beta-delayed proton decays and spin assignments for Tb-140, Dy-141 and Dy-143

The proton-rich isotopes Tb-140 and Dy-141 were produced via the fusion evaporation reaction Ca-40+ Cd-106. Their beta-delayed proton decays were studied by p-gamma coincidence in combination with a He-jet tape transport system, and half-lives, proton energy spectra, gamma-transitions following the proton emission, as well as beta-delayed proton branching ratios to the low-lying states in the grand-daughter nuclei were determined. Comparing the experimental data with statistical model calculations, the ground-state spins of Tb-140 and Dy-141 were found to be consistent with 7 and 9/2, respectively. The configuration-constrained nuclear potential energy surfaces (NPES) of Tb-140 and Dy-141 were calculated using the Woods-Saxon-Strutinsky method, which suggest the ground-state spins and parities of Tb-140 and Dy-141 to be 7(+) and 9/2(-), respectively. In addition, the configuration-constrained NPES of Dy-143 were calculated, which predict a 1/2(+) ground state and a 11/2(-) isomer with excitation energy of 198 keV. These findings are consistent with our previous experimental data on Dy-143 reported in Eur. Phys. J. A 16, 347 (2003).

Melatonin modulates acute testicular damage induced by carbon ions in mice

The present study was performed to obtain evidence of the radioprotective function of melatonin at different administration levels on carbon ion-induced mouse testicular damage. Outbred Kun-Ming strain mice were divided into six groups, each composed of eight animals: control group, melatonin alone group, irradiation group and three melatonin plus irradiation-treated groups. An acute study was carried out to determine alterations in DNA-single strand break, cell apoptosis, and oxidative stress parameters as well as histopathology in mouse testis 24 h after whole-body irradiation with a single dose of 4 Gy Tie results showed that pre-treatment and post-treatment with high-dose melatonin (10 mg/kg) both significantly alleviated carbon ion-induced acute testicular damage, a greater radioprotective effect being observed in the pre-treatment group. On the other hand, low-dose melatonin (1 mg/kg) had a limited radioprotective effect on irradiation-induced degeneration and DNA lesions in mouse testis. Taken together, the data suggest that prophylactic treatment with a higher dose of melatonin is probably advisable to protect against the effects of heavy-ion irradiation.

Evaluation of sex specificity on oxidative stress induced in lungs of mice irradiated by C-12(6+) ions

The aim of this work is to identify if there is sex specificity on C-12(6+) ion-induced oxidative damage in mouse lung at different time points. Kun-Ming mice were divided into two groups, each composed of six males and six females: control group and irradiation group with a single acute dose of 4 Gy. Animals were sacrificed at 2, 4 and 12 h respectively, there lungs were removed immediately, and the oxidative stress-related biomarkers were measured by Diagnostic Reagent Kits. The results showed that the relative activities of superoxide dismutase (4 h), catalase (2 h) and Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (12 h) have significant changes (P < 0.05) between male groups and female groups, suggesting that the lungs of male mice are more sensitive to counteracting the oxidative challenge. Moreover, higher levels of malondiadehyde and lower contents of glutathione were also found in males, indicating that oxidative stress induced by C-12(6+) ion is pronounced in the lungs of males. We thought that these sex-responded differences may be attributed to the influence of sex hormones.

Uniform YVO4:Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Dy, and Sm) nanocrystals: Solvothermal synthesis and luminescence properties

Well-dispersed YVO4:Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Dy, and Sm) nanocrystals with uniform morphology and size have been synthesized via a facile solvothermal route. XRD results demonstrate that all of the three samples can be well indexed to the pure tetragonal phase Of YVO4, indicating that the Eu3+, Dy3+, and Sm3+ have been effectively doped into the host lattices of YVO4. TEM images show that the YVO4 nanocrystals exhibit ellipsoid shape and a mean size of about 20 nm, which is in good agreement with the estimation of XRD results.

Thiacalix[4]arene-Supported Planar Ln(4) (Ln = Tb-III, Dy-III) Clusters: Toward Luminescent and Magnetic Bifunctional Materials

This paper reports the syntheses, crystal structures, and luminescent and magnetic properties of four tetranuclear Tb-III (1 and 3) and Dy-III (2 and 4) complexes supported by p-phenylthiacalix[4]arene (H(4)PTC4A) and p-tert-butylthiacalix-[4]arene (H(4)TC4A). All four frameworks can be formulated as [Ln(4)(III)(PTC4A/TC4A)(2)(mu(4)-OH)Cl-3(CH3OH)(2)(H2O)(3)], and some methanol and water solvent molecules are occupied in the interstices. The compounds are featured with a sandwichlike unit constructed by two tail-to-tail calixarene molecules and a planar tetragonal (mu(4)-OH)Ln(4) cluster. The photoluminescent analyses suggest that there is an efficient ligand-to-Ln(III) energy transfer for compounds 1-3 and H(4)PTC4A is a more efficient "antenna" than H(4)TC4A.

Structure stability and strengthening mechanism of die-cast Mg-Gd-Dy based alloy

Mg-8Gd-1Dy-0.3Zn (wt.%) alloy was prepared by high-pressure die-casting technique. The thermal stability, mechanical properties at temperature range from room temperature to 573 K and strengthening mechanism was investigated. The results showed that the die-cast state alloy was mainly composed of fine cellular equiaxed grain. The fine porosity-free skin region was related to the aggregation of rare earth elements. The long lamellar-shaped stacking compound containing Zn and polygon-shaped precipitate were observed along the grain boundaries. The die-cast sample exhibited high mechanical properties and good thermal stability until 523 K.

Controlled Synthesis of Ln(3+) (Ln = Tb, Eu, Dy) and V5+ Ion-Doped YPO4 Nano-/Microstructures with Tunable Luminescent Colors

YPO4 nano/microcrystals with multiform crystal phases and morphologies, such as hexagonal nano/submicroprisms, spherical-like nanoparticles, and nanorods with different length/diameter ratios as well as tetragonal nanospindles, have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route. A series of controlled experiments indicate that the pH values in the initial solution, phosphorus sources, and the organic additive trisodium citrate (Cit(3-)) are responsible for crystal phase and shape determination of final products. It is found that Cit(3-) as a ligand and shape modifier has the dynamic effect by adjusting the growth rate of different facets under different experimental conditions, resulting in the formation of various geometries of the final products. The possible formation mechanisms for products with diverse architectures have been presented.

Fabrication and Luminescence Properties of One-Dimensional CaMoO4: Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy) Nanofibers via Electrospinning Process

One-dimensional CaMoo(4):Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy) nanofibers have been prepared by a combination method of sol-gel and electrospinning process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence (PL), and low voltage cathodoluminescence (CL) as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the resulting samples. SEM and TEM analyses indicate that the obtained precursor fibers have a uniform size, and the as-formed CaMoO4:Ln(3+) nanofibers consist of nanoparticles. Under ultraviolet excitation, the CaMoO4 samples exhibit a blue-green emission band with a maximum at 500 nm originating from the MoO42- groups. Due to an efficient energy transfer from molybdate groups to dopants, CaMoO4:Ln(3+) phosphors show their strong characteristic emission under ultraviolet excitation and low-voltage electron beam excitation.

Synthesis and characterization of monodisperse spherical SiO2@RE2O3 (RE = rare earth elements) and SiO2@Gd2O3:Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy, Sm, Er, Ho) particles with core-shell structure

Spherical SiO2 particles have been coated with rare earth oxide layers by a Pechini sol-gel process, leading to the formation of core-shell structured SiO2@RE2O3 (RE = rare earth elements) and SiO2@Gd2O3:Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy, Sm, Er, Ho) particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), and cathodoluminescence spectra as well as lifetimes were used to characterize the resulting SiO2@RE2O3 (RE = rare earth elements) and SiO2@Gd2O3:Ln(3+) (Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Sm3+, Er3+, Ho3+) samples. The obtained core-shell phosphors have perfect spherical shape with narrow size distribution (average size ca. 380 nm), smooth surface and non-agglomeration. The thickness of shells could be easily controlled by changing the number of deposition cycles (40 nm for two deposition cycles).

Self-assembled 3D flowerlike Lu2O3 and Lu2O3 : Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy, Pr, Sm, Er, Ho, Tm) microarchitectures: Ethylene glycol-mediated hydrothermal synthesis and luminescent properties

Three-dimensional flowerlike Lu2O3 and Lu2O3:Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Th, Dy, Pr, Sm, Er, Ho, Tm) microarchitectures have been successfully synthesized via ethylene glycol (EG)-mediated hydrothermal method followed by a subsequent heat treatment process. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectra, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, elemental analysis, inductively coupled plasma atomic absorption spectrometric analysis, ion chromatogram analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectra, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectra as well kinetic decays, and cathodoluminescence spectra were used to characterize the samples. Hydrothermal temperature, EG, and CH3COONa play critical roles in the formation of the lutetium oxide precursor microflowers. The reaction mechanism and the self-assembly evolution process have been proposed. The as-formed lutetium oxide precursor could transform to Lu2O3 With their original flowerlike morphology and slight shrinkage in the size after postannealing process.

Uniform Lanthanide Orthoborates LnBO(3) (Ln = Gd, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, and Dy) Microplates: General Synthesis and Luminescence Properties

A variety of uniform lanthanide orthoborates LnBO(3) (Ln = Gd, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, and Dy) microplates have been successfully prepared by a general and facile conversion method. One-dimensional (ID) lanthanide hydroxides were first prepared through a simple hydrothermal process. Subsequently, uniform LnBO(3) microplates were synthesized at the expense of the ID precursors during a hydrothermal conversion process. The whole process in this method was carried out in aqueous condition without the use of any organic solvents, surfactant, or catalyst. The as-obtained rare earth ions doped GdBO3 and TbBO3 microplates show strong light emissions with different colors coming from different activator ions under ultraviolet excitation or low-voltage electron beam excitation, which might find potential applications in fields such as light phosphor powders and advanced flat panel display devices.

Facile Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of Highly Uniform MF/YVO4:Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Dy, and Sm) Composite Microspheres

Uniform MF/YVO4:Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Dy, and Sm) composite microspheres have been prepared via a simple and economical wet-chemical route at ambient pressure and low temperature. Monodisperse micrometer-sized melamine formaldehyde (MF) colloidal particles were first fabricated by a condensation process of melamine with formaldehyde. Subsequently, well-dispersed YVO4 nanoparticles were successfully grown onto the MF microspheres to form core-shell structured composite particles in aqueous Solution. The as-obtained composite microspheres with perfect spherical shape are uniform in size and distribution, and the thickness and roughness of the YVO4 shells on MF cores could be tuned by varying the reaction temperature. The MF/YVO4:Ln(3+) composite phosphors show strong light emissions with different colors coming from different activator ions under ultraviolet excitation, which might find potential applications in fields such as light phosphor powders and advanced flat panel displays.

Thermoluminescence studies of LiBa2B5O10 : RE3+ (RE = Dy, Tb and Tm)

LiBa2B5O10:RE3+ (RE = Dy, Tb and Tm) was synthesized by the method of high-temperature solid-state reaction and the thermoluminescence (TL) properties of the samples under the irradiation of the gamma-ray were studied. The result showed that Dy3+ ion was the most efficient activator. When the concentration of Dy3+ was 2 mol%, LiBa2B5O10:Dy3+ exhibited a maximum TL output. The kinetic parameter of LiBa2B5O10:0.02Dy was estimated by the peak shape method, for which the average activation energy was 0.757 eV and the frequency factor was 1.50 x 10(7) s(-1). By the three-dimensional (3D) TL spectrum, the TL of the sample was contributed to the characteristic f-f transition of DY3+. The dose-response of LiBa2B5O10:0.02Dy to gamma-ray was linear in the range from 1 to 1000 mGy. In addition, the decay of the TL intensity of LiBa2B5O10:0.02Dy was also investigated.