Surface‐enhanced Raman spectra of melamine and other chemicals using a 1550 nm (retina‐safe) laser

Many trace chemical analyses are being transitioned from the lab to the field, among which is surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Although initial portable Raman analyzers primarily employ 785 nm laser excitation, recent studies suggest longer wavelengths, with an appropriate surface‐enhanced Raman‐active substrate, may provide equal sensitivity. Furthermore, 1550 nm excitation may provide added safety for the user, in that permanent retina damage does not occur. Here, we show that a reasonable enhancement factor can be obtained for melamine using 1550 nm laser excitation that is nearly equivalent to those obtained using 785 and 1064 nm laser excitation. We also demonstrate that a number of other chemicals of interest can be measured by 1550 nm surface‐enhanced Raman scattering, albeit only modest sensitivity is achieved because of instrument limitations, not enhancement factors. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rare‐Earth‐Rich Magnesium Compounds RE23Rh7Mg4 (RE = La,Ce, Pr,Nd, Sm,Gd) with Tetrahedral Mg4 Clusters

The rare earth‐rich compounds RE₂₃Rh₇Mg₄ (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd) were prepared by induction‐melting the elements in sealed tantalum tubes. The new compounds were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction. They crystallize with the hexagonal Pr₂₃Ir₇Mg₄ type structure, space group P6₃mc. The structures of La₂₃Rh₇Mg₄ (a = 1019.1(1), c = 2303.7(4) pm, wR2 = 0.0827, 1979 F² values, 69 variables), Nd₂₃Rh₇Mg₄ (a = 995.4(2), c = 2242.3(5) pm, wR2 = 0.0592, 2555 F² values, 74 variables) and Gd₂₃Rh_6.86(5)Mg₄ (a = 980.5(2), c = 2205.9(5) pm, wR2 = 0.0390, 2083 F² values, 71 variables) were refined from single crystal X‐ray diffractometer data. The three crystallographically different rhodium atoms have trigonal prismatic rare earth coordination with short RE–Rh distances (283–300 pm in Nd₂₃Rh₇Mg₄). The prisms are condensed via common edges, leading to a rigid three‐dimensional network in which isolated Mg₄ tetrahedra (312–317 pm Mg–Mg in Nd₂₃Rh₇Mg₄) are embedded. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility data of Ce₂₃Rh₇Mg₄ indicate Curie‐Weiss behavior with an experimental magnetic moment of 2.52(1) μ_B/Ce atom, indicative for stable trivalent cerium. Antiferromagnetic ordering is evident at 2.9 K.     

Analysis of (particle,xn) reactions on tantalum and gold: (II). 181Ta, 197Au(3He,xn) excitation functions and equilibrium statistical model analysis

Excitation functions for the reactions ${}^{197}\text{Au}\text{(}{}^3\text{He}\text{, x}\text{n}\text{)}{}^{\mathrm{200?x}}\text{Tl}\text{(x = 3, … 7)}$ and ${}^{181}\text{Ta}\text{(}{}^3\text{He}\text{, x}\text{n}\text{)}{}^{\mathrm{184?x}}\text{Re}\text{(x = 3, … 7)}$ were measured at bombarding energies up to 75 MeV. The data are compared to the results of an equilibrium statistical model calculation including angular momentum conservation and γ-ray competition. Satisfactory agreement was found except for the high energy tails.     

Field theory of finite-size effects in Ising-like systems

We propose a new perturbation approach to finitesize effects within the ⁴ field theory for a one-component order parameter with periodic boundary conditions. Our approach is applicable both above and belowT _c . Renormalization-group calculations of finite-size scaling functions in three dimensions are compared with new Monte Carlo data for theL×L×L Ising model withL=8, 16, 32. The field-theoretic predictions are in good overall agreement with the Monte Carlo data.Dedicated to Professor Herbert Wagner on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Muon attachment in prompt fission of237Np

The probabilities of muon attachment to fission fragments in the prompt fission of²³⁷Np have been determined as a function of fragment mass and total kinetic energy release in a ( ^–,f ₁ f ₂ e ^–)-coincidence measurement. A strong dependence of the attachment probability on the fragment mass is observed. The experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions.It is a pleasure to thank Professor T. Mayer-Kuckuk for his co-operation in performing the project. We gratefully acknowledge the permanent support of Professor J.P. Blaser and his staff at PSI. We thank Professor R. Engfer, Dr. A.v.d. Schaaf, and Dr. H.C. Walter for their support in using the electron spectrometer SIN-DRUM I. We are thankful to Professor S. Polikanov (GSI) and to Dr. T. Krogulski (University of Warsaw, Bialystok) for intensive and fruitful discussions. We appreciate the collaboration of Professor W. Müller and Dr. J. Pauwels (CBNM-Mol) in the target preparation. This work has been funded by the German Federal Minister for Research and Technology (BMFT) under the contract number 06BN271 (PD, HH, FR, ChR, WS). We thank the following institutions and organisations for financial support: Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM), the Netherlands Organisation of the Advancement of Pure Research (NWO) (JK, CdL, AT), and the Swiss National Foundation (SNF) (WB, EH; HP, DV). One of the authors is grateful for a fellowship granted by the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (FR).     

Ca2Pd2In and Ca2Pt2In with Monoclinic HT‐Pr2Co2Al Type Structure

The metal‐rich indides Ca₂Pd₂In and Ca₂Pt₂In were synthesised from the elements in sealed tantalum ampoules in an induction furnace. Both samples were investigated by X‐ray powder and single crystal diffraction: HT‐Pr₂Co₂Al type, C2/c, a = 1017.6(5), b = 574.1(3), c = 812.7(3) pm, β = 104.54(2)°, wR2 = 0.0344, 590 F² values for Ca₂Pd₂In and a = 1004.3(3), b = 568.9(1), c = 813.1(2) pm, β = 104.25(2)°, wR2 = 0.0435, 654 F² values for Ca₂Pt₂In with 25 variables per refinement. The structure contain Pd₂ (272 pm) and Pt₂ (264 pm) dumb‐bells with a trigonal prismatic coordination for each transition metal atom. These AlB₂ related slabs are condensed via common edges. Together the palladium and indium atoms build up three‐dimensional [Pd₂In] and [Pt₂In] polyanionic networks in which the calcium atoms fill larger channels. The bonding of calcium to the network proceeds via shorter Ca–Pd and Ca–Pt contacts. Ca₂Pd₂In and Ca₂Pt₂In are Pauli paramagnets.     

Superparamagnetic poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles surface modified with folic acid presenting cell uptake mediated by endocytosis

The encapsulation of superparamagnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) with modified surfaces can improve targeted delivery and induce cell death by hyperthermia. The goals of this study were to synthesize and characterize surface modified superparamagnetic poly(methyl methacrylate) with folic acid (FA) prepared by miniemulsion polymerization (MNPsPMMA-FA) and to evaluate their in vitro cytotoxicity and cellular uptake in non-tumor cells, murine fibroblast (L929) cells and tumor cells that overexpressed folate receptor (FR) β, and chronic myeloid leukemia cells in blast crisis (K562). Lastly, hemolysis assays were performed on human red blood cells. MNPsPMMA-FA presented an average mean diameter of 135 nm and a saturation magnetization (Ms) value of 37 emu/g of iron oxide, as well as superparamagnetic behavior. The MNPsPMMA-FA did not present cytotoxicity in L929 and K562 cells. Cellular uptake assays showed a higher uptake of MNPsPMMA-FA than MNPsPMMA in K562 cells when incubated at 37 °C. On the other hand, MNPsPMMA-FA showed a low uptake when endocytosis mechanisms were blocked at low temperature (4 °C), suggesting that the MNPsPMMA-FA uptake was mediated by endocytosis. High concentrations of MNPsPMMA-FA showed hemocompatibility when incubated for 24 h in human red blood cells. Therefore, our results suggest that these carrier systems can be an excellent alternative in targeted drug delivery via FR.     

Observation of particle unstable 4H in pion absorption in 7Li

A particle unstable state of ⁴H has been identified in the reaction $\text{π}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{+}{}^7\text{Li}\text{→}{}^4\text{H+t}\text{,}{}^4\text{H}\text{→}\text{t}\text{+π}$ by observing the two emitted tritons. A resonance energy E_Γ=(2.7±0.6) MeV and a reduced width γ²=(2.3±0.6) MeV were deduced, in agreement with the parameters of the ground-state level (J^π=2^?) found in the p-wave of n-t-scattering. The yield per stopped pion is (5.6±1.8)×10^?4. Previous measurements in pion absorption are in disagreement with our results.