Nanosecond-Scale Proton Emission from Strongly Oblate-Deformed

Using the fusion-evaporation reaction ^{96}Ru(^{58}Ni,p4n)^{149}Lu and the MARA vacuum-mode recoil separator, a new proton-emitting isotope ^{149}Lu has been identified. The measured decay Q value of 1920(20) keV is the highest measured for a ground-state proton decay, and it naturally leads to the shortest directly measured half-life of 450_{-100}^{+170} ns for a ground-state proton emitter. The decay rate is consistent with l_{p}=5 emission, suggesting a dominant πh_{11/2} component for the wave function of the proton-emitting state. Through nonadiabatic quasiparticle calculations it was concluded that ^{149}Lu is the most oblate deformed proton emitter observed to date.

Some Remarks on the Discovery of

In two recent papers by Pore et al. and Khuyagbaatar et al., discovery of the new isotope ^{244}Md was reported. The decay data, however, are conflicting. While Pore et al. report two isomeric states decaying by α emission with E_{α}(1)=8.66(2) MeV, T_{1/2}(1)=0.4_{-0.1}^{+0.4} s and E_{α}(2)=8.31(2) MeV, T_{1/2}(2)≈6 s, Khuyagbaatar et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 142504 (2020).PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.125.142504] report only a single transition with a broad energy distribution of E_{α}=(8.73-8.86) MeV and T_{1/2}=0.30_{-0.09}^{+0.19} s. The data published in Pore et al. are very similar to those published for ^{245m}Md [E_{α}=8.64(2), 8.68(2) MeV, T_{1/2}=0.35_{-0.16}^{+0.23} s [V. Ninov, F. P. Heßberger, S. Hofmann, H. Folger, G. Münzenberg, P. Armbruster, A. V. Yeremin, A. G. Popeko, M. Leino, and S. Saro, Z. Phys. A 356, 11 (1996).ZPAHEX0939-792210.1007/s002180050141] ]. Therefore, we compare the data presented for ^{244}Md in Pore et al. with those reported for ^{245}Md in Ninov et al. and also in Khuyagbaatar et al. We conclude that the data presented in Pore et al. shall be attributed to ^{245}Md with small contributions (one event each) from ^{245}Fm and probably ^{246}Md.

Measuring the economic value of morning stiffness: consistency over 1 year.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the within-patient variation in the duration of morning stiffness (MS) over 1 year and the corresponding monetary equivalents assigned to its changes using the willingness-to-pay (WTP) methodology. METHOD: A sample of 100 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was drawn from the register of the Hospital District of Southwest Finland. Subjects were interviewed by telephone on recruitment and 1 year later, using the same structured questionnaire. The subjects were asked to estimate in minutes the typical duration of their MS during the previous week. Sociodemographic background data and subjects' WTP for a 25, 50, 75, and 100% reduction in MS duration were requested, and years with RA diagnosis and serological data were obtained from hospital records. RESULTS: After 1 year, there was a reduction in average MS duration from 44.7 min to 39.0 min (ns); duration was reduced in 35% of patients, unchanged in 35%, and prolonged in 30%. Changes in MS duration were reflected by within-patient variation in WTP estimates. In linear regression models, change in duration of MS significantly (p < 0.03) explained the variation in change of WTP for symptom reduction. CONCLUSIONS: WTP methodology produces consistent monetary values to assess the relative values patients with RA place on reduction in duration of MS.

A novel mannoside-glycocluster adjuvant: Compared in vitro to CpG ODN and MPL and tested in vivo in mouse asthma model.

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific immunotherapy balances the Th2-biased immunity towards Th1 and Treg responses. Adjuvants are used in allergen preparations to intensify the immune responses. The increased prevalence of allergies in developed societies has been associated with decreased microbial load during childhood. This has initiated a search for microbial structures to be used as adjuvants. Our study has shown that a synthetic triacedimannose (TADM) may suppress the Th2-type allergic inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to compare the properties of TADM with capacities of other adjuvants, CpG ODN and MPL, to modulate cytokine production in PBMC and regulate sensitisation in an OVA-sensitised mouse asthma model. METHODS: The effects of TADM were studied in vitro on birch stimulated PBMC cultures of birch allergic rhinitis patients with other known adjuvants. Cytokines in supernatants were measured by Luminex. Effects of TADM were analysed in vivo in a mouse model of OVA-induced allergic asthma by analysing BAL, cytokine mRNA and serum antibodies. RESULTS: TADM was the only adjuvant that significantly suppressed the production of all birch induced Th2-type cytokines. In a murine model, TADM significantly suppressed the specific IgE production and enhanced IFN-γ production. CONCLUSIONS: TADM suppresses the birch allergen induced Th2-type cytokine responses in allergic subjects more efficiently than the two other adjuvants, MPL and CpG ODN. TADM is immunomodulatory also in vivo and decreases the IgE levels and increases the IFN-γ responses in a murine model. These results suggest that TADM may be a promising candidate for novel adjuvants in immunotherapy.

Farmers without borders-genetic structuring in century old barley (Hordeum vulgare).

The geographic distribution of genetic diversity can reveal the evolutionary history of a species. For crop plants, phylogeographic patterns also indicate how seed has been exchanged and spread in agrarian communities. Such patterns are, however, easily blurred by the intense seed trade, plant improvement and even genebank conservation during the twentieth century, and discerning fine-scale phylogeographic patterns is thus particularly challenging. Using historical crop specimens, these problems are circumvented and we show here how high-throughput genotyping of historical nineteenth century crop specimens can reveal detailed geographic population structure. Thirty-one historical and nine extant accessions of North European landrace barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), in total 231 individuals, were genotyped on a 384 single nucleotide polymorphism assay. The historical material shows constant high levels of within-accession diversity, whereas the extant accessions show more varying levels of diversity and a higher degree of total genotype sharing. Structure, discriminant analysis of principal components and principal component analysis cluster the accessions in latitudinal groups across country borders in Finland, Norway and Sweden. FST statistics indicate strong differentiation between accessions from southern Fennoscandia and accessions from central or northern Fennoscandia, and less differentiation between central and northern accessions. These findings are discussed in the context of contrasting historical records on intense within-country south to north seed movement. Our results suggest that although seeds were traded long distances, long-term cultivation has instead been of locally available, possibly better adapted, genotypes.

Blurring the boundaries: decays of multiparticle isomers at the proton drip line.

A multiparticle spin-trap isomer has been discovered in the proton-unbound nucleus (73)(158)Ta85 . The isomer mainly decays by γ-ray emission with a half-life of 6.1(1) µs. Analysis of the γ-ray data shows that the isomer lies 2668 keV above the known 9+ state and has a spin 10ℏ higher and negative parity. This 19- isomer also has an 8644(11) keV, 1.4(2)% α-decay branch that populates the 9+ state in (154)Lu. No proton-decay branch from the isomer was identified, despite the isomer being unbound to proton emission by 3261(14) keV. This remarkable stability against proton emission is compared with theoretical predictions, and the implications for the extent of observable nuclides are considered.

Twentieth-century changes in the genetic composition of Swedish field pea metapopulations.

Landrace crops are formed by local adaptation, genetic drift and gene flow through seed exchange. In reverse, the study of genetic structure between landrace populations can reveal the effects of these forces over time. We present here the analysis of genetic diversity in 40 Swedish field pea (Pisum sativum L.) populations, either available as historical seed samples from the late nineteenth century or as extant gene bank accessions assembled in the late twentieth century. The historical material shows constant high levels of within-population diversity, whereas the extant accessions show varying, and overall lower, levels of within-population diversity. Structure and principal component analysis cluster most accessions, both extant and historical, in groups after geographical origin. County-wise analyses of the accessions show that the genetic diversity of the historical accessions is largely overlapping. In contrast, most extant accessions show signs of genetic drift. They harbor a subset of the alleles found in the historical accessions and are more differentiated from each other. These results reflect how, historically present metapopulations have been preserved during the twentieth century, although as genetically isolated populations.

Shell-structure and pairing interaction in superheavy nuclei: rotational properties of the z=104 nucleus (256)rf.

The rotational band structure of the Z=104 nucleus (256)Rf has been observed up to a tentative spin of 20ℏ using state-of-the-art γ-ray spectroscopic techniques. This represents the first such measurement in a superheavy nucleus whose stability is entirely derived from the shell-correction energy. The observed rotational properties are compared to those of neighboring nuclei and it is shown that the kinematic and dynamic moments of inertia are sensitive to the underlying single-particle shell structure and the specific location of high-j orbitals. The moments of inertia therefore provide a sensitive test of shell structure and pairing in superheavy nuclei which is essential to ensure the validity of contemporary nuclear models in this mass region. The data obtained show that there is no deformed shell gap at Z=104, which is predicted in a number of current self-consistent mean-field models.

Nuclear isomers in superheavy elements as stepping stones towards the island of stability.

A long-standing prediction of nuclear models is the emergence of a region of long-lived, or even stable, superheavy elements beyond the actinides. These nuclei owe their enhanced stability to closed shells in the structure of both protons and neutrons. However, theoretical approaches to date do not yield consistent predictions of the precise limits of the 'island of stability'; experimental studies are therefore crucial. The bulk of experimental effort so far has been focused on the direct creation of superheavy elements in heavy ion fusion reactions, leading to the production of elements up to proton number Z = 118 (refs 4, 5). Recently, it has become possible to make detailed spectroscopic studies of nuclei beyond fermium (Z = 100), with the aim of understanding the underlying single-particle structure of superheavy elements. Here we report such a study of the nobelium isotope 254No, with 102 protons and 152 neutrons--the heaviest nucleus studied in this manner to date. We find three excited structures, two of which are isomeric (metastable). One of these structures is firmly assigned to a two-proton excitation. These states are highly significant as their location is sensitive to single-particle levels above the gap in shell energies predicted at Z = 114, and thus provide a microscopic benchmark for nuclear models of the superheavy elements.

A triplet of differently shaped spin-zero states in the atomic nucleus 186Pb

Understanding the fundamental excitations of many-fermion systems is of significant current interest. In atomic nuclei with even numbers of neutrons and protons, the low-lying excitation spectrum is generally formed by nucleon pair breaking and nuclear vibrations or rotations. However, for certain numbers of protons and neutrons, a subtle rearrangement of only a few nucleons among the orbitals at the Fermi surface can result in a different elementary mode: a macroscopic shape change. The first experimental evidence for this phenomenon came from the observation of shape coexistence in 16O (ref. 4). Other unexpected examples came with the discovery of fission isomers and super-deformed nuclei. Here we find experimentally that the lowest three states in the energy spectrum of the neutron deficient nucleus 186Pb are spherical, oblate and prolate. The states are populated by the alpha-decay of a parent nucleus; to identify them, we combine knowledge of the particular features of this decay with sensitive measurement techniques (a highly efficient velocity filters with strong background reduction, and an extremely selective recoil-alpha-electron coincidence tagging methods). The existence of this apparently unique shape triplet is permitted only by the specific conditions that are met around this particular nucleus.

A randomised controlled trial on whether a participatory ergonomics intervention could prevent musculoskeletal disorders.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the efficacy of a participatory ergonomics intervention in preventing musculoskeletal disorders among kitchen workers. Participatory ergonomics is commonly recommended to reduce musculoskeletal disorders, but evidence for its effectiveness is sparse. METHODS: A cluster randomised controlled trial among the 504 workers of 119 kitchens in Finland was conducted during 2002-2005. Kitchens were randomised to an intervention (n = 59) and control (n = 60) group. The duration of the intervention that guided the workers to identify strenuous work tasks and to seek solutions for decreasing physical and mental workload, was 11 to 14 months. In total, 402 ergonomic changes were implemented. The main outcome measures were the occurrence of and trouble caused by musculoskeletal pain in seven anatomical sites, local fatigue after work, and sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders. Individual level data were collected by a questionnaire at baseline and every 3 months during the intervention and 1-year follow-up period. All response rates exceeded 92%. RESULTS: No systematic differences in any outcome variable were found between the intervention and control groups during the intervention or during the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention did not reduce perceived physical work load and no evidence was found for the efficacy of the intervention in preventing musculoskeletal disorders among kitchen workers. It may be that a more comprehensive redesign of work organisation and processes is needed, taking more account of workers' physical and mental resources.

Low affinity binding to glutamate receptor sites correlates with depolarizing responses induced by glutamate and quisqualate in striatal synaptoneurosomes.

In the present study, binding affinity of glutamate and quisqualate to striatal synaptoneurosome membranes in the guinea-pig was compared with concentration-dependence of depolarizing responses induced by these agents. The displacement of radioactive glutamate from receptor binding site by unlabelled glutamate and quisqualate revealed a nonhomogeneous population of binding sites. A high affinity component of binding was observed with an inhibition constant of 0.04 microM for glutamate and 0.45 microM for quisqualate, as well as a low affinity component with an inhibition constant of 10 microM for glutamate and 87 microM for quisqualate. Changes of the membrane potential in striatal synaptoneurosomes induced by glutamate and quisqualate were detected by measuring the absorbance of a potential sensitive cyanine dye. Glutamate and quisqualate induced constantly a depolarization in synaptoneurosome particles. Concentration-response curves showed that half-maximal depolarization was obtained with 10 microM glutamate and 100 microM quisqualate. The comparison of the displacement data with the changes in the membrane potential in the present investigation indicate that in vitro glutamate and quisqualate depolarize striatal synaptoneurosome particles through low affinity binding to receptor site for glutamate.

Associations of education with cardiovascular risk factors in young adults: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.

BACKGROUND: Low educational level is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationships between education and common cardiovascular risk factors in young adults. METHODS: Trends in conventional risk factors of young adults aged 21, 24, 27 and 30 years in 1992 (n = 443) were examined across the educational groups as part of a 12-year follow-up study, the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. Education was determined as participants' own educational level and as parental years of schooling. RESULTS: In males, subject's own education was related inversely and independently of parental school years to serum total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration, smoking and body mass index. In females, participant's own educational level associated inversely with smoking and physical inactivity. Parental school years was associated inversely and independently of one's own educational level with serum total and LDL cholesterol values and waist-hip ratio in females. In both genders, parental education was a stronger determinant of diet (butter use) than one's own educational level. CONCLUSIONS: The least educated young adults have adopted a more adverse lifestyle than the more educated. The risk factor profile in young adulthood, especially in females, is still affected by parental education. The influences of one's own and parental educational level on vascular risk profile should be taken into consideration when planning public health campaigns among young adults.

Influence of parental occupation on coronary heart disease risk factors in children. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.

BACKGROUND: The influence of parental occupation on selected coronary heart disease risk factors was studied in a cohort of Finnish children aged 9, 12 and 15 years (n = 1211) as part of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study in 1986. METHODS: The relationships of parental occupation to serum lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations, blood pressure, obesity, smoking, physical activity, diet and birthweight were examined. The occupation of the parents was obtained by a questionnaire and classified as I: upper non-manual (22%), II: lower non-manual (26%), III: upper manual (32%), IV: lower manual (5%) and F: farmers (15%). RESULTS: Highest serum total and how density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were found in classes IV and F. Boys from class IV had 7.1% higher total cholesterol concentrations compared to class I (4.98 mmol/l versus 4.65 mmol/l, P = 0.0033), whereas farmers' girls had 10.4% higher concentrations than girls from class III (5.31 mmol/l versus 4.81 mmol/l, P = 0.0057). Blood pressure was related to parental occupation only in boys, and the values were highest in class F. Boys from class IV smoked most often, and they also had lowest values for physical activity index and highest obesity indices. Farmers' children consumed significantly more saturated fat and cholesterol than children from other classes. In boys, the percentage of subjects with a low birthweight (< or = 10th percentile) was smallest in class I and greatest in class IV (7.1% versus 20.7%, P = 0.0330). CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic status based on parental occupation is associated with several coronary heart disease risk factors already present in children. These differences should be taken into account in prevention programmes aimed at children at an increased risk for developing coronary heart disease as adults.

Entry distribution, fission barrier, and formation mechanism of 254102No

The entry distribution in angular momentum and excitation energy for the formation of 254No has been measured after the 208Pb(48Ca,2n) reaction at 215 and 219 MeV. This nucleus is populated up to spin 22Planck's over 2pi and excitation energy greater, similar6 MeV above the yrast line, with the half-maximum points of the energy distributions at approximately 5 MeV for spins between 12Planck's over 2pi and 22Planck's over 2pi. This suggests that the fission barrier is greater, similar5 MeV and that the shell-correction energy persists to high spin.

Effects of melatonin and 6-methoxy-tetrahydro-beta-carboline in light induced retinal damage: a computerized morphometric method.

The effects of melatonin and a related 5-methoxy-indole, 6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (6-MeO-THBC) were investigated in rats on the development of retinal degeneration in presence of high intensity illumination (HII). A morphometric method is used in which the degree of degeneration was evaluated by a computer-coupled graphical analyzer. Instead of measuring individual thicknesses of different retinal layers at various loci we measured large areas of retinal light microscopic sections. Thus the influence of sporadic artefactual and other fluctuations in the thickness of various layers of the retina can be essentially reduced. Continuous light produced significant degeneration of the retina and the degree of degeneration was further increased by both studied compounds and even more by 6-MeO-THBC. The role of melatonin and 6-MeO-THBC in retinal physiology is discussed.

Glutamine: fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase activity and gene expression are regulated in a tissue-specific fashion in pregnant rats.

We examined whether regulation of glutamine: fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFA), the rate-limiting enzyme of the hexosamine pathway, is tissue specific and if so whether such regulation occurs at the level of gene expression. We compared GFA activity and expression and levels of UDP-hexosamines and UDP-hexoses between insulin-sensitive (liver and muscle) tissues and a glucose-sensitive (placenta) tissue from 19 day pregnant streptozotocin diabetic and non-diabetic rats. In pregnant non-diabetic rats GFA activities averaged (1521+/-75 pmol/mg protein x min) in the placenta, 895+/-74 in the liver and 81+/-11 in muscle (p<0.001 between each tissue). In the diabetic rats, GFA activities were approximately 50% decreased both in the liver (340+/-42 pmol/mg protein x min, p<0.05 vs control rats) and in skeletal muscle (46+/-3, p<0.05) compared to control rats. In the placenta, GFA activities were identical between diabetic (1519+/-112 pmol/mg protein x min) and non-diabetic (1521+/-75) animals. In the liver, the reduction in GFA activity could be attributed to a significant decrease in GFA mRNA concentrations, while GFA mRNA concentrations were similar in the placenta between diabetic and non-diabetic animals. UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc), the end product of the hexosamine pathway, was significantly reduced in the liver and in skeletal muscle but similar in the placenta between diabetic and non-diabetic rats. In summary, GFA activity and expression and the concentration of UDP-GlcNAc are decreased in the liver but unaltered in the placenta, although GFA activity is almost 2-fold higher in this tissue than in the liver. These data provide the first evidence for tissue specific regulation of GFA and for its regulation at the level of gene expression.

Studies comparing the efficacy of nedocromil sodium eye drops with sodium cromoglycate and placebo in seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.

Two multicentre, double-blind, placebo controlled group comparative studies were carried out in Finland, during the birch pollen seasons of 1987 and 1989, to compare the efficacy and tolerability of 2% nedocromil sodium eye drops (twice daily) with either 2% sodium cromoglycate eye drops (four times daily) and/or placebo, in patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Study 1 compared nedocromil sodium (64 patients) with placebo (62 patients) and showed that the opinions of treatment efficacy of both patients and clinicians were significantly in favour of nedocromil sodium (p = 0.003, patients; p = 0.006, clinicians). In addition, the placebo group used significantly more topical (p<0.05) and oral (p<0.01) concomitant antihistamine therapy. Diary card scores and clinical assessments showed trends for active treatment. Study 2 compared nedocromil sodium (60 patients) with sodium cromoglycate (61) and placebo (64). Symptomatology was low, in general, but patient diary card scores showed significant control of itching by both active treatments. Clinical assessments also showed some improvement with both active treatments, reaching statistical significance for grittiness and photophobia. Overall opinions demonstrated a high placebo effect. At the end of the trial, full or moderate control of symptoms was reported by 80% of patients (73% clinicians) receiving nedocromil sodium, 75% of patients (74% clinicians) receiving sodium cromoglycate and 73% of patients (69% clinicians) receiving placebo. Taken as a whole, these results suggest that twice-daily nedocromil sodium eye drops are as efficacious as four times daily sodium cromoglycate eye drops in controlling seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.

Psoriasis causes significant economic burden to patients.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis results in expenses to patients from many cost sources. Psoriasis treatments may result in considerable time and traveling costs, yet many studies fail to account for these costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the multidimensional economic burden of psoriasis to patients. METHODS: The study was based on 232 Finnish patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis visiting a tertiary level dermatological clinic during a 1-year study period between October 1, 2009 and September 30, 2010. The data were based on a patient questionnaire, clinical data from the medical records and reimbursement data from the Finnish Social Insurance Institution. Item costs were based on true costs charged from the patients and all time cost estimates were based on the Human Capital Approach method. RESULTS: 199 patients with psoriasis and 33 with psoriatic arthritis were included in the study. Total costs were higher for patients receiving traditional systemic medications or phototherapy than those not receiving such treatment. Travel costs and travel time costs accounted for more than 60% of the costs of phototherapy. Skin care at home was time consuming and thus caused significant burden to patients. The majority of the visit costs arose from hospital visits and only a small proportion were attributed to visiting primary health care providers. CONCLUSION: Visit charges and other patient co-payments were estimated to play a minor role in the total cost of psoriasis incurred by patients, while travel costs and lost time comprised the majority of the costs, which should not be omitted in future studies regarding costs of treatments.