Calibration of gamma-ray spectrometers coupled to Compton suppression and fast pneumatic systems for the k<Subscript>0</Subscript>-standardized NAA method

A new Compton suppression system (CSS) for the gamma-ray spectrometer portion of the neutron activation analysis (NAA) was set up at the RPI/ITN. The pneumatic transfer system, SIPRA, for short-lived nuclides and cyclic irradiations was improved. A full calibration procedure of the CSS and SIPRA systems was performed. Two certified reference materials, NIST-SRM-1572 (Citrus Leaves) and NIST-SRM-1633a (Coal Fly Ash) were analyzed using the calibration factors. The CSS was instrumental in lowering the detection limits of Cr, Fe, Hg, Rb, Sr, Th and Zn by reducing background and/or spectral interference considerably. The analytical results were evaluated by comparison to the NIST certified values with deviations ranging from 2% to 8% for the above mentioned elements, except Zn ranging from 10% to 15% for biological and environmental samples, respectively.     

Copper ferrite superparamagnetic nanoparticles as a heterogeneous catalyst for directed phenol/formamide coupling

The copper ferrite-catalyzed, directed coupling of ortho-arylated phenols and dialkylformamides in the presence of a peroxide oxidant is described. Acyclic and cyclic amides were compatible with the reaction conditions. The copper ferrite catalyst is heterogeneous since substantial leaching was not detected and re-use of the catalyst for 9 consecutive reactions proceeded without a significant decrease in yield. To the best of our knowledge, this transformation has not been previously performed under heterogeneous catalysis conditions.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and IR Spectra of Complexes of Mn(II) by Indole-2-Carboxylic or Isoquinoline-1-Carboxylic Acids and 1,10-Phenanthroline

Abstract  

Two ternary complexes of manganese(II) indole-2-carboxylate (2-IC⁻) or isoquinolinecarboxylate (IQC⁻) with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in methanol or in dimethylacetamide (DMA) were synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction and IR spectra. [Mn(C₉H₆NO₂)₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂]·CH₄O (1) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with cell parameters of a = 10.548(2) ?, b = 14.168(3) ?, c = 14.580(3) ?, α = 62.35(2)°, β = 69.16(2)°, γ = 78.61(2)°, V = 1802.4(6) ?³ and Z = 2; [Mn(C₁₀H₆NO₂)₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)].C₄H₉NO (2) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/a with cell parameters of a = 15.304(5) ?, b = 12.871(5) ?, c = 17.421(5) ?, β = 114.39(1), V = 3125(2) ?³ and Z = 4. In 1, Mn is six-coordinate by two bidentate phen ligands and two 2-IC⁻ ligands and exhibits a very distorted octahedral geometry. This complex is solvated by methanol involved in hydrogen bonding. In 2, Mn atom is surrounded by one bidentate phen ligand and two bidentate IQC⁻ ligands. The complex exhibits a distorted octahedral geometry around the Mn^II atom. The crystal structure is completed by a disordered DMA solvate molecule. The IR spectra of both compounds are slightly different in the range 4000–2400 cm⁻¹ which may be attributed to hydrogen bond lack in 2.     

TEM characterization of chemically synthesized copper–gold nanoparticles

Dodecanethiol-capped Cu–Au nanoparticles, synthesized via a successive two-phase (water/toluene) and galvanic-exchange procedure, were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The size range of the particles is around 1–7 nm. Electron-induced morphological evolution was observed under high resolution (HR) TEM. Cuboctahedral morphology was found to be thermodynamically stable. Electron-induced aggregation of two particles was also observed. Chemical ordering of cuboctahedral particles was studied by atomic-resolution high angle annular dark field (HAADF) imaging in scanning TEM (STEM) mode and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) element mapping using a silicon drift detector (SDD). The particles were found to be Cu–Au mixed, and to be stable in air. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR), which is dependent on local structure and morphology, was investigated by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS).     

Common Core State Standards in the Middle Grades: What's New in the Geometry Domain and How Can Teachers Support Student Learning?

The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) is a primary focus of attention for many stakeholders' (e.g., teachers, district mathematics leaders, and curriculum developers) intent on improving mathematics education. This article reports on specific content shifts related to the geometry domain in the middle grades (6–8) mathematics curriculum. The methodology employed allows for comparisons of content across multiple standards documents. We report on some dramatic changes with regards to the geometry content taught in the middle grades. We found 52% of the middle grades geometry CCSSM learning expectations will be new to the respective grade level at which they are taught in at least six of the eight states analyzed in this study (57% in grade 6, 50% in grade 7, and 50% in grade 8). We also highlight three areas that represent “new” geometry content at the middle grades based on our analysis of CCSSM and pre‐CCSSM state standards.     

Twostep-by-twostep continuous PIRKN-type PC methods for nonstiff IVPs

In this paper, we start with the consideration of direct collocation-based Runge-Kutta-Nyström (RKN) methods with continuous output formulas for solving nonstiff initial-value problems (IVPs) for systems of special second-order differential equations y″(t) = f(t, y(t)). At nth step, the continuous output formulas can be used for calculating the step values at (n + 2)th step and the integration processes can be proceeded twostep-by-twostep. In this case, we obtain twostep-by-twostep RKN methods with continuous output formulas (continuous TBTRKN methods). Furthermore, we consider a parallel predictor-corrector (PC) iteration scheme using the continuous TBTRKN methods as corrector methods with predictor methods defined by the continuous output formulas. The resulting twostep-by-twostep parallel-iterated RKN-type PC methods with continuous output formulas (twostep-by-twostep continuous PIRKN-type PC methods or TBTCPIRKN methods) give us a faster integration processes. Numerical comparisons based on the solution of a few widely-used test problems show that the new TBTCPIRKN methods are much more efficient than the well-known PIRKN methods, the famous nonstiff sequential ODEX2, DOP853 codes and comparable with the CPIRKN methods.     

A stable second‐order mass‐weighted upwind scheme for unstructured meshes

In this paper, an original second‐order upwind scheme for convection terms is described and implemented in the context of a Control‐Volume Finite‐Element Method (CVFEM). The proposed scheme is a second‐order extension of the first‐order MAss‐Weighted upwind (MAW) scheme proposed by Saabas and Baliga (Numer. Heat Transfer 1994; 26B :381–407). The proposed second‐order scheme inherits the well‐known stability characteristics of the MAW scheme, but exhibits less artificial viscosity and ensures much higher accuracy. Consequently, and in contrast with nearly all second‐order upwind schemes available in the literature, the proposed second‐order MAW scheme does not need limiters. Some test cases including two pure convection problems, the driven cavity and steady and unsteady flows over a circular cylinder, have been undertaken successfully to validate the new scheme. The verification tests show that the proposed scheme exhibits a low level of artificial viscosity in the pure convection problems; exhibits second‐order accuracy for the driven cavity; gives accurate reattachment lengths for low‐Reynolds steady flow over a circular cylinder; and gives constant‐amplitude vortex shedding for the case of high‐Reynolds unsteady flow over a circular cylinder. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.