Feasibility of extracting a Σ−\Sigma^- admixture probability in the neutron-rich Λ10^{10}_{\Lambda}Li hypernucleus

We examine theoretically production of the neutron-rich $^{10}_{\Lambda}$Li hypernucleus by a double-charge exchange ($\pi^-$, $K^+$) reaction on a $^{10}$B target with distorted-wave impulse approximation calculations. The result shows that the magnitude and shape of the calculated spectrum at 1.20 GeV/c by a one-step mechanism $\pi^-p \to K^+ \Sigma^-$ via $\Sigma^-$ doorways caused by a $\Sigma^-p \leftrightarrow \Lambda n$ coupling can explain the recent experimental data, and the $\Sigma^-$ admixture probability in $^{10}_{\Lambda}$Li is found to be the order of 10$^{-1}$ %. The ($\pi^-$, $K^+$) reaction provides a capability of extracting properties of wave functions with $\Lambda$-$\Sigma$ coupling effects in neutron-rich nuclei, together with the reaction mechanism.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure

Measuring the brightness temperature distribution of extragalactic radio sources with space VLBI

We have used VSOP space very long baseline interferometry observations to measure the brightness temperature distribution of a well-defined sub-set of the Pearson-Readhead sample of extragalactic radio sources. VLBI which is restricted to Earth-diameter baselines is not generally sensitive to emitting regions with brightness temperatures greater than approximately $10^{12}$ K, coincidentally close to theoretical estimates of brightness temperature limits, $10^{11} - 10^{12}$ K. We find that a significant proportion of our sample have brightness temperatures greater than $10^{12}$ K; many have unresolved components on the longest baselines, and some remain completely unresolved. These observations begin to bridge the gap between the extended jets seen with ground-based VLBI and the microarcsecond structures inferred from intraday variability, evidenced here by the discovery of a relationship between intraday variability and VSOP-measured brightness temperature, likely due to the effects of relativistic beaming. Also, lower limits on jet Lorentz factors, estimated from space VLBI observations, are starting to challenge numerical simulations that predict low Lorentz factor jets.Comment: 4 pages + 1 figure, ApJ letters, accepte

The ability of freeze-dried bull spermatozoa to induce calcium oscillations and resumption of meiosis

The objective was to investigate the ability of freeze-dried (FD) bull spermatozoa to induce calcium oscillations in mouse oocytes and meiosis resumption in in vitro-matured bovine oocytes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Bull spermatozoa were freeze-dried and stored for 1 y at +25, +4, or -196 degrees C. In the first experiment, rehydrated sperm heads were microinseminated into hybrid mouse oocytes loaded with fluo-3/AM, and the kinetics of intracellular calcium concentration was monitored for I h. Repetitive increases of intracellular calcium concentration were recorded in the majority of injected oocytes, with exception of a few oocytes injected with FD sperm heads stored at +4 degrees C (11%) and +25 degrees C (8%) that exhibited a single increase or no response (non-oscillated). The proportion of oocytes that oscillated with high frequency (>= 10 spikes/h) was higher in the non-dried control group (79%; P < 0.05) than in the FD groups (58, 55, and 54% for storage at -196, +4, and +25 degrees C, respectively). In the second experiment, control and FD spermatozoa were microinseminated into in vitro-matured, denuded bovine oocytes. The oocytes were fixed and stained 12 h after ICSI. A higher proportion of bovine oocytes injected with control spermatozoa (70%; P < 0.05) resumed meiosis than those injected with +25, +4 and -196 degrees C stored FD spermatozoa (53, 48, and 57%, respectively). The proportion of ICSI oocytes that developed to the pronuclear stage (complete activation) was higher in the control group (64%; P < 0.05) than those in all the FD groups (34, 27, and 28% for storage at -196, +4, and +25 degrees C, respectively). Thus, the ability of bull spermatozoa to induce frequent intracellular calcium spikes in mouse oocytes was impaired by the process of freeze-drying, without differences among storage at +25, +4 or -196 degrees C, probably resulting in a lower proportion of bovine oocytes that resumed meiosis and/or developed to the pronuclear stage.ArticleTHERIOGENOLOGY. 71(3):543-552 (2009)journal articl

Space VLBI Observations of 3C 279 at 1.6 and 5 GHz

We present the first VLBI Space Observatory Programme (VSOP) observations of the gamma-ray blazar 3C 279 at 1.6 and 5 GHz. The combination of the VSOP and VLBA-only images at these two frequencies maps the jet structure on scales from 1 to 100 mas. On small angular scales the structure is dominated by the quasar core and the bright secondary component `C4' located 3 milliarcseconds from the core (at this epoch). On larger angular scales the structure is dominated by a jet extending to the southwest, which at the largest scale seen in these images connects with the smallest scale structure seen in VLA images. We have exploited two of the main strengths of VSOP: the ability to obtain matched-resolution images to ground-based images at higher frequencies and the ability to measure high brightness temperatures. A spectral index map was made by combining the VSOP 1.6 GHz image with a matched-resolution VLBA-only image at 5 GHz from our VSOP observation on the following day. The spectral index map shows the core to have a highly inverted spectrum, with some areas having a spectral index approaching the limiting value for synchrotron self-absorbed radiation of 2.5. Gaussian model fits to the VSOP visibilities revealed high brightness temperatures (>10^{12} K) that are difficult to measure with ground-only arrays. An extensive error analysis was performed on the brightness temperature measurements. Most components did not have measurable brightness temperature upper limits, but lower limits were measured as high as 5x10^{12} K. This lower limit is significantly above both the nominal inverse Compton and equipartition brightness temperature limits. The derived Doppler factor, Lorentz factor, and angle to the line-of-sight in the case of the equipartition limit are at the upper end of the range of expected values for EGRET blazars.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, emulateapj.sty, To be published in The Astrophysical Journal, v537, Jul 1, 200

Evidence for higher nodal band states with 3^3He cluster structure in 19^{19}Ne and prerainbows in 3^3He+16^{16}O scattering

The existence of a higher nodal band state with a $^{3}$He cluster structure, i.e. a vibrational mode in which the inter-cluster relative motion is excited, in $^{19}$Ne in addition to those with the $\alpha$ cluster structure in $^{20}$Ne and the $^{16}$O cluster structure in $^{32}$S, is suggested, which reinforces the importance of the concept of $^3$He-clustering in nuclei. This conclusion was reached by investigating $^{3}$He scattering from $^{16}$O in a wide range of incident energies and prerainbow oscillations

Establishing the cut-off point for the Oppositional Defiant Behavior Inventory

The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com.ArticlePSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES. 62(1): 120-122 (2008)journal articl