β-delayed neutron and γ-ray spectroscopy of ^<17>C utilizing spin-polarized ^<17>B

Excited states in ^C were investigated through the measurement of β -delayed neutrons and γ rays emitted in the β decay of ^B. In the measurement, three negative-parity states and two inconclusive states were identified in ^C above the neutron threshold energy, and seven γ lines were identified in a β -delayed multiple neutron emission of the ^Bβ decay. From these transitions, the β-decay scheme of ^B was determined. In particular, a de-excitation 1766-keVγ line from the first excited state of ^C was observed in coincidence with the emitted β-delayed neutrons, and this changes the previously reported β-decay scheme of ^B and level structure of ^C. In the present work, the β-NMR technique is combined with the β-delayed particle measurements using a fragmentation-induced spin-polarized ^B beam. This new scheme allows us to determine the spin parity of β-decay feeding excited states based on the difference in the discrete β-decay asymmetry parameters, provided the states are connected through the Gamow-Teller transition. In this work, I^π=1/2^−, 3/2^−, and (5/2^−) are assigned to the observed states at E_x = 2.71(2), 3.93(2), and 4.05(2) MeV in ^C, respectively

High-power laser experiment forming a supercritical collisionless shock in a magnetized uniform plasma at rest

We present a new experimental method to generate quasi-perpendicular supercritical magnetized collisionless shocks. In our experiment, ambient nitrogen (N) plasma is at rest and well-magnetized, and it has uniform mass density. The plasma is pushed by laser-driven ablation aluminum (Al) plasma. Streaked optical pyrometry and spatially resolved laser collective Thomson scattering clarify structures of plasma density and temperatures, which are compared with one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. It is indicated that just after the laser irradiation, the Al plasma is magnetized by a self-generated Biermann battery field, and the plasma slaps the incident N plasma. The compressed external field in the N plasma reflects N ions, leading to counter-streaming magnetized N flows. Namely we identify the edge of the reflected N ions. Such interacting plasmas form a magnetized collisionless shock

Soy isoflavones and their relationship with microflora: beneficial effects on human health in equol producers

The bioavailability of soy isoflavones depends on the composition of the microflora for each subject. Bacteria act on different isoflavones with increased or reduced absorption and cause biotransformation of these compounds into metabolites with higher biological activity. S-equol is the most important metabolite and only 25–65 % of the population have the microflora that produces this compound. The presence of equol-producing bacteria in soy product consumers means that the consumption of such products for prolonged periods leads to lower cardiovascular risk, reduced incidence of prostate and breast cancer, and greater relief from symptoms related to the menopause such as hot flushes and osteoporosis

Quenching of neutron \mth{E2} effective charge in neutron-rich nuclei and the ground-state spin-parity of \chem{^{17}C}

The electric quadrupole moment of $^{17}$B and the $g$-factor of $^{17}$C were measured by using the fragmentation-induced nuclear polarization technique combined with the $\beta$-NMR method. The experimental quadrupole moment of $^{17}$B is found strikingly close to that of the neutron closed-shell isotope $^{13}$B, indicating a strong quenching of the neutron $E2$ core-polarization charge. From the result obtained for the $^{17}$C $g$-factor, we can conclude that the ground-state spin-parity of \chem{^{17}C} is $3/2^+$