A new improved expression for gamma-ray detection efficiency of Ge(Li) detectors

In the present paper, a new improved expression for -ray detection efficiency of Ge(Li) detectors, ⁰ , is given. It is represented as a continuous function of x (viz. E ^–1) with a maximum and decreases very rapidly to a small positive value as -ray energy, E, drops to 40 keV or lower, but slowly as E rises to 1.7 MeV or higher. Since it can well represent the whole physical process of the -ray detection, this expression may be one of the simplest and most precise representations, for ⁰ at the present time.     

Adsorption Isotherm Accounting for the Electrode Elasticity: Special Solutions

The single-phase adsorption on a solid electrode out of a dilute solution is investigated. As a continuation of the previous paper, on the basis of the complete electrocapillarity equation, an adsorption isotherm equation is derived and supplemented by equations of compatibility of the physical quantities. The equations contain a new parameter, , which is a derivative of the dimensionless surface adsorbate concentration by the relative variation of the electrode surface area. Their solution is obtained in relation to the dimensionless charge density of the electrode surface q for the case of = (). As a result of employing a linear model for q by , the problem of determination of the unknown model functions is reduced to common differential equations that use the capacitance or estance curves as the boundary conditions. In the first case, we suggest to calculate the unknown integration parameter by the method of mathematical optimization, employing coulometric data.     

The cyclodextrin-quinone inclusion compounds in an aqueous solution at 77. K. I. 9,10-anthraquinone sulfonates and 1,4-naphthoquinones

The complex formation between cyclodextrins (-, -, -CD's and dimethyl-\-CD) and quinones (three 9, 10-anthraquinone sulphonates and two 1,4-naphthoquinones) in the water-ethylene glycol 1:1 mixture solution at 77 K was investigated using the n^* phosphorescence spectra and their excitation spectra and lifetimes of the quinones. It was concluded on the basis of the experimental results that the complexes have various structures according to the CD-quinone combination used. Vitamin K₃ was found to form the photodimer very efficiently in the presence of -CD. The assumed CD:quinone ratios of the complexes are given.     

An empirical equation-of-state for solid-fluid interfacial free energies

The contact angle,, formed by a liquid on a solid surface in air depends on the solid-air ( _S ), liquid-air ( _L ) and solid-liquid ( _SL ) interfacial free energies, as described by Young's equation. Critical examination of reported contact angles for numerous liquids and solids leads to an empirical correlation between _sL and both _Y and _S . Combination of this correlation with Young's equation gives an empirical relation allowing calculation of _S from _L and Calculations made with these empirical relations agree well with estimations of _S obtained by the method of critical spreading, and are consistent with Young's equation.Founded and supported by F. Hoffmann-La Roche and Co., Limited Company, Basel, Switzerland.     

Methane Adsorption and Plasma-Assisted Catalytic Conversion on the Surface of γ-Alumina

Diffuse scattering IR spectroscopy was applied to study the adsorption and plasma-assisted catalytic conversion of methane (deuteromethane) on the surface of -alumina. It was found that CH₄ adsorption sites on the -Al₂O₃ surface were formed by molecular and dissociative mechanisms under the action of an electric-discharge plasma at room temperature. As distinct from -radiolysis, plasma treatment leads to the formation of acetylene in addition to other hydrocarbon products, aluminum hydrides, and surface hydroxyl groups. Plausible mechanisms were proposed for plasma-assisted catalytic reactions in the -Al₂O₃–adsorbed CH₄(CD₄) system.     

Effect of ageing atmospheres on the changes in surface free energies of oxygen plasma-treated polyethylene films

The changes in the surface properties of oxygen plasma-treated polyethylene films during ageing in various atmospheres (water, dry nitrogen gas, and hexane) were studied from the viewpoint of the interaction of the surface functional groups formed on the films and the ageing media. The XPS (x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and the SSIMS (static secondary ion mass spectrometry) spectra indicated the formation of polar groups containing oxygen such as C=O on the film surface. The changes in the critical surface tension (_C) of the film with ageing time were largely affected by the ageing atmospheres: the _C value of the film aged in water increased, and those of the films aged in nitrogen gas and hexane decreased with an increase in ageing time. These different tendencies among the ageing media could be understood reasonably with examining the surface free energy ratios (the total energy, _S ^tot , the dispersion force component, _S ^d / _S ^tot , the polar component, _S ^p / _S ^tot , the hydrogen bonding component, _S ^h / _S ^tot ) of the films. The ageing in water of which _L is large gave the films with higher _S ^p / _S ^tot values, suggeting that the overturn and/or the orientation of the polar groups toward the water phase occurred so as to minimize the discrepancy of the surface free energy between the polymer surface and water. On the other hand, the ageing in nitrogen gas and hexane media of which _L are small gave the films with lower _S ^p / _S ^tot and _S ^h / _S ^tot values, suggesting the overturn and/or the orientation of the polar groups into the bulk polymer.     

First experiments on transmutation studies of129I and237Np using relativistic protons of 3.7 GeV

First experiments on the transmutation of long-lived¹²⁹I and²³⁷Np using relativistic protons of 3.7 GeV are described. Relativistic protons generate in extended Pb-targets substancial neutron fluences. These neutrons get moderated in paraffin and are used for transmutation as follows:¹²⁹I(n,)¹³⁰I and²³⁷Np(n,)²³⁸Np. The isotopes¹³⁰I (T _1/2-12.36 h) and²³⁸Np (T _1/2=2.117 d) were identified radiochemically. One can estimate the transmutation cross-section (n,) in the given neutron field as (¹²⁹I(n,))=(10±2)b and (²³⁷Np(n,))=(140±30)b The experiments were carried out in November 1996 at the Synchrophasotron, LHE, Dubna, Russia. The investigation has been performed at the Laboratory of High Energies, JINR, Dubna.     

Radiation-Induced Transformations of Iron(II) Formate

The solid-phase decomposition of the iron formate crystal hydrate Fe(HCOO)₂ · 2H₂O under exposure to ⁶⁰Co -rays or 3.5-MeV electrons was studied. It was found that the irradiation of this salt to absorbed doses of 0.1–2 MGy resulted in the radiolysis of water of crystallization and the HCOO^– anion and in the reduction or oxidation of the Fe²⁺ cation. The composition of the solid-phase (-Fe, -Fe, FeO, -Fe -Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄, and FeCO₃) and gaseous (H₂O, CO, CO₂, HCOOH, and CH₄) radiolysis products of the substance was determined.     

Distribution of137Cs,40K,238U and232Th in soils from Northern Venezuela

More than one hundred undisturbed soil samples from Northern Venezuela and the islands of Margarita and Los Roques have been analyzed for¹³⁷Cs,⁴⁰K,²³⁸U and²³²Th by -ray spectroscopy. The specimens were taken from between 5–10 cm below the earth's surface. Thus, they are valid not only for the¹³⁷Cs deposition studies but also for the estimation of the natural -ray dose from primordial radionuclides that form the terrestrial component. The concentration of⁴⁰K was directly determined from its 1461 keV -ray, while those of¹³⁷Cs,²³⁸U and²³²Th were performed using a -ray from one of their daughter radionuclides: the 661 keV -ray of^137mBa for¹³⁷Cs, the 1760 keV -ray of²¹⁴Bi for²³⁸U and the 2620 keV -ray of²⁰⁸Tl for²³²Th. Finally, the concentration values were compared with those of global estimates.     

Preparation,characterization of crystalline zirconium phosphates and study on their acid stability and ion exchange behavior with uranyl ions

Two kinds of crystalline zirconium phosphate, - and -ZrP were prepared by direct method, and characterized by means of X-ray powder diffractometry, thermogravimetric analysis and pH titration. The total exchange capacity of -ZrP and -ZrP for Na⁺ ions determined by pH titration was 8.80 mmol/(g Zr(HPO₄)₂·6H₂O) and 3.80 mmol/(g NH₄ZrH(PO₄)₂·H₂O), respectively. The thermodynamic equilibrium constant of exchange reactions on -ZrP and on -ZrP at 25.0°C is 2.5 and 1.1, respectively. Although UO ₂ ²⁺ in solution is more preferred by -ZrP than by -ZrP, the selectivity of -ZrP for UO ₂ ²⁺ decreases with decreasing pH value while less effect of pH on the amount of UO ₂ ²⁺ ions exchanged to -ZrP has been found. It is also interesting to find out that both H⁺ and NH ₄ ⁺ ions in -ZrP can be replaced by UO ₂ ²⁺ ions existed in concentrated solution.     

Formation of N-butane in the pyrolysis of ethylene [1]

Yields of n-C₄H₁₀ have been measured from the flow pyrolysis of C₂H₄ at 897 (±7) K. From 77 to 720 Torr the order of n-C₄H₁₀ formation was found to be 2.0±0.3 The rate constant for the reaction, was estimated to be 2.4(±0.6)×10^–4l mol^–1s^–1.

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-C₄H₁₀ C₂H₄ 897 (±7) . -C₄H₁₀ 77 720 2.0±0.3. 2C₂H₄C₂H₃+C₂H₅ 2,4 (±0,6)×10^{–4 –1–1}.

     

Fluorescent Molecular Sensing System Based on Tri-Pyrenes-Labeled γ-Cyclodextrin at the Hetero Rim

Fluorescent active host labeled at the upper and lower rims of -cyclodextrin, namely, mono-3^A-deoxy-3^A-pyrenebutylamido-6^X,Y-O-bis-pyrenebutylate-mono-altro--cyclodextrin (-3) has been synthesized as a chemosensor for steroidal guests using fluorescence spectra change upon a guest addition. The -3 shows monomer and excimer fluorescence, which results in an increase of the intensity of monomer and decrease of excimer fluorescence with a host–guest binding in the cyclodextrin cavity. The extent of monomer and excimer fluorescence variations of -3 was used as an indication for the sensing ability for the guests examined. The guest-induced fluorescence changes were measured for 10^–7 M solutions of -3. The sensing parameters (I_ex/I⁰_ex and I_mon/I⁰_mono) were used to describe the sensing ability of -3. The values of I_ex/I⁰_ex describe that -3 shows less selectivity for guests than that of mono-3^A-deoxy-3^A-pyrenebutylamido-6^X-O-mono-pyrenebutylate-mono-altro--cyclodextrin (-2), and the values of I_mon/I⁰_mono show that -3 shows higher sensitivity and selectivity than that of -2.     

Adsorption behavior of polymers having phosphoric acid group on γ-Fe2O3 and magnetic characteristics in magnetic coatings

Polymers having phosphoric acid groups were prepared as a model binder for magnetic coatings, and the correlation among the adsorption behavior of the polymers onto-Fe₂O₃ particles and the dispersibility, the orientation, and the packing density of-Fe₂O₃ particles in the magnetic coatings was investigated.PMMA homopolymer molecules hardly adsorbed on-Fe₂O₃, and the interfacial tension at a water/polymer solution (toluene) interface ( _W/T) was scarcely changed compared with a water/toluene interface. Increasing with the content of polymeric phosphoric acid group, the adsorbance of polymer increased and the interfacial tension ( _W/T) decreased. When the content of polymeric phosphoric acid groups was over 0.4 mol%, the adsorbance of polymer and interfacial tension ( _W/T ) remained constant. When these polymers were used as a binder for magnetic tapes, the dispersibility of-Fe₂O₃ in the magnetic coatings was improved, increasing with the content of polymeric phosphoric acid group; however, when the content of phosphoric acid group was over 0.2 mol%, its dispersibility decreased abruptly.Studies on Recording Magnetic Materials and Magnetic Composite. XVIII.     

Synthesis, Characterization, and X-Ray Diffraction Analysis of Triethylenetetraammonium Tetrathiomolybdate

The reaction of gaseous H₂S with aqueous ammonium heptamolybdate in the presence of triethylenetetramine (trien) gave a red complex. The complex was recrystallized in hot water and characterized by element analysis and UV, visible, IR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. PMR has revealed accidental magnetic equivalence, resulting from the proximity of [MoS₄]^2- species in one complex molecule to the open triethylenetetramine ligand of another molecule. (TrienH₂)[MoS₄] crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system, space group Pca2₁, a=13.045(2), b=16.461(3), c=13.754(2) , =90, =90, =90°, V=2953.5(9) ³, Z=8, R₁=0.0323, wR₂=0.0730. The structure consists of the tetrahedral tetrathiomolybdate anions, forming an extended 3D framework in solids due to the interactions with triene cations via Mo-S...H-N hydrogen bonds.     

Circular dichroism spectra of the inclusion complexes of phlorizin in cyclodextrins

Two aromatic rings of a phlorizin molecule form inclusion complexes with -CD and -CD. Induced circular dichroism spectra of these complexes have been measured to estimate the orientation of the two aromatic rings in the hydrophobic space of CDs. Apparent complex formation constants have been also estimated for each complex. It is concluded that phlorizin forms a stronger inclusion complex with -CD than with -CD.     

New Molybdenum(V) Complexes Prepared by the Oxidation of Dinuclear Quadruply-Bonded Molybdenum(II) Monothiocarboxylates

Oxidation of molybdenum(II) thiopivalate and thiobenzoate in the presence of -picoline or pyridine results in the formation of dinuclear molybdenum(V) complexes of the general formulae [Mo₂O₂(-O)₂(-SO₄)L₄] with L = -picoline or pyridine and [Mo₂O₂(-O)(-S)(-SO₄)L₄] with L = -picoline. As determined by X-ray structure analysis, two complexes with -picoline differ in their bridging cores: In one complex, two Mo atoms are doubly bridged through two oxygen atoms; in the other, one Mo atom is doubly bridged through oxygen and sulfur atoms. However, they both crystallize together. The product is solvated with -picoline and water molecules. Molybdenum atoms exhibit distorted octahedral coordinations. The same complexes were prepared also through direct reactions of [Mo₂O₃(O₂CCH₃)₄] with thiopivalic and thiobenzoic acid in the presence of -picoline or pyridine. The appearance of the oxo-oxygens and sulfido-sulfur as well as sulfato ligand is explained by the molybdenum-catalyzed oxidation of thiocarboxylates.     

Transfer activity coefficient of the proton in water-pyridine mixtures. A comparison of some extrathermodynamic assumptions

Various water-pyridine mixtures have been selected in order to compare several of the most popular extrathermodynamic assumptions involved in the determination of the transfer activity coefficient of the proton, _t(H⁺). Two techniques have been utilized for this purpose: voltammetry [study of the ferrocene, ferricyanide, or thallium(1) systems] and potentiometry at equilibrium (emf measurements of various galvanic cells, including liquid junctions and hydrogen electrode or silver electrode as a test electrode). The assumptions have been classified into various groups [e.g., _t(Z^p+)=_t(Z^q+) or _t(X^–)=_t(Y⁺)], and the values of _t(H⁺) have been experimentally determined in each case. The results vary depending upon the basic assumption (several pH units); less important differences (e.g., 0.5 pH unit) occur within a given group, and this may be assigned to the nature of the reference species chosen. A simple model of solvation has been also examined; the application of the law of mass action to the corresponding equilibrium provides results close to the _t(X^–) =_t(Y⁺)type of assumptions which ultimately leads to most self-consistent results.     

Structural and functional model of methane hydroxylase of membrane-bound methane monooxygenase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath)

Computer analysis of a wide range of primary sequences showed that -, -, and -peptides of membrane-bound methane hydroxylase contained 2, 7, and 6 transmembrane helices respectively. Conservative amino acid residues participating in complex formation were revealed. The - and -peptides are suggested to contain mononuclear copper ions with the ligand environment mainly consisting of His residues. The Cu sites are located in the hydrophilic region and are responsible for ESR signals. The active site of -peptide in which the activation of O₂ and oxidation of CH₄ occur is localized in the hydrophobic region close to the membrane surface. This site is formed by the amino acid residues of four transmembrane helices and one loop between them and is suggested to be a binuclear Cu—Fe or Fe—Fe center. The Cu site of -peptide transfers electrons to the active site of -peptide, and the Cu site of -peptide is either involved in this process or only stabilizes the protein structure.     

Determination of activity coefficients for ammonium chloride at 25°C

Precise values of the activity coefficients of aqueous ammonium chloride solutions at 25°C determined from emf measurements of cells with transference are reported for the concentration range 0 to 0.2m. The results show no anomalous behavior with respect to the Debye-Hückel limiting law. An interpretation of excess thermodynamic functions of potassium and ammonium chloride solutions is made in terms of ionic influences on solvent structure. The relative order of activity coefficients for the R ₄ NCl series up to 0.1m is shown to be (NH ₄ Cl)>(Me ₄ NCl)>(Et ₄ NCl)>(n-Bu ₄ NCl).