Elastic constants of sodium chlorate from 77 K to 350 K

The elastic constantsC ₁₁,C ₁₂ andC ₄₄ of sodium chlorate single crystal have been evaluated using 10 MHz ultrasonic pulse echo superposition technique. The values areC ₁₁=4.90,C ₁₂=1.39,C ₄₄=1.17 (× 10¹⁰ N/m ²) at 298 K and 6.15, 2.16, 1.32 (×10¹⁰ N/m ²) at 77 K. The data agree well with the values measured earlier up to 223 K. Brief mention is also made of the low temperature bonding problems in these soft crystals.     

Stabilization of the collagen structure by hydroxyproline residues

The molecular structure of collagen is now accepted to be based on a triple-stranded coiled-coil, in which the three strands are held together predominantly by hydrogen bonds. Recent experimental evidence has shown that the presence of hydroxyproline residues in the third position of the repeating tripeptide unit lends additional stability to the collagen structure. In this paper, we report a model structure, which is supported by these observations. In a model structure proposed earlier, there are two hydrogen bonds per tripeptide unit, one of which is a direct interchain hydrogen bond, while the second hydrogen bond can be formedvia a water molecule. It has now been shown that the same water molecule can also form a hydrogen bond with the oxygen of theγ-hydroxyl group of hydroxyproline in the third position in the sequence (Gly-R₂-R₃). This hydroxyl group can also take part in an inter-triple-helix hydrogen bond. Our studies thus show the role played by hydroxyproline residues in the structure and stability of collagen.     

A note on cascade theory with ionisation loss

The cascade theory of cosmic ray showers including ionisation loss is dealt with on the basis of the new approach suggested by us in an earlier contribution and an explicit Mellin transform solution is obtained for the mean number of particles produced in an infinite thickness of matter.     

Spectral properties and emission efficiencies of GdVO4 phosphors

GdVO₄ with activators Eu, Dy, Sm and Bi has been synthesised by a solid-state reaction. GdVO₄:Eu³⁺ (3%) yielded the highest quantum efficiency of 95%. Interesting energy-transfer properties have been revealed in the mixed-activator phosphor (GdVO₄:Eu³⁺, Sm³⁺) when excited in the 4f shell of Sm³⁺ at 408 nm. Bismuth-activated GdVO₄ gives rise to a broad-band emission peaking at 525 nm in comparison to YVO₄:Bi³⁺, which gives an emission peak at 570 nm under UV excitation. The quantum efficiency of GdVO₄:Bi³⁺ increases gradually with bismuth concentration and reaches a maximum of 80% for a bismuth concentration of ≈0.5%. There is a shift in the excitation band of GdVO₄:Bi³⁺ towards longer wavelengths with increasing concentration of bismuth, which can lead to energy transfer from bismuth to europium in a phosphor with both these activators. Heat treatment of GdVO₄:Bi³⁺ at 1500 °C for 3–3.5 h resulted in a large percentage of bismuth being lost from the lattice as evaluated by X-ray fluorescence. However, if a large percentage of bismuth (of the order of 3% or more) is initially added, a sufficient quantity of bismuth can still be retained after heat treatment, which can lead to the development of ceramic scintillators for X-ray tomographic applications. Addition of 3–5% boron gives a white GdVO₄ phosphor without any chemical treatment. Received: 27 Feruary 2001 / Accepted: 1 August 2001 / Published online: 30 October 2001