A hyperbolic reaction–diffusion model for the hantavirus infection

A hyperbolic reaction–diffusion model for the hantavirus infection, generalizing the parabolic set of equations recently derived by Abramson and Kenkre, is proposed within the context of Extended Thermodynamics. The model, as in the parabolic case, captures some of the realistic features of the dynamics of hantavirus in mice population, while it avoids the unphysical features concerning the instantaneous diffusive effects typical of parabolic equations. Traveling wave solutions, related to the spread of the infection in the landscape, are investigated. Both analytical and numerical results obtained herein are discussed and validated from the behavior of the biological system. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Existence and stability of modulating pulse-solutions in a phenomenological model of nonlinear optics

Modulating pulse-solutions consist of a pulse-like envelope advancing in the laboratory frame and modulating an underlying spatially and temporarily oscillating wave train. Such solutions play a big role in nonlinear optics, where information is transported as pulse-like modulations of an underlying electromagnetic wave. For a phenomenological model we prove criteria for the existence and asymptotic stability of such solutions in terms of the coefficients of the associated equation for the envelope.     

Thin viscous fluid film flows over rotating curvilinear surfaces

Thin viscous fluid film flows over rotating curvilinear surfaces are considered. The steady-state flow is studied for large and finite Ekman numbers. The possibility of obtaining a film of given thickness is considered. The wave formation on the surface of an inhomogeneous film and the development of nonlinear waves are also investigated. The film flow parameters in the cases of flow over a plane disk and a curvilinear surface are compared.     

Propagation of perturbations in a two-layer stratified fluid with an interface excited by moving sources

Propagation of small perturbations in a two-layer inviscid stratified fluid is studied. It is assumed that the higher density fluid occupies the lower unbounded half-space, while the lower density fluid occupies the upper unbounded half-space. The source of the excitation is a plane wave traveling along the interface of the fluids. An explicit analytical solution to the problem is constructed, and its existence and uniqueness are proved. The long-time wave pattern developing in the fluids is analyzed.     

TVD scheme for computing open channel wave flows

For the shallow water equations in the first approximation (Saint-Venant equations), a TVD scheme is developed for shock-capturing computations of open channel flows with discontinuous waves. The scheme is based on a special nondivergence approximation of the total momentum equation that does not involve integrals related to the cross-section pressure force and the channel wall reaction. In standard divergence difference schemes, most of the CPU time is spent on the computation of these integrals. Test computations demonstrate that the discontinuity relations reproduced by the scheme are accurate enough for actual discontinuous wave propagation to be numerically simulated. All the qualitatively distinct solutions for a dam collapsing in a trapezoidal channel with a contraction in the tailwater area are constructed as an example.     

Agglomeration of particles by a converging ultrasound field and their quantitative assessments

The acoustic radiation force resulting from acoustic waves have been extensively studied for the contact-free generation of organized patterning arrays. The precise arrangement of microscopic objects clustered at the pressure nodes is critical to the development of functional structures and patterned surfaces. However, the size of the clusters is restricted by the saturation limit of the acoustic nodes. Here, we present a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) platform, which employs a two-dimensional acoustic wave to propel particles of various sizes. Experimentally, when particles are large, significant acoustic energy is scattered and partly absorbed by the matched layers in front of the sensors. The acoustic radiation force from a convergent acoustic pressure field agglomerates the large polystyrene (PS) particles towards the central region instead of the pressure nodes. The parametric analysis has been performed to assess the transition in the particles from clustering at the organized nodal arrays to agglomerating in the central region, which is a function of particle size, particle concentration, and load voltage. Statistically, the particles can agglomerate with a cluster ratio greater than 70%, and this ratio can be improved by increasing the load power/voltage supplied to the transducers. With its ability to perform biocompatible, label-free, and contact-free self-assembly, this concept offers a new possibility in the fabrication of colloidal layers, the recreation of tissue microstructure, the development of organoid spheroid cultures, the migration of microorganisms, and the assembly of bioprinting materials.     

Synthesis and characterization of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides: Recent progress from a vacuum surface science perspective

Layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are a diverse group of materials whose properties vary from semiconducting to metallic with a variety of many body phenomena, ranging from charge density wave (CDW), superconductivity, to Mott-insulators. Recent interest in topologically protected states revealed also that some TMDs host bulk Dirac- or Wyle-semimetallic states and their corresponding surface states. In this review, we focus on the synthesis of TMDs by vacuum processes, such as molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). After an introduction of these preparation methods and categorize the basic electronic properties of TMDs, we address the characterization of vacuum synthesized materials in their ultrathin limit-mainly as a single monolayer material. Scanning tunneling microscopy and angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy has revealed detailed information on how monolayers differ in their properties from multi-layer and bulk materials. The status of monolayer properties is given for the TMDs, where data are available. Distinct modifications of monolayer properties compared to their bulk counterparts are highlighted. This includes the well-known transition from indirect to direct band gap in semiconducting group VI-B TMDs as the material-thickness is reduced to a single molecular layer. In addition, we discuss the new or modified CDW states in monolayer VSe₂ and TiTe₂, a Mott-insulating state in monolayer 1T-TaSe₂, and the monolayer specific 2D topological insulator 1T′-WTe₂, which gives rise to a quantum spin Hall insulator. New structural phases, that do not exist in the bulk, may be synthesized in the monolayer by MBE. These phases have special properties, including the Mott insulator 1T-NbSe₂, the 2D topological insulators of 1T′-MoTe₂, and the CDW material 1T-VTe₂. After discussing the pure TMDs, we report the properties of nanostructured or modified TMDs. Edges and mirror twin grain boundaries (MTBs) in 2D materials are 1D structures. In group VI-B semiconductors, these 1D structures may be metallic and their properties obey Tomonaga Luttinger quantum liquid behavior. Formation of Mo-rich MTBs in Mo-dichalcogenides and self-intercalation in between TMD-layers are discussed as potential compositional variants that may occur during MBE synthesis of TMDs or may be induced intentionally during post-growth modifications. In addition to compositional modifications, phase switching and control, in particular between the 1H and 1T (or 1T′) phases, is a recurring theme in TMDs. Methods of phase control by tuning growth conditions or by post-growth modifications, e.g. by electron doping, are discussed. The properties of heterostructures of TMD monolayers are also introduced, with a focus on lateral electronic modifications in the moiré-structures of group VI-B TMDs. The lateral potential induced in the moiré structures forms the basis of the currently debated moiré-excitons. Finally, we review a few cases of molecular adsorption on nanostructured monolayer TMDs. This review is intended to present a comprehensive overview of vacuum studies of fundamental materials' properties of TMDs and should complement the investigations on TMDs prepared by exfoliation or chemical vapor deposition and their applications.     

Measurement of dense plasma temperature of the shock-compressed silicon

Measurements of the brightness temperature and compressibility of a dense silicon plasma formed by powerful shock waves (SWs) passing through a single-crystal sample have been carried out. Plane SWs were created using an explosive technique: the traditional plane acceleration of a steel driver plate made it possible to obtain pressures in silicon up to 133 GPa, and the use of “Mach” cumulative generators realized the pressures up to 510 GPa. The shock Hugoniot of silicon was determined by the impedance matching with α-quartz as the reference. The intensity of emitted thermal radiation was measured in the infrared range λ ∼ 1.5 μm, where silicon is optically transparent, and in the visible range of the spectrum. A significant (up to five times) understatement of the measured values of the brightness temperature in comparison with the values calculated by the equation of state was found. Taking into account the reflective properties of the SW in silicon does not lead to an agreement with the experiment. The estimates of relaxation processes behind the shock front suggest the presence of a zone of the establishment of ionization equilibrium with a width of ∼10 μm.