228 research outputs found
Q-Value and Half-Lives for the Double-Beta-Decay Nuclide 110Pd
The 110Pd double-beta decay Q-value was measured with the Penning-trap mass
spectrometer ISOLTRAP to be Q = 2017.85(64) keV. This value shifted by 14 keV
compared to the literature value and is 17 times more precise, resulting in new
phase-space factors for the two-neutrino and neutrinoless decay modes. In
addition a new set of the relevant matrix elements has been calculated. The
expected half-life of the two-neutrino mode was reevaluated as 1.5(6) E20 yr.
With its high natural abundance, the new results reveal 110Pd to be an
excellent candidate for double-beta decay studies
Spectroscopy of 98Ru
The nucleus 98 Ru has been investigated by means of Îł - Îł coincidence, Îł - Îł angular correlation and K-internal conversion coefficient measurements. The results have led to spin-parity assignment to several levels and to the determination of E 2/ M 1 mixing ratios for the most intense transitions
Large-scale long-term passive-acoustic monitoring reveals spatio-temporal activity patterns of boreal bats
The distribution ranges and spatio-temporal patterns in the occurrence and activity of boreal bats are yet largely unknown due to their cryptic lifestyle and lack of suitable and efficient study methods. We approached the issue by establishing a permanent passive-acoustic sampling setup spanning the area of Finland to gain an understanding on how latitude affects bat species composition and activity patterns in northern Europe. The recorded bat calls were semi-automatically identified for three target taxa; Myotis spp., Eptesicus nilssonii or Pipistrellus nathusii and the seasonal activity patterns were modeled for each taxa across the seven sampling years (2015-2021). We found an increase in activity since 2015 for E. nilssonii and Myotis spp. For E. nilssonii and Myotis spp. we found significant latitude -dependent seasonal activity patterns, where seasonal variation in patterns appeared stronger in the north. Over the years, activity of P. nathusii increased during activity peak in June and late season but decreased in mid season. We found the passive-acoustic monitoring network to be an effective and cost-efficient method for gathering bat activity data to analyze spatio-temporal patterns. Long-term data on the composition and dynamics of bat communities facilitates better estimates of abundances and population trend directions for conservation purposes and predicting the effects of climate change
Measurement of the 2 Decay Half-Life of Se-82 with the Global CUPID-0 Background Model
We report on the results obtained with the global CUPID-0 background model,
which combines the data collected in the two measurement campaigns for a total
exposure of 8.82~kgyr of Se. We identify with improved precision
the background sources within the 3 MeV energy region, where neutrinoless
double -decay of Se and Mo is expected, making more solid
the foundations for the background budget of the next-generation CUPID
experiment. Relying on the excellent data reconstruction, we measure the
two-neutrino double -decay half-life of Se with unprecedented
accuracy:
Search for Majoron-like particles with CUPID-0
We present the first search for the Majoron-emitting modes of the
neutrinoless double decay () using scintillating
cryogenic calorimeters. We analysed the CUPID-0 Phase I data using a Bayesian
approach to reconstruct the background sources activities, and evaluate the
potential contribution of the Se . We considered
several possible theoretical models which predict the existence of a
Majoron-like boson coupling to the neutrino. The energy spectra arising from
the emission of such bosons in the neutrinoless double decay have
spectral indices 1, 2, 3 or 7. We found no evidence of any of these decay
modes, setting a lower limit (90% of credibility interval) on the half-life of
1.2 10 yr in the case of 1, 3.8 10 yr for
2, 1.4 10 yr for 3 and 2.2 10 yr for
7. These are the best limits on the half-life of
the Se, and demonstrate the potentiality of the CUPID-0 technology in
this field
Satisfaction with care as a quality-of-life predictor for stroke patients and their caregivers
Purpose: We sought to identify indicators associated with the quality of life (QoL) of stroke patients and caregivers. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at nine Dutch stroke service facilities involving 251 stroke patients and their caregivers. We used the EuroQol (EQ-5D) and Satisfaction with Stroke Care questionnaires, and included the variables (1) disability at hospital admission, (2) length of hospital stay, (3) demographic data, and (4) caregivers' relationship with stroke patients. The Actor-Partner (patient-caregiver) Interdependence Model (APIM) was used to examine dependence between patients' and caregivers' QoL scores through dyad membership. Results: Patients' age was significantly related to their QoL, and caregivers' age and educational level were significantly related to their QoL. Patients' disability on hospital admission and length of stay were associated with patients' QoL, and their disability on admission was related to caregivers' QoL. No relationship was found between length of stay and caregivers' QoL. Satisfaction with care was associated with both patients' and caregivers' QoL. Conclusions: The APIM distinguished the different roles of patients and caregivers while acknowledging the interdependence of their QoL scores. Satisfaction with care was identified as important indicator of stroke patients' and caregivers' QoL
Child Care Time, Parentsâ Well-Being, and Gender: Evidence from the American Time Use Survey
This study used data from the âWell Being Moduleâ of the 2010 American Time Use Survey (NÂ =Â 1699) to analyze how parents experience child care time in terms of meaning and stress levels. Multivariate multilevel regressions showed clear differences by gender and the circumstances of child care activities. Mothers experienced child care time as more stressful than fathers, and fathers as slightly more meaningful. Interactive child care was experienced as more meaningful and less stressful than routine child care, whereas these differences were stronger among fathers than among mothers. Mothers experienced child care with a minor child as highly meaningful, and with an adolescent as particularly stressful. Fathers experienced child care with an infant as highly stressful, and with an offspring in middle childhood as disproportionally meaningful. The spouseâs presence was moderately associated with higher senses of meaning and lower levels of stress during child care, but these differences were modest, and only visible among fathers. Paid work hours increased mothersâ stress levels during child care activities, but reduced fathersâ stress levels. Meanwhile, nonemployed fathers reported child care time as less meaningful than non-employed mothers. Overall, this study has important scientific and practical implications for `understanding the gendered nature of parentsâ child care time and well-being
Crystal structure of a tripartite complex between C3dg, C-terminal domains of factor H and OspE of Borrelia burgdorferi
Complement is an important part of innate immunity. The alternative pathway of complement is activated when the main opsonin, C3b coats non-protected surfaces leading to opsonisation, phagocytosis and cell lysis. The alternative pathway is tightly controlled to prevent autoactivation towards host cells. The main regulator of the alternative pathway is factor H (FH), a soluble glycoprotein that terminates complement activation in multiple ways. FH recognizes host cell surfaces via domains 19â20 (FH19-20). All microbes including Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis, must evade complement activation to allow the infectious agent to survive in its host. One major mechanism that Borrelia uses is to recruit FH from host. Several outer surface proteins (Osp) have been described to bind FH via the C-terminus, and OspE is one of them. Here we report the structure of the tripartite complex formed by OspE, FH19-20 and C3dg at 3.18 Ă
, showing that OspE and C3dg can bind simultaneously to FH19-20. This verifies that FH19-20 interacts via the âcommon microbial binding siteâ on domain 20 with OspE and simultaneously and independently via domain 19 with C3dg. The spatial organization of the tripartite complex explains how OspE on the bacterial surface binds FH19-20, leaving FH fully available to protect the bacteria against complement. Additionally, formation of tripartite complex between FH, microbial protein and C3dg might enable enhanced protection, particularly on those regions on the bacteria where previous complement activation led to deposition of C3d. This might be especially important for slow-growing bacteria that cause chronic disease like Borrelia burgdorferi.Peer reviewe
The background model of the CUPID-Mo experiment
CUPID-Mo, located in the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane (France), was a
demonstrator for the next generation decay experiment, CUPID.
It consisted of an array of 20 enriched LiMoO bolometers and
20 Ge light detectors and has demonstrated that the technology of scintillating
bolometers with particle identification capabilities is mature. Furthermore,
CUPID-Mo can inform and validate the background prediction for CUPID. In this
paper, we present a detailed model of the CUPID-Mo backgrounds. This model is
able to describe well the features of the experimental data and enables studies
of the decay and other processes with high precision. We also
measure the radio-purity of the LiMoO crystals which are
found to be sufficient for the CUPID goals. Finally, we also obtain a
background index in the region of interest of
3.7(stat)(syst)counts/E/mol/yr,
the lowest in a bolometric decay experiment
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