On the origin of the reactor antineutrino anomalies in light of a new summation model with parameterized β−\beta^{-} transitions

We investigate the possible origins of the norm and shape reactor antineutrino anomalies in the framework of a summation model (SM) where $\beta^{-}$ transitions are simulated by a phenomenological Gamow-Teller $\beta$-decay strength model. The general trends of the discrepancies to the Huber-Mueller model on the antineutrino side can be reproduced both in norm and shape. From the exact electron-antineutrino correspondence of the SM model, we predict similar distortions in the electron spectra, suggesting that biases on the reference fission-electron spectra could be at the origin of the anomalies

Thermal evaporation furnace with improved configuration for growing nanostructured inorganic materials

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)A tubular furnace specifically designed for growing nanostructured materials is presented in this work. The configuration allows an accurate control of evaporation temperature, substrate temperature, total pressure, oxygen partial pressure, volumetric flow and source-substrate distance, with the possibility of performing both downstream and upstream depositions. In order to illustrate the versatility of the equipment, the furnace was used for growing semiconducting oxide nanostructures under different deposition conditions. Highly crystalline indium oxide nanowires with different morphologies were synthesized by evaporating mixtures of indium oxide and graphite powders with different mass ratios at temperatures between 900 degrees C and 1050 degrees C. The nanostructured layers were deposited onto oxidized silicon substrates with patterned gold catalyst in the temperature range from 600 degrees C to 900 degrees C. Gas sensors based on these nanowires exhibited enhanced sensitivity towards oxygen, with good response and recovery times. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3597577]826Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FAPESP [DD05/59270-0

Diffusion-engineered quasiparticle multiplication for STJ single photon detectors

We have designed a diffusion-engineered, singlephoton spectrometer in the optical-UV range using a superconducting tunnel junction. The optical photon is absorbed in a Ta film and creates excess quasiparticles. These trap into an Al tunnel junction. Internal charge multiplication is achieved with backtunneling, which occurs when the residence time of the quasiparticles near the junction is longer than the tunneling time. The collected charge is a multiple of the initially created charge. We implement backtunneling by geometrically constricting the outflow of quasiparticles, with a narrow lead. The outdiffusion time is set by the geometry of the narrow lead. Our geometry optimizes the energy resolution and count rate, while reducing the heating and noise seen with much longer confinement time. Long confinement times produce excess heating and noise, as we observed previously with quasiparticle confinement achieved via bandgap engineering

Heart failure in young adults is associated with high mortality: a contemporary population-level analysis

Background: Data on young patients with heart failure (HF) are sparse. We examined the characteristics, healthcare utilization and survival of younger versus older patients with HF. Methods: Analysis of linked administrative databases in Alberta, Canada. 34,548 patients with first hospitalization for HF as principal diagnosis were identified from 2002 to 2014. Patients were stratified into four age groups: 20-44, 45-54, 55-64, and ≥65 years. Results: Of the 34548 patients, 496 (1.4%), 1319 (3.8%), 3359 (9.7%) and 29374 (85%) patients were aged 20-44, 45-54, 55-64 and ≥65 years, respectively. Incidence of HF hospitalization decreased over time among patients ≥65 years, and increased among men aged 20 – 64 years. In the year following the index HF hospitalization, younger compared to older patients were less likely to present to the emergency department (ED) (e.g. 67.2% of those aged 20-44 years vs. 74.8% of those aged ≥65 years) or be hospitalized: for any reason (48.5% vs. 61.2%), cardiovascular causes (28.6% vs. 34.4%), or HF (14.8% vs. 23.6%). Mortality rates were lower in younger patients aged 20-44 years, but still substantial: 3.9%, 12.4%, and 27.7% at 30 days, 1 year, and 5 years respectively. Conclusions: Although young patients, especially those <45 years of age, accounted for a small proportion of the total population, adverse events were frequent, with half of the younger patients being readmitted, two thirds presenting to an ED, and over 10% dying within a year

Measurement of the vector analyzing power in elastic electron-proton scattering as a probe of double photon exchange amplitudes

We report the first measurement of the vector analyzing power in inclusive transversely polarized elastic electron-proton scattering at Q^2 = 0.1 (GeV/c)^2 and large scattering angles. This quantity should vanish in the single virtual photon exchange, plane wave impulse approximation for this reaction, and can therefore provide information on double photon exchange amplitudes for electromagnetic interactions with hadronic systems. We find a non-zero value of A=-15.4+/-5.4 ppm. No calculations of this observable for nuclei other than spin 0 have been carried out in these kinematics, and the calculation using the spin orbit interaction from a charged point nucleus of spin 0 cannot describe these data.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

The inflammatory response in transgastric surgery: gastric content leak leads to localized inflammatory response and higher adhesive disease

Risk of gastric spillage during transgastric surgery is a potential complication of NOTES procedures. The aim of this study was to determine risk outcomes from gastric spillage in a rat survival model by measuring local and systemic inflammatory markers, adhesive disease, and morbidity. We performed a minilaparotomy with needle aspiration of 2 ml of gastric contents mixed with 2 ml of sterile saline (study group, SG) or 4 ml of sterile saline (control group, CG) injected into the peritoneal cavity of 60 male rats. Inflammatory markers (TNFα, IL-6, and IL-10) were analyzed at 1, 3, 6, and 24 h postoperatively by obtaining plasma levels and peritoneal washings. At necropsy, the peritoneal cavity was examined grossly for adhesions. Adhesions were seen more frequently in the SG versus the CG (100% vs. 33.3%, p < 0.014). There was a significant difference in the peritoneal TNFα levels in the SG compared with the CG, which peaked 1 h after surgery (p < 0.02). Both peritoneal IL-6 and IL-10 levels were higher in the SG versus the CG, which peaked 3 h after surgery (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). All peritoneal inflammatory markers returned to undetectable levels at 24 h for both groups. Plasma cytokines were undetectable at all time intervals. The inflammatory response was found to be a localized and not systemic event, with plasma cytokine levels remaining normal while peritoneal washings revealed a brisk, short-lived localized inflammatory response. There was a significantly higher rate of adhesive disease in the SG compared with the CG; this, however did not translate into a difference in apparent clinical outcome. We conclude that gastric leakage in this NOTES rodent model induces a localized inflammatory response, followed by mild to moderate adhesive disease. This may be important in human NOTES

Parity-violating Electron Deuteron Scattering and the Proton's Neutral Weak Axial Vector Form Factor

We report on a new measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in quasielastic electron scattering from the deuteron at backward angles at Q2= 0.038 (GeV/c)2. This quantity provides a determination of the neutral weak axial vector form factor of the nucleon, which can potentially receive large electroweak corrections. The measured asymmetry A=-3.51 +/- 0.57(stat) +/- 0.58(sys)ppm is consistent with theoretical predictions. We also report on updated results of the previous experiment at Q2=0.091 (GeV/c)2, which are also consistent with theoretical predictions.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let