131 research outputs found
Quasideuteron states with deformed core
The M1 transitions between low-lying T=1 and T=0 states in deformed odd-odd
N=Z nuclei are analyzed in the frames of the rotor-plus-particle model. Using
the representation of an explicit coupling of angular momenta we show that
strong coupling of the quasideuteron configurations to the axially deformed
core results in a distribution of the total 0+ --> 1+ strength among a few
low-lying 1+ states. Simple analytical formulae for B(M1) values are derived.
The realization of the M1 sum rule for the low-lying 1+,T=0 states is
indicated. The calculated B(M1) values are found to be in good agreement with
experimental data and reveal specific features of collectivity in odd-odd N=Z
nuclei.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure, LaTe
Study of refractive structure in the inelastic 16O+16O scattering at the incident energies of 250 to 1120 MeV
The data of inelastic 16O+16O scattering to the lowest 2+ and 3- excited
states of 16O have been measured at Elab = 250, 350, 480, 704 and 1120 MeV and
analyzed consistently in the distorted wave Born approximation (DWBA), using
the semi- microscopic optical potentials and inelastic form factors given by
the folding model, to reveal possible refractive structure of the nuclear
rainbow that was identified earlier in the elastic 16O+16O scattering channel
at the same energies. Given the known transition strengths of the 2+ and 3-
states of 16O well determined from the (e,e') data, the DWBA description of the
inelastic data over the whole angular range was possible only if the absorption
in the exit channels is significantly increased (especially, for the
16O+16O(2+) exit channel). Although the refractive pattern of the inelastic
16O+16O scattering was found to be less pronounced compared to that observed in
the elastic scattering channel, a clear remnant of the main rainbow maximum
could still be seen in the inelastic cross section at Elab = 350 - 704 MeV.Comment: 26 pages, 10 figures, Accepted for publication in Nucl. Phys.
Population of isomers in decay of the giant dipole resonance
The value of an isomeric ratio (IR) in N=81 isotones (Ba, Ce,
Nd and Sm) is studied by means of the ( reaction.
This quantity measures a probability to populate the isomeric state in respect
to the ground state population. In ( reactions, the giant dipole
resonance (GDR) is excited and after its decay by a neutron emission, the
nucleus has an excitation energy of a few MeV. The forthcoming decay
by direct or cascade transitions deexcites the nucleus into an isomeric or
ground state. It has been observed experimentally that the IR for Ba
and Ce equals about 0.13 while in two heavier isotones it is even less
than half the size. To explain this effect, the structure of the excited states
in the energy region up to 6.5 MeV has been calculated within the Quasiparticle
Phonon Model. Many states are found connected to the ground and isomeric states
by , and transitions. The single-particle component of the wave
function is responsible for the large values of the transitions. The calculated
value of the isomeric ratio is in very good agreement with the experimental
data for all isotones. A slightly different value of maximum energy with which
the nuclei rest after neutron decay of the GDR is responsible for the reported
effect of the A-dependence of the IR.Comment: 16 pages, 4 Fig
Isolation of monomethylarsonic acid-mineralizing bacteria from arsenic contaminated soils of Ohkunoshima Island
Random Matrix Theories in Quantum Physics: Common Concepts
We review the development of random-matrix theory (RMT) during the last
decade. We emphasize both the theoretical aspects, and the application of the
theory to a number of fields. These comprise chaotic and disordered systems,
the localization problem, many-body quantum systems, the Calogero-Sutherland
model, chiral symmetry breaking in QCD, and quantum gravity in two dimensions.
The review is preceded by a brief historical survey of the developments of RMT
and of localization theory since their inception. We emphasize the concepts
common to the above-mentioned fields as well as the great diversity of RMT. In
view of the universality of RMT, we suggest that the current development
signals the emergence of a new "statistical mechanics": Stochasticity and
general symmetry requirements lead to universal laws not based on dynamical
principles.Comment: 178 pages, Revtex, 45 figures, submitted to Physics Report
The Microbiota Mediates Pathogen Clearance from the Gut Lumen after Non-Typhoidal Salmonella Diarrhea
Many enteropathogenic bacteria target the mammalian gut. The mechanisms protecting the host from infection are poorly understood. We have studied the protective functions of secretory antibodies (sIgA) and the microbiota, using a mouse model for S. typhimurium diarrhea. This pathogen is a common cause of diarrhea in humans world-wide. S. typhimurium (S. tmatt, sseD) causes a self-limiting gut infection in streptomycin-treated mice. After 40 days, all animals had overcome the disease, developed a sIgA response, and most had cleared the pathogen from the gut lumen. sIgA limited pathogen access to the mucosal surface and protected from gut inflammation in challenge infections. This protection was O-antigen specific, as demonstrated with pathogens lacking the S. typhimurium O-antigen (wbaP, S. enteritidis) and sIgA-deficient mice (TCRβ−/−δ−/−, JH−/−, IgA−/−, pIgR−/−). Surprisingly, sIgA-deficiency did not affect the kinetics of pathogen clearance from the gut lumen. Instead, this was mediated by the microbiota. This was confirmed using ‘L-mice’ which harbor a low complexity gut flora, lack colonization resistance and develop a normal sIgA response, but fail to clear S. tmatt from the gut lumen. In these mice, pathogen clearance was achieved by transferring a normal complex microbiota. Thus, besides colonization resistance ( = pathogen blockage by an intact microbiota), the microbiota mediates a second, novel protective function, i.e. pathogen clearance. Here, the normal microbiota re-grows from a state of depletion and disturbed composition and gradually clears even very high pathogen loads from the gut lumen, a site inaccessible to most “classical” immune effector mechanisms. In conclusion, sIgA and microbiota serve complementary protective functions. The microbiota confers colonization resistance and mediates pathogen clearance in primary infections, while sIgA protects from disease if the host re-encounters the same pathogen. This has implications for curing S. typhimurium diarrhea and for preventing transmission
Natural-based nanocomposites for bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: a review
Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has been providing exciting
technologies for the development of functional substitutes aimed to repair and
regenerate damaged tissues and organs. Inspired by the hierarchical nature of
bone, nanostructured biomaterials are gaining a singular attention for tissue
engineering, owing their ability to promote cell adhesion and proliferation, and
hence new bone growth, compared with conventional microsized materials.
Of particular interest are nanocomposites involving biopolymeric matrices and
bioactive nanosized fi llers. Biodegradability, high mechanical strength, and
osteointegration and formation of ligamentous tissue are properties required
for such materials. Biopolymers are advantageous due to their similarities with
extracellular matrices, specifi c degradation rates, and good biological performance.
By its turn, calcium phosphates possess favorable osteoconductivity,
resorbability, and biocompatibility. Herein, an overview on the available natural
polymer/calcium phosphate nanocomposite materials, their design, and properties
is presented. Scaffolds, hydrogels, and fi bers as biomimetic strategies for
tissue engineering, and processing methodologies are described. The specifi c
biological properties of the nanocomposites, as well as their interaction with
cells, including the use of bioactive molecules, are highlighted. Nanocomposites
in vivo studies using animal models are also reviewed and discussed.
The research leading to this work has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no REGPOT-CT2012-316331-POLARIS, and from QREN (ON.2 - NORTE-01-0124-FEDER-000016) cofinanced by North Portugal Regional Operational Program (ON.2 - O Novo Norte), under the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Diagenesis of archaeological bone and tooth
An understanding of the structural complexity of mineralised tissues is fundamental for exploration into the field of diagenesis. Here we review aspects of current and past research on bone and tooth diagenesis using the most comprehensive collection of literature on diagenesis to date. Environmental factors such as soil pH, soil hydrology and ambient temperature, which influence the preservation of skeletal tissues are assessed, while the different diagenetic pathways such as microbial degradation, loss of organics, mineral changes, and DNA degradation are surveyed. Fluctuating water levels in and around the bone is the most harmful for preservation and lead to rapid skeletal destruction. Diagenetic mechanisms are found to work in conjunction with each other, altering the biogenic composition of skeletal material. This illustrates that researchers must examine multiple diagenetic pathways to fully understand the post-mortem interactions of archaeological skeletal material and the burial environment
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