Ion generation from Al-laser-produced plasma

Particle diagnostics of Al-laser-produced plasma based on ion collectors identified three groups of emitted ions. Their velocity distributions were analyzed to obtain the mean ion energy, energy and charge carried by ions, including the angular distributions of these quantities. The electron temperature evaluated from these measurements was compared with X-ray results. A satisfactory agreement between the two sets of data was found. In both the cases the electron temperature grows only very slowly with the incident laser power. Origin of different ion groups is discussed. Iodine photodissociation laser system PERUN was used as a driver.     

Higher dimensional global monopole in Brans-Dicke theory

The gravitational field of a higher dimensional global monopole in the context of Brans-Dicke theory of gravity is investigated. The space time metric and the scalar field generated by a global monopole are obtained using the weak field approximation. Finally, the geodesic of a test particle due to the gravitational field of the monopole is studied.     

Multidimensional WKB Approximation for Tunneling Along Curved Escape Paths

Asymptotics of the perturbation series for the ground state energy of the coupled anharmonic oscillators for the positive coupling constant is related to the lifetime of the quasistationary states for the negative coupling constant. The latter is determined by means of the multidimensional WKB approximation for tunneling along curved escape paths. General method for obtaining such approximation is described. The cartesian coordinates (x,y) are choosen in such a way that the x-axis has the direction of the probability flux at large distances from the well. The WKB wave function is then obtained by the simultaneous expansion of the wave function in the coordinate y and the parameter γ determining the curvature of the escape path. It is argued, both physically and mathematically, that these two expansions are mutually consistent. Several simplifications in the integrations of equations are pointed out. It is shown that to calculate outgoing probability flux it is not necessary to deal with inadequacy of the WKB approximation at the classical turning point. The WKB formulas for the large-order behavior of the perturbation series are compared with numerical results and an excellent agreement between the two is found.     

Mass measurements of neutron-deficient nuclides close to A = 80 with a Penning trap

The masses of ^{80, 81, 82, 83}Y, ^{83, 84, 85, 86, 88}Zr and ^{85, 86, 87, 88}Nb have been measured with a typical precision of 7keV by using the Penning trap setup at IGISOL. The mass of ⁸⁴Zr has been measured for the first time. These precise mass measurements have improved S_p and Q_EC values for astrophysically important nuclides.     

Scaling properties of adsorption energies for hydrogen-containing molecules on transition-metal surfaces

Density functional theory calculations are presented for CHx, x=0,1,2,3, NHx, x=0,1,2, OHx, x=0,1, and SHx, x=0,1 adsorption on a range of close-packed and stepped transition-metal surfaces. We find that the adsorption energy of any of the molecules considered scales approximately with the adsorption energy of the central, C, N, O, or S atom, the scaling constant depending only on x. A model is proposed to understand this behavior. The scaling model is developed into a general framework for estimating the reaction energies for hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions.     

Excess parameters of binary mixtures of anisaldehyde with o-cresol,m-cresol and p-cresol at T = (303.15, 308.15, 313.15, and 318.15) K

The density, ultrasonic velocity, and viscosity of binary mixtures of (anisaldehyde + o-cresol, or +m-cresol, or +p-cresol) have been measured over the entire range of composition at T = (303.15, 308.15, 313.15, and 318.15) K. Using these data, various thermo-acoustic parameters such as deviation in adiabatic compressibility, Δβ, excess molar volume, V^E, viscosity deviation, Δη and excess Gibb’s free energy of activation for viscous flow, ΔG^1E have been calculated. The calculated deviation and excess functions have been fitted to the Redlich–Kister polynomial equation. The negative and positive values of deviation or excess thermo-acoustic parameters observed have been explained on the basis of the intermolecular interactions present in these mixtures.     

Protein kinase A type I activates a CRE-element more efficiently than protein kinase A type II regardless of C subunit isoform

Background  

Protein kinase A type I (PKAI) and PKAII are expressed in most of the eukaryotic cells examined. PKA is a major receptor for cAMP and specificity is achieved partly through tissue-dependent expression and subcellular localization of subunits with different biochemical properties. In addition posttranslational modifications help fine tune PKA activity, distribution and interaction in the cell. In spite of this the functional significance of two forms of PKA in one cell has not been fully determined. Here we have tested the ability of PKAI and PKAII formed by expression of the regulatory (R) subunits RIα or RIIα in conjunction with Cα1 or Cβ2 to activate a co-transfected luciferace reporter gene, controlled by the cyclic AMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) in vivo.     

New nuclides: Neptunium-243 and neptunium-244

We have observedγ-rays following the β^?-decay of²⁴³Np and²⁴⁴Np after chemical isolation of neptunium isotopes from the products of the reaction of 835 MeV¹³⁶Xe with²⁴⁴Pu. The ground-state of 1.85-min²⁴³Np hasJ=5/2. The decay of 2.29-min²⁴⁴Np (probableJ ^π=7^?) populates high-spin members of the ground state rotational band in²⁴⁴Pu.     

100 GW pulsed iodine photodissociation laser system PERUN I

The photodissociation iodine laser system PERUN I is described. The laser generates and amplifies the subnanosecond pulse with the energy about 80 J of the fundamental wavelength 1·315 μm and beam diameter 10 cm. The physical principles of this type of the high power laser are briefly explained and the laser system and its characteristics are described from the physical and technical point of view. Special attention is paid to the realization of such system with the slow optical pumping (≈300 μs).