Quantum line defects and refined BPS spectra

Letters in Mathematical Physics - In this note, we study refined BPS invariants associated with certain quantum line defects in quantum field theories of class $${{\mathcal {S}}}$$. Such defects...     

Thermodynamic and crystallographic properties of REPd intermetallic compounds

REPd phases have been extensively studied both by thermal, crystallographic, thermodynamic and micrographic methods. As a result of this investigation a possible sequence of structures is proposed which is correlated with the thermal and thermodynamic data.Europium is a divalent rare earth in EuPd while ytterbium in YbPd seems to be present with certain, fixed percentage of atoms in the trivalent state.     

Dynamic differential calorimetry of intermetallic compounds: III. Heats of formation,heats and entropies of fusion of REIn3 and RETl3 compounds

Dynamic differential calorimetry has been employed to evaluate the heats of formation, heats and entropies of fusion of REIn₃ and RETl₃ compounds. The results obtained have been estimated to be corrected to within ±5–6%. The general trend, for both these series, is a decrease in the heat of formation from La to Lu which is correlated with the magnitude of the lanthanide contraction in these compounds. A simple correlation has been found between the heats of formation of REX₃ compounds and the ionic radii of the elements involved.     

Quality-based model for Life Sciences research guidelines

Nowadays, the requirement to define adequate standards and to identify and validate general guidelines for scientific activity is becoming increasingly apparent also in non-regulated scientific research. Guidelines are fundamental tools to provide valid indications for proper conduct in a research laboratory, the correct use of equipment and procedures, as well as for aligning and standardizing the procedures used in different scientific contexts. The identification, dissemination and application of common guidelines can improve significantly the reproducibility of the scientific results and the exchange of materials and data in the context of scientific consortia, comprising also industrial partners and meta-analysis projects. A Quality and Project Management OpenLab research network was formed in 2012 to develop and apply Total Quality Management models to Life Sciences research laboratories. One of the main tasks of the network has been the definition of a model for the drafting of guidelines, firmly based on quality principles and documentation management. The outcome is an operational flow describing all the phases of the process, which has been validated by four different drafting groups through the production of 13 guidelines ranging from research activity to equipment and facility management. Different institutes of the National Research Council are currently following these guidelines; some of them have also been used to define the procedures included in a certified Quality Management System for a research laboratory. Our experience shows that the model for guidelines we have developed makes drafting guidelines easier and more immediate, and significantly, it is applicable to different scientific contexts and disciplines, including both non-regulated research and technology transfer-oriented research, and also the Quality Management System of a scientific laboratory.     

High temperature heat capacity of the LaSn3 and CeSn3 compounds

The high temperature heat capacities of LaSn₃ compound and CeSn₃ intermediate valence compound have been obtained from enthalpic contents measurements, using the technique of drop calorimetry in the 400–1200 K temperature range.The heat capacity behaviour of CeSn₃ has been compared with that of LaSn₃ and the quantitative difference between the two trends is explained in terms of residual promotional energy of the 4? electron of Ce to the conduction band.