XmaxμX_{max}^{\mu} vs. NμN^{\mu} from Extensive Air Showers as estimator for the mass of primary UHECR's. Application for the Pierre Auger Observatory

We study the possibility of primary mass estimation for Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECR's) using the $X_{max}^{\mu}$ (the height where the number of muons produced on the core of Extensive Air Showers (EAS) is maximum) and the number $N^{\mu}$ of muons detected on ground. We use the 2D distribution - $X_{max}^{\mu}$ against $N^{\mu}$ in order to find its sensitivity to the mass of the primary particle. For that, we construct a 2D Probability Function $Prob(p,Fe \ | \ X_{max}^{\mu},N^{\mu})$ which estimates the probability that a certain point from the plane $(X_{max}^{\mu}$, $N^{\mu})$ corresponds to a shower induced by a proton, respectively an iron nucleus. To test the procedure, we analyze a set of simulated EAS induced by protons and iron nuclei at energies of $10^{19} eV$ and $20^{\circ}$ zenith angle with CORSIKA. Using the Bayesian approach and taking into account the geometry of the infill detectors from the Pierre Auger Observatory, we observe an improvement in the accuracy of the primary mass reconstruction in comparison with the results obtained using only the $X_{max}^{\mu}$ distributions

Restoration of azimuthal symmetry of muon densities in extended air showers

At ground level, the azimuthal distribution of muons in inclined Extensive Air Showers (EAS) is asymmetric, mainly due to geometric effects. Several EAS observables sensitive to the primary particle mass, are constructed after mapping the density of secondary particles from the ground plane to the shower plane (perpendicular to the shower axis). A simple orthogonal projection of the muon coordinates onto this plane distorts the azimuthal symmetry in the shower plane. Using CORSIKA simulations, we correct for this distortion by projecting each muon onto the normal plane following its incoming direction, taking also into account the attenuation probability. We show that besides restoring the azimuthal symmetry of muons density around the shower axis, the application of this procedure has a significant impact on the reconstruction of the distribution of the muon production depth and of its maximum, $X_{\rm max}^{\mu}$, which is an EAS observable sensitive to the primary particle mass. Our results qualitatively suggest that not including it in the reconstruction process of $X_{\rm max}^{\mu}$ may introduce a bias in the results obtained by analyzing the actual data on the basis of Monte Carlo simulations.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astroparticle Physic

Simulation study of the correlation (XmaxμX_{max}^{\mu}, NμN^{\mu}) in view of obtaining information on primary mass of the UHECRs

In this paper we study, using Monte Carlo simulations, the possibility to discriminate the mass of the Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECRs) by combining information obtained from the maximum $X_{max}^{\mu}$ of the muon production rate longitudinal profile of Extensive Air Showers (EAS) and the number of muons, $N^{\mu}$, which hit an array of detectors located in the horizontal plane. We investigate the sensitivity of the 2D distribution $X_{max}^{\mu}$ versus $N^{\mu}$ to the mass of the primary particle generating the air shower. To this purpose we analyze a set of CORSIKA showers induced by protons and iron nuclei at energies of $10^{19}$eV and $10^{20}$eV, at five angles of incidence, $0^{\circ}$, $37^{\circ}$, $48^{\circ}$, $55^{\circ}$ and $60^{\circ}$. Using the simulations we obtain the 2D Probability Functions $Prob(X_{max}^{\mu},N^{\mu} \ | \ p)$ and $Prob(X_{max}^{\mu},N^{\mu} \ | \ Fe)$which give the probability that a shower induced by a proton or iron nucleus contributes to a specific point on the plane ($X_{max}^{\mu}$,$N^{\mu}$). Then we construct the probability functions$Prob(p\ | \ X_{max}^{\mu},N^{\mu})$and$Prob(Fe \ | \ X_{max}^{\mu},N^{\mu})$which give the probability that a certain point on the plane ($X_{max}^{\mu}$,$N^{\mu}$) corresponds to a shower initiated by a proton or an iron nucleus, respectively. Finally, a test of this procedure using a Bayesian approach, confirms an improved accuracy of the primary mass estimation in comparison with the results obtained using only the$X_{max}^{\mu}$ distributions

Patients’ perception of childbirth according to the delivery method: The experience in our clinic

Introduction: The aim of this study is to identify the way in which childbirth in general, and the delivery method in particular, influenced the maternal psychosocial status and the perception upon birth during postpartum. Material and method: We conducted a cohort type 2 prospective study. We included patients who had given birth at “Bucur” Maternity of Hospital “St. John” Bucharest from the 1st of January 2017 until the 1st of January 2018. Results: The majority of the patients (21.05%) who chose to give birth vaginally assigned the maximum degree (10) to the difficulty of birth. The patients who gave birth through cesarean section experienced the feeling of sadness in a higher percentage than those who gave birth vaginally (30.52% versus 21.05%). Among the patients who were in favor of having more children, 85.45% preferred the same delivery method. All the patients who gave birth vaginally wished to have other children using the same method, while 81.4% from the patients who gave birth through cesarean section were in favor of more children. Conclusion: The patients’ perception of childbirth was a subjective parameter. Further studies with standardized questionnaires should be applied for more reliable results

The psychosocial impact of vaginal delivery and cesarean section in primiparous women

The aim of this study was to identify how the method of delivery and birth experience interfere with maternal psychological status early after puerperium. We conducted a prospective study on 148 women after puerperium from November 2017 to January 2018 in Bucur Maternity Hospital. Women that delivered vaginally mobilized in the first 6 hours in 73.7% of the cases, but for cesarean section after 12- 24 hours in 43.6% of the cases. Women described good support from the obstetrician in 58.1% of the cases. 90.5% of the women reported that the method of delivery did not have an impact on infant care and 73% had no lactation problems. The majority described little trauma, in 32.4% of the cases. 70.3% of the patients reported that they wanted to have more children and 59.5% of them desired the same method of delivery. Negative feelings, lactation, and taking care of the baby were not influenced in this study by the method of delivery, but by prematurity of birth and the complications that women experienced at birth

A mobile detector for measurements of the atmospheric muon flux in underground sites

Muons comprise an important contribution of the natural radiation dose in air (approx. 30 nSv/h of a total dose rate of 65-130 nSv/h), as well as in underground sites even when the flux and relative contribution are significantly reduced. The flux of the muons observed in underground can be used as an estimator for the depth in mwe (meter water equivalent) of the underground site. The water equivalent depth is an important information to devise physics experiments feasible for a specific site. A mobile detector for performing measurements of the muon's flux was developed in IFIN-HH, Bucharest. Consisting of 2 scintillator plates (approx. 0.9 m2) which measure in coincidence, the detector is installed on a van which facilitates measurements at different locations at surface or underground. The detector was used to determine muon fluxes at different sites in Romania. In particular, data were taken and the values of meter water equivalents were assessed for several locations from the salt mine from Slanic Prahova, Romania. The measurements have been performed in 2 different galleries of the Slanic mine at different depths. In order to test the stability of the method, also measure- ments of the muon flux at surface at different elevations were performed. The results were compared with predictions of Monte-Carlo simulations using the CORSIKA and MUSIC codes

The Accuracy of Cytology, Colposcopy and Pathology in Evaluating Precancerous Cervical Lesions

Cervical cancer (CC) is the third most common cancer in the world, and Romania has the highest incidence of cervical cancer in Europe. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between cytology, colposcopy, and pathology for the early detection of premalignant cervical lesions in a group of Romanian patients. Methods: This observational type 2 cohort study included 128 women from our unit, “Bucur” Maternity, who were referred for cervical cancer screening. Age, clinical diagnosis, cytology results, colposcopy impression, and biopsy results were considered. Colposcopy was performed by two experienced examiners. The pathological examination was performed by an experienced pathologist. Results: The cytology found high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 60.9% of patients, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 28.1%, atypical squamous cells for which a high-grade lesion could not be excluded in 9.4%, and atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, known as repeated LSIL, in 1.6%. The first evaluator identified low-grade lesions in 56.3%, high-grade lesions in 40.6%, and invasion in 3.1% of patients. The second evaluator identified low-grade lesions in 59.4%, high-grade lesions in 32.0%, and invasion in 8.6% of patients. The pathological exam identified low-grade lesions in 64.1%, high-grade lesions in 25%, and carcinoma in 14% of patients. The colposcopic accuracy was greater than the cytologic accuracy. Conclusions: Colposcopy remains an essential tool for the identification of cervical premalignant cancer cells. Standardization of the protocol provided an insignificant interobserver variability and can serve as support for further postgraduate teaching

The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Premature Birth—Our Experience as COVID Center

Information about the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnant women is still limited and raises challenges, even as publications are increasing rapidly. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on preterm birth pregnancies. We performed a prospective, observational study in a COVID-only hospital, which included 34 pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection and preterm birth compared with a control group of 48 healthy women with preterm birth. The rate of cesarean delivery was 82% in the study group versus 6% for the control group. We observed a strong correlation between premature birth and the presence of COVID-19 symptoms (cough p = 0.029, fever p = 0.001, and chills p = 0.001). The risk for premature birth is correlated to a lower value of oxygen saturation (p = 0.001) and extensive radiologic pulmonary lesions (p = 0.025). The COVID-19 pregnant women with preterm delivery were older, and experienced an exacerbation of severe respiratory symptoms, decreased saturation of oxygen, increased inflammatory markers, severe pulmonary lesions and decreased lymphocytes

Patients’ perception of childbirth according to the delivery method: The experience in our clinic

Introduction: The aim of this study is to identify the way in which childbirth in general, and the delivery method in particular, influenced the maternal psychosocial status and the perception upon birth during postpartum. Material and method: We conducted a cohort type 2 prospective study. We included patients who had given birth at “Bucur” Maternity of Hospital “St. John” Bucharest from the 1st of January 2017 until the 1st of January 2018. Results: The majority of the patients (21.05%) who chose to give birth vaginally assigned the maximum degree (10) to the difficulty of birth. The patients who gave birth through cesarean section experienced the feeling of sadness in a higher percentage than those who gave birth vaginally (30.52% versus 21.05%). Among the patients who were in favor of having more children, 85.45% preferred the same delivery method. All the patients who gave birth vaginally wished to have other children using the same method, while 81.4% from the patients who gave birth through cesarean section were in favor of more children. Conclusion: The patients’ perception of childbirth was a subjective parameter. Further studies with standardized questionnaires should be applied for more reliable results