lesions were found in 98 of 99 herds but the within-herd prevalence of mild (0–43%) and severe (0–33%) UCD varied notably between herds. Breed (Swedish Red compared with Swedish Holstein), certain udder conformation traits, and higher parity were risk factors associated with increased risk of UCD. In addition, cows with hock lesions and cows in herds with high incidence of culling due to hoof and leg diseases had a higher risk for mild UCD. More days in milk and high milk yield were cow-related risk factors associated with severe UCD. Three housing-related factors (shorter cubicles, mattress as cubicle base, and cubicles installed before 2001 compared with 2001–2005), a high incidence of veterinary-treated clinical mastitis and culling due to udder diseases, and a low incidence of culling of first-parity cows in early lactation were herd-related risk factors associated with increased risk for severe UCD. In addition, cows in herds with a high proportion of heifers older than 17 mo that were not inseminated were associated with lower risk of all UCD. Finally, UCD was not associated with the outcomes milk somatic cell count, veterinary-treated clinical mastitis, or culling in the multivariable analyses. The etiology of UCD is most likely multifactorial, involving udder conformation traits and other cow-related risk factors as well as herd-related risk factors. The high prevalence of severe UCD lesions in Swedish dairy cows emphasizes the need for preventive measures and efficient treatments.     

Influence of threshold stress on the superplastic shaping of a circular membrane

The use of superplastic shaping in the manufacture of hollow components is considered. The influence of the threshold stress on the basic shaping parameters is studied.