Series of broad resonances in atomic three-body systems

We re-examine the series of resonances found earlier in atomic three-body systems by solving the Faddeev-Merkuriev integral equations. These resonances are rather broad and line-up at each threshold with gradually increasing gaps, the same way for all thresholds and irrespective of the spatial symmetry. We relate these resonances to the Gailitis mechanism, which is a consequence of the polarization potential.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:0810.303

A Note on Scalar Field Theory in AdS_3/CFT_2

We consider a scalar field theory in AdS_{d+1}, and introduce a formalism on surfaces at equal values of the radial coordinate. In particular, we define the corresponding conjugate momentum. We compute the Noether currents for isometries in the bulk, and perform the asymptotic limit on the corresponding charges. We then introduce Poisson brackets at the border, and show that the asymptotic values of the bulk scalar field and the conjugate momentum transform as conformal fields of scaling dimensions \Delta_{-} and \Delta_{+}, respectively, where \Delta_{\pm} are the standard parameters giving the asymptotic behavior of the scalar field in AdS. Then we consider the case d=2, where we obtain two copies of the Virasoro algebra, with vanishing central charge at the classical level. An AdS_3/CFT_2 prescription, giving the commutators of the boundary CFT in terms of the Poisson brackets at the border, arises in a natural way. We find that the boundary CFT is similar to a generalized ghost system. We introduce two different ground states, and then compute the normal ordering constants and quantum central charges, which depend on the mass of the scalar field and the AdS radius. We discuss certain implications of the results.Comment: 24 pages. v2: added minor clarification. v3: added several comments and discussions, abstract sligthly changed. Version to be publishe

Extreme Galactic-Winds and Starburst in IR Mergers and IR QSOs

We report -as a part of a long-term study of mergers and IR QSOs- detailed spectroscopic evidences for outflow (OF) and/or Wolf Rayet features in: (i) low velocity OF in the ongoing mergers NGC 4038/39 and IRAS 23128-5919; (ii) extreme velocity OF (EVOF) in the QSOs IRAS 01003-2238 and IRAS 13218+0552; (iii) OF and EVOF in a complete sample of ultra-luminous IR galaxies/QSOs ("The IRAS 1 Jy MKO-KPNO Survey", of 118 objects). We found EVOF in IRAS 11119+3257, 14394+5332, 15130+1958 and 15462-0450. The OF components detected in these objects were mainly associated to starburst processes: i.e., to galactic-winds generated in multiple type II SN explosions and massive stars. The EVOF were detected in objects with strong starburst plus obscured IR QSOs; which suggest that interaction of both processes could generate EVOF. In addition, we analyze the presence of Wolf Rayet features in the large sample of Bright PG-QSOs (Boroson and Green 1992), and nearby mergers and galactic-wind galaxies. We found clear WR features in the Fe II QSOs (type I): PG 1244+026, 1444+407, 1448+273, 1535+547; and in the IR merger Arp 220. HST archive images of IR+BAL QSOs show in practically all of these objects "arc or shell" features probably associated to galactic-winds (i.e., to multiple type II SN explosions) and/or merger processes. Finally, we discuss the presence of extreme starburst and galactic wind as a possible evolutive link between IR merger and IR QSOs; where the relation between mergers and extreme starburst (with powerful galactic-winds) plays in important role, in the evolution of galaxies.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figure

Self-perceived cultural competence. A cross-sectional study about nurses' awareness and behavior

Background: Cultural competence is a valuable and intangible heritage of knowledge, relationships and identity. Cultural competence is fundamental in nursing: sharing the objectives of all patients - not only foreigners - promotes patient's participation in healthcare and supports nurses' professional development, enhancing the intellectual capital that guides quality care. The aim of this study is to evaluate nurses' self-perceived cultural competence. Study design: This is a cross-sectional study. Methods: A self-administered cultural-competence questionnaire was used. Nurses working in hospitals and territorial healthcare settings in Rome, Italy, were involved in this study, from March 2017 to February 2018. Results: This study involved 192 nurses. The mean age was 46.2 ± 7.9. Most of the nurses (77.6%) were women. The nurses' mean work experience was 21.4 ± 8.8 years; 65.1% of them had never attended any type of course concerning multiculturalism. The mean score of the nurses' cultural competence was 4.19 ± 0.57 (range = 2.75-5.71). In all, 41.7% of the nurses did not consider themselves neither competent nor incompetent. Conclusion: The results show that nurses have an acceptable level of cultural competence, slightly higher in the territorial context

Particle exchange and residence times in the North Western Mediterranean

The effects of the hydrodynamic processes on the distribution of passive drifters in the Gulf of Lions (GoL) have been investigated using a Lagrangian approach coupled with a 3D circulation model (Symphonie). We consider passive drifters, for which transport processes are determined solely by the 3D flow fields, which are in turn primarily forced by the North Mediterranean Current (NMC) and by the Rhˆone fresh-water inputs. The model reproduces 600 3D Lagrangian trajectories of particles released along the coastal area of the GoL during the winter period (January-February). The GoL has been divided into four sectors, each corresponding to a zone playing a strategic role in the hydrodynamics of the study area. The macroscopic characteristics of the transport on the shelf zone are analyzed in terms of total concentration and residence times of the cluster released in the basin. Particle distributions are strongly related to the mesoscale and sub-mesoscale hydrodynamic structures on the shelf and to the offshore circulation associated with the NMC. Two crucial areas are identified: a dispersive zone, corresponding to the central part of the continental shelf, and a wide offshore zone, representing an area of both aggregation and transition

Energy damage index based on capacity and response spectra

To assess the expected seismic damage of a structure, non-linear dynamic analysis and the damage index of Park-Ang have been often used. Depending on the size of the structure and on the duration of the record, the computational effort in dynamic analyses is usually high. In this research a new damage index is proposed based on nonlinear static analysis. The damage index is a linear combination of two energy functions: 1) the strain energy associated to the stiffness variation and the ductility of the structure and 2) the energy dissipated associated to hysteretic cycles. These two energy functions are obtained from the capacity curve of the structure and from the energy balance with the spectral acceleration. To show the ability of the index to represent damage, low-rise steel buildings subjected to seismic actions expected in Mexico City are studied. The results obtained with the new method show a good agreement with those calculated by means of dynamic analyses using the Park-Ang damage index. In average, the Park-Ang damage index is well fitted by the combination of 62% of the strain energy and 38% of the energy dissipated by hysteresis. Moreover, this new damage index allows linking damage to certain characteristics of the seismic actions as, for instance, intensity and duration of the applied seismic action. Therefore, the new approach results in a practice and powerful tool for estimating the seismic damage in buildings, especially when considering probabilistic approaches, where massive computations are needed

Studying the evolution of galaxies in compact groups over the past 3 Gyr - II. The importance of environment in the suppression of star formation

We present an in depth study on the evolution of galaxy properties in compact groups over the past 3 Gyr. We are using the largest multi-wavelength sample to-date, comprised 1770 groups (containing 7417 galaxies), in the redshift range of 0.01<z<0.23. To derive the physical properties of the galaxies we rely on ultraviolet (UV)-to-infrared spectral energy distribution modeling, using CIGALE. Our results suggest that during the 3 Gyr period covered by our sample, the star formation activity of galaxies in our groups has been substantially reduced (3-10 times). Moreover, their star formation histories as well as their UV-optical and mid-infrared colors are significantly different from those of field and cluster galaxies, indicating that compact group galaxies spend more time transitioning through the green valley. The morphological transformation from late-type spirals into early-type galaxies occurs in the mid-infrared transition zone rather than in the UV-optical green valley. We find evidence of shocks in the emission line ratios and gas velocity dispersions of the late-type galaxies located below the star forming main sequence. Our results suggest that in addition to gas stripping, turbulence and shocks might play an important role in suppressing the star formation in compact group galaxies.Comment: (Accepted for publication in MNRAS, date of submission November 18, 2015

Coupled-channels effects in elastic scattering and near-barrier fusion induced by weakly bound nuclei and exotic halo nuclei

The influence on fusion of coupling to the breakup process is investigated for reactions where at least one of the colliding nuclei has a sufficiently low binding energy for breakup to become an important process. Elastic scattering, excitation functions for sub-and near-barrier fusion cross sections, and breakup yields are analyzed for $^{6,7}$Li+$^{59}$Co. Continuum-Discretized Coupled-Channels (CDCC) calculations describe well the data at and above the barrier. Elastic scattering with $^{6}$Li (as compared to $^{7}$Li) indicates the significant role of breakup for weakly bound projectiles. A study of $^{4,6}$He induced fusion reactions with a three-body CDCC method for the $^6$He halo nucleus is presented. The relative importance of breakup and bound-state structure effects on total fusion is discussed.Comment: 29 pages, 9 figure