Vortices in anisotropic type-II superconductors

We present a generalized variational model of an isolated vortex, valid in the anisotropic case when the external magnetic field is along one of the symmetry directions. We discuss the effects of the field anisotropy on the core and magnetic pinning of individual vortices.     

Synthesis of Boron Nitride by Self-Propagating Reactions at High Pressure

Peculiarities of the formation of BN in a self-propagating reaction between LiBF₄ and Li₃N have been studied under a wide range of p,T conditions within the region of thermodynamic stability of cBN. Boron nitride crystallized mainly in the form of highly ordered hBN (1700–2100 K), of mesographitic BN (2200–3000 K), or of turbostratic BN (>3000 K). Cubic boron nitride was obtained with a low yield (up to 14 vol%) as a result of precipitation from the metastable eutectic liquid in the BN-Li₃N system. These results give further evidence for an alternative metastable behavior in the BN phase formation under high pressures.     

How to Control Robots Interacting with Dynamic Environment

The goal of this paper is to shed light on the control problem of constrained robot motion from the aspect of the dynamical nature of the environment with which the robot is in contact. Therefore, the criticism of traditional hybrid control which allows position/force feedback loops to split into independent control with respect to position and force, is not the main point we want to make. Reference to the papers written by the founders of hybrid control and their numerous followers served only to better understand the reason and motivation for suggesting a different approach to control of robots interacting with environment.The paper has a predominantly review character, based on recently published work. It also contains some new, unpublished results in the framework of the unified approach to the position/force control of robots, proposed by the present author and his co-workers. By pointing to the possibility of introducing an environment dynamics in the contact tasks of the machining type, the author emphasizes that the proposed dynamically interactive control can be applied to a completely different class of tasks, in which a contact is made between the system (constructions or structure) and very specific kinds of dynamic environments.     

Quantum phase transitions in 2D antiferromagnets

Quantum Monte Carlo results for the T = 0 order-disorder transition of two-dimensional dimerized quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnets are presented. For a two-layer model, with the dimers having one member on each plane, the finite-size scaling of the staggered structure factor and the staggered susceptibility is consistent with the 3D classical Heisenberg universality class, as required if the transition is described by the 2+1-dimensional non-linear sigma-model. However, for models with the dimers in a single plane, the behavior does not appear to be consistent with this universality class.     

GC/MS characterization of mate tea leaves extracts obtained from high-pressure CO2 extraction

This work presents a study concerning the chemical characteristics and analytical separation process of the essential oil obtained from high-pressure carbon dioxide extraction of Ilex paraguariensis. The experiments were performed in a laboratory-scale unit in the temperature range of 20–40 °C, from 100 to 250 bar. A blend of the I. paraguariensis extracts was percolated through a preparative chromatographic column, containing silica gel, and successively eluted with 150 mL of each of the following solvents: hexane, toluene, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol. The raw extract and its fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detection (GC/MS). The fractionation procedure showed to be a good clean up technique due to the isolation of different classes of compounds in each fraction. Chromatographic analyses allowed the identification of caffeine, fatty acids and esters, phytol, squalene, Vitamin E, stigmasterol derivatives and saturated hydrocarbons.     

Evidence for biotic control of Australian reservoir phytoplankton communities and the potential for applied biomanipulation

Although some concerns have been expressed with respect to the applicability of biomanipulation to Australian reservoirs and other inland waters, no major obstacles were found in this review. The previous doubts stimulated research, which has provided evidence for unexpected mechanisms of food web interactions, such as positive effects of small copepods on planktonic algae, higher than usual grazing potential of cladoceran communities, and direct positive effects of planktivores on phytoplankton. Further research into zooplankton-cyanobacteria interactions should indicate how widespread is the previously reported ability of some southern hemisphere crustaceans to benefit at a population level from feeding on cyanobacteria. Quantitative fisheries acoustics, which has not been widely used in biomanipulation trials before, is a promising new tool in the assessment of the biomass of planktivorous fish in the pelagic zone of reservoirs.     

Effect of Dilution and Porosity on Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis of Silicon Nitride

Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis is a very easy and low-cost method to synthesize Si₃N₄. The nitriding of silicon powder takes place in a self-sustained regime under high pressures of nitrogen with dilution of silicon by Si₃N₄. In this work effects of dilution and green-mixture porosity on combustion velocity and phase content of reaction products are studied. Results are compared with previous work of other authors and different behaviors are found. An explanation of these behaviors is given.     

Phase Composition of Oxide Scales during Reheating in Hot Rolling of Low Carbon Steel

Low carbon steel was oxidized over the temperature range 1000‐1250°C in O₂‐CO₂‐H₂O‐N₂, O₂‐H₂O‐N₂, and O₂‐CO₂‐N₂ gas mixtures. Oxidation times were 12‐120 min. and the scales were 50‐2000 μm thick. The variations of these parameters were chosen to elucidate the phase composition of oxide scales under conditions similar to those of reheating furnaces in hot strip mills, using either thin slab casting or conventional casting and rolling technology. Two types of scales have been observed which are influenced by the furnace atmosphere, oxidation time, and temperature. The first type is a crystalline scale with an irregular outer surface, composed mostly of wustite (FeO), and a negligible amount of magnetite (Fe₃O₄). The second type is the classical three‐layer scale, composed of wustite (FeO), magnetite (Fe₃O₄), and hematite (Fe₂O₃). In general, the experiments showed that an increase in oxidation time decreased the percentage of wustite while the percentages of magnetite and hematite increased. A rise in oxygen concentration in the gas mixture increased the percentages of magnetite and hematite, confirming earlier experimental findings. In water vapour‐free atmospheres O₂‐CO₂‐N₂, the oxide scales had a low percentage of wustite, and high percentage of magnetite and hematite. Carbon dioxide showed a small influence at 1100°C, and a negligible one at 1250°C.     

Effects of Nitrogen Deficiency on the Kinetics and Mechanism of Electrolytic ZrN x Oxidation

Use has been made of potentiodynamic polarization curves, XRD, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in the electrolytic oxidation in 3% NaCl solution for specimens of nitrogen-deficient zirconium nitride (ZrN_0.67, ZrN_0.77, ZrN_0.87, and ZrN_0.97), as well as pure zirconium. In all cases, the anodic polarization curves have several stages which characterize during oxidation both active dissolution of ZrN _x and Zr in the electrolyte as well as the formation of surface layers of ZrOCl₂, ZrN _x O _y , and α‐ZrO₂ of monoclinic form. The corrosion resistance of single-phase ZrN _x specimens in 3% NaCl solution decreases in the sequence ZrN_0.97 → ZrN_0.87 → ZrN_0.77, and the initial stages of interaction between the specimen surface and the electrolyte largely determine the subsequent behavior of specimens. It is found that ZrN _x containing a large number of nitrogen atom vacancies, in particular ZrN_0.77, is closer in corrosion behavior to metallic zirconium than it is to stoichiometric ZrN (the reduction in the corrosion resistance is undoubtedly due to the reduction in the ionic-covalent components of the bonds in ZrN _x ).