Random laser action of ZnO@mesoporous silicas

ZnO@mesoporous silica nanocomposite was prepared by the impregnation method, and very efficient laser action was highlighted. As revealed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), nanometric ZnO particles are confined inside the mesochannels of CMI-1 mesoporous silicas. Upon excitation at 3.6?eV of a femtosecond pulsed laser and at low pumping intensity, the ZnO@mesoporous silica showed a broad photoluminescence (PL) band corresponding to the excitonic recombination of ZnO. When the pumping intensity is increased up to a threshold (2.5?mJ?cm(-2)), the excitonic emission turns to stimulated emission through a mechanism which will be discussed. The same threshold value was obtained with another excitation source and nanocomposites with different ZnO loadings inside the CMI-1 mesoporous silica. These results allow a better understanding of the random laser effect in ZnO@mesoporous silica and, consequently, a model has been proposed to explain this phenomenon. Based on these new observations, many new applications can be considered since short-wavelength devices are required by industry to design new information storage supports.     

Carbon nanotubes in macrophages: imaging and chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence microscopy

X-ray fluorescence microscopy (microXRF) is applied for the first time to study macrophages exposed to unpurified and purified single-walled (SW) and multiwalled (MW) carbon nanotubes (CNT). Investigating chemical elemental distributions allows one to (i) image nanotube localization within a cell and (ii) detect chemical modification of the cell after CNT internalization. An excess of calcium is detected for cells exposed to unpurified SWCNT and MWCNT and related toxicological assays are discussed.     

Identification of ritual blood in African artifacts using TOF-SIMS and synchrotron radiation microspectroscopies

A new protocol is implemented to demonstrate the presence of blood in the patina of African art objects from Mali. Divided into three steps, the protocol first consists in demonstrating the presence of proteins and localizing them in the sample's cross sections using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) and synchrotron-based infrared microspectrometry (microFT-IR). In a second time, TOF-SIMS is used to investigate heme, which is a blood marker. If heme is missing, which could mean that it is too degraded to be detected, X-ray microfluorescence (microXRF) and X-ray absorption near-edge microspectroscopy (microXANES) are used to prove the presence of iron in the protein area and to get a fingerprint of its chemical environment. This permits us thus to demonstrate that iron is indeed linked with proteins and not with mineral phases of the sample. Coupled with the ritual context of the objects, this constitutes a proof of the use of blood. Thanks to this protocol, which has the major advantage of avoiding false positive results, the presence of blood has been demonstrated in seven out of the eight studied samples.     

Influence of laser wavelength on activation of ZrO2 ceramics for electroless metal plating

Experimental results are presented on modifications of the surface properties of ZrO₂ ceramics exposed in air to radiation of either a KrF laser (λ=248 nm) or an ArF laser (λ=193 nm) with a pulse duration of 15–20 ns. The modifications of their diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) are studied as a function of the laser beam parameters. The ablated parts of ZrO₂ take on the ability to reduce metals (Cu or Ni) from their respective electroless plating solutions. The electrolessly deposited metal can be patterned via local annealing of the ablated areas with the help of a CW laser, either Ar⁺ or CO₂. The catalytic activity of laser-treated ZrO₂ ceramics towards the electroless deposition of metals is discussed from the viewpoint of the formation of an oxygen-deficient surface under laser ablation. The possibility of ZrO₂ activation for electroless metal deposition using a scanning beam of a low-power CO₂ laser is demonstrated. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Visualization of a lost painting by Vincent van Gogh using synchrotron radiation based X-ray fluorescence elemental mapping

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), one of the founding fathers of modern painting, is best known for his vivid colors, his vibrant painting style, and his short but highly productive career. His productivity is even higher than generally realized, as many of his known paintings cover a previous composition. This is thought to be the case in one-third of his early period paintings. Van Gogh would often reuse the canvas of an abandoned painting and paint a new or modified composition on top. These hidden paintings offer a unique and intimate insight into the genesis of his works. Yet, current museum-based imaging tools are unable to properly visualize many of these hidden images. We present the first-time use of synchrotron radiation based X-ray fluorescence mapping, applied to visualize a woman's head hidden under the work Patch of Grass by Van Gogh. We recorded decimeter-scale, X-ray fluorescence intensity maps, reflecting the distribution of specific elements in the paint layers. In doing so we succeeded in visualizing the hidden face with unprecedented detail. In particular, the distribution of Hg and Sb in the red and light tones, respectively, enabled an approximate color reconstruction of the flesh tones. This reconstruction proved to be the missing link for the comparison of the hidden face with Van Gogh's known paintings. Our approach literally opens up new vistas in the nondestructive study of hidden paint layers, which applies to the oeuvre of Van Gogh in particular and to old master paintings in general.     

西西伯利亚盆地北部大气田的形成条件和分布规律

西西伯利亚含油气盆地是俄罗斯联邦面积最大、油气储量最大和产气量最高的一个含油气盆地,也是20世纪70年代以来世界上新开发的特大型含油气盆地之一。截至2007年年底,西西伯利亚盆地天然气的已发现可采储量为16.1×1012m3,其中未开发油气田中的储量占9.96×1012m3,未发现资源量为31.6×1012m3。以盆地中57个大气田的资料为基础,结合盆地的构造—沉积演化过程,应用含油气系统的研究思路与方法,通过综合分析盆地北部生、储、盖等油气成藏要素,认为上侏罗统巴热诺夫组及其相当的层系是西西伯利亚盆地北部最重要的生气层,其有机碳含量超过7%;白垩系顶部的赛诺曼阶砂岩是大多数大气田(80%的天然气)的储层,平均厚度达800m。盆地内发育了大量复杂的构造—地层圈闭,已发现的大气田主要分布在努尔明长垣、梅德韦日长垣等盆地北缘的隆起区。未来天然气勘探的主要目标与储量增长区仍是南喀拉—亚马尔、纳德姆—塔兹含油气省。     

Attentional control in normal aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Objective: Attentional control, the ability to maintain goal-directedness in the face of distraction, has been shown to decline in normal aging (NA) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet the nature and extent of deficits is under debate. This study investigated attentional control in NA and AD compared to healthy young adults in several tasks such as setting, suppressing, switching, and preparing attention. Method: Fifty-two participants (17 AD, 17 NA, and 18 young participants) underwent the Tower of London, the Zoo map test, the Stroop test, letter verbal fluency, a computerized version of the Rule shift cards tests, the Trail making test, the Plus-minus test, and a reaction time task with variable preparatory intervals. Results: Analyses of variance showed that NA as compared to young participants were impaired in the Tower of London, the Stroop test, and the Rule shift cards tests. AD as compared to NA participants were impaired in all tests except the Stroop test. Principal component analysis in young adults confirmed the modularity of attentional tasks, which was reduced in NA and AD participants. Principal component analysis in all populations showed a decline of attentional control with NA and AD regardless of the tasks, with an increase in between-participants variability only between young and NA participants. Conclusions: Attentional control dysfunction is different in NA and AD: NA affects suppressing attention, switching attention for unpredictable but not predictable events, and preparing attention for unpredictable events, whereas AD affects setting, suppressing, switching, and preparing attention with less specificity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

石油化工企业埋地钢管道区域性阴极保护技术

以某化工企业地下水管网追加区域性阴极保护实施过程为事例,对相关问题进行了探讨。包括对现场情况的详细调查,追加阴极保护方案设计以及方案实施等内容。     

徐家围子断陷深层不整合结构及其与天然气运移的关系

为了深入了解徐家围子断陷深层不整合结构及其与天然气运移的关系,利用地震、钻井资料对徐家围子断陷深层不整合结构和岩石物性进行了统计分析;结合已有勘探成果划分了不整合运移通道类型,对与不整合相关的天然气运移方式进行了总结.结果表明:火山岩是徐家围子断陷深层不整合的重要组成部分,火山岩半风化岩石的孔渗性远优于顶板岩石;徐家围子断陷深层不整合运移通道可以划分为2大类9亚类,火山岩作为半风化岩石时可以形成多种类型运移通道.与不整合相关的天然气运移模式可归纳为不整合直接运移、不整合与连通砂体组合运移、不整合与断裂组合运移及不整合与断裂、连通砂体组合运移4种类型,不整合与断裂组合运移是沙河子组排出烃类运移至营城组火山岩圈闭的主要输导方式.     

Enrichment mechanisms of rare earth elements in marine hydrogenic ferromanganese crusts

A series of selective extraction experiments were conducted on marine hydrogenic ferromanganese crusts from the seamount near the Line Island to investigate the distribution of rare earth elements(REEs) and the mechanisms of combination between REEs and the hydrogenic ferromanganese crusts.The enrichment of REEs in hydrogenic ferromanganese crusts is attributed mainly to the mineral or oxide/hydroxide of the crust rather than the growth environment.The REEs are present mainly in amorphous ferric oxide/hydro...