Methane dynamics in different boreal lake types

This study explores the variability in concentrations of dissolved CH<sub>4</sub> and annual flux estimates in the pelagic zone in a statistically defined sample of 207 lakes in Finland. The lakes were situated in the boreal zone, in an area where the mean annual air temperature ranges from −2.8 to 5.9°C. We examined how lake CH<sub>4</sub> dynamics related to regional lake types assessed according to the EU water framework directive. Ten lake types were defined on the basis of water chemistry, color, and size. Lakes were sampled for dissolved CH<sub>4</sub> concentrations four times per year, at four different depths at the deepest point of each lake. We found that CH<sub>4</sub> concentrations and fluxes to the atmosphere tended to be high in nutrient rich calcareous lakes, and that the shallow lakes had the greatest surface water concentrations. Methane concentration in the hypolimnion was related to oxygen and nutrient concentrations, and to lake depth or lake area. The surface water CH<sub>4</sub> concentration was related to the depth or area of lake. Methane concentration close to the bottom can be viewed as proxy of lake status in terms of frequency of anoxia and nutrient levels. The mean pelagic CH<sub>4</sub> release from randomly selected lakes was 49 mmol m<sup>−2</sup> a<sup>−1</sup>. The sum CH<sub>4</sub> flux (storage and diffusion) correlated with lake depth, area and nutrient content, and CH<sub>4</sub> release was greatest from the shallow nutrient rich and humic lakes. Our results support earlier lake studies regarding the regulating factors and also the magnitude of global emission estimate. These results propose that in boreal region small lakes have higher CH<sub>4</sub> fluxes per unit area than larger lakes, and that the small lakes have a disproportionate significance regarding to the CH<sub>4</sub> release

The heart of a convex body

We investigate some basic properties of the {\it heart} $\heartsuit(\mathcal{K})$ of a convex set $\mathcal{K}.$ It is a subset of $\mathcal{K},$ whose definition is based on mirror reflections of euclidean space, and is a non-local object. The main motivation of our interest for $\heartsuit(\mathcal{K})$ is that this gives an estimate of the location of the hot spot in a convex heat conductor with boundary temperature grounded at zero. Here, we investigate on the relation between $\heartsuit(\mathcal{K})$ and the mirror symmetries of $\mathcal{K};$ we show that $\heartsuit(\mathcal{K})$ contains many (geometrically and phisically) relevant points of $\mathcal{K};$ we prove a simple geometrical lower estimate for the diameter of $\heartsuit(\mathcal{K});$ we also prove an upper estimate for the area of $\heartsuit(\mathcal{K}),$ when $\mathcal{K}$ is a triangle.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figures. appears as "Geometric Properties for Parabolic and Elliptic PDE's", Springer INdAM Series Volume 2, 2013, pp 49-6

Shape coexistence at the proton drip-line: First identification of excited states in 180Pb

Excited states in the extremely neutron-deficient nucleus, 180Pb, have been identified for the first time using the JUROGAM II array in conjunction with the RITU recoil separator at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyvaskyla. This study lies at the limit of what is presently achievable with in-beam spectroscopy, with an estimated cross-section of only 10 nb for the 92Mo(90Zr,2n)180Pb reaction. A continuation of the trend observed in 182Pb and 184Pb is seen, where the prolate minimum continues to rise beyond the N=104 mid-shell with respect to the spherical ground state. Beyond mean-field calculations are in reasonable correspondence with the trends deduced from experiment.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Phys.Rev.

Search for Fingerprints of Tetrahedral Symmetry in 156Gd^{156}Gd

Theoretical predictions suggest the presence of tetrahedral symmetry as an explanation for the vanishing intra-band E2-transitions at the bottom of the odd-spin negative parity band in $^{156}Gd$. The present study reports on experiment performed to address this phenomenon. It allowed to determine the intra-band E2 transitions and branching ratios B(E2)/B(E1) of two of the negative-parity bands in $^{156}Gd$.Comment: presented by Q.T. Doan at XLII Zakopane School of Physics: Breaking Frontiers: Submicron Structures in Physics and Biology, May 2008. 5 pages, minor corrections. To be published in the proceeding

First observation of excited states in 173Hg

The neutron-deficient nucleus 173Hg has been studied following fusion-evaporation reactions. The observation of gamma rays decaying from excited states are reported for the first time and a tentative level scheme is proposed. The proposed level scheme is discussed within the context of the systematics of neighbouring neutron-deficient Hg nuclei. In addition to the gamma-ray spectroscopy, the alpha decay of this nucleus has been measured yielding superior precision to earlier measurements.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Convexity criteria and uniqueness of absolutely minimizing functions

We show that absolutely minimizing functions relative to a convex Hamiltonian $H:\mathbb{R}^n \to \mathbb{R}$ are uniquely determined by their boundary values under minimal assumptions on $H.$ Along the way, we extend the known equivalences between comparison with cones, convexity criteria, and absolutely minimizing properties, to this generality. These results perfect a long development in the uniqueness/existence theory of the archetypal problem of the calculus of variations in $L^\infty.$Comment: 34 page

Level structure of 99Nb

The β decay of 97Sr to 97Y has been investigated using ion-guide on-line mass separation and a 10 Ge-detector array to record γ−γ coincidences to a detection limit well below that of former studies. Similarities are found in the β-decay patterns of 99Zr and of its isotone 97Sr and also in the γ-ray decay rates and branchings of the corresponding levels in their respective daughters 99Nb and 97Y. This indicates a persisting influence of the d5/2 neutron shell closure for 99Nb. The level structure of 99Nb and the β-feeding pattern are discussed in the frame of the interacting boson-fermion plus broken pair model and the microscopic quasiparticle phonon model

Quasiparticle alignments and alpha-decay fine structure of Pt-175

Excited states and decay properties of 175 Pt have been investigated using the 92 Mo ( 86 Sr , 2 p n ) fusion-evaporation reaction. The JUROGAM I γ -ray spectrometer and the GREAT spectrometer were used in conjunction with the gas-filled recoil separator RITU for the measurement of the radiation at the target and focal plane positions, respectively. Two new band structures, assigned to be based on the I π = ( 7 / 2 − ) ground state in 175 Pt, have been established and the known yrast band has been extended up to I π = ( 49 / 2 + ) . Rotational properties of the excited states in 175 Pt have been investigated within the cranked shell-model formalism. The low-frequency changes in the alignments of the positive- and negative-parity bands are interpreted as a sign of proton-pair excitations in the rotating core. Furthermore, the α -decay measurements reveal a candidate for a fourth α -decay branch in 175 Pt, feeding a non-yrast state in 171 Os

Study of Intermediate-spin States of Y-98

The nuclear structure of the odd–odd nucleus 98Y has been re-investigated by observing prompt γ rays emitted following the proton-induced fission of a 238U target, using the JUROGAM-II multidetector array. New highspin decays have been observed and placed in the level schemes using triple coincidences. The experimental level energies and γ-decay patterns are compared to GICM and QPRM calculations, assuming that this neutronrich N = 59 isotone is spherical at low energies and prolate deformed at intermediate spins.Web of Science47391691