High statistics measurement of the positron fraction in primary cosmic rays of 0.5-500 GeV with the alpha magnetic spectrometer on the international space station

A precision measurement by AMS of the positron fraction in primary cosmic rays in the energy range from 0.5 to 500 GeV based on 10.9 million positron and electron events is presented. This measurement extends the energy range of our previous observation and increases its precision. The new results show, for the first time, that above &sim;200GeV the positron fraction no longer exhibits an increase with energy.</p

Investigation of molecular and mesoscale clusters in undersaturated glycine aqueous solutions

YesIn this work DLS, NTA, SAXS and NMR were used to investigate populations, size distributions and structure of clusters in undersaturated aqueous solutions of glycine. Molecular and colloidal scale (mesoscale) clusters with radii around 0.3-0.5 nm and 100–150 nm, respectively, were observed using complementary experimental techniques. Molecular clusters are consistent with hydrated glycine dimers present in equilibrium with glycine monomers in aqueous solutions. Mesoscale clusters previously observed in supersaturated glycine solutions appear to be indefinitely stable, in mutual equilibrium within mesostructured undersaturated solutions across all glycine concentrations investigated here, down to as low as 1 mg/g of water.Supported by EPSRC funding via the SynBIM project (Grant Reference EP/P0068X/1) and by the Synchrotron SOLEIL

Precision Measurement of the Helium Flux in Primary Cosmic Rays of Rigidities 1.9 GV to 3 TV with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

Knowledge of the precise rigidity dependence of the helium flux is important in understanding the origin, acceleration, and propagation of cosmic rays. A precise measurement of the helium flux in primary cosmic rays with rigidity (momentum/charge) from 1.9 GV to 3 TV based on 50 million events is presented and compared to the proton flux. The detailed variation with rigidity of the helium flux spectral index is presented for the first time. The spectral index progressively hardens at rigidities larger than 100 GV. The rigidity dependence of the helium flux spectral index is similar to that of the proton spectral index though the magnitudes are different. Remarkably, the spectral index of the proton to helium flux ratio increases with rigidity up to 45 GV and then becomes constant; the flux ratio above 45 GV is well described by a single power law.</p

Precision Measurement of the Proton Flux in Primary Cosmic Rays from Rigidity 1 GV to 1.8 TV with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

A precise measurement of the proton flux in primary cosmic rays with rigidity (momentum/charge) from 1 GV to 1.8 TV is presented based on 300 million events. Knowledge of the rigidity dependence of the proton flux is important in understanding the origin, acceleration, and propagation of cosmic rays. We present the detailed variation with rigidity of the flux spectral index for the first time. The spectral index progressively hardens at high rigidities.</p

Shock induced multi-mode damage in depleted uranium

Recent dynamic damage studies on depleted uranium samples have revealed mixed mode failure mechanisms leading to incipient cracking as well as ductile failure processes. Results show that delamination of inclusions upon compression may provide nucleation sites for damage initiation in the form of crack tip production. However, under tension the material propagates cracks in a mixed shear localization and mode-I ductile tearing and cracking. Cracks tips appear to link up through regions of severe, shear dominated plastic flow. Shock recovery experiments were conducted on a 50 mm single stage light gas gun. Serial metallographic sectioning was conducted on the recovered samples to characterize the bulk response of the sample. Experiments show delaminated inclusions due to uniaxial compression without damage propagation. Further results show the propagation of the damage through tensile loading to the incipient state, illustrating ductile processes coupled with mixed mode-I tensile ductile tearing, shear localization, and mode-I cracking in depleted uranium

Complex Values-Based Approach for Multidimensional Evaluation of Landscape

The several meanings that landscape takes in all scientific studies and in the common speech highlight the complexity of a concept that finds in the richness of its dimensions the understanding key and the interpreting matrix for actions aimed at local sustainable development. A new concept of landscape identifies the relationships between the various points of view and different interpretive ap-proaches, overcoming the consideration of territory as a physical-geometrical re-ality at the service of economic aspects. The paper, starting from the evolution of the landscape’s concept, focuses on the management of its complexity in the transformation processes included in the dynamic context of landscape’s cultural values and in development strategies designed to support and strengthen these values. It has been structured a multidimensional methodological framework ori-ented to the evaluation of landscape cultural values, tested in National Park of Ci-lento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni (Italy)