Long-lived isomers in neutron-rich Z=72-76 nuclides

A study of neutron-rich isotopes in the A=185 region of the nuclear chart has uncovered long-lived (>1s) isomers in several isotopes of hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, and osmium. The region was accessed via the use of projectile fragmentation with the UNILAC-SIS accelerators at GSI. Fragmentation products of 197Au were passed through the fragment separator (FRS) and injected into the experimental storage ring (ESR), where single-ion identifications could be made. Evidence is presented for isomers in 183184 186Hf, 186187Ta,186W, 190192 194Re, and 195Os with excitation energies in the range of 0.13.0 MeV. The lightest of these nuclides have well deformed prolate shapes, while the heaviest are transitional and susceptible to shape changes. Their properties are interpreted with the help of multi-quasiparticle and potential-energy- surface calculations. ©2012 American Physical Society

Technique for Resolving Low-lying Isomers in the Experimental Storage Ring (ESR) and the Occurrence of an Isomeric State in Re-192

A recent experiment using projectile fragmentation of a ¹⁹⁷ Au beam on a ⁹ Be target, combined with the fragment recoil separator and experimental storage ring at ring at GSI, has uncovered an isomeric state in ¹⁹² Re at 267(10) keV with a half-life of ~60 s. The data analysis technique used to resolve the isomeric state from the ground state is discussed

Cannabinoids and epilepsy

Cannabis has been used for centuries to treat seizures. Recent anecdotal reports, accumulating animal model data, and mechanistic insights have raised interest in cannabis-based antiepileptic therapies. In this study, we review current understanding of the endocannabinoid system, characterize the pro- and anticonvulsive effects of cannabinoids [e.g., Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol (CBD)], and high-light scientific evidence from pre-clinical and clinical trials of cannabinoids in epilepsy. These studies suggest that CBD avoids the psychoactive effects of the endocannabinoid system to provide a well-tolerated, promising therapeutic for the treatment of seizures, while whole-plant cannabis can both contribute to and reduce seizures. Finally, we discuss results from a new multicenter, open-label study using CBD in a population with treatment-resistant epilepsy. In all, we seek to evaluate our current understanding of cannabinoids in epilepsy and guide future basic science and clinical studies