Threshold Resonant Structure of the 232Th Neutron-Induced Fission Cross Section

The structures observed in the sub-threshold neutron-induced fission of ^{232}Th were investigated employing a recent developed model. Theoretical single-particle excitations of a phenomenological two-humped barrier are determined by solving a system of coupled differential equations for the motion along the optimal fission path. A rather good agreement with experimental data was obtained using a small number of independent parameters. It is predicted that the structure at 1.4 and 1.6 MeV is mainly dominated by spin 3/2 partial cross-section with small admixture of spin 1/2, while the structure at 1.7 MeV is given by a large partial cross section of spin 5/2.Comment: 17 pages 11 figure

Fine structure of the 0.7 MeV resonance in the 230Th neutron--induced cross section

The fine structure of the 0.7 MeV resonance in the 230Th neutron-induced cross section is investigated within the hybrid model. A very good agreement with experimental data is obtained. It is suggested that fine structure of the cross section quantify the changes of the intrinsic states of the nucleus during the disintegration process.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Fine structure of alpha decay in odd nuclei

Using an alpha decay level scheme, an explanation for the fine structure in odd nuclei is evidenced by taking into account the radial and rotational couplings between the unpaired nucleon and the core of the decaying system. It is stated that the experimental behavior of the alpha decay fine structure phenomenon is directed by the dynamical characteristics of the system.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, REVTex, submitted to Physical Review

Modeling the bremsstrahlung emission from converters

The bremsstrahlung angular and energy theoretical distributions delivered from W and UCx thick converters are reported. This study is focussed on initial kinetic energies of the electron beam included in the range 30-60 MeV, suitable for the production of large radiative yields able to induce the $^{238}$U fission. These results offer the possibility to evaluate the required shielding for a neutron rich nuclei source

Development of an analogue optical link for the front-end read-out of the ATLAS electromagnetic calorimeter

We have developed an analogue optical data transmission system intended to meet the read-out requirements of the ATLAS liquid argon electromagnetic calorimeter. Eight-way demonstrators have been built and tested. The link uses arrays of VCSEL diodes as the optical emitters, coupled to a 70 m long fibre ribbon to simulate the distance between the detector and the control room. The receiver is based around a custom-designed PIN photodiode array. We describe here the final results of laboratory tests on a demonstrator, laying stress on the VCSEL-to-fibre coupling issues, and the overall performance of the full link. A 9-bit dynamic range is achieved, with a 5on-linearity

Evaluation of the Family Integrated Care model of neonatal intensive care: A cluster randomized controlled trial in Canada and Australia

Background: Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may disrupt parent-infant interaction with adverse consequences for infants and their families. Several family-centered care programs promote parent-infant interaction in the NICU; however, all of these retain the premise that health-care professionals should provide most of the infant\u27s care. Parents play a mainly supportive role in the NICU and continue to feel anxious and unprepared to care for their infant after discharge. In the Family Integrated Care (FICare) model, parents provide all except the most advanced medical care for their infants with support from the medical team. Our hypothesis is that infants whose families complete the FICare program will have greater weight gain and better clinical and parental outcomes compared with infants provided with standard NICU care. Methods/Design: FICare is being evaluated in a cluster randomized controlled trial among infants born at ≤ 33 weeks\u27 gestation admitted to 19 Canadian, 6 Australian, and 1 New Zealand tertiary-level NICU. Trial enrollment began in April, 2013, with a target sample size of 675 infants in each arm, to be completed by August, 2015. Participating sites were stratified by country, and by NICU size within Canada, for randomization to either the FICare intervention or control arm. In intervention sites, parents are taught how to provide most of their infant\u27s care and supported by nursing staff, veteran parents, a program coordinator, and education sessions. In control sites standard NICU care is provided. The primary outcome is infants\u27 weight gain at 21 days after enrollment, which will be compared between the FICare and control groups using Student\u27s t-test adjusted for site-level clustering, and multi-level hierarchical models accounting for both clustering and potential confounders. Similar analyses will examine secondary outcomes including breastfeeding, clinical outcomes, safety, parental stress and anxiety, and resource use. The trial was designed, is being conducted, and will be reported according to the CONSORT 2010 guidelines for cluster randomized controlled trials. Discussion: By evaluating the impact of integrating parents into the care of their infant in the NICU, this trial may transform the delivery of neonatal care. Trial registration:NCT01852695 , registered December 19, 201

Evaluation of the Family Integrated Care model of neonatal intensive care: A cluster randomized controlled trial in Canada and Australia

Background: Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may disrupt parent-infant interaction with adverse consequences for infants and their families. Several family-centered care programs promote parent-infant interaction in the NICU; however, all of these retain the premise that health-care professionals should provide most of the infant\u27s care. Parents play a mainly supportive role in the NICU and continue to feel anxious and unprepared to care for their infant after discharge. In the Family Integrated Care (FICare) model, parents provide all except the most advanced medical care for their infants with support from the medical team. Our hypothesis is that infants whose families complete the FICare program will have greater weight gain and better clinical and parental outcomes compared with infants provided with standard NICU care. Methods/Design: FICare is being evaluated in a cluster randomized controlled trial among infants born at ≤ 33 weeks\u27 gestation admitted to 19 Canadian, 6 Australian, and 1 New Zealand tertiary-level NICU. Trial enrollment began in April, 2013, with a target sample size of 675 infants in each arm, to be completed by August, 2015. Participating sites were stratified by country, and by NICU size within Canada, for randomization to either the FICare intervention or control arm. In intervention sites, parents are taught how to provide most of their infant\u27s care and supported by nursing staff, veteran parents, a program coordinator, and education sessions. In control sites standard NICU care is provided. The primary outcome is infants\u27 weight gain at 21 days after enrollment, which will be compared between the FICare and control groups using Student\u27s t-test adjusted for site-level clustering, and multi-level hierarchical models accounting for both clustering and potential confounders. Similar analyses will examine secondary outcomes including breastfeeding, clinical outcomes, safety, parental stress and anxiety, and resource use. The trial was designed, is being conducted, and will be reported according to the CONSORT 2010 guidelines for cluster randomized controlled trials. Discussion: By evaluating the impact of integrating parents into the care of their infant in the NICU, this trial may transform the delivery of neonatal care. Trial registration:NCT01852695 , registered December 19, 201

UCx_x target design for the SPIRAL 2 project and the ALTO project

ACC NESTERInternational audienceTwo ways of production of radioactive beams using uranium carbide targets are taken into consideration: fission induced by fast neutrons and by bremsstrahlung radiation. For the SPIRAL 2 project, the fission of 238U in uranium carbide target will be induced by a neutron flow created by bombarding a carbon converter with a 40 MeV high intensity deuteron beam. Calculations and design of the target in order to reach 1013 fissions/s with good release time have been done. The second way is the photofission using an electron beam. In 2005 the ALTO project (Accélérateur Linéaire Auprès du Tandem d'Orsay) will give a 50 MeV/10$\mu$A electron beam. This facility will allow more than 1011 fissions/s. In this case, the electron beam hits the target without converter. Calculations realised in order to estimate the production are used to choose the best target shape. For the two cases some R & D on targets to improve release is described