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In alleged sexual assault and rape cases, the focus has often been to collect samples from the victim's body, for detection of body fluids or skin cells from the offender. But in many cases intimate body samples from the perpetrator(s) can also be informative. However, in cases where the female victim claims vaginal penetration, the defendant may display an alternative explanation to the DNA findings, i.e. that the victim’s skin cells has been secondarily transferred to his penis. We hypothesized that female DNA will be detected in a significantly greater amount on swabs from penis after intercourse than after secondary transfer by skin contact. Fourteen male-female couples were recruited to test the above hypothesis, by collecting penile swabs from 3 specified anatomical locations: Glans, shaft, and the coronal sulcus, after two different situations: Vaginal intercourse and secondary transfer of epithelial cells by skin contact. The results show that penile swabs following intercourse produce significantly higher DNA concentrations than after secondary transfer by skin contact. Our results, indicates which of the anatomical regions is best suited for sampling. The DNA profiling results show a preponderance of female profiles over male profiles following intercourse compared to secondary skin contact. Based on these data, it is possible to make a statistical model to distinguish between samples taken after intercourse and samples taken after secondary transfer by skin contact based on the amount of female DNA and mixture proportion (Mx) between female and male DNA in samples collected from penis swabs.

Background Fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) enables visualisation of inflammation in both hands in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Objective To investigate the usefulness of FOI in treatment monitoring under anti-TNFα therapy with certolizumab pegol (CZP) in patients with RA in comparison to clinical and laboratory outcome parameters. Methods CZP-naïve patients with RA were eligible for this open-label study with an observational period of 52 weeks. Disease activity was monitored by the clinical score DAS28, tender/swollen joint count (TJC-28/SJC-28) and laboratory outcomes for systemic inflammation (CRP and ESR). FOI results were analysed in three different phases (P1-3) and PrimaVistaMode (PVM) by the FOI activity score (FOIAS). Results Twenty-eight RA patients (median age 52.5 years, 26 females, thirteen with a history of other biologic therapy) were included. DAS28 (CRP) decreased from moderate disease activity at baseline (median 4.6, IQR 1.8) to low disease activity at week (w)52 (median 2.7, IQR 2.1; p p = 0.069), w12 (median 0.5, IQR 3.0; p = 0.171), w24 (n = 27, median 0.0, IQR 3.0; p = 0.004), until w52 (n = 18, median 0.0, IQR 2.8; p = 0.091), which could not be presented for FOIAS in P2, P3 and PVM. Conclusion FOI in P1 appears to be a valuable tool for fast and easy monitoring of treatment response to certolizumab in a clinical setting.

The beta-decay of Zn-81 to the neutron magic N = 50 nucleus Ga-81, with only three valence protons with respect to Ni-78, was investigated. The study was performed at the ISOLDE facility at CERN by means of gamma spectroscopy. The 81Zn half-life was determined to be T-1/2 = 290(4) ms while the beta-delayed neutron emission probability was measured as P-n = 23(4)%. The analysis of the beta-gated gamma-ray singles and gamma-gamma coincidences from the decay of Zn-81 provides 47 new levels and 70 new transitions in Ga-81. The beta(-)n decay of Zn-81 was observed and a new decay scheme into the odd-odd Ga-80 nucleus was established. The half-lives of the first and second excited states of Ga-81 were measured via the fast-timing method using LaBr3(Ce) detectors. The level scheme and transition rates are compared to large-scale shell-model calculations. The low-lying structure of (81)Gais interpreted in terms of the coupling of the three valence protons outside the doubly magic Ni-78 core.

Additional file 1: Figure S1. Flow-Chart: Patient recruitment. Figure S2. Subdermal skin enhancement read in “Temperature mode”. Table S1. Current medication. Table S2. Cardiovascular risk factors.

Additional file 2: FOI Atlas_subclinical skin enhancement.

There is increasing interest in forensic ancestry tests, which are part of a growing number of DNA analyses that can enhance routine profiling by obtaining additional genetic information about unidentified DNA donors. Nearly all ancestry tests use single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), but these currently rely on SNaPshot single base extension chemistry that can fail to detect mixed DNA. Insertion-deletion polymorphism (Indel) tests have been developed using dye-labeled primers that allow direct capillary electrophoresis detection of PCR products (PCR-to-CE). PCR-to-CE maintains the direct relationship between input DNA and signal strength as each marker is detected with a single dye, so mixed DNA is more reliably detected. We report the results of a collaborative inter-laboratory exercise of 19 participants (15 from the EDNAP European DNA Profiling group) that assessed a 34-plex SNP test using SNaPshot and a 46-plex Indel test using PCR-to-CE. Laboratories were asked to type five samples with different ancestries and detect an additional mixed DNA sample. Statistical inference of ancestry was made by participants using the Snipper online Bayes analysis portal plus an optional PCA module that analyzes the genotype data alongside calculation of Bayes likelihood ratios. Exercise results indicated consistent genotyping performance from both tests, reaching a particularly high level of reliability for the Indel test. SNP genotyping gave 93.5% concordance (compared to the organizing laboratory's data) that rose to 97.3% excluding one laboratory with a large number of miscalled genotypes. Indel genotyping gave a higher concordance rate of 99.8% and a reduced no-call rate compared to SNP analysis. All participants detected the mixture from their Indel peak height data and successfully assigned the correct ancestry to the other samples using Snipper, with the exception of one laboratory with SNP miscalls that incorrectly assigned ancestry of two samples and did not obtain informative likelihood ratios for a third. Therefore, successful ancestry assignments were achieved by participants in 92 of 95 Snipper analyses. This exercise demonstrates that ancestry inference tests based on binary marker sets can be readily adopted by laboratories that already have well-established CE regimes in place. The Indel test proved to be easy to use and allowed all exercise participants to detect the DNA mixture as well as achieving complete and concordant profiles in nearly all cases. Lastly, two participants successfully ran parallel next-generation sequencing analyses (each using different systems) and achieved high levels of genotyping concordance using the exercise PCR primer mixes unmodified. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The existence of two close-lying nuclear states in ⁷³Ga has recently been experimentally determined: a 1/2⁻ spin-parity for the ground state was measured in a laser spectroscopy experiment, while a J_π = 3/2⁻ level was observed in transfer reactions. This scenario is supported by Coulomb excitation studies, which set a limit for the energy splitting of 0.8 keV. In this work, we report on the study of the excited structure of ⁷³Ga populated in the β decay of ⁷³Zn produced at ISOLDE, CERN. Using β-gated, γ-ray singles, and γ –γ coincidences, we have searched for energy differences to try to delimit the ground-state energy splitting, providing a more stringent energy difference limit. Three new half-lives of excited states in ⁷³Ga have been measured using the fast-timing ;method with LaBr₃(Ce) detectors. From our study, we help clarify the excited structure of ⁷³G and we extend the existing ⁷³Zn decay to ⁷³Ga with 8 new energy levels and 35 γ transitions. We observe a 195-keV transition consistent with a γ ray de-exciting a short-lived state in the β-decay parent ⁷³Zn.

gamma-ray and fast-timing spectroscopy were used to study levels in Al-30 populated following the beta(-) decay of Mg-30. Five new transitions and three new levels were located in Al-30. A search was made to identify the third 1(+) state expected at an excitation energy of similar to 2.5 MeV. Two new levels were found, at 3163.9 and 3362.5 keV, that are firm candidates for this state. Using the advanced time-delayed (ATD) beta gamma gamma (t) method we have measured the lifetime of the 243.8-keV state to be T-1/2 = 15(4) ps, which implies that the 243.8-keV transition is mainly of M1 character. Its fast B(M1; 2(+) -> 3(+)) value of 0.10(3) W.u. is in very good agreement with the USD shell-model prediction of 0.090 W.u. The 1801.5-keV level is the only level observed in this study that could be a candidate for the second excited 2(+) state.

The electromagnetic structure of 140Sm was studied in a low-energy Coulomb excitation experiment with a radioactive ion beam from the REX-ISOLDE facility at CERN. The 2+ and 4+ states of the ground-state band and a second 2+ state were populated by multistep excitation. The analysis of the differential Coulomb excitation cross sections yielded reduced transition probabilities between all observed states and the spectroscopic quadrupole moment for the 2+ 1 state. The experimental results are compared to large-scale shell model calculations and beyond-mean-field calculations based on the Gogny D1S interaction with a five-dimensional collective Hamiltonian formalism. Simpler geometric and algebraic models are also employed to interpret the experimental data. The results indicate that 140Sm shows considerable γ softness, but in contrast to earlier speculation no signs of shape coexistence at low excitation energy. This work sheds more light on the onset of deformation and collectivity in this mass region. 15 pages, 12 figures ispartof: Physical Review C vol:93 issue:5 status: published

Postoccupancy evaluations are common in determining successful design elements in the human setting, but they are rarely employed in zoological parks. The current study evaluated how structural preferences, temperature, and social factors affected the visibility of four groups of gorillas to the public. Although the majority of structures were located in visible portions of the exhibit, structures had a negative effect on visibility because of the gorillas’ strong preference for a single typeof structure(buildings) located primarily in nonvisibleparts of theexhibits. Tem perature and visibility were linearly related, with increasing temperatures corresponding with decreasing visibility. The removal of an animal from the group significantly affected the visibility of the remaining group members. The authors’ results reinforce the need for exhibit designers to consider the relationships between animal behavior and environmental variables and to work with captive managers to create exhibits that meet the needs of individual animals.

A new level scheme of 80Ga has been determined. This nucleus was populated following the β− decay of 80Zn at ISOLDE, CERN. The proposed level scheme is significantly different compared to the previously reported one and contains 26 levels up to 3.4 MeV in excitation energy. The present study establishes that the previously identified 1.9-s β− -decaying 6− isomer is the ground state of 80Ga and the 1.3-s β− -decaying 3− isomer lies at an excitation energy of 22.4 keV. A new isomeric level was identified at 707.8 keV and its half-life was measured to be 18.3(5) ns, allowing the 685.4-keV transition de-exciting this state to be assigned anM2 multipolarity. The newly measured spectroscopic observables are compared with shell-model calculations using the jj44bpn and JUN45 interactions.

Human identification and forensic criminal casework may involve DNA profiling of decomposed material. Somatic microsatellite (STR) instability may lead to false exclusions and theoretically to false inclusions, both in criminal cases and in human identification. Hence, the somatic and postmortal stability of the actual sequences is crucial to the reliability of such analyses. Somatic STR stability in human tissues has been documented in small series only and the effect of postmortal tissue decomposition on microsatellite stability remains to be elucidated. On this basis, we have systematically searched for somatic STR mutations in 26 deceased humans without signs of decomposition at autopsy and 25 autopsy cases with obvious signs of postmortal decomposition. A blood sample and six tissue samples were collected from each case. Seven STRs were chosen for study, the tetranucleotides HUMVWA31/A, HUMTH01, HUMF13A1, and HUMFES/FPS, and the hyperpolymorphic markers HUMAPOAI1, D11S554 and HUMACTBP2. Denaturing gel electrophoresis was performed on an ABD Prism™ 377 gene sequencer with Genescan 672 software (Applied Biosystems, Inc.). The bone DNA profile of each case was chosen as the standard DNA profile. All cases gave profiles from additional tissues. By intraindividual comparison of DNA profiles in the cases without signs of degradation we find that the short repetitive sequences under study are stable, that is without evidence of somatic mutations. The cases with varying degree of decomposition display postmortal microsatellite stability, we detect no somatic mutations or other possible postmortal changes that could lead to between-organ non-matches. In conclusion, PCR-based STR analyses are suitable in human identification and forensic casework dealing with different tissues, even when the substrate is heavily decomposed.

Hyperpolymorphic short tandem repetitive DNA sequences, STRs or microsatellites, have become widely used in human identification, particularly in criminal cases and in mass disasters. In such cases the substrates for the analyses may be decomposed biological material, a fact that has to be taken into account when choosing the appropriate casework methods. In this paper we report the evaluation of five different DNA extraction methods, namely the phenol-chloroform, the silica based, the InstaGene Matrix (BioTest), the glass fiber filter, and the Chelex based methods. The substrates for the analyses are decomposed human liver tissue specimens from forensic autopsy cases. Extracted DNA was quantified and DNA profiled by a set of seven STRs. We have compared laboratory time consumption and costs of the five methods, showing that the Chelex method is the more rapid and less expensive of the methods, the phenol-chlorophorm and silica extractions being the most time consuming and resource demanding ones. A full profile was obtained by the silica method in nine out of ten cases and this method failed to give a reliable type in four out of 70 STR analyses. The phenol-chlorophorm and the glass fiber filter methods failed in 16 analyses, the InstaGene Matrix (BioTest) in 25 and the Chelex extracts in 56 of the 70 STR analyses. By multiple logistic regression we show that the difference between the silica procedure and the other methods are statistically significant. In our hands, the silica gel extraction procedure is an obvious choice when the biological material available is decomposed human tissue--even if this procedure is one of the more laborious ones.

Spins and parities for collective states in $^{228}$Ra have been determined from conversion electron measurements with a mini-orange $\beta$-spectrometer. The fast-timing $\beta\gamma\gamma(t)$ method has been used to measure lifetimes of T$_{1/2}$=550(20) ps and 181(3) ps for the $2^{+}_{1}$ and $4^{+}_{1}$ members of the K=0$^{+}$ band, and T$_{1/2} \leqslant$ 7 ps and $\leqslant$ 6 ps for the $1^{-}_{1}$ and $3^{-}_1$ members of the K = $0^{-}$ band, respectively The quadrupole moments, $Q_{0}$ deduced from the B (E2; 2$_{1}^{+} \rightarrow 0_{1}^{+}$) and B (E2; 4$_{1}^{+} \rightarrow 2_1^{+}$) rates are in good agreement with the previously measured value and the systematics of the region. However, the B(E1) rates of $\geqslant$ 4 × 10$^{−4}$ e$^{2}$fm$^{2}$, which represent the first B(E1) measurements for this nucleus, are at least 25 times larger than the value previously suggested for $^{228}$Ra. The new results are consistent with the B(E1) rates recently measured for the neighbouring $^{227}$Ra and reveal octupole correlations in $^{228}$Ra.

The European DNA Profiling Group (EDNAP) organized a fourth and fifth collaborative exercise on RNA/DNA co-analysis for body fluid identification and STR profiling. The task was to identify dried menstrual blood and vaginal secretion stains using specific RNA biomarkers, and additionally test 3 housekeeping genes for their suitability as reference genes. Six menstrual blood and six vaginal secretion stains, two dilution series (1/4-1/64 pieces of a menstrual blood/vaginal swab) and, optionally, bona fide or mock casework samples of human or non-human origin were analyzed by 24 participating laboratories, using RNA extraction or RNA/DNA co-extraction methods. Two novel menstrual blood mRNA multiplexes were used: MMP triplex (MMP7, MMP10, MMP11) and MB triplex (MSX1, LEFTY2, SFRP4) in conjunction with a housekeeping gene triplex (B2M, UBC, UCE). Two novel mRNA multiplexes and a HBD1 singleplex were used for the identification of vaginal secretion: Vag triplex (MYOZ1, CYP2B7P1 and MUC4) and a Lactobacillus-specific Lacto triplex (Ljen, Lcris, Lgas). The laboratories used different chemistries and instrumentation and all were able to successfully isolate and detect mRNA in dried stains. The simultaneous extraction of RNA and DNA allowed for positive identification of the tissue/fluid source of origin by mRNA profiling as well as a simultaneous identification of the body fluid donor by STR profiling, also from old and compromised casework samples. The results of this and the previous collaborative RNA exercises support RNA profiling as a reliable body fluid identification method that can easily be combined with current STR typing technology.

The location of several single-neutron states in ${}^{133}\mathrm{Sn}$ has been identified. The ${p}_{3/2}$, ${h}_{9/2}$, and ${f}_{5/2}$ states were found at 853.7, 1560.9, and 2004.6 keV, respectively, by measuring $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays in coincidence with delayed neutrons following the decay of ${}^{134}\mathrm{In}$. Crucial for obtaining the new data were the improved yields at the mass-separator facility ISOLDE-PSB at CERN. A semiempirically adjusted Woods-Saxon calculation, based on parameters from the Pb region and normalized on the mass data at ${}^{132}\mathrm{Sn}$, reproduces the new single particle energies with good precision.

The study of the stability of an astrophysically interesting nucleus 73Rb was performed by searching its β+ and proton decay at the ISOLDE facility at CERN. Light rubidium isotopes were produced in a spallation reaction of a niobium target induced by a pulsed 1 GeV proton beam. The previously reported proton-unbound character of 73Rb was confirmed and the upper limit for its production cross-section was reduced by more than one order of magnitude.

The [sup 67]Se and [sup 68]Se isotopes near the proton drip line were produced by spallation of zirconium with 600 MeV protons at CERN. Beta decay properties were determined for the first time using the selectivity of molecular ion beams at the on-line mass separator ISOLDE. Chemically selective production was obtained through separation of the molecular ion COSe[sup +]. The half-lives of [sup 67]Se and [sup 68]Se were measured as 107[plus minus]35 ms and 35.5[plus minus]0.7 s respectively. From [beta]-[gamma] and [gamma]-[gamma] coincidences, and conversion-electron measurements, a decay scheme was obtained for [sup 68]Se. For the [sup 68]As ground state and several excited states, spin and parity are unambiguously determined from [beta]-decay rates and electromagnetic multipolarity assignments. In addition to the strong Fermi branch between the mirror ground states of [sup 67]Se and [sup 67]As [[ital J][sup [pi]]=(5/2)[sup [minus]],[ital T][sub [ital z]]=[plus minus]1/2], a GT branch to an excited state in [sup 67]As is observed. Implications of [sup 67]Se and [sup 68]Se properties in the [ital rp]-process path are considered.

The GenPlex (TM) HID System (Applied Biosystems - AB) offers typing of 48 of the 52 SNPforID SNPs and amelogenin. Previous studies have shown a high reproducibility of the GenPlex (TM) HID System using 250500 pg DNA of good quality. An international exercise was performed by 14 laboratories (9 in Europe and 5 in the US) in order to test the robustness and reliability of the GenPlex (TM) HID System on forensic samples. Three samples with partly degraded DNA and 10 samples with low amounts of DNA were analyzed in duplicates using various amounts of DNA. In order to compare the performance of the GenPlex (TM) HID System with the most commonly used STR kits, 500 pg of partly degraded DNA from three samples was typed by the laboratories using one or more STR kits. The median SNP typing success rate was 92.3% with 500 pg of partly degraded DNA. Three of the fourteen laboratories counted for more than two thirds of the locus dropouts. The median percentage of discrepant results was 0.2% with 500 pg degraded DNA. An increasing percentage of locus dropouts and discrepant results were observed when lower amounts of DNA were used. Different success rates were observed for the various SNPs. The rs763869 SNP was the least successful. With the exception of the MiniFiler (TM) kit (AB), GenPlex (TM) HID performed better than five other tested STR kits. When partly degraded DNA was analyzed, GenPlex (TM) HID showed a very low mean mach probability, while all STR kits except MiniFiler (TM) had very limited discriminatory power.

The 1789 keV state in {sup 30}Mg was identified as the first excited 0{sup +} state via its electric monopole (E0) transition to the ground state. The measured small value of rho{sup 2}(E0,0{sub 2}{sup +}->0{sub 1}{sup +})=(26.2+-7.5)x10{sup -3} implies within a two-level model a small mixing of competing configurations with largely different intrinsic quadrupole deformation near the neutron shell closure at N=20. Axially symmetric configuration mixing calculations identify the ground state of {sup 30}Mg to be based on neutron configurations below the N=20 shell closure, while the excited 0{sup +} state mainly consists of two neutrons excited into the nu 1f{sub 7/2} orbital. The experimental result represents the first case where an E0 back decay from a strongly deformed second to the normal deformed first nuclear potential minimum well has been unambiguously identified, thus directly proving shape coexistence at the borderline of the much-debated 'island of inversion.'

Lifetimes of excited states in {sup 229}Th, populated in the {beta} decay of {sup 229}Ac, have been measured using the advanced time-delayed {beta}{gamma}{gamma}(t) method. Half-lives of 14 states have been determined including 11 of them for the first time. Twenty-seven new {gamma} lines have been introduced into the {beta}-decay scheme of {sup 229}Ac based on results of {gamma}{gamma} coincidence measurements. Reduced transition probabilities have been determined for more than 70 {gamma} transitions in {sup 229}Th. Average |D{sub 0}| values of 0.029(1), 0.077(3), and 0.024(5) e fm have been deduced for the lowest K{sup {pi}}=1/2{sup {+-}},3/2{sup {+-}}, and 5/2{sup {+-}} parity partner bands, respectively. Excited states in {sup 229}Th and experimental transition rates have been interpreted within the quasiparticle-plus-phonon model. The half-life of the 3.5-eV, 3/2{sup +} isomeric state is predicted to be about 10 h. Potential energy surfaces on the ({beta}{sub 2},{beta}{sub 3}) plane for the lowest single quasiparticle configurations in {sup 229}Th have been calculated using the Strutinsky method.

For a voltage-feedback amplifier in which the open-loop gain will be much greater than the closed-loop gain, it is possible to calculate values of the feedback resistors that will maximize the open-loop gain. This paper presents the derivation and compares the results to a series of PSPICE simulations. Agreement is found to be excellent.

The \ensuremath{\beta} decay of $^{135}\mathrm{Sn}$ was studied at CERN/ISOLDE using a resonance ionization laser ion source and mass separator to achieve elemental and mass selectivity, respectively. \ensuremath{\gamma}-ray singles and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-$\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence spectra were collected as a function of time with the laser on and with the laser off. These data were used to establish the positions of new levels in $^{135}\mathrm{Sb}$, including new low-spin states at 440 and 798 keV, which are given tentative spin and parity assignments of $3/{2}^{+}$ and $9/{2}^{+}$, respectively. The observed levels of $^{135}\mathrm{Sb}$ are compared with shell-model calculations using different single-particle energies and different interactions.

The level structure of odd-odd $^{134}\mathrm{Sb}$ has been studied at CERN/ISOLDE following the ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ decay of $^{134}\mathrm{Sn}$ and the \ensuremath{\beta}-delayed neutron decay of $^{135}\mathrm{Sn}$. Elemental and isobaric separation were accomplished by use of a resonance ionization laser ion source and an on-line mass separator, respectively. Both \ensuremath{\gamma}-ray singles and $\ensuremath{\gamma}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence data were taken as a function of time. New levels at 279, 441, 555, 617, and 1385 keV have been identified and given proposed spin and parity assignments of ${7}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${5}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${6}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${4}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, and ${5}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, respectively, following \ensuremath{\beta}-delayed neutron decay of $7/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ $^{135}\mathrm{Sn}$. New ${1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ levels have been identified at 1900, 2170, and 2430 keV following the ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ decay of ${0}^{+}$ $^{134}\mathrm{Sn}$. The resulting level structures are compared to shell-model calculations using the CD Bonn interaction and scaled and unscaled Kuo-Herling interactions developed for the $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ region. Remarkably enough, the unscaled Kuo-Herling interaction provides the best fit for the levels below 1 MeV.

Human telomeres are essential for genome stability and are composed of long simple tandem repeat arrays (STRs), comprising the consensus TTAGGG repeat interspersed, at the proximal end, with sequence-variant repeats. While the dynamics of telomere attrition through incomplete replication has been studied extensively, the effects on telomeres of error-prone DNA repair processes, known to affect other STRs, are poorly understood. We have compared the TTAGGG and sequence-variant interspersion patterns in the proximal 720 bp of telomeres in colon cancer and normal DNA samples. The frequency of telomere mutations was 5.8% per allele in a randomly collected panel of sporadic colon cancers, showing that telomere mutations occur in vivo. The mutation frequency rose to 18.6% per allele in sporadic tumours that exhibit instability at the polyA tract in the TGFbetaRII gene and to 35% per allele in tumours with somatic mutations in the hMSH2 gene. The majority of the characterized mutations resulted in the loss of one or a few repeats. If the mutation spectrum and frequency described here is reiterated in the rest of the array, there is the potential for extensive telomere destabilization especially in mismatch repair-defective cells. This may in turn lead to a greater requirement for telomere length maintenance earlier in tumourigenesis.

First $\ensuremath{\beta}$- and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-spectroscopic decay studies of the $N=82$ $r$-process ``waiting-point'' nuclide $^{130}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{d}$ have been performed at CERN/ISOLDE using the highest achievable isotopic selectivity. Several nuclear-physics surprises have been discovered. The first one is the unanticipatedly high energy of 2.12 MeV for the [$\ensuremath{\pi}{g}_{9/2}\ensuremath{\bigotimes}\ensuremath{\nu}{g}_{7/2}]$ ${1}^{+}$ level in $^{130}\mathrm{I}\mathrm{n}$, which is fed by the main Gamow-Teller transition. The second surprise is the rather high ${Q}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ value of 8.34 MeV, which is in agreement only with recent mass models that include the phenomenon of $N=82$ shell quenching. Possible implications of these new results on the formation of the $A\ensuremath{\simeq}130$ $r$-process abundance peak are presented.

The decays of the very neutron rich Sn isotopes Sn135-137 were studied at CERN/ISOLDE using isotopic and isobaric selectivity achieved by the use of a resonance ionization laser ion source and mass spectroscopy, respectively. Neutron decay rates, gamma-ray singles, and gamma-gamma coincidence data were collected as a function of time. The half-life (T-1/2) and delayed neutron emission probability (P-n) values of 135 Sn were measured to be 530(20) ms and 21(3)%, respectively. For Sn-136, a T-1/2 of 250(30) ms was determined along with a P-n value of 30(5)%. For Sn-137, a T-1/2 of 190(60) ms and a P-n value of 58(15)% were deduced. Identification of low-energy transitions in Sb-135 was made possible by comparison of laser-on and laser-off gamma-ray spectra. Those data combined with gamma-gamma coincidence spectra were used to construct a level scheme for Sb-135 that includes an unexpectedly low first excited state at 282 keV. A ground state beta branch of 33.2% was measured by following the growth and decay of the Sb-135 daughter. Shell-model calculations are consistent with the observed Sb-135 level structure and can account for a lowered first excited state.

Bisphosphonates were synthesized for use as carriers for astatine and iodine radioisotopes to target bone neoplasms.Radiohalogenated activated esters were coupled to the amino group in the side chain of the bisphosphonate. The bisphosphonate 3-amino-1-hydroxypropylidene bisphosphonate was combined with four different acylation agents: N-succinimidyl 3-[211At]astatobenzoate, N-succinimidyl 3-[131I]iodobenzoate, N-succinimidyl-5-[211At]astato-3-pyridinecarboxylate and N-succinimidyl-5-[131I]iodo-5-pyridinecarboxylate. The products, 3-[131I]iodobenzamide-N-3-hydroxypropylidene-3,3-bisphosphonate (IBPB), 3-[211At]astato-benzamide-N-3-hydroxypropylidene-3,3-bisphosphonat e (ABPB), 5-[131I]iodopyridine-3-amide-N-3-hydroxypropylidene-3,3-bisphospho nate (IPPB) and 5-[211At]astatopyridine-3-amide-N-3-hydroxypropylidene-3,3-bisphos phonate (APPB), were injected intravenously into Balb/c mice. MIRD and Monte Carlo methods were used on the basis of cumulated activity calculated from biodistribution data to estimate dose to organs and bone segments.All 131I- and 211At-labeled analogs were strongly incorporated into osseous tissue and retained there at stable levels, while a rapid clearance from blood was observed. The bone uptake was found to be similar for 211At- and 131I-labeled bisphosphonate when compared in paired label experiments. Bone uptake and bone-to-tissue ratios were better for IBPB compared with IPPB, and ABPB compared with APPB. All four compounds appeared to be highly resistant to in vivo dehalogenation as indicated by low uptake of 131I/211At in the thyroid gland and stomach. According to dosimetric estimates, the bone surface-to-bone marrow ratio was three times higher with 211At than with 131I.Both the beta-particle- and alpha-particle-emitting compounds showed high in vivo stability and excellent affinity for osseous tissue. Further preclinical evaluation is therefore warranted.

Replication error (RER) is defined as mutation events in repetitive DNA segments. To investigate further the RER phenomenon and reveal any differences in mutation outcome between different short tandem repeat (STR) loci, we have investigated the somatic mutation rate and the size distribution of new tumour alleles in four tetranucleotide STRs in a large material of unselected colorectal adenocarcinomas. DNA was extracted from the blood and carcinomas of 217 patients. All blood/tumour pairs were analysed using the STRs HUMTHO1, HUMFES/FPS, HUMVWA31/A and HUMF13A1. Mutations are detected at all four loci. There are substantial differences in mutation rate and mutation direction (i.e. expansion versus contraction) between different STR loci. In all four STRs, the majority of events represent gain or loss of a single repeat. Almost all new tumour alleles correspond to known alleles in a population database, indicating that these are also composed of integers of the four base pair repeat. There is no statistically significant size bias in the mutating alleles as compared to the allelic distribution in the population database.

The authors describe the case of an otherwise healthy man who died from pneumococcal septicemia 18 years after having undergone splenectomy. It is widely accepted that splenectomized patients run increased risk of serious bacterial infections. Meningitis and septicemia caused by encapsulated organisms, especially Streptococcus pneumoniae, are most important in this respect, with a reported mortality of 30-60%. Since 1977, splenectomized patients have been offered pneumococcal vaccine as a routine, but persons who was splenectomized before 1977 are not identified, and run an unknown risk of serious infectious disease. Possible approaches to this problem of identification are discussed.

The potential usefulness of alpha-particle radioimmunotherapy in the treatment of osteosarcoma was studied in vitro by using the monoclonal antibody TP-3 and cells of three human osteosarcoma cell lines (OHS, SAOS and KPDX) differing in antigen expression. Cell survival curves were established after treatment with (a) 211At-TP-3 of different specific activities, (b) 211At-labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA), (c) free 211At and (d) external-beam X rays. The three osteosarcoma cell lines showed similar survival curves, whether treated with external-beam X rays, 211At-BSA or free 211At. The D0's were lower for free 211At than for 211At-BSA. The survival curves for 211At-TP-3 treatment, on the other hand, differed significantly among the cell lines, suggesting that sensitivity to 211At-TP-3 treatment was governed by cellular properties other than sensitivity to external-beam X rays. The cellular property most important for sensitivity to 211At-TP-3 treatment was the antigen expression. Cell inactivation after 211At-TP-3 treatment increased substantially with increasing specific activity of the 211At-TP-3. At high specific activities, the cytotoxic effect of 211At-TP-3 was significantly higher than that of 211At-BSA. In conclusion, 211At-TP-3 has the potential to give clinically favorable therapeutic ratios in the treatment of osteosarcoma.

Ion beams of a number of elements have been produced at the CERN-ISOLDE facility by 600-MeV proton bombardment of thick targets consisting of a variety of metal oxides, carbides and borides. The nuclear reaction products are released from the target material at high temperature and continuously transferred to the ion source of the ISOLDE on-line mass separator. The materials studied are CaB6, ScC2, LaC2, TaC, ThC2, UC2, MgO, CaO, BaO, and ThO2. The obtained beam intensities are of the elements He, C, N, Ne, Mg, Al, Cl, Ar, Ca, Br, Kr, I, Xe, Ba, At, Rn. The intensities are high enough to facilitate the study of hitherto unknown nuclei.

The improved target and ion-source system to be used at the SC-ISOLDE on-line mass separators is presented. Tests of a number of refractory metals with respect to their use as target materials are described. The materials discussed are pure metals and mixtures of graphite and platinum-like metals. Rapid release of a number of nuclear reaction products from powders and foils of titatium and thorium is shown. The release properties of rhenium and iridium are described. The enhanced release of refractory elements obtained from these metals by means of reaction with CF4 are related to the importance of in-grain diffusion versus surface desorption. The difference in performance between powder and foil targets is discussed. On-line tests of some of these materials combined with new high-temperature plasma-discharge type ion sources are described and the potential use of yet untested systems is discussed.

An interactive kinetic model for bound-free excimer lasers is described, with particular emphasis on the electron beam pumped rare gas systems. Important kinetic processes and the interaction of the photon field with excited states are examined in detail. Application of the model to the xenon and krypton oscillators yields results which are in good agreement with experimentally observed quantities. It is found that the collisional coupling of the excimer singlet and triplet manifolds in combination with the losses arising from photoionization play an important role in determining the performance. Numerical values of the parameters used in the computational model are given.

The structure of excited states in 132Sn, fed in the β-decay of 132In, has been investigated. Absolute intensities were deduced from γ-singles measurements. From multi-spectrum analysis of γ-lines the half-life of 132In was determined to be 186 ± 22 ms. A level scheme based on γγ and βγ coincidences is presented. The conversion electron spectrum has been studied and internal conversion coefficients deduced for two low-energy transitions. The total decay energy of 132In was determined, from γ-gated β-spectra, to be Qβ = 13.6 ± 0.4 MeV. A lower limit of 6.968 MeV for the neutron separation energy in 132Sn was deduced from the β-delayed neutron spectrum. The experimental results on the level structure of the doubly closed shell nucleus 132Sn show that the shell model is applicable even far from the valley of stability.

Neutron-rich isotopes of astatine have been produced through spallation reactions with 600 MeV protons on a232Th target and identified by spectroscopic techniques combined with one-line mass separation at the ISOLDE facility. The half-lives of218At and219At have been remeasured to be 1.5(3) s and 57(4) s, respectively. Four new isotopes of astatine,220−223At, have been observed for the first time, and their half-lives were found to be 3.73(13) min, 2.3(2) min, 54(10) s, and 50(7) s, respectively. Another nuclide,216Bi, has been observed for the first time as the daughter product of the220At alpha decay, and its half-life has been measured to be 6.6(21) min.

A technique to teach first-year medical students to conduct brief interviews that focus on how medical illness affects the daily life of patients is described. The technique includes a conceptual model of the interview and an explicit teaching method for instructors and students. With the conceptual model, the structure, goals, and techniques of interviewing are identified, and an operational definition of empathic interviewing is provided. The teaching methods include a manual and a seminar for faculty members, a syllabus for students, workshops for students using live patient volunteers, and evaluations of the students' interviews based on the conceptual model.

The release of nuclear reaction products from refractory materials intended for use in on-line mass separator target systems has been investigated. The materials studied are carbides, oxides, platinum-like metals and intermetallic compounds. Fast release of Be, Sc, Mn, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Se, Br, Kr, Sr, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Te, Xe, Cs, Ba, Au, Tl, Pb, Bi, and Po is reported. The effect of addition of BF3, CF4 and SF6 on the release rate has been investigated. Undder these conditions, rapid release is observed also for Y, Zr, Nb, the lanthanides and Hf. Considering the release properties and the thermal properties of the materials investigated, we suggest some promising systems for use in on-line nuclear mass-separators.

As part of a general program of research on time response of a laser medium to optical transients, we have studied the linear (small-signal) response to a rectangular pulse signal input, both theoretically and experimentally. The theory for the case of Lorentzian homogeneously and Gaussian inhomogeneously broadened transitions has been developed using a two-level density matrix formulation. The results are negligibly different for the two broadening mechanisms for an amplifying medium, where the line center contribution is most important. The step response of a laser is measured experimentally and the bandwidth of the medium is deduced. Its pressure dependence in a mixture of CO 2 , N 2 , H 6 of 1:0.88:4.53 is determined.