Symmetry energy and the isospin dependent equation of state

The isoscaling parameter $\alpha$, from the fragments produced in the multifragmentation of $^{58}$Ni + $^{58}$Ni, $^{58}$Fe + $^{58}$Ni and $^{58}$Fe + $^{58}$Fe reactions at 30, 40 and 47 MeV/nucleon, was compared with that predicted by the antisymmetrized molecular dynamic (AMD) calculation based on two different nucleon-nucleon effective forces, namely the Gogny and Gogny-AS interaction. The results show that the data agrees better with the choice of Gogny-AS effective interaction, resulting in a symmetry energy of $\sim$ 18-20 MeV. The observed value indicate that the fragments are formed at a reduced density of $\sim$ 0.08 fm$^{-3}$.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. C (Rapid Communication

Neuropsychiatric manifestations in patient with normal pressure hydrocephalus improved with therapeutic lumbar tapping

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a communicating hydrocephalus without evident obstruction of the normal pathway of CSF flow. Normal-pressure hydrocephalus is a common cause of reversible dementia and it can also present with various psychiatric symptoms. A 76-year old man was brought to psychiatry OPD with history suggestive of decreased need for sleep for 8 days, disinhibited behaviour, increased libido, increased activity and increased talk for 4 days. On examination patient was noticed to be having increased psychomotor activity with increased talk, mood reported to be happy with elated affect, no content or perceptual disturbances were elicited. Cognitive functions were within normal limits. Personal and social judgement was impaired with grade 0 insight. General physical and systematic examinations were within normal limits. MRI reports showed ventricular enlargement suggestive of normal pressure hydrocephalus. Patient underwent diagnostic and therapeutic lumbar tapping. There was significant improvement in patient’s behavioural symptoms following therapeutic lumbar tapping. Therapeutic lumbar tapping in this case of normal pressure hydrocephalus was effective in the management of manic symptoms. Early identification of organic cause in late onset psychiatric disorders is necessary. Prompt intervention of the organic cause was effective in the management of manic symptoms

Symmetry energy and the isoscaling properties of the fragments produced in 40^{40}Ar, 40^{40}Ca + 58^{58}Fe, 58^{58}Ni reactions at 25 −- 53 MeV/nucleon

The symmetry energy and the isoscaling properties of the fragments produced in the multifragmentation of $^{40}$Ar, $^{40}$Ca + $^{58}$Fe, $^{58}$Ni reactions at 25 - 53 MeV/nucleon were investigated within the framework of statistical multifragmentation model. The isoscaling parameters $\alpha$, from the primary (hot) and secondary (cold) fragment yield distributions, were studied as a function of excitation energy, isospin (neutron-to-proton asymmetry) and fragment symmetry energy. It is observed that the isoscaling parameter $\alpha$ decreases with increasing excitation energy and decreasing symmetry energy. The parameter $\alpha$ is also observed to increase with increasing difference in the isospin of the fragmenting system. The sequential decay of the primary fragments into secondary fragments, when studied as a function of excitation energy and isospin of the fragmenting system, show very little influence on the isoscaling parameter. The symmetry energy however, has a strong influence on the isospin properties of the hot fragments. The experimentally observed scaling parameters can be explained by symmetry energy that is significantly lower than that for the ground state nuclei near saturation density. The results indicate that the properties of hot nuclei at excitation energies, densities and isospin away from the normal ground state nuclei could be significantly different.Comment: 14 pages, 15 figure

Focussed antenatal care a possible opportunity towards safe motherhood

Background: The Primary Health Care Setting gives a challenging opportunity for the clinicians to deal with pregnancy into favorable outcomes solely based on the clinical skills in view of innumerable socio-cultural-economic barriers. The Pregnant women make satisfactory progress-  to  full term, deliver  with  minimal morbidity, no loss of life and healthy baby-How to ensure? This is the objectives of our study. Suppose Obstetricians spare time, use checklist, Prioritize and provide care will it make any difference in saving mothers? Objectives: Describe in detail the process of Focused Antenatal Care as practiced in Primary Health Care setting and Minimize mortality and morbidity due to pregnancy by 25 percent from 169. (Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR 169).Methods: This is a community based descriptive, prospective, cohort study about a group of pregnant women till their delivery, using multiple cluster random sampling of 251 high risk pregnant women and subsequent follow up over 3 months with focused care. Compilation of data and analysis using SPSS Version 20.Results: Total Study participants 251 represented all the sections of target population with regard to socio-economic and cultural background. The participants attended FANC giving a response rate of 100%. These participants had one or more risk factor. All but 10 participants attended 4 or more FANC clinic visits 241 (96%). In these participants the commonest manageable morbid conditions are underweight (20%), anaemia (14%) preeclampsia (8%), eclampsia (2%) and gestational diabetes. In our finding 87% mothers completed full term pregnancy, 11.5% preterm (>28 but 2.5Kg, 13% Baby weight < 2.5 Kg. with an average of 2.9Kg.Conclusions: We are able to describe the Focused ANC and able to help improve the quality of life and to minimize morbidity and mortality in pregnant women

Nuclear expansion and symmetry energy of hot nuclei

The decrease in the symmetry energy of hot nuclei populated in $^{58}$Ni + $^{58}$Ni, $^{58}$Fe + $^{58}$Ni and $^{58}$Fe + $^{58}$Fe reactions at beam energies of 30, 40, and 47 MeV/nucleon, as a function of excitation energy is studied. It is observed that this decrease is mainly a consequence of increasing expansion or decreasing density rather than the increasing temperature. The results are in good agreement with the recently reported microscopic calculation based on the Thomas-Fermi approach. An empirical relation to study the symmetry energy of finite nuclei in various mass region is proposed.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure

Analysis of fragment yield ratios in the nuclear phase transition

The critical phenomena of the liquid-gas phase transition has been investigated in the reactions 78,86Kr+58,64Ni at beam energy of 35 MeV/nucleon using the Landau free energy approach with isospin asymmetry as an order parameter. Fits to the free energy of fragments showed three minima suggesting the system to be in the regime of a first order phase transition. The relation m =-{\partial}F/{\partial}H, which defines the order parameter and its conjugate field H, has been experimentally verified from the linear dependence of the mirror nuclei yield ratio data, on the isospin asymmetry of the source. The slope parameter, which is a measure of the distance from a critical temperature, showed a systematic decrease with increasing excitation energy of the source. Within the framework of the Landau free energy approach, isoscaling provided similar results as obtained from the analysis of mirror nuclei yield ratio data. We show that the external field is primarily related to the minimum of the free energy, which implies a modification of the source concentration \Delta used in isospin studies

A Study on Effect of Microbial Growth on Dentures in Relation to Denture Storage and Overnight Soaking of Dentures in Various Soaking Solutions -An In Vitro Study

Background: Denture hygiene is essential for preventing microbial growth and associated oral health issues in denture wearers. This in vitro study investigates the effect of denture storage conditions and overnight soaking in various solutions on microbial growth on denture surfaces. Methods: Standardized denture models were inoculated with Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, and Staphylococcus aureus and subjected to dry and moist storage conditions. Soaking solutions included commercial denture cleanser, sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, and distilled water (control). Microbial assessments were conducted at specified intervals. Results: Moist storage significantly promoted microbial growth on dentures compared to dry storage. Soaking solutions, especially commercial denture cleanser, sodium hypochlorite, and hydrogen peroxide, demonstrated substantial reductions in microbial counts compared to distilled water. Conclusion: Denture storage conditions and choice of soaking solution significantly influence microbial growth on dentures. Moist storage and the use of antimicrobial solutions are effective strategies for reducing microbial colonization. Keywords: Denture hygiene, microbial growth, denture storage, soaking solutions, oral health

Neutron to proton ratios of quasiprojectile and midrapidity emission in the 64^{64}Zn + 64^{64}Zn reaction at 45 MeV/nucleon

Simultaneous measurement of both neutrons and charged particles emitted in the reaction $^{64}$Zn + $^{64}$Zn at 45 MeV/nucleon allows comparison of the neutron to proton ratio at midrapidity with that at projectile rapidity. The evolution of N/Z in both rapidity regimes with increasing centrality is examined. For the completely re-constructed midrapidity material one finds that the neutron-to-proton ratio is above that of the overall $^{64}$Zn + $^{64}$Zn system. In contrast, the re-constructed ratio for the quasiprojectile is below that of the overall system. This difference provides the most complete evidence to date of neutron enrichment of midrapidity nuclear matter at the expense of the quasiprojectile