Nuclear matter at a HIRFL-CSR energy regime

We report some recent progress in constraining the symmetry energy E-sym(rho) at high densities using high-energy heavy-ion collisions. Circumstantial evidence of a soft E-sym(rho) at supra-saturation density is obtained by comparing the pion ratio pi(-)/pi(+) measured recently with FOPI at GSI and the IBUU04 model calculations. Detailed studies indicate that the power of determining the E-sym(rho)from pi(-)/pi(+) is enhanced with decreasing the beam energy to near the pion production threshold, showing a correlation to the increasing nuclear stopping. Among several heavy-ion reaction facilities in the world, the cooling storage ring (HIRFL-CSR), newly commissioned at Lanzhou, delivering heavy-ion beams up to 1 A GeV, to be coupled with advanced detectors will contribute significantly to further studies of the equation of state of asymmetric nuclear matter.

Systematics of central heavy ion collisions in the 1A GeV regime

Using the large acceptance apparatus FOPI, we study central collisions in the reactions (energies in A GeV are given in parentheses): Ca-40 + Ca-40 (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 1.93), Ni-58 + Ni-58 (0.15, 0.25, 0.4), Ru-96+Ru-96 (0.4, 1.0. 1.5), (96)zr+(96)zr 1.0, 1.5), Xe-129+CsI (0.15, 0.25, 0.4), Au-197 + Au-197 (0.09, 0.12, 0.15, 0.25, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5). The observables include cluster multiplicities, longitudinal and transverse rapidity distributions and stopping, and radial flow. The data are compared to earlier data where possible and to transport model simulations. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Power law behavior of the isotope yield distributions in the multifragmentation regime of heavy ion reactions

Isotope yield distributions in the multifragmentation regime were studied with high-quality isotope identification, focusing on the intermediate mass fragments (IMFs) produced in semiviolent collisions. The yields were analyzed within the framework of a modified Fisher model. Using the ratio of the mass-dependent symmetry energy coefficient relative to the temperature, a(sym)/T, extracted in previous work and that of the pairing term, a(p)/T, extracted from this work, and assuming that both reflect secondary decay processes, the experimentally observed isotope yields were corrected for these effects. For a given I = N - Z value, the corrected yields of isotopes relative to the yield of C-12 show a power law distribution Y (N, Z)/Y(C-12) similar to A(-tau) in the mass range 1 <= A <= 30, and the distributions are almost identical for the different reactions studied. The observed power law distributions change systematically when I of the isotopes changes and the extracted tau value decreases from 3.9 to 1.0 as I increases from -1 to 3. These observations are well reproduced by a simple deexcitation model, with which the power law distribution of the primary isotopes is determined to be tau(prim) = 2.4 +/- 0.2, suggesting that the disassembling system at the time of the fragment formation is indeed at, or very near, the critical point.

Isocaling and the symmetry energy in the multifragmentation regime of heavy-ion collisions

The ratio of the symmetry energy coefficient to temperature, a(sym)/T, in Fermi energy heavy-ion collisions, was experimentally extracted as a function of the fragment atomic number using isoscaling parameters and the variance of the isotope distributions. The extracted values were compared to the results of calculations made with an antisymmetrized molecular dynamics (AMD) model employing a statistical decay code to account for deexcitation of excited primary fragments. The experimental values are in good agreement with the values calculated from the final ground-state products but are significantly different from those characterizing the yields of the primary AMD fragments.

A Semi-Quantitative Analysis of Essential Micronutrient in Folium Lycii Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Technique

In this paper, the capabilities of laser-induced break down spectroscopy (LIBS) for rapid analysis to multi-component plant are illustrated using a 1064 nm laser focused onto the surface of folium lycii. Based on homogeneous plasma assumption, nine of essential micronutrients in folium lycii are identified. Using Saha equation and Boltzmann plot method electron density and plasma temperature are obtained, and the irrelative concentration (Ca, Mg, Al, Si, Ti, Na, K, Li, and Sr) are obtained employing a semi-quantitative method.

Influence of Laser Wavelength on Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Applied to Semi-Quantitative Analysis of Trace-Elements in a Plant Sample

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) as a powerful analytical technique is applied to analyze trace-elements in fresh plant samples. We investigate the LIBS spectra of fresh holly leaves and observe more than 430 lines emitted from 25 elements and molecules in the region 230-438 nm. The influence of laser wavelength on LIBS applied to semi-quantitative analysis of trace-element contents in plant samples is studied. The results show that the UV laser has lower relative standard deviations and better repeatability for semi-quantitative analysis of trace-element contents in plant samples. This work may be helpful for improving the quantitative analysis power of LIBS applied to plant samples.

Study on conical columns with different conical angles for semi-preparative liquid chromatography

The dynamic flow profiles and separation performances in conically shaped preparative liquid chromatographic columns (inlet i.d. larger than outlet i.d.) with three different angles (7, 10 and 15degrees) were studied and compared with cylindrical column of the same length and internal volume. The shapes of dynamic flow profiles were studied by on-column visualization method. The transparent chromatographic columns made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), packed with C-18 bonded silica, were immerged into a cubic pool filled with glycerol to eliminate the cylindrical and conical lens effect. The flow profiles of colored iodine solution in the columns were observed clearly using cyclohexane as mobile phase since the refractive indices of C-18, column wall and the mobile phase are very close. In the conical column of 15degrees (20-7 mm i.d.) the mobile phase in the central region migrated slower than in wall region as it moved toward the column outlet, while in the conical column of 7degrees (17-11 mm i.d.) the mobile phase in the central region migrated faster than in wall region just like in cylindrical column. We found that a plug-like flow profile was generated in the conical column of 10degrees (18-9 mm i.d.) during the whole migration process. A carmine and brilliant blue mixture was used as a probe to test the separation ability of the columns. The resolutions of the two compounds on the conical column of 7, 10, 15degrees and on the cylindrical column were 0.6, 1.57, 1.29 and 0.8, respectively. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Study on conical columns for semi-preparative liquid chromatography

The dynamic flow profiles and column efficiencies in conically shaped semi-preparative liquid chromatographic columns (inlet ID larger than outlet ID) with two different conical angles (7degrees and 15degrees) were studied. The dynamic flow profiles were studied by an on-column visualization method. Conical columns were compared with cylindrical column of the same length and internal volume. The results showed that the flow profile of a sample band in the conical column of 7degrees (50 mm x 17 mm --> 11 mm ID) was parabolic in shape. The sample band migrated slower in the wall region than in the central region, as in the cylindrical column (50 mm x 14 mm ID). However, the sample band in the conical column of 15degrees (50 mm x 20 mm --> 7 mm ID) migrated slower in the central region than in the wall region, resulting in a reverse parabolic flow profile, in contrast to that in cylindrical column. This indicated that a flat flow profile might be realized in a conical column with a conical angle between 7degrees and 15degrees. The conical column of 15degrees had the highest column efficiency among the three columns under the same conditions. Compared with the cylindrical column packed with identical packing material, the conical column of 15degrees had 22%-45% higher column efficiency and 11%-27% higher peak height.

Gas-aerosol partitioning of semi volatile carbonyls in polluted atmosphere in Hachioji, Tokyo

Gaseous and particulate semi volatile carbonyls have been measured in urban air using an annular denuder sampling system. Three dicarbonyls, five aliphatic aldehydes and two hydroxy carbonyls were observed. Concentrations of other biogenic and anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), SO2, CO, NO2 and particle concentration were also measured. Estimated gas-aerosol equilibrium constants for the carbonyls showed an inverse correlation with the concentrations of anthropogenic pollutants such as benzene, isopentane and SO2. This suggests that the increase in the fraction of non-polar anthropogenic particles in the atmosphere could change the average property of the ambient aerosols and drive the gas particle equilibrium of the carbonyls to the gas phase. This trend is uncommon in remote forest air. In this study, we examined the factors controlling the equilibrium in the polluted atmosphere and show that there is a difference in gas-aerosol partition between polluted and clean air.

N2O fluxes from the native and grazed semi-arid steppes and their driving factors in Inner Mongolia, China

This paper presents results of 2 years (from January 2005 to December 2006) of measurement of N2O fluxes from the native and grazed Leymus chinensis (LC) steppes in Inner Mongolia, China using the static opaque chamber method. The measurement was at a frequency of twice per month in the growing season and once per month in the non-growing season. In addition, the possible effect of water-heat factors on N2O fluxes was statistically analyzed. The results indicated that there were distinct seasonal patterns in N2O fluxes with large fluxes in spring, summer, and autumn but negative fluxes in winter. The annual net emission of N2O ranging from 0.24 to 0.30 kg N2O-N ha(-1) and from 0.06 to 0.26 kg N2O-N ha(-1) from the native and grazed LC steppe, respectively. Grazing activities suppressed N2O production. In the growing season, soil moisture was the primary driving factor of N2O fluxes. The high seasonal variation of N2O fluxes was regulated by the distribution of effective rainfall, rather than precipitation intensity. Air temperature or soil temperature at 0, 5, and 10 cm depth was the most restricting factor of N2O fluxes in the non-growing season.

Qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of quaternary alkaloids in Coptis-scute herb couple by Electrospray mass Spectrometry

A practical solution of qualitatively analyzing quaternary alkaloids in coptis-scute herb couple by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(ESI-MS) was developed. Without the complicated pretreatment of sample, the active ingredients including berberine, palmatine, coptisine, jatrorrhizine, epiberberine, and columbamine were identified and some relative content changing rules of alkaloids in coptis-scute couple were summarized in this article. The overall profiles of the complex extracts were obtained.

Sulphonated Tetramethyl Poly(ether ether ketone)/Epoxy/Sulphonated Phenol Novolac Semi-IPN Membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

The sulphonated phenol novolac (PNBS) which was used as a curing agent of epoxy was synthesised from phenol novolac (PN) and 1,4-butane sultone and confirmed by FTIR and H-1 NMR. The degree of sulphonation (DS) in PNBS was calculated by H-1 NMR. The semi-IPN membranes composed of sulphonated tetramethyl poly(ether ether ketone) (STMPEEK) (the value of ion exchange capacity is 2.01 meq g(-1)), epoxy (TMBP) and PNBS were successfully prepared. The semi-IPN membranes showed high thermal properties which were measured by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) With the introduction of the corss-linked TMBP/PNBS, the mechanical properties, dimensional stability, methanol resistance and oxidative stability of the membranes were improve in comparison to the pristine STMPEEK membrane.

Electrospinning of multicomponent ultrathin fibrous nonwovens for semi-occlusive wound dressings

This work describes the design and assembly of multifunctional and cost-efficient composite fiber nonwovens as semi-occlusive wound dressings using a simple electrospinning process to incorporate a variety Of functional components into an Ultrathin fiber. These components include non-hydrophilic poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) as fibrous backbone, hydrophilic poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)iodine (PVP-I), TiO2 nanoparticles, zinc chloride as antimicrobial, odor-controlling, and antiphlogistic agents, respectively. The process of synthesis starts with a multicomponent solution Of PLLA, PVP, TiO2 nanoparticles plus zinc chloride, in which TiO2 nanoparticles are synthesized by in situ hydrolysis of TiO2 precursors in a PVP Solution for the sake of obtaining the particle-uniformly dispersive solution. Subsequent electrospinning generates the corresponding composite fibers. A further iodine vapor treatment to the composite fibers combines iodine with PVP to produce the PVP-I complexes. Experiments indicate that the assembled composite fibers (300-400 nm) possess the ointment-releasing characteristic and the phase-separate, core-sheath structures in which PVP-I residing in fiber Surface layer becomes the sheath, and PLLA distributing inside the fiber acts as the core.