Beta-decay branching ratios of 62Ga

Beta-decay branching ratios of 62Ga have been measured at the IGISOL facility of the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyvaskyla. 62Ga is one of the heavier Tz = 0, 0+ -> 0+ beta-emitting nuclides used to determine the vector coupling constant of the weak interaction and the Vud quark-mixing matrix element. For part of the experimental studies presented here, the JYFLTRAP facility has been employed to prepare isotopically pure beams of 62Ga. The branching ratio obtained, BR= 99.893(24)%, for the super-allowed branch is in agreement with previous measurements and allows to determine the ft value and the universal Ft value for the super-allowed beta decay of 62Ga

Human Papilloma Virus vaccine and cervical cancer screening acceptability among adults in Quebec, Canada

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Pap test has been used for cervical cancer screening for more than four decades. A human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been approved for use in Canada and is commercially available now. These two preventive interventions should be considered simultaneously. General population support is an important factor for the successful combination of these interventions. The study had two objectives: 1) To assess practices, beliefs, and attitudes regarding Pap test screening and HPV immunization; 2) To identify socio-demographic factors for Pap screening and vaccine acceptability.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In 2006, 500 adults were invited to participate in a telephone survey in the region of Quebec City (urban and rural population, 600 000), Canada. Some neutral and standardized information on Pap test and HPV was provided before soliciting opinions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>471 adults (18–69 year-olds) answered the questionnaire, the mean age was 45 years, 67% were female, and 65% had college or university degree. Eighty-six percent of women had undergone at least one Pap-test in their life, 55% in the last year, and 15% from 1 to 3 years ago. Among screened women, the test had been performed in the last three years in 100% of 18–30 year-olds, but only in 67% of 60–69 year-olds (P < 0.0001). Only 15% of respondents had heard of HPV. Eighty-seven percent agreed that HPV vaccines could prevent cervical cancer, 73% that the vaccine has to be administered before the onset of sexual activity, 89% would recommend vaccination to their daughters and nieces. Among respondents < 25 years, 91% would agree to receive the vaccine if it is publicly funded, but only 72% would agree to pay $100/dose.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There is an important heterogeneity in cervical cancer screening frequency and coverage. Despite low awareness of HPV infection, the majority of respondents would recommend or are ready to receive the HPV vaccine, but the cost could prevent its acceptability.</p

Bibliothèques et sciences de l\u27information : quel dialogue ? - Programme

Face aux évolutions technologiques, scientifiques, économiques, sociales, culturelles et politiques de leur environnement, les bibliothèques en tant qu\u27organismes culturels et scientifiques doivent repenser leurs pratiques, leur positionnement économique, politique et institutionnel, et leur rôle social, culturel et scientifique. Dans ce contexte, qu\u27attendent les bibliothèques de la recherche ? Quels thématiques et projets de recherche répondraient à leurs besoins ? Les sciences de l\u27information peuvent-elles apporter des réponses aux enjeux actuels ? Pour répondre aux interrogations posées par ces nouveaux défis, le colloque croise les approches et expériences de bibliothécaires et chercheurs en sciences de l\u27information de nombreux pays ( France, Canada, Etats-Unis, Allemagne, Royaume-Uni...

Survival in Women with De Novo Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Comparison of Real-World Evidence from a Publicly-Funded Canadian Province and the United States by Insurance Status

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patient outcomes may vary according to distinct health care payers and different countries. We compared 291 Alberta (AB), Canada and 9429 US patients &lt; 65 with de novo MBC diagnosed from 2010 through 2014. Data were extracted from the provincial Breast Data Mart and from the National Cancer Institute&rsquo;s SEER program. US patients were divided by insurance status (US privately insured, US Medicaid or US uninsured). Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analyses were used to assess differences in OS and hazard ratios (HR) were estimated using Cox models. Multivariate models were adjusted for age, surgical status, and biomarker profile. No difference in OS was noted between AB and US patients (HR = 0.92 (0.77&ndash;1.10), p = 0.365). Median OS was not reached for the US privately insured and AB groups, and was 11 months and 8 months for the US Medicaid and US uninsured groups, respectively. The 3-year OS rates were comparable between US privately insured and AB groups (53.28% (51.95&ndash;54.59) and 55.54% (49.49&ndash;61.16), respectively). Both groups had improved survival (p &lt; 0.001) relative to the US Medicaid and US uninsured groups [39.32% (37.25&ndash;41.37) and 40.53% (36.20&ndash;44.81)]. Our study suggests that a universal health care system is not inferior to a private insurance-based model for de novo MBC

La technique de la réponse aléatoire : un moyen de contrôler la désirabilité sociale dans la mesure de l'estime de soi

Bégin Guy, Savard France. La technique de la réponse aléatoire : un moyen de contrôler la désirabilité sociale dans la mesure de l'estime de soi. In: Bulletin de psychologie, tome 33 n°343, 1979. pp. 121-126

Evolving Role of Risk Tailored Therapy in Early Stage HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: A Canadian Perspective

The advent of HER2-targeted therapies has led to an important shift in the management of HER2-positive early breast cancer. However, initial treatment approaches apply uniform treatment regimens to all patients, with significant treatment-related and financial toxicities for both the patient and the health care system. Recent data demonstrates that for many patients, the chemotherapy backbone, duration and nature (mono- versus dual-targeted therapy) of the HER2 blockade can be better targeted to an individual patient&rsquo;s risk of recurrence. We will provide a review of current data supporting risk tailored therapy in early stage HER2-positive breast cancer along with key completed and ongoing Canadian and international risk tailored trials. Neoadjuvant systemic therapy should now be considered for patients with clinical stage 2 disease, with greater use of non-anthracycline based chemotherapy regimens. Patients with residual disease following neoadjuvant therapy should be considered for escalated treatment with adjuvant T-DM1. Patients with stage I disease can often be managed with upfront surgery and evidence-based de-escalated adjuvant chemotherapy regimens. The modest benefit of 12- versus 6 months of adjuvant HER2 therapy and/or dual adjuvant HER2 therapy should be carefully weighed against the toxicities. All patients with HER2-positive breast cancer should be enrolled in ongoing risk tailored treatment trials whenever possible. Increasing data supports risk tailored therapy in early stage HER2-positive breast cancer in place of the routine application of aggressive and toxic systemic therapy regimens to all patients. While much progress has been made towards treatment de-escalation in appropriate patients, more is needed, as we highlight in this review. Indeed, Canadian-led clinical trials are helping to lead these efforts

Survival in Women with De Novo Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Comparison of Real-World Evidence from a Publicly-Funded Canadian Province and the United States by Insurance Status

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patient outcomes may vary according to distinct health care payers and different countries. We compared 291 Alberta (AB), Canada and 9429 US patients p = 0.365). Median OS was not reached for the US privately insured and AB groups, and was 11 months and 8 months for the US Medicaid and US uninsured groups, respectively. The 3-year OS rates were comparable between US privately insured and AB groups (53.28% (51.95–54.59) and 55.54% (49.49–61.16), respectively). Both groups had improved survival (p < 0.001) relative to the US Medicaid and US uninsured groups [39.32% (37.25–41.37) and 40.53% (36.20–44.81)]. Our study suggests that a universal health care system is not inferior to a private insurance-based model for de novo MBC

Management Strategies for Older Patients with Low-Risk Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Physician Survey

When managing older patients with lower-risk hormone-receptor-positive (HR+), HER2 negative (HER2&minus;) early-stage breast cancer (EBC), the harms and benefits of adjuvant therapies should be taken into consideration. A survey was conducted among Canadian oncologists on the definitions of &ldquo;low risk&rdquo; and &ldquo;older&rdquo;, practice patterns, and future trial designs. We contacted 254 physicians and 21% completed the survey (50/242). Most respondents (68%, 34/50) agreed with the definition of &ldquo;low risk&rdquo; HR+/HER2&minus; EBC being node-negative and either: &le;3 cm and low histological grade, &le;2 cm and intermediate grade, or &le;1 cm and high grade. The most popular chronological and biological age definition for older patients was &ge;70 (45%, 22/49; 45% 21/47). In patients &ge; 70 with low risk EBC, most radiation and medical oncologists would recommend post-lumpectomy radiotherapy (RT) and endocrine therapy (ET). Seventy-eight percent (38/49) felt that trials are needed to evaluate RT and ET&rsquo;s role in patients &ge; 70. The favored design was ET alone, vs. RT plus ET (39%, 15/38). The preferred primary and secondary endpoints were disease-free survival and quality of life, respectively. Although oncologists recommended both RT and ET, there is interest in performing de-escalation trials in patients &ge; 70

Experiences and Perceptions of Older Adults with Lower-Risk Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer about Adjuvant Radiotherapy and Endocrine Therapy: A Patient Survey

Older patients with lower-risk hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer are frequently offered both radiotherapy (RT) and endocrine therapy (ET) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS). A survey was performed to assess older patients&rsquo; experiences and perceptions regarding RT and ET, and participation interest in de-escalation trials. Of the 130 patients approached, 102 eligible patients completed the survey (response rate 78%). The median age of respondents was 74 (interquartile range 71&ndash;76). Most participants (71%, 72/102) received both RT and ET. Patients felt the role of RT and ET, respectively, was to: reduce ipsilateral tumor recurrence (91%, 90/99 and 62%, 61/99) and improve survival (56%, 55/99 and 49%, 49/99). More patients had significant concerns regarding ET (66%, 65/99) than RT (39%, 37/95). When asked which treatment had the most negative effect on their quality of life, the results showed: ET (35%, 25/72), RT (14%, 10/72) or both (8%, 6/72). Participants would rather receive RT (57%, 41/72) than ET (43%, 31/72). Forty-four percent (44/100) of respondents were either, &ldquo;not comfortable&rdquo; or &ldquo;not interested&rdquo; in participating in potential de-escalation trials. Although most of the adjuvant therapy de-escalation trials evaluate the omission of RT, de-escalation studies of ET are warranted and patient centered

Beta Decay in The Region Of Neutron-Deficient 69,70,71^{69,70,71}Kr

Proton-rich nuclei beyond the N = Z line play a key role in our understanding of astrophysics, weakinteraction physics, and nuclear structure. The decay of 69Kr (Tz = −3/2) is of particular interest as it populates states in the proton-unbound nucleus 69Br, critical to the rapid proton-capture (rp) process thought to power type I x-ray bursts. During the astrophysical rp process, 2p-capture reactions through 69Br can bypass the "waiting-point" nucleus 68Se [1]. The bypass-reaction rate depends strongly on the proton-capture Q value. A -decay experiment was conducted at GANIL which utilized implant- -proton and - correlations to study nuclear structure and decay properties primarily related to the decays of 69,70,71Kr. Neutron-deficient isotopes ranging from Zn to Kr were implanted into a Si-DSSD detector located at the focal plane of the LISE spectrometer in which spatially and temporally correlated implantation and decay events were studied. Gamma rays were detected in surrounding EXOGAM high-purity germanium clover detectors. We measured -decay half lives for 69,70,71Kr of 27(3) ms, 40(6) ms, and 92(9) ms, respectively, and identified approximately 200 69Kr implantation-decay events. We observed a dominant -decay branch to the isobaric analog state (IAS) in 69Br which then decays to the first excited state in 68Se, a decay path which strongly constrains the spin and mass of 69Kr. Our measured IAS energy, however, disagrees by approximately 1 MeV from the previously adopted value of 4.07(5) MeV [2]. Data from this work represents new measurements that are valuable for updating ENSDF, RIPL, and decay databases, as well as for clarifying existing ambiguities. An overview of the results from our analysis of implanted neutron-deficient nuclei and their implications will be presented