Proton emission, gamma deformation, and the spin of the isomeric state of 141Ho

Abstract The nonadiabatic quasiparticle model for triaxial shapes is used to perform calculations for decay of 141 Ho, the only known odd-Z even-N deformed nucleus for which fine structure in proton emission from both ground and isomeric states was observed. All experimental data corresponding to this unique case namely, the rotational spectra of parent and daughter nuclei, decay widths and branching ratios for ground and isomeric states, could be well explained with a strong triaxial deformation γ ∼ 20 ° . The recent experimental observation of fine structure decay from the isomeric state, can be explained only with an assignment of I = 3 / 2 + as the decaying state, in contradiction with the previous assignment, of I = 1 / 2 + , based on adiabatic calculations. This study reveals that proton emission measurements could be a precise tool to probe triaxial deformations and other structural properties of exotic nuclei beyond the proton drip-line

Evidence for partial rotation alignment in proton emitting 121Pr

Abstract Using nonadiabatic quasiparticle calculations we reproduce the experimental half-life for proton radioactivity in 121Pr assuming that the decaying state has angular momentum J π = 7 / 2 − , thus showing for the first time clear evidence for partial rotation alignment in a proton emitting nucleus. The treatment of the pairing interaction in the BCS approach produces profound changes in the ordering of energy levels, and at high deformation, the state 7 / 2 − coming from the h 11 / 2 spherical shell becomes the bandhead

Lack of mutations of exon 2 of the MEN1 gene in endocrine and nonendocrine sporadic tumors

In addition to the mutations that underlie most cases of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome, somatic mutations of the MEN1 gene have also been described in sporadic tumors like gastrinomas, insulinomas and bronchial carcinoid neoplasm. We examined exon 2 of this gene, where most of the mutations have been described, in 148 endocrine and nonendocrine sporadic tumors. DNA was obtained by phenol/chloroform extraction and ethanol precipitation from 92 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples, and from 40 fresh tumor tissue samples. We used 5 pairs of primers to encompass the complete coding sequence of exon 2 of the MEN1 gene that was screened by the polymerase chain reaction-single-stranded conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique in 78 sporadic thyroid cancers: 28 follicular adenomas, 35 papillary carcinomas, 14 follicular carcinomas, and 1 anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. We also examined 46 adrenal lesions (3 hyperplasias, 3 adenomas and 35 adrenocortical carcinomas, 2 pheochromocytomas, 2 ganglioneuroblastomas, and 1 lymphoma) and 24 breast cancers (6 noninvasive, 16 infiltrating ductal, and 2 invasive lobular tumors). The PCR product of 5 tumors suspected to present band shifts by SSCP was cloned. Direct sense and antisense sequencing did not identify mutations. These results suggest that the MEN1 gene is not important in breast, thyroid or adrenal sporadic tumorigenesis. Because the frequency of mutations varies significantly among tumor subgroups and allelic deletions are frequently observed at 11q13 in thyroid and adrenal cancers, another tumor suppressor gene residing in this region is likely to be involved in the tumorigenesis of these neoplasms.86186

"Double trouble” or digenic disorder in Complex I deficiency

Complex I (CI) deficiency is a defect of OXPHOS caused by mutations in the mitochondrial or nuclear genomes. To date disease-causing mutations have been reported in all mitochondrial-encoded subunits and 22 nuclear genes. In about 50% of the patients no mutations are found, suggesting that undiscovered factors are an important cause of disease. In this study we report a consanguineous family from Southern Portugal with three affected children presenting with CI deficiency and 3-methylglutaconic aciduria type IV

Mitigating Ammonia and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Stored Pig Slurry Using Chemical Additives and Biochars

Slurry storage is a significant source of NH3 and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The aim of this laboratory study was to assess the effects of different chemical additives and biochars on the emissions of NH3, N2O, CO2, and CH4 during the short-term storage of pig slurry. The experiment was performed using Kilner jars filled with raw slurry as control and six treatment additives (5% w/w): acidified slurry, alkalinized slurry, neutralized slurry, agroforestry biochar, cardoon biochar, and elderberry biochar. The gas emissions were measured for 30 days, and the composition of the slurries was determined. During short-term storage, the results of this laboratory study indicated that the NH3 emissions were reduced by 58% by acidification and by 20% by the biochars (Agroforestry, Cardoon, and Elderberry treatments), while neutralization reduced this loss by only 12%. Nitrous oxide emissions were not reduced by the chemical additives (Acidified, Alkalinized, and Neutralized treatments), while this loss was increased by 12% by the biochars. Carbon dioxide, CH4, and global warming potential emissions were not affected by the chemical additives and biochars. Furthermore, the absence of differences between the biochars may be related to their similar composition. Regarding the influence of the studied additives on NH3 losses, it can be concluded that acidification was the best mitigation measure and the biochars were quite similar due to their composition. Furthermore, neutralization had the advantage of sanitizing the slurry, but only had a mild impact on NH3 preservation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluación de las propiedades físico-mecánicas de morteros de albañilería producidos en base de cemento y cal con áridos reciclados mixtos

This study investigated the physical-mechanical effects of cement-lime mortars containing recycled aggregate of construction and demolition waste (CDW). The natural aggregate (NA) was replaced by volume at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% by mixed recycled aggregate (MRA) obtained from the CDW crushing. Five types of mortars were prepared with a volumetric ratio of 1:1:6 (cement, lime and aggregate) and water/binder ratio based on the fixed consistency of 260 mm. The effects of MRA on fresh and hardened mortars’ properties were analyzed. The results were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA. MRA incorporation improved most of the physical-mechanical properties of mortars tested, except for hardened bulk density, water absorption and porosity. In the long-run, mechanical strengths significantly increased in all compositions, especially those with higher percentages of MRA. The results obtained showed that the use of MRA in masonry mortars is an alternative to reduce the generation of waste and consumption of natural resources.Este estudio investigó los efectos físico-mecánicos de los morteros de cemento y cal con áridos reciclados de residuos de construcción y demolición (RCD). El árido natural (AN) se reemplazó en volumen al 25%, 50%, 75% y 100% por el árido reciclado mixto (ARM) obtenido de la trituración de RCD. Se prepararon cinco tipos de morteros con una relación volumétrica de 1: 1: 6 (cemento, cal y áridos) y una relación de agua / aglomerante en función de la consistencia fija de 260 mm. Se analizaron los efectos del ARM en las propiedades de los morteros frescos y endurecidos. Los resultados se analizaron utilizando un ANOVA-simple. La incorporación de ARM mejoró la mayoría de las propiedades físico-mecánicas de los morteros, excepto la densidad aparente endurecida, la absorción de agua y la porosidad. A largo plazo, las resistencias mecánicas aumentaron significativamente en todas las composiciones, especialmente en aquellas con porcentajes más altos de ARM. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que el uso de ARM en morteros de albañilería es una alternativa para reducir la generación de residuos y el consumo de recursos naturales

Impact of the urbanisation process in the availability of ecosystem services in a tropical ecotone area

Urbanisation has been a main cause of land use land cover (LULC) change worldwide, often with irreparable consequences to the provision of ecosystem services. Despite an increase in quantitative assessments of ecosystem services value (ESV) related to LULC changes, data are scarce for ecotones, such as the agreste in northeast Brazil (a transitional area between the Atlantic Forest and the Caatinga biomes). The benefit transfer method was used to quantify changes in ESV between 1989, 2007 and 2014 due to urbanisation in the microwatershed Riacho das Piabas (3,660 ha) in the agreste of Paraíba. Remote sensing techniques and geographic information system were used to quantify LULC changes. Loss of arboreal vegetation (covering 46% of the study area in 1989 and 5% in 2014) was the key factor driving the 73.2% decline in the total ESV (from US$13.7 million to US$ 3.7 million in 2017 values). LULC changes resulted in losses of 89% in the estimated value of eight ecosystem services, including climate regulation, water flow regulation, moderation of disturbance, nutrient cycling and biological control, which are critical locally when considering the regional trend towards aridification and the existing pressures on water resources. Ecosystem functions loss and climate change impacts may lead to a shift in ecotone boundaries favouring the semiarid Caatinga vegetation. These results urge the implementation of ecosystem-based spatial planning, focusing on urban green infrastructure and restoration of natural habitats and their connectivity, to prevent further ecosystem services losses. Local estimates of ESV required to inform the suggested policy actions are identified

Role of dynamical particle-vibration coupling in reconciliation of the d3/2d_{3/2} puzzle for spherical proton emitters

It has been observed that decay rate for proton emission from $d_{3/2}$ single particle state is systematically quenched compared with the prediction of a one dimensional potential model although the same model successfully accounts for measured decay rates from $s_{1/2}$ and $h_{11/2}$ states. We reconcile this discrepancy by solving coupled-channels equations, taking into account couplings between the proton motion and vibrational excitations of a daughter nucleus. We apply the formalism to proton emitting nuclei $^{160,161}$Re to show that there is a certain range of parameter set of the excitation energy and the dynamical deformation parameter for the quadrupole phonon excitation which reproduces simultaneously the experimental decay rates from the 2$d_{3/2}$, 3$s_{1/2}$ and 1$h_{11/2}$ states in these nuclei.Comment: RevTex, 12 pages, 4 eps figure