81 research outputs found
Predicting total reaction cross sections for nucleon-nucleus scattering
Nucleon total reaction and neutron total cross sections to 300 MeV for 12C
and 208Pb, and for 65 MeV spanning the mass range, are predicted using
coordinate space optical potentials formed by full folding of effective
nucleon-nucleon interactions with realistic nuclear ground state densities.
Good to excellent agreement is found with existing data.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure
Formula for proton-nucleus reaction cross section at intermediate energies and its application
We construct a formula for proton-nucleus total reaction cross section as a
function of the mass and neutron excess of the target nucleus and the proton
incident energy. We deduce the dependence of the cross section on the mass
number and the proton incident energy from a simple argument involving the
proton optical depth within the framework of a black sphere approximation of
nuclei, while we describe the neutron excess dependence by introducing the
density derivative of the symmetry energy, L, on the basis of a radius formula
constructed from macroscopic nuclear models. We find that the cross section
formula can reproduce the energy dependence of the cross section measured for
stable nuclei without introducing any adjustable energy dependent parameter. We
finally discuss whether or not the reaction cross section is affected by an
extremely low density tail of the neutron distribution for halo nuclei.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, added reference
Low-lying Proton Intruder State in 13B
The neturon rich nucleus 13B was studied via the proton transfer reaction
4He(12Be,13B \gamma) at 50AMeV. The known 4.83-MeV excited state was strongly
populated and its spin and parity were assigned to 1/2+ by comparing the
angular differential cross section data with DWBA calculations. This low-lying
1/2+ state is interpreted as a proton intruder state and indicates a
deformation of the nucleus.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figure
Spallation reactions. A successful interplay between modeling and applications
The spallation reactions are a type of nuclear reaction which occur in space
by interaction of the cosmic rays with interstellar bodies. The first
spallation reactions induced with an accelerator took place in 1947 at the
Berkeley cyclotron (University of California) with 200 MeV deuterons and 400
MeV alpha beams. They highlighted the multiple emission of neutrons and charged
particles and the production of a large number of residual nuclei far different
from the target nuclei. The same year R. Serber describes the reaction in two
steps: a first and fast one with high-energy particle emission leading to an
excited remnant nucleus, and a second one, much slower, the de-excitation of
the remnant. In 2010 IAEA organized a worskhop to present the results of the
most widely used spallation codes within a benchmark of spallation models. If
one of the goals was to understand the deficiencies, if any, in each code, one
remarkable outcome points out the overall high-quality level of some models and
so the great improvements achieved since Serber. Particle transport codes can
then rely on such spallation models to treat the reactions between a light
particle and an atomic nucleus with energies spanning from few tens of MeV up
to some GeV. An overview of the spallation reactions modeling is presented in
order to point out the incomparable contribution of models based on basic
physics to numerous applications where such reactions occur. Validations or
benchmarks, which are necessary steps in the improvement process, are also
addressed, as well as the potential future domains of development. Spallation
reactions modeling is a representative case of continuous studies aiming at
understanding a reaction mechanism and which end up in a powerful tool.Comment: 59 pages, 54 figures, Revie
Perinatal outcomes associated with low birth weight in a historical cohort
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To identify perinatal outcomes associated with low birth weight (LBW).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A retrospective cohort study in a tertiary maternity hospital. Analysis of the database on 43,499 liveborn infants delivered between 1986 and 2004 with low (n = 6,477) and normal (n = 37,467) birth weight. Outcomes associated with LBW were identified through crude and adjusted risk ratio (RR) and 95%CI with bivariate and multivariate analysis. The main outcomes were: onset of labor, mode of delivery, indication for cesarean section; amniotic fluid, fetal heart rate pattern, Apgar score, somatic gestational age, gender and congenital malformation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>LBW infants showed more frequently signs of perinatal compromise such as abnormal amniotic fluid volume (especially olygohydramnios), nonreassuring patterns of fetal heart rate, malformation, lower Apgar scores and lower gestational age at birth. They were associated with a greater risk of labor induction and cesarean delivery, but lower risk of forceps.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There was a clear association between LBW and unfavorable perinatal outcomes.</p
Elevated risk of stillbirth in males: systematic review and meta-analysis of more than 30 million births
Background
Stillbirth rates have changed little over the last decade, and a high proportion of cases are unexplained. This meta-analysis examined whether there are inequalities in stillbirth risks according to sex.
Methods
A systematic review of the literature was conducted, and data were obtained on more than 30 million birth outcomes reported in observational studies. The pooled relative risk of stillbirth was estimated using random-effects models.
Results
The crude mean rate (stillbirths/1,000 total births) was 6.23 for males and 5.74 for females. The pooled relative risk was 1.10 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-1.13). The attributable fraction in the whole population was 4.2% (95% CI: 3.70-4.63), and the attributable fraction among male fetuses was 7.8% (95% CI: 7.0-8.66). Study populations from countries with known sex-biased sex selection issues had anomalous stillbirth sex ratios and higher overall stillbirth risks than other countries, reflecting increased mortality among females.
Conclusions
Risk of stillbirth in males is elevated by about 10%. The population-attributable risk is comparable to smoking and equates to approximately 100,000 stillbirths per year globally. The pattern is consistent across countries of varying incomes. Given current difficulties in reducing stillbirth rates, work to understand the causes of excess male risk is warranted. We recommend that stillbirths are routinely recorded by sex. This will also assist in exposing prenatal sex selection as elevated or equal risks of stillbirth in females would be readily apparent and could therefore be used to trigger investigation
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