Neutron halos in heavy nuclei -- relativistic mean field approach

Assuming a~simple spherical relativistic mean field model of the nucleus, we estimate the width of the antiproton--neutron annihilation ($\Gamma_n$) and the width of antiproton--proton ($\Gamma_p$) annihilation, in an antiprotonic atom system. This allows us to determine the halo factor $f$, which is then discussed in the context of experimental data obtained in measurements recently done on LEAR utility at CERN. Another quantity which characterizes the deviation of the average nuclear densities ratio from the corresponding ratio of the homogeneous densities is introduced too. It was shown that it is also a good indicator of the neutron halo. The results are compared to experimental data as well as to the data of the simple liquid droplet model of the nuclear densities. The single particle structure of the nuclear density tail is discusssed also.Comment: revtex, 12 pages + 6 postscript figure

Revisit to the yield ratio of triton and 3^3He as an indicator of neutron-rich neck emission

The neutron rich neck zone created in heavy ion reaction is experimentally probed by the production of the $A=3$ isobars. The energy spectra and angular distributions of triton and $^3$He are measured with the CSHINE detector in $^{86}$Kr +$^{208}$Pb reactions at 25 MeV/u. While the energy spectrum of $^{3}$He is harder than that of triton, known as "$^{3}$He-puzzle", the yield ratio $R({\rm t/^3He})$ presents a robust rising trend with the polar angle in laboratory. Using the fission fragments to reconstruct the fission plane, the enhancement of out-plane $R({\rm t/^3He})$ is confirmed in comparison to the in-plane ratios. Transport model simulations reproduce qualitatively the experimental trends, but the quantitative agreement is not achieved. The results demonstrate that a neutron rich neck zone is formed in the reactions. Further studies are called for to understand the clustering and the isospin dynamics related to neck formation

Reactivation of Vertebral Growth Plate Function in Vertebral Body Tethering in an Animal Model

Flexible spine tethering is a relatively novel fusionless surgical technique that aims to correct scoliosis based on growth modulation due to the pressure exerted on the vertebral body epiphyseal growth plate. The correction occurs in two phases: immediate intraoperative and postoperative with growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reactivation of vertebral growth plate function after applying corrective forces. The rat tail model was used. Asymmetric compression and distraction of caudal growth plates were performed using a modified external fixation apparatus. Radiological and histopathological data were analysed. After three weeks of correction, the activity of the structures increased across the entire growth plate width, and the plate was thickened. The height of the hypertrophic layer and chondrocytes on the concave side doubled in height. The height of chondrocytes and the cartilage thickness on the concave and central sides after the correction did not differ statistically significantly from the control group. Initiation of the correction of scoliosis in the growing spine, with relief of the pressure on the growth plate, allows the return of the physiological activity of the growth cartilage and restoration of the deformed vertebral body

Grazing of Native Livestock Breeds as a Method of Grassland Protection in Roztocze National Park, Eastern Poland

The studies were conducted in a forest settlement in Roztocze National Park (eastern Poland). The aim of the study was to evaluate the vegetation of two pastures depending on the type of use in the context of grassland protection, identify the trends of species composition changes, and analyse the yield and nutritional value of the biomass in the context of animal welfare. The studies were conducted on permanent grasslands varying in terms of fertility and location. Both sites were pastures where native breeds of livestock (Polish Lowland sheep of the Uhrusk and Polish Konik) were grazing. The fertile pasture was represented by the developing Lolio-Cynosuretum association, while the poor dry pasture – by a community with Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris L.) and a community with Mouse-Ear Hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella L.). The greatest changes over time were observed in the mowed site in the fertile pasture (increased share of tall grasses) and in the abandoned poor dry pasture (increased share of herbs and weeds). Livestock grazing conducted from 2010 influenced the stabilisation of the species composition. Tree and shrub seedlings were systematically eaten by livestock, which evidences a positive impact of grazing on the preservation of permanent grasslands in Roztocze National Park where forest ecosystems predominate. The assessment of the species composition and yielding indicated that the fertile pasture was characterised by good value while the poor pasture – low or sufficient value. In terms of nutrient yield and content, these pastures were poor or very poor, and their nutritive potential was largely dependent on the meteorological conditions. While the livestock density in the pastures, ranging from 1.1 to 1.5 LSU ha–1 in the years under study, was appropriate, grazing should be limited in the summer months, particularly in periods of drought, by reducing the number of animals or by additional feeding to ensure their welfare

Różnorodność gatunkowa użytków zielonych w Dolinie Środkowego Wieprza (PLH060005) w zależności od typu łąki i częstotliwości koszenia

The studies were conducted on grasslands in the middle Wieprz valley in 2017. The aim of study was to assess the diversity of the species composition of selected grassland, depending on the frequency of mowing. The investigations focused on the meadow vegetation of Molinietalia order, Arrhenatheretalia order, the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class and Phragmitetea class. The floristic diversity of the grassland communities was determined based on two indices, namely the number of species (SN) and the Shannon-Wiener index H'. In order to detect significant differences between the obtained values of these indexes for the particular grasslands (taking into account the research factors), a variance analysis was carried out, taking into account the Linear Model (LM) for the Shannon-Wiener index and a Generalised Linear Model (GLM) for the number of species on the assumption of the Poisson distribution of this variable. In addition, a Multidimensional principal component analysis (PCA) (Jolliffe 2002) was carried out to detect the variation of the analysed dataset with regard to the values of the ecological indices (Ellenberg et al. 1992). In the grassland under study, the number of species varied depending on the type of meadow and mowing frequency. Meadows with vegetation of the Arrhenatheretalia order had the greatest number of species. Furthermore, the number of species was found to increase with the growing frequency of use. The least numerous communities occurred in rush meadows (Phragmitetea class). A more frequent use of the sward of these communities led to a decreased number of species. Similar trends were observed in the case of the Shannon-Wiener index values. A variance analysis was carried out and its results indicate a significant influence of both research factors (meadow type and cutting frequency) on the floristic diversity of the communities under study. The biggest significant differences were confirmed between meadow vegetation of the Arrhenatheretalia order and Phragmitetea class. The biggest influence of cutting frequency on the increased species diversity occurred in meadows with communities of the Arrhenatheretalia and Molinietalia order. According to a multidimensional principal component analysis (PCA) indications, habitat humidity is the main factor determining the type of meadow community and its species diversity.Badania fitosocjologiczne przeprowadzono w 2017 roku na użytkach zielonych w dolinie środkowego Wieprza. Dolina Środkowego Wieprza (PHL060005) stanowi mozaikę siedlisk o zróżnicowanym uwilgotnieniu, co sprzyja występowaniu różnorodnych zespołów roślinnych. Celem badań była ocena zróżnicowania składu gatunkowego wybranych użytków zielonych, w zależności od częstotliwości koszenia. Przedmiotem badań była szata roślinna łąk rzędu Molinietalia, Arrhenatheretalia, klasy Molinio-Arrhenatheretea i Phragmitetea. Różnorodność florystyczną badanych zbiorowisk roślinnych oceniono za pomocą dwóch wskaźników, jakimi są liczba gatunków (SN) oraz indeks Shannona-Wienera H'. W celu wykrycia istotnych różnic między uzyskanymi wartościami tych wskaźników dla poszczególnych zbiorowisk (z uwzględnieniem czynników badań) wykonano analizę wariancji z uwzględnieniem modelu liniowego (LM) dla indeksu Shannona-Wienera oraz uogólnionego modelu liniowego (GLM) dla liczebności gatunków przy założeniu rozkładu Poissona tej cechy. Dodatkowo wykonano wielowymiarową analizę głównych składowych PCA (Jolliffe 2002) w celu wykrycia zmienności analizowanego zbioru danych, ze względu na wartości wskaźników ekologicznych (Ellenberg et al. 1992). Na badanych użytkach zielonych, wartość tego parametru wykazywała zróżnicowanie w zależności od typu łąki oraz częstotliwości koszenia. Łąki porośnięte roślinnością rzędu Arrhenatheretalia były najbardziej liczne gatunkowo. Stwierdzono ponadto zwiększanie się liczby gatunków w zbiorowisku wraz z rosnącą częstotliwością użytkowania. Najmniej liczne zbiorowiska występowały na łąkach z roślinnością klasy Phragmitetea. Częstsze użytkowanie runi tych zbiorowisk przyczyniało się do zmniejszenia liczby gatunków. Podobne trendy stwierdzono w przypadku wartości indeksu Shannona-Wienera. Wykonano analizę wariancji, której wyniki świadczą o istotnym wpływie obu uwzględnionych czynników (typ łąki oraz częstotliwość koszenia) na zróżnicowanie florystyczne badanych zbiorowisk. Największe istotne różnice potwierdzono między szatą roślinną rzędu Arrhenatheretalia i klasy Phragmitetea. Największy wpływ częstotliwości koszenia na wzrost różnorodności gatunkowej zaznaczył się na łąkach z roślinnością rzędu Arrhenatheretalia i Molinietalia. Wskazaniem wielowymiarowej analizy głównych składowych PCA jest, że wilgotność siedliska jest tu głównym czynnikiem decydującym o typie szaty roślinnej i jego zróżnicowaniu gatunkowym

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially