6Li direct breakup lifetimes

alpha-d coincidence data were studied for the 6Li + 59Co reaction at E(lab) = 29.6 MeV. By using a kinematic analysis, it was possible to identify which process, leading to the same final state, has the major contribution for each of the selected angular regions. Contributions of the 6Li sequential and direct breakup to the incomplete fusion/transfer process were discussed by considering the lifetimes obtained by using a semiclassical approach, for both breakup components.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, Invited Talk (Parrallel Sessions) of A. Szanto de Toledo, prepared for the Proccedings of the 10th International Conference on Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions, August 16-21, 2009, Beijing, China; submitted to Nucl. Phys. A (Proceedings of NN2009

Reaction mechanisms for weakly-bound, stable nuclei and unstable, halo nuclei on medium-mass targets

An experimental overview of reactions induced by the stable, but weakly-bound nuclei 6Li, 7Li and 9Be, and by the exotic, halo nuclei 6He, 8B, 11Be and 17F on medium-mass targets, such as 58Ni, 59Co or 64Zn, is presented. Existing data on elastic scattering, total reaction cross sections, fusion processes, breakup and transfer channels are discussed in the framework of a CDCC approach taking into account the breakup degree of freedom.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, Invited Talk given by C. Beck to the 10th International Conference on Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions, August 16-21, 2009 Beijing, China; Paper submitted to the NN2009 Proceedings, Nuclear Physics A (to be published

Proteomic Biomarkers of Atherosclerosis

Biomarkers provide a powerful approach to understanding the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases. They have application in screening, diagnostic, prognostication, prediction of recurrences and monitoring of therapy. The “omics” tool are becoming very useful in the development of new biomarkers in cardiovascular diseases. Among them, proteomics is especially fitted to look for new proteins in health and disease and is playing a significant role in the development of new diagnostic tools in cardiovascular diagnosis and prognosis. This review provides an overview of progress in applying proteomics to atherosclerosis. First, we describe novel proteins identified analysing atherosclerotic plaques directly. Careful analysis of proteins within the atherosclerotic vascular tissue can provide a repertoire of proteins involved in vascular remodelling and atherogenesis. Second, we discuss recent data concerning proteins secreted by atherosclerotic plaques. The definition of the atheroma plaque secretome resides in that proteins secreted by arteries can be very good candidates of novel biomarkers. Finally we describe proteins that have been differentially expressed (versus controls) by individual cells which constitute atheroma plaques (endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages and foam cells) as well as by circulating cells (monocytes, platelets) or novel biomarkers present in plasma

Coherence and non-classicality of quantum Markov processes

Although quantum coherence is a basic trait of quantum mechanics, the presence of coherences in the quantum description of a certain phenomenon does not rule out the possibility to give an alternative description of the same phenomenon in purely classical terms. Here, we give definite criteria to determine when and to what extent quantum coherence is equivalent to non-classicality. We prove that a Markovian multi-time statistics obtained from repeated measurements of a non-degenerate observable cannot be traced back to a classical statistics if and only if the dynamics generates coherences and subsequently turns them into populations. Furthermore, we show with simple examples that such connection between quantum coherence and non-classicality is generally absent if the statistics is non-Markovian

Can black holes be torn up by phantom dark energy in cyclic cosmology?

Infinitely cyclic cosmology is often frustrated by the black hole problem. It has been speculated that this obstacle in cyclic cosmology can be removed by taking into account a peculiar cyclic model derived from loop quantum cosmology or the braneworld scenario, in which phantom dark energy plays a crucial role. In this peculiar cyclic model, the mechanism of solving the black hole problem is through tearing up black holes by phantom. However, using the theory of fluid accretion onto black holes, we show in this paper that there exists another possibility: that black holes cannot be torn up by phantom in this cyclic model. We discussed this possibility and showed that the masses of black holes might first decrease and then increase, through phantom accretion onto black holes in the expanding stage of the cyclic universe.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures; discussions adde

Reaction mechanisms in the 6Li+59Co system

The reactions induced by the weakly bound 6Li projectile interacting with the intermediate mass target 59Co were investigated. Light charged particles singles and $\alpha$-$d$ coincidence measurements were performed at the near barrier energies E_lab = 17.4, 21.5, 25.5 and 29.6 MeV. The main contributions of the different competing mechanisms are discussed. A statistical model analysis, Continuum-Discretized Coupled-Channels calculations and two-body kinematics were used as tools to provide information to disentangle the main components of these mechanisms. A significant contribution of the direct breakup was observed through the difference between the experimental sequential breakup cross section and the CDCC prediction for the non-capture breakup cross section.Comment: 30 pages, 8 figure

Appraisal, Agency and Atypicality: Evidence from Manufactured Homes

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73056/1/j.1540-6229.2005.00128.x.pd

Semiparametric theory and empirical processes in causal inference

In this paper we review important aspects of semiparametric theory and empirical processes that arise in causal inference problems. We begin with a brief introduction to the general problem of causal inference, and go on to discuss estimation and inference for causal effects under semiparametric models, which allow parts of the data-generating process to be unrestricted if they are not of particular interest (i.e., nuisance functions). These models are very useful in causal problems because the outcome process is often complex and difficult to model, and there may only be information available about the treatment process (at best). Semiparametric theory gives a framework for benchmarking efficiency and constructing estimators in such settings. In the second part of the paper we discuss empirical process theory, which provides powerful tools for understanding the asymptotic behavior of semiparametric estimators that depend on flexible nonparametric estimators of nuisance functions. These tools are crucial for incorporating machine learning and other modern methods into causal inference analyses. We conclude by examining related extensions and future directions for work in semiparametric causal inference

Astroparticle Physics with a Customized Low-Background Broad Energy Germanium Detector

The MAJORANA Collaboration is building the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR, a 60 kg array of high purity germanium detectors housed in an ultra-low background shield at the Sanford Underground Laboratory in Lead, SD. The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR will search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of 76Ge while demonstrating the feasibility of a tonne-scale experiment. It may also carry out a dark matter search in the 1-10 GeV/c^2 mass range. We have found that customized Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe) detectors produced by Canberra have several desirable features for a neutrinoless double-beta decay experiment, including low electronic noise, excellent pulse shape analysis capabilities, and simple fabrication. We have deployed a customized BEGe, the MAJORANA Low-Background BEGe at Kimballton (MALBEK), in a low-background cryostat and shield at the Kimballton Underground Research Facility in Virginia. This paper will focus on the detector characteristics and measurements that can be performed with such a radiation detector in a low-background environment.Comment: Submitted to NIMA Proceedings, SORMA XII. 9 pages, 4 figure

Analysis of talpid3 and wild-type chicken embryos reveals roles for Hedgehog signalling in development of the limb bud vasculature

Chicken talpid mutant embryos have a wide range of Hedgehog-signalling related defects and it is now known that the talpid gene product encodes a novel protein essential for Hedgehog signalling which is required for both activator and repressor functions of Gli transcription factors (Davey, M.G., Paton, I.R., Yin, Y., Schmidt, M., Bangs, F.K., Morrice, D.R., Gordon-Smith, T., Buxton, P., Stamataki, D., Tanaka, M., Münsterberg, A.E., Briscoe, J., Tickle, C., Burt, D.W. (2006). The chicken talpid gene encodes a novel protein essential for Hedgehog signalling. Genes Dev 20 1365-77). Haemorrhaging, oedema and other severe vascular defects are a central aspect of the talpid phenotype (Ede, D.A. and Kelly, W.A (1964a). Developmental abnormalities in the head region of the talpid mutant fowl. J. Embryol. exp. Morp. 12:161-182) and, as Hedgehog (Hh) signalling has been implicated in every stage of development of the vascular system, the vascular defects seen in talpid are also likely to be attributable to abnormal Hedgehog signalling. Gene expression of members of the VEGF and Angiopoietin families of angiogenic growth factors has been linked to haemorrhaging and oedema and we find widespread expression of VEGF-D, rigf and Ang2a in the talpid limb. Furthermore, ectopic expression of these genes in talpid limbs points to regulation via Gli repression rather than activation. We monitored specification of vessel identity in talpid limb vasculature by examining expression of artery-specific genes, Np1 and EphrinB2, and the vein-specific genes, Np2a and Tie2. We show that there are supernumerary subclavian arteries in talpid limb buds and abnormal expression of an artery-specific gene in the venous submarginal sinus, despite the direction of blood flow being normal. Furthermore, we show that Shh can induce Np1 expression but has no effect on Np2a. Finally, we demonstrate that induction of VEGF and Ang2a expression by Shh in normal limb buds is accompanied by vascular remodelling. Thus Hedgehog signalling has a pivotal role in the cascade of angiogenic events in a growing embryonic organ which is similar to that proposed in tumours