Protection of stainless-steels against corrosion in sulphidizing environments by Ce oxide coatings: X-ray absorption and thermogravimetric studies

In this paper a study is reported concerning ceramic coatings containing cerium oxide, prepared by the sol-gel method, used to protect Incoloy 800H against sulphidation. When the coating is sintered in air at 850°C good protection is obtained. In an X-ray absorption spectroscopic study of the coatings it was observed that the best protective coating contains all cerium as CeIV after pretreatment. After sulphidizing cerium was reduced to CeIII. Possible mechanisms to explain the protective properties are discussed

Determination of the relative concentrations of rare earth ions by x-ray absorption spectroscopy: Application to terbium mixed oxides

A method, based on X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in the range 0.8–1.5 keV, to determine the relative amounts of rare earth ions in different valencies is explained and tested for the case of terbium mixed oxides. The results are in agreement with those obtained by existing analytical methods. The XAS method is advantageous in that it can be applied where other, conventional, methods break down

Orthogonality catastrophe in a composite fermion liquid

We discuss the emergence of an orthogonality catastrophe in the response of a composite fermion liquid as the filling factor \nu approaches 1/2m, where m=1,2,3.... A tunneling experiment is proposed in which dramatic changes in the I-V characteristic should be observable as \nu is varied. Explicit I-V characteristics calculated within the so-called Modified Random Phase Approximation, are provided for \nu=1/3 -> \nu=1/2.Comment: Latex two-column 6 pages including 5 figure

Photoemission investigation of the electronic structure of Fe-Pd and Fe-Pt alloys

A photoemission investigation of Fe-Pd and Fe-Pt transition-metal alloys, using ∼50–150-eV synchrotron radiation, is presented. We consider in particular the spectral distribution of Fe states when approaching the dilute limit. By means of the Cooper minimum in the 4d and 5d photoionization cross section, we identify structures that have mainly Fe minority- or Fe majority-spin character. The relative position of these peaks is discussed in terms of the covalent interaction between Fe 3d and Pd or Pt d states. Also, the strong resemblance between the distribution of Fe states in the Pd-based and in the Pt-based alloys is demonstrated. We find a consistent behavior of interacting d states towards the dilute limit. It is concluded that the Fe states that are observed in the photoemission spectra of the dilute alloys have mainly majority-spin character and are, because of the covalent interaction with host states, widely distributed over the energy range of the host d band. The Fe minority-spin band, which is centered near the Fermi level, gradually empties with increasing Fe dilution

Depletion of density of states near Fermi energy induced by disorder and electron correlation in alloys

We have performed high resolution photoemission study of substitutionally disordered alloys Cu-Pt, Cu-Pd, Cu-Ni, and Pd-Pt. The ratios between alloy spectra and pure metal spectra are found to have dips at the Fermi level when the residual resistivity is high and when rather strong repulsive electron-electron interaction is expected. This is in accordance with Altshuler and Aronov's model which predicts depletion of density of states at the Fermi level when both disorder and electron correlation are present.Comment: 1 tex file and 4 ps file

Eukaryotic initiation factor-4E in superficial and muscle invasive bladder cancer and its correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor expression and tumour progression

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important factor mediating tumour angiogenesis. VEGF mRNA is differentially expressed in bladder cancer with high expression in superficial tumours (stage pTaand pT1) contrasting with low expression in muscle invasive tumours (stage ≥ pT2). To investigate mechanisms regulating VEGF expression in bladder cancer, VEGF mRNA and protein were measured in normal bladder (n = 12) and primary bladder cancers (n = 57). VEGF protein levels correlated with mRNA expression in normal bladder (r = 0.68, P = 0.02) and bladder cancer (r = 0.46, P = 0.0007). Whilst VEGF mRNA expression was threefold higher in superficial compared to muscle invasive bladder cancers (P = 0.0001) there was no difference in VEGF protein (P = 0.81). Accordingly, the median protein:mRNA ratios increased more than 15-fold with increasing tumour stage (P< 0.0001) suggesting translational regulation. Expression of the eukaryotic initiation factor-4E (eIF-4E), a factor implicated in the translational regulation of VEGF, was greater in tumours than normal bladder (P< 0.0001) and correlated with VEGF protein:mRNA ratios (n = 43, r = 0.54, P = 0.0004) pointing to its role in the regulation of VEGF. In superficial tumours (n = 37) high expression of eIF-4E was associated with a poor prognosis and reduced stage progression-free survival (P = 0.04, Cox proportional hazards model). The study demonstrates that eIF-4E may be involved in translational regulation of VEGF in bladder cancer and might have a role as a prognostic factor in bladder cancer. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

The transition from the adiabatic to the sudden limit in core level photoemission: A model study of a localized system

We consider core electron photoemission in a localized system, where there is a charge transfer excitation. The system is modelled by three electron levels, one core level and two outer levels. The model has a Coulomb interaction between these levels and the continuum states into which the core electron is emitted. The model is simple enough to allow an exact numerical solution, and with a separable potential an analytic solution. We calculate the ratio r(omega) between the weights of the satellite and the main peak as a function of the photon energy omega. The transition from the adiabatic to the sudden limit takes place for quite small photoelectron kinetic energies. For such small energies, the variation of the dipole matrix element is substantial and described by the energy scale Ed. Without the coupling to the photoelectron, the corresponding ratio r0(omega) is determined by Ed and the satellite excitation energy dE. When the interaction potential with the continuum states is introduced, a new energy scale Es=1/(2Rs^2) enters, where Rs is a length scale of the interaction potential. At threshold there is typically a (weak) constructive interference between intrinsic and extrinsic contributions, and the ratio r(omega)/r0(omega) is larger than its limiting value for large omega. The interference becomes small or weakly destructive for photoelectron energies of the order Es. For larger energies r(omega)/r0(omega) therefore typically has a weak undershoot. If this undershoot is neglected, r(omega)/r0(omega) reaches its limiting value on the energy scale Es.Comment: 18 pages, latex2e, 13 eps figure

Strengthening impact assessment: a call for integration and focus

We suggest that the impact assessment community has lost its way based on our observation that impact assessment is under attack because of a perceived lack of efficiency. Specifically, we contend that the proliferation of different impact assessment types creates separate silos of expertise and feeds arguments for not only a lack of efficiency but also a lack of effectiveness of the process through excessive specialisation and a lack of interdisciplinary practice. We propose that the solution is a return to the basics of impact assessment with a call for increased integration around the goal of sustainable development and focus through better scoping. We rehearse and rebut counter arguments covering silo-based expertise, advocacy, democracy, sustainability understanding and communication. We call on the impact assessment community to rise to the challenge of increasing integration and focus, and to engage in the debate about the means of strengthening impact assessment

Magnetic x‐ray dichroism of rare‐earth materials

We discuss recent developments in the magnetic x‐ray dichroism of rare‐earth materials. The application of this technique to the study of magnetic materials is discussed. Also, other work on magneto‐optical effects in the x‐ray range is reviewed