The astrophysical reaction 8Li(n,gamma)9Li from measurements by reverse kinematics

We study the breakup of 9Li projectiles in high energy (28.5 MeV/u) collisions with heavy nuclear targets (208Pb). The wave functions are calculated using a single-particle model for 9Li, and a simple optical potential model for the scattering part. A good agreement with measured data is obtained with insignificant E2 contribution.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Collected Voices of Black Youths and Young Adults on Their Perceptions of Suicide

The decline in suicide rates among Caucasian youth contrasts with the increase in suicide rates among Black youth and young adults, prompting concern among communities of color, mental health practitioners, and researchers. There was a research gap concerning the perspectives of Black youth and young adults on suicide, prompting an exploration of their perceptions and efforts to reduce it using a sociocultural perspective. Data collection included semistructured virtual interviews with 14 Black individuals aged 12–25, applying a generic qualitative approach and inductive analysis to the collected data. The study identified two main themes, Black community views toward suicide and Black-specific traumatic experiences, along with seven subthemes: (a) age-dependent views, (b) stigma, (c) familial influence, (d) suicide risk and the Black experience, (e) sociocultural factors, (f) protective factors, and (g) the role of social media. Participants revealed that older adults often dismiss or stigmatize mental health and suicide concerns, emphasizing the need for more supportive spaces for open discussions and access to support and treatment, including social media platforms. Cultural-specific factors (i.e., historical trauma from slavery, discrimination, racism, and police brutality) were discussed by participants, underscoring the importance of targeting suicide prevention efforts toward Black youth on social media and addressing the unique stressors related to racism. Collaboration within the Black community is vital to combat stigma and provide mental health awareness services. These findings hold significant positive social change implications for society, emphasizing the necessity of addressing the mental health needs of Black youth and young adults with cultural sensitivity

A New Gravitational Wave Verification Source

We report the discovery of a detached 20 min orbital period binary white dwarf. WD0931+444 (SDSS J093506.93+441106.9) was previously classified as a WD + M dwarf system based on its optical spectrum. Our time-resolved optical spectroscopy observations obtained at the 8m Gemini and 6.5m MMT reveal peak-to-peak radial velocity variations of 400 km/s every 20 min for the WD, but no velocity variations for the M dwarf. In addition, high-speed photometry from the McDonald 2.1m telescope shows no evidence of variability nor evidence of a reflection effect. An M dwarf companion is physically too large to fit into a 20 min orbit. Thus, the orbital motion of the WD is almost certainly due to an invisible WD companion. The M dwarf must be either an unrelated background object or the tertiary component of a hiearchical triple system. WD0931+444 contains a pair of WDs, a 0.32 Msol primary and a >0.14 Msol secondary, at a separation of >0.19 Rsol. After J0651+2844, WD0931+444 becomes the second-shortest period detached binary WD currently known. The two WDs will lose angular momentum through gravitational wave radiation and merge in <9 Myr. The log h ~ -22 gravitational wave strain from WD0931+444 is strong enough to make it a verification source for gravitational wave missions in the milli-Hertz frequency range, e.g. the evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA), bringing the total number of known eLISA verification sources to nine.Comment: MNRAS Letters, in pres

Rapid Orbital Decay in the 12.75-Minute Binary White Dwarf J0651+2844

We report the detection of orbital decay in the 12.75-minute, detached binary white dwarf (WD) SDSS J065133.338+284423.37 (hereafter J0651). Our photometric observations over a 13 month baseline constrain the orbital period to 765.206543(55) s and indicate that the orbit is decreasing at a rate of (-9.8 +/- 2.8) x 10(-12) s s(-1) (or -0.31 +/- 0.09 ms yr(-1)). We revise the system parameters based on our new photometric and spectroscopic observations: J0651 contains two WDs with M-1 = 0.26 +/- 0.04 M-circle dot and M-2 = 0.50 +/- 0.04 M-circle dot. General relativity predicts orbital decay due to gravitational wave radiation of (-8.2 +/- 1.7) x 10(-12) s s(-1) (or -0.26 +/- 0.05 ms yr(-1)). Our observed rate of orbital decay is consistent with this expectation. J0651 is currently the second-loudest gravitational wave source known in the milli-Hertz range and the loudest non-interacting binary, which makes it an excellent verification source for future missions aimed at directly detecting gravitational waves. Our work establishes the feasibility of monitoring this system's orbital period decay at optical wavelengths.NSF AST-0909107, AST-1008734Norman Hackerman Advanced Research Program 003658-0252-2009Astronom

Frequent utilization of the emergency department for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Little is known about patients who frequently visit the emergency department (ED) for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). We aimed to quantify the proportion and characteristics of patients with frequent ED visits for AECOPD and associated healthcare utilization. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults aged ≥40 years with at least one ED visit for AECOPD between 2010 and 2011, derived from population-based all-payer data of State ED and Inpatient Databases for two large and diverse states: California and Florida. Outcome measures were frequency of ED visits for AECOPD, 30-day ED revisits, subsequent hospitalizations, near-fatal events (AECOPD involving mechanical ventilation), and charges for both ED and inpatient services (available only for Florida) during the year after the first ED visit. Results: The analytic cohort comprised 98,280 unique patients with 154,736 ED visits for AECOPD. During the 1-year period, 29.4% (95% CI, 29.1%-29.7%) of the patients had two or more (frequent) visits, accounting for 55.2% (95% CI, 54.9%-55.4%) of all ED visits for AECOPD. In the multivariable model, significant predictors of frequent ED visits were age 55–74 years (vs. 40–54 years), male sex, non-Hispanic white or black race, Medicaid insurance (vs. private), and lower median household income (all P < 0.001). At the visit-level, 12.3% of ED visits for AECOPD were 30-day revisit events (95% CI, 12.1%-12.4%). Additionally, 62.8% of ED visits for AECOPD (95% CI, 62.6%-63.0%) resulted in a hospitalization; patients with frequent ED visits comprised 55.5% (95% CI, 55.2%-55.8%) of all hospitalizations. Furthermore, 7.3% (95% CI, 7.3%-7.5%) of ED visits for AECOPD led to a near-fatal event; patients with frequent ED visits accounted for 64.4% (95% CI, 63.5%-65.3%) of all near-fatal events. Total charges for AECOPD were $1.94 billion (95$1.90-1.97 billion) in Florida; patients with frequent ED visits accounted for $1.07 billion (95$1.04-1.09 billion). Conclusions: In this large cohort study, we found that 29% had frequent ED visits for AECOPD and that lower socioeconomic status was significantly associated with a higher frequency of ED visits. Individuals with frequent ED visits for AECOPD accounted for a substantial amount of healthcare utilization and financial burden

The continuing evolution of Energy Policy

As the world confronts the Covid-19 pandemic, we hope that all of you are doing well. We know that many lives have been greatly disrupted, and that world economic activity is slowing and maybe declining in some places. We have read reports that energy consumption has been greatly affected by the slowdown in world economic activity—likely contributing to the sharp plunge in oil prices earlier this year. We do not know how long this pandemic may last. As we look forward to the end of the pandemic and a recovering world economy, however, we wonder if and how energy systems may have to be transformed, and whether new energy policy needs and approaches will emerge. Will we see any change in the trajectory of adopting sustainable energy systems and reducing carbon emissions?In the academic world, many of us are now teleworking and teaching our courses online. This transition has proved time consuming—so we want to thank our many reviewers who are staying on or close to schedule. So far, Energy Policy has been mostly unaffected by the pandemic, but we must recognize that the Elsevier employees who are responsible for the operations side of the journal may at some time be affected by Covid-19.In the meantime, we want to keep you informed about some recent developments regarding Energy Policy, including a little about its history and our editorial priorities