Electron emission induced by the interaction of highly charged ions Pb-207(q+) (24 <= q <= 36) with solid surface of Si(110)

The electron emission induced by highly charged ions Pb-207(q+) (24 <= q <= 36) interacting with Si(110) surface is reported. The result shows that the electron emission yield Y has a strong dependence on the projectile charge state q, incidence angle psi and impact energy E. In fitting the experimental data we found a nearly 1/tan psi dependence of Y. Theoretical analysis shows that these processes are closely related to the process of potential electron emission based on the classical over-the-barrier model.

Slow isocharged sequence ions with helium collisions: Projectile core dependence

The collisions of the isocharged sequence ions of q=6 (C6+, N6+, O6+, F6+, Ne6+, Ar6+, and Ca6+), q=7 (F7+, Ne7+, S7+, Ar7+, and Ca7+), q=8 (F8+, Ne8+, Ar8+, and Ca8+), q=9 (F9+, Ne9+, Si9+, S9+, Ar9+, and Ca9+) and q=11 (Si11+, Ar11+, and Ca11+) with helium at the same velocities were investigated. The cross-section ratios of the double-electron transfer (DET) to the single-electron capture (SEC) sigma(DET)/sigma(SEC) and the true double-electron capture (TDC) to the double-electron transfer sigma(TDC)/sigma(DET) were measured. It shows that for different ions in an isocharged sequence, the experimental cross-section ratio sigma(DET)/sigma(SEC) varies by a factor of 3. The results confirm that the projectile core is another dominant factor besides the charge state and the collision velocity in slow (0.35-0.49v(0); v(0) denotes the Bohr velocity) highly charged ions (HCIs) with helium collisions. The experimental cross-section ratio sigma(DET)/sigma(SEC) is compared with the extended classical over-barrier model (ECBM) [A. Barany , Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. B 9, 397 (1985)], the molecular Coulombic barrier model (MCBM) [A. Niehaus, J. Phys. B 19, 2925 (1986)], and the semiempirical scaling laws (SSL) [N. Selberg , Phys. Rev. A 54, 4127 (1996)]. It also shows that the projectile core properties affect the initial capture probabilities as well as the subsequent relaxation of the projectiles. The experimental cross-section ratio sigma(TDC)/sigma(DET) for those lower isocharged sequences is dramatically affected by the projectile core structure, while for those sufficiently highly isocharged sequences, the autoionization always dominates, hence the cross-section ratio sigma(TDC)/sigma(DET) is always small.

Shell effect on stabilization processes following multi-electron transfer in slow Arq+-Ar (g=6-9, 11) collisions

We experimentally investigate the shell effect on the stabilization processes following the multi-electron transfer in slow collisions of Arq+-Ar (q = 6-9, It) The relative cross-section ratios of multi-electron transfer and of the subsequent stabilization with respect to single-electron capture are measured meanwhile compared with the theoretical results predicted by the classical over-barrier model. Our result indicates that the multi-electron transfer is dominant when the projectile charge is large and the subsequent stabilization shows a dramatic variation if the projectile L-shell configuration becomes open. It shows that the subsequent stabilization processes of multiply excited scattering ions have a strong dependence on the projectile shell. (C) 2010 Elsevier BV All rights reserved.

Influence of core property on multi-electron process in slow collisions of isocharged sequence ions with neon

Influence of core property on multi-electron process in the collisions of q = 6-9 and 11 isocharged sequence ions with Ne is investigated in the keV/u region The cross-section ratios of double-, triple-, quadruple- and total multi-electron processes to the single electron capture process as well as the partial ratios of different reaction channels to the relevant multi-electron process are measured by using position-sensitive and time-of-flight techniques The experimental data are compared with the theoretical predictions including the extended classical over-barrier model, the molecular Columbic barrier model and the semi-empirical scaling law Results show a core effect on multi-electron process of isocharge ions colliding with Neon, which is consistent with the results of Helium we obtained previously

Single- and double-electron processes in collisions of Xe23+ ions with helium

We report the measurements of relative cross sections for single capture (SC), double capture (DC), single ionization (SI), double ionization (DI), and transfer ionization (TI) in collisions of Xe23+ ions with helium atoms in the velocity range of 0.65-1.32 a.u. The relative cross sections show a weak velocity dependence. The cross-section ratio of double-(DE) to single-electron (SE) removal from He, sigma(DE)/sigma(SE), is about 0.45. Single capture is the dominant reaction channel which is followed by transfer ionization, while only very small probabilities are found for pure ionization and double capture. The present experimental data are in satisfactory agreement with the estimations by the extended classical over-barrier (ECB) model..

A stable and reproducible human blood-brain barrier model derived from hematopoietic stem cells

The human blood brain barrier (BBB) is a selective barrier formed by human brain endothelial cells (hBECs), which is important to ensure adequate neuronal function and protect the central nervous system (CNS) from disease. The development of human in vitro BBB models is thus of utmost importance for drug discovery programs related to CNS diseases. Here, we describe a method to generate a human BBB model using cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells. The cells were initially differentiated into ECs followed by the induction of BBB properties by co-culture with pericytes. The brain-like endothelial cells (BLECs) express tight junctions and transporters typically observed in brain endothelium and maintain expression of most in vivo BBB properties for at least 20 days. The model is very reproducible since it can be generated from stem cells isolated from different donors and in different laboratories, and could be used to predict CNS distribution of compounds in human. Finally, we provide evidence that Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway mediates in part the BBB inductive properties of pericytes.

Propene combustion over a model Pt/Al2O3/NiAl{110} catalyst

The genesis of a catalytically active model Pt/Al2O3/NiAl{110} oxidation catalyst is described. An ultrathin, crystalline γ-Al2O3 film was prepared via direct oxidation of a NiAl{110} single-crystal substrate. The room-temperature deposition of Pt clusters over the γ-Al2O3 film was characterised by LEED, AES and CO titration and follows a Stranski–Krastanov growth mode. Surface sulfation was attempted via SO2/O2 adsorption and thermal processing over bare and Pt promoted Al2O3/NiAl{110}. Platinum greatly enhances the saturation SOx coverage over that of bare alumina. Over clean Pt/γ-Al2O3 surfaces some adsorbed propene desorbs molecularly [similar]250 K while the remainder decomposes liberating hydrogen. Coadsorbed oxygen or sulfate promote propene combustion, with adsorbed sulfoxy species the most efficient oxidant. The chemistry of these alumina-supported Pt clusters shows a general evolution from small polycrystalline clusters to larger clusters with properties akin to low-index, Pt single-crystal surfaces.

Applicability of the reaction window theory

Based on the molecular Coulombic over barrier model for description of slow ion-atom collisions, the reaction window theory related to projectile velocity is presented briefly. According to the theory, the state-selective differential cross sections of single electron capture in O8+ -H, A(8+) -H, Ar8+-He, Ne10+-He and Ar18+-He collisions at different collision velocities are calculated and compared with experimental results. Calculations are also done for single, double, and triple electron capture in N-15(7+)-Ne collisions at fixed velocity of 0.53 a.u., and are compared with experimental data. It is found that the predictions of the final electronic state distribution of captured electron(s) are in agreement with experimental data, and both theory and experiments show that the widths of the reaction window increase with the projectile velocity. The differential cross sections predicted by the theory are larger for smaller Q-values, vice versa, when compared with experimental data.

Near infrared lights emission of Ar-40(16+) impacting on metal surfaces

The highly charged ion Ar-40(16+) with the velocity (kinetic energy E (K)=150 keV, velocity V=8.5x10(5) m/s) smaller than Bohr velocity (V (Bohr)=2.9x10(6) m/s) was found to hove impacts on the surfaces of metals Ni, Mo, Au and Al, and the Ar atomic infrared light lines and X-rays spectra were simultaneously measured. The experimental results show that the highly charged ion that captures electrons is neutralized, and the multiply-excited hollow atom forms. The hollow atom cascade decay radiates lights from infrared to X-ray spectrum. The intensity of infrared lights shows that the metallic work functions play an important role in the neutralization process of highly charged ions during their interaction with metallic surfaces, which verifies the classical over-the-barrier model.

Multi-electron processes in 4.15-11.08 keV/u(13)C(6+) on argon collisions

The relative partial cross sections for C-13(6+)-Ar collisions at 4.15-11.08 keV/u incident energy are measured. The cross-section ratios sigma(2E)/sigma(SC), sigma(3E)/sigma(SC), sigma(4E)/sigma(SC) and sigma(5E)/sigma(SC) are approximately the constants of 0.51 +/- 0.05, 0.20 +/- 0.03, 0.06 +/- 0.03 and 0.02 +/- 0.01 in this region. The significance of the multi-electron process in highly charged ions (HCIs) with argon collisions is demonstrated (sigma(ME)/sigma(SC) as high as 0.79 +/- 0.06). In multi-electron processes, it is shown that transfer ionization is dominant while pure electron capture is weak and negligible. For all reaction channels, the cross-sections are independent of the incident energy in the present energy region, which is in agreement with the static characteristic of classic models, i.e. the molecular Coulomb over-the-barrier model (MCBM), the extended classical over-the-barrier (ECBM) and the semiempirical scaling laws (SL). The result is compared with these classical models and with our previous work of C-13(6+)-Ne collisions

Multi-electron processes in C-13(6+) ions with neon collisions in energy region 4.15-11.08 keV/u

The cross-section ratios of double-, triple-, quadruple-, and the total multi-electron processes to the single electron capture process sigma(DE)/sigma(SC), sigma(TE)/sigma(SC), sigma(QE)/sigma(SC) and sigma(ME)/sigma(SC)) as well as the relative ratios among reaction channels in double-electron active, triple-electron active and quadruple- electron active are measured in C-13(6+) -Ne collision in the energy region of 4.15-11.08 keV/u by employing position-sensitive and time-of-flight coincident techniques. It is determined that the cross-section ratios sigma(DE)/sigma(SC), sigma(TE)/sigma(SC), sigma(QE)/sigma(SC) and sigma(ME)/sigma(SC) are approximately the constants of 0.20 +/- 0.03, 0.16 +/- 0.04, 0.06 +/- 0.02 and 0.42 +/- 0.05. These values are obviously smaller than the predictions of the molecular Coulomb over-the-barrier model (MCBM) [J. Phys. B 23 (1990) 4293], the extended classical over-the-barrier model (ECBM) [J. Phys. B 19 (1986) 2925] and the semiempirical scaling laws (SL) [Phys. Rev. A 54 (1996) 4127]. However, the relative ratios among partial processes of DE, TE and QE are found to depend on collision energy, which suggests that the collision dynamics depends on the collision velocity. The limitation of velocity-independent character of ECBM, MCBM and SL is undoubtedly shown.

A programming model for BSP with partitioned synchronisation

A BSP superstep is a distributed computation comprising a number of simultaneously executing processes which may generate asynchronous messages. A superstep terminates with a barrier which enforces a global synchronisation and delivers all ongoing communications. Multilevel supersteps can utilise barriers in which subsets of processes, interacting through shared memories, are locally synchronised (partitioned synchronisation). In this paper a state-based semantics, closely related to the classical sequential programming model, is derived for distributed BSP with partitioned synchronisation.

Macrophages and dendritic cells express tight junction proteins and exchange particles in an in vitro model of the human airway wall

The human airway epithelium serves as structural and functional barrier against inhaled particulate antigen. Previously, we demonstrated in an in vitro epithelial barrier model that monocyte derived dendritic cells (MDDC) and monocyte derived macrophages (MDM) take up particulate antigen by building a trans-epithelial interacting network. Although the epithelial tight junction (TJ) belt was penetrated by processes of MDDC and MDM, the integrity of the epithelium was not affected. These results brought up two main questions: (1) Do MDM and MDDC exchange particles? (2) Are those cells expressing TJ proteins, which are believed to interact with the TJ belt of the epithelium to preserve the epithelial integrity? The expression of TJ and adherens junction (AJ) mRNA and proteins in MDM and MDDC monocultures was determined by RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence, respectively. Particle uptake and exchange was quantified by flow cytometry and laser scanning microscopy in co-cultures of MDM and MDDC exposed to polystyrene particles (1 μm in diameter). MDM and MDDC constantly expressed TJ and AJ mRNA and proteins. Flow cytometry analysis of MDM and MDDC co-cultures showed increased particle uptake in MDDC while MDM lost particles over time. Quantitative analysis revealed significantly higher particle uptake by MDDC in co-cultures of epithelial cells with MDM and MDDC present, compared to co-cultures containing only epithelial cells and MDDC. We conclude from these findings that MDM and MDDC express TJ and AJ proteins which could help to preserve the epithelial integrity during particle uptake and exchange across the lung epithelium.

Studies on orographic effects in a numerical weather prediction model

Numerical models, used for atmospheric research, weather prediction and climate simulation, describe the state of the atmosphere over the heterogeneous surface of the Earth. Several fundamental properties of atmospheric models depend on orography, i.e. on the average elevation of land over a model area. The higher is the models' resolution, the more the details of orography directly influence the simulated atmospheric processes. This sets new requirements for the accuracy of the model formulations with respect to the spatially varying orography. Orography is always averaged, representing the surface elevation within the horizontal resolution of the model. In order to remove the smallest scales and steepest slopes, the continuous spectrum of orography is normally filtered (truncated) even more, typically beyond a few gridlengths of the model. This means, that in the numerical weather prediction (NWP) models, there will always be subgridscale orography effects, which cannot be explicitly resolved by numerical integration of the basic equations, but require parametrization. In the subgrid-scale, different physical processes contribute in different scales. The parametrized processes interact with the resolved-scale processes and with each other. This study contributes to building of a consistent, scale-dependent system of orography-related parametrizations for the High Resolution Limited Area Model (HIRLAM). The system comprises schemes for handling the effects of mesoscale (MSO) and small-scale (SSO) orographic effects on the simulated flow and a scheme of orographic effects on the surface-level radiation fluxes. Representation of orography, scale-dependencies of the simulated processes and interactions between the parametrized and resolved processes are discussed. From the high-resolution digital elevation data, orographic parameters are derived for both momentum and radiation flux parametrizations. Tools for diagnostics and validation are developed and presented. The parametrization schemes applied, developed and validated in this study, are currently being implemented into the reference version of HIRLAM.

Analysis of shear bands in slow granular flows using a frictional Cosserat model

The slow flow of granular materials is often marked by the existence of narrow shear layers, adjacent to large regions that suffer little or no deformation. This behaviour, in the regime where shear stress is generated primarily by the frictional interactions between grains, has so far eluded theoretical description. In this paper, we present a rigid-plastic frictional Cosserat model that captures thin shear layers by incorporating a microscopic length scale. We treat the granular medium as a Cosserat continuum, which allows the existence of localised couple stresses and, therefore, the possibility of an asymmetric stress tensor. In addition, the local rotation is an independent field variable and is not necessarily equal to the vorticity. The angular momentum balance, which is implicitly satisfied for a classical continuum, must now be solved in conjunction with the linear momentum balances. We extend the critical state model, used in soil plasticity, for a Cosserat continuum and obtain predictions for flow in plane and cylindrical Couette devices. The velocity profile predicted by our model is in qualitative agreement with available experimental data. In addition, our model can predict scaling laws for the shear layer thickness as a function of the Couette gap, which must be verified in future experiments. Most significantly, our model can determine the velocity field in viscometric flows, which classical plasticity-based model cannot.