A significant hardening and rising shape detected in the MeV/GeV nuFnu spectrum from the recently-discovered very-high-energy blazar S4 0954+65 during the bright optical flare in 2015 February

We report on Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) and multi-wavelength results on the recently-discovered very-high-energy (VHE, $E>$ 100 GeV) blazar S4 0954+65 ($z=0.368$) during an exceptionally bright optical flare in 2015 February. During the time period (2015 February, 13/14, or MJD 57067) when the MAGIC telescope detected VHE $\gamma$-ray emission from the source, the Fermi-LAT data indicated a significant spectral hardening at GeV energies, with a power-law photon index of $1.8 \pm 0.1$---compared with the 3FGL value (averaged over four years of observation) of $2.34 \pm 0.04$. In contrast, Swift/XRT data showed a softening of the X-ray spectrum, with a photon index of $1.72 \pm 0.08$ (compared with $1.38 \pm 0.03$ averaged during the flare from MJD 57066 to 57077), possibly indicating a modest contribution of synchrotron photons by the highest-energy electrons superposed on the inverse Compton component. Fitting of the quasi-simultaneous ($<1$ day) broadband spectrum with a one-zone synchrotron plus inverse-Compton model revealed that GeV/TeV emission could be produced by inverse-Compton scattering of external photons from the dust torus. We emphasize that a flaring blazar showing high flux of $\gtrsim 1.0 \times 10^{-6}$ photons cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ ($E>$ 100 MeV) and a hard spectral index of $\Gamma_{\rm GeV} < 2.0$ detected by Fermi-LAT on daily time scales is a promising target for TeV follow-up by ground-based Cherenkov telescopes to discover high-redshift blazars, investigate their temporal variability and spectral features in the VHE band, and also constrain the intensity of the extragalactic background light.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables. Accepted by PAS

Deformation-induced microstructural banding in TRIP steels

Microstructure inhomogeneities can strongly influence the mechanical properties of advanced high-strength steels in a detrimental manner. This study of a transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel investigates the effect of pre-existing contiguous grain boundary networks (CGBNs) of hard second-phases and shows how these develop into bands during tensile testing using in situ observations in conjunction with digital image correlation (DIC). The bands form by the lateral contraction of the soft ferrite matrix, which rotates and displaces the CGBNs of second-phases and the individual features within them to become aligned with the loading direction. The more extensive pre-existing CGBNs that were before the deformation already aligned with the loading direction are the most critical microstructural feature for damage initiation and propagation. They induce micro-void formation between the hard second-phases along them, which coalesce and develop into long macroscopic fissures. The hard phases, retained austenite and martensite, were not differentiated as it was found that the individual phases do not play a role in the formation of these bands. It is suggested that minimizing the presence of CGBNs of hard second-phases in the initial microstructure will increase the formability

Cross Sections of the Deuteron-Proton Breakup at 130 MeV:A Probe of Three-Nucleon System Dynamics

Three-nucleon system dynamics can be investigated quantitatively by comparing observables calculated with the use of Faddeev equations with results of precise measurements. Proper description of the experimental data can be achieved only if the dynamical models include, in addition to the nucleon-nucleon interaction, subtle effects of suppressed degrees of freedom, effectively introduced by means of genuine three-nucleon forces. A large set of high precision, exclusive cross-section data for the (1)H(d,pp)n breakup reaction at 130 MeV contributes significantly to constrain the physical assumptions underlying the theoretical interaction models. Comparison of nearly 1,800 cross section data points with the predictions using nuclear interactions generated in various ways, allowed to establish importance of including both, the three-nucleon and the Coulomb forces to significantly improve the description of the whole data set

Measurement of differential cross section for proton-induced deuteron breakup at 108 MeV

The experiment was performed at CCB IFJ PAN in Kraków with the use of the BINA detector. The experimental program and data analysis of proton-induced deuteron breakup reaction at 108 MeV are presented

Survey on health status of cage-culture sturgeon fishes in the Caspian Sea

Considering the significance of sturgeon rearing and producing the meat and caviar which are one of the most development programs in aquaculture, it is necessary to investigate on hygiene condition of rearing environment to gather information about current rearing condition and to adopt the best method for prevention of disease and treatment in sturgeons. This study carried out on 3000 species of farmed Huso huso, before and after transferring to cage, during 7 months from 2011.6.7 to 2012.1.10. Before introducing stock to cage, 100 fingerlings randomly selected and no signs of disease observed. Study on parasites showed that before releasing of fingerlings, Trichodina Sp. found in gill and skin with 40% frequency and mean intensity of 20±1.71. During study in sea environment, no parasites observed in gill, skin and gut. Bacterial investigation showed that total bacteria in rearing water of concert tanks, fish gills and skin is 5.80-5.84 Log cfu ml^-1, 3.28-3.41cfug^-1 and 5.36- 5.58 cfu (cm^2 ) -1. The range of bacterial count in water of sea environment, skin and gill was 3.97-5.92 Log cfu ml^-1, 3.74-5.41 cfu (cm^2 ) -1 and 2.01-3.40 cfug^-1, respectively. Before and after releasing, the bacteria isolated from fish and rearing water include Enterobacteriaceae, Aeromonas sp., Pseodomonas sp., Acinetobacter sp., Staphylococcus, Halomunas sp. and Shewanella sp. Furthermore, in fungal examinations, the total fungi in rearing water of concert tanks, gill and skin of fingerlings was 12.66-18 cfu ml-1, 2.66-4 cfug-1,5.33-8.66 cfu(cm^2 ) -1, respectively. Fungal count in rearing water of sea environment was 22-52.5 ml^-1. It was 13- 35.41(cm^2 ) -1 and 8-23.50 cfug-1 in skin and gill. The fungal flora that isolated from the fish and rearing water, were Cladosporium sp., Penicillium sp., Mucor sp., Aspergilus sp. and Yeasts before and after releasing. Some factors of fish blood serum such as total protein, albumin, blood cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, magnesium and calcium of the sea water and freshwater determined and compared. In sea water and fresh water farming conditions, the mean RBC (1102500 ,1067500), WBC (24916.67 , 20625) and White blood cell differential count including Neutrophils (19.41 , 21.25 ), Eosinophils (5.08 ,4) Lymphocytes (72.75, 71.25 ) and Monocytes (2.75 , 3.5) were determined. As well as Hematocrit (20.17, 23.75), Hemoglobin (4.34, 4.27), MCV (783.06, 22.79), MCH (39.42, 39.43) and MCHC (21.69, 17.77) Calculated. The fish blood serum factors including Total protein (1.80, 2.89), Albumin (0.55, 7.89), Cholesterol (70.16, 76.92), Triglyceride (615.74, 330.04), Glucose (64.32, 51.90), Magnesium (9.12, 9.51) and Calcium (5.37, 14.84) were determined and compared in sea water and fresh water, respectively. According to results, significant differences observed in albumin and calcium rate in fishes of freshwater and triglyceride in fishes of sea water (P<0.05). Moreover, the mentioned serum factors, showed significant differences during various months (P<0.05). Examination of 240 fishes showed 10.41% of them had hemorrhage in scutes. Also, investigation on internal organs in reared fish after autopsy showed 40% of them had degeneration of fatty liver. Generally, despite occurrence of some skin sores and fatty liver in the sampled fishes, no infectious disease that led to mortality have not been observed and the fishes which reared in cage had relatively satisfactory health condition

Measurement of differential cross sections for deuteron-proton breakup reaction at 160 MeV

Differential cross sections for deuteron breakup $^{1}H(d, pp)n$ reaction were measured for a large set of 243 geometrical configurations at the beam energy of 80 MeV/nucleon. The cross section data are normalized by the luminosity factor obtained on the basis of simultaneous measurement of elastic scattering channel and the existing cross section data for this process. The results are compared to the theoretical calculations modeling nuclear interaction with and without taking into account the three-nucleon force (3NF) and Coulomb interaction. In the validated region of the phase space both the Coulomb force and 3NF play an important role in a good description of the data. There are also regions, where the improvements of description due to including 3NF are not sufficient

Detection of very high energy gamma-ray emission from the gravitationally-lensed blazar QSO B0218+357 with the MAGIC telescopes

Context. QSO B0218+357 is a gravitationally lensed blazar located at a redshift of 0.944. The gravitational lensing splits the emitted radiation into two components, spatially indistinguishable by gamma-ray instruments, but separated by a 10-12 day delay. In July 2014, QSO B0218+357 experienced a violent flare observed by the Fermi-LAT and followed by the MAGIC telescopes. Aims. The spectral energy distribution of QSO B0218+357 can give information on the energetics of z ~ 1 very high energy gamma- ray sources. Moreover the gamma-ray emission can also be used as a probe of the extragalactic background light at z ~ 1. Methods. MAGIC performed observations of QSO B0218+357 during the expected arrival time of the delayed component of the emission. The MAGIC and Fermi-LAT observations were accompanied by quasi-simultaneous optical data from the KVA telescope and X-ray observations by Swift-XRT. We construct a multiwavelength spectral energy distribution of QSO B0218+357 and use it to model the source. The GeV and sub-TeV data, obtained by Fermi-LAT and MAGIC, are used to set constraints on the extragalactic background light. Results. Very high energy gamma-ray emission was detected from the direction of QSO B0218+357 by the MAGIC telescopes during the expected time of arrival of the trailing component of the flare, making it the farthest very high energy gamma-ray sources detected to date. The observed emission spans the energy range from 65 to 175 GeV. The combined MAGIC and Fermi-LAT spectral energy distribution of QSO B0218+357 is consistent with current extragalactic background light models. The broad band emission can be modeled in the framework of a two zone external Compton scenario, where the GeV emission comes from an emission region in the jet, located outside the broad line region.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in A&