146 research outputs found
Vanishing spin alignment : experimental indication of triaxial nuclear molecule
Fragment-fragment- coincidences have been measured for at an energy corresponding to the population of a conjectured
resonance in Ni. Fragment angular distributions as well as -ray
angular correlations indicate that the spin orientations of the outgoing
fragments are perpendicular to the orbital angular momentum. This differs from
the and the resonances, and
suggests two oblate nuclei interacting in an equator-to-equator
molecular configuration.Comment: 14 pages standard REVTeX file, 3 ps Figures -- Accepted for
publication in Physical Review C (Rapid Communication
Collective Modes of Tri-Nuclear Molecules
A geometrical model for tri-nuclear molecules is presented. An analytical
solution is obtained provided the nuclei, which are taken to be prolately
deformed, are connected in line to each other. Furthermore, the tri-nuclear
molecule is composed of two heavy and one light cluster, the later sandwiched
between the two heavy clusters. A basis is constructed in which Hamiltonians of
more general configurations can be diagonalized. In the calculation of the
interaction between the clusters higher multipole deformations are taken into
account, including the hexadecupole one. A repulsive nuclear core is introduced
in the potential in order to insure a quasi-stable configuration of the system.
The model is applied to three nuclear molecules, namely Sr + Be +
Ba, Mo + Be + Te and Ru + Be +
Sn.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figure
From the stable to the exotic: clustering in light nuclei
A great deal of research work has been undertaken in alpha-clustering study
since the pioneering discovery of 12C+12C molecular resonances half a century
ago. Our knowledge on physics of nuclear molecules has increased considerably
and nuclear clustering remains one of the most fruitful domains of nuclear
physics, facing some of the greatest challenges and opportunities in the years
ahead. The occurrence of "exotic" shapes in light N=Z alpha-like nuclei is
investigated. Various approaches of the superdeformed and hyperdeformed bands
associated with quasimolecular resonant structures are presented. Evolution of
clustering from stability to the drip-lines is examined: clustering aspects
are, in particular, discussed for light exotic nuclei with large neutron excess
such as neutron-rich Oxygen isotopes with their complete spectroscopy.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, Presented at the International Symposium on "New
Horizons in Fundamental Physics - From Neutrons Nuclei via Superheavy
Elements and Supercritical Fields to Neutron Stars and Cosmic Rays" held at
Makutsi Safari Farm, South Africa, December 23-29, 2015. arXiv admin note:
substantial text overlap with arXiv:1402.6590, arXiv:1303.0960,
arXiv:1408.0684, arXiv:1011.342
Nuclear Alpha-Particle Condensates
The -particle condensate in nuclei is a novel state described by a
product state of 's, all with their c.o.m. in the lowest 0S orbit. We
demonstrate that a typical -particle condensate is the Hoyle state
( MeV, state in C), which plays a crucial role for
the synthesis of C in the universe. The influence of antisymmentrization
in the Hoyle state on the bosonic character of the particle is
discussed in detail. It is shown to be weak. The bosonic aspects in the Hoyle
state, therefore, are predominant. It is conjectured that -particle
condensate states also exist in heavier nuclei, like O,
Ne, etc. For instance the state of O at MeV
is identified from a theoretical analysis as being a strong candidate of a
condensate. The calculated small width (34 keV) of ,
consistent with data, lends credit to the existence of heavier Hoyle-analogue
states. In non-self-conjugated nuclei such as B and C, we discuss
candidates for the product states of clusters, composed of 's,
triton's, and neutrons etc. The relationship of -particle condensation
in finite nuclei to quartetting in symmetric nuclear matter is investigated
with the help of an in-medium modified four-nucleon equation. A nonlinear order
parameter equation for quartet condensation is derived and solved for
particle condensation in infinite nuclear matter. The strong qualitative
difference with the pairing case is pointed out.Comment: 71 pages, 41 figures, review article, to be published in "Cluster in
Nuclei (Lecture Notes in Physics) - Vol.2 -", ed. by C. Beck,
(Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2011
Effect of Potato virus X on total phenol and alkaloid contents in Datura stramonium leaves
Economic Evaluations of Occupational Health Interventions from a Company’s Perspective: A Systematic Review of Methods to Estimate the Cost of Health-Related Productivity Loss
Objectives: To investigate the methods used to estimate the indirect costs of health-related productivity in economic evaluations from a company’s perspective. Methods: The primary literature search was conducted in Medline and Embase. Supplemental searches were conducted in the Cochrane NHS Economic Evaluation Database, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health database, the Ryerson International Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Index database, scans of reference lists and researcher’s own literature database. Article selection was conducted independently by two researchers based on title, keywords, and abstract, and if needed, full text. Differences were resolved by a consensus procedure. Articles were selected based on seven criteria addressing study population, type of intervention, comparative intervention, outcome, costs, language and perspective, respectively. Characteristics of the measurement and valuation of health-related productivity were extracted and analyzed descriptively. Results: A total of 34 studies were included. Costs of health-related productivity were estimated using (a combination of) data related to sick leave, compensated sick leave, light or modified duty or work presenteeism. Data were collected from different sources (e.g. administrative databases, worker self-report, supervisors) and by different methods (e.g. questionnaires, interviews). Valuation varied in terms of reported time units, composition and source of the corresponding price weights, and whether additional elements, such as replacement costs, were included. Conclusions: Methods for measuring and valuing health-related productivity vary widely, hindering comparability of results and decision-making. We provide suggestions for improvement
Expression and localisation of Akt-1, Akt-2 and Akt-3 correlate with clinical outcome of prostate cancer patients
We investigated the correlation between the expression and localisation of Akt-1, Akt-2, Akt-3, phospho-Akt proteins and the clinicopathological parameters in 63 prostate cancer specimens. More than 60% of cancerous tissues overexpressed Akt-1, Akt-2 or Akt-3. Cytoplasmic Akt-1 expression was correlated with a higher risk of postoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence and shorter PSA recurrence interval. Cytoplasmic Akt-2 did not show any significant correlation with clinicopathological parameters predicting outcomes. Cytoplasmic Akt-3 was associated with hormone-refractory disease progression and extracapsular invasion. Nuclear Akt-1 and Akt-2 expression were correlated with favourable outcome parameters such as absence of lymph node and perineural invasion. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox regression model also showed that Akt-1 and Akt-2, but not Akt-3 or phospho-Akt was associated with a significantly higher risk of PSA recurrence. In contrast, nuclear Akt-1 was significantly associated with a lower risk of PSA recurrence. Multivariate analysis revealed that clinical stage, Gleason score and the combined cytoplasmic nuclear Akt-1 marker in cancerous tissues were significant independent prognostic factors of PSA recurrence. This is the first report demonstrating in patients with prostate cancer and the particular role of Akt-1 isoform expression as a prognostic marker depending of its localisation
Stay@Work: Participatory Ergonomics to prevent low back and neck pain among workers: design of a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the (cost-)effectiveness
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Low back pain (LBP) and neck pain (NP) are a major public health problem with considerable costs for individuals, companies and society. Therefore, prevention is imperative. The Stay@Work study investigates the (cost-)effectiveness of Participatory Ergonomics (PE) to prevent LBP and NP among workers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a randomised controlled trial (RCT), a total of 5,759 workers working at 36 departments of four companies is expected to participate in the study at baseline. The departments consisting of about 150 workers are pre-stratified and randomised. The control departments receive usual practice and the intervention departments receive PE. Within each intervention department a working group is formed including eight workers, a representative of the management, and an occupational health and safety coordinator. During a one day meeting, the working group follows the steps of PE in which the most important risk factors for LBP and NP, and the most adequate ergonomic measures are identified on the basis of group consensus. The implementation of ergonomic measures at the department is performed by the working group. To improve the implementation process, so-called 'ergocoaches' are trained.</p> <p>The primary outcome measure is an episode of LBP and NP. Secondary outcome measures are actual use of ergonomic measures, physical workload, psychosocial workload, intensity of pain, general health status, sick leave, and work productivity. The cost-effectiveness analysis is performed from the societal and company perspective. Outcome measures are assessed using questionnaires at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. Data on the primary outcome as well as on intensity of pain, sick leave, work productivity, and health care costs are collected every 3 months.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Prevention of LBP and NP is beneficial for workers, employers, and society. If the intervention is proven (cost-)effective, the intervention can have a major impact on LBP and NP prevention and, thereby, on work disability prevention. Results are expected in 2010.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ISRCTN27472278</p
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