Correlations in Nuclei: Self-Consistent Treatment and the BAGEL Approach

An approach is presented which allows a self-consistent description of the fragmentation of single-particle strength for nucleons in finite nuclei employing the Greens function formalism. The self-energy to be considered in the Dyson equation for the single-particle Greens function contains all terms of first (Hartree-Fock) and second order in the residual interaction. It is demonstrated that the fragmentation of the single-particle strength originating from the terms of second order can efficiently be described in terms of the so-called BAGEL approximation. Employing this approximation the self-energy can be evaluated in a self-consistent way, i.e. the correlations contained in the Greens function are taken into account for the evaluation of the self-energy. As an example this scheme is applied to the nucleus $^{16}O$, using a realistic nucleon nucleon interaction. The effects of the correlations on the occupation probabilities and the binding energy are evaluated.Comment: 9 page

On the Role of Self-compassion and Self-kindness in Weight Regulation and Health Behavior Change

The construct of self-compassion has been investigated in relation to health behaviors, health behavior change, and health outcomes such as regulated eating and weight loss. Self-compassion has been defined as a mindful awareness of oneself, which involves treating oneself kindly and understanding oneself during difficult and challenging times by realizing that such experiences are common amongst all humans (Neff, 2003a). Neff (2003a,b) described how self-compassion consists of three interrelated components: self-kindness (vs. self-judgment), common humanity (vs. isolation), and mindfulness (vs. over-identification). While the psychological benefits are well documented (e.g., Neff, 2011), the health behaviors and outcomes may require more consideration, and this opinion manuscript aims to shed light on potential problems in eating and weight issues. Initial findings of self-compassion in assisting regulated eating are promising, and are explored next

First measurement of the spectral function at high energy and momentum in medium-heavy nuclei

The experiment E97-006 was performed at Jefferson Lab to measure the momentum and energy distribution of protons in the nucleus far from the region of the (approximate) validity of the mean field description, i.e. at high momentum and energies. The occurrence of this strength is long known from occupation numbers less than one. In the experiment reported here this strength was directly measured for the first time. The results are compared to modern many-body theories. Further the transparency factor of C12 was determined in the Q^2-region of 0.6 to 1.8 (GeV/c)^2.Comment: Proceeding for Fourth International Workshop on Neutrino-Nucleus Interactions in the Few-GeV Region 26.-29. Sept. 2005, Okayam

Exploring the potential of antimicrobial hand hygiene products in reducing the infectious burden in low-income countries: An integrative review.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this review was to understand whether adding antimicrobial agents to hand hygiene products could increase the health benefits of handwashing with plain soap (HWWS) in low-income settings. METHODS: A review of experimental studies comparing the effects of HWWS with antimicrobial soap and waterless hand sanitizer on health and hand contamination in naturalistic conditions was conducted. In addition, an analysis was completed of the evidence from laboratory studies examining the factors that may affect the impact of antimicrobial soap, taking into account the conditions in low-income settings. RESULTS: The review found no evidence for a superior effect of antimicrobial products compared with HWWS on disease incidence and limited evidence for an effect on hand contamination under naturalistic conditions. An analysis of the effectiveness of antimicrobial soap in laboratory settings suggested that it was only more effective than HWWS when handwashing frequency, duration, and product concentrations were above levels that could be expected in low-income settings. CONCLUSIONS: The limited available evidence suggests that under naturalistic conditions, antimicrobial products are no more effective than HWWS in removing pathogens from hands. Without significant improvement in efficacy, antimicrobial products are unlikely to produce greater health gains than HWWS in low-income settings

Electron-induced proton knockout from neutron rich nuclei

We study the evolution of the \eep cross section on nuclei with increasing asymmetry between the number of neutrons and protons. The calculations are done within the framework of the nonrelativistic and relativistic distorted-wave impulse approximation. In the nonrelativistic model phenomenological Woods-Saxon and Hartree-Fock wave functions are used for the proton bound-state wave functions, in the relativistic model the wave functions are solutions of Dirac-Hartree equations. The models are first tested against experimental data on $^{40}$Ca and $^{48}$Ca nuclei, and then they are applied to a set of spherical calcium isotopes.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures. contribution to the XIX International School on Nuclear Physics, Neutron Physics and Applications, Varna (Bulgaria) September 19-25, 201

A cross-sectional survey to assess household sanitation practices associated with uptake of “Clean Team” serviced home toilets in Kumasi, Ghana

“Clean Team” provides serviced, free-standing toilets as a sanitation option in low-income areas of Kumasi, Ghana. A cross-sectional survey was carried out to assess sanitation and hygiene practices in 199 Clean Team households and 201 neighbouring, non-Clean Team households. Adults in non-Clean Team households were no more likely to report unsafe defecation (faeces not contained in a latrine) than their Clean Team neighbours, although their reliance on public toilets may lead to occasional unsafe practices. Children in Clean Team households used the household toilet from a younger age than those in non-Clean Team households, and their faeces were thus more often disposed of safely. Soap and water were more frequently found at the latrine in Clean Team households than in latrine-owning non-Clean Team households. Use of Clean Team toilets is likely to reduce faecal contamination of the environment through safer child defecation and stool disposal practices, and may increase the opportunity for post-defecation handwashing with soap. </jats:p

GRAIL, an omni-directional gravitational wave detector

A cryogenic spherical and omni-directional resonant-mass detector proposed by the GRAIL collaboration is described.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figs., contribution to proceedings GW Data Analysis Workshop, Paris, nov. 199

Long-Range Correlations in Closed Shell Nuclei

The effects of correlations on the bulk properties of nuclei are investigated in large model spaces including up to 21 single-particle orbits. The evaluation of the single-particle Green function is made feasible by means of the BAGEL approximation. The spectral function for single-nucleon pick-up and removal is investigated for the nuclei $^{16}O$ and $^{40}Ca$ . Special attention is paid to the effects produced by correlations on the calculated ground state properties of closed shell nuclei. It is observed that correlations beyond the Brueckner Hartree Fock approximation tend to improve the results obtained using realistic nucleon nucleon interactions.Comment: 23 pages 4 figures not included, Report Tu-93-081

3s Proton Holes in the Ground State of 208-Pb

This research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation Grant NSF PHY 87-1440