Nuclear astrophysics with radioactive ions at FAIR

R. Reifarth et al: ; 12 págs.; 9 figs.; Open Access funded by Creative Commons Atribution Licence 3.0 ; Nuclear Physics in Astrophysics VI (NPA6)The nucleosynthesis of elements beyond iron is dominated by neutron captures in the s and r processes. However, 32 stable, proton-rich isotopes cannot be formed during those processes, because they are shielded from the s-process ow and r-process -decay chains. These nuclei are attributed to the p and rp process. For all those processes, current research in nuclear astrophysics addresses the need for more precise reaction data involving radioactive isotopes. Depending on the particular reaction, direct or inverse kinematics, forward or time-reversed direction are investigated to determine or at least to constrain the desired reaction cross sections. The Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) will oer unique, unprecedented opportunities to investigate many of the important reactions. The high yield of radioactive isotopes, even far away from the valley of stability, allows the investigation of isotopes involved in processes as exotic as the r or rp processes.This project was supported by the HGF Young Investigators Project VH-NG-327, EMMI, H4F, HGS-HIRe, JINA, NAVI, DFG and ATHENA.Peer Reviewe

Quasi-free neutron and proton knockout reactions from light nuclei in a wide neutron-to-proton asymmetry range

The quasi-free scattering reactions 11C(p,2p) and 10,11,12C(p,pn) have been studied in inverse kinematics at beam energies of 300–400 MeV/u at the R3B-LAND setup. The outgoing proton-proton and proton-neutron pairs were detected in coincidence with the reaction fragments in kinematically complete measurements. The efficiency to detect these pairs has been obtained from GEANT4 simulations which were tested using the 12C(p,2p) and 12C(p,pn) reactions. Experimental cross sections and momentum distributions have been obtained and compared to DWIA calculations based on eikonal theory. The new results reported here are combined with previously published cross sections for quasi-free scattering from oxygen and nitrogen isotopes and together they enable a systematic study of the reduction of single-particle strength compared to predictions of the shell model over a wide neutron-to-proton asymmetry range. The combined reduction factors show a weak or no dependence on isospin asymmetry, in contrast to the strong dependency reported in nucleon-removal reactions induced by nuclear targets at lower energies. However, the reduction factors for (p,2p) are found to be 'significantly smaller than for (p,pn) reactions for all investigated nuclei.German Federal Ministry of Education and Research | Ref. BMBF 05P2015RDFN1German Federal Ministry of Education and Research | Ref. 05P15WOFNAEuropean Commission | Ref. FP7, ENSAR, n. 262010Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología (CICYT) | Ref. FPA2012-32443Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología (CICYT) | Ref. FPA2015-64969-07387Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología (CICYT) | Ref. FPA2015-69640-C2-1-PSwedish Research Council | Ref. 621-2011-5324National Science Foundation, EE. UU. | Ref. n. 1415656Department of Energy, EE. UU. | Ref. n. DE-FG02-08ER41533Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. PTDC/FIS/ 103902/200

Enabling planetary science across light-years. Ariel Definition Study Report

Ariel, the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, was adopted as the fourth medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme to be launched in 2029. During its 4-year mission, Ariel will study what exoplanets are made of, how they formed and how they evolve, by surveying a diverse sample of about 1000 extrasolar planets, simultaneously in visible and infrared wavelengths. It is the first mission dedicated to measuring the chemical composition and thermal structures of hundreds of transiting exoplanets, enabling planetary science far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System. The payload consists of an off-axis Cassegrain telescope (primary mirror 1100 mm x 730 mm ellipse) and two separate instruments (FGS and AIRS) covering simultaneously 0.5-7.8 micron spectral range. The satellite is best placed into an L2 orbit to maximise the thermal stability and the field of regard. The payload module is passively cooled via a series of V-Groove radiators; the detectors for the AIRS are the only items that require active cooling via an active Ne JT cooler. The Ariel payload is developed by a consortium of more than 50 institutes from 16 ESA countries, which include the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and a NASA contribution

Heterogeneous contributions of change in population distribution of body mass index to change in obesity and underweight NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC)

From 1985 to 2016, the prevalence of underweight decreased, and that of obesity and severe obesity increased, in most regions, with significant variation in the magnitude of these changes across regions. We investigated how much change in mean body mass index (BMI) explains changes in the prevalence of underweight, obesity, and severe obesity in different regions using data from 2896 population-based studies with 187 million participants. Changes in the prevalence of underweight and total obesity, and to a lesser extent severe obesity, are largely driven by shifts in the distribution of BMI, with smaller contributions from changes in the shape of the distribution. In East and Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the underweight tail of the BMI distribution was left behind as the distribution shifted. There is a need for policies that address all forms of malnutrition by making healthy foods accessible and affordable, while restricting unhealthy foods through fiscal and regulatory restrictions

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Astigmatismo después de cirugía refractiva corneal con láser de excímeros: Reporte preliminar Astigmatism after corneal refractive surgery with excimer laser: A preliminary report

Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, transversal y comparativo un mes después de la cirugía en 194 ojos de pacientes operados para corregir astigmatismos miópico e hipermetrópico compuestos. Las variables estudiadas fueron queratometría K, astigmatismo queratométrico, astigmatismo refractivo, equivalente esférico, astigmatismo queratométrico corregido y astigmatismo refractivo corregido. Se realizaron estadísticas descriptivas mediante el test T para muestras dependientes con nivel de significación estadística cuando p A retrospective, cross-sectional and comparative study was conducted a month after performing surgery in 194 eyes to correct compound myopic and hypermetropic astigmatisms. The studied variables were K keratometry, keratometric astigmatism, refractive astigmatism, spherical equivalent, corrected keratometric astigmatism and corrected refractive astigmatism. Descriptive statistics were attained by the T test for depending samples with a statistical significance level p < 0.05. A reduction of 5 D (average) was obtained in keratometry that justifies the changes of the rest of the variables. Statistically significant changes were observed in all the studied variables with tendency towards emmetropization. The spherical equivalent suffered an average variation over 5 D, which means an approach of the focal lines and conoid regularization, and a greater correction in the refractive astigmatism than in the keratometric astigmatism. After surgery, it was found a small group of patients with low degrees of astigmatism that did not exist before surgery. It was called induced astigmatism, and it was higher in the case of keratometric astigmatis

LASEK: Resultado en 2 años LASEK: Results achieved in 2 years

Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, transversal y comparativo de un grupo de 400 ojos de 270 pacientes operados de miopía desde -1 a -7 dioptrías (D), en la Clínica Internacional Oftalmológica "Camilo Cienfuegos" con láser excimer. A estos pacientes se les realizó estudios completos en el preoperatorio y posoperatorio y una evolución de 2 años. Las variables estudiadas fueron: queratometría (Q), agudeza visual sin cristales (AV s/c) y con cristales (AV c/c), esfera, cilindro, paquimetría. Se realizó una comparación de todas ellas antes y después de la cirugía. También se registraron las complicaciones aparecidas durante los cinco primeros días de la operación. Se utilizó el procesador estadístico STATISTICA para Windows 98 con el que se elaboraron estadísticas descriptivas y comparativas, y la prueba t de Student para muestras dependientes con valor de significación para p < 0,05. Llegamos a la conclusión de que la AV s/c aumentó 6 líneas como promedio; en la totalidad de los casos se logró una esfera posoperatoria inferior a 1D. Hubo una disminución del astigmatismo posoperatorio y las complicaciones posoperatorias fueron leves y con una total recuperación visual<br>A retrospective cross-sectional and comparative study of a set of 400 eyes from 270 patients was made. They had been operated on from myopia ranging 1-7 dioptries, using LASEK technique for myopia correction, at &#8220;Camilo Cienfuegos&#8221; International Ophthalmology Clinics. Complete studies of these patients were performed at the preoperative and postoperative phases up to 2 years of evolution. The examined variables were keratometry(k), visual acuity without and with glasses, sphere, cylinder, pachymetry, all of which were compared before and after surgery. Also data were gathered on complications in the first five days of operation. The statistics processor called STATISTICA operating on Windows 98 served to work out descriptive and comparative statistics. Student t test was used for dependent samples with significance values p<0,05. We concluded that visual acuity without glasses increased 6 lines as an average; in all these cases, the postoperative sphere of refraction was under 1D. Postoperative astigmatism was reduced, postoperative complications were slight, with full visual recover

Escleroplastia meridional: A propósito de un caso en 1999 Meridional scleroplasty: With regard to a case in 1999

En este artículo se presenta un caso reciente de rechazo al aloplante utilizado para escleroplastia meridional. Se refieren las características del cuadro clínico presentado y su tratamiento. Además, se expresan consideraciones basadas en datos estadísticos y hallazgos anatomopatológicos que fundamentan la suspensión de la práctica de esta técnica en el Centro de Microcirugía Ocular.<br>In present paper, authors present a recent case of rejection to allograft used to meridional scleroplasty. Festures of clinical picture and its treatment are related. Furthermore, we express statistical data based on considerations and anatomic-pathologic findings supporting suspension of practice of this technique in Center of Microsurgery of Eye

Revisión y actualización en cirugía refractiva corneal Review and updating in corneal refractive surgery

Este trabajo consiste en una revisión bibliográfica acerca de los procedimientos y técnicas quirúrgicas para la correción de ametropías que se encuentran actualmente en uso o en fase de investigación en el mundo, explicando los detalles más significativos de cada una. Su objetivo ha sido ofrecer a las generaciones de nuevos oftalmólogos una panorámica que les permita estar al tanto del decursar de la ciencia y de la tecnología mundiales puestas en manos de la Oftalmología.<br>This paper constitutes a literature review of those surgical procedures and techniques in use or under research worlwide for the correction of ametropia. It explains the most significant details of each of them. Its objective is to provide the new generations of ophtalmologists with a general overview of these techniques that allow them to be acquainted with the latest world scientific and technological advances at the service of Ophtalmology

Mini-queratotomía radial VS: queratotomía radial. Reporte preliminar Radial mini-keratotomy vs radial keratotomy: Preliminary report

Damos a conocer los primeros resultados de la implementación de un nuevo procedimiento quirúrgico para la corrección de la miopía, la mini-queratotomía radial, y su evaluación frente a la queratotomía radial convencional en 25 pacientes en quienes se realizó la técnica convencional en el ojo derecho y la nueva técnica en el izquierdo. Se midieron cuatro variables pre y posoperatorias, a saber, los componentes esférico y cilíndrico de la refracción, la agudeza visual sin corrección y la queratometría central. El método estadístico que se ajusta al estudio muestra que no existen diferencias significativas en los resultados obtenidos por ambos métodos. La nueva técnica constituye una alternativa quirúrgica para pacientes con miopías leves y moderadas. El riesgo de complicaciones postrauma disminuye sustancialmente a causa de que las incisiones tienen menor longitudThe firts results of the implementation of a new surgical procedure for correcting myopia, the mini-racial keratotomy, and its evaluation against conventional radial keratotomy are shown by using the conventional technique in the right eye and the new technique in the left eye of 25 patients. 4 pre-and postoperative variables were measured, mainly, the spherical and cylindrical components of refraction, the acuity and the central keratometry,. The statistical method adjusted to the study proves that there are ni significant differences between the results obtained with both methods. The new technique is a surgical alternative for patients with mild and moderate myopias. The risk for postrauma complications decreases considerably because the incisions have a lower lengh