Sonoluminescence: A new electrical breakdown hypothesis

We discuss an hypothesis wherein single-bubble sonoluminescence is attributed to electrical breakdown due to large pressure gradients existing for small bubble radii. These large gradients produce large electric fields (the flexoelectric effect) that lead to electrical breakdown, releasing energies up to 10⁻¹⁰ J, which is much larger than the light energy released in each cycle. This hypothesis appears to be consistent with several observations made in studies of the sonoluminescence process. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 64, No. 12, 849–852 (25 December 1996) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Edited by Steve Torstreit.     

A hierarchy hypothesis

Why attraction and repulsion between likes should not enjoy equal status in nature is considered. By postulating a hierarchy of isolated systems of finite radii whose associated charges form a geometric series with enormous imaginary common ratio, and by identifying a universe (the content of an infinite cosmos within a Hubble radius of an observer), an electron, and a neutrino as three consecutive members of the hierarchy (in fact the only three observable because of the uncertainty principle), it is possible to treat gravitational and electromagnetic phenomena as perfectly analogous and complementary for the overall structure of the cosmos. An isolated system behaves, from an external viewpoint, as an elementary particle, and from an internal viewpoint, as a universe. Remarkable relationships between physical constants emerge.     

The wave logic of consciousness: A hypothesis

A physical model is proposed for volitional decision making. It is postulated that consciousness reducesdoubt states of the brain into labels by a quantum-mechanical measurement act offree choice. Elementary doubt states illustrate analogical encodement of information having insufficient resolution from a classical viewpoint. Measures ofcertitude (inner conviction) and doubt are formulated. Adequate propositions for nonclassical statements, e.g., Hamlet's soliloquy, are constructed. A role is proposed for the superposition principle in imagination and creativity. Experimental predictions are offered for positive and negative interference of doubts. Necessary criteria are made explicit for doubting sense information.Wholeness of perception is illustrated using irreducible, unitary representations ofn-valued logics. The interpreted formalism includes nonclassical features of doubt, e.g., scalor representations for imprecise propositions and state changes due to self-reflection. The liar paradox is resolved. An internal origin is suggested for spinor dichotomies, e.g., true-false and good-bad, analogous to particle production.Translated by Valentin Turchin, with editorial assistance by Eddie Oshins; abstract supplied by Eddie Oshins.     

Energy localization in general relativity: A new hypothesis

A new hypothesis for energy localization in general relativity is introduced which is based upon the fact that the energy-momentum conservation laws are devoid of content in vacuum. The vanishing of pseudotensor components forms the basis of coordinate conditions consistent with the above. The implication is that energy is localized where the energy-momentum tensor is nonvanishing. As a consequence, gravitational waves are not carriers of energy in vacuum. A detailed analysis of a Feynman detector interacting with a plane gravitational wave is consistent with the hypothesis. The fact that there has never been a confirmed direct energy transfer to a detector via gravitational radiation is also consistent with the hypothesis.     

A proof of the cosmic censorship hypothesis

It is shown that in a weakly asymptotically simple and empty space, according to classical general relativity, from nonsingular initial data no strong curvature singularity can arise that is visible from infinity.This essay received the Second Award from the Gravity Research Foundation for the year 1982. Ed. This work is supported by Interdisciplinary Research Project MR-I-7.     

A piezoelectric hypothesis for interface superconductivity in CuCl

A new model for “excitonic” superconductivity is proposed to explain the anomalous diamagnetism seen in CuCl. The superconductivity is presumed to occur in thin layers of copper deposited in grain boundaries of the CuCl. Pairing of the cooper electrons is ascribed to virtual electronic excitations between the metal and adjacent, two-dimensional potential minima in the CuCl resulting from the piezoelectric polarization due to the elastic strain of grain boundry dislocations.     

A review of the electrical hypothesis of sonoluminescence

The new electrical hypothesis proposed by Degrois and Baldo has been reviewed. The results show that the hypothesis is incompatible with the experimental observations.     

Hearing loss from interrupted, intermittent, and time varying non-Gaussian noise exposure: The applicability of the equal energy hypothesis

Sixteen groups of chinchillas (N=140) were exposed to various equivalent energy noise paradigms at 100 dB(A) or 103 dB(A) SPL. Eleven groups received an interrupted, intermittent, and time varying (IITV) non-Gaussian exposure quantified by the kurtosis statistic. The IITV exposures, which lasted for 8 hday, 5 daysweek for 3 weeks, were designed to model some of the essential features of an industrial workweek. Five equivalent energy reference groups were exposed to either a Gaussian or non-Gaussian 5 days, 24 hday continuous noise. Evoked potentials were used to estimate hearing thresholds and surface preparations of the organ of Corti quantified the sensory cell population. For IITV exposures at an equivalent energy and kurtosis, the temporal variations in level did not alter trauma and in some cases the IITV exposures produced results similar to those found for the 5 day continuous exposures. Any increase in kurtosis at a fixed energy was accompanied by an increase in noise-induced trauma. These results suggest that the equal energy hypothesis is an acceptable approach to evaluating noise exposures for hearing conservation purposes provided that the kurtosis of the amplitude distribution is taken into consideration. Temporal variations in noise levels seem to have little effect on trauma.     

Hearing loss from interrupted, intermittent, and time varying Gaussian noise exposures: the applicability of the equal energy hypothesis

Eight groups of chinchillas (N=74) were exposed to various equivalent energy [100 or 106 dB(A) sound pressure level (SPL)] noise exposure paradigms. Six groups received an interrupted, intermittent, time varying (IITV) Gaussian noise exposure that lasted 8 h/d, 5 d/week for 3 weeks. The exposures modeled an idealized workweek. At each level, three different temporal patterns of Gaussian IITV noise were used. The 100 dB(A) IITV exposure had a dB range of 90-108 dB SPL while the range of the 106 dB(A) IITV exposure was 80-115 dB SPL. Two reference groups were exposed to a uniform 100 or 106 dB(A) SPL noise, 24 h/d for 5 days. Each reference group and the three corresponding IITV groups comprised a set of equivalent energy exposures. Evoked potentials were used to estimate hearing thresholds and surface preparation histology quantified sensory cell populations. All six groups exposed to the IITV noise showed threshold toughening effects of up to 40 dB. All IITV exposures produced hearing and sensory cell loss that was similar to their respective equivalent energy reference group. These results indicate that for Gaussian noise the equal energy hypothesis for noise-induced hearing loss is an acceptable unifying principle.     

Dynamic system simplification: A time domain criterion

This paper explores the conditions under which second and third order dynamic systems can be reduced to systems of lower order. The performance criterion chosen is the 2% settling time in response to a step input to the system. Graphical results are presented which depict the conditions for the valid reduction of (1) second order systems to first order dominant, (2) third order systems to first order dominant, and (3) third order systems to second order dominant.     

Physiologic factors in vocal vibrato production

Four adult male singers produced sustained vowel phonation beginning with straight tone and changing to vibrato or exaggerated vibrato. The EMG signal from the cricothyroid muscle (CT) and the voice signal were recorded. Analysis showed that the muscle signal changed from a relative steady-state interference pattern during straight tone production to a modulated signal during either of the vibrato productions. Furthermore, for vocalization at the same frequency, the integrated muscle signal was approximately the same for straight tone and vibrato. Variability in the timing of CT modulation and the resultant FO oscillation was extensive, suggesting that other muscles may be involved in vibrato regulation.     

Time saving fluid dynamic predictions in a wetting-drying process: A hypothesis for vertisols

This paper is aimed at investigating the effect of the initial water content in a vertisol sample on the whole wetting-drying process leading the system to a change in volume. In order to do this, an experimental setup was realized and employed with very thin soil layers wetted from below (“per ascensum”). The results show that the effect of the initial water content on the swelling-shrinkage process is to shift the corresponding curve e-ϑ towards bigger-smaller values of the humidity but does not seem to affect the dynamics of the process. The text was submitted by the authors in English.