Browsing Physics by Title
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King, J.G.; Garegae, M.; Ngwisanyi, T.H.; Ranganai, R. (Botswana Geoscientists Association, December NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: Fault-plane solutions of an earthquake can provide information about the type of fault. We report on the calculation of the fault-plane solutions of the earthquake that occurred on the morning of 18 May 2001 and was felt in the southern parts of Botswana and the North West Province of South Africa. The fact that there were few seismic stations in the vicinity of these areas meant that standard programs such as FOCMEC would produce a large number of possible fault-plane solutions. In this study a semi-manual method of determining fault-plane solution was utilized to obtain the most likely solution from a SEISAN program. The results obtained from these two methods shows that the focal mechanism for this earthquake was normal faulting. The two methods used compliment each other. Other information obtained includes epicenter at coordinates (longitude 26.0E, latitude 25.6S), magnitude of about 4.6 ML and origin time of 9:14.10.52 UTC. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/337 Files in this item: 1
King_BJES_2005.pdf (143.0Kb) -
Mabbs, R.; Nijegorodov, N.; Downey, W.S. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/saa, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
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Ranganai, R.T.; Whaler, K.A.; Ebinger, C.J. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/jafrearsci, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: The granite-greenstone terrain of south-central Zimbabwe, encompassing the Belingwe (Mberengwa) greenstone belt and sections of the Great Dyke, provides important constraints on models for the evolution of the Zimbabwe craton and the Archaean crust in general. In this paper we enhance and model existing and recently acquired gravity data from the region and correlate the anomalies and their derivatives with the known basement geology to evaluate models for greenstone belt development. We also study the spatial gneiss-granite- greenstone association in general, and the geologic implications of models of the anomaly patterns in particular. Although the Belingwe greenstone belt has been mapped, its subsurface geometry is poorly known. Similarly, the Great Dyke is well studied, but no systematic study of the extent and cross-cutting relations of other mafic dykes in the Archaean crust has been undertaken. The regional gravity field shows no evidence for crustal thickness variations in the area and the gravity anomalies can be explained by lateral density variations of the supracrustal rocks. Prominent gravity highs are observed over the high density (≤ 3000 kg/m3) volcanosedimentary piles (greenstone belts) and ultramafic complexes. Well-defined elongate, sub-oval/elliptical gravity lows are associated with intrusive granitic plutons. The granite-greenstone contacts are marked by steep gravity gradients of up to 5 mGal/km that imply steeply dipping or near-vertical contacts for the anomalous bodies. This is tested and confirmed by 2½D modelling of gravity profiles across the Belingwe and Fort Rixon greenstone belts, constrained by measured densities and observed geological data. The modelling also indicates that these belts, and possibly all the belts in the study area (based on comparable densities and anomaly amplitudes), have limited depth extents in the range of 3–5 km. This is comparable to thicknesses obtained elsewhere from deep seismic reflection data and geoelectrical studies, but mapped stratigraphic thicknesses give a maximum depth extent of about 9.5 km. Present studies and previous work support the idea that the volcanics were extruded within rift zones and laid on older granitic crust, followed by subsidence and rapid deposition of sediments that were sourced from the adjacent basement terrains. The volcano-sedimentary sequences were subsequently deformed by intruding younger plutons and affected by late-stage strike-slip activity producing cross-cutting structures. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/276 Files in this item: 1
Ranganai_JAES_2008.pdf (4.603Mb) -
Ranganai, R.T.; Kampunzu, A.B.; Atekwana, E.A.; Paya, B.K.; King, J.G.; Koosimile, D.I.; Stettler, E.H. (Royal Astronomical Society. http://www.wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=0956-540X&site=1, NaN, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: The Limpopo Belt of southern Africa is a Neoarchean orogenic belt located between two older Archean provinces, the Zimbabwe craton to the north and the Kaapvaal craton to the south. Previous studies considered the Limpopo Belt to be a linearly trending east-northeast belt with a width of ~250 km and ~600 km long. We provide evidence from gravity data constrained by seismic and geochronologic data suggesting that the Limpopo Belt is much larger than previously assumed and includes the Shashe Belt in Botswana, thus defining a southward convex orogenic arc sandwiched between the two cratons. The 2 Ga Magondi orogenic belt truncates the Limpopo–Shahse Belt to the west. The northern marginal, central and southern marginal tectonic zones define a single gravity anomaly on upward continued maps, indicating that they had the same exhumation history. This interpretation requires a tectonic model involving convergence between the Kaapvaal and Zimbabwe cratons during a Neoarchean orogeny that preserved the thick cratonic keel that has been imaged in tomographic models. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/326 Files in this item: 1
Ranganai_GJI_2002.pdf (1.361Mb) -
Ahmad, M.; Thangaraj, R.; Sathiaraj, T.S. (Springer, NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: Bulk samples of Sn10Sb20-xBixSe70 (0 B x B 8) chalcogenide alloys were prepared by the conventional melt quenching technique. Thin films were prepared on wellcleaned glass substrates by thermal evaporation technique. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the alloys with x = 0 and 2 at.% of Bi were amorphous, whereas the alloys with x = 4, 6, 8 at.% were crystalline. The crystalline phases are identified as due to the formation of Bi2Se3 and BiSe2 phases. The microstructural and differential scanning calorimetric studies show the presence of these phases. A simple, straight forward procedure suggested by Swanepoel has been used to calculate the optical parameters, refractive index, and extinction coefficient. The optical gap for all the samples has been obtained from the Tauc plots. The variation in optical parameters for different Bi concentration has been explained on the basis of presence of defect states and the change in stoichiometry with the change in Bi concentration. Description: some symbols on the abstract may not appear as they are on the text. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/752 Files in this item: 1
Heterogeneous crystallization.pdf (777.8Kb) -
Nijegorodov, N.; Winkoun, D.P.; Nkoma, J.S. (Elsevier Science Ltd http:www.elsevier.com/locate/saa, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: Please refer to the attached article for an ABSTRACT. The abstract was not uploaded here due to formula appearance problem in UBRISA. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/403 Files in this item: 1
Nijegorodov_SAa60_2004.pdf (1.056Mb) -
Nijegorodov, N.; Winkoun, D.P.; Nkoma, J.S. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/saa, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: The fluorescence and laser properties of seven specially chosen aromatic compounds are studied at 293 ◦C. The quantum yield of fluorescence, γ, decay times, τf , of the deaerated and non-deaerated solutions are measured. The oscillator strength, fe, fluorescence rate constants, kf , natural lifetimes, τT 0 , and intersystem crossing rate constants, kST, are calculated. Some laser parameters are calculated or measured experimentally. It is found that the position of the T level plays an important role in the fluorescence and laser properties of aromatic compounds. If the T level is situated below the Sp level, it decreases the quantum yield of fluorescence and the decay time and increases the threshold of laser action. If, due to some structural changes of a molecule, the T level is situated higher than the Sp level, then the quantum yield of fluorescence and the decay times are increasing and the threshold of laser action is decreasing. Such influence of the position of the T level upon fluorescence and laser properties of aromatic compound is explained by the fact that the Sp level mixes with the T level more readily than with other τ ∗ levels. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/366 Files in this item: 1
Nijegorodov_SAa60_2004.pdf (1.056Mb) -
Nijegorodov, N.; Mabbs, R.; Winkoun, D.P. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/saa, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: Please refer to the attached article for an ABSTRACT. The abstract was not uploaded here due to formula appearance problem in UBRISA. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/402 Files in this item: 1
Nijegorodov_SAa59-2003.pdf (1.367Mb) -
King, J.G.; Williams, W. (American Geophysical Union. http://www.agu.org/journals/jd/, NaN, NaN)[more][less]
Abstract: Although several studies have recommended removal of secondary components of magnetic remanence by zero-field cycling from room temperature to a temperature much lower than the low temperature transition for magnetite (about 120 K), the method has not become a standard routine technique. This is partly due to the poor understanding of the behavior of magnetite particles at the low-temperature transition zone. Previous experiments by other researchers have used magnetite powders. In such powders it is always possible to attribute any discrepancy between the results observed and theory to possible existence of magnetostatic interaction effects or existence of elongated particles in samples presumed to contain only equant particles. Such factors need to be eliminated in order to have a better understanding of the low temperature behavior of magnetite particles. Low-temperature magnetic properties of lithographically produced arrays of both interacting and noninteracting cubic magnetite particles as well as those from powder particles have been measured as part of this study. A gradual increase in the amount of saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) lost at the Verwey transition Tv with increasing particle size in the pseudo-single-domain size range has been observed. This behavior is consistent with the vortex state domain structure. The grain size dependence of the amount of SIRM lost at Tv is most probably what previous researchers reported as a magnetic memory particle-size-dependent trend. Magnetic memory measured during the cooling and warming process is shown to be a stress-related phenomenon. Such measurements could be useful in assessing the nature of stress in a magnetite sample. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/347 Files in this item: 1
King_JGR_2000.pdf (2.594Mb) -
Nijegorodov, N.; Mabbs, R. (Elsevier Science BV; www.elsevier.com/locate/saa, January 15, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: [Please note that the mathematical symbols have not transposed into this abstact].The luminescent and laser properties of heteroaromatic and aromatic compounds are reviewed and discussed on the basis of all possible mutual arrangements of singlet and triplet states. All heteroaromatic compounds are divided into five classes. It is shown that a heteroaromatic compound can only be an effective laser dye if it belongs to class V (a situation where the Tn_* level lies at higher energy than the S__* 1 level). Moreover, it is shown that the energy interval between the Tn_* and S__* 1 states must be no less than 1000 cmâ 1 since the rate constant of the non-radiative process S__*1 _Tn_*_T__1 is usually 100 times greater than the fluorescence rate constant. The classification is extended to compounds with orbitals of _l,_*, _,__* and _l,__* nature. Pure aromatic compounds, the spectral-luminescent properties of which are solely determined by transitions of _-electrons (_ _ _*), are also divided into five classes, depending on the mutual arrangement of the Sp(1La), S_(1Lb), Tp(3La) and T_(3Bb) states. It is found that only aromatic compounds of classes IV and V can be effective scintillators and laser dyes. It is also shown that the energy interval S_â Sp (for class IV) and T_â Sp (for class V) must be no less than 1000 cmâ 1. To illustrate the classifications for heteroaromatic and aromatic compounds, 12 specifically chosen compounds were studied experimentally and quantum chemically. The quantum yields, _ and decay times, _f of fluorescence in aerated and non-deaerated ethanol or cyclohexane solutions were measured. The oscillator strength, fe, fluorescence rate constant, kf, natural lifetimes, _0 T and intersystem crossing rate constants, kST are calculated. The laser ability of each of the compounds studied is tested. The suggested classification schemes can be extremely useful in the quest for effective scintillators and laser dyes among hypothetical heteroaromatic and aromatic molecules, enabling evaluation of these properties for a particular compound using only quantum chemical simulations. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/136 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb)nijegorodov_sa_2002.pdf (1.811Mb) -
Muxworthy, A.R.; King, J.G.; Odling, N. (AGU and the Geochemical Society. http://www.agu.org/journals/gc/index.shtml, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: The magnetic hysteresis properties for well-defined micron-sized magnetite samples produced by electron beam lithography (EBL) are presented. In addition to measuring standard hysteresis parameters, first-order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams are also reported. EBL produces samples that consist of particles with very tightly constrained size distributions, and spatial distributions that govern the degree of intergrain magnetostatic interactions are accurately controlled and known. Thus EBL samples are significantly better characterized compared to powdered samples, which are conventionally used to characterize the size dependency of magnetic hysteresis properties of naturally occurring magnetic minerals. Compared with the hysteresis properties of powdered samples of the same nominal sizes, EBL samples display more multidomain-like (MD) behavior. The influence of magnetostatic interactions fields on hysteresis properties is analyzed. When magnetostatic interactions are effectively in only one direction, the hysteresis properties become more single domain-like, and if the interactions are in more than one direction, hysteresis becomes more MD-like, in agreement with numerical models. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/360 Files in this item: 1
Muxworthy_GGG_2006.pdf (1.589Mb) -
King, J G; Ranganai, RT (BOSHASTED, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: Emissions of vehicles represent a significant contribution to environmental pollution along roads. Pollutants from cars include gases such as (NOx, CO, CO2), solid components such as sort particles from exhaust system, abrasion products from the brakes and engine etc (Leven et al., 1999). Aerosols pollutants can reduce significantly the quality of the environment and seriously affect human health e.g. by contributing to high rates of allergies or diseases of the respiratory system. In this study, samples were collected at various distances from a busy road, Gaborone-Tlokweng road near Game store. Non-magnetic adhesive paper pieces were used as sample collectors. Magnetic properties of the aerosols collected were measured using a highly sensitive magnetometer (AGM-Micromag). Magnetic properties measured include total magnetic moment, hysteresis loops and associated parameters such as coercivity. In general, observed hysteresis loops are typical for magnetite. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/406 Files in this item: 1
King_BOSHASTED_2000.pdf (159.1Kb) -
Simon, R.E.; Wright, C.; Kwadiba, M.T.O.; Kgaswane, E.M. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/lithos, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: Average one-dimensional P and S wavespeed models from the surface to depths of 800 km were derived for the southern African region using travel times and waveforms from earthquakes recorded at stations of the Kaapvaal and South African seismic networks. The Herglotz–Wiechert method combined with ray tracing was used to derive a preliminary P wavespeed model, followed by refinements using phase-weighted stacking and synthetic seismograms to yield the final model. Travel times combined with ray tracing were used to derive the S wavespeed model, which was also refined using phase-weighted stacking and synthetic seismograms. The presence of a high wavespeed upper mantle lid in the S model overlying a low wavespeed zone (LWZ) around 210- to - 345-km depth that is not observed in the P wavespeed model was inferred. The 410-km discontinuity shows similar characteristics to that in other continental regions, but occurs slightly deeper at 420 km. Depletion of iron and/or enrichment in aluminium relative to other regions are the preferred explanation, since the P wavespeeds throughout the transition zone are slightly higher than average. The average S wavespeed structure beneath southern Africa within and below the transition zone is similar to that of the IASP91 model. There is no evidence for discontinuity at 520-km depth. The 660-km discontinuity also appears to be slightly deeper than average (668 km), although the estimated thickness of the transition zone is 248 km, similar to the global average of 241 km. The small size of the 660-km discontinuity for P waves, compared with many other regions, suggests that interpretation of the discontinuity as the transformation of spinel to perovskite and magnesiowu¨ stite may require modification. Alternative explanations include the presence of garnetite-rich material or ilmenite-forming phase transformations above the 660-km discontinuity, and the garnet– perovskite transformation as the discontinuity. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/265 Files in this item: 1
Simon_L71_2003.pdf (2.274Mb) -
Cao, Y.; Allameh, S.; Sethiaraj, S. (Elsevier, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper presents the results of nanoindentation experimental studies of the contact-induced deformation in Au and Ag thin films. The paper examines the effects of film thickness and substrate deformation restraint on the mechanical properties of electron beam (e-beam) deposited Au and Ag films. Following a brief description of film microstructure, surface topography, and contact-induced pile-up deformation, film mechanical properties (hardness and Young’s modulus) were determined using nanoindentation techniques. The indentation size effects (ISE) observed in films with different thicknesses were explained using a mechanism-based strain gradient (MSG) theory. The intrinsic film yield strengths and hardnesses extracted from the MSG theory are shown to exhibit classical Hall–Petch dependence on the inverse square root of the average film grain size. Displacement bursts were also found to occur in Ag films at indentation load levels of 100 N. These were attributed to the initial onset of dislocation slip activity, when the shear stress exceeds the estimated theoretical shear strengths of the materials. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/537 Files in this item: 1
Nanoindentation measurements.pdf (1.173Mb) -
Murty, V.R.K.; Karunakara, N. (Elsevier, www.elsevier.com/locate/radmeas, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Studies on concentrations of primordial radionuclides in soil samples of Botswana were carried out. Measurements were made by gamma spectrometry employing a 41% relative efficiency HPGe detector. The activity of 226Ra was found to vary in the range 6.1–97.4 Bq kg 1 with a mean value of 34.8 Bq kg 1, 232Th in 7.4–110.0 Bq kg 1 with a mean value of 41.8 Bq kg 1 and that of 40K between 33.5 and 1085.7 Bq kg 1 with a mean value of 432.7 Bq kg 1 in surface soils. Existence of strong correlations in the distributions of these radionuclides indicates that an individual result for any one of the radionuclide is a good predictor of the concentration of the other. The mean value of effective dose, due to the 238U series, 232Th series and 40K in soil, was 0.07 mSV. The results of the present study are compared with the literature values reported for other normal background regions of the world and discussed. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/493 Files in this item: 1
Murty2008SoilSamples.pdf (782.0Kb) -
Kumar, P.; Sathiaraj, T.S.; Thangaraj, R. (Taylor & Francis, NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: The measurements and analysis of optical transmission and far-infrared (IR) reflectivity spectra of thermally evaporated Sb2Se3:Sn films are reported. The refractive index and film thickness have been determined from the upper and lower envelopes of the transmission spectra (Swanepoel’s standard envelope method), measured at normal incidence, in the spectral range from 800 to 2500 nm. Values of the refractive index fit well to Cauchy’s dispersion relation. The optical gap decreases with an increase in the Sn content, while a maximum in the tailing parameter and Urbach’s energy occurs with only a small amount ( 1 at %) of this additive. Characteristic vibrational bands for SbSe3 structural units are revealed in the far-IR spectrum with no additional ones arising from the Sn additive. The Kramers–Kronig analysis has been used to calculate the dielectric constants and hence the longitudinal optic and transverse optic splitting for various compositions. The inclusion of Sn as a charged entity along with the Coulomb interactions which serve to polarize the glass medium is found to be responsible for these results. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/547 Files in this item: 1
Optical properties.pdf (1.116Mb) -
Ringrose, S.; Kampunzu, A.B.; Vink, B.W.; Matheson, W.; Downey, W.S. (John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/117935722/grouphome/home.html, NaN, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: Quaternary sedimentation in the Moshaweng dry valley of southeastern Botswana is evaluated on the basis of geomorphological evolution and sedimentological analyses. Stratigraphic evidence reveals an 'upper surface (1095 m) containing abundant sil-calcrete, an intermediate surface (1085 m) in which sil-calcrete underlies nodular calcrete and lower (1075 m) surface in which sil-calcrete and nodular calcrete are interbedded. This subdivision is reflected in the geochemical composition of the sediments which show an overall trend of decreasing Si02 content (and increasing CaC03 content) with depth from the highest to the lowest surface levels. The calcretes and sil-calcretes represent modifications of pre-existing detrital Kalahari Group sand and basal Kalahari pebbles which thinned over a Karoo bedrock high. Modification took place during wet periods when abundant Ca++ -rich groundwater flowed along the structurally aligned valley system. With the onset of drier conditions, water table fluctuations led to the precipitation of nodular calcretes in the phreatic layer to a depth of about 20 m. A major geochemical change resulted in the preferential silicification of the nodular calcrete deposits. Conditions for silica mobilization may be related to drying-induced salinity and in situ geochemical differentiation brought about by pebble dissociation towards the top of the sediment pile. As calcretization and valley formation progressed to lower levels, silica release took place on a diminishing scale. Thermoluminescence dating infers a mid-Pleistocene age for sil-calcrete formation suggesting that valley evolution and original calcrete precipitation are much older. Late st~ge dissolution of CaC03 from pre-existing surface calcretes or sil-calcretes led to the formation of pedogenic case-hardened deposits during a time of reduced flow through the Moshaweng system possibly during the upper or late Pleistocene. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/310 Files in this item: 1
Ringrose_ESPL_2002.pdf (3.095Mb) -
Kumar, J.; Ahmad, M.; Chander, R.; Thangaraj, R.; Sathiaraj, T.S. (EDP Sciences, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Effect of Pb substitution on the amorphous-crystalline transformation temperature, optical band gap and crystalline structure of Ge2Sb2Te5 has been studied. In Pb:GeSbTe chalcogenide films prepared by thermal evaporation, an amorphous to crystallization transition is observed at 124, 129, 136 and 138 ◦C in Pb0Ge20Sb24Te56, Pb1.6Ge19Sb26Te54, Pb3Ge17Sb28Te53 and Pb5Ge12Sb28Te55 respectively. XRD investigations of annealed samples reveal that Pb substitution retains NaCl type crystalline structure of GST but expands the lattice due to large atomic radii. The increase in amorphous-crystalline transformation temperature is followed with the increase in phase segregation. The optical gap shows marginal variations with composition. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/531 Files in this item: 1
Phase segregation.pdf (573.5Kb) -
Kumar, J.; Ahmad, M.; Chander, R.; Thangaraj, R.; Sathiaraj, T.S. (EDP Sciences. http://www.epjap.org/, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Effect of Pb substitution on the amorphous-crystalline transformation temperature, optical band gap and crystalline structure of Ge2Sb2Te5 has been studied. In Pb:GeSbTe chalcogenide films prepared by thermal evaporation, an amorphous to crystallization transition is observed at 124, 129, 136 and 138 ◦C in Pb0Ge20Sb24Te56, Pb1.6Ge19Sb26Te54, Pb3Ge17Sb28Te53 and Pb5Ge12Sb28Te55 respectively. XRD investigations of annealed samples reveal that Pb substitution retains NaCl type crystalline structure of GST but expands the lattice due to large atomic radii. The increase in amorphous-crystalline transformation temperature is followed with the increase in phase segregation. The optical gap shows marginal variations with composition. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/278 Files in this item: 1
Kumar_EPJAP41_2008.pdf (796.1Kb) -
Nijegorodov, N.; Zvolinski, V.; Luhanga, P.V.C.; Mabbs, R.; Ahmad, J. (Elsevier Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/saa, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: The multi-banded fluorescence and laser properties of 11 new amino- and tosylamino derivatives of 2,5-di(phenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole and oxadiazole in various solvents at 293 K are reported. All the compounds investigated possess intra-molecular hydrogen quasi-bond (IHB) of 4.6-5.2 kcal mol-1 in the ground state. In the excited state they can undergo protolytic dissociation or intra-molecular photon-initiated transfer of proton and reveal anomalous fluorescence which cannot be explained within the framework of the Kasha and Kasha-Vavilov rules. Depending upon the excitation wavelength, solvent, concentration and pH of the medium, the compounds studied show a single, double, triple or even a four-banded fluorescence, which has not been reported earlier. The nature of multi-banded fluorescence is explained in terms of the possible photochromic processes in excited states. Quantum yields and decay times of the different fluorescence bands are reported. Anomalous dependence of quantum yield upon concentration of the solution is observed. Laser properties of the compounds studied are carefully tested. Laser action based on the fluorescence of the so-called bi-radical molecules is reported. Various possible arrangements of singlet and triplet levels of compounds investigated are discussed. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/176 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb)