An evaporation-based model of thermal neutron induced ternary fission of plutonium

Ternary fission probabilities for thermal neutron induced fission of plutonium are analyzed within the framework of an evaporation-based model where the complexity of time-varying potentials, associated with the neck collapse, are included in a simplistic fashion. If the nuclear temperature at scission and the fission-neck-collapse time are assumed to be ~1.2 MeV and ~10^-22 s, respectively, then calculated relative probabilities of ternary-fission light-charged-particle emission follow the trends seen in the experimental data. The ability of this model to reproduce ternary fission probabilities spanning seven orders of magnitude for a wide range of light-particle charges and masses implies that ternary fission is caused by the coupling of an evaporation-like process with the rapid re-arrangement of the nuclear fluid following scission.Comment: 25 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in IJMP

In-Stream Monitoring of Sediments and Water in the Lower Ouachita River for Site Impact to Aquatic Biota

Reported reduced sportfish densities in the main channel of the Ouachita River prompted an investigation, beginning in 1990, into potential causes of ongoing impairment to aquatic biota. In-stream monitoring that incorporated toxicity testing of sediments and water was conducted to discern potential sources of contaminants that might be related to the suboptimal fishery populations. Organisms selected to evaluate chronic impairment included larval fish, clams, midges and water fleas. The fathead minnow {Pimephales promelas) and cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubid) were used to estimate patterns of toxicity associated with water from seven designated reaches and selected tributaries of the Ouachita River. Larval survival and growth tests were conducted using the fathead minnow, while survival and reproduction were assessed for the cladoceran. An enzyme assay using the Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), and growth and survival tests with Chironomus tentans were used to evaluate ambient sediment toxicity within these same reaches and tributaries. Ambient toxicity was rarely observed in the mainstem of the River and, moreover, represented intermittent events. However, impaired growth in larval fish, poor reproduction in cladocera, and reduced enzyme activity in clams were evident for several tributaries. Results of 10-day whole sediment tests showed significant growth reductions in C. tentans exposed to sediments collected from West and East Two bayous, Smackover and Coffee creeks. These results suggest there is intermittent impairment in tributaries of the Ouachita River due to ambient water and sediment conditions that are aside from current concerns for mercury contamination

Fission studies with 140 MeV α\bm{\alpha}-Particles

Binary fission induced by 140 MeV $\alpha$-particles has been measured for $^{\rm nat}$Ag, $^{139}$La, $^{165}$Ho and $^{197}$Au targets. The measured quantities are the total kinetic energies, fragment masses, and fission cross sections. The results are compared with other data and systematics. A minimum of the fission probability in the vicinity $Z^2/A=24$ is observed.Comment: 4 figures, 2 table

Chaos modified wall formula damping of the surface motion of a cavity undergoing fissionlike shape evolutions

The chaos weighted wall formula developed earlier for systems with partially chaotic single particle motion is applied to large amplitude collective motions similar to those in nuclear fission. Considering an ideal gas in a cavity undergoing fission-like shape evolutions, the irreversible energy transfer to the gas is dynamically calculated and compared with the prediction of the chaos weighted wall formula. We conclude that the chaos weighted wall formula provides a fairly accurate description of one body dissipation in dynamical systems similar to fissioning nuclei. We also find a qualitative similarity between the phenomenological friction in nuclear fission and the chaos weighted wall formula. This provides further evidence for one body nature of the dissipative force acting in a fissioning nucleus.Comment: 8 pages (RevTex), 7 Postscript figures, to appear in Phys.Rev.C., Section I (Introduction) is modified to discuss some other works (138 kb

Demonstration of efficient beam-wave interaction for a MW-level 48 GHz gyroklystron amplifier

The development of high-frequency RF linear accelerators (linacs) requires the consideration of several technological challenges, such as electron bunch linearization. Presented in this paper is the design of the interaction circuit for a 48 GHz MW-level three-cavity gyroklystron amplifier, appropriate for application as a millimeter wave power source in a fourth harmonic linearizing system for an X-band linac. The output cavity is operated at the cylindrical TE0,2,1 mode, while the input and buncher cavities are operated at the TE0,1,1 mode. The interaction circuit has been designed using a combination of analytical calculations and particle-in-cell simulations. The optimized gyroklystron is shown, through simulation, to deliver an output power of up to 2.3 MW with a gain of 36 dB and an efficiency of 44% at 48 GHz, when driven by a 140 kV, 37 A electron beam. The   support   of   the   STFC   UK (Cockcroft Institute Core GrantR160525-1) is gratefully acknowledged. This  work  is  supported  by European Union (EU) Horizon 2020 Project  “CompactLight” 2017-2021. “CompactLight”  grant code: 777431-XLS. Published data March 2020, under Self-archiving / 'green' OA

Structural Evidence for Consecutive Hel308-Like Modules in the Spliceosomal ATPase Brr2

Brr2 is a DExD/H-box helicase responsible for U4/U6 unwinding during spliceosomal activation. Brr2 contains two helicase-like domains, each of which is followed by a Sec63 domain with unknown function. We determined the crystal structure of the second Sec63 domain, which unexpectedly resembles domains 4 and 5 of DNA helicase Hel308. This, together with sequence similarities between Brr2\u27s helicase-like domains and domains 1-3 of Hel308, led us to hypothesize that Brr2 contains two consecutive Hel308-like modules (Hel308-I and Hel308-II). Our structural model and mutagenesis data suggest that Brr2 shares a similar helicase mechanism with Hel308. We demonstrate that Hel308-II interacts with Prp8 and Snu114 in vitro and in vivo. We further find that the C-terminal region of Prp8 (Prp8-CTR) facilitates the binding of the Brr2-Prp8-CTR complex to U4/U6. Our results have important implications for the mechanism and regulation of Brr2\u27s activity in splicing

Geochemical Processes and Controls Affecting Water Quality of the Karst Area of Big Creek near Mt. Judea, Arkansas

Karst regions typically are considered to be vulnerable with respect to various land-use activities, owing to the intimate association of surface and groundwater and lack of contaminant attenuation provided by most karst aquifers. Inasmuch as the soluble rocks of the karst landscape can be dissolved to create large, rapid-flow zones that compete successfully with surface streams, groundwater and subsurface flow represent a much larger component of the hydrologic budget in karst regions than in areas where non-soluble rocks predominate. Karst areas typically are distinguished by being unique, but some general approaches can be applied to characterize the hydrology of the area. These approaches include an evaluation of the degree of karstification, the hydrologic attributes of the groundwater flow system, the baseline water quality, the time-of-travel through the karst flow system, and the general flux moving through the system. The nature of potential contaminants and their total mass and range of concentrations are critical to understanding the potential environmental risk. This study describes the characterization of the baseline water quality of the shallow karst Boone aquifer and surface streams and springs to determine major processes and controls affecting water quality in the region, and to assess 2 years of waste spreading. Parameters evaluated include major constituents, contaminants and their breakdown products from the industrial operation of a concentrated animal-feeding operation (CAFO) on Big Creek, the indicator pathogen, E. coli, dissolved oxygen, selected trace metals, and other ancillary water-quality attributes that are directly observable in the environment. Determination of pre-CAFO water quality was accomplished by sampling approximately 40 sites that included wells, springs, and streams