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In this paper, $f(R,T,R_{\mu\nu} T^{\mu\nu}$) gravity is considered. It is a modified theory of gravity that exhibits a strong coupling of gravitational and matter fields. Therefore, if gravity is governed by this model a number of issues must be re-examined. In this context, the question of causality and its violation is studied. Such analysis is carried out using the G\"{o}del-type solutions. It is shown that this model allows both causal and non-causal solutions. These solutions depend directly on the content of matter present in the universe. For the non-causal solution, a critical radius is calculated, beyond which causality is violated. Taking different matter contents, an infinite critical radius emerges that leads to a causal solution. In this causal solution, a natural relationship emerges between the parameters that determine the matter considered., Comment: 13 pages, accepted for publication in EPJC

The assessment and treatment of motor symptoms such as tremor in Parkinson's disease depends exclusively on the physician's visual observation of standardised movements (i.e. motor tasks). Wearable sensors such as accelerometers are able to detect some manifestations of these pathological signs in movement disorders. Sensor data from motor tasks, however, must be processed sequentially with annotated data from clinical experts. Hence, we designed TreCap, a custom-built wearable device with new software to capture and evaluate motor symptoms such as tremor in real time. Inertial sensor data is systematically processed, stored and tailored to each motor task by this software, including annotated data from clinical rating scores and deep brain stimulation parameters. For prototype testing, the wearable device was validated in a pilot study on subjects with physiological hand tremor. The processed data sets are suitable for machine learning to classify motor tasks. Results on healthy subjects demonstrate an accuracy of 95% with support vector machine algorithms. TreCap software is expandable and allows full access to the configuration of all sensors via Bluetooth. Finally, the functions of the entire device provide a platform to be apt for future clinical trials., Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures, 6 tables

In this paper, the hybrid metric-Palatini gravity is an approach to modified gravity in which is added to the usual Einstein-Hilbert action a supplementary term containing a Palatini-type correction of the form $f({\cal R},T)$. Here, ${\cal R}$ is the Palatini curvature scalar, which is constructed from an independent connection and $T$ is the trace of the energy-momentum tensor. This theory describes a non-minimal coupling between matter and geometry. The modified Einstein field equations in this hybrid metric-Palatini approach are obtained. Then, it is investigated whether this modified theory of gravity and its field equations allow G\"{o}del-type solutions, which essentially lead to violation of causality. Considering physically well-motivated matter sources, causal and non-causal solutions are explored., Comment: 14 pages, accepted for publication in EPL

The Palatini $f(R,T)$ gravity theory is considered. The standard Einstein-Hilbert action is replaced by an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar $R$ and of the trace $T$ of the energy-momentum tensor. In the Palatini approach, the Ricci scalar is a function of the metric and the connection. These two quantities, metric and connection, are taken as independents variables. Then, it is examined whether Palatini $f(R,T)$ gravity theory allows solutions in which lead to violation of causality. The G\"{o}del and G\"{o}del-type space-times are considered. In addition, a critical radius, which permits to examine limits for violation of causality, is calculated. It is shown that, for different matter contents, non-causal solutions can be avoided in this Palatini gravitational theory., Comment: 15 pages, accepted for publication in IJMPD

The $k$-essence modified $f(R)$ gravity model, i.e., $f(R,\phi,X)$ theory is studied. The question of violation of causality, in the framework of G\"{o}del-type universes, is investigated in this gravitational model. Causal and non-causal solutions are allowed. A critical radius for non-causal solution is calculated. It is shown that the violation of causality depends on the content of matter., Comment: 14 pages, accepted for publication in IJMPA

In this study we report on the results from emission $^{57}$Fe M${\"o}$ssbauer Spectroscopy experiments, using dilute $^{57}$Mn implantation into pristine (TiO$_2$) and hydrogenated anatase held at temperatures between 300-700 K. Results of the electronic structure and local environment are complemented with ab-initio calculations. Upon implantation both Fe$^{2+}$ and Fe$^{3+}$ are observed in pristine anatase, where the latter demonstrates the spin-lattice relaxation. The spectra obtained for hydrogenated anatase show no Fe$^{3+}$ contribution, suggesting that hydrogen acts as a donor. Due to the low threshold, hydrogen diffuses out of the lattice. Thus showing a dynamic behavior on the time scale of the $^{57}$Fe 14.4 keV state. The surrounding oxygen vacancies favor the high-spin Fe$^{2+}$ state. The sample treated at room temperature shows two distinct processes of hydrogen motion. The motion commences with the interstitial hydrogen, followed by switching to the covalently bound state. Hydrogen out-diffusion is hindered by bulk defects, which could cause both processes to overlap. Supplementary UV-Vis and electrical conductivity measurements show an improved electrical conductivity and higher optical absorption after the hydrogenation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at room temperature reveals that the sample hydrogenated at 573 K shows presence of both Ti$^{3+}$ and Ti$^{2+}$ states. This could imply that a significant amount of oxygen vacancies and -OH bonds are present in the samples. Theory suggests that in the anatase sample implanted with Mn(Fe), probes were located near equatorial vacancies as next-nearest-neighbours, whilst a metastable hydrogen configuration is responsible for the annealing behavior.

This paper presents the results of a pilot experiment with an existing tidal energy converter (TEC), Evopod 1 kW floatable prototype, in a real test case scenario (Faro Channel, Ria Formosa, Portugal). A baseline marine geophysical, hydrodynamic and ecological study based on the experience collected on the test site is presented. The collected data was used to validate a hydro-morphodynamic model, allowing the selection of the installation area based on both operational and environmental constraints. Operational results related to the description of power generation capacity, energy capture area and proportion of energy flux are presented and discussed, including the failures occurring during the experimental setup. The data is now available to the scientific community and to TEC industry developers, enhancing the operational knowledge of TEC technology concerning efficiency, environmental effects, and interactions (i.e. device/environment). The results can be used by developers on the licensing process, on overcoming the commercial deployment barriers, on offering extra assurance and confidence to investors, who traditionally have seen environmental concerns as a barrier, and on providing the foundations whereupon similar deployment areas can be considered around the world for marine tidal energy extraction.

It is established existence, uniqueness and multiplicity of solutions for a quasilinear elliptic problem problems driven by $\Phi$-Laplacian operator. Here we consider the reflexive and nonreflexive cases using an auxiliary problem. In order to prove our main results we employ variational methods, regularity results and truncation techniques.

It is established some existence and multiplicity of solution results for a quasilinear elliptic problem driven by $\Phi$-Laplacian operator. One of these solutions is built as a ground state solution. In order to prove our main results we apply the Nehari method combined with the concentration compactness theorem in an Orlicz-Sobolev framework. One of the difficulties in dealing with this kind of operator is the lost of homogeneity properties., Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1610.04652

Heusler alloys are promising for several applications, including magnetic refrigeration, due to high magnetocaloric and magnetovolume effects. One way to optimize this potential is by increasing the magnetovolume effect. Using density functional theory with the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method, we calculate the effective exchange interaction energies and corresponding mean field Curie temperature as a function of the volume (hydrostatic pressure) in several L2 1 -type Co 2 YZ Heusler alloys. Different qualitative trends and signs of the pressure derivatives of the Curie temperature and moments are found among these compounds, discussed and compared with previous calculations and experiments., Comment: INTERMAG 2014 - IEEE International Magnetics Conference, Dresden, May 5-8, 2014. 3 pages, 5 figures

We report perturbed angular correlation measurements with 111mCd/111Cd and 111In/111Cd probes, at the ISOLDE-CERN facility, in the manganite compounds BaMnO3 , with the 6H and 15R polymorphs, and SrMnO3 , with the 4H polymorph. The electric field gradient (EFG) is measured, and found approximately constant in a large temperature range for all the compounds. The EFG is also calculated from first principles with density functional theory, and compared with experimental results by considering diluted substitutional Cd impurities. Based on the results, we assign as sites for the probes the Ba (for BaMnO3-6H, 15R) and Sr (for SrMnO3-4H) sites, apart from fractions of undetermined origin in the case of BaMnO3-6H. We predict the hyperfine parameters in the recently synthesized multiferroic manganite Sr0.5Ba0.5MnO3 , and its variation with the structure and electric polarization, which is found to be very small., Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures

The magnetic properties tuning and volume dependence in the series of quaternary full Heusler alloys with formula Co2Cr1-xYGa (Y = Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) were studied with a detailed first-principles exploration. We employ the density functional KKR method with the coherent potential approximation, estimating effective Heisenberg exchange constants via the magnetic force theorem together with mean-field Curie temperature (TC) and magnetic moment for compositions in the whole concentration range. The volumetric dependency of these magnetic properties is studied, particularly the pressure derivatives of TC at equilibrium. Our ternary alloy calculations show good agreement with local-density and generalized gradient approximations in the literature. The quaternary alloys show a wide range of tunable magnetic properties, where magnetic moments range from 0.8 to 4.9 mu_B, TC from 130 K to 1250 K, and dTC/dV values range from -7 to +6.3 K A-3.

It is established existence, multiplicity and asymptotic behavior of positive solutions for a quasilinear elliptic problem driven by the $\Phi$-Laplacian operator. One of these solutions is obtained as ground state solution by applying the well known Nehari method. The semilinear term in the quasilinear equation is a concave-convex function which presents a critical behavior at infinity. The concentration compactness principle is used in order to recover the compactness required in variational methods.

This paper begins with considering the identification of sparse linear time-invariant networks described by multivariable ARX models. Such models possess relatively simple structure thus used as a benchmark to promote further research. With identifiability of the network guaranteed, this paper presents an identification method that infers both the Boolean structure of the network and the internal dynamics between nodes. Identification is performed directly from data without any prior knowledge of the system, including its order. The proposed method solves the identification problem using Maximum a posteriori estimation (MAP) but with inseparable penalties for complexity, both in terms of element (order of nonzero connections) and group sparsity (network topology). Such an approach is widely applied in Compressive Sensing (CS) and known as Sparse Bayesian Learning (SBL). We then propose a novel scheme that combines sparse Bayesian and group sparse Bayesian to efficiently solve the problem. The resulted algorithm has a similar form of the standard Sparse Group Lasso (SGL) while with known noise variance, it simplifies to exact re-weighted SGL. The method and the developed toolbox can be applied to infer networks from a wide range of fields, including systems biology applications such as signaling and genetic regulatory networks.

Increasing attention has recently been given to the inference of sparse networks. In biology, for example, most molecules only bind to a small number of other molecules, leading to sparse molecular interaction networks. To achieve sparseness, a common approach consists of applying weighted penalties to the number of links between nodes in the network and the complexity of the dynamics of existing links. The selection of proper weights, however, is non-trivial. Alternatively, this paper proposes a novel data-driven method, called GESBL, that is able to penalise both network sparsity and model complexity without any tuning. GESBL combines Sparse Bayesian Learning (SBL) and Group Sparse Bayesian Learning (GSBL) to introduce penalties for complexity, both in terms of element (system order of nonzero connections) and group sparsity (network topology). The paper considers a class of sparse linear time-invariant networks where the dynamics are represented by multivariable ARX models. Data generated from sparse random ARX networks and synthetic gene regulatory networks indicate that our method, on average, considerably outperforms existing state-of-the-art methods. The proposed method can be applied to a wide range of fields, from systems biology applications in signalling and genetic regulatory networks to power systems.

In this paper we prove that the equation $ -( r^\alpha\phi(|u'(r)|)u'(r))' = \lambda r^\gamma f(u(r)), ~0 0$ is a real parameter and $f:{\bf{R}}\to{\bf{R}}$ is continuous, admits an infinite sequence of sign-changing solutions satisfying $u'(0) =u(R) =0$. The function $f$ is required to satisfy $tf(t)>0$ for $ t\neq 0$. Our technique explores fixed point arguments applied to suitable integral equations and shooting arguments. Our main result extends earlier ones in the case $\phi$ is in the form $\phi(t) = |t|^{\beta}$ for an appropriate constant $\gamma$.

The MnAs compound shows a first-order transition at T$_C\approx42$ C, and a second-order transition at T$_t\approx120$ C. The first-order transition, with structural (hexagonal-orthorhombic), magnetic (FM-PM) and electrical conductivity changes, is associated to magnetocaloric, magnetoelastic, and magnetoresistance effects. We report a study in a large temperature range from $-196$ up to $140$ C, using the $\gamma-\gamma$ perturbed angular correlations method with the radioactive probe $^{77}$Br$\rightarrow^{77}$Se, produced at the ISOLDE-CERN facility. The electric field gradients and magnetic hyperfine fields are determined across the first- and second-order phase transitions encompassing the pure and mixed phase regimes in cooling and heating cycles. The temperature irreversibility of the 1st order phase transition is seen locally, at the nanoscopic scale sensitivity of the hyperfine field, by its hysteresis, detailing and complementing information obtained with macroscopic measurements (magnetization and X-ray powder diffraction). To interpret the results, hyperfine parameters were obtained with first-principles spin-polarized density functional calculations using the generalized gradient approximation with the full potential (L)APW+lo method (\textsc{Wien2k} code) by considering the Se probe at both Mn and As sites. A clear assignment of the probe location at the As site is made and complemented with the calculated densities of states and local magnetic moments. We model electronic and magnetic properties of the chemically similar MnSb and MnBi compounds, complementing previous calculations., Comment: 21 pages, 11 figures

In 2009 Loc and Schmitt established a result on sufficient conditions for multiplicity of solutions of a class of nonlinear eignvalue problems for the p-Laplace operator under Dirichlet boundary conditions, extending an earlier result of 1981 by Peter Hess for the Laplacian. Results on necessary conditions for existence were also established. In the present paper the authors extend the main results by Loc and Schmitt to the $\Phi$-Laplacian. To overcome the difficulties with this much more general operator it was necessary to employ regularity results by Lieberman, a strong maximum principle by Pucci and Serrin and a general result on lower and upper solutions by Le., Comment: 21 pages

We develop arguments on convexity and minimization of energy functionals on Orlicz-Sobolev spaces to investigate existence of solution to the equation $\displaystyle -\mbox{div} (\phi(|\nabla u|) \nabla u) = f(x,u) + h \mbox{in} \Omega$ under Dirichlet boundary conditions, where $\Omega \subset {\bf R}^{N}$ is a bounded smooth domain, $\phi : (0,\infty)\longrightarrow (0,\infty)$ is a suitable continuous function and $f: \Omega \times {\bf R} \to {\bf R}$ satisfies the Carath\'eodory conditions, while $h$ is a measure., Comment: 14 pagex