Determination of 131mXe and 133mXe in the presence of 133gXe via combined beta-spectroscopy and delayed coincidence

The International Monitoring System for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty will include measurements of Xe fission products. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has developed an automated system for separating Xe from air which detects Xe fission products using a beta-gamma counting system for ^131mXe, ^133mXe, ^133gXe, and ^135gXe. Betas and conversion electrons are detected in a plastic scintillation cell containing the Xe sample. Gamma and X-rays are detected in a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector which surrounds the plastic scintillator sample cell. Two-dimensional pulse-height spectra of gamma-energy versus beta-energy are obtained. The plastic scintillator spectrum in coincidence with the 31-keV X-rays from ^131mXe. ^133mXe, and ^133gXe is a complex mixture of conversion electrons and betas. A new technique to simultaneously measure the delayed coincidence (T _1/2 = 6.27 ns) between beta-particles from ^133gXe and conversion electrons depopulating the 81-keV state in 133 Cs is being developed. This technique allows separation of the ^133gXe beta spectrum from the conversion electrons due to ^131mXe and ^133mXe and uniquely quantifies all three nuclides.     

Approximate unitary equivalence of completely distributive commutative subspace lattices

In this note, we classify completely distributive CSLs up to approximate unitary equivalence. Our proof uses a new characterization of complete distributivity and leads to a generalization of a result of Arveson on ordered group lattices. As consequences of our results, we obtain a similarity theorem for hyperreflexive, completely distributive CSLs and some new perturbation results.Partially supported by an NSERC grantResearch partially supported by NSF grant DMS-9204811.     

Characterisation and classification of automotive clear coats with Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics for forensic purposes

The clear coats from a collection of automotive paint samples of 139 vehicles, covering a range of Australian and international vehicle manufacturers and sold in Western Australia, were characterised using FT‐Raman spectroscopy. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed 19 distinct classes that were associated with the vehicles' manufacturer and model, and in the case of Australian manufacturers, the years of manufacture. Linear discriminant analysis based on the PCA groupings gave excellent discrimination between the groups with 96.9% of the calibration set and 97.6% of the validation set being correctly classified. Although the sample set comprised only vehicles available in Australia, the methodology used is universal and hence applicable in any jurisdiction that is willing and able to generate a statistically significant data set and maintain and update it as new vehicles appear on the market. A FT‐Raman spectroscopy‐based database would rapidly provide information regarding vehicle origin and manufacture and hence generate investigative leads for questioned paint samples found at incident sites. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Unstrained C–C bond activation and directed fluorination through photocatalytically-generated radical cations

Expanding the repertoire of controlled radical fluorination techniques, we present a photosensitized unstrained C–C bond activation/directed monofluorination method using Selectfluor and 9-fluorenone. The reaction is amenable to the opening of multiple 1-acetal-2-aryl substituted rings to yield ω-fluoro carboxylic acids, esters, alcohols, and ketones with relative ease. Initial mechanistic insight suggests radical ion intermediates.     

Gas phase reaction of NO2 with alkenes and dialkenes

The kinetics of the gas phase reactions of NO₂ with a series of organics have been studied at 295 ± 2 K. It was observed that only 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene and the conjugated dialkenes studied reacted at observable rates, with rate constants which ranged from 1.5 × 10^?20 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene to 1.3 × 10^?17 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for α-phellandrene. These rate constants are compared with the available literature data and the mechanisms of these reactions are discussed.     

Rate constants for the reaction of OH radicals with 2-methyl-2-butene over the temperature range 297–425 K

Absolute rate constants, k₂, for the reaction of OH radicals with 2-methyl-2-butene have been determined over the temperature range 297–425 K using a flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence technique. The Arrhenius expression obtained was k₂ = 3.6 × 10^?11 exp [(450 ± 400)/RT] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1.     

Semi-automated method for the determination of bismuth in rocks

A rapid and accurate method for the determination of bismuth in rock samples is described. Automated equipment is used to generate bismuth hydride from solutions of rock samples prepared by digestion with a mixture of hydrofluoric and perchloric acids. The evolved hydride is carried to a heated quartz tube by a stream of argon, and the atomic absorption of bismuth recorded. Thiosemicarbazide and 1,10-phenanthroline are used as masking agents to minimize interferences from copper and nickel. As little as 20 ng Bi g^-1 can be determined; the average r.s.d. is 5.4%. Results obtained for six USGS standard rocks are in close agreement with the recommended values obtained by an isotope dilution technique.