Limitations and improvements of trace element analysis with proton-induced X-rays

The technique of trace element analysis by the detection of characteristic X-rays induced by high energy proton bombardment is critically examined. A discussion of the restrictions imposed by detector resolution is made, the behavior of the cross-section for X-ray production as a function of energy and atomic number is discussed. The effect of this behavior upon analysis time is demonstrated. Background is discussed in terms of its effect on the total counting rate. The use of a silicon solid state detector to determine the overlappingK-lines of light elements andL-lines of heavy elements is shown to have severe limitations. A combination of crystal monochromators and solid state detectors is suggested as a means to circumvent some of the fundamental limitations encountered with a single detector. An experimental arrangement for the use of twenty-four crystal monochromators and two solid state detectors is shown. Work supported in part by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.     

A two-sided Arnoldi algorithm with stopping criterion and MIMO selection procedure

In this paper we introduce a two-sided Arnoldi method for the reduction of high order linear systems and we propose useful extensions, first of all a stopping criterion to find a suitable order for the reduced model and secondly, a selection procedure to significantly improve the performance in the multi-input multi-output (MIMO) case. One application is in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). We consider a thermo-electric micro thruster model, and a comparison between the commonly used Arnoldi algorithm and the two-sided Arnoldi is performed.     

Working group report: Heavy-ion physics and quark-gluon plasma

This is the report of Heavy Ion Physics and Quark-Gluon Plasma at WHEPP-09 which was part of Working Group-4. Discussion and work on some aspects of quark-gluon plasma believed to have created in heavy-ion collisions and in early Universe are reported.     

Subcellular localization of the antidepressant-sensitive norepinephrine transporter

Background  

Reuptake of synaptic norepinephrine (NE) via the antidepressant-sensitive NE transporter (NET) supports efficient noradrenergic signaling and presynaptic NE homeostasis. Limited, and somewhat contradictory, information currently describes the axonal transport and localization of NET in neurons.     

结构非线性分析中求解预定荷载水平的改进弧长法

本文对目前广泛应用于结构非线性分析之中的弧长法进行改进。改进后的弧长法除保持原有优点外，能够在自动跟踪结构非线性平衡路径的同时，进一步求得位于结构平衡睡径任一区段的任意预先指定的荷载水平及相应的变形。本文的方法可以推广应用于求解预先指定的应力或位移。数值算例表明了本文方法的计算精度、效率及可靠性。     

Crystal structure of Li2B12H12: a possible intermediate species in the decomposition of LiBH4

The crystal structure of solvent-free Li2B12H12 has been determined by powder X-ray diffraction and confirmed by a combination of neutron vibrational spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. This compound is a possible intermediate in the dehydrogenation of LiBH4, and its structural characterization is crucial for understanding the decomposition and regeneration of LiBH4. Our results reveal that the structure of Li2B12H12 differs from other known alkali-metal (K, Rb, and Cs) derivatives.