Sympathetic cooling in a mixture of diamagnetic and paramagnetic atoms

We have experimentally realized a hybrid trap for ultracold paramagnetic rubidium and diamagnetic ytterbium atoms by combining a bichromatic optical dipole trap for ytterbium with a Ioffe-Pritchard-type magnetic trap for rubidium. In this hybrid trap, sympathetic cooling of five different ytterbium isotopes through elastic collisions with rubidium was achieved. A strong dependence of the interspecies collisional cross section on the mass of the ytterbium isotope was observed.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Preparation and Characterization of Some Particulate Materials in the Aluminum Industry

Preparation and characterization techniques for the following particulate materials are reviewed: micromineralogical samples of bauxite, alumina and its trihydroxide, as well as sedimentary and respirable particles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDS) and image analysis were used to characterize the microminerals of bauxite. Comparisons were made among micromineralogical samples with various grain size fractions and the degree of weathering could be quantified. Programs were developed for characterization of the sandy and floury types of aluminum trihydroxide and alumina. We have used backscattered electron SEM images to characterize the size and shape of various aluminum trihydroxides. Comparison could be made between sandy and floury types of aluminum trihydroxide/alumina samples and the effects of technological changes could be quantified. The shape and composition of respirable particles in alumina plants were studied from the point of view of environmental protection

Production of ultracold heteronuclear YbRb* molecules by photoassociation

We have produced ultracold heteronuclear YbRb$^*$ molecules in a combined magneto-optical trap by photoassociation. The formation of electronically excited molecules close to the dissociation limit was observed by trap loss spectroscopy in mixtures of $^{87}$Rb with $^{174}$Yb and $^{176}$Yb. The molecules could be prepared in a series of vibrational levels with resolved rotational structure, allowing for an experimental determination of the long-range potential in the electronically excited state

Psychological distress among Plains Indian mothers with children referred to screening for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Psychological distress (PD) includes symptoms of depression and anxiety and is associated with considerable emotional suffering, social dysfunction and, often, with problematic alcohol use. The rate of current PD among American Indian women is approximately 2.5 times higher than that of U.S. women in general. Our study aims to fill the current knowledge gap about the prevalence and characteristics of PD and its association with self-reported current drinking problems among American Indian mothers whose children were referred to screening for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data was conducted from maternal interviews of referred American Indian mothers (n = 152) and a comparison group of mothers (n = 33) from the same Plains culture tribes who participated in an NIAAA-funded epidemiology study of FASD. Referred women were from one of six Plains Indian reservation communities and one urban area who bore children suspected of having an FASD. A 6-item PD scale (PD-6, Cronbach's alpha = .86) was constructed with a summed score range of 0-12 and a cut-point of 7 indicating serious PD. Multiple statistical tests were used to examine the characteristics of PD and its association with self-reported current drinking problems.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Referred and comparison mothers had an average age of 31.3 years but differed (respectively) on: education (<high school: 47.4%, 9.1%), PD-6 mean scores (3.57, 1.48), current prevalence of serious PD (19.1%, 0.0%), and a current drinking problem (31.6%, 12.1%). Among referred mothers, those with a current drinking problem had a significantly higher mean PD-6 score. Having PD, serious PD, and 2 specific scale items significantly increased the odds that a referred mother would have a current drinking problem.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Psychological distress among referred mothers is significantly associated with having a self-reported drinking problem. FASD prevention requires multi-level prevention efforts that provide real opportunities for educational attainment and screening and monitoring of PD and alcohol use during the childbearing years. Mixed methods studies are needed to illuminate the social and cultural determinants at the base of the experience of PD and to identify the strengths and protective factors of unaffected peers who reside within the same communities.</p

Occupational outcome in 2007-2008 of workers suffering from musculoskeletal disorders in the French Pays de la Loire region

Aims: A French program of epidemiological surveillance implemented in 2002 in the Pays de la Loire region revealed a prevalence of 13% for the 6 most frequent upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) among a sample of salaried workers: rotator cuff syndrome, lateral epicondylitis, flexor-extensor peritendinitis of the hands and fingers, De Quervain’s disease, carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar tunnel syndrome. The aim of this study is to describe the occupational outcome of these workers a few years later. Methods: From 2002 to 2004, 83 occupational physicians examined 3,710 workers randomly selected [1], following the recommendations of the European consensus Saltsa [2]. 3 groups were constituted: Group 1: workers with no upper limb pain during the past 7 days (49% of the sample) Group 2: workers with pain during the past 7 days but without any clinical diagnosed form of UEMSDs (38%), Group 3: workers with at least one clinically diagnosed UEMSD (13%) In 2007 and 2008, they received by mail a questionnaire about their occupational activities. Results: 2,332 people responded. Workers were older in group 3. After adjusting for age, we found as many retired people in the 3 groups. Among the non-retired workers (table), those who were not working were more numerous in group 3 and less numerous in group 1 (p=0.0007). Among those still at work, the percentage of workers who have changed their working station since 2002-2004 differed between groups (p=0.04): 24% have changed their working station in the same company in group 2 (vs 19% in group 1 and 21% in group 3), and 16% have moved to another company in group 2 (vs 14% and 10%, respectively). Conclusion: This study shows that the occupational outcome varies according to the previous UEMSDs status

Formation and interactions of cold and ultracold molecules: new challenges for interdisciplinary physics

Progress on researches in the field of molecules at cold and ultracold temperatures is reported in this review. It covers extensively the experimental methods to produce, detect and characterize cold and ultracold molecules including association of ultracold atoms, deceleration by external fields and kinematic cooling. Confinement of molecules in different kinds of traps is also discussed. The basic theoretical issues related to the knowledge of the molecular structure, the atom-molecule and molecule-molecule mutual interactions, and to their possible manipulation and control with external fields, are reviewed. A short discussion on the broad area of applications completes the review.Comment: to appear in Reports on Progress in Physic

Risk Factors for African Tick-Bite Fever in Rural Central Africa

African tick-bite fever is an emerging infectious disease caused by the spotted fever group Rickettsia, Rickettsia africae, and is transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma. To determine the seroprevalence of exposure to R. africae and risk factors associated with infection, we conducted a cross-sectional study of persons in seven rural villages in distinct ecological habitats of Cameroon. We examined 903 plasma samples by using an indirect immunofluorescence assay for antibodies to R. africae and analyzed demographic and occupational data collected from questionnaires. Of the 903 persons tested, 243 (26.9%) had IgG/IgM/IgA reactive with R. africae. Persons from four of the seven village sites were significantly more likely to be seropositive (P < 0.05), and lowland forest sites tended to have higher seroprevalences. These results suggest that African tick-bite fever is common in adults in rural areas of Cameroon and that ecological factors may play a role in the acquisition of R. africae infection

Exposure to Nonhuman Primates in Rural Cameroon

A high percentage of rural villagers are exposed to blood of nonhuman primates and risk acquiring infectious diseases

Fibroblast growth factor signalling controls nervous system patterning and pigment cell formation in Ciona intestinalis

During the development of the central nervous system (CNS), combinations of transcription factors and signalling molecules orchestrate patterning, specification and differentiation of neural cell types. In vertebrates, three types of melanin-containing pigment cells, exert a variety of functional roles including visual perception. Here we analysed the mechanisms underlying pigment cell specification within the CNS of a simple chordate, the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Ciona tadpole larvae exhibit a basic chordate body plan characterized by a small number of neural cells. We employed lineage-specific transcription profiling to characterize the expression of genes downstream of fibroblast growth factor signalling, which govern pigment cell formation. We demonstrate that FGF signalling sequentially imposes a pigment cell identity at the expense of anterior neural fates. We identify FGF-dependent and pigment cell-specific factors, including the small GTPase, Rab32/38 and demonstrated its requirement for the pigmentation of larval sensory organs