1,362 research outputs found
On the chemical composition of cosmic rays of highest energy
We present arguments aiming at reconciling apparently contradictory results
concerning the chemical composition of cosmic rays of highest energy, coming
recently from the Auger and HiRes collaborations. In particular, we argue that
the energy dependence of the mean value and root mean square fluctuation of
shower maxima distributions observed by the Auger experiment are not
necessarily caused by the change of nuclear composition of primary cosmic rays.
They could also be caused by the change of distribution of the first
interaction point in the cascade. A new observable, in which this influence is
strongly suppressed, is proposed and tested.Comment: Version accepted by J.Phys. G (2011
catalysis
The development of model catalyst systems for heterogeneous catalysis going
beyond the metal single crystal approach, including phenomena involving the
limited size of metal nanoparticles supported on oxide surfaces, as well as
the electronic interaction through the oxide–metal interface, is exemplified
on the basis of two case studies from the laboratory of the authors. In the
first case study the reactivity of supported Pd nanoparticles is studied in
comparison with Pd single crystals. The influence of carbon contaminants on
the hydrogenation reaction of unsaturated hydrocarbons is discussed. Carbon
contaminants are identified as a key parameter in those reactions as they
control the surface and sub-surface concentration of hydrogen on and in the
particles. In the second case study, scanning probe techniques are used to
determine electronic and structural properties of supported Au particles as a
function of the number of Au atoms in the particle. It is demonstrated how
charge transfer between the support and the particle determines the shape of
nanoparticles and a concept is developed that uses charge transfer control
through dopants in the support to understand and design catalytically active
materials
FIM2c : A Multi-Colour, Multi-Purpose Imaging System to Manipulate and Analyse Animal Behaviour
Locating regional health policy: Institutions, politics, and practices
Poverty reduction and health became central in the agendas of Southern regional organisations in the last two decades. Yet, little is known about how these organisations address poverty, inclusion and social inequality, and how Southern regional formations are engaging in power constellations, institutions, processes, interests and ideological positions within different spheres of governance. This article reviews academic literatures spanning global social policy, regional studies and diplomacy studies, and the state of knowledge and understanding of the ‘place’ of regional actors in health governance as a global political practice therein. It identifies theoretical and thematic points of connection between disparate literatures and how these can be bridged through research focusing on the social policies of regional organisations and regional integration processes. This framework hence locates the contributions of each of the research articles of this Special Issue of Global Social Policy on the regional dimension of health policy and diplomacy in relation to Southern Africa and South America. It also highlights the ways in which the articles bring new evidence about how social relations of welfare are being (re)made over larger scales and how regional actors may initiate new norms to improve health rights in international arenas engaging in new forms of ‘regional’ diplomacy
Transition-Metal-Doping of CaO as Catalyst for the OCM Reaction, a Reality Check
In this study, first-row transition metal-doped calcium oxide materials (Mn, Ni, Cr, Co., and Zn) were synthesized, characterized, and tested for the OCM reaction. Doped carbonate precursors were prepared by a co-precipitation method. The synthesis parameters were optimized to yield materials with a pure calcite phase, which was verified by XRD. EPR measurements on the doped CaO materials indicate a successful substitution of Ca2+ with transition metal ions in the CaO lattice. The materials were tested for their performance in the OCM reaction, where a beneficial effect towards selectivity and activity effect could be observed for Mn, Ni, and Zn-doped samples, where the selectivity of Co- and Cr-doped CaO was strongly reduced. The optimum doping concentration could be identified in the range of 0.04-0.10 atom%, showing the strongest decrease in the apparent activation energy, as well as the maximum increase in selectivity
Primary Proton Spectrum of Cosmic Rays measured with Single Hadrons
The flux of cosmic-ray induced single hadrons near sea level has been
measured with the large hadron calorimeter of the KASCADE experiment. The
measurement corroborates former results obtained with detectors of smaller size
if the enlarged veto of the 304 m^2 calorimeter surface is encounted for. The
program CORSIKA/QGSJET is used to compute the cosmic-ray flux above the
atmosphere. Between E_0=300 GeV and 1 PeV the primary proton spectrum can be
described with a power law parametrized as
dJ/dE_0=(0.15+-0.03)*E_0^{-2.78+-0.03} m^-2 s^-1 sr^-1 TeV^-1. In the TeV
region the proton flux compares well with the results from recent measurements
of direct experiments.Comment: 13 pages, accepted by Astrophysical Journa
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