85 research outputs found
Comment on piNN Coupling from High Precision np Charge Exchange at 162 MeV
In this updated and expanded version of our delayed Comment we show that the
np backward cross section, as presented by the Uppsala group, is seriously
flawed (more than 25 sd.). The main reason is the incorrect normalization of
the data. We show also that their extrapolation method, used to determine the
charged piNN coupling constant, is a factor of about 10 less accurate than
claimed by Ericson et al. The large extrapolation error makes the determination
of the coupling constant by the Uppsala group totally uninteresting.Comment: 5 pages, latex2e with a4wide.sty. This is an updated and extended
version of the Comment published in Phys. Rev. Letters 81, 5253 (1998
Complete 0 hbar omega calculations of Gamow-Teller strengths for nuclei in the iron region
Gamow-Teller strengths for selected nuclei in the iron region (A~56) have
been investigated via shell-model Monte Carlo calculations with realistic
interactions in the complete fp basis. Results for all cases show significant
quenching relative to single-particle estimates, in quantitative agreement with
(n,p) data. The J=1,T=0 residual interaction and the f_{7/2}-f_{5/2} spin-orbit
splitting are shown to play major roles in the quenching mechanism. Calculated
B(E2, 2^+_1 -> 0^+_1) values are in fair agreement with experiment using
effective charges of e_p=1.1e and e_n=0.1e.Comment: 13 pages + 1 postscript file, Caltech preprint MAP-16
Gamow-Teller strength in 54Fe and 56Fe
Through a sequence of large scale shell model calculations, total
Gamow-Teller strengths ( and ) in Fe and Fe are
obtained. They reproduce the experimental values once the operator
is quenched by the standard factor of . Comparisons are made with recent
Shell Model Monte Carlo calculations. Results are shown to depend critically on
the interaction. From an analysis of the GT+ and GT strength functions it is
concluded that experimental evidence is consistent with the sum rule.Comment: 6 pages, RevTeX 3.0 using psfig, 7 Postscript figures included using
uufile
Positive evidence for neonatal imitation:A general response, adaptive engagement
The study employed four gestural models using frame-by-frame microanalytic methods, and followed how the behaviours unfolded over time. Forty-two human newborns (0-3 days) were examined for their imitation of tongue protrusion, 'head tilt with looking up', three-finger and two-finger gestures. The results showed that all three gesture groups were imitated. Results of the temporal analyses revealed an early and a later, second stage of responses. Later responses were characterized by a suppression of similar, but non-matching movements. Perinatal imitation is not a phenomenon served by a single underlying mechanism; it has at least two different stages. An early phase is followed by voluntary matching behaviour by the neonatal infant
Ground and excited states Gamow-Teller strength distributions of iron isotopes and associated capture rates for core-collapse simulations
This paper reports on the microscopic calculation of ground and excited
states Gamow-Teller (GT) strength distributions, both in the electron capture
and electron decay direction, for Fe. The associated electron and
positron capture rates for these isotopes of iron are also calculated in
stellar matter. These calculations were recently introduced and this paper is a
follow-up which discusses in detail the GT strength distributions and stellar
capture rates of key iron isotopes. The calculations are performed within the
framework of the proton-neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation
(pn-QRPA) theory. The pn-QRPA theory allows a microscopic
\textit{state-by-state} calculation of GT strength functions and stellar
capture rates which greatly increases the reliability of the results. For the
first time experimental deformation of nuclei are taken into account. In the
core of massive stars isotopes of iron, Fe, are considered to be
key players in decreasing the electron-to-baryon ratio () mainly via
electron capture on these nuclide. The structure of the presupernova star is
altered both by the changes in and the entropy of the core material.
Results are encouraging and are compared against measurements (where possible)
and other calculations. The calculated electron capture rates are in overall
good agreement with the shell model results. During the presupernova evolution
of massive stars, from oxygen shell burning stages till around end of
convective core silicon burning, the calculated electron capture rates on
Fe are around three times bigger than the corresponding shell model
rates. The calculated positron capture rates, however, are suppressed by two to
five orders of magnitude.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures, 10 table
The nucleon-nucleon interaction
We review the major progress of the past decade concerning our understanding
of the nucleon-nucleon interaction. The focus is on the low-energy region
(below pion production threshold), but a brief outlook towards higher energies
is also given. The items discussed include charge-dependence, the precise value
of the coupling constant, phase shift analysis and high-precision NN
data and potentials. We also address the issue of a proper theory of nuclear
forces. Finally, we summarize the essential open questions that future research
should be devoted to.Comment: 42 pages, 12 figures, iopart.cls style; Topical Review prepared for
J. Phys. G: Nucl. Part. Phy
Objective evaluation of the quality of movement in daily life after stroke
Stroke survivors are commonly left with disabilities that impair activities of daily living. The main objective of their rehabilitation program is to maximize the functional performance at home. However, the actual performance of patients in their home environment is unknown. Therefore, objective evaluation of daily life activities of stroke survivors in their physical interaction with the environment is essential for optimal guidance of rehabilitation therapy. Monitoring daily life movements could be very challenging, as it may result in large amounts of data, without any context. Therefore, suitable metrics are necessary to quantify relevant aspects of movement performance during daily life. The objective of this study is to develop data processing methods, which can be used to process movement data into relevant metrics for the evaluation of intra-patient differences in quality of movements in a daily life setting. Based on an iterative requirement process, functional and technical requirements were formulated. These were prioritized resulting in a coherent set of metrics. An activity monitor was developed to give context to captured movement data at home. Finally, the metrics will be demonstrated in two stroke participants during and after their rehabilitation phases. By using the final set of metrics, quality of movement can be evaluated in a daily life setting. As example to demonstrate potential of presented methods, data of two stroke patients were successfully analyzed. Differences between in-clinic measurements and measurements during daily life are observed by applying the presented metrics and visualization methods. Heel height profiles show intra-patient differences in height, distance, stride profile, and variability between strides during a 10-m walk test in the clinic and walking at home. Differences in distance and stride profile between both feet were larger at home, than in clinic. For the upper extremities, the participant was able to reach further away from the pelvis and cover a larger area. Presented methods can be used for the objective evaluation of intra-patient differences in movement quality between in-clinic and daily life measurements. Any observed progression or deterioration of movement quality could be used to decide on continuing, stopping, or adjusting rehabilitation programs
Shell-model Monte Carlo studies of fp-shell nuclei
We study the gross properties of even-even and nuclei with
using shell-model Monte Carlo methods. Our calculations account for all configurations in the -shell and employ the modified
Kuo-Brown interaction KB3. We find good agreement with data for masses and
total strengths, the latter employing effective charges and
. The calculated total Gamow-Teller strengths agree consistently
with the -values deduced from data if the shell model results
are renormalized by , as has already been established for -shell
nuclei. The present calculations therefore suggest that this renormalization
(i.e., in the nuclear medium) is universal.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figures, Caltech Preprint
Growth inhibition of oral mutans streptococci and candida by commercial probiotic lactobacilli - an in vitro study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Probiotic bacteria are suggested to play a role in the maintenance of oral health. Such health promoting bacteria are added to different commercial probiotic products. The aim of the study was to investigate the ability of a selection of lactobacilli strains, used in commercially available probiotic products, to inhibit growth of oral mutans streptococci and <it>C. albicans in vitro</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eight probiotic lactobacilli strains were tested for growth inhibition on three reference strains and two clinical isolates of mutans streptococci as well as two reference strains and three clinical isolates of <it>Candida albicans </it>with an agar overlay method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At concentrations ranging from 10<sup>9 </sup>to 10<sup>5 </sup>CFU/ml, all lactobacilli strains inhibited the growth of the mutans streptococci completely with the exception of <it>L. acidophilus </it>La5 that executed only a slight inhibition of some strains at concentrations corresponding to 10<sup>7 </sup>and 10<sup>5 </sup>CFU/ml. At the lowest cell concentration (10<sup>3 </sup>CFU/ml), only <it>L. plantarum </it>299v and <it>L. plantarum </it>931 displayed a total growth inhibition while a slight inhibition was seen for all five mutans streptococci strains by <it>L. rhamnosus </it>LB21, <it>L. paracasei </it>F19, <it>L. reuteri </it>PTA 5289 and <it>L. reuteri </it>ATCC 55730. All the tested lactobacilli strains reduced candida growth but the effect was generally weaker than for mutans streptococci. The two <it>L. plantarum </it>strains and <it>L. reuteri </it>ATCC 55730 displayed the strongest inhibition on <it>Candida albicans</it>. No significant differences were observed between the reference strains and the clinical isolates.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The selected probiotic strains showed a significant but somewhat varying ability to inhibit growth of oral mutans streptococci and <it>Candida albicans in vitro</it>.</p
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