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Patients with metabolic syndrome are at high-risk for development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. The objective of this study was to examine the major determinants of coronary disease severity, including those coronary risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome, during the early period after an acute coronary episode. We tested the hypothesis that inflammatory markers, especially highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), are related to coronary atherosclerosis, in addition to traditional coronary risk factors. Subjects of both genders aged 30 to 75 years (N = 116) were prospectively included if they had suffered a recent acute coronary syndrome (acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris requiring hospitalization) and if they had metabolic syndrome diagnosed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III. Patients were submitted to a coronary angiography and the burden of atherosclerosis was estimated by the Gensini score. The severity of coronary disease was correlated (Spearman’s or Pearson’s coefficient) with gender (r = 0.291, P = 0.008), age (r = 0.218, P = 0.048), hsCRP (r = 0.256, P = 0.020), ApoB/ApoA ratio (r = 0.233, P = 0.041), and carotid intima-media thickness (r = 0.236, P = 0.041). After multiple linear regression, only male gender (P = 0.046) and hsCRP (P = 0.012) remained independently associated with the Gensini score. In this high-risk population, male gender and high levels of hsCRP, two variables that can be easily obtained, were associated with more extensive coronary disease, identifying patients with the highest potential of developing new coronary events.

Contains fulltext : 71098.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) Branchio-oto-renal syndrome (BOR) is a clinically heterogeneous autosomal dominant form of syndromic hearing loss characterized by variable hearing impairment, malformations of the pinnae, the presence of branchial arch remnants, and various renal abnormalities. Both EYA1 and SIX1 are expressed in developing otic, branchial and renal tissue. Consistent with this expression pattern, mutations in both genes cause BOR syndrome. Mutations in EYA1 are found in approximately 40% of patients with the BOR phenotype, however, the role of SIX1 is much lower. To date only three different SIX1 mutations have been described in BOR patients. The current screen of 247 BOR families detected five novel SIX1 mutations (c.50T>A, c.218A>C, c.317T>G, c.329G>A, c.334C>T) and one previously reported mutation (c.328C>T) seen in 5 unrelated families. All mutations are within the protein-binding Six domain. Phenotypic variability was high in these BOR families. Seven of the eight known SIX1 mutations are missense and the one in frame deletion is predicted to be functionally similar. The wide phenotypic variability precludes making genotype-phenotype correlations at this time.

Nb83 has been studied in order to locate the upper extent of large deformation in the N∼Z∼40 region and ascertain its sign and magnitude. The decay scheme has been considerably extended by studying gamma decay following the Ni58(Si28, p2n)Nb83 reaction at 204 and 215 MeV and using Gammasphere. Both signature partners of two rotational bands have been observed. The band properties support a Iπ=52+ ground state spin assignment. The in-band branching ratios and multipole mixing ratios were found to be consistent with significant prolate deformation, as found in other N=42 isotones. The bands are particularly similar to the isotone Y81. A projected shell model analysis has been performed which provides good reproduction of the features of both bands. The calculations indicate the nucleus to be nearly axially symmetric. Nb82,83 may be the heaviest nuclei in the A∼80 region with large deformation. The deformation is predicted to fall in heavier systems approaching Sn100. The conditions appear to be right for the occurrence of K isomers.

The fusion-evaporation reaction involving a 175 MeV S36 beam and a Sn124 target was performed, and the emitted γ rays were observed with the Gammasphere spectrometer. Significant additions to the level scheme of Gd152 were made in spite of the relative weakness of the α4n exit channel, being only ∼2% of the total fusion cross-section. The high-spin behavior of Gd152 was compared with that of other N=88 nuclei. A striking similarity was observed with Dy154 and it is therefore suggested that the angular-momentum-induced shape changes that take place in Dy154 also occur in Gd152 in the 30-40Latin small letter h with stroke spin range. This is supported by Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations which were used to interpret the high-spin bands. It is found that a better agreement between calculation and experiment is obtained if the Z=64 shell gap increases with a decreasing number of valence particles outside the doubly-closed 64146Gd82 nucleus.

High-spin states in W174 (Z = 74) have been populated using the reaction Te128(Ti50, 4n)W174 at beam energies of 215 and 225 MeV. The Gammasphere array was used to detect the γ rays emitted by the evaporation residues. Four previously known collective band structures have been extended, and 16 new rotational sequences observed. Two are built upon isomeric states, one corresponding to a two-quasiparticle K = 8 isomer, the other to a four-quasiparticle K = 12 isomer, with the latter exhibiting strong K-violating ΔK=12 decays to the ground state band. Nucleonic configurations for the two- and four-quasiparticle excitations are proposed, and Woods-Saxon cranking calculations are presented to understand the rotational structures. Decay mechanisms of multi-quasiparticle K isomers are discussed in terms of the prevalent phenomenological models, with special emphasis on γ-tunneling calculations. Surprisingly, the latter underpredict the decay hindrance for the K = 12 isomer by three orders of magnitude, unlike all other isomer decays in this mass region.

Charge symmetry breaking effects that perturb analog symmetry between nuclei are usually small but are important in extracting reliable Fermi matrix elements from "superallowed" β decays and testing conserved vector current theory, especially for the heavier cases. We have used the Ca40(Ar36, pn)Rb74 and Ca40(Ca40,αpn)Rb74 reactions at 108, 123 and 160 MeV, respectively, to populate Rb74 and determine the analog distortion through comparison of T=1 states in Rb74 with their corresponding Kr74 levels. We have traced the analogs of the Kr74 ground-state band in Rb74 to a candidate spin J=8 state and determined the Coulomb energy differences. They are small and positive and increase smoothly with spin. New T=0 states were found that better delineate the deformed band structure and clarify the steps in deexcitation from high spin. A new T=0 band was found. No evidence was found for γ decay to or from a low-lying Jπ=0+ state in Rb74 despite a careful search.

Significant extensions to the high-spin excitation spectrum of the N=91, 92, 93 isotopes Dy157,158,159 have been achieved using the high-efficiency γ-ray spectrometers Euroball and Gammasphere. These nuclei were populated via weak 3n or αxn exit channels in fusion evaporation reactions. In Dy157, the yrast band has been extended to Iπ=1012+ (tentatively to 1052+) with four sideband structures (two of which are new) observed in the 35-50 spin range. In Dy158, three bands have been extended to 42+(44+),40-, and 41-(43-), whereas in Dy159 the yrast band is observed to 812+(852+). The high-spin behavior and band crossing systematics of the Dy isotopes and of the neighboring N = 91, 92, and 93 isotones are discussed in terms of rotational alignments and shape transitions. Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations without pairing have been performed for detailed comparisons with the very high-spin states observed in Dy157.

Excited states in the N=Z+1 nucleus 73Kr have been investigated using the 40Ca(36Ar, 2pn) and 40Ca(40Ca, α2pn) reactions at 145 and 160 MeV, respectively. γ rays were detected using the Gammasphere array and events were recorded in coincidence with charged-particle and neutron detectors. The three previously observed bands were extended to high spin, and a new unfavored positive-parity band has been observed. The alignment characteristics and decay properties of the bands are all consistent with large-deformation prolate rotation, with no clear evidence for oblate bands or shape coexistence. This is quite different from neighboring 72,74Kr, indicating a strong shape-stabilizing role for the valence neutron. The experimental results are compared to extended total Routhian surface, cranked Nilsson Strutinsky, and cranked relativistic mean-field calculations. The results suggest that the paired calculations lack some important physics. Neutron-proton correlations may be the missing ingredient. There is also evidence for an unusual band crossing in the negative-parity bands, which may indicate the presence of T=0 pairing correlations. At high spin all the models can reproduce the experimental data.

High-spin states in 154Dy were studied with the Gammasphere spectrometer using the 36S(122Sn,4n) reaction. Band terminating states were identified in the spin range I= (36-48)ℏ, and were found to compete with collective rotational cascades up to the highest observed spins. Several "sidebands" feeding the terminating structures were identified as well. A band dominated by M1 transitions was observed to terminate at Iπ = 42-. The data are interpreted within the framework of configuration-dependent cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations without pairing.

The reactions 152Sm(α,3n) at 37 MeV and 124Sn(36S,α3n) at 165 MeV were used to produce high-spin states in the transitional rare-earth nucleus 153Gd. Significant extensions in angular momentum and excitation energy with respect to earlier work were achieved and several new rotational sequences were observed. The rotational behavior of 153Gd is described in terms of quasiparticle assignments and the observed alignment properties are analyzed within the framework of the cranked shell model. Detailed comparisons with other N=89 nuclei are presented. These have led to corrections to the 157Er level scheme.

Collective structures in 178Pt have been investigated with γ-ray spectroscopic techniques following mass selection. The present data expand considerably the level scheme of this nucleus. A new collective structure has been identified and the known bands have been extended to higher spins. Firm spin and parity assignments have been made to many levels. Of particular interest are the negative parity bands which are interpreted in terms of structures associated with octupole vibrations crossed at moderate spin by two-quasiparticle excitations. The systematics of the α-decay reduced widths in Pt nuclei has also been investigated. The differences of a factor of about 2 between the widths for the odd-and the even-A isotopes is attributed to changes in neutron pairing associated with the blocking effect. The trend is reproduced in calculations based on the Lipkin-Nogami pairing model.

Superdeformed bands in the mass A = 190 region decay suddenly, over a few states, at relatively low spin and high excitation energy. The decay path is very fragmented and only in a few cases have one-step or two-step decays been seen. Thus, only three superdeformed bands have so far been linked to the normal states they decay to. Most of the γ rays from the decay form an unresolved quasicontinuum spectrum. This paper describes the extraction of the total quasicontinuum decay spectrum that connects the superdeformed and normal yrast states. It also demonstrates that the excitation energy and spins of superdeformed bands can be determined by analyzing this total decay spectrum. The analysis method is first tested in 194Hg, which is one of the few cases where the excitation energy and spin of the yrast superdeformed band are known, and is then applied to the yrast superdeformed band in 192Hg, where no one-step decays have been seen thus far.

Using the GAMMASPHERE array in conjunction with the Fragment Mass Analyzer, the level structure of the near drip-line nucleus 178Hg has been considerably expanded with the recoil-decay tagging technique. Of particular interest is a new rotational band which exhibits a complex decay towards the low spin states arising from both the prolate-deformed and the nearly spherical coexisting minima. It is proposed that this band is associated at low spin with an octupole vibration which is crossed at moderate frequency by a shape driving, two quasiproton excitation.

The highest-spin discrete states (I ∼ 60ℏ and Ex ∼ 30MeV) in normal deformed nuclei have been observed in the rare-earth isotope 156Dy using the GAMMASPHERE spectrometer. The quadrupole moments for a variety of configurations, including the 9/2+[404] (g9/2) proton, 1/2+[660] (i13/2) and 1/2-[541] (f7/2, h9/2) neutron orbitals, were measured in a wide range of ∼ 130 nuclei.

High-spin states in the doubly-odd nuclei 154,156Tb have been populated in two separate experiments using the 36S1124Sn reaction at different beam energies ~160 and 175 MeV!. The yrast structures of both nuclei were extended to much higher spin (I

Yrast states of 106Sb have been investigated in the 54Fe(58Ni,a pn) reaction using in-beam g -spectroscopic methods and in the 50Cr(58Ni,pn) reaction performing delayed g and conversion electron studies. A new isomeric state was found at 103 keV with t1/25232(21) ns. The number of states and transitions in the proposed level scheme have been doubled. The experimental results are discussed within the framework of the shell model.

The properties of superdeformed bands in 191,192Hg and 192,193Tl have been studied using the cranked Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov method with the Lipkin-Nogami prescription, the Skm* interaction, and a surface-delta, density-dependent pairing force. In particular, quasiparticle excitations involving intruder orbitals are analyzed in detail. Comparisons between data and calculations are performed for J (2) moments, quadrupole moments, spins, transition energies, and alignments.

The highest-spin discrete states (I ∼ 60 ℏ and Ex ∼ 30 MeV) in normal deformed nuclei have been observed in the rare-earth isotope 156Dy using the 124Sn(36S,4n) reaction in conjunction with the GAMMASPHERE spectrometer. The positive parity yrast sequence appears to evolve smoothly from a prolate (collective) towards an oblate (non-collective) shape, in contrast to the sudden shape change observed in the isotone 158Er. Terminating states are identified in the negative parity sequences at Iπ = 52- and 53- and specific multi-particle-hole configurations are assigned by comparison with cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations. An order of magnitude increase in the interaction strength between close lying high-spin weakly collective structures is determined compared with that found in the lower-spin strongly collective domain. These results give valuable insight into the interplay between collective and terminating structures, and their competition for yrast status in the 40 - 60 ℏ spin range.

The reactions 152Sm(7Li,4n) at 45 MeV and 124Sn(36S,p4n) at 165 MeV were used to study high-spin states of the N590 nucleus 155Tb. Previously known bands have been greatly extended in spin (I'45\) and a new decoupled sequence was identified. Several band crossings or quasiparticle alignments have been observed in each of the structures, and as a result a configuration assignment has been given to the new band. B(M1)/B(E2) transition strength ratios have been extracted from the data and comparisons were made with theoretical predictions. A comprehensive analysis of the signature splitting in the energy levels and B(M1)/B(E2) ratios for the ph11/2 bands of the A'160 region has been performed. Possible interpretations for the observed trends in the signature splitting of these structures are discussed.

In-beam g rays have been observed in the neutron-deficient isotopes 170,171,172Pt using the recoil-decay tagging technique. The yrast transition sequence proposed for 172Pt indicates that the 01 bandhead of the deformed intruder band is situated about 900 keV above the weakly deformed ground state, i.e., its excitation energy has risen by about 300 keV compared to 174Pt. The measured energy of the 21 !01 transition in 170Pt supports an even larger increase in the excitation energy of the intruder configuration with the departure from the middle of the 82–126 major neutron shell. Furthermore, a band with transition energies almost identical to those found in 172Pt has been assigned to 171Pt and was interpreted as corresponding to a rotationally aligned i13/2 neutron orbital coupled to the core excitations.

Two superdeformed bands of 10 transitions each have been found in 189Tl extending the mass 190 region of superdeformation down to neutron number N5108. The new bands can be interpreted as signature partners and are proposed to be based on a proton i13/2 (V55/2) configuration, in analogy with the yrast superdeformed band structures in the heavier odd-mass Tl isotopes. The dynamic moments of inertia of all these bands show no noticeable differences as function of N, consistent with an essentially constant quadrupole deformation from the center of the island to its edges.

High-precision lifetime measurements have been performed in two of the superdeformed (SD) bands of 190Hg with the Doppler-shift attenuation method. Intrinsic quadrupole moments, Q0, were extracted for the yrast and first excited SD bands in this nucleus. Dipole transition rates have been established for the inter-band transitions which connect the first excited SD band to the yrast states in the second minimum. The results support the interpretation of the excited SD band as a band based on an octupole vibration.

An excited superdeformed band in 194Hg, observed to decay directly to both normal-deformed and superdeformed yrast states, is proposed to be a Kπ = 2− octupole vibrational band, based on its excitation energies, spins, and likely parity. The transition energies are identical to those of the yrast superdeformed band in 192Hg, but originate from levels with different spins and parities. The evolution of transition energies with spin suggests that cancellations between pairing and particle alignment are partly responsible for the identical transition energies.

Four new superdeformed bands have been observed with the Gammasphere array and have been assigned to the 195Hg nucleus. Two of the bands are interpreted as signature partners most likely based on Nosc6 neutron quasiparticles coupled to a superdeformed core, while the other two appear to be based on a j15/2 intruder orbital. These four bands do not exhibit a simple, ``identical bands'' relationship to other superdeformed bands in this mass region.

In-beam γ-ray transitions in 181Hg, the lightest odd-A Hg isotope known thus far, have been identified from fragment mass-γ and γ-γ coincidence measurements. Five prolate deformed rotational bands were placed in the level scheme. A decoupled band built on the strongly prolate deformed 1/2-[521] ground state was observed up to 29/2-. A 5/2-[512] configuration is suggested for a pair of strongly coupled bands displaying no signature splitting. The other two bands are also signature partner bands. They are populated with the largest intensity and exhibit splitting. They have been associated with the mixed neutron i13/2 orbitals and are proposed to decay to an i13/2 isomeric state associated with an oblate state.

Excited states have been observed for the first time in the neutron-deficient 176,178Hg nuclei using the recoil-decay tagging (RDT) technique in which prompt γ rays are associated with a particular isotope through a correlation with the characteristic ground state α decay. Below N = 102, the excitation energy of a rotational band built on a prolate shape (β2 ∼ 0.25) increases with decreasing mass to the point where there is no longer any evidence for its presence at low spin in 176Hg. The data are in qualitative agreement with recent mean field calculations.

Gamma rays from the decay of states in the proton unstable nucleus 147Tm were observed for the first time following the 92Mo(58Ni,p2n! 147Tm reaction at 260 MeV. Prompt g rays were detected with an array of Compton-suppressed Ge detectors, placed in front of the fragment mass analyzer at the ATLAS accelerator, and were assigned to individual reaction channels on an event-by-event basis using the recoil-decay tagging method. Gamma-ray transitions were associated with both the proton decay of the ph11/2 ground state and the pd3/2 isomeric state in 147Tm, even though the cross sections for populating these states were only ' 16 mb and 2 mb, respectively. The level scheme which was constructed for 147Tm is discussed and compared with the level structures for lighter N578 isotones.

Four superdeformed bands have been confirmed in 192Tl. Two of these bands have script T sign(2) dynamic moments of inertia which are nearly constant with rotational frequency ℏω. The other two bands show the characteristic rise of script T sign(2) with increasing ℏω seen in most superdeformed bands of the A = 190 region of superdeformation. From comparisons with the odd-A neighbors, it was found that the alignments of these bands relative to a 192Hg core can be accounted for from the additive contributions of the assigned quasiproton and quasineutron orbitals.

A superdeformed band of 15 transitions has been found in the 155Dy nucleus. The measurement was performed with a backed target and the large deformation was inferred from the measured Doppler shifts. The new band displays an intensity pattern much different from typical superdeformed bands in this mass region. The dynamic moment of inertia is essentially identical to that of band 1 in 153Dy and is somewhat larger than those of the yrast superdeformed bands in 152, 154Dy, suggesting that the associated configuration has an additional N = 7, j15/2 intruder orbital occupied with respect to the 154Dy core.