Computation of the Binding Energies in the Inverse Problem Framework

We formalized the nuclear mass problem in the inverse problem framework. This approach allows us to infer the underlying model parameters from experimental observation, rather than to predict the observations from the model parameters. The inverse problem was formulated for the numericaly generalized the semi-empirical mass formula of Bethe and von Weizs\"{a}cker. It was solved in step by step way based on the AME2012 nuclear database. The solution of the overdetermined system of nonlinear equations has been obtained with the help of the Aleksandrov's auto-regularization method of Gauss-Newton type for ill-posed problems. In the obtained generalized model the corrections to the binding energy depend on nine proton (2, 8, 14, 20, 28, 50, 82, 108, 124) and ten neutron (2, 8, 14, 20, 28, 50, 82, 124, 152, 202) magic numbers as well on the asymptotic boundaries of their influence. These results help us to evaluate the borders of the nuclear landscape and show their limit. The efficiency of the applied approach was checked by comparing relevant results with the results obtained independently.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figure, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Exotic Nuclei EXON-2016, Kazan, Russia, 4-10 September 2016. based on arXiv:1602.0677

Simultaneously non-linear energy calibration of CMS calorimeters for single pions and electrons

CMS calorimeter energy calibration was done in the full CMS simulated geometry for the pseudorapidity region eta = 0. The samples of single pion events were generated with a set of incident energies from 5 GeV to 3 TeV and for single electrons from 5 to 500 GeV. The analysis of the simulated data shows that standard calibration using just sampling coefficients for calorimeter parts with different sampling ratio gives nonlinear calorimeter response. Non-linear calibration technique was applied simultaneously for pion and electron beams which is preparation for jets energy reconstruction. It improve calorimeter energy resolution for pions and restore the calorimeter linearity.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, latex fil

Screening for congenital hypothyroidism in Maltese newborns using cord blood

Routine screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CHT) has been introduced because clinical features of CHT may not be evident before the baby is a few weeks old and treatment at this stage may already be too late. Since a newborn testing programme employing liquid cord blood for other conditions had already been developed in the University of Malta and the Department of Health, we explored the possibility of implementing newborn thyroid testing using liquid cord blood. A similar programme had been implemented successfully in Finland and Philadelphia. Between September 1989 and August 1995 around 32,000 newborns were tested. This is nearly complete ascertainment. Preliminary testing was by radioimmunoassay for TSH. The sera of those with TSH levels more than 13mU/l were further tested for free T4. If the free T4 level was below 12 pmol/l, the babies were recalled for clinical evaluation and repeat testing. Other babies were recalled for technical reasons, giving a total recall rate of 3.88%. CHT was identified in seven newborns and treatment started within 3 weeks of delivery. One baby was reported normal on screening but was suspected to have CHT on clinical grounds at 3 weeks of age, confirmed biochemically. The incidence of CHT in Malta is therefore 1 in 4500.peer-reviewe