γ-ray spectroscopy of excited states in 61 30Zn31

The ⁶¹ ₃₀Zn₃₁ isotope has been produced at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the fusion-evaporation reaction ⁴⁰Ca(²⁴Mg, 2pn)⁶¹Zn at 104MeV. The experimental set-up allowed γ-rays to be detected in the CLARION Ge detector array in coincidence with the detection of recoiling nuclei in the focal plane at the end of the recoil mass spectrometer. This provides a unique identification of γ-rays belonging to ⁶¹Zn. The excited states have been explored by means of recoil- γγ coincidences, and the resulting decay scheme comprises almost 70 transitions. The data reveal numerous non-yrast states and suggest a revised spin and parity assignment for a previously observed superdeformed band. The resulting decay scheme is compared to predictions from different sets of large-scale shell model calculations.     

A study of methane activation by modified gallium- and zinc-based catalysts

The activation of CH₄ has been probed by studying CH₄ oxidation at ambient pressure over gallium- and zinc-based catalysts prepared by precipitation and modified with Au and Pt. The unmodified gallium- and zinc-based catalysts were both active for CH₄ oxidation. Modification of these catalysts by the addition of Au and Pt, alone and in combination significantly increased the rate of CH₄ oxidation. The 1% Pt/Ga₂O₃ catalyst was the most active of the gallium-based systems. The addition of Au to ZnO markedly increased the activity compared with unmodified ZnO, whilst for Au in combination with Pt the activity was further enhanced due to a synergistic effect of the metals.     

Kinetic Limit for a System of Coagulating Planar Brownian Particles

We study a model of mass-bearing coagulating planar Brownian particles. The coagulation occurs when two particles are within a distance of order ε. We assume that the initial number of particles N is of order |logε|. Under suitable assumptions of the initial distribution of particles and the microscopic coagulation propensities, we show that the macroscopic particle densities satisfy a Smoluchowski-type equation.     

Enzymatic reactions in supercritical gases

The enzyme polyphenol oxidase has been found to be catalytically active in supercritical carbon dioxide and fluoroform: it readily oxidizesp-cresol andp-chlorophenol to their correspondingo-benzoquinones.     

Search for efficient,near UV lasing dyes. III. Monocyclic and miscellaneous dyes

A potential new class of “monocyclic” lasing dyes is discussed and four families out of nine within the class are examined. The 2,6-diaminopyridines in acid are found to lase under flashlamp excitation but show low slope efficiencies and lower stabilities than the “bicyclic” dyes described previously. Other, miscellaneous dyes show oxygen quenching of laser action rather than enhancement and the best of these produces short pulses under long pulse excitation. This study was supported under contract SANL 284 from the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.     

A systems approach to the characterization of rough ground

A novel method for modelling rough surfaces as the output of linear filters operating on white noise in the spatial domain is proposed. These “systems” models may then be utilized in certain analytical methods proposed by the authors, which are not described herein but have been reported in full elsewhere [1, 2] to calculate the non-stationary response of vehicles moving on rough ground with variable velocity. Either time variable covariance or evolutionary spectra of response may be obtained by the method. Here, justification is provided for the use of such models and a method of estimating their parameters via Maximum Entropy Spectral Analysis—a method well suited to this particular problem—is discussed.     

An inexpensive method for the determination of serum ionized calcium

The method described here may be used for the determination of serum ionized calcium. The physical conditions of the measurement, including sample volume (0.6 ml) and temperature (25 or 37 °C), are fixed. Stasis of the sample may contribute to a prolonged but not prohibitive response time. Other than the prolonged response time, the performance characteristics of the electrodes were not altered by incorporating them into the electrode chamber. Exemplifying the utility of this method were the results of protein-binding studies, in vitro and ex vivo CaCl₂ and EDTA administration and a comparison with the Orion SS-20. In consideration of the data presented, the cost and simplicity of construction, and method described should serve to make the determination of serum ionized calcium accessible to a greater number of investigators and encourage research in pharmacological and physiological processes thought to be mediated by serum ionized calcium.     

Search for efficient,near UV lasing dyes. II. Aza substitution in bicyclic dyes

Two new families of lasing dyes, the 8-azacoumarins and the 8-azaquinolones are described and are found to operate blue-shifted from the coumarins and quinolones. Like the quinolones, they have higher thresholds and lower slope efficiencies than the coumarins. All have yielded long output pulses on long pulse excitation. This study was supported under contract SANL 284 from the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.