164 research outputs found
Evolution of E2 transition strength in deformed hafnium isotopes from new measurements on Hf, Hf, and Hf
The available data for E2 transition strengths in the region between
neutron-deficient Hf and Pt isotopes are far from complete. More and precise
data are needed to enhance the picture of structure evolution in this region
and to test state-of-the-art nuclear models. In a simple model, the maximum
collectivity is expected at the middle of the major shell. However, for actual
nuclei, this picture may no longer be the case, and one should use a more
realistic nuclear-structure model. We address this point by studying the
spectroscopy of Hf. We remeasure the 2^+_1 half-lives of 172,174,176Hf, for
which there is some disagreement in the literature. The main goal is to
measure, for the first time, the half-lives of higher-lying states of the
rotational band. The new results are compared to a theoretical calculation for
absolute transition strengths. The half-lives were measured using \gamma-\gamma
and conversion-electron-\gamma delayed coincidences with the fast timing
method. For the determination of half-lives in the picosecond region, the
generalized centroid difference method was applied. For the theoretical
calculation of the spectroscopic properties, the interacting boson model is
employed, whose Hamiltonian is determined based on microscopic energy-density
functional calculations. The measured 2^+_1 half-lives disagree with results
from earlier \gamma-\gamma fast timing measurements, but are in agreement with
data from Coulomb excitation experiments and other methods. Half-lives of the
4^+_1 and 6^+_1 states were measured, as well as a lower limit for the 8^+_1
states. We show the importance of the mass-dependence of effective boson charge
in the description of E2 transition rates in chains of nuclei. It encourages
further studies of the microscopic origin of this mass dependence. New data on
transition rates in nuclei from neighboring isotopic chains could support these
studies.Comment: 16 pages, 16 figures, 7 tables; Abstract shortened due to character
limi
Low-energy Coulomb excitation of Fe and Mn following in-beam decay of Mn
Sub-barrier Coulomb-excitation was performed on a mixed beam of Mn and
Fe, following in-trap decay of Mn at REX-ISOLDE,
CERN. The trapping and charge breeding times were varied in order to alter the
composition of the beam, which was measured by means of an ionisation chamber
at the zero-angle position of the Miniball array. A new transition was observed
at 418~keV, which has been tentatively associated to a
transition. This fixes the relative
positions of the -decaying and states in Mn for
the first time. Population of the state was observed in Fe
and the cross-section determined by normalisation to the Ag target
excitation, confirming the value measured in recoil-distance lifetime
experiments.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figure
Infrastructure for Detector Research and Development towards the International Linear Collider
The EUDET-project was launched to create an infrastructure for developing and
testing new and advanced detector technologies to be used at a future linear
collider. The aim was to make possible experimentation and analysis of data for
institutes, which otherwise could not be realized due to lack of resources. The
infrastructure comprised an analysis and software network, and instrumentation
infrastructures for tracking detectors as well as for calorimetry.Comment: 54 pages, 48 picture
Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α gene polymorphisms and cancer risk: a meta-analysis
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The results from the published studies on the association between <it>hypoxia-inducible factor -1α </it>(HIF-1α) polymorphisms and cancer risk are conflicting. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the association between <it>HIF-1α </it>1772 C/T and 1790 G/A polymorphisms and cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The meta-analysis for 1772 C/T polymorphism included 4131 cancer cases and 5387 controls, and for 1790 G/A polymorphism included 2058 cancer cases and 3026 controls. Allelic and genotypic comparisons between cases and controls were evaluated. Subgroup analyses by cancer types, ethnicity, and gender were also performed. We included prostate cancer in male subgroup, and female specific cancers in female subgroup.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For the 1772 C/T polymorphism, the analysis showed that the T allele and genotype TT were significantly associated with higher cancer risk: odds ratio (OR) = 1.29 [95% confidence interval (CI, 1.01, 1.65)], P = 0.04, P<sub>heterogeneity </sub>< 0.00001, and OR = 2.18 [95% CI (1.32, 3.62)], P = 0.003, P<sub>heterogeneity </sub>= 0.02, respectively. The effect of the genotype TT on cancer especially exists in Caucasians and female subjects: OR = 2.40 [95% CI (1.26, 4.59)], P = 0.008, P<sub>heterogeneity </sub>= 0.02, and OR = 3.60 [95% CI (1.17, 11.11)], P = 0.03, P<sub>heterogeneity </sub>= 0.02, respectively. For the 1790 G/A polymorphism, the pooled ORs for allelic frequency comparison and dominant model comparison suggested a significant association of 1790 G/A polymorphism with a decreased breast cancer risk: OR = 0.28 [95% CI (0.08, 0.90)], P = 0.03, P<sub>heterogeneity </sub>= 0.45, and OR = 0.29 [95% CI (0.09, 0.97)], P = 0.04, P<sub>heterogeneity </sub>= 0.41, respectively. The frequency of the <it>HIF-1α </it>1790 A allele was very low and only two studies were included in the breast cancer subgroup.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our meta-analysis suggests that the <it>HIF-1α </it>1772 C/T polymorphism is significantly associated with higher cancer risk, and 1790 G/A polymorphism is significantly associated with decreased breast cancer risk. The effect of the 1772 C/T polymorphism on cancer especially exists in Caucasians and female subjects. Only female specific cancers were included in female subgroup, which indicates that the 1772 C/T polymorphism is significantly associated with an increased risk for female specific cancers. The association between the 1790 G/A polymorphism and lower breast cancer risk could be due to chance.</p
Therapeutic potential of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate in the management of acute stroke
The nitric oxide donor, glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), is a candidate treatment for the management of acute stroke with haemodynamic and potential reperfusion and neuroprotective effects. When administered as a transdermal patch during the acute and subacute phases after stroke, GTN was safe, lowered blood pressure, maintained cerebral blood flow, and did not induce cerebral steal or alter functional outcome. However, when given within 6 h of stroke onset, GTN reduced death and dependency (odds ratio 0.52; 95% confidence interval 0.34–0.78), death, disability, cognitive impairment and mood disturbance, and improved quality of life (data from two trials, n = 312). In a pooled analysis of four studies (n = 186), GTN reduced between-visit systolic blood pressure variability over days 1–7 compared with no GTN (mean difference -2.09; 95% confidence interval -3.83 to -0.35; p = 0.019). The efficacy of GTN given in the ultra-acute/pre-hospital setting is currently being assessed and, if found to be beneficial, the implications for hyperacute stroke practice are significant. Here, we discuss the evidence to date, potential mechanisms of action and future possibilities, including unanswered questions, for the therapeutic potential of GTN in acute stroke
Tai Chi on psychological well-being: systematic review and meta-analysis
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Physical activity and exercise appear to improve psychological health. However, the quantitative effects of Tai Chi on psychological well-being have rarely been examined. We systematically reviewed the effects of Tai Chi on stress, anxiety, depression and mood disturbance in eastern and western populations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eight English and 3 Chinese databases were searched through March 2009. Randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled studies and observational studies reporting at least 1 psychological health outcome were examined. Data were extracted and verified by 2 reviewers. The randomized trials in each subcategory of health outcomes were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model. The quality of each study was assessed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Forty studies totaling 3817 subjects were identified. Approximately 29 psychological measurements were assessed. Twenty-one of 33 randomized and nonrandomized trials reported that 1 hour to 1 year of regular Tai Chi significantly increased psychological well-being including reduction of stress (effect size [ES], 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23 to 1.09), anxiety (ES, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.29 to 1.03), and depression (ES, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.80), and enhanced mood (ES, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.69) in community-dwelling healthy participants and in patients with chronic conditions. Seven observational studies with relatively large sample sizes reinforced the beneficial association between Tai Chi practice and psychological health.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Tai Chi appears to be associated with improvements in psychological well-being including reduced stress, anxiety, depression and mood disturbance, and increased self-esteem. Definitive conclusions were limited due to variation in designs, comparisons, heterogeneous outcomes and inadequate controls. High-quality, well-controlled, longer randomized trials are needed to better inform clinical decisions.</p
Coronal microleakage of endodontically treated teeth with intracanal post exposed to fresh human saliva
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the coronal microleakage of endodontically treated teeth prepared to receive an intracanal post and teeth with an intracanal post but without a prosthetic crown and exposed to contamination by fresh human saliva. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A mechanical-chemical preparation following the step-back technique was carried out in 35 extracted single-rooted human teeth. The teeth were randomly divided into five groups: G1=root canals instrumented, obturated, and prepared to receive an intracanal post (N=10); G2=root canals with cemented posts but without coronal sealing (N=10); PC1=positive control root canals instrumented and open (N=5); PC2=positive control 2 root canals without instrumentation and open (N=5); and NC=negative control healthy teeth (N=5). The crowns were removed except for the control group of intact teeth. The root canals were obturated and sterilized with cobalt 60 gamma irradiation and were then adapted in an apparatus using a Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) medium and fresh human saliva for contamination. Microbial growth was indicated by the presence of turbidity in the BHI liquid medium. RESULTS: Data were submitted to the Kaplan-Meier Survival Analysis and the Holm-Sidak statistic method, which observed an index of 90% of microleakage in root canals after 24 hours for G1 and 70% of microleakage in samples at the end of 40 days for G2. CONCLUSION: The results show that root canals with an intracanal post but without a prosthetic crown can be recontaminated when exposed to fresh human saliva in a short period
- …