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Nuclear level densities and $��$-ray strength functions have been extracted for $^{59, 60}\rm{Ni}$, using the Oslo method on data sets from the $^{60}$Ni($^{3}$He,$^{3}$He$^{\prime}��$)$^{60}$Ni and $^{60}$Ni($^{3}$He,$����$)$^{59}$Ni reactions. Above the neutron separation energy, S$_n$, we have measured the $��$-ray strength functions for $^{61}$Ni and $^{60}$Ni in photoneutron experiments. The low-energy part of the $^{59,60}$Ni $��$-ray strength functions show an increase for decreasing $��$ energies. The experimental $��$-ray strength functions are compared with $M1$ $��$-ray strength functions calculated within the shell model. The $E1$ $��$-ray strength function of $^{60}$Ni has been calculated using the QTBA framework. The QTBA calculations describe the data above $E_��\approx$ 7 MeV, while the shell-model calculations agree qualitatively with the low energy part of the $��$-ray strength function. Hence, we give a plausible explanation of the observed shape of the $��$-decay strength.

Photoneutron cross sections were measured for $^{58}$Ni, $^{60}$Ni, $^{61}$Ni, and $^{64}$Ni at energies between the one-neutron and two-neutron thresholds using quasi-monochromatic $\gamma$-ray beams produced in laser Compton-scattering at the NewSUBARU synchrotron radiation facility. The new photoneutron data are used to extract the $\gamma$-ray strength function above the neutron threshold complementing the information obtained by the Oslo method below the threshold. We discuss radiative neutron capture cross sections and the Maxwellian-averaged cross sections for Ni isotopes including $^{63}$Ni, a branching point nucleus along the weak s-process path. The cross sections are calculated with the experimentally constrained $\gamma$-ray strength functions from the Hartree-Fock-Bogolyubov plus quasi-particle-random phase approximation based on the Gogny D1M interaction for both $E1$ and $M1$ components and supplemented with the $M1$ upbend., Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, re-submitted to PRC

The γ -ray strength functions and level densities of 73,74Ge have been extracted up to the neutron-separation energy Sn from particle-γ coincidence data using the Oslo method. Moreover, the γ -ray strength function of 74Ge above Sn has been determined from photoneutron measurements; hence these two experiments cover the range of Eγ ≈ 1–13 MeV for 74Ge. The obtained data show that both 73,74Ge display an increase in strength at low γ energies. The experimental γ -ray strength functions are compared with M1 strength functions deduced from average B(M1) values calculated within the shell model for a large number of transitions. The observed low-energy enhancements in 73,74Ge are adopted in the calculations of the 72,73Ge(n,γ ) cross sections, where there are no direct experimental data. Calculated reaction rates for more neutron-rich germanium isotopes are shown to be strongly dependent on the presence of the low-energy enhancement.

Having the lowest density among all structural metals, magnesium has opened new horizons for developing commercial alloys with successful use in a wide variety of applications [1-2]. However, the plasticity of Mg is restricted at low temperatures because: (a) only a small number of deformation mechanisms can be activated [3-4], and (b) a preferred crystallographic orientation (texture) develops in wrought alloys, especially in flat-rolled sheets [5-7]. Therefore, manufacturing processes such as rolling and stamping should be performed at elevated temperatures [1, 8]. These barriers to the manufacturing process increase the price of magnesium wrought alloy products and limits the use of Mg to castings [9-10]. As a result, many studies have been conducted to improve formability by investigating the effect of manufacturing process. Therefore the current sheet production techniques, based on DC casting and hot rolling, are basically slow because the demand is easily met [11]. Twin roll casting followed by hot rolling appears to be processing route which can fulfil high volumes and reduced costs. The present authors succeeded in single-pass large draught rolling of various magnesium alloy sheets at low temperature (

An unexpected enhancement in the average, reduced γ-decay strength at very low -transition energies has been observed in in f p-shell nuclei as well as in the Mo region. Very recently, it has showed up in 138 La, which is, so far, the heaviest nucleus to display this feature. In this work, we present an experimental and theoretical overview of the low-energy enhancement. In particular, experimental evidence for the dipole nature of the enhancement, and shell-model calculations indicating strong, low-energy M 1 transitions are shown. Possible implications of this low-energy enhancement on astrophysical (n,γ ) reaction rates of relevance for the r-process nucleosynthesis are discussed.

Photoneutron cross sections were measured for the seven stable samarium isotopes Sm-144,Sm-147,Sm-148,Sm-149,Sm-150,Sm-152,Sm-154 near the neutron threshold with quasi-monochromatic laser-Compton scattering gamma rays. Our photoneutron cross sections are found to be low by 20%-37% relative to existing data. The photoneutron data are analyzed with the TALYS reaction code by considering the Skyrme Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) plus quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA) model and the axially symmetric deformed Gogny HFB plus QRPA model of the E1 gamma-ray strength. Using the gamma-ray strength function constrained by the present photoneutron data, we made a thorough analysis of the reverse (n,gamma) cross sections including the radioactive nucleus Sm-151 with a half-life of 90 yr. The radiative neutron capture cross section for Sm-153 with the half-life of 1.928 d is deduced with the gamma-ray strength function method.

An improved new method for the simultaneous visualization of mRNA and encoded protein in LR White resin-embedded specimens is described. This pre-embedding electron microscopical in situ hybridization (procedure) localized rat growth hormone mRNA specifically as high electron-density products on the polysomes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. A subsequent post-embedding immunoreaction, using protein A colloidal gold particles, identified growth hormone as gold particles both in the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and on the secretory granules. In our previous report, we used Epon resin for tissue embedment, which required an etching process using hydrogen peroxide or sodium periodate for immunoreactivity retrieval. In general, osmification and embedment in Epon resin are reported to decrease the immunoreactivity of the targeted protein, and the etching process using hydrogen peroxide or sodium periodate results in deosmification and shades off the signals of mRNA. To resolve these problems, we have recently used LR White resin for tissue embedment. In LR White resin-embedded tissues, retrieval of immunoreactivity using hydrogen peroxide or sodium periodate is not required, and, therefore, the gradation of the signals of mRNA can be avoided. © 1998 Chapman & Hall

This study focused on the intracellular signal transduction system and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), such as MAP-2 and Tau protein. The modulation of these proteins and their correlation with ultrastructural changes were investigated in rat pituitary prolactin (PRL) cells. Adult female Wistar rats were treated with estrogen and bromocriptine and their pituitary glands were removed for analysis of the expression of tubulin, MAP-2, Tau protein, protein kinase C (PKC), and calcium calmodulin (CaM) kinase. Western blot analysis showed that estrogen increased and bromocriptine decreased the expression of PKC alpha, beta 1, beta 2, CaM kinase alpha, beta, MAP-2, and Tau protein. MAP-2 and Tau protein, which are cytosolic proteins, being translated on free ribosomes, were associated with the membrane of whirling rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) in estrogen-treated cells and dissociated with vesiculated RER induced by bromocriptine. These results suggested that the modulation of MAP-2 and Tau protein may reflect changes of PKC and CaM kinase, and that the quantitative changes and intracellular modulation of MAPs induced by estrogen and bromocriptine, i.e., estrogen-induced association and bromocriptine-induced dissociation of MAP-2 and Tau protein with membrane of RER, may reflect the dynamics of microtubules and are associated with structural changes in the RER and changes in the synthesis and intracellular transport of PRL.

Photoneutron cross sections were measured for 94Mo, 95Mo, 96Mo, 97Mo, 98Mo, and 100Mo near the neutron threshold with quasi-monochromatic laser-Compton scattering γ rays. The photoneutron data were analyzed with the Skyrme Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) plus quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA) model and the axially symmetric-deformed Gogny HFB plus QRPA model of E1 γ-ray strength. Combining the γ-ray strength function constrained by the present photoneutron data with either the nuclear resonance fluorescence data or the updated Oslo data to supplement the data below the neutron threshold, a thorough analysis of the reverse (n,γ) cross sections is made whenever measurements are available. The Oslo data and the corresponding uncertainties are updated based on the latest results of the s-wave neutron spacing and the average radiative width determined in particular for 96Mo. Finally, radiative neutron capture cross sections for two radioactive nuclei, 93Mo and 99Mo, are deduced with the γ-ray strength function method. © 2013 American Physical Society

The present electron microscopical study is concerned with the simultaneous visualization of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and its encoded protein in the same specimen. Pre-embedding electron microscopical in situ hybridization (EM-ISH) on rat pituitary gland tissue localized growth hormone mRNA in the polysomes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and subsequent postembedding immunolabelling using protein A-colloidal gold particles identified growth hormone mainly in the secretory granules. We believe that our report provides the first simultaneous ultrastructural identification of mRNA and its encoded protein using combined pre-embedding EM-ISH and immunohistochemistry. In this method, the signals for mRNA were localized specifically as highly electron dense products on the polysomes of the endoplasmic reticulum, and those for its encoded protein were recognized as gold particles both in the cisternae of the reticulum and in the secretory granules. Our ultrastructural double labelling method for mRNA and protein may provide a tool to find important clues for elucidating the intracellular correlation of mRNA translation and secretion of translated protein, because of its high resolution, good morphological preservation, and the specific localization of the reaction products.

In situ hybridization (ISH) at the electron microscopic level is essential for elucidating the intracellular distribution and role of mRNA in protein synthesis. We describe our electron microscopic ISH method using biotinylated oligonucleotide probes for rat growth hormone and prolactin mRNAs and compare the preembedding method with the postembedding method. Preembedding electron microscopic ISH localized rat growth hormone and prolactin mRNAs on the polysomes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). Rat growth hormone mRNA was distributed diffusely on the RER, whereas rat prolactin mRNA was scattered and distributed focally. Thus there might be a specific translational site for prolactin mRNA on the RER. Rat growth hormone mRNA signals were also recognized on the polysomes of the RER, using the postembedding method with streptavidin gold conjugate. The hybridization signal intensity using the postembedding method was lower, and non-specific signals were more frequent, in comparison with the preembedding method. The preembedding method thus appears to be easier and better than the postembedding method from the viewpoint of utility and preservation of mRNA. Electron microscopic ISH is considered to be an important tool for evaluating the intracellular localization of mRNA and the site of specific hormone synthesis on the RER.