Criticality of tuning in athermal phase transitions

We experimentally address the importance of tuning in athermal phase transitions, which are triggered only by a slowly varying external field acting as tuning parameter. Using higher order statistics of fluctuations, a singular critical instability is detected for the first time in spite of an apparent universal self-similar kinetics over a broad range of driving force. The results as well as the experimental technique are likely to be of significance to many slowly driven non-equilibrium systems from geophysics to material science which display avalanche dynamics.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

A Characterization of Visibility Graphs for Pseudo-Polygons

In this paper, we give a characterization of the visibility graphs of pseudo-polygons. We first identify some key combinatorial properties of pseudo-polygons, and we then give a set of five necessary conditions based off our identified properties. We then prove that these necessary conditions are also sufficient via a reduction to a characterization of vertex-edge visibility graphs given by O'Rourke and Streinu

Dependence of nonlocal Gilbert damping on the ferromagnetic layer type in FM/Cu/Pt heterostructures

We have measured the size effect in nonlocal Gilbert relaxation rate in FM(t$_{FM}$) / Cu (5nm) [/ Pt (2nm)] / Al(2nm) heterostructures, FM = \{ Ni$_{81}$Fe$_{19}$, Co$_{60}$Fe$_{20}$B$_{20}$, pure Co\}. Common behavior is observed for three FM layers, where the additional relaxation obeys both a strict inverse power law dependence $\Delta G =K \:t^{n}$, $n=-\textrm{1.04}\pm\textrm{0.06}$ and a similar magnitude $K=\textrm{224}\pm\textrm{40 Mhz}\cdot\textrm{nm}$. As the tested FM layers span an order of magnitude in spin diffusion length $\lambda_{SDL}$, the results are in support of spin diffusion, rather than nonlocal resistivity, as the origin of the effect

Biodegradation of phenol with immobilized Pseuodomonas putida activated carbon packed bio-filter tower

Comparative study on adsorption and simultaneous adsorption and biodegradation (SAB) of phenol using Pseuodomonas putida (MTCC 1194) in a biofilter tower packed with fresh granular activated carbon (GAC) or biological activated carbon (BAC) showed 37% higher breakthrough point in case of SAB. Maximum phenol degradation rate in case of SAB was 120 mg/L.h obtained at flow rate of 7.42 ml/min. Bioregeneration of bed material up to 63% was achieved in 12 h. The phenol degradation by P. putida (MTCC 1194) was immobilized on activated carbon. Higher surface area of activated carbon is suited as supporting materials for microorganism and shows a high adsorptive capacity for phenol. For biodegradation of phenol by P. putida at shake flask level Haldane's growth model fitted the best. Compared to GAC, 21% higher removal of phenol was observed in case of SAB in batch mode.Key words: Biologically activated carbon, bioregeneration, phenol, Pseudomonas putida

Effects of thermal treatments and germination on physico-chemical properties of corn flour

Certain physico-chemical properties including viscoelasticity, crystallinity and maltose content of corn depends on the gelatinization of starch under different treatments. Three different treatments were performed; boiling in water, steam heating, and germination. The effects of gelatinization onviscoelastic property of corn starch were measured and the morphological changes of corn after different treatments were determined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Various grooves and fissures on the exterior surface of the granules were noticed in the treated sample compared tocontrol. The crystallinity of corn after different treatments was determined by X-ray diffraction studies (XRD). The control showed higher crystallinity than that of thermal treated samples