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The optimization of production processes is even in 2021 still an up-to-date topic, where the use of data is discussed, and the utilization has proven to be effective in specific applications in the last 10 years. Despite increasing access to information directly from the production process and more available computing resources, the data still holds unused potential. Even ongoing digitalization does not replace a deep understanding of the underlying processes and a focus on online automation misses the potential including expertise of shop floor employees. Thus, besides automation and data-driven improvements it is important to support employees with innovative methods to exploit the full potential of the Internet of Things. Principles of gamification offer an opportunity to incorporate the shop floor personnel, to take their full attention on optimization of the process supporting them in their day-to-day job. Appropriate visualization creates incentives for continuous process optimization.

Twenty-one two-proton knockout (p; 3p) cross sections from neutron-rich nuclei at ~ 250 MeV/nucleon were measured. For the first time, the angular distribution of the three emitted protons were measured in coincidence with the tracker and hydrogen target MINOS, demonstrating that the (p; 3p) kinematics is consistent with two sequential proton-proton collisions within the projectile nucleus. Ratios of (p; 3p) over (p; 2p) inclusive cross sections follow the trend of other many-proton (neutron) removal reactions, further reinforcing the sequential nature of (p; 3p) in neutron-rich nuclei.

Here we present new information on the shape evolution of the very neutron-rich ^{92,94}Se nuclei from an isomer-decay spectroscopy experiment at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory at RIKEN. High-resolution germanium detectors were used to identify delayed γ rays emitted following the decay of their isomers. New transitions are reported extending the previously known level schemes. The isomeric levels are interpreted as originating from high-K quasineutron states with an oblate deformation of β∼0.25, with the high-K state in ^{94}Se being metastable and K hindered. Following this, ^{94}Se is the lowest-mass neutron-rich nucleus known to date with such a substantial K hindrance. Furthermore, it is the first observation of an oblate K isomer in a deformed nucleus. This opens up the possibility for a new region of K isomers at low Z and at oblate deformation, involving the same neutron orbitals as the prolate orbitals within the classic Z∼72 deformed hafnium region. From an interpretation of the level scheme guided by theoretical calculations, an oblate deformation is also suggested for the ^{94}Se_{60} ground-state band.

Here we present new information on the shape evolution of the very neutron-rich ^{92,94}Se nuclei from an isomer-decay spectroscopy experiment at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory at RIKEN. High-resolution germanium detectors were used to identify delayed γ rays emitted following the decay of their isomers. New transitions are reported extending the previously known level schemes. The isomeric levels are interpreted as originating from high-K quasineutron states with an oblate deformation of β∼0.25, with the high-K state in ^{94}Se being metastable and K hindered. Following this, ^{94}Se is the lowest-mass neutron-rich nucleus known to date with such a substantial K hindrance. Furthermore, it is the first observation of an oblate K isomer in a deformed nucleus. This opens up the possibility for a new region of K isomers at low Z and at oblate deformation, involving the same neutron orbitals as the prolate orbitals within the classic Z∼72 deformed hafnium region. From an interpretation of the level scheme guided by theoretical calculations, an oblate deformation is also suggested for the ^{94}Se_{60} ground-state band.

Recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) places a major burden on the healthcare system. Previous studies have suggested that specific C. difficile strains, or ribotypes, are associated with severe disease and/or recurrence. However, in some patients a new strain is detected in subsequent infections, complicating longitudinal studies focused on strain differences that may contribute to disease outcome. We examined ribotype composition over time in patients who did or did not develop recurrence to examine infection with multiple C. difficile ribotypes (mixed infection), during the course of infection. Using a retrospective patient cohort, we isolated and ribotyped a median of 36 C. difficile colonies from 61 patients (105 total samples) at initial infection, recurrence (a second case of CDI within 15–56 days of initial infection), and reinfection (a second case of CDI after 56 days of initial infection). We observed mixed infection in 78.6% of samples at initial infection in patients who went on to develop recurrence compared to 18.1% of patients who did not, and mixed infection remained associated with subsequent recurrence after adjusting for gender and prior antibiotic exposure (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.3–9.4, P = .015). In patients who were sampled longitudinally (44 consecutive events in 32 patients), the dominant ribotype changed in 31.8% of consecutive samples and the newly dominant ribotype was not detected in prior samples from that patient. Our results suggest that mixed C. difficile infection is more prevalent than previously demonstrated and potentially a marker of susceptibility to recurrence.

C.M. Shand et al. -- 6 pags., 3 figs., tab. --Open Access funded by Creative Commons Atribution Licence 4.0, We report on the measurement of new low-lying states in the neutron-rich Zn nuclei via in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy. These include the 4 →2 transition in Zn, the 2 →0 and 4 →2 transitions in Zn, and low-lying states in Zn were observed for the first time. The reduced E(2 ) energies and increased E(4 )/E(2 ) ratios at N=52, 54 compared to those in Zn attest that the magicity is confined to the neutron number N=50 only. The deduced level schemes are compared to three state-of-the-art shell model calculations and a good agreement is observed with all three calculations. The newly observed 2 and 4 levels in Zn suggest the onset of deformation towards heavier Zn isotopes, which has been incorporated by taking into account the upper sdg orbitals in the Ni78-II and the PFSDG-U models., All UK authors are supported by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The development of MINOS and the core MINOS team have been supported by the European Research Council through the ERC Grant No. MINOS-258567. A. Jungclaus was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad under contract FPA2014-57196-C5-4-P. Authors from Cologne were supported by German BMBF Grant No. 05P15PKFNA. Authors from TU Darmstadt were supported by German BMBF Grant No. 05P12RDFN8 and 05P15RDFN1. L.X. Chung and B.D. Linh would like to acknowledge Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology for the support, and Radioactive Isotope Physics Laboratory of the RIKEN Nishina Center for supporting their stay during the experiments.

Neonicotinoid insecticides are widespread in surface waters across the agriculturally intensive Midwestern United States. We report for the first time the presence of three neonicotinoids in finished drinking water and demonstrate their general persistence during conventional water treatment. Periodic tap water grab samples were collected at the University of Iowa over 7 weeks in 2016 (May–July) after maize/soy planting. Clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam were ubiquitously detected in finished water samples at concentrations ranging from 0.24 to 57.3 ng/L. Samples collected along the University of Iowa treatment train indicate no apparent removal of clothianidin or imidacloprid, with modest thiamethoxam removal (∼50%). In contrast, the concentrations of all neonicotinoids were substantially lower in the Iowa City treatment facility finished water using granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration. Batch experiments investigated potential losses. Thiamethoxam losses are due to base-catalyzed hydrol...

A systematic study was performed of microsecond γ-decaying isomers around Sn100 produced in a fragmentation reaction of a Xe124 beam at 345 MeV/u at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory of the RIKEN Nishina Center in Saitama, Japan. Half-lives of isomeric states in that region were remeasured allowing us to improve the currently available experimental information. Reduced transition probabilities were deduced and compared to shell-model calculations in various model spaces. The recently reported low-energy transitions in Rh92 and Ag96 were remeasured with improved precision. Additionally, experimental information on isomeric ratios, including five new ones, were extracted and compared to a previous experimental study and the sharp cutoff model of fragmentation reaction.

Fifty-five inclusive single nucleon removal cross sections from medium mass neutron-rich nuclei impinging on a hydrogen target at � 250 MeV/nucleon were measured at the RIKEN Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory. Systematically higher cross sections are found for proton removal from nuclei with an even number of protons compared to odd-proton number projectiles for a given neutron separation energy. Neutron removal cross sections display no even-odd splitting contrary to nuclear cascade model predictions. Both effects are understood through simple considerations of neutron separation energies and bound state level densities originating in pairing correlations in the daughter nuclei. These conclusions are supported by comparison with semi-microscopic model predictions,highlighting the enhanced role of low-lying level densities in nucleon removal cross sections from loosely-bound nuclei.

Fifty-five inclusive single nucleon-removal cross sections from medium mass neutron-rich nuclei impinging on a hydrogen target at ∼ 250 MeV / nucleon are measured at the RIKEN Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory. Systematically higher cross sections are found for proton removal from nuclei with an even number of protons as compared to odd-proton number projectiles for a given neutron separation energy. Neutron removal cross sections display no even-odd splitting, contrary to nuclear cascade model predictions. Both effects are understood through simple considerations of neutron separation energies and bound state level densities originating in pairing correlations in the daughter nuclei. These conclusions are supported by comparison with semimicroscopic model predictions, highlighting the enhanced role of low-lying level densities in nucleon-removal cross sections from loosely bound nuclei.

7 pags., 4 figs. -- Presented at the Zakopane Conference on Nuclear Physics “Extremes of the Nuclear Landscape”, Zakopane, Poland, August 26–September 2, 2018. -- Open Access funded by Creative Commons Atribution Licence 4.0, The study of nuclei in the region around the N = Z doubly-magic nucleus 100Sn has been of long standing interest for the nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics. Recently, Park et al. have reported on properties of γ-decaying isomers and isomeric ratios in the vicinity of 100Sn. That experiment was performed at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory (RIBF) of the RIKEN Nishina Center in Japan as a part of the EURICA campaign. Neutron-deficient nuclei were produced in a fragmentation reaction of a 124Xe primary beam on a 9Be target at an energy of 345 MeV/A. Secondary ions were separated and identified in the BigRIPS fragment separator and implanted in the silicon detector array WAS3ABi. The data presented here were obtained in another experiment performed at the RIBF using the same reaction but slightly different separator settings. New results of ratios of isomeric population and half-lives of γ-decaying isomers populated in the experiment are presented., This work was carried out at the RIBF operated by the RIKEN Nishina Center, RIKEN and CNS, University of Tokyo. The authors acknowledge the EUROBALL Owners Committee for the loan of germanium detectors and the PreSpec Collaboration for the readout electronics of cluster detectors. This work was partly supported by the German BMBF under contract No. 05P12PKFNE and No. 05P15PKFNA and by the U.S. DOE under grant No. DE-FG02-91ER-40609. G.H. is supported by the Bonn–Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy.

7 pags., 4 figs. -- XXII International School on Nuclear Physics, Neutron Physics and Applications. -- Open Access funded by Creative Commons Atribution Licence 3.0, Low-spin states of neutron-rich Ge-84,Ge-86,Ge-88 were measured by in-flight gamma-ray spectroscopy at 270 MeV/u at the RIKEN-RIBF facility. The exotic beams have been produced by primary U-238 in-flight fission reactions and impinged on the MINOS device. MINOS combines a 10-cm long LH2 target with a Time Projection Chamber (TPC) to reconstruct the reaction vertices. The reactions were selected by the BigRIPS and the ZeroDegree spectrometers for the incoming and outgoing channels, respectively. Emitted gamma radiation was detected by the NaI-array DALI2. De-excitations from the 6(1)(+), 4(1,2)(+), and 2(1,2)(+) states of Ge-84,Ge- 86 and 4(1)(+) and 26 states of Ge-88 were observed. The data are compared to state-of-the-art shell model and beyond-mean-field calculations. Furthermore, a candidate for a 3(1)(+) state of Ge-86 was identified. This state plays a key role in the discussion of ground-state triaxiality of Ge-86, along with other features of the low-energy level scheme., We acknowledge support from the German BMBF Grant Nos. 05P12RDFN1, 05P12RDFN8 and 05P15PKFNA, the ERC Grant No. MINOS258567, the Spanish Ministerio de Economıa y Competitividad under contracts FPA2014-57196-C5-4-P and FIS−2014−53434, the Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). We further thank GSI for providing computing facilities

ray transitions between low-spin states of the neutron-rich 84;86;88Ge were measured by means of in-flight -ray spectroscopy at 270 MeV/u. Excited 6+ 1 , 4+ 1;2 and 2+ 1;2 states of 84;86Ge and 4+ 1 and 2+ 1;2 states of 88Ge were observed. Furthermore a candidate for a 3+ 1 state of 86Ge was identified. This state plays a key role in the discussion of ground-state triaxiality of 86Ge, along with other features of its low-energy level scheme. A new region of triaxially deformed nuclei is proposed in the Ge isotopic chain.

We report on the first γ-ray spectroscopy of low-lying states in neutron-rich 98,100Kr isotopes obtained from 99,101Rb(p,2p) reactions at ∼ 220 MeV/nucleon. A reduction of the 2+ 1 state energies beyond N = 60 demonstrates a significant increase of deformation, shifted in neutron number compared to the sharper transition observed in strontium and zirconium isotopes. State-of-theart beyond-mean-field calculations using the Gogny D1S interaction predict level energies in good agreement with experimental results. The identification of a low-lying (0+ 2 , 2+ 2 ) state in 98Kr provides the first experimental evidence of a competing configuration at low energy in neutron-rich krypton isotopes consistent with the oblate-prolate shape coexistence picture suggested by theory

The first measurement of the low-lying states of the neutron-rich 110 Zr and 112 Mo was performed via in-beam γ -ray spectroscopy after one proton removal on hydrogen at ∼ 200 MeV / nucleon . The 2 + 1 excitation energies were found at 185(11) keV in 110 Zr , and 235(7) keV in 112 Mo , while the R 42 = E ( 4 + 1 ) / E ( 2 + 1 ) ratios are 3.1(2), close to the rigid rotor value, and 2.7(1), respectively. These results are compared to modern energy density functional based configuration mixing models using Gogny and Skyrme effective interactions. We conclude that first levels of 110 Zr exhibit a rotational behavior, in agreement with previous observations of lighter zirconium isotopes as well as with the most advanced Monte Carlo shell model predictions. The data, therefore, do not support a harmonic oscillator shell stabilization scenario at Z = 40 and N = 70 . The present data also invalidate predictions for a tetrahedral ground state symmetry in 110 Zr .

P. J. Davies et al. -- 6 pags., 4 figs., 3 tabs.-- Open Access funded by Creative Commons Atribution Licence 4.0, The first evidence for β-delayed proton emission from the 16 spin gap isomer in Cd is presented. The data were obtained from the Rare Isotope Beam Factory, at the RIKEN Nishina Center, using the BigRIPS spectrometer and the EURICA decay station. βp branching ratios for the ground state and 16 isomer have been extracted along with more precise lifetimes for these states and the lifetime for the ground state decay of Cd. Large scale shell model (LSSM) calculations have been performed and WKB estimates made for ℓ=0,2,4 proton emission from three resonance-like states in Ag, that are populated by the β decay of the isomer, and the results compared to the new data. The calculations suggest that ℓ=2 proton emission from the resonance states, which reside ∼5 MeV above the proton separation energy, dominates the proton decay. The results highlight the importance of core-excited wavefunction components for the 16 state., This work was partially supported by the German BMBF grant 05P12PKFNE, the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council(STFC) grants ST/J000124/1 and ST/L005727/1, and the U.S. DOE grant DE-FG02-91ER40609.

D. Ralet et al. -- 11 pags., 10 figs., 3 tabs., Background: In the neutron-rich A≈100 mass region, rapid shape changes as a function of nucleon number as well as coexistence of prolate, oblate, and triaxial shapes are predicted by various theoretical models. Lifetime measurements of excited levels in the molybdenum isotopes allow the determination of transitional quadrupole moments, which in turn provides structural information regarding the predicted shape change. Purpose: The present paper reports on the experimental setup, the method that allowed one to measure the lifetimes of excited states in even-even molybdenum isotopes from mass A=100 up to mass A=108, and the results that were obtained. Method: The isotopes of interest were populated by secondary knock-out reaction of neutron-rich nuclei separated and identified by the GSI fragment separator at relativistic beam energies and detected by the sensitive PreSPEC-AGATA experimental setup. The latter included the Lund-York-Cologne calorimeter for identification, tracking, and velocity measurement of ejectiles, and AGATA, an array of position sensitive segmented HPGe detectors, used to determine the interaction positions of the γ ray enabling a precise Doppler correction. The lifetimes were determined with a relativistic version of the Doppler-shift-attenuation method using the systematic shift of the energy after Doppler correction of a γ-ray transition with a known energy. This relativistic Doppler-shift-attenuation method allowed the determination of mean lifetimes from 2 to 250 ps. Results: Even-even molybdenum isotopes from mass A=100 to A=108 were studied. The decays of the low-lying states in the ground-state band were observed. In particular, two mean lifetimes were measured for the first time: τ=29.7-9.1+11.3 ps for the 4+ state of Mo108 and τ=3.2-0.7+0.7 ps for the 6+ state of Mo102. Conclusions: The reduced transition strengths B(E2), calculated from lifetimes measured in this experiment, compared to beyond-mean-field calculations, indicate a gradual shape transition in the chain of molybdenum isotopes when going from A=100 to A=108 with a maximum reached at N=64. The transition probabilities decrease for Mo108 which may be related to its well-pronounced triaxial shape indicated by the calculations., This work was supported by the BMBF under Grants No. 05P09RDFN4, No. 05P12RDFN8, and No. 05P12PKFNE and by the LOEWE center HIC for FAIR. Part of this work was supported by the P2IO excellence center. This work was also supported by the European Community FP7–Capacities, ENSAR Contract No. 262010, by the Swedish Research Council under Contracts No. 2010-147, No. 2010-3694, No. 2011-5253, No. 2011-6127, and No. 2014-5558, by the IN2P3- GSI No. 02-42 collaboration, by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and by MINECO, Spain, under Grant No. FPA2014-57196-C5, and Generalitat Valenciana, Spain, under Grant No. PROMETEOII/2014/019

The interaction of dislocations with grain boundaries (GBs) determines a number of important aspects of the mechanical performance of materials, including strengthening and fatigue resistance. Here, the coupled atomistic/discrete-dislocation (CADD) multiscale method, which couples a discrete dislocation continuum region to a fully atomistic region, is used to study screw-dislocations interacting with Σ3, Σ11, and Σ9 symmetric tilt boundaries in Al. The low-energy Σ3 and Σ11 boundaries absorb lattice dislocations and generate extrinsic grain boundary dislocations (GBDs). As multiple screw dislocations impinge on the GB, the GBDs form a pile-up along the GB and provide a back stress that requires increasing applied load to push the lattice dislocations into the GB. Dislocation transmission is never observed, even with large GBD pile-ups near the dislocation/GB intersection. Results are compared with experiments and previous, related simulations. The Σ9 grain boundary, composed from a more complex set of str...

Spurious forces are shown to arise when dislocations interact with atom/continuum interfaces in some classes of multiscale models due to the use of linear elasticity in continuum descriptions of the material deformations and/or the singular dislocation fields. For Al, such forces can reach 500MPa for dislocations within a few Angstroms of the interface and can remain significant at distances of similar to 20 angstrom on the atomistic side and similar to 15 angstrom on the continuum side of the interface, inhibiting the creation of truly seamless coupling. Replacement of the continuum representation of the dislocation displacement fields by a 'template' of the full atomistic displacement fields within a radius of R-core = 50 angstrom is shown to significantly reduce the magnitude and range of the spurious forces. Implementation of the template method permits dislocations to approach within less than 10 angstrom of the interface from both atomistic and continuum sides, permitting higher accuracy in the multiscale simulations as well as reduced size of the atomistic region.

A decay spectroscopy experiment was performed within the EURICA campaign at RIKEN in 2012. It aimed at the isomer and particle spectroscopy of excited states and ground states in the mass region below the doubly magic 100Sn. The N = Z nuclei 98In, 96Cd and 94Ag were of particular interest for the present study. Preliminary results on the neutron deficient nuclei 93Ag and 94Ag are presented. In 94Ag a more precise value for the half-life of the ground state’s superallowed Fermi transition was deduced. In addition the energy spectra of the mentioned decay could be reproduced through precise Geant4 simulations of the used active stopper SIMBA. This will enable us to extract Qβ values from the measured data. The decay of 93Ag is discussed based on the observed implantation-decay correlation events.

We report the results of a search for evidence of unstable periodic orbits in the sensory afferents of the facial cold receptors of the rat. Cold receptors are unique in that they exhibit a diversity of action potential firing patterns as well as pronounced transients in firing rate following rapid temperature changes. These characteristics are the result of an internal oscillator operating at the level of the membrane potential. If such oscillators have three or more degree of freedom, and at least one of which also exhibits a nonlinearity, they are potentially capable of complex activity. By detecting the existence of unstable periodic orbits, we demonstrate low-dimensional dynamical behavior whose characteristics depend on the temperature range, impulse pattern, and temperature transients.

The interactions between 60° dislocation pile-ups with grain boundaries (GBs) are studied using multiscale modeling. Careful quantitative analyses of complex processes associated with 60° dislocation absorption and transmission phenomena at Σ3, Σ9 and Σ11 symmetric tilt boundaries in Al are interpreted in terms of a set of modified Lee–Robertson–Birnbaum (MLRB) criteria. Our results and the MLRB criteria (i) explain experimental observations, (ii) rationalize new mechanisms such as deformation twinning and formation of extended stacking faults, (iii) show that reactions can be controlled more strongly by the leading partial of an incoming dislocation rather than the full Burgers vector and (iv) demonstrate that non-Schmid stresses, e.g. shear and compressive stresses along the GB, GB dislocation processes and step-height changes on the GB all influence the critical nucleation stress, but to differing degrees among different tilt boundaries. The MLRB criteria do not capture the effects of local GB structure that can also influence behavior. Quantitative metrics based on the MLRB criteria are formulated, using the simulation results, for various absorption and transmission phenomena. These metrics can be used as input into mesoscale models such as discrete dislocation plasticity, so that atomic-scale observations can inform higher-scale predictions plasticity.

For a long time investigation of the abdominal cavity held little interest for sonographists. This could have two explanations. First, there are several different established ways to examine the entire digestive tract, the abdominal vessels, and the so-called peritoneal cavity. Second, there is a multitude of traps and normal variants in the appearance of the digestive organs. Intraintestinal air and peristaltism are the main difficulties, but they can be overcome.

Three cases of Henoch-Schönlein purpura with intramural hematoma of the duodenum, jejunum or colon are reported. In the first 2 cases, there was complete agreement between the X-ray and ultrasonographic data: multiple thumb print defects and irregular narrowing of the digestive lumen, and thickening of the intestinal wall, respectively. Ultrasonography was the only investigation performed in the third case. Finally, in 2 of 3 cases an exudative enteropathy of unclear mechanism was discovered.

50 children with a strong clinical suspicion of gastroesophageal reflux and 10 control patients were evaluated with gastroesophageal scintiscans. 500 muCi à 1 mCi of Tc sulfur colloid mixed the patients' routine milk or formula feeding was administered and serial images of the abdomen and thorax were obtained. A positive scintiscan was found in 35 patients (sensitivity 70%) and none of the controls (specificity 100%). A comparison of findings in 34 patients referred for both radiographic and radionuclide studies showed that barium studies were positive in 38% and radionuclide in 64.7%. We found this examination to be more sensitive that the standard barium radiography particularly in patients with respiratory symptoms. We concluded that the GE scintiscan is complementary to barium studies in the diagnosis of GE reflux. Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents was detected in only a case of the 35 patients with documented GE reflux. A T 1/2 emptying gastric longer than 90 minutes (linear calculation) or 105 minutes (exponential calculation) is an indirect GE reflux test. This procedure is simple, safe more physiologic than other available examinations.