The experimental structure of199Au and the interacting boson-fermion model

Gamma rays of¹⁹⁹Au obtained after double neutron capture in¹⁹⁷Au were measured at the ILL high flux reactor. A level scheme up to 1770 keV excitation energy is established. The result is compared with IBFM and Boson-Fermion-Symmetry calculations.     

Experimental confirmation of the Alhassid-Whelan arc of regularity

Evidence is presented to show that a group of nuclei, spanning a range of structures, corresponds to a previously proposed isolated region of regular behavior between vibrational and rotational structures that was never before observed empirically. Nuclei predicted to show such regular spectra correspond to Hamiltonian parameters that lie amidst those giving more chaotic spectra. We identify a key observable that has a one-to-one correspondence to this arc of regularity and which therefore provides both an empirical signature for it and a clue to its underlying nature.     

Proton–neutron structure of the N=52 nucleus Zr

Following the successful identification of mixed-symmetric one- and two-phonon states in the N=52 nuclei ⁹⁴Mo and ⁹⁶Ru, we have performed a photon scattering experiment on the N=52 isotone ⁹²Zr. Experimental data and shell model calculations show that both, single particle and collective degrees of freedom are present in the low-lying levels of ⁹²Zr. The second excited quadrupole state shows the signatures of the one-phonon mixed-symmetric 2⁺ state, while calculations and data indicate an almost pure neutron configuration for the 2⁺₁ state, in contradiction with the F-spin symmetric limit. Furthermore, two strong dipole excitations, which are candidates for the two-phonon quadrupole–octupole coupled E1 excitation and for the mixed-symmetric 1⁺ two-phonon state, were observed.     

Multilevel description of the Rh isotopes in the interacting boson-fermion model

We present a multilevel calculation within the framework of the interacting boson-fermion model (IBFM-1) of the odd-mass ^101–109Rh isotopes. We calculate both positive- and negative-parity states of the same hamiltonian, starting from the $\text{1g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, $\text{2p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, $\text{2p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, $\text{lf}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{2d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ single-particle orbitals. We discuss energy spectra, electromagnetic E2 transition rates and one-nucleon transfer properties. We also discuss the influence of the $\text{1f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ orbital on the one-nucleon transfer properties. The results of the calculation for the negative-parity states are compared with the results of the $\text{U(}\text{6}\text{12}$) supersymmetry scheme of the interacting boson model.     

The venom gland of queens of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae): morphology and secretory cycle

The venom gland of queens of Apis mellifera was examined through light and transmission electron microscopy and subjected to electrophoretic analyses. Virgin queens exhibited prismatic secretory cells containing large amounts of rough endoplasmic reticulum with dilated cisternae, open secretory spaces, numerous vacuoles and granules scattered in the cytoplasm, and spherical nuclei with numerous nucleoli. The secretion produced was non-refringent under polarized light and the electrophoretic analysis of glandular extracts revealed five main protein bands. In mated queens, the venom gland exhibited a high degree of degeneration. Its secretion was refringent under polarized light and one of the main bands was absent in the electrophoretic pattern obtained. The morphological aspects observed are in agreement with the function of this gland in queens, given that virgin queens use venom in battles for the dominance of the colony, a situation that occurs as soon as they emerge, while fertilized queens rarely use venom.     

Gamma ray spectroscopy with ultra-high precision

The energy of gamma rays emitted after thermal neutron capture can nowadays be measured with parts-per-million precision. This precision allows one to measure tiny Doppler effects caused by recoil due to the preceding emission of gamma rays or neutrinos. The study of the Doppler profiles of gamma rays has given rise to new applications in nuclear and solid state physics