Response of Multi-strip Multi-gap Resistive Plate Chamber

A prototype of Multi-strip Multi-gap Resistive Plate chamber (MMRPC) with active area 40 cm $\times$ 20 cm has been developed at SINP, Kolkata. Detailed response of the developed detector was studied with the pulsed electron beam from ELBE at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. In this report the response of SINP developed MMRPC with different controlling parameters is described in details. The obtained time resolution ($\sigma_t$) of the detector after slew correction was 91.5$\pm$3 ps. Position resolution measured along ($\sigma_x$) and across ($\sigma_y$) the strip was 2.8$\pm$0.6 cm and 0.58 cm, respectively. The measured absolute efficiency of the detector for minimum ionizing particle like electron was 95.8$\pm$1.3 $\%$. Better timing resolution of the detector can be achieved by restricting the events to a single strip. The response of the detector was mainly in avalanche mode but a few percentage of streamer mode response was also observed. A comparison of the response of these two modes with trigger rate was studiedComment: 19 pages, 26 figure

Coulomb breakup of neutron-rich 29,30^{29,30}Na isotopes near the island of inversion

First results are reported on the ground state configurations of the neutron-rich $^{29,30}$Na isotopes, obtained via Coulomb dissociation (CD) measurements as a method of the direct probe. The invariant mass spectra of those nuclei have been obtained through measurement of the four-momentum of all decay products after Coulomb excitation on a $^{208}Pb$ target at energies of 400-430 MeV/nucleon using FRS-ALADIN-LAND setup at GSI, Darmstadt. Integrated Coulomb-dissociation cross-sections (CD) of 89 $(7)$ mb and 167 $(13)$ mb up to excitation energy of 10 MeV for one neutron removal from $^{29}$Na and $^{30}$Na respectively, have been extracted. The major part of one neutron removal, CD cross-sections of those nuclei populate core, in its' ground state. A comparison with the direct breakup model, suggests the predominant occupation of the valence neutron in the ground state of $^{29}$Na${(3/2^+)}$ and $^{30}$Na${(2^+)}$ is the $d$ orbital with small contribution in the $s$-orbital which are coupled with ground state of the core. The ground state configurations of these nuclei are as $^{28}$Na_{gs (1^+)\otimes\nu_{s,d} and $^{29}$Na$_{gs}(3/2^+)\otimes\nu_{ s,d}$, respectively. The ground state spin and parity of these nuclei, obtained from this experiment are in agreement with earlier reported values. The spectroscopic factors for the valence neutron occupying the $s$ and $d$ orbitals for these nuclei in the ground state have been extracted and reported for the first time. A comparison of the experimental findings with the shell model calculation using MCSM suggests a lower limit of around 4.3 MeV of the sd-pf shell gap in $^{30}$Na.Comment: Modified version of the manuscript is accepted for publication in Journal of Physics G, Jan., 201

Exotic decay of Cs 115

The detailed study of the β+/EC decay of the very neutron-deficient and alpha-unbound nucleus Cs115 is presented. The measurement was performed at the ISOLDE, CERN where delayed charged particles and γ rays were detected. The observed delayed γ rays are in agreement with the previously reported characteristics γ rays of Xe115. Based on the experimental observations, the tentative ground-state spin of Cs115 is suggested to be 7/2+ or 9/2+. Furthermore, the measured decay branching ratio of delayed protons exceeds the previously reported value. Additionally, new delayed α-branching ratio and several reconstructed proton and α-unbound excited states of Xe115 are being reported for the first time. The properties of proton-unbound states at excitation energies from 3.9-7.9 MeV have been obtained by fitting the delayed proton spectrum via the Bayesian method. The measured lifetimes of these proton-unbound states are in the order of zeptoseconds

Coulomb dissociation of N 20,21

Neutron-rich light nuclei and their reactions play an important role in the creation of chemical elements. Here, data from a Coulomb dissociation experiment on N20,21 are reported. Relativistic N20,21 ions impinged on a lead target and the Coulomb dissociation cross section was determined in a kinematically complete experiment. Using the detailed balance theorem, the N19(n,γ)N20 and N20(n,γ)N21 excitation functions and thermonuclear reaction rates have been determined. The N19(n,γ)N20 rate is up to a factor of 5 higher at

Expression of disease‐related miRNAs in white‐matter lesions of progressive multiple sclerosis brains

Abstract Background MicroRNA (miRNA) expression in the serum of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients has been correlated with white matter (WM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities. The expression levels and cellular specificity of the target genes of these miRNAs are unknown in MS brain. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze and validate the expression of miRNAs, previously reported as dysregulated in sera of MS patients, in white‐matter lesions (WMLs) of progressive MS brains. Methods We performed global miRNA expression profiling analysis in demyelinated WMLs of progressive MS brains (n = 5) and compared the significantly altered miRNAs to previously identified miRNAs from sera of MS patients. Top dysregulated miRNAs common between the two datasets were validated in an independent cohort of MS brains by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and in situ hybridization. Results Among the miRNAs that were significantly changed in WML tissues, 11 were similar to pathogenic and 12 were common to protective miRNAs previously identified in sera and correlating with WM MRI abnormalities. Importantly, the expression levels of 58% of the protective miRNAs (7 of 12) were decreased in MS lesions compared to surrounding normal‐appearing tissue. Target genes of these miRNAs were also altered in MS lesions and queries of cell‐specific databases identified astrocytes and microglia as the key cellular expressers of these genes in MS brains. Conclusions We identified miRNAs that correlate with MRI abnormalities in lesioned tissue from MS brains

Assessing sustainability focus across global banks

Global banks play intermediary and even direct roles in achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, developmental progress is complex to measure due to siloed, varied and even non-transparent, ambiguous, non-standardized ways of calibration and reporting. This research explores public disclosures (sustainability, CSR, and annual reports, press releases, website, and others) of fifty banks across nine geo-segments over five calendar years (2018–2023). Inductive methods, co-word assessments, content analysis are deployed to develop qualitative commentaries indicating geo-specific performances of the banks. The research findings indicate goal-specific attribution and discovery of motives and initiatives. This validates how motives in embracing the SDGs vary and relate to achievement of – (A) core business objectives; (B) support and financing of other industries, organizations, and governments in sustainable initiatives; and (C) corporate citizenship, altruistic and ethical considerations. Methodological approaches to calibrate findings across seventeen SDGs help identify benchmark practices, understand complementary actions, and required focus for banks and other industries. This is relevant to geo-specific sustainability challenges, trade-offs, and requirements. The findings can guide public policies and regulations, empower banks and other institutions to accelerate awareness and evaluate effectiveness towards sustainable developments