Azimuthally anisotropic emission of pions in symmetric heavy-ion collisions

Triple differential cross sections d3 sigma /dp3 for charged pions produced in symmetric heavy-ion collisions were measured with the KaoS magnetic spectrometer at the heavy-ion synchrotron facility SIS at GSI. The correlations between the momentum vectors of charged pions and the reaction plane in 197Au+197Au collisions at an incident energy of 1 GeV/nucleon were determined. We observe, for the first time, an azimuthally anisotropic distribution of pions, with enhanced emission perpendicular to the reaction plane. The anisotropy is most pronounced for pions of high transverse momentum in semicentral collisions

A new institutional economic analysis of small farmer contracts and relations in the sugar supply chains in South Africa and Swaziland.

This paper suggests that a new approach is required to link smallholders with agribusiness in developing countries. This approach combines the use of the new institutional economics, a case study methodology and the lessons of history, to develop some suggestions for the design of a viable and sustainable contract farming model. A case study methodology in the Southern African sugar industry is used to test the research questions. The results confirm that the transaction characteristics of a grower-processor supply chain influence the level of managed co-ordination and that smallholder farmers generate incremental transaction cost. The results also suggest that contracting can act as an institution to overcome the barriers of entry to the sugar industry by smallholder farmers, however certain measures need to be taken to ensure contract enforcement and to reduce transaction cost. These include establishment and maintenance of trust between the growers and the processing firms

The global, regional, and national burden of oesophageal cancer and its attributable risk factors in 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Oesophageal cancer is a common and often fatal cancer that has two main histological subtypes: oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma and oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Updated statistics on the incidence and mortality of oesophageal cancer, and on the disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) caused by the disease, can assist policy makers in allocating resources for prevention, treatment, and care of oesophageal cancer. We report the latest estimates of these statistics for 195 countries and territories between 1990 and 2017, by age, sex, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD). Methods We used data from vital registration systems, vital registration-samples, verbal autopsy records, and cancer registries, combined with relevant modelling, to estimate the mortality, incidence, and burden of oesophageal cancer from 1990 to 2017. Mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs) were estimated and fed into a Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) including risk factors. MIRs were used for mortality and non-fatal modelling. Estimates of DALYs attributable to the main risk factors of oesophageal cancer available in GBD were also calculated. The proportion of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma to all oesophageal cancers was extracted by use of publicly available data, and its variation was examined against SDI, the Healthcare Access and Quality (HAQ) Index, and available risk factors in GBD that are specific for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (eg, unimproved water source and indoor air pollution) and for oesophageal adenocarcinoma (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease). Findings There were 473 000 (95% uncertainty interval [95% UI] 459 000–485 000) new cases of oesophageal cancer and 436 000 (425 000–448 000) deaths due to oesophageal cancer in 2017. Age-standardised incidence was 5·9 (5·7–6·1) per 100 000 population and age-standardised mortality was 5·5 (5·3–5·6) per 100 000. Oesophageal cancer caused 9·78 million (9·53–10·03) DALYs, with an age-standardised rate of 120 (117–123) per 100 000 population. Between 1990 and 2017, age-standardised incidence decreased by 22·0% (18·6–25·2), mortality decreased by 29·0% (25·8–32·0), and DALYs decreased by 33·4% (30·4–36·1) globally. However, as a result of population growth and ageing, the total number of new cases increased by 52·3% (45·9–58·9), from 310 000 (300 000–322 000) to 473 000 (459 000–485 000); the number of deaths increased by 40·0% (34·1–46·3), from 311 000 (301 000–323 000) to 436 000 (425 000–448 000); and total DALYs increased by 27·4% (22·1–33·1), from 7·68 million (7·42–7·97) to 9·78 million (9·53–10·03). At the national level, China had the highest number of incident cases (235 000 [223 000–246 000]), deaths (213 000 [203 000–223 000]), and DALYs (4·46 million [4·25–4·69]) in 2017. The highest national-level age-standardised incidence rates in 2017 were observed in Malawi (23·0 [19·4–26·5] per 100 000 population) and Mongolia (18·5 [16·4–20·8] per 100 000). In 2017, age-standardised incidence was 2·7 times higher, mortality 2·9 times higher, and DALYs 3·0 times higher in males than in females. In 2017, a substantial proportion of oesophageal cancer DALYs were attributable to known risk factors: tobacco smoking (39·0% [35·5–42·2]), alcohol consumption (33·8% [27·3–39·9]), high BMI (19·5% [6·3–36·0]), a diet low in fruits (19·1% [4·2–34·6]), and use of chewing tobacco (7·5% [5·2–9·6]). Countries with a low SDI and HAQ Index and high levels of indoor air pollution had a higher proportion of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma to all oesophageal cancer cases than did countries with a high SDI and HAQ Index and with low levels of indoor air pollution. Interpretation Despite reductions in age-standardised incidence and mortality rates, oesophageal cancer remains a major cause of cancer mortality and burden across the world. Oesophageal cancer is a highly fatal disease, requiring increased primary prevention efforts and, possibly, screening in some high-risk areas. Substantial variation exists in age-standardised incidence rates across regions and countries, for reasons that are unclear. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The global, regional, and national burden of oesophageal cancer and its attributable risk factors in 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Oesophageal cancer is a common and often fatal cancer that has two main histological subtypes: oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma and oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Updated statistics on the incidence and mortality of oesophageal cancer, and on the disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) caused by the disease, can assist policy makers in allocating resources for prevention, treatment, and care of oesophageal cancer. We report the latest estimates of these statistics for 195 countries and territories between 1990 and 2017, by age, sex, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD). Methods We used data from vital registration systems, vital registration-samples, verbal autopsy records, and cancer registries, combined with relevant modelling, to estimate the mortality, incidence, and burden of oesophageal cancer from 1990 to 2017. Mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs) were estimated and fed into a Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) including risk factors. MIRs were used for mortality and non-fatal modelling. Estimates of DALYs attributable to the main risk factors of oesophageal cancer available in GBD were also calculated. The proportion of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma to all oesophageal cancers was extracted by use of publicly available data, and its variation was examined against SDI, the Healthcare Access and Quality (HAQ) Index, and available risk factors in GBD that are specific for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (eg, unimproved water source and indoor air pollution) and for oesophageal adenocarcinoma (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease). Findings There were 473 000 (95 uncertainty interval 95% UI 459 000-485 000) new cases of oesophageal cancer and 436 000 (425 000-448 000) deaths due to oesophageal cancer in 2017. Age-standardised incidence was 5.9 (5.7-6.1) per 100 000 population and age-standardised mortality was 5.5 (5.3-5.6) per 100 000. Oesophageal cancer caused 9.78 million (9.53-10.03) DALYs, with an age-standardised rate of 120 (117-123) per 100 000 population. Between 1990 and 2017, age-standardised incidence decreased by 22.0% (18.6-25.2), mortality decreased by 29.0% (25.8-32.0), and DALYs decreased by 33.4% (30.4-36.1) globally. However, as a result of population growth and ageing, the total number of new cases increased by 52.3% (45.9-58.9), from 310 000 (300 000-322 000) to 473 000 (459 000-485 000); the number of deaths increased by 40.0% (34.1-46.3), from 311 000 (301 000-323 000) to 436 000 (425 000-448 000); and total DALYs increased by 27.4% (22.1-33.1), from 7.68 million (7.42-7.97) to 9.78 million (9.53-10.03). At the national level, China had the highest number of incident cases (235 000 223 000-246 000), deaths (213 000 203 000-223 000), and DALYs (4.46 million 4.25-4.69) in 2017. The highest national-level agestandardised incidence rates in 2017 were observed in Malawi (23.0 19.4-26.5 per 100 000 population) and Mongolia (18.5 16.4-20.8 per 100 000). In 2017, age-standardised incidence was 2.7 times higher, mortality 2.9 times higher, and DALYs 3.0 times higher in males than in females. In 2017, a substantial proportion of oesophageal cancer DALYs were attributable to known risk factors: tobacco smoking (39.0% 35.5-42.2), alcohol consumption (33.8% 27.3-39.9), high BMI (19.5% 6.3-36.0), a diet low in fruits (19.1% 4.2-34.6), and use of chewing tobacco (7.5% 5.2-9.6). Countries with a low SDI and HAQ Index and high levels of indoor air pollution had a higher proportion of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma to all oesophageal cancer cases than did countries with a high SDI and HAQ Index and with low levels of indoor air pollution. Interpretation Despite reductions in age-standardised incidence and mortality rates, oesophageal cancer remains a major cause of cancer mortality and burden across the world. Oesophageal cancer is a highly fatal disease, requiring increased primary prevention efforts and, possibly, screening in some high-risk areas. Substantial variation exists in age-standardised incidence rates across regions and countries, for reasons that are unclear. © 2020 The Author(s)