Forensic speaker recognition plays a key role in criminal investigations, providing important conclusions for the justice system. The mandatory use of protection masks during the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a challenge for forensic speaker recognition, as they act as voice barriers or filters. Although the pandemic has been declared over, analyzing their impact in forensic speaker recognition contributes to a better understanding of the use of coverings as a voice disguise technique. This study aims to evaluate the impact of two types of face masks on an automatic forensic speech recognition system. For this purpose, the Multilingual Forensic Voice Database (FMVD), developed under the CERTAIN-FORS project, funded by the European Union, was used. Comparisons were made between dialog speech samples and reading samples collected without a mask, with a surgical mask, and with an FFP2 mask for both sexes in eight different languages. The performance metrics equal error rate (EER) and cost of likelihood ratio (Cllr) were calculated and analyzed. The results show that the presence of face masks has an impact on the performance metrics. The effect observed varies according to the language spoken, the gender of the speaker, and the type of mask.

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent disease with a rapidly increasing incidence projected worldwide, affecting both industrialized and developing regions. Effective diabetes management requires precise therapeutic strategies, primarily through self-monitoring of blood glucose levels to achieve tight glycemic control, thereby mitigating the risk of severe complications. In recent years, there have been significant advancements in non-invasive techniques for measuring blood glucose using photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) as it shows great promise for the detection of glucose using the Infrared region (e.g. MIR & NIR) of light. A critical aspect of this method is the detection of the photoacoustic signal generated from blood glucose, which needs to be amplified through a photoacoustic resonator (PAR). In this work, an overview of various types of PARs used for noninvasive glucose sensing is reviewed, highlighting their operating principle, design requirements, limitations, and potential improvements needed to enhance the analysis of photoacoustic signals. This analysis will be helpful for the basic understanding and achieving the highly sensitive PAR required for noninvasive glucose monitoring.

Cellulose-based materials are now commonly used, including in the field of acoustic comfort. Often presented as a less environmentally impactful alternative to traditional acoustic absorbents (such as melamine, glass wool, etc.), these cellulose-based materials are more frequently derived from recycling, thus undergoing in most cases the technical process allowing these cellulose fibers to be obtained, thus inheriting the acoustic properties of the latter, with limited or even non-existent control. This paper proposes a manufacturing process that allows for the production of cellulose foam with precise control over its porosity, pore size, and interconnections. In addition to exhibiting remarkable sound absorption properties, this process also enables the fabrication of gradient porous structures and other hybrid materials that can result in remarkable sound absorption properties.

Recent publications on acoustic MEMS transducers present a new three-dimensional folded diaphragm that utilizes buried in-plane vibrating structures to increase the active area from a small chip volume. Characterization of the mechanical properties plays a key role in the development of new MEMS transducers, whereby established measurement methods are usually tailored to structures close to the sample surface. In order to access the lateral vibrations, extensive and destructive sample preparation is required. This work presents a new passive measurement technique that combines acoustic transmission measurements and Lumped-element modelling. For diaphragms of different lengths, compliances between 0.08 ∙ 10-15 and 1.04 ∙ 10-15 m³/Pa are determined without using destructive or complex preparations. In particular, for lengths above 1000 µm, the results differ from numerical simulations only by 4% or less.

Piezoelectric c-axis oriented zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films, from 1.8 up to 6.6 µm thick, have been grown by radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique onto fused silica substrates. A delay line consisting in two interdigital transducers (IDTs) with wavelength λ = 80 µm was photolith-ographically implemented onto the surface of the ZnO layers. Due to the IDTs split finger con-figuration and metallization ratio (0.5), the propagation of both the fundamental, third and nineth harmonic Rayleigh waves is excited; also, three leaky surface acoustic waves (SAWs) were detected travelling at velocity close to that of the longitudinal bulk wave in SiO2. The acoustic waves propagation in ZnO/fused silica was simulated by using 2D finite-element method (FEM) tech-nique to identify the nature of the experimentally detected waves. It turned out that, in addition to the fundamental and harmonic Rayleigh waves, also high-frequency leaky surface waves are ex-cited by the harmonic wavelengths; such modes are identified as leaky-Sezawa (LS) waves under cut-off. The velocity of all the modes was found in good agreement with the theoretically calcu-lated values. The existence of a low-loss region for the Sezawa wave below the cut off was theo-retically predicted and experimentally assessed.

The use of tuning forks to measure fluid density and viscosity is widely employed in fields such as food, medicine, textiles, automobiles, petrochemicals, and deep drilling. The explicit analytical model based on Euler-Bernoulli cantilever beam theory for the relationship between tuning fork resonance characteristics and the density and viscosity of fluid is only applicable to the situation where the fluid viscous effect is very small. In this paper, the finite element method is used to simulate the influence of large variations in fluid density and viscosity on the resonance characteristic parameters (resonant frequency and quality factor) of the tuning fork. The numerical simulation results are compared with the analytical analysis results and experimental measurement results. Then, the sensitivity of tuning fork resonance characteristic parameters to fluid density and viscosity is studied. The results show that compared with the analytical results, the numerical simulation results have a higher degree of agreement with the experimental measurement results. The relative difference in resonant frequency is less than 2%, and the relative difference in quality factor is less than 4%. This indicates that the finite element method includes the influence of fluid viscosity on tuning fork resonance parameters, which is more in line with the actual conditions than the analytical model. Simulating and analyzing the sensitivity of the tuning fork to fluid density and viscosity by the finite element method, it is possible to consider the situation where fluid density and viscosity vary over a large range. Compared with experimental measurements, this method has higher efficiency and can significantly save time and economic costs. This study can overcome the limitation of existing explicit analytical models, which are only applicable when the viscous effects of the fluid are very small. It enables a more accurate simulation of the coupling vibration between tuning forks and fluids, thereby providing theoretical references for further optimizing tuning fork structural parameters to enhance the accuracy of measuring fluid characteristic parameters.

The penetrability and directivity of ultrasound in different media is of interest in engineering and medical applications (imaging, nondestructive testing, sonochemistry, among others). The nonlinearity of a liquid can be used in the parametric antenna framework to generate low-frequency components with particular features from several ultrasonic signals at the source. Bubbly liquids are dispersive liquids in which a small amount of tiny gas bubbles leads to the increase of the nonlinear parameter of the media over certain frequency ranges. Parametric antenna applied to this huge nonlinear media gives rise to low-frequency components with relatively small intensity at the source. The evolution of a low-frequency component (difference-frequency component obtained from two primary signals) during its propagation in a bubbly liquid is somehow unknown. It is thus interesting to analyse its characteristics to establish whether this component can benefit from the quality of its own frequency and from the primary frequencies in terms of directivity and penetrability into the medium. It must be noted that no such study in bubbly liquids exists in the litterature, but only for homogeneous media. To this end, several numerical models developed previously are used here to analyse the difference-frequency component obtained from a parametric antenna emitting from two ultrasonic signals at the source in one and two-dimensional domains. These models allow us to observe the behavior of this frequency component. An angle that measures the directivity of a beam is also defined. Our results show a point hardly found in the literature: the high directivity and the huge penetrability of the secondary beam associated to the difference-frequency component into the bubbly liquid, compared to the same frequency signal excited directly from the source in the bubbly liquid and to the parametric acoustic array in homogeneous fluids.

A labyrinth metamaterial wall with glass coverage is measured in a reverberating chamber and after its installation in a restaurant. Glass is used to meet two aims, namely acoustic absorption and visual design demands. The wall consists of five multiple labyrinth elements of 1.83 m$^2$ each. Glass was taken to make the wall act as a room lightning device where a translucent cover material is needed. Absorption measurements show about four times improved absorption compared to typical glass. Due to the metamaterial behavior, absorption is high in the low-frequency range below 300 Hz where damping is problematic with traditional materials. Especially in this range, the glass metamaterial wall is an excellent compromise between room acoustic and visual design demands, as loud low-frequencies make visitors speak louder and experience less intimacy with additionally reduced speech intelligibility. For mid-frequencies, absorption is shown less effective and improvements are discussed.

Different types of resonators are used to create acoustic metameterials and metasurfaces. Recent studies focused on the use of multiple resonators of dipole, quadrupole, octupole and even hexadecapole types. This paper considers the theory of an acoustic metasurface, which is a flat surface with a periodic arrangement of multiple resonators. The sound field reflected by the metasurface is determined. If the distance between the resonators is less than a half the wavelength of the incident plane wave, the far field can be described by a reflection coefficient that depends on the angle of incidence. This allows to characterize the acoustic properties of the metasurface by a homogenized boundary condition, which is a high order tangential impedance boundary condition. The tangential impedance depending on the multiple order of the resonators is introduced. In addition, we analyze sound absorption properties of these metasurfaces, which are a critical factor in determining their performance. The paper presents a theoretical model that accounts for the multiple orders of resonators and their impact on sound absorption. The maximum absorption coefficient for a diffuse sound field, as well as the optimal value for the homogenized impedance, are calculated for arbitrary multipole orders.

Traversal time in tunneling effect for ultrasonic waves in tapered waveguides is derived considering its analogy with quantum and electromagnetic waves tunneling. If, as traversal time, the so called phase time is considered, the ultrasonic wavepacket shows the equivalent in acoustics of superluminality i.e. the derived velocity , crosses the limit of bulk transverse ultrasonic waves in the medium of the waveguide that is the equivalent of c in the quantum and electromagnetic cases. Graphs clearly illustrating this so called Hartman effect are obtained confirming the experimental results in the three different fields.

This work presents a numerical study on atmospheric sound propagation over rough water surfaces. A method to generate pseudorandom sea profiles consistent with sea wave spectra is presented. The proposed method is suited to capture the logarithmic nature of the energy distribution of the waves. Sea profiles representing fully developed seas for sea states 2, 3, 4 and 5 are generated from the Elfouhaily et al. (ECKV) sea wave spectra. Excess attenuation caused by refraction and surface roughness is predicted with a parabolic equation (PE) solver. A novel method to estimate equivalent effective impedance based on PE predictions at different sea states is presented. Parametric expressions using acoustic frequency and significant wave height are developed for effective surface impedances. In this work, sea surface roughness is on a scale comparable to the acoustic wavelength. Under this condition, the acoustic scattering is primarily incoherent. This work shows the limitations of using an equivalent surface impedance in such incoherent scattering cases.

In general sound waves propagate radially outwards from a point source. These waves will continue in the same direction, decreasing in intensity, unless a boundary condition is met. To arrive at a universal understanding of the relation between frequency and wave propagation within spatial boundaries, an analysis and comparison is made between the results of Chladni plate experiments and Chladni plate simulations. We consider a finite range of frequencies and plate geometries and present a model that has been shown to successfully recreate the nodal line patterns to a first approximation. We discuss the benefits of such a model and the future work necessary to develop the model to its full predictive capacity.

This article introduces a new physically based Lyapunov function difinition, which can be used as acoustic energy for finite amplitude pressure oscillations in reacting systems especially in combustion chambers. Reacting flow is seen as an open, non-equilibrium (parameters are distributed unevenly locally) thermodynamic system. This Lyapunov function is defined as the maximum mechanical work, which could be extracted by a heat engine from studied system, if this system would be disconnected from inlet and outlet and from any other surrounding environment, and the engine could transfer to the surrounding environment only mechanical work.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is a prevalent chronic pain disorder characterized by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Current diagnosis relies on manual detection of MTrPs, which has low inter-rater reliability. This study aims to enhance diagnosis through machine learning (ML) and a combination of texture-features extracted from B-mode ultrasound (B-mode-US) images. Four texture-features were investigated: statistical-features, and their combination with Gabor, local binary (LBP), and SEGL, LBP + gray-level-co-occurrence-matrices + Edge for the classification of MTrPs on the B-mode-US images. B-mode-US images of trapezius muscles (n=90) were examined for MTrPs and healthy muscle. Three methods of LBP, SEGL, and Gabor were separately calculated for each B-mode-US image. Then, the statistical-features (e.g., entropy) were calculated over the B-mode-US images and those three methods. Seven Machine learning (ML) classifiers (e.g., neural network) with the calculated statistical-features were applied to discriminate MTrPs from healthy muscle. Additionally, traditional statistical analysis (i.e., ANOVA) was calculated between statistical-features within each method. The results indicated that the combination of statistical-features effectively discriminated between MTrPs and healthy muscles, based on traditional statistical analysis. However, ML classifiers struggled due to high variation and similar mean values among them. This discrepancy between them prompts further exploration of US texture-based automated ML for MTrPs diagnosis.

To obtain a better estimation frequency band for source bearing estimation, source bearing estimation experiments using an ice-mounted geophone were performed at three sites on the Arctic ice cap. By transforming to the frequency domain, errors of the bearing estimation in a number of frequency bands within 1000 Hz and the horizontal peak displacements received by the geophone in the corresponding frequency bands were obtained. After comparing the variation of errors to the peak displacements in the same frequency band, it is found that the errors are related to the peak displacements, and higher peak displacement values mean smaller errors. When the incident angle of the acoustic source and the ice thickness meet certain conditions, some modes of the Lamb waves of the ice plate are excited, the peak displacements at the same frequency band are increased, the errors of bearing estimation are reduced, and the effective frequency band for bearing estimation is broadened. These results provide some new ideas for the bearing estimation of acoustic sources beneath Arctic ice.

In this research, a design method for the graded triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures with lightweight, high-strength, and high sound absorption properties is proposed. The graded TPMS structures are controlled by linear, quadratic, and sine functions. Uniform TPMS and graded TPMS were manufactured by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) with AlSi7Mg powder, and an acoustic impedance tube test, compression test, and digital image correlation (DIC) test were ap-plied to obtain the sound absorption and compression properties. The sound absorption coefficient of a uniform Gyroid increases as the number of layers and surface thickness increase, and it in-creases as element size decreases. The sound absorption peak shifts to low frequencies as the number of layers increases. The sound absorption property of Type-Ⅰ graded TPMS is superior to the Type-Ⅱ, and the G-LinearⅠ has the highest sound absorption properties among the three functions. It reveals that the graded TPMS has superior sound absorption performance at low and medium frequencies. The compression and DIC results of graded TPMS also show excellent mechanical properties and energy absorption characteristics.

In order to examine the impact of geometric configuration of the human vocal tract on the redistribution of acoustic energy in the frequency spectrum, it is necessary to assemble computation models, which facilitate simple modification of the model’s geometric characteristics. This article describes how the human vocal tract model was constructed using so-called super-elements using the improved reduced system method. The mentioned procedure allows using such a model for demanding optimization calculations, for which the model is modified on the super-element level. Furthermore, the article presents an alternative approach, in which an isoparametric element of a higher degree polynomial was derived. Both approaches were compared and used to find the geometric configuration of the human vocal tract amplifying acoustic energy values on the frequency spectrum to around 3kHz.

Cretan lyra is a stringed instrument very popular on the island of Crete, Greece and an important part of its musical tradition. For stringed musical instruments, the air mode resonance plays a vital part in their sound, especially in the low frequency range. For this study, the air mode resonance of a Cretan lyra is investigated with the use of finite element method (FEM). Two different FEM acoustic models were utilized: first, a pressure acoustics model with the Cretan lyra body treated as rigid was used to provide an approximate result; secondly, an acoustic-structure interaction model was applied for a more accurate representation. In addition, acoustic measurements were performed to identify the air mode resonance frequency. Results of this study reveal that the acoustic-structure interaction model has a 3.7% difference regarding the actual measurements of the resonance frequency. In contrast, the pressure acoustics solution is approximately 13.8% too high compared with the actual measurements. Taken together, findings of this study support the idea that utilizing FEM acoustic-structure interaction models could possibly predict more accurately the vibroacoustic behavior of musical instruments, which in turn can enable the determination of key aspects that can be used to control the instrument’s tone and sound quality.

One of the uses of Helmholtz resonators is as sound absorbers for room acoustic applications, especially for the low frequency range. Their efficiency is centered around their resonance frequency which is mainly depended on elements of their geometry such as the resonator volume and neck dimensions. Incorporating additional necks on the body of a Helmholtz resonator (depending on whether they are open or closed) has been found to alter the resulted resonance frequency. For this study, tunable Helmholtz resonators to multiple resonance frequencies, are proposed and investigated utilizing additional necks. The resonance frequencies of various multi-neck Helmholtz resonators are first modeled with the use of finite element method (FEM), then calculated with the use of an analytical approach and the results of the two approaches are finally compared. Results of this study show that Helmholtz resonators with multiple resonances at desired frequencies are achievable with the use of additional necks, while FEM and analytical methods can be used for the estimation of the resonance frequencies. Analytical and FEM approach results show a good agreement in cases of small number of additional necks, while the increasing differences in cases of higher neck additions, were attributed to the change in effective length of the necks as demonstrated by FEM. The proposed approach can be useful for tunable sound absorbers for room acoustics applications according to the needs of a space. Also, this approach can be applied in cases of additional tunable air resonances of acoustic instruments (e.g. string instruments).

Acoustic emission (AE) is caused by the sudden release of energy by a material as a result of material degradation related to deformation, crack, or fault within a solid. The same situation also occurs in leaks caused by turbulence in the fluid around the leak. In this study, analytical modeling for AE due to leakage through a circular pinhole in a gas storage cylinder was performed. The displacement fields responsible for AE, excited by the concentrated force (CF) associated with the turbulent flow though the pinhole, were derived by solving the Navier-Lamé equation. The CF as an excitation source was formulated in terms of a fluctuating Reynolds stress (FRS) and spatial Green’s function. In particular, a series of experiments were conducted under different operating conditions to explore the characteristics of the AE signals due to leak in a gas cylinder. Finally, the simulation and experimental results were compared to verify the accuracy of the simulation results.

In this paper, the Phase-Scheduled-Command FXLMS algorithm with the phase error between the disturbance and command signal is analyzed in detail. The influence of the phase error on the convergence time constant, convergence rate, and performance of convergence is explained for both stationary and nonstationary disturbance signals case. For stationary disturbance, the phase error slightly increases the convergence rate but heavily increases the distance of the optimum vector from the initial value, leading to poor convergence time constant performance. For nonstationary disturbance, the existence of phase error leads to poor convergence performance in every step, resulting in poor sound profiling performance. And the estimation of the phase error influence is developed in the closed form. Simulations are performed to demonstrate the validity of the analysis results.

We used an ultrasensitive, broadband optomechanical ultrasound sensor to study the acoustic signals produced by pressurized nitrogen escaping from a variety of small syringes. Harmonically related jet tones extending into the MHz region were observed for a certain range of flow (i.e., Reynolds number), in qualitative agreement with historical studies on gas jets emitted from pipes/orifices of much larger dimensions. For higher turbulent flow rates, we observed broadband ultrasonic emission in the ~ 0 – 5 MHz range, likely limited on the upper end by attenuation in air. These observations are made possible by the broadband, ultrasensitive response (for air-coupled ultrasound) of our optomechanical devices. Aside from their theoretical interest, our results could have practical implications for the non-contact monitoring and detection of early-stage leaks in pressured fluid systems.

Preserving the Intangible Cultural Sound Heritage of Humanity is a crucial aspect of safeguarding a people’s culture and history. By employing objective acoustic and psychoacoustic parameters, we can effectively analyze and characterize these auditory environments based on objective, aesthetic, and emotional criteria. The ISO 12913 standard governs the depiction of soundscapes, while the evaluation of outdoor sites involves conducting sound-walks. This study focuses on assessing different soundscapes observed during festivities in Spain as sound walk (dynamic) and as in fireworks (static). The festivities assessed were: "Fallas" in Valencia, Sanfermines in Pamplona, "Festa de la Mare de Deu" in Algemesi, and "Moros y Cristianos" in Villena. To evaluate these soundscapes, we captured ambient sound recordings while traversing through or staying between the festival crowds. Subsequently, we employed various psychoacoustic metrics, such as loudness, sharpness, roughness, fluctuation stress, and tonality, and analyzed them using Zwicker models. Additionally, we conducted a subjective survey to compare the subjective responses with the psychoacoustic metrics obtained.

Fibreglass composite plates are used for applications ranging from aerospace and automotive industries to construction industry. Vibroacoustic properties of the fibreglass plate has been investigated for different boundary conditions. The theory of the plate vibration and sound radiation has been used to determine the deflection of the composite plate at different locations on its surface. 3-Dimentional (3D) deformations and their corresponding contour velocities of plate have been computed for a range of frequencies. It has been shown that clamping the plate at four edges delayed first resonance of the plate by 15 Hz and second resonance of the plate by 30 Hz. Vibroacoustic indicators and the radiation impedance matrix of the plate have also been calculated. The results of this study show that fibreglass plate could be used in building industry to dampen the vibration of machine and structural vibration of buildings, and to sandwich building structures to form panels in order to attenuate airborne sound and to lower noise transmission of structural borne sound

Manipulation of radiation pattern control is challenging, especially at low frequencies. In this paper, we demonstrate that acoustic metamaterials as an effective array of quadrupoles can remarkably improve the directionality of acoustic radiation at low frequencies, compared with previous metamaterials as monopole and dipole structures. The directivity of the acoustic radiation can be adjusted by changing the characteristic parameter and the symmetry of the structure, which provide a flexible method of adjustable radiation di-rections. The directionality can be further improved by constructing linear array of structure. Our work opens an approach of acoustic radiation control via quadrupolar metamaterials.

In a series of recent works the relevance of gravitational boundary degrees of freedom and their dynamics in gravity quantization and black hole information has been explored. In this work we further the progress by keenly focusing on the boundary degrees of freedom as the origin of black hole entropy. Wald's entropy formula is scrutinized, and the reason that the Wald's formula correctly captures the entropy of a black hole is examined. Afterwards, limitations of the Wald's method are discussed; a coherent view of entropy based on boundary dynamics is presented. The discrepancy observed in the literature between holographic and Wald's entropies is addressed. We generalize the entropy definition so as to handle a time-dependent black hole. Large gauge symmetry plays a pivotal role. Non-Dirichlet boundary conditions and gravitational analogues of Coleman-De Luccia bounce solutions are central in identifying the microstates and differentiating the origins of entropies associated with different classes of solutions. The result in the present work leads to a view that black hole entropy is entanglement entropy in a thermodynamic setup.

In this research article, we are going to study the concept of the theory of relativity and after extracting the essential information, we will try to find a relation between the theory of relativity and the results we are obtaining through contemporary physics experiments. It has been investigated that traveling in time is not a dream anymore and time can pass at a different rate for some people.

Gas bubbles present in liquids underpin many natural phenomena and human-developed technologies that improve the quality of life. Since all living organisms are predominantly made of water, they may also contain gas bubbles—introduced both naturally and artificially—that can serve as biomechanical sensors operating in hard-to-reach places inside a living body and emitting signals that can be detected by common equipment used in ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging procedures. This kind of biosensors is the focus of the present article, where we critically review the emergent sensing technologies based on acoustically driven oscillations of gas bubbles in liquids and bodily fluids. This review is intended for a broad biosensing community and transdisciplinary researchers translating novel ideas from theory to experiment and then to practice. To this end, all discussions in this review are written in a language that is accessible to non-experts in specific fields of acoustics, fluid dynamics and acousto-optics.

We present a Quantum Space Model (QSM) of the evolution of the universe based on the theory that space consists of energy quanta from which it began. We used the Friedmann equations to trace its history and show that Dark Energy is the energy of space which caused its accelerating expansion.The universe started from a quanta of space which was triggered by quantum fluctuations that caused the Big Bang. It then expanded and cooled undergoing phase transitions to radiation, fundamental particles, and matter. Matter grew into galaxies, and was consolidated by gravity into Black Holes, ending in a Big Crunch and Deep Freeze inside a Black hole at 1.380 trillion years. Fluctuations caused a new Bang to start another cycle in its life. If the Law of Conservation of Energy is universal, then the cosmos is eternal. Our results support the theoretical predictions of a cyclic universe by Steinhardt and associates, as well as Penrose. Space and energy are equivalent as embodied in the Planck energy equation. They are the two most fundamental quantities that govern cosmic evolution. The two principal long range forces are the gravitational force and the space force,which maybe the fifth force in the universe. They provide the clockwork mechanism operating our cyclic universe.

Canonical quantization is a wonderful procedure for selected problems, but there are many problems for which it fails. Affine quantization is a different procedure that has shown that it can solve many problems that canonical quantization cannot. Here, words like succeed and fail refer to whether the quantization results are correct or incorrect. This paper offers two simple examples that serve to introduce affine quantization, and compare studies of two different quantization procedures. Brief comments about field theory and gravity problems undergoing quantization by affine procedures completes the paper.

The recent advances in Human-Computer Interaction and Artificial Intelligence have significantly increased the importance of identifying human emotions from different sensory cues. Hence, understanding the underlying relationships between emotions and sensory cues have become a subject of study in many fields including Acoustics, Psychology, Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Biochemistry. This work is a preliminary step towards investigating cues for human emotion on a fundamental level by aiming to establish relationships between tonal frequencies of sound and emotions. For that, an online perception test is conducted, in which participants are asked to rate the perceived emotions corresponding to each tone. The results show that a crossover point for four primary emotions lies in the frequency range of 417–440 Hz, thus consolidating the hypothesis that the frequency range of 432–440 Hz is neutral from human emotion perspective. It is also observed that the frequency dependant relationships between emotion pairs Happy—Sad, and Anger—Calm are approximately mirrored symmetric in nature.

The sonification of data to communicate information to a user is a relatively new approach that established itself around the 1990s. To date many researchers design their individual sonification from scratch. There are no standards in sonification design and evaluation. But researchers and practitioners have formulated several requirements and established several methods. There is wide consensus that psychoaocustics could play an important role in the sonification design and evaluation phase. But this requires an adaption of psychoacoustic methods to the signal types and the requirements of sonification. In this method paper we present PAMPAS, a PsychoAcoustical Method for the Perceptual Analysis of multidimensional Sonification. A well-defined and well-established, efficient, reliable and replicable Just Noticeable Difference experiment using the Maximum Likelihood Procedure serves as the basis to achieve linearity of parameter mapping during the sonification design stage and to identify and quantify perceptual effects during the sonification evaluation stage, namely the perceptual resolution, hysteresis effects and perceptual interferences. The experiment results are universal scores from a standardized data space and a standardized procedure. These scores can serve to compare multiple sonification designs of a single researcher, or even between different research groups. The method can supplement other sonification design and evaluation methods from a perceptual viewpoint.

Molecular motors play a vital role in the transport of material within the cell. A family of motors of growing interest are burnt bridge ratchets (BBRs). BBRs rectify spatial fluctuations into directed motion by creating and destroying motor-substrate bonds. It has been shown that the motility of a BBR can be optimized as a function of the system parameters. However, the amount of energy input required to generate such motion and the resulting efficiency has been less well characterized. Here, using a deterministic model, we calculate the efficiency of a particular type of BBR, namely a polyvalent hub interacting with a surface of substrate. We find that there is an optimal burn rate and substrate concentration that leads to optimal efficiency. Additionally, the substrate turnover rate has important implications on motor efficiency. We also consider the effects of force-dependent unbinding on the efficiency and find that under certain conditions the motor works more efficiently when bond breaking is included. Our results provide guidance for how to optimize the efficiency of BBRs.

The presence of bubbles near the sea surface under certain conditions leads to abnormal sound scattering and a significant change in the acoustic properties of the upper layer of the sea. The article presents some results of sound scattering studies under various sea conditions, up to stormy conditions, when extensive bubble clouds arise. By the method of unsteady acoustic spectroscopy, data on the size distribution of bubbles at various depths have been obtained, which can be described by a power function with exponential decay at small bubble sizes of the order of 10 microns. Estimates of the gas content in bubble clouds and their influence on the acoustic characteristics of the upper layer of the sea have been carried out. It is shown that at sufficiently high concentrations, sharp increases in absorption and dispersion of the sound velocity are observed. Modeling of sound propagation in the presence of a quasi-homogeneous bubble layer shows that it leads both to a change in the laws of the average decay of the sound field along the sound propagation path and to a change in the shallow spatial structure of the field.

Frequency combs (FCs)—spectra containing equidistant coherent peaks—have enabled researchers and engineers to measure the frequencies of complex signals with high precision thereby revolutionising the areas of sensing, metrology and communications and also benefiting the fundamental science. Although mostly optical FCs have found widespread applications thus far, in general FCs can be generated using waves other than light. Here, we review and summarise recent achievements in the emergent field of acoustic frequency combs (AFCs) including phononic FCs and relevant acousto-optical, Brillouin light scattering and Faraday wave-based techniques that have enabled the development of phonon lasers, quantum computers and advanced vibration sensors. In particular, our discussion is centred around potential applications of AFCs in precision measurements in various physical, chemical and biological systems in conditions, where using light, and hence optical FCs, faces technical and fundamental limitations, which is, for example, the case in underwater distance measurements and biomedical imaging applications. This review article will also be of interest to readers seeking a discussion of specific theoretical aspects of different classes of AFCs. To that end, we support the mainstream discussion by the results of our original analysis and numerical simulations that can be used to design the spectra of AFCs generated using oscillations of gas bubbles in liquids, vibrations of liquid drops and plasmonic enhancement of Brillouin light scattering in metal nanostructures. We also discuss the application of non-toxic room-temperature liquid-metal alloys in the field of AFC generation.

Wireless cellular communication technology has developed into a very resourceful commodity worldwide. Today, people of all races can hardly live without means of voice and data cellular communication technology. Imprecise propagation loss estimation leads to high power waste, high co-channel interference and poor service quality in cellular communication system networks. This paper proposes a realistic adaptive fine-tuning method for distinctive propagation loss estimation over a microcellular communication radio links based on signal power measurements from Long Term Evolution radio broadband networks, taking non-line of sight (NLOS) and line of sight (LOS) environments into consideration. The methodology is verified by measurements taken in non-line of sight and line of sight signal propagation scenarios. The results showed that the estimated propagation losses using the proposed realistic adaptive tuning models were more accurate than the existing Cost -231 modelling estimation approach.

Mass plays a strange multiple role in classical physics. This results in a difference between gravity and all other forces - a difference that stood at the beginning of Einstein's development of his general theory of relativity. The equivalence principle (EP) deals with homogenious gravitational fields, which, in fact, don‘t exist in nature. There is only an approximation for this field in Einstein-Lift possible for local situations. Nevertheless this EP can be true, because in classical formal binary logic there can be formulated a true conclusion from a wrong premise or assumption.

Starting from the SU(2) group of weak interactions in the presence of Electric Charge Swap (ECS) symmetry, we show that ordinary and non-regular (ECS) leptons are related by the ECS rotational group SO(3). We find that many Standard Model (SM) algebras depend on the sin of the angle θs of the ECS rotational group SO (3). We call these ECSM algebras. Furthermore, the break of the gauge symmetry of the SM groupoid gives the massive ECS particle. We find that the ECS particle masses are related with the SM particle masses by sinθs . We also investigate the finite subgroups of the ECS Möbius transformations. We find that sinθs could be derived from the ECS dihedral group DF, which refers to the symmetry of the fermionic polygon (F-gon). The average value of the anchor of the SM algebroid depends on the fermionic Catalan numbers (CF). Finally, we find that the ECS physics at loop level differs the SM physics. The ECSM mass is suppressed by the CF numbers. For 24 fermions, the calculated one-loop radiative correction to the bare Higgs mass µ is 125,6 GeV—a value very close to the experimental one.

The formulation used by most of the studies on an elastic torus are either Reissner mixed formulation or Novozhilov's complex-form one, however, for vibration and some displacement boundary related problem of a torus, those formulations face a great challenge. It is highly demanded to have a displacement-type formulation for the torus. In this paper, I will carry on my previous work [ B.H. Sun, Closed-form solution of axisymmetric slender elastic toroidal shells. J. of Engineering Mechanics, 136 (2010) 1281-1288.], and with the help of my own maple code, I am able to simulate some typical problems and free vibration of the torus. The numerical results are verified by both finite element analysis and H. Reissner's formulation. My investigations show that both deformation and stress response of an elastic torus are sensitive to the radius ratio, and suggest that the analysis of a torus should be done by using the bending theory of a shell, and also reveal that the inner torus is stronger than outer torus due to the property of their Gaussian curvature. Regarding the free vibration of a torus, our analysis indicates that both initial in u and w direction must be included otherwise will cause big errors in eigenfrequency. One of the most intestine discovery is that the crowns of a torus are the turning point of the Gaussian curvature at the crown where the mechanics' response of inner and outer torus is almost separated.

In this paper, we considered two phenomena in acoustically excited aqueous solutions of a strong electrolyte. These are the well-known Debye ionic vibrational potential (IVP), and radiofrequency anisotropy we discovered earlier , apparently, for the first time. Since both occur due to the accelerated motion of the solution, we have tried to combine them in one simple model. We have established that for a polarized UHF radio wave passed through a NaCl aqueous solution excited by an acoustic pulse the rotation angle of its vector E is proportional to the integral of the square of the observing IVP over time. An equivalent electrical circuit simulating the observed phenomena has been proposed and tested for physical feasibility. Several arguments are given in favour of the fluid-gyroscopic mechanism of RF anisotropy-related effects. We also found out that the IVP is practically independent of the vibrational velocity for frequencies below 10 kHz and it tends to zero at zero frequency. The latter is consistent with the law of conservation of energy but contradicts the incomplete existing theory.

A deep relationship is identified between the Coulomb Force and Gravity. A gravitational constant for strong gravity is calculated from the relationship. The equivalence between mass and charge is explored. Implications are given for the expansion of Einstein's Field Equations to include vector gravity.

We have recently proposed a pre-quantum, pre-space-time theory as a matrix-valued Lagrangian dynamics on an octonionic space-time. This pre-theory offers the prospect of unifying the internal symmetries of the standard model with gravity. It can also predict the values of free parameters of the standard model, because these parameters arising in the Lagrangian are related to the algebra of the octonions which define the underlying non-commutative space-time on which the dynamical degrees of freedom evolve. These free parameters are related to the algebra $J_3(\mathbb O)$ [exceptional Jordan algebra] which in turn is related to the three fermion generations. The exceptional Jordan algebra [also known as the Albert algebra] is the finite dimensional algebra of 3x3 Hermitean matrices with octonionic entries. Its automorphism group is the exceptional Lie group $F_4$. These matrices admit a cubic characteristic equation whose eigenvalues are real and depend on the invariant trace, determinant, and an inner product made from the Jordan matrix. Also, there is some evidence in the literature that the groups $F_4$ and $E_6$ could play a role in the unification of the standard model symmetries, including the Lorentz symmetry. The octonion algebra is known to correctly yield the electric charge values (0, 1/3, 2/3, 1) for standard model fermions, via the eigenvalues of a $U(1)$ number operator, identified with $U(1)_{em}$. In the present article, we use the same octonionic representation of the fermions to compute the eigenvalues of the characteristic equation of the Albert algebra, and compare the resulting eigenvalues with the known mass ratios for quarks and leptons. We find that the ratios of the eigenvalues correctly reproduce the [square root of the] known mass ratios for quarks and charged leptons. We also propose a diagrammatic representation of the standard model bosons, Higgs and three fermion generations, in terms of the octonions, exhibiting an $F_4$ and $E_6$ symmetry. In conjunction with the trace dynamics Lagrangian, the Jordan eigenvalues also provide a first principles theoretical derivation of the low energy value of the fine structure constant, yielding the value $1/137.04006$. The Karolyhazy correction to this value gives an exact match with the measured value of the constant, after assuming a specific value for the electro-weak symmetry breaking energy scale.

In the present paper, the so-called Einstein’s causality is scrutinized and proven to be an illusion, a sort of mathematical fallacy. Causality as a well-established universal principle was and is absolutely valid for subluminal, luminal and superluminal signals under any natural and/or artificial circumstances. It is also shown that conceptually special relativity theory (SRT) is inapplicable to superluminality of physical phenomena since SRThas the light speed in vacuum as an upper limiting speed in its own proper domain of applications, and also because SRT is crucially based on the concept of inertial reference frames (IRFs) which are related to each other by Lorentz transformations, that is why the relative velocity of any two IRFs must be smaller than light speed.

Divergences have become a very useful tool for measuring similarity (or dissimilarity) between probability distributions. Depending on the field of application a more appropriate measure may be necessary. In this paper we introduce a family of divergences we call gamma-divergences. They are based on the convexity property of the functions that generate them. We demonstrate that these divergences verify all the usually required properties, and we extend them to weighted probability distribution. We investigate their properties in the context of kernel theory. Finally, we apply our findings to the analysis of simulated and real time series.

The Betz limit sets a theoretical upper limit for the power production by turbines expressed as a maximum power coefficient of 16/27. Betz’s theory is accurate and it is based on the calculation of kinetic energy.

Modern scientific research particularly radio astronomi- cal spectroscopic observations cannot be imagined without appropriate software suite. That is necessary because of two reasons 1) data are in digital form and 2) data processing is a complex multi-step process. In this paper created in VIRAC data processing suite for a single radio telescope, space maser observations are presented. Software Defined Radio (SDR) backend data processing is described. Implementation of the frequency switching algorithm, acquisition of observation data and their format for storing are discussed. Multiple ways to display the observation results are highlighted.

Ultrafast chip nanocalorimetry opens up remarkable possibilities in materials science by allowing samples to be cooled and heated at extremely high rates. Due to heat transfer limitations, controlled ultrafast cooling and heating can only be achieved for tiny samples in calorimeters with a micron-thick membrane. Even if ultrafast heating can be controlled under quasi-adiabatic conditions, ultrafast controlled cooling can be performed if the calorimetric cell is located in a heat-conducting gas. It was found that the maximum possible cooling rate increases as 1/r0 with decreasing radius r0 of the hot zone of the membrane. The possibility of increasing the maximum cooling rate with decreasing r0 was successfully implemented in many experiments. In this regard, it is interesting to answer the question: what is the maximum possible cooling rate in such experiments if r0 tends to zero? Indeed, on submicron scales, the mean free path of gas molecules lmfp becomes comparable to r0, and the temperature jump that exists at the membrane/gas interface becomes significant. Considering the limitation associated with thermal resistance at the membrane/gas interface and considering the transfer of heat through the membrane, we show that the controlled cooling rate can reach billions of K/s, up to 1010 K/s.

For gravitational wave (GW) detected neutron star mergers, one of the leading candidates for electromagnetic (EM) counterparts is the afterglow from an ultra-relativistic jet. Where this afterglow is observed, it will likely be viewed off-axis, such as the afterglow following GW170817/GRB 170817A. The temporal behaviour of an off-axis observed GRB afterglow can be used to reveal the lateral jet structure, and statistical model fits can put constraints on the various model free-parameters. Amongst these parameters is the inclination of the system to the line of sight. Along with the GW detection, the afterglow modelling provides the best constraint on the inclination to the line-of-sight and can improve the estimates of cosmological parameters e.g. the Hubble constant, from GW-EM events. However, modelling of the afterglow depends on the assumed jet structure and, often overlooked, the effects of lateral spreading. Here we show how the inclusion of lateral spreading in the afterglow models can affect the estimated inclination of GW-EM events.

In this contribution, we present a high-speed multiplex grating spectrometer based on a spectral coding approach that is founded on principles of compressive sensing. The spectrometer employs a single-pixel InGaAs detector to measure the signals encoded by an amplitude spatial light modulator (digital micromirror device, DMD). This approach leads to a speed advantage and multiplex sensitivity advantage atypical for standard dispersive systems. Exploiting the 18.2 kHz pattern rate of the DMD, we demonstrate 4.2 ms acquisition times for full spectra with a bandwidth of 450 nm (5250 cm-1 – 4300 cm-1; 1.9 µm – 2.33 µm). Due to the programmability of the DMD, spectral regions of interest can be chosen freely, thus reducing acquisition times further, down to the sub-millisecond regime. The adjustable resolving power of the system accessed by means of computer simulations is discussed, quantified for different measurement modes, and verified by comparison with a state-of-the-art Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer. We show measurements of characteristic polymer absorption bands in different operation regimes of the spectrometer. The theoretical multiplex advantage of 8 was experimentally verified by comparison of the noise behavior of the spectral coding approach and a standard line-scan approach.

A quantitative description of the second law of thermodynamics in relatively small classical systems and over short time scales comes from the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. It has been well established both theoretically and experimentally, the validity of the fluctuation theorem to small scale systems that are disturbed from their initial equilibrium states. Some experimental studies in the past have also explored the validity of the fluctuation theorem to nonequilibrium steady states at long time scales in the asymptotic limit. To this end, a theoretical and/or purely numerical model of the integral fluctuation theorem has been presented. An approximate general expression for the dissipation function has been derived for accelerated colloidal systems trapped/confined in power-law traps. Thereafter, a colloidal particle trapped in a harmonic potential (generated by an accelerating one-dimensional optical trap) and undergoing Brownian motion has been considered for the numerical study. A toy model of a quartic potential trap in addition to the harmonic trap has also been considered for the numerical study. The results presented herein show that the integral fluctuation theorem applies not only to equilibrium steady state distributions but also to nonequilibrium steady state distributions of ideal colloidal systems in accelerated frames of reference over long time scales.

A temperature-modulated pyroelectricity measurement system for a small single crystal is developed and applied to standard sample measurements performed on a thin single crystal of lithium niobate. The modulation measurement is based on the AC technique, in which the temperature of the sample is periodically oscillated, and the synchronized pyroelectric signal is extracted using a lock-in amplifier. Temperature modulation is applied by irradiating periodic light on the sample placed in the heat exchange gas. To apply this technique to the transparent reference sample, a commercially available black resin is coated on the sample’s surface to absorb the light energy and transmits it to the specimen. The experimental results are analyzed using a two-layer heat transfer model to verify the effect of the light-absorbing layer as well as the non-contact temperature modulation system.

This article will continue ansatz gage matrix of Iyer Markoulakis Helmholtz Hamiltonian mechanics points’ fields gage to Pauli Dirac monopole particle fields ansatz gage general formalism at Planck level, by constructing a Pauli Dirac Planck circuit matrix field gradient of particle monopole flow loop. This circuit assembly gage (PDPcag) that maybe operating at the quantum level, demonstrates the power of point fields matrix theoretical quantum general formalism of Iyer Markoulakis Helmholtz Hamiltonian mechanics transformed to Coulomb gage metrics, to form eigenvector fields of magnetic monopoles as well as electron positron particle gage metrics fields. Eigenvector calculations performed based on Iyer Markoulakis quantum general formalism are substituted for gage values of typical eigenvectors of dipolar magnetically biased monopoles with their conjugate eigenvectors, as well as eigenvector fields that are of the electron and positron particles. Then they are compiled to form combinatorial eigenvector matrix bundle of the monopole particle circuit field constructs assembly. Evaluation of this monopole particle fields matrix provided eigenvector fields results like SUSY, having Hermitian quantum matrix with electron-positron annihilation alongside north and south monopoles collapsing to dipolar “stable” magnetism, representing electromagnetic gaging typical metrics fields. Applying experimental observations on magnetic poles with measuring magnetic forces John Hodge’s results were showing asymmetrical pole forces; author has mathematically constructed asymmetric\strings\gage\metrics to characterize electromagnetic gravity, putting together while integrating with stringmetrics gravity that author has been reporting in earlier published articles. Physical Analysis with generalization of mass-charge and charge-fields gage metrics to quantum relativity gage metrics fields are proposed based on author’s proof formalism paper providing derivational algorithmic steps, to determine gage parametric values within the equation of Coulomb gage. Vortex fields’ wavefunctions and the scalar potential characterized by a function and a coupling constant having quantum density matrix together define the gage metrics quantifiable observable measurement physics of electron-positron cross-diagonal fields; contrastingly, diagonal terms of PDPcag matrix characterizes electron-positron particle eigenvector fields, while Hilbert Higgs mass metrics characterizes eigen-matter. Author is already working with Christopher O’Neill about magic square symmetry configurations to quantitatively understand symmetry, structure, and the real space geometry that are expected to form out of vacuum quanta point fields’ quantitative quantum general formalism theory of Iyer Markoulakis. In addition, author is currently collaborating with Manuel Malaver’s astrophysical Einstein Minkowski modified space time metrics evaluations of the sense-time-space relativistic general metrics to have means to account for curving or shaping of spacetime topology of a five-dimensional sense-time-space. Manuel Malaver’s specialization with modified Einstein Maxwell equations for modeling galaxies and stars cosmological physics, utilizing Einstein-Maxwell-Tolman- Schwarzschild and Reissner-Nordström spacetime and black holes theoretical formalisms have author of this paper collaboratively model quantum astrophysics of dark energy Star’s theory with Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity equations.

The Einstein’s Boxes paradox was developed by Einstein, de Broglie, Heisenberg, and others to demonstrate the incompleteness of the Copenhagen Formulation of quantum mechanics. I explain the paradox using the Copenhagen Formulation. I then show how a Time-Symmetric Formulation of quantum mechanics resolves the paradox in the way envisioned by Einstein and de Broglie. Finally, I describe an experiment that can distinguish between these two formulations.

The main goal of this paper is to study the weak gravitational lensing by Horndeski black hole in weak field approximation. In order to do so, we exploit the Gibbons-Werner method to the optical geometry of Horndeski black hole and implement the Gauss-Bonnet theorem to accomplish the deflection angle of light in weak field region. Furthermore, we have endeavored to extend the scale of our work by comprising the impact of plasma medium on the deflection angle as properly. Later, the graphical influence of the deflection angle of photon on Horndeski black hole in plasma and non-plasma medium is examined.

Gedanken experiments illustrating exemplifications of the Landauer principle in the free falling Einstein elevator are treated. Double-well simplest information system embedded into the free falling elevator is addressed. Infinitesimal horizontal force applied to the particle m transfers it from position “0” to position “1”, emerging from the free falling double-well system confining mass m. When thermal noise is considered, the potential barrier of kBT should be surmounted for the erasing of one bit of information. Entropic forces arising in the free falling elevator are considered. The maximal change in the entropy of free-joint polymer chain attached to the free falling elevator is estimated as ΔSmax≅kB, and it is remarkably independent of the mass attached to the chain and the parameters of the chain itself. Free falling minimal Szilard engine is treated. The informational re-interpretation of the minimal Szilard process is shaped as follows: the energy kBTln2 necessary for erasing of 1 bit of information is spent for lifting up mass, whatever, is the value of this mass. Appropriate choice of frames enables elimination of gravity in the considered system; however elimination of the thermal noise (dissipation processes) by the same procedure is impossible.

Higher-order topological insulators (HOTIs) are recently discovered topological phases, possessing symmetry-protected corner states with fractional charges. An unexpected connection between these states and the seemingly unrelated phenomenon of bound states in the continuum (BICs) was recently unveiled. When nonlinearity is added to a HOTI system, a number of fundamentally important questions arise. For example, how does nonlinearity couple higher-order topological BICs with the rest of the system, including continuum states? In fact, thus far BICs in nonlinear HOTIs have remained unexplored. Here, we unveil the interplay of nonlinearity, higher-order topology, and BICs in a photonic platform. We observe topological corner states which are also BICs in a laser-written second-order topological lattice, and further demonstrate their nonlinear coupling with edge (but not bulk) modes under the proper action of both self-focusing and defocusing nonlinearities. Theoretically, we calculate the eigenvalue spectrum and analog of the Zak phase in the nonlinear regime, illustrating that a topological BIC can be actively tuned by nonlinearity in such an HOTI. Our studies are applicable to other nonlinear HOTI systems, with promising applications in emerging topology-driven devices.

The Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics and the notion of superposition of states are examined and found problematical.

Can physical objects be in time-symmetry? Physical objects can only exist in a medium that has physical attributes, which means this medium is a type of energy. Is time energy? This article will show that time is not energy and there is no possibility that physical objects could be in time-symmetry. Physical objects only can be in symmetry in the time-invariant space in which they exist. In this perspective time measured with clocks is the result of the observer’s measurement in the time-invariant space. The time-symmetry model is flawed.

Accurate treatment planning in radiotherapy essentially decreases secondary damage to healthy tissue surrounding the tumor. Due to plans to use a direct, highly collimated, narrow beam with high intensity to treat small area tumors, researchers have studied microbeam radiation therapy extensively. Using a synchrotron beam as the radiation source may help to limit secondary damage, but treatment planning using computerized simulations and dosimetry is still necessary to achieve optimal results. For this purpose, PDA-gel dosimeters were developed and their sensitivity around a 150 keV induced synchrotron X-ray radiation beam was examined via Monte Carlo simulations using the EGS5 code system. The microbeam development is now at the animal study stage. In this study, we simulate the irradiation of a rat's brain. The simulation results obtained spectra for two types of PDA-gel dosimeters that were compared with the spectrum obtained in a modelized brain tumor of a rat. Additionally, percentage depth dose curves were calculated for the brain tissue and the two gels. Correction equations for the dosimeters were obtained from the dose-difference plots. For further references, these equations can be used to calculate the actual dose in a brain tumor in a rat. The Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that PDA-gel dosimeters can be used as a reference technique in planning treatment using synchrotron irradiations and in other medical treatment planning methods.

The main result of this work is the estimation of the entropy mode accompanying a wave disturbance, observed at the atmosphere heights range of 90-120km. The study is the direct continuation and development of recent results on diagnosis of the acoustic wave with the separation on direction of propagation. The estimation of the entropy mode contribution relies upon the measurements of the three dynamic variables (the temperature, density and vertical velocity perturbations) of the neutral atmosphere measured by the method of the resonant scattering of radio waves on the artificial periodic irregularities of the ionospheric plasma. The measurement of the atmosphere dynamic parameters has been carried out on the SURA heating facility. The mathematical foundation of the mode separation algorithm is based on the dynamic projecting operator technique. The operators are constructed via the eigenvectors of the coordinate evolution operator of the transformed system of balance equations of the hydro-thermodynamics.

Herein, we offer a numerical study on the devising of a unique 2D-heterostructure Photonic crystal (PC) that can split two orthogonally polarized light waves. The analysis is performed via a two-dimensional finite element method (2D-FEM) by utilizing COMSOL Multiphysics software. The device consists of two discrete designs of PC formation. The first PC formation is optimized so that it permits both TE and TM-polarization of light to transmit through it. Whereas the second PC formation possesses a Photonic Bandgap (PBG) only for TE-polarized light. These two formations are combined at an angle of 45 degrees, resulting in a reflection of self-collimated TE-polarized light at an angle of 90 degrees owing to the PBG present in the second PC formation. While permitting the self-collimated TM-polarized light wave to travel uninterrupted. The proposed device has a small footprint of ~10.5 μm2 offering low transmission loss and high polarization extinction ratio which makes it an ideal candidate to be employed as an on-chip polarization division multiplexing system.

A simple underwater noise model suitable for use with explosives in the decommissioning of oil and gas subsea structures is introduced and evaluated against data from five projects in the US. The performance of the model is compared to four existing models for open water blasts, and for the severance of well conductors and piles. Simulated received underwater sound pressure levels were significantly correlated with measurements for all scenarios. The maximum total error achieved between simulations and measurements was 3.5%, suggesting that predictions are accurate to within 4% of the average measurement. A low relative bias was observed in the simulations when compared to measured values, suggesting only a small systematic underestimate (≤ 1% of average measurement) for most severance operations and a small overestimate (1.34%) for open water blasts.

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) can be produced by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) of SiH4 (Silane) mixed with Hydrogen. The resulting material shows outstanding radiation resistance properties and can be deposited on a wide variety of different substrates. These devices have been used to detect many different kinds of radiation namely: MIPs, x-rays, neutrons and ions as well as low energy protons and alphas. However, MIP detection using planar diodes has always been difficult due to the unsatisfactory S/N ratio arising from a combination of high leakage current, high capacitance and a limited charge collection efficiency (50% at best for a 30 µm planar diode). To overcome these limitations the 3D-SiAm collaboration proposes to use a 3D detector geometry. The use of vertical electrodes allows for a small collection distance to be maintained while conserving a large detector thickness for charge generation. The depletion voltage in this configuration can be kept below 400 V with consequent reduction in the leakage current. In this paper, following a detailed description of the fabrication process, the results of the tests performed on the planar p-i-n structures made with ion implantation of the dopants and with carrier selective contacts will be illustrated.

The suspended test masses of gravitational-wave (GW) detectors require precise alignment to be able to operate the detector stably and with high sensitivity. This includes the continuous counter-acting of seismic disturbances, which, below a few Hertz, are not sufficiently reduced by the seismic isolation system. The residual angular motion of suspended test masses is further suppressed by the Angular Sensing and Control (ASC) system. However, in doing so, the angular motion can be enhanced by the ASC at higher frequencies where the seismic isolation system is very effective. This has led to sensitivity limitations between about 10 Hz and 25 Hz of the LIGO detectors in past observation runs. The observed ASC noise was larger than simple models predict, which means that more accurate detector models and new simulation tools are required. We present Lightsaber, a new time-domain simulator of the ASC in LIGO. The simulation is a nonlinear simulation of the optomechanical system consisting of the high-power cavity laser beam and the last two stages of suspension in LIGO including the ASC. The main noise inputs are power fluctuations of the laser beam at the input of the arm cavities, read-out noise of sensors used for the ASC, displacement noise from the suspension platforms, and noise introduced by the suspension damping loops. While the plant simulation uses local degrees of freedom of individual suspension systems, the control is applied on a global angular basis, which requires a conversion between the local and global bases for sensing and actuation. Some of the studies that can be done with this simulation concern mis-centering of the beam-spot (BS) position on the test masses, the role of laser power fluctuations for angular dynamics, and the role of the various nonlinear dynamics.

A simple underwater noise model suitable for use with explosive severance of well conductors and piles during the decommissioning of oil and gas subsea structures is introduced and evaluated against data from five projects in the US. This study focuses on a novel model for the determination of sound exposure levels. The model has been developed to enable determination of impact areas for marine mammals and fish. Simulated received underwater sound exposure levels were significantly correlated with measurements for all scenarios. The maximum total error achieved between simulations and measurements was 2.6%, suggesting that predictions are accurate to within 3% of the average measurement. A low relative bias was observed in the simulations when compared to measured values, suggesting only a small systematic underestimate (≤ 0.5% of average measurement) for most severance operations and a small overestimate (0.14%) for open water blasts.

Inflammation of the periodontal tissue (periodontitis) is the highest problem of oral health in Indonesia after caries. Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a new imaging technique that can be simply constructed using a diode laser combined with a condenser microphone. This study aims to determine that a simple PAI system was able to image periodontal disease in animal model. Samples of the study were normal periodontal and periodontitis tissue, obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats that were divided into four groups, i.e. the control group, treatment group 1 (7 days periodontitis induction), treatment group 2 (11 days periodontitis induction), and treatment group 3 (14 days periodontitis induction). The PAI system was controlled by Labview and Arduino IDE software from a personal computer. Results of the study reveal that the optimal frequency of laser modulation for periodontal tissue imaging was 19 kHz with duty cycle of 50%. Photoacoustic (PA) intensity was obtained from higher to lower of -68,71 dB (treatment group 3), -70,69 dB (treatment group 2), -71,69 dB (treatment group 1), and -73,07 dB (control group) respectively. The photoacoustic images were analyzed to define the contrast between sample and media. The PA intensity of the samples were higher than media. Therefore, this study demonstrate the feasibility of simple PAI system to differentiate normal periodontal tissue and periodontitis.

Infrared sensors are applied more and more widely in industrial production applications. Based on the theory of thermal radiation, this paper discusses the system design principle, temperature calibration method and thermal image analysis method in detail. The system has passed the measurement unit certification, showing that the field of view is 180°, the number of scanning points is 2048, the linear velocity is 10-100Hz, the spatial resolution is 2.5mrad, and the precision is ±1℃. On-line monitoring test has been done in the steelmaking plant of Bao Steel. The results show that the system has strong anti-interference ability, stability and reliability, and meets the application requirements of online monitoring.

All the arguments of a wavefunction are defined at the same instant implying a notion of simultaneity. In a somewhat related matter, certain phenomena in quantum mechanics seem to have non-local causal relations. Both concepts are in contradiction with special relativity. We propose to define the wavefunction with respect to the invariant proper time of special relativity instead of standard time. Moreover, we shall adopt the original idea of Schrodinger suggesting that the wavefunction represents an ontological cloud-like object that we shall call ‘individual fabric’ that has a finite density amplitude vanishing at infinity. Consequently, measurement can be assimilated to a confining potential that triggers an inherent non-local mechanism within the individual fabric. It is formalised by multiplying the wavefunction with a localising gaussian as in the GRW theory but in a deterministic manner.

A new charge is postulated in a finite, closed, Euclidean discrete space to restore all fundamental symmetries on a global level. Gravity emerges as a residual effect of the electromagnetic force in this scenario, resulting in a deterministic toy universe driven by a single input parameter. This is not an interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, but a deeper attempt to describe nature.

A foundational model has been developed based on trends built from empirical data of space exploration and computing power through the first six plus decades of the Space Age which projects earliest possible launch dates for human-crewed missions from cis-lunar space to selected Solar System and interstellar destinations. The model uses computational power, expressed as transistors per microprocessor, as a key broadly limiting factor for deep space missions’ reach and complexity. The goal of this analysis is to provide a projected timeframe for humanity to become a multi-world species through off-world colonization, and in so doing all but guarantees the long-term survival of the human race from natural and human-caused calamities that could befall life on Earth. Be-ginning with the development and deployment of the first nuclear weapons near the end of World War II, humanity entered a ‘Window of Peril’ which will not be safely closed until robust off-world colonies become a reality. Our findings suggest the first human-crewed missions to land on Mars, selected Asteroid Belt objects, and selected moons of Jupiter and Saturn can occur before the end of the 21^st century. Launches of human-crewed interstellar missions to exoplanet destinations within roughly 40 lightyears of the Solar System are seen as possible during the 23^rd century and launch of intragalactic missions by the end of the 24^th century. An aggressive and sustained space exploration program, which includes colonization, is thus seen as critical to the long-term survival of the human race.

Recent advances in differential topology single out four-dimensions as being special, allowing for vast varieties of exotic smoothness (differential) structures, distinguished by their handlebody decompositions, even as the coarser algebraic topology is fixed. Should the spacetime we reside in takes up one of the more exotic choices, and there is no obvious reason why it shouldn't, apparent pathologies would inevitably plague calculus-based physical theories assuming the standard vanilla structure, due to the non-existence of a diffeomorphism and the consequent lack of a suitable portal through which to transfer the complete information regarding the exotic physical dynamics into the vanilla theories. An obvious plausible consequence of this deficiency would be the uncertainty permeating our attempted description of the microscopic world. We tentatively argue here, that a re-inspection of the key ingredients of the phenomenological particle models, from the perspective of exotica, could possibly yield interesting insights. Our short and rudimentary discussion is qualitative and speculative, because the necessary mathematical tools have only just began to be developed.

Iyer Markoulakis Helmholtz Hamiltonian mechanics formalisms mathematically modeled physics with vortex rotational fields acting with gradient fields, typically in zero-point microblackhole general fields. Here, Helmholtz metrics have been gaged to Coulombic Hilbert metrics, representing Gilbertian and Amperian natures of electromagnetic fields out of the mechanical fields from Helmholtz Hamiltonian mechanics. This ansatz general gaging helps to properly isolate field effects – mechanical, electric, magnetic components within the analytical processes. Vacuum gravitational fields and the flavor Higgs-Boson matter inertial gravitational fields have been thus quantified extending to stringmetrics constructs matrix showing charge asymmetry gage metrics, having the power to analyze dark energy superluminal phase, dark matter luminal phase, and light matter subluminal phase. Interpreting particle physics gage matrix pointing to Dirac seas electrons, monopoles with positrons, electron-positron annihilation leading to energy production, relativistic energy generating matter, and both monopoles – vacuum and compressed out of vortex Helmholtz decomposition fields have been interpolated. Quantum ASTROPHYSICS gage metrix posits superluminal profile of signals velocity generating electron-positron chain like “curdling” action that is consistent with physics literature reporting nature electron photon observed oscillatory fields configurations. This helps proposing creation of neutrino antineutrino pair orthogonal to electron positron “curdling” planes, that may lead to formation of protonic hydrogen of stars or orthogonally muon. These aspects will explain receding or fast expanding universe with dark matter in terms of flavor metrics versus gage associating metrics flavor. Additional interpretations of virtual gravitational dipoles that have gravitational charge of opposite signs, reported per physics literature at Planck dimensions, that may originate at the center of supermassive blackhole. On the other hands, vacuum monopoles occur probably at infinity with cosmos extent.

Higher order femtoscopy measured to examine the heat exchanger characterization of the fluid debris produced in the collisions and investigated a remarkable suppression in the bosons interferences measurement. The analogous suppression can be analyzed to explore the coherence of boson thermal particle production sources at unprecedented energies. We illustrate the particles emissions from radiated sources with statistical coherence which induce the thermal particles interferences to probe the peculiarity of the heated sources as well as the distinctions about the heat exchangers in the collisions at higher temperature. We perspicacious that the bosons seem to the pertinent aspirant of heat exchanger, and the normalized three particles correlators evaluate the existence of such hybrid phases significantly. The key point of this research is that we analyze the three particles correlations with their normalized correlations by difference equations to determine the characteristics of heat exchanger and its applications. With such distinctive and efficient approach, we observe a significant difference in the correlation functions at higher temperature and momenta regimes.

The nonlinear deformation and stress analysis of a circular torus is a difficult undertaking due to its complicated topology and the variation of the Gauss curvature. A nonlinear deformation (only one term in strain is omitted) of Mindlin torus was formulated in terms of the generalized displacement, and a general Maple code was written for numerical simulations. Numerical investigations show that the results obtained by nonlinear Mindlin, linear Mindlin, nonlinear Kirchhoff-Love, and linear Kirchhoff-Love models are close to each other. The study further reveals that the linear Kirchhoff-Love modeling of the circular torus gives good accuracy and provides assurance that the nonlinear deformation and stress analysis (not dynamics) of a Mindlin torus can be replaced by a simpler formulation, such as a linear Kirchhoff-Love theory of the torus, which has not been reported in the literature.

We derive the thermal noise spectrum of the Fourier transform of the electric field operator of a given wave vector starting from the quantum-statistical definitions and relate it to the complex frequency and wave vector dependent complex conductivity in a homogeneous, isotropic system of electromagnetic interacting electrons. We analyze separately the longitudinal and transverse case with their peculiarities. The Nyquist formula for vanishing frequency and wave vector, as well as its modification for non-vanishing frequencies and wave vectors follow immediately. Furthermore we discuss also the noise of the photon occupation numbers. It is important to stress that no additional assumptions at all were used in this straightforward proof.

We argue that a very large class of quantum pure states of isolated macroscopic bodies have sharply peaked energy distributions, with their width relative to the average scaling between $\sim N^{-1}$ and $\sim N^{-1/2}$, with $N \gg 1$, the number of atoms conforming the body. Those states are dense superpositions of energy eigenstates within arbitrary finite or infinite energy intervals that decay sufficiently fast. The sharpness of the energy distribution implies that closed systems in those states are {\it microcanonical} in the sense that only energy eigenstates very near to the mean energy contribute to their thermodynamic evolution. Since thermodynamics accurately describes processes of macroscopic bodies and requires that closed systems have constant energy, our claim is that these pure states are typical of macroscopic systems. The main assumption beneath the energy sharpness is that the isolated body can reach thermal equilibrium if left unaltered. We argue that such a self-sharpness of the energy in macroscopic bodies indicates that the First Law of Thermodynamics is statistical in character.

Capacitance measurements have been extensively used to measure the anchoring extrapolation length L at a nematic-substrate interface. These measurements are extremely delicate because the value found for L often critically depends on the sample thickness and the voltage range chosen to perform the measurements. Several reasons have been proposed to explain this observation, such as the presence of inhomogeneities in the director distribution on the bounding plates or the variation with the electric field of the dielectric constants. In this paper I propose a new method to measure Lp that takes into account this second effect. This method is more general than that proposed in Murauski et al. Phys. Rev. E 71, 061707 (2005) because it does not assume that the anchoring angle is small and that the anchoring energy is of the Rapini-Papoular form. This method is applied to a cell of 8CB treated for planar unidirectional anchoring by photoalignment with the azobenzene dye Brilliant Yellow. The role of flexoelectric effects and the shape of the anchoring potential are discussed.

Living cells are complex systems that may be characterized by fluids crowded by hundreds of different elements in particular by a high density of polymers; they are an excellent and challenging laboratory to study exotic emerging physical phenomena where entropic forces emerge from organization processes of many-body interactions. The competition between microscopic and entropic forces may generate complex behaviors like phase transitions that living cells may use to accomplish their functions. In the era of the big data, when biological information abounds but general principles and precise understanding of the microscopic interactions scarce, the entropy methods may offer significant information. In this work we develop a model where the thermodynamic equilibrium results from the competition between an effective electrostatic shortrange interaction and the entropic forces emerging in a fluid crowded by different size polymers. The target audience for this article are interdisciplinary researchers in complex systems, particularly in thermodynamics and biophysics modeling.

Beyond the usual ferromagnetic and paramagnetic phases present in spin systems, the usual q-state clock model, presents an intermediate vortex state when the number of possible orientations q for the system is equal to 5 or larger. Such vortex states give rise to the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) phase present up to the XY model in the limit q→∞. Based on information theory, we present here an analysis of the classical order parameters plus new short-range parameters defined here. Thus, we show that even using the first nearest neighbors spin-spin correlations only, it is possible to distinguish the two transitions presented by this system for q greater than or equal to 5. Moreover, the appearance at relatively low temperature and disappearance of the BKT phase at a rather fix higher temperature is univocally determined by the short-range interactions recognized by the information content of classical and new parameters.

Formalism proofing general derivation, applying matrix properties operations, showing fundamental relationships with inner product to outer product has been advanced here. This general proof formalism has direct application with physics to quantify quantum density at micro scale level to time commutator at macro scale level. System of operator algebraic equations have been rigorously derived to obtain analytic solutions which are physically acceptable. Extended physics application will include metricizing towards unitarization to achieve gaging Hamiltonian mechanics to electromagnetic gravitational strong theory, towards grand unifying physics atomistic to astrophysics or vice versa via quantum relativistic general physics thereby patching to classical physics fields energy.

In this article, we assume that the beginning of the universe was before the Big Bang. In the beginning, all matter in the universe was combined in an infinitesimal spherical shape. This sphere was compressed to an incomprehensible value for a period, and then exploded and expanded time and space. We are referring to the negative time before the Big Bang. The evolution of the universe before the Big Bang, passing through the moment of the explosion to the end of the universe at the Big Rip, has been studied. In this article, we try to answer the questions; did the universe exist before the Big Bang? What is the origin of the universe and how did it arise? What are the stages of the evolution of the universe until the moment of the Big Rip? What is the length of time for the stages of this development?

The evidence is presented for the long-range previtreous changes of two static properties: dielectric constant ( ) and its strong electric field related counterpart - the nonlinear dielectric effect (NDE). Notable is the evidence for the functional characterizations of (T) temperature changes by the ‘Mossotti Catastrophe’ formula, and NDE vs. T evolution by the relations resembling one developed for critical liquids. The analysis of dynamic properties based on the activation energy index excluded the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) relation as a validated tool for portraying the evolution of the primary relaxation time. Such a result questions the commonly applied ‘Stickel operator’ routine as the reliable tool for determining the dynamic crossover temperature. It is worth stressing that the strong electric field radically affects the distribution of relaxation times, the form of the evolution of the primary relaxation time as well as the fragility. Obtained results support the concept of a possible semi-continuous phase transition hidden below Tg. Studies were carried out in supercooled squalene, the material with extremely low electric conductivity, strongly elongated molecule, and vitally important for biology and medicine related issues.

We investigate the dynamics and stationary states of a semiconductor exciton-polariton condensate in a double well potential. We find that upon the population build up of the polaritons by above-threshold laser pumping, coherence relaxation due to the phase fluctuations of the polaritons drives the system into a stable fixed point corresponding to a self-organized PT-symmetric phase.

In this paper, we study light rays in a Kazakov-Solodukhin black hole. To this end, we use the optical geometry of the Kazakov-Solodukhin black hole within the Gauss-bonnet theorem. We first show the effect of the deformation parameter $a$ on the Gaussian optical curvature, and then we use the modern method popularized by Gibbons and Werner to calculate the weak deflection angle of light. Our calculations of deflection angle show how gravitational lensing is affected by the deformation parameter $a$. Moreover, we demonstrate the effect of a plasma medium on weak gravitational lensing by the Kazakov-Solodukhin black hole. We discuss that the increasing the deformation parameter $a$, will increase the weak deflection angle of the black hole. Our analysis also uncloak how one may find a observational evidence for a deformation parameter on the deflection angle.

The prevailing interpretations of physics are based on deeply entrenched assumptions, rooted in classical mechanics. Logical implications include: the denial of entropy as a fundamental physical property, and the inability to explain irreversible change, random quantum measurements, or nonlocality without untestable and implausible metaphysical implications. We propose a conceptual model that is based on empirically justifiable assumptions and consistent with observations. The WYSIWYG Conceptual Model (WCM) assumes no hidden properties: “What You can See Is What You Get.” The WCM contextually defines a system’s state with respect to its actual ambient background, and it extends existing models of physical reality by defining entropy and exergy as objective contextual properties of state. The WCM establishes the irreversible dissipation of exergy and the Second law of thermodynamics as a fundamental law of physics, it recognizes physical randomness, and it provides a physical explanation for nonlocality, consistent with Special Relativity, without hidden variables, superdeterminism, or “spooky action.”

The Haar wavelet decomposition technique is used to detect the planetary magnetosphere boundaries and discontinuities. We use the magnetometer data from the CASSINI and MESSENGER spacecraft to identify the abrupt changes in the magnetic field when the spacecraft crossed the magnetospheric bow shocks and magnetopauses of Saturn and Mercury, respectively. The results confirm that the Haar transform can efficiently identify the planetary magnetosphere boundaries characterized by the abrupt magnetic field changes. It is suggested that this technique can be applied to detect the planetary boundaries as well as the discontinuities such as the shock waves in the interplanetary space.

We study spherically symmetric spacetimes in Einstein-aether theory in three different coordinate systems, the isotropic, Painlev\`e-Gullstrand, and Schwarzschild coordinates, and present both time-dependent and time-independent exact vacuum solutions. In particular, in the isotropic coordinates we find a class of exact static solutions characterized bya single parameter $c_{14}$ in closed forms, which satisfies all the current observational constraints of the theory, and reduces to the Schwarzschild vacuum black hole solution in the decoupling limit ($c_{14} = 0$). However, as long as $c_{14} \not= 0$, a marginally trapped throat with a finite non-zero radius always exists, and in one side of it the spacetime is asymptotically flat, while in the other side the spacetime becomes singular within a finite proper distance from the throat, although the geometric area is infinitely large at the singularity. Moreover, the singularity is a strong and spacetime curvature singularity, at which both of the Ricci and Kretschmann scalars become infinitely large.

With the extension of the post-catch circulation time, a series of changes had taken place in the soft tissue of the live clams, resulting in the decline of its quality. This study investigated the quality changes of clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) in cold chain and was mainly focused on the rehydration process, which included gradient heating rehydration (GR) and sudden heating rehydration (SR). It was found that the GR had a better effect on the quality of clams than the SR. The GR stage clams showed a higher survival rate, glycogen content and adenylate energy charge (A.E.C) value than the SR stage clams. Conversely, the GR stage clams showed lower lactic acid content and K-value than the SR stage clams. The results indicated that the gradient heating rehydration was beneficial to the quality of clams. The transportation and rehydration strategies benefited both producers and shellfish merchants to save total cost.

We start with the discussion on misapplication of classical probability theory by Feynman in his analysis of the two slit experiment (by following the critical argumentation of Koopman, Ballentine, and the author of this paper). The seed of Feynman's conclusion on the impossibility to apply the classical probabilistic description for the two slit experiment is treatment of conditional probabilities corresponding to different experimental contexts as unconditional ones. Then we move to the Bell type inequalities. Bell applied classical probability theory in the same manner as Feynman and, as can be expected, he also obtained the impossibility statement. In contrast to Feynman, he formulated his no-go statement not in the probabilistic terms, but by appealing to nonlocality. This note can be considered as a part of the author's attempts for getting rid off nonlocality from quantum physics.

The wave-particle description of quantum mechanics is briefly reviewed to set an analogy between the quantum mechanics of particles and fields and quantum cosmology. It is shown that quantum cosmology can be seen as a quantum field theory developed in the space of three metrics (the metrics of the spatial sections of the spacetime), where the classical evolution of the universe corresponds to a definite trajectory and the quantum mechanics of matter fields emerges as the first order quantum correction. Like in a quantum field theory developed in an isotropic background, the universes are created in universe-antiuniverse pairs, which might provide us with an explanation for the matter-antimatter asymmetry observed in our universe without going beyond the standard model. Moreover, the states of the matter and the antimatter fields of the pair of universes are entangled and that makes that their initial states are in a non-vacuum state (presumably in a thermal state). That might open the possibility of looking for observable imprints of the creation of universes in pairs is the astronomical data.

General–purpose automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems have improved their quality and are being used for pronunciation assessment. However, the assessment of isolated short utterances, as words in minimal pairs for segmental approaches, remains an important challenge, even more for non-native speakers. In this work, we compare the performance of our own tailored ASR system (kASR) with the one of Google ASR (gASR) for the assessment of Spanish minimal pair words produced by 33 native Japanese speakers in a computer-assisted pronunciation training (CAPT) scenario. Participants of a pre/post-test training experiment spanning four weeks were split into three groups: experimental, in-classroom, and placebo. Experimental group used the CAPT tool described in the paper, which we specially designed for autonomous pronunciation training. Statistically significant improvement for experimental and in-classroom groups is revealed, and moderate correlation values between gASR and kASR results were obtained, beside strong correlations between the post-test scores of both ASR systems with the CAPT application scores found at the final stages of application use. These results suggest that both ASR alternatives are valid for assessing minimal pairs in CAPT tools, in the current configuration. Discussion on possible ways to improve our system and possibilities for future research are included.

Time evolution operators of a strongly ionizing medium are calculated by a time-dependent unitary transformation (TDUT) method. The TDUT method has been employed in quantum mechanical system composed of discrete states. This method is especially helpful for solving molecular rotational dynamics in quasi-adiabatic regimes because the strict unitary nature of the propagation operator allows us to set the temporal step size large; a tight limitation on the temporal step size ($\delta t <<1$) can be circumvented by the strict unitary nature. On the other hand, in a strongly ionizing system where the Hamiltonian is not Hermitian, the same approach cannot be directly applied because it is demanding to define a set of field-dressed eigenstates. In this study, the TDUT method was applied to the ionizing regime using the Kramers-Henneberger frame, in which the strong-field-dressed discrete eigenstates are given by the field-free discrete eigenstates in a moving frame. Although the present work verifies the method for a one-dimensional atom as a prototype, the method can be applied to three-dimensional atoms, and molecules exposed to strong laser fields.

Complex biological systems consist of large numbers of interconnected units, characterized by emergent properties such as collective computation. In spite of all the progress in the last decade, we still lack a deep understanding of how these properties arise from the coupling between the structure and dynamics. Here, we introduce the multiscale emergent functional state, which can be represented as a network where links encode the flow exchange between the nodes, calculated using diffusion processes on top of the network. We analyze the emergent functional state to study the distribution of the flow among components of 92 fungal networks, identifying their functional modules at different scales and, more importantly, demonstrating the importance of functional modules for information content of networks, quantified in terms of network spectral entropy. Our results suggest that the topological complexity of fungal networks guarantees the existence of functional modules at different scales keeping the information entropy, and functional diversity, high.

The aim of the article is to develop geometrized physics of a vacuum on the basis of two basic postulates: 1) the constancy of the speed of light (more precisely, the speed of propagation of electromagnetic waves) in the vacuum; 2) the ‘vacuum balance condition’ associated with the statement that only mutually opposite formations are born from the vacuum, so that, on average, they completely compensate of the manifestations of each other. The Algebra of signatures is proposed as a mathematical basis for geometrized physics of a vacuum.

Based on the sensitive sum frequency generation cross-correlation frequency-resolved optical gating (SFG-XFROG) measurement setup, besides the pulse broadening, blue shift, red shift and obvious pulse acceleration, we observed the soliton evolution when the low energy soliton pulse with wavelength of 1555nm transmit through the Si photonic crystal waveguide. The measurements were nicely matched with the simulation results, which are achieved with an optimized nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) modeling. The effects of various parameters of the silicon photonic crystal waveguides and the incident pulses on the pulse transmission were also analyzed, including the nonlinear effects and dispersion such as the self-phase modulation (SPM), self-steepening (SS) and intra-pulse Raman scattering(IRS). The results help us understand further the ultra-fast nonlinear dynamics of soliton in silicon-based waveguides, and even open a novel way for soliton-based functional elements in CMOS-compatible platforms.

Refraction of an oblique shock wave on a tangential discontinuity dividing two gas flows with different properties is considered. It is shown that its partial reflection occurs excepting of geometrical diffraction of an oblique shock. Another oblique shock, expansion wave or weak discontinuity that coincides with Mach line, can act as a reflected disturbance. This study focuses on relationships which define the type of reflected discontinuity and its parameters. Domains of existence of various shock-wave structures with reflected disturbances of two types and boundaries between them are defined. The domains of parameters with one or two solutions exist for the characteristic refraction. Conditions of the regular refraction and the Mach refraction are formulated, and boundaries between those two refraction types are defined for various types of gases. Refraction phenomena in various engineering problems (hydrocarbon gaseous fuel and its combustion products, diatomic gas, fuel mixture of oxygen and hydrogen etc.) are discussed.

In this paper we investigate how the Reionization process is affected by early galaxy formation in different cosmological scenarios. We use a semi-analytic model with suppressed initial power spectra to obtain the UV Luminosity Function in thermal Warm Dark Matter and sterile neutrino cosmologies. We retrace the ionization history of intergalactic medium with hot stellar emission only, exploiting fixed and mass-dependent photons escape fraction (fesc). For each cosmology, we find an upper limit to fixed fesc, which guarantees the completion of the process at z&lt;6.7. The analysis is tested with two limit hypothesis on high-z ionized hydrogen volume fraction, comparing our predictions with observational results. We then implement a blast-wave model, which explains the genesis of UV photons escape fraction in the context of feedback and co-evolution between galaxies and Active Galactic Nuclei. Including the AGNs contribution, we find that the neutral hydrogen ionization is almost complete at z&lt;7, with a weak dependence on initial gaseous ionized fraction and accretion UV spectral slope.

Capabilities of the Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) at THz wavelengths for increased sub-surface depth characterisation of (bio-)materials is presented. The penetration depth of a THz evanescent wave in biological samples is dependent on the wavelength and temperature and can reach 0.1-0.5 mm depth due to strong refractive index change ∼0.4 of the ice-water transition; this is quite significant and important when studying biological samples. Technical challenges are discussed when using ATR for uneven, heterogeneous, high refractive index samples with possibility of frustrated total internal reflection (a breakdown of the ATR reflection-mode into transmission-mode). Local field enhancements at the interface are discussed with numerical/analytical examples. Maxwell’s scaling was used to model behaviour of absorber-scatterer inside materials at the interface with ATR prism for realistic complex refractive indices of bio-materials. Modality of ATR with polarisation analysis is proposed and its principle illustrated, opening an invitation for its experimental validation. The sensitivity of the polarised ATR mode to the refractive index between the sample and ATR prism is revealed. Design principles of polarisation active optical elements and spectral filters are outlined. The results and concepts are based on experiments carried out at the THz beamline of the Australian Synchrotron.

The interaction of electrons with strong laser fields is usually treated with semiclassical theory, where the laser is represented by an external field. There are analytic solutions for the free electron wave functions, which incorporate the interaction with the laser field exactly, but the joint effect of the atomic binding potential presents an obstacle for the analysis. Moreover, the radiation is a dynamical system, the number of photons changes during the interactions. Thus, it is legitimate to ask how can one treat the high order processes nonperturbatively, in such a way that the electron-atom interaction and the quantized nature of radiation be simultaneously taken into account? An analytic method is proposed to answer this question in the framework of nonrelativistic quantum electrodynamics. As an application, a quantum optical generalization of the strong-field Kramers-Heisenberg formula is derived for describing high-harmonic generation. Our formalism is suitable to analyse, among various quantal effects, the possible role of arbitrary photon statistics of the incoming field. The present paper is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Dr. Fritz Ehlotzky, who had significantly contributed to the theory of strong-field phenomena over many decades.

The recent Planck Legacy release confirmed the presence of an enhanced lensing amplitude in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) power spectra. Notably, this amplitude is higher than that estimated by the lambda cold dark matter model (ΛCDM), which endorses a positively curved early Universe with a confidence level greater than 99%. Although General Relativity (GR) performs accurately in the local/present Universe where spacetime is almost flat, its lost boundary term, incompatibility with Quantum Mechanics and the necessity of dark matter/energy could indicate its incompleteness. By utilising the Einstein–Hilbert action, this letter presents extended field equations by considering the pre-existing/background curvature and the boundary contribution. The extended field equations consist of Einstein field equations with a conformal transformation feature in addition to the boundary term, which can remove singularities, satisfy a conformal invariance theory and facilitate its quantisation.