On "the authentic damping mechanism" of the phonon damping model

Some general features of the phonon damping model are presented. It is concluded that the fits performed within this model have no physical content

Shell-model description of monopole shift in neutron-rich Cu

Variations in the nuclear mean-field, in neutron-rich nuclei, are investigated within the framework of the nuclear shell model. The change is identified to originate mainly from the monopole part of the effective two-body proton-neutron interaction. Applications for the low-lying states in odd-$A$ Cu nuclei are presented. We compare the results using both schematic and realistic forces. We also compare the monopole shifts with the results obtained from large-scale shell-model calculations, using the same realistic interaction, in order to study two-body correlations beyond the proton mean-field variations.Comment: Phys. Rev. C (in press

The development and first validation of the “Preterm social, cognitive, health and learning outcomes” (Pre-School) socioeconomics indicators inventory

Background: The consequences of preterm birth, to the individual and society at large, remain a major financial, emotional, social and personal burden in all countries. A complex infuence network between the family socioeconomic status, nutrition and infant social interactions determines early childhood environment. The socioeconomic characteristics of families and households define much of the starting conditions and the posible future development of any newborn. Aim: To develop a socioeconomics indicators inventory specifically focused on preterm children, in order to characterize their early childhood environment to evaluate potential social affordances of infants under 24 months of age. Methods: The process was divided into four phases: questionnaire development (items and domains generation), pilot testing, validation and exploratory analysis. The final version of the PRE-SCHOOL questionnaire consisted of 190 items, each related to one or more of eight domains (personal data, family situation, health status, economical situation, level of education, social network, leisure and residence conditions). For the exploratory and validation analysis, 52 children were recruited. The parent interview was conducted by two specially trained social workers when the child reached 24 months of age. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was high for all domains (Cronbach’s a coefficient of 0.964). Conclusions: The social and economic contexts define spaces of possibility that directly affect the evolution and life development of each newborn. The PRE-SCHOOL socioeconomics indicators inventory improves the anamnesis process in preterm infants at risk of cognitive impairement. We need to increased socioecnomical informations of the early childhood enviroment in order to propose focused family-centred cost-effective interventions to improve cognitive development

New particle-hole symmetries and the extended interacting boson model

We describe shape coexistence and intruder many-particle-hole (mp-nh)excitations in the extended interacting boson model EIBM and EIBM-2,combining both the particle-hole and the charge degree of freedom.Besides the concept of I-spin multiplets and subsequently $SU(4)$ multiplets, we touch upon the existence of particle-hole mixed symmetry states. We furthermore describe regular and intrudermany-particle-hole excitations in one nucleus on an equal footing, creating (annihilating) particle-hole pairs using the K-spin operatorand studying possible mixing between these states. As a limiting case,we treat the coupling of two IBM-1 Hamiltonians, each decribing the regular and intruder excitations respectively, in particular lookingat the $U(5)$-$SU(3)$ dynamical symmetry coupling. We apply such coupling scheme to the Po isotopes

Shape coexistence in atomic nuclei and its spectroscopic fingerprints

In the present discussion we concentrate on shape coexistence asobtained within a deformed single-particle field as well as startingfrom the spherical shell-model, incorporating deformationeffects via the residual proton-neutron quadrupole interaction. Wediscuss in particular the appearance of shape coexisting phenomena inthe Pb region. In a second part then, we present a number ofexperimental fingerprints that allow to recognize the appearance ofshape coexisting phenomena or of shape mixing through the use ofselective experiments (e.g. band structure, spectroscopic factors,static moments, E0 properties and alpha-decay)

Altered gene expression in human placenta after suspected preterm labour

Introduction Suspected preterm labour occurs in around 9% of pregnancies. However, almost two-thirds of women admitted for threatened preterm labour ultimately deliver at term and are considered risk-free for fetal development. Methods We examined placental and umbilical cord blood samples from preterm or term deliveries after threatened preterm labour as well as term deliveries without threatened preterm labour. We quantitatively analysed the mRNA expression of inflammatory markers (IL6, IFN?, and TNFa) and modulators of angiogenesis (FGF2, PGF, VEGFA, VEGFB, and VEGFR1). Results A total of 132 deliveries were analysed. Preterm delivery and term delivery after suspected preterm labour groups showed similar increases in TNFa expression compared with the term delivery control group in umbilical cord blood samples. Placental samples from preterm and term deliveries after suspected preterm labour exhibited significantly increased expression of TNFa and IL6 and decreased expression of IFN?. Suspected preterm labour was also associated with altered expression of angiogenic factors, although not all differences reached statistical significance. Discussion We found gene expression patterns indicative of inflammation in human placentas after suspected preterm labour regardless of whether the deliveries occurred preterm or at term. Similarly, a trend towards altered expression of angiogeneic factors was not limited to preterm birth. These findings suggest that the biological mechanisms underlying threatened preterm labour affect pregnancies independently of gestational age at birth

Perspectiva Academica en el Departamento de Ciencias Exactas e Ingenieria de la UCB Utilizando el GUIDE

sumenDebido al continuo avance tecnologico, se ha tornado necesaria la utilization deprogramas computacionales que contribuyan a la modernization de la ensenanza eningenieria. Dentro de este contexto la Universidad Catolica Boliviana de Cochabambaha dado initio a la familiarization de profesores y alumnos con algunos de estosprogramas. Espetificamente el MATLAB, programa que viene siendo utilizadomundialmente en unidades de ensenanza y en algunos complejos industriales. Entre losobjetivos de este articulo estan: la socialization, uso y desarrollo del GUIDE(Graphical User Interface Development Environment) de MATLAB comoherramienta en la resolution de problemas de ingenieria y ciencias exactas a traves dedos ejemplos, uno para el ciclo basico que es la presentation de una interfase para laresolution de ecuaciones diferenciales y otra para el ciclo avanzado que corresponde ala configuration de una interfase para estudiar el problema de atenuacion de serial encomunicaciones via satelite

Altered DNA methylation in human placenta after (suspected) preterm labor

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine if alterations in DNA methylation in the human placenta would support suspected preterm labor as a pathologic insult associated with diminished placental health. Methods: We evaluated placental DNA methylation at seven loci differentially methylated in placental pathologies using targeted bisulfite sequencing, in placentas associated with preterm labor (term birth after suspected preterm labor [n = 15] and preterm birth [n = 15]), and controls (n = 15). Results: DNA methylation levels at the NCAM1 and PLAGL1 loci in placentas associated with preterm labor did differ significantly (p < 0.05) from controls. Discussion: Specific alterations in methylation patterns indicative of an unfavourable placental environment are associated with preterm labor per se and not restricted to preterm birth

Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial: Treatment of early intrauterine growth restriction with low molecular weight heparin (TRACIP)

Introduction The incidence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is estimated at about 3% of pregnancies, and it is associated with 30% of all perinatal mortality and severe morbidity with adverse neurodevelopmental and cardiovascular health consequences in adult life. Early onset IUGR represents 20%-30% of all cases and is highly associated with severe placental insufficiency. The existing evidence suggests that low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has effects beyond its antithrombotic action, improving placental microvessel structure and function of pregnant women with vascular obstetric complications by normalising proangiogenic and antiapoptotic protein levels, cytokines and inflammatory factors. The objective of our study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of LMWH in prolonging gestation in pregnancies with early-onset IUGR. Methods and analysis This is a multicentre, triple-blind, parallel-arm randomised clinical trial. Singleton pregnancies qualifying for early (20-32 weeks at diagnosis) placental IUGR (according to Delphi criteria) will be randomised to subcutaneous treatment with bemiparin 3500 IU/0.2 mL/day or placebo from inclusion at diagnosis to the time of delivery. Analyses will be based on originally assigned groups (intention-to-treat). The primary objective will be analysed by comparing gestational age and prolongation of pregnancy (days) in each group with Student''s t-tests for independent samples and by comparing Kaplan-Maier survival curves (from inclusion to delivery, log-rank test). A linear regression model for gestational age at birth will consider the following covariates: Gestational age at inclusion (continuous) and pre-eclampsia (binary). Ethics and dissemination The study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of Good Clinical Practice. This study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee (CEIC) of Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, on 13 July 2017. The trial is registered in the public registry www.clinicaltrial.gov. according to Science Law 14/2011, and the results will be published in an open access journal