On the Enskog-Thorne theory for a binary mixture of dissimilar rigid spheres

Thorne's method for obtaining transport coefficients in a binary rigid-sphere mixture is reexamined. First, a close look is taken at the way in which the point where the Enskog functionsx _ij are evaluated is introduced. Second, the calculation of the fluxes in the system and the transport coefficients is given. Thorne's results are found to be correct and independent of the choice of the point where the transfer plane is located. This does not hold true for the diffusion flux. It is shown that a different diffusion force is obtained for each selection and that only those diffusional effects which are of first order in the density are consistent with irreversible thermodynamics.     

The Cluster Model: A Simulation of the Aerogel Structure as a Hierarchically-Ordered Arrangement of Randomly Packed Spheres

A new structural model based on the premises widely used for describing the structure of aerogels has been introduced. These structures have been described as an assemblage of randomly-packed spheres in several hierarchically-ordered levels. A new algorithm has been developed for constructing our models from these premises using computer simulation. Subsequently, several applications have been simulated to characterize real systems, obtaining textural parameters such as the specific surface area, specific porous volume or the apparent density of the systems, based on the Monte Carlo technique and on geometrical considerations. The object of these is to test the ability of the models to explain the structure of some real aerogels. This Cluster Model has also been applied as an initial approach to the study of the mechanical properties of aerogels. Results support the general conclusion that these models are useful for explaining the structure of aerogels.     

Stability of a Cubically Convergent Method for Generalized Equations

In Geoffroy et al, Acceleration of convergence in Dontchev's iterative method for solving variational inclusions Serdica Math. J. 29 (2003), pp. 45–54] we showed the convergence of a cubic method for solving generalized equations of the form 0 ∈ f(x) +- G(x) where f is a function and G stands for a set-valued map. We investigate here the stability of such a method with respect to some perturbations. More precisely, we consider the perturbed equation y ∈ f(x) +- G(x) and we show that the pseudo-Lipschitzness of the map (f +- G)⁻¹ is closely tied to the uniformity of our method in the sense that the attraction region does not depend on small perturbations of the parameter y. Finally, we provide an enhanced version of the convergence theorem established by Geoffroy, et al.     

UV photolysis of C4N2 in water ices: new possible route of synthesis of ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium formate

Laboratory experiments involving ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of dicyanoacetylene (C(4)N(2)) trapped in water ice at 10 K have been conducted and monitored by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). By the support of isotopic experiments and theoretical calculations, the irradiation of a DCA/H(2)O ice mixture at lambda > 230 nm has been found to be a possible source of NH(4)(+)HCO(3)(-) (ammonium bicarbonate) and NH(4)(+)HCOO(-) (ammonium formate). These latter compounds can arise from a proton-transfer reaction between H(2)O and the CN radical, which is issued from photolyzed C(4)N(2).     

Strong correlation effects and new phase transition at high pressure-low temperature in La0.5Ba0.5FeO3

The physical properties of La_0.5Ba_0.5FeO₃ perovskite have been investigated. The resistivity and magnetism change at around the charge disproportionation temperature. The ferromagnetic cluster-glass state appears when . Under 5 kbar pressure a new phase transition at 5.5 K is found in the magnetization measurement. The transition temperature increases with the increase of the applied pressure. It is suggested that this transition is induced by the spin state transition from to with the pressure increase.     

On the Characterization of Maximal Planar Graphs with a Given Signed Cycle Domination Number

Let G =(V, E) be a simple graph. A function f : E → {+1,-1} is called a signed cycle domination function(SCDF) of G if ∑_(e∈E(C))f(e) ≥ 1 for every induced cycle C of G. The signed cycle domination number of G is defined as γ'_(sc)(G) = min{∑_(e∈E)f(e)| f is an SCDF of G}. This paper will characterize all maximal planar graphs G with order n ≥ 6 and γ'_(sc)(G) = n.     

Energy levels and their correlations in quasicrystals

Quasicrystals can be considered, from the point of view of their electronic properties, as being intermediate between metals and insulators. For example, experiments show that quasicrystalline alloys such as AlCuFe or AlPdMn have conductivities far smaller than those of the metals that these alloys are composed from. Wavefunctions in a quasicrystal are typically intermediate in character between the extended states of a crystal and the exponentially localized states in the insulating phase, and this is also reflected in the energy spectrum and the density of states. In the theoretical studies we consider in this review, the quasicrystals are described by a pure hopping tight binding model on simple tilings. We focus on spectral properties, which we compare with those of other complex systems, in particular, the Anderson model of a disordered metal. We discuss ‘strong‘ and ‘weak’ quasicrystals, which are described by different universal laws. We find similarities and universal behaviour, but also significant differences between quasiperiodic models and models with disorder. Like weakly disordered metals, the quasicrystal can be described by the universal level statistics that can be derived from random matrix theory. These level statistics are only one aspect of the energy spectrum, whose very large fluctuations can also be described by a level spacing distribution that is log-normal. An analysis of spectral rigidity shows that electrons diffuse with a bigger exponent (super-diffusion) than in a disordered metal. Adding disorder attenuates the singular properties of the perfect quasicrystal, and leads to improved transport. Spectral properties are also used in computing conductances of such systems, and to attempt to resolve the experimental enigmas such as whether quasicrystals are intrinsically conductors, and if so, how conductances depend on the structure.