The sensitivity of cluster-decay half-life time to the isospin effect of the nucleon–nucleon ( NN )interaction and the neutron-skin thickness is explored in the framework of the
Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin approximation. Within the generalized double-folding model, the
cluster-daughter potential is calculated in terms of the isoscalar and isovector parts using the
explicit proton and neutron density distributions. Realistic density-dependent Michigan-three-Yukawa
(CDM3Y1 and CDM3Y6) NN interactions with the finite-range exchange NN force are considered in the
present work. The calculated cluster-decay half-lives including the isospin effect and the
differences between neutron and proton density distributions are found to be in somewhat better
agreement with the experimental data as compared without these effects. This may indicate the
necessity of considering the isospin effect and the neutron–proton differences of the density
distributions in cluster-decay, especially for extremely neutron-rich nuclei. Predictions of cluster
decay half-lives from possible cluster emitters are presented which may be helpful for future
experiments. The present study could be a significant step forward in improving the description of
cluster decay half-lives.

The sensitivity of cluster-decay half-life time to the isospin effect of the nucleon–nucleon ( NN )interaction and the neutron-skin thickness is explored in the framework of the
Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin approximation. Within the generalized double-folding model, the
cluster-daughter potential is calculated in terms of the isoscalar and isovector parts using the
explicit proton and neutron density distributions. Realistic density-dependent Michigan-three-Yukawa
(CDM3Y1 and CDM3Y6) NN interactions with the finite-range exchange NN force are considered in the
present work. The calculated cluster-decay half-lives including the isospin effect and the
differences between neutron and proton density distributions are found to be in somewhat better
agreement with the experimental data as compared without these effects. This may indicate the
necessity of considering the isospin effect and the neutron–proton differences of the density
distributions in cluster-decay, especially for extremely neutron-rich nuclei. Predictions of cluster
decay half-lives from possible cluster emitters are presented which may be helpful for future
experiments. The present study could be a significant step forward in improving the description of
cluster decay half-lives.

AIM: The current study aimed to assess the practicability of a simple loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) about real-time quantitative PCR to diagnose primary toxoplasmosis among high-risk pregnant women.

METHODS: Cloned Toxoplasma samples were used to calculate the analytical sensitivity while specificity was assessed using pooled DNA samples extracted from other parasitic stages.

RESULTS: Both techniques showed 100% sensitivity and specificity and then applied to detect recent Toxoplasma infection in peripheral blood of 77 IgG negative women out of a total 139 women lately experienced spontaneous abortion. The 2 techniques obtained positive results in 8 samples confirming primary toxoplasmosis.

CONCLUSION: Generally, LAMP assay is a simple, cost-effective molecular technique can be completed in less than half an hour to diagnose primary Toxoplasma infection. The technique can be applied in a minimally equipped laboratory by ordinary workers to screen the vulnerable groups. Further analysis using larger samples with the quantitative approach is recommended to confirm the sensitivity of this emergent molecular technique.

The thermal cure behavior of diglycidyl ether bisphenol-A/carboxylated polyester hybrid powder coating system (DGEBA/CPE) in absence and presence of catalyst was monitored using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Curing temperatures were between 160 and 200oC. The experimental results showed an autocatalytic behavior of the reaction, which could be described by the model proposed by Kamal. This model includes two rate constants k1 and k2 and two reaction orders m and n.

The thermal cure behavior of diglycidyl ether bisphenol-A/carboxylated polyester hybrid powder coating system in the absence and presence of catalyst was monitored using differential scanning calorimetry. Curing temperatures were between 160 and 200 °C. The experimental results showed an autocatalytic behavior of the reaction, which could be described by the model proposed by Kamal. This model includes two rate constants k1 and k2 and two reaction orders m and n. The activation energies Ea1 and Ea2 of these rate constants were 51.7 and 42.3 kJ/mol for uncatalyzed cure reaction and 40.6 and 35.0 kJ/mol for externally catalyzed reaction. The average order of the overall reaction was found to be 2.45 and 2.72 for uncatalyzed and catalyzed system, respectively. Except for the late stage of cure reaction, the model agreed well with the experimental data, especially at high temperatures and in externally catalyzed cure reaction. A diffusion factor was introduced into the model to account for the effect of diffusion on the cure rate. The modified model greatly improved the predicated data at the late stage of cure reaction. © Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary 2011.