text:
\section{\label{sec:int}INTRODUCTION}

A systems consisting of a~quantum dot weakly coupled to external
leads have been extensively studied, both for
unpolarized\cite{PhysRevB.54.16820,Lehm06,koch:056803} and polarized
leads.\cite{PhysRevB.62.1186,PhysRevB.64.085318,weymann:115334,
PhysRevLett.90.166602,braun:195345,Ped05} These all dealt with
two-terminal transport properties, with a third electrode acting as
a capacitively connected gate.

System with more than two terminals has a long history in mesoscopic
physics.\cite{buttiker} The functionality added by the third lead is
of importance for some applications, in particular the so-called
Y-branch structures.\cite{Palm92,
PhysRevLett.82.2564,PhysRevB.62.16727,Worchech05} These studies
consider open mesoscopic systems, where correlation effects can be
neglected. Some recent works have studied the opposite case where
correlations are important, \emph{e.g.} the study of current-current
correlations in a~three-terminal
device,\cite{cottet:115315,cottet:206801} Kondo peaks in a
three/four-terminal setup,\cite{PhysRevB.64.153306,sanchezlopez} and
crossed carbon nanotubes.\cite{PhysRevLett.89.226404,
Egger03,gao:216804} Here, we consider a multi-terminal quantum dot
and, in particular, the non-linear response, which brings in new
information about the structure of the quantum dot as well as about
the magnetization of side branches.

The system we study in detail consists of a~single level quantum dot
coupled to three leads, Fig.~\ref{fig:3TermDev}. We allow collinear
spin polarization of leads, so that some of them can be polarized
while others are kept unpolarized. For the sake of simplicity, the
polarization, if any, is assumed to be complete. To lift the spin
degeneracy, we apply a~magnetic field to the dot collinear with
polarization of the leads. We study the current through the central
junction (referred to as a~stem) and its dependence on the applied
voltage, magnetic field, position of dot's energy states, and
orientation of leads' polarization. Except for the limiting case of
non-interacting electrons, the exact solution is not known, and
approximative methods are widely applied. In the typical
experimental setup a~coupling between the dot and the lead is of
order of $\mu$eV while temperature of order of meV or higher,
therefore it is often justified to perform perturbation expansion in
a~small parameter $\Gamma/k_{B}T$. We cut off the perturbation
expansion on second order.
\begin{figure}
\includegraphics[width=.4\textwidth]{fig1}
\caption{\label{fig:3TermDev}The three terminal device. The
occupation number is controlled via the gate by applying the voltage
$V_{g}$. The stem chemical potential, $\mu_{s}=0$, serves as the
reference level. The left and right leads are biased in push-pull
manner with $\mu_{l}=eV$ and $\mu_{r}=-eV$.}
\end{figure}

In first order, we derive the sequential tunneling current  through a
central electrode, Eq.~(\ref{eq:JsSeq}). When the system is biased
symmetrically, $V_{l}=V$ and $V_{r}=-V$, the stem current is an~even
function of applied voltage and an~odd function of the gate voltage,
Fig.~\ref{fig:Dens}. The stem current can be either negative or
positive depending on the nature of the electron transport.

To understand this, we first observe that the current from the left
to the right lead occurs at low temperatures via only two charge
states and can be predominately either electron- or hole-like. If
the energy difference between the $\nu+1$ and $\nu$ electron states
is positive, the transport is electron-like and hole-like if it is
negative, with $\nu$ standing for the occupation number. For the
electron-like case the $\nu+1$ state can decay via an~electron
leaving through the stem, whereas for the hole-like case, the $\nu$
state can decay by the electron entering from the stem.
\textit{Hence the stem current is zero for the electron-hole
symmetric case.}

The three terminal setup therefore measures the electron-hole
asymmetry, and in this respect it is similar to
thermopower.\cite{Matv02} Interestingly, a~change between the two
situations above, can be induced by the magnetic field applied to
the dot which modifies the physics significantly, see
Fig.~\ref{fig:JsvsB}. Moreover, in a~three-terminal setup with
magnetized side branches and the non-magnetic stem the current value
enables one to distinguish among four magnetization alignments,
Fig.~\ref{fig:DensB}.

\begin{figure}
\includegraphics[width=.45\textwidth]{fig2}
\caption{\label{fig:Jtot}(Color online)
    The stem current (solid, red) being the sum of the sequential part (dotted, blue)
    and the cotunneling (dashed, green). The sequential contribution
    gives sufficient qualitative description. For this plot leads are
    unpolarized with $\Gamma_{l}=\Gamma_{r}=\Gamma_{s}=\Gamma/3$, $U=20\Gamma$,
    $B=5\Gamma$, $k_{B}T=2\Gamma$ and $V/\Gamma=1$.}
\end{figure}

In second order, the total current is increased by virtual
cotunneling processes for these values of the gate voltage for which
the sequential tunneling is exponentially suppressed. Furthermore,
the cotunneling correction lowers the sequential current maxima and
gives rise to additional broadening of order of the sum of all
couplings $\Gamma_{s}+\Gamma_{l}+\Gamma_{r}$, and hence the total
broadening is the sum of the thermal part and the latter. However,
we will show that the cotunneling current does not change the
sensitivity towards electron-hole asymmetry, and therefore the
qualitative picture described above still holds to higher order in
tunneling, see Fig.~\ref{fig:Jtot}.

In the Appendix the exact solution for non-interacting electrons is
compared with the perturbative treatment and even though the
renormalization of level positions also contributing to the second
order current was neglected, we achieve good agreement between the
two.

\section{\label{sec:mod}MODEL HAMILTONIAN}

The model Hamiltonian of the quantum dot connected to any number of
unpolarized leads is
\begin{equation}\label{eq:GeneralQDHam}
    H=H_{L}+H_{T}+H_{D},
\end{equation}
where
\begin{equation}\label{eq:LeadHam}
    H_{L}=\sum_{j}H_{L}^{j}=\sum_{j}\sum_{k\sigma}
    \xi _{j,k\sigma}c_{j,k\sigma}^{\dagger}c_{j,k\sigma}
\end{equation}
describes the uncoupled leads indexed by $j$ while
$c_{j,k\sigma}^{\dagger}$ and $c_{j,k\sigma }$ form an~orthogonal
set of creation and annihilation operators in lead $j$.

The dot is described by the Hamiltonian
\begin{equation}\label{eq:QDHam}
    H_{D}=\sum_{\sigma }(\epsilon_{0}-\sigma B)d_{\sigma}^{\dagger}d_{\sigma}
    +Un_{\uparrow}n_{\downarrow}
\end{equation}
with a~single electron of the orbital energy $\epsilon_{0}$, the
Coulomb repulsion energy $U$, magnetic field $B$, $\sigma=1$ for
a~spin-up electron and $\sigma=-1$ for a~spin-down electron,
$d_{\sigma}^{\dagger}$ and $d_{\sigma}$ forming a~set of orthogonal
creation and annihilation operators for the dot and
$n_{\sigma}=d_{\sigma}^{\dagger}d_{\sigma}$ being an~occupation
number operator. The tunneling processes between the leads and the
central region are taken into account via the tunneling Hamiltonian
\begin{equation}\label{eq:TunHam}
    H_{T}=\sum_{j}\sum_{k\sigma}(t_{j,k\sigma}
    c_{j,k\sigma}^{\dagger}d_{\sigma}+\textrm{h.c.}),
\end{equation}
where $t_{j,k\sigma}$ is a~spin-dependent tunneling amplitude.

To include the complete magnetization of one of the leads, say lead
$j$, one should limit the corresponding Hilbert space to one spin
direction replacing $\sigma$ by $\uparrow$ or $\downarrow$.

\section{\label{sec:seq}SEQUENTIAL TUNNELING REGIME}

The simplest situation we study is the sequential tunneling regime,
also called the weak tunneling regime. It is assumed that the time
between tunneling events is the largest time scale in the problem,
so that there is no coherence between successive tunneling
processes. If there is no bias applied, the distribution function of
different states is given  by the equilibrium Gibbs function. With
an applied voltage difference between the electrodes the induced
non-equilibrium distribution function needs to be determined.

To this end, we calculate the transition rates between different
dot's states. Since we consider the weak tunneling regime, the
Fermi's Golden Rule is sufficient to tackle this problem. We define
the transition rates $\Gamma^j_{\mu\nu}$ as the rate for a~process
that changes the state of the dot from $\nu$ to $\mu$ due to
tunneling through junction $j$. Assuming a~continuous density of
states inside the electrodes it follows that the tunneling rates are
proportionate to the Fermi function,
$\Gamma_{\nu+1,\nu}^{j}=\Gamma^{0}_{j}
n(\epsilon_{\nu+1}-\epsilon_{\nu}-\mu_{j})$, if an~electron jumps
onto the dot, and $\Gamma_{\nu-1,\nu}^{j}=\Gamma^{0}_{j}
\big(1-n(\epsilon_{\nu-1}-\epsilon_{\nu}-\mu_{j})\big)$ for the
opposite process. Here $\mu_{j}$ is a~chemical potential of
reservoir~$j$, $\Gamma^{0}_{j}\equiv2\pi|t_{j}|^{2}\rho_{j}$ with
$\rho_{i}$ being the density of states in lead $j$. To include the
collinear polarizations $P_{i}$ of the leads spin--dependent
tunneling rates
$\Gamma_{i\sigma}^{0}=\frac{1}{2}\Gamma_{i}^{0}(1+\sigma P_{i})$ are
introduced.

Having found the transitions rates, we can write down master
equations describing the dynamical behavior of the distribution
function $P_{\nu}$ and since we are only interested in the steady
state solution, we have
\begin{widetext}
\begin{equation}\label{eq:Master}
\left(
    \begin{array}{cccc}
        -\Gamma_{\uparrow0}-\Gamma_{\downarrow0} & \Gamma_{0\uparrow} & \Gamma_{0\downarrow} & 0 \\
        \Gamma_{\uparrow0} & -\Gamma_{2\uparrow}-\Gamma_{0\uparrow} & 0 & \Gamma_{\uparrow2} \\
        \Gamma_{\downarrow 0} & 0 & -\Gamma_{2\downarrow}-\Gamma_{0\downarrow} & \Gamma_{\downarrow2} \\
        0 & \Gamma_{2\uparrow} & \Gamma_{2\downarrow} & -\Gamma_{\uparrow2}-\Gamma_{\downarrow2} \\
    \end{array}
    \right)
    \left(
    \begin{array}{c}
        P_{0} \\
        P_{\uparrow} \\
        P_{\downarrow} \\
        P_{2} \\
    \end{array}
    \right)=0,
\end{equation}
\end{widetext}
where $\Gamma_{\mu\nu}=\sum_{j}\Gamma^{j}_{\mu\nu}$ is a~total
contribution from all the leads to the transition rate from
state~$\nu$ to state~$\mu$, while $P_{0}$, $P_{\uparrow}$,
$P_{\downarrow}$, $P_{2}$ are the empty, spin-up, spin-down and
double occupation state distribution functions respectively. The
terms with a~minus sign give the rate at which a~given state on the
left-hand side decays while the plus--sign terms describe the
opposite processes. In addition to these equations, the probability
conservation law $P_{0}+P_{\uparrow}+P_{\downarrow}+P_{2}=1$ has to
be used.

The knowledge of the distribution functions allows one to find the
net current flowing through junction $i$
\begin{equation}\label{eq:JiSeq}
    J_{i}=-\frac{e}{\hbar}\sum_{\nu}(\Gamma_{\nu+1,\nu}^{i}
    -\Gamma_{\nu-1,\nu}^{i})P_{\nu}.
\end{equation}
This should be understood as a~difference between the number of
electrons incoming to the dot and deoccupating it, times the
electron charge, $-e<0$.

\emph{We choose the Fermi level of the stem reservoir to be our
reference level, $\mu_{s}=0$, throughout the text and in all
diagrams}.

The solutions to Eqs.~(\ref{eq:Master}) are
\begin{subequations}\label{eq:MasterSol}
\begin{align}
    \hspace{-5pt}P_{0}=\frac{1}{D}\big(\Gamma_{0\uparrow}\Gamma_{\uparrow 2}
    (\Gamma_{0\downarrow}+\Gamma_{2\downarrow})
    +\Gamma_{0\downarrow}\Gamma_{\downarrow 2}
    (\Gamma_{0\uparrow}+\Gamma_{2\uparrow})\big),\\
    \hspace{-5pt}P_{\uparrow}=\frac{1}{D}\big(\Gamma_{\uparrow0}\Gamma_{0\downarrow}
    (\Gamma_{\downarrow 2}+\Gamma_{\uparrow 2})
    +\Gamma_{\uparrow 2}\Gamma_{2\downarrow }
    (\Gamma_{\downarrow0}+\Gamma_{\uparrow0})\big),\\
    \hspace{-5pt}P_{\downarrow}=\frac{1}{D}\big(\Gamma_{\downarrow0}
    \Gamma_{0\uparrow}(\Gamma_{\downarrow 2}+\Gamma_{\uparrow 2})
    +\Gamma_{\downarrow 2}\Gamma_{2\uparrow }
    (\Gamma_{\downarrow0}+\Gamma_{\uparrow0})\big),\\
    \hspace{-5pt}P_{2}=\frac{1}{D}\big(\Gamma_{2\uparrow}\Gamma_{\uparrow 0}
    (\Gamma_{0\downarrow}+\Gamma_{2\downarrow})
    +\Gamma_{2\downarrow}\Gamma_{\downarrow0}
    (\Gamma_{0\uparrow}+\Gamma_{2\uparrow})\big),
\end{align}
\end{subequations}
with
\begin{align}
    \notag D&=(\Gamma_{\downarrow 0}\Gamma_{0\uparrow}
    +\Gamma_{2\uparrow}\Gamma_{\uparrow 0})
    (\Gamma_{\downarrow 2}+\Gamma_{2\downarrow})\\
    \notag &+(\Gamma_{0\downarrow}\Gamma_{\downarrow 2}
    +\Gamma_{\uparrow 2}\Gamma_{2\downarrow})
    (\Gamma_{\uparrow0}+\Gamma_{0\uparrow}) \notag \\
    \notag &+(\Gamma_{0\uparrow}\Gamma_{\uparrow 2}
    +\Gamma_{\downarrow 2}\Gamma_{2\uparrow})
    (\Gamma_{\downarrow 0}+\Gamma_{0\downarrow})\\
    &+(\Gamma_{\uparrow 0}\Gamma_{0\downarrow}
    +\Gamma_{2\downarrow}\Gamma_{\downarrow 0})
    (\Gamma_{\uparrow 2}+\Gamma_{2\uparrow}).
\end{align}

Using Eq.~(\ref{eq:JiSeq}) the stem current becomes
\begin{align}\label{eq:JsSeq}
    J_{s}=-\frac{e}{\hbar}
    \big(&(\Gamma_{\uparrow0}^{s}+\Gamma_{\downarrow0}^{s})P_{0}
    +(\Gamma_{2\uparrow}^{s}-\Gamma_{0\uparrow}^{s})P_{\uparrow}  \notag \\
    +&(\Gamma_{2\downarrow}^{s}-\Gamma_{0\downarrow}^{s})P_{\downarrow}
    -(\Gamma_{\downarrow 2}^{s}+\Gamma_{\uparrow 2}^{s})P_{2}\big).
\end{align}
The above expression is a~complicated combination of the Fermi
functions and analytic treatment is not further possible. We discuss
numerical results in Sec.~\ref{sec:sum}.

\section{\label{sec:cot}COTUNNELING REGIME}

As discussed in the introduction, one could expect the cotunneling
current to modify the lowest order current significantly. However,
this turns out not to be the case, since the cotunneling current
also has nodes in the particle-hole symmetric points and only give
small corrections to the overall shape of the current versus gate or
voltage curves.

In the cotunneling regime two electron processes come into play. An
electron is transferred between lead $j$ and lead $i$ (via an
intermediate classically forbidden state) in two successive
tunneling events, across the quantum dot. For the calculation of the
two-electron rates,  we need to consider the different starting
configurations (empty, single- and double-occupied). The
probabilities that a~given state is occupied are given by
Eqs.~(\ref{eq:MasterSol}). Furthermore, there are two types of
processes that should be considered, \emph{i.e.} non-spin-flip
processes that do not change dot's magnetization, and spin-flip
processes leading to reversal of spin direction, see
Fig.~\ref{fig:SpinFlip}. The latter contribute directly to the
current as well as modify the probabilities $P_{\sigma}$ via
spin-flips caused by the interaction of the dot with the lead. We
find the rates for these processes employing the generalized Fermi's
Golden Rule
\begin{equation}
    \Gamma_{fi}=\frac{2\pi}{\hbar}\big|\langle f|T|i\rangle\big|^{2}
    \delta(E_{f}-E_{i})
\end{equation}
for the transition from the initial state $|i\rangle$ of energy
$E_{i}$ to the final state $|f\rangle$ of energy $E_{f}$. The
transition operator $T$ is defined as
\begin{equation}
    T=H_{T}+H_{T}\frac{1}{E_{i}-H_{0}}T
\end{equation}
with $H_{0}=H_{L}+H_{D}$. The first non-vanishing transition rate
for the process which transfers the electron between the electrodes
appears in the perturbation expansion in second order, thus the
cotunneling process is quadratic in couplings, $\Gamma$.

The cotunneling events are two-particle processes and therefore
occur only between pairs of the leads. Hence, the cotunneling
current through junction $i$ can be expressed as the sum of the
currents between any pair of leads $\tilde{J}^{\nu}_{ij}$,
\emph{i.e.} the currents between lead $i$ and $j$ in regime~$\nu$,
weighted by the appropriate probability $P_{\nu}$
\begin{equation}\label{eq:CurCotTot}
\index{Cotunneling current}
    \tilde{J}_{i}=\sum_{j}\Big(\sum_{\nu}P_{\nu}\tilde{J}^{\nu}_{ij}
    +\sum_{\sigma}P_{\sigma}\tilde{J}^{\sigma,sf}_{ij}\Big).
\end{equation}
The sum runs over dot's states $\nu=0,\uparrow,\downarrow,2$, and
for emphasis we divided the current into the non-spin-flip part
$\tilde{J}^{\nu}_{ij}$ and the spin-flip part
$\tilde{J}^{\sigma,sf}_{ij}$ (present for the single occupation
only).

\subsection{\label{sec:cotnsf}Non-spin-flip cotunneling current}

We exemplify the derivation of the current between a~pair of leads
by the case of the empty dot. The initial state
$|i\rangle=|\nu_{1},\dots,\nu_{N},0\rangle$ consists of a~tensor
product of lead's states $|\nu_{i}\rangle$ and the dot's state
$|0\rangle$. The electron can be transferred from lead $i$ into lead
$j$ via either a~spin-up or spin-down state of the dot, depending on
a~spin of the electron entering the intermediate region. Because the
two corresponding final states of the leads are different
$|f\rangle=|\nu_{1},\dots,\nu_{i}-\sigma,\dots,\nu_{j}+\sigma,\dots,\nu_{N},0\rangle
=c_{i,k\sigma}c^{\dagger}_{j,k'\sigma}|i\rangle$, there is no
interference between electron's paths and we find the rates
$\Gamma^{0}_{j\sigma i\sigma}$ for these two processes separately
and add them up to get the total tunneling rate in this regime.
Thus, the current between the pair of leads $i,j$ is given by
\begin{equation}\label{eq:PairedCur0Def}
    \tilde{J}^{0}_{ij}=-e\sum_{\sigma}(\Gamma^{0}_{j\sigma i\sigma}
    -\Gamma^{0}_{i\sigma j\sigma}),
\end{equation}
that is the rate for the process bringing the electron from lead~$i$
to lead~$j$ through the empty state, minus the rate for the opposite
process, multiplied by the electron charge, $-e$. We substitute the
tunneling Hamiltonian $H_{T}$, Eq.~(\ref{eq:TunHam}), into $\langle
f|T|i\rangle$ and after a number of standard calculations, where we
use \textit{(i)} that the distribution function of electron states
in the leads are given by the Fermi-Dirac distribution functions and
\textit{(ii)} the assumption of a constant tunneling density of
states, we arrive at
\begin{equation}
    \Gamma^{0}_{j\sigma i\sigma}=\frac{1}{h}
    \Gamma^{0}_{i\sigma}\Gamma^{0}_{j\sigma}
    \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}d\xi
    \frac{1}{(\xi-\epsilon_{\sigma})^{2}}
    n(\xi-\mu_{i})\big(1-n(\xi-\mu_{j})\big)
\end{equation}
Employing Eq.~(\ref{eq:PairedCur0Def}), the current between lead $i$
and $j$ through the empty dot becomes
\begin{subequations}\label{eq:PairedCur}
\begin{align}
    \notag \tilde{J}_{ij}^{0}=-\frac{e}{h}\Gamma^{0}_{i}\Gamma^{0}_{j}
    \int^{\infty}_{-\infty}&d\xi\bigg(\frac{1}
    {(\xi-\epsilon_{\uparrow})^{2}}
    +\frac{1}{(\xi-\epsilon_{\downarrow})^{2}}\bigg)\\
    &\times\big(n(\xi-\mu_{i})-n(\xi-\mu_{j})\big),
\end{align}
where we took
$\Gamma^{0}_{i}=\Gamma^{0}_{i\uparrow}=\Gamma^{0}_{i\downarrow}$. If
one neglects the inelastic processes, the currents through the
single occupied dot may be found by analogy
\begin{align}\label{eq:PairedCur1}
    \notag \tilde{J}^{\sigma}_{ij}=-\frac{e}{h}\Gamma^{0}_{i}\Gamma^{0}_{j}
    \int^{\infty}_{-\infty}&d\xi
    \bigg(\frac{1}{(\xi-\epsilon_{\sigma})^{2}}
    +\frac{1}{(\xi-\epsilon_{\bar{\sigma}}-U)^{2}}\bigg)\\
    &\times\big(n(\xi-\mu_{i})-n(\xi-\mu_{j})\big)
\end{align}
with $\bar{\sigma}=-\sigma$. The expression for the current in the
presence of spin-flipping will be derived below as it needs more
attention.

Finally, the currents $J_{ij}^{2}$ in the remaining regime of the
double occupation reads
\begin{align}
    \notag \tilde{J}_{ij}^{2}=-\frac{e}{h}\Gamma^{0}_{i}\Gamma^{0}_{j}
    \int^{\infty}_{-\infty}&d\xi
    \bigg(\frac{1}{(\xi-\epsilon_{\uparrow}-U)^{2}}
    +\frac{1}{(\xi-\epsilon_{\downarrow}-U)^{2}}\bigg)\\
    &\times\big(n(\xi-\mu_{i})-n(\xi-\mu_{j})\big).
\end{align}
\end{subequations}
These expressions are, however, divergent and we need to improve on
the second order perturbation theory (in $\Gamma$) to regularize
these divergences. Before we follow the regularization procedure in
Sec.~\ref{sec:cotreg}, we study the current flowing with reversal of
the spin accumulated on the dot.

\subsection{\label{sec:cotsf}Spin-flip cotunneling current}

As long as we consider the limit of non-interacting electrons,
$U=0$, the inelastic processes do not affect the current at all, and
the above description is completely sufficient. In the Appendix we
compare the perturbative result with the exact results obtainable
when neglecting interactions.

\begin{figure}
\includegraphics[width=.4\textwidth]{fig3}
\caption{\label{fig:SpinFlip}The comparison of
    a~cotunneling event for the dot occupied by a~spin-up electron with
    the spin-flip process (on the right), and without (on the left). In case
    of inelastic processes, the final state of the dot and the leads
    is the same for both paths resulting in the interference.}
\end{figure}

The derivation of the tunneling rate and the current between a pair
of leads in the presence of spin-flip processes is similar to one
used in the previous section. Here, we just cite the result
\begin{equation}\label{eq:PairedCurSFDef}
    \tilde{J}^{\sigma,sf}_{ij}=-e(\Gamma_{j\bar{\sigma}i\sigma}
    -\Gamma_{i\bar{\sigma}j\sigma})
\end{equation}
with the tunneling rate
\begin{align}
    \notag\Gamma_{j\bar{\sigma}i\sigma}=\frac{1}{h}
    \Gamma^{0}_{i\sigma}\Gamma^{0}_{j\bar{\sigma}}
    \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}d\xi
    &\bigg(\frac{1}{\xi-\epsilon_{\bar{\sigma}}-U}
    -\frac{1}{\xi-\epsilon_{\bar{\sigma}}}\bigg)^{2}\\
    \times&n(\xi-\mu_{i})\big(1-n(\xi-\mu_{j}
    -\Delta_{\bar{\sigma}\sigma})\big).
\end{align}
This expression differs from that for the cotunneling current
without spin-flip processes, Eq.~(\ref{eq:PairedCur1}), as the
interference term appears there, Fig.~\ref{fig:SpinFlip}.
Furthermore, the chemical potential of lead $j$ is shifted due to
the energy gap,
$\Delta_{\bar{\sigma}\sigma}\equiv\epsilon_{\bar{\sigma}}-\epsilon_{\sigma}$,
resulting from the Zeeman splitting. It is convenient to rewrite the
expression
$n(\xi-\mu_{i})\big(1-n(\xi-\mu_{j}+\Delta_{\bar{\sigma}\sigma})\big)
=n_{B}(\mu_{j}-\mu_{i}+\Delta_{\bar{\sigma}\sigma})\times
\big(n(\xi-\mu_{j}-\Delta_{\bar{\sigma}\sigma})-n(\xi-\mu_{i})\big)$
so that it has the same form as Eqs.~(\ref{eq:PairedCur}),
\emph{i.e.} it is proportional to the Fermi functions' difference,
with $n_{B}$ standing for the Boltzmann function. In the next
section it will come to light that terms of this type undergo the
regularization scheme.

\subsection{\label{sec:cotreg}Regularization procedure}

In general for the non-spin-flip cotunneling current, the
problematic integrand is a~product of the divergent term
$(\xi-\xi_{0})^{-2}$ and the Fermi functions' difference, denoted as
$f(\xi)\equiv n(\xi-\mu_{i})-n(\xi-\mu_{j})$.

To deal with this divergence we follow the regularization scheme
proposed by Turek and Matveev \cite{Matv02,vonoppen} and add to the
denominator a life-time broadening, $\eta^{2}$, describing the
tunneling broadening of the intermediate state,
\emph{i.e.}~$\eta\propto\Gamma$. The whole trick is to partition
this integral into two parts, from which the first can be
\emph{a~posteriori} identified as the energy conserving process, and
hence, the sequential tunneling contribution while the second term
describes the regularized cotunneling processes. This is done as
\begin{align}\label{eq:PartSeqCo}
    \notag\int d\xi&\frac{f(\xi)}{(\xi-\xi_{0})^{2}+\eta^{2}}\\
    \notag&=\int d\xi\frac{f(\xi_{0})}{(\xi-\xi_{0})^{2}+\eta^{2}}
    +\int d\xi\frac{f(\xi)
    -f(\xi_{0})}{(\xi-\xi_{0})^{2}+\eta^{2}}\\
    &\longrightarrow\frac{\pi}{|\eta|}f(\xi_{0})+
    \lim_{\eta\rightarrow0^{+}}\int d\xi\frac{f(\xi)-f(\xi_{0})}{(\xi-\xi_{0})^{2}+\eta^{2}}
\end{align}
where the last line is in the limit of small $\eta$. The first term
corresponds to the transitions on resonance (or "on-shell"), where
energy is conserved in each tunneling event. These processes give
rise to a~current which is linear in $\Gamma$ after inserting into
Eq.~(\ref{eq:CurCotTot}) and using that $\eta\propto\Gamma$.
\textit{We can therefore omit the first term, since it has already
been calculated within the much simpler master equation scheme in
Sec.~\ref{sec:seq}}. The remaining term now corresponds to the
proper regularized second order contribution to the current. At this
point it is important to realize that this procedure does not
capture all second order terms, because the renormalization of the
dot state due to tunneling is not included.\cite{PhysRevB.54.16820}
The effect of renormalization, however, is easily incorporated by
adding these terms (linear in $\Gamma$) to the energies of the dot
states when doing the master equations. The second order correction
(in $\Gamma$) can then be extracted from the master equation result.
Here we do not incorporated them since they are unimportant and
merely give a shift of the gate voltage. On the other hand, for some
cases, \emph{e.g.} non-collinear magnetization, they cannot be
neglected because they give rise to off-diagonal elements in the
density matrix.\cite{PhysRevLett.90.166602}

Now returning to the expression \eqref{eq:PartSeqCo} we can evaluate
it analytically by employing the useful identity
\begin{equation}
    \lim_{\eta\rightarrow 0^{+}}\int d\xi\frac{f(\xi)-f(\xi_{0})}
    {(\xi-\xi_{0})^{2}+\eta^{2}}
    =\lim_{\eta\rightarrow 0^{+}}\frac{\partial}{\partial\xi_{0}}
    \mathrm{Re}\int d\xi\frac{f(\xi)}{\xi-\xi_{0}+i\eta}
\end{equation}
and summing over the residues. The final result becomes
\begin{align}
    \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}&\frac{d\xi}{(\xi-\xi_{0})^{2}}
    \big(n(\xi-\mu_{i})-n(\xi-\mu_{j})\big) \notag \\
    &\longrightarrow\textrm{Re}\bigg[\frac{\beta}{2\pi i}
    \Big(\Psi_{1}(\xi_{0},\mu_{i})
    -\Psi_{1}(\xi_{0},\mu_{j})\Big)\bigg].
\end{align}
The arrow indicates that the divergent integral has been regularized
by the procedure explained above. For convenience we introduced
a~shorthand notation for the polygamma function of n-$th$ order
\begin{equation}
    \Psi_{n}(\xi,\mu)\equiv
    \Psi_{n}\Big(\frac{1}{2}-\frac{\beta}{2\pi i}(\xi-\mu)\Big).
\end{equation}

Below we list the non-spin-flip currents, Eqs.~(\ref{eq:PairedCur})
after the regularization (for more detailed derivation of
regularized formulas see Ref.~\onlinecite{Zak07})
\begin{subequations}\label{eq:PairedCurReg}
\begin{align}
    \notag \tilde{J}_{ij}^{0}=&-\frac{e}{h}
    \Gamma^{0}_{i}\Gamma^{0}_{j}\textrm{Re}\big[
    \frac{\beta}{2\pi i}
    \big(\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\uparrow},\mu_{i})
    -\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\uparrow},\mu_{j})\big)\\
    &+\frac{\beta}{2\pi i}
    \big(\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\downarrow},\mu_{i})
    -\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\downarrow},\mu_{j})\big)\big],
\end{align}
\begin{align}
    \notag \tilde{J}_{ij}^{\sigma}=&-\frac{e}{h}
    \Gamma^{0}_{i}\Gamma^{0}_{j}\textrm{Re}\big[
    \frac{\beta}{2\pi i}
    \big(\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\sigma},\mu_{i})
    -\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\sigma},\mu_{j})\big)\\
    &+\frac{\beta}{2\pi i}
    \big(\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\bar{\sigma}}+U,\mu_{i})
    -\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\bar{\sigma}}+U,\mu_{j})\big)\big],
\end{align}
\begin{align}
    \notag \hspace{-2pt}\tilde{J}_{ij}^{2}=&-\frac{e}{h}
    \Gamma^{0}_{i}\Gamma^{0}_{j}\textrm{Re}\big[
    \frac{\beta}{2\pi i}
    \big(\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\uparrow}+U,\mu_{i})
    -\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\uparrow}+U,\mu_{j})\big)\\
    &+\frac{\beta}{2\pi i}
    \big(\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\downarrow}+U,\mu_{i})
    -\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\downarrow}+U,\mu_{j})\big)\big].
\end{align}
\end{subequations}

The current in the presence of the inelastic scattering,
Eq.~(\ref{eq:PairedCurSFDef}), causes more problems as the
interference term emerges. Using the partial fraction decomposition
it turns to be
\begin{align}
    \notag\bigg(&\frac{1}{\xi-\xi_{1}}-\frac{1}{\xi-\xi_{2}}\bigg)^{2}=\\
    &=\frac{1}{(\xi-\xi_{1})^{2}}+\frac{1}{(\xi-\xi_{2})^{2}}
    -\frac{2}{\xi_{1}-\xi_{2}}\bigg(
    \frac{1}{\xi-\xi_{1}}-\frac{1}{\xi-\xi_{2}}\bigg)
\end{align}
with the new type of divergence $(\xi-\xi_{0})^{-1}$. The identity
\begin{equation}
    \lim_{\eta\rightarrow 0^{+}}\int d\xi
    \frac{g(\xi)-g(\xi_{1})}
    {(\xi-\xi_{1})^{2}+\eta^{2}}
    =\lim_{\eta\rightarrow 0^{+}}
    \textrm{Re}\int d\xi\frac{f(\xi)}{\xi-\xi_{1}+i\eta},
\end{equation}
where
$g(\xi)\equiv(\xi-\xi_{1}+\frac{2\eta^{2}}{\xi_{1}-\xi_{2}})f(\xi)$,
allows one to find the regularized expression for this type of
divergence as well
\begin{align}
    \notag\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}&\frac{d\xi}{\xi-\xi_{0}}
    \big(n(\xi-\mu_{i})-n(\xi-\mu_{j})\big) \\
    &\longrightarrow\textrm{Re}\Big[\Psi_{0}\Big((\xi_{0},\mu_{j})
    -\Psi_{0}(\xi_{0},\mu_{i})\Big)\Big]
\end{align}
and after some algebra the inelastic tunneling rates become
\begin{align}
    \notag\Gamma_{j\bar{\sigma}i\sigma}=\frac{1}{h}
    &\Gamma^{0}_{i\sigma}\Gamma^{0}_{j\bar{\sigma}}
    n_{B}(\mu_{j}+\Delta_{\bar{\sigma}\sigma}-\mu_{i})\\
    \notag\times\textrm{Re}\Big[&\frac{\beta}{2\pi i}
    \big(\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\bar{\sigma}}+U,\mu_{j}+\Delta_{\bar{\sigma}\sigma})
    -\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\bar{\sigma}}+U,\mu_{i})\big)\\
    \notag+&\frac{\beta}{2\pi i}
    \big(\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\bar{\sigma}},\mu_{j}+\Delta_{\bar{\sigma}\sigma})
    -\Psi_{1}(\epsilon_{\bar{\sigma}},\mu_{i})\big)\\
    \notag+&\frac{2}{U}
    \big(\Psi_{0}(\epsilon_{\bar{\sigma}}+U,\mu_{j}+\Delta_{\bar{\sigma}\sigma})
    -\Psi_{0}(\epsilon_{\bar{\sigma}}+U,\mu_{i})\big)\\
    -&\frac{2}{U}
    \big(\Psi_{0}(\epsilon_{\bar{\sigma}},\mu_{j}+\Delta_{\bar{\sigma}\sigma})
    -\Psi_{0}(\epsilon_{\bar{\sigma}},\mu_{i})\big)\Big],
\end{align}
which substituted to Eq.~(\ref{eq:PairedCurSFDef}) gives a~proper
limit of non-interacting electrons,
$\lim_{U\rightarrow0}\tilde{J}^{\sigma,sf}_{ij}=0$. Note, that
current between each set of leads (involving spin's reversal or not)
fulfils the principle of detailed balance (vanishes for
$\mu_{i}=\mu_{j}$) and, hence, the total cotunneling current is
equal to zero, when the chemical potentials of the leads are at the
same level.

\section{\label{sec:sum}RESULTS}

In Fig.~\ref{fig:Dens} the stem current dependence upon the bias
voltage $V$ and the gate voltage $\epsilon_{0}$ for no magnetic
field (the left plot) and for magnetic field $B=5\Gamma$ (right) is
shown. Bright regions correspond to positive values of the current
while dark areas to negative ones. It is apparent that the stem
current is an~even function of bias $V$ and an~odd function of the
orbital energy $\epsilon_{0}$ with respect to the particle-hole
symmetry line $\epsilon_{0}=-U/2$. Therefore, we restrict our
discussion to the parts of the plots where $V>0$ and
$\epsilon_{0}>-U/2$. By performing the particle-hole transformation,
the behavior in region where $\epsilon_{0}>-U/2$ holds, can be
mapped onto the remaining area of the $V-\epsilon_{0}$ space.

\begin{figure}
\includegraphics[width=.45\textwidth]{fig4}
\caption{\label{fig:Dens}
    The stem current in function of the bias voltage $V$ and the gate voltage
    $\epsilon_{0}$. The leads are unpolarized and equally coupled to the dot,
    with coupling's strength $\Gamma/3$. The picture without the magnetic field
    (on the left) differs from this with field $B=5\Gamma$ (on the right).
    The interaction energy $U=20\Gamma$ and temperature $k_{B}T=\Gamma$.
    The grey scale in the far right describes the stem current value in units
    $e\Gamma/\hbar$.}
\end{figure}

Consider the case without the magnetic field first. If
$\epsilon_{0}<0$, the dot is in the single occupied state, and until
$V<\epsilon_{0}$ the transport is blocked because electrons from the
left branch do not have enough energy to overcome the Coulomb
blockade. Increasing voltage makes the transport out of the stem
possible, since electrons may escape to the empty states in the
right lead. However, further increase of the voltage stops the stem
current again, because for $V>\epsilon_{0}+U$ (when two electrons
excitations become possible) the left reservoir supplies the stem
with electrons while at the same time the electrons from the stem
move into the right reservoir. These currents cancel one another and
there is no net stem current. The situation differs for
$\epsilon_{0}>0$. The current increases once $V>\epsilon_{0}$, when
dot is excited to the single occupied state, and again when
$V>\epsilon_{0}+U$, where the electrons transverse through the
double occupied state. In both cases the direction of the flux is
directed into the stem and carried by the left-lead electrons.
Clearly, for the negative voltages the role of the right and left
reservoir interchanges, but nevertheless the direction of the stem
current is unaffected.

In the presence of the magnetic field more complex structure emerges
due to two new excitations coming into play (as the single occupied
state is no longer degenerate). It is convenient to divide the right
part of the diagram into four vertical strips
$\epsilon_{0}\in[-U/2,-U/2+B]$, $[-U/2+B,0]$, $[0,B]$ and
$\epsilon_{0}>B$.

In the first region, the negative stem current flows in the narrow
range of voltages. Below the lower threshold $V<-\epsilon_{0}+B$,
the spin-up electron occupying the dot stops the current until the
required state in the right reservoir becomes available. Then, both
spin-up and spin-down electrons can participate in transport. For
$V>\epsilon_{0}+U+B$ the electrons from the left branch enter and
compensate the current carried from the stem to the right lead and,
hence, the net stem current vanishes.

\begin{figure}
\includegraphics[width=.45\textwidth]{fig5}
\caption{\label{fig:JsvsB}(Color online) The stem current for
    different values of magnetic field $B$ is plotted. Interestingly,
    there is a~sign change in the vicinity of $V=0$ for $B=\epsilon_{0}$.
    See text for explanation. The gate voltage is $\epsilon_{0}=6\Gamma$.
    Other parameters are as in the previous figure.}
\end{figure}

In the second region, from $V=0$ to $V=-\epsilon_{0}+B$ the dot is
occupied by the spin-up electron which blocks the current. Beyond
$V=-\epsilon_{0}+B$ the spin-up states in the right lead become
available and this electron moves towards the right reservoir.
Further increase of the bias voltage results in a~small increase of
the current at $V=\epsilon_{0}+U-B$, when spin-up electrons from the
left electrode can pass through the Coulomb blockade. Finally, there
is a~sign change of the stem current at $V>\epsilon_{0}+U+B$,
because electrons of both spin directions go into the stem from the
left lead while still only spin-up electrons can move into the right
reservoir.

The negative stem current in the third strip starts to flow when
$V>-\epsilon_{0}+B$ due to the spin-up electrons moving out of the
stem into the right reservoir. This current is risen by the
spin-down electrons from the left lead at $V=\epsilon_{0}+B$ and
also by electrons moving through the double occupied state (for both
$V=\epsilon_{0}+U-B$ and $V=\epsilon_{0}+U+B$).

Eventually, in the last strip the stem current has four steps. These
are for $V=\epsilon_{0}-B$, $V=\epsilon_{0}+B$ when the excitations
of the empty dot to spin-up and spin-down state respectively become
energetically allowed, and for $V=\epsilon_{0}+U-B$,
$V=\epsilon_{0}+U+B$ when electrons from the right lead have enough
energy to overcome the Coulomb blockade (due to the spin-down and
then spin-up electron on the dot).

\begin{figure}
\includegraphics[width=.45\textwidth]{fig6}
\caption{\label{fig:DensB}
    The stem current for different polarizations of leads and magnetic field
    $B=5\Gamma$. The central branch is always unpolarized.
    In the upper row, both left and right leads are spin-up polarized,
    $P_{l}=P_{r}=1$ (the left plot), or spin-down polarized, $P_{l}=P_{r}=-1$
    (the right plot). Due to nonzero magnetic field, the spin symmetry is broken
    and the stem current is no longer an~odd function of the gate voltage with respect to
    $\epsilon_{0}=-U/2$. In the lower row, polarization of the left and right
    leads is antiparallel ($P_{l}=1$, $P_{r}=-1$ on the left, and $P_{l}=-1$,
    $P_{r}=1$ on the right). In this case, the current symmetry in $V$ is violated,
    because the dot couples to the left and right leads asymmetrically.
    The other parameters are as in the previous figure.}
\end{figure}

Fig.~\ref{fig:JsvsB} shows how the current is affected by the
magnetic field applied to the dot. The stem current remains positive
as long as $B\leq\epsilon_{0}$ for any bias. The character of the
function changes when $B$ crosses $\epsilon_{0}$. This corresponds
to the situation when the single occupancy state has the same energy
as the empty state (the electron-hole symmetry point). Tuning the
magnetic field to $B=\epsilon_{0}$ enables one to measure directly
electron-hole transport fluctuations.

Providing $B>\epsilon_{0}$, the spin-up state of the dot is below
the Fermi level of the stem and for small voltages the negative
current is most likely to occur. However, the increasing voltage
forces more and more electrons to move out of the left lead into the
central branch. These electrons overbalance those heading in the
opposite direction and the current sign changes -- it is apparent
for $B=8\Gamma$.

In two-lead systems the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) have
widely been
studied.\cite{PhysRevB.62.1186,PhysRevB.64.085318,weymann:115334}
Defining a~similar quantity in the multiprobe setup is rather vague.
Nonetheless, it turns out that the current through the central,
unpolarized lead has interesting features while varying
magnetization of the other electrodes. The results are shown in
Fig.~\ref{fig:DensB}.

The parallel magnetization (the upper part) destroys the
antisymmetry in the gate voltage whereas the antiparallel alignment
(the lower part) breaks the bias voltage symmetry. It is worth to
note that the third lead gives not only information about the
relative magnetization of two remaining electrodes, but also allows
one to determine polarization of each lead. This means that in that
kind of a~device we can switch among four different states and
directly read out the information decoded in the two-lead system
with the third probe. Experimentally it might be more convenient to
swap the magnetic field on the dot rather than to change
polarization of the side leads.

\section{\label{sec:conclu}CONCLUSIONS}

In conclusion, we have studied Coulomb blockade in a~three terminal
device. We have focused on the bias situation where two leads
have opposite voltage, while the third lead (the stem) is grounded.
This setup allows for a~direct measure of the electron-hole
asymmetry of the quantum dot system and we have made detailed
calculations of the stem current in the gate voltage-bias voltage plane.
We have pointed to a~number of predictions, that can be
experimentally tested.

Furthermore, we have considered the spin polarized case, where
a~number of detailed experimental proposals have been presented.
In particular, a~large difference in predicted pattern between
parallel and anti-parallel configurations is seen.

Finally, we have checked, using a~regularized version of the usual
cotunneling formalism, that our predictions are not significantly
altered by cotunneling corrections.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


text:
Is YouTube TV right for me?
Are the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade performances lip synched?
Do TV stations plan ahead for celebrity deaths?
Audie Cornish
CNN Plus
Go THere
Kasie Hunt
CNN+ announces three daily series
CNN has announced three daily shows for its upcoming streaming service.
"5 Things," "The Big Picture" and "Go There" will all become daily series on CNN+ from day one, which is set for sometime in the spring of 2022.
"5 Things" is inspired by the network's existing email newsletter and podcast. Kate Bolduan will anchor the new morning show, which uses a countdown style format to report to top stories of the day.
Sara Sidner will host "The Big Picture," which will offer an in-depth look at "the most important and interesting story of the day."
Also, the network's "Go There" digital series will move to CNN+ on a daily basis. The show will use the network's correspondents as "hosts," taking viewers around the world to explore breaking news and major stories in a live "all access" format.
CNN has not announced a premiere date, pricing or full schedule for CNN+.
The network has been making a slew of announces about the upcoming streamer in the recent weeks and months, including hiring away Kasie Hunt from NBC, Chris Wallace from Fox and Audie Cornish from NPR.
Anderson Cooper's digital series "Full Circle" will also move over to CNN+.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Creative community members, gather 'round! This edition of our Make the Cut Contest has a twist that's not to be missed — instead of giving you a fabric swatch to base a garment on, we're asking you to design a print that we'll use for a new run of a 100% cotton ModCloth frock! So, check out the silhouette you'll be designing for, and then start sketching a new print for this dress.
We'll accept your submissions until 9:01 a.m. PT on 2/14, then our Creative Team will choose their top 20 picks. Now, here's where the contest gets interesting: Amanda Needham, the Costume Designer of Portlandia, will be our guest judge! She'll narrow our final picks down to 10 fabric designs — the ones you'll get to vote for and comment on from 12 p.m. PT, 3/3 to 12 p.m. PT, 3/10 via Be the Buyer, our host for this edition of Make the Cut. We'll officially declare our winner with a blog announcement on 3/12.
What's in store for the wonderful winner? First, the winning fabric will be produced exclusively in our darling dress silhouette — with the fabric designer's name on the tag — and sold on ModCloth.com. Plus, we'll we'll send the designer this frock and $500. Sounds neat, right?
Fabric prints should be designed in our Air of Adorable Dress template here.
Each in-template design should include an additional close-up image of the fabric design.
All Image submissions should be no larger than 5MB, and image resolution should be 300 DPI.
If submissions include other items, please specify which part of the sketch is being entered in the contest.
Entries should be designed to work for the provided dress template.
Our Creative Team will choose 20 sketches based on judging criteria.
From the top 20 sketches, guest judge Amanda Needham, the Costume Designer of Portlandia, will select 10 fabric designs. Then, we'll post them on Be the Buyer for community voting from 12 p.m. PT, 3/3 to 12 p.m. PT, 3/10.
Sketches do not need to be in color, but it is encouraged to best convey your vision. Please note that designs should be limited to 5 – 7 color hues or variations. For example, 3 variations of green would count as 3 of your 7 colors.
The winning fabric design will be produced as a recurring pattern on 100% cotton material.
You may enter via Submittable only once, but you may include sketches for up to 5 textile designs. For each design, please remember to include both in-template sketches and close-up images of the fabric.
Entries should include the following additional files: 1) A description or visual representation of your inspiration for each textile design, and 2) Completion of this document, which includes a Copyright Assignment Agreement for you to sign, along with a Statement of Publishing for you to record the dates when your designs were created and first shared (whether in person, online, or in print). These forms will be handy if your design wins!
Sketches and accompanying files may be submitted up until 9:01 a.m. PT on 2/14.
Fabric designs will be judged on marketability, produce-ability, print creativity, and how well they fit with the ModCloth aesthetic.
With your submission(s), please include your first and last name as you'd like to see it appear for voting and on a clothing label. Feel free to tell us anything else about your sketches, including how you'd style the Air of Adorable Dress if produced with your fabric design.
The winner will be announced on 3/12 via the blog.
The winning design will be produced and sold on ModCloth.com, and feature the fabric designer's name on the tag.
Contestants under 18 must have a parent or guardian write a letter of consent, and upload it as an attachment with your entry in Submittable (Example: If you upload 5 separate sketches, a description of your inspiration, a Statement of Publishing, and your signed copyright assignment agreement, you would then upload your scanned consent as file #9).
Now, with the guidelines and rules under your belt, it's time to start designing! Will your inspired and innovative print be sewn into our next Air of Adorable Dress with a personalized tag? Could our $500 prize reward your ambitious sketching? Only one way to know — enter!
Awesome! I'll try to upload my design!
What a fun contest, this is going to be a blast!
So cool! What mediums are allowed? For example, can you use a photograph, either of scenery, or of a handmade collage, or is that too difficult to print?
Hi Emma! Your submission needs to work as a repeat print on the dress. You can absolutely use a photograph or collage as an inspiration, you'll just need to render it to show how you picture it as a repeat print on the dress. Good luck!
Hi Ana! Because of the differing production and retail laws in the US and the UK, we're currently only able to extend this contest to US citizens. I'm so sorry this restricts you from submitting a design. You CAN participate in the voting period from March 3rd to 10th on Be the Buyer, though!
This sounds awesome!! Could the textile design also be created in a graphic design software (such as Adobe Illustrator) instead of sketched?
Hi Sophie! Thanks for asking! Of course, just be sure to include one with the silhouette template and one close up!
Quick question: May I submit designs that I have in my design gallery on my Spoonflower account? Many of these designs are not yet for sale, and if chosen, I can very quickly remove the design from Spoonflower.
One more question: Should our in-template design and closeup both be on the same file, just moved over to the side a bit? Also, may I include an additional closER-up up to show a bit more detail? Many thanks!
No Canadian entries? We're neighbours though?! Oh well- it would've been fun to practice textile patterning.
I'm sorry, Madeline! You CAN participate in the voting period from March 3rd to 10th on Be the Buyer!
Does it have to be a sketch? Or can I submit textiles I've designed on Illustrator? Thanks!
You can definitely use rendering software, just make sure to include the silhouette and the close up rendering. Thanks for asking, Nicollette!
What season are we creating for?
Hi Amber! These will take a bit of time to produce; they're slated to launch in the Summer season.
I'm so excited for this!!! I'm a bit confused by the wording of the guidelines, though. It says: "Please submit scanned sketches, or high-quality, well-lit photos of your sketch on a white/light grey background." Does this mean that our print has to be designed on a white/light grey background only, or just that the picture of our print has to be on a white background? I'm trying to explain clearly what I mean… for instance, if I wanted to do yellow dress with owls printed on it (this is not my idea, just an example, since Modcloth carries so many owl print items lol), could I do that? Or would the owls have to be printed on a white/light grey dress to comply with the guidelines? Does that question make sense? Thanks!
Hi Saral! Your dress can be up to 7 colors! We just ask that the paper you draw it on is white or light grey. Thank you for checking!
Is it alright if the background is colored rather than white?
The dress' background can totally be colored! We just ask the paper or file you create on is white or light grey! Thanks for checking, Logan.
It has to be a repeating pattern? So there can't be something in the middle with different designs elsewhere?
Hmm, I think I might give this a go! Pattern making commence!
Just curious, is this for a limited licensing thing or do you guys want all the rights to the designs/pattern illustrations?
Can the design include a repeating border print?
Hi Naomi! Due to production restrictions, we ask that it's just a repeating pattern, without addition details. Good luck!
Hi! Does the repeated pattern have to cover the whole dress entirely or can there be breaks of solid color?
Hi, you might want to tell your marketing department to only send out the newsletter about this contest "A $500 prize could be just a sketch away…" to people located in the US.
Kinda bummed out to spend 5 minutes reading something I won't be able to participate in.
Also, since newsletters cost money, you are wasting budget.
Good luck to all the attendees!
Thanks SO much for the feedback, Joyce! I'll be sure to pass on your feedback. I appreciate it!
does this mean I would no longer be able to use the graphics in my design for the paintings and plushes that i sell in my etsy shop? sorry for repeating the question…it's just really important to know before i submit my designs.
Let's say I have this design on shirts and such in my store, and would want to continue selling it but think it would make a amazing print for a dress. So even by submitting it, you would own the rights to my design? What if I had changes to the one I submitted to you guys but had a version still for my own things? Am I still allowed to use my original design not submitted to you on other things?
I really wish this contest included countries outside of the U.S. [for example, Canada ;)]. I would love to enter this contest if I could.
I really wish this contest was available to residents of countries other than the U.S. (in my case, Canada). I would absolutely love to be able to enter this contest.
I'm so sorry to hear you're disappointed. You can, however, participate in the voting period from March 3rd to 10th on Be the Buyer! We'd love to hear your opinion!
Does this mean that Modcloth would own the patterns used in the designs even if the contributor doesn't win? So we wouldn't own our patterns anymore after submitting/wouldn't be able to do anything with them afterwards, even if we weren't the winner? I read through all of the contest rules but I'm still not clear on this.
Hi Melissa! Not ALL the fun, you can participate in voting from March 3-10! We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Well — voting isn't creating. If the laws differ, wouldn't it be possible to just state that "by participating in this contest you agree to US production and retail laws"? Or is there actually a law that prevents Europeans and Canadians from designing patterns to be produced and sold in the US?
Please make it open to Canada too 🙁 I wanna do it!
Hi Sarah! I'll be sure to pass on your feedback. So sorry that you're disappointed.
I am confused about the 7 colors thing. For example: If i use 7 different colored pencils, one of which is green would pressing down harder or lighter with that green colored pencil make it count as separate shades of green? Also, if i drew green over blue. Would the combination of blue and green count as a seperate color? How could i keep watercolor in specific shades? Thanks!
Hi Raechel! Any variance in hue is consider a color. So if you're blending them, please count your overlapping colors as another shade.
Does it have to stick with the theme of the name "Air of Adorable"?
Hi Brandi! You can get as creative as you'd like. It doesn't have to stick with the name. Hope that helps!
Hi! Can an individual submit more than one pattern idea?
Hi Kelly! Yup! Up to 5 different designs.
I am utterly heartbroken that this is only for U.S. residents…as I was reading through the rules I came up with an idea and everything and then BAM. A slap in the face. I live so close to the border….
So this happend to me!!! Unfortunately I live veeeeeeeeeeeeery far away from the US border (just across the Athlantic X-((((().
I'm curious about what you're envisioning for pattern repetition. Do you want a pattern designed that is square-ish in size and can be reproduced across the entire dress, or can the repetition be on a larger scale?
Hi Megan! You are free to determine the scale of your print, as long as it repeats. We ask that the design encompasses the whole garment, no contrasting fabrics. Can't wait to see your entry!
shame us european ModCloth lovers cannot enter the cometition!
Please make your contests open to Canadians!
Can the design be drawn in photoshop? If so, do you still want a hand-drawn sketch of the photoshop file?
Hi there! You can totally use software to render your design, no need for hand drawing too.
I think an example of exactly what you are looking for would benefit us greatly.
Yay. Only US residents… You should put that at the top so people don't get excited too quickly 😛 I had an idea and everything.
Can the design be done digitally using photoshop? For example using a tablet to draw up the designs.
Can this be done in photo shop?
And do you have to be following the blog?
Hi Claire! You don't have to be following the blog, but were glad to see you here! 🙂 And yup, feel free to use Photoshop.
If you win the contest- do you get some of the profits that modcloth gets from the dress?
Aww man, so disappointed that I won't be able to participate. I thought this was a super cool idea until I read all the way down at the bottom "only open to U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents". You got my hopes up!
How many sketches can one contestant sumbit?
Up to 5, zurhentsetseg! Good luck!
I was wondering if how the you an take the sketch and make it look like real fabric?
I would like to enter. I am a US citizen living in Costa Rica. Is it possible to enter? Please advise.
Hi Sharon, unfortunately you have to be residing in the states as well. We encourage you to vote on the finalists on Be the Buyer, though!
So, just to make sure I understand this, I know we're giving you guys the ok to produce the dress with the design and such, but are we completely signing over the rights of the fabric design to you guys?
Like, we can't use it for anything after we enter it in the contest?
I know you guys need the freedom to use our design in whatever way you want, but it would still be nice to do something with the design for ourselves should the opportunity arise – especially if we don't get selected as the top ten or winner!
But even with the winning design, again, you guys will obviously have the freedom to do what you want, but what if the winner wants to do something with the design? Not make money off it necessarily, but what if the winner "produces" it for themselves?
Like, what if they want to do their own dress design with that print for themselves, and they find a site that will let them order some fabric with their design (like the site some have mentioned above), so they make can make a dress for themselves, not for profit?
Production of a replica item for oneself does not count as a breach of copyright under US law. As long as the produced item is not exchanged for profit then you are good to go. This would mean, however, that you would have to produce the print yourself. Ordering the print from a custom fabric service would be a breach of US copyright. It's just like how if you paint Mickey Mouse (one of the newer character designs) on your wall, binder, or t-shirt, then Disney co. would not be able to sue you. If you started selling them on your etsy, then they could sue. So you could make the dress yourself. US copyright law tends to be rather vague, transfering almost all right to the intellectual copyright holder. It is so vague that using the same musical note for one second on a recording as another person makes the first person to come forward as having done so elegable to sue. (So Beathoven could sue all of us if he was alive.) This is likely part of why Modcloth decided to make the contest US only. Combining UK and Canadian copyright laws with US ones would make a riddiculously difficult case.
If you are concerned about this, I would really encourage you to speak with a lawyer. Copyright law is VERY complicated. Although Charlotte is right in many of her statements, her overall assessment is a bit over-simplified. Copyright infringement (like most law) comes down to a series of legal tests, and is almost always open to interpretation.
I'm not sure based on what I read, but is there a limit on submitting different designs?
Hopefully this isn't too dumb a questions, but I know it's a thing in the printing industry: do black or white count as colors?
Depends on your desired background color. Just to be safe, please count black and white as colors. Good luck!
Hi Lauren! You submit it through Submittable, the link is in the blog post above. No email submissions will be considered.
I've been in the submittable site and wondering how to you submit it through there I have no idea?
I'm kind of confused! so do I enter the print ON the dress template, or just on it's own? Can I just send a sketch of one thing that will repeat on the dress as a pattern?
Hi Marissa! You send both, a close up drawing of the repeat pattern and then draw the print into the template. Hope that helps!
Thanks! it does! 🙂 I will definitely be entering!
So, if I find a print that inspires me, BUT I decide to switch it up a bit, add or take some things out, you still want to see where I got my idea from, correct?
Correct! Thanks for checking Patricia!
It`s not fair that other countries can not take part in this contest:((( If we can buy, we must have an opportunity to take part either!
Question!. Can we submit the same design but with color variations? dress background color variations but the same patter, etc?. should we submit the same design with different colors in the same page? or each color qualifies or counts a single entry option?. Also i am a bit confused on how each final entry is presented for the voting. Should upload the template page with he pattern on it, and the close up big next to it inside the same image? or the dress template is separate form the close up image?.
Does black as an outline count as one of the colors?
Do the designs have to have a theme? Or do we have free reign about the design?
Hi Allison! It's all up to your creativity! Can't wait to see!
1.Are the rights to the print retained permanently by ModCloth or for a limited time period?
2.Is the first published date the same as the date submitted or the contest?
I was so so excited until I read the last rule. Almost tempted to change nationalities so I can enter.
How should the additional close up be submitted?
Hi there! You can include them on the same file, side by side.
Why oh why are the contests only open for U:S residents? I believe many of us international people would love to take part.
"Only open to US residents" — The very last line of the rules. You couldn't have found a way to filter out Canadians from your email list, so your maple syrupy friends don't waste their time reading/getting excited? Or at least Slip somewhere in the slogan "For all of our American Modclothers, we have a new addition of our make the cut contest.." Sloppy and disappointing – I love getting invited for things I'm not allowed to participate in.
I feel exactly the same way. I was freaking out all excited and made 4 sketches. and then the VERY last line was "oh oops only people in 'murica!"!! Should've been the first not last. This has ticked me off more than i'd like to admit. so inconsiderate that's what it is.
Hi Kristy! I'm SO sorry you're disappointed. We've passed on your sentiment to the appropriate people!
Hi Mikhaela! It can just be a scanned note from your parents. Please include your name, the contest name and note of permission. Thanks!
How many prints/sketches are we allowed to submit? Is it one entry per contestant?
I was wondering how do you want us to put the design onto the template? Seeing as we need both an image of it inside the template and of the design itself, I'm not sure how to put the design onto the template.
You can print and draw in the template or upload it into a rendering software. Hope that helps!
Can I submit digitally drawn sketches?
i can't seem to get the template to open on my laptop and having a hard time copying it into anything on my iPad. i could try doing something on my old Powerbook, but if you could email me the file or make it available for download, i would really appreciate it. thanks!
Once the top 10 designs are picked, if yours is chosen, can you share your design on social medias to invite friends to vote?
Such a Shame I'm not able to join in on the fun! Read the whole thing, got really excited and ready to be creative, only to see the last line: US only… Goodluck to those who are entering though.
Are there minimum or maximum dimensions for the pattern? Specifically, can there be a pattern that is essentially the height of the garment, but only a few inches wide, therefore only repeating in one direction?
Sure! Would love to see what you come up with!
Will the print cover the whole dress, or can it cover just pieces of it? It would still be a print but just not over the entire dress.
It'll cover the whole dress. Thanks for asking Reese!
Is there an age requirement for this competition?
Is there a size limit to the pattern? Can the pattern be the height of the garment, and repeated horizontally, or does the pattern need to be able to repeat both horizontally and vertically?
I printed out the template to start sketching when I realized the print of the dress is really small and my designs aren't very visible on it. Plus, the lines drawn on the dress in the template are in the way. Is there another option as to how it is sketched?
We ask for the print on the dress and in a swatch form, that way we can see it more clearer. Hope that helps!
Just when I had the idea for the perfect dress!!!
I am really excited about this contest! I do have a question though; I can't tell from the template, but does the skirt of the dress have side seams, or just a closure in the back??
I'm hoping you can help me understand.
How do I submit a scetch if I usually draw with pencils and paper or can you you mail it in?
Does the background color of the dress count as one of the 7 colors? My pattern already has seven colors, but the background color of the dress is different so that would make it 8. Would that be okay?
Hi Hanna, unfortunately, we ask that the background is included in the 7 colors.
Would showing piping break the repeating pattern rule?
Hi Bethany, feel free to get creative on your entry, just now when produced the winning dress won't have any embellishments.
Would a colorblock hemline break the repeating pattern rule?
Is it alright to take the outline photos and put them straight into the photoshop? It would make thing much easier.
Hi Jenna! You can totally render in Photoshop!
So…the dress template is a PDF file which doesn't open in photoshop and when I print out the pattern it has all kinds of extra lines that are not showing in your drawing.
How do we submit the document? My scanner isn't working. Can we do it online somehow?
So, kind of an odd question- if I create a print with watercolor, for printing purposes, would different intensities of the same color count as different colors? So, for example, if I use one variety of blue, but the color is darker and more concentrated, say, toward the inside or edges of a shape, would that count as different colors? Thanks so much!
I'm in the textile industry and currently work for Anthropologie. Each color, even at different tones and intensities count as a different color. The less colors…the less it will cost to make the print. Each color that is used requires another screen to be made for printing and therefore ups the price. Hope that cleared it up for you.
Thank you so much, that was really helpful!
Does the brief description of the design that is in the chart with the dates of publication count as the description of our inspiration or do we need to include separate documents with longer descriptions as well? I'm referring to the chart that is in the same document as the Copyright Assignment Agreement.
I read over the Copyright Assignment Agreement, and I'm a little confused. It states that all right to distribute, produce, and transfer the design goes solely to Modcloth. Does this mean that Modcloth owns the designs that aren't chosen as winners?
Hi AJ! Nope, only the winning design will have the copyright transferred to ModCloth.
Can we use metallic colors in our design, like gold or silver, or should the prints be in classic matte colors only?
I think it would be refreshing to see something different.
How do I submit my design in submittable?
Is it ok to add details like collars, buttons, or belts to the dress? Or should we stick strictly to the pattern provided?
Hi Kristen! Please stick with the provided template! Thanks a bunch!
Hi ModCloth! Super excited and you are so gracious to answer a million questions (some of them multiple times!) Anywho, another question :o) … you outlined that our images should not exceed 300 DPI, in Adobe terms is this 300 PPI?
Yup they're interchangeable design terms!
Sure! As long as you don't exceed 15 files total.
How do we send a close-up image of a fabric design.
Should it be in marker, colored pencil, or digital? Or which would be easier?
Hi Geraldyne, you can withdraw your submission and re enter!
Does that mean we can submit more than one pattern idea to the competition or are we only allowed to submit one design? Thank you!
I'm also a little unclear on how we submit the agreement document if we don't have access to a scanner?
Christina, you can try taking a photo and uploading that!
After reading the copyright agreement it looks like the rights are transferred just by entering the contest, even if you are not chosen the winner. Am I interpreting this correctly? Thank you.
Hi Shannon! Just the winning design will do so.
We are restricted to only seven colors. This also includes different shades of a certain color, right?
So when this dress shows up on Modcloth, will it say Air of Adorable in Prints Charming, or just Air of Adorable? Many prints would go with 'Prints Charming', but many more would just go with the generic name of the dress. Or will the dress be named based on the print??? Please answer!
Hi Audrey! The name doesn't need to restrict your theme, get creative! You can even supply your own name on your entry!
I have another question. Sorrryyyy!!! Is it fine if I get images from places such as clipart or would I have to draw everything myself?
So how will the title of the dress come out? Based on the print, or is it already selected?
I see that Modcloth owns the design if it is chosen as winner, but what if someone wanted to display the design in their portfolio (if picked as the winner)? Are they able to have it on their portfolio or it belongs solely to Modcloth?
Your parents can either type or write one and include it in your submission.
I was wondering… does the winner get to pick the size of the dress they get? If yes, up to what size will be available? 😀 thank you!
At this point in time, it looks like they're available up to 4x. We won't know for sure until we get to final production stages.
When it says "up to 5 sketches", does that mean we can design and submit five textiles, or merely five sketches of the same piece?
Elle, you can design 5 different prints!
This sounds like a great contest. I am just slightly confused, do you have to draw your design on a print out of the silhouette or on a separate sheet of white paper?
Can you use add-ons underneath the skirt of the dress?
Hi Mikaela! Please design for the provided template.
Hello there! How do we know if our designs are published?
The only question I have is what's the inspiration? Can we design whatever we want?
Do I still lose all rights to my design even if it is not the winner? Also, can I use this design in a portfolio of my work (whether I win or not)?
I would also like any answer to this, please? Do the rights to the designs revert back to their designers if they're not chosen?
Sorry. After re-reading the comments, I found my answer. Thanks!
Does black and white count as the 5-7 color limitation?? Thanks!
We can't seem to get to the agreement we need to sign on here using your link… it comes up completely black when we try. Any hints?
Besides the in-template design and detail of pattern, does anything else need to be included on the design image itself? (Designer name/signature, name of design, description, inspiration, etc).
Hi! Just a little confused about this: "Fabric prints should be designed in our Air of Adorable Dress template here." Does this mean I'm supposed to paint / draw the pattern on that template, and then additionally submit a close-up of the pattern? Or is this template just for inspiration? Thanks!
Hi, I was wondering if we are actually designing the print on the template because the dress template has very detailed folds and that makes it difficult for me to design on top of. Or are we supposed to just design on a separated piece of paper? Thank you!
Hi, just wondering if we get to choose the color of the dress as well, or if it has to stay white?
Can the consent letter be Typed or does it really HAVE TO be hand written and scanned? My mom already did one typed and I've already submitted the entry.
I was wondering, I am submitting the same design in two different color ways. Do i treat it as its own entry or just include it all in one entry?
I'm a U.S. citizen but I currently don't live there, can I enter or do I have to be a resident also?
Hi, I just submitted my designs. However I was reading through these comments and it says that the dress should have the pattern cover the whole dress. Unfortunately, I did not see this until now. I was unaware of this because it wasn't in the guidelines for design. Will my designs still be accepted into the running or do I have to fix all of my designs?
What does the letter of consent for those under 18 need to say? Is there an attachment for one or do the parent's just have to write it themselves?
Will the winner be notified via email or through the blog? If through the blog, what is the web address?
Just wondering what is a "swatch form"?
What do I put in the Cover Letter part of the submission process?
Where do we send our entries to? Also when is the deadline?
I didn't get an email about this until 2/6/14, which didn't give me enough time to finish. I hope Modcloth will have this same contest again so I'll at least have a head start. The contest should have been announced at least a month in advance. Or maybe it was and I just didn't see it. I kept hoping I'd get an email announcing that the deadline had been extended. Boo hoo.
Oh no! I thought the cut off time was 9 PM not 9 AM!!!! Any chance of an extension? I love mine!
Me, too. I thought I might actually be able to finish mine by that time, but I really needed a couple more days to fine tune things. I worked so hard on my design and hoped to submit a couple of others. Ha.
I seem to have forgotten to add my inspiration so is there a way I could send it to you?
Hi there! I am really excited to participate in this contest – it'd be my first entry ever. I'm just not sure I understand how to use Submittable. When I click on it the only thing I can submit files to has something to do with writing about fashion? Help me? How/where do I submit everything?
I am quite upset… I have just read that it is only for american citizens. I have been purchasing and referring people to this website. I had made a design and everything. It was all ready for submission when I read that note on the bottom. So Upset. Please dont reply with 'But you can vote'. Got that.
Maybe you should read all of the rules next time?
Will you get a email if you are in the top 10?


text:
To understand how these Disney-worthy fortresses ended up in the South American highlands is to know the story of Rubén Vinci, a Mexican immigrant with a flair for the fantastic.
Read More: After the Martians invaded Ecuador the real tragedy began
Vinci is thought to have arrived in Ecuador at the beginning of the 1900s and started working in the southern town of Riobamba. But his big break came in the 1930s when Carlos Larrea, an Ecuadorian diplomat and medieval scholar, approached Vinci about designing a home that reflected his interests.
What emerged was a three-story castle with multiple towers, a moat and a drawbridge — all surrounded by an English-style garden.
In the following years, Vinci was on a hot streak, building more than a dozen palazzos and castles for Quito's high society.
Few know who Vinci is now, but "there was a time where he was super famous," López said. "He was even decorated by Ecuador's congress."
Read More: Ecuador's artisans can fix broken noses, broken saints
Rómulo Moya Peralta, a member of the International Committee of Architectural Critics and the director of Quito's architectural magazine, Trama, said Vinci's buildings are an eclectic mix of medieval, neo-Gothic and neo-Moorish styles.
Vinci's own home (now a restaurant) has a domed, Arabic-looking roof and walls studded with river rock. Another castle is being used as a political campaign headquarters and is splashed in garish orange and yellow, leading one tourist to speculate it might have been built by drug dons in the 1980s.
Whether or not the castles are considered in "good or bad" taste by today's standards, they represent a special time in Quito's history, Moya said. "These castles are unique and exceptional architectural works and deserve to be protected," he added.
But even during the boom, there were the beginnings of a backlash, said Angelica Arias, the director of Quito's Institute for Patrimony, which protects Ecuador's historic buildings.
"They were very ornamental," she said of the homes, "and at one time people were complaining that Quito looked like it was filling up with little cakes." In other words, gaudy and overwrought houses.
Shaky ground
But the castles were built unwittingly in enemy territory. Over the years, the Mariscal Sucre neighborhood, where most of the buildings are, became Quito's new commercial hub.
Many of the residential castles were hastily turned into offices, hotels and restaurants. Their once-sweeping gardens became prime real estate to be sold off or developed — leaving some of them encased in other buildings, as if they were sinking into the city.
In 1984, Quito granted many of the castles architectural protection, but the economic forces were simply too strong, Arias said. In a neighborhood zoned for high-rises, the castles were seen as a burden.
"People who owned the homes felt like they were being punished," she said. "They were stuck with, say, a two-story house, while their neighbor could build a 10- or 12-story building."
Owners sought loopholes and sometimes destroyed the buildings in the dead of night. At least four Vinci buildings were completely demolished and replaced by office buildings, López said.
Crowded castle
And the ones that have been saved often reflect the city's economic tensions.
In 2013, a development group bought Castillo Larrea — Vinci's original masterpiece with the moat and drawbridge — and built a 16-story tower next to it that dwarfs the once-imposing castle.
Arias said the developers followed the letter of the law (the bottom stories of the office complex are made out of glass so the building can be seen from the street) but she admits the castle's "essence" is lost.
López, the journalist, said the city made a mistake by not recognizing that the castles' surroundings are also part of their architectural charm.
"At Castillo Larrea, the gardens are gone, the drawbridge is gone," he said. "It's a huge loss for the city."
Just across from Larrea is one of Quito's most intact castles. A staircase leads up past two lion statutes, through an ornate doorway — and into the "Rickie" department store.
José Cueva bought the building in 1979 but said it was never his intention to preserve it.
"I'm a merchant," he explained on a recent weekend. "For me, everything is for sale except my wife and children."
But over the years, after he has seen one castle after another fall to the twin forces of ridicule and real-estate values, he has become protective. When a company recently offered him "good money" to turn the building into a gas station, he felt it was his civic duty to reject it.
"I'm a Quiteño, and I remember that this used to be one of the prettiest parts of the city," he said. "I didn't want to be part of the problem."
It's too soon to say the castles can survive the onslaught, but they are getting more recognition.
Arias said the municipality of Quito is reviewing its preservation plans and trying to find ways to provide incentives to castle owners "so they won't see them as a burden."
And López recently started giving tours of the Mariscal Sucre neighborhood, where Vinci's work plays a starring role
"Our first tour was in December," he said. "It was a total hit."
The "castles" of Quito, Ecuador were built in the 1930s and 1940s for the city's high society. But they're increasingly being threatened by changing tastes and soaring land values. Jim Wyss Miami Herald
The "castles" of Quito, Ecuador were built in the 1930s and 1940s for the city's high society. But they're increasingly being threatened by changing tastes and soaring land values. This is one of the few "castles" that has been preserved as a hotel. Jim Wyss Miami Herald
Quito, Ecuador is home to world-class Colonial architecture. And fans of the "castles" built in the 1930s and 1940s say they're being overshadowed by the city's rich history. Jim Wyss Miami Herald
The "castles" of Quito, Ecuador were built in the 1930s and 1940s for the city's high society. But they're increasingly being threatened by changing tastes and soaring land values. Here, the Castillo Larrea is almost lost in the surrounding construction. Jim Wyss Miami Herald
The "castles" of Quito, Ecuador were built in the 1930s and 1940s for the city's high society. But they're increasingly being threatened by changing tastes and soaring land values. One of the more intact buildings is the headquarters of the Rickie department store. Jim Wyss Miami Herald
The "castles" of Quito, Ecuador were built in the 1930s and 1940s for the city's high society. But they're increasingly being threatened by changing tastes and soaring land values. Here, the inside of the "Rickie" castle, one of the more intact buildings of the era. Jim Wyss Miami Herald
Jose Cuevas, the owner of the "Rickie" castle in Quito, Ecuador. The "castles," were built in the 1930s and 1940s for the city's high society. But they're increasingly being threatened by changing tastes and soaring land values. Jim Wyss Miami Herald
'Hamilton' creator Lin-Manuel Miranda joins rally against Puerto Rico governor
'Miami is with you, Puerto Rico': Diaspora speaks out for island in crisis
By Jimena Tavel
About 30 Puerto Ricans debated Thursday at La Placita in Miami about what the exile community in South Florida should do to help their fellow boricuas in the island deal with the chaos surrounding Gov. Ricardo Rosselló's administration.
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text:
Alternative finance challenging mainstream lending
Small Business / 19th June 2016 by Cindy Yip
Before the concept of alternative finance or peer to peer lending was born, borrowing money off high street banks to start your first business or to grow it was just about one of the only options available. However with the rise in popularity of alternative finance, SMEs now have more options of where they can go to for business funding. Along with the government recognising SMEs to be the backbone of the British economy, more policies are being put in place to help with small business funding.
Being turned down by mainstream lenders
One in six (16 per cent) UK small businesses say they've been turned down for loans by mainstream lenders such as banks in 2016, an increase on the previous year of 11 per cent, a study by commercial finance experts from Amicus has shown.
Nearly a third (31 per cent) of SME owners reported that their inability to secure finance terms with a mainstream lender meant that they had lost out on a business deal or investment opportunity. In effect, this has led to greater interest in alternative finance – including forms such as property finance, crowdsourcing, invoice finance and asset finance.
Why are SMEs turning to alternative finance?
The findings highlight how over twice as many small firms believe that mainstream lenders are unable to reach quick enough decisions with speed of decision being a serious problem; this is up from 6 per cent in 2015.
The main reason was that the greater flexibility offered by alternative finance providers makes them more attractive than traditional lenders, Over half of SME owners (51 per cent) think this, up from 45 per cent in 2015.
Second was greater ability to lend (46 per cent),
Longer payment terms (34 per cent) being third.
This is followed by speed (30 per cent),
Specialist knowledge of their clients' industries and challenges (29 per cent),
More compelling payment structures (27 per cent).
SME owners predict that demand for alternative finance will increase by an average of 28 per cent over the next two years, up from 26 per cent in 2015 – with over half (51 per cent) having reported to have already used alternative finance or considered using it.
It's clear to see that demand for alternative finance is growing in popularity as traditional lenders fail to meet expectations in terms of agility and speed that is required by SMEs. With the three organisations announced as the designated finance platforms under the Small and Medium Sized Business Regulations 2016, this should offer even more opportunity for businesses to secure the finance they need.
If you're looking for finance to grow, don't risk being denied company credit. Use My Business Profile to get full visibility of your business credit profile, enabling you to understand what's affecting your company credit score and preventing you from being able to obtain that all important company credit.
Sources: smeinsider; finextra; startups; creditman
This article is about: banking and finance, credit decisions, economics, responsible lending, small business


text:
Q: WSIG Deployment BUILD FAILED I would like to use wsig : I followed the guide .
So in step of deployement:

*

*Prepare the WSIG web application content in the webModule directory. This step can be performed by means of the build target of the ANT build file included in the WSIG distribution.
When I launch the command ANT like this :
c:\JADE-all-4.5.0\add-ons\wsig>ant build.xml
it's displays this error :
buildfile: C:\Users\acer\Downloads\JADE-all-4.5.0\add-ons\wsig\build.xml
BUILD FAILED
Target "build.xml" does not exist in the project "wsig".
I checked the folder wsig ,  build.xml  file exists in wsig folder.

A: Try this instead.
>ant -f build.xml

If you need to specify a target in the build.xml file then put that on the end. For example -
ant -f build.xml mytarget

See here for more information.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


On the night before Easter, the Church gathers for worship in anticipation of the dawn of Easter Day, the chief festival of the Church. God's mighty deliverance of His people in the Old Testament is recalled as we look forward to God's deliverance of His people through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Though the introduction of the celebration of the Easter Vigil in America is rather recent, the Easter Vigil is an ancient service of the Church and adds great depth to the central themes and celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Selected portions of the Easter Vigil go back to the very first centuries of the Church. The current order for the Easter Vigil combines traditions from various portions of the Church's history.
In some times in the history of the Church, the Easter Vigil was an all-night event, anticipating the dawn of Easter morning. It was often the time when new converts completed their period of catechesis and were baptized into the Church. Another custom was timing the Vigil so that the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion took place at midnight.
Liturgical and historical scholarship led to the reintroduction of the Easter Vigil into liturgical churches in the United States beginning in the 1950s. Lutheran churches began to celebrate the Vigil in the 1960s. An official rite was provided for the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in the 1984 Lutheran Worship Agenda.
The Easter Vigil is organized into four major sections: the services of (1) Light; (2) Readings; (3) Holy Baptism; and (4) Holy Communion.
LIGHT: The Vigil begins after dark in a location outside of the nave. A fire is kindled to light the paschal candle. Originally, this was simply a practical measure to be able to see. It additionally represents the celebration that Jesus Christ, the Light of the world (St. John 8.12), conquered the darkness of death through the light of the resurrection.
The Paschal Candle is a large candle lit throughout the Easter season to represent the presence of Christ among His people. It is also lit during baptisms and funerals since we are baptized into Christ's death and resurrection.
Individual candles held by the congregation are lit from the Paschal Candle. The procession into the chancel led by the Paschal Candle recalls the Pillar of Fire that led the wandering Israelites by night.
The Exsultet (Easter Proclamation) is sung, calling for the Faithful to rejoice at God's deliverance of His people throughout history and especially in the forgiveness won through Christ, the true Paschal Lamb, who redeemed us by His blood and conquered death through His resurrection.
READINGS: A series of Old Testament lessons are read, surrounded with prayers, psalms, and hymns. Many of them were recalled in the Exsultet. The readings include portions of: The Creation (Genesis 1-2), The Flood (Genesis 7-9), The Testing of Abraham (Genesis 22), Israel's Red Sea Deliverance (Exodus 14-15), Salvation Offered Freely to All (Isaiah 55), A New Heart and a New Spirit (Ezekiel 36), God's Faithfulness to Israel (Deuteronomy 31.19-30), The Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37), Job Confesses the Redeemer (Job 19), Jonah Preaches to Ninevah (Jonah 3), The Gathering of God's People (Zephaniah 3), and The Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3).
HOLY BAPTISM: Even if there are no candidates for Baptism, the baptismal liturgy is prayed in remembrance of our Baptism, where we are buried and raised with Christ's death and resurrection. The Flood Prayer of Dr. Martin Luther is prayed, which draws such accounts as the Flood and Deliverance at the Red Sea as types of our own saving washing into the Ark of the Church. The Rite of Confirmation may also take place, reflecting the ancient church's practice of catechesis (teaching) throughout the season of Lent.
HOLY COMMUNION: The Vigil continues with the reading of the Easter Gospel, a homily, and the Liturgy of the Sacrament from the Divine Service. Following the blessing, the worshippers depart with joyful anticipation of the chief Divine Service for the Great Easter Feast.
Various Easter hymns are appropriate for the Easter Vigil. One hymn that is especially fitting is from the eighth-century Greek theologian John of Damascus. Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain (487) is based on the "First Song of Moses" from Exodus 15, sung in praise of God's deliverance at the Red Sea. This is one of the lessons in the Service of Readings of the Easter Vigil.
The second stanza tells the story of the resurrection and, with images of light and sun, reflects the themes of the Service of Light of the Vigil.
The final stanzas continue to relate the deliverance of God's people – the Israelites – at the Red Sea to the deliverance of God's people – the New Israel of the Church – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The hymn, Christ Is Arisen (459) is from the traditional Sequence for Easter. It celebrates "Christ our Comfort" who fills us with hope through His ascension from the grave on Easter. It may be sung alone in the hymn form or with the Sequence chant of the Victimae Paschali (460). This is historically sung during the Gospel Processional.
Rejoice now, all you heavenly choirs of angels; rejoice now, all creation; sound forth, trumpet of salvation, and proclaim the triumph of our King. Rejoice too, all the earth, in the radiance of the light now poured upon you and made brilliant by the brightness of the everlasting King; know that the ancient darkness has been forever banished. Rejoice, O Church of Christ, clothed in the brightness of this light; let all this house of God ring out with rejoicing, with the praises of all God's faithful people.