D-Wave — Quantum computation is based on a very compelling idea: that physics, and physics alone, ultimately determines what can be computed, and how efficiently. Changing the laws of physics relevant for a computing device can open up new possibilities for manipulating information, allowing better algorithms that could transform the way we live. Quantum computation has, up until very recently, been the province of basic research. It is clear that the extreme difficulty and complexity of converting this basic science into useful technology cannot occur within a basic research environment. Here I will describe the conceptual framework behind D-Wave’s organization and technology development model, and compare and contrast this approach to other possible models.

Our goal in physics courses is to teach students to think about and solve physics problems like a physicist. But what does that really mean? I will discuss research on identifying those unique components of how a physicist thinks that distinguish their thinking from that of mere mortals. I will also discuss how these particular components of thinking can be better measured and taught. Audio begins at minute 09:10

Nuclear theory today aims at a comprehensive understanding of properties of nuclides in the whole nuclear chart. A number of challenges are encountered by theorists along the road of accomplishing this goal. Recent progresses in many fronts lead to a renaissance of nuclear physics. Advances in effective field theory provide us with a tool to derive nuclear forces starting from the fundamental theory of Quantum-Chromo-Dynamics: two- and three-body forces among nucleons arise naturally and consistently with each other. This complex nature of the nuclear force generates a broad diversity of phenomena, especially in nuclei far from stability. A fascinating example is the arising of halo nuclear structures leading to extremely large radial extensions. Owing to their short lifetimes, most of these nuclei do not naturally exist on Earth. To be studied they must be synthesized in the laboratory, at the so-called radioactive beam facilities, like TRIUMF. Measurements provide a test of the predictive power of theoretical models. Nowadays, thanks to the advent of high performance computing, new ab-initio methods for the solution of the quantum many-body problem become available. Exotic properties of nuclei can be derived directly from the interaction among protons and neutrons. Furthermore, the investigation of astrophysical implications of nuclear processes, e.g. in the nucleosynthesis of elements is another key aspect in nuclear theory. This synergy between nuclear physics and astrophysics makes the scenario even more exciting. I will discuss some advances in the field with emphasis on future perspective. Audio begins at minute 45:38

Dark Matter and Dark Energy are accepted as legitimate constituents of our Universe. In this talk I will review the numerous observational evidences supporting the existence of the dark side of the Universe, which is why cosmologists claim shamelessly that 95% of the Universe is made of something they do not know the nature of. I will then discuss many of the hypothetical physical origins for Dark Matter and Dark Energy and outline the major research directions now undertaken in order to test the various possible ideas. Audio begins at 01:19:30.

Fractals are patterns that repeat at many magnifications. These intricate patterns are found throughout nature, ranging from clouds, rivers and lightning through to our brains, blood vessels and lungs. Due to their prevalence in nature and their growing impact on cultures around the world, fractals have assumed a rapidly expanding role across the sciences and arts. In this talk, I will explore some of the intriguing properties of fractals by taking a meandering walk through the research disciplines I have worked in. These will include nano-electronic circuits, Antarctic ice-shelves, brain structure and artworks. I hope to show a common theme - that quantification of their underlying fractal geometry provides an enhanced understanding well beyond the traditional qualitative views of these diverse systems.

Abstract Background: The aging population is a rapidly growing demographic. Isolation and limited autonomy render many of the elderly vulnerable to abuse, neglect and exploitation. As the population grows, so does the need for Adult Protective Services (APS). This study was conducted to examine current knowledge of Georgia older adult protection laws and to identify training opportunities to better prepare the APS workforce in cases detection and intervention. Methods: A primary survey was developed in partnership with the Georgia Division of Aging Services’ leadership to identify key training priority issues APS caseworkers and investigators. A 47-item, electronic questionnaire was delivered (using Psychdata) to all APS employees via work- issued email accounts. Descriptive analyses, t-tests, and chi-square analyses were used to determine APS employees’ baseline knowledge of Georgia’s elder abuse policies, laws, and practices as well as examine associations of age, ethnicity, and formal education level with knowledge. A p-value of <0 >.05 and 95% confidence intervals were used to determine statistical significance of the analyses performed. Results: In total, 92 out of 175 APS staff responded to the survey (53% response rate). The majority of respondents were Caucasian (56%) women (92%). For over half the survey items, a paired sample t-tests revealed significant differences between what APS staff reported as known and what APS staff members indicated they needed to know more about in terms of elder abuse and current policies. Chi-square tests revealed that non-Caucasians significantly preferred video conferencing as a training format (44% compared to 18%), [χ2 (1) = 7.102, p < .008] whereas Caucasians preferred asynchronous online learning formats (55% compared to 28%) [χ2 (1) =5.951, p < .015]. Conclusions: Results from this study provides the Georgia Division of Aging with insights into specific content areas that can be emphasized in future trainings. Soliciting input from intended trainees allows public health educators to tailor and improve training sessions. Trainee input may result in optimization of attendance, knowledge acquisition, and intervention practices regarding APS service delivery. This in turn can enhance APS staff efficiency and response to cases of violence against older adults.

The mobile parking system is designed in this project. This system have to make the mobile parking payment easier, to save drivers dear time and money, to reduce traffics and pollution in the centre of the city. Implementing our mobile parking system we will avoid all these problems. Our clients will be all users who has cars and terminal ware (personal computer with connection to the internet, mobile phone which has WAP or GPRS function, laptop). Payment will be very simple, if the place is reserved for you, from that moment the money is begin to count from your account. If it is possible, you will received full information how to drive to your reserved place.

The mobile parking system is designed in this project. This system have to make the mobile parking payment easier, to save drivers dear time and money, to reduce traffics and pollution in the centre of the city. Implementing our mobile parking system we will avoid all these problems. Our clients will be all users who has cars and terminal ware (personal computer with connection to the internet, mobile phone which has WAP or GPRS function, laptop). Payment will be very simple, if the place is reserved for you, from that moment the money is begin to count from your account. If it is possible, you will received full information how to drive to your reserved place.

<div>Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) provide thermal and environmental protection to superalloy components operating within the combustor and high pressure sections of a gas turbine. However, calcium-magnesium-aluminum silicate (CMAS) deposits originated from particulate matter ingested through the air intake degrade YSZ TBCs, ultimately decreasing the overall efficiency of the engines. With the introduction of biofuels into gas turbines, a new list of impurities with no precedent in jet engines may interact with TBCs, arising the possibility to form CMAS deposits without flying in a particular environment and to exacerbate CMAS negative effect through the addition of other contaminants.</div><div><br></div><div>In this work, a cyclic thermal gradient rig was developed to test TBCs in similar conditions as in a gas turbine. The heat flux and non-contact surface temperature measurements were validated with a thermal transient model. The effect of biofuel impurities on YSZ TBCs was evaluated by spraying the coatings with impurity cocktails, solutions containing the impurities of interest, and subsequently testing their lifetimes in the ablation rig.</div><div><br></div><div>Detailed microstructure analysis revealed that APS and EB-PVD TBCs fail in different ways when exposed to equal concentrations of CMAS. When contaminating APS TBCs with varying combinations of CMAS constituents (e.g., S, C-S, C-A, C-A-S, C-M-S, and C-M-A-S), it was possible to identify that coatings delaminated at different rates depending on the combination of CMAS constituents. Finally, the effect of CMAS in combination with contaminants exclusive of biofuels was analyzed on YSZ TBCs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and micrographs revealed that glass modifiers (e.g., K₂O and ZnO) accelerated the degradation of YSZ TBCs.</div>

Thermal barrier coatings (TBC) with MCrAlY (M=Co and/or Ni) bond coats have been widely used in hot sections of gas turbines to protect underlying superalloys from high temperatures, oxidation, and hot corrosion. Deposition of MCrAlY bond coats using atmospheric plasma spray (APS), as oppose to conventionally employed vacuum/low-pressure plasma spray and high velocity oxy-fuel deposition, allows greater flexibility in ability to coat economically and rapidly for parts with complex geometry including internal surfaces. There were three objectives of this study. First, relationships between APS spray parameters and coating microstructure was examined to determine optimum spray parameters to deposit APS CoNiCrAlY bond coats. Second, free-standing APS CoNiCrAlY coatings were isothermally oxidized at 1124ºC for various periods to examine the evolving microstructure of internal oxidation. Third, as a function of time of isothermal oxidation (i.e., internal oxidation), thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion were measured for free-standing APS CoNiCrAlY bond coats. Thirteen CoNiCrAlY coatings were deposited on steel substrates by APS using the F4-MB plasma torch. APS CoNiCrAlY bond coats were produced by incremental variation in the flow rate of primary (argon) gas from 85 to 165 SCFH and the flow rate of secondary (hydrogen) gas from 9 to 29 SCFH. Optimum coating microstructure was produced by simultaneously increasing the flow rate of both primary and secondary gas, so that the particle temperature is high enough for sufficient melting and the particle velocity is rapid enough for minimum in-flight oxidation. Optimum spray parameters found in this study were employed to deposit free-standing APS CoNiCrAlY coatings that were isothermally oxidized at 1124ºC for 1, 6, 50,100, and 300 hours. Extent of internal oxidation was examined by scanning electron microscopy and image analysis. Internal oxidation occurred by a thickening of oxide scales segregated at the splat boundaries oriented parallel to the coating surfaces. Thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the free-standing APS CoNiCrAlY coatings were measured as a function of internal oxidation (i.e., time of oxidation or extent of internal oxidation). Thermal conductivity of free-standing APS CoNiCrAlY was found to decrease with increasing internal oxidation from 28 to 25 W/m-K. This decrease is due to an increase in the amount of internal oxides with lower thermal conductivity (e.g., Al2O3). CTE of free-standing APS CoNiCrAlY, measured in temperature range of 100°~500°C, was also found to decrease with increasing internal oxidation. Internal oxides have lower CTE than metallic CoNiCrAlY coatings. These evolving properties of APS CoNiCrAlY should be beneficial to the overall performance of TBCs in gas turbine applications.