137 research outputs found
Nuclear alpha-clustering, superdeformation, and molecular resonances
Nuclear alpha-clustering has been the subject of intense study since the
advent of heavy-ion accelerators. Looking back for more than 40 years we are
able today to see the connection between quasimolecular resonances in heavy-ion
collisions and extremely deformed states in light nuclei. For example
superdeformed bands have been recently discovered in light N=Z nuclei such as
Ar, Ca, Cr, and Ni by -ray spectroscopy.
The search for strongly deformed shapes in N=Z nuclei is also the domain of
charged-particle spectroscopy, and our experimental group at IReS Strasbourg
has studied a number of these nuclei with the charged particle multidetector
array {\sc Icare} at the {\sc Vivitron} Tandem facility in a systematical
manner. Recently the search for -decays in Mg has been
undertaken in a range of excitation energies where previously nuclear molecular
resonances were found in C+C collisions. The breakup reaction
MgC has been investigated at E(Mg) = 130 MeV, an
energy which corresponds to the appropriate excitation energy in Mg for
which the C+C resonance could be related to the breakup
resonance. Very exclusive data were collected with the Binary Reaction
Spectrometer in coincidence with {\sc Euroball IV} installed at the {\sc
Vivitron}.Comment: 10 pages, 4 eps figures included. Invited Talk 10th Nuclear Physics
Workshop Marie and Pierre Curie, Kazimierz Dolny Poland, Sep. 24-28, 2003; To
be published in International Journal of Modern Physics
Vanishing spin alignment : experimental indication of triaxial nuclear molecule
Fragment-fragment- coincidences have been measured for at an energy corresponding to the population of a conjectured
resonance in Ni. Fragment angular distributions as well as -ray
angular correlations indicate that the spin orientations of the outgoing
fragments are perpendicular to the orbital angular momentum. This differs from
the and the resonances, and
suggests two oblate nuclei interacting in an equator-to-equator
molecular configuration.Comment: 14 pages standard REVTeX file, 3 ps Figures -- Accepted for
publication in Physical Review C (Rapid Communication
Collective Modes of Tri-Nuclear Molecules
A geometrical model for tri-nuclear molecules is presented. An analytical
solution is obtained provided the nuclei, which are taken to be prolately
deformed, are connected in line to each other. Furthermore, the tri-nuclear
molecule is composed of two heavy and one light cluster, the later sandwiched
between the two heavy clusters. A basis is constructed in which Hamiltonians of
more general configurations can be diagonalized. In the calculation of the
interaction between the clusters higher multipole deformations are taken into
account, including the hexadecupole one. A repulsive nuclear core is introduced
in the potential in order to insure a quasi-stable configuration of the system.
The model is applied to three nuclear molecules, namely Sr + Be +
Ba, Mo + Be + Te and Ru + Be +
Sn.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figure
From the stable to the exotic: clustering in light nuclei
A great deal of research work has been undertaken in alpha-clustering study
since the pioneering discovery of 12C+12C molecular resonances half a century
ago. Our knowledge on physics of nuclear molecules has increased considerably
and nuclear clustering remains one of the most fruitful domains of nuclear
physics, facing some of the greatest challenges and opportunities in the years
ahead. The occurrence of "exotic" shapes in light N=Z alpha-like nuclei is
investigated. Various approaches of the superdeformed and hyperdeformed bands
associated with quasimolecular resonant structures are presented. Evolution of
clustering from stability to the drip-lines is examined: clustering aspects
are, in particular, discussed for light exotic nuclei with large neutron excess
such as neutron-rich Oxygen isotopes with their complete spectroscopy.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, Presented at the International Symposium on "New
Horizons in Fundamental Physics - From Neutrons Nuclei via Superheavy
Elements and Supercritical Fields to Neutron Stars and Cosmic Rays" held at
Makutsi Safari Farm, South Africa, December 23-29, 2015. arXiv admin note:
substantial text overlap with arXiv:1402.6590, arXiv:1303.0960,
arXiv:1408.0684, arXiv:1011.342
Nuclear Alpha-Particle Condensates
The -particle condensate in nuclei is a novel state described by a
product state of 's, all with their c.o.m. in the lowest 0S orbit. We
demonstrate that a typical -particle condensate is the Hoyle state
( MeV, state in C), which plays a crucial role for
the synthesis of C in the universe. The influence of antisymmentrization
in the Hoyle state on the bosonic character of the particle is
discussed in detail. It is shown to be weak. The bosonic aspects in the Hoyle
state, therefore, are predominant. It is conjectured that -particle
condensate states also exist in heavier nuclei, like O,
Ne, etc. For instance the state of O at MeV
is identified from a theoretical analysis as being a strong candidate of a
condensate. The calculated small width (34 keV) of ,
consistent with data, lends credit to the existence of heavier Hoyle-analogue
states. In non-self-conjugated nuclei such as B and C, we discuss
candidates for the product states of clusters, composed of 's,
triton's, and neutrons etc. The relationship of -particle condensation
in finite nuclei to quartetting in symmetric nuclear matter is investigated
with the help of an in-medium modified four-nucleon equation. A nonlinear order
parameter equation for quartet condensation is derived and solved for
particle condensation in infinite nuclear matter. The strong qualitative
difference with the pairing case is pointed out.Comment: 71 pages, 41 figures, review article, to be published in "Cluster in
Nuclei (Lecture Notes in Physics) - Vol.2 -", ed. by C. Beck,
(Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2011
The Tyrosine Kinase c-Src Directly Mediates Growth Factor-Induced Notch-1 and Furin Interaction and Notch-1 Activation in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
The proteolytic activity of Furin responsible for processing full length Notch-1 (p300) plays a critical role in Notch signaling. The amplitude and duration of Notch activity can be regulated at various points in the pathway, but there has been no report regarding regulation of the Notch-1-Furin interaction, despite its importance. In the present study, we found that the Notch-1-Furin interaction is regulated by the non-receptor tyrosine kinase, c-Src. c-Src and Notch-1 are physically associated, and this association is responsible for Notch-1 processing and activation. We also found that growth factor TGF-α, an EGFR ligand, and PDGF-BB, a PDGFR ligand, induce the Notch-1-Furin interaction mediated by c-Src. Our results support three new and provocative conclusions: (1) The association between Notch-1 and Furin is a well-regulated process; (2) Extracellular growth factor signals regulate this interaction, which is mediated by c-Src; (3) There is cross-talk between the plasma growth factor receptor-c-Src and Notch pathways. Co-localization of Notch-1 and c-Src was confirmed in xenograft tumor tissues and in the tissues of pancreatic cancer patients. Our findings have implications for the mechanism by which the Notch and growth factor receptor-c-Src signaling pathways regulate carcinogenesis and cancer cell growth
Evidence for -particle condensation in nuclei from the Hoyle state deexcitation
The fragmentation of quasi-projectiles from the nuclear reaction
Ca+C at 25 MeV/nucleon was used to produce excited states
candidates to -particle condensation. Complete kinematic
characterization of individual decay events, made possible by a
high-granularity 4 charged particle multi-detector, reveals that
7.54.0% of the particle decays of the Hoyle state correspond to direct
decays in three equal-energy -particles.Comment: Phys. Lett. B, in pres
Stay@Work: Participatory Ergonomics to prevent low back and neck pain among workers: design of a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the (cost-)effectiveness
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Low back pain (LBP) and neck pain (NP) are a major public health problem with considerable costs for individuals, companies and society. Therefore, prevention is imperative. The Stay@Work study investigates the (cost-)effectiveness of Participatory Ergonomics (PE) to prevent LBP and NP among workers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a randomised controlled trial (RCT), a total of 5,759 workers working at 36 departments of four companies is expected to participate in the study at baseline. The departments consisting of about 150 workers are pre-stratified and randomised. The control departments receive usual practice and the intervention departments receive PE. Within each intervention department a working group is formed including eight workers, a representative of the management, and an occupational health and safety coordinator. During a one day meeting, the working group follows the steps of PE in which the most important risk factors for LBP and NP, and the most adequate ergonomic measures are identified on the basis of group consensus. The implementation of ergonomic measures at the department is performed by the working group. To improve the implementation process, so-called 'ergocoaches' are trained.</p> <p>The primary outcome measure is an episode of LBP and NP. Secondary outcome measures are actual use of ergonomic measures, physical workload, psychosocial workload, intensity of pain, general health status, sick leave, and work productivity. The cost-effectiveness analysis is performed from the societal and company perspective. Outcome measures are assessed using questionnaires at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. Data on the primary outcome as well as on intensity of pain, sick leave, work productivity, and health care costs are collected every 3 months.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Prevention of LBP and NP is beneficial for workers, employers, and society. If the intervention is proven (cost-)effective, the intervention can have a major impact on LBP and NP prevention and, thereby, on work disability prevention. Results are expected in 2010.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ISRCTN27472278</p
- …