A branching process model for sand avalanches

An analytically solvable model for sand avalanches of noninteracting grains of sand, based on the Chapman-Kolmogorov equations, is presented. For a single avalanche, distributions of lifetimes, sizes of overflows and avalanches, and correlation functions are calculated. Some of these are exponentials, some are power laws. Spatially homogeneous distributions of avalanches are also studied. Computer simulations of avalanches of interacting grains of sand are compared to the solutions to the Chapman-Kolmogorov equations. We find that within the range of parameters explored in the simulation, the approximation of noninteracting grains of sand is a good one.     

Optimal convex hull algorithms on enhanced meshes

In this paper we propose time-optimal convex hull algorithms for two classes of enhanced meshes. Our first algorithm computes the convex hull of an arbitrary set ofn points in the plane inO (logn) time on a mesh with multiple broadcasting of sizen×n. The second algorithm shows that the same problem can be solved inO (1) time on a reconfigurable mesh of sizen×n. Both algorithms achieve time lower bounds for their respective model of computation.This work was supported by NASA under grant NCCI-99.Additional support by the National Science Foundation under grant CCR-8909996 is gratefully acknowledged.     

Si1－xGex/Si量子阱发光材料的分子束外延生长及其结构研究

采用固源Si分子束外延,在较高的生长温度于Si(100)衬底上制备出Si1－xGex/Si量子阱发光材料。发光样品的质量和特性通过卢瑟福背散射、X射线双晶衍射及光致发光评估。背散射实验中观察到应变超晶格的反常沟道效应;X射线分析表明材料的生长是共度的、无应力释放的,结晶完整性好。低温光致发光主要是外延合金量子阱中带边激子的无声发射和横光学声子参与的激子复合。并讨论了生长温度对量于阱发光的影响。     

Effect of borohydride as reducing agent on the structures and electrochemical properties of Pt/C catalyst

In this paper, we found that boron deposited on the surface of support when sodium borohydride used as reducing agent during the preparation of Pt/C catalyst. The deposition of boron markedly reduces particle size of Pt, raises electrochemical active surface (EAS) area of catalyst and electrochemical activity for hydrogen evolution or oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) compared with which prepared using other reducing agents (hydrogen and formaldehyde).     

Structural and magnetic properties of RF sputtered FePt/Fe multilayers

Series of [FePt(4min)/Fe(t_Fe)]₁₀ multilayers have been prepared by RF magnetron sputtering and post-annealing in order to optimize their magnetic properties by structural designs. The structure, surface morphology, composition and magnetic properties of the deposited films have been characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Rutherford backscattering (RBS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDX) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). It is found that after annealing at temperatures above 500 °C, FePt phase undergoes a phase transition from disordered FCC to ordered FCT structure, and becomes a hard magnetic phase. X-ray diffraction studies on the series of [FePt/Fe]_n multilayer with varying Fe layer thickness annealed at 500 and 600 °C show that lattice constants change with Fe layer thickness and annealing temperature. Both lattice constants a and c are smaller than those of standard ones, and lattice constant a decreases as Fe layer deposition time increases. Only a slight increase in grain size was observed as Fe layer decreased in samples annealed at 500 °C. However, the increase in grain size is large in samples annealed at 600 °C. The coercivities of [FePt/Fe]_n multilayers decrease with Fe layer deposition time, and the energy product (BH)_max reaches a maximum in the samples with Fe layer deposition time of 3 min. Comparison of magnetic properties with structure showed an almost linear relationship between the lattice constant a and the coercivities of the FePt phase.     

A new insight into the understanding of the collapsed form of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) molecules

Possible collapsed forms of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) molecules are reviewed on the basis of first principle calculations. Various configurations and associated conformations are detailed. The calculated optimized structures exhibit different possibilities of creating networks of intra-molecular bonds of the hydrogen type. We show that the most remarkable one is able to form a local, self-saturated and well ordered helix. We also indicate in which direction the synthesis of the molecule should be oriented to improve its global behavior in term of hydrophobic/hydrophilic behavior.     

新疆酸浆宿萼总黄酮含量测定方法的研究

利用可见光及紫外分光光度法测定酸浆宿萼总黄酮含量,可见光分光光度法是以芦丁为参照品,硝酸铝作显色剂,在510 nm波长测定总黄酮含量.紫外分光光度法是以芦丁为参照品,在359 nm波长测定总黄酮含量.经过比较,认为紫外分光光度法是一种较理想的测定方法.     

裂解气相色谱质谱法研究增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二甲酯的热降解机理

用裂解气相色谱-质谱联用方法研究了橡胶产品中使用的增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二甲酯(DMP)在不同温度条件下的热裂解行为.对不同温度条件下裂解产物的分析表明,在初始阶段DMP的裂解产物主要为二氧化碳、苯、甲苯和苯甲酸甲酯.随着温度的升高苯甲酸甲酯进一步裂解成为分子质量更小的自由基,并发生稠环化反应形成更稳定的菲、蒽、间-联三苯、三亚苯等芳香族多环化合物.根据分析实验提供的裂解产物信息和有机物热裂解化学反应的原理对DMP的热裂解反应机理作了探讨,表明在废旧合成橡胶热裂解回收过程中,增塑剂DMP的高温裂解会产生多环芳烃污染物.应选择合适裂解工艺和裂解温度,以减少对环境的污染.     

Comparative analysis of heterogeneous solid and soft materials by adsorption, NMR and thermally stimulated depolarisation current methods

Structural characterisation of such bio-objects as fibrinogen solution, yeast cells, wheat seeds and bone tissues has been done using two versions of cryoporometry based on the integral Gibbs-Thomson (IGT) equation for freezing point depression of pore liquids and the measurements by ¹H NMR spectroscopy (180-200 < T < 273 K) and the thermally stimulated depolarisation current (TSDC) method (90 < T < 273 K) of structured water. The IGT equation was solved using a self-consisting regularization procedure including the maximum entropy principle applied to the distribution function of pore size (PSD). Both methods give clear pictures of changes in the structural characteristics caused, e.g., by hydration and swelling of wheat seeds and yeast cells, coagulation and interaction of fibrinogen with solid nanoparticles in the aqueous media, and the human bone tissue disease.