Effective DBHF Method for Asymmetric Nuclear Matter and Finite Nuclei

A new decomposition of the Dirac structure of nucleon self-energies in the Dirac Brueckner-Hartree-Fock (DBHF) approach is adopted to investigate the equation of state for asymmetric nuclear matter. The effective coupling constants of $\sigma$, $\omega$, $\delta$ and $\rho$ mesons with a density dependence in the relativistic mean field approach are deduced by reproducing the nucleon self-energy resulting from the DBHF at each density for symmetric and asymmetric nuclear matter. With these couplings the properties of finite nuclei are investigated. The agreement of charge radii and binding energies of finite nuclei with the experimental data are improved simultaneously in comparison with the projection method. It seems that the properties of finite nuclei are sensitive to the scheme used for the DBHF self-energy extraction. We may conclude that the properties of the asymmetric nuclear matter and finite nuclei could be well described by the new decomposition approach of the G matrix.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure

Strong enhancement of extremely energetic proton production in central heavy ion collisions at intermediate energy

The energetic proton emission has been investigated as a function of the reaction centrality for the system 58Ni + 58Ni at 30A MeV. Extremely energetic protons (EpNN > 130 MeV) were measured and their multiplicity is found to increase almost quadratically with the number of participant nucleons thus indicating the onset of a mechanism beyond one and two-body dynamics.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letter

Final Report Summary - COMPASS (Comparative Assessment of Coastal Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise at Continental Scale)

There is concern about the potential impact of sea-level rise on coastal regions around the globe. An EU-funded initiative collaborated with South American partners to assess vulnerability of coastal areas to sea-level rise on a continental scale. Although the effects of sea-level rise are expected to be significant, their magnitude is uncertain due to a lack of information about the level and rate of the rise. Furthermore, it is not known how coastal communities will respond. The 'Comparative assessment of coastal vulnerability to sea-level rise at continental scale' (COMPASS) project designed a tool for estimating the future impacts of rising sea levels. Knowledge on the development and application of the tool, called the Dynamic and interactive vulnerability assessment (DIVA) model, was transferred to countries in South America. A complete overview of the DIVA tool and its component database, models and graphical user interface was given to partners in Argentina, Brazil and Chile. Hands-on training on DIVA was conducted in South America by researchers from European institutions. Further training in Greece and Germany was carried out for seconded researchers. DIVA was used to quantitatively assess the impact of sea-level rise in Europe and South America. The knowledge base of the DIVA tool was expanded using local knowledge and data collected during studies carried out in South America. The information was evaluated to gain a better understanding of the institutional frameworks in which DIVA results could be used to support decision makers. This will help to develop more detailed regional versions of DIVA. Results revealed that large numbers of people in South America can expect flooding, with poorer countries being affected most. Although adaptation measures could reduce the impacts, they would require significant levels of investment and effective adaptation techniques. Preliminary results for Europe indicated that adaptation in the face of sea-level rise would be both beneficial and affordable. Experts from participating institutions conducted an evaluation of the DIVA tool to determine potential limitations and identify areas for further development. An updated version of the DIVA database was produced for South America and work on further development of DIVA algorithms commenced. COMPASS activities have led to the development of strong links and a solid basis for long-term collaboration between the participating European and South American institutions

Dinamismo, complejidad y especificidad de los litorales estuarinos: análisis de la dinámica litoral en Punta Atalaya, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Littorals are complex and dynamic spaces, as a result of the interaction between natural dynamics and social assessments over time. This interaction triggers multiple processes, which lend specificity to their coasts. Intertidal environments called marshes are developed in estuarine littorals, which have been intensely modified in large urban metropolises. These environments dynamics have been extensively studied in the northern hemisphere, but scarce research has been performed in the southern hemisphere. In the present work a multitemporal study of a recent developed marsh is done in the coast of Punta Atalaya (district of Magdalena, Buenos Aires, Argentina), located along the intermediate sector of the Argentine coast of the Río de la Plata estuary, using the coastline as an indicator, considering it as the outer limit of this environment. The study was based on its identification in aerial photographs and high-resolution satellite images during the 1929-2016 period. Using specialized software for the multi-temporal change analysis, field work and general and specific bibliography review, an explanatory approximation of the littoral dynamics of this territory was performed. It was determined that the coast of Punta Atalaya presents an accretional tendency during the last century, although changes in the temporal and spatial micro scale are detected throughout the period, responding to accretional and erosive dynamics that derive from the interaction of biological, sedimentary, meteorological and social processes. Each process can trigger multiple responses and have differential impacts in time and space. In this sense, the concepts of balance used in the classic coastal sedimentary balance investigations are questioned.The study area does not have a protected area category, so its environmental assessment in this sense must consider dynamical processes.Los litorales son espacios complejos y dinámicos, producto de la interacción entre las dinámicas naturales y las valoraciones sociales a lo largo del tiempo. Esta interacción desencadena procesos variados que confieren especificidad a sus costas. En los litorales estuarinos se forman ambientes intermareales denominados marismas, intensamente modificadas en las grandes metrópolis urbanas.La dinámica de estos ambientes ha sido extensamente estudiada en el hemisferio norte, encontrándose escasas investigaciones en el hemisferio sur. En el presente trabajo se realiza un estudio multitemporal de una marisma de formación reciente en la costa de Punta Atalaya (partido de Magdalena, Buenos Aires, Argentina), situada en el sector intermedio de la costa argentina del estuario del Río de la Plata, utilizando la línea de costa como indicador del límite exterior de este ambiente. Se partió de su identificación en fotografías aéreas e imágenes de satélites de alta resolución en el periodo 1929-2016. Mediante la utilización de un software especializado en el análisis multitemporal de cambios, inspecciones en el campo y revisión de bibliografía general y específica, se realizó una aproximación explicativa de la dinámica litoral de esta franja territorial.Se determinó que la costa de Punta Atalaya presenta una tendencia progradante en el último siglo, aunque cambios en la microescala temporal y espacial son detectados a lo largo de todo el periodo, respondiendo a dinámicas acrecionales y erosivas que derivan de la interacción de procesos biológicos, sedimentarios, meteorológicos y sociales. Cada proceso puede desencadenar múltiples respuestas y tener impactos diferenciales en tiempo y espacio. En este sentido, se cuestionan las nociones de equilibrio utilizadas en las clásicas investigaciones acerca de los balances sedimentarios costeros. El sector correspondiente al área de estudio no posee categoría de área protegida, por lo que su valoración ambiental en este sentido debe contemplar la dinámica del mismo

Geochemical characteristics of the infilling of ground wedges at puerto deseado (Santa Cruz, Argentina): Palaeoenvironmental and chronological implications|Características geoquímicas de las cuñas de hielo en puerto deseado (Santa Cruz, Argentina): implicancias paleoambientales y cronológicas

Ground wedge structures of cryogenic origin are common in the Quaternary sediments along the coast of the Patagonia, and their formation is related to climatic cold events experienced by this area in the Late Quaternary. The infilling sediments of two wedges generations were analyzed in the area of Puerto Deseado. Bulk chemistry (major elements), X-ray diffraction (XRD), morphoscopic observations with Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM) and chemical analyses of volcanic glass shards were undertaken to provide indications about infilling sediment provenience, along with chronological constraint for wedge formation. Bulk chemistry and XRD patterns indicate a significant SiO2-enriched composition of the sediment infilling compared to the most of the loess deposits of the North Argentina and the present day dust originated in Patagonia. This was interpreted as due to the nature of the bedrock present over the Deseado Massif. SEM morphoscopic characteristics of glass shards evidence typical aeolian reworking features, with impact structures and indented edges of the volcanic fragments. Chemical analyses of the glass shards indicate that they were probably generated by the H0 eruption (17,300-17,400 cal yr BP) of the Hudson volcano. Volcanological data indicate that H0 eruption dispersed toward NE, but volcanic glasses were available for reworking due to a WNW component in the western wind direction. Over the Deseado Massif structural high the glass shards mixed with sediments enriched in SiO2, and were eventually deflated further to SE reaching the present coastal area and infilling the frost cracks. The age of the glass shards (17,300-17,400 cal yr BP) and that of the sandy layer affected by cryogenic structures (14,670±750 yr BP) well constrain to the Late Glacial both wedge generations

Effectiveness of time-limited psychotherapy for minor psychiatric disorders - Randomised controlled trial evaluating immediate v. long-term effects

Background Psychotherapy research rarely has studied outcome in the longer term.Aims To evaluate the effectiveness of brief group dynamic psychotherapy (BGDP) intervention in patients with minor psychiatric disorders compared with the usual clinical management shortly after treatment termination and to investigate whether intervention would show a differential effect at 2-year follow-up.Method Patients were allocated randomly to an experimental or control group. the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) was used as a primary outcome measure.Results Based on improvement in the GHQ, at termination of treatment the BGDP group showed a significant improvement in 23 out of 42 (54.8%) compared with I I out of 41 (26.8%) in the clinical management group. the difference in the total improvement rate is 28% (95% Cl 8-48) (chi(2)=67; d.f.=1; P=0.009). in contrast, no differential follow-up effects were found between the BGDP and clinical management groups.Conclusions Psychotherapy appears to have beneficial effects at termination of treatment but the changes attained were not stable,Declaration of interest None.UNIFESP, Dept Psychiat, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP, Dept Psychiat, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc