The power spectrum analysis of the cosmic-ray diurnal variation

Summary We present a study of the CR diurnal variation by means of the power spectrum analysis of the neutron monitor flux as observed by a group of nonpolar stations. The power spectrum structure indicates a different behaviour for the two components—the steady and the transient—of the diurnal variation. The steady diurnal variation is found to be identical to the one obtained by averaging the diurnal vectors over a one-year period. Moreover, it appears to be made up of two parts, the first one apparently constant over a period of at least 8 years and the second one whose amplitude and phase appear randomly variable over a period comparable to a fraction of a year. The transient diurnal variation instead is correlated to the fluctuations of the interplanetary magnetic field and it is in agreement with the scintillation model of Jokipii and Owens.

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Riassunto Si è studiata la variazione diurna dei RC mediante l'analisi della sua densità spettrale di potenza. I dati usati sono quelli di un gruppo di stazioni non polari per il conteggio dei neutroni. Si è trovato un comportamento della variazione diurna stazionaria differente da quello della transitoria. La variazione stazionaria risulta identica a quella calcolabile col metodo della media della variazione diurna su periodi comparabili con l'anno. Inoltre essa risulta costituita da una parte apparentemente costante su almeno otto anni e di una componente con fase ed ampiezza variabili a caso su periodo comparabile con una frazione di anno. La variazione transitoria appare invece correlata con le fluttuazioni del campo magnetico interplanetario ed in buon accordo col modello delle scintillazioni di Jokipii e Owens.

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Резюме Мы исследуем дневное изменение спектра космических лучей, анализируя данные с нейтронных мониторов группы неполярных стаций. Структура степенного спектра указывает на различное поведение двух компонет—стационарной и переходной—дневного изменения. Обнаружено, что стационарное дневное изменение идентично изменению, полученному в результате усреднения данных за годичный период. Более того, стационарное дневное изменение состоит из двух частей. Первая часть является постоянной за период, по крайней мере, 8 лет. Вторая часть дневного изменения имеет амплитуду и фазу, которые меняются случайным образом в течение периода, сравнимого с частью года. Переходное дневное изменение коррелирует с флуктуациями межпланетного магнитного поля и согласуется с сцинтилляционной моделью Джокипия и Овенса.

     

Studies of a Large Odd‐Numbered Odd‐Electron Metal Ring: Inelastic Neutron Scattering and Muon Spin Relaxation Spectroscopy of Cr8Mn

The spin dynamics of Cr₈Mn, a nine‐membered antiferromagnetic (AF) molecular nanomagnet, are investigated. Cr₈Mn is a rare example of a large odd‐membered AF ring, and has an odd‐number of 3d‐electrons present. Odd‐membered AF rings are unusual and of interest due to the presence of competing exchange interactions that result in frustrated‐spin ground states. The chemical synthesis and structures of two Cr₈Mn variants that differ only in their crystal packing are reported. Evidence of spin frustration is investigated by inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and muon spin relaxation spectroscopy (μSR). From INS studies we accurately determine an appropriate microscopic spin Hamiltonian and we show that μSR is sensitive to the ground‐spin‐state crossing from S=1/2 to S=3/2 in Cr₈Mn. The estimated width of the muon asymmetry resonance is consistent with the presence of an avoided crossing. The investigation of the internal spin structure of the ground state, through the analysis of spin‐pair correlations and scalar‐spin chirality, shows a non‐collinear spin structure that fluctuates between non‐planar states of opposite chiralities.     

Quantum oscillations of the total spin in a heterometallic antiferromagnetic ring: evidence from neutron spectroscopy

Using inelastic neutron scattering and applied fields up to 11.4 T, we have studied the spin dynamics of the Cr7Ni antiferromagnetic ring in the energy window 0.05-1.6 meV. We demonstrate that the external magnetic field induces an avoided crossing (anticrossing) between energy levels with different total-spin quantum numbers. This corresponds to quantum oscillations of the total spin of each molecule. The inelastic character of the observed excitation and the field dependence of its linewidth indicate that molecular spins oscillate coherently for a significant number of cycles. Precise signatures of the anticrossing are also found at higher energy, where measured and calculated spectra match very well.     

Deflection of MeV protons by an unbent half-wavelength silicon crystal

The interaction of a 2?MeV proton beam with an ultrathin unbent Si crystal was studied through simulation and experiment. Crystal thickness along the beam was set at 92?nm, i.e., at half the oscillation wavelength of the protons in the crystal under planar channeling condition. As the nominal beam direction is inclined by less than the critical angle for planar channeling with respect to the crystal planes, under-barrier particles undergo half an oscillation and exit the crystal with the reversal of the transverse momenta; i.e., the protons are "mirrored" by the crystal planes. Over-barrier particles suffer deflection, too, to a direction opposite that of mirroring with a dynamics similar to that of volume reflection in a bent crystal. On the strength of such coherent interactions, charged particle beams can be efficiently steered through an ultrathin unbent crystal by the same physical processes as for thicker bent crystals.     

Spin wave measurements over the full Brillouin zone of multiferroic BiFeO3

Using the inelastic neutron scattering technique, we measured the spin wave dispersion over the entire Brillouin zone of room temperature multiferroic BiFeO(3) single crystals with magnetic excitations extending to as high as 72.5 meV. The full spin waves can be explained by a simple Heisenberg Hamiltonian with a nearest-neighbor exchange interaction (J=4.38 meV), a next-nearest-neighbor exchange interaction (J'=0.15 meV), and a Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya-like term (D=0.107 meV). This simple Hamiltonian determined, for the first time, for BiFeO(3) provides a fundamental ingredient for understanding the novel magnetic properties of BiFeO(3).     

Sharp edge broad-band lasers for "white-light" cooling in storage rings

We have developed broad-band laser sources which show a sharp edge in their spectra and are particularly suitable for ``white-laser' cooling of ions in storage rings. They allow for a very large velocity capture range by maintaining the same cooling rate allowed by the single mode lasers. A large fraction of the circulating ions are expected to be cooled both in coasting and bunched beams. The device, which does not use an active medium, can easily operate at any frequency from UV to IR spectral region. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Molecular mechanism of drug photosensitization. Part 3. Photohemolysis sensitized by diflunisal.

The lysis of red blood cells photosensitized by diflunisal (DFN) was investigated. Photohemolysis is inhibited by butylated hydroxyanisole and reduced glutathione, but is unaffected by mannitol and enhanced by sodium azide; the presence of oxygen markedly reduces the lysis which is accelerated in anaerobic conditions. These results contrast with those expected for a photodynamic mechanism. High lytic activity is observed for pre-irradiated solutions, mainly under anaerobic conditions. Direct irradiation of DFN in buffer solution at pH 7.4 leads to the formation, under anaerobic conditions, of compound 2'-(2',4'-difluoro-3'-carboxy-[1',1'-biphenyl]-4'-oxy)-4'- fluoro-4-hydroxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-carboxylic acid (PhP), whereas under aerobic conditions formation of PhP is accompanied by unidentified photo-oxidation products; only compound PhP displays strong lytic activity. The overall results for DFN-photosensitized hemolysis suggest a mechanism involving a concerted action of free radicals, superoxide anion, singlet oxygen and sensitizer photoproducts.     

MOLECULAR MECHANISM OF DRUG PHOTOSENSITIZATION 7. PHOTOCLEAVAGE OF DNA SENSITIZED BY SUPROFEN

Abstract— Ultraviolet-A irradiation of a suprofen (2-[4-(2-thenoyl)phenyl]propionic acid) (SPF) buffered solution (pH 7.4) in the presence of supercoiled pBR322 DNA leads to single strand breaks with the formation of an open circular form and subsequent linearization of the plasmid. On the basis of agarose gel electrophoresis data of samples irradiated in an air-saturated solution or in an oxygen-modified atmosphere, and the effects of sodium azide, D₂O, mannitol, copper(II), superoxide dismutase, 2-H-propanol, deferoxamine and surfactants, we suggest a photosensitization mechanism involving singlet oxygen and free radicals. The higher rate of photocleavage in nitrogen compared to that in an air-saturated solution and the results obtained from oxygen consumption measurements support the hypothesis that both the type I and type II photosensitization mechanisms are operative and that oxygen quenches the excited state of the irradiated drug. The photosensitization model applied was in agreement with that previously applied to cell membrane SPF photoinduced damage. Interaction of the drug with DNA, studied through circular dichroism and fluorescence anisotropy, probably occurs through a surface binding mode. The experimental techniques used for assessing the photodamaging activity of this drug may be useful for screening of phototoxic compounds in the environment and for determining the active species involved.     

Molecular mechanism of naproxen photosensitization in red blood cells

Red blood cell lysis photosensitized by naproxen was investigated. The photohemolysis rate was enhanced by deuterium oxide and inhibited by butylated hydroxyanisole, reduced glutathione, sodium azide and superoxide dismutase. Photohemolysis was also observed under anaerobic conditions. In the absence of red cells the irradiation of deaerated solutions underwent a decarboxylation process via intermediate radicals, while under aerobic conditions photo-oxidation leading to the photoproduct 6-methoxy-2-acetonaphthone occurred. A molecular mechanism involving free radicals and singlet oxygen as important intermediates and consistent with the overall results is proposed.