β decay studies of nuclei at the limits of stability are essential in evaluating the physical aspects behind the structural changes, particle configurations and interactions in neutronor proton-rich systems. Isobarically purified beams were used at the Holifeld Radioactive Ion Beam Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to study the β decays of 75Cu and 77Cu. Two different experiments were performed. In the first study, only concernig the decay of 77Cu, the 25-MV tandem accelerated ions were time-tagged using a micro-channel plate detector, passed through a six-segment ion chamber, and implanted on the tape of a moving tape collector. The passage through an ion chamber insured the ion identification by energy loss in the six segments. The Low Energy Radioactive Ion Beam Spectroscopy Station consisting of a universal detector support with four Ge clover detectors, two â detectors and a moving tape collector, was used in the second experiment. Bypassing of the tandem accelerator gave a factor of 10 gain in beam intensity for both 75Cu and 77Cu. These experiments resulted in considerable information on the previously unknown level structure of 75Zn with some 120 γ-ray transitions placed in a level scheme containing 59 levels including two above the neutron separation energy. We have also identified the previously unknown 1/2− isomeric state at 127 keV. A total of 64 γ rays were placed in a level scheme for 77Zn containing 35 excited states including one state above the neutron separation energy, while two γ rays were observed for the βn branch to states in 76Zn. The growth and decay curves of some prominent γ rays indicate a single β-decaying state with a half-life of 480(9) ms. The decay pattern for 77Cu, with observed feeding of 8(3)% to the 7/2+ 77Zng and 6(3)% to the 1/2− 77Znm, in contrast to the large feeding observed for decay of πp3/2 73Cug to 1/2− 73Zng, strongly suggests a πf5/2 ground state for the studied 77Cu activity. Results will be presented and the prospects for future possible studies will also be discussed.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Architecture has the power to reveal the complexities of man in nature through the degree of control in the process of form making. This process offers the opportunity to create different physical and psychological experiences dependent on its articulation. This is a study that explores the introduction of chance into the making process. Through a series of model studies, I explored how basic platonic solids, more specifically cube define spatial boundaries and how asymmetrical space could challenge its regularity and symmetry. Through chemical reactions randomized organic cavities were achieved that exposed contrast between regular exterior form and irregular interior form. This visual accent is embedded in irregular forms and is unrepeatable. The act of making exposes the intricate patterns created that replicate nature and the manifestation of material decay. With this in mind, as part of my thesis, I would like to apply the above discoveries into an observation tower. The orthogonal prisms, once deconstructed, draw attention to newly generated cavities and decay, revealing different conditions throughout from where visitors can enjoy views of Mallacoota's landscape. / Master of Architecture / Nature offers diverse design elements that architects can tap into to enhance human habitation. Building materials play a vital role in shaping visual and structural design in the built environment. Through the act of making, the process revealed the question of aesthetics in architecture through intricate forms and how architectural principles of spatial qualities interplay in creating inhabitable environments. As a part of the climate change investigation, I explored different production methodologies for visualizing the climatic crisis. This research investigates the nature of irregularity resulting from the subtraction of a platonic form. The deterioration process questions whether existing climatic changes are caused by nature or result from man-made actions. Intricate openings captured within defined geometrical boundaries trace the absence of the dissolved material, revealing that components introduced and their chemical reactions can build forms for people to inhabit. By leveraging the site and model studies, the proposed program addresses the local context, climate predictions, and scale and explores architecture performance in varying global warming conditions in the form of the observation tower.

<div> We consider the existence of a force that could produce a non-null result in the Eötvös experiment while producing a null result in the Eöt-Wash experiment. We introduce a general force, in the form of its Taylor series expansion, and determine the response of each experiment to that force. We can then determine which terms of the expansion are important to each experiment. A trial force, in the form of a mixed vector-scalar interaction is introduced and we analyze the resulting Eötvös parameters for various values of the strengths and ranges of the interactions. We find that under certain conditions the Eötvös parameter for the Eöt-Wash experiment can be made zero while the Eötvös parameter for the Eötvös experiment is nonzero.</div><div> </div><div><br></div><div> Next, we examine the possibility of a wind force appearing in the MICROSCOPE experiment. This wind would be due to the satellite's motion through a particle background which couples to the differential accelerometer through a baryon-number dependent interaction. We determine the signal that would be measured by MICROSCOPE satellite and compare the power spectrum density of this signal to the published power spectrum density of the experiment. </div><div> </div><div><br></div><div> Additionally, we present a new theoretical framework for the time-variation of nuclear decay rates. This new framework is motivated by the results of numerous experiments which show a periodicity of one year. The fractional decay rate of these experiments are constant, regardless of isotope. We find that a novel neutrino interaction, in the form of an index of refraction, successfully generates the constant fractional decay rates. Using the optical theorem and the relativistic Breit-Wigner distribution makes the index of refraction consistent with neutrino speed measurements. We conclude by describing other systems where the index of refraction could create observable oscillations.</div><div><br></div><div> </div><div> Finally, we consider the suppression of beta decay rates through the Pauli exclusion principle due to the presence of background cosmic and solar neutrinos. We derive the suppression factor for both thermalized and non-thermalized neutrinos.</div>

O fenômeno de permeabilidade refere-se à capacidade com que um fluido é transportado através de um meio poroso, impulsionado por gradiente de pressão entre material e meio externo. Agentes de degradação são conduzidos ao interior de argamassas e concretos impelidos através desse tipo de fenômeno. Por isso, considera-se a permeabilidade como um dos principais parâmetros referentes à durabilidade e vida útil de materiais cimentíceos. Além disso, como esse tipo de avaliação está relacionada às condições estruturais dos vazios capilares de meios porosos, esse tipo de medida pode prover um indicativo das condições da estrutura porosa das argamassas no momento do ensaio, servindo ainda como método de controle de qualidade e avaliação dos processos de produção. Portanto, um novo procedimento de medida de permeabilidade ao ar, em regime de escoamento transiente, foi desenvolvido para avaliação de argamassas de revestimento através do método de vaccum-decay. O potencial do processo não se restringe apenas na determinação dos parâmetros clássicos de permeabilidade propostos por Henry Darcy, mas na avaliação das curvas de recuperação de pressão que fornecem um indicativo das condições microestruturais de diferentes estados da estrutura de meios porosos. Além disso, trata-se de um ensaio portátil, não destrutivo e de baixo custo de implementação para avaliação de argamassas de revestimento in situ. Para isto, neste trabalho foram avaliadas diferentes formulações de argamassas de revestimento tanto em ambiente laboratorial quanto in situ, em comparação ao método de Cembureau (referência), e se existe relação entre as duas diferentes condições apresentadas. A profundidade alcançada por esse tipo de ensaio superficial é uma dúvida recorrente deste e outros ensaios da mesma natureza, e por isso foi considerado no desenvolvimento do plano experimental. Ainda, as diferentes direções do fluxo de ar durante a medida podem influenciar as determinações das permeabilidades para diferentes configurações de experimentos realizados, e também foram considerados no desenvolvimento do método. / The phenomenon of permeability refers to the ability with which a fluid is transported through a porous medium, driven by pressure gradient between the material and the external environment. Degradation agents are conducted to the interior of mortar and concrete driven through such a phenomenon. Therefore, it is the permeability as a key parameters for durability and shelf life of cementitious materials. Moreover, as this type of evaluation is related to structural conditions of the empty capillary porous media, this type of measurement can provide an indication of the conditions of the porous structure of mortar at the time of trial, still serving as a method of quality control and evaluation production processes. Therefore, a new procedure for measuring air permeability in transient flow regime was developed for evaluation of mortar coating by the method of vacuum-decay. The potential of the process is not restricted only to the determination of the classical parameters of permeability proposed by Henry Darcy, but in assessing the recovery curve of pressure that provide a clear picture of states in different microstructural conditions of the structure of porous media. Moreover, it is a portable test, nondestructive and low cost of implementation for evaluation of mortar coating in situ. For this reason, this study evaluated different formulations of mortar coating in laboratory environment and in situ, compared to the Cembureau method (reference), and if there is a relationship between two different conditions presented. The depth reached by this type of test surface is a recurring question of this and other tests of the same nature, and so was considered in developing of this experimental plan. Still, the different directions of air flow during the measurement can influence the determination of permeability for different configurations of the experiments, and were also considered in developing the method.

Decay and accumulation of blanket peat in the Northern Pennine region of England are considered, both in quantitative and qualitative terms. Productivity on the surface of these peat bogs is not unusually high, suggesting that a low decay rate may be responsible for the accumulation of the peat. Considerable study has formerly been made of the aerobic decay processes, at the expense of the parallel anaerobic processes, which have largely hitherto been considered negligible. Yet a current mathematical model of peat accumulation suggests that it is likely to be the anaerobic decay rate which determines the total depth of peat which may accumulate. Further, such models intimate that a very small absolute change in the anaerobic decay rate will have an unexpectedly large effect on the potential steady state depth of peat. The present study concentrates on obtaining measurements of anaerobic decay rates, and on identifying the possible limiting environmental factors of the decay. The design of a sampler to collect gas samples in situ from blanket peat is described. The components of particular interest in the samples are CH4 and C02. Gas concentrations down eight peat profiles at two sites are monitored over two seasons. Simultaneous surface flux measurements above pool, lawn and hummock microhabitats are also made. Water level, temperature, pH, redox potential, depth of the sulphide zone and total sulphide concentration are recorded on each field visit. The results from the gas sample analyses are discussed in relation to the environmental factors and in relation to our present understanding of peat decay rates and their consequences on peat accumulation. The anaerobic decay rate is calculated, and is confirmed to be several orders of magnitude less than that in the overlying aerobic peat. It is shown that the methane is not fossil, but is continually being produced at all depths. Rates of gas production are calculated. Annual methane and carbon dioxide losses from entire peat bogs are calculated to contribute a significant amount to carbon cycling, on a site-specific and global scale.

No description available.

O fenômeno de permeabilidade refere-se à capacidade com que um fluido é transportado através de um meio poroso, impulsionado por gradiente de pressão entre material e meio externo. Agentes de degradação são conduzidos ao interior de argamassas e concretos impelidos através desse tipo de fenômeno. Por isso, considera-se a permeabilidade como um dos principais parâmetros referentes à durabilidade e vida útil de materiais cimentíceos. Além disso, como esse tipo de avaliação está relacionada às condições estruturais dos vazios capilares de meios porosos, esse tipo de medida pode prover um indicativo das condições da estrutura porosa das argamassas no momento do ensaio, servindo ainda como método de controle de qualidade e avaliação dos processos de produção. Portanto, um novo procedimento de medida de permeabilidade ao ar, em regime de escoamento transiente, foi desenvolvido para avaliação de argamassas de revestimento através do método de vaccum-decay. O potencial do processo não se restringe apenas na determinação dos parâmetros clássicos de permeabilidade propostos por Henry Darcy, mas na avaliação das curvas de recuperação de pressão que fornecem um indicativo das condições microestruturais de diferentes estados da estrutura de meios porosos. Além disso, trata-se de um ensaio portátil, não destrutivo e de baixo custo de implementação para avaliação de argamassas de revestimento in situ. Para isto, neste trabalho foram avaliadas diferentes formulações de argamassas de revestimento tanto em ambiente laboratorial quanto in situ, em comparação ao método de Cembureau (referência), e se existe relação entre as duas diferentes condições apresentadas. A profundidade alcançada por esse tipo de ensaio superficial é uma dúvida recorrente deste e outros ensaios da mesma natureza, e por isso foi considerado no desenvolvimento do plano experimental. Ainda, as diferentes direções do fluxo de ar durante a medida podem influenciar as determinações das permeabilidades para diferentes configurações de experimentos realizados, e também foram considerados no desenvolvimento do método. / The phenomenon of permeability refers to the ability with which a fluid is transported through a porous medium, driven by pressure gradient between the material and the external environment. Degradation agents are conducted to the interior of mortar and concrete driven through such a phenomenon. Therefore, it is the permeability as a key parameters for durability and shelf life of cementitious materials. Moreover, as this type of evaluation is related to structural conditions of the empty capillary porous media, this type of measurement can provide an indication of the conditions of the porous structure of mortar at the time of trial, still serving as a method of quality control and evaluation production processes. Therefore, a new procedure for measuring air permeability in transient flow regime was developed for evaluation of mortar coating by the method of vacuum-decay. The potential of the process is not restricted only to the determination of the classical parameters of permeability proposed by Henry Darcy, but in assessing the recovery curve of pressure that provide a clear picture of states in different microstructural conditions of the structure of porous media. Moreover, it is a portable test, nondestructive and low cost of implementation for evaluation of mortar coating in situ. For this reason, this study evaluated different formulations of mortar coating in laboratory environment and in situ, compared to the Cembureau method (reference), and if there is a relationship between two different conditions presented. The depth reached by this type of test surface is a recurring question of this and other tests of the same nature, and so was considered in developing of this experimental plan. Still, the different directions of air flow during the measurement can influence the determination of permeability for different configurations of the experiments, and were also considered in developing the method.