Multi-layer structure in the strongly coupled 5D abelian Higgs model

We explore the phase diagram of the five-dimensional anisotropic Abelian Higgs model by Monte Carlo simulations. In particular, we study the transition between the confining phase and the four-dimensional layered Higgs phase. We find that, in a certain region of the lattice parameter space, this transition can be first order, and that each layer moves into the Higgs phase independently of the others (decoupling of layers). As the Higgs couplings vary, we find, using mean field techniques, that this transition may probably become second order. Received: 21 December 2001 / Published online: 12 April 2002     

Evaluation and characterization of a commercial zeeman-modulated tungsten-strip electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer

The operating parameters and the quantitative of an AAZ-2 Zeeman-modulated tungsten-strip atomic absorption spectrometer are reported. The figures of merit for Ag, Au, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Tl, and Zn are reported. Detection limits obtained with the AAZ-2 were comparable to those obtained with other metal atomizers reported in the literature. A maximum heating rate of 12 K ms^?1 was measured for the tungsten-strip atomizer.     

Probabilistic approach to homoclinic chaos

Three-dimensional systems possessing a homoclinic orbit associated to a saddle focus with eigenvalues ±i, – and giving rise to homoclinic chaos when the Shil'nikov condition < is satisfied are studied. The 2D Poincaré map and its 1D contractions capturing the essential features of the flow are given. At homoclinicity, these 1D maps are found to be piecewise linear. This property allows one to reduce the Frobenius—Perron equation to a master equation whose solution is analytically known. The probabilistic properties such as the time autocorrelation function of the state variablex are explicitly derived.     

Influence of the reduction of iodate ion by hydrogen peroxide on the model of the Bray-Liebhafsky reaction

The reduction of iodate ion by hydrogen peroxide, originally postulated by Liebhafsky, is considered as a possible step in the kinetic model proposed by Kolar-Ani and G. Schmitz for the overall Bray-Liebhafsky oscillatory process.     

Bifurcation phenomena near homoclinic systems: A two-parameter analysis

The bifurcations of periodic orbits in a class of autonomous three-variable, nonlinear-differential-equation systems possessing a homoclinic orbit associated with a saddle focus with eigenvalues ( ±i,), where ¦/¦ < 1 (Sil'nikov's condition), are studied in a two-parameter space. The perturbed homoclinic systems undergo a countable set of tangent bifurcations followed by period-doubling bifurcations leading to periodic orbits which may be attractors if ¦/¦ < 1/2. The accumulation rate of the critical parameter values at the homoclinic system is exp(-2¦/¦). A global mechanism for the onset of homoclinicity in strongly contractive flows is analyzed. Cusp bifurcations with bistability and hysteresis phenomena exist locally near the onset of homoclinicity. A countable set of these cusp bifurcations with scaling properties related to the eigenvalues±i of the stationary state are shown to occur in infinitely contractive flows. In the two-parameter space, the periodic orbit attractor domain exhibits a spiral structure globally, around the set of homoclinic systems, in which all the different periodic orbits are continuously connected.     

Acoustic phenomena in a steam generating unit

With the increased capacity of modern power plants, the study of flow-induced vibrations in heat exchangers has become an important problem. Tube-banks are sources of noise. This noise can be amplified by the acoustical resonances of the circuit and induce severe stresses in the structures. In this paper, it is shown that the acoustic behaviour of a complex circuit, such as a steam generating unit, can be calculated with good accuracy.     

Investigation of the 40Ar + 197Au, 238U systems at 44 MeV/u

We have measured the angular correlation between two fragments emitted in the reactions Ar + Au and Ar + U at 44 MeV/u at GANIL. The aim was to investigate the amount of initial linear momentum transferred from the projectile to a fissioning nucleus. It turned out that this amount is much smaller than can be extrapolated from previous experiments. Furthermore, the probability of forming a fissioning nucleus is very small.     

Catalytic activity of myoglobin immobilized on zirconium phosphonates

The adsorption and catalytic activity of myoglobin (Mb) on zirconium phosphonates (a-zirconium benzenephosphonate (alpha-ZrBP), a-zirconium carboxyethanephosphonate (alpha-ZrCEP), and a novel layered zirconium fluoride aminooctyl-N,N-bis(methylphosphonate) (ZrC8)) were investigated. The maximum adsorption was reached after 16 h of contact and was greater on hydrophobic supports such as alpha-ZrBP and ZrC8 compared to hydrophilic supports such as alpha-ZrCEP. The equilibrium adsorption isotherms fitted the Langmuir equation, suggesting the presence of a monolayer of protein molecules on the support surfaces. The catalytic activities of free Mb and of the obtained biocomposites were studied in terms of the oxidation of two aromatic substrates, o-phenylenediamine and 2-methoxyphenol (guaiacol), by hydrogen peroxide. The oxidation catalyzed by immobilized myoglobin followed the Michaelis-Menten kinetics, similar to oxidation by free Mb. The kinetic parameters, kcat and KM, were significantly affected by the adsorption process. Mb/alpha-ZrCEP was the most efficient biocatalyst obtained, probably because of the hydrophilic nature of the support. The effect of immobilization on the stability of Mb toward inactivation by hydrogen peroxide was also investigated, and an increased resistance was found. The biocomposites obtained can be stored at 4 degrees C for months without a significant loss of catalytic activity.     

Alpha-particle production in the reaction 6Li+28Si at near-barrier energies

The production of alpha particles in the 6Li+28Si reaction was studied at near-barrier energies. Angular distributions were performed at four bombarding energies, namely, 7.5, 9, 11, and 13 MeV. The distributions were characterized by a Gaussian shape, which was integrated in order to obtain alpha-particle cross sections. Our results were compared with previous data of 6Li scattering on various heavier targets and found to exhibit a universal behavior. Present continuum-discretized-coupled-channel calculations support the obtained data. The consequences of the systematic behavior of the alpha-particle production on the unusual behavior of the imaginary potential observed previously in elastic scattering of weakly bound systems is discussed.