Destruction of the cosmic γ -ray emitter 26 Al in massive stars: Study of the key 26 Al ( n , α ) reaction

Neutron destruction reactions of the cosmic γ -ray emitter 26Al are of importance to determine the amount of 26Al ejected into our galaxy by supernova explosions and for 26Al production in asymptotic giant branch stars. We performed a new measurement of the 26Al(n, α) reaction up to 160-keV neutron energy at the neutron time-of-flight facilities n_TOF at CERN and GELINA at EC-JRC. We provide strengths for ten resonances, six of them for the first time. We use our data to calculate astrophysical reactivities for stellar temperatures up to 0.7 GK. Our results resolve a discrepancy between the two previous direct measurements of this reaction, and indicate higher stellar destruction rates than the most recently recommended reactivity.Austrian Science Fund (FWF). J3503The U.K. Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) ST/L005824/1 y No. ST/M006085/1The European Research Council ERC-2015-STG. 677497European Cooperation in Science and Technology (Cost Action), programa Chemical Elements as Tracers of the Evolution of the Cosmos(ChETEC) CA1611

Destruction of the cosmic γ-ray emitter 26 Al in massive stars: Study of the key 26 Al ( n , p ) reaction

The 26 Al (n ,p) 26 Mg reaction is the key reaction impacting on the abundances of the cosmic y-ray emitter 26 Al produced in massive stars and impacts on the potential pollution of the early solar system with 26 Al by asymptotic giant branch stars. We performed a measurement of the 26 Al ( n , p ) 26 Mg cross section at the high-flux beam line EAR-2 at the n_TOF facility (CERN). We report resonance strengths for eleven resonances, nine being measured for the first time, while there is only one previous measurement for the other two. Our resonance strengths are significantly lower than the only previous values available. Our cross-section data range to 150 keV neutron energy, which is sufficient for a reliable determination of astrophysical reactivities up to 0.5 GK stellar temperature.Austrian Science Fund (FWF) J3503Consejo de Instalaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas del Reino Unido (STFC) ST/L005824/1 y ST/M006085/1,Consejo Europeo de Investigación ERC-2015-STG Nr. 67749

REVISE AND RESUBMIT Corporate Governance and Investor Rationality: Evidence from the 1990s' Technology Bubble

Several studies document irrational investor behavior related to Internet firms during the 1990s' technology bubble. This paper investigates whether investors display the same behavior towards nonInternet firms that adopt Internet technology in the same time period. I find a positive association between short-and long-term metrics of firm performance related to the launching of commercial web sites by non-Internet companies. However, the extent to which this positive association exists is largely driven by the quality of the firms' corporate governance. These results indicate that investors were not universally irrational during the 1990s technology bubble. In addition, my findings also highlight the relevance of corporate governance in mitigating information asymmetry when technological innovations with an uncertain impact on firm value affect the economy. Why did the launching of a commercial web site generate opposite market responses for two retailers in the same industry? Differences between the two firms, reported in Another difference of potential importance between ShopKo and Cost Plus is the level of protection these firms grant their shareholders as measured by the Gompers, Ishii, and Metrick 2 In this paper, I use a broad sample of firms to study whether, based on the way companies are governed, investors react differently to firms' adoptions of new technologies. I also study whether investors' reactions to the adoption of new technologies are rational. The 1990s technology bubble provides an excellent setting to study these research questions. This period witnessed the emergence of the Internet as new commercial medium. The efficacy of this new technology was the source of considerable uncertainty. Several finance studies, discussed in the next section, document irrational investor behavior around tech stocks during the 1990s technology bubble. 2 However, none of the existing studies document whether investors were universally irrational during the period. That is, whether the irrational behavior was limited to tech stocks or whether investors were able to moderate uncertainty and act rationally. To address my research questions, as in the case-study of ShopKo and Cost Plus, I examine the effect of launching a commercial web site during the 1990s on firm value in non-Internet companies. This choice is motivated by the notion that establishing a web site is a necessary --though not sufficient--condition for any firm in order to adopt and implement the new technology and perhaps conduct business on the Internet. 3 I recognize that results supporting irrational investor behavior might also be consistent with investors' short-term or myopic behavior, (Stein (1989)), and with the notion that stock prices fail to reflect future earnings 4 Both short-and long-term payoffs are necessary to test for rational investor behavior because, under efficient markets, one would only expect to observe meaningful short term stock revaluations for events that investors believe will have a lasting and positive effect on the firm's future cash flows and profitability. In addition, the study of short-and long-term performance metrics enables me to dispel concerns over myopic investor behavior. 2. For example, 3 My initial proxy for corporate governance is the G-index, which counts restrictions on shareholder rights. Therefore, a lower (higher) G-index is commonly interpreted to proxy for strong (weak) shareholder rights and stronger (weaker) governance quality. I am aware that the use of the Gindex as an appropriate proxy for corporate governance is also the subject of debate. In robustness tests, the G-index is replaced with alternative governance metrics which yield qualitatively similar results. Initial results show that, on average, investors receive the introduction of commercial web sites enthusiastically, but I also find that operating performance declines in the years following the launching. Taken together, these results suggest that investors were overly excited in their initial evaluation of the impact of web sites on firm value and profitability, and appear consistent with both irrational and myopic behavior by investors. However, further tests which incorporate corporate governance to the analysis, do not lend support to the either one of these conjectures and allow me to reject irrational and myopic behavior hypotheses. Subsequent analyses show that the extent to which investors react positively to web site introductions is largely driven by whether the firm's level of investor protection is strong. Moreover,

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. A new method for arthroscopic evaluation of low grade degenerated cartilage lesions. Results of a pilot study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Arthroscopy is a highly sensitive method of evaluating high-grade cartilage lesions but the detection of low-grade lesions is often is unreliable. Objective measurements are required. A novel NIRS (near-infrared-spectroscopy) device for detection of low-grade cartilage defects was evaluated in a preliminary clinical study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In 12 patients who had undergone arthroscopy, the cartilage lesions within the medial knee compartment were classified according to the ICRS protocol.</p> <p>With a NIR spectrometer system and an optical probe, similar in design to a hook used for routine arthroscopy, the optical properties of cartilage were measured during arthroscopy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean ratio of 2 NIR absorption bands of intact cartilage 3.8 (range 2.3 to 8.7).was significantly lower than that of cartilage with grade 1 lesions (12.8, range 4.8 to 19.6) and grade 2 lesions (13.4, range 10.4 to 15.4).</p> <p>No differences were observed between grade 1 and grade 2 lesions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>NIRS can be used to distinguish between ICRS grade 1 lesions and healthy cartilage during arthroscopic surgeries. The results of this clinical study demonstrate the potential of NIRS to objectify classical arthroscopic grading systems.</p

The collaborative outcomes study on health and functioning during infection times in adults (COH-FIT-Adults): Design and methods of an international online survey targeting physical and mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: . High-quality comprehensive data on short-/long-term physical/mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are needed. METHODS: . The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times (COH-FIT) is an international, multi-language (n=30) project involving >230 investigators from 49 countries/territories/regions, endorsed by national/international professional associations. COH-FIT is a multi-wave, on-line anonymous, cross-sectional survey [wave 1: 04/2020 until the end of the pandemic, 12 months waves 2/3 starting 6/24 months threreafter] for adults, adolescents (14-17), and children (6-13), utilizing non-probability/snowball and representative sampling. COH-FIT aims to identify non-modifiable/modifiable risk factors/treatment targets to inform prevention/intervention programs to improve social/health outcomes in the general population/vulnerable subgrous during/after COVID-19. In adults, co-primary outcomes are change from pre-COVID-19 to intra-COVID-19 in well-being (WHO-5) and a composite psychopathology P-Score. Key secondary outcomes are a P-extended score, global mental and physical health. Secondary outcomes include health-service utilization/functioning, treatment adherence, functioning, symptoms/behaviors/emotions, substance use, violence, among others. RESULTS: . Starting 04/26/2020, up to 14/07/2021 >151,000 people from 155 countries/territories/regions and six continents have participated. Representative samples of ≥1,000 adults have been collected in 15 countries. Overall, 43.0% had prior physical disorders, 16.3% had prior mental disorders, 26.5% were health care workers, 8.2% were aged ≥65 years, 19.3% were exposed to someone infected with COVID-19, 76.1% had been in quarantine, and 2.1% had been COVID 19-positive. LIMITATIONS: . Cross-sectional survey, preponderance of non-representative participants. CONCLUSIONS: . Results from COH-FIT will comprehensively quantify the impact of COVID-19, seeking to identify high-risk groups in need for acute and long-term intervention, and inform evidence-based health policies/strategies during this/future pandemics