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At least 325 records · Page 18

Oligonucleotide synthesis catalyzed by the Zn/2+/ ion

Results of experiments are reported in which Zn(2+) ion catalyzed the formation of oligonucleotides from nucleoside phosphorimidazolides in aqueous solution, even in the absence of a template. Specifically, the imidazolides (ImpU or ImpA) polymerized to form ImpApA, and pApA, pApApA, and pApApApA, or the analogous uracil compounds. In addition, the expected hydrolysis products of the hydrolysis of ImpA were formed (pA, imidazole). Judging from the ratio of pA(n) over pA (with and without zinc ion), this ion increased the efficiency of phosphodiester-bond formation by up to 10 times. Possible mechanisms for the reaction are tentatively proposed.

Sawai, H.↗

The Influence of Coastal Fronts on the Movement and Dispersion of Oil Slicks

The author has identified the following significant results. LANDSAT, aircraft, and boats were used successfully to study estuarine and coastal fronts or boundaries. Fronts are a major hydrographic feature in Delaware Bay and in other estuaries. Horizontal salinity gradients of 4% in one meter and convergence velocities of the order of 0.1 m/sec were observed. Visibility improved from one meter to two meters as certain boundaries were crossed. Fronts near the mouth of the bay are associated with the tidal exchange with shelf water. The formation of fronts in the interior of the bay appears to be associated with velocity shears induced by differences in bottom topography with horizontal density difference in the deep water portion of the estuary. Surface slicks and foam collected at frontal convergence zones near boundaries were found to contain concentrations of Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, and Zn higher by two to four orders of magnitude than concentrations in mean ocean water.

Klemas, V.↗

Studies of heteroface solar cell performance

The development, fabrication, and failure modes of AlxGa(1-x)As-GaAs heteroface solar cells are described. Crystal growth, the diffusion of Zn into the GaAs layer to form the p-n junction, SEM studies of the diffusion length of GaAs, and procedures for making ohmic contacts are discussed.

Feucht, D. L.↗

Widths of atomic 4s and 4p vacancy states, 46 less than or equal to Z less than or equal to 50

Auger and X-ray photoelectron spectra involving N1, N2, and N3 vacancy states of Pd, Ag, Cd, In, and Sn were measured and compared with results of free atom calculations. As previously observed in Cu and Zn Auger spectra that involve 3d-band electrons, free-atom characteristics with regard to widths and structure were found in the Ag and Cd M4-N4,5N4,5 and M5-N4,5N4,5 Auger spectra that arise from transitions of 4d-band electrons. Theoretical N1 widths computed with calculated free-atom Auger energies agree well with measurements. Theory however predicts wider N2 than N3 vacancy states (as observed for Xe), while the measured N2 and N3 widths are nearly equal to each other and to the average of the calculated N2 and N3 widths. The calculations are made difficult by the exceedingly short lifetime of some 4p vacancies and by the extreme sensitivity of super-Coster-Kronig rates, which dominate the deexcitation, to the transition energy and to the fine details of the atomic potential.

Hsiungchen, M.↗

An Investigation of Size-Dependent Concentration of Trace Elements in Aerosols Emitted from the Oil-Fired Heating Plants

Aerosols emitted from two oil-fired heating plants were aerodynamically separated into eight size groups and were analyzed using the photon-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique. It was found that Zn, Mo, Ag, and Pb, and (to a lesser extent) Cd, have a tendency to concentrate preferentially on the smaller aerosols. All of these elements, in certain chemical forms, are known to be toxic. Zinc and molybdenum, although present in low concentrations in the parent fuels, show the strongest tendencies to be concentrated in finer aerosols. Selenium, previously reported to show a very strong tendency to concentration in finer fly ash from coal-fired power plants shows little preference for surface residence. Vanadium, which occurs in significant concentration in the oil fuels for both plants, also shows little preference for surface concentration. Even though the absolute concentrations of the toxic elements involved are well below the safety levels established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), it would be advisable to raise the heights of the heating-plant exhaust chimneys well above the neighborhood buildings to insure more efficient aerosol dispersal.

Singh, J. J.↗

Improvement of black nickel coatings

Selectively absorbing black nickel coatings are among the most optically efficient low cost coatings for use on flat plate solar collectors. However, a current Ni-Zn-S-O coating in use is quite susceptible to a humid environment, degrading badly in less than ten days at 38 C (100 F) at 95 percent relative humidity. Therefore, a black nickel formula was developed which can withstand such exposures with no loss of optical efficiency, solar absorption of 0.92 and an infrared emittance (at 100 C) of 1.00 were still present after 14 days of humidity exposure. This compares to a solar absorptance of only 0.72 for the previous formula after a similar time period. The electroplating bath and conditions were changed to obtain the more stable coating configuration. The effect of bath composition, temperature, pH, and plating current density and time on the coating composition, spectral optical properties and durability were investigated systematically.

Peterson, R. E.↗

Impedance of silver oxide-zinc cells

Over 100 sealed AgO-Zn cells were subjected to prolonged periods of storage over a range of temperatures and storage modes including open circuit, trickle charge, and float charge. Impedances of these cells were monitored throughout, and at the end of the storage period their transient voltage characteristics were observed at the onset of discharge. Results revealed that the impedances of these cells tended to increase with storage time; the magnitude of the impedance rise was dependent primarily on temperature and to a lesser degree on storage mode. Typical values for 50 A-hr cells were usually less than 100 mohm immediately after activation and from 1 to 30 ohm after 6-10 months of storage. Transient voltages of these cells droped sharply during the first msec of discharge and then rose to a stablized value during the following few seconds. The magnitude of the initial drop and the stabilized voltage values were found to be related to impedance but not in a linear manner. The magnitude and duration of the low transient voltages may be unacceptable in some applications of these cells. The impedance variations are attributed to changes occurring at the positive electrode.

Frank, H. A.↗

Widths of atomic 4s and 4p vacancy states, Z between 46 and 50

X-ray photoelectron and Auger spectra involving N sub 1, N sub 2, and N sub 3 vacancy states of Pd, Ag, Cd, In, and Sn were measured and compared with results of free-atom calculations. As previously observed in Cu and Zn Auger spectra that involve 3d-band electrons, free-atom characteristics are found, with regard to widths and structure, in the Ag and Cd M sub 4-N sub 4,5 N sub 4,5 and M sub 5-N sub 4,5 N sub 4,5 Auger spectra that arise from transitions of 4d-band electrons. Theoretical N sub 1 widths computed with calculated free-atom Auger energies agree well with measurements. Theory, however, predicts wider N sub 2 than N sub 3 vacancy states (as observed for Xe), while the measured N sub 2 and N sub 3 widths are nearly equal to each other and to the average of the calculated N sub 2 and N sub 3 widths. The calculations are made difficult by the exceedingly short lifetime of some 4 p vacancies and by the extreme sensitivity of super-Coster-Kronig rates, which dominate the deexcitation to the transition energy and to the fine details of the atomic potential.

Chen, M. H.↗

Properties of splat-quenched 7075 aluminum type alloys

The 7075 alloy belonging to the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu system, prepared by powder metallurgy techniques, was used in a study of alloys prepared from splat-quenched foils consolidated into bar material by hot extrusion. Ni and Fe were included in one alloy specimen, producing a fine dispersion of FeAl3 type particles which added to the strength of the aged alloy but did not coarsen upon heat treatment. Fine oxide films showing up on air-splatted foils induce finely dispersed oxide stringers (if the foils are not hot-worked subsequently) which in turn promote axial cracking (but longitudinal tensile strength is not seriously impaired). Splatting in a protective atmosphere, or thermomechanical processing, is recommended to compensate for this.

Durand, J. P. H. A.↗

Analytical study of space processing of immiscible materials for superconductors and electrical contacts

The results of a study conducted to determine the role space processing or materials research in space plays in the superconductor and electrical contact industries are presented. Visits were made to manufacturers, users, and research organizations connected with these products to provide information about the potential benefits of the space environment and to exchange views on the utilization of space facilities for manufacture, process development, or research. In addition, space experiments were suggested which could result in improved terrestrial processes or products. Notable examples of these are, in the case of superconductors, the development of Nb-bronze alloys (Tsuei alloys) and, in the electrical contact field, the production of Ag-Ni or Ag-metal oxide alloys with controlled microstructure for research and development activities as well as for product development. A preliminary experimental effort to produce and evaluate rapidly cooled Pb-Zn and Cu-Nb-Sn alloys in order to understand the relationship between microstructure and superconducting properties and to simulate the fine structure potentially achievable by space processing was also described.

Gelles, S. H.↗

Volatile compounds released during lunar lava fountaining

A modified radiochemical neutron activation analysis was used to determine 24 elements in three sieve separates and in HCl leach, HF etch, and residue fractions of the 500-62 micron separate of orange glass fines 74220. Six elements - In, Cd, Zn, Ga, Ge, and Au - were strongly concentrated in the leach, indicating that they were present as a surface deposit, probably a sublimate resulting from condensation of lava-fountain volatiles which expelled the orange glass onto the lunar surface.

Wasson, J. T.↗

Composition of the projectiles that bombarded the lunar highlands

Twenty highland samples from Apollo 14, 15, and 17 and the eucrites Juvinas and Morre County were analyzed by radiochemical neutron activation for Ag, Au, Bi, Br, Cd, Cs, Ge, In, Ir, Ni, Os, Pd, Rb, Re, Sb, Se, Te, Tl, U, and Zn. The meteoritic components of 82 highland rocks were recalculated with the new corrections for the indigenous contribution and were classified by discriminant and cluster analysis as well as ternary diagrams, using Ir, Re, Au and Ni as diagnostic elements. To characterize these groups more fully, average abundances of meteoritic volatiles (Sb, Ge, Ag, Se, Te, and Bi) were calculated from regressions against Ir.

Gros, J.↗

Trace element evidence regarding a chondritic component in howardite meteorites

The concentrations of siderophiles Ni, Ge, Ru, Ir, and Au and volatiles Zn, Ga, Cd, and In in howardite meteorites were determined and are discussed along with similar data for eucrites and diogenites. The concentrations of the chondritic component in howardites are remarkably high. The concentrations in four high-siderophile howardites are comparable to those found in mature soils from the lunar highlands. The amounts of excess volatiles are roughly consistent with those expected if the chondritic component resemble CI, CM, or E4 chondrites. Evidence indicates that the howardite parent body had a radius of several hundred kilometers, and the most probable formation location was 1-2 AU from the sun.

Chou, C.-L.↗

'Mysterite' - A late condensate from the solar nebula

An attempt is made to clarify the nature of 'mysterite', a material that had been postulated to explain the overabundance of Tl, Bi, and Ag in certain chondrites. Four dark clasts and a vein sample from the H6 chondrite Supuhee were analyzed by radiochemical neutron activation analysis for Ag, Au, Bi, Br, Cd, Cs, Ge, In, Ir, Ni, Os, Rb, Re, Sb, Se, Te, Tl, and Zn. One of the clasts is enriched in all volatile elements, while the other four samples are enriched only in the siderophile volatiles Ag, Bi, and Tl. The enrichments range up to 100 times typical H6 chondrite abundances. The proportions of Ag, Bi, and Tl suggest the presence of at least two, Tl-rich and Tl-poor, varieties of mysterite. The former seems to dominate in Supuhee and Krymka, and the latter in Mezo-Madaras. Apparently mysterite is a late condensate from the solar nebula that collected volatiles left behind by earlier generations of chondrites. It was incorporated in Supuhee and perhaps in other chondrites (mainly of low petrologic types) during brecciation events.

Higuchi, H.↗

Cycle life characteristics of sealed silver-zinc cell with inorganic separator

Two batteries containing 18 cells have been cycling in a simulated synchronous (24-hour) orbit for over a year at 40% depth of discharge at 22 C. One battery is under individual cell monitoring and control and the other battery is controlled at the battery level. The battery with individual cell monitoring and protection has performed over 350 cycles with no sign of failure. The battery without individual cell protection failed at 270 cycles from failure to remain above the specified minimum discharge voltage. A significant conclusion is that the sealed Ag-Zn cells manufactured with the inorganic separator material have demonstrated their capability to cycle at a fairly high depth of discharge and are worthy of consideration in short life synchronous orbit applications.

Lear, J. W.↗

Exchange and relaxation effects in low-energy radiationless transitions

The effect on low-energy atomic inner-shell Coster-Kronig and super Coster-Kronig transitions that is produced by relaxation and by exchange between the continuum electron and bound electrons was examined and illustrated by specific calculations for transitions that deexcite the 3p vacancy state of Zn. Taking exchange and relaxation into account is found to reduce, but not to eliminate, the discrepancies between theoretical rates and measurements.

Chen, M. H.↗

Inorganic-organic separators for alkaline batteries

A flexible separator is reported for use between the electrodes of Ni-Cd and Ni-Zn batteries using alkaline electrolytes. The separator was made by coating a porous substrate with a battery separator composition. The coating material included a rubber-based resin copolymer, a plasticizer and inorganic and organic fillers which comprised 55% by volume or less of the coating as finally dried. One or more of the filler materials, whether organic or inorganic, is preferably active with the alkaline electrolyte to produce pores in the separator coating. The plasticizer was an organic material which is hydrolyzed by the alkaline electrolyte to improve conductivity of the separator coating.

Sheibley, D. W.↗