Gromov hyperbolicity of Denjoy Domains

In this paper we characterize the Gromov hyperbolicity of the double of a metric space. This result allows to give a characterization of the hyperbolic Denjoy domains, in terms of the distance to of the points in some geodesics. In the particular case of trains (a kind of Riemann surfaces which includes the flute surfaces), we obtain more explicit criteria which depend just on the lengths of what we have called fundamental geodesics. Research partially supported by three grants from M.E.C. (MTM 2006-11976, MTM 2006-13000-C03-02 and MTM 2004-21420-E), Spain.     

A comparative study of different numerical models for predicting train noise in high-rise cities

Large-scale outdoor field measurements were carried out on a residential building to assess the noise levels caused by pass-by trains that run on a nearby viaduct. The experimental results were compared with different schemes for predicting noise from trains. The octave band sound power levels of the train passing by, which are required as input parameters for the Nordic prediction method for train noise (NMT), CSTB 92 and ISO 9613-2 provided in the Mithra software, were determined by an inversion method. The method of calculation of railway noise (CRN) from the UK gives the best agreement with the measured results. The NMT prediction scheme also provides a good prediction of the general trend of the experimental data, but it always overestimates the measured noise levels. As far as the quantitative agreement with experimental data is concerned, the CSTB 92 and ISO 9613-2 prediction schemes are comparatively less satisfactory.     

热峰模型在聚碳酸酯非晶化潜径迹中的应用

为了描述快重离子在聚合物中的潜径迹行为，用不同能量的快重离子 (1158GeVFe5656,1755GeVXe136¹³⁶及2636GeVU238²³⁸) 辐照 叠层半结晶聚碳酸酯膜 (Makrofol KG型)，结合x射线衍射测量技术，在较宽的电子能损 (1 9—171keV/nm)和离子注量（5×1010¹⁰—3×1012¹² cm-2^-2）范围研究了离子在半 关键词： 离子辐照 聚碳酸酯 非晶化 潜径迹     

Kinetic model for the annealing of fission tracks in zircon

A model for the annealing kinetics of fission tracks is proposed based on a simplified track. The principal hypothesis is that the atoms displaced during the passage of the fission fragment have to transmit through a potential barrier to occupy the vacant sites left. The resulting model equation is applied to zircon data both from laboratory and geological sources. The model succeeded in fitting the data and the addition of the geological data during the fitting procedure improved the extrapolation of the model to the timescale of millions of years, which is the timescale of interest in geology applications.     

高速移动错位下的列车通信参数精确检测

高速移动列车错位通信条件下,列车信号模糊程度增强,导致传统基于信号特征的列车通信参数检测算法无法准确分析列车通信参数,具有一定的局限性。提出一种基于改进卡曼尔滤波算法的高速移动错位下列车通信参数检测方法,分析了列车快速移动过程中最佳通信节点的定位,对最佳列车节点进行融合,获取最佳列车通信参数,采用改进的卡尔曼滤波算法,得到一系列递推检测算法,建立信号以及噪声的状态空间模型,依据前时刻的列车通信参数检测值和当前时刻的检测值,对高速移动错位下列车通信参数变量检测值进行修正,及时更新改进卡曼尔滤波算法检测噪声的协方差,实现高速移动错位下列车通信参数的准确检测。实验检测结果表明,所提方法的可准确检测高速移动错位下的列车列车通信参数,具有较高的效率和精度。     

Probing athletics tracks degradation using a microscratch technique

Continuous outdoor exposure of athletics tracks can lead to an important degradation of their mechanical and aesthetical properties. In this work, flat laboratory samples prepared from rubber blends of different colours were subjected to natural and artificial ageing, to investigate their effect on the surface properties. Compositional variations demonstrated a generalized oxidization of the outer (top) material layer, together with surfacing of inorganic additives; a small increase of the degradation temperature of the natural rubber component was reported, similar to the one previously observed on bulk track samples. The smooth surface of the present samples allowed their testing using a microscratching technique, able to mechanically probe the material within a few hundred microns below the top surface. The formation of a significantly harder outer crust layer was reported, potentially impacting the track performance since it is exactly the locus of interaction between the athlete and the sport surface. In particular, the increase in scratch hardness is accompanied by a significant reduction in the apparent friction coefficient. These surface modifications, previously unreported in the literature, are independent phenomena with respect to generalized bulk ageing. Microscratch data supported by microscopy evidenced a significantly varying sensitivity to ageing for the different colours (red, blue, green, neutral). Moreover, this sensitivity appeared strongly dependent on the applied ageing protocol (natural vs. artificial). In view of these results, care must be taken when accelerated artificial weathering is used to simulate long-term natural ageing of these materials.     

Hollow particle tracks in AgCI-detectors

In selected Cd-doped monocristalline silverchloride detectors we observe developed tracks from particles at LET values > 300 keV/μm AgCl and charge state values > 9, without a visible central region: the “hollow track”. The microdensitometric lateral profile shows a density decrease near the track axis, up to a radial extension of some microns from highly charged particles as Fe or U-ions of several MeV/u; the tracks of fast U- or Fe-projectiles, moreover, represent an entanglement of delta-electron tracks only. A recent reanalysis of this “hollow track”-effect is suggested to be caused by recombination effects and structural distortions. They occure in areas of high delta-electron density; together with the characteristic process of track formation in crystalline AgCl/Cd they enable us to vizualise and to measure the radial range of distortion and to evaluate the threshold of the energy density above which the destruction occurs.     

Geometry of etched charged particle tracks in crystalline detectors

Studies on the shape of etched fission tracks in crystalline detectors show that the track geometry carries valuable information on the crystal structure of the detector involved. The geometry of the etched tracks in crystalline detectors is a prism formed of certain crystal planes. In mica detectors, for given etching conditions the type and number of the planes depend on the incident angle and the extent of the radiation damage along the track. In a single track the type of crystal planes forming the track prism may change along the track resulting in dramatic variations of the track geometry at certain depth of focus.     

Nuclear tracks: present and future perspectives

Current research work related to the development of nuclear tracks comprising: (i) fundamental principles (nuclear track physics and chemistry, as well as development of track detectors and the relevant hard- and software), (ii) development of nuclear instruments and methods (etch track radiometers for ions, neutrons and cosmic rays, radon monitoring devices, radiography and fission track dating) is briefly outlined. The paper concentrates on a literature survey of applications of nuclear tracks in (iii) physical sciences (high-energy physics, nuclear physics and earth sciences), (iv) biomedical sciences (radiation protection, environment, cancer therapy), and (v) technological sciences (materials, nano-technology and nuclear technology).

Presently about 350 papers per year are being published in this field. Increased activity is noted in ion track technology (track-made membranes, modern nano-tech methodology including biological and biological-like samples, nano-electrode bio-electrochemistry, bio-magnetic assays and probes). New applications of nuclear tracks in fundamental (possibility of the detection of neutron quantum states in a gravitational field, nucleus–nucleus interactions, search for new chemical super-heavy elements) and applied science (precise measurements of the behaviour of radiation in human tissue in connection with of long term space missions and treatment of cancer) are surveyed, and possible research in the next decades is presented and examined in this review paper.     

Nuclear tracks in solids: registration physics and the compound spike

Observations of GeV heavy ion and MeV cluster-ion tracks in crystalline solids give us new insight into registration physics. Thermal and ion explosion spikes no longer compete; a ‘compound spike’ accounts for both. Ion explosion dominates for surface tracks (electronic sputtering). And there can also be transient plasma stopping in the bulk. For clusters there are ‘vicinage effects’—both electronic and nuclear—which can influence track dimensions and structure. Displacement cascades in large energetic clusters may lead to projectile “fission” and coherent flow into sub-tracks. The absence of tracks in certain targets, and their size/structure in others, leads to a model of projectile assisted prompt anneal (PAPA) in 10⁻¹¹s, either partial or complete, often by swift epitaxy, on elemental lattices (e.g. silicon) or on compound sublattices (e.g. fluorite). Phase transformations are important, but simple target amorphization is rare—the exception, not the rule. For many targets the thermal spike (macroscopic) fails, since ‘point’ defects (atomistic) characteristic of the target, their motion, and the electronic band structure, determine latent track detail. Circumstances in which the Bragg Rule of Additivity fails completely are revealed, and the kinetic threshold for constructive phase transitions in tracks described. This same track physics applies generally also to geothermometry—the opposite time extremum (10⁺¹¹s)—where annealing is due to defect assisted delayed anneal (DADA). Differences between etching rates of induced and spontaneous fission tracks can be explained. The geothermobarometric “Wendt/Vidal effect” (2002)—combined pressure, temperature and stress (with time) influences on fission track annealing (in e.g. apatite)—is briefly discussed.