1,217 research outputs found
Further search for a neutral boson with a mass around 9 MeV/c2
Two dedicated experiments on internal pair conversion (IPC) of isoscalar M1
transitions were carried out in order to test a 9 MeV/c2 X-boson scenario. In
the 7Li(p,e+e-)8Be reaction at 1.1 MeV proton energy to the predominantly T=0
level at 18.15 MeV, a significant deviation from IPC was observed at large pair
correlation angles. In the 11B(d,n e+e-)12C reaction at 1.6 MeV, leading to the
12.71 MeV 1+ level with pure T=0 character, an anomaly was observed at 9
MeV/c2. The compatibility of the results with the scenario is discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, 2 table
Spontaneous formation and stability of small GaP fullerenes
We report the spontaneous formation of a GaP fullerene cage in ab-initio
Molecular Dynamics simulations starting from a bulk fragment. A systematic
study of the geometric and electronic properties of neutral and ionized GaP
clusters suggests the stability of hetero-fullerenes formed by a compound with
zincblend bulk structure. We find that GaP fullerenes up to 28 atoms have high
symmetry, closed electronic shells, large HOMO-LUMO energy gaps and do not
dissociate when ionized. We compare our results for GaP with those obtained by
other groups for the corresponding BN clusters.Comment: To appear on PRL, 4 pages, 1 figure, Late
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Flood risk in a range of spatial perspectives – from global to local scales
The present paper examines flood risk (composed of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability) in a range of spatial perspectives – from the global to the local scale. It deals with observed records, noting that flood damage has been increasing. It also tackles projections for the future, related to flood hazard and flood losses. There are multiple factors driving flood hazard and flood risk and there is a considerable uncertainty in our assessments, and particularly in projections for the future. Further, this paper analyses options for flood risk reduction in several spatial dimensions, from global framework to regional to local scales. It is necessary to continue examination of the updated records of flood-related indices, trying to search for changes that influence flood hazard and flood risk in river basins
A multi-detector array for high energy nuclear e+e- pair spectrosocopy
A multi-detector array has been constructed for the simultaneous measurement
of energy- and angular correlation of electron-positron pairs produced in
internal pair conversion (IPC) of nuclear transitions up to 18 MeV. The
response functions of the individual detectors have been measured with
mono-energetic beams of electrons. Experimental results obtained with 1.6 MeV
protons on targets containing B and F show clear IPC over a wide
angular range. A comparison with GEANT simulations demonstrates that angular
correlations of pairs of transitions in the energy range between 6 and
18 MeV can be determined with sufficient resolution and efficiency to search
for deviations from IPC due to the creation and subsequent decay into
of a hypothetical short-lived neutral boson.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figure
The elastic constants of MgSiO3 perovskite at pressures and temperatures of the Earth's mantle
The temperature anomalies in the Earth's mantle associated with thermal
convection1 can be inferred from seismic tomography, provided that the elastic
properties of mantle minerals are known as a function of temperature at mantle
pressures. At present, however, such information is difficult to obtain
directly through laboratory experiments. We have therefore taken advantage of
recent advances in computer technology, and have performed finite-temperature
ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of the elastic properties of MgSiO3
perovskite, the major mineral of the lower mantle, at relevant thermodynamic
conditions. When combined with the results from tomographic images of the
mantle, our results indicate that the lower mantle is either significantly
anelastic or compositionally heterogeneous on large scales. We found the
temperature contrast between the coldest and hottest regions of the mantle, at
a given depth, to be about 800K at 1000 km, 1500K at 2000 km, and possibly over
2000K at the core-mantle boundary.Comment: Published in: Nature 411, 934-937 (2001
Biotope and biocenosis of cryoconite hole ecosystems on Ecology Glacier in the maritime Antarctic
Abstract: Despite recent great interest in glacier ecosystems in the continental Antarctic, little is known about their maritime counterparts. Our study presents descriptive data on cryoconite sediments and cryoconite holes on Ecology Glacier (King George Island) to accomplish three main objectives: (a) to identify main eukaryotic (algae, invertebrates) and prokaryotic (cyanobacteria) components of microbial communities; (b) to provide a “baseline” of community composition, organic matter and artificial contamination; and (c) identify key abiotic factors that might be important in community assembly. Cryoconite holes were sampled along an altitudinal gradient of Ecology Glacier in January, mid Austral Summer 2017. Cryoconite holes located in lower altitude were deeper than those located in the middle and the highest altitude. Seventeen species of algae and cyanobacteria with biomass of 0.79 to 5.37 µg/cm3 have been found in sediments. Dominant species were cyanobacterial Pseudanabaena frigida and Bacillariophyceae Microcostaus sp. Biomass of Bacillariophyceae was significantly higher than that of Chlorophyta and Cyanobacteria. We found three species of rotifers (two potentially new to science) and for the first time a glacier dwelling Acari (suspension feeder, Nanorchestes nivalis). Organic matter content ranged from 5.4% to 7.6%. Investigated artificial radionuclides included 137Cs, 238Pu, 239+240Pu and 241Am. 210Pb seems to be related to organic matter content. Overall, cryoconite holes on Ecology Glacier present unique habitats that serve as biodiversity hotspots of psychrophiles, source of organic matter, matrices for radioactivity tracking and model for observing changes in supraglacial ecosystems in Maritime Antarctic
Structure and stability of finite gold nanowires
Finite gold nanowires containing less than 1000 atoms are studied using the
molecular dynamics simulation method and embedded atom potential. Nanowires
with the face-centered cubic structure and the (111) oriented cross-section are
prepared at T=0 K. After annealing and quenching the structure and vibrational
properties of nanowires are studied at room temperature. Several of these
nanowires form multi-walled structures of lasting stability. They consist of
concentrical cylindrical sheets and resemble multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
Vibrations are investigated by diagonalization of the dynamical matrix. It was
found that several percents of vibrational modes are unstable because of
uncompleted restructuring of initial fcc nanowires.Comment: 4 figures in gif forma
Relationship between myocardial perfusion and function following coronary reflow in the canine heart using single photon emission computed tomography and two-dimensional echocardiography
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/25660/1/0000212.pd
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