Neutron quasi-elastic scattering in disordered solids: a Monte Carlo study of metal-hydrogen systems

The dynamic structure factor of neutron quasi-elastic scattering has been calculated by Monte Carlo methods for atoms diffusing on a disordered lattice. The disorder includes not only variation in the distances between neighbouring atomic sites but also variation in the hopping rate associated with each site. The presence of the disorder, particularly the hopping rate disorder, causes changes in the time-dependent intermediate scattering function which translate into a significant increase in the intensity in the wings of the quasi-elastic spectrum as compared with the Lorentzian form. The effect is particularly marked at high values of the momentum transfer and at site occupancies of the order of unity. The MC calculations demonstrate how the degree of disorder may be derived from experimental measurements of the quasi-elastic scattering. The model structure factors are compared with the experimental quasi-elastic spectrum of an amorphous metal-hydrogen alloy.

The legal pendulum swings back

Comments on the Court of Appeal judgment in Abou-Rahmah v Abacha on liability for dishonest assistance to a breach of trust. Discusses whether an objective standard should apply to determine whether the accessory acted dishonestly. Reviews case law, examining whether the combined test proposed in the House of Lords judgment in Twinsectra Ltd v Yardley is still good law.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering studies of rhodanines: Evidence for substrate surface-induced dimerization

The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of rhodanine adsorbed on silver nanoparticles have been examined using 514.5 and 632.8 nm excitation. There is evidence that, under the experimental conditions used, rhodanine undergoes a nanoparticle surface-induced reaction resulting in the formation of a dimeric species via the active methylene group in a process which is analogous to the Knoevenagel reaction. The experimental observations are supported by DFT calculations at the B3-LYP/cc-pVDZ level. Calculated energies for the interaction of the E and Z isomers of the dimers of rhodanine with silver nanoparticles support a model in which the (intra-molecular hydrogen bonded) E isomer dimer is of lower energy than the Z isomer. A strong band, at 1566 cm(-1), in the SERS spectrum of rhodanine is assigned to the nu(C=C) mode of the dimer species.

Back to the bad old days?

Reviews the Court of Appeal decision in James v Thomas that a cohabitee had not acquired an equitable interest in a property registered in her former partner's sole name through a constructive trust, based on express or inferred common intention, or by proprietary estoppel. Highlights the inconsistent approach of the courts to cohabitee disputes. Outlines the Law Commission's proposals in its 2007 report, Cohabitation: The Financial Consequences of Relationship Breakdown, notes the factors to be taken into account by the courts, and speculates on the case's outcome if the proposals were applied. [From Legal Journals Index]

Undue influence: back door tactics?

Implications of CA decision on whether it was abuse of process for bank to pursue remedy against mortgagor by suing on personal covenant which could result in bankruptcy following successful defence of possession proceedings by wife. [From Legal Journals Index]

Two steps forward, one step back: developing the curriculum for training teachers for technical and further education England 1945-1956

This paper discusses the development of provision for the training of teachers in English further and technical education from 1945 to 1956. While these years saw little growth in this provision, they were formative in that the institutional and curricular patterns of teacher training for the diverse fields of technical and further education were developed at this time. The work of the three national centres in Bolton, London and Huddersfield, during the period of the Emergency Training Scheme (ETS) is summarised with particular reference to the influence of the Ministry of Education‟s conditions for ETS colleges and courses. With the ending of the ETS in 1951 the three centres were given permanent status as teacher training colleges which in turn brought them into association with their local universities as constituent colleges of their Area Training Organisations. The consequences of this transfer to the universities for the curriculum and assessment of technical teacher training and the 'policy dichotomy' of teacher training for secondary and technical education are examined.