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At least 19 records

Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project

The work scope involves the measurement of neutron scattering from natural sodium ( 23 Na) and two isotopes of iron, 56 Fe and 54 Fe. Angular distributions, i.e., differential cross sections, of the scattered neutrons will be measured for 5 to 10 incident neutron energies per year. The work of the first year concentrates on 23 Na, while the enriched iron samples are procured. Differential neutron scattering cross sections provide information to guide nuclear reaction model calculations in the low-­energy (few MeV) fast-­neutron region. This region lies just above the isolated resonance region, which in general is well studied; however, model calculations are difficult in this region because overlapping resonance structure is evident and direct nuclear reactions are becoming important. The standard optical model treatment exhibits good predictive ability for the wide-­region average cross sections but cannot treat the overlapping resonance features. In addition, models that do predict the direct reaction component must be guided by measurements to describe correctly the strength of the direct component, e.g., β 2 must be known to describe the direct component of the scattering to the first excited state. Measurements of the elastic scattering differential cross sections guide the optical model calculations, while inelastic differential cross sections provide the crucial information for correctly describing the direct component. Activities occurring during the performance period are described.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Effects of iron on the lattice thermal conductivity of Earth’s deep mantle and implications for mantle dynamics

We discuss how iron may critically influence the physical properties and thermochemical structures of Earth’s lower mantle. Its effects on thermal conductivity, with possible consequences on heat transfer and mantle dynamics, however, remain largely unknown. We measured the lattice thermal conductivity of lower-mantle ferropericlase to 120 GPa using the ultrafast optical pump-probe technique in a diamond anvil cell. The thermal conductivity of ferropericlase with 56% iron significantly drops by a factor of 1.8 across the spin transition around 53 GPa, while that with 8–10% iron increases monotonically with pressure, causing an enhanced iron substitution effect in the low-spin state. Combined with bridgmanite data, modeling of our results provides a self-consistent radial profile of lower-mantle thermal conductivity, which is dominated by pressure, temperature, and iron effects, and shows a twofold increase from top to bottom of the lower mantle. Such increase in thermal conductivity may delay the cooling of the core, while its decrease with iron content may enhance the dynamics of large low shear-wave velocity provinces. Our findings further show that, if hot and strongly enriched in iron, the seismic ultralow velocity zones have exceptionally low conductivity, thus delaying their cooling.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Low-dose radiation affects cardiac physiology: gene networks and molecular signaling in cardiomyocytes

There are 160,000 cancer patients worldwide treated with particle radiotherapy (RT). With the advent of proton, and high (H) charge (Z) and energy (E) HZE ionizing particle RT, the cardiovascular diseases risk estimates are uncertain. In addition, future deep space exploratory-type missions will expose humans to unknown but low doses of particle irradiation (IR). Here, we examined molecular responses using transcriptome profiling in left ventricular murine cardiomyocytes isolated from mice that were exposed to 90 cGy, 1 GeV proton ( 1 H) and 15 cGy, 1 GeV/nucleon iron ( 56 Fe) over 28 days after exposure. Unsupervised clustering analysis of gene expression segregated samples according to the IR response and time after exposure, with 56 Fe-IR showing the greatest level of gene modulation. 1 H-IR showed little differential transcript modulation. Network analysis categorized the major differentially expressed genes into cell cycle, oxidative responses, and transcriptional regulation functional groups. Transcriptional networks identified key nodes regulating expression. Validation of the signal transduction network by protein analysis and gel shift assay showed that particle IR clearly regulates a long-lived signaling mechanism for ERK1/2, p38 MAPK signaling and identified NFATc4, GATA4, STAT3, and NF-κB as regulators of the response at specific time points. These data suggest that the molecular responses and gene expression to 56 Fe-IR in cardiomyocytes are unique and long-lasting. Our study may have significant implications for the efforts of National Aeronautics and Space Administration to develop heart disease risk estimates for astronauts and for patients receiving conventional and particle RT via identification of specific HZE-IR molecular markers.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Late-time photometry of type IA supernova SN 2012cg reveals the radioactive decay of {sup 57}Co

Seitenzahl et al. have predicted that roughly three years after its explosion, the light we receive from a Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) will come mostly from reprocessing of electrons and X-rays emitted by the radioactive decay chain {sup 57}Co → {sup 57}Fe, instead of positrons from the decay chain {sup 56}Co → {sup 56}Fe that dominates the SN light at earlier times. Using the Hubble Space Telescope, we followed the light curve of the SN Ia SN 2012cg out to 1055 days after maximum light. Our measurements are consistent with the light curves predicted by the contribution of energy from the reprocessing of electrons and X-rays emitted by the decay of {sup 57}Co, offering evidence that {sup 57}Co is produced in SN Ia explosions. However, the data are also consistent with a light echo ∼14 mag fainter than SN 2012cg at peak. Assuming no light-echo contamination, the mass ratio of {sup 57}Ni and {sup 56}Ni produced by the explosion, a strong constraint on any SN Ia explosion models, is 0.043{sub −0.011}{sup +0.012}, roughly twice Solar. In the context of current explosion models, this value favors a progenitor white dwarf with a mass near the Chandrasekhar limit.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Attempt to measure magnetic hyperfine fields in metallic thin wires under spin Hall conditions using synchrotron-radiation Mössbauer spectroscopy

Measurement of the magnetic hyperfine fields in metallic thin wires under spin Hall conditions was attempted using the emerging technique, synchrotron-radiation Mössbauer spectroscopy. A Mössbauer probe layer of {sup 57}Fe (0.2 nm), {sup 57}Fe (0.6 nm), or {sup 119}Sn (0.6 nm) was embedded as an electron spin detector near the surfaces of V, Au, Pt, and {sup 56}Fe wires. The magnitudes of the magnetic hyperfine fields at the {sup 57}Fe and {sup 119}Sn nuclear sites that could be enhanced by non-equilibrium conduction-electron spin polarization were measured both without and with the application of an electric current along the wire. Changes in the Mössbauer spectra were not clearly observed, indicating that the magnetic hyperfine field induced by non-equilibrium spin polarization is smaller than the detection limit at least for the measured systems and conditions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Tracking the distribution of {sup 26}Al and {sup 60}Fe during the early phases of star and disk evolution

The short-lived {sup 26}Al and {sup 60}Fe radionuclides are synthesized and expelled into the interstellar medium by core-collapse supernova events. The solar system’s first solids, calcium–aluminum refractory inclusions (CAIs), contain evidence for the former presence of the {sup 26} Al nuclide defining the canonical {sup 26}Al/{sup 27} Al ratio of ∼5×10{sup −5}. A different class of objects temporally related to canonical CAIs are CAIs with fractionation and unidentified nuclear effects (FUN CAIs), which record a low initial {sup 26}Al/{sup 27}Al of 10{sup −6}. The contrasting level of {sup 26}Al between these objects is often interpreted as reflecting the admixing of the {sup 26}Al nuclides during the early formative phase of the Sun. We use giant molecular cloud scale adaptive mesh-refinement numerical simulations to trace the abundance of {sup 26}Al and {sup 60}Fe in star-forming gas during the early stages of accretion of individual low-mass protostars. We find that the {sup 26}Al/{sup 27}Al and {sup 60}Fe/{sup 56}Fe ratios of accreting gas within a vicinity of 1000 au of the stars follow the predicted decay curves of the initial abundances at the time of star formation without evidence of spatial or temporal heterogeneities for the first 100 kyr of star formation. Therefore, the observed differences in {sup 26}Al/{sup 27}Al ratios between FUN and canonical CAIs are likely not caused by admixing of supernova material during the early evolution of the proto-Sun. Selective thermal processing of dust grains is a more viable scenario to account for the heterogeneity in {sup 26}Al/{sup 27}Al ratios at the time of solar system formation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Final report- Links between persistent DNA damage, genome instability, and aging

The goal of the project was to determine whether high linear energy transfer (LET) space radiation produces the same or different effects as low doses of terrestrial (low-LET) radiation. The work used the Japanese medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) as a vertebrate model organism that can be maintained in large numbers at low cost for lifetime studies. To determine whether simulated space radiation produced the same or different effects as low doses of low-LET radiation, medaka embryos were irradiated at doses ranging from 0.1 to 9 Gray (Gy) of high-LET charged particle radiation (1000 MeV/nucleon 56-Fe ions) or 0.1 Gy to 27 Gy of low-LET gamma-rays. To examine the effect of irradiation on potential biomarkers, the population was sampled at intervals from 8 to 28 months post-irradiation and liver tissue was subjected to histological and molecular analysis. Charged particle radiation and aging contributed synergistically to accumulation of lipid oxidation products, which are a marker of chronic oxidative stress. This was mirrored by a decline in mRNA encoding the transcriptional activator PPARGC1A, which is required for mitochondrial maintenance and for defense against oxidative stress. Additionally, mitochondria had an elongated and enlarged ultrastructure. Depending on the endpoint, effects of gamma-rays in the same dose range were either lesser or not detected. Together, results indicate that a single exposure to high-LET, but not low-LET radiation, early in life, leads to increased oxidative stress throughout the normal lifespan of the individual.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗

Averaging cross section data so we can fit it

The 56 Fe cross section we are interested in have a lot of fluctuations. We would like to fit the average of the cross section with cross sections calculated within EMPIRE. EMPIRE is a Hauser-Feshbach theory based nuclear reaction code, requires cross sections to be smoothed using a Lorentzian profile. The plan is to fit EMPIRE to these cross sections in the fast region (say above 500 keV).

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Nuclear-level densities in the {sup 49}V and {sup 57}Co nuclei on the basis of evaporated-neutron spectra in (p, n) and (d, n) reactions

The spectra of neutrons from the reactions {sup 49}Ti(p, n){sup 49}V and {sup 57}Fe (p, n){sup 57}Co were measured in the range of proton energies between 8 and 11 MeV along with their counterparts from the reactions {sup 48}Ti(d, n){sup 49}V and {sup 56}Fe (d, n){sup 57}Co at the deuteron energies of 2.7 and 3.8 MeV. These measurements were conducted with the aid of a time-of-flight fast-neutron spectrometer on the basis of the EGP-15 pulsed tandem accelerator of the Institute for Physics and Power Engineering (IPPE, Obninsk). An analysis of measured data was performed within the statistical equilibrium and preequilibrium models of nuclear reactions. The respective calculations based on the Hauser–Feshbach formalism of statistical theory were carried out with nuclear-level densities given by the generalized superfluid model of the nucleus, the backshifted Fermi-gas model, and the Gilbert–Cameron composite formula. The nuclear-level densities of {sup 49}V and {sup 57}Co and their energy dependences were determined. The results were discussed together with available experimental data and data recommended by model systematics.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Cardiovascular Risks Associated with Low Dose Ionizing Particle Radiation

Previous epidemiologic data demonstrate that cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality may occur decades after ionizing radiation exposure. With increased use of proton and carbon ion radiotherapy and concerns about space radiation exposures to astronauts on future long-duration exploration-type missions, the long-term effects and risks of low-dose charged particle irradiation on the CV system must be better appreciated. Here we report on the long-term effects of whole-body proton ( 1 H; 0.5 Gy, 1 GeV) and iron ion ( 56 Fe; 0.15 Gy, 1GeV/nucleon) irradiation with and without an acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) event in mice. We show that cardiac function of proton-irradiated mice initially improves at 1 month but declines by 10 months post-irradiation. In AMI-induced mice, prior proton irradiation improved cardiac function restoration and enhanced cardiac remodeling. This was associated with increased pro-survival gene expression in cardiac tissues. In contrast, cardiac function was significantly declined in 56 Fe ion-irradiated mice at 1 and 3 months but recovered at 10 months. In addition, 56 Fe ion-irradiation led to poorer cardiac function and more adverse remodeling in AMI-induced mice, and was associated with decreased angiogenesis and pro-survival factors in cardiac tissues at any time point examined up to 10 months. This is the first study reporting CV effects following low dose proton and iron ion irradiation during normal aging and post-AMI. Finally, understanding the biological effects of charged particle radiation qualities on the CV system is necessary both for the mitigation of space exploration CV risks and for understanding of long-term CV effects following charged particle radiotherapy.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗

Production and decay spectroscopy of {sup 192}Po and {sup 194}Po

A γ-ray spectroscopy study of the (11{sup −}) isomers in {sup 194}Po and {sup 192}Po was performed at the velocity filter SHIP at GSI (Germany). Nuclei were produced in fusion-evaporation reactions and investigated in the detection set-up at the focal plane after the separator. Several new γ transitions were attributed to the isomers and detailed analysis of the first γ-γ coincidences for both isomers is being prepared. For the reaction {sup 56}Fe + {sup 141}Pr → {sup 197}At*, excitation functions for astatine and polonium isotopes were measured and compared with HIVAP calculations.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

The Skyrme-TQRPA calculations of electron capture on hot nuclei in pre-supernova environment

We combine the thermal QRPA approach with the Skyrme energy density functional theory (Skyrme–TQRPA) for modelling the process of electron capture on nuclei in supernova environment. For a sample nucleus, {sup 56}Fe, the Skyrme–TQRPA approach is applied to analyze thermal effects on the strength function of GT{sub +} transitions which dominate electron capture at E{sub e} ≤ 30 MeV. Several Skyrme interactions are used in order to verify the sensitivity of the obtained results to the Skyrme force parameters. Finite-temperature cross sections are calculated and the results are comparedwith those of the other model calculations.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Photon Induced Reaction Cross-Section Calculations of Several Structural Fusion Materials

In this paper; photo-neutron cross-sections have been computed for {sup 27}Al, {sup 28,29}Si, {sup 52}Cr, {sup 54,56}Fe isotopes by using nuclear reaction codes TALYS 1.6 and EMPIRE 3.1 with different level density models. Constant Temperature Fermi Gas, Back Shifted Fermi Gas and Generalized Superfluid Models have been employed from TALYS 1.6 whereas Generalized Super Fluid Model was the only model employed from EMPIRE 3.1 reaction codes. Obtained results have been analyzed with experimental values taken from the EXFOR database.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Study of Inelastic A(p, p′)X Reaction with Nuclei at 1 GeV

The secondary-proton polarization and differential cross sections for the (p, p') inelastic reaction on {sup 28}Si and {sup 56}Fe nuclei at the initial proton energy of 1 GeV were measured over a wide range of the scattered-proton momenta at a laboratory angle of Θ = 21◦. Scattered protons were detected by means of a magnetic spectrometer equipped with a polarimeter based on multiwire proportional chambers and a carbon analyzer. A structure in the polarization and cross section data, which is probably related to quasielastic scattering off nucleon correlations in the {sup 28}Si and {sup 56}Fe nuclei, was observed as earlier in the analogous data for {sup 12}C and {sup 40}Ca nuclei. Momentum intervals within which cross-section ratios for nuclei did not depend on the scattered-proton momentum were found.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Neutrino-nucleus reactions based on recent structure studies

Neutrino-nucleus reactions are studied with the use of new shell model Hamiltonians, which have proper tensor components in the interactions and prove to be successful in the description of Gamow-Teller (GT) strengths in nuclei. The new Hamiltonians are applied to obtain new neutrino-nucleus reaction cross sections in {sup 12}C, {sup 13}C, {sup 56}Fe and {sup 56}Ni induced by solar and supernova neutrinos. The element synthesis by neutrino processes in supernova explosions is discussed with the new cross sections. The enhancement of the production yields of {sup 7}Li, {sup 11}B and {sup 55}Mn is obtained while fragmented GT strength in {sup 56}Ni with two-peak structure is found to result in smaller e-capture rates at stellar environments. The monopole-based universal interaction with tensor force of π+ρ meson exchanges is used to evaluate GT strength in {sup 40}Ar and ν-induced reactions on {sup 40}Ar. It is found to reproduce well the experimental GT strength in {sup 40}Ar.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Benchmark Testing of a new {sup 56}Fe evaluation for criticality safety applications - 14451

The SAMMY code was used to evaluate resonance parameters of the {sup 56}Fe cross section in the resolved resonance energy range of 0-2 MeV using transmission data, capture, elastic, inelastic, and double differential elastic cross sections. The resonance analysis was performed with the code SAMMY that fits R-matrix resonance parameters using the generalized least-squares technique (Bayes' theory). The evaluation yielded a set of resonance parameters that reproduced the experimental data very well, along with a resonance parameter covariance matrix for data uncertainty calculations. Benchmark tests were conducted to assess the evaluation performance in benchmark calculations. (authors)

42 ENGINEERING↗