Breathing-mode measurements in Sn isotopes and isospin dependence of nuclear incompressibility

T. Li {\it et al.}[Phys. Rev. C {\bf 81}, 034309 (2010)] have analyzed their measured breathing-mode energies of some tin isotopes in terms of a first-order leptodermous expansion, and find for the symmetry-incompressibility coefficient $K_{\tau}$ the value of -550 $\pm$ 100 MeV. Removing an approximation that they made, we find that the first-order estimate of $K_{\tau}$ shifts to -661 $\pm$ 144 MeV. However, taking into account higher-order terms in the leptodermous expansion shows that the data are compatible with the significantly lower magnitudes indicated by both another experiment and some theoretical estimates.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figur

Pairing: from atomic nuclei to neutron-star crusts

Nuclear pairing is studied both in atomic nuclei and in neutron-star crusts in the unified framework of the energy-density functional theory using generalized Skyrme functionals complemented with a local pairing functional obtained from many-body calculations in homogeneous nuclear matter using realistic forces.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figures. Contribution for the book "50 years of nuclear BCS", edited by R.A. Broglia and V. Zelevinsk

Superfluidity and entrainment in neutron-star crusts

Despite the absence of viscous drag, the neutron superfluid permeating the inner crust of a neutron star can still be strongly coupled to nuclei due to non-dissipative entrainment effects. Neutron superfluidity and entrainment have been systematically studied in all regions of the inner crust of a cold non-accreting neutron star in the framework of the band theory of solids. It is shown that in the intermediate layers of the inner crust a large fraction of "free" neutrons are actually entrained by the crust. The results suggest that a revision of the interpretation of many observable astrophysical phenomena might be necessary.Comment: 4 pages, to appear in the proceedings of the ERPM conference, Zielona Gora, Poland, April 201

Quantifying the Socio-Economic Benefits of Reducing Industrial Dietary Trans Fats: Modelling Study.

BACKGROUND: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) remains a leading cause of UK mortality, generating a large and unequal burden of disease. Dietary trans fatty acids (TFA) represent a powerful CHD risk factor, yet to be addressed in the UK (approximately 1% daily energy) as successfully as in other nations. Potential outcomes of such measures, including effects upon health inequalities, have not been well quantified. We modelled the potential effects of specific reductions in TFA intake on CHD mortality, CHD related admissions, and effects upon socioeconomic inequalities. METHODS & RESULTS: We extended the previously validated IMPACTsec model, to estimate the potential effects of reductions (0.5% & 1% reductions in daily energy) in TFA intake in England and Wales, stratified by age, sex and socioeconomic circumstances. We estimated reductions in expected CHD deaths in 2030 attributable to these two specific reductions. Output measures were deaths prevented or postponed, life years gained and hospital admissions. A 1% reduction in TFA intake energy intake would generate approximately 3,900 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3,300-4,500) fewer deaths, 10,000 (8,800-10,300) (7% total) fewer hospital admissions and 37,000 (30,100-44,700) life years gained. This would also reduce health inequalities, preventing five times as many deaths and gaining six times as many life years in the most deprived quintile compared with the most affluent. A more modest reduction (0.5%) would still yield substantial health gains. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing intake of industrial TFA could substantially decrease CHD mortality and hospital admissions, and gain tens of thousands of life years. Crucially, this policy could also reduce health inequalities. UK strategies should therefore aim to minimise industrial TFA intake

SPAR improved structure/fluid dynamic analysis capability

The capability of analyzing a coupled dynamic system of flowing fluid and elastic structure was added to the SPAR computer code. A method, developed and adopted for use in SPAR utilizes the existing assumed stress hybrid plan element in SPAR. An operational mode was incorporated in SPAR which provides the capability for analyzing the flaw of a two dimensional, incompressible, viscous fluid within rigid boundaries. Equations were developed to provide for the eventual analysis of the interaction of such fluids with an elastic solid

Fast iterative solution of reaction-diffusion control problems arising from chemical processes

PDE-constrained optimization problems, and the development of preconditioned iterative methods for the efficient solution of the arising matrix system, is a field of numerical analysis that has recently been attracting much attention. In this paper, we analyze and develop preconditioners for matrix systems that arise from the optimal control of reaction-diffusion equations, which themselves result from chemical processes. Important aspects in our solvers are saddle point theory, mass matrix representation and effective Schur complement approximation, as well as the outer (Newton) iteration to take account of the nonlinearity of the underlying PDEs

Control of Raman Lasing in the Nonimpulsive Regime

We explore coherent control of stimulated Raman scattering in the nonimpulsive regime. Optical pulse shaping of the coherent pump field leads to control over the stimulated Raman output. A model of the control mechanism is investigated.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Measuring micro-organism gas production

Transducer, which senses pressure buildup, is easy to assemble and use, and rate of gas produced can be measured automatically and accurately. Method can be used in research, in clinical laboratories, and for environmental pollution studies because of its ability to detect and quantify rapidly the number of gas-producing microorganisms in water, beverages, and clinical samples

Flesh on the Bones: Animal Bodies in Atlantic Roundhouses

This volume presents the state of research across Europe to illustrate how comparable interpretative frameworks are used by archaeologists working with both prehistoric and historical societies

Symmetry energy: nuclear masses and neutron stars

We describe the main features of our most recent Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov nuclear mass models, based on 16-parameter generalized Skyrme forces. They have been fitted to the data of the 2012 Atomic Mass Evaluation, and favour a value of 30 MeV for the symmetry coefficient J, the corresponding root-mean square deviation being 0.549 MeV. We find that this conclusion is compatible with measurements of neutron-skin thickness. By constraining the underlying interactions to fit various equations of state of neutron matter calculated {\it ab initio} our models are well adapted to a realistic and unified treatment of all regions of neutron stars. We use our models to calculate the composition, the equation of state, the mass-radius relation and the maximum mass. Comparison with observations of neutron stars again favours a value of J = 30 MeV.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, to appear in EPJA special volume on symmetry energ