Preliminary phantom measurements for in vivo activation analysis of calcium in the human forearm

Preliminary phantom measurements were carried out for regional determination of calcium in the human forearm. Two paraffine phantoms /large and small/ were activated, either in the free space or surrounded by paraffine plates, by a²⁵²Cf neutron source. Differences between neutron flux densities in positions of the ulna and radius are discussed.     

On the coexistence of superconductivity and charge density waves

We study a simple tight-binding (Hubbard) model for electrons interacting via a short range attractive potential. We show that on a cubic lattice, for a half-filled band the ground state may feature both superconductivity and a charge density wave. We examine the response of such a ground state to an external magnetic field and describe the effect of the charge density wave on the Meissner effect.     

IR-Spektralanalyse von Gläsern des Systems TeO2−V2O5

Studies of glasses and their crystalline products in the TeO₂–V₂O₅ system were made in the 1400–400 cm^–1 range. A continuous shift of the V=O-band from 1020 cm^–1 to 940 cm^–1 was found in the glasses with decreasing concentration of V₂O₅, as well as a sharp decrease in the intensity at 830 cm^–1. On the basis of the results obtained, it is concluded that with increasing TeO₂ content, the structure of the glasses is changed, caused by the breaking of the V–O–V bonds and the formation of Te–O–Te bridges.The IR-spectrum of the 2TeO₂·V₂O₅ compound in both crystalline and vitreous states was studied for the first time. The behaviour of the absorption bands is related to the structure of the glasses studied.

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Mit 4 Abbildungen     

A new cytosine-copper paramagnetic complex spectroscopic study

Two different copper complexes with cytosine molecules are formed in the process of crystal growth from the aqueous solution with traces of copper. One of them is diamagnetic, turning into paramagnetic upon ionizing irradiation (complex I). The other, the subject of the present study, is paramagnetic (complex II) as prepared. For complex II, EPR spectra demonstrate that the copper ion is coordinated with one nitrogen atom and three oxygen atoms. On the basis of the detailed EPR spectroscopic analysis and quantum-chemical calculations (in the DFT approach) the model of the complex has been proposed. Both experimental data and the theoretical results support the model with the copper atom, located between the two cytosine ribbons, ligated to a nitrogen and an oxygen atom from two opposing cytosine molecules and two oxygen atoms from water molecules. For complex II the Raman spectra demonstrated concerted restructuring of the hydrogen bonding in the cytosine crystal matrix upon insertion of copper ions.     

Random threshold growth dynamics

A site in Z becomes occupied with a certain probability as soon as it sees at least a threshold number of already occupied sites in its neighborhood. Such randomly growing sets have the following regularity property: a large fully occupied set exists within a fixed distance (which does not increase with time) of every occupied point. This property suffices to prove convergence to an asymptotic shape. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 15: 93–111, 1999     

The mass normalization of the displacement and strain mode shapes in a strain experimental modal analysis using the mass-change strategy

The classic experimental modal analysis (EMA) is a well-known procedure for determining the modal parameters. The less frequently used strain EMA is based on a response measurement using strain sensors. The results of a strain EMA are the modal parameters, where in addition to the displacement mode shapes the strain mode shapes are also identified. The strain EMA can be used for an experimental investigation of a stress–strain distribution without the need to build a dynamical model. It can also be used to determine the modal parameters when, during modal testing, a motion sensor cannot be used and so a strain sensor is used instead. The displacement and strain mode shapes that are determined with the strain EMA are not mass normalized (scaled with respect to the orthogonality properties of the mass-normalized modal matrix), and therefore some dynamical properties of the system cannot be obtained. The mass normalization can be made with the classic EMA, which requires the use of a motion sensor. In this research a new approach to the mass normalization in the strain EMA, without using a motion sensor, is presented. It is based on the recently introduced mass-change structural modification method, which is used for the mass normalization in an operational modal analysis. This method was modified in such a way that it can be used for the mass normalization in the strain EMA. The mass-normalized displacement and strain mode shapes were obtained using a combination of the proposed approach and the strain EMA. The proposed approach was validated on real structures (beam and plate).     

Synthesis and self-assembly of thio derivatives of calix[4]arene on noble metal surfaces

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) provide a simple route to functionalize electrode surfaces with organic molecules. Herein we use cavity-containing derivatives of calix[4]arenes in SAMs. Bound to noble metal surface, the assembled molecules are candidates to serve as molecular sieves for H 2 molecules and H (+) ions, which could have relevance for fuel cell applications. Tetra- O-alkylated calix[4]arenes with thiolacetate and thiolamide wide-rim anchoring groups in cone and partial-cone conformations were designed, synthesized and self-assembled onto Au, Pt, and Pd surfaces. The resulting SAMs were systematically examined. Single crystal X-ray diffraction of 5,11,17,23-tetrakis(thioacetyl)-25,26,27,28-tetra- i-propoxycalix[4]arene confirmed the cone conformation and revealed the cavity dimensions of the SAMs that were formed by immersing noble metal substrates (Au, Pt and Pd deposited on Si-wafers) in solutions of calix[4]arenes. Surface characterization techniques including ellipsometry, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used, indicating that the metal surface is terminated with a monomolecular layer. Experimental thicknesses obtained from the ellipsometry are consistent with the calculated values. CV results showed 50 to 80% physical passivation against the Fe(CN) 6 (3-/4-) couple, implying an overall relatively low concentration of defects and pinholes in the films. The binding energies of the S2p core level in the XPS were consistent with the literature values and revealed that up to 3.2 out of four anchoring groups were bonded to the noble metal surface.     

On the specific experience of national metrology institutes (NMIs) with national accreditation bodies (NABs)

The following paper addresses the experience of certain national metrology institutes (NMIs) with national accreditation bodies (NABs), in particular in small countries with emerging economies in new EU or candidate member states. Specific cases have been analysed primarily in some Central and South-East European countries. NABs under consideration are, in principle, members of European Co-operation for Accreditation (EA). EA cross-frontier policy in these cases will be discussed and resulting dilemmas outlined. Focus will be given to the problems of NMIs also performing calibrations, commercial calibration laboratories, and their relations with NABs. Due to numerous problems of smaller NABs, cross-frontier policy should stimulate cooperation between foreign and local accreditation bodies not only at the request of the calibration laboratory or some other conformity assessment body, but at the request of the local accreditation body in order to provide the best service for their local economy. As a solution to the accreditation problems, this paper proposes a process of gradual formation of a common European pool of experts, real-life common practices and, finally, maybe even some form of joint European accreditation service. The opinions expressed in the paper are personal statements of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of the institutions of the author. Papers published in this section do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editors, the Editorial Board and the Publisher.