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The γ-strength functions and level densities of 73,74Ge have been extracted from particle-γ coincidence data using the Oslo method. In addition the γ-strength function of 74Ge above the neutron separation threshold, Sn = 10.196 MeV has been extracted from photoneutron measurements. When combined, these two experiments give a γ-strength function covering the energy range of ∼1-13 MeV for 74Ge. This thorough investigation of 74Ge is a part of an international campaign to study the previously reported low energy enhancement in this mass region in the γ-strength function from ∼3MeV towards lower γ energies. The obtained data show that both 73,74Ge display an increase in strength at low γ energies.

Aim. This paper is a report of research to translate the English version of the Stages of Change continuous measure questionnaire (URICA-E2) into Norwegian and to test the validity of the questionnaire and its usefulness in predicting behavioural change. Background. While the psychometric properties of the Stages of Change categorical measure have been tested extensively, evaluation of the psychometric properties of the continuous questionnaire has not been described elsewhere in the literature. Method. Cross-sectional data were collected with a convenience sample of 198 undergraduate nursing students in 2005 and 2006. The English version of URICA-E2 was translated into Norwegian according to standardized procedures. Findings. Principal components analysis clearly confirmed five of the dimensions of readiness to change (Precontemplation Non-Believers, Precontemplation Believers, Contemplation, Preparation and Maintenance), while the sixth dimension, Action, showed the lowest Eigenvalue (0·93). Findings from the cluster analysis indicate distinct profiles among the respondents in terms of readiness to change their exercise behaviour. Conclusion. The URICA-E2 was for the most part replicated from Reed's original work. The result of the cluster analysis of the items associated with the factor 'Action' suggests that these do not adequately measure the factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unexpected enhancement in the low-energy part of the γ-strength function for light and medium-mass nuclei has been discovered at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory. This enhancement could lead to an increase in the neutron-capture rates up to two orders of magnitude for very exotic, neutron-rich nuclei. However, it is still an open question whether this structure persists when approaching the neutron drip line.

Background: An unexpected enhancement in the γ-ray strength function, as compared to the low-energy tail of the giant dipole resonance (GDR), has been observed for Sc, Ti, V, Fe, and Mo isotopes for Eγ < 4 MeV. This enhancement was not observed in subsequent analyses on Sn isotopes, but a pygmy dipole resonance (PDR) centered at Eγ ≈ 8 MeV was however detected. The γ-ray strength functions measured for Cd isotopes exhibit both features over the range of isotopes, with the low-energy enhancement decreasing and PDR strength increasing as a function of neutron number. This suggests a transitional region for the onset of low-energy enhancement, and also that the PDR strength depends on the number of neutrons. Purpose: The γ-ray strength functions of 105-108Pd have been measured in order to further explore the proposed transitional region. Method: Experimental data were obtained at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory by using the charged particle reactions (³He,³He'γ) and (³He,αγ) on 106,108Pd target foils. Particle-γ coincidence measurements provided information on initial excitation energies and the corresponding γ-ray spectra, which were used to extract the level densities and γ-ray strength functions according to the Oslo method. Results: The γ-ray strength functions indicate a sudden increase in magnitude for Eγ > 4 MeV, which is interpreted as a PDR centered at Eγ ≈ 8 MeV. An enhanced γ-ray strength at low energies is also observed for 105Pd, which is the lightest isotope measured in this work. Conclusions: A PDR is clearly identified in the γ-ray strength functions of 105-108Pd, and a low-energy enhancement is observed for Pd105. Further, the results correspond and agree very well with the observations from the Cd isotopes, and support the suggested transitional region for the onset of low-energy enhancement with decreasing mass number. The neutron number dependency of the PDR strength is also evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The γ-ray strength function of 56Fe has been measured from proton-γ coincidences for excitation energies up to ≈ MeV. The low-energy enhancement in the γ-ray strength function, which was first discovered in the (³He, αγ)56Fe reaction, is confirmed with the (p, p′γ)56Fe experiment reported here. Angular distributions of the γ rays give for the first time evidence that the enhancement is dominated by dipole transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The γ-ray strength functions and level densities of 73,74Ge have been extracted up to the neutron-separation energy Sn from particle-γ coincidence data using the Oslo method. Moreover, the γ-ray strength function of 74Ge above Sn has been determined from photoneutron measurements; hence these two experiments cover the range of Eγ≈1-13 MeV for 74Ge. The obtained data show that both 73,74Ge display an increase in strength at low γ energies. The experimental γ-ray strength functions are compared with M1 strength functions deduced from average B(M1) values calculated within the shell model for a large number of transitions. The observed low-energy enhancements in 73,74Ge are adopted in the calculations of the 72,73Ge(n,γ) cross sections, where there are no direct experimental data. Calculated reaction rates for more neutron-rich germanium isotopes are shown to be strongly dependent on the presence of the low-energy enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineering of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and the CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system has enabled versatile applications of CRISPR beyond targeted DNA cleavage. Combination of nuclease-deactivated Cas9 (dCas9) and transcriptional effector domains allows activation (CRISPRa) or repression (CRISPRi) of target loci. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the CRISPR-mediated transcriptional regulation in chickens, three CRISPRa (VP64, VPR, and p300) and three CRISPRi (dCas9, dCas9-KRAB, and dCas9-KRAB-MeCP2) systems were tested in chicken DF-1 cells. By introducing guide RNAs (gRNAs) targeting near the transcription start site (TSS) of each gene in CRISPRa and CRISPRi effector domain-expressing chicken DF-1 cell lines, significant gene upregulation was induced in dCas9-VPR and dCas9-VP64 cells, while significant downregulation was observed with dCas9 and dCas9-KRAB. We further investigated the effect of gRNA positions across TSS and discovered that the location of gRNA is an important factor for targeted gene regulation. RNA sequencing analysis of IRF7 CRISPRa and CRISPRi- DF-1 cells revealed the specificity of CRISPRa and CRISPRi-based targeted transcriptional regulation with minimal off-target effects. These findings suggest that the CRISPRa and CRISPRi toolkits are an effective and adaptable platform for studying the chicken genome by targeted transcriptional modulation.

Aims and Objectives: To describe the characteristics of communication practice in home care visits between older people (over 65 years old) and nurse assistants and to discuss the findings from a person-centered perspective., Background: The older population is increasing worldwide, along with the need for healthcare services in the person's home. To achieve a high-quality care, person-centered communication is crucial., Design: A descriptive design with a qualitative inductive approach was used., Method: Fifteen audio recordings of naturally occurring conversations between 12 nurse assistants and 13 older people in Norway were analysed by qualitative content analysis., Results: Four categories were revealed through analysis: (i) supporting older people's connection to everyday life; (ii) supporting older people's involvement in their own care; (iii) attention to older people's bodily and existential needs; and (iv) the impact of continuity and predictability on older people's well-being., Conclusions: The communication between the older people and the nurse assistants during home care visits was mainly task-oriented, but also related to the person. The older people were involved in the tasks to be carried out and humour was part of the communication. Greater attention was paid to bodily than existential needs. The communication was connected with the older people's everyday life in several ways. Time frames and interruptions concern the older people; hearing and speech impairments were a challenge to communication. To enhance person-centred communication, further studies are needed, especially intervention studies for healthcare professionals and students., Relevance to Clinical Practice: Being responsive to older people's subjective experiences is important in meeting their needs in home care. Communication that addresses the need for trust and predictability is important for older people. Responding to existential needs require more attention. The home care setting has an impact on communication., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Positive effects of physical activity, health promotion and disease prevention, in treatment of mental illnesses are well documented. Mental health practice for nursing students highlights the important connection between physical activities and mental health. This study aims to examine the outcome from nursing students' participation using The forest as a classroom. Students' collaboration by problem solving, theoretical discussions and performance of activities in the forest serves as a repertoire of non-medical treatment strategies in mental health., Methods: The forest as a classroom was evaluated by means of an ad-hoc questionnaire including both standardized and open-ended questions. Data was analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and content analysis., Results: The results indicated enhanced knowledge about physical activity and its impact on mental health. However, the nursing students' experience challenge preserving theoretical exercises outdoor because sensory stimulation took attention away from learning., Conclusions: For nursing students it is essential to build a repertoire of treatment activities to care for patients having mental health problems. This kind of approach is supported by the students' learning in the forest. The pilot study highlights the importance of multiple methods of learning in nursing education.