A Technique for Suppression of Spesctral Interference from Resonance Lines in Flame Photometry

A technique is described for the suppression of common atomic spectral interferences from resonance lines in flame atomic emission spectroscopy. Improved spectral selectivity may be obtained by passage of the modulated radiation from the primary source flame through a second flame into which is nebulised a solution containing a relatively high concentration of the element whose resonance line interference is to be removed. The atomic absorption process which occurs attenuates the intensity of the unwanted radiation. A greater spectral band-pass may then be employed to gain energy at the detector without loss of selectivity.     

Study of theK + K − π+ π− system centrally produced in the reactions π+ p→π+(K + K − π+ π−)p andpp→p(K + K − π+ π−)p at 85 GeV/c

The reactions π⁺ p→π⁺(K ⁺ K ^? π⁺ π^? p andpp→p(K ⁺ K ^? π⁺ π^?)p where the (K ⁺ K ^? π⁺ π^?) system is centrally produced have been studied at 85 GeV/c. 48% of the final state proceeds through single or double vector meson resonant production i.e.,K ^*0(890) (37%), ? (4%),ρ ⁰ (7%). Evidence is found for associatedK ^*0 (890) \(\bar K\) ^*o (890) production (6.4±1.1%) with a cross section ten times higher than that found for associated ? ? production in the same experiment.     

Tuning Internal Strain in Metal–Organic Frameworks via Vapor Phase Infiltration for CO2 Reduction

A gas-phase approach to form Zn coordination sites on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) by vapor-phase infiltration (VPI) was developed. Compared to Zn sites synthesized by the solution-phase method, VPI samples revealed approximately 2.8 % internal strain. Faradaic efficiency towards conversion of CO₂ to CO was enhanced by up to a factor of four, and the initial potential was positively shifted by 200–300 mV. Using element-specific X-ray absorption spectroscopy, the local coordination environment of the Zn center was determined to have square-pyramidal geometry with four Zn−N bonds in the equatorial plane and one Zn-OH₂ bond in the axial plane. The fine-tuned internal strain was further supported by monitoring changes in XRD and UV/Visible absorption spectra across a range of infiltration cycles. The ability to use internal strain to increase catalytic activity of MOFs suggests that applying this strategy will enhance intrinsic catalytic capabilities of a variety of porous materials.     

Local Structure of Glassy Lithium Phosphorus Oxynitride Thin Films: A Combined Experimental and Ab Initio Approach

Lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON) is an amorphous solid-state lithium ion conductor displaying exemplary cyclability against lithium metal anodes. There is no definitive explanation for this stability due to the limited understanding of the structure of LiPON. Herein, we provide a structural model of RF-sputtered LiPON. Information about the short-range structure results from 1D and 2D solid-state NMR experiments. These results are compared with first principles chemical shielding calculations of Li-P-O/N crystals and ab initio molecular dynamics-generated amorphous LiPON models to unequivocally identify the glassy structure as primarily isolated phosphate monomers with N incorporated in both apical and as bridging sites in phosphate dimers. Structural results suggest LiPON′s stability is a result of its glassy character. Free-standing LiPON films are produced that exhibit a high degree of flexibility, highlighting the unique mechanical properties of glassy materials.     

Cancer-Cell-Specific Drug Delivery by a Tumor-Homing CPP-Gossypol Conjugate Employing a Tracelessly Cleavable Linker

Tumor-targeted drug delivery is highly important for improving chemotherapy, as it reduces the dose of cytotoxic agents and minimizes the death of healthy tissues. Towards this goal, a conjugate was synthesized of gossypol and a MCF-7 cancer cell specific CPP (cell penetrating peptide), thus providing a selective drug delivery system. Utilizing the aldehyde moiety of gossypol, the tumor homing CPP RLYMRYYSPTTRRYG was attached through a semi-labile imine linker, which was cleaved in a traceless fashion under aqueous conditions and had a half-life of approximately 10 hours. The conjugate killed MCF-7 cells to a significantly greater extent than HeLa cells or healthy fibroblasts.     

Enhanced thermoelectric properties of PEDOT/PSS/Te composite films treated with H<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Firstly, tellurium (Te) nanorods with a high Seebeck coefficient have been integrated into a conducting polymer PEDOT/PSS to form PEDOT/PSS/Te composite films. The Seebeck coefficient of the PEDOT/PSS/Te (90 wt.%) composite films is ~191 μV/K, which is about 13 times greater than that of pristine PEDOT/PSS. Then, H₂SO₄ treatment has been used to further tune the thermoelectric properties of the composite films by adjusting the doping level and increasing the carrier concentration. After the acid treatment, the electrical conductivity of the composite films has increased from 0.22 to 1613 S/cm due to the removal of insulating PSS and the structural rearrangement of PEDOT. An optimized power factor of 42.1 μW/mK² has been obtained at room temperature for a PEDOT/PSS/Te (80 wt.%) sample, which is about ten times larger than that of the untreated PEDOT/PSS/Te composite film.     

Analysis of transverse momentum and event shape invN scattering

The transverse momentum distributions of hadrons produced in neutrino-nucleon charged current interactions and their dependence onW are analysed in detail. It is found that the components of the transverse momentum in the event plane and normal to it increase withW at about the same rate throughout the availableW range. A comparison withe ⁺ e ^? data is made. Studies of the energy flow and angular distributions in the events classified as planar do not show clear evidence for high energy, wide angle gluon radiation, in contrast to the conclusion of a previous analysis of similar neutrino data.     

Evidence for the itinerant electron model of ferromagnetism and for surface photoemission from angle-resolved photoemission studies of iron

Angle-resolved HeI photoemission spectra of Fe(001) are reported and interpreted within the framework of a direct transition model using Callaway's ferromagnetic band structure. The generally good agreement between predicted and experimental peak positions is taken to be strong support for the itinerant electron theory of ferromagnetism. Spectra taken with nearly grazing incidence p-polarized light, however, are not interpretable in terms of the direct transition model. The importance of electron refraction is noted, as is the value of interpolation calculations for interpreting ARP spectra.     

Angle- and energy-dependent core-level photoelectron energy loss studies in Al and In

Electron energy loss structures of Al and In core-level photoemission spectra, in particular surface and bulk plasmon losses, have been investigated as functions of photon energy (i.e., photoelectron kinetic energy). These studies utilized synchrotron radiation to provide a variable photon source in the ultra-soft X-ray region, thus allowing these loss processes to be studied at photoelectron kinetic energies for which the mean free path of the electrons is minimal. The Al plasmon loss structure was also studied with soft X-ray radiation in an angle-resolved mode, allowing the variation of effective photoelectron sampling depth with different electron take-off (collection) angles. These results for the relative intensity of the bulk and surface plasmons as a function of electron kinetic energy and electron exit angle are in qualitative agreement with the predictions of ?unji? and ?ok?evi?. The core-level binding energies of surface atoms have also been studied with the result that no significant shift has been observed with respect to bulk-atom core levels.