On the Laser Stimulation of Low-Energy Nuclear Reactions in Deuterated Palladium

Models to account for the observed experimental results for low-energy nuclear reactions in palladium-deuteride systems are presented along with calculated results. The crucial idea is a mechanism of improved probability for the needed penetration of the Coulomb barrier for a D-D reaction. This facilitation occurs, in general, with the formation of D^- ions at special frequency modes (e.g. via phonons) and, specifically for the laser-stimulated case, with utilization of enhanced optical potential at a selected interface. Both mechanisms may work individually, or together, to increase the probability of barrier penetration.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, Rev. 1, Significantly enhanced version (resulting from reviewer's comments), Rev. 2, embedded font and smaller file size. Keywords: CMNS, D--D+, LENR, optical-potential, resonance-enhancemen

Direct photon production from viscous QGP

We simulate direct photon production in evolution of viscous QGP medium. Photons from Compton and annihilation processes are considered. Viscous effect on photon production is very strong and reliable simulation is possible only in a limited $p_T$ range. For minimally viscous fluid $\eta/s$=0.08), direct photons can be reliably computed only up to $p_T \leq$ 1.3 GeV. With reduced viscosity ($\eta/s$=0.04), the limit increases to $p_T \leq$2GeV.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Parallel String Sample Sort

We discuss how string sorting algorithms can be parallelized on modern multi-core shared memory machines. As a synthesis of the best sequential string sorting algorithms and successful parallel sorting algorithms for atomic objects, we propose string sample sort. The algorithm makes effective use of the memory hierarchy, uses additional word level parallelism, and largely avoids branch mispredictions. Additionally, we parallelize variants of multikey quicksort and radix sort that are also useful in certain situations.Comment: 34 pages, 7 figures and 12 table

Have We Known the Mechanisms of High Temperature Superconductivity for a Long Time?

Among the many possible mechanisms suggested for high temperature superconductivity in solid state materials in the past 30 years some are emerging as the likely candidates for the cuprate superconductors discovered in the last few years. Highlights of these models are presented in this paper

Modern Composites - A Renascent Material System

Modern composites constitute an important class of design-and weight-efficient structural materials that are encroaching every sphere of engineering applications . Superior directional properties , high specific strength and stiffiess properties.design tailoring , ease of manufacturing complex shapes as well as scores of other attributes make these materials ideally "Designers' Choice'. The current material scenario is such that, unless a real breakthrough is made , these materials are destined to dominate through the twenty -first century. The present paper takes a cursory look into the early uses of composites and their impact on human civilisation as well as potential and growth of modern composites . namely. PMC. MMC and CMC in aerospace applications . A few numerical case studies are also presented to highlight the importance of CMC for high temperature applications