Extraction of level density and gamma strength function from primary gamma spectra

We present a new iterative procedure to extract the level density and the gamma strength function from primary gamma spectra for energies close up to the neutron binding energy. The procedure is tested on simulated spectra and on data from the Yb-173(He-3,alpha)Yb-172 reaction.Comment: 23 pages including 1 table and 7 figure

Long-time tails and cage effect in driven granular fluids

We study the velocity autocorrelation function (VACF) of a driven granular fluid in the stationary state in 3 dimensions. As the critical volume fraction of the glass transition in the corresponding elastic system is approached, we observe pronounced cage effects in the VACF as well as a strong decrease of the diffusion constant. At moderate densities the VACF is shown to decay algebraically in time (t^{-3/2}) like in a molecular fluid, as long as the driving conserves momentum locally.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Design and Development of a Framework for Traffic Management in a Global Manufacturing Enterprise: The American Standard Case Study

Managed Bandwidth Services (MBSs) use Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees to effectively control traffic flows and reduce network delay. In the past, the provision of MBS in a global manufacturing enterprise was a difficult task for network administrators. However, advances in recently emerging technologies, such as Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS), Integrated Services (IntServ), Differentiated Services (DiffServ), and Constraint-based Routing (CBR), hold promise to make MBS implementation more manageable. QoS technologies, such as DiffServ and IntServ, offer the benefits of better application performance and delivery of reliable network service. As a consequence of network traffic loads, packet congestion and latency increases still exist and must be addressed by enterprises that intend to support an MBS solution. In this investigation, the author addressed an issue that is faced by many large manufacturing enterprises, i.e., the addition of latency and congestion sensitive traffic such as Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) to networks with limited bandwidth. The goal of this research was to provide global manufacturing enterprises with a model for bandwidth management in their offices and plants. This model was based on findings from a case study of traffic management at American Standard Companies

Level densities and γ\gamma-strength functions in 148,149^{148,149}Sm

The level densities and $\gamma$-strength functions of the weakly deformed $^{148}$Sm and $^{149}$Sm nuclei have been extracted. The temperature versus excitation energy curve, derived within the framework of the micro canonical ensemble, shows structures, which we associate with the break up of Cooper pairs. The nuclear heat capacity is deduced within the framework of both the micro canonical and the canonical ensemble. We observe negative heat capacity in the micro canonical ensemble whereas the canonical heat capacity exhibits an S-shape as function of temperature, both signals of a phase transition. The structures in the $\gamma$-strength functions are discussed in terms of the pygmy resonance and the scissors mode built on exited states. The samarium results are compared with data for the well deformed $^{161,162}$Dy, $^{166,167}$Er and $^{171,172}$Yb isotopes and with data from (n,$\gamma$)-experiments and giant dipole resonance studies.Comment: 12 figure

Heat capacity and pairing transition in nuclei

A simple model based on the canonical-ensemble theory is outlined for hot nuclei. The properties of the model are discussed with respect to the Fermi gas model and the breaking of Cooper pairs. The model describes well the experimental level density of deformed nuclei in various mass regions. The origin of the so-called S-shape of the heat capacity curve Cv(T) is discussed.Comment: 6 pages + 8 figure

Stepwise multimodality imaging assists in atrial myxoma diagnosis and management

The case of a 67-year-old man who presented for elective gastroenterology procedures and was in atrial fibrillation is discussed. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a large atrial mass. Preoperative coronary angiography revealed a heavily vascularized mass. Use of cardiac magnetic resonance identified the cardiac mass as likely an atrial myxoma.

Thermal and electromagnetic properties of 166-Er and 167-Er

The primary gamma-ray spectra of 166-Er and 167-Er are deduced from the (3-He,alpha gamma) and (3-He,3-He' gamma) reaction, respectively, enabling a simultaneous extraction of the level density and the gamma-ray strength function. Entropy, temperature and heat capacity are deduced from the level density within the micro-canonical and the canonical ensemble, displaying signals of a phase-like transition from the pair-correlated ground state to an uncorrelated state at Tc=0.5 MeV. The gamma-ray strength function displays a bump around E-gamma=3 MeV, interpreted as the pygmy resonance.Comment: 21 pages including 2 tables and 11 figure