Jitendra Kumar Meena

A high-statistics, high-resolution, complete kinematical measurement has been performed to estimate the quantitative contributions of various direct 3$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay mechanisms in the decay of the famous Hoyle state, the ${0}_{2}^{+}$ resonant excited state of ${}^{12}$C at an excitation energy of 7.654 MeV, using inelastic scattering of 60-MeV $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles on ${}^{12}$C. The present observation of nonzero branching ratios of various direct 3$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay modes, which have been extracted using $\ensuremath{\sim}$20$\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}$000 fully detected (4$\ensuremath{\alpha}$) Hoyle events, is expected to remove the ambiguities among various previous estimates, extracted from fewer ($\ensuremath{\lesssim}$5000) events.

The High-spin states in 195Tl, populated through the 185,187Re(13C, xn) fusion evaporation reaction at the beam energy of 75 MeV, were studied using the Indian National Gamma Array (INGA). More than 50 new γ transitions have been placed in the proposed level scheme which is extended up to the excitation energy of ≈ 5.6 MeV and spin. Two pairs of degenerate bands based on two different quasi-particle configurations have been identified in this nucleus indicating the first observation of such bands in an odd-A nucleus in region and signify the first evidence of multiple chiral bands in a nucleus in this region. The total Routhian surface calculations predict triaxial shapes for both the configurations and thereby, support the experimental observation. The importance of multiple neutron holes in the orbital and the stability of shapes for these two configurations have been discussed.

Precise estimation of the rare direct 3α decay of the Hoyle state of 12C has been made to unveil its unusual α-cluster configurations ranging from linear 3α chain structure to diffuse Bose gas as well as Bose Einstein condensate. The present new high precision, nearly zero background experimental study with 1.6×105 Hoyle events has converged on the upper limit for direct decay at ∼0.019% with 95% confidence limit, which is more than a factor of 2 lower than the limit obtained in the previous studies.

Background. In developing countries, women are at high risk for several reproductive health problems especially RTI/STIs. Since all RTIs/ STIs are preventable and most of them are curable, it is pertinent to study the determinants of the health seeking behaviour. Objectives. To compare the prevalence and treatment seeking behaviour about RTI/STI symptoms among the married women of reproductive age group (18-45 years) living in urban and rural area of Delhi. Methods. A cross-sectional study was done among the married women of reproductive age group residing in Pooth Khurd, a village in North West district of Delhi, and Delhi Gate, an urban locality situated in central Delhi. Results. In this study, the prevalence of RTI/STI symptoms was found to be similar in both urban (42.3%) and rural area (42%). In urban area, 73% sought treatment, while in rural area only 45.6% sought treatment. Prevalence of the symptoms was found to be higher among the study subjects who were not using any contraceptive method, had history of abortion, and were with lower educational status, in both urban and rural areas. Treatment seeking behaviour was significantly higher among the educated women, contraceptive users, and older age group women in both rural and urban area.