Excited States in 52Fe and the Origin of the Yrast Trap at I=12+

Excited states in 52Fe have been determined up to spin 10\hbar in the reaction 28Si + 28Si at 115 MeV by using \gamma-ray spectroscopy methods at the GASP array. The excitation energy of the yrast 10+ state has been determined to be 7.381 MeV, almost 0.5 MeV above the well known \beta+-decaying yrast 12+ state, definitely confirming the nature of its isomeric character. The mean lifetimes of the states have been measured by using the Doppler Shift Attenuation method. The experimental data are compared with spherical shell model calculations in the full pf-shell.Comment: 9 pages, RevTeX, 7 figures include

Coexistence of 'alpha+ 208Pb' cluster structures and single-particle excitations in 212Po

Excited states in 212Po have been populated by alpha transfer using the 208Pb(18O,14C) reaction at 85MeV beam energy and studied with the EUROBALL IV gamma multidetector array. The level scheme has been extended up to ~ 3.2 MeV excitation energy from the triple gamma coincidence data. Spin and parity values of most of the observed states have been assigned from the gamma angular distributions and gamma -gamma angular correlations. Several gamma lines with E(gamma) < 1 MeV have been found to be shifted by the Doppler effect, allowing for the measurements of the associated lifetimes by the DSAM method. The values, found in the range [0.1-0.6] ps, lead to very enhanced E1 transitions. All the emitting states, which have non-natural parity values, are discussed in terms of alpha-208Pb structure. They are in the same excitation-energy range as the states issued from shell-model configurations.Comment: 21 pages, 19 figures, corrected typos, revised arguments in Sect. III

Relationship between pp65 antigenemia levels and real-time quantitative DNA PCR for Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) management in immunocompromised patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Quantitative real-time PCR assays, which are more rapid and practical than pp65 antigenemia determination, are progressively becoming the preferred method for monitoring Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) reactivation. However, the relationship between HCMV DNA and antigenemia levels is still under investigation. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between HCMV DNA and pp65 antigenemia levels in order to identify clinically useful threshold values for the management of patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>475 consecutive samples from 156 immunosuppressed patients were tested for HCMV by pp65 antigenemia and Real-time PCR assay.</p> <p>Results </p> <p>136 out of 475 consecutive samples derived from 48 patients showed evidence of HCMV infection. HCMV DNA was detected in 106 samples, pp65 antigen in 3, and both markers in 27. pp65 antigen detection was associated with higher HCMV DNA levels. The cut-off HCMV DNA level that best predicted pp65 antigenemia in this series of samples was 11,500 copies/ml, but different threshold levels could be observed for specific groups of patients. HCMV disease was observed in 5 out of 48 patients with active HCMV infection. The presence of clinical symptoms was associated with positive pp65 and with higher antigenemia levels. Higher HCMV DNA load at the onset of viral replication was correlated to the development of clinical symptoms.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Both pp65 antigenemia and HCMV DNA load can be useful for the prospective monitoring of immunocompromised subjects. Specific cut-off levels capable of triggering preemptive antiviral treatment should be determined in accordance to the type of test used and the characteristics of patients and prospectively validated.</p

A finite number of regular rotational bands in the superdeformed well of 143Eu

The number of excited superdeformed bands in 143Eu is measured by use of the Fluctuation Analysis Method. Between 10 and 40 rotational bands, displaying typical rotational energy correlations over two consecutive transitions, are populated within a rather narrow range in transition energy, Eγ ≈ 1300-1500 keV. These numbers are close to the values found for normally deformed nuclei and agree with microscopic cranking + band mixing calculations for the specific superdeformed nucleus, which predict the onset of rotational damping to occur at the excitation energy U0 = 1.3-1.6 MeV above the yrast line

Coping with stress: a pilot study of a self-help stress management intervention for patients with epileptic or psychogenic non-epileptic seizures

Purpose: Many patients with epilepsy or psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) experience high levels of stress. Although psychological interventions have been developed for seizure disorders, few patients can currently access them. We aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a self-help intervention targeting stress in patients with seizures, and to provide preliminary evidence for its effectiveness. Method: Patients were recruited from outpatient neurology clinics and randomised to an immediate intervention group (n=39), who received the intervention at baseline, or a delayed intervention group (n=43), who received the intervention one month post-baseline. Participants completed self-report questionnaires measuring stress (SSSI), anxiety (GAD-7), depression (NDDI-E), quality of life (EQ-5D), seizure severity and frequency (LSSS-3) at baseline, and at one- and two-month follow-up. Participants also provided telephone feedback. The intervention consisted of a self-help stress management workbook based on an integrative stress model framework. Results: Although the rate of participants failing to return follow-up information at two months was approximately 50%, those who completed the trial found the intervention acceptable; with the majority rating it as helpful (63.6%) and that they would recommend it to others with seizures (88.1%). A significant reduction in self-reported stress (p = 0.01) with a medium effect size (dz = 0.51) was observed one-month post-intervention. There were no significant changes in any other measures. Conclusion: The intervention was perceived to be acceptable, safe and helpful by participants. It could be a useful complementary treatment option for reducing stress experienced by patients living with seizure disorders. Further evaluation in a larger trial is warranted

Structure in the E2 quasicontinuum spectrum of Dy154

The evolution of the quasicontinuum spectrum with neutron number has been investigated in the sequence of isotopes Dy152,154,156. The three nuclei display a pronounced collective E2 component. In Dy154 this component shows a splitting into two distinct parts, signifying a structural change along the cascade above the yrast line. The E2 and statistical components are reproduced in simple -cascade calculations; in Dy152 and Dy156 only rotational bands are included, whereas in Dy154 additional vibration-like transitions are required to reproduce the two E2 peaks

Structural changes along and above the yrast line of Dy154

States in Dy154 have been located up to I=48+ and their lifetimes measured. Marked structural changes occur along the yrast line with a transition from prolate to oblate shape, followed by an unexpected return to moderate collectivity at the highest spins. Structural changes with increasing energy above the yrast line are also observed

Evidence for superdeformation in 148Gd

γ-γ transition energy correlation measurements were performed in 148Gd using Compton-suppressed Ge detectors. A broad first ridge was observed for 1.00&lt;Eγ&lt;1.42 MeV. The deduced moment of inertia I(2)=78 h ℏ2MeV- is consistent with superdeformation in 148Gd. The results can be explained by cranked Strutinsky calculations

Level structure of 148Gd up to I=44

The level scheme of 148Gd has been extended to I=44 by use of a Compton-suppressed Ge spectrometer array. Up to I=38 the observed level spectrum consists of spherical and oblate states of aligned-particle type. A change in structure along the yrast line is indicated at higher spins, where fast E2 transitions suggest the onset of collectivity