Evolution of the atomic order and valence state of rare-earth atoms and uranium in a new carbon-metal composite—diphthalocyanine pyrolysate C64H32N16 Me (Me = Y,La, Ce,Eu, and U)

The structure of a metal-carbon composite formed by the pyrolysis of diphthalocyanine of some rare-earth elements (Y, La, Ce, Eu) and uranium in the temperature range T _ann = 800–1700°C has been investigated for the first time by the methods of X-ray diffraction analysis and X-ray line shift. It has been shown that, in the general case, the studied pyrolysates consist of three phases. One phase corresponds to the structure of graphite. The second phase corresponds to nitrides, carbides, and oxides of basic metal elements with a crystallite size ranging from 5 to 100 nm. The third phase is amorphous or consisting of crystallites with a size of ～1 nm. It has been found that all the basic elements (Y, La, Ce, Eu, U) and incorporated iodine atoms in the third phase are in a chemically bound state. The previously unobserved electronic configurations have been revealed for europium. The possibility of including not only atoms of elements forming diphthalocyanine but also other elements (for example, iodine) in the composite structure is of interest, in particular, for the creation of a thermally, chemically, and radiation resistant metal-carbon matrix for the radioactive waste storage.     

Characterisation of spatial variability and patterns in tree and soil δ13C at forested sites in eastern Canada

Wholistic isotopic studies provide a necessary foundation on which to build conceptual understanding of ecosystem development processes and provide the basis for further isotopic studies at a site or within an ecophysiological region. This study seeks to broadly characterise δ¹³C spatial variability and spatial patterns within soils and canopy tissues at five forest research sites in eastern Canada. We observe consistent and predictable patterns of leaf δ¹³C variation within trees and a consistent offset between woody and leafy tree tissues. Patterns are similar for both hardwoods and softwoods, but overall hardwoods had canopies that were more depleted in ¹³C. Soil carbon δ¹³C enrichment occurred with depth and appeared to vary according to site soil texture. Upper soil δ¹³C was intermediate between leaves and woody tissues, whereas deeper soil values suggested important contributions from more enriched tree tissues, such as persistent woody debris and possibly roots. The relationship between aboveground and belowground signatures suggests functional or developmental differences between study sites.     

Sensitive determination of adenosine disodium triphosphate in soil,milk, and pharmaceutical formulation by enoxacin–europium (III) fluorescence complex in solution

A new spectroflurometric method for the determination of adenosine disodium triphosphate (ATP) is developed. Fluorometric interaction between ATP and enoxacin (ENX)–Eu³⁺ complex was studied using UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Weak luminescence spectra of Eu³⁺ were enhanced after complexation with ENX at 589 nm and 614 nm upon excitation at 395 nm due to energy transfer from the ligand to the lanthanide ion. It was observed that luminescence spectrum of Eu³⁺ was strongly enhanced further at 614 nm after incorporation of ATP into the ENX–Eu³⁺ complex. Under optimal conditions, the enhancement of luminescence at 614 nm was responded linearly with the concentration of ATP. The linearity was maintained in the range of 1.5×10^?10–1.15×10^?8 M (R=0.9973) with the limit of detection (3σ) of 4.71×10^?11 M. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for 9 repeated measurements of 1×10^?9  M ATP was 1.25%. Successful determinations of ATP in soil, milk, and a pharmaceutical formulation with the proposed method were demonstrated.     

The existence of (n, γf) process on235U nucleus and uranium X-ray yields

The measurement of X-rays emitted before the fission of²³⁵U induced by resonance neutrons is described. Preliminary results show the dependence of the X-ray yield on fission width _f. It is explained on the bases of the existence of the two-step (n,f) process. The estimate of the width of the (n,f) process is of the order of 4 MeV and the-transitions taking place before fission of²³⁶U compound nucleus are mostly of the M1 type.In conclusion the authors would like to express their gratitude to L. B.Pikelner for many useful discussions, to I. M.Salamattn and A.Mateeva for the programme supply of the experiment, V. G.Tisin, A. A.Bogdzel, Yu. I.Kolgin and N.Chikov for taking part in the different steps of the work. The authors are also grateful toYu. P.Popov and I.Wilhelm for taking interest in the work.     

C(γ,η)X Reactions and Properties of N*(1535) in Nuclei

The η photon production reaction on nuclei is studied by employing N^*(1535) resonance model. The parameters of the model are extracted by using experimental data of N^* decay channels and fitting γp→ηp reaction cross section. The result shows that the theoretical values are in good agreement with experimental data if M_N*=1550MeV. The total cross section of the η photoproduction on ¹²C is calculated. We find that the width of N^*(1535) in nuclei increases because of corrections of many-body effects, and the interaction between N^* and nuclei has the feature of repulsion.     

Evolution of texture and grain boundary microstructure in two-phase (α + β) brass during recrystallization

The evolution of texture and microstructure during recrystallization is studied for two-phase copper alloy (Cu–40Zn) with a variation of the initial texture and microstructure (hot rolled and solution treated) as well as the mode of rolling (deformation path: uni-directional rolling and cross rolling). The results of bulk texture have been supported by micro-texture and microstructure studies carried out using electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD). The initial microstructural condition as well as the mode of rolling has been found to alter the recrystallization texture and microstructure. The uni-directionally rolled samples showed a strong Goss and BR {236}?385? component while a weaker texture similar to that of rolling evolved for the cross-rolled samples in the α phase on recrystallization. The recrystallization texture of the β phase was similar to that of the rolling texture with discontinuous ?101? α and {111} γ fiber with high intensity at {111}?101?. For a given microstructure, the cross-rolled samples showed a higher fraction of coincident site lattice Σ3 twin boundaries in the α phase. The higher fraction of Σ3 boundaries is explained on the basis of the higher propensity of growth accidents during annealing of the cross-rolled samples. The present investigation demonstrates that change in strain path, as introduced during cross-rolling, could be a viable tool for grain boundary engineering of low SFE fcc materials.     

Measurement and analysis of the 238U(n, 2n) reactionrate in depleted uranium/polyethylene shells

In order to check the conceptual design of the subcritical blanket in a fusion-fission hybrid reactor, a depleted uranium/polyethylene simulation device with alternate shells has been established. The measurement of the ²³⁸U(n, 2n) reaction rate was carried out using an activation technique, by measuring the 208 keVγ rays emitted from ²³⁷U. The self-absorption of depleted uranium foils with different thicknesses was experimentally corrected. The distribution of the ²³⁸U(n, 2n) reaction rate at 90° to the incident D⁺ beam was obtained, with uncertainty between 5.3% and 6.0%. The experiment was analyzed using MCNP5 code with the ENDF/BVI library, and the calculated results are all about 5% higher than the measured results.     

The Effect of Diet Quality on δ(13)C and δ(15)N in the Tissues of Locusts, Locusta migratoria L

Abstract Locust nymphs were raised from hatching to adult locusts on either seedling wheat (C(3)) or maize (C(4)), to determine whether relative enrichments/depletions of (15)N and (13)C within body tissues are influenced by diet. The maize contained less hexose sugars and protein per gram than wheat. The isotopic spacing between the food and the whole insect was found to differ between the two diets. The lower quality maize diet showed an overall +5.1‰ enrichment in δ(15)N compared to + 2.8‰ for wheat, possibly due to increased fractionation due to protein recycling. The maize diet resulted in increased depletion in lipid and trehalose and depletion in chitin relative to diet. The results for both δ(15)N and δ(13)C suggest that substrate recycling was occurring on the low quality maize diet. Therefore diet quality determines the enrichment/depletion in δ(15)N and δ(13)C within organisms.     

¹⁵C(d,p)¹⁶C reaction and exotic behavior in ¹⁶C

We have studied the 1?C(d,p)1?C reaction in inverse kinematics using the Helical Orbit Spectrometer at Argonne National Laboratory. Prior studies of electromagnetic-transition rates in 1?C suggested an exotic decoupling of the valence neutrons from the core in that nucleus. Neutron-adding spectroscopic factors give a different probe of the wave functions of the relevant states in 1?C. Shell-model calculations reproduce both the present transfer data and the previously measured transition rates, suggesting that 1?C may be described without invoking very exotic phenomena.     

(e,e′), (γ, π+ and (π−, γ) on12C and13C

A detailed theoretical analysis of spin degrees of freedom in carbon isotopes is performed, probing them by electron scattering, pion photoproduction and radiative pion capture from the mesoatomic orbits.Dedicated by the co-authors to the memory of J. Gmitro.The present paper is one of the last works made together with our colleague Marian Gmitro. We had to complete it without him. We mourn for his sudden death and we will always keep alive the memory of his bright personality.     

Influence of Nitrogen,Water and Competition on Carbon Isotope Ratios (δ13C) in a CAM Plant (Crassula argentea)

Abstract

Leaf carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C), an indicator of long-term intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, and also stem and root carbon isotope ratios were measured on the obligate CAM species Crassula argentea cultivated in pure and mixed cultures with the succulent C₃ Peperomia obtusifolia in open-air conditions under two different levels of nitrogen and water supply.

As expected, a diminished water supply and a relatively dry and hot summer climate cause a shift of δ¹³C values to a less strong ¹³C discrimination (less negative δ¹³C values). A diminished nitrogen supply causes a shift of the δ¹³C values in direction of a higher ¹³C discrimination (more negative δ¹³C values), particularly in the leaves. Competition causes also an increased ¹³C discrimination, especially valid for shoot axes.

The shift of ¹³C/¹²C isotope ratios in case of nitrogen deficiency is discussed to be a result of a decreased PEPCase activity in the night.     

Thermoelectric power of RAgSb(2) (R?=?Y, La, Ce, and Dy) in zero and applied magnetic fields

We report the experimental results of measurements of the thermoelectric power on the ternary intermetallic compounds RAgSb(2) (R = Y, La, Ce, and Dy) over the temperature range from 2 to 300 K and in magnetic fields up to 140 kOe. In this work, we present the thermoelectric transport properties of four materials from the same family with different ground states: a non-moment bearing paramagnetic metallic system (YAgSb(2)), a non-moment bearing charge density wave system (LaAgSb(2)), a local moment bearing compound with XY-like antiferromagnetic order in the tetragonal basal plane as well as readily accessible metamagnetism (DyAgSb(2)), and a Kondo lattice system with ferromagnetic order below T(C) = 9.7 K (CeAgSb(2)). The thermoelectric power data from these materials exhibit complex temperature and magnetic field dependences, which are associated with modification of the electronic density of states and changes in magnetic scattering. At low temperatures, quantum oscillations in the thermoelectric power are also observed. These oscillations are associated with the Landau quantization of electronic energy in an applied magnetic field.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ni(II) complex functionalized silica-based magnetic nanocatalyst and its application in C–N and C–C cross-coupling reactions

Molecular Diversity - A new magnetically recoverable silica-based nickel(II) nanocatalyst was synthesized by a simple cost-effective procedure, which was characterized by TEM, SEM, XRD, VSM...     

Comparative analysis of (p,d), (d,t) and (3He, α) reactions on13C nucleus

The angular distributions of the (p, d), (d, t) and(³He, ) reactions on¹³C have been analysed within the framework of DWBA in which additional information on nuclear vertex constants was introduced. Although all these reactions seem to be similar single nucleon transfer, their mechanism is shown to be quite different and so is the information extracted thereof. While from the (p, d) reactions spectroscopic factors may be extracted unambiguously, from the (d, t) reactions it is possible to obtain directly the values of vertex constants only, which in turn are consistent with those determined by extrapolation of the experimental cross sections of the (p, d) reactions to the pole.In the case of (³He, ) reactions, however, the analysis indicates inadequacy of the DWBA concerning the calculations of central partial amplitudes. For a more reliable extraction of structural information, besides the correct normalization of peripheral amplitudes, a contribution of more complex mechanisms must be taken into account.     

Relaxation of the analyzing power of the (p, τX) and (p, αX) reactions in the continuum

The observed continuous decrease of the analyzing power for the reactions ($\text{p}$, τX) and ($\text{p}$, αX) on ⁹⁰Zr and ²⁰⁹Bi at E_p = 72 MeV as a function of the excitation energy of the final nucleus is described by a phenomenological relaxation process.     

Measurement of 4He(12C,16 O)γ Reaction in Inverse Kinematics

A cross section measurement employing a direct ¹⁶O detection method for the reaction energies from E _cm = 2.4 to 0.7 MeV is planned at Kyushu University Tandem Laboratory. To perform this experiment and to obtain quantitative information about the cross section to within an error of 10%, we have developed several instruments, including a blow-in type windowless gas target and a ionization chamber. A target thickness of 24 × 3.9 Torr cm was achieved using the developed gas target. The particle identification was successfully performed by using the energy deposit in the ionization chamber. Experiments were performed at E _cm = 2.4 and 1.5 MeV using the developed instruments and the cross sections were obtained.     

The role of molybdenum in the hard-phase grains of (Ti,Mo)(C,N)–Co cermets

The evolution of the core–rim interface in Ti(C,?N)-based cermets containing Mo is studied by scanning electron microscopy and conventional and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy as a function of the annealing temperature. A heavily disordered zone on the nanometric scale is observed close to the interface with the core of Ti(C,?N) grains in as-sintered samples. It reorders after annealing at a high temperature. This disorder is correlated with the presence of Mo in the rim during sintering, which enhances the strength of the core–rim interface as a barrier for the diffusion of atoms from the core. It avoids the complete dissolution of small Ti(C,?N) grains from the original powder and limits the grain growth. It also acts as a barrier against dislocation movements during plastic deformation. This effect, as well as the small final grain size determined by the presence of Mo, contributes to the good mechanical properties of Mo-containing cermets at intermediate temperatures.