Pressure broadening and fine-structure-dependent predissociation in oxygen B 3sigma(u)-, v = 0

Both laser-induced fluorescence and cavity ring-down spectral observations were made in the Schumann-Runge band system of oxygen, using a novel-type ultranarrow deep-UV pulsed laser source. From measurements on the very weak (0,0) band pressure broadening, pressure shift, and predissociation line-broadening parameters were determined for the B 3sigma(u)-, v = 0,F(i) fine-structure components for various rotational levels in O2. The information content from these studies was combined with that of entirely independent measurements probing the much stronger (0,10), (0,19), and (0,20) Schumann-Runge bands involving preparation of vibrationally excited O2 molecules via photolysis of ozone. The investigations result in a consistent set of predissociation widths for the B 3sigma(u)-, v = 0 state of oxygen.     

Gel Placement in Porous Media: Constant Injection Rate

In this paper we analyse advective transport of polymers, crosslinkers and gel, taking into account non-equilibrium gelation, gel adsorption and crosslinker precipitation. In absence of diffusion/dispersion the resulting model consists of hyperbolic transport-reaction equations. These equations are studied in several steps using mainly analytical techniques. For simple cases, we obtain explicit travelling wave solutions, whereas for more complicated cases we rely on analytical techniques to analyse the problem qualitatively. Finally, a numerical solution for the full system of equations is obtained. The results developed in this study can be used to validate numerical solutions obtained from commercial simulators.     

Conformational Isomers of Calcineurin Follow Distinct Dissociation Pathways

In the gas-phase, ions of protein complexes typically follow an asymmetric dissociation pathway upon collisional activation, whereby an expelled small monomer takes a disproportionately large amount of the charges from the precursor ion. This phenomenon has been rationalized by assuming that upon activation, a single monomer becomes unfolded, thereby attracting charges to its newly exposed basic residues. Here, we report on the atypical gas-phase dissociation of the therapeutically important, heterodimeric calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine/threonine phosphatase calcineurin, using a combination of tandem mass spectrometry, ion mobility mass spectrometry, and computational modeling. Therefore, a hetero-dimeric calcineurin construct (62?kDa), composed of CNa (44?kDa, a truncation mutant missing the calmodulin binding and auto-inhibitory domains), and CNb (18?kDa), was used. Upon collisional activation, this hetero-dimer follows the commonly observed dissociation behavior, whereby the smaller CNb becomes highly charged and is expelled. Surprisingly, in addition, a second atypical dissociation pathway, whereby the charge partitioning over the two entities is more symmetric is observed. The presence of two gas-phase conformational isomers of calcineurin as revealed by ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM-MS) may explain the co-occurrence of these two dissociation pathways. We reveal the direct relationship between the conformation of the calcineurin precursor ion and its concomitant dissociation pathway and provide insights into the mechanisms underlying this co-occurrence of the typical and atypical fragmentation mechanisms.     

Large Time Profiles in Reactive Solute Transport

In this paper we consider the large time structure of reactive solute plumes in two dimensional, macroscopically homogeneous, flow domains. The reactions between the dissolved chemicals and the porous matrix are equilibrium adsorption reactions, given by an isotherm of Freundlich type. We also incorporate the effect of partial and full decay. We use the method of asymptotic balancing to obtain, to leading order, the large time behaviour of the solute concentration and the relevant moments (mass, centre of mass,variance). The method of balancing is based on certain conjectures about the form of the temporal decay and partial spreading of the solute. These conjectures are verified numerically.     

High resolution neutron scattering study of low-energy magnetic excitations in Nd2-xCexCuO4

The low-energy magnetic excitations (?ω ≤ 2 meV) of polycrystalline samples of Nd_2-xCe_xCuO₄ with x = 0, 0.1 and 0.15 have been measured with high resolution inelastic neutron scattering using time-of-flight technique at temperatures below 0.3 K. All observed scattering originates from transitions within the ground state doublet of Nd³⁺. For Nd₂CuO₄ the response is inelastic, and shows at least three different modes, of which one is almost dispersionless. For x = 0.1 the excitation spectrum shifts towards lower energies, but the main features of the undoped compound are still visible, whereas for x = 0.15 the response is mainly quasi-elastic but remains localised in Q-space around the first magnetic Bragg point (0.5 0.5 1). A comparison with data obtained on a triple-axis-spectrometer on single crystals with x = 0.0 and x = 0.15 reveals that the response of the doped sample in the [0 0 1] direction is still inelastic.     

Evolution of sociology freshmen into a friendship network

In this paper we both describe and analyze the meeting process and the evolution of a friendship network among sociology freshmen in the Netherlands. We develop a theory that explains how changes in the network structure depend on one or more of four main effects: proximity, visible similarity, invisible similarity, and network opportunity. We formulate expectations with regard to what factors are important at what stages of the friendship development, making a distinction between 'meeting' and 'mating.' To some extent, the results confirm our expectations. The proximity and visible similarity variables determine change in network structure in the early stages, whereas network opportunity is important during all stages. Unfortunately, no significant effects of invisible similarity are found.     

On the Stability of Density Stratified Flow Below a Ponded Surface

Transport in Porous Media - Flooding of coastal areas with seawater often leads to density stratification. The stability of the density-depth profile in a porous medium initially saturated with a...     

The Interface Between Fresh and Salt Groundwater in Horizontal Aquifers: The Dupuit–Forchheimer Approximation Revisited

We analyze the motion of a sharp interface between fresh and salt groundwater in horizontal, confined aquifers of infinite extend. The analysis is based on earlier results of De Josselin de Jong (Proc Euromech 143:75–82, 1981). Parameterizing the height of the interface along the horizontal base of the aquifer and assuming the validity of the Dupuit–Forchheimer approximation in both the fresh and saltwater, he derived an approximate interface motion equation. This equation is a nonlinear doubly degenerate diffusion equation in terms of the height of the interface. In that paper, he also developed a stream function-based formulation for the dynamics of a two-fluid interface. By replacing the two fluids by one hypothetical fluid, with a distribution of vortices along the interface, the exact discharge field throughout the flow domain can be determined. Starting point for our analysis is the stream function formulation. We derive an exact integro-differential equation for the movement of the interface. We show that the pointwise differential terms are identical to the approximate Dupuit–Forchheimer interface motion equation as derived by De Josselin de Jong. We analyze (mathematical) properties of the additional integral term in the exact interface motion formulation to validate the approximate Dupuit–Forchheimer interface motion equation. We also consider the case of flat interfaces, and we study the behavior of the toe of the interface. In particular, we give a criterion for finite or infinite speed of propagation.