NEDA—NEutron Detector Array

The NEutron Detector Array, NEDA, will form the next generation neutron detection system that has been designed to be operated in conjunction with γ-ray arrays, such as the tracking-array AGATA, to aid nuclear spectroscopy studies. NEDA has been designed to be a versatile device, with high-detection efficiency, excellent neutron-γ discrimination, and high rate capabilities. It will be employed in physics campaigns in order to maximise the scientific output, making use of the different stable and radioactive ion beams available in Europe. The first implementation of the neutron detector array NEDA with AGATA 1π was realised at GANIL. This manuscript reviews the various aspects of NEDA

Global potential energy surface for the O2 + N2 interaction. Applications to the collisional, spectroscopic, and thermodynamic properties of the complex

A detailed characterization of the interaction between the most abundant molecules in air is important for the understanding of a variety of phenomena in atmospherical science. A completely {\em ab initio} global potential energy surface (PES) for the O$_2(^3\Sigma^-_g)$ + N$_2(^1\Sigma^+_g)$ interaction is reported for the first time. It has been obtained with the symmetry-adapted perturbation theory utilizing a density functional description of monomers [SAPT(DFT)] extended to treat the interaction involving high-spin open-shell complexes. The computed interaction energies of the complex are in a good agreement with those obtained by using the spin-restricted coupled cluster methodology with singles, doubles and noniterative triple excitations [RCCSD(T)]. A spherical harmonics expansion containing a large number of terms due to the anisotropy of the interaction has been built from the {\em ab initio} data. The radial coefficients of the expansion are matched in the long range with the analytical functions based on the recent {\em ab initio} calculations of the electric properties of the monomers [M. Bartolomei et al., J. Comp. Chem., {\bf 32}, 279 (2011)]. The PES is tested against the second virial coefficient $B(T)$ data and the integral cross sections measured with rotationally hot effusive beams, leading in both cases to a very good agreement. The first bound states of the complex have been computed and relevant spectroscopic features of the interacting complex are reported. A comparison with a previous experimentally derived PES is also provided

Wild vascular plants gathered for consumption in the Polish countryside: a review

BACKGROUND: This paper is an ethnobotanical review of wild edible plants gathered for consumption from the end of the 18(th )century to the present day, within the present borders of Poland. METHODS: 42 ethnographic and botanical sources documenting the culinary use of wild plants were analyzed. RESULTS: The use of 112 species (3.7% of the flora) has been recorded. Only half of them have been used since the 1960s. Three species: Cirsium rivulare, Euphorbia peplus and Scirpus sylvaticus have never before been reported as edible by ethnobotanical literature. The list of wild edible plants which are still commonly gathered includes only two green vegetables (Rumex acetosa leaves for soups and Oxalis acetosella as children's snack), 15 folk species of fruits and seeds (Crataegus spp., Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Fragaria vesca, Malus domestica, Prunus spinosa, Pyrus spp., Rosa canina, Rubus idaeus, Rubus sect. Rubus, Sambucus nigra, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. oxycoccos, V. uliginosum, V. vitis-idaea) and four taxa used for seasoning or as preservatives (Armoracia rusticana root and leaves, Carum carvi seeds, Juniperus communis pseudo-fruits and Quercus spp. leaves). The use of other species is either forgotten or very rare. In the past, several species were used for food in times of scarcity, most commonly Chenopodium album, Urtica dioica, U. urens, Elymus repens, Oxalis acetosella and Cirsium spp., but now the use of wild plants is mainly restricted to raw consumption or making juices, jams, wines and other preserves. The history of the gradual disappearance of the original barszcz, Heracleum sphondylium soup, from Polish cuisine has been researched in detail and two, previously unpublished, instances of its use in the 20(th )century have been found in the Carpathians. An increase in the culinary use of some wild plants due to media publications can be observed. CONCLUSION: Poland can be characterized as a country where the traditions of culinary use of wild plants became impoverished very early, compared to some parts of southern Europe. The present use of wild plants, even among the oldest generation, has been almost entirely restricted to fruits

The new neutron multiplicity filter NEDA and its first physics campaign with AGATA

A new neutron multiplicity filter NEDA, after a decade of design, R&D and construction, was employed in its first physics campaign with the AGATA spectrometer. Properties and performance of the array are discussed

Kinetics of nanocrystalline iron nitriding

Nitriding of nanocrystalline iron was studied under the atmosphere of pure ammonia and in the mixtures of ammonia - hydrogen - nitrogen at temperatures between 350°C and 500°C using thermogravimetry and x-ray diffraction. Three stages of nitriding were observed and have been ascribed to the following schematic reactions: (1) α-Fe → γ-Fe4N, (2) γ- Fe4N → ε - Fe3N and (3) ε - Fe3N → ε - Fe2N. The products of these reactions appeared in the nitrided nanocrystalline iron not sequentially but co-existed at certain reaction ranges. The dependence of a reaction rate for each nitriding stage on partial pressure of ammonia is linear. Moreover, a minimal ammonia partial pressure is required to initiate the nitriding at each stage

Post-assembly measurements of devices and energy network for MV power grids

W artykule przedstawiono analizę pomiarów pomontażowych urządzeń i sieci elektroenergetycznych średniego napięcia SN. Przedstawiono je na przykładach urządzeń przesyłowo-rozdzielczych występujących w różnych zakładach przemysłowo-wytwórczych w Polsce.The paper presents the analysis of post-assembly measurements of devices and energy network for MV power grids. They are presented on the examples of transmission and distribution devices present in various industrial and manufacturing plants in Poland

Semiiterative methods for linear equations

.The authors consider the numerical solution of Ax=f, where A is a bounded invertible linear operator in a complex Banach space, (i) using only premultiplication of vectors by A and (ii) forming linear combinations of known vectors. Essentially, this involves the approximation of A^(−1) by polynomials in A. Several methods of computing this approximation are investigated