A relativistic framework to determine the nuclear transparency from A(p,2p) reactions

A relativistic framework for computing the nuclear transparency extracted from A(p,2p) scattering processes is presented. The model accounts for the initial- and final-state interactions (IFSI) within the relativistic multiple-scattering Glauber approximation (RMSGA). For the description of color transparency, two existing models are used. The nuclear filtering mechanism is implemented as a possible explanation for the oscillatory energy dependence of the transparency. Results are presented for the target nuclei 7Li, 12C, 27Al, and 63Cu. An approximated, computationally less intensive version of the RMSGA framework is found to be sufficiently accurate for the calculation of the nuclear transparency. After including the nuclear filtering and color transparency mechanisms, our calculations are in acceptable agreement with the data.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Lett.

Nuclear transparencies from photoinduced pion production

We present a relativistic and cross-section factorized framework for computing nuclear transparencies extracted from A(\gamma,\pi N) reactions at intermediate energies. The proposed quantummechanical model adopts a relativistic extension to the multiple-scattering Glauber approximation to account for the final state interactions of the ejected nucleon and pion. The theoretical predictions are compared against the experimental ^4He(\gamma,p \pi^-) data from Jefferson Lab. For those data, our results show no conclusive evidence for the onset of mechanisms related to color transparency.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

A relativistic Glauber approach to polarization transfer in 4He(\vec{e},e'\vec{p})

Polarization-transfer components for 4He(\vec{e},e'\vec{p})3H are computed within the relativistic multiple-scattering Glauber approximation (RMSGA). The RMSGA framework adopts relativistic single-particle wave functions and electron-nucleon couplings. The predictions with free and various parametrizations for the medium-modified electromagnetic form factors are compared to the world data.Comment: 2 pages, 1 figure Proceedings of the Int. School on Nuclear Physics, 26th Course, Erice (Sicily), September 16th- 24th, 2004; To appear in Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physic

Short-term health effects in the general population following a major train accident with acrylonitrile in Belgium

Background: Following a train derailment, several tons of acrylonitrile (ACN) exploded, inflamed and part of the ACN ended up in the sewage system of the village of Wetteren. More than 2000 residents living in the close vicinity of the accident and along the sewage system were evacuated. A human biomonitoring study of the adduct N-2-cyanoethylvaline (CEV) was carried out days 14-21 after the accident. Objectives: (1) To describe the short-term health effects that were reported by the evacuated residents following the train accident, and (2) to explore the association between the CEV concentrations, extrapolated at the time of the accident, and the self-reported short-term health effects. Methods: Short-term health effects were reported in a questionnaire (n=191). An omnibus test of independence was used to investigate the association between the CEV concentrations and the symptoms. Dose-response relationships were quantified by Generalized Additive Models (GAMs). Results: The most frequently reported symptoms were local symptoms of irritation. In non-smokers, dose-dependency was observed between the CEV levels and the self-reporting of irritation (p=0.007) and nausea (p=0.007). Almost all non-smokers with CEV concentrations above 100 pmol/g globin reported irritation symptoms. Both absence and presence of symptoms was reported by non-smokers with CEV concentrations below the reference value and up to 10 times the reference value. Residents who visited the emergency services reported more symptoms. This trend was seen for the whole range of CEV concentrations, and thus independently of the dose. Discussion and conclusion: The present study is one of the first to relate exposure levels to a chemical released during a chemical incident to short-term (self-reported) health effects. A dose-response relation was observed between the CEV concentrations and the reporting of short-term health effects in the non-smokers. Overall, the value of self-reported symptoms to assess exposure showed to be limited. The results of this study confirm that a critical view should be taken when considering self-reported health complaints and that ideally biomarkers are monitored to allow an objective assessment of exposure

Relativistic eikonal description of A(p,pN) reactions

The authors present a relativistic and cross-section factorized framework for computing quasielastic A(p,pN) observables at intermediate and high energies. The model is based on the eikonal approximation and can accomodate both optical potentials and the Glauber method for dealing with the initial- and final-state interactions (IFSI). At lower nucleon energies, the optical-potential philosophy is preferred, whereas at higher energies the Glauber method is more natural. This versatility in dealing with the IFSI allows one to describe A(p,pN) reactions in a wide energy range. Most results presented here use optical potentials as this approach is argued to be the optimum choice for the kinematics of the experiments considered in the present paper. The properties of the IFSI factor, a function wherein the entire effect of the IFSI is contained, are studied in detail. The predictions of the presented framework are compared with two kinematically different experiments. First, differential cross sections for quasielastic proton scattering at 1 GeV off 12C, 16O, and 40Ca target nuclei are computed and compared to data from PNPI. Second, the formalism is applied to the analysis of a 4He(p,2p) experiment at 250 MeV. The optical-potential calculations are found to be in good agreement with the data from both experiments, showing the reliability of the adopted model in a wide energy range.Comment: 34 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Polarization transfer in 4He(\vec{e},e'\vec{p}) and 16O(\vec{e},e'\vec{p}) in a relativistic Glauber model

Polarization-transfer components for 4He(\vec{e},e'\vec{p})3H and 16O(\vec{e},e'\vec{p})15N are computed within the relativistic multiple-scattering Glauber approximation (RMSGA). The RMSGA framework adopts relativistic single-particle wave functions and electron-nucleon couplings. The predictions closely match those of a relativistic plane-wave model indicating the smallness of the final-state interactions for polarization-transfer components. Also short-range correlations play a modest role for the studied observables, as long as small proton missing-momenta are probed in quasi-elastic kinematics. The predictions with free and various parameterizations for the medium-modified electromagnetic form factors are compared to the world data.Comment: 24 pages, 11 figure

Second-Order Eikonal Corrections for A(e,e'p)

The first-order eikonal approximation is frequently adopted in interpreting the results of $A(e,e'p)$ measurements. Glauber calculations, for example, typically adopt the first-order eikonal approximation. We present an extension of the relativistic eikonal approach to $A(e,e'p)$ which accounts for second-order eikonal corrections. The numerical calculations are performed within the relativistic optical model eikonal approximation. The nuclear transparency results indicate that the effect of the second-order eikonal corrections is rather modest, even at $Q^{2} \approx 0.2$ (GeV/c)$^2$. The same applies to polarization observables, left-right asymmetries, and differential cross sections at low missing momenta. At high missing momenta, however, the second-order eikonal corrections are significant and bring the calculations in closer agreement with the data and/or the exact results from models adopting partial-wave expansions.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, submitted to Phys. Lett.

Multi-centre, randomised non-inferiority trial of early treatment versus expectant management of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants (the BeNeDuctus trial):statistical analysis plan

Abstract Background Controversy exists about the optimal management of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants. A persistent PDA is associated with neonatal mortality and morbidity, but causality remains unproven. Although both pharmacological and/or surgical treatment are effective in PDA closure, this has not resulted in an improved neonatal outcome. In most preterm infants, a PDA will eventually close spontaneously, hence PDA treatment potentially increases the risk of iatrogenic adverse effects. Therefore, expectant management is gaining interest, even in the absence of convincing evidence to support this strategy. Methods/design The BeNeDuctus trial is a multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial assessing early pharmacological treatment (24–72 h postnatal age) with ibuprofen versus expectant management of PDA in preterm infants in Europe. Preterm infants with a gestational age of less than 28 weeks and an echocardiographic-confirmed PDA with a transductal diameter of > 1.5 mm are randomly allocated to early pharmacological treatment with ibuprofen or expectant management after parental informed consent. The primary outcome measure is the composite outcome of mortality, and/or necrotizing enterocolitis Bell stage ≥ IIa, and/or bronchopulmonary dysplasia, all established at a postmenstrual age of 36 weeks. Secondary short-term outcomes are comorbidity and adverse events assessed during hospitalization and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome assessed at a corrected age of 2 years. This statistical analysis plan focusses on the short-term outcome and is written and submitted without knowledge of the data. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NTR5479. Registered on October 19, 2015, with the Dutch Trial Registry, sponsored by the United States National Library of Medicine Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02884219 (registered May 2016) and the European Clinical Trials Database EudraCT 2017-001376-28

Early treatment versus expectative management of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants

_Background:_ Much controversy exists about the optimal management of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants, especially in those born at a gestational age (GA) less than 28weeks. No causal relationship has been proven between a (haemodynamically significant) PDA and neonatal complications related to pulmonary hyperperfusion and/or systemic hypoperfusion. Although studies show conflicting results, a common understanding is that medical or surgical treatment of a PDA does not seem to reduce the risk of major neonatal morbidities and mortality. As the PDA might have closed spontaneously, treated children are potentially exposed to iatrogenic adverse effects. A conservative approach is gaining interest worldwide, although convincing evidence to support its use is lacking. _Methods:_ This multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial is conducted in neonatal intensive care units. The study population consists of preterm infants (GA1.5mm. Early treatment (between 24 and 72h postnatal age) with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor(COXi) ibuprofen (IBU) is compared with an expectative management (no intervention intended to close a PDA). The primary outcome is the composite of mortality, and/or necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) Bell stage ≥ IIa, and/or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) defined as the need for supplemental oxygen, all at a postmenstrual age (PMA) of 36weeks. Secondary outcome parameters are short term sequelae of cardiovascular failure, comorbidity and adverse events assessed during hospitalization and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome assessed at a corrected age of 2 years. Consequences regarding health economics are evaluated by cost effectiveness analysis and budget impact analysis. _Discussion:_ As a conservative approach is gaining interest, we investigate whether in preterm infants, born at a GA less than 28weeks, with a PDA an expectative management is non-inferior to early treatment with IBU regarding to the composite outcome of mortality and/or NEC and/or BPD at a PMA of 36weeks