Passenger's fluctuation and chaos on ferryboats

We study the fluctuation of shipping passengers on a few ferryboats which shuttle between an origin and a destination repeatedly. We present the dynamical model for the ferryboats. The model is described in terms of nonlinear maps defined from the vectors T_i(n) and W_i(n), i=1, 2, …, N for N ferryboats where T_i(n) is the arrival time of ferryboat i at the origin on trip n and W_i(n) the number of passengers waiting at the origin on trip n. We clarify the fluctuations of shipping passengers and tour time for the ferry schedule. It is found that the dynamical transitions among the regular, periodic, and chaotic motions occur by varying the ferry's capacity F_max, headway T_min, and loading parameter ΓΠ. Even if the second ferryboat follows the leader (first ferryboat) keeping the constant headway, the passengers shipping on the second fluctuate highly when the parameters take specific values.     

Dimer-monomer model on the Sierpinski gasket

We present the numbers of dimer-monomers M_d(n) on the Sierpinski gasket SG_d(n) at stage n with dimension d equal to two, three and four. The upper and lower bounds for the asymptotic growth constant, defined as z_SGd=lim_v→∞lnM_d(n)/v where v is the number of vertices on SG_d(n), are derived in terms of the results at a certain stage. As the difference between these bounds converges quickly to zero as the calculated stage increases, the numerical value of z_SGd can be evaluated with more than a hundred significant figures accurate. From the results for d=2,3,4, we conjecture the upper and lower bounds of z_SGd for general dimension. The corresponding results on the generalized Sierpinski gasket SG_d,b(n) with d=2 and b=3,4 are also obtained.     

Height-height correlations for surface growth on percolation networks

The height-height correlations of the surface growth for equilibrium and nonequilibrium restricted solid-on-solid (RSOS) model were investigated on randomly diluted lattices, i.e., on infinite percolation networks. It was found that the correlation function calculated over the chemical distances reflected the dynamics better than that calculated over the geometrical distances. For the equilibrium growth on a critical percolation network, the correlation function for the evolution time t?1 yielded a power-law behavior with the power ζ^′, associated with the roughness exponent ζ via the relation ζ=ζ^′d_f/d_l, with d_f and d_l being, respectively, the fractal dimension and the chemical dimension of the substrate. For the nonequilibrium growth, on the other hand, the correlation functions did not yield power-law behaviors for the concentration of diluted sites x less than or equal to the critical concentration x_c.     

A thermodynamic study on CaO-doped nonstoichiometric cerium dioxide

Thermogravimetric measurements were performed on CaO-doped nonstoichiometric cerium dioxide (i.e. Ce_1?yCa_yO_2?y?x) in the temperature range 800–1500°C and from oxygen pressures of 10^?1–10^?21 atm. Fr data the deviation from stoichiometry x = x(T, P_O2)_y was determined for values of y = 0.01, 0.045, 0.07, 0.10 and 0.14. The thermodynamic quantities Δ H_O2; and ΔS_O2 were calculated in the region 0.001 ? x ? 0.2 and found to be independent of temperature with the exception of those for 14 mole % CaO at large deviations from stoichiometry. p]In the composition region near stoichiometry (i.e. for x between approximately 10^?3 and 10^?2), the variation of Δ S_O2 with x is consistent with a defect model involving randomly distributed doubly ionized oxygen vacancies and electrons localized on normal cerium sites. The range of nonstoichiometry with which this defect model fits the experimental results increases with increasing CaO content. In this same region ΔH?_O2 exhibits a slight dependence on x for y = 0.01 and 0.045 and is essentially independent of x for y = 0.7,0.10 and 0.14. The experimental observation that is rationalized on the basis of the above model for the case where y > x.At large deviations from stoichiometry the dependence of x = x(T, P_O2)_y is similar to the nonstoichiometric behavior of “pure” CeO_2?x when y = 0.01 or 0.045. The dependence of ΔH_O2; and ΔS_O2 on x is also similar. for y = 0.10 and 0.14 the nonstoichiometric behavior and the dependence of ΔH_O2 on x differs significantly from the behavior of “pure” CeO_2?x.     

Isothermal adsorption kinetics on heterogeneous surfaces

Adsorption kinetics on energetically heterogeneous surfaces under isothermal conditions is analyzed using the uniform energy distribution model. Considering the quasi-equilibrium of surface diffusion between the adsorption sites with different energy, the kinetic equations dΘ/dt=(k_ap−A_dK_diff)(1−Θ) for first-order adsorption and dΘ/dt=k_ap(1−Θ)²−A_dK_diffΘ(1−Θ) for dissociative adsorption are obtained, where K_diff is a coefficient describing the surface diffusion equilibrium, which depends on the coverage and the energy distribution. Under isochoric conditions with p decreasing due to adsorption, surface diffusion accelerates the rate towards equilibrium significantly, as observed in static calorimetric adsorption experiments. An approximate solution in Lagergren form is derived for this condition.     

Self-avoiding and planar random surfaces on the lattice

We study models of self-avoiding (SARS) and of planar (PRS) random surfaces on a (hyper-) cubic lattice. If N_γ(A) is the number of such surfaces with given boundary γ and area A, then N_γ(A) = exp(β₀A + o(A)), where β₀ is independent of γ. We prove that, for β > β₀, the string tension is finite for the SARS model and strictly positive for the PRS model and that in both models the correlation length (inverse mass) is positive and finite. We discuss the possibility of the existence of a critical point and of a roughening transition. Estimates on intersection probabilities for random surfaces and connections with lattice gauge theories are sketched.     

Lichnerowicz-York equation and conformal deformations on maximal slicings in asymptotically flat space-times

The solvability of the Lichnerowicz-York equation is discussed on each sliceS _t=IR³ of a spacelike, asymptotically Euclidean maximal foliation {S _τ}. Following Cantor, the problem is reduced to a discussion of the properties of a smooth, time-dependent, family of conformal transformations,ø _t, relating the physical metrich _tofS _t to a metric ? _t =ø ⁴h_t, with vanishing scalar curvature. An estimate is provided for infø _t. This allows us to examine the properties of the scale geometry on eachS _twhen strong field regions are probed. It is shown that in such regions ? _t tends to become degenerate exponentially as a suitable average of the scalar curvature of (S _t, h _t ) increases. This is interpreted as representing the approach to a singular regime for (S _t, h _t ). An estimate is also provided for the lapse function-N _t defining {S _t}. This is found to be in agreement with a similar estimate suggested, on heuristic grounds, by Smarr and York. This latter result indicates that asymptotically flat maximal slicings in general (but not always) avoid reaching regions where the above singular regime is approached.     

The bond bending model on triangular lattice and square lattice

The bond bending model is studied using the series expansion method on a triangular lattice and on a square lattice. The elastic splay susceptibility χ_SR and the elastic compressional susceptibility χ_el are calculated up to 11th order for the triangular lattice and up to 14th order for the square lattice. The elastic splay crossover exponent, ζ_SP, is found to be ζ_SP ≈ 1.26 ± 0.05 for the triangular lattice and ζ_SP = 1.30 ± 0.04 for the square lattice which is close to the conductivity exponent, ζ_Re, of the resistor network. From the scaling relation ? _B = dv + ζ_SP, we found that the bulk modulus exponent ? _B = 3.93 ± 0.05 for the triangular lattice and ? _B = 3.97 ± 0.04 for the square lattice which is in good agreement with the result ? _B = 3.96 ± 0.04, obtained by Zabolitzky et al. using a transfer matrix technique on a honeycomb lattice.     

Optical diagnostics on coal ignition and gas-phase combustion in co-firing ammonia with pulverized coal on a two-stage flat flame burner

Gradual substitution of coal with green ammonia is a practical approach for the coal power phasedown at a minimal cost of modification, but the ignition and gas-phase reaction during co-firing NH₃ with coal remain largely unclear. In this work, we investigate the co-combustion behaviors of NH₃ and a high-volatile coal on a two-stage flat flame burner. Remarkably, the post-flame oxygen mole fraction X_i,O2 of the inner stage can be manipulated to reproduce a proper reducing-to-oxidizing environment that coal particles experience in the practical combustor. We first reveal that, under certain values of X_i,O2 and NH₃ co-firing energy ratios E_NH3, the reaction intensity (manifested by OH-PLIF signals) in the NH₃-coal flame is stronger than burning either pure coal or NH₃. This synergetic effect originates from an NH₃-combustion-induced enhancement of volatile release. We then propose a characteristic time scale τ_OH from the OH signals for the initiation of overall reactions in the system. In the case of X_i,O2=0, τ_OH monotonically increases with E_NH3, while for X_i,O2=0.2, the trend transitions to a decreasing one. It can be interpreted by comparing τ_OH with the characteristic O₂ diffusion time, coal particle heating time, and the coal pyrolysis time under different X_i,O2. Furthermore, the coal particle ignition in coal-NH₃ flames can no longer be determined by visual images. Instead, we apply CH* chemiluminescence to identify the stages of coal particle ignition and volatile combustion in the NH₃-coal flame. While NH₃ addition has both positive (elevating temperatures & diluting coal particles) and negative (consuming O₂) effects on coal ignition, the combined influence of E_NH3 is marginal on coal ignition delay time. On the other hand, the volatile combustion time decreases linearly with E_NH3, suggesting a pure effect of reduced coal feed rate.     

Impact of massive tau-neutrinos on primordial nucleosynthesis. Exact calculations

The influence of a massive Majorana v_τ on primordial nucleosynthesis is rigorously calculated. The system of three integro-differential kinetic equations is solved numerically for m_vτ in the interval from 0 to 20 MeV It is found that the usual assumption of kinetic equilibrium is strongly violated and non-equilibrium corrections considerably amplify the effect. Even a very weak restriction from nucleosynthesis, allowing for one extra massless neutrino species, permits to conclude that m_vτ < 1 MeV For a stricter bound, e.g. for ΔN_v < 0.3, the limit is tm_vτ < 0.35MeV.     

Effects on measurement of photon-atom scattering of applied pressures on sample at different thickness

N_coh/N_Comp and NK_β/NK_α intensity ratios of scattered photons by Zn in the linear region and the infinite mass thickness region are measured as functions of the pressure used for compressing the pellets with a Si(Li) detector using Am-241 and Fe-55 annular source. Besides, the effect on the experimental intensity ratio of relation between two different thicknesses of sample with applied different pressures on the sample is investigated in this study. Harmony between the linear and infinitive (critical) thickness region and the applied pressure on the sample has directly affected the experimental intensity ratios. Experimental results were not compared with various theoretical values in the literature, for present results constitute the first experimental measurements.     

Action-angle variables for dihedral systems on the circle

A nonrelativistic particle on a circle and subject to a cos−2(kφ) potential is related to the two-dimensional (dihedral) Coxeter system I₂(k), for k∈N. For such ‘dihedral systems’ we construct the action-angle variables and establish a local equivalence with a free particle on the circle. We perform the quantization of these systems in the action-angle variables and discuss the supersymmetric extension of this procedure. By allowing radial motion one obtains related two-dimensional systems, including A₂, BC₂ and G₂ three-particle rational Calogero models on R, which we also analyze.     

New type of biosensor based on magnetic nanoparticle detection

A new type of biosensor has been developed based on detection of nanosized superparamagnetic particles that serve as labels in bioreactions. The method is based on non-linear magnetic material detection by a magnetic field having components at two frequencies f₁ and f₂. The response is measured at the combinatorial frequencies f_i=mf₁+nf₂, where m and n are integers, e.g., f_i=f₁±2f₂. Several highly sensitive readers of superparamagnetic particles have been designed and used for development of various formats of immunoassays, including those compatible with immunoconcentration and magnetic enrichment of antigens.     

The effect of social cues on marketing decisions

We address the question as to what extent individuals, when given information in marketing polls on the decisions made by the previous N_r individuals questioned, are likely to change their original choices. The processes can be formulated in terms of a Cost function equivalent to a Hamiltonian, which depends on the original likelihood of an individual making a positive decision in the absence of social cues p₀; the strength of the social cue J; and memory size N_r. We find both positive and negative herding effects are significant. Specifically, if p₀>1/2 social cues enhance positive decisions, while for p₀<1/2 social cues reduce the likelihood of a positive decision.     

Adatom dipole moments on metals and their interactions

An expression is derived for the dipole moment μ, associated with an arbitrary adatom on an arbitrary metal surface, in terms of the differential work done in moving the adatom from the interior of the metal to its actual position in the presence and absence, respectively, of small, asymptotically uniform electric field on the exterior of the metal. With the aid of this expression it is shown that the non-oscillatory part of the interaction energy of two dipoles μ_A and μ_B, situated on the surface and separated by a large distance v, is given by U_AB = 2μ_Aμ_Bv^?3. This exceeds by a factor of 2 the interaction energy of two dipoles in the same relative configuration but in a vacuum.     

Effect of kink-rounding barriers on step edge fluctuations

The effect that an additional energy barrier E_kr for step adatoms moving around kinks has on equilibrium step edge fluctuations is explored using scaling arguments and kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. When mass transport is through step edge diffusion, the time correlation function of the step fluctuations behaves as C(t)=A(T)t^1/4. At low temperatures the prefactor A(T) shows Arrhenius behavior with an activation energy (E_det+3?)/4 if E_kr<? and (E_det+E_kr+2?)/4 if E_kr>?, where ? is the kink energy and E_det is the barrier for detachment of a step adatom from a kink. We point out that the assumption of an Einstein relation for step edge diffusion has lead to an incorrect interpretation of step fluctuation experiments, and explain why such a relation does not hold. The theory is applied to experimental results on Pt(1 1 1) and Cu(1 0 0).     

Disorder effect on the traffic flow behavior

The effects of some disorders, on the traffic flow behavior, are studied numerically. Especially, the effect of mixture of vehicles of different velocities and/or lengths, the effects of different drivers reactions, the position and the extraction rate of off-ramp in the free way. Using a generalized optimal velocity model, for a mixture of fast and slow vehicles, we have investigated the effect of delay times τ _f and τ _s on the fundamental diagram. It is Found that the small delay times have almost no effect, while, for sufficiently large delay time τ _s , the current profile displays qualitatively five different forms, depending on τ _f , τ _s and the fractions f _f and f _s of the fast and slow cars, respectively. The velocity (current) exhibits first-order transitions at low and/or high densities, from freely moving phase to the congested state, and from congested state to a jamming one, respectively. The minimal current appears in intermediate values of τ _s . Furthermore there exist, a critical value of τ _f above which the meta-stability and hysteresis appear. The effects of disorder due to drivers behaviors have been introduced through a random delay time τ allowing the car to reach its optimal velocity traffic flow models with open boundaries. In the absence of the variation of the delay time Δτ, it is found that the transition from unstable to meta-stable and from meta-stable to stable state occur under the effect of the injecting and the extracting rate probabilities α and β respectively. Moreover, the perturbation of the traffic flow behavior due to the off-ramp has been studied using numerical simulations in the one dimensional cellular automaton traffic flow model with open boundaries. When the off-ramp is located between two critical positions i _c1 and i _c2 the current remains constant (plateau) for β_0c1 < β₀ < β_0c2, and the density undergoes two successive first order transitions: from high density to plateau current phase and from average density to the low one. In the case of two off-ramps, these transitions occur only when the distance between ramps, is smaller than a critical value.     

Tunable band structure in diamond-cubic tin-germanium alloys grown on silicon substrates

Novel chemical methods based on deuterium-stabilized Sn hydrides and ultra-high-vacuum chemical vapor deposition were used to grow Sn_xGe_1−x alloys directly on silicon. Device-quality, strain-free films with a Sn-fraction as high as x=0.2 were obtained. The optical properties provide evidence for a well-defined Ge-like band structure. In particular, the direct band gap E₀ is reduced to a value as low as 0.41 eV for Sn_0.14Ge_0.86. The growth of these high-optical quality infrared materials creates entirely new opportunities for band gap engineering on Si.     

Dependence on substrate bias of the effective mass and dingle temperature of electrons in the surface inversion layer of silicon

The amplitude of the quantum oscillations in the magnetoconductance of a silicon inversion layer has been studied as a function of gate voltage V_g, for different values of the temperature T, applied magnetic field strength H and substrate bias V_s. By analyzing the amplitude of the oscillations at fixed V_g and V_g as a function of T and H, the dependence of the cyclotron effective mass m¹ and the Dingle temperature T_D on V_g and V_s can be obtained. The dependence of m¹ on V_g for different values of V_s is compared with the prediction of theory.     

Repulsive effect of low frequency phonons on superconductivity

The Eliashberg integral equations are investigated to determine the effect of low frequency phonons on the superconducting transition temperature T_c. It is found that phonons of frequency less than T_c are repulsive (diminish T_c) while phonons of higher frequency have a diminished attraction unless the frequency is substantially above T_c. Various implications are discussed concerning observed values of T_c and predicted mechanisms for raising T_c.