Resonance-Enhanced Multiphoton Ionization for Real-Time Monitoring of Trichloroethylene formed by Degradation of Tetrachloroethylene Using Zero-Valent Zinc

Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) is investigated as a potential technique for real-time monitoring of selected volatile organochloride compounds (VOCs). In a proof-of-concept experiment, the progress of the reductive-degradation of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) to trichloroethylene (TCE) by zero-valent zinc was monitored by REMPI measurements performed in the headspace above the PCE solution. Two-photon resonant REMPI spectra of TCE and PCE were recorded over the wavelength range 305–320 nm. The concentrations of PCE and TCE in the headspace were monitored by measurement of the ionization signal with 315.64- and 310.48-nm excitation for PCE and TCE, respectively. Calibration curves yielded a linear range of more than 2 orders of magnitude for both compounds. The REMPI headspace results agreed well with the solution-phase results from gas chromatography analysis, which was used for independent verification of the progress of the reaction

''Novel Optical Detection Schemes for In-Situ Mapping of Volatile Organochlorides in the Vadose Zone''

Long-term objective is to develop a system for measuring and identifying a wide range of volatile organic hydrocarbons, including aromatics, carbon tetrachloride, TCE and other organochlorides, at ppb levels in-situ in the subsurface (''at-depth'') using a fiber-optic REMPI probe in a cone penetrometer. Specific focus of much of the proposed work is to identify and optimize those experimental parameters which effect the in-situ determination of organic molecules in the subsurface using resonance-enhanced multi-photon ionization (REMPI). Emphasis is placed on visible excitation so that the high transmission of fiber-optics at visible wavelengths can be fully utilized. A fiber-optic REMPI system is being designed and integrated into an existing cone penetrometer system at LLNL. The design will be compatible with existing Raman and fluorescence probes

Optical/IR from ground

Optical/infrared (O/IR) astronomy in the 1990's is reviewed. The following subject areas are included: research environment; science opportunities; technical development of the 1980's and opportunities for the 1990's; and ground-based O/IR astronomy outside the U.S. Recommendations are presented for: (1) large scale programs (Priority 1: a coordinated program for large O/IR telescopes); (2) medium scale programs (Priority 1: a coordinated program for high angular resolution; Priority 2: a new generation of 4-m class telescopes); (3) small scale programs (Priority 1: near-IR and optical all-sky surveys; Priority 2: a National Astrometric Facility); and (4) infrastructure issues (develop, purchase, and distribute optical CCDs and infrared arrays; a program to support large optics technology; a new generation of large filled aperture telescopes; a program to archive and disseminate astronomical databases; and a program for training new instrumentalists

Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) : refining the local galaxy merger rate using morphological information

KRVS acknowledges the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) for providing funding for this project, as well as the Government of Catalonia for a research travel grant (ref. 2010 BE-00268) to begin this project at the University of Nottingham. PN acknowledges the support of the Royal Society through the award of a University Research Fellowship and the European Research Council, through receipt of a Starting Grant (DEGAS-259586).We use the Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey to measure the local Universe mass-dependent merger fraction and merger rate using galaxy pairs and the CAS (concentration, asymmetry, and smoothness) structural method, which identifies highly asymmetric merger candidate galaxies. Our goals are to determine which types of mergers produce highly asymmetrical galaxies and to provide a new measurement of the local galaxy major merger rate. We examine galaxy pairs at stellar mass limits down to M* = 108 M⊙ with mass ratios of 4:1) the lower mass companion becomes highly asymmetric, whereas the larger galaxy is much less affected. The fraction of highly asymmetric paired galaxies which have a major merger companion is highest for the most massive galaxies and drops progressively with decreasing mass. We calculate that the mass-dependent major merger fraction is fairly constant at ∼1.3–2 per cent within 109.5 < M* < 1011.5 M⊙, and increases to ∼4 per cent at lower masses. When the observability time-scales are taken into consideration, the major merger rate is found to approximately triple over the mass range we consider. The total comoving volume major merger rate over the range 108.0 < M* < 1011.5 M⊙ is (1.2 ± 0.5) × 10−3 h370 Mpc−3 Gyr−1.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Electron-Transfer Chemistry of Ru−Linker−(Heme)-Modified Myoglobin: Rapid Intraprotein Reduction of a Photogenerated Porphyrin Cation Radical

We report the synthesis and characterization of RuC7, a complex in which a heme is covalently attached to a [Ru(bpy)_3]^(2+) complex through a −(CH_2)_7− linker. Insertion of RuC7 into horse heart apomyoglobin gives RuC7Mb, a Ru(heme)−protein conjugate in which [Ru(bpy)_3]^(2+) emission is highly quenched. The rate of photoinduced electron transfer (ET) from the resting (Ru^(2+)/Fe^(3+)) to the transient (Ru^(3+)/Fe^(2+)) state of RuC7Mb is >10^8 s^(-1); the back ET rate (to regenerate Ru^(2+)/Fe^(3+)) is 1.4 × 10^7 s^(-1). Irreversible oxidative quenching by [Co(NH_3)_5Cl]^(2+) generates Ru^(3+)/Fe^(3+):  the Ru^(3+) complex then oxidizes the porphyrin to a cation radical (P^(•+)); in a subsequent step, P^(•+) oxidizes both Fe^(3+) (to give Fe^(IV)═O) and an amino acid residue. The rate of intramolecular reduction of P^(•+) is 9.8 × 10^3 s^(-1); the rate of ferryl formation is 2.9 × 10^3 s^(-1). Strong EPR signals attributable to tyrosine and tryptophan radicals were recorded after RuC7MbM^(3+) (M = Fe, Mn) was flash-quenched/frozen

Economic Growth and Agricultural Trade of Less-Developed Countries: Technical Report

The United States has an extensive assistance program for less developed countries (LDCs), although its contribution is the lowest among the developed market economies in percent of allocated GNP (OECD 1988). On average for 1985/86, about 11.2 percent or $1.05 billion (1985 prices and exchange rates) of U.S. official development assistance was related directly to agricultural production (OECD 1988). The impact of agricultural development assistance on U.S. agricultural export markets is a concern of the U.S. government and agricultural producers, especially in periods of excess supplies of agricultural commodities. Specifically, U.S. policy makers and producers ask whether development assistance emphasizing agriculture in LDCs is consistent with policies to promote or enhance exports of U.S. agricultural commodities and increase income to the domestic agricultural sector