Determination of the scattering length for Rb-Cs X1Σ+^{1}\Sigma ^{+} ground electronic state using a variational method

We performed the calculation of the scattering length for the elastic collision between the rubidium and cesium atoms. For this we applied a variational procedure based on the R-matrix theory for unbound states employing the finite element method (FEM) for expansion of the wave-function in terms of a finite set of local basis functions. The FEM presents as advantages the possibility of the development of a efficient matrix inversion algorithm which significantly reduces the computation time to calculate the R matrix. We also tested a potential energy curve with spectroscopic accuracy obtained before from a direct adjustment procedure of experimental data of the $X^{1}\Sigma^{+}$ state based on genetic algorithm. The quality of our result was evaluated by comparing them with several ones previously published at literature.Comment: 15 pages, 6 tables and 2 figure

A Pebbling Game on Powers of Paths

Two Player Graph Pebbling is an extension of graph pebbling. Players Mover and Defender use pebbling moves, the act of removing two pebbles from one vertex and placing one pebble on an adjacent vertex, to win. If a specified vertex has a pebble on it, then Mover wins. If a specified vertex is pebble-free and there are no more valid pebbling moves, then Defender wins. The Two-Player Pebbling Number of a graph G, η(G), is the minimum m such that for every arrangement of m pebbles and for any specified vertex, Mover can win. We specify the winning player for powers of a path

Coulomb Correlation and Information Entropies in Confined Helium-Like Atoms

The present work studies aspects of the electronic correlation in confined H$^{-}$, He and Li$^+$ atoms in their ground states using the informational entropies. In this way, different variational wavefunctions are employed in order of better take account of Coulomb correlation. The obtained values for the $S_r$, $S_p$ and $S_t$ entropies are sensitive in relation to Coulomb correlation effects. In the strong confinement regime, the effects of the Coulomb correlation are negligible and the employment of the models of independent particle and two non-interacting electrons confined by a impenetrable spherical cage gains importance in this regime. Lastly, energy values are obtained in good agreement with the results available in the literature.Comment: Version accepted for publication in European Physical Journal

Diagnostic accuracy of short-time inversion recovery sequence in Graves' ophthalmopathy before and after prednisone treatment

Introduction: In Graves' Ophthalmopathy, it is important to distinguish active inflammatory phase, responsive to immunosuppressive treatment, from fibrotic unresponsive inactive one. The purpose of this study is, first, to identify the relevant orbital magnetic resonance imaging signal intensities before treatment, so to classify patients according to their clinical activity score (CAS), discriminating inactive (CAS3) subjects and, second, to follow post-steroid treatment disease. Methods: An observational study was executed on 32 GO consecutive patients in different phases of disease, based on clinical and orbital Magnetic Resonance Imaging parameters, compared to 32 healthy volunteers. Orbital Magnetic Resonance Imaging was performed on a 1.5 tesla Magnetic Resonance Unit by an experienced neuroradiologist blinded to the clinical examinations. Results: In pre-therapy patients, compared to controls, a medial rectus muscle statistically significant signal intensity ratio (SIR) in short-time inversion recovery (STIR) (long TR/TE) sequence was found, as well as when comparing patients before and after treatment, both medial and inferior rectus muscle SIR resulted significantly statistically different in STIR. These increased outcomes explain the inflammation oedematous phase of disease, moreover after steroid administration, compared to controls; patients presented lack of that statistically significant difference, thus suggesting treatment effectiveness. Conclusion: In our study, we proved STIR signal intensities increase in inflammation oedematous phase, confirming STIR sequence to define active phase of disease with more sensibility and reproducibility than CAS alone and to evaluate post-therapy involvement. © 2014 Springer-Verlag

Differential expression of cyclooxygenases in hypertrophic scar and keloid tissues

Hypertrophic scar (HS) and keloid (KL) are two forms of an abnormal cutaneous scarring process, mainly characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition and fibroblast proliferation. Despite the increased understanding of the molecular and cellular events leading to HS and KL, the pathogenesis of these lesions remains poorly understood. A pivotal role in the formation of abnormal scars has been ascribed to transforming growth factor-β, whose activity appears to be mediated through a link with pathways acting via cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2). To date, there is no report on the in vivo expression of COX-1 and COX-2 in human HS and KL tissues. Therefore, using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis, we investigated 36 cases of KL, 32 cases of HS, and 25 cases of normal skin in order to define the localization and distribution of COX-1 and COX-2 in the tissues of these scar lesions and the overlying epidermis. The results mainly show the following: (a) a significant overexpression of COX-1 in HS tissues and the overlying epidermis as compared with normal skin and KL tissues and (b) a significant overexpression of COX-2 in KL tissue and the overlying epidermis in contrast to normal skin and HS tissues. Our data support the hypothesis that both COXs are involved in the pathogenesis of scar lesions in different ways and, particularly, COX-1 in the formation of HS and COX-2 in the formation of KL. In addition, the overexpression of COX-1 and COX-2 in the epidermis overlying HS and KL tissues, respectively, underlines the importance of epithelial- mesenchymal interactions in the pathogenesis of scar lesion