Magnetic behavior of core–shell particles

We have prepared composite magnetic core–shell particles using the process of soap-free emulsion polymerization and the co-precipitation method. The shell of the synthesized composite sphere is cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) nanoparticles and the core consists of poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid) polymer. The mean crystallite sizes of the coated CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were controlled in the range of 2.4–6.7 nm by the concentration of [NH₄⁺] and heated temperature. The magnetic properties of the core–shell spherical particles can go from superparamagnetic to ferromagnetic behavior depending on the crystalline sizes of CoFe₂O₄.     

Asymmetric responses of international stock markets to trading volume

The major goal of this paper is to examine the hypothesis that stock returns and return volatility are asymmetric, threshold nonlinear, functions of change in trading volume. A minor goal is to examine whether return spillover effects also display such asymmetry. Employing a double-threshold GARCH model with trading volume as a threshold variable, we find strong evidence supporting this hypothesis in five international market return series. Asymmetric causality tests lend further support to our trading volume threshold model and conclusions. Specifically, an increase in volume is positively associated, while decreasing volume is negatively associated, with the major price index in four of the five markets. The volatility of each series also displays an asymmetric reaction, four of the markets display higher volatility following increases in trading volume. Using posterior odds ratio, the proposed threshold model is strongly favored in three of the five markets, compared to a US news double threshold GARCH model and a symmetric GARCH model. We also find significant nonlinear asymmetric return spillover effects from the US market.     

A benchmark-learning roadmap for regional sustainable development in China

Journal of the Operational Research Society - Serious environmental problems have accompanied China's remarkable economic growth for decades, which also have direct and indirect impacts on its...     

Analysis of a type of nonsmooth dynamical systems

In this paper, a class of nonsmooth dynamical systems is analyzed. Extensive simulations reveal the chaotic behavior in these systems. By introducing a parameter, a chain of systems with one end being a linear stable system and the other being a chaotic system is constructed. Then the phase transition process through the chain is investigated as the parameter varies. Difficulties involved in analyzing this class of systems are also discussed.     

Matrix model in a class of time dependent supersymmetric backgrounds

We discuss the matrix model in a class of 11D time dependent supersymmetric backgrounds as obtained in [B. Chen, Phys. Lett. B 632 (2006) 393, hep-th/0508191]. We construct the matrix model action through the matrix regularization of the membrane action in the background. We show that the action is exact to all orders of fermionic coordinates. Furthermore we discuss the fuzzy sphere solutions in this background.     

Compact, reliable asymmetric optical configuration for cost-effective fabrication of multiplex dot matrix hologram in anti-counterfeiting applications

This study presents a compact optical configuration that can generate a multiplex dot-matrix hologram with complex interlaced images for anti-counterfeiting applications on valuable paper. Varying the orientation of the interference plane can enable the multiplex hologram to be recorded without changing the interference angle of two laser beams. With its simple asymmetric optical setup, a multiplex hologram with many interlaced images can be efficiently fabricated, increasing the cost of imitation. Experimental details of the asymmetric optical setup are also described.     

Degradation of ZnS:Cu,Al,Au phosphor powder in different gas mixtures

The ZnS:Cu,Al,Au (P22G) phosphor powder was bombarded by an electron beam in an O₂ ambient, Ar ambient and other mixture of gases. These gases consisted of mixtures of O₂ and CO_x, and O₂, CO_x and Ar gas. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) was used to monitor changes in the surface composition of the P22G phosphor during electron bombardment. When the P22G phosphor powder was exposed to the electron beam in a water-rich O₂ ambient, a chemically limited ZnO layer was formed on the surface. The electron beam degradation of the P22G phosphor powder was also performed in a dry O₂ ambient and a layer of ZnSO₄ was formed on the surface. The ZnSO₄ formation decayed exponentially with time and it is postulated that this was due to the diffusion of the charge reactants through the ZnSO₄ film to the reaction interfaces. The P22G phosphor exposed to the electron beam in an Ar ambient and to the other gas mixtures degraded at a lower rate than in the case of the O₂ ambient. This suggests that Ar and CO_x may suppress the degradation of the P22G phosphor powder.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of thermodynamic properties of NaCl at high pressures and temperatures

The expansivity, constant-pressure heat capacity, and isothermal bulk modulus of sodium chloride (NaCl) have been obtained by using molecular dynamics method. The calculated thermodynamic parameters are found to be in agreement with the available experimental data. At an extended temperature and pressure ranges, these parameters have also been predicted. The thermodynamic properties of NaCl are summarized in the pressure 0-500 kbar ranges and the temperature up to 1000 K.     

A New Cohomology Theory of Orbifold

Based on the orbifold string theory model in physics, we construct a new cohomology ring for any almost complex orbifold. The key theorem is the associativity of this new ring. Some examples are computed.Both authors partially supported by the National Science Foundation     

Extremal Convex Planar Sets

Each convex planar set K has a perimeter C, a minimum width E, an area A, and a diameter D. The set of points (E,C, A^1/2, D) corresponding to all such sets is shown to occupy a cone in the non-negative orthant of R⁴with its vertex at the origin. Its three-dimensional cross section S in the plane D = 1 is investigated. S lies in a rectangular parallelepiped in R³. Results of Lebesgue, Kubota, Fukasawa, Sholander, and Hemmi are used to determine some of the boundary surfaces of S, and new results are given for the other boundary surfaces. From knowledge of S, all inequalities among E, C ,A, and D can be found.