Microsecond Isomer at the N=20 Island of Shape Inversion Observed at FRIB.

Excited-state spectroscopy from the first experiment at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) is reported. A 24(2)-µs isomer was observed with the FRIB Decay Station initiator (FDSi) through a cascade of 224- and 401-keV γ rays in coincidence with ^{32}Na nuclei. This is the only known microsecond isomer (1 µs≤T_{1/2}<1 ms) in the region. This nucleus is at the heart of the N=20 island of shape inversion and is at the crossroads of the spherical shell-model, deformed shell-model, and ab initio theories. It can be represented as the coupling of a proton hole and neutron particle to ^{32}Mg, ^{32}Mg+π^{-1}+ν^{+1}. This odd-odd coupling and isomer formation provides a sensitive measure of the underlying shape degrees of freedom of ^{32}Mg, where the onset of spherical-to-deformed shape inversion begins with a low-lying deformed 2^{+} state at 885 keV and a low-lying shape-coexisting 0_{2}^{+} state at 1058 keV. We suggest two possible explanations for the 625-keV isomer in ^{32}Na: a 6^{-} spherical shape isomer that decays by E2 or a 0^{+} deformed spin isomer that decays by M2. The present results and calculations are most consistent with the latter, indicating that the low-lying states are dominated by deformation.

Crossing N=28 Toward the Neutron Drip Line: First Measurement of Half-Lives at FRIB.

New half-lives for exotic isotopes approaching the neutron drip-line in the vicinity of N∼28 for Z=12-15 were measured at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) with the FRIB decay station initiator. The first experimental results are compared to the latest quasiparticle random phase approximation and shell-model calculations. Overall, the measured half-lives are consistent with the available theoretical descriptions and suggest a well-developed region of deformation below ^{48}Ca in the N=28 isotones. The erosion of the Z=14 subshell closure in Si is experimentally confirmed at N=28, and a reduction in the ^{38}Mg half-life is observed as compared with its isotopic neighbors, which does not seem to be predicted well based on the decay energy and deformation trends. This highlights the need for both additional data in this very exotic region, and for more advanced theoretical efforts.

Identification of dermal exposure pathways in the rubber manufacturing industry.

Current existing dermal exposure assessment strategies are predominantly based on regulatory protocols. In order to develop effective and efficient strategies more data driven approaches are needed. In a recently developed conceptual model for dermal exposure, compartments, barriers and mass transport processes relevant for dermal exposure were described. We systematically applied this conceptual model to the rubber manufacturing industry to assess dermal exposure to cyclohexane soluble matter (CSM) and used quantitative data to design an exposure assessment strategy. Identification of the spatial distribution of the dermal contamination showed high CSM surface concentrations for the upper body. Moreover, because of the high correlation between dermal exposure at the wrist and calculated total body exposure (r=0.89, P<0.01) an exposure assessment strategy based on only one pad sampler was employed to estimate CSM surface concentrations in the skin contaminant layer. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the relevant compartments and related mass transport processes demonstrated the importance of deposition of airborne contaminants and direct transfer of contaminants from sources and surfaces to the skin contaminant layer. Interestingly, the importance of the different exposure pathways varied considerably between production functions. The use of a model driven exposure assessment strategy in the rubber manufacturing industry revealed relevant skin regions, compartments and mass transport processes and enabled development of an effective and efficient strategy for dermal exposure assessment and hazard control in this particular occupational setting.

Anaphylatoxins and terminal complement complexes in pancreatitis. Evidence of complement activation in plasma and ascites fluid of patients with acute pancreatitis.

Complement activation has been proposed as a mediator of remote complications of acute pancreatitis. Thirty-seven patients with acute pancreatitis were studied with respect to the formation of anaphylatoxins (C3a/C3adesArg, C5a/C5adesArg) and terminal complement complexes (TCC) in plasma and ascites fluid. The patients were classified according to Ranson's criteria. Eighteen patients with moderate or severe pancreatitis had higher maximum plasma C3a/C3adesArg and TCC concentrations than 19 patients with mild pancreatitis. During convalescence, the concentrations had returned to normal. High concentrations of C5a/C5adesArg and TCC were also found in ascites and pancreatic cyst fluid, drawn from patients with moderate or severe pancreatitis. As the terminal complement pathway activation is involved in reactive lysis and anaphylatoxins increase vascular permeability, anemia and impaired respiration in these patients may be influenced by complement activation.

Strain differences in early mouse embryo development in vitro: role of the nucleus.

Mouse embryos of many strains are blocked in development at the two-cell stage when placed in culture at the one-cell stage. If, however, they are placed in culture at the two-cell stage, they develop to blastocysts at a high rate. We investigated the transcriptional and translational systems in blocked embryos by assaying enzymatic activity of the protein product of an injected gene and found these systems to be functioning normally. The role of the nucleus was investigated by reciprocal nuclear transplants between blocked and nonblocked embryos. The results indicate that the source of the nucleus was of equal importance to that of the cytoplasm for the successful development of embryos cultured from the one-cell stage. When cultured from the two-cell stage, however, the nucleus was solely responsible for strain differences in culture rates.