g9/2g_{9/2} neutron strength in the N=29N=29 isotones and the 52^{52}Cr(d,pd,p)53^{53}Cr reaction

We performed a measurement of the $^{52}$Cr$(d,p)^{53}$Cr reaction at 16 MeV using the Florida State University Super-Enge Split-Pole Spectrograph (SE-SPS) and observed 26 states. While all of the states observed here had been seen in previous $(d,p)$ experiments, we changed five $L$ assignments from those reported previously and determined $L$ values for nine states that had not had such assignments made previously. The $g_{9/2}$ neutron strength observed in $^{53}$Cr in the present work and in the $N=29$ isotones $^{49}$Ca, $^{51}$Ti, and $^{55}$Fe via $(d,p)$ reactions is much smaller than the sum rule for this strength. Most of the observed $L=4$ strength in these nuclei is located in states near 4 MeV excitation energy. The remaining $g_{9/2}$ strength may be located in the continuum or may be fragmented among many bound states. A covariant density functional theory calculation provides support for the hypothesis that the $g_{9/2}$ neutron orbit is unbound in $^{53}$Cr. The ($\alpha,^3$He) reaction may provide a more sensitive probe for the missing $g_{9/2}$ neutron strength. In addition, particle-$\gamma$ coincidence experiments may help resolve some remaining questions in this nucleus.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2212.0438

Sharing More than Friendship — Nasal Colonization with Coagulase-Positive Staphylococci (CPS) and Co-Habitation Aspects of Dogs and Their Owners

BACKGROUND: Since the relationship between dogs and their owners has changed, and dogs moved from being working dogs to family members in post-industrial countries, we hypothesized that zoonotic transmission of opportunistic pathogens like coagulase positive staphylococci (CPS) is likely between dogs and their owners. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: CPS- nasal carriage, different aspects of human-to-dog relationship as well as potential interspecies transmission risk factors were investigated by offering nasal swabs and a questionnaire to dog owners (108) and their dogs (108) at a dog show in 2009. S. aureus was found in swabs of 20 (18.5%) humans and two dogs (1.8%), and spa types which correspond to well known human S. aureus lineages dominated (e.g. CC45, CC30 and CC22). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of the two canine strains revealed ST72 and ST2065 (single locus variant of ST34). Fifteen dogs (13.9%) and six owners (5.6%) harboured S. pseudintermedius, including one mecA-positive human isolate (MRSP). Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed that one dog/owner pair harboured indistinguishable S. pseudintermedius- isolates of ST33. Ten (48%) of the 21 S. pseudintermedius-isolates showed resistance towards more than one antimicrobial class. 88.9% of the dog owners reported to allow at least one dog into the house, 68.5% allow the dog(s) to rest on the sofa, 39.8% allow their dogs to come onto the bed, 93.5% let them lick their hands and 52.8% let them lick their face. Bivariate analysis of putative risk factors revealed that dog owners who keep more than two dogs have a significantly higher chance of being colonized with S. pseudintermedius than those who keep 1-2 dogs (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS: In conclusion, CPS transmission between dog owners and their dogs is possible. Further investigation regarding interspecies transmission and the diverse adaptive pathways influencing the epidemiology of CPS (including MRSA and MRSP) in different hosts is needed

Study of the Alm 26 (d,p) Al 27 Reaction and the Influence of the Al 26 0+ Isomer on the Destruction of Al 26 in the Galaxy

The existence of Al26 (t1/2=7.17×105 yr) in the interstellar medium provides a direct confirmation of ongoing nucleosynthesis in the Galaxy. The presence of a low-lying 0+ isomer (Al26m), however, severely complicates the astrophysical calculations. We present for the first time a study of the Al26m(d,p)Al27 reaction using an isomeric Al26 beam. The selectivity of this reaction allowed the study of â.,"=0 transfers to T=1/2, and T=3/2 states in Al27. Mirror symmetry arguments were then used to constrain the Al26m(p,γ)Si27 reaction rate and provide an experimentally determined upper limit of the rate for the destruction of isomeric Al26 via radiative proton capture reactions, which is expected to dominate the destruction path of Al26m in asymptotic giant branch stars, classical novae, and core collapse supernovae

Evaluation of LHP® (1% hydrogen peroxide) cream versus petrolatum and untreated controls in open wounds in healthy horses: a randomized, blinded control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Treatment and protection of wounds in horses can be challenging; protecting bandages may be difficult to apply on the proximal extremities and the body. Unprotected wounds carry an increased risk of bacterial contamination and subsequent infection which can lead to delayed wound healing. Topical treatment with antimicrobials is one possibility to prevent bacterial colonization or infection, but the frequent use of antimicrobials ultimately leads to development of bacterial resistance which is an increasing concern in both human and veterinary medicine.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Standardized wounds were created in 10 Standardbred mares. Three wounds were made in each horse. Two wounds were randomly treated with LHP^®or petrolatum and the third wound served as untreated control. All wounds were assessed daily until complete epithelization. Protocol data were recorded on day 2, 6, 11, 16, 21 and 28. Data included clinical scores for inflammation and healing, photoplanimetry for calculating wound areas and swab cytology to assess bacterial colonization and inflammation. Bacterial cultures were obtained on day 2, 6 and 16.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean time to complete healing for LHP^®treated wounds was 32 days (95%CI = 26.9-37.7). Mean time to complete healing for petrolatum and untreated control wounds were 41.6 days (95%CI = 36.2-47.0) and 44.0 days (95%CI = 38.6-49.4) respectively. Wound healing occurred significantly faster in LHP^®wounds compared to both petrolatum (p = 0.0004) and untreated controls (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in time for healing between petrolatum and untreated controls. Total scores for bacteria and neutrophils were significantly (p < 0.0001) lower for LHP^®treated wounds compared to petrolatum from day 16 and onwards. <it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>and <it>Streptococcus zooepidemicus </it>were only found in cultures from petrolatum treated wounds and untreated controls.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Treatment with LHP^®reduced bacterial colonization and was associated with earlier complete wound healing. LHP^®cream appears to be safe and effective for topical wound treatment or wound protection.</p

Search for Eccentric Black Hole Coalescences during the Third Observing Run of LIGO and Virgo

Despite the growing number of confident binary black hole coalescences observed through gravitational waves so far, the astrophysical origin of these binaries remains uncertain. Orbital eccentricity is one of the clearest tracers of binary formation channels. Identifying binary eccentricity, however, remains challenging due to the limited availability of gravitational waveforms that include effects of eccentricity. Here, we present observational results for a waveform-independent search sensitive to eccentric black hole coalescences, covering the third observing run (O3) of the LIGO and Virgo detectors. We identified no new high-significance candidates beyond those that were already identified with searches focusing on quasi-circular binaries. We determine the sensitivity of our search to high-mass (total mass $M>70$ $M_\odot$) binaries covering eccentricities up to 0.3 at 15 Hz orbital frequency, and use this to compare model predictions to search results. Assuming all detections are indeed quasi-circular, for our fiducial population model, we place an upper limit for the merger rate density of high-mass binaries with eccentricities $0 < e \leq 0.3$ at $0.33$ Gpc$^{-3}$ yr$^{-1}$ at 90\% confidence level.Comment: 24 pages, 5 figure