Impact of the geological substrate on the radiological content of Galician waters.

Galicia (NW of Spain) is home to a highly-fractured soil rich in (238)U minerals, being the widest radon-prone area of the Iberian Peninsula. High precipitation levels confer a rich variety and abundance of both surface and groundwaters, which are extensively used for human consumption. Nevertheless, there exists no comprehensive body of information about the impact of the high environmental radioactivity on the radiological content of Galician waters. Measurements of (222)Rn, gross alpha/beta, (226, 224)Ra and (3)H activity were undertaken over a significant range of traditional springs, waters for spas and bottling plant wells. A seasonal survey was also performed for five network water suppliers to the largest Galician cities. The main outcome of this study has been the determination of statistical correlations between the water's radiological content and different environmental factors. Water measured at bottling plants reveal radiological values exceeding the U.E. limits, however this is eliminated in the industrial bottling process before reaching the consumer. Neither significant values nor seasonal variations were obtained for network waters.

(222)Rn concentration in public secondary schools in Galicia (Spain).

In the framework of a (222)Rn screening campaign that was carried out in 58 public secondary schools in Galicia (NW Spain), the largest radon-prone area in the Iberian Peninsula, a positive correlation between indoor (222)Rn concentration and outdoor gamma exposure rate was obtained. A new approach to the data acquisition in screening surveys was tested, improving the performances of this type of study and gathering useful data for future remedial actions. Using short-period detectors (charcoal canisters) firstly, in order to detect places showing (222)Rn concentrations over 400Bqm(-3), the number of locations to be measured with long-period detectors (etched track detectors) is reduced. In this screening campaign, 34% of the schools surveyed presented at least one site exceeding the 400Bqm(-3) recommended action level established by the EU, and 15% had at least one site with (222)Rn values over 800Bqm(-3). The maximum value recorded was 2084+/-63Bqm(-3). These results are discussed and compared with data obtained in schools of several countries with similar geology. Seven schools were also studied for seasonal variations of (222)Rn activity concentration. The results were not conclusive, and no significant correlation between season and (222)Rn concentration was established. Finally, a continuous (222)Rn concentration monitor was placed in the secondary school exhibiting a mean value of the (222)Rn concentration very close to 400Bqm(-3). Maximum (222)Rn concentration values were found to occur at times when the school was unoccupied.

An approach to the subslab depressurization remedial action in a high (222)Rn concentration dwelling.

Galicia (NW Spain) is a radon-prone area in the Iberian Peninsula. Measurements were carried out at a rural dwelling, with an annual average of radon concentration over 4000 Bq m(-3) and a maximum of 9000 Bq m(-3), found during a radon screening campaign held in the Autonomous Community of Galicia. We performed a detailed study to identify the main contamination source and the behaviour of the radon concentration, in which a linear dependence with temperature was verified, once corrected for relative humidity. We used different passive methods (charcoal canisters and two types of etched track detectors) as well as a radon concentration monitor that provided continuous measurement. Subsequent to this characterization, and in order to reduce the high radon concentration, a remedial action was developed using different passive and forced ventilation methods. A modified subslab depressurization technique was found to be the most effective remedy, providing a radon concentration reduction of around 96%. This method also has the advantages of being inexpensive and reliable over time.

Measurements of indoor radon concentrations in the Santiago de Compostela area.

Galician soils are among those with the highest 222Rn exhalation rates in Spain. A year-round study of the indoor 222Rn concentration in buildings in the Santiago de Compostela area (Galicia, Northwest of Spain) was performed. The study is based on systematic samplings with active charcoal canisters, following a modified EPA 520/5-87-005 protocol. These measurements were complemented by others obtained using etched track dosimeters. Each data set follows a log-normal distribution, with a geometric mean of (253+/-3) Bq m(-3) for charcoal canisters and (285+/-2.5) Bq m(-3) for etched track detectors. After correcting for the different measuring conditions, the mean value of both methods differed by only 2%. A careful analysis of the seasonal dependence of our measurements did not reveal any significant seasonal variations in the 222Rn concentration. Parallel to these measurements, different meteorological parameters were recorded, which revealed a direct correlation between the indoor radon concentration and the outdoor temperature derivative with respect to time.

First observation of 54Zn and its decay by two-proton emission.

The nucleus 54Zn has been observed for the first time in an experiment at the SISSI/LISE3 facility of GANIL in the quasifragmentation of a 58Ni beam at 74.5 MeV/nucleon in a (nat)Ni target. The fragments were analyzed by means of the ALPHA-LISE3 separator and implanted in a silicon-strip detector where correlations in space and time between implantation and subsequent decay events allowed us to generate almost background free decay spectra for about 25 different nuclei at the same time. Eight 54Zn implantation events were observed. From the correlated decay events, the half-life of 54Zn is determined to be 3.2(+1.8)(-0.8) ms. Seven of the eight implantations are followed by two-proton emission with a decay energy of 1.48(2) MeV. The decay energy and the partial half-life are compared to model predictions and allow for a test of these two-proton decay models.

Neutron capture cross section measurement of 151Sm at the CERN neutron time of flight facility (n_TOF).

The151Sm(n,gamma)152Sm cross section has been measured at the spallation neutron facility n_TOF at CERN in the energy range from 1 eV to 1 MeV. The new facility combines excellent resolution in neutron time-of-flight, low repetition rates, and an unsurpassed instantaneous luminosity, resulting in rather favorable signal/background ratios. The 151Sm cross section is of importance for characterizing neutron capture nucleosynthesis in asymptotic giant branch stars. At a thermal energy of kT=30 keV the Maxwellian averaged cross section of this unstable isotope (t(1/2)=93 yr) was determined to be 3100+/-160 mb, significantly larger than theoretical predictions.

Coulomb dissociation of 8B and the low-energy cross section of the 7Be(p,gamma)8B solar fusion reaction.

An exclusive measurement of the Coulomb breakup of 8B into 7Be+p at 254A MeV allowed the study of the angular correlations of the breakup particles. These correlations demonstrate clearly that E1 multipolarity dominates and that E2 multipolarity can be neglected. By using a simple single-particle model for 8B and treating the breakup in first-order perturbation theory, we extract a zero-energy S factor of S17(0)=18.6+/-1.2+/-1.0 eV b, where the first error is experimental and the second one reflects the theoretical uncertainty in the extrapolation.

Photoneutron cross sections for unstable neutron-rich oxygen isotopes.

The dipole response of stable and unstable neutron-rich oxygen nuclei of masses A = 17 to A = 22 has been investigated experimentally utilizing electromagnetic excitation in heavy-ion collisions at beam energies about 600 MeV/nucleon. A kinematically complete measurement of the neutron decay channel in inelastic scattering of the secondary beam projectiles from a Pb target was performed. Differential electromagnetic excitation cross sections d sigma/dE were derived up to 30 MeV excitation energy. In contrast to stable nuclei, the deduced dipole strength distribution appears to be strongly fragmented and systematically exhibits a considerable fraction of low-lying strength.

Drastic enhancement of energy-loss straggling of relativistic heavy ions due to charge-state fluctuations

Stopping power and energy-loss straggling of 197Au, 208Pb, and 209Bi projectiles have been measured in different solids (4

La amigdalitis aguda y cronica y su tratamiento homeopatico / Acute and chronic tonsillitis and his homeopathic treatment

Se trataron exclusivamente por homeopatia en un estudio abierto 60 pacientes ambulantes con amigdalitis, miembros o familiares del per;sonal del Banco Nacional de Mexico, S.A. (BANAMEX), 31 de ellos eran del sexo masculino (51.6%) y 29 del femenino (48.3%) con una edad promedio de 3.7 anos y que concurrieron aproximadamente a 5 consultas para su tratamiento y vigilancia, durante un lapso de 7 dias por termino medio. Se prescribio Baryta carbonica segun el caso a la 6a, 12, 30 y 200 centesimales y este fue el medicamento homeopatico que se empleo con mayor frecuencia, seguido de Phytolacca, Belladona, Eucalyptus, Baryta iodata, Hepar sulphur, Psorinum, Silicea y Rhus tox. Igualmente se empleo Acido ascorbico y Calcarea phosphorica en dinamizaciones que fluctuaron de la 6a. a la 1000 centesimales, que se prescribieron de acuerdo con la sintomatologia y al terreno de cada paciente en particular. Eventualmente se empleo la tintura de Ilex paraguensis, en los casos de amigdalitis que cursaban con enuresis nocturna. Los agentes causales que predominaron fueron estafilococo dorado, Escherichia coli, y estreptococo beta hemolitico. Los resultados que se obtuvieron fueron excelentes en 52 enfermos (86.66%), en tanto que en 6 personas (10%), el tratamiento fue eficaz y solamente 2 casos (3.33%), tuvieron que ser amigdalectomizados

La hipertension arterial y su tratamiento homeopatico con Olea europea / The arterial hipertension and its homeopatic treatment with Olea europea

En un estudio abierto, se trataron 50 pacientes con hipertension arterial para evaluar la eficacia del medicamento Olea europea como monoterapia. Se trataron 35 pacientes (70%) de sexo masculino y 15 (30%) del femenino. 42 (84%) eran ambulantes mientras que 8 (16%) estaban encamados. Las edades se encontraban entre los 32 y los 88 anos (promedio: 60 anos). 21 de los pacientes varones (42%) llegaron a la consulta con distintos problemas de la funcion sexual, debidos a la prescripcion de metildopa y clortalidona, 10 de los cuales (48%) se recuperaron al termino de la terapia. 39 personas (78%) reportaron tabaquismo en tanto que 35 (70%) presentaron diversos grados de alcoholismo; 17 (34%) eran pacientes obesos, 15 (30%) padecian aterosclerosis y 35 (70%) de los individuos, tenian Stress y tension mental y fisica. Los resultados fueron excelentes en 34 de las personas (68%). En 6 (12%) la presion se mantuvo sin cambios y solo en 10 de los casos restantes (20%) no hubo resultados positivos. El efecto diuretico se presento en 39 pacientes (78%). En los 50 casos (100%), al inicio de la investigacion, no se establecio ninguna dieta hiposodica durante el tratamiento. En 21 personas (42%) se limito el uso de la sal asi como en 6 (12%) debio prohibirse totalmente, mientras que 27 de los tratados (54%), siguieron tomando cloruro de sodio sin ninguna modificacion. En los 50 casos (100%) no se presentaron efectos colaterales y la eficacia del tratamiento se manifesto a las 72 horas de iniciado

Valoracion del tratamiento homeopatico en el stress, la impotencia y la eyaculacion precoz / Evaluation of homeopathic treatment in stress, impotence and premature ejaculation

Se estudiaron en una investigacion abierta 60 pacientes del sexo masculino padeciendo stress, impotencia y eyaculacion precoz, cuyas edades fluctuaban entre los 18 y 62 anos (edad promedio 40 anos), de los cuales 34 prestaban servicios en diferentes bancos: 10 se desempenaban como profesionistas 6 eran estudiantes de diversas disciplinas; 5 trabajaban en ocupaciones varias y los 5 restantes, habian pertenecido a instituciones bancarias pero a la sazon estaban jubilados. 50 de dichos casos correspondieron a varones circuncidados, mientras que en 44 individuos existia tabaquismo intenso, moderado y ocasional. 47 sujetos de estudio, bebian mas de una taza de cafe al dia, 47 pacientes consumian diariamente una o mas bebidas gaseosas a base de cola y 37 tomaban una o mas bebidas alcoholicas habitualmente. En 6 casos que cursaban simultaneamente con hipertension, se observo impotencia consecutiva al tratamiento previo clortalidona y metildopa, mientras que la totalidad de los casos tratados (100%), padecian stress en diferentes grados; en 37 se encontro impotencia psiquica (61%), y los otros 23 presentaban eyaculacion precoz (39%). Los 60 pacientes recibieron una dosis diaria de una tableta No.4 de trituracion de Phosphoricum acidum 3D, Glutamicum acidum 3D y Strychninum 3D antes de los alimentos y alternando los medicamentos, durante un lapso que fluctuo entre 15 y 60 dias con excelentes resultados en 49 casos (82%), siendo nulos o poco notables en 11 pacientes (18%). Asimismo todos los casos (100%), fueron tratados exclusivamente por homeopatia y seleccionados, individualizados y repertorizados siguiendo la tecnica homeopatica

Enuresis nocturna y su tratamiento homeopatico: estudio de 20 casos tratados con Ilex paraguensis / Night enuresis and its homeopathic treatment: 20 cases study, treated with Ilex paraguensis

Se investigaron en un estudio abierto 20 casos de pacientes infantiles que presentaban Enuresis nocturna la cual se trato con el medicamento Ilex paraguensis cuyo nombre comun es el de Hierba Mate. 12 de los casos (60%) eran de sexo masculino y 8 (40%) del femenino. Del grupo de ninos 9 de ellos (75) estaban circuncidados mientras que otro grupo de 12 sujetos de ambos sexos (60%) eran hijos unicos, en tanto que los 8 casos restantes (40%) pertenecian a familias formadas por 2 o mas hermanos. En 10 pacientes (50%) el padecimiento se presento en ninos con "sueno pesado". En 10 de ellos (50%) se encontraron problemas de diccion, retardo en el habla, tartamudez, ecolalia, dislexia y locuacidad durante el sueno. Solamente un caso (5%) presento sonambulismo. 2 pequenos (10%) praticaban la masturbacion. Entre los factores ambientales que intervinieron se pueden enumerar los conflictos entre padres e hijos, y el de progenitores que reportaron alcoholismo y tabaquismo intensamente positivos. En lo que se refiere al Status Social, predominaron la clase media y baja en el aporte de los pacientes estudiados. 10 de los ninos (50%) eran hijos de parejas separadas o divorciadas. La totalidad de los casos (100%) eran ambulantes y su edad oscilaba entre los 4 y 8 anos (promedio de 6 anos). 10 de ellos (50%) asistian al Kindergarteny los otros 10 (50%) a diferentes grados de Primaria. 6 pacientes (30%) fueron tratados por Psicologia aplicada. Otros 4 (20%) recibieron tratamiento alopatico especifico y 10 casos (50%) fueron tratados homeopaticamente desde el inicio de la afeccion. Un caso (5%) requirio ultrasonido del tracto urinario y otro caso (5%) de urografia descendente para descartar alteraciones congenitas. La duracion del tratamiento fue de 2 meses y consistio en una consulta cada quince dias. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron la completa desaparicion de la Enuresis nocturna asi como la mejoria de los sintomas psiquicos en 10 de los casos investigados (50%). En 2 casos (10%) mejoraron al inicio del tratamiento para recaer nuevamente mientras que en 8 casos (40%) la terapeutica no tuvo el exito esperado