Determination of the atmospheric precipitation pH value on the basis of the analysis of lichen cationoactive layer constitution

Studies of equilibria and kinetics of the ion exchange process between the surrounding (water solution) and lichens prove that the number of mobile hydrogen ions bonded in lichens depends on the concentration of hydrogen ions in the precipitation with which the lichens are in contact and the type and concentration of other cations contained in the precipitation. The measurement of these values was suggested; as a result, it enabled to determine the pH of precipitation by determination of mobile cations bonded in exposed or naturally grown lichens. The studies were conducted on Hypogymnia physodes lichens.     

Interactive component extraction from fEEG, fNIRS and peripheral biosignals for affective brain-machine interfacing paradigms

This paper investigates whether some well understood principles of human behavioral analysis can be used to design novel paradigms for affective brain-computer/machine interfaces. This is achieved by using the visual, audio, and audiovisual stimuli representing human emotions. The analysis of brain responses to such stimuli involves several challenges related to the conditioning of brain electrical responses, extraction of the responses to stimuli and mutual information between the several physiological recording modalities used. This is achieved in the time-frequency domain, using multichannel empirical mode decomposition (EMD), which proves very accurate in the joint analysis of neurophysiological and peripheral body signals. Our results indicate the usefulness of such an approach and confirm the possibility of using affective brain-computer/machine interfaces.     

Multidimensional mutations in evolutionary algorithms based on real-valued representation

This work is focused on the fact that the most probable distance of mutated points in multi-dimensional Gaussian and Cauchy mutations is not in a close neighborhood of the origin, but at a certain distance from it. In the case of the Gaussian mutation, this distance is proportional to the norm of the standard deviation vector and increases with the landscape dimension. This may cause a decrease in the sensitivity of the evolutionary algorithm to narrow peaks when the landscape dimension increases, but, simultaneously, it strengthens the exploration property of the algorithm. Moreover, the influence of the reference frame orientation on the effectiveness of the non-spherical multi-dimensional Cauchy mutation is analyzed using simulation experiments. Four multi-dimensional mutations (Gaussian, modified Gaussian, non-spherical and spherical Cauchy mutations) are applied to two classes of evolutionary algorithms based on real-valued representation, i.e. Galar's evolutionary search with soft selection and evolutionary programming. A comparative analysis is provided for convergence to the local optimum, sensitivity to narrow peaks, saddle crossing and symmetry problems.     

The Fulde–Ferrell–Larkin–Ovchinnikov State in Pnictides

We present experimental results on crosstalk of non-electrical origin between high frequency quartz tuning forks immersed in the same volume of helium gas, liquid or superfluid. We compare these results with various observations of other groups and propose an explanation of this puzzling phenomenon. To the best of our knowledge, notable crosstalk has only been observed in superfluid helium both in the two-fluid regime and at very low temperatures, but was rarely seen to behave in a systematic way. We demonstrate some of its most significant properties—amplitude dependence within a short time span, long-term temporal instability, effects of the geometry of the setup and of obstacles placed between the tuning forks. Although the results are not fully understood, as the most likely explanation, we ascribe the observations to the coupling of tuning forks to standing acoustic modes inside the experimental volume, emphasizing the importance of second sound for understanding the observations at temperatures within the two-fluid regime (1 K<T<2.17 K). Finally, we suggest simple precautions leading to suppression of excessive acoustic crosstalk between oscillating objects in He II.     

Influence of the quantum uncertainty on the two-beams approach of reconstruction for one-photon mixed states of partially polarised light

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the reconstruction process of one-photon mixed states of partially polarised light. To solve this issue, we obtain the Stokes parameters by means of the degree of polarisation. The density operator describing the examined state is represented with these parameters. In the proposed two-beams method the degree of polarisation is measured on the analysed beam combined with reference beams containing photons with a settled state of polarisation. Coupling these beams allows one to obtain the Stokes parameters from the intensity contrast behind the rotating polariser. We discuss the influence of the quantum uncertainty on this technique of one-photon states reconstruction and we consider it for three aspects – the possibility of reducing the number of reference beams that are needed, the optimal state of polarisation of reference beams and the accuracy of the reconstruction method.     

Numerical reconstruction of one-photon mixed states by means of the degree of linear polarisation

In this paper the authors present the idea for reconstructing one-photon states. Reconstructing a quantum state means measuring the probability distribution P that allows one to write the density operator for the analysed state. The most commonly known approach for the quantum reconstruction is the quantum tomography. Our alternative method assumes that the analysed field is coupled with the reference field which is described by the parameters settled during a measurement. In the proposed gedankenexperiment the degree of linear polarisation (DOLP) of this combined beam is measured using a rotating linear polariser. We state that it is possible to obtain the P-function by changing the parameters of reference beams and by preparing the series of DOLP measurements. This series of data leads to the system of equations. The values of the P-function at chosen points are the unknowns of this system. This article focuses on the numerical algorithm for solving these equations.     

Magnetic, Electrical and Thermodynamic Properties of UCuT x Al11−x Alloys Where T = Mn, Fe and x=4 and 5

The structure, magnetic, electrical, and thermodynamic properties of UCuT _x Al_11?x alloys, where T = Mn or Fe and x=4 or 5 are presented. The behavior of the Fe alloys is ferromagnetic-like with the Curie points amounting to 180 and 230 K, and the saturation magnetic moments under magnetic field of 5 T equal to 4.75 and 6.02 μ_B/f.u., respectively, whereas under a magnetic field of about 34 T the magnetic moments amount to 6.9 and 9.0 μ_B/f.u. for the alloys with x=4 and 5, respectively. The Curie points are reflected in the temperature dependence of the specific heat in which the anomalies are found at 180–200 and 230 K for alloys with x=4 and 5, respectively, however, it shows no reflection in the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity. The field dependence of the magnetization at T=1.9 K for both compounds exhibits considerable hysteresis. There is a pronounced difference between ZFC and FC magnetization in its temperature dependence below the Curie point for materials with x=4 and 5. The Mn alloys exhibit ferrimagnetic-like character for which, supposedly, the interplay of the uranium and manganize sublattices is responsible. Magnetic transitions are determined at T _N =300 (x=4) and 380 K (x=5). However, those anomalies do not find confirmation in the temperature dependence of the specific heat and the electrical resistivity. Magnetic moments determined at T=1.9 K and in a magnetic field of 5 T are very low and in both cases amount to about 0.35 μ_B/f.u. and these values are slightly higher in a magnetic field of 34 T reaching a value of about 1.5 μ_B/f.u. Also for the Mn alloys the clear difference between ZFC and FC magnetization in its temperature dependence below the Curie point is observed.     

Effect of Thermoelastic Coupling on Thermally Induced Plate Parametric Vibrations

Vibration control for linear elastic plate due to time-dependent in-plane forces in the presence of raised temperature is presented. Transverse inertia, modified terms corresponding to adiabatic deformations and a viscous external damping are taken into account. The coupled partial differential equations describing the transverse plate motion and the electric potential are used. The two piezoelectric layers are placed symmetrically as actuators. When voltages of equal magnitude but opposite phase are applied to the upper and the lower piezoelectric layers of the plate, induced strains are resulting in flexure action. The piezoelectric sensor is used to measure plate deformations. The derived coupled equations are applicable to stability analysis of plate parametric vibration. The control law is derived using the Liapunov approach with a functional as a sum of the modified mechanical plate energy and the energy of electric field. Influence of the thermoeleastic effect and feedback gain factor on stability domain is shown.