Nonequilibrium thermodynamics versus model grain growth: derivation and some physical implications

Nonequilibrium thermodynamics formalism is proposed to derive the flux of grainy (bubbles-containing) matter, emerging in a nucleation growth process. Some power and non-power limits, due to the applied potential as well as owing to basic correlations in such systems, have been discussed. Some encouragement for such a discussion comes from the fact that the nucleation and growth processes studied, and their kinetics, are frequently reported in literature as self-similar (characteristic of algebraic correlations and laws) both in basic entity (grain; bubble) size as well as time scales.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figur

ATLAS sensitivity range for the x_s measurement

Previous results for the prospects of B_s mixing measurement in the ATLAS experiment at LHC are updated. The improved analysis method of the studied decay channels B_s -> D_s pi and B_s -> D_s a_1, combined with most recent values for the branching ratios and the B_s lifetime, leads to the new ATLAS sensitivity range for the x_s measurement: x_s^{max} = 42. An extensive study is done in order to estimate how x_s^{max} is influenced by the B-decay proper-time resolution of the vertex detector, as well as by the number of events and by the signal-to-background ratio.Comment: 17 pages, incl. 12 figure

Thermo-kinetic approach of single-particles and clusters involving anomalous diffusion under viscoelastic response

We present a thermo-kinetic description of anomalous diffusion of single-particles and clusters in a viscoelastic medium in terms of a non-Markovian diffusion equation involving memory functions. The scaling behaviour of these functions is analyzed by considering hydrodynamics and cluster-size space random walk arguments. We explain experimental results on diffusion of Brownian particles in the cytoskeleton, in cluster-cluster aggregation and in a suspension of micelles.Comment: To be published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry

On temperature- and space-dimension dependent matter agglomeration in a mature growing stage

Model matter agglomerations, with temperature as leading control parameter, have been considered, and some of their characteristics have been studied. The primary interest has been focused on the grain volume fluctuations, the magnitude of which readily differentiates between two commonly encountered types of matter agglomeration/aggregation processes, observed roughly for high- and low-density matter organizations. The two distinguished types of matter arrangements have been described through the (entropic) potential driving system. The impact of the potential type on the character of matter agglomeration has been studied, preferentially for (low density) matter agglomeration for which a logarithmic measure of its speed has been proposed. A common diffusion as well as mechanical relaxation picture, emerging during the mature growing stage, has been drawn using a phenomenological line of argumentation. Applications, mostly towards obtaining soft agglomerates of so-called jammed materials, have been mentioned

Ranking structures and Rank-Rank Correlations of Countries. The FIFA and UEFA cases

Ranking of agents competing with each other in complex systems may lead to paradoxes according to the pre-chosen different measures. A discussion is presented on such rank-rank, similar or not, correlations based on the case of European countries ranked by UEFA and FIFA from different soccer competitions. The first question to be answered is whether an empirical and simple law is obtained for such (self-) organizations of complex sociological systems with such different measuring schemes. It is found that the power law form is not the best description contrary to many modern expectations. The stretched exponential is much more adequate. Moreover, it is found that the measuring rules lead to some inner structures, in both cases.Comment: 23 pages, 8 figures, 24 references, 3 tables; to be published in Int. J. Mod. Phys.

Doomed by hope : essays on Arab theatre

Wydarzenia wiosny arabskiej nie tylko zatrzęsły porządkiem polityczno-społecznym na Bliskim Wschodzie, ale poruszyły także życiem kulturalnym tego regionu. Zwróciły równocześnie uwagę na problematykę arabskiej ekspresji artystycznej. W atmosferze rewolucyjnych przemian rozpoczęła się między innymi ożywiona dyskusja na temat kondycji arabskiego teatru i jego misji. Przestrzenią dla tejże dyskusji stały się festiwale, konferencje a przede wszystkim artykuły publikowane tak przez środowiska twórców jak i odbiorców reprezentowanych przez krytyków. Do zapoczątkowanej przed trzema laty debaty włącza się wydana przez Pluto Press w 2012 roku w Londynie i przygotowana pod redakcją Eyada Houssamiego książka zatytułowana Doomed by Hope. Essays on Arab Theatre.As well as upsetting the socio-political order in the Middle East, the events of the Arab Spring affected the cultural life of that region. In addition, these events put into focus the question of Arab artistic expression. One thing that emerged amidst this turmoil of change was a lively debate on the condition of Arab theatre and its mission. A range of festivals, conferences, and, most importantly, articles by both the artists and the audiences, whose opinions were voiced by critics, provided a platform for the debate. Doomed by Hope. Essays on Arab Theatre by Eyad Houssami, published by Pluto Press in 2012 in London, joins this debate, which started three years ago

Aging process of electrical contacts in granular matter

The electrical resistance decay of a metallic granular packing has been measured as a function of time. This measurement gives information about the size of the conducting cluster formed by the well connected grains. Several regimes have been encountered. Chronologically, the first one concerns the growth of the conducting cluster and is identified to belong to diffusion processes through a stretched exponential behavior. The relaxation time is found to be simply related to the initial injected power. This regime is followed by a reorganisation process due to thermal dilatation. For the long term behavior of the decay, an aging process occurs and enhances the electrical contacts between grains through microsoldering.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure