18 research outputs found

    Study of α-transfer reaction 28Si( 7Li, t) 32S

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    The 28Si( 7Li, t) 32S reaction has been studied at 48 MeV. Using a αt potential overlap based on a microscopic cluster model, the full finite-range distorted wave Born approximation analysis was carried out for nine low-lying states; 0.0 MeV (0+), 2.23 MeV (2+), 3.78 MeV (0+), 4.46 MeV (4+), 5.01 MeV (3-), 5.80 MeV (1-), 6.76 MeV (3-), 7.43 MeV (1-) and 8.49 MeV (1-) of the residual nucleus. A re-analysis was also done for the same states of 32S having an αd overlap for the reaction 28Si (6Li, d) 32S at 75.6 MeV. Theoretical spectroscopic factors have been calculated for the measured even-parity states of 32S using the shell model code OXBASH. The spectroscopic factors were compared for both the reactions

    The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

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    Investment in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences generated, now exceeding 100,000 genomes, used to track the pandemic on the continent. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries able to sequence domestically, and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround time and more regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and shed light on the distinct dispersal dynamics of Variants of Concern, particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron, on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve, while the continent faces many emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

    The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance.

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    Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

    The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

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    INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

    Fluorescence quenching of anthracene by aniline in different solvents

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    648-652 Fluorescence quenching of anthracene by aniline in five different solvents has been carried out at room temperature with a view to understand the quenching mechanisms. Experimental results show positive deviation in the Stern-Volmer plots in all the solvents studied. In order to interpret these results the ground state complex and sphere of action static quenching models have been invoked. Using these models various rate parameters have been determined. Ground state complex formation model is found not to be applicable. Using sphere of action static quenching model various rate parameters have been determined. The magnitudes of these parameters imply that sphere of action static quenching model agrees well with the experimental results. Hence, the positive deviation in the S-V plots is attributed to the static and dynamic quenching. Further, with the use of finite sink approximation model it has been observed that these bimolecular reactions are diffusion limited. The dependence of Stern-Volmer constant on dielectric constant of the solvents suggests the charge transfer character of the excited complex

    High energy Li ion irradiation effects in ferroelectric PZT and SBT thin films

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    The ferroelectric Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 (PZT) and SrBi2Ta2O9 (SBT) thin films were prepared by laser ablation technique. The dielectric analysis, capacitance-voltage, ferroelectric hysteresis and DC leakage current measurements were performed before and after 50 MeV Li3+ ion irradiation. In both thin films, the irradiation produced some amount of amorphisation, considerable degradation in the ferroelectric properties and change in DC conductivity. On irradiation of these thin films, the phase transition temperature [Tc] of PZT decreased considerably from 628 to 508 K, while SBT exhibited a broad and diffuse transition with its Tc decreased from 573 to 548 K. The capacitance-voltage curve at 100 kHz showed a double butterfly loop with a large decrease in the capacitance and switching voltage. There was decrease in the ferroelectric hysteresis loop, remanant polarisation and coercive field. After annealing at a temperature of 673 K for 10 min while PZT partially regained the ferroelectric properties, while SBT did not. The DC conductivity measurements showed a shift in the onset of non-linear conduction region in irradiated SBT. The degradation of ferroelectric properties of the irradiated thin films is attributed to the irradiation-induced partial amorphization and the pinning of the ferroelectric domains by trapped charges. The regaining of properties after annealing is attributed to the thermal annealing of the defects generated during the irradiation

    High energy oxygen ion induced modifications in ferroelectric SrBi<SUB>2</SUB>Ta<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>9</SUB> thin films

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    The effects of high energy oxygen ion irradiation on the ferroelectric properties of SrBi2Ta2O9 (SBT) thin films are reported. The films were grown using pulsed laser ablation. Fluence dependant degradation in the ferroelectric properties was observed. The dielectric constant did not show any frequency dispersion in both the unirradiated and irradiated films. After irradiation, the films showed only a decrease in the capacitance value retaining their ferroelectric nature. The switching voltages increased with broader peaks and showed a partial recovery after annealing of the irradiated film. A slim hysteresis loop with decreased Ps, Pr and Ec values was observed. The current density increased to a larger extent. The decrease in the dielectric constant, capacitance and polarization values was to a lesser extent as compared to those of PZT thin films under identical irradiation conditions. The results presented in this paper are illustrative of the fact that the layered perovskites have a stable structure and are less sensitive to extrinsic effects. The relatively high resistance of bismuth layered perovskites such as SBT to the high energy radiation along with the greater fatigue endurance as compared to PZT make them better candidates for applications in memory devices

    Quenching of Bis-msb by Carbon Tetrachloride in Different Solvents

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    Fluorescence quenching of 1,4-bis [2-(2-methylphenyl) ethenyl]-benzene (Bis-MSB) by carbon tetrachloride in five different solvents namely hexane, cyclohexane, toluene, benzene and dioxane has been carried out at room temperature with a view to understand the quenching mechanisms. The Stern-Volmer plot has been found to be non-linear with a positive deviation for all the solvents studied. In order to interpret these results we have invoked the Ground state complex and Sphere of action static quenching models. Using these models various rate parameters have been determined. The magnitudes of these parameters imply that sphere of action static quenching model agrees well with the experimental results. Hence the positive deviation in the Stern-Volmer plots is attributed to the static and dynamic quenching. Further, with the use of Finite Sink approximation model, it was possible to check whether these bimolecular reactions as diffusion limited and to estimate independently distance parameter R&apos; and mutual diffusion coefficient D. Finally an effort has been made to correlate the values of R&apos; and D with the values of the encounter distance R and the mutual diffusion coefficient D determined using the EdwardĂ­s empirical relation and Stokes-Einstein relation

    Study of alpha-transfer Reaction 28si( 7li,t) 32S

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    The 28Si( 7Li,t) 32S reaction has been studied at 48 MeV. Using a alphat potential overlap based on a microscopic cluster model, the full finite-range distorted wave Born approximation analysis was carried out for nine low-lying states; 0.0 MeV (0+), 2.23 MeV (2+), 3.78 MeV (0+), 4.46 MeV (4+), 5.01 MeV (3-), 5.80 MeV (1-), 6.76 MeV (3-), 7.43 MeV (1-) and 8.49 MeV (1-) of the residual nucleus. A re-analysis was also done for the same states of 32S having an alphad overlap for the reaction 28Si (6Li, d) 32S at 75.6 MeV. Theoretical spectroscopic factors have been calculated for the measured even-parity states of 32S using the shell model code OXBASH. The spectroscopic factors were compared for both the reactions
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