High-spin states in the neutron rich fission fragments138Xe and139Xe

High-spin structures in the neutron-rich nuclei^138Xe and¹³⁹Xe have been investigated by observing prompt γ -rays from the spontaneous fission of²⁴⁸Cm with the Eurogam spectrometer. The partial level schemes were constructed on the basis of double-, triple- and quadruple-γ coincidences. The ground state band in¹³⁸Xe has been extended up to 5 MeV excitation energy. The structure of the newly observed medium-spin states in¹³⁹Xe is similar to the one of heavier N=85 isotones where vf ₇ ^2/3 , vh_9/2f ₇ ^2/2 and vf ₇ ^2/3 ? 3^? multiplets have been observed.     

Specific mass fragmentographic assay for 25,26-dihydroxyvitamin D in human plasma using a deuterated internal standard

A specific mass fragmentographic assay for the measurement of 25,26-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [25,26(OH)2D3] in human plasma, using a stable isotope labelled internal standard ([26,27-2H5]25,26(OH)2D3), is described. Plasma samples (5 ml) were extracted with acetonitrile and applied to a C18 Sep-Pak cartridge, from which the vitamin D metabolites were eluted with methanol. The metabolites were then applied to a Sep-Pak SIL cartridge and three fractions were collected. The most polar fraction, containing the polyhydroxylated metabolites, was further purified by high-performance liquid chromatography on Zorbax SIL. The eluent containing 25,26(OH)2D3 was collected, and the 25,26-n-butylboronate cyclic ester 3-trimethylsilyl ether derivative was formed. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was carried out, monitoring the intensities of the ions at m/z 449 and m/z 454 (for the internal standard). These ions represent the loss of a methyl group and the 3-silanol group, (M-90-15)+. The minimum limit of detection of the assay was estimated to be approximately 0.05 microgram/l. Inter-assay (3.7%) and intra-assay (8.0%) precision was acceptable and added 25,26(OH)2D3, over the concentration range 0.5-1.5 microgram/l, was recovered quantitatively. The plasma 25,26(OH)2D3 level was estimated in 26 healthy volunteers and ranged from 0.05 to 1.30 microgram/l, with a mean value of 0.54 microgram/l.     

Thermoplastic toughening of epoxy resins: a critical review

Thermoplastic toughening of epoxy resins has been actively studied since the early 1980s with considerable progress in property improvement and understanding having been made since then. The main advantage in using thermoplastics to toughen epoxy resins is that their incorporation need not result in significant decreases in desirable properties such as modulus and yield strengths as is generally the case when rubbers are used as toughening agents. However, the predominant criteria for achieving optimum toughness enhancement in the thermoplastic toughening of epoxy resins are still not all that clear from the literature. This review has focused upon the importance of the thermoplastic endgroups, the material's morphology, the ductility of the matrix and the chemical structure of the thermoplastic, it summarizes what the authors believe are the important requirements for good thermoplastic toughening. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shapes of the neutron-rich 88-94Kr nuclei

Neutron-rich, ^88-94Kr nuclei, populated in spontaneous fission of ²⁴⁸Cm, have been studied with EUROGAM 2, by measuring prompt γ-rays. Many new excited states in even-even Kr isotopes have been identified. For the first time spins and parities were determined experimentally in these nuclei. Our results indicate that the quadrupole deformation of Kr isotopes will appear only above N = 58, as observed in Sr and Zr nuclei. The newly found 3^- level at 1506.4 keV in ⁹⁰Kr suggests the exsistence of a new region of increased octupole correlations, probably associated with the ν(d _5/2 h _11/2) pair of Δl = Δj = 3 orbitals. Received: 18 September 2000 / Accepted: 18 October 2000     

New bands and spin-parity assignments in 111Ru

The ¹¹¹Ru nucleus, populated in the spontaneous fission of ²⁴⁸Cm has been studied by means of prompt gamma spectroscopy using the EUROGAM2 array. Spin and parity assignments, based on angular correlations, linear polarization, and conversion coefficient measurements differ from those available in the literature. New bands are reported, which incorporate transitions seen previously but not placed in the scheme of ¹¹¹Ru or placed incorrectly. The bands are interpreted as neutron excitations into subshells originating predominantly from the h _11/2, g _7/2 and s _1/2 spherical orbitals. The s _1/2 band, strongly mixed with the d _3/2, d _5/2 and g _7/2 configurations, is observed for the first time in this region.PACS: 23.20.Lv transitions and level energies - 21.60.Cs Shell model - 25.85.Ca Spontaneous fission - 27.60. + j      

First observation of the ν9/2[404] orbital in the A ∼ 100 mass region

A new band, populated by the spontaneous fission of ²⁴⁸Cm and studied by means of prompt γ-ray spectroscopy using the EUROGAM2 array, was observed in ⁹⁹Zr. The 1038.8 keV band head with a half-life T _1/2 = 54(10) ns is interpreted as a K-isomer, corresponding to the 9/2[404] neutron-hole excitation. It is the first observation of this orbital in the mass A ∼ 100 region. The quadrupole moment, Q ₀ = 3.9(3) eb deduced for the new band indicates a large deformation of β = 0.41, which is produced by a specific shape-coexistence mechanism, known in other regions and now found in the A ∼ 100 nuclei. Received: 11 September 2002 / Accepted: 31 October 2002 / Published online: 17 January 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: urban@fuw.edu.pl Communicated by D. Schwalm