A mathematical model of the field of precipitations

Summary The authors illustrate a mathematical model for the interpretation of dry and rainy periods, which can also point out the periodicities of the timeseries of precipitations and their importance. The model has been applied to the pluviometric series of Genoa University (1833–1979) and it was checked by the hydrometric data of the Bisagno stream at La Presa (1962).

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Riassunto Gli autori illustrano un modello matematico per l’interpretazione dei periodi secchi e di quelli piovosi, modello che può anche individuare le periodicità inste nelle serie temporali delle precipitazioni e la loro rilevanza. Il modello è stato applicato alla serie pluviometrica dell’Università di Genova (1833–1979) ed è stato testato con i valori del livello idrometrico del torrente Bisagno a La Presa (1962).

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Work carried out in the field of the P.F.Promotion of the Environment Quality, subprogram 5 under the Contracts No. 44/80.01738.90/150.6148 and No. 56/79.01490.90/115.6148.     

Equilibrium formation and growth of droplets on soluble nuclei by adiabatic expansion

Summary A thermodynamic approach is used to describe the formation and the growth upon soluble nuclei due to an adiabatic expansion. Using the conservation laws, several parameters may be expressed as functions of pressure, which is here the only independent variable. In particular, the variation of the droplet radius with pressure is presented.

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Riassunto Si propone un modello termodinamico di formazione e crescita di gocce su nuclei solubili per effetto di un’espansione adiabatica. Sfruttando le leggi di conservazione è posibile esprimere vari parametri in funzione della pressione, che è qui l’unica variabile indipendente. Il modello mostra, in particolare, la variazione del raggio della goccia con la pressione.

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Calibration with experimental data of a 2D sea breeze model by heating parametrization

Summary A new scheme of vertical distribution of sensible heat flux has been introduced in a bidimensional numerical sea breeze model which uses a prescribed flux at the ground. The scheme has been suggested by inspection of thermal and dynamical fields observed during a case study along the coast of northern Adriatic Sea. Agreement with data is shown to be considerably increased.

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Riassunto Un nuovo schema per la distribuzione verticale del flusso di calore sensibile è stato introdotto in un modello bidimensionale di brezza di mare in cui l’input termico è dato dal valore al suolo del flusso stesso. Lo schema è stato suggerito dall’analisi dei campi termici e dinamici osservati durante un ?case study? nel comprensorio Alto Adriatico, ed ha contribuito a migliorare sensibilmente i risultati della simulazione.

     

Hofmeister series and ionic effects of alkali metal ions on DNA conformation transition in normal and less polarised water solvent

Normal and less polarised water models are used as the solvent to investigate Hofmeister effects and alkali metal ionic effects on dodecamer d(CGCGAATTCGCG) B-DNA with atomic dynamics simulations. As normal water solvent is replaced by less polarised water, the Hofmeister series of alkali metal ions is changed from Li⁺ > Na⁺ ? K⁺ ? Cs⁺ ? Rb⁺ to Li⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ > Rb⁺ > Cs⁺. In less polarised water, DNA experiences the B→A conformational transition for the lighter alkali metal counterions (Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺). However, it keeps B form for the heavier ions (Rb⁺ and Cs⁺). We find that the underlying cause of the conformation transition for these alkali metal ions except K⁺ is the competition between water molecules and counterions coupling to the free oxygen atoms of the phosphate groups. For K⁺ ions, the ‘economics’ of phosphate hydration and ‘spine of hydration’ are both concerned with the DNA helixes changing.     

Transient stefan flow and thermophoresis around an evaporating droplet

Summary The particle scavening efficiency of vapour-grown ice crystals falling from mixed clouds proves to be very high. Stefan flow, an aerodynamic flow originating in the fluid surrounding evaporating or condensing bodies, pushes airborne particles away from the surface of the supercooled droplets evaporating in the vicinity of an ice crystal. The particle Brownian flux towards the surface of the ice crystal (terminal velocity of about 1 m s⁻¹) it, therefore, enhanced. However, the efficiency of this process of airborne-particle removal is strongly reduced as a consequence of the cooling of the evaporating droplet which produces a ?thermal force?, thermophoresis, which counteracts the particle Stefan flow. At the surface of an evaporating droplet in a quasi-equilibrium state, the two airborne-particle velocity fields practically balance each other. This counteracting effect on particle motion needs to be evaluated in the transient case. An approach is presented which consists of reformulating the transient heat and mass transfer problem in such a way as to convert it into a purely heat transfer problem having a known analytical solution. The approach is discussed and found to be correct. The results of the computations show that the counteracting role of thermophoresis on Stefan-flow particle motion during the residence time of supercooled droplets in the vicinity of an ice crystal (from 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻⁴s), which is also the time in which evaporation takes place, is considerably weak. It turns out to be practically negligible for large droplets (radius ≥8·10⁻⁴ cm).

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Riassunto Cristalli di ghiaccio naturali cresciuti per sublimazione in presenza di goccioline di acqua sopraffusa catturano efficacemente particelle browniane. Il flusso di Stefan che si crea in un fluido circostante un corpo in fase di evaporazione o, condensazione trascina via particelle dalla superficie delle goccioline sopraffuse che evaporano nelle vicinanze dei cristalli di ghiaccio. Il flusso della diffusione browniana di particelle atmosferiche verso la superficie del cristallo viene aumentato. Tuttavia l’efficienza di questo meccanismo è fortemente ridotta dalla termoforesi che si crea in prossimità della superficie della gocciolina in quanto questa, nell’evaporare, si raffredda. Nello stato di quasi equilibrio della gocciolina i due campi di velocità delle particelle, il flusso di Stefan e la termoforesi, si annullano praticamente l’un l’altro. L’effetto di questo controbilanciamento va valutato nel transiente. Un accostamento a questo caso consiste nel riformulare il problema del trasferimento contemporaneo di massa e di calore alla superficie della gocciolina in modo tale da ricondurlo a un problema di solo trasferimento di calore del quale già esiste la soluzione analitica. Si discute questo approccio e si mostra che esso è corretto. I risultati dei calcoli mostrano che l’effetto della termoforesi sulle particelle trasportate dal flusso di Stefan durante la permanenza delle goccioline in prossimità del cristallo di ghiaccio (da, 10⁻⁵ a 10⁻⁴ s) è di scarsa rilevanza. Diventa praticamente trascurabile nel caso di grandi goccioline (raggio ≥8·10⁻⁴ cm).

     

Final-state effects on the assignment of boronK-shell spectra in BF3 molecules

Summary Extensive, bound-state calculations for the electronic ground state of the BF₃ molecule are reported and a simple model is employed to generate its ionic state associated with aK-shell vacancy in the boron atom. The rearrangement of the molecular-charge distribution that follows the initial ionization process is examined within the present model and its effect on the full boron X-ray absorption spectra is discussed. The inadequancy of band classifications which are based only on initialstate calculations in providing anything more than qualitative results is again observed and analysed.

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Riassunto Si riportano estesi calcoliab initio per gli stati elettronici legati della molecola del BF₃ nel suo stato fondamentale e si descrive un modello semplice che permette di ottenere gli stati ionici relativi ad una vacanza nel guscioK dell’atomo di boro. Si esaminano il processo di riarrangiamento della distribuzione di carica molecolare che ha luogo dopo la ionizzazione iniziale ed i suoi effetti sullo spettro di assorbimento X relativo all’atomo centrale. Si evidenzia ed analizza il valore puramente qualitativo di ogni assegnazione delle righe di assorbimento che sia basata unicamente sulla struttura dello stato iniziale non perturbato.

     

Vacancy formation energy related to liquid structure in a nonlinear scaled potential theory

Summary A scaling relation is derived for the vacancy formation energyE _v in a family of homologous systems at their melting temperatureT _m, using a pair potential theory which relatesE _v atT _m to liquid structure under the assumption that atomic relaxation round the vacancy can be neglected.

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Riassunto Il lavoro deriva una relazione di scala per l’energiaE _v di formazione di un posto vacante in una famiglia di sistemi omologhi alla loro temperatureT _m di fusione, nell’ambito di una teoria a potenziale di coppia che legaE _v aT _m alla struttura della fase liquida nell’ipotesi che rilassamenti atomici attorno al posto vacante possano essere trascurati.

     

Phonon anomalies in Co−Ni alloys

Summary A detailed experimental analysis of the inelastic crosssection along the [111]-direction in Co−Ni alloys is presented. Using a simple model and studying the cross-section as a function of both composition and temperature, it is shown that interesting information about the h.c.p.-f.c.c. transition can be gained in these alloys.

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Riassunto Nel presente lavoro si describe un’analisi sperimentale dettagliata della sezione d’urto anelastica dei neutroni lungo la direzione [111] in leghe Co−Ni. Impiegando un modello relativamente semplice e studiando la sezione d’urto in funzione di temperatura e concentrazione, si mostra che si possono ottenere utili informazioni riguardanti la transizione h.c.p.-f.c.c.

     

Optical model potential of 800 MeV/c K+ meson for12C and40Ca by the method of inversion

The elastic scattering differential cross-sections of 800 MeV/c K⁺ mesons from¹²C and Ca have been analyzed using the Ericson’s parametrization for the phase shift. It is found that the parameter values obtained by our analysis are significantly different from those obtained from the closed expression for K⁺-nucleus amplitude derived by the strong absorption approximation. Next, using the phase shift obtained from the present analysis we calculate the K⁺ optical model potentials for¹²C and⁴⁰Ca by the method of inversion. The calculated potentials are compared with the recently determined phenomenological ones.     

Effects of alkali metal ions on upconversion photoluminescence intensity of Er3+-doped Y2O3 nanocrystals

We investigate upconversion emissions in alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺) and Er³⁺-codoped Y₂O₃ nanocrystals. By introducing Li⁺, upconversion intensity is significantly enhanced, while Na⁺ and K⁺ hardly have this influence. FT-IR data give evidence that the main mechanisms of the enhanced upconversion emission cannot be attributed to the decreased surface defects. EXAFS data and variations of enhanced upconversion intensities in different samples indicate that Li⁺ can occupy the interstitial sites in lattice and thus arouse large site asymmetry. In addition, locations in the samples and effects on the upconversion emission of Na⁺ and K⁺ are discussed.     

Non-interferometric transient quantitative phase microscopy for ultrafast engineering

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics Bi_0.5(Na_1-x-yK_xAg_y)_0.5TiO₃ [BNKAT(x/y)] have been synthesized by the mixed oxide method. The effects of the amount of K⁺ and Ag⁺ on the electrical properties were examined. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that K⁺ and Ag⁺ ions partially substitute for the Na⁺ ions in Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃ and form a solid solution during sintering. At room temperature, the ceramics exhibit good performances with piezoelectric constant d₃₃=189 pC/N, electromechanical coupling factor k_p=35.0%, remanent polarization P_r=39.5 μC/cm², and coercive field E_c=3.3 kV/mm, respectively. The curves of the dielectric constant ε_r and loss tangent tan δ versus temperature show that the transition temperature from ferroelectric to anti-ferroelectric phase decreases with increasing the K⁺ content for the compositions researched. The dependencies of k_p and polarization versus electric (P–E) hysteresis loops on temperature reveal that the depolarization temperature T_d of BNKAT(0.15/0.015) ceramics, which have good piezoelectric properties (d₃₃=134 pC/N, k_p=32.5%) and strong ferroelectricity (P_r=39.5 μC/cm², E_c=4.1 kV/mm) at room temperature, is above 160 °C. PACS 77.22.-d; 77.65.Bn; 77.80.Bh; 77.80.Dj; 77.84.Dy     

Characterization of polycrystalline (Na,K)β/β′- alumina ceramics

K β′-alumina is unstable at >1300°C. Mixed alkali β′-alumina has a variable stability depending on the alkali ratio, [K⁺]/([Na⁺]+[K⁺]). For f(β)<[K⁺]/([Na⁺]+[K⁺]), the β′-Al₂O₃ phase decomposes to Kβ-Al₂O₃ 0997 0815 V 3 and a solid solution of Na β′-Al₂O₃ and K β′-Al₂O₃. For f(β)=[K⁺]/([Na⁺]+[K⁺], the ceramic consists of K β-Al₂O₃ and Naβ′-Al₂O₃ and for f(β)>[K⁺]/([Na⁺]+[K⁺]), the excess Na⁺ after Na β′-Al₂O₃ dissolves in the β phase, giving Na β-Al₂O₃/K β-Al₂O₃ solid solution and Na β′-Al₂O₃. These sequences were confirmed by measuring the dependence of the c-axis lattice parameters of β- and β′-Al₂O₃ phases on the f(β), and the change of these parameters during the ion-exchange of Na⁺ and K⁺ ions.     

Subthreshold and near threshold K+ meson photoproduction\newline on nuclei

The inclusive K⁺ meson production in photon–induced reactions in the near threshold and subthreshold energy regimes is analyzed with respect to the one–step (γN→K ⁺ Y, Y=Λ,Σ) incoherent production processes on the basis of an appropriate new folding model, which takes properly into account the struck target nucleon removal energy and internal momentum distribution (nucleon spectral function), extracted from recent quasielastic electron scattering experiments and from many–body calculations with realistic models of the NN interaction. Simple parametrizations for the total and differential cross sections of the K⁺ production in photon–nucleon collisions are presented. Comparison of the model calculations of the K⁺ differential cross sections for the reaction γ+C¹² in the threshold region with the existing experimental data is given, that displays the contributions to the K⁺ production at considered incident energies coming from the use of the single–particle part as well as high momentum and high removal energy part of the nucleon spectral function. Detailed predictions for the K⁺ total and differential cross sections from γH², γC¹² and γPb²⁰⁸ reactions at subthreshold and near threshold energies are provided. The influence of the uncertainties in the elementary K⁺ production cross sections on the K⁺ yield is explored. Received: 12 April 1999 / Revised version: 11 September 1999     

Structure, electrical properties and temperature characteristics of?Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3–Bi0.5K0.5TiO3–Bi0.5Li0.5TiO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

(1−x−y)Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃–xBi_0.5K_0.5TiO₃– yBi_0.5Li_0.5TiO₃ lead-free piezoelectric ceramics have been prepared by an ordinary sintering technique, and their structure, electrical properties, and temperature characteristics have been studied systematically. The ceramics can be well-sintered at 1050–1150 °C. The increase in K⁺ concentration decreases the grain-growth rate and promotes the formation of grains with a cubic shape, while the addition of Li⁺ decreases greatly the sintering temperature and assists in the densification of BNT-based ceramics. The results of XRD diffraction show that K⁺ and Li⁺ diffuse into the Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃ lattices to form a solid solution with a pure perovskite structure. As x increases from 0.05 to 0.50, the ceramics transform gradually from rhombohedral phase to tetragonal phase and consequently a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) is formed at 0.15≤x≤0.25. The concentration y of Li⁺ has no obvious influence on the crystal structure of the ceramics. Compared with pure Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃, the partial substitution of K⁺ and Li⁺ for Na⁺ lowers greatly the coercive field E _c and increases the remanent polarization P _r of the ceramics. Because of the MPB, lower E _c and large P _r, the piezoelectricity of the ceramics is improved significantly. For the ceramics with the compositions near the MPB (x=0.15–0.25 and y=0.05–0.10), the piezoelectric properties become optimum: piezoelectric coefficient d ₃₃=147–231 pC/N and planar electromechanical coupling factor k _P=20.2–41.0%. In addition, the ceramics exhibit relaxor characteristic, which probably results from the cation disordering in the 12-fold coordination sites. The depolarization temperature T _d shows a strong dependence on the concentration x of K⁺ and reaches the lowest values at the MPB. The temperature dependences of the ferroelectric and dielectric properties at high temperatures may imply that the ceramics may contain both the polar and non-polar regions at temperatures above T _d.     

Size and stability of liposomes: A possible role of hydration and osmotic forces

Dynamic light scattering and electrophoretic mobility measurements have been used to characterize the size, size distribution and zeta potentials (ζ-potentials) of egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EYPC) liposomes in the presence of monovalent ions ( Na⁺ and K⁺). To study the stability of liposomes the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory has been extended by introducing the hydrated radius of the adsorbed ions onto the liposome surfaces. The decrease of liposome size is explained on the basis of the membrane impermeability to some ions which generate osmotic forces, which leads to evacuate water from liposome inside.     

A pseudo-hamiltonian model for small alkali metal clusters

The dissociation energies and equilibrium geometries of the molecules Na₃, Na₃ ⁺, K₃ and K₃ ⁺ are calculated using a simple model hamiltonian. The model was previously developed by Roach and Baybutt to explain an anomalous feature in the bonding of alkali metal diatomics. For polyatomics it is convenient to introduce a small gaussian expansion of Slater orbitals, and this also allows the use of an improved method of evaluating integrals over the core volumes. Although Na₃ and K₃ are only predicted to be metastable (like H₃), their calculated ionization potentials are in quite good agreement with experiment. The failure of the model for the other alkali metals is discussed.     

Interaction between guest AgI and host zeolite FAU studied by optical spectra and EXAFS

AgI molecules were dilutely adsorbed into nano-cages of Na⁺, K⁺ and Cs⁺ type FAU zeolites in order to understand the interaction between host zeolite and guest AgI. This interaction was investigated using optical absorption spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). The optical spectra strongly depend on the type of the alkali cations. Compared with the lowest absorption band of AgI molecules in gas phase, the spectra of AgI molecules adsorbed in the zeolite cages shifts to higher energy in the order of Cs⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺. On the contrary, Ag-I bond lengths of adsorbed AgI molecules obtained from EXAFS were independent of the type of the alkali-cations. The bond length was very close to gas phase AgI molecules. Therefore, the interaction between AgI molecules and the zeolite, whose magnitude is Na⁺ > K⁺ > Cs⁺, is important in the photo-excited electronic state.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis>-Causality Coincides with Stable Causality

It is proven that K-causality coincides with stable causality, and that in a K-causal spacetime the relation K ⁺ coincides with the Seifert’s relation. As a consequence the causal relation “the spacetime is strongly causal and the closure of the causal relation is transitive” stays between stable causality and causal continuity.     

Binding of Mn(II) ions to lecithin bilayers as determined by ESR and NMR investigations

Summary The Mn(II)-lecithin system was investigated by means of paramagnetic relaxation studies. Unsonicated and sonicated aqueous dispersions were considered at various temperatures andpH values. Information was derived from both the frequency dependence of the ESR line shape and the paramagnetic contributions to the water proton relaxation rates. A dynamic equilibrium was suggested, by taking into account the role of the through-water cation binding in the metal-lipid interaction.

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Riassunto Il sistema Mn(II)-lecitina è stato studiato per mezzo di misure di rilassamento paramagnetico. Sono state considerate dispersioni acquose sonicate e non a vari valori di temperature epH. Da misure EPR in funzione della frequenza e dallo studio di contributi paramagnetici alle velocità di rilassamento dei protoni dell’acqua sono state ottenute informazioni sul sistema Mn(II)-lecitina. Prendendo in considerazione il ruolo del legame acqua-catione, nell’interazione metallo lipide, è stato suggerito un equilibrio dinamico.