A study of alpha-decay using effective liquid drop model

In this paper, we have made an attempt to analyze the alpha-decay half-lives of in the atomic number range [Formula: see text] by considering an effective liquid drop model. The role of pre-formation probability by including iso-spin effect is included during an evaluation of half-lives. We have also compared the studied alpha-decay half-lives with that of semi-empirical formulae such as Viola Seaborg semi-empirical formulae (VSS) [J. Inorg. Nucl. Chem. 28 (1966) 741; Nucl. Phys. A 848 (2010) 279], Royer formulae [J. Phys. G: Nucl. Part. Phys. 26 (2000) 1149; Phys. Rev. C 101 (2020) 034307] and also with that of the available experiments. From this comparison, it can be concluded that the effective liquid drop model produces an alpha-decay half-lives close to the experiments.

Inventory and genesis of glacial lakes in Switzerland since the Little Ice Age

<p>The deglaciation since the end of the Little Ice Age (LIA, ~1850) has given way to >700km² of “new” landscape in Switzerland. Glacial lakes are a conspicuous feature of this new landscape – with relevance for natural hazards, hydropower and landscape planning. In this study, we compiled an inventory of glacial lakes for Switzerland for the year 2016. Using existing data, we investigated the evolution of glacial lakes in Switzerland for six time periods since the LIA. Additionally, we compiled information constituting a basis for hazard assessment for all ice-contact lakes in 2016 and all lakes >0.5 ha, i.e. surface outflow, dam type and material, and lake freeboard.</p><p>We found that a total of 1230 lakes formed over the period of ~170 years, 982 still existing in 2016. The largest lakes are >0.4 km² (40 ha) in size, while the majority (>90%) are smaller than 0.01 km². Annual increase rates in area and number peaked in 1946-1973, decreased towards the end of the 20<sup>th</sup> century, and reached a new high in the latest period 2006-2016. For a period of 43 years, we compared modelled overdeepenings from previous studies to actual lake genesis. For a better prioritisation of formation probability, we included glacier-morphological criteria such as glacier width and visible crevassing. About 40% of the modelled overdeepened area actually filled with water. The inclusion of morphological aspects clearly aided in linking a lake formation probability to a modelled overdeepening.</p><p><img src="https://contentmanager.copernicus.org/fileStorageProxy.php?f=gnp.d3501255f60064578601161/sdaolpUECMynit/12UGE&app=m&a=0&c=a53c560cf096fb15e526d1d230f3d1bf&ct=x&pn=gnp.elif&d=1" alt="" width="381" height="225"></p><p>Fig. 1: Glacial lake distribution in Switzerland and its evolution over time. </p>

Exploring G and C-quadruplex structures as potential targets against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

ABSTRACTIn this paper we report the analysis of the 2019-nCoV genome and related viruses using an upgraded version of the open-source algorithm G4-iM Grinder. This version improves the functionality of the software, including an easy way to determine the potential biological features affected by the candidates found. The quadruplex definitions of the algorithm were optimized for 2019-nCoV. Using a lax quadruplex definition ruleset, which accepts amongst other parameters two residue G- and C-tracks, hundreds of potential quadruplex candidates were discovered. These sequences were evaluated by their in vitro formation probability, their position in the viral RNA, their uniqueness and their conservation rates (calculated in over three thousand different COVID-19 clinical cases and sequenced at different times and locations during the ongoing pandemic). These results were compared sequentially to other Coronaviridae members, other Group IV (+)ssRNA viruses and the entire realm. Sequences found in common with other species were further analyzed and characterized. Sequences with high scores unique to the 2019-nCoV were studied to investigate the variations amongst similar species. Quadruplex formation of the best candidates was then confirmed experimentally. Using NMR and CD spectroscopy, we found several highly stable RNA quadruplexes that may be suitable theranostic targets against the 2019-nCoV.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Statistical double Λ hypernuclear formation from Ξ− absorption at rest in light nuclei

We investigate double $\Lambda$ hyperfragment formation from the statistical decay of double $\Lambda$ compound nuclei produced in the $\Xi^-$ absorption at rest in the light nuclei $^{12}\mathrm{C}$, $^{14}\mathrm{N}$, and $^{16}\mathrm{O}$. We examine the target and the $\Lambda\Lambda$ bond energy dependence of the double $\Lambda$ hyperfragment formation probabilities, especially of those double hypernuclei observed in experiments. For the $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ ($^{14}\mathrm{N}$) target, the formation probabilities of $^{\,\;\;6}_{\Lambda\Lambda}\mathrm{He}$ and $^{\;10}_{\Lambda\Lambda}\mathrm{Be}$ ($^{\;13}_{\Lambda\Lambda}\mathrm{B}$) are found to be reasonably large as they are observed in the KEK-E373 (KEK-E176) experiment. By comparison, for the $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ target, the formation probability of $^{\;11}_{\Lambda\Lambda}\mathrm{Be}$ is calculated to be small with $\Delta B_{\Lambda\Lambda}$ consistent with the Nagara event. We also evaluate the formation probability of ${}^{\,\;\;5}_{\Lambda\Lambda}\mathrm{H}$ from a $\Xi^-$–${}^{6}\mathrm{He}$ bound state, ${}^{7}_{\Xi}\mathrm{H}$.