Fine structure of the isoscalar giant quadrupole resonance in 40Ca due to Landau damping?

The fragmentation of the Isoscalar Giant Quadrupole Resonance (ISGQR) in 40Ca has been investigated in high energy-resolution experiments using proton inelastic scattering at E_p = 200 MeV. Fine structure is observed in the region of the ISGQR and its characteristic energy scales are extracted from the experimental data by means of a wavelet analysis. The experimental scales are well described by Random Phase Approximation (RPA) and second-RPA calculations with an effective interaction derived from a realistic nucleon-nucleon interaction by the Unitary Correlation Operator Method (UCOM). In these results characteristic scales are already present at the mean-field level pointing to their origination in Landau damping, in contrast to the findings in heavier nuclei and also to SRPA calculations for 40Ca based on phenomenological effective interactions, where fine structure is explained by the coupling to two-particle two-hole (2p-2h) states.Comment: Phys. Lett. B, in pres

Gold nanowires and the effect of impurities

Metal nanowires and in particular gold nanowires have received a great deal of attention in the past few years. Experiments on gold nanowires have prompted theory and simulation to help answer questions posed by these studies. Here we present results of computer simulations for the formation, evolution and breaking of very thin Au nanowires. We also discuss the influence of contaminants, such as atoms and small molecules, and their effect on the structural and mechanical properties of these nanowires

Hepatitis C virus in hemophilia:Health-related quality of life after successful treatment in the sixth Hemophilia in the Netherlands study

INTRODUCTION: Persons with hemophilia and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have a lower health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) than those never HCV infected. However, it is unknown whether HRQoL after HCV eradication is comparable to individuals never HCV infected. We aimed to compare HRQoL between HCV‐cured and never chronically HCV‐infected persons with hemophilia. METHODS: All persons with hemophilia in the Netherlands were invited for a nationwide study conducted in 2018–2019. For the current analysis, participants born before 1992 with data on HRQoL and HCV status were included. HCV status was collected from medical records. HRQoL was measured by RAND‐36 questionnaire, with a minimally important difference set at 4.0 points. Multivariable linear regression was used to adjust for age, hemophilia severity, HIV status, and self‐reported joint impairment. RESULTS: In total, 486 persons were eligible; 180 were HCV cured and 306 never chronically HCV infected. Compared with those never HCV infected, HCV‐cured individuals were older (57 vs. 53 years), more often had severe hemophilia (67% vs. 21%), and reported more impaired joints (median 3 vs. 0). Compared with those never HCV infected, adjusted RAND‐36 domain scores of HCV‐cured individuals cured were lower on all RAND‐36 domains except Pain, ranging from a difference of 4.5 (95% CI, −8.8 to −0.3) for Physical functioning to 11.3 (95% CI, −19.4 to −3.1) for Role limitations due to physical problems. CONCLUSION: Despite effective HCV treatment, HRQoL of HCV‐cured persons with hemophilia is still lower than HRQoL of those never chronically HCV‐infected on all RAND‐36 domains. This implies that careful psychosocial follow‐up and support are indicated

Desmopressin in nonsevere hemophilia A:patient perspectives on use and efficacy

Background: Desmopressin increases plasma factor VIII and von Willebrand factor levels in persons with nonsevere hemophilia A. Patients’ perspectives on desmopressin are relevant to increase and optimize its suboptimal use. However, patients’ views on desmopressin are not reported. Objectives: To evaluate the perspectives of persons with nonsevere hemophilia A on desmopressin use, barriers for its use, side effects, and their knowledge about desmopressin's efficacy and side effects. Methods: Persons with nonsevere hemophilia A were included in a cross-sectional, national, multicenter study. Questionnaires were filled out by adult patients and children aged ≥12 years themselves. Caretakers filled out questionnaires for children aged &lt;12 years. Results: In total, 706 persons with nonsevere hemophilia A were included (544 mild, 162 moderate, [age range, 0–88 years]). Of 508 patients, 234 (50%) patients reported previous desmopressin use. Desmopressin was considered as at least moderately effective in 171 of 187 (90%) patients. Intranasal administration was the modality of choice for 138 of 182 (76%) patients. Flushing was the most reported side effect in 54 of 206 (26%) adults and 7 of 22 (32%) children. The most frequently reported advantage and disadvantage were the convenience of intranasal, out-of-hospital administration by 56% (126/227) and side effects in 18% (41/227), respectively. Patients’ self-perceived knowledge was unsatisfactory or unknown in 28% (63/225). Conclusion: Overall, desmopressin was most often used intranasally and considered effective, with flushing as the most common side effect. The most mentioned advantage was the convenience of intranasal administration and disadvantage was side effects. More information and education on desmopressin could answer unmet needs in patients with current or future desmopressin treatment.</p

The Hamiltonian limit of (3+1)D SU(3) lattice gauge theory on anisotropic lattices

The extreme anisotropic limit of Euclidean SU(3) lattice gauge theory is examined to extract the Hamiltonian limit, using standard path integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) methods. We examine the mean plaquette and string tension and compare them to results obtained within the Hamiltonian framework of Kogut and Susskind. The results are a significant improvement upon previous Hamiltonian estimates, despite the extrapolation procedure necessary to extract observables. We conclude that the PIMC method is a reliable method of obtaining results for the Hamiltonian version of the theory. Our results also clearly demonstrate the universality between the Hamiltonian and Euclidean formulations of lattice gauge theory. It is particularly important to take into account the renormalization of both the anisotropy, and the Euclidean coupling $\beta_E$, in obtaining these results.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figure

The spectrum of neutralizing and non-neutralizing anti-FVIII antibodies in a nationwide cohort of 788 persons with hemophilia A

Objectives: Anti-factor VIII (FVIII) antibodies have been reported to exhibit both neutralizing and non-neutralizing characteristics. This is the first study investigating the full spectrum of FVIII-specific antibodies, including non-neutralizing antibodies, very-low titer inhibitors, and inhibitors, in a large nationwide population of persons with hemophilia A of all severities. Methods: All persons with hemophilia A (mild (FVIII &gt; 5–40 IU/dL)/moderate [FVIII 1–5 IU/dL)/severe (FVIII &lt; 1 IU/dL)] with an available plasma sample who participated in the sixth Hemophilia in the Netherlands study between 2018 and 2019 were included. The presence of anti-FVIII antibodies of the immunoglobulin A, M, and G isotypes and IgG subclasses, along with antibody titer levels, were assessed using direct-binding ELISAs. FVIII specificity was assessed using a competition-based ELISA approach. The inhibitor status was determined using the Nijmegen ultra-sensitive Bethesda assay (NusBA) and the Nijmegen Bethesda assay (NBA). Results: In total, 788 persons with hemophilia A (336 (42.6%) mild, 123 (15.6%) moderate, 329 (41.8%) severe hemophilia) were included. The median age was 45 years (IQR 24–60), and the majority (50.9%) had over 150 exposure days to FVIII concentrates. Within our population, 144 (18.3%) individuals had non-neutralizing FVIII-specific antibodies, 10 (1.3%) had very low-titer inhibitors (NusBA positive; NBA negative), and 13 (1.6%) had inhibitors (both NusBA and NBA positive). IgG1 was the most abundant FVIII-specific antibody subclass, and the highest titer levels were found for IgG4. In individuals without a reported history of inhibitor development, no clear differences were observed in antibody patterns between those who were minimally or highly exposed to FVIII concentrates. IgG4 subclass antibodies were only observed in persons with a reported history of FVIII inhibitor or in those with a currently detected (very low-titer) inhibitor. Conclusion: In this cross-sectional study, we identified non-neutralizing antibodies in a relatively large proportion of persons with hemophilia A. In contrast, in our population, consisting of persons highly exposed to FVIII concentrates, (very low-titer) inhibitors were detected only in a small proportion of persons, reflecting a well-tolerized population. Hence, our findings suggest that only a small subpopulation of non-neutralizing FVIII-specific antibodies is associated with clinically relevant inhibitors.</p

The spectrum of neutralizing and non-neutralizing anti-FVIII antibodies in a nationwide cohort of 788 persons with hemophilia A

Objectives: Anti-factor VIII (FVIII) antibodies have been reported to exhibit both neutralizing and non-neutralizing characteristics. This is the first study investigating the full spectrum of FVIII-specific antibodies, including non-neutralizing antibodies, very-low titer inhibitors, and inhibitors, in a large nationwide population of persons with hemophilia A of all severities. Methods: All persons with hemophilia A (mild (FVIII &gt; 5–40 IU/dL)/moderate [FVIII 1–5 IU/dL)/severe (FVIII &lt; 1 IU/dL)] with an available plasma sample who participated in the sixth Hemophilia in the Netherlands study between 2018 and 2019 were included. The presence of anti-FVIII antibodies of the immunoglobulin A, M, and G isotypes and IgG subclasses, along with antibody titer levels, were assessed using direct-binding ELISAs. FVIII specificity was assessed using a competition-based ELISA approach. The inhibitor status was determined using the Nijmegen ultra-sensitive Bethesda assay (NusBA) and the Nijmegen Bethesda assay (NBA). Results: In total, 788 persons with hemophilia A (336 (42.6%) mild, 123 (15.6%) moderate, 329 (41.8%) severe hemophilia) were included. The median age was 45 years (IQR 24–60), and the majority (50.9%) had over 150 exposure days to FVIII concentrates. Within our population, 144 (18.3%) individuals had non-neutralizing FVIII-specific antibodies, 10 (1.3%) had very low-titer inhibitors (NusBA positive; NBA negative), and 13 (1.6%) had inhibitors (both NusBA and NBA positive). IgG1 was the most abundant FVIII-specific antibody subclass, and the highest titer levels were found for IgG4. In individuals without a reported history of inhibitor development, no clear differences were observed in antibody patterns between those who were minimally or highly exposed to FVIII concentrates. IgG4 subclass antibodies were only observed in persons with a reported history of FVIII inhibitor or in those with a currently detected (very low-titer) inhibitor. Conclusion: In this cross-sectional study, we identified non-neutralizing antibodies in a relatively large proportion of persons with hemophilia A. In contrast, in our population, consisting of persons highly exposed to FVIII concentrates, (very low-titer) inhibitors were detected only in a small proportion of persons, reflecting a well-tolerized population. Hence, our findings suggest that only a small subpopulation of non-neutralizing FVIII-specific antibodies is associated with clinically relevant inhibitors.</p