Aligned State Research Articles

Erratum:"Internal phase transition induced by external forces in Finsler geometric model for membranes"

In this paper, we numerically study an anisotropic shape transformation of membranes under external forces for two-dimensional triangulated surfaces on the basis of Finsler geometry. The Finsler metric is defined by using a vector field, which is the tangential component of a three-dimensional unit vector σ corresponding to the tilt or some external macromolecules on the surface of disk topology. The sigma model Hamiltonian is assumed for the tangential component of σ with the interaction coefficient λ. For large (small) λ, the surface becomes oblong (collapsed) at relatively small bending rigidity. For the intermediate λ, the surface becomes planar. Conversely, fixing the surface with the boundary of area A or with the two-point boundaries of distance L, we find that the variable σ changes from random to aligned state with increasing of A or L for the intermediate region of λ. This implies that an internal phase transition for σ is triggered not only by the thermal fluctuations, but also by external mechanical forces. We also find that the frame (string) tension shows the expected scaling behavior with respect to A∕N (L∕N) at the intermediate region of A (L) where the σ configuration changes between the disordered and ordered phases. Moreover, we find that the string tension γ at sufficiently large λ is considerably smaller than that at small λ. This phenomenon resembles the so-called soft-elasticity in the liquid crystal elastomer, which is deformed by small external tensile forces.

Common core writing and language standards and aligned state assessments: a national survey of teacher beliefs and attitudes

A random sample of 482 teachers in grades 3 through 8 from across the United States were surveyed about (a) their perceptions of the version of the Common Core writing and language standards adopted by their state and their state’s writing assessment, (b) their preparation to teach writing, and (c) their self-efficacy beliefs for teaching writing. Regardless of grade, a majority of teachers believed that the adopted standards are more rigorous than prior standards, provide clear expectations for students that can be straightforwardly translated into activities and lessons, and have pushed them to address writing more often. However, many surveyed felt the new writing and language standards are too numerous to cover, omit key aspects of writing development, and may be inappropriate for struggling writers. Moreover, most did not feel that professional development efforts have been sufficient to achieve successful implementation, and nearly one in five respondents was not familiar with the standards. The respondents were generally less sanguine regarding their state’s writing test, with elementary teachers even less positive than middle school teachers on some aspects, though nearly a third were unfamiliar with their state test. A majority believed state writing tests, though more rigorous than prior tests, fail to address important aspects of writing development, do not accommodate the needs of students with diverse abilities, and require more time than is available to prepare students. Additionally, many teachers believed professional development efforts have been insufficient to help them understand measurement properties of the assessments and how to use test data to identify students’ writing needs. Teachers who were better prepared to teach writing and who held more positive personal teaching efficacy beliefs for writing exhibited generally more positive perceptions of their state’s standards. In contrast, only teacher efficacy beliefs made a unique contribution to the survey respondents’ attitudes and beliefs about their state’s writing test.

Band alignment and defect states in amorphous GaInZnO thin films grown on SiO2/Si substrates

AbstractThe band alignment and defect states of GaInZnO thin films grown on SiO2/Si via radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering were investigated by using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy, thermally stimulated exo‐electron emission and photo‐induced current transient spectroscopy.The band gap via reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy was 3.2 eV. The defect states via photo‐induced current transient spectroscopy and thermally stimulated exo‐electron emission were at 0.24, 0.53, 1.69 and 2.01 eV below the conduction band minimum of GIZO thin films, respectively. The defect states at 0.24 and 0.53 eV are related to the field‐effect mobility, and the defect stated at 1.69 and 2.01 eV is related to the oxygen vacancy defect. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Hysteresis-free, energy efficient twisted nematic liquid crystal systems based on IB-irradiated gallium-doped tin oxide films

We successfully demonstrated the high performance of liquid crystal (LC) devices without capacitance hysteresis using ion-beam (IB)-irradiated GaSnO in solution. This method is widely used for obtaining inorganic films, although it yields poor crystallinity, owing to its cost effectiveness and high flexibility in combining materials. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses determined that IB irradiation on the films had an effect, which enabled the elucidation of the mechanism for LC alignment. Strong IB irradiation on GaSnO induced the formation of spherical particles on the films and rearrangement of the chemical bonds (linkage of Ga–Sn–O and gradually oxidized films), which could preserve the anisotropic characteristics to unidirectionally align LC molecules on the surface. Because rough surfaces effectively increase the electric field, the strongly restructured GaSnO surface led to a decrease in threshold voltages. Moreover, strong IB irradiation effectively released volume charges when the states of LC molecules were switched “on” and “off”, which is attributed to a reduction in oxygen bonding derived from hydroxyl groups responsible for capturing neutral electrons. Therefore, an IB-irradiated GaSnO film is appropriate as an alternative alignment layer for advanced, energy efficient, hysteresis-free LC display devices. We successfully demonstrated the high performance of liquid crystal (LC) devices without capacitance hysteresis using ion-beam (IB)-irradiated GaSnO in solution. This method is widely used for obtaining inorganic films, although it yields poor crystallinity, owing to its cost effectiveness and high flexibility in combining materials. (a) Schematic of the IB irradiation of the solution-derived GaSnO film. (b) Alignment state of the LCs as a function of IB intensity. (c) Transmittance graph using the crystal rotation method to calculate the pretilt angle. (d) Transmittance as a function of voltage of the twisted nematic (TN) cells fabricated from IB-irradiated GaSnO at different intensities compared to the rubbed PI method (e) Capacitance of the TN cells fabricated from IB-irradiated GaSnO at 2200 eV, which exhibited hysteresis-free characteristic of TN cells. Because rough surfaces effectively increase the electric field, the strongly restructured GaSnO surface led to a decrease in threshold voltages. Moreover, strong IB irradiation effectively released volume charges when the states of LC molecules were switched “on” and “off”, which is attributed to a reduction in oxygen bonding derived from hydroxyl groups responsible for capturing neutral electrons. Therefore, an IB-irradiated GaSnO film is appropriate as an alternative alignment layer for advanced, energy efficient, hysteresis-free LC display devices.

Internal phase transition induced by external forces in Finsler geometric model for membranes

In this paper, we numerically study an anisotropic shape transformation of membranes under external forces for two-dimensional triangulated surfaces on the basis of Finsler geometry. The Finsler metric is defined by using a vector field, which is the tangential component of a three-dimensional unit vector [Formula: see text] corresponding to the tilt or some external macromolecules on the surface of disk topology. The sigma model Hamiltonian is assumed for the tangential component of [Formula: see text] with the interaction coefficient [Formula: see text]. For large (small) [Formula: see text], the surface becomes oblong (collapsed) at relatively small bending rigidity. For the intermediate [Formula: see text], the surface becomes planar. Conversely, fixing the surface with the boundary of area A or with the two-point boundaries of distance L, we find that the variable [Formula: see text] changes from random to aligned state with increasing of A or L for the intermediate region of [Formula: see text]. This implies that an internal phase transition for [Formula: see text] is triggered not only by the thermal fluctuations, but also by external mechanical forces. We also find that the frame (string) tension shows the expected scaling behavior with respect to [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) at the intermediate region of A (L) where the [Formula: see text] configuration changes between the disordered and ordered phases. Moreover, we find that the string tension [Formula: see text] at sufficiently large [Formula: see text] is considerably smaller than that at small [Formula: see text]. This phenomenon resembles the so-called soft-elasticity in the liquid crystal elastomer, which is deformed by small external tensile forces.

Strong Orientational Coupling of Block Copolymer Microdomains to Smectic Layering Revealed by Magnetic Field Alignment.

We elucidate the roles of the isotropic-nematic (I-N) and nematic-smectic A (N-SmA) transitions in the magnetic field directed self-assembly of a liquid crystalline block copolymer (BCP), using in situ X-ray scattering. Cooling into the nematic from the disordered melt yields poorly ordered and weakly aligned BCP microdomains. Continued cooling into the SmA, however, results in an abrupt increase in BCP orientational order with microdomain alignment tightly coupled to the translational order parameter of the smectic layers. These results underscore the significance of the N-SmA transition in generating highly aligned states under magnetic fields in these hierarchically ordered materials.

Epigenetics and the New Science of Thriving in Autism: How the Parents' and the Caregivers’ Expectations Directly Affects the Autistic Child's Ability to Thrive

If there is one thing that every parent with a child with Autism grapples with on a daily basis, it is dealing with expectations or the lack of it and the fear of disappointment, where it concerns their autistic child. The understanding of Epigenetics and the latest discoveries in Psychology and Energy Medicine has now revealed that it is the Environment of negative and lowered expectations set up collectively and individually by the professionals, parents and care-givers of children with autism that is directly affecting the ability of the autistic child to Thrive. The important point to note here is that almost all the research that is being done in the area of Epigenetics in autism is focused upon finding the cause or the causes for autism. There have been numerous studies and articles written about the epigenetics of the environmental pollutants, the mother’s state of health and stressors during pregnancy, assisted reproduction technology and so on that most people may be aware of. This article however, chooses to focus upon the Epigenetic aspect of the solution in autism that can be applied right away to see the autistic child thrive. It also explores the new scientific understanding of epigenetic factors in autism and the practical application of Positive Expectation from the state of Energy Alignment as an Epigenetic tool that helps children with autism Thrive with their unique gifts and abilities.

Valence Band Edge Shifts and Charge-transfer Dynamics in Li-Doped NiO Based p-type DSSCs

ABSTRACT The objective of this work is to gain deeper insight into behavior of p-type DSSCs, paying special attention to photoelectric properties of Li-doped NiO photoelectrode, and studying their effect on interfacial photoelectrochemical processes under illumination and device performance. Here we find that Li-doped NiO photoelectrodes show higher charge carrier densities, down-shift of valence band and narrowing trap energy distribution. Furthermore, the performance enhancement of p-type DSSCs is observed for the Li-doped NiO photoelectrodes with respect to the unmodified ones. These improvement is found to arise from more rapid hole transport combined with reduced recombination, contributing to improved hole collection. With regard to interfacial carriers transfer process, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), intensity-modulated photovoltage spectroscopy (IMPS) and ultra-violet photoemission spectra (UPS) provide evidence that the decreased recombination of Li-doped NiO DSSCs is attributed to the downward shift of valence band, which increases energy barrier of interface recombination. Another reason results in narrowing trap energy distribution of Li-doped NiO photoelectrode, which can weaken energy overlap with the LUMO level of dye, and subsequently the recombination path of hole back transfer to dye is hindered. These findings suggest that it will be important to carefully optimize band edge alignment and trap states distribution of p-type oxide semiconductors film to further improve the efficiency of p-DSSCs.

Homogeneous liquid crystal alignment of spin-coated strontium oxide and its application for superior LCD performance

Strontium oxide (SrO) films were fabricated via solution processing and used as a liquid crystal (LC) alignment layer. The effect of the molar concentration of Sr on the properties of these films was analyzed. Some treatment on the alignment surface is generally required to align LC molecules. However, LC molecules aligned spontaneously on SrO films that were fabricated using our solution process; this alignment occurred along the direction of LC injection. Uniform LC alignment was achieved on SrO films with Sr molar concentrations between 0.1 and 0.3 mol; however, randomly aligned LCs were observed at 0.4 mol Sr. In addition, LC cells with excellent electro-optical characteristics were obtained. The threshold voltages and response times of LC cells fabricated by SrO films decreased as the molar concentration of the Sr component increased. We were able to obtain values that are competitive with those demonstrated by conventional rubbed LC cells. It is important to investigate the alignment property and electro-optical property for realization of a suitable LC application. Graphical abstract exhibits the alignment property (upper POM image) and electro-optical property (applied voltage-transmittance graph) of LC cell fabricated by SrO films. LC cell with 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 M shows uniform alignment state. Moreover, voltage-transmittance of LC cells based on SrO film was measured and compared to that of rubbed PI. The results show the possibility of advanced LC applications.

Distributed Sequential Estimation in Asynchronous Wireless Sensor Networks

We propose a distributed sequential estimation scheme for wireless sensor networks with asynchronous measurements. Our scheme combines the prediction and update steps of a Bayesian filter (for time alignment and recursive state estimation) with a fusion rule (for intersensor fusion using local communication). We also propose a reduced-complexity implementation using particle filtering and Gaussian mixture approximations, and an estimator of the delays resulting from processing and communication. Simulations for a target tracking problem demonstrate the good performance of our scheme.

NMR of 133Cs+ in stretched hydrogels: One-dimensional, z- and NOESY spectra, and probing the ion’s environment in erythrocytes

133Cs nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was conducted on 133Cs+ in gelatin hydrogels that were either relaxed or stretched. Stretching generated a septet from this spin-7/2 nucleus, and its nuclear magnetic relaxation was studied via z-spectra, and two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser (NOESY) spectroscopy. Various spectral features were well simulated by using Mathematica and the software package SpinDynamica. Spectra of CsCl in suspensions of human erythrocytes embedded in gelatin gel showed separation of the resonances from the cation inside and outside the cells. Upon stretching the sample, the extracellular 133Cs+ signal split into a septet, while the intracellular peak was unchanged, revealing different alignment/ordering properties of the environment inside and around the cells. Differential interference contrast light microscopy confirmed that the cells were stretched when the overall sample was elongated. Analysis of the various spectral features of 133Cs+ reported here opens up applications of this K+ congener for studies of cation-handling by metabolically-active cells and tissues in aligned states.

Mechanical and electrical properties of electrospun CNT/PVDF nanofiber for micro-actuator applications

Electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-containing carbon nanotubes (CNT) were prepared for use in fabricating actuator materials. Actuating displacement was measured in an electrochemical environment. The electrospun nanofibers were arranged using a drum-type collector, and morphology was investigated using a field emission-scanning electron microscope. The uniformity of dispersion of CNT in the PVDF nanofibers was monitored by electron probe X-ray micro-analysis. Tensile strength and electrical resistivity results were used as an indication of the state of alignment. The electrospun CNT/PVDF nanofiber sheets exhibited better mechanical and electrical properties in the arranged direction. The efficiency and electrical capacities of electrospun CNT/PVDF nanofiber sheet were compared with those of cast PVDF sheets for use in actuator applications in electrochemical environments. The electrospun CNT/PVDF nanofiber sheets exhibited much better actuator performance than PVDF sheets, which are attributed to their superior electrical properties.Highlights(1) The interfacial durability of CNT/PVDF nanofibers was enhanced to increase contact area by reinforcing CNT.(2) The efficiency of CNT/PVDF actuators was improved due to interfacial properties.(3) Thin thickness drum-type collector was made to enhance nanofiber alignment.(4) The arranged CNT/PVDF nanofibers exhibited better mechanical and actuating displacements.

Simulation study of the effect of molar mass dispersity on domain interfacial roughness in lamellae forming block copolymers for directed self-assembly

A coarse-grained molecular dynamics model was used to study the thin film self-assembly and resulting pattern properties of block copolymer (BCP) systems with various molar mass dispersities. Diblock copolymers (i.e. A–b–B type) were simulated in an aligned lamellar state, which is one of the most common patterns of potential use for integrated circuit fabrication via directed self-assembly of BCPs. Effects of the molar mass dispersity (Ð) on feature pitch and interfacial roughness, which are critical lithographic parameters that have a direct impact on integrated circuit performance, were simulated. It was found that for a realistic distribution of polymer molecular weights, modeled by a Wesslau distribution, both line edge roughness (LER) and line width roughness (LWR) increase approximately linearly with increasing Ð, up to ∼45% of the monodisperse value at Ð = 1.5. Mechanisms of compensation for increased A–A and B–B roughness were considered. It was found that long and short chain positions were not correlated, and that long chains were significantly deformed in shape. The increase in LWR was due to the increase in LER and a constant correlation between the line edges. Unaligned systems show a correlation between domain width and local molecular weight, while systems aligned on an alternating pattern of A and B lines did not show any correlation. When the volume fraction of individual chains was allowed to vary, similar results were found when considering the Ð of the block as opposed to the Ð of the entire system.

No-signaling bounds for quantum cloning and metrology

The impossibility of superluminal communication is a fundamental principle of physics. Here we show that this principle underpins the performance of several fundamental tasks in quantum information processing and quantum metrology. In particular, we derive tight no-signaling bounds for probabilistic cloning and super-replication that coincide with the corresponding optimal achievable fidelities and rates known. In the context of quantum metrology, we derive the Heisenberg limit from the no-signaling principle for certain scenarios including reference frame alignment and maximum likelihood state estimation. We elaborate on the equivalence of assymptotic phase-covariant cloning and phase estimation for different figures of merit.

(h11/2)2alignments in neutron-richBa132with negative-parity pairs

The shell-model collective-pair truncation with negative-parity pairs is adopted to study the $(h_{11/2})^2$ alignment in $^{132}$Ba. The proton $(h_{11/2})^2$-alignment state is predicted as an $E\sim4.6$ MeV and $\tau\sim 0.5~\mu$s isomer with relatively strong E3 decay channels. The oblately deformed neutron $(h_{11/2})^{-2}$ alignment in the yrast band and four negative-parity bands are confirmed, even although two of these negative-parity bands favor the prolate deformation, which directly manifests the $\gamma$ unstability of $^{132}$Ba.

Induced Spin Polarization in the Au Layers of Fe/Au Multilayer in an Antiparallel Alignment State of Fe Magnetizations by Resonant X-ray Magnetic Scattering at the Au L3Absorption Edge

A double periodic Fe1/Au/Fe2/Au multilayer with different Fe thicknesses was epitaxially grown on the MgO(001) substrate to investigate the magnetic structure of the Au spin polarization in an antiparallel alignment state of the Fe magnetizations. The establishment of the antiparallel alignment state at zero applied field was confirmed from the comparison of the magnetization curve measurement and simulation in the applied field along the [110] direction of the MgO substrate. Existence of the Au spin polarization orthogonal to the applied magnetic field was confirmed with resonant X-ray magnetic scattering (RXMS) measurements near the Au L3 absorption edge. Analysis of the RXMS pattern indicated that the magnetic depth profile of the spin polarization in the interior region of the Au layer was approximated to a square-wave shape, which suggests a ferromagnetic nature of the Au spin polarization sandwiched by the Fe layers.

Time-variant feedback processes in collective decision-making systems: influence and effect of dynamic neighborhood sizes

Self-organizing systems rely on positive feedback (amplification of perturbations). In particular, in swarm systems, positive feedback builds up in a transient phase until maximal positive feedback is reached and the system converges temporarily on a state close to consensus. We investigate two examples of swarm systems showing time-variant positive feedback: alignment in locust swarms and adaptive aggregation of swarms. We identify an influencing bias in the spatial distribution of agents compared to a well-mixed distribution and two features, percentage of aligned swarm members and neighborhood size, that allow us to model the time variance of feedbacks. We report an urn model that is capable of qualitatively representing all these relevant features. The increase in neighborhood sizes over time enables the swarm to lock in a highly aligned state but also allows for infrequent switching between lock-in states. We report similar occurrences of time-variant feedback in a second collective system to indicate the potential for generality of this phenomenon. Our study is concluded by applications of methods from renormalization group theory that allow us to focus on the neighborhood dynamics as scale transformations. Correlation lengths and critical exponents are determined empirically.

Alignment behaviour and molecular dynamics of liquid crystalline side-chain polymers

Studies made at Aberystwyth and Swansea of siloxane-chain liquid crystalline side-chain polymers (SC-LCP) provided by Professor George Gray at Hull University, together with those for certain carbon-chain SC-LCP are summarised briefly. Methods were developed to obtain materials homeotropically aligned (n||E), planarly/homogeneously aligned (n⊥E) or in any intermediate state of alignment through the use of ac electric fields of variable frequency. The molecular dynamics of the dipolar groups in these materials were studied over wide ranges of temperature and hydrostatic pressure using Broad Band Dielectric Spectroscopy covering 10−4 to 105 Hz. Multiple relaxation processes were observed whose dielectric spectra changed markedly as the nature and degree of alignment were changed and the results were interpreted using macroscopic and molecular theories for the dielectric relaxation of such LCPs developed during these studies.

Reinforcement of epoxy-based composites by magnetically aligned multi walled carbon nanotube

Multi walled carbon nanotubes decorated with ferriferrous oxide nanoparticle (MWCNTs-Fe3O4) complex was used as an effective reinforcement in the polymer composites. The MWCNTs-Fe3O4 with various grafting contents of Fe3O4 nanoparticles were successfully prepared by combining in situ atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and coprecipitation process, which was characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The MWCNTs-Fe3O4 complex showed the strong magnetic response behavior, which could be easily aligned in an external magnetic field. The alignment state of MWCNTs-Fe3O4 complex could be modulated by adjusting the intensity of external magnetic field, grafting content of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and viscosity of the solvent. Moreover, with the addition of MWCNTs-Fe3O4, tensile strength and modulus of epoxy composites were enhanced by 12.3 and 10.9%, respectively, which was due to the reinforcing effect of the aligned MWCNTs-Fe3O4 within magnetic field.

A-site stoichiometry and piezoelectric response in thin film PbZr1−xTixO3

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films with Zr/Ti ratios of 52/48 and 30/70 annealed at varying partial pressures of PbO within the perovskite phase field exhibited permittivities of 1150 and 600, respectively, with loss tangents of 0.02. Many of the functional properties, including the permittivity, piezoelectricity as indicated via the Rayleigh coefficients, and the aging rates were found to be weakly dependent of the lead content in the single phase field. Minor polarization–electric field hysteresis loops and piezoelectric coefficient e31,f values after a hot poling process suggest that the point defect helps stabilize the aligned domain states. Measurements of the local nonlinear response show an increased low response cluster size with decreasing PbO content, indicating that PbO deficiency acts to reduce domain wall motion where it is already low.