44,535 research outputs found
Fluctuations and universality in a catalysis model with long-range reactivity
The critical properties of the Ziff-Gulari-Barshad (ZGB) model with the
addition of long-range reactivity [C.H. Chan and P.A. Rikvold, Phys. Rev. E 91,
012103 (2015)] are further investigated. The scaling behaviors of the order
parameter, susceptibility, and correlation length provide addi- tional evidence
that the universality class of the ZGB system changes from the two-dimensional
Ising class to the mean-field class with the addition of even a weak long-range
reactivity mechanism
The motion of a deformable drop in a second-order fluid
The cross-stream migration of a deformable drop in a unidirectional shear flow of a second-order fluid is considered. Expressions for the particle velocity due to the separate effects of deformation and viscoelastic rheology are obtained. The direction and magnitude of migration are calculated for the particular cases of Poiseuille flow and simple shear flow and compared with experimental data
Solicited and Unsolicited Credit Ratings: A Global Perspective
We conducted a global study of the long-term issuer ratings of nonfinancial firms from Standard and Poor's Ratings Services (S&P) for the period 1998–2003. Specifically, we focused on the solicited versus unsolicited ratings and sample-selection bias in the analysis. Unlike the literature, we adopted an improved method using Wooldridge’s instrumental-variable approach to mitigate the concern of specification errors in Heckman’s model. We found that the probability of seeking a long-term issuer rating is positively related to the size and profitability of the firm, and negatively related to the growth opportunities and debt levels of the firm. The credit rating is positively related to the sovereign rating, size, and profitability of the issuer, and negatively related to the debt ratio of the issuer. Consistent with the literature, we found sample-selection bias in credit ratings. Our findings suggest that the firms with solicited ratings seem to be more profitable, more liquid, and have lower leverage than the issuers with unsolicited ratings. After controlling for sample-selection bias and some key financial ratios, we found that unsolicited firms, on average, seem to have lower long-term issuer ratings.corporate long-term issuer ratings; solicited and unsolicited
Lattice dynamics and electron-phonon interaction in (3,3) carbon nanotubes
We present a detailed study of the lattice dynamics and electron-phonon
coupling for a (3,3) carbon nanotube which belongs to the class of small
diameter based nanotubes which have recently been claimed to be
superconducting. We treat the electronic and phononic degrees of freedom
completely by modern ab-initio methods without involving approximations beyond
the local density approximation. Using density functional perturbation theory
we find a mean-field Peierls transition temperature of approx 40K which is an
order of magnitude larger than the calculated superconducting transition
temperature. Thus in (3,3) tubes the Peierls transition might compete with
superconductivity. The Peierls instability is related to the special 2k_F
nesting feature of the Fermi surface. Due to the special topology of the (n,n)
tubes also a q=0 coupling between the two bands crossing the Fermi energy at
k_F is possible which leads to a phonon softening at the Gamma point.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures; to be published in Phys. Rev. Let
In-vivo magnetic resonance imaging of hyperpolarized silicon particles
Silicon-based micro and nanoparticles have gained popularity in a wide range
of biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability
in-vivo, as well as a flexible surface chemistry, which allows drug loading,
functionalization and targeting. Here we report direct in-vivo imaging of
hyperpolarized 29Si nuclei in silicon microparticles by MRI. Natural physical
properties of silicon provide surface electronic states for dynamic nuclear
polarization (DNP), extremely long depolarization times, insensitivity to the
in-vivo environment or particle tumbling, and surfaces favorable for
functionalization. Potential applications to gastrointestinal, intravascular,
and tumor perfusion imaging at sub-picomolar concentrations are presented.
These results demonstrate a new background-free imaging modality applicable to
a range of inexpensive, readily available, and biocompatible Si particles.Comment: Supplemental Material include
Supercritical multicomponent solvent coal extraction
The yield of organic extract from the supercritical extraction of coal with larger diameter organic solvents such as toluene is increased by use of a minor amount of from 0.1 to 10% by weight of a second solvent such as methanol having a molecular diameter significantly smaller than the average pore diameter of the coal
- …