NuSTAR discovery of a cyclotron line in KS 1947+300

We present a spectral analysis of three simultaneous Nuclear Spectroscopy Telescope Array and Swift/XRT observations of the transient Be-neutron star binary KS 1947+300 taken during its outburst in 2013/2014. These broadband observations were supported by Swift/XRT monitoring snapshots every three days, which we use to study the evolution of the spectrum over the outburst. We find strong changes of the power-law photon index, which shows a weak trend of softening with increasing X-ray flux. The neutron star shows very strong pulsations with a period of P ≈ 18.8 s. The 0.8–79 keV broadband spectrum can be described by a power law with an exponential cutoff and a blackbody component at low energies. During the second observation we detect a cyclotron resonant scattering feature at 12.5 keV, which is absent in the phase-averaged spectra of observations 1 and 3. Pulse phase-resolved spectroscopy reveals that the strength of the feature changes strongly with pulse phase and is most prominent during the broad minimum of the pulse profile. At the same phases the line also becomes visible in the first and third observation at the same energy. This discovery implies that KS 1947+300 has a magnetic field strength of B ≈ 1.1 × 10^(12) (1 + z) G, which is at the lower end of known cyclotron line sources

Negative chromatography on agarose-TREN as a technique for purification of protein spiked in soybean seeds extract

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Alkyl amines and polyamines have been used as ligands for protein purification by mixed-mode chromatography. The adsorption of proteins onto these ligands seems to be governed by multiple effects such as electrostatic, hydrophobic, and affinity interactions. In this work we investigated the adsorption of proteins extracted from soybean onto the adsorbent agarose-Tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TREN). The effects of flow rate, buffer system, and extract concentration on the capture of proteins extracted from soybean were evaluated. Experiments using Mes at pH 6.5 as adsorption buffer allowed the adsorption of almost the totality of native soybean protein with a dynamic adsorption capacity of 13.50 mg mL(-1) adsorbent. Experiments with human IgG (pl in the range of 5.8-9.0) and human serum albumin (HSA, pl of 4.9) spiked into these extracts lead to the conclusion that electrostatic forces play a major role in the interaction between protein and agarose-TREN. Based on this work, negative chromatography with agarose-TREN should be considered as a method for purification of basic recombinant protein produced in transgenic soybean seeds. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.471222552261Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Case study of social marketing implementation in covid-19 promotion media and public knowledge of covid-19 in Jayapura city

This research is based on the critical role of social marketing in raising awareness and promoting healthy behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Jayapura City, where challenges persist in disseminating effective information and influencing public behavior regarding health protocol adherence. The study aims to analyze the implementation of social marketing through promotional media, such as posters and health protocols displayed in public areas, in enhancing knowledge and influencing behavioral changes among the residents of Jayapura City in COVID-19 prevention. A qualitative case study method was used to evaluate the implementation of social marketing in COVID-19 promotional media and its impact on public knowledge in Jayapura City. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews with respondents from diverse social backgrounds, as well as direct observation of promotional media distributed throughout the city. The findings reveal that while promotional media, such as COVID-19 posters and health protocols displayed in public areas, succeeded in improving the public's basic understanding of the importance of health protocols, there were significant barriers to the consistent application of such behaviors. Factors such as limited access to information, a lack of in-depth understanding, and social resistance to behavioral changes posed considerable challenges to enhancing the effectiveness of the campaign. The research also found that while the campaign positively impacted awareness levels, a more integrated and contextual approach is needed to achieve comprehensive behavioral change among the community

Surface topography development of thin polystyrene films under low energy ion irradiation

Morphological changes of spin-coated thin polystyrene (PS) films due to low energy Xe+ bombardment in the energy range from 660 eV to 4 keV are investigated. These surface modifications are characterised by means of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). No significant topographical change between pristine and irradiated film surfaces is found for ion energy higher than 1.5 keV in the ion fluence range between 4 x 10(14) and 4 x 10(16) cm(-2). An increase of surface roughness is however obtained after ion bombardment for energy lower than 2 keV at the highest ion fluence. Moreover, a strong change of the morphology is observed after an irradiation with Xef for energy less than 1.25 keV, and ion fluences higher than 5x10(16) cm(-2). The surface roughness increases and well-defined features appear. Their evolution is followed as a function of the fluence in the 5 x 10(16)-2x 10(17) cm(-2) range for 1 keV Xe+ irradiation. ToF-SIMS analyses in area bombarded in such conditions reveal deep modifications of the surface composition and structure, indicating the formation of a Carbon Black form. The energy threshold observed for the development of surface morphology features is explained on the basis of the balance between surface damage and sputtering induced by the primary ion beam. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Characterisation of nanoporous particle track etched membrane

Nanoporous particle track etched membranes with pore size ranging from 15 to 100 nm are prepared from 10 mu m thick polycarbonate film. Mean pore size and pore size distribution are determined using electrical conductivity and small angle X-ray scattering techniques, and high resolution scanning electron microscope. NanoPTM are also used as templates for the preparation of electrodeposited nanowires giving interesting information about the pore shape. Results of these characterisation methods are compared

Polymer metallization: Low energy ion beam surface modification to improve adhesion

The interface formation between copper and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films is studied in situ by Ion Scattering Spectrometry (ISS). Very low metal fluxes(similar to 10(13) atoms/cm(2) s) and hence low deposition rates are obtained by using a Knudsen's effusion cell. This allows to reach very low metal coverages down to the sub-monolayer regime. The results indicate that without surface activation, Cu atoms interact only very weakly with both polymer surfaces. Indeed, the oxygen/carbon ISS intensify ratio remains nearly unaffected by the metal deposition, showing no preferential shadowing effect. Moreover, the ISS polymer signals are still detected after exposure to Cu atom fluences corresponding to several monolayers coverage. Cu diffusion below the polymer surface is evidenced by the presence of an inelastic multiple collision contribution in the ISS spectra. It is observed that 2 keV He-3(+) ion beam irradiation prior to metallization induces a drastic modification in the interface formation. Ion beam irradiation prevents the metal diffusion into the polymer bulk and leads to an increase of the metal concentration at the surface. In order to explain these results, the surface modifications produced by the ion beam on pristine polymers are studied by ISS and ToF-SIMS. Dehydrogenation and preferential loss of O containing fragments are found. These modifications are associated with the production of radicals leading to the creation of new adsorption sites for the Cu atoms. II is proposed that the reaction between radicals of different macrochains induces a surface crosslinking, that can prevent the diffusion for the deposited metal atoms into the polymer bulk

Wood Xylowall: New process to reduce water exchange by an intra-graft of polymer

Our research shows that poplar treated with selected monomer mixture and then irradiated at 50 kGy reduces the water exchange without adversely altering the desirable qualities of wood. Moreover, the environment is not polluted. To retard changes in moisture content and dimensions, different commercial Radcures (UCB) were tested. A comparative study on the water retention showed significant reduction between non-treated and Xylowall wood for the species: poplar. The physical and mechanical measurements (density, volumetric shrinkage, elasticity, rupture, impact bending, hardness, compression strength) on poplar and pine show that the properties of the wood are not affected negatively by Xylowall treatment with irradiation. Moreover, the process does not discharge any toxic volatile residues into the atmosphere as proven by GC-MS trace analysis of heated wood samples. The stereomicroscope by imagery reveals an impregnation of 0.5 mn on cross-section of darker-stained areas, and sometimes more due to the texture (the relative size and arrangement of the wood cells) of the wood. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved