bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep K-band surface brightness photometry of dE galaxies
Authors: Pinter V. , Vaduvescu O.
Published: May 2023

Context. Dwarf elliptical galaxies (dEs) are the most abundant in the Universe. Research into these objects in connection with late-type dwarf galaxies is important for evaluating theories of dwarf galaxy formation and evolution.

Aims. Our past studies (2000-2010) suggested a possible evolutionary link between early- and late-type dwarf galaxies. These results are based on deep near-infrared (NIR) surface photometry data of dwarf irregulars (dIs), blue compact dwarfs (BCDs), and a small sample of Virgo dEs. As a continuation of those works, in 2017 we embarked on a study of dEs using the same surface photometry methods, with the aim being to compare early- and late-type dwarfs based on homogeneous datasets.

Methods. We selected 74 dEs from two different environments for which we obtained deep images. Isophotal analysis was performed on the images to obtain surface brightness profiles. The two sampled environments were the Local Volume and Virgo cluster, which provide the possibility to compare isolated evolution against evolution in crowded environments. To compare dwarf datasets homogeneously, we used the NIR Ks band which is known to be a better gauge of galaxy mass, with reduced extinction compared to visible bands.

Results. In this first paper, we derive apparent physical parameters for 72 dEs from deep NIR imaging and provide preliminary fitting results of their surface brightness profiles. Two targets were undetected in the Ks images, indicating possible misclassification. Physical parameters of 16 dEs are measured for the first time and the parameters of the remaining 56 dEs are compared with the literature. We obtain a mean difference between the measured physical parameters and the results from prior studies of about 0.2″ for the galaxy center coordinates, ≈20″ for the semi-major axis, ≈0.4 mag for the total apparent magnitude, ≈0.11 for the ellipticity, and ≈14° for the position angle. We find well-fitting surface brightness profiles for the dEs using the hyperbolic secant (sech) model combined with an exponential component. Alternatively, we find good agreement with observations for a sech plus a de Vaucouleurs law.
β-delayed neutron spectroscopy of 85As with MONSTER
Authors: Pérez de Rada A. , Cano-Ott D. , Martínez T. , Alcayne V. , Mendoza E. , Plaza J. , Sanchez-Caballero A. , Villamarín D. , Äystö J. , Jokinen A. , Kankainen A. , Penttilä H. , Rinta-Antila S. , Agramunt J. , Algora A. , Domingo-Pardo C. , Lerendegui-Marco J. , Taín J.L. , Banerjee K. , Bhattacharya C. , Roy P. , Calviño F. , Cortés G. , Delafosse C. , Matea I. , Benito J. , Alhomaidhi S. , Mistry A.K.
Published: May 2023

The β-delayed neutron emission in the85As β-decay has been measured at the IGISOL facility of the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä (JYFL). The complete β-decay has been studied with a setup which consists of a plastic scintillator, theMOdularNeutron time-of-flightSpectromeTER(MONSTER), and two types of γ-rays detectors (HPGe and LaBr3). The, β-delayed neutron energy distribution has been determined by unfolding the TOF spectrum with the iterative Bayesian unfolding method.
Microscopic description of target spin distribution after inelastic scattering to the continuum
Authors: Dupuis Marc , Kawano Toshihiko , Kerveno Maëlle , Hilaire Stéphane
Published: May 2023

Microscopic modeling of inelastic scattering to the continuum is applied to neutron induced reaction on spherical and axially deformed even-even targets. The spin distributions of the residual compound nucleus formed after the fast inelastic process are calculated with two microscopic models and compared to the prescription usually associated to the semi-classical exciton model. As the semi-classical exciton model does not account for angular momentum conservation, it is often assumed that it is the same as the compound nucleus spin distribution, but this forgets the dynamics of the reaction. It is found that microscopic approaches drastically reduce the average spin value in comparison to what was previously assumed. This strongly impacts (n,n’ γ) as well as isomer production cross sections when high spin levels are involved. New spin cut-off parameters are deduced from the microscopic calculations that can be used as an alternative to previous prescriptions which neglect the reaction dynamics when they are applied in the context of pre-equilibrium emission process.
Evaluation of the neutron-induced cross sections of actinides using the CONRAD code
Authors: Noguere G. , Tamagno P. , Bouland O. , De Saint Jean C.
Published: May 2023

The CONRAD computer code is being developed by the nuclear data group of CEA Cadarache since mid-2000. It was originally designed to analyse neutron-induced reactions in the resonance energy range and then, was extended to higher energies (several MeV) treatment with inclusion of charged-particles penetration factor. In the thermal energy range, a procedure was implemented to manage the so-called Thermal Neutron Constants, especially devoted to the 239Pu, 241Pu, 233U and 235U nuclei. In the resonance range, nuclear models implemented in the CONRAD program rely on R-matrix model fits with in particular, improved treatment of the fission penetration factor and fluctuations of the prompt neutron multiplicity via a two-step (n,γf) process. Above the resonance range, the neutron continuum energy region of the observed cross sections can be analysed either with the TALYS code or with an in-house optical model code named CCCP that is followed by Hauser-Feshbach calculations according to the compound nucleus deexcitation channels. Non-model least squares fitting procedures have been also tested for neutron cross sections adjustment in the continuum energy range, and such, applied in the framework of the standard cross section group at the IAEA (Vienna). This paper will only focus on the evaluation works performed in the resonance range of minor and major actinides with special emphasis on the experimental corrections suitable to reproduce time-of-flight experiments.
Parameterization of Direct and Doorway Processes in R-Matrix Formalism
Authors: Arbanas Goran , Brown Jesse , Wiarda Dorothea , Holcomb Andrew , Brain Peter , Barry Devin , Danon Yaron
Published: May 2023

R-matrix formalism is extended beyond compound nuclear (CN) resonant reactions to include parameterization of direct as well as doorway processes. Direct processes in the R-matrix exterior are parameterized by a unitary matrix that introduces mixing among wave function coefficients of the incoming and outgoing wave function components at the R-matrix channel surface. Doorway processes are parameterized by separating the Hilbert space of the interior R-matrix region into its doorway and CN subspaces, from which doorway state eigenenergies, reduced width amplitudes, and the strengths of their coupling to CN levels appear as new R-matrix parameters. Parameterization of generalized as well as the conventional Reich–Moore approximation for eliminated capture channels in the presence of direct, doorway, and CN processes is presented along with a complex-valued scattering length with contributions from direct, doorway, and CN capture processes. Derivation of Brune’s alternative R-matrix parameters is extended to include doorway states. This work suggests how R-matrix formalism could be extended further by adopting the concepts from related reaction formalisms.
Role of direct interactions in (d, p) and (d, 2p) reactions
Authors: Avrigeanu Marilena , Avrigeanu Vlad
Published: May 2023

Accurate cross sections of deuteron–induced reactions within an enlarged energy range up to 50 MeV are definitely involved by demands of on-going strategic research programs (ITER, IFMIF, SPIRAL2-NFS) using deuteron beams. Among them, the (d, p) and (d, 2p) reaction cross sections leading to hydrogen– gas bubble accumulation in the structural materials are very important for radiation damage studies. In contrast to the case of neutrons, systematics of deuteron activation cross sections, including those leading to hydrogen, triton, and helium–gas accumulation, is modest while even the newest evaluations show apparent discrepancies. Thus, the present work is devoted to the comparative analysis of measurements, model calculations, and evaluation corresponding to (d, p), and (d, 2p) activation cross sections, to improve the description of existing data and to provide trustful predictions where no measured data exist.
A novel R-matrix formalism for three-body channels
Authors: Raab Benedikt , Srdinko Thomas , Leeb Helmut
Published: May 2023

At low incident neutron energies nuclear reaction cross sections exhibit a distinct resonance structure which cannot properly be described by (semi-)microscopic models. Usually R-matrix theory is applied which provides a suffi ciently accurate but phenomenological description of the resonance region. However, standard R-matrix theory is only suited for two-particle channels. Three- and many-particle channels which may occur in light nuclear systems even at rather low incident energies are usually treated in an approximative or effective way. In this contribution a novel R-matrix formalism for three-body channels and its application to nuclear systems will be presented. It is a generalized and significantly modified form of a proposal by W. Glöckle based on the Faddeev equations.
Recent developments in the point wise neutron treatment for FLUKA v4
Authors: Vlachoudis Vasilis , Devienne Arnaud , Froeschl Robert , Harbron Richard William , Lorenzon Tommaso , Pujol-Salvat Francesc , Widorski Markus ,   FLUKA.CERN collaboration
Published: May 2023

The present paper describes the new, original implementation of a point-wise neutron treatment that is made available with FLUKA v4.3-0 (https://fluka.cern). The development is based on the pre-processed neutron data libraries for Geant4 code (https://cern.ch/geant4). The implementation was written from scratch in C++ and is able to load information from all available databases (ENDF, JEFF, JENDL, CENDL, BROND), including the materials with S(α,β,T) nuclear binding effects. It can perform online Doppler broadening at any temperature defined by the user. It carries out all interactions in a fully correlated way, conserving quantities like energy and momentum with the exception of S(α,β,T). Special attention has been given to minimize the CPU penalty, which is typically associated with neutron point-wise interactions.
Generation of Fragment Angular Momentum in Nuclear Fission
Authors: Randrup Jørgen , Vogt Ramona , Døssing Thomas
Published: May 2023

As a fissioning nucleus approaches scission, the angular-momentum bearing modes in the evolving dinuclear complex may be agitated by multiple transfers of individual nucleons. It is discussed how this mechanism populates the various rotational modes at different rates and leads to fragment angular momenta that are preferentially perpendicular to the fission axis but mutually largely uncorrelated. Using the fission simulation code FREYA, it is demonstrated how a measurement of the angular distribution of photons from identified collective transitions in the product nuclei can provide quantitative information on the relative importance of the twisting mode in fission.
Prediction of prompt neutron spectra of the photon induced reactions on 238U and 232Th targets at incident energies from 4 to 22 MeV
Authors: Tudora Anabella , Filipescu Dan Mihai , Gheorghe Ioana
Published: May 2023

The processing of experimental data for the photon induced reactions on 238U and 232Th investigated by quasi-monochromatic γ-ray beams (produced in Laser Compton scattering at the NewSUBARU facility) needs the prediction of prompt neutron spectra. They are obtained using reliable models and systematics, i.e. the most employed and well validated approach of the most probable fragmentation with input parameters provided by a recent systematic and fission chance probabilities based on nuclear reaction calculations performed with the EMPIRE code.
Measurement of displacement cross-sections of Nb irradiated by protons with kinetic energy range between 0.4 and 3 GeV
Authors: Shin-ichiro Meigo , Nakano Keita , Matsuda Hiroki , Iwamoto Yosuke , Yoshida Makoto
Published: May 2023

In high-intensity proton accelerator facilities, it is crucial to evaluate the damage of beam-interception materials and accelerator components, such as a superconducting magnet coil and cavity. The displacement per atom (dpa) is used as a damage index derived by integrating the particle flux and the displacement cross section. Although the dpa is employed as the standard, the experimental data of displacement cross section are scarce for a proton in the energy region above 20 MeV. To obtain the data for superconducting materials for high-intensity accelerators and magnets, we measured the displacement cross section of Nb for proton irradiation with a kinetic energy range between 0.4 and 3 GeV at J-PARC. The present experimental results were compared with the calculation of PHITS code and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) evaluation using both NorgerttRobinson-Torrens (NRT) and the athermal recombination corrected dpa (arc-dpa) models. The experiment showed that the widely utilized NRT model overestimates the cross section by 50%. It is also found that the arc-dpa model shows remarkably good agreement with the present data.
Nuclear data activities at GELINA
Authors: Oprea Andreea , Heyse Jan , Kopecky Stefan , Paradela Carlos , Plompen Arjan , Schillebeeckx Peter , Sirakov Ivan
Published: May 2023

Over the last decade, efforts were made to improve the performance of the experimental set-ups at the Geel Electron Linear Accelerator (GELINA) neutron time-of-flight facility of the European Commission Joint Research Centre (EC-JRC). These efforts, which result in an improved quality of neutroninduced cross section data for many reaction channels like elastic, inelastic, capture, fission, etc., relate to the accelerator, the measurement setups and the data reduction and analysis procedures. This paper presents a summary of the data produced in the last years at GELINA for nuclear energy applications. Most of the work has been performed as part of the EUFRAT open-access program.
Characterisation of the n_TOF 20 m beam line at CERN with the new spallation target
Authors: Pavón-Rodríguez J. A. , Alcayne V. , Amaducci S. , Bacak M. , Casanovas A. , Cortés-Giraldo M. A. , García-Infantes F. , Lerendegui-Marco J. , Manna A. , Musacchio-Gonzalez E. , Patronis N. , Sabaté-Gilarte M. , Stamati M. E. , Tassan-Got L. , Vlachoudis V. , Aberle O. , Altieri S. , Amar Es-Sghir H. , Andrzejewski J. , Babiano-Suarez V. , Balibrea J. , Bennett S. , Bernardes A. P. , Berthoumieux E. , Bosnar D. , Busso M. , Caamaño M. , Alviño F. , Calviani M. , Cano-Ott D. , Castelluccio D. M. , Cerutti F. , Cescutti G. , Chasapoglou S. , Chiaveri E. , Colombetti P. , Colonna N. , Console Camprini P. C. , Cortés G. , Cosentino L. , Cristallo S. , Di Castro M. , Diacono D. , Diakaki M. , Dietz M. , Domingo-Pardo C. , Dressler R. , Dupont E. , Durán I. , Eleme Z. , Fargier S. , Fernández-Domínguez B. , Finocchiaro P. , Fiore S. , Furman V. , Gawlik-Ramięga A. , Gervino G. , Gilardoni S. , González-Romero E. , Guerrero C. , Gunsing F. , Gustavino C. , Heyse J. , Jenkins D. G. , Jericha E. , Junghans A. , Kadi Y. , Katabuchi T. , Knapová I. , Kokkoris M. , Kopatch Y. , Krtička M. , Kurtulgil D. , Ladarescu I. , Lederer-Woods C. , Lerner G. , Martínez T. , Masi A. , Massimi C. , Mastinu P. , Mastromarco M. , Matteucci F. , Maugeri E. A. , Mazzone A. , Mendoza E. , Mengoni A. , Michalopoulou V. , Milazzo P. M. , Mucciola R. , Murtas† F. , Musumarra A. , Negret A. , Oprea A. , Pérez-Maroto P. , Pellegriti M. G. , Perkowski J. , Petrone C. , Piersanti L. , Pirovano E. , Pomp S. , Porras I. , Praena J. , Protti N. , Quesada J. M. , Rauscher T. , Reifarth R. , Rochman D. , Romanets Y. , Romano F. , Rubbia C. , Sánchez A. , Schillebeeckx P. , Schumann D. , Sekhar A. , Smith A. G. , Sosnin N. V. , Spelta M. , Tagliente G. , Tarifeño-Saldivia A. , Tarrío D. , Terranova N. , Torres-Sánchez P. , Urlass S. , Valenta S. , Variale V. , Vaz P. , Vescovi D. , Vlastou R. , Wallner A. , Woods P. J. , Wright T. , Žugec P. ,   n_TOF Collaboration
Published: May 2023

The n_TOF facility hosts CERN’s pulsed neutron source, comprising two beam lines of different flight paths and one activation station. It is based on a proton beam delivered by the PS accelerator impinging on a lead spallation target. During Long Shutdown 2 (LS2) at CERN (2019-2021), a major upgrade of the spallation target was carried out in order to optimize the performances of the neutron beam. Therefore, the characteristics of n_TOF two experimental areas were investigated in detail. In this work, the focus is on the second experimental area (EAR2), located 20 m above the spallation target. Preliminary results of the neutron energy distribution and beam line energy resolution are presented, compared to previous experimental campaigns and Monte Carlo simulations with the FLUKA code. Moreover, preliminary results of the spatial beam profile measurements are shown.
Nuclear Data Uncertainty Analysis to Meet the Target Accuracy Requirements on the MYRRHAkeff
Authors: Romojaro Pablo , Alfonso Ciro , Fiorito Luca , Cuesta-Matesanz Alejandro , Guillamot Juan Carlos , Hernandez-Solis Augusto , Stankovskiy Alexey , Van den Eynde Gert
Published: May 2023

MYRRHA is a flexible experimental facility being designed at the SCK CEN, in Mol, Belgium. Cooled by lead-bismuth, it is conceived to operate both in sub-critical mode, as an accelerator driven system, and in critical mode, as a fast reactor. In order to comply with MYRRHA reactor design requirements, uncertainties due to nuclear data must be quantified. Significant gaps between the uncertainties and the target accuracies have been systematically shown in the past. In this paper, first, a Sensitivity and Uncertainty analysis with JEFF-3.3 nuclear data library of the effective neutron multiplication factorkeffof the latest MYRRHA reactor design - v1.8 - is presented. Then, since target accuracy forkeffof 300 pcm is exceeded, a Target Accuracy Requirement assessment is performed in order to find out the required accuracy on cross section data to meet the requested target accuracy. To reach the requested target accuracy, a reduction of the uncertainty in the fission and capture cross sections of240Pu JEFF-3.3 evaluation is needed.
Modernization efforts for the R-Matrix code SAMMY
Authors: Wiarda Dorothea , Arbanas Goran , Brown Jesse M. , Holcomb Andrew M. , Pigni Marco T. , McDonnel Jordan , Chapman Chris
Published: May 2023

The R-Matrix code SAMMY [1] is a widely used nuclear data evaluation code focused on the resolved range, which includes corrections for experimental effects. The code is still mostly written in FORTRAN 77 and uses a memory management system suitable for the time of its initial writing in 1984. A modernization effort is underway to update the code to modern software development practices. A continuous-integration testing framework was added to automate the large existing set of test cases. Improvements in memory management were implemented to make the code easier to maintain and enable enhancements. The resonance parameters and covariance information are now stored in C++ objects shared by SAMMY and AMPX [2], which is the processing code that generates nuclear data libraries for SCALE [3]. Further plans include switching to the Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF) reading and writing routines in AMPX because these routines are more robust, easier to maintain, and support more features. Support for the new Generalized Nuclear Database Structure (GNDS) format [4] is also of interest. GNDS will share not only the resonance parameters but also the parameters associated with experimental correction in GNDS. The data are currently available in a binary SAMMY format, and the ability to export them to GNDS would make them more widely available and shareable. The next step will be to use the same resonance processing code at 0K in AMPX and SAMMY as an available formalism. Then, any improvements in the formalism can immediately be tested in SCALE because the reconstruction in AMPX will use the same cross section model. The new data library can then be used for testing using the VALID Benchmark suite [5] or other suitable benchmark suites.
X4Pro – universal, fully relational EXFOR database
Authors: Zerkin Viktor
Published: May 2023

EXFOR library contains experimental reaction data compiled by the Nuclear Reaction Data Centers (NRDC) since 1970 and presenting data from more than 25,000 experiments in the EXFOR format with associated dictionaries and documentation. The IAEA-NDS provides nuclear data services primarily through computer systems built on relational databases and retrieval software. X4Pro is an extended EXFOR relational database designed for programmatic access to whole EXFOR content and distributed as local SQLite database with demo-codes in Python and Fortran.
Uncovering Where Compensating Errors Could Hide in ENDF/B-VIII.0
Authors: Neudecker D. , Alwin J. , Clark A.R. , Cutler T. , Gibson N. , Grosskopf M.J. , Haeck W. , Herman M.W. , Hutchinson J. , Kleedtke N. , Lamproe J. , Little R.C. , Michaud I.J. , Rising M.E. , Smith T. , Thompson N. , Vander Wiel S.
Published: May 2023

Unconstrained physics spaces between two or more nuclear data observables in a library occur when their values can be simultaneously adjusted without violating the uncertainties in either differential information or simulations of relevant integral experiments. Differential data are often too imprecise to fully bound all nuclear data observables of interest for application simulations. Integral data are simulated with combinations of nuclear data so that an error in one observable may be hidden by a counterbalancing error in another. In this manner compensating errors may lurk within nuclear data libraries and these errors have the potential to undermine the predictive power of neutron transport simulations, particularly in situations where there is no conclusive validation experiment that resembles the application of interest. The EUCLID project (Experiments Underpinned by Computational Learning for Improvements in Nuclear Data) developed a preliminary workflow to identify these unconstrained physics spaces by bringing together results from a large collection of integral experiments with their simulated counter-parts as well as differential information that have a one-to-one correspondence to nuclear data. This wealth of information is processed by machine learning tools for subsequent refinement by human experts. Here, we show how the EUCLID work-flow is executed by applying it first to 239Pu and then to 9Be nuclear data in ENDF/B-VIII.0.
Application of Machine Learning algorithms for experimental data processing and estimation of 96Mo(n, p)96Nb reaction cross section
Authors: Ram Sangeetha Prasanna , Nair Jayalekshmi , Singh Vivek , Jagli Dhanamma , Ganesan S. , Suryanarayana S.V.
Published: May 2023

In this paper, Machine learning techniques have been employed for preparation and estimation of 96 Mo (n, p) 96Nb reaction data. The experimental data of 96 Mo (n, p) 96Nb reaction available in the EXFOR database was retrieved, analyzed and processed using renormalization and data cleaning techniques. Estimation of the renormalized experimental data with outlier and without outlier, over the entire neutron energy range, was then performed using machine learning regression algorithms of Ordinary Least square, Ridge, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and Support Vector Regressor. The results obtained were then compared and it was observed that the data preparation plays a significant role in data quality.
FLUKAVAL – A validation framework for the FLUKA radiation transport Monte Carlo code
Authors: Widorski Markus , Bozzato Davide , Froeschl Robert , Kouskoura Vasiliki
Published: May 2023

The FLUKA general purpose radiation transport Monte Carlo code being developed and maintained by CERN (https://fluka.cern) has adopted modern software development standards including a formal quality assurance process. This includes the FLUKAVAL testing framework that takes into account the specific needs of testing a Monte Carlo radiation transport simulation code. FLUKAVAL allows to submit, process and validate a large number of test cases for a new FLUKA version and compare the results against previous versions and reference data. It produces a quantitative and qualitative comparison and compiles a summary report over all selected test cases, which is reviewed before the new FLUKA version is released. The overall validation requires only few manual steps and makes use of large computing clusters to run simulations in parallel.
A decay database of coincident γ−γ and γ−X-ray branching ratios for in-field spectroscopy applications
Authors: Hurst A.M. , Pierson B.D. , Archambault B.C. , Bernstein L.A. , Tannous S.M.
Published: May 2023

Current fieldable spectroscopy techniques often use single detector systems heavily impacted by interferences from intense background radiation fields. These effects result in low-confidence measurements that can lead to misinterpretation of the collected spectrum. To help improve interpretation of the fission products and short-lived radionuclides produced in a composite sample, a coincidence-database is being developed in support of a robust portable and X-ray coincidence detector system concurrently under development at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for in-field deployment. Hitherto, no database exists containing coincident γ−γ and γ−X-ray branching-ratio intensities on an absolute scale that will greatly enhance isotopic identification for in-field applications. As part of this project, software has been developed to parse all radioactive-decay data sets from the Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF) archive to enable translation into a more useful JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) formats that more readily supports query-based data manipulation. The coincident database described in this work is the first of its kind and contains coincidence γ−γ and γ−X-ray intensities and their corresponding uncertainties, together with auxiliary metadata associated with each decay data set. The new JSON format provides a convenient and portable means of data storage that can be imported into analysis frameworks with relatively low overhead allowing for meaningful comparison with measured data.
Traitement orthodontique des dents permanentes traumatisées
Authors: Naulin-Ifi Chantal , Desnoes Hélène
Published: May 2023

Les traumatismes alvéolo- dentaires (TAD) sont très fréquents et impliquent souvent des enfants ou des adolescents nécessitant ou en cours d’un traitement d’orthopédie dento faciale. Leur incidence peut être diminuée par une prise en charge orthodontique tant sur le plan fonctionnel que sur le plan orthopédique. Le traitement orthodontique sur des dents traumatisées peut avoir des effets néfastes sur les tissus pulpaire et parodontal. Le plan de traitement des patients présentant des TAD implique donc l’évaluation de 2 facteurs : le pronostic du traumatisme et le traitement éventuel de la malocclusion. La connaissance des risques de la prise en charge des dents traumatisées pour un consentement parfaitement éclairé est capitale. Il est donc essentiel de connaître les réactions biologiques de celles-ci. Il sera parfois même nécessaire d’envisager uniquement une solution de compromis dans les objectifs de traitement ODF.
Adressatengerechte Mobilitäts- und Teilhabeförderung im Pflegeheim
Authors: Drubig Ellen , Meyer Gabriele , Beutner Katrin
Published: May 2023

Hintergrund Bewohner*innen von Pflegeheimen erleben häufig Einschränkungen ihrer Mobilität und Teilhabe durch körperliche und/oder kognitive Veränderungen sowie durch Kontextfaktoren des Settings Pflegeheim. Da Mobilität und Teilhabe Gradmesser für Lebensqualität und Selbstbestimmung sind, sollte dem Mobilitätserhalt von Pflegeheimbewohner*innen eine hohe Aufmerksamkeit zukommen. Spezielle Bewegungsprogramme können auch bei älteren Menschen den Gesundheitszustand und die Leistungsfähigkeit positiv beeinflussen und das Sturzrisiko senken. Um Mobilität durch Aktivierungs- und Bewegungsangebote effektiv zu fördern, müssen diese auf individuelle Voraussetzungen und Bedürfnisse der Bewohner*innen abzielen. Deren Wünsche und Bedürfnisse hinsichtlich ihrer Mobilität sind bisher aber kaum bekannt.

Ziel Untersuchung der subjektiven Perspektiven von Pflegeheimbewohner*innen hinsichtlich Mobilität und Teilhabe. Zudem wurde analysiert, inwieweit die individuelle Einschätzung ihrer Mobilität mit der Fremdeinschätzung von Pflegenden und ihrem tatsächlichen Mobilitätsstatus übereinstimmt.

Methode Es wurden 10 Interviews mit Pflegeheimbewohner*innen durchgeführt und anhand der inhaltlich strukturierenden Inhaltsanalyse nach Kuckartz ausgewertet. Das Mobilitätsassessment für den Vergleich der Selbst- und Fremdeinschätzung des Mobilitätsstatus der Bewohner*innen erfolgte mit dem Erfassungsbogen „Mobilität“ (EBoMo).

Ergebnisse Die Wünsche und Bedürfnisse der Bewohner*innen zu Mobilität und Teilhabe sind individuell sehr unterschiedlich, werden aber gegenüber Pflegeheimmitarbeitenden selten geäußert. Die Mehrzahl der Befragten wünscht sich eine Person mit gleichen Interessen für Gespräche. Zudem wurde deutlich, dass die Tagesgestaltung vom Ausmaß der körperlichen Mobilität abhängt. Der aktuelle Mobilitätsstatus wurde unterschiedlich eingeschätzt. Es dominierte eine Unterschätzung der Bewegungsfähigkeiten sowohl durch die befragten Bewohner*innen als auch durch die Pflegenden im Vergleich zur gemessenen Mobilität.

Schlussfolgerung Um Pflegeheimbewohner*innen ein größeres Maß an Teilhabe zu ermöglichen und sie körperlich und geistig zu fördern, benötigt es ein Bewusstsein für deren Bedürfnisse und Sichtweisen. Der regelmäßigen Erfassung vorhandener Fähigkeiten und Wünsche von Bewohner*innen sollte daher ein höherer Stellenwert als bisher zukommen, um eine adressatengerechte Bewegungs- und Teilhabeförderung im Alltag zu ermöglichen.
Technische Innovationen zur Optimierung der Ultraschallbildgebung
Authors: Seifert Philipp , Freesmeyer Martin , Dudwiesus Heiko
Published: May 2023

Aufgrund der hohen Inzidenz von Schilddrüsenerkrankungen besitzt die Ultraschalluntersuchung des Halses in vielen nuklearmedizinischen Abteilungen einen hohen Stellenwert. Ein präzises Sonogramm mit hoher Ortsauflösung und Bildschärfe über den gesamten Abbildungsbereich bei gleichzeitig minimaler Artefaktbelastung, ist die Voraussetzung, um dem Anspruch hoher diagnostischer Genauigkeit in der modernen Medizin gerecht zu werden. In den letzten 20–30 Jahren konnte eine Vielzahl wegweisender technischer Innovationen, wie die Entwicklung des Matrix-Arrays, die elektronische Bildfokussierung, die multidirektionale Abstrahlung, die Artefaktlimitation durch Speckle-Reduktion und Harmonic Imaging sowie die Möglichkeit der Sichtfelderweiterung, umgesetzt werden.
Sensitive Measurement of Clinically Relevant Factor VIII Levels in Thrombin Generation Assays Requires Presence of Factor XIa
Authors: van de Berg Tom W. , Beckers Erik A. M. , Heubel-Moenen Floor C. J. I. , Henskens Yvonne M. C. , Thomassen M. Christella L. G. D. , Hackeng Tilman M.
Published: May 2023

Background Hemophilia A (HA) is characterized by decreased or absent factor VIII (FVIII) activity. Current FVIII assays are based on clotting time and thus only provide information about the initiation of coagulation. In contrast, thrombin generation assays (TGAs) can be used to measure the full coagulation spectrum of initiation, propagation, and termination that provide information on the whole course of thrombin generation and inhibition. However, the commercially available TG kits lack sensitivity for measurements of hemophilia plasma within lower FVIII ranges, which is essential for explaining differences in bleeding phenotypes in hemophiliacs at clinically low levels of FVIII.

Aims Optimization of the TGA for measurements of low FVIII levels in severe HA patients.

Methods TGA measurements were performed in severe HA pooled plasma (n = 10). Investigations of several preanalytical and analytical variables of the assay were performed in a stepwise process and adjusted based on sensitivity toward intrinsic coagulation activation.

Results TGA initiated by tissue factor (TF) alone at varying concentrations was unable to significantly differentiate between FVIII levels below 20%. In contrast, TGA activation with low concentrations of TF in presence of FXIa appeared to be highly sensitive for FVIII changes both in high and low ranges. In addition, a representative TGA curve at trough levels could only be produced using the dual TF/FXIa TGA.

Conclusion We propose a critical optimization for the setup of the TGA for measurements in severe HA plasma. The dual TF/FXIa TGA shows increased sensitivity, especially in lower FVIII ranges, which allows for better individual characterization at baseline, prediction of interventions, and follow-up.
Association between Bioimpedance Spectroscopy and Magnetic Resonance Lymphangiography in the Diagnosis and Assessment of Lymphedema
Authors: Varagur Kaamya , Shetty Anup S. , Saoud Karim , Ochoa Esther , Skladman Rachel , Skolnick Gary B. , Sacks Justin M. , Christensen Joani M.
Published: May 2023

Background This study assesses associations between bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and magnetic resonance lymphangiography (MRL) in the staging and assessment of lymphedema.

Methods Adults who received MRL and BIS between 2020 and 2022 were included. We collected fluid, fat, and lymphedema severity ratings, and measured fluid stripe thickness, subcutaneous fat width, and lymphatic diameter on MRL. BIS lymphedema index (L-Dex) scores were collected from patient charts. We assessed sensitivity and specificity of L-Dex scores to detect MRL-identified lymphedema, and examined associations between L-Dex scores and MRL imaging measures.

Results Forty-eight limbs across 40 patients were included. L-Dex scores had 72.5% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity for detecting MRL-defined lymphedema, with a 96.7% estimated positive predictive value and 38.9% negative predictive value. L-Dex scores were associated with MRL fluid and fat content scores (p ≤ 0.05), and lymphedema severity (p = 0.01), with better discrimination between fluid than fat content levels on pairwise analysis, and poor discrimination between adjacent severity levels. L-Dex scores were correlated with distal and proximal limb fluid stripe thickness (distal: rho = 0.57, p < 0.01; proximal: rho = 0.58, p < 0.01), partially correlated with distal subcutaneous fat thickness when accounting for body mass index (rho = 0.34, p = 0.02), and were not correlated with lymphatic diameter (p = 0.25).

Conclusion L-Dex scores have high sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for the identification of MRL-detected lymphedema. L-Dex has difficulty distinguishing between adjacent severity levels of lymphedema and a high false negative rate, explained in part by reduced discrimination between levels of fat accumulation.
In vitro Assessment of the Effects of Silybin on CYP2B6-mediated Metabolism
Authors: Zhang Wenwen , Zhang Yice , Wen Chengming , Jiang Xuehua , Wang Ling
Published: May 2023

Silybin is a flavonol compound with a variety of physiological properties, such as hepatoprotective, anti-fibrogenic, and hypocholesterolemic effects. Although the in vivo and in
vitro effects of silybin are frequently reported, studies on herb–drug interactions have yet to be performed. With the discovery of multiple important substrates of CYP2B6 recently,
there is a growing body of evidence indicating that CYP2B6 plays a much larger role in human drug metabolism than previously thought.

The purpose of this study is to determine how silybin affects the CYP2B6 enzymeʼs activity, as well as to clarify the molecular mechanisms for inhibition by silybin. The results showed that
silybin inhibited CYP2B6 activity in liver microsomes in a non-competitive manner, with IC50 and Ki values of 13.9 µM and 38.4 µM, respectively. Further investigations
revealed that silybin could down-regulate the expression of CYP2B6 protein in HepaRG cells. The hydrogen bond conformation of silybin in the active site of the CYP2B6 isoform was revealed by
a molecular docking study. Collectively, our findings verify that silybin is an inhibitor of CYP2B6 and explain the molecular mechanism of inhibition. This can lead to a better understanding
of the herb–drug interaction between silybin and the substrates of the CYP2B6 enzyme, as well as a more rational clinical use of silybin.
Surgical Outcome in Patients Undergoing Tympanoplasty Alone for Active Chronic Otitis Media Mucosal Type in Hilly Area
Authors: Balakrishnan Manu Coimbatore , Bhatia Abhijeet , Bhattacharjee Nirupam
Published: May 2023

Introduction Chronic otitis media (COM) is a common problem affecting 65 to 330 million population worldwide with 50% patients suffering from hearing impairment. In active COM, the usual clinical practice is to wait for the ear to become dry and to consider tympanoplasty with/without cortical mastoidectomy. If cortical mastoidectomy can be avoided without compromising the outcomes, it is desirable. Various prognostic factors have been studied; however, the effect of altitude on the outcome of tympanoplasty has not been commonly studied. High-altitude areas can have poor connectivity and can result in middle ear pressure changes when the patients commute from low-altitude areas.

Aim The aim of this article was to assess the surgical outcome in patients undergoing tympanoplasty for active COM mucosal type in comparison to inactive COM mucosal type in a hilly area located at an altitude of 4,757 ft (1,450 m).

Objective This article compared the success rate and audiometric improvement in patients undergoing tympanoplasty for active COM mucosal type and inactive COM mucosal type.

Materials and Methods This prospective cohort study included 24 patients with 12 patients each in active and inactive groups. At 3 months follow-up, there was significant improvement in all the air conduction threshold frequencies and air bone gap in both the groups.

Conclusion The success rate for our tympanoplasties for active and inactive COM performed in a hilly area was 92% and it was comparable to those reported from other centers. Altitude may not negatively affect the outcome of tympanoplasty and that the active ear COM can have similar success rate as inactive COM tympanoplasty.
Strain-induced anisotropic ion migration in single-crystal cesium lead halide perovskites
Authors: Cheenady Amith Adoor , Rajan Krishna
Published: May 2023

Ion migration adversely affects perovskite solar cell (PSC) performance by upsetting film stability, inducing hysteresis, and light-induced halide segregation. Ion migration is also substantially influenced by residual strains, which are prevalent in fabricated PSCs. This study thus utilizes molecular dynamics simulations to analyze the influence of uniaxial, biaxial, and isotropic states of compressive and tensile stresses on ion migration in single-crystal cesium lead iodide (CsPbI3) and bromide (CsPbBr3) perovskites. Furthermore, nudged elastic band simulations are used to reveal energy barriers associated with ion migration under mechanical deformation. Tensile and compressive strains are observed to intensify and inhibit ion migration, respectively, in these metal halide perovskites (MHPs), with the extent of this alteration becoming more drastic on progressing from uniaxial to isotropic state of stress. We also reveal that uniaxial and biaxial states of stresses induce anisotropic ion migration in CsPbI3, while ion migration remains isotropic under these loading conditions in CsPbBr3. The heightened ion migration under tension in these MHPs is deciphered to arise from lowering of the energy barrier, while migration inhibition under compression arises from increase in barrier height. This study thus provides direct evidence of tensile and compressive strains influencing ion migration in MHPs and highlights that methods such as lattice-strain tailoring that are aimed at mitigating this phenomenon may need to be customized to the MHP of interest.
In vitro characterization of solute transport in the spinal canal
Authors: Moral-Pulido F. , Jiménez-González J. I. , Gutiérrez-Montes C. , Coenen W. , Sánchez A. L. , Martínez-Bazán C.
Published: May 2023

This paper presents results of an experimental investigation of solute transport in a simplified model of the spinal canal. The work aims to provide increased understanding of the mechanisms responsible for drug dispersion in intrathecal drug delivery (ITDD) procedures. The model consists of an annular channel bounded externally by a rigid transparent tube of circular section, representing the dura mater, and internally by an eccentric cylindrical compliant insert, representing the spinal cord. The tube, closed at one end, is connected to a rigid acrylic reservoir, representing the cranial cavity. The system is filled with water, whose properties are almost identical to those of the cerebrospinal fluid. A programmable peristaltic pump is employed to generate oscillatory motion at frequencies that are representative of those induced by the cardiac and respiratory cycles. Laser induced fluorescence is used to characterize the dispersion of fluorescent dye along the canal and into the cranial cavity for different values of the relevant Womersley number and different eccentricities of the annular section. The present work corroborates experimentally, for the first time, the existence of a steady bulk flow, associated with the mean Lagrangian motion, which plays a key role in the transport of the solute along the spinal canal. The measurements of solute dispersion are found to be in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions obtained using a simplified transport equation derived earlier on the basis of a two-timescale asymptotic analysis. The experimental results underscore the importance of the eccentricity and its variations along the canal and identifies changes in the flow topology associated with differences in the Womersley number, with potential implications in guiding future designs of ITDD protocols.
Pre-established anthelmintic protocols in horses: low efficacy and unnecessary treatments highlight the need for strategic deworming
Authors: Neves Rafaella Back , Leme Denise Pereira , Bessa Fernando Jahn , Barros Giuliano P. de , Bricarello Patrizia Ana
Published: May 2023

Context Deworming all horses with commercial anthelmintics on a rotational basis every 90 days is still popular worldwide. Aims To investigate anthelmintic resistance and therapeutic requirements of adult horses on the basis of faecal examinations after a rotation between commercial anthelmintics commonly used in Brazil. Methods We followed up faecal egg counts and coprocultures of 29 horses for 7 months, after pre-established anthelmintic treatments, every 3 months (August and November 2019 and February 2020). The following commercial anthelmintics were used respectively: moxidectin (1), ivermectin + praziquantel (2) and trichlorfon + mebendazole (3). Faecal egg count (FEC), FEC reduction tests (FECRT) and coproculture were performed before (Day 0) and after 14 days for each of the three treatments. Wilcoxon test (95% confidence level, P < 0.05) was used to test the efficacy of the treatment on the FECRT and the occurrence of resistance to the treatments used. Results The FEC results and percentage of individual FECRT indicated parasite resistance, and 82 of 87 (94%) deworming treatments were unnecessary. The efficacy rate was 78%, 34% and 53% for Treatments 1, 2 and 3 respectively. In the coprocultures before deworming, 98.5% were small strongyles, 1.1% Strongylus equinus and 0.4% Gyalocephalus capitatus. After deworming, 98.7% of parasites were small strongyles and 1.3% Dictyocaulus arnfieldi. FEC values at Day 0 and 14 days after anthelminthics were different (lower) only for the moxidectin treatment (U = 271.5; P-value <0.01). For both ivermectin + praziquantel (U = 373; P-value >0.05) and mebendazole + trichlorfon (U = 391; P-value >0.05) treatments, there was no difference in FEC between Day 0 and Day 14 at 95% confidence level. Conclusions The anthelmintics used in the deworming protocol of this study had reduced efficacy against the parasites identified in the coprocultures and the pre-established treatments were probably unnecessary in 93% of the horses with a low level of infection. Implications This study has highlighted not only the issue of the indiscriminate use of anthelmintics regarding parasitic resistance, but also the exposure of horses to unnecessary treatments. Such widespread use is a costly waste of resources and further reinforces the discontinuation of schedule rather than strategic deworming protocols.
An autoencoder neural network integrated into gravitational-wave burst searches to improve the rejection of noise transients
Authors: Bini Sophie , Vedovato Gabriele , Drago Marco , Salemi Francesco , Prodi Giovanni A
Published: May 2023

The gravitational-wave (GW) detector data are affected by short-lived instrumental or terrestrial transients, called ‘glitches’, which can simulate GW signals. Mitigation of glitches is particularly difficult for algorithms which target generic sources of short-duration GW transients (GWT), and do not rely on GW waveform models to distinguish astrophysical signals from noise, such as coherent WaveBurst (cWB). This work is part of the long-term effort to mitigate transient noises in cWB, which led to the introduction of specific estimators, and a machine-learning based signal-noise classification algorithm. Here, we propose an autoencoder neural network, integrated into cWB, that learns transient noises morphologies from GW time-series. We test its performance on the glitch family known as ‘blip’. The resulting sensitivity to generic GWT and binary black hole mergers significantly improves when tested on LIGO detectors data from the last observation period (O3b). At false alarm rate of one event per 50 years the sensitivity volume increases up to 30% for signal morphologies similar to blip glitches. In perspective, this tool can adapt to classify different transient noise classes that may affect future observing runs, enhancing GWT searches.
Ultra-thin silver films grown by sputtering with a soft ion beam-treated intermediate layer
Authors: Tran Thanh , Wang Xiaobo , Shrestha Maheshwar , Wang Keliang , Fan Qi Hua
Published: May 2023

Silver thin films have wide-ranging applications in optical coatings and optoelectronic devices. However, their poor wettability to substrates such as glass often leads to an island growth mode, known as the Volmer–Weber mode. This study demonstrates a method that utilizes a low-energy ion beam (IB) treatment in conjunction with magnetron sputtering to fabricate continuous silver films as thin as 6 nm. A single-beam ion source generates low-energy soft ions to establish a nominal 1 nm seed silver layer, which significantly enhances the wettability of the subsequently deposited silver films, resulting in a continuous film of approximately 6 nm with a resistivity as low as 11.4 µΩ.cm. The transmittance spectra of these films were found to be comparable to simulated results, and the standard 100-grid tape test showed a marked improvement in adhesion to glass compared to silver films sputter-deposited without the IB treatment. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy images of the early growth stage indicate that the IB treatment promotes nucleation, while films without the IB treatment tend to form isolated islands. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that the (111) crystallization is suppressed by the soft IB treatment, while growth of large crystals with (200) orientation is strengthened. This method is a promising approach for the fabrication of silver thin films with improved properties for use in optical coatings and optoelectronics.