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Biomedical subjects

P J Woods

Publications and source records attributed to P J Woods.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Ground state proton radioactivity from 121Pr: when was this exotic nuclear decay mode first discovered?

Ground-state proton radioactivity has been identified from 121Pr. A transition with a proton energy of E(p)=882(10) keV [Q(p)=900(10) keV] and half-life t(1/2)=10(+6)(-3) ms has been observed and is assigned to the decay of a highly prolate deformed 3/2(+) or 3/2(-) Nilsson state. The present result is found to be incompatible with a previously reported observation of ground-state proton radioactivity from 121Pr, which would have represented the discovery of this phenomenon.

Journal Article↗

Level structure of 22Mg: implications for the 21Na(p,gamma)22Mg astrophysical reaction rate and for the 22Mg Mass.

The level structure of (22)Mg has been studied with high-sensitivity gamma-ray spectroscopy techniques. A complete level scheme is derived incorporating all subthreshold states and all levels in the energy region relevant for novae burning. The excitation energy of the most important astrophysical resonance is measured with improved accuracy and found to differ from previous values. Combining the present result with a recent resonance energy measurement of this state leads to a derived (22)Mg mass excess of -400.5(13) keV.

Journal Article↗

Strength of the 18F(p,alpha)15O resonance at Ec.m. = 330 keV.

Production of the radioisotope 18F in novae is severely constrained by the rate of the 18F(p,alpha)15O reaction. A resonance at E(c.m.)=330 keV may strongly enhance the 18F(p,alpha)15O reaction rate, but its strength has been very uncertain. We have determined the strength of this important resonance by measuring the 18F(p,alpha)15O cross section on and off resonance using a radioactive 18F beam at the ORNL Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility. We find that its resonance strength is 1.48+/-0.46 eV, and that it dominates the 18F(p,alpha)15O reaction rate over a significant range of temperatures characteristic of ONeMg novae.

Journal Article↗

Rotational bands in the proton emitter (141)Ho.

Rotational bands feeding the ground state and the isomeric state in the proton emitter (141)Ho were observed using the recoil-decay tagging method. This constitutes direct evidence that (141)Ho is deformed. A quadrupole deformation of beta(2) = 0.25(4) was deduced for the ground state from the extracted dynamic moment of inertia. Based on observed band crossings and signature splittings the 7/2(-)[523] and 1/2(+)[411] configurations were proposed for the ground state and the isomeric state, respectively. Comparison with particle-rotor calculations for beta(2) = 0.25 indicates, however, that (141)Ho may have significant hexadecapole deformation and could be triaxial in the 7/2(-)[523] ground state.

Journal Article↗

Type A behavior and illness in general.

Based on questionnaire responses from 206 college women, relationships were found between the Type A and Speed and Impatience factors from the Jenkins Activity Survey and various indicators of illness. Those scoring high on these factors reported considerably more physical symptoms, in general, than those scoring low. The Speed and Impatience factor showed up more strongly, being related to gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory symptoms, sleep disorders, and chest pains. These findings, therefore, suggest that the coronary-prone Type A behavior pattern is implicated in illness problems beyond the vascular system.

Adult↗

Findings on a relationship between type A behavior and headaches.

Based on answers to a headache questionnaire college women were classified on a two-dimensional array according to their relative frequencies of both vascular (migraine) and tension (muscle contraction) pain. The various groups were then compared on a measure of the coronary-prone Type A behavior pattern. In two independent surveys, one with 237 respondents and one with 206 respondents, increasing frequencies of both types of headaches were significantly associated with higher scores on the Type A scale from the Jenkins Activity Survey. The findings support prior data from a client population, also reported, and suggest appropriate therapeutic interventions for headache relief. They also clearly show that a behavior pattern which has been associated with coronary artery disease now can be considered to have implications for other problems as well.

Coronary Disease↗

Reasons, health behaviors, and outcomes of no prenatal care: research that changed practice.

Changes in prenatal care practices resulted from a pilot study with 12 urban New Mexican women who received no prenatal care. The women were interviewed regarding their reasons for not receiving care during pregnancy, health behaviors, and perceived neonatal outcomes. Data on actual neonatal outcomes were taken from the medical record. Maternal reasons for no prenatal care were socio-demographic, system-related, attitudinal, and outside forces of job and childcare. To ensure a healthy baby, the women made changes in their nutrition, self-care activities, substance use, sleep, and exercise activities. All of the women perceived they had a healthy baby. Yet 61% of the neonates had complications and 45% were low birth weight. The research findings were used to develop a care management program that included case management and utilization management.

Adult↗