Coexisting single-particle excitations and octupole correlations in transitional nucleus 217Ra\mathbf{^{217}Ra}

The level structure of the transitional nucleus $\mathrm{^{217}Ra}$ has been extended with the addition of around 20 new transitions. The discrepancies between the placements of several transitions reported in the earlier studies are resolved. The newly-established negative-parity sequence at low excitation energies hints at the expected parity-doublet structures in this nucleus. The properties of the observed simplex bands are compared with that of similar bands in neighboring nuclei. Since the presence of parity-doublet structures reflect octupole correlations, theoretical calculations using reflection-asymmetric triaxial particle rotor model (RAT-PRM) have been performed. A comparison of the observed features of the simplex bands with the predictions of the RAT-PRM calculations suggests that $\mathrm{^{217}Ra}$ exhibits an intermediate the behavior between the extremes of spherical and octupole-deformed nuclei. The termination of the simplex bands at intermediate energies and the structures lying above reflect the dominance of the single-particle excitations at higher excitation energies.Comment: 15 pages, 16 figure

Call for spatial management approach to control exploitation of juvenile sharks

Historically in the Indian coastal regions, elasmobranchs have been caught, traded, and consumed for centuries. In some regions (including non-coastal, high-altitude and interior regions), there is a high preference for certain elasmobranch species, products, and cuisines. While India has banned international trade of shark fins since 2015, and extended protection to ten species of sharks under the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972, there is no restriction on the harvest, domestic trade, and consumption of elasmobranchs

Results of rocket measurements of D-region ionization over Thumba in MAP

Under MAP, two rockets were launched from Thumba (8.5 N, 76.8 E) around 1030 hrs Lt with identical payloads on 7 and 10 March 1986 for D region studies. Positive ion densities were measured by spherical probe and Gerdien condenser and electron densities were measured by Langmuir probe and propagation experiments. In both flights a valley in ionization height profile was noticed around 83 km. The density of ionization at this altitude was about 4 x 10(2) cu cm. A detailed positive ion-chemical scheme was used to reproduce the measured ionization height profiles. The density of NO needed to reproduce the valley in ionization at 83 km came around 5 x 10(5) cu cm. A photochemical treatment without diffusion process was found inadequate to explain this value of NO. Calculations showed that the value of vertical eddy diffusion needed to reproduce the value of NO was around 10(6)sq cm/s. Interestingly, the same value of eddy diffusion coefficient was obtained when derived in the manner described by Thrane and his coworkers using only the positive ion current data of spherical probes

High-spin spectroscopy in 207^{207}At: Evidence of a 29/2+^{+} isomeric state

Yrast and near-yrast states above the known 25/2$^{+}$ isomer in $^{207}$At are established for the first time. The level scheme is extended up to 47/2$\hbar$ and 6.5 MeV with the addition of about 60 new $\gamma$-ray transitions. The half-life of the 25/2$^{+}$ isomer is revisited and a value of $T_{1/2}$ = 107.5(9) ns is deduced. Evidence of a hitherto unobserved 29/2$^{+}$ isomer in $^{207}$At is presented. A systematic study of $B(E3)$ values for the transitions de-exciting the 29/2$^{+}$ isomer in the neighboring odd-$A$ At isotopes suggests a half-life in the 2$-$4 $\mu$s range for this state in $^{207}$At. The experimental results are compared with large-scale shell-model calculations performed using the KHM3Y effective interaction in the $Z$ = 50$-$126, $N$ = 82$-$184 model space and an overall good agreement is noted between the theory and the experiment. A qualitative comparison of the excited states and the isomers with analogous states in neighboring nuclei provides further insight into the structure of $^{207}$At.Comment: 15 pages, 13 figure

Population and decay of a Kπ=8- two-quasineutron isomer in Pu 244

The decay of a Kπ=8- isomer in Pu244 and the collective band structures populating the isomer were studied using deep inelastic excitations with Ti47 and Pb208 beams, respectively. Precise measurements of M1/E2 branching ratios in the band confirm a 9/2-[734]ν - 7/2+[624]ν configuration assignment for the isomer, validating the systematics of Kπ=8-, two-quasineutron isomers observed in even-Z, N=150 isotones. These isomers around the deformed shell gap at N=152 provide critical benchmarks for theoretical predictions of single-particle energies in this gateway region to superheavy nuclei

N=151Pu, Cm and Cf nuclei under rotational stress: Role of higher-order deformations

Fast-rotating N=151 isotones 245Pu, 247Cm and 249Cf have been studied through inelastic excitation and transfer reactions with radioactive targets. While all have a ground-state band built on a νj15/2[734]9/2- Nilsson configuration, new excited bands have also been observed in each isotone. These odd-N excited bands allow a comparison of the alignment behavior for two different configurations, where the νj15/2 alignment is either blocked or allowed. The effect of higher order deformations is explored through cranking calculations, which help clarify the elusive nature of νj15/2 alignments

Laboratory experimental analysis on encapsulated stone column

The application of stone column technique for improvement of soft soils has attracted a considerable attention during the last decade. However, in a very soft soil, the stone columns undergo excessive bulging, because of very low lateral confinement pressure provided by the surrounding soil. The performance of stone column can be improved by the encapsulation of stone column by geosynthetic, which acts to provide additional confinement to columns, preventing excessive bulging and column failure. In the present study, a detailed experimental study on behavior of single column is carried out by varying parameters like diameter of the stone column, length of stone column, length of geosynthetic encapsulation and stiffness of encapsulation material. In addition, finite-element analyses have been performed to access the radial deformation of stone column. The results indicate a remarkable increase in load carrying capacity due to encapsulation. The load carrying capacity of column depends very much upon the diameter of the stone column and stiffness of encapsulation material. The results show that partial encapsulation over top half of the column and fully encapsulated floating column of half the length of clay bed thickness give lower load carrying capacity than fully encapsulated end bearing column. In addition, radial deformation of stone column decreases with increasing stiffness of encapsulation material

Antimagnetic rotation and role of gradual neutron alignment in

Lifetimes of states in the negative-parity band, based on the $$\nu (h_{11/2})$$ orbital in $$^{103}\hbox {Pd}$$, have been measured in the spin range from 27/2 to 39/2 using the Doppler-Shift Attenuation Method. The inferred B(E2) values are observed to decrease with increasing angular momentum and $${\mathcal {J}}^{\text {(}2\text {)}}/$$B(E2) values are found to be large (> 300 $$\hbar ^2\hbox {MeV}^{-1}\hbox {(eb)}^{-2}$$). These observations along with calculations based on the semiclassical particle-rotor model approach suggest that antimagnetic and collective rotation, along with gradual neutron alignment are responsible for angular momentum generation in the band under consideration

Yield Attributes and Yield of Cluster Bean as Affected by Varieties and Micronutrient Foliar Application under Teak Based Agroforestry System

Agroforestry is an approach to land use that combines agriculture with forestry, ensuring both forest cover and food security. In the present study, teak based agroforestry system was used for the production potential of cluster bean in response to varieties and micronutrient foliar application. The study was conducted in the summer season for two years. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with Factorial concept consisting of 3 factors viz., varieties, foliar application of micronutrient iron and zinc at 2 levels each in 4 replications. Two different varieties of cluster bean viz. Pusa Navbahar (V1), Local Variety (V2), foliar application of iron viz. No foliar application of iron (F0), foliar application of iron [0.5% FeSO4 (F1)] at 30 and 45 days after sowing (DAS) and foliar application of zinc viz. No foliar application of zinc (Z0), foliar application of zinc [0.5% ZnSO4 (Z1)] at 30 and 45 DAS were tested for yield attributes of cluster bean separately under teak based agroforestry system and open condition. Among two tested varieties, variety Pusa Navbahar perform well as compared to local variety. Foliar application of 0.5% FeSO4 and 0.5% ZnSO4 individually increased yield attributes and yield as compare to their control condition. Further, results of the investigation showed decline in the yield attributes and yield of cluster bean under teak based agroforestry system in comparison to open condition. The interaction effect of different treatment combinations was found nonsignificant for all yield attributes except the number of pods per plant under teak based agroforestry system and open condition

Impact of Varieties and Foliar Spray of Micronutrient on Growth Parameters of Cluster Bean under Teak Based Agroforestry System

Management of agroforestry system in different region has been widely focused on reducing soil erosion and water losses, environmental balance restoration, improve land use and uplifting economic benefits. This study was conducted to evaluating the impact of varieties and foliar application of micronutrient on growth parameters of cluster bean under teak based agroforestry system as well as open condition. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with Factorial concept consisting of 3 factors viz., varieties, foliar spray of micronutrient iron and foliar spray of micronutrient zinc at 2 levels each in 4 replications. Among two tested varieties, variety Pusa Navbahar performed well in terms of growth as compare to local variety in both growing conditions.  Furthermore, foliar spray of 0.5% FeSO4 and foliar spray of 0.5% ZnSO4 also recorded maximum growth parameters as compare to their control condition under both growing conditions. All interaction effect were found non-significant for most of growth parameters except plant height under both growing conditions (teak-based agroforestry system and open condition). Further, t-test analysis shows that growth parameters were higher for open condition