Two-limit problems for almost semicontinuous processes defined on a Markov chain

We consider almost upper-semicontinuous processes defined on a finite Markov chain. The distributions of functionals associated with the exit of these processes from a finite interval are studied. We also consider some modifications of these processes. __________ Translated from Ukrains’kyi Matematychnyi Zhurnal, Vol. 59, No. 4, pp. 555–565, April, 2007.     

Circular core polarization-maintaining optical fibers withelliptical stress-induced cladding

The reproducible technology for producing high-birefringence fibers with stress-induced elliptical cladding and circular core is described. The authors have obtained fibers that have a birefringence of about (1-3) 10^-4, a mode coupling parameter of about (2-7) 10 ^-5 m^-1, and loss of less than 0.5 dB/km at 1.6 μm. The authors have found effects restricting the capability of test fibers to maintain the state of linear polarization     

Ultrashort pulse laser osteotomy

Laser treatment of bone tissue has already been the subject of many studies to find substitutes for mechanical instruments that are nowadays used in implantology and orthopaedics. Mainly lasers with pulse durations in the μs region have been tested leaving surface features that are not always satisfactory. Therefore, in the present study laser osteotomy has been performed with a 330 fs Yb:glass laser, λ = 1040 nm, at a pulse repetition rate of 1 kHz. For bovine spongiosa, compacta, and cartilage, the ablation thresholds as well as the ablation rates for various pulse energies have been determined. Additionally, quadratic areas have been ablated in bone tissue. The remaining morphology has been analyzed via scanning electron microscopy. Laser ablation has also been performed with an Er, Cr:YSGG laser, λ = 2780 nm, PRR = 20 Hz, τ ～ 50 μs. The results of USPL and Erbium laser ablation are compared.     

Diffusion,solubility, and electrical properties of scandium and praseodymium in silicon

An integrated study of diffusion, solubility, and electrical properties of scandium and praseodymium in silicon annealed in various media and temperature ranges (1100–1280 °C) was performed for the first time. The tracer technique, autoradiography, measurements of isothermic capacity and current relaxation, conductivity, and the Hall effect were used for the investigations. The diffusion parameters, solubility, and an acceptor character of scandium and praseodymium impurities in silicon were determined. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 1, pp. 75–77, January, 2007.     

Vortex ring generation due to the coalescence of a water drop at a free surface

 Results are presented of an experimental investigation of vortex ring formation by a fluid drop contacting a free surface with negligible velocity. The pool fluid is mixed with fluorescein dye, and a laser sheet is used to illuminate a plane of the flow. A series of representative images is recorded by a CCD camera and speculation is made regarding specific sources of vorticity flux through the free surface. Two scaling analyses previously presented by other investigators are demonstrated to be equivalent under the assumptions of this experiment, and they provide the motivation for a series of test runs in which the duration of the coalescence process, τ_*, is related to variations in drop diameter L and fluid surface tension σ. Experimental results are in agreement with the analyses, showing τ_*∼σ^-1/2 and τ_*∼L ^3/2. Received: 22 December 1995 / Accepted: 15 October 1996     

Substitution of calcium by strontium within selected calcium phosphates

Sr incorporation in the molecules of amorphous calcium phosphate, apatitic tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, octacalcium phosphate and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate was investigated. The concentration of Sr ranged from 225 to 1010 μ g / g, i.e. it overlapped with the physiological range of Sr concentrations in human bone. The leading experimental technique was extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) at the Sr K edge. Results of these studies demonstrated the following: (1) Sr incorporation in the calcium phosphates is compound-dependent, (2) the coordination of incorporated Sr atoms in the Ca-P molecules is similar to that of Ca atoms, but interatomic distances are ≈0.015 nm larger, (3) in apatitic tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite and octacalcium phosphate lattices Sr atoms may occupy selected Ca sites, which was not the case for dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, (4) in the apatite lattice Sr atoms are coordinated by 6 PO₄ tetrahedrals and (5) EXAFS spectra at the K edge of the incorporated Sr may be used to distinguish the structures of amorphous calcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate as well as apatite and its derivatives (apatitic tricalcium phosphate, octacalcium phosphate).     

Exact solutions of a nonlinear sigma-model in a curved space and the theory of magnetically ordered media with variable saturation magnetization

Stationary solitons are found to occur in two-dimensional media with a variable saturation magnetization whose square is a harmonic function of the coordinates. It is shown in this case that the Landau-Lifshits equation can be reduced to the integrable O(3) sigma-model in curved space. Some properties of the solutions obtained are discussed. Bibliography: 15 titles. Translated by V. D. Lipovskii.