3,640 research outputs found
Experimental constraints on the -ray strength function in Zr using partial cross sections of the Y(p,)Zr reaction
Partial cross sections of the Y(p,)Zr reaction have
been measured to investigate the -ray strength function in the
neutron-magic nucleus Zr. For five proton energies between
MeV and MeV, partial cross sections for the population of seven
discrete states in Zr have been determined by means of in-beam
-ray spectroscopy. Since these -ray transitions are dominantly
of character, the present measurement allows an access to the low-lying
dipole strength in Zr. A -ray strength function based on the
experimental data could be extracted, which is used to describe the total and
partial cross sections of this reaction by Hauser-Feshbach calculations
successfully. Significant differences with respect to previously measured
strength functions from photoabsorption data point towards deviations from the
Brink-Axel hypothesis relating the photo-excitation and de-excitation strength
functions.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
A new proof of the Vorono\"i summation formula
We present a short alternative proof of the Vorono\"i summation formula which
plays an important role in Dirichlet's divisor problem and has recently found
an application in physics as a trace formula for a Schr\"odinger operator on a
non-compact quantum graph \mathfrak{G} [S. Egger n\'e Endres and F. Steiner, J.
Phys. A: Math. Theor. 44 (2011) 185202 (44pp)]. As a byproduct we give a new
proof of a non-trivial identity for a particular Lambert series which involves
the divisor function d(n) and is identical with the trace of the Euclidean wave
group of the Laplacian on the infinite graph \mathfrak{G}.Comment: Enlarged version of the published article J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 44
(2011) 225302 (11pp
Measurement of the 187Re({\alpha},n)190Ir reaction cross section at sub-Coulomb energies using the Cologne Clover Counting Setup
Uncertainties in adopted models of particle+nucleus optical-model potentials
directly influence the accuracy in the theoretical predictions of reaction
rates as they are needed for reaction-network calculations in, for instance,
{\gamma}-process nucleosynthesis. The improvement of the {\alpha}+nucleus
optical-model potential is hampered by the lack of experimental data at
astrophysically relevant energies especially for heavier nuclei. Measuring the
Re187({\alpha},n)Ir190 reaction cross section at sub-Coulomb energies extends
the scarce experimental data available in this mass region and helps
understanding the energy dependence of the imaginary part of the
{\alpha}+nucleus optical-model potential at low energies. Applying the
activation method, after the irradiation of natural rhenium targets with
{\alpha}-particle energies of 12.4 to 14.1 MeV, the reaction yield and thus the
reaction cross section were determined via {\gamma}-ray spectroscopy by using
the Cologne Clover Counting Setup and the method of {\gamma}{\gamma}
coincidences. Cross-section values at five energies close to the
astrophysically relevant energy region were measured. Statistical model
calculations revealed discrepancies between the experimental values and
predictions based on widely used {\alpha}+nucleus optical-model potentials.
However, an excellent reproduction of the measured cross-section values could
be achieved from calculations based on the so-called Sauerwein-Rauscher
{\alpha}+nucleus optical-model potential. The results obtained indicate that
the energy dependence of the imaginary part of the {\alpha}+nucleus
optical-model potential can be described by an exponential decrease. Successful
reproductions of measured cross sections at low energies for {\alpha}-induced
reactions in the mass range 141{\leq}A{\leq}187 confirm the global character of
the Sauerwein-Rauscher potential
Rotational spectroscopy of the HCCO and DCCO radicals in the millimeter and submillimeter range
The ketenyl radical, HCCO, has recently been detected in the ISM for the
first time. Further astronomical detections of HCCO will help us understand its
gas-grain chemistry, and subsequently revise the oxygen-bearing chemistry
towards dark clouds. Moreover, its deuterated counterpart, DCCO, has never been
observed in the ISM. HCCO and DCCO still lack a broad spectroscopic
investigation, although they exhibit a significant astrophysical relevance. In
this work we aim to measure the pure rotational spectra of the ground state of
HCCO and DCCO in the millimeter and submillimeter region, considerably
extending the frequency range covered by previous studies. The spectral
acquisition was performed using a frequency-modulation absorption spectrometer
between 170 and 650 GHz. The radicals were produced in a low-density plasma
generated from a select mixture of gaseous precursors. For each isotopologue we
were able to detect and assign more than 100 rotational lines. The new lines
have significantly enhanced the previous data set allowing the determination of
highly precise rotational and centrifugal distortion parameters. In our
analysis we have taken into account the interaction between the ground
electronic state and a low-lying excited state (Renner-Teller pair) which
enables the prediction and assignment of rotational transitions with up
to 4. The present set of spectroscopic parameters provides highly accurate,
millimeter and submillimeter rest-frequencies of HCCO and DCCO for future
astronomical observations. We also show that towards the pre-stellar core
L1544, ketenyl peaks in the region where - peaks,
suggesting that HCCO follows a predominant hydrocarbon chemistry, as already
proposed by recent gas-grain chemical models
Optical conductivity of wet DNA
Motivated by recent experiments we have studied the optical conductivity of
DNA in its natural environment containing water molecules and counter ions. Our
density functional theory calculations (using SIESTA) for four base pair B-DNA
with order 250 surrounding water molecules suggest a thermally activated doping
of the DNA by water states which generically leads to an electronic
contribution to low-frequency absorption. The main contributions to the doping
result from water near DNA ends, breaks, or nicks and are thus potentially
associated with temporal or structural defects in the DNA.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures included, final version, accepted for publication
in Phys. Rev. Let
Cross-section measurement of the Ba 130 (p,γ) La 131 reaction for γ -process nucleosynthesis
Background: Deviations between experimental data of charged-particle-induced reactions and calculations within the statistical model are frequently found. An extended data base is needed to address the uncertainties regarding the nuclear-physics input parameters in order to understand the nucleosynthesis of the neutron-deficient p nuclei. Purpose: A measurement of total cross-section values of the Ba130(p,γ)La131 reaction at low proton energies allows a stringent test of statistical model predictions with different proton+nucleus optical model potentials. Since no experimental data are available for proton-capture reactions in this mass region around A ≈130, this measurement can be an important input to test the global applicability of proton+nucleus optical model potentials. Method: The total reaction cross-section values were measured by means of the activation method. After the irradiation with protons, the reaction yield was determined by use of γ-ray spectroscopy using two clover-type high-purity germanium detectors. In total, cross-section values for eight different proton energies could be determined in the energy range between 3.6 MeV ≤Ep≤ 5.0 MeV, thus, inside the astrophysically relevant energy region. Results: The measured cross-section values were compared to Hauser-Feshbach calculations using the statistical model codes TALYS and SMARAGD with different proton+nucleus optical model potentials. With the semimicroscopic JLM proton+nucleus optical model potential used in the SMARAGD code, the absolute cross-section values are reproduced well, but the energy dependence is too steep at the lowest energies. The best description is given by a TALYS calculation using the semimicroscopic Bauge proton+nucleus optical model potential using a constant renormalization factor. Conclusions: The statistical model calculation using the Bauge semimicroscopic proton+nucleus optical model potential deviates by a constant factor of 2.1 from the experimental data. Using this model, an experimentally supported stellar reaction rate for proton capture on the p nucleus Ba130 was calculated. At astrophysical temperatures, an increase in the stellar reaction rate of 68% compared to rates obtained from the widely used NON-SMOKER code is found. This measurement extends the scarce experimental data base for charged-particle-induced reactions, which can be helpful to derive a more globally applicable proton+nucleus optical model potential.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio
Zeta functions of quantum graphs
In this article we construct zeta functions of quantum graphs using a contour
integral technique based on the argument principle. We start by considering the
special case of the star graph with Neumann matching conditions at the center
of the star. We then extend the technique to allow any matching conditions at
the center for which the Laplace operator is self-adjoint and finally obtain an
expression for the zeta function of any graph with general vertex matching
conditions. In the process it is convenient to work with new forms for the
secular equation of a quantum graph that extend the well known secular equation
of the Neumann star graph. In the second half of the article we apply the zeta
function to obtain new results for the spectral determinant, vacuum energy and
heat kernel coefficients of quantum graphs. These have all been topics of
current research in their own right and in each case this unified approach
significantly expands results in the literature.Comment: 32 pages, typos corrected, references adde
Interleukin-17 as a molecular target in immune-mediated arthritis: Immunoregulatory properties of genetically modified murine dendritic cells that secrete interleukin-4
Objective Our previous studies have shown that murine dendritic cells (DCs) genetically modified to express interleukin-4 (IL-4) reduce the incidence and severity of murine collagen-induced arthritis. The present studies were performed to assess the immunoregulatory mechanisms underlying this response, by assessing the effects of IL-4 DCs on cytokine production by subsets of T helper cells. Methods Male DBA mice ages 6–8 weeks old were immunized with type II collagen. Splenic T cells obtained during the initiation phase and the end stage of arthritis were cultured with IL-4 DCs or untransduced DCs in the presence of collagen rechallenge. Interferon-Γ (IFNΓ) and IL-17 responses were measured. Antibodies to IL-4, IL-12, and IL-23, and recombinant IL-4, IL-12, and IL-23 were used to further study the regulation of T cell cytokine production by IL-4 DCs. Results Splenic T cells obtained during the initiation phase of arthritis produced less IL-17 when cultured in the presence of IL-4 DCs, despite their production of increased quantities of other proinflammatory cytokines (IFNΓ and tumor necrosis factor). T cell IL-17 production after collagen rechallenge was not inhibited by a lack of IL-23, since IL-4–mediated suppression of IL-17 was not reconstituted by IL-23, an otherwise potent inducer of IL-17 production by T cells. Although IL-4 DCs can produce increased quantities of IL-12 and IFNΓ, suppression of IL-17 production by IL-4 DCs was independent of both. While IL-17 production by T cells obtained during the initiation phase of arthritis was regulated by IL-4 DCs, IL-17 production by T cells obtained during end-stage arthritis was not altered. Conclusion Our data suggest that IL-4 DCs exert a therapeutic effect on collagen-induced arthritis by targeting IL-17. IL-17 suppression by IL-4 DCs is robust and is not reversed by IL-23. Timing might be important in IL-17–targeted therapy, since IL-17 production by T cells obtained during end-stage arthritis did not respond to suppression by IL-4 DCs.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/55925/1/22311_ftp.pd
Aviram-Ratner rectifying mechanism for DNA base pair sequencing through graphene nanogaps
We demonstrate that biological molecules such as Watson-Crick DNA base pairs
can behave as biological Aviram-Ratner electrical rectifiers because of the
spatial separation and weak hydrogen bonding between the nucleobases. We have
performed a parallel computational implementation of the ab-initio
non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) theory to determine the electrical
response of graphene---base-pair---graphene junctions. The results show an
asymmetric (rectifying) current-voltage response for the Cytosine-Guanine base
pair adsorbed on a graphene nanogap. In sharp contrast we find a symmetric
response for the Thymine-Adenine case. We propose applying the asymmetry of the
current-voltage response as a sensing criterion to the technological challenge
of rapid DNA sequencing via graphene nanogaps
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