Evaluation of acoustical and non-acoustical properties of sound absorbing materials made of polyester fibres of various cross-sectional shapes

Four types of fibrous material samples made of polyester fibres of various cross-sections, i.e. circle, hollow, flat and triangle, have been prepared. The surface impedance and the non-acoustical parameters of them have been measured.The effect of the variation in the cross-sections on the acoustical properties and the non-acoustical parameters of the polyester fibre samples have been examined. The effects of the ‘circle’ and the ‘hollow’ samples are almost the same. However, for the ‘flat’ and the ‘triangle’ samples, the effects different from the ‘circle’ sample are found in the measured flow resistivity and the two characteristic lengths. This paper also discusses the equivalent diameters of the materials made of non-circular cross-sections.     

Scenario analysis and noise action planning: Modelling the impact of mitigation measures on population exposure

This paper reports on strategic noise mapping research conducted in Dublin, Ireland. Noise maps are constructed for the day–evening–night-time and night-time periods and levels of population exposure are estimated for the same periods. In methodological terms, the research uses the UK’s calculation of road traffic noise (CRTN) method for calculating noise levels in the study area. This method has been adopted as the interim calculation method by the Irish authorities responsible for meeting the obligations set out in the EU Environmental Noise Directive (END). The research also investigates the usefulness of three noise mitigation measures for ‘acoustical planning’ purposes: traffic reductions, speed reductions and erection of acoustical barriers. The results indicate that levels of population exposure during night-time are extremely high relative to guideline limits set down by the World Health Organisation. In addition, the results highlight the significant role that certain noise mitigation measures can play in good ‘acoustical planning’.     

Case-study evaluations of the acoustical designs of renovated university classrooms

The acoustical characteristics of 14 university classrooms at the University of British Columbia were measured before and after renovation—seven of these are discussed in detail here. From these measurements, and theoretical considerations, values of quantities used to assess each classroom configuration were predicted, and used to evaluate renovation quality. Information on each renovation was determined with the help of the university campus-planning office and/or the project acoustical consultant. These were related to the evaluation results in order to determine the relationship between design and acoustical quality. The criteria focused on the quality of verbal communication in the classrooms. Room-average Speech Intelligibility (SI) and its physical correlate, Speech Transmission Index (STI), were used to quantify verbal-communication quality. A simplified STI-calculation procedure was applied. The results indicate that some renovations were beneficial, others were not. Verbal-communication quality varied from ‘poor’ to ‘good’. The effect of a renovation depends on a complex interplay between changes in the reverberation and changes in the signal-to-noise level difference, as affected by sound absorption and the source outputs. Renovations which reduce noise are beneficial unless signal-to-noise level differences remain optimal. Renovations often put too much emphasis on adding sound absorption to control reverberation, at the expense of lower speech levels, particularly at the backs of classrooms. The absorption and noise contributed by room occupants has apparently often been neglected.     

A theory of cosmic rays

We present a theory of non-solar cosmic rays (CRs) in which the bulk of their observed flux is due to a single type of CR source at all energies. The total luminosity of the Galaxy, the broken power-law spectra with their observed slopes, the position of the ‘knee(s)’ and ‘ankle’, and the CR composition and its variation with energy are all predicted in terms of very simple and completely ‘standard’ physics. The source of CRs is extremely ‘economical’: it has only one parameter to be fitted to the ensemble of all of the mentioned data. All other inputs are ‘priors’, that is, theoretical or observational items of information independent of the properties of the source of CRs, and chosen to lie in their pre-established ranges. The theory is part of a ‘unified view of high-energy astrophysics’ — based on the ‘Cannonball’ model of the relativistic ejecta of accreting black holes and neutron stars. The model has been extremely successful in predicting all the novel properties of Gamma Ray Bursts recently observed with the help of the Swift satellite. If correct, this model is only lacking a satisfactory theoretical understanding of the ‘cannon’ that emits the cannonballs in catastrophic processes of accretion.     

Ray-tracing evaluation of empirical models for predicting noise in industrial workshops

To evaluate the accuracy of empirical models for predicting steady-state noise levels and reverberation times in typical industrial workshops, predictions by these models were compared with predictions by a ray-tracing model, nominally using the same input data. Comparisons were made for three workshops—‘long’, ‘flat’ and ‘quasi-cubic’ in shape—with reflective and absorbent ceilings, when empty and with four densities of fittings. In the case of the ‘long’ room, noise levels were predicted along both the long and short major horizontal axes. In ‘long’ and ‘flat’ workshops, steady-state prediction by the empirical models often agreed with ray-tracing prediction within 2 dB. This result suggests that the empirical models are fundamentally valid. However, agreement was worse at large source/receiver distances, and at 500 Hz. Empirical reverberation-time prediction generally agreed less well with ray tracing, possibly indicating that the empirical reverberation-time prediction models are less valid. Strong disagreement occurred between the models in the case of steady-state prediction in the ‘quasi-cubic’ workshop, indicating that the empirical steady-state models are invalid in this case. Agreement for reverberation time was good with a non-absorbent ceiling, but poor with an absorbent ceiling.     

Multidimensional magnesium oxide nanostructures with cone-shaped branching

Branching structures in nanometer level are of great importance in developing nanoscale science and functional electrical devices. In this letter, multidimensional magnesium oxide structures with cone-shaped branching have been mass-produced using a simple chemical vapor deposition method. The dominant structures in the product include two-dimensional ‘+’, ‘T’, or ‘Γ’ assemblies, and three-dimensional complex configurations. The results presented here enrich the nanoscale community with new basic materials for the fabrication of functional electrical and chemical sensing devices.     

Phase shift moiré studies of processing-induced residual strains in Nickel 200 spot welds

Processing-induced residual strains in solid cylinders of Nickel 200 were investigated using phase shifting moiré interferometry. Two different experimental approaches were used to study the strains produced during Tungsten-inert gas spot welding. A comparison of results for a ‘hot/fast’ and a ‘cool/slow’ weld demonstrate the capabilities of the general approach. Both experimental methods revealed distinct differences in the residual displacement and strain fields between the two types of welds.     

Thermodynamics of relation-based systems with applications in econophysics,sociophysics, and music

A methodology was developed to analyze relation-based systems evolving in time by using the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics. The behavior of such systems can be tracked from the scattering matrix which is actually a network of directed vectors (or pathways) connecting subsequent values, which characterize an event, such as the index values in stock markets. A system behaves in a rigid (elastic) way to an external effect and resists permanent deformation, or it behaves in a viscous (or soft) way and deforms in an irreversible way. It was shown in the past that a formula derived using the slope of paths gives a measure about the extent of viscoelastic behavior of relation-based systems Gündüz (2009) [5] Gündüz and Gündüz (2010) [6]. In this research the ‘work’ associated with ‘elastic’ component, and ‘heat’ associated with ‘viscous’ component were discussed and elaborated. In a simple two subsequent pathway system in a scattering diagram the first vector represents ‘the cause’ and the second ‘the effect’. By using work and heat energy relations that involve force and also storage and loss modulus terms, respectively, one can calculate the energy involved in relation-based systems. The modulus values can be found from the parallel and vertical components of the second vector with respect to the first vector. Once work-like and heat-like terms were determined the internal energy is also easily found from their summation. The parallel and vertical components can also be used to calculate the magnitude of torque and torque energy in the system. Three cases, (i) the behavior of the NASDAQ-100 index, (ii) a social revolt, and (iii) the structure of a melody were analyzed for their ‘work-like’, ‘heat-like’, and ‘torque-like’ energies in the course of their evolution. NASDAQ-100 exhibits highly dissipative behavior, and its work terms are very small but heat terms are of large magnitude. Its internal energy highly fluctuates in time. In the social revolt studied work and heat terms are of comparable magnitude. The melody depicts highly organized structure, and usually has larger work terms than heat terms, but at some intervals heat terms burst out and attain very large magnitudes. Torque terms reach high values when the system is recovering from a minimum value.     

Vibrational spectra and rotational isomerism of allyl amine

The infrared spectra of allyl amine in the vapour, liquid and solid phases have been measured from 250 to 4000 cm⁻¹. The laser-Raman spectrum in the liquid state has also been recorded photoelectrically and qualitative depolarization measurements have been made. The interpretation of the spectral data suggests the presence of two rotational isomers (‘cis and trans”, and ‘ganche and trans’) in the vapour and liquid phases whereas the form having asymmetrical structure (‘gauche and trans’, C₁ symmetry) gets stabilized in the solid state at low temperature.     

Reaction mechanism on reduction surface of mixed conductor membrane for H2 production by coal-gas

The reaction mechanism on surface of BaCo_0.7Fe_0.2Nb_0.1O_3−δ membrane for reforming coal-gas was studied. The effects of metal particle on membrane surface were concluded. ‘Activation mechanism’ was proposed to be the key for enhancing oxygen permeation of membrane; while the catalyst-bed only takes charge of the reforming reaction. Though not as important as ‘activation mechanism’, the ‘space charge mechanism’ still affects the oxygen permeation of membrane. According to these mechanisms, the new design and surface-modifying strategy of membrane reactor were proposed.     

Geometry of ‘standoffs’ in lattice models of the spatial Prisoner’s Dilemma and Snowdrift games

The Prisoner’s Dilemma and Snowdrift games are the main theoretical constructs used to study the evolutionary dynamics of cooperation. In large, well-mixed populations, mean-field models predict a stable equilibrium abundance of all defectors in the Prisoner’s Dilemma and a stable mixed-equilibrium of cooperators and defectors in the Snowdrift game. In the spatial extensions of these games, which can greatly modify the fates of populations (including allowing cooperators to persist in the Prisoner’s Dilemma, for example), lattice models are typically used to represent space, individuals play only with their nearest neighbours, and strategy replacement is a function of the differences in payoffs between neighbours. Interestingly, certain values of the cost–benefit ratio of cooperation, coupled with particular spatial configurations of cooperators and defectors, can lead to ‘global standoffs’, a situation in which all cooperator–defector neighbours have identical payoffs, leading to the development of static spatial patterns. We start by investigating the conditions that can lead to ‘local standoffs’ (i.e., in which isolated pairs of neighbouring cooperators and defectors cannot overtake one another), and then use exhaustive searches of small square lattices (4×4$4\times 4$ and 6×6$6\times 6$) of degree k=3,k=4$k=3,k=4$, and k=6$k=6$, to show that two main types of global standoff patterns–‘periodic’ and ‘aperiodic’–are possible by tiling local standoffs across entire spatially structured populations. Of these two types, we argue that only aperiodic global standoffs are likely to be potentially attracting, i.e., capable of emerging spontaneously from non-standoff conditions. Finally, we use stochastic simulation models with comparatively large lattices (100×100$100\times 100$) to show that global standoffs in the Prisoner’s Dilemma and Snowdrift games do indeed only (but not always) emerge under the conditions predicted by the small-lattice analysis.     

Spin scissors mode and the fine structure of M1 states in nuclei

The coupled dynamics of low lying modes, including the scissors mode, and various giant quadrupole resonances are studied with the help of the Wigner Function Moments method generalized to take into account spin degrees of freedom. Equations of motion for collective variables are derived on the basis of Time Dependent Hartree-Fock equations in the harmonic oscillator model including spin-orbit potential plus quadrupole-quadrupole residual interaction. Introducing spin allows one to consider new types of nuclear collective motion where the nucleons with spin ‘up’ oscillate against nucleons with spin ‘down’.     

Ferroelectric domains and the condensed soft mode in gadolinium molybdate

Results of lattice dynamical calculations of the high temperature phase of gadolinium molybdate (GMO) support the view that the phase transition in GMO arises from a softening of a doubly degenerate zone edge mode. We find a close correlation between the displacements associated with these soft modes and the difference in the structure of the two phases, suggesting that, at the transition one or other set of soft mode displacements is ‘condensed’, or ‘frozen in’ to the structure. On this basis we can explain the ferroelectric switching.     

To analyse the performance of tapered and MMI assisted splitter on the basis of geographical parameters

A literal model using geometric examination was formulated to calculate the optimum width and length of multimode interference structure used in the 1 × 2 power splitter and plot electric field intensity for input and each output signal. Designing and simulation of the wavelength response of 1 × 2 splitter using Tapered and MMI assisted structure. Mechanism on the critical geographical parameters like length and width of MMI structure, separation distance between output ports ‘S’, arm angle ‘α’ which give the optimum power and electric field intensity for the considered necessary wavelength. Finite difference beam propagation methods have been used to simulate the conventional and tapered MMI device behaviour.     

Electron spectroscopy and density-functional study of ‘ferric wheel’ molecules

The Li-centered ‘ferric wheel’ molecules with six oxo-bridged iron atoms form molecular crystals. We probed their electronic structure by X-ray photoelectron and soft X-ray emission spectroscopy, having calculated in parallel the electronic structure of a single ‘ferric wheel’ molecule from first-principles by tools of the density-functional theory, using, specifically, the Siesta method. The Fe local moments were found to be 4μ_B, irrespective of their mutual orientation. Neighbouring atoms, primarily oxygen, exhibit a noticeable magnetic polarization, yielding effective spin S=5/2 per iron atom, that can get inverted as a ‘rigid’ one in magnetic transitions. Corresponding energy preferences can be mapped onto the Heisenberg model with effective exchange parameter J of about −80 K.     

Is Dark Energy an illusion?

Much evidence has accumulated that within the context of general relativistic Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) cosmology there must exist a new, and gravitationally repulsive, substance in the Universe. The effect of this new type of energy density on the expansion of the Universe is to cause its acceleration, and the name that is given to it is ‘Dark Energy’. To say whether or not Dark Energy really exists, however, requires a definite model for the Universe. That is, to be sure of the existence of Dark Energy, and the cosmological acceleration it causes, we must first be sure of the cosmological model we are using to interpret our observations. This is the subject of the present contribution, which will concentrate on the observational status of the Copernican Principle, which is at the heart of the FRW model. In particular, we will outline recent progress that has been made toward answering the question ‘can the observations usually requiring the existence of Dark Energy be accounted for without introducing any new and exotic types of energy density, if we are prepared to give up some of the assumptions of the standard cosmological model?’, or, alternatively, ‘is Dark Energy an illusion?’.     

Ultrasmall Ge islands with low diameter-to-height aspect ratio on Si(1 0 0)-(2 × 1) surfaces

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and high resolution cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) studies have been used to investigate the formation of Ge nanocrystals grown on Si(1 0 0)-(2 × 1) surfaces by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). We observe relatively high density of Ge islands where small ‘pyramids’, small ‘domes’ and facetted ‘domes’ of various sizes co-exist in the film. As revealed from XTEM images, a large fraction of islands, especially dome-shaped Ge islands have been found to have an aspect ratio of ∼1 (diameter):1 (height). Observation of truncated-sphere-shaped Ge islands with a narrow neck contact with the wetting layer is reported.     

Fluorometric investigation of the interaction between nitrophenols and 7-hydroxy-4-azidomethylcoumarin

The interaction between nitrophenols and 7-hydroxy-4-azidomethylcoumarin has been investigated by fluorescence and UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy. Quenching mechanisms have been evaluated by fluorescence measurements at different temperatures. Stern-Volmer quenching constant K_sv and corresponding thermodynamic parameters ΔH⁰, ΔG⁰ and ΔS⁰ were calculated. Binding studies concerning the number of binding sites ‘n’ and apparent binding constant ‘K’ were performed by fluorescence quenching method.     

A nanoindentation analysis of the influence of lattice mismatch on some wide band gap semiconductor films

Nanoindentation studies are carried out on epitaxial ZnO and GaN thin films on (0 0 0 1) sapphire and silicon substrates, respectively. A single discontinuity (‘pop-in’) in the load-indentation depth curve is observed for ZnO and GaN films at a specific depths of 13-16 and 23-26 nm, respectively. The physical mechanism responsible for the ‘pop-in’ event in these epitaxial films may be due to the interaction behavior of the indenter tip with the pre-existing threading dislocations present in the films during mechanical deformation. It is observed that the ‘pop-in’ depth is dependent on lattice mismatch of the epitaxial thin film with the substrate, the higher the lattice mismatch the shallower the critical ‘pop-in’ depth.