Study of the level structure of239U using the thermal neutron capture reaction

For the investigation of vibrational states in odd A nuclei we have studied the level structure of²³⁹U by the²³⁸U (n _thermal,γ) reaction. Various complementary measurement techniques as curved-crystal-, anti-Compton-,γ-γ coincidence- and conversion electron spectroscopy have been applied. The resulting data have been used to establish the deexcitation scheme of²³⁹U up to ～1.3 MeV and to make spin assignments. Most of the levels are interpreted in terms of the Nilsson model. The data also indicate the presence of the Nilsson states ¦501?¦ and ¦750¦. Three members of theΒ-vibrational band built on the ¦631?¦ state and one member of theΒ-vibration built on the ¦622↑¦ ground state have been identified through transitions with strongE0 admixtures. The octupole vibrational state built on the ¦631?¦ band is proposed at 815 keV.     

On the characterization of relativistic quantum field theories in terms of finitely many vacuum expectation values. II

The problem of uniqueness of monotone continuous linear extensions of $$T_{(2N)} = \{ 1,T_1 ,...,T_{2N} \} \in E'_{(2N)} = \prod\limits_{n = 0}^{2N} {E'_n } $$ is solved. A characterization of a relativistic QFT in terms of finitely many VEV's is derived. All results are illustrated by an explicit discussion of the extension problem for special cases ofT ₍₄₎={1,0,T ₂,T ₃,T ₄}. This discussion contains explicitly necessary and sufficient conditions onT ₍₄₎ for the existence of minimal extensions and some convenient sufficient conditions.     

Surface cyclotron resonance in Si under uniaxial stress

The cyclotron resonance of inversion-layer electrons on (100)p-type Si is found to depend sensitively on an externally applied compressive stress. At low temperatures (T ? 10 K) we observe a considerable increase of the cyclotron mass m¹_c with stress S along the [001] direction. The effect is most strongly observed at low electron densities n_s. For $\text{S～1.5 × 10}{}^9\text{dyne}\text{cm}{}^2$ and n_s～2 × 10¹¹cm^-2 we obtain $\text{m}{}^1{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{～0.4 m}{}_0$ instead of the expected 0.2m₀. Along with this change of $\text{m}{}^1{}_{\mathrm{c}}$ a strong narrowing of the resonance is noted. Raising the temperature gives an additional n_s- dependent increase of $\text{m}{}^1{}_{\mathrm{c}}$.     

Sample-specific diamagnetic and paramagnetic passive shimming

When homogenizing the static magnetic field over extended in vivo volumes, significant residual inhomogeneity can remain after spherical harmonic shim optimization. This is due to the low spatial orders of shims available on in vivo MR systems and the presence of higher-order inhomogeneity in the vicinity of anatomic air cavities. Mediation of this problem through the development of higher-order spherical harmonic shims is severely impeded by bore space limitations. Sample-specific passive shims are not limited to low-order spatial compensation and offer an alternative means to increased homogenization. Here, we present a novel construction protocol for sample-specific passive shims comprised of both diamagnetic (bismuth) and paramagnetic (zirconium) materials. A prototype shim is constructed and shown to significantly homogenize the mouse brain at 9.4 T. Further homogenization capabilities are simulated through alteration of the shim construction.     

Factors affecting masking release for speech in modulated noise for normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners

The Speech Reception Threshold for sentences in stationary noise and in several amplitude-modulated noises was measured for 8 normal-hearing listeners, 29 sensorineural hearing-impaired listeners, and 16 normal-hearing listeners with simulated hearing loss. This approach makes it possible to determine whether the reduced benefit from masker modulations, as often observed for hearing-impaired listeners, is due to a loss of signal audibility, or due to suprathreshold deficits, such as reduced spectral and temporal resolution, which were measured in four separate psychophysical tasks. Results show that the reduced masking release can only partly be accounted for by reduced audibility, and that, when considering suprathreshold deficits, the normal effects associated with a raised presentation level should be taken into account. In this perspective, reduced spectral resolution does not appear to qualify as an actual suprathreshold deficit, while reduced temporal resolution does. Temporal resolution and age are shown to be the main factors governing masking release for speech in modulated noise, accounting for more than half of the intersubject variance. Their influence appears to be related to the processing of mainly the higher stimulus frequencies. Results based on calculations of the Speech Intelligibility Index in modulated noise confirm these conclusions.