This book describes the state of the art across the broad range of spectroscopic techniques used in the study of biological systems. It reviews some of the latest advances achieved in the application of these techniques in the analysis and characterization of small and large biological compounds, covering topics such as VUV/UV and UV-visible spectroscopies, fluorescence spectroscopy, IR and Raman techniques, dynamic light scattering (DLS), circular dichroism (CD/SR-CD), pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance techniques, Moessbauer spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray methods and electron and ion impact spectroscopies. The second part of the book focuses on modelling methods and illustrates how these tools have been used and integrated with other experimental and theoretical techniques including also electron transfer processes and fast kinetics methods. The book will benefit students, researchers and professionals working with these techniques to understand the fundamental mechanisms of biological systems.

The book describes how field-charges, split into isotopic pairs, can commute and identifies the group of transformations that governs this exchange between their states. Invariance under this group is defined as Hypersymmetry. The book develops the physical consequences of Hypersymmetry such as conserved property, quanta and mediating bosons of the interaction field. Since all this expands beyond the standard model, the work determines the energy limits of the applicability of Hypersymmetry and discusses, how to remove the unwanted mass of the predicted set of bosons. Finally, it presents how the model can be applied in the four fundamental interactions. * Comprehensive work covering recent research. * Detailed calculations for a step by step understanding. * Useful reading for master students and researchers in theoretical and experimental physics. * A practical textbook for courses on the physics of the isotopic field-charges, their conservation and interactions.

This Open Access biography chronicles the life and achievements of the Norwegian engineer and physicist Rolf Wideroe. Readers who meet him in the pages of this book will wonder why he isn't better known. The first of Wideroe's many pioneering contributions in the field of accelerator physics was the betatron, the second, the linear accelerator, both summarized in a 27 page PhD. The betatron revolutionized the fields of cancer treatment through radiation therapy and also nondestructive testing; hospitals worldwide installed Wideroe's machine and today's modern radiation treatment equipment is based on his inventions. The most recent renaissance of the linac provides unprecedented x-ray intensities at Free Electron Laser (FEL) facilities in operation and construction worldwide. . Wideroe's story also includes a fair share of drama, particularly during World War II when both Germans and the Allies vied for his collaboration. Wideroe held leading positions in multinational industry groups and was one of the consultants for building the world's largest nuclear laboratory, CERN, in Switzerland. He gained over 200 patents, received several honorary doctorates and a number of international awards. The author, a professional writer and maker of TV documentaries, has gained access to hitherto restricted archives in several countries, which provided a wealth of new material and insights, in particular in relation to the war years. She tells here a gripping and illuminating story.

This book describes advanced research on the structures and photochemical properties of polyatomic molecules and molecular clusters having various functionalities under cold gas-phase conditions. Target molecules are crown ethers, polypeptides, large size protonated clusters, metal clusters, and other complex polyatomic molecules of special interest. A variety of advanced frequency and time-domain laser spectroscopic methods are applied. The book begins with the principle of an experimental setup for cold gas-phase molecules and various laser spectroscopic methods, followed by chapters on investigation of specific molecular systems. Through a molecular-level approach and analysis by quantum chemical calculation, it is possible to learn how atomic and molecular-level interactions (van der Waals, hydrogen-bonding, and others) control the specific properties of molecules and clusters. Those properties include molecular recognition, induced fitting, chirality, proton and hydrogen transfer, isomerization, and catalytic reaction. The information will be applicable to the design of new types of functional molecules and nanoparticles in the broad area that includes applied chemistry, drug delivery systems, and catalysts.

This book provides a systematic and comprehensive introduction to the neutronics of advanced nuclear systems, covering all key aspects, from the fundamental theories and methodologies to a wide range of advanced nuclear system designs and experiments. It is the first-ever book focusing on the neutronics of advanced nuclear systems in the world. Compared with traditional nuclear systems, advanced nuclear systems are characterized by more complex geometry and nuclear physics, and pose new challenges in terms of neutronics. Based on the achievements and experiences of the author and his team over the past few decades, the book focuses on the neutronics characteristics of advanced nuclear systems and introduces novel neutron transport methodologies for complex systems, high-fidelity calculation software for nuclear design and safety evaluation, and high-intensity neutron source and technologies for neutronics experiments. At the same time, it describes the development of various neutronics designs for advanced nuclear systems, including neutronics design for ITER, CLEAR and FDS series reactors. The book not only summarizes the progress and achievements of the author's research work, but also highlights the latest advances and investigates the forefront of the field and the road ahead.

The present research studies the fundamental physics occurring during the magnetic flux and magnetized plasma compression by plasma implosion. This subject is relevant to numerous studies in laboratory and space plasmas. Recently, it has attracted particular interest due to the advances in producing high-energy-density plasmas in fusion-oriented experiments, based on the approach of magnetized plasma compression. The studied configuration consists of a cylindrical gas-puff shell with pre-embedded axial magnetic field that pre-fills the anode-cathode gap. Subsequently, axial pulsed current is driven through the plasma generating an azimuthal magnetic field that compresses the plasma and the axial magnetic field embedded in it. A key parameter for the understanding of the physics occurring during the magnetized plasma compression is the evolution and distribution of the axial and azimuthal magnetic fields. Here, for the first time ever, both fields are measured simultaneously employing non-invasive spectroscopic methods that are based on the polarization properties of the Zeeman effect. These measurements reveal unexpected results of the current distribution and the nature of the equilibrium between the axial and azimuthal fields. These observations show that a large part of the current does not flow in the imploding plasma, rather it flows through a low-density plasma residing at large radii. The development of a force-free current configuration is suggested to explain this phenomenon. Previously unpredicted observations in higher-power imploding-magnetized-plasma experiments, including recent unexplained structures observed in the Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion experiment, may be connected to the present discovery.

This book highlights the latest advances and outlines future trends in aqueous solvation studies from the perspective of hydrogen bond transition by charge injection, which reconciles the solvation dynamics, molecular nonbond interactions, and the extraordinary functionalities of various solutes on the solution bond network and properties. Focus is given on ionic and dipolar electrostatic polarization, O:H nonbond interaction, anti-HB and super-HB repulsion, and solute-solute interactions. Its target audience includes researchers, scientists, and engineers in chemistry, physics, surface and interface science, materials science and engineering.

This book focuses on the study of the interfacial water using molecular dynamics simulation and experimental sum frequency generation spectroscopy. It proposes a new definition of the free O-H groups at water-air interface and presents research on the structure and dynamics of these groups. Furthermore, it discusses the exponential decay nature of the orientation distribution of the free O-H groups of interfacial water and ascribes the origin of the down pointing free O-H groups to the presence of capillary waves on the surface. It also describes how, based on this new definition, a maximum surface H-bond density of around 200 K at ice surface was found, as the maximum results from two competing effects. Lastly, the book discusses the absorption of water molecules at the water-TiO2 interface. Providing insights into the combination of molecular dynamics simulation and experimental sum frequency generation spectroscopy, it is a valuable resource for researchers in the field.

This book provides a thorough account of the current status of achievements made in the area of soft X-Ray laser source development and of the increasingly diverse applications being demonstrated using such radiation sources. There is significant effort worldwide to develop very bright, short duration radiation sources in the X-Ray spectral region - driven by the multitude of potential applications in all branches of science. This book contains updates on several different approaches for comparative purposes but concentrates on developments in the area of laser-produced plasmas, whereby transient population inversion and gain between ion states is pumped by optical lasers interacting with pre-formed plasmas. Topics covered will include Laser-driven XRLs, Collisional XRLs, Recombination XRLs, Transient Inversion Collisional XRLs, Optical Field Ionization XRLs, Alternative XRL, pumping schemes Theory and simulations of XRL gain media and beam properties High order harmonic sources of XUV radiation, Free-electron lasers and other accelerator based X-Ray sources, X-Ray Laser drives, X-Ray optics and instrumentation Spectroscopy, and other diagnostics of laser media Applications of XRLs.

The authors of this volume illustrate recent trends in the design and application of accurate force fields. 15 papers reflect the present questions including the strategies for (i) the inclusion of the polarization energy and (ii) an optimal parametrization of models. They highlight the directions to follow as new exciting fields of application emerge. Expert authors discuss the optimization and parametrization of new models, put in perspectives the actual importance of the polarization energy, as well as review or propose new models explicitly for incorporating polarization. They also present models that are applied to difficult systems or challenging fields of application. Originally published in the journal Theoretical Chemistry Accounts, these outstanding contributions are now available in a hardcover print format. This volume is of benefit in particular to those research groups and libraries that have chosen to have only electronic access to the journal. It also provides valuable content for all researchers in theoretical chemistry.

This thesis investigates the behavior of two candidate materials (a-SiO2 and MgO) for applications in fusion (e.g., the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor ITER) and Generation IV fission reactors. Both parts of the thesis - the development of the ionoluminescence technique and the study of the ion-irradiation effects on both materials - are highly relevant for the fields of the ion-beam analysis techniques and irradiation damage in materials. The research presented determines the microstructural changes at different length scales in these materials under ion irradiation. In particular, it studies the effect of the irradiation temperature using several advanced characterization techniques. It also provides much-needed insights into the use of these materials at elevated temperatures. Further, it discusses the development of the ion-beam-induced luminescence technique in different research facilities around the globe, a powerful in situ spectroscopic characterization method that until now was little known. Thanks to its relevance, rigorosity and quality, this thesis has received twoprestigious awards in Spain and France.

This book presents developments of techniques for detection and analysis of two electrons resulting from the interaction of a single incident electron with a solid surface. Spin dependence in scattering of spin-polarized electrons from magnetic and non-magnetic surfaces is governed by exchange and spin-orbit effects. The effects of spin and angular electron momentum are shown through symmetry of experimental geometries: (i) normal and off normal electron incidence on a crystal surface, (ii) spin polarization directions within mirror planes of the surface, and (iii) rotation and interchange of detectors with respect to the surface normal. Symmetry considerations establish relationships between the spin asymmetry of two-electron distributions and the spin asymmetry of Spectral Density Function of the sample, hence providing information on the spin-dependent sample electronic structure. Detailed energy and angular distributions of electron pairs carry information on the electron-electron interaction and electron correlation inside the solid. The "exchange - correlation hole" associated with Coulomb and exchange electron correlation in solids can be visualized using spin-polarized two-electron spectroscopy. Also spin entanglement of electron pairs can be probed. A description of correlated electron pairs generation from surfaces using other types of incident particles, such as photons, ions, positrons is also presented.

This book reviews various aspects of molecular spectroscopy and its application in materials science, chemistry, physics, medicine, the arts and the earth sciences. Written by an international group of recognized experts, it examines how complementary applications of diverse spectroscopic methods can be used to study the structure and properties of different materials. The chapters cover the whole spectrum of topics related to theoretical and computational methods, as well as the practical application of spectroscopic techniques to study the structure and dynamics of molecular systems, solid-state crystalline and amorphous materials, surfaces and interfaces, and biological systems. As such, the book offers an invaluable resource for all researchers and postgraduate students interested in the latest developments in the theory, experimentation, measurement and application of various advanced spectroscopic methods for the study of materials.

This book tells the curious story of an unexpected finding that sheds light on a crucial moment in the development of physics: the discovery of artificial radioactivity induced by neutrons. The finding in question is a notebook, clearly written in Fermi's handwriting, which records the frenzied days and nights that Fermi spent experimenting alone, driven by his theoretical ideas on beta decay. The notebook was found by the authors while browsing through documents left by Oscar D'Agostino, the chemist among Fermi's group. From Fermi's notes, they reconstruct with skill and expertise the detailed timeline of the critical days leading up to his vital discovery. While much is already known about the road that led Fermi to his important result, this is the first time that it has been possible to reconstruct precisely when and how the initial evidence of neutron-induced decay was obtained. In relating this fascinating story, the book will be of great interest not only to those with a passion for the history of science but also to a wider audience.

Na+-K+ ATPase or Na-pump ATPase, a member of "P"-type ATPase superfamily, is characterized by association of multiple isoforms mainly of it's - and - subunits. At present four different - ( -1, -2, -3 and -4) and three - ( -1, -2, and -3) isoforms have been identified in mammalian cells and their differential expressions are tissue specific. Regulation of Na+-K+ ATPase activity is an important but a complex process, which involves short-term and long-term mechanisms. Short-term regulation of Na+-K+ ATPase is either mediated by changes in intracellular Na+ concentrations that directly affect the Na+-pump activity or by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation-mediated by some stimulants leading to changes in its expression and transport properties. On the other hand, long-term regulation of Na+-K+ ATPase is mediated by hormones, such as mineralocorticoids and thyroid hormones, which cause changes in the transcription of genes of - and - subunits leading to an increased expression in the level of Na+-pump. Several studies have revealed a relatively new type of regulation that involves the association of small, single span membrane proteins with this enzyme. These proteins belong to the FXYD family, the members of which share a common signature sequence encompassing the transmembra ne domain adjacent to the isoform(s) of - subunits of Na+-K+ ATPase. Considering the extraordinary importance of Na+-K+ ATPase in cellular function, several internationally established investigators have contributed their articles in the monograph entitled "Regulation of Membrane Na+-K+ ATPase" for inspiring young scientists and graduate students to enrich their knowledge on the enzyme, and we are sure that this book will soon be considered as a comprehensive scientific literature in the area of Na+-K+ ATPase regulation in health and disease.

The biological membranes of cellular organization enfold an important group of membrane proteins called the ATPases, which are not only versatile in maintaining chemical gradient and electrical potential across the membrane but also bring metabolites necessary for cell metabolism and drive out toxins, waste products and solutes that otherwise can curb cell functions. ATPases are distributed virtually in all live forms starting from unicellular to multicellular and also in viruses. There are different types of ATPases, which differ in function and structure and in the type of ions they transport. The three main types of the ion pump ATPase family are: (i) P-type ATPases that transport different ions across membranes and Ca2+ATPases belongs to this catagory (ii) F-type ATPase in mitochondria, chloroplasts and bacterial plasma membranes produce ATP using the proton gradient; and (iii) V-type ATPase catalyzes ATP hydrolysis to transport solutes and maintains acidic pH in organelles like lysosomes. Genetic defects in either of the ATPases cause several diseases and a number of researches have demonstrated the involvement of the members of ATPases in the cell pathology and diseases, thereby penetrating exciting new areas of our understanding. In this book, the authors summarize recent knowledge about the molecular mechanisms associated with Ca2+-ATPase, V-ATPase and F-ATPase in intracellular and extracellular Ca2+ transport, mitochondrial ATP synthase, vesicular H+ transport, and lysosomal pH regulation. This book thereby bridges the gap between fundamental research and biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. The book provides an informative resource to improve ATPase research and modern therapeutic approaches toward different life threatening diseases that are associated with dysregulation of the ATPases.

This book provides a detailed overview of the plasma fluidized bed. It is an innovative tool and generally combines plasma process with another efficient reactor, fluidized bed, providing an excellent method for particulate processes over conventional technology. The development and designs of typical types of plasma fluidized beds, mainly thermal plasma fluidized beds and non-thermal plasma fluidized beds are discussed. The influencing factors on the performance of plasma fluidized beds are analyzed in detail. The mechanism, i.e. the discharge characteristics, hydrodynamics, heat transfer and mass transfer are analyzed to offer a further insight of plasma fluidized beds. Applications of plasma fluidized beds for different areas, including metallurgy extraction, green energy process, environmental protection and advanced materials are presented. The book is a valuable reference for scientists, engineers and graduate students in chemical engineering and relative fields.

Thermal processes are ubiquitous and an understanding of thermal phenomena is essential for a complete description of the physics of nanoparticles, both for the purpose of modeling the dynamics of the particles and for the correct interpretation of experimental data. The second edition of this book follows the logic of first edition, with an emphasis on presentation of literature results and to guide the reader through derivations. Several topics have been added to the repertoire, notably magnetism, a fuller exposition of aggregation and the related area of nucleation theory. Also a new chapter has been added on the transient hot electron phenomenon. The book remains focused on the fundamental properties of nanosystems in the gas phase. Each chapter is enriched with additional new exercises and three Appendices provide additional useful material.

This book details groundbreaking experiments for the sensing and imaging of terahertz-frequency electromagnetic radiation (THz) using Rydberg atoms. The major advances described include the development and implementation of a new technique for THz imaging using atomic fluorescence; the demonstration of a THz-driven phase transition in room-temperature atomic vapour; and a novel method for probing the excited-state dynamics of atoms using quantum beats. The work has formed the basis for several articles published in journals including Nature Photonics and the Physical Review, and has sparked industry interest, becoming the subject of ongoing collaborative research and development. This exceptionally well-written book provides a definitive account of terahertz sensing with Rydberg atoms.

Combining incisive experiments with the latest theoretical advances, this book presents an extensive study of transfer-triggered breakup, the dominant process by which breakup occurs in reactions involving light, weakly bound nuclei. It demonstrates not only that lifetimes of resonant states shorter than a zeptosecond are crucially important for these reactions to suppress complete fusion, but also that such short lifetimes are experimentally accessible. By making quantitative predictions of the effect of breakup from short-lived resonant states on incomplete fusion at above-barrier energies, the book suggests that the extent to which near-target breakup can suppress complete fusion is much more limited than previously thought. With an impressive amount of complex data and state-of-the-art models, which were developed, modified, and tested over course of the Ph.D., it examines all aspects of nuclear reactions - nuclear models, modern detectors and spectrometers, as well as data analysis, and offers a detailed discussion of experimental results and technical developments like new radioactive beams. This excellent and beautifully written book presents outstanding quality experimental work that establishes a cornerstone in our understanding of the reaction dynamics of light weakly bound nuclei at energies around the Coulomb barrier.

This book presents the Generalized Multipole Technique as a fast and powerful theoretical and computation tool to simulate light scattering by nonspherical particles. It also demonstrates the considerable potential of the method. In recent years, the concept has been applied in new fields, such as simulation of electron energy loss spectroscopy and has been used to extend other methods, like the null-field method, making it more widely applicable. The authors discuss particular implementations of the GMT methods, such as the Discrete Sources Method (DSM), Multiple Multipole Program (MMP), the Method of Auxiliary Sources (MAS), the Filamentary Current Method (FCM), the Method of Fictitious Sources (MFS) and the Null-Field Method with Discrete Sources (NFM-DS). The Generalized Multipole Technique is a surface-based method to find the solution of a boundary-value problem for a given differential equation by expanding the fields in terms of fundamental or other singular solutions of this equation. The amplitudes of these fundamental solutions are determined from the boundary condition at the particle surface. Electromagnetic and light scattering by particles or systems of particles has been the subject of intense research in various scientific and engineering fields, including astronomy, optics, meteorology, remote sensing, optical particle sizing and electromagnetics, which has led to the development of a large number of modelling methods based on the Generalized Multipole Technique for quantitative evaluation of electromagnetic scattering by particles of various shapes and compositions. The book describes these methods in detail.

These proceedings gather invited and contributed talks presented at the XXII DAE-BRNS High Energy Physics (HEP) Symposium, which was held at the University of Delhi, India, on 12-16 December 2016. The contributions cover a variety of topics in particle physics, astroparticle physics, cosmology and related areas from both experimental and theoretical perspectives, namely (1) Neutrino Physics, (2) Standard Model Physics (including Electroweak, Flavour Physics), (3) Beyond Standard Model Physics, (4) Heavy Ion Physics & QCD (Quantum Chromodynamics), (5) Particle Astrophysics & Cosmology, (6) Future Experiments and Detector Development, (7) Formal Theory, and (8) Societal Applications: Medical Physics, Imaging, etc. The DAE-BRNS High Energy Physics Symposium, widely considered to be one of the leading symposiums in the field of Elementary Particle Physics, is held every other year in India and supported by the Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), India. As many as 400 physicists and researchers attended the 22nd Symposium to discuss the latest advances in the field. A poster session was also organized to highlight the work and findings of young researchers. Bringing together the essential content, the book offers a valuable resource for both beginning and advanced researchers in the field.

The dielectric properties especially of glassy materials are nowadays explored at widely varying temperatures and pressures without any gap in the spectral range from Hz up to the Infrared, thus covering typically 20 decades or more. This extraordinary span enables to trace the scaling and the mutual interactions of relaxation processes in detail, e.g. the dynamic glass transition and secondary relaxations, but as well far infrared vibrations, like the Boson peak. Additionally the evolution of intra-molecular interactions in the course of the dynamic glass transition is also well explored by (Fourier Transform) Infrared Spectroscopy. This volume within 'Advances in Dielectrics' summarizes this knowledge and discusses it with respect to the existing and often competing theoretical concepts.

This monograph presents fundamental aspects of modern spectral and other computational methods, which are not generally taught in traditional courses. It emphasizes concepts as errors, convergence, stability, order and efficiency applied to the solution of physical problems. The spectral methods consist in expanding the function to be calculated into a set of appropriate basis functions (generally orthogonal polynomials) and the respective expansion coefficients are obtained via collocation equations. The main advantage of these methods is that they simultaneously take into account all available information, rather only the information available at a limited number of mesh points. They require more complicated matrix equations than those obtained in finite difference methods. However, the elegance, speed, and accuracy of the spectral methods more than compensates for any such drawbacks. During the course of the monograph, the authors examine the usually rapid convergence of the spectral expansions and the improved accuracy that results when nonequispaced support points are used, in contrast to the equispaced points used in finite difference methods. In particular, they demonstrate the enhanced accuracy obtained in the solutionof integral equations. The monograph includes an informative introduction to old and new computational methods with numerous practical examples, while at the same time pointing out the errors that each of the available algorithms introduces into the specific solution. It is a valuable resource for undergraduate students as an introduction to the field and for graduate students wishing to compare the available computational methods. In addition, the work develops the criteria required for students to select the most suitable method to solve the particular scientific problem that they are confronting.