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An overview of environmental development in the game parks of Kenya
Kenya has one of the oldest and most developed national park and reserve systems among developing nations in Africa. Kenya\u27s ecosystems have felt the impact of tourists, from big game hunters to photographic safaris, for over a century. This project contains the research on which the author intends to base a future book about Kenyan ecoturism for the general public
Evaluation of Nanoclay Exfoliation Strategies for Thermoset Polyimide Nanocomposite Systems
Prior works show exfoliated layered silicate reinforcement improves polymer composite properties. However, achieving full clay exfoliation in high performance thermoset polyimides remains a challenge. This study explores a new method of clay exfoliation, which includes clay intercalation by lower molecular weight PMR monomer under conditions of low and high shear and sonication, clay treatments by aliphatic and aromatic surfactants, and clay dispersion in primary, higher molecular weight PMR resin. Clay spacing, thermal, and mechanical properties were evaluated and compared with the best results available in literature for PMR polyimide systems
Production cross sections from 82Se fragmentation as indications of shell effects in neutron-rich isotopes close to the drip-line
Production cross sections for neutron-rich nuclei from the fragmentation of a
82Se beam at 139 MeV/u were measured. The longitudinal momentum distributions
of 126 neutron-rich isotopes of elements 11 <= Z <= 32 were scanned using an
experimental approach of varying the target thickness. Production cross
sections with beryllium and tungsten targets were determined for a large number
of nuclei including several isotopes first observed in this work. These are the
most neutron-rich nuclides of the elements 22 <= Z <= 25 (64Ti, 67V, 69Cr,
72Mn). One event was registered consistent with 70Cr, and another one with
75Fe. The production cross sections are correlated with Qg systematics to
reveal trends in the data. The results presented here confirm our previous
result from a similar measurement using a 76Ge beam, and can be explained with
a shell model that predicts a subshell closure at N = 34 around Z = 20. This is
demonstrated by systematic trends and calculations with the Abrasion-Ablation
model that are sensitive to separation energies.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, accepted to Phys.Rev.
Observation of isotonic symmetry for enhanced quadrupole collectivity in neutron-rich 62,64,66Fe isotopes at N=40
The transition rates for the 2_{1}^{+} states in 62,64,66Fe were studied
using the Recoil Distance Doppler-Shift technique applied to projectile Coulomb
excitation reactions. The deduced E2 strengths illustrate the enhanced
collectivity of the neutron-rich Fe isotopes up to N=40. The results are
interpreted by the generalized concept of valence proton symmetry which
describes the evolution of nuclear structure around N=40 as governed by the
number of valence protons with respect to Z~30. The deformation suggested by
the experimental data is reproduced by state-of-the-art shell calculations with
a new effective interaction developed for the fpgd valence space.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure
Beta-delayed proton emission in the 100Sn region
Beta-delayed proton emission from nuclides in the neighborhood of 100Sn was
studied at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The nuclei were
produced by fragmentation of a 120 MeV/nucleon 112Sn primary beam on a Be
target. Beam purification was provided by the A1900 Fragment Separator and the
Radio Frequency Fragment Separator. The fragments of interest were identified
and their decay was studied with the NSCL Beta Counting System (BCS) in
conjunction with the Segmented Germanium Array (SeGA). The nuclei 96Cd, 98Ing,
98Inm and 99In were identified as beta-delayed proton emitters, with branching
ratios bp = 5.5(40)%, 5.5+3 -2%, 19(2)% and 0.9(4)%, respectively. The bp for
89Ru, 91,92Rh, 93Pd and 95Ag were deduced for the first time with bp = 3+1.9
-1.7%, 1.3(5)%, 1.9(1)%, 7.5(5)% and 2.5(3)%, respectively. The bp = 22(1)% for
101Sn was deduced with higher precision than previously reported. The impact of
the newly measured bp values on the composition of the type-I X-ray burst ashes
was studied.Comment: 15 pages, 14 Figures, 4 Table
Beta decay of 71,73Co; probing single particle states approaching doubly magic 78Ni
Low-energy excited states in 71,73Ni populated via the {\beta} decay of
71,73Co were investigated in an experiment performed at the National
Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan State University (MSU).
Detailed analysis led to the construction of level schemes of 71,73Ni, which
are interpreted using systematics and analyzed using shell model calculations.
The 5/2- states attributed to the the f5/2 orbital and positive parity 5/2+ and
7/2+ states from the g9/2 orbital have been identified in both 71,73Ni. In 71Ni
the location of a 1/2- {\beta}-decaying isomer is proposed and limits are
suggested as to the location of the isomer in 73Ni. The location of positive
parity cluster states are also identified in 71,73Ni. Beta-delayed neutron
branching ratios obtained from this data are given for both 71,73Co.Comment: Accepted for publication in PR
Production cross sections of neutron rich isotopes from a 82Se beam
Production cross sections for neutron-rich nuclei from the fragmentation of a
82Se beam at 139 MeV/u were measured. The longitudinal momentum distributions
of 122 neutron-rich isotopes of elements were determined by
varying the target thickness. Production cross sections with beryllium and
tungsten targets were determined for a large number of nuclei including several
isotopes first observed in this work. These are the most neutron-rich nuclides
of the elements (64Ti, 67V, 69Cr, 72Mn). One event was
registered consistent with 70Cr, and another one with 75Fe. A one-body Qg
systematics is used to describe the production cross sections based on thermal
evaporation from excited prefragments. The current results confirm those of our
previous experiment with a 76Ge beam: enhanced production cross sections for
neutron-rich fragments near Z=20.Comment: Talk given at the 11th International Conference on Nucleus-Nucleus
Collisions (NN2012), San Antonio, Texas, USA, May 27-June 1, 2012. To appear
in the NN2012 Proceedings in Journal of Physics: Conference Series (JPCS
Beta-decay of nuclei around Se-90. Search for signatures of a N=56 sub-shell closure relevant the r-process
Nuclear structure plays a significant role on the rapid neutron capture
process (r-process) since shapes evolve with the emergence of shells and
sub-shells. There was some indication in neighboring nuclei that we might find
examples of a new N=56 sub-shell, which may give rise to a doubly magic Se-90
nucleus. Beta-decay half lives of nuclei around Se-90 have been measured to
determine if this nucleus has in fact a doubly-magic character. The
fragmentation of Xe-136 beam at the National Superconducting Cyclotron
Laboratory at Michigan State University was used to create a cocktail of nuclei
in the A=90 region. We have measured the half lives of twenty-two nuclei near
the r-process path in the A=90 region. The half lives of As-88 and Se-90 have
been measured for the first time. The values were compared with theoretical
predictions in the search for nuclear-deformation signatures of a N=56
sub-shell, and its possible role in the emergence of a potential doubly-magic
Se-90. The impact of such hypothesis on the synthesis of heavy nuclei,
particularly in the production of Sr, Y and Zr elements was investigated with a
weak r-process network. The new half lives agree with results obtained from a
standard global QRPA model used in r-process calculations, indicating that
Se-90 has a quadrupole shape incompatible with a closed N=56 sub-shell in this
region. The impact of the measured Se-90 half-life in comparison with a former
theoretical predication associated with a spherical half-life on the
weak-r-process is shown to be strong
Vitamin C supplement use may protect against gallstones: an observational study on a randomly selected population
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Animal experiments have shown a protective effect of vitamin C on the formation of gallstones. Few data in humans suggest an association between reduced vitamin C intake and increased prevalence of gallstone disease. The aim of this study was to assess the possible association of regular vitamin C supplementation with gallstone prevalence.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An observational, population-based study of 2129 subjects aged 18-65 years randomly selected from the general population in southern Germany was conducted. Abdominal ultrasound examination, completion of a standardized questionnaire, compilation of anthropometric data and blood tests were used. Data were collected in November and December 2002. Data analysis was conducted between December 2005 and January 2006.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Prevalence of gallstones in the study population was 7.8% (167/2129). Subjects reporting vitamin C supplementation showed a prevalence of 4.7% (11/232), whereas in subjects not reporting regular vitamin C supplementation, the prevalence was 8.2% (156/1897). Female gender, hereditary predisposition, increasing age and body-mass index (BMI) were associated with increased prevalence of gallstones. Logistic regression with backward elimination adjusted for these factors showed reduced gallstone prevalence for vitamin C supplementation (odds ratio, OR 0.34; 95% confidence interval, CI 0.14 to 0.81; P = 0.01), increased physical activity (OR 0.62; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.94; P = 0.02), and higher total cholesterol (OR 0.65; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.79; P < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Regular vitamin C supplementation and, to a lesser extent, increased physical activity and total cholesterol levels are associated with a reduced prevalence of gallstones. Regular vitamin C supplementation might exert a protective effect on the development of gallstones.</p
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