Comment on ``Structure of exotic nuclei and superheavy elements in a relativistic shell model''

A recent paper [M. Rashdan, Phys. Rev. C 63, 044303 (2001)] introduces the new parameterization NL-RA1 of the relativistic mean-field model which is claimed to give a better description of nuclear properties than earlier ones. Using this model ^{298}114 is predicted to be a doubly-magic nucleus. As will be shown in this comment these findings are to be doubted as they are obtained with an unrealistic parameterization of the pairing interaction and neglecting ground-state deformation.Comment: 2 pages REVTEX, 3 figures, submitted to comment section of Phys. Rev. C. shortened and revised versio

First report and damage description of Calodesma collaris (Drury, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) caterpillars on Aechmea winkleri Reitz, 1975 (Bromeliaceae).

We report for the first time the occurrence of Calodesma collaris (Drury, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) caterpillars on Aechmea winkleri Reitz, 1975 (Bromeliaceae) and describe the damage it causes on these plants. The consumption of leaf tissue, accumulation of excrements and inhibition of inflorescence emission caused by larvae of C. collariscan result in plants of A. winkleri that are not suitable for ornamental or landscaping purposes

Qualidade externa de ovos de codornas de postura alimentadas com farelo de arroz integral em diferentes.

A alimentação representa 70% dos custos de uma produção animal, independente do tamanho e da destinação da mesma. Como principais alimentos fornecidos as aves tem-se o milho, farelo de soja e para redução destes custos torna-se interessante o uso de alimentos alternativos. O arroz é um dos grãos mais produzidos em todo o mundo, sendo o Brasil o décimo maior produtor mundial. Santos et al. (2004) afirmam que o FAI é uma matéria-prima disponível no mercado brasileiro, e pode ser utilizado nas dietas, para diminuir os custos de produção, substituindo o milho, que é a matéria-prima que mais dispende custos às rações avícolas. O farelo de arroz integral (FAI), resultante do polimento dos grãos de arroz, é o mais usado na criação de suínos e aves, considerando os farelos de arroz integral e desengordurado como os subprodutos da indústria do arroz que têm sido incluídos nas dietas de aves (Filardi et al, 2007). A presença de elevada quantidade de gordura, constituída principalmente de ácidos graxos insaturados, predispõe à peroxidação, favorecendo a multiplicação de fungos produtores de aflatoxinas e a rancificação oxidativa, que compromete a qualidade do FAI e dificulta o armazenamento de grandes quantidades. Como forma de prevenir a perda do produto, existem no mercado aditivos químicos e orgânicos. Com isso o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade externa dos ovos de codornas alimentadas com farelo de arroz integral armazenado em diferentes tempos

Hypnosis and superficial cervical anesthesia for total thyroidectomy in a high-risk patient - A case report.

Total thyroidectomy can be challenging in high-risk patients. Local cervical anesthesia with sedation is an alternative to general anesthesia. A 33-year old male patient with cyanotic congenital heart disease due to unrepaired tricuspid atresia type Ic and associated pulmonary arterial hypertension presented with tachycardic atrial fibrillation and amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis resulting in recurrent hemodynamic instability. Because of difficulties controlling the thyrotoxic state, the indication for total thyroidectomy was established. Total thyroidectomy was subsequently performed using local anesthesia combined using a hypnosis-analgesia technique instead of intravenous sedation. The intervention and the post-operative course were uneventful. A well-established therapist-patient relationship is crucial for a successful induction of hypnosis. Patient motivation and expectations are equally important for a successful implementation of this approach. We conclude that hypnosis combined with local anesthesia provides an effective alternative in selected patients with very high anesthesiological risk

Impact of bileaflet mitral valve prolapse on quantification of mitral regurgitation with cardiac magnetic resonance: a single-center study.

To quantify mitral regurgitation (MR) with CMR, the regurgitant volume can be calculated as the difference between the left ventricular (LV) stroke volume (SV) measured with the Simpson's method and the reference SV, i.e. the right ventricular SV (RVSV) in patients without tricuspid regurgitation. However, for patients with prominent mitral valve prolapse (MVP), the Simpson's method may underestimate the LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) as it only considers the volume located between the apex and the mitral annulus, and neglects the ventricular volume that is displaced into the left atrium but contained within the prolapsed mitral leaflets at end systole. This may lead to an underestimation of LVESV, and resulting an over-estimation of LVSV, and an over-estimation of mitral regurgitation. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of prominent MVP on MR quantification by CMR. In patients with MVP (and no more than trace tricuspid regurgitation) MR was quantified by calculating the regurgitant volume as the difference between LVSV and RVSV. LVSV <sub>uncorr</sub> was calculated conventionally as LV end-diastolic (LVEDV) minus LVESV. A corrected LVESV <sub>corr</sub> was calculated as the LVESV plus the prolapsed volume, i.e. the volume between the mitral annulus and the prolapsing mitral leaflets. The 2 methods were compared with respect to the MR grading. MR grades were defined as absent or trace, mild (5-29% regurgitant fraction (RF)), moderate (30-49% RF), or severe (≥50% RF). In 35 patients (44.0 ± 23.0y, 14 males, 20 patients with MR) the prolapsed volume was 16.5 ± 8.7 ml. The 2 methods were concordant in only 12 (34%) patients, as the uncorrected method indicated a 1-grade higher MR severity in 23 (66%) patients. For the uncorrected/corrected method, the distribution of the MR grades as absent-trace (0 vs 11, respectively), mild (20 vs 18, respectively), moderate (11 vs 5, respectively), and severe (4 vs 1, respectively) was significantly different (p < 0.001). In the subgroup without MR, LVSV <sub>corr</sub> was not significantly different from RVSV (difference: 2.5 ± 4.7 ml, p = 0.11 vs 0) while a systematic overestimation was observed with LVSV <sub>uncorr</sub> (difference: 16.9 ± 9.1 ml, p = 0.0007 vs 0). Also, RVSV was highly correlated with aortic forward flow (n = 24, R <sup>2</sup>  = 0.97, p < 0.001). For patients with severe bileaflet prolapse, the correction of the LVSV for the prolapse volume is suggested as it modified the assessment of MR severity by one grade in a large portion of patients

The nonrelativistic limit of the relativistic point coupling model

We relate the relativistic finite range mean-field model (RMF-FR) to the point-coupling variant and compare the nonlinear density dependence. From this, the effective Hamiltonian of the nonlinear point-coupling model in the nonrelativistic limit is derived. Different from the nonrelativistic models, the nonlinearity in the relativistic models automatically yields contributions in the form of a weak density dependence not only in the central potential but also in the spin-orbit potential. The central potential affects the bulk and surface properties while the spin-orbit potential is crucial for the shell structure of finite nuclei. A modification in the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock model with a density-dependent spin-orbit potential inspired by the point-coupling model is suggested.Comment: 21 pages, latex, 1 eps figure. accepted for publication in annals of physic

Nuclear Ground State Observables and QCD Scaling in a Refined Relativistic Point Coupling Model

We present results obtained in the calculation of nuclear ground state properties in relativistic Hartree approximation using a Lagrangian whose QCD-scaled coupling constants are all natural (dimensionless and of order 1). Our model consists of four-, six-, and eight-fermion point couplings (contact interactions) together with derivative terms representing, respectively, two-, three-, and four-body forces and the finite ranges of the corresponding mesonic interactions. The coupling constants have been determined in a self-consistent procedure that solves the model equations for representative nuclei simultaneously in a generalized nonlinear least-squares adjustment algorithm. The extracted coupling constants allow us to predict ground state properties of a much larger set of even-even nuclei to good accuracy. The fact that the extracted coupling constants are all natural leads to the conclusion that QCD scaling and chiral symmetry apply to finite nuclei.Comment: 44 pages, 13 figures, 9 tables, REVTEX, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Enhanced binding and cold compression of nuclei due to admixture of antibaryons

We discuss the possibility of producing a new kind of nuclear system by putting a few antibaryons inside ordinary nuclei. The structure of such systems is calculated within the relativistic mean--field model assuming that the nucleon and antinucleon potentials are related by the G-parity transformation. The presence of antinucleons leads to decreasing vector potential and increasing scalar potential for the nucleons. As a result, a strongly bound system of high density is formed. Due to the significant reduction of the available phase space the annihilation probability might be strongly suppressed in such systems.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, to be submitted to Phys. Lett.

Work disability before and after a major cardiovascular event: a ten-year study using nationwide medical and insurance registers

We examined the trajectories of work disability before and after IHD and stroke events. New IHD (n = 13521) and stroke (n = 7162) cases in 2006-2008 were retrieved from nationwide Swedish hospital records and their annual work disability days five years before and after the date of diagnosis were retrieved from a nationwide disability register. There was no pre-event differences in disability days between the IHD and stroke cases and five years prior to the event, they were close to those observed in the general population. In the first post-event year, the adjusted mean days increased to 83.9 (95% CI 80.6-86.5) in IHD; to 179.5 (95% CI 172.4-186.8) in stroke, a six-fold increase in IHD and 14-fold in stroke. Work disability leveled off among the IHD cases but not among those who had stroke. The highest disability levels for the fifth post-event year after a stroke event was associated with pre-existing diabetes (146.9), mental disorder (141.2), non-employment (137.0), and immigrant status (117.9). In a working-age population, the increase in work disability after a cardiovascular event decreases close to the pre-event level in IHD but remains particularly high after stroke; among patients with comorbid depression or diabetes, immigrants, and those not in employment

Superheavy nuclei in selfconsistent nuclear calculations

The shell structure of superheavy nuclei is investigated within various parametrizations of relativistic and nonrelativistic nuclear mean field models. The heaviest known even-even nucleus 264Hs is used as a benchmark to estimate the predictive value of the models. From that starting point, doubly magic spherical nuclei are searched in the region Z=110-140 and N=134-298. They are found at (Z=114, N=184), (Z=120, N=172), or at (Z=126, N=184), depending on the parametrization.Comment: 16 pages RevTeX, 2 tables, 2 low resolution Gif figures (high resolution PostScript versions are available at http://www.th.physik.uni-frankfurt.de/~bender/nucl_struct_publications.html or at ftp://th.physik.uni-frankfurt.de/pub/bender ), submitted to Phys. Rev.