Determination of237Np in environmental samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Ammonium uranates (AU) obtained by the addition of aqueous NH₄ OH to a solution of UO₂ (NO₃)₂ or the equilibrium reaction of UO₃ · 2H₂ O with the vapour over concentrated NH₄ OH have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (DR-FTIR) and chemical analysis. Ammonia can be present as either NH₃ or NH ₄ ⁺ . For precipitates obtained at a pH of 3.7, ammonia in the form of NH₃ is predominant. For ammonium uranate obtained by reaction over concentrated NH₄OH, most of the ammonia is bonded as NH ₄ ⁺ . The reaction mechanism and structures of the products are also discussed.     

The interface of the Ising model and the Brownian sheet

We study the limit theorem related to the interface of the three-dimensional Ising model. Dobrushin proved that the interface does not fluctuate and becomes rigid for sufficiently large. We define the random fieldX ^L (t, s), 0t, s1, on the interface, and prove that X^L(t, s) converges to the Brownian sheet as L for sufficiently large, whereL denotes the size of the system. This result does not mean that the interface itself converges to the Brownian sheet.     

Core-shell type polymer microspheres prepared by domain fixing of block copolymer films

Well-defined poly[styrene(S)-b-isoprene(I)] diblock copolymers were prepared by sequential anionic addition. The crosslinking reactions of polyisoprene (PI) spherical domains of these block copolymers were carried out in a n-hexane solution of sulfur monochloride (S₂Cl₂). Electron micrograph of crosslinked products indicates the structure of core-shell type polymer microspheres. It is found from NMR and turbi+imetric measurements that the solubility of core-shell type polymer microspheres depends strongly on that of block chains comprising the shell portion. The particle size of these microspheres shows a narrow distribution.     

Effects of various thiol molecules added on morphology of dendrimer-gold nanocomposites

Interactions between poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM)-gold nanocomposites and alkanethiols and between the former nanocomposites and thiol-modified poly(amidoamine) dendrons in ethyl acetate were investigated by adding alkanethiols, such as 1-propanethiol and 1,3-propanedithiol, and thiol-modified poly(amidoamine) dendrons, generations 0.5 and 2.5 (G0.5-SH and G2.5-SH). The PAMAM dendrimers with surface methyl ester groups used were generations 1.5 and 5.5 (G1.5 and G5.5). The mean particle sizes of PAMAM-gold nanocomposites were about 2.1 for G1.5 and 2.4 nm for G5.5. In both nanocomposite systems where 1-propanethiol and 1,3-propanedithiol were added, the mean particle size was about 4 nm, twice that of the systems where these thiols were not added. Increasing the addition of 1,3-propanedithiol made the average particle size smaller for both nanocomposites systems. To compare with alkanethiol, thiol-modified poly(amidoamine) dendron with a highly branched structure on one side was synthesized. Using G2.5-SH as a protective agent, dendron-gold nanocomposites with mean diameters of 3 to 4 nm were obtained. The difference in particle size was seen only when the combination of PAMAM-gold nanocomposites and thiol-modified dendron was less sterically dense, modified dendron (G0.5-SH). The mechanisms for morphology changes in the dendrimer-gold nanocomposites by the addition of these thiols are discussed.     

Adsorption characteristics of radionuclides on nickel hexacyanoferrate(ii)

The composition of nickel hexacyanoferrate(II) complexes depends on the ratios of sodium hexacyanoferrate(II) and nickel nitrate solutions mixed. The adsorption behavior of nickel hexacyanoferrate(II) is described; acid treatment of Ni₂Fe(CN)₆ accelerates the adsorption rate of cesium, but does not increase the adsorption capacity. The Ni—Cs exchange ratios of Ni₂Fe(CN)₆ are discussed. In concentrated salt solutions, the distribution coefficients of ⁵⁹Fe, ⁶⁰Co, ⁶⁵Zn. ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁵Zr and ¹⁴⁴Ce are determined together with those of ⁸⁵Sr and ¹⁰⁶Ru. A simple determination of ¹³⁷Cs in sea water containing ⁵⁹Fe, ⁶⁰Co, ⁶⁵Zn, ⁹⁵Zr, ¹⁴⁴Ce, ⁸⁵Sr and ¹⁰⁶Ru is described.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene oxide) star polymers possessing a tertiary amino group at each arm end by organized polymerization using macromonomers

Functional poly(ethylene oxide) star polymers possessing a tertiary amino group at each arm end were prepared by free-radical copolymerization of poly(ethylene oxide) macromonomers with divinylbenzene (DVB) in water or ethanol. The poly(ethylene oxide) arm was prepared by anionic polymerization using 2-[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethoxy]ethanol potassium alkoxide as the initiator. The star polymers had narrow molecular weight distribution. The arm number was controlled by varying the feed ratio [DVB]/[M], the initial concentration of macromonomer [M], and solvent media. The branching factor g' in methanol ([eta]S/[eta]L are the intrinsic viscosities of the star and linear molecules, respectively) exhibited a power-law dependence on the arm number, f, with a negative exponent. This means that the dimensions of a star were in agreement with the Daoud-Cotton scaling model.     

Significance of anti-HBc IgM in acute hepatitis and hepatitis B associated chronic liver disease

To determine the diagnostic value of anti-HBc IgM in acute viral hepatitis or chronic liver disease B, Anti-HBc IgM was measured by a RIA and an ELISA in 32 patients with acute hepatitis (4 with type A, 15 with type B and 13 with type non A non B), 18 patients with chronic hepatitis and 19 patients with liver cirrhosis. In acute hepatitis B, anti-HBc IgM (both RIA and ELISA) was positive in 14(93%) of 15 patients and its cut-off index value was very high. However, anti-HBc IgM was always negative in one patient with typical course of type B. In 1 of 4 patients with acute hepatitis A and 2 of 13 with non A non B, anti-HBc IgM (RIA and/or ELISA) was positive. These 3 patients were positive for anti-HBs at the onset of disease, so we could not made the diagnosis of acute hepatitis B. Anti-HBc IgM was positive in 21(51%) of 37 patients with HBsAg-positive chronic liver disease by RIA and in 11 (30%) by ELISA, and its cut-off index value was relatively low. These results suggest that when adequate cut-off index value is established, anti-HBc analysis is useful for differentiating recent and current infections from remote infections.