Isovector spin-singlet (T=1, S=0) and isoscalar spin-triplet (T=0, S=1) pairing interactions and spin-isospin response

We review several experimental and theoretical advances that emphasise common aspects of the study of T=1 and T=0 pairing correlations in nuclei. We first discuss several empirical evidences of the special role played by the T=1 pairing interaction. In particular, we show the peculiar features of the nuclear pairing interaction in the low density regime, and possible outcomes such as the BCS-BEC crossover in nuclear matter and, in an analogous way, in loosely bound nuclei. We then move to the competition between T=1 and T=0 pairing correlations. The effect of such competition on the low-lying spectra is studied in N=Z odd-odd nuclei by using a three-body model; it is shown that the inversion of the 0+ and 1+ states near the ground state, and the strong magnetic dipole transitions between them, can be considered as a clear manifestation of strong T=0 pairing correlations in these nuclei. The effect of T=0 pairing correlations is also quite evident if one studies charge-changing transitions. The Gamow-Teller (GT) states in N=Z+2 nuclei are studied here by using self-consistent HFB+QRPA calculations in which the T=0 pairing interaction is taken into account. Strong GT states are found, near the ground state of daughter nuclei; these are compared with available experimental data from charge-exchange reactions, and such comparison can pinpoint the value of the strength of the T=0 interaction. Pair transfer reactions are eventually discussed: while two-neutron transfer has been long proposed as a tool to measure the T=1 superfluidity in the nuclear ground states, the study of deuteron transfer is still in its infancy, despite its potential interest in revealing effects coming from both T=1 and T=0 interactions.Comment: Paper submitted to Physica Scripta for inclusion in the Focus Issue entitled "Focus Issue on Nuclear Structure: Celebrating the 75 Nobel Prize" (by A. Bohr and B.R. Mottelson). arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:nucl-th/0512021 by other author

Quasi-particle random phase approximation with quasi-particle-vibration coupling: application to the Gamow-Teller response of the superfluid nucleus 120^{120}Sn

We propose a self-consistent quasi-particle random phase approximation (QRPA) plus quasi-particle-vibration coupling (QPVC) model with Skyrme interactions to describe the width and the line shape of giant resonances in open-shell nuclei, in which the effect of superfluidity should be taken into account in both the ground state and the excited states. We apply the new model to the Gamow-Teller resonance in the superfluid nucleus $^{120}$Sn, including both the isoscalar spin-triplet and the isovector spin-singlet pairing interactions. The strength distribution in $^{120}$Sn is well reproduced and the underlying microscopic mechanisms, related to QPVC and also to isoscalar pairing, are analyzed in detail.Comment: 32 pages, 11 figures, 4 table

Tunneling dynamics of side chains and defects in proteins, polymer glasses, and OH-doped network glasses

Simulations on a Lennard-Jones computer glass are performed to study effects arising from defects in glasses at low temperatures. The numerical analysis reveals that already a low concentration of defects may dramatically change the low temperature properties by giving rise to extrinsic double-well potentials (DWP's). The main characteristics of these extrinsic DWP's are (i) high barrier heights, (ii) high probability that a defect is indeed connected with an extrinsic DWP, (iii) highly localized dynamics around this defect, and (iv) smaller deformation potential coupling to phonons. Designing an extension of the Standard Tunneling Model (STM) which parametrizes this picture and comparing with ultrasound experiments on the wet network glass $a$-B$_2$O$_3$ shows that effects of OH-impurities are accurately accounted for. This model is then applied to organic polymer glasses and proteins. It is suggested that side groups may act similarly like doped impurities inasmuch as extrinsic DWP's are induced, which possess a distribution of barriers peaked around a high barrier height. This compares with the structurlessly distributed barrier heights of the intrinsic DWP's, which are associated with the backbone dynamics. It is shown that this picture is consistent with elastic measurements on polymers, and can explain anomalous nonlogarithmic line broadening recently observed in hole burning experiments in PMMA.Comment: 34 pages, Revtex, 9 eps-figures, accepted for publication in J. Chem. Phy

Deep learning for cardiac image segmentation: A review

Deep learning has become the most widely used approach for cardiac image segmentation in recent years. In this paper, we provide a review of over 100 cardiac image segmentation papers using deep learning, which covers common imaging modalities including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and ultrasound (US) and major anatomical structures of interest (ventricles, atria and vessels). In addition, a summary of publicly available cardiac image datasets and code repositories are included to provide a base for encouraging reproducible research. Finally, we discuss the challenges and limitations with current deep learning-based approaches (scarcity of labels, model generalizability across different domains, interpretability) and suggest potential directions for future research

Spin and lattice excitations of a BiFeO3 thin film and ceramics

We present a comprehensive study of polar and magnetic excitations in BiFeO3 ceramics and a thin film epitaxially grown on an orthorhombic (110) TbScO3 substrate. Infrared reflectivity spectroscopy was performed at temperatures from 5 to 900 K for the ceramics and below room temperature for the thin film. All 13 polar phonons allowed by the factor-group analysis were observed in theceramic samples. The thin-film spectra revealed 12 phonon modes only and an additional weak excitation, probably of spin origin. On heating towards the ferroelectric phase transition near 1100 K, some phonons soften, leading to an increase in the static permittivity. In the ceramics, terahertz transmission spectra show five low-energy magnetic excitations including two which were not previously known to be infrared active; at 5 K, their frequencies are 53 and 56 cm-1. Heating induces softening of all magnetic modes. At a temperature of 5 K, applying an external magnetic field of up to 7 T irreversibly alters the intensities of some of these modes. The frequencies of the observed spin excitations provide support for the recently developed complex model of magnetic interactions in BiFeO3 (R.S. Fishman, Phys. Rev. B 87, 224419 (2013)). The simultaneous infrared and Raman activity of the spin excitations is consistent with their assignment to electromagnons

Tensor coupling effects on spin symmetry in anti-Lambda spectrum of hypernuclei

The effects of $\bar\Lambda\bar\Lambda\omega$-tensor coupling on the spin symmetry of $\bar{\Lambda}$ spectra in $\bar{\Lambda}$-nucleus systems have been studied with the relativistic mean-field theory. Taking $^{12}$C+$\bar{\Lambda}$ as an example, it is found that the tensor coupling enlarges the spin-orbit splittings of $\bar\Lambda$ by an order of magnitude although its effects on the wave functions of $\bar{\Lambda}$ are negligible. Similar conclusions has been observed in $\bar{\Lambda}$-nucleus of different mass regions, including $^{16}$O+$\bar{\Lambda}$, $^{40}$Ca+$\bar{\Lambda}$ and $^{208}$Pb+$\bar{\Lambda}$. It indicates that the spin symmetry in anti-lambda-nucleus systems is still good irrespective of the tensor coupling.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures

Clinical course of ectopic pregnancy:a tertiary centre experience

Background: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is one of the causes of maternal mortality and morbidity in the first trimester. EP is still a major challenge and its incidence is on the rise due to changes in lifestyle and advances in medical practice. The early diagnosis and treatment of this condition over the past two decades has allowed a definitive medical management of unruptured ectopic pregnancies even before there were clinical symptoms in these high-risk women.Methods: It was a retrospective study of 100 cases of EP conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, attached to Bangalore medical college, Bengaluru for a period of 3 years. The aim of the study was to study the incidence, risk factors, clinical profile and management of EP cases.Results: Incidence of EP was 1.3% of all deliveries and 5.6% of gynecological surgeries. Peak age group was between 25-30 years (37%). Most of them were multiparous (83%), 58% of the patients had identifiable risk factors. 95% had amenorrhea, followed by pain abdomen in 81%, bleeding PV in 43%. 17% presented with shock. 91% patients presented with ruptured ectopic, 9% were unruptured. Unruptured cases were treated medically using Methotrexate. Laparotomy was done for ruptured cases. Commonest site of Ectopic was ampulla (81%). Salpingectomy was done for most cases (86%). No maternal mortality observed.Conclusions: All high-risk women should be screened at the earliest with serum β-hCG and TVS. The impact on future fertility can be improved by focusing on primary prevention and early diagnosis before rupture