Atomic force microscopy evidence for K domains on freshly cleaved mica

The unit cell height in the c-direction of muscovite mica is well established at 10 Å. However, we have observed steps much lower than this whilst imaging freshly cleaved mica surfaces in an atomic force microscope. The steps, 1.0±0.05 Å high, are unstable and disappear in a period of minutes after cleavage. We propose that they are due to the presence of domains of residual K⁺ ions that form two matching patchworks on the cleaved faces. Upon cleavage, they relax inwards from the bulk equilibrium position 1.6 Å above the oxygen atoms of the tetrahedral silicate. Possible mechanisms for the disappearance of the steps are discussed.     

Magnetic field effects on the magnetism of Zr3FeH5.3

Zr₃FeH_5.3 exhibits hydrogen-induced magnetism below an ordering temperatureT ₀=135 K. Comparison of three fit models for analysis of the zero field Mössbauer spectra belowT ₀ is presented. The models are based on discrete and distributed static hyperfine fields and magnetic relaxation. The response of Zr₃FeH_5.3 to an applied field of 6.9 T indicates that antiferromagnetic interactions are present with spin canting also possible.     

What is the complexity of a distributed computing system?

Distributed computing systems are becoming bigger and more complex. Although the complexity of large‐scale distributed systems has been acknowledged to be an important challenge, there has not been much work in defining or measuring system complexity. Thus, today, it is difficult to compare the complexities of different systems, or to state that one system is easier to program, to manage, or to use than another. In this article, we try to understand the factors that cause computing systems to appear very complex to people. We define different aspects of system complexity and propose metrics for measuring these aspects. We also show how these aspects affect different kinds of people—viz. developers, administrators, and end‐users. On the basis of the aspects and metrics of complexity that we identify, we propose general guidelines that can help reduce the complexity of systems. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 12: 37–45, 2007     

An Evershed type superconducting flywheel bearing

The objective of this work is to develop a bearing using high temperature superconductors (HTSs) for use in an energy storage flywheel. The experimental apparatus includes a cylindrical rotor levitated with the Evershed design in which the majority of the levitation force is provided by a permanent magnet arrangement and the stabilization of the system is achieved by HTS elements. The design characteristics and dynamics of the bearing associated with the rotor part are presented. The instrumentation measures the out of balance force and magnetomechanical stiffness associated with the rotor. A study of the rotational losses was performed using free spin down experiments associated with magnetic field variation measurements. The results are consistent with the loss being caused by hysteresis in the superconductor due to magnet inhomogeneity.     

Four contact electrical measurements on the anisotropic high-Tc superconductors: voltage reversals

We describe three mechanisms for the anomalous voltage reversals which are occasionally observed during four contact current-voltage measurements on the high temperature superconductors. Voltage reversals have been frequently observed for whiskers of the bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide (BSSCO) compounds, and we describe measurements made on high quality whiskers of the 2:2:1:2 and 2:2:2:3 phases. A simple model based on extreme anisotropy plus offset contacts can explain the gross features of four contact measurements in the ohmic flux-flow regime, but not the wealth of reversal phenomena found for the IVVI configuration in the lower temperature irreversibility region.     

Synthetic Studies on 1-Amino-1-Cyclopropane-Carboxylic Acid( Ⅰ )——The Cyclopropanation via Addition-Elimination Reactions

Various addition-elimination approaches have been explored for diastereoselective construction of 1-amino- 1-cyclopropane-carboxylic acid (ACPC) derivatives, and the desired product was obtained from a reaction of cyclo(NAc-L-Val-NAc-Gly) and methyl α-bro-moacrylate under protonic solvent.     

The ratio of K-capture to positon emission in the decay of 120Sb: Experiment and theory disagree

Recent review papers have indicated that experimental K.-capture to positon emission ratios in allowed decays disagree with theory especially for high-Z nuclei. The experimental error has never been sufficiently small to verify this with certainty. The K-capture to positon emission ratio, , in ¹²⁰Sb has been measured with an uncertainty of about 3% and found to lie about 16% lower than the most recent theoretical predictions.     

Domain effects near the order-disorder and order-order ferromagnetic transitions in Gd and Dy

The technique of transient enhancement of the ac initial susceptibility χ has been used to compare domain effects in the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition of Gd and the ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic transition of Dy. The temperature hysteresis in both χ and enhanced χ in the AF region of Dy indicates the existence of domains. The results for Dy support the suggestion that the transition from ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic order upon warming in the vicinity of the Curie temperature takes place via an intermediate, moment-bearing domain structure.