Search

The Asymptotic Normalization Coefficient (ANC) method has proven to be useful in retrieving the direct part of the radiative capture cross section for a number of reactions of astrophysical interest. In this work, the study of the 26Si(p, γ)27P reaction, studied via the ANC in its extension for mirror nuclei will be discussed.

Among the indirect methods to determine nuclear cross-section present in literature, the so-called Asymptotic Normalization Coefficient (ANC) has proven to be useful in retrieving the direct part of a radiative capture cross-section in reactions of interest for astrophysics. In this work, the method will be presented, and some results obtained in collaboration between NPI CAS and INFN-LNS will be presented.

Optimal glenosphere positioning in a lateralized reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) to maximize functional outcomes has yet to be clearly defined. Center of rotation (COR) measurements have largely relied on anteroposterior radiographs, which allow assessment of lateralization and inferior position, but ignore scapular Y radiographs, which may provide an assessment of the posterior and inferior position relative to the acromion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the COR in the sagittal plane and assess the effect of glenosphere positioning with functional outcomes using a 135° inlay stem with a lateralized glenoid. A retrospective review was performed on a prospectively maintained multicenter database on patients who underwent primary RSA from 2015 to 2021 with a 135° inlay stem. The COR was measured on minimum 2-year postoperative sagittal plain radiographs using a best-fit circle fit method. A best-fit circle was made on the glenosphere and the center was marked. From there, 4 measurements were made: (1) center to the inner cortex of the coracoid, (2) center to the inner cortex of the anterior acromion, (3) center to the inner cortex of the middle acromion, and (4) center to the inner cortex of the posterior acromion. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate any association between the position of the COR relative to bony landmarks with functional outcomes. A total of 136 RSAs met the study criteria. There was no relation with any of the distances with outcome scores (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form, visual analog scale). In regard to range of motion (ROM), each distance had an effect on at least 1 parameter. The COR to coracoid distance had the broadest association with ROM, with improvements in forward flexion (FF), external rotation (ER0), and internal rotation with the arm at 90° (IR90) (P <.001, P =.031, and P <.001, respectively). The COR to coracoid distance was also the only distance to affect the final FF and IR90. For every 1-mm increase in this distance, there was a 1.8° increase in FF and 1.5° increase in IR90 (β = 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85-2.72, P <.001, and β = 1.53, 95% CI 0.65-2.41, P <.001; respectively). Evaluation of the COR following RSA in the sagittal plane suggests that a posteroinferior glenosphere position may improve ROM when using a 135° inlay humeral component and a lateralized glenoid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous research has emphasized the effect of prognostic factors on arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) success, but a specific focus on subscapularis (SSC) tendon repair healing is lacking. Purpose: To identify prognostic factors for SSC healing after ARCR and develop the Subscapularis Healing Index (SSC-HI) by incorporating these factors. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This was a retrospective study using prospectively maintained data collected from patients with isolated or combined SSC tears who underwent ARCR between 2011 and 2021 at a single institution with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Functional outcomes were assessed using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scale. SSC tendon healing was evaluated via ultrasound at the final follow-up. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting SSC healing, and based on these factors, the SSC-HI, which ranges from 0 to 15 points, was developed using odds ratios (ORs). Results: Among 1018 ARCR patients, 931 met the inclusion criteria; 279 returned voluntarily for postoperative SSC ultrasound assessment. The overall healing failure rate was 10.8% (30/279). Risk factors for healing failure included female sex (P =.008; OR, 3.119), body mass index (BMI) ≥30 (P =.053; OR, 2.323), supraspinatus fatty infiltration ≥3 (P =.033; OR, 3.211), lower SSC fatty infiltration ≥2 (P =.037; OR, 3.608), and Lafosse classification ≥3 (P =.007; OR, 3.224). A 15-point scoring system comprised the following: 3 points for female sex, 2 points for BMI ≥30, 3 points for supraspinatus fatty infiltration ≥3, 4 points for lower SSC fatty infiltration ≥2, and 3 points for Lafosse classification ≥3. Patients with ≤4 points had a 4% healing failure rate, while those with ≥9 points had a 55% rate of healing failure. Patients with a healed SSC reported significantly higher ASES (healed SSC: ΔASES, 44.7; unhealed SSC: ΔASES, 29; P <.01) and SSV (healed SSC: ΔSSV, 52.9; unhealed SSC: ΔSSV, 27.5; P <.01) and lower VAS (healed SSC: ΔVAS, –4.2; unhealed SSC: ΔVAS, –3; P <.01) scores compared with those with an unhealed SSC. Conclusion: The SSC-HI scoring system integrates clinical and radiological factors to predict SSC healing after surgical repair. Successful SSC healing was found to be associated with enhanced functional outcomes, underscoring the clinical relevance of SSC healing prediction in the management of these tears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation of the cross section of the 8Li(α, n)11B reaction has vital importance for both primordial nucleosynthesis in inhomogeneous models and constraining the physical conditions characterizing the r-process. In order to understand the reaction mechanism at low energies, we have applied the Distorted Wave Born Approximation (DWBA) theory below 2 MeV to determine direct reaction contribution. The total cross section has been calculated for the transitions of excited states to 8Li(α, n)11B. Spectroscopic factor strengths for 8Li(α, n)11B have been calculated within the framework of the shell model. Furthermore, the existing experimental measurements concerning the reaction in question at Big Bang zone and r-process region were analyzed using Wentzel, Kramers and Brilloin method (WKB) and distorted wave born approximation methods respectively. However, both resonance-like structures of 12B at low energies and unclear nuclear structure of 8Li strongly influence total cross section in the Big Bang and r-process zones. It is apparent that reaction mechanism of 8Li(α, n)11B is out of the scope DWBA and WKB. Furthermore, in order to understand reaction mechanisms at low energies, a new experimental setup is proposed for measuring the angular distributions and total cross-section for 8Li(α, n)11B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thick target yield of the ²H(d, p)3H reaction has been measured at very low energies under ultra-high vacuum conditions using deuteron-implanted Zr targets. Increase of enhancement factors observed for lowering deuteron energies could not be explained only by the electron screening effect. Assuming an additional contribution resulting from a single-particle threshold resonance, we are able to describe the energy dependence of the experimental reaction yield correctly. The theoretical calculations performed within the T-matrix approach allows also to study interference effects between different reaction amplitudes and predict a saturation of the threshold resonance strength at deuteron energies below 5 keV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the property of World Health Organization and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nuclear reactions at very low energies can be strongly enhanced due to screening of the Coulomb barrier by surrounding electrons. In the past decade, this effect was intensively studied for the d + d reactions taking place in metallic environments as a model for dense astrophysical plasmas, where the reaction rates can be increased even by many orders of magnitude. The experimentally determined screening energies corresponding to the reduction of the Coulomb barrier height are, however, much larger than the theoretical predictions. New experimental data obtained under ultra high vacuum conditions additionally increases this discrepancy, the origin of which remains still unknown. One of a possible explanation is the excitation of a hypothetical threshold resonance in the 4He nucleus. As the energy dependence of the resonant reaction cross section differs to that of the electron screening effect, one can distinguish between both processes expanding measurements down to the deuteron energies of 1 keV. Because of very high enhancement factors (of the order of 106) a new high current accelerator facility, being now under construction at the University of Szczecin, will make it possible to measure for the first time the reaction cross sections at so low energies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scalable synthetic strategies for high-quality and reproducible thermoelectric (TE) materials is an essential step for advancing the TE technology. We present here very rapid and effective methods for the synthesis of nanostructured bismuth telluride materials with promising TE performance. The methodology is based on an effective volume heating using microwaves, leading to highly crystalline nanostructured powders, in a reaction duration of two minutes. As the solvents, we demonstrate that water with a high dielectric constant is as good a solvent as ethylene glycol (EG) for the synthetic process, providing a greener reaction media. Crystal structure, crystallinity, morphology, microstructure and surface chemistry of these materials were evaluated using XRD, SEM/TEM, XPS and zeta potential characterization techniques. Nanostructured particles with hexagonal platelet morphology were observed in both systems. Surfaces show various degrees of oxidation, and signatures of the precursors used. Thermoelectric transport properties were evaluated using electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity measurements to estimate the TE figure-of-merit, ZT. Low thermal conductivity values were obtained, mainly due to the increased density of boundaries via materials nanostructuring. The estimated ZT values of 0.8–0.9 was reached in the 300–375 K temperature range for the hydrothermally synthesized sample, while 0.9–1 was reached in the 425–525 K temperature range for the polyol (EG) sample. Considering the energy and time efficiency of the synthetic processes developed in this work, these are rather promising ZT values paving the way for a wider impact of these strategic materials with a minimum environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lifetimes of 21+ and 41+ states as well as some negative-parity and nonyrast states in 188-200Hg were measured using γ-γ electronic fast timing techniques with the LaBr3(Ce) detector array of the GRIFFIN spectrometer. The excited states were populated in the ε/β+ decay of Jπ = 7+/2- 188-200Tl produced at the TRIUMF-ISAC facility. The deduced B(E2) values are compared to different interacting boson model predictions. The precision achieved in this paper over previous ones allows for a meaningful comparison with the different theoretical models of these transitional Hg isotopes, which confirms the onset of state mixing in 190Hg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]