Linear analysis of degree correlations in complex networks

Many real-world networks such as the protein–protein interaction networks and metabolic networks often display nontrivial correlations between degrees of vertices connected by edges. Here, we analyse the statistical methods used usually to describe the degree correlation in the networks, and analytically give linear relation in the degree correlation. It provides a simple and interesting perspective on the analysis of the degree correlation in networks, which is usefully complementary to the existing methods for degree correlation in networks. Especially, the slope in the linear relation corresponds exactly to the degree correlation coefficient in networks, meaning that it can not only characterize the level of degree correlation in networks, but also reflects the speed that the average nearest neighbours’ degree varies with the vertex degree. Finally, we applied our results to several real-world networks, validating the conclusions of the linear analysis of degree correlation. We hope that the work in this paper can be helpful for further understanding the degree correlation in complex networks.     

Single photon and nonlocality

In a paper by Home and Agarwal [1], it is claimed that quantum nonlocality can be revealed in a simple interferometry experiment using only single particles. A critical analysis of the concept of hidden variable used by the authors of [1] shows that the reasoning is not correct.      

Hartree-Fock variational bounds for ground state energy of chargeless fermions with finite magnetic moment in the presence of a hard core potential: A stable ferromagnetic state

We use different determinantal Hartree-Fock (HF) wave functions to calculate true variational upper bounds for the ground state energy of N spin-half fermions in volume V ₀, with mass m, electric charge zero, and magnetic moment μ, interacting through magnetic dipole-dipole interaction. We find that at high densities when the average interparticle distance r ₀ becomes small compared to the magnetic length r _m ≡ 2mμ²/ħ², a ferromagnetic state with spheroidal occupation function n _↑(), involving quadrupolar deformation, gives a lower upper bound compared to the variational energy for the uniform paramagnetic state or for the state with dipolar deformation. This system is unstable towards infinite density collapse, but we show explicitly that a suitable short-range repulsive (hard core) interaction of strength U ₀ and range a can stop this collapse. The existence of a stable equilibrium high density ferromagnetic state with spheroidal occupation function is possible as long as the ratio of coupling constants Γ_cm ≡ (U ₀ a ³/μ²) is not very small compared to 1.      

Evaluation of nanoparticle emission for TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanopowder coating materials

In this study, nanoparticle emission of TiO₂ nanopowder coated on different substrates including wood, polymer, and tile, was evaluated in a simulation box and measured with a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) for the first time. The coating process for the substrate followed the instructions given by the supply company. In the simulation box, UV light, a fan, and a rubber knife were used to simulate the sun light, wind, and human contacting conditions. Among the three selected substrates, tile coated with TiO₂ nanopowder was found to have the highest particle emission (22 #/cm³ at 55 nm) due to nanopowder separation during the simulation process. The UV light was shown to increase the release of particle below 200 nm from TiO₂ nanopowder coating materials. The results show that, under the conditions of UV lamps, a fan and scraping motion, particle number concentration or average emission rate decreases significantly after 60 and 90 min for TiO₂/polymer and TiO₂/wood, respectively. However, the emission rate continued to increase after 2 h of testing for TiO₂/tile. It is suggested that nanoparticle emission evaluation is necessary for products with nanopowder coating.     

Preparation and characterization of titania based nanowires

A new method for preparation of titania nanowires with diameter around 10 nm and length up to 2–3 μm is described. The precursor was prepared from sodium titanate by adding ethylene glycole (EG) and heating at temperature of 198°C for 6 h under reflux. The sodium titanate glycolate formed by this way aggregated into 1D nanostructures and was subsequently transformed into titania glycolate during a chemical treatment with 98% sulfuric acid. Titania nanowires with variable amount of anatase and rutile were prepared by heating to temperatures in the range 350–1000°C. The precursor as well as titania based samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Infrared spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy, High resolution transmission microscopy, Thermogravimetry, Differential thermal analysis, Evolved gas analysis and Emanation thermal analysis. The nitrogen adsorption/desorption was used for surface area and porosity determination. The photoactivity of the prepared titania samples was assessed by the photocatalytic decomposition of 4-chlorophenol in an aqueous slurry under UV irradiation of 365 nm wavelength.     

How To Play Two-Player Restricted Quantum Games with 10 Cards

We show that it is possible to play ‘restricted’ two-player quantum games proposed originally by Marinatto and Weber (Phys. Lett. A 272:291–303, 2000) by purely macroscopic means, in the simplest case having as the only equipment a pack of 10 cards. Our example shows also that some apparently ‘genuine quantum’ results, even those that emerge as a consequence of dealing with entangled states, can be obtained by suitable application of Kolmogorovian probability calculus and secondary-school mathematics, without application of the ‘Hilbert space machinery’.     

A direct-electrospinning process by combined electric field and air-blowing system for nanofibrous wound-dressings

An electrospinning process has been introduced to fabricate micro/nanofiber membranes having high porosity and specific surface area. When constantly/uniformly depositing the micro/nanofiber membrane on a target, the electrospun fibers require flushing out of the high charge and excessive remaining solvent built up, since these factors can interrupt the constant deposition rate of the electrospun fibers on substrates. These limitations can be overcome with a direct-electrospinning process, which can lower the charges of the electrospun fibers through a window of guiding electrodes and remaining solvent of the electrospun fibers during the spinning process by an air-blowing system. Because of the reduced charge accumulation of the electrospun fibers, the micro/nanofibers can be deposited on any kind of target, which may be a conductive or a non-conductive material. The fabricated membrane had a dramatically reduced charge, remaining solvent concentration, sufficient tensile modulus, and small pore-size distribution. To observe the possibility as a biomedical wound-dressing material, a bacteria-shielding test of the fabricated membrane was conducted. PACS 47.65.-d; 81.16.-c; 81.07.-b; 61.41.+e; 87.85.J-