Clemson University

About: Clemson University is a education organization based out in Clemson, South Carolina, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Control theory. The organization has 20556 authors who have published 42518 publications receiving 1170779 citations. The organization is also known as: Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina.

Two-terminal charge tunneling: Disentangling Majorana zero modes from partially separated Andreev bound states in semiconductor-superconductor heterostructures

Abstract: We show that a pair of overlapping Majorana bound states (MBSs) forming a partially separated Andreev bound state (ps-ABS) represents a generic low-energy feature in spin-orbit-coupled semiconductor-superconductor (SM-SC) hybrid nanowire in the presence of a Zeeman field. The ps-ABS interpolates continuously between the ``garden variety'' ABS, which consists of two MBSs sitting on top of each other, and the topologically protected Majorana zero modes (MZMs), which are separated by a distance given by the length of the wire. The really problematic ps-ABSs consist of component MBSs separated by a distance of the order of the characteristic Majorana decay length $\ensuremath{\xi}$, and have nearly zero energy in a significant range of control parameters, such as the Zeeman field and chemical potential, within the topologically trivial phase. Despite being topologically trivial, such ps-ABSs can generate signatures identical to MZMs in local charge tunneling experiments. In particular, the height of the zero-bias conductance peak (ZBCP) generated by ps-ABSs has the quantized value $2{e}^{2}/h$, and it can remain unchanged in an extended range of experimental parameters, such as Zeeman field and the tunnel barrier height. We illustrate the formation of such low-energy robust ps-ABSs in two experimentally relevant situations: a hybrid SM-SC system consisting of a proximitized nanowire coupled to a quantum dot and the SM-SC system in the presence of a spatially varying inhomogeneous potential. We then show that, unlike local measurements, a two-terminal experiment involving charge tunneling at both ends of the wire is capable of distinguishing between the generic ps-ABSs and the non-Abelian MZMs. While the MZMs localized at the opposite ends of the wire generate correlated differential conduction spectra, including correlations in energy splittings and critical Zeeman fields associated with the emergence of the ZBCPs, such correlations are absent if the ZBCPs are due to ps-ABSs emerging in the topologically trivial phase. Measuring such correlations is the clearest and most straightforward test of topological MZMs in SM-SC heterostructures that can be done in a currently accessible experimental setup.

Enhancing grain boundary ionic conductivity in mixed ionic–electronic conductors

Abstract: The performance of mixed ionic–electronic conductors used in energy conversion and storage devices can be restricted by their high grain boundary resistance. Here, the authors present the formation of an emergent phase to alleviate dopant segregation at the grain boundary and enhance ionic conductivity.

Observed Fears and Discomforts among Urban Students on Field Trips to Wildland Areas

Abstract: Interpreters at urban nature centers were asked to recall and list fears expressed by students on field trips to wildland areas. Forty-eight interpreters recalled 564 examples of fearful reactions. Responses were interpreted based on the literature on fear. Fears of snakes, insects, nonindigenous animals, and plants were most frequently cited. Enlightening was the high frequency of “fear of getting lost” and the emotion of disgust expressed in relation to natural objects. Results suggest the need to address not only students' fears but also their feelings of disgust. Anxiety reactions from students suggest that interpretive programs for some students may be corrective instead of formative.

Gender and ethnic variations in urban park preferences, visitation, and perceived benefits.

Abstract: This paper examined how gender and ethnicity are related to preferences for various park characteristics, visitation to urban parks and open spaces, and perception of park benefits as reported by p...

Mapping quantitative trait loci using molecular marker linkage maps.

Abstract: High-density restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and allozyme linkage maps have been developed in several plant species. These maps make it technically feasible to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) using methods based on flanking marker genetic models. In this paper, we describe flanking marker models for doubled haploid (DH), recombinant inbred (RI), backcross (BC), F1 testcross (F1TC), DH testcross (DHTC), recombinant inbred testcross (RITC), F2, and F3 progeny. These models are functions of the means of quantitative trait locus genotypes and recombination frequencies between marker and quantitative trait loci. In addition to the genetic models, we describe maximum likelihood methods for estimating these parameters using linear, nonlinear, and univariate or multivariate normal distribution mixture models. We defined recombination frequency estimators for backcross and F2 progeny group genetic models using the parameters of linear models. In addition, we found a genetically unbiased estimator of the QTL heterozygote mean using a linear function of marker means. In nonlinear models, recombination frequencies are estimated less efficiently than the means of quantitative trait locus genotypes. Recombination frequency estimation efficiency decreases as the distance between markers decreases, because the number of progeny in recombinant marker classes decreases. Mean estimation efficiency is nearly equal for these methods.