172 research outputs found
Angular Dependence in Proton-Proton Correlation Functions in Central and Reactions
The angular dependence of proton-proton correlation functions is studied in
central and nuclear reactions at E=80
MeV/A. Measurements were performed with the HiRA detector complemented by the
4 Array at NSCL. A striking angular dependence in the laboratory frame is
found within p-p correlation functions for both systems that greatly exceeds
the measured and expected isospin dependent difference between the neutron-rich
and neutron-deficient systems. Sources measured at backward angles reflect the
participant zone of the reaction, while much larger sources observed at forward
angles reflect the expanding, fragmenting and evaporating projectile remnants.
The decrease of the size of the source with increasing momentum is observed at
backward angles while a weaker trend in the opposite direction is observed at
forward angles. The results are compared to the theoretical calculations using
the BUU transport model.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, submitted to PR
Extrapolation of neutron-rich isotope cross-sections from projectile fragmentation
Using the measured fragmentation cross sections produced from the 48Ca and
64Ni beams at 140 MeV per nucleon on 9Be and 181Ta targets, we find that the
cross sections of unmeasured neutron rich nuclei can be extrapolated using a
systematic trend involving the average binding energy. The extrapolated
cross-sections will be very useful in planning experiments with neutron rich
isotopes produced from projectile fragmentation. The proposed method is general
and could be applied to other fragmentation systems including those used in
other radioactive ion beam facilities.Comment: accepted for publication in Europhysics Letter
Symmetry energy of fragments produced in multifragmentation
Isospin properties of fragments measured in multifragmentation of 136Xe and
124Xe projectiles in mid-peripheral collisions with a lead target at 1 A GeV
were studied within the statistical approach describing the liquid-gas nuclear
phase transition. By analyzing the isoscaling phenomenon and the mean N-over-Z
ratio of the fragments with Z=10-13 we have concluded that the symmetry energy
of hot fragments produced in multifragment environment at subnuclear densities
at high temperatures decreases in comparison with cold nuclei.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, background information on
http://www-w2k.gsi.de/charms
Measurement of the complete nuclide production and kinetic energies of the system 136Xe + hydrogen at 1 GeV per nucleon
We present an extensive overview of production cross sections and kinetic
energies for the complete set of nuclides formed in the spallation of 136Xe by
protons at the incident energy of 1 GeV per nucleon. The measurement was
performed in inverse kinematics at the FRagment Separator (GSI, Darmstadt).
Slightly below the Businaro-Gallone point, 136Xe is the stable nuclide with the
largest neutron excess. The kinematic data and cross sections collected in this
work for the full nuclide production are a general benchmark for modelling the
spallation process in a neutron-rich nuclear system, where fission is
characterised by predominantly mass-asymmetric splits.Comment: 18 pages, 14 figure
X-ray-Induced Reversible Switching of an Azobenzene Derivative Adsorbed on Bi(111)
We report on the adsorption of a submonolayer of di-m-cyanoazobenzene (DMC) on
Bi(111) and on the reversible switching of these molecules induced by resonant
X-ray illumination. DMC adsorbs in at least two configurations, the flat trans
and the nonflat cis isomer. We find that in 0.8 monolayers at least 26% of the
molecules change their configuration at 110 K by excitation of the N1s → LUMO
transition at the azo group, and by a thermally induced back reaction at 120
K. Nonresonant excitation with X-ray light does not induce any reversible
changes
Neutron-proton asymmetry dependence of spectroscopic factors in Ar isotopes
Spectroscopic factors have been extracted for proton rich 34Ar and neutron
rich 46Ar using the (p,d) neutron transfer reaction. The experimental results
show little reduction of the ground state neutron spectroscopic factor of the
proton rich nucleus 34Ar compared to that of 46Ar. The results suggest that
correlations, which generally reduce such spectroscopic factors, do not depend
strongly on the neutron-proton asymmetry of the nucleus in this isotopic region
as was reported in knockout reactions. The present results are consistent with
results from systematic studies of transfer reactions but inconsistent with the
trends observed in knockout reaction measurements.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures. submitted to PR
Chemical Basis of Prey Recognition in Thamnophiine Snakes: The Unexpected New Roles of Parvalbumins
Detecting and locating prey are key to predatory success within trophic chains. Predators use various signals through specialized visual, olfactory, auditory or tactile sensory systems to pinpoint their prey. Snakes chemically sense their prey through a highly developed auxiliary olfactory sense organ, the vomeronasal organ (VNO). In natricine snakes that are able to feed on land and water, the VNO plays a critical role in predatory behavior by detecting cues, known as vomodors, which are produced by their potential prey. However, the chemical nature of these cues remains unclear. Recently, we demonstrated that specific proteins–parvalbumins–present in the cutaneous mucus of the common frog (Rana temporaria) may be natural chemoattractive proteins for these snakes. Here, we show that parvalbumins and parvalbumin-like proteins, which are mainly intracellular, are physiologically present in the epidermal mucous cells and mucus of several frog and fish genera from both fresh and salt water. These proteins are located in many tissues and function as Ca2+ buffers. In addition, we clarified the intrinsic role of parvalbumins present in the cutaneous mucus of amphibians and fishes. We demonstrate that these Ca2+-binding proteins participate in innate bacterial defense mechanisms by means of calcium chelation. We show that these parvalbumins are chemoattractive for three different thamnophiine snakes, suggesting that these chemicals play a key role in their prey-recognition mechanism. Therefore, we suggest that recognition of parvalbumin-like proteins or other calcium-binding proteins by the VNO could be a generalized prey-recognition process in snakes. Detecting innate prey defense mechanism compounds may have driven the evolution of this predator-prey interaction
Effectiveness and acceptability of progestogens in combined oral contraceptives – a systematic review
BACKGROUND: The progestogen component of oral contraceptives (OCs) has undergone changes since it was recognized that their chemical structure can influence the spectrum of minor adverse and beneficial effects. METHODS: The objective of this review was to evaluate currently available low-dose OCs containing ethinylestradiol and different progestogens in terms of contraceptive effectiveness, cycle control, side effects and continuation rates. The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched. Randomized trials reporting clinical outcomes were considered for inclusion and were assessed for methodological quality and validity. RESULTS: Twenty–two trials were included in the review. Eighteen were sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and in only 5 there was an attempt for blinding. Most comparisons between different interventions included one to three trials, involving usually less than 500 women. Discontinuation was less with second-generation progestogens compared to first–generation (RR 0.79; 95% CI 0.69–0.91). Cycle control appeared to be better with second-compared to first-generation progestogens for both, mono-and triphasic preparations (RR 0.69; 95% CI 0.52–0.91) and (RR 0.61; 95% CI 0.43–0.85), respectively. Intermenstrual bleeding was less with third- compared to second-generation pills (RR 0.71; 95% CI 0.55–0.91). Contraceptive effectiveness of gestodene (GSD) was comparable to that of levonorgestrel (LNG), and had similar pattern of spotting, breakthrough bleeding and absence of withdrawal bleeding). Drospirenone (DRSP) was similar compared to desogestrel (DSG) regarding contraceptive effectiveness, cycle control and side effects. CONCLUSION: The third- and second-generation progestogens are preferred over first generation in all indices of acceptability. Current evidence suggests that GSD is comparable to LNG in terms of contraceptive effectiveness and for most cycle control indices. GSD is also comparable to DSG. DRSP is comparable to DSG. Future research should focus on independently conducted well designed randomized trials comparing particularly the third- with second-generation progestogens
High-precision measurement of total fission cross sections in spallation reactions of 208Pb and 238U
Total cross sections for proton- and deuteron-induced-fission of 208Pb and
238U have been determined in the energy range between 500 MeV and 1 GeV. The
experiment has been performed in inverse kinematics at GSI Darmstadt,
facilitating the counting of the projectiles and the identification of the
reaction products. High precision between 5 and 7 percent has been achieved by
individually counting the beam particles and by registering both fission
fragments in coincidence with high efficiency and full Z resolution. Fission
was clearly distinguished from other reaction channels. The results were found
to deviate by up to 30 percent from Prokofiev's systematics on total fission
cross sections. There is good agreement with an elaborate experiment performed
in direct kinematics.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figure
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