Synthesis and luminescence of Sr2CeO4 fine particles

Fine particles of a blue emission phosphor Sr₂CeO₄ have been synthesized using a chemical co-precipitation technique, and the textual and luminescent properties were compared with the one synthesized by the conventional solid-state reaction method. Particle size and distribution of the Sr₂CeO₄ fine powder prepared by the co-precipitation process were smaller and narrower than those obtained by the samples prepared from the conventional one. The emission intensity of the fine particles was equal to that of the larger particles prepared from the solid-state reaction, on the contrary to the general tendency that emission intensity decrease with particle size reduction. Although no Ce³⁺ peaks were observed in EPR measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectra of the samples clearly elucidated the existence of Ce³⁺ only on the surface of Sr₂CeO₄.     

Interface and layer thickness dependence of the effective mass in InAs/GaSb superlattices studied by high field cyclotron resonance

The effective mass has been studied in a series of semiconducting and semimetallic InAs/GaSb superlattices as a function of superlattice period and band gap. The mass is found to be determined almost entirely by the superlattice period, and is relatively insensitive to both the ratio of the InAs to GaSb thickness, and the structure of the interface layer, which was grown as both a monolayer of InSb and GaAs. Using pulsed magnetic fields of up to 180 T it was possible to observe spin-split cyclotron resonance at room temperature for all samples studied. On cooling the spin-splitting was found to be temperature dependent. This is attributed to the importance of electron-electron interactions which couple the two spin transitions as observed recently in high purity GaAs/GaAlAs heterojunctions at low temperatures.     

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia with repeated respiratory failure associated with leukocytosis following splenic arterial embolization and splenectomy

A 32-year-old female was admitted due to splenomegaly and leukocytosis in September, 1993. The leukocyte count was 26,900/microliter with 29% monocytes (7,800/microliter). A diagnosis of the chronic phase of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia was made. On November 19, 1993, splenic arterial embolization was performed. After the embolization, the leukocyte count rapidly increased, and acute respiratory failure developed. The respiratory condition was improved by methylprednisolone (m-PRED) pulse therapy. Subsequently, the effectiveness of chemotherapy gradually decreased, and there was an increase in the leukocyte count. Respiratory failure developed again but was successfully treated with m-PRED pulse therapy in addition to aclarubicin. On July 4, 1995, splenectomy was performed. The leukocyte count rapidly increased, and acute respiratory failure again developed. She did not respond to m-PRED pulse therapy, but the respiratory condition was markedly improved by leukoplasmapheresis. The respiratory failure in this patient may be associated with capillary leak syndrome due to neutrophilia. In addition, stasis of increased monocytes in the pulmonary capillaries and their infiltration into the pulmonary parenchyma and alveoli was thought to have occurred.     

Novel Pt/La1−xBixOF/SBA-16 catalysts for liquid-phase phenol oxidation

Novel catalysts of Pt/La_1−xBi_xOF/SBA-16 (SBA-16: Santa Barbara Amorphous No. 16) were synthesized, and their catalytic activities for phenol decomposition in the liquid phase were investigated. Lanthanum oxyfluoride (LaOF) was selected as the promoter due to its contribution to the smooth migration of oxygen species in the lattice and the acceleration of phenol adsorption on the catalyst surface. Reducible Bi³⁺ ions were introduced in the LaOF lattice to provide oxygen supply ability to LaOF. Among the prepared catalysts, the highest activity was obtained for the 7 wt% Pt/16 wt% La_0.99Bi_0.01OF/SBA-16 catalyst, which could remove 97% of phenol after 5 h of reaction at 80°C in an open-air atmosphere.     

A carbon dioxide gas sensor by combination of multivalent cation and anion conductors with a water-insoluble oxycarbonate-based auxiliary electrode

A compact and inexpensive carbon dioxide gas sensor was successfully realized by the combination of a divalent magnesium ionic conductor of Mg0.7(Zr0.85Nb0.15)4P6O24 and a divalent oxide anion conducting ZrO2-Y2O3 solid electrolyte with the water-insoluble Li- and Ba-codoped Nd2O2CO3 solid solution as the auxiliary electrode. The sensor response was continuous and reproducible, and the present sensor also demonstrated a theoretical Nernst response in the atmosphere where water vapor, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, etc., coexist. The exposure of the present sensor to water dew and variation in oxygen concentration does not interfere with the sensor response, which will be a great advantage in applying the in situ practical CO2 detection in combustion exhaust gas atmospheres.     

Feasibility of using U to reconstruct close-in fallout deposition from the Hiroshima atomic bomb

The first results on the feasibility of using ²³⁶U to reconstruct the level and spatial distribution of close-in fallout deposition from the Hiroshima A-bomb are reported, coupled with the use of global fallout ¹³⁷Cs and ^239 + 240Pu. The results for global fallout ²³⁶U in soil samples (0-30 cm) from Ishikawa prefecture showed that the deposition density of ²³⁶U from the global fallout can be accurately evaluated using AMS. All deposited ²³⁶U, ¹³⁷Cs and ^239 + 240Pu appeared to have been recovered using 30-cm cores. It was also noted from the depth profiles for ²³⁶U/^239 + 240Pu and ²³⁶U/¹³⁷Cs ratios that the downward behavior of ²³⁶U in the soil was apparently similar to that of ^239 + 240Pu, while the ¹³⁷Cs was liable to be retained in upper layers compared with ²³⁶U and ^239 + 240Pu. The accumulated levels were 1.78 × 10¹³ atoms m^− 2 for ²³⁶U, 4340 Bq m^− 2 for ¹³⁷Cs and 141 Bq m^− 2 for ^239 + 240Pu. The ratios of ²³⁶U/¹³⁷Cs and ²³⁶U/^239 + 240Pu were (4.10 ± 0.12) × 10⁹ and (1.26 ± 0.04) × 10¹¹ atoms Bq^− 1, respectively. Results of ²³⁶U, ¹³⁷Cs and ^239 + 240Pu measurements for the seven soil cores (0-30 cm) from Hiroshima were discussed on the basis of ratios of ²³⁶U/¹³⁷Cs and ²³⁶U/^239 + 240Pu by comparing with those from the background area in Ishikawa, indicating that the global fallout dominates the current level of ²³⁶U accumulation in soil in the Black-rain area around Hiroshima after the Hiroshima bomb, and the contribution of the close-in fallout ²³⁶U produced by the Hiroshima A-bomb seems difficult to observe.     

Nanoparticle formation in H2O/N2 and H2O/Ar mixtures under irradiation by 20 MeV protons and positive corona discharge

To investigate the contribution of ions to gas nucleation, we have performed experiments on the formation of water droplets in H₂O/N₂ and H₂O/Ar gas mixtures by irradiation with a 20 MeV proton beam and by positive corona discharge. The size of the formed nanoparticles was measured using a differential mobility analyzer equipped with a Faraday cup electrometer. Using the proton beam, droplets around 10 nm in diameter were observed for both positively and negatively charged particles, but none were found when the corona discharge was used. This implies the importance of the presence of both positive and negative ions for the formation of nanosize droplets, which attract each other by Coulomb interactions, enhancing the collision frequency and leading to the formation of the 10 nm droplets.     

Estimation of daily intake of phenols in hospital meal samples

Daily intakes of 12 phenols which are possible endocrine disruptors were estimated in hospital meals from 2000 to 2001. 4-Nonylphenol (4-NP (mix)) and bisphenol A (BPA) were detected at levels of 5.0 to 19.4 ng/g and 0.2 to 1.1 ng/g, respectively. 4-tert-Butylphenol, 4-n-pentylphenol, 4 -tert-pentylphenol, 4-n-hexylphenol, 4-n-heptylphenol and 4-tert-octylphenol were detected at levels of 0.1 to 2.4 microg/g. The daily intakes of 4-NP (mix) and BPA were 5.8 microg/day and 0.42 microg/day, respectively. The daily intakes of other phenols were less than 1 microg/day.