Self-consistent theory of localization in weakly disordered systems

An analytic treatment of localization in a weakly disordered system is presented for the case where the real lattice is approximated by a Cayley tree. Contrary to a recent assertion we find that the mobility edge moves inwards into the band as disorder increases from zero.     

Effects of the presence of pyrite and carbonate minerals on the kinetics of the uranium release from a natural rock

Summary The influence of calcite, dolomite, pyrite and vaterite on the kinetics of uranium release from a natural rock under relevant, i.e., field conditions has been investigated. The time dependence of the U release has been studied in two different experimental procedures (open and closed systems) at laboratory temperature (21±2 °C). Performing batch experiments in tap water, the U release efficiency of a natural U-bearing rock was characterized in the presence of varying amounts of three different carbonate bearing minerals for experimental durations of up to 782 days. Another experiment was conducted for a period of 14 days in the presence of a pyrite mineral. The results demonstrate that the presence of carbonate minerals does not have any significant influence on U release in closed systems where the U concentration at saturation was ca. 54 mg/l. In contrast, in open systems, the U concentration was ca. 8 mg/l at saturation and the effects of all additives both on kinetics and saturation concentration of U were apparent.     

Raman spectroscopic investigation on the microenvironment of the liver tissues of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) due to titanium dioxide exposure

Nano titanium dioxide (nTiO₂), generally considered to be toxicologically inert, is manufactured in large quantities and extensively applied in consumer products. The small size and large surface area endow them with an active group or intrinsic toxicity. Advances in instrumentation are making Raman spectroscopy the tool of choice for an increasing number of (bio) chemical applications. One of the great advantages of this technique is its ability to provide information on the concentration, structure and interaction of biochemical molecules in their microenvironments within intact cells and tissues, non-destructively. Zebrafish (Danio rerio), one of the most important vertebrate model organisms used in developmental biology, are increasingly used in biomedical research, particularly as a model of human disease. In the present work, an attempt is made to study the effect of titanium dioxide, both nano and bulk, on the microenvironment of the liver tissues of Zebrafish using FT-Raman spectroscopy. The results of the present study suggest that TiO₂ exposure demonstrate a marked influence on the microenvironments of the liver tissues of Zebrafish. A shift to a higher wavenumber and an increase in the intensity of the band at ∼1087 cm⁻¹ in the TiO₂ exposed tissues suggest that some of the conformational changes resulting from the alkali recovery process takes place due to TiO₂ exposure. The decreased intensity ratio (I₃₂₂₀/I₃₄₀₀) observed in the titanium-exposed tissues suggests a decreased water domain size, which could be interpreted in terms of weaker hydrogen-bonded molecular species of water in the TiO₂ exposed tissues. The observed shift of COO⁻ bands to higher frequencies shows the disruption of salt bridges as a result of a change in the oppositely charged partners and due to the enhanced random coil conformation. The variation in the intensity ratio of the tyrosyl doublet (I₈₅₈/I₈₂₅) indicates variation in the hydrogen bonding of the phenolic hydroxyl group due to TiO₂ exposure. The results further suggest that the microenvironments are greatly altered due to titanium nano exposure when compared to titanium bulk. In conclusion, the results indicate that FT-Raman spectroscopy might be a useful tool for rapid assessment of nano particle biological interactions.     

The study of the changes in the thermal properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo rohita</Emphasis> bones due to arsenic exposure

The paper presents the changes in the thermal properties of control, arsenic exposed and DMSA treated Labeo rohita bones by using thermo analytical techniques. The result shows that the mass loss due to the thermal decomposition occurs in three distinct steps due to loss of water, organic and inorganic materials. The arsenic exposed bones present a different thermal behaviour compared to the control bones. The residue masses are increased due to arsenic exposure, while the DMSA treatment reduces the residue mass level. These thermal characteristics can be used as a qualitative method to check the metal accumulation in samples.     

Mass and momentum conservation of the least-squares spectral collocation method for the Navier-Stokes equations

From the literature, it is known that the Least-Squares Spectral Element Method (LSSEM) for the stationary Stokes equations performs poorly with respect to mass conservation but compensates this lack by a superior conservation of momentum. Furthermore, it is known that the Least-Squares Spectral Collocation Method (LSSCM) leads to superior conservation of mass and momentum for the stationary Stokes equations. In the present paper, we consider mass and momentum conservation of the LSSCM for time-dependent Stokes and Navier-Stokes equations. We observe that the LSSCM leads to improved conservation of mass (and momentum) for these problems. Furthermore, the LSSCM leads to the well-known time-dependent profiles for the velocity and the pressure profiles. To obtain these results, we use only a few elements, each with high polynomial degree, avoid normal equations for solving the overdetermined linear systems of equations and introduce the Clenshaw-Curtis quadrature rule for imposing the average pressure to be zero. Furthermore, we combined the transformation of Gordon and Hall (transfinite mapping) with the least-squares spectral collocation scheme to discretize the internal flow problems.     

Spectral methods with sparse matrices

Summary Spectral methods employ global polynomials for approximation. Hence they give very accurate approximations for smooth solutions. Unfortunately, for Dirichlet problems the matrices involved are dense and have condition numbers growing asO(N ⁴) for polynomials of degree N in each variable. We propose a new spectral method for the Helmholtz equation with a symmetric and sparse matrix whose condition number grows only asO(N ²). Certain algebraic spectral multigrid methods can be efficiently used for solving the resulting system. Numerical results are presented which show that we have probably found the most effective solver for spectral systems.     

Quasi-ballistic evolution of a quantum particle in a random potential with arbitrary correlation time

The evolution of the mean kinetic energy and of the mean square displacement of a quantum particle in a time-dependent random potential is studied by perturbation theory in the near ballistic regime. Convenient general formulas are derived for an arbitrary correlation time, τ, of the disorder. These formulas are studied analytically near the limit of perfect dynamic disorder (τ=0) and for static disorder (τ=∞), where detailed comparison is made with earlier results. This work is the first to relate the limits of perfect dynamic disorder and of static disorder via a unified treatment for finite τ.     

Image potential and induced dipole at inhomogeneous metal surfaces

A modified specular reflection model for the response of an inhomogeneous jellium surface discussed in a previous paper by the author is applied to the calculation of the static image potential and of the dipole moment formed by an external point charge and the induced charge distribution at the surface. Detailed results are given and compared with those of earlier treatments.