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The prevalence of new onset sexual dysfunction amongst burn survivors may be as high as 53%. Unsurprisingly, patients consistently report intimacy and sexual function in romantic relationships as something that lowers their quality of life. Other groups have reported that the topic of sexual health and new onset erectile difficulties was not adequately addressed in 83% of responding patients cared for at major US burn centers. It is unknown how well healthcare providers themselves feel they address the topic of sexual health in patients who survive major burn injuries. The goal of this project was to survey current practice patterns, views and beliefs on sexual function of burn survivors in a population of medical providers providing direct care to patients. Ideally, the goal of this study was to describe existing biases and communication barriers that prevent discussions of sexual function during recovery. The results of this survey will identify blind-spots in the care of burn victims as it pertains to improving their quality of life. A 24-item survey; modified from a survey created by Rimmer et al, 2010, was distributed to active members of the Canadian Burn Association (nurses, physicians and nurse practitioners) across 23 centers. The Survey was divided into 3 sections, aiming to collect information on participant demographics, on how participants' burn centers address the topic of intimacy and sexuality with burn survivors, and on how individual participants address this important topic. Participation was voluntary, and no personal identifiers were collected. 32 health care providers participated in our survey. When asked "Who on your burn team is primarily responsible for discussing sexuality and intimacy with burn survivors and/or partners", 47% (n=15) and 36% (n=11) of participants indicated that "it is not anyone's responsibility" in respective inpatient and outpatient units. Furthermore, when asked "In your opinion, does your burn team do a good job of addressing sexuality and intimacy with your burn survivors?", 84% (n=26) participants responded "no". Health care providers are often not addressing sexuality and intimacy in the care of survivors of burn injuries. Multiple barriers work together to inhibit health care providers from initiating these important conversations with patients. This includes a high prevalence of the well-described "bystander effect", where no single person is responsible for addressing the issue of sexual health. Cultural, gender, and sexual orientation-sensitive education programs and incorporation of sexual health discussions into standardized admission discharge processes should be explored further. Finally, specification of which provider is responsible to initiate and follow-up on discussions of sexuality/intimacy is a specific intervention that can improve the care provided to burn survivors moving forward. No [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experimental results recently obtained with EUROBALL are here presented. The high selectivity of this γ-spectrometer offers the opportunity of accurate studies of rare events and of exotic nuclear states. Besides some traditional topics as those concerning the highly deformed shapes induced by the rotation, the recent experimentation is producing new information on nuclei very far from the stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testicular microlithiasis is prevalent in sub-fertile men but data regarding its association with sperm retrieval rates in azoospermic men are lacking. To investigate the prevalence of testicular microlithiasis and its relationship with sperm retrieval rates and histopathology in azoospermic men. Eighty-six consecutive men underwent scrotal ultrasonography prior to microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (microTESE). Sperm retrieval rate, testicular histopathology, testicular size, reproductive hormone estimation, karyotyping, Y chromosome microdeletion analyses and the presence of varicocele and hydrocele were compared between men with and without testicular microlithiasis. In total, sperm retrieval rate was 40%. Testicular microlithiasis was detected in 12 men (14%). In this subgroup, sperm retrieval rate was only 8% (1/12) as opposed to 45% (33/74) in azoospermic men with no evidence of microlithiasis (p=0.02). Mean right and left testicular diameters were significantly lower in the microlithiasis group compared to men without microlithiasis (2.4 cm vs. 3.2 cm and 2.4 cm vs. 3.3 cm, respectively, p=0.04). There was no significant difference in any other parameter between the groups (age, FSH levels, prevalence of XXY karyotype, Y chromosome microdeletions, sonographic varicoceles or hydroceles). All eleven patients with microlithiasis and no spermatozoa found were diagnosed with Sertoli cells only on histopathology. The patient with testicular microlithiasis and successful sperm extraction was diagnosed with mixed atrophy. Among our cohort of azoospermic men who underwent scrotal ultrasound prior to microTESE, the presence of testicular microlithiasis was associated with very low sperm retrieval rates. Larger, prospective studies should be conducted to strengthen our results. No [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The γ-decay from the warm rotation in the transition region between order and chaos is studied in the superdeformed (SD) nuclei 151Tb and 196Pb, using the EUROBALL IV array. A number of observables, testing the decay dynamics in the SD well, are compared with predictions from a Monte Carlo simulation of the γ-decay based on microscopic calculations of discrete levels and decay probabilities. Agreement with the data is found only assuming an enhancement of the B(E1) strength around 1 MeV by a factor of 10-100, which is consistent with the evidence for octupole vibrations in both mass regions. The work shows the relevance of γ-spectroscopy in the order-to-chaos regime to highlight specific nuclear structure effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decay following the Coulomb excitation of 68Ni at 600AMeV has been measured using the RISING array at GSI. The 68Ni beam has been produced from the fragmentation of 86Kr at 900AMeV from the UNILACSIS on a 9Be target and selected using the Fragment Separator. After the selection of Coulomb excited 68Ni isotopes a peak centered at approximately 10.8MeV has been observed in all type of RISING γ detectors. Because of the reaction mechanism the measured peak is interpreted to have a dipole nature and to come from the Pygmy Dipole Resonance. The measured data are consistent with the predictions of the Relativistic Mean Field and the Random Phase Approximation approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To study the order-to-chaos transition in nuclei we investigate the validity of the K-quantum number in the excited rapidly rotating 163Er nucleus, analyzing the variance and covariance of the spectrum fluctuations of γ-cascades feeding into low-K and high-K bands. The data are compared to simulated spectra obtained using a microscopic cranked shell model. K-selection rules are found to be obeyed for decay along excited unresolved rotational bands of internal excitation energy up to around 1.2 MeV and angular momenta . At higher internal energy, from about 1.2 to 2.5 MeV, the selection rules are found to be only partially valid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The selection rules on the K-quantum number in rapidly rotating warm nuclei are investigated analyzing quasi-continuum spectra feeding into low-K and high-K bands in 163Er. The data are compared to simulated spectra obtained using the band mixing model predictions including the residual interaction and a term representing the effect of the K-quantum number on the rotational energy. K-selection rules are found to be obeyed by the decay along excited unresolved rotational bands of heat energy up to around 1.2 MeV and angular momentum . In contrast, the results corresponding to higher heat energy of 1.2 to 2.5 MeV indicate that the selection rules are only partially satisfied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The spectra of high-energy γ rays emitted by the Giant Dipole Resonance (GDR) built on moderately excited states associated with the evaporation of 0, 1 and 2 nucleons were measured in the 90Zr + 89Y symmetric fusion reaction. The radiative fusion data suggest statistical emission from the compound nucleus. In addition, the analysis of the high-energy γ-ray spectra associated with the different evaporation channels at the present temperature of 0.7 MeV and spin range 15–20 ℎ show a fairly narrow width of 5.0±0.35 MeV. This value is smaller than what would be expected in a nucleus where shell effects do not play a role. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Spectra of the yrast and excited superdeformed bands, forming the E2 quasi-continuum, are measured with the EUROBALL array for the nucleus 143Eu, in coincidence with high-energy γ-rays (Eγ>3 MeV). It is found that the intensity population of the superdeformed states is enhanced by a factor of ≈1.6 when a coincidence with a γ-ray with energy >6 MeV is required, in reasonable agreement with the increase of the line shape of the Giant Dipole Resonance built on a superdeformed configuration. This result shows that when an high energy E1 γ-ray is involved in the decay it is more likely connected with a SD rather than a ND nucleus. In addition, the analysis of the rotational quasi-continuum suggests the presence of a superdeformed component. The data are also compared and found consistent with simulation calculations of the relative intensities of the SD states, including the E1 decay of superdeformed nature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents a study on the performance of segmented HPGe detectors and its application to detector array designs. Objective of tracking algorithms; Stability of tracking algorithm; Conclusion.

Minimal data about oral and dental health in long-term survivors after BMT are available. We studied the dental status of 27 children (19 males, eight females) with leukaemia, followed up with a routine oral examination, panoramic tomogram and, when necessary, an endoral radiograph at a median of 2 years (range 1–10) after BMT. Community periodontal index treatment necessity (CPITN), dental caries, missing or filled permanent teeth (DMFT) and dento-facial alterations according to WHO criteria were registered and evaluated. Median age of the patients at BMT was 9 years (range 1.1–17.9). The mean DMFT score ranged from 1.6 to 12.4 according to age at examination and was slightly higher than that which we previously reported in children who received chemotherapy alone. CPITN showed the presence of soft deposits in 77.7%, serious gingivitis in 59.2% and parodontal involvement in 3.7% of cases. Dento-facial abnormalities were found in 55.5% of patients, while 62.9% of the patients had tooth abnormalities or agenesis. Nine out of 27 patients (33%) had root hypoplasia. A negative impact on DMFT index due to multiple post-BMT factors was found. Age is the crucial factor in determining a developmental defect of enamel and root. The follow-up of long-term survivors after BMT should include regular dental examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The γ-rays following the reaction 105 McV 18O | 28Si have been measured using the EUROBALL IV, HECTOR and EUCLIDES arrays in order to investigate the predicted Jacobi shape transition. The high-energy &gama;-ray spectrum from the GDR decay indicates the presence of large deformations in the hot 46Ti nucleus, in agreement with new theoretical calculations based on the rotating liquid-drop model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]