Stochastic resonance of a tri-stable system with α stable noise

A tri-stable system excited by weak periodic signal is taken as a model and the stochastic resonance phenomenon is investigated by additive α stable noise in this paper. The laws for the resonance system parameters q, p, skewness parameter r and intensity amplification factor Q of α stable noise to act on the resonant output are explored under different stability indicies α and asymmetric skewness β of α stable noise. The results indicate that a weak signal can be realized by tuning the system parameters q, p and r under the joint action of additive α stable noise, and the interval of q and p which can induce stochastic resonance does not change with α or β. Moreover, a certain rule is found in which adjusting the intensity amplification factor Q of α stable noise can also realize a synergistic effect when studying the noise-induced stochastic resonance, and the interval of Q does not change with α or β; the best value of the characteristic index is $\alpha =1$ under any system parameter, and the best value of the symmetry parameter is $\beta =1$ under any system parameter. So, the system performance is best when $\alpha =1$ and $\beta =1$. The results will contribute to a reasonable selection of parameter-induced stochastic resonance system parameters and noise intensity of noise-induced stochastic resonance under α stable noise.     

Stochastic resonance characteristic analysis of new potential function under Levy noise and bearing fault detection

Based on the output saturation of classcial bistable stochastic resonance (CBSR), a new type of piecewise nonlinear bistable stochastic resonance (PNBSR) system is constructed. The mean signal-to-noise ratio gain is regarded as an index to measure the stochastic resonance phenomenon. The laws for the resonant output of piecewise nonlinear bistable system governed by l, c, a, b and D of Levy noise are explored under different characteristic index α and symmetry parameter β of Levy noise. The results show that the output of PNBSR system has increased 4?dB by comparing with the output signal-to-noise ratio of CBSR system. And the stochastic resonance phenomenon can be induced by adjusting the piecewise nonlinear system's parameters under any α or β of Levy noise. The interval of the parameters of system which induces good stochastic resonance is roughly the same. And the output signal waveform of resonance is very similar to the input signal waveform, which has some reference value for the signal recovery. Moreover, we can find the good stochastic resonance interval of the system parameters do not change with D of Levy noise under the different noise intensity D of Levy noise. On the basis of this, adjusting the intensity amplification factor D of Levy noise, which induces good stochastic resonance, and the interval does not change with α or β. At last, the piecewise nonlinear bistable system is applied to detect bearing fault signals, which achieves better performance compared with the classical bistable system.     

Epidemic spreading with nonlinear infectivity in weighted scale-free networks

In this paper, we investigate the epidemic spreading for the SIR model in weighted scale-free networks with the nonlinear infectivity and weighted transmission rate. Concretely, we introduce the infectivity exponent α and the weight exponent β into the epidemic system, then examine the impact of α and β on the epidemic spreading. We show that one can adjust the values of α and β to rebuild a nonzero finite epidemic threshold. Furthermore, we also find the infectivity exponent α has a stronger effect not only on the epidemic threshold, but also on the epidemic prevalence. In addition, it is also interesting to see that the absence of the epidemic threshold appears not very dejected, since the prevalence grows much more slowly as the transmission rate λ increases.     

A complete unitary representation for the residue function β and asymptotic behavior of Im α

The unitary Cheng representation for partial wave amplitudes in terms of Reggetrajectories is used to derive a new unitary representation for the residue functionβ(s), which allows to evaluateβ(s) for all values ofs, especially for negative values. The discussion of both representations gives three different arguments that Imα(s) has to decrease exponentially ass increases. The new formula also allows to establish a unitary bootstrap system forβ(s) and Imα(s).     

High temperature drop calorimetry measurements of enthalpy increment in Ti–xTa (x=5, 10, 15, 20 mass%) alloys

The enthalpy increment for a series of Ti–xTa (x=5, 10, 15, 20 mass%) alloys, having α(hcp)+β(bcc) two phase microstructure has been measured using inverse drop calorimetry in the temperature range 463–1257 K. The studies clearly revealed the occurrence of α→β diffusional phase transformation. Both the α→β transformation onset temperatures and the measured transformation enthalpy Δ⁰H_tr^α→β exhibit progressively lower values with increasing Ta content. It is found that the measured enthalpy in the transformation region is constituted of two principal contributions namely, (i) the enthalpy due to untransformed α and coexisting β phases and (ii) the transformation enthalpy due to α→β phase change. Since the fractional extent of α→β transformation varies continuously with temperature, the measured enthalpy variation in the transformation domain has been modeled using Kolmogorov–Johnson–Mehl–Avrami formalism for the diffusional transformation kinetics. The thermodynamic quantities for all the alloys have been derived.     

Stochastic resonance in multi-stable system driven by Lévy noise

In this paper, the stochastic resonance (SR) of a multi-stable system driven by Lévy noise is investigated by the mean signal-to-noise ratio gain (SNR-GM). The characteristics for resonant output of multi-stable system, governed by the system parameters (a and c), the noise amplification factor D of Lévy noise are investigated under different values of stability index α and asymmetry parameter β of Lévy noise. The results reveal that the parameter α is closer to 1, the amplitude of SNR-GM versus system parameter a (or c) is larger. The interval of SR presents a trend that the curve of SNR-GM shifts to the right with the increase of α especially when α > 1. In addition, the SNR-GM for different values of system parameter a (or c) exhibits a tendency to move to the left with the increase of system parameter c (or a). Finally, the simulation results prove that the proposed multi-stable model has better advantage than bistable system and monostable system in signal enhancement and SNR-GM performance.     

Unraveling the radical chain mechanism in the pyrolysis of β-O-4 linked lignin: The role of aliphatic substituents

Lignin pyrolysis involves complex radical reactions, whereas the radical chain process, especially the influence of aliphatic substituents, has been rarely studied. Herein, the typical β-O-4 lignin dimer, phenethyl phenyl ether (PPE), and three aliphatic substituted derivatives of PPE, namely α-OH substituted, β-CH₂OH substituted, and α,β-disubstituted PPE (αPPE, βPPE, and αβPPE) were employed as model compounds. DFT calculations, electronic analyses, and fast pyrolysis experiments were combined to investigate three core steps of the radical chain mechanism in lignin pyrolysis, i.e., homolysis, hydrogen abstraction, and radical decomposition. The pathway involving successive C_β-O homolysis → α-hydrogen abstraction → C_β-O breakage of α-dehydrogenated radical is dominated for the pyrolysis of aliphatic substituted β-O-4 linked lignin, with the formation of phenolics. The hydrogen abstraction reactions at the C_α site are obviously superior to those at other sites for PPE derivatives, due to the p-π conjugate stability. Notably, α-hydrogen abstraction can be significantly promoted by the π-electron-dispersing α-OH substitution. The decomposition step of dehydrogenated radicals can be facilitated by the electron-donating β-CH₂OH substitution, where the C_β-O breakage of the α-dehydrogenated radical is dominant. Totally, aliphatic substituents can improve the radical growth stage and change the competitiveness of the hydrogen abstraction and radical decomposition reactions. The fast pyrolysis experiments of PPE and αPPE gave direct proof that the generation of characteristic products from the radical chain process, i.e., benzaldehyde and phenylacetaldehyde, was enhanced by the α-OH substitution. The present work offers the potential to give a comprehensive image of the radical chain mechanism in lignin pyrolysis.     

Application of liquid scintillation inclusion techniques for the simultaneous determination of alpha and beta activities in composite samples – A preliminary study

Present work highlights liquid scintillation inclusion techniques as a tool for simultaneous determination of gross α and β activities in composite samples. This preliminary study comprises a preamble exercise to check whether Automatic Efficiency Control (AEC) and knee point inclusion techniques which are conventionally used for analysis of two β-emitting radio-nuclides in a mixture, can be implemented for quantification of gross α and β activities in composite samples. In inclusion techniques, two counting regions are set such that there are spill-up and spill-down of pulse events in each region from both types of radio-nuclides. AEC which is built-in feature in Packard Tri-Carb 2900 TR Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC) provides automatic counting region adjustments for single and dual label samples according to the degree of quench present in sample. While knee point inclusion technique requires manual Lower Level (LL) and Upper Level (UL) discriminator setting to define two counting regions. In the present study, α/β spiked composite samples were treated as dual label samples with α and β radio-nuclides as two distinct entities contributing to the gross activities and analyzed employing AEC and knee point inclusion techniques. Instrument discriminator settings and regions of interest (ROI) were evaluated to determine optimum counting conditions for both the techniques. Three sets of pure alpha and pure beta standards simulating the activity concentrations of real samples in terms of α/β activity ratios were used to calibrate LSC. Calibration methodology for Packard Tri-Carb 2900 TR LSC with respect to the above measurements using ²⁴¹Am, ³⁶Cl and ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y calibration standards is explained in detail. The practicability and working performance of these techniques was checked by the validation trials with spiked synthetic samples covering range of α/β activity ratios from 1:1 to 1:50 and 50:1. Procedures have been tested by comparison with, established PSA technique and repeatability has been evaluated.     

Study of the pressure-induced structural phase transition in the Ga(1−x)InxSb alloy system2

The pressure induced first-order semiconductor-to-metal (α-to-β) phase transition has been studied in the Ga_xIn_1?xSb alloy system. Based on hydrostatic polycrystalline X-ray measurements, the transition pressure, P_t, the pressure dependence of the molar volumes in each phase, and the volume change at P_t, ΔV^α,β, have been determined across the compositional range. These results are used with published thermophysical data for the α-phase to estimate the excess enthalpy of mixing in the β-phase. The experimental values of P_t and of ΔV^α,β are compared for the end compounds, GaSb and InSb, with values calculated from Van Vechten's quantum dielectric theory. Suggestions are made for possible use of psuedo-binary alloys of the III-V compounds for high pressure calibration standards.     

Experimental constraints on the phase diagram of titanium metal

The phase transformations of titanium metal have been studied at temperatures and pressures up to 973 K and 8.7 GPa using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The equilibrium phase boundary of the α-ω transition has a dT/dP slope of 345 K/GPa, and the transition pressure at room temperature is located at 5.7 GPa. The volume change across the α-ω transition is ΔV=0.197 cm³/mol, and the associated entropy change is ΔS=0.57 J/mol K. Except for ΔV, our results differ substantially from those of previous studies based on an equilibrium transition pressure of 2.0 GPa at room temperature. The α-ω-β triple point is estimated to be at 7.5 GPa and 913 K, which is comparable with previous results obtained from differential thermal analysis and resistometric measurements. An update, more accurate phase diagram is established for Ti metal based on the present observations and previous constraints on the α-β and ω-β phase boundaries.     

The analysis of stochastic resonance and bearing fault detection based on linear coupled bistable system under lévy noise

In this paper, the stochastic resonance (SR) phenomenon of the linear coupled bistable system induced by Lévy noise is analyzed. Meanwhile, the characteristics of Lévy noise is also analyzed according to its probability density functions (PDFs) of different stability index α, symmetry parameter β, scale parameter σ and location index μ. The mean of signal-noise ratio increase (MSNRI) is regarded as an index to measure the SR phenomenon. Then, the rules for MSNRI affected by noise intensity D are explored under different charastic indexes of Lévy noise, system parameters a, b, c and coupling coefficient r. The results are beneficial to the numerical simulation of single-frequency and multi-frequency weak signals detection based on single bistable system and linear coupled system respectively. It is found that the performance of the proposed system is better than single bistable system and results of bearing fault detection could also verify the conclusion.     

Deposition of particles under gravity in a kinetic lattice model

We study the growth through particle deposition of the surface of a discrete two-dimensional system, in which the motion of particles is affected by infinite gravity and the Kob-Andersen kinetic rule. Computer simulation results are found to be consistent with previous results in literature, showing that this particular case belongs to the same universality class as Ballistic Deposition, the Eden model, one step solid-on-solid (SOS) deposition and Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) characterized by scaling exponents α=0.5, β=1/3=0.33 and z=α/β=1.5.     

The decay of theT=1 isospin triplet inA=12 systems: II. The induced interactions in the anisotropy of beta-rays

Nuclear Structure: calculation of the asymmetryα _? ofβ rays emitted from polarized¹²B and¹²N nuclei. Comparison with experimental values. Formulae for the asymmetry parametersα _? ofβ rays emitted from polarized nuclei is derived using the formalism developed by Behrens-Bühring. The induced interactions are studied in detail. It is demonstrated that the expressions forα _? are independent of the induced pseudoscalar interaction. It was found that the corrections to the lowest order approximation are small. Experimental data of the Louvain and Osaka laboratories are analyzed. We should point out that the data of the asymmetry of theβ ^? decay of¹²B obtained in these two laboratories are quite different. Although the data reported by the Osaka Group require the existence of the induced pseudotensor (IPT) interaction as it has also been stated by other authors, if we combine data of¹²N from Osaka and of¹²B from Lauvain such experimental results can be understood without including the IPT interaction. Thus, we found some evidence that the IPT interaction could be not necessary to explain the asymmetries in the decay of members of theA=12 system.     

On the first passage time and leapover properties of Lévy motions

We investigate two coupled properties of Lévy stable random motions: the first passage times (FPTs) and the first passage leapovers (FPLs). While, in general, the FPT problem has been studied quite extensively, the FPL problem has hardly attracted any attention. Considering a particle that starts at the origin and performs random jumps with independent increments chosen from a Lévy stable probability law λ_α,β(x), the FPT measures how long it takes the particle to arrive at or cross a target. The FPL addresses a different question: given that the first passage jump crosses the target, then how far does it get beyond the target? These two properties are investigated for three subclasses of Lévy stable motions: (i) symmetric Lévy motions characterized by Lévy index α(0<α<2) and skewness parameter β=0, (ii) one-sided Lévy motions with 0<α<1, β=1, and (iii) two-sided skewed Lévy motions, the extreme case, 1<α<2, β=−1.     

A Roman bronze statuette with gilded silver mask from Sardinia: an EDXRF study

A Roman bronze statuette from the 2nd Century BC was recovered from a nuragic sanctuary close to Florinas, in the north of Sardinia. The facial portion of the statuette is covered by a silver mask, partially gilded and attached to the bronze by tin-lead welding. The silver mask was carefully analyzed by portable energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), a non-destructive and non-invasive method. The aim of the analysis was to reconstruct the layered structure of the silver gilt mask, and to determine homogeneity and thickness of the gold, silver and lead–tin sheets. This is possible by using the internal ratio of the X-ray lines, i.e. starting from the surface, Au (Lα/Lβ), Ag (Kα/Kβ), Au-Lα/Ag-Kα and Pb (Lα/Lβ).The results were compared with those obtained with simulated X-ray spectra, obtained both experimentally and by using the Monte Carlo simulation technique.     

A theoretical study for the band gap energies of the most common silica polymorphs

Although numerous theoretical studies are available for the band gap energies of distinct silica (SiO₂) polymorphs, some of the calculated results of these former studies still remain inconsistent and mostly disagree with the experimental data of the investigated polymorphs. To obtain more reasonable results, we have focused on the band gap energies of eleven different and more common silica polymorphs in this research by employing the self consistent charge (SCC) variant of the density functional based tight binding (DFTB) method. The surveyed eleven common silica polymorphs in this study are namely: α-quartz, β-quartz, α-tridymite, β-tridymite, α-cristobalite, β-cristobalite, α-moganite, β-moganite, stishovite, coesite, and keatite Our obtained band gap energy results for α-quartz and stishovite are undoubtedly reasonable when compared with the existing experimental data of these polymorphs. As well, the maximum band gap energy is found to be as 9.70 eV for the β-moganite polymorph, and the minimum band gap energy appears as 7.62 eV for the stishovite polymorph. Overall, the presently obtained results for the energy band gap of the considered silica polymorphs are satisfactory, and some of them are still waiting further experimental confirmation.     

New screening doublets in x-ray satellite spectra

Recent scrutiny of the relevant data available at present on x-ray satellite spectra in theK, L andM regions revealed the existence of two new satellite pairsα″α′ andα″α′ ₃ ′ in theKα satellite group, three pairsα′ ₂ α″,α′ ₂ α^VI andα? α ^IV in theLα satellite group, twoLβ ₂ satellite groups; viz.,β ₂ ^(b) (β ₂ ^I ,β ₂ ^II β ₂ ^(c) ) andβ ₂ ^(c) (β ₂ ^I β ₂ ^II ), two pairsγ′₁ γ′₂ andγ′₁ γ′_2′ in theLγ satellite group and also a pairβ _II β _III in theMβ satellites, which are all found to be governed by the screening doublet relationship,Δ(v/R)^1/2=constant.     

Synthesis and lithium ion insertion/extraction properties of hollandite-type MnO2 prepared by acid digestion of Mn2O3

Single-phase specimens of α-MnO₂ (hollandite-type) and β-MnO₂ (rutile-type) were synthesized by the acid digestion of Mn₂O₃ under reflux conditions. The type of polymorph of MnO₂ products was strongly dependent on the reaction temperature, type of acid used, and its concentration. The pH titration curve of α-MnO₂ displayed a monobasic acid behavior toward Li⁺, but β-MnO₂ showed a poor ion-exchange property. In contrast, both α-MnO₂ and β-MnO₂ acted as a rechargeable active material in a liquid organic electrolyte lithium cell. The initial discharge capacities of both electrodes exceeded 200 mAh/g (cut-off voltage: 2 V). After discharge–charge repetition, the α-MnO₂ structure was still retained without structure collapse, although the β-MnO₂ structure was destroyed. These findings show that Li⁺ ions can be inserted only into the hollandite-type tunnels in α-MnO₂ and cannot diffuse the rutile-type linkages in α-MnO₂ as well as those in β-MnO₂ without structure collapse.     

Structural and electronic properties of type-I and type-VIII Ba8Ga16Sn30 clathrates under compression

The total energy and electronic structures for type-I (β phase) and type-VIII (α phase) Ba₈Ga₁₆Sn₃₀ clathrates under hydrostatic pressure have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It was found that the type-VIII phase is more stable than the type-I one at ambient conditions and that β→α phase transition can not occur under hydrostatic pressure. The band structures show that the type-I and type-VIII Ba₈Ga₁₆Sn₃₀ are indirect semiconductors with band gaps of 0.24 eV and 0.19 eV, respectively. The results suggested that type-I clathrate Ba₈Ga₁₆Sn₃₀ has a larger value of the thermoelectric (TE) power than that of type-VIII clathrate. We found that pressure tuning changes the k-point of conduction band minimum (CBM) in the Brillouin zone for β-phase, but it is not the case for α-phase. Furthermore, the results show that the pressure can change the interaction between guest atoms and the host lattice, and consequently results in the decrease of the band gap of β-phase and the increase of the band gap of α-phase, indicating that the pressure effect can play an important role in the magnitude of the TE power.     

Beta-decays of172–175Ir neutron-deficient isotopes

Theβ-decays of^172–175Ir have been studied using a Hejet system through³²S induced reactions,β half-lives have been measured and compared with those given fromα decays. The level schemes of osmium nuclei are deduced and for¹⁷²Os and¹⁷⁴Os, the 2₂ ⁺ level is possibly located. The observedβ-decay half-lives clearly indicate an isomerism phenomenon occuring in light Ir isotopes.