Microscopic theories of neutrino-^{12}C reactions

In view of the recent experiments on neutrino oscillations performed by the LSND and KARMEN collaborations as well as of future experiments, we present new theoretical results of the flux averaged $^{12}C(\nu_e,e^-)^{12}N$ and $^{12}C(\nu_{\mu},{\mu}^-)^{12}N$ cross sections. The approaches used are charge-exchange RPA, charge-exchange RPA among quasi-particles (QRPA) and the Shell Model. With a large-scale shell model calculation the exclusive cross sections are in nice agreement with the experimental values for both reactions. The inclusive cross section for $\nu_{\mu}$ coming from the decay-in-flight of $\pi^+$ is $15.2 \times 10^{-40} cm^2$ to be compared to the experimental value of $12.4 \pm 0.3 \pm 1.8 \times 10^{-40} cm^2$, while the one due to $\nu_{e}$ coming from the decay-at-rest of $\mu^+$ is $16.4 \times 10^{-42} cm^2$ which agrees within experimental error bars with the measured values. The shell model prediction for the decay-in-flight neutrino cross section is reduced compared to the RPA one. This is mainly due to the different kind of correlations taken into account in the calculation of the spin modes and partially due to the shell-model configuration basis which is not large enough, as we show using arguments based on sum-rules.Comment: 17 pages, latex, 5 figure

Prevalence of myopic macular features in Dutch individuals of European ancestry with high myopia

IMPORTANCE Highmyopia incidence and prevalence is increasing worldwide, and the visual burden caused bymyopia is expected to rise accordingly. Studies investigating the occurrence ofmyopic complications in individuals of European ancestry with highmyopia are scarce, hampering insights into the frequency ofmyopic retinal complications in European individuals and their visual burden.OBJECTIVE To assess the frequency ofmyopic macular features in individuals of European ancestry with highmyopia.DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional analysis of the Dutch Myopia Study (MYST) and individuals with highmyopia from the Rotterdam Study (RS) included 626 patients with highmyopia (spherical equivalent of refractive error [SER] = 26 mm) who underwent an extensive ophthalmic examination including multimodal retinal imaging. In addition to this combination of a population-based cohort study and mix-based highmyopia study, a systematic literature review was also performed to compare findings with studies of individuals of Asian ancestry.EXPOSURES Highmyopia, age, and AL.MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Frequency ofmyopic macular and optic disc features: tessellated fundus, myopic macular degeneration (MMD), staphyloma, peripapillary intrachoroidal cavitation, peripapillary atrophy (PPA), and "plus" lesions (choroidal neovascularization, Fuchs spot, and lacquer cracks).RESULTS The mean (SD) SER of the combined study population (MYST and RS) was -9.9 (3.2) D; the mean (SD) age was 51.4 (15.1) years, and 387 (61.8%) were women. The prevalence of MMD was 25.9% and increased with older age (P for trend <.001), lower SER (odds ratio [OR], 0.70; 95% CI, 0.65-0.76; P <.001), and higher AL (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 2.13-3.06; P <.001). Choroidal neovascularization or Fuchs spot was present in 2.7%(n = 17), both lesions in 0.3% (n = 2), and lacquer cracks in 1.4%(n = 9). Staphyloma, PPA, and MMD were highly prevalent in visual impaired and blind eyes (frequency was 73.9%[20 of 27], 90.5%[19 of 21], and 63.0%[17 of 27] of unilateral blind eyes for MMD, staphyloma, and PPA, respectively). Seven previous studies in Asian populations reported a variable MMD frequency ranging from 8.3% to 64%, but frequencies were similar for comparable risk profiles based on age and SER.CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cross-sectional study of a highlymyopic Dutch population of European ancestry, myopic retinal features were frequent; were associated with age, SER, and AL; and occurred in all visually severely impaired eyes. The absence of treatment options for most of these retinal complications emphasizes the need for effective strategies to prevent highmyopia.Ophthalmic researc

Phenotypic consequences of the GJD2 risk genotype in myopia development

PURPOSE. To study the relatively high effect of the refractive error gene GJD2 in human myopia, and to assess its relationship with refractive error, ocular biometry and lifestyle in various age groups.METHODS. The population-based Rotterdam Study (RS), high myopia case-control study MYopia STudy, and the birth-cohort study Generation R were included in this study. Spherical equivalent (SER), axial length (AL), axial length/corneal radius (AL/CR), vitreous depth (VD), and anterior chamber depth (ACD) were measured using standard ophthalmologic procedures. Biometric measurements were compared between GJD2 (rs524952) genotype groups; education and environmental risk score (ERS) were calculated to estimate gene-environment interaction effects, using the Synergy index (SI).RESULTS. RS adults carrying two risk alleles had a lower SER and longer AL, ACD and VD (AA versus TT, 0.23D vs. 0.70D; 23.79 mm vs. 23.52 mm; 2.72 mm vs. 2.65 mm; 16.12 mm vs. 15.87 mm; all P < 0.001). Children carrying two risk alleles had larger AL/CR at ages 6 and 9 years (2.88 vs. 2.87 and 3.00 vs. 2.96; all P < 0.001). Education and ERS both negatively influenced myopia and the biometric outcomes, but gene-environment interactions did not reach statistical significance (SI 1.25 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.85-1.85] and 1.17 [95% CI, 0.55-2.50] in adults and children).CONCLUSIONS. The elongation of the eye caused by the GJD2 risk genotype follows a dose-response pattern already visible at the age of 6 years. These early effects are an example of how a common myopia gene may drive myopia.Ophthalmic researc

Stellar structure and compact objects before 1940: Towards relativistic astrophysics

Since the mid-1920s, different strands of research used stars as "physics laboratories" for investigating the nature of matter under extreme densities and pressures, impossible to realize on Earth. To trace this process this paper is following the evolution of the concept of a dense core in stars, which was important both for an understanding of stellar evolution and as a testing ground for the fast-evolving field of nuclear physics. In spite of the divide between physicists and astrophysicists, some key actors working in the cross-fertilized soil of overlapping but different scientific cultures formulated models and tentative theories that gradually evolved into more realistic and structured astrophysical objects. These investigations culminated in the first contact with general relativity in 1939, when J. Robert Oppenheimer and his students George Volkoff and Hartland Snyder systematically applied the theory to the dense core of a collapsing neutron star. This pioneering application of Einstein's theory to an astrophysical compact object can be regarded as a milestone in the path eventually leading to the emergence of relativistic astrophysics in the early 1960s.Comment: 83 pages, 4 figures, submitted to the European Physical Journal

Pimasertib-associated ophthalmological adverse events

Ophthalmic researc

Guest Encapsulation and Self-Assembly of Molecular Capsules in Polar Solvents via Multiple Ionic Interactions

Herein we report the formation and characterization of a novel type of capsules resulting from the self-association between oppositely charged complementary building blocks in MeOH/H2O. The assembly is based on the interaction between tetraamidinium calix[4]arenes 1a-d and tetrasulfonato calix[4]arene 2. Evidence for the formation of the expected 1:1 assemblies is provided by proton NMR, ESI-MS, and ITC. The association process is fast on the NMR time scale and strongly entropy driven, with association constants in the range of 106 M-1. The system 1a·2 shows binding affinity toward acetylcholine, tetramethylammonium, and N-methylquinuclidinium cations