Visualization of Some Energy Levels of Even-Even Nuclei

The properties of the lowest excited states of atomic nuclei offer a very sensitive test for nuclear structure theories. To identify and distinguish the shape phase transitions, one needs the variation behaviors of the energy ratios with respect to the neutron or proton number of the nuclei. The possibility of generating images of the variation behaviors of energy levels and energy ratios by exploiting the large body of data on stable and near-stable nuclei, whose accumulation over the past decades now permits, prompted us to produce this atlas which illustrates in a simple and effective way these behaviors. The atlas represents the experimental data of the energy levels and energy ratios of the 2_1^+, 4_1^+, 2_2^+ and 4_2^+ states of 645 even-even nuclei. The interpolation surfaces of the values of energy levels and energy ratios, E(2,1+), E(2,2+), E(4,1+), E(4,2+), E(4,1+)/E(2,1+), E(4,2+)/E(2,2+), E(2,2+)/E(2,1+), E(4,2+)/E(4,1+), E(4,2+)/E(2,1+) and E(4,1+)/E(2,2+), through all points of the even-even nuclear landscape are presented. The variation of these values with respect to each chain of isotopes and isotones are displayed using two-dimensional figures. Visualization of the data through visual imagery has been considered an effective way for connecting abstract and concrete ideas as well as allowing the emergence of the significant patterns. Moreover, we will see that it is possible, in many if not most cases, to understand the detailed results of complex calculations of the nuclear structure theories with an absolute minimum of formalism and often by inspection. The introduction of this atlas contains a brief account of some topics of present-day interest in theoretical nuclear structure. These topics can be used to explain the existence of a few typical patterns of nuclear spectra as well as some of the systematic changes in these patterns over sequences of nuclei. Researchers working on nuclear theory will find this atlas handy to understand the nuclear structure theories

Distributed Cooperative Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Radio Networks with Adaptive Detection Threshold

This paper proposes a cooperative sensing algorithm based on distributedfusion strategy and maintained probability of false alarm for cognitive radio. It furtherintroduces a reporting strategy that discusses how cooperative sensing in distributedmanner can select among possible candidates in order to reduce bandwidthrequirement. We adopted a dynamic distributed architecture for cooperative sensingbased on the link quality and found condition on the channel quality for cooperation tobe beneficial. Using probability of detection, and BER metrics we evaluated theperformance improvement of distributed cooperation over direct cooperation and noncooperativesensing. We used analytical formulation with possible candidate selectioncriteria to investigate and maximize the cooperation gain. By employing suchdistribution and selection technique, the reporting error due to the fading channel isreduced. Results show that the method effectively improve performance of sensing, itincrease the probability of detection up to 0.9 at <0.1 probability of false alarm.Sensitivity requirement is reduced with network scale and the number of nodesparticipate in decision fusion is reduced about 42% at probability of false alarm 0.1.ROC curve has obvious improvement compared with existing methods

Comparative study of MRI biomarkers in the substantia nigra to discriminate idiopathic Parkinson disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Several new MR imaging techniques have shown promising results in patients with Parkinson disease; however, the comparative diagnostic values of these measures at the individual level remain unclear. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic value of MR imaging biomarkers of substantia nigra damage for distinguishing patients with Parkinson disease from healthy volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients and 20 healthy volunteers were prospectively included. The MR imaging protocol at 3T included 3D T2-weighted and T1-weighted neuromelanin-sensitive images, diffusion tensor images, and R2* mapping. T2* high-resolution images were also acquired at 7T to evaluate the dorsal nigral hyperintensity sign. Quantitative analysis was performed using ROIs in the substantia nigra drawn manually around the area of high signal intensity on neuromelanin-sensitive images and T2-weighted images. Visual analysis of the substantia nigra neuromelanin-sensitive signal intensity and the dorsolateral nigral hyperintensity on T2* images was performed. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the neuromelanin-sensitive volume and signal intensity in patients with Parkinson disease. There was also a significant decrease in fractional anisotropy and an increase in mean, axial, and radial diffusivity in the neuromelanin-sensitive substantia nigra at 3T and a decrease in substantia nigra volume on T2* images. The combination of substantia nigra volume, signal intensity, and fractional anisotropy in the neuromelanin-sensitive substantia nigra allowed excellent diagnostic accuracy (0.93). Visual assessment of both substantia nigra dorsolateral hyperintensity and neuromelanin-sensitive images had good diagnostic accuracy (0.91 and 0.86, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of neuromelanin signal and volume changes with fractional anisotropy measurements in the substantia nigra showed excellent diagnostic accuracy. Moreover, the high diagnostic accuracy of visual assessment of substantia nigra changes using dorsolateral hyperintensity analysis or neuromelanin-sensitive signal changes indicates that these techniques are promising for clinical practice

Second T = 3/2 state in 9^9B and the isobaric multiplet mass equation

Recent high-precision mass measurements and shell model calculations~[Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 108}, 212501 (2012)] have challenged a longstanding explanation for the requirement of a cubic isobaric multiplet mass equation for the lowest $A = 9$ isospin quartet. The conclusions relied upon the choice of the excitation energy for the second $T = 3/2$ state in $^9$B, which had two conflicting measurements prior to this work. We remeasured the energy of the state using the $^9{\rm Be}(^3{\rm He},t)$ reaction and significantly disagree with the most recent measurement. Our result supports the contention that continuum coupling in the most proton-rich member of the quartet is not the predominant reason for the large cubic term required for $A = 9$ nuclei

Gamma ray production cross sections in proton induced reactions on natural Mg, Si and Fe targets over the proton energy range 30 up to 66 MeV

Gamma-ray excitation functions have been measured for 30, 42, 54 and 66 MeV proton beams accelerated onto C + O (Mylar), Mg, Si, and Fe targets of astrophysical interest at the separate-sector cyclotron of iThemba LABS in Somerset West (Cape Town, South Africa). A large solid angle, high energy resolution detection system of the Eurogam type was used to record Gamma-ray energy spectra. Derived preliminary results of Gamma-ray line production cross sections for the Mg, Si and Fe target nuclei are reported and discussed. The current cross section data for known, intense Gamma-ray lines from these nuclei consistently extend to higher proton energies previous experimental data measured up to Ep ~ 25 MeV at the Orsay and Washington tandem accelerators. Data for new Gamma-ray lines observed for the first time in this work are also reported.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures. IOP Institute of Physics Conference Nuclear Physics in Astrophysics VII, 28th EPF Nuclear Physics Divisional Conference, May 18-22 2015, York, U

Twin pregnancy with complete hydatidiform mole and coexisting fetus following ovulation induction with a non-prescribed clomiphene citrate regimen: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Twin pregnancy with complete hydatidiform mole represents a very rare obstetric problem. Management of such cases is always problematic because the possibility of fetal survival should always be weighed against the risk of complications of molar pregnancy.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 34-year-old Caucasian woman presented to our center with mild vaginal bleeding. Our patient was 16 weeks pregnant after a seven-year period of primary infertility. She became pregnant following a non-prescribed regimen of clomiphene citrate extending from the second day to the 13th day of her last cycle. A transabdominal ultrasound examination revealed a twin pregnancy with complete hydatidiform mole and a coexisting fetus. Serum β human chorionic gonadotropin was falsely low as identified by serial dilution of the sample (the 'hook effect'). Our patient refused termination of pregnancy and she was hospitalized for strict observation and follow-up. Unfortunately, she developed an attack of severe vaginal bleeding and a hysterotomy was performed. The fetus died shortly after birth.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Twin pregnancy with complete hydatidiform mole represents a matter of controversy. We suggest that conservation should always be considered whenever tertiary care services and strict observation are available.</p

Controlled Growth of WO3Nanostructures with Three Different Morphologies and Their Structural, Optical, and Photodecomposition Studies

Tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanostructures were synthesized by hydrothermal method using sodium tungstate (Na2WO4·2H2O) alone as starting material, and sodium tungstate in presence of ferrous ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2Fe(SO4)2·6H2O] or cobalt chloride (CoCl2·6H2O) as structure-directing agents. Orthorhombic WO3having a rectangular slab-like morphology was obtained when Na2WO4·2H2O was used alone. When ferrous ammonium sulfate and cobalt chloride were added to sodium tungstate, hexagonal WO3nanowire clusters and hexagonal WO3nanorods were obtained, respectively. The crystal structure and orientation of the synthesized products were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), micro-Raman spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and their chemical composition was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The optical properties of the synthesized products were verified by UV–Vis and photoluminescence studies. A photodegradation study on Procion Red MX 5B was also carried out, showing that the hexagonal WO3nanowire clusters had the highest photodegradation efficiency