Hyperons in a relativistic mean-field approach to asymmetric nuclear matter

Relativistic mean-field theory with $\delta$ meson, nonlinear isoscalar self-interactions and isoscalar-isovector cross interaction terms with parametrizations obtained to reproduce Dirac-Brueckner-Hartree-Fock calculations for nuclear matter is used to study asymmetric nuclear matter properties in $\beta$-equilibrium, including hyperon degrees of freedom and (hidden) strange mesons. Influence of cross interaction on composition of hyperon matter and electron chemical potential is examined. Softening of nuclear equation of state by the cross interactions results in lowering of hyperonization, although simultaneously enhancing a hyperon-induced decrease of the electron chemical potential, thus indicating further shift of a kaon condensate occurence to higher densities.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, 3 tables, published in Phys. Rev.

Elevated Incidence of Fractures in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients on Glucocorticoid-Sparing Immunosuppressive Regimens

This study was conducted to assess the occurrence of fractures in solid-organ transplant recipients. Methods. Medical record review and surveys were performed. Patients received less than 6 months of glucocorticoids. Results. Of 351 transplant patients, 175 patients provided fracture information, with 48 (27.4%) having fractured since transplant (2–6 years). Transplants included 19 kidney/liver (50% male), 47 kidney/pancreas (53% male), 92 liver (65% male), and 17 pancreas transplants (41% male). Age at transplant was 50.8 ± 10.3 years. Fractures were equally seen across both genders and transplant types. Calcium supplementation (n = 94) and bisphosphonate therapy (n = 52) were observed, and an association with a lower risk of fractures was noted for bisphosphonate users (OR = 0.45 95% C.I. 0.24, 0.85). Fracture location included 8 (16.7%) foot, 12 (25.0%) vertebral, 3 (6.3%) hand, 2 (4.2%) humerus, 5 (10.4%) wrist, 10 (20.8%) fractures at other sites, and 7 (14.6%) multiple fractures. The estimated relative risk of fracture was nearly seventeen-times higher in male liver transplant recipients ages 45–64 years compared with the general male population, and comparable to fracture rates on conventional immunosuppressant regimens. Conclusion. We identify a high frequency of fractures in transplant recipients despite limited glucocorticoid use

Study of e+,e− production in elementary and nuclear collisions near the production threshold with HADES

HADES is a second generation experiment designed to study dielectron production in proton, pion, and heavy ion induced reactions at the GSI accelerator facility in Darmstadt. The physics programme of HADES is focused on in-medium properties of the light vector mesons. In this contribution we present status of the HADES experiment, demonstrate its capability to identify rare dielectron signal, show first experimental results obtained from C+C reactions at 2 A GeV and shortly discuss physics programme of up-coming experimental runs. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 53 1 49 58 Cited By :1

A temperature distribution study in a heated bed component made from butyl rubber for dust mite allergy patients

Asthma is one of many respiratory tract diseases and can be caused by allergy symptoms. Allergy symptoms can be stimulated by many substances, dust mites are among them. Dust-mite feces can trick the allergy symptom in the patients. Allergy significantly affect quality of patient life. Environment surrounded the dust-mite allergy patients should be controlled to reduce a number of dust mites, the dust mites cannot survive in places where temperature is above 60°C and more than 45 min. This work focused on investigating temperature distributions on a heated mattress component made from butyl rubber, numerically and experimentally. Results were used to evaluate possibility to fabricate dust-mite-free bedding components using butyl rubber since mattress and pillow can be homes of million dust mites. The component was designed by computer aided design (CAD) based on a hospital-bed-mattress shape. The component was also designed to be fed with hot water to heat its surface temperature up to the unacceptable living conditions of dust mites. The component was fabricated locally by using recycle butyl rubber sheets. From simulation results with the flow rate of hot water inlet at 6.69×10-5 m3/s and 100°C, temperature distributions of the surface could be maintained above 60 °C throughout 45 min. Experimental results at the approximate inlet flow rate showed that temperature distributions of the component surface were also above 60°C for the same duration. Therefore, both results showed potentials of the design to be developed as the dust-mite-free bedding components to help creating dust-mite-free environments for the dust-mite allergy patients