Some problems concerning the use of automated radiochemical separation systems in destructive neutron activation analysis

The present state of a long term program is reviewed. It was started to elaborate a remote controlled automated radiochemical processing system for the neutron activation analysis of biological materials. The system is based on wet ashing of the sample, followed by reactive desorption of some volatile components. The distillation residue is passed through a series of columns filled with selective ion screening materials to remove the matrix activity. The solution is thus “stripped” from the interfering radioions, and it is processed to single-elements through group separations using ion-exchange chromatographic techniques. Some special problems concerning this system are treated. (a) General aspects of the construction of a (semi)automated radiochemical processing system are discussed; (b) Comparison is made between various technical realizations of the same basic concept; (c) Some problems concerning the “reconstruction” of an already published processing system are outlined.     

The Factorization of Queueing Equations and Their Interpretation

There are many queueing systems, including the M ^x /M ^y /c queue, the GI ^x /M/c queue and the M/D/c queue, in which the distribution of the queue length at certain epochs is determined by a Markov chain with the following structure. Except for a number of boundary states, all columns of the transition matrix are identical except for a shift which assures that there is always the same element occupying the main diagonal. This paper describes how one can find the equilibrium distribution for such Markov chains. Typically, this problem is solved by factorizing of a certain expression characterizing the repeated columns. In this paper, we show that this factorization has a probabilistic significance and we use this result to develop new approaches for finding the equilibrium distribution in question.     

Many-cluster-systems: models of inhomogeneous matter

First, some general remarks concerning macroscopic “cluster matter” are given. In the second part, three recent, mainly optically and electron-microscopically performed investigations are discussed which deal with special properties of noble metal cluster systems forming the building units of this kind of matter:(1) dressed Au-55 clusters,(2) electromagnetic coupling effects among coagulated clusters,(3) the transition towards compact inhomogeneous matter caused by coalescence of clusters.     

The mass spectra of 2- and 4-monohydroxy- and 2, 4-dihydroxy-1, X-naphthyridines

The mass spectra of 2-and 4-monohydroxy-and 2, 4-dihydroxy-1, 5-, -1, 6-, -1, 7-and 1, 8-naphthyridines are reported. Fragmentation mechanisms are proposed and discussed.     

The effect of dipole-dipole interaction on zero-THz frequency polarisation

The effect of intramolecular dipole-dipole interaction on polarisation at frequencies from 0 – 10¹² Hz in dipolar media is investigated using a numerical solution of the Sturm-Liouville eigenvalue problem to which the governing Smoluchowski equation reduces. The results of Budó for the long-wavelength limit are extended to all frequencies up to the far infrared, where the predominant inertial effects are treated using a preliminary first-order correction. The numerical method of Pryce may be used to investigate much more realistic interaction potentials than the simple harmonic and cosine form considered by Budó. These simple forms are, however, sufficient to indicate that the integrated absorption intensity per molecule in the far infrared is very sensitive to dipole-dipole interaction and relative hydrodynamic drag on both interacting groups. Applications of the theory to the disordered solid and nematic phases are considered.     

Stereoelectronic control of exo/endo rate ratios in the solvolysis of 2-norbornyl p-toluenesulfonates

The variable exo/endo rate ratios observed in the solvolysis of 6-exo-substituted exo- and endo-2-norbornyl p-toluenesulfonates are due to differential transmission of polar effects in the transition state for ionization.