Luminescence of the elpasolite series MI2MIIMCl6 (MI=Cs, Rb; MII=Li, Na; M=Lu, Y, Sc, In) doped with europium using synchrotron radiation excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanner, Peter A.; Duan, Chang-Kui; Jia, Guohua; Cheng, Bing-Ming

2012-04-01

The excitation and emission spectra of a series of cubic hexachloroelpasolites doped with europium have been investigated using synchrotron radiation at 10 K. Besides the Eu3+ emission from 5DJ (J=0-3) multiplets, emission from 5H3 is also observed for Cs2NaIn0.995Eu0.005Cl6, since the gap to the next lowest level is spanned by seven phonons. The excitation spectra of samples indicate impurities due to oxygen and divalent europium. Broad band emission from Eu2+ is reported from the crystalline samples grown in vacuum by the Bridgman process, with the maximum wavelength shifting to the red with increasing lattice parameter for the series Cs2NaMCl6:Eu2+ (M=Lu, Y, Eu).

The effect of age and gender on 38 chemical element contents in human iliac crest investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis.

PubMed

Zaichick, Sofia; Zaichick, Vladimir

2010-01-01

To understand the role of major, minor, and trace elements in the etiology of bone diseases including osteoporosis, it is necessary to determine the normal levels and age-related changes of bone chemical elements. The effect of age and gender on 38 chemical element contents in intact iliac crest of 84 apparently healthy 15-55 years old women (n=38) and men (n=46) was investigated by neutron activation analysis. Mean values (M+/-SEM) for mass fraction (on dry weight basis) of Ca, Cl, Co, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Sr, and Zn for both female and male taken together were Ca - 169+/-3g/kg, Cl - 1490+/-43 mg/kg, Co - 0.0073+/-0.0024 mg/kg, Fe - 177+/-24 mg/kg, K - 1820+/-79 mg/kg, Mg - 1840+/-48 mg/kg, Mn - 0.316+/-0.013 mg/kg, Na - 4970+/-87 mg/kg, P - 79.7+/-1.5 g/kg, Rb - 1.89+/-0.22 mg/kg, Sr - 312+/-15 mg/kg, and Zn - 65.9+/-3.4 mg/kg, respectively. The upper limit of mean contents of Cs, Eu, Hg, Sb, Sc, and Se were Cs < or = 0.09 mg/kg, Eu < or = 0.005 mg/kg, Hg < or = 0.005 mg/kg, Sb < or = 0.004 mg/kg, Sc < or = 0.001 mg/kg, and Se < or = 0.1mg/kg, respectively. In all bone samples the contents of Ag, As, Au, Ba, Br, Cd, Ce, Cr, Gd, Hf, La, Lu, Nd, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, U, Yb, and Zr were under detection limits. The Ca, Mg, and P contents decrease with age, regardless of gender. Higher Ca, Mg, P, and Sr mass fractions as well as lower Fe content are typical of female iliac crest as compared to those in male bone. Copyright 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Accumulation of radionuclides from radioactive substrata by some micromycetes.

PubMed

Zhdanova, N N; Redchits, T I; Zheltonozhsky, V A; Sadovnikov, L V; Gerzabek, M H; Olsson, S; Strebl, F; Mück, K

2003-01-01

Overgrowing (interaction) and dissolution of intact and milled hot particles by various micromycetes were studied under laboratory conditions. Hot particles used for the investigation originated from the Chernobyl accident release and atomic bomb testing sites. The micromycetes investigated were mitosporic fungi mainly isolated from the Chernobyl site and vicinity. Most of the fungal species and strains showed a tendency to grow towards the hot particle, overgrow it and dissolve it after prolonged contact. The accumulation (absorption and adsorption) of radionuclides from intact hot particles was generally more intensive for (152)Eu than for (137)Cs by a factor of about 2.6-134, while in experiments with milled samples the (152)Eu and (137)Cs accumulation was similar, except for some fungal species, which showed higher (152)Eu than (137)Cs sorption. It could be shown that the main factors influencing Cs and Eu accumulation in fungi are: fungal species and strains and the size and composition of the hot particle.

An ultrasensitive chemiluminescence aptasensor for thrombin detection based on iron porphyrin catalyzing luminescence desorbed from chitosan modified magnetic oxide graphene composite.

PubMed

Sun, Yuanling; Wang, Yanhui; Li, Jianbo; Ding, Chaofan; Lin, Yanna; Sun, Weiyan; Luo, Chuannan

2017-11-01

In this work, an ultrasensitive chemiluminescence (CL) aptasensor was prepared for thrombin detection based on iron porphyrin catalyzing luminol - hydrogen peroxide luminescence under alkaline conditions, and iron porphyrin was desorbed from chitosan modified magnetic oxide graphene composite (CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO). Firstly, CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO was prepared. CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO has advantages of the good biocompatibility and positively charged on its surface of CS, the large specific surface area of GO and the easy separation characteristics of Fe 3 O 4 . GO, Fe 3 O 4 and CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Then, thrombin aptamer (T-Apt) and hemin (HM, an iron porphyrin) were sequentially modified on the surface of CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO to form CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO@T-Apt@HM. The immobilization properties of CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO to T-Apt and adsorption properties of CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO@T-Apt to HM were sequentially researched through the curves of kinetics and the curves of thermodynamics. When thrombin existed in solutions, HM was desorbed from the surface of CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO@T-Apt@HM owing to the strong specific recognition ability between thrombin and T-Apt, causing the changes of CL signal. Under optimized CL conditions, thrombin could be measured with the linear concentration range of 5.0×10 -15 -2.5×10 -10 mol/L. The detection limit was 1.5×10 -15 mol/L (3δ) while the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.2%. Finally, the CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO@T-Apt@HM-CL aptasensor was used for the determination of thrombin in practical serum samples and recoveries ranged from 95% to 103%. Those satisfactory results revealed potential application of the CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO@T-Apt@HM-CL aptasensor for thrombin detection in monitoring and diagnosis of human blood diseases. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tuning the structure of CsCaI3:Eu via substitution of bromine for iodine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loyd, M.; Lindsey, A.; Stand, L.; Zhuravleva, M.; Melcher, C. L.; Koschan, M.

2017-06-01

CsCaI3:Eu is a promising scintillator material that can be grown from the melt, but undergoes a tetragonal to orthorhombic phase transition upon cooling at 255 °C, causing twinning and cloudiness. The purpose of this work is to suppress this solid to solid phase transition in the CsCaI3:Eu scintillator, which has a light yield of ∼40000 ph/MeV and energy resolution at 662 keV of ∼4%, by halide replacement to form the compound CsCaBrxI3-x. Crystals 8 cm3 in volume were grown using the vertical Bridgman method with varying bromine content from x = 0.2 to x = 1, resulting in improved transparency for crystals with bromine content x > 0.6. Powder X-ray diffraction data coupled with differential scanning calorimetry and radioluminescence measurements were used to investigate structural modifications, melting point dependence and spectral emission dependence on the bromine/iodine ratio. Partial replacement of iodine by bromine improves optical quality and scintillation properties by stabilizing the structure, rendering it useful for isotope identification for national security applications. The composition CsCaBr0.8I2.2:Eu was determined to be the best combination of improved structure and performance, and larger 22 and 38 mm Ø crystals were grown for further evaluation. Large size slabs of these crystals showed good crystal quality and improved performance over CsCaI3Eu with 8.4% and 9.5% energy resolution at 662 keV, respectively.

Abundances in the Very Metal Poor s-Process-rich Star CS 22183-015

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Jennifer A.; Bolte, Michael

2002-11-01

We report on the abundances for 13 elements in CS 22183-015, the most metal-poor, s-process-rich star yet discovered. We measure [Fe/H]=-3.12 and large overabundances compared to scaled solar values for 11 heavy elements with s-process origin. The low luminosity of the star suggests that it is a CH star, a giant that has accreted s-processed material from an evolved, very metal poor companion. We find a [Pb/Ba] value of 1.1 dex and, more generally, that the ratio of heavy to light s-process elements is larger than seen in the solar system. This result is consistent with theoretical expectations for the s-process in metal-poor stars. [Eu/La] is higher than predicted from the solar system s-process abundance ratios. We argue that the s-process in metal-poor stars is more efficient at producing Eu that in asymptotic giant branch stars of solar metallicity. Data presented herein were obtained at the W. M. Keck Observatory, which is operated as a scientific partnership among the California Institute of Technology, the University of California, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Observatory was made possible by the generous financial support of the W. M. Keck Foundation.

Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements on the 35.5 K superconductor Rb1 -δEuFe4As4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Albedah, Mohammed A.; Nejadsattari, Farshad; Stadnik, Zbigniew M.; Liu, Yi; Cao, Guang-Han

2018-04-01

The results of x-ray diffraction and 57Fe and 151Eu Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements, supplemented with ab initio hyperfine-interaction parameter calculations, on the new 35.5 K superconductor Rb1 -δEuFe4As4 are presented. The superconductor crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P 4 /m m m with the lattice parameters a =3.8849 (1 ) Å and c =13.3370 (3 ) Å. It is shown that there is no magnetic order of the Fe magnetic moments down to 2.1 K and that the ferromagnetic order is associated solely with the Eu magnetic moments. The Curie temperature TC=16.54 (8 ) K is determined from the temperature dependence of both the hyperfine magnetic field at 151Eu nuclei and the transferred hyperfine magnetic field at 57Fe nuclei that is induced by the ferromagnetically ordered Eu sublattice. The Eu magnetic moments are demonstrated to be perpendicular to the crystallographic c axis. The temperature dependence of the principal component of the electric field gradient tensor, at both Fe and Eu sites, is well described by a T3 /2 power-law relation. Good agreement between the calculated and measured hyperfine-interaction parameters is observed. The Debye temperature of Rb1 -δEuFe4As4 is found to be 391(8) K.

Temperature and composition phase diagram in the iron-based ladder compounds Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hawai, Takafumi; Nambu, Yusuke; Ohgushi, Kenya; Du, Fei; Hirata, Yasuyuki; Avdeev, Maxim; Uwatoko, Yoshiya; Sekine, Yurina; Fukazawa, Hiroshi; Ma, Jie; Chi, Songxue; Ueda, Yutaka; Yoshizawa, Hideki; Sato, Taku J.

2015-05-01

We investigated the iron-based ladder compounds (Ba,Cs ) Fe2Se3 . Their parent compounds BaFe2Se3 and CsFe2Se3 have different space groups, formal valences of Fe, and magnetic structures. Electrical resistivity, specific heat, magnetic susceptibility, x-ray diffraction, and powder neutron diffraction measurements were conducted to obtain a temperature and composition phase diagram of this system. Block magnetism observed in BaFe2Se3 is drastically suppressed with Cs doping. In contrast, stripe magnetism observed in CsFe2Se3 is not so fragile against Ba doping. A new type of magnetic structure appears in intermediate compositions, which is similar to stripe magnetism of CsFe2Se3 , but interladder spin configuration is different. Intermediate compounds show insulating behavior, nevertheless a finite T -linear contribution in specific heat was obtained at low temperatures.

Spectroelectrochemistry of EuCl 3 in Four Molten Salt Eutectics; 3 LiCl−NaCl, 3 LiCl−2 KCl, LiCl−RbCl, and 3 LiCl−2 CsCl; at 873 K

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schroll, Cynthia A.; Chatterjee, Sayandev; Levitskaia, Tatiana

Key electrochemical properties affecting pyroprocessing of nuclear fuel were examined in four eutectic melts using using Eu3+/2+ as a representative probe. We report the electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical behavior of EuCl3 in four molten salt eutectics (3 LiCl – NaCl, 3 LiCl – 2 KCl, LiCl – RbCl and 3 LiCl – 2 CsCl) at 873 K. Cyclic voltammetry was used to determine the redox potential for Eu3+/2+ and the applied potentials for spectroelectrochemistry. Single step chronoabsorptometry and thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry were used to obtain the number of electrons transferred, redox potentials and diffusion coefficients for Eu3+ in each eutectic melt. Themore » redox potentials determined by thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry were extremely close to those obtained using cyclic voltammetry. The redox potential for Eu3+/2+ was most positive in the 3 LiCl - NaCl melt, showed a negative shift in the 3 LiCl - 2 KCl melt, and was the most negative in the LiCl - RbCl and 3 LiCl - 2 CsCl eutectics. The diffusion coefficient for Eu3+ followed this same trend; it was the largest in the 3 LiCl - NaCl melt and the smallest in the LiCl - RbCl and 3 LiCl - 2 CsCl melts. The basic one-electron reversible electron transfer for Eu3+/2+ was not changed by melt composition.« less

Iron cycling at corroding carbon steel surfaces.

PubMed

Lee, Jason S; McBeth, Joyce M; Ray, Richard I; Little, Brenda J; Emerson, David

2013-01-01

Surfaces of carbon steel (CS) exposed to mixed cultures of iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) and dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria (FeRB) in seawater media under aerobic conditions were rougher than surfaces of CS exposed to pure cultures of either type of microorganism. The roughened surface, demonstrated by profilometry, is an indication of loss of metal from the surface. In the presence of CS, aerobically grown FeOB produced tight, twisted helical stalks encrusted with iron oxides. When CS was exposed anaerobically in the presence of FeRB, some surface oxides were removed. However, when the same FeOB and FeRB were grown together in an aerobic medium, FeOB stalks were less encrusted with iron oxides and appeared less tightly coiled. These observations suggest that iron oxides on the stalks were reduced and solubilized by the FeRB. Roughened surfaces of CS and denuded stalks were replicated with culture combinations of different species of FeOB and FeRB under three experimental conditions. Measurements of electrochemical polarization resistance established different rates of corrosion of CS in aerobic and anaerobic media, but could not differentiate rate differences between sterile controls and inoculated exposures for a given bulk concentration of dissolved oxygen. Similarly, total iron in the electrolyte could not be used to differentiate treatments. The experiments demonstrate the potential for iron cycling (oxidation and reduction) on corroding CS in aerobic seawater media.

Iron cycling at corroding carbon steel surfaces

PubMed Central

Lee, Jason S.; McBeth, Joyce M.; Ray, Richard I.; Little, Brenda J.; Emerson, David

2013-01-01

Surfaces of carbon steel (CS) exposed to mixed cultures of iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) and dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria (FeRB) in seawater media under aerobic conditions were rougher than surfaces of CS exposed to pure cultures of either type of microorganism. The roughened surface, demonstrated by profilometry, is an indication of loss of metal from the surface. In the presence of CS, aerobically grown FeOB produced tight, twisted helical stalks encrusted with iron oxides. When CS was exposed anaerobically in the presence of FeRB, some surface oxides were removed. However, when the same FeOB and FeRB were grown together in an aerobic medium, FeOB stalks were less encrusted with iron oxides and appeared less tightly coiled. These observations suggest that iron oxides on the stalks were reduced and solubilized by the FeRB. Roughened surfaces of CS and denuded stalks were replicated with three culture combinations of different species of FeOB and FeRB under three experimental conditions. Measurements of electrochemical polarization resistance established different rates of corrosion of CS in aerobic and anaerobic media, but could not differentiate rate differences between sterile controls and inoculated exposures for a given bulk concentration of dissolved oxygen. Similarly, total iron in the electrolyte could not be used to differentiate treatments. The experiments demonstrate the potential for iron cycling (oxidation and reduction) on corroding CS in aerobic seawater media. PMID:24093730

Rapid and highly efficient preconcentration of Eu(III) by core-shell structured Fe3O4@humic acid magnetic nanoparticles.

PubMed

Yang, Shitong; Zong, Pengfei; Ren, Xuemei; Wang, Qi; Wang, Xiangke

2012-12-01

In this study, humic acid-coated Fe(3)O(4) magnetic nanoparticles (Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs) were synthesized using a chemical coprecipitation method and characterized in detail. The XRD analysis results showed that HA coating did not change the phase of Fe(3)O(4) cores. The TEM image suggested that Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs had nearly uniform size without the observation of aggregation. The Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs were stable in solution and could be easily separated from aqueous solution using a magnetic separation method. A batch technique was adopted to investigate the removal efficiency of Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs toward Eu(III) under various environmental conditions. The kinetic process of Eu(III) sorption on Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs reached equilibrium within <30 min. The fast sorption kinetics and high sorption amount were attributed to the plentiful surface sites provided by the surface-coated HA macromolecules. The Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs was able to remove ~99% of Eu(III) in aqueous solution at pH 8.5. Except for SO(4)(2-) anions, the coexisting electrolyte ions had no significant competition effects on the removal of Eu(III) by Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs. The obvious sorption-desorption hysteresis suggested that the removal of Eu(III) was dominated by inner-sphere surface complexation. The sorption isotherm agreed well with the Langmuir model, having a maximum sorption capacity of 6.95 × 10(-5) mol g(-1). The leaching test showed that the Eu(III)-loaded Fe(3)O(4)@HA colloids were capable to maintain high thermodynamic stability for long aging times. The findings herein suggested that Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs could be potentially used as a highly effective material for the enrichment and preconcentration of radionuclide Eu(III) or other trivalent lanthanides/actinides in geological repositories or in nuclear waste management.

Facile method for the synthesis of a magnetic CNTs-C@Fe-chitosan composite and its application in tetracycline removal from aqueous solutions.

PubMed

Ma, Jie; Zhuang, Yuan; Yu, Fei

2015-06-28

A magnetic CNTs-C@Fe-chitosan composite (CNTs-C@Fe-CS) was prepared based on as-prepared carbon nanotubes (APCNTs). The metal nanoparticles in APCNTs could be utilized directly without any purification treatment, and the carbon shells provide an effective barrier against oxidation, acid dissolution, and movement of the MNPs, thus ensuring the long-term stability of CNTs-C@Fe-CS. The results showed that CNTs-C@Fe-CS contained more abundant oxygen and nitrogen containing functional groups after chitosan modification and the composite had good magnetization characteristics, even in acidic solutions. Then CNTs-C@Fe-CS was used as an adsorbent for the removal of tetracycline from aqueous solutions. Adsorption experiments indicated that CNTs-C@Fe-CS have a good adsorption capacity (qe) of tetracycline (104 mg g(-1)). The Freundlich isotherm model fitted the experimental data better than the Langmuir isotherm model. Kinetic regression results showed that the adsorption kinetics was more accurately represented by a pseudo second-order model. Intra-particle diffusion was involved in the adsorption, but it was not the only rate-controlling step. Cu(2+) and humic acid could promote the adsorption of tetracycline on CNTs-C@Fe-CS. The CNTs-C@Fe-CS adsorbents could be effectively and quickly separated by applying an external magnetic field and the adsorption capacity was still maintained at 99.3 mg g(-1) after being used 10 times. Therefore, CNTs-C@Fe-CS is a promising magnetic nanomaterial for preconcentration and separation of organic pollutants for environmental remediation.

Preparation and characterization of polymer nanocomposites coated magnetic nanoparticles for drug delivery applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prabha, G.; Raj, V.

2016-06-01

In the present research work, the anticancer drug 'curcumin' is loaded with Chitosan (CS)-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (CS-PEG-PVP) polymer nanocomposites coated with superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles. The system can be used for targeted and controlled drug delivery of anticancer drugs with reduced side effects and greater efficiency. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Curcumin drug loaded Fe3O4-CS, Fe3O4-CS-PEG and Fe3O4-CS-PEG-PVP nanoparticles exhibited the mean particle size in the range of 183-390 nm with a zeta potential value of 26-41 mV as measured using Malvern Zetasizer. The encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity and in-vitro drug release behavior of curcumin drug loaded Fe3O4-CS, Fe3O4-CS-PEG and Fe3O4-CS-PEG-PVP nanoparticles were studied using UV spectrophotometer. Besides, the cytotoxicity of the prepared nanoparticles using MTT assay was also studied. The curcumin drug release was examined at different pH medium and it was proved that the drug release depends upon the pH medium in addition to the nature of matrix.

Structural, XPS and magnetic studies of pulsed laser deposited Fe doped Eu{sub 2}O{sub 3} thin film

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kumar, Sandeep; Prakash, Ram, E-mail: rpgiuc@gmail.com; Choudhary, R.J.

2015-10-15

Highlights: • Growth of Fe doped Eu{sub 2}O{sub 3} thin films by PLD. • XRD and Raman’s spectroscopy used for structure confirmation. • The electronic states of Eu and Fe are confirmed by XPS. • Magnetic properties reveals room temperature magnetic ordering in deposited film. - Abstract: Fe (4 at.%) doped europium (III) oxide thin film was deposited on silicon (1 0 0) substrate by pulsed laser deposition technique. Structural, spectral and magnetic properties were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and magnetization measurements. XRD and Raman spectroscopy reveal that the grown film is singlemore » phased and belongs to the cubic structure of Eu{sub 2}O{sub 3}. XPS study of the Eu{sub 1.92}Fe{sub 0.08}O{sub 3} film shows that Fe exists in Fe{sup 3+} ionic state in the film. The film exhibits magnetic ordering at room temperature.« less

RbEu (Fe1-xNix) 4As4 : From a ferromagnetic superconductor to a superconducting ferromagnet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yi; Liu, Ya-Bin; Yu, Ya-Long; Tao, Qian; Feng, Chun-Mu; Cao, Guang-Han

2017-12-01

The intrinsically hole-doped RbEuFe4As4 exhibits bulk superconductivity at Tsc=36.5 K and ferromagnetic ordering in the Eu sublattice at Tm=15 K. Here we present a hole-compensation study by introducing extra itinerant electrons via a Ni substitution in the ferromagnetic superconductor RbEuFe4As4 with Tsc>Tm . With the Ni doping, Tsc decreases rapidly, and the Eu-spin ferromagnetism and its Tm remain unchanged. Consequently, the system RbEu (Fe1-xNix) 4As4 transforms into a superconducting ferromagnet with Tm>Tsc for 0.07 ≤x ≤0.08 . The occurrence of superconducting ferromagnets is attributed to the decoupling between Eu2 + spins and superconducting Cooper pairs. The superconducting and magnetic phase diagram is established, which additionally includes a recovered yet suppressed spin-density-wave state.

Systems Ln-Fe-O ( Ln=Eu, Gd): thermodynamic properties of ternary oxides using solid-state electrochemical cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parida, S. C.; Rakshit, S. K.; Dash, S.; Singh, Ziley; Prasad, R.; Venugopal, V.

2003-05-01

The standard molar Gibbs energies of formation of LnFeO 3(s) and Ln3Fe 5O 12(s) where Ln=Eu and Gd have been determined using solid-state electrochemical technique employing different solid electrolytes. The reversible e.m.f.s of the following solid-state electrochemical cells have been measured in the temperature range from 1050 to 1255 K. Cell (I): (-)Pt / { LnFeO 3(s)+ Ln2O 3(s)+Fe(s)} // YDT/CSZ // {Fe(s)+Fe 0.95O(s)} / Pt(+); Cell (II): (-)Pt/{Fe(s)+Fe 0.95O(s)}//CSZ//{ LnFeO 3(s)+ Ln3Fe 5O 12(s)+Fe 3O 4(s)}/Pt(+); Cell (III): (-)Pt/{ LnFeO 3(s)+ Ln3Fe 5O 12(s)+Fe 3O 4(s)}//YSZ//{Ni(s)+NiO(s)}/Pt(+); and Cell(IV):(-)Pt/{Fe(s)+Fe 0.95O(s)}//YDT/CSZ//{ LnFeO 3(s)+ Ln3Fe 5O 12(s)+Fe 3O 4(s)}/Pt(+). The oxygen chemical potentials corresponding to the three-phase equilibria involving the ternary oxides have been computed from the e.m.f. data. The standard Gibbs energies of formation of solid EuFeO 3, Eu 3Fe 5O 12, GdFeO 3 and Gd 3Fe 5O 12 calculated by the least-squares regression analysis of the data obtained in the present study are given by Δ fG°m(EuFeO 3, s) /kJ mol -1 (± 3.2)=-1265.5+0.2687( T/K) (1050 ⩽ T/K ⩽ 1570), Δ fG°m(Eu 3Fe 5O 12, s)/kJ mol -1 (± 3.5)=-4626.2+1.0474( T/K) (1050 ⩽ T/K ⩽ 1255), Δ fG°m(GdFeO 3, s) /kJ mol -1 (± 3.2)=-1342.5+0.2539( T/K) (1050 ⩽ T/K ⩽ 1570), and Δ fG°m(Gd 3Fe 5O 12, s)/kJ·mol -1 (± 3.5)=-4856.0+1.0021( T/K) (1050 ⩽ T/K ⩽ 1255). The uncertainty estimates for Δ fG°m include the standard deviation in the e.m.f. and uncertainty in the data taken from the literature. Based on the thermodynamic information, oxygen potential diagrams for the systems Eu-Fe-O and Gd-Fe-O and chemical potential diagrams for the system Gd-Fe-O were computed at 1250 K.

Tailoring mechanical and antibacterial properties of chitosan/gelatin nanofiber membranes with Fe3O4 nanoparticles for potential wound dressing application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Ning; Li, Chao; Han, Chao; Luo, Xiaogang; Shen, Liang; Xue, Yanan; Yu, Faquan

2016-04-01

In this work, magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were utilized to improve the mechanical and antibacterial properties of chitosan (CS)/gelatin (GE) composite nanofiber membranes. Homogeneous Fe3O4/CS/GE nanofibers were electrospun successfully. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images confirmed the presence of well-dispersed Fe3O4 NPs in the composite nanofibers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra revealed the effective interactions of Fe3O4 NPs to the composite matrix through hydrogen bonding. The improvement on the thermal stability of the Fe3O4/CS/GE was observed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), which is tightly correlated to strong filler-matrix adhesion. The incorporation of Fe3O4 NPs resulted in a substantial enhancement of mechanical properties. The optimum mechanical performance was demonstrated on 1 wt% Fe3O4/CS/GE nanofiber membranes, achieving 155% augment of Young's modulus, 128% increase of tensile strength, and 100% boost of toughness from CS/GE. The excellent mechanical enhancement can be explained by the effective dispersion of fillers and the filler-matrix interactions, which ensures the efficient load transfer from CS/GE matrix to Fe3O4 nanofillers. Moreover, zones of inhibition for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus expanded markedly with the supplement of Fe3O4 NPs. In all, nanofiber membranes made of Fe3O4/CS/GE composite with tailored mechanical and antibacterial properties appear a promising wound dressing material.

Influence of hydration and annealing on structure, PSL yield and spatial resolution of pressed powder imaging plates of the X-ray storage phosphor CsBr:Eu2+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kersting, E.; von Seggern, H.

2017-08-01

A new production route for europium doped cesium bromide (CsBr:Eu2+) imaging plates has been developed, synthesizing CsBr:Eu2+ powder from a precipitation reaction of aqueous CsBr solution with ethanol. This new route allows the control of features like homogeneous grain size and grain shape of the obtained powder. After drying and subsequent compacting the powder, disk-like samples were fabricated, and their resulting photostimulated luminescence (PSL) properties like yield and spatial resolution were determined. It will be shown that hydration of such disks causes the CsBr:Eu2+ powder to recrystallize starting from the humidity exposed surfaces to the sample interior up to a completely polycrystalline sample resulting in a decreasing PSL yield and an increasing resolution. Subsequent annealing leads to grain refinement combined with a large PSL yield increment and a minor effect on the spatial resolution. By first annealing the "as made" disk, one observes a strong increment of the PSL yield and almost no effect on the spatial resolution. During subsequent hydration, the recrystallization is hindered by minor structural changes of the grains. The related PSL yield drops slightly with increasing hydration time, and the spatial resolution drops considerably. The obtained PSL properties with respect to structure will be discussed with a simple model.

Evaluation of the adsorptive behavior of cesium and strontium on hydroxyapatite and zeolite for decontamination of radioactive substances.

PubMed

Ozeki, K; Aoki, H

2016-08-12

Removal of radioactive substances, such as cesium (Cs) and strontium (Sr), has become an emerging issue after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Disaster. To assess the possibility that hydroxyapatite (HA) and zeolites can be used for removal of radioactive substances, the adsorption capacities of Cs and Sr on the HA and a zeolite were investigated. The influence of Fe ions on Cs and Sr adsorption on the HA and the zeolite was also evaluated, because Fe ions are the most effective inhibitor of Cs adsorption on the zeolite.In the Cs adsorption process on the HA and the zeolite, the zeolite showed a higher adsorption ratio than the HA, and the maximum sorption capacity of the zeolite was calculated as 196 mg/g, whereas the HA showed a higher Sr adsorption ratio than the zeolite. The maximum sorption capacity of Sr on the HA was 123 mg/g. Under coexistence with Fe, Cs adsorption on the zeolite decreased with increasing Fe concentration, reaching 2.0 ± 0.8% at 0.1 M Fe concentration. In contrast, Cs adsorption on the zeolite was improved by adding the HA. In the case of coexistence of the HA, the Cs adsorption on the mixture of the HA and the zeolite was 52.4% ± 3.6 % at 0.1 M Fe concentration, although Cs adsorption on the HA alone was quite low. In the Fe adsorption processes of the HA and the zeolite, the HA exhibited a maximum sorption capacity of 256 mg/g, which was much higher than that of the zeolite (111 mg/g). The high affinity of Fe on the HA contributes to the improvement of the deteriorated Cs adsorption on the zeolite due to Fe ions.

Nanoscale spatial analysis of clay minerals containing cesium by synchrotron radiation photoemission electron microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshigoe, Akitaka; Shiwaku, Hideaki; Kobayashi, Toru; Shimoyama, Iwao; Matsumura, Daiju; Tsuji, Takuya; Nishihata, Yasuo; Kogure, Toshihiro; Ohkochi, Takuo; Yasui, Akira; Yaita, Tsuyoshi

2018-01-01

A synchrotron radiation photoemission electron microscope (SR-PEEM) was applied to demonstrate the pinpoint analysis of micrometer-sized weathered biotite clay particles with artificially adsorbed cesium (Cs) atoms. Despite the insulating properties of the clay, we observed the spatial distributions of constituent elements (Si, Al, Cs, Mg, and Fe) without charging issues and clarified reciprocal site-correlations among these elements with nanometer resolution. We found that Cs atoms were likely to be adsorbed evenly over the entire particle; however, we identified an occupational conflict between Cs and Mg atoms, implying that Cs sorption involves ion exchange processes. Spatially resolved X-ray absorption spectra (XAS) of the Cs4,5 M-edge region showed Cs to be present in a monocation state (Cs+) as typically observed for Cs compounds. Further pinpoint XAS measurements were also performed at the Fe L2,3-edge to determine the chemical valence of the Fe atoms. The shapes of the spectra were similar to those for Fe2O3, indicating that Fe in the clay was in a 3+ oxidation state. From these observations, we infer that charge compensation facilitates Cs adsorption in the vicinity of a substitution site where Si4+ ions are replaced by Fe3+ ions in SiO4 tetrahedral sheets. Our results demonstrate the utility of SR-PEEM as a tool for spatially resolved chemical analyses of various environmental substances, which is not limited by the poor conductivity of samples.

Uncovering the Origin of Divergence in the CsM(CrO 4) 2 (M = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu; Am) Family through Examination of the Chemical Bonding in a Molecular Cluster and by Band Structure Analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Galley, Shane S.; Arico, Alexandra A.; Lee, Tsung-Han

A series of f-block chromates, CsM(CrO 4) 2 (M = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu; Am), were prepared revealing notable differences between the Am III derivatives and their lanthanide analogs. While all compounds form similar layered structures, the americium compound exhibits polymorphism and adopts both a structure isomorphous with the early lanthanides as well as one that possesses lower symmetry. Both polymorphs are dark red and possess band gaps that are smaller than the Ln III compounds. In order to probe the origin of these differences, the electronic structure of α-CsSm(CrO 4) 2, α-CsEu(CrO 4) 2, and α-CsAm(CrO 4) 2more » were studied using both a molecular cluster approach featuring hybrid density functional theory and QTAIM analysis and by the periodic LDA+GA and LDA+DMFT methods. Notably, the covalent contributions to bonding by the f orbitals were found to be more than twice as large in the Am III chromate than in the Sm III and Eu III compounds, and even larger in magnitude than the Am-5f spin–orbit splitting in this system. Our analysis indicates also that the Am–O covalency in α-CsAm(CrO 4) 2 is driven by the degeneracy of the 5f and 2p orbitals, and not by orbital overlap.« less

Uncovering the Origin of Divergence in the CsM(CrO 4) 2 (M = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu; Am) Family through Examination of the Chemical Bonding in a Molecular Cluster and by Band Structure Analysis

DOE PAGES

Galley, Shane S.; Arico, Alexandra A.; Lee, Tsung-Han; ...

2018-01-10

A series of f-block chromates, CsM(CrO 4) 2 (M = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu; Am), were prepared revealing notable differences between the Am III derivatives and their lanthanide analogs. While all compounds form similar layered structures, the americium compound exhibits polymorphism and adopts both a structure isomorphous with the early lanthanides as well as one that possesses lower symmetry. Both polymorphs are dark red and possess band gaps that are smaller than the Ln III compounds. In order to probe the origin of these differences, the electronic structure of α-CsSm(CrO 4) 2, α-CsEu(CrO 4) 2, and α-CsAm(CrO 4) 2more » were studied using both a molecular cluster approach featuring hybrid density functional theory and QTAIM analysis and by the periodic LDA+GA and LDA+DMFT methods. Notably, the covalent contributions to bonding by the f orbitals were found to be more than twice as large in the Am III chromate than in the Sm III and Eu III compounds, and even larger in magnitude than the Am-5f spin–orbit splitting in this system. Our analysis indicates also that the Am–O covalency in α-CsAm(CrO 4) 2 is driven by the degeneracy of the 5f and 2p orbitals, and not by orbital overlap.« less

LOCAL MAGNETIC BEHAVIOR OF 54Fe in EuFe2As2 AND Eu0.5K0.5Fe2As2: MICROSCOPIC STUDY USING TIME DIFFERENTIAL PERTURBED ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION (TDPAD) SPECTROSCOPY

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohanta, S. K.; Mishra, S. N.; Davane, S. M.; Layek, S.; Hossain, Z.

2013-12-01

In this paper, we report the time differential perturbed angular distribution measurements of 54Fe on a polycrystalline EuFe2As2 and Eu0.5K0.5Fe2As2. The hyperfine field and nuclear spin-relaxation rate are strongly temperature dependent in the paramagnetic state suggesting strong spin fluctuation in the parent compound. The local susceptibility show Curie-Weiss-like temperature dependence and Korringa-like relaxation in the tetragonal phase indicating the presence of local moment. In the orthorhombic phase, the hyperfine field behavior suggesting quasi two-dimensional magnetic ordering. The experimental results are in a good agreement with first-principle calculations based on density functional theory.

Multifunctional nanocomposite based on halloysite nanotubes for efficient luminescent bioimaging and magnetic resonance imaging

PubMed Central

Zhou, Tao; Jia, Lei; Luo, Yi-Feng; Xu, Jun; Chen, Ru-Hua; Ge, Zhi-Jun; Ma, Tie-Liang; Chen, Hong; Zhu, Tao-Feng

2016-01-01

A novel multifunctional halloysite nanotube (HNT)-based Fe3O4@HNT-polyethyleneimine-Tip-Eu(dibenzoylmethane)3 nanocomposite (Fe-HNT-Eu NC) with both photoluminescent and magnetic properties was fabricated by a simple one-step hydrothermal process combined with the coupling grafting method, which exhibited high suspension stability and excellent photophysical behavior. The as-prepared multifunctional Fe-HNT-Eu NC was characterized using various techniques. The results of cell viability assay, cell morphological observation, and in vivo toxicity assay indicated that the NC exhibited excellent biocompatibility over the studied concentration range, suggesting that the obtained Fe-HNT-Eu NC was a suitable material for bioimaging and biological applications in human hepatic adenocarcinoma cells. Furthermore, the biocompatible Fe-HNT-Eu NC displayed superparamagnetic behavior with high saturation magnetization and also functioned as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent in vitro and in vivo. The results of the MRI tests indicated that the Fe-HNT-Eu NC can significantly decrease the T2 signal intensity values of the normal liver tissue and thus make the boundary between the normal liver and transplanted cancer more distinct, thus effectively improving the diagnosis effect of cancers. PMID:27698562

Multifunctional nanocomposite based on halloysite nanotubes for efficient luminescent bioimaging and magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Zhou, Tao; Jia, Lei; Luo, Yi-Feng; Xu, Jun; Chen, Ru-Hua; Ge, Zhi-Jun; Ma, Tie-Liang; Chen, Hong; Zhu, Tao-Feng

A novel multifunctional halloysite nanotube (HNT)-based Fe 3 O 4 @HNT-polyethyleneimine-Tip-Eu(dibenzoylmethane) 3 nanocomposite (Fe-HNT-Eu NC) with both photoluminescent and magnetic properties was fabricated by a simple one-step hydrothermal process combined with the coupling grafting method, which exhibited high suspension stability and excellent photophysical behavior. The as-prepared multifunctional Fe-HNT-Eu NC was characterized using various techniques. The results of cell viability assay, cell morphological observation, and in vivo toxicity assay indicated that the NC exhibited excellent biocompatibility over the studied concentration range, suggesting that the obtained Fe-HNT-Eu NC was a suitable material for bioimaging and biological applications in human hepatic adenocarcinoma cells. Furthermore, the biocompatible Fe-HNT-Eu NC displayed superparamagnetic behavior with high saturation magnetization and also functioned as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent in vitro and in vivo. The results of the MRI tests indicated that the Fe-HNT-Eu NC can significantly decrease the T 2 signal intensity values of the normal liver tissue and thus make the boundary between the normal liver and transplanted cancer more distinct, thus effectively improving the diagnosis effect of cancers.

Signature of multigap nodeless superconductivity in CaKFe4As4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biswas, P. K.; Iyo, A.; Yoshida, Y.; Eisaki, H.; Kawashima, K.; Hillier, A. D.

2017-04-01

A newly discovered family of high-Tc Fe-based superconductors, AeA Fe4As4 (Ae=Ca , Sr, Eu and A =K , Rb, Cs), offers further opportunities to understand unconventional superconductivity in these materials. In this Rapid Communication, we report on the superconducting and magnetic properties of CaKFe4As4 , studied using muon spectroscopy. Zero-field muon spin relaxation studies carried out on the CaKFe4As4 superconductor do not show any detectable magnetic anomaly at Tc or below, implying that time-reversal symmetry is preserved in the superconducting ground state. The temperature dependence of the superfluid density of CaKFe4As4 is found to be compatible with a two-gap s +s -wave model with gap values of 8.6(4) and 2.5(3) meV, similar to the other Fe-based superconductors. The presence of two superconducting energy gaps is consistent with theoretical and other experimental studies on this material. The value of the penetration depth at T =0 K has been determined as 289 (22 ) nm.

Coagulation behavior of humic acid in aqueous solutions containing Cs+, Sr2+ and Eu3+: DLS, EEM and MD simulations.

PubMed

Tan, Liqiang; Tan, Xiaoli; Mei, Huiyang; Ai, Yuejie; Sun, Lu; Zhao, Guixia; Hayat, Tasawar; Alsaedi, Ahmed; Chen, Changlun; Wang, Xiangke

2018-05-01

The coagulation behaviors of humic acid (HA) with Cs + (10-500 mM), Sr 2+ (0.8-10.0 mM) and Eu 3+ (0.01-1.0 mM) at different pH values (2.8, 7.1 and 10.0) were acquired through a dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique combined with spectroscopic analysis and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The coagulation rate and the average hydrodynamic diameter () increased significantly as the concentration of nuclides increased. could be scaled to time t as ∝ t a at higher Sr 2+ concentrations, which shows that HA coagulation is consistent with the diffusion-limited colloid aggregation (DLCA) model. Trivalent Eu 3+ induced HA coagulation at a much lower concentration than bivalent Sr 2+ and monovalent Cs + . The coagulation value ratio of Sr 2+ and Eu 3+ to Cs + is almost proportional to Z -6 , indicating that the HA coagulation process is generally consistent with the Schulze-Hardy rule. Spectroscopic analysis indicated that the complexation between nuclides and carboxylic/phenolic groups of HA molecules played important roles in the coagulation of HA. MD modelling suggested that Sr 2+ and Eu 3+ ions increased the coagulation process through the formation of intra- or inter-molecular bridges between negatively charged HA molecules, whereas for Cs + , no inter-molecular bridges were formed. This work offers new insight into the interactions between HA and radionuclides and provides a prediction for the roles of HA in the transportation and elimination of radionuclides in severely polluted environments. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of 30 elements in coal and fly ash by thermal and epithermal neutron-activation analysis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rowe, J.J.; Steinnes, E.

1977-01-01

Thirty elements are determined in coal and fly ash by instrumental neutron-activation analysis using both thermal and epithermal irradiation. Gamma-ray spectra were recorded 7 and 20 days after the irradiations. The procedure is applicable to the routine analysis of coals and fly ash. Epithermal irradiation was found preferable for the determination of Ni, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Sb, Cs, Ba, Sm, Tb, Hf, Ta, W, Th and U, whereas thermal irradiation was best for Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Yb and Lu. Results for SRM 1632 (coal) and SRM 1633 (fly ash) agree with those of other investigators. ?? 1977.

Study of crystal structure and unique photoluminescence properties of Eu2-xFexO3 (x = 0 - 0.5) orthoferrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhilip, M.; Anbarasu, V.; Kumar, K. Saravana; Sivakumar, K.

2018-04-01

A series of Europium orthoferrites, Eu2-xFexO3 (x = 0 - 0.5) are successfully prepared by employing solid state reaction technique. The structural analysis through powder X-Ray diffraction technique reveals the multiphase formation of all the prepared compounds. Further, the unit cell visualization of all the prepared compounds confirms the change of crystal structure from cubic to orthorhombic phase. The crystal structure analysis confirms the typical framework of Eu - Fe - O chains with unprecedented ratio of Eu3+ and Fe3+ ions. The optical properties of prepared compounds are investigated using photoluminescence (PL) analysis. Upon excitation at 495 nm wavelength, the emission spectrum of prepared compounds exhibits a broad band in the range of 500-700nm with maximum intensity peak at 548 nm (Blue - 2.26eV). Hence, the substitution of Fe3+ ion yields with intrinsic blue photoluminescence (5D0 → 7F0) of Eu3+ and is easily shielded by the substitution of Fe3+ which may be due to the closer conduction band gap of Eu3+ (2.26 eV) with Fe3+ (2.67 eV). The schematic energy level diagram for Fe3+ in the Eu3+ host matrix has been proposed for the better understanding of photoluminescence processes. The variation of intensity of PL peak between 500 and 700 nm for the substitution of Fe in the range of x = 0 - 0.5 yields with interesting optical properties for exploring new phosphor materials for optoelectronic device fabrications.

magnum.fe: A micromagnetic finite-element simulation code based on FEniCS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abert, Claas; Exl, Lukas; Bruckner, Florian; Drews, André; Suess, Dieter

2013-11-01

We have developed a finite-element micromagnetic simulation code based on the FEniCS package called magnum.fe. Here we describe the numerical methods that are applied as well as their implementation with FEniCS. We apply a transformation method for the solution of the demagnetization-field problem. A semi-implicit weak formulation is used for the integration of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. Numerical experiments show the validity of simulation results. magnum.fe is open source and well documented. The broad feature range of the FEniCS package makes magnum.fe a good choice for the implementation of novel micromagnetic finite-element algorithms.

Measurement and analysis of electronic energy transfer between Tb 3+ and Eu 3+ ions in Cs 2NaY 1-x-y Tb xEu yCl 6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moran, Diane M.; May, P. Stanley; Richardson, F. S.

1994-08-01

Electronic energy-transfer processes between Tb 3+5D 4) and Eu 3+ ( 7F 0, 7F 1) ions in crystalline Cs 2NaY 1-x-yTb xEu yCl 6 compounds are examined over a wide range of relative Tb 3+ and Eu 3+ concentrations (at sample temperature of 77 and 295 K). In these systems, the Tb 3+ and Eu 3+ ions are located at centrosymmetric (O h) sites surrounded by six Cl - ions, and the minimum distance between these sites is ≈ 7.6 Å. The host lattice has a cubic structure (space group O h5-Fm3m), and the phonon spectrum of this lattice has a cut-off frequency of ≈ 300 cm -1. The optical spectra of Tb 3+ and Eu 3+ in Cs 2NaYCl 6 exhibit relatively sparse line structures, consisting almost entirely of magnetic-dipole origin lines and one-phonon-assisted electric-dipole vibronic lines that reflect O h selection rules and have relatively low oscillator strenghts. Overlap between Tb 3+ ( 5D 4) emission and Eu 3+ ( 7F 0, 7F 1) absorption spectra occurs only within the Tb 3+ ( 5D 4 → 7 F 4 and Eu 3+ ( 7F 0, 7F 1 → 5D 0 transition regions, and resonances between individual lines in these regions are used to identify possible pathways for Tb 3+ ( 5D 4)-to-Eu 3+ ( 7F 0, 7F 1) energy transfer. Rates of energy transfer are determined from time-resolved Tb 3+ ( 5D 4) luminescence intersity measurements, analyzed in terms of two different models for representing donor (Tb 3+)-acceptor (Eu 3+) site distributions in Cs 2NaY 1-x-yTb xEu yCl 6 systems. In one model, donor-accepator site distances are represented by a continuous radial distribution function, whereas in the second model, these distances are represented by a discrete distribution function. Both models are used to analyze donor luminescence decay data in terms of rate parameters that reflect specific mechanistic contributions to electronic energy transfer. Both electron-exchange and multipole-multipole mechanisms are considered in the analyses. Results from these analyses, combined with spectral overlap considerations and comparisons of 77 versus 295 K rate data, suggest an electric-quadrupole/electric-dipole mechanism in which a 5D 4(T 1g → 7F 4(T 1g) electric-quadrupole transition on Tb 3+ excites a 7F 0(A 1g) + v4(t 1u → 5D 0(A 1g) electric-dipole (vibronic) transition on Eu 3+. Rate data obtained on systems of stoichiometric formulae Cs 2NaY 0.95-xTb xEu 0.05Cl 6 show that Tb 3+( 5D 4)- to-Eu 3+ ( 7F 0, 7F 1) energy-transfer rates a Tb 3+-Tb 3+ energy-migration processes when tx > 0.05. Direct calculations of Tb 3+ ( 5D 4)-Eu 3+ ( 7F 0, 7F 1) and Tb 3+ ( 5D 4-Tb 3+ ( 7F 6) multipole-multipole interaction parameters are performed, and the parameters obtained from these calculations are compared to those derived from parametric fits of experimentally observed rate data. Discrepancies between calculated and ovserved rate parameters are large, and possible explanations for these discrepancies are discussed.

Fabrication, structure, and properties of Fe3O4@C encapsulated with YVO4:Eu3+ composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Jianhui; Tong, Lizhu; Liu, Deming; Yang, Hua

2012-03-01

The use of carbon shells offers many advantages in surface coating or surface modification due to their surface with activated carboxyl and carbonyl groups. In this study, the Fe3O4@C@YVO4:Eu3+ composites were prepared through a simple sol-gel process. Reactive carbon interlayer was introduced as a key component, which separates lanthanide-based luminescent component from the magnetite, more importantly, it effectively prevent oxidation of the Fe3O4 core during the whole preparation process. The morphology, structure, magnetic, and luminescent properties of the composites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectra, VSM, and photoluminescent spectrophotometer. As a result, the Fe3O4@C/YVO4:Eu3+ composites with well-crystallized and core-shell structure were prepared and the YVO4:Eu3+ luminescent layer decorating the Fe3O4@C core-shell microspheres are about 10 nm. In addition, the Fe3O4@C@YVO4:Eu3+ composites have the excellent magnetic and luminescent properties, which allow them great potential for bioapplications such as magnetic bioseparation, magnetic resonance imaging, and drug/gene delivery.

Analysis of mutant quantity and quality in human-hamster hybrid AL and AL-179 cells exposed to 137Cs-gamma or HZE-Fe ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waldren, C.; Vannais, D.; Drabek, R.; Gustafson, D.; Kraemer, S.; Lenarczyk, M.; Kronenberg, A.; Hei, T.; Ueno, A.; Chatterjee, A. (Principal Investigator)

1998-01-01

We measured the number of mutants and the kinds of mutations induced by 137Cs-gamma and by HZE-Fe (56Fe [600 MeV/amu, LET = 190 KeV/micrometer) in standard AL human hamster hybrid cells and in a new variant hybrid, AL-179. We found that HZE-Fe was more mutagenic than 137Cs-gamma per unit dose (about 1.6 fold), but was slightly less mutagenic per mean lethal dose, DO, at both the S1 and hprt- loci of AL cells. On the other hand, HZE-Fe induced about nine fold more complex S1- mutants than 137Cs-gamma rays, 28% vs 3%. 137Cs-gamma rays induced about twice as many S1- mutants and hprt-mutants in AL-179 as in AL cells, and about nine times more of the former were complex, and potentially unstable kinds of mutations.

Isotopic signature and nano-texture of cesium-rich micro-particles: Release of uranium and fission products from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

PubMed

Imoto, Junpei; Ochiai, Asumi; Furuki, Genki; Suetake, Mizuki; Ikehara, Ryohei; Horie, Kenji; Takehara, Mami; Yamasaki, Shinya; Nanba, Kenji; Ohnuki, Toshihiko; Law, Gareth T W; Grambow, Bernd; Ewing, Rodney C; Utsunomiya, Satoshi

2017-07-14

Highly radioactive cesium-rich microparticles (CsMPs) released from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) provide nano-scale chemical fingerprints of the 2011 tragedy. U, Cs, Ba, Rb, K, and Ca isotopic ratios were determined on three CsMPs (3.79-780 Bq) collected within ~10 km from the FDNPP to determine the CsMPs' origin and mechanism of formation. Apart from crystalline Fe-pollucite, CsFeSi 2 O 6  · nH 2 O, CsMPs are comprised mainly of Zn-Fe-oxide nanoparticles in a SiO 2 glass matrix (up to ~30 wt% of Cs and ~1 wt% of U mainly associated with Zn-Fe-oxide). The 235 U/ 238 U values in two CsMPs: 0.030 (±0.005) and 0.029 (±0.003), are consistent with that of enriched nuclear fuel. The values are higher than the average burnup estimated by the ORIGEN code and lower than non-irradiated fuel, suggesting non-uniform volatilization of U from melted fuels with different levels of burnup, followed by sorption onto Zn-Fe-oxides. The nano-scale texture and isotopic analyses provide a partial record of the chemical reactions that occurred in the fuel during meltdown. Also, the CsMPs were an important medium of transport for the released radionuclides in a respirable form.

Testing Room-Temperature Ionic Liquid Solutions for Depot Repair of Aluminum Coatings

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-05-01

Ne 3 Na Mg IIIB IVB VB VIB VIIB ------ VIIIB ------ IB IIB Al Si P S Cl Ar 4 K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr 5 Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc...Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe 6 Cs Ba La Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn 7 Fr Ra Ac Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu Th Pa U Np...Electroplating Bath Lid Arrangement ;:::::::::::=== Thermometer Purge gas vent Anode lead Cathode lead (Extractable from the lid) Purge feed gas

Magnesium, Iron and Aluminum in LLNL Air Particulate and Rain Samples with Reference to Magnesium in Industrial Storm Water

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Esser, Bradley K.; Bibby, Richard K.; Fish, Craig

Storm water runoff from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s (LLNL’s) main site and Site 300 periodically exceeds the Discharge Permit Numeric Action Level (NAL) for Magnesium (Mg) under the Industrial General Permit (IGP) Order No. 2014-0057-DWQ. Of particular interest is the source of magnesium in storm water runoff from the site. This special study compares new metals data from air particulate and precipitation samples from the LLNL main site and Site 300 to previous metals data for storm water from the main site and Site 300 and alluvial sediment from the main site to investigate the potential source of elevatedmore » Mg in storm water runoff. Data for three metals (Mg, Iron {Fe}, and Aluminum {Al}) were available from all media; data for additional metals, such as Europium (Eu), were available from rain, air particulates, and alluvial sediment. To attribute source, this study compared metals concentration data (for Mg, Al, and Fe) in storm water and rain; metal-metal correlations (Mg with Fe, Mg with Al, Al with Fe, Mg with Eu, Eu with Fe, and Eu with Al) in storm water, rain, air particulates, and sediments; and metal-metal ratios ((Mg/Fe, Mg/Al, Al/Fe, Mg/Eu, Eu/Fe, and Eu/Al) in storm water, rain, air particulates and sediments. The results presented in this study are consistent with a simple conceptual model where the source of Mg in storm water runoff is air particulate matter that has dry-deposited on impervious surfaces and subsequently entrained in runoff during precipitation events. Such a conceptual model is consistent with 1) higher concentrations of metals in storm water runoff than in precipitation, 2) the strong correlation of Mg with Aluminum (Al) and Iron (Fe) in both storm water and air particulates, and 3) the similarity in metal mass ratios between storm water and air particulates in contrast to the dissimilarity of metal mass ratios between storm water and precipitation or alluvial sediment. The strong correlation of Mg with Fe and Al and of Fe with Al in storm water and air particulates and the strong association of Mg, Fe, and Al with Eu in air particulates strongly suggests that a dominant source of the Mg in storm water is associated with mineral phases of natural origin. These observations all point to Mg exceedances being associated with natural sources and processes and not with anthropogenic processes or pollutant sources.« less

Graphene oxide/Fe3O4/chitosan nanocomposite: a recoverable and recyclable adsorbent for organic dyes removal. Application to methylene blue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tran, Hoang V.; Bui, Lieu T.; Dinh, Thuy T.; Le, Dang H.; Huynh, Chinh D.; Trinh, Anh X.

2017-03-01

In this research, the potential of chitosan/Fe3O4/graphene oxide (CS/Fe3O4/GO) nanocomposite for efficient removal of methylene blue (MB) as a cationic dye from aqueous solutions was investigated. For this purpose, first, graphene oxide (GO) was prepared from pencil’s graphite by Hummer’s method, then after, CS/Fe3O4/GO was synthesized via chemical co-precipitation method from a mixture solution of GO, Fe3+, Fe2+ and chitosan. The synthesized CS/Fe3O4/GO was characterized by XRD, VSM and SEM techniques. Also, the various parameters affecting dye removal were investigated. Dye adsorption equilibrium data were fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm rather than Freundlich isotherm. The maximum monolayer capacity (q max), was calculated from the Langmuir as 30.10 mg · g-1. The results show that, CS/Fe3O4/GO nanocomposite, can be used as a cheap and efficient adsorbent for removal of cationic dyes from aqueous solutions.

Experimental investigation of the influence of Mo contained in stainless steel on Cs chemisorption behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Lemma, F. G.; Nakajima, K.; Yamashita, S.; Osaka, M.

2017-02-01

Chemisorption phenomena can affect fission products (FP) retention in a nuclear reactor vessel during a severe accident (SA). Detailed information on the FP chemisorbed deposits, especially for Cs, are important for a rational decommissioning of the reactor following a SA, as for the Fukushima Daiichi Power Station. Moreover the retention of Cs will influence the source term assessment and thus improved models for this phenomenon are needed in SA codes. This paper describes the influence on Cs chemisorption of molybdenum contained in stainless steel (SS) type 316. In our experiments it was observed that Cs-Mo deposits (CsFe(MoO4)3, Cs2MoO4) were formed together with CsFeSiO4, which is the predominant compound formed by chemisorption. The Cs-Mo deposits were found to revaporize from the SS sample at 1000 °C, and thus could contribute to the source term. On the other hand, CsFeSiO4 will be probably retained in the reactor during a SA due to its stability.

μ(4)-Orthothio-carbonato-tetra-kis-[tri-carbonyl-iron(I)](2 Fe-Fe).

PubMed

Shi, Yao-Cheng; Cheng, Huan-Ren; Yuan, Li-Min; Li, Qian-Kun

2011-11-01

The fused bis-butterfly-shaped title compound, [Fe(4)(CS(4))(CO)(12)], possesses an orthothio-carbonate (CS(4) (4-)) ligand that acts as a bridge between two Fe(2)(CO)(6) units. A short intra-molecular S⋯S contact [2.6984 (8) and 2.6977 (8) Å] occurs in each S(2)Fe(2)(CO)(6) fragment.

Experimental comparison of high-density scintillators for EMCCD-based gamma ray imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heemskerk, Jan W. T.; Kreuger, Rob; Goorden, Marlies C.; Korevaar, Marc A. N.; Salvador, Samuel; Seeley, Zachary M.; Cherepy, Nerine J.; van der Kolk, Erik; Payne, Stephen A.; Dorenbos, Pieter; Beekman, Freek J.

2012-07-01

Detection of x-rays and gamma rays with high spatial resolution can be achieved with scintillators that are optically coupled to electron-multiplying charge-coupled devices (EMCCDs). These can be operated at typical frame rates of 50 Hz with low noise. In such a set-up, scintillation light within each frame is integrated after which the frame is analyzed for the presence of scintillation events. This method allows for the use of scintillator materials with relatively long decay times of a few milliseconds, not previously considered for use in photon-counting gamma cameras, opening up an unexplored range of dense scintillators. In this paper, we test CdWO4 and transparent polycrystalline ceramics of Lu2O3:Eu and (Gd,Lu)2O3:Eu as alternatives to currently used CsI:Tl in order to improve the performance of EMCCD-based gamma cameras. The tested scintillators were selected for their significantly larger cross-sections at 140 keV (99mTc) compared to CsI:Tl combined with moderate to good light yield. A performance comparison based on gamma camera spatial and energy resolution was done with all tested scintillators having equal (66%) interaction probability at 140 keV. CdWO4, Lu2O3:Eu and (Gd,Lu)2O3:Eu all result in a significantly improved spatial resolution over CsI:Tl, albeit at the cost of reduced energy resolution. Lu2O3:Eu transparent ceramic gives the best spatial resolution: 65 µm full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) compared to 147 µm FWHM for CsI:Tl. In conclusion, these ‘slow’ dense scintillators open up new possibilities for improving the spatial resolution of EMCCD-based scintillation cameras.

Incorporation of additional radionuclides and the external exposure pathway into the BECAMP (Basic Environmental Compliance and Monitoring Program) radiological assessment model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ng, Yook C.; Rodean, H.C.; Anspaugh, L.R.

The Nevada Applied Ecology Group (NAEG) Model of transport and dose for transuranic radionuclides was modified and expanded for the analysis of radionuclides other than pure alpha-emitters. Doses from internal and external exposures were estimated for the inventories and soil distributions of the individual radionuclides quantified in Areas 2 and 4 of the Nevada Test Site (NTS). We found that the dose equivalents via inhalation to liver, lungs, bone marrow, and bone surface from the plutonium isotopes and /sup 241/Am, those via ingestion to bone marrow and bone surfaces from /sup 90/Sr, and those via ingestion to all the targetmore » organs from /sup 137/Cs were the highest from internal exposures. The effective dose equivalents from /sup 137/Cs, /sup 152/Eu, and /sup 154/Eu were the highest from the external exposures. The /sup 60/Co, /sup 152/Eu, /sup 154/Eu, and /sup 155/Eu dose estimates for external exposures greatly exceeded those for internal exposures. The /sup 60/Co, /sup 90/Sr, and /sup 137/Cs dose equivalents from internal exposures were underestimated due to the adoption of some of the foodchain parameter values originally selected for /sup 239/Pu. Nonetheless, the ingestion pathway contributed significantly to the dose estimates for /sup 90/Sr and /sup 137/Cs, but contributed very much less than external exposures to the dose estimates for /sup 60/Co. Therefore, the use of more appropriate values would not alter the identification of important radionuclides, pathways, target organs, and exposure modes in this analysis. 19 refs., 13 figs., 12 tabs.« less

Immobilization of Eu and Ho from synthetic acid mine drainage by precipitation with Fe and Al (hydr)oxides.

PubMed

Barcelos, Gisely S; Veloso, Renato Welmer; de Mello, Jaime W V; Gasparon, Massimo

2018-04-30

Use of lime to mitigate acid mine drainage is, in general, accompanied by precipitation of iron (Fe) and aluminium (Al) (hydr)oxides which may increase the removal of trace elements from water. This work aimed to evaluate the precipitation of Fe/Al (hydr)oxides to remove rare earth elements (REE) from contaminated water and the stability of precipitates. Two sets of 60-day syntheses were carried out using different Fe/Al/REE molar ratios, for europium (Eu) and holmium (Ho). The pH was periodically adjusted to 9.0, and the stability of the resulting precipitates was evaluated by water-soluble and BCR extractable phases, namely (1) acid soluble, extracted by 0.11 mol L -1 acetic acid; (2) reducible, extracted with 0.5 mol L -1 hydroxylamine hydrochloride; and (3) oxidisable, extracted with 8.8 mol L -1 hydrogen peroxide efficiencies of the water treatments for both Eu and Ho that were higher than 99.9% irrespective to the Fe/Al/REE molar ratios. Water-soluble phases of Eu and Ho were lower than 0.01% of the total contents in the precipitates. Recoveries from precipitates by Bureau Communautaire de Référence (BCR) sequential extractions increased with increasing concentrations of Eu and Ho. Acetic acid extracted higher amounts of REE, but Eu recovery was superior to Ho. Lepidocrocite was formed as Eu concentration increased which decreased its stability in the precipitates.

An -OH group functionalized MOF for ratiometric Fe3+ sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Hui; Dong, Yingying; Wu, Yuhang; Ren, Wenjing; Zhao, Tao; Wang, Shunli; Gao, Junkuo

2018-02-01

Iron is one of the most important elements in the biochemical processes in all living system, both deficiency or excess of iron will lead to metabolism disorder diseases. However, Fe3+ is one of the most efficient fluorescence quenchers among the transition-metal ions because of its paramagnetic nature. The realization of Fe3+ ratiometric and self-calibrated fluorescent sensor is highly-challenging. We synthesized a novel luminescent -OH functionalized EuOHBDC (Eu2(OH-BDC)3, OH-BDC=2-hydroxyterephthalic acid) by hydrothermal reaction and in situ ligand synthesis, and used it as a rare ratiomatric luminescent sensor for Fe3+ ions. The -OH functional group facilitates both electron transfer and binding interaction between EuOHBDC and Fe3+, which lead to luminescent quenching of ligand-based emission while enhancement of a new peak emission, and thus enables ratiometric detection of Fe3+. The relative fluorescent intensity ratio (I375/I427) increased linearly with increasing Fe3+ concentration in the 10-50 μM range with 1.17 μM (65 ppb) detection limit. The EuOHBDC also shows excellent selectivity towards different metal ions, particularly can discriminate Fe3+ and Fe2+ through different luminescent responses. This result clearly demonstrates the superiority of -OH functionalized MOF for Fe3+ detection, which can contribute to develop high performance luminescent probe for detection of metal ions in environmental and biomedical applications.

A microscopic solution to the magnetic detwinning mystery in EuFe2As2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maiwald, J.; Mazin, I. I.; Nandi, S.; Xiao, Y.; Gegenwart, P.

One of the greatest recent advances in studying nematic phenomena in Fe-based superconductors was the mechanical detwinning of the 122-family compounds. Unfortunately, these techniques generate considerable stress in the investigated samples, which contaminates the results. Recently, we observed that a minuscule magnetic field of the order of 0.1 T irreversibly and persistently detwins EuFe2As2, opening an entirely new avenue for addressing nematicity. However, further development was hindered by the absence of a microscopic theory explaining this magnetic detwinning. In fact, Eu2+ has zero orbital moment and does not couple to the lattice, and its exchange coupling with the Fe sublattice cancels by symmetry. Moreover, further increase of the field to 1 T leads to a reorientation of Fe domains, while even larger fields 10 T reorient the domains once again. We will present a new microscopic model, based on a sizable biquadratic coupling between the Fe 3 d and Eu 4 f moments. This model quantitatively explains our old and new magnetization and neutron diffraction data, thus removing the veil of mystery and finally opening the door to full-scale research into magnetic detwinning and nematicity in Fe-based superconductors.

Catalytic hydrolysis of carbonyl sulphide and carbon disulphide over Fe2O3 cluster: Competitive adsorption and reaction mechanism.

PubMed

Ning, Ping; Song, Xin; Li, Kai; Wang, Chi; Tang, Lihong; Sun, Xin

2017-10-31

The competitive adsorption and reaction mechanism for the catalytic hydrolysis of carbonyl sulphide (COS) and carbon disulphide (CS 2 ) over Fe 2 O 3 cluster was investigated. Compared with experimental results, the theoretical study was used to further investigate the competitive adsorption and effect of H 2 S in the hydrolysis reaction of COS and CS 2 . Experimental results showed that Fe 2 O 3 cluster enhanced the catalytic hydrolysis effect. Meanwhile, H 2 S was not conducive to the hydrolysis of COS and CS 2 . Theoretical calculations indicated that the order of competitive adsorption on Fe 2 O 3 is as follows: H 2 O (strong) >CS 2 (medium) >COS (weak). In the hydrolysis process, the C=S bond cleavage occurs easier than C=O bond cleavage. The hydrolysis reaction is initiated via the migration of an H-atom, which triggers C=S bond cleavage and S-H bond formation. Additionally, we find the first step of CS 2 hydrolysis to be rate limiting. The presence of H 2 S increases the reaction energy barrier, which is not favourable for COS hydrolysis. Fe 2 O 3 can greatly decrease the maximum energy barrier, which decreases the minimum energy required for hydrolysis, making it relatively facile to occur. In general, the theoretical results were consistent with experimental results, which proved that the theoretical study was reliable.

CsFe3(SeO3)2F6 with S = 5/2 Cube Tile Lattice.

PubMed

Lu, Hongcheng; Kageyama, Hiroshi

2018-05-21

A layered iron selenite fluoride CsFe 3 (SeO 3 ) 2 F 6 1 was hydrothermally synthesized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies show that 1 has a trigonal ( P3̅ m1) lattice, where [Fe 3 (SeO 3 ) 2 F 6 ] - blocks of three iron sublayers are separated by Cs cations. Within the block, only Fe(2)F 6 and Fe(1)O 3 F 3 octahedra are magnetically connected via superexchange Fe(1) -F -Fe(2) pathways, giving an S = 5/2 cube tile (dice) lattice. At low magnetic field, 1 exhibits an antiferromagnetic transition at ∼130 K, where ferrimagnetic cube tile layers are arranged in a staggered manner. At low temperatures, we observed a field-induced transition to a ferrimagnetic state with a one-third magnetization plateau.

Ramifications of codoping SrI2:Eu with isovalent and aliovalent impurities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Qingguo; Biswas, Koushik

2016-12-01

Eu2+ doped SrI2 is an important scintillator having applications in the field of radiation detection. Codoping techniques are often useful to improve the electronic response of such insulators. Using first-principles based approach, we report on the properties of SrI2:Eu and the influence of codoping with aliovalent (Na, Cs) and isovalent (Mg, Ca, Ba, and Sn) impurities. These codopants do not preferably bind with Eu and are expected to remain as isolated impurities in the SrI2 host. As isolated defects they display amphoteric behavior having, in most cases, significant ionization energies of the donor and acceptor levels. Furthermore, the acceptor states of Na, Cs, and Mg can bind with I-vacancy forming charge compensated donor-acceptor pairs. Such pairs may also bind additional holes or electrons similar to the isolated defects. Lack of deep-to-shallow behavior upon codoping and its ramifications will be discussed.

Bridgman-Stockbarger growth of SrI2:Eu2+ single crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raja, A.; Daniel, D. Joseph; Ramasamy, P.; Singh, S. G.; Sen, S.; Gadkari, S. C.

2018-05-01

Strontium Iodide (SrI2): Europium Iodide (EuI2) was purified by Zone-refinement process. Europium doped strontium iodide (SrI2:Eu2+) single crystal was grown by modified vertical Bridgman - Stockbarger technique. Photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission (PLE) spectra were measured for Eu2+ doped SrI2 crystal. The sharp emission was recorded at 432 nm. Scintillation properties of the SrI2:Eu2+ crystal were checked by the gamma ray spectrometer using 137Cs gamma source.

Different copolymer films on ZnFeCo particles: Synthesis and anticorrosion properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozyilmaz, A. Tuncay; Avsar, Busra; Ozyilmaz, Gul; Karahan, İ. Hakkı; Camurcu, Taskin; Colak, Fatma

2014-11-01

Zinc-iron-cobalt (ZnFeCo) particles were electrochemically deposited on carbon steel (CS) electrode applying current of 3 mA with chronopotentiometry technique. ZnFeCo particles had homogenous, smooth with prismatic structure. It was shown that the ZnFeCo particles exhibited important barrier effect on CS substrate. Poly(aniline-co-o-anisidine), poly(aniline-co-pyrrole), poly(aniline-co-N-methylpyrrole) and poly(o-anisidine-co-pyrrole) copolymer films were obtained on CS/ZnFeCo electrode. Evaluation of anticorrosion performance of copolymer coatings in 3.5% NaCl solution was investigated by using AC impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique, anodic polarization and the Eocp-time curves. Copolymer films exhibited significant physical barrier behavior on ZnFeCo plated carbon steel, in longer exposure time.

Structural, morphological and magnetic properties of Eu-doped CoFe2O4 nano-ferrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zubair, Aiman; Ahmad, Zahoor; Mahmood, Azhar; Cheong, Weng-Chon; Ali, Irshad; Khan, Muhammad Azhar; Chughtai, Adeel Hussain; Ashiq, Muhammad Naeem

Europium (Eu) doped spinel cobalt ferrites having composition CoEuxFe2-xO4 where x = 0.00, 0.03, 0.06, 0.09, 0.12 were fabricated by co-precipitation route. In order to observe the phase development of the ferrite samples, thermo-gravimetric analysis was carried out. The synthesized samples were subjected to X-ray diffraction analysis for structural investigation. All the samples were found to constitute face centered cubic (FCC) spinel structure belonging to Fd3m space group. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of nanocrystalline grains with spherical shape. Energy dispersive X-ray spectra confirmed the presence of Co, Eu, Fe and O elements with no existence of any impurity. The magnetic hysteresis curves measured at room temperature exhibited ferrimagnetic behavior with maximum saturation magnetization (Ms) of 65 emu/g and coercivity (Hc) of 966 Oe. The origin of ferrimagnetism in Eu doped cobalt ferrites was discussed in detail with reverence to the allocation of Co2+ and Fe3+ ions within the spinel lattice. The overall coercivity was increased (944-966 Oe) and magnetization was decreased (65-46 emu/g) with the substitution of Eu3+. The enhancement of former is ascribed to the transition from multi domain to single domain state and reduction in lateral is attributed to the incorporation of nonmagnetic Eu ions for Fe, resulting in weak superexchange interactions.

Varying Eu2+ magnetic order by chemical pressure in EuFe2(As1-xPx)2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zapf, S.; Wu, D.; Bogani, L.; Jeevan, H. S.; Gegenwart, P.; Dressel, M.

2011-10-01

Based on low-field magnetization measurements on a series of single crystals, we present a scheme of the Eu2+ spin alignment in EuFe2(As1-xPx)2. We explain observations of the Eu2+ ordering previously reported, reconciling different existing phase diagrams. The magnetic moments of the Eu2+ ions are slightly canted, yielding a ferromagnetic contribution along the c direction that becomes stronger with pressure, until superconductivity sets in. The spin-density wave as well as the superconducting phase coexist with an antiferromagnetic interlayer coupling of the canted spins. Reducing the interlayer distance finally leads to a ferromagnetic Eu2+ interlayer coupling and to the suppression of superconductivity.

Ternary oxide nanostructures and methods of making same

DOEpatents

Wong, Stanislaus S [Stony Brook, NY; Park, Tae-Jin [Port Jefferson, NY

2009-09-08

A single crystalline ternary nanostructure having the formula A.sub.xB.sub.yO.sub.z, wherein x ranges from 0.25 to 24, and y ranges from 1.5 to 40, and wherein A and B are independently selected from the group consisting of Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Cm, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, F, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Ho, I, In, Ir, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Tc, Te, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, and Zn, wherein the nanostructure is at least 95% free of defects and/or dislocations.

Immunogenicity and safety of the candidate RTS,S/AS01 vaccine in young Nigerian children: a randomized, double-blind, lot-to-lot consistency trial.

PubMed

Umeh, Rich; Oguche, Stephen; Oguonu, Tagbo; Pitmang, Simon; Shu, Elvis; Onyia, Jude-Tony; Daniyam, Comfort A; Shwe, David; Ahmad, Abdullahi; Jongert, Erik; Catteau, Grégory; Lievens, Marc; Ofori-Anyinam, Opokua; Leach, Amanda

2014-11-12

For regulatory approval, consistency in manufacturing of vaccine lots is expected to be demonstrated in confirmatory immunogenicity studies using two-sided equivalence trials. This randomized, double-blind study (NCT01323972) assessed consistency of three RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine batches formulated from commercial-scale purified antigen bulk lots in terms of anti-CS-responses induced. Healthy children aged 5-17 months were randomized (1:1:1:1) to receive RTS,S/AS01 at 0-1-2 months from one of three commercial-scale purified antigen bulk lots (1600 litres-fermentation scale; commercial-scale lots), or a comparator vaccine batch made from pilot-scale purified antigen bulk lot (20 litres-fermentation scale; pilot-scale lot). The co-primary objectives were to first demonstrate consistency of antibody responses against circumsporozoite (CS) protein at one month post-dose 3 for the three commercial-scale lots and second demonstrate non-inferiority of anti-CS antibody responses at one month post-dose 3 for the commercial-scale lots compared to the pilot-scale lot. Safety and reactogenicity were evaluated as secondary endpoints. One month post-dose-3, anti-CS antibody geometric mean titres (GMT) for the 3 commercial scale lots were 319.6 EU/ml (95% confidence interval (CI): 268.9-379.8), 241.4 EU/ml (207.6-280.7), and 302.3 EU/ml (259.4-352.3). Consistency for the RTS,S/AS01 commercial-scale lots was demonstrated as the two-sided 95% CI of the anti-CS antibody GMT ratio between each pair of lots was within the range of 0.5-2.0. GMT of the pooled commercial-scale lots (285.8 EU/ml (260.7-313.3)) was non-inferior to the pilot-scale lot (271.7 EU/ml (228.5-323.1)). Each RTS,S/AS01 lot had an acceptable tolerability profile, with infrequent reports of grade 3 solicited symptoms. No safety signals were identified and no serious adverse events were considered related to vaccination. RTS,S/AS01 lots formulated from commercial-scale purified antigen bulk batches induced a consistent anti-CS antibody response, and the anti-CS GMT of pooled commercial-scale lots was non-inferior to that of a lot formulated from a pilot-scale antigen bulk batch. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Electronic structure of the iron-based superconductor (La,Eu)FeAsO1-xFx investigated by laser photoemission spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malaeb, Walid; Awad, Ramadan; Hibino, Taku; Kamihara, Yoichi; Kondo, Takeshi; Shin, Shik

2018-05-01

We have implemented laser photoemission spectroscopy (PES) to investigate the electronic structure of the iron-based superconductor (La,Eu)FeAsO1-xFx (LaEu1111) which is an interesting compound in the "1111" family showing a high value of the superconducting (SC) transition temperature (Tc) due to Eu doping. At least two energy scales were observed from the PES data in the SC compound: One at ∼14 meV closing around Tc and thus corresponding to the SC gap. Another energy scale appears at ∼35 meV and survives at temperatures above Tc which represents the pseudogap (PG). The non-SC sample (La,Eu)FeAsO shows a PG at ∼ 41 meV. These observations in this new superconductor are consistent with the general trend followed by other compounds in the "1111" family.

Morphological, electrical & antibacterial properties of trilayered Cs/PAA/PPy bionanocomposites hydrogel based on Fe3O4-NPs.

PubMed

Youssef, A M; Abdel-Aziz, M E; El-Sayed, E S A; Abdel-Aziz, M S; Abd El-Hakim, A A; Kamel, S; Turky, G

2018-09-15

Bionanocomposites hydrogel based on conducting polymers were successfully fabricated from chitosan/polyacrylic acid/polypyrrole (CS/PAA/PPy) as well as the magnetite nanoparticle (Fe 3 O 4 -NPs) was prepared via co-precipitation method. In addition, different ratios of Fe 3 O 4 -NPs were added to the prepared bionanocomposites to enhance the antimicrobial and the electrical conductivity of the prepared conductive hydrogel. Furthermore, the morphology, the swelling percent, antimicrobial activity and the dielectric properties of the prepared conducting bionanocomposites hydrogel were investigated. The antibacterial activities of the experienced microbes were improved with the increasing the loading of Fe 3 O 4 -NPs in conducting Bio-nanocomposites hydrogel. Moreover, the DC-conductivity was examined and our resulted indicated that the DC-conductivity was enhanced by increasing the loadings of Fe 3 O 4 -NPs compared to that of the pure CS/PAA as well as CS/PAA/PPy. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Breakdown of single spin-fluid model in the heavily hole-doped superconductor CsFe2As2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, D.; Li, S. J.; Wang, N. Z.; Li, J.; Song, D. W.; Zheng, L. X.; Nie, L. P.; Luo, X. G.; Wu, T.; Chen, X. H.

2018-01-01

Although Fe-based superconductors are correlated electronic systems with multiorbital, previous nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement suggests that a single spin-fluid model is sufficient to describe its spin behavior. Here, we first observed the breakdown of single spin-fluid model in a heavily hole-doped Fe-based superconductor CsFe2As2 by site-selective NMR measurement. At high-temperature regime, both Knight shift and nuclear spin-lattice relaxation at 133Cs and 75As nuclei exhibit distinct temperature-dependent behavior, suggesting the breakdown of the single spin-fluid model in CsFe2As2 . This is ascribed to the coexistence of both localized and itinerant spin degree of freedom at 3 d orbitals, which is consistent with the orbital-selective Mott phase. With decreasing temperature, the single spin-fluid behavior is recovered below T*˜75 K due to a coherent state among 3 d orbitals. The Kondo liquid scenario is proposed to understand the low-temperature coherent state.

Synthesis and applications of eco-magnetic nano-hydroxyapatite chitosan composite for enhanced fluoride sorption.

PubMed

Pandi, Kalimuthu; Viswanathan, Natrayasamy

2015-12-10

Adsorption is a significant reaction occurs between adsorbent/water interface for controlling the pollutants in the aqueous environment. In this regard, an eco-magnetic biosorbent was prepared by uniform deposition of magnetic Fe3O4 particles on the surface of nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HAp)/chitosan (CS) nanocomposite namely Fe3O4@n-HApCS composite as versatile sorbent for fluoride sorption. The resulting Fe3O4@n-HApCS nanocomposite was characterized by FTIR and SEM with EDAX techniques. The defluoridation capacity (DC) was found to depend on the contact time, pH, co-existing anions, initial fluoride concentration and temperature. The sorption isotherm was investigated by Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin isotherm models using the batch method. The thermodynamic parameters revealed the feasibility, spontaneity and endothermic nature of fluoride sorption. The results of this research work designated that Fe3O4@n-HApCS composite having the excellent defluoridation capacity than the individual components and interesting to note that the easy magnetic separation of Fe3O4@n-HApCS composite from aqueous medium. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Highly efficient enrichment of low-abundance intact proteins by core-shell structured Fe3O4-chitosan@graphene composites.

PubMed

Zhang, Peng; Fang, Xiaoni; Yan, Guoquan; Gao, Mingxia; Zhang, Xiangmin

2017-11-01

In proteomics research, the screening and monitoring of disease biomarkers is still a major challenge, mainly due to their low concentration in biological samples. However, the universal enrichment of intact proteins has not been further studied. In this work, we developed a Fe 3 O 4 -chitosan@graphene (Fe 3 O 4 -CS@G) core-shell composite to enrich low-abundance proteins from biological samples. Fe 3 O 4 -CS@G composite holds chitosan layer decorated Fe 3 O 4 core, which improves the hydrophilicity of materials greatly. Meanwhile, the graphene nanosheets shell formed via electrostatic assembly endows the composite with huge surface area (178m 2 /g). The good water dispersibility ensures the sufficient contact opportunities between graphene composites and proteins, and the large surface area provides enough adsorption sites for the enrichment of proteins. Using Fe 3 O 4 -CS@G, four standard proteins Cyt-c, BSA, Myo and OVA were enriched with better adsorption capacity and recovery rate, compared with previously reported magnetic graphene composites. Additionally, the mechanism of compared to" is corrected into "compared with". proteins adsorption on Fe 3 O 4 -CS@G was further studied, which indicates that hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction work together to facilitate the universal and efficient enrichment of proteins. Human plasma sample was employed to further evaluate the enrichment performance of Fe 3 O 4 -CS@G. Eventually, 123 proteins were identified from one of SAX fractions of human plasma, which is much better than commercial Sep-pak C18 enrichment column (39 proteins). All these outstanding performances suggest that Fe 3 O 4 -CS@G is an ideal platform for the enrichment of low-abundance intact proteins and thus holds great potential to facilitate the identification of biomarkers from biological samples in proteomics research. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Interplay of magnetism and superconductivity in EuFe2(As1-xPx)2 single crystals probed by muon spin rotation and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goltz, T.; Kamusella, S.; Jeevan, H. S.; Gegenwart, P.; Luetkens, H.; Materne, P.; Spehling, J.; Sarkar, R.; Klauss, H.-H.

2014-12-01

We present our results of a local probe study on EuFe2(As1-xPx)2 single crystals with x=0.13, 0.19 and 0.28 by means of muon spin rotation and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. We focus our discussion on the sample with x=0.19 viz. at the optimal substitution level, where bulk superconductivity (TSC = 28 K) sets in above static europium order (TEu = 20 K) but well below the onset of the iron antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition (~100 K). We find enhanced spin dynamics in the Fe sublattice closely above TSC and propose that these are related to enhanced Eu fluctuations due to the evident coupling of both sublattices observed in our experiments.

Heat capacity and magnetic properties of fluoride CsFe{sup 2+}Fe{sup 3+}F{sub 6} with defect pyrochlore structure

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gorev, M.V., E-mail: gorev@iph.krasn.ru; Institute of Engineering Physics and Radio Electronics, Siberian State University, 660074 Krasnoyarsk; Flerov, I.N.

2016-05-15

Heat capacity, Mössbauer and Raman spectra as well as magnetic properties of fluoride CsFe{sub 2}F{sub 6} with defect pyrochlore structure were studied. In addition to recently found above room temperature three successive structural transformations Pnma-Imma-I4{sub 1}amd-Fd-3m, phase transition of antiferromagnetic nature with the 13.7 K Neel temperature and a broad heat capacity anomaly with a maximum at about 30 K were observed. The room temperature symmetry Pnma is unchanged at least down to 7 K. Simple model of indirect bond used to estimate the exchange interactions and to propose a magnetic structure model. - Graphical abstract: The ordered arrangement ofmore » Fe{sup 2+} and Fe{sup 3+} ions in high-spin states as well as antiferromagnetic phase transition followed by significant magnetic frustrations were found in pyrocholore-related CsFe{sup 2+}Fe{sup 3+}F{sub 6}. A magnetic structure was proposed using a simple model of indirect bonds. - Highlights: • The Pnma structure in pyrocholore CsFe{sub 2}F{sub 6} is stable down to helium temperature. • Mössbauer spectra confirmed the ordering of Fe{sup 2+} and Fe{sup 3+} ions. • Antiferromagnetic transformation and significant magnetic frustrations are found. • Experimental magnetic entropy agrees with entropy for Fe ions in high-spin state. • Superexchange interactions were calculated and a magnetic structure was proposed.« less

Pressure-induced quantum phase transition in the quantum antiferromagnet CsFeCl3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayashida, Shohei; Zaharko, Oksana; Kurita, Nobuyuki; Tanaka, Hidekazu; Hagihala, Masato; Soda, Minoru; Itoh, Shinichi; Uwatoko, Yoshiya; Masuda, Takatsugu

2018-04-01

We have studied the pressure-induced quantum phase transition in the singlet-ground-state antiferromagnet CsFeCl3. Neutron diffraction experiments under pressure evidence the magnetic long-range order at low temperatures. Magnetic structure analysis reveals a 120∘ structure with a propagation vector of kmag=(1 /3 ,1 /3 ,0 ) . The estimated critical exponent of the order parameter suggests that CsFeCl3 belongs to the universality class of U (1 ) ×Z2 symmetry which is expected to realize the chiral liquid state.

The controls on the major and trace element variations of shales, siltstones, and sandstones of Pennsylvanian-Permian age from uplifted continental blocks in Colorado to platform sediment in Kansas, USA

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cullers, R.L.

Shales, siltstones, and sandstones of Pennsylvanian-Permian age from near the source in Colorado to those in the platform in eastern Colorado and Kansas have been analyzed for major elements and a number of trace elements, including the REEs. The near-source sandstones are significantly more enriched (Student t-test at better than the 99% confidence level) in SiO[sub 2] and Na[sub 2]O concentrations and more depleted in Al[sub 2]O[sub 3], Fe[sub 2]O[sub 3] (total), TiO[sub 2], Th, Hf, Sc, Cr, Cs, REEs, Y, and Ni concentrations and La/Co and La/Ni ratios than the near-source shales and siltstones, most likely due to moremore » plagioclase and quartz and less clay minerals in the sandstones than in the shales and siltstones. There are no significant differences in K[sub 2]O and Sr concentrations and Eu/Eu*, La/Lu, La/SC, Th/Sc, Th/Co, and Cr/Th ratios between the near-source sandstones and the near-source shales and siltstones. Samples of the Molas, Hermosa, and Cutler formations near the source that were formed in different environments in the same area contain no significant difference in Eu/Eu, La/Lu, La/Sc, Th/Sc, Th/Co, and Cr/Th ratios, so a generally silicic source and not the environment of deposition was most important in producing these elemental ratios.« less

Cell killing and chromatid damage in primary human bronchial epithelial cells irradiated with accelerated 56Fe ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Suzuki, M.; Piao, C.; Hall, E. J.; Hei, T. K.

2001-01-01

We examined cell killing and chromatid damage in primary human bronchial epithelial cells irradiated with high-energy 56Fe ions. Cells were irradiated with graded doses of 56Fe ions (1 GeV/nucleon) accelerated with the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The survival curves for cells plated 1 h after irradiation (immediate plating) showed little or no shoulder. However, the survival curves for cells plated 24 h after irradiation (delayed plating) had a small initial shoulder. The RBE for 56Fe ions compared to 137Cs gamma rays was 1.99 for immediate plating and 2.73 for delayed plating at the D10. The repair ratio (delayed plating/immediate plating) was 1.67 for 137Cs gamma rays and 1.22 for 56Fe ions. The dose-response curves for initially measured and residual chromatid fragments detected by the Calyculin A-mediated premature chromosome condensation technique showed a linear response. The results indicated that the induction frequency for initially measured fragments was the same for 137Cs gamma rays and 56Fe ions. On the other hand, approximately 85% of the fragments induced by 137Cs gamma rays had rejoined after 24 h of postirradiation incubation; the corresponding amount for 56Fe ions was 37%. Furthermore, the frequency of chromatid exchanges induced by gamma rays measured 24 h after irradiation was higher than that induced by 56Fe ions. No difference in the amount of chromatid damage induced by the two types of radiations was detected when assayed 1 h after irradiation. The results suggest that high-energy 56Fe ions induce a higher frequency of complex, unrepairable damage at both the cellular and chromosomal levels than 137Cs gamma rays in the target cells for radiation-induced lung cancers.

Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous magnetic nanocomposites wrapped with chitosan gatekeepers for pH-sensitive controlled release of doxorubicin.

PubMed

Wu, Juan; Jiang, Wei; Shen, Yewen; Jiang, Wei; Tian, Renbing

2017-01-01

Multifunctional nanocarriers based on the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles core and mesoporous silica shell (mSiO 2 ) were synthesized for controlled drug release through magnetic targeting and pH-sensitive performances. The developed Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 nanocarriers exhibited a suitable size (63nm) and good magnetic responsibility, doxorubicin (DOX) could be successfully loaded into the mesoporous of Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 via electrostatic interaction, and the drug loading content and loading efficiency are 29.3% and 93.6%, respectively. The chitosan (CS) was employed to wrap the Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 -DOX as the blocking agent to inhibit premature drug release, and the final CS/Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 -DOX exhibited excellent pH-sensitivity, 86.1% DOX was released within 48h at pH4.0. Furthermore, all the release behaviors fit the Higuchi model very well and a purely diffusion-controlled process played a major role on DOX release from CS/Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 -DOX. In addition, MTT assays in human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) demonstrated that the CS/Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 -DOX had high anti-tumor activity, while the Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 nanocarriers were practically non-toxic. Thus, our results revealed that the CS/Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 -DOX could play an important role in the development of intracellular delivery nanodevices for cancer therapy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ab-initio calculation of EuO doped with 5% of (Ti, V, Cr and Fe): GGA and SIC approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rouchdi, M.; Salmani, E.; Bekkioui, N.; Ez-Zahraouy, H.; Hassanain, N.; Benyoussef, A.; Mzerd, A.

2017-12-01

In this research, a simple theoretical method is proposed to investigate the electronic, magnetic and optical properties of Europium oxide (EuO) doped with 5% of (Ti, V, Cr and Fe). For a basic understanding of these properties, we employed Density-Functional Theory (DFT) based calculations with the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker code (KKR) combined with the Coherent Potential Approximation (CPA). Also we investigated the half-metallic ferromagnetic behavior of EuO doped with 5% of (Ti, V, Cr and Fe) within the self-interaction-corrected Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA-SIC). Our calculated results revealed that the Eu0.95TM0.05O is ferromagnetic with a high transition temperature. Moreover, the optical absorption spectra revealed that the half metallicity has been also predicted.

New data concerning the geochemistry of unconsolidated sediments collected from the anoxic zone of the Black Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duliu, Octavian G.; Cristache, Carmen; Florea, Nelida; Oaie, Gheorghe; Culicov, Otilia A.; Frontasyeva, Marina V.

2010-05-01

The content of eight major, rock forming elements (Na, Cl, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Fe) and 34 trace elements (B, S, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Th and U) were determined by Prompt Gamma and Epithermal Neutron Activation Analysis in 45 samples of the uppermost 50 cm of undisturbed sediments collected from an anoxic continental zone of the Black Sea at a depth of 600 m, off the City of Constanta. 137Cs geochronology has evidenced a sedimentation ratio of 0,42 ± 0,12 mm/y which, by extrapolation to the entire 50 cm column gave an age of 1300 ± 300 y for the oldest sediments. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Sc-La-Th and Co-Hf-Th ternary diagrams as well as La/Th ratio were used to interpret these data in correlation with the corresponding ones for the Upper Continental Crust (UCC), North American Shale Composite (NASC), as well as Atlantic, Pacific and Indian MORBs. At the same time the Se/Al, Se/Sc, Se/Mn, Mo/Al, Mo/Sc and Mo/Mn, ratios were used as indicators for anoxic conditions along sedimentary core. Major components distribution showed, that excepting CaO, their contents are very close to UCC and NASC, while the Principal Component Analysis evidenced three clusters consisting of Na, K and Cl, Al, Ti and Fe and respectively Ca, in concordance with the sediments' mineralogical composition. The Trace Elements Distribution was also close to UCC except for redox sensitive metals Se and Mo whose contents were 10 to 100 times higher than the corresponding UCC ones, this fact reflecting the anoxic conditions along the entire column of sediments. Moreover, by using Se and Mo as proxies for an anoxic environment, we estimated a relative consistency of the local conditions for a period between 350 ± 60 and 1300 ± 300 BP followed by a more fluctuant one during the last 300 years, this peculiarity also being confirmed by PCA, as well as by the vertical distribution of La/Th ratio. A chondrite normalized plot of nine Rare Earth Elements (La, Ne, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy and Yb) showed the presence of a weak Ce positive anomaly, explained by the existing anoxic environment as well as a significant Eu negative anomaly, confirming the continental origin of the sedimentary material.

Growth and characterization of SrI2:Eu2+ single crystal for gamma ray detector applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raja, A.; Daniel, D. Joseph; Ramasamy, P.; Singh, S. G.; Sen, S.; Gadkari, S. C.

2018-04-01

Europium activated Strontium Iodide single crystal was grown by vertical Bridgman-stockbarger technique. The melting point and freezing point of SrI2:Eu2+ crystal was analyzed by TG/DTA. The Radioluminescence emission was recorded. The scintillation measurement was carried out for the grown SrI2:Eu2+ crystal under 137Cs gamma energy source.

The root application of a purified leonardite humic acid modifies the transcriptional regulation of the main physiological root responses to Fe deficiency in Fe-sufficient cucumber plants.

PubMed

Aguirre, Elena; Elena, Aguirre; Leménager, Diane; Diane, Leménager; Bacaicoa, Eva; Eva, Bacaicoa; Fuentes, Marta; Marta, Fuentes; Baigorri, Roberto; Roberto, Baigorri; Zamarreño, Angel Ma; García-Mina, José Ma

2009-03-01

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a well-characterized purified humic acid (non-measurable concentrations of the main plant hormones were detected) on the transcriptional regulation of the principal molecular agents involved in iron assimilation. To this end, non-deficient cucumber plants were treated with different concentrations of a purified humic acid (PHA) (2, 5, 100 and 250 mg of organic carbonL(-1)) and harvested 4, 24, 48, 76 and 92 h from the onset of the treatment. At harvest times, the mRNA transcript accumulation of CsFRO1 encoding for Fe(III) chelate-reductase (EC 1.16.1.7); CsHa1 and CsHa2 encoding for plasma membrane H+-ATPase (EC 3.6.3.6); and CsIRT1 encoding for Fe(II) high-affinity transporter, was quantified by real-time RT-PCR. Meanwhile, the respective enzyme activity of the Fe(III) chelate-reductase and plasma membrane H+-ATPase was also investigated. The results obtained indicated that PHA root treatments affected the regulation of the expression of the studied genes, but this effect was transient and differed (up-regulation or down-regulation) depending on the genes studied. Thus, principally the higher doses of PHA caused a transient increase in the expression of the CsHa2 isoform for 24 and 48 h whereas the CsHa1 isoform was unaffected or down-regulated. These effects were accompanied by an increase in the plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity for 4, 48 and 96 h. Likewise, PHA root treatments (principally the higher doses) up-regulated CsFRO1 and CsIRT1 expression for 48 and 72 h; whereas these genes were down-regulated by PHA for 96 h. These effects were associated with an increase in the Fe(III) chelate-reductase activity for 72 h. These effects were not associated with a significant decrease in the Fe root or leaf concentrations, although an eventual effect on the Fe root assimilation pattern cannot be ruled out. These results stress the close relationships between the effects of humic substances on plant development and iron nutrition. However, further studies are needed in order to elucidate if these effects at molecular level are caused by mechanisms involving hormone-like actions and/or nutritional factors.

Caesium-rich micro-particles: A window into the meltdown events at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

PubMed Central

Furuki, Genki; Imoto, Junpei; Ochiai, Asumi; Yamasaki, Shinya; Nanba, Kenji; Ohnuki, Toshihiko; Grambow, Bernd; Ewing, Rodney C.; Utsunomiya, Satoshi

2017-01-01

The nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) in March 2011 caused partial meltdowns of three reactors. During the meltdowns, a type of condensed particle, a caesium-rich micro-particle (CsMP), formed inside the reactors via unknown processes. Here we report the chemical and physical processes of CsMP formation inside the reactors during the meltdowns based on atomic-resolution electron microscopy of CsMPs discovered near the FDNPP. All of the CsMPs (with sizes of 2.0–3.4 μm) comprise SiO2 glass matrices and ~10-nm-sized Zn–Fe-oxide nanoparticles associated with a wide range of Cs concentrations (1.1–19 wt% Cs as Cs2O). Trace amounts of U are also associated with the Zn–Fe oxides. The nano-texture in the CsMPs records multiple reaction-process steps during meltdown in the severe FDNPP accident: Melted fuel (molten core)-concrete interactions (MCCIs), incorporating various airborne fission product nanoparticles, including CsOH and CsCl, proceeded via SiO2 condensation over aggregates of Zn-Fe oxide nanoparticles originating from the failure of the reactor pressure vessels. Still, CsMPs provide a mechanism by which volatile and low-volatility radionuclides such as U can reach the environment and should be considered in the migration model of Cs and radionuclides in the current environment surrounding the FDNPP. PMID:28198440

Caesium-rich micro-particles: A window into the meltdown events at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furuki, Genki; Imoto, Junpei; Ochiai, Asumi; Yamasaki, Shinya; Nanba, Kenji; Ohnuki, Toshihiko; Grambow, Bernd; Ewing, Rodney C.; Utsunomiya, Satoshi

2017-02-01

The nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) in March 2011 caused partial meltdowns of three reactors. During the meltdowns, a type of condensed particle, a caesium-rich micro-particle (CsMP), formed inside the reactors via unknown processes. Here we report the chemical and physical processes of CsMP formation inside the reactors during the meltdowns based on atomic-resolution electron microscopy of CsMPs discovered near the FDNPP. All of the CsMPs (with sizes of 2.0-3.4 μm) comprise SiO2 glass matrices and ~10-nm-sized Zn-Fe-oxide nanoparticles associated with a wide range of Cs concentrations (1.1-19 wt% Cs as Cs2O). Trace amounts of U are also associated with the Zn-Fe oxides. The nano-texture in the CsMPs records multiple reaction-process steps during meltdown in the severe FDNPP accident: Melted fuel (molten core)-concrete interactions (MCCIs), incorporating various airborne fission product nanoparticles, including CsOH and CsCl, proceeded via SiO2 condensation over aggregates of Zn-Fe oxide nanoparticles originating from the failure of the reactor pressure vessels. Still, CsMPs provide a mechanism by which volatile and low-volatility radionuclides such as U can reach the environment and should be considered in the migration model of Cs and radionuclides in the current environment surrounding the FDNPP.

Caesium-rich micro-particles: A window into the meltdown events at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

PubMed

Furuki, Genki; Imoto, Junpei; Ochiai, Asumi; Yamasaki, Shinya; Nanba, Kenji; Ohnuki, Toshihiko; Grambow, Bernd; Ewing, Rodney C; Utsunomiya, Satoshi

2017-02-15

The nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) in March 2011 caused partial meltdowns of three reactors. During the meltdowns, a type of condensed particle, a caesium-rich micro-particle (CsMP), formed inside the reactors via unknown processes. Here we report the chemical and physical processes of CsMP formation inside the reactors during the meltdowns based on atomic-resolution electron microscopy of CsMPs discovered near the FDNPP. All of the CsMPs (with sizes of 2.0-3.4 μm) comprise SiO 2 glass matrices and ~10-nm-sized Zn-Fe-oxide nanoparticles associated with a wide range of Cs concentrations (1.1-19 wt% Cs as Cs 2 O). Trace amounts of U are also associated with the Zn-Fe oxides. The nano-texture in the CsMPs records multiple reaction-process steps during meltdown in the severe FDNPP accident: Melted fuel (molten core)-concrete interactions (MCCIs), incorporating various airborne fission product nanoparticles, including CsOH and CsCl, proceeded via SiO 2 condensation over aggregates of Zn-Fe oxide nanoparticles originating from the failure of the reactor pressure vessels. Still, CsMPs provide a mechanism by which volatile and low-volatility radionuclides such as U can reach the environment and should be considered in the migration model of Cs and radionuclides in the current environment surrounding the FDNPP.

μ4-Orthothio­carbonato-tetra­kis­[tri­carbonyl­iron(I)](2 Fe—Fe)

PubMed Central

Shi, Yao-Cheng; Cheng, Huan-Ren; Yuan, Li-Min; Li, Qian-Kun

2011-01-01

The fused bis-butterfly-shaped title compound, [Fe4(CS4)(CO)12], possesses an orthothio­carbonate (CS4 4−) ligand that acts as a bridge between two Fe2(CO)6 units. A short intra­molecular S⋯S contact [2.6984 (8) and 2.6977 (8) Å] occurs in each S2Fe2(CO)6 fragment. PMID:22219779

Laboratory studies of the diagenesis and mobility of 239,240pu and 137Cs in nearshore sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sholkovitz, Edward R.; Cochran, J. Kirk; Carey, Anne E.

1983-08-01

Controlled laboratory experiments have been used to study the diagenetic chemistry of 239,240Pu 137Cs, and 55Fe. Experiments using Buzzards Bay sediments in small tanks show that sulfate reduction is accompanied by the production of large pore water concentration gradients of alkalinity, phosphate, ammonia and dissolved organic carbon and the formation of subsurface maxima in Fe and Mn. These pore water profiles demonstrate that bacterially-mediated processes of organic matter degradation and redox reactions can be simulated in the laboratory. A vertical profile of 55Fe in pore waters is reported for the first time: it follows the profile of stable Fe and as such has a large (200 dpm/100 kg) subsurface maximum between 2-4 cm depth. Comparison of 55Fe/Fe ratios in sediments and pore waters shows that there is preferential solubilization of 55Fe over stable Fe. The pore water activities of 239,240Pu show no gradients within the large uncertainties of the counting statistics, but are two to four times higher than Buzzards Bay seawater (0.05 dpm/100 kg). The activity of 137Cs in the pore water profile is constant (40 dpm/100 kg) within the large counting uncertainties and is twice that of Buzzards Bay seawater. Cs-137 does not appear to be involved in diagenetic chemistry but may increase in pore waters as a result of ion exchange reactions. Flux estimates based on the pore water data show that remobilization and transport of 239,240 Pu in coastal sediments are not significant processes while the transport of l37Cs may be.

Luminescence and magnetic properties of novel nanoparticle-sheathed 3D Micro-Architectures of Fe0.5R0.5(MoO4)1.5:Ln3+ (R = Gd3+, La3+), (Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy) for bifunctional application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krishnan, Rajagopalan; Thirumalai, Jagannathan; Kathiravan, Arunkumar

2015-01-01

For the first time, we report the successful synthesis of novel nanoparticle-sheathed bipyramid-like and almond-like Fe0.5R0.5(MoO4)1.5:Ln3+ (R = Gd3+, La3+), (Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy) 3D hierarchical microstructures through a simple disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Na2EDTA) facilitated hydrothermal method. Interestingly, time-dependent experiments confirm that the assembly-disassembly process is responsible for the formation of self-aggregated 3D architectures via Ostwald ripening phenomena. The resultant products are characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence (PL), and magnetic measurements. The growth and formation mechanisms of the self-assembled 3D micro structures are discussed in detail. To confirm the presence of all the elements in the microstructure, the energy loss induced by the K, L shell electron ionization is observed in order to map the Fe, Gd, Mo, O, and Eu components. The photo luminescence properties of Fe0.5R0.5(MoO4)1.5 doped with Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+ are investigated. The room temperature and low temperature magnetic properties suggest that the interaction between the local-fields introduced by the magnetic Fe3+ ions and the R3+ (La, Gd) ions in the dodecahedral sites determine the magnetism in Fe0.5R0.5(MoO4)1.5:Eu3+. This work provides a new approach to synthesizing the novel Fe0.5R0.5(MoO4)1.5:Ln3+ for bi-functional magnetic and luminescence applications.

Root endophytic bacteria of a (137)Cs and Mn accumulator plant, Eleutherococcus sciadophylloides, increase (137)Cs and Mn desorption in the soil.

PubMed

Yamaji, Keiko; Nagata, Satoshi; Haruma, Toshikatsu; Ohnuki, Toshihiko; Kozaki, Tamotsu; Watanabe, Naoko; Nanba, Kenji

2016-03-01

We found that root endophytes of (137)Cs accumulator plant produce siderophores, resulting in the desorption of (137)Cs from the contaminated soil collected at Fukushima, Japan. We selected an endemic Japanese deciduous tree, Eleutherococcus sciadophylloides (Franch. et Sav), that accumulates high concentrations of (137)Cs and Mn. Root endophytic bacteria were isolated from E. sciadophylloides and microbial siderophore production was evaluated via chrome azurol S (CAS) Fe and CAS Al assays. Of the 463 strains that we isolated, 107 (23.1%) produced the siderophores. Using eight strains that showed high siderophore production in our assays, we examined desorption of (137)Cs, Mn, Fe and Al by the bacterial culture filtrates from (137)Cs-contaminated soil after decomposing the soil organic matter using hydrogen peroxide. We found (137)Cs and Mn desorption concomitant with Al and Fe desorption, as well as a decrease of pH. We also detected succinic acid, a well-known siderophore, in the bacterial culture filtrates of our two root endophytic bacteria. Our results strongly suggest that the root endophytic bacteria of E. sciadophylloides produce the siderophores that enhance (137)Cs and Mn desorption in the rhizosphere, making the resulting (137)Cs and Mn ions easier for E. sciadophylloides to absorb from the rhizosphere. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical characterization of gas- and oil-bearing shales by instrumental neutron activation analysis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Frost, J.K.; Koszykowski, R.F.; Klemm, R.C.

1982-01-01

The concentration of As, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cs, Dy, Eu, Fe, Ga, Hf, K, La, Lu, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, U, Yb, and Zn were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis in block shale samples of the New Albany Group (Devonian-Mississippian) in the in the Illinois Basin. Uranium content of the samples was as high as 75 ppm and interfered in the determination of samarium, molybdenum, barium and cerium. In the determination of selenium a correction was made for interference from tantalum. U, As, Co, Mo, Ni and Sb as well as Cu, V and pyritic sulphur which were determined by other methods, were found to correlate positively with the organic carbon content of the samples. ?? 1982 Akade??miai Kiado??.

Characterization of ancient glass excavated in Enez (Ancient Ainos) Turkey by combined Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometry techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akyuz, Sevim; Akyuz, Tanil; Mukhamedshina, Nuranya M.; Mirsagatova, A. Adiba; Basaran, Sait; Cakan, Banu

2012-05-01

Ancient glass fragments excavated in the archaeological district Enez (Ancient Ainos)-Turkey were investigated by combined Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometry techniques. Multi-elemental contents of 15 glass fragments that belong to Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Periods, were determined by INAA. The concentrations of twenty six elements (Na, K, Ca, Sc, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Sb, Cs, Ba, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, Au and Th), which might be present in the samples as flux, stabilizers, colorants or opacifiers, and impurities, were examined. Chemometric treatment of the INAA data was performed and principle component analysis revealed presence of 3 distinct groups. The thermal history of the glass samples was determined by FTIR spectrometry.

Certification of biological candidates reference materials by neutron activation analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kabanov, Denis V.; Nesterova, Yulia V.; Merkulov, Viktor G.

2018-03-01

The paper gives the results of interlaboratory certification of new biological candidate reference materials by neutron activation analysis recommended by the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology (Warsaw, Poland). The correctness and accuracy of the applied method was statistically estimated for the determination of trace elements in candidate reference materials. The procedure of irradiation in the reactor thermal fuel assembly without formation of fast neutrons was carried out. It excluded formation of interfering isotopes leading to false results. The concentration of more than 20 elements (e.g., Ba, Br, Ca, Co, Ce, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, La, Lu, Rb, Sb, Sc, Ta, Th, Tb, Yb, U, Zn) in candidate references of tobacco leaves and bottom sediment compared to certified reference materials were determined. It was shown that the average error of the applied method did not exceed 10%.

A large Raman scattering cross-section molecular embedded SERS aptasensor for ultrasensitive Aflatoxin B1 detection using CS-Fe3O4 for signal enrichment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Quansheng; Yang, Mingxiu; Yang, Xiaojing; Li, Huanhuan; Guo, Zhiming; Rahma, M. H.

2018-01-01

With growing concern on oil safety problems, developing a simple and sensitive method to detect Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a common mycotoxin in peanut oil, is very necessary. In this study, Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) aptasensor was developed for ultrasensitive AFB1 detection using the amino-terminal AFB1 aptamer (NH2-DNA1); and thiol-terminal AFB1 complementary aptamer (SH-DNA2) conjugated magnetic-beads (CS-Fe3O4) as enrichment nanoprobe and AuNR@DNTB@Ag nanorods (ADANRs) as reporter nanoprobe respectively. 5,5‧-Dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoicacid) (DNTB) with large Raman scattering cross-section and no fluorescence interference was embedded in Au and Ag core/shell nanorods as Raman reporter molecules. CS-Fe3O4 possessed excellent biocompatibility and superparamagnetism for rapid signal enrichment. Therefore, NH2-DNA1-CS-Fe3O4 and SH-DNA2-ADANRs were fabricated via the hybrid reaction between aptamers and complementary aptamers. When there is AFB1, AFB1 would competitively combine with the NH2-DNA1-CS-Fe3O4 inducing the dissociation of SH-DNA2-ADANRs from CS-Fe3O4 and further decreasing the SERS signal. Based on this developed SERS aptasensor, a low limit of 0.0036 ng/mL and an effective linear detection range from 0.01 to 100 ng/mL with the correlation coefficient up to 0.986 for AFB1 detection were obtained. Moreover, the specificity of this SERS aptasensor was demonstrated by detecting other two mycotoxins and its accuracy for AFB1 detection in real peanut oil was further confirmed by standard addition recovery test.

Major and trace elements in organically or conventionally produced milk.

PubMed

Hermansen, John E; Badsberg, Jens H; Kristensen, Troels; Gundersen, Vagn

2005-08-01

A total of 480 samples of milk from 10 organically and 10 conventionally producing dairy farms in Denmark and covering 8 sampling periods over 1 year (triplicate samplings) were analysed for 45 trace elements and 6 major elements by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Sampling, sample preparation, and analysis of the samples were performed under carefully controlled contamination-free conditions. The dairy cattle breeds were Danish-Holstein or Jersey. Sources of variance were quantified, and differences between production systems and breeds were tested. The major source of variation for most elements was week of sampling. Concentrations of Al, Cu, Fe, Mo, Rb, Se, and Zn were within published ranges. Concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Mn and Pb were lower, and concentrations of Co and Sr were higher than published ranges. Compared with Holsteins, Jerseys produced milk with higher concentrations of Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, P, Rh, and Zn and with a lower concentration of Bi. The organically produced milk, compared with conventionally produced milk, contained a significantly higher concentration of Mo (48 v. 37 ng/g) and a lower concentration of Ba (43 v. 62 ng/g), Eu (4 v. 7 ng/g), Mn (16 v. 20 ng/g) and Zn (4400 v. 5150 ng/g respectively). The investigation yielded typical concentrations for the following trace elements in milk, for which no or very few data are available: Ba, Bi, Ce, Cs, Eu, Ga, Gd, In, La, Nb, Nd, Pd, Pr, Rh, Sb, Sm, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, Y, and Zr.

Syntheses, crystal structure, and electronic properties of the five ABaMQ{sub 4} compounds RbBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaVS{sub 4}, RbBaVSe{sub 4}, and CsBaVSe{sub 4}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mesbah, Adel; ICSM, UMR 5257 CEA / CNRS / UM / ENSCM, Site de Marcoule-Bâtiment 426, BP 17171, 30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze Cedex; Prakash, Jai

Five new compounds belonging to the ABaMQ{sub 4} family were synthesized by solid-state chemistry at 1123 K. The compounds RbBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaVS{sub 4}, RbBaVSe{sub 4}, and CsBaVSe{sub 4} are isostructural and have the TlEuPS{sub 4} structure type. They crystallize in space group D{sup 16}{sub 2h} – Pnma of the orthorhombic system. Their structure consists isolated MQ{sub 4} tetrahedra separated by A and Ba atoms to form a salt-like structure. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations of the electronic structures with the use of the HSE functional suggest that the compounds are semiconductors with calculated band gaps of 3.3 eVmore » (RbBaPS{sub 4}), 3.4 eV (CsBaPS{sub 4}), 2.3 eV (CsBaVS{sub 4}), and 1.6 eV (RbBaVSe{sub 4}). - Graphical abstract: General view of the ABaMQ{sub 4} structure down the a axis. - Highlights: • Five new ABaMQ{sub 4} compounds were synthesized by solid-state chemistry at 1123 K. • RbBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaVS{sub 4}, RbBaVSe{sub 4}, and CsBaVSe{sub 4} have the TlEuPS{sub 4} structure type. • The compounds are semiconductors with calculated band gaps ranging from 1.6 to 3.4 eV.« less

Chemical form analysis of reaction products in Cs-adsorption on stainless steel by means of HAXPES and SEM/EDX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobata, M.; Okane, T.; Nakajima, K.; Suzuki, E.; Ohwada, K.; Kobayashi, K.; Yamagami, H.; Osaka, M.

2018-01-01

In this study, for the understandings of Cesium (Cs) adsorption behavior on structure materials in severe accidents in a light water nuclear reactor, the chemical state of Cs and its distribution on the surface of SUS304 stainless steel (SS) with different Si concentrations was investigated by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) and scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). As a result, it was found that Cs is selectively adsorbed at the site where Si distributes with a high concentration. CsFeSiO4 is the dominant Cs products in case of low Si content, while Cs2Si2O5 and Cs2Si4O9 are formed in addition to CsFeSiO4 in case of high Si content. The chemical forms of the Cs compounds produced in the adsorption process on the SS surface have a close correlation with the concentration and chemical states of Si originally included in SS.

Fabrication and characterization of thin-film phosphor combinatorial libraries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mordkovich, V. Z.; Jin, Zhengwu; Yamada, Y.; Fukumura, T.; Kawasaki, M.; Koinuma, H.

2002-05-01

The laser molecular beam epitaxy method was employed to fabricate thin-film combinatorial libraries of ZnO-based phosphors on different substrates. Fabrication of both pixel libraries, on the example of Fe-doped ZnO, and spread libraries, on the example of Eu-doped ZnO, has been demonstrated. Screening of the Fe-doped ZnO libraries led to the discovery of weak green cathodoluminescence with the maximum efficiency at the Fe content of 0.58 mol %. Screening of the Eu-doped ZnO libraries led to the discovery of unusual reddish-violet cathodoluminescence which is observed in a broad range of Eu concentration. No photoluminescence was registered in either system.

Magnetization-induced enhancement of photoluminescence in core-shell CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}@YVO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} composite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jia, Yanmin, E-mail: ymjia@zjnu.edu.cn, E-mail: wuzheng@zjnu.cn; Zhou, Zhihua; Wei, Yongbin

2013-12-07

After the core-shell CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}@YVO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} composite synthesized through a facile sol-gel method was magnetized under an external magnetic field of 0.25 T for 4 h, an enhancement of ∼56% in photoluminescence intensity was observed. The remanent magnetization of the CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} core increases the intensity of the excited charge transfer transition of VO{sub 4}{sup 3−} group in YVO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} shell, which may enhance the probability related to the Eu{sup 3+} radiative transition {sup 5}D{sub 0}-{sup 7}F{sub 2}, yielding to a high photoluminescence. The obvious remanent-magnetization-induced enhancement in photoluminescence is helpful in developing excellent magnetic/luminescent material for themore » practical display devices.« less

Study of the photocatalytic activity of Fe 3+, Cr 3+, La 3+ and Eu 3+ single-doped and co-doped TiO 2 catalysts produced by aqueous sol-gel processing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Malengreaux, Charline M.; Pirard, Sophie L.; Léonard, Géraldine

An aqueous sol-gel process, previously developed for producing undoped and Cu 2+, Ni 2+, Zn 2+ or Pb 2+ doped TiO 2 photocatalysts with remarkably high photocatalytic activity without requiring any calcination step, has been adapted to produce Fe 3+, Cr 3+, La 3+ or Eu 3+ single-doped TiO 2 photocatalysts as well as La3+-Fe3+ and Eu3+-Fe3+ co-doped TiO 2 catalysts. The physicochemical properties of the obtained catalysts have been characterized using a suite of complementary techniques, including ICP-AES, XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption and Fe-57 M ssbauer. The active crystalline phase is obtained without requiring any calcination step andmore » all the different catalysts are composed of nanocrystallites of anatase with a size of 6-7 nm and a high specific surface area varying from 181 to 298 m 2 g -1. In this study, the effect of the NO 3:Ti(IV) mole ratio used to induce the peptisation reaction during the synthesis has been studied and the results revealed that this ratio can influence significantly the textural properties of the resulting catalyst. A screening of the photocatalytic activity of the undoped and Fe 3+, Cr 3+, La 3+ or Eu 3+ single-doped and co-doped photocatalysts has been performed by evaluating the degradation of 4-nitrophenol under UV-Visible light (330 nm < < 800 nm). This study suggests that the photocatalytic activity is significantly influenced by the dopant nature and content with an optimal dopant content being observed in the case of Fe 3+ or La 3+ single-doped as well as in the case of La 3+-Fe 3+ and Eu 3+-Fe 3+ co-doped catalysts. In the case of Cr 3+ single-doped catalysts, a detrimental effect of the dopant on the photocatalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol has been observed while no significant influence of the dopant has been detected in the case of Eu 3+ single-doped catalysts. In conclusion, the role of the different dopants in modulating the photocatalytic activity is discussed.« less

Study of the photocatalytic activity of Fe 3+, Cr 3+, La 3+ and Eu 3+ single-doped and co-doped TiO 2 catalysts produced by aqueous sol-gel processing

DOE PAGES

Malengreaux, Charline M.; Pirard, Sophie L.; Léonard, Géraldine; ...

2016-08-30

An aqueous sol-gel process, previously developed for producing undoped and Cu 2+, Ni 2+, Zn 2+ or Pb 2+ doped TiO 2 photocatalysts with remarkably high photocatalytic activity without requiring any calcination step, has been adapted to produce Fe 3+, Cr 3+, La 3+ or Eu 3+ single-doped TiO 2 photocatalysts as well as La3+-Fe3+ and Eu3+-Fe3+ co-doped TiO 2 catalysts. The physicochemical properties of the obtained catalysts have been characterized using a suite of complementary techniques, including ICP-AES, XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption and Fe-57 M ssbauer. The active crystalline phase is obtained without requiring any calcination step andmore » all the different catalysts are composed of nanocrystallites of anatase with a size of 6-7 nm and a high specific surface area varying from 181 to 298 m 2 g -1. In this study, the effect of the NO 3:Ti(IV) mole ratio used to induce the peptisation reaction during the synthesis has been studied and the results revealed that this ratio can influence significantly the textural properties of the resulting catalyst. A screening of the photocatalytic activity of the undoped and Fe 3+, Cr 3+, La 3+ or Eu 3+ single-doped and co-doped photocatalysts has been performed by evaluating the degradation of 4-nitrophenol under UV-Visible light (330 nm < < 800 nm). This study suggests that the photocatalytic activity is significantly influenced by the dopant nature and content with an optimal dopant content being observed in the case of Fe 3+ or La 3+ single-doped as well as in the case of La 3+-Fe 3+ and Eu 3+-Fe 3+ co-doped catalysts. In the case of Cr 3+ single-doped catalysts, a detrimental effect of the dopant on the photocatalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol has been observed while no significant influence of the dopant has been detected in the case of Eu 3+ single-doped catalysts. In conclusion, the role of the different dopants in modulating the photocatalytic activity is discussed.« less

Fe3O4@SiO2@CS-TETA functionalized graphene oxide for the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) and Cu(II)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fan; Zhang, Lijuan; Wang, Yeying; Liu, Xijian; Rohani, Sohrab; Lu, Jie

2017-10-01

The graphene oxide (GO) functionalized by Fe3O4@SiO2@CS-TETA nanoparticles, Fe3O4@SiO2@CS-TETA-GO, was firstly fabricated in a mild way as a novel adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions and methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. The magnetic composites showed a good dispersity in water and can be conveniently collected for reuse through magnetic separation due to its excellent magnetism. When the Fe3O4@SiO2@CS- TETA-GO was used as an absorbent for the absorption of MB and Cu(II), the adsorption kinetics and isotherms data well fitted the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir model, respectively. Under the optimized pH and initial concentration, the maximum adsorption capacity was about 529.1 mg g-1 for MB in 20 min and 324.7 mg g-1 for Cu(II) in 16 min, respectively, exhibiting a better adsorption performance than other GO-based adsorbents reported recently. More importantly, the synthesized adsorbent could be effectively regenerated and repeatedly utilized without significant capacity loss after six times cycles. All the results demonstrated that Fe3O4@SiO2@CS-TETA-GO could be used as an excellent adsorbent for the adsorption of Cu(II) and MB in many fields.

Octahedral rotation patterns in strained EuFeO 3 and other Pbnm perovskite films: Implications for hybrid improper ferroelectricity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Choquette, A. K.; Smith, C. R.; Sichel-Tissot, R. J.

2016-07-01

We report the relationship between epitaxial strain and the crystallographic orientation of the in-phase rotation axis and A-site displacements in Pbnm-type perovskite films. Synchrotron diffraction measurements of EuFeO3 films under strain states ranging from 2% compressive to 0.9% tensile on cubic or rhombohedral substrates exhibit a combination of a(-)a(+)c(-) and a(+)a(-)c(-) rotational patterns. We compare the EuFeO3 behavior with previously reported experimental and theoretical work on strained Pbnm-type films on nonorthorhombic substrates, as well as additional measurements from LaGaO3, LaFeO3, and Eu0.7Sr0.3MnO3 films on SrTiO3. Compiling the results from various material systems reveals a general strain dependence in which compressivemore » strain strongly favors a(-)a(+)c(-) and a(+)a(-)c(-) rotation patterns and tensile strain weakly favors a(-)a(-)c(+) structures. In contrast, EuFeO3 films grown on Pbnm-type GdScO3 under 2.3% tensile strain take on a uniform a(-)a(+)c(-) rotation pattern imprinted from the substrate, despite strain considerations that favor the a(-)a(-)c(+) pattern. These results point to the use of substrate imprinting as a more robust route than strain for tuning the crystallographic orientations of the octahedral rotations and A-site displacements needed to realize rotation-induced hybrid improper ferroelectricity in oxide heterostructures.« less

Octahedral rotation patterns in strained EuFeO 3 and other Pbnm perovskite films: Implications for hybrid improper ferroelectricity

DOE PAGES

Choquette, A. K.; Smith, C. R.; Sichel-Tissot, R. J.; ...

2016-07-07

Here, we report the relationship between epitaxial strain and the crystallographic orientation of the in-phase rotation axis and A -site displacements in Pbnm-type perovskite films. Synchrotron diffraction measurements of EuFeO 3 films under strain states ranging from 2% compressive to 0.9% tensile on cubic or rhombohedral substrates exhibit a combination of a - a + c - and a + a - c - rotational patterns. We compare the EuFeO 3 behavior with previously reported experimental and theoretical work on strained Pbnm-type films on nonorthorhombic substrates, as well as additional measurements from LaGaO 3 ,more » LaFeO 3 , and Eu 0.7Sr 0.3 MnO 3 films on SrTiO 3 . Compiling the results from various material systems reveals a general strain dependence in which compressive strain strongly favors a - a + c - and a + a - c - rotation patterns and tensile strain weakly favors a - a - c + structures. In contrast, EuFeO 3 films grown on Pbnm-type GdScO 3 under 2.3% tensile strain take on a uniform a - a + c - rotation pattern imprinted from the substrate, despite strain considerations that favor the a - a - c + pattern. Our results point to the use of substrate imprinting as a more robust route than strain for tuning the crystallographic orientations of the octahedral rotations and A -site displacements needed to realize rotation-induced hybrid improper ferroelectricity in oxide heterostructures.« less

The role of rare-earth dopants in tailoring the magnetism and magnetic anisotropy in Fe4N

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zirun; Mi, Wenbo; Bai, Haili

2018-05-01

The magnetism and magnetic anisotropy of the rare-earth (RE) atom-substituted Fe4N are investigated by first-principles calculations. It is found that the substitution of one RE atom results in an antiferromagnetic coupling with the Fe atoms. The 4f-3d exchange interaction has an important influence on the density of states of Fe near the Fermi level. PrFe3N and NdFe3N with a tetragonal structure exhibit giant magnetic anisotropy energy larger than 5 meV/atom. The magnetic anisotropy depends on the distribution of partial states of d or f orbital near the Fermi level. As Eu substitutes Fe in Fe4N, the magnetic moment of Eu3FeN even exceeds 23 μB. Our theoretical predictions point out the possibilities of tuning the magnetism and magnetic anisotropy of Fe4N upon RE doping.

Chloride, bromide and iodide scintillators with europium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhuravleva, Mariya; Yang, Kan

A halide scintillator material is disclosed where the halide may comprise chloride, bromide or iodide. The material is single-crystalline and has a composition of the general formula ABX.sub.3 where A is an alkali, B is an alkali earth and X is a halide which general composition was investigated. In particular, crystals of the formula ACa.sub.1-yEu.sub.yI.sub.3 where A=K, Rb and Cs were formed as well as crystals of the formula CsA.sub.1-yEu.sub.yX.sub.3 (where A=Ca, Sr, Ba, or a combination thereof and X=Cl, Br or I or a combination thereof) with divalent Europium doping where 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1, and more particularly Eu doping has beenmore » studied at one to ten mol %. The disclosed scintillator materials are suitable for making scintillation detectors used in applications such as medical imaging and homeland security.« less

Investigation of the unique degradation phenomenon observed in CsSrBr3: Eu 5% scintillator crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gokhale, S. S.; Loyd, M.; Stand, L.; Lindsey, A.; Swider, S.; Zhuravleva, M.; Melcher, C. L.

2016-10-01

CsSrBr3: Eu 5% is a promising compound scintillator for radiation detection and imaging applications. Light output and energy resolution measured for a crystal of volume 5×5×5 mm3 were 55,000±2000 ph/MeV and 5.6% at 662 keV respectively which is a significant improvement over previous reports. The hygroscopicity of the compound and the tendency of the scintillator crystals to degrade when exposed to the atmosphere necessitate the proper encapsulation of the crystals. It was observed that unlike other hygroscopic scintillator crystals CsSrBr3 undergoes a unique degradation while encapsulated in mineral oil. The light output of the crystal decreases over time, but there is no visually observed physical degradation of the crystal. This degradation is a reversible process wherein a degraded crystal can be subjected to annealing in vacuum in order to restore its original performance.

[Radiobiological effects on plants and animals within Semipalatinsk Test Site (Kazakhstan)].

PubMed

Mozolin, E M; Geras'kin, S A; Minkenova, K S

2008-01-01

The Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS) was the main place of nuclear devices tests in the former Soviet Union. From 1949 to 1989 about 460 nuclear explosions have been carried out at STS. Radioactive contamination of STS territory has the extremely non-uniform character. The main dose-forming radionuclides are 137Cs, 90Sr, 152Eu, as well as 154Eu, 60CO, 239,240Pu and 241Am. The greatest specific activity of 137Cs and 239,240Pu in ground are n x 10(3) kBk/kg, 152Eu - 96 kBk/kg, 154Eu - 10.4 kBk/kg, 60Co - 20.5 kBk/kg, 241Am - 15 kBk/kg. However, up to now, within STS sites exists where gamma-dose rate comes to 60 microGy/h, that is enough for induction reliable biological effects in animals and plants. Inhabiting territory of STS plants and animals are characterized by increased level of mutagenesis, changes of morpho-anatomic indices and parameters of peripheral blood, by the increase of asymmetry bilateral indices, change of composition and structure of communities.

Electrochemistry of Europium(III) Chloride in 3 LiCl – NaCl, 3 LiCl – 2 KCl, LiCl – RbCl, and 3 LiCl – 2 CsCl Eutectics at Various Temperatures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schroll, Cynthia A.; Chatterjee, Sayandev; Levitskaia, Tatiana G.

Here we report the effect of changing the eutectic melt composition on the electrochemical properties of europium(III) chloride under pyroprocessing conditions. The number of electrons transferred, redox potentials and diffusion coefficients were determined using various electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical techniques in four different eutectic mixtures (3 LiCl - NaCl, 3 LiCl - 2 KCl, 3 LiCl - RbCl, and 3 LiCl - 2 CsCl) while varying the temperature of the melt. It was determined that Eu3+ undergoes a one electron reduction to Eu2+ in each melt at all temperatures evaluated. Within all the melts a positive shift in the redox potentialmore » as well as an increase in the diffusion coefficient for Eu3+ was observed as the temperature increased. Also observed was a positive shift in the redox potential and increase in the diffusion coefficient for Eu3+ as the weighted average of the cationic radii for the melt decreased.« less

On the energy scale involved in the metal to insulator transition of quadruple perovskite EuCu3Fe4O12: infrared spectroscopy and ab-initio calculations.

PubMed

Brière, B; Kalinko, A; Yamada, I; Roy, P; Brubach, J B; Sopracase, R; Zaghrioui, M; Phuoc, V Ta

2016-06-27

Optical measurements were carried out by infrared spectroscopy on AA'3B4O12 A-site ordered quadruple perovskite EuCu3Fe4O12 (microscopic sample) as function of temperature. At 240 K (=TMI), EuCu3Fe4O12 undergoes a very abrupt metal to insulator transition, a paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition and an isostructural transformation with an abrupt large volume expansion. Above TMI, optical conductivity reveals a bad metal behavior and below TMI, an insulating phase with an optical gap of 125 meV is observed. As temperature is decreased, a large and abrupt spectral weight transfer toward an energy scale larger than 1 eV is detected. Concurrently, electronic structure calculations for both high and low temperature phases were compared to the optical conductivity results giving a precise pattern of the transition. Density of states and computed optical conductivity analysis identified Cu3dxy, Fe3d and O2p orbitals as principal actors of the spectral weight transfer. The present work constitutes a first step to shed light on EuCu3Fe4O12 electronic properties with optical measurements and ab-initio calculations.

On the energy scale involved in the metal to insulator transition of quadruple perovskite EuCu3Fe4O12: infrared spectroscopy and ab-initio calculations

PubMed Central

Brière, B.; Kalinko, A.; Yamada, I.; Roy, P.; Brubach, J. B.; Sopracase, R.; Zaghrioui, M.; Phuoc, V. Ta

2016-01-01

Optical measurements were carried out by infrared spectroscopy on AA′3B4O12 A-site ordered quadruple perovskite EuCu3Fe4O12 (microscopic sample) as function of temperature. At 240 K (=TMI), EuCu3Fe4O12 undergoes a very abrupt metal to insulator transition, a paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition and an isostructural transformation with an abrupt large volume expansion. Above TMI, optical conductivity reveals a bad metal behavior and below TMI, an insulating phase with an optical gap of 125 meV is observed. As temperature is decreased, a large and abrupt spectral weight transfer toward an energy scale larger than 1 eV is detected. Concurrently, electronic structure calculations for both high and low temperature phases were compared to the optical conductivity results giving a precise pattern of the transition. Density of states and computed optical conductivity analysis identified Cu3dxy, Fe3d and O2p orbitals as principal actors of the spectral weight transfer. The present work constitutes a first step to shed light on EuCu3Fe4O12 electronic properties with optical measurements and ab-initio calculations. PMID:27346212

Growth and luminescent properties of Ce and Eu doped Cesium Hafnium Iodide single crystalline scintillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kodama, Shohei; Kurosawa, Shunsuke; Yamaji, Akihiro; Pejchal, Jan; Král, Robert; Ohashi, Yuji; Kamada, Kei; Yokota, Yuui; Nikl, Martin; Yoshikawa, Akira

2018-06-01

In order to obtain new scintillators with high light output and high effective atomic number (Zeff), we performed anion-substitution for Cs2HfCl6 (CHC) scintillator, and then, we succeeded in growing Cs2HfI6 (CHI) single crystalline scintillator. It had Zeff of 58, which is the same as that of CHC, and had high light output of ∼70,000 photons/MeV with 700 nm emission. However, its scintillation decay time of ∼2.5 μs was slow for practical use as gamma-ray monitor. In this study, we performed Ce3+/Eu2+ doping to Hf4+ site to improve decay time of CHI, introducing the fast 5d-4f luminescence. Ce:CHI and Eu:CHI single crystals were finally obtained by the vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger method. The luminescence spectra of the Ce:CHI and Eu:CHI were very similar to that of the non-doped CHI, which would mean that no 5d-4f luminescence of Ce3+/Eu2+ was observed. The measured light output and decay time of Ce:CHI were ∼48,000 photon/MeV and 2.3 ± 0.1 μs, respectively. As for Eu:CHI, light output and decay time were ∼69,000 photon/MeV and 2.8 ± 0.1 μs, respectively.

Chemical Complexity in the Eu-enhanced Monometallic Globular NGC 5986

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Christian I.; Caldwell, Nelson; Rich, R. Michael; Mateo, Mario; Bailey, John I., III; Olszewski, Edward W.; Walker, Matthew G.

2017-06-01

NGC 5986 is a poorly studied but relatively massive Galactic globular cluster that shares several physical and morphological characteristics with “iron-complex” clusters known to exhibit significant metallicity and heavy-element dispersions. In order to determine whether NGC 5986 joins the iron-complex cluster class, we investigated the chemical composition of 25 red giant branch and asymptotic giant branch cluster stars using high-resolution spectra obtained with the Magellan-M2FS instrument. Cluster membership was verified using a combination of radial velocity and [Fe/H] measurements, and we found the cluster to have a mean heliocentric radial velocity of +99.76 km s-1 (σ = 7.44 km s-1). We derived a mean metallicity of [Fe/H] = -1.54 dex (σ = 0.08 dex), but the cluster’s small dispersion in [Fe/H] and low [La/Eu] abundance preclude it from being an iron-complex cluster. NGC 5986 has < [{Eu}/{Fe}]> =+0.76 {dex} (σ = 0.08 dex), which is among the highest ratios detected in a Galactic cluster, but the small [Eu/Fe] dispersion is puzzling because such high values near [Fe/H] ˜ -1.5 are typically only found in dwarf galaxies exhibiting large [Eu/Fe] variations. NGC 5986 exhibits classical globular cluster characteristics, such as uniformly enhanced [α/Fe] ratios, a small dispersion in Fe-peak abundances, and (anti)correlated light-element variations. Similar to NGC 2808, we find evidence that NGC 5986 may host at least four to five populations with distinct light-element compositions, and the presence of a clear Mg-Al anticorrelation along with an Al-Si correlation suggests that the cluster gas experienced processing at temperatures ≳65-70 MK. However, the current data do not support burning temperatures exceeding ˜100 MK. We find some evidence that the first- and second-generation stars in NGC 5986 may be fully spatially mixed, which could indicate that the cluster has lost a significant fraction of its original mass. This paper includes data gathered with the 6.5 m Magellan Telescopes located at Las Campanas Observatory, Chile.

Estimation of radioactive contamination of soils from the "Balapan" and the "Experimental field" technical areas of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.

PubMed

Evseeva, T; Belykh, E; Geras'kin, S; Majstrenko, T

2012-07-01

In spite of the long history of the research, radioactive contamination of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site (SNTS) in the Republic of Kazakhstan has not been adequately characterized. Our cartographic investigation has demonstrated highly variable radioactive contamination of the SNTS. The Cs-137, Sr-90, Eu-152, Eu-154, Co-60, and Am-241 activity concentrations in soil samples from the "Balapan" site were 42.6-17646, 96-18250, 1.05-11222, 0.6-4865, 0.23-4893, and 1.2-1037 Bq kg(-1), correspondingly. Cs-137 and Sr-90 activity concentrations in soil samples from the "Experimental field" site were varied from 87 up to 400 and from 94 up to 1000 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Activity concentrations of Co-60, Eu-152, and Eu-154 were lower than the minimum detectable activity of the method used. Concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides (K-40, Ra-226, U-238, and Th-232) in the majority of soil samples from the "Balapan" and the "Experimental field" sites did not exceed typical for surrounding of the SNTS areas levels. Estimation of risks associated with radioactive contamination based on the IAEA clearance levels for a number of key radionuclides in solid materials shows that soils sampled from the "Balapan" and the "Experimental field" sites might be considered as radioactive wastes. Decrease in specific activity of soil from the sites studied up to safety levels due to Co-60, Cs-137, Sr-90, Eu-152, Eu-154 radioactive decay and Am-241 accumulation-decay will occur not earlier than 100 years. In contrast, soils from the "Experimental field" and the "Balapan" sites (except 0.5-2.5 km distance from the "Chagan" explosion point) cannot be regarded as the radioactive wastes according safety norms valid in Russia and Kazakhstan. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Major, minor, trace and rare earth elements in sediments of the Bijagós archipelago, Guinea-Bissau.

PubMed

Carvalho, Lina; Figueira, Paula; Monteiro, Rui; Reis, Ana Teresa; Almeida, Joana; Catry, Teresa; Lourenço, Pedro Miguel; Catry, Paulo; Barbosa, Castro; Catry, Inês; Pereira, Eduarda; Granadeiro, José Pedro; Vale, Carlos

2018-04-01

Sixty sediment samples from four sites in the Bijagós archipelago were characterized for fine fraction, loss on ignition, major, minor and trace elemental composition (Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Ti, P, Zr, Mn, Cr, Sr, Ba, B, V, Li, Zn, Ni, Pb, As, Co, U, Cu, Cs and Cd), and the elements of the La-Lu series. Element concentrations were largely explained by the Al content and the proportion of fine fraction content, with the exception of Ca and Sr. Sediments showed enhanced Ti, U, Cr, As and Cd concentrations with respect to estimated upper crust values, most likely mirroring a regional signature. Rare earth elements were in deficit relatively to the North American Shale Composite (NASC), mainly in coarser material. No pronounced Ce-anomaly was observed, while Eu-anomalies were positive in most analyzed sediments. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Air Pollution Study in the Republic of Moldova Using Moss Biomonitoring Technique.

PubMed

Zinicovscaia, Inga; Hramco, Constantin; Duliu, Octavian G; Vergel, Konstantin; Culicov, Otilia A; Frontasyeva, Marina V; Duca, Gheorghe

2017-02-01

Moss biomonitoring using the species Hypnum cupressiforme (Hedw.) and Pleurocarpous sp was applied to study air pollution in the Republic of Moldova. A total of 41 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Tm, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Pb, Th, and U) were determined by instrumental epithermal neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry. Principal component analysis was used to identify and characterize different pollution sources. Geographical distribution maps were prepared to point out the regions most affected by air pollution and relate this to potential sources of contamination. Median values of the elements studied were compared with data from the European moss biomonitoring program. The cities of Chisinau and Balti were determined to experience particular environmental stress.

Europium-engineered iron oxide nanocubes with high T1 and T2 contrast abilities for MRI in living subjects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Lijiao; Zhou, Zijian; Liu, Hanyu; Wu, Changqiang; Zhang, Hui; Huang, Guoming; Ai, Hua; Gao, Jinhao

2015-04-01

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents with both positive (T1) and negative (T2) contrast abilities are needed in clinical diagnosis for fault-free accurate detection of lesions. We report a facile synthesis of europium-engineered iron oxide (EuIO) nanocubes as T1 and T2 contrast agents for MRI in living subjects. The Eu(iii) oxide-embedded iron oxide nanoparticles significantly increase the T1 relaxivity with an enhanced positive contrast effect. EuIO nanocubes with 14 nm in diameter showed a high r1 value of 36.8 mM-1 s-1 with respect to total metal ions (Fe + Eu), which is about 3 times higher than that of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with similar size. Moreover, both r1 and r2 values of EuIO nanocubes can be tuned by varying their sizes and Eu doping ratios. After citrate coating, EuIO nanocubes can provide enhanced T1 and T2 contrast effects in small animals, particularly in the cardiac and liver regions. This work may provide an insightful strategy to design MRI contrast agents with both positive and negative contrast abilities for biomedical applications.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents with both positive (T1) and negative (T2) contrast abilities are needed in clinical diagnosis for fault-free accurate detection of lesions. We report a facile synthesis of europium-engineered iron oxide (EuIO) nanocubes as T1 and T2 contrast agents for MRI in living subjects. The Eu(iii) oxide-embedded iron oxide nanoparticles significantly increase the T1 relaxivity with an enhanced positive contrast effect. EuIO nanocubes with 14 nm in diameter showed a high r1 value of 36.8 mM-1 s-1 with respect to total metal ions (Fe + Eu), which is about 3 times higher than that of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with similar size. Moreover, both r1 and r2 values of EuIO nanocubes can be tuned by varying their sizes and Eu doping ratios. After citrate coating, EuIO nanocubes can provide enhanced T1 and T2 contrast effects in small animals, particularly in the cardiac and liver regions. This work may provide an insightful strategy to design MRI contrast agents with both positive and negative contrast abilities for biomedical applications. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr00774g

Pressure-induced phase transition in titanium alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murugeswari, R.; Rajeswarapalanichamy, R.; Benial, A. Milton Franklin

2018-05-01

The structural, elastic, magnetic and electronic properties of titanium-based ferromagnetic (FM) TiX (X = Fe, Co, Ni) alloys are investigated by the first principles calculations based on density functional theory using the Vienna ab initio simulation code. At ambient pressure, all the three alloys TiFe, TiCo and TiNi are highly stable in CsCl structure. The calculated lattice parameters and ground state properties are in good agreement with the available theoretical and experimental results. The density of states explains that these alloys possess the metallic nature at normal and high pressures. A pressure-induced structural phase transitions from CsCl to NaCl phase at 46 GPa and NaCl to ZB phase at 49 GPa in TiFe, CsCl to ZB phase in TiCo at 52 GPa, CsCl to hexagonal phase at 22 GPa and hexagonal to ZB phase at 66 GPa in TiNi are observed. The calculated Debye temperatures of TiX (X = Fe, Co, Ni) alloys are in good agreement with earlier reports. Binding energy shows that the TiCo is the most stable alloy. The magnetic property of TiX (X = Fe, Co, Ni) alloys reveals that TiFe is stable in nonmagnetic phase and the other two alloys, TiCo and TiNi, are stable in FM phase at normal pressure.

Using elemental profiles and stable isotopes to trace the origin of green coffee beans on the global market.

PubMed

Santato, Alessandro; Bertoldi, Daniela; Perini, Matteo; Camin, Federica; Larcher, Roberto

2012-09-01

A broad elemental profile incorporating 54 elements (Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Mo, Pd, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Te, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Er, Tm, Yb, Re, Ir, Pt, Au, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi and U) in combination with δ(2) H, δ(13) C, δ(15) N and δ(18) O was used to characterise the composition of 62 green arabica (Coffea arabica) and robusta (Coffea canephora) coffee beans grown in South and Central America, Africa and Asia, the four most internationally renowned areas of production. The δ(2) H, Mg, Fe, Co and Ni content made it possible to correctly assign 95% of green coffee beans to the appropriate variety. Canonical discriminant analysis, performed using δ(13) C, δ(15) N, δ(18) O, Li, Mg, P, K, Mn, Co, Cu, Se, Y, Mo, Cd, La and Ce correctly traced the origin of 98% of coffee beans. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Characterizing suspended sediments from the Piracicaba River Basin by means of k0-INAA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

França, E. J.; Fernandes, E. A. N.; Cavalca, I. P. O.; Fonseca, F. Y.; Camilli, L.; Rodrigues, V. S.; Bardini Junior, C.; Ferreira, J. R.; Bacchi, M. A.

2010-10-01

The inorganic chemical characterization of suspended sediments is of utmost relevance for the knowledge of the dynamics and movement of chemical elements in the aquatic and wet ecosystems. Despite the complexity of the effective design for studying this ecological compartment, this work has tested a procedure for analyzing suspended sediments by instrumental neutron activation analysis, k0 method ( k0-INAA). The chemical elements As, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Hg, K, La, Mo, Na, Ni, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Yb and Zn were quantified in the suspended sediment compartment by means of k0-INAA. When compared with World Average for rivers, high mass fractions of Fe (222,900 mg/kg), Ba (4990 mg/kg), Zn (1350 mg/kg), Cr (646 mg/kg), Co (74.5 mg/kg), Br (113 mg/kg) and Mo (31.9 mg/kg) were quantified in suspended sediments from the Piracicaba River, the Piracicamirim Stream and the Marins Stream. Results of the principal component analysis for standardized chemical element mass fractions indicated an intricate correlation among chemical elements evaluated, as a response of the contribution of natural and anthropogenic sources of chemical elements for ecosystems.

Forms of trace arsenic, cesium, cadmium, and lead transported into river water for the irrigation of Japanese paddy rice fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakaya, Shinji; Chi, Hai; Muroda, Kengo; Masuda, Harue

2018-06-01

In this study, we focus on the behavior of geogenic, toxic trace elements, particularly As, Cs, Cd, and Pb, during their transportation in two rivers for irrigation commonly used in monsoon Asia; one river originates from an active volcano, Mt. Asama, and the other originates from a currently inactive volcano, Yatsugatake Mountains in Nagano, Japan. These rivers were investigated to understand the role of river water as a pollutant of rice and other aquatic plants (via irrigation) and aquatic animals. The results indicated that the behavior of toxic trace elements in river water are likely controlled by their interactions with particulate Fe, Al, and Ti compounds. The majority of Pb and Cd is transported as particulate matter with Fe, Al, and Ti, while the majority of As is transported in the dissolved form, predominantly as arsenate, with low abundance of particulate matter. Cs is transported either as the dissolved form or as particulate matter in both rivers. The investigated elements are transported in the rivers as particulate and dissolved forms, and the ratio of these forms is controlled by the pH and presence of particulate Fe, Al, and Ti phases in the river water. With respect to Cs in both rivers, the parameter governing the concentration and transportation of Cs, in the bimodal form (i.e., particulate and dissolved forms), through the river possibly shifts from sorption to pH by particulate Fe-Al-Ti, according to the abrupt increase in the concentration of Cs in the river. The chemical attraction of particulate Fe-Al-Ti for Cs is weaker than that for Pb and Cd, indicating that the lower electronegativity of Cs weakens the chemical attraction on a colloid for the competitive sorption with the other trace elements. The different relationships between As and Fe in the river and in the irrigation water and soil water, as well as those in paddy rice, suggested that As in paddy rice is not directly derived from As in the irrigation water from the river under flooding.

The novel synthesis of magnetically chitosan/carbon nanotube composites and their catalytic applications.

PubMed

Zarnegar, Zohre; Safari, Javad

2015-04-01

Chitosan-modified magnetic carbon nanotubes (CS-MCNTs) were synthesized and were investigated by FT-IR, EDX, FE-SEM, elemental analysis, XRD, VSM and TGA. In order to synthesize the CS-MCNTs composites, Fe3O4 decorated carbon nanotubes (CNTs-Fe3O4) were modified with a silica layer by the ammonia-catalysed hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (CNTs-Fe3O4@SiO2). Then, CS-MCNTs were successfully grafted on the surface of CNTs-Fe3O4@SiO2via a suspension cross-linking method. The CS-MCNT was found to be an excellent heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines (DHPs). The attractive advantages of the present process include short reaction times, milder and cleaner conditions, higher purity and yields, easy isolation of products, easier work-up procedure and lower generation of waste or pollutions. This catalyst was easily separated by an external magnet and the recovered catalyst was reused several times without any significant loss of activity. A combination of the advantages of CNTs, chitosan and magnetic nanoparticles provides an important methodology for carrying out catalytic transformations. Therefore, this method provides a green and much improved protocol over the existing methods. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Optical and Piezoelectric Study of KNN Solid Solutions Co-Doped with La-Mn and Eu-Fe.

PubMed

Peña-Jiménez, Jesús-Alejandro; González, Federico; López-Juárez, Rigoberto; Hernández-Alcántara, José-Manuel; Camarillo, Enrique; Murrieta-Sánchez, Héctor; Pardo, Lorena; Villafuerte-Castrejón, María-Elena

2016-09-28

The solid-state method was used to synthesize single phase potassium-sodium niobate (KNN) co-doped with the La 3+ -Mn 4+ and Eu 3+ -Fe 3+ ion pairs. Structural determination of all studied solid solutions was accomplished by XRD and Rietveld refinement method. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies were performed to determine the oxidation state of paramagnetic centers. Optical spectroscopy measurements, excitation, emission and decay lifetime were carried out for each solid solution. The present study reveals that doping KNN with La 3+ -Mn 4+ and Eu 3+ -Fe 3+ at concentrations of 0.5 mol % and 1 mol %, respectively, improves the ferroelectric and piezoelectric behavior and induce the generation of optical properties in the material for potential applications.

Optical and Piezoelectric Study of KNN Solid Solutions Co-Doped with La-Mn and Eu-Fe

PubMed Central

Peña-Jiménez, Jesús-Alejandro; González, Federico; López-Juárez, Rigoberto; Hernández-Alcántara, José-Manuel; Camarillo, Enrique; Murrieta-Sánchez, Héctor; Pardo, Lorena; Villafuerte-Castrejón, María-Elena

2016-01-01

The solid-state method was used to synthesize single phase potassium-sodium niobate (KNN) co-doped with the La3+–Mn4+ and Eu3+–Fe3+ ion pairs. Structural determination of all studied solid solutions was accomplished by XRD and Rietveld refinement method. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies were performed to determine the oxidation state of paramagnetic centers. Optical spectroscopy measurements, excitation, emission and decay lifetime were carried out for each solid solution. The present study reveals that doping KNN with La3+–Mn4+ and Eu3+–Fe3+ at concentrations of 0.5 mol % and 1 mol %, respectively, improves the ferroelectric and piezoelectric behavior and induce the generation of optical properties in the material for potential applications. PMID:28773925

Temperature and composition phase diagram in the iron-based ladder compounds Ba 1 - x Cs x Fe 2 Se 3

DOE PAGES

Hawai, Takafumi; Nambu, Yusuke; Ohgushi, Kenya; ...

2015-05-28

We investigated the iron-based ladder compounds (Ba,Cs)Fe₂Se₃. Their parent compounds BaFe₂Se₃ and CsFe₂Se₃ have different space groups, formal valences of Fe, and magnetic structures. Electrical resistivity, specific heat, magnetic susceptibility, x-ray diffraction, and powder neutron diffraction measurements were conducted to obtain a temperature and composition phase diagram of this system. Block magnetism observed in BaFe₂Se₃ is drastically suppressed with Cs doping. In contrast, stripe magnetism observed in CsFe₂Se₃ is not so fragile against Ba doping. A new type of magnetic structure appears in intermediate compositions, which is similar to stripe magnetism of CsFe₂Se₃, but interladder spin configuration is different. Intermediatemore » compounds show insulating behavior, nevertheless a finite T-linear contribution in specific heat was obtained at low temperatures.« less

Eu3+-doped β-Ga2O3 nanophosphors: annealing effect, electronic structure and optical spectroscopy.

PubMed

Zhu, Haomiao; Li, Renfu; Luo, Wenqin; Chen, Xueyuan

2011-03-14

A comprehensive survey of electronic structure and optical properties of rare-earth ions-doped semiconductor is of vital importance for their potential applications. In this work, Eu(3+)-doped β-Ga(2)O(3) nanocrystals were synthesized via a combustion method. The evolution of the optical properties of nanophosphors with increasing the annealing temperature was investigated in detail by means of excitation and emission spectra at room temperature and 10 K. Eu(3+) ions were proved to be incorporated into the crystal lattice of the β-Ga(2)O(3) phase after annealing the as-prepared nanoparticles at 1100 °C. It was observed that the substitution of Eu(3+) for Ga(3+) occurred at merely single site, in spite of two crystallographically nonequivalent sites of Ga(3+) in β-Ga(2)O(3). Spectroscopic evidence corroborated and clarified the local symmetry of C(s) for Eu(3+) at this single site. From the high-resolution excitation and emission spectra, 71 crystal-field levels of Eu(3+) in β-Ga(2)O(3) were identified and analyzed in terms of 19 freely varied free-ions and crystal-field parameters based on C(s) symmetry. The standard deviation of the final fitting is as low as 12.9 cm(-1), indicating an excellent agreement between experimental and calculated energy levels. The temperature-dependent luminescence dynamics of the (5)D(0) multiplet for Eu(3+) in β-Ga(2)O(3) phosphors has also been revealed for the first time from 10 to 300 K.

Chloride, bromide and iodide scintillators with europium doping

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhuravleva, Mariya; Yang, Kan

A halide scintillator material is disclosed where the halide may comprise chloride, bromide or iodide. The material is single-crystalline and has a composition of the general formula ABX.sub.3 where A is an alkali, B is an alkali earth and X is a halide which general composition was investigated. In particular, crystals of the formula ACa.sub.1-yEu.sub.yI.sub.3 where A=K, Rb and Cs were formed as well as crystals of the formula CsA.sub.1-yEu.sub.yX.sub.3 (where A=Ca, Sr, Ba, or a combination thereof and X=Cl, Br or I or a combination thereof) with divalent Europium doping where 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1, and more particularly Eu doping has beenmore » studied at one to ten mol %. The disclosed scintillator materials are suitable for making scintillation detectors used in applications such as medical imaging and homeland security.« less

Redox equilibria of multivalent ions in silicate glasses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lauer, H. V., Jr.; Morris, R. V.

1977-01-01

Experimental studies were made on the compositional dependence of the redox equilibrium of Eu in synthetic silicate liquids, together with an empirical model describing the observed compositional dependence. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) was used to measure the concentration ratio of Eu(2+) to Eu(3+) in various glasses formed by rapidly quenching silicate liquids. The compositional field studied comprised mixtures of SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, and Na2O. The proposed model describes the Eu(2+)/Eu(3+) ratio over the entire compositional field in terms of parameters easily related to each glass composition. The general applicability and utility of the model is further demonstrated by its application to the Fe(2+)-Fe(3+), Ce(3+)-Ce(4+), and Cr(3+)-Cr(6+) redox reactions in binary alkali oxide silicate glasses of Li, Na, and K.

Source analysis of radiocesium in river waters using road dust tracers.

PubMed

Murakami, Michio; Saha, Mahua; Iwasaki, Yuichi; Yamashita, Rei; Koibuchi, Yukio; Tsukada, Hirofumi; Takada, Hideshige; Sueki, Keisuke; Yasutaka, Tetsuo

2017-11-01

Following the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station accident, regional road dust, heavily contaminated with radiocesium, now represents a potential source of radiocesium pollution in river water. To promote effective countermeasures for reducing the risk from radiocesium pollution, it is important to understand its sources. This study evaluated the utility of metals, including Al, Fe, and Zn as road dust tracers, and applied them to analyze sources of 137 Cs in rivers around Fukushima during wet weather. Concentrations of Zn in road dust were higher than agricultural and forest soils, whereas concentrations of Fe and Al were the opposite. Concentrations of Zn were weakly but significantly correlated with benzothiazole, a molecular marker of tires, indicating Zn represents an effective tracer of road dust. Al, Fe, and Zn were frequently detected in suspended solids in river water during wet weather. Distribution coefficients of these metals and 137 Cs exceeded 10 4 , suggesting sorptive behavior in water. Although concentrations of Al, Fe, Zn, and 137 Cs were higher in fine fractions of road dust and soils than in coarse fractions, use of ratios of 137 Cs to Al, Fe, or Zn showed smaller differences among size fractions. The results demonstrate that combinations of these metals and 137 Cs are useful for analyzing sources of radiocesium in water. These ratios in river water during wet weather were found to be comparable with or lower than during dry weather and were closer to soils than road dust, suggesting a limited contribution from road dust to radiocesium pollution in river water. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Iron silicides at pressures of the Earth's inner core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Feiwu; Oganov, Artem R.

2010-01-01

The Earth's core is expected to contain around 10 wt % light elements (S, Si, O, possibly C, H, etc.) alloyed with Fe and Ni. Very little is known about these alloys at pressures and temperatures of the core. Here, using the evolutionary crystal structure prediction methodology, we investigate Fe-Si compounds at pressures of up to 400 GPa, i.e. covering the pressure range of the Earth's core. Evolutionary simulations correctly find that at atmospheric pressure the known non-trivial structure with P213 symmetry is stable, while at pressures above 20 GPa the CsCl-type structure is stable. We show that among the possible Fe silicides (Fe3Si, Fe2Si, Fe5Si3, FeSi, FeSi2 and FeSi3) only FeSi with CsCl-type structure is thermodynamically stable at core pressures, while the other silicides are unstable to decomposition into Fe + FeSi or FeSi + Si. This is consistent with previous works and suggests that Si impurities contribute to stabilization of the body-centered cubic phase of Fe in the inner core.

Crystal structure of the new A2SnTa6X18 (A = K, Rb, Cs; X = Cl, Br) cluster compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lemoine, P.; Wilmet, M.; Malaman, B.; Paofai, S.; Dumait, N.; Cordier, S.

2018-01-01

The crystal structure of the new cluster compounds A2SnTa6X18 (with A = K, Rb, Cs, and X = Cl, Br) was determined by using single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, and 119Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy. Those compounds crystallize in the Cs2EuNb6Br18-type structure of space group R 3 ̅. This type of structure is built up on discrete edge-bridged [M6Xi12Xa6]4- cluster units arranged according to a pseudo face-centered cubic stacking, where the octahedral and tetrahedral vacancies are fully occupied by divalent tin cations and monovalent alkaline cations, respectively. The tin cations influence on the halogen matrix and the electronic effects on the cluster units in the Cs2EuNb6Br18-type structure are discussed by comparison with isotype compounds. From those analyses, the ionic radius of Sn2+ in coordination number VI is estimated to be 1.14(1) Å. Finally, K2SnTa6Br18 might be considered as a new example of compound containing a quite bare stannous ion (5 s2 configuration).

Synthesis and characterisation of the hollandite solid solution Ba1.2-xCsxFe2.4-xTi5.6+xO16 for partitioning and conditioning of radiocaesium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bailey, Daniel J.; Stennett, Martin C.; Mason, Amber R.; Hyatt, Neil C.

2018-05-01

The geological disposal of high level radioactive waste requires careful budgeting of the heat load produced by radiogenic decay. Removal of high-heat generating radionuclides, such as 137Cs, reduces the heat load in the repository allowing the remaining high level waste to be packed closer together therefore reducing demand for repository space and the cost of the disposal of the remaining wastes. Hollandites have been proposed as a possible host matrix for the long-term disposal of Cs separated from HLW raffinate. The incorporation of Cs into the hollandite phase is aided by substitution of cations on the B-site of the hollandite structure, including iron. A range of Cs containing iron hollandites were synthesised via an alkoxide-nitrate route and the structural environment of Fe in the resultant material characterised by Mössbauer and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy. The results of spectroscopic analysis found that Fe was present as octahedrally co-ordinated Fe (III) in all cases and acts as an effective charge compensator over a wide solid solution range.

Geochemistry of Zr, Hf, and REE in a wide spectrum of Eh and water composition: The case of Dead Sea Fault system (Israel)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Censi, P.; Raso, M.; Yechieli, Y.; Ginat, H.; Saiano, F.; Zuddas, P.; Brusca, L.; D'Alessandro, W.; Inguaggiato, C.

2017-03-01

Along the Jordan Valley-Dead Sea Fault area several natural waters in springs, wells, and catchments occur. The chemical-physical characters of the studied waters allowed for the first time the investigation of the Zr and Hf geochemical behavior, apart from REE, extended to a wide range of Eh, temperature, salinity, and pH conditions. The results of this study indicate that the dissolved Zr and Hf distribution in natural waters is strongly influenced by redox conditions since these in turn drive the deposition of Fe-oxyhydroxides or pyrite. In oxidizing waters saturated or oversaturated in Fe-oxyhydroxides (Group 1), superchondritic Zr/Hf values are measured. On the contrary, in waters where Eh < 0 values occur (Group 2), chondritic Zr/Hf values are found. Superchondritic Zr/Hf values are produced by the preferential Hf scavenging onto Fe-oxyhydroxides that is inhibited under reducing conditions consistent with the water oversaturation relative to pyrite. Redox conditions also influence the amplitude of Ce and Eu anomalies. Oxidized Group-1 waters show negative Ce anomalies related to the oxidative Ce scavenging as CeO2 onto Fe-oxyhydroxide. Reduced Group-2 waters show positive Eu anomaly values consistent with the larger Eu2+ concentration relative to Eu3+ in these waters suggested by model calculations. The higher stability of Eu2+ with respect to its trivalent neighbors along the REE series can explain the above mentioned positive Eu anomaly values. The middle-REE enrichment observed in shale-normalized REE patterns of studied waters can be ascribed to carbonate and/or gypsum dissolution.

Melting relations and elemental distribution of portion of the system Fe-S-Si-O to 32 KB with planetary application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huang, W. L.

1980-01-01

The melting relations and distribution of K and Cs in portions of the system was determined at high pressures. Ferrosilite is stable as a primary phase at high pressures because of the incongruent melting of ferrosilite to quartz plus liquid and the boundary between the one and two liquid fields on the joint Fe(1-x) O-FeS-SiO2 shifts away from silica with increasing pressures. Potassium K was found to have limited solubility in metal sulfide liquids at pressures up to 45 kb. The speculation that K may dissolve significantly in metal-metal sulfide liquids after undergoing first order isomorphic transition was tested by determining the distribution of Cs between sulfide and silicate liquids as an analogy to K. At 45 kb, 1400 C and 27 kb, 1300 C only limited amounts of Cs were detected in quench sulfide liquids even at pressures beyond the isomorphic transition of Cs.

Magnetic Separation Using HTS Bulk Magnet for Cs-Bearing Fe precipitates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oka, T.; Ichiju, K.; Sasaki, S.; Ogawa, J.; Fukui, S.; Sato, T.; Ooizumi, M.; Yokoyama, K.; Aoki, S.; Ohnishi, N.

2017-09-01

A peculiar magnetic separation technique has been examined in order to remove the Cs-bearing Fe precipitates formed of the waste ash from the withdrawn incinerator furnaces in Fukushima. The separation system was constructed in combination with high temperature superconducting bulk magnets which generates the intensive magnetic field over 2 T, which was activated by the pulsed field magnetization process. The separation experiment has been operated with use of the newly-built alternating channel type magnetic separating device, which followed the high-gradient magnetic separation technique. The magnetic stainless steel filters installed in the water channels are magnetized by the applied magnetic fields, and are capable of attracting the precipitates bearing the Fe compound and thin Cs contamination. The experimental results clearly exhibited the positive feasibility of HTS bulk magnets.

Increasing stripe-type fluctuations in A Fe2As2 (A =K , Rb, Cs) superconductors probed by 75As NMR spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Z. T.; Dmytriieva, D.; Molatta, S.; Wosnitza, J.; Khim, S.; Gass, S.; Wolter, A. U. B.; Wurmehl, S.; Grafe, H.-J.; Kühne, H.

2018-03-01

We report 75As nuclear magnetic resonance measurements on single crystals of RbFe2As2 and CsFe2As2 . Taking previously reported results for KFe2As2 into account, we find that the anisotropic electronic correlations evolve towards a magnetic instability in the A Fe2As2 series (with A =K , Rb, Cs). Upon isovalent substitution with larger alkali-metal ions, a drastic enhancement of the anisotropic nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate and decreasing Knight shift reveal the formation of pronounced spin fluctuations with stripe-type modulation. Furthermore, a decreasing power-law exponent of the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T1)H ∥a b, probing the in-plane spin fluctuations, evidences an emergent deviation from Fermi-liquid behavior. All these findings clearly indicate that the expansion of the lattice in the A Fe2As2 series tunes the electronic correlations towards a quantum critical point at the transition to a yet unobserved ordered phase.

An electrochemical sensor for gallic acid based on Fe₂O₃/electro-reduced graphene oxide composite: Estimation for the antioxidant capacity index of wines.

PubMed

Gao, Feng; Zheng, Delun; Tanaka, Hidekazu; Zhan, Fengping; Yuan, Xiaoning; Gao, Fei; Wang, Qingxiang

2015-12-01

A highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for gallic acid (GA), an important polyphenolic compound, was fabricated using the hybrid material of chitosan (CS), fishbone-shaped Fe2O3 (fFe2O3), and electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) as the sensing matrix. The electrochemical characterization experiments showed that the CS-fFe2O3-ERGO modified glassy carbon electrode (CS-fFe2O3-ERGO/GCE) had large surface area, excellent electronic conductivity and high stability. The GA presented a superior electrochemical response on CS-fFe2O3-ERGO/GCE in comparison with the single-component modified electrode. The electrochemical mechanism and optimal test conditions of GA on the electrode surface were carefully investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the oxidation peak currents in differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) experiments exhibited a good linear relationship with the logarithmic values of GA concentration over the range from 1.0×10(-6)M to 1.0×10(-4)M. Based on signal-to-noise (S/N) characteristic of 3, the detection limit was estimated to be 1.5×10(-7)M. The proposed sensor has also been applied for estimating the antioxidant capacity index of real samples of red and white wines. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Improved lithium iodide neutron scintillator with Eu 2+ activation: The elimination of Suzuki-Phase precipitates

DOE PAGES

Boatner, Lynn A.; Comer, Eleanor P.; Wright, Gomez W.; ...

2017-02-21

Monovalent alkali halides such as NaI, CsI, and LiI are widely used as inorganic scintillators for radiation detection due to their light yield, the capability for the growth of large single crystals, relatively low cost, and other favorable characteristics. These materials are frequently activated through the addition of small amounts (e.g., a few hundred ppm) of elements such as thallium - or sodium in the case of CsI. The monovalent alkali halide scintillators can also be activated with low concentrations of Eu 2+, however Eu activation has previously not been widely employed due to the non-uniform segregation of the divalentmore » Eu dopant that leads to the formation of unwanted phases during Bridgman or other solidification crystal-growth methods. Specifically, for Eu concentrations near and above ~0.5%, Suzuki Phase precipitates form in the course of the melt-growth process, and these Suzuki Phase particles scatter the scintillation light. This adversely affects the scintillator performance via reduction in the optical transmission of the material, and depending on the crystal thickness and precipitated-particle concentration, this reduction can occur up to the point of opacity. Here we describe a post-growth process for the removal of Suzuki Phase precipitates from single crystals of the neutron scintillator LiI activated with Eu 2+ at concentrations up to and in excess of 3 wt.%, and we correlate the resulting neutron-detection performance with the thermal processing methods used to remove the Suzuki Phase particles. Furthermore, the resulting improved scintillator properties using increased Eu activator levels are applicable to neutron imaging and active interrogation systems, and pulse-height gamma-ray spectroscopy rather than pulse-shape discrimination can be used to discriminate between gamma ray and neutron interaction events.« less

Improved lithium iodide neutron scintillator with Eu2+ activation: The elimination of Suzuki-Phase precipitates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boatner, L. A.; Comer, E. P.; Wright, G. W.; Ramey, J. O.; Riedel, R. A.; Jellison, G. E.; Kolopus, J. A.

2017-05-01

Monovalent alkali halides such as NaI, CsI, and LiI are widely used as inorganic scintillators for radiation detection due to their light yield, the capability for the growth of large single crystals, relatively low cost, and other favorable characteristics. These materials are frequently activated through the addition of small amounts (e.g., a few hundred ppm) of elements such as thallium - or sodium in the case of CsI. The monovalent alkali halide scintillators can also be activated with low concentrations of Eu2+, however Eu activation has previously not been widely employed due to the non-uniform segregation of the divalent Eu dopant that leads to the formation of unwanted phases during Bridgman or other solidification crystal-growth methods. Specifically, for Eu concentrations near and above 0.5%, Suzuki Phase precipitates form in the course of the melt-growth process, and these Suzuki Phase particles scatter the scintillation light. This adversely affects the scintillator performance via reduction in the optical transmission of the material, and depending on the crystal thickness and precipitated-particle concentration, this reduction can occur up to the point of opacity. Here we describe a post-growth process for the removal of Suzuki Phase precipitates from single crystals of the neutron scintillator LiI activated with Eu2+ at concentrations up to and in excess of 3 wt%, and we correlate the resulting neutron-detection performance with the thermal processing methods used to remove the Suzuki Phase particles. The resulting improved scintillator properties using increased Eu activator levels are applicable to neutron imaging and active interrogation systems, and pulse-height gamma-ray spectroscopy rather than pulse-shape discrimination can be used to discriminate between gamma ray and neutron interaction events.

The removal of uranium onto carbon-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crane, Richard A.; Scott, Thomas

2014-12-01

In the current work carbon-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron particles (CS nZVI), synthesised by the vacuum heat treatment of ferric citrate trihydrate absorbed onto carbon black, have been tested for the removal of uranium (U) from natural and synthetic waters. Two types of CS nZVI were tested, one vacuum annealed at 600 °C for 4 h and the other vacuum annealed at 700 °C for 4 h, with their U removal behaviour compared to nZVI synthesised via the reduction of ferrous iron using sodium borohydride. The batch systems were analysed over a 28-day reaction period during which the liquid and nanoparticulate solids were periodically analysed to determine chemical evolution of the solutions and particulates. Results demonstrate a well-defined difference between the two types of CS nZVI, with greater U removal exhibited by the nanomaterial synthesised at 700 °C. The mechanism has been attributed to the CS nZVI synthesised at 700 °C exhibiting (i) a greater proportion of surface oxide Fe2+ to Fe3+ (0.34 compared to 0.28); (ii) a greater conversion of ferric citrate trihydrate [2Fe(C6H5O7)·H2O] to Fe0; and (iii) a larger surface area (108.67 compared to 88.61 m2 g-1). Lower maximum U uptake was recorded for both types of CS nZVI in comparison with the borohydride-reduced nZVI. A lower decrease in solution Eh and DO was also recorded, indicating that less chemical reduction of U was achieved by the CS nZVI. Despite this, lower U desorption in the latter stages of the experiment (>7 days) was recorded for the CS nZVI synthesised at 700 °C, indicating that carbon black in the CS nZVI is likely to have contributed towards U sorption and retention. Overall, it can be stated that the borohydride-reduced nZVI were significantly more effective than CS nZVI for U removal over relatively short timescales (e.g. <48 h), however, they were more susceptible to U desorption over extended time periods.

Pressure effects on magnetic pair-breaking in Mn- and Eu-substituted BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rosa, P. F. S., E-mail: ferrari@ifi.unicamp.br; University of California, Irvine, California 92697-4574; Garitezi, T. M.

2014-05-07

We report a combined study of hydrostatic pressure (P ≤ 25 kbar) and chemical substitution on the magnetic pair-breaking effect in Eu- and Mn-substituted BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2} single crystals. At ambient pressure, both substitutions suppress the superconducting (SC) transition temperature (T{sub c}) of BaFe{sub 2–x}Co{sub x}As{sub 2} samples slightly under the optimally doped region, indicating the presence of a pair-breaking effect. At low pressures, an increase of T{sub c} is observed for all studied compounds followed by an expected decrease at higher pressures. However, in the Eu dilute system, T{sub c} further increases at higher pressure along with a narrowingmore » of the SC transition, suggesting that a pair-breaking mechanism reminiscent of the Eu Kondo single impurity regime is being suppressed by pressure. Furthermore, Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) measurements indicate the presence of Mn{sup 2+} and Eu{sup 2+} local moments and the microscopic parameters extracted from the ESR analysis reveal that the Abrikosov–Gor'kov expression for magnetic pair-breaking in a conventional sign-preserving superconducting state cannot describe the observed reduction of T{sub c}.« less

Comparison of optimised germanium gamma spectrometry and multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the determination of 134Cs, 137Cs and 154Eu single ratios in highly burnt UO 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caruso, S.; Günther-Leopold, I.; Murphy, M. F.; Jatuff, F.; Chawla, R.

2008-05-01

Non-destructive and destructive methods have been compared to validate their corresponding assessed accuracies in the measurement of 134Cs/137Cs and 154Eu/137Cs isotopic concentration ratios in four spent UO2 fuel samples with very high (52 and 71 GWd/t) and ultra-high (91 and 126 GWd/t) burnup values, and about 10 (in the first three samples) and 4 years (in the latter sample) cooling time. The non-destructive technique tested was high-resolution gamma spectrometry using a high-purity germanium detector (HPGe) and a special tomographic station for the handling of highly radioactive 400 mm spent fuel segments that included a tungsten collimator, lead filter (to enhance the signal to Compton background ratio and reduce the dead time) and paraffin wax (to reduce neutron damage). The non-destructive determination of these isotopic concentration ratios has been particularly challenging for these segments because of the need to properly derive non-Gaussian gamma-peak areas and subtract the background from perturbing capture gammas produced by the intrinsic high-intensity neutron emissions from the spent fuel. Additionally, the activity distribution within each pin was determined tomographically to correct appropriately for self-attenuation and geometrical effects. The ratios obtained non-destructively showed a 1σ statistical error in the range 1.9-2.9%. The destructive technique used was a high-performance liquid chromatographic separation system, combined online to a multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (HPLC-MC-ICP-MS), for the analysis of dissolved fuel solutions. During the mass spectrometric analyses, special care was taken in the optimisation of the chromatographic separation for Eu and the interfering element Gd, as also in the mathematical correction of the 154Gd background from the 154Eu signal. The ratios obtained destructively are considerably more precise (1σ statistical error in the range 0.4-0.8% for most of the samples, but up to 2.8% for one sample). The HPGe gamma spectrometry can achieve a high degree of accuracy (agreement with HPLC-MC-ICP-MS within a few percent), only by virtue of the optimised setup, and the refined measurement strategy and data treatment employed.

Presence of a Shared 5'-Leader Sequence in Ancestral Human and Mammalian Retroviruses and Its Transduction into Feline Leukemia Virus.

PubMed

Kawasaki, Junna; Kawamura, Maki; Ohsato, Yoshiharu; Ito, Jumpei; Nishigaki, Kazuo

2017-10-15

Recombination events induce significant genetic changes, and this process can result in virus genetic diversity or in the generation of novel pathogenicity. We discovered a new recombinant feline leukemia virus (FeLV) gag gene harboring an unrelated insertion, termed the X region, which was derived from Felis catus endogenous gammaretrovirus 4 (FcERV-gamma4). The identified FcERV-gamma4 proviruses have lost their coding capabilities, but some can express their viral RNA in feline tissues. Although the X-region-carrying recombinant FeLVs appeared to be replication-defective viruses, they were detected in 6.4% of tested FeLV-infected cats. All isolated recombinant FeLV clones commonly incorporated a middle part of the FcERV-gamma4 5'-leader region as an X region. Surprisingly, a sequence corresponding to the portion contained in all X regions is also present in at least 13 endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) observed in the cat, human, primate, and pig genomes. We termed this shared genetic feature the commonly shared (CS) sequence. Despite our phylogenetic analysis indicating that all CS-sequence-carrying ERVs are classified as gammaretroviruses, no obvious closeness was revealed among these ERVs. However, the Shannon entropy in the CS sequence was lower than that in other parts of the provirus genome. Notably, the CS sequence of human endogenous retrovirus T had 73.8% similarity with that of FcERV-gamma4, and specific signals were detected in the human genome by Southern blot analysis using a probe for the FcERV-gamma4 CS sequence. Our results provide an interesting evolutionary history for CS-sequence circulation among several distinct ancestral viruses and a novel recombined virus over a prolonged period. IMPORTANCE Recombination among ERVs or modern viral genomes causes a rapid evolution of retroviruses, and this phenomenon can result in the serious situation of viral disease reemergence. We identified a novel recombinant FeLV gag gene that contains an unrelated sequence, termed the X region. This region originated from the 5' leader of FcERV-gamma4, a replication-incompetent feline ERV. Surprisingly, a sequence corresponding to the X region is also present in the 5' portion of other ERVs, including human endogenous retroviruses. Scattered copies of the ERVs carrying the unique genetic feature, here named the commonly shared (CS) sequence, were found in each host genome, suggesting that ancestral viruses may have captured and maintained the CS sequence. More recently, a novel recombinant FeLV hijacked the CS sequence from inactivated FcERV-gamma4 as the X region. Therefore, tracing the CS sequences can provide unique models for not only the modern reservoir of new recombinant viruses but also the genetic features shared among ancient retroviruses. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

Atacamite and paratacamite from the ultramafic-hosted Logatchev seafloor vent field (14°45′N, Mid-Atlantic Ridge)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dekov, Vesselin; Boycheva, Tanya; Halenius, Ulf; Petersen, Sven; Billstrom, Kjell; Stummeyer, Jens; Kamenov, G.; Shanks, W.

2011-01-01

Atacamite and paratacamite are ubiquitous minerals associated with Cu-rich massive sulfides at the Logatchev hydrothermal field (Mid-Atlantic Ridge). In this work we provide new details on the mineralogy and geochemistry of these basic cupric chlorides. Our data support the notion that atacamite and paratacamite formation at submarine vent fields is an alteration process of hydrothermal Cu-sulfides. Secondary Cu-sulfides (bornite, covellite) are unstable at ambient seawater conditions and will dissolve. Dissolution is focused at the sulfide–seawater contact, leading to release of Fe2+ and Cu+ and formation of residual chalcocite through an intermediate Cu5S4 phase. Most of the released Fe2+ oxidizes immediately and precipitates as FeOOH directly on the chalcocite rims whereas Cu as chloride complexes (CuCl2−, CuCl32-) remains in solution at the same Eh. Cuprous–chloride complexes migrate from the reaction zone and upon increasing Eh precipitate as Cu2Cl(OH)3. As a consequence of this, the sulfide–seawater reaction interface is clearly marked by thin chalcocite–FeOOH bands and the entire assemblage is mantled by atacamite (or paratacamite). Our mineralogical, petrographic, geochemical and isotopic studies suggest that there are two types of atacamite (and/or paratacamite) depending on their mode of precipitation. Type 1 atacamite precipitated directly on the parent sulfides as evidenced by mantling of the sulfides, absence of detrital mineral grains, a preserved conspicuous positive Eu anomaly and a negligible negative Ce anomaly similar to those of the parent sulfide. In addition, Au concentrations are slightly lower than those of the parent sulfides, which suggest minimal transport of Au-ions after their release from the sulfides. Furthermore, the low content of the rare earth elements implies short contact time with the ambient seawater. The Sr–Nd–Pb-isotopic signatures of type 1 atacamite confirm the genetic association with the parent sulfides and indicate formation spatially very close to the latter. Type 2 atacamite precipitated at some distance from the parent sulfides, which means that the cuprous–chloride complexes have moved away from the sulfide alteration zone before precipitation. The evidence for this is absence of direct association of atacamite with sulfides. In addition, this atacamite contains a substantial proportion of detrital minerals, which implies precipitation in the sediments, distal to the parent sulfides. As a consequence of the detrital impurities the contents of elements like Cr, Cs, Hf, Nb, Rb, Th and Zr are higher than in type 1 atacamite (and/or paratacamite). Au contents are lower than those of type 1 atacamite (and/or paratacamite) which implies prolonged Au transport in solution before precipitation. Furthermore, the rare earth element distribution patterns have no positive Eu anomaly suggesting that the positive Eu anomaly of the parent sulfide has been erased after dissolution and prolonged contact of the fluid with ambient seawater (with negative Eu anomaly). Finally, the Sr–Nd-isotope signature differs from that of the parent sulfide and indicates a considerable terrigenous input.

Biofilm formation and binding specificities of CFA/I, CFA/II and CS2 adhesions of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Cfae-R181A mutant.

PubMed

Liaqat, Iram; Sakellaris, Harry

2012-07-01

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains are leading causes of childhood diarrhea in developing countries. Adhesion is the first step in pathogenesis of ETEC infections and ETEC pili designated colonization factor antigens (CFAs) are believed to be important in the biofim formation, colonization and host cell adhesions. As a first step, we have determined the biofilm capability of ETEC expressing various types of pili (CFA/I, CfaE-R181A mutant/CfaE tip mutant, CFA/II and CS2). Further, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay were developed to compare the binding specificity of CFA/I, CFA/II (CS1 - CS3) and CS2 of ETEC, using extracted pili and piliated bacteria. CFA/II strain (E24377a) as well as extracted pili exhibited significantly higher binding both in biofilm and ELISA assays compared to non piliated wild type E24377a, CFA/I and CS2 strains. This indicates that co-expression of two or more CS2 in same strain is more efficient in increasing adherence. Significant decrease in binding specificity of DH5αF'lacI (q)/∆cotD (CS2) strain and MC4100/pEU2124 (CfaE-R181A) mutant strain indicated the important contribution of tip proteins in adherence assays. However, CS2 tip mutant strain (DH5αF'lacI (q)/pEU5881) showed that this specific residue may not be important as adhesions in these strains. In summary, our data suggest that pili, their minor subunits are important for biofilm formation and adherence mechanisms. Overall, the functional reactivity of strains co expressing various antigens, particularly minor subunit antigen observed in this study suggest that fewer antibodies may be required to elicit immunity to ETEC expressing a wider array of related pili.

Electronic transport properties of MFe2As2 (M = Ca, Eu, Sr) at ambient and high pressures up to 20 GPa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morozova, Natalia V.; Karkin, Alexander E.; Ovsyannikov, Sergey V.; Umerova, Yuliya A.; Shchennikov, Vladimir V.; Mittal, R.; Thamizhavel, A.

2015-12-01

We experimentally investigated the electronic transport properties of four iron pnictide crystals, namely, EuFe2As2, SrFe2As2, and CaFe2As2 parent compounds, and superconducting CaFe1.94Co0.06As2 at ambient and high pressures up to 20 GPa. At ambient pressure we examined the electrical resistivity, Hall and magnetoresistance effects of the samples in a temperature range from 1.5 to 380 K in high magnetic fields up to 13.6 T. In this work we carried out the first simultaneous investigations of the in-plane and out-of-plane Hall coefficients, and found new peculiarities of the low-temperature magnetic and structural transitions that occur in these materials. In addition, the Hall coefficient data suggested that the parent compounds are semimetals with a multi-band conductivity that includes hole-type and electron-type bands. We measured the pressure dependence of the thermoelectric power (the Seebeck effect) of these samples up to 20 GPa, i.e. across the known phase transition from the tetragonal to the collapsed tetragonal lattice. The high-pressure behavior of the thermopower of EuFe2As2 and CaFe2As2 showing the p-n sign inversions was consistent with the semimetal model described above. By means of thermopower, we found in single-crystalline CaFe2As2 direct evidence of the band structure crossover related to the formation of As-As bonds along the c-axis on the tetragonal → collapsed tetragonal phase transition near 2 GPa. We showed that this feature is distinctly observable only in high-quality samples, and already for re-pressurization cycles this crossover was strongly smeared because of the moderate deterioration of the sample. We also demonstrated by means of thermopower that the band structure crossover that should accompany the tetragonal → collapsed tetragonal phase transition in EuFe2As2 near 8 GPa is hardly visible even in high-quality single crystals. This behavior may be related to a gradual valence change of the Eu ions under pressure that leads to an injection of free electrons and the steady shift of the conduction to n-type.

Crystal structure and magnetism of layered perovskites compound EuBaCuFeO5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lal, Surender; Mukherjee, K.; Yadav, C. S.

2018-04-01

Layered perovskite compounds have interesting multiferroic properties.YBaCuFeO5 is one of the layered perovskite compounds which have magnetic and dielectric transition above 200 K. The multiferroic properties can be tuned with the replacement of Y with some other rare earth ions. In this manuscript, structural and magnetic properties of layered perovskite compound EuBaCuFeO5 have been investigated. This compound crystallizes in the tetragonal structure with P4mm space group and is iso-structural with YBaCuFeO5. The magnetic transition has been found to shift to 120 K as compared to YBaCuFeO5 which has the transition at 200 K. This shift in the magnetic transition has been ascribed to the decrease in the chemical pressure that relaxes the magnetic moments.

Sorption--desorption studies on granite. I. Initial studies of strontium, technetium, cesium, barium, cerium, europium, uranium, plutonium, and americium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Erdal, B.R.; Aguilar, R.D.; Bayhurst, B.P.

Distribution ratios were determined for sorption--desorption of radioactive tracers between the Climax Stock granite (quartz monzonite porphyry) obtained at Nevada Test Site and a water prepared to be resonably representative of the natural composition of water in equilibrium with the Climax Stock granite. The measurements were performed at 22 and 70{sup 0}C under atmospheric oxygen conditions. Elements given in order of increasing distribution coefficient at ambient temperature are: U(VI), Sr, Tc(VII), Ba, Ce(III), Cs, Eu(III), Pu, and Am. At 70{sup 0}C the order is: Tc(VII), Sr, Ce(III), Eu(III), Ba, Cs, Pu, and Am. The effects of surface area and mineralogymore » on sorption were also investigated.« less

An ab-initio study of mechanical, dynamical and electronic properties of MgEu intermetallic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, S. Ramesh; Jaiganesh, G.; Jayalakshmi, V.

2018-04-01

The theoretical investigation on the mechanical, dynamical and electronic properties of MgEu in CsCl-type structure has been carried out through the ab-initio calculations within the framework of the density functional theory and the density functional perturbation theory. For the purpose, Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package and Phonopy packages were used. Our calculated ground-state properties of MgEu are in good agreement with other available results. Our computed elastic constants and phonon spectrum results suggest that MgEu is mechanically and dynamically stable up to 5 GPa. The thermodynamic quantities as a function of temperatures are also reported and discussed. The band structure, density of states and charge density also calculated to understand the electronic properties of MgEu.

High-Resolution Spectroscopic Study of Extremely Metal-Poor Star Candidates from the SkyMapper Survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacobson, Heather R.; Keller, Stefan; Frebel, Anna; Casey, Andrew R.; Asplund, Martin; Bessell, Michael S.; Da Costa, Gary S.; Lind, Karin; Marino, Anna F.; Norris, John E.; Peña, José M.; Schmidt, Brian P.; Tisserand, Patrick; Walsh, Jennifer M.; Yong, David; Yu, Qinsi

2015-07-01

The SkyMapper Southern Sky Survey is carrying out a search for the most metal-poor stars in the Galaxy. It identifies candidates by way of its unique filter set which allows for estimation of stellar atmospheric parameters. The set includes a narrow filter centered on the Ca ii K 3933 Å line, enabling a robust estimate of stellar metallicity. Promising candidates are then confirmed with spectroscopy. We present the analysis of Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle high-resolution spectroscopy of 122 metal-poor stars found by SkyMapper in the first two years of commissioning observations. Forty-one stars have [{Fe}/{{H}}]≤slant -3.0. Nine have [{Fe}/{{H}}]≤slant -3.5, with three at [{Fe}/{{H}}]∼ -4. A 1D LTE abundance analysis of the elements Li, C, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Sc, Ti, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Sr, Ba, and Eu shows these stars have [X/Fe] ratios typical of other halo stars. One star with low [X/Fe] values appears to be “Fe-enhanced,” while another star has an extremely large [Sr/Ba] ratio: \\gt 2. Only one other star is known to have a comparable value. Seven stars are “CEMP-no” stars ([{{C}}/{Fe}]\\gt 0.7, [{Ba}/{Fe}]\\lt 0). 21 stars exhibit mild r-process element enhancements (0.3≤slant [{Eu}/{Fe}]\\lt 1.0), while four stars have [{Eu}/{Fe}]≥slant 1.0. These results demonstrate the ability to identify extremely metal-poor stars from SkyMapper photometry, pointing to increased sample sizes and a better characterization of the metal-poor tail of the halo metallicity distribution function in the future. This paper includes data gathered with the 6.5 m Magellan Telescopes located at Las Campanas Observatory, Chile.

Sugar beet factory lime affects the mobilization of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn under dynamic redox conditions in a contaminated floodplain soil.

PubMed

Shaheen, Sabry M; Rinklebe, Jörg

2017-01-15

The impact of sugar beet factory lime (SBFL) on the release dynamics and mobilization of toxic metals (TMs) under dynamic redox conditions in floodplain soils has not been studied up to date. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the scientific hypothesis that SBFL is able to immobilize Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn under different redox potentials (E H ) in a contaminated floodplain soil. For this purpose, the non-treated contaminated soil (CS) and the same soil treated with SBFL (CS+SBFL) were flooded in the laboratory using a highly sophisticated automated biogeochemical microcosm apparatus. The experiment was conducted stepwise from reducing (-13 mV) to oxidizing (+519 mV) soil conditions. Soil pH decreased under oxic conditions in CS (from 6.9 to 4.0) and in CS+SBFL (from 7.5 to 4.4). The mobilization of Cu, Cr, Pb, and Fe were lower in CS+SBFL than in CS under both reducing/neutral and oxic/acidic conditions. Those results demonstrate that SBFL is able to decrease concentrations of these elements under a wide range of redox and pH conditions. The mobilization of Cd, Co, Mn, Mo, Ni, and Zn were higher in CS+SBFL than in CS under reducing/neutral conditions; however, these concentrations showed an opposite behavior under oxic/acidic conditions and were lower in CS+SBFL than in CS. We conclude that SBFL immobilized Cu, Cr, Pb, and Fe under dynamic redox conditions and immobilized Cd, Co, Mn, Mo, Ni, and Zn under oxic acidic conditions; however, the latter elements were mobilized under reducing neutral conditions in the studied soil. Therefore, the addition of SBFL to acid floodplain soils contaminated with TMs might be an important alternative for ameliorating these soils with view to a sustainable management of these soils. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Adsorption characteristics of UO(2)(2+) and Th(4+) ions from simulated radioactive solutions onto chitosan/clinoptilolite sorbents.

PubMed

Humelnicu, Doina; Dinu, Maria Valentina; Drăgan, Ecaterina Stela

2011-01-15

Adsorption features of UO(2)(2+) and Th(4+) ions from simulated radioactive solutions onto a novel chitosan/clinoptilolite (CS/CPL) composite as beads have been investigated compared with chitosan cross-linked with epichlorohydrin. The effects of contact time, the initial metal ion concentration, sorbent mass and temperature on the adsorption capacity of the CS-based sorbents were investigated. The adsorption kinetics was well described by the pseudo-second order equation, and the adsorption isotherms were better fitted by the Sips model. The maximum experimental adsorption capacities were 328.32 mg Th(4+)/g composite, and 408.62 mg UO(2)(2+)/g composite. The overall adsorption tendency of CS/CPL composite toward UO(2)(2+) and Th(4+) radiocations in the presence of Cu(2+), Fe(2+) and Al(3+), under competitive conditions, followed the order: Cu(2+)>UO(2)(2+)>Fe(2+)>Al(3+), and Cu(2+)>Th(4+)>Fe(2+)>Al(3+), respectively. The negative values of Gibbs free energy of adsorption indicated the spontaneity of the adsorption of radioactive ions on both the CS/CPL composite and the cross-linked CS. The desorption level of UO(2)(2+) from the composite CS/CPL, by using 0.1M Na(2)CO(3), was around 92%, and that of Th(4+) ions, performed by 0.1M HCl, was around 85%, both values being higher than the desorption level of radiocations from the cross-linked CS, which were 89% and 83%, respectively. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Iron metal production in silicate melts through the direct reduction of Fe/II/ by Ti/III/, Cr/II/, and Eu/II/. [in lunar basalts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schreiber, H. D.; Balazs, G. B.; Shaffer, A. P.; Jamison, P. L.

1982-01-01

The production of metallic iron in silicate melts by chemical reactions of Ti(3+), Cr(2+), and Eu(2+) with Fe(2+) is demonstrated under experimental conditions in a simplified basaltic liquid. These reactions form a basis for interpreting the role of isochemical valency exchange models in explanations for the reduced nature of lunar basalts. The redox couples are individually investigated in the silicate melt to ascertain reference redox ratios that are independent of mutual interactions. These studies also provide calibrations of spectral absorptions of the Fe(2+) and Ti(2+) species in these glasses. Subsequent spectrophotometric analyses of Fe(2+) and Ti(2+) in glasses doped with both iron and titanium and of Fe(2+) in glasses doped with either iron and chromium or iron and europium ascertain the degree of mutual interactions in these dual-doped glasses.

Intra-regional classification of grape seeds produced in Mendoza province (Argentina) by multi-elemental analysis and chemometrics tools.

PubMed

Canizo, Brenda V; Escudero, Leticia B; Pérez, María B; Pellerano, Roberto G; Wuilloud, Rodolfo G

2018-03-01

The feasibility of the application of chemometric techniques associated with multi-element analysis for the classification of grape seeds according to their provenance vineyard soil was investigated. Grape seed samples from different localities of Mendoza province (Argentina) were evaluated. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for the determination of twenty-nine elements (Ag, As, Ce, Co, Cs, Cu, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, La, Lu, Mn, Mo, Nb, Nd, Ni, Pr, Rb, Sm, Te, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, Y, Zn and Zr). Once the analytical data were collected, supervised pattern recognition techniques such as linear discriminant analysis (LDA), partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), k-nearest neighbors (k-NN), support vector machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF) were applied to construct classification/discrimination rules. The results indicated that nonlinear methods, RF and SVM, perform best with up to 98% and 93% accuracy rate, respectively, and therefore are excellent tools for classification of grapes. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The origin and evolution of r- and s-process elements in the Milky Way stellar disk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Battistini, Chiara; Bensby, Thomas

2016-02-01

Context. Elements heavier than iron are produced through neutron-capture processes in the different phases of stellar evolution. Asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars are believed to be mainly responsible for elements that form through the slow neutron-capture process, while the elements created in the rapid neutron-capture process have production sites that are less understood. Knowledge of abundance ratios as functions of metallicity can lead to insight into the origin and evolution of our Galaxy and its stellar populations. Aims: We aim to trace the chemical evolution of the neutron-capture elements Sr, Zr, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, and Eu in the Milky Way stellar disk. This will allow us to constrain the formation sites of these elements, as well as to probe the evolution of the Galactic thin and thick disks. Methods: Using spectra of high resolution (42 000 ≲ R ≲ 65 000) and high signal-to-noise (S/N ≳ 200) obtained with the MIKE and the FEROS spectrographs, we determine Sr, Zr, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, and Eu abundances for a sample of 593 F and G dwarf stars in the solar neighborhood. The abundance analysis is based on spectral synthesis using one-dimensional, plane-parallel, local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) model stellar atmospheres calculated with the MARCS 2012 code. Results: We present abundance results for Sr (156 stars), Zr (311 stars), La (242 stars), Ce (365 stars), Nd (395 stars), Sm (280 stars), and Eu (378 stars). We find that Nd, Sm, and Eu show trends similar to what is observed for the α elements in the [X/Fe]-[Fe/H] abundance plane. For [Sr/Fe] and [Zr/Fe], we find decreasing abundance ratios for increasing metallicity, reaching sub-solar values at super-solar metallicities. [La/Fe] and [Ce/Fe] do not show any clear trend with metallicity, and they are close to solar values at all [Fe/H]. The trends of abundance ratios [X/Fe] as a function of stellar ages present different slopes before and after 8 Gyr. Conclusions: The rapid neutron-capture process is active early in the Galaxy, mainly in type-II supernovae from stars in the mass range 8-10 M⊙. Europium is almost completely produced by the r-process, but Nd and Sm show similar trends to Eu even if their s-process component is higher. Strontium and Zr are thought to be mainly produced by the s-process, but show significant enrichment at low metallicity that requires extra r-process production, which probably is different from the classical r-process. Finally, La and Ce are mainly produced via s-process from AGB stars in the mass range 2-4 M⊙, which can be seen by the decrease in [La/Eu] and [Ce/Eu] at [Fe/H] ≈ -0.5. The trend of [X/Fe] with age could be explained by considering that the decrease in [X/Fe] for the thick disk stars can be due to the decrease in type-II supernovae with time, meaning a reduced enrichment of r-process elements in the interstellar medium. In the thin disk, the trends are flatter, which is probably due to the main production from the s-process being balanced by Fe production from type-Ia supernovae. This paper includes data gathered with the 6.5 m Magellan Telescopes at the Las Campanas Observatory, Chile and the ESO 1.5-m, 2.2-m. and 3.6-m telescopes on La Silla, Chile (ESO Proposal ID 65.L-0019, 67.B-0108, 76.B-0416, 82.B-0610); and data from UVES Paranal Observatory Project (ESO DDT Program ID 266.D-5655).Full Tables 3 and 4 are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/586/A49

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Joseph, Kitheri; Stennett, Martin C.; Hyatt, Neil C.

Bulk properties such as glass transition temperature, density and thermal expansion of iron phosphate glass compositions, with replacement of Cs by Ba, are investigated as a surrogate for the transmutation of 137Cs to 137Ba, relevant to the immobilisation of Cs in glass. These studies are required to establish the appropriate incorporation rate of 137Cs in iron phosphate glass. Density and glass transition temperature increases with the addition of BaO indicating the shrinkage and reticulation of the iron phosphate glass network. The average thermal expansion coefficient reduces from 19.8 × 10-6 K-1 to 13.4 × 10-6 K-1, when 25 wt. %more » of Cs2O was replaced by 25 wt. % of BaO in caesium loaded iron phosphate glass. In addition to the above bulk properties, the role of Ba as a network modifier in the structure of iron phosphate glass is examined using various spectroscopic techniques. The FeII content and average coordination number of iron in the glass network was estimated using Mössbauer spectroscopy. The FeII content in the un-doped iron phosphate glass and barium doped iron phosphate glasses was 20, 21 and 22 ± 1% respectively and the average Fe coordination varied from 5.3 ± 0.2 to 5.7 ± 0.2 with increasing Ba content. The atomic scale structure was further probed by Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The average coordination number provided by extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near edge structure was in good agreement with that given by the Mössbauer data.« less

Iron phosphate glasses: Bulk properties and atomic scale structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joseph, Kitheri; Stennett, Martin C.; Hyatt, Neil C.; Asuvathraman, R.; Dube, Charu L.; Gandy, Amy S.; Govindan Kutty, K. V.; Jolley, Kenny; Vasudeva Rao, P. R.; Smith, Roger

2017-10-01

Bulk properties such as glass transition temperature, density and thermal expansion of iron phosphate glass compositions, with replacement of Cs by Ba, are investigated as a surrogate for the transmutation of 137Cs to 137Ba, relevant to the immobilisation of Cs in glass. These studies are required to establish the appropriate incorporation rate of 137Cs in iron phosphate glass. Density and glass transition temperature increases with the addition of BaO indicating the shrinkage and reticulation of the iron phosphate glass network. The average thermal expansion coefficient reduces from 19.8 × 10-6 K-1 to 13.4 × 10-6 K-1, when 25 wt. % of Cs2O was replaced by 25 wt. % of BaO in caesium loaded iron phosphate glass. In addition to the above bulk properties, the role of Ba as a network modifier in the structure of iron phosphate glass is examined using various spectroscopic techniques. The FeII content and average coordination number of iron in the glass network was estimated using Mössbauer spectroscopy. The FeII content in the un-doped iron phosphate glass and barium doped iron phosphate glasses was 20, 21 and 22 ± 1% respectively and the average Fe coordination varied from 5.3 ± 0.2 to 5.7 ± 0.2 with increasing Ba content. The atomic scale structure was further probed by Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The average coordination number provided by extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near edge structure was in good agreement with that given by the Mössbauer data.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boatner, Lynn A.; Comer, Eleanor P.; Wright, Gomez W.

Monovalent alkali halides such as NaI, CsI, and LiI are widely used as inorganic scintillators for radiation detection due to their light yield, the capability for the growth of large single crystals, relatively low cost, and other favorable characteristics. These materials are frequently activated through the addition of small amounts (e.g., a few hundred ppm) of elements such as thallium - or sodium in the case of CsI. The monovalent alkali halide scintillators can also be activated with low concentrations of Eu 2+, however Eu activation has previously not been widely employed due to the non-uniform segregation of the divalentmore » Eu dopant that leads to the formation of unwanted phases during Bridgman or other solidification crystal-growth methods. Specifically, for Eu concentrations near and above ~0.5%, Suzuki Phase precipitates form in the course of the melt-growth process, and these Suzuki Phase particles scatter the scintillation light. This adversely affects the scintillator performance via reduction in the optical transmission of the material, and depending on the crystal thickness and precipitated-particle concentration, this reduction can occur up to the point of opacity. Here we describe a post-growth process for the removal of Suzuki Phase precipitates from single crystals of the neutron scintillator LiI activated with Eu 2+ at concentrations up to and in excess of 3 wt.%, and we correlate the resulting neutron-detection performance with the thermal processing methods used to remove the Suzuki Phase particles. Furthermore, the resulting improved scintillator properties using increased Eu activator levels are applicable to neutron imaging and active interrogation systems, and pulse-height gamma-ray spectroscopy rather than pulse-shape discrimination can be used to discriminate between gamma ray and neutron interaction events.« less

Determination of trace elements in epiphytic lichens from Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor using INAA method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khairudin, Nurshafiq Ezam; Siong, Khoo Kok; Siong, Wee Boon

2014-02-01

Lichens have been used as effective biomonitors of atmospheric pollutants as they can take up nutrients and pollutants directly from the atmosphere. In this study, trace element contents in epiphytic lichens were determined using INAA method. Samples were collected from 7 sampling locations around Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor. The elements detected were As (1.73+0.85 mg/kg), Ce (3.65+1.91 mg/kg), Co (0.29+0.12 mg/kg), Cr (5.92+3.54 mg/kg), Cs (0.92+0.25 mg/kg), Eu (0.03+0.02 mg/kg), Fe (1280+760 mg/kg), Hf (0.37+0.18 mg/kg), La (1.52+0.89 mg/kg), Rb (27.7+4.8 mg/kg), Sc (0.33+0.19 mg/kg), Sm (0.28+0.16 mg/kg), Th (1.21+0.62 mg/kg) and Zn (116+27 mg/kg). Comparisons were then made between the elemental concentrations obtained and the baseline data from literature. Results showed that most of the elements were within the concentration range of the baseline data. Enrichment factors (EF) of the trace element in lichens showed that most of the elements were within the range of the baseline data except for As which was found to be slightly enriched (EF: 13.2 - 28.5). Regression analysis indicated significant correlation (p<0.05) with Sc for most of the elements which signifies crustal input except for Cs and Rb. The poor correlations of Cs and Rb with Sc may be due to the mobility of these elements. In summary, trace element data obtained using INAA were very useful and demonstrated that lichens were suitable biomonitors for identifying potential trace element pollutants in ambient air around the sampling area.

Chernobyl fallout in the uppermost (0-3 cm) humus layer of forest soil in Finland, North East Russia and the Baltic countries in 2000--2003.

PubMed

Ylipieti, J; Rissanen, K; Kostiainen, E; Salminen, R; Tomilina, O; Täht, K; Gilucis, A; Gregorauskiene, V

2008-12-15

The situation resulting from the Chernobyl fallout in 1987 was compared to that in 2000--2001 in Finland and NW Russia and that in 2003 in the Baltic countries. 786 humus (0-3 cm layer) samples were collected during 2000--2001 in the Barents Ecogeochemistry Project, and 177 samples in the Baltic countries in 2003. Nuclides emitting gamma-radiation in the 0-3 cm humus layer were measured by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority-STUK in Finland. In 1987 the project area was classified by the European Commission into four different fallout classes. 137Cs inventory Bg/m2 levels measured in 2000--2003 were compared to the EU's class ranges. Fitting over the whole project area was implemented by generalizing the results for samples from the Baltic countries, for which Bq/m2 inventories could be calculated. A rough estimation was made by comparing the mass of organic matter and humus with 137Cs concentrations in these two areas. Changes in 137Cs concentration levels are illustrated in both thematic maps and tables. Radionuclide 137Cs concentrations (Bq/kg d.w.) were detected in the humus layer at all the 988 sampling sites. 134Cs was still present in 198 sites 15 years after the nuclear accident in Chernobyl. No other anthropogenic nuclides emitting gamma-radiation were detected, but low levels of 60Co, 125Sb and 154Eu isotopes were found in 14 sites. Fifteen years after the Chernobyl accident, the radioactive nuclide 137Cs was and still is the most significant fallout radionuclide in the environment and in food chains. The results show that the fallout can still be detected in the uppermost humus layer in North East Europe.

Radiological investigations at the "Taiga" nuclear explosion site, part II: man-made γ-ray emitting radionuclides in the ground and the resultant kerma rate in air.

PubMed

Ramzaev, V; Repin, V; Medvedev, A; Khramtsov, E; Timofeeva, M; Yakovlev, V

2012-07-01

Samples of soil and epigeic lichens were collected from the "Taiga" peaceful nuclear explosion site (61.30°N 56.60°E, the Perm region, Russia) in 2009 and analyzed using high resolution γ-ray spectrometry. For soil samples obtained at six different plots, two products of fission ((137)Cs and (155)Eu), five products of neutron activation ((60)Co, (94)Nb, (152)Eu, (154)Eu, (207)Bi) and (241)Am have been identified and quantified. The maximal activity concentrations of (60)Co, (137)Cs, and (241)Am for the soils samples were measured as 1650, 7100, and 6800 Bq kg(-1) (d.w.), respectively. The deposit of (137)Cs for the top 20 cm of soil on the tested plots at the "Taiga" site ranged from 30 to 1020 kBq m(-2); the maximal value greatly (by almost 3 orders of magnitude) exceeded the regional background (from global fallout) level of 1.4 kBq m(-2). (137)Cs contributes approximately 57% of the total ground inventory of the man-made γ-ray emitters for the six plots tested at the "Taiga" site. The other major radionuclides -(241)Am and (60)Co, constitute around 40%. Such radionuclides as (60)Co, (137)Cs, (241)Am, and (207)Bi have also been determined for the epigeic lichens (genera Cladonia) that colonized certain areas at the ground lip produced by the "Taiga" explosion. Maximal activity concentrations (up to 80 Bq kg(-1) for (60)Co, 580 Bq kg(-1) for (137)Cs, 200 Bq kg(-1) for (241)Am, and 5 Bq kg(-1) for (207)Bi; all are given in terms of d.w.) have been detected for the lower dead section of the organisms. The air kerma rates associated with the anthropogenic sources of gamma radiation have been calculated using the data obtained from the laboratory analysis. For the six plots tested, the kerma rates ranged from 50 to 1200 nGy h(-1); on average, 51% of the dose can be attributed to (137)Cs and 45% to (60)Co. These estimates agree reasonably well with the results of the in situ measurements made during our field survey of the "Taiga" site in August 2009. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of Debye temperatures and Lamb-Mössbauer factors for LnFeO3 orthoferrite perovskites (Ln  =  La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scrimshire, A.; Lobera, A.; Bell, A. M. T.; Jones, A. H.; Sterianou, I.; Forder, S. D.; Bingham, P. A.

2018-03-01

Lanthanide orthoferrites have wide-ranging industrial uses including solar, catalytic and electronic applications. Here a series of lanthanide orthoferrite perovskites, LnFeO3 (Ln  =  La Nd; Sm; Eu; Gd), prepared through a standard stoichiometric wet ball milling route using oxide precursors, has been studied. Characterisation through x-ray diffraction and x-ray fluorescence confirmed the synthesis of phase-pure or near-pure LnFeO3 compounds. 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy was performed over a temperature range of 10 K-293 K to observe hyperfine structure and to enable calculation of the recoil-free fraction and Debye temperature (θ D) of each orthoferrite. Debye temperatures (Ln  =  La 474 K Nd 459 K Sm 457 K Eu 452 K Gd 473 K) and recoil-free fractions (Ln  =  La 0.827; Nd 0.817; Sm 0.816; Eu 0.812; Gd 0.826) were approximated through minimising the difference in the temperature dependent experimental centre shift and theoretical isomer shift, by allowing the Debye temperature and isomer shift values to vary. This method of minimising the difference between theoretical and actual values yields Debye temperatures consistent with results from other studies determined through thermal analysis methods. This displays the ability of variable-temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy to approximate Debye temperatures and recoil-free fractions, whilst observing temperature induced transitions over the temperature range observed. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement show an inverse relationship between FeO6 octahedral volume and approximated Debye temperatures. Raman spectroscopy show an increase in the band positions attributed to soft modes of Ag symmetry, Ag(3) and Ag(5) from La to GdFeO3 corresponding to octahedral rotations and tilts in the [0 1 0] and [1 0 1] planes respectively.

Correlation between ionic size and valence state of tetra, penta and hexavalent B-site substitution with solubility limit, phase transformation and multiferroic properties of Bi0.875Eu0.125FeO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mumtaz, Fiza; Jaffari, G. Hassnain; Hassan, Qadeer ul; Shah, S. Ismat

2018-06-01

We present detailed comparative study of effect of isovalent i.e. Eu+3 substitution at A-site and tetra (Ti+4, Zr+4), penta (V+5) and hexavalent (W+6) substitutions at B-site in BiFeO3. Eu+3 substitution led to phase transformation and exhibited mixed phases i.e. rhombohedral and orthorhombic, while tetravalent substituents (Ti+4 and Zr+4) led to stabilization of cubic phase. In higher valent (i.e. V+5 and W+6) cases solubility limit was significantly reduced where orthorhombic phase was observed as in the case of parent compound. Phase transformation as a consequence of increase in microstrain and chemical pressure induced by the substituent has been discussed. Solubility limit of different B-site dopants i.e. Zr, W and V was extracted to 5%, 2% and 2%, respectively. Extra phases in various cases were Bi2Fe4O9, Bi25FeO40, Bi14W2O27, and Bi23V4O44.5 and their fractional amount have been quantified. Ti was substituted up to 15% and has been observed to be completely soluble in the parent compound. Solubility limits depends on ionic radii mismatch and valance difference of Fe+3 and dopant, in which valance difference plays more dominant role. Solubility limit and phase transformation has been explained in terms of change in bond strength and tolerance factor induced by incorporation of dopant which depend on its size and valence state. Detail optical, dielectric, ferroelectric, magnetic and transport properties of Eu and Ti co-doped samples and selected low concentration B-site doped compositions (i.e. 2%) have presented and discussed. Two d-d transitions and three charge transfer transitions were observed within UV-VIS range. Both change in cell volume for the same phase and transformation in crystal structure affects the band gap. Increase in room temperature dielectric constant and saturation polarization was also found to increase in case of Eu-Ti co-doped samples with increasing concentration of Ti. Substitution of Eu at A-site and Ti at B-site led to observation of weak ferromagnetism. Effect of extra phases on ferroelectricity and transport properties have also been discussed.

Comparative study of nondoped and Eu-doped SrI2 scintillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yanagida, Takayuki; Koshimizu, Masanori; Okada, Go; Kojima, Takahiro; Osada, Junya; Kawaguchi, Noriaki

2016-11-01

Optical and scintillation properties of nondoped and Eu 3% doped SrI2 crystals grown by the Vertical Bridgman method were investigated. Eu-doped crystal showed an intense single band emission at 430 nm due to the Eu2+ 5d-4f transitions in both photoluminescence and scintillation while the nondoped crystal had a complex spectral shape. The latter emission consists of mainly four bands: 360 nm, 540 nm, 410 nm and 430 nm. The origins of 360 nm and 540 nm were self-trapped exciton and unexpected impurity, respectively. The origins of 410 and 430 nm lines were ascribed to F center in different I sites. Under 137Cs γ-ray irradiations, both crystals showed a clear photoabsorption peak. The scintillation light yields of the nondoped and Eu-doped SrI2 resulted 33,000 ph/MeV and 82,000 ph/MeV, respectively. The energy resolution at 662 keV of Eu-doped was 4% while that of the non-doped SrI2 was 8%.

Mobilization of Ag, heavy metals and Eu from the waste deposit of the Las Herrerias mine (Almería, SE Spain)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navarro, A.; Cardellach, E.

2009-02-01

We studied the mobility of silver, heavy metals and europium in waste from the Las Herrerías mine in Almería (SE Spain). The most abundant primary mineral phases in the mine wastes are hematite, hydrohematite, barite, quartz, muscovite, anorthite, calcite and phillipsite. The minor phase consisted of primary minerals including ankerite, cinnabar, digenite, magnesite, stannite, siderite and jamesonite, and secondary minerals such as glauberite, szomolnokite, thenardite and uklonscovite. The soils show high concentrations of Ag (mean 21.6 mg kg-1), Ba (mean 2.5%), Fe (mean 114,000 mg kg-1), Sb (mean 342.5 mg kg-1), Pb (mean 1,229.8 mg kg-1), Zn (mean 493 mg kg-1), Mn (mean 4,321.1 mg kg-1), Cd (mean 1.2 mg kg-1) and Eu (mean 4.0 mg kg-1). The column experiments showed mobilization of Ag, Al, Ba, Cu, Cd, Eu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sb, Pb and Zn, and the inverse modelling showed that the dissolution of hematite, hausmannite, pyrolusite and anglesite can largely account for the mobilization of Fe, Mn and Pb in the leaching experiment. The mobility of silver may be caused by the presence of kongsbergite and chlorargyrite in the waste, while the mobility of Eu seems to be determined by Eu(OH)3, which controls the solubility of Eu in the pH-Eh conditions of the experiments. The mineralogy, pH, Eh and geochemical composition of the mine wastes may explain the possible mobilization of heavy metals and metalloids. However, the absence of contaminants in the groundwater may be caused by the carbonate-rich environment of “host-rocks” that limits their mobility.

Studies on hydrothermal synthesis of photolumniscent rare earth (Eu3+ & Tb3+) doped NG@FeMoO4 for enhanced visible light photodegradation of methylene blue dye

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, R.; Kumar, M.; Khajuria, H.; Sharma, S.; Sheikh, H. Nawaz

2018-02-01

FeMoO4 nanorods and their rare earth (Eu3+ and Tb3+) doped composites with nitrogen doped graphene (NG) were synthesized by facile hydrothermal method in aqueous medium. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the as-synthesized samples was done to study the phase purity and crystalline nature. FTIR and Raman Spectroscopy have been studied for investigating the bonding in nanostructures. The surface morphology of the samples was investigated with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photolumniscent nature of the samples was investigated by the using the fluorescence spectrophotometer. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the prepared pure FeMoO4 and its rare earth doped composites with nitrogen doped graphene was evaluated as function of visible light irradiation versus concentration of methylene blue (MB dye). The prepared nanocomposites show enhanced photocatalytic efficiency as compared to the bare FeMoO4 nanorods.

Sorbent materials for rapid remediation of wash water during radiological event relief

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jolin, William C.; Kaminski, Michael

2016-11-01

Procedures for removing harmful radiation from interior and exterior surfaces of homes and businesses after a nuclear or radiological disaster may generate large volumes of radiologically contaminated waste water. Rather than releasing this waste water to potentially contaminate surrounding areas, it is preferable to treat it onsite. Retention barrels are a viable option because of their simplicity in preparation and availability of possible sorbent materials. This study investigated the use of aluminosilicate clay minerals as sorbent materials to retain 137Cs, 85Sr, and 152Eu. Vermiculite strongly retained 137Cs, though other radionuclides displayed diminished affinity for the surface. Montmorillonite exhibited increased affinitymore » to sorb 85Sr and 152Eu in the presence of higher concentrations of 137Cs. To simulate flow within retention barrels, vermiculite was mixed with sand and used in small-scale column experiments. The GoldSim contaminate fate module was used to model breakthrough and assess the feasibility of using clay minerals as sorbent materials in retention barrels. The modeled radionuclide breakthrough profiles suggest that vermiculite-sand and montmorillonite-sand filled barrels could be used for treatment of contaminated water generated from field operations.« less

Luminescence Spectroscopy and Crystal Field Simulations of Europium Propylenediphosphonate EuH[O 3P(CH 2) 3PO 3] and Europium Glutarate [Eu(H 2O)] 2[O 2C(CH 2) 3CO 2] 3·4H 2O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serpaggi, F.; Férey, G.; Antic-Fidancev, E.

1999-12-01

The results of investigations on the photoluminescence of two europium hybrid compounds, EuH[O3P(CH2)3PO3] (Eu[diph]) and [Eu(H2O)]2[O2C(CH2)3CO2]3·4H2O (Eu[glut]), are presented. In both compounds one local environment is found for the rare earth (Re) ion and the symmetry of the Re polyhedron is low (Cs) as evidenced by the Eu3+ luminescence studies. The electrostatic crystal field (cf) parameters of the 7F multiplet are obtained by the application of the phenomenological cf theory. The simulations using C2v symmetry for the rare earth ion give good agreement between the calculated and the experimental 7F0-4 energy level schemes. The observed optical data are discussed in relation to the crystal structure of the compounds.

Nuclear resonant inelastic X-ray scattering at high pressure and low temperature

DOE PAGES

Bi, Wenli; Zhao, Jiyong; Lin, Jung -Fu; ...

2015-01-01

In this study, a new synchrotron radiation experimental capability of coupling nuclear resonant inelastic X-ray scattering with the cryogenically cooled high-pressure diamond anvil cell technique is presented. The new technique permits measurements of phonon density of states at low temperature and high pressure simultaneously, and can be applied to studies of phonon contribution to pressure- and temperature-induced magnetic, superconducting and metal–insulator transitions in resonant isotope-bearing materials. In this report, a pnictide sample, EuFe 2As 2, is used as an example to demonstrate this new capability at beamline 3-ID of the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. A detailed description ofmore » the technical development is given. The Fe-specific phonon density of states and magnetism from the Fe sublattice in Eu 57Fe 2As 2 at high pressure and low temperature were derived by using this new capability.« less

Explaining the Ba, Y, Sr, and Eu abundance scatter in metal-poor halo stars: constraints to the r-process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cescutti, G.; Chiappini, C.

2014-05-01

Context. Thanks to the heroic observational campaigns carried out in recent years we now have large samples of metal-poor stars for which measurements of detailed abundances exist. In particular, large samples of stars with metallicities -5 < [Fe/H] <-1 and measured abundances of Sr, Ba, Y, and Eu are now available. These data hold important clues on the nature of the contribution of the first stellar generations to the enrichment of our Galaxy. Aims: We aim to explain the scatter in Sr, Ba, Y, and Eu abundance ratio diagrams unveiled by the metal-poor halo stars. Methods: We computed inhomogeneous chemical evolution models for the Galactic halo assuming different scenarios for the r-process site: the electron-capture (EC) supernovae and the magnetorotationally driven (MRD) supernovae scenarios. We also considered models with and without the contribution of fast-rotating massive stars (spinstars) to an early enrichment by the s-process. A detailed comparison with the now large sample of stars with measured abundances of Sr, Ba, Y, Eu, and Fe is provided (both in terms of scatter plots and number distributions for several abundance ratios). Results: The scatter observed in these abundance ratios of the very metal-poor stars (with [Fe/H] <-2.5) can be explained by combining the s-process production in spinstars, and the r-process contribution coming from massive stars. For the r-process we have developed models for both the EC and the MRD scenarios that match the observations. Conclusions: With the present observational and theoretical constraints we cannot distinguish between the EC and the MRD scenarios in the Galactic halo. Independently of the r-process scenarios adopted, the production of elements by an s-process in spinstars is needed to reproduce the spread in abundances of the light neutron capture elements (Sr and Y) over heavy neutron capture elements (Ba and Eu). We provide a way to test our suggestions by means of the distribution of the Ba isotopic ratios in a [Ba/Fe] or [Sr/Ba] vs. [Fe/H] diagram. Appendix A is available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

SUMMARY REPORT-FY2006 ITER WORK ACCOMPLISHED

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Martovetsky, N N

2006-04-11

Six parties (EU, Japan, Russia, US, Korea, China) will build ITER. The US proposed to deliver at least 4 out of 7 modules of the Central Solenoid. Phillip Michael (MIT) and I were tasked by DoE to assist ITER in development of the ITER CS and other magnet systems. We work to help Magnets and Structure division headed by Neil Mitchell. During this visit I worked on the selected items of the CS design and carried out other small tasks, like PF temperature margin assessment.

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 142

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, T. D.; Symochko, D.; Fadil, M.; Tuli, J. K.

2011-08-01

The 2000 Nuclear Data Sheets for A=142 by J. K. Tuli, with literature cutoff date of February 4, 2000, has been revised. The evaluated experimental data are presented for 16 known nuclides of mass 142 (Ba, Ce, Cs, Dy, Eu, Gd, Ho, I, La, Nd, Pm, Pr, Sm, Tb, Te, Xe). Comparing to the previous evaluation (2000Tu01) significant changes were done to the level schemes of Gd, Cs, Ce and Nd. For all nuclides, the more recent Q values have been added.

Nuclear Data Sheets for A-142

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Johnson, T.D.; Johnson,T.D.; Symochko,D.

The 2000 Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 142 by J. K. Tuli, with literature cutoff date of February 4, 2000, has been revised. The evaluated experimental data are presented for 16 known nuclides of mass 142 (Ba, Ce, Cs, Dy, Eu, Gd, Ho, I, La, Nd, Pm, Pr, Sm, Tb, Te, Xe). Comparing to the previous evaluation (2000Tu01) significant changes were done to the level schemes of Gd, Cs, Ce and Nd. For all nuclides, the more recent Q values have been added.

CONSTRAINTS ON THE FORMATION OF THE GALACTIC BULGE FROM Na, Al, AND HEAVY-ELEMENT ABUNDANCES IN PLAUT's FIELD

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Johnson, Christian I.; Rich, R. Michael; Kobayashi, Chiaki

2012-04-20

We report chemical abundances of Na, Al, Zr, La, Nd, and Eu for 39 red giant branch (RGB) stars and 23 potential inner disk red clump stars located in Plaut's low-extinction window. We also measure lithium for a super Li-rich RGB star. The abundances were determined by spectrum synthesis of high-resolution (R Almost-Equal-To 25,000), high signal-to-noise (S/N {approx} 50-100 pixel{sup -1}) spectra obtained with the Blanco 4 m telescope and Hydra multifiber spectrograph. For the bulge RGB stars, we find a general increase in the [Na/Fe] and [Na/Al] ratios with increasing metallicity, and a similar decrease in [La/Fe] and [Nd/Fe].more » Additionally, the [Al/Fe] and [Eu/Fe] abundance trends almost identically follow those of the {alpha}-elements, and the [Zr/Fe] ratios exhibit relatively little change with [Fe/H]. The consistently low [La/Eu] ratios of the RGB stars indicate that at least a majority of bulge stars formed rapidly ({approx}<1 Gyr) and before the main s-process could become a significant pollution source. In contrast, we find that the potential inner disk clump stars exhibit abundance patterns more similar to those of the thin and thick disks. Comparisons between the abundance trends at different bulge locations suggest that the inner and outer bulges formed on similar timescales. However, we find evidence of some abundance differences between the most metal-poor and metal-rich stars in various bulge fields. The data also indicate that the halo may have had a more significant impact on the outer bulge initial composition than the inner bulge composition. The [Na/Fe], and to a lesser extent [La/Fe], abundances further indicate that the metal-poor bulge, at least at {approx}1 kpc from the Galactic center, and thick disk may not share an identical chemistry.« less

A novel strategy to directly fabricate flexible hollow nanofibers with tunable luminescence-electricity-magnetism trifunctionality using one-pot electrospinning.

PubMed

Liu, Yawen; Ma, Qianli; Dong, Xiangting; Yu, Wensheng; Wang, Jinxian; Liu, Guixia

2015-09-21

Novel photoluminescent-electrical-magnetic trifunctional flexible Eu(BA)3phen/PANI/Fe3O4/PVP (BA = benzoic acid, phen = phenanthroline, PANI = polyaniline, PVP = polyvinylpyrrolidone) hollow nanofibers were fabricated by a one-pot electrospinning technique using a specially designed coaxial spinneret for the first time. Very different from the traditional preparation process of hollow fibers via coaxial electrospinning, which needs to firstly fabricate the coaxial fibers and followed by removing the core through high-temperature calcination or solvent extraction, in our current study, no core spinning solution is used to directly fabricate hollow nanofibers. The morphology and properties of the obtained hollow nanofibers were characterized in detail using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, a 4-point probe resistivity measurement system and vibrating sample magnetometry. The Eu(BA)3phen/PANI/Fe3O4/PVP hollow nanofibers, with outer diameters of ca. 305 nm and inner diameters of about 140 nm, exhibit excellent photoluminescence performance, electrical conductivity and magnetic properties. Fluorescence emission peaks of Eu(3+) are observed in the Eu(BA)3phen/PANI/Fe3O4/PVP hollow nanofibers and assigned to the (5)D0→(7)F0 (580 nm), (5)D0→(7)F1 (592 nm) and (5)D0→(7)F2 (616 nm) energy level transitions of Eu(3+) ions, and the (5)D0→(7)F2 hypersensitive transition at 616 nm is the predominant emission peak. The electrical conductivity of the hollow nanofibers reaches up to the order of 10(-3) S cm(-1). The luminescent intensity, electrical conductivity and magnetic properties of the hollow nanofibers can be tuned by adding various amounts of Eu(BA)3phen, PANI and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The new-type photoluminescent-electrical-magnetic trifunctional flexible hollow nanofibers hold potential for a variety of applications, including electromagnetic interference shielding, microwave absorption, molecular electronics and biomedicine. The design conception and synthetic strategy developed in this study are of universal significance to construct other multifunctional hollow one-dimensional nanomaterials.

A flexible Eu(III)-based metal-organic framework: turn-off luminescent sensor for the detection of Fe(III) and picric acid.

PubMed

Zhou, Xin-Hui; Li, Liang; Li, Hong-Hui; Li, Ao; Yang, Tao; Huang, Wei

2013-09-14

A metal-organic framework (MOF) {[Eu2(MFDA)2(HCOO)2(H2O)6]·H2O}n (1) (H2MFDA = 9,9-dimethylfluorene-2,7-dicarboxylic acid) has been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. 1 possesses the three-dimensional pcu type rod-packing structure with one-dimensional rhombic channels. The framework of 1 can reversibly shrink/swell along the c axis upon partial/full release of the water molecules. Correspondingly, the rhombic channels become narrow/large and 1 transforms to narrow-pore 1a/large-pore 1b. 1, 1a and 1b have almost the same excitation and emission spectra with the strong characteristic red-light-emission of Eu(III). A high photoluminescence quantum yield of 77% and long luminescence lifetime of around 1.1 ms was observed for 1. The potential of 1b for Fe(3+) ions and PA sensing was studied in DMF through the luminescence quenching experiments, which show 1b is a potential turn-off luminescent sensory material for the selective detection of Fe(3+) ions and PA with detection limits of around 10(-7) M for both of them. The fluorescence quenching mechanism for Fe(3+) ions and PA was also investigated.

Induction of genomic instability in TK6 human lymphoblasts exposed to 137Cs gamma radiation: comparison to the induction by exposure to accelerated 56Fe particles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Evans, Helen H.; Horng, Min-Fen; Ricanati, Marlene; Diaz-Insua, M.; Jordan, Robert; Schwartz, Jeffrey L.

2003-01-01

The induction of genomic instability in TK6 human lymphoblasts by exposure to (137)Cs gamma radiation was investigated by measuring the frequency and characteristics of unstable clones isolated approximately 36 generations after exposure. Clones surviving irradiation and control clones were analyzed for 17 characteristics including chromosomal aberrations, growth defects, alterations in response to a second irradiation, and mutant frequencies at the thymidine kinase and Na(+)/K(+) ATPase loci. Putative unstable clones were defined as those that exhibited a significant alteration in one or more characteristics compared to the controls. The frequency and characteristics of the unstable clones were compared in clones exposed to (137)Cs gamma rays or (56)Fe particles. The majority of the unstable clones isolated after exposure to either gamma rays or (56)Fe particles exhibited chromosomal instability. Alterations in growth characteristics, radiation response and mutant frequencies occurred much less often than cytogenetic alterations in these unstable clones. The frequency and complexity of the unstable clones were greater after exposure to (56)Fe particles than to gamma rays. Unstable clones that survived 36 generations after exposure to gamma rays exhibited increases in the incidence of dicentric chromosomes but not of chromatid breaks, whereas unstable clones that survived 36 generations after exposure to (56)Fe particles exhibited increases in both chromatid and chromosome aberrations.

On-line nuclear orientation of the deformed neutron-deficient Eu, Sm and Pm isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singleton, B. D. D.; Walker, P. M.; Bhagwat, A.; Al-Ghamdi, S. S.; Barham, C. G.; Grant, I. S.; Griffiths, A. G.; Rikovska, J.; Stone, N. J.

1992-11-01

Low-temperature nuclear orientation measurements made on-line at the SERC Daresbury Laboratory on142 m Eu,141 m Sm, and141Pm, with known magnetic dipole moments, have yielded the magnitude of the hyperfine fields of these isotopes in an iron host lattice. Thus measurements for the isotopes139, 138Eu,139 m Sm, and138Pm yielded values for the respective magnetic moments. Limits on the thermal relaxation times of Eu and Sm isotopes in Fe were also deduced. The results for138Eu appear to contradict the earlier πh11/2⊗νh11/2 ground-state configuration assignment.

Synthesis and characterisation of the n = 2 Ruddlesden–Popper phases Ln{sub 2}Sr(Ba)Fe{sub 2}O{sub 7} (Ln = La, Nd, Eu)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gurusinghe, Nicola N.M.; Figuera, Juand de la; Marco, José F.

2013-09-01

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Some Ruddlesden–Popper phases have been characterised. • Substitution on the A site influences cationic order. • The magnetic moment redirects with temperature - Abstract: A series of n = 2 Ruddlesden–Popper phases A{sub 2}B{sub 2}O{sub 7} of composition Ln{sub 2}Sr(Ba)Fe{sub 2}O{sub 7} (Ln = La, Nd, Eu) have been prepared. La{sub 2}SrFe{sub 2}O{sub 7} and La{sub 2}BaFe{sub 2}O{sub 7} crystallise in the tetragonal space group I4/mmm. The structures of Eu{sub 2}SrFe{sub 2}O{sub 7} and Nd{sub 2}SrFe{sub 2}O{sub 7} are best described in space group P4{sub 2}/mnm. Substitution on the A site with smaller lanthanide- andmore » larger alkaline metal- ions leads to enhanced cationic order in these phases and reflects increasing differences in cationic radii. All the compounds are antiferromagnetically ordered between 298 and 2 K. In La{sub 2}SrFe{sub 2}O{sub 7} the magnetic moment lies along [1 1 0] at all temperatures between 298 and 2 K whereas in La{sub 2}BaFe{sub 2}O{sub 7} the magnetic moment at 298 K lies along the crystallographic x-axis but redirects from the [1 0 0] to the [1 1 0] direction between 210 and 190 K and is retained in this direction until 2 K. In Nd{sub 2}SrFe{sub 2}O{sub 7} the magnetic moment at 298 K lies along [1 1 0] but rotates from [1 1 0] to [0 0 1] between 17 and 9 K. A series of {sup 57}Fe Mössbauer spectra recorded from La{sub 2}SrFe{sub 2}O{sub 7} between 290 and 600 K indicate a magnetic ordering temperature of T{sub N} ≥ 535 K.« less

Rare earth elements (REE) and yttrium in stream waters, stream sediments, and Fe Mn oxyhydroxides: Fractionation, speciation, and controls over REE + Y patterns in the surface environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leybourne, Matthew I.; Johannesson, Karen H.

2008-12-01

We have collected ˜500 stream waters and associated bed-load sediments over an ˜400 km 2 region of Eastern Canada and analyzed these samples for Fe, Mn, and the rare earth elements (REE + Y). In addition to analyzing the stream sediments by total digestion (multi-acid dissolution with metaborate fusion), we also leached the sediments with 0.25 M hydroxylamine hydrochloride (in 0.05 M HCl), to determine the REE + Y associated with amorphous Fe- and Mn-oxyhydroxide phases. We are thus able to partition the REE into "dissolved" (<0.45 μm), labile (hydroxylamine) and detrital sediment fractions to investigate REE fractionation, and in particular, with respect to the development of Ce and Eu anomalies in oxygenated surface environments. Surface waters are typically LREE depleted ([La/Sm] NASC ranges from 0.16 to 5.84, average = 0.604, n = 410; where the REE are normalized to the North America Shale Composite), have strongly negative Ce anomalies ([Ce/Ce ∗] NASC ranges from 0.02 to 1.25, average = 0.277, n = 354), and commonly have positive Eu anomalies ([Eu/Eu ∗] NASC ranges from 0.295 to 1.77, average = 0.764, n = 84). In contrast, the total sediment have flatter REE + Y patterns relative to NASC ([La/Sm] NASC ranges from 0.352 to 1.12, average = 0.778, n = 451) and are slightly middle REE enriched ([Gd/Yb] NASC ranges from 0.55 to 3.75, average = 1.42). Most total sediments have negative Ce and Eu anomalies ([Ce/Ce ∗] NASC ranges from 0.097 to 2.12, average = 0.799 and [Eu/Eu ∗] NASC ranges from 0.39 to 1.43, average = 0.802). The partial extraction sediments are commonly less LREE depleted than the total sediments ([La/Sm] NASC ranges from 0.24 to 3.31, average = 0.901, n = 4537), more MREE enriched ([Gd/Yb] NASC ranges from 0.765 to 6.28, average = 1.97) and Ce and Eu anomalies (negative and positive) are more pronounced. The partial extraction recovered, on average ˜20% of the Fe in the total sediment, ˜80% of the Mn, and 21-29% of the REEs (Ce = 19% and Y = 32%). Comparison between REEs in water, partial extraction and total sediment analyses indicates that REEs + Y in the stream sediments have two primary sources, the host lithologies (i.e., mechanical dispersion) and hydromorphically transported (the labile fraction). Furthermore, Eu appears to be more mobile than the other REE, whereas Ce is preferentially removed from solution and accumulates in the stream sediments in a less labile form than the other REEs + Y. Despite poor statistical correlations between the REEs + Y and Mn in either the total sediment or partial extractions, based on apparent distribution coefficients and the pH of the stream waters, we suggest that either sediment organic matter and/or possibly δ-MnO 2/FeOOH are likely the predominant sinks for Ce, and to a lesser extent the other REE, in the stream sediments.

Fine structural features of nanoscale zero-valent iron characterized by spherical aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (Cs-STEM).

PubMed

Liu, Airong; Zhang, Wei-xian

2014-09-21

An angstrom-resolution physical model of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) is generated with a combination of spherical aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (Cs-STEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) on the Fe L-edge. Bright-field (BF), high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF) and secondary electron (SE) imaging of nZVI acquired by a Hitachi HD-2700 STEM show near atomic resolution images and detailed morphological and structural information of nZVI. The STEM-EDS technique confirms that the fresh nZVI comprises of a metallic iron core encapsulated with a thin layer of iron oxides or oxyhydroxides. SAED patterns of the Fe core suggest the polycrystalline structure in the metallic core and amorphous nature of the oxide layer. Furthermore, Fe L-edge of EELS shows varied structural features from the innermost Fe core to the outer oxide shell. A qualitative analysis of the Fe L(2,3) edge fine structures reveals that the shell of nZVI consists of a mixed Fe(II)/Fe(III) phase close to the Fe (0) interface and a predominantly Fe(III) at the outer surface of nZVI.

Superconductivity at 33-37 K in A L n2Fe4As4O2 (A =Kand Cs;L n =lanthanides)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Si-Qi; Wang, Zhi-Cheng; He, Chao-Yang; Tang, Zhang-Tu; Liu, Yi; Cao, Guang-Han

2017-09-01

We have synthesized ten iron oxyarsenides, K L n2Fe4As4O2 (L n =Gd,Tb,Dy, and Ho) and Cs L n2Fe4As4O2 (L n =Nd,Sm,Gd,Tb,Dy, and Ho) , with the aid of the lattice-match approach. The resultant compounds possess hole-doped conducting double FeAs layers [AFe4As4] 2 - that are separated by the insulating [Ln2O2] 2 + slabs. Measurements of electrical resistivity and dc magnetic susceptibility demonstrate bulk superconductivity at Tc=33 -37 K. We find that Tc correlates with the axial ratio c /a for all 12442-type superconductors discovered. Also, Tc tends to increase with the lattice mismatch, implying that lattice instability plays a role in the enhancement of superconductivity.

Preparation, photoluminescent properties and luminescent dynamics of BaAlF{sub 5}:Eu{sup 2+} nanophosphors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Wei; College of Life Science, Dalian Nationalities University, Dalian, Liaoning 116600; Hua, Ruinian, E-mail: rnhua@dlnu.edu.cn

2014-12-15

Graphical abstract: Rice-shaped BaAlF{sub 5}:Eu{sup 2+} nanophosphors were synthesized via one-pot hydrothermal process. The as-prepared BaAlF{sub 5}:Eu{sup 2+} are composed of many particles with an average diameter of 40 nm. When excited at 260 nm, the sharp line emission located at 361 nm of Eu{sup 2+} was observed. The optimum doping concentration of Eu{sup 2+} was confirmed to be 5 mol%. The strong ultraviolet emission of Eu{sup 2+} ions in BaAlF{sub 5}:Eu{sup 2+} nanoparticles suggests that these nanoparticles may have potential applications for sensing, solid-state lasers and spectrometer calibration. - Highlights: • BaAlF{sub 5}:Eu{sup 2+} nanophosphors were synthesized via amore » mild hydrothermal process. • The Van and Huang models were used to research the mechanism of concentration quenching. • The optimum doping concentration of Eu2+ was confirmed to be 5 mol%. - Abstract: Eu{sup 2+}-doped BaAlF{sub 5} nanophosphors were synthesized via a facile one-pot hydrothermal method. The final products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. XRD results showed that the prepared samples are single-phase. The FE-SEM and TEM images indicated that the prepared BaAlF{sub 5}:Eu{sup 2+} nanophosphors are composed of many rice-shaped particles with an average diameter of 40 nm. When excited at 260 nm, BaAlF{sub 5}:Eu{sup 2+} nanophosphors exhibit the sharp line emissions of Eu{sup 2+} at room temperature. The optimum doping concentration of Eu{sup 2+} was confirmed to be 5 mol%. The Van and Huang models were used to study the mechanism of concentration quenching and the electric dipole–dipole interaction between Eu{sup 2+} can be deduced to be a dominant for quenching fluorescence in BaAlF{sub 5}:Eu{sup 2+} nanophosphors. The strong ultraviolet emission of Eu{sup 2+} in BaAlF{sub 5}:Eu{sup 2+} nanophosphors suggests that these nanoparticles may have potential applications for sensing, spectrometer calibration and solid-state lasers.« less

Highly selective and sensitive detection of metal ions and nitroaromatic compounds by an anionic europium(iii) coordination polymer.

PubMed

Feyisa Bogale, Raji; Ye, Junwei; Sun, Yuan; Sun, Tongxin; Zhang, Siqi; Rauf, Abdul; Hang, Cheng; Tian, Peng; Ning, Guiling

2016-07-05

A luminescent Eu(iii)-based coordination polymer, {[Eu(H2O)5(BTEC)][H(C5H6N2)]·3H2O} () has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions using 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid (H4BTEC) as a linker. Compound possesses an anionic zig-zag chain constructed from the BTEC ligands and [EuO4(H2O)5] nodes. The protonated 4-aminopyridine groups as guests are located between chains. exhibits the characteristic sharp emission bands of Eu(3+) at 578, 593, 615, 652 and 693 nm upon excitation at 290 nm. The strong emission of could be quenched effectively by trace amounts of Fe(3+) ions even in the presence of other metal ions including Al(3+), Ca(2+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Cr(3+), Cu(2+), Fe(2+), K(+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Pd(2+) and Zn(2+). Similarly, also exhibits superior selectivity and sensitivity towards 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) compared with other competing interfering analytes, such as 2,4,6-trinitrophenol, 2,6-dinitrotolune, 4-nitrotoluene, nitrobenzene, 1,3-dinitrobenzene, o-xylene, nitromethane, nitropropane, phenol, 4-bromophenol and bromobenzene, through a fluorescence quenching mechanism. The possible fluorescence quenching mechanisms are discussed. Moreover, could be used as a visual fluorescent test paper for selectively detecting trace amounts of Fe(3+) and 4-NP.

Flexible transparent displays based on core/shell upconversion nanophosphor-incorporated polymer waveguides

PubMed Central

Park, Bong Je; Hong, A-Ra; Park, Suntak; Kyung, Ki-Uk; Lee, Kwangyeol; Seong Jang, Ho

2017-01-01

Core/shell (C/S)-structured upconversion nanophosphor (UCNP)-incorporated polymer waveguide-based flexible transparent displays are demonstrated. Bright green- and blue-emitting Li(Gd,Y)F4:Yb,Er and Li(Gd,Y)F4:Yb,Tm UCNPs are synthesized via solution chemical route. Their upconversion luminescence (UCL) intensities are enhanced by the formation of C/S structure with LiYF4 shell. The Li(Gd,Y)F4:Yb,Er/LiYF4 and Li(Gd,Y)F4:Yb,Tm/LiYF4 C/S UCNPs exhibit 3.3 and 2.0 times higher UCL intensities than core counterparts, respectively. In addition, NaGdF4:Yb,Tm/NaGdF4:Eu C/S UCNPs are synthesized and they show red emission via energy transfer and migration of Yb3+ → Tm3+ → Gd3+ → Eu3+. The C/S UCNPs are incorporated into bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate which is used as a core material of polymer waveguides. The fabricated stripe-type polymer waveguides are highly flexible and transparent (transmittance > 90% in spectral range of 443–900 nm). The polymer waveguides exhibit bright blue, green, and red luminescence, depending on the incorporated UCNPs into the polymer core, under coupling with a near infrared (NIR) laser. Moreover, patterned polymer waveguide-based display devices are fabricated by reactive ion etching process and they realize bright blue-, green-, and red-colored characters under coupling with an NIR laser. PMID:28368021

Flexible transparent displays based on core/shell upconversion nanophosphor-incorporated polymer waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Bong Je; Hong, A.-Ra; Park, Suntak; Kyung, Ki-Uk; Lee, Kwangyeol; Seong Jang, Ho

2017-04-01

Core/shell (C/S)-structured upconversion nanophosphor (UCNP)-incorporated polymer waveguide-based flexible transparent displays are demonstrated. Bright green- and blue-emitting Li(Gd,Y)F4:Yb,Er and Li(Gd,Y)F4:Yb,Tm UCNPs are synthesized via solution chemical route. Their upconversion luminescence (UCL) intensities are enhanced by the formation of C/S structure with LiYF4 shell. The Li(Gd,Y)F4:Yb,Er/LiYF4 and Li(Gd,Y)F4:Yb,Tm/LiYF4 C/S UCNPs exhibit 3.3 and 2.0 times higher UCL intensities than core counterparts, respectively. In addition, NaGdF4:Yb,Tm/NaGdF4:Eu C/S UCNPs are synthesized and they show red emission via energy transfer and migration of Yb3+ → Tm3+ → Gd3+ → Eu3+. The C/S UCNPs are incorporated into bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate which is used as a core material of polymer waveguides. The fabricated stripe-type polymer waveguides are highly flexible and transparent (transmittance > 90% in spectral range of 443-900 nm). The polymer waveguides exhibit bright blue, green, and red luminescence, depending on the incorporated UCNPs into the polymer core, under coupling with a near infrared (NIR) laser. Moreover, patterned polymer waveguide-based display devices are fabricated by reactive ion etching process and they realize bright blue-, green-, and red-colored characters under coupling with an NIR laser.

Magnetic and Structural Characterization of Fe-Ga Using Kerr Microscopy and Neutron Scattering

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

117 4.6 Schematic of triple axes single crystal neutron diffractometer (left). TriCS intrument at Paul Scherrer Institut, Switzerland (right...Therefore, USANS data is one-dimensional. 4.3.3 Single Crystal Neutron Diffraction The single crystal neutron diffractometer, TriCS at Paul Scherrer...crystal neutron diffractometer (left). TriCS intrument at Paul Scherrer Institut, Switzerland (right) [106] 4.4 Unpolarized SANS In this section, SANS

Chemical Analysis of a Carbon-enhanced Very Metal-poor Star: CD-27 14351

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karinkuzhi, Drisya; Goswami, Aruna; Masseron, Thomas

2017-01-01

We present, for the first time, an abundance analysis of a very metal-poor carbon-enhanced star CD-27 14351 based on a high-resolution (R ˜ 48,000) FEROS spectrum. Our abundance analysis performed using local thermodynamic equilibrium model atmospheres shows that the object is a cool star with stellar atmospheric parameters, effective temperature Teff = 4335 K, surface gravity log g = 0.5, microturbulence ξ = 2.42 km s-1, and metallicity [Fe/H] = -2.6. The star exhibits high carbon and nitrogen abundances with [C/Fe] = 2.89 and [N/Fe] = 1.89. Overabundances of neutron-capture elements are evident in Ba, La, Ce, and Nd, with estimated [X/Fe] > 1, the largest enhancement being seen in Ce with [Ce/Fe] = 2.63. While the first peak s-process elements Sr and Y are found to be enhanced with respect to Fe, ([Sr/Fe] = 1.73 and [Y/Fe] = 1.91), the third peak s-process element Pb could not be detected in our spectrum at the given resolution. Europium, primarily an r-process element also shows an enhancement with [Eu/Fe] = 1.65. With [Ba/Eu] = 0.12, the object CD-27 14351 satisfies the classification criterion for a CEMP-r/s star. The elemental abundance distributions observed in this star are discussed in light of the chemical abundances observed in other CEMP stars in the literature.

Removal of Cs+ from water and soil by ammonium-pillared montmorillonite/Fe3O4 composite.

PubMed

Zheng, Xianming; Dou, Junfeng; Yuan, Jing; Qin, Wei; Hong, Xiaoxi; Ding, Aizhong

2017-06-01

To remove cesium ions from water and soil, a novel adsorbent was synthesized by following a one-step co-precipitation method and using non-toxic raw materials. By combining ammonium-pillared montmorillonite (MMT) and magnetic nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 ), an MMT/Fe 3 O 4 composite was prepared and characterized. The adsorbent exhibited high selectivity of Cs + and could be rapidly separated from the mixed solution under an external magnetic field. Above all, the adsorbent had high removal efficiency in cesium-contaminated samples (water and soil) and also showed good recycling performance, indicating that the MMT/Fe 3 O 4 composite could be widely applied to the remediation of cesium-contaminated environments. It was observed that the pH, solid/liquid ratio and initial concentration affected adsorption capacity. In the presence of coexisting ions, the adsorption capacity decreased in the order of Ca 2+ >Mg 2+ >K + >Na + , which is consistent with our theoretical prediction. The adsorption behavior of this new adsorbent could be expressed by the pseudo-second-order model and Freundlich isotherm. In addition, the adsorption mechanism of Cs + was NH 4 + ion exchange and surface hydroxyl group coordination, with the former being more predominant. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Tannase immobilisation by amino-functionalised magnetic Fe3O4-chitosan nanoparticles and its application in tea infusion.

PubMed

Li, Ruyi; Fu, Guiming; Liu, Chengmei; McClements, David Julian; Wan, Yin; Wang, Shaoman; Liu, Ting

2018-07-15

The tannase (from Aspergillus niger) was immobilised by glutaraldehyde conjugation to amino-functionalised chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 -CS nanoparticles). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and thermo-gravimetric analysis showed that chitosan was coated on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that the synthesised nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 -CS) were almost spherical or ellipsoidal with an average diameter of 5.97 ± 1.25 nm. The stability and functionality of free and immobilised tannase were compared. Both forms of tannase exhibited the same optimal temperature of 30 °C, whereas the optimal pH value of immobilised tannase (pH 4.5) was lower than that of the free tannase (pH 5.5). The pH and thermal stabilities of immobilised tannase were significantly better than those of free tannase. Immobilised tannase retained over 50% of its initial activity after repeated utilisation for eight cycles. Furthermore, the immobilised tannase effectively improve the clarity and colour of black and green tea infusions. These results showed that amino-functionalised Fe 3 O 4 -CS nanoparticles are an efficient carrier for immobilising tannase, and immobilised tannase can be used in the clarification of tea infusion. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Deposition of fission and activation products after the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident.

PubMed

Shozugawa, Katsumi; Nogawa, Norio; Matsuo, Motoyuki

2012-04-01

The Great Eastern Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, damaged reactor cooling systems at Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. The subsequent venting operation and hydrogen explosion resulted in a large radioactive nuclide emission from reactor containers into the environment. Here, we collected environmental samples such as soil, plant species, and water on April 10, 2011, in front of the power plant main gate as well as 35 km away in Iitate village, and observed gamma-rays with a Ge(Li) semiconductor detector. We observed activation products ((239)Np and (59)Fe) and fission products ((131)I, (134)Cs ((133)Cs), (137)Cs, (110m)Ag ((109)Ag), (132)Te, (132)I, (140)Ba, (140)La, (91)Sr, (91)Y, (95)Zr, and (95)Nb). (239)Np is the parent nuclide of (239)Pu; (59)Fe are presumably activation products of (58)Fe obtained by corrosion of cooling pipes. The results show that these activation and fission products, diffused within a month of the accident. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dense cavity walls traced by CS in the L1157-B1 protostellar shocked region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomez-Ruiz, Arturo; Codella, Claudio; Lefloch, Bertrand; Benedettini, Milena; Busquet, Gemma; Nisini, Brunella; Ceccarelli, Cecilia; Cabrit, Sylvie; Viti, Serena

2013-07-01

In the framework of the CHESS Key Program, an unbiased spectral survey performed with Herschel and IRAM, in the frequency range from 97 to 600 GHz, have provided a chemical census of the protostellar shock L1157-B1. Here we focus on the study of carbon monosulfide (CS), a standard tracer of high-density gas. We have detected a total of 18 emission lines, with E_u up to 183 K, due to four isotopologues (^12C^32S, ^12C^34S, ^13C^32S, and ^12C^33S). The unprecedented sensitivity of the survey allow us to carefully analyze the line profiles. These profiles can be well fitted by two exponential laws: I ∝ exp(-|v/v0|) with v0 = 4.4, and 2.5 km s-1. Remarkably these two exponential laws are the same as those found in the CO line profiles by Lefloch et al. (2012), and named g2 and g3 components, respectively. These components have been related to the cavity walls produced by the B1 shock and the older B2 shock, respectively. An important characteristic of the lines profiles is that the emission of high-J CS transitions (E_u > 60 K) comes only from the g2 component. Using the LVG approximation, the CS solutions constrain n >= 10^4.5 cm^-3. In addition, when contrasted with the CO results (that already constrained T_k of 90 K and 40 K for g2 and g3, respectively), we see that the LVG can provide strong constrains to the gas density, in this case about 5 x 10^5 cm^-3 for both g2 and g3 components. Thus, the combination of CO and CS is a powerful tool to constrain both n and T_k. Our CS observations show therefore that this molecule is highlighting the dense cavity walls produced by the episodic outflow.

Magnetic nanoparticles modified with DTPA-AMC-rare earth for fluorescent and magnetic resonance dual mode imaging.

PubMed

Liu, Zengchen; Li, Bo; Wang, Baodui; Yang, Zhengyin; Wang, Qin; Li, Tianrong; Qin, Dongdong; Li, Yong; Wang, Mingfang; Yan, Mihui

2012-07-28

In the present study, we report new water-soluble cell fluorescence imaging and contrast agents that are based on DTPA-AMC(7-amino-4-methyl coumarin)-Eu(3+) and DTPA-AMC(7-amino-4-methyl coumarin)-Gd(3+) compounds conjugated to Fe(3)O(4) NPs via a PEG-NH(2) linker. The novel Fe(3)O(4) NP-conjugates present two main advantages for cell fluorescence labelling: water solubility and targeting ability. The in vitro experiments demonstrate that water-soluble Fe(3)O(4) NPs-DBI-PEG-NH-DTPA-AMC(7-amino-4-methyl coumarin)-Eu(3+) has excellent cell permeating activity. Moreover, the relaxation rate test of Fe(3)O(4) NPs-DBI-PEG-NH-DTPA-AMC(7-amino-4-methyl coumarin)-Gd(3+) shows a higher T1 relaxation effect than traditional DTPA-Gd(3+) MRI agents. According to in vivo liver MRI experiments, better contrast of the liver was achieved after addition of Fe(3)O(4) NPs-DBI-PEG-NH-DTPA-AMC(7-amino-4-methyl coumarin)-Gd(3+). The results will provide a significant guide for researchers exploring the biomedical applications of superparamagnetic Fe(3)O(4) NPs.

Crystal Structure and Thermoelectric Properties of β-Pyrochlore-Type Alkali Iron Tungsten Oxides with Cage-Like Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mizuta, Kohei; Ohtaki, Michitaka

2016-03-01

We report the electrical and thermal properties of β-pyrochlore (defect pyrochlore) oxides AFe0.33W1.67O6 ( A = K, Rb, Cs) with a crystal structure having a small cation surrounded by oversized cage-like framework. The thermal conductivity, κ, of CsFe0.33W1.67O6 and RbFe0.33W1.67O6 showed extremely low values as oxides (below 1.0 W/mK) similar to those of ATaWO6 ( A = K, Rb, Cs) which we have already reported. These low κ values are ascribed to a "rattling" motion of the A cations, evidenced by their crystal structure refinement and the Raman spectra. Their electrical conductivity, σ, was in the order of 10-3 S/cm, and the Seebeck coefficient, S, was -500 to -600 μV/K. The electrical conductivity of AFe0.33W1.67O6 ( A = Rb, Cs) was much higher than those of ATaWO6 ( A = Rb, Cs), suggesting that an appropriate selection of the framework composition enables us to have better thermoelectric performance.

Structural, electronic, mechanical and magnetic properties of rare earth nitrides REN (RE= Pm, Eu and Yb)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murugan, A.; Rajeswarapalanichamy, R.; Santhosh, M.; Iyakutti, K.

2015-07-01

The structural, electronic and mechanical properties of rare earth nitrides REN (RE=Pm, Eu and Yb) are investigated in NaCl and CsCl, and zinc blende structures using first principles calculations based on density functional theory. The calculated lattice parameters are in good agreement with the available results. Among the considered structures, these nitrides are most stable in NaCl structure. A pressure induced structural phase transition from NaCl to CsCl phase is observed in all these nitrides. The electronic structure reveals that these rare earth nitrides are half metallic at normal pressure. These nitrides are found to be covalent and ionic in the stable phase. The computed elastic constants indicate that these nitrides are mechanically stable and elastically anisotropic. Our results confirm that these nitrides are ferromagnetic in nature. A ferromagnetic to non-magnetic phase transition is observed at the pressures of 21.5 GPa and 46.1 GPa in PmN and YbN respectively.

An Ultrastable Europium(III)-Organic Framework with the Capacity of Discriminating Fe2+/Fe3+ Ions in Various Solutions.

PubMed

Wen, Guo-Xuan; Wu, Ya-Pan; Dong, Wen-Wen; Zhao, Jun; Li, Dong-Sheng; Zhang, Jian

2016-10-05

An ultrastable luminescent europium-organic framework, {[Eu(L)(H 2 O) 2 ]·NMP·H 2 O} n (CTGU-2; NMP = N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone), can first detect Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ cations in different medium systems with high selectivity and sensitivity, and it also exhibits high sensitivity for Cr 2 O 7 2- anion and acetone with a wide linear range and a low detection limit.

Synthesis of metal-fluoride nanoparticles supported on thermally reduced graphite oxide.

PubMed

Schmitz, Alexa; Schütte, Kai; Ilievski, Vesko; Barthel, Juri; Burk, Laura; Mülhaupt, Rolf; Yue, Junpei; Smarsly, Bernd; Janiak, Christoph

2017-01-01

Metal-fluoride nanoparticles, (MF x -NPs) with M = Fe, Co, Pr, Eu, supported on different types of thermally reduced graphite oxide (TRGO) were obtained by microwave-assisted thermal decomposition of transition-metal amidinates, (M{MeC[N(iPr)] 2 } n ) or [M(AMD) n ] with M = Fe(II), Co(II), Pr(III), and tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato)europium, Eu(dpm) 3 , in the presence of TRGO in the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm][BF 4 ]). The crystalline phases of the metal fluorides synthesized in [BMIm][BF 4 ] were identified by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) to be MF 2 for M = Fe, Co and MF 3 for M = Eu, Pr. The diameters and size distributions of MF x @TRGO were from (6 ± 2) to (102 ± 41) nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used for further characterization of the MF x -NPs. Electrochemical investigations of the FeF 2 -NPs@TRGO as cathode material for lithium-ion batteries were evaluated by galvanostatic charge/discharge profiles. The results indicate that the FeF 2 -NPs@TRGO as cathode material can present a specific capacity of 500 mAh/g at a current density of 50 mA/g, including a significant interfacial charge storage contribution. The obtained nanomaterials show a good rate capacity as well (220 mAh/g and 130 mAh/g) at a current density of 200 and 500 mA/g, respectively.

Mössbauer Study of Hexavalent Iron Compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dedushenko, S. K.; Perfiliev, Yu. D.; Goldfeld, M. G.; Tsapin, A. I.

2001-11-01

Six crystalline ferrates(VI): K3Na(FeO4)2, K2FeO4, Rb2FeO4, Cs2FeO4, K2Sr(FeO4)2 and BaFeO4, were studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Room-temperature spectra of potassium, rubidium and cesium ferrates are single lines, but spectra of barium, potassium strontium and potassium sodium ferrates show a presence of quadrupole interactions. Most of these salts display an antiferromagnetic transition with a Néel temperature within 2 to 8 K range.

Fabrication of high-performance metal ion doped iron oxide electrode for supercapacitor applications through a novel platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aghazadeh, Mustafa; Karimzadeh, Isa

2017-10-01

We provide a novel electrodeposition platform of undoped and Eu3+ doped iron oxide nanoparticles (Eu-IONPs) from an additive-free electrolyte containing Fe(NO3)3, FeCl2 and EuCl3. The prepared IONPs were analyzed using x-ray diffraction, field emission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray techniques, and the obtained data showed successful electrosynthesis of magnetite nanoparticles (size  ≈  10 nm) doped with about 10 wt% Eu3+ ions. The Eu-IONPs were used as supercapacitor electrode materials, and characterized by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements. The as-synthesized Eu-IONPs exhibit remarkable pseudocapacitive activities including high specific capacitances of 212.5 and 153.2 F g-1 at 0.5 and 2 A g-1, respectively, and excellent cycling stabilities of 93.9% and 86.5% after 2000 discharging cycles. Furthermore, vibrational sample magnetometer data confirmed better superparamagnetic performance of Eu-IONPs (Ms  =  72.8 emu g-1, Mr  =  0.24 emu g-1 and H Ci  =  3.48 G) as compared with pure IONPs (Ms  =  51.92 emu g-1, Mr  =  0.95 emu g-1 and H Ci  =  14.62 G) due to exhibiting lower Mr and H Ci values. This novel synthetic platform of metal ion doped iron oxide is potentially a convenient way to fabricate high-performance iron oxide electrodes for energy storage systems.

Efficient removal of antibiotics in a fluidized bed reactor by facile fabricated magnetic powdered activated carbon.

PubMed

Ma, Jianqing; Yang, Qunfeng; Xu, Dongmei; Zeng, Xiaomei; Wen, Yuezhong; Liu, Weiping

2017-02-01

Powdered activated carbons (PACs) with micrometer size are showing great potential for enabling and improving technologies in water treatment. The critical problem in achieving practical application of PAC involves simple, effective fabrication of magnetic PAC and the design of a feasible reactor that can remove pollutants and recover the adsorbent efficiently. Herein, we show that such materials can be fabricated by the combination of PAC and magnetic Fe 3 O 4 with chitosan-Fe hydrogel through a simple co-precipitation method. According to the characterization results, CS-Fe/Fe 3 O 4 /PAC with different micrometers in size exhibited excellent magnetic properties. The adsorption of tetracycline was fast and efficient, and 99.9% removal was achieved in 30 min. It also possesses good usability and stability to co-existing ions, organics, and different pH values due to its dispersive interaction nature. Finally, the prepared CS-Fe/Fe 3 O 4 /PAC also performed well in the fluidized bed reactor with electromagnetic separation function. It could be easily separated by applying a magnetic field and was effectively in situ regenerated, indicating a potential of practical application for the removal of pollutants from water.

The role of neutron star mergers in the chemical evolution of the Galactic halo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cescutti, G.; Romano, D.; Matteucci, F.; Chiappini, C.; Hirschi, R.

2015-05-01

Context. The dominant astrophysical production site of the r-process elements has not yet been unambiguously identified. The suggested main r-process sites are core-collapse supernovae and merging neutron stars. Aims: We explore the problem of the production site of Eu. We also use the information present in the observed spread in the Eu abundances in the early Galaxy, and not only its average trend. Moreover, we extend our investigations to other heavy elements (Ba, Sr, Rb, Zr) to provide additional constraints on our results. Methods: We adopt a stochastic chemical evolution model that takes inhomogeneous mixing into account. The adopted yields of Eu from merging neutron stars and from core-collapse supernovae are those that are able to explain the average [Eu/Fe]-[Fe/H] trend observed for solar neighbourhood stars, the solar abundance of Eu, and the present-day abundance gradient of Eu along the Galactic disc in the framework of a well-tested homogeneous model for the chemical evolution of the Milky Way. Rb, Sr, Zr, and Ba are produced by both the s- and r-processes. The r-process yields were obtained by scaling the Eu yields described above according to the abundance ratios observed in r-process rich stars. The s-process contribution by spinstars is the same as in our previous papers. Results: Neutron star binaries that merge in less than 10 Myr or neutron star mergers combined with a source of r-process generated by massive stars can explain the spread of [Eu/Fe] in the Galactic halo. The combination of r-process production by neutron star mergers and s-process production by spinstars is able to reproduce the available observational data for Sr, Zr, and Ba. We also show the first predictions for Rb in the Galactic halo. Conclusions: We confirm previous results that either neutron star mergers on a very short timescale or both neutron star mergers and at least a fraction of Type II supernovae have contributed to the synthesis of Eu in the Galaxy. The r-process production of Sr, Zr, and Ba by neutron star mergers - complemented by an s-process production by spinstars - provide results that are compatible with our previous findings based on other r-process sites. We critically discuss the weak and strong points of both neutron star merging and supernova scenarios for producing Eu and eventually suggest that the best solution is probably a mixed one in which both sources produce Eu. In fact, this scenario reproduces the scatter observed in all the studied elements better. Warning, no authors found for 2015A&A...577A.131.

Radiological and hyperfine characterization of soils from the Northeastern region of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montes, M. L.; Mercader, R. C.; Taylor, M. A.; Runco, J.; Imbellone, P.; Rivas, P. C.; Desimoni, J.

2011-11-01

The activity concentrations of both natural (238U and 232Th chains and 40K) and anthropogenic (137Cs) radionuclides down along the soil profile have been determined in soil samples collected from inland and coastal areas of the La Plata River, located in the Northeastern region of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. These studies were complemented with 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy characterization, pH, texture and organic carbon content measurements. From Mössbauer results, the sample compositions differ from one area to the other. Spectra from both soil samples are dominated by the Fe3+ paramagnetic signal. For soil samples from the coastal area, the α-Fe2O3 contribution is lower, Fe3O4 was not detected, and the relative areas of each spectral contribution are nearly constant with depth. For samples from the inland area, the Fe3+ paramagnetic fraction increases up to 82%, mainly at the expense of the magnetically ordered phase. The main observed activity originates from the decay of 40K (540-750 Bq/kg), followed by 238U (60-92 Bq/kg) and 232Th (37-46 Bq/kg) chains. The activity of 235U was in all the cases lower than the detection limit (LD = 0.02 Bq/kg). The only determined anthropogenic nuclide was 137Cs, arising from the fallout of the Southern Hemisphere nuclear weapon tests. Three of the observed differences in the depth distributions can be described by the dispersion-convection model. A correlation between the natural nuclide activities and the Mössbauer relative fractions was found, whereas no correlation was found between the 137Cs profile and the relative fraction of Fe3O4 or with other iron species.

Modelling female fertility traits in beef cattle using linear and non-linear models.

PubMed

Naya, H; Peñagaricano, F; Urioste, J I

2017-06-01

Female fertility traits are key components of the profitability of beef cattle production. However, these traits are difficult and expensive to measure, particularly under extensive pastoral conditions, and consequently, fertility records are in general scarce and somehow incomplete. Moreover, fertility traits are usually dominated by the effects of herd-year environment, and it is generally assumed that relatively small margins are kept for genetic improvement. New ways of modelling genetic variation in these traits are needed. Inspired in the methodological developments made by Prof. Daniel Gianola and co-workers, we assayed linear (Gaussian), Poisson, probit (threshold), censored Poisson and censored Gaussian models to three different kinds of endpoints, namely calving success (CS), number of days from first calving (CD) and number of failed oestrus (FE). For models involving FE and CS, non-linear models overperformed their linear counterparts. For models derived from CD, linear versions displayed better adjustment than the non-linear counterparts. Non-linear models showed consistently higher estimates of heritability and repeatability in all cases (h 2  < 0.08 and r < 0.13, for linear models; h 2  > 0.23 and r > 0.24, for non-linear models). While additive and permanent environment effects showed highly favourable correlations between all models (>0.789), consistency in selecting the 10% best sires showed important differences, mainly amongst the considered endpoints (FE, CS and CD). In consequence, endpoints should be considered as modelling different underlying genetic effects, with linear models more appropriate to describe CD and non-linear models better for FE and CS. © 2017 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

The controls on the major and trace element variation of shales, siltstones, and sandstones of Pennsylvanian-Permian age from uplifted continental blocks in Colorado to platform sediment in Kansas, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cullers, Robert L.

1994-11-01

Shales, siltstones, and sandstones of Pennsylvanian-Permian age from near the source in Colorado to those in the platform in eastern Colorado and Kansas have been analyzed for major elements and a number of trace elements, including the REEs. The near-source sandstones are significantly more enriched (Student t-test at better than the 99% confidence level) in SiO 2 and Na 2O concentrations and more depleted in Al 2O 3, Fe 2O 3 (total), TiO 2, Th, Hf, Sc, Cr, Cs, REEs, Y, and Ni concentrations and La/Co and La/Ni ratios than the near-source shales and siltstones, most likely due to more plagioclase and quartz and less clay minerals in the sandstones than in the shales and siltstones. There are no significant differences in K 2O and Sr concentrations and Eu/Eu∗, La/Lu, La/Se, Th/Sc, Th/Co, and Cr/Th ratios between the near-source sandstones and the near-source shales and siltstones. Samples of the Molas, Hermosa, and Cutler formations near the source that were formed in different environments in the same area contain no significant difference in Eu/Eu∗, La/Lu, La/Sc, Th/Sc, Th/Co, and Cr/Th ratios, so a generally silicic source and not the environment of deposition was most important in producing these elemental ratios. For example, Cr/Th ratios of near-source shales, siltstones, and sandstones range from 2.5 to 17.5 and Eu/Eu∗ range from 0.48 to 0.78, which are in the range of sources of sediments derived from mainly silicic and not basic sources. Near-source shales and siltstones contain significantly higher (Student t-test) and more varied concentrations of most elements (Al 2O 3, Fe 2O 3, MnO, TiO 2, Ba, Th, Hf, Ta, Co, Sc, REEs, Nb, Y) but significantly lower concentrations of Na 2O and Eu/Eu∗ than platform shales and siltstones in Kansas (e.g., La = 65.7 ± 40 and Eu/Eu∗ = 0.55 ± 0.07 in near-source shales and siltstones and La = 23.7 ± 8.7 and Eu/Eu∗ = 0.64 ± 0.08 in platform shales and siltstones). The SiO 2 and CaO concentrations are not significantly different in platform shales and siltstones compared to the near-source shales and siltstones, so dilution of other minerals by quartz and calcite is not the main reason for the lower concentration of most elements in the platform relative to the near-source shales and siltstones. Rather the lesser concentrations of most elements in clay minerals of the platform shales and siltstones can account for the lower concentration of most elements compared to corresponding near-source shales and siltstones. The lower concentrations of many elements in clay minerals in the platform shales and siltstones may be a result of having been derived from recycling of clay minerals from older rocks. The greater homogeneity of elemental concentrations of the platform shales and siltstones compared to those in the source is also consistent with homogeneous mixing of such recycled material. Also there is no significant difference in Th/Sc, La/Co, Th/Co, La/Ni, and Cr/Th ratios of the near-source sedimentary rocks in Colorado to the platform shales and siltstones in Kansas, and the latter are also consistent with derivation from mostly silicic source rocks.

Magnetic field aligned orderly arrangement of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in CS/PVA/Fe3O4 membranes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Meng; Cao, Xing-Zhong; Xia, Rui; Zhou, Zhong-Po; Jin, Shuo-Xue; Wang, Bao-Yi

2018-02-01

Not Available Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11475197, 11575205, 11404100, and 11304083) and the Key Scientific and Technological Project of Henan Province, China (Grant No. 102102210186).

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Baljinnyam, N.; Frontasyeva, M. V.; Ostrovnaya, T. M.

Asian medicinal herbs Chrysanthemum (Spiraea aquilegifolia Pall.) and Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus Santalinus) are widely used in folk and Ayurvedic medicine for healing and preventing some diseases. The modern medical science has proved that the Chrysanthemum (Spiraea aquilegifolia Pall.) possesses the following functions: reducing blood press, dispelling cancer cell, coronary artery's expanding and bacteriostating and Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus Santalinus) is recommended against headache, toothache, skin diseases, vomiting and sometimes it is taken for treatment of diabetes. Species of Chrysanthemums were collected in the north-eastern and central Mongolia, and the Red Sandalwood powder was imported from India. Samples of Chrysanthemums (branches, flowersmore » and leaves)(0.5 g) and red sandalwood powder (0.5 g) were subjected to the multi-element instrumental neutron activation analysis using epithermal neutrons (ENAA) at the IBR-2 reactor, Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics (FLNP) JINR, Dubna. A total of 41 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Cd, Cs, Ba, La, Hf, Ta, W, Sb, Au, Hg, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Yb, Th, U, Lu) were determined. For the first time such a large group of elements was determined in the herbal plants used in Mongolia. The quality control of the analytical results was provided by using certified reference material Bowen Cabbage. The results obtained are compared to the ''Reference plant? data (B. Markert, 1992) and interpreted in terms of excess of such elements as Se, Cr, Ca, Fe, Ni, Mo, and rare earth elements.« less

Mössbauer study of the thermal decomposition of alkali tris(oxalato)ferrates(III)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brar, A. S.; Randhawa, B. S.

1985-07-01

The thermal decomposition of alkali (Li,Na,K,Cs,NH 4) tris(oxalato)ferrates(III) has been studied at different temperatures up to 700°C using Mössbauer, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric techniques. The formation of different intermediates has been observed during thermal decomposition. The decomposition in these complexes starts at different temperatures, i.e., at 200°C in the case of lithium, cesium, and ammonium ferrate(III), 250°C in the case of sodium, and 270°C in the case of potassium tris(oxalato)ferrate(III). The intermediates, i.e., Fe 11C 2O 4, K 6Fe 112(ox) 5. and Cs 2Fe 11 (ox) 2(H 2O) 2, are formed during thermal decomposition of lithium, potassium, and cesium tris(oxalato)ferrates(III), respectively. In the case of sodium and ammonium tris(oxalato)ferrates(III), the decomposition occurs without reduction to the iron(II) state and leads directly to α-Fe 2O 3.

Jahn-Teller distortion of Mn3+-occupied octahedra in red beryl from Utah indicated by optical spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fridrichová, Jana; Bačík, Peter; Ertl, Andreas; Wildner, Manfred; Dekan, Július; Miglierini, Marcel

2018-01-01

Red beryl from Utah is chemically homogeneous and contains only Fe < 0.163, Mn < 0.018, and Mg < 0.016 apfu. Channel sites contain only up to Cs 0.011, K 0.009, Rb 0.004, and Na 0.004 apfu. This suggests only very slight tetrahedral (Cs,K,Rb)Li□-1Be-1 substitution, octahedral Na(Fe2+,Mg)□-1Al-1 substitution can be excluded. Fe and Mn are trivalent as documented by Mössbauer spectroscopy and optical absorption spectroscopy. Red beryl optimized formula is ∼[(Cs,Rb,K)0.02□0.98]Σ1.00□1.00(Al1.79Fe3+0.16Mn3+0.02Ti4+0.02Mg0.01)Σ2.00Be3(Si6O18). Location of Mn3+ was estimated to the octahedral Al3+ site, other choices are improbable due to the bond-length requirements. No Mn3+-induced Jahn-Teller structural distortion was detected due to site symmetry restrictions and small Mn3+ content. However, optical spectroscopy shows broad band at ∼7190 cm-1 assigned to the excited level of the spin-allowed pseudo-tetragonal split E ground state of elongated six-fold Mn3+ coordination. Crystal field calculations indicate that the local Mn3+ environment complies well with crystal chemical expectations for Jahn-Teller distorted Mn3+O6 octahedra.

Drinking water quality in the Ethiopian section of the East African Rift Valley I--data and health aspects.

PubMed

Reimann, Clemens; Bjorvatn, Kjell; Frengstad, Bjørn; Melaku, Zenebe; Tekle-Haimanot, Redda; Siewers, Ulrich

2003-07-20

Drinking water samples were collected throughout the Ethiopian part of the Rift Valley, separated into water drawn from deep wells (deeper than 60 m), shallow wells (<60 m deep), hot springs (T>36 degrees C), springs (T<32 degrees C) and rivers. A total of 138 samples were analysed for 70 parameters (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, F, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, In, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, NO(2), NO(3), Pb, Pr, Rb, Sb, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, SO(4), Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn, Zr, temperature, pH, conductivity and alkalinity) with ion chromatography (anions), spectrometry (ICP-OES and ICP-MS, cations) and parameter-specific (e.g. titration) techniques. In terms of European water directives and WHO guidelines, 86% of all wells yield water that fails to pass the quality standards set for drinking water. The most problematic element is fluoride (F), for which 33% of all samples returned values above 1.5 mg/l and up to 11.6 mg/l. The incidence of dental and skeletal fluorosis is well documented in the Rift Valley. Another problematic element may be uranium (U)-47% of all wells yield water with concentrations above the newly suggested WHO maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) of 2 microg/l. Fortunately, only 7% of the collected samples are above the 10 microg/l EU-MAC for As in drinking water.

Sub-natural width resonances in Cs vapor confined in micrometric thickness optical cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cartaleva, S.; Krasteva, A.; Sargsyan, A.; Sarkisyan, D.; Slavov, D.; Vartanyan, T.

2013-03-01

We present here the behavior of Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT), Velocity Selective Optical Pumping (VSOP) resonances and Velocity Selective Excitation (VSE) resonances observed in Cs vapor confined in а micrometric optical cell (MC) with thickness L = 6λ, λ = 852nm. For comparison of behavior of VSE resonance another conventional optical cell with thickness L=2.5 cm is used. Cells are irradiated in orthogonal to their windows directions by probe beam scanned on the Fg = 4 → Fe= 3, 4, 5 set of transitions and pump beam fixed at the Fg = 3 → Fe = 4 transition, on the D2 line of Cs. The enhanced absorption (fluorescence) narrow VSOP resonance at the closed transition transforms into reduced absorption (fluorescence) one with small increase of atomic concentration or light intensity. A striking difference appears between the VSE resonance broadening in L = 6λ and conventional L = 2.5cm cells.

Unconventional iron-based superconductor CsCa2Fe4As4F2: A first-principle study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Birender; Kumar, Pradeep

2018-05-01

In the present work, we have investigated the structural and electronic properties of newly discovered iron based superconductor CsCa2Fe4As4F2 using first principles calculations. Analysis of the density of states at the Fermi level suggests that Fe-3d states have dominating contribution, and within these 3d states contribution of eg states is significant suggesting multi-band nature of this superconductor. The upper bound of superconducting transition temperature, estimated using electron-phonon coupling constant is found to be ˜2.6 K. To produce the experimental value of transition temperature (28.2 K), a 4-5 times increase in the electron-phonon constant is necessary, hinting that conventional electron-phonon coupling is not enough to explain the origin of superconductivity.

Single crystal growth and physical properties of BiS2-layered compound Eu3Bi2S4F4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Higashinaka, Ryuji; Endo, Hideaki; Kajitani, Joe; Matsuda, Tatsuma D.; Aoki, Yuji

2018-05-01

We have for the first time succeeded in growing single crystals of Eu3Bi2S4F4 by CsCl-flux method and performed magnetic property measurements. Magnetization measurements ascertained that the antiferromagnetic transition appears at TN = 2.2 K. The effective moment estimated from a Curie-Weiss (CW) fitting above 150 K is smaller than the free ion value for Eu2+, indicating that the average valence of Eu ions deviates from divalent. Weak magnetic anisotropy develops below 20 K. From CW fitting at low temperatures, we found the difference in Curie Weiss temperature between H∥ [001] and H ⊥ [ 100 ] , indicating the anisotropy of magnetic interaction between Eu ions. In the magnetization curve at 2 K (below TN), a metamagnetic anomaly appears only for the [001] direction around 0.7 T. Since this anomaly disappears above TN, this transition originates from the spin flip of Eu magnetic moments by applying magnetic field. This finding indicates that the ordered moments in the antiferromagnetic state are parallel to the [001] direction, being consistent with the anisotropic Weiss temperature, which is 20% larger for this direction.

Organic sulfur compounds resulting from the interaction of iron sulfide, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide in an anaerobic aqueous environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heinen, Wolfgang; Lauwers, Anne Marie

1996-04-01

The reaction of iron sulfide (FeS) with H2S in water, in presence of CO2 under anaerobic conditions was found to yield H2 and a variety of organic sulfur compounds, mainly thiols and small amounts of CS2 and dimethyldisulfide. The same compounds were produced when H2S was replaced by HCl, in the H2S-generating system FeS/HCl/CO2. The identification of the products was confirmed by GC-MS analyses and the incorporation of H2 in the organic sulfur compounds was demonstrated by experiments in which all hydrogen compounds were replaced by deuterium compounds. Generation of H2 and the synthesis of thiols were both dependent upon the relative abundance of FeS and HCl or H2S, i.e. the FeS/HCl- or FeS/H2S-proportions. Whether thiols or CS2 were formed as the main products depended also on the FeS/HCl-ratio: All conditions which create a H2 deficiency were found to initiate a proportional increase in the amount of CS2. The quantities of H2 and thiols generated depended on temperature: the production of H2 was significantly accelerated from 50°C onward and thiol synthesis above 75°C. The yield of thiols increased with the amount of FeS and HCl (H2S), given a certain FeS/HCl-ratio and a surplus of CO2. A deficiency of CO2 results in lower thiol systhesis. The end product, pyrite (FeS2), was found to appear as a silvery granular layer floating on the aqueous surface. The identity of the thiols was confirmed by mass spectrometry, and the reduction of CO2 demonstrated by the determination of deuterium incorporation with DCl and D2O. The described reactions can principally proceed under the conditions comparable to those obtaining around submarine hydrothermal vents, or the global situation about 4 billion years ago, before the dawn of life, and could replace the need for a reducing atmosphere on the primitive earth.

Anisotropic diffusion at the field scale in a 4-year multi-tracer diffusion and retention experiment - I: Insights from the experimental data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gimmi, Thomas; Leupin, Olivier X.; Eikenberg, Jost; Glaus, Martin A.; Van Loon, Luc R.; Waber, H. Niklaus; Wersin, Paul; Wang, Hao A. O.; Grolimund, Daniel; Borca, Camelia N.; Dewonck, Sarah; Wittebroodt, Charles

2014-01-01

Claystones are considered worldwide as barrier materials for nuclear waste repositories. In the Mont Terri underground research laboratory (URL), a nearly 4-year diffusion and retention (DR) experiment has been performed in Opalinus Clay. It aimed at (1) obtaining data at larger space and time scales than in laboratory experiments and (2) under relevant in situ conditions with respect to pore water chemistry and mechanical stress, (3) quantifying the anisotropy of in situ diffusion, and (4) exploring possible effects of a borehole-disturbed zone. The experiment included two tracer injection intervals in a borehole perpendicular to bedding, through which traced artificial pore water (APW) was circulated, and a pressure monitoring interval. The APW was spiked with neutral tracers (HTO, HDO, H2O-18), anions (Br, I, SeO4), and cations (Na-22, Ba-133, Sr-85, Cs-137, Co-60, Eu-152, stable Cs, and stable Eu). Most tracers were added at the beginning, some were added at a later stage. The hydraulic pressure in the injection intervals was adjusted according to the measured value in the pressure monitoring interval to ensure transport by diffusion only. Concentration time-series in the APW within the borehole intervals were obtained, as well as 2D concentration distributions in the rock at the end of the experiment after overcoring and subsampling which resulted in ∼250 samples and ∼1300 analyses. As expected, HTO diffused the furthest into the rock, followed by the anions (Br, I, SeO4) and by the cationic sorbing tracers (Na-22, Ba-133, Cs, Cs-137, Co-60, Eu-152). The diffusion of SeO4 was slower than that of Br or I, approximately proportional to the ratio of their diffusion coefficients in water. Ba-133 diffused only into ∼0.1 m during the ∼4 a. Stable Cs, added at a higher concentration than Cs-137, diffused further into the rock than Cs-137, consistent with a non-linear sorption behavior. The rock properties (e.g., water contents) were rather homogeneous at the centimeter scale, with no evidence of a borehole-disturbed zone. In situ anisotropy ratios for diffusion, derived for the first time directly from field data, are larger for HTO and Na-22 (∼5) than for anions (∼3-4 for Br and I). The lower ionic strength of the pore water at this location (∼0.22 M) as compared to locations of earlier experiments in the Mont Terri URL (∼0.39 M) had no notable effect on the anion accessible pore fraction for Cl, Br, and I: the value of 0.55 is within the range of earlier data. Detailed transport simulations involving different codes will be presented in a companion paper.

Chitosan film loaded with silver nanoparticles-sorbent for solid phase extraction of Al(III), Cd(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II).

PubMed

Djerahov, Lubomir; Vasileva, Penka; Karadjova, Irina; Kurakalva, Rama Mohan; Aradhi, Keshav Krishna

2016-08-20

The present study describes the ecofriendly method for the preparation of chitosan film loaded with silver nanoparticles (CS-AgNPs) and application of this film as efficient sorbent for separation and enrichment of Al(III), Cd(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II). The stable CS-AgNPs colloid was prepared by dispersing the AgNPs sol in chitosan solution at appropriate ratio and further used to obtain a cast film with very good stability under storage and good mechanical strength for easy handling in aqueous medium. The incorporation of AgNPs in the structure of CS film and interaction between the polymer matrix and nanoparticles were confirmed by UV-vis and FTIR spectroscopy. The homogeneously embedded AgNPs (average diameter 29nm, TEM analysis) were clearly observed throughout the film by SEM. The CS-AgNPs nanocomposite film shows high sorption activity toward trace metals under optimized chemical conditions. The results suggest that the CS-AgNPs nanocomposite film can be feasibly used as a novel sorbent material for solid-phase extraction of metal pollutants from surface waters. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Towed Thermistor Chain Observations in JASIN,

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-07-01

Lij LiJ - S -Ky LJDC cYcc Ql I- 6? F-L T cy D- Hl-m L-L Lo i -,7W LOu CT KK _ _4 C7) 63 -) Ln CD Ln ;Lf FE - CS -JN V LO WLJCNK ua- -~ Lfl CO F (YD... DBD C _W2 + D2 Integrating (A5) yields: G8 bW -1 2cs + b z(s) = (- - 2c 3 / 2 [sinh (d - sinh- (-)] (a7) +- [(A + bs + cs) - /a]c where d = 4ac - b

Geochronology and petrogenesis of the Early Cretaceous A-type granite from the Feie'shan W-Sn deposit in the eastern Guangdong Province, SE China: Implications for W-Sn mineralization and geodynamic setting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Peng; Mao, Jingwen; Santosh, M.; Bao, Zhian; Zeng, Xiaojian; Jia, Lihui

2018-02-01

The Feie'shan greisen-type W-Sn deposit in the eastern Guangdong Province forms part of the Southeastern Coastal Metallogenic Belt (SCMB) in South China. Here we present zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology of the biotite granite which shows a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 134.7 ± 2.0 Ma, consistent with the zircon U-Pb, biotite 40Ar-39Ar and molybdenite Re-Os ages in the previous study. The biotite granite is peraluminous and belongs to high-K calc-alkaline type. It is characterized by high SiO2, K2O, F, K2O + Na2O and FeOt/(FeOt + MgO), and low CaO, MgO, TiO2 and P2O5 contents, enrichment in Rb, Cs, Th and U, and depletion in Ba, Sr, Zr, Ti and P, with flat REE patterns and distinctly negative Eu anomalies, showing an A2-type affinity. The rocks also display extremely low Ba, Sr and Ti concentrations and high Rb/Sr, Rb/Ba and low CaO/(Na2O + K2O) ratios, indicating high degree of fractionation. Zircon grains from the granite have low Eu/Eu* and Ce4 +/Ce3 + ratios, suggesting low oxygen fugacity. The highly fractionated and reduced features imply that the Feie'shan mineralization is genetically related to the biotite granite. The εNd(t) values and zircon εHf(t) values of the biotite granite range from - 2.96 to - 1.95 and - 5.69 to 0.62, with two-stage Nd and Hf model ages (TDM2) of 1083 to 1164 Ma and 1150 to 1552 Ma, indicating that they were derived from magma hybridization between anatectic granitic and mantle-derived mafic magmas. In combination with previous studies, we propose a geodynamic model for the 145―135 Ma W-Sn mineral system and related magmatism in the southwestern domain of the SCMB. After ca. 145 Ma, the subduction orientation of the Izanagi plate changed from oblique to parallel with respect to the continental margin resulting in large-scale lithosphere extension and thinning, which led to the upwelling of asthenosphere. The ascending mantle-derived mafic magmas provided not only supplied the heat for crustal remelting but also added juvenile mantle-derived melts resulting in the formation of mafic dikes, and I- or A-type granitic intrusions related to the W-Sn ore mineral systems.

Stress-induced nematicity in EuFe 2 As 2 studied by Raman spectroscopy

DOE PAGES

Zhang, W. -L.; Sefat, Athena S.; Ding, H.; ...

2016-07-18

Here, we use polarized Raman scattering to study the structural phase transition in EuFe 2 As 2 , the parent compound of the 122-ferropnictide superconductors. The in-plane lattice anisotropy is characterized by measurements of the side surface with different strains induced by different preparation methods. We also show that while a fine surface polishing leaves the samples free of residual internal strain, in which case the onset of the C 4 symmetry breaking is observed at the nominal structural phase transition temperature T S , cutting the side surface induces a permanent fourfold rotational symmetry breaking spanning tens ofmore » degrees above T S .« less

The Origin of Life in a Terrestrial Hydrothermal Pool? The Importance of a Catalytic Surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sydow, L. A.; Bennett, P.

2013-12-01

A premise of one chemoautotrophic theory for the origin of life is that a recurring reaction catalyzed on the charged surfaces of pyrite served as the first metabolism and was later enveloped by a primitive cellular membrane. This proposed 'surface metabolism' is analogous to the reductive acetyl-CoA pathway (Wächtershäuser 1988) and requires the abiotic formation of methanethiol (CH3SH), the simplest of the alkyl thiols, which would serve the role of coenzyme-A in the surface metabolism. Abiogenic CH3SH has not previously been identified in terrestrial hot springs, but it has been produced in the laboratory under hydrothermal conditions in the presence of a catalyst, usually FeS. Its formation would occur via the following reactions, with reaction 2 requiring catalysis: CO2 + 2H2S --> CS2 + 2H2O (1) CS2 + 3H2 --> CH3SH + H2S (2) We have identified CH3SH in Cinder Pool, an acid-sulfate-chloride hot spring in Yellowstone National Park. This spring is unusual in that it contains a subaqueous molten sulfur layer (~18 m depth) and thousands of iron-sulfur-spherules floating on the surface, which are created by gas bubbling through the molten floor of the spring. Analysis with EDS has shown that cinder material, largely composed of elemental sulfur, also contains trace iron sulfide minerals, meaning it could serve as a reactive and catalytic surface for abiogenic CH3SH formation in Cinder Pool. Furthermore, the cinders themselves are highly porous, and these void spaces could trap necessary reactants near the catalytic surface. Gas samples were collected from Cinder pool in fall of 2011 using the bubble strip method. One sample contained measurable quantities of CH3SH, and all samples contained related reactant sulfur gases such as large amounts of H2S, and smaller amounts of CS2 and dimethyl disulfide. Laboratory microcosm experiments were conducted to replicate these findings in a sterile environment to ensure CH3SH generation was abiotic. Analog Cinder Pool water and either FeS, FeS2, or cinders collected from the pool itself were incubated with H2, CO2, and CS2 as reaction gases for over a week at pool temperatures. An experiment was also conducted without CS2 to see if the solid materials could act as the sole source of sulfur. All of the experimental solids were capable of catalyzing CH3SH production when CS2 was added. Without added CS2, however, only cinders produced CH3SH, while FeS and FeS2 bottles could only make small amounts of H2S. Presumably, the large amount of elemental sulfur in the cinders creates enough H2S for the subsequent generation of CS2 then CH3SH, which is catalyzed by the trace iron-sulfide they also contain. Cinders act as an excellent reaction surface for CH3SH generation, and a similar material may have played a significant part in the advent of life on earth.

Characterisation of Cs ion implanted GaN by DLTS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ngoepe, P. N. M.; Meyer, W. E.; Auret, F. D.; Omotoso, E.; Hlatshwayo, T. T.; Diale, M.

2018-04-01

Deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) was used to characterise Cs implanted GaN grown by hydride vapour phase epitaxy (HVPE). This implantation was done at room temperature using energy of 360 keV to a fluence of 10-11 cm-2. A defect with activation energy of 0.19 eV below the conduction band and an apparent capture cross section of 1.1 × 10-15 cm2 was induced. This defect has previously been observed after rare earth element (Eu, Er and Pr) implantation. It has also been reported after electron, proton and He ion implantation.

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF A CARBON-ENHANCED VERY METAL-POOR STAR: CD-27 14351

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Karinkuzhi, Drisya; Goswami, Aruna; Masseron, Thomas

2017-01-01

We present, for the first time, an abundance analysis of a very metal-poor carbon-enhanced star CD-27 14351 based on a high-resolution ( R  ∼ 48,000) FEROS spectrum. Our abundance analysis performed using local thermodynamic equilibrium model atmospheres shows that the object is a cool star with stellar atmospheric parameters, effective temperature T {sub eff} = 4335 K, surface gravity log g  = 0.5, microturbulence ξ  = 2.42 km s{sup −1}, and metallicity [Fe/H] = −2.6. The star exhibits high carbon and nitrogen abundances with [C/Fe] = 2.89 and [N/Fe] = 1.89. Overabundances of neutron-capture elements are evident in Ba, La, Ce, and Nd, with estimated [X/Fe] > 1, the largest enhancementmore » being seen in Ce with [Ce/Fe] = 2.63. While the first peak s -process elements Sr and Y are found to be enhanced with respect to Fe, ([Sr/Fe] = 1.73 and [Y/Fe] = 1.91), the third peak s -process element Pb could not be detected in our spectrum at the given resolution. Europium, primarily an r -process element also shows an enhancement with [Eu/Fe] = 1.65. With [Ba/Eu] = 0.12, the object CD-27 14351 satisfies the classification criterion for a CEMP-r/s star. The elemental abundance distributions observed in this star are discussed in light of the chemical abundances observed in other CEMP stars in the literature.« less

Sorption Mechanisms of Cesium on Cu II2Fe II(CN) 6and Cu II3[Fe III(CN) 6] 2Hexacyanoferrates and Their Relation to the Crystalline Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ayrault, S.; Jimenez, B.; Garnier, E.; Fedoroff, M.; Jones, D. J.; Loos-Neskovic, C.

1998-12-01

CuII2FeII(CN)6·xH2O and CuII3[FeIII(CN)6]2·xH2O can be prepared with reproducible chemical compositions and structures after careful washing. They have cubicFmoverline3mstructures with iron vacancies. In CuII2FeII(CN)6, copper occupies two different sites: Cu1 in position 4blinked to Fe through the CN groups, and Cu2 not linked to the CN groups and partially occupying the interstitial 24epositions. The second type of site is not present in CuII3[FeIII(CN)6]2. Sorption kinetics and isotherms were determined for cesium on both hexacyanoferrates by batch experiments. On CuII3[FeIII(CN)6]2, the maximum uptake is only 0.073 Cs/Fe (at./at.). On CuII2FeII(CN)6, the uptake reaches 1.5 Cs/Fe. The sorption kinetics include at least two steps: at1/2variation until approximately 72 h and then a slow evolution studied up to 6 months. The sorption mechanism is complex. The main process seems to be diffusion of ion pairs, followed by a reorganization of the solid, resulting in one or more new solid phases. The presence of the Cu2 site seems to play a favorable role in the sorption. Owing to its good midterm stability and the first rapid step of exchange, CuII2FeII(CN)6·xH2O seems to be one of the most promising compounds for the recovery of cesium from nuclear liquid wastes.

Hyperfine and radiological characterization of soils of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montes, M. L.; Taylor, M. A.; Mercader, R. C.; Sives, F. R.; Desimoni, J.

2010-03-01

The depth profile concentration of both natural and anthropogenic gamma-ray-emitter nuclides were determined in soil samples collected in an area located at 34° 54.452' S, 58° 8.365' W, down to 50 cm in depth, using an hyper-pure Ge spectrometer. The soil samples were also characterized by means of Mössbauer spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. The activities of 238U and 232Th natural chains remain constant in depth at 41 Bq/kg and 46 Bq/kg, respectively, while the 40K activity increases from 531 Bq/kg to 618 Bq/kg between 2.5 cm y 25.5 cm of depth. The only anthropogenic detected nuclide is 137Cs, whose activity changes form 1.4 Bq/kg to values lower than the detection limit (LD) for depths below 25 cm, exhibiting a maximum at 10 cm beneath the surface. The Mössbauer spectra show two magnetic sextets associated with α-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4, as well as two Fe+3 Fe+2 doublets, probably originated in octahedral and tetrahedral sites of paramagnetic phases. The Fe3+ paramagnetic signal relative fraction increases up to 82% at the expense of the α-Fe2O3 one when de depth increases. No correlation between Fe3O4 and the 137Cs was identificated.

94 β-Decay Half-Lives of Neutron-Rich _{55}Cs to _{67}Ho: Experimental Feedback and Evaluation of the r-Process Rare-Earth Peak Formation.

PubMed

Wu, J; Nishimura, S; Lorusso, G; Möller, P; Ideguchi, E; Regan, P-H; Simpson, G S; Söderström, P-A; Walker, P M; Watanabe, H; Xu, Z Y; Baba, H; Browne, F; Daido, R; Doornenbal, P; Fang, Y F; Gey, G; Isobe, T; Lee, P S; Liu, J J; Li, Z; Korkulu, Z; Patel, Z; Phong, V; Rice, S; Sakurai, H; Sinclair, L; Sumikama, T; Tanaka, M; Yagi, A; Ye, Y L; Yokoyama, R; Zhang, G X; Alharbi, T; Aoi, N; Bello Garrote, F L; Benzoni, G; Bruce, A M; Carroll, R J; Chae, K Y; Dombradi, Z; Estrade, A; Gottardo, A; Griffin, C J; Kanaoka, H; Kojouharov, I; Kondev, F G; Kubono, S; Kurz, N; Kuti, I; Lalkovski, S; Lane, G J; Lee, E J; Lokotko, T; Lotay, G; Moon, C-B; Nishibata, H; Nishizuka, I; Nita, C R; Odahara, A; Podolyák, Zs; Roberts, O J; Schaffner, H; Shand, C; Taprogge, J; Terashima, S; Vajta, Z; Yoshida, S

2017-02-17

The β-decay half-lives of 94 neutron-rich nuclei ^{144-151}Cs, ^{146-154}Ba, ^{148-156}La, ^{150-158}Ce, ^{153-160}Pr, ^{156-162}Nd, ^{159-163}Pm, ^{160-166}Sm, ^{161-168}Eu, ^{165-170}Gd, ^{166-172}Tb, ^{169-173}Dy, ^{172-175}Ho, and two isomeric states ^{174m}Er, ^{172m}Dy were measured at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory, providing a new experimental basis to test theoretical models. Strikingly large drops of β-decay half-lives are observed at neutron-number N=97 for _{58}Ce, _{59}Pr, _{60}Nd, and _{62}Sm, and N=105 for _{63}Eu, _{64}Gd, _{65}Tb, and _{66}Dy. Features in the data mirror the interplay between pairing effects and microscopic structure. r-process network calculations performed for a range of mass models and astrophysical conditions show that the 57 half-lives measured for the first time play an important role in shaping the abundance pattern of rare-earth elements in the solar system.

Data summary report for fission product release test VI-6

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Osborne, M.F.; Lorenz, R.A.; Travis, J.R.

Test VI-6 was the sixth test in the VI series conducted in the vertical furnace. The fuel specimen was a 15.2-cm-long section of a fuel rod from the BR3 reactor in Belgium. The fuel had experienced a burnup of {approximately}42 MWd/kg, with inert gas release during irradiation of {approximately}2%. The fuel specimen was heated in an induction furnace at 2300 K for 60 min, initially in hydrogen, then in a steam atmosphere. The released fission products were collected in three sequentially operated collection trains designed to facilitate sampling and analysis. The fission product inventories in the fuel were measured directlymore » by gamma-ray spectrometry, where possible, and were calculated by ORIGEN2. Integral releases were 75% for {sup 85}Kr, 67% for {sup 129}I, 64% for {sup 125}Sb, 80% for both {sup 134}Cs and {sup 137}Cs, 14% for {sup 154}Eu, 63% for Te, 32% for Ba, 13% for Mo, and 5.8% for Sr. Of the totals released from the fuel, 43% of the Cs, 32% of the Sb, and 98% of the Eu were deposited in the outlet end of the furnace. During the heatup in hydrogen, the Zircaloy cladding melted, ran down, and reacted with some of the UO{sub 2} and fission products, especially Te and Sb. The total mass released from the furnace to the collection system, including fission products, fuel, and structural materials, was 0.57 g, almost equally divided between thermal gradient tubes and filters. The release behaviors for the most volatile elements, Kr and Cs, were in good agreement with the ORNL Diffusion Model.« less

Pharmacokinetic and in vivo evaluation of a self-assembled gadolinium(III)-iron(II) contrast agent with high relaxivity.

PubMed

Parac-Vogt, Tatjana N; Vander Elst, Luce; Kimpe, Kristof; Laurent, Sophie; Burtéa, Carmen; Chen, Feng; Van Deun, Rik; Ni, Yicheng; Muller, Robert N; Binnemans, Koen

2006-01-01

A high-molecular weight tetrametallic supramolecular complex [(Ln-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- (Ln = Gd, Eu, La) has been obtained upon self-assembly around one iron(II) ion of three 1,10-phenantroline-based molecules substituted in 5'-position with the polyaminocarboxylate diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N',N'-pentaacetate, DTPA-phen(4-). The ICP-MS measurements indicated that the lanthanide:iron ratio is 3:1. Photoluminescence spectra of [Eu-DTPA-phen](-) and of [(Eu-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- are nearly identical, implying that the first coordination sphere of the lanthanide(III) ion has not been changed upon coordination of phenantroline unit to iron(II) ion. NMRD measurements revealed that at 20 MHz and 310 K the relaxivity of the [(Gd-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- is equal to 9.5 +/- 0.3 s(-1) mM(-1) of Gd (28.5 s(-1) per millimole per liter of complex) which is significantly higher than that for Gd-DTPA (3.9 s(-1) mM(-1)). The pharmacokinetic parameters of [(Gd-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- in rats indicate that the elimination of [(Gd-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- is significantly slower than that of Gd-DTPA and is correlated with a reduced volume of distribution. The low volume of distribution and the longer elimination time (T(e1/2)) suggest that the agent is confined to the blood compartment, so it could have an important potential as a blood pool contrast agent. The biodistribution profile of [(Gd-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- 2 h after injection indicates significantly higher concentrations of [(Gd-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- as compared with Gd-DTPA in kidney, liver, lungs, heart and spleen. The images obtained on rats by MR angiography show the enhancement of the abdominal blood vessels. The signal intensity reaches a maximum of 55% at 7 min post-contrast and remains around 25% after 90 min. MRI-histomorphological correlation studies of [Gd-DTPA-phen]- and [(Gd-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- showed that both agents displayed potent contrast enhancement in organs including the liver. The necrosis avidity tests indicated that, in contrast to the [Gd-DTPA-phen](-) precursor complex, the supramolecular complex [(Gd-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- exhibits necrosis avidity. Copyright 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Methodology for UV Cured Conformal Coating

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-06-01

were coated and cured in the Hughes 5•C facility and delivered to MIRADCO& M for their evaluation. At the conclusion of the contract, two 1-day...identification of two coating materials which were fast curing, had few processing problems, and had the potential of meeting M !L..I- 46058C requiremerts...C" 0 c . m O5 C= ~ - cm CLm 6 EU~~ rJ-CS. Ln 0 IN J W a MS C-4 !2Z. 21 Oh.2 C + 2w IN C M C L-o 4 CO IN 0 .EU c i -c a- 0 IN0 oc 30 A 0 E90 -= cc rn

Zinc isotope anomalies. [in Allende meteorite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Volkening, J.; Papanastassiou, D. A.

1990-01-01

The Zn isotope composition in refractory-element-rich inclusions of the Allende meteorite are determined. Typical inclusions contain normal Zn. A unique inclusion of the Allende meteorite shows an excess for Zn-66 of 16.7 + or - 3.7 eu (1 eu = 0.01 percent) and a deficit for Zn-70 of 21 + or - 13 eu. These results indicate the preservation of exotic components even for volatile elements in this inclusion. The observed excess Zn-66 correlates with excesses for the neutron-rich isotopes of Ca-48, Ti-50, Cr-54, and Fe-58 in the same inclusion.

Effect of lone-electron-pair cations on the orientation of crystallographic shear planes in anion-deficient perovskites.

PubMed

Batuk, Dmitry; Batuk, Maria; Abakumov, Artem M; Tsirlin, Alexander A; McCammon, Catherine; Dubrovinsky, Leonid; Hadermann, Joke

2013-09-03

Factors affecting the structure and orientation of the crystallographic shear (CS) planes in anion-deficient perovskites were investigated using the (Pb(1-z)Sr(z))(1-x)Fe(1+x)O(3-y) perovskites as a model system. The isovalent substitution of Sr(2+) for Pb(2+) highlights the influence of the A cation electronic structure because these cations exhibit very close ionic radii. Two compositional ranges have been identified in the system: 0.05 ≤ z ≤ 0.2, where the CS plane orientation gradually varies but stays close to (203)p, and 0.3 ≤ z ≤ 0.45 with (101)p CS planes. The incommensurately modulated structure of Pb0.792Sr0.168Fe1.040O2.529 was refined from neutron powder diffraction data using the (3 + 1)D approach (space group X2/m(α0γ), X = (1/2, 1/2, 1/2, 1/2), a = 3.9512(1) Å, b = 3.9483(1) Å, c = 3.9165(1) Å, β = 93.268(2)°, q = 0.0879(1)a* + 0.1276(1)c*, RF = 0.023, RP = 0.029, and T = 900 K). A comparison of the compounds with different CS planes indicates that the orientation of the CS planes is governed mainly by the stereochemical activity of the lone-electron-pair cations inside the perovskite blocks.

Detection of uranium and chemical state analysis of individual radioactive microparticles emitted from the Fukushima nuclear accident using multiple synchrotron radiation X-ray analyses.

PubMed

Abe, Yoshinari; Iizawa, Yushin; Terada, Yasuko; Adachi, Kouji; Igarashi, Yasuhito; Nakai, Izumi

2014-09-02

Synchrotron radiation (SR) X-ray microbeam analyses revealed the detailed chemical nature of radioactive aerosol microparticles emitted during the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, resulting in better understanding of what occurred in the plant during the early stages of the accident. Three spherical microparticles (∼2 μm, diameter) containing radioactive Cs were found in aerosol samples collected on March 14th and 15th, 2011, in Tsukuba, 172 km southwest of the FDNPP. SR-μ-X-ray fluorescence analysis detected the following 10 heavy elements in all three particles: Fe, Zn, Rb, Zr, Mo, Sn, Sb, Te, Cs, and Ba. In addition, U was found for the first time in two of the particles, further confirmed by U L-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra, implying that U fuel and its fission products were contained in these particles along with radioactive Cs. These results strongly suggest that the FDNPP was damaged sufficiently to emit U fuel and fission products outside the containment vessel as aerosol particles. SR-μ-XANES spectra of Fe, Zn, Mo, and Sn K-edges for the individual particles revealed that they were present at high oxidation states, i.e., Fe(3+), Zn(2+), Mo(6+), and Sn(4+) in the glass matrix, confirmed by SR-μ-X-ray diffraction analysis. These radioactive materials in a glassy state may remain in the environment longer than those emitted as water-soluble radioactive Cs aerosol particles.

Quantification of the Spatial Distribution of Radionuclides in Field Lysimeters with a Collimated High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erdmann, Bryan James

The objective of this work is to quantify the one-dimensional spatial distribution of radionuclides in field lysimeters from the Radionuclide Field Lysimeter Experiment (RadFLEX) facility at the Savannah River Nationals Laboratory (SRNL). The lysimeters, containing 137Cs, 60Co, 133Ba and 152Eu incorporated either into solid wasteforms (Portland cement and reducing grout) or introduced into soil via a filter paper wasteform, were weathered for three to four years. The initial contaminant activities range from 4.0 to 9.0 MBq for the cementitious wasteforms and 0.25 to 0.47 MBq for the filter paper wasteform. An analytical method was developed to perform non-destructive measurements to quantify the spatial distributions measured in field lysimeters. This method provides an alternative to traditional destructive techniques to determine the spatial distribution of activity. This non-destructive method also allows for multiple scans to be performed periodically. Observing how these distributions change with time would improve modeling transport parameters. The detection system consists of a collimated high-purity germanium (HPGe) radiation detector coupled with a linear translational table. A lead collimator is used to achieve spatial resolution as high as 0.25 cm. The lysimeters are positioned relative to the detector using a linear translation stage that can move vertically via a computercontrolled stepping motor. A user control interface was developed with National Instruments LabVIEWRTM that synchronizes the data acquisition from the radiation detector with the lysimeter movement and positioning thus allowing the lysimeter scans to be automated. The detection efficiency of the system was investigated using two methods. Europium-152 is an ideal candidate for calibration source due to its multiple gamma-ray emissions across a wide range of energies. One method uses a 152Eu point source as the calibration standard while the other method uses the 152Eu within the lysimeter systems themselves as the calibration standard. These methods show that system geometry and source distribution are the key factors influencing the detection efficiency. This suggest that to reduce the impact from the source distribution and geometry variability within a volume, that lysimeters be rotated during measurements. These scans showed downward mobility of 60Co and 133Ba when the radionuclides were incorporated directly into the Savannah River Site (SRS) soil via the filter paper wasteform. When radionuclides were incorporated into the cementitious wasteforms positioned in the SRSS soil, 137Cs exhibited both upward and downward dispersion while the other radionuclides showed no movement. This dispersion was more significant for the Portland cement than the reducing grout wasteform. In the case of the filter paper wasteform, 137Cs mobility was greatly reduced. This suggests the presence of a cementitious wasteform enhances 137Cs mobility. The movement of 137Cs from the solid wasteform was modelled using a retarded diffusion model. Retardation factors for 137Cs are determined to range from approximately 700-2500 for Portland cement, 1500-4000 for reducing grout, and up to 2500-8000 the filter paper wasteform. Numerical simulations were run to investigate the hypothesis that ions released from the wasteforms compete for sorption sites in the SRS soil, enhancing the mobility of 137Cs. These simulations suggest ion-competition could be a factor, but more data is needed to explore this mechanism for Cs+ transport. Understanding radionuclide movement in the environment is important for informing strategies used for waste management and disposal.

Structural Limitations of Model Reference Adaptive Controllers

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-04-01

Global Uncertainty CkpVps)I4(s) kWVh(s) In [3) a design rule similar the one studied heme Dps(ms+Cs)V~)Ds = s (4) (ectly the samne when n-m--l) was...Ir represent the under the uncertainty indicated by ES and Eu. output of this structured singular value analysis, p: is an Defint 6: The Design

Epithermal Neutron Activation Analysis of the Asian Herbal Plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baljinnyam, N.; Jugder, B.; Norov, N.; Frontasyeva, M. V.; Ostrovnaya, T. M.; Pavlov, S. S.

2011-06-01

Asian medicinal herbs Chrysanthemum (Spiraea aquilegifolia Pall.) and Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus Santalinus) are widely used in folk and Ayurvedic medicine for healing and preventing some diseases. The modern medical science has proved that the Chrysanthemum (Spiraea aquilegifolia Pall.) possesses the following functions: reducing blood press, dispelling cancer cell, coronary artery's expanding and bacteriostating and Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus Santalinus) is recommended against headache, toothache, skin diseases, vomiting and sometimes it is taken for treatment of diabetes. Species of Chrysanthemums were collected in the north-eastern and central Mongolia, and the Red Sandalwood powder was imported from India. Samples of Chrysanthemums (branches, flowers and leaves) (0.5 g) and red sandalwood powder (0.5 g) were subjected to the multi-element instrumental neutron activation analysis using epithermal neutrons (ENAA) at the IBR-2 reactor, Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics (FLNP) JINR, Dubna. A total of 41 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Cd, Cs, Ba, La, Hf, Ta, W, Sb, Au, Hg, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Yb, Th, U, Lu) were determined. For the first time such a large group of elements was determined in the herbal plants used in Mongolia. The quality control of the analytical results was provided by using certified reference material Bowen Cabbage. The results obtained are compared to the "Reference plant» data (B. Markert, 1992) and interpreted in terms of excess of such elements as Se, Cr, Ca, Fe, Ni, Mo, and rare earth elements.

Optimal integrated abundances for chemical tagging of extragalactic globular clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakari, Charli M.; Venn, Kim; Shetrone, Matthew; Dotter, Aaron; Mackey, Dougal

2014-09-01

High-resolution integrated light (IL) spectroscopy provides detailed abundances of distant globular clusters whose stars cannot be resolved. Abundance comparisons with other systems (e.g. for chemical tagging) require understanding the systematic offsets that can occur between clusters, such as those due to uncertainties in the underlying stellar population. This paper analyses high-resolution IL spectra of the Galactic globular clusters 47 Tuc, M3, M13, NGC 7006, and M15 to (1) quantify potential systematic uncertainties in Fe, Ca, Ti, Ni, Ba, and Eu and (2) identify the most stable abundance ratios that will be useful in future analyses of unresolved targets. When stellar populations are well modelled, uncertainties are ˜0.1-0.2 dex based on sensitivities to the atmospheric parameters alone; in the worst-case scenarios, uncertainties can rise to 0.2-0.4 dex. The [Ca I/Fe I] ratio is identified as the optimal integrated [α/Fe] indicator (with offsets ≲ 0.1 dex), while [Ni I/Fe I] is also extremely stable to within ≲ 0.1 dex. The [Ba II/Eu II] ratios are also stable when the underlying populations are well modelled and may also be useful for chemical tagging.

Multistage hydrothermal silicification and Fe-Tl-As-Sb-Ge-REE enrichment in the Red Dog Zn-Pb-Ag district, northern Alaska: Geochemistry, origin, and exploration applications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Slack, J.F.; Kelley, K.D.; Anderson, V.M.; Clark, J.L.; Ayuso, R.A.

2004-01-01

Geochemical analyses of major, trace, and rare earth elements (REE) in more than 200 samples of variably silicified and altered wall rocks, massive and banded sulfide, silica rock, and sulfide-rich and unmineralized barite were obtained from the Main, Aqqaluk, and Anarraaq deposits in the Red Dog Zn-Pb-Ag district of northern Alaska. Detailed lithogeochemical profiles for two drill cores at Aqqaluk display an antithetic relationship between SiO2/Al2O3 and TiO2/Zr which, together with textural information, suggest preferential silicification of carbonate-bearing sediments. Data for both drill cores also show generally high Tl, Sb, As, and Ge and uniformly positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* > 1.0). Similar high Tl, Sb, As, Ge, and Eu/Eu* values are present in the footwall and shallow hanging wall of Zn-Pb-Ag sulfide intervals at Anarraaq but are not as widely dispersed. Net chemical changes for altered wall rocks in the district, on the basis of average Al-normalized data relative to unaltered black shales of the host Kuna Formation, include large enrichments (>50%) of Fe, Ba, Eu, V, S, Co, Zn, Pb, Tl, As, Sb, and Ge at both Red Dog and Anarraaq, Si at Red Dog, and Sr, U, and Se at Anarraaq. Large depletions (>50%) are evident for Ca at both Red Dog and Anarraaq, for Mg, P, and Y at Red Dog, and for Na at Anarraaq. At both Red Dog and Anarraaq, wall-rock alteration removed calcite and minor dolomite during hydrothermal decarbonation reactions and introduced Si, Eu, and Ge during silicification. Sulfidation reactions deposited Fe, S, Co, Zn, Pb, Tl, As, and Sb; barite mineralization introduced Ba, S, and Sr. Light REE and U were mobilized locally. This alteration and mineralization occurred during Mississippi an hydrothermal events that predated the Middle Jurassic-Cretaceous Brookian orogeny. Early hydrothermal silicification at Red Dog took place prior to or during massive sulfide mineralization, on the basis of the dominantly planar nature of Zn-Pb veins, which suggests filling of fractures that developed in previously lithified rock. Uniformly low Ca and Mg and uniformly negative Ce anomalies in highly siliceous Red Dog wall rocks reflect hydrothermal decarbonation reactions and pervasive silicification owing to conductive cooling of oxidized metalliferous fluids. Similar Ca and Mg depletions are evident at Anarraaq but generally lack associated silicification, possibly because temperatures of the hydrothermal fluids were too low (<180??C) or because the thermal contrast between the fluids and wall rocks was smaller owing to the greater depth of alteration and mineralization there, compared with Red Dog. Chalcophile element anomalies (Fe, Zn, Pb, Tl, As, Sb) in wall rocks at both Red Dog and Anarraq are attributed to sulfidation reactions, coeval with subsurface Zn-Pb-Ag mineralization, during the mixing of oxidized metalliferous fluids with H2S-rich fluids derived locally within the Kuna Formation. Sedimentary wall rocks in the Red Dog district are characterized by a distinctive suite of geochemical anomalies, especially for Zn, Pb, Tl, As, Sb, Ge, and Eu/Eu*. At the Aqqaluk deposit, wall rocks without visible sphalerite or galena (<300 ppm Zn + Pb) have anomalous Eu/Eu*, Tl, Sb, and As for up to ???100 m stratigraphically below Zn-rich silica rock. At Anarraaq, the Tl anomaly is most extensively developed, and enrichment relative to unaltered black shale of the Kuna Formation is present up to 62 m above the highest Zn-Pb sulfide zones. The magnitude of the enrichment and systematic behavior of Tl in the district make Tl a promising geochemical exploration guide for Red Dog-type Zn-Pb-Ag deposits elsewhere. ?? 2004 by Economic Geology.

Paclitaxel loaded magnetic nanocomposites with folate modified chitosan/carboxymethyl surface; a vehicle for imaging and targeted drug delivery.

PubMed

Bano, Shazia; Afzal, Muhammad; Waraich, Mustansar Mahmood; Alamgir, Khalid; Nazir, Samina

2016-11-20

In this study, Paclitaxel (PTX) containing, bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles were fabricated via a simple approach. Folic acid (FA) was conjugated to chitosan (CS)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) through an esterification reaction to produce BSA-CS-FA or BSA-CMC-FA conjugates. NiFe 2 O 4 noncore (NFs) and PTX were loaded through a heat treatment and by a diffusion process. NFs-BSA-CS and NFs-BSA-CMC-FA with size of about 80nm, showed superior transversal R 2 relaxation rate of 349 (mM) -1 s -1 along with folate receptor-targeted and magnetically directed functions. NFs-BSA-CS-FA or NFs-BSA-CS-FA were found stable and biocompatible. Application of an external magnetic field effectively enhanced the PTX release from PTX-NFs-BSA-CS-FA or PTX-NFs-BSA-CS-FA and hence tumor inhibition rate. This study validate that NFs-BSA-CS-FA or NFs-BSA-CMC-FA and PTX-NFs-BSA-CS-FA or PTX-NFs-BSA-CS-FA are suitable systems for tumor diagnosis and therapy. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

In vitro biological validation and cytocompatibility evaluation of hydrogel iron-oxide nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Catalano, Enrico

2017-08-01

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) have recently been investigated for their excellent biocompatibility as well as multi-purpose biomedical potential with promising results, owing to their ability to be targeted and heated by magnetic fields. In this study, novel hydrogel, chitosan Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized for possible use for induced magnetic hyperthermia, and targeted drug delivery. The coating of iron oxide nanoparticles plays a key-role to efficiently improve internalization of nanoparticles in many cell types. Targeting is also highly desirable for these applications. In this regard hydrophilic coating like chitosan was used to improve drug release. Uncoated (Fe3O4)and chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (CS-Fe3O4) were synthesized and characterized from the biological point of view. The aim of this study was to provide an in vitro evaluation of the cytocompatibility of Fe3O4 and CS-Fe3O4 MNPs by using different in vitro evaluation tests. In this context, the cytocompatibility and cytotoxic effects of uncoated and hydrogel chemically-engineered chitosan-coated iron oxide NPs were investigated according to the ISO standard 10993-5:2009. Fe3O4 and CS-Fe3O4 NPs were tested on human mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A) by using direct and not direct contact cytotoxicity evaluation tests, by evaluating influence of the iron particles on the cytoskeleton with phalloidin/DAPI staining and in vitro cellular iron uptake with Perl's Prussian blue staining. The results indicate that uncoated and chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles are cytocompatible, without negative influence on the cytoskeleton or higher accumulation of iron in the cytoplasm. Therefore, it is encouraging that our data suggest uncoated and chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles have satisfactory proliferative and viability effects on MCF-10A cells. In conclusion data suggest that both MNP types may be differently aimed in biomedical application in relation to the dose, acting as biocompatible materials, as component of scaffolds, or as a device for theranostics.

Expression of renal distal tubule transporters TRPM6 and NCC in a rat model of cyclosporine nephrotoxicity and effect of EGF treatment.

PubMed

Ledeganck, Kristien J; Boulet, Gaëlle A; Horvath, Caroline A; Vinckx, Marleen; Bogers, Johannes J; Van Den Bossche, Rita; Verpooten, Gert A; De Winter, Benedicte Y

2011-09-01

Renal magnesium (Mg(2+)) and sodium (Na(+)) loss are well-known side effects of cyclosporine (CsA) treatment in humans, but the underlying mechanisms still remain unclear. Recently, it was shown that epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates Mg(2+) reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) via TRPM6 (Thébault S, Alexander RT, Tiel Groenestege WM, Hoenderop JG, Bindels RJ. J Am Soc Nephrol 20: 78-85, 2009). In the DCT, the final adjustment of renal sodium excretion is regulated by the thiazide-sensitive Na(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter (NCC), which is activated by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). The aim of this study was to gain more insight into the molecular mechanisms of CsA-induced hypomagnesemia and hyponatremia. Therefore, the renal expression of TRPM6, TRPM7, EGF, EGF receptor, claudin-16, claudin-19, and the NCC, and the effect of the RAAS on NCC expression, were analyzed in vivo in a rat model of CsA nephrotoxicity. Also, the effect of EGF administration on these parameters was studied. CsA significantly decreased the renal expression of TRPM6, TRPM7, NCC, and EGF, but not that of claudin-16 and claudin-19. Serum aldosterone was significantly lower in CsA-treated rats. In control rats treated with EGF, an increased renal expression of TRPM6 together with a decreased fractional excretion of Mg(2+) (FE Mg(2+)) was demonstrated. EGF did not show this beneficial effect on TRPM6 and FE Mg(2+) in CsA-treated rats. These data suggest that CsA treatment affects Mg(2+) homeostasis via the downregulation of TRPM6 in the DCT. Furthermore, CsA downregulates the NCC in the DCT, associated with an inactivation of the RAAS, resulting in renal sodium loss.

Copernicus observations of the Ap star Epsilon Ursae Majoris

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mallama, A. D.; Molnar, M. R.

1977-01-01

Spectral scans of the Ap star Epsilon UMa made with the Copernicus satellite show strong line blanketing from profuse Cr II and Fe II lines. In the spectral region covering 1900 to 3000 A, about 500 lines are present which suppress the apparent continuum by at least 15-30%. An accurate line-identification list is compiled showing Eu II present in addition to Mn II and Ni II. The identification of Eu II, however, rests on very stringent identification limits for Fe II. If these are relaxed, the existence of Eu II is dubious. There are no broad features in this spectral region which would suggest strong photoionization discontinuities by metals, but one feature near 2137 A might contain the photoionization edge due to Cr I 5S lying 0.94 eV above the ground level. However, a significant correlation between the line-blanketing strength and the amplitude of the OAO-2 ultraviolet light curves was found such that both monotonically increase in the same proportion toward shorter wavelengths. This gives additional strength to the suggestion that variations in the metal line-blanketing cause the observed photometric variations.

Geochronological, geochemical and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic constraints on the petrogenesis of Late Cretaceous A-type granites from the Sibumasu Block, Southern Myanmar, SE Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Hai; Li, Wen-Qian; Jiang, Shao-Yong; Wang, He; Wei, Xiao-Peng

2017-01-01

The Late Cretaceous to Paleogene granitoids occur widespread in the Sibumasu block within Myanmar (SE Asia), which show a close association with tin-tungsten mineralization. However, the precise timing, petrogenesis and tectonic significance of these granitoids are poorly constrained so far. In this study, we present a detailed study on geochronology, elemental and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic geochemistry for the Hermyingyi and Taungphila granites in southern Myanmar, with the aim of determining their petrogenesis and tectonic implications. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of zircon grains from the two granites yield ages of 69-70 Ma, indicating a Late Cretaceous magmatic event. These granitic rocks are weakly peraluminous and belong to the high-K calc-alkaline series. They are both characterized by high SiO2, K2O + Na2O, FeOT/(FeOT + MgO) and Ga/Al ratios and low Al2O3, CaO, MgO, P2O5 and TiO2 contents, enriched in Rb, Th, U and Y, but depleted in Ba, Sr, P, and Eu, suggesting an A-type granite affinity. Moreover, they display prominent tetrad REE patterns and non-CHARAC trace element behavior, which are common in late magmatic differentiates with strong hydrothermal interaction or deuteric alteration. The granites belong to A2-type and probably formed at a high temperature and anhydrous condition. They have zircon εHf(t) values from - 12.4 to - 10.0 and whole-rock εNd(t) values from - 11.3 to - 10.6, with Paleoproterozoic TDM2 ages (1741-1922 Ma) for both Hf and Nd isotopes. Geochemical and isotopic data suggest that these A-type granites were derived from partial melting of the Paleoproterozoic continental crust dominated by metaigneous rocks with tonalitic to granodioritic compositions, without significant input of mantle-derived magma and followed by subsequent fractional crystallization. By integrating all available data for the regional tectonic evolution in SE Asia and adjacent regions, we attribute the formation of the Late Cretaceous A-type granites to a back-arc extension in the hinterland behind the subduction zone, which is induced by the rollback of the flat Neo-Tethyan subducting slab around ca. 70 Ma. Table 2 Major (wt.%) and trace element (ppm) compositions from the Hermyingyi and Taungphila granites. LOI is loss on ignition; A/CNK = Al2O3/(CaO + Na2O + K2O) (molar ratio); FeOT = FeO + Fe2O3 × 0.8998. Eu/Eu* is a measure of the Eu anomaly when compare to Sm and Gd. Eu/Eu* = EuN/[(SmN) × (GdN)]0.5. Table 3 Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the Hermyingyi and Taungphila granites. Table 4 Hf isotopic compositions of zircons from the Hermyingyi and Taungphila granites. (176Lu/177Hf)CHUR = 0.0032, (176Hf/177Hf)CHUR,0 = 0.282772 (Blichert-Toft and Albarède, 1997); (176Lu/177Hf)DM = 0.0384, (176Hf/177Hf)DM,0 = 0.28325 (Griffin et al., 2000); λ = 1.867 × 10- 11/year (Soderlund et al., 2004).

The r-process Pattern of a Bright, Highly r-process-enhanced Metal-poor Halo Star at [Fe/H] ∼ ‑2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakari, Charli M.; Placco, Vinicius M.; Hansen, Terese; Holmbeck, Erika M.; Beers, Timothy C.; Frebel, Anna; Roederer, Ian U.; Venn, Kim A.; Wallerstein, George; Davis, Christopher Evan; Farrell, Elizabeth M.; Yong, David

2018-02-01

A high-resolution spectroscopic analysis is presented for a new highly r-process-enhanced ([Eu/Fe] = 1.27, [Ba/Eu] = ‑0.65), very metal-poor ([Fe/H] = ‑2.09), retrograde halo star, RAVE J153830.9–180424, discovered as part of the R-Process Alliance survey. At V = 10.86, this is the brightest and most metal-rich r-II star known in the Milky Way halo. Its brightness enables high-S/N detections of a wide variety of chemical species that are mostly created by the r-process, including some infrequently detected lines from elements like Ru, Pd, Ag, Tm, Yb, Lu, Hf, and Th, with upper limits on Pb and U. This is the most complete r-process census in a very metal-poor r-II star. J1538–1804 shows no signs of s-process contamination, based on its low [Ba/Eu] and [Pb/Fe]. As with many other r-process-enhanced stars, J1538–1804's r-process pattern matches that of the Sun for elements between the first, second, and third peaks, and does not exhibit an actinide boost. Cosmo-chronometric age-dating reveals the r-process material to be quite old. This robust main r-process pattern is a necessary constraint for r-process formation scenarios (of particular interest in light of the recent neutron star merger, GW170817), and has important consequences for the origins of r-II stars. Additional r-I and r-II stars will be reported by the R-Process Alliance in the near future.

Characterization and determination of 28 elements in fly ashes collected in a thermal power plant in Argentina using different instrumental techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marrero, Julieta; Polla, Griselda; Jiménez Rebagliati, Raúl; Plá, Rita; Gómez, Darío; Smichowski, Patricia

2007-02-01

Different techniques were selected for comprehensive characterization of seven samples of fly ashes collected from the electrostatic precipitator of the San Nicolás thermal power plant (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Particle size was measured using laser based particle size analyzer. X-ray diffraction powder (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the mineral phase present in the matrix consisting basically of aluminosilicates and large amounts of amorphous material. The predominant crystalline phases were mullite and quartz. Major and minors elements (Al, Ca, Cl, Fe, K, Mg, Na, S, Si and Ti) were detected by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). Trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V and Zn) content was quantified by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Different acid mixtures and digestion procedures were compared for subsequent ICP OES measurements of the dissolved samples. The digestion procedures used were: i) a mixture of FH + HNO 3 + HClO 4 (open system digestion); ii) a mixture of FH + HNO 3 (MW-assisted digestion); iii) a mixture of HF and aqua regia (MW-assisted digestion). Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was employed for the determination of As, Ba, Co, Cr, Ce, Cs, Eu, Fe, Gd, Hf, La, Lu, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, U and Yb. The validation of the procedure was performed by the analysis of two certified materials namely, i) NIST 1633b, coal fly ash and ii) GBW07105, rock. Mean elements content spanned from 41870 μg g - 1 for Fe to 1.14 μg g - 1 for Lu. The study showed that Fe (41870 μg g - 1 ) ≫ V (1137 μg g - 1 ) > Ni (269 μg g - 1 ) > Mn (169 μg g - 1 ) are the main components. An enrichment, with respect to crustal average, in many elements was observed especially for As, V and Sb that deserve particular interest from the environmental and human health point of view.

South-to-north pyroxenite-peridotite source variation correlated with an OIB-type to arc-type enrichment of magmas from the Payenia backarc of the Andean Southern Volcanic Zone (SVZ)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandt, Frederik Ejvang; Holm, Paul Martin; Søager, Nina

2017-01-01

New high-precision minor element analysis of the most magnesian olivine cores (Fo85-88) in fifteen high-MgO (Mg#66-74) alkali basalts or trachybasalts from the Quaternary backarc volcanic province, Payenia, of the Andean Southern Volcanic Zone in Argentina displays a clear north-to-south decrease in Mn/Feol. This is interpreted as the transition from mainly peridotite-derived melts in the north to mainly pyroxenite-derived melts in the south. The peridotite-pyroxenite source variation correlates with a transition of rock compositions from arc-type to OIB-type trace element signatures, where samples from the central part of the province are intermediate. The southernmost rocks have, e.g., relatively low La/Nb, Th/Nb and Th/La ratios as well as high Nb/U, Ce/Pb, Ba/Th and Eu/Eu* = 1.08. The northern samples are characterized by the opposite and have Eu/Eu* down to 0.86. Several incompatible trace element ratios in the rocks correlate with Mn/Feol and also reflect mixing of two geochemically distinct mantle sources. The peridotite melt end-member carries an arc signature that cannot solely be explained by fluid enrichment since these melts have relatively low Eu/Eu*, Ba/Th and high Th/La ratios, which suggest a component of upper continental crust (UCC) in the metasomatizing agent of the northern mantle. However, the addition to the mantle source of crustal materials or varying oxidation state cannot explain the variation in Mn and Mn/Fe of the melts and olivines along Payenia. Instead, the correlation between Mn/Feol and whole-rock (wr) trace element compositions is evidence of two-component mixing of melts derived from peridotite mantle source enriched by slab fluids and UCC melts and a pyroxenite mantle source with an EM1-type trace element signature. Very low Ca/Fe ratios ( 1.1) in the olivines of the peridotite melt component and lower calculated partition coefficients for Ca in olivine for these samples are suggested to be caused by higher H2O contents in the magmas derived from subduction zone enriched mantle. Well-correlated Mn/Fe ratios in the wr and primitive olivines demonstrate that the Mn/Fewr of these basalts that only fractionated olivine and chromite reflects the Mn/Fe of the primitive melts and can be used as a proxy for the amount of pyroxenite melt in the magmas. Using Mn/Fewr for a large dataset of primitive Payenia rocks, we show that decreasing Mn/Fewr is correlated with decreasing Mn and increasing Zn/Mn as expected for pyroxenite melts.

Conversion of radioactive ferrocyanide compounds to immobile glasses

DOEpatents

Schulz, W.W.; Dressen, A.L.

1975-11-21

A method is described for converting complex radioactive ferrocyanide compounds of /sup 134/Cs and /sup 137/Cs to immobile glass that is resistant to leaching by water. The /sup 134/Cs and /sup 137/Cs are separated from nuclear waste solutions by precipitation from alkaline solutions by the addition of a soluble Ni/sup 2 +/, Zn/sup 2 +/, Cu/sup 2 +/, Co/sup 2 +/, UO/sub 2//sup 2 +/, or Mn/sup 2 +/ and K/sub 4/Fe(CN)/sub 6/. The dried, finely ground precipitate is mixed with Na/sub 2/CO/sub 3/ and a mixture of (a) basalt and B/sub 2/O/sub 3/ or (b) SiO/sub 2/ and CaO, melted, and allowed to solidify. (BLM)

Abundances in the Uranium-rich Star CS 31082-001

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, Y.-Z.; Wasserburg, G. J.

2001-05-01

The recent discovery by Cayrel et al. of U in CS 31082-001 along with Os and Ir at greatly enhanced abundances but with [Fe/H]=-2.9 strongly reinforces the argument that there are at least two kinds of Type II supernova (SN II) sources for r-nuclei. One source is the high-frequency H events responsible for heavy r-nuclei (A>135) but not Fe. The H-yields calculated from data on other ultra-metal-poor stars and the Sun provide a template for quantitatively predicting the abundances of all other r-elements. In CS 31082-001 these should show a significant deficiency at A<135 relative to the solar r-pattern. It is proposed that CS 31082-001 should have had a companion that exploded as an SN II H event. If the binary survived the explosion, this star should now have a compact companion, most likely a stellar-mass black hole. Comparison of abundance data with predicted values and a search for a compact companion should provide a stringent test of the proposed r-process model. The U-Th age determined by Cayrel et al. for CS 31082-001 is, to within substantial uncertainties, in accord with the r-process age determined from solar system data. The time gap between the big bang and the onset of normal star formation allows r-process chronometers to provide only a lower limit on the age of the universe.

Constituent elements and their distribution in the radioactive Cs-bearing silicate glass microparticles released from Fukushima nuclear plant.

PubMed

Kogure, Toshihiro; Yamaguchi, Noriko; Segawa, Hiroyo; Mukai, Hiroki; Motai, Satoko; Akiyama-Hasegawa, Kotone; Mitome, Masanori; Hara, Toru; Yaita, Tsuyoshi

2016-10-01

Microparticles of radioactive cesium (Cs)-bearing silicate glass emitted from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant were investigated mainly using state-of-the-art energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in scanning transmission electron microscopes. Precise elemental maps of the particles were obtained using double silicon drift detectors with a large collection angle of X-rays, and qualitative elemental analysis was performed using high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy with a microcalorimetry detector. Beside the substantial elements (O, Si, Cl, K, Fe, Zn, Rb, Sn and Cs) as previously reported, Mn and Ba were also common, though their amounts were small. The atomic ratios of the substantial elements were not the same but varied among individual particles. Fe and Zn were relatively homogeneously distributed, whereas the concentration of alkali ions varied radially. Generally, Cs was rich and K and Rb were poor outward of the particles but the degree of such radial dependence was considerably different among the particles. A concentration of Sn on the particle surface was observed. High-resolution imaging indicated the formation of SnO 2 (cassiterite) nanocrystals on the surface. Synthesis of the bulk glass with a similar composition to the microparticles was attempted by quenching the silicate melt from ∼1600°C. However, homogeneous silicate glass like that of the microparticles could not be obtained due to the segregation of nano-spherules rich in Fe and Zn, suggesting that the microparticles were formed in a very specific condition in the nuclear reactor. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japanese Society of Microscopy. All rights reserved.For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

BaSO4:Eu as an energy independent thermoluminescent radiation dosimeter for gamma rays and C6+ ion beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Kanika; Bahl, Shaila; Singh, Birendra; Kumar, Pratik; Lochab, S. P.; Pandey, Anant

2018-04-01

BaSO4:Eu nanophosphor is delicately optimized by varying the concentration of the impurity element and compared to the commercially available thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) and by extension also to CaSO4:Dy (TLD-900) so as to achieve its maximum thermoluminescence (TL) sensitivity. Further, the energy dependence property of this barite nanophosphor is also explored at length by exposing the phosphor with 1.25 MeV of Co-60, 0.662 MeV of Cs-137, 85 MeV and 65 MeV of Carbon ion beams. Various batches of the phosphor at hand (with impurity concentrations being 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.50 and 1.00 mol%) are prepared by the chemical co-precipitation method out of which BaSO4:Eu with 0.20 mol% Eu exhibits the maximum TL sensitivity. Further, the optimized nanophosphor exhibits a whopping 28.52 times higher TL sensitivity than the commercially available TLD-100 and 1.426 times higher sensitivity than TLD-900, a noteworthy linear response curve for an exceptionally wide range of doses i.e. 10 Gy to 2 kGy and a simple glow curve structure. Furthermore, when the newly optimized nanophosphor is exposed with two different energies of gamma radiations, namely 1.25 MeV of Co-60 (dose range- 10-300 Gy) and 0.662 MeV of Cs-137 (dose range- 1-300 Gy), it is observed that the shape and structure of the glow curves remain remarkably similar for different energies of radiation while the TL response curve shows little to no variation. When exposed to different energies of carbon ion beam BaSO4:Eu displays energy independence at lower doses i.e. from 6.059 to 14.497 kGy. Finally, even though energy independence is lost at higher doses, the material shows high sensitivity to higher energy (85 MeV) of carbon beam compared to the lower energy (65 MeV of C6+) and saturation is apparent only after 121.199 kGy. Therefore the present nanophosphor displays potential as an energy independent TLD.

Acute, but not chronic, exposure to d-cycloserine facilitates extinction and modulates spontaneous recovery of a conditioned taste aversion.

PubMed

Mickley, G Andrew; Remus, Jennifer L; Ramos, Linnet; Wilson, Gina N; Biesan, Orion R; Ketchesin, Kyle D

2012-01-18

D-cycloserine, the glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor partial agonist, has been reported to facilitate the extinction of learned fears acquired in both naturalistic and laboratory settings. The current study extended this literature by evaluating the ability of either chronic or acute administrations of DCS to modulate the extinction and spontaneous recovery of a conditioned taste aversion (CTA). Twenty-three hour fluid-deprived Sprague-Dawley rats acquired a strong CTA following 3 pairings of a conditioned stimulus (CS; 0.3% oral saccharin)+unconditioned stimulus [US; 81 mg/kg (i.p.) lithium chloride (LiCl)]. In separate groups of rats, we then employed 2 different extinction paradigms: (1) CS-only (CSO-EXT) in which saccharin was presented every-other day, or (2) Explicitly Unpaired (EU-EXT) in which both saccharin and LiCl were presented but on alternate days. Previous studies have indicated that the EU-EXT procedure speeds up the extinction process. Further, spontaneous recovery of a CTA emerges following CSO-EXT but the EU-EXT paradigm causes a suppression of spontaneous recovery. DCS (15 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered immediately after daily liquid presentations (saccharin or water, alternate days) during the extinction period. In an acute drug manipulation, DCS (15 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline control injections were administered for 4 days only. This was done during one of 3 different phases of extinction [i.e., static (2-5%), early dynamic (8-16%), or middle dynamic (20-40%) saccharin reacceptance]. Other animals assigned to the chronic DCS condition received daily DCS (15 mg/kg, i.p.) throughout extinction. Changes in saccharin drinking in these animals were compared to the data from rats that received no drug (saline controls). Once rats met our criterion for asymptotic extinction (90% reacceptance of the CS) they entered a 30-day latency period during which they received water for 1 h/day. The day after the completion of the latency period, a final opportunity to drink saccharin was provided (spontaneous recovery test). Saline-treated control rats that went through the EU-EXT procedure achieved asymptotic extinction more quickly than did the CSO-EXT rats and did not exhibit a spontaneous recovery of the CTA. Chronic DCS treatments did not significantly reduce the time to achieve asymptotic CTA extinction in rats exposed to either CSO or EU extinction methods. Further, animals treated with DCS throughout EU-EXT exhibited a spontaneous recovery of the CTA whereas the saline-treated, EU-EXT rats did not. Thus, chronic DCS treatment did not shorten the time to extinguish a CTA and this treatment eliminated the ability of EU-EXT to block spontaneous recovery of the CTA. Acute DCS treatments were more effective in reducing the time required to extinguish a CTA than were chronic drug treatments. Moreover, the timing of these acute DCS treatments affected spontaneous recovery of the CTA depending on the extinction method employed. Acute DCS administrations later in extinction were more effective in reducing spontaneous recovery than were early administrations if the rats went through the CSO-EXT procedure. However, late-in-extinction administrations of DCS facilitated spontaneous recovery of the CTA in rats that experienced the EU-EXT method. These data agree with other findings suggesting that DCS treatments are more effective when administered a limited number of times. Our data extend these findings to the CTA paradigm and further suggest that, depending on the extinction paradigm employed, acute exposure to DCS can speed up CTA extinction and reduce spontaneous recovery of the aversion. The timing of the acute DCS treatment during extinction is generally less important than its duration in predicting the rate of CTA extinction. However, the timing of acute DCS treatments during extinction and the method of extinction employed can interact to affect spontaneous recovery of a CTA. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Compositional variation in minerals of the chevkinite group

USGS Publications Warehouse

Macdonald, R.; Belkin, H.E.

2002-01-01

The composition of chevkinite and perrierite, the most common members of the chevkinite group, is closely expressed by the formula A4BC2D2Si4O22, where A = (La,Ce,Ca,Sr,Th), B = Fe2+, C = (Fe2+,Fe3+,Ti,Al,Zr,Nb) and D = Ti. The A site is dominated by a strong negative correlation between (Ca+Sr) and the REE. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns are very variable, e.g. in LREE/HREE and Eu/Eu*. The C site is dominated by Ti, Al and Fe2+, in very variable proportions. Most chevkinites and perrierites are close to stoichiometric, with cation sums between 12.9 and 13.5, compared to the theoretical 13. There is no single, generally applicable charge balancing substitution scheme in the group; however, the general relationship (Ca+Sr)A + TiC + REEA + M3C+2+ defines a linear array with r2 = 0.91. Chevkinite and perrierite are shown to be compositionally distinct on the basis of CaO, FeO* Al2O3 and Ce2O3 abundances. Chevkinite forms mainly in chemically evolved parageneses, such as syenites, rhyolites and fenites associated with carbonatite complexes. Perrierite is more commonly recorded from igneous rocks of mafic to intermediate composition. The compositional characteristics and possible structural formulae of other members of the chevkinite group are reviewed briefly.

94 β -Decay Half-Lives of Neutron-Rich Cs 55 to Ho 67 : Experimental Feedback and Evaluation of the r -Process Rare-Earth Peak Formation

DOE PAGES

Wu, J.; Nishimura, S.; Lorusso, G.; ...

2017-02-16

The β-decay half-lives of 94 neutron-rich nuclei 144 $-$ 151Cs, 146 $-$ 154Ba, 148 $-$ 156La, 1 50 $-$ 158Ce, 153 $-$160Pr, 156 $-$ 162 Nd, 159 $-$ 163Pm, 160 $-$ 166Sm, 161 $-$ 168Eu , 165 $-$ 170Gd, 166 $-$ 172Tb, 169 $-$ 173Dy, 172 $-$ 175Ho, and two isomeric states 174 mEr, 172 mDy were measured at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory, providing a new experimental basis to test theoretical models. Strikingly large drops of β -decay half-lives are observed at neutron-number N = 97 for 58Ce, 59Pr, 60Nd , and 62Sm, and N = 105 for 63Eu,more » 64Gd, 65Tb, and 66Dy. Features in the data mirror the interplay between pairing effects and microscopic structure. In conclusion, $r$-process network calculations performed for a range of mass models and astrophysical conditions show that the 57 half-lives measured for the first time play an important role in shaping the abundance pattern of rare-earth elements in the solar system.« less

133Cs nuclear magnetic resonance study of one-dimensional fluctuations in CsH2PO4 and its ferroelectric and antiferroelectric transitions at high pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schuele, Paul J.; Schmidt, V. Hugo

1989-02-01

Pressure and temperature effects on the one dimensional (1D) and higher-dimensionality correlations associated with the ferroelectric and antiferroelectric phase transitions in cesium dihydrogen phosphate were studied by means of the 133Cs nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin-lattice relaxation time T1. We measured T1 at 6.5 MHz at temperatures down to the ferroelectric (FE) Curie point TC at 1 bar and at 1.5 and 3.0 kbar, down to the triple point Tt=124.6 K at 3.3 kbar, and down to the antiferroelectric (AFE) Néel point TN at 3.6 kbar. With decreasing temperature, T1 first decreases exponentially due to 1D fluctuations associated with the Jb interactions in disordered hydrogen-bonded chains running along b. As the temperature falls further, T1 then decreases linearly as the Jc interaction between these chains in hydrogen-bonded planes comes into play. From these results and the known pressure derivatives of TC and TN, we calculated pressure dependences for Jb, Jc, and for the interplanar interaction Ja. At 3.3 kbar Ja changes sign, so the plane stacking becomes AFE instead of FE. Above 8.9 kbar, where Jc extrapolates to zero, a new AFE phase with a checkerboard arrangement of FE b chains is predicted.

Origin of the magnetoelectric effect in the Cs2FeCl5.D2O compound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fabelo, Oscar; Rodríguez-Velamazán, J. Alberto; Canadillas-Delgado, Laura; Mazzuca, Lidia; Campo, Javier; Millán, Ángel; Chapon, Laurent C.; Rodríguez-Carvajal, Juan

2017-09-01

Cs2FeCl5.D2O has been identified as a linear magnetoelectric material, although the correlation of this property with the magnetic structures of this compound has not been adequately studied. We have used single-crystal and powder neutron diffraction to obtain detailed information about its nuclear and magnetic structures. From the nuclear structure analysis, we describe the occurrence of a phase transition related to the reorganization of the [FeCl5.D2O] -2 ions and the Cs+ counterion. The magnetic structure was determined at zero magnetic field at 1.8 K using single-crystal diffraction and its temperature evolution was recorded using powder diffraction. The symmetry analysis of the magnetic structure is compatible with the occurrence of the magnetoelectric effect. Moreover, the evolution of the magnetic structure as a function of the external magnetic field has also been studied. The reorientation of the magnetic moments under applied external field along the easy axis (b axis at low temperature) is compatible with the occurrence of a spin-flop transition. The application of a magnetic field below TN compels the magnetic moments to flip from the b axis to the a c plane (with a small induced component along the b axis), for a critical magnetic field of ca. 1.2 T.

Synthesis, crystal structures and luminescence properties of the Eu 3+-doped yttrium oxotellurates(IV) Y 2Te 4O 11 and Y 2Te 5O 13

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Höss, Patrick; Osvet, Andres; Meister, Frank; Batentschuk, Miroslaw; Winnacker, Albrecht; Schleid, Thomas

2008-10-01

Y 2Te 4O 11:Eu 3+ and Y 2Te 5O 13:Eu 3+ single crystals in sub-millimeter scale were synthesized from the binary oxides (Y 2O 3, Eu 2O 3 and TeO 2) using CsCl as fluxing agent. Crystallographic structures of the undoped yttrium oxotellurates(IV) Y 2Te 4O 11 and Y 2Te 5O 13 have been determined and refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. In Y 2Te 4O 11, a layered structure is present where the reticulated sheets consisting of edge-sharing [YO 8] 13- polyhedra are interconnected by the oxotellurate(IV) units, whereas in Y 2Te 5O 13 only double chains of condensed yttrium-oxygen polyhedra with coordination numbers of 7 and 8 are left, now linked in two crystallographic directions by the oxotellurate(IV) entities. The Eu 3+ luminescence spectra and the decay time from different energy levels of the doped compounds were investigated and all detected emission levels were identified. Luminescence properties of the Eu 3+ cations have been interpreted in consideration of the now accessible detailed crystallographic data of the yttrium compounds, providing the possibility to examine the influence of the local symmetry of the oxygen coordination spheres.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) star abundances (Yoon+, 2016)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, J.; Beers, T. C.; Placco, V. M.; Rasmussen, K. C.; Carollo, D.; He, S.; Hansen, T. T.; Roederer, I. U.; Zeanah, J.

2017-03-01

We have endeavored to compile a list that is as complete as possible of carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP); CEMP-s (and CEMP-r/s) and CEMP-no stars having [Fe/H]<-1.0 and [C/Fe]>=+0.7 with available high-resolution spectroscopic abundance information. We have only considered stars with claimed detections or lower limits for carbon, along with several critical elemental-abundance ratios, such as [Ba/Fe] and [Eu/Fe]. The great majority of our sample comes from the literature compilation of Placco+ (2014, J/ApJ/797/21). See section 2 for further details. (2 data files).

Stabilized chitosan/Fe(0)-nanoparticle beads to remove heavy metals from polluted sediments.

PubMed

Liu, T; Sun, Y; Wang, Z L

2016-01-01

Sediment contamination by heavy metals has become a widespread problem that can affect the normal behaviors of rivers and lakes. After chitosan/Fe(0)-nanoparticles (CS-NZVI) beads were cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (GLA), their mechanical strength, stability and separation efficiency from the sediment were obviously improved. Moreover, the average aperture size of GLA-CS-NZVI beads was 20.6 μm and NZVI particles were nearly spherical in shape with a mean diameter of 40.2 nm. In addition, the pH showed an insignificant effect on the removal rates from the sediment. Due to the dissolution of metals species into aqueous solutions as an introduction of the salt, the removal rates of all heavy metals from the sediment were increased with an increase of the salinity. The competitive adsorption of heavy metals between the sediment particles and GLA-CS-NZVI beads became stronger as the sediment particles became smaller, leading to decreased removal rates. Therefore, the removal efficiency could be enhanced by optimizing experimental conditions and choosing appropriate materials for the target contaminants.

Comparison of the partitioning behaviours of yttrium, rare earth elements, and titanium between hydrogenetic marine ferromanganese crusts and seawater

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bau, M.; Koschinsky, A.; Dulski, P.; Hein, J.R.

1996-01-01

In order to evaluate details of the partitioning behaviours of Y, rare earth elements (REEs), and Ti between inorganic metal oxide surfaces and seawater, we studied the distribution of these elements in hydrogenetic marine ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) crusts from the Central Pacific Ocean. Nonphosphatized Fe-Mn crusts display shale-normalized rare earths and yttrium (REYSN) patterns (Y inserted between Dy and Ho) that are depleted in light REEs (LREEs) and which show negative anomalies for YSN, and positive anomalies for LaSN, EuSN, GdSN, and in most cases, CeSN. They show considerably smaller Y/ Ho ratios than seawater or common igneous and clastic rocks, indicating that Y and Ho are fractionated in the marine environment. Compared to P-poor crusts, REYSN patterns of phosphatized Fe-Mn crusts are similar, but yield pronounced positive YSN anomalies, stronger positive LaSN anomalies, and enrichment of the HREEs relative to the MREEs. The data suggest modification of REY during phosphatization and indicate that studies requiring primary REY distributions or isotopic ratios should be restricted to nonphosphatized (layers of) Fe-Mn crusts. Apparent bulk coefficients, KMD, describing trace metal partitioning between nonphosphatized hydrogenetic Fe-Mn crusts and seawater, are similar for Pr to Eu and decrease for Eu to Yb. Exceptionally high values of KCeD, which are similar to those of Ti, result from oxidative scavenging of Ce and support previous suggestions that Ce(IV) is a hydroxide-dominated element in seawater. Yttrium and Gd show lower KD values than their respective neighbours in the REY series. Results of modelling the exchange equilibrium between REY dissolved in seawater and REY sorbed on hydrous Fe-Mn oxides corroborate previous studies that suggested the surface complexation of REY can be approximated by their first hydroxide binding constant. Negative "anomalies" occur for stabilities of bulk surface complexes of Gd, La, and particularly Y. The differences in inorganic surface complex stability between Y and Ho and between Gd and its REE neighbours are similar to those shown by the stabilities of complexes with aminocarboxylic acids and are significantly larger than those shown by stabilities of complexes with carboxylic acids. Hence, sorption of Y and REEs onto hydrous Fe-Mn oxides may contribute significantly to the positive YSN and GdSN anomalies in seawater.

Mechanical properties of natural chitosan/hydroxyapatite/magnetite nanocomposites for tissue engineering applications.

PubMed

Heidari, Fatemeh; Razavi, Mehdi; E Bahrololoom, Mohammad; Bazargan-Lari, Reza; Vashaee, Daryoosh; Kotturi, Hari; Tayebi, Lobat

2016-08-01

Chitosan (CS), hydroxyapatite (HA), and magnetite (Fe3O4) have been broadly employed for bone treatment applications. Having a hybrid biomaterial composed of the aforementioned constituents not only accumulates the useful characteristics of each component, but also provides outstanding composite properties. In the present research, mechanical properties of pure CS, CS/HA, CS/HA/magnetite, and CS/magnetite were evaluated by the measurements of bending strength, elastic modulus, compressive strength and hardness values. Moreover, the morphology of the bending fracture surfaces were characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an image analyzer. Studies were also conducted to examine the biological response of the human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs) on different composites. We conclude that, although all of these composites possess in-vitro biocompatibility, adding hydroxyapatite and magnetite to the chitosan matrix can noticeably enhance the mechanical properties of the pure chitosan. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Involvement of DNA-PK(sub cs) in DSB Repair Following Fe-56 Ion Irradiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

O'Neill, Peter; Harper, Jane; Anderson, Jennifer a.; Cucinnota, Francis A.

2007-01-01

When cells are exposed to radiation, cellular lesions are induced in the DNA including double strand breaks (DSBs), single strand breaks and clustered DNA damage, which if not repaired with high fidelity may lead to detrimental biological consequences. Complex DSBs are induced by ionizing radiation and characterized by the presence of base lesions close to the break termini. They are believed to be one of the major causes of the biological effects of IR. The complexity of DSBs increases with the ionization density of the radiation and these complex DSBs are distinct from the damage induced by sparsely ionizing gamma-radiation. It has been hypothesized that complex DSBs produced by heavy ions in space pose problems to the DNA repair machinery. We have used imm uno-cyto-chemical staining of phosphorylated histone H2AX (gamma-H2AX) foci, as a marker of DSBs. We have investigated the formation and loss of gamma-H2AX foci and RAD51 foci (a protein involved in the homologous recombination pathway) in mammalian cells induced by low fluences of low-LET gamma-radiation and high-LET Fe-56 ions (1GeV/n, 151 keV/micron LET). M059J and M059K cells, which are deficient and proficient in DNA-PK(sub cs) activity respectively, were used to examine the role of DNA-PK(sub cs), a key protein in the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway of DSB repair, along with HF19 human fibroblasts. Followi ng irradiation with Fe-56 ions the rate of repair was slower in M059J cells compared with that in M059K, indicating a role for DNA-PK(sub cs) in the repair of DSB induced by Fe-56 ions. However a small percentage of DSBs induced are rejoined within 5 h although many DSBs still persist up to 24 h. When RAD51 was examined in M059J/K cells, RAD51 foci are visible 24 hours after irradiation in approximately 40% of M059J cells compared with <5% of M059K cells indicating that persistent DSBs or those formed at stalled replication forks recruit RAD51 in DNA-PK(sub cs) deficient cells. Following 1 Gy gamma-radiation the induction of gamma-H2AX foci is similar in M059J and M059K cells. However, the repair rate of DSBs is slower in M059J cells than in M059K as shown previously but faster than seen with DSB induced by 56Fe ions. Vanillin, an inhibitor of DNA-PK(sub cs), reduces significantly the rate of DSB repair in HF19 cells following 1 Gy gamma-radiation but at 0.25 Gy gamma-irradiation the rate of DSB repair is similar in the presence or absence vanillin, thus suggesting the repair of a sub-set of DSBs induced by low dose, low-LET radiation does not require DNA-PK(sub cs). This sub-set of DSBs is formed in lower yield with high LET radiation. T he complexity of DNA DSBs induced by HZE radiation will be discussed in terms of reduced repair efficiency and provide scope to model different sub-classes of DSBs as precursors that may lead to the detrimental health effects of HZE radiation.

Diverse delayed effects in human lymphoblastoid cells surviving exposure to high-LET (56)Fe particles or low-LET (137)Cs gamma radiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Evans, H. H.; Horng, M. F.; Ricanati, M.; Diaz-Insua, M.; Jordan, R.; Schwartz, J. L.

2001-01-01

To obtain information on the origin of radiation-induced genomic instability, we characterized a total of 166 clones that survived exposure to (56)Fe particles or (137)Cs gamma radiation, isolated approximately 36 generations after exposure, along with their respective control clones. Cytogenetic aberrations, growth alterations, responses to a second irradiation, and mutant frequencies at the Na(+)/K(+) ATPase and thymidine kinase loci were determined. A greater percentage of clones that survived exposure to (56)Fe particles exhibited instability (defined as clones showing one or more outlying characteristics) than in the case of those that survived gamma irradiation. The phenotypes of the unstable clones that survived exposure to (56)Fe particles were also qualitatively different from those of the clones that survived gamma irradiation. A greater percentage (20%) of the unstable clones that survived gamma irradiation than those that survived exposure to (56)Fe particles (4%) showed an altered response to the second irradiation, while an increase in the percentage of clones that had an outlying frequency of ouabain-resistant and thymidine kinase mutants was more evident in the clones exposed to (56)Fe particles than in those exposed to gamma rays. Growth alterations and increases in dicentric chromosomes were found only in clones with more than one alteration. These results underscore the complex nature of genomic instability and the likelihood that radiation-induced genomic instability arises from different original events.

Fluorescent LaVO4:Eu(3+) micro/nanocrystals: pH-tuned shape and phase evolution and investigation of the mechanism of detection of Fe(3+) ions.

PubMed

Zhu, Yaqiong; Ni, Yonghong; Sheng, Enhong

2016-06-07

LaVO4:Eu(3+) micro/nanocrystals with various shapes were hydrothermally synthesized by adjusting the pH of the system at 180 °C for 12 h in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The shape and phase of the final product were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Experiments showed that when the other conditions were kept unchanged, the shape of the final product changed from hollow microspheres constructed by nanorods to long nanorods, to short nanorods and finally to grains with microscale sizes with the pH increase from 4.0, 7.0, 11.0 to 13.0 in the system. Meanwhile, the t-LaVO4 phase was always obtained from the system at pH below 13.0 and the m-LaVO4 phase was formed at pH 13.0. It was found that the final product with various shapes presented different luminescence performances. LaVO4:Eu(3+) nanorods obtained from the system at pH 11.0 displayed the strongest luminescence and good fluorescence stability in water. Also, the above strong PL spectrum could be quenched by Fe(3+) ions without the interference of other ions, indicating that the present product could be used as an efficient fluorescent probe for highly selective detection of Fe(3+) ions in water systems. The fluorescence quenching mechanism was investigated simultaneously.

Shining Light on Chitosan: A Review on the Usage of Chitosan for Photonics and Nanomaterials Research.

PubMed

Marpu, Sreekar B; Benton, Erin N

2018-06-17

Chitosan (CS) is a natural polymer derived from chitin that has found its usage both in research and commercial applications due to its unique solubility and chemical and biological attributes. The biocompatibility and biodegradability of CS have helped researchers identify its utility in the delivery of therapeutic agents, tissue engineering, wound healing, and more. Industrial applications include cosmetic and personal care products, wastewater treatment, and corrosion protection, to name a few. Many researchers have published numerous reviews outlining the physical and chemical properties of CS, as well as its use for many of the above-mentioned applications. Recently, the cationic polyelectrolyte nature of CS was found to be advantageous for stabilizing fascinating photonic materials including plasmonic nanoparticles (e.g., gold and silver), semiconductor nanoparticles (e.g., zinc oxide, cadmium sulfide), fluorescent organic dyes (e.g., fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)), luminescent transitional and lanthanide complexes (e.g., Au(I) and Ru(II), and Eu(III)). These photonic systems have been extensively investigated for their usage in antimicrobial, wound healing, diagnostics, sensing, and imaging applications. Highlighted in this review are the different works involving some of the above-mentioned molecular-nano systems that are prepared or stabilized using the CS polymer. The advantages and the role of the CS for synthesizing and stabilizing the above-mentioned optically active materials have been illustrated.

Effects of low molecular weight organic acids on (137)Cs release from contaminated soils.

PubMed

Chiang, Po Neng; Wang, Ming Kuang; Huang, Pan Ming; Wang, Jeng Jong

2011-06-01

Radio pollutant removal is one of several priority restoration strategies for the environment. This study assessed the effect of low molecular weight organic acid on the lability and mechanisms for release of (137)Cs from contaminated soils. The amount of (137)Cs radioactivity released from contaminated soils reacting with 0.02 M low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) specifically acetic, succinic, oxalic, tartaric, and citric acid over 48 h were 265, 370, 760, 850, and 1002 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The kinetic results indicate that (137)Cs exhibits a two-step parabolic diffusion equation and a good linear relationship, indicating that the parabolic diffusion equation describes the data quite well, as shown by low p and high r(2) values. The fast stage, which was found to occur within a short period of time (0.083-3 h), corresponds to the interaction of LMWOAs with the surface of clay minerals; meanwhile, during the slow stage, which occurs over a much longer time period (3-24 h), desorption primarily is attributed to inter-particle or intra-particle diffusion. After a fifth renewal of the LMWOAs, the total levels of (137)Cs radioactivity released by acetic, succinic, oxalic, tartaric, and citric acid were equivalent to 390, 520, 3949, 2061, and 4422 Bq kg(-1) soil, respectively. H(+) can protonate the hydroxyl groups and oxygen atoms at the broken edges or surfaces of the minerals, thereby weakening Fe-O and Al-O bonds. After protonation of H(+), organic ligands can attack the OH and OH(2) groups in the minerals easily, to form complexes with surface structure cations, such as Al and Fe. The amounts of (137)Cs released from contaminated soil treated with LMWOAs were substantially increased, indicating that the LMWOAs excreted by the roots of plants play a critical role in (137)Cs release. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Eu3+-doped KLa(MoO4)2 red-emitting phosphor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zuo, Haoqiang; Liu, Yun; Li, Jinyang; Shi, Xiaolei; Gao, Weiping

2015-09-01

Eu3+-doped KLa(MoO4)2 phosphors were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated that the as-prepared products were pure monoclinic phase of KLa(MoO4)2. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images indicated that the morphology of the prepared phosphors evolved from uniform spherical-like to irregular elliposid-like with increase of the concentration. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra displayed that the phosphors show strong red light around 618 nm, attributed to 5D0 → 7F2 transition of Eu3+ ion under 465 nm excitation, and the optimal Eu3+ doping concentration was about 15 mol.% based on the concentration dependent emission spectra. According to Dexter's theory the electric dipole-dipole interaction (D-D) is the main mechanism for energy transfer between Eu3+ and Eu3+ ions. The CIE chromaticity (x, y) of the phosphors were about (0.65, 0.35) and it is close to the standard red chromaticity of NTSC. Therefore, the phosphors could be used as red phosphors for white light-emitting diodes.

Electrochemistry of cations in diopsidic melt - Determining diffusion rates and redox potentials from voltammetric curves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Colson, Russell O.; Haskin, Larry A.; Crane, Daniel

1990-01-01

Results are presented on determinations of reduction potentials and their temperature dependence of selected ions in diopsidic melt, by using linear sweep voltammetry. Diffusion coefficients were measured for cations of Eu, Mn, Cr, and In. Enthalpies and entropies of reduction were determined for the cations V(V), Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Mn(3+), Fe(2+), Cu(2+), Mo(VI), Sn(IV), and Eu(3+). Reduction potentials were used to study the structural state of cations in the melt.

Cs0.9Ni3.1Se3: A Ni-Based Quasi-One-Dimensional Conductor with Spin-Glass Behavior.

PubMed

Sun, Fan; Guo, Zhongnan; Liu, Ning; Wu, Dan; Lin, Jiawei; Cheng, Erjian; Ying, Tianping; Li, Shiyan; Yuan, Wenxia

2018-04-02

In this work, we report the discovery of a new Ni-based quasi-one-dimensional selenide: Cs 0.9 Ni 3.1 Se 3 . This compound adopts the TlFe 3 Te 3 -type structure with space group P6 3 / m, which consists of infinite [Ni 3 Se 3 ] chains with face-sharing Ni 6 octahedra along the c direction. The lattice parameters are calculated as a = 9.26301(4) Å and c = 4.34272(2) Å, with the Ni-Ni distance in the ab plane as 2.582(3) Å, suggesting the formation of a Ni-Ni metallic bond in this compound. Interestingly, it has been found that Cs 0.9 Ni 3.1 Se 3 is nonstoichiometric, which is different from the other TlFe 3 Te 3 -type phases reported so far. Structure refinement shows that the extra Ni atom in the structure may occupy the 2c site, together with Cs atoms. Cs 0.9 Ni 3.1 Se 3 shows metallic behavior with monotonously decreased resistivity with temperatures from 300 to 0.5 K. Measurements on the magnetic susceptibility display a spin-glass state below 7 K. The specific heat curve gives a Sommerfeld coefficient of 14.6 mJ·K -2 ·mol -1 and a Debye temperature of 143.6 K. The discovery of this new compound enriches the diversity of low-dimensional materials in a transition-metal-based family and also sheds light on the structure-property relationship of this system.

Petrogenesis of the mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) and their host granodiorites from the Zijinshan intrusion along the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Valley: Implications for geodynamic setting and mineralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Peng; Mao, Jingwen; Yao, Wei; Wang, Xiaoxia; Jia, Lihui; Yang, Hanwen

2017-09-01

The Zijinshan intrusion is located to the south of the Tongling ore cluster of the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Valley metallogenic belt (YRB) and even south to the Yangxing-Changzhou Fault (YCF), which separates the YRB and the Jiangnan Massif. It is an I-type high-K calc-alkaline granodiorite with abundant MMEs. Zircon LA-MC-ICP-MS U-Pb ages of 144.0 ± 1.0 Ma and 142.5 ± 1.0 Ma for the host granodiorite and MMEs indicate coeval formation. Biotites from the host granodiorites and MMEs have similar composition, with low FeOt/(FeOt + MgO) values of 0.60-0.65 and 0.60-0.65, and high MgO contents of 10.51-11.70 wt.% and 10.89-12.37 wt.%, respectively. All the biotite samples are between the NNO and the MH buffers. The host granodiorites are metaluminous (A/CNK = 0.94-0.95), enriched in Cs, Rb, U and Pb, depleted in Ba, Sr, Nb, Zr, P, and Ti, with moderate negative Eu anomalies of 0.80-0.87, (87Sr/86Sr)i of 0.70874 to 0.70887, εNd(t) of - 5.63 to - 5.36 and εHf(t) of - 8.68 to - 2.76. The MMEs have lower SiO2 and higher K2O, and they are also enriched in Cs, Rb, U, Ta and Pb, and depleted in Ba, Sr, Nb, Zr, P and Ti, with (87Sr/86Sr)i of 0.70889 to 0.70927, εNd(t) of - 5.52 to - 5.20 and εHf(t) of - 6.46 to - 3.59. All these characteristics demonstrate that partial melting of both the lower crust and an enriched lithospheric mantle metasomatized by subducted slab fluid and their subsequent mixing led to the origin of the I-type granodiorite magmas of the Zijinshan intrusion, which took place in the geodynamic context of the subduction of the Izanagi plate. Combined with the field investigations, we suggest that the Zijinshan intrusion has potential for porphyry Cu-Au mineralization and the Cu-Au metallogenic belt of the YRB may have extended to the south of the YCF.

Sorption of Eu(III) on granite: EPMA, LA-ICP-MS, batch and modeling studies.

PubMed

Fukushi, Keisuke; Hasegawa, Yusuke; Maeda, Koushi; Aoi, Yusuke; Tamura, Akihiro; Arai, Shoji; Yamamoto, Yuhei; Aosai, Daisuke; Mizuno, Takashi

2013-11-19

Eu(III) sorption on granite was assessed using combined microscopic and macroscopic approaches in neutral to acidic conditions where the mobility of Eu(III) is generally considered to be high. Polished thin sections of the granite were reacted with solutions containing 10 μM of Eu(III) and were analyzed using EPMA and LA-ICP-MS. On most of the biotite grains, Eu enrichment up to 6 wt % was observed. The Eu-enriched parts of biotite commonly lose K, which is the interlayer cation of biotite, indicating that the sorption mode of Eu(III) by the biotite is cation exchange in the interlayer. The distributions of Eu appeared along the original cracks of the biotite. Those occurrences indicate that the prior water-rock interaction along the cracks engendered modification of biotite to possess affinity to the Eu(III). Batch Eu(III) sorption experiments on granite and biotite powders were conducted as functions of pH, Eu(III) loading, and ionic strength. The macroscopic sorption behavior of biotite was consistent with that of granite. At pH > 4, there was little pH dependence but strong ionic strength dependence of Eu(III) sorption. At pH < 4, the sorption of Eu(III) abruptly decreased with decreased pH. The sorption behavior at pH > 4 was reproducible reasonably by the modeling considering single-site cation exchange reactions. The decrease of Eu(III) sorption at pH < 4 was explained by the occupation of exchangeable sites by dissolved cationic species such as Al and Fe from granite and biotite in low-pH conditions. Granites are complex mineral assemblages. However, the combined microscopic and macroscopic approaches revealed that elementary reactions by a single mineral phase can be representative of the bulk sorption reaction in complex mineral assemblages.

Effect of Wood Aging on Wine Mineral Composition and 87Sr/86Sr Isotopic Ratio.

PubMed

Kaya, Ayse D; Bruno de Sousa, Raúl; Curvelo-Garcia, António S; Ricardo-da-Silva, Jorge M; Catarino, Sofia

2017-06-14

The evolution of mineral composition and wine strontium isotopic ratio 87 Sr/ 86 Sr (Sr IR) during wood aging were investigated. A red wine was aged in stainless steel tanks with French oak staves (Quercus sessiliflora Salisb.), with three industrial scale replicates. Sampling was carried out after 30, 60, and 90 days of aging, and the wines were evaluated in terms of general analysis, phenolic composition, total polysaccharides, multielement composition, and Sr IR. Li, Be, Mg, Al, Sc, Ti, V, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Sb, Cs, Ba, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Lu, Tl, and Pb elements and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr were determined by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Q-ICP-MS) and Na, K, Ca, and Fe by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Two-way ANOVA was applied to assess wood aging and time effect on Sr IR and mineral composition. Wood aging resulted in significantly higher concentrations of Mg, V, Co, Ni, and Sr. At the end of the aging period, wine exhibited statistically identical Sr IR compared to control. Study suggests that wood aging does not affect 87 Sr/ 86 Sr, not precluding the use of this parameter for wine traceability purposes.

[Study on microwave digestion of coal for the determination of multi-element by ICP-OES and ICP-MS].

PubMed

Wang, Hui; Song, Qiang; Yao, Qiang; Chen, Chang-He; Yu, Fei-Lu

2012-06-01

Effects of temperature and four acids (HNO3, HNO3/H2O2, HNO3/HF and HNO3/HF+H3BO3) on the coal decomposition by microwave digestion and the multi-element analysis were studied. SARM20 was used as a coal standard reference material. The contents of 10 mineral elements (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, K, Na, S, Si, Sr and Ti) in the coal SARM20 were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). And the contents of 20 heavy metals (Li, Be, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Zr, Sn, Cs, Ba, Ce, Eu and Pb) were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that the coal was completely decomposed by microwave digestion with HNO3/HF+ H3BO3 at 210 degrees C. Good recoveries for all elements in the coal SARM20 were obtained by this two-step microwave digestion method. The recoveries of the 10 mineral elements were from 87.5% to 98.8%, and the recoveries of the 20 heavy metals were from 85% to 112.5%. All RSDs of tests were below 3%.

Neutron activation analysis of some building materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salagean, M. N.; Pantelica, A. I.; Georgescu, I. I.; Muntean, M. I.

1999-01-01

Concentrations of As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Lu, Mo, Na, Nd, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, U. Yb, W and Zn in seven Romanian building materials were determined by the Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) method using the VVR-S Reactor of NIPNE- Bucharest. Raw matarials used in cement obtaining ≈ 75% of limestone and ≈ 25% of clay, cement samples from three different factories, furnace slag, phosphogypsum, and a type of brick have been analyzed. The brick was compacted from furnace slay, fly coal ash, phosphogypsum, lime and cement. The U, Th and K concentrations determined in the brick are in agreement with the natural radioactivity measurements of226Ra,232Th and40K. These specific activities were found about twice and 1.5 higher than the accepted levels in the case of226Ra and232Th, as well as40K, respectively. By consequence, the investigated brick is considered a radioactive waste. The rather high content of Co, Cr, K, Th, and Zh in the brick is especially due to the slag and fly ash, the main componets. The presence of U, Th and K in slag is mainly correlated with the limestone and dolomite as fluxes in matallurgy.

All Prime Contract Awards by State or Country, Place, and Contractor, FY 85. Part 16 (Ashaway, Rhode Island - Woodstock, Tennessee).

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-01-01

1LA LA 0)0 CC- CL4 0- Cl) -0 00 00 0’ ’E4 1<u 0 0 0 - * - 0𔃾 ( LADO a:0 1(JD C 0( (000 ((0 (0 0(0 to( L4 444 ɜ mi O O D4 34) 4n 44i 0~ CS414 < (-44...0001,- VI-I EU) .-. N CU EO Ec C ( EU)c) 0000Ioo- cO EOa I (0004 I am(00(0 41N0 410 ON" 4(0) Re t I 4 (41 414--m 10) m1 - 0004< f E0(0()4c ENC E-4 -IN4 W

Storage Phosphors for Medical Imaging

PubMed Central

Leblans, Paul; Vandenbroucke, Dirk; Willems, Peter

2011-01-01

Computed radiography (CR) uses storage phosphor imaging plates for digital imaging. Absorbed X-ray energy is stored in crystal defects. In read-out the energy is set free as blue photons upon optical stimulation. In the 35 years of CR history, several storage phosphor families were investigated and developed. An explanation is given as to why some materials made it to the commercial stage, while others did not. The photo stimulated luminescence mechanism of the current commercial storage phosphors, BaFBr:Eu2+ and CsBr:Eu2+ is discussed. The relation between storage phosphor plate physical characteristics and image quality is explained. It is demonstrated that the morphology of the phosphor crystals in the CR imaging plate has a very significant impact on its performance. PMID:28879966

Scintillation properties of a 2-inch diameter KCa0.8Sr0.2I3:Eu2+ single crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yuntao; Lindsey, Adam C.; Loyd, Matthew; Stand, Luis; Zhuravleva, Mariya; Koschan, Merry; Melcher, Charles L.

2017-09-01

Inch-sized scintillating crystals are required for practical radiation detectors such as hand-held radio-isotope identification devices. In this work, a transparent and colorless 2-inch diameter KCa0.8Sr0.2I3: 0 . 5 mo% Eu2+ single crystal was grown by the vertical Bridgman method, and the scintillation properties of a ∅ 50 mm × 45 mm long sample were evaluated. The Eu2+ 5d1- 4 f emission under X-ray excitation is centered at 472 nm. Its scintillation decay time under 137 Cs source irradiation is 2 . 37 μs, and the absolute light output is 51,000 ± 3000 photons/MeV. The energy resolution at 662 keV was evaluated for different orientations of the crystals with respect to the PMT, and the effect of 40 K background subtraction on energy resolution was evaluated. The performance of the packaged crystal was also investigated.

Ultrasensitive Determination of Malathion Using Acetylcholinesterase Immobilized on Chitosan-Functionalized Magnetic Iron Nanoparticles

PubMed Central

Rodrigues, Núbia Fernanda Marinho; Neto, Sakae Yotsumoto; Luz, Rita de Cássia Silva; Yamanaka, Hideko

2018-01-01

A renewable, disposable, low cost, and sensitive sensor for the detection of organophosphorus pesticides was constructed by immobilizing the acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE), via glutaraldehyde, on magnetic iron nanoparticles (Fe3O4) previously synthesized and functionalized with chitosan (CS). The sensor was denoted AChE/CS/Fe3O4. The magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Acetylthiocholine (ATCh) was incubated with AChE/CS/Fe3O4 and attached to a screen-printed electrode using a magnet. The oxidation of thiocholine (from ATCh hydrolysis) was monitored at an applied potential of +0.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl(KClsat) in 0.1 mol L−1 phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.5) as the supporting electrolyte. A mixture of the pesticide malathion and ATCh was investigated using the same procedure, and the results were compared and expressed as inhibition percentages. For determination of malathion, the proposed sensor presented a linear response in the range from 0.5 to 20 nmol L−1 (R = 0.9942). The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.3 and 0.8 nmol L−1, respectively. Real samples were also investigated, with recovery values of 96.0% and 108.3% obtained for tomato and pond water samples, respectively. The proposed sensor is a feasible option for malathion detection, offering a linear response, good sensitivity, and a low detection limit. PMID:29438301

The Role of Chromohalobacter on Transport of Lanthanides and Cesium in the Dolomite Mineral System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zengotita, Frances; Emerson, Hilary Palmer; Dittrich, Timothy M.

2017-12-01

The chemical behavior of actinide series elements and fission products is a concern for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant repository due to their uncertain mobility in the subsurface salt formation. In this work, we are observing the behavior of the halophilic bacterium, Chromohalobacter, and its effect on the mobility of lanthanides and cesium in the presence of dolomite. Batch and minicolumn experiments were conducted with Cs + and lanthanides (Nd 3+, Eu 3+) to quantify potential transport with bacteria. Preliminary results show that Cs does not interact strongly with dolomite or Chromohalobacter, while the lanthanides can interact strongly with bothmore » minerals and bacteria depending on which the Ln contacts first.« less

Absolute activity measurements with the windowless 4π-CsI(Tl)-sandwich spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denecke, B.

1994-01-01

The windowless 4π-CsI(Tl)-sandwich spectrometer consists of two scintillation crystals sandwiching radioactive sources deposited on thin plastic foils. This configuration has a solid angle very close to 4π sr. The detectors are sensitive to charged particles with energies > 15 keV and measure photons of 15-200 keV with a probability > 98%. Disintegration rates of samples of radionuclides with complex decay modes can be determined directly from the measured count rates with uncertainties below 0.3%. Radionuclide solutions of 57Co, 109Cd, 125I, 152Eu and 192Ir were standardised, partly in the framework of international comparisons. A detailed description of the spectrometer and the measurement procedure is given.

Photochemical mineralization of europium, titanium, and iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles in the ferritin protein cage.

PubMed

Klem, Michael T; Mosolf, Jesse; Young, Mark; Douglas, Trevor

2008-04-07

The Fe storage protein ferritin was used as a size-constrained reaction vessel for the photoreduction and reoxidation of complexed Eu, Fe, and Ti precursors for the formation of oxyhydroxide nanoparticles. The resultant materials were characterized by dynamic light scattering, gel electrophoresis, UV-vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The photoreduction and reoxidation process is inspired by biological sequestration mechanisms observed in some marine siderophore systems.

Materials Data on EuFeO3 (SG:74) by Materials Project

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kristin Persson

2016-10-03

Computed materials data using density functional theory calculations. These calculations determine the electronic structure of bulk materials by solving approximations to the Schrodinger equation. For more information, see https://materialsproject.org/docs/calculations

Impulse voltage control of continuously tunable bipolar resistive switching in Pt/Bi0.9Eu0.1FeO3/Nb-doped SrTiO3 heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Maocai; Liu, Meifeng; Wang, Xiuzhang; Li, Meiya; Zhu, Yongdan; Zhao, Meng; Zhang, Feng; Xie, Shuai; Hu, Zhongqiang; Liu, Jun-Ming

2017-03-01

Epitaxial Bi0.9Eu0.1FeO3 (BEFO) thin films are deposited on Nb-doped SrTiO3 (NSTO) substrates by pulsed laser deposition to fabricate the Pt/BEFO/NSTO (001) heterostructures. These heterostructures possess bipolar resistive switching, where the resistances versus writing voltage exhibits a distinct hysteresis loop and a memristive behavior with good retention and anti-fatigue characteristics. The local resistive switching is confirmed by the conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM), suggesting the possibility to scale down the memory cell size. The observed memristive behavior could be attributed to the ferroelectric polarization effect, which modulates the height of potential barrier and width of depletion region at the BEFO/NSTO interface. The continuously tunable resistive switching behavior could be useful to achieve non-volatile, high-density, multilevel random access memory with low energy consumption.

Microbial mobilization of cesium from illite: Role of organic acids and siderophores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hazotte, Alice; Peron, Olivier; Abdelouas, Abdesselam; Lebeau, Thierry

2015-04-01

Understanding the behavior of cesium (Cs) in soils and geological formations is interesting in the context of nuclear accidents and nuclear waste disposals. Indeed, this radionuclide with a 30-years half-life can contaminate crops and more generally the food chain. Cs with properties similar to potassium is known to be strongly accumulated in the clays of upper soil horizons. While excavation of contaminated soil cannot be feasible for the whole contaminated surfaces (huge volumes to be cleaned-up), in situ methods could provide a sustainable and low cost solution. Phytoextraction is one of a few solutions for in situ remediation of soils contaminated by trace elements and it preserves the quality of agricultural soils. However, many improvements are still needed to enhance phytoextraction effectiveness. The combination of bioaugmentation (soil inoculation with exogenous microorganisms) with phytoextraction is likely to increase the bioaccessibility of radionuclides and their accumulation in plants. The role of bacteria on soil-pollutants can be direct (direct metal complexation) and/or indirect (weathering of clays adsorbing Cs). This study aims to provide more specifically a mechanistic understanding of the bacterial mobilization of Cs from soil with the prospect of soil bioremediation. Bacterial metabolites of Pseudomonas fluorescens (ATCC 17400) were supplied to illite spiked with 0.1 and 1 mM of Cs. Purified siderophores including pyoverdine from P. fluorescens, or the whole metabolites from the bacterial culture supernatant were compared to low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOA) (citric and oxalic acids) at 0.04 mM, or synthetic chelants, i.e., acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) and desferrioxamine mesylate (DFOM) ranging from 50 µM up to 250 µM. The release of Cs and the structural alteration of illite (release of Al, Fe and Si) were monitored. When compared to the control, no release of Cs from illite was observed with LMWOA. On the contrary, a slight release of Cs was shown with AHA and DFOM (9 % and 22 %, respectively). The highest release was shown with the bacterial supernatant and the purified pyoverdine (39 % and 43 %, respectively). The purified pyoverdine and the bacterial metabolites were also able to complex Fe from illite and to a lesser extent Al. These results demonstrated that Cs is likely to be indirectly released from illite by P. fluorescens producing chelating agents involved in its alteration.

Resonant TMR inversion in LiF/EuS based spin-filter tunnel junctions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Fen; Chen, Aixi; Institute for Quantum Computing & Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 Canada

Resonant tunneling can lead to inverse tunnel magnetoresistance when impurity levels rather than direct tunneling dominate the transport process. We fabricated hybrid magnetic tunnel junctions of CoFe/LiF/EuS/Ti, with an epitaxial LiF energy barrier joined with a polycrystalline EuS spin-filter barrier. Due to the water solubility of LiF, the devices were fully packaged in situ. The devices showed sizeable positive TMR up to 16% at low bias voltages but clearly inverted TMR at higher bias voltages. The TMR inversion depends sensitively on the thickness of LiF, and the tendency of inversion disappears when LiF gets thick enough and recovers its intrinsicmore » properties.« less

Fabrication of chitosan/polyacrylonitrile blend and semi-IPN hydrogel with epichlorohydrin

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aijaz, Muhammad Omer; Haider, Sajjad, E-mail: shaider@ksu.edu.sa; Al Mubddel, Fahad S.

2015-05-22

The present study is focused on the preparation of chitosan (CS)/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) blend and semi-interpenetrating polymer network (sIPN). Blend CS/PAN hydrogel films (HFs) were prepared by solution blending and casting technique. CS in the blend was crosslinked with epichlorohydrin (ECH) to prepare sIPN. The developed CS/PAN blend and sIPN hydrogels were characterized with Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermagravimetric analysis (TGA), and Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). The result showed good miscibility between CS and PAN and crosslinking of CS in the blend. The swelling of the different blended and sIPN hydrogels samples were examinedmore » at room temperature (T{sub r}). Blend (C80/P20) sample showed highest swelling (∼2400%) and fair degree of stability (∼28% until 96 h), whereas sIPN hydrogel exhibited relatively low degree of swelling (∼244%) and high degree of aqueous (∼85 % until 96 h), and thermal (onset temperature 304°C) stabilities.« less

Redox transformations and transport of cesium and iodine (-1, 0, +5) in oxidizing and reducing zones of a sand and gravel aquifer

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fox, P.M.; Kent, D.B.; Davis, J.A.

2010-01-01

Tracer tests were performed in distinct biogeochemical zones of a sand and gravel aquifer in Cape Cod, MA, to study the redox chemistry (I) and transport (Cs, I) of cesium and iodine in a field setting. Injection of iodide (I -) into an oxic zone of the aquifer resulted in oxidation of I - to molecular iodine (I2) and iodate (IO3-) over transport distances of several meters. Oxidation is attributed to Mn-oxides present in the sediment. Transport of injected IO 3- and Cs+ was retarded in the mildly acidic oxic zone, with retardation factors of 1.6-1.8 for IO3- and 2.3-4.4for Cs. Cs retardation was likely due to cation exchange reactions. Injection of IO3- into a Fe-reducing zone of the aquifer resulted in rapid and complete reduction to I- within 3 m of transport. The nonconservative behavior of Cs and I observed during the tracer tests underscores the necessity of taking the redox chemistry of I as well as sorption properties of I species and Cs into account when predicting transport of radionuclides (e.g., 129I and 137Cs) in the environment.

High-pressure electrical resistivity studies for Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawashima, C.; Soeda, H.; Takahashi, H.; Hawai, T.; Nambu, Y.; Sato, T. J.; Hirata, Y.; Ohgushi, K.

2017-10-01

High-pressure electrical resistance measurements were performed for iron-based ladder material Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3 (x = 0.25 and 0.65) using a diamond anvil cell (DAC). Recent high-pressure study revealed that iron-based ladder material BaFe2S3 exhibits an insulator-metal transition and superconductivity, and this discovery would provide important insight for understanding the mechanism of iron-based superconductors. Therefore, it is intriguing to investigate the high-pressure properties for the iron-based ladder material Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3 system. The parent compounds BaFe2Se3 and CsFe2Se3 show insulating and magnetic ordering features. For Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3 system, no magnetic ordering is observed for x = 0.25 and minimum charge gap was estimated for x = 0.65. The insulator-metal transitions are observed in both materials.

High-pressure electrical resistivity studies for Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawashima, C.; Soeda, H.; Takahashi, H.; Hawai, T.; Nambu, Y.; Sato, T. J.; Hirata, Y.; Ohgushi, K.

2017-10-01

High-pressure electrical resistance measurements were performed for iron-based ladder material Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3 (x = 0.25 and 0.65) using a diamond anvil cell (DAC). Recent high-pressure study revealed that iron-based ladder material BaFe2S3 exhibits an insulator- metal transition and superconductivity, and this discovery would provide important insight for understanding the mechanism of iron-based superconductors. Therefore, it is intriguing to investigate the high-pressure properties for the iron-based ladder material Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3 system. The parent compounds BaFe2Se3 and CsFe2Se3 show insulating and magnetic ordering features. For Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3 system, no magnetic ordering is observed for x = 0.25 and minimum charge gap was estimated for x = 0.65. The insulator-metal transitions are observed in both materials.

L-Theanine Content and Related Gene Expression: Novel Insights into Theanine Biosynthesis and Hydrolysis among Different Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis L.) Tissues and Cultivars

PubMed Central

Liu, Zhi-Wei; Wu, Zhi-Jun; Li, Hui; Wang, Yong-Xin; Zhuang, Jing

2017-01-01

L-Theanine content has tissues and cultivars specificity in tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.), the correlations of theanine metabolic related genes expression profiles with theanine contents were explored in this study. L-theanine contents in the bud and 1st leaf, 2nd leaf, 3rd leaf, old leaf, stem, and lateral root were determined by HPLC from three C. sinensis cultivars, namely ‘Huangjinya’, ‘Anjibaicha’, and ‘Yingshuang’, respectively. The theanine contents in leaves and root of ‘Huangjinya’ were the highest, followed by ‘Anjibaicha’, and ‘Yingshuang’. The theanine contents in the leaves reduced as the leaf mature gradually, and in stem were the least. Seventeen genes encoding enzymes involved in theanine metabolism were identified from GenBank and our tea transcriptome database, including CsTS1, CsTS2, CsGS1, CsGS2, CsGOGAT-Fe, CsGOGAT-NAD(P)H, CsGDH1, CsGDH2, CsALT, CsSAMDC, CsADC, CsCuAO, CsPAO, CsNiR, CsNR, CsGGT1, and CsGGT3. The transcript profiles of those seventeen genes in the different tissues of three tea plant cultivars were analyzed comparatively. Among the different cultivars, the transcript levels of most selected genes in ‘Huangjinya’ were significantly higher than that in the ‘Anjibaicha’ and ‘Yingshuang’. Among the different tissues, the transcript levels of CsTS2, CsGS1, and CsGDH2 almost showed positive correlation with the theanine contents, while the other genes showed negative correlation with the theanine contents in most cases. The theanine contents showed correlations with related genes expression levels among cultivars and tissues of tea plant, and were determined by the integrated effect of the metabolic related genes. PMID:28439281

Heavy ion irradiations on synthetic hollandite-type materials: Ba1.0Cs0.3A2.3Ti5.7O16 (A=Cr, Fe, Al)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Ming; Tumurugoti, Priyatham; Clark, Braeden; Sundaram, S. K.; Amoroso, Jake; Marra, James; Sun, Cheng; Lu, Ping; Wang, Yongqiang; Jiang, Ying.-Bing.

2016-07-01

The hollandite supergroup of minerals has received considerable attention as a nuclear waste form for immobilization of Cs. The radiation stability of synthetic hollandite-type compounds described generally as Ba1.0Cs0.3A2.3Ti5.7O16 (A=Cr, Fe, Al) were evaluated by heavy ion (Kr) irradiations on polycrystalline single phase materials and multiphase materials incorporating the hollandite phases. Ion irradiation damage effects on these samples were examined using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Single phase compounds possess tetragonal structure with space group I4/m. GIXRD and TEM observations revealed that 600 keV Kr irradiation-induced amorphization on single phase hollandites compounds occurred at a fluence between 2.5×1014 Kr/cm2 and 5×1014 Kr/cm2. The critical amorphization fluence of single phase hollandite compounds obtained by in situ 1 MeV Kr ion irradiation was around 3.25×1014 Kr/cm2. The hollandite phase exhibited similar amorphization susceptibility under Kr ion irradiation when incorporated into a multiphase system.

The Northeast Kingdom batholith, Vermont: magmatic evolution and geochemical constraints on the origin of Acadian granitic rocks

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ayuso, R.A.; Arth, Joseph G.

1992-01-01

Five Devonian plutons (West Charleston, Echo Pond, Nulhegan, Derby, and Willoughby) that constitute the Northeast Kingdom batholith in Vermont show wide ranges in elemental abundances and ratios consistent with major crustal contributions during their evolution. The batholith consists of metaluminous quartz gabbro, diorite and quartz monzodiorite, peraluminous granodiorite and granite, and strongly peraluminous leucogranite. Contents of major elements vary systematically with increasingSiO40) and have small negative Eu anomalies. The strongly peraluminous Willoughby leucogranite has unique trace-element abundances and ratios relative to the rest of the batholith, including low contents of Hf, Zr, Sr, and Ba, low values of K/Rb (80-164), Th/Ta (<9), Rb/Cs (7-40), K/Cs (0.1-0.5), Ce/Pb (0.5-4), high values of Rb/Sr (1-18) low to moderate REE contents and light-REE enriched patterns (with small negative Eu anomalies). Flat REE patterns (with large negative Eu anomalies) are found in a small, hydrothermally-altered area characterized by high abundances of Sn (up to 26 ppm), Rb (up to 670 ppm), Li (up to 310 ppm), Ta (up to 13.1 ppm), and U (up to 10 ppm). There is no single mixing trend, fractional crystallization assemblage, or assimilationscheme that accounts for all trace elementvariations from quartz gabbro to granite in the Northeast Kingdom batholith. The plutons originated by mixing mantle-derived components and crustal melts generated at different levels in the heterogeneous lithosphere in a continental collisional environment. Hybrid rocks in the batholith evolved by fractional crystallization and assimilation of country rocks (<50% by mass), and some of the leucogranitic rocks were subsequently disturbed by a mild hydrothermal event that resulted in the deposition of small amounts of sulfide minerals. ?? 1992 Springer-Verlag.

Reactions and products in the Cs-Zr-I-O system relevant to fission product chemistry — a review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, T.-M.; Kauzlarich, S. M.; Corbett, J. D.

1988-02-01

Some results and problems associated with the known chemistry of cesium and iodine in the presence of Zr/ZrO 2 at 400-600°C and under anaerobic conditions are described and discussed. These aspects include (1) the recently synthesized cesium zirconates Cs 2ZrO 3 and Cs 4ZrO 4 and some of their thermal and hydrolytic properties (2) the demonstration that the supposedly stable CsI reacts with ZrO 2 at 400-700°C to form Cs 2ZrO 3 and ZrI 4 (as Cs 2ZrI 6) and its implications regarding cesium and iodine distributions (3) present knowledge of binary zirconium iodides, their contamination reactions, and the limited inhibition of the reduction of ZrI 4 by metal provided by static ZrO 2 films (4) newly discovered ternary and quaternary zirconium iodides that are obtained in the presence of many common impurity atoms and, when prsesent, CsI (e.g., Zr 6I 12C, CsZr 6I 14C, Zr 6I 14Fe), the ease with which some of those form at least as low as 450°C, and the complications these and related new phases provide.

Are engineered nano iron oxide particles safe? an environmental risk assessment by probabilistic exposure, effects and risk modeling.

PubMed

Wang, Yan; Deng, Lei; Caballero-Guzman, Alejandro; Nowack, Bernd

2016-12-01

Nano iron oxide particles are beneficial to our daily lives through their use in paints, construction materials, biomedical imaging and other industrial fields. However, little is known about the possible risks associated with the current exposure level of engineered nano iron oxides (nano-FeOX) to organisms in the environment. The goal of this study was to predict the release of nano-FeOX to the environment and assess their risks for surface waters in the EU and Switzerland. The material flows of nano-FeOX to technical compartments (waste incineration and waste water treatment plants) and to the environment were calculated with a probabilistic modeling approach. The mean value of the predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) of nano-FeOX in surface waters in the EU for a worst-case scenario (no particle sedimentation) was estimated to be 28 ng/l. Using a probabilistic species sensitivity distribution, the predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) was determined from ecotoxicological data. The risk characterization ratio, calculated by dividing the PEC by PNEC values, was used to characterize the risks. The mean risk characterization ratio was predicted to be several orders of magnitude smaller than 1 (1.4 × 10 - 4 ). Therefore, this modeling effort indicates that only a very limited risk is posed by the current release level of nano-FeOX to organisms in surface waters. However, a better understanding of the hazards of nano-FeOX to the organisms in other ecosystems (such as sediment) needs to be assessed to determine the overall risk of these particles to the environment.

Tunable photoluminescence and magnetic properties of Dy(3+) and Eu(3+) doped GdVO4 multifunctional phosphors.

PubMed

Liu, Yanxia; Liu, Guixia; Dong, Xiangting; Wang, Jinxian; Yu, Wensheng

2015-10-28

A series of Dy(3+) or/and Eu(3+) doped GdVO4 phosphors were successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The results indicate that the as-prepared samples are pure tetragonal phase GdVO4, taking on nanoparticles with an average size of 45 nm. Under ultraviolet (UV) light excitation, the individual Dy(3+) or Eu(3+) ion activated GdVO4 phosphors exhibit excellent emission properties in their respective regions. The mechanism of energy transfer from the VO4(3-) group and the charge transfer band (CTB) to Dy(3+) and Eu(3+) ions is proposed. Color-tunable emissions in GdVO4:Dy(3+),Eu(3+) phosphors are realized through adopting different excitation wavelengths or adjusting the appropriate concentration of Dy(3+) and Eu(3+) when excited by a single excitation wavelength. In addition, the as-prepared samples show paramagnetic properties at room temperature. This kind of multifunctional color-tunable phosphor has great potential applications in the fields of photoelectronic devices and biomedical sciences.

The R-Process Alliance: 2MASS J09544277+5246414, the Most Actinide-enhanced R-II Star Known

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holmbeck, Erika M.; Beers, Timothy C.; Roederer, Ian U.; Placco, Vinicius M.; Hansen, Terese T.; Sakari, Charli M.; Sneden, Christopher; Liu, Chao; Lee, Young Sun; Cowan, John J.; Frebel, Anna

2018-06-01

We report the discovery of a new actinide-boost star, 2MASS J09544277+5246414, originally identified as a very bright (V = 10.1), extremely metal-poor ([Fe/H] = ‑2.99) K giant in the LAMOST survey, and found to be highly r-process-enhanced (r-II; [Eu/Fe] = +1.28]), during the snapshot phase of the R-Process Alliance (RPA). Based on a high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), high-resolution spectrum obtained with the Harlan J. Smith 2.7 m telescope, this star is the first confirmed actinide-boost star found by RPA efforts. With an enhancement of [Th/Eu] = +0.37, 2MASS J09544277+5246414 is also the most actinide-enhanced r-II star yet discovered, and only the sixth metal-poor star with a measured uranium abundance ([U/Fe] = +1.40). Using the Th/U chronometer, we estimate an age of 13.0 ± 4.7 Gyr for this star. The unambiguous actinide-boost signature of this extremely metal-poor star, combined with additional r-process-enhanced and actinide-boost stars identified by the RPA, will provide strong constraints on the nature and origin of the r-process at early times.

Field Applications of In Situ Remediation Technologies: Permeable Reactive Barriers

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-01-01

dweymann@ emconinc.com Caldwell Trucking Northern NJ 1998 TCE Hydraulic Fracturing , $1.12 M Fe0 Only 60% John Vidumsky Permeation Infilling...Oriented $1.15 M Granular No problems except Stephen H. Shoemaker Chloroform, Freon 11, Hydraulic Fracturing cast iron at recovering an Tel: 704-362...VC Massachusetts Falmouth, MA 1998 PCE, TCE Hydraulic Fracturing $160 K Fe0 Robert W. Gillham Military Reservation Tel: 519-888-4658 CS-10 Plume Fax

Sensing of biologically relevant d-metal ions using a Eu(III)-cyclen based luminescent displacement assay in aqueous pH 7.4 buffered solution.

PubMed

Kotova, Oxana; Comby, Steve; Gunnlaugsson, Thorfinnur

2011-06-28

1·Eu·BPS was developed as a luminescent lanthanide sensor for use in displacement assays for detection of d-metal ions by monitoring the changes in the europium emission, which was quenched for iron(II), with a detection limit of ∼10 pM (0.002 μg L(-1)) for Fe(II) in buffered pH 7.4 solution. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011

Determination of pharmaceutical compounds in hospital wastewater and their elimination by advanced oxidation processes.

PubMed

Souza, Fernanda S; Da Silva, Vanessa V; Rosin, Catiusa K; Hainzenreder, Luana; Arenzon, Alexandre; Pizzolato, Tania; Jank, Louise; Féris, Liliana A

2018-02-23

This study investigates the mineralization efficiency, i.e. removal of total organic carbon (TOC) in hospital wastewater by direct ozonation, ozonation with UV radiation (O 3 /UV), homogeneous catalytic ozonation (O 3 /Fe 2+ ) and homogeneous photocatalytic ozonation (O 3 /Fe 2+ /UV). The influence of pH and reaction time was evaluated. For the best process, toxicity and degradation efficiency of the selected pharmaceutical compounds (PhCs) were determined. The results showed that the PhCs detected in the hospital wastewater were completely degraded when the mineralization efficiency reached 54.7% for O 3 /UV with 120 minutes of reaction time using a rate of 1.57 g O 3 h -1 . This process also achieved a higher chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency (64.05%), an increased aromaticity reduction efficiency (81%) and a toxicity reduction.

[Assessment of modern radioecological situation at nuclear explosion "Chagan" (Balapan Site, Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, Kazakhstan)].

PubMed

Evseeva, T I; Maĭstrenko, T A; Geras'kin, S A; Belykh, E S; Umarov, M A; Sergeeva, I Iu; Sergeev, V Iu

2008-01-01

Results on estimation of modern radioecological situation at nuclear explosion "Chagan" based on large-scale cartographic studies (1:25000) of a test area (4 km2) are presented. Maximum gamma-irradiation doses were observed at bulk of ground surrounded a crater and at radioactive fall-outs extended to the North-East and to the SouthWest from the crater. Based on data on artificial radionuclide specific activity most part of soil samples were attributed to radioactive wastes according to IAEA (1996) and OSPORB (1999). Natural decrease of soil radioactivity up to safety level due to 60Co, 137Cs, 90Sr, 152Eu, 154Eu radioactive decay and 241Am accumulation-decay will not take place within the next 60 years at the studied area.

Weak quadrupole moments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lackenby, B. G. C.; Flambaum, V. V.

2018-07-01

We introduce the weak quadrupole moment (WQM) of nuclei, related to the quadrupole distribution of the weak charge in the nucleus. The WQM produces a tensor weak interaction between the nucleus and electrons and can be observed in atomic and molecular experiments measuring parity nonconservation. The dominating contribution to the weak quadrupole is given by the quadrupole moment of the neutron distribution, therefore, corresponding experiments should allow one to measure the neutron quadrupoles. Using the deformed oscillator model and the Schmidt model we calculate the quadrupole distributions of neutrons, Q n , the WQMs, {Q}W(2), and the Lorentz invariance violating energy shifts in 9Be, 21Ne, 27Al, 131Xe, 133Cs, 151Eu, 153Eu, 163Dy, 167Er, 173Yb, 177Hf, 179Hf, 181Ta, 201Hg and 229Th.

Cryoconites from Alpine glaciers: Radionuclide accumulation and age estimation with Pu and Cs isotopes and 210Pb.

PubMed

Wilflinger, T; Lettner, H; Hubmer, A; Bossew, P; Sattler, B; Slupetzky, H

2018-06-01

Cryoconites ("cold dust", derived from the Greek) are aeolian sediments accumulated on glacier surfaces. In cryoconites from the surface of the Stubacher Sonnblickkees, a temperate Austrian glacier, extremely high activity concentrations of artificial and natural radionuclides were found. Artificial radionuclides stem from two clearly distinguishable sources, global fallout from the nuclear weapons testing era deposited over a period of years until roughly 1966 and the fallout from Chernobyl in 1986, which was essentially deposited as a single input during one week. Anthropogenic radionuclides identified were 137 Cs, 134 Cs, 238 Pu, 239+240 Pu, 90 Sr, 241 Am, 60 Co, 125 Sb, 154 Eu, and 207 Bi. The naturally occurring radionuclides detected were the long-lived radon decay product 210 Pb, the primordial radionuclide 4  K and the cosmogenic 7 Be. Isotopic ratios of 134 Cs/ 137 Cs and 239+240 Pu/ 238 Pu were used to separate the nuclide inventory into the contributions of the two aforementioned sources, which show varying degrees of mixing and provide information on the mixing age of the cryoconites. Since isotopic ratios of Pu often have high uncertainties due to low absolute concentrations, age estimation based on this method can be quite inaccurate. Additional information about the age of cryoconites was obtained through analysis of 210 Pb, which is constantly deposited over time. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Facile synthesis and color-tunable properties of BaLuF5:Ce,Tb,Eu(Sm) submicrospheres via a facile ionic liquid/EG two-phase system.

PubMed

Song, Yanhua; Li, Yi; Zhao, Tianqi; Wang, Yuexin; Cui, Tingting; Sheng, Ye; Zheng, Keyan; Zhou, Xiuqing; You, Hongpeng; Zou, Haifeng

2017-02-01

BaLuF 5 :Ce,Tb,Eu(Sm) submicrospheres were synthesized via an ILs/ethylene glycol(EG) two-phase system. The crystalline phase, size, morphology, and luminescence properties were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The results show that 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([Omim]PF 6 ) was used as fluoride source and capping agent to tune morphology and size of the crystals. The formation mechanism has been supposed. Under the excitation of ultraviolet, the BaLuF 5 :5%Ce 3+ ,5%Tb 3+ , BaLuF 5 :Eu 3+ , and BaLuF 5 :5%Ce 3+ ,5%Sm 3+ exhibit green and red emission, which was derived from Tb 3+ , Eu 3+ , and Sm 3+ emission. When codoping Ce 3+ , Tb 3+ , Sm 3+ or Eu 3+ together, multi-color emission can be realized. Furthermore, this synthetic route may have potential applications for fabricating other lanthanide fluorides. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Internal photopumping of Nd3+ (2H9/2, 4F5/2) states in yttrium aluminum garnet by excitation transfer from oxygen deficiency centers and Fe3+ continuum emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hewitt, J. D.; Spinka, T. M.; Senin, A. A.; Eden, J. G.

2011-07-01

Photoexcitation of Nd3+ (2H9/2, 4F5/2) states by the broad (˜70 nm FWHM), near-infrared continuum provided by Fe3+ has been observed at 300 K in bulk yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) crystals doped with trace concentrations (<50 ppm) of Fe, Cr, and Eu. Irradiation of YAG at 248 nm with a KrF laser, which excites the oxygen deficiency center (ODC) in YAG having peak absorption at ˜240 nm, culminates in ODC→Fe3+ excitation transfer and subsequent Fe3+ emission. This internal optical pumping mechanism for rare earth ions is unencumbered by the requirement for donor-acceptor proximity that constrains conventional Förster-Dexter excitation transfer in co-doped crystals.

Structural and magnetic properties of spark plasma sintered Co-Mg-Zn substituted Ba-Sr hexagonal ferrite magnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harikrishnan, V.; Vizhi, R. Ezhil; Rajan Babu, D.; Saravanan, P.

2018-02-01

The effect of conventional and spark plasma sintering processes on the structural and magnetic properties of Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe12-2xCox(MgZn)x/2O19 (x = 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6) was investigated in this study. XRD patterns of both conventionally sintered (CS) and spark plasma sintered (SPS) samples with x = 0.2 and 0.4 showed the crystallization of Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe12O19-phase with space group of P63/mmc. However, in the case of SPS sample with x = 0.4, a secondary peak of α-Fe2O3 was observed. SEM analysis on the SPS samples revealed dense morphology with low porosity; while the CS samples showed the presence of aggregated particles with spherical shapes. Maximum values of saturation magnetization, MS (58 emu/g) and coercivity, HC (3.5 kOe) were obtained for the CS samples with x = 0.4; while their SPS counterparts revealed increased MS (65 emu/g) and HC (3.9 kOe) values. The observed magnetization reversal behaviour for both sintering conditions were not smooth in the case of x = 0.2, which indicated the existence of two-phase behavior. The temperature dependent magnetization studies for x = 0.2 and 0.4 were performed in order to analyze the variation in Curie temperature against Co-Mg-Zn substitution and the obtained results are discussed on the basis of crystallization of hexaferrite-phase.

Kinetic Study on the CsXH3−X PW12O40/Fe-SiO2 Nanocatalyst for Biodiesel Production

PubMed Central

Feyzi, Mostafa; Norouzi, Leila; Rafiee, Hamid Reza

2013-01-01

The kinetic of the transesterification reaction over the CsXH3−XPW12O40/Fe-SiO2 catalyst prepared using sol-gel and impregnation procedures was investigated in different operational conditions. Experimental conditions were varied as follows: reaction temperature 323–333 K, methanol/oil molar ratio = 12/1, and the reaction time 0–240 min. The H3PW12O40 heteropolyacid has recently attracted significant attention due to its potential for application in the production of biodiesel, in either homogeneous or heterogeneous catalytic conditions. Although fatty acids esterification reaction has been known for some time, data is still scarce regarding kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, especially when catalyzed by nonconventional compounds such as H3PW12O40. Herein, a kinetic study utilizing Gc-Mas in situ allows for evaluating the effects of operation conditions on reaction rate and determining the activation energy along with thermodynamic constants including ΔG, ΔS, and ΔH. It indicated that the CsXH3−XPW12O40/Fe-SiO2 magnetic nanocatalyst can be easily recycled with a little loss by magnetic field and can maintain higher catalytic activity and higher recovery even after being used 5 times. Characterization of catalyst was carried out by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), N2 adsorption-desorption measurements methods, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). PMID:24391465

Synthesis and Photoluminescent Properties of Nanorod Bundle Ln4O(OH)9NO3:Eu(Ln = Y, Lu) Prepared by Hydrothermal Method.

PubMed

Li, Ling; Noh, Hyeon Mi; Liu, Xiaoguang; Moon, Byung Kee; Choi, Byung Chun; Jeong, Jung Hyun

2015-07-01

Well-crystallized nanorod bundles Ln4O(OH)9NO3:1%Eu(Ln = Y, Lu) have been successfully prepared by hydrothermal method. The crystalline phase, size and optical properties were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), infrared (IR) spectrograph and photoluminescent (PL) spectra. Site occupations of Eu3+ in crystals Ln4O(OH)9NO3:Eu(Ln = Y, Lu) were discussed based on excitation spectra and the empirical relationship formula between the charge transfer (CT) energy and the environmental factor. The emission spectra exhibited that the strongest emission peaks with an excitation wavelength of 395 nm were at 617 and 626 nm in crystal Lu4O(OH)9NO3:1%Eu and Y4O(OH)9NO3:1%Eu, respectively, both of which come from 5D0-7F2 transition of the Eu3+ ions. The broad excitation peaks at about 254 and 255 nm were found when monitored at 617 and 628 nm in crystal Lu4O(OH)9NO3:1%Eu and Y4O(OH)9NO3:1%Eu, respectively, which were due to O-Eu CT transition. Based on the dielectric theory of complex crystal, the CT bands at about 254 and 255 nm in Ln4O(OH)9NO3:1%Eu(Ln = Y, Lu) were assigned to the transition of O-Eu at Ln3(Ln = Y, Lu) site, from which we can conclude that Eu3+ ions occupied the site of Ln3(Ln = Y, Lu) in crystal Ln4O(OH)9NO3:1%Eu(Ln = Y, Lu). It put forward a new route to investigate site occupation of luminescent center ions in rare earth doped complex inorganic luminescence materials.

Radionuclide migration in clayrock host formations for deep geological disposal of radioactive waste: advances in process understanding and up-scaling methods resulting from the EC integrated project `Funmig

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Altmann, S.; Tournassat, C.; Goutelard, F.; Parneix, J. C.; Gimmi, T.; Maes, N.

2009-04-01

One of the ‘pillars' supporting Safety Cases for deep geological disposal of radioactive waste in clayrock formations is the knowledge base regarding radionuclide (Rn) retention by sorption and diffusion-driven transport which is why the EC integrated project ‘Funmig' focused a major part of its effort on advancing understanding of these two macroscopic phenomena. This talk presents some of the main results of this four year effort (2005-2008). One of the keys to understanding diffusion-driven transport of anionic and cationic radionuclide species in clayrocks lies in a detailed understanding of the phenomena governing Rn total concentration and speciation (dissolved, adsorbed) in the different types of pore spaces present in highly-compacted masses of permanently charged clay minerals. Work carried out on a specifically synthesized montmorillonite (a model for the clay mineral fraction in clayrocks) led to development, and preliminary experimental validation, of a conceptually coherent set of theoretical models (molecular dynamics, electrostatic double layer, thermodynamic) describing dissolved ion and water solvent behavior in this material. This work, complemented by the existing state of the art, provides a sound theoretical basis for explaining such important phenomena as anion exclusion, cation exchange and the diffusion behavior of anions, weakly sorbing cations and water tracers. Concerning the behavior of strongly sorbing and/or redox-reactive radionuclides in clay systems, project research improved understanding of the nature of sorption reactions and sorbed species structure for key radioelements, or analogues (U, Se, Eu, Sm, Yb, Nd) on the basal surfaces and in the interlayers of synthetic or purified clay minerals. A probable mechanism for Se(IV) retention by reduction to Se° in Fe2+-containing clays was brought to light; this same process was also studied on the Callovo-Oxfordien clayrock targeted by the French radwaste management program. The migration of most radionuclides in clayrocks, in particular the actinides, is limited by their strong sorption on rock mineral surfaces. Much effort was devoted in Funmig to improving understanding of this process on the clayrocks being studied in the Swiss, Belgian and French radwaste management programs. Specific attention was focused on (i) elucidating the effect of dissolved organic matter on Am(III), Th(IV), Eu(III) sorption on clayrock surfaces and (ii) determining the link between Kd measured on dispersed rock systems and the Kd operant in intact rock volumes, i.e. during diffusion. Regarding the latter question, results indicate that Kd values for ‘dispersed' and ‘intact' materials are quite similar for certain elements (Na, Sr, Cs, Co). On the other hand, Kd values obtained by modeling results of diffusion experiments involving strongly sorbing elements as Cs, Co and Eu were always significantly smaller than those predicted based on sorption data measured in corresponding batch systems. This is an area where additional research is being planned. A major effort was devoted to improving understanding of the effects of small-scale (m to cm) clayrock structure and large-scale (dm to hm) mineralogical composition on radionuclide diffusion-retention. The program focusing on the small-scale produced a method for simulating the results of tracer diffusion in an intact rock based on the actual rock microstructure of the rock sample to be used in the diffusion experiment. This model was used to predict / inverse model the spatial distribution of highly sorbing tracers (Eu, Cu). This overall approach is also being used to understand how changes in mineralogical composition can affect the values of macroscopic diffusion parameters (De, tortuosity, anisiotropy). At a much larger scale, the results of (i) a geostatistical analysis of clayrock mineralogical variability and (ii) measurements of De and Kd dependence on mineralogy for Cs and Cl, were combined to create models of parameter variability at the formation scale. These models were used to evaluate the effects of formation scale heterogeneity on predictive modeling of radionuclide migration. Measurements and modeling of natural tracer profiles were also carried out in order to evaluate the diffusion characteristics at geological time and space scales.

Mineralogical and geochemical features of the coarse saprolite developed on orthogneiss in the SW of Yaoundé, South Cameroon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ndjigui, P.-D.; Badinane, M. F. B.; Nyeck, B.; Nandjip, H. P. K.; Bilong, P.

2013-03-01

A petrological investigation was performed in the coarse saprolite on orthogneiss in Yaoundé (South Cameroon) using combined whole rock geochemical (XRF, ICP-MS) and mineralogical (XRD, SEM) techniques. The orthogneiss has high contents in SiO2 (61.56 wt.%), Ba (916 ppm) and REE (209 ppm), moderate content in Al2O3 (14.34 wt.%) and negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.68). The weathering leads to the formation of three main constituents in the coarse saprolite: (i) the loose materials (∼85 vol.%) are basically clayey silty with relic structure. They are composed of kaolinite, quartz and goethite. The loose materials have high contents in SiO2 (56-64.83 wt.%) and Al2O3 (21.48-23.96 wt.%), and moderate contents in V (163-236 ppm), Ba (95-340 ppm) and Zr (160-313 ppm). The REE content is low (∼49-169 ppm) relative to the parent rock with LREE-enrichment (LREE/HREE ∼ 7-17). Positive Ce anomaly (Ce/Ce* ∼ 3.35) is observed in the white veins and slight positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* ∼ 1.2-1.4) are noted in all loose samples. The (La/Yb)N ratios (∼0.8-1.5) indicate high REE-fractionation. The mass balance calculation reveals the depletion of several elements except Al, Ti, Sc, Y, Th, Sb and Hf; (ii) the iron duricrust (∼10 vol.%) is located at the bottom and the top of the horizon. The mineral assemblage is dominated by hematite and goethite. The upper iron duricrust has high contents in Fe2O3 (45.60 wt.%) and Cr (1641 ppm), moderate contents in V (459 ppm) and Zn (143 ppm), and low REE content (47 ppm) with low LREE/HREE ratio (4.28). The upper iron duricrust is more enriched in Fe2O3 (53.26 wt.%) than the lower one. Vanadium, Cr and Zr have high contents relative to other trace elements. The REE content is low (39 ppm) as well as the LREE/HREE ratio (2.94). The iron duricrust has negative Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce* ∼ 0.66-0.69) and very low (La/Yb)N ratios (0.1-0.3). Several elements reported in the iron duricrust are highly leached except Fe, Cr, Zn, Sc, V, Pb, Zr, Cu and Th; and (iii) the Mn-rich materials (<5 vol.%) are made up of birnessite, cryptomelane, and low quantities of quartz, kaolinite and goethite. The SEM investigation reveals that Ba and Pb are linked in Mn-bearing phases and Ce-oxides appear as fine-grained intergrowth between Mn-bearing phases. The Mn-bearing phases are enriched in MnO (33.86 wt.%), BaO (4.30 wt.%), Co (1716 ppm), Pb (1315 ppm) and Ce (5202 ppm). Positive Ce and Eu anomalies are observed (Ce/Ce* ∼ 15.60 and Eu/Eu* ∼ 2). The mass balance calculations indicate the strong accumulation of Mn, Ni, Co, Zn, Sc, Cu, Ba, Pb, Y, Ga, Zr and REE. The Mn-bearing phases might be derived from the accumulation of silicate residues and Mn within the parent rock. The transition from the parent rock to the coarse saprolite is marked by high leaching of several elements.

Are Limits of Concern a useful concept to improve the environmental risk assessment of GM plants?

PubMed

Dolezel, Marion; Miklau, Marianne; Heissenberger, Andreas; Reichenbecher, Wolfram

2017-01-01

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has introduced a concept for the environmental risk assessment of genetically modified (GM) plants which foresees the definition of ecological threshold values defining acceptable adverse effects of the GM plant on the environment (Limits of Concern, LoC). We analysed the LoC concept by scrutinising its feasibility with regard to important aspects of the environmental risk assessment. We then considered its relationship with protection goals, the comparative safety assessment and the stepwise testing approach. We finally discussed its usefulness for assessing long-term effects, effects on non-target organisms and species of conservation concern. The LoC concept is a possible approach to introduce ecological thresholds into environmental risk assessment in order to evaluate environmental harm. However, the concept leaves many important aspects open. Thresholds for environmental harm for protection goals need spatial and temporal differentiation from LoCs used for ERA indicators. Regionalisation of LoCs must be provided for as biodiversity levels and protection goals vary across the EU. Further guidance is needed with respect to the consequences, in case LoCs are exceeded and a link needs to be established between environmentally relevant results from the comparative safety assessment and the LoC concept. LoCs for long-term effects have to be evaluated by long-term monitoring. LoCs for non-target organisms need to be discriminated according to the species and parameters assessed. The overall LoC concept is considered useful if LoCs are further specified and differentiated. Although LoCs will finally be determined by political decisions, they should be based on scientific grounds in order to increase confidence in the conclusions on the safety of GM plants.

Facile preparation of biphasic-induced magnetic icariin-loaded composite microcapsules by automated in situ click technology.

PubMed

Pan, Panpan; Chen, Jingdi; Fan, Tiantang; Hu, Yimin; Wu, Tao; Zhang, Qiqing

2016-04-01

This research aims to prepare the biphasic-induced magnetic composite microcapsules (BIMCM) as a promising environmental stimuli-responsive delivery vehicle to dispose the problem of drug burst effect. The paper presented a novel automated in situ click technology of magnetic chitosan/nano hydroxyapatite (CS/nHA) microcapsules. Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) and nHA were simultaneously in situ crystallized by one-step process. Icariin (ICA), a plant-derived flavonol glycoside, was combined to study drug release properties of BIMCM. BIMCM were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Thermal gravimetric analysis/Differential Scanning Calorimetry(TGA/DSC) in order to reveal their component and surface morphology as well as the role of the in situ generated Fe3O4 MNP and nHA. The magnetic test showed the BIMCM were super-paramagnetic. Both in situ generated Fe3O4 MNP and nHA serve as stable inorganic crosslinkers in BIMCM to form many intermolecular crosslinkages for the movability of the CS chains. This makes ICA loaded microcapsules take on a sustained release behavior and results in the self-adjusting of surface morphology, decreasing of swelling and degradation rates. In addition, in vitro tests were systematically carried out to examine the biocompatibility of the microcapsules by MTT test, Wright-Giemsa dying assay and AO/EB fluorescent staining method. These results demonstrated that successful introduction of the in situ click Fe3O4 MNP provided an alternative strategy because of magnetic sensitivity and sustained release. As such, the novel ICA loaded biphasic-induced magnetic CS/nHA/MNP microcapsules are expected to find potential applications in drug delivery system for bone repair. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Zircon U-Pb geochronology and geochemistry of granites in the Zhuguangshan complex, South China: Implications for uranium mineralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Long; Chen, Zhenyu; Li, Xiaofeng; Li, Shengrong; Santosh, M.; Huang, Guolong

2018-05-01

The Zhuguangshan complex, composed of Caledonian, Indosinian, and Yanshanian granites, and Cretaceous mafic dykes, is one of the most important granite-hosted uranium producers in South China. Here we present LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb and hornblende 40Ar/39Ar geochronology and whole-rock and biotite geochemistry for the granites in this complex to evaluate the magmatism and its constraints on uranium mineralization. Samples collected from the Fuxi, Youdong, Longhuashan, Chikeng, Qiling, and Sanjiangkou intrusions yield zircon weighted 206Pb/238U ages of 426.7 ± 5.4 Ma, 226.4 ± 3.5 Ma, 225.0 ± 2.7 Ma, 152.2 ± 3.0 Ma, 153.9 ± 2.1 Ma, and 155.2 ± 2.1 Ma, respectively. A new Ar-Ar dating of the hornblende of the diabase from the Changjiang uranium ore field yields a plateau age of 145.1 ± 1.5 Ma. These results coupled with published geochronological data indicate that six major magmatic events occurred in the study area at 420-435 Ma, 225-240 Ma, 150-165 Ma, 140 Ma, 105 Ma, and 90 Ma. Both U-bearing and barren granites occur in this complex, and they display differences in whole-rock and biotite geochemistry. The barren granites show higher Al2O3, CaO, TFMM, Rb, Zr, Ba, SI, Mg#, (La/Yb)N, and Eu/Eu*, but lower SiO2, ALK, Rb, DI, Rb/Sr, and TiO2/MgO than those of the U-bearing granites. Biotites in the U-bearing granites are close to the Fe-rich siderophyllite-annite end member with Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratios higher than 0.66, whereas those in the barren granites are relatively close to the Mg-rich eastonite-phlogopite end member with Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratios <0.66. The U-bearing granites were mainly derived from the partial melting of pelitic sedimentary source, whereas the psammitic source generated the barren granites. In addition, the barren granites show higher TFMM, Ba, and Eu/Eu* but lower SiO2, Rb/Sr and Al2O3/TiO2 ratios with higher zircon saturation temperatures relative to the U-bearing granites. These results indicate that the geochemical compositions of the U-bearing and barren granites are dictated not only by the compositions of source rocks but also the physicochemical conditions of partial melting. Our study suggests that these two factors are also the major factors that control uranium ore potential of the granites in the Zhuguangshan complex. The geochemical variations of U-bearing and barren granites can serve as a potential detector for granite-hosted uranium deposits.

Low Work Function Csl Coatings for Enhanced Field Emission Properties

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-04-01

CsI is an insulator band gap=6.2 eV Ref. 6 that would be expected to impede, rather than to enhance, electron tunneling. Vlahos et al.7...minimal WF. Vlahos et al.10 later carried out ex situ experimental char- acterization of the surfaces of CsI-coated cathodes after use in a FE device...Jenkin, J. Liesegang, and R. C. G. Leckey, Phys. Rev. B 11, 5179 1975. 7V. Vlahos , J. H. Booske, and D. Morgan, Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 144102 2007. 8A

Bridgman Growth of Large SrI2:Eu2+ Single Crystals: A High-performance Scintillator for Radiation Detection Applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boatner, Lynn A; Ramey, Joanne Oxendine; Kolopus, James A

2013-01-01

Single-crystal strontium iodide (SrI2) doped with relatively high levels (e.g., 3 - 6 %) of Eu2+ exhibits characteristics that make this material superior, in a number of respects, to other scintillators that are currently used for radiation detection. Specifically, SrI2:Eu2+ has a light yield that is significantly higher than LaBr3:Ce3+ -a currently employed commercial high-performance scintillator. Additionally, SrI2:Eu2+ is characterized by an energy resolution as high as 2.6% at the 137Cs gamma-ray energy of 662 keV, and there is no radioactive component in SrI2:Eu2+ - unlike LaBr3:Ce3+ that contains 138La. The Ce3+-doped LaBr3 decay time is, however, faster (30 nsec)more » than the 1.2 sec decay time of SrI2:Eu2+. Due to the relatively low melting point of strontium iodide (~515 oC), crystal growth can be carried out in quartz crucibles by the vertical Bridgman technique. Materials-processing and crystal-growth techniques that are specific to the Bridgman growth of europium-doped strontium iodide scintillators are described here. These techniques include the use of a porous quartz frit to physically filter the molten salt from a quartz antechamber into the Bridgman growth crucible and the use of a bent or bulb grain selector design to suppress multiple grain growth. Single crystals of SrI2:Eu2+ scintillators with good optical quality and scintillation characteristics have been grown in sizes up to 5.0 cm in diameter by applying these techniques. Other aspects of the SrI2:Eu2+ crystal-growth methods and of the still unresolved crystal-growth issues are described here.« less

Characterization of Delayed-Particle Emission Signatures for Pyroprocessing. Part 1: ABTR Fuel Assembly.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Durkee, Jr., Joe W.

A three-part study is conducted using the MCNP6 Monte Carlo radiation-transport code to calculate delayed-neutron (DN) and delayed-gamma (DG) emission signatures for nondestructive assay (NDA) metal-fuel pyroprocessing. In Part 1, MCNP6 is used to produce irradiation-induced used nuclear fuel (UNF) isotopic inventories for an Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) Advanced Burner Test Reactor (ABTR) preconceptual design fuel assembly (FA) model. The initial fuel inventory consists of uranium mixed with light-water-reactor transuranic (TRU) waste and 10 wt% zirconium (U-LWR-SFTRU-10%Zr). To facilitate understanding, parametric evaluation is done using models for 3% and 5% initial 235U a% enrichments, burnups of 5, 10, 15, 20,more » 30, …, 120 GWd/MTIHM, and 3-, 5-, 10-, 20-, and 30- year cooling times. Detailed delayed-particle radioisotope source terms for the irradiate FA are created using BAMF-DRT and SOURCES3A. Using simulation tallies, DG activity ratios (DGARs) are developed for 134Cs/ 137Cs 134Cs/ 154Eu, and 154Eu/ 137Cs markers as a function of (1) burnup and (2) actinide mass, including elemental uranium, neptunium, plutonium, americium, and curium. Spectral-integrated DN emission is also tallied. The study reveals a rich assortment of DGAR behavior as a function of DGAR type, enrichment, burnup, and cooling time. Similarly, DN emission plots show variation as a function of burnup and of actinide mass. Sensitivity of DGAR and DN signatures to initial 235U enrichment, burnup, and cooling time is evident. Comparisons of the ABTR radiation signatures and radiation signatures previously reported for a generic Westinghouse oxide-fuel assembly indicate that there are pronounced differences in the ABTR and Westinghouse oxide-fuel DN and DG signatures. These differences are largely attributable to the initial TRU inventory in the ABTR fuel. The actinide and nonactinide inventories for the FA models serve as source materials for the pre- and postelectrorefining models to be reported in Parts 2 and 3.« less

A top-down method to fabricate SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ nanosheets from commercial blocky phosphors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Haoran; Xue, Zhiping; Lei, Bingfu; Dong, Hanwu; Zhang, Haiming; Deng, Suqing; Zheng, Mingtao; Liu, Yingliang; Xiao, Yong

2014-09-01

By using commercial SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ phosphor as raw material, we have developed a novel and simple top-down method to fabricate SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ nanosheets that are useful for potential practical applications, especially as fluorescent labels for biomolecules and mechano-optical nano-devices. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) results demonstrate that the treated samples are still pure-phase of SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results indicate that the treated SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ phosphors are built up by nanosheets bundles. Excitation and emission spectra, afterglow emission spectra and decay curves are used to analyze the luminescence properties of SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ nanosheets, and the results show that, compared with commercial samples, the treated samples show similar spectra characteristic including the spectra shapes and the band position. Furthermore, the fluorescence and afterglow intensity of SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ nanosheets can be tuned linearly by changing the circumstance temperatures, which further indicates its potential applications in fiber-optical thermometer materials.

Environmental controls on biomineralization and Fe-mound formation in a low-temperature hydrothermal system at the Jan Mayen Vent Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johannessen, Karen C.; Vander Roost, Jan; Dahle, Håkon; Dundas, Siv H.; Pedersen, Rolf B.; Thorseth, Ingunn H.

2017-04-01

Diffuse low-temperature hydrothermal vents on the seafloor host neutrophilic microaerophilic Fe-oxidizing bacteria that utilize the Fe(II) supplied by hydrothermal fluids and produce intricate twisted and branching extracellular stalks. The growth behavior of Fe-oxidizing bacteria in strongly opposing gradients of Fe(II) and O2 have been thoroughly investigated in laboratory settings to assess whether extracellular stalks and aligned biomineralized fabrics may serve as biosignatures of Fe-oxidizing bacteria and indications of palaeo-redox conditions in the rock record. However, the processes controlling the growth of biogenic Fe-oxyhydroxide deposits in natural, modern hydrothermal systems are still not well constrained. In this study, we aimed to establish how variations in the texture of stratified hydrothermal Fe-oxyhydroxide deposits are linked to the physicochemical conditions of the hydrothermal environment. We conducted 16S rRNA gene analyses, microscopy and geochemical analyses of laminated siliceous Fe-mounds from the Jan Mayen Vent Fields at the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge. Chemical analyses of low- and high-temperature hydrothermal fluids were performed to characterize the hydrothermal system in which the Fe-deposits form. Our results reveal synchronous inter-laminar variations in texture and major and trace element geochemistry. The Fe-deposits are composed of alternating porous laminae of mineralized twisted stalks and branching tubes, Mn-rich horizons with abundant detrital sediment, domal internal cavities and thin P- and REE-enriched lamina characterized by networks of ≪1 μm wide fibers. Zetaproteobacteria constitute one third of the microbial community in the surface layer of actively forming mounds, indicating that microbial Fe-oxidation is contributing to mound accretion. We suggest that Mn-oxide precipitation and detrital sediment accumulation take place during periodically low hydrothermal fluid discharge conditions. The elevated concentrations of P and REE in distinct laminae suggest Fe-cycling and accumulation of diagenetic species at depth in the deposits during hydrothermal quiescence and co-precipitation of these species with Fe-oxyhydroxides at the mound surface with reinitiated hydrothermal discharge. The origin of the low-temperature hydrothermal source fluid and the Fe-deposits are evident by low LREE/HREE ratios and negative Eu-anomalies, which clearly differ from the LREE and Eu enrichment of nearby high-temperature white smoker venting fluids. Our study demonstrates that hydrothermal fluctuations exert the primary control on the formation of laminae and the activity of Fe-oxidizing bacteria in marine hydrothermal Fe-deposits and indicates that REE-patterns may be used to distinguish high-temperature plume fallout and biomineralized low-temperature Fe-deposits in the rock record.

Materials Data on Cs2K4Fe2O5 (SG:12) by Materials Project

DOE Data Explorer

Kristin Persson

2014-07-09

Computed materials data using density functional theory calculations. These calculations determine the electronic structure of bulk materials by solving approximations to the Schrodinger equation. For more information, see https://materialsproject.org/docs/calculations

Sol-hydrothermal synthesis and optical properties of Eu3+, Tb(3+)-codoped one-dimensional strontium germanate full color nano-phosphors.

PubMed

Lin, Liangwu; Sun, Xinyuan; Jiang, Yao; He, Yuehui

2013-12-21

Novel near-UV and blue excited Eu(3+), Tb(3+)-codoped one dimensional strontium germanate full-color nano-phosphors have been successfully synthesized by a simple sol-hydrothermal method. The morphologies, internal structures, chemical constitution and optical properties of the resulting samples were characterized using FE-SEM, TEM, HRTEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, XPS, PL and PLE spectroscopy and luminescence decay curves. The results suggested that the obtained Eu(3+), Tb(3+)-codoped strontium germanate nanowires are single crystal nanowires with a diameter ranging from 10 to 80 nm, average diameter of around 30 nm and the length ranging from tens to hundreds micrometers. The results of PL and PLE spectra indicated that the Eu(3+), Tb(3+)-codoped single crystal strontium germanate nanowires showed an intensive blue, blue-green, green, orange and red or green, orange and red light emission under excitation at 350-380 nm and 485 nm, respectively, which may attributed to the coexistent Eu(3+), Eu(2+) and Tb(3+) ions, and the defects located in the strontium germanate nanowires. A possible mechanism of energy transfer among the host, Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) ions was proposed. White-emission can be realized in a single-phase strontium germanate nanowire host by codoping with Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) ions. The Eu(3+), Tb(3+)-codoped one-dimensional strontium germanate full-color nano-phosphors have superior stability under electron bombardment. Because of their strong PL intensity, good CIE chromaticity and stability, the novel 1D strontium germanate full-color nano-phosphors have potential applications in W-LEDs.

X-ray structural study of intermetallic alloys RT{sub 2}Si and RTSi{sub 2} (R=rare earth, T=noble metal)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gribanov, Alexander, E-mail: avgri@mail.r; Chemistry Department of the Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, GSP-1, 119991 Moscow; Grytsiv, Andriy

Two series of intermetallic alloys, RT{sub 2}Si and RTSi{sub 2}, have been synthesized from stoichiometric compositions. The crystal structures of EuPt{sub 1+x}Si{sub 2-x} (CeNiSi{sub 2}-type), CeIr{sub 2}Si (new structure type), YbPd{sub 2}Si and YbPt{sub 2}Si (both YPd{sub 2}Si-type) have been elucidated from X-ray single crystal CCD data, which were confirmed by XPD experiments. The crystal structures of LaRh{sub 2}Si and LaIr{sub 2}Si (CeIr{sub 2}Si-type), {l_brace}La,Ce,Pr,Nd{r_brace}AgSi{sub 2} (all TbFeSi{sub 2}-type), and EuPt{sub 2}Si (inverse CeNiSi{sub 2}-type) were characterized by XPD data. RT{sub 2}Si/RTSi{sub 2} compounds were neither detected in as-cast alloys Sc{sub 25}Pt{sub 50}Si{sub 25}, Eu{sub 25}Os{sub 25}Si{sub 50} and Eu{submore » 25}Rh{sub 25}Si{sub 50} nor after annealing at 900 {sup o}C. Instead, X-ray single crystal data prompted Eu{sub 2}Os{sub 3}Si{sub 5} (Sc{sub 2}Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 5}-type) and EuRh{sub 2+x}Si{sub 2-x} (x=0.04, ThCr{sub 2}Si{sub 2}-type) as well as a new structure type for Sc{sub 2}Pt{sub 3}Si{sub 2} (own type). - Graphical abstract: Two series of the intermetallic compounds, RT{sub 2}Si and RTSi{sub 2}, have been investigated by X-ray diffraction methods. The new tetragonal CeIr{sub 2}Si-type of the crystal structure was described and the interrelation between orthorhombic CeNiSi{sub 2} and tetragonal CeIr{sub 2}Si had been discussed as a similar packing of the BaAl{sub 4} and AlB{sub 2} slabs.« less

Enrichment of Thorium (Th) and Lead (Pb) in the early Galaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aoki, Wako; Honda, Satoshi

2010-03-01

We have been determining abundances of Th, Pb and other neutron-capture elements in metal-deficient cool giant stars to constrain the enrichment of heavy elements by the r- and s-processes. Our current sample covers the metallicity range between [Fe/H] = -2.5 and -1.0. (1) The abundance ratios of Pb/Fe and Pb/Eu of most of our stars are approximately constant, and no increase of these ratios with increasing metallicity is found. This result suggests that the Pb abundances of our sample are determined by the r-process with no or little contribution of the s-process. (2) The Th/Eu abundance ratios of our sample show no significant scatter, and the average is lower by 0.2 dex in the logarithmic scale than the solar-system value. This result indicates that the actinides production by the r-process does not show large dispersion, even though r-process models suggest high sensitivity of the actinides production to the nucleosynthesis environment.

Theoretical Study on Structural Stability of Fully Filled p-Type Skutterudites RETM4Sb12 ( RE = Rare Earth; TM = Fe, Ru)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhuo; Yang, Jiong; Liu, Ruiheng; Xi, Lili; Zhang, Wenqing; Yang, Jihui

2013-08-01

The structural stability of filled p-type skutterudites RETM4Sb12 ( RE = rare earth; TM = Fe, Ru) was studied via ab initio calculations. Most of the RE metals (La-Ho and Yb) could be filled into the cages (voids) of Fe4Sb12 to form stable filled skutterudites. However, only a few RE metals (La-Nd and Eu) could be stably filled into the cage of Ru4Sb12-based skutterudites. Systematic analysis of bonding energy showed that the structural stability could be attributed to ionic radius and effective charge state differences of the RE fillers. Resonant rattling frequencies of the fillers in both Fe4Sb12- and Ru4Sb12-based skutterudites were also studied.

Reaction Mechanisms and Structural and Physicochemical Properties of Caffeic Acid Grafted Chitosan Synthesized in Ascorbic Acid and Hydroxyl Peroxide Redox System.

PubMed

Liu, Jun; Pu, Huimin; Chen, Chong; Liu, Yunpeng; Bai, Ruyu; Kan, Juan; Jin, Changhai

2018-01-10

The ascorbic acid (AA) and hydroxyl peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) redox pair induced free radical grafting reaction is a promising approach to conjugate phenolic groups with chitosan (CS). In order to reveal the exact mechanisms of the AA/H 2 O 2 redox pair induced grafting reaction, free radicals generated in the AA/H 2 O 2 redox system were compared with hydroxyl radical ( • OH) produced in the Fe 2+ /H 2 O 2 redox system. Moreover, the structural and physicochemical properties of caffeic acid grafted CS (CA-g-CS) synthesized in these two redox systems were compared. Results showed that only ascorbate radical (Asc •- ) was produced in the AA/H 2 O 2 system. The reaction between Asc •- and CS produced novel carbon-centered radicals, whereas no new free radicals were detected when • OH reacted with CS. Thin layer chromatography, UV-vis, Fourier transform infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analyses all confirmed that CA was successfully grafted onto CS through Asc •- . However, CA could be hardly grafted onto CS via • OH. CA-g-CS synthesized through Asc •- exhibited lower thermal stability and crystallinity than the reaction product obtained through • OH. For the first time, our results demonstrated that the synthesis of CA-g-CS in the AA/H 2 O 2 redox system was mediated by Asc •- rather than • OH.

Biosynthesized gold and silver nanoparticles by aqueous fruit extract of Chaenomeles sinensis and screening of their biomedical activities.

PubMed

Oh, Keun Hyun; Soshnikova, Veronika; Markus, Josua; Kim, Yeon Ju; Lee, Sang Chul; Singh, Priyanka; Castro-Aceituno, Verónica; Ahn, Sungeun; Kim, Dong Hyun; Shim, Yeon Jae; Kim, Yu Jin; Yang, Deok Chun

2018-05-01

The design of mild and non-toxic synthesis of metallic nanoparticles is a topical subject in the nanotechnology field. The objective of this present study is to screen the bioactivity of biosynthesized nanoparticles by aqueous fruit extract of Chaenomeles sinensis. The reducing and stabilizing ability of C. sinensis to fabricate gold (Cs-AuNps) and silver (Cs-AgNps) nanoparticles was confirmed by UV-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy at 562 nm and 477 nm, respectively. The field-emission transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) verify the nano-scale morphology and crystallinity of Cs-AuNps (20-40 nm) and Cs-AgNps (5-20 nm). Furthermore, we evaluated the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging capacity, antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells. The results showed that Cs-AuNps (IC 50 : 725.93 μg/mL) displayed superior inhibitory activities on DPPH than Cs-AuNps. The biosynthesized Cs-AuNps successfully inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria S. aureus (ATCC 6538) and E. coli (BL21). The cytotoxic effect of Cs-AuNps and Cs-AgNps was evaluated in murine macrophage (RAW264.7) and human breast cancer cell lines (MCF7) by MTT assay. Thus, the present study explores the biomedical applications of gold and silver nanoparticles synthesized by C. sinensis.

Europium anomalies in plagioclase-free deep arc cumulates constrain the redox evolution of arc magmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, M.; Erdman, M.; Eldridge, G.; Lee, C. T.

2017-12-01

Arc lavas are generally more oxidized than mid-ocean-ridge basalts, but how arc lavas acquire their oxidized signatures remains poorly understood. Iron oxidation state in melts have been used to suggest that fluids released from subducted slab may oxidize the sub-arc mantle and produce oxidized arc magmas from the source (e.g., Carmichael, 1991; Kelley and Cottrell), but redox-sensitive trace element and Fe isotope signatures of basalts also suggest that oxidation may happen during magma differentiation (e.g., Dauphas et al., 2009; Lee et al., 2005, 2010). One potential problem, however, is that all of these studies, represent indirect constraints on the primary, pre-erupted magma oxidation state. Here, we examine the Eu systematics of primitive, deep-seated (>45-80 km) arc cumulates, which provide the most direct constraint on arc magmas before they rise into the crust. The ratio of Eu2+/Eu3+ is a function of fo2, temperature and composition. Eu2+ is more incompatible than Eu3+ except in plagioclase. Combining Eu partitioning in minerals and experimentally calibrated Eu oxybarometer (Burnham et al., 2015) allows the application of mineral Eu anomalies in constraining magma redox conditions. The cumulates are represented by garnet-bearing pyroxenites from Arizona, USA and are arc cumulates. Because they derive from depths > 60 km, plagioclase was never present during their petrogenesis, hence any Eu anomalies reflect the effects of oxygen fugacity. We find that the most primitive cumulates have negative Eu anomalies in garnet and clinopyroxene (Eu/Eu*<1), despite the fact that depths of differentiation were too high to stabilize plagioclase. We further show that garnet and clinopyroxene Eu/Eu* increases with differentiation (decreasing Mg#), consistent with Eu2+ being more incompatible than Eu3+. Based on the Eu oxybarometer calibrated by Burnham et al. (2015), the Eu deficits in the most primitive cumulate (Mg# = 77) suggest crystallization at Dlogfo2 of FMQ-1, similar to that of mid-ocean-ridge basalts. Crystal fractionation modelling shows that the increasing Eu/Eu* in the evolved cumulates require fo2 to increase by at least 2 log units as the fractionated cumulate Mg# decreases from 77 to 53. These observations suggest that the oxidized nature of arc magmas occurs during intracrustal differentiation.

Electronic Spectra of Cs2NaYb(NO2)6: Is There Quantum Cutting?

PubMed

Luo, Yuxia; Liu, Zhenyu; Hau, Sam Chun-Kit; Yeung, Yau Yuen; Wong, Ka-Leung; Shiu, Kwok Keung; Chen, Xueyuan; Zhu, Haomiao; Bao, Guochen; Tanner, Peter A

2018-05-03

The crystal structure and electronic spectra of the T h symmetry hexanitritoytterbate(III) anion have been studied in Cs 2 NaY 0.96 Yb 0.04 (NO 2 ) 6 , which crystallizes in the cubic space group Fm3̅. The emission from Yb 3+ can be excited via the NO 2 - antenna. The latter electronic transition is situated at more than twice the energy of the former, but at room temperature, one photon absorbed at 470 nm in the triplet state produces no more than one photon emitted. Some degree of quantum cutting is observed at 298 K under 420 nm excitation into the singlet state and at 25 K using excitation into either state. The quantum efficiency is ∼10% at 25 K. The energy level scheme of Yb 3+ has been deduced from excitation and emission spectra and calculated by crystal field theory. New improved energy level calculations are also reported for the Cs 2 NaLn(NO 2 ) 6 (Ln = Pr, Eu, Tb) series using the f- Spectra package. The neat crystal Cs 2 NaYb(NO 2 ) 6 has also been studied, but results were unsatisfactory due to sample decomposition, and this chemical instability makes it unsuitable for applications.

Oxidation State of Nakhlites as inferred from Fe-Ti oxide Equilibria and Augite/Melt Europium Partitioning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Makishima, J.; McKay, G.; Le, L.; Miyamoto, M.; Mikouchi, T.

2007-01-01

Recent studies have shown that Martian magmas had wide range of oxygen fugacities (fO2) and that this variation is correlated with the variation of La/Yb ratio and isotopic characteristics of the Martian basalts, shergottite meteorites. The origin of this correlation must have important information about mantle sources and Martian evolution. In order to understand this correlation, it is necessary to know accurate value of oxidation state of other Martian meteorite groups. Nakhlites, cumulate clinopyroxenites, are another major group of Martian meteorites and have distinctly different trace element and isotopic characteristics from shergottites. Thus, estimates of oxidation state of nakhlites will give us important insight into the mantle source in general. Several workers have estimated oxidation state of nakhlites by using Fe-Ti oxide equilibrium. However, Fe-Ti oxides may not record the oxidation state of the parent melt of the nakhlite because it is a late-stage mineral. Furthermore, there is no comprehensive study which analyzed all nakhlite samples at the same time. Therefore, in this study (1) we reduced the uncertainty of the estimate using the same electron microprobe and the same standards under the same condition for Fe-Ti oxide in 6 nakhlites and (2) we also performed crystallization experiments to measure partition coefficients of Eu into pyroxene in the nakhlite system in order to estimate fO2 when the pyroxene core formed (i.e. Eu oxybarometer [e.g. 2,6]).

Spin waves and magnetic exchange interactions in insulating Rb(0.89)Fe(1.58)Se(2).

PubMed

Wang, Miaoyin; Fang, Chen; Yao, Dao-Xin; Tan, GuoTai; Harriger, Leland W; Song, Yu; Netherton, Tucker; Zhang, Chenglin; Wang, Meng; Stone, Matthew B; Tian, Wei; Hu, Jiangping; Dai, Pengcheng

2011-12-06

The parent compounds of iron pnictide superconductors are bad metals with a collinear antiferromagnetic structure and Néel temperatures below 220 K. Although alkaline iron selenide A(y)Fe(1.6+x)Se(2) (A=K, Rb, Cs) superconductors are isostructural with iron pnictides, in the vicinity of the undoped limit they are insulators, forming a block antiferromagnetic order and having Néel temperatures of roughly 500 K. Here we show that the spin waves of the insulating antiferromagnet Rb(0.89)Fe(1.58)Se(2) can be accurately described by a local moment Heisenberg Hamiltonian. A fitting analysis of the spin wave spectra reveals that the next-nearest neighbour couplings in Rb(0.89)Fe(1.58)Se(2), (Ba,Ca,Sr)Fe(2)As(2), and Fe(1.05)Te are of similar magnitude. Our results suggest a common origin for the magnetism of all the Fe-based superconductors, despite having different ground states and antiferromagnetic orderings.

Effect of the addition mode of carbon nanotubes for the production of chitosan hydrogel core-shell beads on adsorption of Congo red from aqueous solution.

PubMed

Chatterjee, Sudipta; Chatterjee, Tania; Lim, Seong-Rin; Woo, Seung H

2011-03-01

The adsorption performance of chitosan (CS) hydrogel beads (CSBs) generated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gelation with multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) impregnation was investigated for Congo red removal as a model anionic dye. CNT-impregnated CSBs were prepared by four different strategies for dispersing CNTs: (a) in CS solution (CSBN1), (b) in SDS solution (CSBN2), (c) in CS solution containing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) (CSBN3), and (d) in SDS solution for gelation with CTAB-containing CS solution (CSBN4). It was observed from FE-SEM study that depending on nature of CNT dispersion, CNTs were found on the outer surface of CSBN2 and CSBN4 only. The adsorption capacity of the CSBs varied with the strategy used for CNT impregnation, and CSBN4 exhibited the highest maximum adsorption capacity (375.94 mg/g) from the Sips model. The lowest Sips maximum adsorption capacity by CSBN3 (121.07 mg/g) suggested significant blocking of binding sites of CS by CNT impregnation. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Data evaluation of trace elements determined in Nigerian coal using cluster procedures.

PubMed

Ewa, I O B

2004-05-01

Large data-sets of elements determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) require meaningful interpretation in order to determine the pattern of their existence in host matrices. This could be achieved using cluster procedures. Element abundances (Al, As, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cs, Dy, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Hf, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, O, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Ti, U, V, Yb, Zn and Zr) of prepared and run-of-mine coals from eight principal mines (Onyeama, Ogbete, Enugu, Gombe, Asaba-Ugwashi, Okaba, Afikpo and Lafia ) in Nigeria were determined by INAA. Quality control of the measurements was assured by the re-determination of a standard reference material, NIST 1632a. These data-sets were then tested for multi-variate statistics using METHOD = SINGLE in the cluster procedure. The computer-assisted package SAS was used to generate the dendrograms while the algorithm used was stored Euclidean distances. The results showed a recognition pattern, useful for the interpretation of coalification histories and the prediction of fuel ranking for Nigerian coals. High segregation of coal fly ash was observed, while metallurgical coal grouped together with high-ranking coals of Okaba, Enugu and Obi (Lafia). Further work revealed some of these coals as having high gross calorific value (7908 kcal kg(-1) for Enugu coal; 7200 kcal kg(-1) for Okaba) and low sulphur thereby making them efficient fuel materials.

Elemental analysis of granite by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF).

PubMed

El-Taher, A

2012-01-01

The instrumental neutron activation analysis technique (INAA) was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of granite samples collected from four locations in the Aswan area in South Egypt. The samples were prepared together with their standards and simultaneously irradiated in a neutron flux of 7×10(11)n/cm(2)s in the TRIGA Mainz research reactor. Gamma-ray spectra from an hyper-pure germanium detector were analyzed. The present study provides the basic data of elemental concentrations of granite rocks. The following elements have been determined Na, Mg, K, Fe, Mn, Sc, Cr, Ti, Co, Zn, Ga, Rb, Zr, Nb, Sn, Ba, Cs, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, Th and U. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was used for comparison and to detect elements, which can be detected only by XRF such as F, S, Cl, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se and V. The data presented here are our contribution to understanding the elemental composition of the granite rocks. Because there are no existing databases for the elemental analysis of granite, our results are a start to establishing a database for the Egyptian granite. It is hoped that the data presented here will be useful to those dealing with geochemistry, granite chemistry and related fields. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rugged, portable tungsten coil atomic emission spectrometer.

PubMed

Gu, Jiyan; Oliveira, Silvana R; Donati, George L; Gomes Neto, José Anchieta; Jones, Bradley T

2011-04-01

Tungsten coil atomic emission spectrometry is an ideal technique for field applications because of its simplicity, low cost, low power requirement, and independence from cooling systems. A new, portable, compact design is reported here. The tungsten coil is extracted from an inexpensive 24 V, 250 W commercial light bulb. The coil is housed in a small, aluminum cell. The emission signal exits from a small aperture in the cell, while the bulk of the blackbody emission from the tungsten coil is blocked. The resulting spectra exhibit extremely low background signals. The atomization cell, a single lens, and a hand-held charge coupled device (CCD) spectrometer are fixed on a 1 × 6 × 30 cm ceramic base. The resulting system is robust and easily transported. A programmable, miniature 400 W solid-state constant current power supply controls the temperature of the coil. Fifteen elements are determined with the system (Ba, Cs, Li, Rb, Cr, Sr, Eu, Yb, Mn, Fe, Cu, Mg, V, Al, and Ga). The precision ranges from 4.3% to 8.4% relative standard deviation for repetitive measurements of the same solution. Detection limits are in the 0.04 to 1500 μg/L range. Accuracy is tested using standard reference materials for polluted water, peach leaves, and tomato leaves. For those elements present above the detection limit, recoveries range from 72% to 147%.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Onishi, Y.; Serne, R.J.; Arnold, E.M.

This report describes the results of a detailed literature review of radionuclide transport models applicable to rivers, estuaries, coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and impoundments. Some representatives sediment transport and water quality models were also reviewed to evaluate if they can be readily adapted to radionuclide transport modeling. The review showed that most available transport models were developed for dissolved radionuclide in rivers. These models include the mechanisms of advection, dispersion, and radionuclide decay. Since the models do not include sediment and radionuclide interactions, they are best suited for simulating short-term radionuclide migration where: (1) radionuclides have small distribution coefficients;more » (2) sediment concentrations in receiving water bodies are very low. Only 5 of the reviewed models include full sediment and radionuclide interactions: CHMSED developed by Fields; FETRA SERATRA, and TODAM developed by Onishi et al, and a model developed by Shull and Gloyna. The 5 models are applicable to cases where: (1) the distribution coefficient is large; (2) sediment concentrations are high; or (3) long-term migration and accumulation are under consideration. The report also discusses radionuclide absorption/desorption distribution ratios and addresses adsorption/desorption mechanisms and their controlling processes for 25 elements under surface water conditions. These elements are: Am, Sb, C, Ce, Cm, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, I, Fe, Mn, Np, P, Pu, Pm, Ra, Ru, Sr, Tc, Th, {sup 3}H, U, Zn and Zr.« less

Fractionation of elements by particle size of ashes ejected from Copahue Volcano, Argentina.

PubMed

Gómez, Dario; Smichowski, Patricia; Polla, Griselda; Ledesma, Ariel; Resnizky, Sara; Rosa, Susana

2002-12-01

The volcano Copahue, Neuquén province, Argentina has shown infrequent explosive eruptions since the 18th century. Recently, eruptive activity and seismicity were registered in the period July-October, 2000. As a consequence, ash clouds were dispersed by winds and affected Caviahue village located at about 9 km east of the volcano. Samples of deposited particles from this area were collected during this episode for their chemical analysis to determine elements of concern with respect to the health of the local population and its environment. Different techniques were used to evaluate the distribution of elements in four particle size ranges from 36 to 300 microm. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was selected to detect major components namely, minerals, silicate glass, fragments of rocks and sulfurs. Major and minor elements (Al, Ca, Cl, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, S, Si and Ti), were detected by energy dispersive X ray analysis (EDAX). Trace element (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, U, V and Zn) content was quantified by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Nuclear activation analysis (NAA) was employed for the determination of Ce, Co, Cs, Eu, Hf, La, Lu, Rb, Sc, Sm, Ta and Yb. An enrichment was observed in the smallest size fraction of volcanic ashes for four elements (As, Cd, Cu and Sb) of particular interest from the environmental and human health point of view.

Coherent excitations and electron-phonon coupling in Ba/EuFe2As2 compounds investigated by femtosecond time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avigo, I.; Cortés, R.; Rettig, L.; Thirupathaiah, S.; Jeevan, H. S.; Gegenwart, P.; Wolf, T.; Ligges, M.; Wolf, M.; Fink, J.; Bovensiepen, U.

2013-03-01

We employed femtosecond time- and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy to analyze the response of the electronic structure of the 122 Fe-pnictide parent compounds Ba/EuFe2As2 and optimally doped BaFe1.85Co0.15As2 near the Γ point to optical excitation by an infrared femtosecond laser pulse. We identify pronounced changes of the electron population within several 100 meV above and below the Fermi level, which we explain as a combination of (i) coherent lattice vibrations, (ii) a hot electron and hole distribution, and (iii) transient modifications of the chemical potential. The responses of the three different materials are very similar. In the coherent response we identify three modes at 5.6, 3.3, and 2.6 THz. While the highest frequency mode is safely assigned to the A1g mode, the other two modes require a discussion in comparison to the literature. Employing a transient three temperature model we deduce from the transient evolution of the electron distribution a rather weak, momentum-averaged electron-phonon coupling quantified by values for λ<ω2> between 30 and 70 meV2. The chemical potential is found to present pronounced transient changes reaching a maximum of 15 meV about 0.6 ps after optical excitation and is modulated by the coherent phonons. This change in the chemical potential is particularly strong in a multiband system like the 122 Fe-pnictide compounds investigated here due to the pronounced variation of the electron density of states close to the equilibrium chemical potential.

Using In situ Dynamic Cultures to Rapidly Biofabricate Fabric-Reinforced Composites of Chitosan/Bacterial Nanocellulose for Antibacterial Wound Dressings

PubMed Central

Zhang, Peng; Chen, Lin; Zhang, Qingsong; Hong, Feng F.

2016-01-01

Bacterial nano-cellulose (BNC) is considered to possess incredible potential in biomedical applications due to its innate unrivaled nano-fibrillar structure and versatile properties. However, its use is largely restricted by inefficient production and by insufficient strength when it is in a highly swollen state. In this study, a fabric skeleton reinforced chitosan (CS)/BNC hydrogel with high mechanical reliability and antibacterial activity was fabricated by using an efficient dynamic culture that could reserve the nano-fibrillar structure. By adding CS in culture media to 0.25–0.75% (w/v) during bacterial cultivation, the CS/BNC composite hydrogel was biosynthesized in situ on a rotating drum composed of fabrics. With the proposed method, BNC biosynthesis became less sensitive to the adverse antibacterial effects of CS and the production time of the composite hydrogel with desirable thickness could be halved from 10 to 5 days as compared to the conventional static cultures. Although, its concentration was low in the medium, CS accounted for more than 38% of the CS/BNC dry weight. FE-SEM observation confirmed conservation of the nano-fibrillar networks and covering of CS on BNC. ATR-FTIR showed a decrease in the degree of intra-molecular hydrogen bonding and water absorption capacity was improved after compositing with CS. The fabric-reinforced CS/BNC composite exhibited bacteriostatic properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and significantly improved mechanical properties as compared to the BNC sheets from static culture. In summary, the fabric-reinforced CS/BNC composite constitutes a desired candidate for advanced wound dressings. From another perspective, coating of BNC or CS/BNC could upgrade the conventional wound dressings made of cotton gauze to reduce pain during wound healing, especially for burn patients. PMID:26973634

Abundances of neutron-capture elements in stars of the Galactic disk substructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishenina, T. V.; Pignatari, M.; Korotin, S. A.; Soubiran, C.; Charbonnel, C.; Thielemann, F.-K.; Gorbaneva, T. I.; Basak, N. Yu.

2013-04-01

Aims: The aim of this work is to present and discuss the observations of the iron peak (Fe, Ni) and neutron-capture element (Y, Zr, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, and Eu) abundances for 276 FGK dwarfs, located in the Galactic disk with metallicity -1 < [Fe/H] < +0.3. Methods: Atmospheric parameters and chemical composition of the studied stars were determined from an high resolution, high signal-to-noise echelle spectra obtained with the echelle spectrograph ELODIE at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence (France). Effective temperatures were estimated by the line depth ratio method and from the Hα line-wing fitting. Surface gravities (log g) were determined by parallaxes and the ionization balance of iron. Abundance determinations were carried out using the LTE approach, taking the hyperfine structure for Eu into account, and the abundance of Ba was computed under the NLTE approximation. Results: We are able to assign most of the stars in our sample to the substructures of the Galaxy thick disk, thin disk, or Hercules stream according to their kinematics. The classification of 27 stars is uncertain. For most of the stars in the sample, the abundances of neutron-capture elements have not been measured earlier. For all of them, we provide the chemical composition and discuss the contribution from different nucleosynthesis processes. Conclusions: The [Ni/Fe] ratio shows a flat value close to the solar one for the whole metallicity range, with a small scatter, pointing to a nearly solar Ni/Fe ratio for the ejecta of both core-collapse SN and SNIa. The increase in the [Ni/Fe] for metallicity higher than solar is confirmed, and it is due to the metallicity dependence of 56Ni ejecta from SNIa. Under large uncertainty in the age determination of observed stars, we verified that there is a large dispersion in the AMR in the thin disk, and no clear trend as in the thick disk. That may be one of the main reasons for the dispersion, observed for the s-process elements in the thin disk (e.g., Ba and La), whereas much narrower dispersion can be seen for r-process elements (e.g., Eu). Within the current uncertainties, we do not see a clear decreasing trend of [Ba/Fe] or [La/Fe] with metallicity in the thin disk, except maybe for super-solar metallicities. We cannot confirm an increase in the mentioned ratios with decreasing stellar age. Based on spectra collected with the ELODIE spectrograph at the 1.93-m telescope of the Observatoire de Haute Provence (France).Tables 4 and 5 are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to ftp://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/552/A128

Eu2+,Dy3+ codoped SrAl2O4 nanocrystalline phosphor for latent fingerprint detection in forensic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Vishal; Das, Amrita; Kumar, Vinay

2016-01-01

In this work, europium and dysprosium doped strontium aluminate (SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+) nanophosphor is synthesized and its novel application for the detection of latent fingerprints on various contact surfaces is reported. The SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ is synthesized using a combustion method and shows long-lasting afterglow luminescence. The powder particles are characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), SEM-energy dispersive x-ray analysis, x-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectrophotometry. The FE-SEM image analysis reveals that the nanoparticles are mostly 8-15 nm in size with an irregular spherical shape. This nano-structured powder was applied to fresh and aged fingerprints deposited on porous, semi-porous and non-porous contact surfaces, such as ordinary colored paper, glossy paper, glass, aluminum foil, a yellow foil chocolate wrapper, a soft drink can, a PET bottle, a compact disc and a computer mouse. The results are reproducible and show great sensitivity and high contrast in the developed fingermark regions on these surfaces. These nanophosphor particles also show a strong and long-lasting afterglow property, making them a suitable candidate for use as a fingerprint developing agent on luminescent and highly patterned surfaces. These kinds of powders have shown that they can remove the interference from background luminescence, which is not possible using ordinary luminescent fingerprinting powders.

A Stringent Limit on the Mass Production Rate of r-process Elements in the Milky Way

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macias, Phillip; Ramirez-Ruiz, Enrico

2018-06-01

We analyze data from several studies of metal-poor stars in the Milky Way, focusing individually on the main r-process elements (Eu) as well as the lighter neutron-capture element Sr, at the neutron-magic peak N = 50. Because these elements were injected in an explosion, we calculate the mass swept up when the blast wave first becomes radiative, yielding a lower limit for the dilution of such elements and hence a lower limit on the ejecta mass that is incorporated into the next generation of stars. Our study demonstrates that in order to explain the largest enhancements in [Eu/Fe] observed in stars at low [Fe/H] metallicities, individual r-process production events must synthesize a minimum of roughly 10‑3 M ⊙ of r-process material. This provides a critical constraint on galactic chemical evolution models. We also show independently that if the site of Mg production is the same as that of Eu, individual injection events must synthesize up to ∼10‑3 M ⊙ of r-process material. On the other hand, demanding that Sr traces Mg production results in r-process masses per event of ∼10‑5 M ⊙ . This suggests that the astrophysical sites responsible for the genesis of the main r-process elements need to operate at a drastically reduced rate when compared to standard core-collapse supernovae.

Synthesis and characterization of chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles and their application in curcumin drug delivery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nui Pham, Xuan; Phuoc Nguyen, Tan; Nhung Pham, Tuyet; Thuy Nga Tran, Thi; Van Thi Tran, Thi

2016-12-01

In this work anti-cancer drug curcumin-loaded superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles was modified by chitosan (CS). The magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by using reverse micro-emulsion (water-in-oil) method. The magnetic nanoparticles without loaded drug and drug-loaded magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TG-DTA, SEM, TEM, and VSM techniques. These nanoparticles have almost spherical shape and their diameter varies from 8 nm to 17 nm. Measurement of VSM at room temperature showed that iron oxide nanoparticles have superparamagnetic properties. In vitro drug loading and release behavior of curcumin drug-loaded CS-Fe3O4 nanoparticles were studied by using UV-spectrophotometer. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the modified nanoparticles has shown anticancer activity against A549 cell with IC50 value of 73.03 μg/ml. Therefore, the modified magnetic nanoparticles can be used as drug delivery carriers on target in the treatment of cancer cells.

Zero-field random-field effect in diluted triangular lattice antiferromagnet CuFe1-xAlxO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakajima, T.; Mitsuda, S.; Kitagawa, K.; Terada, N.; Komiya, T.; Noda, Y.

2007-04-01

We performed neutron scattering experiments on a diluted triangular lattice antiferromagnet (TLA), CuFe1-xAlxO2 with x = 0.10. The detailed analysis of the scattering profiles revealed that the scattering function of magnetic reflection is described as the sum of a Lorentzian term and a Lorentzian-squared term with anisotropic width. The Lorentzian-squared term dominating at low temperature is indicative of the domain state in the prototypical random-field Ising model. Taking account of the sinusoidally amplitude-modulated magnetic structure with incommensurate wavenumber in CuFe1-xAlxO2 with x = 0.10, we conclude that the effective random field arises even at zero field, owing to the combination of site-random magnetic vacancies and the sinusoidal structure that is regarded as a partially disordered (PD) structure in a wide sense, as reported in the typical three-sublattice PD phase of a diluted Ising TLA, CsCo0.83Mg0.17Br3 (van Duijn et al 2004 Phys. Rev. Lett. 92 077202). While the previous study revealed the existence of a domain state in CsCo0.83Mg0.17Br3 by detecting magnetic reflections specific to the spin configuration near the domain walls, our present study revealed the existence of a domain state in CuFe1-xAlxO2 (x = 0.10) by determination of the functional form of the scattering function.

A Magnetic Carbon Sorbent for Radioactive Material from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

PubMed Central

Yamaguchi, Daizo; Furukawa, Kazumi; Takasuga, Masaya; Watanabe, Koki

2014-01-01

Here we present the first report of a carbon-γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticle composite of mesoporous carbon, bearing COOH- and phenolic OH- functional groups on its surface, a remarkable and magnetically separable adsorbent, for the radioactive material emitted by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. Contaminated water and soil at a level of 1,739 Bq kg−1 (134Cs and 137Cs at 509 Bq kg−1 and 1,230 Bq kg−1, respectively) and 114,000 Bq kg−1 (134Cs and 137Cs at 38,700 Bq kg−1 and 75,300 Bq kg−1, respectively) were decontaminated by 99% and 90% respectively with just one treatment carried out in Nihonmatsu city in Fukushima. Since this material is remarkably high performance, magnetically separable, and a readily applicable technology, it would reduce the environmental impact of the Fukushima accident if it were used. PMID:25116650

Nitrate-assisted photocatalytic efficiency of defective Eu-doped Pr(OH)3 nanostructures.

PubMed

Aškrabić, S; Araújo, V D; Passacantando, M; Bernardi, M I B; Tomić, N; Dojčinović, B; Manojlović, D; Čalija, B; Miletić, M; Dohčević-Mitrović, Z D

2017-12-06

Pr(OH) 3 one-dimensional nanostructures are a less studied member of lanthanide hydroxide nanostructures, which recently demonstrated an excellent adsorption capacity for organic pollutant removal from wastewater. In this study, Pr 1-x Eu x (OH) 3 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05) defective nanostructures were synthesized by a facile and scalable microwave-assisted hydrothermal method using KOH as an alkaline metal precursor. The phase and surface composition, morphology, vibrational, electronic and optical properties of the as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Raman, infrared (IR), photoluminescence (PL), and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). It was deduced that the incorporation of Eu 3+ ions promoted the formation of oxygen vacancies in the already defective Pr(OH) 3 , subsequently changing the Pr(OH) 3 nanorod morphology. The presence of KNO 3 phase was registered in the Eu-doped samples. The oxygen-deficient Eu-doped Pr(OH) 3 nanostructures displayed an improved photocatalytic activity in the removal of reactive orange (RO16) dye under UV-vis light irradiation. An enhanced photocatalytic activity of the Eu-doped Pr(OH) 3 nanostructures was caused by the synergetic effect of oxygen vacancies and Eu 3+ (NO 3 - ) ions present on the Pr(OH) 3 surface, the charge separation efficiency and the formation of the reactive radicals. In addition, the 3% Eu-doped sample exhibited very good adsorptive properties due to different morphology and higher electrostatic attraction with the anionic dye. Pr 1-x Eu x (OH) 3 nanostructures with the possibility of tuning their adsorption/photocatalytic properties present a great potential for wastewater treatment.

In vitro utilization of ferromagnetic nanoparticles in hemodialysis therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stamopoulos, D.; Benaki, D.; Bouziotis, P.; Zirogiannis, P. N.

2007-12-01

The in vitro utilization of biocompatible ferromagnetic nanoparticles (BFNs) in hemodialysis (HD), routinely used today for the treatment of end stage renal disease (ESRD), is introduced in this work. The proposed strategy is termed magnetically assisted hemodialysis (MAHD) and it aims to become a more efficient development of conventional HD. The method is based on the production of biocompatible ferromagnetic nanoparticles-targeted binding substances conjugates (BFNs-TBSs Cs) constructed of BFNs and specifically designed TBSs that should have high affinity and binding capacity for target toxic substances (TTSs) which must be removed from the ESRD patient subjected to HD. Antibodies or even specific proteins could serve as the TBS of the desired BFNs-TBSs Cs. The BFNs-TBSs Cs should be administered to the patient timely prior to the MAHD session so as to bind with the desired TTSs during their free circulation in the vascular network. Eventually, the complete BFNs-TBSs-TTSs structure can be selectively removed during the MAHD session by means of an external inhomogeneous magnetic field that is applied either at the dialyzer or at other collection point(s) along the blood circulation line of the dialysis machine. The advantages of MAHD over conventional HD regarding the patient's comfort and overall health status are discussed in detail among practical issues. To examine this proposition we employed Fe3O4 and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the BFN and the TBS constituents respectively, since they are both highly biocompatible. By means of x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, circular dichroism spectropolarimetry, UV-vis spectrophotometry, SQUID magnetometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance we evaluated (i) the structural/morphological characteristics, (ii) the magnetic retraction efficiency, and most importantly (iii) the toxin binding affinity and capacity of both bare Fe3O4 BFNs and Fe3O4-BSA Cs by performing in vitro experiments on specific TTSs. Homocysteine and p-cresol were chosen as representative TTSs and were investigated in great detail. The results obtained prove the in vitro applicability of the proposed MAHD method.

Antibacterial electrospun chitosan-polyethylene oxide nanocomposite mats containing ZIF-8 nanoparticles.

PubMed

Kohsari, Iraj; Shariatinia, Zahra; Pourmortazavi, Seied Mahdi

2016-10-01

Antimicrobial chitosan-polyethylene oxide (CS-PEO) nanofiber mats loaded with 3, 5 and 10% (w/w) of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 nanoparticles (ZIF-8 NPs, ∼60nm diameter) were developed by electrospinning technique. The CS-PEO-GA-3% ZIF-8 NPs crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (GA) vapor was also prepared. The electrospun mats were characterized by various analysis including FE-SEM, EDAX, elemental mapping, FT-IR, contact angle, TGA/DSC as well as tensile strength analysis. The nanofibers had average diameters within the range ∼70-120nm. Antimicrobial activities of the CS-PEO and CS-PEO-3% ZIF-8 mats were evaluated by the viable cell-counting method for determining their effectiveness in reducing or halting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria so that the CS-PEO mat containing 3% ZIF-8 revealed 100% bactericidal activity against both kinds of bacteria. The crosslinked CS-PEO-GA-3% ZIF-8 NPs sample was less thermally stable but more hydrophilic than its related non-crosslinked mat reflecting there was no need to crosslink the fibers using a chemical crosslinker having adverse effects. The highest hydrophobicity and appropriate thermal and tensile properties of CS-PEO-3% ZIF-8 NPs among those of the mats including 5 and 10% ZIF-8 NPs suggested that the mentioned mat is the most suitable sample for food coating applications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Intercomparison of methods for coincidence summing corrections in gamma-ray spectrometry--part II (volume sources).

PubMed

Lépy, M-C; Altzitzoglou, T; Anagnostakis, M J; Capogni, M; Ceccatelli, A; De Felice, P; Djurasevic, M; Dryak, P; Fazio, A; Ferreux, L; Giampaoli, A; Han, J B; Hurtado, S; Kandic, A; Kanisch, G; Karfopoulos, K L; Klemola, S; Kovar, P; Laubenstein, M; Lee, J H; Lee, J M; Lee, K B; Pierre, S; Carvalhal, G; Sima, O; Tao, Chau Van; Thanh, Tran Thien; Vidmar, T; Vukanac, I; Yang, M J

2012-09-01

The second part of an intercomparison of the coincidence summing correction methods is presented. This exercise concerned three volume sources, filled with liquid radioactive solution. The same experimental spectra, decay scheme and photon emission intensities were used by all the participants. The results were expressed as coincidence summing corrective factors for several energies of (152)Eu and (134)Cs, and different source-to-detector distances. They are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determining initial enrichment, burnup, and cooling time of pressurized-water reactor spent fuel assemblies by analyzing passive gamma spectra measured at the Clab interim-fuel storage facility in Sweden

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Favalli, Andrea; Vo, D.; Grogan, Brandon R.

The purpose of the Next Generation Safeguards Initiative (NGSI)–Spent Fuel (SF) project is to strengthen the technical toolkit of safeguards inspectors and/or other interested parties. The NGSI–SF team is working to achieve the following technical goals more easily and efficiently than in the past using nondestructive assay measurements of spent fuel assemblies: (1) verify the initial enrichment, burnup, and cooling time of facility declaration; (2) detect the diversion or replacement of pins; (3) estimate the plutonium mass [which is also a function of the variables in (1)]; (4) estimate the decay heat; and (5) determine the reactivity of spent fuelmore » assemblies. Since August 2013, a set of measurement campaigns has been conducted at the Central Interim Storage Facility for Spent Nuclear Fuel (Clab), in collaboration with Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB). One purpose of the measurement campaigns was to acquire passive gamma spectra with high-purity germanium and lanthanum bromide scintillation detectors from Pressurized Water Reactor and Boiling Water Reactor spent fuel assemblies. The absolute 137Cs count rate and the 154Eu/ 137Cs, 134Cs/ 137Cs, 106Ru/ 137Cs, and 144Ce/ 137Cs isotopic ratios were extracted; these values were used to construct corresponding model functions (which describe each measured quantity’s behavior over various combinations of burnup, cooling time, and initial enrichment) and then were used to determine those same quantities in each measured spent fuel assembly. Furthermore, the results obtained in comparison with the operator declared values, as well as the methodology developed, are discussed in detail in the paper.« less

Determining initial enrichment, burnup, and cooling time of pressurized-water reactor spent fuel assemblies by analyzing passive gamma spectra measured at the Clab interim-fuel storage facility in Sweden

DOE PAGES

Favalli, Andrea; Vo, D.; Grogan, Brandon R.; ...

2016-02-26

The purpose of the Next Generation Safeguards Initiative (NGSI)–Spent Fuel (SF) project is to strengthen the technical toolkit of safeguards inspectors and/or other interested parties. The NGSI–SF team is working to achieve the following technical goals more easily and efficiently than in the past using nondestructive assay measurements of spent fuel assemblies: (1) verify the initial enrichment, burnup, and cooling time of facility declaration; (2) detect the diversion or replacement of pins; (3) estimate the plutonium mass [which is also a function of the variables in (1)]; (4) estimate the decay heat; and (5) determine the reactivity of spent fuelmore » assemblies. Since August 2013, a set of measurement campaigns has been conducted at the Central Interim Storage Facility for Spent Nuclear Fuel (Clab), in collaboration with Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB). One purpose of the measurement campaigns was to acquire passive gamma spectra with high-purity germanium and lanthanum bromide scintillation detectors from Pressurized Water Reactor and Boiling Water Reactor spent fuel assemblies. The absolute 137Cs count rate and the 154Eu/ 137Cs, 134Cs/ 137Cs, 106Ru/ 137Cs, and 144Ce/ 137Cs isotopic ratios were extracted; these values were used to construct corresponding model functions (which describe each measured quantity’s behavior over various combinations of burnup, cooling time, and initial enrichment) and then were used to determine those same quantities in each measured spent fuel assembly. Furthermore, the results obtained in comparison with the operator declared values, as well as the methodology developed, are discussed in detail in the paper.« less

A multifunctional biphasic suspension of mesoporous silica encapsulated with YVO4:Eu3+ and Fe3O4 nanoparticles: synergistic effect towards cancer therapy and imaging.

PubMed

Shanta Singh, N; Kulkarni, Hrishikesh; Pradhan, Lina; Bahadur, D

2013-02-15

Polyol mediated synthesized luminescent YVO(4):Eu(3+) nanoparticles (NPs) have been encapsulated in mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) using the sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy along with transmission electron microscopy confirm the encapsulation of the YVO(4):Eu(3+) NPs in the SiO(2) matrix. N(2) adsorption/desorption analysis confirms the mesoporous nature of the MSNs and YVO(4):Eu(3+)-MSNs. No significant quenching of the YVO(4):Eu(3+) luminescence is observed for YVO(4):Eu(3+)-MSNs. This nanocomposite has been tested as a potential drug carrier. Efficient loading of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), a typical anticancer drug, is observed which reaches up to 93% in 8 mg ml(-1) of YVO(4):Eu(3+)-MSNs. pH sensitive release of DOX is observed, with 54% release for pH 4.3 and 31% in a physiological environment (pH 7.4). Both MSNs and YVO(4):Eu(3+)-MSNs nanocomposites do not show accountable toxicity to two cell lines, i.e. HeLa and MCF-7. However, as desired, toxicity is observed when cells are incubated with DOX loaded YVO(4):Eu(3+)-MSNs. Laser scanning confocal microscopy images confirm the uptake of the nanocomposite in both cell lines. The morphology of the cells (MCF-7) changes after incubation with DOX loaded YVO(4):Eu(3+)-MSNs, indicating an interaction of DOX with the cells. More cytotoxicity to both cell lines with ∼90% killing is observed due to the synergistic effect of magnetic fluid hyperthermia and chemotherapy using a biphasic suspension of superparamagnetic iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles and DOX loaded YVO(4):Eu(3+)-MSNs. In addition, an AC magnetic field triggers an enhanced drug release.

Migration laws of major elements of Laowashan bauxite in Zunyi area, northern Guizhou province of China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Tao

2018-01-01

After exploring migration laws of major elements in Laowashan bauxite of northern Guizhou Province by geochemical methods, it was found that: 1) Si was negatively correlated to Al and Ti; Al showed significant negative correlations with Si and Fe; Al was positively correlated to Ti. 2) The content of Si and Fe was low in the middle part, high at the top and the highest at the bottom. The content of Al and Ti is the highest in the middle, followed by the content at the top and the bottom successively. 3) Karst depressions are favorable for groundwater discharge through leaching, leading to heavy loss of Fe in ZK-CS1.

[The assessment of radionuclide contamination and toxicity of soils sampled from "experimental field" site of Semipalatinsk nuclear test site].

PubMed

Evseeva, T I; Maĭstrenko, T A; Belykh, E S; Geras'kin, S A; Kriazheva, E Iu

2009-01-01

Large-scale maps (1:25000) of soil contamination with radionuclides, lateral distribution of 137Cs, 90Sr, Fe and Mn water-soluble compounds and soil toxicity in "Experimental field" site of Semipalatinsk nuclear test site were charted. At present soils from studied site (4 km2) according to basic sanitary standards of radiation safety adopted in Russian Federation (OSPORB) do not attributed to radioactive wastes with respect to data on artificial radionuclide concentration, but they do in compliance with IAEA safety guide. The soils studied can not be released from regulatory control due to radioactive decay of 137Cs and 90Sr and accumulation-decay of 241Am up to 2106 year according to IAEA concept of exclusion, exemption and clearance. Data on bioassay "increase of Chlorella vulgaris Beijer biomass production in aqueous extract from soils" show that the largest part of soils from the studied site (74%) belongs to stimulating or insignificantly influencing on the algae reproduction due to water-soluble compounds effect. Toxic soils occupy 26% of the territory. The main factors effecting the algae reproduction in the aqueous extracts from soil are Fe concentration and 90Sr specific activity: 90Sr inhibits but Fe stimulates algae biomass production.

Simultaneous determination of V, Ni and Fe in fuel fly ash using solid sampling high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.

PubMed

Cárdenas Valdivia, A; Vereda Alonso, E; López Guerrero, M M; Gonzalez-Rodriguez, J; Cano Pavón, J M; García de Torres, A

2018-03-01

A green and simple method has been proposed in this work for the simultaneous determination of V, Ni and Fe in fuel ash samples by solid sampling high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (SS HR CS GFAAS). The application of fast programs in combination with direct solid sampling allows eliminating pretreatment steps, involving minimal manipulation of sample. Iridium treated platforms were applied throughout the present study, enabling the use of aqueous standards for calibration. Correlation coefficients for the calibration curves were typically better than 0.9931. The concentrations found in the fuel ash samples analysed ranged from 0.66% to 4.2% for V, 0.23-0.7% for Ni and 0.10-0.60% for Fe. Precision (%RSD) were 5.2%, 10.0% and 9.8% for V, Ni and Fe, respectively, obtained as the average of the %RSD of six replicates of each fuel ash sample. The optimum conditions established were applied to the determination of the target analytes in fuel ash samples. In order to test the accuracy and applicability of the proposed method in the analysis of samples, five ash samples from the combustion of fuel in power stations, were analysed. The method accuracy was evaluated by comparing the results obtained using the proposed method with the results obtained by ICP OES previous acid digestion. The results showed good agreement between them. The goal of this work has been to develop a fast and simple methodology that permits the use of aqueous standards for straightforward calibration and the simultaneous determination of V, Ni and Fe in fuel ash samples by direct SS HR CS GFAAS. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Performance evaluation of newly developed SrI2(Eu) scintillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takabe, M.; Kishimoto, A.; Kataoka, J.; Sakuragi, S.; Yamasaki, Y.

2016-09-01

The development of europium-doped strontium iodide (SrI2(Eu)) has attracted considerable attention, because of its excellent material properties as regards gamma-ray scintillator applications. These include its excellent energy resolution, high light output (> 80 , 000 ph / MeV), and high effective atomic number (Z=49). Here we report on the performance of ϕ 1 in×1 in SrI2(Eu) cylindrical crystals newly fabricated by Union Materials Inc. In this study, we measured the energy resolution and light output at 10 °C temperature intervals between -40 and 40 °C, using an optically coupled 2-in photomultiplier tube (PMT) (Super Bialkali, Hamamatsu). The SrI2(Eu) light output increased by 0.12%/°C as the temperature decreased. At -40 °C, we obtained the optimal energy resolution recording 2.91±0.02% full width at half maximum (FWHM) for 662 keV gamma rays measured with 137Cs. For comparison, we also measured the same crystal using both a large-area (19×19 mm2) avalanche photodiode detector (APD) and 8×8 multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC) arrays of 3×3 mm2 pixels. The energy resolutions of 2.94±0.02%, 3.14±0.06% and 3.99±0.01% were obtained using PMT, APD, and MPPC, respectively, as measured at -20 °C. We also measured the inherent background of SrI2(Eu) in a cave composed of Cu-Pb blocks with their thickness of 5-10 cm confirming that SrI2(Eu) has an extremely low inherent background radiation. In this study, we have shown that SrI2(Eu) is a promising scintillator that can be utilized for radiation measurements incorporating low-energy X-rays to high-energy gamma rays, and can thus be applied in various medical, industrial, and environmental treatment fields in the near future.

A new measurement of the 6Li(n, α)t cross section at MeV energies using a 252Cf fission chamber and 6Li scintillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirsch, Leo E.; Devlin, M.; Mosby, S. M.; Gomez, J. A.

2017-12-01

A new measurement is presented of the 6Li(n, α)t cross section from 245 keV to 10 MeV using a 252Cf fission chamber with 6LiI(Eu) and Cs2LiYCl6:Ce (CLYC) scintillators which act as both target and detector. Neutron energies are determined from the time of flight (TOF) method using the signals from spontaneous fission and reaction product recoil. Simulations of neutron downscatter in the crystals and fission chamber bring 6Li(n, α)t cross section values measured with the 6LiI(Eu) into agreement with previous experiments and evaluations, except for two resonances at 4.2 and 6.5 MeV introduced by ENDF/B-VII.1. Suspected neutron transport modeling issues cause the cross section values obtained with CLYC to be discrepant above 2 MeV.

Residual radioactivity in the soil of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site in the former USSR.

PubMed

Yamamoto, M; Tsukatani, T; Katayama, Y

1996-08-01

This paper deals with our efforts to survey residual radioactivity in the soil sampled at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site and at off-site areas in Kazakhstan. The soil was sampled at the hypocenter where the first Soviet nuclear explosion was carried out on 29 August 1949, and at the bank of the crater called "Bolapan," which was formed by an underground nuclear detonation on 15 January 1965 along the Shagan River. As a comparison, other soil was also sampled in the cities of Kurchatov and Almaty. These data have allowed a preliminary evaluation of the contemporary radioactive contamination of the land in and around the test site. At the first nuclear explosion site and at Bolapan, higher than background levels of 239,240Pu with weapons-grade plutonium were detected together with fission and activation products such as 137Cs, 60Co, 152Eu, and 154Eu.

New hydrolytically stable solvent for Am/Eu separation in acidic media

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smirnov, I.V.; Babain, V.A.; Chirkov, A.V.

Americium and europium extraction by synergistic mixture of 2,6-bis(1-aryl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyridines (ATP) - chlorinated cobalt dicarbollide (CCD) in polar diluent s from HNO{sub 3} media was studied. Meta-nitro-benzo-trifluoride, phenyl-tri-fluoro-methyl sulfone and 1,2-dichloroethane were used as diluents. The effect of diluent, composition of aqueous phase and substituent nature in aryl ring of ATPs on the extraction efficiency and selectivity of americium and europium separation was investigated. At the optimal ratio of nATP:CCD 1:1 the Am - Eu separation factor exceeded 90. Extraction of {sup 85}Sr, {sup 137}Cs and {sup 133}Ba was investigated and it was found that the mixture nATP-CCD provided the separationmore » of Sr /Ba pair with a factor of 35. High resistance of 2,6-bisaryltetrazolyl pyridines to the action of nitric acid was demonstrated. (authors)« less

High Dietary Iron and Radiation Exposure Increase Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Blood and Liver of Rats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morgan, Jennifer L. L.; Theriot, Corey A.; Wu, Honglu; Smith, Scott M.; Zwart, Sara R.

2012-01-01

Radiation exposure and increased iron (Fe) status independently cause oxidative damage that can result in protein, lipid, and DNA oxidation. During space flight astronauts are exposed to both increased radiation and increased Fe stores. Increased body Fe results from a decrease in red blood cell mass and the typically high Fe content of the food system. In this study we investigated the combined effects of radiation exposure (0.375 Gy of Cs-137 every other day for 16 days for a total of 3 Gy) and high dietary Fe (650 mg Fe/kg diet compared to 45 mg Fe/kg for controls) in Sprague-Dawley rats (n=8/group). Liver and serum Fe were significantly increased in the high dietary Fe groups. Likewise, radiation treatment increased serum ferritin and Fe concentrations. These data indicate that total body Fe stores increase with both radiation exposure and excess dietary Fe. Hematocrit decreased in the group exposed to radiation, providing a possible mechanism for the shift in Fe indices after radiation exposure. Markers of oxidative stress were also affected by both radiation and high dietary Fe, evidenced by increased liver glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and serum catalase as well as decreased serum GPX. We thus found preliminary indications of synergistic effects of radiation exposure and increased dietary Fe, warranting further study. This study was funded by the NASA Human Research Project.

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 139

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Joshi, Paresh K.; Singh, Balraj; Singh, Sukhjeet

2016-12-15

The experimental nuclear spectroscopic data for known nuclides of mass number 139 (Sn, Sb, Te, I, Xe, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) have been evaluated and presented together with adopted properties for levels and gamma rays. This evaluation represents a revision of previous one (2001Bu16) by T.W. Burrows. Since then extensive new data have become available for many A=139 nuclides although, no excited state data are yet available for {sup 139}Sn, {sup 139}Sb, {sup 139}Tb, and {sup 139}Dy. The decay schemes of {sup 139}Sn, {sup 139}Sb, {sup 139}I, {sup 139}Tb and {sup 139}Dymore » nuclei are not known, and those for {sup 139}Gd and {sup 139}Eu are poorly known. Particle-transfer data are available for {sup 139}Ba, {sup 139}La, {sup 139}Ce and {sup 139}Pr. Limited high-spin data are available for {sup 139}Te, {sup 139}I, {sup 139}Cs, {sup 139}Ba, {sup 139}La and {sup 139}Ce, while such data are extensive for {sup 139}Pr, {sup 139}Nd, {sup 139}Pm, {sup 139}Sm, {sup 139}Eu and {sup 139}Gd. Recent {sup 139}Pm high-spin data from two independent studies using the same reaction and similar beam energy are in conflict and could be improved using state-of-the-art large gamma-detector arrays in contrast to the smaller arrays currently used. Cases for which no new experimental information are available since the last update have undergone checking resulting in some changes in the current work, but for the most part these are taken from the previous evaluations. Thus, the present work has greatly benefited from all prior NDS evaluations (2001Bu16, 1989Bu12, 1981Pe04, 1974Gr46), but at the same time data presented herein supersede those in the earlier evaluations.« less

Effect of Eu–Ni substitution on electrical and dielectric properties of Co–Sr–Y-type hexagonal ferrite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ali, Irshad, E-mail: irshadalibzu@gmail.com; Islam, M.U.; Ashiq, Muhammad Naeem, E-mail: naeemashiqqau@yahoo.com

2014-01-01

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Single phase nanostructured Sr{sub 2}Co{sub 2−x}Ni{sub x} Eu{sub y}Fe{sub 12−y}O{sub 22} were synthesized by the microemulsion method. • The materials show semiconducting behavior. • The high resistivity makes these materials useful for high frequency applications. • The Curie temperature decreases with the substituents. - Abstract: Single phase nanostructured Eu–Ni substituted Y-type hexaferrites with nominal composition Sr{sub 2}Co{sub 2−x}Ni{sub x} Eu{sub y}Fe{sub 12−y}O{sub 22} (x = 0.0–1, y = 0.0–0.1) were synthesized by the normal microemulsion method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique was employed for phase analysis and indexing of each pattern corroborates that well defined Y-typemore » crystalline phase is formed. It is observed that DC resistivity enhanced which is accredited to room temperature resistivity differences of dopant and host ions. The hopping of electrons and jumping of holes are responsible for conduction below Curie temperature (T{sub C}), whereas above Curie temperature is due to polaron hopping. The decrease in T{sub C} may be due to the fact that Eu–Fe interactions on the B sites are weaker than Fe–Fe interaction. The dispersion in the dielectric constant ε′(f) favor the occurrence of peaks in the tan δ(f). The extraordinary values of resistivity and small dielectric loss make these materials pre-eminent contestant for high frequency applications.« less

Search for New Superconductors for Energy and Power Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-21

superconductors, borides , carbides, silicides, and chalcogenides. In addition, a number of thin film systems have been explored: A15s, superlattices, arrays of...YBa2Cu3O7 Bi2Se3 Eu-Si-C ErRh4B4 Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 (UD, OD) Sb2Se3 V-Si-C (Ga,Mn)As CuO ZrSe2 Sm-Si-C Hf(FeCo)P Y1-xCaxCrO3 Fe-Te-Se BORIDES Hf-Fe-C-P...Physics, Warsaw, Poland Table III New superconductors, discovered by UCSD MURI team. BORIDES Tc (K) Nb0.9Zr0.1B 11.2 ZrNbxB 9.0 ZrVxB 9.0

Doping Lanthanide into Perovskite Nanocrystals: Highly Improved and Expanded Optical Properties.

PubMed

Pan, Gencai; Bai, Xue; Yang, Dongwen; Chen, Xu; Jing, Pengtao; Qu, Songnan; Zhang, Lijun; Zhou, Donglei; Zhu, Jinyang; Xu, Wen; Dong, Biao; Song, Hongwei

2017-12-13

Cesium lead halide (CsPbX 3 ) perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have demonstrated extremely excellent optical properties and great application potentials in various optoelectronic devices. However, because of the anion exchange, it is difficult to achieve white-light and multicolor emission for practical applications. Herein, we present the successful doping of various lanthanide ions (Ce 3+ , Sm 3+ , Eu 3+ , Tb 3+ , Dy 3+ , Er 3+ , and Yb 3+ ) into the lattices of CsPbCl 3 perovskite NCs through a modified hot-injection method. For the lanthanide ions doped perovskite NCs, high photoluminescence quantum yield (QY) and stable and widely tunable multicolor emissions spanning from visible to near-infrared (NIR) regions are successfully obtained. This work indicates that the doped perovskite NCs will inherit most of the unique optical properties of lanthanide ions and deliver them to the perovskite NC host, thus endowing the family of perovskite materials with excellent optical, electric, or magnetic properties.

Provenance of fine-grained sediments in the inner shelf of the Korea Strait (South Sea), Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Um, In kwon; Choi, Man Sik; Bae, Sung Ho; Song, Yunho; Kong, Gee Soo

2017-12-01

Major metals (Al, Fe, Mg, and Ti), trace metals (Li, Cs, Sc, and Rb), and rare earth elements (REEs) in the fine-grained sediments (< 15 μm) of the central South Sea mud (CSSM) were analyzed to determine the sediment provenance. The spatial distribution of the analyzed elements showed a clear separation between the western (W-CSSM) and eastern (E-CSSM) regions of the CSSM. Concentrations of Fe, Ti, Mg, Sc, and REEs were higher in the WCSSM, whereas concentrations of Al, Cs, Li, and Rb were higher in the E-CSSM. Unlike the ratios of trace metals ((Cs+Sc)/Li and Rb/Li), REEs could not be used to track the provenance of fine-grained sediments because of a grain size effect. The mixing relationships of the provenance indicators showed that the fine-grained sediments of the CSSM comprise a mixture of the sediments discharged from the Seomjin River (SRS) and sediments eroded and transported from the Heuksan mud belt (HMBS) area by the Korean Coastal Current. Sediments originating from the HMB were deposited mostly in the W-CSSM, whereas those from the Seomjin River were deposited mostly in the E-CSSM. This study indicated that sediments from Chinese rivers as well as the Geum River are important even in the inner shelf of the South Sea of Korea.

Provenance of Fine-grained Sediments in the Inner Shelf of the Korea Strait (South Sea), Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Um, In kwon; Choi, Man Sik; Bae, Sung Ho; Song, Yunho; Kong, Gee Soo

2018-03-01

Major metals (Al, Fe, Mg, and Ti), trace metals (Li, Cs, Sc, and Rb), and rare earth elements (REEs) in the fine-grained sediments (< 15 μm) of the central South Sea mud (CSSM) were analyzed to determine the sediment provenance. The spatial distribution of the analyzed elements showed a clear separation between the western (W-CSSM) and eastern (E-CSSM) regions of the CSSM. Concentrations of Fe, Ti, Mg, Sc, and REEs were higher in the WCSSM, whereas concentrations of Al, Cs, Li, and Rb were higher in the E-CSSM. Unlike the ratios of trace metals ((Cs+Sc)/Li and Rb/Li), REEs could not be used to track the provenance of fine-grained sediments because of a grain size effect. The mixing relationships of the provenance indicators showed that the fine-grained sediments of the CSSM comprise a mixture of the sediments discharged from the Seomjin River (SRS) and sediments eroded and transported from the Heuksan mud belt (HMBS) area by the Korean Coastal Current. Sediments originating from the HMB were deposited mostly in the W-CSSM, whereas those from the Seomjin River were deposited mostly in the E-CSSM. This study indicated that sediments from Chinese rivers as well as the Geum River are important even in the inner shelf of the South Sea of Korea.

Selective Capture of Cesium and Thallium from Natural Waters and Simulated Wastes with Copper Ferrocyanide Functionalized Mesoporous Silica

PubMed Central

Sangvanich, Thanapon; Sukwarotwat, Vichaya; Wiacek, Robert J.; Grudzien, Rafal M.; Fryxell, Glen E.; Addleman, R. Shane; Timchalk, Charles; Yantasee, Wassana

2010-01-01

Copper(II) ferrocyanide on mesoporous silica (FC-Cu-EDA-SAMMS™) has been evaluated against iron(III) hexacyanoferrate(II) (insoluble Prussian Blue) for removing cesium (Cs+) and thallium (Tl+) from natural waters and simulated acidic and alkaline wastes. From pH 0.1 – 7.3, FC-Cu-EDA-SAMMS had greater affinities for Cs and Tl and was less affected by the solution pH, competing cations, and matrices. SAMMS also outperformed Prussian Blue in terms of adsorption capacities (e.g., 21.7 versus 2.6 mg Cs/g in acidic waste stimulant (pH 1.1), 28.3 versus 5.8 mg Tl/g in seawater), and rate (e.g., over 95 wt% of Cs was removed from seawater after 2 min with SAMMS, while only 75 wt% was removed with Prussian Blue). SAMMS also had higher stability (e.g., 2.5 to 13-fold less Fe dissolved from 2 to 24 hr of contact time). In addition to environmental applications, SAMMS has great potential to be used as orally administered drug for limiting the absorption of radioactive Cs and toxic Tl in gastrointestinal tract. PMID:20594644

Appearance of superconductivity at the vacancy order-disorder boundary in KxFe2 -ySe2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, Chunruo; Yang, Junjie; Ren, Yang; Thomas, Sean M.; Louca, Despina

2018-05-01

The role of phase separation and the effect of Fe-vacancy ordering in the emergence of superconductivity in alkali metal doped iron selenides AxFe2 -ySe2 (A = K, Rb, Cs) is explored. High energy x-ray diffraction and Monte Carlo simulation were used to investigate the crystal structure of quenched superconducting (SC) and as-grown nonsuperconducting (NSC) KxFe2 -ySe2 single crystals. The coexistence of superlattice structures with the in-plane √{2 }×√{2 } K-vacancy ordering and the √{5 }×√{5 } Fe-vacancy ordering were observed in both the SC and NSC crystals alongside the I4/mmm Fe-vacancy-free phase. Moreover, in the SC crystals, an Fe-vacancy-disordered phase is additionally proposed to be present. Monte Carlo simulations suggest that it appears at the boundary between the I4/mmm vacancy-free phase and the I4/m vacancy-ordered phases (√{5 }×√{5 } ). The vacancy-disordered phase is nonmagnetic and is most likely the host of superconductivity.

Case studies on genetically modified organisms (GMOs): Potential risk scenarios and associated health indicators.

PubMed

de Santis, Barbara; Stockhofe, Norbert; Wal, Jean-Michel; Weesendorp, Eefke; Lallès, Jean-Paul; van Dijk, Jeroen; Kok, Esther; De Giacomo, Marzia; Einspanier, Ralf; Onori, Roberta; Brera, Carlo; Bikker, Paul; van der Meulen, Jan; Kleter, G

2018-07-01

Within the frame of the EU-funded MARLON project, background data were reviewed to explore the possibility of measuring health indicators during post-market monitoring for potential effects of feeds, particularly genetically modified (GM) feeds, on livestock animal health, if applicable. Four case studies (CSs) of potential health effects on livestock were framed and the current knowledge of a possible effect of GM feed was reviewed. Concerning allergenicity (CS-1), there are no case-reports of allergic reactions or immunotoxic effects resulting from GM feed consumption as compared with non-GM feed. The likelihood of horizontal gene transfer (HGT; CS-2) of GMO-related DNA to different species is not different from that for other DNA and is unlikely to raise health concerns. Concerning mycotoxins (CS-3), insect-resistant GM maize may reduce fumonisins contamination as a health benefit, yet other Fusarium toxins and aflatoxins show inconclusive results. For nutritionally altered crops (CS-4), the genetic modifications applied lead to compositional changes which require special considerations of their nutritional impacts. No health indicators were thus identified except for possible beneficial impacts of reduced mycotoxins and nutritional enhancement. More generally, veterinary health data should ideally be linked with animal exposure information so as to be able to establish cause-effect relationships. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The mineralogy and geochemistry of quartz-tourmaline schlieren in the granites of the Primorsky Complex, Western Baikal Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savel'eva, V. B.; Bazarova, E. P.; Kanakin, S. V.

2014-12-01

Quartz-tourmaline schlieren have been found within rapakivi-like granites of the Early Proterozoic Primorsky Complex in the Western Baikal Region. These rocks are biotite leucogranites with normal alkalinity (A/CNK = 1.00-1.04); a high iron mole fraction (92-95%); a K2O/Na2O value of about 2.0; relatively high F, Li, Rb, Cs, Sn, Pb, Th, and U contents; and low Ba, Sr, Eu, Zn, Sc, and V contents. The schlieren composed of quartz and tourmaline with relics of feldspar also contain fluorite, rare muscovite, chlorite, and accessory rutile, ilmenite, zircon, monazite, xenotime, and bastnäsite. B2O3 and F contents in the schlieren are 2.29-2.63 and 0.30-0.47 wt %, respectively. Fe2O3 (4.8-5.4 wt %), F, and H2O contents are higher in these schlieren than in the host granite, while SiO2, CaO, Na2O, K2O, and P2O5 contents are lower than in host rocks. K2O/Na2O values decrease in the schlieren down to 0.4. Enrichment of the schlieren in Fe and other ore elements (Zn, Co, Cu, Sn, etc.), together with B, F, H2O, and Na, suggests that they crystallized from fluid-saturated melt segregated from aluminosilicate melt in the apical part of a shallow-seated intrusion. The formation of tourmaline may be related to the interaction of the fluid with feldspars in the crystallizing granites; it was accompanied by a separation of fluid F-CO2. Quartz precipitated at the next stage, due to the acidic character of the aqueous fluid. In general, the relationships of minerals in the schlieren indicate distinct fractionation of LREE, HREE, and Y in the fluid-saturated melt.

Effect of two different composts on soil quality and on the growth of various plant species in a polymetallic acidic mine soil.

PubMed

Rossini-Oliva, S; Mingorance, M D; Peña, A

2017-02-01

The effect of the addition (0-10%) of two types of sewage sludge composts (composted sewage sludge [CS] and sewage sludge co-composted with olive prune wastes [CSO]) on a polymetallic acidic soil from the Riotinto mining area was evaluated by i) a soil incubation experiment and ii) a greenhouse pot experiment using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.), ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and ahipa (Pachyrhizus ahipa (Wedd.) Parodi). Compost addition improved the soil organic carbon content, increased the pH and the electrical conductivity and enhanced enzyme activities and soil respiration, more for CSO than for CS. Plant growth was generally enhanced after compost addition, but not proportionally to the dose. Foliar concentrations of some hazardous elements (As, Cr, Fe) in tomato growing in non-amended soil were above the thresholds, questioning the adequacy of using this plant species. However, leaf concentrations of essential and potentially toxic elements (Fe, As, Cr and Pb) in tomato and/or ryegrass were reduced after the amendment with both composts, generally more for CSO than for CS. Conversely, foliar concentrations in ahipa, a plant species which is able to grow without the need of compost addition, were safe except for As and were only slightly affected by compost addition. This plant species would be a suitable candidate due to its low requirements and due to the limited element translocation to the leaves. Concerning the composts, amelioration of plant and soil properties was better accomplished when using CSO, a compost of sewage sludge and plant remains, than when using CS, which only contained the sludge. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and characterization of Eu{sup 3+}:Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} hollow spheres for biomedical applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kumari, Manisha, E-mail: guptamanisha69@yahoo.co.in; Sharma, Prashant K., E-mail: prashantnac@gmail.com

Multifunctional magnetic Nanoparticles (MFMNPs) are potentially applicable in both drug delivery systems (DDS) and hyperthermia treatment. Structural, surface morphology and optical property were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) measurement. Uniform Eu{sup 3+}:Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} hollow microspheres of 1.8-2.0 μm diameters were synthesized by template based approach. We found that synthesized Hollow spheres are 100 nm in thickness. FE-SEM images revealed that the synthesized material are hollow in structure with good porous structure and these pores work as pathway for releasing drugs from the hollow particle inside. Luminescent properties of material were studiedmore » by room temperature photoluminescence emission spectra under the excitation of 275 nm. Material exhibit bright red emission corresponding to the {sup 5}D{sub 0}-{sup 7}F{sub 2} transition of the activator ions under ultraviolet light excitation, which might find potential applications in fields such as drug delivery or biological labeling because of their excellent luminescence properties.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bouziane, M.; Taibi, M., E-mail: taibiens@yahoo.fr; Boukhari, A.

Electrical properties of Pb{sub 2}Na{sub 0.8}Eu{sub 0.2}Nb{sub 4.8}Fe{sub 0.2}O{sub 15} tungsten bronze compound were investigated. Ferroelectric phase transition of diffuse type is observed at 395 °C. Conductivity study as a function of temperature (RT-600 °C) and at three different frequencies (10, 100 and 1000 kHz) suggests the existence of dominant ionic conduction. The rise of ac conductivity on increasing temperature supports the NTCR (negative temperature coefficient of resistance) behaviour of the material. The activation energies have been evaluated from ac conductivity using Arrhenius equation and discussed. Different conduction mechanisms were identified. For comparison, the conducting properties of Pb{sub 2}Na{sub 0.8}R{submore » 0.2}Nb{sub 4.8}Fe{sub 0.2}O{sub 15} (R=Dy, Nd, La) were also investigated. - Graphical abstract: Thermal evolution of lnσ{sub ac} of Pb{sub 2}Na{sub 0.8}Eu{sub 0.2}Nb{sub 4.8}Fe{sub 0.2}O{sub 15} at selected frequencies. Display Omitted - Highlights: • We found that TB compounds exhibit a diffuse type of first- order transition. • A negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behaviour is observed. • Three conduction mechanisms were identified: n-and/or p-type at low temperatures. • The conduction mechanism in the studied compounds is very complex.« less

PRIMORDIAL r-PROCESS DISPERSION IN METAL-POOR GLOBULAR CLUSTERS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Roederer, Ian U., E-mail: iur@obs.carnegiescience.edu

Heavy elements, those produced by neutron-capture reactions, have traditionally shown no star-to-star dispersion in all but a handful of metal-poor globular clusters (GCs). Recent detections of low [Pb/Eu] ratios or upper limits in several metal-poor GCs indicate that the heavy elements in these GCs were produced exclusively by an r-process. Re-examining GC heavy element abundances from the literature, we find unmistakable correlations between the [La/Fe] and [Eu/Fe] ratios in four metal-poor GCs (M5, M15, M92, and NGC 3201), only two of which were known previously. This indicates that the total r-process abundances vary from star to star (by factors ofmore » 2-6) relative to Fe within each GC. We also identify potential dispersion in two other GCs (M3 and M13). Several GCs (M12, M80, and NGC 6752) show no evidence of r-process dispersion. The r-process dispersion is not correlated with the well-known light element dispersion, indicating that it was present in the gas throughout the duration of star formation. The observations available at present suggest that star-to-star r-process dispersion within metal-poor GCs may be a common but not ubiquitous phenomenon that is neither predicted by nor accounted for in current models of GC formation and evolution.« less

Investigations on effect of laser-induced self-assembled patterning on optical properties of flexible polyimide substrates for solar cell applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shukla, Ashish K.; Yadav, Vinayak M.; Kumar, Akash; Palani, I. A.; Manivannan, Anbarasu

2018-01-01

Polyimide (PI) offers promising features such as high strength and excellent thermal stability for flexible solar panels. The flexible solar cell demands maximum absorption of solar insolation through stacked layers to enhance its performance. However, the fluorescence emission (FE) in inactive polyimide substrate hinders the absorption of irradiated solar energy. In this research work, an attempt has been made to generate rippled morphology on PI substrate using laser processing that enhances the absorption and moderates the FE. These changes are confirmed by calculating the Urbach energy (Eu) of the rippled structure, which is found to be 2.5 times that of the pristine substrate. Furthermore, to reduce the FE, tungsten (W) was coated on the rippled structure of the laser-processed PI, and a significant reduction of 70% FE is achieved compared to the FE of unprocessed PI. These enhanced characteristics of PI obtained by laser processing will be highly helpful for improving the overall performance of flexible solar cells.

Energy transfer and tunable multicolor emission and paramagnetic properties of GdF3:Dy(3+),Tb(3+),Eu(3+) phosphors.

PubMed

Guan, Hongxia; Sheng, Ye; Xu, Chengyi; Dai, Yunzhi; Xie, Xiaoming; Zou, Haifeng

2016-07-20

A series of Dy(3+), Tb(3+), Eu(3+) singly or doubly or triply doped GdF3 phosphors were synthesized by a glutamic acid assisted one-step hydrothermal method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The results show that the synthesized samples are all pure GdF3. The obtained samples have a peanut-like morphology with a diameter of about 270 nm and a length of about 600 nm. Under UV excitation, GdF3:Dy(3+), GdF3:Tb(3+) and GdF3:Eu(3+) samples exhibit strong blue, green and red emissions, respectively. By adjusting their relative doping concentrations in the GdF3 host, the different color hues of green and red light are obtained by co-doped Dy(3+), Tb(3+) and Tb(3+), Eu(3+) ions in the GdF3 host, respectively. Besides, there exist two energy transfer pairs in the GdF3 host: (1) Dy(3+) → Tb(3+) and (2) Tb(3+) → Eu(3+). More significantly, in the Dy(3+), Tb(3+), and Eu(3+) tri-doped GdF3 phosphors, white light can also be achieved upon excitation of UV light by adjusting the doping concentration of Eu(3+). In addition, the obtained samples also exhibit paramagnetic properties at room temperature (300 K) and low temperature (2 K). It is obvious that multifunctional Dy(3+), Tb(3+), Eu(3+) tri-doped GdF3 materials including tunable multicolors and intrinsic paramagnetic properties may have potential applications in the field of full-color displays.

VERTICAL MIGRATION OF RADIONUCLIDES IN THE VICINITY OF THE CHERNOBYL CONFINEMENT SHELTER

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Farfan, E.; Jannik, T.; Marra, J.

2011-10-01

Studies on vertical migration of Chernobyl-origin radionuclides in the 5-km zone of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) in the area of the Red Forest experimental site were completed. Measurements were made by gamma spectrometric methods using high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors with beryllium windows. Alpha-emitting isotopes of plutonium were determined by the measurement of the x-rays from their uranium progeny. The presence of {sup 60}Co, {sup 134,137}Cs, {sup 154,155}Eu, and {sup 241}Am in all soil layers down to a depth of 30 cm was observed. The presence of {sup 137}Cs and {sup 241}Am were noted in the area containingmore » automorphous soils to a depth of 60 cm. In addition, the upper soil layers at the test site were found to contain {sup 243}Am and {sup 243}Cm. Over the past ten years, the {sup 241}Am/{sup 137}Cs ratio in soil at the experimental site has increased by a factor of 3.4, nearly twice as much as would be predicted based solely on radioactive decay. This may be due to 'fresh' fallout emanating from the ChNPP Confinement Shelter.« less

Spin crossover in the CsFeII[CrIII(CN)6] Prussian blue analog: Phonons and thermodynamics from hybrid functionals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Middlemiss, Derek S.; Portinari, Damiano; Grey, Clare P.; Morrison, Carole A.; Wilson, Chick C.

2010-05-01

Solid-state lattice-dynamics calculations within the hybrid density-functional approach are applied to the study of the thermally induced Fe2+ lowspin(LS;S=0)↔highspin(HS;S=2) crossover (SCO) in the extended network of the CsFe[Cr(CN)6] Prussian blue analog. The variations in the thermodynamic parameters defining the SCO transition with the Fock exchange content (F0) of the functional are obtained and discussed, where, in keeping with the findings of previous studies of isolated complexes, it is found that an admixture F0≈14% provides reliable values. The transition is shown to be dominated by the entropy difference, ΔS , associated with the softening of low-frequency vibrational (vib) modes in the HS state, as has been suggested previously for a wide range of SCO materials, more than half of ΔSvib deriving from modes with wave numbers of 250cm-1 or less. Analysis of the influence of the spectroscopic selection rules upon the apparent SCO thermodynamics reveals that determinations based solely upon infrared or Raman frequencies, or upon their combination, lead to significant errors. The effect upon the SCO transition of the electronic entropy associated with the degenerate Fe2+ HS (eg2t2g4) configurations is also detailed, evidence for the existence of an associated dynamic Jahn-Teller distortion being presented. Optimized structures, bulk moduli, Γ -point vibrational frequencies, and crystal-field energy models are discussed for all relevant spin states.

Atomic-Resolution X-ray Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy Chemical Mapping of Substitutional Dy Atoms in a High-Coercivity Neodymium Magnet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Itakura, Masaru; Watanabe, Natsuki; Nishida, Minoru; Daio, Takeshi; Matsumura, Syo

2013-05-01

We have investigated local element distributions in a Dy-doped Nd2Fe14B hot-deformed magnet by atomic-column resolution chemical mapping using an X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometer (XEDS) attached to an aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (Cs-corrected STEM). The positions of the Nd and Dy atomic columns were visualized in the XEDS maps. The substitution of Dy was limited to a surface layer 2-3 unit cells thick in the Nd2Fe14B grains, and the Dy atoms preferentially occupied the 4f-Nd sites of Nd2Fe14B. These results provide further insights into the principal mechanism governing the coercivity enhancement due to Dy doping.

Electronic properties of Laves phase ZrFe{sub 2} using Compton spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bhatt, Samir, E-mail: sameerbhatto11@gmail.com; Kumar, Kishor; Ahuja, B. L.

First-ever experimental Compton profile of Laves phase ZrFe{sub 2}, using indigenous 20 Ci {sup 137}Cs Compton spectrometer, is presented. To analyze the experimental electron momentum density, we have deduced the theoretical Compton profiles using density functional theory (DFT) and hybridization of DFT and Hartree-Fock scheme within linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) method. The energy bands and density of states are also calculated using LCAO prescription. The theoretical profile based on local density approximation gives a better agreement with the experimental profile than other reported schemes. The present investigations validate the inclusion of correlation potential of Perdew-Zunger in predicting themore » electronic properties of ZrFe{sub 2}.« less

The P-Fe diagram for K-feldspars: A preliminary approach in the discrimination of pegmatites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sánchez-Muñoz, Luis; Müller, Axel; Andrés, Sol López; Martin, Robert F.; Modreski, Peter J.; de Moura, Odulio J. M.

2017-02-01

Pegmatites are extremely coarse-grained and heterogeneous rocks in which quantitative measurements of mineral proportions and chemical compositions of the whole rock are virtually impossible to acquire. Thus, conventional criteria such as bulk compositions and modal mineralogy used for the classifications of igneous rocks simply cannot be applied for pegmatites. An alternative is to use the mineralogical and chemical attributes of K-rich feldspars, the only mineral that is omnipresent in pegmatites. We have used this approach to test a possible discriminant among four groups of pegmatites on the basis of major petrological features, such as the abundance of quartz, feldspars, micas and phosphates. Group I is represented by relatively flux-poor, and silica-poor pegmatites, in most cases with hypersolvus feldspars, devoid of quartz and with minor biotite, which are common in rift settings as in the Coldwell Alkaline Complex in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Group II comprises relatively flux-poor, silica-rich pegmatites with quartz, subsolvus feldspars and biotite as major primary minerals, typically occurring in the asymmetric collisional Grenville Orogeny. Group III comprises relatively flux-rich, silica-rich P-poor pegmatites with quartz, subsolvus feldspars, and muscovite as the major primary minerals. Finally, group IV consists of relatively flux-rich, silica-rich, P-rich pegmatites with the same previous major minerals as in group III but with abundant phosphates. Group III and IV are found in most symmetric collisional orogens, such as in the Eastern Brazilian Pegmatite Province as the result of the collision of cratons mainly formed by igneous and metamorphic rock of Archean and Early Proterozoic age. We have selected specimens of blocky perthitic K-rich feldspar from the inner part of thirty-one pegmatites belonging to these four categories occurring worldwide to cover a wide range of mineralogy, geological age, geotectonic setting and geographical positions. Concentrations of major elements (Si, Al, K, Na, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ti and P) were obtained by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and those of minor and trace elements (P, Fe, Li, Ge, Ga, Rb, Sr, Ba, Tl, Pb, Y, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) were established by laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), in areas free of coarse Na-feldspar veins or patches. We show that the four groups have very different average values of the minor and trace elements. However, only the cations occupying tetrahedral sites, particularly the Fe and P, are sufficiently immobile to show distinct differences among pegmatites. Hence, we propose a P-Fe diagram to discriminate among the four groups of pegmatites, as a possible criterion with which to classify pegmatites.

Selective Capture of Cesium and Thallium from Natural Waters and Simulated Wastes with Copper Ferrocyanide Functionalized Mesoporous Silica

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sangvanich, Thanapon; Sukwarotwat, Vichaya; Wiacek, Robert J.

2010-10-15

Copper(II) ferrocyanide immobilized inside mesoporous silica MCM-41 supports (Cu-FC-EDA-SAMMSTM) has been evaluated against iron(III) hexacyanoferrate(II) (insoluble Prussian blue) for the sorption of cesium (Cs+) and thallium (Tl+) from natural waters and simulated wastes. The affinities (in term of distribution coefficients, Kd) of both sorbents for Cs and Tl were measured as a function of solution pH, competing cations, and matrices. For the entire pH studied (pH 0.1 to 7.3), Cu-FC-EDA-SAMMS had higher affinities for Cs and Tl (one to two orders of magnitude higher Kd) than Prussian blue and was less negatively impacted by the solution pH, competing cations, andmore » matrices. The adsorption isotherms and kinetics of the two sorbents for Cs and/or Tl were also determined in seawater and simulated acid and alkaline wastes. SAMMS outperformed Prussian blue in terms of maximum adsorption capacity (e.g., 21.7 versus 2.6 mg Cs/g in acid waste stimulant, pH 1.1), and rate (e.g., over 95 wt% of Cs was removed after 2 minutes with SAMMS, while only 75 wt% was removed with Prussian blue). The lower affinity, capacity, and rate of Cs and Tl sorption on Prussian blue than those on Cu-FC-EDA-SAMMS were attributed to the molecular pore sizes, which restrict mass transport, and the insoluble Cs abducts of the Prussian blue, which restrict the ability of neighboring binding sites to further bind Cs ions. On the other hand, the large pores of SAMMS not only enable faster diffusion and faster binding chemistry, but they also allow isolation of binding sites so that one Cs binding event does not impact further Cs binding. In addition, iron (Fe) dissolved from insoluble Prussian blue over 10-fold of that from Cu-FC-EDA-SAMMS after 24 hours of contact time, indicating poorer material stability of Prussian blue.« less

Characterization of stress corrosion cracks in Ni-based weld alloys 52, 52M and 152 grown in high-temperature water

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xie, Yi; Wu, Yaqiao; Burns, Jatuporn

Ni-based weld alloys 52, 52M and 152 are extensively used in repair and mitigation of primary water stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in nuclear power plants. In the present study, a series of microstructure and microchemistry at the SCC tips of these alloys were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and energy filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM). The specimens have similar chemical compositions and testing conditions. Intergranular (IG) and transgranular (TG) SCC was observed in all of them. The cracks were filled with nickel-oxidesmore » and partial precipitations of chrome carbides (CrCs), niobium carbides (NbCs), titanium nitrides (TiNs) and silicon carbides (SiCs), while iron (Fe) was largely dissolved into the solution. However, the crack densities, lengths and distributions were different for all three specimens. - Highlights: • Microstructure and microchemistry at the SCC tips of Ni-based weld alloys 52, 52M and 152 were examined. • The crack densities, lengths and distributions were found to be different for different alloys. • IGSCC and TGSCC were observed on alloy 52, only TGSCC was observed on alloy 52M and 152. • The cracks were filled by Ni-oxides and precipitated CrCs, NbCs, TiNs and SiCs.« less

Cold crucible induction melter test for crystalline ceramic waste form fabrication: A feasibility assessment

DOE PAGES

Amoroso, Jake W.; Marra, James; Dandeneau, Christopher S.; ...

2017-01-18

The first scaled proof-of-principle cold crucible induction melter (CCIM) test to process a multiphase ceramic waste form from a simulated combined (Cs/Sr, lanthanide and transition metal fission products) commercial used nuclear fuel waste stream was recently conducted in the United States. X-ray diffraction, 2-D X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy for Cs), and product consistency tests were used to characterize the fabricated CCIM material. Characterization analyses confirmed that a crystalline ceramic with a desirable phase assemblage was produced from a melt using a CCIM. We identified primary hollandite,more » pyrochlore/zirconolite, and perovskite phases in addition to minor phases rich in Fe, Al, or Cs. The material produced in the CCIM was chemically homogeneous and displayed a uniform phase assemblage with acceptable aqueous chemical durability.« less

The Determination of Soil-plant Transfer Coefficients of Cesium-137 and Other Elements by γ-Ray Measurement and PIXE Analysis, for use in the Remediation of Fukushima

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishii, K.; Fujita, A.; Toyama, S.; Terakawa, A.; Matsuyama, S.; Arai, H.; Osada, N.; Takyu, S.; Matsuyama, T.; Koshio, S.; Watanabe, K.; Ito, S.; Kasahara, K.

Edible wild plants growing in the area around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant remain contaminated. It is important to identify plants with low levels of contamination for the restoration of agriculture in the area. We collected specimens of 10 wild plant species growing in Iitate village which is one of the most highly contaminated areas and also sampled the soil beneath each plant. We measured the specific activity of 137Cs and the concentrations of Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Rb and Sr in these samples using a germanium detector and PIXE analysis, respectively. We compared the soil-plant transfer coefficient of 137Cs with those of each element and determined their correlation with 137Cs. It was found that a low Sr transfer coefficient could be used to determine the plants with a low 137Cs transfer coefficient. We suggest that PIXE analysis is a useful analysis technique for agricultural remediation projects in highly contaminated areas around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of 2-CP in wastewater onto CS/CoFe₂O ₄ nanocomposite synthesized using gamma radiation.

PubMed

Taleb, Manal F Abou

2014-12-19

Photocatalytic degradation of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) was studied using the photocatalyst chitosane/CoFe2O4 nanocomposite (CS/CF) under visible light. CS/CF nanocomposites were synthesized via gamma irradiation cross-linking method with the aid of sonication. Physical characteristics of CS/CF were studied using infrared spectrophotometer (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. Their photocatalytic activity was tested for the degradation of 2-CP in aqueous medium using sunlight. The effect of different parameters such as catalyst concentration, 2-CP concentration and reaction pH on degradation was also examined. It was verified that the 2-CP degradation rate fits a pseudo-first-order kinetics for initial 2-CP concentrations between 25 and 100mg/l, at 30°C. The degradation kinetics fit well Langmuir-Hinshelwood rate law. The degradation of (2-CP) follows pseudo-first-order kinetics. Results showed that after the catalyst had been used 5 times repeatedly, the degradation rate was still above 80%. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Synthesis and Photoluminescent Properties of CaMoO₄:Eu³⁺ Nanocrystals by a Soft Chemical Route.

PubMed

Li, Fuhai; Yu, Lixin; Sun, Jiaju; Li, Songchu; Wei, Shuilin

2017-04-01

In this paper, the CaMoO4:Eu3+ phosphors were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method assisted by the citric acid as the surfactant, and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and fluorescent spectrophotometry. The results of XRD show that the as-prepared samples are single phase. The process of the Ostwald ripening is controlled by the content of the citric acid in the hydrothermal reaction. The pH value of the precursor affects the shift of the charge transition band (CTB) in the excitation spectra. The reaction condition can strongly affect the luminescent intensity of the samples.

Upper critical fields and two-band superconductivity in Sr 1-xEu x(Fe 0.89Co 0.11)₂As₂ (x=0.20 and 0.46)

DOE PAGES

Hu, Rongwei; Mun, Eun Deok; Altarawneh, M. M.; ...

2012-02-13

The upper critical fields H c2(T) of single crystals of Sr 1-xEu x(Fe₀.₈₉Co₀.₁₁)₂As₂ (x=0.20 and 0.46) were determined by radio-frequency penetration depth measurements in pulsed magnetic fields. H c2(T) approaches the Pauli limiting field but shows an upward curvature with an enhancement from the orbital limited field, as inferred from the Werthamer-Helfand-Hohenberg theory. We discuss the temperature dependence of the upper critical fields and the decreasing anisotropy using a two-band BCS model.

Transport thermal properties of LiTaO 3 pyroelectric sensor from 15 K to 400 K and its application to the study of critical behavior in EuCo 2As 2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oleaga, A.; Shvalya, V.; Sefat, Athena Safa

2016-01-04

ac photopyroelectric calorimeters in the standard back configuration, where LiTaO 3 is one of the most popular materials to be used as a detector, are commonly used to study phase transitions in solids and liquids. In order to extract the specific heat of a studied sample, a good knowledge of the thermal effusivity of the sensor as a function of temperature is needed. This function has been obtained for the first time in the range 15 K to 400 K by independently measuring LiTaO 3 thermal diffusivity and specific heat and combining both of them to give thermal effusivity. Usingmore » this photopyroelectric setup and LiTaO 3 as sensor, we have carried out the study of the critical behavior of the antiferromagnetic ordering of the Eu 2+ spins in EuCo 2As 2 (a compound with similar structure as EuFe 2As 2, from which superconductors have been developed) at low temperature by measuring its specific heat. Furthermore, the critical parameters found for EuCo 2As 2 (α=–0.017,A +/A –=1.06) agree with the 3D-XY universality class, indicating that the spins present an in-plane arrangement for Eu 2+, in agreement with magnetic measurements in the literature.« less

Zirconia coating stabilized super-iron alkaline cathodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Xingwen; Licht, Stuart

A low-level zirconia coating significantly stabilizes high energy alkaline super-iron cathodes, and improves the energy storage capacity of super-iron batteries. Zirconia coating is derived from ZrCl 4 in an organic medium through the conversion of ZrCl 4 to ZrO 2. In alkaline battery system, ZrO 2 provides an intact shield for the cathode materials and the hydroxide shuttle through the coating sustains alkaline cathode redox chemistry. Most super-iron cathodes are solid-state stable, such as K 2FeO 4 and Cs 2FeO 4, but tend to be passivated in alkaline electrolyte due to the formation of Fe(III) over layer. Zirconia coating effectively enhances the stability of these super-iron cathodes. However, for solid-state unstable super-iron cathode (e.g. BaFeO 4), only a little stabilization effect of zirconia coating is observed.

Microwave-assisted Extraction of Rare Earth Elements from Petroleum Refining Catalysts and Ambient Fine Aerosols Prior to Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mittlefehldt, David W.; Kulkarni, Pranav; Chellam, Shankar

2006-01-01

In the absence of a certified reference material, a robust microwave-assisted acid digestion procedure followed by inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was developed to quantify rare earth elements (REEs) in fluidized-bed catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts and atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5). High temperature (200 C), high pressure (200 psig), acid digestion (HNO3, HF, and H3BO3) with 20 minute dwell time effectively solubilized REEs from six fresh catalysts, a spent catalyst, and PM2.5. This method was also employed to measure 27 non-REEs including Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Cd, Cs, Ba, Pb, and U. Complete extraction of several REEs (Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Tb, Dy, and Er) required HF indicating that they were closely associated with the aluminosilicate structure of the zeolite FCC catalysts. Internal standardization using 115In quantitatively corrected non-spectral interferences in the catalyst digestate matrix. Inter-laboratory comparison using ICP-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) demonstrated the applicability of the newly developed analytical method for accurate analysis of REEs in FCC catalysts. The method developed for FCC catalysts was also successfully implemented to measure trace to ultra-trace concentrations of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Eu, and Dy in ambient PM2.5 in an industrial area of Houston, TX.

Operation SHINGLE (Anzio) 22 January-1 February 1944, Offensive, Deliberate Assault, Amphibious

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-05-21

had la’-re diverse supply dumps easily accessible by truck or rail. AS EsU ly de -mands increased’along with allied air attacks, naval --:~-~oac:ore...Planning called -,r the 7-a-tical Air Corps, aided by strategic air assts, t:-’ zcmin enemy airfields prior to D-lay to estrcy c.-=y a: fcrces andi to...00~ ._ --- ?d:-/ ’- CSI BATTLEBOOK / / CS B ATTLEOOK 3-C OPERATION SHINGLE Combat Studies Institute Fort Leaven4qorth, Kansas DTIC EI.% EE--" DE EU

XPD Helicase Structures And Activities: Insights Into the Cancer And Aging Phenotypes From XPD Mutations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fan, L.; Fuss, J.O.; Cheng, Q.J.

2009-05-18

Mutations in XPD helicase, required for nucleotide excision repair (NER) as part of the transcription/repair complex TFIIH, cause three distinct phenotypes: cancer-prone xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), or aging disorders Cockayne syndrome (CS), and trichothiodystrophy (TTD). To clarify molecular differences underlying these diseases, we determined crystal structures of the XPD catalytic core from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius and measured mutant enzyme activities. Substrate-binding grooves separate adjacent Rad51/RecA-like helicase domains (HD1, HD2) and an arch formed by 4FeS and Arch domains. XP mutations map along the HD1 ATP-binding edge and HD2 DNA-binding channel and impair helicase activity essential for NER. XP/CS mutations both impair helicasemore » activity and likely affect HD2 functional movement. TTD mutants lose or retain helicase activity but map to sites in all four domains expected to cause framework defects impacting TFIIH integrity. These results provide a foundation for understanding disease consequences of mutations in XPD and related 4Fe-4S helicases including FancJ.« less

XPD Helicase Structures and Activities: Insights into the Cancer and Aging Phenotypes from XPD Mutations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tainer, John; Fan, Li; Fuss, Jill O.

2008-06-02

Mutations in XPD helicase, required for nucleotide excision repair (NER) as part of the transcription/repair complex TFIIH, cause three distinct phenotypes: cancer-prone xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), or aging disorders Cockayne syndrome (CS), and trichothiodystrophy (TTD). To clarify molecular differences underlying these diseases, we determined crystal structures of the XPD catalytic core from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius and measured mutant enzyme activities. Substrate-binding grooves separate adjacent Rad51/RecA-like helicase domains (HD1, HD2) and an arch formed by 4FeS and Arch domains. XP mutations map along the HD1 ATP-binding edge and HD2 DNA-binding channel and impair helicase activity essential for NER. XP/CS mutations both impair helicasemore » activity and likely affect HD2 functional movement. TTD mutants lose or retain helicase activity but map to sites in all four domains expected to cause framework defects impacting TFIIH integrity. These results provide a foundation for understanding disease consequences of mutations in XPD and related 4Fe-4S helicases including FancJ.« less

β-Li0.37Na0.63Fe(MoO4)2

PubMed Central

Souilem, Amira; Zid, Mohamed Faouzi; Driss, Ahmed

2014-01-01

The title compound, lithium/sodium iron(III) bis­[ortho­molyb­date(VI)], was obtained by a solid-state reaction. The main structure units are an FeO6 octa­hedron, a distorted MoO6 octa­hedron and an MoO4 tetra­hedron sharing corners. The crystal structure is composed of infinite double MoFeO11 chains along the b-axis direction linked by corner-sharing to MoO4 tetra­hedra so as to form Fe2Mo3O19 ribbons. The cohesion between ribbons via mixed Mo—O—Fe bridges leads to layers arranged parallel to the bc plane. Adjacent layers are linked by corners shared between MoO4 tetra­hedra of one layer and FeO6 octa­hedra of the other layer. The Na+ and Li+ ions partially occupy the same general position, with a site-occupancy ratio of 0.631 (9):0.369 (1). A comparison is made with AFe(MoO4)2 (A = Li, Na, K and Cs) structures. PMID:24764805

First results from the IllustrisTNG simulations: a tale of two elements - chemical evolution of magnesium and europium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naiman, Jill P.; Pillepich, Annalisa; Springel, Volker; Ramirez-Ruiz, Enrico; Torrey, Paul; Vogelsberger, Mark; Pakmor, Rüdiger; Nelson, Dylan; Marinacci, Federico; Hernquist, Lars; Weinberger, Rainer; Genel, Shy

2018-06-01

The distribution of elements in galaxies provides a wealth of information about their production sites and their subsequent mixing into the interstellar medium. Here we investigate the elemental distributions of stars in the IllustrisTNG simulations. We analyse the abundance ratios of magnesium and europium in Milky Way-like galaxies from the TNG100 simulation (stellar masses log (M⋆/M⊙) ˜ 9.7-11.2). Comparison of observed magnesium and europium for individual stars in the Milky Way with the stellar abundances in our more than 850 Milky Way-like galaxies provides stringent constraints on our chemical evolutionary methods. Here, we use the magnesium-to-iron ratio as a proxy for the effects of our SNII (core-collapse supernovae) and SNIa (Type Ia supernovae) metal return prescription and as a comparison to a variety of galactic observations. The europium-to-iron ratio tracks the rare ejecta from neutron star-neutron star mergers, the assumed primary site of europium production in our models, and is a sensitive probe of the effects of metal diffusion within the gas in our simulations. We find that europium abundances in Milky Way-like galaxies show no correlation with assembly history, present-day galactic properties, and average galactic stellar population age. We reproduce the europium-to-iron spread at low metallicities observed in the Milky Way, and find it is sensitive to gas properties during redshifts z ≈ 2-4. We show that while the overall normalization of [Eu/Fe] is susceptible to resolution and post-processing assumptions, the relatively large spread of [Eu/Fe] at low [Fe/H] when compared to that at high [Fe/H] is quite robust.

Detailed abundances for a large sample of giant stars in the globular cluster 47 Tucanae (NGC 104)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cordero, M. J.; Pilachowski, C. A.; Johnson, C. I.

2014-01-01

47 Tuc is an ideal target to study chemical evolution and globular cluster (GC) formation in massive more metal-rich GCs, as it is the closest massive GC. We present chemical abundances for O, Na, Al, Si, Ca, Ti, Fe, Ni, La, and Eu in 164 red giant branch stars in the massive GC 47 Tuc using spectra obtained with both the Hydra multifiber spectrograph at the Blanco 4 m telescope and the FLAMES multiobject spectrograph at the Very Large Telescope. We find an average [Fe/H] = –0.79 ± 0.09 dex, consistent with literature values, as well as overabundances of alpha-elementsmore » ([α/Fe] ∼ 0.3 dex). The n-capture process elements indicate that 47 Tuc is r process-dominated ([Eu/La] = +0.24), and the light elements O, Na, and Al exhibit star-to-star variations. The Na-O anticorrelation, a signature typically seen in Galactic GCs, is present in 47 Tuc, and extends to include a small number of stars with [O/Fe] ∼ –0.5. Additionally, the [O/Na] ratios of our sample reveal that the cluster stars can be separated into three distinct populations. A Kolmogorov-Smirnov test demonstrates that the O-poor/Na-rich stars are more centrally concentrated than the O-rich/Na-poor stars. The observed number and radial distribution of 47 Tuc's stellar populations, as distinguished by their light element composition, agrees closely with the results obtained from photometric data. We do not find evidence supporting a strong Na-Al correlation in 47 Tuc, which is consistent with current models of asymptotic giant branch nucleosynthesis yields.« less

Petrochemical and Tectonogenesis of Granitoids in the Wuyo-Gubrunde Horst, Northeastern Nigeria: Implication for Uranium Enrichment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bolarinwa, Anthony Temidayo, E-mail: atbola@yahoo.com; Bute, Saleh Ibrahim

The Wuyo-Gubrunde Horst in the northeastern Nigeria consists of migmatite gneiss, unaltered, altered, and sheared porphyritic granites, pegmatites, aplites, basalts, and sandstone. Uranium has been reported in rhyolite, sheared rocks, and sandstone within the area. The petrogenesis of the granitoids and associated rocks in the area was evaluated in the light of new geochemical data, which showed that the U content of altered porphyritic granite is highest and hydrothermal-related. The granitoids are metaluminous, sub-alkaline, and S-type granite, and have evolved by partial melting of crustal material emplaced at moderate depth of 20–30 km in a syn-to late-collisional within-plate tectonic setting.more » The negative Eu/Eu* anomaly and high (La/Yb){sub N} ratio of the granitoids indicate magma fractionation. The low SiO{sub 2} (<53%) and high Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} (10%) of the altered porphyritic granite compared to other similar rock units suggest pervasive alteration. The associated basalts are tholeiitic, emplaced within continental plate tectonic setting, and enriched in Ni, V, Nb, Sr, and light rare earth elements, and they have SiO{sub 2}, Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, V, Th, and Co contents that are similar to those of the altered porphyritic granites. The U occurrence in the Wuyo-Gubrunde Horst is believed to be sourced from the adjoining Bima sandstone in the Benue Trough, which locally contains carbonaceous zones with anomalously high concentrations of U. The Fe{sup 2+}/Fe{sup 3+} redox fronts formed by alteration of the iron-rich basalts provided the requisite geochemical barrier for U-bearing hydrothermal fluid, causing enrichment of U leached and mobilized from the sandstone through fractures in the rocks.« less

Frequency upconversion and fluorescence intensity ratio method in Yb3+-ion-sensitized Gd2O3:Er3+-Eu3+ phosphors for display and temperature sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ranjan, Sushil Kumar; Soni, Abhishek Kumar; Rai, Vineet Kumar

2017-09-01

Near infrared (NIR) to visible frequency upconversion emission studies in Er3+-Eu3+/Er3+-Eu3+-Yb3+ co-doped/tri-doped Gd2O3 phosphors prepared by the co-precipitation technique have been explored under 980 nm laser diode radiation. The developed phosphors were characterized with the help of XRD, FE-SEM and FTIR analysis. No upconversion (UC) emission was found in the Eu3+-doped Gd2O3 phosphor. UC emission from Eu3+ ions along with Er3+ ions was observed in Er3+-Eu3+ and Er3+-Eu3+-Yb3+ co-doped/tri-doped phosphors. The UC emission arising from the Er3+ and Eu3+ ions was enhanced several times due to the incorporation of Yb3+ ions. The processes involved in the UC emission were obtained on the basis of the effect of energy transfer/sensitization through the Yb3+ → Er3+ → Eu3+ process. The red/green intensity ratio was improved from 0.16 to 1.50 and 1.01 to 1.50 for Er3+-Eu3+-Yb3+ tri-doped phosphors as compared to the Er3+-doped and Er3+-Yb3+ co-doped phosphors, respectively, at a fixed pump power density. A UC fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR)-based temperature sensing study was performed in the prepared Er3+-Eu3+-Yb3+ tri-doped Gd2O3 phosphors for green upconversion emission bands in the 300 K-443 K temperature range. A maximum sensor sensitivity of about ˜0.0043 K-1 at 300 K was achieved for the synthesized tri-doped phosphors upon excitation with a 980 nm laser diode. The colour coordinates lying in the green-yellow region are invariant, with variation in pump power density and temperature. The observed results support the utility of the prepared tri-doped phosphors in optical temperature sensing, display devices and NIR to visible upconverters.

Development of simple and rapid assay to detect viral RNA of tick-borne encephalitis virus by reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

PubMed

Hayasaka, Daisuke; Aoki, Kotaro; Morita, Kouichi

2013-03-04

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a causative agent of acute central nervous system disease in humans. It has three subtypes, far eastern (FE), Siberian (Sib) and European (Eu) subtypes, which are distributed over a wide area of Europe and Asia. The objective of this study was to develop a simple and rapid assay for the detection of TBEV RNA by using reverse-transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) method that can differentiate the three subtypes of TBEV and can be used for clinical diagnosis and epidemiological study. Primers for TBEV-specific and subtype-specific RT-LAMP assay were designed to target the consensus sequence in NS1 of all subtypes and the consensus sequence in the E gene of each subtype, respectiveluy. In vitro transcribed RNA of Oshima strain that belongs to FE subtype was serially diluted and used to examine the sensitivity of the assay. Cross-reactivity of subtype-specific RT-LAMP assay was tested by using the RNA of Oshima and Sofjin (FE), IR-99 (Sib) and Hochosterwitz (Eu) strains. RNA extracted from the mixtures of TBEV and ticks, and of TBEV and human blood, and the mouse tissues infected with TBEV, were evaluated in the assay. Positive amplification was observed by real-time monitoring of turbidity and by visual detection of color change. The sensitivity of TBEV-specific RT-LAMP assay was 102 copies of target RNA per reaction volume. FE-specific RT-LAMP assay amplified viral genes of Oshima and Sofjin strains but not of IR-99 and Hochosterwitz strains, and of Japanese encephalitis virus. RT-LAMP assay for Sib and for Eu specifically amplified viral genes of IR-99 and Hochosterwitz strains, respectively. We also showed that tick or human blood extract did not inhibit the amplification of viral gene during the assay. Furthermore, we confirmed that the TBEV RT-LAMP could detect virus RNA from peripheral and central nervous system tissues of laboratory mice infected with TBEV. TBEV RT-LAMP assay offers a sensitive, specific, rapid and easy-to-handle method for the detection of TBEV RNA in tick samples and this may be applied in the clinical samples collected from TBE-suspected patients.

Cucumber metal tolerance protein CsMTP9 is a plasma membrane H⁺-coupled antiporter involved in the Mn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ efflux from root cells.

PubMed

Migocka, Magdalena; Papierniak, Anna; Kosieradzka, Anna; Posyniak, Ewelina; Maciaszczyk-Dziubinska, Ewa; Biskup, Robert; Garbiec, Arnold; Marchewka, Tadeusz

2015-12-01

Members of the plant metal tolerance protein (MTP) family have been classified into three major groups - Zn-CDF, Mn-CDF and Zn/Fe-CDF - however, the selectivity of most of the MTPs has not been confirmed yet. Cucumber gene CsMTP9 encoding a putative CDF transporter homologous to members of the Mn-CDF cluster is expressed exclusively in roots. The relative abundance of CsMTP9 transcript and protein in roots is significantly increased under Mn excess and Cd. Immunolocalization with specific antibodies revealed that CsMTP9 is a plasma membrane transporter that localizes to the inner PM domain of root endodermal cells. The plasma membrane localization of CsMTP9 was confirmed by the expression of the fusion proteins of GFP (green fluorescent protein) and CsMTP9 in yeast and protoplasts prepared from Arabidopsis cells. In yeast, CsMTP9 transports Mn(2+) and Cd(2+) via a proton-antiport mechanism with an apparent Km values of approximately 10 μm and 2.5 μm for Mn(2+) and Cd(2+) , respectively. In addition, CsMTP9 expression in yeast rescues the Mn- and Cd-hypersensitive phenotypes through the enhanced efflux of Mn(2+) and Cd(2+) from yeast cells. Similarly, the overexpression of CsMTP9 in A. thaliana confers increased resistance of plants to Mn excess and Cd but not to other heavy metals and leads to the enhanced translocation of manganese and cadmium from roots to shoots. These findings indicate that CsMTP9 is a plasma membrane H(+) -coupled Mn(2+) and Cd(2+) antiporter involved in the efflux of manganese and cadmium from cucumber root cells by the transport of both metals from endodermis into vascular cylinder. © 2015 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Variability of Total Below Ground Carbon Allocation amongst Common Agricultural Land Management Practices: a Case Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wacha, K. M.; Papanicolaou, T.; Wilson, C. G.

2010-12-01

Field measurements and numerical models are currently being used to estimate quantities of Total Belowground Carbon Allocation (TBCA) for three representative land uses, viz. corn, soybeans, and prairie bromegrass for CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) of an agricultural Iowa sub-watershed, located within the Clear Creek Watershed (CCW). Since it is difficult to measure TBCA directly, a mass balance approach has been implemented to estimate TBCA as follows: TBCA = FS + FE+ Δ(CS + CR + CL) - FA , where the term Fs denotes soil respiration; FE is the carbon content of the eroded/deposited soil; ΔCS, ΔCR, ΔCL denote the changes in carbon content of the mineral soil, plant roots, and litter layer, respectively; and FA is the above ground litter fall of dead plant material to the soil. The terms are hypothesized to have a huge impact on TBCA within agricultural settings due to intensive tillage practices, water-driven soil erosion/deposition, and high usage of fertilizer. To test our hypothesis, field measurements are being performed at the plot scale, replicating common agricultural land management practices. Soil respiration (FS) is being measured with an EGM-4 CO2 Gas Analyzer and SRC-1 Soil Respiration Chamber (PP Systems), soil moisture and temperature are recorded in the top 20 cm for each respective soil respiration measurement, and litter fall rates (FA) are acquired by collecting the residue in a calibrated pan. The change in carbon content of the soil (ΔCS), roots (ΔCR) and litter layer (ΔCL) are being analyzed by collecting soil samples throughout the life cycle of the plant. To determine the term FE for the three representative land management practices, a funnel collection system located at the plot outlet was used for collecting the eroded material after natural rainfall events. Field measurements of TBCA at the plot scale via the mass balance approach are used to calibrate the numerical agronomic process model DAYCENT, which simulates the daily fluxes of carbon (CS) and soil respiration (FS) and incorporates a plant-growth model that allows the determination of the terms FA, CR, and CL. Once calibrated, DAYCENT can be used in conjunction with the Watershed Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model, which calculates erosion/deposition rates, to provide estimates of TBCA at a larger global scale.

Photofunctional hybrids of lanthanide functionalized bio-MOF-1 for fluorescence tuning and sensing.

PubMed

Shen, Xiang; Yan, Bing

2015-08-01

A series of luminescent Ln(3+)@bio-MOF-1 (Ln=Eu, Tb, bio-MOF-1=Zn8(ad)4(BPDC)6O⋅2Me2NH2 (ad=adeninate, BPDC=biphenyldicarboxylate)) are synthesized via postsynthetic cation exchange by encapsulating lanthanide ions into an anionic metal-organic framework (MOF), and their photophysical properties are studied. After loading 2-thenoyltrifluroacetone (TTA) as sensitized ligand by a gas diffusion ("ship-in-bottle") method, it is found that the luminescent intensity of Eu(3+) is enhanced. Especially, when loading two different lanthanide cations into bio-MOF-1, the luminescent color can be tuned to close white (light pink) light output. Additionally, bio-MOF-1 and Eu(3+)@bio-MOF-1 are selected as representative samples for sensing metal ions. When bio-MOF-1 is immersed in the aqueous solutions of different metal ions, it shows highly sensitive sensing for Fe(3+) as well as Eu(3+)@bio-MOF-1 immersed in the DMF solutions of different metal ion. The results are benefit for the further application of functionalized bio-MOFs in practical fields. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Major to ultra trace elements in rainfall collected in suburban Tokyo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimamura, Tadashi; Iwashita, Masato; Iijima, Satoe; Shintani, Megumi; Takaku, Yuichi

Major to ultra trace elements such as rare earth elements (REEs), platinum group elements (PGEs) in 20 rainfall events from suburban Tokyo were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Anion species were also determined by an ion chromatography (IC). The concentrations of PGEs were so low that only Pt was detected in some rainfall events. Enrichment factors (EFs), refer to soil and sea salt components, were calculated for the measured elements (with Al and Na as references). Be, (Na), Mg, (Al), Si, Cl, K, Fe, Rb, Sr, REEs (except La, Gd), Ta, and U were mostly originated from natural materials (soil and sea salt). For Li, B, Ca, Mn, Sr, Ba, and Cs, the contribution of natural materials was significant. EFs for Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sb, Cd, Pb, Bi, Ag, Te, Au, Pt, SO 4-S and NO 3-N exceeded 100 indicating non-crustal, non-sea salt origin, presumably anthropogenic; however, contribution of volcanic gases could not be excluded for As, Se, Te and Bi. Pt seemed to be uniformly distributed worldwide and a catalyst for automobile emission control may be the main source. Au also showed uniform distribution. On the other hand, EFs for Zr, Nb, Hf and Th were less than unity. Probably these elements resided in acid resistant refractory fine minerals that did not decompose with acid treatment, and did not evaporate and ionize in the ICP. An alternative explanation is that the concentration of these elements was lower in the soil of the sampling area than the average crust. In the crust normalized REE pattern plot, La, Eu and Gd showed clear positive anomalies. La and Gd could have anthropogenic components. A possible source of La and Gd is cracking catalyst for petrol refining, but this source does not fully explain the anomaly. The source of Gd may also be Gd-DTPA (Gadolinium (III) diethyltriaminepentaacetic acid) used for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) contrast agents. The Eu origin may be soil with higher concentration than the crust average.

Physical Vapor Deposition and Defect Engineering of Europium Doped Lutetium Oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gillard, Scott James

Lutetium oxide doped with europium (Lu2O3:Eu 3+) has been established as a promising scintillator material with properties that are advantageous when compared to other scintillators such as cesium iodide doped with thallium (CsI:Tl). Due to high X-ray attenuation characteristics, Lu2O3:Eu3+ is an attractive material for use in high resolution digital X-ray imaging systems. However, challenges still remain especially in the area of light output for Lu 2O3:Eu3+. Processing by physical vapor deposition (PVD) and manipulation of oxygen defect structure was explored in order to better understand the effect on the scintillation phenomena. PVD results were obtained using high temperature radio frequency sputtering (RF) and pulsed laser deposition (PLD) systems. Characterization of light output by radial noise power spectrum density measurements revealed that high temperature RF films were superior to those obtained using PLD. Optimization of sputtered films based on light output over a range of process parameters, namely temperature, power, pressure, and substrate orientation was investigated. Parameterization of deposition conditions revealed that: 75 watts, 10.00 mtorr, and 800°C were optimum conditions for Lu2O3:Eu 3+ films. Manipulation of anionic defect structure in similar material systems has been shown to improve scintillation response. Similar methods for Lu 2O3:Eu3+ were explored for hot pressed samples of Lu2O3:Eu3+; via controlled atmosphere annealing, and use of extrinsic co-doping with calcium. The controlled atmosphere experiments established the importance of oxygen defect structure within Lu 2O3:Eu3+ and showed that fully oxidized samples were preferred for light output. The second method utilized co-doping by the addition of calcium which induced oxygen vacancies and by Frenkel equilibrium changed the oxygen interstitial population within the Lu2O 3:Eu3+ structure. The addition of calcium was investigated and revealed that scintillation was improved with a maximum response occurring at 340ppm of calcium. PVD optimization and co-doping experimental results provided a template for the use of calcium co-doped Lu2O3 :Eu3+ targets for deposition of films. Preliminary deposition results were promising and revealed that small additions (around 550 ppm) of calcium resulted in better activator efficiency. Calcium co-doped films have a predicted increase in the light yield greater than 14% when compared to analogous un-doped Lu2O3:Eu3+ films at 60keV.

Sodium citrate (Na{sub 3}Cit)-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of uniform spindle-like SrMoO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} phosphors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ren, Xiaolei; Zhang, Yu; Li, Qiuyu

2014-11-15

Graphical abstract: A facile hydrothermal method for the synthesis of uniform spindle-like SrMoO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} phosphors with the assistance of sodium citrate (Na{sub 3}Cit). - Highlights: • Well-crystallized spindle-like SrMoO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} phosphors have been synthesized. • The influence of the reaction temperature and reaction time were clearly shown. • The dosage of Na{sub 3}Cit has a strong effect on the spindle-like SrMoO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} phosphors. • The growth mechanism for the formation of final samples was proposed. - Abstract: Highly uniform spindle-like SrMoO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} phosphors have been prepared by a facile hydrothermal method using sodium citrate (Na{sub 3}Cit)more » as the chelating reagent. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and photoluminescence spectra (PL) were used to characterize the resulting samples. The dosage of sodium citrate, reaction temperature and reaction time play key roles in the formation of the final samples. The possible formation mechanism for SrMoO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} phosphors has been proposed. Upon excitation by ultraviolet radiation, the as-synthesized SrMoO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} phosphors show the characteristic {sup 5}D{sub 0}–{sup 7}F{sub J} (J = 1, 2, 3, 4) emission lines with red emission {sup 5}D{sub 0}–{sup 7}F{sub 2} (613 nm) as the most prominent group.« less

Integrated Light Chemical Abundance Analyses of 7 M31 Outer Halo Globular Clusters from the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakari, Charli; Venn, Kim; Mackey, Dougal; Shetrone, Matthew D.; Dotter, Aaron L.; Wallerstein, George

2015-01-01

Detailed chemical abundances of globular clusters provide insight into the formation and evolution of galaxies and their globular cluster systems. This talk presents detailed chemical abundances for seven M31 outer halo globular clusters (with projected radii greater than 30 kpc), as derived from high resolution integrated light spectra. Five of these clusters were recently discovered in the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey (PAndAS). The integrated abundances show that 4 of these clusters are metal-poor ([Fe/H] < -1.5) while the other 3 are more metal-rich. The most metal-poor globular clusters are α-enhanced, though 3 of the 4 are possibly less α-enhanced than MW stars (at the 1σ level). Other chemical abundance ratios ([Ba/Eu], [Eu/Ca], and [Ni/Fe]) are consistent with origins in low mass dwarf galaxies (similar to Fornax). The most metal-rich cluster ([Fe/H] ~ -1) stands out as being chemically distinct from Milky Way field stars of the same metallicity---its chemical abundance ratios agree best with the stars and clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal (Sgr) than with the Milky Way field stars. The other metal-rich clusters, H10 and H23, look similar to the LMC and Milky Way field stars in all abundance ratios. These results indicate that M31's outer halo is being at least partially built up by the accretion of dwarf satellites, in agreement with previous observations.

Chemical study of the metal-rich globular cluster NGC 5927

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mura-Guzmán, A.; Villanova, S.; Muñoz, C.; Tang, B.

2018-03-01

Globular clusters (GCs) are natural laboratories where stellar and chemical evolution can be studied in detail. In addition, their chemical patterns and kinematics can tell us to which Galactic structure (disc, bulge, halo or extragalactic) the cluster belongs to. NGC 5927 is one of most metal-rich GCs in the Galaxy and its kinematics links it to the thick disc. We present abundance analysis based on high-resolution spectra of seven giant stars. The data were obtained using Fibre Large Array Multi Element Spectrograph/Ultraviolet Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) spectrograph mounted on UT2 telescope of the European Southern Observatory. The principal objective of this work is to perform a wide and detailed chemical abundance analysis of the cluster and look for possible Multiple Populations (MPs). We determined stellar parameters and measured 22 elements corresponding to light (Na, Al), alpha (O, Mg, Si, Ca, Ti), iron-peak (Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn), and heavy elements (Y, Zr, Ba, Ce, Nd, Eu). We found a mean iron content of [Fe/H] = -0.47 ± 0.02 (error on the mean). We confirm the existence of MPs in this GC with an O-Na anti-correlation, and moderate spread in Al abundances. We estimate a mean [α/Fe] = 0.25 ± 0.08. Iron-peak elements show no significant spread. The [Ba/Eu] ratios indicate a predominant contribution from SNeII for the formation of the cluster.

Improvement in physicochemical parameters of DPPC liposomes and increase in skin permeation of aciclovir and minoxidil by the addition of cationic polymers.

PubMed

Hasanovic, Amra; Hollick, Caroline; Fischinger, Kerstin; Valenta, Claudia

2010-06-01

1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) liposomes were prepared by high-pressure homogeniser and coated with two cationic polymers, chitosan (CS) and for the first time Eudragit EPO (EU), respectively. Compared to the control liposomes, the polymeric liposomes showed greater physicochemical stability in terms of mean particle size and zeta potential at room temperature. In the present study, aciclovir and minoxidil have been used as hydrophilic and hydrophobic candidates. In the presence of the drugs, the polymeric liposomes still showed constant particle size and zeta potential. Influences of polymers and model drugs on thermotropic phase transition of DPPC liposomes were studied by micro-differential scanning calorimetry (microDSC). The influences on configuration of DPPC liposomes were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). According to DSC results, cationic polymers had a stabilising effect, whereas aciclovir and minoxidil changed the physical properties of the DPPC bilayers by influencing the main phase transition temperature and erasing the pre-transition. The investigation of CO stretching bands of DPPC at 1736 cm(-1) in FTIR spectra showed that aciclovir has strong hydrogen bonding with CO groups of DPPC, whereas carbonyl groups were free in minoxidil presence. Moreover, the coating of liposomes with CS or EU led to higher skin diffusion for both drugs. This could be explained as an effect of positively charged liposomes to interact stronger with skin negatively charged surface and their possible interactions with structures below the stratum corneum. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synergistic effect of dicarbollide anions in liquid-liquid extraction: a molecular dynamics study at the octanol-water interface.

PubMed

Chevrot, G; Schurhammer, R; Wipff, G

2007-04-28

We report a molecular dynamics study of chlorinated cobalt bis(dicarbollide) anions [(B(9)C(2)H(8)Cl(3))(2)Co](-)"CCD(-)" in octanol and at the octanol-water interface, with the main aim to understand why these hydrophobic species act as strong synergists in assisted liquid-liquid cation extraction. Neat octanol is quite heterogeneous and is found to display dual solvation properties, allowing to well solubilize CCD(-), Cs(+) salts in the form of diluted pairs or oligomers, without displaying aggregation. At the aqueous interface, octanol behaves as an amphiphile, forming either monolayers or bilayers, depending on the initial state and confinement conditions. In biphasic octanol-water systems, CCD(-) anions are found to mainly partition to the organic phase, thus attracting Cs(+) or even more hydrophilic counterions like Eu(3+) into that phase. The remaining CCD(-) anions adsorb at the interface, but are less surface active than at the chloroform interface. Finally, we compare the interfacial behavior of the Eu(BTP)(3)(3+) complex in the absence and in the presence of CCD(-) anions and extractant molecules. It is found that when the CCD(-)'s are concentrated enough, the complex is extracted to the octanol phase. Otherwise, it is trapped at the interface, attracted by water. These results are compared to those obtained with chloroform as organic phase and discussed in the context of synergistic effect of CCD(-) in liquid-liquid extraction, pointing to the importance of dual solvation properties of octanol and of the hydrophobic character of CCD(-) for synergistic extraction of cations.

Moessbauer Spectroscopy of Martian and Sverrefjell Carbonates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agresti, David G.; Morris, Richard V.

2011-01-01

Mars, in its putative "warmer, wetter: early history, could have had a CO2 atmosphere much denser than its current value of <10 mbar. The question of where all this early CO2 has gone has long been debated. Now, several instruments on Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Spirit, including its Moessbauer spectrometer MIMOS II, have identified Mg-Fe carbonate in rock outcrops at Comanche Spur in the Columbia Hills of Gusev Crater. With this finding, carbonate cements in volcanic breccia collected on Sverrefjell Volcano on Spitzbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago (Norway) during the AMASE project are mineralogical and possible process analogues of the newly discovered martian carbonate. We report further analyses of Mossbauer spectra from Comanche Spur and discuss their relationship to Mossbauer data acquired on Sverrefjell carbonates. The spectra were velocity calibrated with MERView and fit using MERFit. Instead of the "average temperature" Comanche spectrum (data from all temperature windows summed), we refit the Comanche data for QS within each temperature window, modeling as doublets for Fe2+(carbonate), Fe2+(olivine), and Fe3+(npOx). The temperature dependences of QS for the Comanche carbonate and for a low-Ca carbonate from Chocolate Pots in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) are shown; they are the same within error. For Comanche carbonate summed over 210-270 K, (CS, QS) = (1.23, 1.95) mm/s. The value of QS for Sverrefjell carbonate at 295 K, (CS, QS) = (1.25, 1.87) mm/s, is also plotted, and the plot shows that the QS for the Sverrefjell carbonate agrees within error with the Comanche data extrapolated to 295 K. This agreement is additional evidence that the Sverrefjell carbonates are Mossbauer analogues for the Comanche carbonates, and that both carbonates might have precipitated from solutions that became carbonate rich by passing through buried carbonate deposits.

The half-metallicity of LiMgPdSn-type quaternary Heusler alloys FeMnScZ (Z=Al, Ga, In): A first-principle study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Y. C.; Gao, X.

2015-05-01

Based on the first-principles calculations, quaternary Heusler alloys FeMnScZ (Z=Al, Ga, In) including its phase stability, band gap, the electronic structures and magnetic properties has been studied systematically. We have found that, in terms of the equilibrium lattice constants, FeMnScZ (Z=Al, Ga, In) are half-metallic ferrimagnets, which can sustain the high spin polarization under a very large amount of lattice distortions. The half-metallic band gap in FeMnScZ (Z=Al, Ga, In) alloys originates from the t1u-t2g splitting instead of the eu-t1u splitting. The total magnetic moments are 3μB per unit cell for FeMnScZ (Z=Al, Ga, In) alloys following the Slater-Pauling rule with the total number of valence electrons minus 18 rather than 24. According to the study, the conclusion can be drawn that all of these compounds which have a negative formation energy are possible to be synthesized experimentally.

Tularosa Basin Play Fairway Analysis: Water Chemistry

DOE Data Explorer

Adam Brandt

2015-12-15

This shapefile contains 409 well data points on Tularosa Basin Water Chemistry, each of which have a location (UTM), temperature, quartz and Potassium/Magnesium geothermometer; as well as concentrations of chemicals like Mn, Fe, Ba, Sr, Cs, Rb, As, NH4, HCO3, SO4, F, Cl, B, SiO2, Mg, Ca, K, Na, and Li.

Synthesis and optical properties of metal (M) atom-doped polycarbosilane (PCS) with extended conjugation (M = Al, Dy, Er and Eu)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Rongqian; Zhao, Haoran; Feng, Zude; Chen, Lifu; Zhang, Ying

2013-10-01

Optical properties of metal atom-doped polycarbosilane (PCS) which originated from σ-conjugation effect were studied. Al, Dy, Er and Eu were introduced into PCS by one-pot method to yield polyaluminocarbosilane (PACS), polydysprosiumcarbosilane (PDCS), polyerbiumcarbosilane (PErCS) and polyeuropiumcarbosilane (PECS), respectively. Effects of oxidation curing and ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the photoluminescence (PL) properties of the samples were investigated. PL spectra show strong blue light-emissions and the intensity of PCS is enhanced by adding metal atoms. PACS with extended σ-conjugation exhibits an obvious PL red-shift, high intensity, high quantum yield and excellent oxidation resistance as compared with those of others. As treated under UV lamp for 3 h in air, PACS retains good UV resistance performance, owing to the AlOx (x = 4, 5, or 6) groups which effectively extend the σ-conjugation. The obtained results are expected to have important applications in active sources for electroluminescence (EL) devices, especially suitable for blue emission.

A new measurement of the 6Li(n,α)t cross section at MeV energies using a 252Cf fission chamber and 6Li scintillators

DOE PAGES

Kirsch, Leo Edward; Devlin, Matthew James; Mosby, Shea Morgan; ...

2017-09-01

We present a new measurement of the 6Li(n,α)t cross section from 245 keV to 10 MeV using a 252Cf fission chamber with 6LiI(Eu) and Cs 2LiYCl 6:Ce (CLYC) scintillators which act as both target and detector. Neutron energies are determined from the time of flight (TOF) method using the signals from spontaneous fission and reaction product recoil. Simulations of neutron downscatter in the crystals and fission chamber bring 6Li(n,α)t cross section values measured with the 6LiI(Eu) into agreement with previous experiments and evaluations, except for two resonances at 4.2 and 6.5 MeV introduced by ENDF/B-VII.1. Suspected neutron transport modeling issuesmore » cause the cross section values obtained with CLYC to be discrepant above 2 MeV.« less

Radioactivity in trinitite six decades later.

PubMed

Parekh, Pravin P; Semkow, Thomas M; Torres, Miguel A; Haines, Douglas K; Cooper, Joseph M; Rosenberg, Peter M; Kitto, Michael E

2006-01-01

The first nuclear explosion test, named the Trinity test, was conducted on July 16, 1945 near Alamogordo, New Mexico. In the tremendous heat of the explosion, the radioactive debris fused with the local soil into a glassy material named Trinitite. Selected Trinitite samples from ground zero (GZ) of the test site were investigated in detail for radioactivity. The techniques used included alpha spectrometry, high-efficiency gamma-ray spectrometry, and low-background beta counting, following the radiochemistry for selected radionuclides. Specific activities were determined for fission products (90Sr, 137Cs), activation products (60Co, 133Ba, 152Eu, 154Eu, 238Pu, 241Pu), and the remnants of the nuclear fuel (239Pu, 240Pu). Additionally, specific activities of three natural radionuclides (40K, 232Th, 238U) and their progeny were measured. The determined specific activities of radionuclides and their relationships are interpreted in the context of the fission process, chemical behavior of the elements, as well as the nuclear explosion phenomenology.

A new measurement of the 6Li(n,α)t cross section at MeV energies using a 252Cf fission chamber and 6Li scintillators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kirsch, Leo Edward; Devlin, Matthew James; Mosby, Shea Morgan

We present a new measurement of the 6Li(n,α)t cross section from 245 keV to 10 MeV using a 252Cf fission chamber with 6LiI(Eu) and Cs 2LiYCl 6:Ce (CLYC) scintillators which act as both target and detector. Neutron energies are determined from the time of flight (TOF) method using the signals from spontaneous fission and reaction product recoil. Simulations of neutron downscatter in the crystals and fission chamber bring 6Li(n,α)t cross section values measured with the 6LiI(Eu) into agreement with previous experiments and evaluations, except for two resonances at 4.2 and 6.5 MeV introduced by ENDF/B-VII.1. Suspected neutron transport modeling issuesmore » cause the cross section values obtained with CLYC to be discrepant above 2 MeV.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wu, J.; Nishimura, S.; Lorusso, G.

The β-decay half-lives of 94 neutron-rich nuclei 144$-$151Cs, 146$-$154Ba, 148$-$156La, 150$-$158Ce, 153$-$160Pr, 156$-$162Nd, 159$-$163Pm, 160$-$166Sm, 161$-$168Eu, 165$-$170Gd, 166$-$172Tb, 169$-$173Dy, 172$-$175Ho, and two isomeric states 174mEr, 172mDy were measured at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory, providing a new experimental basis to test theoretical models. Strikingly large drops of β-decay half-lives are observed at neutron-number N = 97 for 58Ce, 59Pr, 60Nd, and 62Sm, and N = 105 for 63Eu, 64Gd, 65Tb, and 66Dy. Lastly, features in the data mirror the interplay between pairing effects and microscopic structure. r-process network calculations performed for a range of mass models and astrophysical conditionsmore » show that the 57 half-lives measured for the first time play an important role in shaping the abundance pattern of rare-earth elements in the solar system« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wu, J.; Nishimura, S.; Lorusso, G.

The β-decay half-lives of 94 neutron-rich nuclei 144 $-$ 151Cs, 146 $-$ 154Ba, 148 $-$ 156La, 1 50 $-$ 158Ce, 153 $-$160Pr, 156 $-$ 162 Nd, 159 $-$ 163Pm, 160 $-$ 166Sm, 161 $-$ 168Eu , 165 $-$ 170Gd, 166 $-$ 172Tb, 169 $-$ 173Dy, 172 $-$ 175Ho, and two isomeric states 174 mEr, 172 mDy were measured at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory, providing a new experimental basis to test theoretical models. Strikingly large drops of β -decay half-lives are observed at neutron-number N = 97 for 58Ce, 59Pr, 60Nd , and 62Sm, and N = 105 for 63Eu,more » 64Gd, 65Tb, and 66Dy. Features in the data mirror the interplay between pairing effects and microscopic structure. In conclusion, $r$-process network calculations performed for a range of mass models and astrophysical conditions show that the 57 half-lives measured for the first time play an important role in shaping the abundance pattern of rare-earth elements in the solar system.« less

Superconductivity by rare earth doping in the 1038-type compounds (Ca1-xREx) 10(FeAs)10(Pt3As8) with RE=Y, La-Nd, Sm-Lu

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stürzer, Tobias; Derondeau, Gerald; Bertschler, Eva-Maria; Johrendt, Dirk

2015-01-01

We report superconductivity in polycrystalline samples of the 1038-type compounds (Ca1-xREx) 10(FeAs)10(Pt3As8) up to Tc=35 K with RE=Y, La-Nd, Sm, Gd-Lu. The critical temperatures are nearly independent of the trivalent rare earth element used, yielding a common Tc(xRE) phase diagram for electron doping in all these systems. The absence of superconductivity in Eu2+ doped samples, as well as the close resemblance of (Ca1-xREx) 10(FeAs)10(Pt3As8) to the 1048 compound substantiate that the electron doping scenario in the RE-1038 and 1048 phases is analogous to other iron-based superconductors with simpler crystal structures.

Comparison of structure, morphology, and leach characteristics of multi-phase ceramics produced via melt processing and hot isostatic pressing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dandeneau, Christopher S.; Hong, Tao; Brinkman, Kyle S.; Vance, Eric R.; Amoroso, Jake W.

2018-04-01

Melt processing of multi-phase ceramic waste forms offers potential advantages over traditional solid-state synthesis methods given both the prevalence of melters currently in use and the ability to reduce the possibility of airborne radionuclide contamination. In this work, multi-phase ceramics with a targeted hollandite composition of Ba1.0Cs0.3Cr1.0Al0.3Fe1.0Ti5.7O16 were fabricated by melt processing at 1675 °C and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) at 1250 and 1300 °C. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) confirmed hollandite as the major phase in all specimens. Zirconolite/pyrochlore peaks and weaker perovskite reflections were observed after melt processing, while HIP samples displayed prominent perovskite peaks and low-intensity zirconolite reflections. Melt processing produced specimens with large (>50 μm) well-defined hollandite grains, while HIP yielded samples with a more fine-grained morphology. Elemental analysis showed "islands" rich in Cs and Ti across the surface of the 1300 °C HIP sample, suggesting partial melting and partitioning of Cs into multiple phases. Photoemission data revealed multiple Cs 3d spin-orbit pairs for the HIP samples, with the lower binding energy doublets likely corresponding to Cs located in more leachable phases. Among all specimens examined, the melt-processed sample exhibited the lowest fractional release rates for Rb and Cs. However, the retention of Sr and Mo was greater in the HIP specimens.

Data summary report for fission product release Test VI-7

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Osborne, M.F.; Lorentz, R.A.; Travis, J.R.

Test VI-7 was the final test in the VI series conducted in the vertical furnace. The fuel specimen was a 15.2-cm-long section of a fuel rod from the Monticello boiling water reactor (BWR). The fuel had experienced a burnup of {approximately}-40 Mwd/kg U. It was heated in an induction furnace for successive 20-min periods at 2000 and 2300 K in a moist air-helium atmosphere. Integral releases were 69% for {sup 85}Kr, 52% for {sup 125}Sb, 71% for both {sup 134}Cs and {sup 137}Cs, and 0.04% for {sup 154}Eu. For the non-gamma-emitting species, release values for 42% for I, 4.1% formore » Ba, 5.3% for Mo, and 1.2% for Sr were determined. The total mass released from the furnace to the collection system, including fission products, fuel, and structural materials, was 0.89 g, with 37% being collected on the thermal gradient tubes and 63% downstream on filters. Posttest examination of the fuel specimen indicated that most of the cladding was completely oxidized to ZrO{sub 2}, but that oxidation was not quite complete at the upper end. The release behaviors for the most volatile elements, Kr and Cs, were in good agreement with the ORNL-Booth Model.« less

Facile synthesis of SnO2/α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite for supercapacitor capacitor applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rani, B. Jansi; Saravanakumar, B.; Ravi, G.; Yuvakkumar, R.

2018-05-01

Facile and economically viable one step hydrothermal route was adapted to synthesis SnO2/α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite with and without hexamine (HMT) as surfactant successfully. The formation of SnO2/α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite was confirmed through XRD, Raman, PL and FTIR studies. The presence of well defined XRD diffraction peaks of both SnO2 and α-Fe2O3 revealed the formation SnO2/α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite. The obtained characteristic Raman active (Eg+Eg+Eu+A2u) mode of vibrations confirmed the formation of SnO2/α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite. Photoluminescence study revealed the emission behavior of the product. Metal oxygen vibrations of Fe-O in both octahedral, tetrahedral sites and Sn-O were confirmed by the bands located at 466, 580 and 673 cm-1 respectively through FTIR. The spherical morphology of the product synthesized with and without the surfactant HMT has been revealed by SEM images. The electrochemical behavior of the product was investigated through CV and EIS studies in 1M Na2SO4 electrolyte solution and obtained the highest specific capacitance of 211.25 F/g at 5 mV for the surfactant assisted product.

The Chemical Composition of the Galactic Bulge and Implications for its Evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McWilliam, Andrew

2016-08-01

At a bulge latitude of b = -4°, the average [Fe/H] and [Mg/H] values are +0.06 and +0.17 dex, roughly 0.2 and 0.7 dex higher than the local thin and thick disk values, respectively, suggesting a large bulge effective yield, perhaps due to efficient retention of supernova ejecta. The bulge vertical [Fe/H] gradient, at ∼0.5 dex/kpc, appears to be due to a changing mixture of sub-populations (near +0.3 dex and -0.3 dex and one possibly near -0.7 dex) with latitude. At solar [Fe/H], the bulge [Al/Fe] and [α/Fe] ratios are ∼ +0.15 dex. Below [Fe/H] ∼ -0.5 dex, the bulge and local thick disk compositions are very similar; but the measured [Mg/Fe], [/Fe], [La/Eu] and dramatic [Cu/Fe] ratios suggest higher SFR in the bulge. However, these composition differences with the thick disk could be due to measurement errors and non-LTE effects. Unusual zig-zag trends of [Cu/Fe] and [Na/Fe] suggest metallicity-dependent nucleosynthesis by core-collapse supernovae in the Type Ia supernova time-delay scenario. The bulge sub-population compositions resemble the local thin and thick disks, but at higher [Fe/H], suggesting a radial [Fe/H] gradient of -0.04 to -0.05 dex/kpc for both the thin and thick disks. If the bulge formed through accretion of inner thin and thick disk stars, it appears that these stars retained vertical scale heights characteristic of their kinematic origin, resulting in the vertical [Fe/H] gradient and [α/Fe] trends seen today.

REE geochemistry of 3.2 Ga BIF from the Mapepe Formation, Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yahagi, T. R.; Yamaguchi, K. E.; Haraguchi, S.; Sano, R.; Teraji, S.; Kiyokawa, S.; Ikehara, M.; Ito, T.

2012-12-01

Banded iron formations (BIFs) are chemical sediments interbedded with Fe- and Si-rich layers, characteristically present in the early history of the Earth. A popular hypothesis for the formation of BIFs postulates that dissolved oxygen produced by photosynthesizers such as cyanobacteria oxidized dissolved ferrous Fe supplied by submarine hydrothermal activities. During precipitation of Fe-oxide minerals, phosphorus and rare earth elements (REEs) were most likely adsorbed on their surface. Therefore, chemical compositions of REEs that adsorbed onto Fe-oxide have useful information on the seawater chemistry at the time of deposition. Especially, information on the redox state of seawater and the extent of the contribution of hydrothermal activity during BIF deposition are expected to have been recorded. Occurrence of BIF has been traditionally tied to the chemical evolution of the atmosphere. Rise of atmospheric oxygen, or as known as GOE (Great Oxidation Event: e.g., Holland, 1994), has been widely believed to have occurred at around 2.4 Ga ago. Contrary, however, some studies have suggested that such oxygenation could have occurred much earlier (e.g., Hoashi et al., 2009). In this study, we used 3.2 Ga old BIF from the Mapepe Formation at the bottom of the Fig Tree Group of the Swaziland Supergroup in the northeastern part of the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa. We aimed to constrain the marine environment, and by inference atmospheric environment, at the time of BIF deposition from REE geochemistry. Major elements and REE compositions of 37 samples were measured using XRF and ICP-MS, respectively. Samples with less than 1.0 wt% Al2O3 are considered to be "pure" BIFs with minimal amount of continental contamination, and are expected to have inherited marine REE signatures. Abundance of REE normalized by C1 chondrite for the analyzed samples commonly exhibits positive Eu anomaly and LREE

[Fluorescence property of a chemical probe for naked-eye and detection of Fe3+].

PubMed

Song, Yu-Min; Ma, Xin-Xian; Yang, Wu

2012-12-01

A higher selective and sensitive probe for the detection of Fe(III) in aqueous media was made using 2,4-Diisocyanatotoluene (TDI) as a bridge to couple Fe3 O4 nanoparticles(NPs) and Rhodamine-6G hydrazide. The characterization of composite materials with Infrared spectra(IR), Thermal Gravimetric analysis(TGA) and Transmission Emission Microscopy(TEM) points to the graft of Rhodamine-6G hydrazide onto the surface of the Fe3O4. The obvious color change of the probe solution from light grey to pink upon the addition of Fe3+ demonstrated the probe could be used for "naked-eye" detection of Fe3+ in water at pH 7. The presence of 1 equivalent (10 micromol x L(-1) microm) of each of these metal ions, including Mn2+, Ni2+, Y2+, Eu3+, Ce3+, La3+, Pr3+, Cd2+, Cr3+, Sm3+, Fe2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions, did not demonstrate any obvious fluorescence change of the probe water solution, which confirmed the probe was a probe with remarkable selectivity for Fe3+. And the fluorescence images of HeLa cells in physiological solutions after incubation with Fe3+ and then further incubated with the probe leading to a strong intracellular fluorescence, which suggested the probe could penetrate the HeLa cell membrane and could respond to Fe3+ in intracellular within living cells.

Rare earth and precious elements in the urban sewage sludge and lake surface sediments under anthropogenic influence in the Republic of Benin.

PubMed

Yessoufou, Arouna; Ifon, Binessi Edouard; Suanon, Fidèle; Dimon, Biaou; Sun, Qian; Dedjiho, Comlan Achille; Mama, Daouda; Yu, Chang-Ping

2017-11-09

Nowadays, sewage sludge and water bodies are subjected to heavy pollution due to rapid population growth and urbanization. Heavy metal pollution represents one of the main challenges threatening our environment and the ecosystem. The present work aims to evaluate the contamination state of the sewage sludge and lake sediments in the Republic of Benin. Twenty metallic elements including 15 rare earth elements (Eu, Sb, Cs, Nd, Pr, Gd, La, Ce, Tb, Sm, Dy, Ho, Eu, Yb, and Lu) and five precious elements (Ag, Au, Pd, Pt, and Ru) were investigated using inductive plasma-mass spectrometry. Results showed broad range concentrations of the elements. Ce, La, and Nd were present in both sediments and sewage sludge at concentrations ranging 5.80-41.30 mg/kg dry matter (DM), 3.23-15.60 mg/kg DM, and 2.74-19.26 mg/kg DM, respectively. Pr, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Eu, Er, Yb, Cs, Ho, and Tm concentrations were lower (0.02-5.94 mg/kg DM). Among precious elements, Ag was detected at the highest concentration in all sites (0.43-4.72 mg/kg DM), followed by Pd (0.20-0.57 mg/kg DM) and Au (0.01-0.57 mg/kg DM). Ru and Pt concentrations were < 0.20 mg/kg DM in all samples. Pollution indices and enrichment factor indicated a strong to severe enrichment of the elements, mainly Ce and precious elements in both sediments and sewage sludge. This revealed a growing anthropogenic input which was also implied by principal component analysis. The evaluation of pollution loading index (PLI) indicated a moderate to strong contamination (0.12 ≤ PLI ≤ 0.58; 37 ≤ PLI ≤ 114, respectively, for rare earth elements and precious elements), while the degree of contamination indicated a moderate polymetallic contamination for rare earth elements and significant contamination for precious elements.

[Limnology of high mountain tropical lake, in Ecuador: characteristics of sediments and rate of sedimentation].

PubMed

Gunkel, Günter

2003-06-01

Equatorial high mountain lakes are a special type of lake occurring mainly in the South American Andes as well as in Central Africa and Asia. They occur at altitudes of a few thousand meters above sea level and are cold-water lakes (< 20 degrees C). Relatively little is known about them. A long-term limnological study was therefore undertaken at Lake San Pablo, Ecuador, to analyze the basic limnological processes of the lake, which has a tendency for eutrophication. Sediment quality of San Pablo Lake is given under consideration of horizontal and vertical distribution using sediment cores. Significance of sediments for eutrophication process of lakes is demonstrated using phosphorus concentration of sediments as well as the phosphorus retention capacity of the sediments by ratio Fe/P. Dating of the sediments is done using 137Cs and 210Pb, but the activity of 137Cs in the sediment was very low nearly at the detection level. Sedimentation rate is determined to be 3.5 mm/year and the sediment cores represent about 110 years. P concentration of the sediments is high (approximately 5 g/kg dry substance), and P retention capacity by Fe is insufficient (Fe/P = 4). The sediment quality did not change significantly during the past decades, and the trophic state of San Pablo Lake was already less or more eutrophic 110 years ago. The contamination of the lake sediments by heavy metals is insignificant.

Anisotropy and Microstructure of High Coercivity Rare Earth Iron Permanent Magnets, List of Papers Published

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-01-01

EARTH IRON PERMANENT MAGNETS. LIST OF PAPERS PUBLISHED 1986 - 1989 Contract No.: DAJA45-86-C-0010 Report No.: R/D-5295-MS-01 NOV 0 � A = LIST OF...R.Gr~ssinger - ’-Does a Co substitution really improve the temperature dependence of Nd-Fe-B based permanent magnets" .’ Proc. of 91h Int. Workshop...in NdzFe,4-4-iZx B (Z=A1,Si,Co, Ga) compounds", J. de Physique 49 (1988) CS-599. (16) R.Gr8ssinger, R.Krewenka, H.Buchn~r, H.Harada " A new analysis of

Reduction of PM emissions from specific sources reflected on key components concentrations of ambient PM10

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minguillon, M. C.; Querol, X.; Monfort, E.; Alastuey, A.; Escrig, A.; Celades, I.; Miro, J. V.

2009-04-01

The relationship between specific particulate emission control and ambient levels of some PM10 components (Zn, As, Pb, Cs, Tl) was evaluated. To this end, the industrial area of Castellón (Eastern Spain) was selected, where around 40% of the EU glazed ceramic tiles and a high proportion of EU ceramic frits (middle product for the manufacture of ceramic glaze) are produced. The PM10 emissions from the ceramic processes were calculated over the period 2000 to 2007 taking into account the degree of implementation of corrective measures throughout the study period. Abatement systems (mainly bag filters) were implemented in the majority of the fusion kilns for frit manufacture in the area as a result of the application of the Directive 1996/61/CE, leading to a marked decrease in PM10 emissions. On the other hand, ambient PM10 sampling was carried out from April 2002 to July 2008 at three urban sites and one suburban site of the area and a complete chemical analysis was made for about 35 % of the collected samples, by means of different techniques (ICP-AES, ICP-MS, Ion Chromatography, selective electrode and elemental analyser). The series of chemical composition of PM10 allowed us to apply a source contribution model (Principal Component Analysis), followed by a multilinear regression analysis, so that PM10 sources were identified and their contribution to bulk ambient PM10 was quantified on a daily basis, as well as the contribution to bulk ambient concentrations of the identified key components (Zn, As, Pb, Cs, Tl). The contribution of the sources identified as the manufacture and use of ceramic glaze components, including the manufacture of ceramic frits, accounted for more than 65, 75, 58, 53, and 53% of ambient Zn, As, Pb, Cs and Tl levels, respectively (with the exception of Tl contribution at one of the sites). The important emission reductions of these sources during the study period had an impact on ambient key components levels, such that there was a high correlation between PM10 emissions from these sources and ambient key components levels (R2= 0.61-0.98).

Matrix isolation infrared spectra, assignment and DFT investigation on reactions of iron and manganese monoxides with CH3Cl.

PubMed

Zhao, Yanying; Fan, Kexue; Huang, Yongfei; Zheng, Xuming

2013-12-01

The reactions of iron and manganese monoxide molecules (FeO, and MnO) with monochloromethane in solid argon have been studied by matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy and quantum chemistry calculations. When annealing, the reactions of FeO and MnO with CH3Cl first form the OM-(η(Cl)-CH3Cl) (MMn, Fe) complexes, which can isomerize to CH3MOCl (MMn, Fe) upon 300<λ<580 nm irradiation. The products were characterized by isotopic IR studies with CD3Cl and (13)CH3Cl and density functional calculations. Based on theoretical calculations, the OFe-(η(Cl)-CH3Cl) and OMn-(η(Cl)-CH3Cl) complexes have (5)A' and (6)A' ground state with Cs symmetry, respectively. The accurate CCSD(T) single point calculations illustrate the CH3MOCl isomerism are 13.8 and 3.1 kcal/mol lower in energy than the OM-(η(Cl)-CH3Cl) (MMn, Fe) complexes. Copyright © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of RTS,S/AS02A and RTS,S/AS01B in adults in a high malaria transmission area.

PubMed

Polhemus, Mark E; Remich, Shon A; Ogutu, Bernhards R; Waitumbi, John N; Otieno, Lucas; Apollo, Stella; Cummings, James F; Kester, Kent E; Ockenhouse, Christian F; Stewart, Ann; Ofori-Anyinam, Opokua; Ramboer, Isabelle; Cahill, Conor P; Lievens, Marc; Dubois, Marie-Claude; Demoitie, Marie-Ange; Leach, Amanda; Cohen, Joe; Ballou, W Ripley; Heppner, D Gray

2009-07-31

This study advances the clinical development of the RTS,S/AS01B candidate malaria vaccine to malaria endemic populations. As a primary objective it compares the safety and reactogenicity of RTS,S/AS01B to the more extensively evaluated RTS,S/AS02A vaccine. A Phase IIb, single centre, double-blind, controlled trial of 6 months duration with a subsequent 6 month single-blind follow-up conducted in Kisumu West District, Kenya between August 2005 and August 2006. 255 healthy adults aged 18 to 35 years were randomized (1ratio1ratio1) to receive 3 doses of RTS,S/AS02A, RTS,S/AS01B or rabies vaccine (Rabipur; Chiron Behring GmbH) at months 0, 1, 2. The primary objective was the occurrence of severe (grade 3) solicited or unsolicited general (i.e. systemic) adverse events (AEs) during 7 days follow up after each vaccination. Both candidate vaccines had a good safety profile and were well tolerated. One grade 3 systemic AE occurred within 7 days of vaccination (RTS,S/AS01B group). No unsolicited AEs or SAEs were related to vaccine. A marked increase in anti-CS antibody GMTs was observed post Dose 2 of both RTS,S/AS01B (31.6 EU/mL [95% CI: 23.9 to 41.6]) and RTS,S/AS02A (16.7 EU/mL [95% CI: 12.9 to 21.7]). A further increase was observed post Dose 3 in both the RTS,S/AS01B (41.4 EU/mL [95% CI: 31.7 to 54.2]) and RTS,S/AS02A (21.4 EU/mL [95% CI: 16.0 to 28.7]) groups. Anti-CS antibody GMTs were significantly greater with RTS,S/AS01B compared to RTS,S/AS02A at all time points post Dose 2 and Dose 3. Both candidate vaccines produced strong anti-HBs responses. Vaccine efficacy in the RTS,S/AS01B group was 29.5% (95% CI: -15.4 to 56.9, p = 0.164) and in the RTS,S/AS02A group 31.7% (95% CI: -11.6 to 58.2, p = 0.128). Both candidate malaria vaccines were well tolerated over a 12 month surveillance period. A more favorable immunogenicity profile was observed with RTS,S/AS01B than with RTS,S/AS02A. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00197054.

Characterization of an aerosol sample from the auxiliary building of the Three Mile Island reactor.

PubMed

Kanapilly, G M; Stanley, J A; Newton, G J; Wong, B A; DeNee, P B

1983-11-01

Analyses for radioisotopic composition and dissolution characteristics were performed on an aerosol filter sample collected for a week by an air sampler located in the auxiliary building of the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor. The major radioisotopes found on the filter were 89Sr, 90Sr, 134Cs and 137Cs. Greater than 90% of both 89-90Sr and 134-137Cs dissolved within 48 hr in an in vitro test system. Scanning electron microscopic analyses showed the presence of respirable size particles as well as larger particles ranging up to 10 micron in diameter. The major matrix components were Fe, Ca, S, Mg, Al and Si. Although the radionuclides were present in a heterogeneous matrix, they were in a soluble form. This information enables a better evaluation of bioassay data and predictions of dose distribution resulting from an inhalation exposure to this aerosol. Further, the combination of techniques used in this study may be applicable to the characterization of other aerosols of unknown composition.

A comparison of the techniques of PIXE, PIGE and INAA by reference to the elemental analysis of porcine brain samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stedman, J. D.; Spyrou, N. M.

1994-12-01

The trace element concentrations in porcine brain samples as determined by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis, instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and particle-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) analysis are compared. The matrix composition was determined by Rutherford backscattering (RBS). Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe and Cd were determined by PIXE analysis Na, K, Sc, Fe, Co, Zn, As, Br, Rb, and Cs by INAA and Na, Mg and Fe by PIGE analysis. The bulk elements C, N, O, Na Cl and S were found by RBS analysis. Elemental concentrations are obtained using the comparator method of analysis rather than an absolute method, the validity which is examined by comparing the elemental concentrations obtained in porcine brain using two separate certified reference materials.

Grafting of aniline derivatives onto chitosan and their applications for removal of reactive dyes from industrial effluents.

PubMed

Abbasian, Mojtaba; Jaymand, Mehdi; Niroomand, Pouneh; Farnoudian-Habibi, Amir; Karaj-Abad, Saber Ghasemi

2017-02-01

A series of chitosan-grafted polyaniline derivatives {chitosan-g-polyaniline (CS-g-PANI), chitosan-g-poly(N-methylaniline) (CS-g-PNMANI), and chitosan-g-poly(N-ethylaniline) (CS-g-PNEANI)} were synthesized by in situ chemical oxidation polymerization method. The synthesized copolymers were analyzed by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). These copolymers were applied as adsorbent for removal of acid red 4 (AR4) and direct red 23 (DR23) from aqueous solutions. The adsorption processes were optimized in terms of pH, adsorbent amount, and dyes concentrations. The maximum adsorption capacities (Q m ) for the synthesized copolymers were calculated, and among them the CS-g-PNEANI sample showed highest Q m for both AR4 (98mgg -1 ) and DR23 (112mgg -1 ) dyes. The adsorption kinetics of AR4 and DR23 dyes follow the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The regeneration and reusability tests revealed that the synthesized adsorbents had the relatively good reusability after five repetitions of the adsorption-desorption cycles. As the results, it is expected that the CS-g-PANIs find application for removal of reactive dyes (especially anionic dyes) from industrial effluents mainly due to their low production costs and high adsorption effectiveness. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High-resolution analytical imaging and electron holography of magnetite particles in amyloid cores of Alzheimer’s disease

PubMed Central

Plascencia-Villa, Germán; Ponce, Arturo; Collingwood, Joanna F.; Arellano-Jiménez, M. Josefina; Zhu, Xiongwei; Rogers, Jack T.; Betancourt, Israel; José-Yacamán, Miguel; Perry, George

2016-01-01

Abnormal accumulation of brain metals is a key feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Formation of amyloid-β plaque cores (APC) is related to interactions with biometals, especially Fe, Cu and Zn, but their particular structural associations and roles remain unclear. Using an integrative set of advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, including spherical aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (Cs-STEM), nano-beam electron diffraction, electron holography and analytical spectroscopy techniques (EDX and EELS), we demonstrate that Fe in APC is present as iron oxide (Fe3O4) magnetite nanoparticles. Here we show that Fe was accumulated primarily as nanostructured particles within APC, whereas Cu and Zn were distributed through the amyloid fibers. Remarkably, these highly organized crystalline magnetite nanostructures directly bound into fibrillar Aβ showed characteristic superparamagnetic responses with saturated magnetization with circular contours, as observed for the first time by off-axis electron holography of nanometer scale particles. PMID:27121137

Tungsten wire-reinforced superalloys for 1093 C (2000 F) turbine blade applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Friedman, G. I.; Fleck, J. N.

1979-01-01

Various combinations of fiber and matrix materials were fabricated and evaluated for the purpose of selecting a specific combination that exhibited the best overall properties for a turbine blade application. A total of seven matrix alloys, including Hastelloy X, Nimonic 80A, Inconel 600, Inconel 625, IN-102, FeCrA1Y, were investigated reinforced with either 218CS tungsten, or W-Hf-C fibers. Based on preliminary screening studies, FeCrA1Y, Inconel 600 and Inconel 625 matrix composites systems were selected for extended thermal cycle tests and for property evaluations which included stress rupture, impact, and oxidation resistance. Of those investigated, the FeCrA1Y matrix composite system exhibited the best overall properties required for a turbine blade application. The W-Hf-C/FeCrA1Y system was selected for further property evaluation. Tensile strength values of up to 724 MPa (105,000 psi) were obtained for this material at 982 C and 607 MPa at 1093 C.

High-resolution analytical imaging and electron holography of magnetite particles in amyloid cores of Alzheimer’s disease

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plascencia-Villa, Germán; Ponce, Arturo; Collingwood, Joanna F.; Arellano-Jiménez, M. Josefina; Zhu, Xiongwei; Rogers, Jack T.; Betancourt, Israel; José-Yacamán, Miguel; Perry, George

2016-04-01

Abnormal accumulation of brain metals is a key feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Formation of amyloid-β plaque cores (APC) is related to interactions with biometals, especially Fe, Cu and Zn, but their particular structural associations and roles remain unclear. Using an integrative set of advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, including spherical aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (Cs-STEM), nano-beam electron diffraction, electron holography and analytical spectroscopy techniques (EDX and EELS), we demonstrate that Fe in APC is present as iron oxide (Fe3O4) magnetite nanoparticles. Here we show that Fe was accumulated primarily as nanostructured particles within APC, whereas Cu and Zn were distributed through the amyloid fibers. Remarkably, these highly organized crystalline magnetite nanostructures directly bound into fibrillar Aβ showed characteristic superparamagnetic responses with saturated magnetization with circular contours, as observed for the first time by off-axis electron holography of nanometer scale particles.

Discrimination of fine-grained sediment provenance using geochemical elements on the inner shelf of the Korean Strait (South Sea), Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Um, I. K.; Choi, M. S.

2017-12-01

The central South Sea mud (CSSM) is located between the Heuksan mud belt (HMB) in the Yellow Sea and Korea Strait shelf mud (KSSM) in the East Sea and developed along the eastward transport pathway in the South Sea. Major elements (Al, Fe, Mg, and Ti), trace elements (Li, Cs, Sc, and Rb), and rare earth elements (REEs) in the fine-grained sediments (<15 μm) of thirty-two surface sediment samples on the CSSM were analyzed to determine the fine-grained sediment provenance. The spatial distribution of the analyzed elements showed a clear separation of the western (W-CSSM) and eastern (E-CSSM) regions of the CSSM. Concentrations of Fe, Ti, Mg, Sc, and REEs were higher in the W-CSSM, whereas concentrations of Al, Cs, Li, and Rb were higher in the E-CSSM. The ratios of trace metals ((Cs+Sc)/Li and Rb/Li) can be successfully used as a provenance indicator in the study area but REEs compositions could not be used to track the provenance of fine-grained sediments because of a grain size effect. The mixing relationships of the provenance indicators showed that the fine-grained sediments of the CSSM comprise a mixture of the sediments discharged from the Seomjin River (SRS) and sediments eroded and transported from the Heuksan mud belt (HMBS) area by the Korean coastal current. Sediments originating from the HMB were deposited mostly in the W-CSSM, whereas those from the Seomjin River were deposited mostly in the E-CSSM

Electrochemical Synthesis of Binary Carbides of Tungsten and Iron (Nickel, Cobalt) in Halide-Oxide Melts at 823 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kushkhov, Hasbi; Adamokova, Marina; Kvashin, Vitalij; Kardanov, Anzor; Gramoteeva, Svetlana

2007-12-01

Iron, cobalt and nickel powders are used as binding components for the production of articles of tungsten carbide by the hot pressing method. This fact and the unique properties of binary carbides of tungsten-iron triad metals encouraged the search for new ways of their synthesis. In the present work, the attempt to synthezise binary tungsten-nickel (cobalt, iron) carbides in molten KCl-NaCl-CsCl at 823 K was made. As a result of voltammetry research, it was established that in eutectic KCl-NaCl-CsCl melts the deposition potentials ofWand Ni (Co, Fe) differ by 150 - 350 mV from each other, which makes their co-deposition difficult. It is possible to shift the deposition potentials of tungsten and metals of the iron triad metals towards each other by changing the acid-base properties of the melt. The products of electrolysis in these molten system were identified by X-ray analysis. They are mixtures of tungsten and nickel (cobalt, iron) carbides: Ni2W4C, W6C2.54; Co3W3C, Co6W6C, W2C, Co3C; FeW3C.

The measurement of radiation exposure of astronauts by radiochemical techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brodzinski, R. L.

1972-01-01

Cosmic radiation doses to the crews of the Apollo 14, 15, and 16 missions of 142 + or - 80, 340 + or - 80, and 210 + or - 130 mR respectively were calculated from the specific activities of Na-22 and Na-24 in the postflight urine specimens of the astronauts. The specific activity of Fe-59 was higher in the urine than in the feces of the Apollo 14 and 15 astronauts, and a possible explanation is given. The concentrations of K-40, K-42, Cr-51, Co-60, and Cs-137 in the urine are also reported for these astronauts. The radiation doses received by pilots and navigators flying high altitude missions during the solar flare of March 27 to 30, 1972 were calculated from the specific activity of Na-24 in their urine. These values are compared with the expected radiation dose calculated from the known shape and intensity of the proton spectrum and demonstrate the magnitude of atmospheric shielding. The concentrations of Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fe, Co, Ag, Zn, Hg, As, Sb, Se, and Br were measured in the urine specimens from the Apollo 14 and 15 astronauts by neutron activation analysis. The mercury and arsenic levels were much higher than expected.

Petrology and geochemistry of the unbrecciated achondrite Northwest Africa 1240 (NWA 1240): an HED parent body impact melt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barrat, J. A.; Jambon, A.; Bohn, M.; Blichert-Toft, J.; Sautter, V.; Göpel, C.; Gillet, Ph.; Boudouma, O.; Keller, F.

2003-10-01

NWA 1240 is an unusual eucrite recently recovered in Morocco as a single stone of 98 g. It is an unbrecciated greenish-brown rock nearly devoid of fusion crust. It displays porphyritic texture consisting of skeletal hollow low-Ca pyroxene phenocrysts set in a variolitic (fan-spherulitic) mesostasis of fine elongate pyroxene and plagioclase crystals. Minor phases are skeletal chromite, iron, silica, troilite, ilmenite and minute amounts of phosphate and fayalite. Pyroxenes are unequilibrated and show one of the widest ranges of composition so far described for a eucrite, from En 76.0Wo 1.9Fs 22.1 to compositions nearly devoid of Mg (unusual ferrosilite and Fe-augite symplectites and possibly pyroxferroite). Plagioclase crystals contain significant amounts of Fe and Mg, which are possibly controlled by the Ca(Mg,Fe 2+)Si 3O 8 plagioclase component. To discuss the potential effects of hot-desert weathering on NWA 1240, we have analyzed a series of Saharan eucrites (Agoult, Aoufous, Igdi, Smara, NWA 047 and NWA 049) and large aliquots (0.39 to 2.8 g) of eucrite falls (Bereba, Bouvante, Jonzac, Juvinas and Serra de Magé). These results indicate that among the elements we have determined, Pb, Ba and Sr are the most sensitive indicators of Saharan weathering. The bulk composition of NWA 1240 has been determined for 45 elements by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. The data show that the meteorite is not significantly weathered: its Pb concentration is very low; Ba and Sr concentrations are not anomalously high; the Th/U and Hf/Sm ratios are chondritic (Th/U = 3.65, Hf/Sm = 0.74). NWA 1240 is rich in MgO (10.4 wt%) and Cr 2O 3 (0.71 wt%), and displays striking similarities with cumulate eucrites, such as having similar incompatible trace element patterns and a significant positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 1.37). The combination of fast cooling and cumulate eucrite-dominated composition suggests that NWA 1240 is not an igneous rock but rather an impact melt.

Volatilization, transport and sublimation of metallic and non-metallic elements in high temperature gases at Merapi Volcano, Indonesia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Symonds, R.B.; Rose, William I.; Reed, M.H.; Lichte, F.E.; Finnegan, David L.

1987-01-01

Condensates, silica tube sublimates and incrustations were sampled from 500-800??C fumaroles and lava samples were collected at Merapi Volcano, Indonesia in Jan.-Feb., 1984. With respect to the magma, Merapi gases are enriched by factors greater than 105 in Se, Re, Bi and Cd; 104-105 in Au, Br, In, Pb and W; 103-104 in Mo, Cl, Cs, S, Sn and Ag; 102-103 in As, Zn, F and Rb; and 1-102 in Cu, K, Na, Sb, Ni, Ga, V, Fe, Mn and Li. The fumaroles are transporting more than 106 grams/day ( g d) of S, Cl and F; 104-106 g/d of Al, Br, Zn, Fe, K and Mg; 103-104 g d of Pb, As, Mo, Mn, V, W and Sr; and less than 103 g d of Ni, Cu, Cr, Ga, Sb, Bi, Cd, Li, Co and U. With decreasing temperature (800-500??C) there were five sublimate zones found in silica tubes: 1) cristobalite and magnetite (first deposition of Si, Fe and Al); 2) K-Ca sulfate, acmite, halite, sylvite and pyrite (maximum deposition of Cl, Na, K, Si, S, Fe, Mo, Br, Al, Rb, Cs, Mn, W, P, Ca, Re, Ag, Au and Co); 3) aphthitalite (K-Na sulfate), sphalerite, galena and Cs-K. sulfate (maximum deposition of Zn, Bi, Cd, Se and In; higher deposition of Pb and Sn); 4) Pb-K chloride and Na-K-Fe sulfate (maximum deposition of Pb, Sn and Cu); and 5) Zn, Cu and K-Pb sulfates (maximum deposition of Pb, Sn, Ti, As and Sb). The incrustations surrounding the fumaroles are also chemically zoned. Bi, Cd, Pb, W, Mo, Zn, Cu, K, Na, V, Fe and Mn are concentrated most in or very close to the vent as expected with cooling, atmospheric contamination and dispersion. The highly volatile elements Br, Cl, As and Sb are transported primarily away from high temperature vents. Ba, Si, P, Al, Ca and Cr are derived from wall rock reactions. Incomplete degassing of shallow magma at 915??C is the origin of most of the elements in the Merapi volcanic gas, although it is partly contaminated by particles or wall rock reactions. The metals are transported predominantly as chloride species. As the gas cools in the fumarolic environment, it becomes saturated with sublimate phases that fractionate from the gas in the order of their equilibrium saturation temperatures. Devolatilization of a cooling batholith could transport enough acids and metals to a hydrothermal system to play a significant role in forming an ore deposit. However, sublimation from a high temperature, high velocity carrier gas is not efficient enough to form a large ore deposit. Re, Se, Cd and Bi could be used as supporting evidence for magmatic fluid transport in an ore deposit. ?? 1987.

Electronic structure and superconductivity of FeSe-related superconductors.

PubMed

Liu, Xu; Zhao, Lin; He, Shaolong; He, Junfeng; Liu, Defa; Mou, Daixiang; Shen, Bing; Hu, Yong; Huang, Jianwei; Zhou, X J

2015-05-13

FeSe superconductors and their related systems have attracted much attention in the study of iron-based superconductors owing to their simple crystal structure and peculiar electronic and physical properties. The bulk FeSe superconductor has a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of ~8 K and it can be dramatically enhanced to 37 K at high pressure. On the other hand, its cousin system, FeTe, possesses a unique antiferromagnetic ground state but is non-superconducting. Substitution of Se with Te in the FeSe superconductor results in an enhancement of Tc up to 14.5 K and superconductivity can persist over a large composition range in the Fe(Se,Te) system. Intercalation of the FeSe superconductor leads to the discovery of the AxFe2-ySe2 (A = K, Cs and Tl) system that exhibits a Tc higher than 30 K and a unique electronic structure of the superconducting phase. A recent report of possible high temperature superconductivity in single-layer FeSe/SrTiO3 films with a Tc above 65 K has generated much excitement in the community. This pioneering work opens a door for interface superconductivity to explore for high Tc superconductors. The distinct electronic structure and superconducting gap, layer-dependent behavior and insulator-superconductor transition of the FeSe/SrTiO3 films provide critical information in understanding the superconductivity mechanism of iron-based superconductors. In this paper, we present a brief review of the investigation of the electronic structure and superconductivity of the FeSe superconductor and related systems, with a particular focus on the FeSe films.

Geochemistry of loess-paleosol sediments of Kashmir Valley, India: Provenance and weathering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmad, Ishtiaq; Chandra, Rakesh

2013-04-01

Middle to Late Pleistocene loess-paleosol sediments of Kashmir Valley, India, were analyzed for major, trace and REE elements in order to determine their chemical composition, provenance and intensity of palaeo-weathering of the source rocks. These sediments are generally enriched with Fe2O3, MgO, MnO, TiO2, Y, Ni, Cu, Zn, Th, U, Sc, V and Co while contents of SiO2, K2O, Na2O, P2O5, Sr, Nb and Hf are lower than the UCC. Chondrite normalized REE patterns are characterized by moderate enrichment of LREEs, relatively flat HREE pattern (GdCN/YbCN = 1.93-2.31) and lack of prominent negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.73-1.01, average = 0.81). PAAS normalized REE are characterized by slightly higher LREE, depleted HREE and positive Eu anomaly. Various provenance discrimination diagrams reveal that the Kashmir Loess-Paleosol sediments are derived from the mixed source rocks suggesting large provenance with variable geological settings, which apparently have undergone weak to moderate recycling processes. Weathering indices such as CIA, CIW and PIA values (71.87, 83.83 and 80.57 respectively) and A-CN-K diagram imply weak to moderate weathering of the source material.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Danyal, Karamatullah; Rasmussen, Andrew J.; Keable, Stephen M.

The reduction of substrates catalyzed by nitrogenase normally requires nucleotide-dependent Fe protein delivery of electrons to the MoFe protein, which contains the active site FeMo-cofactor. Here, it is reported that independent substitution of three amino acids (ß-98Tyr→His, α-64Tyr→His, and ß-99Phe→His) located between the P cluster and FeMo-cofactor within the MoFe protein endows it with the ability to reduce protons to H2, azide to ammonia, and hydrazine to ammonia without the need for Fe protein or ATP. Instead, electrons can be provided by the low potential reductant polyaminocarboxylate ligated Eu(II) (Em -1.1 to -0.84 V vs NHE). The crystal structure ofmore » the ß-98Tyr→His variant MoFe protein was determined, revealing only small changes near the amino acid substitution that affect the solvent structure and immediate vicinity between the P cluster and the FeMo-cofactor, with no global conformational changes observed. Computational normal mode analysis on the nitrogenase complex reveal coupling in the motions of the Fe protein and the region of the MoFe protein with these three amino acids, which suggests a possible mechanism for how Fe protein might communicate deep within the MoFe protein subtle changes that profoundly affect intramolecular electron transfer and substrate reduction. This work was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (MCB-1330807) to JWP and LCS. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences (DE-SC0010687 and DE-SC0010834 to LCS and DRD) and the Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Bio-Sciences (SR). The coordinates for the ß-98His MoFe protein were deposited with the Protein Data Bank (PDB 4XPI).« less

Selective interactions of trivalent cations Fe³⁺, Al³⁺ and Cr³⁺ turn on fluorescence in a naphthalimide based single molecular probe.

PubMed

Janakipriya, Subramaniyan; Chereddy, Narendra Reddy; Korrapati, Purnasai; Thennarasu, Sathiah; Mandal, Asit Baran

2016-01-15

Synthesis and fluorescence turn-on behavior of a naphthalimide based probe is described. Selective interactions of trivalent cations Fe(3+), Al(3+) or Cr(3+) with probe 1 inhibit the PET operating in the probe, and thereby, permit the detection of these trivalent cations present in aqueous samples and live cells. Failure of other trivalent cations (Eu(3+), Gd(3+) and Nb(3+)) to inhibit the PET process in 1 demonstrates the role of chelating ring size vis-à-vis ionic radius in the selective recognition of specific metal ions. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Major and trace elements in igneous rocks from Apollo 15.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Helmke, P. A.; Blanchard, D. P.; Haskin, L. A.; Telander, K.; Weiss, C.; Jacobs, J. W.

1973-01-01

The concentrations of major and trace elements have been determined in igneous rocks from Apollo 15. All materials analyzed have typical depletions of Eu except for minerals separated from sample 15085. Four samples have concentrations of trace elements that are similar to those of KREEP. The samples of mare basalt from Apollo 15 have higher concentrations of FeO, MgO, Mn, and Cr and lower concentrations of CaO, Na2O, K2O, and rare-earth elements (REE) as compared to the samples of mare basalt from Apollos 11, 12, and 14. The samples can be divided into two groups on the basis of their normative compositions. One group is quartz normative and has low concentrations of FeO while the other is olivine normative and has high concentrations of FeO. The trace element data indicate that the samples of olivine normative basalt could be from different portions of a single lava flow.

Decontamination of radionuclides using γ-Fe2O3 as a Nanosorbent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bagla, Hemlata; Thakur, Jyotsna

2017-04-01

The release of radioactive waste into the environment and the disposal of conditioned waste is a major environmental concern which demands the improvement in the remediation processes [1]. Due to the advancements in Nanotechnology, novel and simple nanoparticles have been proved very efficient worldwide, in the radioactive waste treatment processes [2]. These nanoparticles prove to be an excellent nanosorbents owing to its very high surface area and other size dependent properties [3]. In the present study, nanocrystalline γ-Fe2O3 was synthesized by gel-combustion method. Gel combustion method [4, 5] is the most facile method of synthesis of nanocrystalline oxides. Fuel deficient composition of ferric nitrate (oxidant) and malonyl dihydrazide (fuel) were mixed well in de-ionised water and heated at temperature 300 °C. The smouldering combustion took place resulting in formation of γ-Fe2O3 which further calcined at 500 °C to remove undesirable impurities. The prepared powder further characterized by various techniques such as X-ray diffractometer, transmission electron microscopy, BET technique and zeta potential measurements. The crystallite size of γ-Fe2O3 was found to be 11 nm. TEM images showed that the grain size obtained was in agreement with the XRD report. Sorption study have been carried out using tracer technique for batch equilibration method at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. A known amount of sorbent (γ-Fe2O3) was mixed with 10 mL of solution containing radiotracer and 1mg/mL solution of carrier. Various parameters such as contact time, pH, amount of sorbent, concentration, temperature, agitation speed were optimized, determination of sorption capacity and interference study was also conducted. The activity is measured by using single channel NaI(Tl) well type gamma ray spectrometer. γ-Fe2O3 was found to be an efficient and cost effective sorbent for the decontamination of heavy radionuclides such as Cs-137, Sr-90, Cd-115m, Cr-51, Hg-203, etc. from low level waste and water effluent. References: 1. Hamasaki T., Nakamichi N., Teruya K., Shirahata S., Removal Efficiency of Radioactive Cesium and Iodine Ions by a Flow-Type Apparatus Designed for Electrochemically Reduced Water Production, PLoS One. 2014; 9(7): e102218. 2. Gehrke I., Geiser A., Somborn-Schulz A., Innovations in nanotechnology for water treatment, Nanotechnol Sci Appl. 2015; 8: 1-17. 3. Galina Lujanienė G., Šemčuk S., Kulakauskaitė I., Mažeika K., Valiulis D., Ju\\vskėnas R., Tautkus S., Sorption of radionuclides and metals to graphene oxide and magnetic graphene oxide, Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 2016;307:3, 2267-2275 4. Patil K.C., Hegde M.S., Rattan T., Aruna S.T., Chemistry of Nanocrystalline Oxide Materials Combustion Synthesis, Properties and Applications, world Scientific Publ. 2008. 5. Thakur, J., Dutta, D. P., Bagla, H. and Tyagi, A. K., Effect of Host Structure and Concentration on the Luminescence of Eu3+ and Tb3+ in Borate Phosphors., J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 2012, 95: 696-704.

Comparison of structure, morphology, and leach characteristics of multi-phase ceramics produced via melt processing and hot isostatic pressing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dandeneau, Christopher S.; Hong, Tao; Brinkman, Kyle S.

Melt processing of multi-phase ceramic waste forms offers potential advantages over traditional solid-state synthesis methods given both the prevalence of melters currently in use and the ability to reduce the possibility of airborne radionuclide contamination. In this work, multi-phase ceramics with a targeted hollandite composition of Ba 1.0Cs 0.3Cr 1.0Al 0.3Fe 1.0Ti 5.7O 16 were fabricated by melt processing at 1675 °C and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) at 1250 and 1300 °C. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) confirmed hollandite as the major phase in all specimens. Zirconolite/pyrochlore peaks and weaker perovskite reflections were observed after melt processing, while HIP samples displayedmore » prominent perovskite peaks and low-intensity zirconolite reflections. Melt processing produced specimens with large (>50 μm) well-defined hollandite grains, while HIP yielded samples with a more fine-grained morphology. Elemental analysis showed “islands” rich in Cs and Ti across the surface of the 1300 °C HIP sample, suggesting partial melting and partitioning of Cs into multiple phases. Photoemission data revealed multiple Cs 3d spin-orbit pairs for the HIP samples, with the lower binding energy doublets likely corresponding to Cs located in more leachable phases. Among all specimens examined, the melt-processed sample exhibited the lowest fractional release rates for Rb and Cs. However, the retention of Sr and Mo was greater in the HIP specimens.« less

Comparison of structure, morphology, and leach characteristics of multi-phase ceramics produced via melt processing and hot isostatic pressing

DOE PAGES

Dandeneau, Christopher S.; Hong, Tao; Brinkman, Kyle S.; ...

2018-02-08

Melt processing of multi-phase ceramic waste forms offers potential advantages over traditional solid-state synthesis methods given both the prevalence of melters currently in use and the ability to reduce the possibility of airborne radionuclide contamination. In this work, multi-phase ceramics with a targeted hollandite composition of Ba 1.0Cs 0.3Cr 1.0Al 0.3Fe 1.0Ti 5.7O 16 were fabricated by melt processing at 1675 °C and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) at 1250 and 1300 °C. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) confirmed hollandite as the major phase in all specimens. Zirconolite/pyrochlore peaks and weaker perovskite reflections were observed after melt processing, while HIP samples displayedmore » prominent perovskite peaks and low-intensity zirconolite reflections. Melt processing produced specimens with large (>50 μm) well-defined hollandite grains, while HIP yielded samples with a more fine-grained morphology. Elemental analysis showed “islands” rich in Cs and Ti across the surface of the 1300 °C HIP sample, suggesting partial melting and partitioning of Cs into multiple phases. Photoemission data revealed multiple Cs 3d spin-orbit pairs for the HIP samples, with the lower binding energy doublets likely corresponding to Cs located in more leachable phases. Among all specimens examined, the melt-processed sample exhibited the lowest fractional release rates for Rb and Cs. However, the retention of Sr and Mo was greater in the HIP specimens.« less

Magnetic excitations in iron chalcogenide superconductors.

PubMed

Kotegawa, Hisashi; Fujita, Masaki

2012-10-01

Nuclear magnetic resonance and neutron scattering experiments in iron chalcogenide superconductors are reviewed to make a survey of the magnetic excitations in FeSe, FeSe 1- x Te x and alkali-metal-doped A x Fe 2- y Se 2 ( A = K, Rb, Cs, etc). In FeSe, the intimate relationship between the spin fluctuations and superconductivity can be seen universally for the variations in the off-stoichiometry, the Co-substitution and applied pressure. The isovalent compound FeTe has a magnetic ordering with different wave vector from that of other Fe-based magnetic materials. The transition temperature T c of FeSe increases with Te substitution in FeSe 1- x Te x with small x , and decreases in the vicinity of the end member FeTe. The spin fluctuations are drastically modified by the Te substitution. In the vicinity of the end member FeTe, the low-energy part of the spin fluctuation is dominated by the wave vector of the ordered phase of FeTe; however, the reduction of T c shows that it does not support superconductivity. The presence of same wave vector as that of other Fe-based superconductors in FeSe 1- x Te x and the observation of the resonance mode demonstrate that FeSe 1- x Te x belongs to the same group as most of other Fe-based superconductors in the entire range of x , where superconductivity is mediated by the spin fluctuations whose wave vector is the same as the nesting vector between the hole pockets and the electron pockets. On the other hand, the spin fluctuations differ for alkali-metal-doped A x Fe 2- y Se 2 and FeSe or other Fe-based superconductors in their wave vector and strength in the low-energy part, most likely because of the different Fermi surfaces. The resonance mode with different wave vector suggests that A x Fe 2- y Se 2 has an exceptional superconducting symmetry among Fe-based superconductors.

Genesis of post-collisional calc-alkaline and alkaline granitoids in Qiman Tagh, East Kunlun, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Miao; Feng, Chengyou; Zhao, Yiming; Li, Daxin

2015-12-01

The post-collisional magmatism of Qiman Tagh is characterized by the intrusion of voluminous intermediate to felsic granitoids, including syenogranite, monzogranite, granodiorite, tonalite and diorite. The granitoids can be divided into two magmatic suites: Calc-alkaline (CA) and alkaline (Alk), which were emplaced from ~ 236 Ma to ~ 204 Ma. The CA suite contains metaluminous granodiorites and monzogranites. Typical Qiman Tagh CA granodiorites show moderately fractionated REE patterns ((La/Yb)N = 4.35-25.11) with significant negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.54-1.34), and the primitive mantle-normalized spidergrams show strong depletion of Nb and Sr. The Qiman Tagh CA monzogranites show similar fractionated REE patterns ((La/Yb)N = 2.70-13.5) with less prominent negative Eu anomalies, and the chondrite-normalized spidergrams show strongly depleted Ba, Nb and Sr. The Alk suite, including syenogranite, is highly potassic (K2O/Na2O = 1.09-3.56) and peraluminous (A/CNK = 0.91-1.06). Compared to typical Qiman Tagh CA granodiorites, the Qiman Tagh Alk granitoids can be distinguished by their higher Rb, Nb, Ga/Al, FeO*/MgO, Y/Sr and Rb/Sr, as well as their lower Mg#, MgO, CaO, Al2O3, Sr, Co, V, Eu/Eu*, Ba/Nb, La/Nb, Ba/La and Ce/Nb. The Qiman Tagh CA rocks were most likely to be derived from the partial melting of garnet-amphibolite-facies rocks in the lower crust, leaving behind anhydrous granulite-facies rocks with plagioclase and garnet in the residue. The Alk rocks may have formed by the continued partial melting of granulite-facies rocks at elevated temperatures (> 830 °C).

Synthesis, Structure, and Complex Magnetism of MIr 2In 8 (M = Eu, Sr)

DOE PAGES

Calta, Nicholas P.; L. Bud’ko, Sergey; Rodriguez, Alexandra P.; ...

2016-03-07

In this paper, we report the synthesis, crystal structure, and physical properties of two new polar intermetallic compounds, EuIr 2In 8 and SrIr 2In 8. Both were synthesized in good yield using In metal as a reactive flux medium, enabling the growth of large crystals for physical property measurements. They crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pbam with the CeFe 2Al 8 structure type, which is sometimes also referred to as the CaCo 2Al 8 structure type. The two analogues have unit cell parameters of a = 13.847(3) Å, b = 16.118(3) Å, and c = 4.3885(9) Å for Mmore » = Eu and a = 13.847(3) Å, b = 16.113(3) Å, and c = 4.3962(9) Å for M = Sr at room temperature. SrIr 2In 8 is a diamagnetic metal with no local magnetic moments on either the Sr or Ir sites, and the diamagnetic contribution from core electrons overwhelms the expected Pauli paramagnetism normally seen in intermetallic compounds. Magnetism in EuIr 2In 8 is dominated by the local Eu moments, which order antiferromagnetically at 5 K in low applied fields. Increasing the field strength depresses the magnetic ordering temperature and also induces a spin reorientation at lower temperature, indicating complex competing magnetic interactions. Finally, low-temperature heat capacity measurements show a significant enhancement of the Sommerfeld coefficient in EuIr 2In 8 relative to that in SrIr 2In 8, with estimated values of γ = 118(3) and 18.0(2) mJ mol –1 K –2, respectively.« less

Serum and supplement optimization for EU GMP-compliance in cardiospheres cell culture

PubMed Central

Chimenti, Isotta; Gaetani, Roberto; Forte, Elvira; Angelini, Francesco; De Falco, Elena; Zoccai, Giuseppe Biondi; Messina, Elisa; Frati, Giacomo; Giacomello, Alessandro

2014-01-01

Cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) isolated as cardiospheres (CSs) and CS-derived cells (CDCs) are a promising tool for cardiac cell therapy in heart failure patients, having CDCs already been used in a phase I/II clinical trial. Culture standardization according to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) is a mandatory step for clinical translation. One of the main issues raised is the use of xenogenic additives (e.g. FBS, foetal bovine serum) in cell culture media, which carries the risk of contamination with infectious viral/prion agents, and the possible induction of immunizing effects in the final recipient. In this study, B27 supplement and sera requirements to comply with European GMPs were investigated in CSs and CDCs cultures, in terms of process yield/efficiency and final cell product gene expression levels, as well as phenotype. B27− free CS cultures produced a significantly reduced yield and a 10-fold drop in c-kit expression levels versus B27+ media. Moreover, autologous human serum (aHS) and two different commercially available GMP AB HSs were compared with standard research-grade FBS. CPCs from all HSs explants had reduced growth rate, assumed a senescent-like morphology with time in culture, and/or displayed a significant shift towards the endothelial phenotype. Among three different GMP gamma-irradiated FBSs (giFBSs) tested, two provided unsatisfactory cell yields, while one performed optimally, in terms of CPCs yield/phenotype. In conclusion, the use of HSs for the isolation and expansion of CSs/CDCs has to be excluded because of altered proliferation and/or commitment, while media supplemented with B27 and the selected giFBS allows successful EU GMP-complying CPCs culture. PMID:24444305

Social marketing improved the consumption of iron-fortified soy sauce among women in China.

PubMed

Sun, Xinying; Guo, Yan; Wang, Sisun; Sun, Jing

2007-01-01

To test the feasibility and effectiveness of social marketing on the improvement of women's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding iron-fortified soy sauce (FeSS). A community-based intervention was conducted among 4 groups, experimental rural (E(R)), control rural (C(R)), experimental urban (E(U)), and control urban (C(U)). Urban and rural areas in Guizhou province, China. Women 19 to 70 years old (n = 193 in rural areas and n = 179 in urban areas). A mass-media campaign to promote use of FeSS was conducted throughout Guizhou province. In the intervention areas, social marketing strategies using integrated 6 Ps (product, price, place, promotion, policy, and partnership) were implemented from December 2004 to February 2006. Knowledge of FeSS; benefits, barriers, and intention to purchase; availability of FeSS; behaviors regarding purchase and use of FeSS. Analysis of covariance, paired T test and cross-tabulations were used. The alpha level was set at .05. Compared with the baseline, perceived benefits of FeSS, barriers (BARRI) and intention to buy (INTEN) significantly improved within both experimental groups (P < .01 or .001). The only improvement in control groups was for BARRI in C(R) (P < .001). Availability of FeSS increased in all areas. Purchase and use of FeSS in rural and urban intervention groups increased by nearly 30% more than those in control groups. Social marketing of FeSS is feasible and effective to improve knowledge, perception (perceived benefits and overcoming barriers), intention to purchase, and consumption of FeSS among women in Guizhou, China.

Integrated light chemical tagging analyses of seven M31 outer halo globular clusters from the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakari, Charli M.; Venn, Kim A.; Mackey, Dougal; Shetrone, Matthew D.; Dotter, Aaron; Ferguson, Annette M. N.; Huxor, Avon

2015-04-01

Detailed chemical abundances are presented for seven M31 outer halo globular clusters (with projected distances from M31 greater than 30 kpc), as derived from high-resolution integrated light spectra taken with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope. Five of these clusters were recently discovered in the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey (PAndAS) - this paper presents the first determinations of integrated Fe, Na, Mg, Ca, Ti, Ni, Ba, and Eu abundances for these clusters. Four of the target clusters (PA06, PA53, PA54, and PA56) are metal poor ([Fe/H] < -1.5), α-enhanced (though they are possibly less α-enhanced than Milky Way stars at the 1σ level), and show signs of star-to-star Na and Mg variations. The other three globular clusters (H10, H23, and PA17) are more metal rich, with metallicities ranging from [Fe/H] = -1.4 to -0.9. While H23 is chemically similar to Milky Way field stars, Milky Way globular clusters, and other M31 clusters, H10 and PA17, have moderately low [Ca/Fe], compared to Milky Way field stars and clusters. Additionally, PA17's high [Mg/Ca] and [Ba/Eu] ratios are distinct from Milky Way stars, and are in better agreement with the stars and clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud. None of the clusters studied here can be conclusively linked to any of the identified streams from PAndAS; however, based on their locations, kinematics, metallicities, and detailed abundances, the most metal-rich PAndAS clusters H23 and PA17 may be associated with the progenitor of the Giant Stellar Stream, H10 may be associated with the SW cloud, and PA53 and PA56 may be associated with the eastern cloud.

Alteration geochemistry of the volcanic-hosted Dedeninyurdu, Yergen and Fındıklıyar Cu-Fe mineralization, Northern part of Gökçedoǧan Village, Çorum-Kargi Region, Turkey: Implications for the rare earth elements geochemical characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozturk, Sercan; Gumus, Lokman; Abdelnasser, Amr; Yalçin, Cihan; Kumral, Mustafa; Hanilçi, Nurullah

2016-04-01

This study deals with the rare earth element (REE) geochemical behavior the alteration zonesassociated with the volcanic-hosted Cu-Femineralization at the northern part of Gökçedoǧan village, Çorum-Kargi region (N Turkey) which are Dedeninyurdu, Yergen and Fındıklıyar mineralization. The study areacomprises Bekirli Formation, Saraycık Formation, Beşpınar Formation, and Ilgaz Formation. Saraycık Formation consists ofUpper Cretaceous KargıOphiolites, pelagic limestone, siltstone, chert and spilitic volcanic rocks. Fe-Cu mineralization occurred in the spiliticvolcanic rocks of Saraycık Formation representing the host rockand is related with the silicification and sericitizationalteration zones. Dedeninyurdu and Yergen mineralization zone directed nearly N75-80oEis following structural a line but Fındıklıyar mineralization zone has nearly NW direction. The ore mineralogy in these zonesinclude pyrite, chalcopyrite, covellite, hematite with malachite, goethite and a limonite as a result of oxidation. The geochemical characteristics of REE of the least altered spiliticbasalt show flat light and heavy REE with slight positive Eu- and Sr-anomalies according to their chondrite-, N-type MORB, and primitive mantle-normalized REE patterns. While the REE geochemical features of the altered rocks collected from the different alteration zones show that there are negative Eu and Sr anomalies as a result of leaching during the alteration processes.There are positive and negative correlations between K2O index with LREE and HREE, respectively. This is due to the additions of K and La during the alteration processes referring to the pervasive sericitization alteration is the responsible for the Cu-Fe mineralization at the study area. Keywords: Cu-Fe mineralization, Spilitic volcanic rocks, alteration, Rare earth elements (REE) geochemistry.

Determining baseline element composition of lichens. I. Parmelia sulcata at Theodore Roosevelt national park, North Dakota

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gough, L.P.; Severson, R.C.; Jackson, L.L.

1988-01-01

Element-concentration baselines are given for Parmelia sulcata and associated soils. Parmelia chlorochroa was found sporadically and therefore only representative concentration ranges are reported for this species. Element data include (1) for lichens; Al, As, Ba, B, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, P, Sr, S, Ti, V, Y, and Zn; and (2) for soils: Al, Ba, Be, Ca, Cs, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Nb, P, Pb, Sr, S, Ti, V, Y, and Zn. Very little (usually 7.2 km); thus, P sulcata is, in general, chemically similar throughout the park. This same uniformity was found for soil geochemistry. Numerous samples collected at close intervals would be required, therefore, to produce detailed element-concentration maps for P. sulcata and soils. No instances of elemental phytotoxic conditions were found; however, P. sulcata apparently possesses large concentrations of Ba, Cu, Fe, Pb, S, V, and possibly Zn.

On the chemical composition of L-chondrites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neal, C. W.; Dodd, R. T.; Jarosewich, E.; Lipschutz, M. E.

1980-01-01

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis of Ag, As, Au, Bi, Co, Cs, Ga, In, Rb, Sb, Te, Tl, and Zn and major element data in 14 L4-6 and 3 LL5 chondrites indicates that the L group is unusually variable and may represent at least 2 subgroups differing in formation history. Chemical trends in the S/Fe rich subgroup support textural evidence indicating late loss of a shock formed Fe-Ni-S melt; the S/Fe poor subgroup seemingly reflects nebular fractionation only. Highly mobile In and Zn apparently reflect shock induced loss from L chondrites. However, contrasting chemical trends in several L chondrite sample sets indicate that these meteorites constitute a more irregular sampling of, or more heterogeneous parent material than do carbonaceous or enstatite chondrites. Data for 15 chondrites suggest higher formation temperatures and/or degrees of shock than for LL5 chondrites.

FP-LAPW study of structural, electronic, elastic, mechanical and thermal properties of AlFe intermetallic

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jain, Ekta, E-mail: jainekta05@gmail.com; Pagare, Gitanjali, E-mail: gita-pagare@yahoo.co.in; Sanyal, S. P., E-mail: sps.physicsbu@gmail.com

2016-05-06

The structural, electronic, elastic, mechanical and thermal properties of AlFe intermetallic compound in B{sub 2}-type (CsCl) structure have been investigated using first-principles calculations. The exchange-correlation term was treated within generalized gradient approximation. Ground state properties i.e. lattice constants (a{sub 0}), bulk modulus (B) and first-order pressure derivative of bulk modulus (B’) are presented. The density of states are derived which show the metallic character of present compound. Our results for C{sub 11}, C{sub 12} and C{sub 44} agree well with previous theoretical data. Using Pugh’s criteria (B/G{sub H} < 1.75), brittle character of AlFe is satisfied. In addition shear modulusmore » (G{sub H}), Young’s modulus (E), sound wave velocities and Debye temperature (θ{sub D}) have also been estimated.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Demkowicz, Paul Andrew; Harp, Jason M.; Winston, Philip L.

Destructive post-irradiation examination was performed on AGR-1 fuel Compact 4-1-1, which was irradiated to a final compact-average burnup of 19.4% FIMA (fissions per initial metal atom) and a time-average, volume-average temperature of 1072°C. The analysis of this compact focused on characterizing the extent of fission product release from the particles and examining particles to determine the condition of the kernels and coating layers. The work included deconsolidation of the compact and leach-burn-leach analysis, visual inspection and gamma counting of individual particles, metallurgical preparation of selected particles, and examination of particle cross-sections with optical microscopy, electron microscopy, and elemental analysis. Deconsolidation-leach-burn-leachmore » (DLBL) analysis revealed no particles with failed TRISO or failed SiC layers (as indicated by very low uranium inventory in all of the leach solutions). The total fractions of the predicted compact inventories of fission products Ce-144, Cs-134, Cs-137, and Sr-90 that were present in the compact outside of the SiC layers were <2×10 -6, based on DLBL data. The Ag-110m fraction in the compact outside the SiC layers was 3.3×10 -2, indicating appreciable release of silver through the intact coatings and subsequent retention in the OPyC layers or matrix. The Eu-154 fraction was 2.4×10 -4, which is equivalent to the inventory in one average particle, and indicates a small but measurable level of release from the intact coatings. Gamma counting of 61 individual particles indicated no particles with anomalously low fission product retention. The average ratio of measured inventory to calculated inventory was close to a value of 1.0 for several fission product isotopes (Ce-144, Cs-134, and Cs-137), indicating good retention and reasonably good agreement with the predicted inventories. Measured-to-calculated (M/C) activity ratios for fission products Eu-154, Eu-155, Ru-106, Sb-125, and Zr-95 were significantly less than 1.0. However, as no significant release of these fission products from compacts was noted during previous analysis of the AGR-1 capsule components, the low M/C ratios are most likely an indication of a bias in the inventories predicted by physics simulations of the AGR-1 experiment. The distribution of Ag-110m M/C ratios was centered on a value of 1.02 and was fairly broad (standard deviation of 0.18, with values as high as 1.42 and as low as 0.68). Based on all data gathered to date, it is believed that silver retention in the particles was on average relatively high, but that the broad distribution in values among the particles represents significant variation in the inventory of Ag-110m generated in the particles. Ceramographic analysis of particle cross-sections revealed many of the characteristic microstructures often observed in irradiated AGR-1 particles from other fuel compacts. Palladium-rich fission product clusters were observed in the IPyC and SiC layers near the IPyC-SiC interface of three Compact 4-1-1 particle cross-sections. In spite of the presence of fission product clusters in the SiC layer, no significant corrosion or degradation of the layer was observed in any of the particles examined.« less

Energetics and kinetics of the prebiotic synthesis of simple organic acids and amino acids with the FeS-H2S/FeS2 redox couple as reductant

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schoonen, M. A.; Xu, Y.; Bebie, J.

1999-01-01

The thermodynamics of the FeS-H2S/FeS2 redox couple and a select number of reactions critical to the synthesis of simple carboxylic acids and amino acids have been evaluated as a function of temperature. This thermodynamic evaluation shows that the reducing power of the FeS-H2S/FeS2 redox couple decreases drastically with temperature. By contrast the equilibria describing the reduction of CO2 and the formation of simple carboxylic acids and amino acids require an increasingly higher reducing power with temperature. Given these two opposite trends, the thermodynamic driving force for CO2 reduction and amino acid formation with the FeS-H2S/FeS2 redox couple as reductant diminishes with increasing temperature. An evaluation of the mechanism of CO2 reduction by the FeS-H2S/FeS2 couple suggests that the electron transfer from pyrrhotite to CO2 is hindered by a high activation energy, even though the overall reaction is thermodynamically favorable. By comparison the electron transfer from pyrrhotite to either CS2, CO, or HCOOH are far more facile. This theoretical analysis explains the results of experimental work by Keefe et al. (1995), Heinen and Lauwers (1996) and Huber and Wachtershauser (1997). The implication is that a reaction sequence involving the reduction of CO2 with the FeS-H2S/FeS2 couple as reductant is unlikely to initiate a proposed prebiotic carbon fixation cycle (Wachtershauser, 1988b; 1990b, 1990a, 1992, 1993).

Chitosan-coated mesoporous MIL-100(Fe) nanoparticles as improved bio-compatible oral nanocarriers

PubMed Central

Hidalgo, T.; Giménez-Marqués, M.; Bellido, E.; Avila, J.; Asensio, M. C.; Salles, F.; Lozano, M. V.; Guillevic, M.; Simón-Vázquez, R.; González-Fernández, A.; Serre, C.; Alonso, M. J.; Horcajada, P.

2017-01-01

Nanometric biocompatible Metal-Organic Frameworks (nanoMOFs) are promising candidates for drug delivery. Up to now, most studies have targeted the intravenous route, related to pain and severe complications; whereas nanoMOFs for oral administration, a commonly used non-invasive and simpler route, remains however unexplored. We propose here the biofriendly preparation of a suitable oral nanocarrier based on the benchmarked biocompatible mesoporous iron(III) trimesate nanoparticles coated with the bioadhesive polysaccharide chitosan (CS). This method does not hamper the textural/structural properties and the sorption/release abilities of the nanoMOFs upon surface engineering. The interaction between the CS and the nanoparticles has been characterized through a combination of high resolution soft X-ray absorption and computing simulation, while the positive impact of the coating on the colloidal and chemical stability under oral simulated conditions is here demonstrated. Finally, the intestinal barrier bypass capability and biocompatibility of CS-coated nanoMOF have been assessed in vitro, leading to an increased intestinal permeability with respect to the non-coated material, maintaining an optimal biocompatibility. In conclusion, the preservation of the interesting physicochemical features of the CS-coated nanoMOF and their adapted colloidal stability and progressive biodegradation, together with their improved intestinal barrier bypass, make these nanoparticles a promising oral nanocarrier. PMID:28256600

The Development of Non-Enzymatic Glucose Biosensors Based on Electrochemically Prepared Polypyrrole-Chitosan-Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposite Films.

PubMed

Al-Mokaram, Ali M A Abdul Amir; Yahya, Rosiyah; Abdi, Mahnaz M; Mahmud, Habibun Nabi Muhammad Ekramul

2017-05-31

The performance of a modified electrode of nanocomposite films consisting of polypyrrole-chitosan-titanium dioxide (Ppy-CS-TiO₂) has been explored for the developing a non-enzymatic glucose biosensors. The synergy effect of TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) and conducting polymer on the current responses of the electrode resulted in greater sensitivity. The incorporation of TiO₂ NPs in the nanocomposite films was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra. FE-SEM and HR-TEM provided more evidence for the presence of TiO₂ in the Ppy-CS structure. Glucose biosensing properties were determined by amperommetry and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The interfacial properties of nanocomposite electrodes were studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The developed biosensors showed good sensitivity over a linear range of 1-14 mM with a detection limit of 614 μM for glucose. The modified electrode with Ppy-CS nanocomposite also exhibited good selectivity and long-term stability with no interference effect. The Ppy-CS-TiO₂ nanocomposites films presented high electron transfer kinetics. This work shows the role of nanomaterials in electrochemical biosensors and describes the process of their homogeneous distribution in composite films by a one-step electrochemical process, where all components are taken in a single solution in the electrochemical cell.

Chitosan-coated mesoporous MIL-100(Fe) nanoparticles as improved bio-compatible oral nanocarriers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hidalgo, T.; Giménez-Marqués, M.; Bellido, E.; Avila, J.; Asensio, M. C.; Salles, F.; Lozano, M. V.; Guillevic, M.; Simón-Vázquez, R.; González-Fernández, A.; Serre, C.; Alonso, M. J.; Horcajada, P.

2017-03-01

Nanometric biocompatible Metal-Organic Frameworks (nanoMOFs) are promising candidates for drug delivery. Up to now, most studies have targeted the intravenous route, related to pain and severe complications; whereas nanoMOFs for oral administration, a commonly used non-invasive and simpler route, remains however unexplored. We propose here the biofriendly preparation of a suitable oral nanocarrier based on the benchmarked biocompatible mesoporous iron(III) trimesate nanoparticles coated with the bioadhesive polysaccharide chitosan (CS). This method does not hamper the textural/structural properties and the sorption/release abilities of the nanoMOFs upon surface engineering. The interaction between the CS and the nanoparticles has been characterized through a combination of high resolution soft X-ray absorption and computing simulation, while the positive impact of the coating on the colloidal and chemical stability under oral simulated conditions is here demonstrated. Finally, the intestinal barrier bypass capability and biocompatibility of CS-coated nanoMOF have been assessed in vitro, leading to an increased intestinal permeability with respect to the non-coated material, maintaining an optimal biocompatibility. In conclusion, the preservation of the interesting physicochemical features of the CS-coated nanoMOF and their adapted colloidal stability and progressive biodegradation, together with their improved intestinal barrier bypass, make these nanoparticles a promising oral nanocarrier.

Remediation of fluoride from drinking water using magnetic iron oxide coated hydrotalcite/chitosan composite.

PubMed

Pandi, Kalimuthu; Periyasamy, Soodamani; Viswanathan, Natrayasamy

2017-11-01

The present study was performed to examine the probability of magnetic iron oxide fabricated hydrotalcite/chitosan (Fe 3 O 4 @HTCS) composite for the removal of excess fluoride content from drinking water. The developed Fe 3 O 4 @HTCS composite not only demonstrate the good separation ability but also display an extreme enhanced defluoridation capacity (DC) when compared to other base components and composite. The DCs of Fe 3 O 4 @HTCS composite, Fe 3 O 4 @HT composite, Fe 3 O 4 , HT and CS was found to be 5032, 3041, 1050, 1030 and 52mgF - /kg respectively. The structure and morphology of the prepared adsorbent and fluoride sorbed adsorbent was analysed using FTIR, SEM and EDAX with mapping techniques. The dependence of DC on various parameters like initial fluoride concentration, pH, contact time, interfering anions and temperature was studied by batch method. From isotherm modeling, the equilibrium data is well described by Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. Thermodynamic parameters confirm the spontaneity and endothermic nature of the fluoride adsorption. The performance of Fe 3 O 4 @HTCS composite to field water sample designates its adaptable nature at field conditions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Multiscale Modeling of Radioisotope Transfers in Watersheds, Rivers, Reservoirs and Ponds of Fukushima Prefecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheleznyak, M.; Kivva, S.; Nanba, K.; Wakiyama, Y.; Konoplev, A.; Onda, Y.; Gallego, E.; Papush, L.; Maderych, V.

2015-12-01

The highest densities of the radioisotopes in fallout from the Fukushima Daiichi NPP in March 2011 were measured at the north eastern part of Fukushima Prefecture. The post-accidental aquatic transfer of cesium -134/137 includes multiscale processes: wash-off from the watersheds in solute and with the eroded soil, long-range transport in the rivers, deposition and resuspension of contaminated sediments in reservoirs and floodplains. The models of EU decision support system RODOS are used for predicting dynamics of 137Cs in the Fukushima surface waters and for assessing efficiency of the remediation measures. The transfer of 137Cs through the watershed of Niida River was simulated by DHSVM -R model that includes the modified code of the distributed hydrological and sediment transport model DHSVM (Lettenmayer, Wigmosta et al.) and new module of radionuclide transport. DHSMV-R was tested by modelling the wash-off from the USLE experimental plots in Fukushima prefecture. The model helps to quantify the influence of the differentiators of Fukushima and Chernobyl watersheds, - intensity of extreme precipitation and steepness of watershed, on the much higher values of the ratio "particulated cesium /soluted cesium" in Fukushima rivers than in Chernobyl rivers. Two dimensional model COASTOX and three dimensional model THREETOX are used to simulate the fate of 137Cs in water and sediments of reservoirs in the Manogawa River, Otagawa River, Mizunashigawa River, which transport 137Cs from the heavy contaminated watersheds to the populated areas at the Pacific coast. The modeling of the extreme floods generated by typhoons shows the resuspension of the bottom sediments from the heavy contaminated areas in reservoirs at the mouths of inflowing rivers at the peaks of floods and then re-deposition of 137Cs downstream in the deeper areas. The forecasts of 137Cs dynamics in bottom sediments of the reservoirs were calculated for the set of the scenarios of the sequences of the high floods of the next years. MOIRA -LAKE model of long term radioisotopes transfer in water, bottom sediment and fish was used for the assessments of the efficiency of the bottom sediment dredging for the remediation of the irrigation ponds at Okuma town.

Reactivity of Hydride Bridges in High-Spin [3M-3(μ-H)] Clusters (M = FeII, CoII).

PubMed

Lee, Yousoon; Anderton, Kevin J; Sloane, Forrest T; Ermert, David M; Abboud, Khalil A; García-Serres, Ricardo; Murray, Leslie J

2015-08-26

The designed [3M-3(μ-H)] clusters (M = Fe(II), Co(II)) Fe3H3L (1-H) and Co3H3L (2-H) [where L(3-) is a tris(β-diketiminate) cyclophane] were synthesized by treating the corresponding M3Br3L complexes with KBEt3H. From single-crystal X-ray analysis, the hydride ligands are sterically protected by the cyclophane ligand, and these complexes selectively react with CO2 over other unsaturated substrates (e.g., CS2, Me3SiCCH, C2H2, and CH3CN). The reaction of 1-H or 2-H with CO2 at room temperature yielded Fe3(OCHO)(H)2L (1-CO2) or Co3(OCHO)(H)2L (2-CO2), respectively, which evidence the differential reactivity of the hydride ligands within these complexes. The analogous reactions at elevated temperatures revealed a distinct difference in the reactivity pattern for 2-H as compared to 1-H; Fe3(OCHO)3L (1-3CO2) was generated from 1-H, while 2-H afforded only 2-CO2.

The r-Process in the Neutrino Winds of Core-Collapse Supernovae and U-Th Cosmochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wanajo, Shinya; Itoh, Naoki; Ishimaru, Yuhri; Nozawa, Satoshi; Beers, Timothy C.

2002-10-01

The discovery of the second highly r-process-enhanced, extremely metal poor star, CS 31082-001 ([Fe/H]=-2.9) has provided a powerful new tool for age determination by virtue of the detection and measurement of the radioactive species uranium and thorium. Because the half-life of 238U is one-third that of 232Th, the U-Th pair can, in principle, provide a far more precise cosmochronometer than the Th-Eu pair that has been used in previous investigations. In the application of this chronometer, the age of (the progenitor of) CS 31082-001 can be regarded as the minimum age of the Galaxy, and hence of the universe. One of the serious limitations of this approach, however, is that predictions of the production ratio of U and Th have not been made in the context of a realistic astrophysical model of the r-process. We have endeavored to produce such a model, based on the ``neutrino winds'' that are expected to arise from the nascent neutron star of a core-collapse supernova. In this model, the proto-neutron star mass and the (asymptotic) neutrino sphere radius are assumed to be 2.0 Msolar and 10 km, respectively. Recent hydrodynamic studies indicate that there may exist difficulties in obtaining such a compact (massive and/or small in radius) remnant. Nevertheless, we utilize this set of parameter choices since previous work suggests that the third r-process peak (and thus U and Th) is hardly reached when one adopts a less compact proto-neutron star in the framework of the neutrino-wind scenario. The temperature and density histories of the material involved in the neutron-capture processes are obtained with the assumption of a steady flow of the neutrino-powered winds, with general relativistic effects taken into account. The electron fraction is taken to be a free parameter, constant with time. The r-process nucleosynthesis in these trajectories is calculated with a nuclear reaction network code including actinides up to Z=100. The mass-integrated r-process yields, obtained by assuming a simple time evolution of the neutrino luminosity, are compared to the available spectroscopic elemental abundance data of CS 31082-001. As a result, the ``age'' of this star is determined to be 14.1+/-2.5 Gyr, in excellent agreement with lower limits on the age of the universe estimated by other dating techniques, as well as with other stellar radioactive age estimates. Future measurements of Pt and Pb in this star, as well as expansion of searches for additional r-process-enhanced, metal-poor stars (especially those in which both U and Th are measurable), are of special importance to constrain the current astrophysical models for the r-process.

Ferrate(VI) oxidation of polychlorinated diphenyl sulfides: Kinetics, degradation, and oxidized products.

PubMed

Chen, Jing; Xu, Xinxin; Zeng, Xiaolan; Feng, Mingbao; Qu, Ruijuan; Wang, Zunyao; Nesnas, Nasri; Sharma, Virender K

2018-06-13

This paper presents oxidation of polychlorinated diphenyl sulfides (PCDPSs), dioxin-like compounds, by ferrate(VI) (Fe VI O 4 2- , Fe(VI)). Kinetics of the reactions of Fe(VI) with seventeen PCDPSs, differ in number and positions of chlorine atoms (from 2 to 7), were investigated at pH 8.0. The second-order rate constants (k, M -1 s -1 ) of the reactions varied with the numbers and positions of chlorine atoms and appeared to be related with standard Gibbs free energy of formation (Δ f G 0 ) of PCDPSs. Degradation experiments in the presence of ions and humic acid demonstrated complete removal of PeCDPS by Fe(VI) in minutes. Pathways of the reaction were investigated by identifying oxidized products (OPs) of the reaction between Fe(VI) and 2,2',3',4,5-pentachlorodiphenyl sulfide (PeCDPS) at pH 8.0. Pathways of oxidation involved major pathway of attack on sulfur(II) by Fe(VI) in steps to yield sulfoxide type products, and subsequent breakage of C-S bond with the formation of sulfonic acid-containing trichloro compound. Minor pathways were hydroxylation of benzene ring and substitution of chlorine atom with hydroxyl group. Estimation of toxicity of OPs of the oxidation of PeCDPS by Fe(VI) suggested the decreased toxicity from the parent contaminant. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Effects of dietary supplementation with an expressed fusion peptide bovine lactoferricin-lactoferrampin on performance, immune function and intestinal mucosal morphology in piglets weaned at age 21 d.

PubMed

Tang, Zhiru; Yin, Yulong; Zhang, Youming; Huang, Ruilin; Sun, Zhihong; Li, Tiejun; Chu, Wuying; Kong, Xiangfeng; Li, Lili; Geng, Meimei; Tu, Qiang

2009-04-01

Lactoferrin has antimicrobial activity associated with peptide fragments lactoferricin (LFC) and lactoferrampin (LFA) released on digestion. These two fragments have been expressed in Photorhabdus luminescens as a fusion peptide linked to protein cipB. The construct cipB-LFC-LFA was tested as an alternative to antimicrobial growth promoters in pig production. Sixty piglets with an average live body weight of 5.42 (sem 0.59) kg were challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and randomly assigned to four treatment groups fed a maize-soyabean meal diet containing either no addition (C), cipB at 100 mg/kg (C+B), cipB-LFC-LFA at 100 mg/kg (C+L) or colistin sulfate at 100 mg/kg (C+CS) for 3 weeks. Compared with C, dietary supplementation with C+L for 3 weeks increased daily weight gain by 21 %, increased recovery from diarrhoea, enhanced serum glutathione peroxidase (GPx), peroxidase (POD) and total antioxidant content (T-AOC), liver GPx, POD, superoxide dismutase and T-AOC, Fe, total Fe-binding capacity, IgA, IgG and IgM levels (P < 0.05), decreased the concentration of E. coli in the ileum, caecum and colon (P < 0.05), increased the concentration of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the ileum, caecum and colon (P < 0.05), and promoted development of the villus-crypt architecture of the small intestine. Growth performance was similar between C+L- and C+CS-supplemented pigs. The present results indicate that LFC-LFA is an effective alternative to the feed antibiotic CS for enhancing growth performance in piglets weaned at age 21 d.

Redox properties of samarium, europium and ytterbium in molten eutectic mixture of sodium, potassium and cesium chlorides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golovanova, O. A.; Tropin, O. A.; Volkovich, V. A.

2017-09-01

The redox behavior of samarium, europium and ytterbium ions was investigated in the ternary 6NaCl-9KCl- 5CsCl eutectic based melts between 823 and 1073 K employing cyclic voltammetry on a tungsten working electrode. Ln(II)/Ln(III) (Ln=Sm, Eu, Yb) reduction-oxidation is reversible and controlled by diffusion of the electroactive species at the potential scan rates up to 0.1 V/s. Formal standard redox potentials E*Ln(II)/Ln(III) were determined, and the thermodynamic and transport properties of the corresponding Ln(III) and Ln(II) ions were estimated.

NGC 6273: Towards Defining A New Class of Galactic Globular Clusters?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Christian I.; Rich, Robert Michael; Pilachowski, Catherine A.; Caldwell, Nelson; Mateo, Mario L.; Ira Bailey, John; Crane, Jeffrey D.

2016-01-01

A growing number of observations have found that several Galactic globular clusters exhibit abundance dispersions beyond the well-known light element (anti-)correlations. These clusters tend to be very massive, have >0.1 dex intrinsic metallicity dispersions, have complex sub-giant branch morphologies, and have correlated [Fe/H] and s-process element enhancements. Interestingly, nearly all of these clusters discovered so far have [Fe/H]~-1.7. In this context, we have examined the chemical composition of 18 red giant branch (RGB) stars in the massive, metal-poor Galactic bulge globular cluster NGC 6273 using high signal-to-noise, high resolution (R~27,000) spectra obtained with the Michigan/Magellan Fiber System (M2FS) and MSpec spectrograph mounted on the Magellan-Clay 6.5m telescope at Las Campanas Observatory. We find that the cluster exhibits a metallicity range from [Fe/H]=-1.80 to -1.30 and is composed of two dominant populations separated in [Fe/H] and [La/Fe] abundance. The increase in [La/Eu] as a function of [La/H] suggests that the increase in [La/Fe] with [Fe/H] is due to almost pure s-process enrichment. The most metal-rich star in our sample is not strongly La-enhanced, but is α-poor and may belong to a third "anomalous" stellar population. The two dominant populations exhibit the same [Na/Fe]-[Al/Fe] correlation found in other "normal" globular clusters. Therefore, NGC 6273 joins ω Centauri, M 22, M 2, and NGC 5286 as a possible new class of Galactic globular clusters.

A template-free solvothermal synthesis and photoluminescence properties of multicolor Gd2O2S:xTb3+, yEu3+ hollow spheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sang, Xiaotong; Xu, Guangxi; Lian, Jingbao; Wu, Nianchu; Zhang, Xue; He, Jiao

2018-06-01

The multicolor Gd2O2S:xTb3+, yEu3+ hollow spheres were successfully synthesized via a template-free solvothermal route without the use of surfactant from commercially available Ln (NO3)3·6H2O (Ln = Gd, Tb and Eu), absolute ethanol, ethanediamine and sublimed sulfur as the starting materials. The phase, structure, particle morphology and photoluminescence (PL) properties of the as-obtained products were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and photoluminescence spectra. The influence of synthetic time on phase, structure and morphology was systematically investigated and discussed. The possible formation mechanism depending on synthetic time t for the Gd2O2S phase has been presented. These results demonstrate that the Gd2O2S hollow spheres could be obtained under optimal condition, namely solvothermal temperature T = 220 °C and synthetic time t = 16 h. The as-obtained Gd2O2S sample possesses hollow sphere structure, which has a typical size of about 2.5 μm in diameter and about 0.5 μm in shell thickness. PL spectroscopy reveals that the strongest emission peak for the Gd2O2S:xTb3+ and the Gd2O2S:yEu3+ samples is located at 545 nm and 628 nm, corresponding to 5D4→7F5 transitions of Tb3+ ions and 5D0→7F2 transitions of Eu3+ ions, respectively. The quenching concentration of Tb3+ ions and Eu3+ ions is 7%. In the case of Tb3+ and Eu3+ co-doped samples, when the concentration of Tb3+ or Eu3+ ions is 7%, the optimum concentration of Eu3+ or Tb3+ ions is determined to be 1%. Under 254 nm ultraviolet (UV) light excitation, the Gd2O2S:7%Tb3+, the Gd2O2S:7%Tb3+,1%Eu3+ and the Gd2O2S:7%Eu3+ samples give green, yellow and red light emissions, respectively. And the corresponding CIE coordinates vary from (0.3513, 0.5615), (0.4120, 0.4588) to (0.5868, 0.3023), which is also well consistent with their luminous photographs.

Dissolved and Colloidal Trace Elements in the Mississippi River Delta Outflow after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shim, M.; Swarzenski, P. W.; Shiller, A. M.

2010-12-01

The Mississippi River (MR) plays an important role as a major fluvial source of dissolved and particulate materials for the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). This region is periodically disturbed by tropical weather systems including major hurricanes. Such storms have the potential to stir up the normally stratified water column of the Louisiana Shelf and thus can serve as a mechanism for the abrupt termination of seasonal bottom water hypoxia. Additionally, strong tropical systems can cause the resuspension of shelf bottom sediments which could result in the injection of trace elements into the water column. In the summer of 2005, two major hurricanes, Katrina and Rita, passed over the Louisiana Shelf within a month of each other. Three weeks after Rita, we participated in a survey of the waters of the Mississippi River delta outflow, examining the distributions of trace elements (including Ba, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Re, U, V, and Zn) in a comparison with previous results in this area. We indeed observed that there was limited stratification on the shelf and that bottom waters were no longer hypoxic. This resulted, for instance, in bottom water dissolved Mn being lower than is typically observed during hypoxia, but with concentrations still compatible with Mn-O2 trends previously reported. Interestingly, for no element were we able to identify an obvious effect of sediment resuspension on its distribution. In general, elemental distributions were compatible with previous observations in the Mississippi outflow system. Co and Re, which have not been reported for this system previously, showed behavior consistent with other systems: input for Co likely from desorption and conservative mixing for Re. For Cs, an element for which there is little information regarding its estuarine behavior, conservative mixing was also observed. Our filtration method, which allowed us to distinguish the dissolved (<0.02 µm) from colloidal (0.02 - 0.45 µm) phase, revealed significant colloidal fractions for Fe and Zn, only. For Fe, the colloidal phase was the dominant fraction and was rapidly removed at low salinity. Dissolved Fe, in contrast, persisted out to mid-salinities, being removed in a similar fashion to nitrate. This ability to distinguish the smaller Fe (likely dominantly organically complexed) from larger colloidal suspensates may be useful in better interpreting the bioavailablity of the Fe in estuarine systems.

Experimental investigation of As, Sb and Cs behavior during olivine serpentinization in hydrothermal alkaline systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lafay, Romain; Montes-Hernandez, German; Janots, Emilie; Munoz, Manuel; Auzende, Anne Line; Gehin, Antoine; Chiriac, Rodica; Proux, Olivier

2016-04-01

While Fluid-Mobile Elements (FMEs) such as B, Sb, Li, As or Cs are particularly concentrated in serpentinites, data on FME fluid-serpentine partitioning, distribution, and sequestration mechanisms are missing. In the present experimental study, the behavior of Sb, As and Cs during San Carlos olivine serpentinization was investigated using accurate mineralogical, geochemical, and spectroscopic characterization. Static-batch experiments were conducted at 200 °C, under saturated vapor pressure (≈1.6 MPa), for initial olivine grain sizes of <30 μm (As), 30-56 μm (As, Cs, Sb) and 56-150 μm (Cs) and for periods comprised between 3 and 90 days. High-hydroxyl-alkaline fluid enriched with 200 mg L-1 of a single FME was used and a fluid/solid weight ratio of 15. For these particular conditions, olivine is favorably replaced by a mixture of chrysotile, polygonal serpentine and brucite. Arsenic, Cs or Sb reaction product content was determined as a function of reaction advancement for the different initial olivine grain sizes investigated. The results confirm that serpentinization products have a high FME uptake capacity with the partitioning coefficient increasing such as CsDp/fl = 1.5-1.6 < AsDp/fl = 3.5-4.5 < SbDp/fl = 28 after complete reaction of the 30-56 μm grain-sized olivine. The sequestration pathways of the three elements are however substantially different. While the As partition coefficient remains constant throughout the serpentinization reaction, the Cs partition coefficient decreases abruptly in the first stages of the reaction to reach a constant value after the reaction is 40-60% complete. Both As and Cs partitioning appear to decrease with increasing initial olivine grain size, but there is no significant difference in the partitioning coefficient between the 30-56 and 56-150 μm grain size after complete serpentinization. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements combined with X-ray chemical measurements reveal that the As(V) is mainly adsorbed onto the serpentinization products, especially brucite. In contrast, mineralogical characterization combined with XAS spectroscopy reveal redox sensitivity for Sb sequestration within serpentine products, depending on the progress of the reaction. When serpentinization is <50%, initial Sb(III) is oxidized into Sb(V) and substantially adsorbed onto serpentine. For higher degrees of reaction, a decrease in Sb sequestration by serpentine products is observed and is attributed to a reduction of Sb(V) into Sb(III). This stage is characterized by the precipitation of Sb-Ni-rich phases and a lower bulk partitioning coefficient compared to that of the serpentine and brucite assemblage. Antimony reduction appears linked to water reduction accompanying the bulk iron oxidation, as half the initial Fe(II) is oxidized into Fe(III) and incorporated into the serpentine products once the reaction is over. The reduction of Sb implies a decrease of its solubility, but the type of secondary Sb-rich phases identified here might not be representative of natural systems where Sb concentrations are lower. These results bring new insights into the uptake of FME by sorption on serpentine products that may form in hydrothermal environments at low temperatures. FME sequestration here appears to be sensitive to various physicochemical parameters and more particularly to redox conditions that appear to play a preponderant role in the concentrations and mechanism of sequestration of redox-sensitive elements.

Bioleached sludge composting drastically reducing ammonia volatilization as well as decreasing bulking agent dosage and improving compost quality: A case study.

PubMed

Hu, Weitong; Zheng, Guanyu; Fang, Di; Cui, Chunhong; Liang, Jianru; Zhou, Lixiang

2015-10-01

Sludge bioleaching technology with Acidithiobacillus species has been commercially adopted for improving advanced dewatering of sludge in China since 2010. However, up to now, little information on bioleached dewatered sludge (BS) composting is available. Here, we report the changes of physicochemical and biological properties in BS composting and evaluate compost product quality compared to conventional dewatered sludge (CS) composting in an engineering scale composting facility. The results showed that the amount of bulking agents required in BS composting was only about 10% of CS composting to obtain optimum moisture content, reducing about 700 kg bulking agents per ton fresh sludge. pH of BS composting mixture was slightly lower consistently by about 0.2-0.3 pH units than that in CS mixture in the first 30 days. Organic matter biodegradation in BS system mainly occurred in the first 9 days of composting. In spite of higher content of NH4(+)-N was found in BS mixture in related to CS mixture; unexpectedly the cumulative ammonia volatilization in the former was only 51% of the latter, indicating that BS composting drastically reduced nitrogen loss. Compared to CS composting system, the relative lower pH, the higher intensity of microbial assimilation, and the presence of water soluble Fe in BS system might jointly reduce ammonia volatilization. Consequently, BS compost product exhibited higher fertilizer values (N+P2O5+K2O=8.38%) as well as lower heavy metal levels due to the solubilization of sludge-borne heavy metals during bioleaching process. Therefore, composting of BS possesses more advantages over the CS composting process. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Self-assembled 3D sphere-like SrMoO4 and SrMoO4:Ln3+ (Ln=Eu, Sm, Tb, Dy) microarchitectures: facile sonochemical synthesis and optical properties.

PubMed

Zhang, Junjun; Li, Ruiqing; Liu, Lu; Li, Linlin; Zou, Lianchun; Gan, Shucai; Ji, Guijuan

2014-09-01

Three-dimensional (3D) well-defined SrMoO4 and SrMoO4:Ln(3+) (Ln=Eu, Sm, Tb, Dy) hierarchical structures of obvious sphere-like shape have been successfully synthesized using a large-scale and facile sonochemical route without using any catalysts or templates. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were used to characterize the samples. The intrinsic structural feature of SrMoO4 and external factor, namely the ultrasonic time and the pH value, are responsible for the ultimate shape evolutions of the product. The possible formation mechanism for the product is presented. Additionally, the PL properties of SrMoO4 and SrMoO4:Ln(3+) (Ln=Eu, Sm, Tb, Dy) hierarchical structures were investigated in detail. The Ln(3+) ions doped SrMoO4 samples exhibit respective bright red-orange, yellow, green and white light of Eu(3+), Sm(3+), Tb(3+) and Dy(3+) under ultraviolet excitation, and have potential application in the field of color display. Simultaneously, this novel and efficient pathway could open new opportunities for further investigating about the properties of molybdate materials. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

3D printing of high-strength bioscaffolds for the synergistic treatment of bone cancer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Hongshi; Li, Tao; Huan, Zhiguang; Zhang, Meng; Yang, Zezheng; Wang, Jinwu; Chang, Jiang; Wu, Chengtie

2018-04-01

The challenges in bone tumor therapy are how to repair the large bone defects induced by surgery and kill all possible residual tumor cells. Compared to cancellous bone defect regeneration, cortical bone defect regeneration has a higher demand for bone substitute materials. To the best of our knowledge, there are currently few bifunctional biomaterials with an ultra-high strength for both tumor therapy and cortical bone regeneration. Here, we designed Fe-CaSiO3 composite scaffolds (30CS) via 3D printing technique. First, the 30CS composite scaffolds possessed a high compressive strength that provided sufficient mechanical support in bone cortical defects; second, synergistic photothermal and ROS therapies achieved an enhanced tumor therapeutic effect in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the presence of CaSiO3 in the composite scaffolds improved the degradation performance, stimulated the proliferation and differentiation of rBMSCs, and further promoted bone formation in vivo. Such 30CS scaffolds with a high compressive strength can function as versatile and efficient biomaterials for the future regeneration of cortical bone defects and the treatment of bone cancer.

A rechargeable lithium metal battery operating at intermediate temperatures using molten alkali bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide mixture as an electrolyte

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watarai, Atsushi; Kubota, Keigo; Yamagata, Masaki; Goto, Takuya; Nohira, Toshiyuki; Hagiwara, Rika; Ui, Koichi; Kumagai, Naoaki

The physicochemical properties of molten alkali bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide, MTFSI (M = Li, K, Cs), mixture (x LiTFSI = 0.20, x KTFSI = 0.10, x CsTFSI = 0.70) were studied to develop a new rechargeable lithium battery operating at intermediate temperature (100-180 °C). The viscosity and ionic conductivity of this melt at 150 °C are 87.2 cP and 14.2 mS cm -1, respectively. The cyclic voltammetry revealed that the electrochemical window at 150 °C is as wide as 5.0 V, and that the electrochemical deposition/dissolution of lithium metal occurs at the cathode limit. A Li/MTFSI (M = Li, K, Cs)/LiFePO 4 cell showed an excellent cycle performance at a constant current rate of C/10 at 150 °C; 95% of the initial discharge capacity was maintained after 50 cycles. Except for the initial few cycles, the coulombic efficiencies were approximately 100% for all the cycles, indicating the stabilities of the molten MTFSI mixture and all the electrode materials.

General classification of ``hot`` particles from the nearest Chernobyl contaminated areas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shabalev, S.I.; Burakov, B.E.; Anderson, E.B.

1997-12-31

The morphology and composition both chemical and radionuclide of the main types of the solid-phase hot particles formed following the accident on the Chernobyl NPP have been studied by SEM, electron microprobe and gamma-spectrometry methods. Differences in many isotopes including: {sup 106}Ru, {sup 134}Cs, {sup 137}Cs dependent upon the hot particle matrix chemical composition was observed. The classification of hot particles based upon the chemical composition of their matrices has been done. It includes three main types: (1) fuel particles with UO{sub x} matrix; (2) fuel-constructional particles with Zr-U-O matrix, (3) hot particles with metallic inclusions of Fe-Cr-Ni. Moreover, theremore » are more rare types of hot particles with silicate or metal matrices. It was shown that only metallic inclusions of Fe-Cr-Ni are concentrators of {sup 106}Ru, which caused this nuclides assimilation in the molten stainless steel during the initial stages of the accident. Soils contamination of non-radioactive lead oxide particles in the Chernobyl NPP region were noticed. It was supposed that part of metallic lead, dropped from helicopters into burning reactor during first days of accident, was evaporated and oxidized accompanying solid oxide particles formation.« less

One-step synthesis of dithiocarbamates from metal powders

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hepp, Aloysius F.; Hehemann, David G.; Duraj, Stan A.; Clark, Eric B.; Eckles, William E.; Fanwick, Phillip E.

1994-01-01

Neutral metal dithiocarbamate complexes (M(NR2CS2)X) are well-known precursors to metal sulfides, a class of materials with numerous technological applications. We are involved in a research effort to prepare new precursors to metal sulfides using simple, reproducible synthetic procedures. We describe the results of our synthetic and characterization studies for M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu. and In. For example, treatment of metallic indium with tetramethylthiuram disulfide (tmtd) in 4-methylpyridine (4-Mepy) at 25 deg C produces a new homoleptic indium (III) dithiocarbamate, In(N(CH3)2CS2)3(I), in yields of over 60 percent. The indium (III) dithiocarbamate was characterized by X-ray crystallography; (I) exists in the solid state as discrete distorted-octahedral molecules. Compound (I) crystallizes in the P1bar (No. 2) space group with lattice parameters: a = 9.282(1) A, b = 10.081(1) A, c = 12.502 A, alpha = 73.91(1) deg, beta = 70.21(1) deg, gamma = 85.8(1)deg, and Z = 2. X-ray diffraction and mass spectral data were used to characterize the products of the analogous reactions with Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu. We discuss both use of dithiocarbamates as precursors and our approach to their preparation.

Induction of apoptosis in HeLa cancer cells by an ultrasonic-mediated synthesis of curcumin-loaded chitosan-alginate-STPP nanoparticles.

PubMed

Ahmadi, Fatemeh; Ghasemi-Kasman, Maryam; Ghasemi, Shahram; Gholamitabar Tabari, Maryam; Pourbagher, Roghayeh; Kazemi, Sohrab; Alinejad-Mir, Ali

2017-01-01

Natural herbal compounds have been widely introduced as an alternative therapeutic approach in cancer therapy. Despite potent anticancer activity of curcumin, its clinical application has been limited because of low water solubility and resulting poor bioavailability. In this study, we designed a novel ultrasonic-assisted method for the synthesis of curcumin-loaded chitosan-alginate-sodium tripolyphosphate nanoparticles (CS-ALG-STPP NPs). Furthermore, antitumor effect of curcumin-loaded NPs was evaluated in vitro. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the properties of NPs. Antitumor activity of curcumin-loaded NPs was assessed by using MTT and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). FE-SEM and AFM data revealed the spherical morphology, and the average size of NPs was <50 nm. In vitro cytotoxicity assay suggested that curcumin-loaded CS-ALG-STPP NPs displayed significant antitumor activity compared with the free curcumin. Gene expression level analyses showed that curcumin NPs significantly increased the apoptotic gene expression. Collectively, our results suggest that curcumin-loaded NPs significantly suppressed proliferation and promoted the induction of apoptosis in human cervical epithelioid carcinoma cancer cells, which might be regarded as an effective alternative strategy for cancer therapy.

Induction of apoptosis in HeLa cancer cells by an ultrasonic-mediated synthesis of curcumin-loaded chitosan–alginate–STPP nanoparticles

PubMed Central

Ahmadi, Fatemeh; Ghasemi-Kasman, Maryam; Ghasemi, Shahram; Gholamitabar Tabari, Maryam; Pourbagher, Roghayeh; Kazemi, Sohrab; Alinejad-Mir, Ali

2017-01-01

Natural herbal compounds have been widely introduced as an alternative therapeutic approach in cancer therapy. Despite potent anticancer activity of curcumin, its clinical application has been limited because of low water solubility and resulting poor bioavailability. In this study, we designed a novel ultrasonic-assisted method for the synthesis of curcumin-loaded chitosan–alginate–sodium tripolyphosphate nanoparticles (CS-ALG-STPP NPs). Furthermore, antitumor effect of curcumin-loaded NPs was evaluated in vitro. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the properties of NPs. Antitumor activity of curcumin-loaded NPs was assessed by using MTT and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). FE-SEM and AFM data revealed the spherical morphology, and the average size of NPs was <50 nm. In vitro cytotoxicity assay suggested that curcumin-loaded CS-ALG-STPP NPs displayed significant antitumor activity compared with the free curcumin. Gene expression level analyses showed that curcumin NPs significantly increased the apoptotic gene expression. Collectively, our results suggest that curcumin-loaded NPs significantly suppressed proliferation and promoted the induction of apoptosis in human cervical epithelioid carcinoma cancer cells, which might be regarded as an effective alternative strategy for cancer therapy. PMID:29238191

The Most Metal-poor Stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlaufman, Kevin C.

2018-06-01

The chemical abundances of the most metal-poor stars in a galaxy can be used to investigate the earliest stages of its formation and chemical evolution. Differences between the abundances of the most metal-poor stars in the Milky Way and in its satellite dwarf galaxies have been noted and provide the strongest available constraints on the earliest stages of general galactic chemical evolution models. However, the masses of the Milky Way and its satellite dwarf galaxies differ by four orders of magnitude, leaving a gap in our knowledge of the early chemical evolution of intermediate mass galaxies like the Magellanic Clouds. To close that gap, we have initiated a survey of the metal-poor stellar populations of the Magellanic Clouds using the mid-infrared metal-poor star selection of Schlaufman & Casey (2014). We have discovered the three most metal-poor giant stars known in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and reobserved the previous record holder. The stars have metallicities in the range -2.70 < [Fe/H] < -2.00 and three show r-process enhancement: one has [Eu II/Fe] = +1.65 and two others have [Eu II/Fe] = +0.65. The probability that four randomly selected very metal-poor stars in the halo of the Milky Way are as r-process enhanced is 0.0002. For that reason, the early chemical enrichment of the heaviest elements in the LMC and Milky Way were qualitatively different. It is also suggestive of a possible chemical link between the LMC and the ultra-faint dwarf galaxies nearby with evidence of r-process enhancement (e.g., Reticulum II and Tucana III). Like Reticulum II, the most metal-poor star in our LMC sample is the only one not enhanced in r-process elements.

Evaluation of RTS,S/AS02A and RTS,S/AS01B in Adults in a High Malaria Transmission Area

PubMed Central

Polhemus, Mark E.; Remich, Shon A.; Ogutu, Bernhards R.; Waitumbi, John N.; Otieno, Lucas; Apollo, Stella; Cummings, James F.; Kester, Kent E.; Ockenhouse, Christian F.; Stewart, Ann; Ofori-Anyinam, Opokua; Ramboer, Isabelle; Cahill, Conor P.; Lievens, Marc; Dubois, Marie-Claude; Demoitie, Marie-Ange; Leach, Amanda; Cohen, Joe; Ballou, W. Ripley; Heppner,, D. Gray

2009-01-01

Background This study advances the clinical development of the RTS,S/AS01B candidate malaria vaccine to malaria endemic populations. As a primary objective it compares the safety and reactogenicity of RTS,S/AS01B to the more extensively evaluated RTS,S/AS02A vaccine. Methodology A Phase IIb, single centre, double-blind, controlled trial of 6 months duration with a subsequent 6 month single-blind follow-up conducted in Kisumu West District, Kenya between August 2005 and August 2006. 255 healthy adults aged 18 to 35 years were randomized (1∶1∶1) to receive 3 doses of RTS,S/AS02A, RTS,S/AS01B or rabies vaccine (Rabipur®; Chiron Behring GmbH) at months 0, 1, 2. The primary objective was the occurrence of severe (grade 3) solicited or unsolicited general (i.e. systemic) adverse events (AEs) during 7 days follow up after each vaccination. Principal Findings Both candidate vaccines had a good safety profile and were well tolerated. One grade 3 systemic AE occurred within 7 days of vaccination (RTS,S/AS01B group). No unsolicited AEs or SAEs were related to vaccine. A marked increase in anti-CS antibody GMTs was observed post Dose 2 of both RTS,S/AS01B (31.6 EU/mL [95% CI: 23.9 to 41.6]) and RTS,S/AS02A (16.7 EU/mL [95% CI: 12.9 to 21.7]). A further increase was observed post Dose 3 in both the RTS,S/AS01B (41.4 EU/mL [95% CI: 31.7 to 54.2]) and RTS,S/AS02A (21.4 EU/mL [95% CI: 16.0 to 28.7]) groups. Anti-CS antibody GMTs were significantly greater with RTS,S/AS01B compared to RTS,S/AS02A at all time points post Dose 2 and Dose 3. Both candidate vaccines produced strong anti-HBs responses. Vaccine efficacy in the RTS,S/AS01B group was 29.5% (95% CI: −15.4 to 56.9, p = 0.164) and in the RTS,S/AS02A group 31.7% (95% CI: −11.6 to 58.2, p = 0.128). Conclusions Both candidate malaria vaccines were well tolerated over a 12 month surveillance period. A more favorable immunogenicity profile was observed with RTS,S/AS01B than with RTS,S/AS02A. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00197054 PMID:19649245

Treatment of air pollution control residues with iron rich waste sulfuric acid: does it work for antimony (Sb)?

PubMed

Okkenhaug, Gudny; Breedveld, Gijs D; Kirkeng, Terje; Lægreid, Marit; Mæhlum, Trond; Mulder, Jan

2013-03-15

Antimony (Sb) in air pollution control (APC) residues from municipal solid waste incineration has gained increased focus due to strict Sb leaching limits set by the EU landfill directive. Here we study the chemical speciation and solubility of Sb at the APC treatment facility NOAH Langøya (Norway), where iron (Fe)-rich sulfuric acid (∼3.6M, 2.3% Fe(II)), a waste product from the industrial extraction of ilmenite, is used for neutralization. Antimony in water extracts of untreated APC residues occurred exclusively as pentavalent antimonate, even at low pH and Eh values. The Sb solubility increased substantially at pH<10, possibly due to the dissolution of ettringite (at alkaline pH) or calcium (Ca)-antimonate. Treated APC residues, stored anoxically in the laboratory, simulating the conditions at the NOAH Langøya landfill, gave rise to decreasing concentrations of Sb in porewater, occurring exclusively as Sb(V). Concentrations of Sb decreased from 87-918μgL(-1) (day 3) to 18-69μgL(-1) (day 600). We hypothesize that an initial sorption of Sb to Fe(II)-Fe(III) hydroxides (green rust) and eventually precipitation of Ca- and Fe-antimonates (tripuhyite; FeSbO4) occurred. We conclude that Fe-rich, sulfuric acid waste is efficient to immobilize Sb in APC residues from waste incineration. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Na, Mg, Ni and Cs distribution and speciation after long-term alteration of a simulated nuclear waste glass: A micro-XAS/XRF/XRD and wet chemical study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Curti, Enzo; Dähn, Rainer; Farges, François; Vespa, Marika

2009-04-01

Microscopic distribution and speciation of Na, Mg, Ni and Cs in a simulated (inactive) nuclear waste glass were studied using micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) and micro X-ray absorption spectroscopy (μ-XAS), after aqueous leaching during 12 years at 90 °C. Na and Mg are major constituents of the glass that can be used to determine the progress of the glass corrosion process and the nature of secondary alteration phases. Ni and Cs represent dose determining long-lived radionuclides ( 59Ni, 135Cs) in vitrified nuclear waste. The Na-Mg μ-XRF maps revealed that the core regions of the glass fragments are apparently unaltered and compositionally homogeneous, whereas rims and interstitial spaces are enriched with Mg-rich smectite formed during the leaching process. The micro X-ray absorption near edge structure (μ-XANES) spectra collected at the Mg K-edge in the altered zones show three sharp resonances typical for crystalline Mg-silicates. These resonances are distinctive of Mg occupying undistorted octahedral positions. In contrast, the μ-XANES spectra collected in the core zones of the glass fragments lack this resonance pattern and are identical to the spectra measured on the pristine (unleached) MW glass. Micro extended X-ray absorption fine structure (μ-EXAFS) and μ-XANES analyses at the Ni K-edge revealed three distinct Ni(II) species: (a) Ni uniformly distributed in the glass matrix, (b) micro-inclusions with high Ni concentrations and (c) Ni associated to the Mg-clay. The comparison with reference spectra of unleached MW and other Ni-bearing silicate glasses indicated that species (a) represents the original coordinative environment of Ni in the glass. The μ-EXAFS analyses revealed that species (b) is structural Ni in trevorite (NiFe 2O 4), which probably formed through unmixing processes during the cooling of the glass melt. The μ-EXAFS of species (c) could be successfully modeled assuming specific adsorption or incorporation of Ni into the lattice of trioctahedral Mg-clay minerals. Alternative models assuming other elements (Ni, Al, Fe) in addition to Mg in the second shell could not be fitted successfully. Aqueous concentration data were used to calculate the speciation of the leaching solutions. Saturation index (SI) calculations indicate undersaturation with respect to NiCO 3 and NiSO 4·7H 2O, but oversaturation with respect to β-Ni(OH) 2. The latter result is probably due to the omission of Ni borate and Ni silicate complexes in the speciation calculations, for which formation constants are not available. With the help of estimation techniques, we could infer that such complexes would dominate the Ni speciation and consequently reduce the SI below the saturation of β-Ni(OH) 2. The μ-XRF maps show that Cs is uniformly distributed in the MW glass, since no region with high Cs concentration could be detected. The Cs L III-edge μ-XAS spectra were all very similar independently of the degree of alteration, indicating similar coordination environments of Cs in the core regions of the glass as well as in the secondary clays. These spectra largely differ from that measured for pollucite (a potential secondary Cs-phase in altered glasses) implying that the coordination environments of Cs in the MW glass and in pollucite are fundamentally different. The present study shows that μ-XRF and μ-XAS are essential tools in determining the fate and the retention mechanisms of radionuclides released from nuclear waste during aqueous alteration. Our spectroscopic analyses allowed us to exclude formation of specific Ni and Cs secondary solids (e.g. nepouite, β-Ni(OH) 2, pollucite) during the aqueous alteration. Ni and Cs are instead distributed as trace elements in the alteration phases formed by major elements during the leaching process. Our results imply that solid solution and/or adsorption equilibria, rather than pure phase solubility equilibria, are the adequate chemical models to determine Ni and Cs aqueous concentrations in performance assessments for radioactive waste repositories.

Sediment studies at Bikini Atoll part 3. Inventories of some long-lived gamma-emitting radionuclides associated with lagoon surface sediments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Noshkin, V.E.

1997-12-01

Surface sediment samples were collected during 1979 from 87 locations in the lagoon at Bikini Atoll. The collections were made to better define the concentrations and distribution of long-lived radionuclides associated with the bottom material and to show what modifications occurred to the composition of the surface sediment from the nuclear testing program conducted by the United States at the Atoll between 1946 and 1958. This is the last of three reports on Bikini sediment studies. In this report, we discuss the concentrations and inventories of the residual long-lived gamma-emitting radionuclides in sediments from the lagoon. The gamma-emitting radionuclides detectedmore » most frequently in sediments collected in 1979, in addition to Americium-241 ({sup 241}Am) (discussed in the second report of this series), included Cesium-137 ({sup 137}Cs), Bismuth-207 ({sup 207}Bi), Europium-155 ({sup 155}Eu), and Cobalt-60 ({sup 60}Co). Other man-made, gamma-emitting radionuclides such as Europium-152,154 ({sup 152,154}Eu), Antimony-125 ({sup 125}Sb), and Rhodium-101,102m ({sup 101,102m}Rh) were occasionally measured above detection limits in sediments near test site locations. The mean inventories for {sup 137}Cs, {sup 207}Ei, {sup 155}Eu, and {sup 60}Co in the surface 4 cm of the lagoon sediment to be 1.7, 0.56, 7.76, and 0.74 TBq, respectively. By June 1997, radioactive decay would reduce these values to 1.1, 0.38, 0.62, and 0.07 TBq, respectively. Some additional loss results from a combination of different processes that continuously mobilize and return some amount of the radionuclides to the water column. The water and dissolved constituents are removed from the lagoon through channels and exchange with the surface waters of the north equatorial Pacific Ocean. Highest levels of these radionuclides are found in surface deposits lagoonward of the Bravo Crater. Lowest concentrations and inventories are associated with sediment lagoonward of the eastern reef. The quantities in the 0-4 cm surface layer are estimated to be less than 35% of the total inventory to depth in the sediment column.« less

The role of sedimentology, oceanography, and alteration on the δ56Fe value of the Sokoman Iron Formation, Labrador Trough, Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raye, Urmidola; Pufahl, Peir K.; Kyser, T. Kurtis; Ricard, Estelle; Hiatt, Eric E.

2015-09-01

The Sokoman Formation is a ca. 100-m-thick succession of interbedded iron formation and fine-grained siliciclastics deposited at 1.88 Ga. Accumulation occurred on a dynamic paleoshelf where oxygen stratification, coastal upwelling of hydrothermally derived Fe and Si, microbial processes, tide and storm currents, diagenesis, and low-grade prehnite-pumpellyite metamorphism controlled lithofacies character and produced complex associations of multigenerational chert, hematite, magnetite, greenalite, stilpnomelane and Fe carbonate. Hematite-rich facies were deposited along suboxic segments of the coastline where photosynthetic oxygen oases impinged on the seafloor. Hematitic, cross-stratified grainstones were formed by winnowing and reworking of freshly precipitated Fe-(oxyhydr)oxide and opal-A by waves and currents into subaqueous dunes. Magnetite-rich facies contain varying proportions of greenalite and stilpnomelane and record deposition in anoxic middle shelf environments beneath an oxygen chemocline. Minor negative Ce anomalies in hematitic facies, but prominent positive Ce and Eu anomalies and high LREE/HREE ratios in magnetite-rich facies imply the existence of a weakly oxygenated surface ocean above anoxic bottom waters. The Fe isotopic composition of 31 whole rock (-0.46 ⩽ δ56Fe ⩽ 0.47‰) and 21 magnetite samples (-0.29 ⩽ δ56Fe ⩽ 0.22‰) from suboxic and anoxic lithofacies was controlled primarily by the physical oceanography of the paleoshelf. Despite low-grade metamorphism recorded by the δ18O values of paragenetically related quartz and magnetite, the Sokoman Formation preserves a robust primary Fe isotopic signal. Coastal upwelling is interpreted to have affected the isotopic equilibria between Fe2+aq and Fe-(oxyhydr)oxide in open marine versus coastal environments, which controlled the Fe isotopic composition of lithofacies. Unlike previous work that focuses on microbial and abiotic fractionation processes with little regard for paleoenvironment, our work demonstrates that depositional setting is paramount in governing the Fe isotopic composition of iron formations irrespective of what Fe-bearing minerals precipitated.

Focus on superconducting properties of iron chalcogenides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takano, Yoshihiko

2012-10-01

Since the discovery of iron-based superconductors, much attention has been given to the exploration of new superconducting compounds. Numerous superconducting iron compounds have been found and categorized into five groups: LnFeAsO (Ln = lanthanide), BaFe2As2, KFeAs, FeSe and FeAs with perovskite blocking layers. Among them, FeSe has the simplest crystal structure. Since the crystal structure is composed of only superconducting Fe layers, the FeSe family must be the best material to investigate the mechanism of iron-based superconductivity. FeSe shows very strong pressure effects. The superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of FeSe is approximately 8 K at ambient pressure. However Tc dramatically increases up to 37 K under applied pressure of 4-6 GPa. This is the third highest Tc value among binary superconductors, surpassed only by CsC60 under pressure (Tc = 38 K) and MgB2 (Tc = 39 K). On the other hand, despite FeTe having a crystal structure analogous to that of FeSe, FeTe shows antiferromagnetic properties without superconductivity. Doping of small ions, either Se or S, however, can induce superconductivity in FeTe1-xSex or FeTe1-xSx . The superconductivity is very weak for small x values, and annealing under certain conditions is required to obtain strong superconductivity, for instance annealing in oxygen or alcoholic beverages such as red wine. The following selection of papers describe many important experimental and theoretical studies on iron chalcogenide superconductors including preparation of single crystals, bulk samples and thin films; NMR measurements; photoemission spectroscopy; high-pressure studies; annealing effects and research on new BiS2-based superconductors. I hope this focus issue will help researchers understand the frontiers of iron chalcogenide superconductors and assist in the discovery of new phenomena related to iron-based superconductivity.

Crystallochemical studies on davidite from Bichun, Jaipur District, Rajasthan, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Yamuna; Saxena, Anubhooti; Bhatt, A. K.; Viswanathan, R.; Shaji, T. S.; Nanda, L. K.

2018-02-01

Crystallochemical data on metamict davidite from albitites and albitised rocks from the Bichun area (Jaipur district, Rajasthan, India) of Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC) are provided. Davidite occurs as euhedral, subhedral to anhedral crystals in the form of disseminated grains and also as fracture filled veins. The crystals of davidite are up to 8 cm in length and 6 cm in width. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the heat-treated davidite (at 900{°}C) reveals well-defined reflections of crystallographic planes. The calculated unit-cell parameters of the heat treated davidite are: a0 = b0 = 10.3556 Å and c0 = 20.9067 Å, with unit-cell volume (V) = 1941.6385 Å3; and α=β= 90° and γ= 120°, which are in agreement with the values of davidite standard. Geochemical data reveals that the investigated davidite contains 51.5-52.6% TiO2, 14.8-15.1% Fe2 O3, 9.8-10.2% FeO, 6.97-7.12% U3 O8, 6.72-6.92% RE2 O3, 3.85-3.61% K2O, 0.9-1.4% Al2 O3, and 0.8-1.2% SiO2. The calculated structural formulae of the two davidite crystals are: D-1: K_{0.0044/0.004} Ba_{0.0044/0.005} Ca_{0.20/0.20} Na_{0.012/0.012} Mn_{0.053/0.053} Mg_{0.14/0.14} Pb_{0.0076/0.008} Fe_{2.675/2.675} Fe_{1.59/1.59} Y_{0.1175/0.118} P_{0.053/0.053} Nb_{0.008/0.008} Sn_{0.001/0.001} Zr_{0.033/0.033} U_{0.468/0.468} Th_{0.009/0.009} REE_{0.6829/0.683})_{6.05/6.05} (Ti_{12.15/12.15} Fe_{1.9022/1.903} Si_{0.372/0.372} Al_{0.517/0.517} Cr_{0.018/0.018} Co_{0.009/0.009} Ni_{0.027/0.027})_{15/15} O_{36/36} (OH_{0.319/0.319[]1.681/1.681})_{2/2} and D-2: (K_{0.004/0.004} Ba_{0.005/0.005} Ca_{0.20/0.20} Na_{0.012/0.012} Mn_{0.05/0.05} Mg_{0.094/0.094} Pb_{0.007/0.007} Fe_{2.58/2.58} Fe_{1.71/1.71} Y_{0.112/0.112} P_{0.106/0.106} Nb_{0.006/0.006} Sn_{0.001/0.001} Zr_{0.03/0.03} U_{0.48/0.48} Th_{0.009/0.009} REE_{0.665/0.665})_{6.088/6.088} (Ti_{12.48/12.48} Fe_{1.87/1.87} Si_{0.249/0.249} Al_{0.334/0.334} Cr_{0.019/0.019} Co_{0.008/0.008} Ni_{0.04/0.04})_{15/15} O_{36/36} (OH_{0.098/0.098[]1.90/1.90})_{2/2}. The calculated structural formulae are not fully stoichiometric, which could be due to metamict nature of davidite. The characteristic feature of distribution pattern of REE in davidite is unusually high concentration of LREE and HREE and substantially low content of MREE. It may be due to the occupation of REEs in two distinct crystallographic sites in davidite structure, i.e., M(1) and M(O) sites. Chondrite-normalised plot of davidite reveals a pronounced negative Eu-anomaly (Eu/Eu^{*} = 0.30{-}0.39), which suggests extremely fractionated nature of the metasomatising fluids from which davidite had crystallized. Metamict davidite-bearing U ores not only from Rajasthan, but also from other parts of India are likely to yield very high U leachability, thereby making them attractive sources of U, which otherwise are ignored by mineral engineers as uneconomic U ores.

Impact of radionuclide spatial variability on groundwater quality downstream from a shallow waste burial in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, H. L.; de Fouquet, C.; Courbet, C.; Simonucci, C. A.

2016-12-01

The effects of spatial variability of hydraulic parameters and initial groundwater plume localization on the possible extent of groundwater pollution plumes have already been broadly studied. However, only a few studies, such as Kjeldsen et al. (1995), take into account the effect of source term spatial variability. We explore this question with the 90Sr migration modeling from a shallow waste burial located in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone to the underlying sand aquifer. Our work is based upon groundwater sampled once or twice a year since 1995 until 2015 from about 60 piezometers and more than 3,000 137Cs soil activity measurements. These measurements were taken in 1999 from one of the trenches dug after the explosion of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the so-called "T22 Trench", where radioactive waste was buried in 1987. The geostatistical analysis of 137Cs activity data in soils from Bugai et al. (2005) is first reconsidered to delimit the trench borders using georadar data as a covariable and to perform geostatistical simulations in order to evaluate the uncertainties of this inventory. 90Sr activity in soils is derived from 137Cs/154Eu and 90Sr/154Eu activity ratios in Chernobyl hot fuel particles (Bugai et al., 2003). Meanwhile, a coupled 1D non saturated/3D saturated transient transport model is constructed under the MELODIE software (IRSN, 2009). The previous 90Sr transport model developed by Bugai et al. (2012) did not take into account the effect of water table fluctuations highlighted by Van Meir et al. (2007) which may cause some discrepancies between model predictions and field observations. They are thus reproduced on a 1D vertical non saturated model. The equiprobable radionuclide localization maps produced by the geostatistical simulations are selected to illustrate different heterogeneities in the radionuclide inventory and are implemented in the 1D model. The obtained activity fluxes from all the 1D vertical models are then injected in a 3D saturated transient model to assess the extent of the radionuclide plume in the groundwater and its most likely evolution over time by taking into account uncertainties associated with the source term spatial variability.

[Monitoring plan of environmental contaminants in sheep milk from areas next to an Italian contaminated site named «Aree industriali di Porto Torres e discarica di Calancoi» (Industrial areas of Porto Torres and landfill of Calancoi) in Sardinia Region (Southern Italy)].

PubMed

Sgarangella, Francesco; Bitti, Giuseppe; Suelzu, Maria Caterina; Desini, Pietro; Piras, Patrizia; Fiori, Gianuario; Cossu, Maurizio; Chessa, Giannina

2016-01-01

to assess concentration levels of dioxins, PCBs, and chemical elements in sheep milk produced in areas close to the Italian contaminated site (CS) located in the North-West of Sardinia (Southern Italy), named «Aree industriali di Porto Torres e discarica di Calancoi» (i.e., industrial areas of Porto Torres and landfill of Calancoi). monitoring plan of environmental contaminants on zootechnical productions based on analysis of dioxins, PCBs, heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Pb), and other elements (As, Be, Cr, Ni, Tl , Zn) in sheep bulk milk. 60 samples of sheep bulk milk were collected in rural farms where animals were fed mainly with forage and feed produced in the CS: 30 samples from farms located near the industrial area of Porto Torres and 30 taken from farms spread out the landfill area of Calancoi, a former waste dump in the East of Sassari city. the concentration levels of target substances were determined and compared to legal thresholds fixed on EU regulations. concentrations of target substances in all samples were below the maximum limits set by EU regulations. Dioxins and DL-PCBs (expressed as the sum) were in the range 0.20-1.30 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat, NDL-PCB (sum of the six marker congeners) were in the range 0.50-7.50 ng/g, while concentrations of all heavy metals were not detectable or were near the limit of quantitation of the method. Undetectable concentrations were also observed for the toxic elements beryllium and thallium. concentration levels of micro-pollutants in milk samples were significantly lower than the legal thresholds. Concentrations and congener profiles showed no relevant differences compared to milk samples from areas with low environmental impact, therefore consumption of milk from the studied area do not produce a higher intake of contaminants respect to the regional milk. The results of this study do not make the resident population safe from health risks caused by critical issue of the CS, but provide information limited to the safety of the milk from these areas, without showing peculiar contamination and hazard for food from local sheep farms.

Datação do disco galáctico pela nucleocosmocronologia do [Th/Eu

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

del Peloso, E. F.; da Silva, L.; Arany-Prado, L. I.

2003-08-01

A nucleocosmocronologia emprega abundâncias de nuclídeos radioativos na datação de escalas de tempo astrofísicas. O 232Th é um nuclídeo radioativo com meia-vida de 14 Gano, enquanto que os dois isótopos mais abundantes do Eu são estáveis. O decaimento radioativo do Th modifica as razões de abundâncias [Th/Eu], fornecendo assim um meio de sondar a escala de formação das populações estelares. O objetivo deste trabalho é averiguar a possibilidade de estimar uma idade para o disco Galáctico através da nucleocosmocronologia do [Th/Eu] e investigar o nível de incerteza associado a esta estimativa. Para tanto, foi selecionada uma amostra de 20 estrelas anãs ou subgigantes de tipos espectrais F5 a G9, com -1,00 £ [Fe/H] £ +0,30 e idade(Gano) £ 13. As abundâncias de Th e Eu foram obtidas por síntese espectral das linhas localizadas em 4019,1 Å e 4129,7 Å, respectivamente. Uma comparação destas abundâncias com outros resultados da literatura demonstra que nossos valores apresentam dispersão 2 a 3 vezes menor que qualquer trabalho anterior. Os parâmetros atmosféricos e abundâncias dos elementos que contaminam as regiões espectrais destas linhas foram determinados por nós, de maneira totalmente autoconsistente, através de análise espectral detalhada diferencial em relação ao Sol. As idades estelares individuais foram determinadas através de curvas isócronas teóricas no diagrama HR. Foi realizada, então, uma análise cronológica dos gráficos [Th/Eu] vs. [Fe/H] e [Th/Eu] vs. idade. Os dados estelares foram comparados a curvas calculadas para 3 idades do disco Galáctico - 9, 12, 15 Gano - e foi estudada a sensibilidade à idade assumida no cálculo do ajuste destas curvas aos dados. Estas curvas foram calculadas com base num modelo analítico de evolução química da Galáxia que leva em consideração a formação de refugos, que são compostos pelos remanescentes da evolução estelar, pelos resíduos da formação de estrelas de baixa massa (planetas, cometas, etc.) e por quaisquer outros objetos de massa não-estelar. A formação de resíduos tem o efeito indireto de diluir o meio interestelar, levando a um enriquecimento mais lento deste e a um bom ajuste de diversos vínculos da evolução química da Galáxia, como a distribuição de anãs-G e a relação idade-metalicidade. Os efeitos da destruição do Th por reações fotonucleares em interiores estelares também foram considerados.

Mobility of 137Cs in freshwater lakes: A mass balance and diffusion study of Lake St. Clair, Southeast Michigan, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jinlong; Baskaran, Mark; Niedermiller, John

2017-12-01

Cesium-137 is one of the most widely utilized anthropogenic radionuclides, both as a tracer and chronometer in the environment. Its application as an effective chronometer requires a thorough understanding of its geochemical behavior in aqueous systems. In this study, we collected and analyzed a suite of time-series water samples over a period of 8 months (April - November 2015), for particulate and dissolved 137Cs activities from a watershed in southeast Michigan, USA, using Cu2Fe(CN)6-coated cartridges developed to pre-concentrate dissolved 137Cs. We also conducted a series of laboratory experiments with the natural freshwater sediment samples and water with different chemical composition. There were seasonal variations of both particulate and dissolved 137Cs activities in the watersheds of Lake St. Clair. The distribution coefficients of 137Cs determined over a period of 8 months varied between 0.14 × 105 and 6.1 × 105 mL g-1 (mean: 2.9 × 105 mL g-1). The annual input and export flux of total 137Cs activity via rivers into and out of Lake St. Clair were calculated to be 3.6 × 1010 Bq and 1.6 × 1010 Bq, respectively. The amount of 137Cs derived by diffusion from interstitial pore water to the water column was estimated to be 0.30 × 1010 Bq (8.3% of the total input flux) which is similar to the percentage of 137Cs desorption (13%-20%) from sediment placed in oxic soft water system over a period of 30-106 days. For the same concentrations of NH4+, Mn2+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+ and Sr2+ in a distilled water, our lab work showed that the sediment-sorbed 137Cs is displaced by ions in the order NH4+ > Mn2+ > K+ > Mg2+ ≈ Ca2+ > Na+ > Sr2+. In laboratory studies, 137Cs sorbed onto sediment was found to be less mobile in oxic soft water (Kd: 2.0 × 103 mL g-1) and more mobile in anoxic soft water (Kd: 0.2 × 103 mL g-1). In a hard water system, however, there is no significant difference in Kd values for both oxic and anoxic conditions. The sequence of Kd values is: oxic soft water > oxic hard water > anoxic hard water > anoxic soft water. The desorption experiments with 137Cs-sorbed sediments also confirmed that 137Cs is much more mobile in soft water than hard water. This mobility of 137Cs under oxic hard water system makes sedimentation rate estimation by 137Cs (based on the time the introduction of 137Cs) problematic in some soft water lakes, and estuarine and coastal waters.

Synthesis, photophysical analysis, and in vitro cytotoxicity assessment of the multifunctional (magnetic and luminescent) core@shell nanomaterial based on lanthanide-doped orthovanadates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szczeszak, Agata; Ekner-Grzyb, Anna; Runowski, Marcin; Mrówczyńska, Lucyna; Grzyb, Tomasz; Lis, Stefan

2015-03-01

Rare earths orthovanadates (REVO4) doped with luminescent lanthanide ions (Ln3+) play an important role as promising light-emitting materials. Gadolinium orthovanadate exhibits strong absorption of ultraviolet radiation and as a matrix doped with Eu3+ ions is well known for its efficient and intense red emission, induced by energy transfer from the VO4 3- groups to Eu3+ ions. In the presented study, Fe3O4@SiO2@GdVO4:Eu3+ 5 % nanomaterial was investigated. The core@shell structures demonstrate attractive properties, such as higher thermal stability, enhanced water solubility, increased optical response, higher luminescence, longer decay times, and magnetic properties. Silica coating may protect nanocrystals from the surrounding environment. Therefore, such silica-covered nanoparticles (NPs) are successfully utilized in biomedical research. Multifunctional magnetic nanophosphors are very interesting due to their potential biomedical applications such as magnetic resonance imaging, hyperthermic treatment, and drug delivery. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate photophysical, chemical, and biological properties of multifunctional REVO4 doped with Ln3+. Moreover, the studied NPs did not affect erythrocyte sedimentation rate, cell membrane permeability, and morphology of human red blood cells.

Multifunctional nanocomposites of lanthanide (Eu3+, Tb3+) complexes functionalized magnetic mesoporous silica nanospheres covalently bonded with polymer modified ZnO.

PubMed

Yan, Bing; Shao, Yan-Fei

2013-07-14

Methacrylic-group-modified ZnO nanoparticles (designated ZnO-MAA) prepared through the sol-gel process are copolymerized with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) to form ZnO-MAA-PHEMA hybrid system. ZnO-MAA-PHEMA unit is functionalized with 3-(triethoxysilyl)-propyl isocyanate (TEPIC) to form ZnO-MAA-PHEMA-Si hybrids, and then is incorporated with oleic acid-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles by co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and ZnO-MAA-PHEMA-Si. Subsequently, ZnO-polymer covalently bonded mesoporous silica nanospheres are assembled using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant as template. Furthermore, lanthanide (Eu(3+), Tb(3+)) complexes with nicotinic acid (NTA), isonicotinic acid (INTA) and 2-chloronicotinic (CNTA) are introduced by coordination bonds, resulting in the final multifunctional nanocomposites. The detailed physical characterization of these hybrids is discussed in detail. It reveals that they possess both magnetic and luminescent properties. Especially Eu(ZnO-MMS)(CNTA)3 and Tb(ZnO-MMS)(NTA)3 present high quantum yield values of 32.2% and 68.5%, respectively. The results will lay the foundation for further application in biomedical and biopharmaceutical fields.

Mineral composition of commonly consumed ethnic foods in Europe

PubMed Central

Khokhar, Santosh; Garduño-Diaz, Sara D.; Marletta, Luisa; Shahar, Danit R.; Ireland, Jane D.; Jansen-van der Vliet, Martine; de Henauw, Stefaan

2012-01-01

Background Ethnic foods are an integral part of food consumption in Europe contributing towards the overall nutrient intake of the population. Food composition data on these foods are crucial for assessing nutrient intake, providing dietary advice and preventing diseases. Objective To analyse selected minerals in authentic and modified ethnic foods commonly consumed in seven EU member states and Israel. Design A list of ethnic foods commonly consumed in selected European countries was generated, primary samples collected and composite sample prepared for each food, which were analysed for dietary minerals at accredited laboratories. Methods for sampling, analysis, data scrutiny and documentation were based on harmonised procedures. Results New data on 128 ethnic foods were generated for inclusion in the national databases of seven EU countries and Israel within the European Food Information Resource (EuroFIR), an EU Network of Excellence. The Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, Mn, Cl, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se and I contents of 39 foods is presented for the first time in this study. Conclusion The data will serve as an important tool in future national and international food consumption surveys, to target provision of dietary advice, facilitate implementation of policies and inform policymakers, health workers, food industry and researchers. PMID:22768018

Emission line models for the lowest mass core-collapse supernovae - I. Case study of a 9 M⊙ one-dimensional neutrino-driven explosion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jerkstrand, A.; Ertl, T.; Janka, H.-T.; Müller, E.; Sukhbold, T.; Woosley, S. E.

2018-03-01

A large fraction of core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe), 30-50 per cent, are expected to originate from the low-mass end of progenitors with MZAMS = 8-12 M⊙. However, degeneracy effects make stellar evolution modelling of such stars challenging, and few predictions for their supernova light curves and spectra have been presented. Here, we calculate synthetic nebular spectra of a 9 M⊙ Fe CCSN model exploded with the neutrino mechanism. The model predicts emission lines with FWHM ˜ 1000 km s-1, including signatures from each deep layer in the metal core. We compare this model to the observations of the three subluminous IIP SNe with published nebular spectra; SN 1997D, SN 2005cs and SN 2008bk. The predictions of both line profiles and luminosities are in good agreement with SN 1997D and SN 2008bk. The close fit of a model with no tuning parameters provides strong evidence for an association of these objects with low-mass Fe CCSNe. For SN 2005cs, the interpretation is less clear, as the observational coverage ended before key diagnostic lines from the core had emerged. We perform a parametrized study of the amount of explosively made stable nickel, and find that none of these three SNe show the high 58Ni/56Ni ratio predicted by current models of electron capture SNe (ECSNe) and ECSN-like explosions. Combined with clear detection of lines from O and He shell material, these SNe rather originate from Fe core progenitors. We argue that the outcome of self-consistent explosion simulations of low-mass stars, which gives fits to many key observables, strongly suggests that the class of subluminous Type IIP SNe is the observational counterpart of the lowest mass CCSNe.