Direct and β-delayed multi-proton emission from atomic nuclei with a time projection chamber: the cases of 43Cr, 45Fe, and 51Ni

The two-proton radioactivity of ⁴⁵Fe was studied experimentally with a time projection chamber. The aim of the experiment was the reconstruction of the proton tracks in three dimensions. Energy and angular correlations have been determined and the data are compared with theoretical models, in particular with a three-body model. Moreover, the decay of ⁴³Cr was studied and ??-delayed one-, two- and three-proton emission could be established. The correlations observed for ??-delayed two-proton emission favour a sequential emission. Finally, ??-delayed two-proton emission was observed for the first time for ⁵¹Ni.     

Crystallization of Ammonium Nitrate Under Organised Monolayers at Air-Aqueous Interface

The crystallization of NH₄NO₃ under compressed Langmuir monolayers of carboxybe-taine(C₂₂N₃COO^-),C₂₂H₁₅N(CH₂)₃(CH₂)₃COO^--[C₂₂N₃COO^-] and dioleoyl-L-a-lecithin(DOPC) was studied by means of π-A. ΔV-A and fluorescence microscopy (FM). The surface pressure, surface potential and molecular area of C₂₂N₃COO^- were decreased on the NH₄NO₃ solution subphase. The surface pressure and molecular area of DOPC was increased. The surface potential of DOPC was decreased. We can directly observe the surface crystallization of NH₄NO₃ by FM. The results revaled that C₂₂N₃COO^- monolayer was the promoter of NH₄NO₃ surface crystallization. In contrast,DOPC monolayer was the inhibitor of the surface crystallization of NH₄NO₃.     

Particular behavior of ‘C6C2 units’ in the Chichibabin pyridine synthesis and biosynthetic implications

Several aspects of the unusual behavior of C₆C₂ aldehydes and amines during the formation of pyridiniums in analogy with the historical Chichibabin pyridine synthesis are clarified in this Letter. Interesting biosynthetic consequences are also discussed within two classes of polycyclic alkaloids of marine origin.     

Spontaneous Formation of Nitrarine and Polycyclic Skeletons Related to Nitraria Indolic Alkaloids under Non‐Enzymic Conditions

Mixtures of tryptamine and reactive C₅ units, presumably derived from lysine in nature, were studied to ascertain the spontaneous formation of the complex polycyclic alkaloid nitrarine. Several indolic compounds tracing the unified metabolism within the Nitraria genus were also characterized.     

The FT-IR study of the brain tissue of Labeo rohita due to arsenic intoxication

The brain is believed to be particularly vulnerable to arsenic due to its high oxygen consumption rate and high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids and relatively high rate of oxygen free radical generate without commensurable level of arsenic. Hence, in the present work an attempt is made to study the changes in the biochemical contents in the brain tissues of edible fish Labeo rohita due to arsenic intoxication using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. FT-IR spectra reveal significant differences in absorbance intensities between the control and arsenic intoxicated brain tissues, reflecting an alteration on the major biochemical constituents, such as lipids, proteins and nucleic acids of the brain tissues of L. rohita due to arsenic intoxication. Further, the administration of antidote DMSA improves the protein and lipid contents significantly in the brain tissues when compared to arsenic intoxicated tissues. The decrease in α-helix structure due to arsenic intoxication might be responsible for the increase in β-sheet secondary structures, which is consistent with the mechanism of β-sheet formation.     

Crystal chemistry of three new monodimensional fluorometalates templated with ethylenediamine

Three new monodimensional hybrid metal (Ti, In, Al) fluorides are synthesized with ethylenediamine (en) as a templating agent in solvothermal conditions assisted by microwave heating. All structures involve inorganic chains built up from TiO₂F₄ octahedra connected by two opposite O²⁻ vertices in [H₂en]·(TiOF₄) (I), from InF₆(H₂O) pentagonal bipyramids linked by F–F edges in [H₂en]·(InF₄(H₂O))₂·H₂O (II) and from (Al₇F₃₀)⁹⁻ polyanions sharing two opposite AlF₆ octahedra in [H₂en]₃·(Al₆F₂₄) (III). I is tetragonal, P4/ncc, a = 12.761(3) Å, c = 8.041(3) Å; II is orthorhombic, F2dd, a = 6.904(5) Å, b = 16.559(5) Å, c = 19.777(4) Å and III is monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 9.387(2) Å, b = 6.710(2) Å, c = 21.513(6) Å, β = 97.18(3)°.     

Crystal structure of new hydroxide fluorides with isolated F anions: [H3N(CH2)6NH3]2M(F, OH)6(F,OH)·H2O (M = Al, In)

The synthesis and structural characterization of new hydroxo-fluorometallates [H₃N(CH₂)₆NH₃]₂M(F,OH)₇·H₂O (M=Al, In) are presented. Their preparation is achieved in solvothermal conditions by microwave or classical heating. The isotopic structures, determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, are triclinic with the space group P–1. The structural arrangement can be described from isolated MX₆ (X=F, OH) octahedra connected by diprotonated diaminohexane via a complex network of hydrogen bonds. X⁻ anions and water molecules are found between the organic chains. A study by ¹⁹F NMR of the Al compound confirms a statistical occupancy of fluorine sites by hydroxyl groups and the occurrence of isolated F⁻ anions.     

On estimating distribution functions using Bernstein polynomials

It is a known fact that some estimators of smooth distribution functions can outperform the empirical distribution function in terms of asymptotic (integrated) mean-squared error. In this paper, we show that this is also true of Bernstein polynomial estimators of distribution functions associated with densities that are supported on a closed interval. Specifically, we introduce a higher order expansion for the asymptotic (integrated) mean-squared error of Bernstein estimators of distribution functions and examine the relative deficiency of the empirical distribution function with respect to these estimators. Finally, we also establish the (pointwise) asymptotic normality of these estimators and show that they have highly advantageous boundary properties, including the absence of boundary bias.     

Instability of mercury in specimens of human urine for external quality assessment

An under-recovery of inorganic mercury added to urine and a wide range of results is observed in quality assessment schemes (EQAS) for trace elements. Furthermore, the under-recoveries are inconsistent suggesting features associated with the urine matrix may make the mercury unavailable for measurement. To investigate the instability of mercury in urine the following experiments were set up: (1) a sample of Hg²⁺ in water with various ‘stabilizers’ added was sent to UK external quality assessment scheme participants. (2) Urine was collected from volunteers who also completed a 3-day food diary. Hg, Ca, Mg, Se, uric acid, phosphate, creatinine, reducing substances and protein were measured. Inorganic mercury was spiked into the urine, stabilizers were added and the mercury determined following storage. The results confirmed under-recovery of mercury in association with the urine matrix. Further investigations of how urinary components affect the measurement of mercury are necessary.