Nuclear Pairing in the T=0 channel revisited

Recent published data on the isoscalar gap in symmetric nuclear matter using the Paris force and the corresponding BHF single particle dispersion are corrected leading to an extremely high proton-neutron gap of $\Delta \sim 8$ MeV at $\rho \sim 0.5\rho_0$. Arguments whether this value can be reduced due to screening effects are discussed. A density dependent delta interaction with cut off is adjusted so as to approximately reproduce the nuclear matter values with the Paris force.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Neural Deformable Cone Beam CT

In oral and maxillofacial cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), patient motion is frequently observed and, if not accounted for, can severely affect the usability of the acquired images. We propose a highly flexible, data driven motion correction and reconstruction method which combines neural inverse rendering in a CBCT setting with a neural deformation field. We jointly optimize a lightweight coordinate based representation of the 3D volume together with a deformation network. This allows our method to generate high quality results while accurately representing occurring patient movements, such as head movements, separate jaw movements or swallowing. We evaluate our method in synthetic and clinical scenarios and are able to produce artefact-free reconstructions even in the presence of severe motion. While our approach is primarily developed for maxillofacial applications, we do not restrict the deformation field to certain kinds of motion. We demonstrate its flexibility by applying it to other scenarios, such as 4D lung scans or industrial tomography settings, achieving state-of-the art results within minutes with only minimal adjustments

Psychopathological Course Typology in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: A Heuristic Approach in a Sample of 100 Patients

Background: Despite several previous attempts at subtyping schizophrenia, a typology that reflects neurobiological knowledge and reliably predicts course and outcome is lacking. We applied the system-specific concept of the Bern Psychopathology Scale (BPS) to generate a course typology based on three domains: language, affectivity, and motor behaviour. Sampling and Methods: A cohort of 100 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders according to DSM-IV criteria underwent psychopathological assessment, and all their available medical records were retrospectively analysed on the basis of the BPS. Results: Overall, 39% of the patients showed dominant abnormalities in only one domain, 37% in two domains, and 24% in all three domains. The motor domain was affected in the majority of patients (76%), followed by affectivity (63%) and language (46%). Eighty-six percent of patients showed a bipolar course pattern in at least one domain. Conclusions: In a retrospective analysis of 100 patient records we described system-specific course patterns of schizophrenia by using a neurobiologically informed psychopathological assessment. The results showed a surprisingly high proportion of bipolar courses and a pattern of pure and mixed subtypes, which speaks for an overlap of domains with regards to psychopathological symptoms. A limitation of this heuristic and retrospective approach is that it was largely based on clinical judgement. Prospective studies with more rigorous threshold definitions are needed to clarify the neurobiological and clinical implications of the proposed reorganization of psychotic disorders. (C) 2016 S. Karger AG, Base

Hyperon-nucleon scattering and hyperon masses in the nuclear medium

We analyze low-energy hyperon-nucleon scattering using an effective field theory in next-to-leading order. By fitting experimental cross sections for laboratory hyperon momenta below 200 MeV/c and using information from the hypertriton we determine twelve contact-interaction coefficients. Based on these we discuss the low-density expansion of hyperon mass shifts in the nuclear medium.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure

Electron power absorption dynamics in capacitive radio frequency discharges driven by tailored voltage waveforms in CF4

The power absorption dynamics of electrons and the electrical asymmetry effect in capacitive radio-frequency plasmas operated in CF4 and driven by tailored voltage waveforms are investigated experimentally in combination with kinetic simulations. The driving voltage waveforms are generated as a superposition of multiple consecutive harmonics of the fundamental frequency of 13.56 MHz. Peaks/valleys and sawtooth waveforms are used to study the effects of amplitude and slope asymmetries of the driving voltage waveform on the electron dynamics and the generation of a DC self-bias in an electronegative plasma at different pressures. Compared to electropositive discharges, we observe strongly different effects and unique power absorption dynamics. At high pressures and high electronegativities, the discharge is found to operate in the drift-ambipolar (DA) heating mode. A dominant excitation/ionization maximum is observed during sheath collapse at the edge of the sheath which collapses fastest. High negative-ion densities are observed inside this sheath region, while electrons are confined for part of the RF period in a potential well formed by the ambipolar electric field at this sheath edge and the collapsed (floating potential) sheath at the electrode. For specific driving voltage waveforms, the plasma becomes divided spatially into two different halves of strongly different electronegativity. This asymmetry can be reversed electrically by inverting the driving waveform. For sawtooth waveforms, the discharge asymmetry and the sign of the DC self-bias are found to reverse as the pressure is increased, due to a transition of the electron heating mode from the α-mode to the DA-mode. These effects are interpreted with the aid of the simulation results

Diffraction of complex molecules by structures made of light

We demonstrate that structures made of light can be used to coherently control the motion of complex molecules. In particular, we show diffraction of the fullerenes C60 and C70 at a thin grating based on a standing light wave. We prove experimentally that the principles of this effect, well known from atom optics, can be successfully extended to massive and large molecules which are internally in a thermodynamic mixed state and which do not exhibit narrow optical resonances. Our results will be important for the observation of quantum interference with even larger and more complex objects.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure