A facile gamma-ray method for radiodegradation of bilirubin in chloroform

Kinetics and concentration profile associated with the regulated radiodegradation of bilirubin in an organic solvent were assessed. The pure unconjugated specimen was prepared in chloroform (40.0 μM). The depletion of bilirubin was almost linear with dose, and complete degradation was accomplished with doses in excess of 100 Gy. The method was also evaluated for the explicit production of the long-wavelength isomer of biliverdin, which was characterized spectrometrically by an absorbance band in the region 600–650 nm. Results including differences in air, N₂ and O₂ purged samples are presented to identify the atmospheric medium for optimum production of biliverdin. The process was regulated by controlling the dose. The general rate constant of the depletion process was estimated at a dose rate of 5.67·10⁻²Gy·s⁻¹. The method is a convenient substitute for light illumination studies of bilirubin. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

57Fe Mössbauer investigations in the series Fe4−2xRuxSix(1.0≦x≦1.7)

⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer and magnetization studies on a new series Fe_4–2xRu_xSi_x (1.0x1.7) are reported. The system is seen to transform from a collinear ferromagnet for x1.2 to a cluster spin glass for x>=1.54 In the intermediate region the magnetic behaviour of the system, as probed by the Mössbauer effect, is dominated by the presence of clusters and their dynamics. The alloys have large ordering temperatures ( 750 K) throughout the series except for x>1.54 where they drop sharply. The moment values, in contrast, fall sharply from 4.8_B at x=1 to 0.5_B at x=1.6C. The average value of the HF at⁵⁷Fe measured at 15 K does not change significantly throughout the series.     

Production of charge-induced X-rays during PIXE studies using light and heavy ion-beams

A recently discovered phenomenon of excessively high X-ray production is discussed. The high yield is attributed to the build-up of potential on non-conducting targets irradiated with accelerated ion beams, and the subsequent discharge. Ion-beams of¹H⁺,¹H₂ ⁺,²H⁺,²H₂ ⁺,³He⁺,³He²⁺,⁴He⁺,¹⁴N⁺,¹⁴N²⁺,¹⁶O⁺ and²⁰Ne⁺ were used. A new mechanism of X-ray excitation is proposed. The increased X-ray fluxes produced by this process are suitable for analytical applications of high specificity. The mechanism of excitation associated with the process, factors affecting the high X-ray yields, applications and a general overview of the studies undertaken with the various ion beams are given.     

Human hair analysis by PIXE: Pattern recognition of trace element composition

The feasibility is explored of classifying human hair specimens according to their trace metal composition as determined by PIXE. Protons of 3.5 MeV were used to analyse 150 samples by energy-dispersive spectrometry using a Si(Li) detector. The methods of the Minimal Spanning Tree and Non-Linear Mapping were used to establish correlation among the specimens. As a result of distinct groupings obtained by these methods it was inferred that these techniques could usefully be applied to environmental pollution studies.     

Charge-induced X-ray yields from some metal salts with proton and alpha beams

Previous studies reporting abnormally high X-ray yields from the fluorides of some transition metals were extended to include a variety of other compounds. Using proton beams of 700 and 2000 keV and -beams of 1000 keV the production of abnormally high X-ray yields were critically examined for reproducibility and under different vaccum and bombarding beam conditions.     

Superstable theories with few countable models

Summary We prove here: Theorem. LetT be a countable complete superstable non -stable theory with fewer than continuum many countable models. Then there is a definable groupG with locally modular regular generics, such thatG is not connected-by-finite and any type inG ^eq orthogonal to the generics has Morley rank. Corollary. LetT be a countable complete superstable theory in which no infinite group is definable. ThenT has either at most countably many, or exactly continuum many countable models, up to isomorphism.Supported by NSF grant DMS 90-06628     

Determination of aluminium and silicon in zeolites by PIXE

Using 1.0 MeV protons on thick targets of zeolite pellets, aluminium and silicon were determined by PIXE. Results were compared with XRF data. The relative root mean square error was 3.7% and the results of the two methods agreed with a correlation factor of 0.991. PIXE analysis can be carried out on very small samples, while sample preparation involves minimal handling.     

Automated generation of constructive ordering heuristics for educational timetabling

Annals of Operations Research - Construction heuristics play an important role in solving combinatorial optimization problems. These heuristics are usually used to create an initial solution to the...     

Preparation of Nitriles by Dehydration of Primary Carboxawides with a Supported phosphorus pentoxide reagent

The use of a supported phosphorus pentoxide reagent in the synthesis of selected nitriles is discussed.     

Differences in PIXE signal-to-noise ratios and detection limits for conducting targets insulated with glass

Extended work, involving background effects, to confirm the charge-inducedX-ray (CHIX) phenomenon is reported. PIXE studies in pure metal targets surroundedby a special type of glass insulating material (Macor) produced higher backgrounds,in general, compared to corresponding observations made in the absence ofthe insulator. Experiments were conducted using low-energy protons of 700keV and beam currents ranging between 1–10 nA. Signal-to-noise ratiosand detection limits are compared and discussed in the light of the unusualhigh X-ray yields produced by the CHIX phenomenon.