The TL and room temperature OSL properties of the glow peak at 110 °C in natural milky quartz: A case study

The LM–OSL signal of quartz, while measured at room temperature, is dominated by an intermediate, broad and intense OSL component, so that its contribution and general characteristics are derived very accurately. Through a series of dose–response, bleaching and thermal decay at room temperature experiments, in conjunction with curve fitting studies, a component resolved analysis is carried out studying the correlation between this specific component, termed as LM–OSL component C₂ and the 110 °C TL glow peak in quartz. The dose–response of these two luminescence components behaves exactly similar being linear at low doses and saturating at almost 100 Gy. Both signals decay exponentially under illumination, providing identical optical detrapping cross-section values. Residual of both luminescence signals after thermal decay at room temperature follows an exponential law, yielding similar mean half-lives. All previous luminescence features provide strong evidence for the electron trap being the same for both the 110 °C TL trap and the LM–OSL component C₂. The results of the present work are very promising and clearly support the possibility of extrapolating the TL pre-dose methodology to the OSL pre-dose effect using only the LM–OSL component C₂.     

A case study of a “Dragon-King”: The 1999 Venezuelan catastrophe

We describe a failure of standard extremal models to account for a catastrophic rainfall event in the coastal regions of Venezuela on 14–16 December 1999, due both to inaccurate tail modelling and to an inadequate treatment of clusters of rare events. We investigate this failure, using a Dirichlet mixture model to approximate a form of moving maximum process that should provide accurate models for wide classes of extremal behaviour. This so-called M3-Dirichlet model may be fitted using an EM algorithm, and provides a reasonable explanation for the properties of the data, in terms of a seasonally-varying mixture of types of extreme rainfall clusters.     

Degradation of stone materials in the archaeological context of the Greek–Roman Theatre in Taormina (Sicily, Italy)

In the present work results on the degradation phenomena of stone materials in the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, one of the most important Greek–Roman monuments of Sicily, are reported. Artificial stone materials in different conservation conditions were investigated. Samples of salt efflorescences from brick walls and degraded setting mortars were taken from the open gallery in “summa cavea”. The chemical, physical and structural characterization was performed by means of X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), both in situ and ex situ.     

The use of 3D-laser scanning in assessing the safety of masonry vaults—A case study on the church of Saint-Jacobs

Safety and stability of historical structures are of key importance when dealing with a restoration project. The stability of masonry vaults very much depends on its overall geometry and the analysis results strongly depend on the accuracy in which this geometry can be measured in practice. To obtain an accurate estimate of the geometry of the vaults, 3D-laser scanning was performed. Based on the 3D-point cloud, a 3D-model of the vaults allows determining the lines of thrust in the structure as well as the reaction forces (application point and magnitude) at the abutments. This contribution gives a critical appraisal of the process used in the preliminary research phase: gathering the point clouds, 3D-modelling, structural analysis calculating thrust lines and the consolidation requirements that are obtained. The focus is on the added value of the methodology, its applicability, cost-effectiveness, overall advantages and drawbacks.     

The Rhodes-Wohlfarth parameter as assessment of the displacive degree in ferroelectrics: The case of the Ф4> model

The Rhodes-Wohlfarth parameter extended to ferroelectrics by Tokunaga [J. Phys. Soc. Jap. 57, 4275 (1988)] is here analyzed within the model. It is shown that it can be directly related with the displacive degree of the transition as described by the ratio C / E ₀ , between the non-local coupling, C, driving the transition and the depth of the energy well, E₀, associated with the distorted structure. However, the Rhodes-Wohlfarth parameter becomes asymptotically constant as C / E ₀ decreases, i.e. for systems closer to the order disorder limit. Under this viewpoint, the very limited range of values observed for this experimental parameter is explained and is shown that, in general, it can only assess quantitatively the character of the transition in rather displacive cases. The argument can be generalized to more complex systems, and when applied to well known materials, a rough estimation of the displacive degree and the relevant microscopic energetic parameters in rather displacive ferroelectrics is possible. Received 23 December 1998 and Received in final form 4 May 1999     

Erratum to: “Deformation of Magneto-Optical Structures in Radiation of Extended Sources”

Optics and Spectroscopy -     

Reference Spectra in the “Artificial-Moon” Scale and Cosmological Studies of Radio Sources

We present the modified version of the flux scale [1] of cosmic radio sources. The number of standard sources is increased, the dynamical range of the scale is extended by one order of magnitude toward weak fluxes, and the standard sources are distributed more uniformly over the northern hemisphere. The scale [1] at frequencies above 15 GHz is improved with allowance for additional data. New standard sources are determined in the millimeter wavelength range. The spectra of standard sources are obtained on the basis of accurate absolute measurements of the radiation flux density at frequencies 0.5-10 GHz by the method of an artificial moon. Spectrum shapes of the standard sources were determined by the method of relative spectra based on relative measurements in the frequency interval from 26 MHz to 31.4 GHz. This makes it possible to find spectra in the entire frequency range with an accuracy of 3-4%. We determined the spectra of more than 100 steep-spectrum extra-Galactic sources in the artificial-moon' scale. Most spectra have breaks in the frequency interval from 178 MHz to 14.9 GHz. The spectra of some sources have constant spectral indices. The distributions of the break frequencies of radio galaxies and quasars over celestial coordinates of these sources are obtained. These distributions are close to lognormal. The frequencies of the maxima of radio-galaxy and quasar distributions are equal to 1.25 and 2.5 GHz, respectively. The mean spectral indices as functions of frequency are determined for radio galaxies and quasars. The spectral indices of sources belonging to these two groups increase with frequency at the same rate below 3 GHz. At higher frequencies, the slope of the mean spectrum of galaxies remains the same, while the mean quasar spectrum flattens.     

Thermal assistance in TA – OSL signals of feldspar and polymineral samples; comparison with the case of pure quartz

Thermally assisted optically stimulated luminescence (TA – OSL) is studied for the cases of polymineral, rich in K-feldspar sample as well as one pure sample of K-feldspar. For both cases, the shape of the TA – OSL signal indicates an initial, fast decaying part which is followed by a flat, very slowly decaying part with intensity much larger than the ordinary background noise signal. Thermal assistance characteristics indicate that for the case of pure K-feldspar, the signal originates from a unique very deep trap. The experimental features of the TA – OSL signal in the case of polymineral sample resemble much the corresponding TA – OSL features of pure quartz, in terms of both glow curve shape, especially at high stimulation temperatures, as well as signal intensity and its dependence on the stimulation temperature. Nevertheless, TA – OSL stimulation at low, ambient temperatures provide strong hints towards the contribution of K – feldspars to this signal. Proper selection of the stimulation temperature could possibly discriminate the TA – OSL signal originating from quartz and feldspars.     

The hyperon-nucleon interaction potential in the bound-state soliton model: the ΛN case

We develop the formalism to study the hyperon-nucleon interaction potential within the bound-state approach to the SU(3) Skyrme model. The general framework is illustrated by applying it to the diagonal ΛN potential. The central, spin-spin and tensor components of this interaction are obtained and compared with those derived using alternative schemes.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance in contemporary art: the case of “Moon Surface” by Turcato

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) methodologies were applied to characterize the constitutive materials and the state of degradation of a contemporary painting. The investigation was mandatory to plan a suitable restoration. Noninvasive, portable NMR allowed the detection of degraded regions of the painting based on the measurement of longitudinal relaxation time. A few samples were investigated by high resolution solid state NMR and NMR in solution, which allowed us to identify the polyurethane constituting the artefact, to investigate the microstructure in detail, and to assess that the degradation process mostly affected the ethylene units used to cap the polypropylene oxide polymeric chain. As a matter of fact, a shortening of longitudinal relaxation time was accompanied by a degradation of ethylene units. The degradation of the inorganic loading was investigated by ²⁷Al MAS, which evidenced the absence of penta-coordinated aluminum in degraded samples.     

The apparent excess in the Higgs to di-photon rate at the LHC: New Physics or QCD uncertainties?

The Higgs boson with a mass _MH≈126 GeV$M_H\approx 126\text{GeV}$ has been observed by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at the LHC and a total significance of about five standard deviations has been reported by both collaborations when the channels H→γγ$H\to \gamma \gamma$ and H→ZZ→4?$H\to ZZ\to 4?$ are combined. Nevertheless, while the rates in the later search channel appear to be in accord with those predicted in the Standard Model, there seems to be an excess of data in the case of the H→γγ$H\to \gamma \gamma$ discovery channel. Before invoking new physics contributions to explain this excess in the di-photon Higgs rate, one should verify that standard QCD effects cannot account for it. We describe how the theoretical uncertainties in the Higgs boson cross section for the main production process at the LHC, gg→H$gg\to H$, which are known to be large, should be incorporated in practice. We further show that the discrepancy between the theoretical prediction and the measured value of the gg→H→γγ$gg\to H\to \gamma \gamma$ rate, reduces to about one standard deviation when the QCD uncertainties are taken into account.     

The determination of the parameters of “spherical” motion in a kerr field

The problem of the existence of class M geodesic motions on the surface r=const, all of whose mechanical parameters in the specified Kerr field are determined only from stability conditions, is posed and investigated. A system of equations which determines this class is derived and solved. It is shown that in the general case this motion does not cover the entire surface r=const and is restricted by the condition ₀ }- ₀. Simple algebraic expressions are found for all the parameters of these configurations-energy, momentum, radius, and the angle ₀-as functions of the specific angular momentuma of the Kerr field. It is shown that these motions can exist only in Kerr fields with a value of the parametera larger or equal to r_g/2. In a Kerr field with a fixed value ofa there exist only two configurations with the indicated properties. In conclusion, the properties of the M-solutions associated with the appearance of configurations with negative energies and negativeness of g₀₀ within the limits of some configurations and values ofa larger than r_g/2 are discussed. It is noted that the negative values of the energy occur only in those configurations within whose limits g₀₀ < 0. It is also pointed out that the Kerr field is free of pathological properties associated with the breakdown of causality whena > r_g/2 if one does not made the assumption, unnecessary within the framework of the problem under discussion, that the sources of the Kerr field are in the region r=0.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 5, pp. 17–25, May, 1979.The authors express their gratitude to A. A. Grib for useful discussions.     

The significance of anti-neuronal antibodies for acute psychiatric disorders: a retrospective case–controlled study

Background

The clinical significance of anti-neuronal antibodies in patients with psychiatric disorders, but without encephalitis, remains unknown. In patients admitted to acute psychiatric inpatient care we aimed to identify clinical features distinguishing anti-neuronal antibody positive patients from matched controls.

Results

Patients who were serum-positive to N-methyl d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) (n?=?21), contactin-associated protein 2 (CASPR2) (n?=?14) and/or glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) (n?=?9) antibodies (cases) were age and sex matched (1:2) with serum-negative patients from the same cohort (controls). The prevalence and severity of psychiatric symptoms frequently encountered in NMDAR, CASPR2 and GAD65 antibody associated disorders were compared in cases and controls. NMDAR, CASPR2 and GAD65 antibody positive patients did not differ in their clinical presentation from matched serum negative controls.

Conclusion

In this cohort, patients with and without NMDAR, CASPR2 and GAD65 antibodies admitted to acute psychiatric inpatient care had similar psychiatric phenotypes. This does not exclude their clinical relevance in subgroups of patients, and studies further investigating the clinical significance of anti-neuronal antibodies in patients with psychiatric symptomatology are needed.

     

What determines the banking sector performance in globalized financial markets? The case of Turkey

This study attempts to give an insight into the trend in the performance of the Turkish banking sector by conducting a panel data fixed effects regression analysis. The results reveal that efficiency change is negatively related to the number of branches. We find a positive relationship between the loan ratio and the performance indices efficiency and efficiency change. Furthermore, bank capitalization is positively related to efficiency change. Interestingly however, return on equity is not statistically significant in explaining any of the efficiency measures. There is also no robust relationship between foreign ownership and efficiency. Finally, restructuring attempts in post-crises epoch robustly account for the improvement in efficiency scores in recent years.     

Monte Carlo study of the ising model phase transition in terms of the percolation transition of “physical clusters”

Finite squareL×L Ising lattices with ferromagnetic nearest neighbor interaction are simulated using the Swendsen-Wang cluster algorithm. Both thermal properties (internal energyU, specific heatC, magnetization |M|, susceptibility) and percolation cluster properties relating to the physical clusters, namely the Fortuin-Kasteleyn clusters (percolation probability P , percolation susceptibility _p, cluster size distributionn _l) are evaluated, paying particular attention to finite-size effects. It is shown that thermal properties can be expressed entirely in terms of cluster properties, P being identical to |M| in the thermodynamic limit, while finite-size corrections differ. In contrast, _p differs from even in the thermodynamic limit, since a fluctuation in the size of the percolating net contributes to, but not to _p. NearT _c the cluster size distribution has the scaling properties as hypothesized by earlier phenomenological theories. We also present a generalization of the Swendsen-Wang algorithm allowing one to cross over continuously to the Glauber dynamics.     

The meaning of time in the theory of relativity and “Einstein's later view of the Twin Paradox”

The purpose of the present paper is to reply to a misleading paper by M. Sachs entitled Einstein's later view of the Twin Paradox (TP) (Found. Phys. 15, 977 (1985)). There, by selecting some passages from Einstein's papers, he tried to convince the reader that Einstein changed his mind regarding the asymmetric aging of the twins on different motions. Also Sachs insinuates that he presented several years ago convincing mathematical arguments proving that the theory of relativity does not predict asymmetrical aging in the TP. Here we give a definitive treatment to the clocks problem showing that Sachs' convincing mathematical arguments are non sequitur. Also, by properly quoting Einstein, we show that his later view of the TP coincides with the one derived from the rigorous theory of time developed in this paper.     

Point defects patterning in irradiated α-zirconium: numerical study in the framework of the rate theory

We study point defects patterning in irradiated α-zirconium numerically. In our consideration, we exploit reaction-rate theory by taking into account sink density dynamics and a change in internal stress fields due to the presence of defects. Dynamics of defect populations are studied at different irradiation conditions. It is found that point defects patterning is accompanied by a formation of vacancy clusters; their morphology change is governed by irradiation temperature and damage rate. By using statistical analysis of spatially distributed vacancy clusters, it was shown that the characteristic size of these clusters is of several nanometers. Vacancy clusters' occupation densities and distributions over their sizes are studied in detail.     

Solutions of the Yang–Baxter equations on quadratic Lie groups: The case of oscillator groups

A Lie group is called quadratic if it carries a bi-invariant semi-Riemannian metric. Oscillator Lie groups constitute a subclass of the class of quadratic Lie groups. In this paper, we determine the Lie bialgebra structures and the solutions of the classical Yang–Baxter equation on a generic class of oscillator Lie algebras. Moreover, we show that any solution of the generalized classical Yang–Baxter equation (resp. classical Yang–Baxter equation) on a quadratic Lie group determines a left invariant locally symmetric (resp. flat) semi-Riemannian metric on the corresponding dual Lie groups.