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The thermal expansion occurring when a laser beam is incident on the surface of a solid can be used to excite ultrasonic waves in the solid medium, without causing damage to the material. The resulting wavefield is characterized by a dominant shear wave and a weak compressional wave. This Letter demonstrates the possibility of generating a dominant compressional wavefield by coating the surface with a layer of clear ice. This is achieved by exploiting a minimum in the attenuation spectrum of light in ice, which occurs at around 500 nm and renders the coating transparent to green laser radiation. Ice coatings could, therefore, provide a path for the development of more sensitive laser-based nondestructive testing methods that have traditionally been affected by the poor excitability of compressional waves, especially along the direction orthogonal to the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We searched for the 6 α -condensed state in 24Mg by measuring the C 12 + 12 C scattering with the SAKRA Si detector array at E cm = 17.5 –25.0 MeV. By using the invariant-mass method for the detected 3 α particles, the inclusive cross sections for the C 12 + 12 C → 12 C (0 2 +) + X and C 12 (3 1 −) + X reactions were determined. In addition, the missing-mass spectroscopy was successfully utilized to determine the excitation energy of the residual C 12 nucleus and the exclusive cross sections for the C 12 + 12 C → 12 C (0 2 +) + 12 C (0 1 +) , C 12 (0 2 +) + 12 C (2 1 +) , and C 12 (0 2 +) + 12 C (0 2 +) reactions. In both the inclusive C 12 (0 2 +) + X channel and the exclusive C 12 (0 2 +) + 12 C (0 1 +) channel, the cross section peaked at E cm = 19.4 MeV, which correspond to the excitation energy of E x = 33.3 MeV in 24Mg. This 19.4-MeV state is a candidate for the 6 α -condensed state because of the agreement of the excitation energy with the theoretical value and its decay property. In the exclusive C 12 (0 2 +) + 12 C (0 2 +) channel, a broad state was observed at E cm = 22.5 MeV, which correspond to the excitation energy of E x = 36.4 MeV in 24Mg. From the angular distribution of the differential cross section, the spin and parity of this 22.5-MeV state was assigned to be 4 +. In addition, a 2 + state was suggested at the low-energy side of the 22.5-MeV state. Because their excitation energies are higher than the theoretical value of the 6 α -condensed state, these states might be excited states of the 6 α -condensed state such as the 2 2 + and 4 1 + states in C 12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the electric-field-strength dependence of the reduced effective masses of the minibands in a GaAs/AlAs superlattice embedded in a p-i-n diode structure with use of electroreflectance spectroscopy. Frantz-Keldysh (FK) oscillations are observed in the energy region between the n = 1 heavy hole to electron transition at the mini-Brillouin-zone center (kz = 0: Γ point) and that at the edge (kz = π/D: π point), where D is the superlattice period. Analyzing the FK oscillations, we evaluate the reduced effective masses at the Γ and π points as a function of electric field strength. The evaluated reduced effective masses are consistent with the values estimated from the calculated miniband dispersion relations in a low electric field regime. It is found that the reduced effective masses tend to be heavier at a given electric field strength. Considering the electric-field-strength dependence of eigenstates calculated using a transfer-matrix method, we conclude that an increase of the reduced effective masses originates from weak localization of the electron envelope function in the transformation process from the miniband to Stark-ladder states in Wannier-Stark localization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using the six sets of interatomic potentials for face-centred cubic metals that differ in the stacking fault energy (SFE) while most of the other material parameters are kept almost identical, we conducted molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate the effects of SFE on the defect formation process through collision cascades. The simulations were performed at 100, 300 and 600 K, with a primary knock-on atom energy of 50 keV. The number of residual defects is not dependent on the SFE at all the temperatures. For clusters of self-interstitial atoms (SIAs), their clustering behaviour does not depend on the SFE, either. However, the ratio of glissile SIA clusters tends to decrease with increasing SFE. This is because perfect loops, the edges of which split into two partial dislocations with stacking fault structures between them in most cases, prefer to form at lower SFEs. The enhanced formation of glissile SIA clusters at lower SFEs can also be observed even at increased temperature. Because most large vacancy clusters have stacking fault structures, they preferentially form at lower SFE; however, it is observed only at the lowest temperature, where the mean size increases with decreasing SFE. At higher temperatures, because of their extremely low number density, the vacancy clustering behaviour does not depend on the SFEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A new active target named MAIKo (Mu-PIC based Active target for Inverse Kinematics ∘) has been developed at Kyoto University and Research Center for Nuclear Physics (RCNP), Osaka University. MAIKo is suited for missing-mass spectroscopy of unstable nuclei at forward scattering angles in inverse kinematics. MAIKo consists of a time projection chamber (TPC), which incorporates a micro-pixel chamber (μ -PIC) as the electron multiplication and collection system. In MAIKo, the medium gas also plays the role of a reaction target, thus allowing detection of low-energy recoil particles with high position resolution. The MAIKo TPC was commissioned with He(93%)+iso-C 4 H 10 (7%) and He(93%)+CO 2 (7%) mixture gasses at 430 hPa. The gas gain and the angular resolution of MAIKo were evaluated with an alpha source and a 4He beam at 56 MeV. The TPC was stably operated up to 1000-kcps beam intensity. A tracking algorithm using the Hough transform method has been developed to analyze scattering events. An angular resolution of 1.3°was achieved for scattered 4He particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which systematically depth profiled polycrystalline aluminum, molybdenum, and titanium films deposited on silicon wafers by Auger electron spectroscopy using argon and nitrogen ions as projectile. Methodology of the study; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Reports on the metalorganic chemical vapor deposition of InGaAsP/indium phosphide layers and fabrication of 1.3-μm planar buried heterostructure lasers. Investigation of the selective burying growth of indium phosphide on several types of mesas; Significance of metalorganic chemical vapor deposition; Growth conditions of indium phosphide and InGaAsP layers.

Brittle fracture is a catastrophic failure that must be avoided for steel structures. In order to prepare the case that brittle fracture occurs due to fatigue crack propagation from welding defects and toughness deterioration of heat affected zone, etc., the concept of stopping brittle crack propagation in the base material is being applied to the tank and ship fields. In this paper, the target is to develop a method to conveniently evaluate this brittle crack propagation stop characteristic, based on a bending load which can bring a dramatic decrease in load comparing tensile load system which is ordinary and expensive. Especially the transient history of stress field is evaluated thoroughly and suitable fracture criterion for description of crack propagation is investigated. As a result, it was found that when the high-speed crack propagated to the part subjected to the pre-compression, the stress field at the tip sharply dropped, and it becomes easier to stop. In order to investigate the detail of the transition of stress field, the authors constructed a finite element model that can take these into account and eventually developed a new evaluation method based on bending load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stable conductive oxide Sr0.9La0.1TiO3 (SLT), instead of the conventional Ni-zirconia, is applied as supporting porous substrate for an SOFC single cell. Four different composite anode materials: Ni-SSZ (SSZ: (ZrO2)0.89(Sc2O3)0.1(CeO2)0.01), Ni-GDC (GDC: Ce0.9Gd0.1O2), Ni-GDC-SLT, and GDC-SLT were prepared. The porous thick Sr0.9La0.1TiO3 substrate was stable enough during 50 redox cycles so that OCV showed no decrease during the cycling test. Moreover, the electrochemical performance, redox stability, and performance degradation during the cycling tests were mainly determined by the different electrical and catalytic properties of the composite anode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simplified pseudo-static limit equilibrium approach is used to analyse a full-scale slope failure that occurred during the 1995 Kobe earthquake. The slope is 28 m high, having a gentle angle of 26·5°, and has a factor of safety as high as 2·43 in the absence of an earthquake. In addition to a factor of safety, the critical failure surface obtained from pseudo-static analysis is compared with that of the actual failure surface. Contradictory to some design codes that use only a horizontal seismic coefficient, this study finds that a rational analysis must take into consideration both horizontal and vertical seismic accelerations. The analysis including vertical acceleration may give a shallower or deeper failure surface than cases where vertical acceleration is ignored. An analysis combining horizontal and upward accelerations results in a deeper failure surface than when only downward or no vertical acceleration is considered. The effects of soil properties on the slope stability are also investigated. The study suggests that for near-fault earthquakes, slopes may be subjected to vertical (upward) seismic coefficient as large as 90% that of horizontal, larger than that specified in existing design codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The alpha inelastic scattering from Mg was measured to obtain the isoscalar natural-parity excitation strengths and to search for the α-condensed states. The multipole decomposition analysis for the measured cross sections was performed. The strength distributions for the Δ L = 0-3 were successfully obtained and the possible candidates for the α-condensed states around the O core were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The alpha inelastic scattering from Mg was measured to obtain the isoscalar natural-parity excitation strengths and to search for the α-condensed states. The multipole decomposition analysis for the measured cross sections was performed. The strength distributions for the $${{\Delta}L=0{-}3}$$ were successfully obtained and the possible candidates for the α-condensed states around the O core were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is a method for the treatment of intractable, infected and necrotic wounds. In MDT, sterile larvae of Lucilia sericata Meigen (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are applied to infected wounds, where they exert antibacterial effects. Once the larvae are placed in the wound, they are no longer germ-free. This study analysed the influence of infected environments on larval antibacterial activities. Sterile larvae were mixed in a test tube containing a bacterial suspension of Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, transferred to liver puree agar, and incubated at 25 °C for set periods. To collect the larval extracts, the incubated larvae were transferred to a test tube containing phosphate buffered saline (PBS), cut into multiple pieces with scissors, and centrifuged. The supernatant was used to test antibacterial activities. The results showed that infected larvae had better antibacterial capacities than sterile larvae. Antibacterial activities were induced by pretreatment with a single bacterial species, S. aureus or P. aeruginosa, within 24 h and 12 h, respectively, and disappeared after 36 h. The activities were effective against S. aureus, but not against P. aeruginosa. This natural infection model is very similar to the clinical wound context in MDT and will be a powerful tool with which to study the antibacterial activities of L. sericata larvae in MDT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cluster structures of the excited states in 11B and 13C were discussed by measuring the isoscalar monopole strengths in the inelastic α scattering at Eα = 388 MeV. It was found that the $1/2^-_2$, $1/2^-_3$, and $1/2^-_4$ states in 13C are candidates for the α cluster states with a 3α + n molecular configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The high resolution beam line for the SHARAQ spectrometer was designed to satisfy the lateral and angular dispersion matching conditions based on the precise ion optical calculation using the measured magnetic field maps of the beam line magnets. The higher order aberration due to the large emittance of the secondary RI-beams was corrected by employing the three octupole magnets. A Monte Carlo calculation was carried out to examine the beam profile on the SHARAQ target, and it was found that the octupole magnets actually correct the higher order aberration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The cluster structures of the excited states in 11B are studied by analyzing the isoscalar monopole and quadrupole strengths in the 11B(d,d ′) reaction at . The excitation strengths are compared with the predictions by the shell-model and antisymmetrized molecular-dynamics (AMD) calculations. It is found that the large monopole strength for the state at is well described by the AMD calculation and is an evidence for a developed three-body cluster structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The cluster structures of the excited states in 11B are studied by analyzing the isoscalar monopole and quadrupole strengths in the 11B(d,d′) reaction at . The excitation strengths are compared with the predictions by the shell-model and antisymmetrized molecular-dynamics (AMD) calculations. It is found that the large monopole strength for the state at is well described by the AMD calculation and is an evidence for a developed cluster structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The cluster structures of the excited states in 11B are studied by analyzing the isoscalar monopole and quadrupole strengths in the reaction at . The excitation strengths are compared with the predictions by the shell-model and antisymmetrized molecular-dynamics (AMD) calculations. The large monopole strength for the state at is well described by the AMD calculation and is suggested to be an evidence for a well developed cluster structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have deposited diamond-like carbon (DLC) films by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering, and have annealed the films under various conditions to investigate the effects of annealing on the structural properties by visible Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The structural ordering of hydrogenated DLC films occurs during annealing below 400°C in a vacuum and a hydrogen gas atmosphere, while unhydrogenated DLC films are not ordered during annealing even at 700°C. On the other hand, the ordering and the decrease of the sp3 content are observed for both the films after annealing under an atomic hydrogen exposure. The ordering progresses as the annealing temperature and time are increased. The reduction of the film thickness after annealing is suppressed with increasing annealing temperature. The results suggest that both the preferential etching by atomic hydrogen and the hydrogen evolution encourage the structural changes under an atomic hydrogen exposure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The cluster structures of the excited states in 11B are studied by analyzing the isoscalar monopole and quadrupole strengths in the 11B(d,d′) reaction at Ed = 200 MeV. The excitation strengths are compared with the predictions by the shell-model and antisymmetrized molecular-dynamics (AMD) calculations. It is found that the large monopole strength for the $3/2^-_3$ state at Ex = 8.56 MeV is well described by the AMD calculation and is an evidence for a developed 2α + t cluster structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross sections for 13C(α,α′) reactions at Eα = 400 MeV have been measured to obtain the monopole and quadrupole transition strengths. The excitation strengths are compared with the shell-model predictions. It is suggested that the large monopole strengths observed for the $1/2^-_2$ and $1/2^-_3$ states in 13C are attributed to the cluster structure of those states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the relationship between blood volume (BV) and the reduction in plasma volume (PV) during exercise in individual variations, we measured BV and changes in PV in thirteen male volunteers during treadmill exercise until exhaustion. The lactate threshold (LT), as a predictor of aerobic exercise capacity, was calculated from the exercise intensity at the point of plasma lactate concentration buildup to 4mmol. The relationship of peak VO2 with BV indicated a significant positive correlation. The strong positive relation between the shifts in PV and total PV, and resulted in a maintenance of the circulating BV. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Weak-interaction responses of 11B were studied by measuring the 11B(3He, t) and 11B(p, p′) reactions. Obtained nuclear transition matrix elements B(GT), B(στ), and B(σ) were compared with the shell-model calculations. The shell-model calculations, which explained the isovector parts B(GT) and B(στ) reasonably well if the quenching factors of 0.5–0.7 were taken into account, did not describe the isoscalar part B(σ).© 2004 MAIK “Nauka / Interperiodica”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The triple alpha reaction is one of the most important reactions in the nuclear astrophysics. However, its reaction rate in high temperature environments at T 9 > 2 was still uncertain. One of the major origins of the uncertainty was that the radiative-decay probability of the 3 1 − state in 12C was unknown. In the present work, we have determined the radiative-decay probability of the 3 1 − state to be 1.3 − 1.1 + 1.2 × 10 − 6 by measuring the 1H(12C,12C p) reaction for the first time, and derived the triple alpha reaction rate in high temperature environments from the measured radiative-decay probability. The present result suggests that the 3 1 − state noticeably enhances the triple alpha reaction rate although the contribution from the 3 1 − state had been assumed to be small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The procedure for the fabrication of self-supporting isotopically enriched 11B targets for the application to nuclear scattering measurements using an electron-beam-excited plasma (EBEP) method was described. A boron target layer of thickness 100±10μg/cm2 was obtained. The thickness and uniformity of the prepared 11B film were determined by measuring the energy loss of alpha particles across the target area. The purity of the target was examined, and it was found that the investigated boron film contained about 10% impurities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Elastic and inelastic alpha scatterings on 10C were measured using a 68-MeV/u radioactive 10C beam incident on the recently developed MAIKo active target system. The phenomenological effective α-N interaction and the point-nucleon density distribution in the ground state were determined from the elastic scattering data. The cross sections of the inelastic alpha scattering were calculated using this interaction and density distribution and were compared with the experiment to determine the neutron quadrupole transition matrix element Mn between the ground state and the 2+1 state at Ex=3.35 MeV in 10C. The deduced neutron transition matrix element is Mn=6.9±0.7(fit)±1.2(sys)fm². The ratio of the neutron transition strength to proton transition strength was determined as Mn/Mp=1.05±0.11(fit)±0.17(sys), which indicates that the quadrupole transition between the ground state and the 2+1 state in 10C is less neutron dominant compared to that in 16C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planar buried heterostructure InGaAsP multiple quantum well (MQW) lasers consisting of six InGaAsP (λg =1.34 μm at room temperature) wells and five InP barriers were prepared by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The threshold current was 35 mA, and the differential quantum efficiency was 45% at an emission wavelength of 1.3 μm. In the temperature range from -35 to 30 °C, the characteristic temperature was T0=57 K. No significant improvement in T0 was observed in these MQW lasers. However, stable single longitudinal mode operation could be obtained in a wide range of injection current without any mode changes. This effect was considered to be a result of gain narrowing of the MQW lasers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low threshold InGaAsP/InP lasers with planar buried heterostructure were grown entirely by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The threshold current Ith=10 mA and the differential quantum efficiency ηd =60%, which are comparable to lasers grown by liquid phase epitaxy, were obtained. Most lasers randomly selected from one wafer have threshold currents of Ith=10–25 mA, because of high thickness uniformity of MOCVD growth. Stable fundamental transverse mode operation was also obtained up to an output power of 40 mW/facet, due to controlling the active layer width less than 2 μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cross sections of the 7Be(n,α)4He reaction for p-wave neutrons were experimentally determined at Ec.m.=0.20-0.81 MeV slightly above the big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) energy window for the first time on the basis of the detailed balance principle by measuring the time-reverse reaction. The obtained cross sections are much larger than the cross sections for s-wave neutrons inferred from the recent measurement at the n_TOF facility in CERN, but significantly smaller than the theoretical estimation widely used in the BBN calculations. The present results suggest the 7Be(n,α)4He reaction rate is not large enough to solve the cosmological lithium problem, and this conclusion agrees with the recent result from the direct measurement of the s-wave cross sections using a low-energy neutron beam and the evaluated nuclear data library ENDF/B-VII.1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Swine influenza viruses (SIVs) are important not only for pig farming, but also for public health. In fact, pandemic A(H1N1) 2009 viruses [A(H1N1)pdm09] were derived from SIVs. Therefore, timely characterization of locally circulating SIVs is necessary for understanding the global status of SIVs. To genetically characterize SIVs circulating in Japanese pig populations, we isolated 24 SIVs of three subtypes (17 H1N1, four H1N2 and three H3N2 strains) from 14 pig farms in Japan from 2013 to 2016. Genetic analyses revealed that the haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of the 17 H1N1 and the HA gene of one H1N2, A/swine/Aichi/02/2016 (H1N2), SIVs belonged to the A(H1N1)pdm09 lineage. More importantly, all of the remaining six gene segments (i.e., PB1, PB1, PA, NP, M and NS) of the 24 SIVs, regardless of the HA and NA subtype, were also classified as belonging to the A(H1N1)pdm09 lineage. These results indicate that gene segments of A(H1N1)pdm09 lineage are widely distributed in SIVs circulating in Japanese pig populations In addition, the NA gene of A/swine/Aichi/02/2016 (H1N2) shared less than 88.5% nucleotide identity with that of the closest relative A/swine/Miyagi/5/2003 (H1N2), which was isolated in Japan in 2003. These results indicate the sustained circulation of classical H1N2‐derived SIVs with remarkable diversity in the NA genes in Japanese pig populations. These findings highlight the necessity of both intensive biosecurity systems and active SIV surveillance in pig populations worldwide for both animal and public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have launched a new research project named "ONOKORO" to elucidate the formation mechanism of clusters in atomic nuclei. The project comprehensively investigates clustering phenomena in the medium-to-heavy mass region with inverse-kinematics cluster-knockout reactions at the intermediate energy facilities. The new detector array named "TOGAXSI" is under construction for this purpose. It measures scattering angles and the energies of deuterons, tritons, 3 He, and α particles emitted at forward angles from the cluster-knockout reactions. It also measures the recoil protons emitted from the scattering events at large angles. High-angular and high-energy resolutions with wide solid angles are required to achieve a good cluster separation energy resolution and a reasonably high yield. The designed telescope consists of silicon trackers and GAGG:Ce calorimeters. This paper shows the required conditions and design concepts of TOGAXSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Review: 126 refs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ru-based solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cermet anodes are presented. The preparation conditions of the Ru-based anodes are adjusted by preventing the sublimation of Ru-oxides at elevated temperatures by using an oxidizing atmosphere. SOFC single cells with zirconia-electrolyte and cathode are prepared, and the electrochemical performance is examined using realistic fuels containing low concentrations of higher hydrocarbons and trace sulfur impurities. The degradation rate is relatively high under simulated high fuel utilization operating conditions. However, under the operational condition near the fuel inlet of SOFC systems, the Ru-based anode satisfies 5000-h durability by using hydrocarbon-containing fuels. While a much higher durability is needed for stationary applications, the cells with the Ru-based anode may be applicable to e.g. automobile applications with hydrocarbon-containing fuels as high internal reforming activity, carbon deposition tolerance, and sulfur impurity tolerance have been verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: CrAlN/BN nanocomposite coatings were deposited through reactive cosputtering, i.e., pulsed dc and rf sputtering, of CrAl and h-BN targets, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron-diffraction (SAED) analysis indicated that the CrAlN/BN coating consists of very fine grains of B1 structured CrAlN phase. With an increasing BN volume fraction of over 8vol.%, the nanocrystalline nature of the grains is revealed through a dispersion of fine grains in the CrAlN/BN coating. A cross-sectional observation using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) clarified that the coating demonstrating the highest level of hardness has a fiber-like structure consisting of grains that are ~20nm in width and ~50nm in length. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed that the coating consists mainly of CrAlN and h-BN phase. The indentation hardness (H IT) and effective Young''s modulus (E*) of the coatings increased with the BN phase ratio, reaching a maximum value of ~46 and ~440GPa at ~7vol.% of BN phase; it then decreased moderately to ~40 and ~350GPa at 18vol.% of BN, respectively. Furthermore, CrAlN/BN coatings showed superior oxidation resistance compared with CrAlN coatings. After annealing at 800°C in air for 1h, the indentation hardness of CrAlN coatings decreased to 50% of the as-deposited hardness; in contrast, the hardness of CrAlN/BN nanocomposite coatings either stayed the same or increased, attaining a value of about 46GPa. After annealing at 900°C for 1h, the hardness of all the coatings decreased to about 40%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We developed an N 2 gas scintillation counter as a time-of-flight counter for particle identification of radioactive isotope beams. Radiation damage, which often becomes a problem for high-intensity heavy ion beams, can be prevented by a continuous flow of N 2 gas. The scintillator, with a volume of 60 mm × 60 mm × 100 mm, was filled with N 2 gas at a pressure of approximately 100 kPa. Photons were detected using photomultiplier tubes attached to both sides of the vessel. The main emission wavelength of photons produced in the detector was 300–400 nm. Performance tests confirmed that the detector had sufficient detection efficiency, intrinsic time resolution, and short decay time. Additionally, the detector was demonstrated to be effective for particle identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 12C excitation energy spectra populated in both proton and α-particle inelastic scattering measurements are examined. The data indicate the existence of a 2+ state at Ex = 9.75(0.15) MeV with a width of 750(150) keV. It is believed that this state corresponds to the 2+ excitation of the 7.65 MeV, 0+, Hoyle state, which acts as the main path by which carbon is synthesized in stars. A simultaneous Ä-matrix analysis of the two sets of data indicates that the 2+ state possesses a very large α-reduced width, approaching the Wigner limit. This would indicate that the state is associated with a highly clustered structure. The potential geometric arrangements of the clusters is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied gas-like states of α clusters around an 16O core in 24Mg based on a microscopic α-cluster model. The 0+ states below the 16O + α + α threshold, which are candidates for the resonance solution judging from the energy convergence behavior, are strongly excited by an isoscalar monopole (E0) operator from the ground state, which could be observed as an experimental signature of well-developed α gas-like states in the excited states. These states have significant overlaps with the THSR (Tohsaki-Horiuchi-Schuck-Röpke) wave functions with large spatial extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The current study examined the prevalence of intestinal parasites and genotypes of Giardia intestinalis in puppies from nine pet shops in east Japan. Fresh fecal samples from 1794 puppies (≦3 months old) were collected on one occasion. Giardia spp. was examined for specific coproantigen using ELISA kit (SNAP® Giardia, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., USA). Other intestinal parasites were detected microscopically using the formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation technique. Genotyping was determined for the random 29 stool samples identified as Giardia spp. positive using PCR and direct sequencing of the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) gene. Overall prevalence of protozoan Giardia spp. and Cystoisospora spp. revealed 23.4% and 11.3%, respectively. Prevalence of ascarids, Strongyloides spp. and hookworms were recorded 1.8%, 1.1% and 0.1%, respectively. Protozoan Giardia spp. and Cystoisospora spp., thus, represent important pathogens among pet shop puppies. All genotyped G. intestinalis isolates were belonged to assemblage C or D, identified as dog-specific genotypes. Zoonotic assemblage A and B were not demonstrated. The result suggests that the risk of zoonotic transmission of G. intestinalis from pet shops puppies to humans may be quite low in Japan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: CrAlN films were prepared using a balanced magnetron sputtering system operated in dc and pulsed condition (with different pulse frequencies), and their phase composition were then determined through XRD analysis. In order to investigate the relationship between the mechanical properties and microstructure of the films, hardness measurements were taken using a nanoindentation system. All films exhibited NaCl-type CrN structure in both dc and pulsed conditions. Plastic hardness, H pl, of the films ranged between 15 to 36GPa. Pulsed prepared CrAlN films showed higher hardness, higher internal stress values, and smaller grain sizes than dc prepared CrAlN film. Moreover, plastic hardness and internal stress of pulsed prepared CrAlN films increased on increasing pulse frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]