Nuclear isotope thermometry

We discuss different aspects which could influence temperatures deduced from experimental isotopic yields in the multifragmentation process. It is shown that fluctuations due to the finite size of the system and distortions due to the decay of hot primary fragments conspire to blur the temperature determination in multifragmentation reactions. These facts suggest that caloric curves obtained through isotope thermometers, which were taken as evidence for a first-order phase transition in nuclear matter, should be investigated very carefully.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure

CD4+ T-cell responses to Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen EBNA1 in Chinese populations are highly focused on novel C-terminal domain-derived epitopes

Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen EBNA1, the one viral protein uniformly expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), represents a prime target for T-cell-based immunotherapy. However, little is known about the EBNA1 epitopes, particularly CD4 epitopes, presented by HLA alleles in Chinese people, the group at highest risk for NPC. We analyzed the CD4$^+$ T-cell responses to EBNA1 in 78 healthy Chinese donors and found marked focusing on a small number of epitopes in the EBNA1 C-terminal region, including a DP5- restricted epitope that was recognized by almost half of the donors tested and elicited responses able to recognize EBNA1-expressing, DP5-positive target cells

On Determining Dead Layer and Detector Thicknesses for a Position-Sensitive Silicon Detector

In this work, two particular properties of the position-sensitive, thick silicon detectors (known as the "E" detectors) in the High Resolution Array (HiRA) are investigated: the thickness of the dead layer on the front of the detector, and the overall thickness of the detector itself. The dead layer thickness for each E detector in HiRA is extracted using a measurement of alpha particles emitted from a $^{212}$Pb pin source placed close to the detector surface. This procedure also allows for energy calibrations of the E detectors, which are otherwise inaccessible for alpha source calibration as each one is sandwiched between two other detectors. The E detector thickness is obtained from a combination of elastically scattered protons and an energy-loss calculation method. Results from these analyses agree with values provided by the manufacturer.Comment: Accepted for publication in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Researc

Bystander Position Taking in School Bullying: The Role of Positive Identity, Self-Efficacy, and Self-Determination

School bullying has become an explicit, burgeoning problem challenging the healthy development of children and adolescents in Hong Kong. Many bullying prevention and intervention programs focus on victims and bullies, with bystanders treated as either nonexistent or irrelevant. This paper asserts that bystanders actually play pivotal roles in deciding whether the bullying process and dynamics are benign or adversarial. Bystanders' own abilities and characteristics often influence how they respond to victims and bullies. “P.A.T.H.S. to Adulthood: A Jockey Club Youth Enhancement Scheme” (P.A.T.H.S. = Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) is an evidence-based positive youth development program which shows that primary intervention programs have constructive impacts on junior secondary school students' beliefs and behavior. This paper asserts that intrapsychic qualities, namely identity, self-efficacy, and self-determination, greatly influence how bystanders react in school bullying situations. The paper also explains how classroom-based educational programs based on the P.A.T.H.S. model have been designed to help junior secondary school students strengthen these characteristics, so that they can be constructive bystanders when they encounter school bullying

Positive Identity as a Positive Youth Development Construct: A Conceptual Review

Identity is a core construct in psychology because it refers to how a person addresses issues dealing with who that person is. Important theorists studying the concept of identity, like Erikson, Marcia, and Higgins, assert that identity is organized,is learned, and is dynamic, and a subjective evaluation of an individual's identity has emotional consequences for that individual. Adolescents who can cultivate a clear and positive identity after their developmental struggles during adolescence often advance more smoothly into adulthood. This paper reviews literature on the nature and structure of identity and examines its importance on adolescent developmental outcomes. It traces significant determinants of identity and proposes strategies for cultivation of positive identity. Observations on current research gaps in the study of identity and future research directions will also be discussed

Effect of isospin dependent cross-section on fragment production in the collision of charge asymmetric nuclei

To understand the role of isospin effects on fragmentation due to the collisions of charge asymmetric nuclei, we have performed a complete systematical study using isospin dependent quantum molecular dynamics model. Here simulations have been carried out for $^{124}X_{n}+ ^{124}X_{n}$, where n varies from 47 to 59 and for $^{40}Y_{m}+ ^{40}Y_{m}$, where m varies from 14 to 23. Our study shows that isospin dependent cross-section shows its influence on fragmentation in the collision of neutron rich nuclei

Combating School Bullying through Developmental Guidance for Positive Youth Development and Promoting Harmonious School Culture

Bullying and violence, which can bring detrimental effects, are situations which young people have to face in their process of development. Though school bullying has been a spreading and explicit problem in Hong Kong schools, most of the programs or guidelines dealing with the problem lack citywide, recognized initiatives and the effectiveness of these programs is unknown due to the lack of evaluation. The present paper discusses preventing school bullying from a developmental guidance perspective, using the positive youth development paradigm and promoting the values of harmony and forgiveness at the whole-school level to cultivate a harmonious school culture as a way of combating school bullying

O assistente social como mediador cultural em escolas públicas dos bairros de Guamá e Terra firme

I Congresso Internacional América Latina e Interculturalidade: América Latina e Caribe: cenários linguístico-culturais contemporâneos, 07, 08 e 09 de novembro de 2013 - UNILAA intervenção do Assistente Social nas atividades de arte e cultura nas instituições de ensino fundamental e médio nos bairros do Guamá e da Terra Firme. Estudos anteriores constatam que estes não são apenas espaços de violência, como registra a mídia. São espaços multiculturais e agregadores de cultura antiviolência, onde os sujeitos artistas utilizam a arte como meio de transformação social, através do método fenomenológico busco contribuir para a sistematização da intervenção do assistente social na área da educação e cultura, identificando as atividades de arte e cultura nas instituições de ensino fundamental e médio, importância nas instituições em que são desenvolvidas e habilidades requeridas ao profissional de Serviço Social. A metodologia conduziu a investigação nos respectivos bairros com os alunos que estudam nas instituições de ensino fundamental e médio nos bairros, por meio de aplicação de questionários sócio­econômico­cultural que ao definir cultura identificaram as manifestações culturais que estavam ocorrendo no mês (junho/2013) em que o questionário foi aplicado, quanto ao fazer profissional do Serviço Social, a maioria dos alunos da escola pública estadual relacionam o trabalho do assistente social com a prestação de ajuda e auxílio. Os alunos da escola pública federal demonstraram maior efetividade e segurança na resposta, em consonância com o Código de Ética do Assistente Social, também foi realizada entrevista semi­estruturada com a Assistente Social das instituições de ensino. Segundo a pesquisa identifica­se a sobrecarga do profissional do serviço social com as demandas postas pelos alunos no processo de ensino e aprendizagem, de tal modo que não possa acompanhar atividades de arte e cultura desenvolvidas nas instituições de ensino, e por meio de levantamentos bibliográficos e visitas de observação ao local de pesquisa foi possível identificar as atividades, projetos de extensão de arte e cultura nas instituições de ensino