Quest for Cooper Pair Transfer in Heavy-Ion Reactions: The ^{206}Pb+^{118}Sn Case.

In this Letter we report on effects of nucleon-nucleon correlations probed in nucleon transfer reactions with heavy ions. We measured with high efficiency and resolution a complete set of observables for neutron transfer channels in the ^{206}Pb+^{118}Sn system employing a large solid angle magnetic spectrometer, which allowed us to study a wide range of internuclear distances via a detailed excitation function. The coupled channel theory, based on an independent particle transfer mechanism, follows the experimental transfer probabilities for one- and two-neutron pick-up and stripping channels.

Modelling of salt uptake for salt content standardization in dry-cured ham.

Salt content standardization in dry-cured ham production is complex as there are many factors that influence salt uptake. The aim of this work was to study and model salt uptake as a function of salting time and the characteristics of green ham in two different ham types using a large amount of data obtained from an inline non-invasive characterization technology. The usefulness of these models to standardize the salt content of the industrial production was also evaluated.

^{133}In: A Rosetta Stone for Decays of r-Process Nuclei.

The β decays from both the ground state and a long-lived isomer of ^{133}In were studied at the ISOLDE Decay Station (IDS). With a hybrid detection system sensitive to β, γ, and neutron spectroscopy, the comparative partial half-lives (logft) have been measured for all their dominant β-decay channels for the first time, including a low-energy Gamow-Teller transition and several first-forbidden (FF) transitions. Uniquely for such a heavy neutron-rich nucleus, their β decays selectively populate only a few isolated neutron unbound states in ^{133}Sn.

First Evidence of Axial Shape Asymmetry and Configuration Coexistence in ^{74}Zn: Suggestion for a Northern Extension of the N=40 Island of Inversion.

The excited states of N=44 ^{74}Zn were investigated via γ-ray spectroscopy following ^{74}Cu β decay. By exploiting γ-γ angular correlation analysis, the 2_{2}^{+}, 3_{1}^{+}, 0_{2}^{+}, and 2_{3}^{+} states in ^{74}Zn were firmly established. The γ-ray branching and E2/M1 mixing ratios for transitions deexciting the 2_{2}^{+}, 3_{1}^{+}, and 2_{3}^{+} states were measured, allowing for the extraction of relative B(E2) values.

Nanosecond-Scale Proton Emission from Strongly Oblate-Deformed ^{149}Lu.

Using the fusion-evaporation reaction ^{96}Ru(^{58}Ni,p4n)^{149}Lu and the MARA vacuum-mode recoil separator, a new proton-emitting isotope ^{149}Lu has been identified. The measured decay Q value of 1920(20) keV is the highest measured for a ground-state proton decay, and it naturally leads to the shortest directly measured half-life of 450_{-100}^{+170}  ns for a ground-state proton emitter. The decay rate is consistent with l_{p}=5 emission, suggesting a dominant πh_{11/2} component for the wave function of the proton-emitting state.

Instrumental texture analysis on the surface of dry-cured ham to define the end of the process.

The end of the elaboration process of dry-cured ham is currently decided by product weight loss and/or by an expert who carries out an evaluation of the tactile texture on the surface. The objective of this study was to define the optimal measurement conditions of an instrumental texture analysis on the surface of the dry-cured ham (ITAS), to define the end of process. 120 dry-cured hams were classified by experts into Hard (appropriate) or Soft (non-appropriate) texture groups and used to perform compression tests using different probes on three anatomical positions.

Publisher Correction: The observation of vibrating pear-shapes in radon nuclei.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Evolution of Octupole Deformation in Radium Nuclei from Coulomb Excitation of Radioactive ^{222}Ra and ^{228}Ra Beams.

There is sparse direct experimental evidence that atomic nuclei can exhibit stable "pear" shapes arising from strong octupole correlations. In order to investigate the nature of octupole collectivity in radium isotopes, electric octupole (E3) matrix elements have been determined for transitions in ^{222,228}Ra nuclei using the method of sub-barrier, multistep Coulomb excitation. Beams of the radioactive radium isotopes were provided by the HIE-ISOLDE facility at CERN.

Tpc1 is an important Zn(II)2Cys6 transcriptional regulator required for polarized growth and virulence in the rice blast fungus.

The establishment of polarity is a critical process in pathogenic fungi, mediating infection-related morphogenesis and host tissue invasion. Here, we report the identification of TPC1 (Transcription factor for Polarity Control 1), which regulates invasive polarized growth in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. TPC1 encodes a putative transcription factor of the fungal Zn(II)2Cys6 family, exclusive to filamentous fungi.

Molecular characterization of a novel ssRNA ourmia-like virus from the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae.

In this study we characterize a novel positive and single stranded RNA (ssRNA) mycovirus isolated from the rice field isolate of Magnaporthe oryzae Guy11. The ssRNA contains a single open reading frame (ORF) of 2,373 nucleotides in length and encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) closely related to ourmiaviruses (plant viruses) and ourmia-like mycoviruses. Accordingly, we name this virus Magnaporthe oryzae ourmia-like virus 1 (MOLV1).

A comparison of wild-type, old and modern tomato cultivars in the interaction with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae and the tomato pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici.

The effect of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis (AM) varies in plant cultivars. In the present study, we tested whether wild-type, old and modern tomato cultivars differ in the parameters of the AM interaction. Moreover, the bioprotective effect of AM against the soilborne tomato pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.

Long-distance transport of signals during symbiosis: are nodule formation and mycorrhization autoregulated in a similar way?

Legumes enter nodule symbioses with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (rhizobia), whereas most flowering plants establish symbiotic associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Once first steps of symbiosis are initiated, nodule formation and mycorrhization in legumes is negatively controlled by a shoot-derived inhibitor (SDI), a phenomenon termed autoregulation. According to current views, autoregulation of nodulation and mycorrhization in legumes is regulated in a similar way.

Diterpenoid alkaloid derivatives as potential chemotherapeutic agents in American trypanosomiasis.

The use of natural products for the treatment of protozoal infections (Leishmania and Trypanosoma spp.) is well known and has been documented since ancient times. We have already established an in vitro culture system using mammalian host cells (Vero) infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in which the time course of parasite growth is determined quantitatively.