Complete synchronization of Kuramoto oscillators with finite inertia

We present an approach based on Gronwall’s inequalities for the asymptotic complete phase-frequency synchronization of Kuramoto oscillators with finite inertia. For given finite inertia and coupling strength, we present admissible classes of initial configurations and natural frequency distributions, which lead to the complete phase-frequency synchronization asymptotically. For this, we explicitly identify invariant regions for the Kuramoto flow, and derive second-order Gronwall’s inequalities for the evolution of phase and frequency diameters. Our detailed time-decay estimates for phase and frequency diameters are independent of the number of oscillators. We also compare our analytical results with numerical simulations.     

Amphiphobicity of polyvinylidene fluoride porous films after atmospheric pressure plasma intermittent etching

This study modified the surface of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films and characterized their surface physicochemical properties. The main aim of this study was to examine how to provide the surface with a specific property, e.g., not only hydrophobic but also oleophobic (amphiphobicity) after argon atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) treatment. The surface free energy calculated using the Owens-Wendt (OW) method decreased significantly while showing a very small value of the polar component. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that a small amount of hydrophilic solid spines and many superamphiphobic uniform micro air pockets formed in the plasma-modified PVDF film, which made it amphiphobic but not superamphiphobic.     

Synthesis and characterization of TiO2/Ag/polymer ternary nanoparticles via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

We report on the novel ternary hybrid materials consisting of semiconductor (TiO₂), metal (Ag) and polymer (poly(oxyethylene methacrylate) (POEM)). First, a hydrophilic polymer, i.e. POEM, was grafted from TiO₂ nanoparticles via the surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique. These TiO₂-POEM brush nanoparticles were used to template the formation of Ag nanoparticles by introduction of a AgCF₃SO₃ precursor and a NaBH₄ aqueous solution for reduction process. Successful grafting of polymeric chains from the surface of TiO₂ nanoparticles and the in situ formation of Ag nanoparticles within the polymeric chains were confirmed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). FT-IR spectroscopy also revealed the specific interaction of Ag nanoparticles with the CO groups of POEM brushes. This study presents a simple route for the in situ synthesis of both metal and polymer confined within the semiconductor, producing ternary hybrid inorganic-organic nanomaterials.     

Nondestructive evaluation for remanent life of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel by reversible magnetic permeability

We present a magnetic and nondestructive method to evaluate the remanent life of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel by measuring the reversible magnetic permeability. Specimens with ten different kinds of aging periods were prepared using an isothermal heat treatment at 690 °C. The Larson-Miller parameter (LMP) was calculated and the peak interval of reversible magnetic permeability (PIRMP) was measured using the surface type probe. PIRMP was inversely proportional to LMP. We can evaluate the remanent life of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel using the relationship between PIRMP and LMP. Also, we present the possibility that the tensile strength and yield strength measured by destructive methods could be estimated by PIRMP measured nondestructively.     

The extended Higgs system in R-symmetric supersymmetry theories

The Higgs sector is extended in R  -symmetric supersymmetry theories by two iso-doublets R_d,u$R_{d,u}$ which complement the standard iso-doublets H_d,u$H_{d,u}$. We have analyzed masses and interactions of these novel states and describe their [non-standard] decay modes and their production channels at the LHC and e⁺e⁻$e^{+}{e}^{-}$ colliders.     

Identifying the structure of group correlation in the Korean financial market

We investigate the structure of the cross-correlation in the Korean stock market. We analyze daily cross-correlations between price fluctuations of 586 different Korean stock entities for the 6-year time period from 2003 to 2008. The main purpose is to investigate the structure of group correlation and its stability by undressing the market-wide effect using the Markowitz multi-factor model and the network-based approach. We find the explicit list of significant firms in the few largest eigenvectors from the undressed correlation matrix. We also observe that each contributor is involved in the same business sectors. The structure of group correlation can not remain constant during each 1-year time period with different starting points, whereas only two largest eigenvectors are stable for 6 years 8-9 eigenvectors remain stable for half-year. The structure of group correlation in the Korean financial market is disturbed during a sufficiently short time period even though the group correlation exists as an ensemble for the 6-year time period in the evolution of the system. We verify the structure of group correlation by applying a network-based approach. In addition, we examine relations between market capitalization and businesses. The Korean stock market shows a different behavior compared to mature markets, implying that the KOSPI is a target for short-positioned investors.     

DTI at 7 and 3 T: systematic comparison of SNR and its influence on quantitative metrics

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and advanced related methods such as diffusion spectrum and kurtosis imaging are limited by low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at conventional field strengths. DTI at 7 T can provide increased SNR; however, B0 and B1 inhomogeneity and shorter T2? still pose formidable challenges. The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare SNR at 7 and 3 T for different parallel imaging reduction factors, R, and TE, and to evaluate SNRs influences on fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). We found that R>4 at 7 T and R≥2 at 3 T were needed to reduce geometric distortions due to B0 inhomogeneity. For these R at 7 T, SNR was 70-90 for b=0 s/mm² and 22-28 for b=1000s/mm² in central brain regions. SNR was lower at 3 T (40 for b=0 s/mm² and 15 for b=1000 s/mm²) and in lateral brain regions at 7 T due to B1 inhomogeneity. FA and ADC did not change with MRI field strength, SENSE factor or TE in the tested range. However, the coefficient of variation for FA increased for SNR <15 and for SNR <10 in ADC, consistent with published theoretical studies. Our study demonstrates that 7 T is advantageous for DTI and lays the groundwork for further development. Foremost, future work should further address challenges with B0 and B1 inhomogeneity to take full advantage for the increased SNR at 7 T.     

Erratum to “Lower bounds for the eigenvalues of the basic Dirac operator on a Riemannian foliation” [J. Geom. Phys. 51 (2004) 166–182]

We correct some statements in the paper mentioned in the title.