Comparison of the data of X-ray microtomography and fluorescence analysis in the study of bone-tissue structure

The possibility of localizing clusters of heavy atoms is substantiated by comparing the data of X-ray microtomography at different wavelengths, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray fluorescence analysis. The proximal tail vertebrae of Turner??s thick-toed gecko (Chondrodactylus turneri) have been investigated for the first time by both histological and physical methods, including X-ray microtomography at different wavelengths and elemental analysis. This complex methodology of study made it possible to reveal the regions of accumulation of heavy elements in the aforementioned bones of Turner??s thick-toed gecko.     

Test of the Glauber formula for nucleon-deuteron scattering at intermediate energies

A high-precision test of the Glauber formula for the amplitude of nucleon-deuteron scattering is performed. Nucleon-nucleon amplitudes used in the calculations depend on the spins of interacting particles, phase shifts, and mixing parameters. These amplitudes were derived by using the Njim I, Njim II, Njim 93, and Reid 93 realistic potentials. The differential cross sections for nucleon-deuteron scattering were calculated for the projectile-nucleon energies of 65, 95, 135, 150, 190, and 250 MeV, and the results of these calculations were compared with experimental data.     

Variation of a Defect Structure of Lithium Tetraborate (Li2B4O7) in an External Electric Field

Physics of the Solid State - The variation of a defect structure of a lithium tetraborate single crystal under the influence of a high-strength external electric field applied along polar direction...     

X-ray fluorescence studies for the elemental composition and molecular organization of protein films on the surface of the liquid subphase

This paper reports on the results of the investigation of protein films that are based on alkaline phosphatase and glucose oxidase enzymes and formed on the surface of the liquid subphase. The experimental studies have been performed using total external reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (Grenoble, France). The self-organization processes that occur in protein systems on the surface of the liquid subphase under the conditions where the protein molecules retain their mobility have been investigated using X-ray fluorescence measurements for the first time.     

Resonance Behavior of Oscillating Bubbles

A convolution-type equation has been derived to describe the behavior of a bubble under periodical pressure oscillations. This equation holds for a diffusion-controlled adsorption mechanism and small disturbances of the equilibrium state, and it describes both the established and transition regimes of bubble oscillation. Systems free of any surfactant and in the presence of a surfactant are considered. The results obtained allow all aspects of surfactant influence on the bubble oscillation resonance to be analyzed. The sharp increase in the bubble oscillation amplitude may result in bubble detachments, even at rather low harmonic pressure oscillations. The presence of surfactant can result in a depression of the resonance amplitudes. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Tests of relativity by complementary rotating Michelson-Morley experiments

We report relativity tests based on data from two simultaneous Michelson-Morley experiments, spanning a period of more than 1 yr. Both were actively rotated on turntables. One (in Berlin, Germany) uses optical Fabry-Perot resonators made of fused silica; the other (in Perth, Australia) uses microwave whispering-gallery sapphire resonators. Within the standard model extension, we obtain simultaneous limits on Lorentz violation for electrons (5 coefficients) and photons (8) at levels down to 10(-16), improved by factors between 3 and 50 compared to previous work.     

Models of active sites in supported Cu metal catalysts in 1,2-dichloroethane dechlorination. DFT analysis

It is suggested that a set of discrete Cu nanoclusters satisfying the conditions of structural and electron stability should be used as models of active sites on supported metal catalysts. The close-packed Cu₂₀ tetrahedral nanocluster that satisfies these two conditions was taken as a base model of active sites on supported copper catalysts. Theoretical analysis of two possible mechanisms of C-Cl bond dissociation of 1,2-dichloroethane on copper catalysts was performed by the density functional theory method. The first mechanism involves sequential splitting of C-Cl bonds in the molecule in three stages with further stabilization of chloroalkyl intermediates (stepwise mechanism). All these stages are activated. The limiting stage is the one that corresponds to dissociation of the first C-Cl bond with an activation energy of E# = 34.3 kcal/mol. The second mechanism corresponds to the simultaneous elimination of two chlorine atoms from 1,2-dichloroethane with liberation of ethylene in the gas phase; this is a one-stage process with an activation energy of E# = 26.1 kcal/mol (direct mechanism). A comparison of the two reaction routes shows that the direct mechanism is most probable on copper catalysts.     

Revisiting the Choice of a Nuclear Power Source for the Arctic

Physics of Atomic Nuclei - The possibility of creating a practically maintenance-free reactor facility with a thermoelectric generator or a Stirling engine with a capacity of 1 to 500 kWe and a...     

The belok station for protein crystallography on the synchrotron radiation beam from the bending magnet in the Sibir-2 storage ring

Design modifications made in the initial project of the Belok station in the Sibir-2 storage ring and the alignment and calibration methods are considered. The main operating parameters of the station are reported. Protein single crystals in a capillary at T = 293 K and without a capillary at T = 95 K, powders (angular resolution Δ2? = 0.04°), and nanocrystalline Na and Cl₂ precipitates (sizes, shape, and orientation) in electron-irradiated NaCl crystals have been investigated. The problem of focusing of a short-wavelength synchrotron radiation beam with sagittal bending of the second crystal in the double-crystal monochromator at a limited source-to-sample distance is solved in the Belok project.     

Optical properties of azo-based poly(azomethine)s with aromatic fluorinated fragments,ether linkages and aliphatic units in the backbone

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study the optical properties of the core-fluorinated azo-containing polyazomethines with 1,4-tetrafluorobenzene or 4,4′-octafluorobiphenylene dioxyphenylene units and aliphatic fragments in the chain. Due to the reorganization process at the nanometer-scale under UV/Vis irradiation, azo-containing polymers (APs) have attracted much attention as materials for biology, optoelectronics, nano-manipulation field, etc. Moreover, the introduction of azomethine group into these polymers enhances not only their optical properties but also expands their practical application. APs polymers have the useful combination of chemical and physical properties such as liquid crystalline states, high nonlinearity and an ability to form metal complexes. It was shown that the optical properties of such polymers could be improved by the inclusion of fluorine. Fluorinated polymers demonstrate high thermal stability and have low dielectric constant and dielectric losses. It should be noted that the presence of flexible moieties in a polymer backbone allows regulating the different properties (solubility, thermostability, optical and liquid crystalline properties) of the final materials.