A bolometric measurement of the antineutrino mass

High statistics calorimetric measurements of the beta spectrum of 187Re are being performed with arrays of silver perrhenate crystals operated at low temperature. After a modification of the experimental set-up, which allowed to substantially reduce the background of spurious counts and therefore to increase the sensitivity on the electron antineutrino mass, a new measurement with 10 silver perrhenate microbolometers is running since July 2002. The crystals have masses between 250 and 350 micrograms and their average FWHM energy resolution, constantly monitored by means of fluorescence X-rays, is of 28.3 eV at the beta end-point. The Kurie plot collected during 4485 hours x mg effective running time has an end-point energy of 2466.1 +/- 0.8{stat} +/- 1.5 {syst} eV, while the half lifetime of the decay is found to be 43.2 +/- 0.2{stat} +/- 0.1{syst} Gy. These values are the most precise obtained so far for 187Re. From the fit of the Kurie plot we can deduce a value for the squared electron antineutrino mass m(nu)^2 of 147 +/- 237{stat} +/- 90{syst} eV^2. The corresponding 90% C.L. upper limit for m(nu) is 21.7 eV.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Identification and quantification of major faba bean seed proteins

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) holds great importance for human and animal nutrition for its high protein content. However, better understanding of its seed protein composition is required in order to develop cultivars that meet market demands for plant proteins with specific quality attributes. In this study, we screened 35 diverse Vicia faba genotypes by employing the one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1D SDS-PAGE) method, and 35 major protein bands obtained from three genotypes with contrasting seed protein profiles were further analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS). Twenty-five of these protein bands (MW range: ∼ 9–107 kDa) had significant (p ≤ 0.05) matches to polypeptides in protein databases. MS analysis showed that most of the analyzed protein bands contained more than one protein type and, in total, over 100 proteins were identified. These included major seed storage proteins such as legumin, vicilin, and convicilin, as well as other protein classes like lipoxygenase, heat shock proteins, sucrose-binding proteins, albumin, and defensin. Furthermore, seed protein extracts were separated by size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (SE-HPLC), and percentages of the major protein classes were determined. On average, legumin and vicilin/convicilin accounted for 50 and 27% of the total protein extract, respectively. However, the proportions of these proteins varied considerably among genotypes, with the ratio of legumin:vicilin/convicilin ranging from 1:1 to 1:3. In addition, there was a significant (p < 0.01) negative correlation between the contents of these major fractions (r = −0.83). This study significantly extends the number of identified Vicia faba seed proteins and reveals new qualitative and quantitative variation in seed protein composition, filling a significant gap in the literature. Moreover, the germplasm and screening methods presented here are expected to contribute in selecting varieties with improved protein content and quality

Conformal Symmetry and Duality between Free Particle, H-atom and Harmonic Oscillator

We establish a duality between the free massless relativistic particle in d dimensions, the non-relativistic hydrogen atom (1/r potential) in (d-1) space dimensions, and the harmonic oscillator in (d-2) space dimensions with its mass given as the lightcone momentum of an additional dimension. The duality is in the sense that the classical action of these systems are gauge fixed forms of the same worldline gauge theory action at the classical level, and they are all described by the same unitary representation of the conformal group SO(d,2) at the quantum level. The worldline action has a gauge symmetry Sp(2) which treats canonical variables (x,p) as doublets and exists only with a target spacetime that has d spacelike dimensions and two timelike dimensions. This spacetime is constrained due to the gauge symmetry, and the various dual solutions correspond to solutions of the constraints with different topologies. For example, for the H-atom the two timelike dimensions X^{0'},X^{0} live on a circle. The model provides an example of how realistic physics can be viewed as existing in a larger covariant space that includes two timelike coordinates, and how the covariance in the larger space unifies different looking physics into a single system.Comment: Latex, 23 pages, minor improvements. In v3 a better gauge choice for u for the H-atom is made; the results are the sam

Plasmon single- and multi-quantum excitation in free metal clusters as seen by photoelectron spectroscopy.

Plasmons are investigated in free nanoscale Na, Mg, and K metal clusters using synchrotron radiation-based x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The core levels for which the response from bulk and surface atoms can be resolved are probed over an extended binding energy range to include the plasmon loss features. In all species the features due to fundamental plasmons are identified, and in Na and K also those due to either the first order plasmon overtones or sequential plasmon excitation are observed. These features are discussed in view of earlier results for planar macroscopic samples and free clusters of the same materials

The CoESCA station at BESSY: Auger electron–photoelectron coincidences from surfaces demonstrated for Ag MNN

In this work, we present the CoESCA station for electron–electron coincidence spectroscopy from surfaces, built in a close collaboration between Uppsala University and Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin at the BESSY II synchrotron facility in Berlin, Germany. We start with a detailed overview of previous work in the field of electron–electron coincidences, before we describe the CoESCA setup and its design parameters. The system is capable of recording shot-to-shot resolved 6D coincidence datasets, i.e. the kinetic energy and the two take off angles for both coincident electrons. The mathematics behind extracting and analysing these multi-dimensional coincidence datasets is introduced, with a focus on coincidence statistics, resulting in fundamental limits of the signal-to-noise ratio and its implications for acquisition times and the size of the raw data stream. The functionality of the CoESCA station is demonstrated for the example of Auger electron–photoelectron coincidences from silver surfaces for photoelectrons from the Ag 3d core levels and their corresponding MNN Auger electrons. The Auger spectra originating from the different core levels, 3d and 3d could be separated and further, the two-hole state energy distributions were determined for these Auger decay channels

Factors associated with lack of improvement in submaximal exercise capacity of patients with heart failure

Aims Improvement in exercise capacity is the primary goal of physical activity programmes for patients with heart failure (HF). Although activity programmes are effective for some patients, others do not benefit. Identifying factors related to a lack of improvement in submaximal exercise capacity may help us interpret findings and design new interventions. The aim of this study is to identify factors contributing to a lack of improvement in submaximal exercise capacity 3 months after physical activity advice or an exergame intervention in patients with HF. Additionally, we aimed to assess differences in lack of improvement in submaximal exercise capacity of patients whose baseline exercise capacity predicted a worse compared with better prognosis of HF.Methods and results This secondary analysis of the HF-Wii study analysed baseline and 3 month data of the 6 min walk test (6MWT) from 480 patients (mean age 67 years, 72% male). Data were analysed separately in patients with a pre-defined 6 min walking distance at baseline of &lt;300 m (n = 79) and &gt;= 300 m (n = 401). Among patients with a baseline 6MWT of &gt;= 300 m, 18% had deteriorated submaximal exercise capacity. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, lower baseline levels of self-reported physical activity [odds ratio (OR) = 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.60-0.97], lower baseline levels of cognitive function (OR = 0.87, 95%CI = 0.79-0.96) were significantly associated with lack of improvement in exercise capacity at 3 months. Not randomized to exergaming (OR = 0.63, 95%CI = 0.37-1.09) was likely (P = 0.097) to be associated with lack of improvement in exercise capacity at 3 months. Among the 79 patients with baseline 6MWT of &lt;300 m, 41% (n = 32) did not improve 6MWT distance at 3 months. Independent predictors for the lack of improvement for 6MWT were New York Heart Association class III/IV (OR = 4.68, 95%CI = 1.08-20.35), higher levels of serum creatinine (OR = 1.02, 95%CI = 1.003-1.03), lower cognitive function (OR = 0.86, 95%CI = 0.75-0.99), and fewer anxiety symptoms (OR = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.72-0.98).Conclusions Lower self-reported physical activity and cognitive impairment predict lack of improvement in submaximal exercise capacity in HF patients. Patients who have a worse prognosis (score &lt;300 m at the 6MWT) are often frail and gain less in exercise capacity. These patients may need a more comprehensive approach to have an effect on exercise capacity, including an individually tailored exercise programme with aerobic exercise (if tolerated) and strength exercises

Enhancement of the electric dipole moment of the electron in BaF molecule

We report results of ab initio calculation of the spin-rotational Hamiltonian parameters including P- and P,T-odd terms for the BaF molecule. The ground state wave function of BaF molecule is found with the help of the Relativistic Effective Core Potential method followed by the restoration of molecular four-component spinors in the core region of barium in the framework of a non-variational procedure. Core polarization effects are included with the help of the atomic Many Body Perturbation Theory for Barium atom. For the hyperfine constants the accuracy of this method is about 5-10%.Comment: 8 pages, REVTEX, report at II International Symposium on Symmetries in Subatomic Physics, Seattle 199

Effects of exergaming on exercise capacity in patients with heart failure: results of an international multicentre randomized controlled trial

Aims Exergaming is a new tool to increase physical activity. This study aimed to determine the effects of access to a home-based exergame (Nintendo Wii) in patients with heart failure (HF) on exercise capacity, self-reported physical activity and patient-reported outcome measures.Methods and results We enrolled 605 HF patients in New York Heart Association functional class I-IV, independent of ejection fraction, in an international multicentre randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomized to exergame (intervention) or motivational support (control). The primary endpoint was change in submaximal aerobic exercise capacity as measured by the distance walked in 6 min (6MWT) between baseline and 3 months. Secondary endpoints included long-term submaximal aerobic exercise capacity, muscle function, self-reported physical activity, exercise motivation, exercise self-efficacy at 3, 6 and 12months. At baseline, patients on average walked 403142m on the 6MWT. Patients in the exergame group walked further compared to controls at 3 months (454123 vs. 420 +/- 127m, P = 0.005), at 6 months (452 +/- 123 vs. 426 +/- 133m, P = 0.015) and 12months (456 +/- 122 vs. 420 +/- 135m, P = 0.004). However, correcting for baseline 6MWT values by means of a linear mixed-effects model revealed no main effect for the intervention on 6MWT. Small significant effects on muscle function were found. Statistically significant treatment effects were found for muscle function but after correction for baseline and confounders, only the treatment effect for the heel-rise left at 6 months was significant (P&lt;0.05). No treatment effect was found for exercise motivation, exercise self-efficacy, or self-reported physical activity.ConclusionExergaming was safe and feasible in patients with HF with different profiles in different health care systems, cultures and climates. However, it was not effective in improving outcomes on submaximal aerobic exercise capacity. Subgroup analysis did not identify specific subgroups benefiting from the intervention.Clinical Trial Registration: Identifier: NCT01785121

Surface reconstruction induced geometries of Si clusters

We discuss a generalization of the surface reconstruction arguments for the structure of intermediate size Si clusters, which leads to model geometries for the sizes 33, 39 (two isomers), 45 (two isomers), 49 (two isomers), 57 and 61 (two isomers). The common feature in all these models is a structure that closely resembles the most stable reconstruction of Si surfaces, surrounding a core of bulk-like tetrahedrally bonded atoms. We investigate the energetics and the electronic structure of these models through first-principles density functional theory calculations. These models may be useful in understanding experimental results on the reactivity of Si clusters and their shape as inferred from mobility measurements.Comment: 9 figures (available from the author upon request) Submitted to Phys. Rev.

First-Principles Dynamical Coherent-Potential Approximation Approach to the Ferromagnetism of Fe, Co, and Ni

Magnetic properties of Fe, Co, and Ni at finite temperatures have been investigated on the basis of the first-principles dynamical CPA (Coherent Potential Approximation) combined with the LDA (Local Density Approximation) + $U$ Hamiltonian in the Tight-Binding Linear Muffintin Orbital (TB-LMTO) representation. The Hamiltonian includes the transverse spin fluctuation terms. Numerical calculations have been performed within the harmonic approximation with 4th-order dynamical corrections. Calculated single-particle densities of states in the ferromagnetic state indicate that the dynamical effects reduce the exchange splitting, suppress the band width of the quasi-particle state, and causes incoherent excitations corresponding the 6 eV satellites. Results of the magnetization vs temperature curves, paramagnetic spin susceptibilities, and the amplitudes of local moments are presented. Calculated Curie temperatures ($T_{\rm C}$) are reported to be 1930K for Fe, 2550K for Co, and 620K for Ni; $T_{\rm C}$ for Fe and Co are overestimated by a factor of 1.8, while $T_{\rm C}$ in Ni agrees with the experimental result. Effective Bohr magneton numbers calculated from the inverse susceptibilities are 3.0 $\mu_{\rm B}$ (Fe), 3.0 $\mu_{\rm B}$ (Co), and 1.6 $\mu_{\rm B}$ (Ni), being in agreement with the experimental ones. Overestimate of $T_{\rm C}$ in Fe and Co is attributed to the neglects of the higher-order dynamical effects as well as the magnetic short range order.Comment: 10 pages, 13 figure