RESUMO
We describe a system to transport and identify barium ions produced in liquid xenon, as part of R&D towards the second phase of a double beta decay experiment, nEXO. The goal is to identify the Ba ion resulting from an extremely rare nuclear decay of the isotope (136)Xe, hence providing a confirmation of the occurrence of the decay. This is achieved through Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy (RIS). In the test setup described here, Ba ions can be produced in liquid xenon or vacuum and collected on a clean substrate. This substrate is then removed to an analysis chamber under vacuum, where laser-induced thermal desorption and RIS are used with time-of-flight mass spectroscopy for positive identification of the barium decay product.
RESUMO
We report on a search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of 136Xe with EXO-200. No signal is observed for an exposure of 32.5 kg yr, with a background of â¼1.5×10(-3) kg(-1) yr(-1) keV(-1) in the ±1σ region of interest. This sets a lower limit on the half-life of the neutrinoless double-beta decay T(1/2)(0νßß)(136Xe)>1.6×10(25) yr (90% C.L.), corresponding to effective Majorana masses of less than 140-380 meV, depending on the matrix element calculation.
RESUMO
In a randomized double-blind study on the treatment of chronic bronchitis, Supristol (co-trifamole) was compared with co-trimoxazole. 163 patients participated in the clinical trial that was performed at three different hospitals in accordance with a uniform trial plan. The microbiological investigations were done centrally at a hygiene institute for all three hospitals. The bacteriological results from the 61 patients whose antibiogram revealed sensitive pathogens before starting the therapy demonstrate the equal effectivenesss of the two preparations. With Supristol there was an elimination rate of 95.3%, and with co-trimoxazole of 93.2%. The clinical parameters do not show any difference in effectiveness either.