Neutron star radius-To-mass ratio from partial accretion disk occultation as measured through fe kα line profiles

We present a new method to measure the radius-To-mass ratio (R/M) of weakly magnetic, disk-Accreting neutron stars by exploiting the occultation of parts of the inner disk by the star itself. This occultation imprints characteristic features on the X-ray line profile that are unique and are expected to be present in low-mass X-ray binary systems seen under inclinations higher than ∼65°. We analyze a Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array observation of a good candidate system, 4U 1636-53, and find that X-ray spectra from current instrumentation are unlikely to single out the occultation features owing to insufficient signal-To-noise. Based on an extensive set of simulations we show that large-Area X-ray detectors of the future generation could measure R/M to ∼2 ÷ 3% precision over a range of inclinations. Such is the precision in radius determination required to derive tight constraints on the equation of state of ultradense matter and it represents the goal that other methods also aim to achieve in the future

Frenetic, under-challenged, and worn-out burnout subtypes among brazilian primary care personnel: Validation of the Brazilian “burnout clinical subtype questionnaire” (BCSQ-36/BCSQ-12)

Primary healthcare personnel show high levels of burnout. A new model of burnout has been developed to distinguish three subtypes: frenetic, under-challenged, and worn-out, which are characterized as overwhelmed, under-stimulated, and disengaged at work, respectively. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the long/short Brazilian versions of the “Burnout Clinical Subtypes Questionnaire” (BCSQ-36/BCSQ-12) among Brazilian primary healthcare staff and its possible associations with other psychological health-related outcomes. An online cross-sectional study conducted among 407 Brazilian primary healthcare personnel was developed. Participants answered a Brazil-specific survey including the BCSQ-36/BCSQ-12, “Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey”, “Utrecht Work Engagement Scale”, “Hospital Anxiety/Depression Scale”, “Positive-Negative Affect Schedule”, and a Visual Analogue Scale of guilt at work. The bifactor was the model with the best fit to the data using the BCSQ-36, which allowed a general factor for each subtype. The three-correlated factors model fit better to the BCSQ-12. Internal consistence was appropriate, and the convergence between the long-short versions was high. The pattern of relationships between the burnout subtypes and the psychological outcomes suggested a progressive deterioration from the frenetic to the under-challenged and worn-out. In sum, the Brazilian BCSQ-36/BCSQ-12 showed appropriate psychometrics to be used in primary healthcare personnel

Silica suspension and coating developments for Advanced LIGO

The proposed upgrade to the LIGO detectors to form the Advanced LIGO detector system is intended to incorporate a low thermal noise monolithic fused silica final stage test mass suspension based on developments of the GEO 600 suspension design. This will include fused silica suspension elements jointed to fused silica test mass substrates, to which dielectric mirror coatings are applied. The silica fibres used for GEO 600 were pulled using a Hydrogen-Oxygen flame system. This successful system has some limitations, however, that needed to be overcome for the more demanding suspensions required for Advanced LIGO. To this end a fibre pulling machine based on a CO2 laser as the heating element is being developed in Glasgow with funding from EGO and PPARC. At the moment a significant limitation for proposed detectors like Advanced LIGO is expected to come from the thermal noise of the mirror coatings. An investigation on mechanical losses of silica/tantala coatings was carried out by several labs involved with Advanced LIGO R&D. Doping the tantala coating layer with titania was found to reduce the coating mechanical dissipation. A review of the results is given here

Measurement of the ϕ→π0e+e−\phi \to \pi^0 e^+e^- transition form factor with the KLOE detector

A measurement of the vector to pseudoscalar conversion decay $\phi \to \pi^0 e^+e^-$ with the KLOE experiment is presented. A sample of $\sim 9500$ signal events was selected from a data set of 1.7 fb$^{-1}$ of $e^+e^-$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} \sim m_{\phi}$ collected at the DA$\Phi$NE $e^+e^-$ collider. These events were used to obtain the first measurement of the transition form factor $| F_{\phi \pi^0}(q^2) |$ and a new measurement of the branching ratio of the decay: $\rm{BR}\,(\phi \to \pi^0 e^+e^-) = (\,1.35 \pm 0.05^{\,\,+0.05}_{\,\,-0.10}\,) \times 10 ^{-5}$. The result improves significantly on previous measurements and is in agreement with theoretical predictions.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures; matches published versio

Precision measurement of the η→π+π−π0\eta\to\pi^+\pi^-\pi^0 Dalitz plot distribution with the KLOE detector

Using $1.6$ fb$^{-1}$ of $e^+ e^-\to\phi\to\eta\gamma$ data collected with the KLOE detector at DA$\Phi$NE, the Dalitz plot distribution for the $\eta \to \pi^+ \pi^- \pi^0$ decay is studied with the world's largest sample of $\sim 4.7 \cdot 10^6$ events. The Dalitz plot density is parametrized as a polynomial expansion up to cubic terms in the normalized dimensionless variables $X$ and $Y$. The experiment is sensitive to all charge conjugation conserving terms of the expansion, including a $gX^2Y$ term. The statistical uncertainty of all parameters is improved by a factor two with respect to earlier measurements.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, supplement: an ascii tabl

Search for dark Higgsstrahlung in e+ e- -> mu+ mu- and missing energy events with the KLOE experiment

We searched for evidence of a Higgsstrahlung process in a secluded sector, leading to a final state with a dark photon U and a dark Higgs boson h', with the KLOE detector at DAFNE. We investigated the case of h' lighter than U, with U decaying into a muon pair and h' producing a missing energy signature. We found no evidence of the process and set upper limits to its parameters in the range 2m_mu<m_U<1000 MeV, m_h'<m_U.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures, submitted to Physics Letters

Search for electron antineutrino interactions with the Borexino Counting Test Facility at Gran Sasso

Electron antineutrino interactions above the inverse beta decay energy of protons (E_\bar{\nu}_e>1.8) where looked for with the Borexino Counting Test Facility (CTF). One candidate event survived after rejection of background, which included muon-induced neutrons and random coincidences. An upper limit on the solar $\bar{\nu}_{e}$ flux, assumed having the $^8$B solar neutrino energy spectrum, of 1.1$\times10^{5}$ cm$^{-2}$~s$^{-1}$ (90% C.L.) was set with a 7.8 ton $\times$ year exposure. This upper limit corresponds to a solar neutrino transition probability, $\nu_{e} \to \bar{\nu}_{e}$, of 0.02 (90% C.L.). Predictions for antineutrino detection with Borexino, including geoneutrinos, are discussed on the basis of background measurements performed with the CTF.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, 5 table

A new limit on the CP violating decay KS -> 3pi0 with the KLOE experiment

We have carried out a new direct search for the CP violating decay KS -> 3pi0 with 1.7 fb^-1 of e+e- collisions collected by the KLOE detector at the phi-factory DAFNE. We have searched for this decay in a sample of about 5.9 x 10^8 KS KL events tagging the KS by means of the KL interaction in the calorimeter and requiring six prompt photons. With respect to our previous search, the analysis has been improved by increasing of a factor four the tagged sample and by a more effective background rejection of fake KS tags and spurious clusters. We find no candidates in data and simulated background samples, while we expect 0.12 standard model events. Normalizing to the number of KS -> 2pi0 events in the same sample, we set the upper limit on BR(KS -> 3pi0 < 2.6 x 10^-8 at 90% C.L., five times lower than the previous limit. We also set the upper limit on the eta_000 parameter, |eta_000 | < 0.0088 at 90% C.L., improving by a factor two the latest direct measurement.Comment: Accepted for publication in Physics Letters B (15 pages, 13 figures

Everolimus plus aromatase inhibitors as maintenance therapy after first-line chemotherapy: Final results of the phase III randomised MAIN-A (MAINtenance Afinitor) trial

Background: Despite endocrine therapy being the mainstay of treatment for hormone receptor positive (HR+)/HER2 12 metastatic breast cancer, patients at risk of visceral crisis or doubt for endocrine sensitivity are still offered first-line chemotherapy. Maintenance hormonal therapy is generally offered at the discontinuation of chemotherapy. The MAINtenance Afinitor study is a randomised, phase III trial comparing maintenance everolimus combined with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) versus AI monotherapy in patients with disease control after first-line chemotherapy. Methods: Patients with stable disease, partial response or complete response after first-line chemotherapy were randomised to everolimus plus AIs (exemestane or letrozole or anastrozole) or to AIs alone. Primary aim was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary aims included response rate, safety and overall survival (OS). Results: In total, 110 patients were randomised to everolimus + AIs (n = 52) or to AIs (n = 58). Median PFS was 11.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.1\u201313.8) in the everolimus + AI arm and 7.2 months (95% CI 4.7\u201310.9) in the AI monotherapy arm (hazard ratio [HR] 0.71, 95% CI 0.47\u20131.06). Objective response rate was 22.4% in everolimus + AI arm and 19.2% in AI monotherapy arm. A higher proportion of disease progression as best response was reported in the AI monotherapy arm (28.8% versus 14.3%). Median OS was 35.7 months (95% CI 26.0\u201347.8) in the combination arm versus 33.5 (95% CI 26.4\u201342.7) in the AI alone arm (HR 1.0, 95% CI 0.61\u20131.62). Conclusions: EVE + AIs did not significantly impact on the outcome of metastatic breast cancer patients deemed suitable for first-line chemotherapy. Also taking into account treatment tolerability, maintenance endocrine therapy remains the standard. Trial registration: EudraCT: 2013-004153-24