A note on an SOR-like method for augmented systems

Golub et al. (2001, BIT, 41, 71–85) gave a generalizedsuccessive over-relaxation method for the augmented systems.In this paper, the connection between the SOR-like method andthe preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) method for the augmentedsystems is investigated. It is shown that the PCG method isat least as accurate (fast) as the SOR-like method. Numericalexamples demonstrate that the PCG method is much faster thanthe SOR-like method.     

Effect of track stiffness on vibration levels in railway tunnels

The paper discusses the difficulties in comparing and drawing conclusions from vibration measurements made in different railway tunnels. A number of new measurements are presented, which have been made and analyzed on a consistent basis. The track stiffness has been determined for each of the measurements. Graphs are presented which indicate the level of rail and tunnel floor vibration likely to occur for different track stiffnesses. The variance in the measurement results also indicates the potential error in using the data to predict vibration levels in new situations.     

Hadrons in dense and hot matter

Theoretical issues and perspectives of hadronic matter at high baryon density are discussed with focus on the restoration of chiral symmetry and observable consequences.Received: 30 September 2002, Published online: 22 October 2003PACS: 25.75.-q Relativistic heavy-ion collisions - 21.65. + f Nuclear matter     

Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios in bottom sediments of some lakes in British Columbia,Canada

Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ ratio versus sediment depth values have been determined for ten lakes in British Columbia. The values often reflect the local topography of the lakes, the weathering history of the deposited minerals, and the diagenesis of the minerals after deposition in the lake.     

Analysis of fragrance compounds in blood samples of mice by gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, GC/FTIR and GC/AES after inhalation of sandalwood oil.

After inhalation experiments with sandalwood oil and the pure fragrance compounds coumarin and alpha-terpineol, substances were detected and measured in the blood samples of test animals (mice) using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) (MID) in connection with GC/FTIR (SWC), GC/AES (carbon and oxygen trace) and flame ionization detection/gas chromatography. Using tiglinic acid benzyl ester as the internal standard the following concentrations in serum could be found: alpha-santalol 6.1 ng/mL, beta-santalol 5.3 ng/mL and alpha-santalene 0.5 ng/mL. In separate inhalation experiments with coumarin and with alpha-terpineol the corresponding concentrations were 7.7 ng/mL and 6.9 ng/mL, respectively.     

Monitoring of safety features,fissile material accumulation and concentration in nuclear reprocessing by active and passive neutron counting techniques

The application, the advantage and limits of neutron monitoring techniques, such as Hf-monitors, fissile material accumulation and concentration monitors are being discussed. The active neutron counting technique applied to emptied pulsed extraction columns containing Hf-sieve plates allows conclusive answers as to the position of the plates in the columns. Pu-accumulations on Hf-sieve plates in pulsed extraction columns can be estimated within a factor of two, whereby the detection limit is about equal to or less than 1 g Pu/plate. Fissile material concentration changes of 1.1 g/l can be detected in the case of²³⁵U in solution and of 0.4 Pu/l if a²³⁹Pu/²⁴⁰Pu ratio of 4 to 1 is assumed.