bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comments on the dilemma in the April issue: ‘Social media menace?’
Authors: Mullan Siobhan
Published: May 2011

The dilemma in the April issue concerned a student completing extramural studies at an emergency centre who had posted a photo of himself with a dog in recovery with the caption, ‘Me with a dog recovering from a botched operation’ on Facebook (In Practice, April 2011, volume 33, pages 190–191). The dog had originally been treated for wound dehiscence secondary to self trauma after an enterotomy was performed by a vet in general practice. The client recognised her dog on Facebook and demanded a refund for the initial surgery. Anne Fawcett and John Baguley commented that there were many stakeholders in this scenario. The post reflected badly on both the original vet and the emergency centre, while the university was concerned about its relationship with the profession and the reputation of its students. A possible way forward would be for the student to be counselled on professionalism and online behaviour and the implications of his actions explained. A written apology to the client, the primary vet, the university and the emergency centre might be the most effective way for the student to show their remorse. Senior emergency centre and university staff should meet with the primary vet and client to explain that the complication was due to self trauma rather than negligence of the primary vet, and emphasise the fact that the online posting was incorrect and unauthorised.
Evidence‐based use of antimicrobials in veterinary practice
Authors: Mateus Ana , Brodbelt David , Stärk Katharina
Published: May 2011

Antimicrobial resistance has generally been recognised as an increasing problem in both human and veterinary medicine for some time. While many organisations around the world are currently primarily focused on monitoring resistance and promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials for both medical doctors and veterinarians, many stakeholders are questioning whether we should, in fact, be reviewing how antimicrobials are used in the first place. This article considers the risk of resistance developing following the use of antimicrobials in veterinary practice, and discusses practical and effective ways of managing this risk.
Forensic veterinary medicine
Authors: Newbery Simon , Munro Ranald
Published: May 2011

Forensic veterinary medicine is an extremely broad subject covering the entire range of animals with which veterinary surgeons are involved. Cases may involve situations as diverse as physical abuse (eg, beating, stabbing or strangulation), gunshot wounds, trapping injuries, dog worrying, poisoning and malnutrition resulting from neglect. This series of two articles illustrates the basic principles of forensic work, the first of which discusses the protocol for investigating and reporting on cases involving live animals. The second article, to be published in the June issue of In Practice, will describe how to carry out a postmortem examination in suspected cases of abuse and how to interpret the findings.
The Gettier Problem in informed consent
Authors: Cohen Shlomo
Published: May 2011

The duty to procure informed consent (IC) from patients before any significant intervention is among the pillars of medical and research ethics. The provision by the doctor of relevant information about treatment and free decision-making by the patient are essential elements of IC. The paper presents cases of IC where the free decision about treatment is not causally related to the information provided, and claims that such cases pose a difficulty parallel to that presented by the Gettier Problem in epistemology. In analogy to the original problem with the concept of knowledge, these Gettier-type cases show an indeterminacy in the concept of IC: we either need to add some explicit additional condition of causal connection between information and consent, or else we should understand the concept in a new way—specifically, since the practice of autonomy necessarily involves some consideration of the relevant information, we must understand free consent in a way that no longer refers to patient autonomy.
Effect of creatine supplementation on measured glomerular filtration rate in postmenopausal women
Authors: Neves Manoel , Gualano Bruno , Roschel Hamilton , Lima Fernanda Rodrigues , Lúcia de Sá-Pinto Ana , Seguro Antonio Carlos , Shimizu Maria Heloisa , Sapienza Marcelo Tatit , Fuller Ricardo , Lancha Antonio Herbert , Bonfá Eloisa
Published: May 2011

We aimed to investigate whether creatine supplementation affects the measured glomerular filtration rate in postmenopausal women (age, 58 ± 3 years). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either creatine (20 g·day–1 for 1 week and 5 g·day–1 thereafter) or a placebo. Kidney function was assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. [51Cr]EDTA clearance remained unchanged (CR-PRE: 86.16 ± 14.36 mL·min–1 per 1.73 m2, POST: 87.25 ± 17.60 mL·min–1 per 1.73 m2; PL-PRE: 85.15 ± 8.54 mL·min–1 per 1.73 m2, POST: 87.18 ± 9.64 mL·min–1 per 1.73 m2; p = 0.81). Thus, we concluded that creatine supplementation does not affect glomerular filtration rate in postmenopausal women.
Effect of resveratrol on platelet activation in hypercholesterolemic rats: CD40–CD40L system as a potential target
Authors: Göçmen Ayşe Yeşim , Burgucu Durmus , Gümüşlü Saadet
Published: May 2011

Our aim was to investigate whether trans-resveratrol (t-resveratrol), a red wine constituent known for its cardioprotective effects, was able to influence CD40 ligand (CD40L) and its receptor CD40 in platelets of hypercholesterolemic rats. Sixty Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: control (C), ethanol (E), t-resveratrol (R), hypercholesterolemia (HC), and hypercholesterolemia plus t-resveratrol (HCR). Rats in the C, E, and R groups were fed a normal diet for 80 days. For 20 days before sacrifice, we intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered 0.1 mL ethanol (50% v/v) to the E group, and 0.1 mL t-resveratrol (20 mg·kg–1·day–1) to the R group. Rats in the HC and HCR groups were fed a 5% cholesterol diet for 80 days. Rats in the HCR group were administered i.p. 0.1 mL t-resveratrol (20 mg·kg–1·day–1) for 20 days before sacrifice. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-C), and total triglycerides (TG) were assayed with a commercial colorimetric kit. Platelet P-selectin, CD40, and CD40L expression was determined by flow cytometry. sCD40L and IL6 levels were measured by ELISA. In the HC group, we observed a significant increase in serum TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, TG, sCD40, and IL-6 levels and platelet activation markers compared with levels in the control group. However, t-resveratrol administration to the HC group (HCR group) attenuated the increase in lipids, sCD40, and IL-6 and down-regulated platelet P-selectin, CD40, and CD40L expressions. A positive correlation was found for serum lipids and all the platelet activation markers. Our study showed that the CD40–CD40L dyad is up-regulated in the presence of hypercholesterolemia and that t-resveratrol administration down-regulated the increase.
Skeletal muscle fatty acid oxidation is not directly associated with AMPK or ACC2 phosphorylation
Authors: Alkhateeb Hakam , Holloway Graham P. , Bonen Arend
Published: May 2011

Rescue of palmitate-induced insulin resistance has been linked with improvements in fatty acid oxidation, but importantly, not always with concurrently altered AMPK or ACC2 phosphorylation. Therefore, we examined the interrelationships among AMPK, ACC2, and fatty acid oxidation under 12 controlled conditions in isolated muscle. Incubation of soleus muscle (0–12 h) did not alter fatty acid oxidation, but did increase AMPK and ACC2 phosphorylation (24%–30%). Muscle incubation with palmitate (2 mmol·L–1) inhibited palmitate oxidation (∼55%), but paradoxically, this was associated with increased AMPK and ACC2 phosphorylation (∼50%). Addition of an AMPK activator (thujone) to control (no palmitate) muscle increased AMPK and ACC2 phosphorylation (∼25%) but did not alter palmitate oxidation. Addition of AMPK inhibitors, compound C (50 µmol·L–1) or adenine 9-β-d-arabinofuranoside (Ara; 2.5 mmol·L–1), to thujone-treated muscles (no palmitate) did not alter palmiate oxidation but reduced AMPK phosphorylation (32%–42%), while ACC2 phosphorylation remained above basal level (+14%–18%). Finally, in palmitate-treated muscle, thujone increased AMPK (+100%) and ACC2 phosphorylation (+52%) and restored palmitate oxidation. Compound C or Ara, administered along with thujone in palmitate-treated muscle, only partly blunted palmitate oxidation recovery despite inhibiting AMPK phosphorylation (–22%), although ACC2 phosphorylation remained upregulated (+33%). Among these experiments, AMPK phosphorylation and ACC2 phosphorylation were positively correlated. However, AMPK phosphorylation was not correlated with palmitate oxidation, and unexpectedly, palmitate oxidation was negatively correlated with ACC2 phosphorylation. Our study, in accordance with a growing body of evidence, indicates that neither AMPK phosphorylation nor ACC2 phosphorylation is by itself an appropriate marker of fatty acid oxidation, and further serves to question their regulatory role.
Vascular consequences of a high-fat meal in physically active and inactive adults
Authors: Johnson Blair D. , Padilla Jaume , Harris Ryan A. , Wallace Janet P.
Published: May 2011

Habitually active adults (ACT) typically exhibit lower postprandial lipemia, a condition that may attenuate oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction following a high-fat meal (HFM), compared with inactive adults (INA). Our objective was to compare triglycerides (TAG), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), oxidative stress (thiobarbituric reactive substances; TBARS), and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD%) before and after an HFM challenge in ACT and INA. ACT (n = 7) and INA (n = 7) subjects were matched for body mass index, age, and sex. Plasma TAG, SOD, TBARS, and FMD% were measured at baseline and 4 h after an HFM challenge. TAG significantly increased following the HFM in INA (4.15 ± 3.79 mmol·L–1vs. 8.07 ± 5.12 mmol·L–1) and in ACT (2.16 ± 0.55 mmol·L–1vs. 3.24 ± 1.40 mmol·L–1). Baseline TBARS were greater in ACT and remained unchanged in response to the HFM in both INA (5.1 ± 2.7 mmol·L–1vs. 6.9 ± 2.9 mmol·L–1) and ACT (8.6 ± 2.0 mmol·L–1vs. 7.9 ± 1.9 mmol·L–1). ACT exhibited greater SOD than INA at baseline (8.6 ± 0.7 U·mL–1vs. 7.8 ± 0.6 U·mL–1) and following the HFM (9.3 ± 1.2 U·mL–1vs. 8.0 ± 0.7 U·mL–1). Postprandial FMD% was decreased in INA (9.1% ± 4.0% vs. 6.2% ± 3.4%), yet remained unchanged in ACT (7.9% ± 3.7% vs. 9.3% ± 3.2%). In conclusion, the differential responses following an HFM support the concept that habitual physical activity can attenuate the negative postprandial alterations that affect vascular health.
Innate immune responses to a single session of sprint interval training
Authors: Davison Glen
Published: May 2011

Sprint interval training (SIT) is a potent stimulus for physiological and metabolic adaptations comparable with those induced by traditional “aerobic” endurance training. There has been a great deal of recent research on SIT, which may lead to increased use of this type of training. The purpose of the present study was to determine the acute effects of SIT on aspects of innate immunity not previously researched in this context. Nine males completed 1 SIT and 1 resting control trial in a crossover design. Blood and saliva samples were obtained at pre-, post-, and 30 min postexercise to measure blood neutrophil oxidative burst activity (OBA) in addition to saliva secretary IgA (s-IgA) and lysozyme. SIT induced a significant depression of neutrophil fMLP-stimulated OBA (–30% for the 30-min postexercise time point, p < 0.01), PMA-stimulated OBA (–14% for the postexercise time point, –21% for the 30-min postexercise time point, p < 0.01), and bacterial-stimulated degranulation (–23% for the postexercise time point, –32% for the 30-min postexercise time point, p < 0.01) but not fMLP-then-PMA-stimulated OBA, saliva lysozyme, or s-IgA concentrations or secretion rates (p > 0.05). The main novel finding of the present study is that a single session of SIT causes significant exercise-induced immunodepression of some neutrophil functions but mucosal immunity was not depressed.
Polarized atomic radiative emission in electric and magnetic fields1This article is part of a Special Issue on the 10th International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas.
Authors: Jacobs Verne L.
Published: May 2011

A reduced density matrix approach is employed to provide a general theoretical description of polarized radiative emission during single-photon transitions from bound and auto-ionizing states of many-electron atomic systems in the presence of a general arrangement of static (or quasi-static) electric and magnetic fields. Polarized radiative emission from partially ionized atomic systems can occur as a result of the excitation of the radiating atomic states by electrons or ions with an anisotropic velocity distribution, which can be produced in an electron or ion beam experiment, and in a non-equilibrium plasma environment. Polarized radiative emission can also be produced or modified during the excitation of the atomic system in the presence of electric and magnetic fields, and electromagnetic fields. In electric and magnetic fields, the normally overlapping angular momentum projection components of atomic spectral lines can be substantially shifted from their field-free positions and split into spectroscopically resolvable (and inherently polarized) features. Because of the breakdown of the field-free angular momentum and parity selection rules, otherwise forbidden components of atomic spectral lines can be generated. Using a representation based on the field-free many-electron atomic states, the Stark–Zeeman patterns can be determined by a diagonalization of the atomic Hamiltonian in the presence of electric and magnetic fields. In the density operator approach, account can be taken of the coherent excitation of a particular subspace of the initial atomic bound or auto-ionizing states. A general expression for the matrix elements of the detected-photon density operator is obtained and provides a unified framework for the analysis of the spectral intensity, angular distribution, and polarization of the Stark–Zeeman patterns. From a unified development of time-domain (equation-of-motion) and frequency-domain (resolvent-operator) formulations of the more comprehensive reduced density matrix approach, the non-equilibrium atomic state kinetics and the homogeneous spectral line shapes can be systematically and self-consistently described.
Configuration interaction in statistically complete hybrid-structure atomic models1This article is part of a Special Issue on the 10th International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas.
Authors: Hansen S.B.
Published: May 2011

Configuration interaction can have significant effects on the transition energies and strengths of diagnostically important X-ray emission lines and features. However, including full configuration interaction (CI) effects by computing extensive collections of fine structure (LS term) levels may be computationally prohibitive for complex ions. In this paper, we show that CI effects in a simple ion vary little with the configuration of spectator electrons, and that CI effects in complex ions are fairly consistent from one ionization stage to the next, particularly for highly charged ions. Therefore, we argue that the CI effects within an ion can be approximated by extending the CI effects computed from a small subset of configurations in that ion to all transitions of the type (nlj)–(nlj)′ in that ion, regardless of the spectator electron. This approach to CI enforces consistency between the fine structure and averaged states in hybrid-structure atomic models, which are designed to provide a computationally efficient balance of spectroscopic accuracy and statistical completeness.
Tungsten measurement on Alcator C-Mod and EBIT for future fusion reactors1This article is part of a Special Issue on the 10th International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas.
Authors: Podpaly Y.A. , Rice J.E. , Beiersdorfer P. , Reinke M.L. , Clementson J. , Barnard H.S.
Published: May 2011

Tungsten will be an important element in nearly all future fusion reactors because of its presence in plasma facing components. This makes tungsten a good candidate for a diagnostic element for ion temperature and toroidal velocity measurement, and it makes understanding tungsten emissions important for tokamak power balance. The effect of tungsten on tokamak plasmas is investigated at the Alcator C-Mod tokamak using VUV, bolometry, and soft X-ray spectroscopy. Tungsten was present in Alcator C-Mod as a plasma facing component and through laser blow-off impurity injection. Quasi-continuum emission previously seen at other tokamaks has been identified. Theoretical predictions are presented of tungsten emission that could be expected in future Alcator C-Mod measurements. Furthermore, spectra of highly charged tungsten ions have been studied at the SuperEBIT electron beam ion trap. This emission could prove useful for spectroscopic diagnostics of future high-temperature fusion reactor plasmas.
MASS HIERARCHY, MIXING, CP-VIOLATION AND HIGGS DECAY — OR WHY ROTATION IS GOOD FOR US
Authors: BAKER MICHAEL J. , BORDES JOSÉ , CHAN HONG-MO , TSOU SHEUNG TSUN
Published: May 2011

The idea of a rank-one rotating mass matrix (R2M2) is reviewed detailing how it leads to ready explanations both for the fermion mass hierarchy and for the distinctive mixing patterns between up and down fermion states, which can be and have been tested against experiment and shown to be fully consistent with existing data. Further, R2M2 is seen to offer, as by-products: (i) a new solution to the strong CP problem in QCD by linking the theta-angle there to the Kobayashi–Maskawa CP-violating phase in the CKM matrix, and (ii) some novel predictions of possible anomalies in Higgs decay observable in principle at the LHC. A special effort is made to answer some questions raised.
PHONON HEAT CONDUCTIVITY OF InSb AND CdS
Authors: ATAULLAH ANSARI M. , ASHOKAN VINOD , INDU B. D.
Published: May 2011

The lattice thermal conductivity of InSb and CdS has been analyzed on the basis of the most acquiescent Callaway model in the temperature range 2–300.779 K and 2.296–283.565 K. To reinvigorate the effects of phonon anharmonicities, more rigorous expressions for the phonon–phonon interactions, resonance, impurity and interference scattering relaxation times have been introduced to theoretically justify the experimentally observed results. A fairly good agreement between theory and experiments has been presented.
BREAKING UP FINITE AUTOMATA PRESENTABLE TORSION-FREE ABELIAN GROUPS
Authors: BRAUN GÁBOR , STRÜNGMANN LUTZ
Published: May 2011

In [Todor Tsankov, The additive group of the rationals does not have an automatic presentation, May 2009, arXiv:0905.1505v1], it was shown that the group of rational numbers is not FA-presentable, i.e. it does not admit a presentation by a finite automaton. More generally, any torsion-free abelian group that is divisible by infinitely many primes is not of this kind. In this article we extend the result from [13] and prove that any torsion-free FA-presentable abelian group G is an extension of a finite rank free group by a finite direct sum of Prüfer groups ℤ(p∞).
PATH-WIDTH OF A GRAPH VS BRIDGE NUMBER OF A KNOT
Authors: MPHAKO-BANDA EUNICE
Published: May 2011

We compare the path-width of a planar graph and the bridge number of the corresponding link. Is there a relationship between these two numbers? This study is an attempt to find a graph theoretical method of finding the bridge number of a link.
CHEBYSHEV KNOTS
Authors: KOSELEFF P.-V. , PECKER D.
Published: May 2011

A Chebyshev knot is a knot which admits a parametrization of the form x(t) = Ta(t); y(t) = Tb(t); z(t) = Tc(t + ϕ), where a, b, c integers, Tn(t) is the Chebyshev polynomial of degree n, and φ ∈ R. Chebyshev knots are non-compact analogues of the classical Lissajous knots. We show that there are infinitely many Chebyshev knots with φ = 0. We also show that every knot is a Chebyshev knot.
ON TUNNEL NUMBER ONE KNOTS THAT ARE NOT (1, n)
Authors: JOHNSON JESSE , THOMPSON ABIGAIL
Published: May 2011

We show that the bridge number of a tunnel number t knot in S3 with respect to an unknotted genus t surface is bounded below by a function of the distance of the Heegaard splitting induced by the t tunnels. It follows that for any natural number n, there is a tunnel number one knot in S3 that is not (1, n).
HEEGAARD GENERA OF ANNULAR 3-MANIFOLDS
Authors: DU KUN , MA JIMING , QIU RUIFENG , ZHANG MINGXING
Published: May 2011

Let M be a compact orientable 3-manifold, and A an essential annulus which cuts M into two 3-manifolds M1 and M2. We denote by g(M) the Heegaard genus of M. In this paper, we will give a lower bound to g(M) when Mi contains no bounded essential surfaces with large Euler's characteristic, where all boundary components of the essential surfaces lie in A.
NUCLEAR CLUSTERS AND THE EXTENDED IKEDA-DIAGRAM FOR COVALENT BINDING ON THE FEMTO SCALE
Authors: VON OERTZEN W.
Published: May 2011

In light N > Z nuclei ( A = 9 - 22) clusters absorb a large amount of the nuclear binding energy induced by the nucleon-nucleon forces, such substructures are mainly α-clusters, 16 O and 14 C nuclei. The valence neutrons are arranged in molecular orbitals, where a residual and weaker covalent binding is induced between the nuclear clusters. Recent studies show that the 14 C nucleus has to be included in the molecular cluster binding diagram, which is an extension of the well known Ikeda-diagram.
ON THE CLUSTER-MODEL DESCRIPTION OF COLLISIONS
Authors: BAYE DANIEL
Published: May 2011

With simple cluster wave functions describing the colliding nuclei, the resonating-group method allows treating collisions realistically with full account of antisymmetrization and of good quantum numbers. The introduction of generator coordinates leads to a striking simplification by allowing the systematic use of Slater determinants. Reactions involving bound and scattering states simultaneously, such as radiative-capture reactions in nuclear astrophysics, are a particularly rich field of applications. In recent years, the microscopic cluster model has evolved to the study of three-body scattering which appears as a final state in a number of processes. The challenge is now to extend microscopic descriptions of collisions to ab initio calculations with realistic forces.
EXTENDED MICROSCOPIC CLUSTER MODEL STUDY OF FOUR NUCLEON SCATTERING
Authors: AOYAMA S. , ARAI K. , DESCOUVEMONT P. , SUZUKI Y. , BAYE D.
Published: May 2011

d+d ( S -wave) elastic scattering phase shifts are studied in an extended microscopic cluster model in order to investigate cluster-breaking effects appearing in the low-energy scattering. The description of the cluster wave function is extended from a simple (0s) harmonic-oscillator shell model to a few-body model, in which the wave function of the sub-system is determined with the Stochastic Variational Method (SVM). To compare the cluster breaking effects with realistic and effective interactions, we employed the G3RS potential as a realistic interaction and the Minnesota (MN) potential as an effective interaction. The calculated phase shifts show that t+p and 3 He +n channels are strongly coupled to the d+d channel for the case of the realistic interaction (G3RS). On the contrary, the coupling of these channels plays a relatively minor role for the case of the effective interaction (MN).
CLUSTER EMISSION IN 13C + 12C and 12C + 12C REACTIONS AT ~ 6 MEV/NUCLEON
Authors: RANA T. K. , BHATTACHARYA C. , KUNDU S. , BANERJEE K. , BHATTACHARYA S. , MUKHERJEE G. , GHOSH T. K. , MEENA J. K. , DHARA P. , BISWAS M. , PAI H. , MAHATA K. , KUMAR SURESH , RAMACHANDRAN K. , ROUT P. C. , PANDIT S. K. , NANAL V. , PILLAY R.G.
Published: May 2011

Cluster state formation viz. the population of unbound 8 Be and the Hoyle state of 12 C produced in the reactions 12 C (77 MeV ) + 12 C and 13 C (75 MeV ) + 12 C have been studied using resonance particle spectroscopy. It was observed that there is a large difference in the cluster state formation in these two reactions and the yield of neutron rich isotopes of different fragments is more in the 13 C + 12 C compared to 12 C + 12 C reactions at 6 MeV/u.
PHASES OF CLUSTER STATES
Authors: CSEH J. , ITAGAKI N. , PLOSZAJCZAK M. , YEPEZ-MARTINEZ H. , PARRA-RODRIGEZ L. , HESS P. O.
Published: May 2011

The question of phases and phase transitions of cluster states is reviewed. First some features of the vibron model are recalled, then its extensions are investigated. Preliminary results are also presented from a study on the cluster-shell competition.
EXOTIC NUCLEAR SHAPES AND THE LEVEL MIXING MODELS
Authors: MOLIQUE HERVÉ , DUDEK JERZY , GÓŹDŹ ANDRZEJ , MAZUREK KATARZYNA
Published: May 2011

In the quest for possible exotic nuclear deformations as for instance the ones carrying tetrahedral symmetry, it has been advocated by some authors that the techniques inspired by the level mixing models could be used. However, it can be shown that when such methods are applied, one can easily be lead to wrong conclusions. In this paper, after pointing out to the formal inadequacy of such approaches we discuss a few examples of misinterpretations.
OBSERVATION OF NEUTRON HALOS IN THE EXCITED STATES OF NUCLEI
Authors: OGLOBLIN A. A. , DANILOV A. N. , DEMYANOVA A. S. , BELYAEVA T. L. , GONCHAROV S. A.
Published: May 2011

Differential cross-sections of inelastic scattering leading to the excitation of some levels near the thresholds of neutron emission were analyzed. The abnormally large radii were identified for [Formula: see text] (3.09 Mev) state of 13 C , first members of the rotational bands based on the 1/2+ levels of 9 Be (1.68 MeV ) and 11 Be ( gr . st .), [Formula: see text] (1.54 MeV) and [Formula: see text] (2.7 MeV) states of 14 Be and 12 Be correspondingly. All these states can be considered as having neutron halos.
17F BREAKUP REACTIONS: A TOUCHSTONE FOR INDIRECT MEASUREMENTS
Authors: SFIENTI C. , RACITI G. , CAPEL P. , BAYE D. , DE NAPOLI M. , GIACOPPO F. , RAPISARDA E. , CARDELLA G. , DESCOUVEMONT P. , SPARENBERG J.-M. , MAZZOCCHI C.
Published: May 2011

An exclusive study of 17 F breakup reactions has been performed at the FRIBs facility of the Laboratori Nazionali del Sud in Catania (Italy). The experiment has been performed with the aim of testing the accuracy of the Coulomb-breakup indirect technique used to infer radiative-capture cross sections at low energies. This technique has been used in the 7 Be ( p , γ)8 B case, but has never been tested. By measuring the breakup of 17F into 16 O + p , and comparing the inferred cross section for 16 O ( p ,γ)17 F to direct precise measurements, the influence of E2 transitions and higher-order effects, that are predicted to be significant in Coulomb-breakup reactions, can be evaluated. The first results and preliminary model comparison are reported.
RESONANCES AND CONTINUUM STATES OF HALO NUCLEI USING THE COMPLEX SCALING METHOD
Authors: MYO TAKAYUKI , KATŌ KIYOSHI
Published: May 2011

The resonances and continuum states of He isotopes are investigated using the cluster orbital shell model with the complex scaling method. We discuss the following subjects; 1) spectroscopic factors of 7 He into the 6 He -n components, and 2) five-body 0+ resonance of 8 He and its structure from the viewpoint of the neutron-pair coupling.
EFFECT OF AN OFF-SHELL TRANSFORMATION OF THE QUARK-MODEL NN INTERACTION IN THE NEUTRON-DEUTERON SCATTERING
Authors: FUJIWARA Y. , FUKUKAWA K.
Published: May 2011

The neutron-deuteron (nd) scattering is studied in the Faddeev formalism, employing the NN sector of the quark-model baryon-baryon interaction fss2. The energy-dependence of the NN interaction, inherent to the resonating-group formulation of two three-quark clusters, is eliminated by the standard off-shell transformation utilizing the square root of the normalization kernel. This procedure yields an extra nonlocality to the quark-model exchange kernel, which is very important to reproduce all the observables for the bound state and the elastic scattering below En ≤ 65 MeV . The deuteron breakup differential cross sections are also examined.
ALPHA-PARTICLE CONDENSATION IN 16O
Authors: OHKUBO S. , HIRABAYASHI Y.
Published: May 2011

The existence of a rotational band with the [Formula: see text] cluster structure is demonstrated near the four-α threshold of 16 O in agreement with experiment. A drastic reduction of the moment of the inertia of the 0+ state at 15.1 MeV suggests that it is superfluid with four α-particle condensation. The rotational excitation of the condensate in 16 O is discussed.
CRITICAL TEMPERATURE FOR α-CONDENSATION IN ASYMMETRIC NUCLEAR MATTER: THE ASTROPHYSICAL CONTEXT
Authors: SCHUCK PETER , SOGO TAKAAKI , RÖPKE GERD
Published: May 2011

The critical temperature for α-particle condensation in nuclear matter with Fermi surface imbalance between protons and neutrons is determined. The in-medium four-body Schrödinger equation, generalizing the Thouless criterion of the BCS transition, is applied using a Hartree-Fock wave function for the quartet projected onto zero total momentum in matter with different chemical potentials for protons and neutrons.
SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE MANY-PARTICLE AND MANY-HOLE STATES IN AND AROUND THE ISLAND OF INVERSION
Authors: KIMURA MASAAKI
Published: May 2011

Deformation and many particle and many hole configurations in the island of inversion are investigated with Antisymmetrized Molecular Dynamics (AMD). The result suggests the coexistence of many particle and many hole configurations with different deformation at small excitation energy. In the case of 33 Mg , we suggest the negative-parity assignment for the ground state. Other particle hole configurations are predicted as the excited states.
FUSION ENHANCEMENT/SUPPRESSION AND IRREVERSIBILITY IN REACTIONS INDUCED BY WEAKLY BOUND NUCLEI
Authors: GOMES P. R. S. , LUBIAN J. , CANTO L. F. , CHAMON L. C. , CREMA E. , HUSSEIN M. S.
Published: May 2011

We show that halo effects enhance fusion cross sections of weakly bound systems, comparing with the situation when there is no-halo. We introduce dimensionless fusion functions and energy variable quantity to investigate systematical trends in the fusion cross sections of weakly bound nuclei at near-barrier energies. We observe very clearly complete fusion suppression at energies above the barrier due to dynamic effects of the breakup on fusion. We explain this suppression in terms of the repulsive polarization potential produced by the breakup.
COUPLING EFFECTS IN THE EXTRACTION OF SPECTROSCOPIC FACTORS
Authors: CAPEL P. , DANIELEWICZ P. , NUNES F. M.
Published: May 2011

Direct nuclear reactions are used to extract spectroscopic information about exotic nuclei. A spectroscopic factor (SF) is often extracted from measurements assuming a single-particle structure for the projectile. Being peripheral, these reactions are mostly sensitive to the asymptotic normalization coefficient (ANC) of the wave function. We study the accuracy of analysing peripheral reactions with a single-particle approximation of the nucleus. We consider a collective core+n model, in which the core can be excited. Fair agreement is obtained between the SF inferred from the single-particle approximation and the one obtained within the collective model when large SFs are concerned.
CLUSTER MODEL FOR REACTIONS INDUCED BY WEAKLY BOUND AND/OR EXOTIC HALO NUCLEI WITH MEDIUM-MASS TARGETS
Authors: BECK C. , ROWLEY N. , PAPKA P. , COURTIN S. , ROUSSEAU M. , SOUZA F.A. , CARLIN N. , NETO F. LIGUORI , DE MOURA M.M. , DEL SANTO M.G. , SUADE A.A.I. , MUNHOZ M.G. , SZANTO E.M. , SZANTO DE TOLEDO A. , KEELEY N. , DIAZ-TORRES A. , HAGINO K.
Published: May 2011

An experimental overview of reactions induced by the stable, but weakly-bound nuclei 6 Li , 7 Li and 9 Be , and by the exotic, halo nuclei 6 He , 8 B , 11 Be and 17 F on medium-mass targets, such as 58 Ni , 59 Co or 64 Zn , is presented. Existing data on elastic scattering, total reaction cross sections, fusion, breakup and transfer channels are discussed in the framework of a CDCC approach taking into account the breakup degree of freedom.
CLUSTERING IN RELATIVISTIC DISSOCIATION OF 9Be, 9C, 10C AND 12N NUCLEI
Authors: ARTEMENKOV D.A. , BRADNOVA V. , KATTABEKOV R.R. , MAMATKULOV K.Z. , KORNEGRUTSA N.K. , KRIVENKOV D.O. , MALAKHOV A.I. , RUKOYATKIN P.A. , RUSAKOVA V.V. , STANOEVA R. , ZARUBINA I.G. , ZARUBIN P.I. , PERESADKO N.G. , POLUKHINA N.G. , KHARLAMOV S.P.
Published: May 2011

The dissociation features in nuclear track emulsion of 9 Be , 9,10 C , and 12 N nuclei of 1.2 A GeV energy are presented. The data presented for the nucleus 9 Be can be considered as evidence that there is a core in its structure in the form of 0+ and 2+ states of the 8 Be nucleus having roughly equal weights. Events of coherent dissociation 9 C →33 He associated with the rearrangement of the nucleons outside the α-clustering are identified. A pattern of the charge fragment topology in the dissociation of 10 C and 12 N nuclei is obtained for the first time. Contribution of the unbound nucleus decays to the cascade process 10 C →9 B →8 Be is identified.
IMPORTANCE OF PREFORMATION PROBABILITY IN CLUSTER RADIOACTIVE-DECAYS USING RELATIVISTIC MEAN FIELD THEORY WITHIN THE PREFORMED CLUSTER MODEL
Authors: SINGH BIRBIKRAM , PATRA S. K. , GUPTA RAJ K.
Published: May 2011

Using the preformed cluster model (PCM) of Gupta and collaborators, we have deduced empirically the preformation probability P0emp from experimental data on both the α and exotic-cluster radioactive decays in the trans-lead region having doubly magic 208 Pb or its neighboring nuclei as daughters, using the spherical and (in some cases) deformed relativistic mean field (RMF) densities. For spherical considerations, the P0α(emp) for alpha-decays is almost constant ~ 10-2 - 10-3 for all the parent nuclei studied, and P0c(emp) for cluster-decays of the same parents decrease with increasing size of cluster. The results obtained for spherical P0c(emp) are within two to three orders of magnitude of the well accepted phenomenological formula of Blendowske-Walliser (BW), which led us to propose a new empirical formula. The use of deformed RMF densities, however, tend to bring the results closer to BW formula.
ANALYTIC RELATIONS FOR PARTIAL ALPHA DECAY HALF-LIVES AND BARRIER HEIGHTS AND POSITIONS
Authors: ROYER G. , SCHREIBER C. , SAULNIER H.
Published: May 2011

From an adjustment on a recent selected data set of partial α-decay half-lives of 344 ground state to ground state transitions, analytic formulae are proposed depending on the angular momentum of the α particle. In particular, an expression allows to reproduce precisely the partial α-decay half-lives of even-even heavy nuclei and, then, to predict accurately the partial α-decay half-lives of other very heavy elements from the experimental or predicted Qα. Simple expressions are also provided to calculate the potential barrier radius and height.
CLUSTERING CORRELATIONS AND TRIAXIALITY IN THE sd-SHELL REGION
Authors: TANIGUCHI YASUTAKA , KIMURA MASAAKI , KANADA-EN'YO YOSHIKO , HORIUCHI HISASHI
Published: May 2011

Effects of cluster correlations on triaxiality have been studied using the antisymmetrized molecular dynamics. Low-lying states in 28 Si and 40 Ca are obtained by the the generator coordinate method (GCM), and the GCM basis are calculated by energy variations with constraints on quadrupole deformation parameter β and inter-cluster distance. The GCM obtain prolate superdeformed (SD) states in 28 Si and triaxial normal-deformed (ND) states in 40 Ca , which contain prolate α-24 Mg and triaxial α-36 Ar cluster structure components, respectively. Different shapes of prolate 24 Mg and oblate 36 Ar clusters cause difference of triaxiality of total systems. Cluster correlations which have oblate cluster enhance triaxiality in excited states.
PRE-EQUILIBRIUM ALPHA-PARTICLE EMISSION AS A PROBE TO EXPLORE ALPHA CLUSTERING IN NUCLEI
Authors: KRAVCHUK V.L. , FOTINA O.V. , GRAMEGNA F. , BRUNO M. , D'AGOSTINO M. , SAMBI S. , BARLINI S. , CASINI G.
Published: May 2011

Experimental data of the double-differential spectra of light particles emitted at pre-equilibrium stage of nuclear processes were obtained at Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro for the heavy-ion reactions 130 and 250 MeV 16 O + 116 Sn . Light charged particles were measured in coincidence with evaporation residues in order to avoid unwanted competing mechanisms. The experimental data were collected in a wide angular range from 29 to 82 degrees in the laboratory system. Theoretical model was developed in order to describe simultaneously evaporative and pre-equilibrium emission of the light particles in heavy-ion reactions. Griffin exciton model was used for the description of the pre-equilibrium stage of the compound nucleus formation, while the equilibrium evaporation processes were analyzed in the framework of the statistical theory of heavy-ion reactions. Experimental data were compared with the results of the model calculations and new approach was suggested to take into account alpha cluster formation in the projectile nucleus by measuring and analyzing pre-equilibrium alpha-particle spectra.
DIPOLAR SIGNAL AND DYNAMICAL CORRELATIONS IN ISOSPIN EQUILIBRATION PROCESSES
Authors: PAPA M. , GIULIANI G.
Published: May 2011

The measurement of charge and velocity correlations of clusters produced in a heavy collision allows to reconstruct the average asymptotic time derivative of the total dipole signal. We show how this observable is useful to investigate on Isospin equilibration phenomenon in multi-fragmentation processes. The study of the dynamical many-body correlations also shows that the proposed observable is rather sensitive to different pa-rameterizations of the isospin dependent interaction.
A DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR SURGERY SEQUENCING AT UZ LEUVEN'S DAY-CARE DEPARTMENT
Authors: CARDOEN BRECHT , DEMEULEMEESTER ERIK
Published: May 2011

In this paper, we test the applicability of a decision support system (DSS) that is developed to optimize the sequence of surgeries in the day-care center of the UZ Leuven Campus Gasthuisberg (Belgium). We introduce a multi-objective function in which children and prioritized patients are scheduled as early as possible on the day of surgery, recovery overtime is minimized, and recovery workload is leveled throughout the day. This combinatorial optimization problem is solved by applying a pre-processed mixed integer linear programming model. We report on a 10-day case study to illustrate the performance of the DSS. In particular, we compare the schedules provided by the hospital with those that are suggested by the DSS. The results indicate that the DSS leads to both an increased probability of obtaining feasible schedules and an improved quality of the schedules in terms of the objective function value. We further highlight some of the major advantages of the application, such as its visualization and algorithmic performance, and also report on the difficulties that were encountered during the study and the shortcomings that currently delay its implementation in practice, as this information may contribute to the success rate of future software applications in hospitals.
IMPROVING MATRIX FACTORIZATION-BASED RECOMMENDER VIA ENSEMBLE METHODS
Authors: LUO XIN , OUYANG YUANXIN , ZHANG XIONG
Published: May 2011

One of the most popular approaches to Collaborative Filtering is based on Matrix Factorization (MF). In this paper, we focus on improving MF-based recommender's accuracy by homogeneous ensemble methods. To build such ensembles, we investigate a series of methods primarily in two aspects: (i) manipulating the training examples, including bagging, AdaBoost, and Forward Stepwise Additive Regression; (ii) injecting randomness to the base models' training settings, including randomizing the initializing parameters and randomizing the training sequences. Each method is evaluated on two large, real datasets, and then the effective methods are combined to form a cascade MF ensemble scheme. The validation results on experiment datasets demonstrate that compared to a single MF-based recommender, our ensemble scheme could obtain a significant improvement in the prediction accuracy.
DYNAMICS OF ENTANGLEMENT IN HEISENBERG CHAINS WITH ASYMMETRIC DZYALOSHINSKII–MORIYA INTERACTIONS
Authors: WU Y. Z. , REN J. , JIANG X. F.
Published: May 2011

Dynamics of the nearest-neighbor concurrence and the block–block entanglement in closed Heisenberg chains with Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya (DM) interactions are simulated numerically. It is found that the nearest-neighbor concurrence and the block–block entanglement can be generated dynamically from an initial antiferromagnetic (AF) state, and DM interactions will enhance the amplitude of oscillation of concurrence and that of block–block entanglement. Furthermore, dynamics of block–block entanglement SL in the chain with even number spins is coincident with the dynamics of SN - L for D = 0. However, with the consideration of DM interactions, the evolution of SL will not be consistent with that of SN - L for the chain with odd number spins. In a given time interval, the maximal value of the generated nearest-neighbor concurrence [Formula: see text] will first decrease with the increase of chain's length, then oscillate with the increase of N. The maximal value and the minimal value of the oscillation becomes stable for a large N, and [Formula: see text] of the chain with odd spins is larger than that of the chain with even spins for a large N. The influence of DM interaction on the value of [Formula: see text] becomes unobvious with the increase of chain's length.
QUANTUM COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ANONYMOUS SENDER AND ANONYMOUS RECEIVER IN THE PRESENCE OF STRONG ADVERSARY
Authors: BOUDA JAN , ŠPROJCAR JOSEF
Published: May 2011

While many scenarios of anonymous communication can be solved by various famous classical techniques including mix nets or dining cryptographers (DC), an abundant amount of anonymous tasks remains open. In this paper, we present a solution to one such task. Our protocol serves as a private communication channel for quantum messages while ensuring that both the sender and the receiver stay anonymous in a set of all parties. Our protocol is a continuation of our previous work on anonymous transmission of quantum information. The protocol does not require trusted parties, and is secure against an active adversary. It can also withstand denial of service attacks. The protocol exhibits an advantage of quantum resources over classical because no classical solution is known (in the same security settings). Entanglement swapping technique is used to create "symmetry" in the protocol, which makes it very transparent and easier to analyze. The security analysis we present is heavily based on our previous work on quantum anonymous communication. The task we implement is also a nice illustration of a cryptographic task where two parties in a multi-party protocol can be dishonest at the same time, but are not cooperating.
REALIZATION OF 1 → n CONTROLLED PHASE GATE IN CAVITY QED
Authors: XU PENG , WU LIE , JIANG NIAN-QUAN
Published: May 2011

A scheme for realizing a multi-qubit phase gate with one control qubit simultaneously controlling n target qubits in a cavity QED system is proposed. The operation time of the gate is independent of the number n of qubits. The realizability of the gate with current technology is also discussed.
CONSTRUCTION AND APPLICATION OF FOUR-QUBIT SWAP LOGIC GATE IN NMR QUANTUM COMPUTING
Authors: GÜN A. , ŞAKA I. , GENÇTEN A.
Published: May 2011

In NMR quantum computing, spin states of spin-1/2 nuclei are called qubits. Quantum logic gates are represented by unitary matrices. As a universal gate, controlled-NOT (CNOT) is a two-qubit gate. For the IS (I = 1/2 and S = 1/2) spin system, two-qubit CNOT gate is represented by a 4 × 4 matrix. SWAP logic gate, which exchanges two quantum states, is constructed by CNOT gates. In this study, first, four-qubit CNOT gates are constructed for the IS (I = 3/2, S = 3/2) spin system. Then, by using these CNOT gates, a four-qubit SWAP logic gate is found. As an application and verification, an obtained SWAP logic gate is applied to the matrix representation of product operators for the IS (I = 3/2, S = 3/2) spin system. SWAP logic gate can also be presented by an NMR pulse sequence. By using the product operator theory, the pulse sequence of the SWAP logic gate is applied to product operators of the IS (I = 3/2, S = 3/2) spin system. The expected exchange results are obtained for both the matrix representation and the pulse sequence of SWAP logic gate.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A CAREER OPTION FOR AFRICAN YOUTHS
Authors: BEEKA BEEM H. , RIMMINGTON MIKE
Published: May 2011

This paper presents findings from a pilot study of four African entrepreneurs new to established, all who started their business as young people. Their narratives, enhanced by the inclusion of significant events derived by the use of the critical incident technique, provide useful oral insights into their entrepreneurial heuristics and behavior. These reveal key influences and critical issues that affect the young African's decision to start a business and also perspectives into the nature of entrepreneurship in Africa. This paper concludes that the dichotomy between push and pull entrepreneurship is oversimplified, and social structures such as class, education and family background impact on ideas, opportunities, resources, skills and motivation. But most importantly, entrepreneurship can survive in an environment with many constraints, because career choices are influenced by the youth entrepreneur's perception, decision-making abilities and experiences. Implications are drawn for the development of young entrepreneurs in Africa.
BUSINESS STRATEGY AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN FAMILY BUSINESSES IN GHANA: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Authors: ACQUAAH MOSES
Published: May 2011

The business strategy perspective argues that achieving competitive advantage hinges on pursing a coherent competitive strategy. Family businesses are also said to manifest a strong desire to develop enduring and committed social relationships with external stakeholders. This study examines the effect of business strategy on performance of family businesses and how their managerial social networking relationships with external entities moderate the business strategy–performance link. Using data from 54 family firms from Ghana, the findings indicate that: (1) the pursuit of the business strategies of cost leadership and differentiation create competitive advantage for family businesses; (2) social networking relationships with government bureaucratic officials and community leaders are beneficial to family businesses, but social networking relationships with political leaders is detrimental to family businesses; and (3) the benefit of business strategy to family businesses is moderated positively by networking with community leaders, but negatively by networking with political leaders.