Supershell structure in alkali metal nanowires

Nanowires are formed by indenting and subsequently retracting two pieces of sodium metal. Their cross section gradually reduces upon retraction and the diameters can be obtained from the conductance. In previous work we have demonstrated that when one constructs a histogram of diameters from large numbers of indentation-retraction cycles such histograms show a periodic pattern of stable nanowire diameters due to shell structure in the conductance modes. Here, we report the observation of a modulation of this periodic pattern, in agreement with predictions of a supershell structure.     

On the complexity of the disjoint paths problem

In this paper we consider the disjoint paths problem. Given a graphG and a subsetS of the edge-set ofG the problem is to decide whether there exists a family of disjoint circuits inG each containing exactly one edge ofS such that every edge inS belongs to a circuit inC. By a well-known theorem of P. Seymour the edge-disjoint paths problem is polynomially solvable for Eulerian planar graphsG. We show that (assumingPNP) one can drop neither planarity nor the Eulerian condition onG without losing polynomial time solvability. We prove theNP-completeness of the planar edge-disjoint paths problem by showing theNP-completeness of the vertex disjoint paths problem for planar graphs with maximum vertex-degree three. This disproves (assumingPNP) a conjecture of A. Schrijver concerning the existence of a polynomial time algorithm for the planar vertex-disjoint paths problem. Furthermore we present a counterexample to a conjecture of A. Frank. This conjecture would have implied a polynomial algorithm for the planar edge-disjoint paths problem. Moreover we derive a complete characterization of all minorclosed classes of graphs for which the disjoint paths problem is polynomially solvable. Finally we show theNP-completeness of the half-integral relaxation of the edge-disjoint paths problem. This implies an answer to the long-standing question whether the edge-disjoint paths problem is polynomially solvable for Eulerian graphs.Supported by Sonderforschungsbereich 303 (DFG)     

Quantum mechanics: cleaning up metaphysical baggage

The dynamic electronic structure of atoms and molecules can be directly observed by means of the (e, 2e) reaction, which measures the distribution of energies and momenta of two electrons in coincidence after a knockout reaction initiated by an electron beam of known momentum incident on a molecular gas target. The molecular state for each event is identified by the electron separation energy. The recoil momentum for each event is known from the difference of measured initial and final momenta. It has been verified that values of this momentum are equal under suitable conditions to the momentum of the electron in the target immediately before knockout. Thus the spherically-averaged electron momentum distribution for each molecular orbital is measured. This is directly related to molecular orbitals calculated by the methods of quantum chemistry. Properties obtained by this method for different types of molecules are discussed.     

Performance evaluation of artificial bee colony optimization and new selection schemes

The artificial bee colony optimization (ABC) is a population-based algorithm for function optimization that is inspired by the foraging behavior of bees. The population consists of two types of artificial bees: employed bees (EBs) which scout for new, good solutions and onlooker bees (OBs) that search in the neighborhood of solutions found by the EBs. In this paper we study in detail the influence of ABC’s parameters on its optimization behavior. It is also investigated whether the use of OBs is always advantageous. Moreover, we propose two new variants of ABC which use new methods for the position update of the artificial bees. Extensive empirical tests were performed to compare the new variants with the standard ABC and several other metaheuristics on a set of benchmark functions. Our findings show that the ideal parameter values depend on the hardness of the optimization goal and that the standard values suggested in the literature should be applied with care. Moreover, it is shown that in some situations it is advantageous to use OBs but in others it is not. In addition, a potential problem of the ABC is identified, namely that it performs worse on many functions when the optimum is not located at the center of the search space. Finally it is shown that the new ABC variants improve the algorithm’s performance and achieve very good performance in comparison to other metaheuristics under standard as well as hard optimization goals.     

Differential non-destructive image current detection in a fourier transform quadrupole ion trap

Dual-detector differential non-destructive Fourier transform detection in a quadrupole ion trap is shown to improve signal intensity and reduce noise compared with spectra recorded using a single detector. A larger area detector in each end-cap electrode is machined to fit its hyperbolic shape and so minimize field imperfections on the z-axis. Argon, acetophenone and bromobenzene spectra were recorded to allow a comparison between single- and dual-detector (differential) modes of detection and to demonstrate the improvement achieved with differential detection. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Minimization of treatment time for in vitro 1.1 MHz destruction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms by high-intensity focused ultrasound

Medical implants are prone to colonization by bacterial biofilms. Normally, surgery is required to replace the infected implant. One promising noninvasive modality is to destroy biofilms with high-intensity focused ultrasound. In our study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms were grown on implant-mimicking graphite disks in a flow chamber for 3 days prior to exposing them to ultrasound pulses. Exposure time at each treatment location was varied between 5, 15 and 30 s. Burst period was varied between 1, 3, 6 and 12 milliseconds (ms). The pulses were 20 cycles in duration at 1.1 MHz from a spherically focused transducer (f/1, 63 mm focal length), creating peak compressional and rarefactional pressures at the graphite disk surface of 30 and 13 MPa, respectively. P. aeruginosa were tagged with green fluorescent protein, and killed cells were visualized using propidium iodide before determining the extent of biofilm destruction. The exposure-induced temperature rise was measured to be less than 0.2 °C at the focus, namely the interface between graphite disk and water. Then, the temperature rise was measured at the focus between the graphite disk and a tissue-mimicking phantom to evaluate therapy safety. Two thresholds, of bacteria destruction increase and of complete bacteria removal, respectively, were identified to divide our eight exposure conditions. Results indicated that 30-s exposure and 6-ms pulse period were sufficient to destroy the biofilms. However, the 15-s exposure and 3-ms pulse period were viewed as optimum when considering exposure time, efficacy, and safety.     

Structure of axisymmetric force-free magnetic fields in a dissipative plasma

Zusammenfassung Es wird untersucht, in welcher Weise die Struktur axisymmetrischer kraftfreier Magnetfelder in einem Plasma mit den Eigenschaften dieses Mediums zusammenhängt. Aus der Bedingung für das Verschwinden der Lorentz-Kraft und einer Energiegleichung für den Transport der Jouleschen Wärme wird ein System nicht-linearer Differentialgleichungen abgeleitet, wobei die aus der kinetischen Theorie folgende Feld- und Temperaturabhängigkeit der Transportkoeffizienten berücksichtigt wird. Es zeigt sich, dass ausser einer charakteristischen Länge nur ein einziger dimensionsloser Parameter auftritt, und dass dieser im wesentlichen durch das Quadrat des Verhältnisses von magnetischer zu kinetischer Energiedichte an der Achse bestimmt ist. Das Verhalten der Lösungen für beliebiges wird diskutiert, und für kleine werden Näherungslösungen entwickelt. Beispielrechnungen für =0, 0.1, 3 zeigen den Verlauf der verschiedenen physikalischen Variablen als Funktionen des Radius.