Homogeneity examination of a disordered magnetic alloy by means of CEMS

The depth sensitivity of the Mössbauer effect conversion electron spectroscopy (CEMS) offers a possibility to check the homogeneity of an alloy as a function of the sample thickness. We present experimental results on (Fe_0.65Ni_0.35)_1-xMn_x (x=0.026) prepared by diffusion of Mn into a Fe_0.65Ni_0.35 foil. On an inhomogeneous sample we determined the diffusion coefficient of Mn in Fe_0.65Ni_0.35 at 1300 K to be about 10^?11 cm²/s.     

Gamow-teller transitions in β-decay of 66 146 Dy80

The β-decay of¹⁴⁶Dy₈₀ was studied by γ-ray and conversion electron spectroscopy following on-line mass separation. 58 % of the β-decay proceeding to a group of levels close to 2 MeV excitation is attributed to GT-decay of (πh ₁₁ ^2/2 )₀₊ pairs populating (πh_11/2νh_9/2νj ₀ ^?2 )1⁺ states in¹⁴⁶Tb₈₁. The total decay strength is significantly higher than found in¹⁴⁸Dy₈₂ decay, which arises from GT-transitions involving the ν-holes.     

TheN=83 nucleus149Dy from Gamow-Teller decay of its 11/2− and 1/2+ 149Ho parents

A high-sensitivityγ-spectroscopic study of the¹⁴⁹Hoπh _11/2 andπs _1/2 β-decays using mass separated sources has located dominant 0⁺ → 1⁺ GT decay strength associated with decay of pairedh _11/2 protons, leading to 3п-states in the¹⁴⁹Dy daughter nucleus. In theirγ-decay low-lying¹⁴⁹Dy levels characteristic of anN=83 nucleus are excited. They include theνf _7/2,νp _3/2,νh _9/2 andνp _1/2 single particle- and theνs ₁ ^2/?1 andνd ₃ ^2/?1 two-particle one-hole states, as well as the νf _7/2 × 3^? andνf _7/2 × 2⁺ particle-phonon multiplets. A synopsis is given of these excitations in theN=83 isotones from¹⁴⁹Nd to¹⁵³Yb. The¹⁴⁹Dy GT decay strength is discussed in terms of the¹⁴⁷Tb₈₂ and¹⁴⁸Dy₈₂ decays. The strength function results are also compared with independent¹⁴⁹Ho 11/2^? decay data from the literature based on totalγ-ray absorption measurements.     

Gamow-teller strength and particle-phonon states in149Dy from decay of its 11/2− and l/2+ 149Ho parents

Studies of the¹⁴⁹Ho 11/2^? and 1/2⁺ GT-decays using on-line mass separation have established in the N=83¹⁴⁹Dy nucleus the single neutron excitations below 1.8 MeV and members of the νf_7/2×3^? and νf_7/2×2⁺ particle-phonon multiplets. Quantitative analysis of the GT-decay strength to¹⁴⁹Dy 1qp- and 3qp-states is made in terms of the strength values measured in¹⁴⁹Dy₀ and¹⁴⁷Tb_11/2? decay.     

Edge-disjoint paths and cycles in n-edge-connected graphs

We consider finite undirected loopless graphs G in which multiple edges are possible. For integers k,l ≥ 0 let g(k, l) be the minimal n ≥ 0 with the following property: If G is an n-edge-connected graph, s₁, ?,s_k, t₁, ?,t_k are vertices of G, and f₁, ?,f_l, g₁, ?,g_l, are pairwise distinct edges of G, then for each i = 1, ?, k there exists a path P_i in G, connecting s_i and t_i and for each i = 1, ?,l there exists a cycle C_i in G containing f_i and g_i such that P₁, ?,P_k, C₁, ?, C_l are pairwise edge-disjoint. We give upper and lower bounds for g(k, l).     

Unsaturated condensation polymers by the friedel–crafts reaction

Reaction between stilbene and a difunctional ether, in presence of Lewis acid catalyst, produces low molecular weight condensation polymers containing substantial olefinic unsaturation. These resins have been studied by various analytical techniques. Some evidence is presented concerning structure. The condensation polymers are soluble in organic solvents and may be cross linked by free-radical methods to form thermosetting networks.     

CEC and EKC of natural compounds

In this review, an overview of CEC and EKC methods with their developments are summarized for different natural compounds. It is divided into three main parts. The first part elaborates the separation of lipophilic compounds without any charged groups. The second part constitutes CEC and EKC of lipophilic compounds containing ionizable functional groups whereas the third part contains hydrophilic compounds. Packed, monolithic, coated, or raw fused-silica (FS) capillaries are among the choice for stationary phases. Applications of these phases on the above-mentioned three classes of compounds, coupled with different detection methods, e.g. MS or LIF, are explored and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed.     

Explanation for the apparent absence of collapse of polyelectrolyte brushes in the presence of bulky ions

The conformational behavior of poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyltrimethylammonium chloride] (PMETAC) brushes with different chain density in the presence of large benzyltributylammonium chloride (BTBAC) ions has been studied by a Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D) and Scanning Force Microscopy. Dense brushes do not collapse in the presence of BTBAC solutions of increasing ionic strength, contrary to what is observed in the presence of NaCl. Brush collapse can be observed for low-ionic-strength solutions of BTBAC when the brush density has been reduced. These phenomena can be explained by considering the Hofmeister series as well as ion size and free space in the brush.     

Analysis of glutathione in supernatants and lysates of a human proximal tubular cell line from perfusion culture upon intoxication with cadmium chloride by HPLC and LC-ESI-MS

A simple and highly effective reversed-phase (RP) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method is described for analysing glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) in out-flowing supernatants and lysates of perfusion cell cultures of human kidney cells (HK-2 cells) continuously exposed to cadmium chloride (CdCl₂), which is a well-known nephrotoxin. The developed linear liquid chromatographic gradient employs monolithic poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) (PS/DVB) as a stationary phase and is adaptable for coupling to mass spectrometry via an electrospray ionisation interface (LC-ESI/MS), which is carried out in case of co-eluting peaks. This study presents a quantitative assay of glutathione over the time of experiment and cell lysates at the end of the experiment. The assay of out-flowing supernatants has the potential to be applied as an online assay in high time resolution. Glutathione (reduced and oxidised, GSH and GSSG) is chosen as an indicator for toxic effects in the cultured cells. In principle it is possible to show the concentration of glutathione as a function of time in an investigation of exposure of the HK-2 cell line to CdCl₂. In addition to glutathione analysis, well-established assays of cell death such as enzyme release and cell viability are performed to obtain information about the number of living cells. Toxicity of 5 μM CdCl₂ is manifested in all of the assays applied. Fast (<7 min) and highly reproducible (max. aberration 4.7%) determination of glutathione could be achieved.