Elliptic semiplanes and group divisible designs with orthogonal resolutions

In this paper we prove that there exists an elliptic semiplaneS(v, k, m) withk –m 2 if and only if there exists a group divisible design GDD _k ((k –m)(k – 1);k –m; 0, 1) withm pairwise orthogonal resolutions. As an example of this theorem, we construct an elliptic semiplaneW(45, 7, 3) and show thatW is isomorphic to the elliptic semiplaneS(45, 7, 3) given by R. D. Baker.     

On the multiplicative group generated by a dense sequence of integers

The subgroup of the positive rationals, generated by a sequence of upper density , has index essentially not exceeding ^–1.In honor of the seventieth birthday of Professor E. HlawkaPartially supported by N.S.F. Contract No. DMS-8500949.     

A two-stage nonlinear cochlear model possesses automatic gain control

A model of the cochlea is explored using as stimuli two simultaneously presented sinusoids of equal amplitude. The model consists of two stages: a linear bandpass filter, followed by a reservoir-type representation of the hair-cell/nerve-fiber complex. Fast Fourier transforms of the model's output were computed. While the amplitudes of the individual response components were strongly nonlinear functions of intensity, the ratio of the magnitudes of the response components at the frequencies of the two stimulating sinusoids was found to be nearly equal, over a wide intensity range, to the ratio of the amplitudes which those stimulating sinusoids possessed at the output of the filter. Thus the reservoir stage exerts "automatic gain control".     

Confusion effects with sinusoidal and narrow-band noise forward maskers

In some forward-masking conditions, signal thresholds may be elevated by the listener's inability to distinguish the signal from the preceding masker. In this study, such "confusion" effects are investigated for both sinusoidal and narrow-band noise forward maskers combined with sinusoidal signals of varying duration. Results for the sinusoidal maskers show effects of off-frequency listening for brief signals and possibly small effects of confusion for longer signals. Results for the narrow-band noise maskers show a marked influence of confusion over a wide range of signal durations. This range is in good agreement with that predicted from previous work with "pulsing" maskers [D. Neff, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 78, 1966-1976 (1985)]. These results suggest that studies using narrow-band noise forward maskers or studies of psychophysical suppression should include direct tests for confusion effects in key conditions.     

Al2O3-supported Fe?Ni catalysts for CO hydrogenation, I. Catalytic properties

CO conversion to hydrocarbons at various reaction temperatures and atmospheric pressure has been investigated on alumina-supported Fe, Ni and Fe–Ni catalysts. Maxima of activity and selectivity were obtained in hydrocarbon formation as a function of Fe content in the samples, which corresponds to a certain stoichiometry of metallic components.     

Mössbauer effect of iodine at pressures to 30 GPa

We report the first high pressure¹²⁹I Mössbauer measurements with elemental iodine at pressures to 30 GPa. A 20 mg/cm^{2 129}I₂ absorber was mounted in a diamond anvil cell with an effective diameter of 0.21 mm. The source used was Mg₃ ^129mTeO₆. Experiments were performed mainly at 4 K and the pressure was monitored by the ruby fluorescence method. With increasing pressure we observe a gradual decrease in ¦e²qQ¦ and an increase in IS and values of the low pressure, molecular phase; at 16 GPa a new phase (HP1) is detected characterized by a change in sign of e²qQ and a smaller value of ¦e²qQ¦, and a substantial increase in . At 24 GPa a new phase (HP2) is formed that is characterized by a smaller value of . In general the population of the molecular phase decreases from 1.0 near 15 GPa to a value of 0.4 at 30 GPa. The fraction of the high pressure phase (HP1 + HP2) increases at the expense of the molecular phase and that of the HP2 at the expense of the HP1 phase. These observations are discussed in relation to the onset of a metallic phase near 16 GPa and recent x-ray diffraction studies.Work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy.