| 1. |
- Schael, S., et al.
(author)
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Electroweak measurements in electron positron collisions at W-boson-pair energies at LEP
- 2013
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In: Physics Reports. - : Elsevier BV. - 0370-1573 .- 1873-6270. ; 532:4, s. 119-244
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Electroweak measurements performed with data taken at the electron positron collider LEP at CERN from 1995 to 2000 are reported. The combined data set considered in this report corresponds to a total luminosity of about 3 fb(-1) collected by the four LEP experiments ALEPH, DELPHI, 13 and OPAL, at centre-of-mass energies ranging from 130 GeV to 209 GeV. Combining the published results of the four LEP experiments, the measurements include total and differential cross-sections in photon-pair, fermion-pair and four-fermion production, the latter resulting from both double-resonant WW and ZZ production as well as singly resonant production. Total and differential cross-sections are measured precisely, providing a stringent test of the Standard Model at centre-of-mass energies never explored before in electron positron collisions. Final-state interaction effects in four-fermion production, such as those arising from colour reconnection and Bose Einstein correlations between the two W decay systems arising in WW production, are searched for and upper limits on the strength of possible effects are obtained. The data are used to determine fundamental properties of the W boson and the electroweak theory. Among others, the mass and width of the W boson, m(w) and Gamma(w), the branching fraction of W decays to hadrons, B(W -> had), and the trilinear gauge-boson self-couplings g(1)(Z), K-gamma and lambda(gamma), are determined to be: m(w) = 80.376 +/- 0.033 GeV Gamma(w) = 2.195 +/- 0.083 GeV B(W -> had) = 67.41 +/- 0.27% g(1)(Z) = 0.984(-0.020)(+0.018) K-gamma - 0.982 +/- 0.042 lambda(gamma) = 0.022 +/- 0.019. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Akkoyun, S., et al.
(author)
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AGATA - Advanced GAmma Tracking Array
- 2012
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In: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-9002 .- 0167-5087 .- 1872-9576. ; 668, s. 26-58
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Advanced GAmma Tracking Array (AGATA) is a European project to develop and operate the next generation γ-ray spectrometer. AGATA is based on the technique of γ-ray energy tracking in electrically segmented high-purity germanium crystals. This technique requires the accurate determination of the energy, time and position of every interaction as a γ ray deposits its energy within the detector volume. Reconstruction of the full interaction path results in a detector with very high efficiency and excellent spectral response. The realisation of γ-ray tracking and AGATA is a result of many technical advances. These include the development of encapsulated highly segmented germanium detectors assembled in a triple cluster detector cryostat, an electronics system with fast digital sampling and a data acquisition system to process the data at a high rate. The full characterisation of the crystals was measured and compared with detector- response simulations. This enabled pulse-shape analysis algorithms, to extract energy, time and position, to be employed. In addition, tracking algorithms for event reconstruction were developed. The first phase of AGATA is now complete and operational in its first physics campaign. In the future AGATA will be moved between laboratories in Europe and operated in a series of campaigns to take advantage of the different beams and facilities available to maximise its science output. The paper reviews all the achievements made in the AGATA project including all the necessary infrastructure to operate and support the spectrometer. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Modamio, V., et al.
(author)
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Lifetime measurements in neutron-rich Co-63,Co-65 isotopes using the AGATA demonstrator
- 2013
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In: Physical Review C. Nuclear Physics. - 0556-2813 .- 1089-490X. ; 88:4, s. 044326-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lifetimes of the low-lying (11/2(-)) states in Co-63,Co-65 have been measured employing the recoil distance doppler shift method (RDDS) with the AGATA gamma-ray array and the PRISMA mass spectrometer. These nuclei were populated via a multinucleon transfer reaction by bombarding a U-238 target with a beam of Ni-64. The experimental B(E2) reduced transition probabilities for Co-63,Co-65 are well reproduced by large-scale shell-model calculations that predict a constant trend of the B(E2) values up to the N = 40 Co-67 isotope.
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| 5. |
- Bravender, T., et al.
(author)
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Classification of Eating Disturbance in Children and Adolescents: Proposed Changes for the DSM-V
- 2010
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In: European Eating Disorders Review. - : Wiley. - 1072-4133 .- 1099-0968. ; 18:2, s. 79-89
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Childhood and adolescence are critical periods of neural development and physical growth. The malnutrition and related medical complications resulting from eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN) and eating disorder not otherwise specified may have more severe and potentially more protracted consequences during youth than during other age periods. The consensus opinion of an international workgroup of experts on the diagnosis and treatment of child and adolescent eating disorders is that (a) lower and more developmentally sensitive threshold's of symptom seventy (e.g lower frequency of purging behaviours, significant deviations from growth curves as indicators of clinical seventy) be used as diagnostic boundaries for children and adolescents, (b) behavioural indicators of psychological features of eating disorders be considered even in the absence of direct self-report of such symptoms and (C) multiple informants (e.g parents) be used to ascertain symptom profiles. Collectively, these recommendations will permit earlier identification and intervention to prevent the exacerbation of eating disorder symptoms. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association
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| 6. |
- Burger, Koert N. J., et al.
(author)
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Dietary Fiber, Carbohydrate Quality and Quantity, and Mortality Risk of Individuals with Diabetes Mellitus
- 2012
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In: PLoS ONE. - San Fransisco : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 7:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Dietary fiber, carbohydrate quality and quantity are associated with mortality risk in the general population. Whether this is also the case among diabetes patients is unknown. Objective: To assess the associations of dietary fiber, glycemic load, glycemic index, carbohydrate, sugar, and starch intake with mortality risk in individuals with diabetes. Methods: This study was a prospective cohort study among 6,192 individuals with confirmed diabetes mellitus (mean age of 57.4 years, and median diabetes duration of 4.4 years at baseline) from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). Dietary intake was assessed at baseline (1992-2000) with validated dietary questionnaires. Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, while adjusting for CVD-related, diabetes-related, and nutritional factors. Results: During a median follow-up of 9.2 y, 791 deaths were recorded, 306 due to CVD. Dietary fiber was inversely associated with all-cause mortality risk (adjusted HR per SD increase, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.75-0.91]) and CVD mortality risk (0.76[0.64-0.89]). No significant associations were observed for glycemic load, glycemic index, carbohydrate, sugar, or starch. Glycemic load (1.42[1.07-1.88]), carbohydrate (1.67[1.18-2.37]) and sugar intake (1.53[1.12-2.09]) were associated with an increased total mortality risk among normal weight individuals (BMI <= 25 kg/m(2); 22% of study population) but not among overweight individuals (P interaction <= 0.04). These associations became stronger after exclusion of energy misreporters. Conclusions: High fiber intake was associated with a decreased mortality risk. High glycemic load, carbohydrate and sugar intake were associated with an increased mortality risk in normal weight individuals with diabetes.
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| 7. |
- Burger, Nicole B., et al.
(author)
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Involvement of neurons and retinoic acid in lymphatic development: new insights in increased nuchal translucency
- 2014
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In: Prenatal Diagnosis. - : Wiley. - 1097-0223 .- 0197-3851. ; 34:13, s. 1312-1319
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ObjectiveIncreased nuchal translucency originates from disturbed lymphatic development. Abnormal neural crest cell (NCC) migration may be involved in lymphatic development. Because both neuronal and lymphatic development share retinoic acid (RA) as a common factor, this study investigated the involvement of NCCs and RA in specific steps in lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) differentiation and nuchal edema, which is the morphological equivalent of increased nuchal translucency. MethodsMouse embryos in which all NCCs were fluorescently labeled (Wnt1-Cre;Rosa26(eYfp)), reporter embryos for in vivo RA activity (DR5-luciferase) and embryos with absent (Raldh2(-/-)) or in utero inhibition of RA signaling (BMS493) were investigated. Immunofluorescence using markers for blood vessels, lymphatic endothelium and neurons was applied. Flow cytometry was performed to measure specific LEC populations. ResultsCranial nerves were consistently close to the jugular lymph sac (JLS), in which NCCs were identified. In the absence of RA synthesis, enlarged JLS and nuchal edema were observed. Inhibiting RA signaling in utero resulted in a significantly higher amount of precursor-LECs at the expense of mature LECs and caused nuchal edema. ConclusionsNeural crest cells are involved in lymphatic development. RA is required for differentiation into mature LECs. Blocking RA signaling in mouse embryos results in abnormal lymphatic development and nuchal edema. (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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| 8. |
- Iram, N, et al.
(author)
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Age-related changes in expression and function of Toll-like receptors in human skin
- 2012
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In: Development (Cambridge, England). - : The Company of Biologists. - 1477-9129 .- 0950-1991. ; 139:22, s. 4210-4219
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Toll-like receptors (TLRs) initiate innate immune responses and direct subsequent adaptive immunity. They play a major role in cutaneous host defense against micro-organisms and in the pathophysiology of several inflammatory skin diseases. To understand the role of TLRs in the acquisition of immunological competence, we conducted a comprehensive study to evaluate TLR expression and function in the developing human skin before and after birth and compared it with adults. We found that prenatal skin already expresses the same spectrum of TLRs as adult skin. Strikingly, many TLRs were significantly higher expressed in prenatal (TLRs 1-5) and infant and child (TLRs 1 and 3) skin than in adult skin. Surprisingly, neither dendritic cell precursors in prenatal skin nor epidermal Langerhans cells and dermal dendritic cells in adult skin expressed TLRs 3 and 6, whereas the staining pattern and intensity of both TLRs in fetal basal keratinocytes was almost comparable to those of adults. Stimulation of primary human keratinocytes from fetal, neonatal and adult donors with selected TLR agonists revealed that the synthetic TLR3 ligand poly (I:C) specifically, mimicking viral double-stranded RNA, induced a significantly enhanced secretion of CXCL8/IL8, CXCL10/IP-10 and TNFα in fetal and neonatal keratinocytes compared with adult keratinocytes. This study demonstrates quantitative age-specific modifications in TLR expression and innate skin immune reactivity in response to TLR activation. Thus, antiviral innate immunity already in prenatal skin may contribute to protect the developing human body from viral infections in utero in a scenario where the adaptive immune system is not yet fully functional.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Postema, Sietke, et al.
(author)
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Musculoskeletal complaints in major upper limb defects in the Netherlands : prevalence, influence on health status and work and risk factors
- 2014
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In: MEC'14. - Frederiction, Canada : University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, Canada. - 9781551311760
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: (1) To compare the prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal complaints (MSC) in individuals with major upper limb defects (ULD) in the Netherlands with a control group, (2) to explore the influence of MSC on health status and work and (3) to assess predictors of MSC, disability and work productivity in ULD.Methods: A national survey among individuals with ULD and controls was performed, using the databases of rehabilitaA national survey among individuals with ULD and controls was performed, using the databases of rehabilitation centers and orthopedic workshops in the Netherlands. A questionnaire was designed based on known risk factors for MSC, and it included validated (subscales of) existing questionnaires, such as SF36 and the Pain Disability Index (PDI). Inclusion criteria were ≥ 18 years and major ULD at or proximal to the carpal level. Controls were recruited by convenience and matched on age and sex.Results: Of the 263 individuals with ULD that completed the questionnaire, 42% had a congenital transversal defect and 58% had an amputation. The mean age was 50.7±16.7 years and 60% was male. A prosthesis was used by 79%. In total 108 controls were included (mean age 50.6±15.7; 65% male). Year prevalence of MSC (lasting for at least four consecutive weeks) was 65% in individuals with ULD, compared to 34% in controls. The most common location of MSC was the dominant or non-affected limb (46% in patients and 17% in controls), followed by upper back/neck (43% in patients and 19% in controls). Presence of MSC was associated with lower scores on scales of general health perception, mental health, work productivity and higher scores on disability. Prosthesis use did not differ between individuals with and without MSC. Predictors for presence of MSC were deficiency of the right limb, higher upper extremity work demands and being divorced or widowed. More pain, lower mental health and higher age were associated with a more severe disability. Predictors for lower work productivity were presence of MSC and more pain.Discussion: Presence of MSC is a common problem in individuals with ULD. Mostly affected were the non-affected limb and upper back/neck. More research on employment of the affected and non-affected limb, and its relation with MSC, is therefore warranted. Interestingly, presence of MSC was not related to prosthesis use. Associations with disability and work productivity add extra relevance to the study results, because of its relevance for individuals and society.Conclusion: Prevention and treatment of MSC deserves an important role in rehabilitation medicine of individuals with ULD.
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| 12. |
- Schwertel, S., et al.
(author)
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One-neutron knockout from Sc51-55
- 2012
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In: European Physical Journal A. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1434-601X .- 1434-6001. ; 48:Dec., s. 191-10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Results are presented from a one-neutron knockout experiment at relativistic energies of approximate to 420 A MeV on Sc51-55 using the GSI Fragment Separator as a two-stage magnetic spectrometer and the Miniball array for gamma-ray detection. Inclusive longitudinal momentum distributions and cross-sections were measured enabling the determination of the contributions corresponding to knockout from the nu p(1/2), nu p(3/2), (L = 1) and nu f(7/2), nu f(5/2) (L = 3) neutron orbitals. The observed L = 1 and L = 3 contributions are compared with theoretical cross-sections using eikonal knockout theory and spectroscopic factors from shell model calculations using the GXPF1A interaction. The measured inclusive knockout cross-sections generally follow the trends expected theoretically and given by the spectroscopic strength predicted from the shell model calculations. However, the deduced L = 1 cross-sections are generally 30-40% higher while the L = 3 contributions are about a factor of two smaller than predicted. This points to a promotion of neutrons from the nu f(7/2) to the nu p(3/2) orbital indicating a weakening of the N = 28 shell gap in these nuclei. While this is not predicted for the phenomenological GXPF1A interaction such a weakening is predicted by recent calculations using realistic low-momentum interactions V-lowk obtained by evolving a chiral N3LO nucleon-nucleon potential.
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