Electromagnetic Modes in Deformed Nuclei

A strength function method is adopted to describe a coupling between electric and magnetic modes of different multipolarity. The collective vibrations are analysed for a separable residual interaction in the framework of the random-phase approximation. The coupling between $M2$ and $E1$ giant resonances is considered as an illustrative example.Comment: 7 pages (latex), 1 figure (ps file), an invited talk at the workshop "Symmetries and Spin - Praha 98", to be published in Czech.J.Phys., 199

Instrumentation for study of nanomaterials in NPI REZ (New laboratory for material study in Nuclear Physics Institute in REZ)

Nano-sized materials become irreplaceable component of a number of devices for every aspect of human life. The development of new materials and deepening of the current knowledge require a set of specialized techniques-deposition methods for preparation/modification of the materials and analytical tools for proper understanding of their properties. A thoroughly equipped research centers become the requirement for the advance and development not only in nano-sized field. The Center of Accelerators and Nuclear Analytical Methods (CANAM) in the Nuclear Physics Institute (NPI) comprises a unique set of techniques for the synthesis or modification of nanostructured materials and systems, and their characterization using ion beam, neutron beam and microscopy imaging techniques. The methods are used for investigation of a broad range of nano-sized materials and structures based on metal oxides, nitrides, carbides, carbon-based materials (polymers, fullerenes, graphenes, etc.) and nano-laminate composites (MAX phases). These materials can be prepared at NPI using ion beam sputtering, physical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy. Based on the deposition method and parameters, the samples can be tuned to possess specific properties, e.g., composition, thickness (nm-μm), surface roughness, optical and electrical properties, etc. Various nuclear analytical methods are applied for the sample characterization. RBS, RBS-channeling, PIXE, PIGE, micro-beam analyses and Transmission Spectroscopy are accomplished at the Tandetron 4130MC accelerator, and additionally the Neutron Depth Profiling (NDP) and Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation (PGNA) analyses are performed at an external neutron beam from the LVR-15 research reactor. The multimode AFM facility provides further surface related information, magnetic/electrical properties with nano-metric precision, nano-indentation, etc

The Association of Family-Related Adversity With Fighting in Adolescents:Does Hopelessness Mediate This Association?

Objectives: To explore the association of family-related adversities with physical fighting, and whether this association is mediated by hopelessness. Methods: The sample consisted of 3712 Slovak adolescents (mean age: 13.9, 50.7% girls). Participants answered questions regarding experienced family-related adversities, involvement in physical fighting in the last 12 months and the Hopelessness Questionnaire. First, the association of family adversities in general with fighting and of each of family-related adversity separately was assessed using linear regression models and second, mediation was assessed using the a*b product method with bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals Results: Adolescents who had experienced at least one family adversity reported more frequent fighting. Similarly, each of reported family adversities (death of a parent, substance abuse problems of a parent, conflicts/physical fights, divorce) was associated with more frequent fighting among adolescents. The mediation effect of hopelessness was found in each association of family-related adversity with fighting. Conclusion: These findings suggest that interventions to support adolescents who had experienced family adversities could among other things be directed at better coping with hopelessness

Specific features of depth distribution profiles of implanted cobalt ions in rutile TiO 2

This paper reports on the results of the calculation of the depth distribution profiles of the concentration of the impurity implanted into an anisotropic crystalline material. The sputtering of the irradiated material, fast one-dimensional diffusion of the impurity along structural channels, and accumulation of the implanted impurity at different depths have been taken into account. The results of the calculations have been compared with the experimental distribution profiles of cobalt ions implanted into the crystal structure of rutile TiO 2 along and across structural channels at different temperatures of the irradiated substrate. A comparison of the model and experimental profiles has made it possible to evaluate the precipitation rate of cobalt in the TiO 2 matrix on different precipitation centers. A model has been proposed for explaining the unusual shift in the peak of the concentration distribution of implanted ions deep into the sample with an increase in the temperature of the irradiated substrate. The model has allowed one to separate the contributions from different phases of the impurity (nanoparticles and solid solution) to the magnetism of the Co: TiO 2 system. © 2011 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd

E-Health : Software Development and Implementation (EHSDI) course

E-Health: Software Development and Implementation (EHSDI) is a training course developed by Partners in Health and now in its second year of implementation in Rwanda, where it is run in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board. The goal of the course is to produce local software developers with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop electronic medical record software, specifically to develop modules for OpenMRS. The course is 9 months long

RBS, PIXE, Ion-Microbeam and SR-FTIR Analyses of Pottery Fragments from Azerbaijan

The present work is aimed at the investigation of the ceramic bulk and pigmented glazed surfaces of ancient potteries dating back to XIX century A.D. and coming from the charming archeological site located in the Medieval Agsu town (Azerbaijan), a geographic area of special interest due to the ancient commercial routes between China, Asia Minor, and Europe. For the purpose of the study, complementary investigation tools have been exploited: non-destructive or micro-destructive investigation at elemental level by ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques, by using Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS), Proton-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) spectroscopy and ion-microbeam analysis, and chemical characterization at microscopic level, by means of synchrotron radiation (SR) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy. The acquired information reveals useful for the identification of the provenance, the reconstruction of the firing technology, and finally, the identification of the pigment was used as a colorant of the glaze

THE RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY USE FOR MONITORING OF CHANGES IN THE GLASS STRUCTURE OF THE THIN LAYERS CAUSED BY ION IMPLANTATION

In this paper, we have demonstrated the utility of Raman spectroscopy as a technique for the characterisation of changes in the glass structure of the thin layers caused by ion implantation. Various types of silicate glasses were implanted by Au+ ions with energy of 1.7 MeV and a fluence of 1 x 1016 ions.cm-2 to create gold nanoparticles in thin sub-surface layer of the glass. It was proved that the structure of the glass has an indisputable impact on the extent of depolymerisation of the glass network after implantation. It was shown that the degree of glass matrix depolymerisation can be described using the evaluation of Qn factors in the implanted layers from different depths. After analysis of Raman spectra, the relation between nucleation and the resulting parameters of the gold nanoparticles was put into connection with the feasibility of the glass to recover its structure during post-implantation annealing. Also the creation of new bonds in the glass network was discussed

In Vivo Biotransformation of 3,3′,4,4′-Tetrachlorobiphenyl by Whole Plants−Poplars and Switchgrass

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widely distributed persistent organic pollutants. In vitro research has shown that plant cell cultures might transform lower chlorinated congeners to hydroxylated PCBs, but there are few studies on in vivo metabolism of PCBs by intact whole plants. In this research, poplar plants (Populus deltoides × nigra, DN34) and switchgrass (Panicum vigratum, Alamo) were hydroponically exposed to 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (CB77). Metabolism in plants occurred rapidly, and metabolites were detected after only a 24 h exposure. Rearrangement of chlorine atoms and dechlorination of CB77 by plants was unexpectedly observed. In addition, poplars were able to hydroxylate CB77 and the metabolite 6-hydroxy-3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (6-OH-CB77) was identified and quantified. Hybrid poplar was able to hydroxylate CB77, but switchgrass was not, suggesting that enzymatic transformations are plant specific. Sulfur-containing metabolites (from the action of sulfotransferases) were investigated in this study, but they were not detected in either poplar or switchgrass

Co-encapsulation of human serum albumin and superparamagnetic iron oxide in PLGA nanoparticles: Part I. Effect of process variables on the mean size

PLGA (poly d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulating magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) along with a model drug human serum albumin (HSA) were prepared by double emulsion solvent evaporation method. This Part I will focus on size and size distribution of prepared NPs, whereas encapsulation efficiency will be discussed in Part II. It was found that mean hydrodynamic particle size was influenced by five important process variables. To explore their effects, a five-factorial, three-level experimental design and statistical analysis were carried out using STATISTICA® software. Effect of process variables on the mean size of nanoparticles was investigated and finally conditions to minimize size of NPs were proposed. GAMS™/MINOS software was used for optimization. The mean hydrodynamic size of nanoparticles ranged from 115 to 329 nm depending on the process conditions. Smallest possible mean particle size can be achieved by using low polymer concentration and high dispersion energy (enough sonication time) along with small aqueous/organic volume ratio