Inference with progressively censored <Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis>-out-of-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> system lifetime data

A system with n independent components which works if and only if a least k of its n components work is called a k-out-of-n system. For exponentially distributed component lifetimes, we obtain point and interval estimators for the scale parameter of the component lifetime distribution of a k-out-of-n system when the system failure time is observed only. In particular, we prove that the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) of the scale parameter based on progressively Type-II censored system lifetimes is unique. Further, we propose a fixed-point iteration procedure to compute the MLE for k-out-of-n systems data. In addition, we illustrate that the Newton–Raphson method does not converge for any initial value. Finally, exact confidence intervals for the scale parameter are constructed based on progressively Type-II censored system lifetimes.     

Data clustering using <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis>-Means based on Crow Search Algorithm

Cluster analysis is one of the popular data mining techniques and it is defined as the process of grouping similar data. K-Means is one of the clustering algorithms to cluster the numerical data. The features of K-Means clustering algorithm are easy to implement and it is efficient to handle large amounts of data. The major problem with K-Means is the selection of initial centroids. It selects the initial centroids randomly and it leads to a local optimum solution. Recently, nature-inspired optimization algorithms are combined with clustering algorithms to obtain the global optimum solution. Crow Search Algorithm (CSA) is a new population-based metaheuristic optimization algorithm. This algorithm is based on the intelligent behaviour of the crows. In this paper, CSA is combined with the K-Means clustering algorithm to obtain the global optimum solution. Experiments are conducted on benchmark datasets and the results are compared to those from various clustering algorithms and optimization-based clustering algorithms. Also the results are evaluated with internal, external and statistical experiments to prove the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.     

Investigation of Size and Shape Dependencies of Phase Diagrams of the Ising Nanofilms and Nanotubes on the Honeycomb Lattice Using Cellular Automata Simulation Approach

Size and shape dependencies of phase diagrams of the Ising nanofilms and nanotubes on the honeycomb lattice are investigated by means of probabilistic cellular automata simulation based on Glauber algorithm. The values of reduced critical temperature, K _c = k _B T _c/J (where k _B and J are the Boltzmann constant and nearest-neighbor coupling, respectively), for both nanofilms and nanotubes, are obtained at the different sizes of the lattices and the dependency of K _c to the number of layers is studied. By increasing the number of layers K _c increases but for number of layer more than 8, the critical temperature increases very slowly. We have shown that between two isotropic nanotubes with the same number of spins, the ones with greater diameter (more spins on the edge) have larger critical temperature. For equal size of lattices, the obtained values of K _c for nanotube are greater than the nanofilm, but for large sizes, this difference disappears.     

Effects of Ge<Superscript>4+</Superscript> acceptor dopant on sintering and electrical properties of (K<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Na<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>)NbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> lead-free piezoceramics

Lead-free (K_0.5Na_0.5)(Nb_1-xGe _x )O₃ (KNN-xGe, where x = 0-0.01) piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by conventional ceramic processing. The effects of Ge⁴⁺ cation doping on the phase compositions, microstructure and electrical properties of KNN ceramics were studied. SEM images show that Ge⁴⁺ cation doping improved the sintering and promoted the grain growth of the KNN ceramics. Dielectric and ferroelectric measurements proved that Ge⁴⁺ cations substituted Nb⁵⁺ ions as acceptors, and the Curie temperature (T_C) shows an almost linear decrease with increasing the Ge⁴⁺ content. Combining this result with microstructure observations and electrical measurements, it is concluded that the optimal sintering temperature for KNN-xGe ceramics was 1020°C. Ge⁴⁺ doping less than 0.4 mol.%can improve the compositional homogeneity and piezoelectric properties of KNN ceramics. The KNN-xGe ceramics with x = 0.2% exhibited the best piezoelectric properties: piezoelectric constant d₃₃ = 120 pC/N, planar electromechanical coupling coefficient k_p = 34.7%, mechanical quality factor Q_m = 130, and tanδ = 3.6%.     

Vortex Structure and Anisotropic Superconducting Gaps in Ba[Fe(Ni)]<Subscript>2</Subscript>As<Subscript>2</Subscript>

We studied nearly optimally Ni-substituted BaFe_2?x Ni _x As₂ (BFNA) single crystals with T _C ≈ 18.5 K. In irreversible magnetization measurements, we determined the field dependence of the critical current density and discuss the nature of observed strong bulk pinning. Using intrinsic multiple Andreev reflections effect (IMARE) spectroscopy, we directly determine two distinct superconducting gaps and resolve their moderate anisotropy in the momentum space. The BCS-ratio for the large gap 2Δ _L /k _B T _C > 4.1 evidences for a strong coupling in the Δ _L -bands.     

Very high thermal stability with excellent dielectric,and non-ohmics properties of Mg-doped CaCu<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>4.2</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> ceramics

In this work, the nominal CaCu_3?xMg_xTi_4.2O₁₂ (0.00, 0.05 and 0.10) ceramics were prepared by sintering pellets of their precursor powders obtained by a polymer pyrolysis solution method at 1100 °C for different sintering time of 8 and 12 h. Very low loss tangent (tanδ)?<?0.009–0.014 and giant dielectric constant (ε′) ～?1.1?×?10⁴–1.8?×?10⁴ with excellent temperature coefficient (Δε′) less than ±?15% in a temperature range of ??60 to 210 °C were achieved. These excellent performances suggested a potent application of the ceramics for high temperature X8R and X9R capacitors. It was found that tanδ values decreased with increasing Mg²⁺ dopants due to the increase of grain boundary resistance (R_gb) caused by the very high density of grain, resulting from the substitution of small ionic radius Mg²⁺ dopants in the structure. In addition, CaCu_3?xMg_xTi_4.2O₁₂ ceramics displayed non-linear characteristics with the significant enhancements of a non-linear coefficient (α) and a breakdown field (E_b) due to Mg²⁺doping. The high values of ε′ (14012), α (13.64) and E_b (5977.02 V/cm) with very low tanδ value (0.009) were obtained in a CaCu_2.90Mg_0.10Ti_4.2O₁₂ ceramic sintered at 1100 °C for 8 h.     

A Study on the Wiedemann-Franz Law in a Granular <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis>-Wave Superconductor,Given the Tunneling Between the Grains in Cooper Pair Fluctuation Propagator and Impurity Vertex

The present study tries to investigate Wiedemann-Franz law near and far from the critical temperatures, given the tunneling between the grains in Cooper pair fluctuation propagator and impurity vertex. By means of Dyson’s equation, the Cooper pair fluctuation propagator, L(q kΩ _μ ) and the Cooperon (impurity vertex), λ(q, k, ε ₁, ε ₂), are initially calculated in the presence of tunneling between the grains. Then, the three distinct contributions of density of states, Maki-Thompson, and Aslamazov-Larkin, are calculated in the frameworks of the Green’s functions formalism and the Kubo formula technique. The evaluation is conducted under the limited tunneling conductance between the grains. Findings show that although the tunneling is efficient near the critical temperature, it is not effective when it is far from the critical temperature Compared to that in high temperatures, moreover, the deviation from the Wiedemann-Franz law is much more evident in low temperatures.     

Effects of pore sizes on the electrical properties for porous 0.36BS–0.64PT ceramics

Porous BiScO₃–0.64PbTiO₃ (0.36BS–0.64PT) ceramics were fabricated by using burnable plastic sphere technique. Self-synthesized polystyrene microsphere (PS, φ0.36 μm) and poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA, φ2, 10 and 18 μm) micro-balls were selected as PFA. The porosity, microstructure and electrical properties were investigated for porous 0.36BS–0.64PT ceramics fabricated with different particle sizes of pore forming agents (PFA). With increasing particle sizes of PFA, the pore size and porosity increased. Meanwhile relative permittivity (ε _r), piezoelectric coefficient (d ₃₃, ?d ₃₁) and electromechanical coupling coefficients (k _p, k _t) decreased. The mechanical quality factor (Q _m), elastic coefficient (s ¹¹), hydrostatic voltage coefficient (g _h) and hydrostatic figure of merit increased accordingly. Finally, the effects of particle sizes of PFA on the microstructure and electrical properties were discussed.     

Strongly consistent model selection for densities

Let f be an unknown multivariate density belonging to a set of densities \(\mathcal{F}_{k^{*}}\) of finite associated Vapnik–Chervonenkis dimension, where the complexity k ^* is unknown, and ? _k ?? _k+1 for all k. Given an i.i.d. sample of size n drawn from f, this article presents a density estimate \(\hat{f}_{K_{n}}\) yielding almost sure convergence of the estimated complexity K _n to the true but unknown k ^* and with the property \(\mathbf{E}\{\int|\hat{f}_{K_{n}}-f|\}=\mbox{O}(1/\sqrt{n}\,)\). The methodology is inspired by the combinatorial tools developed in Devroye and Lugosi (Combinatorial methods in density estimation. Springer, New York, 2001) and it includes a wide range of density models, such as mixture models and exponential families.     

A diffusion criterion of the crystal-liquid phase transition

A diffusion criterion of the crystal-liquid phase transition (PT) is proposed according to which the PT begins when the E _d/k _b ratio reaches a threshold value of E _d(s)/k _b T _m, where E _d is the self-diffusion energy, k _B is the Boltzmann constant, T is the absolute temperature, and E _d(s) is the self-diffusion energy in the solid phase at the melting temperature T _m. It is shown that this criterion is a generalization of the Lindemann criterion and is applicable both to solids exhibiting normal melting and to those melting with a decrease in the specific volume. Based on the new criterion, it is possible to explain the relation T _N < T _m, where T _N, is the crystallization onset temperature. The results of calculations of the T _N/T _m ratio well coincide with experimental data.     

On the Role of Fermi Energy in Determining Properties of Superconductors: a Detailed Comparative Study of Two Elemental Superconductors (Sn and Pb), a Non-cuprate (MgB<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">2</Emphasis></Subscript>) and Three Cuprates (YBCO,Bi-2212 and Tl-2212)

Fermi energies (E _Fs) of high- T _c superconductors (SCs) have of late been evincing considerable interest because they are believed to be the cause of their high T _cs and gap structures. Since Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) equations for elemental and generalized-BCS equations for non-elemental SCs are derived under the blanket of the assumption E _F/ k θ > > 1 (k = Boltzmann constant, θ = Debye temperature), they cannot shed light on the E _Fs of these SCs. This fact leads us to address the gaps (Δ₀s) and T _cs of both types of SCs via recently derived equations which incorporate E _F as a variable. For the specification of the E _F of any SC, we now need another of its properties. Choosing j ₀, the critical current density of the SC at T = 0, and following an idea due to Pines, we present for both types of SCs new equations for j ₀ that depend solely on the following properties of the SC: E _F, θ, gram-atomic volume, electronic specific heat constant and a dimensionless construct \(y=k\theta \sqrt {2m\ast } \text {/}P_{\text {0}} \sqrt {E_{\mathrm {F}} } \text {,}\) where m* is the effective mass of superconducting electrons and P ₀ their critical momentum. Appeal to the experimental values of Δ₀, T _c and j ₀ of any SC then not only leads to values of E _F, m* and P ₀ but also provides plausible clues about how its j ₀—and therefore T _c—may be increased.     

Synthesis and high-temperature heat capacity of Gd<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

Gd₂Sn₂O₇ gadolinium stannate with the pyrochlore structure has been prepared by solid-state reaction and its high-temperature heat capacity has been determined by differential scanning calorimetry in the temperature range 350–1020 K. The C_p(T) data are shown to be well represented by the classic Maier–Kelley equation. The experimental C_p(T) data have been used to evaluate the thermodynamic functions of gadolinium stannate: enthalpy increment H°(T)–H°(339 K), entropy change S°(T)–S°(339 K), and reduced Gibbs energy Ф°(Т).     

DeepPatent: patent classification with convolutional neural networks and word embedding

Keyword analysis has been an important research theme in bibliometrics. The deduction of new valuable bibliometric indicators/approaches through keyword analysis is important for prompting the further development of this subject area. In this study, the following three bibliometric indicators/approaches were thus derived. Indicator K was derived using the ratio between the average unique keyword number and average keyword frequency of a discipline for quantitatively describing the discipline’s development stages highlighted by scientific-philosopher Kuhn. Next, the correlation matrix analysis was used after k-core filtration to quantitatively expose the detailed correlations between topics for a large network. Thirdly, indicators I (node betweenness divided by node degree) and C (clustering coefficient) were collectively introduced to predict potential growth keywords. Diverse topical evolutions were categorized into a strategic diagram according to the tendencies of I and C. With sustainable development as a case study, we verified that the three new bibliometric indicators/approaches work well and can realize many new concepts beyond the scope of available indicators or approaches. In summary, the present paper makes a renewed effort to promote the development of bibliometrics. We hope our work could catalyze the further studies from the communities in the scientometric fields.     

High-temperature heat capacity and thermodynamic properties of Tb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

Tb₂Sn₂O₇ has been prepared by solid-state reaction in air at 1473 K over a period of 200 h and its isobaric heat capacity has been studied experimentally in the range 350–1073 K. The C _p(T) data for this compound have no extrema and are well represented by the classic Maier–Kelley equation. The experimental C _p(T) data have been used to evaluate the thermodynamic properties of terbium stannate (pyrochlore structure): enthalpy increment H°(T)–H°(350 K), entropy change S°(T)–S°(350 K), and reduced Gibbs energy Ф°(Т).     

Critical Behavior of La<Subscript>0.67</Subscript>Ba<Subscript>0.33</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.95</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Manganite

The critical behavior of perovskite manganite La_0.67Ba_0.33Mn_0.95Fe_0.05O₃ at the ferromagnetic–paramagnetic has been analyzed. The results show that the sample exhibited the second-order magnetic phase transition. The estimated critical exponents derived from the magnetic data using various such as modified d’Arrott plot Kouvel–Fisher method and critical magnetization M(T _C, H). The critical exponents values for the La_0.67Ba_0.33Mn_0.95Fe_0.05O₃ are close to those expected from the mean field model β = 0.504 ± 0.01 with T _C = 275661 ± 0.447 (from the temperature dependence of the spontaneous magnetization below T _C ), γ = 1.013 ± 0.017 with T _C = 276132 ± 0.452 (from the temperature dependence of the inverse initial susceptibility above T _C ), and δ = 3.0403 ± 0.0003. Moreover, the critical exponents also obey the single scaling equation of M(H, ε) = |ε| ^β f _±(H/|ε| ^β+γ ).     

The sound velocity in liquid binary mixtures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkanes

The method of direct measurement of the time of pulse transmission is used for investigating the sound velocity in liquid binary mixtures of n-alkanes, namely, n-hexane + n-hexadecane, n-octane + n-hexadecane, and n-decane + n-hexadecane in the range of temperatures from 298 to 433 K and pressures from 0.1 to 100.1 MPa. The maximal error of measurements is 0.1%. It is for the first time that experimental data for mixtures of n-octane + n-hexadecane and n-decane + n-hexadecane are obtained.     

Vortex Flux Dynamics and Harmonic ac Magnetic Response of Ba(Fe<Subscript>0.94</Subscript> Ni<Subscript>0.06</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>As<Subscript>2</Subscript> Bulk Superconductor

Vortex dynamics and nonlinear ac response are studied in a Ba(Fe_0.94 Ni_0.06)₂As₂(T _c = 18.5 K) bulk superconductor in magnetic fields up to 12 T via ac susceptibility measurements of the first ten harmonics. A comprehensive study of the ac magnetic susceptibility and its first ten harmonics finds shifts to higher temperatures with increasing ac measurement frequencies (10 to 10,000 Hz) for a wide range of ac (1, 5, and 10 Oe) and dc fields (0 to 12 T). The characteristic measurement time constant t ₁ is extracted from the exponential fit of the data and linked to vortex relaxation. The Anderson-Kim Arrhenius law is applied to determine flux activation energy E _a /k as a function dc magnetic field. The de-pinning, or irreversibility lines, were determined by a variety of methods and extensively mapped. The ac response shows surprisingly weak higher harmonic components, suggesting weak nonlinear behavior. Our data does not support the Fisher model; we do not see an abrupt vortex glass to vortex liquid transition and the resistivity does not drop to zero, although it appears to approach zero exponentially.     

Quadrature frequency resolved spectroscopy of upconversion photoluminescence in GeGaS:Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>: I. Determination of energy transfer upconversion parameter

The article presents the formulas of quadrature frequency resolved spectroscopy (QFRS) on the upconversion photoluminescence (UCPL) of rare-earth (RE) doped materials on the general M-level model. The formulas are derived in matrix-equation form with the first-order perturbation on the rate equations at the M energy-levels of RE ion. The QFRS spectra for three different UCPL processes, i.e., the excited state absorption (ESA), energy transfer upconversion (ETU) and photon avalanche (PA) via cross relaxation process (CRP) in a particular case of M?=?3 are demonstrated with the respective salient features of the excitation power dependence. We have measured the QFRS on the UCPL (⁴ S _3/2 → ⁴ I _15/2) by systematically varying Er-doping in Ge_28.1Ga_6.3S_65.6 chalcogenide glass from 0.01 to 0.5 at.% as well as 975 nm excitation power. Thereby the relaxation rates k ₁ at the intermediate level ⁴ I _11/2, k ₂ at the top level ⁴ S _3/2 and ETU parameter w are determined as a function of Er concentration. The UCPL dynamics on the basis of the formulas for the 3-level model is interpreted in terms of the determined parameters.     

The surface energy of cryocrystals

An expression for the surface energy σ₀₀ of a crystal at T = 0 and P = 0 is obtained with allowance for the zero-point vibrations of atoms in the crystal. Particular calculations are performed for the cryocrystals of inert gases and hydrogen isotopes, in which the energy of zero-point vibrations is comparable with the energy of interatomic interactions. It is established that σ₀₀ exhibits highly correlated dependences of the same kind on the atomic (molecular) mass m, the melting temperature T_m, and the interatomic interaction potential D/k_B (k_B is the Boltzmann constant), whereby the function σ₀₀(m, T_m, D/k_B) exhibits nonlinear growth with each argument. The ratio σ₀₀/σ_liquid, where σ_liquid is the surface tension of the liquid phase at T = T_m, also exhibits highly correlated dependences on m, T_m, and D/k_B, which can be divided into two parts of linear growth corresponding to the quantum and classical domains. The σ₀₀/σ_liquid ratio, being smaller in the quantum case than in the classical one, grows with m, T_m, and D/k_B much faster in the quantum than in the classical domain.