A self-organizing network in the weak-coupling limit

We prove the existence of spatially localized ground states of the diffusive Haken model. This model describes a self-organizing network whose elements are arranged on a d-dimensional lattice with short-range diffusive coupling. The network evolves according to a competitive gradient dynamics in which the effects of diffusion are counteracted by a localizing potential that incorporates an additional global coupling term. In the absence of diffusive coupling, the ground states of the system are strictly localized, i.e. only one lattice site is excited. For sufficiently small non-zero diffusive coupling , it is shown analytically that localized ground states persist in the network with the excitations exponentially decaying in space. Numerical results establish that localization occurs for arbitrary values of in one dimension but vanishes beyond a critical coupling _c(d), when d> 1. The one-dimensional localized states are interpreted in terms of instanton solutions of a continuum version of the model.     

Strength of cylinder joint adhesively bonded by coupling

Summary A method of joining two metal cylindrical shafts with adhesive coupling is proposed. Two cylindrical shafts with the same diameter are connected by bonding through a cylindrical coupling with epoxy resin. The strength of the shaft joint under tensile loading and torsional loading is investigated analytically and experimentally. The stress and strain distributions of the shaft joint is analyzed by the finite element method. The analyzed strain distributions in the joint are compared with experimental values. The joint strength is predicted by applying the strength laws of shafts, coupling, adhesive layer and adhesive interface between shaft and adhesive coupling. The effects of the coupling dimension on the joint strength are examined. It is shown that the adhesive shaft joint can transfer the load by which the cylindrical shafts are plastically deformed.This paper was refined by the author, K. Ikegami, during statying at Technische Universität München under the support of Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdients. The author is grateful to Professor Lippmann of Technische Universität München who is the host professor of the support.     

Steady state analysis of an M/G/1 queue with two phase service and Bernoulli vacation schedule under multiple vacation policy

This paper examines the steady state behaviour of a batch arrival queue with two phases of heterogeneous service along and Bernoulli schedule vacation under multiple vacation policy, where after two successive phases service or first vacation the server may go for further vacations until it finds a new batch of customer in the system. We carry out an extensive stationary analysis of the system, including existence of stationary regime, queue size distribution of idle period process, embedded Markov chain steady state distribution of stationary queue size, busy period distribution along with some system characteristics.     

The case of missing incommensurate smectic A phases

Two binary mixtures of polar liquid crystal materials were previously reported to exhibit three incommensurate smectic A phases predicted for such materials on the basis of phenomenological theory. Results of our recent high-resolution X-ray scattering experiments show that no incommensurate phases exist in the two systems. Wide coexistence regions are found at first order transitions between various frustrated smectic phases of these mixtures. These regions were previously identified as the incommensurate smectic A phases. The phase diagrams of the two systems determined with high-resolution X-ray technique are shown to be in excellent agreement with Baroisa-Prost-Lubensky theory.     

Liquid crystalline hexa-amides and side chain polysiloxanes of azacrown [18]-N6

The hexa-4-dodecyloxybenzoyl derivative 1 of azacrown [18]-N₆ was originally reported to have a 'tubular' mesophase on the basis of its large central ring and 6-fold symmetry. Starting in the mesophase, annealing of 1 under a cover slip results in formation of a new crystalline phase that melts directly to an isotropic liquid at the temperature previously observed for the mesophase to isotropic transition. Thus the phase behaviour of 1 is kinetically controlled. The analogous hexa-3,4-bisdodecyloxybenzoyl derivative 2 of azacrown [18]-N₆ has no kinetic limitations to its phase changes and has an enantiotropic columnar liquid crystalline phase. We have synthesized side chain copolysiloxanes with a (CH₂)₁₁ spacer and 75-84 per cent by weight of the same 4-dodecyloxybenzoyl-[18]-N₆ mesogen. The polysiloxanes also display a liquid crystalline phase.     

Multiplicities of interpoint distances in finite planar sets

What is the maximum number of unit distances between the vertices of a convex n-gon in the plane? We review known partial results for this and other open questions on multiple occurrences of the same interpoint distance in finite planar subsets. Some new results are proved for small n. Challenging conjectures, both old and new, are highlighted.     

Particle Breakup in Shock Waves Studies by single Particle Light Scattering

The breakup of suspended, agglomerated submicron particles was studied by exposing the aerosol to weak shock waves of varying strength under conditions 400 ms^?1?v?880 ms^?1. A newly developed laser light-scattering diagnostic employing a top hat laser profile was used to size the particles passing through a very small scattering volume. By Comparing the optically measured particle size in front of and behind shock waves, the breakup of agglomerated particles could be clearly identified. The experiments indicate that the aerodynamic forces behind an incident shock overcome the particle binding force resulting in disintegration of the submicron agglomerates. The results are presented in form of a modified Weber number.     

Hindered motions in a ketonea-urea inclusion compound. An ESR and ENDOR study

We have studied by ESR and ENDOR spectroscopy the free radicals produced in γ-irradiated inclusion compound formed between the ketone 10-nonadecanone and urea. Only one type of long lived radical is formed by the removal of an α-proton from the ketone. The hyperfine (hf) coupling constants of the α- and β-protons of the radicals have been measured by ESR at different temperatures in the range 110–292 K and at different orientations of the crystals. The hf coupling of the γ-protons of the radical and of the urea protons have been studied by ENDOR. The temperature and angular dependences of the coupling constants have been analyzed in terms of the internal and overall motions of the radical inside the hexagonal channels formed by the urea molecules. It has been found that the radical cannot perform complete reorientations around the long molecular axis, but it undergoes restricted rotational diffusion. This process is explained by assuming a coupling between the rotational and translational degrees of freedom of the radical inside the urea channels.     

The Shapley value for cooperative games under precedence constraints

Cooperative games are considered where only those coalitions of players are feasible that respect a given precedence structure on the set of players. Strengthening the classical symmetry axiom, we obtain three axioms that give rise to a unique Shapley value in this model. The Shapley value is seen to reflect the expected marginal contribution of a player to a feasible random coalition, which allows us to evaluate the Shapley value nondeterministically. We show that every exact algorithm for the Shapley value requires an exponential number of operations already in the classical case and that even restriction to simple games is #P-hard in general. Furthermore, we outline how the multi-choice cooperative games of Hsiao and Raghavan can be treated in our context, which leads to a Shapley value that does not depend on pre-assigned weights. Finally, the relationship between the Shapley value and the permission value of Gilles, Owen and van den Brink is discussed. Both refer to formally similar models of cooperative games but reflect complementary interpretations of the precedence constraints and thus give rise to fundamentally different solution concepts.     

Studies of the kinetics of the reduction of chromate by glutathione and related thiols

The reduction of chromate by glutathione, its mono- and diethyl esters, -cysteine, 2-mercapto-propionic acid and mercapto-succinic acid has been studied. The empirical rate law k_obs = ab[Thiol]²/(1 + b[Thiol]) is obeyed by all of these thiols, at neutral pH. No evidence could be obtained for a first-order pathway in glutathione under these conditions. These observations are used to comment on the stability of intermediates potentially important in explaining chromate toxicity.