141 research outputs found
Novel technique to extract experimental symmetry free energy information of nuclear matter
A new method of accessing information on the symmetry free energy from yields
of fragments produced in Fermi-energy heavy-ion collisions is proposed.
Furthermore, by means of quantum fluctuation analysis techniques, correlations
between extracted symmetry free-energy coefficients with temperature and
density were studied. The obtained results are consistent with those of
commonly used isoscaling techniques.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures Heavy-ion nuclear reactions at Fermi energies,
Nuclear equation of State, Fragmentatio
Experimental determination of the quasi-projectile mass with measured neutrons
The investigation of the isospin dependence of multifragmentation reactions
relies on precise reconstruction of the fragmenting source. The criteria used
to assign free emitted neutrons, detected with the TAMU Neutron Ball, to the
quasi-projectile source are investigated in the framework of two different
simulation codes. Overall and source-specific detection efficiencies for
multifragmentation events are found to be model independent. The equivalence of
the two different methods used to assign experimentally detected charged
particles and neutrons to the emitting source is shown. The method used
experimentally to determine quasi-projectile emitted free neutron multiplicity
is found to be reasonably accurate and sufficiently precise as to allow for the
study of well-defined quasi-projectile sources.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures. To be submitted to Nucl. Instr. and Meth.
Asymmetry Dependence of the Nuclear Caloric Curve
A basic feature of the nuclear equation of state is not yet understood: the
dependence of the nuclear caloric curve on the neutron-proton asymmetry.
Predictions of theoretical models differ on the magnitude and even the sign of
this dependence. In this work, the nuclear caloric curve is examined for fully
reconstructed quasi-projectiles around mass A=50. The caloric curve extracted
with the momentum quadrupole fluctuation thermometer shows that the temperature
varies linearly with quasi-projectile asymmetry (N-Z)/A. An increase in
asymmetry of 0.15 units corresponds to a decrease in temperature on the order
of 1 MeV. These results also highlight the importance of a full
quasi-projectile reconstruction in the study of thermodynamic properties of hot
nuclei
Density determinations in heavy ion collisions
The experimental determination of freeze-out temperatures and densities from
the yields of light elements emitted in heavy ion collisions is discussed.
Results from different experimental approaches are compared with those of model
calculations carried out with and without the inclusion of medium effects.
Medium effects become of relevance for baryon densities above fm. A quantum statistical (QS) model incorporating medium
effects is in good agreement with the experimentally derived results at higher
densities. A densitometer based on calculated chemical equilibrium constants is
proposed.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
Using Light Charged Particles to Probe the Asymmetry Dependence of the Nuclear Caloric Curve
Recently, we observed a clear dependence of the nuclear caloric curve on
neutron-proton asymmetry through examination of fully
reconstructed equilibrated quasi-projectile sources produced in heavy ion
collisions at E/A = 35 MeV. In the present work, we extend our analysis using
multiple light charged particle probes of the temperature. Temperatures are
extracted with five distinct probes using a kinetic thermometer approach.
Additionally, temperatures are extracted using two probes within a chemical
thermometer approach (Albergo method). All seven measurements show a
significant linear dependence of the source temperature on the source
asymmetry. For the kinetic thermometer, the strength of the asymmetry
dependence varies with the probe particle species in a way which is consistent
with an average emission-time ordering.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure
X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure (XANES) at the O K-Edge of Bulk Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>: Experimental and Theoretical Studies
We combine theoretical and experimental X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) to probe the local environment around cationic sites of bulk spinel cobalt tetraoxide (Co3O4). Specifically, we analyse the oxygen K-edge spectrum. We find an excellent agreement between our calculated spectra based on the density functional theory and the projector augmented wave method, previous calculations as well as with the experiment. The oxygen K-edge spectrum shows a strong pre-edge peak which can be ascribed to dipole transitions from O 1s to O 2p states hybridized with the unoccu- pied 3d states of cobalt atoms. Also, since Co3O4 contains two types of Co atoms, i.e., Co3+ and Co2+, we find that contribution of Co2+ ions to the pre-edge peak is solely due to single spin-polarized t2g orbitals (dxz, dyz, and dxy) while that of Co3+ ions is due to spin-up and spin-down polarized eg orbitals (dx2−y2 and dz2 ). Furthermore, we deduce the magnetic moments on the Co3+ and Co2+ to be zero and 3.00 μB respectively. This is consistent with an earlier experimental study which found that the magnetic structure of Co3O4 consists of antiferromagnetically ordered Co2+ spins, each of which is surrounded by four nearest neighbours of oppositely directed spins
A comparative study of electronic cigarette vapour extracts on airway-related cell lines in vitro
The use of electronic cigarettes (ECs) is rapidly increasing worldwide; however, scientific evidence regarding EC cytotoxicity is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute cytotoxicity of EC vapor extract (ECE) on airway-related cells in vitro. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE), vapor extract of fifteen brands/flavors of ECs and the extract from the E-vehicle (propylene glycol and glycerin) was collected. Extracts, in concentrations of 100–12.5%, were added to human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B, IB3-1 and C38), fibroblast (Wi-38) and macrophage (J774 and THP-1) cell lines. Viability was assessed after 24 h using a standard XTT assay. Viability of <70% of control (no extract) was considered cytotoxic according to UNI EN ISO 10993-5 standards. CSE displayed a concentration-dependent influence on cell viability across all four cell lines with 100% producing the most toxic effect, therefore validating the model and indicating higher cytotoxicity than in ECEs. ECEs did reduce viability although this was not correlated with nicotine content or the E-vehicle. However, several flavors proved cytotoxic, with variation between different brands and cell lines. These data indicate that not all ECs are the same and that use of a particular flavor or brand may have differing effects. The cell line used is also an important factor. More research is crucial to ascertain the health effects of different ECs before they can be accepted as a safe alternative to tobacco cigarettes
No evidence of an 11.16 MeV 2+ state in 12C
An experiment using the 11B(3He,d)12C reaction was performed at iThemba LABS
at an incident energy of 44 MeV and analyzed with a high energy-resolution
magnetic spectrometer, to re-investigate states in 12C published in 1971. The
original investigation reported the existence of an 11.16 MeV state in 12C that
displays a 2+ nature. In the present experiment data were acquired at
laboratory angles of 25-, 30- and 35- degrees, to be as close to the c.m.
angles of the original measurements where the clearest signature of such a
state was observed. These new low background measurements revealed no evidence
of the previously reported state at 11.16 MeV in 12C
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