The blue bronze Tl0.30MoO3 structure and physical properties

Crystals of the so-called blue bronze Tl_0.30MoO₃ were prepared by tempering molten mixtures. The structure was refined in the space group C2/m from 2171 reflections corrected for absorption. The R and R_w factors obtained from the last refinement cycle are 0.030 and 0.036 respectively for 114 refined parameters. The Zachariasen method enabled the 4d distribution over the three independent sites Mo1, Mo2 and Mo3 to be determined and gave 16.6 %, 39.7 % and 43.7 % respectively.For each octahedron a close correlation appears between the number of shared edges, the formal molybdenum charge and its eccentricity within the polyhedron. It is found that the molybdenum Mo1 has the highest formal charge ; this site does not seem to participate in the electrical conductivity which takes place mainly in the slabs thanks to the molybdenum sites Mo2 and Mo3 which represent 83.4 % of the electron density.Tl_0.30MoO₃ shows a metal-to-semiconductor transition at 185 K, probably of Peierls type. We propose that the non-linear effects and metastability phenomena observed below 180 K, in the non-ohmic regime are very likely due to the depinning of a charge density wave, as it has been found in the blue bronze K_0.30MoO₃     

Experimental and Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Tribochemical Reactions with ZDDP: Zinc Phosphate–Iron Oxide Reaction

Zinc phosphate glass is considered to be the main constituent of tribofilms generated under boundary lubrication with zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), a well-known antiwear additive. The reaction occurring during friction between zinc phosphate glasses and steel native iron oxide layer is investigated by both an experimental approach and by Molecular Dynamics simulations (MD). The importance of this “tribochemical” reaction in the general ZDDP antiwear process is discussed.     

Numerical Evaluation of Grouting Scenarios for Reducing Water Inflows from Major Faults in Underground Excavations

Mine Water and the Environment - Water inflows through fracture networks are a major economic and safety issue in underground mines. Although pre-grouting of pilot holes during mine development...     

Oxygen saturation-dependent effects on blood transverse relaxation at low fields

Objective

Blood oxygenation can be measured using magnetic resonance using the paramagnetic effect of deoxy-haemoglobin, which decreases the \(\textit{T}_{2}\) relaxation time of blood. This \(\textit{T}_{2}\) contrast has been well characterised at the \(\textit{B}_{{0}}\) fields used in MRI (1.5 T and above). However, few studies have characterised this effect at lower magnetic fields. Here, the feasibility of blood oximetry at low field based on \(\textit{T}_{2}\) changes that are within a physiological relevant range is explored. This study could be used for specifying requirements for construction of a monitoring device based on low field permanent magnet systems.

Methods

A continuous flow circuit was used to control parameters such as oxygen saturation and temperature in a sample of blood. It flowed through a variable field magnet, where CPMG experiments were performed to measure its \(\textit{T}_{2}\). In addition, the oxygen saturation was monitored by an optical sensor for comparison with the \(\textit{T}_{2}\) changes.

Results

These results show that at low \(\textit{B}_{{0}}\) fields, the change in blood \(\textit{T}_{2}\) due to oxygenation is small, but still detectable. The data measured at low fields are also in agreement with theoretical models for the oxy-deoxy \(\textit{T}_{2}\) effect.

Conclusion

\(\textit{T}_{2}\) changes in blood due to oxygenation were observed at fields as low as 0.1 T. These results suggest that low field NMR relaxometry devices around 0.3 T could be designed to detect changes in blood oxygenation.

     

Examining the Effectiveness of Gamification in Human Computation

Within the human computation paradigm, gamification is increasingly gaining interest. This is because an enjoyable experience generated by game features can be a powerful approach to attract participants. Although potentially useful, little research has been conducted into understanding the effectiveness of gamification in human computation. In this experimental study, we operationalized effectiveness as perceived engagement and user acceptance and examined it by comparing the performance of a gamified human computation system against a non-gamified version. We also investigate the determinants of acceptance and how their effects differ between these two systems. Analysis of our data found that participants experienced more engagement and showed higher behavioral intentions toward the gamified system. Moreover, perceived output quality and perceived engagement were significant determinants of acceptance of the gamified system. In contrast, determinants for acceptance of the non-gamified system were perceived output quality and perceived usability.     

Crossing textual and visual content in different application scenarios

This paper deals with multimedia information access. We propose two new approaches for hybrid text-image information processing that can be straightforwardly generalized to the more general multimodal scenario. Both approaches fall in the trans-media pseudo-relevance feedback category. Our first method proposes using a mixture model of the aggregate components, considering them as a single relevance concept. In our second approach, we define trans-media similarities as an aggregation of monomodal similarities between the elements of the aggregate and the new multimodal object. We also introduce the monomodal similarity measures for text and images that serve as basic components for both proposed trans-media similarities. We show how one can frame a large variety of problem in order to address them with the proposed techniques: image annotation or captioning, text illustration and multimedia retrieval and clustering. Finally, we present how these methods can be integrated in two applications: a travel blog assistant system and a tool for browsing the Wikipedia taking into account the multimedia nature of its content.

Ground state of the time-independent Gross-Pitaevskii equation

We present a suite of programs to determine the ground state of the time-independent Gross-Pitaevskii equation, used in the simulation of Bose-Einstein condensates. The calculation is based on the Optimal Damping Algorithm, ensuring a fast convergence to the true ground state. Versions are given for the one-, two-, and three-dimensional equation, using either a spectral method, well suited for harmonic trapping potentials, or a spatial grid.

Program summary

Program title: GPODACatalogue identifier: ADZN_v1_0Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/ADZN_v1_0.htmlProgram obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. IrelandLicensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.htmlNo. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 5339No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 19 426Distribution format: tar.gzProgramming language: Fortran 90Computer: ANY (Compilers under which the program has been tested: Absoft Pro Fortran, The Portland Group Fortran 90/95 compiler, Intel Fortran Compiler)RAM: From <1 MB in 1D to ∼¹⁰² MB for a large 3D gridClassification: 2.7, 4.9External routines: LAPACK, BLAS, DFFTPACKNature of problem: The order parameter (or wave function) of a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) is obtained, in a mean field approximation, by the Gross-Pitaevskii equation (GPE) [F. Dalfovo, S. Giorgini, L.P. Pitaevskii, S. Stringari, Rev. Mod. Phys. 71 (1999) 463]. The GPE is a nonlinear Schrödinger-like equation, including here a confining potential. The stationary state of a BEC is obtained by finding the ground state of the time-independent GPE, i.e., the order parameter that minimizes the energy. In addition to the standard three-dimensional GPE, tight traps can lead to effective two- or even one-dimensional BECs, so the 2D and 1D GPEs are also considered.Solution method: The ground state of the time-independent of the GPE is calculated using the Optimal Damping Algorithm [E. Cancès, C. Le Bris, Int. J. Quantum Chem. 79 (2000) 82]. Two sets of programs are given, using either a spectral representation of the order parameter [C.M. Dion, E. Cancès, Phys. Rev. E 67 (2003) 046706], suitable for a (quasi) harmonic trapping potential, or by discretizing the order parameter on a spatial grid.Running time: From seconds in 1D to a few hours for large 3D grids     

Robust stabilization for uncertain time-delay systems containingsaturating actuators

A class of uncertain time-delay systems containing a saturating actuator is considered. These systems are characterized by delayed state equations (including a saturating actuator) with norm-bounded parameter uncertainty (possibly time varying) in the state and input matrices. The delay is assumed to be constant bounded but unknown. Using a Razumikhin approach for the stability of functional differential equations, upper bounds on the time delay are given such that the considered uncertain system is robustly stabilizable, in the case of constrained input, via memoryless state feedback control laws. These bounds are given in terms of solutions of appropriate finite dimensional Riccati equations