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Quantum interference of currents is the most important and well known quantum phenomenon in a conventional superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Here, we report the observation of quantum interference of currents in an atomtronic SQUID. Analogous to a conventional SQUID, currents flowing through two junctions in an atomtronic SQUID interfere due to the phase difference from rotation. This interference results in modulation of critical currents. This modulation was observed for three different radii with clear modulation periods which were measured to be consistent with fundamental rotation rates. This observation shows the possibility of studying various interesting SQUID physics with an atomtronic SQUID and especially, macroscopic quantum phenomena with currents may be realized with an atomtronic SQUID toward the goal of quantum metrology of rotation sensing. Quantum interference of currents was first observed in a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Here, the authors demonstrate quantum interference of currents in the atomtronic analog of a SQUID using Bose-Einstein condensates of 87Rb atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the constraints from primordial nucleosynthesis on a possible time-dependent quark mass. The variation may affect binding energies and Q values as well as resonance properties of light elements through the hadron mass variation in the nucleon-nucleon interaction. Updated light-element abundances and uncertainties along with a new detailed analysis of the resonance properties on the crucial He( d, p)He reaction imply a narrower range on the possible quark-mass variations in the early universe. The optimum concordance region reduces to a value consistent with no variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the structure of a proton in free space by using the quark-meson coupling model. In the model, a proton in free space is regarded as a MIT bag with σ, ω and ρ meson fields and the Coulomb potential. With the boundary condition at bag surface, the wave functions of u and d quarks and potentials are calculated self-consistently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Pasir mine, coal seams and host rocks of varying thickness have been uniquely deposited with an average dip angle of 85°. The host rocks are weak and mainly composed of mudstone and sandstone comprising of 90-95% of the total pit volume. The thickness of coal seams and host rocks ranges from sub-metric to few tenths of meter. The overall safe pit slope angle was evaluated to be 27° for mining depth of 50-150 m. Several slopes failure incidents have occurred in the mine causing considerable disruption in production and monetary loss. It is envisaged that slope failures may be triggered due to blasting conducted in steeply dipping stratified deposit. In order to investigate the causes of slope failures, peak particle velocity (PPV) and accelerations at various locations from the blast site have been measured. In addition, finite element models of pit slope have been analyzed by applying static or gravity loading as well as blasting or dynamic loading. This paper elaborates the results of in situ measurements of ground vibration and numerical investigation and suggests possible causes of slope failures in Pasir mine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A system capable of continuously measuring a range of metallic elements in the effluent gas from incinerators and other similar industrial processes, and providing on-line results has been developed. With a state-of-the-art mobile laboratory measurements were taken from a UK municipal solid waste incinerator. The detection system used was an ICP-OES, with a modified torch to allow the introduction of flue gas directly into the plasma. Metals that were investigated were Ni, Hg, V, Al, Na, Ca, Cu, Sn, Pb, Sb, As, Cd and Tl, with limits of detection in the range 0.0004 mg m-3 to 0.1 mg m-3 being calculated. Emission measurements produced data that showed that the MSWI plants emission were significantly lower than the emission limits specified in EC 2000/76/EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of a structural study of metallic alloy liquids from high temperature through the glass transition. We use high energy X-ray scattering and electro-static levitation in combination with molecular dynamics simulation and show that the height of the first peak of the structure function, S(Q) − 1, follows the Curie-Weiss law. The structural coherence length is proportional to the height of the first peak, and we suggest that its increase with cooling may be related to the rapid increase in viscosity. The Curie temperature is negative, implying an analogy with spin-glass. The Curie-Weiss behavior provides a pathway to an ideal glass state, a state with long-range correlation without lattice periodicity, which is characterized by highly diverse local structures, reminiscent of spin-glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]