Time Fractional Diffusion: A Discrete Random Walk Approach

The time fractional diffusion equation is obtained from the standarddiffusion equation by replacing the first-order time derivative with afractional derivative of order (0, 1). From a physicalview-point this generalized diffusion equation is obtained from afractional Fick law which describes transport processes with longmemory. The fundamental solution for the Cauchy problem is interpretedas a probability density of a self-similar non-Markovian stochasticprocess related to a phenomenon of slow anomalous diffusion. By adoptinga suitable finite-difference scheme of solution, we generate discretemodels of random walk suitable for simulating random variables whosespatial probability density evolves in time according to this fractionaldiffusion equation.     

Some recent advances in theory and simulation of fractional diffusion processes

To offer an insight into the rapidly developing theory of fractional diffusion processes, we describe in some detail three topics of current interest: (i) the well-scaled passage to the limit from continuous time random walk under power law assumptions to space-time fractional diffusion, (ii) the asymptotic universality of the Mittag–Leffler waiting time law in time-fractional processes, (iii) our method of parametric subordination for generating particle trajectories.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of iothalamic acid in human plasma and urine.

A simple, rapid and sensitive method for the determination of iothalamic acid (IA) in both plasma and urine is reported. After extraction with ethyl acetate, IA was determined by strong anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection at 254 nm. The lower limit of detection was 0.5 micrograms/ml. The average recovery was 73 and 57% from plasma and urine, respectively. Linearity was found over the investigated concentration range (up to 500 micrograms/ml for plasma and up to 10.0 mg/ml for urine). The reproducibility of the technique was good (coefficient of variation less than 6%) as was the precision and accuracy (coefficient of variation less than 2.5%). No interference from endogenous substances or any of the common drugs tested was found.     

Pressure pulses in fluid filled distensible tubes

Summary By comparing experimental records with model solutions we are led to propose a dispersion relation governing the propagation of pressure pulses in fluid filled distensible tubes. This relation contains a single undetermined parameter having the dimension of time. We show how this parameter may be interpreted and obtain an estimate of its value. Some comments concerning the speed of propagation of pressure waves in the haemodynamics contest are made.

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Sommario Si considera la propagazione di onde di pressione in tubi distensibili riempiti di fluido. Dal confronto delle registrazioni sperimentali con le soluzioni teoriche si propone una semplice relazione di dispersione che contiene un singolo parametro indeterminato avente le dimensioni di un tempo. Si mostra come interpretare tale parametro e come stimare il suo valore. Si conclude con alcune considerazioni sulla velocità di propagazione delle onde di pressione nell'ambito emodinamico.

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This work has been realized within a bilateral project supported by the Italian Research Council (CNR) and the Natural Scinces and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).     

On the scalar-wave propagation in a random elastic layer

Summary We have analysed the response of a random elastic layer to scalar waves incident from a homogeneous medium. Working up to second order in the stochastic fluctuations, we have proposed a rational approximation for the computation of the reflection and amplification coefficients. After successfully checking the method by a numerical simulation, we have considered a problem of interest in earthquake engineering.     

On the viscoelastic characterization of the Jeffreys–Lomnitz law of creep

In 1958, Jeffreys (Geophys J?R Astron Soc 1:92–95) proposed a power law of creep, generalizing the logarithmic law earlier introduced by Lomnitz, to broaden the geophysical applications to fluid-like materials including igneous rocks. This generalized law, however, can be applied also to solid-like viscoelastic materials. We revisit the Jeffreys–Lomnitz law of creep by allowing its power law exponent α, usually limited to the range 0?≤?α?≤?1 to all negative values. This is consistent with the linear theory of viscoelasticity because the creep function still remains a Bernstein function, that is positive with a completely monotone derivative, with a related spectrum of retardation times. The complete range α?≤?1 yields a continuous transition from a Hooke elastic solid with no creep $\left(\alpha \,\to\, -\infty\right)$ to a Maxwell fluid with linear creep $\left(\alpha \,=\,1\right)$ passing through the Lomnitz viscoelastic body with logarithmic creep $\left(\alpha\, =0\right)$ , which separates solid-like from fluid-like behaviors. Furthermore, we numerically compute the relaxation modulus and provide the analytical expression of the spectrum of retardation times corresponding to the Jeffreys–Lomnitz creep law extended to all α?≤?1.     

Creep,relaxation and viscosity properties for basic fractional models in rheology

The purpose of this paper is twofold: from one side we provide a general survey to the viscoelastic models constructed via fractional calculus and from the other side we intend to analyze the basic fractional models as far as their creep, relaxation and viscosity properties are considered. The basic models are those that generalize via derivatives of fractional order the classical mechanical models characterized by two, three and four parameters, that we refer to as Kelvin–Voigt, Maxwell, Zener, anti–Zener and Burgers. For each fractional model we provide plots of the creep compliance, relaxation modulus and effective viscosity in non dimensional form in terms of a suitable time scale for different values of the order of fractional derivative. We also discuss the role of the order of fractional derivative in modifying the properties of the classical models.     

Fractional models of anomalous relaxation based on the Kilbas and Saigo function

We revisit the Kilbas and Saigo functions of the Mittag-Leffler type of a real variable \(t\) , with two independent real order-parameters. These functions, subjected to the requirement to be completely monotone for \(t>0\) , can provide suitable models for the responses and for the corresponding spectral distributions in anomalous (non–Debye) relaxation processes, found e.g. in dielectrics. Our analysis includes as particular cases the classical models referred to as Cole–Cole (the one-parameter Mittag-Leffler function) and to as Kohlrausch (the stretched exponential function). After some remarks on the Kilbas and Saigo functions, we discuss a class of fractional differential equations of order \(\alpha \in (0,1]\) with a characteristic coefficient varying in time according to a power law of exponent \(\beta \) , whose solutions will be presented in terms of these functions. We show 2D plots of the solutions and, for a few of them, the corresponding spectral distributions, keeping fixed one of the two order-parameters. The numerical results confirm the complete monotonicity of the solutions via the non-negativity of the spectral distributions, provided that the parameters satisfy the additional condition \(0<\alpha +\beta \le 1\) , assumed by us.     

Structure and dynamics of graphite-supported bimetallic nanoclusters

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to analyze the structure and dynamics of isolated bimetallic nanoclusters of 343 (Cu-Ni) and 1000 atoms (Cu-Ni and Pt-Au) deposited on a graphite substrate. The metal-metal interactions are modeled with the many-body Sutton-Chen potential, and a Lennard-Jones potential is used to describe the metal-carbon interactions. The nanocluster melting temperature is determined from caloric and heat capacity curves, and the atomic distribution is studied layer-by-layer as a function of temperature in a direction perpendicular to the substrate plane. Changes in the nanocluster shape as temperature increases are monitored through deformation parameters that show clear evidence of structural and melting transitions as well as of atomic surface diffusion in the cluster. Dynamic properties such as atomic and whole-cluster diffusion, and the motion of the metal atoms at the interface metal/graphite are characterized as a function of temperature.