Accurate transition rates for the 5p - 5s transitions in Kr I

Branching fractions were measured for electric dipole transitions from the 5p upper levels to the 5s levels in neutral krypton atoms. The measurements were made with a wall-stabilized electric arc and a 2m monochromator for the spectral lines in the visible, and with a hollow cathode lamp and the NIST 2m-Fourier transform spectrometer for the lines in the near infrared. A semi-empirical calculation, based on accurately known lifetimes for six upper levels, was used to calculate lifetimes for which accurate measurements do not exist. This resulted in a complete set of lifetimes for all 5p levels. Branching fractions and lifetimes were used to calculate transition rates for the 5p-5s transitions. The relative uncertainties of the transition rates range from less than 1% for the strongest lines to about 10% for the weakest lines. Our data also reveal that most of the previous measurements appear to have been affected by opacity effects in the light sources.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures, 5 table

Recent trends and developments in pyrolysis-gas chromatography: review

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography (Py-GC) has become well established as a simple, quick and reliable analytical technique for a range of applications including the analysis of polymeric materials. Recent developments in Py-GC technology and instrumentation include laser pyrolysis and non-discriminating pyrolysis. Progress has also been made in the detection of low level polymer additives with the use of novel Py-GC devices. Furthermore, it has been predicted that future advances in separation technology such as the use of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography will further enhance the analytical scope of Py-GC

Gamma Factory at CERN – novel research tools made of light

We discuss the possibility of creating novel research tools by producing and storing highly relativistic beams of highly ionised atoms in the CERN accelerator complex, and by exciting their atomic degrees of freedom with lasers to produce high-energy photon beams. Intensity of such photon beams would be by several orders of magnitude higher than offered by the presently operating light sources, in the particularly interesting gamma-ray energy domain of 0.1-400 MeV. In this energy range, the high-intensity photon beams can be used to produce secondary beams of polarised electrons, polarised positrons, polarised muons, neutrinos, neutrons and radioactive ions. New research opportunities in a wide domain of fundamental and applied physics can be opened by the Gamma Factory scientific programme based on the above primary and secondary beams.Comment: 12 pages; presented by W. Placzek at the XXV Cracow Epiphany Conference on Advances in Heavy Ion Physics, 8-11 January 2019, Cracow, Polan

Vergleich der gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität von Menschen mit Epilepsie und Multipler Sklerose

In dieser Studie wurde die gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität von Personen mit Multipler Sklerose und Epilepsie verglichen, sowie deren Umgang mit der Erkrankung evaluiert. Es nahmen 46 Personen mit Multipler Sklerose und 44 Personen mit Epilepsie teil, deren Rekrutierung im Rahmen von Aufrufen in Selbsthilfegruppen und Internetforen erfolgte. Alle Teilnehmer erhielten sieben verschiedene Messinstrumente zur Selbstbeurteilung. Dabei handelte es sich unter anderem um den Short Form-36 Health Survey, den WHO Quality of Life-BREF und den Freiburger Fragebogen zur Krankheitsverarbeitung. Die Studie zeigte, dass sowohl Teilnehmer mit Multipler Sklerose als auch mit Epilepsie unter deutlichen Einbußen in vielen Bereichen der Lebensqualität gegenüber der Normbevölkerung litten. Im direkten Vergleich der beiden Gruppen ergaben sich signifikante Unterschiede in den körperlichen Domänen der Lebensqualität. So schätzten Probanden mit Multipler Sklerose ihr physisches Wohlbefinden wesentlich schlechter ein als Teilnehmer mit Epilepsie. Hinsichtlich des psychischen Wohlbefindens zeigte die Gruppe Epilepsie im Vergleich zur Gruppe Multiple Sklerose trotz körperlicher Gesundheit Einschränkungen. Auch der Vergleich der Krankheitsverarbeitung ergab, dass Probanden mit Epilepsie signifikant stärker zu einem depressiven Verarbeitungsstil neigten als Teilnehmer mit Multipler Sklerose

The malposition of central venous catheters in children

Background: Contemporary medical care, especially in the field of pediatrics often requires central venous line (CVC -Central Venous Catheter) implantation for carrying out treatment. Some conditions are treated intravenously for several months, other require long-term venous access due to periodical administration of medications or daily nutritional supplementation. Material and Methods: A total number of 309 CVCs were implanted at Children's University Hospital in Cracow between January 2011 and December 2012 (24 months). Malposition of the CVC is not common. The target of our article was to present two rare cases of malposition of catheters and two displacements of catheter due to chest tumors, and to enhance the importance of differential diagnostic imaging when difficulties occur. Results: CVC malposition was detected with different imaging modalities followed by appropriate medical procedures. Conclusions: In case of any difficulties with central lines, it is necessary to investigate the underlying cause. The central line team at hospital cooperating with other specialists is needed to detect complications and to prevent them