37 research outputs found
Measurement of the 72Ge(n,γ) cross section over a wide neutron energy range at the CERN n_TOF facility
The Ge72(n,γ) cross section was measured for neutron energies up to 300keV at the neutron time-of-flight facility n_TOF (CERN), Geneva, for the first time covering energies relevant to heavy-element synthesis in stars. The measurement was performed at the high-resolution beamline EAR-1, using an isotopically enriched GeO272 sample. The prompt capture γ rays were detected with four liquid scintillation detectors, optimized for low neutron sensitivity. We determined resonance capture kernels up to a neutron energy of 43keV, and averaged cross sections from 43 to 300keV. Maxwellian-averaged cross section values were calculated from kT=5 to 100keV, with uncertainties between 3.2% and 7.1%. The new results significantly reduce uncertainties of abundances produced in the slow neutron capture process in massive stars
Neutron capture measurement at the n TOF facility of the 204Tl and 205Tl s-process branching points
Neutron capture cross sections are one of the fundamental nuclear data in
the study of the s (slow) process of nucleosynthesis. More interestingly, the competition
between the capture and the decay rates in some unstable nuclei determines the local
isotopic abundance pattern. Since decay rates are often sensible to temperature and
electron density, the study of the nuclear properties of these nuclei can provide valuable
constraints to the physical magnitudes of the nucleosynthesis stellar environment. Here
we report on the capture cross section measurement of two thallium isotopes, 204Tl
and 205Tl performed by the time-of-flight technique at the n TOF facility at CERN.
At some particular stellar s-process environments, the decay of both nuclei is strongly
enhanced, and determines decisively the abundance of two s-only isotopes of lead,
204Pb and 205Pb. The latter, as a long-lived radioactive nucleus, has potential use
as a chronometer of the last s-process events that contributed to final solar isotopic
abundances
80Se(n,γ) cross-section measurement at CERN n TOF
Radiative neutron capture cross section measurements are of fundamental importance for the study of the slow neutron capture (s-) process of nucleosynthesis. This mechanism is responsible for the formation of most elements heavier than iron in the Universe. Particularly relevant are branching nuclei along the s-process path, which are sensitive to the physical conditions of the stellar environment. One such example is the branching at 79Se (3.27 × 105 y), which shows a thermally dependent ß-decay rate. However, an astrophysically consistent interpretation requires also the knowledge of the closest neighbour isotopes involved. In particular, the 80Se(n,?) cross section directly affects the stellar yield of the "cold"branch leading to the formation of the s-only 82Kr. Experimentally, there exists only one previous measurement on 80Se using the time of flight (TOF) technique. However, the latter suffers from some limitations that are described in this presentation. These drawbacks have been significantly improved in a recent measurement at CERN n TOF. This contribution presents a summary of the latter measurement and the status of the data analysis
Genetic transmission of Alzheimer's disease among families in a Dutch population based study.
The occult aftermath of boxing
The repeated head trauma experienced by boxers can lead to the development of dementia pugilistica (DP)--punch drunk syndrome. The neuropathology of DP in a classic report by Corsellis et al describes the presence of numerous neurofibrillary tangles in the absence of plaques, in contrast to the profusion of tangles and plaques seen in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The DP cases used in that report were re-investigated with immunocytochemical methods and an antibody raised to the beta-protein present in AD plaques. We found that all DP cases with substantial tangle formation showed evidence of extensive beta-protein immunoreactive deposits (plaques). These diffuse "plaques" were not visible with Congo-red or standard silver stains. The degree of beta-protein deposition was comparable to that seen in AD. Our data indicate that the present neuropathological description of DP (tangles but no plaques) should be altered to acknowledge the presence of substantial beta-protein deposition (plaques). The molecular markers present in the plaques and tangles of DP are the same as those in AD. Similarities in clinical symptoms, distribution of pathology and neurochemical deficits also exist. Epidemiological studies have shown that head injury is a risk factor in AD. It is probable that DP and AD share common pathogenic mechanisms leading to tangle and plaque formation
Effects of Contralateral Lesions and Aging on the Neuronal and Glial Population of the Cerebral Cortex of the Rat
Measurement of the Cm and Cm Neutron-Induced Cross Sections at the n_TOF Facility
International audienceThe neutron capture reactions of the Cm and Cm isotopes open the path for the formation of heavier Cm isotopes and of heavier elements such as Bk and Cf in a nuclear reactor. In addition, both isotopes belong to the minor actinides with a large contribution to the decay heat and to the neutron emission in irradiated fuels proposed for the transmutation of nuclear waste and fast critical reactors. The available experimental data for both isotopes are very scarce. We measured the neutron capture cross section with isotopically enriched samples of Cm and Cm provided by JAEA. The measurement covers the range from 1 eV to 250 eV in the n_TOF Experimental Area 2 (EAR-2). In addition, a normalization measurement with the Cm sample was performed at Experimental Area 1 (EAR-1) with the Total Absorption Calorimeter (TAC)