Transmission phase lapses at zero energy in graphene quantum dots

We address theoretically the electronic transport through graphene quantum dots with the emphasis on the transmission phase. Analytical and numerical results are presented regarding the existence – or not – of a π lapse of the transmittance phase (and, consequentially, a Fano zero in the transmittance) at the charge neutrality point. A simple universal criterium is found, the phase lapses being always present if the contact sites belong to the same sub‐lattice. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Vibrating Portable Machine-Tools Acting on Human Operator

This paper will be a short presentation of the specialized literature and international standards about the importance of vibration action of portable machine tools on human body and particularly on the hand-arm system. Exposure to harmful vibrations can lead to health problems and disorders, especially in the upper joints and dorsal region of the human body. A detailed understanding of the undesirable effects of vibration on the human body is essential to achieve administrative and technical prevention. In modern times, vibration studies become more frequent, decisive for the many machines, vehicles and construction. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Congruences for modular forms of weights two and four

We prove a conjecture of Calegari and Stein regarding mod p congruences between modular forms of weight four and the derivatives of modular forms of weight two.     

Measurement-induced decoherence in electronic interferometry at nanoscale

We introduce a theoretical formalism describing a wide class of ‘Which Path’ experiments in mesoscopic/nanoscopic transport. The physical system involves a mesoscopic interferometer (e.g. an Aharonov-Bohm ring with embedded dots or a side-coupled quantum dot) which is electrostatically coupled to a nearby quantum point constriction. Due to the charge sensing effect the latter acts as a charge detector. Therefore the interference pattern can be monitored indirectly by looking at the current characteristics of the detector as shown in the experimental work of Buks et al. [E. Buks, R. Schuster, M. Heiblum, D. Mahalu, V. Umansky, Nature (London) 391 (1998) 871]. We use the non-equilibrium Green-Keldysh formalism and a second order perturbative treatment of the Coulomb interaction in order to compute the relevant transport properties. It is shown that in the presence of the Coulomb interaction the current through the detector exhibits oscillations as a function of the magnetic field applied on a single-dot AB interferometer. We also discuss the dependence of the visibility of the Aharonov-Bohm oscillations on the gate potential applied to the dot.     

Development of New Efficient Adsorbent by Functionalization of Mg3Al-LDH with Methyl Trialkyl Ammonium Chloride Ionic Liquid

The present paper describes a new way of obtaining an efficient adsorbent material by functionalization of Mg₃Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) with methyl trialkyl ammonium chloride-ionic liquid (IL) using two methods: ultrasound and cosynthesis. Layered double hydroxides are good solid support for the functionalization with ionic liquids due to their well-ordered structure. The immobilization of the ILs in suitable solid supports combine the advantages of the ILs with the properties of the solid supports bringing more benefits such as use of lower quantity of ILs and avoiding of ILs loss in the aqua phase which overall decrease the treatment costs. In case of ultrasound method of functionalization is assured a uniform distribution of IL on the solid surface, but through immobilization by cosynthesis due to the tunable properties of LDH, is assured an intercalation of the ILs between the LDH layers. This fact was highlighted by the X-ray diffraction (RXD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of the obtained adsorbent. The added value brought by the functionalization of Mg₃Al with the studied IL was underlined by the adsorption studies conducted in the treatment process of water with diclofenac content. Kinetic, thermodynamic, and equilibrium studies were performed. DCF adsorption onto the studied materials correspond to a chemisorption, the pseudo-second-order kinetic model describing the most accurately the experimental data. DCF adsorption onto the studied materials occurs as a heterogeneous process, with the experimental data fitting best with the SIPS isotherm. The sample obtained through cosynthesis developed a maximum adsorption capacity of 648 mg/g.     

Market efficiency of the Post Communist East European stock markets

The stock markets from Post Communist East-European Countries are still considered highly speculative. For this reason, the previously performed tests often infirmed the efficient market hypothesis. However, especially in the past years, different studies revealed an improvement in the level of efficiency. In this context, our paper has tested the predictability of returns based on past records (as a proxy for the weak-form efficiency) for the market index and the most important stocks of 20 East European former communist countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine, for the period January 2008–December 2010, a period of financial crisis for most of these countries. Various methods for testing were used (unit root tests, runs test, variance ratio test, filter rules test and the January Effect). The tests have revealed that for some assets the efficient market hypothesis cannot be rejected. However, the results have shown that there are serious doubts concerning the stock market efficiency for all the countries in the analyzed period. Moreover, heterogeneity between the results for different countries was revealed. A higher level of market efficiency can suggest to decision-makers the use of passive portfolio management techniques while a lower level of efficiency implies the use of active portfolio management instruments.