Spurious correlation as an approximation of the mutual information between redundant outputs and an unknown input

Stochastic resonance (SR) is a counterintuitive phenomenon, observed in a wide variety of nonlinear systems, for which the addition of noise of opportune magnitude can improve signal detection. Tuning the noise for maximizing the SR effect is important both for artificial and biological systems. In the case of artificial systems, full exploitation of the SR effect opens the possibility of measuring otherwise unmeasurable signals. In biology, identification of possible SR maximization mechanisms is of great interest for explaining the low-energy high-sensitivity perception capabilities often observed in animals. SR maximization approaches presented in literature use knowledge on the input signal (or stimulus, in the case of living beings), and maximize the mutual information between the input and the output signal. The input signal, however, is unknown in many practical settings. To cope with this problem, this paper introduces an approximation of the input–output mutual information based on the spurious correlation among a set of redundant units. A proof of the approximation, as well as numerical examples of its application are given.     

Nonlinear dynamics of a novel fractional-order Francis hydro-turbine governing system with time delay

This paper focuses on the stability of a hydropower station. First, we established a novel nonlinear mathematical model of a Francis hydro-turbine governing system considering both fractional-order derivative and time delay. The fractional-order α, which is introduced into the penstock system, in the range from 0.82 to 1.00 is on the left side of the model in a incommensurate manner in increment of 0.03 to provide an adjustable degree of system memory. The time delay τ, which exists between the signal and response in the hydraulic servo system, in the range from 0 s to 0.26 s is inserted on the right side of the model in increment of 0.04 s. Utilizing the principle of statistical physics, we respectively explored the effects of the fractional-order α and the time delay τ on the stable region of the system. Furthermore, we exhaustively investigated the nonlinear dynamic behaviors of the system with different governor parameters by using bifurcation diagrams, time waveforms and power spectrums, finding that only under the condition of reasonable collocation of governor parameters the system can maintain stable operation. Finally, all of the above numerical experiments supply new methods for studying the stability of a hydropower station.     

The stabilization of partially-premixed jet flames in the presence of high potential electric fields

Numerous research efforts have focused on flame stabilization and emissions. Based on initial experiments, specific mechanisms resulting from DC electric fields were chosen to be investigated, namely the chemical, thermal, and ionization mechanisms. Numerical simulations were performed on premixed propane-ozone-air flames to characterize ozone effects on flame speed resulting from the formation of ozone in high potential electric fields. These results were compared against partially premixed flame experiments to observe the dominant influences within leading edge stabilization within high potential electric fields. It was found that the electromagnetic or ionization influences, serve as the dominant effect on the combustion zone.     

A DFT-D study on influences of molecular vacancy,water and ethylenediamine substitutions on structural and electronic properties of nitromethane

Structural and electronic properties of vacancy, water and ethylenediamine substitutions in nitromethane were calculated using the first-principles density-functional theory. The results indicate both vacancy and substitution decrease the band gaps, which suggests the sensitivity of nitromethane has been enhanced. Compared with vacancy and water substitution, ethylenediamine substitution even more distinctly decreases the band gap. It suggests that ethylenediamine substitution has a more remarkable effect on the sensitivity of nitromethane. The calculated formation energies show that the formations of these defects from pure crystals need extra energies. And the elastic constants of defective crystals imply a weak performance in elastic deformation.     

Exploration of silver decoration concentration to enhance photocatalytic efficiency of titanium dioxide photocatalysts

Ag decoration on TiO₂ is favorable to absorption of visible light and wider absorption range. Ag nanoparticles playing the role of electron receivers on TiO₂ surface enhance photodegradation. However, excess Ag nanoparticles caused reduced specific surface area of photocatalysts and increased probability of charge recombination, resulting in lower photocatalytic efficiency. In this study, the influence of various Ag decoration concentrations on photocatalytic activity was investigated. Surface treatment by nitric acid after Ag decoration was performed to avoid excessive Ag deposition. The extent of Ag elimination and its impacts on photocatalytic activity were also explored. An optimum Ag content in the photocatalyst was achieved and photocatalytic efficiency was obviously improved. It was found that the number of calcination times affected the crystallinity and stability of photocatalysts. Better photocatalytic efficiency could be obtained after twice calcinations.     

Cluster synchronization in nonlinearly coupled delayed networks of non-identical dynamic systems

In the real world, many networks show community structure, i.e., clusters of nodes, which have a high density of links within the same cluster but a lower density of links between different clusters. In this paper, nonlinearly coupled networks with community structure and non-identical nodes and with time-varying delay are considered. By applying pinning control to a fraction of network nodes, and using a suitable Lyapunov function, we obtain some new and useful synchronization criteria, which guarantee that various clusters are synchronized independently. An example is presented to show the application of the criteria obtained in this paper.     

Charge generation and electrostatic equilibrium for single granules during sliding

Electrostatic phenomena are commonly observed in the processing of solids. However, the working mechanism of electrostatic charge generation for single granules and particularly, their electrostatic equilibria have not been properly understood. In this work, repeated-sliding charging experiments with single granules were investigated for their electrostatic generation particularly from the perspective of triboelectrification equilibrium. Factors including granule length-ratio, sliding face shape, sliding times, sliding area, sliding velocity, front-facing edge, and sliding-plate inclined-angle were found to have an obvious effect on granule charge generation. Length-ratio and sliding area have significant effects as the granules evolved toward an equilibrium state. Equilibrium charge is suggested as a variable expressing the charging propensity of the material. In addition, under the same working conditions, a semi-cylindrical granule generates greater charge than a rectangular granule.     

A new epidemic model of computer viruses

This paper addresses the epidemiological modeling of computer viruses. By incorporating the effect of removable storage media, considering the possibility of connecting infected computers to the Internet, and removing the conservative restriction on the total number of computers connected to the Internet, a new epidemic model is proposed. Unlike most previous models, the proposed model has no virus-free equilibrium and has a unique endemic equilibrium. With the aid of the theory of asymptotically autonomous systems as well as the generalized Poincare–Bendixson theorem, the endemic equilibrium is shown to be globally asymptotically stable. By analyzing the influence of different system parameters on the steady number of infected computers, a collection of policies is recommended to prohibit the virus prevalence.