Stable carbon isotopic composition of tree rings from a pine tree from Augustów Wilderness,Poland, as a temperature and local environment conditions indicator

Tree rings can be used as archives of climatic and environmental data with annual resolution. Tree rings widths, maximum late wood density and other parameters as stable composition in tree rings can be used for the reconstruction of past climatic and environmental changes. Stable carbon isotope ratios in tree rings may provide valuable information on past climatic conditions. ¹³C/¹²C ratios of plant organic matter can reflect corresponding ¹³C/¹²C ratio of atmospheric CO₂ during formation of the rings. Investigations of isotopic carbon composition in tree rings from in the ecologically clean the Augustów Wilderness region in the north-eastern part of Poland (22°58′E, 53°51′N) (nowadays a sanctuary) were undertaken. Series of δ¹³C in α-cellulose and in wholewood were acquired. Those measurements constituted a part of more complex investigations of carbon isotope composition in tree rings including the measurements of radiocarbon concentration and tree ring widths. This article presents preliminary results. It is argued that contrary to the tree ring widths and δ¹³C in wholewood that do not reveal significant correlation with temperature, the variation of δ¹³C in the latewood α-cellulose is correlated with combined July and August temperatures.     

Stable carbon isotopic composition of tree rings from a pine tree from Augustów Wilderness, Poland, as a temperature and local environment conditions indicator

Tree rings can be used as archives of climatic and environmental data with annual resolution. Tree rings widths, maximum late wood density and other parameters as stable composition in tree rings can be used for the reconstruction of past climatic and environmental changes. Stable carbon isotope ratios in tree rings may provide valuable information on past climatic conditions. 13C/12C ratios of plant organic matter can reflect corresponding 13C/12C ratio of atmospheric CO2 during formation of the rings. Investigations of isotopic carbon composition in tree rings from in the ecologically clean the Augustów Wilderness region in the north-eastern part of Poland (22 degrees 58'E, 53 degrees 51'N) (nowadays a sanctuary) were undertaken. Series of delta13C in alpha-cellulose and in wholewood were acquired. Those measurements constituted a part of more complex investigations of carbon isotope composition in tree rings including the measurements of radiocarbon concentration and tree ring widths. This article presents preliminary results. It is argued that contrary to the tree ring widths and delta13C in wholewood that do not reveal significant correlation with temperature, the variation of delta13C in the latewood alpha-cellulose is correlated with combined July and August temperatures.     

A theoretical study of energy transfer in the quenching of O(1 D 2) by CO(1Σ+)

Energy transfer processes occurring during the collisional quenching of O(¹ D) by CO(¹Σ⁺) are studied using a classical collision complex model together with potentials previously derived for the C(³ P) + O₂(³Σ _g ^-) reaction. Room temperature quenching rate constants, electronic-vibrational transfer efficiencies and product vibrational state distributions are in good agreement with experiment. The calculated and experimental temperature dependences of the electronic-vibrational transfer efficiencies and vibrational populations, however, disagree. The effect of using vibrationally excited CO as a quenching partner is studied and shown to result in a lowering of the quenching rate constant by a factor of 4 at room temperature. Enhancement of initial translational energy by the equivalent of a vibrational quantum of energy leads to an even larger decrease in the rate constant. This difference between vibrational and translational energy enhancement is interpreted in terms of an increased centrifugal barrier in the latter case.     

Ab initio study of the Ar–CS2(V1B2) intermolecular potential surface: effect of van der Waals interaction on the emission of CS2 molecule

In this work, the excited state intermolecular potential energy surface of the Ar–CS₂(V¹B₂) van der Waals complex was evaluated for the first time. The calculation of more than 4000 single-point interaction energies for the complex using an equation-of-motion coupled-cluster model with single and double substitutions level of theory with extended basis set involving bond functions has been performed. After fitting the interaction energies to analytical functions, the emission spectra of the Ar–CS₂(V¹B₂) complex related to the different stationary points on the potential energy surface were calculated. It was seen that the intensity and the position of the emission spectra are dependent on the orientation of the Ar atom around the bent excited CS₂ and the distance between two components. The information about the structural parameters of the complex related to the global minimum was obtained under the pseudodiatomic approximation with assistance of ab initio potential. The presented investigation could be useful for further theoretical and experimental studies of Ar–CS₂(V¹B₂) complex.     

Amplification of spontaneous emission in Nd~(3 )-doped fiber pumped by Ti: Al_2O_3 tunable laser

Amplification of spontaneous emission(ASE) in 4m Nd~(3 )-doped fiber pumped by Ti : Al~2O_3 tunable laser is studied theoretically and experimentally. The output of 2.64mW from ASE source pumped at 833 nm is obtained and the experimental results of ASE source are compared with that of Nd~(3 )-doped fiber ring laser.     

Calculation on the CO2 influences on the structure,stability of (MgO)m (m = 1–6) clusters

ABSTRACT

The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) has a significant influence on the morphology of thermal decomposition products of magnesite. So, structures, stabilities and adsorption mechanisms of (MgO)_m (m?=?1–6) clusters by one or two CO₂ molecules were calculated by the GGA-PW91 method. The results show that the stability of the considered clusters is (MgO)_m(CO₂)₂ clusters > (MgO)_m(CO₂) clusters > (MgO)_m clusters by the average binding energy. Certain low-lying isomers of (MgO)_m(CO₂) and (MgO)_m(CO₂)₂ clusters which have an isolated O atom are deviating from the cluster center which possess higher kinetic activity. (MgO)_m clusters prefer to adsorb a CO₂ molecule, while (MgO)₃(CO₂) clusters prefer to adsorb a CO₂ molecule rather than the neighbors. Magnesite is difficult to transit to (MgCO₃)₂ clusters at room temperature. However, magnesite will spontaneously transit to (MgO)₂ clusters and further transit to MgO crystal which need to adsorb more energy at 700?K.     

Cluster formation and laser-induced effects in the ablation of 2Cu(CO3)·Cu(OH)2. Time-of-flight mass spectrometric study

The mechanism of laser ablation of 2Cu(CO₃)·Cu(OH)₂ at 308 nm is investigated by time-of-flight mass spectroscopy at laser fluences in the range of 0.07 to 0.6 Jcm^-2. The neutral and ion composition of the plume reveals the presence of Cu, Cu₂O, CuO, H₂O and CO₂, which appear as free species or forming clusters. Plume composition is compatible with a thermal ablation mechanism which involves chemical processes similar to those reported for the purely thermal decomposition of the target. Velocity distributions of neutral species in the plume are measured and fitted to shifted Maxwell–Boltzmann time distributions; the best fitting yields flow velocities of 0.07 cms^-1 for CO₂ and Cu and 0.04 cms^-1 for Cu₂, which is compatible with an expansion regime characterized by weak interaction of the ejected particles. PACS 82.30.Nr; 78.70.-g     

Green synthesis of some 3-(α,α-diarylmethyl)indoles by bio-nanocomposite from embedding L–histidinium trichloroacetate ionic liquid on functionalized magnetite (L–His+CCl3CO2−@PEG@SiO2–nano Fe3O4)

Molecular Diversity - In this research, a new multilayered magnetized bio-nanocomposite has been prepared. At first, the amino acid-based ionic liquid was obtained from L-histidine and...     

Evidence of a precursor superconducting phase at temperatures as high as 180 K in RBa2Cu3O(7-δ) (R=Y, Gd, Eu) superconducting crystals from infrared spectroscopy

We show that a multilayer analysis of the infrared c-axis response of RBa2Cu3O(7-δ) (R=Y, Gd, Eu) provides important new information about the anomalous normal-state properties of underdoped cuprate high temperature superconductors. In addition to competing correlations which give rise to a pseudogap that depletes the low-energy electronic states below T*?T(c), it enables us to identify the onset of a precursor superconducting state below T(ons)>T(c). We map out the doping phase diagram of T(ons) which reaches a maximum of 180 K at strong underdoping and present magnetic field dependent data which confirm our conclusions.     

The influence of the local surrounding on the hyperfine interactions in Zr(Fe1−x Ni x )2 compounds

Mössbauer spectroscopy and the TDPAC method have been used to study Zr(Fe_1–x Ni _x )₂ compounds forx0.30. The hyperfine magnetic field at the Fe sites and the quadrupole splitting as functions of nickel concentration were analysed by use of⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Values of the internal magnetic field on¹⁸¹Ta nuclei have been found by means of the TDPAC method.     

Wavenumber Measurements of CO(2) Transitions in 1.5-µm Atmospheric Window Using an External-Cavity Diode Laser

Using an external-cavity diode laser (ECDL) as the light source, we have observed the spectrum of CO(2) in the 1.5-μm atmospheric window including the (30(0)1)(I) <-- (00(0)0) and (31(1)1)(I) <-- (01(1)0)(I) bands. Good signal-to-noise ratio allowed us to lock the frequency of our ECDL to the absorption line centers. Wavenumber measurements of the transitions with accuracy about 6.6 x 10(-4) cm(-1) are made with the help of a precision wavemeter calibrated to the accurate C(2)H(2) frequency references in the 1.5-μm wavelength region. Molecular constants are obtained by making the least-squares fits of the measured transition wavenumbers. The rotational and centrifugal distortion constants are consistent with the previous results using high-resolution Fourier transform spectroscopy. However, the band centers are different with previous results by several thousandth reciprocal centimeters. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

HRTEM and HAADF-STEM tomography investigation of the heterogeneously formed S (Al2CuMg) precipitates in Al–Cu–Mg alloy

The distribution of variants and three-dimensional (3D) configurations of the heterogeneously formed S (Al₂CuMg) precipitates at dislocations, grain boundaries and the Al₂₀Cu₂Mn₃ dispersoid/Al interfaces were studied in this research. By means of high resolution transmission electron microscopy, we systematically investigated the orientation relationships (ORs) between these heterogeneously formed S precipitates and the Al matrix, and further unraveled that the preferred orientation of S variants at grain boundaries and at dispersoid/Al interfaces are respectively associated with the OR between the precipitate habit plane and the grain boundary plane, and the OR between the precipitate habit plane and the interface plane. The inherent characteristic of the crystal structure of the S phase, i.e. the symmetry of the pentagonal subunit, was considered to be the fundamental factor determining the preference of the variant pair. By using high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy tomography, we successively obtained the 3D reconstruction of the S precipitates at these defects. Both the morphology of an individual S precipitate and the overall configuration of the S precipitates nucleated at these defects can be clearly observed without misunderstandings induced by the overlap and projection effects of the conventional two-dimensional methods.     

On Reasons for Anomalies of Properties in a Series of Mixed K2CoxNi1–x(SO4)2 · 6H2O Crystals

The microhardness and thermal stability of mixed K₂Co_xNi_1–x(SO₄)₂ · 6H₂O crystals have been studied for the {110} and {001} growth sectors. Maxima of the onset temperature of dehydration have been found at x ≈ 0.1 and x ≈ 0.9. The structure of the {110} and {001} growth sectors has been studied. The observed changes in the properties have been attributed to the degree of imperfection of crystals depending on their sectoral inhomogeneity.

     

A highly luminescent complexes of Eu(III) and Tb(III) with norfloxacin and gatifloxacin doped in sol–gel matrix: A comparable approach of using silica doped Tb(III) and Eu(III) as optical sensor

Highly luminescent complexes of Eu and Tb ions with norfloxacin (NFLX) and gatifloxacin (GFLX) were prepared in sol–gel matrix. The red and green emissions of Eu and Tb ions were obtained by the energy transfer from the triplet state of (NFLX) and (GFLX) to the excited emitting states (⁵D₀ and ⁵D₄) of Eu and Tb, respectively. The intensity of the electric field emission bands (⁵D₀→⁷F₂, 617 nm and ⁵D₄→⁷F₅, 545 nm) of Eu and Tb ions were proportional to the concentration of (NFLX at pH 6.0) and (GFLX at pH 3.5) in acetonitrile with excitation wavelengths (λ_ex) (340 and 395) and (370 and 350 nm) for Eu and Tb ions, respectively. The monitored luminescence intensity of the system showed a good linear relationship with the concentration of NFLX within a range of 5×10^?9–5.8×10^?6 and 5×10^?8–1.0×10^?6 mol L^?1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.990, and for GFLX within a range of 2.4×10^?9–3.2×10^?5 and 5×10^?8–8.0×10^?6 mol L^?1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.995. The detection limit (LOD) was determined as 3.0×10^?9 and 1.0×10^?8 mol L^?1 for NFLX and 1.6×10^?10 and 2.0×10^?8mol L^?1 for GFLX. The limit of quantification (LOQ) is 9×10^?9 and 3.0×10^?8 and 4.8×10^?10 and 6.0×10^?8 in case of Eu and Tb, respectively.     

Enhanced β Crystalline Phase in Poly(vinylidene fluoride) via the Incorporation of Graphene Oxide Sheets assisted by Supercritical CO2 Treatment

Graphene oxide (GO) sheets were pre-modified with a typical piezoelectric polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), using a simple supercritical carbon dioxide (SC CO₂) method, and then the PVDF-decorated GO was added into a PVDF matrix by solution blending. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the decorating degree of PVDF on the surface of the GO increased significantly with increasing of SC CO₂ pressure and PVDF concentration. The mechanism of the polymer adsorption on the GO sheets through favorable interaction between the GO and PVDF chains was identified via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Further, the crystallization behavior of PVDF/GO composites was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FTIR and polarized optical microscopy (POM). Interestingly, the composite with PVDF-decorated GO as the filler showed higher β-phase content compared to the composite with pristine GO as the filler. The study showed that the supercritical fluid-induced epitaxial crystallization process has significant potential for fabricating functional GO-based nanocomposties containing piezoelectric or conducting materials.     

Effect of γ-irradiation on the heat capacity of an [NH2(CH3)2]2 · CuCl4 crystal in the temperature range 80–300 K

The heat capacity of [NH₂(CH₃)₂]₂ · CuCl₄ crystals prior to and after γ-irradiation with doses of 1, 5, 10, and 50 MR is measured by the calorimetric method in the temperature range 80–300 K. It is found that, as the temperature decreases, the temperature dependence C _p (T) exhibits two anomalies which correspond to phase transitions from the incommensurate to the ferroelectric phase at T _c =281 K and from the ferroelectric to the ferroelastic phase at T ₁=255 K. The nature of the anomalies is typical of a first-order phase transition. In addition, a smeared anomaly in the form of a small increase in the heat capacity of the ferroelectric phase is observed at T≈275 K. It is demonstrated that when the dose of γ-irradiation increases, the anomalies decrease in magnitude and the phase transition temperatures are displaced: T _c increases and T ₁ decreases.