Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 160

Nuclear data on nuclides with mass 160 based upon nuclear reactions and radioactive decay studies are presented. It has been attempted to include all experimental information received prior to July 1, 1973. The compilers' discussion of spin assignments, level and gamma-ray properties, and other comments precede the experimental data on each nuclide. For clarity, some of the older data have been omitted. Unless otherwise noted, all energies are in keV.It is hoped that this compilation will encourage new experiments to remove existing inconsistencies and help the experimenter in his study of nuclear structure.     

Collaborative and lean new product development approach: a case study in the automotive product design

Collaboration between buyer and the supplier has been widely studied in the contemporary research to enhance the efficiency of the product development process. Early involvement of stakeholders in development leads to reduced development time and cost and enhanced quality. The current study presents an approach termed as ‘collaborative and lean’ (C&L) approach to new product development (NPD). It involves application of lean principles in a collaborative environment between an automotive component supplier and the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The study compares the deployment of two methodologies of development – generic process and the C&L process for developing the same part by a supplier for two different OEMs. Development with one OEM was done using generic process and the other using the C&L process. The study uses value stream mapping of the various phases of the development and attempts to understand the application of the proposed approach in the automotive domain. It highlights the potential of a combined C&L approach in reducing non-value-adding activities, cycle time and effort during NPD. The study attempts to enhance the understanding of NPD in a collaborative environment and explores the possible merits of the proposed approach.     

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 142

The 2000 Nuclear Data Sheets for A=142 by J. K. Tuli, with literature cutoff date of February 4, 2000, has been revised. The evaluated experimental data are presented for 16 known nuclides of mass 142 (Ba, Ce, Cs, Dy, Eu, Gd, Ho, I, La, Nd, Pm, Pr, Sm, Tb, Te, Xe). Comparing to the previous evaluation (2000Tu01) significant changes were done to the level schemes of Gd, Cs, Ce and Nd. For all nuclides, the more recent Q values have been added.     

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 251–259 (odd)

The evaluators present in this publication spectroscopic data and level schemes from radioactive decay and nuclear reaction studies for all known nuclei with mass numbers A = 251, 253, 255, 257, and 259.     

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 144

Experimental nuclear structure data are presented for all known nuclides with mass 144.     

Electro-thermal modelling and analysis for estimation of defect parameters by stepped infrared thermography

This paper exploits a resistance–capacitance (RC) model of transient heat conduction for estimation of defect depth, and more significantly of the defect area, from single point surface temperature evolutions over the defect and non-defect regions of material subjected to step heating. For the initial time behaviour of the surface temperature, a distributed RC model has been presented and analysed for estimation of defect depth and area. In contrast, a lumped RC model forms the basis for obtaining an analytical expression for defect area from the later part of the surface temperature evolution. The derived analytical expression estimates the defect area from the defect depth, the saturation value of the absolute thermal contrast and the slopes of the initial and final surface temperature evolution. The presented method does not require knowledge of material thermal properties or the value of the incident heat flux for estimation of defect parameters. The method has been validated by estimating the parameters of defects of various sizes and at different depths from experimental and simulated surface temperature evolutions.     

Modelling and Analysis of Power Distribution of Electromagnetic Waves on Plane Surfaces Using Lock-in IR Thermography

The electric field distribution (magnitude only) near a radiating source (antenna) can be easily determined using infrared thermography. A thin screen (made of carbon fiber reinforced polymers) is placed in front of a microwave source. The electromagnetic waves impinging on the screen are partially absorbed, resulting in temperature rise of the screen. This temperature rise is monitored by an infrared camera. The temperature distribution thus observed is mapped to the electric field strength (magnitude of electric field) of the electromagnetic waves. Points on the screen where the temperature rise is low correspond to weak electromagnetic fields whereas points with high temperature rise correspond to strong electromagnetic fields. In this paper electro-thermal modelling is done so as to obtain the temperature distribution over the screen, when an electromagnetic field is incident on it. This model can conversely be used for finding electromagnetic field distributions from IR thermal images.     

An exact analytical solution for two-dimensional,unsteady, multilayer heat conduction in spherical coordinates

Analytical series solution is proposed for the transient boundary-value problem of multilayer heat conduction in r–θ spherical coordinates. Spatially non-uniform, but time-independent, volumetric heat sources may exist in the concentric layers. Proposed solution is valid for any combination of homogenous boundary conditions of the first or second kind in the θ -direction. However, inhomogeneous boundary conditions of the first, second or third kind may be applied at the inner and outer radial boundaries of the concentric layers. It is noted that the proposed solution is “free” from imaginary eigenvalues. Real eigenvalues are obtained by virtue of precluded explicit dependence of radial eigenvalues on those in the θ-direction. Solution is shown to be relatively simple for the most common spherical geometries?(multilayer) hemisphere and full sphere. An illustrative problem of heat conduction in a three-layer hemisphere is solved. Results along with the isotherms are shown graphically and discussed.     

Effect of antioxidants and associate changes in antioxidant enzymes in controlling browning and necrosis of proliferating shoots of elite Jatropha curcas L

A high yielding elite plant of Jatropha curcas was established under aseptic condition from field-grown nodal explants. Shoots were proliferated in MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg dm^?3 benzyladenine and 0.1 mg dm^?3 indolebutyric acid along with 10 mg dm^?3 adenine sulphate and a combination of 15 mg dm^?3 each of l-glutamine and l-arginine. However, within 15–20 d of culture incubation, tissue browning/necrosis leading to poor plant regeneration in vitro was observed. A set of different antioxidants, namely, reduced glutathione, ascorbic acid, tocopherol and cysteine were used in the medium individually and in combination to solve the problem of tissue browning and necrosis. The addition of antioxidants proved beneficial for the growth of the shoots. The optimum medium comprised of 25 mg dm^?3 reduced glutathione and 10 mg dm^?3 ascorbic acid, where proliferating shoots having highest leaf canopy area, remained fresh, green and regenerative up to 40 d of culture incubation without any subculture. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase was higher in control shoots, indicating that tissue browning/necrosis was associated with oxidative stress which was further supported by higher contents of H₂O₂ and phenolics in control shoots compared to the other treatments. Similarly glutathione reductase, ascorbate peroxidase and guiacol peroxidase was higher in treated shoots than control indicating that these shoots have developed antioxidant enzymatic protective system which determine the ability to survive in oxidative stress and up regulation of these enzymes would help to reduce the built up of reactive oxygen species.