Reversing the Brazil-nut effect: competition between percolation and condensation

We report on experiments on vertically shaken binary granular mixtures, which separate into their components due to the external excitation. This well-known phenomenon, where large particles rise to the top of the mixture, is called the Brazil-nut effect. Recent theoretical findings predict also a reverse Brazil-nut effect, where large particles sink to the bottom of the container. We choose spherical beads of various diameters and materials in order to observe the transition from Brazil-nut effect to its reverse form. The direction of demixing depends sensitively on the external excitation, so that it is possible to switch between both effects for a given mass density ratio.     

颗粒物质“巴西果”分离的影响因素及分离机制概述

“巴西果”分离（BNS）是振动颗粒物质的一个主要现象.近几年来,寻找影响“巴西果”分离的因素及其形成的物理机制受到众多学者的广泛关注.文章系统地总结了影响“巴西果”分离的各种因素及相关物理模型,指出了各种模型的适用范围及存在的不足.阐述了目前颗粒物质研究热点及今后需要开展的研究工作的方向.     

Self-connected horizontal silicon nanowire field effect transistor

We propose a technique to fabricate self-connected horizontal Si nanowire (NW) field effect transistors (FETs) by a self-assembly mechanism. We show direct growth of Si NWs between two predefined metallic electrodes along the SiO₂ gate oxide using the vapour–liquid–solid (VLS) growth mode. In our approach, the gold catalyst layer is covered by the contact metal, giving rise to selective and localized catalytic activity and growth of NWs from the gold edges. The diameter of the NWs can be adjusted by the thickness of the catalyst layer. Using such a process, we demonstrate field effect operation on the conductivity of a non-intentionally doped 20 nm diameter Si NW. This technique can be implemented in three dimensions, paving the way to three-dimensionalD integration using vertical stacks of self-connected FETs.     

A reverse multi-Regge bootstrap

We derive an integral equation for the generating function of partial cross sections in the context of a factorizable Regge-Mueller model of inclusive reactions. With suitable approximations we show how our work can reproduce the results of the Chew-Pignotti model and of the recent model of Lee. We discuss this latter model on the basis of our more general viewpoint. We formulate a reverse bootstrap in which the input Regge singularities are the ones that enter in the total cross section and the output singularities are the ones that appear in the partial cross sections.     

The effect of aging on horizontal plane sound localization

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of aging on sound localization. Seven groups of 16 subjects, aged 10-81 years, were tested. Sound localization was assessed using six different arrays of four or eight loudspeakers that surrounded the subject in the horizontal plane, at a distance of 1 m. For two 4-speaker arrays, one loudspeaker was positioned in each spatial quadrant, on either side of the midline or the interaural axis, respectively. For four 8-speaker arrays, two loudspeakers were positioned in each quadrant, one close to the midline and the second separated from the first by 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, or 60 degrees. Three different 300-ms stimuli were localized: two one-third-octave noise bands, centered at 0.5 and 4 kHz, and broadband noise. The stimulus level (75 dB SPL) was well above hearing threshold for all subjects tested. Over the age range studied, percent-correct sound-source identification judgments decreased by 12%-15%. Performance decrements were apparent as early as the third decade of life. Broadband noise was easiest to localize (both binaural and spectral cues were available), and the 0.5-kHz noise band, the most difficult to localize (primarily interaural temporal difference cue available). Accuracy was relatively higher in front of than behind the head, and errors were largely front/back mirror image reversals. A left-sided superiority was evident until the fifth decade of life. The results support the conclusions that the processing of spectral information becomes progressively less efficient with aging, and is generally worse for sources on the right side of space.     

New design of nozzle structures and its effect on the surface and crystal qualities of thick GaN using a horizontal HVPE reactor

High-quality thick GaN films without cracks were achieved by using a new nozzle structure in the reactor grown by the hydride vapor phase epitaxy on sapphire substrates. Optical contrast microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray double diffraction (XRD) and cathodoluminescence (CL) were carried out to reveal the surface, crystal and optical properties of the GaN epilayer. It was found that the nozzle structure in the reactor has a large effect on the growth rate, surface flat, crystal quality, and the uniformity of the growth. Compared with the old one, the new nozzle structure (denoted as multi-layers nozzle) can improve dramatically the properties of thick GaN. Mirror, colorless and flat GaN thick film was obtained and its (0 0 0 2) FWHM results were reduced from 1000 to 300 arcsec when the new nozzle was used. AFM result revealed a step flow growth mode for GaN layer with the new nozzle. Room-temperature CL spectra on the GaN films showed a strong near-band-edge peak for the new nozzle, but there is only weak emitting peak for the old nozzle. New nozzle structure can improve the uniform of flow field near the surface of substrates compared with the old one, which leads to the improvement of properties of GaN thick film by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE).     

雷电在水平导体中产生感应电压的观测及数值模拟研究

对自然雷电的9次回击过程在水平导体上产生的感应电压特征进行了分析,并利用数值模拟分析了各种参量对感应电压的影响.自然雷电9次回击在导体上产生的感应电压的变化范围为4.6—18.6 kV,平均值为11.2 kV.感应电压的半峰值宽度和下降时间的几何平均值分别为0.87和2.9 μs.数值模拟结果表明,回击在导体两端产生的感应电压随回击速度的增加而增大,随导体高度的增加而增大.当导体两端的接地电阻匹配时,感应电压随电阻的增加而增大,但并不满足线性关系.当导体两端的接地电阻不匹配时,高电阻端的感应电压远大于低电 关键词： 感应电压 自然雷电 数值模拟     

基础水平运动的弹簧摆的周期解与稳定性

针对基础水平运动的弹簧摆的非线性动力学响应进行研究,利用拉格朗日方程建立了系统的动力学方程.将离散傅里叶变换、谐波平衡法以及同伦延拓方法相结合,对系统的周期响应进行求解,避免了传统方法计算中使用泰勒展开引起的小振幅的限制,与数值计算结果的对比表明该求解方法具有较高的精确度.利用Floquet理论分析了周期响应的稳定性,给出了基础运动振幅和频率对系统周期响应的影响.研究发现:对应某些基础频率和振幅,系统的周期响应可能发生Hopf分岔;利用数值计算研究了Hopf分岔后系统响应随基础频率和振幅的变化,发现系统出现了倍周期运动、拟周期运动和混沌等复杂的动力学行为.研究表明系统进入混沌的主要路径是拟周期环面破裂和阵发性.     

会聚区的水平偏移特性及其临界频率分析

利用数值模型研究了完整深海声道中会聚区的水平偏移特性,根据折射定律和Lloyd镜效应推导了会聚区发生水平偏移时临界频率的表达式。研究结果表明:当声波频率低于临界频率时,会聚区的主导模态与频率相关,随着声波频率减小会聚区会向靠近声源的方向水平移动,同时传播损失明显增大,当声波频率大于临界频率时,会聚区的主导模态近似与频率无关,会聚区的位置和传播损失大小不会随频率改变而发生明显变化,声源深度不同时,临界频率也不同。通过临界频率可以确定在特定声源深度下,会聚区发生水平偏移时需要满足的频率条件,利用临界频率与声源深度之间的关系,可以被动估计深海浅层目标的深度。     

A horizontal model for neutrino mixing

We consider a horizontal SU(3)_H × SU(2)_L × U(1) model in which the large Majorana neutrino masses are associated with a large horizontal scale. We find that the charged lepton sector is responsible for the neutrino mixing which we calculate in the present model. We also find that the neutrino oscillation length is related to the horizontal scale.     

Quantum effect induced reverse kinetic molecular sieving in microporous materials

We report kinetic molecular sieving of hydrogen and deuterium in zeolite rho at low temperatures, using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations incorporating quantum effects via the Feynman-Hibbs approach. We find that diffusivities of confined molecules decrease when quantum effects are considered, in contrast with bulk fluids which show an increase. Indeed, at low temperatures, a reverse kinetic sieving effect is demonstrated in which the heavier isotope, deuterium, diffuses faster than hydrogen. At 65 K, the flux selectivity is as high as 46, indicating a good potential for isotope separation.     

磁热效应演示实验

简述了磁热效应的原理及磁致冷技术的发展现状.使用纳米磁流体为工作物质设计了室温磁热效应演示实验,通过灵敏电流计光标的偏转角度显示温度的变化.     

A characterization of horizontal visibility graphs and combinatorics on words

A Horizontal Visibility Graph (HVG) is defined in association with an ordered set of non-negative reals. HVGs realize a methodology in the analysis of time series, their degree distribution being a good discriminator between randomness and chaos Luque et al. [B. Luque, L. Lacasa, F. Ballesteros, J. Luque, Horizontal visibility graphs: exact results for random time series, Phys. Rev. E 80 (2009), 046103]. We prove that a graph is an HVG if and only if it is outerplanar and has a Hamilton path. Therefore, an HVG is a noncrossing graph, as defined in algebraic combinatorics Flajolet and Noy [P. Flajolet, M. Noy, Analytic combinatorics of noncrossing configurations, Discrete Math., 204 (1999) 203-229]. Our characterization of HVGs implies a linear time recognition algorithm. Treating ordered sets as words, we characterize subfamilies of HVGs highlighting various connections with combinatorial statistics and introducing the notion of a visible pair. With this technique, we determine asymptotically the average number of edges of HVGs.     

Measuring cavitation and its cleaning effect

The advantages and limitations of techniques for measuring the presence and amount of cavitation, and for quantifying the removal of contaminants, are provided. After reviewing chemical, physical, and biological studies, a universal cause for the cleaning effects of bubbles cannot yet be concluded. An “ideal sensor” with high spatial and temporal resolution is proposed. Such sensor could be used to investigate bubble jetting, shockwaves, streaming, and even chemical effects, by correlating cleaning processes with cavitation effects, generated by hydrodynamics, lasers or ultrasound.     

A horizontal pendulum tiltmeter with digital recording system

Summary A horizontal pendulum tiltmeter with digital recording system, particularly in order to monitor preseismic and postseismic crustal deformations, has been realized at the Physics Department of the University of Rome ?La Sapienza?. The entire equipment consists of two tilt sensors, an electronic package and an automatic calibration system. The tilt sensors have been realized making use of materials with low value of the coefficient of linear expansion to ensure their stability. The pendulums can easy work at a free period up to 20 s, which corresponds to a resolution of 0.05 μrad. The electronic circuits have been made with components of low current drain in order to ensure a wide endurance, also with battery feed only. The output data are collected periodically by means of a portable computer. The system can work on line, too.

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Riassunto Presso il Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università ?La Sapienza? di Roma è stato realizzato un nuovo inclinometro a pendolo orizzontale con sistema di acquisizione digitale dei dati, che ha lo scopo di studiare le deformazioni crostali presismiche e postsismiche. L'intero dispositivo consta di due sensori, di un package elettronico e di un sistema automatico di taratura. I sensori sono stati realizzati utilizzando materiali a basso coefficiente di dilatazione termica per assicurare loro una buona stabilità. I pendoli possono lavorare facilmente con un periodo proprio fino a 20 s, che corrisponde ad una risoluzione di 0.05 μrad. I circuiti elettronici sono stati realizzati con componenti a basso consumo di corrente in modo da garantire una grande autonomia di funzionamento, anche con alimentazione a batterie. I dati acquisiti dal sistema vengono prelevati periodicamente per mezzo di un computer portatile. Il sistema può lavorare anche on-line.

     

基于剪应力检测的石英微结构及其陀螺效应研究

为了简化石英陀螺结构侧壁上的电极图形,设计了一种基于剪应力检测Coriolis力的新型石英微结构.通过对剪应力检测方案的分析,微结构侧壁电极的极性单一,采用锥度为15°的锥形梁结构作为敏感梁的设计可以增大敏感梁的检测灵敏度.通过各项异性湿法腐蚀z切石英片的方法制造了微结构样件.测试表明样件的驱动频率约为5.6kHz,大气下的品质因子在5000以上.输出信号频谱的谱线存在Coriolis力信号,验证了设计思想的正确性。     

A CUDA-based reverse gridding algorithm for MR reconstruction

MR raw data collected using non-Cartesian method can be transformed on Cartesian grids by traditional gridding algorithm (GA) and reconstructed by Fourier transform. However, its runtime complexity is O(K× N²), where resolution of raw data is N× N and size of convolution window (CW) is K. And it involves a large number of matrix calculation including modulus, addition, multiplication and convolution. Therefore, a Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA)-based algorithm is proposed to improve the reconstruction efficiency of PROPELLER (a globally recognized non-Cartesian sampling method). Experiment shows a write–write conflict among multiple CUDA threads. This induces an inconsistent result when synchronously convoluting multiple k-space data onto the same grid. To overcome this problem, a reverse gridding algorithm (RGA) was developed. Different from the method of generating a grid window for each trajectory as in traditional GA, RGA calculates a trajectory window for each grid. This is what “reverse” means. For each k-space point in the CW, contribution is cumulated to this grid. Although this algorithm can be easily extended to reconstruct other non-Cartesian sampled raw data, we only implement it based on PROPELLER. Experiment illustrates that this CUDA-based RGA has successfully solved the write–write conflict and its reconstruction speed is 7.5 times higher than that of traditional GA.