The influence of the symmetry energy on the giant monopole resonance of neutron-rich nuclei analyzed in Thomas-Fermi theory

We analyze the influence of the density dependence of the symmetry energy on the average excitation energy of the isoscalar giant monopole resonance (GMR) in stable and exotic neutron-rich nuclei by applying the relativistic extended Thomas-Fermi method in scaling and constrained calculations. For the effective nuclear interaction, we employ the relativistic mean field model supplemented by an isoscalar-isovector meson coupling that allows one to modify the density dependence of the symmetry energy without compromising the success of the model for binding energies and charge radii. The semiclassical estimates of the average energy of the GMR are known to be in good agreement with the results obtained in full RPA calculations. The present analysis is performed along the Pb and Zr isotopic chains. In the scaling calculations, the excitation energy is larger when the symmetry energy is softer. The same happens in the constrained calculations for nuclei with small and moderate neutron excess. However, for nuclei of large isospin the constrained excitation energy becomes smaller in models having a soft symmetry energy. This effect is mainly due to the presence of loosely-bound outer neutrons in these isotopes. A sharp increase of the estimated width of the resonance is found in largely neutron-rich isotopes, even for heavy nuclei, which is enhanced when the symmetry energy of the model is soft. The results indicate that at large neutron numbers the structure of the low-energy region of the GMR strength distribution changes considerably with the density dependence of the nuclear symmetry energy, which may be worthy of further characterization in RPA calculations of the response function.

Closure of the Monte Carlo dynamical equation in the spherical Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model

We study the analytical solution of the Monte Carlo dynamics in the spherical Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model using the technique of the generating function. Explicit solutions for one-time observables (like the energy) and two-time observables (like the correlation and response function) are obtained. We show that the crucial quantity which governs the dynamics is the acceptance rate. At zero temperature, an adiabatic approximation reveals that the relaxational behavior of the model corresponds to that of a single harmonic oscillator with an effective renormalized mass.

Test-retest reliability of thermal quantitative sensory testing on two sites within the L5 dermatome of the lumbar spine and lower extremity.

INTRODUCTION: Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is widely used in human research to investigate the integrity of the sensory function in patients with pain of neuropathic origin, or other causes such as low back pain. Reliability of QST has been evaluated on both sides of the face, hands and feet as well as on the trunk (Th3-L3). In order to apply these tests on other body-parts such as the lower lumbar spine, it is important first to establish reliability on healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate intra-rater reliability of thermal QST in healthy adults, on two sites within the L5 dermatome of the lumbar spine and lower extremity. METHODS: Test-retest reliability of thermal QST was determined at the L5-level of the lumbar spine and in the same dermatome on the lower extremity in 30 healthy persons under 40 years of age. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Values were compared to normative data, using Z-transformation. RESULTS: Mean intraindividual differences were small for cold and warm detection thresholds but larger for pain thresholds. ICC values showed excellent reliability for warm detection and heat pain threshold, good-to-excellent reliability for cold pain threshold and fair-to-excellent reliability for cold detection threshold. ICC had large ranges of confidence interval (95%). CONCLUSION: In healthy adults, thermal QST on the lumbar spine and lower extremity demonstrated fair-to-excellent test-retest reliability.

Fmoc-2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), for the Introduction of the Fmoc Moiety Free of Side-Reactions

A double side-reaction, consisting in the formation of Fmoc-���-Ala-OH and Fmoc-������-Ala-AA-OH, during the preparation of Fmoc protected amino acids (Fmoc-AA-OH) with Fmoc-OSu is discussed. Furthermore, the new Fmoc-2-MBT reagent is proposed for avoiding these side-reactions as well as the formation of the Fmoc-dipeptides (Fmoc-AA-AA-OH) and even tripeptides, which is another important side-reaction when chloroformates such as Fmoc-Cl is used for the protection of the ���-amino function of the amino acids.

Is the matching function Cobb-Douglas?

[cat] Estudiem les propietats te��riques que una funci�� d.emparellament ha de satisfer per tal de representar un mercat laboral amb friccions dins d'un model d'equilibri general amb emparellament aleatori. Analitzem el cas Cobb-Douglas, CES i altres formes funcionals per a la funci�� d.emparellament. Els nostres resultats estableixen restriccions sobre els par��metres d'aquests formes funcionals per assegurar que l.equilibri ��s interior. Aquestes restriccions aporten raons te��riques per escollir entre diverses formes funcionals i permeten dissenyar tests d'error d'especificaci�� de model en els treballs emp��rics.

Is the matching function Cobb-Douglas?

[cat] Estudiem les propietats te��riques que una funci�� d.emparellament ha de satisfer per tal de representar un mercat laboral amb friccions dins d'un model d'equilibri general amb emparellament aleatori. Analitzem el cas Cobb-Douglas, CES i altres formes funcionals per a la funci�� d.emparellament. Els nostres resultats estableixen restriccions sobre els par��metres d'aquests formes funcionals per assegurar que l.equilibri ��s interior. Aquestes restriccions aporten raons te��riques per escollir entre diverses formes funcionals i permeten dissenyar tests d'error d'especificaci�� de model en els treballs emp��rics.

Measurement Properties of the Smartphone-Based B-B Score in Current Shoulder Pathologies.

NlmCategory="UNASSIGNED">This study is aimed at the determination of the measurement properties of the shoulder function B-B Score measured with a smartphone. This score measures the symmetry between sides of a power-related metric for two selected movements, with 100% representing perfect symmetry. Twenty healthy participants, 20 patients with rotator cuff conditions, 23 with fractures, 22 with capsulitis, and 23 with shoulder instabilities were measured twice across a six-month interval using the B-B Score and shoulder function questionnaires. The discriminative power, responsiveness, diagnostic power, concurrent validity, minimal detectable change (MDC), minimal clinically important improvement (MCII), and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) were evaluated. Significant differences with the control group and significant baseline-six-month differences were found for the rotator cuff condition, fracture, and capsulitis patient groups. The B-B Score was responsive and demonstrated excellent diagnostic power, except for shoulder instability. The correlations with clinical scores were generally moderate to high, but lower for instability. The MDC was 18.1%, the MCII was 25.2%, and the PASS was 77.6. No floor effect was observed. The B-B Score demonstrated excellent measurement properties in populations with rotator cuff conditions, proximal humerus fractures, and capsulitis, and can thus be used as a routine test to evaluate those patients.

Improving anterior deltoid activity in a musculoskeletal shoulder model - an analysis of the torque-feasible space at the sternoclavicular joint.

Modelling the shoulder's musculature is challenging given its mechanical and geometric complexity. The use of the ideal fibre model to represent a muscle's line of action cannot always faithfully represent the mechanical effect of each muscle, leading to considerable differences between model-estimated and in vivo measured muscle activity. While the musculo-tendon force coordination problem has been extensively analysed in terms of the cost function, only few works have investigated the existence and sensitivity of solutions to fibre topology. The goal of this paper is to present an analysis of the solution set using the concepts of torque-feasible space (TFS) and wrench-feasible space (WFS) from cable-driven robotics. A shoulder model is presented and a simple musculo-tendon force coordination problem is defined. The ideal fibre model for representing muscles is reviewed and the TFS and WFS are defined, leading to the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a solution. The shoulder model's TFS is analysed to explain the lack of anterior deltoid (DLTa) activity. Based on the analysis, a modification of the model's muscle fibre geometry is proposed. The performance with and without the modification is assessed by solving the musculo-tendon force coordination problem for quasi-static abduction in the scapular plane. After the proposed modification, the DLTa reaches 20% of activation.

On the formulation and the calculation of the harmonic contributions to the Debye-Waller factor in metals (sodium)

The algebraic expressions for the anharmonic contributions to the Debye-Waller factor up to 0(A ) and 0 L% ) �� where ^ is the scattering wave-vector] have been derived in a form suitable for cubic metals with small ion cores where the interatomic potential extends to many neighbours. This has been achieved in terms of various wave-vector dependent tensors, following the work of Shukla and Taylor (1974) on the cubic anharmonic Helmholtz free energy. The contribution to the various wave-vector dependent tensors from the coulomb and the electron-ion terms in the interatomic metallic potential has been obtained by the Ewald procedure. All the restricted multiple whole B r i l l o u i n zone (B.Z.) sums are reduced to single whole B.Z. sums by using the plane wave representation of the delta function. These single whole B.Z. sums are further reduced to the ���%?? portion of the B.Z. following Shukla and Wilk (1974) and Shukla and Taylor (1974). Numerical calculations have been performed for sodium where the Born-Mayer term in the interatomic potential has been neglected because i t is small �� Vosko (1964)3 ��� *n o^er to compare our calculated results with the experimental results of Dawton (1937), we have also calculated the r a t io of the intensities at different temperatures for the lowest five reflections (110), (200), (220), (310) and (400) . Our calculated quasi-harmonic results agree reasonably well with the experimental results at temperatures (T) of the order of the Debye temperature ( 0 ). For T �� �� ^ 9 our calculated anharmonic results are found to be in good agreement with the experimental results.The anomalous terms in the Debye-Waller factor are found not to be negligible for certain reflections even for T ^ ��^ . At temperature T yy Op 9 where the temperature is of the order of the melting temperature (Xm) �� "the anomalous terms are found to be important almost for all the f i ve reflections.

Impoverishment of The Law by The Law: A Critique of The Attorney General's Vision of The Rule of Law and The Federal Principle

This brief article is devoted to a critique of the arguments put forward by the Attorney General of Canada in connection with the Reference concerning certain questions relating to the secession of Quebec (hereinafter, "the Reference"). This critique will not be presented from a plainly positivist standpoint. On the contrary, I will be examining in particular (1) how the approach taken by the Attorney General impoverished the legal concepts of the rule of law anf federalism, both of which were, however, central to her submission; and, in a more general way, (2) how the excessively detailed analysis of constitutional texts contributes to the impoverishment of the symbolic function of the law, however essential that dimension may be to its legitimacy. My criticism will take into account the reasons for judgement delivered recently by the Supreme Court in the Reference.

Biogenesis of the C. elegans germline syncytium: from nucleation to maturation

La vie commence par la fusion des gam��tes pour g��n��rer un zygote, dans lequel les constituants �� la fois de l'ovocyte et des spermatozo��des sont partag��s au sein d'un syncytium. Le syncytium consiste en des cellules ou tissus dans lesquels des cellules nucl����es individuelles distinctes partagent un cytoplasme commun. Alors que l���avantage du syncytium durant la f��condation est tout �� fait ��vident, les syncytia se produisent ��galement dans de nombreux contextes de d��veloppement diff��rents dans les plantes, les champignons et dans le r��gne animal, des insectes aux humains, pour des raisons qui ne sont pas imm��diatement ��videntes. Par exemple, la lign��e germinale de nombreuses esp��ces de vert��br��s et d'invert��br��s, des insectes aux humains, pr��sente une structure syncytiale, sugg��rant que les syncytia constituent des phases conserv��es de d��veloppement de la lign��e germinale. Malgr�� la pr��valence commune des syncytia, ces derniers ont cependant confondu les scientifiques depuis des d��cennies avec des questions telles que la fa��on dont ils sont form��s et maintenus en concurrence avec leurs homologues diplo��des, et quels sont les avantages et les inconv��nients qu'ils apportent. Cette th��se va d��crire l'utilisation de la lign��e germinale syncytiale de C. elegans afin d'approfondir notre compr��hension de l'architecture, la fonction et le mode de formation des tissus syncytiaux. Les cellules germinales (CGs) dans la lign��e germinale de C. elegans sont interconnect��es les unes aux autres par l'interm��diaire de structures appel��es des anneaux de CG. En utilisant l'imagerie des cellules vivantes, nous avons d'abord analys�� l'architecture syncytiale de la lign��e germinale au long du d��veloppement et d��montr�� que la maturation de l'anneau de CG se produit progressivement au cours de la croissance des larves et que les anneaux de CG sont compos��s de myosine II, de l'anilline canonique ANI-1, et de la courte isoforme d���anilline ANI-2, qui n'a pas les domaines de liaison �� l���actine et �� la myosine, depuis le premier stade larvaire, L1. Parmi les composants de l'anneau de CG, ANI-2 est exprim�� au cours du d��veloppement et exclusivement enrichi entre les deux CGs primordiales (CGPs) au cours de l'embryogen��se de C. elegans, indiquant qu���ANI-2 est un composant bona fide des anneaux de CG. Nous avons en outre montr�� que les anneaux de CG sont largement absents dans les animaux mutants pour ani-2, montrant que leur maintien repose sur l'activit�� d'ANI-2. Contrairement �� cela, nous avons trouv�� que la d��pl��tion d���ANI-1 a augment�� �� la fois le diam��tre des anneaux de CG et la largeur du rachis. Fait int��ressant, la d��pl��tion d���ANI-1 dans les mutants d���ani-2 a sauv�� les d��fauts d'anneaux de CG des gonades d��ficientes en ani-2, ce qui sugg��re que l'architecture syncytiale de la lign��e germinale de C. elegans repose sur un ��quilibre de l'activit�� de ces deux prot��ines Anilline. En outre, nous avons montr�� que lors de leur entr��e �� l'��ge adulte, les mutants ani-2 pr��sentent de s��v��res d��fauts de multinucl��ation des CGs qui d��coulent de l'effondrement des membranes de s��paration des CGs individuelles. Cette multinucl��ation a co��ncid�� avec le d��but de la diffusion cytoplasmique, dont le blocage r��duit la multinucl��ation des gonades mutantes pour ani-2, sugg��rant que les anneaux de CG r��sistent au stress m��canique associ�� au processus de diffusion cytoplasmique. En accord avec cela, nous avons trouv�� aussi que la gonade peut soutenir la d��formation ��lastique en r��ponse au stress m��canique et que cette propri��t�� repose sur la mall��abilit�� des anneaux de CGs. Dans une ��tude s��par��e afin de comprendre le m��canisme de formation du syncytium, nous avons suivi la dynamique de division de la cellule pr��curseur de la lign��e germinale, P4 en deux CGP dans l���embryon de C. elegans. Nous avons d��montr�� que les CGPs commencent la cytocin��se de mani��re similaire aux cellules somatiques, en formant un sillon de clivage, qui migre correctement et transforme ainsi l'anneau contractile en anneau de �� midbody ring �� (MBR), une structure qui relie de mani��re transitoire les cellules en division. Malgr�� cela, les CGPs, contrairement �� leurs homologues somatiques, ne parviennent pas �� accomplir la derni��re ��tape de la cytocin��se, qui est la lib��ration abscission-d��pendante du MBR. Au lieu de cela, le MBR persiste �� la fronti��re entre les CGPs en division et subit une r��organisation et une maturation pour se transformer finalement en structures en forme d'anneau qui relient les cellules en division. Nous montrons en outre que les composants du MB/MBR; UNC-59Septin, CYK-7, ZEN-4Mklp1, RHO-1RhoA sont localis��s �� des anneaux de CG au long du d��veloppement de la lign��e germinale du stade L1 �� l'��ge adulte, ce qui sugg��re que les anneaux de CG sont d��riv��s des MBR. Bien qu'il reste encore beaucoup �� faire pour comprendre pleinement le m��canisme pr��cis de la formation du syncytium, le maintien, ainsi que la fonction du syncytium, nos r��sultats appuient un mod��le dans lequel la stabilisation du MBR et la cytocin��se incompl��te pourraient ��tre une option conserv��e dans l�����volution pour la formation du syncytium. En outre, notre travail d��montre que les r��gulateurs de la contractilit�� peuvent jouer un r��le dans la maturation et l�����lasticit�� de l'anneau de CG au cours du d��veloppement de la lign��e germinale, fournissant un ajout pr��cieux pour une plus ample compr��hension de la syncytiogen��se et de sa fonction.

Closure of the Monte Carlo dynamical equation in the spherical Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model

We study the analytical solution of the Monte Carlo dynamics in the spherical Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model using the technique of the generating function. Explicit solutions for one-time observables (like the energy) and two-time observables (like the correlation and response function) are obtained. We show that the crucial quantity which governs the dynamics is the acceptance rate. At zero temperature, an adiabatic approximation reveals that the relaxational behavior of the model corresponds to that of a single harmonic oscillator with an effective renormalized mass.

On the remoteness function in median graphs

A profile on a graph G is any nonempty multiset whose elements are vertices from G. The corresponding remoteness function associates to each vertex x 2 V.G/ the sum of distances from x to the vertices in the profile. Starting from some nice and useful properties of the remoteness function in hypercubes, the remoteness function is studied in arbitrary median graphs with respect to their isometric embeddings in hypercubes. In particular, a relation between the vertices in a median graph G whose remoteness function is maximum (antimedian set of G) with the antimedian set of the host hypercube is found. While for odd profiles the antimedian set is an independent set that lies in the strict boundary of a median graph, there exist median graphs in which special even profiles yield a constant remoteness function. We characterize such median graphs in two ways: as the graphs whose periphery transversal number is 2, and as the graphs with the geodetic number equal to 2. Finally, we present an algorithm that, given a graph G on n vertices and m edges, decides in O.mlog n/ time whether G is a median graph with geodetic number 2

Median graphs, the remoteness function, periphery transversals, and geodetic number two

A periphery transversal of a median graph G is introduced as a set of vertices that meets all the peripheral subgraphs of G. Using this concept, median graphs with geodetic number 2 are characterized in two ways. They are precisely the median graphs that contain a periphery transversal of order 2 as well as the median graphs for which there exists a profile such that the remoteness function is constant on G. Moreover, an algorithm is presented that decides in O(mlog n) time whether a given graph G with n vertices and m edges is a median graph with geodetic number 2. Several additional structural properties of the remoteness function on hypercubes and median graphs are obtained and some problems listed

Molecular effects on the cross section for pair production and their importance in the evaluation of the total photonuclear cross section of {^16}O in the {\delta-resonance} region

The screening correction to the coherent pair-production cross section on the oxygen molecule has been calculated using self-consistent relativistic wave functions for the one-center and two-center Coulomb potentials. It is shown that the modification of the wave function due to molecular binding and the interference between contributions from the two atoms have both sizeable effects on the screening correction. The so-obtained coherent pair-production cross section which makes up the largest part of the total atomic cross section was used to evaluate the total nuclear absorption cross section from photon attenuation measurements on liquid oxygen. The result agrees with cross sections for other nuclei if A-scaling is assumed. The molecular effect on the pair cross section amounts to 15 % of the nuclear cross section in the {\delta-resonance} region.