Box-modeling of bone and tooth phosphate oxygen isotope compositions as a function of environmental and physiological parameters*

A time-dependent box model is developed to calculate oxygen isotope compositions of bone phosphate as a function of environmental and physiological parameters. Input and output oxygen fluxes related to body water and bone reservoirs are scaled to the body mass. The oxygen fluxes are evaluated by stoichiometric scaling to the calcium accretion and resorption rates, assuming a pure hydroxylapatite composition for the bone and tooth mineral. The model shows how the diet composition, body mass, ambient relative humidity and temperature may control the oxygen isotope composition of bone phosphate. The model also computes how bones and teeth record short-term variations in relative humidity, air temperature and δ¹⁸O of drinking water, depending on body mass. The documented diversity of oxygen isotope fractionation equations for vertebrates is accounted for by our model when for each specimen the physiological and diet parameters are adjusted in the living range of environmental conditions.     

Reliability of stable carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of pedogenic needle fibre calcite as environmental indicators: examples from Western Europe

Stable carbon and oxygen isotope analyses were conducted on pedogenic needle fibre calcite (NFC) from seven sites in areas with roughly similar temperate climates in Western Europe, including the Swiss Jura Mountains, eastern and southern France, northern Wales, and north-eastern Spain. The δ(13)C values (-12.5 to-6.8 ‰ Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite (VPDB)) record the predominant C(3) vegetation cover at the sites. A good correlation was found between mean monthly climatic parameters (air temperature, number of frost days, humidity, and precipitation) and δ(18)O values (-7.8 to-3.4‰ VPDB) of all the NFC. Similar seasonal variations of δ(18)O values for monthly NFC samples from the Swiss sites and those of mean monthly δ(18)O values of local precipitation and meteorological data point out precipitation and preferential growth/or recrystallisation of the pedogenic needle calcite during dry seasons. These covariations indicate the potential of stable isotope compositions of preserved NFC in fossil soil horizons as a promising tool for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.     

Reliability of stable carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of pedogenic needle fibre calcite as environmental indicators: examples from Western Europe

Stable carbon and oxygen isotope analyses were conducted on pedogenic needle fibre calcite (NFC) from seven sites in areas with roughly similar temperate climates in Western Europe, including the Swiss Jura Mountains, eastern and southern France, northern Wales, and north-eastern Spain. The δ¹³C values (?12.5 to?6.8 ‰ Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite (VPDB)) record the predominant C₃ vegetation cover at the sites. A good correlation was found between mean monthly climatic parameters (air temperature, number of frost days, humidity, and precipitation) and δ¹⁸O values (?7.8 to?3.4‰ VPDB) of all the NFC. Similar seasonal variations of δ¹⁸O values for monthly NFC samples from the Swiss sites and those of mean monthly δ¹⁸O values of local precipitation and meteorological data point out precipitation and preferential growth/or recrystallisation of the pedogenic needle calcite during dry seasons. These covariations indicate the potential of stable isotope compositions of preserved NFC in fossil soil horizons as a promising tool for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.     

Debye temperature variations in alkali-halide single crystals as a function of their chemical compositions

The Debye temperature ­_D for 18 alkali-halide single crystals is calculated using the elastic constants for temperature between 4.2 °K and 300 °K. The results are analyzed. We have characterized the various compounds in terms of the crystal lattice energy U and the ratio of cation-to-anion mass M/m. Graphs of the functions ­_d = f(M/m) and ­(D) = f(U) are presented, together with a plot of the surfaces of the function ­_d = f(T, M/m). It is found that the Debye temperature for the solid Solution KCl-KBr, in various concentrations, fits the curves of the function ­_D = f(M/m) rather well when these curves are constructed from data for the pure single crystals.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii Fizika, No. 6, pp. 59–65, June, 1971.     

Thermoluminescent a-CN thin films properties as a function of plasma parameters

Amorphous carbon nitride (a-CN) thin films show luminescent properties that are of interest for many applications. Particularly interesting are their previously reported thermoluminescent characteristics. In order to optimize these properties, the plasma parameters (ion energy, plasma density and type of excited species) were studied in the present work as a function of the laser fluence and the working pressure. The plasma was produced using the fundamental line of a Nd:YAG laser with 28 ns pulse duration focused on a high purity graphite target. The laser fluences used in this work could be varied between 9 and 40 J/cm². Measurements and deposition of a-CN films were carried out in a nitrogen atmosphere at pressures from 3×10^-3 to 7.5×10^-2 Torr. We observed an optimum value of pressure, close to 7.5×10^-2 Torr, in which the nitrogen incorporation into the film achieved its maximum value close to 29 at.% and the thermoluminescent response of the material, after irradiation with UV becomes evident. PACS 81.15.Fg; 78.60.Kn; 81.05.Uw     

The response of a vibrating structure as a function of structural parameters—application and experiment

The theory used for examining the response of a structure subject to an external oscillatory force when certain structural parameters are changed is applied to the mathematical model of a pilot's seat structure. The results are discussed with a view to assessing those parts of the structure that are most effective in minimizing the response. Also, a laboratory experiment is described in which the basic circular response locus is verified, and doubts about the assumptions made in mathematical modelling resolved.     

Pulsed microwave damage trend of bipolar transistor as a function of pulse parameters

In the present paper we conduct a theoretical study of the thermal accumulation effect of a typical bipolar transistor caused by high power pulsed microwave (HPM), and investigate the thermal accumulation effect as a function of pulse repetition frequency (PRF) and duty cycle. A study of the damage mechanism of the device is carried out from the variation analysis of the distribution of the electric field and the current density. The result shows that the accumulation temperature increases with PRF increasing and the threshold for the transistor is about 2 kHz. The response of the peak temperature induced by the injected single pulses indicates that the falling time is much longer than the rising time. Adopting the fitting method, the relationship between the peak temperature and the time during the rising edge and that between the peak temperature and the time during the falling edge are obtained. Moreover, the accumulation temperature decreases with duty cycle increasing for a certain mean power.     

The pulsed microwave damage trend of a bipolar transistor as a function of pulse parameters

In the present paper we conduct a theoretical study of the thermal accumulation effect of a typical bipolar transistor caused by high power pulsed microwaves(HPMs),and investigate the thermal accumulation effect as a function of pulse repetition frequency(PRF) and duty cycle.A study of the damage mechanism of the device is carried out from the variation analysis of the distribution of the electric field and the current density.The result shows that the accumulation temperature increases with PRF increasing and the threshold for the transistor is about 2 kHz.The response of the peak temperature induced by the injected single pulses indicates that the falling time is much longer than the rising time.Adopting the fitting method,the relationship between the peak temperature and the time during the rising edge and that between the peak temperature and the time during the falling edge are obtained.Moreover,the accumulation temperature decreases with duty cycle increasing for a certain mean power.     

Laser thermal response of a finite slab as a function of the laser pulse parameters

This paper deals with the problem of heating a finite slab using laser radiation in relation to the parameters characterizing the laser pulse, namely: q_max(W/m²), the maximum laser power density, t₀ the time interval required to reach q_max and t_d, the pulse time duration. The pulse shape q(t) is suggested in the form: q(t)=βq_max(t/t_d)(1-(t/t_d))exp-B(t-t₀/t_d), where β and B are parameters. Fitting with published experimental pulse [Ready JF. Effects due to absorption of laser radiation. J Appl Phys 1965;36:462–68] is made. Fourier series expansion technique is considered to solve the problem. The critical time required to initiate melting t_m is estimated for four metallic elements and five semiconductors, namely: Al, Cu, Ag, Au (aluminum, copper, silver, and gold), cadmium sulfide, germanium, silicon, alpha beryllium oxide, and silicon carbide. Five pulses with different characteristic parameters are considered.Computations revealed that the thermal response of the targets is highly affected by q_max and t_o, while the pulse time duration is less effective in determining the value of t_m. Moreover, it is revealed that the relation between t_m and the melting temperature for the same laser pulse is nonlinear for the considered targets under the indicated conditions.     

Electronic structure of phosphate glasses with a complex oxygen sublattice structure

Calculations of the electronic structure of phosphate glasses are performed in the MO LCAO x _α approximation discrete variation method. On the basis of an analysis of theoretical and experimental electronic spectra of the system BeO-P₂O₅ regularities are found in the formation of the valence band of alkaline-earth phosphate glasses with different types of anion sublattice. Data on the electronic structure are used to refine the models of short-range order; in particular, the possibility of oxygen in the threefold coordination state is confirmed. With the features of the spectrum of electronic states taken into account, localization of charge carriers, the nature of the optical transitions, and hole-transport phenomena are discussed. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 1366–1372 (August 1997)     

Investigation of the dependency of JET midplane separatrix density as a function of engineering parameters

Midplane separatrix density is a crucial parameter in tokamaks since it strongly impacts divertor conditions. Scaling midplane separatrix density, n_{e, SEP} , and pedestal density, n_{e, PED} , as function of engineering parameters such as auxiliary heating P_injected, toroidal magnetic field B_T, and plasma poloidal current I_p are relevant to observe the effect of tuning these parameters on, for example, quality of confinement and divertor regime governed by n_{e, PED} and n_{e, SEP} , respectively. Thus, a dataset of JET H-mode pulses performed with Iter like wall (ILW) has been analysed. Midplane density data are collected from an HRTS (high-resolution Thomson scattering) diagnostic and n_{e, SEP} is determined using the power balance method. Parallel heat flux model is chosen using transport code SOLEDGE2D (S2D) applying power balance method over a simulated n_{e, SEP} and T_{e, SEP} profiles to obtain separatrix positions. The parameters are averaged over time windows with order of (85–185 ms ) and the magnetic configuration has been fixed to avoid divertor geometrical effect on n_{e, SEP} determination, configuration chosen is corner–corner. A ratio between separatrix density and pedestal density at outer midplane ranges between 0.3 and 0.7 on the data set. A scaling law of n_{e, SEP}/n_{e, PED} is obtained as function of P_injected, B_T, and I_P.     

The structure of particles and combustion parameters of compositions with nanoaluminum

Aluminum nanoparticles modified with various additives (Ba, gasoline, and organosilicon resin) were obtained by arc plasma recondensation. The chemical composition, morphology, and thermal properties of nanoparticles and the characteristics of combustion of energy-producing condensed systems containing nanoaluminum were studied experimentally. The structure of the particles was determined by X-ray diffraction (a Rigaku Geigerflex diffractometer), transmission electron microscopy (JEM 2000 EX-II), scanning electron microscopy (JEOL JSM 7401F), atomic force microscopy (SOLVER P-47), and differential scanning calorimetry (NETZSCH STA 409). The replacement of aluminum powder with micron particles with nanodisperse aluminum increased the rate of combustion of stoichiometric compositions on the basis of ammonium perchlorate by an order of magnitude at a pressure of 40 atm. Simultaneously, the mean linear diameter of agglomerates collected from the surface of combustion decreased from 28 to 2 μm. The results are evidence that the use of energy-producing condensed compositions with nanoaluminum offers much promise for increasing the effectiveness of solid fuel rocket engines.     

Nonlinear dynamics of physiological function and control

Complex rhythms are observed in the physiological systems that control and carry out vital bodily functions. Theoretical approaches to analyze the physiological systems include control theory and computation theory. Complementary to these approaches is nonlinear dynamics, which offers ways to classify both normal and abnormal dynamics, and to analyze bifurcations occurring in physiological dynamics.     

Separation of an isotope as a precursor of a gamma-raylaser medium

The nuclear isomer ¹⁷⁸Hf^m2, expected to be the most promising candidate for the gamma-ray medium, is rather difficult to produce in large quantities. There are a few ways to create this isomer, such as the irradiation of ¹⁷⁹Hf with high-energy neutrons through the (n,2n) reaction, the irradiation of ¹⁷⁶Yb with high-energy α particles through the (α,2n) reaction, the irradiation of ¹⁸¹Ta with protons through the (p,2p2n) reaction. In some of these reaction schemes the isotopically pure target works better than the natural one from the viewpoint of spectroscopic purity, handling of radioactive materials and productivity. However, isotope separation of heavy elements for producing a precursor as a target material is difficult in terms of cost/effectiveness. The atomic vapor laser isotope separation (AVLIS) method is expected as the most efficient way compared with the normal electromagnetic separation method. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

硅基单片式复合晶体管的结构参数对高功率微波损伤效应的影响

建立了三种不同结构的硅基单片式复合晶体管(由T1和T2两个晶体管构成)的二维电热模型,研究了高功率微波对不同结构的硅基单片式复合晶体管的损伤效应的影响。获得了不同器件结构下导致复合晶体管损伤的损伤功率阈值和损伤能量阈值分别与脉宽的关系。结果表明,当复合晶体管的总体尺寸不变而T2和T1晶体管的面积比值更大时需要更多的功率和能量来损伤器件。通过分析器件内部电场、电流密度和温度分布的变化,得到了复合晶体管的结构对其微波损伤效应的影响规律。对比发现,三种结构的复合晶体管的损伤点均位于T2管的发射极附近,随着T2和T1晶体管面积比的增大,电场、电流密度和温度在器件内部的分布将变得更加分散。此外,在发射极处增加外接电阻R_e,研究表明损伤时间随发射极电阻的增大而增加。因此可以得出结论,适当改变器件结构或增加外接元件可以增强器件的抗微波损伤能力。晶体管的仿真毁伤点与实验结果一致。