215 research outputs found
Sensitivity of exclusive proton knockout spin observables to different Lorentz invariant representations of the NN interaction
Within the framework of the relativistic plane wave impulse approximation, we
study the observable consequences of employing a complete Lorentz invariant
representation of the NN scattering matrix in terms of 44 independent
amplitudes, as opposed to the previously-employed, but ambiguous, five-term
Lorentz invariant parametrization of the NN scattering matrix, for the
prediction of complete sets of exclusive () polarization
transfer observables. Two kinematic conditions are considered, namely proton
knockout from the state of Pb at an incident energy of 202
MeV for coplanar scattering angles (), as well as
an incident energy of 392 MeV for the angle pair (). The results indicate that certain spin observables are ideal
for discriminating between the two representations.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figures, Revtex, To be published in Phys. Rev.
Nuclear medium modifications of the NN interaction via quasielastic () and () scattering
Within the relativistic PWIA, spin observables have been recalculated for
quasielastic () and () reactions on a Ca
target. The incident proton energy ranges from 135 to 300 MeV while the
transferred momentum is kept fixed at 1.97 fm^{-1}. In the present
calculations, new Horowitz-Love--Franey relativistic NN amplitudes have been
generated in order to yield improved and more quantitative spin observable
values than before. The sensitivities of the various spin observables to the NN
interaction parameters, such as (1) the presence of the surrounding nuclear
medium, (2) a pseudoscalar versus a pseudovector interaction term, and (3)
exchange effects, point to spin observables which should preferably be measured
at certain laboratory proton energies, in order to test current nuclear models.
This study also shows that nuclear medium effects become more important at
lower proton energies ( 200 MeV). A comparison to the limited available
data indicates that the relativistic parametrization of the NN scattering
amplitudes in terms of only the five Fermi invariants (the SVPAT form) is
questionable.Comment: 10 pages, 6 Postscript figures, uses psfig.sty and article.sty,
submitted to Phys. Rev.
Polarization transfer observables for quasielastic proton-nucleus scattering in terms of a complete Lorentz invariant representation of the NN scattering matrix
For the calculation of polarization transfer observables for quasielastic
scattering of protons on nuclei, a formalism in the context of the Relativistic
Plane Wave Impulse Approximation is developed, in which the interaction matrix
is expanded in terms of a complete set of 44 independent invariant amplitudes.
A boson-exchange model is used to predict the 39 amplitudes which were omitted
in the formerly used five-term parameterization(the SPVAT form) of the
nucleon-nucleon scattering matrix. Use of the complete set of amplitudes
eliminates the arbitrariness of the five-term representation.Comment: 29 pages, 2 figure
Electromagnetic production of hypernuclei
A formalism for the electromagnetic production of hypernuclei is developed
where the cross section is written as a contraction between a leptonic tensor
and a hadronic tensor. The hadronic tensor is written in a model-independent
way by expanding it in terms of a set of five nuclear structure functions.
These structure functions are calculated by assuming that the virtual photon
interacts with only one bound nucleon. We use the most recent model for the
elementary current operator which gives a good description of the experimental
data for the corresponding elementary process. The bound state wave functions
for the bound nucleon and hyperon are calculated within a relativistic
mean-field model. We calculate the unpolarized triple differential cross
section for the hypernuclear production process e + 12C --> e + K+ +
12_Lambda{B} as a function of the kaon scattering angle. The nuclear structure
functions are calculated within a particle-hole model. The cross section
displays a characteristic form of being large for small values of the kaon
scattering angle with a smooth fall-off to zero with increasing angle. The
shape of the cross section is essentially determined by the nuclear structure
functions. In addition, it is found that for the unpolarized triple
differential cross section one structure function is negligible over the entire
range of the kaon scattering angle.Comment: 33 pages, 13 figure
Quasifree eta photoproduction from nuclei and medium modifications of resonances
We investigate the sensitivity of the differential cross section, recoil
nucleon polarization and the photon asymmetry to changes in the elementary
amplitude, medium modifications of the resonance masses, as
well as nuclear target effects. All calculations are performed within a
relativistic plane wave impulse approximation formalism resulting in analytical
expressions for all observables. The spin observables are shown to be unique
tools to study subtle effects that are not accessible by only looking at the
unpolarized differential cross section.Comment: 27 pages, 8 figures, Revtex, To be published in Phys. Rev.
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Sun Safety and Skin Cancer Risk: achieving consensus
Overexposure to the sun is associated with an increased risk of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer, but indications of improvements in sun protection behavior are poor. Attempts to identify emerging themes in skin cancer control have largely been driven by groups of experts from a single field. In December 2016, 19 experts from various disciplines convened for Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Skin Cancer, a 2-day meeting hosted by the National Academy of Sciences. The group discussed knowledge gaps, perspectives on sun exposure, implications for skin cancer risk and other health outcomes, and new directions. Five themes emerged from the discussion: (1) The definition of risk must be expanded, and categories for skin physiology must be refined to incorporate population diversities. (2) Risky sun exposure often co-occurs with other health-related behaviors. (3) Messages must be nuanced to target at-risk populations. (4) Persons at risk for tanning disorder must be recognized and treated. (5) Sun safety interventions must be scalable. Efficient use of technologies will be required to sharpen messages to specific populations and to integrate them within multilevel interventions. Further interdisciplinary research should address these emerging themes to build effective and sustainable approaches to large-scale behavior change
Novel insights into the cardio-protective effects of FGF21 in lean and obese rat hearts
Aims: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a hepatic metabolic regulator with pleotropic actions. Its plasma concentrations are increased in obesity and diabetes; states associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. We therefore investigated the direct effect of FGF21 on cardio-protection in obese and lean hearts in response to ischemia.
Methods and Results: FGF21, FGF21-receptor 1 (FGFR1) and beta-Klotho (βKlotho) were expressed in rodent, human hearts and primary rat cardiomyocytes. Cardiac FGF21 was expressed and secreted (real time RT-PCR/western blot and ELISA) in an autocrine-paracrine manner, in response to obesity and hypoxia, involving FGFR1-βKlotho components. Cardiac-FGF21 expression and secretion were increased in response to global ischemia. In contrast βKlotho was reduced in obese hearts. In isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes, FGF21 activated PI3K/Akt (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt), ERK1/2(extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) pathways. In Langendorff perfused rat [adult male wild-type wistar] hearts, FGF21 administration induced significant cardio-protection and restoration of function following global ischemia. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt, AMPK, ERK1/2 and ROR-α (retinoic-acid receptor alpha) pathway led to significant decrease of FGF21 induced cardio-protection and restoration of cardiac function in response to global ischemia. More importantly, this cardio-protective response induced by FGF21 was reduced in obesity, although the cardiac expression profiles and circulating FGF21 levels were increased.
Conclusion: In an ex vivo Langendorff system, we show that FGF21 induced cardiac protection and restoration of cardiac function involving autocrine-paracrine pathways, with reduced effect in obesity. Collectively, our findings provide novel insights into FGF21-induced cardiac effects in obesity and ischemia
Design and methods for a cluster randomized trial of the Sunless Study: A skin cancer prevention intervention promoting sunless tanning among beach visitors
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Skin cancer is the most prevalent yet most preventable cancer in the US. While protecting oneself from ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can largely reduce risk, rates of unprotected sun exposure remain high. Because the desire to be tan often outweighs health concerns among sunbathers, very few interventions have been successful at reducing sunbathing behavior. Sunless tanning (self-tanners and spray tans), a method of achieving the suntanned look without UVR exposure, might be an effective supplement to prevention interventions.</p> <p>Methods and Design</p> <p>This cluster randomized trial will examine whether a beach-based intervention that promotes sunless tanning as a substitute for sunbathing and includes sun damage imaging and sun safety recommendations is superior to a questionnaire only control group in reducing sunbathing frequency. Female beach visitors (N = 250) will be recruited from 2 public beaches in eastern Massachusetts. Beach site will be the unit of randomization. Follow-up assessment will occur at the end of the summer (1-month following intervention) and 1 year later. The primary outcome is average sunbathing time per week. The study was designed to provide 90% power for detecting a difference of .70 hours between conditions (standard deviation of 2.0) at 1-year with an intra-cluster correlation coefficient of 0.01 and assuming a 25% rate of loss to follow-up. Secondary outcomes include frequency of sunburns, use of sunless tanning products, and sun protection behavior.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Interventions might be improved by promoting behavioral substitutes for sun exposure, such as sunless tanners, that create a tanned look without exposure to UVR.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>NCT00403377</p
Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility analysis of the Cantera Ignimbrite, San Luis Potosi, México: flow source recognition
Occupational stress in health professionals: a study with Portuguese Nurses
Este trabalho analisa o estresse ocupacional em 286 enfermeiros de hospitais e centros de saúde portugueses. Avaliaram-se as fontes de estresse, o burnout, os problemas de saúde fÃsica, a satisfação e a realização profissional. Os resultados apontaram 30% de enfermeiros com experiências significativas de estresse e 15% com problemas de exaustão emocional. As análises de regressão múltipla apontaram maior capacidade preditiva das dimensões de estresse na exaustão emocional, na saúde fÃsica, na satisfação e na realização profissional. As análises comparativas evidenciaram maiores problemas de stresse e reacções mais negativas ao trabalho nas mulheres, nos enfermeiros mais novos e com menor experiência, nos trabalhadores com contratos a prazo, nos profissionais que realizam trabalho por turnos e nos que trabalham mais horas.This work analyses occupational stress in 286 nurses from hospitals and health care centres in Portugal. The
following dimensions were evaluated: stress, burnout, physical health problems, satisfaction and professional fulfilment.
Results revealed significant stress experiences in 30% of the professionals, and emotional exhaustion problems in 15%.
Multiple regression analysis pointed out stress as an important predictor of emotional exhaustion, physical health, satisfaction
and professional fulfilment. Comparative analysis suggested more occupational stress and professional negative experiences
in the following groups: female nurses, younger and less experienced nurses, those with short-term working contracts, nurses
working on a shift-basis system, and nurses working during long hours.(undefined
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