Complete structure determination of the astrophysically important nucleus Na below the proton threshold

The fusion–evaporation reaction ¹⁰B(¹²C, 2n) was used to make the first observation of in-beam γ decays from the astrophysically important nucleus ²⁰Na, lying adjacent to the proton drip-line. All states below the proton threshold in ²⁰Na were populated and identified in the experiment. These include new levels, previously unresolved levels, and states located with improved energy precision. The level structure of ²⁰Na, and its γ transitions, are compared to the mirror partner ²⁰F measured simultaneously in this experiment. In particular, a high degree of energy stability is found for all negative parity states. These results are discussed in the context of the nuclear shell model.     

Evolution of shapes in 59Cu

High-spin states in ⁵⁹Cu were populated using the fusion-evaporation reaction ²⁸Si + ⁴⁰Ca at a beam energy of 122 MeV. The Gammasphere Ge-detector array in conjunction with the 4π charged-particle detector array Microball allowed for the detection of γ-rays in coincidence with evaporated light particles. The resulting extensive high-spin decay scheme of ⁵⁹Cu is presented, which comprises more than 320 γ-ray transitions connecting about 150 excited states. Their spins and parities have been assigned via directional correlations of γ-rays emitted from oriented states. Average quadrupole moments of rotational bands have been determined from the analysis of residual Doppler shifts. Shell model calculations in the fp shell are invoked to study some of the low-spin states, while the experimental characteristics of the rotational bands are analyzed in the configuration-dependent cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky (CNS) approach. Received: 15 February 2002 / Accepted: 23 April 2002     

Speciation analysis of tellurium by solid-phase extraction in the presence of ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Under acidic conditions tellurium(IV) formed a complex with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC). The tellurium(IV) complex was completely retained on a non-polar Isolute silica-based octadecyl (C(18)) sorbent-containing solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge, while the uncomplexed Te(VI) passed through the cartridge and remained as a free species in the solution. Only partial Te(IV) was retained on the SPE cartridge for samples without addition of APDC. On the basis of different retention behaviours of the complexed Te(IV) and uncomplexed Te(VI), a simple and highly sensitive method is proposed for the determination of total tellurium and Te(VI) by SPE separation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection. The Te(IV) concentration was calculated as the difference between total tellurium and Te(VI) concentrations. The detection limit (3 sigma) is 3 ng L(-1) tellurium. Factors affecting the separation and detection of tellurium species were investigated. Coexisting ions did not show significant interferences with the Te(IV)-APDC complex retention and the subsequent ICP-MS detection of Te. The method has been successfully applied to the tellurium speciation analysis in waters with spiked recoveries for Te(IV) and Te(VI) of 86.0-108% and 87.1-97.4%, respectively.     

Antimony speciation by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using solid phase extraction cartridges

A novel and simple method for inorganic antimony speciation is described based on selective solid phase extraction (SPE) separation of antimony(III) and highly sensitive inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) detection of total antimony and antimony(V) in the aqueous phase of the sample. Non-polar SPE cartridges, such as the Isolute silica-based octyl (C8) sorbent-containing cartridge, selectively retained the Sb(III) complex with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC), while the uncomplexed Sb(V) remained as a free species in the solution and passed through the cartridge. The Sb(III) concentration was calculated as the difference between total antimony and Sb(V) concentrations. The detection limit was 1 ng L(-1) antimony. Factors affecting the separation and detection of antimony species were investigated. Acidification of samples led to partial or complete retention of Sb(V) on C8 cartridge. Foreign ions tending to complex with Sb(III) or APDC did not interfere with the retention behavior of the Sb(III)-APDC complex. This method has been successfully applied to antimony speciation of various types of water samples.     

Electrochemically generated super-hydrophilic surfaces

The control of surface wettability of indium tin oxide (In2O3-SnO2) coated glass surfaces is studied. We report here the first observation of purely electrochemical generation of super-hydrophilic surfaces at In2O3-SnO2 electrodes in the absence of an ultraviolet illumination source. This is achieved by the application of high anodic potentials for a prolonged period. Such surfaces are reversibly converted back to their original hydrophobic state on storage in air (one or two days) or water (a week)(and vice versa). The unique character of these surfaces can be attributed to the surface structure of the hydrophilic phase.     

On some contact problems for composite half-spaces PMM vol. 31, no. 6, 1967, pp. 1001–1008

Solutions are presented herein of some contact problems connected with the torsion of a composite half-space. In the general case the problem of the torsion of a composite elastic half-space is examined by means of the rotation of a stiff finite cylinder welded into a vertical recess of this half-space. Moreover, the following particular problems on the torsion of such a half-space are considered.

1. 1) A composite half-space with a vertical elastic infinite core, twisted by means of the rotation of a stiff stamp affixed to the upper endplate of the elastic core.

2. 2) A half-space with a vertical cylindrical infinite hole, twisted by means of the rotation of a stiff finite cylinder welded into the upper part of this hole.

In the general case the solution of the problem reduces to the solution of an integral equation of the second kind on a half-line. The question of the solvability of this fundamental integral equation is investigated, and it is shown that its solution may be constructed by successive approximations.

Let us note that the problem of the torsion of a homogeneous half space and of an elastic layer by means of rotation of a stiff stamp has been considered by Rostovtsev [1], Reissner and Sagoci [2], Ufliand [3], Florence [4], Grilitskii [5] and others.

The problem of the torsion of a circular cylindrical rod and the half-space welded to it which are subject to a torque applied to the free endface of the rod has been considered by Grilitskii and Kizyma[6].

The torsion of an elastic half-space with a vertical cylindrical inclusion of some other material by the rotation of a stiff stamp on the surface of this half-space has been considered in [7], wherein it has been assumed that the stamp is symmetrically disposed relative to the axis of the inclusion and lies simultaneously on both materials.     

Thermodynamics of electrolyte solutions. The system HCl + CaCl2 + H2O at 298.15°K

Activity coefficients of hydrochloric acid have been determined from electromotive-force measurements of cells containing mixtures of hydrochloric acid and calcium chloride at constant total ionic strengthsI=0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mole-kg^–1 at 298.15°K. Interpretations based on Scatchard's and Pitzer's equations indicate that Pitzer's equations probably provide a more convenient guide to the thermodynamic properties of the mixed-electrolyte solutions. Activity coefficients for calcium chloride were derived from these equations.